Born Regensburg, Germany, the progeny of a liaison between Charles and Barbara Blombberg, a burgher's daughter, Don John was raised anonymously in Spain before being recognised by Philip II of Spain as a half-brother and given an income and his title. Philip had planned that Don John would enter the Church but was unable to stem his enthusiasm for a military career. Don John's first engagement in 1568 was against Moorishpirates and success entailed his appointment at the head of the Spanish forces ranged against the Morisco rebellions in Grenada.
In 1571, at the height of Don John's prestige, Philip set him at the head of the navy of the Holy League whom Don John, by authority and charisma, was able to unite in the defeat of the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
The victory fired Don John's ambitions but Philip was not enthusiastic to allow his bastard half-brother to establish too secure a niche in European politics. Philip hoped that the appointment as governor of the Spanish Netherlands in 1576 would allow some outlet for his ambitions but Don John resisted and only accepted on the understanding that he would be allowed to marry Mary I of Scotland, then held captive in England, by invading and staging a "liberation".
His entanglement in Netherlands politics and the deteriorating relationship with Philip frustrated his plans and he died in Bouges, near Namur (currently in Belgium.)
DonJuan's first engagement in 1568 was against Barbary pirates; its success resulted in his appointment as the leader of the Spanish forces ranged against the Morisco rebellions in Granada.
DonJuan, by dint of leadership ability and charisma, was able to unite this disparate coalition and inflict a historic defeat upon the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto.
DonJuan resisted the appointment and only accepted it on the understanding that he would be allowed to marry Mary Queen of Scots, then held captive in England, by invading and staging a liberation of England.