Gonzalo II Fernández de Córdoba

Who was Gonzalo II Fernández de Córdoba?

Gonzalo II Fernández de Córdoba, 3rd duke of Sessa, was the grandson of a Viceroy of Naples, Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, 1st duke of Sessa. He was twice a Governor of the Duchy of Milan, 1554–1560, Knight 217 of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1555, and was awarded the title of 1st duke of Baena by King Philip II of Spain on 19 August 1566. In 1552 he sold his title of 3rd duke of Andria to Fabrizio Carafa, count of Rufo.

His mother died when he was four and his father when he was six. On 30 November 1538 he married at Valladolid, Spain, María Sarmiento de Mendoza, who was the sister of Diego de los Cobos y Hurtado de Mendoza, 1st marquis of Camarasa, and the daughter of Ubeda born Francisco de los Cobos, powerful Secretary of State and Financial Accountant of King Charles I of Spain, who was also Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. There was no issue from this marriage.

Gonzalo II, holder of several dukedoms and many other lesser titles, Spanish and Italian, was Captain General of the Spanish Troops in Italy, Great Admiral of the Kingdom of Naples, and a member of the Spanish king Royal Council for Italy and the Royal War Council, too.