Fernando (Ferrante) Francesco d’Avalos

Fernando, or Ferrante Francesco d’Avalos (1490-1525) belonged to the noble d’Avalos family of Iberian origin. The Marquis of Vasto and Pescara was a major player in the troubled period of the Italian Wars. In fact he fought under the orders of Ferdinand II of Aragon and the Emperor and King of Spain, Charles V, obtaining great victories. He was taken prisoner by the French at the Battle of Ravenna in 1512. Freed due to a ransom of 6,000 ducats, he led the Spanish infantry at the Battle of Vicenza in 1513, and in subsequent years continued to serve under the command of his relative Prospero Colonna, with whom, however, he had an uneasy relationship. Thanks to the personal relationship of trust that linked him to Charles V, d’Avalos, however, had a prominent role following the invasion of Italy by Francis I of France. After the victory already achieved in the battle of Bicocca (1522), he obtained the crucial victory of Pavia (1525), where Francis I was captured. D’Avalos, however, died shortly after, on 3 December 1525 in Milan, as a result of wounds received in his latest victory. He left his wife Vittoria Colonna, whom he had married when they were still children on the island of Ischia, a widow. The title of marquis was inherited by his cousin Alfonso d’Avalos.