Gonzalo II Fernández de Córdoba

Gonzalo II Fernández de Córdoba, 3rd Duke of Sessa, 1st Duke of Baena (27 July 1520 – 3 December 1578) was a Spanish aristocrat who held several dukedoms and many other lesser titles, Spanish and Italian; he 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.

Early life Fernández de Córdoba was born at Cartagena on 27 July 1520. His mother, Elvira Fernández de Córdoba y Manrique, died in 1524, when he was four, in childbirth. His father, Luis Fernández de Córdoba, died in 1526, when he was six, while on campaign in Italy.

Through his mother, the eldest daughter of her father, he was the grandson of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, 1st Duke of Sessa, who was Viceroy of Naples.

Career He was twice a Governor of the Duchy of Milan, first from 1558 to 1560 then from 1563 to 1564, and was made Knight 213 of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1555.

Personal life On 30 November 1538 he married at Valladolid, Spain, María Sarmiento de Mendoza, the sister of Diego de los Cobos y Hurtado de Mendoza, 1st Marquess of Camarasa, and the daughter of Úbeda-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.

Fernández de Córdoba died, without issue, in Villaviciosa de Odón on 3 December 1578.