Alfonso d'Avalos

Who was Alfonso d'Avalos?

Alfonso d'Avalos d'Aquino, VI marquis of Pescara and II of Vasto, was a condottiero of Spanish-Italian origin.

He was born in Ischia, the cousin of Francesco Ferdinando I d´Ávalos, inheriting his titles after 1525, fighting the French and the Venetians by his side. During the period 1526-1528 he fought under Hugo of Moncada, being captured in 1528 by the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria.

In July 1535 he was part of the naval troops reconquering the city of Tunis in North Africa. The failure on the third war against France trying to invade Provence, and the death of the first Governor of the Duchy of Milan, Antonio de Leyva, prompted him in 1538 to accept the nomination as governor, replacing Marino Caracciolo, the second governor, becoming some sort of protector of literary and musical people. Wars with French and North Italians ended for a while with the Treaty of Crespy. He also became a Knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Having fought at the Battle of Pavia, he later represented Spain as Ambassador, in 1538, on the succession to the new Doge of the Republic of Venice, Pietro Lando.