Fernando d'Avalos (1489-3 December 1525) was a Spanish condottiero during the Italian Wars.
Biography[]
Fernando d'Avalos was born in Naples in 1489 to a family of Aragonese origin, and he was the cousin of Alfonso d'Avalos. He was betrothed to Fabrizio Colonna's daughter, and they married in 1509. In 1512, he commanded a body of light cavalry at the Battle of Ravenna, where he was wounded and captured by the French. In 1513, he commanded the Spanish army at the Battle of La Motta, and he served as a colleague of Prospero Colonna. He was angered when Prospero Colonna rose above him to become commander-in-chief in Italy, and he spoke to Emperor Charles V, who was impressed by him. In 1524, he was sent to repel Francis I of France's invasion of Italy; in 1525, he captured him at the Battle of Pavia. He died in Milan that same year.