Francesco Ferdinando d’Ávalos d'Aquino, 5th marquis of Pescara and of Vasto (c. 1530– Palermo, 1571) was commander in chief of the Spanish army in Lombardy and Piedmont, governor of the State of Milan (1560–63) and viceroy of Sicily (1568–71).[1]
Francesco Ferdinando was the son of Alfonso 4th marquis of Pescara and Vasto. Still a child, he was named in 1536 Gran Camerlengo of the Kingdom of Naples. At the head of the Spanish army in Lombardy and Piedmont since december 1555, he achieved an advantagious truce with France in March 1556, concluding the successful campaign started by the Duke of Alva.
He was then Governor of the Duchy of Milan (1560–63) and viceroy of Sicily (1568–71), where he diminished the power of the local barons and the Deputation.
He also became a Knight in the Order of the Golden Fleece.
In 1552 he married Isabella Gonzaga, daughter of Federico II Gonzaga.[1]
| Preceded by Gonzalo II Fernández de Córdoba |
Governors of the Duchy of Milan 1560–1563 |
Succeeded by Gonzalo II Fernández de Córdoba |
| Preceded by Carlo d'Aragona Tagliavia |
Viceroy of Sicily 1568–1571 |
Succeeded by Giuseppe Francesco Landriano |