Joined Jan 2015
20,624 Posts | 13,435+
Azuchi Castle
Last edited:
Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba (1453-1515), “El Gran Capitan”
Duke of Santangelo, Duke of Terranova, Duke of Andria, Duke of Montalto, Duke of Sessa
Viceroy of Naples, Captain General of the Royal Armies of Castile & Aragon, Master of the Order of Santiago, Captain General of the Expeditionary Company of Naples, Lieutenant-General of Apulia & Calabria, Knight of the Order of Santiago
Fernando II Conquers of Granada
Although Gonzalo had started his career during the war of Castilian Succession as a knight, which secured the throne for Isabel the Catholic, against the claims of her Portuguese relatives. He first served as an officer in the army of Fernando II of Aragon, who was also the King Consort of Isabel of Castile. Fernando was largely the driving force behind the final conquest of Granada, which had been postponed since the 1300's. Gonzalo became a unit captain during this time.
1) Siege of Tajara (1483) - Where Gonzalo first distinguished himself, he led the assault on the Moorish fort by using a large doorway as a mobile platform to shield the assaulting unit from enemy projectiles.
2) Siege of Illora (1486) - Gonzalo truly distinguished himself here, leading the unit which assaulted the castle.
3) Siege of Montefrio (1486) - Here again Gonzalo was leading the assault unit.
4) Siege of Loja (1486) - He also led the assault unit here, and for his service Fernando made him military governor over the town of Illora.
First Italian War
5) (x) 1st Battle of Seminara (1495) - Sent by Fernando to intervene in Naples in order to secure Naples for his cousin Ferdinando II from the claims of King Charles VIII of France. However the Spanish army was defeated at Seminara by the French heavy cavalry. Thankfully the League of Venice forced Charles VIII to return to France lest he be trapped in Italy.
6) Siege of Atella (1496) - While Charles VIII retreated from Italy he left a large garrison in Naples. The League of Venice marched to defeat the French garrisons in Italy. Gonzalo led his Spanish forces, together with a Venetian force under Francesco II Gonzaga, a Papal force under Cesare Borgia, and the Neapolitan forces under King Ferdinando II of Naples. They defeated the French garrison and forced the French forces in Naples to surrender. However Ferdinando II died and was succeeded by King Federico.
7) Siege of Ostia (1497) - The French had asked Pope Borgia for passage through Rome and had occupied the fort at Ostia. However they refused to give up this position once Charles VIII had retreated from Naples. Pope Borgia formed an alliance with the Spanish, and asked Gonzalo to march up from Naples to place the French garrison under siege, which they succeeded in doing.
First Revolt of the Alpujarras
8) Siege of Guejar Sierra (1500) - Gonzalo returned from Naples by 1498. In 1499 various communities in Granada had revolted. Gonzalo was given command to put down the rebellions together with his brother Alfonso. Gonzalo himself besieged and captured Guejar Sierra.
9) Siege of Nijar (1500) - Gonzalo also marched east and took Nijar near to the eastern coast of Granada. However at this point King Fernando II of Aragon personally took command of the army.
Third Ottoman-Venetian War
10) Siege of Kefalonia (1500) - Charles VIII of France had died and was succeeded by his cousin Louis XII. Fernando II and Louis XII made an alliance and agreed to split Naples in half. Fernando II agreed to these terms in order to buy time and prepare for another war. Louis XII invaded Milan in what was the Second Italian War.
Fernando II sent Gonzalo to Naples with the pretext that he was to intervene in the east against the Turks. Gonzalo was put in command of a joint Spanish-Venetian-French force to besiege the island of Kefalonia, which had been taken by the Turks. The combined fleet took Kefalonia and returned it to the Venetians. But because of this Gonzalo was able to keep an entire army in Naples in preparation for Fernando II's next plan.
Third Italian War
11) Siege of Barletta (1502-03) - The Spanish dethroned Federico of Naples and took all of Naples. This was in clear violation of the agreement which Fernando II and Louis XII had signed. Louis XII sent an army to take control of Naples and the French laid siege to Barletta. Gonzalo came to defend Barletta but he refused battle with the French. Instead digging trenches and making defenses, doing hit and run attacks on the French lines and causing as much damage as possible. Though eventually Louis d'Armagnac gave up the siege and withdrew.
12) Siege of Ruvo (1503) - Hearing of the withdrawal of the French army, Gonzalo marched out and attacked the French garrison at Ruvo. He assaulted the town using cannons and putting a breach into the walls. Taking the commander of the town prisoner. Then placing a small Spanish garrison he withdrew back to Barletta. Louis d'Armagnac marched to relieve the town of Ruvo but arrived too late, decided against besieging Ruvo, and marched to seek the Spanish main army. However Spanish reinforcements under Fernando de Andrade landed in Calabria and defeated a French contingent at the 2nd Battle of Seminara, taking control over Calabria from the French.
13) Battle of Cerignola (1503) - For some time the Spanish had refused battle with the French and there was much skirmishing. But an actual engagement had been prolonged and the French languished in their camps. Both forces assembled at Cerignola and the Spanish fortified the heights with trenches and stakes. A large trench in front of the hill contained the arquebusiers, with the artillery on top of the hill. Spanish light cavalry was placed in front, and heavy cavalry in reserve behind the infantry. When the battle was fought the French cavalry charges were repulsed. Even the French general Louis d'Armagnac was killed by arquebus fire. French infantry attacks were also repulsed by the Spanish defensive formation. Then de Cordoba ordered a counter attack with the infantry and heavy cavalry and routed the French from the field.
14) (x) Siege of Gaeta (1503) - The French forces retreated to Gaeta and attempted to hold out against the Spanish pursuit. The Spanish laid siege to Gaeta and Gonzalo de Cordoba attempted to take it by cannon fire and assault, as he had done in other sieges. However the fortress held out as they had ample supplies, and were further being supplied by sea. They firmly held Gaeta and so Gonzalo decided to give up the siege and withdraw to Castellone.
15) Battle of the Garigliano River (1503) - The French received a large amount of reinforcements and the Marquis of Saluzzo, Ludovico II, had taken command of the French army. Both armies were camped on opposite sides of the Garigliano River. The French had control over Traetto at the mouth of the river, and just up the coast the city of Gaeta where they could get their supplies. The Spanish had attempted multiple times to cross the Garigliano with a makeshift bridge but were unsuccessful each time. After a long standoff Gonzalo contemplated withdrawing back to Naples. But reinforcements from Naples had changed his mind. Gonzalo carried out a fake retreat to the Volturno River, but secretly moved a makeshift bridge overland with which to move his army across the Garigliano River. They crossed at a place called Suio which was not visible to the French. With 3,500 men a contingent under d'Alviano crossed towards Suio, and hit its 300 man garrison, which was on the flank of the Spanish lines. They fled to Castelforte, joined another 300 French troops, then fled to the coast at Traetto, which allowed d'Alviano to take Castelforte. Some 2,200 men led by Prospero Colonna also crossed in support. The next day Mendoza and Andrade marched the center column across the river and attacked in the direction of the French camps at Traetto. But d'Alviano began to outflank Traetto and the French quickly withdrew from their camp. At Traetto the French withdrew towards Gaeta. The Spanish forces find the camp abandoned and begin a pursuit. Prosperro Colonna and his light cavalry began the pursuit of the French, but a small cavalry contingent under the Chevalier de Bayard attempted to defend the bridge at Mola, preventing a complete encirclement. The rest of the Spanish forces arrived and forced Bayard to withdraw. The French fled in large numbers to Gaeta.
16) Siege of Gaeta (1504) - The Spanish laid siege to Gaeta, which was held by the survivors of Garigliano. Although the siege only lasted throughout January of 1504 because the Spanish surrendered the city after they ran out of supplies, leading to riots by the civilians. Even the French commander Ludovico died of illness when he reached Genoa. Defeated French troops evacuated by sea back to Genoa and went to Milan. On 31 January Louis XII and Fernando II signed the Treaty of Lyon which recognized Spanish control over Naples.
Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba was made Duke of Terranova and named Viceroy of Naples in 1504. In 1507 Gonzalo was recalled to Spain and went into retirement until his death in 1515.
Career Summary:
Total engagements fought: 16 ?
Victories: 14
Defeats: 2
Indecisive: 0
Win rate: 87%
Duke of Santangelo, Duke of Terranova, Duke of Andria, Duke of Montalto, Duke of Sessa
Viceroy of Naples, Captain General of the Royal Armies of Castile & Aragon, Master of the Order of Santiago, Captain General of the Expeditionary Company of Naples, Lieutenant-General of Apulia & Calabria, Knight of the Order of Santiago
Fernando II Conquers of Granada
Although Gonzalo had started his career during the war of Castilian Succession as a knight, which secured the throne for Isabel the Catholic, against the claims of her Portuguese relatives. He first served as an officer in the army of Fernando II of Aragon, who was also the King Consort of Isabel of Castile. Fernando was largely the driving force behind the final conquest of Granada, which had been postponed since the 1300's. Gonzalo became a unit captain during this time.
1) Siege of Tajara (1483) - Where Gonzalo first distinguished himself, he led the assault on the Moorish fort by using a large doorway as a mobile platform to shield the assaulting unit from enemy projectiles.
2) Siege of Illora (1486) - Gonzalo truly distinguished himself here, leading the unit which assaulted the castle.
3) Siege of Montefrio (1486) - Here again Gonzalo was leading the assault unit.
4) Siege of Loja (1486) - He also led the assault unit here, and for his service Fernando made him military governor over the town of Illora.
First Italian War
5) (x) 1st Battle of Seminara (1495) - Sent by Fernando to intervene in Naples in order to secure Naples for his cousin Ferdinando II from the claims of King Charles VIII of France. However the Spanish army was defeated at Seminara by the French heavy cavalry. Thankfully the League of Venice forced Charles VIII to return to France lest he be trapped in Italy.
6) Siege of Atella (1496) - While Charles VIII retreated from Italy he left a large garrison in Naples. The League of Venice marched to defeat the French garrisons in Italy. Gonzalo led his Spanish forces, together with a Venetian force under Francesco II Gonzaga, a Papal force under Cesare Borgia, and the Neapolitan forces under King Ferdinando II of Naples. They defeated the French garrison and forced the French forces in Naples to surrender. However Ferdinando II died and was succeeded by King Federico.
7) Siege of Ostia (1497) - The French had asked Pope Borgia for passage through Rome and had occupied the fort at Ostia. However they refused to give up this position once Charles VIII had retreated from Naples. Pope Borgia formed an alliance with the Spanish, and asked Gonzalo to march up from Naples to place the French garrison under siege, which they succeeded in doing.
First Revolt of the Alpujarras
8) Siege of Guejar Sierra (1500) - Gonzalo returned from Naples by 1498. In 1499 various communities in Granada had revolted. Gonzalo was given command to put down the rebellions together with his brother Alfonso. Gonzalo himself besieged and captured Guejar Sierra.
9) Siege of Nijar (1500) - Gonzalo also marched east and took Nijar near to the eastern coast of Granada. However at this point King Fernando II of Aragon personally took command of the army.
Third Ottoman-Venetian War
10) Siege of Kefalonia (1500) - Charles VIII of France had died and was succeeded by his cousin Louis XII. Fernando II and Louis XII made an alliance and agreed to split Naples in half. Fernando II agreed to these terms in order to buy time and prepare for another war. Louis XII invaded Milan in what was the Second Italian War.
Fernando II sent Gonzalo to Naples with the pretext that he was to intervene in the east against the Turks. Gonzalo was put in command of a joint Spanish-Venetian-French force to besiege the island of Kefalonia, which had been taken by the Turks. The combined fleet took Kefalonia and returned it to the Venetians. But because of this Gonzalo was able to keep an entire army in Naples in preparation for Fernando II's next plan.
Third Italian War
11) Siege of Barletta (1502-03) - The Spanish dethroned Federico of Naples and took all of Naples. This was in clear violation of the agreement which Fernando II and Louis XII had signed. Louis XII sent an army to take control of Naples and the French laid siege to Barletta. Gonzalo came to defend Barletta but he refused battle with the French. Instead digging trenches and making defenses, doing hit and run attacks on the French lines and causing as much damage as possible. Though eventually Louis d'Armagnac gave up the siege and withdrew.
12) Siege of Ruvo (1503) - Hearing of the withdrawal of the French army, Gonzalo marched out and attacked the French garrison at Ruvo. He assaulted the town using cannons and putting a breach into the walls. Taking the commander of the town prisoner. Then placing a small Spanish garrison he withdrew back to Barletta. Louis d'Armagnac marched to relieve the town of Ruvo but arrived too late, decided against besieging Ruvo, and marched to seek the Spanish main army. However Spanish reinforcements under Fernando de Andrade landed in Calabria and defeated a French contingent at the 2nd Battle of Seminara, taking control over Calabria from the French.
13) Battle of Cerignola (1503) - For some time the Spanish had refused battle with the French and there was much skirmishing. But an actual engagement had been prolonged and the French languished in their camps. Both forces assembled at Cerignola and the Spanish fortified the heights with trenches and stakes. A large trench in front of the hill contained the arquebusiers, with the artillery on top of the hill. Spanish light cavalry was placed in front, and heavy cavalry in reserve behind the infantry. When the battle was fought the French cavalry charges were repulsed. Even the French general Louis d'Armagnac was killed by arquebus fire. French infantry attacks were also repulsed by the Spanish defensive formation. Then de Cordoba ordered a counter attack with the infantry and heavy cavalry and routed the French from the field.
14) (x) Siege of Gaeta (1503) - The French forces retreated to Gaeta and attempted to hold out against the Spanish pursuit. The Spanish laid siege to Gaeta and Gonzalo de Cordoba attempted to take it by cannon fire and assault, as he had done in other sieges. However the fortress held out as they had ample supplies, and were further being supplied by sea. They firmly held Gaeta and so Gonzalo decided to give up the siege and withdraw to Castellone.
15) Battle of the Garigliano River (1503) - The French received a large amount of reinforcements and the Marquis of Saluzzo, Ludovico II, had taken command of the French army. Both armies were camped on opposite sides of the Garigliano River. The French had control over Traetto at the mouth of the river, and just up the coast the city of Gaeta where they could get their supplies. The Spanish had attempted multiple times to cross the Garigliano with a makeshift bridge but were unsuccessful each time. After a long standoff Gonzalo contemplated withdrawing back to Naples. But reinforcements from Naples had changed his mind. Gonzalo carried out a fake retreat to the Volturno River, but secretly moved a makeshift bridge overland with which to move his army across the Garigliano River. They crossed at a place called Suio which was not visible to the French. With 3,500 men a contingent under d'Alviano crossed towards Suio, and hit its 300 man garrison, which was on the flank of the Spanish lines. They fled to Castelforte, joined another 300 French troops, then fled to the coast at Traetto, which allowed d'Alviano to take Castelforte. Some 2,200 men led by Prospero Colonna also crossed in support. The next day Mendoza and Andrade marched the center column across the river and attacked in the direction of the French camps at Traetto. But d'Alviano began to outflank Traetto and the French quickly withdrew from their camp. At Traetto the French withdrew towards Gaeta. The Spanish forces find the camp abandoned and begin a pursuit. Prosperro Colonna and his light cavalry began the pursuit of the French, but a small cavalry contingent under the Chevalier de Bayard attempted to defend the bridge at Mola, preventing a complete encirclement. The rest of the Spanish forces arrived and forced Bayard to withdraw. The French fled in large numbers to Gaeta.
16) Siege of Gaeta (1504) - The Spanish laid siege to Gaeta, which was held by the survivors of Garigliano. Although the siege only lasted throughout January of 1504 because the Spanish surrendered the city after they ran out of supplies, leading to riots by the civilians. Even the French commander Ludovico died of illness when he reached Genoa. Defeated French troops evacuated by sea back to Genoa and went to Milan. On 31 January Louis XII and Fernando II signed the Treaty of Lyon which recognized Spanish control over Naples.
Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba was made Duke of Terranova and named Viceroy of Naples in 1504. In 1507 Gonzalo was recalled to Spain and went into retirement until his death in 1515.
Career Summary:
Total engagements fought: 16 ?
Victories: 14
Defeats: 2
Indecisive: 0
Win rate: 87%
