Gonsalvo di Cordova

Gonsalvo di Cordova (the name by which Gonzalo Hernandez y Agüilar is usually known), a celebrated Spanish warrior, was born at Montilla, near Cordova, 16th March 1453. He served with great distinction first in the war with the Moors of Granada, and afterwards in the Portuguese campaign. At the close of the final contest with Granada he concluded the negotiation with Boabdil (Abu Abdallah), king of the Moors, in such a masterly manner that the rulers of Spain bestowed upon him a pension and a large estate in the conquered territory. He was next sent to the assistance of Ferdinand II., king of Naples, against the French. In less than a year Gonsalvo, with his limited resources, had conquered the greater part of the kingdom of Naples, and obtained the appellation of 'El Gran Capitan.' In conjunction with King Ferdinand he succeeded in completely expelling the French from Italy; and in August 1498 he returned to Spain, having received as reward for his valuable services an estate in the Abruzzi, with the title of Duke of San Angelo. When the partition of the kingdom of Naples was determined upon by a compact entered into at Granada, 11th November 1500, Gonsalvo again set out for Italy with a body of 4300 men, but first took Zante and Cephalonia from the Turks, and restored them to the Venetians. He then landed in Sicily, occupied Naples and Calabria, and demanded from the French that, in compliance with the compact, they should yield up Capitanata and Basilicata. This demand being rejected, a war broke out between the two belligerent powers, which was waged with varied success. After the victory of Cerignola, in April 1503, Gonsalvo took possession of Calabria, the Abruzzi, Apulia, even the city of Naples itself, and then laid siege to Gaëta, but was forced to retreat before a superior force of the enemy. On the 29th December of the same year, however, he fell upon them unexpectedly near the Garigliano, and obtained a complete victory. The French army was almost annihilated; the fortress of Gaëta fell; and the possession of Naples was secured to the Spaniards. King Ferdinand of Spain bestowed the duchy of Sesa upon the conqueror, and appointed him viceroy of Naples, with unlimited authority. His good-fortune, however, made him many powerful enemies; and he was recalled to Spain and to neglect. He lived on his estates in Granada till his death, 2d December 1515.