The governor of Milan was a political and military office of the Duchy of Milan, the title of the representatives of the foreign sovereigns who held dominion over the Milanese area, substantially from the 16th century until the Unification of Italy. The first Spanish Governor was appointed after the death of the last Duke of the House of Sforza, Francesco II.
The office of Governor, abolished during the earlier period of Visconti rule and later under the Sforza, was reinstated for the brief period of French regency/occupation of the Duchy of Milan between the late 15th century and the first half of the 16th century. In this period, governors primarily served as military commanders of the royal garrisons in Milan, resided in the Sforza Castle, and held the title of castellan.
In 1521 Francesco II Sforza was restored as Duke of Milan by imperial forces, but had to govern while constantly contending with the occupying forces of the King of France and imperial interference. He retained control with difficulty until his death in 1535.
The figure of the Governor of Milan had already been established in 1526, following the Battle of Pavia and the passage of the duchy from the Kingdom of France, which invaded the Duchy in 1499, to the Sforza, no more as an independent state as it was during the centuries old rule of the Milanese dynasties, but now under the protection of Charles V.
↑Note: Antonio de Zúñiga y Sotomaior (or de Guzmán?), the 3rd Marquis of Ayamonte, who was a famous Governor of the Duchy of Milan, died in Milan on 20 April 1583, and not in 1580. He was also a Commander del Castillo in the Order of Alcántara and married Ana Fernández de Córdoba y Fernández de Córdoba or Pacheco de Córdoba y de La Cerda, by whom he had issue.
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