Francisco was born in
Estremoz, Portugal. From 1632 to 1636 he was the
Spanish ambassador to the
Republic of Genoa. In 1638, Francisco was appointed
viceroy of Sicily, and two years later he was ambassador in
Vienna. He was appointed as an understudy of
Marquess of Leganés. Francisco was marquis of the
Portuguese Tor de Laguna,
count of Assumar, and from 1641 to 1644, interim
governor of the
Southern Netherlands. When Francisco arrived in the
Southern Netherlands, he already had an impressive political career. He scored a victory against
Antoine III de Gramont at the
Battle of Honnecourt in May 1642. Francisco was defeated at the
Battle of Rocroi in 1643. In August 1644, Francisco returned to Spain and was appointed to the council of state and royal military adviser by
Philip IV of Spain. ==Notes==