Guidobaldo II della Rovere
Guidobaldo II della Rovere (april 2, 1514 – September 28, 1574) was an Italian condottiero, who was Duke of Urbino from 1539 until his death.
Biography
He was the son of Francesco Maria I della Rovere and Eleonora Gonzaga. He married Giulia da Varano, daughter of the lord of Camerino. At the assassination of his father, Guidobaldo became duke of Urbino in 1539.
In 1546 he received a condotta as military leader (Governatore) by the Republic of Venice, for which his father had been a valiant commander during the Italian Wars. After the death of Giulia da Varano (1547), he re-married with Vittoria Farnese in 1548. Later he was made Papal governor of Fano, receiving also the title of capitano generale (commander-in-chief) of the Papal States, as well as that of Prefect of Rome.
In 1559 he was hired by the King of Spain, helping Bernardo Sanseverino (who had married one of Guidobaldo's daughters) in the war against the Ottoman Turks.
On january 1 1573 a revolt rose against Guidobaldo in Urbino, due to the excessive tax burden that he was exerting over his state. He reacted by bloodily suppressing the riot.
After falling ill during a voyage to Ferrara and Pesaro, he died in the latter town in 1574. His son Francesco Maria II succeeded him as Duke of Urbino.