Francisco de los Cobos

His career benefited from the help afforded by his uncle, Diego Vela Allide, treasurer and secretary of queen [[Isabella I of Castile]]. Later, by 1503, he worked as a scribe under the dean of the Queen's secretaries, Hernando de Zafra. In 1507, upon Zafra's death, he became first Treasurer of [[Granada]], and then ''Regent'' for Úbeda the next year. These positions were entitled to collect tribute and payments to the crown.

His career benefited from the help afforded by his uncle, Diego Vela Allide, treasurer and secretary of queen [[Isabella I of Castile]]. Later, by 1503, he worked as a scribe under the dean of the Queen's secretaries, Hernando de Zafra. In 1507, upon Zafra's death, he became first Treasurer of [[Granada]], and then ''Regent'' for Úbeda the next year. These positions were entitled to collect tribute and payments to the crown.

After the death of king [[Ferdinand II of Aragon|Ferdinand of Aragon]] in 1516, Cobos was charged by [[Cardinal Cisneros]] with traveling to Habsburg-ruled [[Flanders]] to become a counselor for the young new monarch, [[Charles I of Spain]]. This proved to be the crucial decision of his career, as through the favor of [[William de Croÿ|William II de Croÿ, Lord of Chièvres]], he became [[Secretary of State (Ancient Regime in Spain)|secretary to the king]]. He advised Charles on matters that dealt with the Spanish portion of his domains, and emerged as a rival to Grand Chancellor [[Mercurino Gattinara]]. Gattinara's fall in 1528 confirmed Cobos's victory, and led to his assumption of the leadership of the council of State.

After the death of king [[Ferdinand II of Aragon|Ferdinand of Aragon]] in 1516, Cobos was charged by [[Cardinal Cisneros]] with traveling to Habsburg-ruled [[Flanders]] to become a counselor for the young new monarch, [[Charles I of Spain]]. This proved to be the crucial decision of his career, as through the favor of [[William de Croÿ|William II de Croÿ, Lord of Chièvres]], he became [[Secretary of State (Ancient Regime in Spain)|secretary to the king]]. He advised Charles on matters that dealt with the Spanish portion of his domains, and emerged as a rival to Grand Chancellor [[Mercurino Gattinara]]. Gattinara's fall in 1528 confirmed Cobos's victory, and led to his assumption of the leadership of the council of State.

After traveling with Charles from 1529 until 1533, Cobos's expertise in financial matters kept him in Spain, where he served as the effective head of government until his death.{{cite book|last=Elliott|first=J. H.|title=Imperial Spain, 1469-1716|date=1964|publisher=St. Martin's Press|pages=155–156}} He was succeeded by his main assistant and nephew [[Juan Vázquez de Molina]].{{cite web|url=https://historia-hispanica.rah.es/biografias/12476-francisco-de-los-cobos-y-molina|title=Francisco de los Cobos y Molina|website=Real Academia de la Historia|language=es|access-date=2025-12-03}}

After traveling with Charles from 1529 until 1533, Cobos's expertise in financial matters kept him in Spain, where he served as the effective head of government until his death.{{cite book|last=Elliott|first=J. H.|title=Imperial Spain, 1469-1716|date=1964|publisher=St. Martin's Press|pages=155–156}} He was succeeded by his main assistant and nephew [[Juan Vázquez de Molina]].{{cite web|url=https://historia-hispanica.rah.es/biografias/12476-francisco-de-los-cobos-y-molina|title=Francisco de los Cobos y Molina|website=Real Academia de la Historia|language=es|access-date=2025-12-03}}