Back from France, Don Fernando resumed his duties as counsellor of war, and became a member of Spanish Council of State in 1622. As governor he successfully defended Cádiz against the English in 1625, which led him to be immortalized in a painting of Francisco de Zurbaran, "The Defence of Cadiz against the English". In 1626 the King made him the first marquess of Sofraga, for his services to the Realm and to His Majesty personally.