García Álvarez de Toledo, 1st Duke of Alba


García Álvarez de Toledo y Carrillo de Toledo, 1st Duke of Alba de Tormes was a Spanish nobleman, military leader and politician.

Biography

He was the son of Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 1st Count of Alba de Tormes and of Mencía Carrillo de Toledo y Palomeque, Lady of Bercimuelle. In 1472, King Henry IV of Castile elevated the County of Alba de Tormes into a hereditary Duchy. The first Duke of Alba fought in the War of the Castilian Succession on the side of the future Queen Isabella I of Castille against her niece, Juana la Beltraneja.

Marriage and issue

In 1448, he married María Enríquez de Quiñones, daughter of Fadrique Enríquez, Admiral of Castile, with whom he had 5 sons and 4 daughters. A granddaughter, María de Toledo y Rojas, married Diego Colón, son of Christopher Columbus.
They had the following children: