García Álvarez de Toledo, 1st Duke of Alba

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:

• Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, 2nd Duke of Alba (1460–1531)
• Mencia de Toledo, married Beltrán de la Cueva, 1st Duke of Alburquerque
• Teresa de Toledo, married Pedro Fernández Manrique, 2nd Count de Osorno
• Francisca de Toledo, married Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, 2nd Duke of Alburquerque
• María de Toledo, married Gómez Suárez de Figueroa, 2nd Count of Feria
• Gutierre Álvarez de Toledo, Bishop of Plasencia
• García Álvarez de Toledo, 1st Lord of la Orcaiada
• Pedro de Toledo, 1st Lord of Mancera
• Fernando de Toledo, 1st Lord of las Villorias

Ancestry