García Álvarez de Toledo y Carrillo de Toledo, 1st Duke of Alba de Tormes (c. 1424 – 20 June 1488) was a Spanish nobleman, military leader and politician, whose family had presided over the lands of Alba de Tormes since the year 1369.

Biography

He was the son of Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 1st Count of Alba de Tormes and of Mencía Carrillo de Toledo, Lady of Bercimuelle In 1470 The title of duke was granted to Garcia Alvarez de Toledo. 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. They had the following children: A granddaughter, María de Toledo y Rojas, married Diego Colón, son of Christopher Columbus.

Ancestry