García Álvarez de Toledo, 4th Marquis of Villafranca

García Álvarez de Toledo y Osorio, 4th Marquis of Villafranca del Bierzo (August 29, 1514 – May 31, 1577), was a Spanish military officer and politician.

Biography

He was born at Villafranca del Bierzo, the son of Pedro Álvarez de Toledo, 2nd Marquis of Villafranca, Viceroy of Naples between 1532 and 1553. His mother was Juana Pimentel, Marchioness of Villafranca del Bierzo. The infamous Iron Duke, Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba, was his cousin. Among his many siblings was Eleonora of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I, Grand Duke of Tuscany.

He started his military career under the command of Andrea Doria in the galleys of Naples, as commander of two ships. In 1535, already the commander of 6 galleys, he distinguished himself in the battles of La Goletta, Tunis, Algiers, Sfax, Calibria y Mebredia. After this he was named Capitain General of the Galleys of Naples.

He was Capitain General of the expedition to Greece, and Capitán General del Mar, a title he received in 1544 after having fought Hayreddin Barbarossa. He was Viceroy of Catalonia between 1558 and 1564. He then became Colonel General of the Infantry of Kingdom of Naples and finally, Viceroy of Sicily between 1564 and 1566.

As Viceroy of Sicily he accomplished his two greatest achievements: the conquest of Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera in 1564, and the relief of the Siege of Malta (1565). For this he received from King Philip II of Spain the titles Duke of Fernandina and Prince of Montalbán on December 24, 1569.

He died at Naples in 1577.

Marriage and children

On April 5, 1536 in Naples, the Duke married Doña Vittoria Colonna, daughter of Don Ascanio Colonna, 2nd Duke of Paliano, and Doña Juana de Aragón. They had 6 children:

He also had two illegitimate children:

Ancestry

García Álvarez de Toledo's ancestors in three generations
García Álvarez de Toledo
4th Marquis of Villafranca
Father:
Pedro Álvarez de Toledo
2nd Marquis of Villafranca
Paternal Grandfather:
Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo
2nd Duke of Alba
Paternal Great-grandfather:
García Álvarez de Toledo
1st Duke of Alba
Paternal Great-grandmother:
María Enriquéz
Paternal Grandmother:
Isabel de Zuñiga y Pimentel
Paternal Great-grandfather:
Álvaro de Zuñiga
Duke of Plasencia
Paternal Great-grandmother:
Leonor de Pimentel
Mother:
María Osorio
Marchioness of Villafranca
Maternal Grandfather:
Luís de Pimentel
1st Marquis of Villafranca
Maternal Great-grandfather:
Rodrigo Alonso de Pimentel
Duke of Benavente
Maternal Great-grandmother:
María Pacheco
Maternal Grandmother:
Juana de Osorio y Bazán
Maternal Great-grandfather:
Pedro Álvarez de Osorio
Count of Lemos
Maternal Great-grandmother:
María de Bazán
Government offices
Preceded by
The Duke of Alcalá
Viceroy of Catalonia
1558-1564
Succeeded by
The Duke of Francavilla
Preceded by
The Duke of Medinaceli
Viceroy of Sicily
1564-1566
Succeeded by
Carlo d'Aragona Tagliavia
Spanish nobility
Preceded by
Fadrique de Toledo
Marquis of
Villafranca del Bierzo

1554-1577
Succeeded by
Pedro Álvarez de Toledo
New title Duke of Fernandina
1568-1577
Italian nobility
New title Prince of Montalbán
1568-1577
Succeeded by
Pedro Álvarez de Toledo