House of Alba
The House of Alba (es: Casa de Alba) is an important Spanish aristocratic family who derive from the 12th century Mozarab nobility of post-conquest Toledo. Their claim to Alba traces to 1429, when the first Álvarez de Toledo was made Lord of the City of Alba de Tormes. In 1492, it was a member of this family, the second Duke of Alba who signed the capitulation of the city of Granada.
Don Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, 3rd Duke of Alba was given the title of “governor general of the Spanish Netherlands” during the mid 16th century. The third duke's first cousin was Doña Eleonor de Toledo, who married Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and by her granddaughter Marie de' Medici, Queen of France, she became the ancestress of many crowned heads and heir apparent of Europe who's descendants include Juan Carlos I of Spain, Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.
In 1802 died the last one dukedom of Alba Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, after that, the House of Fitz-James Stuart take all the patrimony of the “House of Alba”.
The current head of the House of Alba, Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba, holds the Guinness Book of Records for nominal number of titles with over 40 titles.
See also
- Dukes of Alba