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Scienze della comunicazione Università degli Studi di TeramoPhD Program in Historical studies
Scienze della comunicazione Università degli Studi di TeramoPhD Program in Historical studies

Dukes of Alba

AlbaThe House of Alba de Tormes is still one of the most important noble families – the Álvarez de Toledo – in the history of the Spanish Monarchy. The Dukes of Alba were influential courtiers, the king’s chief ministers, viceroys, governors, and ambassadors. They were also Spanish Grandees. Among them, a special mention must be made to Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel (1507-1582), III Duke of Alba, called el Gran Duque de Alba (image), the trusted minister of Philip II and mayordomo mayor of both Charles V and Philip II. A great military man, he was commissioned to quell several revolts which endangered the expansion of the Spanish Empire, as in the case of the revolt of the Netherlands. During his political career he governed the territories of Milan, Naples, the Netherlands and Portugal with great harshness and inflexibility.

Read more:

  • W. Maltby, Alba. A biography of Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, third duke of Alba, 1507-1582, Berkeley, 1983.
  • M. Fernández Álvarez, El Duque de hierro. Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, III Duque de Alba, Pozuelo de Alarcón 2007.