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| Dukedom of Alba de Tormes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creation date | 1472 |
| Created by | Henry IV of Castile |
| Peerage | Spain |
| First holder | García Álvarez de Toledo y Carrillo de Toledo, 2nd Count of Alba de Tormes |
| Present holder | Carlos Fitz-James Stuart y Martínez de Irujo, 19th Duke of Alba de Tormes[1] |
| Heir apparent | Fernando Fitz-James Stuart y Solís, 15th Duke of Huéscar |
| Seat(s) |
|
| Former seat(s) | Castle of the Dukes of Alba (Alba de Tormes) Palace of the Dukes of Alba (Ávila) |
Duke of Alba de Tormes (Spanish:Duque de Alba de Tormes), commonly known asDuke of Alba, is a title ofSpanish nobility that is accompanied by the dignity ofGrandee of Spain.[1] In 1472, the title ofCount of Alba de Tormes, inherited byGarcía Álvarez de Toledo, was elevated to the title ofDuke of Alba de Tormes by KingHenry IV of Castile.[2]
Thedukedom ofAlba de Tormes is one of the most significant noble titles of Spain and gives its name to theHouse of Alba. Over the centuries, members of three distinct family dynasties have held the title in succession – theHouse of Álvarez de Toledo [es], theHouse of Silva (extinct in 1802) and theHouse of Fitz-James Stuart, which descends from an illegitimate son of KingJames II of England.
Famous holders of this dukedom includeDonFernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba, governor of theSpanish Netherlands (references to "Alba" (or "Alva" in Dutch), particularly in the context of Dutch history, are usually about him), andDoñaMaría del Pilar de Silva, 13th Duchess of Alba, amuse of the painterFrancisco Goya. When they first met, Francisco Goya was much older than the Duchess of Alba. Goya was in his late 40s and the Duchess was in her early 30s.[3]
Various dukes have married into the families ofChristopher Columbus andCosimo de Medici, as well as the line of theDukes of Berwick, making them distant relatives of theEarls Spencer and theDukes of Marlborough.
Today, the ducal family of Alba retains a large and valuable collection of art and historic documents. The largest part of this treasure is kept at the main residence of the family in Madrid, theLiria Palace.
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