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 Donna Vittoria Colonna, daughter of Don Ascanio Colonna, 2nd Duke of Paliano, and Donna Giovanna d'Aragona. They had six children:
- Pedro Álvarez de Toledo, 5th Marquis of Villafranca and Grandee of Spain;
- María de Toledo, married Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, 4th Duke of Alba;
- Juana de Toledo, married Bernardino Pimentel, 3rd Marquis of Távara;
- Leonor Álvarez de Toledo, married her cousin Pietro de' Medici, Prince of Tuscany;
- Ana de Toledo, married Gómez Dávila, 3rd Marquis of Velada;
- Inés de Toledo, married Juan Pacheco, 2nd Marquis of Cerralbo.
He also had two illegitimate children:
- Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, Señor de Gaipuli;
- Delia de Toledo, Carmelite nun.
Ancestry[]
| 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 |
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