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.
In 1802 the dukedom of Alba was inherited by the dukes of Berwick together with all the patrimony of the “House of Alba” possibly the most important one in Spain.
The current head of the House of Alba, Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba, holds the Guinness Book of Records for number of titles with over 50 titles.
