He is most remembered in Western European history for his brutal attempts to pacify, and eradicate sedition in, the Netherlands, where he suppressed and punished a Dutch uprising by murdering, raping & looting entire towns, sometimes leaving not a single child alive. Alba distinguished himself in La Jornada de Túnez, and in many campaigns during the Religious Wars, including the Mühlberg, Jemmingen and Alcántara. He represented Philip II at Philip's betrothal to Elizabeth of Valois, daughter of Henry II of France, and to Anne of Austria, daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II.Ĭonsidered by Spanish historians as the greatest general of his time and one of the best in history, he is considered a butcher & criminal in the rest of Europe. He was charged with the government of the Duchy of Milan (1555–1556), the Kingdom of Naples (1556–1558), the Netherlands (1567–1573) and the Kingdom of Portugal (1580–1582). Alba was a trusted adviser and servant of Charles I of Spain (Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) and his successor Philip II, both chief steward and member of their Councils of State and War.

He was titled the 3rd Duke of Alba de Tormes and 1st Duke of Huéscar, 4th Marquis of Coria, 3rd Count of Salvatierra de Tormes, 2nd Count of Piedrahita, 8th Lord of Valdecorneja, Grandee of Spain, and an Illustrious Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Fernando de Toledo, García Álvarez de Toledo y Enríquez de Guzmán, Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo y Enríquez de Guzman, Diego Álvarez de Toledo y Enríquez de Guzmán, Beatriz Álvarez de Toledo y Enríquez de Guzmánįernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel or Ferdinandus Toletanus Dux Albanus (29 October 1507 – 11 December 1582), known as the Grand Duke of Alba, was a Spanish noble, soldier, and diplomat.

Alba by William S. Maltby