Fadrique Alvarez de Toledo y Ponce de León

After the death of his uncle García Álvarez de Toledo Osorio in 1648, he inherited his titles and became VII Marqués de Villafranca del Bierzo, IV Duke of Fernandina, IV Prince of Montalbán and III Count of Peña-Ramiro.

He pursued a military career and reached his first important position in 1663, as Captain General of the Galleys of Sicily.

He participated in 1667 in the (failed) operation to lift the Siege of Candia against the Turks, and was appointed Captain General of the Galleys of Naples in 1670.

He was always very close to the royal family, accompanying Infanta Margarita to her wedding with Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor.

During the Spanish War of Succession he was a staunch supporter of Philippe de Anjou, who, after becoming King Philip V of Spain, made him Mayordomo mayor (1701), minister of the Junta de Gobierno (1702), Knight of the French Order of the Holy Spirit (1702) and Knight of the Order of Santiago.