The Duke of Alba will not find it difficult to represent General Franco in England for he has long given proof of fidelity to the cause of the Spanish Nationalists by various contributions to the London press. In addition io his Spanish dukedom he also holds the Dukedom of Berwick but without any seat in the House of Lords not only he is an alien but that creation is not recognized in Great Britain. The Barony of Berwick is held by the Noel-Hill family having been conferred first in 1784 on Mr, Noel Hill, the Member for Shropshire in three Parliaments. The Dukedom of Berwick was created for James Fitzjames, the son of James LI of England and Arabella Churchill, the sister of the great Duke of Marlborough. Arabella's son was born in France and learnt his soldiering under Charles of Lorraine. He was made Duke of Berwick.
Earl of Teignmouth and Baron Bosworth in 1687 as well as Colonel of the 8th Foot, now the King's Regiment (Liverpool). He became Marshal of France and was one of the greatest captains of his age. In 1707 he won a decisive victory at Almanza in the War of the an Englishman commanding a French army. defeated Ruvingy, Earl of Galway, a Frenchman at the head of an English army and it established Philip V on the throne of Spain. Later he fought against Philip in whose army with Berwick's full consent fought the Duke of Lina one of Berwick's sons. The Duke of Alba's name is Jacobo Maria del Pilar Carlos Manuel Fitz-James Stuart, and he is described in "Who's Who" as 10th Duke of Berwick and 17th Duque de Alba. The link with the British Royal House will therefore be perceived. His English associations are further strengthened by his having been educated at Beaumont. He is a historian of note and among his publications is a life of his great ancestor, Marshal of France. He was Minister of Education and later Foreign Minister under King Alfonso xm
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.