The lineage of the Dukes of Osuna dates back to the 16th century when the first Duke, Don Pedro Téllez-Girón, was elevated to this title by King Philip II in 1562. This distinction not only granted the family elevated status within the Spanish nobility but also allowed them to amass considerable economic and political power. The House of Osuna, with its vast estate, became an important patron of the arts and culture, creating a legacy that would endure through time.
The context of the War of the Spanish Succession, which erupted in the early 18th century, marked a turning point for the House of Osuna. The childless death of Charles II in 1700 sparked a struggle for the Spanish throne among European powers, pitting supporters of Archduke Charles of Austria, known as the "Austrianists," against those backing Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France, or the "Bourbonists." The House of Osuna, initially aligned with the Austrianists, became a significant player in this dispute.
As one of the leading families of the high nobility, the House of Osuna had connections with various royal houses and a network of relationships that allowed them to operate on multiple fronts during the war. Their duchy encompassed significant territories in Andalusia, granting them both economic resources and a geostrategic position on the peninsula. The family not only benefited from their lands but also mobilized their vassals to strengthen the troops supporting Archduke Charles.