The Domestic Service in Ducal Residences: A Journey Through the History of Spanish Nobility
The splendor of the Spanish nobility throughout the centuries has been inextricably linked to their residences, palaces, and castles, which were not only spaces of power and representation but also the home of a complex social web. At the heart of these imposing structures lay the domestic service, a fundamental element that sustained the daily life of the aristocracy. This article delves into the history of domestic service in ducal residences, exploring its evolution, the internal organization of aristocratic households, and the anecdotes that reveal life behind the walls of nobility.
#### A Historical Context
The Spanish nobility, whose structure was solidified from the Middle Ages, was a reflection of the social and political order of its time. Ducal residences, such as the Palacio de Liria in Madrid or the Palace of the Dukes of Alba in Madrid, became symbols of power and status. As the economy strengthened and noble families accumulated more wealth, the need for competent domestic service became evident. Not only was attention and care for properties and family sought, but also a service that had to meet the prestige demanded by the aristocracy.
In the 15th century, especially during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, the nobility began to formalize its structure. Residences expanded and became centers of culture, art, and politics. It was in this environment that domestic service assumed a fundamental role, not only as logistical support but also as a component of the image that the nobility wanted to project.
#### The Organization of Domestic Service
Life in ducal residences was extraordinarily hierarchical. At the top of this structure was the...