The economy of the House of Osuna: income and expenses

The House of Osuna, one of the most significant noble houses in Spain during the Ancien Régime, offers a fascinating study of how the nobility managed their economy in a context where power and wealth were intrinsically linked. Founded in the 16th century, the House of Osuna was consolidated through the figure of Don Pedro Téllez-Girón, the first Duke of Osuna, who, through strategic marriages and efficient administration of his domains, managed to accumulate both power and capital during a period marked by imperial expansion and the consolidation of absolutism.

The origin of the wealth of the House of Osuna lay in its vast territorial possessions, which included not only agricultural properties but also various industries and natural resources. Agriculture was the fundamental pillar of its economy, as the production of cereals, olives, and vineyards on its Andalusian lands generated constant income. The large cultivated areas, such as those found in the fields of the province of Seville, were worked by laborers and peasants who, in exchange for modest wages, ensured the production of the harvests. This cultivation system not only guaranteed sustenance for the nobility but also fed the working classes, creating a mutual economic dependency.

However, the House of Osuna did not limit itself to relying solely on agriculture. Its geographical location and network of influences allowed it to diversify its sources of income. As its possessions expanded, so did its interests in livestock and trade. The breeding of livestock, particularly sheep, proved to be very lucrative. The wool obtained from these sheep was considered high quality and was in notable demand in local and international markets, providing the House with an additional flow of income.

An interesting aspect of the economy of the House of Osuna is the way its m