The Osuna family, originating from ancient nobility, reached the height of its influence under Duke Francisco de Guzmán y de la Cerda, who became a key figure in 17th-century politics. The duke's court was a meeting point for the aristocracy of the era, but it was also a setting prone to manipulation and conspiracies that soon emerged among its members.
One of the most significant episodes in the history of the Dukes of Osuna is the rivalry with the House of Zúñiga, who also aspired to influence within the circles of power. This competition intensified when the Duke of Osuna obtained the viceroyalty of Sicily in 1713, an appointment that solidified his position as one of the most powerful nobles of the time. The court of Sicily became a political battleground, where alliances were quickly formed and dissolved, and where conspiracies were plotted in the darkest corners of the palace halls.
The rise of the Osunas also attracted the envy of other nobles, leading to the court becoming an environment of distrust. The duke, who publicly presented himself as a man of peace and knowledge, concealed a cunning nature that he was not hesitant to use to his advantage. A clear example of this was the conspiracy of the Andalusian nobles in 1718, who, driven by resentment and jealousy, attempted to overthrow the duke. Although the conspiracy was thwarted,