Mayordomos de semana
Encyclopedia
The Mayordomos de semana was a palatial class of honorary royal servants of the Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain
, who were entrusted with certain functions at the service of the Monarch. Specifically, they accompanyed the King at all time. They were under the formal command of the “Sumiller de Corps
”.
dinasty.
During the reigns of the last two Kings before the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic
, Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII no lawful conditions were required for the performance of this Office, though they had to be individuals of high social position and their number was not fixed. They were employees of the Royal Household and in that condition they received a salary. The dean of this class enjoyed a salary of 7.500 pesetas per year.
They were present at all official activities together with the Monarch exercicing their service by strict right of shift and being placed at official ceremonies opposite to the Throne.
This way, daily and in their shift they had lunch at the Royal table together with the King and the Queen, the General Commander of Halberdiers, the “ Gentilhombre Grande de España
” and the “Dama de la reina” (Lady of the Bedchamber) also in their daily shift and the Aide-de-Camp of the King equally in their daily service.
They substitued the “Mayordomo mayor
” in his absences being specially important this substitution in the sacramental functions and during the signature of weekly expenses.
With similar functions to those of the “Mayordomos de semana”, but of minor importance, there existed the “Gentilhombres de Casa y Boca” (literally Gentlemen of House and Mouth who were also men of high social position that being former employees of the Royal Household were nominated for this Office.
Their badge was a little stick of shell and gold with the Royal crown and the cypher of the King who nominated them.
Not all the “Mayordomos de semana” belonged to the nobility. In fact, at the moment of the suppression of this Office, they remained 122 “Mayordomos de semana”. Among them, only 73 belonged to the titled nobility.
They were styled “Ilustrísimos señores Mayordomos de semana”.
This Office was suppressed after the Second Spanish Republic
was declared on April 14th of 1931 and it was never re-created after the restoration of Monarchy in 1975.
Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain
The Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain was the institution that governed the organization of the Royal Spanish Court from the time of the Habsburg dinasty, which introduced the so called Burgundian etiquette, up to to the reign of Alfonso XIII, grandfather of the current King of...
, who were entrusted with certain functions at the service of the Monarch. Specifically, they accompanyed the King at all time. They were under the formal command of the “Sumiller de Corps
Sumiller de Corps
The Sumiller de Corps was the Official of the Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain in charge of the more intimate and inner rooms of the King of Spain. He was responsible of the most immediate service to the Monarch...
”.
Regime during the 19th and 20th centuries
They existed as such class from the reign of the Spanish HabsburgHabsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
dinasty.
During the reigns of the last two Kings before the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
, Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII no lawful conditions were required for the performance of this Office, though they had to be individuals of high social position and their number was not fixed. They were employees of the Royal Household and in that condition they received a salary. The dean of this class enjoyed a salary of 7.500 pesetas per year.
They were present at all official activities together with the Monarch exercicing their service by strict right of shift and being placed at official ceremonies opposite to the Throne.
This way, daily and in their shift they had lunch at the Royal table together with the King and the Queen, the General Commander of Halberdiers, the “ Gentilhombre Grande de España
Gentilhombres Grandes de España con ejercicio y servidumbre
The Gentilhombres Grandes de España con ejercicio y servidumbre was a palatial class of honorary royal servants of the Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain, who were entrusted with certain functions at the service of the Monarch which they exerced by rigorous seniority.During the...
” and the “Dama de la reina” (Lady of the Bedchamber) also in their daily shift and the Aide-de-Camp of the King equally in their daily service.
They substitued the “Mayordomo mayor
Mayordomo mayor
The Mayordomo mayor was the Official of the Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain in charge of the person and rooms of the King of Spain...
” in his absences being specially important this substitution in the sacramental functions and during the signature of weekly expenses.
With similar functions to those of the “Mayordomos de semana”, but of minor importance, there existed the “Gentilhombres de Casa y Boca” (literally Gentlemen of House and Mouth who were also men of high social position that being former employees of the Royal Household were nominated for this Office.
Their badge was a little stick of shell and gold with the Royal crown and the cypher of the King who nominated them.
Not all the “Mayordomos de semana” belonged to the nobility. In fact, at the moment of the suppression of this Office, they remained 122 “Mayordomos de semana”. Among them, only 73 belonged to the titled nobility.
They were styled “Ilustrísimos señores Mayordomos de semana”.
This Office was suppressed after the Second Spanish Republic
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
was declared on April 14th of 1931 and it was never re-created after the restoration of Monarchy in 1975.