Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain
Encyclopedia
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 Spain, in all that regarded the structure of the Court as well as the ceremonial matters, etiquette
and protocol
.
dinasty was shaped after that one that existed in the Court of Burgundy. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
, but also King of Spain, imported the etiquette
styled in the Court of his paternal grandmother Mary of Burgundy
. To the ancient office of “Mayordomo del Rey de Castilla” (Steward of the King of Castile), transformed in "Mayordomo mayor" (High Steward), the Emperor added that of the “Sumiller de Corps” who was charged with everything regarding the organization of the inner rooms of the palace where the Monarch lived. Also, it was created the office of “Camarera mayor de Palacio” (First Lady of the Bedchamber). The latter two Oficces were not known in the traditional organization of the Court of the Kingdom of Castile
.
but, over all, after the restoration of King Alfonso XII in 1875.
Regarding the basic organization of this Royal Household, the structure was divided between the "Mayordomia" (Stewarship) and the "Camareria" (Ladyship). With organic independence, there existed the General Commander of the Royal Body of Halberdiers, the General Intendant of the Royal House and Heritage and the Royal Chaplain
and Almoner
.
" (High Steward) to the King, also invested with the Office of "Sumiller de Corps
", who was in charge of the protocol
and organization of the ceremonies or activities presided or attended by the Monarch. Also, he was in charge of the high inspection of the royal buildings and the superior direction of the personnel at the service to the King. As holder of the privy seal, he was also responsible of the signature of official documents by the King and was the high chief of the Court honorary servants called “Gentilhombres Grandes de España con ejercicio y servidumbre
” (Gentlemen of the bedchamber Grandees of Spain) and of those called “Gentilhombres de camara con ejercicio
” (Gentlemen of the bedchamber), both (but especially the first ones) with certain duties attached to the person of the King. Under the “Mayordomo mayor” were also the “Mayordomo mayor de la Reina” (High Steward to the Queen), the “Mayordomos de semana
” (Weeckly stewards literally), the General Inspector of the Royal Palaces (Office created in 1852), the Private Secretary to the King, the Physicians and Pharmacists of the Bedchamber, and the Kings of Arms.
" (First Lady of the Bedchamber) to the Queen who was in charge of the organization of ceremonies and activities presided or attended by the Queen and was the high chief of the "Damas de la Reina" (Ladies-in-waiting) and all the personnel attached to the service of the Queen. This office was suppressed in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1975.
" (Great Equerry) of the King who organized the travels of the King and who was in charge of the Royal Mews and the Royal hunting lodges, acting (in this latter case) as “Montero mayor” (Great Hunter). This office was suppressed in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1975.
Organically independent from the “Mayordomia” and the “Camarería” there was the Office of General Commander of the Corps of Halberdiers, who was the Chief of the Military Household of the King. Under his command they were the Chief clerk who was in charge of the keys of the Royal palaces, the Aides-de-camp
to the King and the Military Assistants to the orders of the King, proceeding from diverse branches of the Army and Navy. Likewise they were depending from the General Commander, the so called “Monteros de Espinosa” (Hunters of the Chamber), who were 12 gentlemen with proven nobility. They made regular Guards outside the bedrooms of the King and the Queen during the night and accompanied them from the moment of his death up to the delivery of their remains in the Monastery of El Escorial
.
Equally independent, it existed the Office of the General Comptroller of the Royal House who was the top financial chief and administrator of the Heritage of the Crown. Under his command they were the Cashier, the General Archivist, the Royal librarian, the Managers of the Royal Sites, the Bearers of the Royal Patronages and the Secretary of the Intendency.
The third Office out of the “Mayordomia” was the “Procapellán” (Chaplain
) and Great Almoner
of the King who was the chief of the Royal chapel, being the domestic prelate of the palace. Under the orders of the "Procapellan" they were the Chaplains of Honor, the Ecclesiastic Secretary, and the so called Chaplains of Curtain, Chaplains of the Seal of Castile
and those of the Seal of the Military orders
.
During the reign of Alfonso XIII this Office was held by the Patriarch of the Indias.
in 1931.
It is the historical precedent of the modern Royal Household of Spain
. Nevertheless, when King Juan Carlos I acceded to the Throne in 1975, he decided to create a Household completely different from the former Court of his grandfather Alfonso XIII. The modern Royal Household is much simpler than the precedent institution and it was decided not to recreate the majority of Offices which existed in the old Royal Household maintaining basically the Head of the Royal Household and the General Secretary of the Royal Household, both Offices held by profesional and prestigious civil servants.
The King resided at the Royal Palace of Madrid
, where the official functions were exercised.
Also, they formed part of the Heritage of the Crown the Spanish royal sites
, including the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, the Royal Palace of El Escorial
, the Royal Alcázar of Seville
, the Royal Palace of El Pardo and the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
.
The King Alfonso XIII built, as a personal property, the Palacio de la Magdalena
.
The Royal Patronages were the Royal Convent of the Salesas Reales
, the Royal Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, the Royal Monastery of Saint Isabel, the Royal Convent of Santa Clara in Tordesillas
, the Royal Abbey of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas, the Royal Hospital of the Good Event of Madrid
where it had his residence the “Procapellán” and the Royal Colleges of Alfonso XII and Maria Christina of Austria
in El Escorial
.
All these Palaces and Patronages were transferred in 1940 to the Patrimonio Nacional
which is now charged of their maintenance and is a public office depending from the Ministry of the Presidence of the Spanish Government.
Habsburg
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, which introduced the so called Burgundian etiquette
Etiquette
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...
, up to to the reign of Alfonso XIII, grandfather of the current King of Spain, in all that regarded the structure of the Court as well as the ceremonial matters, etiquette
Etiquette
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...
and protocol
Protocol (diplomacy)
In international politics, protocol is the etiquette of diplomacy and affairs of state.A protocol is a rule which guides how an activity should be performed, especially in the field of diplomacy. In diplomatic services and governmental fields of endeavor protocols are often unwritten guidelines...
.
The Old Household
The Royal Household during the 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 was shaped after that one that existed in the Court of Burgundy. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
, but also King of Spain, imported the etiquette
Etiquette
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...
styled in the Court of his paternal grandmother Mary of Burgundy
Mary of Burgundy
Mary of Burgundy ruled the Burgundian territories in Low Countries and was suo jure Duchess of Burgundy from 1477 until her death...
. To the ancient office of “Mayordomo del Rey de Castilla” (Steward of the King of Castile), transformed in "Mayordomo mayor" (High Steward), the Emperor added that of the “Sumiller de Corps” who was charged with everything regarding the organization of the inner rooms of the palace where the Monarch lived. Also, it was created the office of “Camarera mayor de Palacio” (First Lady of the Bedchamber). The latter two Oficces were not known in the traditional organization of the Court of the Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile
Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. It emerged as a political autonomous entity in the 9th century. It was called County of Castile and was held in vassalage from the Kingdom of León. Its name comes from the host of castles constructed in the region...
.
The Royal Household during the 19th and 20th centuries
The Royal Household was substantially transformed during the reigns of King Ferdinand VII and Queen Isabella IIIsabella II of Spain
Isabella II was the only female monarch of Spain in modern times. She came to the throne as an infant, but her succession was disputed by the Carlists, who refused to recognise a female sovereign, leading to the Carlist Wars. After a troubled reign, she was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of...
but, over all, after the restoration of King Alfonso XII in 1875.
Regarding the basic organization of this Royal Household, the structure was divided between the "Mayordomia" (Stewarship) and the "Camareria" (Ladyship). With organic independence, there existed the General Commander of the Royal Body of Halberdiers, the General Intendant of the Royal House and Heritage and the Royal Chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
and Almoner
Almoner
An almoner is a chaplain or church officer who originally was in charge of distributing cash to the deserving poor.Historically, almoners were Christian religious functionaries whose duty was to distribute alms to the poor. Monasteries were required to spend one tenth of their income in charity to...
.
The "Mayordomia"
It was headed by the "Mayordomo mayorMayordomo 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...
" (High Steward) to the King, also invested with the Office of "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...
", who was in charge of the protocol
Protocol (diplomacy)
In international politics, protocol is the etiquette of diplomacy and affairs of state.A protocol is a rule which guides how an activity should be performed, especially in the field of diplomacy. In diplomatic services and governmental fields of endeavor protocols are often unwritten guidelines...
and organization of the ceremonies or activities presided or attended by the Monarch. Also, he was in charge of the high inspection of the royal buildings and the superior direction of the personnel at the service to the King. As holder of the privy seal, he was also responsible of the signature of official documents by the King and was the high chief of the Court honorary servants called “Gentilhombres Grandes de España con ejercicio y servidumbre
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...
” (Gentlemen of the bedchamber Grandees of Spain) and of those called “Gentilhombres de camara con ejercicio
Gentilhombres de camara con ejercicio
The Gentilhombres de camara con ejercicio was a palatial class of honorary royal servants of the Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain, who acceded to that class as an honor awarded by the Monarch...
” (Gentlemen of the bedchamber), both (but especially the first ones) with certain duties attached to the person of the King. Under the “Mayordomo mayor” were also the “Mayordomo mayor de la Reina” (High Steward to the Queen), the “Mayordomos de semana
Mayordomos de semana
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...
” (Weeckly stewards literally), the General Inspector of the Royal Palaces (Office created in 1852), the Private Secretary to the King, the Physicians and Pharmacists of the Bedchamber, and the Kings of Arms.
The "Camareria"
It was headed by the "Camarera mayor de PalacioCamarera mayor de Palacio
The Camarera mayor de Palacio was the Official of the Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain, who was in charge of the person and the rooms of the Queen of Spain....
" (First Lady of the Bedchamber) to the Queen who was in charge of the organization of ceremonies and activities presided or attended by the Queen and was the high chief of the "Damas de la Reina" (Ladies-in-waiting) and all the personnel attached to the service of the Queen. This office was suppressed in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1975.
Other Offices
Also, it existed the "Caballerizo mayorCaballerizo mayor
The Caballerizo major was the Official of the Royal Household and Heritage of the Crown of Spain in charge of the trips, the mews and the hunt of the King of Spain.- Regime during the 19th and 20th centuries :...
" (Great Equerry) of the King who organized the travels of the King and who was in charge of the Royal Mews and the Royal hunting lodges, acting (in this latter case) as “Montero mayor” (Great Hunter). This office was suppressed in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1975.
Organically independent from the “Mayordomia” and the “Camarería” there was the Office of General Commander of the Corps of Halberdiers, who was the Chief of the Military Household of the King. Under his command they were the Chief clerk who was in charge of the keys of the Royal palaces, the Aides-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to the King and the Military Assistants to the orders of the King, proceeding from diverse branches of the Army and Navy. Likewise they were depending from the General Commander, the so called “Monteros de Espinosa” (Hunters of the Chamber), who were 12 gentlemen with proven nobility. They made regular Guards outside the bedrooms of the King and the Queen during the night and accompanied them from the moment of his death up to the delivery of their remains in the Monastery of El Escorial
El Escorial
The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a historical residence of the king of Spain, in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, about 45 kilometres northwest of the capital, Madrid, in Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and...
.
Equally independent, it existed the Office of the General Comptroller of the Royal House who was the top financial chief and administrator of the Heritage of the Crown. Under his command they were the Cashier, the General Archivist, the Royal librarian, the Managers of the Royal Sites, the Bearers of the Royal Patronages and the Secretary of the Intendency.
The third Office out of the “Mayordomia” was the “Procapellán” (Chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
) and Great Almoner
Almoner
An almoner is a chaplain or church officer who originally was in charge of distributing cash to the deserving poor.Historically, almoners were Christian religious functionaries whose duty was to distribute alms to the poor. Monasteries were required to spend one tenth of their income in charity to...
of the King who was the chief of the Royal chapel, being the domestic prelate of the palace. Under the orders of the "Procapellan" they were the Chaplains of Honor, the Ecclesiastic Secretary, and the so called Chaplains of Curtain, Chaplains of the Seal of Castile
Castile
Castile is derived from a word meaning 'castle' and may refer to:-People:* Brooke Castile , American pairs figure skater* Javier Castilla , professional Colombian squash player* Simeon Castille , NFL cornerback...
and those of the Seal of the Military orders
Military order
A military order is a Christian society of knights that was founded for crusading, i.e. propagating or defending the faith , either in the Holy Land or against Islam or pagans in Europe...
.
During the reign of Alfonso XIII this Office was held by the Patriarch of the Indias.
The end of the Royal Household in 1931 and the restoration of the Monarchy in 1975
This institution was supresed after the proclamation of the Second Spanish RepublicSecond 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....
in 1931.
It is the historical precedent of the modern Royal Household of Spain
Royal Household of Spain
The Royal Household of Spain, officially the La Casa de Su Majestad el Rey , is the constitutional organization which supports the monarch in the exercise of his royal duties and prerogatives. The Royal Household does not form part of the Spanish Government, and remains exclusively under the...
. Nevertheless, when King Juan Carlos I acceded to the Throne in 1975, he decided to create a Household completely different from the former Court of his grandfather Alfonso XIII. The modern Royal Household is much simpler than the precedent institution and it was decided not to recreate the majority of Offices which existed in the old Royal Household maintaining basically the Head of the Royal Household and the General Secretary of the Royal Household, both Offices held by profesional and prestigious civil servants.
The Heritage of the Crown
The Heritage of the Crown of Spain, managed by the General Intendant of the Royal House, was ruled by a Law of June 30th of 1876 and successive decrees.The King resided at the Royal Palace of Madrid
Royal Palace of Madrid
The Palacio Real de Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain in the city of Madrid, but it is only used for state ceremonies. King Juan Carlos and the Royal Family do not reside in the palace, choosing instead the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid...
, where the official functions were exercised.
Also, they formed part of the Heritage of the Crown the Spanish royal sites
Spanish royal sites
The royal sites are a set of palaces, monasteries, and convents built for and under the patronage of the Spanish monarchy. They are administered by Patrimonio Nacional , a Spanish state agency; most are open to the public, at least in part, except when they are needed for state or official...
, including the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, the Royal Palace of El Escorial
El Escorial
The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a historical residence of the king of Spain, in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, about 45 kilometres northwest of the capital, Madrid, in Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and...
, the Royal Alcázar of Seville
Alcázar of Seville
thumb|right|250px|Baths of Lady María de PadillaThe Alcázar of Seville is a royal palace in Seville, Spain, originally a Moorish fort....
, the Royal Palace of El Pardo and the Royal Palace of La Almudaina
Royal Palace of La Almudaina
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina is the Alcázar of Palma, the capital city of the Island of Majorca, Spain. It is the royal summer official residence and administered by the Patrimonio Nacional.- External links :*...
.
The King Alfonso XIII built, as a personal property, the Palacio de la Magdalena
Palacio de la Magdalena
The Palacio de la Magdalena is an early 20th-century palace located on the Magdalena Peninsula of the city of Santander, Cantabria, Spain.-History:...
.
The Royal Patronages were the Royal Convent of the Salesas Reales
Convent of the Salesas Reales
The Convent of the Salesas Reales is an 18th-century architectural complex in central Madrid, Spain. Formerly a convent, specifically the convent of the Visitación de Nuestra Señora , it was constructed and occupied by the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, which had been founded by St. Francis...
, the Royal Convent of Las Descalzas Reales, the Royal Monastery of Saint Isabel, the Royal Convent of Santa Clara in Tordesillas
Tordesillas
Tordesillas is a town and municipality in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León, central Spain.It is located 25 km southwest of the provincial capital, Valladolid at an elevation of 704 meters. The population was c. 9,000 in 2009....
, the Royal Abbey of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas, the Royal Hospital of the Good Event of Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
where it had his residence the “Procapellán” and the Royal Colleges of Alfonso XII and Maria Christina of Austria
Maria Christina of Austria
Maria Christina of Austria was Queen consort of Spain as the second wife of King Alfonso XII of Spain...
in El Escorial
El Escorial
The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a historical residence of the king of Spain, in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, about 45 kilometres northwest of the capital, Madrid, in Spain. It is one of the Spanish royal sites and functions as a monastery, royal palace, museum, and...
.
All these Palaces and Patronages were transferred in 1940 to the Patrimonio Nacional
Patrimonio Nacional
The Consejo de Administración del Patrimonio Nacional is a Spanish state agency, under the jurisdiction of the Minister of the Presidency by delegation of the Prime Minister of Spain, that administers the sites owned by the Spanish...
which is now charged of their maintenance and is a public office depending from the Ministry of the Presidence of the Spanish Government.