Mayordomo mayor
Encyclopedia
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
. The Office of “Mayordomo mayor” was suppressed after the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic
in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1975, but it can be said that it is the historical precedent of the actual Head of the Royal Household of Spain
.
, the “Mayordomo mayor” of the King of Spain
was in charge of the entire organization of the Royal Palace and of its government, having civil and even criminal jurisdiction within its walls through the so called “Bureo” tribunal.
During the reigns of the last three Kings before the Second Spanish Republic
, Isabel II
, Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII, the “Mayordomo mayor” coordinated the whole palatial organization being, from 1840, the highest Office of the Royal Court and such denominated “Jefe Superior de Palacio” (High Chief of the Palace). Only a peer that had the rank of Grandee of Spain could be nominated for this Office.
Also, traditionally, the “Mayordomo mayor” was higher hierarchically than the “Sumiller de Corps
”. During the reign of Alfonso XII and part of the reign of Alfonso XIII (until 1907) this latter Office was suppressed.
The “Mayordomo mayor” was equally the holder of the privy seal, or “Guardasellos” as he was called. In that position he assured the signature of all sort of documents by the King and the link between him and the Government.
He had not jurisdiction as in former times but the Prosecution Law required his official permission for every policial inspection within the walls of all the Royal palaces.
In that which concerned to his role in the activities of official nature, the “Mayordomo” intervened, between others:
Under the “Mayordomo” they were the King of Arms
, as charged with the heraldry, the processes of titles of nobility and the management of the dignities. The dean of this class in 1931 was Don Jose de Rújula and Ochotorena, Marquess of Ciadoncha. The Office of King of Arms was suppressed after the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic
in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of teh Monarchy in 1975. He was, at the same time, the high chief of the Court honorary servants called “Gentilhombres Grandes de España con ejercicio y servidumbre
” (Gentlemen of the bedchamber Grandees of Spain), of the “Mayordomos de semana
” (Weeckly stewards literally) and of those called “Gentilhombres de camara con ejercicio
” (Gentlemen of the bedchamber), both (but especially the first and second ones) with certain duties attached to the person of the King.
Also the Physicians of Chamber were under his dependance with a salary of 10.000 pesetas per year each one, accompanying the King in trips, hunts etc. Traditionally the Physician of Chamber who assisted to royal births was awarded with the peerage as it was the case of the first Marquess of San Gregorio and the first Count of San Diego. In 1931 the Physicians of the Chamber were Don Jacobo Lopez Elizagaray and Don Fernando Enríquez of Salamanca.
Also, this Office of Phisician was suppressed after the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic
in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1975.
The Private Secretary to the King was also under the “Mayordomo”. He was in charge of the ordinary matters of the Monarch and was his more faithful assistant. During almost the whole reign of Alfonso XIII, and in the moment of his exile, this Office was hold by Don Emilio de Torres y Gonzalez-Arnáu, first Marquess of Torres de Mendoza.
The last office under the “Mayordomo” was the General Inspector of the Royal Palaces, the former "Aposentador" (Office that the painter Diego Velázquez
had occupied in the 17th century), with an annual wage of 12.500 pesetas and who was the real steward and butler to the King. At the fall of the monarchy this Office was occupied by Don Luis de Asúa y Campos. He had his own office in all the Royal residences and was the chief of the watchmen, the doormen, the footmen and the personnel of the so called "Ramillete" that were the servants and footmen who served at the royal table and the craftsmen of the different workshops (watchmakers, cabinet-makers, cookers, janitors ..). All of these Offices were equally supressed and they don,t exist today.
In the reign of Alfonso XIII the wages of the “Mayordomo” were 15.000 pesetas per year and had his own office and quarter at the Royal Palace of Madrid
. Likewise, he was always awarded with the highest distinctions of the Kingdom, the neck chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece
and the grand cross of the Order of Charles III.
The uniform of the “Mayordomo” was “casacón” (frock coat) with embroidery in all the seams.
He was styles “Excelentísimo señor Mayordomo mayor de Su Majestad” as well as “Sumiller de Corps” and “Guardasellos” (when he held the privy seal).
“Mayordomos mayores” to Queen Isabella II
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...
in charge of the person and rooms of the King of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The Office of “Mayordomo mayor” was suppressed after 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....
in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1975, but it can be said that it is the historical precedent of the actual Head of the 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...
.
Historical precedents
Being a historical precedent the Office of “Mayordomo” of the Kingdom of CastileKingdom 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 “Mayordomo mayor” of the King of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
was in charge of the entire organization of the Royal Palace and of its government, having civil and even criminal jurisdiction within its walls through the so called “Bureo” tribunal.
Regime during the 19th and 20th centuries
Diverse dispositions regulated in the 19th and 20th centuries his functions, but they must be outlined the Royal decrees of October 28th of 1847 and September 4th of 1885.During the reigns of the last three Kings before 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....
, Isabel II
Isabella 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...
, Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII, the “Mayordomo mayor” coordinated the whole palatial organization being, from 1840, the highest Office of the Royal Court and such denominated “Jefe Superior de Palacio” (High Chief of the Palace). Only a peer that had the rank of Grandee of Spain could be nominated for this Office.
Also, traditionally, the “Mayordomo mayor” was higher hierarchically than 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...
”. During the reign of Alfonso XII and part of the reign of Alfonso XIII (until 1907) this latter Office was suppressed.
The “Mayordomo mayor” was equally the holder of the privy seal, or “Guardasellos” as he was called. In that position he assured the signature of all sort of documents by the King and the link between him and the Government.
He had not jurisdiction as in former times but the Prosecution Law required his official permission for every policial inspection within the walls of all the Royal palaces.
In that which concerned to his role in the activities of official nature, the “Mayordomo” intervened, between others:
- In royal births and baptisms where the invitations were dispatched by him, occupying the immediate site behind the Monarch.
- In Public Chapels where he delivered the prayer-book to the King and was placed, also, immediately behind.
- In the Lavatory of Poor, during Easter, in which he helped the Monarch to serve the plates in the latter lunch that was offered.
- In the ceremony of the Coverage of the Grandees where he dispatched the invitations on behalf of the King and fixed the order.
- In official banquets in which he occupied one of the head-boards of the table
- In official audiencies in which he fixed the day and hour.
- In public ceremonies, in which he was placed in the first position close to the Caballerizo mayorCaballerizo mayorThe 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 :...
.
Under the “Mayordomo” they were the King of Arms
King of Arms
King of Arms is the senior rank of an officer of arms. In many heraldic traditions, only a king of arms has the authority to grant armorial bearings. In other traditions, the power has been delegated to other officers of similar rank.-Heraldic duties:...
, as charged with the heraldry, the processes of titles of nobility and the management of the dignities. The dean of this class in 1931 was Don Jose de Rújula and Ochotorena, Marquess of Ciadoncha. The Office of King of Arms was suppressed after 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....
in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of teh Monarchy in 1975. He was, at the same time, 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), of 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) 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 and second ones) with certain duties attached to the person of the King.
Also the Physicians of Chamber were under his dependance with a salary of 10.000 pesetas per year each one, accompanying the King in trips, hunts etc. Traditionally the Physician of Chamber who assisted to royal births was awarded with the peerage as it was the case of the first Marquess of San Gregorio and the first Count of San Diego. In 1931 the Physicians of the Chamber were Don Jacobo Lopez Elizagaray and Don Fernando Enríquez of Salamanca.
Also, this Office of Phisician was suppressed after 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....
in 1931 and never re-created after the restoration of the Monarchy in 1975.
The Private Secretary to the King was also under the “Mayordomo”. He was in charge of the ordinary matters of the Monarch and was his more faithful assistant. During almost the whole reign of Alfonso XIII, and in the moment of his exile, this Office was hold by Don Emilio de Torres y Gonzalez-Arnáu, first Marquess of Torres de Mendoza.
The last office under the “Mayordomo” was the General Inspector of the Royal Palaces, the former "Aposentador" (Office that the painter Diego Velázquez
Diego Velázquez
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez was a Spanish painter who was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV. He was an individualistic artist of the contemporary Baroque period, important as a portrait artist...
had occupied in the 17th century), with an annual wage of 12.500 pesetas and who was the real steward and butler to the King. At the fall of the monarchy this Office was occupied by Don Luis de Asúa y Campos. He had his own office in all the Royal residences and was the chief of the watchmen, the doormen, the footmen and the personnel of the so called "Ramillete" that were the servants and footmen who served at the royal table and the craftsmen of the different workshops (watchmakers, cabinet-makers, cookers, janitors ..). All of these Offices were equally supressed and they don,t exist today.
In the reign of Alfonso XIII the wages of the “Mayordomo” were 15.000 pesetas per year and had his own office and quarter 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...
. Likewise, he was always awarded with the highest distinctions of the Kingdom, the neck chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Order of the Golden Fleece
The Order of the Golden Fleece is an order of chivalry founded in Bruges by Philip III, Duke of Burgundy in 1430, to celebrate his marriage to the Portuguese princess Infanta Isabella of Portugal, daughter of King John I of Portugal. It evolved as one of the most prestigious orders in Europe...
and the grand cross of the Order of Charles III.
The uniform of the “Mayordomo” was “casacón” (frock coat) with embroidery in all the seams.
He was styles “Excelentísimo señor Mayordomo mayor de Su Majestad” as well as “Sumiller de Corps” and “Guardasellos” (when he held the privy seal).
“Mayordomos mayores” to King Ferdinand VII, 1814-1833
- 1814-1816: José Miguel de Carvajal y Manrique, Duke of San Carlos, Grandee of Spain
- 1816-1820: Francisco de Borja Álvarez de Toledo y Gonzaga, Duke of Medina Sidonia, Grandee of Spain
- 1820-1822: Antonio María Ponce de León Dávila, Duke of Montemar, Grandee of Spain
- 1822-1823: José Gabriel de Silva-Bazán y Waldstein, Marquess of Santa Cruz de Mudela, Grandee of Spain
- 1823-1827: Vicente Isabel Osorio de Moscoso y Álvarez de Toledo, Marquess of Astorga, Grandee of Spain
- 1827-1838: Joaquín Félix de Samaniego Urbina Pizarro y Velandia, Marquess of Valderde de la Sierra
“Mayordomos mayores” to Queen Isabella IIIsabella II of SpainIsabella 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...
, 1833-1868
- 1838-1847: Juan Bautista Queralt y Silva, Count of Santa Coloma, Grandee of Spain
- 1848-1855: Juan Nepomuceno Roca de Togores y Carrasco, Count of Pinohermoso, Grandee of Spain
- 1855-1855: Carlos Martínez de Irujo y McKeanCarlos Martínez de Irujo, Duke of SotomayorDon Carlos Martínez de Irujo y McKean, 2nd Marquis of Casa Irujo, jure uxoris Duke of Sotomayor, Grandee of Spain was a Spanish noble and politician who served as Prime Minister of Spain...
, Duke of Sotomayor, Grandee of Spain - 1856-1866: Luis Carondelet Castaños, Duke of Bailén, Grandee of Spain
- 1866-1868: Francisco Javier Arias Dávila y Matheu, Count of Puñonrostro, Grandee of Spain
“Mayordomo mayor” to King Amadeo I, 1871-1873
- 1871-1873: Mariano Rius y Montaner, Count of Rius
“Mayordomo mayor” to King Alfonso XII, 1875-1885
- 1875-1885: José Isidro Osorio y Silva-Bazán, Marquess of Alcañices, Grandee of Spain
“Mayordomos mayores” to King Alfonso XIII, 1885-1931
- 1885-1891: José Joaquín Álvarez de Toledo y SilvaJosé Joaquín Álvarez de Toledo, 18th Duke of Medina SidoniaDon José Joaquín Álvarez de Toledo y Silva, 18th Duke of Medina Sidonia, 14th Marquis of Villafranca del Bierzo, 14th Marquis of los Vélez, 12th Duke of Fernandina, 13th Marquis of Molina and 22nd Count of Niebla, Grandee of Spain, Knight of the Reales Maestranzas de Caballería de Valencia and...
, Duke of Medina Sidonia, Grandee of Spain - 1891-1909: Carlos Martínez de Irujo y del Alcázar, Duke of Sotomayor, Grandee of Spain
- 1909-1925: Andrés Avelino de Salabert y Arteaga, Marquess of la Torrecilla, Grandee of Spain
- 1925-1931: Luis María de Silva y Carvajal, Duke of Miranda, Grandee of Spain