Cuban nobility
The 19th century Spanish Empire saw much of its power weakened by its rival countries (Great Britain and France), it also saw many of its colonies in America being influenced by the republican ideologies of the recently independent United States. In an effort to strengthen its holdings, the Spanish Crown decided to grant titles of nobility to much of the colonial aristocracy. This bestowing of royal grace made the recipients loyal to the Crown, and more assimilated to Spanish aristocracy. No Spanish colony received as many grants of nobility as Cuba, jewel of the Spanish Empire.
It did not come as a surprise that many in the Cuban aristocracy received grants of nobility. Cuban aristocracy had always attempted to create a second Paris or Madrid in its main cities of Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Elegant, rich decorated manors, governmental buildings, opera houses, play houses, palaces, etc. covered the streets of the capital. The Spanish Crown wished to add nobility to this already highly elegant, highly profitable colony. The Crown was not the only entity to award titles of nobility, the Catholic Church made use of its authority to also award titles of nobility in the island.
The titles given in Cuba, resembled those in continental Europe. They were: Prince, Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron - in that line of importance and social standing. However, each title given, had the name of a place in Cuba, e.g. Marques de Aguas Claras.
After the revolution of 1898, many of these nobles stayed in the island, or moved to other former Spanish colonies, such as Puerto Rico, very few returned to Spain. Although the new Republic of Cuba did not give itself the power to create and bestow new titles of nobility, it did not interfere with the already established tradition. Many in the Cuban nobility continued to use their titles, and the public respected their social position. This all changed when took control of the island paradise; soon the Communist government moved against these nobles, forcing many to exile.
List of Cuban Titles
* Marquesado de Aguas Claras
* Marquesado de Aviles
* Marquesado de Bella Vista
* Marquesado de Casa Calvo
* Marquesado de Garcillan
* Marquesado de Montsalud
* Marquesado de Prado Ameno
* Condado de Casa Bayona
* Condado del Castillo
It did not come as a surprise that many in the Cuban aristocracy received grants of nobility. Cuban aristocracy had always attempted to create a second Paris or Madrid in its main cities of Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Elegant, rich decorated manors, governmental buildings, opera houses, play houses, palaces, etc. covered the streets of the capital. The Spanish Crown wished to add nobility to this already highly elegant, highly profitable colony. The Crown was not the only entity to award titles of nobility, the Catholic Church made use of its authority to also award titles of nobility in the island.
The titles given in Cuba, resembled those in continental Europe. They were: Prince, Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron - in that line of importance and social standing. However, each title given, had the name of a place in Cuba, e.g. Marques de Aguas Claras.
After the revolution of 1898, many of these nobles stayed in the island, or moved to other former Spanish colonies, such as Puerto Rico, very few returned to Spain. Although the new Republic of Cuba did not give itself the power to create and bestow new titles of nobility, it did not interfere with the already established tradition. Many in the Cuban nobility continued to use their titles, and the public respected their social position. This all changed when took control of the island paradise; soon the Communist government moved against these nobles, forcing many to exile.
List of Cuban Titles
* Marquesado de Aguas Claras
* Marquesado de Aviles
* Marquesado de Bella Vista
* Marquesado de Casa Calvo
* Marquesado de Garcillan
* Marquesado de Montsalud
* Marquesado de Prado Ameno
* Condado de Casa Bayona
* Condado del Castillo
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