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Evolution of the price of a bushel of wheat in Spain 1700-1714

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:29:41 +0000

Cuenca represented the living image of the crisis of the 17th century in which its population, productive activity and wealth had declined enormously. At the same time, at the end of the century, a slight recovery could be glimpsed among its neighbours and the recovery of Cuenca’s flourishing textile industry of the past. However, the impact of the subsistence crises during the modern period caused by natural phenomena with their consequences on prices, mortality or marriage rates, tried to be attenuated by the interventions of the municipal administration. In October 1709, the lack of wheat became evident, making it necessary to resort to the Cathedral Chapter so that its members could deliver grain for the supply. The Council of Castile revealed how some councillors did not comply with the grain pragmatic order, selling wheat at 38 reales per bushel. In other places, such as Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the price of a bushel of wheat reached 120 reales and bread 47 cuartos, making it impossible for the average worker to buy it on a daily wage of 5 or 6 reales. The rise in the price of wheat hit Cuenca and Murcia particularly hard in 1709, while in towns in the north of Castile such as Burgo de Osma the price rose to a lesser extent. In the southern half of the peninsula, in Jaén, the price began to stabilise around 1708, as from 1709 the maximum price per bushel was set at 28 reales.

The post Evolution of the price of a bushel of wheat in Spain 1700-1714 first appeared on History Lab.

Social category and income levels (in reales) in Madrid, 1749-1774

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:57 +0000

Real estate rents and urban property constituted an important part of the wealth of some members of the Madrid elites at the end of the 18th century. Investments in urban property increased notably due to a general recovery in rents, to which must be added the increase in demand initiated in this process. The irruption of the real estate market underwent important modifications in the period between 1750 and 1850, when a part of the ecclesiastical properties changed hands and the ownership of individuals increased considerably. In this sense, Madrid constituted a peculiar model of growth in comparison to other imperial capitals, as cities such as London or Paris broke their historical limits in the face of a new urbanisation. The titled aristocracy owned 10% of the total urban property in the town on the Manzanares. However, it controlled 24% of the rental income as its properties were highly profitable due to their location where the price was higher. Aristocratic property enjoyed prestige as it was the expression of a way of life based on wealth and birth. Thus, it reproduced a stately style within the walls, seeking to imitate the royal palace. In this sense, the location of the property was determined by its proximity to the palace, as in the 17th century there was a certain shift to the eastern part of the Villa, coinciding with the Buen Retiro Palace and the Paseo del Prado. The Carrera de San Jerónimo, Alcalá, Atocha and Mayor streets were predominant in the 18th century.

The post Social category and income levels (in reales) in Madrid, 1749-1774 first appeared on History Lab.

Grandes de España. Annual income (1808) and real estate income in reales (1749-1770)

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:57 +0000

Real estate rents and urban property constituted an important part of the patrimony of some members of the Madrid elites at the end of the 18th century. Investments in urban property increased notably due to a general recovery in rents, to which must be added the increase in demand initiated in this process. The irruption of the real estate market underwent important modifications in the period between 1750 and 1850, when part of the ecclesiastical properties changed hands and the ownership of individuals increased considerably. In this sense, Madrid constituted a peculiar model of growth in comparison to other imperial capitals, as cities such as London or Paris broke their historical limits in the face of a new urbanisation. The aristocratic group, in addition to controlling the most distinguished spaces in terms of housing, controlled the most important part of the income from real estate. Although the titled aristocracy did not form a homogeneous group, there was a group of new titles whose estates were more recent and generally acquired through purchases, inheritance or marriage. In this sense, the income from renting houses in Madrid of many of Spain’s grandees constituted a minor part of their estates, as they lived in their palaces and rented out part of their possessions, although most of their income came from agricultural properties.

The post Grandes de España. Annual income (1808) and real estate income in reales (1749-1770) first appeared on History Lab.