Ejecutoria de Hidalguía; Spain, 1602. Illuminated... Lot 41

Ejecutoria de Hidalguía; Spain, 1602. Illuminated parchment and leather binding. Preserves original lead seal. Measurements: 32 x 21,5 cm. Executoria granted to Juan de Torres on October 22, 1602 in Granada, Spain . The piece has a leather binding with engraved and gilt decoration, with original lead seal (with wear). One page with paintings of the Virgin and Child Jesus on the upper part and Santiago Matamoros on the lower part flanked by a border with floral motifs. Another page with representations of the death of Alvaro de Torres defending the Castle of Consuegra (Toledo), of the death of Juan de Torres defending the Castle of Oran (Algeria) and the coat of arms of the beneficiary flanked by a border of grotesques with two figures of saints inserted. A page with capital "P" with a portrait of Philip III inside. Total pages: 110. The "ejecutoria de hidalguía" is the judicial document that contains the information on the lawsuit and the sentence by virtue of which the condition of hidalgo is recognized to a person. To be hidalgo means to be recognized as noble and to be part of the non-titled nobility. In addition to social prestige, the recognition of hidalguía brought fiscal advantages and economic benefits, as they were exempt from the payment of certain taxes and tributes.