Matrimonio, alianza y reproducción social en la burguesía comercial y en la élite local (Albacete, 1750-1830)

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to understand the logics of marriage alliances of the two key social groups at the end of the Ancien Régime, the commercial bourgeoisie and the local elite. The commercial bourgeoisie families were acquiring a growing economic power and they used the marriage like a cardinal instrument for their social ascent. On the other hand, it is possible to follow the different marriage strategies of the local elites, looking for the preservation of prestige, power and privileges. All this shaped a very dynamic 'marriage market' in which it can be observed a permanent link between the individual, the family and the social group. Thus, the marriage market of these two social groups is of great importance in order to understand the social and the cultural changes at a period of crisis like the end of the Ancien Régime.