El Bosque was founded by the Duke of Arcos and it was originally named Los Baños del Duque meaning ‘The Duke’s Bath’. The next name became Marchenilla owing to the fact that the Dukes of Arcos were Lords of Marchena. At the end of the 18th century, the name was again changed to Santa Maria de Guadalupe de El Bosque in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe to whom the Duke and Duchess were greatly devoted. In 1815, Fernando VII officially declared El Bosque a township after the War of Independence.
