Decrees of Nueva Planta: Reshaping Spain’s Kingdoms
Impact on the Crown of Aragon
Following Philip V’s victory in the War of Succession, the Decrees of Nueva Planta dramatically altered the political landscape of the Crown of Aragon. These decrees, enacted between 1707 and 1716, aimed to punish the kingdoms that had supported Archduke Charles and consolidate power under the Bourbon monarchy. Citing the “right of conquest,” Philip V abolished the existing charters of the Aragonese kingdoms (except the Aran Valley) and imposed a Castilian model of administration. This centralized, absolutist system mirrored the French model and enforced Castilian as the official language.
The decrees for Aragon and Valencia, issued in 1707, abolished their legislative and institutional systems. A second decree in 1711 established a new planta for the Audiencia of Zaragoza. Mallorca received a more lenient decree in 1715, while Catalonia’s decree, issued in 1716, abolished its Courts and Council of One Hundred, replaced the viceroy with a captain general, and implemented Castilian as the official language in administration, schools, and courts. Catalan universities that had supported Archduke Charles were closed, with studies transferred to Cervera, which had remained loyal to Philip V.
While these decrees dissolved the political institutions of the Crown of Aragon, they largely preserved their private law (except in Valencia). However, the kingdoms were subject to a different tax regime than Castile and continued to be exempt from conscription. Absolutism took hold, with the courts dissolved and some towns granted representation in the Castilian Cortes. Municipal governments were restructured along Castilian lines, with hereditary positions becoming increasingly common in Aragon.
Impact on the Crown of Castile
Similar decrees, also known as Nueva Planta, were issued for the Crown of Castile, reorganizing its Royal Audiencias and Royal Chanceries. Traditional kingdoms were dissolved, replaced by provinces and city halls. These decrees marked the end of the polisinodia system, which had respected the legal traditions of each territory. The Council of State’s functions were transferred to the Council of Castile, which also absorbed the former Council of Aragon. This elevated the Council of Castile to the highest governing body, diminishing the roles of other councils (War, Indies, Finance, Inquisition).
A royal decree in 1713 reformed the Councils of Castile, Finance, and Orders, followed by a similar decree for the Council of War in 1714. However, a subsequent decree in 1715 partially reversed these changes, restoring the traditional model for the Council of Castile. The president of Castile retained significant authority, presiding over Parliament and the Council of Orders.
The Nueva Planta decrees in the Crown of Aragon led to the abolition of their individual courts (except Navarre). Representatives from these kingdoms joined the Castilian Cortes, which became common to all except Navarre. In the 18th century, these general courts primarily served to make requests to the king and swear allegiance to the heir. Lawmaking shifted to royal orders and decrees, with pragmatic sanctions gradually disappearing.
For the Castilian kingdoms, these laws eliminated individual privileges and freedoms of municipalities, establishing Castilian law as the common legal framework for all territories except Navarre. The Council of Castile became the governing body for the entire kingdom (excluding Navarre), and the aliens privilege, which prevented individuals from holding positions outside their kingdom of origin, was abolished.