Legacy of Charles I of Spain: Territory, Revolts, and Social Changes
The Reign of Charles I (1517-1556)
Territorial Inheritance
Charles I inherited vast territories from his paternal grandparents, Maximilian of Austria and Maria of Burgundy, including Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the Franche-Comté, as well as the imperial title of the Holy Roman Empire. From his maternal grandparents, Ferdinand and Isabella, he inherited the Crowns of Aragon and Castile, encompassing Sardinia, Sicily, Naples, Navarre, the Canary Islands, North African cities, and the newly discovered American territories.
Revolt of the Communities (1520-1522)
The Revolt of the Communities was an armed rebellion by several Castilian towns against Charles I and his Flemish court. The rebels demanded respect for the kingdom’s laws regarding appointments and taxes, greater political participation, and protection of domestic industry. The conflict radicalized, leading to anti-seigneurial peasant revolts. The rebels were defeated at Villalar in 1521, and their leaders, Padilla, Bravo, and Maldonado, were executed.
The Encomienda System
The encomienda system, established by the Laws of Burgos in 1512, granted a conquistador the right to the labor of Indigenous people in exchange for their maintenance, protection, and evangelization. Although abolished in 1542 by the New Laws of the Indies, it persisted in practice as a disguised form of slavery until the 18th century.
Concept of “Clean Blood”
The concept of “clean blood” emerged in 15th-century Castile and was regulated by Philip IV in 1623. It required individuals to document their lineage, proving they were not descended from Jewish converts, Moors, or those convicted by the Inquisition. This “Old Christian” status conferred social prestige and was necessary for acquiring titles of nobility or holding public and ecclesiastical office. It remained in effect until the 19th century.
Battle of Lepanto (1571)
The Battle of Lepanto, fought off the Greek coast in 1571, saw a fleet led by Don John of Austria defeat the Ottoman Turks. The “Holy League,” a Christian coalition formed by the Spanish monarchy, Venice, and the Papacy, launched the offensive in response to Ottoman expansion and the occupation of Cyprus. The victory temporarily halted Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean.
Developments in the Spanish Monarchy
Deputation of the Kingdom of Navarre
The Deputation of the Kingdom of Navarre emerged in 1576. When the courts dissolved, representatives were chosen to monitor compliance with decisions and represent the kingdom to the monarch and viceroy. From the mid-17th century, it received a portion of taxes, minted money, assisted in troop recruitment, and issued reports to safeguard legal privileges. It comprised seven members and a trustee residing in Madrid.
Expulsion of the Moriscos (1609-1614)
The expulsion of the Moriscos, nominally Christianized Muslims who retained their language, culture, and religion, occurred between 1609 and 1614 under Philip III. Fears of collaboration with the Turks and Barbary pirates triggered the expulsion of some 300,000 Moriscos, with severe economic and demographic consequences for Levante and Aragon.
Rise of the Validos
Validos were powerful figures within the monarch’s inner circle who influenced government institutions and assumed government functions with the king’s approval. They controlled power levers and maintained a loyal clientele through the exchange of positions and privileges. Prominent validos of the 17th century included the Duke of Lerma under Philip III, the Count-Duke of Olivares under Philip IV, and Don John of Austria under Charles II.
17th-Century Demographic Crisis
A Europe-wide demographic decline also affected the Spanish kingdoms. Castile’s population fell from 8.3 to 7 million due to emigration to the Americas, European wars against France and Protestant countries, internal conflicts in Catalonia and Portugal, the expulsion of the Moriscos, and epidemics and poor harvests.
Bankruptcies
The Spanish monarchy faced multiple financial crises during the 16th and 17th centuries, struggling to meet its obligations. This led to tax increases, currency devaluation, and debt renegotiation. The enormous cost of maintaining the empire exceeded income from the Americas, Castilian taxes, loans from European bankers, and debt instruments.