Political Landscape of Medieval Castile and Aragon
The Middle Ages: Political Organization and Institutions in the Kingdom of Castile
Until the 11th century, monarchs had limited authority, and the nobles held significant power. The king acted within his own demarcation (lordship of the Crown). His functions were coinage and leading the lords in war, while also administering justice and collecting taxes. From the 11th and 12th centuries, monarchs began to strengthen their power.
- Monarchy: Under feudalism, the king held legislative and other powers. There was a centralized administration and a legal code (Code of Headings). The responsibility for justice and taxes in each merindad (demarcation) was handled by a governor or notary, known as merino. The butler managed the royal documents and finances. The royal ensign led the army in the absence of the king, and the admiral led the fleet.
- Courts: The nobility, clergy, and commoners made up the Courts, which were only advisory bodies in Castile. They lacked legislative power and merely dealt with economic affairs.
- Municipalities: Municipalities had some autonomy until the king appointed a magistrate as his representative. The most important institution was the City Council.
The Middle Ages: Political Organization and Institutions in the Crown of Aragon
- Monarchs: Having more problems with feudalism, monarchs had to make the government more centralized. They adopted a system of pactism, where the monarch was subject to the nobility through the Courts. In the Crown of Aragon (Catalonia, Aragon, and Valencia), the king had to respect the laws, customs, and languages of each kingdom.
- Courts: The Courts could criticize the king. They held legislative power and were independent. The Generalitat of the three kingdoms ensured compliance with agreements made in the Courts.
Municipalities: Important individuals from the city held positions in the municipal government. The Consell (council), composed of five men, was elected by a “Council of One Hundred” made up of merchants and artisans.
The Middle Ages: Demographic, Economic, and Political Crises
- Demographic Crisis: Famine (due to bad harvests and bad weather), political and social conflicts (wars), and conflicts between peasants and nobles, kings and nobility, and Christians and Jews (religious conflicts) contributed to the demographic crisis.
- Economic Crisis:
- Agricultural crisis (bad harvests, population decline, land abandonment, and decreased labor).
- Rise in prices (due to reduced production).
- Emergence of more pastureland (due to the importance of the Mesta).
- Political Crisis:
- Rebellions against the nobility.
- Attempts by kings to strengthen their power.
- Frequent dynastic struggles among siblings, with the support of the nobility (e.g., Pedro I of Castile and Enrique IV).
The Middle Ages: The Expansion of the Crown of Aragon in the Mediterranean
From the 13th century, while Castile consolidated its kingdom by occupying the southern area, the border between Castile and Aragon forced Aragon to seek its zone of influence in the Mediterranean. This led to hostility with France, the Papacy, and Genoa. Aragon dislocated France from Roussillon and established itself in southern Italy (Naples, Sicily, and Sardinia). Alfonso V was proclaimed King of Naples, facing Italian opposition. As a consequence of this expansion, the bourgeoisie was economically favored by the commercial network (Genoa, Venice, etc.). However, in 1333, this progress was cut short by plagues and famines. These territories were dominated by princes belonging to the king’s family, creating a sort of confederation of realms.