Aragon's History: Government, Economy, Art, and Humanism

Aragon's Historical Institutions

The Aragonese government institutions included:

• Monarchy: The king, a tradition rooted in practical governance, was committed to respecting the institutions, laws, and customs of the states. A representative, such as a lieutenant or viceroy, often acted on the King's behalf.
• Cortes: Each kingdom had its own Cortes (parliament). The King needed their consent, especially when requesting funds. The General Council monitored compliance with approved measures.
• Municipalities: Commercial development empowered the bourgeoisie.

Aragon's Economy

Aragon's economy was primarily based on agriculture and livestock, especially sheep farming. Irrigated agriculture thrived, along with crafts and manufacturing. Aragonese trade routes along the Mediterranean facilitated the exchange of textiles, oil, and iron tools or weapons.

Aragonese Romanesque Art (11th and 12th Centuries)

Key features of Romanesque art in Aragon:

• Architecture: Predominantly rural churches. Great monasteries were constructed in the 12th century.
• Sculpture and Painting: Romanesque sculpture served as a decorative complement to architecture. Frescoes adorning the apses and walls of churches are prime examples of painting from this period.

Aragonese Gothic Art

Characteristics of Gothic art in Aragon:

• Architecture: Horizontal lines predominated, especially in religious buildings like cathedrals. Civic architecture, such as longas (market halls) and palaces, gained prominence.
• Sculpture: Influenced by Flemish art.
• Altarpieces: Became more common, depicting scenes from the lives of saints and the Virgin Mary.

Humanism and the Renaissance

New Thinking: Humanism was a new way of thinking that placed humanity at the center of the world. It spread across Europe in the 15th century, leading to the Renaissance in the 16th century. Key tenets included:

• Exaltation of human beings, reason, and freedom.
• Emphasis on Greco-Roman culture.
• Focus on science, technical progress, and a scientific spirit.
• Use of vernacular languages.

Erasmus of Rotterdam was a leading figure in Christian humanism.

The Spread of Humanism

The mid-15th-century invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg facilitated the dissemination of humanistic ideas. Academies promoted humanistic thought, focusing on language and literature. Universities in Bologna, Poland, Florence, Louvain, Alcalá de Henares, and others played a crucial role in the formation and transmission of new knowledge.

The Reformation

Causes of Reform: Dissatisfaction arose from:

• Luxury and extravagance within the Church.
• Minimal education among the clergy.
• The sale of church offices and indulgences.

Martin Luther's Role

Martin Luther's "95 Theses" criticized Catholic doctrine. Luther questioned the value of indulgences and the Church's power to grant them. He gained support from German princes and nobles.

Auto de Fé

Auto de fé were trials where the accused publicly renounced their religious beliefs to return to the Church. Those who refused faced condemnation, sometimes including being burned at the stake.