Crowns of Castile and Aragon: Divergent Paths and the Age of Discovery

Differences Between the Crowns of Castile and Aragon

The Crown of Castile

Government and Royal Power

The Crown of Castile was a unified kingdom where the monarch held significant power. Castilian kings wielded greater authority than other rulers on the Iberian Peninsula, possessing the legal right to declare war and administer justice. While the Castilian Cortes (parliament) could not legislate, they held considerable influence, particularly in their ability to approve or deny royal requests for taxes.

Economic Foundations

The Castilian economy was primarily based on agriculture and livestock farming. The growth of Merino sheep was particularly central, with high-quality Merino wool becoming a primary export. Transhumant flocks moved across an extensive road network. Shepherds organized into powerful associations like the Mesta to manage their professional interests and resolve disputes. The lucrative sale of wool and woolen cloth spurred the development of numerous commercial and craft industries, leading to the rise of vibrant markets.

The Crown of Aragon

Government and Royal Power

In contrast, the Crown of Aragon was a confederation of distinct entities, including the Kingdom of Aragon, the Principality of Catalonia, the Kingdom of Valencia, and the Kingdom of Majorca. The King of Aragon held less absolute power compared to the Castilian monarchs. New taxes could not be levied without the approval of the Cortes of each constituent kingdom, reflecting a more decentralized political structure.

Economic Activities

While the majority of the population in the Crown of Aragon lived from agriculture, it also maintained extensive commercial relationships with many countries. Major cities established innovative institutions like the Consolat de Mar (Consulate of the Sea) to regulate and adjudicate issues related to navigation and trade, highlighting its strong maritime and mercantile focus.

Drivers of European Exploration

Beginning in the 15th century, Europeans embarked on numerous sea expeditions, driven by several key factors:

• Economic Motivations: Europeans sought new commercial routes to the East to access valuable goods and bypass existing monopolies.
• Technical Advancements: Significant progress in navigation and cartography facilitated longer voyages. This included the development of new maps and the widespread use of improved navigation tools like the compass and astrolabe.

Understanding Medieval Courts and Charters

Evolution of Legal Documentation

Medieval legal practices gradually evolved from oral tradition to written documentation. Laws and regulations were codified and compiled into formal charters, which served as foundational legal texts.

Key Features of Charters

Charters often outlined specific rights, privileges, and administrative structures. These could include:

• Administration of territory through local institutions.
• Specific fiscal arrangements or autonomy regarding taxation.
• Exemption from military service for certain groups or territories.
• Authority over local taxation and non-commercial aspects of governance.
• Defined limits on local authority or jurisdiction.
• Local autonomy regarding land use, not always subject to direct royal orders.