Feudal Structure in Christian Kingdoms: Politics and Society

Political Organization Over Time in Christian Kingdoms

Over time, the Christian kingdoms developed their own political institutions:

• The Monarchy: It had feudal allegiance, which established relations with their subjects. The king surrounded himself with officials who helped in the tasks of government. In Castile and Portugal, the monarchy was stronger than in Aragon and Navarre.
• The Cortes: They had their origin in an advisory body formed by people close to the king. Subsequently, they were constituted by representatives of the three estates: nobility, clergy, and residents of the cities and towns. Their role was to make laws and approve new taxes. In Aragon and Navarre, they had more decision-making power than in Castile and Portugal, and acted as a barrier to the power of kings.

Other institutions were the Chancery, the court administering justice, and the Treasury, responsible for collecting taxes. In Aragon, the Chief Justice was very important, resolving lawsuits, interpreting the laws, and defending their rights.

Society in the Christian Kingdoms

The Christian kingdoms gradually acquired a feudal structure that prevailed in most parts of Europe. Society was divided into estates: the privileged group (nobles, clergy) and the non-privileged group (peasants). This latter group included the bourgeoisie. A pyramidal social structure was established, with the king at the top.

The Privileged Social Group Structure

• High Nobility or Ricohombres (Counts, Marquises, Dukes): They lived off the income provided by their vast lands.
• Low Nobility or Noblemen composed of Hidalgos: They were minor nobles. To survive the loss of their category, they were put at the service of a man of high nobility.
• Bishops, Abbots, and Masters of Military Orders: They owned large tracts of land and received the proceeds of these possessions.

Underprivileged Groups

• Residents of Cities: This was the bourgeoisie, which was devoted to crafts and trade. It acquired enormous development in Aragon.
• Peasants: They could be landowners who worked the land, or settlers who entered the service of a lord to protect them in exchange for a series of obligations and services. Among the settlers in Catalonia were the Payeses of Remensa.