Medieval Catalonia: Society, Economy, and Governance

Medieval Catalan Institutions

The Consulate of the Sea

The Consulate of the Sea was the head of a court. There was a consul, or representative of the city, who had the power to resolve problems that arose between merchants and to represent them to the authorities. The first consulates were established in Barcelona (1260). By the end of the fourteenth century, Barcelona had 42 consulates.

The Book of the Consulate of the Sea

This was a book containing legal provisions that were accepted across almost all the Mediterranean, serving as a model of corporate law.

Government and Royal Authority

Pacts in Government Organization

Why was the organization of government based on pacts?

It was based on a balance of power between the king and the institutions of various territories.

Composition of the Royal Court

Who was part of the Royal Court and how was it organized?

The Royal Court included relatives of the monarch, nobles, clergy, and staff surrounding the monarch. It also encompassed the Royal Council, the Curia, the Foreign Ministry, and the Treasury.

Catalan Society and Economy (13th Century)

Economic Activities

What were the main economic activities in 13th-century Catalonia?

The main economic activities were agriculture, trade, and craft activities.

Urban Social Structure

What differences existed among city inhabitants?

Differences could be established between:

• Privileged groups: Nobles, clergy, homes rics (wealthy men).
• Non-privileged groups: Menestrals majors (master craftsmen), menestrals menors (minor craftsmen), and slaves.

The Remences Peasants

Who were the Remences peasants and why were they called that?

The Remences were peasants tied to their land, meaning they could not leave without paying a redemption fee (remença).

Catalan Governance and Urban Institutions

The Role of the Courts

Why were the Courts considered the basis of a formalized pact system?

The Courts were a forum for negotiation between the king and the representatives of the territories, balancing royal imposition with territorial interests.

City Government Institutions

What were the main institutions of city government?

The primary institution of city government, particularly in Barcelona, was the Consell de Cent.

The Consell de Cent

What was the Consell de Cent and why did it get this name?

The Consell de Cent (Council of One Hundred) was a municipal organization in Barcelona. It comprised five directors and an assembly of 100 representative citizens. Its members were typically:

• Two-thirds ciutadans honrats (honored citizens)
• One-third merchants and artisans

Key Events in Late Medieval Catalonia

The Black Death and its Impact

What was the Black Death and what were its consequences?

The Black Death was a devastating epidemic that led to a significant rise in mortality and the emigration of peasants to cities, causing rural depopulation. This left many fields uncultivated and numerous masos (farmhouses) abandoned. Problems in securing food rose considerably. The epidemic affected villages and cities alike, and there was no known remedy at the time.

The Compromise of Caspe (1412)

What was decided in 1412 at the Compromise of Caspe?

The Compromise of Caspe decided who would be the new king of the Crown of Aragon after the death of Martin I without an heir. Ferdinand I of Antequera won, with the support of the Church and representatives from Aragon, Valencia, and Catalonia.

Charles of Viana and the Catalan Civil War

Who was Charles of Viana and what role did he play in the Catalan Civil War?

Charles of Viana was the eldest son of King John II of Aragon. His death was a significant catalyst for the Catalan Civil War (1462-1472), as he was a popular figure and a rival claimant to the throne against his father.