The Empire of the Cities

Emperor Charles V, the Comunero Revolt, and the Transformation of the Spanish System
Erscheinungsjahr 2008
ISBN: 978-90-04-17136-7
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 137, 364 Seiten, Format (B × H): 174 mm x 249 mm, Gewicht: 741 g

Reihe: Studies in Medieval and Reformation Traditions

Starting in the nineteenth century the scholarly consensus has been to attribute the decline of the Spanish empire to structural rigidity, corrupt bureaucracy and repressive policies. In The Empire of the Cities, Aurelio Espinosa challenges these theories and offers groundbreaking insight into Spain’s political process and emphasizes early modern state formation. Spain’s empire should no longer be viewed simply as a symbol of royal absolutism and dominance. Rather it functioned as a collection of autonomous municipalities interconnected by a parliament that articulated domestic programs and foreign policy. Professor Espinosa also provides a more nuanced understanding of the monarchical government in revealing new insight into royal institutions and management procedures under Emperor Charles V. The Empire of the Cities offers a fascinating and penetrating look inside Spain’s political system that encouraged both expansionism and domestic stability.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Espinosa, Aurelio

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Europäische Länder
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Foreword
List of Figures, Tables and Maps

Introduction

1. The Struggle for Power
The Late Medieval Compromise: The Dynastic and Municipal Partnership
The House of Burgundy and Politics of Patronage
The Arrival of Charles in Spain
The Comunero Revolt
Comunero Justice

2. Parliamentary Authority, Merced, and the Reform of Local Administration
The Aristocracy
The Fiscal System of the Parliament
The Cortes of 1523 and Absolute Power
Local Power and Corregidores
The Audits of Corregimientos

3. Executive Reform, Hispanicization, and Early Modern State Formation
The Spanish Administration
The Council of State
The Council of Aragon
The Council of Finance
The Council of Castile
The Household
The Formation of a Spanish Monarchy

4. Judicial Reform and the Nature of Early Modern Government as a System of Courts
The Appellate System
The Petitions of the Cortes
President Tavera’s Reform Program and the Chancery of Granada
The Success of Reform: President Tavera’s Authority and the Chancery of Valladolid
The Advantage of Reputation and the Attraction of the Legal Vocation

5. New Spain and the Establishment of Local Networks and of a Reformed Judiciary
The Establishment of Castilian Republics
The Mexican Appellate System
Institutional Implementation and Procedures of Judicial Reform

Conclusion

Appendices: Figures, Tables and Maps
Glossary of Castilian Terms
Works Cited
Index

Über Autor(innen)

Aurelio Espinosa, Ph.D. (2003) in European History (800-1648), University of Arizona, is Assistant Professor of Early Modern Europe and Christianity at Arizona State University, Department of Religious Studies. He is the author of numerous articles on Emperor Charles V and the Spanish empire.