Where and when did the Cortes appear in Spain? What does this term mean?

At one time, Spain was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Europe. The enormous influence and aggressive policy of its rulers would have been impossible without a harmonious internal system of royal power, which in its decisions was based on the influence of two pillars - the strength of the church and secular power. It was the second branch of power that the Cortes represented.

Authority - Cortes

Where and when the Cortes appeared, it is impossible to say for sure. It is known that by the middle of the 12th century this word was already used both in colloquial speech and in official documents. The origin of these organs is associated with the name of the early Spanish kings - Fernando II and Alfons IX.

The Cortes represented elected assemblies, like the Parliament in England and the States General in France. True, in Spain this form of self-government arose a little earlier. In Castile, King Fernando II sought advice not only for the nobility and the clergy, but also for the prosperous townspeople - caballero. It was about the marriage between the Infanta Berenguella and the son of Frindig Barbarossa Conrad. The marriage contract between the heirs of the two powerful kingdoms contained many items that required rigorous execution.

Etymology of the word

Unfortunately, there is no reliable data on what this word means. Knowing where and when the Cortes appeared in Spain does not clarify the origin of the term itself. Most likely, it was borrowed from the Castilian or Aragonese dialect of the Spanish language, and its original roots were lost in the centuries. In the early Middle Ages the word often coexisted with the Latin term "curia". Perhaps the answer to the question "what is the Cortes" is found in Roman law. But where and when there were Cortes in Spain, and how they were transformed into a state institution, you can answer and more. Cortes are the prototypes of modern parliaments in all European countries.

Decrees of Alphonse IX

Scientists are still arguing about where and when the Cortes appeared in Spain. But until the end of the 12th century, all meetings of wealthy townspeople and merchants were of an unsystematic nature. In 1188, in Leone, King Alphonse called together wealthy citizens, representatives of the nobility and clergy - the best and most famous people in Spain. For what purpose the Cortes were created, one can learn from the brief chronicles of that time. These representatives of the three estates swore allegiance to their master. And the king, in turn, swore an oath that he undertakes to remain faithful to the people, to respect the privileges and customs of the country.

What are the Cortes? Such contractual relations testify first of all that the royal power in Spain was not absolute - a simple royal decree about the collection of funds or the mobilization of subjects absolutely did not guarantee absolute fulfillment. And against the backdrop of constant clashes with Muslims, such a threat could cost the kings of freedom and independence. Therefore, a certain support of the townspeople of Leon and Castile was necessary. It was there that the first organizational meetings were organized in Spain.

For what purpose were the Cortes established?

First of all, it is to achieve the support of citizens in military operations and state affairs. The second - to develop certain laws of interaction between citizens, clergy and ordinary people. These rules concerned courts, laws on private property, taxes. The code of agreed rules and liberties was called "fueros".

The appearance of the Cortes

Medieval chronicles and chronicles can answer the question, where and when the Cortes appeared in Spain. History says that the first cities managed by the Cortes were Castile and Leon. The time of the appearance of these assemblies must be attributed to the 11th-12th century. The next step was to provide the most influential part of the citizens with legislative rights and their gradual transformation into representative bodies. Significant is the meeting of the Cortes in 1202, when eminent citizens bought from the royal government the right to mint a gold coin. For the right of coinage was paid a huge amount, which is almost six times higher than all the proceeds of the king from taxes and fees.

Three Estates

Know, the clergy and the townspeople - caballeros - are three estates who took part in the work of the Cortes. The new legislative assemblies did not always include representatives of the three property classes. Estado militar - secular power - put questions to the public. The secular branch was created by representatives of the king - the ricot amberos, and the small-landed nobility - hidalgo and infant. The clergy were also present in two forms: the central archbishopric and the local clergy. The third force was estado llano - delegates from urban communities. The order of their participation was not standardized. In the first place in the Cortes took part representatives of cities belonging to the crown. Another condition was the presence in the city of its own council - konseho. There are cases when citizens made their own decisions.

Where and when did the Cortes appear in Spain, consisting of citizens? Meetings are known in Valladolid in 1295 and four years later. The issues decided at these meetings did not provide for the presence of the nobility and the clergy.

Now the Cortes are the highest legislative bodies of Spain. Here decisions are made concerning the entire state. And it's hard to believe that the beginning of such a form of government was laid a thousand years ago in Castile and Leone.