Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

La justicia del rey y el desarrollo del poder monárquico en el reinado de Alfonso VIII de Castilla (1158-1214)

2015; University of Salamanca; Volume: 33; Linguagem: Inglês

10.14201/shhme201533233261

2445-3595

Ignacio Álvarez Borge,

Medieval and Early Modern Iberia

The reign of King Alfonso VIII of Castile (1158-1214) has been placed in the centre of the historiographical debate by the recent anniversary of the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. Beyond the consequences of the battle, the whole reign and his historical significance is under revaluation by a sector of the historiography. Several authors consider that in those years took place important changes and developments in Castilian monarchy conformation. They argue about an expansion of royal power in several fields. One of them is royal justice, whose study focuses this paper. The growth of specialised bureaucratic offices (merinos mayores and judges of the royal court) is analysed in the first place. Secondly, the increasing formalization of judicial proceedings. And, finally, the role of writing in the development of royal justice is considered.