Los continos reales de Castillael largo brazo de la monarquía (1474-1520)

Abstract

This doctoral thesis addresses the study of the continos reales of Castile between 1474 and 1520. During this period of time (the most active of these royal servants), continos served as instruments of government and political action in the service of kings, contributing to the consolidation of an increasingly interventionist monarchy that was moving towards modernity. The study stems from two distinct approaches. On the one hand, from the perspective of the monarchy, the dissertation analyzes the functions exercised by the continos reales in the various areas of royal jurisdiction and in connection with the socio-political situation of each moment. Mostly of urban origin, the close collaboration of the continos with the Crown highlights the role of the cities in the Castilian government. The nature of this post as a royal position has been also analyzed, in a service relationship that the kings used in an official capacity, putting more than 1,400 continos on the payroll with salaries in line with their social background and skills. These bookkeeping entries have been recorded in the continos' books of the Notary Public of Simancas General Archive (Escribanía Mayor de Rentas del Archivo General de Simancas)...