Las coordenadas ganaderas de Felipe III y la quimera de la Mesta con el libro de leyes de 1609

Abstract

Philip III continued the cattle politic of their predecessors and confirmed the laws and privileges of the Mesta, gathered in the Book of Laws of 1609. Theoretically, the juridical machine of the Cabaña Real was in full validity, but, in practice, there was a strong opposition and answer. Once again, the apparent proteccionismo regio of the Austrias concealed the lack of concern for the cattle, the rejection from the prerogatives, the tacit support to the agriculture and the attention given to the complaints in the Spanish Parliament, in spite of the damages caused by the Conditions of Millions. The Book of Laws of 1609 constitutes an irrefutable proof of the non-observance of the privileges and the serious problems found by the shepherds in the trashumancia, since they were abandoned before the nonperformance of the regulation and the numerous infractions in pastures and cañadas. The ways and meadows were splashed with ploughings, preserves, new taxes or illegal pledges.