Local Communities in the Fueros of the Kingdom of León (1068-1253)

Abstract

The documents that best illustrate local communities in the Kingdom of León between 1068 and 1253 are the fueros. Feudal lords controlled the settlement of new inhabitants, but it was the communities that ultimately accepted them on condition that they respected the seigneurial authority, be it single or manifold. The rights and duties of such local populations varied. Farming and forest uses were reserved for those who lived within the territorial domain, there being few and justified exceptions. There was a different legal status for local population and outsiders, and that entailed obligations in terms of mutual help and security in order to hold internal violence in check. Although not all the inhabitants were members of the community, it does not follow that those who did not enjoy the status of neighbours were fully excluded. Being neighbour conditioned family rights and duties regarding inheritance and revenge, as well as entailing membership of the parish.

Keywords

• comunidades
• habitantes
• vecinos
• fueros
• señores
• parentesco