Discover the inner workings of James I’s reign through a careful, document-based study.
This edition examines how Aragon and Catalonia developed early parliamentary practices, the roles of royal officers, and the king’s use of Cortes to govern, fund wars, and shape policy. It combines narrative with analysis of laws, institutions, and the balance between crown and towns.
The book situates the king’s rule within a web of councils, courts, and assemblies. It highlights how regional assemblies evolved, how representative bodies operated across different territories, and how these structures influenced daily government and long-term state-building. Rich in archival references, it sheds light on medieval governance without losing sight of the human stories behind the records.
- Explanations of offices like the seneschal, majordomo, and local justices, and how they supported royal power
- Descriptions of the early Cortes in Aragon, Catalonia, and Valencia, with attention to composition and procedure
- Discussion of how taxation, war, and legislation were handled in practice
Ideal for readers of medieval history and readers seeking a grounded, source-based look at governance in a formative European kingdom.