La Corona de Aragón como escenario y fuente de disposición de monarquías compuestas

Abstract

The Crown of Arago as a setting and source for the arrangement of composite monarchies

The plural and coordinated composition of the Crown of Aragon is explained by its historical trajectory. It began on the Iberian Peninsula through a matrimonial union (1150) and expanded into lands conquered from the Muslims, which became new realms not subordinate to the foundational ones. Unable to further expand its dominions on the peninsula, it had to expand into the Mediterranean, but by adding three kingdoms (Sicily, Sardinia, and Naples, between 1283 and 1442) endowed with their own rules, institutions, languages, and cultures. This contributed to perfecting its structure in terms of primary equality among its members, overseen by a well-organized Supreme Council that managed to maintain this arrangement from 1494 to 1707. The Spanish War of Succession had a significant impact on the location of the Crown of Aragon’s realms, as they became integrated into that of Castile.
Hence, it is described this transition from a composite monarchy based on primary equality to a monarchy where an accessory subordination prevails, which is dominant in Castile. Furthermore, it is detailed the role in this transition of various key figures, especially that of the Consejo de Aragón.