SPANISH LAS CORTES/ THE CORTES

In both Leon and Castile the Cortes were in existence by the early 13th century.

Their functions and procedures were similar and, after the union of the two crowns in 1230, they often held joint meetings -a normal procedure after 1301. Parliaments also functioned in Catalonia from 1218, Valencia (1283), Aragon (1274) and Navarre (1300).

The Cortes of Leon and Castile were composed of three estates: nobles, clergy and the procuradores (attorneys or town clerks) of the fortified municipalities (concejos), who bore written instructions (poderes) from their electors. The king convoked meetings when and where he pleased. During the 14th century the procuradores dominated the Cortes because they, and only they, could authorize the special taxation needed by the crown.

All these assemblies survived until the 18th century but by that time had ceased to exercise any real power. In 1700, for example, the Cortes of Castile had not been summoned since 1665, while the assemblies of Catalonia and Valencia (which retained their full privileges until the 17th century) had last met in 1640 and 1645, respectively.

The Cortes of Aragon and Valencia in 1709 and that of Catalonia in 1724 were merged with the Cortes of Castile.

The Spanish Bourbon kings of the 18th century viewed the Cortes merely as a rubber stamp.