Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 5 The crisis in Aragon, 1590–93: The…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 5 The crisis in Aragon, 1590–93: The nature of the Kingdom of Aragón and royal authority: hostility to Castilians; the importance of local fueros; the significance of quarrels amongst the leading nobles.
The Kingdom of Aragón was a distinct realm within the wider Crown of Aragon.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The Kingdom of Aragón was a distinct realm within the wider Crown of Aragon. Royal authority was limited: the Justicia Mayor upheld local laws (fueros), and the king could not tax or legislate freely. Castilians were resented because Philip II staffed Aragonese offices and the Inquisition with Castilian officials, and Castilian troops were seen as a threat to local privilege. The fueros were the core of Aragonese identity, protecting nobles and towns from royal interference. Noble factions, notably the quarrels between the Fernández de Heredia and Luna families, fought over office and influence, weakening central control and making the kingdom hard to govern.
What earns the marks
- Explains that the Kingdom of Aragón was a distinct realm within the wider Crown of Aragon, possessing its own Cortes and laws.
- Explains that the Justicia Mayor interpreted the fueros and could obstruct royal policy, limiting practical royal authority.
- Explains that hostility to Castilians arose from the appointment of Castilian officials, the Castilian-dominated Inquisition and the presence of Castilian troops.
- Explains that the fueros protected local privileges and were defended by nobles and towns, so royal demands for money or obedience met resistance.
- Explains that quarrels amongst leading noble families, such as the Fernández de Heredia and Luna, diverted politics into factional rivalry and undermined stable royal control.
- Explains that these features together made Aragón legally and politically distinct from Castile, so Philip II could not simply impose Castilian-style rule.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Conflating the Kingdom of Aragón with the wider Crown of Aragon.
Put it right by specifying that the Kingdom of Aragón was just one constituent realm with its own specific fueros.
Assuming the fueros were only noble privileges.
Put it right by noting they also protected towns and gave the kingdom a distinct legal identity.
Describing noble quarrels as mere private violence with no political effect.
Put it right by linking feuds to competition for office and to weakened royal authority.
Exam tips
- Anchor each paragraph on one clause of the statement: royal authority, hostility to Castilians, fueros, noble quarrels.
- Use precise terms such as fueros, Justicia Mayor and Cortes to show secure knowledge.
- Link the nature of Aragón to the later crisis of 1590–93 so the answer has a clear argument about causation.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 32: The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 5 The crisis in Aragon, 1590–93: The nature of the Kingdom of Aragón and royal authority: hostility to Castilians; the importance of local fueros; the significance of quarrels amongst the leading nobles. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In the Kingdom of Aragón, what name was given to the local charters of rights and privileges that limited the authority of the crown?
Listen
The Kingdom of Aragón was a distinct realm within the wider Crown of Aragon. Royal authority was limited: the Justicia Mayor upheld local laws (fueros), and the king could not tax or legislate freely. Castilians were resented because Philip II staffed Aragonese offices and the Inquisition with Castilian officials, and Castilian troops were seen as a threat to local privilege. The fueros were the core of Aragonese identity, protecting nobles and towns from royal interference. Noble factions, notably the quarrels between the Fernández de Heredia and Luna families, fought over office and influence, weakening central control and making the kingdom hard to govern. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains that the Kingdom of Aragón was a distinct realm within the wider Crown of Aragon, possessing its own Cortes and laws. Explains that the Justicia Mayor interpreted the fueros and could obstruct royal policy, limiting practical royal authority. Explains that hostility to Castilians arose from the appointment of Castilian officials, the Castilian-dominated Inquisition and the presence of Castilian troops. Explains that the fueros protected local privileges and were defended by nobles and towns, so royal demands for money or obedience met resistance. A common slip: Conflating the Kingdom of Aragón with the wider Crown of Aragon. Instead, specifying that the Kingdom of Aragón was just one constituent realm with its own specific fueros. Exam tip: Anchor each paragraph on one clause of the statement: royal authority, hostility to Castilians, fueros, noble quarrels.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
fueros
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Justicia Mayor
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
hostility to Castilians
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
noble factionalism
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- fueros
- Local laws upheld by the Justicia Mayor that protected nobles and towns from royal interference and were the core of Aragonese identity.
- Justicia Mayor
- Officer who interpreted the fueros and could obstruct royal policy, limiting practical royal authority.
- hostility to Castilians
- Resentment arising from the appointment of Castilian officials, the Castilian-dominated Inquisition and the presence of Castilian troops seen as a threat to local privilege.
- noble factionalism
- Quarrels amongst leading noble families, such as the Fernández de Heredia and Luna, over office and influence, which weakened central control and made the kingdom hard to govern.
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