The Aristocracy in Twelfth-Century León and Castile

by Simon Barton

Overview

This volume examines the nature of aristocratic society in the Spanish kingdoms of León and Castile in the twelfth century. Drawing on an extensive range of original sources, many of them unpublished, it highlights the unrivaled wealth, status and power enjoyed by some members of the aristocracy. It also explores the multifarious roles that lay magnates were expected to fulfill: as family protectors, landlords and judges; as courtiers, diplomats and military commanders; and, not least, as patrons of the church.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521497275
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/14/1997
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series , #34
Pages:	386
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.20(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. León and Castile in the twelfth century; 2. Class, family and household; 3. The lineaments of power; 4. The nobility of the crown; 5. A warrior aristocracy; 6. Piety and patronage; Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

"...an engrossing piece of social history, which...is highly suggestive regarding the process whereby an aristocratic class emerged from a disparate array of families and individuals." -- Choice

Simon Barton's The Aristocracy in Twelfth Century Leon And Castile is a welcome addition to the growing list of recent studies on the Spanish nobility during the central Middle Ages....a very interesting, balanced, and engaging treatment of his subject. Stephen Weinberg, History: Review of New Books

"This is a splendid book, destined to become the standard reference volume on the subject for the next quarter of a century." Bernard F. Reilly, Canadian Journal of History

"Simon Barton's THe Aristocracy in Twelfth Century León and Castile is an insightful addition to prosopographical historiography." Christin Cleaton, Medieval Prosopography

"...a groundbreaking study, informed by a deeply impressive body of research." Simon R. Doubleday, Speculum

"...a welcome addition to the small but growing shelf of books on medieval Iberian topics that can be read with profit by all medieval historians and by others interested in medieval social development." Journal of Social History

From the Publisher