Sexmeros y procuradores de la Tierra de Piedrahíta en el siglo XV

Abstract

Se estudia la actuación de representantes rurales de Piedrahíta en el marco del sistema tributario del siglo XV. Se analiza su relación con la comunidad rural y perfil socioeconómico, las gestiones que realizan y las demandas que presentan al señor. Se observa la prioridad del ámbito local, el rechazo a las obligaciones que implican desplazarse del lugar de residencia y la confluencia con sectores ganaderos sustanciales, que se expresa en los reclamos en torno al paso del ganado trashumante. El protagonismo que el sistema otorga a los procuradores rurales podría considerarse la contracara de la obligación de los concejos aldeanos de responder por rentas impagas.

The focus of this work is the performance of village representatives in the context of the fifteenth century Piedrahita’s tax system. The relationship between representatives and the rural community, their socioeconomic profile, and their demands are analysed. It is observed that the village representatives give priority to their local communities and refuse obligations involving moving away from the place of residence. Besides, their interests converge with those of other substantial stockbreeders, which is expressed on the demands regarding fines on the livestock seasonal migration. The central role that the tax system gives to the representatives could be considered as the other side of the obligation of village communities to respond to the lord for unpaid rents