The Basque Medieval City

In order to understand the present, we must first look to the past. The law formed in the medieval territories of Vasconia (the Basque Country) advanced the political concepts that are active in the Basque Country today; such as the fuero, understood as a pact between those in power and the people, and the acquisition of rights through the concept of vecindad, or residence. The Basque Medieval City: The Laws of Estella and San Sebastian in the Twelfth Century looks to the eleventh-century laws of Vasconia, specifically the Code of Laws of Estella, one of the oldest known legal documents and a critical reference for a group of municipal charters during the medieval era, among them that of San Sebastian. This is relevant, as the Code of Laws of Estella reflects a distinctly democratic political system, recognizing not only women's rights, but also the rights of children and religious minorities. By examining the juridical, political, and social aspects of the fueros of Estella and San Sebastian, the contributors to this book paint a picture of an era that establishes a fuller understanding of the origins of the Basque political system.