Transforming the State: King, Court and Political Culture in the Realms of Aragon (1213-1387)

In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the Crown of Aragon was among the most active powers of the Mediterranean world. This volume examines the attempt by its ruling dynasty to ‘rationalize’ its court so as to expand the monarchy’s ability to gather and deploy resources in support of royal ambitions. Because change in medieval institutions, however, is based as much on exigency and personality as on political theory and program, this volume also focuses on the way in which the processes of transformation functioned at a human level. The book explores the quotidian operations of the various bureaus of the court, as well as their social milieu, paying particular attention to the correlation between programmatic ideal and reality.