Military lodgins problems in the Kingdom of Granada (1503-1568)

Abstract

Throughout 16th Century, the Kingdom of Granada is occupied by defensive forces under the authority of the Capitanía General. Within this structure, military companies are essential in the protection of the territory. In this context, however, soldiers and civil population relationships are significantly strained. This is due to the troops’ lack of discipline, to their general rapacity and also because they are harbored by military jurisdiction. This conflict between military and civil population appears in different forms and become especially intense when soldiers need to be lodged in a village. Despite lodging laws (which stipulate the respective rights and responsibilities of both groups), the accommodation of troops remains a heavy burden on civilians. It generated unavoidable frictions among council authorities in addition to an increase in theft, fraud, and general abuse of power. At the same time, soldiers are not equally distributed, which especially affects to the moriscos.