Polysynodial System facts for kids
The Polysynodial System was a special way the Spanish kings organized their government. It was also called the System of Councils (Spanish: régimen polisinodial). This system was used by the Catholic Monarchs and the Spanish Habsburg kings. Instead of one person making all decisions, they used many different groups called "councils." These councils helped manage the huge Spanish Empire.
Most of the people in these councils were lawyers. They had studied Roman law. In 1521, the Council of State was created. It became the most important council. The king was in charge of it. This system of councils ended in the early 1700s. New kings from the Bourbon family changed how Spain was governed. They used a system with "Secretaries of State" instead.
How the System Worked
This system started a long time ago, in the Middle Ages. It grew from the groups that advised the kings in Castile, Aragon, and Navarre. The main idea was simple: the councils would discuss a problem. Then, they would send their advice to the king. The king would then make the final decision.
The councils were set up in different ways:
- Councils for the whole empire: These councils dealt with issues that affected all parts of the king's lands. It didn't matter which kingdom it was. Examples include the Council of State and the Council of the Inquisition.
- Councils for specific areas: These councils managed certain territories. For example, there was the Royal Council of Castile for Castile. There was also the Council of Aragon for Aragon. Other councils managed places like the New World (the Council of the Indies) and Italy (the Council of Italy). During the time Spain and Portugal were united, there was even a Council of Portugal. The Council of Castile and Aragon were very important. The Council of the Indies was also very powerful. This was because of the huge and rich lands it managed.
- Special Boards: These were smaller groups. They were usually created for specific, temporary tasks.
Important Councils of Spain
Council of Castile
This was the most respected council, after the king himself. The number of members changed over time. It included important nobles, church leaders, and many university-trained people. Its main job was to govern the kingdom of Castile. It also acted as a high court, hearing appeals from lower courts. This second job was very common.
Council of Aragon
The Catholic Monarchs created this council. It was in charge of the lands of the Crown of Aragon. This included Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, Majorca, and Sardinia. Naples and Sicily were later moved to the new Council of Italy. This council helped solve disagreements between the Crown and local special laws. It had a president, a treasurer, nine councilors, and a notary.
Council of Inquisition
The Catholic Monarchs also set up this council. Its power reached beyond Castile and the Americas. It included the kingdoms of Aragon and Navarre. But it did not cover Portugal, Milan, or the Burgundian lands. It had a president (the Inquisitor General) and six councilors. At first, it handled appeals. But it also became involved in cases started by local courts.
Council of Finance
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor created the Council of Finance in 1523. This made Spain's money system much better organized. Before, there were two separate accounting groups. This new council brought them together.
The council had three main advisors. They were usually university graduates with experience in government. It also had four assistants. Their job was to manage the Royal Treasury. This included collecting taxes and making sure they were paid. They also managed spending and suggested new ways to get money. They would also propose budgets. This council often argued with other councils. This was because its members were usually not from powerful families.
Council of State
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor also created the Council of State in 1526. It did not have a specific territory or job. This made it very important for big decisions. It handled foreign policy and matters related to the king and his family. It was set up when Suleiman the Magnificent threatened Austria.
The king himself was the head of this council. Its advisors were experts in international relations. They were not just lawyers. Important nobles and church leaders were members. Their job was to advise the king on foreign policy. They also oversaw Spain's embassies in other countries.
In this council, the king would present topics for discussion. He would listen to his advisors. Then, he would make the final decisions himself. This was different from the Council of Castile. The Council of War was also linked to the Council of State. They had the same members, but the Council of War focused on military matters. This included armies, equipment, and war plans.
Council of the Indies
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor established this council in 1524. It had a president, a chancellor, and twelve advisors. It also had special roles like the official historian of the Indies.
This council had supreme power over all matters in the New World. This included military, political, civil, and criminal issues. It oversaw the House of Trade in Seville. It suggested people for important jobs like viceroys and archbishops in the Americas. It also acted as a court of appeal. It managed church matters based on the king's power over the church.
Council of Italy
Philip II of Spain created this council in 1556. Before this, Italian affairs were handled by the Council of Aragon. This new council was in charge of justice, money, and appointing officials in Naples and Sicily. Later, it also managed affairs in Milan. It had a president and six regents. Each territory had both a Spanish and an Italian ruler.
Council of Flanders
This council was responsible for appointing officials. It also managed justice and money in the Netherlands and Burgundy. It had a president and a changing number of directors.
Council of Portugal
Philip II of Spain created the Council of Portugal in 1582. It had a president and several councilors. It managed justice, church appointments, and the economy in Portugal. Even after Portugal became independent in 1640, this council continued. This was because the Spanish king did not accept Portugal's independence. It managed affairs for Portuguese people loyal to Spain. It also governed Ceuta until it was dissolved in 1668.
Council of the Crusade
This council was first created to manage special taxes. These taxes were given by the Pope. They were meant to defend the Catholic faith and fight against non-believers. This council was usually made up of church leaders. It collected and managed these taxes. These taxes were a very important source of money for the king.
Council of Military Orders
The Catholic Monarchs established this council. It had a president and six councilors. King Ferdinand gained control of the lands of the military orders like Calatrava, Santiago, and Alcántara. So, in 1498, the Order Council was created to manage them. Its jobs included appointing members and managing their lands. It also handled justice for the knights. It became a way to ensure "purity of blood" for members.
The End of the System
Over time, especially during the Age of Enlightenment, these councils became less important. New "Secretaries of State" took over many of their powers. The councils that remained helped the king gain more power. This led to a system called absolutism, where the king had almost total control.
Most of the councils disappeared completely during the 1800s. They were replaced by new bodies. One important new body was the Central Supreme Board. This board was a step towards the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers was created during the reign of Queen Isabella II.
See also
In Spanish: Régimen polisinodial para niños
