The Spanish origins of limiting royal power in the medieval western world: The Cortes of León and their Decreta (1188)

The Decreta of the kingdom of León was issued by King Alfonso IX in 1188, in the setting of the Cortes of León, a medieval parliamentary body. According to UNESCO, this Cortes represents the first documented
example of parliamentarism in history, since the curia regis was extended to incorporate deputies of the relevant citites, thus including representatives of the cities’ political forces and merchants. The Decreta
is also the first medieval charter of freedoms that has survived (in copies). An analysis of the conditions under which the Decreta was created and the content of this charter of freedom reflects local political conditions, but also universal values.

Keywords: Kingdom of Leon, cortes, decreta, Alfonso IX, parliamentarism