Carestía y lucha política en Castilla durante el siglo XV

Abstract

El siglo XV fue un periodo de crecimiento en la Corona de Castilla y sin embargo las carestías aparecieron de manera recurrente. Se analizan algunas de esas carestías para abordar el funcionamiento del mercado del grano y determinar los factores que inciden en el alza de precios. Un análisis comparado de la gravedad relativa de esas carestías demuestra que las más severas están relacionadas con factores de tipo político más que intrínsecamente productivos. El artículo analiza la dimensión conflictiva de esas disposiciones políticas, ya que los agentes percibieron y denunciaron los mecanismos que operaban en el mercado del cereal. En determinados contextos, llegaron a proponer regulaciones adicionales e incluso a protagonizar revueltas contra quienes se beneficiaban de la especulación en el mercado del grano.

The fi fteenth century was a period of growth in the Crown of Castile and yet there were recurrent periods of dearth. Some of these episodes are examined in order to address the functions of the cereals market and determine the factors that contributed to a rise in prices. A comparative analysis of the relative importance of these shortages shows that the severest of them involved factors that were political in nature, rather than intrinsically related to production.

This article analyzes the dimension of confl ict that surrounded these political regulations, since the actors were aware of the mechanisms that operated in the cereals market and condemned them.

In certain contexts, they went as far as to propose additional regulations and even to lead revolts against those who profi ted from speculation in the grain market.