The Medieval Town Halls in the Urban Context of the Castile Kingdom. The Case of Jerez de la Frontera (1400-1520)

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The study of medieval council houses or town halls in the kingdom of Castile lacks a compilation book. We still do not know in depth their primitive rooms, usual locations and constructive typologies, elements that could allow us to identify recurrent models in different Hispanic cities. In this work, a critical reading of the documentary sources of the Cabildo house in Jerez de la Frontera during the 15th century and the first decades of the 16th century is carried out with the purpose of identifying its architectural and urban typology. In order to establish a correct interpretation of the Jerez case, well-documented examples in the kingdom of Castile are evaluated as well. The conclusion of the work presents a recurrent model for the Castilian consistories of the 15th century, prior to the regulations imposed by the Cortes of Toledo in 1480.