Phases and Forms of Reforestation in the Iberian Peninsula
Phases and Forms of Reforestation
Stage 1: Douro Valley and Old Catalonia (9th-10th Centuries)
This stage saw the repopulation of largely uninhabited lands, including Old Catalonia and the Douro Valley.
Old Catalonia: Repopulated mainly by the former Visigothic population, with the presence of Visigothic law (Liber Iudiciorum).
Douro Valley: Repopulated by diverse groups, including Basques in the eastern part of Cantabria, who lacked a Visigothic legal tradition. This was a spontaneous repopulation, with people seeking farmland and forming small, self-governing communities.
Presura/Apresura: A form of repopulation based on Roman law, where land was initially occupied and later granted ownership by the king.
Charters (Cartas Pueblas): Official documents granted by political authorities to establish settlements, offering benefits to attract people to new lands. These charters often aimed to promote population growth and development. This form of repopulation declined in the 11th century, absorbed by the feudal system.
Stage 2: Concejil Reforestation (11th-12th Centuries)
This stage focused on the western kingdoms (León and Castilla), particularly the areas south of the Douro Valley (Extrema Durii).
Councils (Concejos): Self-governing communities with political and economic autonomy.
Privileges (Fueros): Granted to attract Christian settlers to these challenging areas. These privileges included legal frameworks (jurisdictions) and benefits related to land ownership, criminal justice, and local autonomy.
Charters and Councils: Charters regulated local legal life, while councils consisted of walled towns with surrounding territories. The laws in these areas were designed to promote human and economic development.
Stage 3: Reforestation by Military Orders (Second Half of the 12th – First Half of the 13th Century)
This stage addressed the slower repopulation of the lands between the Tagus and Guadiana rivers and the Sierra Morena mountains.
Military Orders: The king granted large estates (maestrazgos) to military orders like Santiago, Calatrava, and Alcántara, who were tasked with repopulating these areas.
Stage 4: Reforestation by Distribution (12th-13th Centuries)
This stage focused on the Ebro Valley, Andalusia, Valencia, and Catalonia, which were already populated.
Distribution System: Aimed to balance the population by encouraging Christian settlement and spreading Christianity. Properties of conquered or fleeing populations were divided and granted to new settlers.
Donadios: The name given to the distributed territories.
Valencia and Murcia: Valencia was repopulated by Aragonese nobility and urban populations from Barcelona, while Murcia saw Castilian military presence. Jurisdictions in these areas had fewer freedoms, reflecting the Visigothic model of limiting the power of nobles.
Diverse Outcomes: Different repopulation methods led to diverse legal and social structures in the various regions. The militarization of some areas hindered the development of feudalism.