Was there an evolution in government under Charles?

Question 1

Why did administrative machinery evolve under Charles?

Answer 1

• to meet the increasing demand of government

Question 2

What already existed that Charles simply added and adapted to his needs?

Answer 2

• the conciliar system eg. all administrative councils trace back to earlier reigns

Question 3

Give two examples of councils that were created

Answer 3

• Councils of State and War

Question 4

Why did the number of territorial councils increase under Charles?

Answer 4

• they had to increase with the expansion of his lands

Question 5

What was one major change in government in Charles reign?

Answer 5

• the Secretariat evolved and secretaries such as Cobos grew in power and status

Question 6

Was there a fixed capital established in Charles’ reign?

Answer 6

• no, but a lot of the admin was done in Valladolid

Question 7

Was there much change in local admin?

Answer 7

• no, the Crown still had to rely on nobles and respect others in the localities

Question 8

How did Los Cobos improve the quality of workers in the secretariat?

Answer 8

• chose men from minor gentry with administrative training/ experience
• didn’t choose younger sons of nobles

Question 9

What were the main two powers that secretaries had in Castile?

Answer 9

• issuing royal decrees without the agreement of the Council
• much patronage was at their command

Question 10

How did Charles ensure that he wasn’t too reliant on secretaries?

Answer 10

• he tried to never leave any matter entirely in their hands and aimed to play at least some personal part in dealing with every issue
• sometimes wrote to his ministers and ambassadors himself rather than relying on secretaries to do so (letter survive annotated in his own handwriting)