System of Councils

During the Early Modern period (sixteenth-seventeenth centuries), the Spanish Monarchy had a complex system of councils, in which the activity of the government of the sovereign was assisted by the work of numerous Consejos (Councils). They were generally comprised by the highest members of the Castilian aristocracy, but were also open to bureaucratic experts in specific matters. Introduced in different historical periods, the Consejos were seen often surpassed by extraordinary commissions, the juntas, especially during periods of government dominated by powerful favourites such as the Duke of Lerma and the Count Duke of Olivares (1587-1645). If the Consejo de Estado (Council of State) and the Consejo de Guerra (Council of War), presided over by the king himself, and therefore without a president, no doubt enjoyed greater importance, the Consejo de Hacienda (Council of finance), which was in charge of operations and financial condition of the monarchy, was also of central importance. In addition to other Councils that extended their sovereignty over all the territories of the Habsburg Monarchy (Consejos de Inquisición, Cruzada and Órdenes), there were others which were responsible for the management of issues relating to individual kingdoms and regions. In addition to the Consejo de Castilla – in which the first court of the kingdom operated, the Cámara de Castilla – there were also the Consejos of Aragon, Portugal, the Indies, Italy and Flanders.