La penetración de las redes de trashumancia castellana en la Sierra Norte de Sevilla

Abstract

Though the already classical analyses of the Mesta (Association of Spanish transhumant sheep breeders during the Middle Ages) and transhumance systema­tically forget the South of the Spanish Peninsula, recent studies on Andalousian stockbreeding demonstrated how Hispanic transhumance networks reached the area of the Guadalquivir and, more precisely, the Reign of Sevilla. We can thus observe a way of penetration of the Mesta cattle in the Sevillian region through the nowadays called Sierra de Huelva that reached, at least, Andévalo. The optimum conditions that the cattle found to feed itself in this area encouraged several shepherds to move with their herds from remote places such as Soria or Logroño. Nevertheless, on their way they found some towns (specially Fregenal de la Sierra) where farming wealth was greater and special paths for the animals were designed to protect crops. Despite preventive measures that were taken, important confrontations between stockbreeders and farmers took place and new cattle tracks were made to make transhumance easier.