Linaje y poder en la Castilla Trastámara. El ejemplo de la Orden de Calatrava

Abstract

The aim of this article is to project the analysis made on the Trastámara´s Castile to the concrete example of the Military Order of Calatrava, one of the most important institutions of Castile in the Middle Ages which, up to now, has not still been studied from this point of view. In order to carry on our research, we have taken advantage both chronicles and literary sources and archivistic records. Therefore, the article analyzes the dominion acquired by the most renowned Calatrava's lineages (Padilla, Guzmán, Girón) in the Trastámara's Castile, using the Order resources by means of the control of his highests hierarchs. This power was evidenced through a peculiar behaviour and it was exhibited by devices, iconographic figures and some masterpieces. Shortly, the Calatrava's nobility behaved similarly to the laic one, despite his belonging to a religious institution.