Burgos, 1429. The Monastery of Santa María la Real de las Huelgas vs. the Hospital del Rey. A footnote to Alonso de Cartagena’s biography (and to Teresa de Cartagena’s)

Abstract

[EN] This paper analyses a 1429 document that describes the serious clashes, legal inquest and court proceedings between the abbess and community of the Monastery of Las Huelgas Reales and the nearby Hospital del Rey, which was subject to the authority of the Monastery. The document reveals the intervention of Alonso de Cartagena, one of the members of the Royal Council appointed by King Juan II, in the dispute which was finally settled in 1430 in favour of the Monastery. It also proves the connection (and good relations) between Alonso de Cartagena and the Las Huelgas community, a fact that may help support the hypothesis (still undocumented) that Teresa de Cartagena, Alonso’s niece, became a member of the Las Huelgas community around 1450, largely because of his special relationship of many years with Las Huelgas.