Political power and modes of exploitation of aristocratic lands: the Estates of Leonese aristocracy (10th Century)

Abstract

This paper explores the foundation, characteristics and forms of exploitation developed in aristocratic lands in the Kingdom of León. It will be argued that political power was an essential factor in order to exploit the aristocratic estates since it allowed the imposition of labour services in the demesne to peasant communities combined with the indirect exploitation of peasant tenures through rent exaction.