Seigneurial Titularity, Exploitation and Rents of the Agricultural, Livestock and Forestry Resources of the Basque Country at the End of the Middle Ages

This study looks at the seigneurial titularity, exploitation and rents of the agricultural, livestock and forestry resources of the Basque Country at the end of the Middle Ages. Working from both published and unpublished documentation we will study three cases that shed light on different aspects of rural life in late-medieval Basque society. Firstly, the management of the small rural seigneury of the Lady of Hueto y Martioda between 1404 and 1428, as seen through the accounts of its steward. Secondly, the management of the rural wealth of the Vizcayan and Guipuzcoan heads of lineages, in which the role of churches of lay patronage plays a central role. And finally, the management of the rural possessions of a merchant of Victoria between 1482 and 1501. They are three models which seem to remit to completely different interests and needs, but which in fact in all three cases imply a similarly thorough management style.