The Evolution of the Links between Lay Powers and Religious Orders in Late Medieval Castile

This paper analyzes the evolution of the relations of benefactoria and protection between the nobility and the urban patriciate, on the one hand, and the religious orders, on the other, during the Castilian Late Middle Ages. The focus will be on the various monastic and conventual foundations carried out by these groups, as well as the donations and protection provided to religious centers. An overall analysis will be made of the different religious orders that were present in Castile during the study period: traditional -Benedictines, Cistercians and Premonstratensians-, mendicants -Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians and Carmelites-, redeemers of captives -Trinitarians and Mercedarians- and the orders that entered Castile in the first Trastamara reigns -Hyeronimites and Carthusians-.