Generalitat de Catalunya

The extinction of the House of Barcelona in 1410, the exceptional interregnum that ended with the Casp Compromise in 1412, and the establishment of a new dynasty presented the opportunity to increase the power of the General Council at the expense of the sovereignty of the monarch. The changes were specified at the Court of Barcelona in 1413. With its new political functions, the institution fell deeper and deeper into debt and was poorly managed. Its activities were then expanded and a series of conflicts ensued, ultimately resulting in a civil war that pitted the General Council against King John II (1462-1472).

The war wreaked havoc on the economic order of Catalan society and highlighted the shortcomings of the General Council’s operations, as well as its oligarchic nature. The monarchy emerged victorious and Ferdinand II, the son of John II, made major changes to the Catalan institution, including the introduction of external restraint mechanisms that were controlled by monarchical authorities.

After these adjustments in the early 16th century, the monarchy expanded and captured a diverse range of territories. As a result, the regime depended less on the financial contributions of the General Council and was more interested in giving it greater responsibilities within the government of the Principality that were in keeping with the monarchy’s plans. However, the members of the Council systematically opposed this means of strengthening their political role in the leadership of Catalonia. In any event, the economic reconstruction of the country after the civil war allowed the General Council to strengthen financially and build up its institutional network over the course of the 16th century.

This period consisted of two different stages:

• Political prominence, 1410-1472
• Adjustments and growth of the administration (1472-1593)