The Crusading Indulgence and the Revolt of the Comunidades of Castile (1520–21): Ecclesiastical Reform and Local Religious Life

Abstract

The revolt of the Comunidades of Castile (1520–21) was an uprising of most of the cities against the government of Charles I of Spain (also Emperor Charles V). The comuneros’ petitions (capítulos) pointed out many problems of Castilian society and politics. There are several documents from the Comunero Revolt concerning the crusading indulgence, known as the bula de cruzada. This indulgence allowed the crown to collect money for the war against the “enemies of the faith,” in exchange for a wide range of graces for those who received it. This article proposes that the comuneros tried to reform the bula and limit its expansion because of its consequences for the local religious world. The rebels’ claims, though probably shared by some prominent Spanish churchmen of the sixteenth century, could not be supported by most Spaniards who purchased the indulgence and made it proliferate during the Early Modern Period. Furthermore, this work explores some of the religious and ecclesiastical dimensions of the Comunidades of Castile.