Geschlechter und Zünfte, prinçipales und común. Städtische Konflikte in Kastilien und dem spätmittelalterlichen Reich

Summary Geschlechter and Zunfte, principales and comun. Urban Conflicts in Late Medieval Castile and the German Empire Late medieval urban conflicts in Castile and Germany lend themselves to fruitful comparisons. Despite the different social structures, non-privileged townspeople (comun, meinheit) aspired to political participation and representation in both countries. This emergence of civic consciousness was due to rather well educated and economically successful members of the upper middle classes. In times of struggle or civil war or in situations of doubleelectionsof the king in the Medieval Empire, they were important partners of the monarchy. In the towns of Northern Atlantic Spain, their pragmatic alliances with the new dynasty of Trastamara, particularly the Catholic Kings, served mutual interests. It was directed against the influence of strong noble lineages and resulted in successful petitions and municipal reforms. German and Castilian terminology of communities and corporations (gemeinde, me...