La justicia en venta. El beneficio de cargos Americanos de Audiencia bajo Carlos II (1683-1700)

Abstract

The article deals with the provision and «beneficio» (sale) of Justice appointments to Spanish American Audiencias (Higher Courts) in the 17th century, that modifies and completes previous research. The sale process of posts in American Audiencias (Crown attorneys, civil and criminal judges and attorneys for Indian defence) is studied beginning with the antecedents in the reign of Felipe IV and the mercantile start in 1683 to the final years of Carlos II. Together with the Crown policy on this respect, it is offered a yearly analysis of the provided posts and beneficiaries, amounts paid and posts holders, along with some social aspects of the buyers (origin, status and professional experience).