Aragon became a kingdom in 1031. The way that the Peninsular Kingdom was ruled is what allowed it to successfully last for over 500 years. There were three branches in the Aragonese government; Legislative branch, Executive branch, and the Judicial body. Each of these branches had different jobs to do in the ruling of the Peninsular Kingdom. The way that each branch worked together ensured the lasting success of Aragon. The Legislative Branch was made up of four estates: religious, nobles, knights, and townspeople. Their job was money and taxes. The Executive Branch was made up of the King and his council. Their job was to execute the laws created by the Legislative Branch. The Judicial Body was the last branch in the government. They were
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Each branch worked together to create a fair environment for each city-state in the Peninsular Kingdom. No other country has lasted so long or in such stability. “The Kingdom of Aragon lasted intact in this form until 1479 when Ferdinand the Catholic became king of Aragon. The power of the Cortes dwindled and the kings of Aragon had increasingly more power and control, growing closer and closer to an absolute monarchy. This change continued under Charles V and Philip II and in 1578, when Philip III became king of Spain, the governance of Spain became in truth an absolute monarchy.” (Supplement D) The Legislative branch created the laws, the Executive branch executed them and the Judicial body upheld them. The government lasted because each branch had its own job, but communicated openly with the other branches to create a fair ruling. The King was not solely in charge. None of the branches were. The kingdom of Aragon exemplified St. Thomas Aquinas’s description of a successful government.
“First, it is necessary that the man who is raised up to be king by those whom it concerns should be of such condition that it is improbable that he should become a tyrant... Then, once the king is established, the government of the kingdom must be so arranged that opportunity to tyrannize is removed. At the same time his power should be so tempered that he cannot easily fall into tyranny.” (Ch.6,42) . This was the purpose of the different branches. No one party was completely in control of the kingdom. They were made to work together. This is how the Aragonese government was so successful for so many
Each branch worked together to create a fair environment for each city-state in the Peninsular Kingdom. No other country has lasted so long or in such stability. “The Kingdom of Aragon lasted intact in this form until 1479 when Ferdinand the Catholic became king of Aragon. The power of the Cortes dwindled and the kings of Aragon had increasingly more power and control, growing closer and closer to an absolute monarchy. This change continued under Charles V and Philip II and in 1578, when Philip III became king of Spain, the governance of Spain became in truth an absolute monarchy.” (Supplement D) The Legislative branch created the laws, the Executive branch executed them and the Judicial body upheld them. The government lasted because each branch had its own job, but communicated openly with the other branches to create a fair ruling. The King was not solely in charge. None of the branches were. The kingdom of Aragon exemplified St. Thomas Aquinas’s description of a successful government.
“First, it is necessary that the man who is raised up to be king by those whom it concerns should be of such condition that it is improbable that he should become a tyrant... Then, once the king is established, the government of the kingdom must be so arranged that opportunity to tyrannize is removed. At the same time his power should be so tempered that he cannot easily fall into tyranny.” (Ch.6,42) . This was the purpose of the different branches. No one party was completely in control of the kingdom. They were made to work together. This is how the Aragonese government was so successful for so many