Eighteenth century prosecutors of the Royal Audiencia, Seville: notes for their history

Abstract

The Royal Audiencia of Seville was the most important law court in the Crown of Castile during the early modern period - second only to the Royal Chancillerías. From its establishment to 1790, the Audiencia was made up of just one prosecutor. It was only in 1790 that two prosecutors were appointed - one for the civil matters and the other one for the criminal causes. This contribution analyzes the magistrates who occupied this office during the eighteenth century, as a part of a broader study on this tribunal during this period, currently under work. The article tackles questions such as place of birth, schooling, universities attended, access to the colegios mayores scholarships and the career pattern - paths which led to the final appointment and promotions within the administrative hierarchy of the period. Particular attention is paid also to the association of several of the magistrates to the Spanish Enlightenment, through membership of learned societies and academies, along with the intellectual output of the more outstanding figures.