Abstract

JURADO, Carolina. Baldíos, possession rights and royal land during the first composición process in Charcas. Viceroyalty of Peru, 1591-1597. Am. Lat. Hist. Econ [online]. 2022, vol.29, n.1, e1253.  Epub Mar 07, 2022. ISSN 2007-3496.  https://doi.org/10.18232/20073496.1253.

Based on the analysis of a rich documentary corpus, including royal dispositions, viceroyal letters, reports and the residencia of the Charcas judge of composición Osores de Ulloa, this article explores the legal notion of baldíos and it analyzes the possessory relations exercised in Charcas (viceroyalty of Peru) in the 1590s. It proposes that, if until the 1580s Peruvian viceroyal spheres favored common use and graceful distribution of baldíos, the first composición de tierras ordered by 1591 royal dispositions played a significant role in the reinforcement of royal domain of baldíos and "vacant" indigenous lands, taking into account judges actions which provided material reference to a disputed legal notion.

Keywords : agrarian resources; royal officials; indians; viceroyalty of Peru.