La vida política y financiera de Vitoria a partir de las cuentas municipales de fines de la Edad Media

Abstract

In this research paper the municipal accounts of the town of Vitoria are analysed for the years 1463, 1464, 1465 and 1470. They are a useful source of information about the social and political life of Vitoria and the surrounding villages at a time when municipal documentary sources are remarkably scarce. Studying the revenue (rents, apportionments and ‘padrones de la sisa’) and the expenditure, under control of the treasurer of the Vitoria council, enables us to reveal the main political concerns of the local leaders. Expenditure policy includes various items: repaying loans, paying for orders, public works, administrative costs, social services and extraordinary items, such as the expenses due to the visit of King Enrique IV to Vitoria or the outbreak of the plague in the town. The high level of indebtedness of the council of Vitoria is a predominant feature.