The Portuguese businessmen: a professional elite in 17th century Castile. Possibilities of social mobility and intermediation

Abstract

El objeto del presente artículo es el de analizar el papel desempeñado por los hombres de negocios portugueses en la sociedad castellana durante el siglo XVII, sobre todo con respecto a su identificación con una élite de carácter profesional. A su vez, se tratará de estudiar sus procesos de movilidad social y la influencia desempeñada en los mismos tanto por las solidaridades y obligaciones respecto a la parentela, como por las dotes matrimoniales. Por último, se atenderá a la intermediación social desarrollada gracias a las relaciones tejidas con los grupos de poder de la Monarquía HispánicaThe main objective of this article is to analyze the role played by Portuguese businessmen in 17th century Castilian society, especially in regard to their self-identification as members of a professional elite. The study also highlights their processes of social mobility, as well as the roles played by ties of solidarity and duty among kinsmen and by marriage dowries. Finally, it focuses on the social intermediation practiced by these businessmen, which was made possible by their relations with political elites of the Spanish Monarch