The Coronela of Barcelona in the war of the Spanish Succession: ancient continuities, specific problems and debate around the military service of the guilds

Abstract

The urban militia of Barcelona, known as “Coronela”, underwent continuities and transformations during the last decades of its existence. Despite having been studied more during the Spanish War of Succession, especially during the exceptionalism of 1713-1714, there are still many aspects that need to be clarified. Especially after some of them succeed in some circles, maybe not quite academic. In this study we will talk about the “Coronela” as the main armed force of the Council of One Hundred (beyond the specific paid companies that could recruit for some reason) and from its conception of a guild militia: voluntary and as a part of the civic service. For this reason, beyond the “republican” moments during the last great siege of the War of Succession, the slow recovery of military powers lost in 1652 will be exposed. Also, in the time of the archduke, the conflict generated between the new king and the Catalan institutions due to the conception of a type of military ordinance with medieval origins.