ABSTRACT
In 1511, the general chapter of the Order of Calatrava met in Seville. Not ten years had passed since the Catholic Kings had decreed the forced baptism of all Muslims in the Kingdom of Castile, thus ending the formal presence of this religion within the realm. During the lengthy discussions about the internal workings of the Order that dominated this chapter, a most particular request was presented:
Consultóse con su alteza lo de los servidores del convento que por la quinze difiniçión su alteza es obligado de dar al convento y otrosí del agravio que la dicha horden tenía resçebido en sus esclavos, mayormente la mesa maestral y clavería y encomienda de Daymiel y Villarruvia, por razón de la capitulaçión de su alteza y la reyna, que en gloria sea, avían tomado con los moros al tienpo de su conversión. Pidióse a su alteza como maestre por parte del dicho convento que les diese los dichos servidores y sastifiziese el daño que a causa dello avía resçebido. Su alteza mandó a don Garçía de Padilla que en la primera consulta que su alteza tuviese con los del Consejo de Castilla hiziese relaçión porque su alteza se ynformaría de lo que pasara y lo mandaría proveer (His Majesty was consulted regarding the servants of the convent that he must provide according to the fifteenth statute [of the Order], and also regarding the grievances that the Order had received in relation to its slaves – particularly to the Master’s Table, the Butler and the commandries of Daimiel and Villarrubia. These grievances were caused by the agreement that His Majesty and the Queen, God rest Her soul, had reached with the Moors at the time of their conversion. The convent requested to His Majesty, who was acting as Master, to provide such servants and also satisfaction for the damage incurred). 2
