Urban policy and perception of water resources in Castile in the late Middle Ages

Abstract

In the late Middle Ages, cities and towns in Castile saw water as a public good of a communal nature, use of which could be privatised in certain circumstances. It was the local councils who controlled its use and who were in charge of making the most of the benefits it had to offer as well as avoiding, as far as possible, any problems arising from it. In addition to managing water resources, local councils sought to use such resources to project a positive image of their town or city. Bearing the above in mind, the present article explores how water was perceived by urban society in Castile in the late Middle Ages as something which could contribute towards enhancing honour and reputation, but which could also pose a threat due to its possible contamination and destructive force in certain circumstances.