Párrocos, parroquias y concejos: el modelo parroquial leonés en el marco de las comunidades rurales y concejiles durante la Edad Moderna

Abstract

In the Early Modern Period, irrespective of the diocesan organisation of the province of León, parishes formed the essential ecclesiastical administrative unit, and were closely linked to the council structure of rural communities. A study of the different elements comprising the parish, and the relationships and dependencies established between them, provides an understanding of parish networks, typologies, dimensions and evolution. On this basis, one of the fundamental aims of this study was to conduct an initial evaluation of the León parish clergy from a human and spiritual perspective, in order to ascertain their level of influence and involvement in the social and productive relationships arising in parish communities administered and managed by community councils. At the same time, the parish church constitutes an important point of reference since it represented an important framework for community religion and sociability.