Certificate of Privilege Granting Borough Status and Jurisdiction

Certificate of privilege from King Charles I granting royal borough status and jurisdiction to Cózar (Ciudad Real).

Jurisdictional privileges granted ordinary jurisdiction to local authorities, distinguishing between civil, criminal, low, and high jurisdiction through “mero y mixto imperio,” which were “absolute” and “mixed” levels of jurisdiction. The distinction between high and low justice depended on the amount in civil cases, and the severity in criminal cases. “Mero imperio” was the power to hear criminal cases involving the penalties of death, mutilation, or life sentence, while “mixto imperio” was the authority to hear civil cases and less serious criminal cases. Royal Chancery of Castilla.