The Spanish Monarchy had many armed conflicts for which the crown-led recruitment system proved ineffective. As we entered the 17th century, economic and demographic recession was compounded by difficulties in recruiting armies. From then on, there was a tendency to decentralise recruitment systems, and even bandits were enlisted as part of this dynamic. This satisfied the military demands of the crown, but also, for a time, reduced the conflicts that had previously been caused by these bandits. Enlisting in the army was at the same time an opportunity for exemption from punishment, which generated interest in some of these bandits. However, as they were men who enlisted of their own free will, they had a preference for the places they were assigned to. Normally, the Italian instances tended to be quiet and well paid. On the contrary, destinations like Oran were truly despised. Apart from being far away, the supplies and provisions of the garrisons in North Africa were very limited, and the constant prowling of the Algerian dey made it a very dangerous posting.

Collection: Texts

Chronology: XVII

Scope: Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, University

Link: http://rua.ua.es/dspace/handle/10045/4617

Resource type: Historical source

Source: ACÁ, CA, leg. 822, virrey al protonotario de Aragón, 17-IV-l 685

Language: Spanish

Date: 17/4/1685

Owner: Djebril Bouzidi (Modernalia)

Identifier: ACÁ, CA, leg. 822, virrey al protonotario de Aragón, 17-IV-l 685

Abstract: Fragment of text in which enlisted bandits complain about having been deceived, as they enlisted to go to Naples when their destination seems to be Oran