Since the Middle Ages, brotherhoods began to emerge as groups of believers united around a common purpose, generally related to faith and religious practice. These organizations could be both secular and religious, but their primary function was to promote devotion. Over time, brotherhoods established themselves as crucial institutions in the social and cultural life of communities, and their development was profoundly influenced by the nobility and the clergy.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, brotherhoods began to take shape in the cities and towns of the Iberian Peninsula. The growing importance of cities, driven by trade and artisanal activity, allowed brotherhoods to become spaces for meeting and mutual support, where members could seek assistance in difficult times, engage in charitable works, and foster social cohesion. In this context, the nobility found in brotherhoods an effective means to consolidate their influence and prestige. By sponsoring and supporting these organizations, nobles could enhance their image, gain the favor of the population, and simultaneously establish networks of power that strengthened their position in society.
As they moved into the 15th and 16th centuries, brotherhoods and fraternities diversified in their structure and objectives. During this period, the influence of the Catholic Church intensified with the...