Revolt of the Barretinas

Quick Facts: Who was Revolt of the Barretinas?

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Revolt of the Barretinas

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A Catalan peasant revolt (1687–1689) against Charles II's government over taxes and quartering soldiers.

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Origins & Early Life

The Revolt of the Barretines (Catalan: Revolta dels Barretines; Eastern Calatan: [rəˈβɔltə ðəlz βərəˈtinəs]) also known as the Revolt of the Gorretes, was a Catalan rebellion fought against the government of King Charles II of Spain. The most salient complaint was against the government's quartering of soldiers. Other issues of contention were tax protests and Catalan nationalistic tensions. The revolt was funded and intensified by agents of France as part of the War of the Grand Alliance. Civil disorder lasted from 1687 to 1689.

Career & Major Achievements

Support for the revolt was concentrated in rural areas, particularly the poor. The only members of the elite who supported the revolt were wealthy commoners from the countryside. The city of Barcelona, merchants, the intelligentsia, and the local government bodies were largely unsympathetic. Discord had existed for some time between the Castilian-dominated Spanish government and inhabitants of the realms of the Crown of Aragon (which included the Kingdom of Aragon itself, the Kingdom of Valencia, the Kingdom of Majorca, and the Principality of Catalonia). The crowns of Aragon and Castile had been dynastically unified under the same king since 1517, during the reign of King Charles I, grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, they remained separate polities with their own laws and institutions. Discontent had boiled over into revolts several times, most notably in the Reapers' War (Catalan: Guerra dels Segadors) from 1640–1652. The 1640 revolt had broad support among Catalan society, and the Catalans' ally France annexed Roussillon (also known as French Cerdagne or Northern Catalonia) as a result of the war. Since the revolt, however, feelings toward France had grown more ambivalent in Catalonia. France came to be seen more as an economic competitor than a useful ally.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1517: 1517 Milestone — The crowns of Aragon and Castile had been dynastically unified under the same king since 1517, during the reign of King Charles I, grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella.
2. 1640: 1640 Milestone — Discontent had boiled over into revolts several times, most notably in the Reapers' War (Catalan: Guerra dels Segadors) from 1640–1652.
3. 1687: 1687 Milestone — Civil disorder lasted from 1687 to 1689.

Notable Quotes by Revolt of the Barretinas

“the present state of this province is the unhappiest that can be imagined, for the law has no authority because of the lack of funds in the treasury”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Revolt of the Barretinas

True or False: “The primary catalyst for the Revolt of the Barretines was the general discontent over Catalan national identity.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While nationalism was a factor, the most salient and immediate complaint that triggered the revolt was the government's quartering of soldiers in civilian homes.

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