El cadiazgo en Granada bajo los almorávides: enfrentamiento y negociación

Abstract

This article studies two outstanding aspects of the qadiship of the city of Granada under the Almoravids. First of all, it lays out the list of qadis in Granada based on the data provided by Andalusi biographical sources. Secondly, it analyses the mechanisms of the relationship between Almoravid political power and the local elites of Granada – a relationship which was largely characterised by both negotiation and confrontation. The qadiship of Granada was managed by several Andalusi families, from Granada and outside it. Such management was imposed by the Almoravid authorities rather than by the Granadans themselves. We also find members of Maghrebi families occupying the qadiship in higher numbers than in other Andalusi towns during the some period city (this excludes Algeciras for reasons linked especially to the city´s status). In this way, the Almoravids authorities sought to avoid the monopoly of the judicial functions held by local elites and thereby exercise greater control over the city, which was of particularly great importance given that it was the Andalusi capital.