All roads lead to Rome, but what happens when we want to go elsewhere? Today, the communication network at local, regional, national and even global levels is extremely efficient in relative terms. Whether by car, train or plane, we can connect truly distant points within a few hours. However, it wasn't always this way. Communication routes have been fundamental both for cultural transmission and for the development of trade or state control. A prominent utility of these routes, especially in the history of Spain, lies in the communications designated for transhumance through the livestock pathways and more specifically the royal cattle tracks, which is what we want to focus on in this work.
The royal cattle tracks represent a fundamental element in the history and landscape of the Iberian Peninsula, as they were essential for the practice of transhumance. This seasonal grazing system involves moving livestock to lowlands in winter and highlands in summer, thus optimizing natural resources available during each season. It has its roots in the medieval period when specific corridors were established for the passage of livestock.
The organization of these routes, initially managed by democratic assemblies or mestas, not only reflected an economic strategy but also intertwined with medieval Spanish politics and society.
But how was it possible for the Iberian economy to orient itself so predominantly towards pastoralism? Ramón Carande (Carande, 2000, p. 21) explains that "the alternatives of conflict were always accompanied by plagues associated with combat: fires, plundering and destructions of all kinds. This historical process —before other causes came into play— had to determine a preference for livestock. In the advances and retreats of a frequently displaced population, pastoralism allowed goods to be transported that thus escaped more easily from the ravages of war. Also, from the very beginning, herds took advantage of pasture grass that sprang up on newly conquered fields. That environment could not have been the most favorable for a prosperous agriculture."
Once we understand the contextual origin, let's see how the Mesta is organized and managed. At the beginning of the Middle Ages, shepherds and livestock owners would meet in local assemblies two or three times a year, among other reasons, to assign stray animals to their rightful owners. In these democratic assemblies or mestas, both men and women who owned at least 50 sheep had voting rights. Livestock could be either transhumant or sedentary. The most important city in terms of these assemblies was Soria, whose livestock owners were the promoters of the Mesta.
«Alfonso X, recognizing that wool trade was the backbone of the Castilian economy and being in financial difficulties, thought it easier to impose taxes on livestock than on people, gathered all the Mestas and founded the Honorable Council of the Mesta of Castilian Shepherds in 1273» (Guillén Mata, 2017, p.14). This organization rendered large tributes to the monarchy, and in return, the king granted a series of privileges that were expanded by subsequent kings. Among these privileges stood out exemption from tolls for food they transported and for the sale of their livestock up to 60 heads. They were also exempted from the costly salt tax and protected against having part of their flock taken as collateral. On September 2, 1311, Alfonso X granted the Mesta up to 19 privileges in Gualda (Estévez, J. J., 1990, p. 36).
But beyond the Mesta and the theoretical concept, we need to understand the practical reality, the consequences of such transhumance. Everything started in September when livestock was prepared for departure towards the 'extremes'. Each herder marked their animals, and the flocks, led by a mayoral, were organized into herds of approximately 1000 heads. These herds were subdivided into groups of 100 or 200 animals. Each herd included 90 docile rams, which were under the care of a shepherd assisted by five young men (zagales), five overseers (rabadanes) and five mastiffs. The march was led by the rams and pregnant sheep, allowing them to take advantage of the best pastures along the way (Peña, 2019, p. 9). "The herds were accompanied by horses that carried equipment, nets for enclosures, leather boots, food, skins of animals that died on the journey, etc."
A month later, at the end of October, they would have already arrived in regions where to spend the winter, specifically in southern wintering grounds such as Extremadura and Andalusia. By those dates, the first lambs would start being born, which by March would be large enough to brand with their owner's distinctive iron. During this time, future rams were designated for the return journey. Once mid-April or early May arrived, the ascent towards the north began (Estévez, J. J., 1990, p. 37).
As we can see in the map (Figure 1), there were ten main royal cattle tracks in the Iberian Peninsula, including the Zamorana, which borders Portugal; La Vizana or de la Plata; Leonesa Occidental; Leonesa Oriental; Segoviana; Galiana (Riojana); Soriana Oriental, which is the longest of all; Soriana Occidental; Conquense; and that of the Kingdom of Valencia. The Castilian royal cattle tracks, according to Mesta laws, are defined as "the space between two cultivated lands." These cattle tracks had a legal width of 90 varas (approximately 75 meters). Within this system, there were subdivisions in minor branches known as «cordeles», with a width of 45 varas, which would be equivalent to 37 meters, and «veredas» of 25 varas, equivalent to 20 meters.
In addition to these main categories, there was a great variety of secondary paths called different names according to local toponymy. Among them were the "venillas camineras" and "coladas de enchufe," as well as other names: ramales, tranvías, hatajos, galianas, cordones, cuerdas, coladas, and travesíos. This network of paths formed a kind of interconnected channels, offering various routes to shepherds. The choice of path by the shepherd depended on multiple factors including weather conditions, military conflicts, and variations in pasture markets. In this way, shepherds adapted their transit routes according to circumstances, demonstrating the flexibility and adaptability inherent in this system of paths (García Martín, 2017, p. 17).
In conclusion, the royal cattle tracks of Spain are much more than mere relics of the past; they are a blend of history, culture and ecology that remains relevant in contemporary times. Through understanding and valuing these historical routes, not only can we preserve an essential element of peninsular heritage but also adapt it to face environmental and social challenges of today. The protection and sustainable use of royal cattle tracks offer a unique window into the pastoral tradition of the peninsula while pointing towards paths for conservation and sustainable development.
Bibliography
Estevez, J. J. (1990). The sheep in Spanish history. Presented at the Segureña Sheep Days in Huáscar (Granada). Academy.
García Martín, P. (2017). The race of free shepherds: Cattle tracks, transhumance and Mesta culture. Ambienta, 120, 14-23.
Guillén Mata, F. M. (2017). Foundations of the protected geographical indication project "Cordero de Sierra Morena" (Master's thesis). University of Seville, School of Agricultural Engineering.
Peña, S. (2019). Genetic and morphological characterization of criollo sheep in Argentina (Ph.D. dissertation). National University of La Plata, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences.
Ruiz, A., & Verdes, E. (2016). Guide to the Livestock Paths of Spain. : Editorial Caminante.
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