Craftsmen, manufactures and markets in the frontier towns of Alta Extremadura (15th-16th centuries)

This article presents evidence indicating that certain towns along the Luso-Extremaduran border in Alta Extremadura have, since the late 15th century, become centres of manufacturing activity in the textile and leather sectors. These activities demonstrate a level of specialization that extends beyond local consumption, positioning them within broader interregional trade networks. The central hypothesis posits that this concentration of manufacturing is attributable to the formation of a critical mass of consumers, which initially generates demand and facilitates productive linkages with related industries and services. This process is further bolstered by trade agreements between neighboring jurisdictions. Through a comparative analysis with other towns in Alta Extremadura, and drawing on local ordinances, royal records, and judicial sources, this study provides a comprehensive survey of the most documented trades, an assessment of their relative significance, and an evaluatio