The Decreta of León of 1188 - The oldest documentary manifestation of the European parliamentary system
Documentary heritage submitted by Spain and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2013.
The Decreta or Decrees of León of 1188 consist of a group of documents that contain the oldest known written information regarding the European parliamentary system. It originated in mediaeval Spain and was based on the celebration of a Curia Regia (Royal council) during the reign of Alfonso IX of León (1188-1230). They reflect an original model of government and administration within the framework of Spanish mediaeval institutions, where the institutional presence of the common people in higher-level decision making, together with the king, the church and the nobility, occurs for the first time through the elected representatives of the towns and cities.