The ‘trial of residence’ in Castile and the Indies under the Old Regime

A state of the question

Abstract

The present article explores the main studies that have analysed and evaluated the system most frequently used by the Hispanic monarchy to audit the governance and justice exercised by royal officials during their term of office: the juicio de residencia or trial of residence. I shall examine research analysing this judicial procedure in Castile and the Indies ‒the territories where this mechanism was employed‒ and explore other uses of the documentary sources in historical studies that go beyond reviews of officials. I shall conclude with some critical thoughts on the effectiveness of this mechanism.