Escalating tensions in Catalonia (1620s)

Timeline

1. 1624–1626Barcelona · BarcelonaBetween 1624 and 1626 the Catalan estates rejected Olivares's Union of Arms scheme, insisting on the constitutional tradition of loyalty only to the king and paying no taxes to the Castilian Cortes—the first open flashpoint in the conflict between center and locality.
2. 1622–1630Catalonia · CataloniaIn the 1620s Spain kept large Castilian forces permanently stationed in Catalonia to counter the French border threat; soldiers requisitioning grain and harassing civilians created a problem of marauding troops, deepening local resentment of the central military presence.
3. 1626Barcelona · BarcelonaIn 1626 riots broke out in Barcelona over soldier recruitment and disputes over judicial jurisdiction; citizens and the estates jointly resisted royal officials, and the Spanish Crown was forced to make temporary concessions, but centralizing pressure did not ease and tensions continued to accumulate.