When speaking about the Juridical Code of Sepúlveda, reference is made to the special juridical ordinance confirmed by King Alfonso VI on November 17, 1076. The original code is not preserved but a copy signed by Doña Urraca and by Don Alfonso I of Aragon (in the mid-12th century – the date cannot be specified) is preserved.
In 1305 the “personeros” (the people) of the Council of Sepúlveda asked Fernando IV to confirm “the privilege of King Alfonso VI” as well as “a law that had been given to them by those from whom we came”. Fernando IV agreed, confirming the privilege and the law on May 15, 1305. The confirmed law is a partial and romanized version of the Juridical Code of Sepulveda of 1076.
The Fuero de Sepúlveda is a key element in the history of Sepúlveda. It had a significant impact on the life of the community. It provided the legal basis for the social and economic organization of the place. It is one of the oldest examples of codification in western history.
Sepúlveda has a wonderful “Museo de los Fueros” dedicated to explaining the content of the Fuero and how life was organized around it. The museum is located in the Church of Saints Justo and Pastor, built between the 12th and 13th centuries. The museum exhibits the most relevant historical, artistic, archaeological and documentary heritage of Sepúlveda. The “Fuero de Sepúlveda” is the common thread of the exhibition.
