An approach to the economic and religious functioning of chaplaincies in Velez, 1720-1750

Abstract

The foundation of chaplaincies in Vélez between 1720-1750 affected a wide range of social classes, witnessing an interaction between social and economical valuesthat helped to promote saints worship, according to the founders devotion, and, ingeneral the catholic rite, through the ecclesiastics ordination. The familial, economic and religious interests were made obvious in the foundation of chaplaincies, working not only as a mechanism to strengthen the economic and social powers, but also as astrategy for some families.

This article aims to expose the chaplaincies functioning, performance, and influencein the economic and religious spheres in Vélez between 1720-1750, elucidating the power and social impact they exerted in this colonial city, taking into account that the administrative changes in the foundations of chaplaincies during the 18th century could influence in the imposition rhythms, in the economic recovery of the city, the rise of the land price and a more active circulation of liquid money.

Keywords: Chaplaincies, religiosity, economy, foundations