capitulações

Capitulação, or capitulações in plural, is a formal agreement, treaty, or contract in which one party consents to surrender or to grant privileges, rights, or exemptions to another. In historical contexts, the term covers arrangements that regulate the terms of surrender of cities or fortresses, as well as charters that grant specific rights to towns, religious orders, merchants, or explorers. The concept encompasses both military and diplomatic uses, reflecting negotiations over authority, protection, taxation, and allegiance.

In warfare, capitulações defined the terms under which a besieged or conquered entity would yield to an adversary, often including guarantees for inhabitants, religious freedom, taxes, and the continued enjoyment of certain local laws. In diplomacy and governance, capitulations could grant privileges or immunities to foreign powers, subjects, or communities, sometimes in exchange for tribute, support, or allegiance. The term derives from Latin and developed through French and Iberian usage, with various local legal traditions adopting comparable instruments.

Notable examples include the Capitulaciones de Santa Fe (Capitulations of Santa Fe) of 1492, between the Catholic Monarchs of Castile and Christopher Columbus, which provided Columbus with the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea, governance over lands he discovered, and a share of profits from new territories, in exchange for undertaking the voyage under Castilian sponsorship. The Crown also agreed to support the expedition financially. This contract is often cited as a landmark in the history of exploration and royal sponsorship.

Today, capitulations are primarily of historical and legal interest, studied as instruments of sovereignty, diplomacy, and the regulation of military and exploratory ventures in medieval and early modern contexts.