paréage

Paréage was a legal and feudal institution prevalent in medieval Occitania, particularly in Andorra. It established a unique form of co-principality, dividing sovereignty between two lords. Historically, the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix, and later the King of France, acted as these co-princes. This arrangement arose to resolve disputes and establish a stable governance structure in a region often subject to conflicting claims. The paréage agreement typically defined the rights and responsibilities of each co-prince, including judicial authority, taxation, and military service. Andorra's survival as an independent state for centuries is largely attributed to the enduring nature of its paréage. The system ensured a balance of power, preventing either lord from gaining complete control and thus maintaining a degree of autonomy for the territory and its inhabitants. While the specific terms and the identities of the co-princes evolved over time, the fundamental concept of shared sovereignty through paréage remained the cornerstone of Andorran governance.