The Decreta of León of 1188 - The oldest documentary manifestation of the European parliamentary system

The Decreta or Decrees of León of 1188 consist of a group of documents that contain the oldest known written information regarding the European parliamentary system. It originated in mediaeval Spain and was based on the celebration of a Curia Regia (Royal council) during the reign of Alfonso IX of León (1188-1230). They reflect an original model of government and administration within the framework of Spanish mediaeval institutions, where the institutional presence of the common people in higher-level decision making, together with the king, the church and the nobility, occurs for the first time through the elected representatives of the towns and cities.