How did Spanish viceroys govern Naples?

Spanish viceroys governed the Kingdom of Naples for over two centuries with autocratic severity, integrating the region into the Spanish monarchical orbit.12

Governance and Administration

The viceroy presided over the Collateral Council, the kingdom's most important ruling body, which included five regents alongside judicial and financial councils. To sustain the regime, the Spanish relied on a growing elite of lawyers known as the "nobility of the robe," who provided essential bureaucratic services. While a Neapolitan parliament existed to authorize taxes and request privileges, its influence was limited, and it was eventually suspended in 1642.1

Policies and Challenges

Viceroys often employed a "divide and conquer" strategy, exploiting social inequalities between the nobility and the common people, as well as between the capital and the countryside. In the city of Naples, the administration focused heavily on municipal management and food provision for its large population. Despite efforts by the bureaucracy to curb the political power of the feudal aristocracy in the provinces, the barons maintained strong social and economic control. This harsh rule frequently faced resistance from the populace, leading to periodic, though often ineffectual, revolts.12