The patronato was the right of
A) the father to exercise complete legal authority over his wife and children.
B) appointment to all the major ecclesiastical offices in the Spanish realms.
C) towns to be governed by ecclesiastical authority.
D) landlords to govern their estates without royal intervention.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patronato, or patronage right, referred specifically to the authority granted by the Pope to the Spanish crown to appoint significant ecclesiastical positions within its territories, including the Americas. This was part of the broader system of control that linked church and state in the Spanish Empire, allowing the monarchy significant influence over religious institutions and affairs.

The Patronato Was the Right of