Note 5 — Chapter X · THE AUDIENCIA AND THE CHURCH: THE ROYAL PATRONAGE

Ibid., 2–1–10. Laws 11 and 12 of the same title did not in any way diminish the authority of the royal audiencia. Law 11, dated May 16, 1571, antedating the one above quoted, declared that although cédulas on governmental subjects were occasionally addressed to the “president and oidores,” the viceroys and presidents might have private jurisdiction over these matters. Law 12, dated April 6, 1638, recognized the fact that ministers of justice were frequently addressed on (governmental) subjects, which, it declared, should not be construed to prejudice the viceroy’s pre-eminence in these matters.