Cortes (politics)

Cortes (from the Latin term cohors^[1][2]) were political bodies of a parliamentary, consultative and deliberative character in traditional monarchies, or on their behalf; and the different social classes established in three Orders: the First Estate, which corresponded to the branch of the clergy; the Second Estate, which was the branch of the nobility; and the Third Estate, which was the branch of the people.

The designation Cortes comes from the name of the court given to each of the various audiences through which the work of the assembly was carried out.^[3] However, there are different designations for them: curia, synod, and parliament. According to Armindo de Sousa, there were as many as sixteen of these designations.^[1][2]

The Cortes never followed a set periodicity, depending on the socio-political conjuncture and the monarch's will, functioning by his summons.^[1]