Spies of the king and spies of the kingdom: Aragonese intelligence in the War of the Two Peters (1356–1366)

This paper examines the espionage operations of the Crown of Aragon during the War of the Two Peters (1356-1366), a conflict that threatened the very survival of the kingdom. Drawing on extensive archival research, it investigates the diverse individuals, institutions, and methods involved in Aragonese espionage, highlighting the central roles of the king, the members of the Royal Council and other officials, and autonomous intelligence networks established by city councils and lower-ranking authorities. The findings suggest that while espionage was extensively utilized -emphasizing the role of informants- the networks varied in scope, professionalism, and coordination, raising questions about the existence of a cohesive intelligence system.