Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina

Episode: "Acontece que no es poco | El Tribunal Supremo y la aplicación de la Justicia de Peralvillo"
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Nieves Concostrina (with Carlos, co-host)
Podcast: SER Podcast

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina explores an astonishing historical precedent of extrajudicial justice, the so-called "Justicia de Peralvillo." She cleverly draws parallels between this notorious episode from medieval Spain and perceived modern-day miscarriages of justice, notably referencing contemporary criticisms of institutions like the Spanish Supreme Court.

The discussion blends humor, critical analysis, and engaging storytelling to shed light on how centuries-old practices of swift, uninvestigated punishment echo into present-day judicial controversies.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Recurrence of Judicial Controversy

• [00:28] Carlos introduces the theme by remarking on the persistent presence of justice-related scandals in public discourse and alludes to finding comfort (or not) in historical precedents:
  "Hace muchísimo tiempo [...] que la justicia aparece de manera frecuente en la conversación pública y no para bien o no siempre para bien... está bien saber que esto no es la primera vez que ocurre y que existen antecedentes..."

2. Peralvillo: A Name with History

• [01:08] Nieves recounts a recent journey through Peralvillo, a tiny village whose name triggered a powerful historical association:
  • The village lent its name to a brutal mode of summary justice administered centuries ago in Spain.
  • She notes the confusion around the spelling of "Peralvillo" (con B o con V) and the bigger historical footprint of small places.

3. The Origins: The Santa Hermandad and Law Enforcement in 15th Century Castile

• [04:02] The Santa Hermandad, state-sanctioned law enforcement in 15th-century Castile, initially aimed to fight crime but became notorious for abuses.
• The saying "a buenas horas, mangas verdes" ("too little, too late") originated from their tardiness and ineffective interventions.
• Their uniform was green to blend into rural settings, though as Nieves jokes, it was hardly camouflaging in the summer yellow fields:
  • "No sé yo tampoco cómo se camuflaba en pleno verano manchego un tipo vestido de verde cuando todo el campo es amarillo."

4. What Was the "Justicia de Peralvillo"

• [07:40] Though institutionalized for "public order," the Santa Hermandad often protected the powerful and became quasi-bandits themselves, empowered to arrest, judge, and execute suspected criminals on the spot—sometimes literally before any investigation.
• The central method of execution: asaetamiento—shooting the accused full of arrows in an open field, often celebrated as a public festivity.
  • "El que acertara en el corazón tenía premio y los que fallaran fuera del cuerpo del reo pagaba multa." ([08:24])
  • A contemporary French witness wrote:

    "El blanco se fijaba en la tetilla derecha. El que acierte recibe 24 maravedíes y el que yerre paga una multa de un castellano de oro que se gasta después en vino y festejos." ([09:14] - Nieves quoting historical source)

5. Justice First, Investigation After: Origins of a Saying

• [09:46] The summary executions in Peralvillo were carried out without due process; investigation into the alleged crime came after execution.

  • "Se cargaban al presunto delincuente y luego indagaban sobre el delito. Las pesquisas venían después." ([09:48] - Nieves)
  • The expression "Antes las saetas que los escribanos":

    "La Justicia de Peralvillo... que después de asaeteado el hombre le formaban el proceso." ([11:43] - Citing Francisco Rodríguez Marín)

• Cervantes references this in Don Quijote, using "dar en Peralvillo" (to end up in Peralvillo) as a euphemism for being killed by the authorities.

6. The Overseas Legacy of "Peralvillo"

• [12:46] Peralvillo's grisly model was exported to Spanish America:
  • In Mexico, the Peralvillo barrio was once an execution site, likely named for its Castilian counterpart.
  • In Peru, a similar execution ground was established by a commission from Ciudad Real's Santa Hermandad.
  • "Cosían a flechazos al reo, lo dejaban pudriéndose, atado a una estaca, a veces muerto, a veces agonizando y deseando morir. Y luego se iban a hacer las pesquisas." ([14:08] - Nieves)

7. The Resonance with Modern Justice

• Throughout, Nieves draws wry connections between the "Justicia de Peralvillo" and present-day judicial controversies:
  • "...cinco siglos después, ha puesto en práctica el Tribunal Supremo, que como todo el mundo sabe, está anclado en el pasado y un día de estos va a dar por restaurada la Inquisición directamente." ([01:42])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:46] – Nieves Concostrina
  "...igual sirven para establecer algún paralelismo con la actualidad..."

• [08:24] – Carlos
  "...lo del asaetamiento en descampado vendrá a ser coserte a flechazos en mitad del campo."

• [09:48] – Nieves
  "Simplemente se cargaban al presunto delincuente y luego indagaban sobre el delito. Las pesquisas venían después."

• [11:43] – Nieves (quoting Francisco Rodríguez Marín)
  "La Justicia de Peralvillo ... que después de asaeteado el hombre le formaban el proceso."

• [14:08] – Nieves
  "Cosían a flechazos al reo, lo dejaban pudriéndose, atado a una estaca, a veces muerto, a veces agonizando y deseando morir. Y luego se iban a hacer las pesquisas."

• [15:05] – Carlos
  "Qué bestias."

• [15:08] – Nieves
  "Qué bestias éramos."

Key Timestamps

• 00:28 – Introduction to the recurrent issue of justice, past and present
• 01:08 – How Peralvillo inspired the episode
• 04:02 – What was the Santa Hermandad? Brief history and origin of "a buenas horas mangas verdes"
• 07:40 – The dark turn: Santa Hermandad as abusers and executioners
• 08:24 – Details of the execution methods; making executions a public spectacle
• 09:48 – Explanation of "Justicia de Peralvillo" as summary execution before investigation
• 11:43 – Literary references (Rodríguez Marín and Cervantes)
• 12:46 – The transplantation of Peralvillo's "justice" to the Americas
• 14:08 – Gruesome description of executions and delayed investigation
• 15:05 – Hosts reflect on the brutality

Tone and Style

Throughout, Nieves Concostrina maintains her trademark blend of irreverence and sharp wit, even when describing macabre historical episodes. The mood shifts seamlessly between dark humor, critical observation, and memorable turn of phrase—anchoring the history in contemporary relevance without sacrificing depth or accuracy.

Conclusion

This episode is a piercing examination of how history repeats itself in curious, often disturbing ways. Using the "Justicia de Peralvillo" as a mirror, Nieves Concostrina highlights the dangers of justice administered without due process—a cautionary tale with uncomfortable echoes in today’s world. Both educational and entertaining, the episode captures why historical perspective is invaluable for understanding and critiquing the present.