Raul Gonzalez Gonzalez

Raul Gonzalez Gonzalez is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of León, Spain, where he is affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. His research focuses on medieval urban societies, particularly in the Astur-Leonese region of northwestern Spain. As a member of the HIST-ARQ History and Archaeology research group, he has established himself as a leading scholar in the study of medieval elites, urban power structures, and social mobility during the early and high Middle Ages.

• PhD from the University of Oviedo (2017)
• Thesis: "Urban Elites and Power Relations in Oviedo, León and Astorga during the Middle Ages (9th-13th Centuries)"
• Supervised by Dr. Soledad Beltrán Suárez and Dr. Gregoria Cavero Domínguez

Raul Gonzalez Gonzalez's research primarily centers on Medieval Urban Societies, with particular emphasis on Urban Elites and Power Structures in the Astur-Leonese region during the early and high Middle Ages. His work explores how social hierarchies were established and maintained in medieval cities, examining the roles of judges, scribes, warriors, and bishops in shaping urban power dynamics. A significant portion of his research investigates social mobility among different classes, particularly how groups like infanzones (lower nobility) transformed their status through military service and political connections. His studies also delve into the cultural aspects of medieval society, including written culture, humor, and the development of urban markets.

His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the intersection of urban development, social structures, and power dynamics in medieval Spain. The research shows a progression from examining specific urban institutions and elite groups to broader analyses of social change across the medieval period. A notable trend is his increasing attention to the experiences of marginalized groups, including slaves and lower social classes, and how they navigated the complex social hierarchies of medieval cities. His work bridges traditional political and institutional history with newer approaches in social and cultural history, creating a more nuanced understanding of medieval urban life.

Raul Gonzalez Gonzalez has supervised multiple PhD students and has been involved in numerous research projects examining medieval urban societies in northwestern Spain. His work has been supported by various academic grants focused on medieval history and archaeology. He has collaborated extensively with researchers from institutions across Spain and internationally, contributing to edited volumes and participating in academic conferences on medieval studies.

As a member of the HIST-ARQ History and Archaeology research group at the University of León, Gonzalez Gonzalez contributes to interdisciplinary projects that combine historical analysis with archaeological evidence to reconstruct medieval urban landscapes. His work often involves collaboration with specialists in archaeology, philology, and art history to create comprehensive studies of medieval cities and their hinterlands.