Alcaraz is a municipality of Spain located in the province of Albacete, Castilla–La Mancha.

[2] The locality lies at 953 metres above mean sea level.

[4] The town was granted the status of city in 1429, by means of the concession of a royal privilege.

[5] The urban oligarchy controlling political power and riches in the later Middle Ages was formed by a mix of the nobleza hidalga (descended from knights-villein) and the so-called caballeros cuantiosos.

[6] The Alcaraz's extensive municipal territory during the Middle Ages had decreased fivefold by the end of the 16th century, after the emancipation of several hamlets, and it was further decimated in the ensuing years.