The sexmo or sexma (transl.
'sixth part')[1] was an administrative subdivision present in parts of medieval Castile corresponding to a grouping of rural hamlets within the territorial jurisdiction of a town council.
Its articulation primarily responded to the purpose of tax collection,[2] and, insofar they served the Crown to that end, the latter provided certain formal recognition to the administrative organization.
[3] They also served to administer communal property.
[4] Associated to this division, there was the political office of sexmero, institutionalised towards the 13th century, charged with the collection of pechos [es].