The Crown of Aragon was a political organisation constituted as a confederation of independent kingdoms: the Principality of Catalonia, with the counties of Roussillon and Cerdanya; the Kingdom of Aragon; and the Kingdom of Valencia. The monarchs, assisted by the royal curia, governed the lands while respecting their specific rights, laws and privileges. Royal power in Catalonia was administered through chief magistrates and mayors. The chief magistrates represented a district or magistracy and dealt with legal matters. Mayors were responsible for protecting property belonging to the Crown in towns and cities, where they exercised civil and criminal jurisdiction.