Lecture 5 - The Christian Kingdoms

Question 1

Key aspects discussed in this class:

Answer 1

Four main Christian kingdoms will eventually dominate the Iberian Peninsula:

They will emerge from two original areas:

Question 2

what are the Four main Christian kingdoms will eventually dominate the Iberian Peninsula:

Answer 2

The Kingdom of Portugal
The Crown of Castile (a merger of the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Leon)
The Crown of Aragon (a merger of the Kingdom of Aragon and the Catalan Counties)
The Kingdom of Navarre

Question 3

the 4 main christian kingdoms will emerge from two original areas:

Answer 3

The kingdom of Asturias in the North

The Carolingian Hispanic March (Marca Hispánica) in the North-east

Question 4

The Beginnings (I): The Kingdom of Asturias
what are the origins

Answer 4

Founded in 718 by Don Pelayo, who will become the first King

Question 5

where is the kingdom of asturias located

Answer 5

Established in the Cantabrian Mountains, especially in the area of the Picos de Europa and the central part of Asturias – it included the fomer lands of the Cantabri, Astures, Lugones

Question 6

what is an important battle of the beginnings (I) The Kingdom of Asturias

Answer 6

Muslim army is defeated in 714 at the battle of Covadonga – This ensures the survival of the kingdom and the arrival of Christians Visigoths from the south
- Covadonga – or Cova Dominica (Cave of our Lady) – The cult to the Virgin will play a fundamental role in the history of Spain

apparently the virgin mary appears and tells them all will be okay

Question 7

when was the kingdom was the kingdom firmly established and its connection with the old Visigoth monarchy affirmed (The Beginnings (I): The Kingdom of Asturias)

Answer 7

It was not until King Alfonso II (791-842) that the kingdom was firmly established and its connection with the old Visigoth monarchy affirmed – It expands to the West (Galicia) and to the East (Basque Country)

Question 8

where was the capital of the kingdom of asturias

Answer 8

The capital of the kingdom will originally be situated in Cangas de Onis (Asturias) – As the kingdom expanded, it was moved to Oviedo and later on to Leon – It then became the Kingdom of Leon

Question 9

explain The “Prince of Asturias” today

Answer 9

Asturias is today a Principality “belonging” to the Heir of the Spanish throne due to its prominent role in the history of the Christian kingdoms

Question 10

The Beginnings: The Carolingian Marca Hispánica (Hispanic March)
what is the origins

Answer 10

Starting in 760, The Franks created the Marca Hispanica (Hispanic March) by conquering former north-eastern territory of the Visigothic kingdom of Hispania that was under Muslim rule

Question 11

what is the objective of The Carolingian Marca Hispánica (Hispanic March)

Answer 11

The Carolingian empire established the Marca Hispánica (or Hispanic March) as a buffer zone between the Empire and Al-Andalus

Question 12

explain the Political/Cultural Multiplicity of the Carolingian Marca Hispánica (Hispanic March)

Answer 12

It was made of a multiplicity of local lordships or counts under Frankish rule (nominally at least) – Population varied from one territorial entity to the next, and included Basques, former Goths, Muslims, and Jews. After the death of Charlemagne, These lordships/counties are going to coalesce into three larger territorial units:

Question 13

what were the three larger territorial units:

The Carolingian Marca Hispánica (Hispanic March)

Answer 13

1. The Kingdom of Pamplona
   (Which will become the
   Kingdom of Navarra)
2. The Kingdom of Aragon
3. The Catalan counties (under
   the
   Rule of the Count of Barcelona)

Question 14

explain the origins of The Kingdom of Castile and Leon

Answer 14

Originally a County dependent of the Kingdom of Leon (former Kingdom of Asturias) - Annexed by the Kingdom of Pamplona by King Sancho III – It became an independent Kingdom after 1035 as a result of the testamentary dispositions of King Sancho III

Question 15

explain The Crown of Castile

Answer 15

The Kingdom of Castile will merge with the Kingdom of Leon in 1230 as the stronger of the two - The Cortes (medieval “parliaments”) of Castile and Leon will merge into one creating the Crown of Castile

Question 16

why is Toledo important to The Kingdom of Castile and Leon

Answer 16

In 1085 King Alphonse III of Leon conquers Toledo – It becomes a major cultural and administrative center under Alfonso X “The Wise” – The paradigmatic case of the Spain of the Three cultures (Jews, Muslims, and Christians) under Christian Rule

Question 17

explain the economy of The Kingdom of Castile and Leon

Answer 17

Varies according the territory:
Northern Castile (small holdings, agrarian)
Southern Castile (larger holdings, pastoral)
Importance of the wool trade
More sophisticated goods produced in cities such as Burgos, Leon, and Toledo
Trade links with other Christian kingdoms in the Peninsula, with Al-Andalus, and with Northern Europe

Question 18

explain the society of The Kingdom of Castile and Leon

Answer 18

Powerful aristocratic class based on control of territory and war
The nobility limits and challenges the power of the King
Those settled in Northern Castille (of Visigoth, Cantabri, Asture origin are frequently considered “hidalgos” (free men equivalent to “gentlemen”) –
In Southern Castile serfdom starts to develop
Castile will become the biggest and most powerful of the Christian kingdoms by the beginning of the 15th Century

Question 19

explain the origins of The Kingdom of Aragon

Answer 19

Originated in the Carolingian Hispanic March as a lordship or county – As Castile, it became part of the Kingdom of Pamplona– On the death of Sancho III in 1035, it was given to one of his children and became an independent kingdom

Question 20

explain The Crown of Aragon

Answer 20

The Catalan counties and the Kingdom of Aragon merge in 1150 with the dynastic union resulting from the marriage of the Princess of Aragon (Petronilla) and the Count of Barcelona (Ramon Berenguer IV). This starts the Crown of Aragon

Question 21

explain the Territorial expansion of the kingdom of aragon

Answer 21

At the height of its power in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Crown of Aragon controlled a large portion of present-day eastern Spain, parts of what is now southern France, and a Mediterranean “empire” which included the Balearic Islands, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, Malta, Southern Italy (from 1442) and parts of Greece (until 1388)

Question 22

explain the Politics of the kingdom of aragon

Answer 22

The component realms of the Crown were NOT united politically except at the level of the king, who ruled over each autonomous polity according to its own laws, raising funds under each tax structure, dealing separately with each Corts or Cortes (Medieval “Parliaments”).

Question 23

explain the economy of The Kingdom of Aragon

Answer 23

Trade with other Mediterranean peoples and with Italy was important –Small holdings were important especially in the former Catalan counties and Northern Aragon

Question 24

explain the society of The Kingdom of Aragon

Answer 24

Jews and Muslims communities continued to live under Christian rule in the Kingdom of Aragon

Question 25

what is the geography of The Kingdom of Pamplona/Navarre

Answer 25

Originally known as the Kingdom of Pamplona (its main city) –As Aragon, It had its origins in the Hispanic March - occupied some of the lands that are Navarre and the Basque country today

Question 26

what is the Relevance of the kingdom of Pamplona/Navarre

Answer 26

Under King Sancho III (995-1035) it will reach the peak of its power having annexed Castile and invaded Leon – He also ruled the county of Aragon – He will divide his possessions among his sons

Question 27

why is the kingdom of pamplona/navarre A disputed territory

Answer 27

The Kingdom of Navarre would be under French rule in the 14th and 15th centuries – Both Aragon and Castile are going to be involved in territorial disputes

Question 28

explain the integration of The Kingdom of Pamplona/Navarre

Answer 28

The Kingdom of Navarre became part of the Crown of Castile and Aragon in the 16th Century

Question 29

explain the Autonomy of The Kingdom of Pamplona/Navarre

Answer 29

The institutions of Navarre maintained their autonomy until the 19th century - . Similar institutions existed in the Crown of Aragon (in Aragon, Catalonia and Valencia) until the 18th century. The Spanish king was represented by a viceroy, who could object to the decisions made in the Navarrese context.

Question 30

what is the key of the Kingdom of Navarre

Answer 30

The Kingdom of Navarre could have been the stone upon which to create a unified Christian kingdom, but King Sancho III divided his kingdom among his sons, which gave rise to the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon that would eventually control much of the Iberian Peninsula and eventually merge

Question 31

explain the origin of The Kingdom of Portugal

Answer 31

The County of Portugal, established in the 9th century as part of the Reconquista, by Vímara Peres, a vassal of the King of Asturias

Question 32

explain the love and treason that happened with The Kingdom of Portugal

Answer 32

It became an independent kingdom under Henry of Burgundy, a crusader who had married one of the daughters of Alfonso VI of Castile and Leon – Henry rebelled after his wife was disinherited by his father – Attacked the kingdom of Leon

Question 33

explain how The Kingdom of Portugal was an independent kingdom

Answer 33

Following Henry’s rebellion, the Counts of Portugal established themselves as rulers of an independent kingdom in the 12th century

Question 34

explain the dynastic union of The Kingdom of Portugal

Answer 34

It will exist as an independent kingdom –but with strong ties to Castile- until 1580 when it will merge with the Spanish Crown until 1640, bringing the entire Iberian Peninsula, as well as Spanish and Portuguese overseas possessions, under the Spanish Habsburg kings Philip II, Philip III and Philip IV.

Question 35

what is the key of The Kingdom of Portugal

Answer 35

The period between 1580 and 1640 was the last time that the entire Iberian Peninsula has been unified politically

Question 36

You do not need to memorize the dates for the exam, but you need to know:

Answer 36

What kingdoms emerged from the old kingdom of Asturias:
What kingdoms emerged from the Carolingian Spanish March:
The role of King Sancho III of Navarre:

Question 37

What kingdoms emerged from the old kingdom of Asturias:

Answer 37

Castile, Leon, Portugal

Question 38

What kingdoms emerged from the Carolingian Spanish March

Answer 38

Navarre, Aragon, Catalan counties

Question 39

what was The role of King Sancho III of Navarre:

Answer 39

e agglomerated the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon under the hegemony of the Kingdom of Navarre, but he decided to divide those three kingdoms under their sons
The history of Medieval Spain would have been very different if he had not done so.
Eventually, Castile would emerge as the unifying force of Spain.