Asturias, León, Navarra, Aragon & Catalonia: Origins
The Kingdom of Asturias (718-910)
The Kingdom of Asturias emerged in 718 when the Visigoths in Cantabria elected Pelayo as their king. They defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Covadonga in 722. The Asturian kings gradually expanded their territory: by 800, the kingdom stretched from Galicia to Álava. By the 10th century, Alfonso III occupied the Valley of Duero. The capital moved from Oviedo to León, and the region became the Kingdom of León.
The Formation of Navarra, Aragon, and Catalonia
The Pyrenees region formed the Spanish March (Marca Hispánica) within the Carolingian Empire. In the 9th century, the Carolingian Empire weakened, and three distinct regions emerged:
- Navarra: Established in the 9th century, it became the most powerful kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula under Sancho III of Navarra (by 1035), who annexed Aragon and Castile. The kingdom was divided after his death.
- Aragon and Catalonia: Initially independent counties, they united in 1137. This kingdom controlled the Ebro Valley. In the 13th century, Jaime I conquered Mallorca and Valencia, incorporating them into the Crown of Aragon.
In the 14th century, the kings of Aragon conquered territories in the Mediterranean Sea, such as Sardinia and Sicily.
Repopulation Strategies
Different repopulation strategies were employed:
- A) Repopulation by Town Council (concejos): Common between the Duero and Tajo rivers. Fortified towns were granted duties and privileges.
- B) Repopulation by Military Orders: Occurred between the Tajo and Sierra Morena (12th-13th centuries). Military Orders, such as Santiago, Calatrava, and San Juan, occupied these territories to defend the border against Muslims.
- C) Repopulation by Distribution: Took place in the Guadalquivir Valley (13th century). Territories were distributed as fiefs among nobles who participated in the conquest.
The Monarchy and the Courts
Kings gained more power, believed to be appointed by God. In Castile, power was centralized in the king’s hands. However, in Aragon, each kingdom maintained its own institutions, and the king relied on them. Consequently, the kings of Aragon had less power than their Castilian counterparts.
The Courts (Cortes) were assemblies representing the three estates: nobility, clergy, and commons. Castile had one assembly, while Aragon had four, one for each kingdom (Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, and Mallorca). These assemblies passed laws and approved taxes.
Mudejars and Cultural Influence
The Mudejars were Muslims who lived in Christian territory. They resided in quarters called “morerías” and primarily worked as craftsmen. The Iberian Peninsula was a melting pot of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish cultures.
Asturian and Mozarabic Art
- Asturian Art: (8th-10th centuries) Developed in the Kingdom of Asturias. Characterized by palaces and small churches with semicircular arches and barrel vaults. Example: Santa María del Naranco.
- Mozarabic Art: Developed in the 10th century in Christian-controlled areas. Features small buildings with wooden roofs and horseshoe arches.