Castile and Aragon: History, Government, Economy & Culture
The Crown of Castile
Castile and Leon joined and separated several times. In 1230, the final union occurred when Ferdinand III united the two kingdoms and founded the Crown of Castile. This crown emerged as the most powerful. In 1085, Alfonso VI took Toledo. King Ferdinand III and Alfonso X conquered most of Andalusia. In the twelfth century, Castile suffered the loss of Portugal, which became independent.
Government
The Crown of Castile was a single state with the same institutions and the same law. The Castilian king enjoyed more powers than the other kings of the Iberian Peninsula. The Castilian Cortes legislated and could accept or deny new taxes demanded by the king.
Economy and Society
The economy was based on agriculture and livestock farming. Livestock farming depended essentially on the breeding of Merino sheep, whose wool was exported to other countries. The flocks were migratory and traveled on a road network called cañadas. Farmers met in assemblies called Mestas. In 1273, King Alfonso X recognized the Mesta and gave livestock privileges that allowed them to graze on land for sale by farmers. The wool and cloth made from it caused crafts and trade to develop significantly.
Cultural Splendor
Castile has very interesting examples of the Romanesque style, such as the churches in San Martín de Frómista, Palencia. Additionally, there were fabulous Gothic buildings like the cathedrals of León, Burgos, and Toledo, built in the twelfth century.
Military Orders
Christians formed military orders, creating warrior monks whose function was to conquer and defend territories. The orders of Calatrava, Santiago, and Alcantara were the largest in Castile, and Montesa was prominent in Aragon.
The Crown of Aragon
The Crown of Aragon was created in the twelfth century after the marriage of Dona Petronilla and Count of Barcelona Ramon Berenguer IV in 1137. The Crown of Aragon had less expansion in the Iberian Peninsula than the Crown of Castile. Alfonso the Battler conquered lands in the valley of the Ebro. In the thirteenth century, James I the Conqueror took Valencia, Alicante, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands. In the thirteenth century, expansion in the Mediterranean was very important; Peter the Great and his successors conquered Sicily, Sardinia, and Naples.
Government
The Crown of Aragon was composed of the Catalan counties and kingdoms of Aragon, Valencia, and Mallorca. Each territory maintained its own institutions and customs. The power of the King of Aragon was lower than that of the Castilian kings. The king could not establish new taxes and new laws without the approval of the courts of each kingdom.
Economy and Society
The majority of the population lived on farms. The Crown of Aragon maintained fluid trade contacts with many countries. Catalan, Valencian, and Mallorcan merchants had offices or consulates in many cities. In large cities, magistrates, the consuls of the sea, were created.
Cultural Splendor
The Romanesque style appeared early, with examples such as small churches like San Clemente de Taüll. The Gothic style had a large development, with examples such as the church of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona and the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca. Numerous civilian buildings were also built, like the exchanges in Valencia and Palma. In painting, the works of brothers Pere and Jaume Serra were highlighted.
Mudejar Art
In the twelfth century, a new artistic style called Mudéjar emerged in the powerful city of Sahagún. The name comes from the groups of Muslim masons who were hired to build several Christian churches. It was characterized by using mud brick as a construction material.