Medieval Christian Kingdoms: Land Use & Social Structure
Christian Kingdoms in the Middle Ages: Land & Society
The introduction of the feudal system coincided with the restocking process. In the Asturian kingdom, a warrior nobility emerged, seizing the best lands, reinforced by the arrival of Mozarabs from the south.
The Douro Valley, sparsely populated due to border conflicts, saw Christian peasants colonizing the region, forming communities of free men. The Asturleonese kings sanctioned these occupations, asserting their authority.
In Castile, peasant warriors formed private companies, receiving special status and freedoms, such as choosing their lord. Other communities focused on livestock, able to mobilize against Muslim attacks.
The Ebro Valley experienced delayed feudalization. Dependent peasants worked large estates. In Catalonia, Franks promoted colonization, granting lands to military nobility for border defense, forcing Pyrenees farmers into servitude.
Colonization between Duero, Sierra Morena, and Southern Ebro:
In the 11th and 12th centuries, free cities (councils) dominated, claiming boundaries in populated areas with Muslim populations under feudal rule.
1. Repopulation between Duero and Tajo: The crown promoted colonization to control territory. Restocked cities received charters granting privileges and liberties to attract settlers. Villain knights defended and led battles, becoming an urban aristocracy. Artisans and peasants formed militias against Muslims.
Castile and Leon dominated the Tagus Valley after conquering Toledo. Muslims were allowed to settle in rural areas, but land and wealth were given to Christian settlers. Mudejar, Jewish, and Moorish populations gradually decreased.
2. Ebro Valley and Iberian System: Christians dominated after conquering Zaragoza. Mudejar farmers remained in agricultural areas under nobility control. Military orders controlled Christian peasants in Catalonia. Muslims migrated to cities.
3. La Mancha Region: Sparsely populated and less fertile, it was controlled by military orders. People worked the land for protection, accumulating around castles.
Southern Repopulation:
1. Southern Extremadura, Andalusia, and Murcia: Muslim populations fled to rural areas. Large lots were given to aristocracy and bishops, while farmers received small plots. Feudalization pressured Muslim farmers to surrender land.
2. Mallorca: Divided between James I, his militias, and the Order of the Temple, and the church and nobility. Ibiza and Menorca remained with the Catalan aristocracy. Valencia was peacefully ceded, allowing Muslims in rural areas. Inland areas were given to nobility, while the coast went to Catalans.
Artistic Manifestations
During the incorporation of Spanish kingdoms, significant artistic evolution occurred:
Asturian Art:
Santa Maria del Naranco is the most representative building. Characteristics include:
Architectural:
- Stone structures combining masonry and ashlar.
- Buttresses for height.
- Use of arches, sometimes stilted.
Sculptural:
- Limited decoration.
- Medallions in Santa Maria del Naranco.
- Reliefs, decorative ropes, garlands, and rosettes in San Miguel de Lillo.
Mozarabic Art:
10th-century style independent of migrations from al-Andalus. Features include Visigothic influence with Islamic art touches.
Architectural:
- Thick walls of various materials.
- Supportive walls with interior columns and pillars, without buttresses.
- Horseshoe arches and lobed corbels.
Romanesque Art:
Follows general European characteristics, related to the rural world and monasteries.
Architecture:
- Latin cross plan churches with thick walls, buttresses, and pillars.
- Round arches.
- Barrel and groin vaults.
Sculpture:
- Subordinated to architecture.
- Antinaturalistic, hieratic, and frontal techniques.
- Religious and secular themes.
Painting:
- Symbolic, schematic, and flat.
- Mural paintings decorating walls, vaults, and apses.
- Religious narrative and didactic themes.
- Miniature paintings in scrolls and codices.
Gothic Art:
From the late 12th century, related to urban renaissance and cathedrals.
Architecture:
- Stone buildings with numerous openings for lightness and verticality.
- Latin cross plan churches with aisles, ambulatory, pillars, struts, buttresses, and pinnacles.
- Pointed arches and ribbed vaults.
Sculpture:
- Greater naturalism and humanization.
- Located on building fronts.
- Religious and profane themes.
Painting:
- Naturalism and expression.
- Wood panels (altarpieces), frescoes, and miniatures.
- Rich color palette.
Mudejar Art:
Hispanic style with Islamic influences, in Romanesque and Gothic periods.
Characteristics:
- Use of poor materials with gypsum coating.
- Decoration with brick courses, lobed corbels.
- Arab decorative forms like sebka.
- Minaret-like towers.
- Romanesque Mudejar: Romanesque plant types, media, and decks.
- Gothic Mudejar: Use of pointed arches and vaults.