Medieval Spain Glossary
F
Fernando Catholic I
King of Aragon (1479-1516) and King of Castile (1474-1504), married Elizabeth I of Castile.
Flamboyant
A period in Gothic architecture characterized by slenderness, multiplied ornamental elements, and complex vaults.
Fifth Real
A tax on the extraction of precious metals, a portion of which was reserved for the Castilian crown.
G
Gadir
The first Phoenician colony established in Spain.
Gil de Silo
Author of the tombs of the Charterhouse of Miraflores in Burgos.
Gothic
Architectural style characterized by the pointed arch, evolving from Romanesque.
H
Homo Antecessor
Hominid species whose remains were found in Atapuerca, Burgos. They walked upright.
Homo Heidelbergensis
Hominid species that arose over 500,000 years ago and lasted until at least 250,000 years ago. They were tall, strong individuals with large skulls and protruding jaws.
Homo Neanderthalensis
Strong hominids with large, low skulls. They practiced ritual cannibalism and became extinct due to climate change and competition with Cro-Magnons.
I
Iberian Falcata
A double-edged sword made by Iberian peoples.
Indigenas
The original population inhabiting a territory.
International Style
Realistic style in altarpieces, exemplified by the works of Borrasá and Martorell in Catalonia and the Altarpiece of Bonifacio Ferrer in Valencia.
Irmandiños
Galician peasant revolt in the 15th century.
J
Jewish Quarter
District where Jews were forced to live by law.
Juana la Beltraneja
Legitimate daughter of Henry IV of Castile, who was dethroned.
Jurisdiction
Freedoms granted to inhabitants to defend their own interests.
Juzgo Jurisdiction
Foundation of medieval law, mixing elements of Roman and Germanic law.
L
Laws of Burgos
First laws applied in America to organize the conquest, prohibiting slavery.
Lusitano
From Lusitania, an ancient Roman province in Hispania.
M
Mayorazgos
Lands linked to the firstborn, forming a noble heritage that could not be sold.
Megalith
Historical monument built with one or more large stone slabs.
Mestas
Medieval guild that brought together livestock herders practicing transhumance.
Mestizo
Descendants of European and Native American parents.
Mita
Forced indigenous labor, where communities were obligated to provide workers.
Monopoly
Legal privilege granting exclusive control over a product in the market.
Mozarabic
Hispanic Christians who retained their religion under Muslim rule.
Mudéjares
Muslims living in Christian territory who were allowed to maintain their religion.
Muladíes
Social class formed by Hispanics who converted to Islam.
Mulatto
Descendants of European and African parents.
Masos Ronecs
Abandoned farmhouses in Catalonia due to a decrease in the peasant population.
Misuse
Increased taxes and tightening of feudal obligations imposed on peasants by feudal lords.
N
Navas de Tolosa
Battle in 1212 where the Castilians defeated the Almohads.
Navetas
Burial enclosures shaped like an inverted ship.
New Laws of the Indies
Laws that sought to improve the living conditions of indigenous people in Spanish America.
O
Ordos
Social classes ranked by their wealth.
Military Orders
Organizations of noble soldiers who participated in the conquest of Al-Andalus.
P
Peter the Cruel
King of Castile (1350-1369) who opposed the nobility, leading to a civil war that ended with the coronation of Henry II.
Parias
Payments of gold and precious metals made by kings to stop enemy advances.
Plebeians
The majority of the population, consisting of propertyless laborers and peasants.
Q
Quickness
Model of stocking used by men during the first half of the Reconquista.
R
Regulus
Small states present in the Iberian aristocracy.
Romanization
Process of implementing Roman organizational forms and spreading Roman culture, religion, and customs.
Romano
Artistic style that developed in Western Europe from the 2nd to the late 13th centuries.
S
Servants
Peasants subject to the feudal regime in the Middle Ages.
T
Taifa Kingdoms
Parts of Al-Andalus that broke away during the decline of the Caliphate of Córdoba.
Talayots
Towers that flanked the walls of settlements.
Tartessos
Town between Seville and Cadiz, known for its advanced civilization and wealth.
Taulas
Stone tables found in Talayotic settlements, with an uncertain function.
Tetrarchy
Government of four, dividing the Roman Empire into four parts ruled by two Augusti and two Caesars.
The Black Death
Pandemic that struck Europe in the 14th century, causing the death of a third of the population.
Treaty of Tordesillas
Treaty signed in 1494, granting Brazil to Portugal.
U
Usages
Commitment to respect the laws and customs of a country before assuming the crown in the Crown of Aragon.
V
Vandals
Ancient Germanic people who invaded the Roman Empire and established a kingdom in North Africa.
Verraco
Celtic sculpture of a bull or boar, worshipped as a divine protector of cattle.
Viceroy
Representative of the monarchs who exercised full royal authority.
Viceroyalty of New Spain
Colonial administrative division encompassing Central America and the Caribbean.
Viceroyalty of Peru
Colonial administrative division encompassing South America down to Patagonia.
Viriato
Lusitanian chieftain who rebelled against Rome.
Visigoths
Western Goths who settled along the Danube and adopted Latin, Christianity, and Roman military service.
Vitizanos
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Viceroy: representative of the monarchs who exercised royal authority fully
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