Middle Ages in the Iberian Peninsula: A Historical and Social Overview

Posted on Oct 9, 2024 in Latin

The Middle Ages in the Iberian Peninsula

Historical Context

The Middle Ages, a period spanning from the 5th to the late 15th century, significantly shaped Western culture. In the Iberian Peninsula, this era commenced with barbarian invasions that supplanted Roman rule. The Visigoths eventually dominated the territory, imposing their laws and customs. A key figure of Visigothic culture is Saint Isidore of Seville, renowned for his work Etymologies.

In the 8th century, Arab invasions forced Christians to seek refuge in the northern mountainous regions, leading to pockets of resistance and the beginning of the Reconquista. This complex period, culminating in the late 15th century, involved several stages:

8th-9th Centuries

  • Following the legendary Battle of Covadonga, a small kingdom emerged with Oviedo as its capital. Its monarchs, proclaiming themselves heirs to the Visigothic kingdom, expanded their borders.
  • The Visigothic or Mozarabic rite was practiced.
  • Latin remained the language of culture, while Romance languages were spoken by the populace.
  • Romanesque art flourished.

10th-11th Centuries

  • This period saw expansion and the creation of new kingdoms.
  • From the 11th century, the Camino de Santiago gained prominence, introducing French epics and lyrical trends that influenced Castilian epic and Galician lyric poetry.
  • Numerous Romanesque monuments were erected along the Camino.
  • Kings supported the establishment of Benedictine monasteries.
  • The Cluniac reform introduced the Roman or Gregorian rite, replacing the Mozarabic rite.
  • While literature was primarily written in Latin, literary works in Romance languages began to emerge.

12th-13th Centuries

  • In 1212, Christian kingdoms united to defeat the Almohad invasion.
  • King Fernando III declared Castilian the official language of administration.
  • The School of Translators brought together intellectuals from three religions, translating scientific, philosophical, and literary works into Latin and Castilian.
  • Mendicant orders emerged to defend the Catholic faith.
  • Monasteries continued as centers of cultural diffusion.
  • Gothic art emerged.
  • The first universities were established.
  • Gonzalo de Berceo composed his verses in the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla.

14th Century

  • Castile experienced a depression due to plagues and famines.
  • The bourgeoisie began to establish itself as an influential social class.
  • Nobility increased their power and wealth.
  • Scholastic doctrine prevailed philosophically.
  • The Church was affected by the Western Schism and moral laxity among the clergy.
  • Works of Don Juan Manuel and the Archpriest of Hita gained recognition.

15th Century

  • Noble dominance continued, with nobles maintaining or increasing their privileges and the ideal of chivalry.
  • The accession of Henry IV of Castile led to internal conflict.
  • The reign of Isabel of Castile and her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon ushered in an era of peace and expansion.
  • The Church focused on theological problems and internal division.
  • Courtesan poetry emerged.
  • Political, diplomatic, and military ties with Italy strengthened, introducing Renaissance influences that clashed with existing worldviews, culminating in La Celestina.
  • The invention of printing accelerated the spread of Humanism.

Social Context

Feudalism was the predominant social system during the Middle Ages. Society was divided into three classes: nobility, clergy, and commoners.

  • The nobility held military, political, and economic power. Many late medieval authors, such as Don Juan Manuel and the Marquis de Santillana, belonged to the nobility.
  • The clergy, dedicated to the Church, played a crucial role in preserving classical works and fostering cultural developments, including epic and troubadour poetry.
  • The commoners, primarily engaged in agriculture, lived in poverty and served their masters. They occasionally staged protests. Gradually, they migrated to cities, seeking freedom and opportunities in trade. This led to the growth of cities and the emergence of the bourgeoisie.
  • Christians, Muslims, and Jews coexisted for an extended period.

Medieval Literature

While Latin was the language of the educated, Romance languages were used for oral communication. Most Castilian texts originated in folk literature and oral tradition. In the 13th century, authors began writing in various vernaculars, contributing to the development of Castilian literature.

Castilian literature.