Reconquista: The Christian Conquest of Spain
Advance to the Douro Valley
In the early 10th century, during the reign of Alfonso III the Great, the Kingdom of León expanded into the Douro Valley. This period marked the peak of the Asturian kingdom’s territorial growth. Alfonso III’s military victories against a weakened Al-Andalus foreshadowed the kingdom’s southern expansion. By the end of the 9th century, the Douro Valley regions, including Coimbra, Zamora, and Toro, were reclaimed by the Christians. Upon Alfonso III’s death, his sons divided the kingdom, leading to the birth of the kingdoms of León and Asturias, and marking a turning point in the Reconquista.
The Division of Al-Andalus
The fragmentation of Al-Andalus into Taifa kingdoms aided the Christian advance.
Reaching the Tagus River
In 1085, under King Alfonso VI, León and Castile reached the Tagus River and captured Toledo. This strategic city, linking the Guadalquivir and Ebro valleys, was a significant loss for the Muslims. Fearing expulsion from the peninsula, the Taifa kings sought help from the Almoravids. The Almoravids entered the peninsula, defeated Alfonso VI at Sagrajas, and despite setbacks against Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (El Cid), unified Al-Andalus and posed a threat to Christian territories.
Aragon Conquers Zaragoza
In 1118, under King Alfonso I the Battler, Aragon captured Zaragoza from the Almoravids. In the following years, the unified kingdoms of Aragon and Catalonia secured the rest of the Ebro valley, including Tortosa.
Almoravid and Almohad Invasions
The 12th century saw the Reconquista hampered by the invasions of the Almoravids and Almohads.
The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa
Capitalizing on the Almohads’ struggles in North Africa, a combined Christian army from Castile, Navarre, and Aragon decisively defeated the Almohads at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212. This victory marked a turning point, signaling the beginning of the end for Islamic rule in the peninsula. The Catalans and Aragonese, united under James I the Conqueror, made rapid progress, capturing Palma de Mallorca in 1229 and later conquering Valencia. Meanwhile, under Ferdinand III, Castile and León conquered Extremadura and advanced into the Guadalquivir valley, eventually capturing Seville and Murcia.
Ferdinand III’s Conquests
Ferdinand III of Castile conquered the Guadalquivir River and a significant portion of Andalusia.
James I’s Conquests
James I conquered the kingdoms of Mallorca and Valencia, concluding the Aragonese Reconquista.
The Emirate of Granada
By the 13th century, the only remaining Muslim territory was the Emirate of Granada.
Organization of the Kingdoms
Royal Power
The kingdoms were ruled by monarchs with absolute power, encompassing legislative, executive, and judicial authority. Kings believed in the concept of patrimonialism, considering themselves absolute owners of their realms and entitled to divide them among their heirs.
The Curia Regia
The king’s advisors, including nobles and high-ranking clergy, formed the Curia Regia, an advisory council.
The Birth of the Cortes
The Cortes, representing the kingdom’s estates (nobility, clergy, and towns), first convened in León in 1188 under Alfonso IX. Summoned by the king, the Cortes primarily voted on financial aid to the crown. While the king considered their petitions for better governance, the Cortes had legislative power in Aragon but not in Castile. The Cortes evolved from the Curia Regia.
Administration of Justice
Justice was administered through trials and guided by Alfonso X the Wise’s Siete Partidas law code.
Resettlement and Social Organization
Repopulation Efforts
Conquest was followed by repopulation, particularly in the Douro region and the south.
Social Groups
- Christians: The dominant group, comprising nobility, high clergy, and peasants.
- Mudéjares: Primarily farmers in Aragon, and artisans and builders in Castile, where they lived in separate Moorish quarters outside city walls.
- Jews: Concentrated in cities like Barcelona and Toledo, working as artisans, traders, lenders, and physicians. They lived in Jewish quarters (aljamas) with their own religious and judicial authorities. Relations with Christians deteriorated, leading to forced identification with the sanbenito badge.
- Franks: Merchants and artisans from north of the Pyrenees, often associated with the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
Charters and Town Laws
Kings granted charters (fueros) and town laws to attract settlers, particularly along the Camino de Santiago. Charters like those of Jaca, Logroño, and Benavente served as models for other towns. Kings also promoted the repopulation of the Cantabrian coast, leading to the growth of cities like San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santander, and La Coruña.
Land Distribution
- Douro and Central System: After Toledo’s fall in 1085, the territory was divided into large districts with a central town or village and surrounding villages, forming communities like Salamanca, Ávila, and Segovia.
- Tagus Area: Repopulation involved expelling the Muslim population and incorporating Mozarabs. Large communities like Talavera and Madrid were established.
- Ebro Valley: In cities like Tudela, Zaragoza, and Tortosa, Christians received allotments within the city, forcing Muslims to the outskirts. Other towns, like Calatayud, followed charter models like Sepulveda’s.
- La Mancha and Teruel Mountains: Sparsely populated, repopulation was slow and often entrusted to military orders, leading to large estates for cattle ranching.
- Balearic Islands, Valencia, Murcia, and Guadalquivir Valley: Land was divided among warriors who participated in the Reconquista. Lack of settlers resulted in large landholdings in Andalusia and Extremadura.