Visigothic Kingdom: Institutions, Culture & Land Occupation
The Barbarian Invasions: The Visigoths
Institutions and Culture
The Roman Empire began to decline in the 3rd century AD. It experienced a severe crisis due to weakened economic, political, and military institutions. Barbarian tribes took advantage of this situation to penetrate Roman territories and seize their wealth.
The Visigoths were significant. They arrived on the Iberian Peninsula in 416 as foederati to expel the Suebi, Vandals, and Alans. They remained until 711. After the fall of the Roman Empire (476) and their defeat by the Franks at Vouillé (507), they established a Visigothic kingdom on the peninsula, with its capital in Toledo. Key events and figures include:
- Leovigild: Conquered the Suebian kingdom.
- Recared: Achieved religious unification by converting to Catholicism at the Third Council of Toledo.
- Recceswinth: Unified Visigothic and Roman laws.
Following a political crisis caused by struggles between families vying for the throne (notably between Witiza and Don Rodrigo), the Visigothic kingdom emerged as the first independent and unified political state on the peninsula. However, the monarchy was weak due to its elective nature. Key institutions included:
- The Aula Regia: A consultative assembly composed of the nobility and associates of the king.
- The Officium Palatinum: The core of the Aula Regia, composed of individuals trusted by the king.
- The Councils of Toledo: Initially religious assemblies, they later took on political roles, comprising the King, members of the Church, and the nobility.
The Church was the dominant force in Visigothic culture. Latin was adopted as the official language. The leading intellectual figure was Saint Isidore of Seville, whose work, Etymologies, is considered the first Christian encyclopedia. Visigothic architecture was the most advanced of its time. They were also skilled goldsmiths, known for their votive crowns (crowns offered by kings to the church upon their coronation).
Forms of Land Occupation and Property Structure
Repopulation and land occupation involved the arrival of new settlers and the administrative organization of these territories, carried out by the king with the aid of nobles and the Church. Land was occupied through:
- Aprisio or escalio: Land was given to the first person to cultivate it. This could be done by the king (or a count on his behalf), a cleric, or a monk.
The new kingdoms were undergoing a process of feudalization. In this model, the king or a nobleman (lord) granted a fief (land) to a vassal. The fief became known as a dominion. In return, the vassal swore an oath of fidelity to his lord and was obligated to provide assistance, especially military support. There were also free farmers who surrendered their land to a noble in exchange for protection from the existing insecurity.
In the cities of the Ebro Valley, other methods were used:
- Privileges granted for the repopulation of a territory (carta puebla).
- Repartimientos (distributions of houses or land donations made by the king).
- Local jurisdictions with special laws (fueros).
In the southern territories, the great colonizers were the bishoprics of the area and the four military orders: Santiago, Alcántara, Calatrava, and Montesa (the last one was specific to the Kingdom of Valencia, not mentioned in the original text, but added for accuracy).
In the Levante, the most common method was the repartimiento: houses and plots of land were allocated, often including the attached Muslim population (the Mudéjars, who were allowed to remain in the Christian kingdoms).