Middle Ages: Muslim era and Reconquista Spain

the death of frankish leader roland defeated basque , muslim-muladi (banu qasi) alliance @ battle of roncevaux pass (778) originated kingdom of navarre led Íñigo arista.

in 8th century, of iberian peninsula conquered (711–718) largely moorish muslim armies north africa. these conquests part of expansion of umayyad caliphate. small area in mountainous north-west of peninsula managed resist initial invasion.

under islamic law, christians , jews given subordinate status of dhimmi. status permitted christians , jews practice religions people of book required pay special tax , had legal , social rights inferior of muslims.

catalan romanesque churches of vall de boí

conversion islam proceeded @ increasing pace. muladíes (muslims of ethnic iberian origin) believed have comprised majority of population of al-andalus end of 10th century.

the muslim community in iberian peninsula diverse , beset social tensions. berber people of north africa, had provided bulk of invading armies, clashed arab leadership middle east. on time, large moorish populations became established, in guadalquivir river valley, coastal plain of valencia, ebro river valley , (towards end of period) in mountainous region of granada.

hypostyle hall in great mosque of córdoba

córdoba, capital of caliphate since abd-ar-rahman iii, largest, richest , sophisticated city in western europe. mediterranean trade , cultural exchange flourished. muslims imported rich intellectual tradition middle east , north africa. important philosophers @ time averroes, ibn arabi , maimonides. romanised cultures of iberian peninsula interacted muslim , jewish cultures in complex ways, giving region distinctive culture. outside cities, vast majority lived, land ownership system roman times remained largely intact muslim leaders dispossessed landowners , introduction of new crops , techniques led expansion of agriculture introducing new produces came asia or former territories of roman empire

petronilla of aragon , ramon berenguer iv, count of barcelona, dynastic union of crown of aragon

in 11th century, muslim holdings fractured rival taifa kingdoms, allowing small christian states opportunity enlarge territories. arrival north africa of islamic ruling sects of almoravids , almohads restored unity upon muslim holdings, stricter, less tolerant application of islam, , saw revival in muslim fortunes. re-united islamic state experienced more century of successes partially reversed christian gains.

basilica of san isidoro, león

the reconquista (reconquest) centuries-long period in christian rule re-established on iberian peninsula. reconquista viewed beginning battle of covadonga won don pelayo in 722 , concurrent period of muslim rule on iberian peninsula. christian army s victory on muslim forces led creation of christian kingdom of asturias along northwestern coastal mountains. shortly after, in 739, muslim forces driven galicia, host 1 of medieval europe s holiest sites, santiago de compostela , incorporated new christian kingdom. kingdom of león strongest christian kingdom centuries. in 1188 first modern parliamentary session in europe held in león (cortes of león). kingdom of castile, formed leonese territory, successor strongest kingdom. kings , nobility fought power , influence in period. example of roman emperors influenced political objective of crown, while nobles benefited feudalism.

muslim armies had moved north of pyrenees defeated frankish forces @ battle of poitiers, frankia , pushed out of southernmost region of france along seacoast 760s. later, frankish forces established christian counties on southern side of pyrenees. these areas grow kingdoms of navarre , aragon. several centuries, fluctuating frontier between muslim , christian controlled areas of iberia along ebro , douro valleys.

the county of barcelona , kingdom of aragon entered in dynastic union , gained territory , power in mediterranean. in 1229 majorca conquered, valencia in 1238.

the almohads transferred capital of al-andalus seville.

the break-up of al-andalus competing taifa kingdoms helped long embattled iberian christian kingdoms gain initiative. capture of strategically central city of toledo in 1085 marked significant shift in balance of power in favour of christian kingdoms. following great muslim resurgence in 12th century, great moorish strongholds in south fell christian spain in 13th century—córdoba in 1236 , seville in 1248. in 13th , 14th centuries, marinid dynasty of morocco invaded , established enclaves on southern coast failed in attempt re-establish north african rule in iberia , driven out. after 800 years of muslim presence in spain, last nasrid sultanate of granada, tributary state surrender in 1492 catholic monarchs queen isabella of castile , king ferdinand ii of aragon.

alfonso x, pretendant of holy roman empire crown , king of crown of castile

from mid 13th century, literature , philosophy started flourish again in christian peninsular kingdoms, based on roman , gothic traditions. important philosopher time ramon llull. abraham cresques prominent jewish cartographer. roman law , institutions model legislators. king alfonso x of castile focused on strengthening roman , gothic past, , on linking iberian christian kingdoms rest of medieval european christendom. alfonso worked being elected emperor of holy roman empire , published siete partidas code. toledo school of translators name commonly describes group of scholars worked in city of toledo during 12th , 13th centuries, translate many of philosophical , scientific works classical arabic, ancient greek, , ancient hebrew. islamic transmission of classics main islamic contributions medieval europe. castilian language—more commonly known (especially later in history , @ present) spanish after becoming national language , lingua franca of spain—evolved vulgar latin, did other romance languages of spain catalan, asturian , galician languages, other romance languages in latin europe. basque, non-romance language in spain, continued evolving basque medieval. glosas emilianenses founded in monasteries of san millán de la cogolla contain first written words in both basque , spanish, having first become influence in formation of second evolution of latin.

alhambra. granada last taifa in peninsula.

the 13th century witnessed crown of aragon, centred in spain s north east, expand reach across islands in mediterranean, sicily , athens. around time universities of palencia (1212/1263) , salamanca (1218/1254) established. black death of 1348 , 1349 devastated spain.

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