The End of the Middle Ages

The Christian Kingdoms

FROM THE CALIPHATE TO THE KINGDOM OF GRANADA

In the 11th century conquered terrirories and modified their borders (toward the south).

In 1031 Al-Andalus was divided into Taifas (small Kingdoms) and the caliphate desappeared.

New group of Moors arrived from África to figth, the Almoravids and the Almohads, they reunirte the Taifa Kingdoms.

In 1212, the Battle of Navas de Tolosa took place, Navarre, Castile and Aragon defeated the Moorish troops.

King Ferdinand III and Alfonso X conquered all the Al-Andalus except the Kingdom of Granada.

THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE CHRISTIAN KINGDOMS

The Christian Kingdoms and counties won territory and became united.

In 1137, Petronila (heiress of Aragon) and Ramon Berenguer IV married and the Crown of Aragon created. The flirts King was Alfonso I.

The Kingdom of Portugal (years later) became independent from the Kingdom of Leon.

In 1230, Castile and Leon ( during the reign of Ferdinand II) formed the Crown of Castile.

The Kingdom of Navarre lost Its territorios to Castile and in the 13th century became ruled by French Kings.

THE CROWNS OF CASTILE AND ARAGON

In the 13th, 14th and 15th, the Crown of Castile and Aragon conquered territories and extended their borders.

James I, the Conqueror added the Balearic Islands and the taifa kingdom of Valencia to the Crown of Aragon. It was goberned by one king and It was its own political institutions.

Ferdinand III added Extremadura and almost the whole of Andalusia.

The Crown of Castile conquered the Canary Islands (for 100 years). It was ruled by a king and councillors.

In 1479, the Catholic Monarchs (Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II) married and united the two Crowns.

THE CONQUEST OF THE KINGDOM OF GRANADA

In the 15th century, at the end of the Middle Ages, the Christian Kingdoms conquered all the Peninsula.

Only one Moorish territory remained: The Nasrid Kingdom of Granada .

It was known for its buildings and culture.

The Granada rulers opposed having to pay taxes and having to help them in case of war.

Catholic Monarchs conquered the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada in 1492.

Life in the Christian Kingdoms

SOCIETY

There are two groups of people: the privileged and no-privileged.

PRIVILEGED were the noblemen and the clergy. They did not pay taxes. Noblemen lived in castles, owned great properties and were very rich. Clergy (monks and nuns) lived in monasteries and the priest and bishops who looked after the churches.

NO-PRIVILEGED had to pay taxes. They were pleasants, craftsmen and merchant. The pleasants formed the largest group. They lived in villages near the castles and cultivated the noblemen's land. Craftsmen and merchant lived in the cities.

THE CITIES AT THE END OF MIDDLE AGES

Medieval cities became important in the 12th century.

Characteristics: They were fortified, sorrounded by walls, gates closed at night, organised into districts. Narrow streets, houses made of wood, main square where merchants sold the products and a cathedral.

The main inhabitants were merchants and craftsmen( bakers, carpenters, dyers, weavers...). They formed associations called guilds (gremios) which controled the quality and the price of its products.

In some cities trade fairs were held once or twice a year, people from all over the world traded their products.

Universities were founded in the main cities (Salamanca, Palencia...)

ROMANESQUE AND GOTHIC ARTIn the Middle Ages there are two Styles:

ROMANESQUE: At the begining the buildings were not very tall, with thick walls and few and small windows. They were dark inside. The doors and Windows had round arches.

GOTHIC: In the 13th century, architects started to build cathedrals and palaces in this Style. They were tall with thinner walls, large doors and a lot of big Windows decorated with stained glass. The main arch was the pointed arch.