Unit 4 (part 2): The Creation of the Christian Kingdoms

1. Unit 4:Feudalism
Part2
Feudalism inthe IberianPeninsula:
The creation of the Christian
Kingdoms
(8th – 11th c)

3. Introduction (extra inf.)
These new actors
were the Christian
Kingdoms of the
north.
Sanctuary of
Covadonga, Asturias
Since 722 and the battle of Covadonga we
observe the entrance of new actors in the
historical scenario.

4. Introduction (extra inf.)
The process of the ”Creation and
consolidation of Christian kingdoms” is a long
process that lasted eight centuries and it
included battles and confrontations but also
long periods of peace and exchange of ideas,
culture, vocabulary, marriages and diplomatic
alliances between the different cultures.

5. Don Pelayo leader of the “Astures” defeated
the Muslims in the battle of Covandonga in 722.
This date is considered the beginning of the
creation of the Christian Kingdoms.
1) Explain the origin of the Kingdom of Asturias

6. Extra inf:
The so-called battle of Covadonga was in fact a
skirmish (escaramuza), that is a fight between small
bodies or troops.
Don Pelayo was not a king but a local leader.
And the confrontation was not due to religious
reasons.

7. Extra inf:
The legend says that the Virgin of Covadonga
helped the Christians in the battle against the
Muslims. The Virgin caused the fall of some
rocks and thanks to this don Pelayo won the
battle.
The battle of Covadonga was not mentioned in
any Christian text till 883 (more than a century
later) and the description was a copy of a text
from the Bible.

8. Asturian Art – Arte Asturiano
Santa María del Naranco. 9th c.

9. San Miguel de Lillo, 9th c.

11. The kingdom of Asturias expanded its
territories. It controlled Galicia in the west,
the Duero valley in the South and the source
of Ebro river in the east.
The capital city was moved to Leon and the
kingdom of Asturias was renamed as kingdom
of Leon.
2) Explain the origin of the Kingdom of Leon

12. Castile was a county that was a vassal of the
kingdom of Leon. It was located in the east and
it defended Leon from the attacks of the
Muslims.
In the 10th century the count Fernán González
gained independence and Castile became
independent.
3) Explain the origin of the County of Castile

13. Charlemagne created the Hispanic Marches as
a defensive zone in order to protect the
Carolingian Empire from the attacks of the
Muslims.
4) “La Marca Hispánica”
Extra inf:
When Charlemagne died these territories are
going to gain independence.
This will be the origin of:
 Kingdom of Pamplona
 County of Aragon
 Catalan Counties

14. The count of Pamplona Iñigo Arista is going to
gain independence from the Franks after the
death of Charlemagne.
Under the rule of Sancho Garcés the Kingdom
of Pamplona will undergo a great expansion.
It controlled the territories of Castilla,
Pamplona, Aragón, Sobrarbe and Ribagorza.
5) Kingdom of Pamplona

15. Extra inf:
After the death of Sancho III, el Mayor the
territories will be divided among his heirs as
follows:

16. Bermudo III
(Rey de León)
Sancho
(Rey de Castilla)
(Hermano de
Sancha, casada
con Fernando I)
Alfonso VI
(Rey de León)
García
(Rey de Galicia)
Urraca Elvira

17. In the 9th century it gained independence from the
Franks. (It was a county in that moment).
The first king of Aragon was Ramiro I, an illegitimate
son of Sancho III of Pamplona.
6) County of Aragón
Extra inf:
When his half-brother Gonzalo died Ramiro I inherited
the counties of Sobrarbe and Ribagorza.

18. Monastery of San Juan de la Peña in Aragon.
(Mausoleum of the Royal family till 12th century)

19. The Catalan Counties were unified by Wilfred the
Hairy, count of Barcelona, in the 9th century.
Borrell II will gain independence from the Franks in
the 10th century.
7) Catalan Counties
Extra inf: After the destruction of Barcelona by the
armies of Almanzor Borrell tried to look for protection
from the Franks. As they didn’t protect Barcelona
Borrell didn’t accept the obedience to the Franks.

20. Attack of Barcelona by Almanzor
(1st July, 985)

21. In this period the territories were occupied by
the system of “presura” or “aprisio”.
Peasants occupied the territories and the kings
granted them the possession of these
territories in exchange of obedience.
8) How were the new territories occupied?
Extra inf:
The “Carta Puebla” was similar, but the concession was
for a group of people.