Medieval & 18th Century Spain: Culture, War, and Reforms
Medieval Spain: A Tapestry of Cultures
4.4. Cultural Diversity: Christians, Muslims, and Jews
In medieval Spain, three major religions and cultures coexisted: Christian, Jewish, and Muslim.
Early Medieval Culture (8th-10th Centuries)
Islamic culture was more open to knowledge than the Christian Church, which focused on biblical commentaries and the study of church fathers. Major monasteries served as centers of learning, including:
- San Millán de la Cogolla (La Rioja)
- Silos (Burgos)
- Ripoll (Lleida)
- San Juan de la Peña (Huesca)
These monasteries housed libraries and scriptoria where monks copied books and taught the trivium and quadrivium. Eastern monasteries also translated Arabic works into Latin.
High Medieval Culture (11th-13th Centuries)
French cultural influences, including Romanesque art and epics, arrived via the Way of St. James. While Latin remained the written language of the educated, Romance languages were spoken. Monastic and cathedral schools gave rise to two literary styles:
- Mester de Clerecía: Formal, religious poetry (e.g., Gonzalo de Berceo’s Miracles of Our Lady).
- Mester de Juglaría: Less formal, narrative poetry (e.g., the Poem of the Cid).
The School of Translators of Toledo flourished, and universities were established in Palencia (1212) and Salamanca (1218), expanding academic disciplines.
Late Medieval Culture (13th-15th Centuries)
While Muslim cultural influence waned, Hebrew Bible studies continued. Castilian literature thrived, and Galician lyric poetry emerged, including cantigas de amigo and cantigas de amor. Alfonso X made Castilian the official language and established a second School of Translators in Toledo. New universities opened in Lérida (1300) and Barcelona (1410), and Castilian replaced Galician as the dominant poetic language.
18th Century Spain: The Bourbon Reforms
The War of Succession and the Treaty of Utrecht
Following the death of Charles II, Philip of Anjou (Philip V) inherited the Spanish throne, triggering the War of Succession. Britain and the Netherlands supported the Austrian candidate, Archduke Charles, fearing French hegemony. Philip V’s victories at Almansa, Brihuega, and Villaviciosa, coupled with Archduke Charles inheriting the German Empire, led to the Treaty of Utrecht (1713).
The treaty recognized Philip V as King of Spain but forbade his claim to the French throne. Territories passed to Austria, Savoy, and England (Gibraltar, Minorca, and trading privileges). The treaty marked the beginning of British hegemony.
The Eighteenth-Century Dynastic Change: Internal Reforms
The Bourbon dynasty implemented significant reforms under Philip V (1700-1746), centralizing power and creating a more efficient state. Key changes included:
- The Nueva Planta Decrees (1707-1716): Abolition of Aragonese privileges and institutions (except in the Basque provinces and Navarre).
- New Territorial Administration: Provinces governed by capitanes generales, royal courts handling judicial matters, and corregidores managing economic affairs.
- Central Government Reform: Abolition of councils (except Castile), establishment of secretariats (precursors to ministries), and the creation of the Supreme Council of State.
- Regalist Policies: Increased royal control over the Church, including the expulsion of the Jesuits under Charles III in 1767.
- Tax Reform Attempts: Efforts to unify and rationalize the tax system, including the creation of the Cadastre (property census).
These reforms aimed to consolidate absolute monarchy and strengthen the Crown’s power.