Medieval Iberian Peninsula: Al-Andalus and Christian Kingdoms

Posted on Jun 24, 2025 in History

The Iberian Peninsula: From Visigoths to Christian Kingdoms

The Muslim Conquest and Al-Andalus (8th Century)

  • Lieutenant of Musa ibn Nusayr: Tariq ibn Ziyad led the initial Muslim forces.
  • Muslim Arrival in the Iberian Peninsula: The year 711 marked the beginning of the Muslim conquest.
  • Causes of Rapid Muslim Conquest:
    • Superiority of Muslim military tactics and organization.
    • Internal conflicts and divisions within the Visigothic Kingdom.
    • Support from Jewish communities and some Visigothic nobles, who surrendered in exchange for maintaining their property and religious freedom.
  • Battle of Covadonga: The Asturians achieved a significant victory against the Muslims, marking an early point of Christian resistance.
  • Battle of Poitiers (732 AD): The Franks, led by Charles Martel, defeated the Muslims, halting their advance into Western Europe.
  • Al-Andalus: This was the name given to the territory occupied by Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula.

The Umayyad Emirate and Caliphate of Córdoba

  • Abd al-Rahman I: An Umayyad prince who fled the assassination of his family by the Abbasids, establishing the independent Emirate of Córdoba.
  • Challenges Faced by the Independent Emirate:
    • Northern Christian kingdoms captured Zamora.
    • The Franks conquered Barcelona and Girona, establishing the Hispanic March, a border province south of the Pyrenees.
    • Rebellions by Muladíes (converts to Islam) who felt discriminated against by the Arab minority.
  • Abd al-Rahman III: The emir who proclaimed himself caliph, elevating al-Andalus to the status of a Caliphate.
  • Almanzor: The powerful leader who effectively held power during the reign of Caliph Hisham II.
  • Administrative Divisions of Al-Andalus: The territory was divided into provinces known as Coras.
  • The Jassa: This term referred to the aristocracy of al-Andalus, including the emir’s or caliph’s family and the Arab conquerors.
  • Medina Azahara: A magnificent palace-fortress complex built in al-Andalus.
  • Extensions of the Great Mosque of Córdoba:
    • Abd al-Rahman I (785): Constructed the initial building.
    • Abd al-Rahman II (833): Extended the prayer hall.
    • Al-Hakam II (961): Further extended the prayer hall, adding significant architectural elements.
    • Almanzor (987): Made a lateral extension that effectively doubled the mosque’s size.

Christian Resistance and the Formation of Kingdoms

  • Pelayo: The Asturian leader credited with defeating the Muslims and halting their advance in the north, leading to the Battle of Covadonga.
  • Fernando I of León: The king who defeated Bermudo III of León, uniting the Kingdom of León and the County of Castile to form the Kingdom of Castile and León.
  • Bermudo III of León: The king of León defeated by Fernando I.
  • Creation of the Kingdom of Castile and León: This significant event occurred in 1037.
  • Battle of Roncesvalles: The Basques successfully asserted their independence from both Muslim and Frankish influence.
  • Pyrenean Resistance Groups: Three key groups emerged in the Pyrenean zone:
    1. The Kingdom of Pamplona (later Navarre)
    2. The County of Aragon
    3. The Catalan Counties
  • Ramiro I: Inherited the County of Aragon and established its independence.
  • Wifred the Hairy (Vifredo el Belloso): Unified all the Catalan counties under his rule.
  • Influence on Catalan Counties: The Catalan counties were initially under the influence of the Franks.

Pre-Romanesque Art in the Iberian Peninsula

  • Definition of Pre-Romanesque Art: Christian artistic expressions in the Iberian Peninsula before the advent of Romanesque art.
  • Types of Pre-Romanesque Art: This period includes two main styles:
    • Asturian Art
    • Mozarabic Art
  • Characteristics of Asturian Churches:
    • Use of humble materials.
    • Prominent use of semicircular arches.
    • Barrel vault ceilings.
    • Interior decoration featuring frescoes and robust sculptures.
  • Examples of Asturian Art:
    • Churches: San Julián de los Prados, San Miguel de Lillo, San Salvador de Valdediós.
    • Palaces: Santa María del Naranco.
  • Location of Mozarabic Art: Primarily found in the Duero River Valley.
  • Characteristics of Mozarabic Art:
    • Use of humble materials.
    • Strong Muslim influence, evident in horseshoe arches.
    • Ceilings often made of wood or barrel vaults.
  • Examples of Mozarabic Art:
    • San Miguel de Escalada (León)
    • San Baudelio de Berlanga (Soria)
    • San Cebrián de Mazote (Valladolid)