Al-Andalus: Islamic Rule and Medieval Iberian Kingdoms

The History of Al-Andalus (711–1492)

Al-Andalus was the Muslim state established in the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century. Its borders and government changed significantly over the centuries, primarily due to internal disputes between different groups.

The Conquest of the Iberian Peninsula (711–718)

In 711, a small Muslim group led by Tariq crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated the Visigoths at the Battle of Guadalete. The Visigothic Kingdom was suffering an economic crisis, which facilitated the advance of subsequent Muslim armies. By 722, they controlled almost all the peninsula except a narrow strip in the north where the Hispano-Visigoths took refuge.

After conquering Hispania, the Umayyad Caliph of Damascus established the Emirate of Al-Andalus, with its capital in Córdoba, ruled by an Emir.

The Independent Umayyad Emirate (756–929)

In the mid-8th century, the Abbasid dynasty from Baghdad took control of the Islamic Empire. Abd al-Rahman I, the last surviving member of the Umayyad clan, fled to Al-Andalus, proclaimed himself an independent emir, and founded the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba (756–929).

The Golden Age: Umayyad Caliphate (929–1031)

To consolidate power and impose authority over rivals, Abd al-Rahman III named himself Caliph and proclaimed independence. The Caliphate of Córdoba experienced an economic, cultural, and scientific golden age, and Córdoba became Europe's most populated city.

The Division into Taifa Kingdoms (1031–1238)

In 1031, the Muslim aristocracy divided Al-Andalus into over 25 independent kingdoms, known as Taifas, each centered around a major city. To prevent Christian conquest, two North African Muslim groups arrived on the peninsula and took control of most Taifas:

• The Almoravids (arrived 1086)
• The Almohads (arrived 1147)

This period of fragmentation ended with the decisive Muslim defeat in the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212).

The Nasrid Kingdom of Granada (1238–1492)

The last Muslim enclave was the Kingdom of Granada, founded in 1238 by the Nasrid dynasty. In the late 15th century, Boabdil, the last Nasrid king, surrendered Granada in 1492, ending almost 800 years of Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula.

Medieval Iberian Political Institutions

The Monarchy of Castile

Castile was the most powerful monarchy due to several factors:

• Legal unification (e.g., Las Partidas of Alfonso X).
• An increase in the number of mercenary soldiers.
• The creation of centralized institutions such as the Royal Council, Court of Justice, and Chancellery.

The Cortes: Consultative Bodies

The Cortes were the main consultative bodies. They had representatives from the nobility, clergy, and cities. They were created when the monarchs allowed city representatives into the Curia, an assembly of nobles and clergy.

The Cortes of León were established first (1188), followed by the Cortes of Castile (1250). Their primary function was to pass laws proposed by the monarch and manage the monarchy's demand for new taxes.

Municipalities and Local Governance

Municipalities were governed by concejos (councils).

Key Vocabulary (Unit 4)

Sins:

Transgressions against the law.

Charity:

Voluntary offer to help.

Shortage:

Not having sufficient quantity.

Sheared:

To have the wool cut off.

Oath:

A formal promise.

Dagger:

A knife used as a weapon.

Patch:

A piece of cloth attached to clothing.