Christian Kingdoms in Spain: Regional Development & Expansion

Christian Kingdoms: Regional Development

Upon the death of Sancho el Mayor of Pamplona, his son Fernando I received and took the title of King of Castile and León, defeating Bermuda III, the monarch of Tamara, and annexing their domains. After facing his brother García de Pamplona, he occupied territories in western Vizcaya and Álava.

From the 11th century, the progress of the northern kingdoms to the south intensified. The border of the Duero was overcome, and the troops of Fernando I conquered Coimbra. Pilgrimages through the Camino de Santiago introduced lifestyles and cultural manifestations from beyond the Pyrenees.

Division and Consolidation of Power

Fernando I's will divided his dominions between his sons: Alfonso VI received León, Sancho II, Castile, and García, Galicia. After a period of struggles, Alfonso VI was proclaimed King of Castile and León. This was a significant step in the conquest of new territories, especially Toledo in 1085. This achievement prompted the entry of the Almoravids to prevent the fall of al-Andalus into Christian hands. Alfonso VI was defeated by the Almoravids at the Battle of Sagrajas, but Toledo was not recovered during his reign. New influences entered, such as the use of the Gregorian rite in the liturgy.

Progress in Castile and León between the Duero and the Tagus favored a new model of repopulation called *Concejil* repopulation. This involved a broad term, a charter city, and municipal tax exemptions, along with collected economic and judicial privileges. In these cities, northern Christians, Basques, Mozarabs, and Franks settled, dedicating themselves to cattle and land development. Municipal councils formed militias.

The Rise of Portugal and Aragon

Upon the death of Alfonso VI of Castile, his daughter Urraca I inherited the crown. Her daughter, Teresa, married Henry of Lorraine and received the county of Portugal.

Alfonso VII (1126-1157), son of Urraca, took the title of emperor over the other Christian princes. He could not prevent the consolidation of the Kingdom of Portugal and the birth of the Crown of Aragon after the marriage of Count Ramon Berenguer IV of Barcelona and Princess Petronilla of Aragon. He seized upon the Almoravid decline in the southern sub-plateau. Repopulation of these lands took place through military orders.

Upon the death of Alfonso VII, Castile and León were separated. This coincided with the arrival of the Almohads. Alfonso VIII of Castile was defeated at the Battle of Alarcos. The Christian kings formed an alliance, and the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa marked the end of North African domain over al-Andalus.

The Eastern Cores: Aragon's Expansion

The county and kingdom of Aragon passed to Ramiro I, son of Sancho III el Mayor, who, upon dying, seized Sobrarbe and Ribagorza from Gonzalo. His successor, Sancho Ramírez, annexed Pamplona in 1074 and stimulated trade along the route to Santiago and the Aragonese dominions.

Territorial Gains and the Crown of Aragon

The major territorial gains of Aragon took place under the reign of Alfonso I, the Battler (1104-1134), who conquered much of the Ebro Valley, including Zaragoza. When he died, he left his domains to military orders. However, the local nobles appointed his brother Ramiro II as king, separating from García Ramírez, who was proclaimed king in Pamplona.

Ramiro II, the Monk (1134-1137), agreed to the marriage of his daughter Petronilla with Count Ramon Berenguer IV, giving rise to the Crown of Aragon.

Alfonso II (1162-1196), the first sovereign of the Crown of Aragon, reached Teruel. He and Alfonso VIII of Castile signed the Treaty of Cazorla. Peter II fought at Las Navas de Tolosa and intervened to help his Albigensian subjects in southern France. Peter II died after being excommunicated. In southern Catalonia, repopulation of cities and towns in the Ebro Valley and southern Aragon involved frequent capitulations and the establishment of councils with broad exemptions and *alfoces*.