Medieval Kingdoms: Castilla y León and the Crown of Aragon
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Kingdoms of Castilla and León
The kingdoms of Castilla and León were unified by Ferdinand III. In the 11th century it expanded to Toledo under Alfonso III. In the 12th century it extended to Cuenca, and in the 13th century it reached Córdoba under Ferdinand III and Sevilla under Alfonso X and the Cádiz taifa. Only one taifa remained: the kingdom of Granada. It is called a kingdom because people from surrounding areas fled to this taifa, so it grew larger and larger until it became a kingdom.
Key territorial expansions
- 11th century: expansion to Toledo (Alfonso III)
- 12th century: expansion to Cuenca
- 13th century: extension to Córdoba (Ferdinand III)
- 13th century: conquest of Sevilla (Alfonso X) and the Cádiz taifa
- Surviving taifa: Granada — population movement increased its size until it became a kingdom
Crown of Aragon
Crown of Aragon: Between the 11th and 12th centuries, Alfonso I conquered important territories around the Ebro Valley, such as the taifa of Zaragoza. In the 12th century the Catalan counties and the Crown of Aragon were unified after the marriage of Petronilla and Ramón Berenguer III; their marriage was one of the most important of that century.
Notable events in Aragon
- Alfonso I's conquests around the Ebro Valley (including Zaragoza)
- 12th-century unification of Catalan counties with the Crown of Aragon
- Marriage of Petronilla and Ramón Berenguer III — a key political union
Institutions: Curia, Courts, Councils
Institutions: Curia, Courts (Cortes) — both operated within the feudal political system, and power was limited by the lords.
Castilla: Castilla had more centralized power than Aragon because Aragon consisted of several kingdoms while Castilla functioned as a unitary kingdom. Origin: 12th century.
Aragon: Aragon imposed a system based on pacts. Origin: 13th century.
Roles and evolution of institutions
- Curia: People who helped the king in his decisions; the Curia was one of the oldest institutions.
- Cortes (Courts): Included a rising social group (the bourgeoisie) in Castilla and Aragon.
- Councils: Originated from the Curia Regia and were intended to replace the Curia; initially made up of many people, but over time only a few held power.
Repeated passage (original text reproduced)
KINGDOMS OF CASTILLA AND LEON: the kingdoms of Castilla and León were unified by Ferdinand III. In the 11th century it expanded to Toledo by Alfonso III. In the 12th century to Cuenca and in the 13th century was extended to Córdoba by Ferdinand III, and to Sevilla by Alfonso X and the Cádiz taifa. Only one taifa was left, the kingdom of Granada. It is called a kingdom because people who were around it escaped and went to this taifa so it became bigger and bigger, until it was a kingdom.
CROWN OF ARAGON: Between the 11th and 12th centuries, Alfonso I conquered important territories around the Ebro Valley like the taifa of Zaragoza. In the 12th century the Catalan counties and the Crown of Aragon unified after the marriage of Petronilla and Ramón Berenguer III and their marriage was one of the most important in that century.