Medieval Spanish Society, Culture, and Art: 8th-14th Centuries

Medieval Spanish Society: 8th-14th Centuries

Social Structure

Society was based on estates and had a pyramidal structure. At the top was the king.

• Privileged Estates
  • Nobility:
    • High nobles or ricoshombres (counts, marquises, and dukes) lived from their lands.
    • Low nobility, infanzones: in service of a member of the high nobility.
  • Clergy: Bishops, abbots, and grand masters of military orders.
• Non-privileged Estates
  • Peasants: The largest group. They were either owners or coloni of the land they farmed. Coloni were dependent on a feudal lord.
  • Bourgeoisie: Became more important as the cities grew bigger.

The Coexistence of Three Cultures

In the Christian kingdoms, Christians, Mudejars, and Jews all lived together. There was peaceful coexistence for a large part of the Middle Ages. In the 14th century, the Christians started to persecute the Jews. The Jews were envied because they held high positions in the administration. When the Black Death began to spread in the 14th century, the Jews were accused of causing it. They were persecuted in all the Christian kingdoms. In 1396, the Jewish quarters of Toledo, Sevilla, Cordoba, and Valencia were attacked.

Culture in Medieval Spain

Ancient culture spread through the Toledo School of Translators. In the 11th century, the first texts in a Romance language appeared. Universities were founded in Palencia, Salamanca, and Valladolid.

Art and Architecture in Medieval Spain

Asturian Art (8th-10th Centuries)

Architecture featured semicircular arches, barrel vaults, and buttresses.

Mozarabic Art (10th Century)

Architecture featured the horseshoe arch. The main buildings were churches. Beatos were manuscripts decorated with colored miniatures.

Romanesque Art (Along the Camino de Santiago)

• Architecture: Significant buildings along the Camino de Santiago. Santiago Cathedral is a typical example of a pilgrimage church with a Latin-cross plan, transept, ambulatory, and gallery.
• Sculpture: The most representative work is the Portico de la Gloria.
• Painting: Paintings in the church of San Clemente de Taull.

Gothic Art

• Architecture: Cathedrals of Burgos, Leon, and Toledo. Gothic secular architecture was important in the Crown of Aragon, such as the Lonja of Valencia.
• Sculpture: Some outstanding sculptures are found on the doorways of Burgos Cathedral. Funerary sculptures, such as royal tombs, were also prominent.
• Painting: Painted miniatures and altar pieces were created.