Reconquista and Medieval Castile: Economy and Society

The Advance Southwards

The Kingdom of Leon occupied current Extremaduran lands by 1230. With the union of Castile and Leon, Ferdinand III gave a decisive boost to the Reconquista. Starting from the Guadalquivir River, they conquered Cordoba in 1236 and Seville in 1248. Alfonso X took Cadiz and Murcia. Portugal occupied Faro in 1249. By the 13th century, only the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada remained.

Repopulation of the Guadalquivir

A significant portion of the territories were distributed as large estates to the nobility, clergy, and military orders that had participated in the Reconquista. These individuals hailed from Leon, Castile, and the Basque Country.

Livestock

The foundation of the economy was the Merino breed of sheep, which produced abundant, high-quality wool destined for export.

Wool Routes

Textile cities exported to the Netherlands, particularly Bruges. Trade was concentrated in Burgos, and from there, it flowed to Basque and Cantabrian ports. In the 13th century, sailors from these regions formed the Brotherhood of the Navy of Castile.

The Power of the Nobility

Feudal lords possessed vast lands, and the export of wool was largely in their hands. Castile could not develop a strong bourgeoisie, which could have counterbalanced the power of the nobility.

Spanish Trade and the Mesta

The Mesta was a transhumance association responsible for regulating the transit of sheep along a few designated roads called cañadas (glens).

Wool was the primary export commodity of Spanish trade. The export of wool was greatly favored by the Hundred Years' War between France and England. Castile also traded olive oil in Europe and imported manufactured iron and high-quality cloth. Trade flourished with France, England, and Flanders.

Institutions of the Crown of Castile

The Kingdom of Castile was a unified state, with a single court system and a single law for the entire territory. The monarchy held broad powers, organized around the king's court. Counselors eventually formed the Royal Council. Other key institutions included the Curia (Court of Justice), the Chancellery (Administration), and the Treasury (Finance).

The courts of Leon were the oldest in all of Spain, and the union of Leon and Castile resulted in the unified Courts of Castile and Leon. Municipalities enjoyed some autonomy and their own jurisdiction, but the town councils eventually became dominated by the nobility.

Convening of Courts

The King summoned representatives from the nobility, cities, and the Church. Afterward, the three estates met separately and communicated through messengers.