Political change in th 13 th and 14 th centuries

1. POLITICAL CHANGE IN THE 13 TH AND 14 TH CENTURIES -

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THE CROWN OF CASTILLA Castilla and Leรณn had been closely connected in the 11 th and 12 th centuries when they were often ruled by the same monarch.

In the 13 th century the two kingdoms were definitively united by Fernando III of Castilla in 1230.

Under Alfonso X El Sabio, Castilla reached important cultural achievements.

Alfonso X was a great patron of the arts and promoted learning based on classical, Arabic and Hebrew sources.

The powerful Castilian aristocracy received huge areas of conquered Muslim land during the Reconquest.

By the 14 th century, the great nobles rivalled the king in power and influence. This caused tensions and a civil war between Pedro I and his half-brother Enrique de Trastรกmara.

Enrique was suported by the leading nobles, and the war ended with the creation of a new Trastรกmara dynasty.

1. POLITICAL CHANGE IN THE 13 TH AND 14 TH CENTURIES CHRISTIAN EXPANSION SOUTHWARDS -

The Muslim did not offer much resistance to the Christian advances after the defeat of the Almohads in the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa(1212).

Alfonso IX of Le贸n conquered much of Extremadura Fernando III of castilla, who ruled the united kingdoms of Castilla and Le贸n, tok C贸rdoba, Murcia and Sevilla.

Only the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada remained Muslim after Alfonso X of Castilla had occupied C谩diz.

There was one last Muslim invasion from North Africa, the Marinids (Benimerines).

The Marinids gained control of a small territory around Algeciras.

They were defeated by Alfonso XI of Castilla at the Battle of Salado in 1340.

Under the system of repartimientos, most conquered lands were given to the nobility and the military orders.

1. POLITICAL CHANGE IN THE 13 TH AND 14 TH CENTURIES

THE CROWN OF ARAGÓN

- In the 13 th century, Aragón completed the conquest of Valencia and the Balearic Islands.

- Mallorca was taken under Jaime I El Conquistador. The conquest was completed when Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca were taken.

- Valencia was taken during the reign of Jaime I. The Crown of Aragón gained the areas around Alicante, but Murcia belonged to Castilla.

- Repopulation was carried out by different groups: - Mallorca was populated by Catalans - Catalan and Aragonese settled in Valencia and Mallorca.

- Many Mudéjars remained in Valencia after its reconquest.

1. POLITICAL CHANGE IN THE 13 TH AND 14 TH CENTURIES MEDITERRANEAN EXPANSION

- After the Reconquest, commercial intrests promoted CatalanAragonese expansion in the Mediterranean.

- Trade was the crucial motive.

- Offices regulating commerce called consulados del mar were set up in Barcelona, Valencia and Mallorca.

- The Crown of Aragón acquired territories across the Mediterranean: - Pedro III occupied Sicily - Jaime II took Sardinia - At the same time, groups of mercenaries (Almogávares) gained control of the Greek dukedom of Athens.

- Alfonso V captured Naples.

- As a result of all these conquests, a Catalan –Aragonese maritime Empire was created.

- It controlled many trade routes across the Mediterranean.