The kingdoms of León and Castilla

5. THE KINGDOMS OF LEÓN AND CASTILLA THE KINGDOM OF LEÓN

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In Medieval times, may kingdoms wee joined together and then split again, as a result of royal inheriance.

The kingdoms of León and castilla were connected between the 11 th and the 13 th centuries; but sometimes they formed a single kingdom, ruled by the same king, other times they were separate.

King Garcia I of Asturias had established his court in León, and it was the capital city of the Kingdom of León.

After, León was inherited by King Fernando I of Castilla who became the dominant ruler in the christian territories.

Later, the sons of Alfonso VII inherited this areas, and for that reason this area converted in separated kingdoms again: - Fernando II inherited León - Sancho II inherited Castilla These territories were definitely united in 1230 with Fernando III. The kingdoms of León and Castilla expanded southwards along the Sistema Central and Tajo valley.

In the mid-12 th century, Portugal separated and became a kingdom.

The kings called the first assemblies, or Cortes, to raise taxes and they were formed by nobles, clergymen and leaders of bourgeoisie.

The first Cortes was called (convocadas) in León

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THE KINGDOM OF CASTILLA The expansion of the peninsular kingdoms was connected to how close they were to the Muslim frontier.

For example, the kingdom of Navarra was isolated in the north and it couldn´t capture new territories and for that reason it lost its influence.

The County of Castilla had become a kingdom when Sancho III died and divided its inheritance.

Alfonso VII of Castilla conquest of Toledo and it was significant because Toledo had been the capital of the Visigoths.

Alfonso VII had two agreement with teh Crown of Aragón about the territories of expansion for each one: - Treaty of Tudilén: - The Crown of Aragón had the right of conquest of Valenci and Murcia (in hands of Muslims)

- Treaty of cazola: - Murcia was assigned to the influence of Castilla.

5. THE KINGDOMS OF LEĂ“N AND CASTILLA THE CONQUEST OF THE TAJO AND THE GUADIANA VALLEY - As the kingdom of Castilla advanced southwards, many nobles received land as a reward for their participation in the conquest.

- Nobles gained huge estates where large numbers of peasants worked under their authority. Due to this, they increased their wealth and influence.

- The military orders played an important role in conquering and then setling on Muslin territory, especially in Extremadura and La Mancha.

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THE MILITARY ORDERS During the Crusades, military orders were made of warrior monks.

The most famous were the Knights of Saint John and the Knights of the Temple.

They fought in battles but accepted religious discipline.

Later, the Iberian military orders were created: - The Orders of Santiago, Alcántara and Calatrava in Castilla.

- The knights of Montesa in Aragón