comment in this entry the evolution of Castilian border during his last period of independent existence, ie from 1158 to 1230 when it was finally united to the kingdom of León.
The choice of this period is not casual, and already by that time the territory's borders were relatively consolidated Castilian, noting here the close similarity of the Castilian framework inherited by Ferdinand III in 1217 with the territories they have traditionally been considered " the two castles " Old Castile and New Castile.
is why we consider this period between 1158 and 1230, as the space was configured definitely Castilla as a political entity within the context clearly separated the peninsula.
Castilla and different boundary lines
"The border with León-
it is one of the most controversial and disputed lines between monarchs Castile and Leon, while even in times of greatest danger to Christianity when the fist Almohad peninsular hit the plateau, their kings were fighting over land.
The basic problem to define such boundaries was due to the lack of a clear geographical serve as a reference to this should be added also the successive union and disunion of the two kingdoms that contributed to subsequent disputes around the area
Infantazgo
But nevertheless, with the death of Emperor Alfonso VII is boundaries that appropriated under the framework of the law would shape hereinafter approximate living spaces that have been happening between Castile and Leon.
A Castilla touched on its western border starting at the north: Asturias de Santillana (Santander province), further south in the province of León and Castilla include Cea and Sahagun, in the province of Valladolid Tierra de Campos (Infantazgo) being for the most Western Lion of the present province until the Duero, ie Mayorga, Valderaduey Becilla of Villavicencio, Bolaños, San Pedro de Latarce, Tiedra and San Román de Hornija. South of the River Duero Castilla be included for the present territories of Ávila to Valladolid and Salamanca de Béjar land now, and finally on the southern boundary is marked as a boundary and area of \u200b\u200bexpansion for both kingdoms, the road de la Plata, leaving Plasencia in Castile.
Following this divide the archbishop of Toledo, Rodrigo Fernandez de Rada, left written in his account the following: gave to Sancho, his eldest son, Castilla to Sahagún, Moral of the queen, Tordehumos, Uruena Cubillas, Medina del Campo, Arevalo and the entire territory of Avila, then the border between the two kingdoms were formed on the road and the Plata, which was also called Guinea.
In time of Ferdinand III and within the chronological scope that concerns us - 1230, or what is the same as immediately before the great gains of the thirties and forties of the thirteenth century, the border hardly changed. But in terms of León, King Alfonso IX, taking advantage of weakness and fracture of Almohad after the famous battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, gave a final push to win back his kingdom advancing from the south and taking major enclaves as: Cáceres 1227, Montánchez, Merida and Badajoz in 1230 year after his death. Fernando III conquered Muslims Chapel Square in 1227, located southeast of the province of Badajoz. This location was very important for two reasons: on one side and face to its expansion to the south were controlled steps toward western Cordoba, on the other hand secured a dividing border with León establishing the line between Plasencia and Chapel as western boundaries of the Spaniards.
the road de la Plata, an old Roman road that bisected the present lands of Extremadura. -Boundary with Navarre
The border demarcated the Emperor left on this realm came in the area bounded current Basque Provinces along the river Nervión, ie that the current districts of Encartaciones Valdegovía and were within Castilla, though, the rest of Vizcaya and Alava Castilla were linked to through the vassal of the counts Iniguez and his son Thief Thief Vela. But after the early death of Sancho III, Vela Thief free vassal ties rejoined Navarra.
Encartaciones Shield. Further south borders were established around the river Ebro from Haro to Alfaro, though these lands were a source of continuous conflict between Castile and Navarre.
"The border
Aragon Aragon borders were more stable than elsewhere. In the early years of the reign of Alfonso VIII and Alfonso II reign in Aragon, there were some discrepancies are usually resolved more by force of arms agreements. Hot spots were around the question of strength or Ariza Molina Manor, settled by treaty, and the right to conquer the independent dominion Albarracín, little knowledge Don Pedro de Azagra, which was pending for Aragon.
"The border with al-Andalus-
borders against Islam during the reign of Alfonso VIII were more unstable, although the Emperor Alfonso VII had spread Mancha fields coming to take at one time a point as far as the same Almería, these gains were lost with the arrival of the dreaded Almohad, and in the turbulent years of the reign of Alfonso VIII in danger again Almohad walls of the same Toledo.
Hence we should highlight two dates: Alarcos 1195 and its subsequent consequences, and Las Navas de Tolosa 1212.
The battle Alarcos in 1195: it was the great defeat of noble Castilian monarch, with a quota of just over ten thousand men faced an army twice his number. This fortress defending a fortified unfinished launched into the open to fight. Here, once again, Christians not learning from past mistakes in tactics fell envelopes Muslims. After the battle Alfonso VIII escaped to Toledo where he met his cousin Alfonso IX of Leon. It seems they had a tense meeting that ended with the breaking of relations between the second and allying with the enemies of the cross. We should recall that Alfonso IX promised, not very willingly, to help the Spaniards in the fight against the new Islamic invasion, however, lukewarm support resulted in an unnecessary delay that ended the lion king installed in Toledo while the Spaniards were Christian defending the borders without any support.
Remains of the fortress Alarcos. Fortunately for the Spaniards, and Christianity in general peninsular, the Almohad caliph sure of his power against the Christians subsequently entertained to ensure their control in the al-Andalus, precious time that allowed the Spaniards to retreat and prepare for subsequent Almohad onslaught.
Alarcos The direct consequences were used by the Leon and Navarre. Navarra and Leon in 1196 reached an agreement with the Almohad to attack Castilla together and launch a series of enclaves and land attacks of the Spaniards from different sides. Leon's case is more poignant if possible, since Alfonso IX Almohad troops used to burn the Tierra de Campos, which ended up telling harsh rebukes from the papacy. With regard to Navarre, Sancho VII attacked the lands of the eastern English Extremadura, between the south of Burgos and Soria. Tools that Muslims devastated the lands of the kingdom Trasierra or Toledo. The English response would strongly supported by King Pedro II of Aragon, then a key ally in Navas de Tolosa. Alfonso VIII attacked with Pedro II - Alfonso IX and while making his devastation Tierra de Campos - Leon territories penetrating up to the capital and Astorga.
In 1197 the tide change, a welcome respite from the Almohad Castile Castilian king allowed to respond effectively to the Christian kings. While Leon Alfonso IX had recovered and most of the sites taken by the Spaniards, for the summer of that year, Alfonso VIII made a campaign by the Western Lands regaining or capturing fortresses that had been rendered by of Leon: Bolaños, Valderas or Castroverde were among others. Finally the lion without the support of the Almohad caliph and unable to maintain pressure on the Castilian sought a truce. Queen Eleanor of Castile led plans to organize a marriage agreement between Alfonso IX and Princess Berengaria Castile at the end of 1197. Another issue was
Navarra, and in 1198 signed the truce with Castile confederate with the Aragonese to respond in kind the previous feat of Sancho VII. They moved both armies for the summer in the territory of Navarre forcing a peace advantageous to Aragon, but the decisive campaign would come a year later. In 1199 Alfonso VIII Activity Álava and hard put to siege the city of Vitoria. While Sancho VII went to North Africa to seek the support of the Almohad caliph, who, bound by the truce signed last year offered only pecuniary assistance for Navarre. Finally, for the last days of 1199 or early 1200, Vitoria surrendered after seven months of siege. Also, after the tenentes skilful negotiation and gentlemen of the rest of Álava and Guipúzcoa swore allegiance to Alfonso VIII.
After this campaign the Castilian king had managed to further expand their domain account above with regard to Navarre and that progress had surpassed those made by his grandfather Alfonso VI back in 1076. The new boundaries were firmly established with Navarra and the new region played a key role in trade relations between the Spaniards with the lands of Gascony and France.
southern border before the battle of Las Navas: After the truce signed by Spaniards and Almohads in 1197 the limits were established from Plasencia Alarcón west to east. The lands north of the Tajo and their strengths were dominated by the Spaniards, Talavera and here in Toledo became the main and most active defensive enclaves in the region. Consuegra south in the hands of the Order of San Juan and beyond Mora Old or Black Rock held the positions advanced. Squares west Huete, Cuenca Uclés Zorita or were responsible for securing the positions of Castile.
other hand Muslims established their positions thanks to their recent campaigns in 1195/96: Trujillo, seized from the Spaniards in 1196 - Alarcos, Benavente, Calatrava, taken from the warrior-monks in 1195 - Malagon and Caracuel between others.
more particular cases we have them in the castles of Dueñas -later and will be rebuilt and Calatrava la Nueva Salvatierra, located in Calzada de Calatrava beyond the first enclaves Muslims defense. They were in the hands of the Order of Calatrava , which by then was called Salvatierra.
Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212 : For 13 years, the truce between the Castilians and Almohad followed. A truce that favored them, and that while the Spaniards successfully resolved their disputes with Navarre, were no less helpful almohades progress in al-Andalus in 1203 conquered the last bastion of old Almoravids: Baleares. Cumshot
truces in 1211 Africans honed their scimitars and prepared for a new raid on the Peninsula. But this time the intent Almohad caliph's were very different from previous ones, calling for jihad in all corners of the Almohad Empire, North African, black grackles and Sudan, together with the Andalusian Muslims shaped the largest army ever seen in al-Andalus. More than 30,000 Africans and 20,000 Andalusian prepared to submit once and for all those pesky Christian kingdoms.
The first to receive the harsh onslaught were the knights of the Order of Calatrava, who virtually abandoned the castle of Dueñas, named after the Annals Toledanos "Castiel of God" concentrated their forces on the stronghold that served as their headquarters in Salvatierra those moments. Alfonso VIII on the other hand was organizing his army across the countryside in the Trasierra, unable to throw then in a direct battle to secure their defenses preferred. The warrior-monks under heavy siege for two months, with a formidable castle demolished by the Muslim siege engines pact with the Almohad caliph surrender if Alfonso did not come to his aid, and Alfonso VIII was forced to march and to authorize the could not come to his aid that year, 1211. However
falling Salvatierra was ably profitable in what is referred propagandistic material. Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada Archbishop of Toledo, went to Rome to seek the support of Pope Innocent III the dark days that hung over the Christians, it very much in keeping with the ideas of the time issued several bulls to those who fight in Castilla, also banned under threat of excommunication to any Christian monarch who dared attack the Castilian as he prepared to face the decisive battle. Upon his return, the Archbishop of Toledo preached the glory and fortune that the Christian warriors could reach if they chose to take up arms to his aid, and a contingent of several German knights and pawns and Franks returned to the Peninsula.
peninsular situation before the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. Toledo served as a rallying point for all Christian hosts were gradually getting to Castilla. The Spaniards along with the Aragonese formed the bulk of the crusader army, Pedro II, a faithful friend of Alfonso VIII back to lend again to fight the Crusade English, Alfonso IX of León showing his short political look preferred not help Alfonso VIII - maybe it was not aware that they can be deleted the Castilian and Aragonese, had been a matter of time that a resurgent al-Andalus directed their sights to the less powerful kingdom of León. The participation of Navarre was more testimonial than anything else, if at first Navarra kept silent about their participation, it seems that following pressure from the Vatican and its bishops, Sancho VII finally came, and put the army in place, along with 200 of his best knights. The arrival of this was received with great pleasure by Alfonso VIII and Pedro II, albeit with a token force, the provision of Navarre to take an active part in the conflict served to further raise morale in the camp crossed and made seeing all necessary for the union in such an enterprise.
King Alfonso II of Portugal attended willingly opened the call to arms, was forced to stay in his kingdom because of the attacks by the always opportunistic Alfonso IX. In turn, and start taking advantage of the land crossed by of al-Andalus of Leon also attacked the little fortresses garrisoned in the hands of the Spaniards tenentes.
military Orders of Calatrava, Santiago, Temple, and San Juan were added, as would be expected, forming the elite troops of the army. Finally, and always with some gentlemen personally Portuguese and some less Leon Cross closed ranks.
Ultimately the efforts of Christians and Muslims are finally measured in the well-known to all as: Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, where, and without regard to incredible figures shuffled several hundred thousands of fighters to participate in the fight, it is likely that about about 50,000 some 30,000 Muslims and Christians clashed in battle.
The victory of the crusaders and the annihilation of the Almohad army had several consequences: first Christians took several forts that controlled Despeñaperros steps (Bath, Toulouse, Ferral and Vilches ), which, would be stuck as a knife in meat waiting to be used for further and final attack in the heart of al-Andalus, on the other hand, the defeat of the Almoravids was evident in the eyes of the Hispano failure of its policy, and a few years then began to be the first signs of weakening and the first divisions occur on Andalusian territories.
The English situation on the death of Henry I 1217. click the map to enlarge. - The arrival of Fernando III-
The death of Peter II in 1213 and Alfonso VIII in 1214 prevented them from making better use of crisis in which the Almohad entered by then, and although still offered Andalusian uphill battle, was a fact that they had lost any chance of endangering the existence of the Christian kingdoms.
In 1217, after the brief reign of Henry I (1214-1217), Ferdinand III, son of Alfonso IX of Leon and Dona Berengaria had become king of Castile. The new king would be the ultimate beneficiary of the successes of their predecessors, although for the period to which we follow-up to 1230 - remember that still would not have given their great achievements, which occurred immediately after our anniversary.
Fernando III had to secure its power in the early years of the reign, as Alfonso IX, never happy with the arrival of his son spoke Castilian throne in the kingdom, hence obtained a guarantee of possession on a number of strengths in litigation Castilla Cubillas Santervás, San Cebrian de Mazote, Uruena Villagarcía and San Pedro de Latarce located west of the province of Valladolid and then friction zone of both kingdoms.
have already mentioned the seizure of Chapel enclave located in the current region of Extremadura and its strategic importance to stop Leon claims further east. But when it comes to Andalusia the progress made, although not very numerous, they were important for further progress through the valley of the Guadalquivir.
-Fernandinas conquests until 1230 -
At first glance it may draw attention to the little progress made Fernando conquerors in Muslim lands, but this is one explanation came to the throne of Ferdinand III of Castile assignment in his mother Doña Berenguela upset Alfonso IX, as it could have also chosen to the throne under the Salic interpretation of the Treaty of Sahagún signed between Sancho III of Castile and Fernando II of León in 1158. Therefore the problems with his father and Alvaro Nuñez de Lara , Castilla exregente the minority of Henry I, was forced to renew Fernando made a series of truces and his grandfather Alfonso VIII with Almohads in 1214 of so that until 1224 were in effect.
Once recovered the kingdom of internal struggles, the campaigns went to Andalusia, the dissensions which were beginning to perceive in the Empire Almohad were used by the Spaniards to ally with the governor of Baeza and gain the strengths of Salvatierra 1225, still in Muslim hands, and Chapel 1226. Killed the governor of Baeza population rebelled against the Spaniards and they got after some struggles to gain control of it and of Andújar Martos 1226 and 1226. Of these the most southern populations was Martos, and therefore more vulnerable to a siege that just will inevitably occur, and nearly succeed if not for a timely intervention itself relief Fernando III in the summer of 1227 .
and himself in 1229 and, in the process of disintegration Almohad power, Fernando III led a campaign to land Úbeda with the aim of weakening the strength, there took Saviote, Garcíez and Jodar important bridgeheads for further operations, and also attempt a siege in 1230 against Jaén, but decided to take up too much leave for another day.
The English situation at the time of the death of Alfonso IX 1230. click the map to enlarge. Back to Castile after the failed attempt to take Jaén, Fernando III was surprised by the news of the death of his father Alfonso IX of Leon thereafter everything is arranged for Fernando, king of Castile, Leon made the throne after the transfer of her stepsisters, and with it came the final union of the two crowns in one man. The next time the king returned to Andalusia would do under the banner of the lion and castle, and with them a united and strong crown would expand to the absolute limits then. ------------------------
Links:
Almohad Empire
Fernando III
The Battle of Las Navas Toulouse
The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa as Muslims
Bibliography:
Kings of Castile Alfonso VIII . Edit. The
Olmeda Reyes de Castilla, Fernando III. Edit . La Olmeda
Las Navas de Tolosa, the true cross. Edit Almena
Monday from Navas DVD. Published by University of Manchester.
