As the Roman Empire crumbled, Germanic crews–Suebi, Alans and Vandals–invaded Spain. Following 711, Visigothic King Leovigild brought about Christian rule across Spain and united it under Christian control.
Reconquista was an epic endeavor undertaken by Spanish monarchs to expand their kingdom across Western hemisphere. Conquistadors, shipbuilders, explorers, fortune hunters and missionaries left no stone unturned as they spread Spanish flag and religion throughout the globe.
Christianity
Castile and aragon defeated Granada’s Muslim rulers, ending 800 years of Moorish rule over Spain and heralding the beginnings of Spanish colonization of Latin America.
Christian monarchs in Europe between 11th and 15th century promoted vernacular literature through translation and compilations from classical, oriental, Hebrew and Christian knowledge (such as Las Siete Partidas legal code or compilations on astronomy or the game of chess) into vernacular.
Intellectual movements were accompanied by religious reforms and church expansion, leading to civil warfare between Christian kings and their Muslim neighbours who resented Christian conquerors encroaching on their territory.
Islam
From 711-1492 Muslims were the sole rulers of Iberia. Under their dominion they created an extensive civilization in Spain which reached its pinnacle during the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordovan during the 10th Century.
Spain was profoundly changed by this experience – in terms of food, architecture, music, science and philosophy. Furthermore, its influence extended far beyond Spain’s borders into North Africa and Arabia.
Tremlett, author of Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain: A Biography and History and of the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War: An Account is an expert at his craft, providing new clarity and an evenhanded perspective to this complex period in Spain’s history. His book will dispel many myths associated with it – making this essential reading for anyone interested in its past!
Moors
Al Andalus in southern Spain was under Moorish control for over 800 years after they first arrived there as part of an Islamist strategy to exploit Visigothic collapse and gain power. Their arrival is usually seen as part of a greater Muslim power play that began around 711 CE.
Although their reign was brief, Moorish influence is evident today across Spanish society – from Andalusian music to their architecture and beyond. Their mark remains evident today!
However, there was very little intermingling between Moors and native Spaniards; this was further compounded by both religions forbidding romance among themselves. Moors did have their own romance language known as Mozarabic which was distantly related to Spanish/Castilian.
Jews
Jewish life in Spain suffered greatly with the passage of Spain’s Alhambra Decree in 15th-century. This decree forced many Jews to convert to Christianity while those who refused were stripped of citizenship and expelled from their countries of residence.
Pedro I’s half-brother Henry II invaded Castile and plundered Toledo’s Jewish community, though some Jewish noblemen helped defend it and kept its integrity.
Jewish conditions improved under Muslim rule and with its development of modern Hebrew came a Jewish Renaissance. Reformed Jews of this era excelled as successful businesspeople while also excelling at fields like astronomy, math philosophy science medicine and religious study – they later came to be known as Western Sephardim as opposed to Mizrahi (or Oriental) Jews who had more extensive roots throughout Middle East and North Africa.
Columbus
Christopher Columbus arrived on what would become Hispaniola in 1490 and began sailing around the Caribbean Sea, searching for merchandise to bring back home to Spain.
He hoped to find an easy sea route from Europe to India so he could trade spices.
Cristoforo Colombo was born in Liguria, now northwest Italy (Italy did not yet exist as a nation-state at that time). He died in Seville and his remains were later interred in Dominican Republic’s cathedral with four tombs depicting four figures representing Spain’s four kingdoms at that time.