LESSON 5BIG PENINSULAR KINGDOMS

FIVE MINUTES to READ pages 88 and 89

VOCABULARY

• Stockbreeding Ganadería• Sheep Oveja• Sheep breeders pastores• Cattle ganado

MAIN DATES

• 1085: Toledo is conquered by Alfonso VI• 1212: Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa• 1230: Ferdinand III united Castile and

Leon, and founded the Crown of Castile

5.4. Crown of Castile

• 5.4.1.The Crown of Castile – Castile gradually became the most powerfuf

kingdom. In 1085, Alfonso VI conquered Toledo, and the Tajo Valley fell into Castilian hands.

– After the Muslim defeat at Navas de Tolosa, 1212, the Christian kings conquered almost all of Andalusia. However, in the 12th century, Portugal became independent

– In 1230, Ferdinand III united Castile and Leon, and founded the Crown of Castile

5.4. Crown of Castile

• 5.4.2. Government – The Crown of Castile was a unified state, with the

same institutions and the same law for the whole of its territory

– The Castilian king had great power. He could make laws, declare war and pass judgement. The Castilian Cortes could not legislate. Their function was to approve or reject new taxes

5.4. Crown of Castile

• 5.4.3. Economy and society – The economy was based on agriculture and

stockbreeding.– Merino sheep were very important. Their high

quality wool was exported, or used in the textile industry

– The sheep breeders held assemblies, called mestas, to discuss their problems. In 1273, the Honourable Council of the Mesta was created. It was granted privileges, such as the right for sheep and cattle to graze on peasants’ land

5.4. Crown of Castile

• 5.4.4. Culture – The sale of wool contributed to the development of

craftmanship and trade. Trade fairs, like those held in Medina del Campo, were very important.

– These fairs brought money to the citizens and cities– With this money Castilian people built churches in:

• Romanesque Style San Martín de Fromista and Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

• Gothic Style Cathedrals of Leon, Burgos and Toledo, all built in the 13th century

LINKS AND PHOTOS• About Mesta

– http://www.answers.com/topic/mesta

• About Merino Sheep– http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/merino.htm– http://www.roundbarnmerinos.com/merino_sheep.htm

• About Ferdinand III– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_III_of_Castile– http://nobility.org/2011/04/14/st-ferdinand-iii-of-castile-and-

leon-extends-the-reconquista-to-seville-and-the-south-of-spain/