Islamic Spain and the Inquisition

The Arrival of Visigoths in the Iberian Peninsula

410

The Visigoths, a Germanic people, started to arrive in the Iberian Peninsula due to the rule of the Roman Empire. Once this empire collapsed, the Visigoths and the Roman colonies that were left fought for control. The Visigoths ended up being victorious and they created what was called the Visigothic Kingdom in Spain. However, the Visigoths clashed with the Iberians, as there were religious, political, and cultural tensions.

Battle of Guadalete

711

The Battle of Guadalete was fought in 711 AC. It took place in southern Spain and resulted in the fall of Visigothic Spain. The Muslim Invaders, led by Tariq Ibn Ziyad, defeated the Visigoths by killing King Roderic. This marked the beginning of the Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula (Islamic Spain). The land conquered by the Muslims was then called Al-Andalus.
(https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095910668)

Battle of Clavijo

844

The Battle of Clavijo was a mythical battle, and was commonly known as a popular myth of Spain. It was believed that Saint James appeared with a sword in hand to help Christian Spaniards defeat a Muslim army.
(https://www.artic.edu/artworks/4019/the-battle-of-st-james-the-greater-at-clavijo)

Conquest of Toledo

1085

The Conquest of Toledo was very significant that it sparked the start of the Reconquista. King Alfonso VI of Leon and Castile reconquered Toledo in 1085, the center of power for Muslim culture in the Iberian Peninsula or Al-Andalus. King Alfonso's supposed ally, al-Ma'mun, had a grandson, al-Qadir; al-Ma'mun sends his grandson to Valencia to seek support of King Alfonso.
(https://guides.lib.ku.edu/c.php?g=95080&p=1407670)

Conquest of Valencia

1094

El Cid, military leader and also known as Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, laid a siege to the city of Valencia in the year 1092. This city was under Muslim control by the Almoravids. He along with Moors and Christians fought against the Almoravid group and conquered Valencia in 1094 by using intelligent tactics. After El Cid conquered Valencia, he ruled it and promoted tolerance between various religions.
(https://stmuscholars.org/el-cid-campeador-and-the-conquest-of-valencia/)

Battle of Ucles

May 27, 1108

Uclés is one hundred kilometers east of Toledo. This battle was fought between the Northern Christian army and the Almoravid Dynasty. The battle resulted in a victory for the Christian army and they captured Muhammad ibn Tasufin. This battle was significant, as it lead to the weakening of the Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula.
(https://realcrusadeshistory.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-battle-of-ucles-1108.html)

Battle of Fraga

Jul 17, 1134

The Battle of Fraga took place in the year 1134. It happened during the Spanish Reconquista in Fraga, Aragaon. It was fought between the Almoravid forces and the Kingdom of Aragon, led by King Alonso VI. The battle resulted in a victory for the Almoravids. This battle also significantly slowed the pace of the Christian Reconquista.
(https://dbpedia.org/page/Battle_of_Fraga)

Battle of Ourique

Jul 25, 1139

The Battle of Ourqiue took place on July, 25 of the year 1139. It was significant because it marked the independence from the kingdom of Leon. Legend has it that the battle was fought between the Muslim army, led by Ali Ibn Yusuf, and the Portuguese forces, led by Alfonso Henriques. Alfonso led his forces to a victory and was proclaimed king of the Portuguese, taking the name of Alfonso I of Portugal.
(https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780191736629.timeline.0001)

Siege of Lisbon

Jul 1, 1147

The Siege of Lisbon took place on July 1, 1147. The siege was led by Alfonso I of Portugal. During this time, Lisbon was under the control of the the Muslim Almoravid Dynasty. In order to attack, the Christian army attempted to breach the city's walls: a knight sacrificed himself allowing the Christian forces to break in. This siege was important because it led to further Christian expansion in that region. This siege ended on October 25, 1147.

Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa

Jul 16, 1212

This battle took place on July 16, 1212. Christian forces from various kingdoms united against the powerful Almohad Caliphate. Legend has it that the Christian army were led to a hidden path to the Sierra Morena mountain range shown to them by a local shepherd. They used this access to surprise attack the Islamic contingent, led by Muhammad al-Nasir.
(https://www.andalucia.com/spainsmoorishhistory/las-navas-de-tolosa.htm)

Directorium Inquisitorium

1357

Nicolas Eymeric was a Spanish theologian and became inquisitor of Aragon in 1357. He wrote the Directorium Inquisitorium, which guided inquisitors on heretical and prosecution procedures.
(https://blogs.shu.edu/archives/2017/06/highlights-from-the-rare-book-collection-directorium-inquisitorum/#:~:text=The%20Directorium%20inquisitorum%20was%20written,inquisitor%20of%20Aragon%20in%201357.)

Massacres of Jews across Spain

1391

The Massacres of Jews occurred in the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile in 1391. Thousands of Jews were killed and/ or forced to convert to Christianity. This was such an influential event, that after the massacre, people residing in Valencia and Barcelona never again housed a Jewish person or community.

Battle of Toro

Mar 1, 1476

This battle took place on March 1, 1476 in the town of Toro during the Castilian Civil War. It was fought between Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Alfonso V of Portugal. Queen Isabella ended being victorious and also secured the throne as monarch of Castile. This war was significant because it signified the unification of Spain under Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand I of Aragon, her husband.
(https://www.historytoday.com/archive/battle-toro-1476)

Start of Spanish Inquisition

1478

The Spanish Inquisition was established after the Reconquista. It was established to identify heretics. The Spanish Inquisition was requested by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand (the Catholic monarchs of Spain) and was implemented by Pope Sixtus IV. A myth has it that Queen Isabella was on a trip to Seville and was informed of the rapid rise of Judaism, hence the reason she requested the Inquisition.
(https://www.thecollector.com/what-was-the-spanish-inquisition/)

First auto de fe in Sevilla

1481

Auto de fe ("Act of Faith") was a significant event during the Spanish Inquisition. It was a public ceremony that accused individuals of heresy. They were tried, sentenced, imprisoned, or confiscated of property. Heretics were never actually burned at stake during the ceremony, but it would happen after it was finished. The first auto de fe took place in Seville, Spain in 1481. Six of the men and women who who were accused were executed.
(https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/auto-de-fe)

Treaty of Granada

1491

The Treaty of Granada marked the end of Islamic Spain and Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. It was signed in 1491 by the Catholic monarchs, Queen Isabella, King Ferdinand, and Muhammed XII. Muslims were given tolerance in return for their surrender and Moors were given a set of rights. It also gave Jews in the surrendered territories the option of leaving or converting.
(https://www.thecollector.com/end-of-reconquista-fall-of-granada-isabella-and-ferdinand/)

Decree of Alhambra

Mar 31, 1492

On March 31, 1492, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand banished the Jews from Spain. Jews living within their territory were forced to convert or leave and were given until July of that same year to convert. The monarchs wanted to limit the influence of Judaism on conversos. However, conversos did not have it so easy since they still faced discrimination and were suspected of practicing their former religion.
(https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2013/03/alhambra-decree-521-years-later/)

"Ninety-Five Theses"

Oct 31, 1517

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a German priest and theologian professor, nailed his 95 Theses on the door of a Wittenberg church after seeing the corruption within the Catholic church. The 95 Theses argued that scripture and faith were more important than the good deeds of humans. This event was significant and sparked the Protestant Reformation.
(https://hds.harvard.edu/news/2017/10/31/martin-luther-fallible-reformer#:~:text=On%20Oct.,fund%20the%20reconstruction%20of%20St.)

Roman Inquisition

1542

The Roman Inquisition was established in 1542 under papal control in Rome, Italy. It is also known as the "Holy Office", as it was made up of Catholic Church institutions. Similar to the Spanish Inquisition, it suppressed heretical beliefs and practices, while also trying to enforce Orthodoxy within the church.
(https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780195399301/obo-9780195399301-0279.xml)

The Revolt of the Alpujarras

1568

After the Reconquista, Muslims that stayed in Spain were forcefully converted to Christianity. These Muslims were called Moriscos and endured lots of cruel persecution. The revolt was provoked because of the amount of pressure and harsh acts King Phillip I was pushing onto the Moriscos. this was done to repress their cultural habits, liberty to weapons, and any control over the Alpujarra's region.
(https://www.alhambra-patronato.es/en/disfrutar/the-rebellion-in-the-alpujarras-the-last-moriscos)