Islamic Spain and the Inquisition

Rise of Umayyad Caliphate

711

Tariq ibn Ziyad, a Berber Muslim general, led the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, defeating Visigothic King Roderic at the Battle of Guadalete. This marked the start of Muslim rule in Spain, establishing Al-Andalus for several centuries during the broader Islamic expansion.

Islamic Spain (Al-Andalus)

Period: 711 to 1492

AKA Al-Andalus, was a time of significant cultural, scientific, and artistic flourishing, marked by religious tolerance, as Muslims, Christians, and Jews coexisted, ended with the Reconquista with the Granada Treaty.

Córdoba Emirate Rule, Abd al-Rahman I

750

Abd al-Rahman I was the founder and first Emir of the Córdoba Emirate, ruling from 750 to 788. He was an Umayyad dynasty survivor, fleeing the persecution of the Abbasid Caliphate in the east and establishing the independent Umayyad Emirate in Cordoba. He is credited with stabilizing the emirate, expanding its territory, and developing Al-Andalus as a prosperous center of culture and learning. Source: Class Slides

Abd al-Raḥman II, Emir Of Córdoba

822

Fourth Emir of Córdoba from 822 to 852. His rule was marked by a period of relative stability and prosperity. Abd al-Rahman II was known for his patronage of culture, the arts, and learning, contributing to the flourishing intellectual and artistic achievements of the region during his reign.

Muhammad I, Emir of Cordoba

852

From 852 to 886, he was the Emir of Córdoba, marking his leadership during Al-Andalus' Islamic rule. His reign was marked by political difficulties, including clashes with rival factions, but he was able to maintain some stability. After a period of internal strife, Muhammad I is remembered for his efforts to restore order and strengthen the emirate's governance.

Rule of Abd al-Rahman III

912

In 929, he established the Caliphate, ushering in a significant change in the history of Islamic Spain. The Caliphate of Córdoba became one of the most powerful and culturally diverse entities in the medieval Islamic world during Abd al-Rahman III's reign, which was marked by stability, territorial expansion, and power consolidation. Source: Class Slides

Al-Hakam II, Caliph of Córdoba

961

The Caliph from 961 to 976, his reign was distinguished by a strong emphasis on culture and the arts. He supported the translation movement, which aided in the preservation and transmission of ancient Greek and Roman knowledge to the Western world. His rule contributed to the cultural flourishing of Al-Andalus.

Hisham II, Caliph of Córdoba

976

Caliph of Córdoba from 976 to 1009. He ruled during an era of strife in Al-Andalus. Political instability characterized his reign, with power frequently resting in the hands of powerful viziers and military leaders. Hisham II's reign ended in 1009, signaling the end of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba and the beginning of further fragmentation and conflict in Islamic Spain.

Sulayman al-Mustain, Caliph of Córdoba

1009

Caliph of Córdoba who reigned briefly in 1009 during the decline of the Caliphate of Córdoba. His reign was marked by internal strife and political disintegration, contributing to the region's overall insecurity. His brief reign marked a turbulent period, which witnessed the disintegration of centralized authority and the emergence of numerous smaller Taifa kingdoms.

Abu al-Qasim, Taifa King of Seville

1023

Taifa King of Seville during the Taifa kingdom era, his reign took place in the 11th century. Is remembered for his military achievements and efforts to keep Seville independent in the midst of regional conflicts at the time. Despite the difficulties of the time, his reign added to the rich tapestry of Taifa rule in Al-Andalus, which was marked by shifting allegiances and local dynastic power.

Yahya I al-Mu'tali, Taifa King of Málaga

1026

Yahya I al-Mu'tali was a Taifa King of Málaga who reigned in the 11th century as part of the Taifa kingdoms. During his reign, he worked hard to keep Málaga independent in the tangled web of Taifa politics. The leadership of al-Mu'tali reflects the intricate interplay of power and politics among the various Taifa rulers during this period in Al-Andalus' history.

Muhammad I, First Nasrid Ruler

1232

The first Nasrid ruler established the Nasrid Dynasty in what is now southern Spain, the Emirate of Granada, from 1232 to 1273. Muhammad I was a skilled leader who navigated Al-Andalus' complex political landscape, consolidating power and laying the groundwork for the Nasrid dynasty's rule in Granada, which endured for centuries as one of the Iberian Peninsula's last Islamic strongholds.

Inquisition against the Cathars

1233

In 13th-century France, a harsh campaign by the Catholic Church to eliminate Cathar heresy resulted in persecution and the decline of Catharism.

Directorium Inquisitorum

1357

By Nicolas Eymeric, the manual of instruction for inquisitors explains in detail the beliefs of the Inquisition, as well as hundreds of heresies, prosecution practices, and categories of offenses like witchcraft.

Massacres and Convertion of Jews

1391

Increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Spain, Sevilla mobs carried out riots. Ferrand Martinez of Ecija forced the Jewish population in Castile to choose between execution and Christian baptism. The uprisings spread to the countryside, destroying synagogues and murdering  Jews —more than 9,000 of them murdered without regard to their age or gender. Still, thousands more adhered to Marranos or concealed Judaism.

Start of the Spanish Inquisition

1478

Ferdinand and Isabella (The Monarchs) went to Pope Sixtus IV to request the issuance of a Papal Bull, which is a formal decree from the Pope declaring that all religions are forbidden except Catholicism. They were able to appoint inquisitors to deal with the Marranos, Moriscos, and Conversos issues.

Spanish Inquisition

Period: 1478 to 1834

Catholic Monarchs established the Spanish Inquisition to identify and punish heretics in Spain. The goal was to maintain religious purity and Catholic orthodoxy. The Inquisition caused significant social and religious tensions in Spain and its territories. It lasted so long because it served as a tool for religious orthodoxy as well as political control, and its activities were aligned with the interests of the Spanish monarchy in maintaining power and social cohesion. Source: Class Slides

First execution of Heretics

1481

The first auto-da-fé (act of faith) was in Toledo in the presence of a large concourse. Those found guilty in these open trials of supposed heretics are sentenced. People who receive death sentences are given over to the authorities so they can be put to death. headed by a council known as the council suprema.

Muhammad XII, Last Nasrid ruler

1487

The last Nasrid ruler of the Emirate of Granada, the Iberian Peninsula's final Islamic stronghold. From 1487 to 1492, he reigned. Muhammad XII is best known for surrendering Granada to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in the 1492 Granada Treaty, effectively ending Islamic rule in Spain and completing the Christian Reconquista.

Treaty of Granada

1491

This treaty also referred to as the Capitulation of Granada, put an end to the Granada War, which had begun over ten years earlier. was sealed by Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Treaties guaranteed the Moors rights, such as equal treatment and religious freedom in the event of their capitulation.

Decree of Alhambra

1492

Spanish Jews are mandated to choose between baptism and exile by Ferdinand and Isabella. More than 160,000 Jews were consequently banished from Spain. It will take more than 476 years—until December 16, 1968—for the decree to be officially repealed.

"Ninety-Five Theses" nailed to Castle Church

1517

Martin Luther began to criticize the indulgence-selling practices of the Catholic Church after he nailed his "Ninety-Five Theses" to the door of Wittenberg's Castle Church in 1517. This marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, a major movement in Christian history that led to the formation of numerous Protestant denominations.