Early Modern Spain 1492 to 1567: The Debate Over Moriscos and The Expulsion
Ferdinand and Isabella made significant changes in the history of Spain. Their marriage in 1469 united two powerful kingdoms and laid a foundation to create a strong and unified nation. The IIIF image on the left is a photograph of a statue of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. I find it interesting that King Ferdinand is sitting on the right side of the queen instead of the left. If you zoom in, you can also see her hand on top of his. This detail made me think about the expression "you are my right hand" which is a figurative way of saying that someone is an extremely valuable, trusting and supportive. It conveys the idea that the person being referred to plays a crucial role in helping and supporting the individual, much like the right hand is essential for most people's dominant tasks. We see King Ferdinand of the queen's right side as if she held power over him. Regarless of the meaning of this photograph and the intensions of the artist, these monarchs played a significant role in impacting the lives of the Moors (Muslims) in the Iberian Peninsula.
Integration and Religion
The Reconquista was a military endevour by Christian kingdoms to recapture territories from Muslims. When Granada surrendered in 1492, the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, implemented the Treaty of Granada, also known as the Surrender of Granada. These terms allowed the Muslim, known as Moors, to maintain their Islamic religion, language, and customs under certain conditions. Seven years later, in 1499 Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros lobbied against this policy and pushed an agenda of zero tolerance towards Islamic practices of any kind in Granada. The Treaty of Granada was not honored, and conflict began to arise.
The Muslim population in Granada was told to convert to Christianity or leave the region. Those who chose to convert were known as Moriscos, and they faced significant pressure to abandon their Islamic practices and embrace Christianity. The end of religious tolerance began in 1508. There was a degree of religious tolerance for Christians and Jews in the Iberian Peninsula. However, with the Catholic Monarchs' victory and establishment of a unified Christian kingdom, Christianity became the dominant religion. Spanish officials issued regulations targeting the remaining pieces of Moorish culture. Forced conversion and persecution started to take place. In 1567 the military tried to eradicate Moorish culture once and for all. They required the Moriscos to give up their language, clothing, customs, and were constantly being penalize for "breaking the law". The conversions were done forcefully and were considered the complete opposite to the treaty signed by the Catholic monarchs. While some Moors converted to Christianity, many faced, expulsion, or death if they refused to convert. This forced the Moors, now called Moriscos to rebel. It was not a rebellion against the king, but rather a stand for the things he had not only promised but signed, which they consider sacred.
Durind the Spanish colonization of the Americas a similarly instance known as the Castas System took place in Latin America. The Casta system, was a hierarchical social structure that emerged during the colonial period in Latin America, particularly in territories controlled by the Spanish Empire. It was a system of social classification based on racial and ethnic distinctions, which assigned individuals to specific social classes. During the colonial period, certain communities were allowed to maintain their distinct customs and traditions while the Spanish maintained their power and superiority to other racial groups in the colonies. On top of this, the Spanish colonizers sought religious justifications for their policies of colonization, conversion, and social organization. They used a blend of Christianity and the idea of divine providence to justify their domination over the "other".
Social Hierarchies
Both instances were influenced by religious beliefs and practices. In the case of the surrender of Granada, it was the Christian rulers' desire to spread Christianity that drove the Reconquista, whereas in the Caste System, Indigenous peoples played a significant role shaping the hierarchical structure and cultural practices. The Casta system was a complex and individuals were classified based on their racial and ethnic heritage. The Peninsulares for instance were Spaniards born in Spain who held the highest social status in colonial society. The criollos, were Spaniards who were born in the Americas. Though they were of Spanish descent, they were considered second-class citizens compared to the Peninsulares. In the case of the treaty between the Moors and the Monarchs, the Moors who remained in Granada were considered Dhimmis, an Arabic word that means "protected person", and while they were granted some rights, they were still subject to certain restrictions and discrimination like paying more taxes in exchange for not serving in the military. In the Indian caste system, social status and roles were determined by birth, and people were categorized into different castes with varying privileges and limitations.
The Casta system played a significant role in determining people's social and economic opportunities, legal rights, and privileges just like the Treaty of Granda did to the Moors. It's essential to note that while some similarities exists between the two, the historical and cultural contexts of the the Treaty of Granada and the Casta System are different. The events occurred in different regions, under different circumstances, and involved distinct religious and political dynamics. However, they both reinforced discrimination and helped maintain the social order and power dynamics established by the Spanish rulers.
Moors Influence
Geneology is tied to our ancestry. Our family history and lineage tells a story. It helps us trace the ancestry and descent of each individual over generations. It involves researching and documenting information about our ancestors, their relationships, and life events. The IIIF photo on bottom left shows us a pieces of parchment paper talking about genealogy and the "la limpieza de sangre."
Limpieza de Sangre means purity of blood, a concept developed in by Spain, referring to a person without Jewish, Muslim ancestry. Purity of blood became an obsessive concern in Spain when the Moors began converting to Christianity. It's interesting to see how during the Limpieza de Sangre in modern Spain the Spanish were whiling to "purify" blood but not their culture. An example of this is agriculture. During the period of Muslim rule in Spain, known as the Al-Andalus era, the Moors made significant advancements in various fields, including architecrure. The description of the IIIF image on the right shows an arch with black and white stripes and the description reads, "La imitación cristiana del arte y la arquitectura de al-Ándalus" is clearly described as an imitation or cristian art. The Moors brought their unique architectural style, which combined elements of Islamic, Byzantine, and Visigothic traditions, resulting in a distinctive and beautiful architectural heritage.
The Moors brought Islamic architectural elements to Spain, characterized by features such as horseshoe arches, geometric patterns, and calligraphy. The concept of the courtyard and inside gardens, often surrounded by decorative fountains or pools, was introduced by the Moors. These courtyards became an essential part of Spanish architecture and were incorporated into many buildings, including the famous palace and fortress of Alhambra located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It was built on a plateau that overlooks the city of Granada and it was built between 1238 and 1358.
The photo above shows five famous fountains in this palace:
- The Lions' Fountain
- Fuente de los Arrayanes
- Lindaraja Fountain
- Fountain of the Baths of the Comares Palace
- Fountain of the Patio de la Acequia in the Generalife.
The Alhambra Palace is perhaps the most famous Moorish architectural masterpiece in Spain. It is known for its colorful tile mosaics, gardens, and impeccable structure. This palace showcases the pinnacle of Moorish architectural and artistic achievements. The Moors' legacy left a lasting impact on Spain, especially in the southern regions, where their influence was most significant. Many Spanish cities, such as Córdoba, Granada, and Seville, are home to stunning examples of Moorish-inspired architecture, showcasing the rich and diverse history of the region.
This is why genealogical research is important, it often leads to the discovery of unknown facts about our history and believes. Genealogy is an essential tool for historians to research historical events. By understanding the social patterns of the past we can avoid committing the same mistakes in the future. This page only shows a fraction of the many important events that took place in Spain's history. If you are interesting on a brief summary about some of these events, feel free watch the following animated video about the history of Spain from the year 300BC to modern day, thank you.
