Documentos de la Monarquia Leonesa II

Documentos de la Monarquia Leónesa II

Significant historical documents from the 12th and 13th centuries concerning the development of the Kingdom of León: from Alfonso VI to his daughter Urraca, Alfonso VII, Ferdinand II, and finally from Alfonso IX to his son Ferdinand III, the powerful Kingdom of León up to its important union with Castile. The history of León concerning these monarchs is brought to life with the help of the documents here. These Leónese documents were assembled from various collections and archives across Spain into a compendium of great historical meaning.

The 12th Century in the Kingdom of León

The first epoch of the Kingdom of León’s history came to an end with King Alfonso VI. Under Alfonso’s daughter Urraca, who rule from 1109 to 1126, the realm endured a time of crisis. Urraca was the first European queen to rule by birthright. Following her was her son Alfonso VII, called the Emperor, who ruled until 1157. Alfonso VII is known for his struggles against the Moors and numerous conquests, e.g. recapturing a large part of modern-day Extremadura. In the year 1135, he had himself crowned “Emperor of All Spain” at the cathedral in León. Following Alfonso VII as ruler until 1188 was his son Ferdinand II, who similarly reconquered further lands from the Moors.

The End of a Solely Leónese Power

With his son, Alfonso IX, the epoch of the independent Kingdom of León came to an end. Alfonso IX married Berenguela of Castile and their son – Ferdinand III the Saint – ruled the Kingdom of Castile-Leon from 1230 on. Thus came about a lasting union between both realms. The historical significance of Leon for Spain persisted: the history of Spain as a unified kingdom began in the late 15th century as a result of the marriage of the so-called Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile-León.

Important Royal Documents

The compendium of the monarchy of León at hand is composed of documents from the 12th to the 13th centuries, a 121-year period stretching from the death of Alfonso IV in the year 1109 to the union between the crowns of Castile and León under Ferdinand III in 1230. As a result, the documents offer insight into the important Kingdom of León. The most important documents of the Leonese monarchs in the 12th and 13th centuries are assembled here into a true historical treasure. Thus one is able to retrace, inter alia, social and political development in the Kingdom of León. The documents originate from various historically significant collections and archives in Spain.