1. The Christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula
To start the discussion, you can ask the class:
‘Did the Christian Reconquest advance southwards or northwards on the Iberian Peninsula?’
Initiate the activity:
‘These sentences describe the movement of the Reconquest.’
You might use these words in the activity:
move-moved
fight-fought/ against
defeat-defeated
Christians
Muslims
Finally, ask the students:
‘Do you know when the last Muslim king surrendered?’
In this unit you will find out the answers to these questions:
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
From 711 onwards the Muslims occupied the Iberican Peninsula except in the north where several christian principalities emerged, which later, became kingdoms. The main kingdoms were:
Repopulation was the process of Christian settlements in the lands that had been under Muslin rulers until then.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND SOCIETY
Political organisation and institutions:
Economy
Farming and livestock were the predominant activities but in the cities there were also craftwork and trade
Society
Society was based on the estates and had a pyramidal structure. At the top of the social pyramid was the king:
Thinking moment:
The Christian repopulation of the Iberian Peninsula
To start the discussion, you can ask the class:
‘What happened to the populations of the areas reconquered by the Christians?’
Initiate the activity:
‘Here are the three ways repopulation was carried out. Which system was implemented in each area?’
You might use these words in the activity:
reconquer
colonists
taxes
belong
settlement
Finally, ask the students:
‘Let’s talk more about the different ways repopulation was carried out. What do you know about “fueros”, for example?’
TIMELINE:
Thinking moment:
3. Daily life in Christian cities
To start the discussion, you can ask the class:
‘Were Christian cities in the Iberian Peninsula big or small? Were all the inhabitants Christians?
Initiate the activity:
‘Look at the sentences about daily life in Christian cities.’
You might use these words in the activity:
protect
space
craft
squares
narrow
fountain
trough
vegetable plot
Finally, ask the students:
‘What were the buildings made of in early Christian cities?’
4. Architecture in the Christian kingdoms
To start the discussion, you can ask the class:
‘What different architectural styles evolved in the Christian kingdoms?’
Initiate the activity:
‘Is anyone able to identify this building?’
You might use these words in the activity:
Camino de Santiago
pilgrim
pilgrimage
altar
religious ceremony
Finally, ask the students:
‘Do you know why pilgrims travel to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela?’
building the great cathedrals.odt
Thomas Becket (also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London, and later Thomas à Becket (1118 – 1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both theCatholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He engaged in conflict with Henry II of England over the rights and privileges of the Church and was murdered by followers of the king in Canterbury Cathedral. Soon after his death he was canonised by Pope Alexander III. |
Read about St. Thomas Becket and answer these questions:
Life and murder of Thomas Becket:
ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE
Watch the video and read the information about Leonor of Aquitaine,
Answer these questions:
ACTIVITY: (listening 149-1)
Read the two versions of the Battle of Covadonga and answer the questions below:
Version 1
Pelayo was with his companions on Mount Auseva and the Muslims army arrived and set up camp opposite the entrance to a cave. Pelasyo trusted in Jesus' mercy and said: "Lord Jesus Christ will free us from these pagans" Algama, the Muslim general, ordered the battle to commence and the soldiers took up arms. Their swords shone, lances were at the ready, arrows were shot incessantly, stones came flying through the air. But when the stones reached the home of the Virgin St. Mary who was in the cave, they turned around and were sent from where they came and killed the Muslim soldiers.
Chronicle of Alfonso II
Version 2
In the land of Galicia a wild ass appeared called Pelayo. From that moment the christians in al-Andalus began to defend the land that they still held and fought against the Muslims. The Muslims had taken control of their country and only the rock was left where king Pelayo was sheltering with three hundred men. The Muslim soldiers attacked him until all his soldiers were dead from hunger and only thirty men and women were left in his company. In the end, the Muslims scorned them saying "Thirty wild asses. What damage can they do to us?"
Chronicle of A-Maggari
QUESTIONS:
INTERESTING LINKS:
WHO WERE THE VIKINGS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/who-were-vikings.html
JORVIK VIKING CENTRE: http://jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/
ON THE TRAIL OF THE MERCIAN ANGLO-SAXON SAINTS: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-12965515
CHARLEMAGNE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/charlemagne.shtml
THOMAS BECKET: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/becket_thomas.shtml
OXFORD UP RESOURCES:
AUDIO FILES:
DOCUMENTS:
ACTIVITIES
1.- Page 149, 6
Answer the questions:
a) What is the difference between Reconquest and repopulation?
b) What system of repopulation does each of the definitions below refer to?
2.- According to the legend:
a) El Cid was born in the ........ century.
b) He faught on the side of king .......
c) After king Sancho was assassinated, his brother ........ became king.
d) El Cid made king Alfonso swear publicly ........ times he hadn killed his brother.
Page 153, 9
Listen to the description of the Mesta and answer the questions:
Page 157, 18
Read the text about games in the Middle ges and answer the questions:
The streets and squares of medieval cities were the perfect place to ply ball games. These games were so popular in Valencia that the streets were a permanent playground for the people, and this caused problems for public order.
Horse races were held anywhere from the streets to open spaces. The winners received pizes such as a couple of chickens.
Also popular were darts and archery. They also played skittles. Prizes usually conistd of silver cups and jewells.
3.- Copy and complete the sentences in your exercise book with the correct words: Castilian, sheep, ports, metalwork, vines, wool, transhumant, fairs.
a) In some inland areas of the Crown of Aragon the cultivation of ............ was very important.
b) Textiles and ............... were significant in medieval Cataluña.
c) The main commercial ..... of the Crown of Aragon were Barcelona and Valencia.
d) In Castilla .............. rearing was very important.
e) Merino sheep produced abundant high quality ............ .
f) The Mesta was a Castilian association that defended the interests of the owners of ...................... livestock.
g) ....... wool was sold especially in the Law Countries.
h) They held ..... in Medina del Campo (Valladolid)
STUDENTS CONTRIBUTIONS
María Beato & Paula Ramos: Christian kingdoms