After harrowing and chaotic periods including crusades, plagues and frequent conflicts between kingdoms on the peninsula, it finally became possible for a more or less united country to look beyond its own borders. The era between the years 1000 AD and 2000 AD concludes our fast-paced walk through Spanish history. You will find maps and condensed information regarding many of the peoples and empires that have made an impact on the development of this great and interesting country. Not all dates/years are confirmed and/or are debated amongst historians which is why you at times will see a question mark in the maps. Enjoy!
After harrowing and chaotic periods including crusades, plagues and frequent conflicts between kingdoms on the peninsula, it finally became possible for a more or less united country to look beyond its own borders. The discoveries of new lands and new trade routes gave rise to what was to become a golden age lasting several hundred years for Spain (and Portugal). Colonies on several continents, new resources in the form of plants, minerals/metals, peoples and knowledge provided great economic boosts. But great international ambitions partly at the expense of their own country in the form of lack of investment, development and modernization led to the Spain’s decline from being the dominant power in Europe and the world to being called the continent’s “sick man”. Following a civil war and the end of dictatorship, In 1978, Spain became a democracy actively participating in the international community while working hard to create a modern society with a modern economy.
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The influence of the Franks which started in the 500s continued. They took Menorca in 1756 and took control of Spain (almost) between 1808 and 1813 AD.
Established in 824 AD, Pamplona / Navarre was invaded by Castile and Aragón in 1512 AD and divided into two. Lower Navarre was taken over by the Franks and Upper was incorporated into “Spain”.
While some dates/years are uncertain, the Vikings returned several times as raiders until around the 1050s AD and later as crusaders in the 12th century AD.
Galicia had two short periods of independence in the 11th and 12th centuries. The shortest lasted only a few months in the year 1230 AD.
A former taifa kingdom, Valencia was conquered by El Cid in 1094 AD. It later became a subject to the Crown of Aragón and was dissolved under the Nueva Planta decrees in 1707 AD.
Castile and León was established in 1230 AD and continued its expansion on the penisula. In 1479 AD they established Spain through a personal union with Aragón due to Ferdinand’s & Isabel’s marriage.
Mallorca was a former taifa kingdom which was conquered by Aragón and established as a separate kingdom in 1231 AD. Dissolved in 1715 AD in the Nueva Planta Decrees.
The Moorish kingdom of Iberia changed a lot and came to an end in 1230 AD. In 1250 AD, the Emirate of Granada was the only remaining Muslim land.
Established in 910 AD, León became the dominant empire in the northwest of Iberia. In 1230 AD León entered into a union with Castile, which until 1065 AD had been a county of León.
Aragón started out as a part of Navarre but became a kingdom in 1035 AD. Aragón entered into a union with Castile but was not formally dissolved until 1707 – 1715.
Castile, part of León, became a separate kingdom in 1065 AD. Castile’s later union with León and then Aragón (Ferdinand & Isabella) established, de facto, Spain in 1479.
A former county under Asturias from the mid-ninth century. It gained independence from León and was established as a kingdom in 1139 AD. Portugal became a republic in 1910.
The emirate of Granada was established in 1230 AD. It became the last holdout for Muslim rulers in Iberia. In 1492 AD it surrendered to Castile and León which ended almost 800 years of Muslim rule in Iberia.
A former taifa empire, at times independent. Castile eventually took over and established a diocese in 1258 AD which some see as the start of a Christian Murcia.
England invaded and captured Gibraltar in 1704 AD and Menorca in 1708 AD. Menorca was handed over to Spain in 1802 AD while Gibraltar is still British.
De facto established in 1479 AD through marriage between Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.
The Nueva Planta decrees, signed between 1707 and 1716 AD, established a common kingdom, Castile.
Spain’s first constitution in 1808 AD was a French initiative.
Spanish constitution drafted in 1812 AD included universal male suffrage, public schooling and freedom of the press.
Royal Statute of 1834 under Queen Maria Christina.
The constitution of 1837 was partially replaced by decrees between 1840 – 1843 AD.
The Constitution of 1845 AD introduced limited voting rights, weighted by societal status.
Proposal for a new constitution in 1856 AD was never approved.
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Spain has had many unification attempts throughout history. In 1978 AD the country’s current democratic constitution was approved.
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Spain’s coat of arms bears the mark of a complex history. You can read more about the Spanish coat of arms here: Spain’s Coat of Arms explained.
A new constitution was introduced in 1869 AD. Parliament was elected by universal male suffrage.
The Constitution of 1873 established Spain as a republic for the first time. The republic collapsed before the constitution was introduced.
Constitution of 1876 AD re-establishes universal suffrage for men from the 1890s.
Dictatorship, Primo de Rivero, from 1923 to 1930 AD.
Spain’s Second Republic was established in 1931 but was replaced when the Republicans lost the Civil War.
Franco introduced dictatorship in 1938 and used medieval “fueros” as a constitution.
The constitution of 1978 was the country’s first democratic constitution.
With permission, the maps of Spain we have used and added to have been borrowed from Flashpoint History, which produces videos about important battles, eras and kingdoms.
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