The Problems and Opportunities of Reconquest, c. 1200–1350

Abstract

During the thirteenth-century phase of the reconquest the Christians made dramatic advances which appeared to eliminate Islamic political power from the peninsula. Two rulers dominated these events and stood out head and shoulders above their contemporaries — Ferdinand III of Castile and León (1217/30–52) and James I of Aragon (1213–76). Like his cousin, Louis IX of France, Ferdinand III was to be canonised. His saintliness was not of the same exalted calibre as that of St Louis and was not officially recognised until 1671, but his firmness of purpose and his practical achievements made him a greater and more successful ruler than the French king. The Primera Crónica General tells us how St Ferdinand dedicated himself to his kingly and religious duties, among which the reconquest was of the greatest importance:

Never did he surrender himself to great vices but always wished to serve God and destroy the infidels. As soon as he had made one conquest he prepared for the next; for he did not wish to eat his bread at rest or to sit around doing nothing, but wanted to give a good account to the highest judge as to how he had used his time.²³