Spain words

Question 1

Moors

Answer 1

People of West African descent.

Question 2

Meseta

Answer 2

Plateau in central Spain.

Question 3

Mesta

Answer 3

Wool traders guild.

Question 4

Reconquista

Answer 4

Reconquest - A succession of military campaigns to reclaim Iberian lands from Muslim occupiers. The reconquest started in the 8th century and ended in 1492 with the capture of Granada.

Question 5

Cortes

Answer 5

Parliament - the parliament in each of the kingdoms in Castile and Aragon.

Question 6

Iberian Peninsular

Answer 6

The land occupied by today’s Spain and Portugal. Separated from France by the Pyrenees mountains and from Africa by the straight of Gibraltar.

Question 7

Mudejar

Answer 7

A Moor who is Muslim.

Question 8

Moriscos

Answer 8

Moors who are Christian.

Question 9

Conversos

Answer 9

Jews who have converted to Christianity.

Question 10

Hidalgo

Answer 10

Lowest level of nobility, like the gentry.

Question 11

Grandees

Answer 11

Highest level of nobility, like a Duke - they have nearly as much power as the monarch.

Question 12

Convivencia

Answer 12

Peaceful co-existence.

Question 13

Hermandades

Answer 13

A local peace-keeping force

Question 14

Cruzada

Answer 14

A tax, or money offering, which was earmarked for he Christian crusades against Muslims.

Question 15

Corregidores

Answer 15

Crown governors appointed to Castilian towns/tax collectors.

Question 16

Alcabala

Answer 16

A sales tax, usually 10%

Question 17

Audiencia

Answer 17

A court of appeal

Question 18

Auto de fe

Answer 18

A public ceremony at which the Inquisition announced its sentences for those found guilty. The burning of any heretics took place after such ceremonies and was carried out by the secular authorities.

Question 19

Comuneros

Answer 19

City dwellers who organised themselves to defend the rights of their communities against the government - associated with rebellion or revolt.

Question 20

Conquistador

Answer 20

A conqueror, especially one of the Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century.

Question 21

Encomienda

Answer 21

Land grant given to an individual in return for his services to the crown.

Question 22

Fueros

Answer 22

Aragonese laws and privileges

Question 23

Germania

Answer 23

‘Brotherhood’ - christian brotherhood of armed volunteers formed to defend Valerian coast against Muslim pirates.

Question 24

Junta

Answer 24

A council

Question 25

Juros

Answer 25

Bonds issued by the crown to cover the costs of military campaigns.

Question 26

Justicia

Answer 26

Aragonese law officer in charge of courts and justice.

Question 27

Letrados

Answer 27

Lawyers, usually with 2 academic degrees and 10 years legal experience.

Question 28

Mayorazgo

Answer 28

Inheritance of an estate by a single person.

Question 29

Pragmaticas

Answer 29

Laws which the 2 monarchs had issued without going through the cortes but still had to be obeyed by inhabitants of Castile.