Spain words Flashcards
Moors
People of West African descent.
Meseta
Plateau in central Spain.
Mesta
Wool traders guild.
Reconquista
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.
Cortes
Parliament - the parliament in each of the kingdoms in Castile and Aragon.
Iberian Peninsular
The land occupied by today’s Spain and Portugal. Separated from France by the Pyrenees mountains and from Africa by the straight of Gibraltar.
Mudejar
A Moor who is Muslim.
Moriscos
Moors who are Christian.
Conversos
Jews who have converted to Christianity.
Hidalgo
Lowest level of nobility, like the gentry.
Grandees
Highest level of nobility, like a Duke - they have nearly as much power as the monarch.
Convivencia
Peaceful co-existence.
Hermandades
A local peace-keeping force
Cruzada
A tax, or money offering, which was earmarked for he Christian crusades against Muslims.
Corregidores
Crown governors appointed to Castilian towns/tax collectors.
Alcabala
A sales tax, usually 10%
Audiencia
A court of appeal
Auto de fe
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.
Comuneros
City dwellers who organised themselves to defend the rights of their communities against the government - associated with rebellion or revolt.
Conquistador
A conqueror, especially one of the Spanish conquerors of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century.
Encomienda
Land grant given to an individual in return for his services to the crown.
Fueros
Aragonese laws and privileges
Germania
‘Brotherhood’ - christian brotherhood of armed volunteers formed to defend Valerian coast against Muslim pirates.
Junta
A council
Juros
Bonds issued by the crown to cover the costs of military campaigns.
Justicia
Aragonese law officer in charge of courts and justice.
Letrados
Lawyers, usually with 2 academic degrees and 10 years legal experience.
Mayorazgo
Inheritance of an estate by a single person.
Pragmaticas
Laws which the 2 monarchs had issued without going through the cortes but still had to be obeyed by inhabitants of Castile.
