Chronica latina regum Castellae facts for kids
The Chronica latina regum Castellae (say: KRON-ih-ka lah-TEE-na REH-goom kas-TEL-yay) is a very old history book written in medieval Latin. Its name means "Latin Chronicle of the Kings of Castile." It tells the story of the kings of Castile, a powerful kingdom in what is now Spain, from the year 970 to about 1239.
This important book was probably written by a person named Juan de Soria. He was a Bishop of Osma and also a special helper, called a chancellor, for King Ferdinand III of Castile. Juan de Soria likely wrote the Chronica sometime between 1217 and 1239.
The book had two main goals. First, it was like a guide for the king and his court, showing them how a good ruler should act. This kind of book was called a speculum principis, which means "mirror for princes." Second, it helped defend the interests of Castile, especially against the neighboring Kingdom of León.
Most of the Chronica focuses on the reigns of two important kings: Alfonso VIII (who ruled from 1158 to 1214) and Ferdinand III (who ruled from 1217 to 1252). It covers events up to the time when King Ferdinand III took back Córdoba from the Moors between 1236 and 1239.
How the Chronicle Was Written
The Chronica originally finished in 1230, when Alfonso IX of León died and Ferdinand III became king. Some historians aren't sure if Juan de Soria wrote the part that continues to the capture of Córdoba, or if someone else added it later. One idea is that Juan de Soria wrote it in three parts between 1223 and 1237.
Juan de Soria got his information from royal documents. He had access to these important papers. He also wrote down events he remembered himself. He didn't use many other history books. This was different from other chronicles of the time, like the Chronicon mundi and De rebus Hispaniae.
Juan de Soria also included events from other parts of the world. He wrote about things happening in North Africa (the Maghrib), the Byzantine Empire, and Kingdom of France. This helped put Castilian history into a bigger picture. The other chronicles, Chronicon mundi and De rebus Hispaniae, didn't do this. However, later histories ordered by King Alfonso X, like the Grande e general estoria and the Estoria de España, did include world events.
Where to Find It Today
There is only one copy of the Chronica that still exists today. It was made in the late 1400s. This copy is kept in the library of the Real Academia de la Historia in Madrid, Spain. It is a copy of the original book. The way the book is divided into four sections and chapters was added later by the first person who published it, Georges Cirot.
See also
In Spanish: Crónica latina de los reyes de Castilla para niños
