Confraternity of Belchite facts for kids
The Confraternity of Belchite was a special group of knights. It was started in 1122 by King Alfonso the Battler of Aragon and Navarre. This group was like an early military order, similar to the famous Knights Templar.
Their main goal was to protect Christians and fight against the Muslims during a time known as the Reconquista. This was a long period when Christian kingdoms in Spain tried to take back land from Muslim rule. The Confraternity also offered a special reward, called an indulgence, to people based on how long they served.
Some historians believe the Confraternity might have used a palm tree as its symbol. An old historian named Orderic Vitalis even called them Fratres de Palmis, which means 'brothers of the palm'.
Contents
History of the Belchite Knights
How the Confraternity Started
In 1117, King Alfonso the Battler captured the town of Belchite. This town was about 22 miles southeast of his main target, the city of Zaragoza, which he conquered in 1118. After securing these new lands, Alfonso created the Confraternity of Belchite in 1122.
He might have wanted to start a new kind of international fighting group, like the military orders that were becoming popular. Although the original document that started the Confraternity is lost, we know it was supported by very powerful bishops from all over Spain. These included Bernard de Sedirac, Oleguer Bonestruga, Diego Gelmírez, and Guy de Lescar.
The End of the Confraternity
The Confraternity of Belchite did not last very long. It likely ended shortly after 1136. Some historians thought it might have joined the Knights Templar, but there is no real proof of this. It probably stopped existing around 1134, when King Alfonso the Battler made his will.
Later, in 1143, the castle at Belchite was given to the Knights Templar. This happened as part of a deal about who would rule Aragon next. The Templars took over the castle from its former leader, Lope Sanz, who had been the head of the Confraternity in 1136.
How the Confraternity Was Organized
Rules and Rewards for Members
The Confraternity of Belchite planned to have its main base in Belchite or another strong fort near Zaragoza. The knights were allowed to keep all the treasures and goods they took from the Muslims they fought. They also didn't have to give the usual one-fifth share of their spoils to the king.
They could also settle on any empty lands they captured. All their property was considered to belong to God and was used for serving God. The members chose their own leader, who was called a princeps or rector. They even had two merchants who were allowed to travel without paying any taxes or fees. Members of the Confraternity could also judge legal cases involving other members.
Special Indulgence for Supporters
On October 4, 1136, a big meeting of church leaders took place in Burgos. At the request of King Alfonso VII, they offered a special indulgence to anyone who supported the Confraternity of Belchite. An indulgence was like a spiritual reward that could reduce punishment for sins.
Many important church leaders were there, including three archbishops and many bishops and abbots. The support could be joining the Confraternity permanently or temporarily, or simply giving a donation. This indulgence was for everyone, both religious people and regular citizens. This idea of linking the reconquista (the fight against Muslims in Spain) to a crusade was based on the idea of opening a path to Jerusalem through Spain and North Africa.
Much of the wording for this indulgence came from a speech given by Diego Gelmírez in 1125. This shows that Diego Gelmírez was very important in creating the 1136 indulgence. It was one of the few times such an indulgence was given by a Spanish church leader, not the Pope, in the 1100s.
The Confraternity of Belchite has been compared to a similar group in Denmark, founded around 1151. Both groups show how the new idea of crusades was applied in different local areas.
Influence from Islamic Groups
Some historians believe that the Christian military orders, like the Confraternity of Belchite, might have been influenced by Islamic groups called ribāṭs. A ribāṭ was a type of fortress or religious building where Muslim warriors and holy men lived and trained.
Historian Elena Lourie suggests that the idea of temporary service, which was part of the Belchite rules, might have come from the Islamic ribāṭ. This idea was quite different from the usual Christian idea of a lifelong religious calling. However, the 1136 rules for Belchite started to focus more on permanent members, moving closer to Christian traditions.
The Confraternity of Belchite is seen as a "half-way house" between local town groups, Christian monastic orders, and the Islamic ribāṭ.
See also
In Spanish: Cofradía de Belchite para niños
