Estoria de España facts for kids
The Estoria de España ("History of Spain") is a super important history book. It was started by Alfonso X of Castile, who was also known as "the Wise." He helped a lot with writing it! People think it's the first long history of Spain written in Old Spanish. This old language is like an ancestor to the Spanish spoken today. The book used many older writings to tell its story.
It tells the history of Spain from the very beginning, even from Biblical times and old legends. The story continues all the way through the history of Castile up to the time of Fernando III of Castile. Like many history books from that time, it starts with ancient stories from the Bible. From the time of Moses, it also includes stories from Greek history. As the book goes on, the details get much clearer. This is especially true for the time from the Germanic invasions up to Alfonso's father, Fernando III.
The Estoria de España is split into four main parts. The first part covers the history of Ancient Rome. Medieval kings in Europe saw themselves as linked to the Roman Empire. The second part tells about the barbarian and Gothic kings. These kings were important ancestors in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). The third part is about the Kingdom of Asturias. This is where the Reconquista (the Christian effort to take back Spain from Muslim rule) began. The fourth and last part tells the history of the Kingdoms of León and Castile.
Contents
What is the Estoria de España About?
Not all of the Estoria de España was finished during King Alfonso X's time. The version put together by Ramón Menéndez Pidal helps us understand the whole story. It gives a clear history of Spain from its very beginnings up to the death of Fernando III. This was exactly what King Alfonso wanted.
The Estoria is divided into four main sections. Here's a look at what each part covers:
- Prologue: This is an introduction written by King Alfonso X himself.
- First part (Chapters 1–364): This section covers early Spanish history and the time when Rome ruled Spain.
- It talks about ancient Spain and the time of Roman leaders (1–116).
- It includes the time of Julius Caesar (117–121).
- It also covers the wider Roman Empire era (122–364).
- Second part (Chapters 365–565): This section focuses on the Visigothic kings.
- It tells about early barbarian and Visigothic kings until Euric (365–429).
- It then covers later Visigothic kings (430–565).
- Third part (Chapters 566–801): This part tells the history of the Asturian-Leonese kingdoms.
- It covers the Asturian-Leonese kings (566–677).
- It then focuses on the Leonese kings (678–801).
- Fourth part (Chapters 802–1135): This final part covers the history of the Castilian-Leonese kingdoms.
How the Book Was Made
Work on the Estoria de España happened in two main periods. The first was from about 1260 to 1274. The second, which created a "critical version," was written between 1282 and 1284, the year Alfonso died.
By 1271, Alfonso had approved a version called the "Royal" or "Primitive" version. This version only went up to the time of Fernando I of Castile (who ruled from 1033–1065). There were also some rough notes up to Alfonso VII of León and Castile (who ruled from 1135–1157). A big political problem in 1272, when some nobles rebelled against Alfonso, stopped the work for several months. The scholars kept working with less help from the king. They created a "Concise" or "Vulgar" version in 1274. These early versions already had the four-part structure.
The years after 1274 were tough for Alfonso X. There were invasions, more rebellions, and his chosen heir, Fernando de la Cerda, died too young. Alfonso also started another huge writing project called the General estoria. This project was a universal history, and it paused work on the Estoria de España. Work on the Estoria de España didn't start again until 1282. Alfonso decided he didn't like the first version from 1271. He wanted a new edition that showed the challenges he faced, even from his own son, Sancho. This "Critical" version was not finished before Alfonso died.
Sancho, who became King Sancho IV, continued the work. He produced an "Amplified" version in 1289. Over time, the Estoria de España spread widely. It was used as a main history book for a long time.
The Primera Crónica General de España (1906)
In 1906, a language expert named Ramón Menéndez Pidal published parts of two old manuscripts. He thought these were original copies from Alfonso X's time. He called his collection the Primera Crónica General de España ("First General Chronicle of Spain"). Later experts, like Diego Catalán, showed that only the first manuscript and the early parts of the second were truly from the royal workshops. The rest were put together from different old writings.
Why Was This Book Important?
The Estoria showed a way of looking at the world that was popular at the time. It was influenced by a book called Policraticus. This idea said that a kingdom is like a body: the king is the head and heart, and the people are the arms and legs. King Alfonso wanted to create many scientific, literary, and historical works. These books would help spread his political ideas.
The Estoria helped create a shared past for the people of Spain. It helped them build an identity and find their place in the group. The history was told in a way that encouraged people to act as the king wanted. The Estoria gave good and bad examples to the people. For example, the story of how the Visigoths fell showed the dangers of fighting among themselves. This history also supported the idea that the kingdoms of León and Castile were the true heirs of the Visigothic kings. By claiming this link, the Castilians wanted to be the most powerful kingdom in Spain.
Why Castilian Language Mattered
The most original thing about the Estoria de España was that it was written in the Castilian language of its time, not in Latin. Latin was the language usually used for important books. But since Alfonso's father, Fernando III, Castilian had become the language of the royal court.
King Alfonso X started using what we now call Old Spanish in a big way. This was because the Estoria and other books were shared more widely. They went to the court, to nobles, and to monasteries and churches. This helped Castilian become the main language of Spain. It also led to Castilian becoming a language used for great literature. Under Alfonso X, Castilian truly became a literary language.
Alfonso's nephew, Juan Manuel, Prince of Villena, was a famous writer. He wrote Tales of Count Lucanor and was greatly inspired by the Estoria.
See also
In Spanish: Estoria de España para niños
