Alfonso x of castile biography of christopher

The Siete Partidas

Although completed between 1256 and 1265, it has long been argued that Alfonso's law code, the Siete Partidas, was not promulgated until the 14th century, and even then only as a supplementary law. 8 More recently, some historians, Burns and Carpenter among them, have argued based on the "framing language in the Partidas," it was actually an amplification of the statutes put into effect by the Especulo-promulgated in 1254-which took effect immediately upon completion. 9 Joseph O'Callaghan takes a similar position, positing that the Siete Partidas was indeed in effect during Alfonso's lifetime within the royal court, with the towns of Castile and Extremadura being governed under the separate laws of the Fuero Real. 10 There is a statement in the Chronicle of Alfonso X regarding 2. Dwayne E. Carpenter, Alfonso X and the Jews: An Edition of and Commentary on Siete Partidas 7. 24 the promulgation of

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Alfonso XI of Castile

King of Castile, León and Galicia from 1312 to 1350

Alfonso XI (11 August 1311 – 26 March 1350), called the Avenger (el Justiciero), was King of Castile and León. He was the son of Ferdinand IV of Castile and his wife Constance of Portugal. Upon his father's death in 1312, several disputes ensued over who would hold regency, which were resolved in 1313.

Once Alfonso was declared an adult in 1325, he began a reign that would serve to strengthen royal power.

Life

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Minority

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Born on 13 August 1311 in Salamanca, he was the son of King Ferdinand IV of Castile and Constance of Portugal. His father died when Alfonso was one year old. His grandmother, María dem Molina, his mother Constance, his granduncle Infante John of Castile, son of King Alfonso X of Castile and uncle Infante Peter of Castile, son of King Sancho IV assumed the regency. His mother died first on 18 November 1313, followed by Infantes John and Peter duri

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The Wise King: A Christian Prince, Muslim Spain, and the Birth of the Renaissance

"The Middle Ages have long been categorized as an infertile intermission between the classical Greek and Roman world and the Renaissance.... Doubleday (The Lara Family) here debunks the myth.... [He] convincingly reasons that Alfonso was the epitome of a renaissance man."—Library Journal

"In this insightful biography of Alfonso X of Castile and León (1221-1284), Doubleday...illuminates the complexity of society in 13th-century Spain and, through the figure of the king, 'exorcises the myth that medieval Europe was mired in a dark age.'"—Publishers Weekly

"Machiavelli may get all the press, but as Simon Doubleday shows in this fascinating work, the 13th-century Spanish king Alfonso X brought an altogether more enlightened approach to the task of leadership. Promoting culture and learning, moderating temper and greed, acting virtuously by example, even judiciously endorsing games and sex--these