[Luka Borscak]

Hello! What books would you people recommend for a research about reconquista? I would also like to start a discussion here since there are so many knowledgeable people here. I am interested in all aspects of it, difference in mentality between iberian and outremer crusades, culture and war equipment and tactics of different kingdoms in Iberia during reconquista, change in culture from typical migration era germanic to what we know now as "spanish"... So, everything basically. Graphic material showing arms and armor would also be great. Just don't recommend Osprey publishing, I don't really take them as accurate enough for a true research...

[José-Manuel Benito]

Hi

There are many ways to deal with the enormous issue of the Reconquista. There are 800 years, with constant changes. Spain, as idea, did not exist then (there were many kingdoms, Christians and Muslims, and each has its peculiarities).

Also, there are many phenomena to be studied, such the Way of St. James, the Military Orders, the evolution of weaponry, the "Repopulation" of conquered lands, the power of the Church, the power of the nobility, the power of the monarchy, and the civil power of free villes that have "fueros" that granted its freedom against feudalism ..., for instance.

There are some historical characters of vital importance: Tarik, the first invader, Abd al-Rahman I, the founder of the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba, Al-Mansur, the last invincible general of muslims, El Cid, Eleanor of England, queen of Castile, James I of Aragon, named "the conqueror", The King Wolf of Murcia, and so on…

Islam invaded not once but many times the Iberian peninsula, sometimes to help their brethren, sometimes to conquer and subdue them. In the other side, the Christians fought against other Christians, sometimes in defense of Muslim kingdoms. There are not a sentiment of crusade all the time.

If you notify us that specific aspects, or what stage you may be interested, maybe we can help.

Regards

[Luka Borscak]

Well, I already do know much of this, I was researching reconquista on the internet for some years now, especially El Cid and later battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, so I got basics covered, but internet is limited for a quality research. I guess questions I would like to clear out first are these:
1. When germanic language of gothic immigrants changed and got romanized?
2. Differences in equipment and tactics between Iberian christians and the rest of continental europe, difference in sword hilt types, popular blade types etc...
3. Average type of warfare. Was it a series of attacks and counter attacks, raids and skirmishes with few big battles or was it more like longer periods of piece broken by sudden determined invasions? I thought it is more like constant border warfare, skirmishes and raids with a few bigger planned invasions by both sides leading to great battles like Las Navas de Tolosa...

And the period I'm MOST interested in is 11th to 14th century, the time of christian counter attacks... But period immediately after the Muslim invasion reached its peak and christians got their first victories is also important to me.

Of course for better understanding of politics and chronology between different kingdoms during such a long period of time I should read a good detailed book... I'm open to suggestions which book that should be...

[Michael Harley]

Hi Luka,

For getting a feel for the unfolding of the pageant of history, I would have to recommend 'The New Penguin Atlas of Medieval History' by Colin McEvedy, ISBN 0-14-051249-7. Covering from the fourth to the fourteenth century, the book takes a standard map of Europe, the Near East and North Africa, and shows the shifting patterns and ebbs and flows of peoples, kingdoms and empires in chronological increments of roughly thirty to forty years with accompanying commentaries for each map.

Very general, but an invaluable resource none the less, and one of those books you can just open anywhere and start reading whenever you have some time to kill.

Cheers,
Michael.

[José-Manuel Benito]

Maybe you can take a look at the Spanish journal, Gladius (doi:10.3989/gladius).