Alfonso X of Castile

Alfonso X, El Sabio, the Learned, the Astronomer, or the Wise (November 23, 1221 - April 4, 1284) was a king of Castile and Le?n (1252 - 1284). He is perhaps the most interesting, though far from the most capable, of the Spanish kings of the Middle Ages. His nickname "El Sabio" usually means "the Wise", but in this case his wisdom has been said to have been of so-called sulphuric quality, thus a translation "The Learned" is better in order.

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He was a writer, and he had considerable scientific fame, based mainly on his encouragement of astronomy and the Ptolemaic cosmogony as known to him through the Arabs. The Alphonsus crater on the Moon is named after him. After hearing an explanation about Ptolemy's theory of epicycles he is credited to have said: "If the Lord Almighty had consulted me before embarking on creation I should have recommended something simpler".

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He established at Toledo a translation school that did a great work increasing the flow of knowledge into Christian Europe. Much of it was based on Ancient philosophy. His fame also connects itself with the preparation of the Alfonsine tables.

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As a ruler he showed legislative capacity, and a very commendable wish to provide his kingdoms with a code of laws and a consistent judicial system. The Fuero Real was undoubtedly his work, and he began the code called the Siete Partidas, which, however, was only promulgated by his great-grandson. He lacked the singleness of purpose required by a ruler who would devote himself to organization, and also the combination of firmness with temper needed for dealing with his nobles. His descent from the Hohenstaufen through his mother, a daughter of the emperor Philip of Swabia, gave him claims to represent the Swabian line. Being elected by the German electors, after the death of Conrad IV in 1254, misled him into wild schemes which never took effect but caused immense expense. To obtain money he debased the coinage, and then endeavoured to prevent a rise in prices by an arbitrary tariff. The little trade of his dominions was ruined, and the burghers and peasants were deeply offended. His nobles, whom he tried to cow by sporadic acts of violence, rebelled against him.

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Alfonso's eldest son, Ferdinand de la Cerda, died in 1275, leaving two infant sons. Alfonso's second son, Sancho, claimed to be the new heir, in preference to the children of Ferdinand de la Cerda, basing his claim on an old Castilian custom. Alfonso preferred to leave the throne to his grandsons, but Sancho had the support of the nobility. A bitter civil war broke out, but in 1282 Alfonso was forced to accept Sancho as his heir in preference to his young grandsons.

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Son and nobles alike supported the Moors, when he tried to unite the nation in a crusade; and when he allied himself with the rulers of Morocco they denounced him as an enemy of the faith. A reaction in his favour was beginning in his later days, but he died defeated and deserted at Seville, leaving a will by which he endeavoured to exclude Sancho and a heritage of civil war.

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In addition to his other achievements, Alfonso X commissioned or co-authored numerous works during his reign, including the Cantigas de Santa Maria (400+ songs mentioning the Virgin Mary, Galician-Portuguese), Cantigas d'escarnio e maldicer (also in Galician) and the Libro de los juegos, or "Book of Games".

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1221: Centuries: 12th century - 13th century - 14th century...

Castile: A former kingdom of Spain, Castile comprises the two regions of Old Castile in north-western Spain, and New Castile in the centre of the country....

1252: For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century....

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