(Listen) A long time ago, in the 13th
century, the lands we now call Spain were divided between Christian kingdoms in
the north and Muslim kingdoms in the south. The Christians wanted to take back
lands that had been under Muslim rule for hundreds of years. This great effort
was called the Reconquest.
One of the most famous kings in
this time was Jaume I, also known as James the Conqueror. He was
the king of Aragón and Catalonia, and he became king when he was only a
boy! Even as a child, people said Jaume was brave and wise beyond his years.
A
Dream of Valencia
Jaume I dreamed of making his
kingdom larger and stronger. He heard about a rich and beautiful city to the
south called Valencia. The city was full of gardens, palm trees, and
fields that grew oranges, rice, and silk. But Valencia was ruled by a Muslim
king named Zayyan.
Jaume decided that one day, he
would take Valencia and make it part of his kingdom. He told his knights and
soldiers that they must fight not only for land, but for faith, justice, and
peace.
The
Journey South
In the year 1232, Jaume
began his great campaign. He gathered knights from Aragón and Catalonia, brave
men who rode strong horses and carried long lances and shining swords. They
marched south, capturing towns and castles along the way.
The people in the countryside saw
Jaume’s army coming and joined them, hoping for a better life under his rule.
But it was not easy — there were battles to fight, walls to climb, and long
months away from home.
The
Siege of Valencia
Finally, Jaume and his army reached
the city of Valencia. The city was surrounded by strong walls and towers, and
inside, King Zayyan’s soldiers prepared to defend it. Jaume’s men set up camp
all around the city so no one could go in or out. This is called a siege.
The siege lasted for many months.
It was hard for both sides — food became scarce, and the heat was terrible in
the summer sun. But Jaume refused to give up. He even built great wooden towers
and machines to throw stones over the city walls.
As the months passed, the people
inside Valencia grew tired and hungry. Finally, in October 1238, King
Zayyan realized he could not win. He sent messengers to Jaume I to offer peace.
The
Great Victory
On October 9, 1238, Jaume I
entered the city of Valencia. The people cheered as the Christian flag with the
red and yellow stripes — the same colors that still appear on the flag of
Valencia today — was raised over the city walls.
Jaume entered the grand mosque, the
main building for prayer, and blessed it as a Christian church. Later, it
became the Cathedral of Valencia, which still stands today. He promised
to protect the people who stayed and to rebuild the city so it would flourish
again.
A
Legacy of Peace and Prosperity
After conquering Valencia, Jaume I
didn’t stop there. He wrote down his adventures in a book called the Llibre
dels Fets — The Book of Deeds — one of the first books ever written
by a king about his own life!
He also worked to bring peace and
good government to his new lands. Under Jaume’s rule, Valencia grew into a rich
and beautiful kingdom, full of trade, art, and learning. People from many
backgrounds lived together — Christians, Muslims, and Jews — building a new
future side by side.
Remembering
Jaume I
Today, Jaume I is remembered as one
of the greatest kings of medieval Spain. Statues of him can be found in many
cities, especially in Valencia, where every year on October 9th, people
celebrate the day the city was reconquered.
They wave flags, play music, and
remember the young king who dreamed of a united and peaceful land — Jaume I
the Conqueror, the brave ruler who made history.
