(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.