Timeline of Events by

1060s - Start of the Reconquista

jacklewis9 — 2025-03-03 16:05:07 UTC

The Reconquista was a long war between Christian and Muslim kingdoms in Spain, where the Christians invaded and tried to reconquer the land. As Christian rulers took back land from the Muslims, Jews often found themselves caught in the middle. At times, they were scholars and helpful to the economy, but their status was always uncertain, depending on who ruled the land.

1085 - Fall of Toledo

jacklewis9 — 2025-03-03 16:05:09 UTC

Christian forces captured Toledo from the Muslims, and it was a huge city of the time. Jews in the city had lived under Muslim rule for centuries, and they were tolerated. Under Christian rule, Jews still played important roles, but their situation became more unstable as Christian rulers did not grant the same status to Jews.

1140s - Almohade Invasion

jacklewis9 — 2025-03-03 16:05:11 UTC

The Almohades, a radical Muslim group from North Africa, invaded Spain and forced both Christians and Jews to convert to Islam or flee. Jews who refused to convert escaped to Christian lands, where they were sometimes welcomed, but others were oppressed and forced to practice Judaism in secret.

Middle of 13th Century - Blood Libels

jacklewis9 — 2025-03-03 16:05:13 UTC

False accusations spread that Jews were harming Christian children in secret rituals. These lies led to violence against Jewish communities, restrictions on Jewish life, and oppression of the Jews by their Christian neighbours.

1412-1413 - The Disputation of Tortosa

jacklewis9 — 2025-03-03 16:08:20 UTC

A public debate that went from arguments into humiliation and persecution of Jews. Prominent rabbis, including Joseph albo debated Joshua Lorki about the legitimacy of Jewish law, the Talmud, and messianic hopes. The pope wanted Lorki to prove that the Talmud proved christianity was superior. The Jewish community did not have immunity, and lots of Jews suffered terrible financial losses. However, Jewish representatives were not charged with heresy, even though parts of the Talmud were destroyed and many more Jews converted to Christianity

1348 - Black Death Hits Spain

jacklewis9 — 2025-03-03 16:10:56 UTC

The plague killed millions of people across Europe, and Jews were used as scapegoats, blamed for poisoning wells and spreading the disease. As a result, Jewish communities were attacked, with entire towns destroyed in violent riots, even though Jews were dying of the plague just like everyone else.

June 4th, 1391 - Riots

jacklewis9 — 2025-03-03 16:16:27 UTC

An Archdeacon named Ferrant Martinez encouraged anti-Jewish hatred, leading to brutal riots across Spain. Jewish neighborhoods were burned, thousands of Jews were murdered, and many others were forced to convert to Christianity.