Keith Tyler

Medieval Europe

Final

Dear father in Rome, Prelate of the earth, exalted Pontiff. I bring to you a tale of my travels to Spain, recently reclaimed from the Moors by the providence of Your will and the grace of God.

Upon landing in Spain I was surprised to find a man of Moorish appearance assisting me from the docks. Throughout the Spanish cities, among the people of God, there remain many Arabs. They speak both the Muslim language as well as Spanish, and they continue to worship their prohpet. The Muslims associate freely among our people, and there are also a notable number of Jews in the country, particularly in the cities. Even after the crusade which served to remove the Muslim power, the Spanish people accept their presence as normal.

The Muslims built many buildings during their occupation of this land. Most striking are their churches. They have a vague resemblance to our own cathedrals, and show similar use of spires, bricks, and colored glass. But they have a peculiar use of alternating light and dark tones. Their arches do not point as those of the Gothic but curve all around and back upon themselves. Aside from their arches, their churches are covered with many designs, mostly patterns of straight lines and square angles, but some familiar shapes of flowers and leaves can also be seen in their work.

Inside, their halls are mazes of pillars, seemingly reaching indefinitely. The pillars are connected by arches as is the normal practice, but below the topping arch, another arch of similar style is placed. Instead of the vast heights of our cathedrals, these Moorish churches have ceilings which are complex and which one could likely get lost in. The peculiar arch shape is seen throughout their architecture. They seem to prefer these sharp patterns and intricate arches to grand spaces which reach to the heavens as we enjoy. Even the Christian churches seem to be made in this way.

The Spanish here are beginning to learn the books which the Arabs have left in their cities. There are many scholars coming to this land to study their collections. Many classical works which they have copied from the ancient Romans are within their libraries. These learned men are employing the Arabs aid them in translating these works which are currently in their own script.

The Arabs brought many things other than their construction to Spain. A number of foods have been brought and cultivated here, such fruits as oranges and apricots are grown in Spanish orchards. The Arabs have skilled ways of bringing water from rivers and lakes into their gardens. They also brought with them their own set of laws. Many of the laws they used during their reign here are still observed by the Spanish townspeople.

Such is the atmosphere of the Spanish lands. Many Arabs remain, and walk freely about the cities among Christians and Jews. The books which the Arabs have left contain old Roman knowledge which Christian scholars are beginning to study. Even the buildings where Christians live and worship resemble the buildings which the Muslims built for their own use. In all aspects, it seems the God-loving people of Spain have found it wiser or easier to live with these elements of Arab culture rather than try to replace them. Uniquely, they accept these foreign people as fellow citizens, accepting their services, their designs, and even their laws.

Notes