The image of the Spanish Frankish in the book of Al Bayan Al Moghrib

Abstract

Abstract: Despite the great number of historical studies aiming to highlight aspects of Muslims’ history in the Spanish Peninsula، and their contribution to civilization، the Islamic civilization played an important and glorious role in the Spanish middle ages history. However، a lot of ambiguity is still surrounding some aspects of this era. This includes the reports on events in relation with the Frankish Spanish especially if we tried to get some knowledge about them in one of the available Islamic sources dealing with that period.

Therefore، the researcher chose one of the most important Arab-Islamic sources: "Al Bayan Al Moghrib in the News of Andalusia and Al Maghrib". The book was written by the historian Ibn Adhara Al Marakhshi who tried to depict the image of the Frankish Spanish. This book was selected due to its particular importance among similar sources. In fact، some sources have been lost. For this reason، the research aims to highlight Ibn Adhara’s contribution with the valuable information he provides on the Spanish Frankish in his his book Al-Bayan. This comprises political information، cultural features related to lifestyle and traditions of the Spanish Frankish community، which gives the study more importance and enable us to get a clear image of the Frankish Spanish.

 The researcher began drawing the image of the Spanish Frankish and discusses the status and role of women in the Spanish Frankish society. In addition، she describes some aspects of the ethics of the Spanish Frankish، and how the harsh nature was reflected in the morals of the Spanish Frankish. Furthermore، she provides many references about the characteristics of the Spanish Francophone warrior، the ways of fighting، the military fortifications built by the Spanish Frankish، and even the system of government within one of the Frankish kingdoms of Spain.

 The author did not neglect to talk about the Spanish industry or the agricultural activity in the Spanish Frankish community despite the atmosphere of war and fighting surrounding everyone in that period. He wrote many details about the Spanish rulers such as Alfonso VI and Alfonso VIII and many others with a focus on their role in the movement of recovery. To get the best picture of the Spanish Frankish، Ibn Adhara has been involved in the transfer of one of the most important legends that spread in the Middle Ages and the excess of Andalusia Zaida La Mora or Caida is an important signal as mixed marriages were the most prominent means of cultural communication between Muslims and the rulers of the Frankish Christian kingdoms in Andalusia. Ibn Adhara managed at the end to make us feel as if he is a historian who witnessed the events personally.