The Story Of Boabdil, The Last Moor
Part 1: Kingdom in Crisis
“You do well my son, to cry like a women for what you couldn’t defend like a man”
Boabdil was heir to a dying kingdom.
In the 15th century, Granada was the last Muslim state in Spain. For 250 years it survived, living in the shadow of the Christian kingdoms.
But that all changed after the marriage between Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragorn united the two most powerful kingdoms in the lands.
The Newlywed’s looked hungrily at Boabdil’s impoverished state and dreamed of their place in the history books as the King and Queen who reconquered Spain in the name of the Cross…
Part 2: The Eye Of The Storm
‘Stop, stop! Don’t kill him you fool, that’s the Moorish King!’
Boabdil’s path to the throne had not been easy. He had been pressured into overthrowing his father by his mother and was captured during his first battle.
After being forced to swear an oath of loyalty to The Christian King Ferdinand, many of his countrymen called him a traitor to Islam.
With an army of Christian muscle backing him, the 22 year old King marched back to reclaim his homeland.
The war-weary citizens of Granada had to pick a side.
- Should they support the Old King who defended Islam but bought destruction to their lands?
- Or his son, who bought peace but at the price of their dignity?
Part 3: Thy Kingdom Come
‘He bore the impending demise of his religion, culture and way of life’
Boabdil had earned his bloody throne. But there was little time to celebrate.
As the armies of Christendom camped outside the last Islamic stronghold in Spain, its citizens knew the end of their world would come soon.
But how would it happen?
Would Boabdil resist until the bitter end?
Or would he negotiate with the Christian King who had stolen everything from him?
The final chapter of the 800 year Reconquista was close at hand…
King Sancho of Navarre’s victory at Las Navas de Tolosa (source: Wikipedia) 
The Moors Last Sigh (source: Wikipedia) 
King Ferdinand’s motif chiselled over Boabdil’s at the Alhambra (source Wikipedia) 
Boabdil meets Ferdinand after capture (source Wikipedia) 
Boabdil’s sword with Nasrid emblem (source: Wikipedia) 
Boabdil’s surrender of 1492 (source: Wikipedia) 
. Statue of Boabdil (mid 90’s). The woman represents that city of Granada, thanking him. (photo taken by Elliot Gates) 
Nasrid coat of arms at The Alhambra (photo taken by Elliot Gates) 
The Gate Boabdil left through (Gate Of The Seven Floors) -photo taken by Elliot Gates 
The Alhambra from above – photo taken by Elliot Gates
Further Reading:
- Ferdinand and Isabella, Profiles In Power by John Edwards
- Isabella The Warrior Queen by Kirstin Downey
- Primary Sources describe The Battle of Navas De Tolosa
- Relación de Hernando de Baeza sobre el Reino de Granada
- The Moors Last Stand by Elizabeth Drayson
- Moorish Spain by Richard Fletcher
- The Spanish kingdoms, 1250-1516 by JN Hillgarth
- The Alhambra by Robert Irwin
- The Nasrid Kingdoms of Granada between East and West by Adela Fabregas and Consuelo Lopez-Morillaz
Attributions:
- A big thanks to my generous Patrons!
- If you notice improved audio, that’s the new microphone!
- Malcolm G
- Tom G
- Claudia K – Big thanks for The Alhambra quote reading.
- Thanks Jack, for the Arabic translation of Boabdil’s speech.
- All images are public domain unless stated otherwise.
- Paid Artlist.io license for ‘Anthology Of Heroes Podcast’ utilised for numerous sounds/music
- The Ice Giants by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
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