Siglo XIII - History Lab

The ports of the Kingdom of Valencia (circa 1250-1520)

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:31:14 +0000

The map shows the Valencian port line with more than 40 ports between 1250 and 1520. The seaways and ports contributed to the economic development of the region. There were 9 important ports: Valencia, Alicante, Denia, Gandía, Gandía, Cullera, Sagunto, Burriana, Castellón and Peñíscola; and smaller ports oriented to the proximity of the rural or semi-urban world. From the latter, products were shipped in kind to the city of Valencia to supply the market, or beyond the borders of the Kingdom. The maritime connection between Valencia and the towns by sea was extremely important during the second half of the 15th century, and there is evidence of the arrival of numerous cargoes in light sailing ships.

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Trade and crafts in northern Valencia at the end of the Middle Ages (13th-15th centuries)

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:31:14 +0000

During the late Middle Ages, or Late Middle Ages (13th-15th centuries), the predominance of the agricultural economy everywhere coexisted with the rise of mercantile and craft activities, in both absolute and relative terms. This development took place in the large cities of the period, but also in those areas that maintained a clearly rural or, at most, semi-urban physiognomy. In the Iberian Peninsula, for example, this is the case of the northern regions of the old kingdom of Valencia, which make up the present-day province of Castellón. They were the site of medium-sized or small population centres for the size of the time: the so-called “places” or villas. The largest agglomerations were in Castellón (on the coast) and Morella (inland), with population levels that in the 15th century exceeded 500 “fuegos” or tax households. In both towns, and in other smaller ones, a large number and variety of craft and mercantile trades were defined. The former were essentially grouped around the textile, leather and pottery sectors. The latter found their maximum expression through the buying and selling activities carried out in the markets and fairs that were gradually created from the 13th century onwards, but also in the coastal ports (carregadors or cargaderos) that allowed the area to be included in maritime import and export itineraries. The attached map illustrates all these issues and reproduces what could be a kind of economic geography of northern Valencia at the end of the Middle Ages, thanks also to the establishment of different overland communication and transport routes. The most important ones were in the south (around the rivers Palancia and Mijares or Millars), in the far north (between Lower Aragon and the coast, connected even with Tortosa) and along the entire Mediterranean coast (largely following the route of the ancient Roman Via Augusta).

The post Trade and crafts in northern Valencia at the end of the Middle Ages (13th-15th centuries) first appeared on History Lab.

Evolution of the irrigated surface area in the Kingdom of Valencia, 13th-19th centuries

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:46 +0000

During the Modern Age, the Kingdom of Valencia experienced strong agricultural growth. Agricultural intensification was a more important technique than the mere increase in the cultivated area. It was based on the expansion of irrigation and, consequently, crop substitution. Fallow land was eliminated and a combination of tree crops on the margins of plots and cereal and vegetable rotations were introduced. In short, the area under irrigation increased threefold during the Ancien Régime. Of the Valencian areas, the Ribera del Júcar grew from 1,250 hectares in the 13th century to 29,900 hectares in the 19th century. The reason for this was the greater technical complexity: the rickety and disjointed irrigation system of the first half of the 13th century was replaced by the construction of irrigation channels in the second half of the century, which allowed the irrigated area to increase, formulas which continued to be applied during the beginning of the Valencian modernity and which were subsequently increased in both capacity and extension, leading to a strong irrigation culture. With this improvement in the system, the crop that required a large amount of water was increased: Valencian rice.

The post Evolution of the irrigated surface area in the Kingdom of Valencia, 13th-19th centuries first appeared on History Lab.

Evolution between Andalusian and feudal hydraulics in Valencia, 8th-18th centuries

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:46 +0000

Obtaining water for cultivation has always been one of the social and economic concerns of farmers. From the late medieval water systems to the end of the Ancien Régime, the techniques and forms of irrigated agriculture evolved fruitfully. The resource shows the evolution of “Andalusian” and “feudal” approaches, giving them a distinct chronological space for both (13th-13th centuries for the former, and 13th-18th centuries for the latter). It was not only technological progress that had an influence; also the administration of irrigated land, the morphology of the market gardens, the mechanical priorities, the social use of water and hydraulic management favoured the development of the extension of irrigated cultivation in the Valencian countryside. With the increase and improvement of soil irrigation, horticultural crops and Valencian rice were able to expand.

The post Evolution between Andalusian and feudal hydraulics in Valencia, 8th-18th centuries first appeared on History Lab.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:27 +0000

Age of Empires II features historical campaigns based on a novel storyline that spans a vast period between the 5th and 16th centuries. This definitive edition was released in 2019 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original video game released in 1999, making some corrections and technologically improving an already excellent base.
Historically the game features the campaigns of 18 civilisations, starting in the Middle Ages after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and running through to the European Renaissance of the 16th century. The goal is therefore to strategically manage resources to build a vast empire and overcome other enemy factions.
The campaigns take a historical look at the lives and triumphs of different key figures from our past, such as William Wallace, Joan of Arc, Saladin and Genghis Khan, among others. As for the factions, this year’s factions are divided into Western European, Central European, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern factions, each with their own unique units and historically known warriors.

The post Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition first appeared on History Lab.

Age of Empires IV

ad_hlab_min — Sat, 19 Feb 2022 16:28:27 +0000

Age of Empires returns 16 years later to demonstrate why it is one of the most recognised sagas in historical strategy. On this occasion it combines the management that brought it so much success in its time with other innovative tools that facilitate the entry of both the new player to the strategy genre, thanks to the complete integrated tutorials, and the veteran who is looking for a challenge to match and who can handle more complex game mechanics and combat techniques.
Historically, this time it seeks to recreate the great battles that led to the building of our world as we know it. Through 8 civilisations, passing through England, China, France or the Sultanate of Delhi, we will face four great campaigns: the Norman conquest of England, the Hundred Years’ War, the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the history of the Mongol Empire. All these elements centre the game from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance of the 16th century.

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