The documented history of Madrid dates to the 9th century, even though the area has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The primitive nucleus of Madrid, a walled military outpost in the left bank of the Manzanares, dates back to the second half of the 9th century, during the rule of the Emirate of Córdoba. Conquered by Christians in 1083 or 1085, Madrid consolidated in the Late Middle Ages as a middle to upper-middle rank town of the Crown of Castile. The development of Madrid as administrative centre began when the court of the Hispanic Monarchy was settled in the town in 1561.
Feast at the Plaza Mayor, c. 1630, by Juan de la Corte
Ruins of Madrid's Muslim wall, built in the 9th century
Early 16th century representation of the alcázar by Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen
View of Madrid from the west, facing the Puerta de la Vega (1562), by Anton Van der Wyngaerde (known in Spanish as Antonio de las Viñas), commissioned by Philip II to collect views of his cities. The banks of the Manzanares can be seen in the foreground, crossed by the predecessors to the present-day Segovia Bridge (in the first third) and the Toledo Bridge (further south, right), which was rebuilt in a monumental form years later. The most prominent building in the north (left) is the
John I was King of Castile and León from 1379 until 1390. He was the son of Henry II and of his wife Juana Manuel of Castile.
Depiction of John as young infante by Jaime Serra (c. 1375)
Battle of Aljubarrota: The victorious Portuguese are on the right
João I (John I of Portugal)
Sepulchre of John I of Castile in the Cathedral of Toledo
