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Original research THE POLITICAL ROLES OF THE JEWS UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE KINGDOMS OF CASTILE AND ARAGON DURING THE MIDDLE AGESPages 241-246 Abstract
The Jewish presence in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages was deeply intertwined with the sociopolitical dynamics of the region, particularly the Christian-Muslim conflict and the internal rivalries within Christian kingdoms. This paper investigates the political roles and positions held by Jewish communities under the reign of the Castilian and Aragonese monarchies. Drawing on limited but significant historical sources, the study highlights how affluent Jewish families leveraged their financial capabilities to gain proximity to royal courts, often influencing policy and administration. Their strategic alignment with Christian monarchs—against the backdrop of aristocratic and ecclesiastical resistance—allowed them to ascend to critical administrative and diplomatic positions. However, these roles were often short-lived, as shifting alliances and growing anti-Jewish sentiment culminated in eventual persecution and expulsion. This article aims to provide a nuanced understanding of Jewish political agency in medieval Iberia while accounting for the limitations of historical documentation on religious minorities.
Keywords: Medieval Spain, Castile, Aragon, Jews, Reconquista, political influence, Christian-Muslim conflict, Iberian Peninsula.
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Hajjaj Mohyi eddine 
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