I have tried to research on it, but perhaps because i´m not an expert, i have failed to or come upon sparse information on the topic, but heres the question: in what ways did the iberian peninsula culture differ from the rest of europe? Im mainly interested in xiv and xv century christian countries, but i would also want to know about earlier periods and the muslim world on the peninsula.
We, or at least me, are shown mostly medieval england and france in pop culture as the "standard" medieval depictions, but from the small information i came upon, i realized that portugal, castille and aragon would be a lot different from that, i imagined because of climate, size of the realms and the mixing with muslim culture.
The first thing i noticed, at least in portugal, is the considerable small forces that are used. In an old book ive read (historical fiction) about king John II and the campaign that led to the battle of Toro ( 1476 ), it is mentioned that a small group os soldiers, around 20 or 30 were sent to take a minor castle. Is this reasonable at the time to take a small castle with such a small force?
Another thing is arms and armor. From what i gathered, the tradition of the heavy cavalry from france wasnt such a big thing here, and Ginetes light cavalry was the thing. Did "light cavalry" not wear armor? wanst there the image of the knight in shining armor a thing?
What about art? was italy and the netherlands the only place where that side of the renaissance took of? what happened here in iberia?
Did the feudal structure from iberia differ in any way from the rest of europe (at least that classical image we have from it)?
I'm so happy you asked this. I've been reading a book called Spain: The Root and the Flower by John A. Crow that has been extremely interesting to me. I've really learned a lot and I'd highly suggest his work.
In short, Iberia was fundamentally different from the rest of Europe because, during the time of the artistic and intellectual renaissance in Italy, Flanders, and the rest of Europe, the kingdom of Castille (the closest thing to "Spain" there was back then) was still busily reconquering the Iberian peninsula from the "Moorish invaders." I put that in quotes because by the time Spain reconquered Moorish cities like Seville, Granada, and Cadiz, the moors had been there for 600+ years, and had seriously better art, science, and math than the Spanish, who had spent the majority of the years 700-1400 in a constant state of conflict against the Moors. (okay- under some rulers, Moors, Jews, and Christians lived harmoniously, but for the most part of Spanish history, rulers used religion to unify the country and if you weren't Christian, you were taxed, tortured, and kicked out of the country once the Spanish Inquisition started.)
The "re-birth" Spain experienced wasn't a rebirth of art and culture like that of Italy, but rather, a re-harnessing of the conquistador spirit that suddenly had no more Spanish land to conquer. In 1492, Isabelle of Castille banned the Jews and Moors thus unifying Spain under the Catholic cross. Simultaneously, Christopher Columbus "discovered" America, a land full of gold and natives to convert. The decision to invade for Spain was an obvious one. The Royals were most concerned with spreading their influence and increasing their wealth than creating art and re-discovering the human experience. They weren't exactly a country of romantics.
However, I want to point out to you that during the golden age of Spain, (which will be defined by different times depending on who you ask, for these purposes, we'll say 1492-1650) there were several of the worlds first, and most significant dramatic written stories. I'm sure you've heard of Don Quijote by Miguel Cervantes, published in 1615 (often called the first novel), but that story was actually preceded by an even older written story called "La Celestina" was written in dramatic dialogue, however, never was intended to be performed or told, but rather, read.
Also, you should check out El Greco and Diego Velazquez for paintings, they were both amazing artists who worked in the Spanish Courts.
Source: Spain: The Root and the Flower: An Interpretation of Spain and the Spanish People Third Edition by John A. Crow