History of Orihuela, Alicante
- Fact: Orihuela was the birthplace and home of famed poet Miguel Hernández (1910 - 1942). Although he was poor and received little formal education, he managed to publish his first book of poetry at just 23 years of age. His works gained him much fame in his lifetime. They also put him at odds with the government after the Spanish Civil War. His republican sympathies led him to be arrested and eventually sentenced to death. Although the death sentence was commuted he still died in prison as a result of tuberculosis in 1942.
Copper Ages, Women 'Warriors' and Bad Bets
Human habitation of Orihuela dates back to Copper Age (2500 BC), though there's little documentation available through the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron age. After these periods the Romans entered the picture and made a settlement here. They originally named it Orcelis, but eventually changed it to Aurariola.
During the 5th, 6th and 7th centuries AD (the Visigothic period), Orihuela was the capital of an extensive area cover much of what are the present day provinces of Alicante and Murcia. During the following century, Orihuela was the seat of Teodomiro, a Christian leader who managed an autonomy pact with the Moors after their Islamic conquest. How did he manage such a thing? Well, it turns out as the invading Moors approached, Teodomiro had his warriors, and everyone else he could find (including women), dress in full warrior gear and stand atop the city's walls. His plan worked and the invaders chose to negotiated instead of fight.
The 9th century witnessed Orihuela lose it's independence to the Caliphate of the Omeyas, who ruled from the city of Córdoba. After this period of rule, Orihuela reverted into a petty kingdom within the dominion of the Moors. This was how it would remain until July 17 1242, when Infante Alfonso de Castilla reconquered the city for the Christians. Alfonso went on to become Alfonso X 'The Wise'.
Fifty-four years later, Orihuela decided to pay homage to Jaime II of Aragón and merged with the greater Kingdom of Valencia. They obtained a provincial seat and voting rights within the parliament of the time, though it wasn't until 1564 that Orihuela was granted a bishop.
Things took a definite turn for the worse during the War of Spanish Succession (1703 - 1713). Marquis of Rafal, who was the governor of Orihuela, backed the Austrian pretender to the throne, Carlos III. Why was this bet a turn for the worse? When Bourbon Filipe V won the war, he repaid Orihuela for backing his adversary by sacking the city and revoking its medieval privileges.
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