Towards a trans‐regional approach to early medieval Iberia

The past few decades have witnessed great change in the study of early Middle Ages Northern Iberian Peninsula. Spanish and Portuguese historiographies moved away from older grand narratives such as ‘Reconquest Repopulation’, which traced a centuries-long process encompassing ultimate victory Christianity over Islam construction distinct nations or national societies. basic tenets these other essentialist approaches to period traditionally seen cradle Spain Portugal been questioned now superseded by clearer awareness territorial diversity characterising 8th 11th centuries. Yet ballast both nationalism regionalism has obstructed meaningful comparison amongst regions date. Drawing on work research group EarlyMedIberia, this article argues for new trans-regional approach Iberia, looking beyond political geographical boundaries consider whole comparative light, stressing commonalities between regional local It does so providing an overview extant charter material before 1100 (indicating principal editions) reviewing major historiography. conclusion proposes closer assessment differences similarities historiographies, based more nuanced understanding how they moulded specificities corpus each region, first step towards integrated, contextualised, rigorously Iberia.