Toledo is a historic city located in central Spain.
According to Wolfram, it was the capital of King Kaylet, Perceval’s great-uncle.
In the Prose Lancelot, it is the home of Arthur’s scribe Thomas.
Toledo | 0 to 9th century AD
Roman Rule | 2nd century BC – 5th century AD
Toledo, known as Toletum in Roman times, was initially a Roman colony and played a significant role in the Roman Empire’s governance of the Iberian Peninsula. It served as a major administrative and military center, with bridges, roads, and aqueducts built to faciliate communication and trade. The city prospered under Roman rule.
Visigothic Kingdom | 5th – 8th century
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Toledo became the capital of the Visigothic Kingdom in the early sixth century. This era saw the spread of Christianity throughout the region. The Visigothic rulers established a strong Christian presence and several churches, including the original church on the site of the future Toledo Cathedral. The city remained the political and religious center of the Visigothic realm.
Islamic Conquest | 711 AD
In 711, Toledo fell to the Moors, marking the beginning of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Under Muslim control, Toledo became an important city in Al-Andalus. The city’s name was changed to Tulaytulah in Arabic, and it was a center for learning and culture, with scholars translating Greek and Roman texts into Arabic. Toledo’s famous School of Translators played a vital role in preserving and transmitting knowledge from antiquity.
Reconquista | 8th – 9th centuries
The Christian Reconquista, a series of campaigns to recapture the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule, began in the eighth century. Toledo was a focal point of these efforts. The city changed hands multiple times between Christian and Muslim forces, experiencing both prosperity and destruction during this period.
Sources
Parzival | Wolfram von Eschenbach, 1200–1210
Lancelot do Lac | 1215-1220
Vulgate Lancelot | 1215-1230