The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1221-1284
Spanish monarch who fostered learning in astronomy and other disciplines. Alfonso, nicknamed Sabio (the Learned), assumed the thrones of Castile, the leading state in Christian Spain, and León in 1252. He encouraged the preparation of a revised set of planetary tables that became the basis for virtually all astronomical observations in Western Europe during the next two centuries. In 1483 the Alfonsine Tables, as they were called, were printed for the first time. Alfonso was elected Holy Roman emperor in 1257, but the election was not approved by Pope Alexander IV. As a leader, he promulgated a new code of laws, which formed the basis for Spanish jurisprudence, and captured the cities of Cartagena and Cádiz from the Moors.