Kingdom of Gibraltar

The Kingdom of Gibraltar is one of the historic substantive titles pertaining to the Castilian monarchy and its successor, the Spanish monarchy. The title of "King of Gibraltar" is still included in the titles and honours of the Spanish Crown and is among the titles of the present king, Juan Carlos I [http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Rotunda/2209/Spain.html] [ [http://www.heraldica.org/topics/royalty/royalstyle.htm#spain Royal Styles ] ] , although Gibraltar was ceded to the British Crown under Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht 1713.

History

During the Middle Ages, Gibraltar was part of the Moorish Taifa of Malaga in Al-Andalus. It was ruled by Abdul Malik, son of the King of Fez, between 1333 and 1340. After an unsuccessful siege led by Alfonso XI of Castile during the Reconquista period, Emir Isa Ibn al-Hassam proclaimed himself "King of Gibraltar and its lands" in 1355. The kingship remained in Muslim hands for the next century.

Gibraltar was finally captured by Castile on 15 December 1462 when it fell to an army led by the Duke of Medina Sidonia, who expelled the Moors from the territory. King Henry IV of Castile, the father of the later Queen Isabella of Castile, rewarded the duke with the title of Marquess of Gibraltar and added the kingship of Gibraltar to the list of titles of the Castilian crown. The title continued to be used by his successors even after the territory was ceded to the Crown of Great Britain in perpetuity under the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713. ["Juridical Facts as Sources of International Rights and Obligations", vol. 6 in "International law in historical perspective", J. H. W. Verzijl, W. P. Heere, J. P. S. Offerhaus, p. 174. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 1973. ISBN 9028602232] The continued use of the title thus emphasizes a Spanish viewpoint that the United Kingdom merely has "possession" of Gibraltar, rather than "sovereignty" over it. ["Spain", George Hills, p. 80. Praeger, 1970] The United Kingdom, by contrast, takes the position that the treaty transferred sovereignty as well as possession. Sharon Korman, "The Right of Conquest: The Acquisition of Territory by Force in International Law and Practice", p. 97. Oxford University Press, 1996. ISBN 0198280076]

When Gibraltar was captured by Great Britain in 1704, the city council and much of the population left, founding in 1706 the nearby town of San Roque. ["Rock of Contention: A History of Gibraltar", George Hills, p. 176. Robert Hale & Company, 1974. ISBN 0709143524] The original royal warrant of 1502, which the city council took with it to San Roque along with Gibraltar's standard and records, is now in the San Roque municipal archives. [" [http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/about_gib/national_symbols/national_index.htm Arms of Gibraltar] ", Government of Gibraltar. Accessed 2005-05-31] San Roque still uses a modified version of the coat of arms of Gibraltar to symbolise its connection with Gibraltar.

This title is not officially designated in the 1978 constitution, but the constitution notes that the title of the King is King of Spain and further grants the right to use "the others pertaining to the Crown" ("los demás que correspondan a la Corona"). This title is among the ones used by Alfonso XIII, which, by this provision of the constitution, the King is entitled to use. [ibid.]

Although the kingship of Gibraltar continues to be among the titles of the Spanish monarchy, it was customary for titles and arms of conquered territories to be omitted from British regnal claims. The title and arms were thus never claimed by the British monarchy. ["The Dublin Review", p. 109, January-February-March 1969. Ed. Nicholas Patrick Wiseman]

ee also

* Spanish nobility
* Spanish monarchy
* List of titles and honours of the Spanish Crown
* History of Spain
* History of Gibraltar

References