JERICA (interesting villages near Valencia) History

This proven human presence since the Neolithic, thanks to the remains found in the cave of the blacksmiths.
The Iberian period, several settlements have been found one of which coincides with the castle grounds.
The remains of the Roman period are more numerous throughout the region, it can highlight the large number of tombstones found, especially Quintia Prova (the only known throughout of Hispania cited the cost of a Roman arch and two statues.
The first references of the core of Jérica are from the Muslim era, when it is included in the reign of the Taifa of Valencia after disintegration of the Caliphate of Cordoba in 1027.
In 1098, it was conquered by El Cid (Castilian knight who conquered Valencia). From this period still remains the first body of the bell tower and the oldest parts of the castle.
On February 5, 1235 was conquered by Christian troops under the command of sacristan Montgriu Guillem de Girona, but not drive out the Muslim population.
In 1249 he granted the Town Charter (document that gave the Christian kings granting privileges to certain groups of population to repopulate these areas) because of its great depopulation.
In 1255 King Jaime I donated the villa and its terms of Jérica to his son Don Jaime, who was the first Baron of the town of of Jérica, as well as Begis, Liria, Andilla and Altura
On November 29, 1255 Jaime I awarded to Calatayud (population of Teruel) The privilege that the Camino Real pass across of Jérica.
The royal privileges are followed and in 1261 was extended the term of the castle and the town.
In testament Jaime I granted the manor of the village to his son Jaime II in 1272.
The existing wall was fortified later.
In 1363 at the outbreak of war between Aragon and Castilla the Castilian army entered the town becoming strong in the castle and the church.
In 1368 died the last lord of of Jérica (with no heirs) so that the town was returned to Pedro IV the Ceremonious, as rollal right Since then the town changing several times of lord.
In 1565 abandoned the jurisdiction of Aragon becoming part of of Valencian jurisdiction, displaying from that moment his own coat.
After the war of the king Felipe V succession, rewarded the services of the Duke of Berwick winner of the battle in Almansa, creating the Duchy of Liria and of Jérica.
The first duke was Jacob Fitz-James Stuart (son of James II, King of England), Duke of Berwick and Viceroy of Ireland. He was Marshal of France and captain general of Spain during the war of succession.
The third Duke of Liria and of Jérica married the Duchess of Alba, and from that time title passes to the House of Alba.
At present, the possession of the title belongs to Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart (now the person with more titles of nobility in the world, before which the King of Spain, among others, should kneel in his presence, which lives only of their rights and taxes, being the owner of almost half of Spain).
During the Carlist Wars, the Carlists became strong inside the castle, which was subsequently demolished by the troops Liberals.
During the Spanish Civil War the town suffered such devastation, which was included in the list of devastated areas, taking over the government of the reconstruction of several monuments.

Jerica flag taken from the wikipedia