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Lanzarote History
The Original Inhabitants
The original name of the Island, Tite-Roy-Gatra, translates as Rose-coloured-Hill. Lanceletto Malocello, a Genoese navigator who arrived on the island in 1312, is credited with making its presence known to the European powers of the time. In 1339 the very first reference to the Island was recorded in the "Dulcert Atlas" as the Island found by Lancelotto Malocello. The name Lanzarote is the direct translation into Spanish of Lancelot (Lancelloto).
At the time of Marcello's arrival a king, Zonzamas, ruled the Island. The name is still borne by the ruins of his palace which stood on a plateau near San Bartolome, considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the Canary Islands.
The original inhabitants, generally known as the Gaunches, were divided into three levels: the royal family, the noblemen and the peasants. Those at the bottom of the hierarchy laboured and fished while those at the top occupied positions of command and administered justice.
King Zonzamas was succeeded by Ico, his daughter, and her consort, Guanarteme. They in turn were followed by their son Gaurdafia who was the ruler at the time of the Spanish colonisers led by Juan De Bethencourt in 1402.
The Norman expedition on behalf of Spain
The conquest of Lanzarote led by Bethencourt began in earnest in 1402. Bethencourt, a Norman, set out for the Canary Islands on behalf of Castile. The claim of Spain over the Archipelago had been recognised since the days of Alfonso X1. The king Guardafia showed no signs of resistance and in fact, along with the Islanders, welcomed the Norman Knight. Bethencourt promised to protect Lanzarote against pirates and in return was promised a peaceful submission of the Island and Guardafia , but as a friend and not a subject.
Following such a welcome Juan De Bethencourt proceeded to build Rubicon castle, close to his landing spot, with the intention of defending the island. He then left for Spain to swear allegiance to Enrique III.
Bethencourt returned after an absence of two years and was faced with the task of subduing the Islanders who had always treated him as their friend. They finally surrendered on 27 February 1404 and on that day their King, Guardafia, was baptised and christened Luis. Bethencourt was granted the title of king of the Canary Islands by Pope Innocent VII. He died in Normandy in 1425.
Bethencuort was succeeded by his nephew Maciot who turned out to be a tyrant. He established Teguise as the capital and seat of governor. The Portuguese had also laid claim to the islands and Maciot was suspected of trying to sell the Canaries Islands to them. In the end an arbitration by the Pope decided in favour of Castile (Spain). Eventually, Maciot was forced to sign an agreement abdicating his rights over Lanzarote and the other islands for all time.
The house of Diego de Herrera and Ines Peraza and their descendants ruled the island over the following decades and the first ruler to be granted the title Count of Lanzarote was Agustin de Herrera y Rojas. He was famous for his exploits in seeing off pirates of many nationalities. He died in Teguise in 1598 and Lanzarote remained under a feudal system, governed by his successors until 1812.
The division of the canaries into two provinces of Spain
The Constitution of Cadiz of 1812 abolished the feudal system and the Canaries became a province of Spain with Santa Cruz de Tenerife as the capital. In 1852 the law of free ports granted the islands immunity from customs and excise duties.
Half a century later in 1927, the Archipelago was divided into two provinces:
The Province of Tenerife: Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and Hierro with Santa Cruz, Tenerife, as capital.
The Province of Gran Canaria: Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura with Las Palmas, Gran Canaria as capital.
In 1982 the Canary Islands were declared an Autonomous Region of Spain.
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