Recared

Visigoth king

Also known as: Reccared

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July 13, 2026

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Recared was a Visigothic king who reigned from 586 to 601 CE. He is most notable for his conversion from Arian Christianity to Roman Catholicism, a decision that significantly impacted the unification of the Visigothic kingdom in Spain.12

Prior to Recared's reign, his father, King Leovigild, had attempted to unify the peninsula by conquering the Suebi and subduing the Basques, while also trying to convert the Catholic Hispano-Roman population to Arianism. This religious division was a major obstacle to assimilation.13

Recognizing that the majority of the population adhered to Catholicism, Recared embraced the faith, leading the Visigothic nobles and bishops to follow suit. This act removed a principal barrier between the Visigoths and the Hispano-Romans, fostering greater allegiance to the Visigothic monarchy and contributing to the eventual unification of Spain under Visigothic rule.12

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Spain
The Visigothic kingdom
…adhered to the Catholic faith, Reccared (586–601) repudiated his father’s religion and announced his conversion to Catholicism. As the Gothic nobles and bishops followed his lead, a principal obstacle to the assimilation of Visigoths and Hispano-Romans was lifted. Thereafter, the Hispano-Romans, no longer expecting deliverance by Byzantium, developed a firm…
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…adhered to the Catholic faith, Reccared (586–601) repudiated his father’s religion and announced his conversion to Catholicism. As the Gothic nobles and bishops followed his lead, a principal obstacle to the assimilation of Visigoths and Hispano-Romans was lifted. Thereafter, the Hispano-Romans, no longer expecting deliverance by Byzantium, developed a firm…
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councils of Toledo
…of Toledo in 589, King Recared, a previous Arian, read a profession of faith in which he accepted the Catholic faith and anathematized Arius. Because of the king’s conversion, many bishops and people accepted the Catholic faith. Visigothic Spain was then unified, and Catholicism was established as the state religion.
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…of Toledo in 589, King Recared, a previous Arian, read a profession of faith in which he accepted the Catholic faith and anathematized Arius. Because of the king’s conversion, many bishops and people accepted the Catholic faith. Visigothic Spain was then unified, and Catholicism was established as the state religion.
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