The romance in spanish music began in southern spain. The poetry and romantic music was all the reflection of what was happening in southern spain at the time around the 14th century. The defeats of muslim was so tragic that the villagers in south spain use to cry and write sad peotry and songs. This documentary was really good that showed how the influence of the inquisition triggered the birth of spanish music, i saw it on Discovery channel, you tube only has some part of it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM4V4-45k8k