Christian Kingdoms and the Reconquista
The Formation of Christian Kingdoms
Asturian-Leonese Core: It arises in the 8th century as a reaction to the Battle of Covadonga against the Muslims, commanded by Don Pelayo. His son Favila succeeded him but died young, so the crown was inherited by Alfonso I, Count of Asturias-Cantabria, uniting these territories. This led to the first forays into the Douro Valley. In the 9th century, with Alfonso II and the rise of Neogothicism, the judge appears, imposing upon the courts. This king was related to Charlemagne, and during his tenure, the tomb of St. James was discovered, with great international repercussions. In the 10th century, Garcia I moved the capital and see from Oviedo to Leon. During this century, the county of Fernan Gonzalez of Castile was created, later gaining importance in the kingdom.
Frankish Core: Emerges at the end of the 13th century following the advent and advance of the Franks to the area of what today is Catalonia. The Carolingian monarchy created a border to prevent the Muslim advance, called the Marca Hispanica. This was divided into several counties that the Frankish king gave to his nobles. They used them for life, but always subject to the power of the Frankish king. In the late 9th century, Count Wilfredo initiated the independence of these territories. In the 10th century, an independent territory was formed: the Catalan Counties.
Navarre Core: Navarre lands were never permanently occupied by Muslims, although in 735 there was a Muslim garrison in Pamplona where locals, with the help of the Franks, were in constant rebellion. Around 818, Iñigo Arista, proclaimed Prince of the Basques, consolidated the beginning of the Pamplona-Navarre monarchy.
Aragonese Nucleus: Frequent Muslim rebellions in the Marca allowed the Franks to seize counties in Lima Bean and Ribagorza (Huesca), as well as Jaca. All this was soon called Aragon. In the 9th century, Charlemagne appointed Count Aznar Galindez, but the territory remained dependent on the Franks. In the 11th century, it was constituted as a kingdom.
The Reconquista
Early Middle Ages (8th-10th Centuries)
There was not really a reconquest due to the predominance of Muslims. Christians were limited to defense and occupying uninhabited land in the valley of the Duero and Galicia.
High Middle Ages (11th-13th Centuries)
This is the Reconquista itself, reducing the Muslim presence to the Kingdom of Granada. It occurred along the margins of large rivers:
- Occupation of the Ebro River: Started with the taking of Calahorra in the 11th century by King Garcia Najera of Pamplona and ended with that of Tortosa in 1148 and Lerida in 1149. Alfonso I of Aragon conquered Zaragoza in 1118.
- Occupation of the Tagus: Started with the taking of Coria in 1079 and Toledo in 1085 by Alfonso VI and ended with Lisbon in 1147 by Alfonso I Henriques of Portugal.
- Occupation of the Middle Basin of the Guadiana: Conquest of Badajoz in the 13th century by Alfonso IX of Leon.
- Occupation of the Upper Basin of the Turia: Albarracin and Teruel were conquered in the 12th century by Alfonso II of Aragon, ending with the Mastership in 1232 by James I.
- Occupation of the Lower Guadiana and Guadalquivir.
- Occupation of the Lower Basin of the Jucar, Turia, Segura, and Balearic Islands.
Late Middle Ages (14th-15th Centuries)
The last redoubt, the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, a tributary of Castile, was conquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492.