Formation of Christian Kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula (718–1035)

Introduction: Christian Resistance After the Conquest

Following the Muslim conquest, the only areas that remained under Christian rule were:

• Cantabrian Mountains: Where the Kingdom of Asturias-León was established.
• Pyrenees: Where the Kingdoms of Navarre, Aragon, and the Catalan Counties were organized.

The Christian kingdoms coexisted for 800 years with Al-Andalus. They engaged in trade and exchanged knowledge, but they also fought continuously for control of the mainland.

The Astur-Leonese Kingdom

• The kingdom emerged in the first half of the eighth century.
• 718: The Visigoths elected Pelayo as their king.
• 722: Pelayo faced the Muslims in the Battle of Covadonga. Although the outcome of this skirmish is uncertain, it allowed him to consolidate his power. The court was established in Oviedo.
• In the ninth century, cities such as Burgos, Zamora, and Coimbra were incorporated into the kingdom. The maximum expansion coincided with the reign of Alfonso III.
• In the tenth century, the capital moved to León, and the kingdom was renamed the Kingdom of León.

The Birth and Independence of Castile

During the time of the Caliphate of Córdoba:

• León suffered Muslim raids, which halted its expansion.
• Castile began its path toward independence.
  • It was initially divided into counties, which were later united under the authority of Count Fernán González.

The gradual decline of León in the late tenth century increased the power and influence of:

• The Counts of Castile
• The Kings of Navarre

1035: Castile became an independent kingdom.

Formation of the Pyrenean Kingdoms

Kingdom of Navarre

• Beginning of the 9th Century: Iñigo Arista expelled Frankish troops from Pamplona (later called the Kingdom of Navarre).
• From the 10th Century: The Jimena dynasty ruled Navarre and extended its territory through La Rioja and Álava.
• The moment of greatest glory was the reign of Sancho III the Great, but his kingdom fragmented after his death.

Counties of Aragon

• Later than Navarre, the family of Count Galindo Aznar achieved independence for the County of Aragon.
• 922: Aragon fell under the dominion of the monarchs of Navarre. It became independent in 1035, upon the death of Sancho III.

Catalan Counties

• 874: Wilfredo the Hairy united the Catalan counties.
• They ruled with autonomy from the Frankish kings.
• Good relations with the Caliphs of Córdoba allowed for a period of stability in Catalonia, which consolidated its independence from the French in the tenth century.

Organization of Christian Territories

• The king held ultimate authority.
• The court was itinerant (non-fixed).
• In the Asturian-Leonese kingdom, a network of fortresses was built to defend the territory.
• In the Pyrenees, nobles and military commanders were in charge of controlling the forested land.
• There was no standing army; the warriors were linked to the king by homage (feudal loyalty).
• The conquered territories were settled by freeholders. They utilized a rudimentary agriculture; therefore, trade almost disappeared.