The Reconquista: Origins of Medieval Spanish Kingdoms

The Origins of the Kingdom of Asturias

After invading in 711, the Muslims conquered almost all of the Iberian Peninsula. In the Cordillera Cantábrica, a small group of Visigothic Christians survived the Muslim conquest and established the Kingdom of Asturias. Among these Visigothic nobles was Pelayo, who later defeated the Muslims for the first time in 722 at the Battle of Covadonga. His successors, Alfonso I and Alfonso II, established Oviedo as the capital and expanded the kingdom into Galicia.

The Rise of the Kingdom of Leon and Castile

In the second half of the 9th century, Alfonso III took control of the territory north of the Duero River. The kingdom was renamed the Kingdom of Leon, with the city of Leon as its capital. Alfonso III built a defensive line of castles in the west to protect against Muslim incursions; this territory became known as Castile.

The Independence of Castile

In the 10th century, Castile was ruled by counts under the authority of the King of Leon. One of these, Fernán González, gained independence from Leon and later became part of the Kingdom of Pamplona (Navarre). Upon the death of King Sancho III of Pamplona in 1034, his kingdom was divided among his sons, with Ferdinand I becoming the first King of Castile.

The Marca Hispánica and the Pyrenees

In the Pyrenees, Charlemagne created the Marca Hispánica (Spanish March). This was a defensive zone divided into counties to protect his empire from the Muslims of Al-Andalus. Following the death of Charlemagne and the subsequent weakening of the Carolingian Empire, many of these counties became independent kingdoms.

The Kingdom of Navarre

In the 9th century, the Arista family founded a kingdom with its capital in Pamplona. Originally called the Kingdom of Pamplona, it was later renamed Navarre. Its most significant ruler was Sancho III the Great (1004–1035), who united the kingdoms of Navarre, Castile, and Aragon. Upon his death, the territory was divided among his three sons.

The Formation of Aragon

During the 9th century, Aragonese counties within the Marca Hispánica (Aragon, Sobrarbe, and Ribagorza) gained independence. Aragon remained part of Navarre until the death of Sancho III, when his son Ramiro became the first king of an independent Aragon, establishing Jaca as the capital.

The Catalan Counties

After the death of Charlemagne, the Catalan Counties continued to pay homage to the French kings, though they were independent in practice. By the 9th century, Wilfred the Hairy, Count of Barcelona, gained control of the majority of these counties. In 987, Borrell II, Count of Barcelona, ceased paying homage to the French kings, achieving full independence.