The christian kingdoms in the west

4. THE CHRISTIAN KINGDOMS IN THE WEST DEFINITION OF RECONQUEST - Hispano-Visigothic population maintined their independence in the Cantabrian mountains and in the Pyrenees.

- Over time, Christian territories turned into kingdoms.

- These kingdoms, little by little took over areas of Al-Andalus. This process was called The Reconquest.

4. THE CHRISTIAN KINGDOMS IN THE WEST -

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THE KINGDOM OF ASTURIAS Asturias was the earliest Christian Kingdom to be created on he peninsula.

An Asturian nobleman called Pelayo defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Covadonga (722) According to the Christian chronicles, The battle of Covadonga was a great victory.

According to the Muslim chronicles, the Battle of Cavadonga was only an ambush But, in any case, it became an important symbol of the christian reconquest.

Pelayo’s successors reinforced the control of the Cantabrian region.

Alfonso I, Pelayo’s son in law, was the first king of Asturias and he expanded its territory leading raids into the Duero valley. (Desierto estratégico del Duero) Alfonso II set up his court in Oviedo and extended his rule into Galicia, the north of León and Castilla.

4. THE CHRISTIAN KINGDOMS IN THE WEST THE KINGDOM OF LEÓN - Alfonso III expanded his kingdom into the territories north of the river Duero.

- King García I moved the royal court to León and the territory became known as the Kingdom of León.

- Ramiro II won the Muslims at the Battle of Simancas and this fact confirmed its frontier along the Duero.

4. THE CHRISTIAN KINGDOMS IN THE WEST THE INDEPENDENCE OF CASTILLA

- The County of Castilla was established along the eastern frontier of the kingdom of Leรณn.

- In this teritory were frequent Muslim attacks, for that reason castles were built as a defensive structure and gave the name to the County.

- The Count Fernรกn Gonzรกlez united several counties under his rule.

- Later this County paid allegiance (vasallaje) to the Kingdom of Navarra, but when the king Sancho III of Navarra died, one of his sons Fernando I inherited Castilla and declared himself king.

4. THE CHRISTIAN KINGDOMS IN THE WEST CHRISTIAN RESETTLEMENT -

The area controlled by the Christians in the north of the river Duero was depopilated and had few resources.

- It required a process of resettlement (repoblaci贸n).

- Two types of resettlement: 1.Aprisio: - Land was granted to settlers in abandoned border areas.

2. Charters (fueros o cartas puebla): - The kings granted some charters (or fueros) to the new towns, which gave them special privileges and local laws.

These produce: - A new class of free peasants farmers - The growth of economic activity in the region - The reduction of overpopulation in the Cantabrian mountains