Spain in the Middle Ages.

1. Spain in the Middle Ages. Reconquista and Islam in Spain

2. What is the Reconquista? The Reconquista is the name given to a long series of wars and battles between the Christian Kingdoms and the Muslim Moors for control of the Iberian Peninsula. It lasted for a good portion of the Middle Ages from 718 to 1492.

3. The Reconquista The Reconquest, known by its Spanish name, Reconquista, was a period in which Christian Kingdoms in Spain tried to capture territory from the Muslims, who were then in control. The Muslims ruled part of Spain for almost 800 years.

4. Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula is located in the far southwest of Europe. Today the majority of the peninsula includes the countries Spain and Portugal. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Pyrenees Mountains.

5. The Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages Castile was the largest, most populated, and most powerful Christian Kingdom in Spain. Castile had its own coin and language called Castillian. Castile was at war with the Muslims for a long time. As a result, they were not as developed as other kingdoms in Spain.

6. Who were the Moors? The Moors were Muslims who lived in the northern African countries of Morocco and Algeria. They called the land of the Iberian Peninsula "Al-Andalus".

7. Who were the Moors? The Moors, also known as the Muslims, were people of Arabic origin. They practiced a religion called Islam. The Moors were the enemies of the Spaniards. The Spaniards were Catholic and they considered the Muslims enemies of their faith.

8. The Struggle between Muslims and Christians The Spaniards were opposed to being under Muslim rule. Castile was always at war with the Muslims. In Spain during the 15th century, battles between the Spaniards and Moors were very common. At times, the Spaniards pushed back the Moors from their land.

9. Reconquista On other occasions, the Moors pushed back the Spaniards. As a result, the Catholic Kingdoms located along the borders of the Muslim Territories protected themselves by building strong walls and stone structures.

10. Reconquista At the end of the 15th century, the Catholic Kings wanted to expel the moors from the Iberian Peninsula. The Christians thought that they had to be constantly vigilant to any signs of danger in order to prevent attacks.

11. The Conquerors As a result of the Reconquista, the Knight errant appeared. The Knight-errant is a warrior who wore armor, carried a spear, and traveled on horseback looking for adventure.

12. The Conquerors The Christian people developed a military culture due to the fear of constant danger. During the last years of the 15th century, the Spanish Knights recovered all their lands and unified their Kingdom.

13. The Fall of Granada After years of fighting, the nation of Spain was united when King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile were married in 1469. The land of Granada was still ruled by the Moors, however Ferdinand and Isabella united their forces on Grenada, taking it back in 1492 and ending the Reconquista.