🛡️ The Reconquista | 711–1492 What was it? A centuries-long series of Iberian campaigns where Latin-Christian kingdoms expanded south against Muslim-ruled al-Andalus—not one war, but waves of fighting, truces, alliances, and resettlement (repoblación). Key markers: Covadonga (c. 722) and Las Navas de Tolosa (1212). What was al-Andalus? The name medieval Muslims used for Muslim-ruled Iberia (borders shifted). Major centers: Córdoba, Seville, Granada; a mix of Arabic, Berber, Latin/Romance, and Jewish cultures. Why did it happen? Power, security, and faith: control of towns, routes, and farmland; dynastic state-building (Castile, Aragón, Portugal, Navarre); and from the 11th c., a crusading mindset that sacralized conquest. Who fought? • Christian kingdoms: Asturias/León-Castile, Aragón–Catalonia, Portugal, Navarre (rivals at times, allies at others). • Muslim polities: Umayyad Córdoba → fragmented taifas → North-African Almoravids/Almohads → Nasrid Granada (last to fall). Cross-fai...