Reconquista

Episode 89 - Peace with the Almohads

A decade long period of peace between the Almohads and the Christians commences, leaving the Christian kings free to do what they do best - fight each other.

Episode 88 - Castile in the crosshairs

Following its loss at the Battle of Alarcos, the Kingdom of Castile faces an existential threat in 1196 as it is attacked simultaneously by Leon, Navarre and the Almohads.

Episode 87 - Alarcos

The truces between the Christian rulers and the Caliph expire and both sides clash at the Battle of Alarcos in 1195.

Episode 86 - Confrontations

During the years 1190 and 1191, the Caliph launches a number of military campaigns against the Kingdom of Portugal, intent on reclaiming the town of Silves.

Episode 85 - A bunch of Alfonsos

Following the bunch of deaths which occurred in the last episode, we have a bunch of new Christian kings - most of whom are named Alfonso.  

As the Third Crusade is launched, we see the new king of Portugal, King Sancho I, join with a fleet of crusaders to attack the Muslim town of Silves. 

Episode 84 - A bunch of deaths

 We cover the Caliph's campaign against the Christians in 1184 and wave goodbye to three major players from our narrative.

Episode 83 - The rise of the young Alfonsos

We track the progress of the two new kids on the block in Christian Spain - King Alfonso VIII of Castile and King Alfonso II of Aragon.

Episode 82 - The Caliph's campaign Part 2

We continue to follow the Caliph on his less than optimal military campaign against the Christians in 1172.

Episode 81 - The Caliph's campaign Part 1

In 1172 the Caliph embarks on an ambitious campaign to conquer Christian Spain.

Episode 80 - Almohad consolidation

The Almohads finally achieve their goal, becoming the uncontested rulers of al-Andalus.  Their next move will be to focus on defeating the Christians.

Episode 79 - The Wolf King and Geraldo the Fearless

When the new Caliph turns his attention to al-Andalus, he concentrates on two threats - the Portugese freelancer Geraldo the Fearless and the Almohad's traditional foe the Wolf King.

Episode 78 - A new Caliph

Ambitious plans by the Almohads to dominate al-Andalus are interrupted by the death of the Caliph.

Episode 77 - Setbacks all around

Some unexpected deaths among the leaders of Christian Spain, result in two kingdoms being ruled by children named Alfonso.  Meanwhile, over in the Almohad camp, things aren't going much better with the Caliph and his armies preoccupied in northern Africa.

Episode 76 - The Kingdom of Leon and the Kingdom of Castile

Following the fateful decision by the late King Alfonso VII to split his kingdom in two, we meet his sons - King Sancho III of Castile and King Fernando II of Leon.

Episode 75 - Exit King Alfonso VII

King Alfonso VII of Leon and Castile becomes seriously ill just as the Almohads begin to go on the offensive.

Episode 74 - Christian progress slows

King Alfonso VII's attempts to conquer al-Andalus falter, causing him to search far and wide for extra troops.

Episode 73 - Christian conquests

At the same time as the King of Portugal is besieging Lisbon, King Alfonso VII and the Count of Barcelona are embarking on conquests of their own.

Episode 72 - The Kingdom of Portugal and the Second Crusade Part 4

We bring the siege of Lisbon to its conclusion.

Episode 71 - The Kingdom of Portugal and the Second Crusade Part 3

The siege of Lisbon commences, with the crusaders attacking the suburbs outside the city walls.  Construction then begins on some impressive siege equipment. 

Episode 70 - The Kingdom of Portugal and the Second Crusade Part 2

The fleet of crusaders makes its way southwards to discuss its participation in the siege of Lisbon with King Alfonso I of Portugal.