The history of the rise of Al-Andalus and the gradual re-conquering of Spain by the Spanish Christian kingdoms is an epic tale beginning in the year 712 and concluding with the fall of the Kingdom of Grenada in 1492. Join the History of the Crusades Podcast as we cover this lengthy piece of narrative history.
Episode 98 - Christian conquests
We follow King James I of Aragon and King Alfonso IX of Leon as they go on the offensive.
10/11/2024 • 21 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 97 - Too many Caliphs
As Caliphs come and go at a dizzying rate, Almohad rule in al-Andalus crumbles - giving rise to a new ruler, ibn Hud.
9/27/2024 • 22 minutes, 13 seconds
Episode 96 - The Crusade of King Fernando III
King Fernando III of Castile embarks on his first crusade, while one of the contenders for Caliph forms an unlikely alliance with Castile.
9/13/2024 • 21 minutes, 44 seconds
Episode 95 - More crusading
As crusading fever sweeps across Europe, a number of crusades are launched against the Almohads - with mixed results.
8/30/2024 • 21 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode 94 - The Crusade of Alcacer do Sal
We welcome a new King to the throne of Castile and join the Portugese in a crusade to seize a Muslim stronghold to the south of Lisbon.
8/16/2024 • 23 minutes, 3 seconds
Episode 93 - A bunch of deaths
A bunch of consequential deaths in the years following the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, upend the politics of the Iberian peninsula.
8/2/2024 • 23 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode 92 - The Crusade of Las Navas de Tolosa Part 2
We conclude our look at the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, which ends in a decisive victory for the crusaders.
7/19/2024 • 23 minutes, 5 seconds
Episode 91 - The Crusade of Las Navas de Tolosa Part 1
It's crusade time! A major crusading expedition leaves Toledo in June 1212 under the command of King Alfonso VIII of Castile. It heads directly southwards, intending to confront the Caliph's forces.
7/5/2024 • 21 minutes, 35 seconds
Episode 90 - Salvatierra
After a decade-long period of peace, the Christians and Muslims of the Iberian peninsula clash once again, with the Caliph targetting the Christian stronghold of Salvatierra.
6/21/2024 • 22 minutes, 39 seconds
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.
6/7/2024 • 21 minutes, 46 seconds
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.
5/24/2024 • 20 minutes, 11 seconds
Episode 87 - Alarcos
The truces between the Christian rulers and the Caliph expire and both sides clash at the Battle of Alarcos in 1195.
5/10/2024 • 21 minutes, 48 seconds
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.
4/26/2024 • 21 minutes, 21 seconds
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.
4/12/2024 • 23 minutes
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.
3/29/2024 • 22 minutes, 17 seconds
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.
3/15/2024 • 22 minutes, 41 seconds
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.
3/1/2024 • 21 minutes, 21 seconds
Episode 81 - The Caliph's campaign Part 1
In 1172 the Caliph embarks on an ambitious campaign to conquer Christian Spain.
2/16/2024 • 22 minutes, 8 seconds
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.
12/22/2023 • 21 minutes, 16 seconds
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.
12/8/2023 • 22 minutes, 12 seconds
Episode 78 - A new Caliph
Ambitious plans by the Almohads to dominate al-Andalus are interrupted by the death of the Caliph.
11/24/2023 • 21 minutes, 28 seconds
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.
11/10/2023 • 21 minutes, 18 seconds
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.
10/27/2023 • 23 minutes, 19 seconds
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.
10/13/2023 • 21 minutes, 32 seconds
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.
9/29/2023 • 23 minutes, 46 seconds
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.
9/15/2023 • 24 minutes, 10 seconds
Episode 72 - The Kingdom of Portugal and the Second Crusade Part 4
We bring the siege of Lisbon to its conclusion.
9/1/2023 • 21 minutes, 13 seconds
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.
8/18/2023 • 23 minutes, 49 seconds
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.
8/4/2023 • 20 minutes, 8 seconds
Episode 69 - The Kingdom of Portugal and the Second Crusade Part 1
King Alfonso I of Portugal decides to take advantage of the crusading movement for his campaign to attack Lisbon.
7/21/2023 • 22 minutes, 9 seconds
Episode 68 - The arrival of the Almohads
As Almoravid rule collapses, the Almohads arrive on the Iberian peninsula.
7/7/2023 • 23 minutes, 35 seconds
Episode 67 - The decline of the Almoravids
We switch our focus to the southern portion of the Iberian peninsula, where Almoravid influence is waning.
6/23/2023 • 23 minutes, 25 seconds
Episode 66 - Succession Drama Part 3
The succession drama following the death of Alfonso of Aragon finally comes to an end with the Christian parts of the Iberian peninsula forming themselves into four separate kingdoms - the Kingdom of Leon & Castile, the Kingdom of Aragon/Catalonia, the Kingdom of Navarre and the Kingdom of Portugal.
6/9/2023 • 24 minutes
Episode 65 - Succession Drama Part 2
As the succession drama following the death of Alfonso of Aragon continues, the Kingdom of Aragon struggles to survive.
5/26/2023 • 22 minutes, 15 seconds
Episode 64 - Succession Drama Part 1
Fall out from the death of Alfonso of Aragon leaves leaders from across the region scrambling to take advantage of the situation.
5/12/2023 • 21 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode 63 - Exit Alfonso of Aragon
After an action-packed life, Alfonso of Aragon dies in 1134. However, the terms of his will leave the Kingdom of Aragon facing an uncertain future.
4/28/2023 • 20 minutes, 56 seconds
Episode 62 - French troubles
In an unexpected turn of events, King Alfonso of Aragon finds himself bogged down by events in France.
4/14/2023 • 20 minutes, 24 seconds
Episode 61 - King Alfonso VII
Following the death of Queen Urraca in 1127, a scramble for power takes place in the north - resulting in the coronation of King Alfonso VII.
3/31/2023 • 21 minutes, 16 seconds
Episode 60 - Alfonso of Aragon - Valencia and beyond
Fresh from his conquest of Zaragoza, Alfonso of Aragon embarks on an ambitious campaign pushing deep into Almoravid territory in 1125.
3/17/2023 • 21 minutes, 19 seconds
Episode 59 - Alfonso of Aragon - Zaragoza
We check in on Alfonso of Aragon who is attempting to secure the taifa of Zaragoza.
3/3/2023 • 22 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode 58 - Queen Urraca encounters some difficulties
Queen Urraca finds herself in conflict with Rome following her imprisonment of Archbishop Gelmirez of Santiago de Compostela in 1120.
2/17/2023 • 22 minutes, 17 seconds
Episode 57 - Queen Uracca makes some moves
While King Alfonso of Aragon is occupied in Zaragoza, Queen Uracca embarks on a misson to defeat her enemies in the north of the peninsula.
12/23/2022 • 22 minutes, 50 seconds
Episode 56 - Zaragoza
King Alfonso of Aragon embarks on an ambitious campaign to conquer Zaragoza in 1118.
12/9/2022 • 24 minutes, 52 seconds
Episode 55 - Portugal
The Kingdom of Portugal emerges while Queen Urraca endures one of the worst experiences of her reign in the town of Santiago de Compostela.
11/25/2022 • 23 minutes, 6 seconds
Episode 54 - Truce
The warring monarchs in the Christian north finally decide to set their differences aside.
11/11/2022 • 22 minutes, 13 seconds
Episode 53 - Family dramas
After the breakdown of the marrage between Queen Urraca and Alfonso of Aragon, events threaten to spiral out of control.
10/28/2022 • 21 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode 52 - Alfonso of Aragon & Urraca
The marriage of King Alfonso I of Aragon to Urraca of Leon and Castile gets off to a rocky, gravelly and croaky start - just like my voice in this episode unfortunately.
10/14/2022 • 23 minutes, 15 seconds
Episode 51 - Yes, another episode about succession issues
Just when King Alfonso VI believes he has his succession issues all sorted, an unexpected event throws everything up in the air.
9/30/2022 • 23 minutes, 27 seconds
Episode 50 - Some more succession issues
While a looming succession crisis emerges for both king Alfonso VI and the Almoravids, a shift in popular consciousness begins to take place following the death of El Cid.
9/16/2022 • 21 minutes, 38 seconds
Episode 49 - Succession issues
The Kingdom of Leon and Castile and the Christian territory of Valencia both grapple with succession issues.
9/2/2022 • 21 minutes, 48 seconds
Episode 48 - El Cid
Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (aka El Cid) scores a memorable victory against the Almoravids at the battle of Cuarte in 1094.
8/19/2022 • 20 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode 47 - Valencia
El Cid manages to conquer the wealthy taifa of Valencia.
8/5/2022 • 21 minutes, 46 seconds
Episode 46 - The Almoravid advance
The Almoravids invade al-Andalus in 1090 and begin to conquer the taifas.
7/22/2022 • 22 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode 45 - Another interlude
Between the departure of the Almoravids in 1088 and their return in 1090, a number of significant events take place.
7/8/2022 • 22 minutes, 29 seconds
Episode 44 - Interlude
In the period of interlude between the departure of the Almoravids and their return to al-Andalus, some significant events take place.
6/24/2022 • 22 minutes, 48 seconds
Episode 43 - The Almoravids
The Almoravids of northern Africa arrive in al-Andalus and clash with King Alfonso VI at the battle of Sagrajas in October 1086.
6/10/2022 • 22 minutes, 1 second
Episode 42 - A serpent in the basket
As King Alfonso VI and Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar prepare to face off in Zaragoza, a new threat emerges to the south.
5/27/2022 • 22 minutes, 55 seconds
Episode 41 - The struggle for Toledo
As King Alfonso's attentions turn to the east, different factions inside Toledo struggle for supremacy.
5/13/2022 • 21 minutes, 33 seconds
Episode 40 - Toledo Part 3
In the first major victory of the Reconquesta, Toledo falls to King Alfonso VI.
4/29/2022 • 23 minutes, 8 seconds
Episode 39 - Toledo Part 2
The taifa of Toledo hits a rocky patch which King Alfonso VI swings to his advantage. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (later known as El Cid) makes a couple of bad choices and ends up in exile.
4/15/2022 • 22 minutes, 13 seconds
Episode 38 - Toledo Part 1
During the 1070s, two assassinations - one in al-Andalus and one in the Christian north - send shockwaves across the Iberian peninsula.
4/1/2022 • 22 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode 37 - Barbastro Part 2
Christian armies from France and beyond, hit some speed humps in their attempts to conquer parts of the taifa of Zaragoza.
3/18/2022 • 21 minutes, 23 seconds
Episode 36 - Barbastro Part 1
We turn our attentions to the Christian Kingdoms in the Pyrenees where the King of Aragon has been attempting to conquer territory in Muslim Zaragoza.
3/4/2022 • 21 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode 35 - Succession
Following the death of King Fernando I of Leon and Castile, his heirs embark on a messy succession journey.
2/18/2022 • 23 minutes, 18 seconds
Episode 34 - King Fernando I of Leon and Castile Part 2
We follow the exploits of King Fernando I until the end of his reign in 1065.
12/23/2021 • 22 minutes, 29 seconds
Episode 33 - King Fernando I of Leon and Castile Part 1
Taking advantage of conflict between the Taifas, King Fernando begins his policy of raiding into and extracting tribute from, regions across al-Andalus.
12/10/2021 • 21 minutes, 55 seconds
Episode 32 - The Taifas
Following the collapse of the Caliphate, a number of regional kingdoms called Taifas, emerge across al-Andalus.
11/26/2021 • 22 minutes, 35 seconds
Episode 31 - Galicia, Leon & Castile
We complete our look at the Christian kingdoms by examining the Christian North.
11/12/2021 • 22 minutes, 8 seconds
Episode 30 - Aragon & Catalonia
We continue our focus on the Christian states by taking a look at the establishment of Catalonia and the rise of the Kingdom of Aragon.
10/29/2021 • 22 minutes, 41 seconds
Episode 29 - The Kingdom of Navarre
We track developments in the Kingdom of Navarre, up to the end of the Caliphate in the 1030s.
10/15/2021 • 22 minutes, 20 seconds
Episode 28 - The end of the Caliphate
The chaos in al-Andalus continues, with the Caliphate eventually stumbling and coming to an end.
10/1/2021 • 19 minutes, 26 seconds
Episode 27 - Sanchuelo
We take a look at the short but disastrous rule of Sanchuelo.
9/17/2021 • 21 minutes, 14 seconds
Episode 26 - After al-Mansur
We look back on al-Mansur's legacy following his unexpected death in the year 1002. Then we examine the rule of his son and successor, Abd al-Malik.
9/3/2021 • 19 minutes, 1 second
Episode 25 - Al-Mansur Part 3
Al-Mansur reaches the pinnacle of his power and celebrates by launching an audacious attack on Santiago de Compostela.
8/20/2021 • 20 minutes, 49 seconds
Episode 24 - Al-Mansur Part 2
Having assumed control of the administration of al-Andalus, al-Mansur turns his attention to the Caliphate's military forces.
8/6/2021 • 20 minutes, 26 seconds
Episode 23 - Al-Mansur Part 1
When a child is invested as the new Calpih of al-Andalus, al-Mansur manipulates events to his advantage.
7/23/2021 • 21 minutes, 4 seconds
Episode 22 - Trouble brewing
After al-Hakam II suffers a health setback, a palace official moves to take advantage of the situation.
7/9/2021 • 21 minutes, 18 seconds
Episode 21 - al-Hakam II
We take a look at the rule of Abd al-Rahman's successor, al-Hakam II. We also explore the impact of one of the most prominent Jewish residents of al-Andalus, Hasdai ibn Shaprut.
6/25/2021 • 21 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 20 - The Caliph Part 2
Abd al-Rahman III continues his wildly successful period of rule.
6/11/2021 • 20 minutes, 39 seconds
Episode 19 - The Caliph Part 1
Having catapulted himself onto the world stage, Abd al-Rahman III builds a palace to match his new status.
5/28/2021 • 24 minutes, 18 seconds
Episode 18 - Abd al-Rahman III
We welcome a new Emir to al-Andalus.
5/14/2021 • 24 minutes, 21 seconds
Episode 17 - Abd-Allah
Al-Andalus has had a solid run of competent, energetic Emirs...until now. We examine the disastrous rule of Abd-Allah.
4/30/2021 • 23 minutes, 30 seconds
Episode 16 - The rebel of Bobastro
While King Alfonso III continues his campaign of expansion in the north of the Iberian peninsula, Emir Muhammad faces a new threat to his reign.
4/16/2021 • 22 minutes, 18 seconds
Episode 15 - King Alfonso III of Asturias
While the Emir of al-Andalus Muhammad I is trying to stamp out rebellions within his territory, a new threat emerges, in the form of King Alphonso III of Asturias.
4/2/2021 • 19 minutes, 55 seconds
Episode 14 - Muhammad I
We examine the beginning of the period of rule of the new Emir of al-Andalus, Muhammad I.
3/19/2021 • 22 minutes, 17 seconds
Episode 13 - Christianity during the rule of Abd al-Rahman II : outside al-Andalus
We examine how Christians who left al-Andalus during the reign of Abd al-Rahman II for the northern parts of the Iberian peninsula, left their influence on the Christian states.
We also zoom in for a closer look at the Basque region.
3/5/2021 • 20 minutes, 32 seconds
Episode 12 - Christianity during the rule of Abd al-Rahman II : inside al-Andalus
We take a look at the effect of the colourful reign of Abd al-Rahman II on the Christians of al-Andalus.
2/19/2021 • 22 minutes, 13 seconds
Episode 11 - Abd al-Rahman II
We return to the narrative in 822 and welcome a new Emir to al-Andalus - Abd al-Rahman II.
12/11/2020 • 26 minutes, 23 seconds
Episode 10 - The early 800s: a snapshot
We take a look at the Iberian peninsula in the first few decades of the 9th century.
11/27/2020 • 26 minutes, 26 seconds
Episode 9 - The Kingdom of Asturias
We take a look at the establishment and rise of the rebel Christian Kingdom of Asturias.
11/13/2020 • 24 minutes, 41 seconds
Episode 8 - al-Hakam
We take a look at the lengthy reign of al-Hakam then travel to the northern coastline of the Iberian peninsula where some independent Christian states are beginning to emerge.
10/30/2020 • 23 minutes, 41 seconds
Episode 7 - Hisham
Abd al-Rahman died in the year 788. Which one of his sons will rise to power?
10/16/2020 • 22 minutes, 51 seconds
Episode 6 - Abd al-Rahman
The last surviving member of the Umayyad dynasty makes his way to the Iberian peninsula, a move which will have long-reaching consequences.
10/2/2020 • 23 minutes, 27 seconds
Episode 5 - Shifting power: 740-750
The Muslim rulers of Al-Andalus face a Berber revolt and the arrival of some troublesome newcomers.
9/18/2020 • 24 minutes, 2 seconds
Episode 4 - Securing Muslim rule
Within a few years following the Battle of 711, the Muslim invaders had consolidated their rule over the Iberian peninsula. How did they manage to do this? Listen in to find out.
9/4/2020 • 24 minutes, 45 seconds
Episode 3 - The Battle of 711
We discuss the battle which brought the Muslim conquerers to the Iberian peninsula.
8/21/2020 • 26 minutes
Episode 2 - The final years of the Visigoths
We examine the lead up to the battle of 711 and the last years of Visigothic rule.
8/7/2020 • 26 minutes, 25 seconds
Episode 1 - Introduction
We take a look at the Iberian peninsular from Roman rule to the establishment of the Visigoths.
