Recovery of Land

The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years (539 years in Portugal) in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus. The Reconquista of Al-Andalus began soon after the Islamic conquest with the formation of the Kingdom of Asturias by the Visigoths under the leadership of the nobleman Pelagius.

The First Crusade led to the foundation of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem following the Crusaders' capture of Antioch and Jersusalem in 1098 and 1099 respectively. The focus and susequent expeditions was the defence, ultimately unsuccessful, of these gains against Muslim attack.

The Second Crusade was inspired by the loss of the city of Edessa to al-Din Zengi, the Muslim ruler of Aleppo, while the Third Crusade was lainched as a response to the conquest by Saladin of the most of the crusader territories in the Levant, including the catastrophic loss of Jerusalem. Although the city was not recovered, the Crusaders reoccupied most of the coastal ports, so ensuring the arrival of the Crusader states.

In Spain the Reconquista - or recovery of land - from the Muslims was given impetus by crusading ideals. In contrast to the east this was a local affair, with little help received from outside. Yet in Spain, too, military orders such as Calatrava and Santiago contributed vitally to the war against Islam.

In 1212 the armies of Castile, Navarre and Aragon crushed the Muslim army at La Navas de Tolosa, winning the most important victory of the whole Reconquista. In 1492 Christian armies took Granada, the last remaining Muslim stronghold in Spain.