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Apr 30, 711
Conquest
Beber leader Tariq ibn-Ziyad landed at Gibraltar and by the end of the campaign most of the Iberian Peninsula were brought under Islamic rule. This campaign's turning point was the battle of Guadalete, where the last Visigothic king Roderick was defeated and killed on the battlefield. After this eight year campaign, Muslim forces attempted to move north-east across the Pyrenees Mountains toward France, but were defeated by the Frankish Catholic Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732. -
Jan 1, 722
The Reconquista Beings
Christians rulers try to take back the Iberian peninsula. This is the beginning of the Reconquista, or Reconquest. Asturias in the north becomes a haven for Christians escaping the Muslim rule. As more Christians flee the south, the northern regions become more powerful. -
Jan 1, 756
Abd ar-Rahman: Emir of Cordoba
By the 1200s Muslim control over the region has broken. The only stronghold left is in Granada in southern Spain. -
Jan 1, 756
First Phase of Islamic Rule (714-756)
Spain was conqued during the Umayyid age in 714. (The Umayyid rule in Spain started in 714. It ended in 756. 'Abd al-Aziz, the son of Musa Ibn Nusayr, the conqueror of Spain was appointed the first Amir of Spain. It ws at this critial juncture that the Umayyid prince 'Abd al-Rahman managed to sneak into Spain -
Jan 1, 1000
Battles Ongoing (10th Century-13th Century)
The Christian kings unify to push the Muslims out of the land. In 1037 Fernando of Castile conquers Leon. In 1094 the Muslims attack El Cid's fortress in Valencia. After ten days El Cid emerges with 4,000 knights and defeats the Muslims. By the 13th century, Valencia is a Christian region. -
Jan 1, 1036
Golden Era of Power and Progress (756-1036)
The golden era of Muslims rule in Spain starts in 756 with the advent of the rule of ‘Abd al-Rahmān al-Dākhil. It ends in 1036. He ruled for about 33 years. He laid solid foundations of a sovereign and progressive Umayyid government -
Jan 1, 1200
Muslim Control Decreases (1200s-1400s)
By the 1200s Muslim control over the region has broken. The only stronghold left is in Granada in southern Spain. -
Jan 1, 1410
Attack against Granada
An attack against Granada is led by Ferdinand of Aragon. He does not take Granada, but he takes the city of Antequera. This is considered the most important victory against the Muslims since the reign of Alfonso XI -
Jan 1, 1491
Muslims Surrender
The Muslims in Granada surrender to the Christians. Abu 'abd Allah Muhammad XII Emir of Granada relinquishes the last Muslim controlled city in the Iberian Peninsula to the Christians and signs the Treaty of Granada. Guadix falls to the Reconquista -
Start of the Reconquista
The Reconquista began in 718 when King Pelayo of the Visigoths defeated the Muslim army in Alcama at the Battle of Covadonga. This was the first significant victory of the Christians over the Moors -
Battle of Valdejunquera
920 - Battle of Valdejunquera, where the armies of Abd al-Rahman III defeat the armies of the Kingdom of León.
Madrid is recaptured from Muslim forces. The encounter between the two rulers finally took place in 939, when, at the so-called ditch of Simancas, Ramiro II of León severely defeated the Muslims, and Abd al-Rahman III narrowly escapes with his life. After that defeat Abd al-Rahman III resolved never to take personal charge of another expedition. But Madrid recaptured by Muslims in 940. -
Beheaded
850-859 - Perfectus, a Christian priest in Muslim-ruled Córdoba, is beheaded after he refuses to retract numerous insults he made about Muhammad. Numerous other priests, monks, and laity would follow as Christians became caught up in a zest for martyrdom.
Forty-eight Christians men and women are decapitated for refusing to convert or blaspheming Muhammad. They will be known as the Martyrs of Córdoba.
