Iberian Peninsula 1200 AD

In 1200, the Iberian Peninsula was a complex region, marked by political fragmentation , cultural and religious diversity.
In the north, the Kingdom of Navarre was ruled by Sancho VII "The Strong," who had consolidated his power over the neighboring Basque regions.
To the east, the Kingdom of Aragon was ruled by Peter II, who had recently succeeded his father Alfonso II. Aragon was expanding its influence southward, and will conquer the city of Valencia in 1232
In the center of the peninsula, the Kingdom of Castile was ruled by Alfonso VIII. He would go on to play a key role in the Reconquista and in the history of Spain. Castile was the most powerful of the Christian kingdoms, and it will win decisive victory over the Almohad Caliphate at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212 .
However, Castile was also facing challenges from within, as the noble families jostled for power and influence.
In Portugal, King Sancho I was also consolidating his power, and under his rule, the country would begin to expand its territory and establish itself as a major European power.
To northwest Kingdome of Leon was ruled by King Alfonso IX, who had ascended to the throne at the age of 16 , During Alfonso's reign, the Kingdom of Leon faced significant challenges. The neighboring Kingdom of Castile had become increasingly powerful and aggressive, and had even captured some Leonese territory in the east , Despite these challenges, the Kingdom of Leon remained an important player in the politics and culture of the Iberian Peninsula. It was known for its artistic and literary achievements, with the city of Leon continuing to be a center of culture and learning.
To south , Almohad Caliphate was a powerful Muslim state that controlled much of North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. The Almohad dynasty had been founded in the 12th century by Ibn Tumart, a preacher who had gained a large following in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. In the Iberian Peninsula, the Almohad Caliphate controlled much of what is now Spain and Portugal, including the major cities of Cordoba, Seville, and Valencia. The Almohad rulers were known for their strict adherence to Islamic law and their efforts to unify their vast empire under a single religious and political authority . However, by the end of the 12th century, the Almohad Caliphate had begun to face internal divisions and external pressures from Christian kingdoms in the north. The Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula had begun to make significant gains, and by the early 13th century, the Almohad Caliphate had lost much of its territory in Iberia to the Christian Kingdom of Castile.
Throughout the 13th century, the various kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula would continue to evolve and interact with each other, shaping the region's history and culture in profound ways. This period also saw the rise of the Christian reconquest, which would ultimately result in the expulsion of Muslims and Jews from Spain in 1492. |

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