The
Reconquista (a
Spanish and
Portuguese word for "Reconquest") was a period of 750 years in which several
Christian kingdoms expanded themselves over the
Iberian Peninsula at the expense of the
Muslim states of
Al-Andalus (
Arabic ???????,
al-andalus).
The Christian rulers widely proclaimed that they were re-conquering Christian territory previously lost to Muslim invaders. This ensured that Christian reinforcements would continue to arrive from other Christian realms, especially because the Papacy in Rome continued to support such efforts.
In reality the situation was much more nuanced and complicated. Christian or Muslim rulers would, from time to time, fight amongst themselves and even support certain rulers of the 'other side'. Peace treaties would be signed, reinforced through marriage, and broken on occasion. Blurring the sides even further were groups of mercenaries who disregarded the religious sides on several occasions, fighting simply for whoever paid them better.
The Battle of Covadonga in 722 is considered the official beginning of the Reconquista.
