Alfonso VI , Rey de Castilla y León
Soon after his father's death, Alfonso was involved in a struggle with his brothers over their kingdoms. García was soon captured by Alfonso and died in prision.
Despite may military victories by Sanch's general, Rodrigo Diaz (El Cid), during wich Alfonso sought refuge in muslim Toledo, Alfonso, with the help of his sister Urraca (with whom he was rumored to have an incestuous relationship), arranged for the assasination of Sancho in 1072 and united the kingdoms of León and Castilla. He was greatly inf;luenced by his French wives, particularly Contance de Borgogne. He introduced the Cluniac monastic order to Spain, Carolingian script, as well as many religious and artistic elements from the other side of the Pyrenees.
Posibly as a result of his brief exile in Toledo, Alfonso was determined to establish his rule over the muslim "taifa" kingdoms in the south. He waged a campaign to conquer Toledo, laying siege to the city in 1085. His recovery of an important city that had been in muslim hands since the eoght century enhanced Alfonso's prestige and emboldened Christian kings throughout Europe. Alfonso, however, preferred to regard himself as "Emperor of all the Spains" and retain a tenuous control over muslim Spain by exacting a high and burdensome tribute. Soon the muslims appealed to the Almoravids in North Africa, who invaded Spain and defeated Alfonso's army at Zallaqah on 23 October 1086. Alfonso rallied otehr Christian kings to mount a crusade agains the Almoravids and even reconciled with his former adversary Díaz. In spite of teh Cid's talents, the Almoravids won battle after battle, until the final blow came at Uclés inm 1108 with the death of Alfonso's only son and heir, Sancho. Yet, he arranged the marriage of his sister Urraca to an Aragonian, Alfonso I, el Batallador, so that the struggle against the Almoravids would continue.
Alfonso VI , Rey de Castilla y León
Soon after his father's death, Alfonso was involved in a struggle with his brothers over their kingdoms. García was soon captured by Alfonso and died in prision.
Despite may military victories by Sanch's general, Rodrigo Diaz (El Cid), during wich Alfonso sought refuge in muslim Toledo, Alfonso, with the help of his sister Urraca (with whom he was rumored to have an incestuous relationship), arranged for the assasination of Sancho in 1072 and united the kingdoms of León and Castilla. He was greatly inf;luenced by his French wives, particularly Contance de Borgogne. He introduced the Cluniac monastic order to Spain, Carolingian script, as well as many religious and artistic elements from the other side of the Pyrenees.
Posibly as a result of his brief exile in Toledo, Alfonso was determined to establish his rule over the muslim "taifa" kingdoms in the south. He waged a campaign to conquer Toledo, laying siege to the city in 1085. His recovery of an important city that had been in muslim hands since the eoght century enhanced Alfonso's prestige and emboldened Christian kings throughout Europe. Alfonso, however, preferred to regard himself as "Emperor of all the Spains" and retain a tenuous control over muslim Spain by exacting a high and burdensome tribute. Soon the muslims appealed to the Almoravids in North Africa, who invaded Spain and defeated Alfonso's army at Zallaqah on 23 October 1086. Alfonso rallied otehr Christian kings to mount a crusade agains the Almoravids and even reconciled with his former adversary Díaz. In spite of teh Cid's talents, the Almoravids won battle after battle, until the final blow came at Uclés inm 1108 with the death of Alfonso's only son and heir, Sancho. Yet, he arranged the marriage of his sister Urraca to an Aragonian, Alfonso I, el Batallador, so that the struggle against the Almoravids would continue.
1407. Edward Ætheling "the Exile"