Episode 42 - A serpent in the basket

During the years 1190 and 1191, the Caliph launches a number of military campaigns against the Kingdom of Portugal, intent on reclaiming the town of Silves.

Following the bunch of deaths which occurred in the last episode, we have a bunch of new Christian kings - most of whom are named Alfonso.   As the Third Crusade is launched, we see the new king of Portugal, King Sancho I, join with a fleet of crusaders to attack the Muslim town of Silves. 

 We cover the Caliph's campaign against the Christians in 1184 and wave goodbye to three major players from our narrative.

We track the progress of the two new kids on the block in Christian Spain - King Alfonso VIII of Castile and King Alfonso II of Aragon.

We continue to follow the Caliph on his less than optimal military campaign against the Christians in 1172.

In 1172 the Caliph embarks on an ambitious campaign to conquer Christian Spain.

The Almohads finally achieve their goal, becoming the uncontested rulers of al-Andalus.  Their next move will be to focus on defeating the Christians.

When the new Caliph turns his attention to al-Andalus, he concentrates on two threats - the Portugese freelancer Geraldo the Fearless and the Almohad's traditional foe the Wolf King.

Ambitious plans by the Almohads to dominate al-Andalus are interrupted by the death of the Caliph.

Some unexpected deaths among the leaders of Christian Spain, result in two kingdoms being ruled by children named Alfonso.  Meanwhile, over in the Almohad camp, things aren't going much better with the Caliph and his armies preoccupied in northern Africa.