Episode 88 - Castile in the crosshairs

A decade long period of peace between the Almohads and the Christians commences, leaving the Christian kings free to do what they do best - fight each other.

Following its loss at the Battle of Alarcos, the Kingdom of Castile faces an existential threat in 1196 as it is attacked simultaneously by Leon, Navarre and the Almohads.

The truces between the Christian rulers and the Caliph expire and both sides clash at the Battle of Alarcos in 1195.

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.