The Spanish Reconquista


 * 711 Muslim armies from N. Africa invaded Iberian Penins. (controlled by Visigoths)
 * Visigoths retreated to NW corner of Spain and created kingdom of Asturias
 * rest of Spain controlled by Muslims by Umayyad Spain
 * Christian knights in N. fought w/ Muslims in S.
 * Saw it as a duty, or a Crusade because they thought of it as a war to regain territory that is rightfully theirs
 * invite French noblemen to fight with them but French see it as a religious war
 * 1492 Christian forces overrun last of Muslim kingdoms and Columbus begins journey
 * showed people that Europeans could beat Arabs
 * lasts almost 800 years!