Reconquista Facts & Worksheets

The term “Reconquista” refers to the time in Spanish history between the eighth and fifteenth centuries when Christian kingdoms fought to reclaim territory on the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim domination. A series of wars, conflicts, and incremental territory victories by Christian armies distinguished it. The last Muslim stronghold, Granada, was taken by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, the Catholic monarchs, in 1492, marking the end of the Reconquista.

See the fact file below for more information about Reconquista, or you can download our 26-page Reconquista worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DESCRIPTION

• The Reconquista was an era in Iberian Peninsula history that began in the 710s with the first Umayyad conquest of Hispania and ended in 1492 with the fall of the Emirate of Granada, the last Islamic power on the peninsula, to the rise of Christian kingdoms. It lasted roughly 770 years. The Muslims had almost complete authority over the Iberian Peninsula by 718. The West Germanic Franks could only halt the advance into Western Europe in north-central France at the Battle of Tours in 732.
• For centuries, the Kingdom of Asturias was the primary stronghold of Christian resistance to Islamic control in the Iberian Peninsula. Medieval Spain was the site of practically continual fighting between Muslims and Christians.
• Except for the Muslim kingdom of Granada, which remained Spain’s sole autonomous Muslim territory until 1492, almost all of Iberia was once again ruled by Christians by 1250.
• Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, collectively called the Catholic Monarchs, founded the Spanish Inquisition circa 1480. It was designed to uphold Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms.
• Following the Reconquista and the Inquisition, Catholicism dominated Spanish politics, social relations, and culture, molding Spain as a state and the Spanish people as a nation.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• When Muslim armies known as the Moors conquered the Iberian Peninsula in the early eighth century, it marked the beginning of the Reconquista. Over the following decades, they established Muslim dominance over the region, while Christian kingdoms in the north continued to fight and push southward. The Reconquista process started in the eighth century. It continued until the final Muslim bastion, the Emirate of Granada, was conquered by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile in 1492. 
• Throughout this time, power, alliances, and territory shifted, with conflicts, treaties, and cultural exchanges defining the complicated history of medieval Spain.
• The Reconquista was a military enterprise and a cultural and religious one, as Christian kings tried to reclaim control of regions they believed were historically theirs. It was marked by a combination of colonialism, diplomacy, and warfare, with periods of high violence broken up by times of relative calm and Jewish, Muslim, and Christian cooperation. 
• The progressive reoccupation of lands on the Iberian Peninsula profoundly impacted the identities and social structures of Muslim and Christian populations, leaving an enduring mark on the histories of Spain and Portugal.

PEOPLE IN THE RECONQUISTA

• Several prominent personalities played essential roles throughout the Reconquista.
• Known as the first Christian hero of the Reconquista, Pelayo helped the Christians win the Battle of Covadonga in 718, signaling the start of the Iberian Peninsula’s resistance against Muslim control in the northern regions.
• During the Reconquista, El Cid, also known as Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, was a renowned military leader and knight from Castile who fought for and against several Christian and Muslim governments. His adventures, preserved in the epic poem “El Cantar del Mio Cid,” represent the difficulties of honor and fidelity in this era.
• Alfonso VI of Castile, known as “El Bravo” (The Brave), was a crucial figure in the Reconquista, seizing important cities like Toledo in 1085 and fostering the development of Christian lands in the Iberian Peninsula.
• Ferdinand III of Castile, sometimes known as Saint Ferdinand, continued the Reconquista by taking significant cities such as Seville in 1248 and Cordoba in 1236. During his rule, the Christian nations expanded their territories significantly.
• Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, known as the Catholic Monarchs, finished the Reconquista by conquering Granada in 1492. Their marriage brought the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon together, laying the stage for the unification of Spain.
• These personalities, among others, had a significant impact on the outcome of the Reconquista and the history of the Iberian Peninsula.

MAJOR EVENTS

• Considered the beginning of the Reconquista, the Battle of Covadonga in 718 saw Christian forces led by Pelayo defeat the Moors. This sparked opposition to Muslim authority in the northern regions of the Iberian Peninsula.
• The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212 was a crucial victory for the Christians, which marked a turning point in the Reconquista. It weakened the power of the Almohad Caliphate and led to further Christian territorial gains.
• In 1085, Alfonso VI of Castile captured Toledo, providing Christians with a significant foothold and symbolizing the start of large-scale Christian incursions into Muslim-controlled territory.
• These events, along with other battles, sieges, and treaties, helped influence the conclusion of the Reconquista, which resulted in Christian control in Spain and Portugal.

SIGNIFICANCE

• The Reconquista is significant historically for various reasons. The Reconquista was a period of war and conflict that ultimately led to the unification of several Christian kingdoms on the Iberian Peninsula. This unification laid the foundation for the modern-day country of Spain. The union was solidified in 1492 when Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, two Catholic monarchs, conquered Granada, marking the end of the Reconquista.
• The Reconquista greatly influenced the religious and cultural identity of Spain and Portugal, resulting in the dominance of Christianity in the region and the formation of a distinct Christian Iberian culture.
•  The Reconquista led to extensive cultural exchange between Christian, Muslim, and Jewish societies, significantly impacting art, architecture, language, and technology. This exchange contributed to the diversity of the Iberian Peninsula.
• The Reconquista occurred during the Age of Exploration in Spain and Portugal, a time of discovery and colonization. It freed up resources and personnel, which were utilized to expand overseas.
• Overall, the Reconquista was a watershed moment in Spanish and Portuguese history, with long-term consequences for politics, society, and culture and global significance throughout the Age of Exploration.

Reconquista Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Reconquista across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Reconquista. The last Muslim stronghold, Granada, was taken by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, the Catholic monarchs, in 1492, marking the end of the Reconquista.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. The Reconquista Facts
2. Historical Identification
3. The Campaign
4. People in the Reconquista
5. Great Ones
6. Analyzing Art
7. Know More
8. Cause and Effect
9. What’s That Word Again?
10. Poem Writing
11. Check it Out!

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Reconquista?

The Reconquista was a centuries-long military and cultural campaign by Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula to recapture territories from Muslim rule, ultimately culminating in the fall of Granada in 1492.

How did the Reconquista begin?

The Reconquista began in the early 8th century when Muslim forces from North Africa invaded the Iberian Peninsula, leading to the establishment of Al-Andalus. Christian kingdoms gradually began to push back against Muslim rule, starting with the Asturian resistance in the north.

What were some key events during the Reconquista?

Important events include the Battle of Covadonga (722), where the Asturians achieved their first significant victory against the Moors, the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212), a major Christian victory, and the conquest of Granada (1492), which marked the end of Muslim rule in Iberia.

How did the Reconquista impact Iberian society?

The Reconquista profoundly shaped the cultural, religious, and political landscape of the Iberian Peninsula. It led to the formation of distinct Christian and Muslim societies and contributed to the development of a diverse cultural heritage, including architecture, art, and literature.

What were the consequences of the Reconquista?

The Reconquista resulted in the establishment of unified Christian kingdoms in Iberia, such as Castile, Aragon, and Portugal. It also facilitated the spread of Christianity and paved the way for the Age of Exploration, as the newly unified Spain sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyage to the Americas in 1492.

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