5.

CHRISTIAN RESISTANCE GROUPS (722-1035)

After the Muslim conquest, Christian resistance groups formed in the Cantabrian Mountains and
the Pyrenees. Over time, these groups became independent kingdoms and states. They sustained
an ongoing struggle with the Muslims known as the Reconquista.
5.1.The Cantabrian group
The Kingdom of Asturias was established at the beginning of the 8th century in the Cantabrian
Mountains. The Asturians of this area, together with Visigothic refugees, led by the leader Pelayo,
defeated the Muslims at Covadonga (722). Pelayo’s successors established their capital in Oviedo
(808) and extended the kingdom, which under Alfonso III spread from Galicia and the source of
the Ebro up to the Duero River. In 914, Ordoño II moved the capital to León. Thus the Kingdom
of León was created. It had to deal with the Muslim attacks and the desire for independence on
the part of the County of Castilla, which in 1030 joined the Kingdom of Pamplona. Fernando I
later inherited the County of Castilla and turned it into an independent kingdom (1035). He then
defeated the King of León, Bermudo III (1037), and annexed this territory to his own, thus
forming the Kingdom of Castilla y León.
5.2 The Pyrenean groups
Resistance groups in the Pyrenees formed in Pamplona, Aragón and Catalonia. These groups had to
repel attacks by Muslims in the south and Franks in the north.
• The Kingdom of Pamplona emerged in the Western Pyrenees. In this area, the Basques managed
to free themselves from the Muslims and Frankish influence after the battle of Roncesvalles (778), and
began their expansion through La Rioja. The kingdom reached its peak at the beginning of the 11th
century during the reign of Sancho III the Great, who inherited the county of Aragón and
incorporated Castilla and the territories of Sobrarbe and Ribagorza. When he died in 1035, his
kingdom was divided amongst his children. Thus the counties of Castilla and Aragón became
independent kingdoms.
• The Aragonese group originated in the central Pyrenees. Until the year 820, it was ruled by the
Franks, and then became part of the Kingdom of Pamplona (940). However, after the death of Sancho
III the Great, his son Ramiro I inherited the county and turned it into an independent kingdom.
• The Catalan Counties originated in the Eastern Pyrenees. In the second half of the 8th century,
this area passed into Frankish hands. The Franks turned it into the Spanish March, a border province
south of the Pyrenees, and divided it into counties. In the second half of the 9th century, Count
Wilfred the Hairy united the counties (878) and extended their territory to the plain of Vic. At the
end of the 10th century (988), his heirs gained de facto independence from the Franks.
ACTIVITIES

1 Using the information provided by the textbook and the timelines, carry out the following tasks:
a) Write about the historical evolution of each resistance group and organise the main events according to
centuries.
b) b) Link the following figures to their corresponding resistance groups and indicate the main events they took
part in: Sancho III the Great, Ramiro I, Pelayo, Wilfred the Hairy, Fernando I.

2 Answer the questions:

a) Which territories belonged to the Kingdom of Asturias in the year 722? How far had it spread by the year
912? What does this have to do with what happened in 914?
b) b) Where was the County of Castilla? Find out where the name Castilla comes from.
c) c) Which resistance groups were formed in the area of the Pyrenees? Which freed themselves from Frankish
rule and which did not?