2. INDEX
o Definition
o Groups
1. The Cantabrian group
2. The Pyrenean groups
• The Kingdom of Pamplona
• The Kindgom of Aragón
• The Catalan Counties
3. DEFINITION
• After the Muslim conquest of most of the Peninsula, Christian resistance centers
began to be organized in the northern mountains. Until the X century, these nuclei
resist or occupy areas such as the Duero.
• Since the VIII century, some regions had various political nuclei, from the Asturian
kingdom to the west, which was the first to be created, to the counties of future
Cataluña, to the east, through(pasando) the kingdom of Pamplona and the county of
Aragon. These nuclei became the standard(estandarte) of Christian resistance against
the Muslims of al-Andalus.
4. GROUPS
• THE CANTABRIAN GROUP
The first of the political nuclei that were constituted in the territory of the Iberian
Peninsula that was not dominated by the Muslims was the Kingdom of Asturias,
controlled by King Pelayo. It was believed that in the battle of Covadonga, in 722, the
Asturians struggled to maintain their autonomy as they had maintained it in the past
against Romans and Visigoths. Then, in charge of the Asturian nucleus, there was a
monarch, Alfonso I (739-757), who made several incursions through the Duero basin
(cuenca).
The most important progress of the Asturian nucleus was starred by Alfonso III (866-
910). In his reign the Christians arrived at the Duero river line. In 914,Ordoño II moved
the capital (Oviedo) to León. Then the Kingdom of Leon was created. Fernando I
inherited the County of Castilla and turned it into an independent kingdom. He then
defeated the King of León and formed the Kingdom of Castilla y León.
6. GROUPS
• THE PYRENEAN GROUPS
The Kingdom of Pamplona
In the VIII century that territory was subject to a double influence: that of the Franks, in
the north, and that of the Muslims, in the south. The Basques managed to free
themselves after the battle of Roncesvalles. Sancho III the Great inherited the County of
Aragón and Sobrarbe and Ribagorza.Then, the Counties of Castilla and Aragon became
independent kingdoms.
7. GROUPS
• THE PYRENEAN GROUPS
The Kingdom of Aragón
Originated in the central Pyrenees. 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. The Franks turned
this territory into the Spanish March and divided it into
counties. The Count Vilfredo el Velloso united the
counties. At the end of the X century, they obtain the
independence from the Franks.
