The Moors conquered the Iberian peninsula and parts of France between 711 and 726 CE. In the 11th century, Christians began to reconquer territories, with King Alfonso VI surrounding the cities of Avila, Salamanca, and Segovia to protect Toledo. When the Moors attacked Avila thinking it undefended, they encountered soldiers on the walls who were actually women led by Jimena Blazquez, forcing the Moors to withdraw.