History of Portugal

Moorish rule and the Reconquista

In 711, the Islamic Moors (mainly Berber with some Arab) invaded the Iberian Peninsula, destroying the Visigothic Kingdom. Many of the ousted Gothic nobles took refuge in the unconquered north Asturian highlands. From there they aimed to reconquer their lands from the Moors: this war of reconquest is known as the Reconquista.

Related Topics:
711 - Islam - Moors - Berber - Arab - Asturian highlands - Reconquista

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 868, Count Vímara Peres reconquered and governed the region between the Minho and Douro rivers. The county was then known as Portucale (i.e. Portugal).

Related Topics:
868 - Vímara Peres

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While it had its origins as a dependency of the Kingdom of Leon, Portugal occasionally gained de facto independence during weak Leonese reigns.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Portugal gained its first de jure independence (as Kingdom of Galicia and Portugal) in 1065 under the rule of Garcia II. Due to feudal power struggles, Portuguese and Galician nobles rebelled. In 1072, the country rejoined León and Castile under Garcia II's brother Alphonso VI of Castile.

Related Topics:
Kingdom of Galicia and Portugal - 1065 - Garcia II - León - Castile - Alphonso VI of Castile

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~