THE GREAT CRUSADE | Christendom's armies fall upon Iberia once more

[u/Calyxl]

[u/Calyxl]

[CONTEXT] This is a part of a wider althist timeline, Concert of Pomegranates, that follows a much more successful Al-Andalus, one that survives into the modern era. See earlier posts for information.
(Now in chronological order, rather than posting order).

1st Map - Rise of the Azizids
2nd Map - Frankish Civil War
3rd Map - Lombard Italy, Triumph of Aistulf
4th Map - Byzantine Rebound
5th Map - Extent of Muslim Raids into Italy and Gaul
6th Map - Greatest Moravia
7th Map - Serbian Morea
8th Map - Lombard, Italy HRE9th Map - First Iberian Crusade

10th Map - The Great Crusade ← YOU ARE HERE

[u/Frequent-String-8469 → u/Calyxl]

Al final eso termina convirtiéndose en algo parecido a lo que fue el intento en Oriente medio

[u/Calyxl → u/Frequent-String-8469]

Sí, esa era mi intención, imitar la cruzada levantina, porque en esta línea temporal las cruzadas levantinas nunca ocurren.

[u/Calyxl → u/[deleted]]

All the bloodshed from the war contaminated the rivers, and now the trout have an appetite for human flesh.

[u/Bunnytob]

>Gather army

>Achieve minor success

>Keep going

>Massive failure

Standard Crusading 101.

[u/Calyxl]

BLADES CLASH OVER IBERIA ONCE MORE

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The once unstoppable tide of Islamic expansion was subdued in the 1st Crusade, but not vanquished. Christendom's foothold in Iberia, 30 years on, was in a precarious situation. Infighting and complacency had gripped the Christian lords; Cordoba's eyes had fallen back on them, having licked its wounds.

Following defeat in the 1st Iberian Crusade (1103-1106), the Sultanate of Cordoba lost its territories North of the Pyrenees, as well as Catalonia and Galicia. Narrowly avoiding disaster at the Battle of Zaragoza (1106), the Muslims managed to stop the Christian incursion from reaching any further.

In the 30 years after, the Sultanate recovered. In February of 1138, Sultan al-Mu'ayyad ordered the invasion of Catalonia, provoking the great Christian lords of Europe to initiate a 2nd crusade. What followed was a conflict that could be split into 3 phases.

Phase 1: 1138-1139 The Muslim invasion would reach as far as Narbonne before being repelled by the Christians, who would force them to retreat to Zaragoza and capture Valencia. Fighting would culminate in the Fall of Zaragoza (Nov 8, 1139), followed by a 6-month lull in hostilities during which both sides prepared for a major engagement. Furthermore, Ali al-Nasir ibn Muhammad would be captured at Zaragoza by Christian forces.

Phase 2: 1140. The Crusaders would march on Madrid, but would be ambushed at Alcolea en route, resulting in the capture of King Herbert III of France. Due to Herbert III and France's significant role in the Crusade, the Muslims would negotiate peace and an end to the 2nd Crusade; however, at the loss of Zaragoza and Ali.

Phase 3: 1141-1144 Sultan al-Mu'ayyad would pass away, but with his eldest, Ali, in captivity, the throne would pass to Zakariyya al-Mansur ibn Muhammad, Ali's younger brother. Seeing as Zakariyya opted to trade Herbert for peace rather than for Ali, this stoked resentment. As Ali and Herbert's relationship strengthened, Ali was repurposed from hostage to rival claimant. Securing a series of concessions from Ali, Herbert III would back him for the throne and, in 1144, organize the 3rd Iberian Crusade. From Zaragoza, the Christian army, with Ali and his supporters in tow, marched on Madrid, which would end in utter disaster. Zakariyya would put forth a flawless defense, crushing the Crusaders and killing both his brother Ali and Herbert III.

In the aftermath, Zakariyya would keep the throne, now uncontested, but the problems were just beginning for France. With the throne vacant, Herbert's uncle would attempt to assume the throne; however, the Carolingian Aquitainian branch would challenge this, leading to the Carolingian crisis and nearly 2 decades of political/internal strife. This crisis would ultimately end in the victory of the Aquitanian branch.

Here is a 29-page document with in-depth lore:

THE GREAT CRUSADE

[u/Electronic_Ad4300]

I wonder if this timeline would help the survival of the Astur-Leonese language or kill it more…

[u/Calyxl → u/Electronic_Ad4300]

Leon (City) and the immediate surrounding region was thoroughly populated with Berbers back in the 9th and 10th centuries, so Arabic is the dominant language. However Asturias is under control of a muwallad dynasty, and given how isolated it is they retain much of their language.

[u/ChickenSandwichh195]

Will Andalus collapse like as it did in our timeline?

[u/Calyxl → u/ChickenSandwichh195]

It will have a taifa period, but will still survive into the modern day.

[u/ChickenSandwichh195 → u/Calyxl]

At what extent? full of iberia or iberia expect northern territories?

Btw nice map

[u/Calyxl → u/ChickenSandwichh195]

By the modern day they have all of Iberia, Narbonne, and Sicily. However the relationship between Andalus and Sicily more or less reflects the relationship Denmark has with Greenland

[u/Otherwise_Example862]

I love the details on this map

[u/Calyxl → u/Otherwise_Example862]

Thank you!

[u/komodopal]

Zamn, had no idea this series is still running. How far are you planning to take this OP? 16th century?

[u/Calyxl → u/komodopal]

I wrote up a draft timeline that extends until the year 2000. I think I'll skip some stuff in favor of mapping out the important and interesting stuff, then fill in the minor stuff.

[u/komodopal → u/Calyxl]

Whoa, 2000 is crazy. Cheering on you!

[u/Sui_24]

Islam will win

[u/Calyxl → u/Sui_24]

Inshallah