AHC/WI: Reconquista ends in XIII century

[Emperor Lucas I]

Between conquests of Ferdinand III of Castille (1252), and the final fall of Granada (1491) there is almost 250 years. It seems that Christian Cingdoms had a lot of bad luck later, since there was always either some plague, civil war or some new arabic intervention to save the Emirate of Granada. Is there any real chance to end it before the end of XIII century? And what's next for Iberian Kings and Knights, now when their main objective is completly achieved so early?

 

[Coluber]

But the Reconquista did end in the thirteenth century. Oh. You mean for Spain.

 

[William_Walker]

If the Castilian Kingdom had completed the 'Reconquista' of all the Iberian peninsula in the 13th century, they might have well gone on to do a 'reconquisita' of the old Roman province of of Mauretania Tingitana at the very least. Since the coastal parts of that province might have been part of the Visgothic Kingdom of Hispania.

 

[Ricard (i.e. Rdffigueira)]

It could have ended much earlier, if we prevent the ascension of the Almohads into the Iberian peninsula. The Almoravids, despite their initial victories, soon declined, and the Almohads were mostly humbled after Navas de Tolosa.

Hell, if we prevent the coming of the Almoravids, the Reconquista could have ended before the 12th Century.

In any event, the divergences would be huge. Most likely the Iberian powers would advance into the Maghreb, and I don't mean Castille only, but also Portugal and Aragon, which might result in a "partition" of the North African coast along different spheres of influence. If these dominions will last, it is hard to say, the region was prone to the appearance of religiously-driven warlords.

There is also the question if this delays or anticipates the maritime discoveries. I am of the opinion that the circumnavigation of Africa might have occurred somewhat earlier, but in a very gradual and non systematic effort. The colonization of the Canaries certainly could be anticipated.

Then, the discovery of the Americas increases in likelihood once the Iberians discover the "Volta do Mar", but probably their landfall would be in Brazil instead of on the Caribbean. How the pre-modern kingdoms would deal with this discovery, however, it will be to anyone's guess. It is very possible that it becomes much lesser revelant than IOTL, because they still have the traditional accesses to the Asian markets.

 

[Emperor Lucas I]

It could have ended much earlier, if we prevent the ascension of the Almohads into the Iberian peninsula. The Almoravids, despite their initial victories, soon declined, and the Almohads were mostly humbled after Navas de Tolosa.

Any idea, how to make Almohads stay out of Andalusia without removing them completly (too much butterflies)? Maybe some plaque in the area, or urgent need for intervention somwhere else?

In any event, the divergences would be huge. Most likely the Iberian powers would advance into the Maghreb, and I don't mean Castille only, but also Portugal and Aragon, which might result in a "partition" of the North African coast along different spheres of influence. If these dominions will last, it is hard to say, the region was prone to the appearance of religiously-driven warlords.

It's very likely that they would try - again, all these Knights need some purpose. But on the other hand, even after their earlier victory, Iberian Kingdoms needs a decade of two to regain their previous condition, since taking Andalusia would be propably costly. Plus there is a always a chance for some wars between Castille, Aragon and Portugal. Aragon is already interested in Italy, Castille will propably still be interested in Europan Dyplomacy.

But if they are going to invade africa, while taking Maghreb sounds like an realistic objective, I think it's very likely to use as Casus Beli some concepts of retaking a Holy Land (Reconquista was, after all, a kind of Crusade). I wonder is there a a chance to gain support from England, France and Germany...

 

[Santo Nombre]

I wonder is there a a chance to gain support from England, France and Germany...

Maybe having Alfonso X the Wise being nominated Holy Emperor (he tried many times during his life because he was son of Beatrice of Swabia) and maybe having a surviving heir, so you avoid many political troubles and instability.

 

[raharris1973]

Is there any reason to suppose that an Iberian Christian foothold in the Maghreb would be any more enduring than it was in OTL, just because it gets started a few centuries earlier? Or does it just spur earlier Muslim Maghrebi resistance and consolidation?

 

[Anawrahta]

If the Castilian Kingdom had completed the 'Reconquista' of all the Iberian peninsula in the 13th century, they might have well gone on to do a 'reconquisita' of the old Roman province of of Mauretania Tingitana at the very least. Since the coastal parts of that province might have been part of the Visgothic Kingdom of Hispania.

So basically pulling a "William Walker" in Morocco?

 

[Condottiero]

Just make Granada believe they did not have to become a Castillian vassal and you have it. Castille did not take Granada because they received the taifa payments that were very useful to cope with different internal problems. Remove that payments and they have an incentive to take Granada.

After that... as someone pointed they still had to retake Hispania Tingitana, and then end the dinastical union of the different Spanish kingdoms. Maybe if the union of Castille, Portugal and Aragon takes place earlier, no internal tensions will arise.

 

[Santo Nombre]

Is there any reason to suppose that an Iberian Christian foothold in the Maghreb would be any more enduring than it was in OTL, just because it gets started a few centuries earlier?

North africa is the natural area of expansion of an medieval / early modern united Spain. Even without the conquest of Granada, Alfonso X occuped and burn Rabat. So, yes, there are reasons to suppose that an stronger Castile will invade Morocco, maybe after the fall of the almohads and before the marinids seize control of all the Magreb, that is during the second half of the XIII century.
Of course it depends on how you develop the TL if Castile will keep the control over the coastal Magreb, but remember that Ceuta has been portuguese (and later on spanish) from 1415, and Melilla from 1497.

 

[Jürgen]

Honestly the Reconquista did end in 1252, the conquest of Granada was just a necessary clean up, because of the rise of the Ottomans as a threat. Maybe if Spain doesn’t unite and the Ottomans doesn’t rise, Granada could have been allowed to survive, of course Castile could also have continued its conquest of it small pierce by pierce.