Changes

Under the Visigoth, headquartered in Toledo, comprised a fifth of the population and were soon romanized. A new [[Spanish]] language emerged from latin. The king converted in 587 from Arianism to the Roman Catholic faith, and the kingdom followed. Romanism. The great intellectual leader was Bishop [[Isidore of Seville]] (560-636).

Under the Visigoth, headquartered in Toledo, comprised a fifth of the population and were soon romanized. A new [[Spanish]] language emerged from latin. The king converted in 587 from Arianism to the Roman Catholic faith, and the kingdom followed. Romanism. The great intellectual leader was Bishop [[Isidore of Seville]] (560-636).

In 711, berbers and Arabs crossed over from Africa and defeated the Visigoths, reaching the Pyrennees by 719. However on the other side they were defeated by [[Charles Martel]] at the [[Battle of Tours]], but wars and large raids continued.  

In 711, Berbers and Arabs crossed over from Africa and defeated the Visigoths, reaching the Pyrennees Mountains by 719. However on the other side they were defeated by [[Charles Martel]] and his Franks at the [[Battle of Tours]], but wars and large raids continued.  

The Omayyad Dynasty ruled 756-1031. Christians were tolerated but (as in most Muslim countries), had to pay a special tax and were excluded from political power. Jews were well treated. There were numerous Christian revolts, but they were all suppressed.  

The Omayyad Dynasty ruled 756-1031. Christians were tolerated but (as in most Muslim countries), had to pay a special tax and were excluded from political power. Jews were well treated. There were numerous Christian revolts, but they were all suppressed.  The most brilliant period of the Moorish civilization came  in the ninth and tenth centuries with the city of Cordova as the center seat of science and arts.

 

By 1035 there were three small Christian kingdoms in the north:  Castile-Leon; Navarre; and Aragon, along with the county of Barcelona. They began planning to retake Spain from the Muslims. The [[Reconquista]] (reconquest) began began in earnest under El Cid (d. 1099) and was completely successful by 1492.

attacked. They quickly conquered all of it but the far north. A great culture flourished and religious tolerance generally reigned. Christian kingdoms in the north were buttressed by Charlemagne's conquest of Barcelona and began planning to retake Spain from the heretics. The Reconquista (reconquest) would begin in earnest under El Cid only a few decades before the Crusades.

===Merovingian Francia===

===Merovingian Francia===

Different families of claimants to the throne battled ruthlessly. The major domo (chief of the palace) became dominant. Charles Martel became major domo in 719. In 732, the Muslims invaded Francia, as Gaul was called, via Spain. But with an army of heavy cavalry that was the first real knights and with church money, he won. Charles, formerly a name for serfs, became an honored royal name. One person was that name was his grandson Charlemagne.

Different families of claimants to the throne of Francia, as Gaul was called, battled ruthlessly. The majordomo (chief of the palace) became dominant. [[Charles Martel]] became majordomo in 719. In 732, the Muslims invaded Francia, via Spain. Martel decisivcely defeated them at the [[Battle of Tours]].  

===The Byzantine Empire===

===The Byzantine Empire===

===Moslem Spail: 711-1031===

===Moslem Spail: 711-1031===

The Muslim kingdoms in Spain, called Al-Andalus, sponsored learning and art. Huge libraries and fine mosques existed there. Yet in 975 an intolerant king came to the throne and persecuted Jews and Catholics, many of whom fled to the Christian kingdoms in the north. The [[Reconquista]] begqan  would soon begin. Kingdoms in the north expanded and raised large armies to fight the heretics. French knights aided them. El Cid, a romanticized mercenary (with a mainly Muslim army often!) conquered many cities and regions from the Moors. The invasion of fanatic Arabs from Morocco inspired the Christians further.

The Muslim kingdoms in Spain, called Al-Andalus, sponsored learning and art. Huge libraries and fine mosques existed there. Yet in 975 an intolerant king came to the throne and persecuted Jews and Catholics, many of whom fled to the Christian kingdoms in the north. Kingdoms in the north expanded and raised large armies to fight the heretics. French knights aided them. El Cid, a romanticized mercenary conquered many cities and regions from the Moors. The invasion of fanatic Arabs from Morocco escalated the wars.  

===France and The Holy Roman Empire===

===France and The Holy Roman Empire===