755 - 1002 Umayyad Dynasty
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A sub-branch of the Umayyad family ruled Spain from 755 until 1030. These were the glory years for the Muslims in Spain. Although puppet Caliphs lingered on until 1031, the power of the Umayyad's was broken by 1002 when the vizier Al-Mansur died.
755
The Umayyad Abd al-Rahman I crosses to Spain, defeats Yusuf al-Fihri, and becomes independent emir of Spain (Collins, 1983).
759
Franks conquer Muslim Nabonne (Collins, 1983).
763
Abd al-Rahman I suppresses an Abbasid inspired revolt (Collins, 1983).
764
Abd al-Rahman I takes Toledo from Hisham ibn Urwa (Collins, 1983).
766
Said al-Matari rebels in Seville (Collins, 1983).
768-777
A Berber reformer rebels in central Spain and occupies Merida and other towns to the north of the Tagus (Livermore, 1966). The rebellion is suppressed after nine years.
771 or 774
Syrians under Abd al-Ghaffar rebel against the Emir (Collins, 1983). Abd al-Rahman I defeats the Syrians on the river Bembezar in either 771 or 774.
777
Abd al-Rahman I suppresses an Abbasid inspired revolt (Collins, 1983).
778 Roncesvalles
The Franks (Charlemagne) attack Zaragoza, but are forced to withdraw (Collins, 1983; Heath, 1980; Livermore, 1966). Basques ambush Charlemagne's army as it crosses the Pyrenees out of Spain. The Basques maul the Frankish rearguard, killing many of the commanders (including the Breton Markgraf Hruotland, aka Roland), and loot the baggage train.
791
Alfonso II becomes King of Asturias in Oviedo.
A Muslim force raids into Galicia (Livermore, 1966).
794
Asturians defeat Muslims at Lutos (Collins, 1983).
795
A Umayyad force occupies Astorga (Livermore, 1966).
798
In a raid on Muslim lands Alfonso II enters Lisbon but can not occupy it (Livermore, 1966).
800 - 810
Rebellion breaks out in the fringes of Al-Andalus (Lisbon, Merida, Toledo) (Livermore, 1966). Each rebellion bloodily suppressed by the central authorities.
801
Louis the Pious of France conquers Barcelona (Collins, 1983).Beginning of Spanish March.
803
Revolt of Banu Qasi in Tudela is suppressed (Collins, 1983).
806
Frankish conquest of Pamplona (Collins, 1983).
808
Franks fail to take Tortosa (Collins, 1983).
809
A Umayyad prince defeats and executes Tumlus - a Muslim rebel who had seized power in Lisbon some years before (Livermore, 1966).
819
Franks suppress revolt in Pamplona (Collins, 1983).
824
Pamplona rebels again and Basques destroy a Frankish army at the second Battle of Roncesvalles (Collins, 1983). Kingdom of Pamplona established.
825
Muslims attempt to invade Christian territory from Coimbra and Viseu but are driven back (Livermore, 1966).
827
Bernard of Septimania holds Barcelona against Gothic rebels (who have Umayyad assistance) (Collins, 1983).
830s
First mentions of the tomb of St. James in Compostela.
838
Muslims attempt to invade Christian territory from Coimbra and Viseu but are driven back (Livermore, 1966).
844
Vikings raids the Galician estuaries, are defeated by Ramiro I, attack Lisbon, and sack Seville (Collins, 1983; but Livermore,1966, says 840).
Battle of Clavijo. Legendary battle between Christians (commanded by Ramiro I) and Moslems, where St. James helped the Christian Army.
848
William, son of Bernard of Septimania, seizes Barcelona (Collins, 1983).
850
Ordoño I becomes King of Asturias in Oviedo. Beginning of repopulation. Rise of the county of Castile.
859
Vikings raid Andalucian coast (Collins, 1983). They capture and ransom King Garcia of Pamplona.
Ordoño I of Asturias defeats Musa ibn Musa at Albelda (Collins, 1983).
866
Alfonso III the Great becomes King of Asturias.
868
Vimara Peres rebuilds Portucale thus establishing a Christian presence on the Duero and effectively starting the county of Portugal (Livermore,1966).
870 or 888
Battle of Padura/Arrigorriaga between the Basques (Lope Fortún, first lord of Biscay and Sancho de Estigiz, lord of Durango), and Leónese (prince Ordoño, son of the king Alfonso the great, and the future king Ordoño II).
886-912
Many revolts in Al-Andalus (Collins, 1983).
909
Alfonso III disposed by his sons yet also proclaimed Emperor.
917
Battle of S. Esteban de Gormaz. León (Ordoño II) defeats a Muslim army (Emir Abd el-Rahman III).
918
Battle of Talavera where Muslims (Abd el-Rahman III) defeat the Leónese.
920
Battle of Valdejunquera where Muslims (Abd el-Rahman III) defeat the Leónese (again).
929
Abd-Al-Rahman III proclaimed caliph in Cordoba (Collins, 1983).
933
Battle of Osma where Castilian-Leónese troops (count Fernán González) defeat a Muslim army (Abd el-Rahman III).
939
Battle of Simancas where León (Ramiro II) defeats Muslims (Abd el-Rahman III) (Collins, 1983).
Chrisitians ?? defeat Al-nasir at Alhandega (Kennedy, 1996).
946
The county of Castile becomes independent.
966
Vikings raid Galicia again (Collins, 1983; but Livermore,1966, says 968). They kill the biship of Stantiago in battle, but his successor St Rudesind rallies the local forces, kills Gundered the Viking King.
971
Another minor Viking raid (Collins, 1983).
974
A Cordoban expedition under Ibn Tumlus crushes a rebellion in Seville (Kennedy, 1996).
976
Caliph al-Hakan al-Mustansir dies on 1 Oct, and al-Mansur takes over in the name of his protégé Hisham. The Christians take advantage of the resulting confusion and commence raids into Muslim territory.
977
Al-Mansur volunteers to lead the army against the Christians, and is successful (Kennedy, 1996).
981
Al-Mansur defeats his old friend Ghalib in a confused battle near Atienz (Jul) (Kennedy, 1996). Al-Mansur force includes Berbers (at least 600 men under Jafar ibn Ali ibn Hamdun aka Ibn al-Andalusi), Christian mercenaries, and Andalusian troops from Zaragoza under Man ibn Abd al-Aziz al-Tujibi. Ghalib's force includes Andalusians and a Castilian contingent under their Count (Garcia Fernandez). Ghalib is killed in the battle. Al-Mansur subsequently kills off both Ibn al-Andalusi and Man al-Tujibi.
983
After failing in a rebellion in the Maghreb, the Berber Chief Zawi ibn Ziri, of the Tunisian royal family, brings a formidable force of Sanhaja horsemen to join Al-Mansur. However, they are not allowed to cross the straits for many years (sometime 1002-1008).
985
Al-Mansur sacks Barcelona (Collins, 1983; Kennedy, 1996; Menéndez, 1934).
986
Al-Mansur burns down the monastery of San Cugat de Valles.
987
Al-Mansur lays waste to the now Christian Coimbra (Livermore,1966).
988
Al-Mansur razes León to the ground (Collins, 1983). He sacks Leon, Zamora, and Sahagun, and sets fire to the great monasteries of Eslonza and Sahagun.
989
Al-Mansur seizes Osma.
995
Despite stout resistance by the Beni-Gomez - Christian counts of Saldaña, Liebana, Carrion, and Zamora - Al-Mansur destroys their capital, the city of Santa maria de Carrion.
997
Al-Mansur seizes the castles north of the Duero, and destroys the Church of Santiago (Collins, 1983; Kennedy, 1996; Livermore, 1966; Menéndez, 1934).
998
Wadih, a Slav and the best Andalusian commander of the time, takes Fez in Morocco with a large force.
999
Muslimes briefly attempt to establish a garrison at Zamora (Kennedy, 1996).
1000
Sancho Garcia, Count of Castile, inflicts major losses on the Muslims, and nearly clinches a remarkable victory (Kennedy, 1996).
1002
Al-Mansur raids into La Rioja, is defeated by a coalition of Christian armies at the Battle of Calatañazor, and dies on his return to Cordoba (Menéndez, 1934). Power in Al-Andalus subsequently divided between the old Arab nobility, the Berber mercenaries, and the "Slavs" (slaves).
1002-1008
Al-Muzaffar (Al-Mansur's son) conducts annual raids against the Chrisitians (Kennedy, 1996).
1003
Muslims lay waste to León (Menéndez, 1934).
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Sources
Collins, R. (1983). Early Medieval Spain: Unity in Diversity, 400-1000 [2nd ed.]. NY: St. Martin's Press.
Heath, I. (1980). Armies of the Dark Ages 600-1066 (2nd ed.). Wargames Research Group.
Kennedy, H. (1996). Muslim Spain and Portugal: A political history of al-Andalus. London: Longman.
Livermore, H. V. (1966). A New History of Portugal. Cambridge University Press.
Menéndez Pidal, R. (1934). The Cid and his Spain [H. Sutherland Trans.]. Frank Cass.