The Moorish Rule of Spain

Tariq-ibn-Ziyad and his fierce Berber troopsof the Picos de Europa. The group was isolated
invaded Spain initially in 710 AD, through Tarifa andbut determined. They survived off a diet mostly
later, through Gibraltar 711 AD.of wild-mountain honey. The Moors scoured the
The next 800 years was documented by botharea in vain. Eventually, they relinquished the
sides. There was no BBC or CNN seeking impartialsearch, believing, so few, would not be a
truth. War alternated with Romance.significant problem.
The Moors exposed the grandiose - the SpaniardsIn 722 AD, the Moors experienced their first
remembered the ruthless...defeat, at the Battle of Covadonga, when
After the Battle of Guadalete July 19, 711 AD,Pelayo's men defeated a small Moorish patrol.
prisoners were forced to observe... ChristianPelayo's men, secured the narrow valley of
comrades were hacked to pieces and chuckedCovadonga. 300 Christians versus 400,000 Moors
into boiling vats. The Moors secretly switched- at least that was the essence of the myth.
cauldron-contents and sat down and ate heartily.Though, a historically ambiguous point, Covadonga
Tariq then released those witnesses. The horrorwas the nexus of the Reconquista. The victory
converted them as propaganda tools,was memorable and became the first turn of the
harbinger-messengers of the true "Power of theChristians' return to the "Key to Spain." Great
Sword." This was just one of the reasons, whymorale for The Cause of the Spanish Reconquista.
Spain yielded so swiftly to the Moorish Rule ofDon Pelayo declared the defended area: Asturias,
Spain. A rule that lasted nearly 800 years, (froma small independent Kingdom.
711 AD to 1492 AD).Spanish heirs are referred to as: the Prince of
There were other reasons why Visigoth ruleAsturias, honouring the bravery of Pelayo and his
vanished. Hispanic-Romans had detested themen.
Visigoths. Jews had been treated cruelly andBorders of Moorish Spain were elastic: continually
harshly by the Catholic Church and the Visigoths.shrinking or expanding.
The Moors were aided by both theInside Moorish boundaries: life was a paradox of
Hispanic-Romans and the Jews. Neither side,violence, excessive self-indulgence, the highest
however, believed that the Moors would stay.education and refinement: The romantic grace of
The invasion was swift but not always smooth.the Alhambra or the exquisite Madinat-az-Zahra...
The Moors themselves experienced jaggedOutside Moorish boundaries: Harrowing chapters:
episodes. Internal revolts were persistental-Hakim 1, massacred 300 chief citizens, Toledo
between the fanatical Berbers and their Arabic800 AD. Mass enslavement, whole
superiors. Even the original Moorish leader Tariq,village-retributions, customary alternate hand and
was imprisoned, released and imprisoned.foot amputations...
Spain was all but conquered, except for a smallChristians and Jews were regarded as "people of
area in the north-west: Asturias. The regionthe book." They were permitted to continue
became notorious for a multitude of historicpractising their faith, as long as Moorish tax was
legends...paid. Tax laws had to be adhered to. Jizya: a
30 brave men led by Don Pelayo (son of anspecial tax which protected those that paid -
nobleman - exiled by King Witizia - with rights tofrom the death penalty.
the Toldedan throne). He mounted a revoltIt was the extension of the Islamic faith which
against the Moors. They fought from the caveswas the essence of the Moorish Rule of Spain.