The Christian Alliance Against the Almohads and the Treaty of Cazola (1179)
In 1179, Alfonso VIII of Castile took the initiative to forge a united front among the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula—Navarre, León, Portugal, and Aragon—against the powerful Almohad Caliphate, which continued to dominate Al-Andalus. Recognizing the necessity of cooperation, the Christian monarchs agreed to coordinate their expansion efforts in the ongoing Reconquista.
The Treaty of Cazola: Dividing the Reconquista (1179)
To prevent territorial disputes between the Christian realms, the Treaty of Cazola was signed in 1179, establishing clear zones of expansion for each kingdom:
- Castile was granted the right to expand southward into La Mancha and the Guadalquivir Valley.
- Aragon was assigned the eastern territories, including Valencia and lands towards the Mediterranean.
- Portugal would continue its expansion southward along the Atlantic coast, consolidating its hold over Alentejo and the Algarve.
- León was to extend its influence into western Extremadura.
This treaty formalized territorial ambitions, reducing the risk of conflict among the Christian kingdoms and allowing them to focus on their common enemy, the Almohads. The agreement also reflected the growing diplomatic maturity of the Iberian Christian states, balancing their competing interests while pursuing a unified military strategy against Muslim rule.
