This is a History of Europe Key Battles podcast.

The Battle of Rio Salado, otherwise known as the Battle of Tarifa, of the year 1340.

Part 1 of 3.

In the mid-13th century, Spanish Christian armies conquered large swathes of Al-Andylus,

that is, Muslim-controlled southern Spain.

By 1248, only a small region in the south of the peninsula, the Kingdom of Granada remained in Muslim hands.

Granada survived for nearly two and a half centuries further until 1492.

Why did it take so long to conquer the last part of the peninsula?

Also, why did the Christians not continue their crusade across the Straits of Gibraltar and occupy North Africa. And why did the North Africans not retake Al-Andrus?

This podcast will try to answer these questions.

Before continuing, I'd just like to say that it might be useful to first listen if you haven't already done so to previous episodes on the fall of Toledo, 1085, and the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, 1212, to give a bit more background on medieval Spain.

Otherwise, continue listening, this set of episodes is self-contained and can be listened to on its own. For the Muslim Kingdom of Granada, there were two

principal reasons for its survival. Firstly, the mountainous terrain of the region, and secondly the skilful diplomacy of its leaders

against their more powerful neighbours, Castile to the north and the Maronid dynasty of Morocco to the south.

The key strategic point in this three-way conflict were the Straits of Gibraltar. All sides

recognise the strategic importance of, in particular the ports of Tarifa, Gibraltar and Aligisiras,

all three long used by invaders from the African continent as a gateway into Spain.

This is the story of the conflict for control of this region between the time of the Battle of Las Nevis de Toulosa in 1212 and the Battle of Rio Salado in 1340.

The outcome would help determine the destinies of both southern Spain and North Africa.

In December 1230, Fernanda III, already King of Castile for some dozen years,

succeeded also to the throne of the Kingdom of Leon, and so united the two lands.

Over many generations, Castile and Leon had at times been united before, but more often had been bitter rivals.

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