Episode 122 - Castile in peril

This episode of the "History of the Crusades" podcast, titled "Reconquista: The rise of Al-Andalus and the reconquest of Spain," focuses on the Kingdom of Leon and Castile in 1295, following the death of King Sancho IV. The episode details the challenges faced by the Queen Regent, Maria de Molina, as she attempts to secure the throne for her young and illegitimate son, Fernando, amidst threats from neighboring kingdoms and internal rivals. King James II of Aragon conspires to dismember Castile, with Portugal and Granada seeking territorial gains, while Juan, the uncle of the child king, also vies for the throne. Maria de Molina navigates these challenges through diplomacy and military efforts, eventually securing her son's claim to the throne by 1302. The episode also explores the reign of Muhammad III of Granada, his conflicts, and the eventual alliance between Aragon and Castile against him, setting the stage for future conflicts.