Battle of Valdejunquera

Covadonga - Valdejunquera - Simancas - Grey - Zallaqa - Ucles - Fraga - Ourique - Lisbon - Alarcos - Las Navas de Tolosa - Córdoba - Jerez - Teba - Salado - La Higueruela - Granada

The Battle of Valdejunquera found on July 26, 920 between the armies of the Emir of Al -Andalus, Abd ar -Rahman III. and the king Ordoño II of León instead.

Prehistory

In the early 10th century, the Kingdom of Asturias and Leon reached a zenith of his power. The border with the Moors on the river Dorum ( Duero ) was attached to the west, the city of Coimbra was 878 been taken, in central Spain, the cities of Zamora and Toro Simancas ( 893-900 ). In the East San Esteban de Gormaz were fixed and Osma repopulated under the government of García I of León ( 910-914 ).

Under the government Ordoños II ( 914-924 ), there was an aggressive policy towards the emirate; as attacks against Evora and Merida were performed. The Moorish governor was forced to buy the withdrawal of Leonesen. In cooperation with the allies Navarre also successful attacks along the Ebro were undertaken.

This rise in the no man's land in the Dorum level was possible because the emirate of Al -Andalus was in a deep crisis at the end of the 9th century. The Emir Abd ar -Rahman III. However, ( 912-961 ) struck down the revolts in Andalusia 913-914 and is now able to devote himself directly to the northern Christian kingdoms.

The Battle

There were several raids of the Arabs. This did not weaken the goal is to conquer territories, but the strategic centers of the outposts of Asturias - Leon and Navarre. In the " campaign of Muez " the army of the Emir of Córdoba Coming marched Caracuel and destroyed the cities of San Esteban de Gomaz, Osuna and Clunia. Thereafter, the Moors moved on to Burgos, Calahorra and Tudela.

The King of Navarre was with his army in Arnedo and there united his forces with those of the Kingdom of León. Ordoño II was still waiting for the troops of the Count of Castile. However, this did not appear. The Muslims made ​​camp in Viguera. The Christian army encamped in Muez in Valdejunquera Valley on, about 25 km southeast of Pamplona. On July 26, 920 it came to battle. The Christian army was defeated, the bishops of Tui and Salamanca were captured. The survivors retreated to the strongholds Muez and Viguera. The two forts, however, were conquered by the Moors and executed all the prisoners. The Moorish army retreated then back to Cordoba.

Because the counts of Castile Ordoño II had not come to help, he left them imprisoned and executed.

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