Chapter 10

Rough Cradle of a Spanish Nationality in the Asturias--Alfonso III. and His Hidalgos and Dons--Guerrilla Warfare with Moors--Jealousies and Strife between Christian Kingdoms--Civil War--Almanzor--Ruin of Christian State Seemed Imminent--Death of Almanzor--Berber Revolt--Anarchy in Moorish State--A Khalif Begging a Crust of Bread--Berbers Destroy Cordova--Library Burned--City of "The Fairest" a Ruin--Asturias--Leon and Castile United--Alfonso VI.--The Cid--Triumph of Christians--Moors Ask Aid of the Almoravides--Christians Driven Back--Death of the Cid--A Dynasty of the Almoravides--The Alhomades--The Great Mahdi--Moorish People Become Subject to Emperor of Morocco--His Designs upon Europe--The Pope Proclaims a Crusade--Alhomades Driven Out of Spain by Christians--Moorish Kingdom Reduced to Province of Granada, 78