Alfonso VIII of Castille

Alfonso VIII, born on 11 November 1155, became King of Castile in 1158 and ruled until his death in 1214. His early reign was marked by internal strife due to his minority and the ambitions of noble houses. Despite a devastating defeat at the Battle of Alarcos in 1195 against the Almohads, Alfonso later led a coalition that defeated the Almohads at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, significantly advancing Christian dominance in the Iberian Peninsula. His reign also saw Castile’s dominance over León and strengthened ties with Aragon through alliance.

Alfonso’s political maneuvers included strategic marriages and diplomatic engagements with neighboring kingdoms and the Holy Roman Empire. His reign witnessed the development of the Castilian language and the beginnings of the Reconquista, a pivotal period in Spanish history. Alfonso founded the first Spanish university and made the Alcázar of Segovia a royal residence, contributing to Spain’s cultural legacy. He died on 5 October 1214 and was succeeded by his son, Henry I.