Kingdom of Leon and Castile divided

1157

Alfonso VII of Leon and Castile died crossing the Sierra Morena and split his realm between his sons, creating separate kingdoms of Leon and Castile that would feud across the Christian north for most of the next century, helping slow the Reconquista's southward drive. The division also created a diplomatic opening for Portugal and Aragon, whose kings exploited the Leonese-Castilian rivalry to expand their own frontiers.