Catalunya
Catalonia is a region in northeastern Spain.
Catalonia is allied to Lucius, who comes together to challenge King Arthur’s reign. Catalonia sent warriors and troops to support Lucius in his invasion of Britain.
Catalonia | 1st century BC to the 9th century AD
Roman Period | 1st century BC – 5th century AD
Catalonia, like much of the Iberian Peninsula, was part of the Roman Empire. The Romans established various settlements and infrastructure in the region. Barcelona, or Barcino in Roman times, became an important Roman city.
Visigothic Kingdom | 5th – 8th centuries
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century, the Visigoths established a kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula, including Catalonia. The Visigothic rule lasted until the Muslim conquest of the region.
Muslim Rule | 8th century
In the early eighth century, the Umayyad Caliphate conquered parts of the Iberian Peninsula, including Catalonia. The region remained under Muslim rule for a relatively short period.
Frankish Reconquista | Late 8th century
Charlemagne, the Frankish king, initiated the Reconquista, a series of campaigns to retake the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. In 801, Frankish forces, led by Louis the Pious (Charlemagne’s son), captured Barcelona, marking the beginning of the Frankish influence in Catalonia.
Creation of Marca Hispanica | 9th century
In the ninth century, as a response to the threat of Muslim incursions from the south, the Carolingian Empire established the Marca Hispanica, a defensive buffer zone in the region. Catalonia played a crucial role in this defensive strategy. The counties of Barcelona, Girona, and Ausona (later renamed Osona) were created as part of the Marca Hispanica.
Catalan Counties and Feudalism
The counties within the Marca Hispanica developed into semi-independent feudal entities. The Counts of Barcelona became particularly influential and played a crucial role in the political and territorial development of Catalonia.
Sources
Alliterative Morte Arthure | c. 1400
Le Morte Darthur | Sir Thomas Malory, 1469-1470