Castilla, Castille
Castile refers to a historical region located in the central and northern part of Spain, in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula.
According to Der Pleier, in Tandareis and Flordibel, this kingdom in Spain was allied to Arthur. The Italian romance I Due Tristani gives Juan of Castille as its king. Tristan the Younger traveled to Castile to participate in a tournament and fell in love with the king’s daughter, Maria.
Another romance says Perceval’s great-aunt, Rischoyde, married Kaylet of Hoskurast, whom was the king of Spain and Castille.
Castile | 0 to the 9th century AD
Roman Period
The region that would later become Castile was part of the Roman Empire. During the Roman era, it was characterized by a mix of rural settlements and Romanized urban centers.
Visigothic Rule
With the decline of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths, a Germanic tribe, established control over the Iberian Peninsula. The Visigothic Kingdom, with its capital in Toledo, held sway over the region that includes modern-day Castile.
Moorish Invasion and Muslim Rule
In 711, the Moors, led by Tariq ibn Ziyad, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated the Visigothic king at the Battle of Guadalete. The Moors rapidly advanced into the Iberian Peninsula, reaching the region of Castile. Castile, like much of the Iberian Peninsula, came under Muslim rule. During this period, it was part of the larger territory known as Al-Andalus.
Christian Resistance
Over the subsequent centuries, Christian kingdoms in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula initiated the Reconquista, a series of campaigns aimed at retaking territory from Muslim rule. Castile played a role in this resistance.
County of Castile and Alfonso I
The origins of the County of Castile can be traced to the late eighth century. The first Count of Castile was Rodrigo, who served under King Alfonso II of Asturias. The counts of Castile were tasked with defending the northern frontier against Muslim incursions.
Alfonso I, also known as Alfonso the Catholic, became the Count of Castile in the late eighth century. He was a key figure in the Christian resistance against the Moors and played a role in the Reconquista.
Source
Tandareis and Flordibel | Der Pleier, 1240-1270
I Due Tristani | 1555