Between the departure of the Almoravids in 1088 and their return in 1090, a number of significant events take place. 

In the period of interlude between the departure of the Almoravids and their return to al-Andalus, some significant events take place.

The Almoravids of northern Africa arrive in al-Andalus and clash with King Alfonso VI at the battle of Sagrajas in October 1086.

As King Alfonso VI and Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar prepare to face off in Zaragoza, a new threat emerges to the south.

As King Alfonso's attentions turn to the east, different factions inside Toledo struggle for supremacy.

In the first major victory of the Reconquesta, Toledo falls to King Alfonso VI.

The taifa of Toledo hits a rocky patch which King Alfonso VI swings to his advantage.  Meanwhile, Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (later known as El Cid) makes a couple of bad choices and ends up in exile.

During the 1070s, two assassinations - one in al-Andalus and one in the Christian north - send shockwaves across the Iberian peninsula.

Christian armies from France and beyond, hit some speed humps in their attempts to conquer parts of the taifa of Zaragoza.

We turn our attentions to the Christian Kingdoms in the Pyrenees where the King of Aragon has been attempting to conquer territory in Muslim Zaragoza.