Early Middle Ages The Franks First, Europe had to be kept Christian In 711 AD a Muslim army from North Africa conquered Spain

Early Middle Ages The Franks the Arab commander Uqba-ibn-Nafe expressed his frustration there were no more lands to conquer in which to spread the glory of Islam by terrorizing the conquered people to accept Islam or death.

Early Middle Ages The Franks Spain at that time was under the control of the Visigoths and King Rodrigo who were Christian

Early Middle Ages The Franks King Rodrigo of Spain married the daughter of one of his noblemen, Count Julian against the wishes of her father.

Early Middle Ages The Franks To avenge what Julian perceived as his violated honor, he opened secret talks with the Muslims and invited the Emir (Governor) Musa ibn Nusayr, the ruler of North Africa to invade Spain.

Early Middle Ages The Franks The Caliph al-Walid authorized the invasion of Spain (710-711 AD), on condition that Count Julian recited the Shahada and embraced Islam. Also known as the Sword of Allah

Early Middle Ages The Franks Count Julian decided to turn traitor and gave up his ancestral faith, embracing Islam along with his retainers.

Early Middle Ages The Franks The two armies met on the banks of the Guadalete river on July 19, 711 in the extreme south of Spain.

Early Middle Ages The Franks The Visigothic king Rodrigo, decided to cross over to repulse the invading Muslim army.

Early Middle Ages The Franks Those who were secretly loyal to Count Julian did not cross.

Early Middle Ages The Franks Those loyal to count Julian attacked the Spanish army from behind

Early Middle Ages The Franks When the battle of the Guadalete river started turning against the Spanish, Rodrigo with a few troops tried to retreat .

Early Middle Ages The Franks His troops wanted to fight to the death. But Rodrigo, wanting to save the lives of his select troops as well as his own.

Early Middle Ages The Franks King Rodrigo opened negotiations with the Muslims to secure his freedom.

Early Middle Ages The Franks The Muslim renegades of the Spanish army captured Rodrigo.

Early Middle Ages The Franks On the orders of Musa, Tarik caught hold of the fugitive emperor’s hair and decapitated him.

Early Middle Ages The Franks The Muslim army stuck the Spanish Emperor"s head on a pole and paraded it before those contingents of the Spanish army that were still opposed to the Muslims.

Early Middle Ages The Franks This gruesome sight, caused panic in the Spanish army and an unruly retreat. PPX 15-1B

Early Middle Ages The Franks Also a slaughter of a greater part of the now demoralized and retreating Spanish army.

Early Middle Ages After this battle the Muslims proceeded to conquer most of the Iberian peninsula within the next five years. Rodrigo’s head was sent back to Damascus for display