This is quick summary of European history during my CK-EUIII game. CK part went quite AI-crazy as usual, but I`ve tried to describe it with some sense. Do mind that my English skills and historical knowledge are somehow limited 
. Part of my ongoing megacampaign AAR, that I plan to continue through Victoria and Hearts of Iron up to XXth century.
Iberia first:
Iberia/Maghreb
In XI-XII centuries Southern Iberia was quickly conquered by northern christian kingdoms. Spanish reconquista continued to other side of Gibraltar strait, bringing lands of Morocco and Fez under catholic rule. However, such quick conquest resulted in assimilation of victors with local, arabic population. In XIII century powerful kingdom of Leon-Castille-Navarra broken into three separate states. One branch of Jimenez family took Navarrese throne, one Castillan and one Leon.
Rulers of Leon also had most of Maghreb possessions in their hands, and in early XIV century moved royal capital to Fez, creating kingdom of Fez-Leon. In that time, royal dynasty finally assimilated with it`s subjects culture. To the end of century, arab-catholic kingdom lived in considerable peace, controlling southern Iberia and Fez. However, in years 1455-1474 kingdom was beaten in several wars with its muslim neighbor - Berber Hammadids. Finally in June 1475 city of Fez fell into hands of unfaithful, and during fights last heir of Fez-Leon branch of house Jimenez died.
Thus former vassal of Fez - duchy of Granada became fully independent. Duke Abbas II conquered small Portugal same year, and crowned himself king of Andalucia (arab-catholic people of Iberia and Fez called themselves Andalucians to distinct themselves from their muslim relatives).
Prosperity and considerable power of the young kingdom was provided by rich cities and huge trade significance. In contrast to neighboring Navarra, despite catholic religion Andalucian rulers were usually tolerant and innovative. New technologies, inventions and science flourished in wealthy cities like Cadiz, Saragossa or Granada. Well armed and trained urban militia provided good bulk of army, while powerful fleet protected coasts and main trade routs.
Main threats for kingdom were aggressively expanding Navarra, and Hammadids. Basque Jimenez wanted to seize control over whole Hispania, while Berbers could tried to reclaim Iberian lands lost for muslims. However, with good diplomacy and trade policy, Andalucia could defend from Navarrese, and try to liberate their catholic brothers of Fez. Seeking more wealth and trade, vital to Andalucian economy, king Abbas II sent an expedition west - supposed alternative rout to India, discovered in 1474 by Irish adventurer Christofer O`Kolumb.
Kingdom of Navarra reached it`s peak in first decades of XV century, but after civil war of 1435-1442 former vassals - Portugal, Aragon and Catalunya were lost. Strangely, ruling class of the kingdom consisted mainly of culturally different Basques. Jimenez family moved it`s capital to moutainous Navarra, and over time acquired language and customs of ancient culture. Thus in late XV century almost all nobility was considered as Basques, while castellan, and arab majority - peasantry and commoners. Such differences caused many revolts and disorder, so Navarra became very centralized state, close to despotic monarchy. Catholic church held high position in kingdom, providing political support of Holy Inquisition to Navarresse kings.
In years 1460-1470 king Berezi I conquered northern Portugal and southern Catalunya. He also meddled into French wars with their former vassals, which ended with conquest of Aquitaine.
After fall of Fez-Leon and extinction of it`s dynasty, kings of Navarra claimed their ancient rights to whole Hispania. Weak neighbors like Castille or Aragon were easy prey, but Basque kings were in danger from France and Andalucia - their alliance could meant complete disaster.
Berber Hammadid dynasty ruled lands from Atlas Mountains to Mediterranean Sea for almost 500 years. They survived several crusades, repelling Spanish, French and Italian invaders. In year 1414 Hiempsal I conquered crusader state of Tunisia. His son Firmus III began war with neighboring powerful kingdom of Fez. After ten years of bloody war he came victorious, taking half of Fezian territory. Feeling that he is powerful enough, he announced himself first Sultan of Hammadids - fully independent ruler. His heir, Vaznsen I, finally defeated Fez to became most powerful ruler of Maghreb.
Hammadid Sultans commanded huge forces of hardened Berber warriors - masters of desert warfare. They also hired numerous pirates, and looting of merchants in Mediterranean Sea provided considerable profits. Tribal federation slowly transformed into more centralized state.
In year 1475 Hammadids had two main routs of further expansion - Iberian peninsula, lost for christian infidels centuries earlier, or east to crusader states of Tripolitania, Egypt and Jerusalem.
Rest of Iberian states were much weaker than it`s bigger neighbors - Andalucia and Navarra. Only hope of their survival laid in good diplomacy and alliances. Castille ruled by house of Jimenez had good relations with Navarra, while Catalunya was closely tied with Andalucia by trade enterprises. Poor and small Aragon seemed most vulnerable of those minor states.
. Part of my ongoing megacampaign AAR, that I plan to continue through Victoria and Hearts of Iron up to XXth century.Iberia first:
Iberia/Maghreb
In XI-XII centuries Southern Iberia was quickly conquered by northern christian kingdoms. Spanish reconquista continued to other side of Gibraltar strait, bringing lands of Morocco and Fez under catholic rule. However, such quick conquest resulted in assimilation of victors with local, arabic population. In XIII century powerful kingdom of Leon-Castille-Navarra broken into three separate states. One branch of Jimenez family took Navarrese throne, one Castillan and one Leon.
Rulers of Leon also had most of Maghreb possessions in their hands, and in early XIV century moved royal capital to Fez, creating kingdom of Fez-Leon. In that time, royal dynasty finally assimilated with it`s subjects culture. To the end of century, arab-catholic kingdom lived in considerable peace, controlling southern Iberia and Fez. However, in years 1455-1474 kingdom was beaten in several wars with its muslim neighbor - Berber Hammadids. Finally in June 1475 city of Fez fell into hands of unfaithful, and during fights last heir of Fez-Leon branch of house Jimenez died.
Thus former vassal of Fez - duchy of Granada became fully independent. Duke Abbas II conquered small Portugal same year, and crowned himself king of Andalucia (arab-catholic people of Iberia and Fez called themselves Andalucians to distinct themselves from their muslim relatives).
Prosperity and considerable power of the young kingdom was provided by rich cities and huge trade significance. In contrast to neighboring Navarra, despite catholic religion Andalucian rulers were usually tolerant and innovative. New technologies, inventions and science flourished in wealthy cities like Cadiz, Saragossa or Granada. Well armed and trained urban militia provided good bulk of army, while powerful fleet protected coasts and main trade routs.
Main threats for kingdom were aggressively expanding Navarra, and Hammadids. Basque Jimenez wanted to seize control over whole Hispania, while Berbers could tried to reclaim Iberian lands lost for muslims. However, with good diplomacy and trade policy, Andalucia could defend from Navarrese, and try to liberate their catholic brothers of Fez. Seeking more wealth and trade, vital to Andalucian economy, king Abbas II sent an expedition west - supposed alternative rout to India, discovered in 1474 by Irish adventurer Christofer O`Kolumb.
Kingdom of Navarra reached it`s peak in first decades of XV century, but after civil war of 1435-1442 former vassals - Portugal, Aragon and Catalunya were lost. Strangely, ruling class of the kingdom consisted mainly of culturally different Basques. Jimenez family moved it`s capital to moutainous Navarra, and over time acquired language and customs of ancient culture. Thus in late XV century almost all nobility was considered as Basques, while castellan, and arab majority - peasantry and commoners. Such differences caused many revolts and disorder, so Navarra became very centralized state, close to despotic monarchy. Catholic church held high position in kingdom, providing political support of Holy Inquisition to Navarresse kings.
In years 1460-1470 king Berezi I conquered northern Portugal and southern Catalunya. He also meddled into French wars with their former vassals, which ended with conquest of Aquitaine.
After fall of Fez-Leon and extinction of it`s dynasty, kings of Navarra claimed their ancient rights to whole Hispania. Weak neighbors like Castille or Aragon were easy prey, but Basque kings were in danger from France and Andalucia - their alliance could meant complete disaster.
Berber Hammadid dynasty ruled lands from Atlas Mountains to Mediterranean Sea for almost 500 years. They survived several crusades, repelling Spanish, French and Italian invaders. In year 1414 Hiempsal I conquered crusader state of Tunisia. His son Firmus III began war with neighboring powerful kingdom of Fez. After ten years of bloody war he came victorious, taking half of Fezian territory. Feeling that he is powerful enough, he announced himself first Sultan of Hammadids - fully independent ruler. His heir, Vaznsen I, finally defeated Fez to became most powerful ruler of Maghreb.
Hammadid Sultans commanded huge forces of hardened Berber warriors - masters of desert warfare. They also hired numerous pirates, and looting of merchants in Mediterranean Sea provided considerable profits. Tribal federation slowly transformed into more centralized state.
In year 1475 Hammadids had two main routs of further expansion - Iberian peninsula, lost for christian infidels centuries earlier, or east to crusader states of Tripolitania, Egypt and Jerusalem.
Rest of Iberian states were much weaker than it`s bigger neighbors - Andalucia and Navarra. Only hope of their survival laid in good diplomacy and alliances. Castille ruled by house of Jimenez had good relations with Navarra, while Catalunya was closely tied with Andalucia by trade enterprises. Poor and small Aragon seemed most vulnerable of those minor states.