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The Las Navas de Tolosa battle was the turning point in the reconquista. Before that, the Muslim kingdoms of Spain had been holding their own, more or less, even if they were in a slow retreat across the peninsula. However, after that battle, they more or less ceased to be of any significance. But let us say that the battle goes the other way. IOTL, the Christian force sneaked through an unguarded pass and surprised the Moors. But ITTL, the pass was undefended only to bait the Christians into a trap, which they promptly fall into. They are ambushed by the Moors, and the Aragonese, who had crossed first, are utterly wiped out, including their king, Pedro the Catholic and the bulk of his nobles. The other Christians flee north, and al Nasir, the Almohad ruler, decides to exploit his success by pursuing the Aragonese, whose army is in tatters. The Aragonese, with their king and many noblemen dead, are unable to resist effectively, and their kingdom is essentially reduced to a few strongpoints, with Zaragosa in the hands of the al Nasir. The Aragonse appeal to the French for support. Now, what would be the effects on the Aragonese at this point? Further, would such a victory save the Cathars, since the French would be distracted by this new threat on their south western borders? The only effective army in the region was the army of Simon de Montfort. Would it be diverted to face this new threat? Would the French offer the Cathars any concessions to obtain their help and would it lead to more tolerance for them? If so, how long can the Moors and the Cathars last in face of this new reality? All opinions would be appreciated.
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