Heres a revised part three. Here, it takes Alfonso much longer to regain an army, after he pays off his previous troops, and gains more support from the Count of Asturias. Also, Alfonz finds it difficult to pay off his own troops, and they turn on him. This also shows a bit on Germany, and Frederick(o), son of Alfonso, who is this TL equivalent of Conrad III.
Alfonso VII, self proclaimed Emperor of All Hispania, who by default was ruler of all the lands in the entirety of the Iberian Peninsula, had fought a short but damaging war with the Almoravids. Though he ended up winning, it was only because of the capture of the Almoravids leader, as the Second Battle of Valencia was no where near winning. Now his army, though great at start, was weak and exhausted. Though war had ended, it was only just the beginning for the trouble’s Alfonso VII would face. His father had set-up an Iberia much different to the one that was viewed for years before, one where the King had been gaining more and more power. Now the Counts and Lords would fight back, and it all started with Alfonso the Battler, and the Count of Urgell’s.
Alfonso the Battler was the son of the last King of Aragon before it was made a vassal of Leon. He was also its last reigning “Duke,” before power was taken from him by his uncle, and given to his cousin Ramon. However, with news of Ramon’s death, the area, which had become lands under Ramon, where technically under Alfonso VII’s rule. However, with Alfonso handling problems in the south, and no one in Aragon to rule, Alfonso the Battler rose up and claimed the throne of Aragon and Pamplona. He soon found much support in his old lands. The most surprising support however came from a Count, Ermengol VI, Count of Urgell. The County of Urgell had been quite powerful, but since the times of Alfonso VI, they had been losing power. Ermengol feared the change coming, and also feared the king’s power growing to big, so in 1118, he supported Alfonso the Battler, and raised a small regiment of men to go fight under his name.
Later that year, Alfonso VII would arrive in southern Aragon, which itself had become a neutral zone. Whispers of Alfonso the Battler trying to unite Aragon once more had spread, but fear of Alfonso VII’s “Grand” army had made the area stay neutral, and largely under Alfonso VII. Alfonso VII took a break here, in the city of Alcaniz, to re-moralize the troops, and re-supply in food. Alfonso was also able to get some men to come along and join him against Alfonso the Battler. Alfonso VII was again his cunning and charm to persuade the people of the area.
In the north Alfonso the Battler, and the Count of Urgell’s knew that Alfonso VII’s army would be marching to them. Originally, Alfonso the Battler would try to convince the city of Pamplona to join him, without having to make a siege, however the city official’s kicked Alfonso the Battler out, and prepared for a siege. One which never came. Alfonso the Battler wanted to take the city quickly, besides the whole area around it was under his support anyways, however Ermengol would advice him against it. “Just camp outside its walls, and await Alfonso VII. The army must be in top condition.”
In June 13th, 1118 both Alfonso’s would meet at the Battle of Pamplona. The battle would end in the King’s(Alfonso VII) retreat, however it could barely be called a loss. Alfonso the Battler’s army, which was a ragtag group, with the exception of Ermengol’s men, where no match to the Strategic mind of Alfonso VII. This however was made up in supplies, and numbers, and Alfonso the Battler would be able to remain in his “Governed lands” for now. One good thing that happened however, was the capture of Ermengol VI, who had tried to escape the battle. Alfonso VII had him executed. From here on out he would grow a distrust to Counts. None the less, Alfonso VII made his march west, to Castille, where he would regroup, and attempt to enlargen his army, for the eventual takeover of Alfonso the Battler’s lands.
In the east, Alfonso the Battler would over dramatize the events that transpired. In Pamplona, after news of the kings retreat, the doors where open, and support was given. However, Alfonso the Battler’s army had suffered many losses. He himself would have to move east to his homeland to try and gain more troops to fight for his cause. In Pamplona, Alfonso the Battler would be Crowned Alfonz I of Navarre and Aragon, (a name he chose himself to differentiate from his cousin), however this was largely not accepted by much of the populace, who still viewed him as a small revolter who could barely hold an army.
Arriving at Leon, Alfonso VII’s troops began the demanding that they would be payed. Originally grouped to fight the Almoravids, that was now over, and the wanted what they where promised. Most got payments, and went home. Some where given lands in the newly conquered south. Many departed and left the King. From here the King would attempt to persuade neighboring counts and lords to support his cause. One man who would support the King largely was Rodrigo Munoz, Count of Asturias. He would give donations to hire more mercenary troops. With promises of great lands in the south, Alfonso VII would be able to once again raise quite the army in 1125. In 1124, Sancha(Alfonso VII’s Daughter) was given the title of Countess of Sevilla, and Lord of the Southern Lands. Frederick II, son of Alfonso, had been given the title of Prince of Hispania, however it virtually had little meaning.
Alfonz I had failed to pay the troops under his command, and by 1123, many had quit, and others had gone against him. The area’s under his control had become area’s of constant fighting, and in 1124, it is rumored that Alfonz died in battle against men that where formally under his command. In 1125, when Alfonso VII went in to attack, he found not one organized army, but several factions of small men that went around pillaging. He made quick work of the small, unorganized factions, and by 1127, Navarre had fallen back under his possession. Felipe I was named Lord of Aragon-Valencia, Count of Catalonia-Barcelona, and Protector of Eastern Hispania.
In Germany, Frederick(o), son of Alfonso VII and Agnes of Germany, had gained much popularity upon becoming Duke of Franconia. Though being raised in Iberia, his mother had taught him(and the rest of her kids) German, and he was quite well in it. He stemmed a growth of popularity in Franconia and the surrounding area’s, and in 1121 he was made Regent of Germany. However, his rise was largely opposed by the northern Germans, and especially by Lothair of Saxony. Frederick would gain more support from Swabia once he married Frederick I of Swabia’s only child, and daughter, Bertha*, who had become the Duke of Swabia herself. The marriage took place in early march of 1121, and by 1123 they had a son, Conrad. In 1124 however, Bertha would die, reasons of which still left unknown, however it is believed she had gotten cancer. This left Conrad as Duke of Swabia, however he was to young, only a year old, and Frederick(o) became Duke of Swabia, and formally established the Jimenez Dynasty into Swabia.
In 1125, Henry V of Germany, uncle of Frederick II, Regent of Germany, Duke of Franconia, and Duke of Swabia, died. Many in the south wanted Frederick II to be made King of Germany, however he was opposed in the north by Lothair. Lothair was then elected Lothair III of Germany. In the south this was strongly opposed, and Frederick was elected anti-king of Germany by much of the south, including Austria, and northern Italy, the election took place at Nuremberg in 1127. Frederick would cross the Alps to be crowned King of Italy be Anselm V, Archbishop of Milan. However after two years of failing to achieve much in Italy, he returned to Germany in 1130, after Nuremberg and Speyer fell to Lothair in late 1129. Frederick would continue in his opposition, but in 1135 he would acknowledge Lothair. He also relinquished the title of King of Italy, after which he was given control of his lands once again. In 1037, Lothair would die, and Frederick would finnaly be elected King of Germany, over Lothair’s son-in-law Henry.
* Fictional, in OTL Frederick I of Swabia marries Agnes, but in TTL he marries some other, less important person, and has a daughter, Bertha, who marries Frederick.