Visigothic Spain.

WI: The Moorish invasion is defeated and the Visigothic kingdom manages to survive. Future Iberian developments and does Portugal still emerge?
 
I think the main question will be: what next? Do the moors stay across the straits? Do the Byzantine holdings remain in place? Will there be a next wave (sometime in the 8th or 9th century, about the OTL invasions of Sicily and Crete)?

Visigothic Spain was not the stablest of places, but it was getting better at the time. The question is, how good will it get if the Arnulfing/Pippinid/Carolinigan Franks decide to do un-Christian things to their neighbours. Visigothic Spain may well play OTL's part of Lombard Italy. That is, of course, if the Pippinids don't get scotched by the absence of Saracens to defeat. But if push comes to shove, my money is on the Franks over the Visigoths.
 

Philip

Donor
I think first you must explain how the Visigothic Kingdom survives. It was falling apart before the arrival of the Moors.
 

boredatwork

Banned
It has been a while since I read about the moorish arrival/entry/invasion of Iberia, but IIRC, the initial entry was based in large part upon some of the local nobles inviting them in, thinking to use them as mercenaries in their internal struggles for power.

So, have a greater fear of absorption into the growing power across the straights. No invitation/mercenaries, and the conquest of Iberia is at least delayed.

That is, presuming I'm remembering things correctly - which isn't really a given at this time of day.
 
WI: The Moorish invasion is defeated and the Visigothic kingdom manages to survive. Future Iberian developments and does Portugal still emerge?
Which side wins the civil war? IIRC one Wittiza was cut out of his inheritance and crossed the straits shortly before Tariq came over.

IOW the place was falling apart. Arians and Jews were being persecuted to the point where they considered the Muslims liberators. If they did not roll in expect the Franks to do so.

HTG
 
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