Bermudo II of Leon vs Gangjong of Goryeo

Bermudo II suffered a major defeat at the hands of Almanzor at the Battle of Rueda. The Leonese army was routed, and Bermudo was forced to flee. This defeat led to the payment of tribute to Cordoba and a period of Leonese subordination to the caliphate.

Bermudo II formed an alliance with the County of Castile under Count Sancho Garcia to resist Almanzor's campaigns. The alliance included marriage ties and military cooperation, but it failed to prevent further Cordoban incursions into Leonese territory.

Bermudo II's kingdom was invaded by the Cordoban general Almanzor, who captured and sacked the city of Santiago de Compostela, the holiest Christian shrine in Iberia. The city's churches were destroyed, and its bells were taken to Cordoba. This defeat was a profound humiliation for the Leonese king.

Gangjong became king after his brother Huijong was deposed by Choe Chung-heon. His reign coincided with the first Mongol invasions of Goryeo, though he had no authority to direct military policy.

Like his predecessors, Gangjong was a puppet king under the Choe military dictatorship. All major decisions, including responses to the Mongol threat, were made by Choe Chung-heon and his private army.

Gangjong died in 1213, just as Mongol forces under Genghis Khan began their first major campaign against Goryeo. His brief reign of two years saw no significant policy changes, and the Choe regime continued to dominate.