Daniel of Galicia vs Pelagius of Asturias

Daniel of Galicia ruled the Principality of Galicia-Volhynia when the Mongols invaded. He initially resisted but was forced to submit to Mongol suzerainty after the destruction of Kyiv in 1240. Daniel's submission preserved his realm from total destruction, but he became a vassal of the Golden Horde, paying tribute and providing troops.

Daniel accepted a royal crown from Pope Innocent IV in exchange for promising to promote church union with Rome and organize a crusade against the Mongols. He was crowned King of Galicia-Volhynia in Dorohychyn. This coronation elevated his status and sought Western support against the Mongols, but the promised crusade never materialized.

Daniel launched a military campaign against the Mongol forces in Podolia and Volhynia, achieving some initial successes. He recaptured several towns from Mongol control. However, the campaign ultimately failed due to lack of Western support and Mongol reinforcements. Daniel was forced to reaffirm his vassalage to the Golden Horde.

Daniel founded the city of Lviv (Lw

Following the Umayyad conquest of the Visigothic Kingdom, Pelagius was elected as the first king of the Asturian kingdom by local nobles. This act formalized the Christian resistance and established a new political entity in northern Iberia.

Pelagius led a small force of Asturian and Visigothic rebels against an Umayyad army at Covadonga. The Christian victory is traditionally considered the beginning of the Reconquista, establishing the Kingdom of Asturias as a center of resistance against Muslim rule in Iberia.

After Covadonga, Pelagius expanded and consolidated Asturian control over the Cantabrian mountains and adjacent territories. He established a defensive buffer zone against Umayyad raids, securing the survival of the nascent Christian kingdom.