King Alfonso VIII was the ruler of the Kingdom of Castile from 1158 until his death in 1214. He is best known for his role in the Reconquista, the effort to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. Alfonso successfully expanded his kingdom and strengthened its borders, notably through the victory at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, which was a significant turning point in the Reconquista. Alfonso VIII was also a patron of the arts and education, promoting the establishment of schools and the construction of churches. His reign contributed to the cultural and political development of Castile, and he is remembered as a key figure in the history of Spain.