Kingdom of Asturias

Quick Facts: Who was Kingdom of Asturias?

Subject:

Kingdom of Asturias

Known for:

The first Christian monarchy in Iberia after the Umayyad conquest, leading to the Reconquista.

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Origins & Early Life

The Kingdom of Asturias was a medieval monarchy in the Iberian Peninsula founded by the nobleman Pelagius. It was the first Christian political entity to be established in the Iberian Peninsula after the Umayyad conquest of Visigothic Hispania in 711–720s. In the summer of 722, Pelagius defeated an Umayyad army at the Battle of Covadonga, in what is retroactively regarded as the beginning of the Christian Reconquista. The Asturian kings would occasionally make peace with the Muslims, particularly at times when they needed to pursue their other enemies, mainly rebel Basques and Galicians. 757–768) fought Muslims but also defeated the Basques and Galicians, and Silo (r.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

774–783) made peace with the Muslims but not with the Galicians. Under King Alfonso II (r. 791–842), the kingdom was firmly established with Alfonso's recognition as king of Asturias by Charlemagne and the Pope. He conquered Galicia and the Basques. During his reign, the holy bones of St James the Great were declared to be found in Galicia, in Compostela.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Pilgrims from all over Europe opened a way of communication between the isolated Asturias and the Carolingian lands and beyond. Alfonso's policy consisted in depopulating the borders of Bardulia (which would turn into Castile) in order to gain population support north of the mountains. With this growth came a corresponding increase in military forces. The kingdom was now strong enough to sack the Muslim cities of Lisbon, Zamora and Coimbra. However, for centuries to come the focus of these actions was not conquest but pillage and tribute.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kingdom of Asturias

True or False: “Did the Kingdom of Asturias immediately conquer all territories previously held by the Visigoths after 711 AD?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The kingdom was established following the Umayyad conquest and its initial Christian resistance began with key victories like Covadonga in 722.

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