This is a list of the rulers of the Kingdom of Asturias, a kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula during the Early Middle Ages. It originated as a refuge for Visigothic nobles following the conquest of Iberia by the Umayyad Caliphate. Following the forced abdication of Alfonso III by his sons in 910, the kingdom was split into three: Asturias, León, and Galicia. All three were reunited in 924 under the Kingdom of León.
For later kings, see the list of Leonese monarchs and the list of Galician monarchs. From 1388, the title Prince of Asturias has been used for the heirs to the Castillian and Spanish thrones.
List Image Name Life Reign Capital of Asturias Notes Pelagius c. 685 – 737 714 – 737Cangas de OnísBy tradition regarded as the first king of Asturias. Elected princeps by local magnates in the old Visigoth manner. Favila died 739 737 – 739Only son of Pelagius. He was elected to princeps on his father’s death. Killed by a bear during a hunt and died childless. Alfonso I, the Catholic c. 693 – 757 739 – 757Husband of Ermesinda, daughter of Pelagius and sister of Favila, and it is through his wife that Alfonso ascended to the throne. First ruler of Asturias definitely to have been known as “king” during his lifetime. Fruela I, the Cruel c. 722 – 768 757 – 768Oldest son of Alfonso I. Assassinated by his own men. Aurelius c. 740 – 774 768 – 774 San MartínCousin of Fruela I. Elected by Asturian nobility after the death of his predecessor. There is no record of his having any children. Silo died 783 774 – 783Pravia Husband of Adosinda, daughter of Alfonso I and granddaughter of Pelagius. Elected by Asturian nobility after the death of his predecessor. Matrilineal succession is thought to have had a part in his election. Mauregatus, the Usurper c. 719 – 789 783 – 789Illegitimate son of Alfonso I. In spite of the election of Alfonso II as the successor to Silo, Mauregato was able to assemble an army and seize the throne. Mauregatus died of natural causes. Bermudo I, the Deacon c. 750 – 797 788 – 791Brother of Aurelius. He was elected king by palatine officials. He abdicated after a defeat in battle, possibly under duress. He reportedly lived a long time after as a monk. Alfonso II, the Chaste c. 760 – 842 791 – 842OviedoSon of Fruela I. First elected king in 783. Although overthrown by Mauregatus, he escaped and avoided being killed. In 791, he was elected king again after the abdication of Bermudo I. Alfonso died without children. Nepotian 842 – 842Seized power and briefly ruled after the death of Alfonso II, when Alfonso’s designated heir, Ramiro I was not present. On Ramiro’s return, Nepotian was deposed, blinded, and imprisoned. Ramiro I c. 790 – 850 842 – 850Son of Bermudo I. Designated heir of Alfonso II. Ordoño I 821 – 866 850 – 866Son of Ramiro II, succeeding his father without election. Alfonso III, the Great 852 – 910 866 – 910Son of Ordoño I. Alfonso succeeded his father in that throne.
The circumstances are uncertain, but after his death, Alfonso’s kingdom was divided among his three sons, with his eldest, García I receiving the new kingdom of León, his middle son Ordoño receiving the new kingdom of Galicia, and his youngest Fruela what remained of Asturias. Fruela II, the Leprous 875 – 925 910 – 924Youngest son of Alfonso III, and younger brother to García I and Ordoño II. Fruela was given the remnants of the kingdom of Asturias, from which León and Galicia had been created. On the death of Ordoño II in 924, who had inherited León from García I in 914, Fruela became ruler of all three kingdoms created from that of his father.
Fruela is usually considered the last King of Asturias, as under his rule Asturias was folded into León.
Timeline
Family tree
See also Kingdom of Asturias Astur-Leonese dynasty