Favila or Fafila (died 739) was the second King of Asturias from 737 until his death. He was the only son and successor of Pelagius, the first Asturian monarch.
| Favila | |
|---|---|
 Carvings depicting Favila's last day, from the twelfth-century portal of the monastery of San Pedro de Villanueva | |
| King of Asturias | |
| Reign | 737–739 |
| Coronation | 737 |
| Predecessor | Pelagius |
| Successor | Alfonso I |
| Born | c. 710 |
| Died | 739 Cangas de Onís, Asturias |
| Burial | |
| Consort | Froiluba |
| Dynasty | Astur-Leonese dynasty |
| Father | Pelagius |
| Mother | Gaudiosa |
| Religion | Chalcedonian Christianity |
In 737 he founded the Church of Santa Cruz, in his capital of Cangas de Onís, but aside from this, nothing else about his reign is known.[1]
Favila was killed by a bear while on a hunt in 739. As a result, Asturian chroniclers were critical of him for his excessive levity. However, royal hunts were not just for entertainment, they helped foster political unity within the court.[1]
Favila was buried with his wife Froiluba in the Church of Santa Cruz de Cangas de Onís.[2]
He was succeeded by his brother-in-law Alfonso, husband of his sister Ermesinda.[3]
Notes
edit- ^ a b Collins 1989a, p. 152.
- ^ Collins 1989b, p. 3.
- ^ Collins 2003.
References
edit- Collins, Roger (1989a). The Arab Conquest of Spain, 710-797. Oxford, UK: B. Blackwell. ISBN 0-631-15923-1. OCLC 18816884.
- Collins, Roger (1989b). "Doubts and Certainties on the Churches of Early Medieval Spain". God and Man in Medieval Spain : essays in honour of J.R.L. Highfield. Derek W. Lomax, David Mackenzie, J. R. L. Highfield. Warminster: Aris & Phillips. ISBN 0-85668-443-0.
- Collins, Roger (2003). "Fafila, King of Asturias". In Gerli, E. Michael (ed.). Medieval Iberia : an encyclopedia. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-93918-6.
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