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
Reign737–739
Coronation737
PredecessorPelagius
SuccessorAlfonso I
Bornc. 710
Died739
Cangas de Onís, Asturias
Burial
ConsortFroiluba
DynastyAstur-Leonese dynasty
FatherPelagius
MotherGaudiosa
ReligionChalcedonian Christianity
A 1530s miniature, depicting Favila being mauled by a bear

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

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  1. ^ a b Collins 1989a, p. 152.
  2. ^ Collins 1989b, p. 3.
  3. ^ Collins 2003.

References

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  • 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.


Preceded by King of Asturias
737–739
Succeeded by