Asturian Monarch. Called “the Great” or Alfonso el Magno. Born the son of Ordoño I, he won a contested succession, following his father to the throne. He moved his capital forward from Oviendo to the restored Roman city of León. Alfonso expanded his territory during the Moorish emirate of Córdoba's distraction during a challenge by Berber dissidents. He put down a Basque rebellion in 867. He formed an alliance with Pamplona and married Princess Jimena from that kingdom. Under his rule, Oporto was occupied in 868, and Castile began to grow. By the end of his reign, Alfonso III had occupied Coimbra, Zamora, and Burgos, settling refugees from the south and doubling the size of his kingdom, making him the king of León, Galicia and Asturias. Three of his sons rose in rebellion and deposed their father, partitioning the kingdom among them. The eldest son, Garcia became king of León, a second son, Ordoño, reigned in Galacia, and a third, Fruela, took control of Asturais. Alfonso died in exile within a year. He had commissioned the 'Chronicle of Alfonso III,' an important source for early Spanish history.

Asturian Monarch. Called “the Great” or Alfonso el Magno. Born the son of Ordoño I, he won a contested succession, following his father to the throne. He moved his capital forward from Oviendo to the restored Roman city of León. Alfonso expanded his territory during the Moorish emirate of Córdoba's distraction during a challenge by Berber dissidents. He put down a Basque rebellion in 867. He formed an alliance with Pamplona and married Princess Jimena from that kingdom. Under his rule, Oporto was occupied in 868, and Castile began to grow. By the end of his reign, Alfonso III had occupied Coimbra, Zamora, and Burgos, settling refugees from the south and doubling the size of his kingdom, making him the king of León, Galicia and Asturias. Three of his sons rose in rebellion and deposed their father, partitioning the kingdom among them. The eldest son, Garcia became king of León, a second son, Ordoño, reigned in Galacia, and a third, Fruela, took control of Asturais. Alfonso died in exile within a year. He had commissioned the 'Chronicle of Alfonso III,' an important source for early Spanish history.

Bio by: Iola