Favila of Asturias

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Favila
Monasterio de San Pedro de Villanueva - Portada - Detalle01.jpg
Carvings depicting Favila's last day, from the twelfth-century portal of the monastery of San Pedro de Villanueva
King of Asturias
Reign737–739
Coronation 737
Predecessor Pelagius
Successor Alfonso I
Bornc. 710
Died739
Cangas de Onís, Asturias
Burial
ConsortFroiluba
Dynasty Astur-Leonese dynasty
Father Pelagius
MotherGaudiosa
Religion Chalcedonian Christianity
A 1530s miniature, depicting Favila being mauled by a bear Favila das Asturias.png
A 1530s miniature, depicting Favila being mauled by a bear

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.

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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References


Preceded by King of Asturias
737–739
Succeeded by