Pelayo of Asturias

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pelayo (in Spanish), Pelayu (in Asturian), Pelágio (in Portuguese), or Pelagius (in Latin) (690–737) was the founder of the Kingdom of Asturias, ruling from 718 until his death. He is credited with beginning the Christian Reconquista or reconquest of the Iberian peninsula (modern Portugal and Spain) from the Moors.

Monument in memory of Pelayo in Covadonga

Pelayo was a nobleman of high birth in the Visigothic kingdom that held power in Hispania from the early fifth century until its defeat by the Moors at the Battle of Guadalete in 711. He escaped capture at the Guadalete River, where he may have been one of the bodyguards of Roderic, the Visigothic king. Pelayo returned to his native Asturias (in the northern part of modern day Spain) and became the leader of a rebellion against Munuza, the Moorish governor of the area.

He was captured in 717 and imprisoned by the Moors but soon escaped and returned to Asturias, where he defeated Munuza and established the Kingdom of Asturias in 718, with its capital at Cangas de Onis. In accordance with Visigothic custom, he was elected as his nation's first king by a vote of his countrymen.

In the following few years, Pelayo's kingdom was more illusory than actual, as he was facing forces much stronger than his own. It wasn't until 722 that his kingdom was secured, when a powerful Moorish force (which included horsemen with heavy armour) sent to conquer Asturias once and for all was defeated by Pelayo at the Battle of Covadonga, a victory for superior tactics over superior numbers and combat equipment -- Moorish chronicles of the event describe Pelayo and his small force as "thirty wild donkeys". This established the independence of Pelayo's kingdom and is now regarded as the first Christian victory of the Reconquista. This also had a strong impact on the morale of the people of Asturias and the surrounding territories, thus increasing the size of Pelayo's army. With increased military strength, Pelayo tripled the extent of his kingdom by pushing the Moors Southwards. In light of these victories, Pelayo is today viewed as a hero in Asturias and Spain, and, though in a smaller degree, in Portugal.

Pelayo died in 737. His son Favila succeeded him as king but could not enjoy the throne for a long time: legends claim that he was killed by a bear. After Pelayo the subsequent kings of Asturias, León, Castile, Portugal and Spain could trace their lineage back to him and before. However, attempts to link him to the royal house of the Visigoths (some sources claim he is the grandson of the Visigothic King Chindasuinth, 563–653) are disputed.