A BRIEF RÉSUMÉ OF SPANISH HISTORY (711-1902 A.D.)
THE KINGDOM OF ASTURIAS; AFTERWARDS CALLED OF OVIEDO, AND THEN OF LEON (711-1037 A.D.)
711 Battle of the Guadalete and downfall of the Visigothic kingdom in Spain. The Moors spread over the peninsula.
718 Pelayo (Pelagius) elected king by Spanish fugitives who had taken refuge in the mountains of Asturias. The Moors invade the district but are defeated at the cave of Covadonga and driven back. The Christians are left in peace to found the kingdom of Asturias.
722 Leon taken by Pelayo.
737 Favila, son of Pelayo, succeeds him.
739 Alfonso I, the Catholic, son-in-law of Pelayo, greatly extends his territory; acquires towns in Galicia, Lusitania, Leon, and Castile, and rules over Biscay and Navarre.
757 Fruela I makes Oviedo his capital. The harshness of his rule rouses his subjects to revolt and they put him to death.
768 Aurelio or Aurelius, nephew of Alfonso I, succeeds, and is followed by
774 Silo, his brother, who removes his court to Pravia.