The Reign of Alfonso III of Asturias: …
Years: 878 - 878
The Reign of Alfonso III of Asturias: Expansion and Consolidation
Little is known about Alfonso III of Asturias beyond the basic facts of his reign and his relative success in consolidating the kingdom during the weakened rule of the Umayyad princes of Córdoba.
Though he achieves several victories over the Muslims of Al-Andalus, his kingdom remains inferior in power to Córdoba, forcing him to pay tribute to the Umayyad emirate.
Military Campaigns and Expansion
Alfonso III spends much of his reign securing Asturian borders and expanding his territory southward:
- 867 – He suppresses a Basque rebellion.
- 868 – He conquers Oporto.
- 878 – He captures Coimbra.
- Later in his reign, he also puts down a Galician rebellion.
Dynastic Alliances with Navarre
To strengthen his position, Alfonso III forms an alliance with the Kingdom of Navarre around 869 CE, solidifying the relationship through marriage alliances:
- He marries Jimena, who is believed to be the daughter of King García Íñiguez of Pamplona, or possibly a member of the Jiménez dynasty.
- He marries his sister, Leodegundia, to a prince of Pamplona, further reinforcing ties between Asturias and Navarre.
These strategic military and dynastic moves help Alfonso III expand and secure his kingdom, laying the groundwork for future Christian expansion in Iberia.
Locations
People
Groups
- Moors
- Galicia, Kingdom of
- Christianity, Chalcedonian
- Muslims, Sunni
- Al-Garb Al-Andalus
- Córdoba, Umayyad Emirate of
- Navarre, Kingdom of
- Asturias, Kingdom of
- Basque people
Topics
Commodoties
Subjects
Regions
Subregions
Related Events
Showing 10 events out of 53869 total
Years: 878 - 878
Locations
People
Groups
- Moors
- Galicia, Kingdom of
- Christianity, Chalcedonian
- Muslims, Sunni
- Al-Garb Al-Andalus
- Córdoba, Umayyad Emirate of
- Navarre, Kingdom of
- Asturias, Kingdom of
- Basque people
Topics
Commodoties
Subjects
Regions
Subregions