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.
Favila | |
---|---|
King of Asturias | |
Reign | 737–739 |
Coronation | 737 |
Predecessor | Pelagius |
Successor | Alfonso I |
Born | c. 710 |
Died | 739 Cangas de Onís, Asturias |
Burial | |
Consort | Froiluba |
Dynasty | Astur-Leonese dynasty |
Father | Pelagius |
Mother | Gaudiosa |
Religion | Chalcedonian Christianity |
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]