Favila of Asturias

For the Filipino mathematician, see Raymundo Favila.

Favila
Carvings depicting Favila's last day, from the twelfth-century portal of the monastery of San Pedro de Villanueva
King of Asturias
Reign	737–739
Coronation	737
Predecessor	Pelagius
Successor	Alfonso I
Born	c. 710
Died	739 Cangas de Onís, Asturias
Burial	Santa Cruz de Cangas de Onís
Consort	Froiluba
Dynasty	Astur-Leonese dynasty
Father	Pelagius
Mother	Gaudiosa
Religion	Chalcedonian Christianity

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.

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.

Favila was buried with his wife Froiluba in the Church of Santa Cruz de Cangas de Onís.

He was succeeded by his brother-in-law Alfonso, husband of his sister Ermesinda.

References

• Collins, Roger (1989a). The Arab Conquest of Spain, 710-797. Oxford, UK: B. Blackwell. ISBN 0-631-15923-1. OCLC 18816884.
• Collins, Roger (1989b). "Doubts and Certainties on the Churches of Early Medieval Spain". God and Man in Medieval Spain : essays in honour of J.R.L. Highfield. Derek W. Lomax, David Mackenzie, J. R. L. Highfield. Warminster: Aris & Phillips. ISBN 0-85668-443-0.
• Collins, Roger (2003). "Fafila, King of Asturias". In Gerli, E. Michael (ed.). Medieval Iberia : an encyclopedia. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-93918-6.