Alfonso II

“Alfonso II, Spanish king of Asturias.” The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. New

York: Columbia University Press, 2001. www.bartleby.com/65/. 29 Jan.

2002.

Dolmen, Ediciones. “Alfonso II.” Alfonso II Biography Page. 2001. 29 Jan.

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Alfonso II was named the king of Asturias after the death of Silo thanks to the mediation of Adosinda, the queen widow. Alfonso II was born in 759 and died in 842. During his lifetime, his was king from 791 to 842. He was the son of Fruela I and the Munia native of Alava. While Alfonso was king, he experienced many difficulties. One of these difficulties were the Cordovan attacks from the South in the summers of 792, 793, and 794. These attacks were intentionally aimed towards the zone of Alava and the heart of the Asturian kingdom eventually reaching the capital of Oviedo. According to Dolmen, in order to avoid such attacks, Alfonso II initiated Straits diplomatic contacts with the kings of Pamplona and Carlomagno and his successor, Ludovico Pio. “The internal situation of the reign of Alfonso II had a little while of gravity, between years 801 and 808, when the king was forced to retire to the monastery of Ablana before the pressure of a nobiliario group” (Dolmen). The Teudano nobleman made it possible for Alfonso II to recover the throne. From this point he was committed to reorganizing the kingdom, tying to the inheritance visigoda to reinforce the real power.

Alfonso II built the first church on the site of Santiago de Compostela. Also called Santiago, the city is located in NW Spain as a Coruna prov. in Galicia on the Sar River. This city is considered as one of the top shrines of Christendom. From the Colombia Encyclopedia’s point of view, there in the early ninth century,

the supposed tomb of the apostle St. James the Greater was reputedly discovered by a miracle, and Alfonso II of Asturias had a sanctuary built. The city of Santiago expanded around the shrine and became the most famous Christian place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. The city has always and still as of today attracts many tourists. “Its economy is based on tourism, agriculture, and the manufacture of linen and paper” (Colombia Encyclopedia).

Alfonso II I think lived the life of a typical king. Kings seem to go through difficult and stressful times during their reign. I am pretty sure that he was not the only one who lost his position as king twice and recover both times. Bad times just happen. This reminds me of Songs of Experience which relates to saying bad and good times happen in life. I’m sure a poem can be written about the experiences of Alfonso II!!