Mauregatus of Asturias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mauregatus |
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| King of Asturias | |
| Reign | 783–789 |
| Coronation | 783 |
| Predecessor | Silo |
| Successor | Bermudo I |
| Born | Asturias |
| Died | 789 Pravia, Asturias |
| Burial | Church of San Juan Apóstol y Evangelista, Santianes de Pravia |
| Consort | Creusa |
| Issue | Hermenegildo |
| Dynasty | Astur-Leonese dynasty |
| Father | Alfonso I of Asturias |
| Mother | Sisalda |
| Religion | Chalcedonian Christianity |
Mauregatus (also known as Mauregato in Spanish) was the king of Asturias from 783 to 789. He was the son of an earlier king, Alfonso I. Mauregatus became king after Silo died. Silo was married to Mauregatus's half-sister, Adosinda. Even though the nobles wanted Alfonso II to be king, Mauregatus gathered many supporters and took the throne. This is why he was sometimes called "the Usurper," meaning someone who takes power without being the rightful heir.
Contents
Mauregatus: King of Asturias
His Time as King
Not much is known about what exactly happened during Mauregatus's time as king. However, we do know that he had to deal with some important issues. There was a big religious debate happening at the time, involving important church leaders. Even Charlemagne, a very powerful emperor, got involved in this discussion.
Mauregatus also had to protect his kingdom. He successfully fought back against an invading Muslim army, keeping his lands safe from attack.
The Saint James Connection
During Mauregatus's reign, a special song was written to honor Saint James. This song had a hidden message: if you read the first letter of each line, it spelled out the king's name. This hymn is thought to be an early sign of the famous story about Saint James being buried in Santiago de Compostela, a very important place in Spain.
The Story of the Seven Maidens
One of the most famous stories about Mauregatus comes from old folklore. It says that in 783, Mauregatus became king with help from Abd al-Rahman I, a powerful ruler. In return for this help, Mauregatus supposedly promised to send a tribute of one hundred maidens (young women) every year to the Moors.
Ending the Tribute
The story continues that in 788, two counts, Don Arias and Don Oveco, were very angry about this tribute. They rebelled against Mauregatus and killed him as revenge for making this promise.
After Mauregatus died, Bermudo I became king. He wanted to stop sending the maidens as tribute. Instead, he tried to pay money. Later, Alfonso II the Chaste became king. He didn't want to pay gold either. He bravely fought the Moors in the Battle of Lutos, won the battle, and finally ended the tribute completely.
This famous story and the events that followed are still celebrated today in a town called Simancas.
See also
In Spanish: Mauregato de Asturias para niños
| Preceded by Silo |
King of Asturias 783–788/789 |
Succeeded by Bermudo I |
