Alfonso Fróilaz facts for kids
Alfonso Fróilaz, also known as the Hunchback, was a king for a short time in the year 925. He ruled a united kingdom of Asturias, Galicia, and León.
Alfonso became king in July 925 after his father, King Fruela II, passed away. However, his rule did not last long. Within the same year, his cousins, Sancho, Alfonso IV, and Ramiro II, who were the sons of his uncle Ordoño II, removed him from the throne.
Later, in 926, Alfonso Fróilaz was given back some power in a part of the kingdom. This happened after his cousin Alfonso IV became king. But in 932, he was again removed from power and had to go to a monastery.
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Who Was Alfonso Fróilaz?
Alfonso was the oldest son of King Fruela II. He had at least two younger brothers named Ordoño and Ramiro. We do not know much about Alfonso's short time as king.
Historians found his name in an old list of kings called Names of the Catholic Kings of León. This list was found with another old book called the Chronicle of Albelda. An old writer named Sampiro also wrote that Alfonso "seemed to control the sceptre of his father." This means he likely took over the whole kingdom after his father.
A Kingdom Divided
When Alfonso Fróilaz was removed from the throne, it caused a civil war. A civil war is when groups within the same country fight each other.
- His cousin Sancho took control of the city of León.
- Another cousin, Alfonso IV, challenged Sancho. Alfonso IV got help from his father-in-law, King Sancho I of Pamplona.
- Alfonso IV lost a battle and had to escape to Astorga.
- In Astorga, Alfonso IV made an alliance with Alfonso Fróilaz. Alfonso Fróilaz had been forced out of the capital city but was still in the kingdom.
- This alliance defeated Sancho, who then fled to Galicia.
- Alfonso IV then controlled León. By 927, the cousins had made peace, and Sancho continued to rule in Galicia.
Alfonso's Later Rule
In the mountains of the northeast part of the kingdom, Alfonso Fróilaz was still seen as king. This was probably part of the deal where he helped Alfonso IV.
An old document from March 16, 927, mentions Alfonso Fróilaz as the reigning king. This document is from the archives of the monastery of Santa María del Puerto in the port of Santoña. Another document from April says that Alfonso was in his second year as king. This likely counted from when his father died.
The End of His Rule
In early 932, Alfonso IV gave up his throne to his younger brother, Ramiro II. It is possible he was forced to do this. Later, Alfonso IV tried to take back power in a sudden attempt called a coup d'état. But Ramiro defeated him.
To make sure he stayed king, Ramiro ordered that both Alfonsos—Alfonso IV and Alfonso Fróilaz—along with other sons of Fruela II, be made unable to rule. They were sent to a monastery. This event was recorded by both the historian Sampiro and the Muslim historian Ibn Hayyan.
We do not know exactly when Alfonso Fróilaz died. Some historians thought he was the father of Ordoño IV, but most agree that Alfonso IV was Ordoño's father.
Images for kids
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A friendly robot.
See also
In Spanish: Alfonso Froilaz para niños
