Alfonso

Alfonso, the name of a great many kings of the Asturias, Leon and Castile, of Aragon, of Naples, and of Portugal, the most remarkable amongst whom were: - Alfonso III., "the Great," who ascended the throne of the Asturias in 860, and fought with valour and success against the Moors, adding Leon and other provinces to his kingdom. Towards the end of his reign he had to contend against many insurrections, and was defeated by his son Garcias, to whom he resigned the crown in 908. He died two years later. The famous Church of St. James of Compostella was consecrated in his reign, and he is said to have compiled a portion of the Chronicles of the Kings of Spain. - Alfonso VI., "the Valiant," King of Galicia, Leon, and Castile, 1066. He wrested from the Mohammedans a large part of Spain, including the city of Toledo, which he made his capital. A fresh invasion, however, of the Almoravides, in 1086, wrecked his hopes. He lost the battles of Zelaka and Ucles, his only son perishing in the latter engagement, and died of grief in 1109. Roderigo Diaz de Bivar, renowned as the Cid, flourished in his reign, as also did Henry of Burgundy, to whom he gave the title of Count of Portugal with his daughter's hand. - Alfonso III. or IX., "the Noble," succeeded to the kingdom of Castile, but not of Leon, in 1158. He married Eleanor, daughter of Henry II. of England. Having sustained a severe defeat from the Moors at Alanos, in 1195, he allied himself with the sovereigns of Aragon and Navarre, and completely crushed his enemies at Las Navas de Tolosa, 1212. The celebrated university, afterwards transferred to Salamanca, was founded by him at Palencia. He died in 1214.