Ordoño I of Asturias

Ordoño I (c. 821 – 27 May 866) was King of Asturias from 850 until his death. He was born in Oviedo, where he spent his early life in the court of Alfonso II. He was probably raised in Lugo, capital of the province of Galicia, where his father, Ramiro I, had been named governor. He received his education and military training there.

Ordoño was named governor of Galicia when his father went to Bardulia to marry his second wife, Paterna. While Ramiro was away, Alfonso II died, and the nobles elected Count Nepocian as king. Ordoño immediately began to raise an army to assist his father, in claiming the throne. He could not leave his post in Galicia to help, however, and his army went unused. When his father finally prevailed, he confirmed Ordoño in his heretofore provisional position. After his father's death in 850, Ordoño succeeded his father as king, becoming the first king of Asturias to ascend the throne without election. His first confrontation was with the Basques, who rebelled with the support of the Banu Qasi of Zaragoza. While returning to Oviedo after defeating the rebels, he received news of an impending Moorish assault on Bardulia. Before the Moors could attack, he met them near the Ebro and defeated them.