Reign 783-789 Consort Creusa House Beni Alfons Successor Bermudo I Parents Alfonso I of Asturias | Predecessor Aurelius Died 789 AD, Pravia, Spain Coronation 783 Name Mauregatus Asturias Grandparents Peter of Cantabria | |
![]() | ||
Burial Church of San Juan Apostol y Evangelista, Santianes de Pravia Cousins Aurelius of Asturias, Bermudo I of Asturias Similar People Alfonso I of Asturias, Bermudo I of Asturias, Fruela I of Asturias, Adosinda, Pelagius of Asturias |
Mauregatus the Usurper (Spanish: Mauregato) was the king of Asturias from 783 to 788 or 789. He was an illegitimate son of Alfonso I, supposedly by a Moorish serf. He usurped the throne on the death of Silo, his brother-in-law (the husband of his half sister Adosinda). The nobility had elected Alfonso II at Adosinda's insistence, but Mauregatus assembled a large army of supporters and forced Alfonso into Álava.
Nothing is known in detail of his reign. The adoptionist dispute was raging between Elipandus, Archbishop of Toledo, and Beatus of Liébana and even occasioned the intervention of Charlemagne. Mauregatus also sent back an invading Muslim force.
During his reign a hymn to Saint James was composed with an acrostic mentioning the king's name. This is considered to presage the legend of the saint's burial at Santiago de Compostela.