ALPHONSO, or ALONSO III., surnamed the Oreat, king of Leon and Oviedo, was born in 849, was asso ciated in the sovereignty with his father Don Ordogno, in 862, and succeeded hint in 865. Immediately after the death of his father, he was driven front •the throne by Don Froila ; but this rebel was assassinated in the palace on account of his tyranny ; and Alphonso was restored amidst the acclamations even of the usurper's army. After suppressing- two other insurrections, lie turned his attention to the security of his dominions; built fortifications on the frontiers, and adopted various measures for the advantage of his subjects. While thus employed, he was attacked, in 869, by two powerful Moorish armies, both of which he defeated successively with great slaughter, and made considerable additions to his territories. Ile proceeded to regulate the civil constitution of his kingdom ; increased the privileges of the people, and restrained the power of the nobles. These measures occasioned several commotions; but these he speedily suppressed, and went on with his be neficial plans. After having secured the civil liberties of his subjects, he took measures to pro\ ide for Owl? religious instruction ; held an assembly of the clergy ; assigned them revenues ; and formed many useful regu lations for the prosperity of the established church. From these peaceful employments he was again sum moned to take the field against his former enemies, the Moors, whom he discomfited with his usual success in several engagements. Upon his return from these ex peditions, he had to contend with an unexpected and unnatural rebellion. Ilis son, Don Garcias, who had
married the daughter of Nunnez Fernando, the most powerful nobleman in the kingdom, had formed a design to depose his father, and to sieze upon the crown. Al phonso, by the activity of his measures, soon suppress ed this insurrection, seized the person of his sun, and committed him to close confinement. About three years afterwards, however, in consequence of the solicitations of his queen Xemone, and the inachinations of Nunnez Fernando, he found himself obliged to abdicate the throne, in order to prevent a civil war. Ile assembled the states; declared his eldest son Garcias king ; and assigned the province of Gallicia to his other son Or dogno. The two princes prostrated themselves at the feet of their father, and entreated his pardon for all that had passed. During the remainder of his life, he con tinued to assist his son with his advice and service, both in regulating the affairs of state, and in repelling the attacks of his enemies. He frequently commanded the troops in person ; and after a very successful campaign against the Moors, in 912, he died at the age of 63, two years after his abdication. He was a prince of unaffected piety, and an illustrious patron of learned men. He was also eminent for his own literary acquisitions ; and is said to have been the author of the Chronicle, which was afterwards ascribed to Sebastian, bishop of Orensa, who had been his chaplain or preceptor, and at whose re quest it had been composed. See Mod. tin. Kist. vol. xix. p. 515-528. (q)