[1] 2 3 4 5 next»

During the second half of the 14th century, the monarchy as a form of government underwent a process of maturation in Spain. This was played out through frequent successional clashes in which, in many cases, Asturias would be the main seat of rebellion.

The writers at the time attributed these circumstances to the orographical difficulties of the area, as well as to the Asturian character. As the chronicles of Juan I state in such eloquent fashion, "they were warlike people and the land was all mountain".

It is known that Enrique of Trastámara as well as Count Alfonso Enriquez, father and half-brother to King Juan I, respectively, played an important role in the confrontations that took place in this region with the Crown of Castile.

With the death of King Alfonso in the year 1350, the throne was succeeded by his son, Pedro, who was only 15 years old at the time and was to reign under the title Pedro I. A challenge was to come from Asturias, in the form of Enrique of Trastámara, the bastard son of Alfonso XI, who was only a year older than Pedro.

In 1396 Pedro I was assassinated and his half-brother Enrique was crowned as Enrique II, thereby giving rise to the reign of the Trastámara dynasty that would be continued after his death by his son Juan I.