Ramiro I of Asturias

Ramiro I
18th-century Statue in the Royal Palace of Madrid
King of Asturias
Reign	842–850
Predecessor	Nepotian
Successor	Ordoño I
Born	c. 790 Oviedo
Died	1 February 850 Oviedo
Burial	Cathedral of San Salvador, Oviedo
Consort	Paterna
Issue	Ordoño I
Dynasty	Beni Alfons
Father	Bermudo I of Asturias
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Ramiro I (c. 790 – 1 February 850) was King of Asturias from 842 until his death. He was son of King Bermudo I, and became king after a struggle for succession that followed the death of Alfonso II without issue. He was a contemporary of Abd ar-Rahman II, Umayyad Emir of Córdoba. During his turbulent reign, the chronicles relate that he had to fend off attacks from both Vikings and Moors. Numerous important structures, such as his recreational palace Santa María del Naranco, were built during his reign in the estilo ramirense that prefigured Romanesque architecture.

The death of King Alfonso II brought about a succession crisis in the Kingdom of Asturias. According to the Chronicle of Alfonso III, credited to Ramiro's grandson, the childless Alfonso II chose as his successor Ramiro, his distant kinsman and son of Alfonso's predecessor Bermudo I. At the time of King Alfonso's death, Ramiro was outside of Asturias in Castile (or Bardulia according to the Chronicle of Alfonso III), where he was attending his own marriage ceremonies.

Nepocian, comes palatii and the late king's son-in-law, challenged Ramiro's succession in his absence, being supported by Astures and Vascones who had been loyal to Alfonso II. Ramiro sought support in Galicia, where he formed an army and advanced toward Oviedo. Nepotian awaited Ramiro's advance at Cornellana, by the river Narcea where either Ramiro defeated him in the Battle of the Bridge of Cornellana or Nepotian's troops fled without putting up a fight. Nepotian fled. He was pursued and captured by Counts Scipion and Sonna. After his capture, Nepotian was blinded and interned in a monastery. Upon gaining the throne, Ramiro removed the system of election through which a faction of nobles had favored the succession of Nepotian.