The Kingdom of Asturias was a medieval Christian kingdom in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, established in the early 8th century. It emerged as a response to the Muslim conquest of the region, with its foundation traditionally attributed to Pelayo, a nobleman who led a successful resistance against the Moors at the Battle of Covadonga in 722. The kingdom played a crucial role in the Reconquista, the centuries-long effort to reclaim territory from Muslim rule. Over time, it expanded its influence, laying the groundwork for future kingdoms such as Leon and Castile, and contributing to the cultural and political landscape of Spain.