Islamic occupation and Asturian revolt

The kingdom was established by a hispano-visigothic nobleman Pelayo, who had returned to his country after theBattle of Guadalete where like in the similar gothic tradition of Theias he was elected by the other nobles leader of the Astures and founded the Kingdom of Asturias. However, Pelayo's kingdom initially was little more than a rallying banner for the existing guerilla forces.

In the progress of the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the main cities and administrative centers fell in the hands of Muslim troops. Control of the central and southern regions, such as the Guadalquivir and Ebro valleys, presented few problems for the newcomers, who used the existing Visigothic administrative structures, of Roman origin. However, in the northern mountains urban centers (such as Gigia) were practically nonexistent and the submission of the country had to be done valley by valley. Muslim troops often resorted to the taking of hostages to ensure the pacification of the newly conquered territory.

From: Ana y Sandra