Research Notes:

The Anales Toledanos record the birth “noche de S. Martin…Viernes” in 1155 of “el Rey D. Alfonso”. The Chronicle of Alberic de Trois-Fontaines names "Aldefonsus rex Castelle et Toliti" as son of "rex Sanctius".

He succeeded his father 1158 as ALFONSO VIII “el Noble/él de las Navas” King of Castile, Toledo and Extremadura. His father's choice of Gutierre Fernández de Castro as tutor of Infante don Alfonso was challenged by the Lara family after the infant's accession, which triggered a war of rivalry in Castile between the Castro and Lara families. He ruled through the regency of his uncle Fernando II King of León until 1169, disputed by the Castro and Lara families. "Aldefonsus…Toleti, Castella et extremature rex et dominus" granted holiday days to "monasterio Sancti Zoyli de Carrione" to Cluny by charter dated [11 Nov] 1169. Recaptured Álava, Vizcaya and Guipúzcoa from the Moors. Defeated at Alarcón 18 Jul 1195 by the King of Morocco who helped the Almohades defend Seville. Taking advantage of his weakness, the Kings of Navarre and León invaded Castile, all parties being reconciled 1199 and agreeing to fight the Moors as a common cause. Alfonso VIII successfully led another crusade against the Almohades, culminating in victory at the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa 1212. King Alfonso VIII was the first king to bear the arms of Castile.

The Annales Compostellani record the death “III Non Oct” in 1214 of “Aldefonsus Rex Castellæ”. The Chronicon Bernardi Iterii records the death 15 Oct 1214 of "Ildefonsus rex de Castella". The Anales Toledanos record the death 5 Oct 1214 “en una aldea de Avila” of “el Rey D. Alfonso”. ¹