of Nebuchadnezzar is much spoken of in the Hebrew Books and this gave occasion to affirm that many Towns in Andaluzia and the Kingdom of Toledo which have Hebrew Names were then Built by the Jews that were in his Army Among those Places are reckoned Toledo Escalona Noves Maqueda Yepes and others of less note which they say took their Names from Ascalon Nobe Mageddo and Joppe Cities of Palestine Toledo they say is derived from Toledoth which in Hebrew signifies Families that gathered to Build that Place I will not approve or reject these Opinions but only note that no ancient Author makes mention of any such thing Our Historians add that after the expulsion of the Phenicians and return of the Babylonians the Phocenses Inhabitants of a City so called in Ionia of the Lesser Asia tired with the Cruelties of Harpalus Cyrus's Lieutenant in those Parts sailed to Italy France and Spain in a Fleet of Galleys whereof they were the first Inventers These People landed first in Italy in the farthest part of Lucania now called Basilicata opposite to Sicily where they built a City called Velia and thought to settle but the Air being unwholsom the Land barren and the Natives opposing them part put to Sea again to find a more convenient Habitation Having toucht at Corsica they pass'd into France where they built the City of Marseilles Another part of them continued their Course along Spain and beyond the mouth of the Streights planted in certain Islands called Aphrodisiae opposite to Tarifa where they Built after the manner of Greece but all these Islands are lost except one that was called Junonia After this followed the Death of Argantonius much about the Year 200. after the Building of Rome For his greater Honour they raised a Magnificent Sepulcher with as many Pyramids about it as Enemies he had Slain with his own Hand for this Aristotle says was the manner of the Spaniards Burying their Dead Great Revolutions hap'ned after the Death of Argantonius and Spain like a Ship without a Rudder or Pilot was tossed by every Wave The Fortune of War at first variable afterwards wholly averse to the Spaniards deprived them of their Liberty The coming of the Carthaginians to Spain was the cause of all these Mischiefs the occasion of their coming shall be related The Phenicians being increased in Power and Riches returned to Spain and repossessed themselves of the Island of Cadiz designing upon the first Opportunity that should offer to pass over into the Continent They wanted a Pretence and thought none so good as that of Religion They asked leave of the Natives to erect a Temple to Hercules feigning he had appear'd and order'd them so to do Having by this Fraud obtained their desires they built a Temple in the nature of a Fort many under colour of Devotion resorting thither in a small time it grew to the Grandeur of a City which is supposed to have stood where now Medina Sidonia is which the Name Sidon seems to confirm and the small distance of only 16 Miles from the Coast of Cadiz Besides this they became Masters of other smaller Towns some Built by themselves others taken by Force from their Neighbours From these Places they made In-roads into the Country carrying away Men and Cattle and in a short time possest themselves of the City Turdetum which stood between Xcres and Arcos Of this City the Turdetani an ancient People of Betica that extended from the River Guadiana to the Ocean took Name The Bastuli reach'd from Tarifa along the Coast of the Mediterranean to a Town then called Barea now supposed to be Vera. The Turduli began at the Port of Mnesteus now Port St. Mary and ran North and East as far as Sierra Morena and the farthest part of the Province Betica Livy and Polybius make the Turduli and Turdetani the same and most Authors confound the Limits of these People therefore it will be needless to labour to fix their Bounds no more than those of the Massieni Selbisii Curenses Lignii and others whose Names are found in approv'd Authors but what Places particularly they Inhabited can not be assigned But to return to the Matter in hand the Natives provok'd by the wrongs they receiv'd from the Phenicians and growing jealous of the Increase of their new City held a great Consultation in which they treated of the Injuries they had received and Dangers that might ensue from the growing Power of those Stranges Baucius Capetus Prince of the Turdetani was there present he took upon him with wise Words to raise their drooping Spirits and did it so effectually that they all presently Voted the War against the Phenicians They appointed Officers and gave them Power to raise Men withal recommending to all to be private that so they might Surprize their Enemies To Baucius for his great Experience and the love all the People bore him they assigned the whole Management of the War Thus having gathered a mighty Army they fell upon the Phenicians who where wholly unprovided and in a short time took all the Cities they had Built and those they had Conquered giving the plunder of all their Riches to the Soldiers The City Medina Sidonia whither the remainder of the Phenicians fled confiding in the strength of the Temple soon follow'd the fate of the rest and all within it were put to the Sword Such was their desire of Revenge that laying aside all thoughts of Compassion and Zeal of Religion they fir'd and laid the Temple level with the Ground Thus all the Riches they had been many Years heaping and the stately Buildings they had with great Cost erected were destroy'd and nothing left the Phenicians on the Continent except some few small Towns which escap'd unregarded and not because they could make any Opposition Those of Cadiz despairing of accommodation with the Natives found they must either resolve to quit Spain or send for Succours from Abroad To expect Relief from Tyre in that Distress was too tedious therefore they agreed to call to their Assistance the Carthaginians to whom they were Allied as Descended from the same Original and otherwise united by continual Commerce and Amity The Embassadors being admitted to Audience in the Senate laid before them the extream Danger those of Cadiz were in that they sought not to recover what they had lost but to preserve their Liberty and Lives that the Opportunity they had so long desired of entring into Spain now offered it self very Honourable in Defence of their Allies and in revenge of the Religion Profaned in the Destruction of the Temple of Hercules whom they chiefly Worshiped The Senate of Carthage bid them be of good Heart and make good their Ground till a sufficient Fleet could be fitted out to be sent to their Relief The Carthaginians at this time were Masters of the Sea had great Fleets abroad as well of Merchants as Ships of War and were possest not only of
fifth Year of D. Ordon̄o which was of Christ 918. After these great exploits the King returning was received in manner of Triumph into the City Leon which he designed for the Seat of the Kings and therefore enlarged and beautified it removing the Cathedral which before was without the Walls to his own Palace formerly built with much Magnificence by the Moors for Baths To add to the honour of the new Church he caused himself to be Crowned in it by the Bishop a thing not used before and thus those Kings before called of Oviedo came afterwards to be called of Leon. From henceforward the City Oviedo fell so much to decay that it not only lost the Title of an Archbishoprick but in our days it has no Vote in the States General or Parliament Mean while Abderhaman Almanzor King of Cordova meditating revenge for the losses sustained through Lusitania broke into Galicia and came as far as a Town called Rondonia Sampyrus names it Mindonia There the Armies of Christians and Moors met and fought resolutely with great loss on both sides till Night parted them without any visible advantage on either side tho' both boasted of the Victory our side as having drove the Infidels out of Galicia they for that they had sustained the Fight till Day left them Not long after the King of Cordova having received supplies from Africk wasted the Lands of Navarre and Biscay The King of Leon marched to the Assistance of D. Sancho Abarca King of Navarre They came to a Battle in the Valley Juncaria now Junquera in the Year 921. It was disperately fought on both sides yet the Moors got the Day for the Count of Aragon was killed two Bishops Dulcidius of Salamanca and Hormogius of Tuy taken Prisoners and that part of Biscay called Alava was possess'd by the Moors The ransom of the Bishops being agreed upon they were set at Liberty giving Hostages for the payment Pelayus a Beautiful Youth and Nephew to Hermogius was left for him His Beauty and Modesty were equal for the barbarous King lusting after him used all possible means to bring him to consent to his beastly Appetite first by kindness and then by force at which the Youth being provoked struck him on the Face Lust turning into rage upon this disappointment the Youth was torn to Pieces and cast into the River Guadalquivir in the Year 925. In the Reign of D. Ordon̄o came to Spain a Priest called Zanelus sent by Pope John the 10th as his Nuncio some say he was a Cardinal to enquire into matters of Religion and particularly the Ceremonies of the Mass the Romans being persuaded that the Divine Office according to the Gothish Form was Erroneous and that false Doctrines were taught Zanelus found all things conformable to the Truth only some small difference in the Ceremony not the Essential part of the Mass which he reported to the Pope in a great Congregation of Prelates who all gave Thanks to Almighty God To return to the King the Fortune of War seemed wholly changed after the Battle of Junquera Nevertheless the two Kings of Leon and Navarre made an incursion into the Country of the Moors and wasted the Territory of Rioja after which D. Ordon̄o returned to Zamora In the midst of this joy dy'd the Queen Munina Elvira a Lady of great worth and left these Sons D. Sancho D. Alonso D. Ramiro and D. Gracia and one Daughter Da. Ximena After her Death the King Marryed the Lady Angonta a Woman of high Birth in Galicia and in a little time put her away wrongfully as appeared afterwards Instead of her he took Santiva Daughter of D. Garci In̄iguez King of Navarre with the consent of King Sancho her Brother The two Kings joyning their Forces broke into Rioja again where they took Najara and another Town called Vicaria Thus far there was more to praise in King Ordon̄o than to discommend the untimely Death he brought the Earls of Castile to darkened all his Glory But before we enter upon the Relation of that Affair I will give a short Account of the rise and increase of some of the Chief Sovereignties of Spain THE History of SPAIN The Eighth BOOK CHAP. I. The Original of the Kingdoms of Navarre and Aragon and of the Earls of Barcelona with their Succession and Actions down to the time of King Ordonno the Second of Leon. AFter that Memorable disaster brought so Fatal to Spain which the greatest part of it under the Subjection of the Moors out of the ruins of the Gothish Empire were raised several Sovereignties at first small and inconsiderable yet such as in time recovered the Liberty of the Country and re-established the Common-wealth To Treat of them all would be endless yet it is necessary to give an Account of the Original of the Chief whose Affairs are often intermixed with those of the Kings of Leon such are the Principalities of Navarre Aragon Barcelona and Castile Part of the Spaniards that escaped the general ruin of their Country retired to Asturias whence the Kingdom of Leon hitherto spoken of had its beginning Another parcel shut themselves up in the Pyrenean Mountains along the Borders of Biscay and Navarre about those parts now called Sobrarve Vrgel and Cerdania These not content with preserving their own Liberty attempted to relieve the rest of Spain The motive that induced them at first to attempt so great an Action was but small A certain Religious Hermit called John on Mount Vruela built a small Chappel of the Invocation of St. John the Baptist The fame of his Sanctity brought him Four Companions and many came dayly to visit him He dying all the Inhabitans far and near came to his Funeral in great Numbers and among them 600 of the chief of the People The Solitariness of the place gave them opportunity to consult how to shake off the Yoke of the Moors the natural strength of the Country encouraged them and they doubted not of assistance from France besides the example of the Asturians egged them on After a long Consultation it was resolved to choose a Head and by consent of all the choice fell upon Garci Ximenez a Man of a Noble Spanish Family Lord of Amescua and Aberfusa His Wife was D. Iniga of no less Noble descent Authors do not agree about the Title given the new King or time of his Election his Arms were only a red Shield without any bearing he took some Towns from the Moors and among them Infa the Capital of Sobrarve The Hermits Chappel enlarged became a Royal Structure and the Burial place of Kings This King dyed in the Year 758. His Son Garci Iniguez succeeded him a Prince very Fortunate for by him Navarre that lay in dispute betwixt the French and Moors was subdued and left in perpetual Possession to his Heirs and he carryed his Victorious Arms as far as that part of Biscay called Alava In this King's time were
worth ordered that for the future he should be called Cid which was done accordingly so that his own name was almost forgot the new Title being given him as long as he lived Our Historians add that the Kings Ferdinand of Castile and Ramiro of Aragon being at variance about the right to the City Calahorra they agreed to put the decision of that Controversy to the Issue of a Combat to be fought by two Persons one appointed by each King He of Aragon chose Martin Gomez and he of Castile took Roderick Diaz for his Champion who slew Gomez supposed by some to be the stock from which is descended the Noble Family of Luna in Spain The most learned look upon all this as Fabulous by reason that D. Garcia King of Navarre took that City from the Moors and therefore the King of Aragon could pretend no right to it Roderick Diaz being newly Married was not in the assembly of the States at such time as the Emperor and Popes demands touching the Kings submiting himself to the Empire were heard and debated The King was more inclinable to Peace yet feared the ill consequences of condescending to own a Foreign Superiority Therefore he would resolve upon nothing till Roderick was called and consulted about this affair He being come and asked his Opinion replyed It was no matter of dispute but that the Liberty of Spain ought to be asserted by force of Arms it being unreasonable that those who had not helped to relieve them from the Tyranny of the Moors should pretend to any power over them that he was resolved to stand up for the honour of his Country and would look upon all as Cowards and Traytors that were not of the same Opinion This reply of his confirmed those who before were dubious and fearful and a suitable Answer was sent to the Pope In order to oppose the Emperor Levies was made throughout the Kingdom and 10000 Men raised besides the Auxiliary Forces of the Moors who were Subject to the Christians Roderick Diaz was appointed their General who to gain the greater reputation passed the Pyrenean Mountains and marched as far as Toulouze which City I suppose was then subject to Spain as appears by the inscription on the Tomb of King Sancho the Greater above mentioned Thence he sent Embassadors to the Pope desiring him to depute Commissioners to hearthe reasons the Spaniards had to offer in their own defence The Principal Men sent were Count Roderick not he that was called Cid and D. Alvar Yan̄ez Minaya who prevailed with the Pope to send Rupertus Cardinalis Sabinensis his Legate and certain Embassadors from the Emperor before whom the case might be argued and decided Mean while King Ferdinand returned out of France into Spain The Legate and Embassadors stayed at Toulouse where the whole matter having been debated judgment was given in behalf of Spain and it was declared the Emperors for the future ought not to pretend to any right over it And from that time it has ever been the Opinion of all Civilians that Spain owed no acknowledgment to the Empire Popes have also pretended to receive Tribute from Spain as appears by a Bull of Gregory VII directed to the King and Lords in which he says such Tribute used to be payed before the Moors possessed themselves of the Country But this took no effect and it appears that Spain has never since been Tributary to any Foreign Prince Roderick Diaz was descended from Lain Calvo who as we said above was judge of Castile for this judge by his Wife D. Elvira Nun̄a Bella had Fernan Nun̄o This Nuno by his Wife D. Egilona had Lain Nun̄o who had a Son called James Laynez the Husband of Teresa Nun̄a and Father of Roderick Diaz commonly called Cid He by his Wife D. Ximena had a Son called James Rodriguez de Bivar killed whilst the Father was yet living in the Wars with the Moors and two Daughters which were D. Elvira and D. Sol of whom we shall speak hereafter About this time some Synods were held The first at Compostella in the Year 1056. Here it was ordained that Bishops and Priests should say Mass every Day and that the Canons should wear Hair Cloth on the Fasting days and at all times when the Litanies were said upon account of any publick necessity Another Synod was held at Jaca of the Dominions of Aragon in the Year 1060. Two Years after this another was Celebrated at S. John de la Pen̄a Near this same time tho' Authors do not agree upon the Year Cardinal Hugo the Popes Legate in Spain in an Assembly of Nobility and Clergy held by consent of Ramon Earl of Barcelona in that City Abrogated the Laws of the Goths till then in use among the Catalonians and instituted others which are in Force to this Day This Cardinal Hugo I suppose is the same that had the Sirname of Candidus and came Legate into Spain in the Year 1064. at such time as there were two pretenders to the Papacy and both stiled themselves Popes One called himself Alexander II. the other Honorius II. The Kings of Spain adhered to Alexander whose Legate this was and who seemed to have the better Title CHAP. V. The remaining part of the Reign of Ferdinand King of Castile and Leon. His Dominions divided among his Children Of D. Ramiro King of Aragon Perpignan Built THE late troubles caused by the Emperors pretensions gave the Moors an opportunity of casting off the heavy Yoke King Ferdinand had laid on them At the same time as it were by common consent they all appeared in Arms but chiefly in the Kingdom of Toledo and among the Celtiberi which is part of Aragon The King was old and tired with continual Wars besides the revenues were exhausted and the Subjects wasted with heavy Taxes Queen Sancho a Woman of a Masculine Spirit being desirous to advance Christianity offered towards the charge of the War all the Money Plate and Jewels that belonged to her This supply so incouraged the King that raising a powerful Army he attack'd the Moors about the River Ebro and made a great slaughter of them Thence he advanced as far as Catalonia and Valencia and returned loaded with Booty He had the same succeess against the Kingdom of Toledo and obliged them all to swear they would punctually pay the Tribute imposed on them This done he returned home in Triumph Some Authors write that near Valencia S. Isidorus to whom he had always a particular devotion appeared to him bidding him to prepare for he should soon die His sickness which presently followed confirmed this Opinion wherefore having settled all things with the Moors he returned towards Leon being carryed in a Litter upon Mens Shoulders the Soldiers and Officers striving who should carry him On the first of January 1065. he entred the City of Leon and as he was used visited the Bodies of the Saints prostrating himself on the
ground begging a happy death and tho' the disease increased stayed at Matins heard Mass and received The Day following he returned to the Church of S. Isidorus and three days after Dyed This is what the Archbishop D. Roderick and D. Lucas de Tuy write yet others say he dyed at Cabeçon a Town near Valladolid neither do Authors agree in the time of his death King Ferdinand's Life was so holy that his Feast is Celebrated at Leon as a Saint He built many Churches and repaired others Queen Sancha was not inferior to her Husband in Vertue she dyed two Years after him and was buryed by the King in the Church of S. Isidorus Garibay says King Ferdinand dyed in the Year 1067 and quotes many Authors who all vary in the time as they do in the place of his death so that these things are very uncertain King Ferdinand by his last Will divided his Kingdoms among his Three Sons To D. Sancho the Eldest he left Castile extending from the Rivèr Ebro till that of Pisuerga for all that was taken upon the death of D. Garcia was added to Castile The Kingdom of Leon fell to D. Alonso with the Territory of Campos and that part of Asturias that reaches to the River Deva running by Oviedo as also some Towns in Galicia D. Garcia the Youngest had the remaining part of Galicia and as much of Portugal as had been recovered from the Moors All three called themselves Kings Besides King Ferdinand left the City Zamora to his Daughter D. Vrraca and that of Toro to D. Elvira These Cities were then called Infantado which is as much as the Principality signifying thereby the Estate left for support of the Younger Children Spain being divided it was impossible it should enjoy Peace all People were in suspence expecting great revolutions upon the King's death To prevent these misfortunes many of the Nobility had endeavoured to disswade him from this Resolution and the matter had been handled in Parliament Arias Gonzalo an Ancient Wise and Experienced Man had stirred most in this affair but Fatherly Love suffered not his Prudent advice to take place D. Sancho became the Throne as being a Comely and Graceful Youth better versed in War than in State affairs and therefore called the Strong Pelagius Ovetensis says he was very Beautiful and Expert in Martial affairs He was naturally Mild and Affable if not provoked or incensed by false Friends Upon the death of his Father he openly complained of the wrong had been done him by dividing the Kingdom Yet his Mother whilst she lived restrained him from falling upon his Brothers especially for that after the King's death the Crown of Leon devolved upon her as being her own Dower D. Sancho Reigned 6 Years 8 Months and 25 Days At the beginning of his Reign he had War with the Moors and soon after with the King of Aragon King Ramiro of Aragon desiring to enlarge his Territories laboured successfully to expel the remainder of the Moors out of that Kingdom He obliged Almugdadi King of Zaragoça and Almudafar King of Lerida to become tributary and overthrew the King of Huesca Those about Zaragoça having been subdued by King Ferdinand were become tributary to him but now upon the change of Kings and relying on the assistance of D. Ramiro they resolved to fall off King Sancho having speedily gathered an Army marched against them Those of Toledo immediately submitted but the Aragonians stood out Hereupon having wasted all the Country he layed Siege to Zaragoça and press'd it so vigorously it was surrendred to him upon Condition he should be obliged to support the City against all Enemies as well Christians as Moors This Capitulation seem'd directly levell'd against the King of Aragon D. Sancho was offended that the King of Aragon join'd with the Navarrois who often made Inroads upon the Dominions of Castile and besides that he receiv'd Tribute from those Aragonians that were his Subjects The Aragonians had then laid Siege to the Castle of Grados built by the Moors on the Banks of the River Esera to curb the Christians King Sancho in pursuance of his Capitulation with the Moors marched to raise that Siege The Army of Aragon being surpriz'd and attack'd in Front and Rear by the Christians and Insidels was easily routed some fled others were kill'd amongst which number was the King himself This was much about the Year 1067. D. Ramiro of Aragon had Reign'd 31 Years his Body was Bury'd in the Church of St. John de la Pen̄a where many of his Predecessors lay D. Sancho Ramirez his Son succeeded in the Throne at the Age of 18. a Prince not unlike to his Father in Virtue In this Princes time and in the Year of Grace 1068. Guinard Earl of Russillon built the Town of Perpignan on the Borders of France not far from the antient City Russillon the name of Perpignan was taken from one Bernard Perpignan who kept two Inns in that place This King Sancho is said to have abrogated the Laws of the Goths as the Catalonians had done before and established the Imperial Civil Law He was Married to D. Felicia Daughter to Armengaud Earl of Vrgel by whom he had three Sons D. Peter D. Alonso and D. Ramiro who were all successively Kings of Aragon A Bastard Son of his called D. Garcia was afterwards Bishop of Jaca At the same time there Reign'd in Spain three Kings who were Cousin-Germans tho' not equal in power yet all alike in the manner of their Death D. Sancho King of Castile was the greatest he had blemish'd the beginning of his Reign by killing his Uncle King Ramiro and growing fierce with Success was daily driving at greater mischiefs his strength being terrible to the others D. Sancho King of Navarre maintain'd his small Kingdom by making a League with him of Aragon to secure both against Castile He of Castile understanding their design thought to be beforehand with them and broke into Navarre without stoping till he came in sight of Viana There the two Kings met him and they came to a Battle in which the Castilians were defeated and their King having lost many Men return'd into his own Country The Victors resolving to make use of their Success broke into the Territories of Rioja and Briviesca where they recovered all that King Ferdinand had taken Thus were those three Princes destroying one another without reflecting upon what they might expect from the Moors The King of Castile could not at that time take revenge of his Cousins being ingaged in a new War against his Brothers He was ambitious rash and hot and pretended a right to all that had been his Fathers and did not want other grounds to raise a Quarrel upon His Brothers tho' weak could not be perswaded to Unite their Forces against their common Enemy D. Sancho having gathered a powerful Army resolved to carry on his designs On the other side D. Alonso whom that
hap'ned that during the Ingagement one of the Rebels cryed out Great Numbers of French and Germans will soon come to our Aid and cut you all to Pieces The King with the rest of the Army was not far off therefore Advice was given him of what that Soldier had said and he sent 10000 Men under the Command of Wandemirus to reinforce the others These were so eager to ingage that Marching all Night they reached the Town by break of Day before the Assault began At the sight of such a Multitude Paul was dismayed yet endeavoured to hide it and putting the best Countenance upon it he incouraged his Men. The Assault was given and lasted most part of the Day till the besieged being quite spent with Labour and over-powered gave way and suffered the King's Men to come up to the Wall Then some fired the Gates others with Crows and other Instruments beat down the Works Having made a breach they entred the Town killing and destroying all that stood in their way The Citizens and French Soldiers fancying that the Spaniards who were in the Town in hopes of obtaining their Pardon had let in the Enemy in a rage fell upon and slew a great Number of them and among the rest one of Paul's Servants by his own side It was a miserable sight to behold the Rebels attacked on all sides and put to the Sword by their own party as well as by the Enemy and all the Streets strewed with dead Bodies and running down with Blood Paul himself seeing all lost confessed he had erred in every thing he had undertaken and taking off his Royal Helmet retired with his Family and Guards to the Theater which being very strong he hoped tho' it could not be maintained he might there obtain Conditions Some observed that Paul stript himself of the Ensigns of Royalty on the same day Twelve-Months on which Wamba had ascended the Throne which was the first of September The King's Army was possessed of all the City except the Theater and another small part and therefore lay still that and the following day reserving the honour of ending the War to the King and perhaps in hopes he would pardon the Offenders they being all of one Nation and some of their Kindred To this purpose they made choice of Argebaudus Bishop of Narbonne to send to the King who coming to his Presence about four Miles from the Town alighted off his Horse and kneeling with Tears in his Eyes begged for the Rebels The King who was no less merciful than brave promised a General Pardon to all except the heads of whom alone he designed to make an example But Argebaudus still pressing that there might be no exceptions Wamba with an angry Countenance bid him be satisfyed with what was granted and think all was favour that extended not to the Lives of the least Offenders CHAP. VI. Wamba returns into Spain Punishes the Heads of the Rebels His publick Works Eleventh Council of Toledo A great Fleet of Sarazens Destroyed Wamba deposed Ervigius Vsurps the Crown THE King Marched to the City with the strength of his Army At his Arrival all that held out before submitted and Paul delivered up the Theater where were with him Gumildus the Bishop and other Heads of the Conspirators who were all secured and Paul himself led by the Hair of the Head betwixt two Officers to the King's Presence All the Criminals cast themselves at the King's Feet who giving Thanks to Almighty God gave them their lives yet so that they should remain in Custody till he determined what should be done with them Some French and Saxons that were found in the Town part as Hostages and others who came to serve were well Treated and sent home This was the end of those great Commotions which threatened destruction to the Dominions of the Goths Many thought this a Judgment of God upon those People for Robbing the Churches and Wamba after making a strict Search caused all that could be found to be restored He ordered the City Walls to be repaired the dead Bodies to be Bury'd which took up three Days Then the Rebels were brought into the King's Presence and Sentence passed upon them After the King had set his Foot upon their Necks and other Formalities Paul and all his Adherents were Condemned to Death and to forfeit their Estates yet in case the King should Pardon their Lives at least they should have their Eyes put out The Hair was a Mark of Nobility therefore Wamba to be thought merciful was content only to have their Heads Shorn Now news was brought that Chilperick the second King of France drew near with his Army in Battalia Wamba having taking the Field and waited four days thought he had done enough as unwilling to break into the Territories of France and make himself the Aggressor and therefore resolved to return into Spain At the same time he was informed that Lupus a French General wasted and destroyed all the Country of Beziers He moved towards him but the Frenchman thinking himself too weak to withstand retired to the Neighbouring Mountains leaving all the Baggage behind so that it looked more like flight than a Retreat With this and the other Booty got in France the King's Army was enriched and returned to Narbonne whence the greatest part was dispersed into the Neighbouring Garrisons in France Others at Canaba a Town in the Country of Narbonne had leave given them to return home and enjoy the Fruits of their Labours A great number stayed with the King who from thence returned into Spain At Toledo he was received in manner of a Triumph as was due for having performed such great Actions in only six Months which was the time since he set out from that City The order of it was thus In the first place went the Rebels upon Camels their heads and beards shorn barefooted and ill Cloathed Paul in derision had on his Head a Crown of black Leather Then followed the Soldiers in their best attire Last of all came the King whose venerable Gray hairs and the Memory of his exploits added to the Majesty of his Countenance and Person All the City went out to meet him withloud Acclamations wishing him long Life and Prosperity To conclude the Criminals were confined to perpetual Imprisonment Thus Spain by the Valour of Wamba began to flourish with a lasting Peace at Home and recover'd its ancient Honour Abroad Next the King apply'd himself to Adorn and Beautifie his Kingdom In particular he enlarged the City Toledo and for its security raised a new Wall with Towers Parapets and Battlements reaching from one Bridge to the other along the Suburb of St. Isidorus Three parts in four of Toledo are encompassed by the River Tagus which coup'd up betwixt high Banks runs in very narrow Chanels among the Rocks The other part which is upon a high and steep Ascent was enclosed by an ancient Roman Wall not so large
Vrraca then great with Child was also killed that D. Sancho de Guevara passing by where she lay saw the Child put out its Arm at one of the Wounds the Mother had received and therefore ripping her open took out the Infant and bred him privately till he came to Age. That after an Interregnum of 19 Years this Child was brought to the Parliament and being there made known was Proclaimed King It is needless to show how incongruous and ridiculous the story is the weakness of the fiction is too obvious The Records of the Monastery of S. Salvador de Leyte tell us that Fortun the elder Brother of D. Sancho Reigned for some time and then being weary of the World took the Religious Habit in that Convent This we are assured of that D. Sancho by his Wife Teuda had four Sons Garci Sanchez Ramiro Gonzalo and Ferdinand and Five Daughters Vrraca Teresa Mary Sancha and Blanche The last of these some Authors say was Marryed to D. Nun̄o Lord of Biscay but no Lord of that name can be found to have been about that time This Prince was Fortunate not only for the many Children he had but for his Success in War By his Valour all that had been lost in Sobrarve and Ribagorza was recovered from the Moors and not content with that he added Biscay to his Dominions and all the Country along the River Duero till the Fountains thereof and the Mountain Doca and as far as Tudela and Huesca Nay that he came as far as Zaragoça appears by a Castle seated near that City called of Sancho Abarca Besides he passed the Pyrenean Mountains and subdued that of part Navarre lying on the other side those Hills Whilst he was busie in this War the Moors thinking he could not pass the Mounts in Winter laid Siege to Pamplona D. Sancho having notice of it furnished all his Army with Buskins to endure the cold and this is the true reason he was called Abarca signifying a Buskin It was easie for him that had Conquered Nature to overcome his Enemies they were Forced to raise their Siege Much mention is made in these Wars of one Centullo an Officer of great Courage and Conduct D. Sancho by these actions had gained Immortal Glory but he cast a blemish upon it by making War against Castile which besides the disgrace turned to his loss as will appear hereafter CHAP. III. The Reigns of Alonso the Fourth and Ramiro the Second Kings of Leon. Sancho Abarca King of Navarre slain by Ferman Goncalez Earl of Castile Several defeats of the Moors A great Eclypse D. Alonso the Fourth called the Monk by the Death of D. Fruela recovered the Kingdom which had been wrongfully taken from him in the Year 924. John Archbishop of Toledo dying the Moors would not suffer any to be chosen in his place therefore the Clergy to prevent all disputes gave the Supreme Authority to the Curate of St. Justa and obeyed him as Bishop which Custom was observ'd till Toledo was regained by the Christians At this same time the Fame of Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile spread through all Spain Whether he had the Title of Earl from the King of Leon or took it by consent of the People is not known The Virtues that made him Famous were Justice Meekness Zeal of Religion and his great Experience in Warlike Affairs By which means he not only Defended his own Territories but reduced those of the Kingdom of Leon to the farther side of the River Pisuerga From the Moors he took several Towns and curbed the insolency of the Navarrois killing their King D. Sancho Abarca The People of Navarre did much harm on the Frontiers of Castile and not content with that affronted the Embassadors sent to demand satisfaction so the matter came to be decided by Arms. The Earl broke into the Country of Navarre driving all before him the Enemies Army met him near a Town called Gollanda Great was the Slaughter on both sides before it could be decided who had the better till in the heat of the Action the Generals Challenged one another They met so Violently with their Lances that both fell off their Horses the King mortally Wounded the Earl hurt but not dangerously This put such Life into the Soldiers of Castile that giving a fresh Charge they soon became Masters of the Field At this time the Count of Toulouse came in with fresh supplies to assist the Navarrois who thereupon renewed the Fight but with the same success for the two Earls meeting he of Toulouse was killed and the Navarrois totally defeated The Bodies of the King and Earl were carryed home and honourably buryed There is a dispute betwixt the Monasteries of S. Salvador de Leyte and S. John de la Pen̄a both pretending they have the Kings Body He dyed about the beginning of the Reign of Alonso the Great in the Year of our Lord 926 and the 26 of his Reign His Son Garci Sanchez succeeded him and took the Name of King of Pamplona and Najara He Reigned Forty Years his Wife's Name was Da. Teresa Thus much of Navarre D. Alonso King of Leon was more like his Predecessor D. Fruela than to his own Father We have no account of any Vertue he was endued with or any Action he perform'd or Victory he gain'd For this cause he became so odious to his People that in the Year 931 having Reigned six and a half he sent for his Brother D. Ramiro and resigned the Scepter to him resolving to retire and become a Monk He took the Habit in the Monastery of Sahagun upon the River Cea without any regard to his Reputation or Provision made for his Son D. Ordon̄o got upon his Wife Da. Vrraca Ximenez Daughter to D. Sancho Abarca King of Navarre whom he left in his Infancy exposed to all Misfortunes Da. Teresa Sister to Queen Vrraca was Married to the new King D. Ramiro by her he had D. Bermudo D. Ordon̄o D. Sancho and Da. Elvira D. Ramiro being seated on the Throne soon apply'd himself to renew the War upon the Moors but the Inconstancy of D. Alonso put a stop to his good Designs for the same Inconstancy that led him to take up that course of Life made him quit it and call himself King again D. Ramiro to prevent the ill Consequences that might follow immediately repaired to Leon where his Brother then was and obliged him pressed with Famine and want of all Necessaries to Surrender and kept him Prisoner in that City The Sons of D. Fruela were in Arms at that time in Asturias which obliged D. Ramiro to repair thither D. Fruela's Sons pretended to be offended because they had not been called to Parliament when D. Alonso resigned the Crown the People revolted because he had done so and chose those Sons of D. Fruela to head them Yet understanding their danger they sent to offer all submission provided he would
Months His severity and the mutability of those People caused his ruin One Mahomet was put into his place and Reigned one Year four Months and twenty two Days and then was killed by the Citizens The same befell Hiaya the Son of Hali who was of the other Faction and had been before Proclaimed King he was in the same manner slain at Malaga whither as was said he had retired when he had Reigned in Cordova only three Months and twenty Days After this Idric Brother to Hali and Unkle to Hiaya was sent for out of Africk where he was Lord of Ceuta to take the Crown This Man being come into Spain what on account of his Kindred with the other two and what by force of Arms possessed himself of the Kingdom of Granada Sevil Almeria and other Neighbouring Cities The inland continued under Hissem for after the Death of Hiaya the People of Cordova had Reinthroned him unless it was another of the same name those Citizens made Choice of for these affairs are very dark The extravagancies of Ministers commonly turn to the ruin of their Masters as hap'ned to Hissem for his Alhagib or Viceroy being Cruel and Covetous was killed and the King expelled his City In that confusion a Youth of the Family of the Humeyas being assisted by a Company of wild Young Fellows entred the Palace and desired of the Soldiers to Proclaim him King They excused themselves with the disloyalty of the Citizens and advised him to take warning by so many as had perished before him to this he Answered Call me King to Day and kill me to Morrow Such is the inordinate desire of Reigning Nevertheless this Man and Hissem with all the Abenhumeyas as the causers of all these Confusions were turned out of the Town by the Citizens Hissem tired with so many changes of Fortune at last came to Zaragoça where he was well received by Zulema Abenbut King of that City who gave him a Castle called Alçuela where he spent the rest of his Life as a private Man D. Roderick the Archbishop who gives this account of the last Kings of Cordova somewhat more obscure than it is set down here does not mention what became of Idric How is it possible in such Confusion to be plain We can only add that from this time forwards the Kingdom of the Moors which for so many Years had mantained it self in great Power and Splendor in Spain so visibly decayed that it was divided into many Sovereignties for every one that could possess himself of a City called himself King of it Jahuar seized Cordova Albudazin Sevil. Haytan he that at first assisted Hissem and then became his Enemy secured Toledo Some will have the Kingdom of Toledo to be more Ancient because that City often rebelled against the Kings of Cordova Other Kingdoms were erected in other Cities too long and confused to insert here It will suffice to know that these Sovereignties continued till the powerful Family of the Almoravides came into Spain with their King Thesephin which was in the Year of our Lord 1091. Let us turn back now to the affairs of the Christians under the Earl D. Sancho and King Alonso CHAP. IX The last Actions of D. Alonso King of Leon and his Death The Reign of D. Bermudo the Third His Son Sancho Earl of Castile Poisons his Mother His Son Garcia Murdered D. Sancho Earl of Castile desiring to revenge the Death of his Father with the Assistance of the Kingdoms of Navarre and Leon that were his Allies entred the Kingdom of Toledo putting all that stood in his way to Fire and Sword The same havock was made in the Territory of Cordova whither our Forces advanced incouraged with their success In both places a great Booty of Captives and Cattle was taken Tho' the harm was great much more was the Terror this struck into the Infidels who being embroiled in Civil Wars could not oppose the Enemy so that they who not long before kept the Christians in continual fear were now forced to buy a Peace at a dear Sepulveda a Town on the Frontiers also Osma Santistevan de Gormaz and other Towns taken by the Moors in the last War were now recovered From this time some Anthors write the Nobility of Castile were exempted from following the Wars at their own cost only upon the hopes of Booty and it was ordained they should receive pay as was used in all other Countries D. Sancho in a great measure Blemished the Honour gained in this Expedition by the Death he put his Mother to She fell in Love with a Lewd Brawny Moor and durst not Marry him not so much for any Scruple of Conscience as for fear of her Son and therefore resolved to Murder him by that means to make way to her infamous Wedding The Dose was prepared to Poison him but the Earl having intelligence of it forced his Mother by way of respect to Drink first of the Cup she offered him Hence some think sprang the Custom used in some parts of Spain to make the Women Drink before the Men. Other Authors write that a Lady belonging to the Countess having seen her prepare the Dose gave Notice to her Husband whom some call Sancho del Valle de Espinosa and he to the Earl and thereby obtained that Privilege enjoyed to this day by the Family of Monteros de Espinosa of Guarding the King's Person by Night True it is I find no good grounds to believe this Relation but it is so recorded and the People of that Town affirm it as a certain Truth They add that the Earl to atone for this fault and allay the hatred the People had conceived against him built a Monastery for Nuns and in honour of his Mother gave it the Name of On̄a which Monastery Sancho the Greater King of Navarre gave to the Monks of Cluni and in our Days is the chief in that Country D. Sancho by his Wife Da. Vrraca had D. Garcia Da. Nun̄a Da. Teresa and Da. Trigida The two eldest Daughters were marryed to great Men Trigida was Abbess in the Monastery of On̄a About the same time D. Sancho made a New way for Strangers to travel to the Church of St. James the Apostle through Navarre Rioja Briviesca and the Country of Burgos Before this time the Christian Dominions being of a smaller extent the Pilgrims that came out of France used to Travel with much difficulty through Biscay and the Mountains of Asturias where the ways were uncouth and there was a general want of all necessaries King Alonso enjoying a perfect Peace by reason of the Civil Wars among the Moors and the League that was between the Christian Princes gave his Mind wholly to the Civil Government and held an Assembly of the States or Parliament at Oviedo in the Year of our Lord 1020. In this Parliament the Ancient Laws of the Goths were Corrected The King at his own cost and charges rebuilt the City
Peace His Son Peter succeeded him and was the second of the Name To Alonso he left Provence and its Dependencies to Ferdinand the Monastery of Poblete of Cistercians founded by his Father and finished by himself betwixt Tarragona and Lerida His three Daughters Constance Ellenor and Dulcis were appointed to succeed in the Throne in case their Brothers dy'd without Heirs This Year was also unfortunate for Plague and Famine which raged most in Catalonia The Moorish King also made an incursion took Caceres and Plasencia destroyed the Country of Talavera but could not enter the Town and demolished Santolalla and Escalona Toledo was ten Days Besieged In the Year ensuing which was 1197. there were great revolutions in Catalonia the People being divided in Factions some followed Armengaud Earl of Vrgel other Roger Earl of Faux who prevailed and subdued the other Party Abenjoseph the Moor flushed with succeess marched again to Toledo but despairing of taking that City ravaged all the Country about Madrid and Alcala then turning off to the left did the same about Ocan̄a Vcles Huete and Cuenca King Alonso not able of himself to withstand so great a Power thought of Foreign aids there was no hopes in Leon and Navarre who at the same time wasted his Dominions the one entred at Soria the other the Country of Campos No hopes remained except Peter called the Catholick King of Aragon who readily condescended and they joyn'd their Forces It was resolved first to take revenge on the King of Leon from whom were easily taken the Towns of Bolanos Castroverde Valencia and Carpio Navarre was designed to suffer next but it was not effected for that Abenjoseph prepared again to invade Castile however the Christians again in the Year 1198 turned their fury against Leon ravaged all the Territory of Salamanca and took Alva and Monterey with other lesser places Such was the blind Passion of the two Kings that to be at leasure to invade Navarre they concluded a Truce for ten Years with the Moor Abenjoseph At this time Sancho King of Portugal was busie repairing many Towns as Valencia de Min̄o Montemor O Novo Vallelas Penamacor Sorrella Penella and others which he gave some to the Knights of Santiago some to those of Avis who then first began to be known With the assistance of a Fleet of English French and Flemmings he took the City Silves near Cape S. Vincent His Brother-in-Law Philip Earl of Flanders sent 27 Ships and a good Body of choice Soldiers Authors do not agree about the time of this Action some say it was the Year 1199. others 10 Years before Many Prodigies seen about this time Terrfied all Men especially the Vulgar who are more Superstitious In Portugal there was a raging Plague and Famine at once which the Commonalty attributed to Gods Vengeance for that Alonso King of Leon and Teresa Princess of Portugal were not divorc'd as the Pope had expresly Commanded by reason of their Consanguinity so that Portugal was under an interdict and all Persons who opposed that Separation Excommunicated To add to these misfortunes the City Silves was recover'd by Abenjoseph the Moor. At length in the Year 1200. the King of Leon was divorced and immediately began to treat of Marrying Berengaria Daughter to King Alonso of Castile with whom he had as near Kindred as with the former but state Policy bears down Conscience and Religion It appears by an Epistle of Pope Innocent III. to the Archbishop of Compostella that he refus'd to give a Dispensation for this Marriage Alonso King of Castile ardently desired to be reveng'd of Navarre but the King of Aragon could not join him presently as had been agreed being then at variance with his Mother Queen Sancha of whom he was suspicious and therefore seiz'd upon her jointer Lands The two Kings met at Hariza and there matters were adjusted betwixt the Aragonian and his Mother Peter Ruiz de Açagra Lord of Albarazin being reconcil'd to both Kings was at this Congress and here was concluded a stricter Alliance on the 30th of November This same Year according to our Historians Richard King of England Married Berengaria the Daughter of Sancho King of Navarre English Authors say it was a Year sooner and that he dy'd this same Year King Alonso of Castile by the benefit of the Truce with the Moors repair'd all the places they had demolish'd and at the same time ceas'd not to press the King of Aragon to join his Forces against Navarre as had been agreed At last both Armies entred Navarre Sancho King of Navarre despairing of any Succour from Christian Princes and finding himself too weak to withstand so great a Power went over into Africk not doubting of assistance from Abenjoseph Miramamolin He being gone the Kings of Castile and Aragon rang'd that Country without any opposition Aivar and the Country of Valderroncal were given to the King of Aragon he of Castile had Miranda and Insula and lay'd Siege to Vitoria head of the Province Alaba The Siege growing tedious the King left James de Haro to Command there and went himself to the Province of Guipuscoa in Biscay which submitted to him the People being offended at the Government of the Navarrois Vitoria was also Surrendred and after it all the Fortresses in Alaba Yet they Capitulated that the King should impose no new Laws or Governours on them except in Vitoria and Trevin̄o where he might place whom he pleas'd Nothing could withstand the two Kings the Country being altogether forsaken A report was also spread that King Sancho had an Incurable Cancer in one of his Legs which proceeded from Melancholy for his Misfortunes The Sea-Coasts of Biscay were now fortify'd some Towns repair'd as S. Sebastian Fuenterrabia Guetaria and Motrico and other new ones built which were Laredo Santander and St. Vincent Mean while King Sancho having met with no success return'd home with shame and found his Kingdom diminish'd on all sides He sent submissive Embassies to both the Kings but they obtained nothing for neither of them would part with what he had gained by the Sword besides they had other pretensions of right to palliate their Ambition Whilst these things hap'ned in Spain John King of England being hard pressed by Philip Augustus King of France concluded a dishonourable Peace by which he restored many Towns to the French and the better to Colour this condescention gave them in the Nature of Dower obliging the King of France to Marry one of the Daughters of Alonso King of Castile and Neices to John King Alonso had Four Daughters three of them marriageable which were Berengaria Vrraca and Blanch. Berengaria about the same time was Marryed to the King of Leon the French had their choice of the other two and pitched upon Blanch. She was Contracted at Burgos and thence convey'd to Guienne then in the hands of the English from whence the Nobility of France conducted her
Alonso de Meneses was appointed Governour and D. Alvaro de Castro General of the Frontiers To his other Titles the King added that of King of Cordova and Baeça At this time the Episcopal See of Calahorra was translated to St. Domingo de la Calçada but those two Cities disputing the right they were at length both made Bishopricks CHAP. XI A Moorish King Baptized Description of Valencia its Siege and surrender to the King of Aragon who is Wounded before it Theobald King of Navarre goes with others to the Holy-War THE King of Aragon ceased not to press the Moors of the Kingdom of Valencia Zeit their King was Banished thence and being well affected to the Christian Religion was at length Baptized by the Name of Vincent This was done privately that the Moors might not know it he still entertaining hopes of recovering his Kingdoms His Conversion had been foretold by two Fryars John and Peter whom for that reason he caused to be put to Death D. Sancho Ahones Archbishop of Zaragoça laboured to have him Marry because his Life was scandalous he indulging his former Libertinism His Wife's Name was Dominga Lopez of Zaragoça By her he had Alda Hernandez Marry'd to Blasco Ximenez Lord of Arenos who inherited many other Towns of his Father-in-Law and from him came the Family of Arenos In Prosecution of his design the King of Aragon wasted the Territory of Exerica burning the ripe Corn on the Ground Bernard William the King's Unkle by the Mother's side was appointed General of the Frontiers to oppose the Moors he being Famous for Martial exploits In October following the Cortes or Parliament was held at Monçon where it was resolved to carry on the War and Besiege Valencia It was also determined that a certain Coin called Jaquesa which had much mixture of Brass should not be called in because it would be a great loss to those who had any quantity of it On this account they ordered that every House should pay to the King one Maravedis in Seven Years Bernard William repaired the Castle called Poyo de S. Maria destroy'd by the Moors and kept a good Garrison in it Zaen King of Valencia resolved to Besiege this Castle with 600 Horse and 40000 Foot The Christians tho' nothing equal in Number drew out to Fight them in the Field and were reduced to the utmost peril but at length their Valour overcame the Multitude and the Infidels were put to flight It was given out that St. George assisted the Christians in that Fight When success is beyond expectation Men are apt to attribute it to Miracle It is also said an Image of Our Lady was found under the Bell in the Castle to which the Neighbouring People erected a Church This Battle was fought in the Month of August of the Year 1237. King Jaime hearing of the Victory and being informed tho' it proved a false report that the Moors were returning with a greater force he with more Courage than discretion having in his Company only 130 Horse advanced beyond Poyo and Monviedro There a strong Squadron of Moorish Horse met him under the Command of D. Artal de Alagon Son to D. Blasco then in Banishment The danger was great but the King 's good Fortune and above all God's Special Providence brought him off for the Moors marched off another way without offering to charge the Christians It was very dangerous and expensive to keep the Castle of Poyo which lay near Valencia and far from Aragon but chiefly for that Bernard William the King's Unkle who Commanded there was dead which was the cause that the King set out from Zaragoça where he had passed the Winter and exposed himself to that danger He bestow'd on William Entença Son to the deceased all the honours and places of Trust his Father had possessed which were justly due to him for that Gentlemans good Service Berengarius Entença was made Governour of the Castle notwithstanding the most were for abandoning of it yet the King would not consent because it stood opportunely to forward the taking of Valencia Understanding the Soldiers designed to make their escape thence and forsake it he gathered them in the Chapel of the Castle and there upon the Altar took an Oath Solemnly that he would never return home without being Master of Valencia This his Resolution so encourag'd the Soldiers that they willingly stayed there and so dismay'd the Infidels that their King Zaen sent to sue for Peace offering to deliver up several Forts and pay a considerable Yearly Tibute Yet the King contrary to the advice of most Men refused these conditions not doubting of the Conquest of that City He was the more incouraged for that Almenara Betera Bulla and other places were surrended to him With the King at this time there were only 1000 Foot and 360 Horse a small force for so great an undertaking With this handful he durst pass the River Guadalaviar and lay Siege to that great and populous City He intrenched himself in the Mid way between Valencia and the Grao which is the shore so called for that it rises as it were by Steps a Mile distant from each place Valencia is seated in that part of Spain formerly called Tarraconensis in the Territory of the Edetany The Country about it is Fruitful and pleasant but is supplyed with Corn from abroad It was furnished with good Soldiers rich in Merchandize and so pleasant it neither felt the sharpness of Winter nor extream Heat of the Summer Its Buildings are stately its Gardens and Orchards replenished with all variety of Trees in some places cut in various shapes in others so intermixing and intangling their boughs they make a continued Arbour always Green and Pleasant Such were the Elysian Fields feign'd by the Poets Such the beauty of this City which may compare with the pleasantest in Europe On the left side it is Watered by River Guadalaviar which runs between the Wall and the Royal Palace and on the East joins to the City by a Bridge Many small Chanels are drawn from this River to Water the Orchards Three Miles off near the Sea is Albufera a place not very wholesome but where great plenty of fish is taken At that time the Walls of the Town were round containing 1000 paces in Circumference and had Four Gates The first called Boatelana towards the South East the second Baldina towards the North the third Templaria so called of a Church Built there by the Templers towards the East the fourth Xaraena betwixt which and Boatelana the King incamped that being the best place for Battery by reason of a sort of Angle the Wall made there Great diligence was used by the Christians in fixing their Engines for Battery King Zaen the first day before they could intrench drew out to give Battle but the Christians would not be drawn to Fight because their Number was yet small and supplies came in daily to them Many Prelates
from Pope Pius II. but it appears to have been false by the Bull afterwards granted upon that occasion by Pope Sixtus IV. King Ferdinand was but 16 Years of Age but proper and strong The new married Couple sent Letters to the Pope King Henry and other Princes and Great Men excusing their being so hasty in marrying They were forced to borrow Money for their Expences About the same time Henry Son to Prince Henry of Aragon was by the King his Uncle created Duke of Segorve and Alonso the King's Bastard-Son Earl of Ribagorça On the 6th of December died at Rome D. John Cavajal Cardinal and Bishop of Plasencia He was Auditor de Rota Legate to Three Popes and a Man of a good Life He built a Bridge over Tagus in Estremadura which is still called the Cardinal's Bridge Whilst King Henry was busie settling the Affairs of Sevil advice was sent him from Cantillana by the Master of Santiago of his Sister's Marriage His Displeasure was very great Immediately he set out for Truxillo designing to give that Town to the Earl of Plasencia for his good Services during the Troubles The Townsmen resolved to oppose it and therefore the King rather than use Violence gave him in lieu of it the Town of Arevalo in Old Castile and because it was not worth so much as the other added to it the Title of a Duke At Truxillo the Master of Alcantara who had sided with Prince Alonso was pardoned and the King gave or restored the City Coria to Gutierre de Caceres and Solis his Brother Thus many who deserved Punishment received Rewards Here Letters were brought the King from his Sister excusing her marrying and promising she and her Husband would be as dutiful as if they were his Children if he would treat them with the Affection of a Father No other Answer was returned but that the King at Segovia would consider of that Affair Another Message was sent to Segovia at the beginning of the Year 1470 to press the King to give leave to the Prince and Princess that they might pay their Respects to him promising their future Behaviour should make amends for the Displeasure they had done him All the Answer was a Business of that Importance required the Advice of the Nobility This was the Pretence but in reality he was offended at the Princess Elizabeth and had fixed his Affection on his Daughter Joanna whom Lewis King of France had sent to demand in Marriage for his Brother Charles created Duke of Guienne Besides he pressed King Henry to join with him in calling a General Councel in opposition to Pope Paul with whom he was at variance This Request was flatly denied by the King the Business of the Marriage was put off At the same time D. Alonso de Aguilar at Cordova apprehended the Mareschal D. James de Cordova who suspected no such Design He was soon released by the King's Order but thinking he should obtain no Satisfaction for that Wrong went away to Granada and thence with the Consent of the Moorish King sent a Challenge to his Adversary to fight upon the Plain of Granada On the appointed Day having waited till Sun-set and D. Alonso not appearing he dragged his Effigies at his Horse's Tail That done he sent Letters to all Parts with Pictures representing that Passage The Knights of Alcantara would not submit to their Master and the Dispute came to open Hostility The Master not being able alone to oppose so many begged Assistance of his Brother Gutierre de Solis They wanted Money and Garci Alvarez de Toledo Earl of Alva lent them a Sum upon the Mortgage of the City Coria Thus the Earls afterwards Dukes of Alva got that City which being confirmed to them by Grants of Kings remains in the Family to this day Nothing remarkable hapned between the Master and Knights only they hindred his Forces passing the River Tagus and soon after they were dispersed The Master being thus outed his Estate died some Years after D. John de Zun̄iga Son to the Duke of Arevalo succeeded him and was the last Master of Alcantara he resigning up that Dignity to King Ferdinand D. John Pacheco Master of Santiago lay sick at Ocen̄a being greater in the King's Favour than ever notwithstanding all his Misdemeanours which occasioned the People to say he had bewitched the King and it was given out the Court removed to Madrid only to be near him When he returned to Court after his Sickness the King went out to meet him and gave him the Town of Escalona the Inhabitants whereof refusing to receive him the King went thither in Person to deliver it to him The Earl of Armagnac fled into Spain for fear of being killed because he privately marry'd the Earl of Faux's Daughter without her Father's Consent He was well received by the King and soon after returned into France the Cardinal of Albi in that King's Name assuring him his Life but it proved fatal to him as will appear hereafter The Biscayners who had been long divided into the Factions of On̄es and Gamboas about this time fell into great Confusions Peter Fernandez de Velasco Earl of Haro was sent by the King to appease them which he soon did banishing the two Heads of the Factions called Peter de Avendan̄o and John de Moxica Pope Paul II. granted a Jubilee to all that gave Alms two thirds thereof to be employed in rebuilding the Church of Segovia and the rest for his own Use King Henry went thither from Madrid to gain this Jubilee In Portugal the Duke of Viseo died at Setuva on the 8th of September being 37 Years of Age James his Second Son succeeded him He was buried in the Monastery of S. Francis in that City and thence translated to the Church of the Conception at Beja which with the Monastery of Nuns it belonged to was built by his Wife Beatrix In Valladolid the People mutinied and took up Arms against those that were descended of Jews tho Christians themselves King Ferdinand and his Queen could not quell them The Party oppressed implored the Protection of King Henry by which means that City was reduced to his Obedience The Earl of Benavente was left to Govern there and King Ferdinand with his Wife returned to Duen̄as There that Queen was delivered of a Daughter of her own Name Ambassadors came from France to press the Marriage before Treated of and it was now agreed to All things being concluded the Marquess of Santillana brought the Princess Joanna for which Service and for having kept her the King gave him the Towns of Alcoçer Valdolivas and Salmeron which belonged to the Marquess de Villena in the Right of his Wife the Countess of Santistevan who in lieu of it had the Town of Requena with all the Duties belonging to it which are considerable because that place is near the Frontiers of Valencia A Monastery of Carthusians called Paular between Segovia and Buytrago was the place
pacifie them These Two assembling the People at Santiago and putting to death the Mareschal Peter Pardo and some other Gentlemen brought the Country under subjection King Ferdinand was then gone to Catalonia upon this account Mahomer the Great Turk having in vain besieged Rhodes the space of three Months was forced to quit that Enterprize Part of his Fleet sailed to Vallona in Albania opposite to Apulia a Province of the Kingdom of Naples Thence Achmet Bassa who Commanded passed over into Italy and took the City Otranto on the 13th of August where he made a great Slaughter sparing neither Sex nor Age. From this Place the Turks made Incursions into the Country destroying all they came at to the great Terror of all Italy This moved the Christian Princes to think of joining their Forces to stifle that Flame Particularly King Ferdinand sent Gonzalo Beteta Ambassador to Pope Sixtus who was then much displeased with the King as appeared upon several occasions and now more especially for he constituted the Archbishop of Toledo his Legate in Spain without acquainting the King with his Design The publick Danger made private Animosities be forgot The King also sent D. John Melguerite Bishop of Girona in the Month of February 1481. to make a League with all the Princes of Italy At the same time the King gathered a Fleet of 35 Sail of all sorts at Barcelona The King of Portugal fitted 20 Ships for this purpose but these Succours went on slowly Therefore D. Alonso Duke of Calabria with what Forces he could gather in Italy at last laid Siege to Otranto It fell out happily that Mahomet the Great Turk died at Nicomedia in Bithynia on the 3d of May. News hereof being brought to the Turks in Otranto they surrendered that City the 5th Month after it had been besieged upon condition to depart freely The Duke of Calabria retained in his Service about 1500 Turks designing to make use of them against the Florentines It was the vulgar Opinion they well deserved it because they had called in the Turks yet many believed this was a Policy of the Duke to cast the Scandal of retaining those People upon his Enemy The Succours of Aragon and Portugal were of no use for they arrived in Italy after Otranto was surrendred Besides the distance weighty Affairs kept those Kings employed and diverted them from sending those Succours sooner King Ferdinand held the Cortes of Aragon at Calatayud whither Queen Elizabeth by her Husband's Order brought Prince John D. Alonso Enriquez the Admiral and Peter Fernandez de Velasco the Constable were appointed Commissioners to Govern Castile The King's aim was to have his Son sworn Heir to that Kingdom as had been before done in Castile and was also performed there on the 29th of May. Soon after the same was done at Barcelona for the Principality of Catalonia Besides these Cares another was added from Navarre Peter the Cardinal and James his Brother Unkles to the young King came to Zaragoça There being admitted to Audience in a long Harangue they laid before King Ferdinand the Misfortunes Navarre laboured under the Rebels being possessed of the most considerable Towns and Cities The Biamonteses had Pamplona the others Estela Sanguessa and Olite They represented That their King had nothing left him but the Title That the Earl of Lerin ceased not to commit all manner of Crimes Therefore they begged King Ferdinand to pity that young King and deliver him from the Slavery of his Subjects King Ferdinand having heard the two Brothers promised he would stand by King Francis and to shew his readiness sent certain Persons with the Two Princes who from him should advise the Rebels to submit to their King The Cortes of that Kingdom met at Tafalla there King Ferdinand's Ambassadors gave an account of what they had in Commission The Navarrois answered That if the King had not been received as he ought in the Kingdom it was not the fault of them all but of some few who disturbed the Peace of the Country yet if he would come to them no Town would be wanting in expressing its Loyalty This Answer was satisfactory and therefore it was proposed to King Ferdinand that King Francis should go to Pamplona It was thought sit he should go with a good Guard lest in that time of Confusion any Affront should be offered him At this time the King of Portugal died at Sintra in the very Chamber where he was born and on the 28th of August His Body was carried to Aljubarrota His Son John II. for his high Spirit and great Exploits Sirnamed the Great succeeded him This Prince as well as his Father was always an utter Enemy to Castile The Father carried it more openly but the Son subtilly and underhand and therefore more furiously vented his Passion upon some Noblemen of his Kingdom whom he suspected of favouring Castile as we shall soon see For Piety Goodness Severity towards Crimina Sharpness of Wit and a Tenacious Memory he equalled all the Kings his Contemporaries and excelled many He used to say That a Kingdom either found Princes wise or made them so by their continual conversing with Men of great Parts who constantly are about the Courts of Kings and use all Arts in Speech and Behaviour to obtain their Desires and discover their Ability CHAP. X. Francis King of Navarre comes out of France is Crown'd and soon after Dies A Conspiracy against the King of Portugal discover'd and the Conspirators punish'd Peace betwixt Castile and Portugal Ratified Luis the Eleventh King of France dies THree Princes died successively one year after another About the end of this year departed this Life Charles Duke of Anjou He appointed the King of France his Heir by which means Anjou and Provence were annexed to the Crown of France besides other Pretentions which served only to intail a War upon that Kingdom On the first of July in the following year 1482 died D. Alonso Carillo y Acun̄a Archbishop of Toledo a Man even when of great Age lively and active He retired in his latter days rather through necessity than of his own inclination He was buried in the Monastery of S. Francis built by himself at Alcalà de Henares he also made the Church of S. Stephen till then a Parish Collegiate He was addicted to Chimistry and died Poor yet is said to have left some Money to repair the School at Alcala On the left hand of the Archbishop's Tomb was buried his Son Troylus which the Cardinal D. Francisco Ximenez caused to be removed looking upon it as a Monument of that Prelate's incontinency From this Troylus are descended the Marquesses of Falces in Navarre their Sirname is Peralta The Cardinal of Spain succeeded D. Alonso Carrille in the Archbishoprick of Toledo He was Son to Yn̄igo Lopez de Mendoça Marquess of Santillana and Brother to James Hurtado de Mendoça first Duke del Infantado This Prelate was a Person of
oppose our Army Their Force was 800 Men at Arms and 8000 Foot The Dauphin lay at Garriz with another great Body ready to second them This only waited the coming of King John with his Forces to march into Navarre In hopes of their coming the People of the Valley of Salazar and Roncales revolted from King Ferdinand The Mareschal of Navarre also who till then had stood neuter declared for France and went away thither from Tudela whither King Ferdinand went to meet the Queen after she had broke up the Cortes of Aragon at Monçon This caused King John to hasten his march There are two Passes through the Mountains betwixt Navarre and France one is called Valderroncal the other Valderronças At the entrance of Valderronças is S. John de Pied de Porte where the Duke of Alva then was Through the other Pass the King led his Army about the middle of October With him went the Sieur de la Palisse The Spaniards were no where strong enough to give them Battel yet several Commanders posted themselves in the Straights of the Mountains Among the rest Ferdinand Valdez took his Post at Burgi which place was very weak The Enemy coming on assaulted that place and tho' they lost 400 Men carried it killing many of the Defendants and among them Ferdinand de Valdez It is reported he exposed himself to that Danger out of Despair because when he returned after the Battel of Ravenna the King said The Good Men are left there The Duke of Alva considering the danger Pamplona was in left James de Vera at S. John de Pied de Porte with 800 Foot 200 Horse and 20 Pieces of Cannon and resolved himself with the rest to repass the Mountains into Navarre They Enemy might have prevented him but they were overseen as well in that as in not marching directly to Pamplona which they might easily have taken This delay gave the Duke leisure to march thither and the Archbishop of Zaragoça to join him with 600 Men. Several Castles that had revolted were reduced Having taken Torla and falling to plunder it the People of the Valley joining with the Townsmen fell upon the Forces killing above 2000 and taking all their Baggage with some Field-Pieces King John encamped at Utroz within two Leagues of Pamplona hoping the City would declare for him but our Army had prevented it by expelling 200 Citizens besides at Puente de la Reyna which is hard by a great Body assembled to relieve the place if it were requisite 1500 Men came from Trasmiera and Campos and 900 from Bugia which were landed at Barcelona Soon after the Forces of Aragon came thither The Duke of Najara was chosen General of this Army The French still expected more Forces from the Dauphin and the Sieur de la Palisse was dissatisfied for that nothing succeeded to his Mind The French encamped so as to cut off the Provisions of the City Another Body left beyond the Mountains to divert the Forces of King Ferdinand entred Guipuscoa They passed by Fuenterabia and sate down before S. Sebastian Monsieur de Lautrec Commanded that Army and resolved to attack that Town D. John d' Aragon Son to the Archbishop of Zaragoça was in the place who so encouraged the Garrison tho' small that the French retired into Guienne The Duke of Calabria upon promise of being restored to the Kingdom of Naples designed to fly to the French but was taken with Four others that managed his Intelligence He was kept many years a Prisoner in the Castle of Xativa and his Accomplices executed The Season was unfit to lie in the Field wherefore the French resolved to be the most expedite they could They sacked two Monasteries of Nuns that are without the Walls A German Captain opening the Tabernacle to scale the Custodium threw out the Blessed Sacrament upon the Altar The Nun that was Sacristan said How dare you commit such a Sacrilege He answered This is not the God of the Germans but of the Spaniards He is said soon after like Judas to have burst asunder They planted their Cannon and gave two Assaults but still the Defendants held out The Duke of Najara with 600 Foot besides the Horse appeared on the top of the Mountain designing either to fight or else to cut off the Enemy's Provisions On the last Day of November the French raised the Siege and returned towards France The Constable of Navarre pursued them and killing some took 13 Pieces of Cannon And thus ended that War All the Agramonteses submitted themselves and the City Pamplona was repaired and a place marked out to build a Castle D. Raymund de Moncada having fortunately settled the Affairs of Florence marched towards Lombardy At Modena he held a Council of War to consult what was best to be done The City Bressa was besieged by the Venetians who hoped to possess themselves of it The Empeperor pretended to it and the Swisse would have it given to Duke Maximilian Sforcia whose Quarrel they had espoused To end this Quarrel it was agreed the Viceroy should hold it for the League till it could be decided who it belonged to D. Peter d' Urrea and Andrew de Burgo went to Rome to know the Pope's Pleasure and sollicit the Payment of some Months Arrears He pleaded that Obligation had ceased after the Battel of Ravenna yet promised some Money if the Viceroy would quit Lombardy and return to Ferrara which above all things he desired to possess himself of To this purpose the Duke of Urbin was encamped with 2000 Swiss a small Force and even that deserted for want of Pay D. Peter d' Urrea and his Companion fed the Pope with good Words He resolved to send Bernard de Bibiena who was afterwards a Cardinal to acquaint the Viceroy with his Will At this time the Marquess de Pescara being ransomed from the French came to Milan and had the Command of the Company of the Men at Arms that had belonged to Gaspar de Pomar killed in that City given him On the first of October the Viceroy passed the Po with 9000 Foot Prosper Colona was marching with above 400 Men at Arms and 1000 Foot to join the Viceroy The Pope endeavoured to hinder him but could not He also laboured with the Cardinal of Sion that the Swiss should not admit the Spaniards into Lombardy At Verona Rocandulpho a Commander of the Emperor's joined the Viceroy with 2000 Germans 400 Horse and 27 Pieces of Cannon M. d' Aubigni before distressed by the Venetians seeing this new Supply set up the Emperour's Colours Bernard de Bibiena now coming to the Camp the Viceroy answered He was too forward advanced to go back but as soon as he had put an end to that Undertaking he would obey the Commands of the Pope Monsieur d' Aubigni had leave to march out with his Garrison Arms Baggage and Horses to what part he pleased provided it were not to the Castle of Milan or any other
hating him mortally The King who let slip no Opportunity to advance his Interest sent immediately Embassadors to the Queen and went over himself to the Island Ischia to be the nearer to her Most of the Summer was spent in treating but at length the Queen disannull'd the Adoption of the Duke of Anjou and renew'd that of King Alonso This was all privately transacted by the Advice of Corbella by whom the Queen was wholly directed Whilst these things were in Agitation at Naples the Princes of Aragon were in great danger Peter being a Prisoner and Henry besieg'd in Albuquerque A greater War was fear'd because the Articles agreed on before had not been observ'd whereof the Embassadors of Castile complain'd to John King of Navarre who was Lieutenant to his Brother of Aragon At length it was agreed that the two Princes should deliver up Albuquerque and all other Places they held and so depart Castile This being concluded by the Mediation of the King of Portugal the two Brothers and Catherine Wife to Prince Henry with the Master of Alcantara and Bishop of Coria embarked at Lisbon and went thence to Valencia designing to try their Fortunes again in Spain or if that fail'd to go over into Italy which was what their Brother desir'd being resolv'd to conquer the Kingdom of Naples as knowing well the Queen was more inclin'd to his Competitor and only study'd to amuze him Frederick Earl of Luna kept up his Intelligence with Castile intending to betray Taraçona and Calatayud Towns on the Frontiers of Aragon to King John This seem'd the more easy because at the same time there arose a Dispute about the Jurisdiction of the Church of Toledo D. John de Contreras Archbishop of Toledo with six others was appointed by the King of Castile to compose the Differences betwixt him and the Crown of Aragon D. John as Primate of all Spain carry'd the Cross before him which the Bishop of Taraçona first and then the Arch-bishop of Zaragoça as Metropolitan complain'd of This Dispute betwixt the Prelates hinder'd the most important Affair of the Peace which was the general Concern from being brought to an Issue and it was fear'd the Truce being expir'd the War would again break out Both Parties prepar'd for it and both were streighten'd for Mony but chiefly the Aragonians exhausted with such lasting Wars Several strange Apparitions in the Sky terrify'd the Spaniards already alarm'd with the Apprehension of a new War Particularly at Cuidad Rodrigo where the King of Castile then lay there was seen for a long time a Flame moving about which ended in a terrible clap of Thunder that was hear'd above 30 Miles from thence At the beginning of the Year 1433 it Snow'd in Aragon and Nevarre for the space of 40 Days continually which destroy'd vast Numbers of Cattle and Fowl The very wild Beasts came from the Woods to the Towns forc'd by hunger to seek Food From Cuidad Rodrigo the King of Castile went to Madrid to hold the Cortes Thither resorted so great a Multitude that the Town tho large could not contain it and many were forc'd to lodge in the neighbouring Villages Here it was consulted how to carry on the War of Granada the Truce being expir'd Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo was sent to begin the War He took some strong Holds from the Moors All the rest of Spain enjoy'd Peace this Year The Nobility of Castile strove to out do one another in the splendour of their Retinues and Expences spending the time in running at Tilt and such Sports to delight the King and People without any care of the War At Lisbon this Year the Plague carry'd off great Numbers of People King John of Portugal dy'd on the 14th of August at the Age of 76 4 Months and 3 Days and having Reign'd 48 Years 4 Months and 9 Days He is famous for having in such a confusion of times secur'd that Kingdom to his Posterity His Son Edward succeeded him and was declar'd King in a great Assembly of the Nobility being then 41 Years 9 Months and 14 Days old Besides his other Felicities King John was happy in a numerous Issue by his Wife Philippa Daughter to John Duke of Lancaster First he had Blanch who dy'd young 2dly Alonso who liv'd but 10 Years 3dly Edward who succeeded him 4thly Peter Duke of Coimbra 5thly Henry Duke of Viseo 6thly John Constable of Portugal 7thly Ferdinand Master of Avis and 8thly Elizabeth marry'd to Philip Earl of Flanders and Duke of Burgundy On the Day of King Edward's Coronation it is reported that a Jewish Physician call'd Gudiala advis'd to put off that Ceremony till the Afternoon else it would be unfortunate but his Council was slighted as superstitious As soon as the King took upon him the Government he order'd the Funeral of his Father with greater Pomp than had been till then he with all the Nobility accompanying the Corps to the Church of Batalla at Aljubarrota built by the deceas'd King as was said before All the rest of this King's Reign was answerable to this pious Beginning CHAP. V. The Council of Basil The Affairs of Naples and death of the Duke of Anjou and the Queen of Naples The Nobility of that Kingdom incline to favour the Aragonians The Pope expell'd Rome and restor'd POpe Martin the last Year of his Life had summon'd all the Christian Prelates to hold a General Council at Basil in order to reform the universal Corruption of Manners and to 〈◊〉 to the true Faith the Bohemians then tainted with new Heresies Cardinal Julian Cesarinus went from Rome to be present at the opening of the Council Eugenius successor to Pope Martin endeavour'd to remove the Council into Italy but Sigismund the Emperor oppos'd it Other Princes were courted to joyn with each of them The King of Aragon thought fit to be of the Emperor's Party hoping he would be the surer Friend to him towards obtaining the Kingdom of Naples For this Reason he sent his Embassadors to Basil as did all the other Princes of Spain mov'd by his Example At the beginning of the Year 1434 dy'd at Basil Cardinal Alonso Carrillo a Person of great Learning and Wisdom and Protector of Spain D. Alonso Carrillo his Nephew succeeded him in the Bishoprick of Siguença and came at last to be Archbishop of Toledo Sigismund the Emperor answer'd not the Expectations of the King of Aragon but as soon as he was crown'd at Rome as if the Crown had chang'd his Nature he made a League with the Venetians Florentines and Philip Duke of Milan for expelling the Aragonians out of all Italy with their joynt Forces This he did rather to comply with the Pope than out of any particular Prejudice But all things happen'd otherwise than they expected as shall appear hereafter Frederick Earl of Luna added one Crime to all his former Extravagancies which brought him to his Ruin He was bold and restless
had left a great Estate in Aragon and sold the Towns given him in Castile Being by his Prodigality reduc'd to Poverty he resolv'd to plunder the rich City of Sevil. He was offended at the Earl of Niebla who had great Power in that City and design'd by the way to be reveng'd on him So great an Enterprize was not to be undertaken without Company To this purpose he drew together many whom their leud Lives had reduc'd to want and among them two considerable Men call'd Regidores of Sevil. A Secret could not be kept among so many The Plot was discover'd and D. Frederick secur'd at Medina del Campo whither the King went at the beginning of the Year Thence he was carry'd to Vren̄a and afterwards to a Castle near Olmedo where he ended his Days pitied by no Man the Castilians hating him as a Deserter from his Prince His Companions were all put to Death Violante Countess of Niebla his Sister who would have interceded for him was not permitted to speak to the King but sent away to Cuellar with Orders she should not stir from thence without leave it being suspected that the Earl had undertook that desperate Enterprize relying on her Assistance The Punishment of the Earl no way discouraged the Princes of Aragon from proceeding in their wicked Practices after they were expell'd Castile The King of Castile complain'd that they violated the Conditions of the Truce agreed upon not long before and therefore said it was requisite to secure the publick Peace they should be sent out of Spain The King of Navarre having hear'd the Embassadors perswaded the Princes his Brothers to go over into Italy whither he would soon follow them telling them the Kingdom of Naples once conquer'd it would be easy to recover their Estates in Castile They went over to Sicily where King Alonso then was endeavouring to gain the Affections of the Neapolitan Nobility and to settle a Peace with the Princes of Italy in order to possess himself of Naples Above all he labour'd to reconcile Pope Eugenius whom he knew to be his Enemy A fair Opportunity seem'd now to offer it self the Queen having been long Sick and the Nobility at variance and a great Misfortune befalling the Pope in this manner Antony Colonna Prince of Salerno coming to Rome the People mutiny'd and expell'd the Pope being inrag'd for that he persecuted the Family of Colonna and because through his Fault Francis Sforcia with some Forces of the Duke of Milan had wasted the Territory of Rome The Pope fled down the Tiber in a Boat the People throwing Stones at him and in the Galleys he found at Ostia went away into Tuscany This Affront offer'd the Pope variously affected several Princes Some of them said he had well deserv'd it for provoking the People and opposing the Council of Basil The News of this Accident reach'd the King of Aragon at Palermo on the 9th of July He hop'd this might be a means to gain the Pope to his Interest Therefore he sent Embassadors to condole and offer his Assistance for vanquishing his Enemies and pacifying the People The Pope accepted not his offer for within the 5th Month the Tumults of Rome ceas'd and the Citizens submitted themselves to him admitting a Garrison into the Capitol which done they were absolv'd of the Censures they had incurr'd by affronting the Pope On the 16th of September dy'd D. John de Contreras Archbishop of Toledo at Alcala de Henares His Body was bury'd with Pomp in the Cathedral of Toledo The Chapter was divided about choosing one to succeed him some were for Vasco Ramirez de Guzman Archdeacon of Toledo others for the Dean Ruy Garcia de Villaquiran This disagreement gave the King an Opportunity to intrepose and by his Procurement D. John de Cereçuela Archbishop of Sevil was elected At the same time that the King was at Madrid D. Henry de Villena dy'd there He sustain'd the Loss of his vast Fortune with great Patience living to a great Age and wholly devoted to his Study His Inclination to Learning was such that he study'd Magick and some of his Books were afterwards burnt by the King's Order The Nobility of Naples weary of the Government of a Woman and of her Extravagances inclin'd to favour the King of Aragon He drew to his Party with great Promises Nicholas Picinus then a renouned Captain in Italy and Kinsman to Braccio At Palermo he also joyn'd in League with the Prince of Taranto and all his Adherents who being injur'd by the Duke of Anjou and James Caldora had recourse to the King of Aragon for Relief It was agreed they should espouse the Quarrel of the Aragonian he assisting them with 2000 Horse and 1000 Foot which they judged a sufficient Force to oppose the Enemy but it prov'd otherwise For the Prince of Taranto was soon stripp'd of all his Possessions which were great except some few small Places of very great Strength The War seem'd to be near an end when the Duke of Anjou worn with Fatigue and overcome by the Unhealthiness of the Air dyed in Calabria about the middle of November in the Flower of his Age and the height of his Prosperity being almost possess'd of the Kingdom and then newly marry'd to Margaret Daughther to Amedee Duke of Savoy The Queen of Naples also departed this Life in that City at the beginning of the Year 1435. Her Body was bury'd with little Ceremony in the Church Annunciada The Death of the Queen and Duke advanc'd the Interest of Aragon and weaken'd that of the French Yet the People of Naples without any Order or consulting the Nobility proclaim'd Renee Brother to the late Duke their King as the Queen had order'd in her Will But there was little help to be expected from him being then a Prisoner He had marry'd the Daughter of the Duke of Lorrain and he dying without Issue-male possess'd himself of that Dukedom Antony Earl of Vaudemont Brother to the deceas'd overthrew took him Prisoner and deliver'd him up to the Duke of Burgundy Orin Carracciolo George Alemani and Baltasar Rata the most noted Men of the French Faction were appointed Governours at Naples In Spain D. Roderick de Velasco Bishop of Palencia was unfortunately kill'd by his own Cook who being distracted and going about with a Club in his Hand was ask'd what he design'd to do with it he answer'd kill the Bishop but being a Forreigner and not well understood because he spoke not plain was laugh'd at yet presently after he came upon the Bishop and beat out his Brains CHAP. VI. Mighty Inundations throughout Spain A great Victory over the Moors The further Actions of the Aragonians at Naples The Kings of Aragon and Navarre taken by the Genoeses and set at Liberty by the Duke of Milan THIS prov'd a dangerous Winter in Castile by reason of the great Rains The Roads were so deep there was scarce any Travelling Many Buildings were carry'd