of the Carthaginians This done he sent Lelius to Treat with Syphax King of the Masessali in Africk who refusing to harken to any Proposals unless made by the Roman General himself Scipio went over himself to his City then call'd Siga suppos'd to be now Aresgol because Pliny says it was opposite to Malaga Asdrubal came at the same time to secure the Friendship of that King who made some overtures of Peace betwixt those two powerful Enemies but Scipio saying he had no instructions concerning that Affair that project took no effect and yet he compass'd what he came for which was to gain the Friendship of that King No sooner was Scipio return'd into Spain but he possessed himself of Illiturgum and Castulon Cities that had held out for the Carthaginians rather because they despair'd of Pardon than for any affection Illiturgum was destroy'd Castulon was spar'd because least guilty and also for that it submitted After this Marcius was order'd to subdue some other places and Scipio went to Carthagena to Celebrate the Funeral rites of his Father and Unkle which were perform'd with great Pomp and several sorts of Sports particularly Gladiators Among the rest that fought were two Brothers call'd Corbis and Orsua who were at Variance about the Sovereignty of the City Iba the Younger of them who confiding in his great strength had refus'd to stand to Judgment was kill'd Many Cities submitted themselves to Marcius only Astapa having highly provok'd the Romans and despairing of pardon endur'd a tedious Siege in which many of them Perished as also in a Battle they ventured to Fight in open Field At length there being no possibility of holding out or hope of relief they slew their Wives and Children burnt all their Goods in the Market-Place and then kill'd themselves The ruins of this City are still to be seen on the banks of the River Xenil not far from Ecija and Antequera Lelius and Marcius were sent to Cadiz in hopes they might make themselves Masters of that Island by means of intelligence they held with certain out-laws belonging to it but were disappointed Mago having discover'd the contrivance and taken the necessary measures to prevent it It happen'd also that Scipio fell dangerously ill which gave occasion to many to think of raising Commotions Particularly Mandonius and Indibilis revolted It grieved them to be disappointed of their hopes hauing flattered themselves with the thoughts of becoming Sovereigns of all Spain if the Carthaginians were expelled Moreover 8000 Romans that were Quartered along the River Xucar Mutinied for their Pay Mago thinking he might make his advantage of these troubles writ to the Senate of Carthage desiring they would send him considerable supplies All these designs were disappointed by the recovery of Scipio The mutinous Soldiers having receiv'd a promise of pardon and their pay went to Carthagena where they were severally reproved by Scipio and only the Heads of the Mutiny Punish'd Mandonius and Indibilis being among the Illergetes were defeated and forced out of their Intrenchments the Fight lasted two Days yet after all upon their Submission were admitted to Grace only a mulct laid upon them to Pay the Soldiers Massinissa was now again return'd out of Africk to Cadiz with a good Number of Numidian Horse having not yet declared for the Romans Scipio sent Marcius before and design'd to follow thither in Person which Massinissa understanding he came over to the Continent upon pretence of making an inroad but in reality to Treat with Scipio where he settled that Friendship which lasted as long as his Life Mago despairing of any success in Spain by Order of the Senate Shipped all the Gold and Silver belonging to the publick and to private Persons and sailed with it for Carthage By the way he fell upon the Mallorquins because they had revolted to the Romans and easily made himself Master of Minorca whence he sent 2000 Sling Men and Autumn being passed stayed to Winter there Cadiz was delivered up to Scipio who about the same time founded Italica a Roman Colony in a place called before Sancii afterwards the Country of three Emperors Trajan Adrian and Theodosius the Great This done he returned to Rome in a Fleet of Ten Sail after he had governed Spain five Years The Senate receiv'd him in the Temple of Bellona and tho' his Actions had deserv'd it they granted him not the honour of a Triumph because till then it had not been allow'd to any Proconsul Scipio being gone the following Year which was of Rome 549 Mandonius and Indibilis either to deliver their Country from a Foreign Yoke or in hopes to make themselves Kings revolted again At first the War was carried on not only among the Illergetes where their Dominion was but among the Ausetani that is the Country about Vique and then passed on to the Neighbouring Parts and the Sedetani as Livy says I rather believe it was the Ceretani that reach to the Pyreneans Those that had taken Arms amounted to 30000 Foot and 4000 Horse Lucius Cornelius Lentulus and Lucius Manlius Acidinus who had succeeded Scipio as Proconsuls marched against them They came to a Battle in which 13000 of the Mutineers were kill'd the rest fled to the Woods and Mountains Indibilis was slain in the Fight Mandonius deliver'd up by his Men to purchase their own Pardon because the Proconsuls had declared they would not hearken to Peace till the Authors of the Revolt were given up The next Year which was of Rome 550. the Spaniards were quiet being spent and worn out with so many Years War But the foregoing Year at Rome Publius Cornelius Scipio and P. Licinius Crassus were chosen Consuls Scipio had Sicily for his Province with Power if he thought it convenient to pass over into Africk which he did with a Powerful Army and Fleet. There he first overthrew Hanno the Son of Hamilcar but made no other great Progress that year In the beginning of the next being strengthned with Recruits out of Italy he twice routed Asdrubal and Syphax killing 40000 of their Men. To conclude Hannibal himself being call'd out of Italy to defend his own Country was defeated and drove out of Africk whereupon ensu'd a Peace betwixt those two mighty contending Nations much to the honour of the Romans and dishonourable to the Carthaginians Thus ended the second Punick War in the Year of Rome 552. Scipio triumphed at Rome and had the Title of Africanus confer'd on him This succinct Relation may suffice of things so remote CHAP. VIII The Spaniards Revolting are again subdu'd by the Romans Cato being Consul comes into Spain Several Pretors succeed Their Government and Actions NOthing of note happen'd in Spain till the year 554. when L. Cornelius Lentulus being gone to Rome C. Cornelius Cethegus succeeded him as Colleague to L. Manlius Accidinus The Spaniards now at length to their great grief perceived that the War the Romans had undertaken was not upon
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
call'd the Simple who two Years before succeeded his Brother Luis was Young and Weak as well in Judgment as Forces and preserv'd the Title of King in the City Catanea The Power of the French daily increasing he was so dismay'd that he freely made over all his Dominions of Sicily Athens and Neopatria to his Sister Ellenor Wife to the King of Aragon to whom he sent a publick Instrument of this donation to oblige him to send Forces to his Aid but the Aragonian had his Hands so full at Home that he could not relieve his Brother-in-Law The Affairs of Sicily reduc'd to this miserable Condition were up-held by the Valour of D. 〈◊〉 de Aragon Earl of Mistreta and Lord Justice of Sicily who overthrew the Enemy in Battel punish'd some Rebels and redu'd others CHAP. II. The Kings of Castile and Aragon both call the Moors to their assistance The War is carry'd on vigorously on both sides The Castilians treacherous to their King He punishes many of them The computation of time in Aragon alter'd REvenge carry'd the King 's of Castile and Aragon headlong to their Ruin and so blinded them that they call'd the Moors to their assistance The King of Granada sent a Body of Horse to the Service of Castile as was agreed betwixt them The King of Aragon call'd over the King of Morocco Pope Innocent by Letter grievously complain'd of this Action but in vain The Nobles of Castile were wrought upon by the Aragonians and forsook their Prince The first was Prince Ferdinand of Aragon as was said above Yet Jumilla by him betray'd was retaken at the beginning of the Year 1358 by D. Frederick Master of Santiago This done he went away to the King then at Sevil who caus'd him to be put to death in his presence by his Guards understanding he dealt underhand with the Aragonians From Sevil the King went with great speed to Biscay designing the same Fate for the other Brother D. Tello who suspecting it fled by Sea into France and thence into Aragon D. Tello being gone Prince John of Aragon begg'd of the King he would put him into Possession of the Lordship of Biscay to which he had right by his Wife the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to D. John Nun̄ez de Lara The King knowing he was associated with the rebellious Peers caus'd him to be slain by his Guards in his presence and his Body to be thrown out at a Window and say'd to some Biscayners that look'd on Behold him that would have been your Lord. His Body was carry'd to Burgos there cast into the River and never after seen Queen Ellenor that Prince's Mother and the Lady Elizabeth his Wife were sent Prisoners from Roa to the Castle of Castroxeriz Six Heads of Men of Note were brought to him to Burgos from several Places He had resolv'd to execute others at Valladolid but was prevented by the Incursions Count Henry and Prince Ferdinand made into his Territories the former wasted all the Country of Campos Soria and Almaçan the other the Kingdom of Murcia From Osma the King went to Burgos to provide against these Irruptions Thence he sent to complain to the King of Aragon that he had broke the Truce That King answer'd the Truce had been broken in retaking Jumilla and calleng'd him to decide the Quarrel with 20 50 or 100 Men of a side King Peter made small account of his Challenge but sent D. Gutierre Gomez de Toledo lately made great Prior of St. John to secure the Kingdom of Murcia others had other Commands given them He himself went away to Sevil where he had fitted 12 Galleys which were joyn'd by 6 from Genoa with which he design'd to scour the Coast of Valencia and attempt the Maritime Towns These Galleys took the Town of Guardamar belonging to Prince Ferdinand but were prevented from taking the Castle by a suddain Storm in which they all perish'd except two that were out at Sea This loss no way discourag'd the King who burnt the Town and march'd away to Murcia Thence he sent his Favourite Martin Yanez to Sevil to equip another Fleet and he having gather'd an Army from all parts march'd away to Almaçan and thence into the Enemies Country where he took several Towns Winter drawing on he return'd to Sevil resolving to fit out a great Fleet to which purpose the King of Portugal his Uncle sent him Ten Galleys and he of Granada Three This Year was remarkable for the Birth of the Lady Ellenor Daughter to Peter King of Aragon and of D. John Son to Count Henry whom Heaven had decreed should be marry'd together and inherit the Crown of Castile This Year also it was ordain'd in the Cortes of Valencia that the computation of Years should no longer be taken from the Era of Cesar but from the Birth of Christ At the beginning of the Year 1359 the King of Aragon laid Siege to the strong Town of Medina Celi but it being well defended return'd to Zaragoça without any Success The King of Castile being on the way to relieve Medina Celi understood the Cardinal of Bolonia the Pope's Legate was arriv'd at Almaçan In that place the Legate had Audience and earnestly exhorted the King in the Pope's Name to incline to Peace with the Christians and employ his Arms against the Infidels The King answer'd he had been already impos'd upon by the King of Aragon under pretence of Peace and therefore was resolv'd to give no more Ear to it unless the Aragoman would banish the out-Laws of Castile restore the Towns wrongfully taken during his Grand-fathers Minority and pay 500000 Florins for the Charge of War With this Answer the Legate went to the King of Aragon who excus'd himself and laid the blame upon his Enemy as is usual The time was spent in Messages to and fro and yet not so much as a truce could be concluded All hopes of Peace being laid aside the King of Castile at Almaçan declar'd Prince Ferdinand and the two Brothers Count Henry and D. Tello Traytors Queen Ellenor was put to death in Prison and soon after the Lady Joanna de Lara Her Sister the Lady Elizabeth was sent with Qu. Blanch from the Castle of Siguença to Xerez de la Frontera This done the King imbarqu'd aboard a Fleet of 41 Galleys and 80 Ships so well stord and carrying so powerful an Army that they were provided for any great Enterprize By the way he took a mighty Venetian Garack only because it resisted it was carry'd to Cathagena and all its rich Lading secur'd The Fleet sail'd to Guardumar and took both the Town and Castle by Storm Alicant was abandoned by the Aragonians D. Gutierre de Toledo was left with a good Force to secure the Towns taken The King with the rest of the Fleet sail'd to Tortosa at the Mouth of the River Ebro There the Legate came aboard his Galley and again made some Overtures of Peace but in
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
Army and was near Damascus defeated and slain by Selymus the Turkish Emperor In his stead the Mamalukes set up Tomombeyus who being by the Turks in Battel put to the Rout and the City Caire taken was by them impaled Thus the Turk Selymus having conquered the Provinces of Siria and Egypt returned home victorious his Empire being much augmented and his strength increased by so large an Addition Martin Luther took this Occasion to spread his new Doctrine Pope Julius had begun the Structure of the Vatican and Pope Leo the Tenth his Successor to finish it granted a Jubilee throughout the World to such as gave some Charity towards that Work Albertus Archbishop of Mentz to whom the charge of publishing this Jubilee in Germany was committed gave it in charge to Tezelius a Dominican Friar Martin Luther who was Professor of Divinity at Wirtemberg and an Austin Friar so highly resented that Commission was not given to him that he immediately began to preach against it and meeting with others that gave ear to him ran into many other Extravagancies which soon spread abroad the many Abuses then crept into the Church being a motive for the People to Revolt from it Anno 1518. Ellenor Sister to King Charles was Married to Emanuel King of Portugal about the end of this Year at Ocrato a Town in Portugal with much Pomp and Grandeur They had afterwards Issue Charles who died Young and Mary who lived long but was never Married It was now proposed to divide the Archbishoprick of Toledo into several Bishopricks because of its immoderate Greatness and particularly Madrid and Talavera were designed to have Prelates of their own Pope Leo granted his Bull in order to the effecting of it He gave the Inspection of that Affair to the Cardinal Adrian the Bishop of Cosenza his Nuncio in Spain and D. Alonso de Manrique Bishop of Cuidad Rodrigo who were impowered to order it as they should think fit They met with so many Difficulties that they were forced to desist Anno 1519. Maximilian the Emperor departed this Life on the 12th of January Soon after the Electors met at Francfort to appoint a Successor and tho there were many Pretenders and great Instance particularly made by Francis King of France yet Charles King of Spain was preferred before them all and declared Emperor on the 28th of June But in regard that the Kings of Naples could not accept of the Empire they being so engaged to the Popes he obtained a Dispensation upon condition he should pay yearly 7000 Ducats as an acknowledgment for that Kingdom and a White Hacaney as is done to this Day This point was not perfectly agreed upon till some Years after Anno 1520. King Charles received the News of his Election at Barcelona whence crossing all Spain he went to Corun̄a and sailed thence in May for Flanders At Aquisgran the first Crown of the Empire was put upon his Head on the 22th of October by the Bishop of Cologn whose Office it is At the same time he freely resigned to his Brother Ferdinand all Austria and the other Hereditary Dominions of his Grandfather Maximilian Cardinal Adrian D. Ynigo de Velasco the Constable and the Admiral D. Henry Enriques were left Governours of Spain They omitted nothing that could be done to quell the Commonalty who rose in Rebellion but could not prevent their taking up Arms whence ensued the Civil Wars called Communidades or the Commons War Their Pretences were that through the Avarice of the Flemmings all the Gold of Spain was carried away and that the Liberties of the Subjects were infringed by their tyranical Government The common cry of all rebels The greatest Grievance was that Charles de Gevres the new Kings Tutor not content that he had preferred his Nephew William de Croy to the Archbishoprick of Toledo had by many knacks and contrivances raked together a vast quantity of Spanish Pistols The principal Heads of the rebellion were John de Padilla one of the first Gentlemen of Toledo and D. Antony de Acuna Bishop of Zamora Several Towns and Cities joyned with them Several Engagements happened between the Loyallists and Rebells in many places with various success till about the end of this Year the Kings Army took Tordesillas where the Rebels had fortified themselves and kept Queen Joanna On the 23th of April the following Year was fought the Battle of Villalar in which they were totally overthrown and the Ringleaders of them taken which were John de Padilla Bravo and Maldonado who were executed and the Bishop was hanged at Simancas where he was prisoner Thus those Tumults were brought to an end by the Prudence and good Conduct of the Councel to whom the King had wholly committed that Charge D a Maria Pacheco Wife to John de Padilla in the place of her Husband headed the Rebels and encouraged them to hold together but could do nothing worth remembrance The Duke of Segorbe defeated the Germanats of Valencia near unto Morvedre So the Rebels in that part of the Country called themselves Anno 1521. William de Croy Archbishop of Toledo died in Germany the 11th of January without coming into Spain or having done any thing remarkable during his Life D. Alonso de Fonseca a Man of great Spirit at that time Archbishop of Santiago was translated to the See of Toledo The Archbishoprick of Santiago was given to John de Tavera Nephew to F. James Deza Archbishop of Sevil at that time Bishop of Cuidad Rodrigo and Osma and of the Councel of the Inquisition The Rebellion in Castile produced a new War in Navarre King Ferdinand to hinder any Insurrection had demolished all the Castles in that Kingdom and the last Year all the Garrisons and Artillery were drawn thence against the Mutiniers of Castile Francis King of France desiring to restore Henry d' Albret to that Crown of Right appertaining to him laid hold of that favourable Opportunity and sent a numerous Army to that effect under the Command of Andrew l'Esparre younger Brother to Odet Lord of Lautrec He found all things easier than he could have imagined and over-run all the Kingdom taking the Capital City Pamplona abandoned by D. Antony Manrique the Viceroy Only the Castle held out being defended by Ignacius of Loyola a Man nobly descended in Guipuzcoa then a Soldier and afterwards Founder of the Order of the Jesuits A Cannon Ball struck up a Stone which broke one of his Legs and hurt the other which brought him into danger of his Life He being wounded the Castle surrendred The French Commander not content with having recovered that Kingdom entred Castile and for some days lay before Logron̄o Our Forces marching to the Relief of the Place obliged him to quit the Siege Not long after at a place called Noayn near Pamplona they overthrew the French and took their General Prisoner After this Victory the Kingdom of Navarre was with the same ease again brought
Tetuan a strong City on the Coast of Barbary not far from Ceuta was distressed by the Moor Geilan The Governor implored the assistance of Benbucar who finding it difficult to relieve the Place by force made the Governor and Geian friends and put his own Brother called Benbucar the younger Governor into that City The Moor desiring to do something remarkable marched thence to Ceuta thinking to surprize it or at lest to cut off such as were abroad in the Country knowing the Inhabitants used to go out for Water and to cut Wood in the Forrests of Tetuan The Marquess de los Arcos famous in Flanders and Catalonia by the Name of Count Tenorio was then Governor of Ceuta who understanding Benbucar was coming to besiege him drew out his Force which amounted not to above 300 Men into the Trenches Benbucar perceiving he was discovered drew up 20000 in 4 Bodies and attacked the Trenches but after giving 3 Assaults which lasted 3 Hours was glad to retire leaving 2000 dead Men besides the wounded This Action hapned on the 10th of June Peace and Friendship seemed to be well Established betwixt this Crown and England To make it the more firm his Majesty ordered the Marquess de Leite Admiral of Flanders and Governor of Dunkirk to go over with the Charcter of Ambassador Extraordinary to Oliver Cromwell then Protector He made a stately publick Entry was honouraby Received and Entertained at the Charge of the Protector for 8 days after which he Resided at the House of the Ambassador in Ordinary D. Alonso de Cardenas till his Return to Flanders Notwithstanding all these exterior Demonstrations our Jealousies ceased not the Protector having sent out two great Squadrons One Commanded by Admiral Pen and consisting of 40 Sail steered away to the Ocean upon Pretence of suppressing of Pyrates The other of 30 Sail under Blake went for the Streights That Squadron under Pen being come to Barbadoes met there 30 Sail of French and Dutch all which he took Then joining 20 of those Ships to his own Fleet he put to Sea again none being able to guess at his Design Upon the 23th of April 1655 this Fleet appeared before the Port of Santo Domingo in the Island Hispaniola at whose sight D. Bernardin de Meneses Earl of Penalva Governor and Captain General of the Island gave the Alarm and gathered all the Forces Perceiving the Fleet to divide it self into two Squadrons one plying to Windward and the other sailing to the Leeward he sent a Company to Xaina where they might land and some Foot with Cannon and Ammunition to the Castle of S. Hierome And seeing the Squadron to the Leeward make the Land he sent a Reinforcement to Xaina and threw up some Trenches He also sent 50 Men to Caucedo which lay to Windward and where there was only a Creek to land all the rest of the Coast being high and rocky Upon Sunday the 25th of April the Enemy landed 600 Men on the side of Nisao 10 Leagues from the City therefore Orders were sent to Captain Damian del Castillo who was at Xaina with what Forces he could to hinder the Approach of the Enemy laying Ambushes and cutting them off Collonel John Morfa was commanded to second Castillo and to endeavour to take some Prisoner of whom they might have Intelligence Both these Commanders obeyed their Orders leaving Captain Alonso Garavito at Xaina where the Enemy landed another Regiment of Foot which joining those before ashore made up above 7000 Men who all giving one Volley marched towards the City then strengthened by supplies come from several Places A Prisoner taken gave an account that Fleet was sent by Oliver Cromwell and brought betwixt 8 and 10000 Men to subdue that Island and thence to pass over to Jamaica Cuba Cartagena and other Places He further said the Fleet would not enter the Port till the English Colours were set upon the Walls for fear of the new Platform of 6 Pieces of Cannon All things being disposed for the Defence of the City 200 Men were sent towards Xaina to cut off the Enemy in Ambuscades but they not appearing our Men retired to the Walls next the Plain Fresh Advice being brought of the Approach of the English 150 of our Foot lay close about the foot of the Mountain which is very rough and uncouth These behaved themselves so well that they obliged all the Enemies Army to Retire because they sustained great loss from the Fort S. Hierome Elmatadero Fort Grande and the Wall all which commanded the Plain The English retired to the mouth of Xaina leaving behind them Provision Ammunition and Arms. Next day all the Fleet came up and Cannonaded the City and Castle and 14 of them came to an Anchor at Traquia whence they continued their Fire against the City but they received so much harm from thence that they were glad to stand out again On the 20th of Aprill 306 of our Men went abroad to discover and laid several Ambushes then Advice being brought by a Spie that the Enemy advanced they were so hotly received that they were again driven back to Xiana On the 5th of May the Enemy marched the way of Esperilla and falling into one of our Ambuscades lost 800 Men and retired leaving behind their Arms Baggage Colours sealing Ladders and Drums Having lost many Men and many more wounded on the 14th of May the whole Fleet sailed away and our People went to give God Thanks for their Deliverance Our Council of the Indies spent the time in debating how to oppose this Squadron and daily sent out Vessels to get Intelligence of their Designs who brought no other Account but what their own Fear suggested One of these belonging to the Count de Molina returning to Cadiz took a Moorish Setie with 40 Men in her and brought her in Another of the Duke of Medina Celi made up to a French Ship who believing she came to Trade suffered the Men to come aboard and they presently made themselves Masters of the Ship which was valued at 20000 Ducats The Royal Galley being bound for Carthagena to load Powder by the way took a Turkish Man of War and brought him into that Port. Mean while the City of Sevil upon its own Charge in the space of 40 days fitted out a Fleet of 28 Sail carrying 316 Brass Guns and 512 of Iron and 6228 Men as well Mariners as Land Soldiers including Voluntiers D. Paul Contreras was Admiral who set sail on the 15th of August to secure our Plate Fleet. On the 25th they discovered the English Fleet consisting of 25 Sail who were to the Windward and after plying in sight for some time stood away to the Northward The Galleons being 8 in number thinking the English had been gone off the Coast adventured towards Cadiz but were met by Captain Stainer with 7 Ships who took 2 of them sunk 2 forced 2 ashore and and the other 2 got into the Harbour His
of the Moors erected in Spain by Abderhaman His Death and Wars among his Sons p. 107 Chap. V. The Reign of D. Alonso the Chast The Nestorian Heresie reviv'd The Kings Sister debauch'd he takes Lisbon Wars among the Moors Invention of the Body of S. James the Apostle and defeat of Charlemaine p. 109 Chap. VI. The remaining part of the Reign of King Alonso Rebellion among the Moors Alhaca the Moor dies and Abderhaman succeeds him The Reign of King Ramiro he overthrows the Moors in a great Battle His Death and Invasion of the Normans p. 110 Chap. VII The Persecution rais'd by the Moors at Cordova The Reign of D. Ordonno over the Christians and Mahomet over the Moors p. 112 Chap. VIII The Reign of King Alonso the Great He is expell'd and restor'd His Brothers Conspire against him and are punish'd The Church of St. James the Apostle made an Archbishoprick Mahomet the Moorish King dies p. 114 Chap. IX The Death of King Alonso the Great The Reigns of D. Garcia and D. Ordonno II. of Oviedo and of Almundar Abdalla and Abderhaman of Cordova p. 116 The Eighth BOOK Chap. I. THE Original of the Kingdoms of Navarre and Aragon and Earls of Barcelona with their Succession and Actions down to the time of King Ordonno II. of Leon. p. 118 Chap. II. Of the Earls of Castile The Reigns of D. Fruela II. King of Leon. Fictions concerning the Kings of Navarre The Reign of their King D. Sancho Abarca p. 120 Chap. III. The Reigns of Alonso IV. and Ramiro II. Kings of Leon. Sancho Abarca King of Navarre slain by Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile Several Defeats of the Moors Agreat Eclypse p. 121 Chap. IV. The Reigns of D. Ordonno III. D. Sancho the Gross Kings of Leon and of Garcia Sanchez King of Navarre and Actions of Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile p. 123 Chap. V. The Reign of Ramiro III. King of Leon. Death of Earl Fernan Gonzalez Normans infest the Coasts of Spain Divisions among the Moors Rebellion against the King of Leon and his Death p. 126 Chap. VI. The Reign of Bermudo II. call'd the Gouty King of Leon. Discord betwixt him and the Earl of Castile Leon and Barcelona taken by the Infidels Garcia King of Navarre dies His Son Garci Sanchez succeeds him p. 127 Chap. VII The Death of King Bermudo the Gouty and beginning of the Reign of D. Alonso V. King of Leon. Many troubles among the Moors The Earl of Castile slain by the Infidels p. 130 Chap. VIII Continues the mighty Revolutions among the Infidels with the dismembring of the Mighty Kingdom of Cordova and erecting of several other little Sovereignties in the chief Cities of Spain p. 132 Chap. IX The last Actions of D. Alonso King of Leon and his Death The Reign of D. Bermudo III. His Son Sancho Earl of Castile Poisons his Mother His Son Garcia Murder'd p. 133 Chap. X. The remaining part of the Reign of Sancho the Greater King of Navarre Wicked Contrivance of his Sons against their Mother He settles Religious Affairs Rebuilds Palencia and is Murder'd p. 135 The Ninth BOOK Chap. I. THE Posture of Affairs in Spain Actions of D. Berenguel Earl of Barcelona Kingdoms of the Moors Wars betwixt the Kings of Castile and Leon. Ferdinand Crown'd King of Leon. p. 137 Chap. II. Ferdinand King of Castile and Leon the most Powerful King of Spain overthrows the Moors takes several Towns and ravages the Territories of the Infidels Ramiro King of Aragon Wars on his Brother of Navarre p. 138 Chap. III. S. Isidorus 's Body translated to Leon. Conversion of two Moorish Princesses Garcia King of Navarre kill'd by his Brother Ferdinand Ramiro King of Aragon recovers his Dominions p. 140 Chap. IV. The manner how Spain came to be exempted from the Roman Empire The famous Roderick Diaz de Bivar commonly call'd Cid His Extraction and first Actions Three Synods held in Spain p. 141 Chap. V. The remaining part of the Reign of Ferdinand King of Castile and Leon. His Dominions divided amongst his Children Of D. Ramiro King of Aragon Perpignan built p. 143 Chap. VI. The Progress of the War D. Sancho made upon his two Brothers He expels Alonso King of Leon first and then Garcia King of Galicia lays Siege to the City Zamora and is there murder'd p. 144 Chap. VII King Alonso returns from among the Moors and recovers his Brothers Kingdoms The first part of his Reign Actions of Roderick de Bivar King Sancho of Navarre murder'd by his own Brother p. 146 Chap. VIII The Death of Almenon King of Toledo and of D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona The Conquests of the Moors in Italy The Conquest of Toledo resolv'd upon Ramon Earl of Barcelona murder'd p. 148 Chap. IX The famous City Toledo closely Besieg'd and Surrendred many other Places taken King Alonso stiles himself Emperor p. 150 Chap. X. The Election of the new Archbishop of Toledo The abolishing the old Missal and Breviary The Original of the Archbishop of Toledo His Spiritual Jurisdiction over all Spain King Alphonso's Wives and Children New Wars break out in Spain p. 151 The Tenth BOOK Chap. I. THE Moorish Family of the Almoravides comes into Spain King Alonso twice overthrown by them Several Strangers come out of France to serve under him he bestows three of his Daughters on them The Holy War in the East p. 153. Chap. II. The great Actions of D. Sancho Ramirez King of Aragon He is kill'd at the Siege of Huesca His Sons continue the Siege rout a great Army of the Moors and Christians that come to raise it and take the Place p. 155 Chap. III. Great Preparations thro' Christendom for the Holy War Valencia taken by Roderick de Bivar other Actions of his suspected to be Fabulous His Death and that of Joseph the Moorish Monarch p. 156 Chap. IV. The Death of Sancho Prince of Castile and of the two Kings Peter I. of Aragon and Alonso IV. of Castile The Moorish King of Zaragoça Of two Holy Men. p. 158 Chap. V. The Reign of Queen Urraca Her Lewdness She is Divorc'd from her Husband Depos'd from the Government Her Son Alonso Proclaim'd King of Castile p. 160 Chap. VI. The Wars of Majorca and Zaragoça The Schism of Burdinus Peace concluded betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Aragon The Original of the Kingdom of Portugal p. 162 Chap. VII A Schism in the Church on account of the Antipope Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon War with the Moors Original of the Kingdom of Portugal p. 163 Chap. VIII The War betwixt the King of Castile and the Moors The Death of King Alonso of Aragon and Revolutions of that Kingdom and Navarre The former choses Ramiro a Monk the latter Garcia for their King p. 165 Chap. IX The King of Castile aspires to the Crowns of Aragon and Navarre Stiles himself Emperor Ramiro King of Aragon resigns and his Son-in-law Raymund Earl of Barcelona assumes the Crown p. 167 Chap. X. D.
Geryon was Buried near the Mouth of the Streights and after worshipped as a God as appears by the Temple of Osiris Built in Sicily by Hercules and his famous Oracle at Padua which Princes often visited as Suetonius affirms Osiris having thus rescued Spain from the Tyranny of Geryon thought not fit to punish the Crimes of the Father in the Children which were three beautiful Sons to these therefore he gave the Kingdom appointing who should Govern during their Minority and then returned into Egypt These Geryons being come to Age did not only Tyranize over their Subjects but meditating Revenge for the Death of their Father induced Typhon to Murder his Brother Osiris which he performed and seated himself in the Throne of Egypt Orus the Son of Osiris who then Governed Scythia understanding what had passed hasts into Egypt and in revenge of his Fathers Murder slew Typhon then gathering a great Army he passed into Spain and drove the Geryons into the Island of Cadiz where they Fortified themselves Fearing lest so great an Army should suffer want if the War were protracted and desiring to avoid the great Bloodshed that must ensue if they came to a Battle he offered to decide the Quarrel by his own Person and sight the three Brothers They accepted of the Challenge and were all Slain by him Their Bodies were buried in the Island and from thence forward it was called Erithrea of some People that came with Orus or Hercules from the Red Sea who with the Approbation of their General planted there This done Hercules caused vast Stones and other Materials to be cast into the Sea at the mouth of the Streights and raised the two Mounts so famous by the name of Hercules's Pillers that on the West of Spain is called Calpe the other in Africk Abyla All things being settled to his Mind he chose Hispalus one of his Companions of whose good Conduct he was fully satisfied to Govern and Reign in Spain and then went over by Sea to Italy It is agreed on all Hands that Hispalus Reigned in Spain From him Justin affirms it took the Name of Hispania only one Letter being changed Others say he built Sevil in Latin Hispalis St. Isidorus says it was built by Julius Caesar and called Julia Romana perhaps it was then enlarged and beautified Plutarch affirms Spain took its Name from Pan a Follower of the second Hercules and was first called Pania then Spania others say it was from Hispanus the Son of Hispalus These are all bare surmises our Historians write many things of this Hispalus of their own Invention to beautifie their Works but their being no certain Account of such Antiquity it is better to pass it by in Silence than Impose upon the Readers Authors do not agree about the time of the Death of Hispalus but after his Days Hercules returned into Spain where having Governed with Moderation and Built as some will have it the Towns of Julia Lybica Vrgel Barcelona and Tarragona he departed this Life being of a very great Age. The Spaniards Consecrated him a God and payed him Divine Honours raising a Temple where his Body was Buried and placing Priests therein Hispalus and Hercules dying without Issue the latter before his Death appointed Hesperus Brother to Atlas and one of his Compauions to succeed him The Fame of this Hesperus's Valour and Vertue gained him such Credit among the People that of him some Greek and Latin Authors say Spain was afterwards called Hesperia tho' others are of Opinion it was from Hesperus the Evening Star The good Fortune of this King was not lasting for his Brother Atlas offended that he should be preferred before him came over into Spain and having gained the good Will of the Soldiers soon possessed himself of the Kingdom Hesperus thus forsaken fled into Italy where he was Friendly entertained and soon after constituted Tutor to the young King Coritus called by others Janus or Jupiter wherein he behaved himself so well that having gained the Affections of that People he gave his Name to Italy as he had done to Spain and it was called Hesperia Atlas jealous of his Brother's greatness and fearing he might in time recover his Kingdom resolved to prevent him In order hereunto he raised a mighty Army and under colour of Honouring them took the Chief Men of Spain along with him into Italy but his design was to keep them as Hostages lest the People in his Absence should endeavour to cast off a foreign Yoke At Sea a violent Storm scattered his Fleet and instead of Landing in Italy he was forced into Sicily that Island being exceeding Rich and Fruitful he left a considerable Number of Spaniards to Plant there This done he put to Sea again and arrived in Italy where he found his Brother Hesperus was Dead so that there was no difficulty in seizng Coritus King of Tuscany and making himself Master of the Country Atlas had two Daughters one of them called Electra was Married to Coritus and had Issue Jasius and Dardanus of whom more hereafter That his other Daughter called Rome Built the City Rome looks more like a Fiction of our Historians than a true History therefore I will make no further mention of it no more than of Sicorus Sicanus Sicceleus and Lusus whom our modern Writers reckon among the Kings of Spain whereas among the Ancients there is not the least Account of them nor of Morgetes the Son of Atlas giving his Name to the People of Italy called Morgetes for which there is no other Authority but framed likeness of Words Philistius Siracusanus's Authority is sufficient to believe that Siculus the Son of Atlas Governed Spain in his Father's absence and succeeded him in the Kingdom after his Death In his time the two Brothers Jasius and Dardanus being at Variance about the Kingdom of Tuscany by reason of the Death of their Father Coritus Siculus their Uncle went over with an Army to pacifie them and by the way Landing in Sicily is said to have given his Name to that Island till then called Trinacria of the three great Promontories that run out into the Sea Thence passing over into Tuscany he endeavoured to reconcile the Brothers but Dardanus dealing Treacherously Murdered Jasius and Siculus in Revenge drove him out of Italy Dardanus with a great Number of the Aborigines who followed his Fortunes fled into Asia where he Built the famous City of Troy Siculus having settled the Affairs of Italy and Seated the Son of Jasius on the Throne of Tuscany returned into Spain and from this time we find no Account of any other Actions of his unless we should write the Dreams and Ravings of modern Authors who also Forge other Kings of Spain upen as vain grounds as the former One of these is Testa who they say built a Town of his own Name and from him the People of that part of Spain were called Contestani Another is Romus to whom
is assigned the building of Valencia The third is Palatuus from him they write the Palatui and the City Palencia took their Names Such another is Erithrus feigned to have come from beyond the Red Sea Lastly among these is Melicola called also Gargoris of whom Justin makes mention I would not wholly omit the Names of these Kings such as they are because learned Men as well as the Ignorant have stumbled upon them tho' they are to be looked upon no better than old Women's Tales I suppose Justin calls Siculus Sicorus which I note that none may be deceived and imagine they are two distinct Kings CHAP. IV. Of the coming of several Nations into Spain as the Celts Rhodians Carthaginians and Phenicians also of Abides and a wonderful Dearth IT is impossible particularly to assign the Time that each of the above-mentioned Kings Reigned or in what Year of the World The nearest we can guess is that the Geryons lived about the 4th or 5th Century after the Deluge and Siculus above 200 Years before the Destruction of Troy In his Time or not long after a great Fleet sailed from Zant an Island in the Ionian Sea on the West of Peloponnesus or Morea and Landing in Spain they built a strong Town which they called Zazynthus of their own Country afterwards Saguntum now Monviedro These People in process of time gathering Strength spread farther along the Coast and at length built the most famous Temple of Diana from which the Promontory Diaium now Denia took Name In this Temple they placed Idols and Priests and offered great Sacrifice to the Admiration of the ignorant Natives who looked upon them as something more than Men. All the Timber-work was of Juniper a sort of Wood sweet and incorruptible in so much that Pliny affirms it was standing in his Time without the least sign of Decay After the coming of the Zazynthians Authors say there came another Dionysius or Bacchus who was the Son of Semele about 150 Years before the Trojan War and in the farthest parts of Spain betwixt the two Mouths of Guadalquivir Founded Nebrixa so called from Nebridae which in Greek signifies Deer-skins worn by Dionysius and his Followers especially when they offered Sacrifice The Name Veneria was afterwards given to Nebrixa Diodorus Siculus Writes there were three Dionysii or Bacchi The first Son of Deucalion or Noah the same above called Ostris the second Son of Proserpine or Ceres who was Painted with Horns to show he was the first that yoak'd Oxen to Plow the Land the third the Son of Semele Bornin Adultery in the City Meros which signifies a Thigh whence the Poets feign that Jupiter bread him in his Thigh Of him 't is said in imitation of the first Dionysius he Travelled the World gained many Victories and delivered Spain from Tyranny and Oppression About this same time Milico the Son of Mirica is said to have had great Power and Authority among the Spaniards and that his Successors not far from the Place where Baeça now stands built Castulon among the Oretani formerly one of the noblest Cities in Spain now no other Memory of it is remaining but in the Cottages of Gazlona Dionysius at his departure left two of his Companions behind the one Lusus of whom the Lusitani took Name the other Pan whom the ignorant People worshiped as a God and from him as Varro and Plutarch will have it the Country was first called Pania and after by the addition of one Letter Spania Jason the Thessalian desiring to gain Honour and Enrich himself built a great Ship and taking into it Hercules the Thèban Orpheus Linus Castor and Pollux and many more after Pillaging all the Coasts of Asia came as far as the Mouth of the Streights where Hercules built a Fort called Heraclea now Gibraltar whence they made Incursions Robbing the Country and had several Encounters with the Natives thence they Sailed about to Saguntum and were well received as being all Greeks From Saguntum they went over to Majorca and took Bocorris the King of that Island but understanding there was no Gold there having taken in Provision and some large Oxen they passed into Italy where Hercules slew Cacus and then returned into Greece Hecateus denies that ever this Hercules came into Spain but Diodorus and all other Authors testifie the contrary To him it is that Virgil attributes the Killing of the Geryons but this is a Poetical Licence and great mistake of Times After the coming of Hercules and Death of Milico Gargoris Reigned in Spain and was called Mellicola being the first that found out the taking of Honey In this King's time hap'ned the famous Trojan War which ended the remainders of the Greeks and Trojans spread themselves and Planted in several Parts of the World and among the rest in Spain The first reckoned among those that came is Teucrus the Brother of Ajax who not being permitted by his Father Telamon to return home alone went first to Cyprus where he built the City Salamina now Famagosta and thence passed into Spain and is there said to have erected another City called Teucria in the place where Carthagena now stands Justin and St. Isidorus both mention his coming to Spain but not his building any City But all agree that he passed out of the Streights and sailing along the Coast landed in Galicia where he Founded the City Helene now Pontevedra and add that he erected another called Amphilochia by the Romans called Aquae Calidae by the Suevi Auria now Orense Next Tydeus is said to have attempted several parts of the Spanish Coast but that meeting Opposition he sailed on to the Northern Coast of Portugal where betwixt the Rivers Minho and Lima he Founded the City Tuy in Latin Tude or Tyde Strabo writes that Mnesteus the Athenian with a Fleet came to the Mouth of the River Belon now Guadalete where he built a City of his own Name and is the same that is now Port St. Mary and besides a Temple between the two branches of Guadalquivir which was called Oraculum Mnesteum To conclude Strabo and Solinus affirm that Vlysses came into Spain and built the City of Lisbon from him in Latin called Vlysippo but others reject this Opinion in regard the ancient Name was Olysippo not Vlysippo and because there are no Grounds to believe that ever Vlysses was there About this time according to Justin Gargoris Reigned over the Curetes and resided in the Forest of the Tarresii where Ancients feigned the Titans waged War with the Gods This King stained all the Virtues with which he was endowed with the Cruelty he used towards his Grandson Abides This Child was Born of his Daughter out of Wedlock the Grand-Father to hide this shame caused him to be exposed to wild Beasts who forgetting their Fierceness Nursed him with their Milk Gargoris no way Mollified caused him to be laid in a Path where Cattle was to pass to be
the Province Betica or Andaluzia where they totally Subverted a Colony of the Phocencians the Name of it is not known but it was the first that raised the Commotions in that Province as also the first that suffered for them At Carthage upon the news of the Death of Hamilcar the City was divided betwixt the Edi and Barcini about Naming him a Successor but at last by the Interest of Hannibal Asdrubal was appointed for that Command in the Year of Rome 524. Asdrubal having settled the Affairs of Spain the Year following returned to Carthage hoping to get the whole Government of the Common-Wealth into his own hands but being disappointed was glad to reassume his Command in Spain He found the Province in Peace and therefore resolved to Build in the Province of the Contestani on the Sea-coast a City which was called New Carthage to distinguish it from that Founded by Hamilcar on the River Ebro This City has a good Harbour secured from all Winds by high Hills which encompass it round leaving only a narrow Channel to pass into it opposite to which is a small Island first called Herculea then by the Latins Scombraria of a certain sort of Fish whereof there is great plenty thereabouts formerly the City was inferiour to none for the strength of its Walls beauty of the Buildings Nobility and Riches of the Citizens at present it is reduc'd to a small Number of Inhabitants yet retains some Footsteps of its Grandeur and is called Carthagena The Romans understanding what was doing in Spain and being Jealous of the Carthaginians endeavour'd by means of the People of Marseilles to settle some Alliances in Spain It was no difficult Task for them to compass their Design all the People being Jealous of the Proceedings of the Carthaginians Ampurias was the first City that made a League with the Romans it is seated among the People then called Indegetes that Bordered on the Laletani on the one side and the Ceretani on the other and reached from the River then Sameroca now Sambucha to the Ryrenean Hills At the Instance of those of Ampurias Saguntum and Denia came into the League which gave occasion to the bloody War that soon after ensued between the Romans and Carthaginians Asdrubal was not ignorant of these Proceedings but he thought fit to wink at them till all things were ready for the War he designed in order to which tho' with much difficulty he obtain'd of the Senate to send Hannibal into Spain At his Arrival the Soldiers and his Friends received him with great Demonstrations of Joy and Asdrubal declared him his Lieutenant in the Year after the building of Rome 528. At this time came into Spain Embassadors from Rome who proposed That whereas the Romans and Carthaginians were Friends and Confederates and that there was of late Alliances between the said Romans and some of the People of Hispania Citerior therefore to prevent all Misunderstandings and that neither might incroach upon the Territories of the other the River Ebro should be the Bounds of the Carthaginian Province and that notwithstanding Saguntum was on the other side of that River they should not intrude upon their Liberties In fine that none should offer any wrong to the Friends and Allies of the other This Embassy was very ungrateful to the Carthaginians thinking it too great a Presumption in the Romans to give Laws to the Conquerors in their own Province However they thought fit to submit to the Necessity of Times till they were better provided to carry on a War and therefore agreed to all the Embassadors demanded and the more because they understood the Gauls had been Defeated by the Romans and 40000 of them Slain in the Battle besides 10000 taken The Embassadors being gone Asdrubal spent three Years in providing all Necessaries for the War he designed But Death put a stop to his Proceedings for he was Kill'd by a Slave in Revenge of the Death of his Master whose Name was Tagus a Noble Spaniard that had been slain by Asdrubal the second Year of the 139 Olympiad and 532. of the building of Rome So great was the satisfaction this Slave receiv'd in Killing of Asdrubal at the Altar as he was offering Sacrifice that tho' he was taken and put to exquisite Torments he never expressed the least sense of Pain but bore all with a chearful and smiling Countenance CHAP. III. The beginning progress and end of the Saguntine War with the utter Extirpation of that City ASdrubal being Slain as above the Government of Spain by the general Consent of the Soldiers and Approbation of the Senate and People was Conferred upon his Brother-in-law Hannibal He was then in the Prime of his Youth being 26 Years of Age of great Courage and Resolution endow'd with excellent Natural Parts but no less inclin'd to Vice of Body hardy as inur'd to Labour his Mind generous and more covetous of Honour than Ease his Boldness was extraordinary his Prudence and Secrecy nothing inferiour All these Virtues were darkned by his Treachery Cruelty and Irreligion yet was he Esteemed and generally Beloved by all Being possess'd of the Government and fearing lest Death should cut him off as had hap'ned to Asdrubal his only Study was how to carry on a War against the Romans It was requisite to find some Colour and Pretence and therefore he resolv'd first to break with Saguntum to revenge some Injuries done to his Allies Before he entred upon this great Undertaking he thought fit to Celebrate his Nuptials with Himilce a Native of Castulon then a Noble City where now stand the poor Cottages of Cazlona not far from the City Baeza where are still some footsteps of its Greatness This Lady was of the Race of Milico an ancient King of Spain and it was said that Cyrrheus the Phocensian from whom also she was Descended had Founded that City and given it the Name of his Mother Castulona Her Dower was very great and the Power of Hannibal hereby much increased because the People look'd upon him as their Country-man and Friend In his time also and by his order were discover'd several Mines of Gold and Silver which were call'd Hannibal's Wells We may guess at the Treasure these Mines yielded by one of them call'd Bebelus out of which it is Recorded there was Dayly taken 300 pound Weight of pure Silver Hannibal's first War was against the Carpetani that is the Kingdom of Toledo a Fierce and Warlike Nation and which in Number of Men exceeded any other in Spain Of these the Olcades where now Ocan̄a stands tho' Stephanus places them near the River Ebro were the first Subdu'd Then near unto Tagus was Fought a bloody Battle in which the Natives were Defeated At the same time there arose Differences among the People of Saguntum which serv'd to make way for their Enemy who let slip no Opportunity To quell these Tumults the wiser Sort had recourse to Rome whence at their
granted only that the Townsmen might depart with their wearing Apparel and build a Town where the Conqueror should appoint he return'd not despairing that such hard Terms would be admitted by the Besieged Alorcus a Spaniard that serv'd in Hannibal's Army taking Compassion of the Saguntines by whom he had before been well entertain'd got into the Town and taking aside some of the Principal Men began to advise them to make a Virtue of Necessity and accept of hard Terms rather than expose themselves to certain Destruction This Discourse of Alorcus was received with great Indignation of the Commonalty which gathered to hear what he had to offer and many of them bringing out their Gold Silver and other Riches into the Market-place set Fire to it and then cast their Wives Children and lastly themselves into the Flames At the same time a Tower which had long sustain'd Battering fell down and gave an open way for the Enemy to enter the City then all on fire kindled by the Citizens themselves whilst the Soldiers endeavour'd to Quench it Such is the chance of War that it Inverts the very Laws of Nature all the Inhabitants without any regard of Sex or Age were put to the Sword many of them to avoid Captivity ran upon their Enemies Weapons others setting fire to their Houses were burnt in them Few were taken and those the best part of the Soldiers Booty tho' some Plunder was sent to Carthage for the Townsmen could not burn all This siege lasted Eight Months and that most noble City was destroy'd in May and the 536th Year of Rome some say 534 but all agree it was when Publius Cornelius and Titus Sempronius were Consuls CHAP. IV. The beginning of the second Roman and Carthaginian War Hannibal Marches through France into Italy Some of his Actions there and of the Scipio 's in Spain THE news of the destruction of Saguntum and the Embassadors that had been sent to Hannibal and went from him to Carthage came to Rome at the same time to the unspeakable grief of the Senate and People Hereupon War was immediately declared against Carthage and all things with diligence provided for the carrying of it on Nevertheless Five Embassadors were sent to Carthage to know whether Saguntum had been destroyed by Authority of that Senate but receiving no satisfactory answer they passed over into Spain where they drew to their side the Bargusii a People in the utmost part of Spain near the Ceretani but were rejected by the Volciani and upbraided with their neglect of Saguntum These Volciani were doubtless near about that same part of the Country tho' some will have them to be about Villadolce not far from the Springs of the River Guerva which Town they say was formerly called Volce This answer being spread abroad all the other Cities thereabout dismiss'd them with the like scorn Thence they pass'd over into Gallia Narbonensis where in a great assembly they demanded of those People in the name of the Senate of Rome that they should not give Passage to Hannibal into Italy thro' their Country but were no better received here than they had been in Spain Thus without any success in their Negotiation they return'd by the way of Marseilles to Rome Hannibal was not idle but having dismiss'd his Soldiers with leave to return to their Houses provided they all met again the beginning of the Spring at Carthagena he himself went to Cadiz to offer his Vows to Hercules sending away his Wife and Son into Africk or to Castulon Next he gathered 13000 Spanish Foot called Cetrati of the Targets they us'd 1500 Horse and 800 Mallorquins whom he sent to Carthage and in return in the same Fleet came from thence 11000 Africans to which he joyned 800 Ligurians and gave them to his Brother Asdrubal for defence of Spain Besides he left him a sufficient Fleet to secure the Sovereignty of the Sea All the Hostages given by the Cities which were Sons of the Principal Men were left in the Castle of Saguntum under the care of a Noble Carthaginian called Bostar When all things were disposed according to his Mind he set forward with an Army composed of several Nations in which were 90000 Foot and 12000 Horse Polybius assigns a much less number Having pass'd the River Ebro he gained the good will of a Spaniard of the greatest note in those Parts called Andubal with him he left all the heavy Baggage of the Army that they might be the fitter for so long a March and Hanno was appointed with a good Body of Men to stay and secure that Country Being entred upon the Pyreneans 3000 of the Carpetani or Kingdom of Toledo deserted him which he not daring to Punish for fear of offending the others voluntarily dismissed 7000 more that seemed to go against their wills By this Policy the rest of the Soldiers were perswaded the first had been also freely dismiss'd and that they might all have leave to return home whensoever they pleased Thus he passed on through all France but what he did there and in Italy does not appertain to this History This same Year Spain was very plentiful of Corn and all Provisions but very sickly there was Plague Earthquakes Storms at Sea and Apparitions of Armies Fighting in the Sky certain Omens of the evils that followed this War Hannibal being Marched into Italy there overthrew the Romans in two Battles at Ticinus and at Trebia Mean while Gneius Scipio passed through France into Spain where at his first coming he subdu'd all that part of the Province that lies upon the Sea from the Lacetani and Cape Creus to the River Ebro those People easily submitting by reason of the ill will they bore the Carthaginians The Roman Fleet Winter'd near Tarragona I suppose in the Port of Salu which Rufus Festus calls Solorius four Miles West of that City Scipio still advancing met Hanno whom as was said Hannibal had left to govern the Province Both sides being eager to Fight they came to a Battle near a Town then called Cysso supposed to be now Sisso or Salde the Victory fell to the Romans who slew 6000 of their Enemies took 2000 Prisoners and among them Hanno and Anubal who as was said had taken part with the Carthaginians but so wounded that in a few days he Dyed Asdrubal who was Marching to joyn Hanno hearing of this defeat turned off short towards the Sea where he slew many of the Roman Seamen by surprize and then with the same Celerity for fear of meeting the Roman Army that was in pursuit of him repassed the River Ebro and Marched his Army consisting of 8000 Foot and 1000 Horse into Places of safety From Ampurdan whither he was gone after the Flight of the Carthaginians Scipio was forced to return back upon the Ilergetes or People about Lerida for that after his departure they were revolted to the Carthaginians Being come among them he pardon'd all
except the Town of Athanagia which he fin'd and obliged to increase the number of their Hostages Thence he mov'd towards the Accitani inhabiting near the River Ebro who still continued firm to the Carthaginians Others say they were the Ausetani where now Vique and Girona stand Certain it is that having besig'd Acete the Capital of that Country the Lacetani where now Jaca stands coming by Night to the relief of the besieged and hoping to get into the Town they fell into an Ambush that was laid for them where 12000 were slain and the rest put to flight The besieged being destitute of all hopes especially for that Amusitus their chief stole away to Asdrubal after they had held out thirty days surrendred The Town was fined 20 Talents of Silver and then the Romans took up their Winter quarters at Tarragona sending the Spaniards that serv'd under them to their own homes Great Prodigies are said to have been now seen in the Skyes in Italy Africk and Spain for which reason extraordinary Sacrifices were used to appease the wrath of Heaven Especially at Carthage they returned to the old Custom of the Phenicians of offering the Sons of the Principal Men among which it is reported the Senate appointed Aspar the Son of Hannibal should die But this sounds more like an invention of our Historians than a true Relation Winter being pass'd Hannibal after recruiting his Army in the Country about Genoa March'd over the Appennine with better success than he had done before Yet in his passage over the Lakes made by the swelling of the River Arnus he lost one of his Eyes through the excessive cold and Moistness Besides many Men and Beasts dy'd and almost all his Elephants Notwithstanding all these difficulties he advanc'd and near the Lake Thrasimenus which is in Tuscany near the City Perousa of which now it takes name defeated the Consul Flaminius killing 5000 of his Men and this done never ceased spoiling and ravaging all the Country about till a stop was put to him by the Dictator Q. Fabius Maximus In Spain Asdrubal sent Himilco with a good Fleet to scour the Coast and at the same time March'd forward himself with an Army of 20000 Men. Scipio being in no Condition to oppose both these Powers at once resolv'd to preserve the Sovereignty of the Sea and fitting out 30 Ships at Tarragona surprized the Carthaginian Fleet which lay at the Mouth of the River Ebro took 25 Sail in the Face of their Commander the rest were either sunk or stranded most of the Men being ashore as little thinking of any such accident To make this success the Compleater they took 14 great Ships at Sea entred and plundered the City Honosca Pillaged the Country about Carthagena and burnt the Suburbs Asdrubal followed the track of the Romans as far as Cadiz rather as a witness than revenger of the harm they did After these fortunate Atchievements the Romans attempted the Island Iviça and above 120 Towns in Spain submitted to them among which were the Celtiberi a Powerful and great People in whose Territories were the Towns now called Segorve Calatayud and Medina Celi as also Veles Cuenca Huete Agreda and the Ancient Numantia as far as the tops of the Mountain Moncayo This addition of strength rendered the Roman General much more formidable who gathering a great Army Marched as far as the Woods of Castulon but was forced to return and repass the River Ebro without having perform'd any Memorable Action being inform'd that Mandonius a great Man rais'd Commotions among the Ilergetes which occasioned a lasting War Asdrubal was sent for by the Mutiniers to oppose a body of the Romans that coming to appease had put many of them to the Sword At the same time the Celtiberi mov'd thereto by Scipio took three Cities belonging to the Carthaginians which oblig'd Asdrubal to leave the Ilergetes to be able to stop that growing evil The Armies met and the Celtiberi in two Battles slew 15000 of the Carthaginians towards the end of Autumn This same Year was very remarkable in Spain for the great abundance of Corn and all sorts of Provisions The Affairs of Spain being in this posture Gneius Scipio writ to the Senate for Recruits of Men and supplies of Provision and other Necessaries P. Cornelius Scipio was sent by the Senate to the Assistance of his Brother He landed near Tarragona the beginning of the Year following which was 538. from the building of Rome His Fleet consisted of 30 Galleys his Army 8000 Men with great store of Provision and Power equal with his Brother The Brothers being joyn'd at the request of the Saguntines that were dispersed and banish'd and desir'd to return to their Country and revenge the injuries done them they sate down with their Armies before Saguntum Bostar the Governour kept in this City the Spanish Hostages with but a small Garrison and this hindred many Cities from joining with the Romans least their revolt should cost them their Lives Acedux a Noble Man among the Saguntines and a Friend to the Romans desir'd to gain their good will by some signal Service to this effect he spoke in private to Bostar and perswaded him it would oblige the Spaniards if he restor'd their Hostages and rely'd on their Fidelity to him Bostar suspecting no fraud was easily perswaded and Acedux undertook to conduct and deliver the Hostages He gave an Account of his design to the Romans and setting out at Mid-night carry'd them to their Camp Thus the Romans restoring the Hostages gain'd the affections of all the Natives The joy of all these Prosperities was much abated by the News of the Fatal Battle at Canna in which were slain 42000 Foot and 3000 Horse as also the Consul Aemilius and 12000 taken Prisoners This loss was so great that had Hannibal pursu'd his Victory the Roman Empire had then been Extirpated the principal Romans being about to fly out of Italy all the Cities thereabout submitting to the Victor and many in Spain that were well inclin'd deferred declaring themselves However through the care and vigilance of the Scipio's no disturbance ensu'd but on the contrary at the same time they beautify'd the City Tarragona rebuilt and enlarg'd its Walls and made it a Roman Colony At Carthage notwithstanding the instances of Hanno who advis'd to make Peace with the Romans now they had a good Opportunity least their joy should be turned into sorrow the Senate resolv'd to send Succours to Hannibal and Asdrubal of Men Money and Ships 40000 Africans and Arabs were rais'd of these 5000 Foot and 1000 Horse were first sent to Asdrubal where the danger was most pressing Mago who Commanded these Succours had orders to raise both Horse and Foot in Spain to maintain and enlarge that Province CHAP. V. Asdrubal designing to March through France into Italy is defeated by the two Scipio 's who after that overthrow Mago and rout the Carthaginians a third time
Town called Castrum Altum a place Ominous to the Carthaginians for that Hamilcar the Father of Hannibal was there slain 2000 Roman Soldiers were here killed about the Country which caused them to remove into another Part that was at Peace with them Scipio Fortified his Camp on the Mount Victoria supposed to be Moncia near the Sea some few Miles beyond Ebro thither resorted Gneius Scipio to strengthen his Brother and Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo to attack him This General was newly come over out of Africk with a Recruit of 5000 Men. Both Camps lying very near Publius Scipio went out to take a View of the Enemy and was beset by such a number of them that he had certainly been lost but that his Brother came in and rescued him Nothing else of note was done here but both Armies marched into Hispania Vlterior and into Andaluzia where the City Castulon was revolted from the Carthaginians and had forced out their Garrison The Carthaginians upon the first advice hereof marched to suppress this Commotion in the beginning and by the way laid Siege to Illiturgum designing to chastize that City first as the cause of the revolt of the other Gneius Scipio also advanced to succour the Besieged and with only one Legion broke thro' the Enemies who were divided in two parts and making a great Slaughter got safe into the Place Next two following days he made such vigorous Sallies that 2000 of the Enemy were slain and 3000 taken with 13 Colours Thus the Carthaginians were obliged to raise the Siege but sate down again before Bigerra a City of the Bastetani whither being pursued they retired to Aurigis supposed to be Jaen or Arjona the Romans still pursuing at their Heels Here again they came to a Battle and the Carthaginians were again put to the Rout 5000 of them killed and 3000 taken besides 50 Colours and 30 Elephants that were cut in pieces Gneius tho' he had sustained some loss and was himself run thro' the Thigh with a Spear yet he pursued the Enemy in a Litter as far as Monda where the Fight was renewed with the same Success as before tho' not above half the slaughter the Woods and Mountains affording shelter to those that fled The Affairs of the Carthaginians in Spain being brought to the worst condition they had ever been in Mago was sent into Gallia to induce Menicatus and Civismatus two great Men with whom Hannibal had settled an Alliance to pass into Spain to their Assistance They consented without any difficulty and 9000 of those People came by Sea to Carthagend where Asdrubal was providing to renew the War Gneius tho' joyful with his Victories Wintered in Betica or Andaluzia with great caution and vigilance At the very beginning of the Year of Rome 541. both Armies took the Field and came to a Battle in Andaluzia with the same Courage and Resolution as before The Success was still the same the Execution greater for of the Carthaginians 8000 of the Gauls almost the whole Number with their Commanders Civismarus and Menicatus perished After this Fight the Romans brought their Army before Saguntum and at length took it by force the sixth Year since it was taken and destroyed by the Carthaginians Some of those that had been banished and fled from thence being still alive they were restored to their Country the City Turdetum which had caused all that mischief was demolished and laid level with the Ground their Lands were given to the Saguntines and their People were sold in open Market which was some Comfort and Revenge to the Saguntines for the Losses they had sustained Now also came News into Spain that the City Arpos in Apulia that had revolted to Hannibal was taken by the Consul Quintus Fabius and 1000 Spaniards had deserted to the Romans which gave them no small hopes of greater Advantages and therefore the Senate ordered the two Scipio's to send some Spaniards of Note to Rome who might induce their Country-men to forsake the Service of the Carthaginians Winter drawing on the Carthaginians resolved against the next Year to draw over to their Party the Celtiberi a fierce and warlike People by offering them great Pay but the two Scipio's understanding their design prevented them by bidding more and by way of Honour permitting them to serve under the Roman Standards not in distinct Bodies as was used before Moreover to oblige all the Spaniards to forsake Hannibal they sent 300 of them to Rome who arriv'd there the beginning of the Year of Rome 542. Four Ships sent from Rome with Provisions and Money relieved their Army that began to suffer want but their Joy was much greater when they understood that Hanno sent to the Relief of Hannibal with great Forces from Carthage and others raised in Gaul and Liguria was Defeated before he could joyn him At the same time the City of Syracusa in Sicily which after the Death of Hierom and his Grandson Hierome had sided with the Carthaginians after a Siege which lasted three Years was taken by Marcus Marcellus In Africk Syphax King of the Numidians and Confederate with the Romans had been twice Routed by Massinissa whose Kingdom lay between that of Syphax and Carthage and who had entred into the Confederacy with Carthage Massinissa having no Enemy left to oppose him in Africk this same Summer landed at Carthagena with 7000 African Foot and 700 Numidian Horse Indibilis also the Brother of Mandonius had raised 5000 Men among the Suessetani and was in a readiness to March and Joyn them upon the first Advice Some are of Opinion these Suessetani were People of that part of Navarre where now Synguessa stands on the Banks of the River Aragon a Town as appears by Charters of Kings once called Suessa as is believed from the Latin word Sues because the Country thereabouts has always abounded in excellent Swine With these great Supplies the Carthaginians being put in heart were the first that took the Field and marched into the Country in two Bodies one was Commanded by Asdrubal Barchinus the other by Mago Massinissa and the other Asdrubal The two Scipio's having likewise received Supplies from Italy and being increased by the Addition of 30000 Celtiberi mov'd forward to fight that Enemy they had so often Defeated Gneius with the Celteberi and the third part of the Roman Soldiers undertook Asdrubal and to this purpose Encamp'd near the Enemy and not far from the City Anatorgis a River running betwixt the two Armies Publius moved towards the other Carthaginian Generals to the intent that Asdrubal being Defeated which he questioned not the others might not save themselves in the Neighbouring Woods and Forest but be hemmed in on all sides and all destroy'd All this Design was disappointed for Asdrubal being well acquainted with those People easily prevail'd with the Celtiberi to forsake the Romans and return home The better to colour this Treachery a Report was industriously
receiv'd into Grace Asdrubal Barchinus was quarter'd about Betulon a City supposed to be in Andaluzia where now are Vbeda and Baeça As soon as the season of the Year which was of Rome 545. would permit Scipio advanced from Tarragona towards him but he having notice of it and suspecting the Courage of his Men as well as the fidelity of the Spaniards that were with him by Night mov'd his Camp to an Eminence the greatest part of the foot whereof was encompass'd by a River supposed to be Guadalquivir Upon this Hill were two Plains on the lower Asdrubal planted the Numidians Africans and Mallorquins on the upper he encamped with the gross of the Army Neither the roughness of the way nor the steepness of the ascent deterred Scipio from attacking the Enemy who had more confidence in the strength of the place than in the courage of his Men. All the difficulty was in mounting and nothing that the Enemy cast down fell in vain but as soon as they reached the first Plain and came to their Swords the Defendants fled to the upper The ascent thither was more craggy than the other and therefore they were obliged to go about and divide the Army into two parts Scipio marched towards the left and Lelius towards the right no sooner had they mounted and fallen on on both sides but the Enemy fled for they had neither room to draw out nor time to place their Elephants in the Front 8000 were slain 10000 Foot and 2000 Horse taken and among them Massiva a Youth Nephew to Massinissa lately come over from Africk Scipio gave him a Horse clad him richly and sent him away without Ransom to his Uncle Asdrubal having sent the Money and Elephants before made no stay till he came near to the Alps where Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo and Mago joyn'd him Having held a Consultation it was resolv'd that Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo should go into Lusitania and Massinissa with 3000 Horseshould infest the Province of HispaniaCiterior but that both of them should by all means avoid coming to a Battle Mago was sent to Majorca to raise sling Men in those Islands Lastly It was thought expedient that Asdrubal Barchinus should march into Italy as well in obedience to the Commands of the Senate as to secure the Spanish Soldiers that began to be inclinable to the Romans by removing them so far from home Thus the Cartbaginians on the other side Scipio because the Summer was almost spent returned to Tarragona thro' the Woods of Castulon and part of Sierra Morena where he spent all the next Year which was 546. without doing any thing remarkable the Forces of the Carthaginians being much broken From Carthage instead of Asdrubal Barchinus came Hanno to Govern Spain by the way he took up Mago in the Island of Majorca and landed in Spain in the Year of Rome 547. and immediately went to raise Men among the Celtiberi Scipio sent Syllanus against him who coming to a Battle first Routed Mago and then took Hanno who was marching to relieve him Next Scipio resolved to move towards Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo who was encamp'd near Cadiz but he having notice of it divided his Forces among the Garrisons despairing of being able to keep the Field This news coming to Scipio he turned back only sent his Brother Lucius to take Oringe a City of the Milessi Pliny places Oringe in the Province of Betica near where Jaen now stands This Enterprize was succesful for the Town was entred by Storm all the Carthaginians and 300 of the Townsmen that shut the Gates against the Romans were made Slaves the rest were set free and their Goods restored to them Winter drawing on the Army was sent into Quarters and Lucius to Rome with Hanno and other Prisoners where he gave an account of what had been done in Spain The Year following which was the 548 of Rome Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo gathered a mighty Army which with the Auxiliary Spaniards amounted to 50000 Foot and 4500 Horse and incamp'd in the Province Betica or Andaluzia near the City of Silia Scipio having intelligence hereof took only 3000 Spanish Foot and 500 Horse being warned by the fate of Father and Unkle not to place much Confidence in them With these Auxiliaries and the Romans Legions he marched towards Asdrubal Some day swere spent in Skirmishes and then both Armies drew out in order of Battle but neither car'd to give the first stroke Between the two Armies was a Valley and each expected the other should pass it first to keep the advantage of ground on which they stood at length Scipio adventured early one Morning to attack the Enemy in their Camp Asdrubal surpriz'd at this unexpected boldness plac'd his Horse in Front to check the adverse Cavalry that gave the first charge whilst he drew the rest of the Army into the field The Horse stood to it so Couragiously that the Fight a for long time was doubtful Scipio withdrew back his Cavalry into the center of his Battle and stretched out and advanced the Wings in which the Roman Legions fought Thus before the main Bodies joyn'd he made the Enemies Wings give way as being compos'd of Mallorquins and Spaniards both raw and unexperienced Soldiers and that came out fasting whereas the Romans were better provided tho' the Enemy at first retired in order and after fled outright yet the Romans could not enter their Camp by reason of some Rain that fell Asdrubal terrify'd with this misfortune and fearing least all his Allies should desert him as some had already done the following night quitted his Camp designing to get away by long Marches But in the Morning Scipio perceiving he was gone sent the Horse to fall upon his rear and keep them in play till the Legions coming up put them all to the rout great was the slaughter this day for of all that vast Army scarce 7000 escaped with their General who climbed a very craggy Mountain a place naturally strong Hence Asdrubal stole away privately to Cadiz and Scipio with part of his Army return'd to Tarragona leaving Syllanus with the rest to besiege them on the hill Among the Carthaginians was Massinissa who perceiving the Affairs of Carthage totally declin'd resolv'd to side with Fortune and accordingly had a private interview with Syllanus in order to come over to the Romans which is all that was remarkable in that Siege this happen'd in the beginning of Summer and so ended the power of the Carthaginians in Spain which then fell into the hands of the Romans in the 14th Year after Hannibal destroy'd Saguntum and the 5th after Scipio took upon him the Government of Spain This tedious and dangerous War in Spain being in a manner brought to a conclusion Scipio bent his designs against Africk and Carthage and in order to them Treated with Massinissa and sent him over into Africk to dispose his People to leave the Friendship
Walls They likewise mention Metropolitans before called Bishops of the first Chair To return to Constantine he Rebuilt the City Bizantium destroyed by the Emperor Severus and removed the Imperial Court thither calling it of his own Name Constantinople He instituted four Praefecti Pretorii two to command in the East and two in the West one of these over Italy the other over France and Spain the Residence of the latter was in France and under him a Vicar Governed Spain Constantine having settled all things to his mind dy'd in the Year of our Lord 337. having Reigned 30 Years 9 Months and 27 Day His putting to Death his Son Crispus and Wife Fausta gave occasion to some to slander this great Monarch and many other Calumnies have been raised to deface the memory of his glorious Actions But many Learned Pens have writ of him in particular and it belongs not to us to enlarge upon this Subject CHAP. VII The Reigns of the Emperors Constantine Constantius and Constans Julian the Apostate Jovianus Valentinian and Valens COnstantine left three Sons by his second Wife to wit Constantine Constantius and Constans all three at several times during his Life named Caesars and at his Death he divided the Empire among them in this manner To Constantine the eldest he assigned the West beyond the Aples to Constantius the second Son the East and to Constans the youngest Italy Africk and Sclavonia The same he confirmed by his last Will and Testament and ordered moreover that Dalmatius Cousin-germain to the Emperors should have the Title of Caesar in the East Him Constantius caused tobe killed in a Mutiny of the Soldiers in the first year of his Reign Constantine the Eldest of the three Brothers the third year after the Death of his Father was Treacherously slain near Aquileia having marched so far in order to deprive his Brother Constans of the Empire upon pretence it all belonged to him and that he had been wronged in the distribution of the Provinces Some have writ that Constantine was an Arian but the contrary appears in that through his means his Brother Constantius recalled St. Athanasius from banishment The Emperor Constans was a great support to the Catholicks and they soon found a great miss of him for he ended his days on the way to Spain at the City Erna in the county of Roussillon He was killed by Magnentius who was in Rebellion and possessed of France and Spain Constantius resolving to revenge the Death of his Brother before he set out named Gallus his Cousin Caesar Both Armies met near the City Murcia in Sclavonia where they came to a battle which proved very bloody for of the usurpers side 24000 Men were killed and 30000 of Constantius yet he got the day but the forces of the Empire where much weakned by so great a slaughter The Tyrant after the Fight fled to Lions in France there he and his Brother Decentius by him appointed Caesar despairing of making head again killed themselves By this Victory all the Provinces of the Empire were again brought under one Monarch Nevertheless the Germans broke into France doing great harm there The Emperor besides his other faults was jealous of all Men and gave ear to Court-Whisperers the Plague of all Courts whereby he had been prevailed upon some time before in the East to kill his Cousin Gallus Notwithstanding that he might at once oppose the Persians and quiet France he took Gallus his own Brother Julian out of a Monastery and declared him Caesar and to bind him the faster to his interest marryed him to his Sister Helen Julian was sent into France whilst the Emperor prepared for the War against the Persians At this time St. Athanasius for fear of being kill'd absented himself again and lay hid till the death of Constantius which hap'ned in this manner The event of the Persian War was unfortunate and met with several disasters at which the Emperor was highly concerned At the same time the Soldiers in France pleased with the conduct of Julian saluted him Emperor at Paris This was a fresh cause of grief to Constantius who resolved to march against him but was prevented by death which overtook him at Antioch There he was baptized after the manner of the Arians either that he had deferred it till then or that he was rebaptiz'd at they also used His death hap'ned on the 3d of November 361. In Spain about the same time certain Pages bringing Lights at night came in saying Let us Conquer Let us Conquer whence it may be supposed the Custom of saluting one another when lights are brought in had its Original among us A certain Roman that was present imagining this word had carryed some farther meaning drew his Sword and kill'd the Master of the House with all his Family This Ammianus Marcellinus relates without any other Circumstance About this time also Flourished Clemens Prudentius a Soldier and Lawyer in his Youth in his riper years a Poet famous for the verses he writ in praise of the Holy Martyrs Also Juvencus a Spanish Priest writ the like of Christ in Heroick verse and Pacianus Bishop of Barcelona employed his Talent in writning against the Novatians The Emperor Constantius left never a Son and therefore appointed him he would have Persecuted whilst living his Successor at his death that is his Cousin Julian a Man of Learning and good natural endowments that might have been compared to the best of Emperors had he still adhered to the true Religion and not suffered himself to be perverted by his Master Libahus so as to forsake Christianity by which he got the name of Apostate As soon as possest of the Empire to gain the good will of all Men he gave full Liberty to every one to follow the Religion they pleased He revoked the Sentence of banishment that had passed against Catholicks excepting Athanasius whom because after the death of Constantius he returned to his Church he ordered to be apprehended and so forced him again to abscond To the Jews he gave Liberty to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem but such Flames issued out of the foundations they were oblig'd to desist The Gentiles were permitted to open their Temples shut up since the time of Constantine His hatred to the Christians was great yet he thought better to weaken them by Policy than open force and therefore forbid their being admitted to any places of honour or trust or their Childrens to be taught in the Greek Schools which stirred up many Christians to write Learnedly in Verse and Prose particularly the two Apollinarii Father and Son Persons of great Learning This Emperors end was suitable to his beginning He undertook the War against the Persians was at first successful but thereupon advanced so far that all his Army was in danger of perishing and he himself slain with a Dart as some say accidentally thrown by his own Men or
the Enemies others say he was struck by the Martyr St. Mercurius with a Spear which was then found bloody upon his Tomb. He lived 32 Years and Reign'd one year 7 months and 27 days The whole Army upon his death offered the Empire to Flavius Jovianus a Person of very Excellent parts who refused it saying He was a Christian and would not govern those wh owere not such but they all declaring themselves to be Christians he condescended to their request Being invested in the Imperial dignity he made peace with the Persians tho' not advantageous yet such as was requisite to deliver himself and Army from the danger into which the rashness of Julian had run them Catholicks were restored to their honours and dignities the revenues to Churches St. Athanasius and others recalled from banishment and all things seemed to be again in a flourishing Condition but this happiness was not to be lasting for the Emperor in his way to Rome betwixt Galatia and Bithynia was stifled to death by a pan of Coals that was left in the Room where he lay which was newly whitened He dyed at the Age of 40 Years and Reigned only 7 months and 22 days By him it was made death to offer wrong to any Virgin consecrated to God tho' upon pretence of Matrimony Flavius Valentinianus an Hungarian succeeded Jovianus His first education had been mean but being Wise and Valiant he ran through all Commands in the Army at length attained to be prefect of the Pretorian Bands was by the Army chosen Emperor and proved always a zealous Christian as appeared in the time of the Emperor Julian when for refusing to deny his Religion and giving a Box on the Ear to a Pagan Sexton that sprinkled him with their Lustral or cleansing Water he quitted the â—ngulum which was laying down his Commission As soon as elected he appointed his Brother Valens his Companion in the Empire to govern the East and went away himself to Italy where with much zeal he quieted the City or Rome than in an uproar about choosing a Pope For the Electors being divided upon the Death of Liberius one party had named Vrsinus but the more Numerous and better made Chose of Damasus a Spaniard some will have him born at Egita now Guimaraens in Portugal betŵixt the Rivers Duero and MinÌ„o others at Tarragona and others at Madrid Certain it is he was a Spaniard and a Person excellently qualifyed Upon this occasion there hap'ned so great a Mutiny that as Ammianus Marcellinus a Heathen Author who lived at that time relates it 137 Men were killed one day in the Church of Sicininum and the same Author blames the Popes for going in Coaches and making more than Kingly Banquets The Emperor quieted this Tumult sending Vrsinus to be Bishop of Naples Yet the contrary party desisted not but accused Damasus of Adultery and obliged him to call a Council of Bishops to clear himself He declared the Council of Ariminum to be void and of no force as gathered without the consent of the Pope deposed Auxentius Bishop of Milan as being an Arrian ordered the Psalms of David should be Song in Churches with the verse Gloria patri c. at the end instituted saying the Confiteor at the beginning of Mass built two Churches at Rome the one in honour of St. Laurence the other of St. Peter and Paul ad Catacumbas in the Via Ardeatina where he buryed his Mother and Sister and was a great Friend to St. Hierom whom he much resembled in his Life and Learning The Empire was not altogether in a peaceable Condition for in the East one Procopius a Kinsman of Julian called himself Emperor and raised new troubles Valens presently moved towards and overcame him in Phrygia where he was deliver'd up to him by his own Men. At the same time Valentinian was succeessful in the War against the Germans and Saxons which is the first time any mention is made of the latter in the Roman History Besides he drove the Goths out of Thracia and Persians out of Siria checked the Scots who made iucursions into England And the Sarmatians who infested Pannonia He was an excellent Emperor had he not sullied his fame by marrying Justina a Lady belonging to his Wife Severa she being still alive and what is worse made a Law by which all Men were permitted to have two Wives Marcellinus says he gave Liberty of Conscience to all Men to live in what Religigion the pleased He dyed at Brigecium a Town in Germany where he was busy making War upon the Quadi having Reigned 11 Years 8 Months and 22 days his Death was on the 17th of November 375. By his Wife Severa he left Gratianus and Valentinian by Justina Valens in the East persecuted the Catholicks his Wife Dominica and Eudoxus Bishop of Constantinople by whom he was baptized after the manner of the Arrians distracted him to such a degree that he had resolved at the City Edessa to enter the Church with Armed Men to disturb the People that were there Celebrating the Divine Service But Modestus Governour of the City diverted him from putting it in Execution for he told him that upon the rumouring of this his intention more People than ordinary were gathered in the Church with such a resolution to suffer death for their Religion that a Woman half undrest for hast led a child she had thither least either herself or he might miss the Opportunity of sheding their blood for the Faith Hereupon Valens gave over that design but banished many Priests among others Eusebius Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia as famous for his resolution and constancy as the other of Caesarea in Palestine for his Learning and Writings The great St. Basil succeeded him of Cappadocia in the Bishoprick and had enough to do with the Emperor Jamblichus the Master of Proclus had great influence over Valens he taught him the way to find out the name of him that was to succced in the Empire which the Emperor much desired The manner was thus they writ all the Letters of the Alphabet upon the ground and placed on every one a grain of Corn then turning loose a Cock whilst the diviner muttered some words they observed which Letters the Cock eat the corn off first and those they supposed to express the name sought for Another way was to blind a Man and observe the Letters he pointed to Foolish and vain inventions However by those means they found out the name Theodosius whence the Emperor Valens took occasion to Persecute and kill all those whose names began with the same Letters as Theodotus Theodorus and Theodulus Among the rest was slain Honorius Theodosius a Spaniard born at Italica of the Family of the Emperor Trajan This Gentleman had appeased certain tumults in Africk and was therefore raised to be General of Horse and received Baptism before death No human Policy is of force against
Head at a Horses tail without any Compassion shown by the People in regard they said ten Kings and a vast number of Men had dy'd by her wicked Machinations I 'm apt to believe this is all a mistake in those Authors who have attributed the Crimes of Fredegunda to Brunechilda for St. Gregory writ a Letter to her full of her Praises besides there are many Churches in France built by her and many Captives were redeemed Much more might be said both for and against her but it is not our business to reconcile the different Opinions of Historians in a matter of so small moment to the History in hand After the Death of Athanagildus who deceased at Toledo as was said before Liuva so his Name is writ upon ancient Coins a powerful Man who till then had been Viceroy of Gallia Gothica was Proclaimed King of Narbonne This was in the second Year of the Emperor Justin the Younger who was the first that sent Longinus with the Title of Exarchus to Govern Italy Liuva began his Reign in the Year 567. Nothing of Note is found in History of this King save that in the second Year of his Reign he declared Leuvigildus his Brother his Companion in the Kingdom with equal Power to himself He continued in Gallia Gothica as being the place he had most been used to and D. Lucas de Tuy says he Reigned in France 7 Years before he was King of Spain All the other Provinces that were under the Dominion of the Goths he left to his Brother's charge hoping by his care they would be restored to their former Grandeur For at that time they were at War with the Romans who possess'd a great part of Spain and maintained it not only with their own Power but the Assistance of many Goths who put themselves under their Protection Leuvigildus had two Sons by his Wife Theodosia the Daughter of Severianus Duke and Governour of the Province of Carthagena their Names were Ermenegildus and Recaredus After the Death of Theodosia Leuvigildus Marry'd Gosuinda the Widow of Athanagildus at the same time that he was called by his Brother to be his Associate in the Kingdom As soon as he came to the Crown being a Man of great Courage he made War upon the Romans They came to a Battle among the Bastetani where now stands the City Baça the Romans were Defeated and by that means expelled the whole Province The Country about Malaga was laid waste with Fire and Sword Medina Sidonia near the Streights Mouth was taken by Night being betrayed by Framidancus Cordova was in Rebellion and would own no Superior since the Defeat of King Agila Thither Leuvigildus marched and brought it under with many other Places in the Neighbourhood and great destruction of People and the Country The Neighbourhood of Sabaria not knowing in what part of Spain it lay was also Ravaged and spoiled Whilst Leuvigildus was thus employed his Brother Liuva dy'd in France in the Year 572. Having Reign'd but 5 Years some say only 3. All the Province of Andaluzia being brought under and the Romans totally expelled Leuvigildus returned towards Biscay where he took Amaya by Assault others call it Aregia and others Varegia a City as is supposed betwixt Burgos and Leon. All the rest of that Country was pillaged and spoiled and many that were in Arms killed Hence he passed over into Aquitain where he took Aspidius who was Revolted in the City Agen with his Wife Children and Riches The same Year that Liuva dy'd Myrus or as others call him Ariamirus was King of the Suevians by Succession his Father dying two Years before At the same time was held the second Council of Braga by which the Suevians were confirmed in the Catholick Religion Leuvigildus having quieted the Affairs of Aquitain returned into Spain with a resolution to destroy the Kingdom of the Suevians which had lasted so many Years Mirus fearing the Power of the Goths who began to break into Galicia sent Embassadors to sue for Peace but could only obtain a Cessation of Arms for some time The Goth was the more willing to condescend because he had no just Cause to make War upon the Suevians unless their change of Religion for the better as also for that he was to oppose a Roman Army sent by Justin the Emperor upon the Frontiers of Spain At first Leuvigildus marching thro' the Mountains of Orospeda which rise at the foot of Moncayo and passing by Molina Cuenca and Segura end near Cadiz subdued certain Mountain People who confiding in the strength of the Country refused to obey him Thus the Power of the Goths was increased and that of the Romans diminished for they had left them only a small Tract of Land near the Sea as I suppose the Mediterranean Before Leuvigildus undertook this War to take away the Custom the great ones had instituted of chusing their Kings and to secure the Succession in his own Family he declared his two Sons Ermenegildus and Recaredus his Companions in the Royal Authority and to this purpose divided the Kingdom into three parts To Ermenegildus he assigned Sevil tho Gregory of Tours says It was Merida To the City Reccopolis he gave that Name being the first Founder in honour of his Son Recaredus this was in that place where the River Guadiela falls into Tagus not far from Pastrana as the Moor Rasis testifies This City was Founded in the Year 577. Others will have it that Reccopolis was in Celtiberia and is the same with Almonacir commonly called Zorita Leuvigildus chose the City Toledo for to keep his own Court in and so did the Kings of the Goths his Successors whereas till then it had been kept at Sevil. From this beginning that City by degrees came to be the Metropolitan See of all Spain as shall appear in its place Pope Benedict Successor of John III. now Governed the Church and Tiberius II. the Roman Empire About this same time Mirus King of the Suevians made War upon the People of Rioja upon what occasion is not known but it appears that he overcame and subdued them These People were formerly called Ruccones at least the Archbishop D. Rodrigo calls them so The Country is fruitful and pleasant so proper to bear Corn it often yields twenty for one CHAP. VIII Ermenegildus Son to Leuvigildus Marries the Lady Ingundis is Converted to the Catholick Faith is Besieg'd by his Father in Sevil taken Prisoner and put to Death by him INgundis Daughter to Sigibert King of Lorrain and Brunechilda his Queen was Married to Ermenegildus in the Year 579. She was Grandchild to Athanagildus and Gosuinda by these means those two Royal Families were United and Levuigildus thought thereby to secure the Kingdom to his Posterity Ingundis came out of France with a great Retinue Her Grandmother Gosuinda for some time used her with all possible kindness in hopes to prevail with her to forsake
did not only fix himself in his new Kingdom of Asturias but descended into the plain wasting all that belonged to the Moors His Forces dayly increased with the Fame of his Actions so that he took the City Leon at the Foot of the Mountains that part Galicia and Asturias in the Year of our Lord 722. Some will have it that from this time Pelayus stiled himself King of Leon but it appears none of his Successors called themselves by any other Title than Kings of Oviedo till the time of Ordonius the second who first called himself King of Leon yet it is to be believed that upon the taking of that City the Ancient Arms of the Gothish Kings were changed into Argent a Lion Rampant Gules which continues to this day And the reason of it doubtless was because the word Leon in Spanish is the name of that City and signifies a Lion The Valour of D. Alonso he who when King was called the Catholick contributed much towards advancing the Affairs of the Christians He was Son to Peter Duke of Biscay descended of the Royal Family of King Recaredus In his Youth he bore great Commands under the Kings Egica and Witiza and now desiring to promote the Common good left his Country and Parents A good number of Biscainers followed him which much encouraged the Asturians and was a great addition to their strength To bind him the faster he was Marryed to Ormisinda the Daughter of Pelayus From these Princes the succeeding Kings of Spain are descended With the Assistance of D. Alonso Gijon Astorga Mansilla Tineo and other Towns in Galicia and Asturias were taken from the Moors It was easie to expel the Moors out of these Towns by reason the Inhabitants being Christians killed their Garrisons and submitted themselves to Pelayus Besides that the Infidels were diverted by Wars that broke out one upon the Neck of another in several parts of Spain Zuleyman the Miramamolin dying left his two Nephews Homar and Izit the Sons of Vlit his Successors in that Empire Homar dy'd in the first Year of his Reign and thus Izit remained sole Lord of all He gave the Government of Spain to Zama a Wise Man and a good Soldier but no less covetous than the others for he imposed new Taxes upon all that were under his Command He put a Garrison into Narbonne and laid Siege to Toulouse Eudo Duke of Aquitain coming to the relief of the besieged overthrew and slew the Barbarian with most of his Army Those who escaped the Slaughter made choice of Abderhaman to Govern till another were sent out of Africk The news of this defeat being carryed into Africk Izit sent Aza whom some call Adham to the Government of Spain This Man reduced the Province already wasted with so many Calamities into a worse Condition imposing new Taxes obliging the Towns that had been taken by Force to pay the 5th part of their income and those that had surrendred the Tenth On these Terms the Christians enjoy'd their Lands rather as Farmers than Proprietors The Moor Rasis says he obliged the Moors to pay the 5th part of what they were worth on pretence of relieving the Poor but indeed to keep them under that they might not have Courage to mutiny He caused the Bridge of Cordova over Guadalquivir to be Built and took some Cities that held out at the Foot of the Mountain Moncayo and among them Taraçona which was laid Level with the Ground Having performed these great Actions in two Years and a half that his Government lasted he was Murdered by his own People at Tortosa His Successors were Ambiza Odra and Jahea according to D. Roderick the ArchBishop I judge the Government was divided into three parts or else each of them held it but a few Months In Asia the Emperor Izit dying left the Crown to his Brother Ischam upon Condition he should adopt his Son Alulit which he performed Ischam began his Reign in the Year 724. and held it 19 Years In his time Spain was governed by Odayfa Himen Autuma Alhaytan and Mahomet each of these held it not a Year entire especially the last continued but two Months For we find that in the Year 731 Abderhaman doubtless the same we mentioned above had the Government of Spain The Actions of this Governour were remarkable and the end of them Fortunate to the Christians therefore it will be Convenient to speak of them in particular The Severity and Rigor Abderhaman used towards the Moors made him odious Upon this Muniz a Powerful Man who governed Gallia Gothica revolted and the Province of Cerdania in Spain joyned with him Besides Eudo Duke of Aquitain made a League and gave him his own Daughter in Marriage Abderhaman having advice of what was doing Marched with his Army to the Frontiers of Spain and besieged the City Cerdania Muniz having lost all hopes of holding out escaping or obtaining Pardon threw himself down a Precipice His Wife and Head were sent into Africk to the Emperor of the Moors Abderhaman proud with this success broke into France marched along the Coast of the Mediterrean without Opposition as far as the River Rhosne and besieged the City Arles Eudo coming to the relief of it was vanquished and so great a Slaughter made of his Army as had not been seen that Age. Hence the Conqueror turned towards the left Hand and Traversing a great part of France fell into Aquitain passed the River Garonne destroyed the Noble City Bourdeaux and Ravaged all the Country Here Eudo again trying the Fortune of Battle had the same Fate as before Angoulesme Perigeux Xantonge and Poictiers soft the fury of this War Charles Martel at that time great Seneschal of France moved by the Publick Calamities and general danger raised a mighty Army and advanced with it as far as Tours He intrenched himself on the farther side of the River Loire on which that City is built that the Enemy with their Multitude might not surround him Here Eudo laying aside former Animosities joyned him with the Forces he could gather The Infidels advanced with great boldness as to a certain Victory and were received with no less Resolution whereupon ensued one of the Bloodiest and most Obstinate Fights that has been seen in the World Of the Moors there were 400000 with their Wives and Children as designing to Plant in France the number of the Christians was much less but they were Superior in Valour Discipline and the Justice of their Cause It was a long time before the Victory seemed to incline to either side but at length true Valour prevailed against the Multitude The Slaughter was incredible 370000 Moors were killed and among them Abderhaman Of the Christians only 1500 were missing but many of them of Note By the Confession of Martel Eudo Signalized himself particularly in this Battle for in the heat of it as had been before agreed he took a
Encountred casting their Darts and Javelins and that done fell to their Swords The Christians fought resolutely for their Country and Religion and tho' the Battle was obstinately maintained they remained Victorious killing 10000 of the Enemies among them many of note and particularly one Garcia Son-in-law to the Tyrant Muza escaped with difficulty being much wounded whereof I suppose he afterwards dy'd All the Camp of the Moors with a rich Booty fell into the hands of the Christians At the same time Mahomet King of Cordova was making Preparations against the common Enemy and resolved first to attack Toledo as being the first that had Revolted and might be a means to reduce the rest Lupus the Son of Muza held that City for his Father and understanding the Defeat of his Army to prevent farther mischief entred into a League with King Ordono to the end to be supported by his Forces The King sent him a number of Soldiers of Navarre and Asturias under the command of his Brother D. Garçia Mahomet not relying on open Force had recourse to Stratagem He lay Encamp'd near the City and therefore lays an Ambush at Guadacelete a Brook near Villaminaya This done he in Person with a small Party came up to view the City The Besieged seeing that small number rushed out as if they went to a certain Booty not to Fight and so were easily drawn into the Ambush where being charged in Front and Rear many of them were lost the rest fought their way thro' to the Town 12000 Moors and 8000 Christians were slain in that Action Only the natural Strength of the place sav'd it from falling into the Hands of the Victors after such a loss For two Years after the Enemy wasted the Country about Toledo and burnt all the Corn upon the Ground The Townsmen desirous of Revenge marched as far as Talavera but were worsted by the Commander there and drove back with loss At length tired with so many Sufferings they submitted to Mahomet in the Year of our Lord 857. This same Year the Normans with a Fleet of 60 Sail ran round the whole Coast of Spain doing much harm but particularly the Islands of Majorca and Minorca they destroy'd with Fire and Sword in hatred of the Moors for they were better affected towards Christians by being continually among them tho' they were Heathens themselves Thence they sailed over into Africk and did no less harm there In Spain Mahomet made an Incursion into Navarre towards Pamplona and that part of Biscay called Alava but nothing was done worth relating Merida in Estremadura Rebelled against the King of Cordova for which fault by his Order it was Dismantled In the mean while King Ordon̄o enjoying Peace without sparing any cost or trouble Rebuilt several Cities ruined and destroyed by the Wars such were Tuy Astorga Leon and Ainaya The Moors after the late Civil Wars were divided into Factions whereupon many Governours of Towns presumed to Revolt and stile themselves Kings which was of great advantage to the Christians who could not so well have dealt with the Power of the Infidels if united Reith had possessed himself of Coria Mozara of Talamanca or as others say Salamanca both of them were Vanquished by King Ordon̄o their Cities taken the Garrisons put to the Sword and all the Inhabitants sold for Slaves This great Success was check'd by the King's Death which happened in the 11th Year of his Reign some Authors add 6 Years to this number He dy'd at Oviedo of the Gout and was Bury'd in St. Mary's Church then the Burial place for the Kings This King was Successful in all his undertakings except the loss of his Men at Toledo By his Queen Munia a Person of high Birth he left D. Alonso the eldest Son D. Bermudo D. Nun̄o D. Odoario and D. Fruela Some write his Death was on the 27th of May there is no doubt it was in the Year 862. as appears by the Inscription of a beautiful Cross which his Son D. Alonso presented to the Church of Oviedo the Words of it are these May this Gift be acceptable to the honour of God Given by the Prince Alonso Servant of Christ and his Wife Ximena May any that presumes to take away these our Gifts perish by God's lightning By this sign the Religious is defended by this sign the Enemy is overcome This Work was finished and delivered to S. Saviour the Cathedral of Oviedo It was made in the Castle of Guazon in the 17th Year of our Reign and of the AEra of Augustus 916. Thus it appears the Year 878. was the 7th after the Death of King Ordon̄o The same D. Alonso being at Compostella confirmed a Grant made by his Father by a new one which extends the Territory of Santiago to 6 Miles about whereas before it was but three Let us go on to his other Actions CHAP. VIII The Reign of King Alonso the Great He is Expell'd and Restor'd His Brothers Conspire against him and are Punish'd The Church of St. James the Apostle made an Archbishoprick Mahomet the Moorish King dies D. Alonso who for his excellent Natural Parts and the many Victories he obtained over his Enemies was called The Great immediately upon the news of his Father's death for he was then absent repaired to Oviedo to perform the Funeral Rites and take Possession of the Kingdom For good Inclinations he was inferior to none of his Predecessors of Body tall his Countenance pleasing very Affable Merciful Valourous and Meek In Warlike Exploits he was Singular and very Liberal to the Poor spending upon them not only what his Father left him but what he got himself He was Zealous of Religion and beautified Churches but particularly that of St. James the Apostle which had only Mud Walls he built from the Ground of Free-stone with Marble Pillars a thing in those days wonderful as well for the want of curious Workmen as of Money He Reign'd 48 Years according to Sampyrus Asturicensis The beginning of his Reign was somewhat troublesome for D. Fruela Son to King Bermudo Usurped the Title of King in Galicia D. Alonso being as yet wholly unprovided to withstand him thought fit to retire to that part of Biscay called Alava but the Usurper making use of the Power he had to oppress the People was killed by the Citizens of Oviedo Hereupon D. Alonso returns to Asturias is received with the good liking of all the People settles his Affairs and punishes the Guilty That part of Biscay called Alava was subject to the Kings of Oviedo the rest to Zenon the chief of the Family of Eudo late Duke of Aquitain Eylon a Kinsman of Zenon governed Alava for the King He relying upon the Confusion of the times or the Assistance of Zenon Revolted against his Master who came in Person from Leon to appease those Commotions which he did without Bloodshed took Eylon and kept him Prisoner at Oviedo as long
Territories of Biscay and Castile but were by the Earls drove out again King Alonso waited for them at Sublancia which they understanding return'd home only destroying by the way the Famous Monastery of Sabagun Nevertheless Abuhalit sent underhand to treat of Peace and Dulcidius was sent by the King on the same score to Cordova about the end of the Year 883. In the mean while a great Fleet of Moors was gather'd at Sevil to destroy the Coast of Galicia the greatest part whereof perish'd by Storms A Truce was concluded with the Moors by Dulcidius for Six Years Presently after follow'd the Death of Mahomet in the Year 886. He left 30 Sons and 20 Daughters CHAP. IX The Death of King Alonso the Great The Reigns of D. Garcia and D. Ordonno the second of Oviedo and of Almundar Abdalla and Abderhaman of Cordova A Lmundar the Son of Mahomet succeeded his Father He was generous and mild and therefore at his Accession to the Crown abolish'd an imposition of the tenths the People of Cordova used to pay They forgetting his favour Mutiny'd and he being about to suppress them dy'd before he had Reign'd full two Years leaving behind him Six Sons and Seven Daughters Nevertheless Abdalla his Brother was chosen King by the Souldiers in the Year 888 and Reign'd 25 Years The beginning of his Reign was full of trouble by reason that Homar a turbulent Moor revolted and drew to his Party Lisbon Astapa Sevil and other Towns Yet this was soon over for Homar of his own accord submitted and was reconcil'd to the King This Ease in obtaining Pardon encourag'd him to rebel again and the Moors being divided into Factions betwixt the Families of the Humeyas and Alavecins there never wanted some to side with any turbulent Spirit Abdalla pursu'd Homar so close he was forc'd to fly to the Christians and there receiv'd Baptism tho' not with a good intention as afterwards appear'd The Biscainers under the Conduct of Zuria thought to be of the Blood Royal of Scotland and Son-in-law of Zenore before-mention'd revolted from King Alonso D. Ordon̄o sent by his Father to reduce them was overcome in Battle whereupon Zuria was declar'd Lord of Biscay This Battle was fought hear a place then call'd Padura but afterwards Ariogorriaga which in the Language of Biscay signifies Bloody Stone The natural strength of that Country hindred the King from taking Revenge besides his great Age which made him now study to govern in Peace building Churches Forts and Cities for the safety and conveniency of his Subjects At the beginning of his Reign he rebuilt Sublancia and Cea near Leon and the Castle Guazon on the Sea Coast betwixt Oviedo and Gijon Afterwards the Cities Porto Viseo Chaves Oca and Zamora To his Son D. Garcia he recommended the Building of Toro He took from the Moors Coimbra Simancas Duen̄as and all the Territory of Campos Besides he rebuilt the Monastery of Sahagun destroy'd by the Moors one of the greatest in all Spain His Revenues were too small for these mighty Expences he was therefore obliged to raise new Taxes at which the Subjects being disgusted the Queen persuaded her Son D. Garcia to lay hold of that opportunity and Rebel against his Father D. Alonso tho' Old and Decay'd presently repaired to Zamora took his Son and caused him to be confined in the Castle Guazon This did not put an end to the Troubles for Nun̄o Hernandez Earl of Castile a Powerful Man and Father-in-law to D. Garcia made War upon the King which lasted two Years at the end of which the Rebels prevailed and the King weary of trouble and coveting repose resigned the Crown to his Son D. Garcia and to his other Son D. Ordon̄o gave the Lordship of Galicia in the Year 910. The following Year D. Alonso after going in Pilgrimage to Santiago and making an Incursion into the Country of the Moors with the consent of his Son dy'd at Zamora His Body and that of his Queen were first Buried at Astorga and thence Translated to Oviedo At the same time dy'd at Cordova Abdalla King of the Moors aged 72 Years leaving 12 Sons and 13 Daughters Abderhaman the Grandson of Abdalla and Son of Mahomet succeeded his Grandfather a thing not usual for the Grandson to be preferred before the Sons of the Deceased At his accession to the Crown he was 23 Years of Age and enjoy'd it 50 Years To his Name was added the Title of Almanzor Ledin Alla that is Defender of the Law of God as also that of Miramamolin or Prince of those that believe Abderhaman may be counted among the greatest of the Moorish Kings He spent all his Life in reconciling the differences betwixt his People adminstred Justice impartially built a Castle near Cordova took Ceuta in Africk and Beautified many Cities of his Kingdom Power ill gotten for the most part is not lasting So D. Garcia enjoyed the Kingdom he took by Force from his Father only Three Years During that time he made War upon the Moors wasted their Country plundred their Towns overthrew and took Prisoner Ayola a Noble Moor that offered to oppose him yet through the neglect of his Keeper he made his escape near to a Town called Tremulo The King dy'd at Zamora in the Year 913. He left no Children whereupon D. Ordon̄o his Brother succeeded him and had been reckoned a good Prince had he not imbrued his Hands in the Blood of the Earls of Castile His Reign lasted 9 Years and a half At first to gain reputation and humble the Moors he broke into the Kingdom of Toledo and laid Siege to Talavera a pleasant and strong City An Army was sent by the King of Cordova to relieve the Place but it was defeated the Town taken plundred and burnt because it could not be maintained being encompassed on all sides with Garrisons of the Moors The Governour and many more were taken and the Christian Army returned home Victorious and loaded with spoils The King of Cordova fearing this beginning might be an Introduction to worse Consequences sent to desire Assistance of the King of Mauritania who sent him a considerable Body of Men under the Command of his General Almotaraf To these was joyned the Army of the Moors in Spain Commanded by Avolalpaz and thus they overran the Lands of the Christians as far as the River Duero Here the King met and gave them Battle near to the Town of Santistevan de Gormaz which was very Bloody and for a long time the event seemed dubious till the two Moorish Generals and a great number of their Men being killed the rest fled That the advantage of this Victory might be the greater they wasted all the Country of Lusitania as far as Guadiana but above all the Territories of Merida and Badajoz suffered This struck such a Terror into those People that they bought a Peace It happened in the
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
come without an Army which he looking upon as an Insolence that they should prescribe Rules to their Sovereign entred with a powerful Army and vanquished his Enemies The Multitude was pardoned only the Heads punished D. Fruela's Sons as soon as taken had their Eyes put out the same was done to D. Alonso the King's Brother Not far from the City Leon is the Monastery of St. Julian there they were all kept as long as they liv'd and bury'd when dead as was Da. Vrraca the Wife of D. Alonso These troubles being thus over the King bent his Force against the Moors and entring the Kingdom of Toledo took the great Town of Madrid plundred and burnt and then threw down the Walls At the same time the Moors desirous of Revenge breke into the Country of the Christians and first entred into Castile The Earl being weakned by the late War of Navarre sent a submissive Embassy to D. Ramiro begging his Assistance and excusing himself for what was past It was easie to appease the King in that time of danger therefore he marched and joyned the Earl Near Osma they came to a Battle many of the Moors were kill'd the rest put to flight and the Christian Army returned home loaded with precious Spoils From this time some are of Opinion the Earls of Castile became again Feudataries to the Kings of Leon for it is thought D. Ramiro would not have pardoned past Injuries upon other terms D. Ramiro ardently desiring to extirpate the Moors marched towards Zaragoça Abenbaya held that City of Abderhaman King of Cordova With the King went the Earl Fernan Gonzalez The Moor finding himself unable to oppose so great a Power submitted himself to the King with a promise of Tribute No Faith is observed by Moors longer than they are forc'd so this Infidel as soon as our Army was departed joyning with Abderhaman broke into the Christian Borders and advanced as far as Simancas The King marched towards the Enemy and gave them Battle which was one of the bloodiest of those days for 30000 Moors were kill'd others say 60000. Fernan Gonzalez who had not been in the Fight falling upon those that fled made no less slaughter as appears by an ancient Grant in the Monastery of St. Millan de la Cogulla in the Mountains of Oca in which all the Neighbourhood are commanded to supply that Monastery with all Necessaries as the Earl had vowed when he went to this War All the Army was persuaded that two Angels on white Horses fought at the head of them and obtained this Victory The chief Alfaqui who is like a Bishop among the Moors was taken and thus the Province was deliver'd from the terror they had conceiv'd on account of those mighty Preparations In the Year 934. which was the same in which this Battle was fought on the 19th of July there hap'ned so great an Eclypse of the Sun that for the space of an hour the day was turned into perfect darkness Again on the 15th of October the light of the Sun became came yellow a great opening appear'd in the Sky wonderful Comets were seen towards the South and all the Fruits of the Earth were blasted besides other Tokens of God's Wrath. These Prodigies perplexed the People but after the Battle it was supposed they threatned the Infidels About this time dyed Miron Earl of Barcelona leaving 3 Sons under Age. Seniofredus who succeeded him Oliva Sirnamed Cabreta who was Lord of Basalu and Cerdania and Miron afterwards Bishop and Earl of Girona By reason of the Young Princes infancy the Government was long in the hands of his Unkle Seniofredus Earl of Vrgel which was a step for his Heirs to possess themselves of that Principality Whilst this Seniofredus governed a Synod of Bishops was held at a Town called Fuentecubierta in the Territory of Narbonne Seniofredus Earl of Barcelona dying without Issue tho' Marryed to Mary the Daughter of King Sancho Abarca Borello Earl of Vrgel Son to the other Seniofredus by Force possessed himself of the Principality of Barcelona for he could have no right to exclude Oliva Brother to the deceased King Ramiro growing Ancient began to give his Mind to Peace and apply himself to Religious Exercises therefore with the spoils of the Moors he Built a Monastery for Nuns at Leon of the invocation of S. Saviour where he caused his Daughter Da. Elvira to take the Habit. Besides this he Built Four other Convents and when he was busied about these Affairs Civil broils obliged him again to unsheath the Sword Fernan Gonçalez and James Nunez two Men of Note Rebelled and finding themselves too weak called the Moors and their General Accipha to their Aid First they destroyed the Territory of Salamanca upon the River Tormes then the Country of Aamya and part of Asturias were wasted D. Ramiro drove the Moors out of all the Country took the Promoters of this Sedition yet soon after set them at Liberty only upon taking the Oath of Allegiance over again a great Demonstration of the King's Mercy Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile by his Wife Da. Vrraca had a Daughter of the same Name whom he Marryed to D. Ordon̄o Son to the King of Leon. After this the King tho' Aged being an Enemy to Idleness made another incursion into the Enemies Country as far as Talavera in the Kingdom of Toledo and overthrew an Army of Moors that came to oppose him killing 12000. and taking 7000 Prisoners This Victory supported his Reputation which often decays as Kings grow Old Being returned home he dismissed his Army loaded with the spoils of the Enemy and went himself in Pilgrimage to Oviedo to visit the many Bodies of Saints that were there and give Thanks to Almighty God for so many Blessings At Oviedo which is an unhealthy place he fell Sick yet returned to Leon and there resigned up the Crown to his Son Then having received the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist at the hands of the Bishops and Abbots there present he dyed in the Year of our Lord 950. on the 5th Day of January and was Buried in the Monastery of S. Saviour which himself had Built This Year was very remarkable for the many Towns that in it were either Built or Repaired which were Osma Roa Riaça and Clunia among the Arebaci now called Corun̄a Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile much about this time also Built Sepulveda in a place naturally strong and by his Valour the Christian cause was not only kept from decaying but was daily advanced and increased in honour CHAP. IV. The Reigns of D. Ordonno the Third D. Sancho the Gross Kings of Leon and of Garci Sanchez King of Navarre and actions of Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile BY the Death of D. Ramiro his Son D. Ordon̄o inherited the Crown of Leon. He was a Man of great Courage expert in Warlike affairs and had Prudence to govern but the shortness
desperately not so much for any hopes of Victory as to revenge their own Deaths They were all killed and with them their Tutor Salido the Heads being sent to Cordova afforded a pleasant Spectacle to the King but a sad one to their Father to whom tho' wounded and disfigured they were shown This misfortune moving the King to Compassion he freely dismiss'd Gonzalo Gustio Mudarra begoten on the King's Sister being 14 Years of Age was by her sent to his Father and afterwards revenged the Death of his Brothers killing Ruy Velasquez Da. Lumbra his Wife the cause of all these mischiefs was stoned to Death and burnt Mudarra by revenging his Brothers gained the Love of his Mother-in-Law and all the Family to that degree that he inherited his Fathers Estate Besides Da. Sancha adopted him after this strange yet remarkable Manner The same day he was Baptized and Knighted by the Earl Garci Sanchez his Mother-in-Law resolving to adopt him put over him the Sleeve of a very large Smock and his Head coming out at the top of it she Kissed him and thus he was received into the Family and looked upon as her Son Ordon̄o was Son of Mudarra his Grandson was James Ordon̄ez de Lara he that fought the Sons of Arias Gonzala who defended their Country from the infamy of having killed King Sancho slain by Vellido Dolphos as shall be related in its place This James Ordon̄ez was Father to Earl Peter well known for the Love Queen Vrraca showed him and Grandfather to Amalaricus de Lara Lord of Molina from whom is descended the Family of Manriquez and even that of the Kings of Portugal by the Mother's side for Mafalda Daughter of Amalaricus was Marryed to D. Alonso the first of the name and first King of Portugal tho' some will have it that Mafalda was of the House of Savoy But more shall be said of this hereafter The Tomb of Mudarra is to be seen in the Cloister of the Monastery of S. Peter de Arlanza That Monastery and the other of S. Millan de la Cogulla are at Variance about which of them has the seven Brothers Spain was now at Peace after so many Combustions and there rather wanted the Power than the will to raise new ones This quiet lasted till the 7th Year after the Death of the seven Brothers which was the Year of our Lord 993. when the Moors wasted the Country of Portugal and breaking a new into Galicia again took and burnt the City Compostella Nor had they spared the Apostles Sepulcher but that a sudden Light which appeared over it terrifyed them The Bells as a Trophy of their Victory they caused to be carryed on the Backs of Christians to Cordova where for many Years they served instead of Lamps in the Mosque Divine Vengeance pursued them many dyed of the Flux many of the Plague and many at the hands of the Christians the King keeping close in their rear and doing them great harm Few returned home One of them was Mahomet the General This same Year dyed D. Garcia King of Navarre his Son Garci Sanchez called the Trembler as was said before succeeded him He Reigned 7 Years was very Famous for many Victories obtained Liberal or rather Prodigal which drained his Treasures and obliged him to lay new Taxes In the Monastery of S. Millan̄ there are Grants of this King let every one judge what credit is to be given to them In them 't is specified that he had a Brother called Gonzalo and that he with his Mother Vrraca had the Kingdom of Aragon which if true either that Dominion lasted not long or he dying without Issue it fell again to his Brother King Bermudo joyful with his success against the Moors began to consider that if the Forces of the Christians were united it were easie to gain upon the Infidels and keep them under Hereupon he sent Embassadors to the King of Navarre and Earl of Castile to invite them laying aside all Animosities to enter into a League with him for the common Good Those Princes readily agreed to such advantageous Proposals and a powerful Army was formed of the three Nations The King of Navarre came not in Person being as is supposed busie in setling his new acquired Kingdom King Bermudo tho' Sick of the Gout was carried in a Litter and with the Earl of Castile moved towards the Moors of whom they were informed that having raised new Forces and plunder'd great part of Galicia they now marched towards Castile Near a Town called Calacanaçor on the Frontiers of Castile and Leon the two Armies met and came to a Battle which was obstinately fought till Night parted them without discerning which side had the better only that the Moors marched away in silence by Night which show'd they had got the worst of it Besides it was more like a Flight than Retreat for they left much of their Baggage in the Camp and for haste droped no less along the way they marched It is said this misfortune went so much to the heart of the Moorish General Mahomet that he dy'd in the Valley of Begalcorax refusing to take any Sustenance in the Year of our Lord 998. This Man managed the Government of the Moors 25 Years for his King who minded nothing but his ease He was a Man of great Courage an Enemy to Idleness and entred the Territories of the Christians 52 several times coming off very often Victorious The same day the Battle was fought at Calacanaçor one in the Habit of a Fisherman was seen at Cordova on the Bank of the River Guadalquivir singing in Arabick and Spanish Metre At Calacanacor Almanzor lost the drum It was believ'd the Devil in Humane Shape proclaimed their Defeat because the People of Cordova endeavouring to lay hold of him he vanished like a Shadow The dead General 's Body was carried to Medinaçeli CHAP. VII The Death of King Bermudo the Gouty and beginning of the Reign of D. Alonso the Fifth King of Leon. Many Troubles among the Moors The Earl of Castile slain by the Infidels AFter the Death of Mahomet his Son Abdelmelic took upon him the Government of that Kingdom the same Year his Father dy'd and continued in that command 6 Years and 8 Months From this time forward the Kingdom of the Moors which had been supported by the Valour of Mahomet began visibly to decline Civil Discord the Bane of all Empires and bad Government were the cause of its decay Abdelmelic who was more inclinable to Peace than War took little notice of the first Eruptions of those Tumults which ought to have been suppressed in their first rise True it is immediately after his Father's Death he entred the Teritories of the Christians spreading a great Terror and threw down to the Ground all that had been built since the City Leon was last destroyed Yet the beginning of this War was more successful to the Moors than the end for
storm threatned first having sent Embassadors to procure assistance from his Brother and Cousins gathered a number of good Soldiers and marched toward the Enemy Both Armies met near a Town called Piantaca where was fought a Bloody Battle both sides for a long time resolutely maintaining their Ground but at length D. Alonso was discomfited his Army put to the rout and he forced to fly to the City Leon. CHAP. VI. The Progress of the War D. Sancho made upon his two Brothers He expels Alonso King of Leon first and then Garcia King of Galicia lays Siege to the City Zamora and is there murdered KIng Alonso after the Defeat above-mentioned having with all possible speed Recruited his Army met the Enemy again near a Town called Golpelara according to Pelagius Bishop of Oviedo the Archbishop D Roderick calls it Vulpecularia on the Banks of the River Carrion Here the fortune of the day was changed and the Castilians routed Roderick Dyaz who accompanied King Sancho in all his Wars guessing that Success would produce security to the Victors rally'd his scattered Soldiers and by break of day fell upon the Enemy in their Camp as they lay buried in Sleep and Wine In this confusion some fled others stood to their Arms all commanded and none obeyed Thus in a short time were they overthrown D. Alonso retired to the Church of Carrion which he had Garisoned There he was taken and sent Prisoner to the Castle of Burgos The Princess Vrraca Sister to both Kings who loved D. Alonso and the Count D. Peranzules who never forsook him interposing King Sancho consented that his Brother should go to the Monastery of Sahagun on the Banks of the River Cea and there renouncing the World took upon him the Religious Habit. He took the Habit in the Year 1071. but after some time at the persuasion of those that brought him thither fled and put himself into the hands of Almenon the Moorish King of Toledo who had been a great Friend to his Father The Moor received him with Joy and Affection gave him a House near the Palace to live in and assigned him a Pension On the other part D. Alonso swore to be true and faithful to that King and to be ready upon all occasions to serve him He being of a graceful comely Person modest discreet liberal and affable soon gained the affections of those People D. Vrraca his Sister sollicited for him she obtained leave of King Sancho for Count Peranzules and his two Brothers Gonzalo and Ferdinand to go wait upon D. Alonso With those three went many others all whom the Moorish King received into pay that they might not want Subsistance and might be serviceable to him in his Wars against the neighbouring Moors Thus that banished Prince spent his time when the Wars ceased he gave himself to Hunting and for the greater conveniency built a Country-house whither others resorting and building it became a noted Place now called Brihuega a Town not obscure in the Kingdom of Toledo His ordinary Residence was in Toledo where he often conversed with the K. who was very much taken with him It hap'ned they went out one day to Recreate themselves to a Garden near the City now called the King's Garden where D. Alonso fell asleep The King and his Courtiers who lay hard by under a Tree began to discourse of the great strength of Toledo One among the rest said there was but one way to take the City which was by Famine keeping it block'd up seven Years together D. Alonso who was not quite asleep or else wakened was pleased to hear this discourse and charged his memory with it Another day he being with the King his Hair stood up an end and tho' the King stroked it down two or three times still it rose again The Moors who are very Superstitious said that was an Omen he would possess himself of that Kingdom if they did not prevent it by killing him But who can prevent the Decrees of the Almighty The King who was compassionate could not be persuaded to break the Laws of Hospitality but was satisfied with D. Alonso's Oath that he would ever be a true Friend to him This is what hap'ned at Toledo King Sancho grown haughty with Success possessed himself of all the Kingdom of Leon some places submitting others being taken by force as was the City Leon after holding out a long Siege All being reduced he advanced into Galicia against his other Brother who was in a very weak condition his Kingdom being all divided into Factions and full of Mutinies by reason of the heavy Taxes he laid upon the People as also because he put the Government of himself and his Kingdoms into the hands of a Servant who was his Favourite The Nobility offended at this killed that Servant in his presence and not so satisfied took up Arms and put the whole Kingdom into an uproar This was the condition of Galicia when King Sancho invaded it D. Garcia finding it impossible his Subjects being in Rebellion to withstand his Brother fled with only 300 Men to the Moors in Portugal and there endeavoured to stir them up to espouse his Quarrel and so to revenge their own but all his persuasions were of no force and he obtained nothing Being disappointed in that part yet he resolved to try his Fortune with such as resorted to him some of whom came out of hatred to King Sancho others in hope of plunder and were of both sorts as well Moors as Christians Thus entring his Kingdom the Towns of Portugal easily submitted to him King Sancho marched to quench this flame that began to blaze before it could grow to a head He marched as far as Santarem formerly called Scalabis there the two Armies met and came to a Battle in which the Castilians were Victorious Great slaughter were made of the Enemies many of them were taken and among the rest D. Garcia himself who was kept Prisoner in the Castle of Luna in Galicia all the remaining part of his Life He was naturally sloathful and negligent talkative and unsit to weather such great Storms as were raised against him D. Sancho having striped his Brothers and being now possess'd of all his Father's Dominions grew more haughty and made no reflection upon the inconstancy of Humane Felicities Having despoiled his Brothers nothing remained but his Sisters whom also he designed to deprive of the Lands their Father had left them The City Zamora was well fortify'd had a strong Garrison and store of Arms and Provisions The Inhabitants were faithful and resolute always ready to oppose any that should assault them Arias Gonçalo an ancient experienced and discreet Gentleman was their Commander and by his advice the Princess Vrraca was governed The King seeing there was no hopes that they would submit to him by fair means sate down with his Army before that City with a resolution not to desist till he was Master of it
The Siege was carried on with Vigour and all sorts of Engines then in use apply'd against the Works so that the Citizens being streightned began to waver and think of a Surrender Such was the condition of the Town when a treacherous Fellow called Vellido Delphos whether of his own design or by advice of others is not known resolved to Murder the King and by that means put an end to the Siege He got admittance to the King upon pretence of discovering the designs of the Besieged and showing him the weakest part of the Wall Men easily believe what they desire so the King went out with only that Man to view what he promised to show him but when he least thought of it Velledo Dolphos threw a Spear he had in his hand at him which pierced thro' his Body No sooner was this done but the Murderer fled to the City pursued by several of the King's Soldiers who being at some distance could not overtake him the Guards letting him in at the Gate This gave occasion to the Besiegers to believe all or most of the Townsmen had consented to the Murder The Troops of Leon and Galicia who were not well affected to the King immediately quitted the Field and returned home Those of Castile being the ancienter Subjects divided themselves part went to carry his Body to the Monastery of On̄a where it was Bury'd without any Pomp the greater number stay'd to carry on the Siege and revenge his death They threatned to subvert the City and put all the Inhabitants to the Sword as Traitors Particularly James Ordon̄ez of the Family of Lara a Youth of great strength and valour appeared before the City armed at all points and a Horse-back and standing on a high Ground to be the better heard rent the Skies with loud cries threatning Ruin and Destructions The Citizens between fear and shame durst not open their Mouths Only Arias Gonzalo tho' he might well have been excused by his great Age offered himself and his Sons to fight that Gentleman for the Honour of his Country It was the Custom of Castile that whosoever charged a City with Treason was obliged to fight five one after another to make good his charge The three Sons of Arias Gonzalo Peter James and Roderick entered the Lists one after another and were all three killed by D. James Ordon̄ez Yet the last tho' mortally wounded striking at his Enemy wounded his Horse and cut his Reins so that the Horse affrighted carryed D. James out of the Lists which according to the Law of Arms was a token he was beaten The Judges could not determine the case one side Insisting upon the Custom and Law of Arms and the other pleading this was meer accident and thus ended that much celebrated Dispute CHAP. VII King Alonso returns from among the Moors and recovers his Brother's Kingdoms The first part of his Reign Actions of Roderick de Bivar King Sancho of Navarre Murdered by his own Brother D. Vrraca being in care for her Brother D. Alonso sent away a Messenger to him to Toledo acquainting him with the unfortunate death of his Brother and advising him to come away with all speed and take possession of the Crown The Moorish King wanted not Intelligence having Spies in the Christian Army At length the Messenger from the Princess arrived and gave D. Alonso an account of all that had hap'ned Count Peranzules advised him to get away privately without acquainting the Moorish K. for fear he should stop him yet D. Alonso acquainted the King with the news he had received and desired his leave to go take possession of the Kingdom that was fallen to him The Moor was pleased with this sincere dealing assured him the ways were laid in case he had attempted to steal away caused him to renew his Oath to be a Friend to him and his Son Hissem and that done not only lent him Money for present use but accompanied him a considerable space This I look upon to be more likely than what D. Lucas de Tuy writes that he was let down over the Walls and made his escape having Horses provided for that purpose Being come to Zamora he consulted with the Princess what was best to be done and dispatched Expresses to all Parts to give notice of his being there The People of Leon without any difficulty admitted and proclaimed him King Galicia was dubious D Garcia upon this Revolution having broke Prison and endeavouring to recover his Crown D. Alonso sent Persons of note to treat with him and he being fair conditioned and easie was easily prevailed upon so that without any further security asked he came away to his Brother not doubting to obtain what he desir'd But he was deceived being presently seized and sent back to Prison where he continued the rest of his life with good usage if any could be thought such where a Crown and Liberty were lost at once Thus Galicia was brought under The Nobility of Castile being assembled at Burgos agreed to admit D. Alonso for their King if he would first swear he had no hand in the Murder of his Brother D. Alonso hearing of it went thither and every Body fearing to tender him this Oath Roderick Diaz called Cid undertook it The Oath being solemnly taken he was Proclaimed with great Joy For the present he connived at this affront but reserved a grudge in his Heart against Roderick Diaz D. Alonso was 37 Years of Age when he returned to his Crown and for his Military Exploits was called the Brave Besides he was Prudent Temperate Modest and Bountiful The death of D. Sancho and Restauration of D. Alonso hap'ned in the Year 1073. At this time Gregory VII was Pope and the same Year dy'd in Spain S. Dominick de Silos a Monk of Cluni famous for sanctity of Life The beginning of D. Alonso's Reign was not free from some troubles which were soon appeased and ended well In the second Year of his Reign which was 1074. the Kings of Cordova and Toledo were at War about the limits of their Kingdoms D. Alonso as being so much obliged to him of Toledo gathered a good Army to assist him King Almenon at first feared this Preparations was against him but being better informed both Kings joyn'd their Forces and in that manner entred the Territory of Cordova where they wasted all the Country and brought away great numbers of Cattle and Prisoners No Battle was fought because the King of Cordova shunned it About this time dy'd the first Wife of D. Alonso her Name was Agnes He Married a French Lady called Constantia by whom he had one only Daughter whose Name was Vrraca and who afterwards inherited all her Father's Dominions as shall be seen in its place At the instance of this Queen as I suppose an Embassy was sent to Rome to desire the Pope to send a Legate into Spain with full Power to Reform the Clergy grown very
afar because the Country about it is barren being Sandy and Stony there is also much scarcity of Springs and it rains but seldom it being very remote from the Sea and the highest Land in Spain Only along the Meadows through which Tagus runs the Land is Fruitful and Pleasant At the same time the Conquest of Toledo was undertaken Roderick Diaz continued the War in Aragon with great success taking several strong holds from the Moors and wanted nothing to perfect his happiness but to be restored to his Prince's favour which he much desired It fell out very opportunely that in the Year 1080. the Moors of Andaluzia fell at variance for that a Man of note among them had seized the Castle of Grados Adofir the rightful Owner had recourse to King Alonso for Assistance to recover his Castle The King finding it advantageous to himself granted the Moors request sent a Body of Troops before and followed with a greater Force in Person but the Enemy being subtle protracted the War so that the King feared Slipping the Season of going to Toledo This moved him to send for Roderick Diaz who was then in Aragon and to whom he gave that Command having received him with great affection and the more to oblige him ordained that for the future no Gentleman should be obliged to go into Banishment under Thirty days warning whereas before they had but Nine The King marched to Toledo and Roderick Diaz put an end to the War in Andaluzia recovering the Castle of Grados and taking the Moor that had seized it whom he sent to the King Thus much in Andaluzia this Year The next which was 1081. D. Garcia the King's Brother departed this Life having caused his Veins to be opened in the Prison where he was kept so highly did he resent the loss of his Kingdom and Liberty His Body was carryed to the City Leon and there honourably buryed in the Church of St. Isidorus his two Sisters many Bishops and Nobles attending the Solemnity He dyed ten Years after he had been a Prisoner and fifteen after his first Accession to the Crown Roderick Diaz having settled Andaluzia returned to the War in Aragon where in Battle he overthrew the Moorish King of Denia and D. Sancho King of Aragon who assisted him This Victory was so considerable that King Alonso sent for him did him much honour and gave to Him and his Heirs the Three Towns of Briviesca Berlanga and Arcejona Alfagio the Moorish King having recruited his Forces after the defeat entred Castile wasting the Country as far as Consuegra Tho' King Alonso was then busy before Toledo he â—â—eedily marched to oppose the Infidel Both Armies met a great number of Moors was slash and their King escaped by flight to a Castle The joy of this Victory was much allayed by the unfortunate Death of James Rodriguez de Bivar Son to Roderick Diaz a Youth of great hopes who began to follow his Father's Footsteps His Body was buryed in the Monastery of St. Peter de CardenÌ„a where his Tomb is still to be seen Alfagio the Moor tho' twice defeated gave not over but still gathering a fresh Army broke into Castile without stopping till he came to Medina del Campo Alvaryanez Minaya a brave Man related to Roderick Diaz met and defeated him the Third time This hap'ned in the Year of our Lord 1082 at which time D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona was basely Murdered near a Town called Percha betwixt Ostalric and Girond His Brother Berenguel was the contriver of his Death and was therefore so hated by the People that he went away to the holy War and at Jerusalem is said to have lost his Speech and there Dyed His Body was buryed in the Cathedral of Girona His Son D. Ramon Arnaldo succeeded him being not full a Year old but famous for the time he enjoy'd that Principality for the greatness of his Actions inferior to none of his Predecessors and for that he enlarged his Dominions not only by the addition of Besalu and Vrgel which for want of Heirs devolved to him as Feifs of the Earldom of Barcelona but also by Marrying D. Aldonça whom others call Dulcis Daughter and Heiress of Gilbert Earl of Provence with whom he had that large Province in Dower By her he had two Sons D. Ramon and D. Berenguel and three Daughters one called D. Berenguela or Berengaria Marry'd to D. Alonso stiled the Emperor The Names of the others are not known but both were Marry'd in France This Prince was long at variance and held War against Alonso Earl of Toulouse and after much contention they agreed among themselves to adopt one another's Families so that whichsoever was first Extinct the other should Inherit But this hap'ned long after the time we are now writing of Let us return to the War of Toledo CHAP. IX The famous City Toledo closely Besieged and Surrendred Many other Places taken King Alonso stiles himself Emperor THE continual waste the Christians made in the Country about Toledo burning plundering and driving all before them had reduc'd the Moors of that City to great streights The Christian Inhabitants ceased not to press King Alonso to sit down before it promising they would soon open the Gates to him That lasting War had exhausted the Subjects yet the King's resolution overcame all difficulties Great Levies were made and all things provided with a full design never to desist till the City were taken It is naturally strong and so seated that there was a necessity of dividing the Army into several Bodies and consequently a greater Force was requisite It is a matter of great consequence to have the good Will of neighbouring Princes as appeared in this War for besides the King 's own Subjects of Castile Leon Biscay Galicia and Asturias Sancho King of Aragon and Navarre brought a good Body of Men to the Siege Supplies also came from Italy and Germany and the French as being nearer came in greater numbers Because the latter served well in this War and upon other occasions great Privileges were granted to such of them as would stay in Spain whence as I suppose such as are free from Taxes are among us called Franc. Of all these Nations was formed a mighty Army which marched without delay towards Toledo full of hopes of speedy success The Moorish King made all the necessary Preparations to endure a Siege but most of all rely'd on the natural Strength of the Place encompassed with high and craggy Rocks thro' which the River Iagus in a wonderful manner breaks his way and runs almost round the City except on the North side where is a steep and difficult ascent defended by two strong Walls one above the other To Besiege this Place the Army was divided into seven Brigades which took up all the Avenues so that no Relief could be carried in The King with the best of the Army Encamp'd and Entrench'd himself
in the Meadows at the foot of the Hill on which the Town stands Some Skirmishes hap'ned near the Wall but nothing remarkable in them except that it was observed the Christians were the better Foot and the Moors the experter Horse Towers of Wood were made and all other sorts of Engines apply'd to the Wall which tho' they beat down part of it yet it availed not because the ascent was difficult the Streets narrow the Houses high and strong and the Defendants numerous Thus the Siege was protracted Provisions were scarce the Country about being wasted the heat of the Summer came on and the Army began to be sickly All these things caused the Soldiers to wish for some Honourable Accommodation At this time Cyprianus Bishop of Leon acquainted the King that S. Isidorus had appeared to him assuring the City would be taken in 15 Days The Besieged suffered great want having spent all their Provisions Whereupon gathering in a Body they repaired to the Palace with clamours requiring the King to Capitulate He having endeavoured to appease them affirming they should be speedily relieved and finding they persisted in their demands sent out Commissioners to Treat Some day sâ—â—eing spent in Expostulating and debating the Matter at length the Treaty was concluded upon these Articles That the Palace City Gates Bridges and King's-Garden be delivered up to King Alonso That the Moorish King may go to Valencia or where he shall think sit The same liberty to be allowed the Moors that will bear him company and they may carry their Goods and Moveables Such as will stay in the City shall not be molested in their Persons or Goods The chief Mosque shall continue in their possession No other Taxes shall be imposed on them but such as they paid to their own Kings They shall be Try'd by Judges of their own Nation and no others These Articles were solemnly Sworn to on both sides and Hostages given for performance which done King Alonso with great Joy in the nature of a Triumph entred the City on the 25th of May being the Feast of S. Vrban Pope and Martyr in the Year of our Lord 1085. Some Authors say 1083. That City was in the hands of the Moors about 369 Years Julianus says 366. and that the Moors took it in the Year 719. on S. Vrban's Day during which time the Moors being nothing curious in building it lost much of its former Beauty The Streets were narrow and crooked the Houses ill contrived the very Palace was of Mud-walls and stood where now is a great Hospital Founded by D. Peter Gonzalez de Mendoza Cardinal of Spain and Archbishop of Toledo In the midst of the City stood the chief Mosque on a rising Ground the Building at that time nothing sumptuous Soon after it was Consecrated and in process of time built from the Ground very large and beautiful The fame of this Success was soon spread abroad and Embassadors came to Congratulate with the King from several Princes The Moorish King according to the Capitulation went away with a good Guard to Valencia which was his own where he preserv'd the Title of King On the other side many Brigades of Christians were dispersed throughout the Kingdom of Toledo to reduce all that remained in the possession of the Moors which proved no difficult task they being terrify'd at the loss of so great a City Many Towns were taken the most noted were Maqueda Escalona Illescas Talavera Guadalajara Mora Consuegra Madrid Berlanga Buytrago Medinaceli and Coria many of them ancient Towns not far distant from Toledo strong and seated in a pleasant and fruitful Country Some of the Moors of Toledo accompanied their King but the most staid behind Their number being great there was danger they might upon the first opportunity Revolt To prevent this evil the King resolved to settle his Court there till such time it was better Peopled with Christians and new Fortifications raised to secure it Houses and Lands were by Proclamation offered to all such as would come and inhabit there which drew a great number of People Among the rest we have an account of one Peter a Grecian of the Imperial Family of the Paleologi of Constantinople who is said to have served during the Siege and therefore the King the Town being taken gave him a House and Lands of Inheritance From this Gentleman the great Family of Toledo pretend to be descended From this time 't is said the King's Quarter in Toledo was so called because the King gave that part of the City to the new Inhabitants that resorted thither A new Palace was began to be built in the highest part of the City all to the intent the better to curb the Moors After this we find King Alonso began to stile himself Emperor whether he had reason so to do we will not dispute He was puft up with the Conquests of that new Kingdom and being Sovereign of the greatest part of Spain and the King of Aragon and Moorish Kings being his Tributaries he thought no Titles too great His Joy was somewhat allay'd by the death of his Sister D. Vrraoa whom he respected as a Mother and she deserved it for her singular Vertues His other Sister D. Elvira was Married to the Count de Cabra to whom he gave her to appease him having provoked him by some rash words as is related in the General History of D. Alonso the Wise CHAP. X. The Election of the new Archbishop of Toledo The abolishing the old Missal and Breviary The Original of the Archbishop of Toledo His Spiritual Jurisdiction over all Spain King Alphonso's Wives and Children New Wars break out in Spain IN the Year 1086. the City of Toledo being well Inhabited with Christians and the Moors kept under the King convened a Synod of Bishops at which many of the Nobility were present The cause of their meeting was to chose an Archbishop of Toledo and by the unanimous consent of all Bernard Abbot of Sahagun was Elected He was a Man of a vertuous Life a ready Wit sound Judgment very Learned and Upright which good Qualities moved them to prefer him before all others tho' a Stranger as being a natural born French-man of the City of Agen in the Province of Aquitain or Guienne In his Youth he was a Soldier at riper Years took the Habit of a Monk at Aux and was sent thence into Spain by Hugo the Abbot at the request of King Alphonso to reform the Monastery of Sahagun which he design'd to be the head of all the Benedictines in Spain After he had been their Abbot some time he was promoted to the high Dignity of Archbishop of Toledo That his Honour and Authority might be the greater the King freely gave to him and his Successors Archbishops of that See many Towns Lands Mills and Houses In memory whereof an Anniversary is Celebrated for King Alphonso every Year in that Church in June This done
to Piety obtained a Grant of Pope Alexander II. by which the Monastery of St. John de la PenÌ„a and others in his Kingdom were exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Bishops This was done under colour that the Bishops thro' Covetousness took to themselves the Revenues of the Monasteries Certain it is in those times the Monks aspired after too much Liberty which made their Abbots obtain the Privilege of using the Miter and Crosier to betoken Episcopal Power by which means they cast off the subjection due to their Ordinaries The principal Vice the King himself was taxed with was Avarice for he made use of the Ecclesiastical Revenues and Treasures of the Churches This seemed excusable on account of the general Poverty and extraordinary Charges of continual Wars Besides that he obtain'd a Bull from Pope Gregory VII by which he had full Authority given him absolutely to dispose of the Tenths of all such Churches as were erected of new or regained from the Moors Nevertheless some Years before his Death in the Church of St. Victorian of Rhoda he publickly asked Pardon of that offence promising amendment Raymundus Dalmachius Bishop of that City was present to whom he caused Restitution to be made of all that had been taken from him The King never ceased infesting the Moors and was particularly bent against Abderhaman King of Huesca He had already possessed himself of all the neighbouring Towns and Fortify'd Montaragon that it might curb that City At length he sate down with his Army before it secured all the Avenues and placed his Head-quarters on a Hillock which ever since is called Poyo de Sancho The City was very strong and the chief Bulwark of the Moors Dominions on that side therefore the Siege was protracted there being no possibility of forcing it The Besieged sued to Alonso King of Castile for Relief Kings for the most part have more regard to their particular Interest than the publick Good It was scandalous openly to side with the Moors therefore he thought it a good expedient to Invade Navarre by the way of Biscay and so to give a diversion Count Sancho was sent to put this in Execution who being met by the Princes of Aragon D. Peter and D. Alonso sent by their Father to that purpose was oblig'd to turn back without effecting what he came foâ— Every day the Siege was streightned and King Sancho tir'd with lying there so long was viewing the Walls when finding a place he thought fit to be Attacked he lifted his Arm to show it to those that were with him and an Arrow shot from the Wall hit him under that Arm so that the Wound proved Mortal He dy'd on the 4th of June his Body was carried to Montaragon and deposited in the Church of Jesus of Nazareth which he had built Thence it was translated to S. John de la PenÌ„a where is to be seen the Tomb of his Queen Felicia who dy'd some time before Nevertheless his Sons as had been ordain'd by their Father continued the Siege resolving not to stir till they had destroy'd the City D. Peter whilst his Father was yet living called himself King of Ribagorça and Sobrarve and had by his Wife Berta or Agnes a Son of his own Name or as others will have it called Sancho This Peter inherited all his Father's Dominions D. Alonso had some Lands assigned him and the youngest Brother called D. Ramiro was a Monk The Siege of Huesca lasted no less than 6 Months others say above two Years At length the Besieged tired with want called to their aid Almoçaben King of Zaragoça D. Garcia Earl of Cabra and another great Man whose Name was D. Gonzalo for in those confused times it was held no shame for Christians to assist Infidels against Christians D. Gonzalo went not himself but a Body of Men sent by him and D. Garcia joyn'd the Moorish King who had raised a great Power and they marched together from Zaragoça Things being in this posture D. Garcia whether out of good will or deceitfully is not known advised the new King Peter to raise the Siege and hast home Honour and the Promise made to their Father at the hour of his Death prevailed with the Brothers Near the City is a large Plain called Alcoraz famous for this Battle where the Christians resolved to meet their Enemies The Night before the Fight the King in a Vision saw a more than Humane Person that assured him of the Victory Prince Alonso led the Van the King brought up the Rear the main Body was under the Conduct of two famous Commanders Lisana and Bacalla Men of known Valour and Worth The Horse were placed in the Front and began the Battle then the Foot fell in the numbers of Infidels filled all the neighbouring Fields Both Bodies being come to close the Fight was desperately maintained Nothing could be heard but dying groans acclamations of those that fought and the noise of Arms. Night put an end to the Battle without deciding which side had the better Our side had the advantage in Valour and Conduct the Enemy in number All Night the Christians stood to their Arms Morning discovered the Moors and their King Almozaben retired with all speed to Zaragoça Being closly pursu'd 4000 of them were put to the Sword Scarce 1000 Christians were lost and none of Note D. Garcia was taken the Booty was great and all the Fields were covered with Weapons Blood and Dead Bodies Some say S. George was seen fighting and by his help the Victory was obtained Others affirm that a Gentleman of the Family of 〈…〉 who at that time was in the Holy Land appeared a Horse-back in this Fight It is 〈…〉 â—â—crease the fame of a Victory to feign Miracles Authors agree That from 〈…〉 Arms of the Kings of Aragon were Argent a Cross the colour is not named 〈…〉 the 4 Quarters of the Escutcheon being the Heads of as many Kings or Generâ—◠〈…〉 Battle which was fought on the 18th of November and the 9th day after 〈…〉 having lost all hopes of Relief was Surrendred On the 17th of December 〈…〉 great Mosque was Consecrated In the Field of Battle the King built a Church o◠〈…〉 â—â—cation of St. George At the same time the Cathedral of Pamplona was Founded some Fooâ— steps whereof are still to be seen It was ordained That the Canons should observe the Rule of S. Augustin CHAP. III. Great Preparations thro' Christendom for the Holy War Valencia taken by Roderick de Bivar Other Actions of his suspected to be Fabulous His Death and that of Joseph the Moorish Monarch WHilst these things hap'ned in Spain all the rest of Christendom sounded of nothing but Preparations for the Holy War Pope Vrban at the General Council he held at Clermont in France and by his Legates at the Courts of all Christian Princes stirred them up to undertake this Religious Work Many Bishops Princes and Men of Note
possession of that City restored to him by the Citizens when they had expelled William Morelle who held it for the Earl of Poitiers D. Alonso his Heirs kept that City till the Fourth Generation and were all called Raimunds the last of which left but one Daughter Marry'd to the Earl of Poitiers who had no Issue by her whence it followed that the Earldoms of Poitiers and Toulouze were annexed to the Crown of France the Holy King S. Luis Brother to that Earl being the rightful Heir The Territory of Zaragoça a strong rich and populous City extended to the Borders of the King of Aragon's Dominions From thence the inhabitants used to make frequent incursions into the Lands of the Christians doing all the harm that can be imagined from such a Barbarous People King Alonso notwithstanding the War with Castile was not ended resolved to overcome all difficulties and â—ay Siege to that City Tahuste a Town of note on the Banks of Ebro was now taken by the Valour and Conduct of Bacalla a great Man Borgi on the Borders of Navarre Magalona and other Towns and Castles were also taken The Alniogaraves so they called the Choice old Soldiers were put into Castellar a strong hold on the Eminence above Zaragoça as was said before They were furnished with Provisions and all manner of stores either to infest the Country or endure a long Siege These were preludes to the Conquest of Zaragoça the same whereof brought thither many Persons of note among the rest the Earls Gaston of Bearne Rotron of Perche and Gentulle of Bigorre Thus having gathered a mighty Army they sate before the City in the Year 1118. On the eighth day they gained the Suburb that lies beyond the River Rotron Earl of Perche whilst the Siege went on with a Body of 600 Horse took Tudela a considerable Town in Navarre and kept it as a reward of his Valour The Moors knowing of what Consequence Zaragoça was gathered in great numbers to relieve the Besieg'd Besides Temin a Famous Commander had joyned them with a good number of Barbary Moors he brought out of Africk All these Encamped on an Advantagious Ground on the Banks of the River Guerba above Zaragoca near the Castle of Mary then held by the Moors but perceiving the Christians exceeded them in number and experience they drew back In the City there began to be want of Provisions and what was worst no hope of relief Delay was troublesome to the Besiegers Things being in this Posture advice was brought to the King that a Nephew of Temin others say he was Son to the King of Cordova was Marching with a Resolution to force his Passage into the Town King Alonso knowing if the Moors succeeded he must be obliged to raise the Siege marched out and met him at Cutanda near Daroca A great number of the Moors was killed the rest put to flight and their General taken The Besieged having notice hereof and despairing of any relief surrendred upon Articles on the 18th of September after a Siege of eight Months Our Men were so assured of success that they had beforehand Consecrated Peter Librana Bishop of that City and he Consecrated the Church To the Earls Gaston of Bearne and Rotron of Perche the King gave for their good Service two quarters in that City for them and their Heirs On the Banks of Ebro Nine Leagues from Zaragoça was formerly a Colony of the Romans called Julia Ceisa now a desert place but about a League from it is a Town at present called Xelsa the only remaining Monument of that piece of Antiquity Thither the King marched as soon as the Season would permit wasting all the Country of the Moors about Thence he advanced into the Province formerly called Celtiberia where all things succeeded according to his desires all places submitting to him This season he took Taraçona Alabona Epila Calatayud Ariza and Daroca Beyond this last place the King built a Town to which he gave Name of Monreal in a Convenient place to check the Parties of Valencia that used to ravage that Country At this time the Carthusians and Cistercian Monks newly instituted grew Famous for Sanctity of Life At Jerusalem the Knights Templers and Hospitalers gained fame by their Actions against the Insidels The Templers wore a Red Cross on a White Garment The Hospitalers called also of St. John wore a White Cross on a Black Cloak S. Bernard who lived at that time was Founder of the Cistercians and came into Spain where he perswaded the King to give the new Town of Monreal to the Knights Templers which was done accordingly a Monastery was built and revenues assigned them particularly the Fifths of all Booties were given them for their maintenance that they might infest the Moors on that side This was the first entrance of the Knights Templers into Spain and this the Original of the vast revenues they afterwards possessed which doubtless in the end proved their ruin CHAP. VII A Schism in the Church on account of an Antipope Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon War with the Moors Original of the Kingdom of Portugal IN the Year 1119 Guido a Burgundian Unkle to Alonso King of Castile was Chosen Pope and took the Name of Calixtus II. Henry IV. then Emperor being Excommunicated caused Burdinus Archbishop of Braga by the Name of Gregory VIII to take upon him the Papal Dignity which produced a Schism in the Church that lasted three Years At the end of which the Lawful Pope prevailing Burdinus was taken and shut up in the Monastery of the Trinity of Cava where he dy'd The Promotion of Calixtus to the Papacy was very pleasing to his Nephew the King of Castile and very advantagious to all Spain in general At that time the chief Cities and Castles of that Kingdom were held by Garrisons of Aragonians without any other right than that of Arms. The Castilians either that they were Habituated to obey or for kindnesses received of the Aragonians were not concerned at the loss of their Liberty Tho' Young the King of Castile had a great Spirit and could not put up the wrongs done him by his Father-in-Law Embassadors passed betwixt them he of Aragon neither flatly refused nor yet performed what was required but still delay'd and framed excuses At length it came to the point that Heraulds were sent to demand Restitution of the Places with-held or if refused to declare War These threats made no impression upon the King of Aragon Great Armies were rais'd on both sides but the Aragonian being best furnish'd took the Field first breaking into the Territory of Rioja on the side of Navarre Great Mischiefs were like to ensue whoever had the better therefore several Godly Prelates of both Kingdoms interposed labouring for an Accommodation Their Success was better than had been hoped at first for both Kings suffered themselves to be persuaded and each yielding something they agreed upon these
Provisions A Truce was therefore concluded with the Moors and the Army drew off to furnish themselves with Necessaries But for the scarcity which was that Year it had been a good opportunity of subduing the Moors they being then divided among themselves and distracted with intestine Wars Mahomet Sirnamed the Green King of the Moors after the loss of the memorable Battle of Nabas de Tolofa went over into Africk to recruit his Forces In his absence his Brother Zeit Abenzeit possessed himself of Valencia and Monviedro with all their Dependencies Mahomet Zeit his Cousin did the same with the Cities of Cordova and Baeça Abobali another Moor following their example secured to himself Sevil Ecija and Xeres Thus the Force of the Moors was divided and consequently weakned A fit opportunity of subduing them was offer'd but King Alonso the most powerful Prince in Spain could not make use of it by reason of the scarcity of Provisions as also because he was about to relieve the English then too hard set in France At the same time Alonso II. King of Portugal Sirnamed the Fat was busie taking away by force of Arms from his Sisters the Towns left them by his Father Princes never want pretences to put in execution their Designs Those Ladies had recourse for Protection to the King of Leon their Kinsman who went not in Person but sent his Son Ferdinand by whom many Towns were taken from the Portugueses but afterwards restored at the request of Pope Innocent who interposed to adjust those Differences The King of Castile desired to Commune with his Son-in-law the King of Portugal and to that purpose sent Embassadors to invite him to Plasencia but understanding his coming would not be so soon went to Burgos thence to send Supplies to the English Death prevented all these Designs In his return from Burgos earnestly desiring to meet the King of Portugal he fell sick at Garcimun̄os where he was given over by the Physicians Roderick Archbishop of Toledo Administred the Sacraments to him and caused him to make a Will That done he expir'd upon Munday the 6th of October in the Year 1214. This was the end of King Alonso the most Renowned Prince of that Age who did many great things by himself yet the other Kings of Spain did nothing considerable without him He lived 57 years and 22 days and thereof reign'd 55. I should think but 53 since at the beginning of his Reign our Author says he was 4 years old when his Father died His Body was bury'd at Huelgas near Burgos This same Year died Ellenor Queen Dowager of Castile Ferdinand eldest Son to the King of Leon by his first Wife also James Lopes de Haro and Peter de Castro Son to Ferdinand de Castro all Persons of great Note The Queen departed this life on the last day of October of Grief for the loss of her Husband and was bury'd by him Ferdinand of Leon was a very hopeful Youth had he not been untimely cut off by Death he was Interr'd at Santiago in Galicia A Brother of his of the same Name survived being born of Berengaria his Father's second Wife and inherited both the Crowns of Castile and Leon as shall be shown in its place Peter de Castro ended his days at Morocco the cause of his going thither is not known CHAP. III. Disorders in Castile and Aragon under the two Infant Kings Sancho King of Navarre altogether decrepid The Lateran General-Council Honours done there to the Archbishop of Toledo AFter the Death of Peter King of Aragon and Alonso of Castile there ensued great Troubles in both Kingdoms by reason of the tender Age of the two Kings Jaime and Henry when they ascended those Thrones All the Nobility was more intent upon their private than the publick Interest In Castile many strove to possess themselves of the Government in the King's Name Some in Aragon not so content endeavoured to Usurp the Crown these were Sancho and Ferdinand before-mentioned Both pleaded that the young King Jaime was not got in lawful Wedlock Sancho urged against his Competitor that he was a profess'd Monk and therefore incapable of Reigning Ferdinand brought Ramiro for a Precedent who tho' ancient and a Monk had inherited the Crown and therefore that Impediment being removed pretended most Right as the next of the Collateral Line Thus was the Kingdom divided into Factions The least number but most considerable for Power stuck to the true King The Multitude was for the fairest Bidder Embassadors being sent as was said above to Pope Innocent they were remitted to France with Orders that what had been taken from the Hereticks should be delivered to Simon of Montfort upon condition he should restore the young King of Aragon to his Subjects These Commands were punctually obey'd and the young King conveyed to Narbonne together with Raymund Earl of Provence his Cousin-German and a Child of the same age to be bred in Aragon whilst the Wars lasted in France At Narbonne many of the Nobility of Aragon received their King with much Joy and the People wherever he passed offered up their Vows for his safety The Child had a Graceful Presence and was somewhat bigger than is usual at that Age. Montfort returned to prosecute the War By the Legates procurement the Cortes or Parliament was assembled at Lerida where all that were present took the Oath of Allegiance to the new King a thing not before used in Aragon but continued ever since to this day William Monredon Superior of the Templars in that Kingdom was appointed the King's Tutor and the chief of the Embassadors that had been sent to the Pope joyned in Commission with him Monçon was assigned for the King to keep his Court at till the Troubles were over and the King came to Age. At this time Commerce was restored betwixt Zaragoça and Navarre which had been long interrupted by reason of the Wars Sancho King of Navarre lay in the Castle of Tudela without attending to the Government by reason of his great Age and Sickness This same Year was fought the famous Battle of Bovines near Tournay in Flanders betwixt Otho the Emperor and Philip King of France Ferdinand Prince of Portugal who had Married the Countess of Flanders took the Emperor's part and the Imperialists being defeated was taken and continued a long time Prisoner in France In the Year 1215. the Aragonians endeavouring to settle the Kingdom and satisfie Sancho Earl of Russillon committed to him the care of the Government but he being ambitious of the Crown made use of his power to raise greater Commotions as shall be told hereafter Castile was in no better condition Henry the new King was but 11 years of age when he inherited that Crown His Mother took upon her the Administration of Affairs but that lasted not long by reason of her Death In her Will she appointed her Daughter Berengaria Queen of Leon tho' Divorc'd from
requisite to use diligence lest the minds of those People should alter for the Moors are very inconstant Therefore the Prince set out after the Embassadors without staying to consult his Father At his Arrival all places submitting he put Garisons into them particularly into the Castle of Murcia Revenues were assign'd all the chief of the Moors Only the Cities Lorca formerly call'd Eliocrota Cartagena and Mula would not submit to the Christians It was tedious to force them and Prince Alonso had not a sufficient Power therefore he returned with all speed towards his Father who being recover'd was come as far as Toledo and desiring to gain the Affections of the Moors resolv'd to visit that new Kingdom There is extant a Grant sign'd by the King of Murcia to the Church of S. Mary of Valpuesta Thence the King and his Son Alonso were called away upon urgent Affairs to Burgos At the same time Berengaria the King's Daughter became a Nun at Huelgas Jayme King of Aragon having recommended the Government of his Kingdom to D. Ximeno Bishop of Taraçona was now at Monpelier Thither the Earls of Toulouze and Provence came to visit him on pretence of Friendship but in reality to treat about a Divorce betwixt the Earl of Toulouze and his Wife Sancha King Jayme's Aunt The reason was because Joanna that Earl's Daughter and Heiress he having no Issue Male would convey her Father's Dominions to her Husband Alonso Earl of Poitiers Brother to Luis King of France King Jayme lest so considerable a Principality should fall into the hands of the French sought some colour for a Divorce that the Earl of Toulouze Marrying again might have Issue Male. This was contrary to the Agreement we mention'd above was made at Paris Therefore in order to oppose the power of France these three Princes concluded a League on the 5th of June in the Year 1241. The same Year dy'd Pope Gregory IX Celestin IV. succeeded him and he dying within 17 days Innocent IV. was chosen after the Chair had been void six Months In the time of these Popes Hugo a Dominican and Cardinal famous for his great Learning writ large Commentaries on the Holy Scripture He was the first that attempted to write the Concordance of the Bible a Work almost infinite yet he compassed it by the help of 500 Monks The like was afterwards imitated by the Hebrews and Greeks and is a great help to Learned Men. CHAP. II. A Defeat of the Christians who recover and are successful take Jaen and many other Places The King of Granada made Tributary King Sancho II. of Portugal Expell'd his Kingdom by his Rebellious Subjects THE War in Andaluzia was not prosecuted with any Vigour King Ferdinand being full of other cares Roderick Alfonso of Leon the King's Bastard Brother making an Incursion into the Territory of Granada was defeated by the Moors Several Persons of Note and a great number of Soldiers being kill'd in the Action This Success encouraged the Moorish King to waste our Frontiers no Body offering to oppose him King Ferdinand being advertiz'd hereof order'd his Son Alonso speedily to secure the Kingdom of Murcia resolving himself to march for Andaluzia Being come to Andujar he ravaged the Territories of Arjona and Jaen then in the hands of the Moors Arjona soon after was taken from them and other Towns of less note in that Neighbourhood Thence the King sent his Brother Alonso Lord of Molina with a good Army who plundred all the Lands of Granada and encamped before the City King Ferdinand believing the Moors would gather from all parts to relieve that place marched thither with greater Forces A mighty Army of infidels was there put to the Rout. Yet the City could not be taken for that it was strongly Fortisied well provided and had a great Multitude of Inhabitants Besides that at the same time Advice was brought that the Gazules a powerful Party among the Moors had Besieged Martos This mov'd the King to send his Brother Alonso and the Master of Calatrava before with part of the Army to relieve the Besieged but the Moors staid not for their coming Thus much the King thought might suffice for the present and therefore he returned to Cordova with his Army entire in the Year 1242. Prince Alonso his Son was no less Fortunate in Murcia and of the three Cities we said before would not submit he took Mula by force and then wasted all the Lands of Carthagena and Lorca in such manner that they meditated a Surrender To Sancho Maçuelos for his good Service in this War the Prince gave the Town of Alcaudete near Bugorra From him descends the Noble Family of the Earls of Alcaudete in Castile Winter drawing on the King went to Poçuelo where his Mother expected him to treat about important Affairs she being now near the end of her days He spent 45 days with her in that Town after which the Queen returned to Toledo and the King to Anduxar at the beginning of the Year 1243. The Queen Consort remained at Cordova All the Lands about Jaen and Alcala Sirnamed Bençayde were wasted by the King in Person Illora was burnt and he marched in sight of the City Granada D. Pelayo Correa Master of Santiago who had done good service under Prince Alonso in Murcia came now to Andaluzia and persuaded the King to lay Siege to Jaen which had been often attempted and always without Success Great difficulties seem'd to obstruct this undertaking as the greatness of the Garison plenty of Provisions within and natural strength of the Place which hindred the applying of Engines for battery That City is seated at the side of a craggy Mountain stretching out in length betwixt the East and South not so broad as long is plentifully supply'd with Water of several Springs and the River Guadalquivir runs three Leagues distant from it It was stored with all Necessaries and well Garison'd besides its natural strength Pelayus's Constancy prevailed beyond all these difficulties All things were provided and the Siege opened yet many days were spent and no advance made It fell out that the Faction of the Oysimeles at Granada Mutiny'd which brought that King into great danger of losing his Kingdom and Life In this condition no Refuge was left him but among the Christians wherefore having obtain'd a Pass he came to the Camp of King Ferdinand He offered to serve him faithfully if he would take him into his Protection and in token of submission kissed his hand A League and Friendship was established betwixt them upon the following Articles That Jaen be immediately delivered That the Revenue of the Kingdom of Granada be equally divided betwixt the two Kings it was then valued at 170000 Ducats a Year That the Moorish King as Homager be obliged when summoned to come to the Cortes or Parliament That this League be Offensive and Defensive Thus the Treaty being concluded the City was surrendred and
the Wrongs he did his Father yet the Kingdom he unjustly Usurp'd he govern'd Prudently At Avila he perform'd his Father's Exequies with Magnificence and at Toledo laying aside his Mourning put on the Royal Robes The Gentry who had been against him now throng'd to make their Court either in hopes to appease him or else to hide what was conceal'd in their Hearts The new King at present dissembl'd yet resolv'd as soon as setl'd to vent his Rage All the Nobility and Commons swore Allegiance to him and his Daughter Elizabeth as Heiress in case he had no Issue Male. This was done to exclude the two Brothers his Nephews whose just Cause many yet favour'd King Sancho resolv'd to gain the good Will of the King of Aragon who had those young Princes in Custody and was then preparing to besiege Albarazin being no longer able to bear with the Insolencies of D. John Nunez de Lara Therefore King Sancho because he could not go in Person sent a good Body of Men to the Assistance of the King of Aragon against that Common Enemy This done he went away for Sevil because Prince John his Brother endeavour'd to possess himself of that City by virtue of his Father's last Will but the Citizens oppos'd him and were headed by D. Alvar Nun̄ez de Lara These Disputes ceas'd upon the coming of the new King who caus'd his Brother to desist To this City came Ambassadors from the King of Morocco to settle Peace but were sent away with Scorn which provok'd the Moors to invade Spain again King Sancho to oppose them provided a great Fleet. At that time the Genoses were Famous for their skill in Navigation thence the King sent for Benedict Zacarias who brought with him twelve Galleys was created Admiral and had the Town Port S. Mary given to him and his Heirs upon Condition they should always maintain a Galley at their Cost The Cortes or Parliament met at Sevil their Business was to redress Grievances and to make void many Grants forc'd in time of Necessity from the present King and his Father That Assembly breaking up the King return'd to Castile where some conspir'd to restore his Nephews but he coming upon them some submitted and others were put to Death At this same time Roger Lauria General of the Aragonians in Sicily having near Malta defeated 20 French Galleys killing their General William Cornutus sailing towards Naples offer'd Battle to Charles the Lame Prince of Salerno and Son to King Charles who was ready with a mighty Fleet to pass over into Sicily Many and particularly the Pope's Legate advis'd the Prince not to Fight but he gave no Ear to them The Battel was Bloody but in Conclusion the French were beaten and Prince Charles taken Authors differ about the Number of Vessels on each side the most receiv'd Opinion is that the Aragonians had 42 Galleys and the French 70. This Battel was fought on the 23d of June and the Aragonians making use of their Victory took several Towns in Italy Three Days after the defeat King Charles arriv'd at Gaeta with 20 Galleys from Provence and there understood how his Son was condemn'd to Death at Mecina by the Sicilians in revenge of the Death of Conradine executed by the French after he was taken in Battel The Queen sav'd him on pretence of acquainting her Husband yet such was the Fury of the People that they broke the Prisons and put to the Sword 60 other Prisoners The King of Aragon as if he had no War abroad now lay'd Siege to Albarazin and furiously Batter'd it The City was naturally Strong well Fortify'd and had a good Garrison of hardy Souldiers yet Provisions falling short D. John Nun̄ez de Lara resolv'd to make his Escape but advis'd the Garrison to hold out whilst he went to Navarre where he was sure of Succour After his Departure the City held out a few Days and then desparing of Relief surrendred on Michaelmas Day The Garrison consisted of French and Navarrois who were all dismiss'd and People brought from the Neighbourhood as well to Inhabit the Place as Till the Land The King had a Bastard-Son by the Lady Agnes Zapata to him he had before given Algezira and Liria in the Kingdom of Valencia and now gave him the City Albarazin This was the end of that Principality for many Years possess'd by the noble Family of the Açagras CHAP. VI. The French invade Catalonia take Girona and retire back to France with Loss The King of Morocco Besieges Xeres and is repuls'd The Death of the four Kings of France Aragon Naples and Morrocco AFter the taking of Albarazin a greater Storm threatn'd the King of Aragon from France The Aragonian alone was not able to withstand the French and therefore had recourse to Forreign Aids He sent Embassadors into Germany to the Emperors Rodulphus who being a cautious Man and at that time in War with the Switsers gave only good Words King Sancho at the Instance of the King of Aragon had Conferences with him at Ciria and Borobia two Towns about Soria where they made a League and promis'd to assist one another The King of Morocco design'd to make War in Andaluzia The French wasted the Frontiers of Aragon and Jayme King of Majorca sided with them 18000 Moorish Horse besieg'd Xerez de la Frontera and made Incursions as far as Sevil. King Sancho went with speed to Toledo where Charles Earl of Artois Embassador from the King of France expected him His chief Business was to procure the Liberty of the King 's two Nephews and perswade King Sancho not to have to do with the King of Aragon who was Excommunicated by the Pope The King's Answer in Publick was that he would send Embassadors to adjust all things in France and privately he declar'd himself much the King of France his Friend The King of Aragon lay'd Siege to Tudela in Navarre by that means to divert the French who design'd to pass into Aragon through Russillon That City was bravely defended by D. John Nunez de Lara who lost Albarazin and was more Successful in the Affairs of others than his own All the Country about was wasted and the Frontier Towns of Aragon strongly Garrison'd to oppose the Enemy This done because Winter came on the King of Aragon return'd to Zaragoça There he spent the remainder of this Year and beginning of the next which was 1285 in which on the 7th of January Charles King of Naples departed this Life at Fogia a Town of Apulia being worn out with Misfortunes and griev'd at the Imprisonment of his Son This Prince had been Famous as well in Peace as War had the end of his Life been suitable to the beginning Age made him feel the Inconstancy of Fortune as it has happen'd to many Besides the Vigour of the French was decay'd and they debauch'd with Ease and Pleasure and their Governours made the King odious through their Avarice and
Affairs in Castile in the Year 1305. On the 17th of January dy'd Roger Lauria the famous Admiral of Aragon who gain'd Sicily for King Peter perform'd many brave Exploits by himself and those Kings did none without him His Body was bury'd in the Monastery of Santa Cruz near unto the Tomâ— of King Peter On the 6th of April dy'd Joanna Queen of Navarre at Paris and was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Francis Luis call'd Huttin succeeded his Mother in the Kingdom of Navarre and afterwards his Father in that of France The Queen left two other Sons Philip the Long and Charles the Fair who all came to be Kings of France and Navarre She left also two Daughters one dy'd Young the other call'd Elizabeth was marry'd to Edward King of England and was the beautifullest Lady of her Time Benedict sat in the Papal Chair but 8 Months and 6 Days And he dying it was vacant 10 Months and 28 Days After long Debates betwixt the French and Italian Cardinals Clement the Vth. was chosen and proclaim'd on the 5th of June He was before Arch-Bishop of Bourdeaux and is said to have promis'd many scandalous Things to the King of France before he would permit him to pass towards Rome He was Crown'd on the 11th of November at which time a Wall falling as the Procession was going did much mischief and struck the Tyara off his Head out of which a great Carbuncle was lost which Things were look'd upon as ill Omens and the rest of his life was not unlike to this beginning but those Things do not belong to this History At the same time troubles began again to break out in Spain D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara declin'd in the King's Favour who took from him the Office of Lord Steward and confer'd it on D. Lope Son to D. James de Haro on pretence that D. John de Lara being General of the Frontiers could not serve both places but in reality to oblige the Family of Haro and divide it from that of Lara Those Families understanding the Design knit their Interests the closer together and seem'd to threaten a Rebellion Alonso Perez de Guzman and the Queen interpoâ—'d and restoring each of those Gentlemen their Honours pacify'd them Besides the dispute betwixt Prince John and the House of Haro was reconcil'd upon these Conditions That D. James de Haro during his Life should possess the Lordship of Biscay and after his Death it should fall to Prince John That Orduna and Balmaseda should be Intail'd â—â—on D. John D. James his Son and his Heirs and in lieu of what he was to lose Miranda de Ebro and Villalva de Losa were given him All Men rejoyc'd to see these Differences compos'd except D. John de Lara who in a rage that he had not been consulted in the Affair of D. James de Haro and studying to make his Advantage of the publick Calamities renouncing his Oath of Fidelity withdrew with his Followers to Tordehumos a strong Pâ—ace where he hoped to be able to withstand the King whom he had hainously offended The King's Forces laid Siege to that Place but many favouring D. John it was protracted to a long time Some Overtures of Accommodation were made and because the King would not harken to them his Army broke up of it self and disbanded Among others Prince John favour'd D. John de Lara and the Business was carry'd to such a beight that the King was forc'd to Pardon him only taking from him the Towns of Moya and Canete the Gift of King Sancho Nor was the Peace lasting for both those Gentlemen imagining the King had a Design to take away their Lives openly rebell'd again Prince John was soon appeas'd but it was not so easy to reduce D. John de Lara D. Alonso de la Cerda forsaken of all Men and seeing no Hopes of obtaining the Crown sent Martin Ruiz to take possession of the Towns assign'd him by the Arbitrators and was ever after call'd D. Alonso the Disinherited The Moors of Granada about this time began to Mutiny for that their King was blind and his Brother-in-Law the Lord of Malaga govern'd the State with the same Grandeur as if he had been another King The Nobility were not wanting to incense the Commons Among them Aborrabes a Gentleman descended from the Kings of Morocco seiz'd Almeria and call'd himself King of that place Most of the People favour'd Mahomet Azar the King's Brother and were for putting the Crown upon his Head Aborrabes was expell'd Almeria by the contrary Faction and he designing to seize upon Ceuta a City on the Coast of Africk belonging to the Kingdom of Granada thought to obtain Aid of the Christians This seem'd a good opportunity to drive the Moors quite out of Spain and in order to it the Two Kings of Castile and Aragon met at the Monastery of Huerta upon the Borders of both Kingdoms at the beginning of the Year 1309. There and at Monreal whither they remov'd it was agreed First to pacify D. Alonso de la Cerda somewhat mollifying the Decree of the Arbitrators lest whilst they were busie in the War with the Moors he should raise Tumults in Castile Next to make War upon the Moors with two Armies and at once besiege Almeria and Algezira Besides it was resolv'd Prince Jayme the King of Aragon's Son should Marry Ellenor the Sister of King Ferdinand her Dower to be the sixth part of what was gain'd in War and particularly the City Almeria After the Interview broke up great preparations were made King Ferdinand went away to Toledo to see the Body of his Father King Sancho translated to a stately Tomb built by the Queen This King was naturally meer and merciful and of Body comely and well shap'd He advis'd a Gentleman to whom he had given the Government of Galicia not to put to death some Men of Note that had rais'd Rebellion in that Country but to send them to him which prov'd very advantagious for they to blot out the shame of their Crimes did extraordinary Service against the Moors The Army march'd into Andaluzia and the Castilians laid Siege to Algezira on the 27th of June About the middle of the next Month the King of Aragon set down before Almeria Gilbert Viscoune Castelnovo with part of the Aragonian-Fleet sail'd to Ceuta in Africk and took it The Plunder was given to the Souldiers the City to Aborrabe as had been agreed The Moors of Granada with all their Forces march'd to relieve Almeria but were so bravely receiv'd by the Aragonians that after a sharp Dispute they fled and a great Slaughter was made tho the Woods which were near sav'd many Whilst the Aragonians were busy in the Pursuit the Besieged fallying entred their Works but the Christians returning Victorious soon drove them back into the City On the 15th of October 40000 Moors again assauited the Aragonians in their Works and met with the
Robert King of Naples his mortal Enemy who secur'd them at Aversa There they were till both dy'd with hard Usage Prince Ferdinand of Majorca was not kept to strictly and was soon after releas'd At Mecina he marry'd Elizabeth the Grandchild of Luis the last Prince of the Morea a Frenchman who dy'd not long before without leaving any Heir-male After the Departure of the French from the Levant those Catalonians that remain'd there destroy'd all wherever they went Gualter de Brena Duke of Athens being then at War entertain'd them and they soon mutiny'd kill'd him and plunder'd the City but reserv'd the Title of Duke for Frederick King of Sicily in hopes he would relieve them King Frederick accepted of the Title and sent Governours and Officers under whom the War was continu'd with various Success This Dukedom he left to his younger Son William and he to his Brother John then succeeded Frederick his Son who dying without Issue that Title fell to Frederick King of Sicily Great Grandson to him that first sent the Catalonians to Greece Hence the Kings of Aragon as Kings of Sicily stil'd themselves Dukes of Athens and Neopatria Luis Hutin King of France dying on the 5th of June 1315. Philip the Long his Brother succeeded him Joanna his Daughter being excluded by the Salique Law But she could not be excluded from the Crown of Navarre because her Grandmother not many Years before had inhenâ—â—'d that Crown Pope Clement dying at Avignon the See of Rome was Vacant two Years and four Months through the Divisions among the French and Italian Cardinals at last John the XXth was chosen on the 7th of August 1316. He made Zaragoça an Arch-Bishoprick to whose Jurisdiction he subjected Pamplona Calahorra Huesca and Tarraçona all which and Zaragoça it self were before Subordinate to Tarragona In Castile things were very much unsetled and yet they made War upon the Moors Azar not brooking his Fall contrary to Agreement assum'd the Title of King and being of himself too weak us'd the Assistance of the Christians It was not fit to let slip so good an Opportunity of extirpating the Moors Prince Peter was appointed General against them both because of his Age and because he had many Friends among the Infidels As also because his Uncle Prince John was then afflicted with the Death of his eldest Son D. Alonso who dy'd at Morales near Toro and was bury'd at Leon. About this Time Prince Ferdinand of Majorca dy'd in the Morea whither he went to recover his Wife's Dominions His Body was brought to Spain and bury'd at Perpignan He left a Son call'd D. Jayme Prince Peter in Andaluzia provided a great Convoy for Guadix which suffer'd want and the Enemy lying in the way he March'd with it himself Near Alaten a great Number of Moorish Horse commanded by Ozmin a brave Souldier met him After a sharp Ingagement the Moors were put to Flight 1500 of them kill'd and among them 40 of the Noblest of Granada Guadix was reliev'd and two Forts call'd Gambil and Algabardos taken This Success which ought to have gain'd him the Love of all Men rais'd Emulation and many sought his Ruin whom his Uncle Prince John incens'd It was propos'd the Governours should deliver up some Towns of their own for Security that they would Govern uprightly This Business was mov'd in the Cortes at Burgos first and then at Carrion where Prince Peter to his great Honour comply'd with all their Demands Mony was wanting and the People would not hear of Taxes therefore upon Suit made to him the Pope granted the Tenth of Ecclesiastical Revenues for the War and the Cruzade to all that serv'd upon their own Cost Besides the Country rais'd some Mony Thus our Army being increas'd wasted all the Country as far as the Walls of Granada the Moors refusing to hazard a Battle The Infidels designing to besiege Gibraltar it was provided with all Necessaries so they desisted and at the same time the Castle of Belmes was taken from them It was now the Year 1316 in which Rocaberti Arch-Bishop of Tarragona dying the Chapter elected Prince John the King of Aragon's 3d Son but the Pope could never be brought to confirm the Election Therefore they were forc'd to proceed to a new Choice which fell upon D. Ximeno de Luna Arch-Bishop of Zaragoça D. Peter de Luna succeeded him in that See and Prince John was made Abbot of Montaragon vacant by the Promotion of D. Peter to the Archbishoprick CHAP. VIII Institution of two new Orders of Knighthood in Aragon and Portugal Peter and John Princes of Castile kill'd by the Moors The Government of that Kingdom in Confusion A great Overthrow given the Navarrois by the Biscainers IN the Year 1317 the King of Aragon obtain'd leave of the Pope to institute a new Order of Knighthood out of the Ruins of the Templers That they should be of the Cistercian Order subject to that of Calatrava but to have a particular Master of their own Their Badge was a plain Red Cross on a White Cloak Their principal Seat Montesa whence they took their Name They did as good Service against the Moors who infested the Coasts of Valencia as any other Order Soon after in Portugal by Permission of the same Pope was instituted another Order call'd of Christ the chiefest in that Kingdom Their Badge a Red Cross with a white Twist in the middle To them also were given the Lands of the Templers their chief Seat is at Tomar The Portugueses had long enjoy'd Peace which was now disturb'd by Civil Discord Prince Alonso was displeas'd with his Father the true Cause was Ambition and the desire of â—â—igning before his Time but he pretended his Bastard Brother Alonzo Sanchez had too much Power and more Interest with the King than was reasonable Many forsook the King and follow'd the Prince who seiz'd upon the Cities of Coimbra and Porto The King endeavour'd to appease him by fair means and us'd all possible Methods to prevent a War Mean while in Aragon dy'd Queen Mary Sister to the King of Cyprus whence she came the Year before and was marry'd to the King of Aragon The Marriage was Celebrated at Girona and she was bury'd at Tortosa where she ended her Days in the Year 1318. The following Year 1319 was Remarkable for two extraordinary Accidents One the unfortunate Death of the two Princes John and Peter The other the voluntary Resignation made by D. Jayme Heir to the Crown of Aragon Prince John envy'd the Honour and Esteem his Competitor Prince Peter acquir'd and Prince Peter was a Man would take no wrong It was fear'd these Differences might break out into open Hostilities for Prince John under colour of the War with the Moors had rais'd great Forces in Old Castile The Queen made up these Breaches at Valladolid where the Cortes thaâ—â— sat and it was agreed both Princes should Command severally
month dy'd D. Gonçalo Archbishop of Toledo D. Vasco or Blas then Bishop of Palâ—ncia succeeded him From Aguilar the King went to Cordova at such time as Dâ— Maria de Padilla was brought to Bed of â— Daughter call'd Beatrix Thence he return'd into the Kingdom of Toledo At Torrijos five Leagues from Toledo in a Turnament made for Joy of his Success and Birth of his Daughter the King receiv'd a Wound in his Hand which had like to have cost him his Life foâ— that the Surgeons could find no means to stop the Blood To this Town came D. Alonso â—â— Albuquerque who had been on an Embassy in Portugâ—â— and brought with him D. John de la 〈◊〉 whom the King receiv'd into Favour with demonstrations of Affection but could never â—â— prevail'd upon to restore him his Father in Laws Lands for he now began to be positive About this time the Lady Blanch of Borbon came to Valladolid accompany'd by the Viscount of Narbonnâ— and D. Frederick the Master of Santiago who went out to meet her D. Alonso de Albuquerque was for having the Marriage solemniz'd immediately He then was so absolute that at times he spoke disrespectful Words to the King and hastned his Marriage lest Da. Maria de Padilla's Relations should work him out of Favour and so it fell out Yet the Marriagew as solemniz'd on the 3d. of June At the same time in France another more fortunate Marriage was consummated betwixt Charles King of Navarre and the Lady Joanna eldest Daughter to the King of France A Match I say more happy for the 〈◊〉 they always had to one another and their Issue They had three Sons â—â—arles 〈◊〉 and Peter the second dyed young and three Daughters Mary Blaâ—ch and Joâ—â—n◠〈◊〉 liv'd 〈…〉 Years the other two were Match'd to great Princes Before he was Marry'd King Charlâ—s had a Bastard-Son called Leo of whom are descended the Marqueses of Cortes in Navarre The Marqueses of Falces in that Kingdom say they are descended from Peter the Kings lawful Son Scarce was King Peter married when he began to slight the Bride being wholly devoted to Da. Maria de Padilla Two Days after he prepar'd to go to the Castle of Montalvan on the Banks of Tagus where he had left his Minion The Queen his Mother and his Aunt Queen Ellenor conjur'd him not to forsake his Queen and give himself up to his Lust but he nothing mov'd said He did not design any such thing yet immediately took Horse and rode away without speaking to any body Count Henry D. Tello and the Princes of Aragon went with him for now the Nobility study'd to please and flatter him Only D. Giles de Albornos the Cardinal who had been Arch-Bishop of Toledo ceas'd not to reprove him till he became hateful to him Then with leave he retir'd to Cuença and thence went into France to Pope Innocent who had succeeded Pope Clement the last Year The King and Lady Mary Padilla from Montalvan went to Toledo At Valladolid it was consulted how to bring him back by force which he understanding was so offended at D. Alonso de Albuquerque the first mover of that Design that he was forc'd to appease him to deliver up his Son Giles as an Hostage At length through much intreaty of the Nobility he was perswaded to return to Valladolid to see the Queen but stay'd with her only two Days It was given out he was bewithc'd by a Jew with a Ribben so charm'd that it appear'd to the King like a Snake Some believ'd the King did not so suddenly quit his â—â—een without cause but because he discover'd Treachery in his Brother Frederick which I suppose is ment in regard to her Honour But all these are Surmises for there needs no stronger Witchcraft nor other Offence to draw a Man away than Love From Valladolid the King went away to Olmedo a Town in that Neighbourhood Thither by his Order came the Lady Mary de Padilla from Toledo and he never more had Compassion or so much as thought of the Queen his unfortunate Wife CHAP. IX King Peter of Castile removes his Officers punishes some Rebels and reduces several Towns The War of Sardinia where Diseases raging in the Aragonian Army that King clapâ— up a dishonourable Peace and returns to Aragon D. Alonso de Albuquerque being in disgrace spent some time upon his own Estate and then fearing the King would pursue him fled to Portugal D. Frederick Master of Santiâ—go had been discontented ever since the King caus'd his Mother to be put to death but being now reconcil'd came to Cuellar where the Court resided D. Tello his Brother at Segovia Marry'd Joanna Daughter to D. John de Lara and had with her the Lordship of Biscay The Kindred of Da. Maria de Padilla promoted this Match to oblige the King's Brothers who were Enemies to D. Alonso de Albuquerque Queen Blanch resided at Medina del Campo with the Queen her Mother-in-Law living like a Widow and spending her time in modest Recreations Thence she was by the King's Order remov'd to Arevalo and forbid conversing with her Mother-in-Law or any of the Nobility Peter Gudiel Bishop of Segovia and Tello Palomeque a Gentleman of Toledo were appointed to guard her The King chang'd the Officers of his Houshold and made James Garâ—â—a â—â— Padilla Brother to his Mistress Lord Chamberlain Alvaro â—â— Albornâ—z Cup-bearer and Peter Gonzalez Mendoça Taster These changes were made in hatred to D. Alonso de Albuquerque who had before many of his Creatures at Court. In Autumn the King went to Andaluzia and displac'd many great Men preferr'd by Alonso de Albuquerque The King was wholly govern'd by Dâ— Maria de Padilla and her Kindred and 〈…〉 Nobility even his Brothers made their Court to her This Winter the great Rains caus'd mighty Floods especially at Sevil where they made up all the Gates of the City lest it should break in At the beginning of the year 1354. D. John NunÌ„ez de Prado Master of Calâ—â—râ—â—a who had fled to Aragon came to Almagro the chief Town of that Order being invited by the King 's kind Letters There D. John de la Cerda who was in Favour made him Prisoâ—â— His greatest Crime was being a Friend to D. Alonso de Albuquerque and having perswaded the King to return to the Queen D. James de Padilla was immediately chosen Master and John Nunez put to Death at Maqueda The King seem'd sorâ—y for hiâ—â—â—ath but no body being question'd it was concluded to be done by his Comâ—â—â—d Nâ—â—â—â—he King invaded the Inheritance of D. Alonso de Albuquerque in which were manâ—â—â—rong â—â—aces Medeâ—â—â—n was besieg'd and the Governour not able to defend it surrender'd having first obtain'd his Master's Consent The Town of Albuquerque tho' besieg'd held out and D. Frederick and Count Henry were left at Badajoz to Blockade it The King went to Câ—cerâ—s and thence sent Embassadors to Alonso King of
Rojas two Men of Note Some others he imprison'd John Fernandez de Hinestrosa was let out of Prison at Toro up-upon parole that he would return if he did not appease the King but he broke his Word Henry and Frederick the King's bastard-Bastard-brothers seiz'd the City Toledo rob'd all the Jews and murder'd about 1000 of them but the King coming upon them before they were provided to make resistance they were forc'd to fly for their lives The King reveng'd himself upon the Town executing some Gentlemen and Twenty two of the Commonalty Among those condemn'd was a Goldsmith Eighty Years of Age a Son of his of Eighteen Years old offer'd to die for him and the King accepted of the Exchange Peter Gomez Barroso Bishop of Siguença was imprison'd for favouring the Towns-men and Queen Blanch sent to the Castle of Siguença Toledo being subdu'd the King went about to reduce the other Cities Cuenca shut the Gates against him and being a strong place he would not use Violence D. Sancho another Bastard-brother of the Kings was bred there under the care of Alvar Garcia de Albornoz who fled with him into Aragon Toro was besieged within it were the Queen Mother D. Henry D. Frederick D. Peter Estevanez Carpintero who call'd himself Master of Calatrava with the best Forces of the Association During the Siege Da. Maria de Padilla was delivered at Tordisillas of a third Daughter call'd Elizabth D. John de Padilla Master of Santiago was kill'd in a Skirmish with a party of Rebels The King would not bestow that Honour leaving it as a Bait to attract D. Frederik to his Service Pope Innocent sent the Cardinal of Bolonia to compose the Differences but he effected nothing only obtaining that Bishop Peter Gomez Barroso should be released Count Henry fled from Toro to Galicia D. Frederick went over to the King Lastly on the 5th of January 1356 one of the Towns-men who had the Guard of a Gate gave the King entrance The King being Master of the City caus'd Peter Estevanez Carpintero Ruy Gonzalez de CastanÌ„eda and other great Men to be put to death in the Queen's presence She fainted away at the sight and coming to her self loudly curs'd the King her Son and soon after with his leave went away into Portugal where she liv'd as lendly as she had done before There having an Intrigue with D. Martin Tello a Portugues Gentleman she was poison'd by the King her Brother Some say it was by her Father King Alonso the IVth The King of Castile went to Tordesillas and there had a Turneament for Joy of his success Next Morning he caus'd two of D. Fredericks Followers to be put to death which terrify'd their Master but no harm was done him This Year there was a great Earth-quake which did most harm to the Maritmie Towns At Sevil the Iron Apples that were upon the Steeple fell down and the Chappel-Royal newly finish'd by King Alonso at Lisbon was destroy'd This was look'd upon as Ominous and Processions were made to appease the divine Wrath. After the taking of Toro Count Henry fled into Biscay to his Brother Tello who made his Party Good and twice defeated the King's Forces Thence he went by Sea to Rochel in France At the same time the King of France surpris'd and made Prisoner him of Navarre as he was at a Feast with the Dauphin at Roan in Normandy He was accus'd of Treason for favouring the English being a Subject to France Thus the Spaniards residing in France were divided Count Henry receiv'd Pay of the King of France and Philip the King of Navarre's Brother joyn'd withe English in Normandy The Earl of Faux did the same offended at the wrong done to that King his Brother-in-Law Thus great Revolutions and Bloody Wars threaten'd France and Spain at the same time The End of the Sixteenth Book THE History of SPAIN The Seventeenth BOOK CHAP. I. The beginning of the War in Aragon Many Rebellious Nobles in Castile put to Death The War between Castile and Aragon carried on by Sea and Land VVE shall now write of a War betwixt two Kingdoms Ally'd by several Marriages A War bloody and destructive which consum'd many Noble Persons and lastly him that began it giving a new Race of Kings to Castile and restoring Peace The motives of this War consider'd singly and apart were inconsiderable but concurring all together made a mighty Flood of Discontents Both the Kings of Castile and Aragon were Princes of high Spirits alike in Conditions and harshness of Nature yet he of Castile as the younger was hottest The Aragonian complain'd that the Castilian countenanc'd his Brothers in raising Seditions in his Kingdom and was offended that his Brother Ferdinand had put Castilian Garrisons into his Forts of Alicant and Orihuela The King of Castile was incens'd for that the Galleys of Aragon had taken certain Ships laden with Corn at the mouth of Guadalquivir which made the want there was before more grievous besides that the Out-laws of Castile were protected in Aragon and also that the Aragonian Knights of Calatrava and Santiago would not obey their Masters in Castile Another new Complaint was added to all these which was That the King having reduc'd Castile went to Sevil and thence for his Diversion in a Galley to â—ee the Fishery at Almadravas near S. Lucar Two Ships lay then at Anchor in that Port Ten Galleys of Aragon bound to the Assistance of the French against the English Coasting that way spy'd those two Ships and carry'd them away before the King's Face This was a hainous Affront and Gutierre de Toledo was sent to demand satisfaction The Aragonian Commander answer'd that those Ships belong'd to Genoeses with whom they were then at War and might therefore lawfully be made Prize Having receiv'd this positive Answer from the Admiral the King of Castile sent Giles Velazquez de Segovia Embassador into Aragon to demand Restitution of the Ships taken and that the Commander of the Galleys should be deliver'd up to him At that time the King of Aragon was fitting out a Fleet at Barcelona to subdue the Rebels of Sardinia and therefore return'd a favourable Answer saying He would give Satisfaction to the King of Castile would banish his Fugitive Subjects out of Aragon and punish the Admiral at his Return But as for the Knights of Santiago and Calatrava that they being Religious Men he would stand by whatsoever the Pope should decree in that case Giles Velazquez was not satisfy'd with this Answer and therefore in his King's Name declar'd War The King of Aragon reply'd he thought there was no sufficient ground for a War and therefore would not commence it but did not doubt if invaded to repulse it Thus the War broke out Many Catalonian Merchants resided at Sevil in a moment they were all secur'd and their Effects seiz'd upon Both Kingdoms made Preparations and endeavour'd to obtain Foreign Aids Particularly Luis Brother to
vain Thence he sail'd to Barcelona where he found 12 Galleys of Aragon which he twice attempted to carry off but could not because they lay near the Shore and were bravely defended by the Catalonians Thus disappointed he sail'd for the opposite Islands He landed at Yviça and tho he assaulted the Town of that Name could not take it Mean while the King of Aragon having gather'd 40 Galleys sail'd over to Majorca designing to Fight the Castilian Fleet. The King at the Request of his People stay'd in the Island and sent the Fleet under the command of Bernard de Cabrera his Admiral and the Viscount to find out the Enemy who leaving Yviça were come to Calpe with the same Resolution The Aragonian Fleet lay at the Mouth of the River that falls into the Sea neat Denia both Parties seem'd desirous to Ingage yet both were cautious so all this threaten'd Storm vanish'd The Aragonians put into Barcelona and the King of Castile from Cartagena sent his Fleet to Sevil and went by Land himself to Tordesillas to see Da. Maria de Padilla who was there deliver'd of a Son call'd Alonso The King's Joy for his Birth was not lasting for he dy'd soon after In the Fields of Araviana at the foot of the Mountain Moncayo Count Henry and his Brother D. Tello with 700 Aragonian Horse charg'd a Party of Castile and overthrew them killing about 300 and taking many Men of Note Among the rest was killed John Fernandez de Hinestrosa the Commander in Chief The King of Castile in a rage caus'd two Bastard Brothers he kept Prisoners to be put to Death which were John and Peter It is likely they were convicted of keeping Correspondence with the Rebels yet this Action terrify'd the whole Kingdom All the great Ones trembled but doubtless it was their Guilt made them do so for many Men of Quality not thinking themselves secure in Castile fled into Aragon The King was charg'd with Cruelty but the Subject consider'd not how many frequent Rebellions oblig'd him to make Examples of Justice Having Intelligence that 12 Venetian Galleys were ready to pass out of the Streights the King sent 20 to Intercept them but a Storm disappointed the Design This is represented as a hainous Crime without reflecting that is was say'd before the Venetians were in League with Aragon and might therefore be justly looked upon as Enemies to Castile But it was the Misfortune of this King to have all his Actions misrepresented and to have those things call'd Cruelty in him which were but just Punishment of Rebels Yet because a Bastard prevail'd against him that Bastard was applauded as lawful King and the true King stiled a Tyrant Such is the Judgment of the World that Misfortunes make the best King a Tyrant and success Crowns the vilest Vsurper with the Name of a Lawful Prince The Cardinal Legate took much pains to set on Foot a Treaty of Peace which he compass'd at the beginning of the Year 1360. Embassadors were sent on both sides with full Power and the King was near a Conclusion Yet neither at Tudela nor at Sadua where the Treaty was renew'd and continu'd could any thing be brought to Perfection for the Aragonians were incourag'd with their late Success and the King of Castile after so many Disappointments would not yield the least Point Yet finding so much Falshood among his People he knew not who to trust and therefore every Day chang'd the Officers of his Household and Army This was the unhappy condition of King Peter CHAP. III. The Death of Queen Blanch and Da. Maria de Padilla Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon The War with the Moors and Death of their King The King of Aragon 's Daughter marry'd to the King of Sicily THE Treaty of Peace was so carry'd on that still fresh Preparations for War were made on both Sides The King of Castile went from Sevil towards Leon in speed to apprehend Peter Nun̄ez de Guzman Lieutenant of that Kingdom but he having Notice of the King's approach fled to Portugal a sign he was not Innocent Peter Alvarez Osorio being at Dinner with D. James Garcia de Padilla Master of Calatrava was put to Death by two of the King's Guards From Leon the King went to Burgos where he put to Death James Arias Maldonado the Archdeacon for keeping a Correspondence with Count Henry Many others sav'd their Lives by the sudden Irruptions of the Aragonians under Count Henry D. Tello and the Count de Osona into the Territory of Rioja where they took the Town of Haro and City Najara killing a great Number of Jews and making great Slaughter and Destructions In this heat they advanc'd as for as Pancorvo Gonzalo Gonzalez de Lucio Governour of Taraçona for the King of Castile deliver'd it up to the Aragonians The King of Castile march'd towards the Enemy then at Najara and encamp'd near a small Town call'd Azofra Here a Priest came to tell him he had a Revelution that his Bastard Brother Count Henry would kill him unless he mended his Life but the King for his Intelligence caus'd him to be publickly Burnt in the Camp From Azofra the King march'd towards Najara and there totally routed the Aragonians who fled to the City which might have been taken but the King could not be perswaded to besiege it Within two or three Days the Aragonians abandon'd Haro and Najara and the King put Garrisons into them Having secur'd the Frontires he return'd to Sevil and there agreed with the King of Portugal that each should deliver up the Out-laws that fled from the other The King of Portugal put to Death one Peter Coello and another because they had murder'd the Lady Agnes de Castro James Lopez Pacheco who had a Hand in her Death fled to Count Henry who afterwards for his good Service gave him an Estate in Castile and he was the Founder of the Noble Family of Pacheco Others were deliver'd to the King of Castile who put them to Death at Sevil. One of these was Peter Nun̄ez de Guzman the Lieutenant of Leon. Another was Gomez Carillo beheaded in a Galley as he was going by the King's Order from Sevil to Algozira upon pretence of being Governor of that Place Gutierre Fernandez de Toledo was put to Death at Alfaro for favouring the Party of Count Henry Gutierre Gomez and Toledo and James Gomez Brother to the deceas'd understanding he was Executed fled to Aragon D. Vasco Arch-bishop of Toledo was banish'd the Kingdom without allowing him time to change his Cloaths He went to Coimbra where in a Monastery of Dominicans he ended his Days holily Some Years after his Body was Translated to the Cathedral of Toledo Many call this Archbishop Blase It is suppos'd D. Vasco resign'd the Archbishoprick as soon as he was Banish'd for the same Year we find D. Gomez Manrique succeeded him Whilst these things happen'd in Castile the King of Aragon sent 4 Galleys well
Attack Guadix A great Number of Men was put into that Place unknown to the Christians who sent some Troops to Plunder the Fields call'd Val de Alhama The Moors perceiving they were divided fell upon those with great Fury that remain'd behind The Fight lasted all Day but the Number of Moors prevailing many of our Men were kill'd many taken and among them the Master of Calatrava who was carry'd to Granada and that King being desirous to appease King Peter sent him away without any Ransom King Peter believing this Courtesy proceeded from fear assembling his Forces enter'd the Kingdom of Granada took several Towns and return'd to Sevil with a rich Booty To this Misfortune of the Moorish Kings another was added which was that many Men of Note forsook him and favour'd his Adversary Mahomet Lagus who was in Banishment The King fearing he should be expelled the Kingdom consulted with his Friends what was best to be done and by the advice of one Edriz a constant follower of his Fortunes having obtain'd a Pass came away to Sevil with 400 Horse and 200 Foot to put himself under the Protection of the King of Castile The King receiv'd him Honourably in the Palace of Sevil and having heard him promis'd all should be well Then he was sent to Sup with D. Garcia de Toledo the Master of Santiago whilst they were at Supper the Moorish King was apprehended and a few Days after being Cloath'd in his Royal Robes which were Scarlet was carry'd out upon an Ass with 37 of his Gentlemen to the publick Place of Execution which is near the City and is call'd Tablada There they were all put to Death It was given out their Riches were the Cause of their Death and some Authors say King Peter himself slew the Moorish King with a Spear His Body was sent to his Competitor Mahomet Lagus who immediately recover'd his Kingdom and sent away all the Christians taken at the Fight of Guadix without Ransom CHAP. IV. Castile and Navarre joyn in League The War is carry'd on Successfully against Aragon by King Peter of Castile who declares the Lady Mary de Padilla to have been his lawful Wife The Death of John King of France and Constance Queen of Aragon THE War with the Moors being ended the King of Castile bent his Thoughts against Aragon but gave out that the Preparations he made were to defend himself against France He resolv'd to make a League with England fearing the King of France would take Revenge for the Wrongs done his Neece Queen Blanch. At Soria he had a Meeting with the King of Navarre and they made a League against Aragon the Navarrois pretending to take Revenge for that the Aragonian being his Brother in Law and Ally had not assisted him when he was Prisoner in France Having therefore assembl'd all the Force of his Kingdom he lay'd Siege to the Town of Sos in Aragon and took it after a vigorous Resistance made At the same time the King of Castile with an Army of 10000 Horse and 30000 Foot entred Aragon resolving to besiege Calatayud By the way he took Hariza Ateca Cetina and Alhama and in June sat down before the strong City of Calatayud within it was a numerous and resolute Garrison The King of Aragon considering the Danger the Besieg'd were in sent the Count de Osona Son to Bernard Cabrera D. Peter de Luna his Brother D. Artal and other Gentlemen to attempt getting into the Town that they might encourage the Besieg'd till he could send them Relief They being come to Miedes a Town near Calatayud King Peter who had notice of it surpriz'd the Place and carry'd them away Prisoners to the Camp The King of Aragon being unprovided sent to desire Aid in France and to call Count Henry and his Brother D. Tello to his Assistance Relief was long a coming and the City no longer able to hold out was surrendred upon the 29th of August upon Condition the Inhabitants should remain free in their Persons and Estates as they had been under the Crown of Aragon This City being taken and a good Garrison put into it under the command of the Master of Santiago the King return'd to Sevil. Here before he went to Calatayud he had held the Cortes or Parliament in which he publickly declar'd and vouched that Da. Maria de Padilla had been his lawful Wife he being privately Marry'd to her long before Queen Blanch came into Spain which made his Marriage with that Lady void That he had not discover'd it before fearing the Malice of the Nobility but thought himself now oblig'd in Conscience to do it as also for the sake of the Children he had by her He order'd she should for the future be call'd Queen and bury'd among the Kings On the 17th of October following dy'd his Son Alonso whom he design'd his Heir On the 18th of November the King made his Will in which he orders himself to be bury'd with the Habit of S. Francis betwixt Da. Maria de Padilla and his Son Alonso It appears he was not so remote from godly Thoughts as his Enemies represent him tho his violent Nature often transported him By this Will he appoints his Daughters by Da. Maria de Padilla successively his Heiresses and after them his Son John by the Lady Joanna de Castro The Witnesses of the Marriage produc'd were of undoubted Reputation such as D. Garcia de Padilla Master of Calatrava John Fernandez de Hinestrosa one John Alsonso de Mayorga and John Perez a Priest who all made Oath upon that Matter In one Article of his Will he forbid his Daughters on pain of incurring his Curse and forfeiting the Crown marrying of Prince Ferdinand of Aragon or Count Henry or D. Tello his Bastard Brothers but order'd Beatrix the Elder to marry Ferdinand Prince of Portugal and that the Crown of Castile should be her Dower D. Garci Alvarez de Toledo Master of Santiago was appointed her Tutor He also ordain'd that D. James de Padilla Master of Calatrava and D. Suero Martinez Master of Alcantara should be supported in their Estates Honours and Dignities Having setl'd all things in the dead of Winter being the beginning of the Year 1363 the War was carry'd on with great Vigour Levies were made throughout the Kingdom and a League with the King of England Malvenda Aranda and Borgia with other Towns of less Note were taken and Taraçona besieg'd On the other side the King of Navarre made an Incursion into Aragon and destroy'd all the Country wherever he came Luis Brother to the King of Navarre Giles Fernandez Carvallo Master of Santiago in Portugal with 300 Horse and some French Gentlemen came to serve the King of Castile The King of Aragon courted him of Granada to make War in Andaluzia but he refus'd acknowledging the Favour lately receiv'd He also solicited the African Moors and excus'd himself for so doing by the Example of the King
Trastamara was with him this Man was employ'd to offer Bertran Claquin many Towns and 200000 Castilian Doubles to leave the service of Henry and carry the King off Bertran refus'd but being press'd consulted with some Friends who advis'd him to acquaint Henry with the Proposal He did so and Henry thanking him for his Fidelity perswaded him to carry on that Design and secure King Peter at his Quarters King Peter accordingly came with only a few Gentlemen to Bertran and said it was time to be gone At the same time Henry enter'd the Tent and stood some time as it were astonish'd at the sight of the King till a Frenchman pointing at him said to Henry Take notice that is your Enemy King Peter with his natural fierceness answer'd I am I am Then Henry taking out his Dagger wounded him in the Face they clasped one another and both fell to the Ground but Henry was undermost till Bertran turning them Henry got uppermost and then stabb'd the King several times till he dy'd A horrid sight to behold a lawful King descended of Kings murder'd by a Bastard Frossarte a French Historian writes that as Henry enter'd the place where the King was he said Where is this Jewish Son of a Where who calls himself King of Castile and at that the King answer'd Then art the Son of a Where for I am the lawful Son of King Alonso King Peter dy'd on the 23d of March in the flower of his Age being but 34 Years and 7 Months old he reign'd 19 Years lacking 3 Days His Body was carry'd without any Pomp to Alcoçer and there deposited in the Church of S. James Afterwards he was translated by King John the IId to the royal Monastery of Dominican Nuns at Madrid After the King's death several of his Followers were apprehended CHAP. VIII Several Foreign Princes pretenders to the Crown of Castile War with Aragon Portugal and Granada Affairs of Aragon Sardinia and Navarre The League bewixt Portugal and Aragon MOntiel immediately submitted and Toledo upon the News of the King's Death was surrender'd Among foreign Princes there arose a Dispute concerning the succession of the Crown All agreed that Henry being a Bastard could have no Right and every one strove to make his Advantage of the Troubles of Castile The King of Navarre as has been said had already taken several good Towns belonging to Castile Molina Can̄ete and Requena were betray'd by their Governours to the Aragonian The King of Portugal call'd himself King of Castile and Leon being great Grandson to King Sancho and Grandson to Beatrix his Daughter He was already possess'd of Cuida Rodrigo Alcantana and Tuy The King of Granada always a Friend to King Peter hop'd to make his Advantage Yet the greatest Storm was threaten'd from England and Guienne for John Duke of Lancaster Brother to the Prince of Wales had marry'd Constance Daughter to King Peter and the Earl of Cambridge another Brother had to Wife Elizabeth the younger Sister both Daughters to Da. Maria de Padilla The only remedy against all these Evils that hung over the new King Henry was to secure the Affections of the Nobility and Commons of the Kingdom Therefore he immediately went away to Sevil where he was receiv'd with the usual Joy of the Rabble thither all the Cities of Andaluzia sent to make their Submission except Carmona where King Peter had left his Children and Treasure under the Care of Martin Lopez de Cordova Master of Calatrava who still continu'd faithful to his dead Master At Sovil King Henry not without Infamy endeavour'd to settle a Truce with the King of Granada but could not obtain it Therefore having secur'd the Frontiers he went to Toledo knowing his Wife and Son were come thither from Burgos Here it was taken into Consideration how to raise Mony to pay the Arrears due to the Foreigners and what was promis'd to Bertran Claquin at Montiel for his good Service or rather infamous Treachery All that could be gather'd of the King's Revenue was but a small Summ towards satisfying the Foreigners who boasted they had put the Crown upon Henry's Head To supply this want two new sorts of base Coin were invented the one call'd Cruzados the other Royals which caus'd all things to grow excessive dear The Kings of Aragon and Portugal at this time infested the Frontiers Pero Gonzalez de Mendoça and Alvar Garcia de Albornoz were sent with an Army to oppose the Aragonians and recover'd Requena from them Henry himself march'd towards Galicia where he heard the Portugueses did much harm By the way he attempted Zamora yet stay'd not to take it but enter'd Portugal between the Rivers Duero and Min̄o burning and destroying all the Country and taking Braga and Bragança This done he return'd into Castile His Brother Sancho was with him having been ransom'd from the English who took him at the Battel of Najara The King of Portugal was too weak to give Battel and Henry drew off with much hast upon the News that the King of Granada wasted all Andaluzia having taken Algezira and so demolish'd it that it was never after Rebuilt Besides he was forc'd to return to Castile to raise Mony for Payment of the foreign Souldiers and discharging of Bertran Claquin who was courted by the King of Aragon to go over into Sardinia against Marianus the Judge of Arborea who had again rebell'd and taken many Towns D. Peter de Luna had been sent against him before who reduc'd him to secure himself in the City Oristan whence watching his Opportunity he sally'd and surprising his Besiegers put the whole Army to flight killing the General and his Brother Philip. Some Days after Brancaleon Doria who was of the Lord of Arborea his Party was reconcil'd to the King but the Rebels made even for this loss by taking the City Sacer the Capital of the Island Berengarius Carroz Earl of Quirra was sent as General to put some stop to the Proceedings of the Rebels and Bertran Claquin was sollicited to accept of that Command Bertran was about to accept of that Offer when another more important War drew him away The People of Guienne weary of the English Government sollilicited the King of France to assist them in their Rebellion He gladly condescended and sent for Claquin to command his Army in that Expedition At the same time he desir'd the King of Navarre to assist him That King resolv'd to go into France tho he had but then sent John Cruzate Dean of Tudela into Aragon to settle a Confederacy He left his Queen to govern Navarre and went to his own Estate in Normandy resolving not to trust the King of France but to make his advantage of those Wars The King of France sent Embassadors to him and at last they had a Meeting at Vernon on the Seine Here they agreed the Navarrois should deliver up Mante Meùlan and the County of Longeuville about which they were
all the Towns in Normandy he held for his King Charles the Heir of Navarre was confin'd to the Court and his Brethren Peter and Mary were imprison'd at Bretol All the Dominions of the Navarrois in France were taken from him except two Towns and Cherbourg which was pawn'd to the English Not content with this the French labour'd to induce the King of Castile to invade Navarre and he wanted not the Will only look'd for some specious pretence to declare War It happen'd opportunely that the King of Navarre complain'd that the Mony agreed to be paid him in Gold was paid partly in Silver Coin which had much Allay and was under Value To revenge this Wrong he dealt underhand with Peter Manrique Lieutenant of Castile and Governour of Logron̄o to deliver up that City to him The Governour gave his King an account of it who order'd him to carry on the Plot and secure the King of Navarre He did so and that King coming with 400 Horse sent part of them to the City suspecting some Treachery and therefore would not go himself Those sent being admitted into the Place were most of them taken and stript only a few escaping Among these Martin Enriquez the King's Standard-bearer defended himself with only his Sword against a great Number and at last sav'd himself and the Standard leaping off the Bridge into the River Ebro This was the beginning of the War King Henry gave the Command of his Army to his Son Prince John who enter'd Navarre plunder'd the Country took Guardia and Viana and burn't 〈◊〉 and Artaxond Thus Navarra was wasted by two powerful Kings neither of whome alone it was able to withstand This in the Year 1378. The King of Castile resided at Burgos where the marriage of his Bashard Son D. Alonso Earl of Gijon with Elizabeth the Bastard-Daughter to the King of Portugal was solemniz'd He also contracted two Bastard-Daughters to the two Sons of D. Alonso de Aragon Earl of Denis and Marquis of Villena Peter the younger Son presently marry'd Joanna the eldest and had by her Henry and Alonso Ellenor the youngest was contracted to D. Alonso who was then as a Hostage in the Hands of the English for his Father's Ransom yet afterwards the Match broke off Another Match was concluded betwixt Beatrix Legitimate Daughter to the King of Portugal and Frederick Bastard to King Henry Pope Gregory the XIth dy'd at Rome on the 27th of March. The conclave Meeting to elect a new Pope after many intreaties and Threats of the People and Senators of Rome chose Bartholomew-Butillius a Neapolitan Arch-bishop of Bari who took the Name of Vrban the VIth This done some of the Cardinals withdrew to the Castle of ◠Angelo others fled yet they all assisted at the Coronation Nevertheless they met afterwards at Fundi and elected another Pope who was Robert Cardinal of Geneva and took the Name of Clement the VIIth This was the beginning of the Schism that follow'd Pope Vrban in one day created 29 Cardinals all Men of Note Clement went away to Avignon and all Christendom was divided not knowing the true Pope The English Italians and Germans follow'd Vrban the French and Scotch supported Clement The Spaniards at first stood Neuters tho courted by both Whilst the Church was thus divided Portugal enjoy'd perfect Peace yet as it is usual the People was discontented for that the Queen manag'd all things and bestow'd all Honours upon her own Friends and Relations besides she was suspected of entertaining a scandalous Familiarity with D. John Fernandez de Andeyro Earl of Dren Denis and John the King's Brothers being disgussed fled to Castile John their bastard-Bastard-Brother and Master of Avis was cast into Prison but submitted to the Queen and appeas'd her The lower part of the City Lisbon towards the Sea was wall'd in because that side had receiv'd most Harm in the last Siege Both the Popes sent their Legates to court the Kings of Spain to declare for them The Aragonians resolv'd to stand Neuter tho offended at Vrban who went about to take Sicily and Sardinia from him yet he would not suffer the Edicts of Clement to be read in his Kingdom but order'd all the Ecclessastical Revenues appertaining to the Pope to be deposited in a third Hand Pope Vrban's Legates found King Henry at Cordova and press'd him to declare against Clement but he would not give any Answer till the Case was debated by learned Men at Toledo Prince John being return'd from the War in Navarre was in that City as also the French Embassadors who came to sollicit for Clement An Assembly of Bishops and Learned Men was held who declar'd it was not their Part to judge of that Controversy but would stand by him that should be own'd Pope by the Church and that till it were decided the Ecclesiastical Revenues should be deposited for the true Pope This was the Answer given to the Embassadors in the Year 1379 Hence King Henry went away to Burgos to prepare for the War with Navarre and there met him Embassadors from that King to treat of Peace which was concluded upon these Conditions That the English Soldiers should depart Navarre That 20 strong places and among them Estela Tudela and Viana should admit Castilian Garrisons for 10 Years That the King of Castile should lend the Navarrois 20000 Ducats as soon as the Peace was ratify'd This done the two Kings met at Santo Domingo de la Calcada with great Retinues and strove to outdo one another in Grandeur and Courtesy The King of Granada having always favour'd King Peter fear'd King Henry now at leisure would take Revenge Not finding himself able to withstand his Power he employ'd a Moor to Murder him This Moor endeavour'd to gain King Henry's Favour by continual Attendance and many Presents Among other Things he gave him a pair of Moorish Buskins as Grave Authors affirm they were poison'd but this is a fabulous Conceit taken up because he fell Sick the Day he put them on and dy'd ten Days after in the City of Santo Domingo His death happen'd on the 29th of May. Good Writers affirm he dy'd of the Gout He liv'd 46 Years and 5 Months and Reign'd after he was call'd King at Calahorra 13 Years and 2 Months His Body was carry'd to Burgos his Son John now King accompanying it and was deposited in the Cathedral Thence he was translated to Valladolid and lastly to Toledo He order'd himself to be buried in the Habit of S. Dominick for the particular Devotion he had to that Saint of whose Order the Kings us'd to choose their Confessor About the same time dy'd the King of Granada Mahomet call'd of Gaudix for his Curiosity in beautifying that City He may be esteem'd more fortunate than all his Predicessors having had no civil Broils during his whole Reign The King of Aragon tho very antient took to Wife Sybila Fortia a Widow Lady
future Calamities These fears vanish'd the Earl of Faux raising the Siege of Barbastro and marching away through Navarre in such hast it rather look'd like a Flight than a Retreat The cause was that the People had carry'd all Provisions into strong holds and the Earl of Vrgel sticking upon his Skirts he was forc'd to leave part of his Baggage in several Places This was about the beginning of the Year 1396 at which time Martin the new King having receiv'd these good News and subdu'd the Rebels in Sicily resolv'd to return into Spain By the way he touch'd in Sardinia and pacify'd that Island and thence went up the River Rosne in Provence to the City Avignâ—n to see Pope Benedict The Pope gave him a Rose of Gold and the Investiture of Sardinia and Corsica with the Title of King but to hold them of the 〈◊〉 Thence he came to Barcelona and was receiv'd in Triumph In a great Assembly o◠〈◊〉 Nobility he took possession of the Crown and declar'd the Earl of Faux and his Wiâ—e Traytors for having assum'd the regal Title and invaded the Kingdom The Eastern Empire through intestine Divisâ—ons and the perpetual felicity of the Ottomâ—ns was now tending to Ruin That Party of the Greeks which was weakest call'd over Amurat Emperor of the Turks to their Assistance and he passing the Hellespont seiz'd Gâ—llipoli Adrianople and many other Places Sigâ—smund King of Hungâ—ry dreading so dangerous a Neighbour begg'd Succour of Charles the 6th King of France who sent him a good body of Horse under the Command of John Son to the Duke of Burâ—â—â—dy These Forces being come into Hungary it was resolv'd to give the Enemy Battle The French naturally eager advancing too far before the Hungarians were most of them kill'd and the Duke of Burgundy's Son taken whom his Father Ransom'd for a great Sum of Mony Thus the whole Army was overthrown and King Sigismund escap'd by Flight At Granadâ— King Joseph dy'd as was suspected poison'd by the King of 〈◊〉 who sent him a rich Coat which as soon as he put on he fell into violent Torture and expir'd 30 Days after his Flesh fâ—lling off by Piecemeal A wonderful thing if true After his Death Mahomet his 2d Son surnam'd Balva usurp'd the Crown excluding Joseph the elder He had secur'd the Affections of the People and only fear'd lest the King of Castile should take 〈◊〉 part of his Brother To prevent which he went away to Toledo to gain the good Will or the King and his Courtiers with rich Presents His Designs succeeded well for he renew'd the Truce made with his Father At this time the 〈◊〉 sâ—â—ting at Toledo an Edict was publish'd excluding all Strangers excepting a few particular Persons and the whole Portugues Nation whom they thought by this means to oblige from enjoying Ecclesiastical Benefices It was also ordain'd that none should keep a Saddle-Mule who had not a good Horse to encourage the breed of Horses On the 5th of October at Sevil dy'd John de Guzman Earl of Niebla his Son Henry succeeded him and was Father of John de Guzman who was afterwards created the first Duke of that noble Family The Portugueses to make their Advantage of the King's want of Health resolv'd to take up Arms and gave out to Colour this Breach that it was be 〈◊〉 some of the Nobility of Castile had not sign'd the late Treaty Their Army at first onset took Badajoz a City on the Frontiers From this beginning the War was afterwards continu'd the term of three Years The King of Castile having assembl'd his Forces gave the Command of them to Ruy Lopez Davalos not long before made Constable of Castile James Hurtado de Mendoça the Admiral was sent to look to the Mariâ—ime Affairs On May 1397 5 Galleys of Castile met 7 of Portugal coming from Genâ—a laden with Arms and Ammunition These they assail'd so desperately that four were taken one sunk the other two fled It was a great piece of Cruelty that after Quarters given in cold Blood they threw 400 Men into the Sea The Admiral coasting along Portugâ—â— burnt several Towns and plunder'd the Country without Opposition Many Portugueses of Note came over to the King of Castile and serv'd him well The chiefest of them were Martin Giles and Lope de Aâ—una three Brothers also John and Lope Pacheco Brothers All these Gentlemen had good Estates given them by the Kings of Castile for their good Services and were the Founders of several Noble Families In Galâ—cia the Portâ—â—ueses took the City Tuy In Estrâ—â—adura they lay'd Siege to Alâ—â—â—tara but the Constable of Castile coming down in time not only rais'd the Siege but entring Portugal ravag'd the Country and took several Places of small Note The Master of Alcantara the Admiral and chief Justice of Castile besiâ—g'd Miranda de Duero and the Constable coming to joyn them the Besieg'd were forc'd to surrender Thus the Damage being equal on both sides it was hop'd a Peace might ensue betwixt the two Nations CHAP. IV. Two Francisâ—ans 〈◊〉 to the Moors of Granada suffer Martyrdom The Truce with Portugal 〈◊〉 Two great Plagues in Spain and France The Year of Jubilee 1400. AT the beginning of this War two Franciscan Fryars whose Names are not known zealoâ—s for the â—ropagation of the Faith adventur'd to preach publickly to the Moors in Granada and many People flock'd to heaâ— them Being warn'd to desist and they still going oâ— the 〈◊〉 by the King's Order apprehended and beheaded them and they are reverenc'd as Martyrs 〈◊〉 Benedict as has been said before was forsaken by all his Cardinals at Avignon the Kiâ—â— of France press'd and only those of Spain own'd him A great assembly of Prelâ—â—es and other learned Men was held betwixt the French and Spaniards about him but nothing was resolv'd upon only they agreed both Popes should recal the Ecclesiastical â—ensures they had thunder'd one against the other and appoint a Place of meeting to compose those Differences In Pamplâ—na great â—â—rt of the Cathedral had fallen seven Years before and neither the â—roâ—â—ts of the Church 〈◊〉 private Contributions were sufficient to repair it therefore the King assign'd the 40th part of his Revenue for 12 Years to carry on that Work This King desiring to recover the County of Eureux and his Possessions in Normandy had sent an Embassy to that effect into France but that not succeeding went thither himself to as little 〈◊〉 the King of France not being recover'd of his â—â—disposition Thus without doing any thing he return'd home in September 1398 Being come home he caus'd his Son Charles but a Year old to be sworn to as Heir of the Crown The Joy of this solemnity was â—â—ort for the Prince dy'd soon after The Portugueses humbled by their late Disappointments sent Embassadors to treat of Peace King Henry answer'd he neither began the War nor would obstruct the Peace provided
the Crown but I will make your Reigs short This said he call'd in the Executioners and 600 Souldiers he had in a readiness All were astonish'd but the Archbishop of Toledo fell on his Knees begging Pardon and all the rest follow'd his Example Seeing them at his Feet the King pardon'd them but kept them two Months Prisoners in the Castle till they deliver'd up all the Towns they held and refuâ—â—ed what they ow'd to the Crown This Example made the Nobility more Submissive than ever they had been He us'd greater Severity at Sevil for he 〈◊〉 1000 Men to be Executed for being guilty of the Tumults â—ais'd by the Earl of Niebla 〈◊〉 Peter Ponce He advanc'd his own and the Prince his Brother's Revenue so that great 〈◊〉 were every Year lay'd up in the Palace of Madrid to which he added those Towers that are still standing for its greater Security His is that saying I fear the Curses of the People more than the Enemy's Weapons Thus without oppressing his Subjects he gather'd great Treasure only by looking after his Revenue CHAP. VII The Crown offered to Prince Ferdinand he refuses it John the IId proclaimed King of Castile The Death of the Queen of Aragon The War of Granada Several Places taken by the Christians who also obtain a Victory at Sea After the 〈…〉 of the King's Interrment were perform'd with the Pomp and Majesty that was becoming the Nobility met as the Rebellious Custom was to appoint a Successor and do their Homage to him This was in the beginning of the Year 1407. Their Opinions vary'd and every one spoke according to his Inclination Many thought it hard to stay till a Prince then but 22 Months old came to Age. The late King's Will was read in which he â—â—dain'd that the Queen and Prince Ferdinand should govern the Kingdom and 〈◊〉 â—lectors to the young King James Lopez de Zuniga and John de Velasco were appoint 〈…〉 guard and educate him and the Bishop of Carthagena Lord Chancellor to be his Preceedor till he was 14 Years of Age. These three were commanded only to attend to the Education of the Child without intermedling with the Government Some said no part of this Will ought to be observ'd as being made but the day before the King dy'd when he was not absolutely Master of his Reason but his Brain disturb'd and that it was not reasonable to expose the Kingdom to so many Confusions as might arise upon this Account This was not only discours'd in private but in publick Meetings and about the Streets Every one condemn'd the Will and yet none car'd to expose himself too much by opposing it They 〈…〉 Prince Ferdinand as the only Man that could deliver them from the Misfortunes they apprehended yet they feard he would not consent to it because he was naturally very meek and modest which some call'd fear some laziness and others meanness of 〈…〉 The Absence of the Queen her 〈◊〉 and being a Foreigner made Men bold She 〈◊〉 then at Segovea with her Children over wholm'd with Grief for the Death of her Husband and in care for the Event of those Practices at Toledo The Nobility having consulted together resolv'd to try Prince Ferdinand and in the Name of them all Ruy Lopez Davaloâ— made a long Harangue offering him the Crown and pressing him to accept of it at their Hands After Ruy Lopez had done 〈◊〉 the other Nobles begg'd the same of him and there wanted not some who pretended 〈…〉 and Revelations to justify their Request The Prince with wonderful Modesty answer'd that a Crown was not so much to be coveted as to become infamous for the sake of it by wronging an innocent Child and a Widow Queen whom all ought protect Besides that of necessity Wars must ensue That he thank'd them for their good Will and in requital would give them a King which was his Brother's Son and his own Nephew and â—n his 〈…〉 would spare no Labour or Danger for the publick good but take upon him the Government as his Brother ordain'd Soon after he assembl'd the 〈…〉 and Prelates in the Chappel of D. Peter Tenorio which is in the Cloisters of the Cathedralâ— There Ruy Lopez the Constable thinking his Mind might be alter'd publickly ask'd him whom he would have proclaim'd King The Prince with some marks of Displeasure answer'd aloud Who but my Brother's Son Then the Standards were display'd as the Custom of Spain is in the Name of King John the IId and the Kings at Arms proclaim'd him first in the Assembly and then in all publick Places of the City Prince Ferdinand by this Action purchas'd an immortal Renown and his Moderation and Loyalty were highly extoll'd even by those that advis'd him to accept of the Crown and thus he made himself way to obtain other 〈…〉 which Heaven for his Virtue had reserv'd for him His Glory was so much 〈…〉 for that his Brother for some time before his Death had bore him ill-will giving Ear to the Insinuations of some Court Parasites True it is he was 〈…〉 concil'd and agreed that his Daughter Mary who might come to inherit the Crown 〈…〉 marry'd to D. Alonso the Prince's eldest Son which was Advantagious to both Brothers and for the common good of the Kingdom Queen Mary of Aragon dy'd on the 29th of December at Villareal a Town near Valencia to the great Grief of the King her Husband and all that Country for her extraordinary Parts Her Body was bury'd with the usual Magnificence at Poblete the Burial place of those Kings Of four Children she had three dy'd Young which were James John and Margaret Only Martin was left then King of Sicily who applying himself wholly to the Affairs of that Island without regard to his Health as being Young and offering himself freely to all Dangers as being of a great Spirit soon after was snatch'd away and left his Subjects overwhelm'd in Troubles Prince Ferdinand having setl'd 〈◊〉 at Toledo on the 1st of January went thence to Segovia to visit the Queen and take 〈…〉 in all things relating to the Administration of the Government That all things might be done with the greater Majesty and Authority he summon'd thither the Cortes and accordingly the Nobles Prelates and Commons met there Several Affairs were consider'd of by them Particularly the Education of the young King was committed to the Queen she pressing for it tho it was contrary to the Will of the late King Henry To John de Valasco and James Lopez de Zuniga in lieu of that Employment taken from them they gave the Sum of 6000 Florins each A small Recompence for so great a Trust but Necessity oblig'd them to comply with the Will of the Queen and Prince nor was it safe to oppose them who had the Power of the Government The 〈◊〉 design'd against the Moors was also taken into Consideration and in February the Christians made an Incursion into
Yet she acted very indiscreetly in keeping the King as she did till her Death which was for above 6 Years lock'd up at Valladolid in a House near the Monastery of St. Paul without suffering him to go abroad or permitting any Body to visit him but his menial Servants This she did that the Nobility might not seize him and disturb the Peace of the Kingdom A miserable sort of Education for a Prince so that afterwards he knew not the Noblemen that came to visit him The riper Years are for the most part answerable to the Education as appears by this Prince For after the Queen's Death as if he had been kept in a dark Place or were just come from his Mother's Womb he always behav'd himself like an utter stranger to the Affairs of the Government Business perplex'd and troubl'd him This is the reason he was always govern'd by his Courtiers and Favourites which was the cause of great and continual Troubles At the beginning of the following Year which was 1420 the King went to Tordesillas a Town in Old Castile Prince Henry Master of the Order of Santiago either to facilitate his Marriage with the Princess Catherine or to get the upper hand of his Adversaries came to that Town with a party of his followers secur'd John Hurtado de Mendoça Lord Steward of the Houshold and others belonging to the Court and took the King himself not permitting him to go any whither or to dispatch any Business A great disgrace to the Kingdom that the King should be detain'd Prisoner by his own Subjects This Affront mov'd the Nobility to take up Arms. Prince John of Aragon headed them who having spent but four Days in celebrating the Solemnity of his Marriage at Pamplona set out immediately for Castile moved to it by the Report of what had happen'd and the Letters of many that invited him thither At Avila the King of Castile was marry'd without any Magnificence or demonstrations of Joy by reason most of the Nobility were absent and he himself no better than a Prisoner Prince Henry for his own security and to strengthen his Party kept 3000 Horse in that City His Brother Prince John was at Olmedo and had an equal number of Horse canton'd in the neighbouring Towns To him resorted all sorts of People from all Parts of the Country designing to revenge the Affront done to the King and Kingdom It was endeavour'd to have the two Brothers meet but it was prevented nor would they suffer Prince John to speak to the King Prince Henry tho he had all the Power in his own Hands yet to provide for the future contriv'd to have the Cortes meet in that City No body had liberty of Speech or durst utter his Thoughts the Town being full of Souldiers and the place where they met surrounded with armed Men. Thus Prince Henry was by those Cortes clear'd of any thing that might be lay'd to his charge till that time No Man durst oppose this Resolution or mutter in so much that as it were to reward that Exploit by the King's Consent it was obtain'd of Pope Martin the Vth that the Mastership of the Order of Santiago should be setl'd hereditary upon Prince Henry and his Heirs which had prov'd a new Plague to Spain had not the King when he came to riper Years cancell'd that Decree The Princess Catherine openly oppos'd Prince Henry She said plainly she would not have a Husband who aimed by force of Arms to take what he ought to hope for as the reward of his good Service However her weak Resolution was vanquish'd and they were marry'd at Talavera a great Town near Toledo whither the King went from Avila He had with her the Lordship of Villena with the Title of a Duke To Alvaro de Luna the chief of the Courtiers for being instrumental in this Affair was given the Town of Santistevan de Gormaz This was the first step he advanc'd towards the great Preferments and Riches he afterwards acquir'd About this time every day there were Earthquaks and noises under Ground in Catalonia from Tolosa to Perpignan Near Girona was a Town call'd Amer where the Earth gap'd in two Places and cast out Fire that burnt all that came within two Stones throw of them Out of another Mouth near those of Fire gush'd black Water and half a mile from thence mixt with a River which I suppose to be Sameroca so that that Town was destroy'd and all the Fish in the River dy'd The stench of the Water was such that the Birds clapt their Wings as they flew that way and it extended as far as Girona tho at four Leagues distance James de Anaya Arch-bishop of Sevil built the College of St. Bartholomew at Salamanca and endow'd it with Revenues to maintain a good Number of Scholars in imitation of the Colledge built at Bolonia by the Cardinal Giles de Albornoz This good Example was afterwards follow'd by several Persons of Quality who built other Colleges which have brought forth many Men famous for Learning Three other Colleges were built at Salamanca and call'd the Great Ones a fourth at Valladolid a fifth at Alcala and many others of less Note CHAP. VI. Original of the Portugues Discoveries King Alonso of Aragon adopted Heir to the Crown of Naples The King of Castile escapes from his Confinement and suppresses many of the Rebels D. Alvaro de Luna made an Earl NOW it was that the two Nations of the Aragonians and Portugueses made themselves way to obtain new Dominions Henry Son to the King of Portugal being much addicted to the study of Astrology imagin'd unknown Countries and Islands might be discover'd in the vast Ocean To this purpose he fent out several Ships and in the way betwixt Lisbon and the Canaries found a small but fruitful Island so full of Trees that they call'd it Madera that is to say Wood. Thus coasting along Africk this Prince and the Kings of Portugal after him at length came to the Coasts of Asia India and China to their no less Honour than Profit Luis Duke of Anjou had besieg'd Joanna Queen of Naples within that City The cause of making War upon her was the antient hatred he bore to that Crown and the Leudness of the Queen whose Husband no longer able to bear with her returned to France and became a Franciscan Fryar The Queen being reduc'd to great Streights sent to invite Alonso the 5th King of Aragon famous for his Valour and the conquest of Sardinia to her assistance promising to adopt him as her Son and leave him the Kingdom of Naples He sail'd from Sardinia to Naples and rais'd the Siege in recompence of which Service he was adopted Heir to the Crown and the Pope approved of that Act. It is needless to dispute the Legality of that Adoption but certain it is it was the cause of tedious and bloody Wars betwixt Spain and France which have lasted till our Days
Cittadel into which the Citizens were retir'd Joseph Abencerrage came from Granada to relieve them but was overthrown and kill'd The Moors being ill affected to King Mahomet and favouring Benalmao Mahomet fled to Malaga and Benalmao was receiv'd into Granada on the first day of the Year 1432. In January the same Year Edward Prince of Portugal had a Son by his Wife the Lady Ellenor called Alonso afterwards famous for the Misfortunes that befel him All the People of Granada endeavoured to signify their Affection to the new King He took an Oath to be always a Friend to Castite and justly pay the Tribute agreed upon But he was of a great Age and therefore his Reign very short for he dy'd the 6th Month after his Accession to the Crown on the 24th of June Thus Mahomet the left-handed was again call'd from Malaga and restor'd to his Kingdom As soon as restor'd he made one Andilbar Governour of Granada instead of Joseph Abencerrage who was kill'd as has been say'd He concluded a Truce for a short time with Castile The Princes of Aragon ceas'd not to disturb the Peace on the Borders of Portugal and the King's Treasure being exhausted he could not withstand so many Enemies which oblig'd him to agree to this Truce Besides he was willing to oblige the King of Tunez who interceded for that King D. Alvaro de Isorna Bishop of Cuenca was sent to endeavour to reduce the Master of Alcantara who sided with the Princes of Aragon but could not prevail upon him Yet soon after some signs of Repentance appearing Dr. Franco was sent on the same Errand But he on a sudden deliver'd the Castle of Alcantara to Prince Peter and the Doctor himself to Prince Henry which render'd him incapable of the King's Mercy and also made him odious to the People as a Man who violated the publick Faith D. Frederick the Admiral and Peter Manrique the Lieutentant with a good Force were order'd to besiege Albuquerque and manage the War against the Princes of Aragon Gutierre de Sotomayor chief Commendary of Alcantara on the first of July at Night surpriz'd Prince Peter in his Bed and deliver'd him up to the King who in reward for this good Service made him Master of Alcantara in the place of his Uncle The Commendaries of the Order met and condemn'd D. John de Sotomayor whereupon D. Gutierre was chosen Master All the Nobles of Castile that had been imprisoned were discharg'd CHAP. IV. The declining posture of the Aragonians at Naples Yet that King is again invited thither and adopted anew by the Queen He agrees with Castile King John of Portugal dies Edward succeeds ALonso King of Aragon returning into Spain as has been said his Party wholly declin'd in Naples His Adversaries grew strong most of the Nobility sided with them and but few inclin'd to the Aragonians Yet they tho too weak to maintain that War undertook another The Family of Fregosa very powerful at Genoa being expell'd thence by Philip Duke of Milan had recourse for succour to Prince Peter who then supported the Interest of the King his Brother in Naples with a very small Power He hoping to make himself Master of that City or at least to be reveng'd on the Duke of Milan for the wrongs done during the late War joyn'd his Forces with the Fregosos and Fliscos and recover'd several places along the Coast of Genoa The Duke fearing to lose Genoa sent Embassadors to Spain promising the King to deliver to him the City Bonifacio the Capital of Corsica for which Island the Aragonians and Genoeses had long contended The King lik'd the Proposals and sent an Embassador into Italy to conclude the Peace Bonisacio could not be deliver'd the Senate of Genoa opposing it but instead of it they gave Portovenere and Letici Prince Peter came from Sicily whither he had return'd put Garrisons into those Places and leaving 6 Galleys with Duke Philip to guard the Coast sail'd away with the rest of the Fleet. Then having plunder'd an Island on the Coast of Africk call'd Circina now Charcana and setled the Affairs of Sicily and Naples he return'd to Spain to assist his Brothers without any hopes of recovering the Kingdom of Naples King Alonso however despair'd not believing the Forces of the Enemy would decay the Minds of the Natives would alter and the Queen her self grow weary of those Guests Nor was he deceiv'd for the Duke of Anjou was sent by the Queen into Calabria with orders to apply himself to the Military Affairs without concerning himself with the Government Caracciolo Seneschal of Naples gave this Advice hoping to draw all the Power into his own Hands and perceiving he was thereby grown odious he invited the King of Aragon into the Kingdom promising to stand by him Antony Vrsino Prince of Taranto a noble Person and ambitious of Honour sollicited the return of the Aragonians These advices mov'd the King of Aragon tho he did not wholly conside in those Men nor would he utterly reject their offers Therefore having fitted out a Fleet of 26 Galleys and 9 great Ships and left the Government of the Kingdom to his Brothers he resolv'd to sail over to Africk there to gain Reputation and be the nearer to his Friends With this design he set sail from Valencia and after touching in Sardinia arriv'd in Sicily The French had besieg'd the strong Castle of Trupia in Calabria and reduc'd it to such extremity that the besieg'd promis'd to surrender if not reliev'd in 20 Days Storms hinder'd the King from coming in time and the Place was deliver'd in his sight At Messina 70 Sail joyn'd the Fleet of Aragon and they altogether steer'd their Course for Gelves an Island on the Coast of Africk It is near to another Island call'd Sitre the lesser and is encompassed with dangerous movable Sands being but four Miles from the Continent full of Inhabitants and a delightful Place On the West it draws nearer the Continent to which it is joyn'd by a Bridge a Mile in length This enterprize was difficult the place being strong and well guarded for Bofferriz King of Tunez having intelligence of the Design was come thither to defend it At first landing the Aragonians took the Bridge and overthrew the Moors forcing them to retire to their Camp which also they enter'd and after a hot Dispute near the King's Tent put them again to flight The slaughter was not great nor the Booty but 20 pieces of Cannon were taken Nevertheless they could not make themselves Masters of the Island for the Islanders spent much time in capitulating till as they had design'd the Fleet for want of Provisions was forc'd to return to Messina There it was consulted how to recover Naples To forward this Design it happen'd that John Carracciolo was murder'd by the Contrivance of Corbella Rufa Wife to Antony Mariano Duke of Sessa she being the next to him in the Queen's Favour and
Aragonians and gain'd the Victory The Enemy enter'd the King's Ship and he finding it made much Water say'd he yeilded himself Prisoner to the Duke of Milan tho not present In the same Ship were taken the Prince of Taranto and Duke of Sessa 12 other Ships were taken and in them many Prisoners of Note among them the King of Navarre whose Life Roderick Robolledo sav'd at the beginning of the Fight Prince Henry of Aragon was also made Prisoner Authors do not agree about Prince Peter Some say he escap'd by Night with 3 Galleys out of the Fight Others that he arriv'd with the rest of the Fleet from Sevil at Ischia at the time of the Battle Besides those mentioned Raymund Boil Viceroy of Naples James Gomez de Sandoval Earl of Castro with his two Sons Ferdinand and James D. John de Sotomayor In̄igo Davalos Son to the Constable D. Ruy Lopez Davalos and a Grandson of his called D. In̄igo de Guevara fell all into the Hands of the Enemy After this famous Victory the People of Gaeta sallying routed the Aragonians enter'd their Camp and plunder'd all the Baggage of those great Men. Many were taken Prisoners the rest of the Army was dispersed This Battle was fought on the 5th of August near the Island Ponça Who would not have thought this Overthrow had quite defeated the hopes of the Aragonians and yet contrary to all humane Probability this very Misfortune was the best step towards their gaining the Kingdom of Naples After the fight the Victorious Genoeses return'd home where they secur'd the greatest number of Persons to pay the Charge of the Fleet. The Kings with about 300 Men of Note were carry'd to Milan where the Genoese Admiral made his Entry in the nature of a Triumph and such a one as had not been seen in many Ages All Italy was in suspence considering what Advantage that Duke would make of his Victory and fear'd he would improve it to subdue all that Country He himself was dubious whether he should impose some hard Conditions upon them or put them to Ransom but fear'd when at Liberty they would seek Revenge At length Honour prevail'd and he resolv'd to discharge them Gratis sending them back with rich Presents He therefore receiv'd the King of Aragon with much Honour and they discours'd largely of the Danger of suffering the French to take footing in Italy Whilst these things were in Agitation at Milan the Lady Elizabeth by order of her Husband the Duke of Anjou who as has been said was Prisoner went by Sea to Genoa thence to Gaeta and lastly coming to Naples on the 18th of October much encourag'd those that were of her Party Pope Eugenius assisted her with Forces and she being a Woman excellently qualify'd purchas'd the Love of the People Many Councils were held in Spain to consider what could be done for the Kings The Cortes of Aragon met at Zaragoça and it was agreed to equip a Fleet to secure Sicily and Sardinia for all thoughts of Naples were given over At Soria the King of Castile and Queen of Aragon prolong'd the Truce for 5 Months longer Queen Ellenor Mother to the Kings that were Prisoners dy'd suddenly at Medina del Campo and was bury'd at S. John de las Duen̄as a Monastery she built At Milan the Duke and his Prisoners concluded a League Offensive and Defensive The King of Navarre went into Spain with full Commission to govern Aragon and raise Mony The Prince of Taranto and Duke of Sessa went to Naples to encourage their Party and order Prince Peter with the Fleet to assist them The King's Orders were obey'd and immediately the City Gaeta was deliver'd up to him on Christmas day Soon after the King of Aragon being set free by the Duke came to Protovenere Some will have it that there were signs which foretold the King's Imprisonment as that an Arch of the Bridge that was then building at Zaragoça over the River Ebro fell and kill'd five Men. Nine Leagues from Zaragoça on the Banks of Ebro stands a Town called Villilla where there is a Bell which those People are perswaded rings of it self before any extraordinary Accident This Bell is said to have rung without any humane help the day before the Kings were taken also on the 30th of October and again on the 5th of January following which was the year 1436 and was the Day the King was set at Liberty I do not pretend to justify these things or so much as to plead for them It is enough that grave Authors mention them and quote Eye-witnesses for the Truth of them Let the Reader make what Judgment of it he pleases CHAP. VII The Affairs of Italy after the King of Aragon was releas'd Peace concluded betwixt Castile and Aragon The Prince of Castile marries the Princess of Navarre The Portugues Loss in Africk THE Peace concluded at Milan was the cause of a bloody War for the Genoeses openly revolted against the Duke of Milan complaining he reap'd the fruit of their Victory by releasing the Kings whilst they lay under the Odium of having made them Prisoners besides that the Duke had chang'd his Protection they had implor'd in time of need into absolute Tyranny Thus having underhand made a League with Pope Eugenius and the Duke of Anjou they declar'd War Paccio Alciato Governour of the City for the Duke was kill'd and many others The chief contriver of this Revolution was Francis Spinola who had gain'd Reputation by defending Gaeta and was therefore puffed up with Pride besides that he did it in hatred to the Family of the Fliscos and Fregosos who favour'd the Aragonians Many other Towns follow'd the Example of Genoa and expell'd the Milanese Garrisons They kept the Spanish Prisoners they had for whose Ransom the King of Aragon was forc'd to pay them 70000 Crowns The Sicilians on account of antient Friendship were releas'd Gratis Only 3 Sons of John de Vintemilla remain'd long Prisoners at Genoa the cause of detaining them is not known The King of Aragon at the request of Duke Philip endeavour'd to pacify the People of Genoa with the Fleet his Brother Peter sent him from Gaeta but desisted for fear of losing time in reducing those People when the Affairs of Naples call'd upon him From Porto Venere he sent his Brother Henry into Spain and gave him the Territory of Ampurias ordering him to be assisting in the War against Castile in case that King did break as was fear'd he would when the Truce expir'd The King himself set sail and arriv'd at Gaeta on the 2d of February Mean while Prince Peter his Brother had taken Terracina to the great regret of the Pope to whom that City belong'd Upon the King's Arrival the Neapolitan Nobility repair'd to Gaeta He appointed Francis Picinino General to oblige Duke Philip whose greatest Favourite the Father of this Francis was All Italy was alarm'd and many Cities combin'd to drive the
end to the Treaty of Peace and the Queen of Castile return'd to Arevalo where she was before War broke out in several Places at the same time The Chief Heads of the Rebellion were Prince Henry of Aragon the Admiral and the Earl of Benavente D. Alvaro de Luna and his Brother the Archbishop of Toledo bravely made head against the Rebels In̄igo Lopez de Mendoça escap'd being kill'd very narrowly with a very few of his Men all the rest being cut off by John Carrillo Lieutenant of Caçorla who lay'd an Ambush for him At the same time another Party of the Malecontents was defeated by the Forces of D. Alvaro near a Town call'd Gresmonda In this Action was kill'd Laurence Davalos Son to the Constable D. Ruy Lopez Davalos John de Mena a famous Poet in those Days lamented his Death in Elegiack Verse At the same time the King of Navarre came into New Castile with a good Body of Men in favour of the Rebels because the Royalists were too hard for them and being dispersed about the Country plunder'd it and ravish'd the Women In Old Castile the King took Medina del Campo and Arevalo from the King of Navarre At a Village call'd Naharro in that Neighbourhood he had a Conference with Ellenor Queen Dowager of Portugal Nothing was concluded touching the Rebels but the King sent Embassadors to advise Peter Duke of Coimbra to do the Queen right The King of Aragon also sent an Embassy from Italy to Portugal to the same effect but nothing was done for that Prince would not quit the Government and the Kings were not at Leasure to use Force So that Queen Ellenor ended her days in Castile The Princes of Aragon hasted out of the Kingdom of Toledo to Old Castile to secure their Interest there Arevalo open'd the Gates to receive them and thence they went to Medina del Campo and sat down before it Some Skirmish happen'd but the Siege lasted not long for some of the Townsmen by Night gave entrance to the Rebels The King had dispos'd his Forces about the Streets and publick Places The Townsmen kept close in their Houses D. Alvaro de Luna his Brother the Archbishop of Toledo and the Master of Alcantara in Disguize escap'd through the midst of their Enemies being advis'd so to do by the King knowing their Lives were in Danger if taken by the Rebels They came and kissed the King's Hand conducting him to the Palace with feign'd Respect The Queens and Prince Henry hearing what had happen'd came thither and after a long Consultation in hatred to D. Alvaro all the Officers of the King's Houshold were remov'd Others that had adher'd to the King were turn'd out of the City It was propos'd to compose Differences the King being then a Prisoner and Judges were appointed to decide all Controversies D. Alvaro was commanded not to depart out of such Towns of his own as should be assign'd during the term of 6 Years and that he should not write to the King unless the Letters were first perus'd by the Queen and Prince Henry Moreover that he should not make any new Alliances or maintain Soldiers and for Security that he would perform all this he should deliver his Son D. John as Hostage and nine Castles within 30 Days These things much afflicted D. Alvaro who yet ceas'd not to study new ways to rise But all Men shun him that is falling and the Rebels strengthned their Party by fresh Allyances Joanna Daughter to the Admiral was contracted to the King of Navarre Beatrix Daughter to the Earl of Benavente to Prince Henry of Aragon These Matches were contriv'd by James Gomez de Sandoval Earl of Castro who sought by that means to unite the Malecontents and ruin D. Alvaro de Luna CHAP. X. The Progress of the Aragonians in Naples That City taken by them New Disorders in Spain The Archbishop of Toledo Dyes Of some Men famous for Learning THe Civil War in Spain seem'd to be at an end but Italy was all over in a Flame with the War of Naples The Forces of Renee wasted with delay and his Wife and Children being sent to Marseilles seem'd to denote there remain'd but small hopes Besides James Caldora the great Prop of that Party dy'd suddenly as he was going to Plunder Circaslo a Town of the Pope's Jurisdiction and the rest of his Family after his Death joyn'd with the Aragonians whose interest daily advanc'd They took the City Aversa subdu'd all Calabria and defeated the Forces of Francis Sforcia in Apulia Pope Eugenius made a League with the Venetians Florentines and Genoeses to expel the Aragonians out of Italy To this purpose the Cardinal of Trent entred the Kingdom of Naples with 10000 Men but they being Raw Soldiers did no great matter The Army of Aragon march'd directly to Naples and sate down before it Renoe not daring to come into the Field Some Provisions and Recruits were brought to the Besieg'd by the Genoeses These were small Helps for the Multitude within was great and began to suffer much Want Corn being excessive dear Some advis'd to Surrender upon any Terms but that not succeeding one Anello and his Brother both Bricklayers fled to the Camp and offer'd to shew how the City might be taken without much danger so they were well rewarded Their design was to convey Men into the Town through an Aqueduct that carries the Water into the City 200 Men were chosen for this purpose and order'd to obey the two Brothers The Way was so difficult that most of them were left behind and only 40 went through and came to the Wall of a Private House where a Woman Cry'd out and had betray'd them had they not soon stopp'd her Mouth Much time was spent in getting through the Sun was up and no Sign made to give notice they were within It was fear'd they were all Cut off and yet the Forces appointed to give the Assault apply'd the Scaling Ladders but faintly hearing no Noise within The 40 Soldiers hearing the Noise seiz'd a Tower upon the Walls call'd Sophia Thither the King of Aragon made to Relieve them and Renee to drive them out and there follow'd a hot Dispute but at length the Aragonians having forc'd some of the Gates enter'd the City Renee after having done all that became a good Commander and brave Soldier retir'd to the Castle Some Houses were Plunder'd but no body Kill'd Thus the Aragonians made themselves Masters of Naples upon Saturday the 2d of June 1442. The Soldiers were publickly commended and rewarded according to the Merit of every Man and particularly Peter Martinez Commander of those who came through the Aqueduct The Two Bricklayers receiv'd more than could be expected by such mean persons Some curious Men observ'd that Belisarius took that City from the Goths by the same Stratagem Renee having no hopes left capitulated to deliver up all Places that held out for him upon liberty to depart freely
Means The King from Cabeçon went to the Kingdom of Toledo and the Nobles to Plasencia D. Peter Giron Master of Calatrava went away to Andalusia where he had the Town of Ossuna designing to stir up that People to Rebellion D. John de Valencuela had the grand Priorship of S. John taken from him and the Bishop of Jaen his Goods and Revenues only because they were Loyal to their King Besides this D. Peter Giron raised Men and endeavoured with large Promises to Debauch all the Nobility of that Country The Duke of Medina Sidonia the Earl of Arcos D. Alonso de Aguilar and the Councils of Sevill and Cordoua resolved to join with the Rebels King Henry perceiving the Storm gather assembled a Councel at Madrid where he asked what was best to be done in that Exigence All being silent the Archbishop of Toledo said his Opinion was The first thing to be procured was that Prince Alonso should be put into the Kings Hands as the fittest Person to secure the Pledge of Peace which if the Nobility â—â—used then they ought to be proceeded against by force of Arms That to this purpose the Court should remove to Salamanca to be near to the Rebels either to Treat of Peace or to carry on the War These things being thought to be meant as they were said were easily agreed to A Message was sent to the Nobles and the Forces ordered to march to Salamanca The King himself went away to Old Castile and with what Forces he had laid Siege to Arevalo then held by the Rebels Thence the Archbishop of Toledo putting off his Disguise went away to Avila whereof he was made Governor by the King Thither the Conspirators repaired to him The Admiral as had been agreed seized Valladolid where they designed their Forces should Rendezvous These sad News having awaked the King out of his Lethargy he is said to have fallen down before a Crucifix and uttered these Words Thy Aid I implore my Lord Christ the Son of God by whom Kings Reign To thee I Recommend my Person and Dignity I only beg this Punishment which I confess inferior to my Deserts may be for the good of my Soul Lord give me Patience to endure it and permit not the People to suffer for my sake Then he hasted away to Salamanca At Avila the Rebels resolved upon a most Barbarous Action to the Eternal Infamy of Spain Without the Walls of that City they Erected a Scaffold and placed on it the Statue of King Henry in his Royal Robes on a Throne with his Scepter and Crown Thither the Villanous Nobles and a Multitude of People resorted Then a Cryer proclaimed Sentence against the King laying to his Charge many horrid Crimes Whilst the Sentence was reading they leasurely stripped the Statue of all its Robes and at last with Reproachful Language threw it down from the Scaffold This Villany was acted upon Wednesday the 5th of June Immediately Prince Alonso who had been all the while present was brought upon the Scaffold there lifted upon the Shoulders of the Nobles and proclaimed King the Royal Standard being Displayed in his Name as was the Custom at the Inauguration of Kings The Multitude presently cryed God Save King Alonso which was ingaging themselves in the Quarrel The News of this horrid Treason being spread abroad some approved of others condemned it It was easie for the new King to be Liberal of what was not his own to Gutierre de Solis at the Request of his Brother the Master of Alcantara he gave the City Coria with the Title of an Earl Burgos and Toledo approved this Act of the Nobles On the other side many great Men declared for King Henry D. Garcia de Toledo Earl of Alva being reconciled came to him with 500 Horse and 1000 Foot The Queen and Princess Elizabeth were sent to the King of Portugal to beg Succours of him They met him at Guardia on the Borders of Portugal yet obtained nothing but good Words and Civil Entertainment The Rebels Rendezvoused at Valladolid the Loyalists at Toro being more Numerous than well Disciplined PenÌ„astor was besieged by the Rebels who because it made a Virgorous Defence threw down its Walls to terrifie other Places Thence they removed to Simancas whither the King sent John Fernandez Galindo with 3000 Horse which so encouraged the Besieged that the Rabble formally condemned the Archbishop of Toledo and having dragged his Statue about the Streets burnt it in revenge to the Affront offered to the King at Avila Hereupon the Rebels raised the Siege but especially because they heard the King had an Army of 80000 Foot and 14000 Horse at Toro This Army marched to Simancas By the way in a Skirmish John Carillo a Captain of the Rebels was wounded and taken being at the point of Death he discovered a Conspiracy naming the Persons concerned in it to the King in private but the King fearing his Discovery might be feigned concealed their Names He laid Siege to Valladolid but could not take it by reason it had a strong Garison or rather because the Kings Men had no stomach to fight There a Treaty was again set on foot King Henry and the Marquis de Villena met again Much was promised and nothing performed yet the King was perswaded since his Revenue could not bear so great a Charge to dismiss his Army and then Prince Alonso quitting the Title of King with all the Nobility would submit Thus both sides disbanded and the Noblemen who were with the King tho they had'done no Service were highly Rewarded The Rebels went away to Arevalo and so Valladolid returned to its Duty Prince Alonso was kept in the nature of a Prisoner and they threatned to kill him because he designed to make his escape to his Brother The Treaty of Peace went on and the Rebels promised to submit provided the Princess Elizabeth were Married to the Master of Calatrava The King consented and immediately sent the Duke of Albuquerque and Bishop of Calahorra from Court because they were Enemies to the Master This Project afflicted the Princess who wept bitterly and having told the cause of her Grief to Da. Beatrix de Bobadilla her first Lady of the Bedchamber that Lady shewing her a naked Dagger promised she would with it kill the Master of Calatrava rather than he should have her But God ordered it better for as he hasted from his Town of Almagro to celebrate the Marriage he fell sick by the way and died at Villarubia at the beginning of the year 1466 He was buried in a private Chappel at Calatrava His Two Sons inherited his Estate D. Alonso Tellez Giron the eldest in pursuance of his Fathers Will was Earl of UrenÌ„a D. Roderick Tellez Giron the younger had the Mastership of Calatrava having before obtained the Popes Bull to that effect He had also a third Son called D. John Pacheco all three unlawfully begotten Not long before the Masters Death in the Territory
and tho very aged and blind of both Eyes had still a great Spirit In that City on the 22th of January 1468 Ellenor his Bastard Daughter was Married to D. Luis de Biamonte Earl of Lerin Her Portion was 15000 Florins and the Design to secure that Family so Powerful in Navarre The Queen held the Cortes of Aragon at Zaragoça for the King her Husband There she died on the 13th of February to the great Grief of the King who lamented it the more because he was so aged himself and his Son to whom she might have been a great support so young Not long before she met her Daughter in Law the Countess of Faux at Exea on the Borders of Aragon and there they concluded a League Offensive and Defensive Her Body was Buried at Poblete Only one Crime was laid to her Charge which was the Death of her Son in Law Prince Charles and this they say troubled her Conscience at the hour of her Death The News of the Troubles in Castile was come to Rome King Henry sollicited the Pope to Depose the Bishops that were in Rebellion and to Excommunicate the Nobility if they would not submit Antony Venerio Bishop of Leon was therefore sent Nuncio into Spain First he waited upon the King at Medina del Campo Then endeavouring to Treat with the Rebels was by them twice put off with Reproachful Language and he threatning to Excommunicate them they answered The Pope had nothing to do with the Affairs of the Crown and that they would Appeal to the next General Councel Another Misfortune befell the King which was that D. John Arias Bishop of Segovia in revenge that his Brother Peter Arias had been wrongfully imprisoned tho now set at liberty resolved to deliver up that City to the Lords The Place is strong being seated on the Mountains that part Old and New Castile The Queen and Dutchess of Albuquerque who were there were so surprized at the coming of the Rebels that they could scarce have time to get into the Castle nor were they easily admitted Peter Munsares the Governor being of Intelligence with the Rebels The Princess Elizaheth who knew of the Design stayed in the Palace and then went to her Brother Alonso designing to take part with him This News was soon carried to Medina del Campo where King Henry was which troubled him more than any other Loss because he loved that City kept his Treasure there and it was the place where he Diverted himself From this time forward he seemed disturbed in his Brain trusted no Body was suspicious of all Men and unsettled sometimes for Peace and sometimes for War but Peace was more suitable to his Nature He appointed to meet the Marquess de Villena at Coca notwithstanding all his Friends opposed it which made many forsake him Nothing was done at Coca therefore they agreed to meet again in the Castle of Segovia There they agreed upon these Articles which were no better observed than others had been That the Castle of Segovia be delivered to Prince Alonso That the King have Liberty to take out his Treasures which shall be kept in the Castle of Madrid by Peter Muncares That the Queen be left with the Archhishop of Sevil as an Hostage for Performance hereof That these things performed the Nobles within 6 months Restore the King to the Government and submit to him These were hard Conditions for the King But the worst was that the Queen in the Castle of Alabejos whither the Bishop sent her took a Liking to a young Man and proved with Child by him which confirmed all the former Suspicions of her Dishonesty and made for the Rebels The King distracted with these Misfortunes went from place to place almost like a Private Man forsaken of most Men only 10 attending him He resolved at last to try the Earl of Plasencia and put himself into his Power He was there well received and lived about 4 months in the Castle of that City The Pope sent a new Nuncio to persuade the Lords to submit to the King but they persisting Obstinate he Excommunicated them This did not correct tho it troubled them so much that they sent Deputies to Rome who were not suffered to come within the Walls of that City till they had taken an Oath not to give the Title of King to Prince Alonso The Pope severely Reproved them in the Consistory assuring them God would punish their Disloyalty and that it was to be feared the young Prince would come to an untimely Death for the Sins of others This Saying of his proved Prophetick and his Severity did some kidness to King Henry At the same time the City Toledo was restored to the King Peter Lopez de Ayala was Governor of that City F. Peter de Silva of the Order of S. Dominick and Bishop of Badajoz his Brother in Law Treated with his Sister the Governors Wife about delivering up the City to the King They sent to him he came from Plasencia in two days and entring the City by night was lodged in the Dominican Monastery His coming being known a Bell was Rung and the People took the Alarm Peter Lopez advised the King should not shew himself because the People would not pay him any respect Therefore about midnight he left the City with him went Perafan de Ribera and the two Sons of Peter Lopez de Ayala Peter and Alonso At the Gate the King found his Horse was tired having travelled 18 Leagues that Day He asked one of the Company to give him his Horse which he refused but the two Sons of Peter Lopez immediately alighted and on their knees begg'd of the King to accept of theirs one for himself and the other for his Squire of the Body The King did so those Gentleman followed him a Foot Being come to Olias the King gave Peter Lopez de Ayala and his Sons for ever an Estate of 70000 Mervidies a Year The Bishop also was forc'd to leave the City yet within Four days the Governors Wives tears prevail'd with him to call the King again He came and found all things better dispos'd than he expected and at the suit of the People confirm'd their Charter granting them new Privileges But Peter Lopez de Ayala was created Earl of Fuensalida and continued Governor of the City then the King went away to Madrid there he secur'd the Governor of that Place Peter Muçares but soon after dismiss'd him The loss of Toledo so nearly touched the Rebels that they immediately Marched from Arevalo where their Forces were to Besiege that City In their March near Carden̄osa Prince Alonso fell sick and died on the 5th of July which put a stop to their proceedings His Body was Buried in the Church of St. Francis at Arevalo thence afterwards translated to the Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores at Burgos Some said he died of the Plague which then raged in those parts others that he was poisoned Alonso de Palencia who
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
at Paris where were found two Letters one for the King of France giving him an account of his design In the other he advised his Son immediately to cause himself to be Crowned King His Son having read this Letter was Crowned on the 11th of November only Five days before the arrival of his Father at Cascaes For the King of France had immediately sent some Persons after him who forced him to come back He advis'd him to return to his Country which he accordingly did The King came to Portugal very sad and lean His Son went out with joy to receive him and restored him his Crown and Dignity This was the event of the King of Portugals Voyage and Attempts which at first were hot but in the Conclusion fell to the Ground The following Year 1478 was unfortunate and remarkable because on the 23th of January was Born in Flanders of the Lady Mary Heiress to Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy and Maximilian Duke of Austria Philip who was afterwards happy in the great Dominions he acquired and the Successor he left tho his prosperity was not lasting Death snatching him away in the prime of his youth In the Month of April in the City of Florence certain Citizens conspiring against the Brothers of the House of Medicis who they suspected design'd to Usurp the Sovereignty of that City till then Free Murder'd Julian in the Church of St. Librada the other called Lawrence de Medicis saved himself in the Sacristy of the said Church Hereupon the other Citizens ran to Arms and apprehended Salviato Archbishop of Pisa one of the Conspirators in the Pallace of the Seigneury whither he went to exhort the People to defend their Liberty Without farther Process he hanged him out of the Window The Cardinal of St. George who was said to favour the Conspirators was in great danger Florence was Excommunicated for the Murder of the Archbishop but the King of France interposing the City was absolv'd rather through fear than for any good-will The Pope and King of Naples had also made War upon the Florentines but now also a Peace was Concluded and they were left at Liberty as they were before CHAP. VII Sardinia entirely reduced The Birth of John Prince of Castile The Inquisition first settled in Spain Peace Concluded betwixt France and Castile the death of King John of Aragon IN Sardinia the War continu'd hot and both parties looked for supplies from abroad The Genoeses who ought to have assisted the Marquess de Oristan as their ancient Allie forbore because they had lately concluded a Truce at Naples with the House of Aragon Fresh succours came daily to the Royallists from Aragon and Sicily and at last the Earl of Cardona Viceroy of Sicily went over in Person After several skirmishes the two Armies met near a Castle called Machomera There the Battle was given in which the Marquess was killed and his Army routed Artal his Son endeavouring to make his escape in a Boat was taken by Two Aragonian Gallies and carried Prisoner into Spain by Villamarin the Admiral He was Confined to the Castle of Xativa and all his Estate which was considerable as well in Sardinta as the Continent Confiscate Particularly the Marquisates of Oristan and Gociano were for ever annexed to the Crown and added to the other regal Titles This Battle was fought on the 19th of May. Thus that Island which had been so long contended for was at last wholly subdued by the Aragonians King Ferdinand of Castile tho the Affairs of Andaluzia were not altogether settled and his Queen was with Child returned to the Kingdom of Aragon for two reasons The first to reduce the Archbishop of Toledo and perswade him not to call in the King of Portugal again The other to revive the Association of the Towns against Robbers and Outlaws which decayed much by reason of the great charge of keeping Soldidiers in Pay To this effect the Cortes were held at Madrid where the Association was continued for Three Years longer Nothing could be concluded with the Archbishop tho endeavours were used to satisfie him there had been no design of killing him After the Cortes broke up King Ferdinand returned to Sevil the Queen earnestly desiring it because she was near her time Thither came Ambassadors from the King of Granada to desire the Truce might be renewed which was refused unless besides doing Homage he would pay the Tribute used formerly The King sent Ambassadors to Granada to treat of it and the Moore answered That the Kings who used to pay that Tribute were dead many Years before and that at present in the Mint of Granada no Gold or Silver was Coined but instead of it they made Spears Darts and Cimiters King Ferdinand tho' offended at this Answer necessity obliging him to it renewed the Truce On the 28th of June the Queen fell in labour and was delivered of a Son called Prince John who was unfortunately cut off in the Flower of his Age as we shall relate in its Place The King of Aragon tho tired with Age demanded this Child should be sent to him to be bred up after the manner of Aragon At this time the King of Aragon contended for the Archbishoprick of Zaragoça His aim was to confer it upon D. Alonso Bastard Son to King Ferdinand The Pope was willing to dispence with his Illegitimacy but not with his Age for he was but Six Years old and therefore desired to bestow that See upon the Cardinal Ausias Despuch believing the King would allow it by reason of the great services done by his Brother the Master of the Order of Montesa It proved otherwise for the King in a passion seized the Cardinals Estate and affronted his kindred The King of Naples interposing who was great with the Pope the King of Aragon obtained his desire and that Dignity was given to D. Alonso as perpetual Administrator This was the foundation of a Custom prejudicial to the Church ever since in use and meerly extorted from the Pope at that time It was then the Custom in Spain that all Bishops had their nomination from the King whence ensued another dispute about the See of Taraçoza for the Cardinal Andrew Ferrer dying the Pope bestowed it upon Andrew Martinez King Ferdinand opposed it designing that Church for the Cardinal of Spain who at last carried it Such another debate hapned about the See of Cuenca in which the King also prevailed A Bull was also granted by which the whole power of nominating their Bishops was granted to the Kings of Castile for ever Four years before another Bull had been obtained which excluded for the future all Strangers from reversions of Bishopricks James Saldan̄a Ambassador from King Henry at Rome procured it He went to Portugal with the Princess Joanna and from him is descended a noble Family there of his Name F. Alonso de Burgos Bishop of Palencia Built at Valladolid the famous Monastery of St. Paul of his
to every Man's Fancy But what most troubled them was to see those who carried the Standards to Church to be Blessed look extraordinarily melancholy Others laughed at all these Observations as at vain and accidental things The day following the King went away to Ezija all Persons of any Note striving to have part in that Undertaking According as had been resolved they marched to Loxa where they encamped and entrenched themselves near the Suburbs among Olive Gardens on that side where the River Xenil is so straightned by high Banks that it is not sordable The Ground was streight and not proper for the Horse and the Citizens being Masters of the Bridge it was hard to pass the River Near this place is a Hill called Albohacen which being commodious to hinder the Enemy from sallying and to command the City the Master of Calatrava and Marquesses of Villena and Cadiz were ordered to possess themselves of it Within the City were about 3000 Horse Commanded by Alatar a Brave Captain They made several Sallies particularly upon a Saturday being encouraged by some Recruits they had received and the Hopes that the King of Granada was marching to relieve them they attacked our Post upon the Hill sallying in two Bodies Our Guards being surprized fled Those that encamped next them came to their Relief but without any Order or leaving a Guard in the Camp The other Body of Moors laying hold of this Opportunity easily made themselves Masters of our Works which greatly discouraged those that were engaged However they ran to defend their Camp and behaved themselves with great Bravery The Enemy pressed them in Front and Rear which was the cause our Men were defeated The Master of Calatrava was killed with many others the rest saved themselves by flight King Ferdinand discouraged by this Misfortune and perceiving that what his Brother the Duke de Villahermosa had said was true to wit That the Army was encamped in a disadventageous Post as also understanding the Enemy's Army marched towards him the next day marched away as far as the Lovers Rock called Pen̄a de los Enamorados which was seven Leagues distant from Loxa He retired in good Order the Marquess of Cadiz facing the Enemy who continually charged the Rear but were so bravely received they fled to the City This was the end of that ill laid Design The Moors encouraged by this Success returned to the Siege of Alhama King Ferdinand on the 14th of August in Person relieved the Besieged laid in Provision for 9 Months and gave the Lieutenancy of that Place to D. Luis Osorio who tho' Elect Bishop of Jaen was a brave and experienced Soldier Besides the King plundered and burnt all the Plain of Granada 600 Moors came out of the City to skirmish but the Earl of Cabra and Chief Commendary of Calatrava killed many of them and forced the rest back into the Town These were great Losses to the Moors but the greatest Mischief was Discord among themselves for a great number of the Citizens of Granada taking Arms drove their King Albohaçen out of the City They accused him of Tyranny and of beginning that bloody War In his Place they set up his own Son Mahomet Boabdil commonly called the Little King others call him Haley Muley Alcadurbil Malaga Baça and some other Cities continued Loyal to King Albohaçen Thus that Nation was divided betwixt Two Factions which did them no less harm than the Enemies abroad It is remarkable that amidst these Confusions neither Party asked Aid of the Christians but in the heat of the Civil War made Incursions into their Territories and took the Town of Can̄ete on the Frontiers of that Kingdom Other Affairs for some time diverted the King and Queen from the War with the Moores and they returned to the Kingdom of Toledo The Command of the Frontiers about Ezija was given to D. Peter Manrique Earl of Trevin̄o and lately created Duke of Najara D. Alonso de Cardenas Master of Santiago was to Command about Jaen The Government of Sevil was given to D. John de Silva Earl of Cifuentes All things thus settled the King and Queen came to Madrid about the beginning of Winter There the Cortes assembled to regulate the Association set on Foot some Years before as has been said that they might not abuse the Power they had Supplies were also demanded for the Expences of the War and they offered to furnish 16000 Beasts for Carriage Pope Sixtus commanded the Clergy to contribute 100000 Ducats for once He also granted the Croisade to such as served at their own Cost or at least contributed a certain small Sum of Money This was again granted 3 Years after and has continued ever since being Yearly Collected which brings a great Sum of Money into the Kings Coffers Besides all this much Money was borrowed of Bankers and other private Persons The Aragonians would not receive D. Raimund Folch Earl of Cardona for their Viceroy and pleaded it was a breach of their Priviledges to put a Stranger over them After some debate the King condescended and constituted his Son Alonso de Aragon Archbishop of Zaragoça Viceroy The designs of the Portugueses and Navarrois did not a little perplex King Ferdinand The King of Portugal proposed to Marry his Neece the Princess Joanna Daughter to King Henry to Francis Phebus King of Navarre who was not yet dead Navarre favoured France To prevent danger Ambassadors were sent to both Those who went to Navarre which was after the death of that King had orders to propose a Match betwixt Queen Catherine who had Inherited that Crown and Prince John King Ferdinand 's Son They had also instructions to endeavour to gain all the Men in Power particularly the Faction of the Biamonteses that was possessed of Pamplona and most of the Kingdom the Queen having little left her but the Name tho' she had appointed a Viceroy who was Monsieur de Abene a Frenchman well versed in Affairs of that nature Magdalen the Queen's Mother seemed pleased at the Match and said there could be nothing on her side to obstruct so advantageous a proposal In Galicia the Constable and Earl of Benavente with their followers were in Arms. Each of them strove to seize the Castles of the Bishops to be in a better Condition to oppose his Adversary King Ferdinand to prevent mischief Ordered Ferdinand de Acun̄a Governor of that Country to seize those Places The Governor besieging the Castle of Lugo D. Peter Ossorio Earl of Lemos came with Forces to the Assistance of his Brother who was Bishop of that City This produced a new War which obliged King Ferdinand to set out from Madrid on the 11th of February 1413 and hasten into Galicia By the way he received advice that the Earl of Lemos was dead He appointed his Grandson Roderick his Heir tho' a Bastard of his Son Alonso The Grandfather obtained a dispensation of the Pope to make him Legitimate and put him
Governor having consulted his King who was at Guadix tho' he might have held out much longer surrendred the City when least the Christians expected it On the 4th of December the Capitulation was Signed and the day following the King and Queen entred the City in triumphant manner James de Mendoza Lieutenant of Caçorla and Brother to the Cardinal of Spain was made Governor This struck such a Terror into the Moores that many Towns surrendred gave Hostages and furnished Corn and all other necessaries Among these the chiefest were Taverna and Seron What is more wonderful the Cities Guadix and Almeria either of which might have endured a long Siege submitted of their own accord King Albohardil himself consented to it and came out of Almeria to meet King Ferdinand in the Camp by whom he was splendidly entertained Besides Two strong Castles upon the Sea Coast were taken the one called Almun̄ecar in which the Treasures of the Moorish Kings used to be kept The other was Solobren̄a where the Brothers and Sons of the Kings used to be kept in the nature or Prisoners Francis Ramirez General of the Artillery who had behaved himself bravely upon several occasions was appointed Governor of that Castle After performing such great Actions a Review of the Army was taken on the last day of December preceding the Year 1490 and it appeared by the Muster Rolls 20000 Men were lost 3000 of them killed by the Moores the rest consumed by Sickness Many of the meaner sort were frozen to death King Ferdinand let slip no Opportunity of pulling down the tottering Kingdom of the Moors Gutierre de Cardenas Chief Commendary of Leon who did great Service during this War concluded the Treaty with the unfortunate Moorish King By Virtue of this Capitulation he had the Town of Fandaraa on the Mountains of Granada with all its Dependencies amounting to the Yearly Value of 10000 Ducats allowed him for his Maintenance A small Recompence for a Kingdom but good enough for him who began his Reign with the Murder of his Brother The new conquered Moors were allowed to keep their Lands and Possessions but not to live within Cities lest they should have the Power of Fortifying themselves and Rebelling for which cause they were all disarmed These Conditions were proclaimed at Guadix This done the King and Queen went away to Ecija and thence to Sevil. All Places by the way received them as if they had dropped from Heaven Foreign Princes moved by the Fame of these great Actions sent to Congratulate with them and seek their Friendship The King of Portugal in Prosecution of what had been before Treated desired to Marry his Son Alonso to the Princess Elizabeth as a sure Bond of Friendship between the two Crowns He sent Ambassadors to this purpose and the Match was agreed upon at Sevil on the 18th of April There was great Rejoicing on this account in both Kingdoms but less in Portugal because the following Month the Princess Joanna Sister to that King died at Aveiro unmarried Neither was the Joy of Castile lasting tho' the Princess from Constantina set out for Portugal upon the 11th of November A great number of Nobility bore her Company and she was delivered up on the Banks of the River Caya which runs between Badajoz and Elvas The Chief of the Portugueses that came to receive her was Duke Emanuel who afterwards married that Princess and inherited the Crown The King of Portugal and his Son came to Estremez and the more to honour the Bride seated her between them the King being on the left hand There they were married on the 24th of November by the Archbishop of Braga Primate of all Portugal The Rejoicing continued for half a year at Ebora and Santarem whither the Prince and Princess went All this Joy was turned into Sorrow by an unthought-of Accident The King going out to take the Air on the Banks of the River Tagus Prince Alonso who was with him had a mind to run a Race with John de Meneses In the Course the Horse stumbled and falling so bruised the Prince that he soon died It is needless to represent the greatness of his Parents and Wife's Grief His Body was buried with the usual Pomp among his Ancestors The Princess Elizabeth no sooner a Wife than a Widow returned to Castile in a Mourning Litter Grief cast the King of Portugal into a lingring Disease of which he died 4 years after He founded the Royal Hospital at Lisbon and laid the first Stone of it He left no Issue Male lawfully begotten only D. George whom he had by the Lady Ann de Mendoça and whom tho' but a Child he left Master of Avis and Santiago in Portugal After his Death a new Line of Kings began Emanuel Cousin German to the deceased King and Son to Ferdinand Duke of Viseo inherited the Crown John III. was Son to this King and Prince John his Grandson who dying young inherited not the Crown Therefore King Sebastian Son to the Prince succeeded He being killed by the Moors in Africk left the Kingdom of Portugal first to Cardinal Henry his Great Uncle and after him to Philip II. King of Castile who was also Nephew to the Cardinal and Grandson to King Emanuel by his Mother Elizabeth the Empress Let us leave this and return to the War of Granada King Ferdinand earnestly desired to put an end to the War with the Moors which was so well advanced Besides the Strength of the City Granada and that it was abundantly furnished with all Necessaries another greater Difficulty perplexed the King which was That his Word was engaged to King Boabdil that neither he nor his should be prejudiced by him An Opportunity offered it self of subduing that City without breach of Faith The Citizens without regarding the Danger that threatned them from abroad besieged their King in the Castle of Albaycin and pressed him so hard that scarce any hope was left of saving himself The furious Multitude threatned never to desist till they had his Life It was not reasonable to forsake that unhappy Prince when he begged Relief At the same time the Soldan of Egypt threatned That if King Ferdinand did not give over persecuting the Moors he would put to Death all the Christians in Egypt and Syria F. Anthony Millan Guardian of the Franciscan Convent at Jerusalem sent by the Soldan with this Message by the way visited the King of Naples and coming thence into Spain delivered his Embassy bringing also a Letter from the King of Naples who was supposed to be a greater Friend to the Moors than became a Christian Prince He advised King Ferdinand since the Moors had done him no Wrong not to oppress them only upon account of Religion which might occasion greater Harms King Ferdinand was no way discouraged at the Threats of the Soldan nor approved of the King of Naples his Advice Yet after the War was ended he sent Peter Martyr his
say he was informed by one Marcus Polus a Florentine and others that he found out by his Skill in Astrology that there were vast Countreys towards the West undiscovered These his thoughts he communicated first to the King of Portugal then to Henry VII of England and being slighted by them both came to the Court of King Ferdinand There he waited 7 years and at last after the subduing of the Kingdom of Granada obtained of the King 3 Ships to attempt this Discovery It is wonderful that so great an Undertaking was begun only with 17000 Duccats which the King was forced to borrow his Revenue was so far exhausted Columbus set sail on the 3d of August from Palos de Moguer and having touched at the Canaries after several days sail and many difficulties he discovered certain Islands which he called The Princes Islands He spent some days there and leaving some of his Company in a Fort he built under the Command of James de Arana returned to Spain with the News of what he had discovered and some Proofs of the Riches of the Country The following year he continued to discover many other Islands the chiefest whereof were Hispaniola and Cuba Besides he Coasted a great part of the Continent as well towards the Southern as Northern Pole Columbus died in the year of Grace 1500 a Man worthy of Immortal Praise He was made Admiral of the Indies and Duke of Veraguas Rewards due to his great Merit Several others continued these Discoveries as well during his Life as after his Death Among these Americus Vespusius a Florentine by order of Emanuel King of Portugal in the year 1500 discovered all Brasil which is a great part of that Continent After much of the Northern Coast had been discovered by several Persons Vasco Nun̄ez de Balboa born at Badajoz was the first that adventured to pass that narrow Neck of Land that lies between Nombre de Dios and Panama and so came to the South Sea in the year 1513. These Discoveries of Columbus and Americus Vespusius raised a Controversie betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Portugal the latter pretending all the Discovery of the New World appertained to him by Grants of several Popes and particularly of Eugenius IV. On the other side the King of Castile pleaded a Bull of Pope Alexander VI. in the year 1493 which assigned to him all the Lands to the Westward of an imaginary Line drawn 100 Leagues beyond the Islands of Cabo Verde This Grant was afterwards altered by another which ordained the said Line to be drawn 370 Leagues farther towards the West to the end that Brasil might fall within the Portugues Limits Hierome Ozorio Bishop of Silves in the Life of King Emanuel affirms the said Line was appointed to be drawn 36 Degrees West of the Meridian of Lisbon Upon this Determination was grounded another Dispute the Castillians pretending that the Molucco Islands whence the Spice is brought fell within their Limits as being within that half of the World assigned them All this the Portugueses deny and each Party bring Arguments to make good their Assertions Certain it is that Ferdinand Magallanes a Portugues being disgusted because his King did not Reward his Services done in India perswaded the Emperor Charles V. Grandson to King Ferdinand that a new way might be found to the Moluco Islands by the South West He had 5 Ships given him for this Enterprize and sailed from Sevil in the year 1519. Having touched at the Canaries he Coasted all along Brasil and found a Streight in 53 Degrees of South Latitude which of him is called the Streight of Magellan At the entrance of that Streight one of the Ships struck upon a Rock and was lost another weary of that long Voyage stole away by night and returned to Sevil. With the rest he passed the Streight and was himself with some of his Companions killed in an Island called Zubu Those that were left being too few to Man all the Ships burnt one and with the other two came to the Moluco Islands They loaded in the Island of Tidore but one of them being very leaky was lost The other coming round by the Cape of Good Hope at last arrived at Sevil 3 years after his departure The Ship was called the Victory the Master John Sebastian Cano a Biscainer whose Name ought never to be forgotten as being the first that sailed round the World Many afterwards attempted that same Voyage but the Profit not answering the Trouble it was laid aside as also because King John of Portugal lent the Emperor Charles V. 350000 Duccats upon Condition he and his Heirs should desist from that Undertaking till the Money were repayed On the Right Hand of that Neck of Land which we have said lies between the North and South Seas is the Kingdom of New Spain and the City Mexico its Metropolis seated in the midst of a Lake Over this and many other large Provinces and Kingdoms Reigned the mighty Emperor Montezuma whom Ferdinand Cortes in the year 1520 with wonderful Resolution apprehended and made Prisoner in his own Palace He being killed accidentally by a Stone cast at a Window where he was looking out to appease his People Cortes brought those vast Provinces under the subjection of Charles the Emperor gained himself Eternal Honour and left to his Successors the Marquesses del Valle a great Estate in the Kingdom of Mexico On the Left Hand of that Neck of Land Francis Pizarro in the year 1525 discovered the Kingdom of Peru and 6 years after Conquered it taking and putting to death Atabalipa Lord of that Country This is the richest Countrey for Mines of Gold and Silver hitherto discovered insomuch that all the Utensils of those People even to their Pots and Kettles were of these precious Mettals Pizarro shared not the vast Booty he got there fairly with James de Almagro his principal Companion in that Conquest and the rest of his Men and yet the meanest Soldier 's part came to 9000 Duccats which was the richest Plunder ever taken till that time His Force was about 300 Men who in Battle overthrew above 100000 Indians Riches and Plenty produced Pride and Insolence for Ferdinand Brother to Francis Pizarro understanding that Almagro openly complained of the Wrong done him and meditated Revenge he murdered him A Bastard Son of Almagro whom he had by an Indian and whose Name was James assaulted the House of Francis Pizarro in the City of Lima and killed him in revenge of his Father This was a bold Attempt and to punish it the Governour Christopher Vaca de Castro joined with Gonçalo Pizarro another Brother of the said Francis and with their Forces overthrew and killed the said James This Victory and his great Riches so puffed up Gonçalo Pizarro that he attempted to make himself absolute Lord of that Country Blasco Nun̄ez Vela was sent by the Emperor from Spain to be Viceroy of Peru him the Rebellious Spaniards took Prisoner and put
flourishing Kingdom His Son Alonso succeeded him and was no way more acceptable to the People than his Father had been Cardinal John de Borgia sent on purpose by the Pope his Unckle as Legate to Naples Crowned him This Year also the Pope by his Bull granted to the Kings of Castile for ever the 3d part of the Tithes of Castile Leon and Granada conditionally that the profit thereof should be spent in the War with the Moors At Tordesillas on the 7th of June was agreed the Difference betwixt Castile and Portugal touching their Discoveries in the Indies The Conquests of Castile were to begin 36 Degrees West from the Meridian of Lisbon all thence Eastward as far as half the Circumference of the Globe to appertain to the Portugueses The matter also of the Conquests in Africk was adjusted so that all within the Kingdom of Fez should belong to Portugal the Kingdom of Tremecen to Castile but no Line was fixed to distinguish their Limits which afterwards caused new disputes CHAP. IV. The French Invade the Kingdom of Naples An account of Luis Sforcia Duke of Milan The French King at Rome Alonso King of Naples Abdicates The French Possess themselves of the Kingdom of Naples THE King of France being resolved to Invade Italy in Person gathered all his Forces the Randezvouz of his Army was at Lyons Thither came from Ostia whither he fled for fear of the Pope the Cardinal of St. Peter to forward that undertaking On the other side D. Alonso de Silva according to his Instructions in his King's behalf protested against those proceedings Nevertheless the King of France committing the Government of his Kingdom to Peter Duke of Bourbon his Brother-in-Law set out from that City upon Tuesday the 22th of July with him went most of the Nobility of France His Army consisted of about 20000 Foot and 5000 Horse To pay these Forces he borrowed Money of the Nobility besides 150000 Florms taken up of a Genoese Banker a small Sum for so great an undertaking King Alonso sent a great Fleet under the Command of his Brother Frederick to Infest the State of Genoa By Land he sent his Son the Duke of Calabria to Invade the Territories of Milan All things fell out unfortunately for Frederick did nothing worth naming and the Duke of Calabria was stopped by the Forces of France and Milan from passing out of Romania The King of France passed the Alpes and on the 9th of September came to Aste the Bounds of the Dukedom of Milan and then possessed by the Duke of Orleans who was in that Expedition and pretended a Right to the whole Dukedom D. Alonso the Spanish Ambassador was very little looked upon at Court insomuch that he was ordered to be dismissed but he winked at all being a Person of great Prudence and Sagacity At the City Aste they flighted him so far as to assign him no Quarters whereupon he was forced to go away to Genoa There he began to treat with Luis Sforcia who repented of what he had done about joining in League with the Catholick King giving him a hint that one of the Princesses should be Married to his Eldest Son for they could not Marry with any other Prince by reason of the agreement made with France This took so much with Luis Sforcia that he resolved to change Parties tho' at the same time he repaired to Aste to receive the French King and gave him a Sum of Money to pay his Army The King leaving the Duke of Orleans who designed to lay hold of that oportunity to possess himself of the State of Milan at Aste Marched with his Army to Pavia where he visitted the Duke John Galeazzo who was then at the point of death and was his Cousin-german both their Mothers being Sisters and Daughters to the Duke of Savoy The Duke died on the 21th of October and it appeared plainly he had been poisoned which increased the Hatred conceived towards his Unckle The same day the King of France entred Plasencia and with him Lewis Sforcia who understanding the death of his Nephew immediatly returned to Milan and there publickly took upon him the Title of Duke notwithstanding his Nephew left a Son five Years of Age as also two Daughters and his Wife big with Child So far did his Ambition blind him that the same day he wrote to King Alonso giving an account of his Nephews death and telling him the Nobility and People of Milan had obliged him to take the Title of Duke and that he believed this would be no way displeasing to him knowing how well affected he was towards him and his Kingdom From Plasencia the King entred into Tuscany Ambassadors came to him from all parts and particulaly from the Venetians offering their Friendship The Pope sent the Cardinal of Siena his Legate who came as far as Pisa but the King would not see him The Florentines sent Peter de Medicis on the same account He contrary to his Commission and Instructions was agreeing to deliver up to the French Saraçana Saraçanella and Piedrasanta strong Holds belonging to the Republick on Mount Apennine as also the Castles of Pesa and Leghorn and some other things to this purpose Hereat the People were so inraged that they Banished him and his Brothers the Cardinal de Medicis and Julian plundered their Houses and confiscated all their Estates which were very great Being come to Pisa the King restored that City to its Liberty delivering it from the subjection it was under to the Florentines He entred Florence the same day that Picus Mirandula died there at the Age of 34 Years a Man of such an excellent Wit that he was called the Phaenix He agreed with the Florentines to restore their Forts after the War was ended that they for his sake should pardon Peter de Medicis and his Brothers and pay 120000 Florins towards the Charge of the War Rome was in an uproar because the Cardinals could not agree and the Nobility was divided for Prosper and Fabricius Colonna favoured the French and Virginius Ursinus the Neapolitans The Colonneses with Cardinal Ascanius Sforcia had seized the City Ostia by which means Rome suffered great want no Provisions coming to it by Sea It was genarally believed the Pope would agree with the King of France or else depart Rome Hereupon the People began to mutiny and the Pope was obliged to satisfie the Cardinals and Roman Gentry assuring them he would stand by the juster Cause and if the King of France attempted to enter Rome with his Army he would make head against him and hazard his own Life in the Quarrel All he could say was of little force to encourage the People who were terrified with the News daily brought of the approach of the French and their securing the Towns belonging to the Church The Pope himself perceiving that neither his own nor the Forces of Naples with a good part whereof the Duke of Calabria then lay at
Burgos were sufficient to withstand the Power of the Enemy retired himself to the Castle of Santangelo and sent Word to the Duke to retire lest some misfortune should happen to him In fine the King with his whole Army entred Rome upon the last day of December preceding the Year 1495 all the People and some of the Cardinals making great expressions of Joy He Lodged himself in the Pallace of S. Mark At this time died the Cardinal of Spain at Guadalajara upon the 11th day of January aged 67 Years and 3 Months He was a noble Person excellently qualified and had a great hand in the Government all his Life-time He Founded a College at Valladolid and ordered in his Will an Hospital to be Built at Toledo to which he left all he was Worth The See of Toledo vacant by his death the King would have given to his Son Alonso Archbishop of Zaragoça but the Queen would not consent She offered it to D. Peter de Oropesa one of her Council but he would not accept of it therefore it was given to F. Francis Ximenes de Cisneros a Friar Minor of known Piety and Virtue but of mean extraction When promoted to the Archbishoprick he was the Queen's Confessor some Years after he was made Cardinal At Rome the Pope and King of France agreed that the Cardinal of Valencia should go with the King as Legate that the Great Turk's Brother should be delivered to him and that the Castles of Civita Vecchia Terraçina and Spoleto should be in his Power during the War Hereupon the King obliged himself to cause the City Ostia to be restored to the Pope after the War and to do Homage himself to the Pope as he did a few days after in the Palace of S. Peter This done the King set out from Rome on the 28th of January taking his way towards Naples whence advice was brought that the City Aquila and many other Places had voluntarily submitted to him King Ferdinand of Spain understanding what was done and of the Affront offered to the Pope resolved to declare To this purpose he sent Antony de Fonseca and John d' Albion to require the King of France to forbear making War on the Lands of the Church since he well knew the Pope and all that belonged to him ought to be exempted by the late Treaty At the same time he sent the Earl of Trivento to Command the Fleet that was fitting at Alicant and Gonçalo Fernandez de Cordova with 500 Horse by Land The Ambassadors came to Rome the same Day the King set out from thence and immediately following gave him their Credentials in the Field as he was on Horseback requiring him not to proceed further without making Satisfaction to the Church The King was surprized and said he would answer at Velitre There they delivered their Embassie more at large complaining of the Wrongs and Affronts offered to the Pope and requiring him not to proceed as to the Affair of Naples till the Case were decided in Judgment After much contesting the King said he was come too far to go back and therefore would stand to Judgment when he had conquered the Kingdom Then Antony de Fonseca replied Since your Majesty will have it so and is resolved to be tried by the Sword God the Defence of the Innocent shall be the Judge in this Cause The King my Master has done his Duty and is now left free to employ his Forces as he shall think fit This said in the presence of the King and his Council he tore the Articles of the late Agreement betwixt the Two Kings A bold Action which had almost provoked him to lay hold of him but he returned to Rome This Embassie encouraged the Pope not to stand by the late Capitulation and the next Night the Cardinal of Valencia in a Disguise stole away from Velitre He took not the Road to Rome lest it should be thought he fled by Order of the Pope but went to Spoleto a strong City belonging to the Church Whilst the King of France was yet at Rome Alonso King of Naples who had not yet reigned a whole Year resolved to Abdicate and to that intent assembled all the Nobility and his Council to whom he delivered himself in this manner You are all sensible of the dangerous Posture of our Affairs The Powerful Enemy presses upon us and yet the French do not make more haste to advance than our own People to declare for them Foreign Succours are far off and they who ought to relieve us seem least concerned at our Misfortunes I will complain of no body my Sins are the cause of this sad Disaster and it is fit he who is the occasion of it should suffer My Life is in the hands of God what I have to offer up is the Crown which I take from my own Head as unworthy of it and transfer it to my Son whose Worth you all know It is a good Change since in lieu of a Sickly Man I give you a Young and Valiant King I wish things were in that Condition that I might shew to the World how little I value its Grandeur but it is also Prudence to submit to Necessity In fine I am resolved since I cannot be useful in this time of need to quit my dear Country rather than be a Witness of its Misfortunes Perhaps this voluntary Sacrifice I make of my self may appease God's Wrath and incline the Hearts of Men to defend you It is needless to put you in mind of your Duty to your King nor him of the Care he is to have of his Subjects This Act of Resignation was performed on the 23d of January in the Castle del Ovo Thence he shipped himself with his private Treasure which was great for Sicily resolving to spend the rest of his Life in the Habit of a Priest in the City Mazara He writ to several Princes particularly King Ferdinand giving his Reasons for resigning the Crown but the truth is he did it because he was grown odious to his Subjects He lived not a Year after but spent his time in the Exercise of Virtue His Body is buried in the Cathedral of Meçina As soon as the New King was possessed of the Government he showed himself abroad in the City and to gain the Good-will of the People ordered a great Number of Prisoners to be set at liberty as well of the Nobility as Commons only excepting John Baptista Marçano Son to Marino Marçano Prince of Rosano and Duke of Sessa as also the Earl of Populo who were both in Prison since the time of the Barons Wars and were mortal Enemies to the House of Aragon This done he set out of Naples towards his Army which lay at S. German on the Borders of the Kingdom where it confines on the Lands of the Church He left his Unkle Frederick Prince of Altamura Governour of Naples The King of France coming to S. German the Town surrendered
and the New King retired to Capua which he had fortified but was betrayed to the French by Trivulcio a Milanese the Governour Whilst the King of France was at Capua the Great Turk's Brother died Others say it was at Naples whether the King marched and was received into that most Noble City without any resistance upon Sunday the 22d of February The New King Ferdinand before the French came abandon'd all and retired to Castelnovo where were the Queen-Dowager her Daughter Frederick the King's Unkle and many other Lords Thence he went to the Castle del Ovo and lastly over to Sicily to wait some turn of Fortune But the French were so fortunate that in 15 Days after their entring upon the Borders of the Kingdom all submitted to them to the utmost point of Italy I believe never so great an Undertaking was concluded in so short a time Only some few Places in Calabria held out some time for King Ferdinand but at last submitted as did Rijoles which is in sight of Meçina where the Fleet of Spain lay but had no Orders to attempt any thing CHAP. V. The League against the French carried on with wonderful Secrescy The French King returns home The Venetians overthrown by the French King Ferdinand of Naples successful against them and recovers that Noble City NO sooner had the French possessed themselves of the Kingdom of Naples but all the Princes of Italy began to consider how heavy the Dominion of that Nation would lie upon them if suffered to settle and root it self in Italy King Ferdinand of Spain was in the greatest danger for the Island of Sicily whither he was informed the French designed to pass as soon as they concluded the Affair of Naples being chiefly animated to that Enterprize by the Prince of Salèrno one of the Outlaws and principal Enemy to the House of Aragon The better to oppose them he sought to draw the other Princes to a League against France To this purpose he had some Months since sent Laurence Suarez de Figuera to Venice and now sent a Gentleman called John Deza to the Duke of Milan with Orders to make an Overture to him not only of giving him one of the Princesses his Daughters but of making him King of Lombardy both which Proposals he willingly gave ear to He also practised to draw the Emperor and the English into the League and in order to it proposed cross Matches to strengthen the Alliance between Prince John and the Princess Joanna his Children and Maximilian and his Sister Margaret on the other side which Design was so well prosecuted that it was fully concluded by Francis de Rojas sent on purpose to Flanders Care was taken to raise Money in Castile and Aragon to defray the Charge of the War In Aragon the Cortes met which the King would have had the Princess Catherine hold but it would not be allowed and he was forced to come himself Such Industry was used that at last the League was concluded at Venice It was agreed this called the Most Holy League should last for the space of 25 Years and that between them all should be raised an Army of 34000 Horse and 28000 Foot proportionable to the Power and Ability of each of the Confederates It was given out the Design was to protect the Church and defend their own Dominions but in reality it was to drive the French out of Italy This Business was carried on with such wonderful Secrecy that the French Ambassador Philip de Comines Lord of Argenton a Man of great Wisdom and Experience then at Venice had not the least Intelligence of it and was so surprized when Augustin Barbadico Duke of Venice gave him an account of it that he asked whether the King his Master might return with safety into France The face of Affairs was soon changed for the Neapolitans repented of what they had done because the Insolencies committed by the French were intolerable The Duke of Milan was perplexed for that the Duke of Orlcans had secured the City Novara besides he understood that the French endeavoured to draw the Genoeses from his Subjection insomuch that he was forced with great Submission to have recourse to the Venetians for their Assistance The King of France understanding what had hapned resolved to return with all speed before the way was stopped Before his departure he appointed Gilbert Duke of Monpensier a Prince of the Blood Viceroy of Naples with him he left part of his Army and some able Commanders He also sent to the Pope to ask of him the Investiture of the Kingdom of Naples and to let him know he desired to pass through Rome to confer with his Holiness about important Affairs As to the Investiture the Pope answered he was ready to do Justice according as he should find and as for his going to Rome it could not be without some great Disorder because the People were enraged against the French This unpleasing Answer made the King hasten his Journey He set out from Naples on the 20th of May Being come to Rome he found the Pope was retired to Perosa From Rome he went into Tuscany spent some Days at Siena and without entring Florence went on to Pisa The Florentines demanded the restitution of that City as had been promised them but the People of Pisa prevailed upon him Thence he went into Lombardy where Francis Marquess of Mantua General of the Venetians came to cut off his Retreat The French being fewer in number would have avoided fighting and endeavoured to join the Duke of Orleans but it could not be The Enemies met on the Banks of the River Tarro which runs within a League of the City Parma The Venetians lay near Fornovo a Village at the Foot of the Mountains the French at the entrance into the Valley There the Battel was fought which was one of the most remarkable that had hapned long in Italy At first the Italians had the better but then falling to plunder and seize the Cannon the French had leisure to rally and returned upon the Enemy with such Fury that they broke them with a mighty Slaughter The King was in great danger all his Guards being slain and tho' the Victor could not obtain of the Enemy a Truce for three Days wherefore he was forced to steal away to Aste without beat of Drum It was no small help to him in his retreat that the River being swollen with the Rain the Italians could not so soon pass it to pursue him Yet he sustained much loss by the Light Horse that kept in his Rear and the Country-people who took Arms to secure the Passes Above 4000 Italians were killed in the Fight The Duke of Mantua immediately sate down before Novara where he much distressed the Duke of Orleans Scarce was the King gone from Naples when the Affairs of that Kingdom began to change The Fleet of Spain commanded by the Earl of Trivento lay at Meçina Thither came
France and to marry him to the Lady Charlotte Daughter to the King of Naples Her Father would not consent because they demanded the Principality of Taranto with her as Dower and this was suspected to be in order to seize the whole Kingdom of Naples The Duke of Milan and Cardinal Ascanius his Brother pressed the King to consent lest the Pope should bring the French upon him again which would prove his utter Ruin as it did K. Ferdinand did not approve of this Contrivance tho' he was offered the disposal of the Churches of Pamplona and Valencia then in the hands of Caesar Borgia These Practices scandalized all Christendom to see that a Cardinal in Holy Orders should have leave given him to marry The Wickedness of the Court of Rome gave all the World enough to talk therefore Hierome Savonarola a Dominican who of late Years had a great hand in the Government of Florence Preaching with extraordinary Freedom against the Extravagancies of the Pope was by his Order publickly burnt with two of his Companions in the Market place of that City upon Palm-Sunday Many in Florence to this day account him a Martyr others condemned his Boldness But this hapned not only at Florence for Garcilasso the Catholick King 's Ambassador reproved the Pope to his face and required him in his King's Name to redress those Disorders The Pope was angry at this Liberty but mended not his Faults Soon after Caesar Borgia publickly protested he took Orders against his Will and desired a Dispensation to quit all his Benefices and resign the Cardinal's Cap. Many of the Cardinals were of Opinion he deserved for his wicked Life to be degraded and not suffered to resign but none durst speak for fear of the Pope In fine he resigned and the New King of France created him Duke of Valence Being disappointed of the Daughter of Frederick King of Naples he married the Daughter of the Lord d' Albret and Sister to the King of Navarre By her he had a Daughter who her Father dying was left to the Care of her Unkle the King of Navarre This same Year the Great Captain having gathered a Fleet at Naples sailed for Spain He was the Honour of our Nation for the many Victories he obtained and subduing that Kingdom after such great Disorders CHAP. II. The King of Portugal sworn Heir to the Crown of Castile Elizabeth his Queen delivered of a Son dies The Duke of Milan expelled his Dominions University of Alcala founded Rebellion of the Mountain-Moors AS soon as Prince John died the King and Queen began to be sollicitous about the Succession of the Crown but waited to see what the Princess Margaret would bring forth Their Grief was increased when at Alcala de Henares she miscarried of a Daughter Hereupon they advertised the King of Portugal of his Title to the Crown and advised him to come to Castile and be Sworn according to Custom The Archduke and his Dutchess who at that time took the Stile of Princes of Spain were warned to forbear it The King and Queen of Portugal entred Castile by the way of Badajoz where they were received by the Dukes of Medina Sidonia and Alva with many other Great Men. Thence they went to spend the Holy Week at Guadalupe and on the 26th of April came to Toledo where the Catholick King and Queen expected them and according to Custom on the Sunday following Homage was done to them and they were Sworn Heirs of Castile The Business of Aragon was not so easie because Henry Duke of Segorve was alive and pretended no Woman could Inherit that Crown and therefore it appertained to him and his Son Alonso as descended of the Male Line of King Ferdinand of Aragon To make all things the easier the Kings of Castile and Portugal went to Zaragoça and there on the 14th of July proposed to the Nobility to Swear to the King and Queen of Portugal as Heirs of the Crown There arose a great Debate some affirming no Woman could Inherit that Crown and others maintaining the contrary To end this Dispute it pleased God that the Queen of Portugal on the 23d of August was delivered of a Son whom they called Michael She died within an Hour after The King her Husband returned immediately to his Kingdom The Queen's Body was deposited in the Church of S. Francis and thence translated to the Monastery of Nuns of S. Elizabeth built by her Father at Toledo On the 22d of September all Difficulties being removed the young Prince was by general Consent Sworn Heir to the Crown of Aragon and soon after the same was done in Castile Before King Ferdinand went to Zaragoça he had sent D. Alonso de Sylva his Ambassador to France to Compliment the New King upon his Accession to the Crown and at the same time to press the Conclusion of the Peace He with the other Ambassadors there before soon brought it to a Period The same was done on his part by the Archduke without consulting his Father or Father-in-Law Luis d' Amboise Archbishop of Roan by his Interest with the King of France much forwarded this Agreement In September the Pope made him a Cardidal at the suit of the French King who was intent upon passing into Italy upon account of the Right he pretended to have to the Dutchy of Milan and Kingdom of Naples From Zaragoça King Ferdinand sent D. Yn̄igo de Cordova Brother to the Earl of Cabra and Dr. Philip Ponce to require the Pope to restore the City Benevento to the Church and to reform the Abuses of his Court and Leudness of his Family The King of Portugal by the Advice of his Father-in-Law sent D. Roderick de Castro and D. Henry Coutin̄o to Rome with the same Embassie They all admonished the Pope and made their Protestation Garcilasso de la Vega performing the Office of Notary Apostolick The Pope was highly offended and threatned to punish them for their Presumption yet at last be answered That Benevento was not nor should not be alienated As to the Reforming his House he answered harshly Within few days the Prince of Esquilache his Wife his Sister Lucrecia and her Husband whose Leudness as well as Caesar Borgia's incensed the People all departed Rome Such was the Hatred the Pope conceived on this account against Garcilasso de la Vega that he was forced to leave that City and the Portugues Ambassadors soon followed at the beginning of the Year 1499. Those of the Catholick King stayed some time longer till the coming of Lorenço Suarez de Figueroa who was appointed to succeed his Brother Garcilasso after he had been Ambassador at Venice where he gained great Reputation Many heavy Cares at the same time lay upon the Catholick King Italy was in danger by reason of the French King's Pretensions The Pope egged him on in hopes to be revenged on King Frederick and to raise Duke Valentine The Venetians also offended with the Duke
in the Roman History and reaching to Campania The Moderns divide this Province into Abruzzo Citra and Abruzzi Ultra the River of Pescara being the Bounder of the Two Parts These Provinces in the Division of the Kingdom were adjudged to the King of France On the same side with Abruzzo is Apulia divided into Capitanata Terra di Bari and Terra di Otranto which runs as far as Taranto and thn Confines of Calabria On the other side beyond Naples begins the Principality whose Capital City is Salerno Then follows Basilicata formerly called Lucania and then Calabria where were the ancient Brutii upon the Coast of the Mediterranean In this Province is Cosenza the Capital City and Rogio upon the Streight of Meçina The Inland was called Magna Graecia where are Rosano Catançaro and Cotron As to the Principality it is dubious whether it ought to be comprehended in Calabria Touching Basilicata was the same Dispute and therefore the Kings agreed these Provinces should be divided Yet some affirmed that this Territory lying along the Mountains that part Apulia and Calabria made no distinct Province from them two but that as much as lies towards the East belongs to Apulia and towards the West to Calabria In Basilicata are Melfi Atela Barleta and other Cities Capitanata is that part which lies betwixt the Rivers Aufido and Tertoro in it are Manfredonia Monte Santangelo and Troya There is no doubt but that Territory was contained in the ancient Apulia since Ptolomy places Mount S. Garganus which is there Famous for the Church of S. Michael in Apulia And the Moderns always understood that Apulia began where Abruzzo ended and was divided into those three Parts already mentioned Nay several Authors mention Capitanata as a Territory of Apulia and always the Duty of the Cattel of Apulia was received in that Territory Let every one judge as he shall think fit it suffices to our Purpose that hence the French and Spaniards took occasion to decide that by the Sword which their Kings tho' often pressed to it could never be brought to resolve But this we shall speak of hereafter Now King Frederick who continued at Ischia as had been agreed being out of conceit with the Catholick King put himself into the hands of the King of France and his Wife and Children and the Cardinal Luis d' Aragon his Nephew upon promise of 30000 Francs to maintain his House His Sister Beatrix Queen of Hangary stayed in that Island and thence went over to Sicily Elizabeth his Niece who had been married to John Galeazo the Great Duke of Milan went to Bari in Apulia Whilst this Treaty was betwixt the King of France and the Deposed Frederick the Archduke in Flanders was courted to go over to Spain with his Wife that they might according to Custom be sworn Heirs to the Crown This Year was born to the Archduke a Daughter called Elizabeth The King his Father-in-Law was desirous to have him in Spain that he might be acquainted with the Customs of the Country and to break him of some youthful ill Habits he had learned of his Servants But they being used to Govern him were not willing he should stand in awe of D. John de Fonseca Bishop of Cordova who was sent to persuade him to come into Spain and the King of France invited him to take his way through that Kingdom as he did The Princess Catharine sailed from Corun̄a in a Fleet provided for that purpose to be married in England as had been agreed She set sail on the 25th of August With her went into England D. Alonso de Fonseca Archbishop of Santiago the Count and Countess of Cabra and other Persons of Note After their departure there arose such a Storm that the Fleet was scattered and tho' some Ships recovered Southampton the most were forced back to Laredo On the 2d of September they put to Sea again and arrived with the Princess in England She was married with great Solemnity to Prince Arthur at London But how much Misery did this poor Lady undergo through the Extravagancy of her wicked Husband This same Year the Lady Beatrix de Castro Daughter to the Earl of Lemos was contracted to Denis Brother to the Duke of Bragança the King giving them the Towns of Sarria Castro and Otera which the Earl of Lemos pretended to have a Right to In October a Peace was concluded at the City Trent betwixt the Emperor and King of France The chief Article was That Charles the Archduke's Son should marry Claudia that King's Daughter a Match often agreed upon but that never took effect The Fleets sent from France and Portugal at the instance of the Catholick King to aid the Venetians against the Turks did nothing worth relating That of Portugal only went to Corfou and returned The French went to the Island Scio belonging to the Genoeses and having only hindred the Turks from receiving their usual Tribute there suffered so much by Pestilence Stress of Weather and the Enemy that scarce 1000 Men of all the Fleet returned home They repaired to Apulia and were courteously entertained by the Great Captain 's Order The Venetians also returned home who had but 25 Galleys ill provided This Year the Turk put no Fleet to Sea which if he had there was no Force to oppose him In Spain the Catholick King published a Proclamation commanding all the Moors who were dispersed throughout Castile and Andaluzia called Mudejares either to become Christians or depart the Country About the end of the Year there was a certain Commotion which if not prevented in time might have produced a War D. Luis de la Cerda Duke of Medina Celi upon his Death-bed married his Mistriss to Legitimate D. John a Son he had by her D. In̄igo de la Cerda the Duke's Brother whose Son Luis married the Duke del Infantado's Daughter pretended he was Heir to that Estate The Duke of Medina Celi being dead the Duke del Infantado raised Men and laid siege to Cogolludo in order to seize all the Estate The King ordered him to disband his Forces and take his Course at Law The Duke was forced to obey and D. John was left possessed of his Father's Estate News was brought that the Archduke with his Wife were coming through France All the way they were nobly entertained At Paris on the 13th of December both Parties swore to the Peace before concluded at Trent and the Archduke did Homage to the King of France as Earl of Flanders The Princess would allow that King no Superiority Thence they set forward and through Guienne came to Fuenterabia on the 29th of February 1502. There they were received by the Constable of Castile the Duke of Najara the Earl of Trevin̄o his Son and the Chief Commendary D. Gutierre de Cardenas The more to express the Publick Joy leave was given that such as might wear Silk Doublets might also have Silk Coats and coloured which shews the Modesty of
Prince of Zaragoça the Spaniards went down the wind apace in Calabria The Viceroy hasted to Messina and gathered all the Foreigners he could to Succour his Party From Rome D. Hugo and D. John de Cardona Brother to the Count de Golisano quitting the Posts they had under Duke Valentin at the perswasion of the Spanish Ambassador carried 240 chosen Men to that City As soon as they came to Messina gathering what other Forces they could they passed the Streight at such time as the Earl of Melito Brother to the Prince of Bisignano having taken the Town of Terranova had much distressed the Castle D. Hugo marched thither and having defeated the Earl raised the Siege and the Princes of Salerno and Bisignano who lay before Cosenza were forced to quit that Enterprize and came down to the Plain of Terranova to endeavour to make up that loss This Fight hapned 4 days before Emanuel de Benavides arrived at Messina with the Forces he brought in 15 Ships Among the other Commanders there came with him Antony de Leyva a Man hereafter famous for Valour and Conduct They passed over with the greatest speed they could to join D. Hugo and the rest The Princes being retired to Melito sent the Earl with 700 Swiss and some Horse and People of the Country to besiege Cosensa He marched to Mota de Culambra 3 Miles from Rosana where lay most of the Spaniards who were upon them by break of day and the Town being open entred it killing some of the Enemy others fled and others with the Earl retired to the Castle News being brought that the Lord of Aubigni with all his Forces was marching to the relief of the Earl the Spaniards drew back to Rosana At the same time Fabricius de Gesualdo Son to the Earl of Conça and Son in Law to the Prince of Melfi who Commanded on the Frontiers about Taranto went out to Ravage the Territory of that City Luis de Herrera and Peter Navarro Captains of the Garrison of Taranto lay in wait for the Enemy in a Pass where they killed or took them all only 3 escaping Fabricius himself was made Prisoner In the other parts of Apulia the War was hotly prosecuted both Parties striving to receive the Duties of Cattle which is one of the best Branches of the Revenue It would be too tedious to relate all particulars but the poor Country People suffered extreamly both French and Spaniards driving their Cattle To put a stop to this Mischief the Duke of Nemours resolved to march with all his Forces and break down a Bridge that was over the River Ofanto 4 Miles distant from Barleta thinking thus to prevent the Enemies Parties from passing over especially when that River swells with the Rains The Lord of Aubigni as soon as he had entred Calabria marched towards the Enemy that was in Terranova The Town was weak and ill provided therefore they agreed to quit it and pass over the Mountain to Retromarina The French having taken the Passes put to flight all the Spanish Infantry and took about 50 Horse of the Troops of Antony de Leyva who fought with much Bravery Yet the greatest number fled to Girache and other strong Holds This Defeat gained the Lord of Aubigni such Reputation that most of Calabria submitted to him Four days after the Duke of Nemours came with his Army to the Bridge of Ofanto and with his Cannon beat down the middle Arch and a Tower which he had half ruined when he was there before The Great Captain hearing of his Approach sent for the Forces that were at Andri and then followed the Enemy but they marched off the same way they came The Great Captain sent a Trumpet to stay the Duke who answered that when Gonzalo Fernandez would come as near Canoza as he had been to Barleta he engaged his Word to come out and Fight him At this time the Duke of Calabrta came to Madrid and tho' a Prisoner was entertained like the Son of a King On the first day of January 1503 Duke Valentin took Sonagalla He also made Prisoners Francis Ursino Duke of Gravena Paul Ursino Vitellocio and Oliveroto who came to him upon a safe Conduct The Pope also apprehended Cardinal Ursino their intent being totally to ruin the Family of the Ursini as they had already the Coloneses tho' but a little before they had made a strict Alliance with them Soon after that Duke took Perosa and Civita Castelli and aimed at the Republicks of Siena Luca and Pisa but durst not attempt them for fear of the King of France under whose Protection they were which gave him an Opportunity of sending Forces to Naples in the same manner as if they had marched through his own Territories For all this the War betwixt Florence and Pisa continued and the Pisans had thoughts of putting themselves under the Protection of the Catholick King The King would not then admit them and when he would it was too late Two Cousins Alonso and Francis de Albuquerque with each of them 3 Ships sailed from Portugal for India CHAP. VIII Great Booty taken by the Spaniards as also the Sieur de la Palisse A Combat betwixt 13 French and as many Italians Several losses of the French The Marquess del Gasto comes over to the Spaniards THE Great Captain who lay with his Forces at Barleta was much perplexed being resolved not to take the Field till the Germans and Forces he Expected from Spain had joined him but at the same time want of Provisions obliged him to march towards the Enemy who lay at Monorbino Canosa and Cirinola On the 15th of January he marched out of Barleta sending before the Commendary Mendoza with 300 light Horse to drive the Country as far as Labelo which was 25 Miles distant thence and was plentiful of Cattle He Halted Four Miles from Monorbino to Face the French if they should come out of the Town Our advanced Party drove above 40000 Sheep 200 Men at Arms and as many Archers came out of Cirinola thinking to join a like number that lay at Canosa and then recover the Booty from our Men who endeavouring to cut them off did it so disorderly that they got into Canoza tho' with some loss The Duke of Nemours stirred not so that our Men had leisure to carry off the Prey Four days after Intelligence being given that the Sieur de la Palisse was marching with 500 Horse to Ravage the Territory of Barleta the Great Captain and D. James de Mendoça possessed themselves of Two Passes through which the Enemy must of necessity make their way The Sieur de la Palisse fell with his Horse at first setting out which was the cause he went not himself but sent one la Motte his Lieutenant with 70 Men at Arms and Archers They fell into the Ambush and were all killed or taken only Two escaping Among the rest La Motte was taken by D. James de Mendoza This
who delivered the City to the Venetians being a Native of it and having great Power in it was not only taken but condemned and executed as a Traytor After this Success the Duke of Nemours soon recovered Bergamo without any Difficulty He left the Lord of Aubigni with a sufficient Force to secure Bressa the rest of his Army he dispersed in the Territory of Verona and went away himself to keep the Carnaval at Milan and there to rejoice at his Victory The King of France was much offended at his Departure at such a Juncture of time and ordered him immediately to march with all his Forces and observe the Confederate Army then much weakned and in Distress Hereupon the Council at Pisa took the boldness to appoint the Cardinals of Bolonia and Avignon their Legates and the Venetians refused to agree with the Emperor tho the Pope urged they should accept of the Conditions so often proposed as did the Emperor to join with the Confederates Yet soon after as has been said the Republick concluded a Truce with the Emperor upon Condition to pay him down a certain Sum of Mony The King of France fortified the Frontiers of Normandy first and then those of Guienne for fear of the English At the same time he laboured to secure the King of Navarre to his Interest tho' under-hand he gave great Assurances to the Duke of Nemours of putting him in Possession of that Kingdom assoon as the War in Italy were ended This strict Alliance of the King of Navarre with France was the cause of his Ruin which was contrived and carried on in this manner The Pope understanding how that King favoured and assisted the Enemies of the Church and sided with the French and the Council of Pisa resolved with the Advice of the Colledge of Cardinals to take such course against him as was usual against schismatick Princes On the 18th of February he pronounced Sentence of Excommunication against the King and Queen of Navarre depriving them of the Regal Stile and Dignity and giving their Dominions to any that would take possession of them It was supposed that King Ferdinand procured this Judgment to be given against them certain it is he Kept it for sometime private hoping some other way to make sure of that King and Queen To this purpose about the end of March he sent Peter de Hontanon from Burgos where he then resided in his Name to declare to those Princes how much they deviated from their true Interest and to engage them not to give any Aid to France upon that Conjuncture nor to allow passage through their Dominions to his and the Churches Enemies He also required them to deliver up to him their Son the Prince of Viana promising to marry him to one of his Grand-daughters that is either the Princess Elizabeth or Princess Catherine They refused to comply with any of these Demands treated the Catholick King 's Friends in ill manner and continued to raise Men and make other Warlike Preparations D. John de Silva who was General for Castile on the Frontiers of Navarre omitted not to require them to forbear those extraordinary Motions but they made no account of his Messages They were much encouraged by the News brought from Italy of the great Power of the French and Distress of the Confederate Army The Viceroy remained still in the Earldom of Bolonia not daring to retire for fear of losing Reputation and being too weak to advance and take any Enterprize in hand altho the Pope pressed him to break into the Territory of Milan The Viceroy feared to be cut off his Provisions which were sent him from Ravenna He had lost many of his Men that hard Weather some were dead and others deserted What was worst of all at such time as the Enemy was very near the Duke of Urbin's Lieutenant with the 600 Lances belonging to the Pope withdrew from the way pretending they were not payed and that they were jealous of some Spaniards The truth was the Duke held Intelligence with the King of France and had Bills of his payable at Florence to raise Men for his Service Our Army was so reduced that the Viceroy and Legate resolved to take into Pay 4000 Italians to reinforce it The Pope would have had 8000 and paid down Mony to raise them He was for fighting the French immediately his great Spirit being void of all Apprehension The Catholick King would have them protract time till the Forces of Venice joined them they being now at leisure by reason of the Truce concluded with the Emperor He also ordered a Body of Swiss or Germans to be hired and sent Ferdinand de Valdez Captain of his Guards to propose this to the Pope and then to go to the Army to acquaint the General with his Will He did as ordered and came to the Viceroy's Camp on the 〈◊〉 of March as such time as the two 〈…〉 in sight of one another in such manner that without great hazard and loss of Reputation there was no avoiding a Battel CHAP. III. The famous Battel of Ravenna That City surrendred to the French Scandalous Proceedings of the mutinous Cardinals and opening of the Lateran Council THE Confederate Army still lay about the Castile of S. Peter Butri Cento and Pieve Towns in the Earldom of Bolonia where the Viceroy resolved to fight the French because the Ground was advantageous and his Men in good heart The French Army and Forces of the Duke of Ferrana all good Men advanced towards them The Viceroy was willing to obey the Orders brought him by Ferdinand de Valdez There the French lay till the last Day of March when they marched away towards Ravenna which City they desired to possess themselves of because thence our Army was supplied with Provisions For the Defence of that Place the Viceroy had sent thither Peter de Castro with 100 light Horse and Luis Dentichi a Neapolitan with 1000 Italians That Place was of such consequence that he resolved to follow the Enemy and the two Armies marched at only 3 miles distance from one another He sent before Marc Antony Colona with 100 Lances and 500 Spaniards to get into the City by night Ravenna is seated on the shoar of the Gulph of Venice betwixt two Rivers both fordable One of them is called Roneo and the other Monton They run close by the Walls Monton on the left and Ronco on the right Upon Maunday Thursday the French encamped before the City between the Rivers and the next day gave a furious Assault which was bravely sustained by the Defendants and particularly Luis Dentichi who had a Brother killed and was himself mortally wounded The Viceroy marched close by the City down the River Ronco which divided the two Armies Upon Holy Saturday he encamped and entrenched himself at a Place called Molinazzo two miles from the Enemy There was variety of Opinions about what ought to be done Fabricius was for staying there
which was the Introduction to all the Disorders that afterwards happen'd in England Civil Wars broke out between the Catholick and Heretick Cantons of Swisserland They came to a Battel near Zurick in which the Catholicks had the better In this Fight Zuinglius was killed At Basle Ecolampadius was found dead in his Bed Both these were Heads of that wicked Sect of Sacramentarians Anno 1532. The Emperor assembled the Diet at Ratisbon to raise the Forces of the Empire to oppose Solyman the Great Turk who threatned Hungary Liberty of Conscience was granted to the pretended Reformed Religion whereupon the Professors of it joined with the Catholicks in raising Forces The Pope sent a Supply of Italians under the Conduct of the Cardinal Hippolito de Medicis The King of Portugal also sent Succour Thus about 20000 Horse and 80000 Foot were raised They encamp'd near Vienna whither the Turks had designed to advance The Emperor in Person commanded this Army The Infidels understanding the great Power of the Christians tho they were much more numerous durst not hazard a Battel but contenting themselves with having ravaged Hungary and part of Austria returned the same way they came At the same time Andrew Doria with the Imperial Fleet sailing into the Morea took Coron and Modon John Frederick Duke of Saxony a great Favourer of Martin Luther died and his Son of the same Name and no better a Christian than he succeeded him The Emperor having setled the Affairs of Germany passed over into Italy At Bolonia he had a Conference with the Pope concluded a League with him against the Turk and it was proposed to call a General Council to put a stop to the growing Heresies But the main Design of these Princes was to prevent the French returning into Italy for it was thought that King would never desist till he had recover'd Milan Anno 1533. It seems there was no reality in their Proceedings for as soon as the Emperor returned into Spain the Pope and King of France met at Marseilles This Meeting it was fear'd would produce new Commotions and Wars in Italy The Death of the Pope which soon after ensued broke all those Measures All that took effect was that Catharine Daughter to Laurence de Medicis was Married to Henry Son to the King of France who afterwards Francis the Dauphin his Elder Brother dying came to be Dauphin and at last King She had in Dower certain Towns in Auvergn and a great Sum of Money Anno 1534. D. Alonso de Fonseca Archbishop of Toledo died the 4th of February and the Cardinal D. Jobn de Tavera succeeded him in that Dighity Pope Clement immediately after his return out of France fell sick of a lingring Disease and having setled his own Affairs and those of the City departed this Life at Rome the 24th Day of September On the 15th of October Cardinal Alexander Farnesius born at Rome and well versed in all the Affairs of that Court was chosen his Successor took the Name of Paul the III. and govern'd the Church 15 Years and 28 Days In his younger Days he had two Children unlawfully begotten which were Peter Luis and Constance Peter Luis was Father to Alexander Farnesius Constance was Mother of Guido Sforcia Both these were made Cardinals in the first Promotion Alexander Farnesius had two Brothers Octavius afterwards Duke of Parma and Raynuncius Knight of S. John of Hierusalem and lastly a Cardinal In England this November it was by Law establish'd That the Pope should have no Spiritual Jurisdiction within that Kingdom but that the King was Head of the Church Some who would not consent and among them certain Carthusians John Fisher Bishop of Rochester and Sir Thomas Moore late Chancellor were put to Death A Famous Pyrat called Ariadenus Barbarkssa had made himself King of Argiers and being afterwards Admiral of the Turkish Fleet took the City Tunez on the Coast of Africk expelling thence Muleasse the rightful King Anno 1535. The Emperor set Sail with a powerful Fleet from Barcelona on the 30th of May to restore Muleasse who had fled to him for Protection Prince Luis of Portugal kept him Company with certain Galleons fitted out by his Brother to that purpose They had a favourable Passage and landing on the Coast of Africk at their first arrival took the strong Castle of Goletta and in the Month of July were Masters of the City of Tunez The City was delivered to King Muleasse D. Bernardin de Mendoça was left in the Castlc with a Garison of 1000 Men. This done the Emperor sailed over to Sicily and thence to Naples Mean while the King of France passing the Alpes took from Charles Duke of Savoy the City of Turin and many other Places in Piemont whence ensued great Broils To encrease which Francis Sforcia Duke of Milan dying without Issue appointed the Emperor Charles his Heir Anno 1536. From Naples the Emperor went to Rome where in the Presence of the Pope and Cardinals he grievously inveighed against the King of France and was so far transported with Passion that he challenged him to Fight hand to hand upon Easter-Monday following Soon after departing Rome he entred France with a powerful Army He advanced as far as Marseilles to which he laid Siege but was forced to return without doing any thing remarkable In this Expedition Garcilasso de la Vega the Famous Spanish Poet was killed by certain Country People from a Tower which the Emperor so highly resented that he caused the Tower to be razed and all those Men to be hanged Antony de Leyva a famous Commander and then General died also in this Undertaking Three things remarkable happened this Year The first the Death of Francis the Dauphin of France suspected to have been Poisoned The second a Provincial Council held at Cologn by Hermanus Archbishop of that City who seven years after turned Lutheran was therefore deposed by the Pope and Adolphus placed in his stead The third was the Death of Erasmus Roterodamus who departed this Life at Basle being 70 Years of Age a Person of great Learning but no good Reputation In England on the 29th of May Anne Bullen tho the King had by her a Daughter called Elizabeth was accused and convicted of Adultery and accordingly Beheaded Jean Seymour stepped into her Place but the Year after she died in Childbed Her Son lived and was called Edward After this the King Married Anne Sister to the Duke of Cleves from whom he was soon after Divorced having before establish'd a Law to allow of Divorces Thus he Married his fifth Wife Catherine Howard but her also he put to Death for Adultery and because she had lost her Virginity before she was Married to him Lastly he Married the Lady Catherine Par her he made not away for soon after he died himself Anno 1537. Duke Alexander de Medicis was murdered at Florence the 6th of January by the
Contrivance of Laurence de Medicis his Kinsman Upon his Death the Citizens chose for their Duke Cosmo de Medicis Kinsman to the late Duke but at a great distance The Emperor held the Diet of the Empire at Worms where an Edict was published against the Lutherans but it was of no force those People being then in Arms. All Men wished for a General Council but there were great Difficulties that obstructed it However the Pope Summon'd the Council and appointed the Cities of Mantua first and then that of Vincenza for it to be held in both those Places being in Italy and not far from Germany The Hereticks pretended that the Pope as a Guilty Person could not be a Judge nor the Bishops as being obliged to him by Oath They required the Council should be free and held in Germany What they aimed at could not be any way allowed for how could they either as Persons accused or accusers set up for Judges To exclude the Bishops was never practiced and even the secular Princes themselves refused to determine Matters of Faith Their design was only to baffle and delay time Solyman the Eunuch Bassa govern'd Egypt for the Great Turk By his Order he fitted out a Fleet of 80 Sail in the Red Sea and sailing into the Ocean laid Siege to the most important Fortress of Diu in the Kingdom of Cambaya intending to drive the Portugueses out of India and wholly exclude them their Trade in those Parts The Siege was carried furiously and with obstinacy but the Portugueses behaved themselves with such Bravery that the Turks were forced to desist and return home with great loss About the same time the Pope appointed nine Cardinals to consider of all things that ought to be reformed They composed a Book containing the Heads of many things to this purpose A League against the Turks was also proposed It was agreed that the Pope Emperor and Venetians should join their Fleets to this intent and that the French King might not be any hindrance to them they resolved to have a Conference with him at Nice in Provence Anno 1538. This being determined the Pope tho then very old made hast thither the Emperor came from Spain by Sea and the King of France by Land The Meeting was in May. After a long Debate no Peace could be concluded but a Truce was agreed on for Ten Years Neither could it be brought about that the Emperor and French King should come together The Emperor promised to Marry his Bastard Daugter Margaret then Widow of Duke Alexander de Medicis to Octavius Farnesius the Pope's Grandson However the Emperor in his Return to Spain saw the French King at Aiques Mortes They were together two days and conferred in private for several times The chief thing concluded upon was That the King of France should Pardon Andrew Doria and receive him again into Favour He with the Emperor's Pope's and the Venetian Galleys in the Golph of Larta in Albania near the Morea took Castelnovo from the Turks but Barbarussa coming up with the Turkish Fleet near Prevesa put him to flight without any considerable Resistance Thus all those Preparations proved fruitless and the next Year Castelnovo was retaken by the Turks with great slaughter of the Spanish Garison left there The Venetians concluded a Truce with the Turk which produced a lasting Peace In England the Bones of S. Thomas of Canterbury were burnt Monasteries subverted and Monks and Friars forced to change their Habit and go like Laymen or secular Priests Anno 1539. At Toledo in the House of the Earls of Fuensalida on the 1 st of May died Elizabeth the Empress Her Body was carried to Granada The Emperor retired for some Days to the Monastery of Sisla of the Order of S. Hierome This Lady left three Children Prince Philip the Princess Mary afterwards Married to the Emperor Maximilian the Second and the Lady Joanna Wife to Prince John of Portugal Illegitimate Issue the Emperor had D. John of Austria got after he was a Widower and the Lady Margaret of Austria got before he Married George Duke of Saxony a great Enemy to Luther departed this Life his Brother Henry already a Luther an succeeded him Maurice of whom we shall speak hereafter was Son to this Henry Anno 1540. The City Ghent in Flanders was in Rebellion on account of a new Tax laid towards defraying the Charge of the War The Emperor resolving to repair thither in Person to gain time took his way through France Henry and Charles that Kings two Sons came to meet him on the Borders of the Kingdom and the King himself accompanied him from Orleans to Paris It was a desperate Action of the Emperor to put himself into his Enemies Power It is reported there was a design to stop him but God delivered him from so great a Danger Being come to Ghent he punished such as were most faulty and raised a Cittadel to curb that People About the same time died John the Vayvod who called himself King of Hungary He left a new-born Son called Stephen in Defence of whom the Turks made great Havock in that Kingdom Ebora a City in Portugal was at the Suit of that King made an Archiepiscopal See The Bishoprick of Silves was made Subject to it That Dignity was conferred upon Cardinal Henry the King's Brother who after the Death of King Sebastian his Nephew came to be King Pope Paul the first time confirmed and approved of the Order of the Jesuits His Bull was passed at Rome on the 27th of September This Order was Instituted by the Holy Father Ignacius de Loyola a Native of the Province of Guipuzcoa and of singular Sanctity of Life This Year on the 12th of September happened the memorable Battel wherein D. Bernar din de Mendoça General of the Spanish Galleys overthrew the Turks near the Island of Alboran Anno 1541. The Emperor having pacified Flanders and punished the Rebellion at Ghent went away for Germany hoping to reconcile the Hereticks to the Church Many Disputes happened betwixt the Divines of both Parties which might have been a sure Remedy for that Distemper had the Obstinacy of the Hereticks been to be convinced by any Arguments The last Year on the 25th of November at Worms was began a Conference betwixt the Divines which held on till this Year but upon the coming of the Emperor all things were referred to the Diet at Ratisbon which was opened the 5th of April The Divines appointed on both sides disputed the Chief for the Catholicks was John Eccius for the Hereticks Philip Melancton Cardinal Gaspar Contarenus the Popes Legate at this Diet granted to the adverse Party certain Points relating to Justification and Transubstantiation for which after his return to Rome he was publickly reproved by Cardinal Peter Garrafa who was afterwards Pope and called Paul the Fourth All men guessed by the severity of the Reprimand that it came from
delivered this Year on the 8th of July at Valladolid of a Son who was called Charles This birth was unfortunate as well for that the Mother died the 4th day after which lessened the publick Joy as for that the Prince lived not to inherit his Fathers Crown Her Body was buried at Granada Cardinal John Tavera died the 1st day of August D. John Siliceus the Bishop of Cartagena succeeded him in the Archbishoprick of Toledo in consideration for his good Service in instructing Prince Philip whose Preceptor he had been Afterwards he was made Cardinal In Germany great Application was used to reduce the Hereticks to submit to the Council of Trent to this effect a Diet was held at Worms The Emperor was there present and Cardinal Alexander Farnesius the Pope's Legate and Grandson Nothing was concluded for that Luther publishing new Books ceased not to make the breach wider The Hereticks demanded a Conference and to have the Points in Controversy disputed and the Catholicks insisted to have all things referred to the Fathers at Trent as being sensible how little good is done by private Disputes All these things were only the preludes to the War which soon after broke out in Germany At length about the end of this Year the Fathers assembled at Trent opened the Council The first Session was on the 13th of December Three Legates of the Pope presided which were the Cardinals John Maria de Monte Marcellus Cervinus and Reginald Pool The Chief of the Spanish Divines were F. James Lainez and Alonso Salmeron of the Society of Jesus F. Dominick de Soto and F. Melchior Cano of the Order of S. Dominick of S. Francis F. Alonso de Castro and F. Andrew Vega. Anno 1546. Martin Luther was found dead in his Bed at Eisleber where he was Born on the 18th of February He died of Excess of eating and drinking at the Age of 63. His Body was buried at Wittemberg where he most resided D. Alonso Davalos Marquis del Gasto Governour of Milan deceased at Vigevano and Ferdinand Gonçaga succeeded him The Diet was held at Ratisbon where there was a Disputation between the Catholicks and Hereticks Malvenda a Spaniard and Chocleus signalized themselves among the Catholicks for the Hereticks Bucer and Brentius The Emperor repaired thither in May but all this sorted to no better effect than it had done at other times but the differences were rather greater for the Hereticks departed when the dispute was but begun Most of the Princes tho summoned appeared not the most remarkable of them were Frederick Duke of Saxony and Philip the Landtgrave The Emperor thought fit to have recourse to Arms and ordered Maximilian Count de Bure to make Levies of Flanders In Germany Albertus and John Marquises of Brandenburg did the same for the Emperor tho they were both Hereticks The Spanish Forces marched out of Italy and at the same time the Emperor directed his Letters to the Cities of Germany admonishing them not to suffer themselves to be led away for that many abusing his Patience had forced him to have recourse to Arms. Having dispatched these Letters the Emperor set out from Ratisbon for Bavaria He encamped near Landshut whether was come a good body of Men sent to him by the Pope under the Command of his Grandson Octavius and Cardinal Alexander Farnesius Sone after came thither 6000 Spaniards D. Ferdinand of Toledo Duke of Alva was appointed General of those Forces The Enemy with a strong Army came to Ingolstat The principal Commanders were the Duke of Saxony and the Landtgrave whom many other Princes and Cities either openly or underhand supported They encamped on a rising Ground whence they played their Artillery upon the Emperor's Army which lay below them but the fright was greater than the harm The Landtgrave was for assaulting the Emperor's Camp which was not well intrenched but the others opposed him which proved the safety of our Army then much inferior to the Enemy for that our Supplies were not come from Flanders As soon as they came the Emperor marched towards Nerling the Enemy still following in the Rear At the same time Maurice Duke of Saxony being furnished with Forces by King Ferdinand possessed himself of the Lands of his Cousin Frederick some whereof were engaged and others so intermixed that it was convenient to secure them lest his own Subjects might suffer by their ill Neighbours To put a stop to their Proceedings and because they wanted Provisions the Hereticks returned towards Saxony The Landtgrave went away to his own Dominions and thence to Francford The War continued hot and several Princes and Cities being sensible of their Error Particularly Frederick Count Palatin despairing of the Success of the Rebels was reconciled to the Emperor The Duke of Wittemberg and the Cities of Vlm Francford and Ausburg followed his Example but were forced to buy their Pardon for great Sums of Money and give Security for their future Loyalty Anno 1547. These things were in agitation at the beginning of this Year at the same time that Frederick Duke of Saxony recover'd all the Places taken from him by Duke Maurice except Lipstat which he could not reduce This Year died Anne the Wife of King Ferdinand and Francis King of France having lived 52 Years and Reigned 32 His Son Henry succeeded him Also Henry the Eight of England famous for his Separation from the Church He lived 57 Years and Reigned 37 and 9 Months His Son Edward then but 9 Years of Age succeeded him as was Ordain'd in his Father's Will by which his Daughters Mary and Elizabeth were appointed to Inherit in case their Brother died without Issue As soon as the Emperor had recover'd a great Fine he imposed upon the City Strasbourg and join'd his Brother King Ferdinand who till then stayed in Bohemia he march'd towards Saxony On the 24th of April he came to the River Elbe The Enemy had possessed themselves of the farther Bank and the River being deep it was difficult to pass it Certain Spanish Soldiers swimming with their Swords in their Mouths took some Boats to make a Bridge Having pass'd the River our Forces pursu'd the Enemy who retired towards Wittemberg They were so eagerly pursu'd that they could not avoid Fighting The Battel lasted till Night when the Duke of Saxony being taken and many of his Men put to the Sword the rest fled Soon after this Victory the Landtgrave submitted and surrendred himself up to the Emperor These two Princes being in Custody all the rest were soon quell'd As a token of his Victory the Emperor sent part of the Cannon taken to Italy part to Spain and part to Flanders whither he went himself The General Council was removed from Trent to Bolonia and soon after broke up to the great Dissatisfaction of the Catholicks Peter Luis the Pope's Son was killed in his House at Plasencia but it could never be known by whom his Death was contriv'd but
occasioned before by too much Severity But it fell out otherwise than was expected for the French Flemish and German Hereticks conspired to revenge the Death of the Admiral of France and to secure Antwerp and other places They thought it would be easy to compass their Designs because the King of France was unprovided of an Army and in Flanders the Spanish Soldiers mutinyed for Pay being three Years in Arrears A great number of Horse at the beginning of Lent repaired to the Forrest of S. Germain through which the King of France was forced with all speed to retire to Paris Francis de Montmorency was suspected to be the Author of this Design upon the King as also of being a Favourer of the Hereticks The Spaniards in Flanders tho the chief Mutineers were punished were not appeased and yet Count Luis Brother to the Prince of Orange returning into the Country was overthrown on the 14th of April Great were the Confusions in France when the King died on the 4th of June leaving only one Daughter who lived not long after and the Crown fell to his Brother Henry then King of Poland The Turkish Fleet came to Tunez the 14th of July and on the 22d of August took the Castle of Goleta 24 Days after they took a Fort belonging to that City in which was a Spanish Garison D. John of Austria tho he lay then at Trapano in Sicily could not succour the Besieged Most Men blamed Cardinal Granville then Viceroy of Naples for not furnishing Men Money and Provisions in time Selymus the Great Turk died and Amurat his Son succeeded him About this time the King's Expences being great Duties on Goods were much raised and with the Pope's Permission the Towns belonging to the Church began to be sold The King of Portugal being naturally of a great Spirit which increased with his years sailed over with a Fleet unto Africk but did nothing worth remembring his great desire of extending the Christian Dominions suffered him not to rest In Genoa a Mutiny broke out in which-the new Nobles expelled the old ones out of the City To appease those Tumults the Cardinal John Moron was sent by the Pope a Commissary by the Emperor D. Charles de Borgia Duke of Gandia and D. John Ideaquez Embassador there were appointed by the Catholick King These after the Troubles had lasted two years adjusted all Differences Anno 1575. D. John of Austria came out of Italy into Spain and obtained of the King his Brother to appoint him his Lieutenant over all his Dominions in Italy with the Title of Vicar The Design was that no advantagious Opportunity offered might be lost as often happened by the Delays of the Viceroys This done in the same Fleet that brought him he returned to Italy to be in a Readiness to oppose the Great Turk who it was reported was preparing a mighty Fleet against the Christians This Report proved false But Moluco assisted by the Turks took the Kingdoms of Fez and Morocco from his Nephew Muley Mahomet Cheribo He pretended to justify this Proceeding by a Law some years before established which ordained that the King's Brothers should inherit before their Children Muley fled to Portugal and was the occasion of the great Loss sustained by the Portugueses in endeavouring to restore him The King of France kept the Dukes of Vendosme and Alençon Prisoners at Paris that they might not have the opportunity of embroiling the Kingdom Alençon made his Escape and fled to Normandy whither repaired to him not only the Hereticks but the Catholick Malecontents upon pretence of settling the Kingdom Soon after the Duke of Vendosme making his Escape came to him Anno 1576. Pope Gregory the 13th at Rome at length gave Judgment against Bartholomew de Miranda Archbishop of Toledo after he had been 17 years a Prisoner He died 18 days after in the Monastery of his Order called La Minerva in that City He was more fortunate while a private Man than in his great Dignity being a Person of Learning and Piety if in his latter years he had not given occasion to be suspected and even condemned as one not perfectly sound in matter of Religion Dr. Martin Aspizcueta of Navarre pleaded for him and writ in his Defence being the famousest Canonist of that Age as appears by his Works in Print no less pious than learned Maximilian the Emperor dying his Son Rodulphus already King of the Romans succeeded him in the Empire The Prince of Conde and John Casimir Son to the Palatin entred France by the way of Lorain with 30000 Men in favour of the Duke of Alençon for fear of whom a Peace was concluded with the Hereticks little to the King's Advantage D. Luis de Requesens Governor of Flanders dying the States of that Country met to consult what was to be done The result was that they conspired against their King and resolved to expel the Spaniards join with the Hereticks and take the Prince of Orange for their Head To colour their Treason soon after they sent for Mathias the Emperor's Brother out of Germany but abused him giving him the Name of Prince and doing what pleased themselves Whereupon in a little time leaving that shadow of a Principality he returned to Germany The Rebels in Flanders laid siege to the Castle of Antwerp at such time as the Spaniards being without a Head were in a Mutiny nevertheless they assembled from all parts to defend that Place The Garison of the Castle with all that resorted to them made not above 4000 Men. In the City were above 40000 able to bear Arms Yet their Multitude no way dismayed the Soldiers who falling upon them killed 14000 then plundered and set fire to that rich and beautiful City The same Day this hapned at Antwerp which was the 4th of November D. John of Austria came to Luxemburgh sent by the King of Spain to remedy the Disorders of the Low-Countries and for more Expedition he went through France in a disguise His coming availed nothing the Rebellion being too far advanced Anno 1577. Catherine Queen of Portugal died at Lisbon By her the eager Heat of King Sebastian her Grandson had bin hitherto curbed He and King Philip had an Interview at Guadalupe where they conferred about the Conquest of Africk for which Enterprize the Portugues was preparing and the Catholick King advised him not to go in Person but could not prevail In November a Comet appeared near the Sign Libra and the Planet Mars with a Tail of such extraordinary length and breadth as has scarce been seen After the Death of King Sebastian it was given out it threatned Portugal such are the Predictions of Astrologers and the Commonalty believe Comets portend change of Government Anno 1578. At Madrid on the 14th of April King Philip had a Son born of his Wife Queen Ann who was also called Philip the 4th Child this Queen had and out-lived the others As
embroil the whole Kingdom Yet at first he seemed to approve of the Association and offer'd to be Head of it till perceiving he had only the Name and all things tended to his own Ruin he put off that disguise The Pope who at first in favour of the Leaguers had condemned the King of Navarre now repenting was averse to their Proceedings and showed himself more favourable to the King Anno 1587. Mary Stuart Queen of Scotland was beheaded on the 17th of February in Foderingay Castle where she had been kept Prisoner 16 years Elizabeth Queen of England gave Sentence of Death against her at London This unfortunate Princess by reason of the Rebellion in Scotland retir'd into England upon Queen Elizabeth's Word given for her Safety and nevertheless was kept Prisoner and at last murdered It was thought the Christian Princes would not suffer her Death to be unrevenged but the King of France whom it chiefly concerned she having been Wife to his Brother King Francis was taken up with the Tumults of his own Kingdom King Philip was providing for this Enterprize at the time that Sir Francis Drake who the last Year had plundered the Coasts of America and carried a great quantity of Gold into England had the Boldness this Spring to attempt the Island of Cadiz and had certainly possessed himself of it had not two Gallies that were in the Port kept him in play till such time as the Neighbouring People came to succour the City and among them the Duke of Medina Sidonia The King was then at Toledo to assist at the reception of the Body of S. Leocadia Virgin and Martyr which had lain many Ages in a Monastery of Benedictine Monks called S. Gillain near Mons in Hainault The Procession and Feast were celebrated with great Pomp on the 26th of April there being present besides the King Mary the Empress his Sister and Prince Philip his Son who helped to carry the Coarse on which the Body was laid France as has been said was divided into three Factions when 30000 Germans enter'd it in favour of the King of Navarre and under the Command of the Duke de Bouillon They spread a great Terror throughout the Kingdom The King of France on the one side and the Duke of Guise on the other went out to meet them who keeping continually in their Rear and cutting them off and the Winter besides being severe great part of them perished the rest disbanded and returned home Soon after the Duke of Bouillon died Thus the Catholicks began again to take heart Spain was under no small Apprehensions least that Plague should spread on this side of the Pyrenean Hills France suffered not only by those People but was afflicted with Plague and Famine Great Processions were made to appease the Divine Wrath. Whole Towns went out clad in white with their Crosses singing Hymns and imploring the Mercy of God Anno 1588. King Philip had in readiness a mighty Fleet at Lisbon to revenge the Death of the Innocent Queen of Scots and the many Wrongs done to himself The Marquis of Sancta Cruz was appointed Admiral but he dying in the midst of all these Preparations the Duke of Medina Sidonia was substituted in his place He set sail in June with fair Weather and having turned Cape Finisterre off of Corun̄a a violent Storm so scattered and disabled the Fleet that they could not put to Sea again till September At length it came to the Coast of Flanders the English Fleet always hovering upon their skirts whose Cannon and the many Sand Banks much endangered our Fleet. Some Ships were taken by the Enemy and many sore battered by their Shot For which reason endeavouring to return home round the North of Scotland many Ships perished in that stormy Season and long Voyage Besides the extremity of the Cold and want of Provisions consumed most of the Men so that very few Ships and a small number of Mariners and Soldiers returned to several Ports of Spain Thus Humane Designs are disappointed by a superior Power Doubtless the Flower of all the Spanish Soldiers was lost in this Expedition and God by this Disaster punished the many Sins of this Nation The King of France resolved to punish the Duke of Guise as Head of the League and by that means to curb the rebellious Parisians who supported him To this purpose he brought into the City 4000 Foreigners The Duke of Guise also came relying on the favour of the Multitude who immediately taking Arms drove out the Strangers and forced the King himself to retire Soon after the King published an Edict approving of all that the Duke of Guise had done and after that another for assembling the States or Parliament and laying hold of that opportunity put to Death the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal his Brother imprisoning several others who had a hand in the League Anno 1589. The Queen-Mother of France died 12 days after this Execution and many Cities Rebelled but Paris fignaliz'd it self above all others Some Months after the King laid Siege to Paris and whilst he was before it James Clement a Burgundian and Dominican Friar coming out of the City upon pretence of revealing some Secret to the King stabbed him with a poison'd Knife of which he died The Villain was immediately torn in pieces a small Revenge for so detestable a Parricide Henry King of Navarre who was then in the Camp as of right belong'd to him presently entituled himself King of France and went through many Troubles before he was setled in the quiet Possession of that Kingdom Portugal was this Year in danger to be Embroiled for the English Fleet came before Lisbon upon pretence of restoring Antony the Bastard to the Kingdom of his Ancestors He came with the Fleet himself and landed with a good number of Men encamped before the City but finding there was no Commotion within the Prince Cardinal and Count de Fuentes having secured all things he was forced for want of Provisions to turn back and soon after the whole Fleet having done nothing worth remembring return'd for England Their departure deliver'd Spain from great Apprehensions At Lisbon a Conspiracy of the Citizens was discover'd in Favour of the pretended Prince Antony Some few of them were Executed for a Terror to the rest The Nobility continued very Loyal as those who had most to lose if any Change of Government happen'd A Nun at Lisbon with her Counterfeit Sanctity had deceived not only the Vulgar sort but Men of great Learning and being now discover'd to the Inquisition was punish'd as she deserv'd Soon after died F. Luis de Granada of the Order of S. Dominick a Man well known for his Works and singular Piety John Davila a Famous Preacher was his Contemporary At Barcelona the Plague raged violently Many things were said of the Cause of that Distemper but nothing was proved This Year in the Kingdom of Toledo was
Elizabeth Queen of England died at London the 23d of March when she had lived 70 Years 6 Months and 16 Days and reigned 44. Her Successor was King James the 1 st of England and 6th of Scotland being the Great Grandson of Margaret Sister to King Henry the 8th His Father and Mother were Catholicks and she a Saint but his Tutor George Buchanan was a perverse Heretick tho a Learned Man This was the first sole Monarch of that Island and consequently took the Title of King of Great Britain Anno 1603. D. John de Tarsis Earl of Villamediana and Post-Master General was sent Embassador into England to compliment that King upon his Accession to the Crown He behaved himself with singular Wisdom and Dexterity and laid the Foundation of that Peace which was afterwards concluded betwixt Spain and England in the Year following At Madrid died Mary the Empress who was Daughter Daughter-in-law Wife and Mother to five Emperors a thing never before heard of and was her self a Person excellently qualified She was there buried in the Monastery of the Barefooted Nuns Anno 1604. John Fernandez de Velasco Constable of Castile was sent by the King Embassador into England He took his Journey through France and was nobly entertained by that King at Paris thence he went to Flanders and so to London There on the 29th of August he concluded the Peace before agreed upon by the Marquis of Villamediana his Catholick Majesties Embassador Anno 1605. On the 3d of March died at Rome Pope Clement the 8th a Person of extraordinary Piety and Zeal Cardinal Alexander de Medicis succeeded him on the 2d of April by the Name of Leo the 11th He was very old and sickly and lived but till the 27th of that Month and on the 16th of May Cardinal Camillus Borgelia born at Rome but originally of Siena was enthroned in his Place He took the Name of Paul the 5th and was at variance with the Venetians which was so high that it threatned a War The Difference was about certain Laws by them established one of them was to enable the civil Magistrate to punish the Clergy another that no Estates real might be settled upon Monasteries which Law is called De Manu mortuis This Dispute was argued and bandied on both sides till at last by the Prudence and Conduct of the Pope all things were pacified Besides because a Difference had many years depended betwixt the Dominicans and Jesuits about Matters of Grace and Free-will he decreed that both Parties might without reflecting upon one another still follow their Opinions till such time as another Decree passed to justify either the one or the other Prince Philip was born the 8th of April at Valladolid D Galceran de Alluanel a Catalonian Gentleman of great Learning and Modesty was appointed his Preceptor and D. Balthasar de Zun̄iga Anno 1606. At Valladolid on the 18th of August was born the the Princess Mary At Toledo died the Lady Stephania Manrique Great Grand-daughter to D. Roderick Manrique Master of Santiago Her Revenue and that of her Brother Peter neither of them being married were given to the Colledge and Monastery of the Jesuits in that City where they both lye with Inscriptions upon their Tombs Anno 1607. At Madrid Prince Charles was born in September The Parliament gave the King 23 Millions payable in 8 years This Tax is raised out of the 8th part of all the Wine and Oyl of the Growth of the Kingdom The first time it was imposed was in the Reign of King Philip the 3d but was not laid so high as this time Anno 1608. In the Church of S. Hierom in Madrid upon Sunday the 13th of January Prince Philip was sworn Heir to the Crown The Cardinal of Toledo said Mass and performed the Ceremony His Grand-mother by the Mother's side the Princess Mary of Bavaria died at Gratz the Capital of Stiria in Germany on the 29th of April Her Daughters she left nobly matched Charles the Archduke was her Husband her Son was Ferdinand the Archduke Brother to Margaret Queen of Spain and Cousin-German to the Emperor Rodulphus About this time the Territory and Government of Cazorla was after great and tedious Disputes restor'd to the Church of Toledo through the Means and Procurement of the Archbishop D. Bernard de Rojas y Sandoval Anno 1609. In the Netherlands on the 14th of April a Truce was concluded with the Dutch Rebels but not well observ'd tho the King ratified it at Segovia in July Prince Ferdinand was born at the Escurial the 17th of May. The 27th of June the Pope Beatified the Holy Father Ignatius de Loyola Founder of the Jesuits Pope Gregory the XV. Canonized him March the 12th 1622. Anno 1610. At Paris on the 14th of May Francis Ravilliac a bloody Villain who had been a School-Master barbarously murder'd Henry IV. King of France stabbing him with a Ponyard His Son Luis XIII succeeded him The Princess Margaret was born the 25th of the same Month at Lerma In November by the contrivance of a certain Moor with whom private Correspondence was held our Forces possessed themselves of the strong Castle of Alarache a place of great importance upon the Coast of Africk on the Ocean About it is a Bay and River called Mamora which was a Den of Pyrats For this reason four Years after D. Luis Faxardo Admiral of the Fleet possessed himself of that place and built a good Castle in which he left a sufficient Garison The Moores at first flocked thither to hinder this Work but prevailed not This Year was very remarkable for the banishing of all the Morisco's that is those descended of the Moores out of Spain This wicked Race held correspondence with the Turks and Barbary Moores So great a Work could not be finished this Year but was afterwards continued however many are said to have remain'd behind not being well known to be such tho the multitude of those that departed was incredible Anno 1611. This Year was unfortunate for the death of Margaret of Austria Queen of Spain who for her extraordinary good Qualities was entirely beloved of all her Subjects She was deliver'd on the 22th of September at the Escuriall of a Son call'd Alonso who lived not out a Year and she died on the 3d. of October Her Body was buried in the Escuriall She built at Madrid a Monastery of Nuns called of the Incarnation Anno 1612. Treaties were a-foot at Paris and Madrid for two Matches the one between our Prince and the Lady Elizabeth Sister to the French King The other betwixt the same King and the Princess Anne the Consummation was put off because the Parties were so young Rodulphus the Emperor by reason of his want of Health lived a long time retired at Prague the Capital City of Bohemia There the last Year on the 11th of August he resigned up his Dominions of Hungary
Bohemia and Austria to his Brother Mathias reserving to himself a Portion for the maintenance of his Court. After this he died in the same City the 20th of January this Year Soon after the Electors met at Francford and chose Mathias Brother to the late Emperor his Successor This Year on the 25th of April died at Valencia Francis Hierome Simon a beneficed Priest of that City being 33 Years of Age The People reverence him as a Saint and have particularly signalized their Zeal herein The Archbishop would have hindred their Proceedings as too forward whereupon ensued many Tumults till at last this Affair was referred to Rome Anno 1613. About this time came into Spain the Latin History of Monsieur de Thou President of Parliament a great favourer of Hereticks and Enemy to Catholicks He neither spares the Popes nor Kings of France being an utter Enemy to the House of Guise once the great stay of that Crown He is sufficiently stuffed with Falshoods and was prohibited at Rome in the Year 1610. Soon after in Spain it was order'd to be purged A French Man writ learnedly against him and calls himself John Baptista Gallus which seems to be a feigned Name none daring publickly to write against a Person so great in Power as a President A false Catholick does more harm than an open Heretick as says S. Bernard Anno 1614. Upon Saturday the 24th of May there happened an Earthquake in the Island Tercera which did much harm In the Town of Playa the Mischief was greater for private Houses Monasteries and Churches were overthrown In the City Angla 11 Churches and 19 Chapels besides private Houses were destroyed In August our Fleet commanded by D. Luis Faxardo took the City Mamora as was before hinted It is seated upon the Ocean five Leagues from Tangier and twenty-five from Arzila Anno 1615. There had been of late War in Italy betwixt the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua The cause of it was that Alfonso Duke of Mantua who Married the Duke of Savoy's Daughter at his death left no Issue but one Daughter His Brother Alexander the Cardinal resigning up his Cap inherited that Dominion The Duke of Savoy pretended that his Grandchild the Daughter of the late Duke tho as a Woman she could not be Heiress to the Dukedom of Mantua yet she might to that of Montferrat which for some Years had been united to the other The matter came to Blows and the Duke of Savoy by force possessed himself of a great part of that Country The Catholick King Philip the Third to prevent the embroyling of Italy would have had this Difference determined by course of Law and because the Duke of Savoy refused took up Arms against him After some Bloodshed it was at last agreed on the 21th of July this Year that both Parties should disarm and the Difference be referred to the Emperor as the proper Judge those Dominions being Feoffes of the Empire The King approved not of this Peace and therefore the War broke out again D. Peter de Toledo Marquis of Villafranca after a long Siege took the City Vercelli Soon after Affairs being composed it was restor'd by D. Goniez de Figueroa Duke of Feria who succeeded the Marquis in the Government of Milan It was reported the Venetians underhand assisted the Duke in this War The Duke of Ossuna then Viceroy of Naples armed against them and in the Adriatick Sea took some of their Ships besides other harms he did them Soon after the Duke of Feria took Valtolina a most important Place as being the Pass between Italy and Germany which he fortified and put into it a strong Garison At Burgos on the 18th of October Prince Philip was Married by Proxy to the Lady Elizabeth Sister to the French King who was in the same manner contracted to Anne Princess of Castile This Princess two Days before renounced any Right or Title she might have upon the death of her Brother to the Kingdoms of Castile or Aragon or to the Low Countries The two Brides were exchanged upon the River Vedaso which parts France and Spain on the 9th of November The King himself was present at all these Ceremonies and together with the Prince his Son received the Princess his Daughter-in-Law at Burgos Thence about the end of the Year he return'd to Madrid The King of France received his Bride at Bourdeaux where he was with the Queen his Mother Anno 1616. A Ship that sailed from Holland in the Month of May the last Year after a long and difficult Voyage in January this Year beyond the Streights of Magellan in 57 Degrees of South Latitude discover'd another Passage into the South-Sea and to India This Ship having gone round the Globe return'd to Holland 2 Years and 18 Days after it set out from thence They lost one day in their Reckning and by that means called that Monday which was Tuesday and so throughout the Week Anno 1617. Upon Saturday the 15th of April in the Philippine Islands a notable Victory was obtained over the Hollanders D. John de Ronquillo who commanded there defeated 10 Galleons of there 's some of which were sunk others burnt and the rest fled These Rebels have done great harm in the Coasts of America along the South-Sea and possess'd themselves of many Places in India Anno 1618. In October the Duke of Lerma departed the Court leaving the Government of the Kingdom which he had chiefly managed for several Years having a Cardinals Cap sent him from Rome before he quitted Not long after D. Roderick Calderon his great Favourite was apprehended who after he had lain two Years and an half in Prison was condemned to Death and his Goods Confiscate D. Bernardin de Rojas y Sandoval Archbishop of Toledo died suddenly at Madrid the 7th day of December He was buried in the Chapel of our Lady which he built and richly adorn'd The King labour'd to bestow that Bishoprick upon his Son Prince Ferdinand then but 9 Years of Age. Anno 1619. Mathias the Emperor had lately resign'd the Kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia to his Cousin the Archduke Ferdinand The Bohemians Rebell'd and Wars ensued The Emperor died at Prague in March without Issue and the Electors assembling the 23th of August chose the same Ferdinand King of Hungary and Bohemia Emperor In April the Catholick King set out from Madrid for Portugal and made his Entry into Lisbon on the 29th of June On the 14th of July the Three Estates took their Oath to the Prince as Heir and next day the Cortes were opened The Pope in October Beatified F. Francis Xaverius one of the first Companions of S. Ignatius and Apostle of India Pope Gregory the XV. Canonized them both in the Year 1622. Anno 1620. Prince Ferdinand being before made Cardinal in May had possession of the Archbishoprick of Toledo given him The Bohemians proceeding in their Rebellion chose the Elector Palatin for
considering how prejudicial to our Affairs the Fort and Bridge of Olivença were being upon the River Guadiana and cutting off our Convoys of Provisions that were to march on this side the River He marched thither with 6000 Foot 2000 Horse and 3 Pieces of Cannon After our Cannon was planted and began to play tho they in the Fort made some shot they surrendred the first day as did those upon the Bridge The Fort was easily razed but there was great difficulty in breaking the Bridge the Matter that cemented it being harder than the Stone it self so that tho the Foot spent 10 days working at it with Pickaxes they must have gone away and left it standing had not means been found to blow it up All the Mills on this side Guadiana that served the Neighbouring Towns were in like manner destroyed Mean while Intelligence being given that the Post was coming from Lisbon to Elvas an Officer was sent with 6 Troopers to intercept it by the way they took a Soldier going to Elvas to carry the News that 1800 Foot were marching to reinforce that place and would the next morning be near Villalvin This Intelligence was immediately carried to the Marquis Molinguen who having computed the time and finding it was practicable to cut them off sent the two Commissary Generals with 1500 Horse and they came so opportunely that of the 1800 Foot they killed 500 and took 200 Prisoners 40 of whom they left by the way being desperately wounded Had there not been a Mountain hard by not one of them had escaped It was afterwards known by some Prisoners that above 350 wounded Men returned the next day to Estremoz In Catalonia the Marquis of Mortara General of the Spanish Forces having suffer'd the Count de Harcour the French Viceroy of Catalonia who had taken Roses to pass the River Segre in his sight was by him in a bloody Battel overthrown and taken Prisoner with 200 of his Officers most of them Men of Quality Andrew Cantelmo with most of the Horse fled to Balaguer whether Harcour pursued and laying Siege to the Town took him in it These things-moved King Philip to recal the Marquis of Leganez out of Estremadura and send him into Catalonia with the Title of Viceroy and Captain-General of that Principality and the Counties of Roussillon and Cerdagne The Marquis of Molinguen General of the Horse was left Commander in chief in Estremadura He to keep his Men in Action upon Tuesday in the Holy Week sent 900 Horse in three Bodies into Portugal to wast the Country They march'd 8 Leagues out-right burning and destroying all the Villages and Gentlemens Houses and brought away 1000 Head of great Cattle and 8000 of small King Philip having given all the necessary Orders for the opening of the Campagne set out of Madrid on the 14th of April with the Prince and came to Pamplona on the 23th of the same Month. There he was received with all the Magnificence and Demonstrations of Duty imaginable D. Gregory Brito Knight of the Order of Calatrava a Portugues and Governor of the City Lerida considering of how great importance it would be to remove the French out of the Castle of Termes a place of such strength that they called it Petit Rochel being six Miles distant from Lerida and three from Balaguer march'd on the 6th of April at midnight from Lerida with a body of Foot and some Horse towards that place Before break of day he assaulted it with such bravery that he made himself Master of it putting most of the Garison to the Sword This done he order'd his Horse to advance and fired some Guns in hopes to draw out the Garison of Balaguer but they stirred not In this Castle of Termes were found 1000 Muskets 500 Suits of Armour 10 pieces of Cannon 10 Boats to make Bridges with the Carts to carry them Tents to the value of 4000 Duccats a great quantity of Merchandize and much Ammunition and Provision this place being one of the Enemies Magazines The French in Garrison at Balaguer thought to carry some Timber and other Materals out of the Ruins of Termes to serve in the Forfications they were raising to which purpose they sent thither 100 Men with Mules for carriage but D. Gregory Brito having notice of it circumvented the whole Party and made them Prisoners without any bloodshed Italy enjoy'd Peace but was now alarm'd with the News of the mighty Maritime Preparations made by the Ottoman Emperor which moved the Viceroys of Sicily and Naples to put themselves into the best posture of Defence they were able The Great Master of Malta sent all over Christendom to summon all the Knights of the Order to repair to him with what Supplies they could The Venetians also judging all those Preparations were made against them omitted nothing that could tend to the securing of their Dominions At last having held all Europe in suspence this mighty Storm fell upon the Island of Candia where the Infidels soon made themselves Masters of the Fort S. Theodore and the City Canea His Holiness this Year in March created nine Cardinals The Duke of Arcos new Viceroy of Naples came to Rome where he was honourably received and splendidly entertain'd by the Pope after which he set forward for Naples Prince Thomas of Savoy entring some Miles into the Dukedom of Milan possessed himself of Roca de Bejeuen but presently retired thence and seiz'd the Castle of Pro and some Hills about it The Marquis of Velada Governor of Milan march'd from Mortara with 7000 Foot and 8 Pieces of Cannon He attack'd the Enemy with such Bravery that they were drove from their places of strength having lost 1500 of their Foot and among them 300 Officers Prince Maurice of Savoy died afterwards of his Wounds and Prince Thomas his Brother received two Musket-shots Anno 1646. Harcour the French Viceroy in Catalonia laid Siege to Lerida a strong and important City upon the River Segre and the Borders of Catalonia and Aragon Before this place he lay five Months hindring all manner of Succours from being put into it The Marquis de Leganes the Spanish General after he had taken several small places to give a diversion to the Enemy and cut off some of their Convoys finding them not quit their Enterprize being joined by the Duke del Infantado and his Army now amounting to 25000 Men resolved to attack the French in their Trenches which accordingly he did and after a hot dispute put them to flight forcing them to take shelter at Balaguer All their Baggage Cannon and great store of Ammunition and Provisions were taken This Victory cost the Spaniards much Blood being forc'd to drive the Enemy out of their Works but the importance of relieving Lerida made amends for all Prince Thomas of Savoy who commanded the French in Italy in May appear'd before the Ports Telamon and S. Stephen with a powerful Fleet and 20000 Men. He soon made
Jaca and S. Jokn de la Penna 1060. The Moors rise against Ferdinand and are suppressed 1065. Ferdinand Dies Death of Queen Sancha Ferdinand by Will leaves to each of his three Sons a Kingdom and Towns to his Daughters 1067. 1068. Perpignan Built The Kings alike in the manner of their Death King Sancho Wars upon his Brothers 1071. King Alonso flies to the Moors K. Sancho expels his Brother Garcia K. Sancho Besieges Zamora K. Sancho treacherously Murder'd before Zamora A single Combat upon the King's death K. Alonso returns from among the Moors and receives the Crown He imprisons his Brother Garcia Takes an Oath for the Crown of Castile 1073. 1074. K. Alonso aids the Moorish K. of Toledo 1076. A Synod at Burgos Roderick de Bivar ravages the Dominions of the Moors He is Banished 1076. Sancho K. of Navarre 1077. Almenon the Moorish King of Toledo and Ramon Earl of Barcelona dye Succession of the Moors Succession of the Earls of Barcelona Actions of the Normans in Italy Norman Earls and Kings The Conquest oâ— Toledo resolved upon Country about Toledo wasted 1079. Roderick Diaz deBivar his further Actions 1080. 1081. D. Garcia the King's Brother Bleeds to Death in Prison An overthrow given the Infidels Ramon Earl of Barcelona Murdred his Son Ramon succeeds him 1082. Toledo closely Besieged The manner of enclosing the City Articles of surrender Toledo surrendered Many Towns taken K. Alonso stiles himself Emperor 1086. An Archbishop of Toledo chosen Bernard first Archbishop The great Church taken forcibly from the Moors contrary to Articles The Moors beg for the Queen and Archbishop The Popes Legate his unjust proceedings 1088. Archbishop of Toledo made Primate of all spain Roman Missal and Breviary introduced 1091. Synod at Leon. How the Archbishops of Toledo came to be to be Primates of all Spain K. Alonso his Wives and Issue The Moorish Family of the Almoravides comes into Spain Hali sent to assist the King of Sevil overthrows and kills him 1091. King Alonso's Forces overthrown by the Moors A second defeat of the Christians Joseph the Miramamolin comes out of Africk Several Strangers come to serve against the Moors King Alonso Marries 3 Daughters to Strangers Original of the Kingdom of Portugal 1093. The Holy-War in the East 1094. Birth of Alonso I. King of Portugal Sancho I. King of Aragon His actions against the Moors Town of Luna built Monks cast off subjection to the Bishop K. Sancho killed His Son Peter succeeds him Christians and Infidels joyn to raise the Siege The Moors routed by the Christians Huesca surrendred Great Preparations for the Holy-War Bernard Archbishop of Toledo sets out for the Holy-land Is sent back by the Pope Valencia where seated besieged and relieved Roderick de Bivar takes Valencia Marries his Daughters to the Earls of Carrion Cruel Action of those Earls Valencia abandoned by the Christians Roderick de Bivar's Death 1093. K. Alonso's Works of Piety 1099. Jerusalem taken by the Christians 1100. Death of Joseph the Moorish Monarch Sancho Prince of Castile killed by the Moors The Infidels victorious Moorish King 's of Zaragoza 1102. 1104. The King of Aragon his Son Daughter all die Alonso succeeds to the Crown of Aragon 1106. 1109. The death of Alonso King of Castile Strange Prodigy Two holy Men. Vrraca Queen of Castile a dissolute Woman Hali the Moor ravages the Country and lays Siege to Toledo 1110. 1111. King Alonso of Aragon beloved of all Men. Two Synods Anointing of Kings first used in Spain The forces of Castile routed by the Aragonians Another defeat of the Castilians Alomso VII Proclaimed King of Castile The Wars of Majorca and Zaragoca Genoeses joyn the Catalonians 1115. Carcassone lost and recovered by the Earl of Barcelona Earl of Toulouze routed by him of Poitiers 1116. Zaragoca besieged by the Christians Tahuste other places taken 1118. Zaragoca taken Carthusian and Cistercians Monks Knights and Templers Hospitalers 1119. A Schism in the Church Peace concluded betwixt Castile and Aragon Conditions of the Peace 1122. The two Christian Kings make War upon the Moors Success of the Aragonians 1123. Of the Castillians Zamora made a Bishoprick and Compostella an Archbishoprick 1124. The Original of the Kingdom of Portugal Portugal describ'd Henry Earl of Portugal dies Teresa the Countess Dowager governs Alonso governs as Earl of Portugal Portugeses overthrows the Castillians This fabulous Story is apply'd to other Persons as well as this 1126. Death of Queen Vrraca and Bernard Archbishop of Toledo 1129. A Council of Palencia Calatrava taken and given to the Knights Templers Several other Towns Conquer'd 1131. Raimund Earl of Barcelona Success of the Aragonians against the Moors Fraga bebesieged and quitted 1133. Fraga again besiege The King of Aragon slain 1134. The King leave his Dominions to the Templers and other Knights The Navarrois choose Garcia for their King The Aragons choose Ramiro a Monk The King of Castile aspires to the Crowns of Aragon and Navarre He invades ' em 1135. The King of Castile stiles himself Emperor Arms of Toledo The King of Aragon puts to death 15 Noblemen 1136. Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon 1137. The King of Aragon quits the government and Raymund Earl of Barcelona his Son-in-law enters upon it Alonso of Portugal's Actions 1139. A great Overthrow given the Moors by the new Portuges King Portugal under an Interdict Alonso K. of Portugal Marries Divisions among Moors and Christians Sintra taken from the Moors War betwixt Navarre and Aragon 1140. Castile and Aragon in League against Navarre Troubles in Aragon 1141. 1143. Earl of Barcelona makes War in France 1144. Factions among the Moors 1146 A Truce betwixt Aragon Navarre Cordova taken by the Christians and revolts Baeca taken The City Almeria taken 1147. Tortosa taken as also Lerida and Fraga Lisbon Besieged and taken by the new King of Portugal Foreigners and K. Alonso of Portugal King Alonso of Portugal's further Success 1148. A General Council at Rheimes 1149. Bloody Rain 1150. The Title of King confirm'd upon Alonso I. of Portugal Another Invasion of Spain by the Moors called Almohades A Potter's Son set up King of the Moors Persecution under the Moors 1150. Garcia K. of Navarre kill'd by a fall from his Horse Sancho Crown'd King of Navarre Castile and Aragon joyn in League against Navarre Alonso of Castile and his Daughter both Marry'd An Act of Justice 1152. Many places taken by the Aragonians from the Moors Arms of Aragon 1154. Luis the Younger King of France comes into Spain His Entertainment 1155. Toledo declared Metropoiis of all Spain 1156. League betwixt Castile and Aragon renewed 1157. Alonso called the Emperor breaks into Andaluzia His Death Sancho has the Crown of Castile and Ferdinand that of Leon. War betwixt Castile and Navarre The Navarrois twice defeated Calatrava defended by two Monks given to their Order 1158. Original of the Knights of Calatrava League betwixt Castile and Aragon renew'd Sancho K. of
and banish'd and at last dy'd in Cordova At the same time Castile was divided with Civil Broils D. Vela Grandson to the other D. Vela who we said was Lord of Alava had great Power there and in the adjoining part of Castile and being a hot Youth took up Arms against the Earl Fernan Gonzalez The Earl lost no time but put him and his Allies to the rout pursuing them so close they were forc'd to take into the Country of the Moors which was the occasion of great troubles and Misfortunes Almanzor Alhagib either at the instigation of these Outlaws or to revenge the affront he had receiv'd rais'd a powerful Army and furiously invaded Castile The Earl marching to meet him by the way went to visit Pelagius the Hermit but finding he was dead and being troubled in mind the said Pelagius appear'd to him in his sleep assuring him of the Victory The two Armies ingag'd near Piedrabita and the dispute was hotter than ever it had been before tho' the multitude of Enemies was great and the Christian Army exceeded not 450 Horse and 15000 Foot It is said the Fight lasted three days only ceasing at Night upon the last day St. James the Apostle was seen at the head of the Christians and gained them the Victory A greater number of the Infidels was slain than in any other Battle our Forces pursuing them two days After this Victory Embassadors came from all the Cities of Castile and the neighbouring parts to Congratulate with the Earl Above all D. Sancho King of Leon sent a splendid Embassy enviting the Earl to be present at the Cortes or Parliament he designed to hold in Leon. This a little perplex'd him fearing some design was hid under that show of Friendship but having no lawful Excuse to absent himself he came on the day appointed accompanied with the Nobility The King went out to meet him and the Parliament was held in the Year 958. but what their Business was is not known Authors relate that the Earl sold the King a stately Horse and a Hawk for a great Sum upon condition if not paid at the time perfixed the price should be doubled every day after Besides by the policy of Da. Teresa the Queen Dowager who desired to revenge her Father's Death it was contriv'd that Da. Sancha her Sister should be Marry'd to the Earl she was then with her Brother D. Garcia King of Navarre and Da. Vrraca the Earl's first Wife was dead It was resolv'd to lay a snare against the Earl because down right force would not prevail and K. Sancho was unwilling to break his word openly therefore it was agreed to work underhand and make use of the perfidiousness of the Navarrois Garci Sanchez was ignorant of D. Sancho's designs and therefore to revenge past wrongs continually infested the Frontiers of Castile After the Earl had complained by his Embassdors they broke out into open War and came to a Battle in which the Earl obtained the Victory Our Historians write that Lope Diaz Lord of Biscay assisted the Earl upon this occasion and say he was Son to In̄igo Ezquerra great Grandson to Zuria formerly Lord of that Country After this Victory a Peace being concluded the Earl in pursuance to the Articles thereof went to Navarre with a good Retinue unarmed as to a Wedding however he was taken Prisoner by the King who was at the place appointed with armed Men. Hence he was delivered by the love of Da. Sancha for whose sake he fell into that misfortune and with her escaped to his own Country On the Frontiers of Castile about Rioja he was met by the Forces of Castile that had vow'd not to return till he were set at liberty Great was the Joy on both sides At Burgos the Nuptials were celebrated The King of Navarre deceived by his Sister prepared for War and the Earl not being backward they Engaged on the Frontiers of Castile and Navarre the King was overthrown and taken Prisoner in the Year 959. The same Year dy'd Abderhaman King of Cordova being of a great Age. Not long before his Death the King of Leon sent him a solemn Embassy desiring the Body of the Martyr Pelayus which was not granted by him but was soon after by his Son and Successor Alhaca who Reign'd 17 Years and 2 Months and being inclinable to Peace endeavoured to oblige all the neighbouring Kings D. Garcia King of Navarre was set at liberty after he had been 13 Months a Prisoner at Burgos the Tears of Da. Sancha and the Intreaties of other Princes having appeased the Earl Queen Teresa a Woman of a fierce and restless Spirit being so far disappointed in her design against the Earl laid other snares for him She persuaded her Son the King of Leon to call him to the Parliament He went tho' with a Jealousie the King came not out to meet him as before but when he came to kiss his Hand ordered him to be cast into Prison This was a great Affliction to the Earl's People Da. Sancha his Wife a Lady of a Masculine Temper and ready wit designing to rescue him feigned she would go in Pilgrimage to the Church of St. James the Apostle Her way was thro' the City Leon the King went out to meet and entertain her Friendly as became a Person of her Quality and his Aunt With much intreaty she obtained leave to visit her Husband and having stay'd all Night together he went out in the Morning in her Cloaths and got safe to his Country The King understanding the Fraud was somewhat concerned but thinking better of it sent her home Honourably to her Husband who over-joy'd at her coming would not make War upon the King but demanded what was due to him for the Horse and the Hawk he had sold him No Payment was made for the Sum by reason of the delay was greater than the King could pay and the Earl made waste upon the Lands of the Kingdom of Leon. Whereupon they agreed that in satisfaction for the Debt Castile for the future should owe no Subjection to the Crown of Leon. This Agreement they say was made in the Year of our Lord 965. The same Year a powerful Army of Moors breaking thro' the Kingdom laid Siege to the City Leon but by the Valour of the Garrlson and Townsmen were Repulsed with great loss Vast flames of Fire rising out of the Sea spread over the Country destroying many Towns even as far as Zamora which beside the present loss was look'd upon as an Omen of future Ills. D. Garci Sanchez King of Navarre dy'd the ensuing Year of 966 leaving by his Queen two Sons D. Sancho and D. Ramiro and three Daughters Da. Vrraca Da. Ermenesilda and Da. Teresa His Son D. Sancho inherited the Crown joyntly with his Brother D. Ramiro The latter Reign'd 10 Years and it is thought dy'd without Issue D. Sancho who as appears by his Grants Rul'd 27 Years Stiled
himself King of Pamplona Najara and Alava He increased his Dominions by the addition of the Lordship of Biscay and City of Najara the chief of that Principality His Piety and Liberality appears by the Lands he gave to the Monastery of S. Salvadot de Leyte S. Millan de Najara S. John de la Pen̄a His Wife was Da. Vrraca by whom he had D. Garci Sanchez called the Trembler because he used to quake at the beginning of a Battle for which defect he made amends by his great Courage and Conduct when heated in fight Thro' the neglect of the Historians of that Age nothing else of note appears in the Life of D. Sancho In Galicia there broke out new Commotions that Country being full of Factions at a very unseasonable time when they had enough to do against the Moors The cause of these Tumults is not known but it appears they were soon appeased by the King 's good Management Some of the Mutiniers were Executed others Banished to that part of Portugal which was under the King upon the Frontiers of the Moors That Province was govern'd by an Earl called Gonzalo a Man of wicked Principles who in defence of those Banished Persons they being of his Faction Rebelled and broke in as far as the River Duero There not confiding in his strength he had recourse to Fraud and with much entreaty obtain'd pardon He had formerly been in great Esteem and Favour with the King and was now restored to the same Honour whereby he found means to give the King a poisoned Apple As soon as he had eaten it the violence of the Poison spred it self thro' all his Veins and seized the Vitals he ordered himself to be carried to Leon tho' given over by the Physicians but dy'd before he could reach the City the third day after he was Poisoned in the 967. having Reign'd 12 Years His Body was bury'd in the Church of St. Saviour at Leon. CHAP. V. The Reign of Ramiro the Third King of Leon. Death of Earl Fernan Gonzalez Normans infest the Coasts of Spain Divisions among the Moors Rebellion against the King of Leon and his Death IT is a thing beyond all dispute that King Sancho was Marry'd to Da. Teresa and that D. Ramiro was but 5 Years old when his Father dy'd He Reign'd 15 Years but by reason of his tender Age the Government was in the hands of his Mother and of Da. Elvira his Aunt whom others call Geloyra both Ladies of singular Prudence and extraordinary Qualities yet because the King was little and they Women there hap'ned many Broils Sisnandus the Successor of Ermenegildus Bishop of Compostella and Son to the Earl Menendus was Deposed and Imprisoned by King Sancho for that he lived a dissolute Life and spent the Revenue of the Church profusely and in his stead was chosen Rodesindus who was first Bishop and after a Monk of the Order of S. Benedict in the Monastery of Celanova he was besides of the Blood Royal as Son to the Earl Gutierre Arias and his Wife Aldara Sisnandus upon the Death of the King being set at liberty took possession of the Bishoprick of Compostella forcing Rodesindus for fear of Death to resign and return to his Monastery where he spent the rest of his Life well pleased to be rid of that charge There was Peace betwixt the Kingdoms of Leon and Cordova for Alhaca King of Cordova to gain the good will of the new King sent him the Body of the Martyr Pelayus which was laid in the Monastery built at Leon by King Sancho who desired to Enrich it with those Reliques This Monastery was formerly called of S. John Baptist afterwards of St. Pelagius or Pelayus now of St. Isidorus The cause of changing the Names was the Translation of the Bodies of those Saints at several times The Peace was now disturbed at the persuasion of that D. Vela who we said above fled to Cordova and at his instigation the Moors inclined to make War upon Castile to revenge the great losses they had sustained by means of that Earl King Alhaca tho' of himself more addicted to Peace than War yet overcome by the importunity of his People he gathered a Powerful Army and breaking into Castile possessed himself of Sepulveda Gormaz Simancas and Duen̄as Encouraged with this Success he broke the Peace that was between him and the King of Leon and invading his Dominions took Zamora and levelled it with the Ground The great Grief the Earl Fernan Gonzalez conceived for these Losses was the cause of his Death which hap'ned the ensuing Year 968. He dy'd at Burgos and was bury'd near the River Arlança in the Monastery of S. Peter near the High Altar where are to be seen his and his Wife's Tombs with inscriptions declaring whose they are His Funeral was no less remarkable for the Tears of the People lamenting the loss of so good a Prince by whose Valour the Christian cause had been so long supported than for the Grandeur and Magnificence of the Ceremony By two Wives he had these Sons D. Gonzalo D. Sancho D. Garci Fernandez others add Peter and Baldwin He had also one Daughter called Da. Vrraca of whom we have spoken before Garci Fernandez succeeded his Father either because the others were dead or if alive he was preferred before them for his good Inclinations and the early hopes he gave of his future Vertues which soon increased and grew to a mighty head At the same time the Normans Inhabiting that part of France formerly called Neustria now Normandy who some Years before were Converted to the Christian Faith by Herveus Bishop of Rheims being accustomed to Rob upon the Coast of Spain gathered a numerous Fleet and wasted all the Coast of Galicia burnt Villages Castles and Towns took the Men and carried away all that was in their way This Plague lasted 2 Years The King by reason of his tender Years could not defend his People Sisnandus Bishop of Compostella a Man fitter to be a Souldier than a Prelate gathering a number of the Natives and charging the Enemy near a Town call'd Fornellas was kill'd with a Dart on the 20th of March 979. What was commendable in him is that he indeavour'd to Wall the Town of Compostella that so holy a place might not be expos'd to the insolency of the Enemy The Earl Garci Sanchez being chosen to Command on that side behaved himself better for surprizing the Normans near the Sea as they marched loaded with plunder and out of order he made a great slaughter of them This Captain Gunderedus was killed the Booty and Prisoners recovered and of their Ships not one escaped being taken or burnt Thus Spain after long suffering by those Cruel and Barbarous People was at length delivered from that Calamity by so total an overthrow of them as they had scarce received the like in any other Country Let us now see what was doing among the Infidels
which proved his ruin for the People generally exclaimed against him and from that time forward his Fortune changed After ransacking the Kingdom of Toledo the Aragonians marched to Besiege the City Astorga having received intelligence that the Queen resolved to make her last effort on that side Martin Mun̄o coming to the King of Aragon with 300 Horse fell into an Ambush where most of his Men being killed and the rest put to flight he was himself taken King Alonso finding himself weakned by this loss the many Men that had dy'd and the Garrisons he had placed retired to Carrion confiding in the strength of that place There he was besieged by the Enemy for some time till the Abbot Clusensis sent by the Pope to compose those differences came and obtained of the Queen a Truce for some time and soon after prevailed to have the Siege raised The Soldiers of Castile being raw and undisciplined could not be long kept together After this the Aragonians bent their Forces against the Lands belonging to the House of Lara On the other side the Queen after a long Siege recovered the Castle of Burgos Peter Earl of Lara thinking to Marry the Queen carryed himself like a King at which many were offended and his Name and the Queen's were publickly in Lampoons and Ballads At length he was secured and put in Prison by Gutierre Fernandez de Castro but escaped and fled to Barcelona He was the Son of that James Ordon̄ez who charged the City Zamora with Treason and upon that account fought the three Sons of Arias Gonzalo After this Prince Alonso was Proclaimed King of Castile His Mother D. Vrraca fortified herself in the Castle of Leon but he besieging it they agreed that she should resign the Crown to him and have revenues assigned her for her maintenance It is impossible exactly to reconcile the times when all these things hap'ned Authors varying so much even in this that is no considerable Antiquity It is not known in what Year Queen Vrraca dy'd the most say she lived about 17 Years after her Father Certain it is she was very Lewd Some say she dy'd in Child-Bed at the Castle of Saldan̄a others that she burst at the Church Door of Leon having taken away the Treasure of St. Isidorus Grave Authors affirm that the Earl of Candespina had a Son by her called Fernan Hurtado which signifies stollen because he was a Bastard and that the Noble Family of that Name in Spain descends from him They also say that Peter Earl of Lara had to do with her CHAP. VI. The Wars of Majorca and Zaragoca The Schism of Burdinus Peace Concluded betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Aragon The Original of the Kingdom of Portugal WHilst what was said in the last Chapter hap'ned in Castile the Moors of Majorca and Zaragoça were beset by the Power of several Nations Conspiring against them Gilbert Earl of Provence and Aimillan in France dying his Dominions fell to his only Daughter called Dulcis Raymund Berengarius Earl of Barcelona Husband to the said Dulcis a Prince Powerful as well in his own Dominions as the great Addition of his Wife 's resolv'd with the United Forces of his Subjects to possess himself of the Islands of Majorca and Minorca from whence the Moors infested the Coast of Spain and France It was requisite to gather a great Fleet. He got together all he could of his own which was the beginning of the great Power the Catalonians had afterwards by Sea But his Fleet not being sufficient for this undertaking he went himself to Genoa and Pisa Cities at that time Powerful by Sea and prevailed with those People to joyn with him in the Expedition At the time appointed the Catalonians and Genoeses joyned and passed over to the Islands The War proved tedious and difficult for the Moors misdoubting their own strength would not hazard a Battle but taking up all the Provisions in the Country kept the passes of the Mountains and Fortified themselves in the Towns and Castles The resolution of the Christians overcame all difficulties and the chief City of Majorca was taken by Assault in the Year of our Lord 1115. Here dyed Raimund Bishop of Baroelona to whom succeeded Oldegarius who soon after was Translated to the Archbishoprick of Tarragona After the taking of the City the rest seemed easie when on a sudden News was brought that the Moors Landing on the Coast of Barcelona had struck a general Terror into all the Country and besieged the City The Earl was forced to go over to the Continent leaving the Genoeses charge to secure the Islands At his first approach the Infidels raised the Siege he pursued and overthrew them near Mortorel This Action was Tumultuary and disorderly the Battles not being formed Two Accidents concurred to lessen the joy of this Victory One was that the Genoeses Bribed by the Moors went away and quitted the Islands as the Writers of Catalonia affirm for in the Histories of Genoa there is no mention of this Expedition The other was the loss of the City Carcassone in France Atho as was said before possess'd himself of that City and ruling Tyrannically was expelled by the Citizens who returned to their Lawful Sovereign the Earl of Barcelona With the assistance of William Earl of Poitiers Atho recovered the City Roger Atho's Eldest Son caused all the Townsmen to deliver their Arms and that done ordered them to be put to the Sword Many that escaped fled to Barcelona At their instance the Earl Raimund Arnaud Berengarius entred France with an Army Some Religious Persons interposing the matter was adjusted in this manner That Atho should possess the City but to hold it of the Earl of Barcelona whereas he had promised to hold of the Earl of Poitiers This William of Poitiers was a Man that only studyed to enlarge his Dominions tho' never so wrongfully So when Raimund Earl of Toulouze was gone to the Holy-Land he seized upon all the Possessions of that Prince Bertran the Son of Raymund returning from the Holy-Land where his Father was killed and he had got the Lordship of Tripoli found no hopes of doing any good upon the Earl of Poitiers He began to Treat with the Neighbouring Princes about recovering his Patrimony but to no effect and therefore had recourse to D. Alonso King of Aragon who received him with Marks of Affection at Barbastro Here it was agreed that the Earl of Toulouze should do Homage to the King of Aragon for his Dominions in France in case he was restored to them by his means This was done in the Year 1116. but it came to nothing for the Earl was not restored he of Poitiers being very powerful and the Forces of Aragon at that time divided against Castile and the Moors Yet some Years after D. Alonso Jordan Brother to Bertrand was taken out of the Castle of Toulouze where he had been kept Prisoner and the