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
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
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
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
Portugal gave Viriatus a great Overthrow but he gathering his Forces returned upon him with such Vigour that the Victors having receiv'd much damage tho' it was the middle of Autumn were glad to retire to Cordova as if it had been Winter where they Fortified themselves without taking any care of the Spaniards their Confederates or the other Romans who were in weak Garrisons and left exposed to eminent Danger Metellus subdu'd the Celtiberi Pliny says he overcame the Arevaci nevertheless he was continued in his Command the Year 612. and the Consul Q. Fabius Servilius was sent against Viriatus with 18000 Foot and 1500 Horse Besides those Forces Micipsa the Son of Massinissa sent him 10 Elephants and 300 Horse out of Africk Notwithstanding all this mighty Army joyn'd to what was before under the Roman Pay Viriatus who lay hid in the Mountains of Andaluzia with frequent Excursions did great Damage and obtain'd many Advantages till the Romans remov'd their Camp to Vtica formerly a City of Andaluzia Then Viriatus for want of Provisions retir'd with his Army into Lusitania The Consul being rid of that danger marched to the Cunei where he overcame two Captains of Robbers call'd Curio and Apuleyus and carried some Towns by Force that were held for Viriatus with strong Garrisons A great Booty was taken and a multitude of Prisoners 500 whereof that were found most Guilty he put to Death 10000 more were sold as Slaves Metellus at the same time gain'd much Honour by entirely reducing the Celtiberi and taking the famous Cities Contrebia Versobriga and Centobriga Then hearing that the Consul Quintus Pompeius was appointed to succeed him he was so offended at it that to weaken his Forces he dismissed the Soldiers neglected the Magazines and starved the Elephants for which reason the Triumph he had otherwise well deserv'd was refus'd him at Rome Q. Pompeius came to Spain in the Year 613. Servilianus was continu'd by order of the Senate in his Command where he receiv'd into favour Canoba a Captain of Robbers who submitted himself and forced Viriatus who lay before the City Vacia to raise his Siege and fly away whereupon many neighbouring Towns submitted themselves to him As he was Active and Vigilant so was he no less Severe or rather Cruel for he cut off the Hands of all Canoba's Men and 500 other Prisoners because they had deserted from his Camp This Action in stead of terrifying the Natives put them upon desperate Counsels The Romans laid Siege to the City Erisana Viriatus without being discovered got in by Night and the next Morning made such a furious Sally that he put the Enemy to flight killing many of them those that escaped drew up in a place of no Strength where they were in great danger of perishing but Viriatus laid hold of this Opportunity to obtain an advantageous Peace which was concluded and by virtue thereof the Romans sav'd their Lives Viriatus was called a Friend of the People of Rome and all that his Men had plunder'd was allow'd them A great shame and dishonour to the Majesty of the Roman Empire Quintus Pompeius held the Government of Hispania citerior two Years but because the Province was in Peace and Metellus had left all things in disorder had not the opportunity of doing any Action of note On the contrary Servilius who by order of the Senate had vacated the Peace he made before near the City Arsa put Viriatus to the rout and pursu'd him into Carpetania where by a Stratagem he got away He drew out his Men as if intending to give Battle placing his Horse in the Front and whilst the Romans were forming their Body caused his Foot to slip away thro' the Woods that were near that done the Horse with the same swiftness got off The Consul despairing of taking so subtle an Enemy marched to the Vectones in Estremadura and thence without stopping into Galicia where all was in Disorder and full of Murders and Robberies Viriatus tired with so lasting a War and fearing his Men should make their Peace with the price of his Head sent three Embassadors to Treat with the Consul The means he chose to secure himself prov'd his ruin for Servilius corrupted the Embassadors who at their return murder'd Viriatus as he lay sleeping His Funeral was honour'd with the Tears of his Soldiers afterwards with Sports and the Sacrifice of much Cattle The Murderers petitioning the Senate at Rome for a Reward of their Service receiv'd answer That the Senate and People of Rome did not approve of Soldiers killing their General To Viriatus succeeded in the Command one Tantalus but he not being of equal Authority Valour and Conduct soon submitted himself to the Consul and was receiv'd to Grace These and the other Lusitani were disarm'd and Lands allotted them to the end that being employ'd in Tilling and the care of their Cattle they might be more inclinable to live in subjection and want the Power of Revolting CHAP. III. The second War betwixt Rome and Numantia The Consul Mancinus concludes a dishonourable Peace with that People and is therefore deliver'd up to them Scipio Africanus sent against them The City destroy'd THE very Year that Viriatus was murder'd by his own Men which was of Rome 614. the Numantians again Revolted The occasion of it was thus Metellus having subdu'd the Celtiberi there remain'd only the Numantians and Termestini who by former Treaties were declar'd Friends and Allies of the People of Rome and consequently preserv'd their Liberty The Termestini are suppos'd to be about nine Leagues from Numantia where now stands a Chappel call'd of our Lady of Tiermes Pompey intending to bring them under Subjection took for a Pretence to fall out with them that they had receiv'd into their City the Segedani who had sided with Viriatus Segeda is reckoned to be among the Beli and at this Day there is a Town betwixt Soria and Osma believ'd to be the Remnant of that City This Crime was not great yet the Numantians sent Embassadors to excuse it whom Pompey turned back with disgrace Still the Numantians sent others renouncing their Friendship with the Segedani and desiring to renew the Peace and Alliance they had made with Gracchus Pompey reply'd It was in vain to Treat of Peace unless they laid down their Arms. All hopes of an Accommodation being thus out off the Numantians provided for War and to this effect raised 8000 Foot and 2000 Horse a small number but of great Courage and Resolution Megara a Man of great Experience was appointed to command these Men. Pompey was not idle but incamp'd near Numantia with 30000 Foot and 2000 Horse The Numantians kept them in continual alarm yet so that they always avoided coming to a Battle which Pompey perceiving sate down before Termancia whence he was also forced to retire in great disorder by a Sally the Besieged made Next day they came to a Battle the
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
thither and causing the Bushes and Briars to be cut down and digging up a heap of Earth found the holy Body in a Marble Sepulcher Overjoy'd at this he went to Court to acquaint the King who in Person repair'd thither and caus'd a Church to be Erected in that place dedicated to St. James but mean as having only mud Walls He also instituted Benefices belonging to it and assign'd them Revenues The Fame of it being spread abroad brought People from all parts of Christendom and to this day it is one of the most frequented Pilgrimages in the World Some grave and Learned Persons have made a doubt whether St. James the Apostle ever was in Spain and consequently of the Invention of his Body I will not undertake to discuss the point but must confess I think the general consent of all Christendom in this behalf appears to me more convincing than all the Arguments they can bring to oppose it All Historians agree that Charlemaigne was in Spain and some will have it he came more than once among the rest our Author F. Mariana is of this Opinion and relates his coming twice but both times with the very same circumstances which makes me of the Opinion be mistook and made two Expeditions of one for the best as well Spanish as French Authors make mention of no more The Histories of these two Nations absolutely disagree in their account of the famous Battle of Roncesvalles and even the Spaniards themselves vary much in their relations many of which are very fabulous for which reason I am more inclinable to give credit to the French as the most probable I will therefore in a thing so dubious not spend much time but in few words set down what our Author says of it and then briefly touch upon the more likely account given by the French F. Mariana says that the Emperor Charlemaigne was invited into Spain by King Alonso to assist him in driving the Moors out of all that Kingdom As a recompence for this service he was to Inherit the Crown This Treaty being made known in Spain the Nobility would no ways consent to be brought under the Dominion of the French and Bernard del Carpio a hot Youth offer'd to head those that would oppose them King Alonso himself repented and Marsilius the Morish King of Zaragoca join'd with him as fearing the Emperor whom he had offended by Usurping the Dominions of Ibnabala his Confederate All these Forces possess'd the Passes of the Pyrenean Mountains and at the place called Roncesvalles the two Armies met Rutlandus commonly called Orlando Earl of Britany Anselmus and Eginardus led the Van the Spaniards falling Furiously on them before they could put themselves into Order of Battle slew Rutlandus of whom so many Fables are Written both by the Spaniards and French The Emperor seeing the great Slaughter of his Men indeavoured to bring up the rest of the Army to their relief but finding no hopes of success was himself forced to make away This is in short the account F. Mariana gives but Einhardus Chancellor to Charlemaigne and his Son-in-Law in the Life of that Emperor which he writ says That Charlemaigne came to restore Ibnabala expelled by Marsiluis that he passed the Mountains and subdued all that part of the Country but in his return the Vascones fell upon the rear in the narrow passes of the Mountains slew all that were parted from the main Body among them Eghartus Anselmus and Rutlandus and that this could not be revenged because the Vascones on a sudden were all dispersed and not to be found All the French Authors agree in this account Besides it appears if ever there was such a Man as Bernard del Carpio which is doubtful that he could not then according to the time assigned for his Birth be above 13 Years of Age and therefore unfit for such great undertakings Much more might be said to this purpose but I rather choose to adhere to certainties than fill Paper with not only doubtful but Romantick stories framed to swell Volumes and please the ignorant Let us therefore return to King Alonso CHAP. VI. The remaining part of the Reign of King Alonso Rebellion among the Moors Alhaca the Moor dies and Abderhamen succeeds him The Reign of King Ramiro he overthrows the Moors in a great Battle his Death and Invasion of the Normans ALL things during King Alonso's Reign succeeded Fortunately for the Christians and he not only applyed himself to the Business of the War but Laboured to improve the Civil Government and above all was zealous for Propagating Religion As soon as the Cathedral of Oviedo was finished to increase the Devotion of the place he caused it to be Consecrated by seven Bishops in the Year of our Lord 802. He also Erected in the same City another Church dedicated to our Blessed Lady with a Cloister for the Interment of Kings because then they were not bury'd in the Church besides this a third Church to St. Thyrsus Martyr and a fourth to St. Julian as likewise a Royal Palace Thus contenting himself with indifferent Dyet and Rayment all his care was to beautify and adorn that City by him first made the Capital of the Kingdom The Moors were now in Rebellion against their King and particularly those of Toledo Plenty and Ease were the cause of these distractions King Alhaca being a Person subtle and deceitful sent Ambroz the Governour of Huesca a Friend to the People of Toledo to them with fawning Letters laying all the blame upon the Magistrates and courting the Citizens to be pacify'd The People of Toledo are naturally open-hearted therefore suspecting nothing they admitted him into the Town Not long after Ambroz feigning some discontent perswades the People to Mutiny again and builds a strong Castle where now stands the Church of St. Christopher into which he puts a good Garrison Abderhaman the King's Son came to quell this Rebellion and deceiving the People as the other had done was admitted Therefore the better to put his design in Execution he invites the best of the Town into the Castle and there Massacred 5000. of them in the Year of our Lord 805. This Cruel Execution quieted Toledo but not so at Cordova where the Inhabitants of the Suburbs Mutinying Abdelcarin who had gain'd Fame at the Siege of Calahorra reduc'd them and hang'd 300 along the River By the Christians two Armies of Infidels that broke into Galicia were overthrown and forc'd to withdraw with great loss in the Year 810. Ores Governour of Merida laid Siege to Benavente but upon the approach of King Alonso was forc'd to quit it and retire In the same manner Alcama Governour of Badajoz was drove from before Camora Soon after Mahomet a Noble Moor upon some discontent put himself with a good Body of Men under the Protection of King Alonso and had a place assign'd him in Galicia to inhabit The Moor desiring to regain his Princes
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
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
time he advis'd and warn'd King Jayme not to ingage himself with so wicked a Man least he should draw some judgment upon himself This answer put the King of Aragon to a stand but at length interest prevail'd The Marriage was Solemniz'd at Monpellier in France in the Year 1262. The King returning to Barcelona divided his Dominions among his Sons To Peter the eldest was assign'd all Aragon Catalonia and Valencia To his Son Jayme he gave Russillon Cerdagne Colibre Conflens and Valespira yet so as that he should do Homage for them to the King of Aragon They were also to be govern'd by the Laws of Catalonia and not to have Authority to Coin Money Besides those Dominions he gave him Majorca with the Title of King and also Montpelier in France Thus the Father reconcil'd the two Brothers who began to be at variance about their Inheritance the Nobility heightning their divisions without regard to the Publick every one of them striving to make his own advantage CHAP. VII The Family of the Merines obtains the Empire of Africk The War against the Moors renew'd in Spain Cuidad Rodrigo built Troubles in Aragon The City Murcia taken and the King of Granada made Tributary A New and more dangerous War than any of the former seem'd now to threaten Spain from a new Empire lately erected in Africk The Family of the Merines having overthrown and destroy'd the Almohades reviv'd the former Valour of that Nation and purpos'd to march over into Spain to restore its Empire there After the Death of Mahomet called the Green who lost the famous Battle of Nabas de Tolosa Arrasius his Grandson and Son of Bussafo who dy'd before his Father succeeded him When the Empire of the Almohades extended from the Ocean as far as Aegypt the Government of Tremecen a City on the Shore of the Mediterranean was given to a Moor call'd Gomarança of the Family of the Abdalueses which is very Noble and Rich. This Man was the first that offer'd to Revolt from his Prince Arrasius coming to suppress him was treacherously Murder'd No Enemy is so dangerous as a false Friend A Kinsman of Gomarança pretending to desert from him slew the King He being dead his Forces were easily vanquish'd by the Rebel who Sally'd out of the Castle Tremesessir where he was Besieg'd Such as escap'd the Slaughter fled to Fez which is near to that part of Africk call'd Algarve or the Plain Country Bucar Merin Governour of Fez under pretence of revenging his Master gather'd these broken Forces overthrew the Rebels and then as a Reward of his Victory laying a side the Title of Governour assum'd the Stile of King securing the Empire of Africk to himself and his Successor Thus only the Usurper being chang'd Bucar Merin founded a new Empire in Africk For Almorcanda who was of the Family of the Almohades and had succeeded Arrasius at Morocco designing to subdue Bucar was by him defeated in a Battle fought near a Town call'd Merquenosa a days Journey from Fez. By this means that which before made one Empire was divided into two which were Fez and Morocco and so continu'd some time Hiaya the Son of Bucar succeeded him He dying young his Uncle Jacob Abenjoseph who Govern'd in his Name and was a warlike and wise Man not only secur'd to himself the Dominion of Fez but with wonderful ease Conquer'd the Empire of Morocco and almost all Africk which he left to his Heirs No People under the Sun are more Inconstant than the Africans which is the reason that no Dominion is lasting among them Budebusio a powerful Moor of the Family of the Almohades offended that Almorcanda who was not so near Related to the Kings of Morocco as himself should be preferred before him offer'd Jacob King of Fez all the Lands from that City to the River Nababo if he would assist him to recover his Right Almorcanda by their joynt Forces was easily drove from Morocco yet Budebusio not only refused to perform his promise but threatned the King of Fez. After three Years spent in War between them Budebusio was despoiled of all his Dominions and the King of Fez taking Morocco became absolute Monarch of all Africk except the Cities of Tremeçen and Tunez During these Confusions two of the Almohades secur'd those Places and kept them with the Title of Kings tho' of no great Power From this Family without any interruption descended Muleasse King of Tunez who being Banished his Kingdom by the famous Pyrate Barbarossa was restored by the Emperor Charles V. These were the Families that Rul'd in Africk In Spain Mahomet Almahar was King of Granada and Hudiel of Murcia both Weak and Tributaries to King Alonso of Castile These two grown weary of their Subjection to the Christians and hoping to be reliev'd by Jacob King of Africk who began to gain great Renown agreed among themselves to Revolt Tho' before they were mortal Enemies yet their hatred to the Christians and hope of casting off their Yoke made them Friends They carry'd their Designs very private lest being too soon discover'd they might accelerate their Ruin King Alonso either that he had knowledge of these Practices or else desiring utterly to expel the Moors had no other care but of renewing the War against them Some Cities in Andaluzia refus'd to submit to him which he thought to reduce by force To this effect Pope Alexander IV. granted the Croisade to all that would serve in that War at their own Cost and Charges Embassadors were sent to the neighbouring Princes to obtain Supplies particularly it was demanded of the King of Aragon that he would give leave to his Subjects to take Arms in that Holy War as had been agreed by the Treaty at Soria The King of Aragon neither flatly deny'd nor fully granted for he excepted all the Nobility who either depended on him for their Estates or receiv'd his Pay but he allow'd that their Vassals and others of the Commonalty might take Arms. This old King design'd by these means to secure the Nobility of whose Loyalty he was not fully satisfy'd if they should get into Castile This answer so provok'd King Alonso that he once design'd to turn his Forces against Aragon but at last the Publick Good prevail'd Having taken this Resolution he deliver'd up the Castles that had been agreed at Soria to be put into a third hand by way of Caution or Security They were put into the Hands of D. Alonso Lopez de Haro for him to hold in trust and that he might perform it with freedom he was absolv'd of his Allegiance to Castile The Castles were Cervera Agreda Aguilar Arnedo and Autol. Whilst the Christians were taken up with these Debates the Moors understanding all these Preparations were level'd against them not to lose time took the Castle of Murcia and other places in that Neighbourhood in which were Christian Garisons Next they Brib'd the Moors in Sevil to Murder the King
in Poverty yet wickedly and hated by all Men. Thus he soon endured the Punishment of his short Pleasure being severely chastized by the Hand of God as he had well deserved The End of the Two and Twentieth Book The History of SPAIN BOOK XXIII CHAP. I. The Councel of Mantua Beginnings of Tumults in Castile War at Naples betwixt the Aragonians and House of Anjou Scanderbeg Prince of Epirus comes to the Assistance of Ferdinand King of Naples POpe Pius the Second having appointed a General Councel to meet at Mantua a great number of Bishops from all Parts and Ambassadors of Princes repaired thither as did the Pope himself His only Care was to stir up all Christendom to unite its Forces against the Common Enemy David Emperor of Trebizonde a City in Asia the Lesser upon the Euxine Sea Ussumcassanus King of Armenia and George who stiled himself King of Persia offered great Numbers of Horse and Foot and a mighty Fleet but there was little Confidence to be reposed in their Promises The Western Countries were so entangled with Broils and Confusions at home that little could be hoped from them Notwithstanding all these Difficulties the Pope was not discouraged but resolved to use his utmost Endeavours to promote the Holy War and therefore in a full Assembly of those that came to the Councel made a most Learned Speech laying before them how great a Reproach to Christianity the loss of the Eastern Empire had been and how much nearer since that time the Danger threatned all the Western Part of the World He pressed for some Prince to encourage that War by taking upon him to be General and then offered to carry the Cross before them himself His Words moved the Auditory but the Ambassadors of Princes wasted the Time in Private Controversies Particularly John Duke of Lorrain Son to Renee Duke of Anjou complained that the Pope had given the Investiture of the Kingdom of Naples to Ferdinand his Enemy Thus nothing was done to any purpose only a Verbal Decree was made for carrying on the War The Pope published a Bull in which contrary to his own Opinion at the Councel of Basil he ordains That none shall Appeal from the Pope to a General Councel Thus the Councel was dissolved the Eighth Month after the opening of it The Aragonian Ambassadors after the Councel broke up went away to Naples to Congratulate with the new King upon his Accession to that Crown InÌ„igo Lopez de Mendoça the Ambassador of Castile obtained of the Pope a Jubilee for all that gave certain Alms employed to build at Tendilla a Monastery of Friars of St. Isidorus of the Invocation of St. Ann. Mean while the City Guadalajara was taken from his Brother James de Mendoça he having possessed himself of it wrongfully John Fernandez Galindo a famous Officer surprized it with 600 Horse This the Nobles took for a new Cause of Discontent and combined against the King D. â—â—ederick the Admiral heightned their Discontents He sollicited his Son-in-Law the King of Aragon to join with the Seditious Nobility and make War upon Castile With him joined the Archbishop of Toledo D. Peter Giron Master of Calatrava and the Families of Manrique and Mendoça Their Pretence was to reform the Government D. Alonso de Fonseca Archbishop of Sevil gave the King an Account of these Practices As a Reward for this good Service the Archbishoprick of Santiago vacant by the Death of D. Roderick de Luna was given to a Kinsman of his called also Alonso de Fonseca who was Dean of Sevil. D. Luis Osorio had then possessed himself of the Revenues of that Church confiding in the Power of his Father the Earl of Trastamara None but a Person of great Authority could reduce him and therefore the two Archbishops changed Sees by the King's Consent The Church of Pamplona upon the Death of D. Martin de Peralta was given to Cardinal Besarion a Greek but very Learned and of a godly Life The Troubles of Naples were the chief Thing that disturbed Pope Pius otherwise wholly bent upon the Holy War The War began again to break out betwixt John the Son of Renee and the new King Ferdinand most of the Neapolitan Nobility as given to Change favouring the House of Anjou The first that appeared in Arms was Anthony Centellas Marquis of Croton who having got his Liberty meditated Revenge but the King was too quick and again laid him in Prison Martin Marciano tho married to Ellenor the King's Sister headed the Rebels many joined with him among whom the chief were the Prince of Taranto Anthony Cardora and John Paul Duke of Sora. Francis Sforcia Duke of Milan being at the Councel of Mantua advised the Pope to enter into League with King Ferdinand for that the French being expelled Italy all Difficulties that obstructed the War with the Turks would be easily surmounted The Pope approved of this Councel but it was not easily to be put into Execution for that King Ferdinand was then besieged in Barletta a City of Apulia and knew not well how to defend himself The Pope would send him no Relief because the Enemy had secured all the Avenues by Land Therefore he sent to George Scanderbeg Prince of Epirus then a most Renowned General who understanding the Pope's Will sent before Coicus Strosius with 500 Albanian Horse and soon after gathering a good Fleet sailed to Ragusa and thence to Barleta Immediately upon his Arrival the Rebels raised the Siege King Ferdinand having joined the Succours sent him by the Pope and Duke of Milan overthrew his Enemies in Battel and soon recovered the Towns that held for them Scanderbeg having spent a Year in this Expedition returned home well satisfied with the King who gave him and his Heirs the City Trani and the Castles of St. John and Siponto After this he obtained several Victories over the Turks and died at the end of Seven Years leaving a Son called John under the Care of the Venetians Nevertheless he ordered him till he could recover his Principality to live at Naples upon what Estate that King had given him From him is descended the most Noble Family of the Castriots Marquisses of Civita de Santangelo in the Kingdom of Naples In Spain Charles Prince of Viana having obtained Pardon for himself and his Followers and the Promise of a competent Revenue for his Maintenance came from Majorca to Barcelona on the 22d of March 1460. It was proposed to marry him with Catherine Sister to the King of Portugal When the Match was as good as concluded the King of Castile took it off offering him his Sister Elizabeth with Assurance of obtaining what he desired of his Father with the Assistance of Castile Hereupon Prince Charles no farther thought of the Match with Portugal and the Princess Catherine went into the Monastery of S' Clare at Lisbon where she ended her Days at such time as it was designed to marry her to Edward IV.
the Wall The Besieged resolved to quit the Bulwark which when they saw covered with the Enemy they blew up and sallying upon such as had escaped that danger put them to the Sword so that above 400 perished Fresh Forces still resorting to the Duke of Alva his Army was now increased to 400 Men at Arms 1500 Horse and 10000 Foot With this Power on the 13th of October he marched down and stood till Sun-set before the French Camp The Enemy would not leave their Works tho our Cannon played upon them and did some Execution At this time the Catholick King came to Girona to gather the Forces that were coming from Castile no fewer in number than those at Perpignan and better Armed He gave out he would attack the French in their Works if they refused to march out A Fleet was also provided under the Command of Estopin̄an for the Coast of Roussillon but was not yet come Whilst the King drew all his Forces to that part 19 Sail of Moors took the opportunity to do some harm upon the Coasts of Valencia and Granada Martin Hernandez Galindo Admiral of the Coast of Granada met them near Cartagena where after a hot Dispute they were all burnt or sunk This Joyful News being brought to the King he set out from Girona and came to Perpignan on the 19th of October There understanding the Distress of the Besieged he resolved that part of his Army should attack the French on the side next to France and the rest on the opposite part For the better effecting of it he first assaulted and took a Wooden Fort the French had raised to secure the passage into France The loss of that Fort and approach of the King so dismayed the Enemy that they drew off their Artillery that night to the Road of Narbonne and the day following marched off leaving part of their Baggage and Ammunition At first they came down into the Plain as if they had designed to fight but immediately wheeled off towards Narbonne The Aragonian and Catalonian Horse falling in upon their Rear made them abandon some of their Artillery and Baggage yet tho the King came up in Person the Enemy having their Retreat near at hand got off The King entring France took Leocata and some other Places about it On the 24th of October was born at Lisbon the Princess Elizabeth afterwards Empress and Queen of Spain Soon after came Ambassadors from France by whom a Truce was concluded for 5 Months betwixt the two Kings exclusive of Naples Thus the War ceasing the Marquess de Denia was left to Command on those Frontiers with 1000 Men at Arms 2000 Light Horse and 3000 Foot D. Dinas de Requesens was made Governor of Salsas and then the King returned to Barcelona Thence he sent Michael John Gralla and Antony Augustin his Ambassadors into France to endeavour to settle the Affairs of Naples for which the Catholick King was in Care because Supplies were going thither from France but chiefly because upon the Death of Pope Pius III. the Cardinal of S. Peter had been Elected Pope on the first of November by the Name of Julius II. He was by Birth a Genoese but in Assection a Frenchman and it was feared lest he should embroil all Italy Duke Valentin had influenced this Election At this time the Archduke departed out of Savoy to see his Father who advised him not to press the observation of the Peace he concluded with France He also offered if the Catholick King would furnish him with Money to make War in Lombardy but the Catholick King reposing no great Confidence in him time was delayed and nothing concluded It began now plainly to appear that the Princess Joanna was distracted which much troubled her Parents She pressed to be gone to her Husband and her Mother put her off with good Words because the Season was not proper It came to that that she offered to depart afoot from Mota de Medina where she was kept No way was left to stop her but taking up the Draw-bridge She perceiving she could not get away stayed at the Farriers and there eat and lay in a Kitchin not regarding the Coldness of the Weather and inconveniency of the place Neither could D. John de Fonseca Bishop of Cordova who was with her or the Archbishop of Toledo who came on purpose prevail with her to return to her Chamber till the Queen came who was sick at Segovia To please her she ordered a Fleet to be Rigged at Laredo to carry her as soon as the Weather would permit to Flanders whither her Husband the Archduke was come after his long stay in France and Savoy The French Army in Italy marched very slowly towards Naples They marched through Florence and Siena without any let under the Command of the Marquess of Mantua The Lord de la Trimouille being sick followed after but went no farther than Rome That City would not admit the French but suffered them to pass the River Tiber at the Bridge called Molle which is two miles from thence The Great Captain was in care how to continue the Siege of Gaeta and oppose those Forces that came to relieve it Francis de Rojas the Spanish Ambassador at Rome very opportunely supplied him with 2000 Spanish German and Italian Foot he gathered in that City and 100 Light Horse and made up 200 Germans and 500 Italians to send after the others D. Hugo de Moncada who had been in the Service of Duke Valentin led these Men. This Supply came very opportunely because the Siege of Salsas hindred any Succours coming from Spain As soon as the Great Captain understood the Enemy approached to the Borders of the Kingdom he marched with all his Army from Castellan towards them The first day he came to the River Garellano and leaving Peter de Paz with a Party to secure a Pass there advanced himself to S. German Then the French Army lay at Pontecorvo a Town of the Church only 6 miles off It was reported they were 1000 Curassiers 2000 Light Horse and 9000 Foot most of them Italians They had 36 Pieces of Cannon whereof 16 were large the rest Field Pieces Peter Navarro advanced with a Body to attack the Castle of Montecasino which still held for the French It was carried by main force to the great shame of the French who lay in sight and durst not relieve it It was given out the Duke of Mantua used to boast he desired nothing more than to come to a Battle with that Rabble The Great Captain encamped within a mile of him and then sent to offer him Battle since he was so desirous of it He answered they would meet at Garellano which River he would pass in despight of him This River has its Springs in Abruzzo and runs between S. German and the Lands of the Church in a narrow Channel but so deep it is scarce fordable There was no Bridge thereabouts but that of Pontecorvo