one of the Hegira or Moorish Computation of Years from Mahomet one about the Change of Coins and one in defence of the Vulgate Edition of the Bible But that which has made most noise in the World and particularly in England is his Book de Rege Regis Institutione for some Years since there was scarce a Cobler tho' he knew not so much as the Title of the Work but quoted Mariana 's Treasonable Doctrines to Authorize Otes 's Narrative insomuch that had it not been for the former the Reputation of the latter had been in some danger However this Book tho' so much talk'd of is known but to few being very scarce and one Reason of it may be that as it contains many Treasonable Propositions most Monarchical Governments have doubtless endeavour'd to suppress it because destructive to Kings And yet tho' so much rail'd at once even by those who never saw or were capable of understanding it of late it finds good Approbation among many who keep and read it with Satisfaction but such it is as well deserves the Sentence past and executed upon it at its first coming into the World for both at Rome and at Paris it was publickly burnt by the hand of the Common Hangman a sufficient Testimony of the Abhorrence these Places had of the Opinions it teaches And perhaps had the Author been at either of them at that time he had not found much better Quarter then his Book did but he came not off Scotfree for by express Command from Rome he was kept a close Prisoner for above 20 Years and only releas'd by Death I have made so much mention of this Book because that Imprisonment which was the Consequence of it was improv'd by Mariana for Composing of this present History which now I present the World with in English In that Consinement as Sir Walter Rauleigh is said to have Compos'd his History of the World in the Tower did Mariana Compile his History of Spain He writ it first in Latin and then as he says himself fearing lest some unskilful Pen Translating it into Spanish should fully its Reputation he undertook the work himself not as a Translator but as he says with the liberty of an Author altering and adding as he found convenient upon further search into Records and Ancient Authors Yet neither the Latin nor the Spanish came lower than the end of the Reign of King Ferdinand Grandfather to the Emperor Charles V. where Mariana concluded his 30 Books being affraid to come down nearer to his own time and this because he could not speak with that Freedom and Impartiality which he had us'd throughout this Work by reason that either the Persons themselves or else the Children of those who had acted in those latter Reigns being living it took away that liberty of laying-open ill Actions and exposing the Crimes of those who in themselves or their Off-spring were still in being This made him rather chose to give over at that distance that by proceeding to oblige himself to swerve from that Ingenuity he had us'd till â—â—en and deviate from Truth However at the Instigation of Friend lest his History should seem an imperfect Work he writ a Supplement to it short for fear of offending but bringing it down to the Year 1621. when King Philip III. dy'd and Philip IV. came to the Crown Thus far went F. Mariana after whose Death F. Ferdinand Camargo y Salcedo of the Order of St. Augustin carry'd on another Supplement from the Year 1621. where Mariana left off till 1649. inclusive where F. Basil Varen de Soto of the Regular Clergy took it up and went on till the Year 1669. being the 5th of the Reign of this present King of Spain Charles II. Having said as much as I think requisite in relation to the Author and his Work it only remains now that I add a few words as to the Translation wherein I will be as brief as possible because I don't affect swelling a Volume with my own Notions and this being my own Labour as no Man will imagine I can say any thing to lessen it so neither am I so vain as to commend it If bad the World is not so Charitable as to connive at my faults and if it has any thing good it will recommend it self There are in the Original many Fictions which Mariana mentions after other Authors and these being allow'd of by him as Fables I have inserted with as much Brevity as I could thinking it needless to insist much upon those things which no Reader could be pleas'd with as being rather Romantick than Historical as he that writes them sufficiently proves In the next place as there is no Spanish History but swarms with Lives of Saints and Miracles so this could not but have its share of them among the rest Now this sort of Legend tho' very acceptable to Spaniards is not at all taking among us nor to say the truth any way pertinent in Profane History therefore these things I have much retrench'd not that I have wholly omitted them for that I would not do for fear of being thought Vnfaithful but I have reduc'd them into a narrow compass that the Reader may have a taste of and not be cloy'd with them This and the irregular Method of Mariana in his Chapters has forc'd me not to make so great a number of them as he has done but I have put two or three into one as I found most convenient yet so as the Reader who shall have a mind to compare the Translation with the Original may easily do it because every Break in the English is a Chapter in the Spanish by which they are easily to be found The reason of Translating it from the Spanish rather than from the Latin is because the former as was hinted above is the perfecter Work being compos'd after the other by Author and much improv'd The Names of Persons I have kept as they are in the Spanish where they are such as can't be found in English such as OrdonÌ„o NunÌ„o Sancho and the like These I say we have not in English and therefore I would not alter them at all as some have done turning them into Latin which is as odd to us as the Spanish and calling them Ordonius Nunius Sanctius and so forth Others there are which the Spaniards have corrupted being Names us'd in other Nations tho' perhaps not among us these generally I write after the manner of Spain but upon the first coming to mention them do explain and setthem down as they are call'd where they are in use an instance of these are Ramon in English Raymund Brunechilda whom the French call Brunchault Pelayo in Latin Pelagius Bermudo more properly Veremundo or Veremundus Those Names which are commonly in use with us I generally call as we do tho' I have seen the contrary practis'd yet I know no reason why since the History speaks English the Names of those it treats
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
upon and endeavoured to Rally them He himself being distinguishable by his Horse and Armour fought among the foremost and appeared where the greatest danger was Exhortations and Examples were of no force his Men all fled he remained among the last and seing no hopes left try'd to make his escape when Clodoveus or Clouis who charged at the head of his Men bore him down with a shock of his Lance. Alaricus striving to rise was killed by a French Foot Soldier Two Noble Goths thinking to revenge their King ran at Clouis who was saved by the goodness of his Armour and by the assistance of a Youth called Clodoricus that came in to his Rescue Alaricus being dead the Goths dispersed themselves into all the neighbouring Towns in such manner that no considerable Body remained together to oppose the Franks whereupon they presently possessed themselves of the City Angouleme But those Goths who had not been in this Battle assembling themselves had the courage to try their Fortune near Bourdeaux They proved no more successful than the others and the slaughter of them was so great that from that Day the Country they fought in changed its name and was called the Arian Fields from the Religion of the Goths After these two mighty Victories many Places submitted to the Franks as Bourdeaux the Vesates Cahors Rhodes and those of Albernia Even the City of Toulouse where the Goths kept their Court was taken and nothing considerable left them in France Among the Treasures of the Gothish Kings were found the Vessels and Instruments belonging to the Sacrifices at the Temple of Jerusalem which had been taken by Alaricus the first King of those People when he Sack'd Rome left by him to his Successors and now fell into the Hands of Clouis Alaricus dy'd in the Year 506. His Reign which lasted 23 Years he supported by Falshood and Cruelty which made his end the less pity'd all People saying He had well deserved it Yet he was the first King of the Goths that made use of written Laws and publish'd those of Theodosius the same Year he was slain Before his time the Goths like other barbarous Nations were Governed by the ancient Customs of their Forefathers To these Laws of Alaricus succeeding Kings added many others of all which together was composed that Volume the Spaniards call Fuero jusgo whereof we shall speak in a more proper place CHAP. V. The Reign of the Kings Gesaleycus Theodorick and Amalaricus Several Spanish Synods Defeat of the Franks And Tryal by Ordeal ALaricus left two Sons one by his Wife Theudicoda call'd Amalaricus and one by another Woman nam'd Gesaleycus The principal Men among the Goths chose the latter for their King by reason the other was but five Years of Age. This offended the King of the Ostrogoths who sent 80000 Men under the command of Ilba as well to suppress the Franks and restore the Kingdom of the Visogoths then at the point of destruction as to Re-inthrone his Grandson Amalaricus Gesaleycus fearing so great a Power as also because the King of the Burgundians had taken Narbonne not thinking himself secure in any part of France retired to Barcelona He was naturally a Coward and consequently Cruel which moved him with his own Hands and in his Palace in that City to kill Goericus a Man of Note Ilba in France assisted by the Visogoths overthrew the Franks with the slaughter of 20000 of them By this means the Visogoths recovered Guienne the Ostrogoths possessed themselves of Provence took Narbonne from the Burgundians and were about passing the Pyrenean Mountains Hereupon Gesaleycus not trusting to his own People knowing the hatred they bore him for his Cowardize and Cruelty went over into Africk Thrasimundus King of the Vandals tho' Marry'd to the Sister of Theodorick received him Friendly and relieved him with Money Having received this Aid he returned into France and after lying hid a Year raised an Army with which he durst venture to give a Battle near Barcelona but was Vanquished by Ilba and flying into France soon after dy'd with Grief in the Year of Christ 510. when he had Reigned 4 Years Authors do not agree who succeeded Gesaleycus most of them affirm that Theodorick the Ostrogoth from thence forward called himself King of the Visogoths This Opinion is confirmed by the Synods then held in Spain in which is seen the Name of Theodorick and Year of his Reign Others say Amalaricus succeeded and Theodorick only Acted as his Tutor I can no way give Credit to what Spanish Authors write viz. That Theodorick came into Spain Married a Wife of the old Spanish Race at Toledo and at her request restored them to their ancient Liberty since no Foreign Writer makes mention of any such Journey of his especially Cassiodorus and others who writ his Actions very particularly Certain it is that Theudius or Theudis who had served Theodorick as his Esquire at Arms was by his Favour appointed to Govern during the Minority of the young King which was the first step by which afterwards he ascended to the Throne In the Year 516. a Council of Bishops was held at Tarragona here we find the first mention of any Monks in Spain Here it was Ordain'd that after the manner of the Jews Sabbath Sunday should begin to be observed on Saturday Evening whence remains still the Custom among Spaniards of keeping Holyday and rejoycing on the Saturday Night Another Council was held at Girona the following Year 517. Pope Hormisda about the same time writ a Letter to John Bishop of Tarragona commanding him Yearly to hold Synods of Bishops a thing used in those Days for Reformation of Manners After the death of Hormisda in the time of his Successor John I. who was Elected in the Year 523 two other Synods were celebrated one at Lerida the other at Valencia Theodorick the Ostrogoth dying in Italy Amalaricus began to take upon him the Government of the Visogoths in Spain from which time some begin to reckon the Years of his Reign As soon as Amalaricus commenced his Reign he made Peace with the Franks and to bind it the faster Marry'd Crotilda their King's Sister and Daughter to Clouis In Dower with her the Country of Toulouse was restored to the Goths Crotilda was a Person of singular Piety and had been Religiously Educated in the true Faith by her Mother who was of the same Name This highly offended her Husband who was an Arian When she went to Church the Rabble did not only Revile but would often throw Dirt at her Her Husband did not only wink at it but when she came home frown'd gave her ill Language and at last proceeded to blows insomuch that several times he made the Blood gush from her Long she endured hoping with Patience and Meekness to soften his cruel Heart but finding there was no hopes of mollifying him at last she writ to her Brother Childebert
and together with the Letter sent him a Handkerchief dipt in her own Blood She complained of her ill usage and implored his Assistance towards her Relief The Kingdom of the Franks was then divided among the Sons of Clouis Childebert had Paris Clotarius Soissons Clodomirus Orleans and Theodoricus Metz in Lorrain who all called themselves Kings They all inraged against the Visogoth for the wrong he did their Sister Crotilda joyn'd their Forces and with much speed marched towards him Amalaricus was wholly unprovided besides his ill Conscience terrifying him he resolved to fly God who had decreed his Punishment blinded him for whereas he might have escaped he returned to save part of his Treasure into the City supposed to be Barcelona In this Distress he thought to have taken Sanctuary in a Catholick Church but in the way was killed by a Soldier St. Isidorus writes he was killed in a Battle fought near Narbonne But I rather believe Gregory of Tours who lived before him and relates the passage in this manner Ado Viennensis says the Franks overran all Spain destroy'd the City Toledo after a long Siege and took many other Places Procopius says They took from them all that the Goths possess'd in France yet this no other Author speaks of and we find the Dominion of the Goths in the following Reigns extended as far as the River Rhosne Besides it appears that Amalasiuntha after the Death of her Father Theodorick gave Provence to K. Theodorick of Lorrain that he might not be dissatisfied that the Ostrogoths possess'd some part of France the rest she left to the Visogoths contenting her self with the Dominion of Italy Amalaricus dy'd in the Year 531. Having Reigned five Years unless we commence from the Death of Gesaleycus and then it will extend to 20 Years His Wife Crotilda dy'd in her return to France In the 5th Year of his Reign was held the second Council of Toledo Montanus Archbishop of Toledo Presided in this Council of whom St. Ildefonsus writes That being accused of Incontinency to clear his Innocency he held burning Coals of Fire in his Bosome all the time of Mass and yet neither his Linen nor Flesh were damaged thereby tho' they were taken out afterwards light as they were put in Hence it is supposed the Custom afterwards received throughout all Spain of purâ—ing common Offenders to the tryal of red hot Iron or boiling Water took its Original â—ide manner of it was thus The Criminal having confessed his Sins they brought him a red hot Iron or a Cup of boiling Water which being blessed by a Priest after Mass if the Party accused handled the one or drank the other and escaped unhurt he was acquited This Custom was used in many places till Pope Honorius III. forbid this way of Compurgation About this time flourished in Spain four Bishops famous for their Learning these were Justus Vrgelitanus Justinianus Valentinus Nebridius Agathensis and Elpidius besides these Aprigius Bishop of Beja in Portugal Renowned for his Commentaries upon the Revelation CHAP. VI. The Reigns of Theudis and Theudiselus Agila and Athanagildus A great Plague The 5th General Council An Interregnum And the Conversion of the Suevians A Malaricus dying without Issue the whole Line of the Visogoth Kings was Extinct and the Crown devolved upon Theudis by Descent an Ostrogoth He was chosen by the unanimous Consent of the Nobility of the Visogoths for his singular Prudence Experience and Knowledge besides that he had gained their good Will whilst he Governed during the Minority of Amalaricus His Wife who was of the prime Nobility of Spain as a Portion brought him an Estate able to raise 2000 fighting Men. All these Circumstances concurring advanced him to the Throne Theodorick King of the Ostrogoths had endeavoured to draw Theudis into Italy but he still kept off During the Reign of Theudis in the Year 541. ended the Form of Government by Consuls in Rome Basilius Junior without a Colleague being the last Consul In the following Year Childebert King of the Franks and Clotarius his Brother not satisfied with what they had done before again made War upon Spain and after wasting all the Province of Tarragona laid Siege to Zaragoca The Citizens had recourse to their Patron St. Vincent whose Garment they carry'd in Procession about the Walls imploring his Assistance whereof Childebert being informed he took Compassion and desisted from doing 'em any farther harm At his Request the Citizens gave him that Garment which he carry'd to Paris and there built a Church in the Suburb of the Invocation of this Saint now called St. Germain As he was to return into France he was in great danger for Theudis not being able to meet him in open Field had sent Theudiselus to secure the Passes of the Mountains which he did so successfully that the Franks were distressed and forced to purchase their passage with Money After the War followed a Plague for the space of two Years wherein innumerable People dy'd in Spain Theudis passed over into Africk and laid Siege to Ceuta but whilst he kept the Sunday the Besieged sallying put to the Sword all that were in the Trenches The King with part of his Army got aboard the Fleet and returned into Spain This hap'ned at the same time that Belisarius General for Justinian Emperor of the East subdu'd the Vandals in Africk after they had been possess'd of it 100 Years Justinian not only recovered Africk but expelled the Goths out of all Italy killing several of their Kings successively and in great measure restored the Majesty of the Roman Empire It was he also that reduced the Civil Law into Method and Composed that small but most excellent Book well known by the name of The Emperor Justinian 's Institutions Not long after these things had hap'ned follow'd the Death of Theudis in the Year 548. when he had Reign'd 17 Years and 5 Months A certain Man whose Name is not known nor upon what Provocation resolved to kill this King and to that purpose feigned himself Mad. Being permitted to come into his Presence he furiously ran at and struck him thro' the Body with a Sword In this his last Agony the King confessed this was a just Judgment of God for that he had formerly murdered a General under whom he served and to whom he had taken an Oath of Fidelity and so great was his Repentance that he charg'd all there present they should do no harm to his Murderer This is an example of Mercy much to be commended in this Prince as also that being himself an Arian he permitted the Catholick Bishops to hold a Council at Toledo Theudis being dead Theudiselus was by the Nobility chosen King as well in regard of his Valour whereof he had given good proof in the War with the Franks as of his high Birth being Nephew by a Sister to Totila King of the Ostrogoths The great hopes
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
Foreign Enemies remov'd there hap'ned no War at least none of note The good Government of the King and Authority of the Bishops kept the Subjects from offering at any Revolt Chintila dy'd in the Year of our Lord 639. when he had Reign'd three Years eight Months and nine Days CHAP. IV. The Reigns of the Kings Tulga Chindasuinthus and Recesuinthus Several Synods of Toledo Increase of the Mahometan Power The Election and Coronation of King Wamba INstead of Chintila by the unanimous consent of the Nobility was chosen Tulga young in Years but old in Virtue particularly Justice Zeal for Religion Prudence Military Experience and Bounty towards the Needy a quality most requisite in Kings who ought to think they were intrusted with the Treasures of Kingdoms to relieve the wants of such as are in distress His Perfections seem'd still to be in their increase when Death cut him off at Toledo in the Year 641. when he had Reign'd only two Years and four Months Sigibertus Gemblacensis says Tulga was a debauch'd Youth and on that score Deposed by his own People but it is more reasonable to believe St. Ildefonsus who writes as an Eye Witness than a Stranger that either writ maliciously or was imposed upon After the Death of Tulga Flavius Chindasuinthus who being General of the Army was before in Rebellion against the King with the assistance of the Soldiery mounted the Throne none of the Nobility daring to oppose him that had all the standing Forces of the Kingdom on his side It must be granted that tho' he Usurp'd the Crown Tyrannically yet afterwards he Governed with great Moderation as if he design'd that way to make good his bad Title to it The first thing he did was to settle the Common-wealth by Establishing wholsome Laws and Ordinances for the better Administration of Justice and the publick Good In the 6th Year of his Reign he called together to Toledo all the Bishops in his Kingdom whereof 30 met on the 28th of October and this is counted the 7th Council of Toledo Before this time the King had Banish'd Theodiselus Archbishop of Sevil for that he sow'd scandalous Doctrines and to gain himself the greater Authority had corrupted the Works of his Predecessor St. Isidorus Theodiselus went over into Africk and there turn'd Mahometan so blind is Man when once he strays from the right way Those Authors that write in favour of the See of Toledo and particularly the Archbishop D. Rodrigo will have it that upon this occasion King Chindasuinthus made Toledo the Metropolitan See of all Spain whereas before Sevil had enjoy'd that preheminence but they have not the Testimony of any ancient Writers to confirm their Opinion and therefore we shall not lay much stress upon it About these times Theodorus and his Successor Martin I. Govern'd the Catholick Church Chindasuinthus being desirous to enrich Spain with good Books and Learning sent Tajus Bishop of Zaragoça to Rome to obtain of Theodorus then Pope St. Gregory's Books upon Job which are full of Allegories and excellent Morality and to bring them into Spain The King thought those Books would be useful to Propagate and Confirm the Catholick Religion and be a great Addition to the Ecclesiastical Library as believing now he had Peace on all sides nothing could add more to the Glory of his Kingdom than the increase of Religion and Learning Tajus having delivered his Embassy the Pope was very willing to oblige the King But those Books thro' the Ignorance and Negligence of the times were so hid among other Papers that it was hard to find them Much time was spent in searching and the Bishop seeing little hope of Success had recourse to God and spent the Night in Prayer begging of God not to suffer the good Intentions of the King to be frustrated He fail'd not of Success for that Night God revealed or as he says in a Letter St. Gregory appear'd to him and discover'd where those Books were Now it was that Fructuosus began to be famous in Spain he being of the Royal Blood of the Goths left the World to go live in a Desart and in time at his own Expence near Coplutica at the Foot of the Mountain Irago in the place now call'd Vierço built a Monastery of Monks of the Invocation of the Martyrs Justus and Pastor The King was assisting to him in building of this Monastery and afterwards the number of Monks being too great not far off in a rough and uncouth place Founded another Dedicated to St. Peter Fructuosus Founded a third Convent in the Island of Cadiz and a fourth on the Continent nine Leagues from the Coast besides many others as well of Men as Women This was the Posture of Affairs in Spain in the latter Years of Chindasuinthus at which time he to secure the Succession of the Crown he had obtained by force in his Family chose his Son Flavius Recesuinthus his Companion in the Throne in the Year of our Lord 648. after he had Reigned alone 6 Years 8 Months and 20 Days It is true he lived three Years after but that time is allotted to the Reign of his Son because by reason of his great Age he left the whole charge of the Government to him Chindasuinthus dyed at Toledo according to some of Sickness but as others will have it was poisoned His Body and that of his Wife Riciberga were buryed in the Monastery of S. Romanus now called de Hormisda betwixt Toro and Tordesillas on the Banks of the River Duero founded by himself for his place of Burial as was accordingly performed In the Reign of Recesuinthus Eugenius the Third was Archbishop of Toledo a Person of great Learning as appears by many of his works still extant and by some reckoned among the Number of Saints In his time and by his procurement 52 Bishops met at Toledo which is counted the eighth Council held in that City This was rather a Parliament than Synod all the Nobility of the Kingdom being present at it and signing to all the Decrees which rather respected the Temporal than Spiritual Power Two Years after by the King's Order there met 16 Bishops who Celebrated the 9th Council and published 17 Acts upon several Articles The following Year 656. 20 Bishops met again in the same City and this is reckoned the tenth Council of Toledo The Acts of all these Councils as also the Lives of St. Isidorus and St. Ildefonsus whereof F. Mariana here Treats at large I thought would not be so acceptable to most Readers nor so pertinent in this as the Ecclesiastical History which I do not pretend to write and have therefore purposely omitted them In the Year 660 Twelve Bishops of Portugal held a Synod at Merida and published 23 Decrees most relating to the Celebration of Divine Service At the same time the power of the Mahometans grew formidable in Africk for Abdalla Duke of Moabia
Ecclesiastical Persons to Marry Another Law was also Established disowning the Pope To give the greater force to these Laws a Council of Bishops met at Toledo but the Decrees of it are not placed among those of the other Councils as being contrary to the Canons of the Church From this time all things began to fall into confusion for tho' many were pleased with Libertinism yet some were Zealous for the Observation of the Laws and ancient Customs and began to think of restoring the Family of King Chindasuinthus as the only Remedy against so many evils Witiza was not ignorant of it and from it took occasion to prosecute what he had began in his Father's days which was to embrue his Hands in the Blood of that Family There were living two Sons of Chindasuinthus Brothers to K. Recesuinthus the one called Theodofredus the other Favila Thedofredus was Duke of Cordova where he built a Palace then and long after very famous He had resolved not to go to Court as being jealous of the King Favila was Duke of Cantabria or Biscay and whilst Witiza in his Father's time resided in Galicia had bore him Company with the charge of Captain of his Guards which the Goths then called Protospatarius Witiza slew him with a stroke of a Club as some think on account of his Wife These were the first Works of his Cruelty and Hatred to that Noble Family before he came to the Crown Favila left a Son called Pelayus or Pelagius who afterwards began to restore Spain after its general Desolation and at that time was Lieutenant to his Father but upon his Death retired to his Estate in Cantabria and Count Julian Marry'd to Witiza's Sister had the charge of Protospatarius Witiza being come to the Crown turned his Rage against Pelagius and his Uncle Theodofredus The latter he caused to have his Eyes put out Pelagius escaped out of his reach as did Roderick Son to Theodofredus who was afterwards King It is said Pelagius went in Pilgrimage to Jerusalem as a Testimony whereof the Staves used by him and his Companion were shown long after at Arraria a Town in Biscay These Cruelties and his other Vices made Witiza odious to his People he despairing of gaining their Affections resolved to keep them under by Terror and to this end caused the Walls of almost all the Cities in Spain to be Demolished I say almost all because some were exempted as Toledo Leon and Astorga Besides he destroy'd all the Arms of the Kingdom pretending it was to secure the Peace He Persecuted Gundericus the Archbishop of Toledo and some Priests that still preserved their Innocence and would not approve of his Enormities Sinderedus Successor to Gundericus overcome by Witiza's cruelty comply'd with him and consented that Oppas his Brother or as some will have it his Son should be Translated from the Archbishoprick of Sevil to that of Toledo The Death of Witiza was suitable to his Life yet Authors differ in the manner of it D. Roderick the Archbishop says He was killed by the contrivance of Roderick whose Father ended his Days at Cordova in perpetual Imprisonment and Darkness Other good Authors affirm Witiza dy'd a natural Death at Toledo in the 12th Year of his Reign which was of Christ 711. He left two Sons whose Names were Eba and Sisebutus Some People favouring these two Youths and others their Adversary there arose great Contests and Confusions which ended in a greater Destruction than could have been imagined Since the Division of the Goths about these two Families brought on their total Desolation it will not be amiss to declare the Descent of them both Chindasuinthus by his Wife Riesberga left Recesuinthus who succeeded him in the Crown Theodofredus Favila and one Daughter whose Name is not known Recesuinthus dy'd without Issue therefore the Nobles chose Wamba to succeed him Chindasuinthus's Daughter was Marry'd to Ardebastus who tho' a Greek for his Valour and Birth merited the King's Daughter and had by her Ervigius he that was the Beginner of all those Calamities Usurping the Kingdom and Deposing Wamba by wicked means Ervigius by his Wife Liubigotona had a Daughter called Cixilona Marry'd to King Egica a Kinsman of Wamba this Marriage being designed to cut off all Animosities by uniting these two Houses Of this Marriage were born Witiza that was King Oppas Bishop of Sevil and a Daughter as grave Authors say Marry'd to Count Julian Witiza as was said above had two Sons Eba and Sisebutus Theodofredus the second Son of Chindasuinthus by his Wife Ricilona a noble Lady had Roderick the Plague and Ruin of Spain Favila the third Son of Chindasuinthus had Pelayus no way like his Cousin for by his Valour the Christians in Spain began to make Head after they had been cast down and oppress'd thro' the madness of Roderick Spain being in this condition Roderick excluding the Sons of Witiza ascended the Throne of the Goths by choice as is believed of the Nobles The Kingdom was full of Distractions by reason of the several Interests the People were grown Effeminate giving themselves up to Feasting Drink and Lewdness the Military Discipline was quite lost and the Kingdom of the Goths was now running headlong to Destruction The new King had good natural Parts and seemed to be well inclined He was hardy resolute bountiful and had excellent ways of gaining of Men. Such he was before his Accession to the Crown but no sooner put into possession of it than he sullied all these Vertues with no less Vices Above all he was implacable when offended wholly given up to Lust and had no Discretion in his Undertakings and in fine was more like to Witiza than to his Father or Grandfather There are Pieces of Money of his to be seen with his Name and Effigies armed and with a stern Countenance on the reverse these Words Igeditania Pius a Motto he merited not but was given to Flatter him King Roderick enlarged and beautified the Palace built by his Father near Cordova which the Moors afterwards called Roderick's Palace He called home his Cousin Pelayus and made him Captain of the Guards the greatest Trust at Court Witiza's sons he treated so ill that they for fear of worse Consequences fled into that part of Barbary that was subject to the Goths called Mauritania Tingitana At that time Count Requila Governed that Province as Lieutenant I believe to Count Julian a Man in such Power that besides it he had the Government of that part of Spain about the Streight of Gibraltar whence is a short cut into Africk Besides all this he held a great Estate of his own about Consuegra inferior to none in the Kingdom Hence sprung all the Mischiefs that ensued for Witiza's Sons before they went over into Africk had sowed the Seeds of a Rebellion and were assisted by Oppas the Bishop who was of the Blood Royal and very Powerful These Beginnings which ought to have been
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
the King entred in solemn Procession He caused the Walls to be Repaired the Church to be Consecrated and made the City a Bishoprick Authors do not agree about the time when this City was taken the most Learned affirm it was in the Year 1243. the Annals of Toledo say three Years later The Siege lasted eight Months and our Men kept the Field tho' the Winter prov'd very hard Here Roderick the Archbishop of Toledo concludes his History and says it was the 33d Year he had enjoy'd that Dignity The following Year there were Tumults betwixt the Catalonians and Aragonians each side pretending that Lerida was within their Limits The Aragonians said their Borders extended to the River Segre and the Catalonians affirm'd that the River Cinga parted those Dominions King Jayme was more inclinable to the Catalonians designing to divide his Dominions and leave Aragon to Alonso his eldest Son and the Principality of Catalonia to Peter whom he lov'd most tho' the youngest born of Violante his second Wife In fine the case being put to Arbitration the King gave Judgment for the Catalonians to whom he assign'd all the Country betwixt the Rivers Segre and Cinga This resolution of dividing his Kingdom offended not only Prince Alonso but most of the Nobility of Aragon and Catalonia Upon this the Prince withdrew to Calatayud with such as were of his party the chief whereof were Ferdinand the King's Uncle Abbot of Montaragon D. Peter Rodriguez de Aragon Peter Infante of Portugal and other Persons of both Nations who disliked the King's Designs Portugal was now in an Uproar and full of Tumults Sancho II. called Capelo of the form of his Cap then Reigning at the first Govern'd not altogether ill for we find he made War upon the Infidels and gave Mertola and other Towns taken from them to the Knights of Santiago In other respects he was of so easie a nature it almost came to be an Infatuation Mencia his Queen and Daughter to Lope de Haro Lord of Biscay had so intirely gain'd the ascendant over him that she seem'd to be King and he only the Instrument of her Will Her Favourites were of the worser sort and at their will Honours were bestow'd Crimes pardon'd and Punishments inflicted This prov'd the King's ruin for the Noblity offended to see the Government in the Hands of mean People first endeavoured to have the King Divorc'd upon account of Consanguinity and the Queen's Barrenness The business was mov'd to the Pope and to the King who was Consciencious enough yet it availed not it being hard to prevail with the Pope and the King being so in love with the Queen that the People said She had bewitch'd him But love is Witchcraft enough of its self King Sancho had a younger Brother called Alonso Marry'd to the Countess of Bologne in France The Nobility sent the Bishops of Braga and Coimbra to Pope Innocent who then held a General Council at Lyons in France to obtain his Consent for Deposing of their King and Enthroning his Brother but the Pope could not be brought to it only granted that Alonso should take charge of the Government D. Alonso having first been with the Pope at Paris took an Oath that he would have regard above all things to the Publick Good then went into Portugal It was no difficult matter to seize upon the Government the Nobility being all for him yet many Troubles ensued in which Ferdinand and Alonso his Son Kings of Castile bore a part At first King Sancho withdrew into Galicia whither the Queen had before fled Afterwards he went to Toledo to King Alonso then Reigning hoping to regain his Kingdom with the Forces of Castile But his Brother Alonso prevented him by offering to put away his Wife and Mary Beatrix Bastard Daughter to King Alonso and moreover to do him Homage and pay Tribute for the Kingdom of Portugal as had been done Originally Interest bore down Honour and the Pope declared the first Marriage void Thus the Nuptials were Celebrated Certain Towns near the Mouth of the River Guadiana taken by the Castilians which the Portugueses pretended to belong to their Conquest were given in Dower Hence some believe the Kings of Portugal took occasion to add an Orle of Castles to their former Arms. King Sancho having lost all hopes of regaining his Kingdom spent the rest of his days at Toledo living upon Revenues assigned him by the King of Castile After his Death he was Honourably Bury'd in the Cathedral near to Alonso the Emperor Authors do not agree about the time of his Death some say it was 13 years after this we now write of others but 3 and that he Reigned 34 years At the time that King Sancho dy'd his Brother Alonso besieg'd Coimbra which still continued Loyal to the King tho' the Inhabitants suffer'd great hardships Freitas the Governour being inform'd the King was dead yet not giving credit to the Report desir'd leave to go to Toledo to be satisfy'd Leave was granted and a Truce concluded betwixt the Besieged and the Besiegers for that time Freitas being come to Toledo and understanding the truth caused the King's Tomb to be open'd and put the Keys of the City into his Hands saying My Sovereign Lord and King whilst I thought you liv'd I endured all Miseries eat Hides drank Vrine and encourag'd the Townsmen to do the like I have done all that could be expected of a Loyal and dutiful Subject Now you are dead I deliver up the Keys to you which is my last Duty and with your leave will advise the Citizens since they have discharged their Duty that they submit to your Brother Alonso An example of Loyalty that well deserves eternal praise CHAP. III. The beginning of the War against Sevil. Aragon under a general Interdict The Siege and Surrender of Sevil Carmona and several other Places THE League made with the King of Granada put King Ferdinand in hopes of subduing Sevil. 500 Light-Horse were sent before under the Command of the King of Granada to waste the Lands of Carmona formerly a considerable Town Alcala Guadayra thro' that Kings persuasions surrendred Thence a good Body marched towards Sevil and fired the ripe Corn the Vines Olive-trees and all the Country-Houses D. Pelayo Correa Master of Santiago Commanded this Party Another under the King of Granada and Master of Calatrava did the like harm in the Territory of Xerez King Ferdinand himself was at Alcala Guadayra providing all Necessaries that the War might be carry'd on before the Enemy had time to gather strength Now dy'd Queen Berengaria the Kings Mother and soon after Roderick Archbishop of Toledo As to the Year Authors vary some say it was 1245. others 1247. and this agrees with the Inscription upon his Tomb. The Queen was very ancient the Archbishop besides his great Age was worn with continual Labour and had been lastly at the Council of Lyons among other things
whether the Change of Air would remove an Ague that consumed him There he received the Answer from Portugal and the Queen of Aragon who came to settle Peace betwixt the Princes of Spain wherein she was not unsuccessful Notwithstanding there happened a new Cause of Offence which was that Prince Henry was Divorced from Blanch his Wife pretending that by reason of some Witchcraft he could not have to do with her whereas in Truth his other Debaucheries made him unfit to have to do with a Maid The Divorce was first granted by Luis de Acun̄a Administrator of the Church of Segovia for the Cardinal D. John de Cervantes and afterwards confirmed by the Archbishop of Toledo commissioned by Pope Nicholas But the World was surprized that after this Divorce Prince Henry should marry again On the 13th of November the King of Castile had a Son born at Tordesillas called Alonso who tho short liv'd was the cause of a Bloody War At the Instance of the Queen of Aragon a Treaty of Peace was set on Foot betwixt the Kings of Castile and Aragon as also betwixt the King of Navarre and the Prince his Son and for the better carrying of it on a Truce was concluded for the following Year Whilst these things were in Agitation the King's Sickness increased to that Degree that having received the Sacraments he dyed at Valladolid on the 20th of July 1454. For the present he was deposited at St. Paul in Valladolid and afterwards as he had ordered translated to the Carthusians at Burgos built By his Father and given to that Order by him His Obsequies were performed in all Cities and even at Naples where the Vinetian Embassador appearing among the Mourners cloathed in Scarlet and Crimson changed their Sorrow into Laughter Besides a great part of the Mausoleum built of Wood in the Church was burnt by the great number of Lights In his Will the King left the Mastership of Santiago and Constableship of Castile to his Son Prince Alonso and appointed the Bishop of Cuenca the Prior of Guadalupe and John de Padilla the Lord Chamberlain his Tutors It is thought if he had not been so young he would have appointed him his Successor being highly offended at Prince Henry To the Princess Elizabeth he left the Town of Cuenca and a great Sum of Mony to the Queen his Wife Soria Arevalo and Madrigal Four days after the late King's Death Prince Henry was proclaimed King Immediately the Earls or Alva and Trevin̄o were released out of Prison which made the Joy at the Coronation the more compleat All the late King's Officers of the Houshold were continu'd in their Posts Lastly the Treaty of Peace began by the Queen of Aragon was concluded upon these Conditions That the King of Navarre D. Alonso his Son and Henry Son to Prince Henry of Aragon renounce all their Pretensions to any Estates or Dignities in Castile That in lieu thereof the King of Castile pay them yearly certain Pensions then agreed upon That the Admiral of Castile his Brother Henry John de Tovar Lord of Berlanga and the rest that took party with the King of Navarre may return to their Estates D. James Gomez de Sandoval Earl of Castro dyed before his Cause was determined and was buryed at Borgia Before his Death for his great Fidelity to the Aragonians he had Denia in the Kingdom of Valencia and Lerma in Old Castile given him These Towns he left to his Son Ferdinand who with some other Outlaws was not comprehended in the Pardon but left to the Mercy of the New King All Places taken during the late War on both sides were agreed to be restored 15000 Florins were given to the King of Navarre for the Town of Atiença Next it was attempted to settle the Affairs of Navarre but that succeeded not Whilst the Princes concerned could ratify the Peace already concluded it was agreed to prolong the Truce for a Year longer This done the Queen of Aragon returned to her Kingdom D. John Pacheco Marques of Villen̄a was now beyond Dispute the most powerful Nobleman in Castile as well in respect of his great Riches as the Favour of the new King He and D. Ferrer de Lanuza and D. John Biamonte Brother to the Constable of Navarre being commissioned by their Masters the Kings of Castile and Navarre and Charles Prince of Viana met at Agreda about the beginning of the Year 1455 to compose the Differences betwixt the King of Navarre and his Son but they had no Success It was supposed D. John Pacheco underhand obstructed the Peace of Navarre fearing it might be a means to lessen his Authority Only a Truce was concluded to last till the end of April Thus much of Navarre In Castile the hopes the People had conceived that the Change of Government would produce some good Effect now vanished The new King was as much given to his Ease as his Father and in other Respects was worse He had Wit enough but no Resolution was given up to Lewdness and hated Business D. John Pacheco governed with more Moderation than D. Alvaro de Luna or at least was more Fortunate for he held it all his Life time King Henry had a great Head a high Forehead cloudy Eyes his Nose fallen not naturally but by an accident his Hair of a Chesnut colour his Complexion ruddy and swarthy All his Face was disagreeable his Body tall his Legs long but his Limbs strong He loved Hunting and Musick and was not over curious in his Dress He drank Water eat much his Manners and course of Life were wholly addicted to Debauchery and Lewdness This weakned his Body which was subject to Diseases as his Mind was to Inconstancy He was called the Liberal and the Impotent this last Title from a defect in Nature the other from his great Profuseness in giving He forgot the Favours he bestowed but remembred any Service done him He was extreamly courteous spoke lovingly to all Men and was merciful to a Fault This strange Mixture of different Qualities was the cause there never were greater Troubles than in his Time He reign'd 20 Years 4 Months and two Days CHAP. VIII The great League made in Italy The Death of Pope Nicholas Calixtus succeeds him The War of Granada King Henry of Castile marries Joanna Sister to the King of Portugal Earthquaks in Italy THREE years before this we write of there began a bloody War in Italy Francis Sforcia being possessed of the Dutchy of Milan demanded of the Venetians certain Towns belonging to the Dutchy which they held along the River Abdua They refusing he resolved to use Force and to that purpose joyned in League with the Florentines In revenge the Venetians commanded all Florentines to depart out of their Territories and forbid all Commerce with them Besides by the means of Leonello Marques of Ferrara they joyned in League with the King of Aragon William Marques of Montferrat was sent
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
finish'd the Famous Structure of St. Laurence the Royal which had been Thirty Years in hand since King Philip began to build it near a Village called the Escuriall in the Territory of Segovia It consists of a Monastery of the Order of S. Hierome a Colledge and a Palace for the Kings to divert themselves in Summer The Work is truly Majestick equal to any of the former memorable Structures and may well be accounted the Eighth Wonder Anno 1590. This Year was remarkable for the death of two Popes Sixtus who died the 28th of August and Vrban the Seventh who lived but twelve days after his Exaltation to the Papacy Neither did the Pope's Gregory the Fourteenth and Innocent the Ninth sit above a few Months in S. Peter's Chair till at last Clement the Eighth was elected who held it longer and without reproach Autumn this Year was very sickly Many People perished in Spain but the greatest Mortality was in the Country either for want of Medicines or that there was less to oppose the Infection of the Air. Among the rest Dr. John Calderon a Famous Divine and Canon of Toledo fell sick in a pleasant place whither he retired to pass the heat of the Summer Anno 1591. Antony Perez once the King's Secretary and in great Favour with him after he had bin Prisoner the space of 12 Years fled from the Prison in Madrid in April the foregoing Year He went into Aragon there to deliver himself up to the Great Justice of that Kingdom and answer for the death of Secretary Escobedo whom he caused to be killed one Night as he was going from Court together with other things laid to his Charge The Joy some People conceived at his flight was soon changed into Tears On the 24th of May this Year the Prisoner was remov'd from the Great Justice his Prison to that of the Inquisition The Rabble mutinying and taking up Arms with cries of Liberty assaulted the House of D. In̄igo de Mendoça Marquis of Almenara the Lieutenant They had before conceiv'd Malice against him and now murder'd him With the same Fury they ran next to the Prison of the Inquisition which they broke open and restor'd Antony Perez to the Prison where he was before In pursuance hereof on the 24th of September the People rose again because it was design'd to carry back the Prisoner to the Inquisition and breaking the Prison set him at Liberty In this Tumult some were killed and wounded Antony Perez fled to France where he died some Years after The Rebellious Citizens soon paid for their Rebellion for D. Alonso de Vargas an old Low Country Soldier was sent thither with an Army who reduc'd the City and put to death many of the Mutiniers among whom was D. John de Lamuza the Great Justice for that he appear'd in Arms against the King D. James de Heredia and D. John de Luna two of the chief Incendiaries were beheaded with many more The Duke of Villahermosa and Count de Aranda were taken and sent Prisoners to Castile where they died not long after in Prison but were afterwards acquitted of the Treason In order to settle the Affairs of that Kingdom the Cortes met at Taraçona at which D. Andrew de Bobadilla Archbishop of Zaragoça presided Anno 1592. The King himself by the way of Valladolid Burgos aad Pamplona went thither at the end of this Year With him were the Princess Elizabeth and her Brother Prince Philip who at Pamplona and Taraçona was sworn Heir of those Crowns Thus the Tumults in Aragon were appeas'd almost two Years after they commenc'd many of the Offenders being punish'd and Garisons put into Zaragoça and other places After the Cortes were held at Taraçona all Men submitted themselves being terrified with the Punishment of others and their own Losses For tho the Fury of the Multitude be great the Power of the King is greater and doubtless when Kings are resolute all the vain efforts of a tumultuous People are easy to be quelled and end in their own Destruction Anno 1593. King Henry of Navarre seemed now inclined to embrace the Catholick Religion and desired to be absolv'd of the Ecclesiastical Censures The Duke of Nemours sent by him to Rome to this effect used his utmost Endeavours to obtain it of the Pope who appear'd very rigid and much blamed the Archbishop of Bourges who had absolved him in France fearing his Conversion was only feigned but the contrary appear'd afterwards King Philip by his Agents now labour'd hard in France that the King of Navarre for his Religion might be excluded the Succession and he himself elected in his stead but that failing he proposed Archduke Ernestus the Emperor's Brother or any of the Princes of the House of Lorrain offering his Daughter Elizabeth in Marriage and many great Sums of Money with considerable Forces to support them All this fell to nothing King Henry being converted and by the unanimous Consent of all the States after many Difficulties proclaimed King Anno 1594. At Rome the Pope on the 17th of April Canonized S. Hyacinthus a Polander of the Order of S. Dominick At Madrid on the 22th of November died D. Gaspar de Quiroga Archbishop of Toledo and Cardinal aged 83 Years He was buried in a Monastery of the Order of S. Augustin in a Town of Madrigal where he was born He was an upright Man and of very good Parts but there is none free from some Fault His Revenue being very great and his Expence small he heaped up much Money and having made no Will the Pope order'd it to be equally divided into three Parts the one for pious Uses another for himself and the third for the King Albertus the Archduke and Cardinal succeeded him in the Archbishorick but afterwards having obtain'd the Pope's Dispensation by the King his Unkle's Order he quitted all his Church Preferments and Married This Year Javarin a very strong Town in Hungary was besieged and taken by the Turks Anno 1595. At the beginning of this Year died in Flanders the Archduke Ernestus who governed that Country for the King his Unkle On the third of April Albertus the Archduke his Brother took possession of the Archbishoprick of Toledo He never went to his Church or was consecrated because the King his Unkle gave him the Government of the Netherlands for which he set out from Madrid in August Garcia de Loaysa was left to govern the Bishoprick and three Years after the Archduke resigning it succeeded him in that Dignity The Government of the Low Countries upon the death of Ernestus the Archduke was some time in the Hands of D. Peter Enriquez de Toledo Earl of Fuentes a notable Soldier He on the 3d. of October after a tedious Siege took Cambray from the French who attempted three times to relieve it and were as often repulsed The Pope on the 25th of November made Valladolid a Bishops See and the King
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
Aragon 219 Peter the 4 th King of Aragon 266 Dies Peter Prince of Portugal Marries the Lady Agnes de Castro and She is murder'd 273 Is Proclaim'd King 276 Executes the Murderers of the Lady Agnes de Castro 279 Declares his Children by her Legitimate 280 Dies 285 Peter Insante of Portugal a great Traveller 349 His Death 408 Petreius 45 Phanatick Moor. 467 Phoenicians build Towns and settle in Spain 10 Are driven into the Island of Cadiz 12 Crave Aid of the Carthaginians 13 Philip the Emperor Reigns above 5 Years 58 Philip the Fair King of France dies 226 Philip the 1 st King of Spain in England 515 Lands in Spain Declares against the Treaty with King Ferdinand 516 Dies 521 Piso succeeds Furius and isworsted 39 Pious Gifts of the King of Castile 306 Pius the 3 d elected Pope 502 Places that send Representatives to the Cortes or Parliament 267 Plague and Famine in Portugal 186 Plague at Madrid 314 In Spain and France with great Floods In Spain 320 In Portugal 365 Plain of Granada wasted 455 Plaucius twice defeated by Viriatus 36 Plot to rescue King John of Castile 370 Pompey the Great in Spain 37 Treats with the People of Numantia frauaulently 38 Comes again into Spain 42 His Sons in Spain 46 Pompey Cn. His Death 47 Pompey Sext renews the War in Spain Defeats Pollio 48 Pope Invades the Land of the Ursini 473 Returns to Rome 290 Seizes the Lands of the Duke of Ferrara 538 Press'd to call a General Council 541 In vain labours for an Accommodation with France 543 Popes Legate his unjust Proceedings 152 Pope's Legate in Aragon 205 Pope's Legate a fronted by the Rebels 409 Popilius the Pretor sent into Spain 36 Popilius the Censaâ— defeated by the Numantians 38 Portugal Original of that Kingdome 134 164 Descrivd 164 Under on Inâ—crdict 169 213 Made Independant of Castile Fol. 216 p. 2 Portugueses overthrow the Castilians 165 That favour'd the King of Castile 300 Sustain loss at Azamor but relieve Arzila 631 4000 of them stain in Africk 560 Posthumius Alomus 32 Posture of Affairs in Spain 137 Potter's Son set up King of the Moors 173 Practices against the Earl of Castile 125 Of the Spaniards 501 Of the Emperour 525 Preaching among the Tartars 216 Prefect of Rome submits to Spain 506 Preparations for War 260 For War with the Moors 441 For the Lateran Council 548 Of the Turks against Italy 557 For War in Aragon 349 Presumption of a Legate 280 Pretenders to the Crown of Aragon 329 Prince Henry in open Rebellion Imprison'd 342 Prince of Viana flies to Naples 384 Prince of Salerno expell'd Naples 480 Prince of Segorve come into Castile 418 Princes of Aragon join with the Rebels of Castile 365 Priscilian's Heresie He and his Adherents Condemn'd to Death His Errours 65 Proceedings of the Catholikes against the Albigenses 193 Of the Rebels in Catalonia 406 Prodigies 21 22 341 388 411 Progress of the Rebellion in Castile 272 366 Of the Christians against the Moors 262 Of the War in Naples 368 Of the Aragonians at Naples 360 Of the Affairs of Italy 470 Of Portugues Discoveries 474 Of the Siege of Saulses 502 Proposals concerning the Kingdom of Naples 473 Proscription 48 Prosperous Expedition 202 Publius Manlius 32 Punishment of Mutineers 531 Q. Queen of Portugal delivered of a Son Dies 482 Queen of France Dies 556 Queen of Navavre accused of Adultery by her own Sons is defended by a Bastard 136. Queen Mother of Castile joyns the Rebels 273 Queens of Castile and Portugal Dies 370 Quintilianus Reigns 17 Days 59 Quintius Crispinus 32 Quintius defeats and is again worsted by Viriatus 37 Quintus Caecilius overthrown by the Vacei 45 Quintus Fontlius 32 Race of Earles of Barcelona extinct 330 Raymund or Ramon Earl of Barcelona 131 Dies 137 Raymund Earl of Barcelona Son in Law to King Ramiro II. upon his resignation Governs that Kingdom 169 Makes War in France 170 Successful against the French and Moors His Death 177 Raymund III. Earl of Barcelona murdered and his Son Raymund succeeds him 149 Raymund or Ramon IV. Earl of Barcelona Raymund Earl of Toulouze a Heretick reduced 204 Ramundus Lullus 240 Ramiro I. King of Leon. 111 His Death 112 Ramiro II. King of Leon his Religious Works He resigns the Crown and Dies 123 Ramiro III. King of Leon under the Tuition of his Mother and Aunt 126 Ramiro King of Aragon Wars on his Brother of Navarre 139 Recovers his Dominions 141 Ramiro II. King of Aragon 167 Puts to Death 15 Noblemen 168 Resigns the Government 169 Ratification of the Peace betwixt Castile and Portugal 438 Ravenna surrendred to the French Rebellion in Gallia Gothica 91 Among the Moors 115 In Auiturias 122 Against the King of Leon. 127 Suppressed 298 111 Of Castro and Albuquerque in Castile 259 In Navarre 205 445 In Old Castile 315 In Catalonia 402 In Naples 447 In Castile 224 236 In Biscay 368 Of the Bastards of Castile Rebellious Moors defeated 412 Rebels every wheee worsted by Wamba 92 Of Castile hardened 259 Suppressed in Castile 258 Of Castile associate are Punished 252 Punished 277 Defeat the Royalists 278 Of Castile join with the King of Aragon 405 Disband 408 In Catalonia choose the Duke of Anjou for their King 408 Excommunicated 410 Reduced 412 Recaredus King of Spain makes War in France 81 His Reign and Troubles on account of his Conversion 82 Reslores the Church Possessions Overtbrows the Francs Hereticks Conspire against him He Punishes the Conspirators His General Claudius overthrows the Francs 83 He Marries Clodosinda Sister to Childebert King of Lorrain His Death 85 Recaredus II. Reigns but 3 Months 87 Recaredus and Alonso the First Kings of Spain had the Title of Catholick 105 Reception of a Legate in Castile 417 Recesuinthus advanced to the Crown by his Father His Actions and Death 90 Rendevouz of the French at Aste 555 Revolutions at Genoa 554 Rhodians their coming into Spain 10 Rightful Princes of Castile Prisoners 227 Released 231 Robert King of Naples Dies 264 Roderick King of Spain ravishes Count Julian's Daughter 97 Roderick Diaz de Bivar called Cid who he was Many Fables concerning him 141 His Opinion touching the subjection of Spain to the Empire The whole Relation suspected to be Fabulous His Original 142 Ravages the Dominions of the Moors Is Banished 147 His further Actions 148 Takes Valencia Marries his Daughters to the Earls of Carrion 157 His Death 158 Roderick Archbishop of Toledo invades the Moors 206 Rodulphus of Ausburg chosen Emperor 216 Roger Lauria the great Aamiral Dies 242. Roman Army mutinies 46 Roman Missaâ— ana Broviary introduced 152 Romans declare War the 2d time against Carthage 21 Successful in Spain 22 Overthrown 25 Defeated 85 Quite expelled Spain 88 Romantick Relation about Spain being exemptea from the Roman Empire 141 Rome taken by Alarick King of the Goths in the Year 410. 67 Ronda taken 446 Rousillon and Cerdagne Restored
the Carthaginians and gives them a great Overthrow First Nero then Publius Scipio comes into Spain and takes Carthagena p. 26 Chap. VII Publius Scipio Routs Asdrubal and drives the Carthaginians quite out of Spain other notable Actions of his there Cornelius Lentulus and Lucius Manlius succeed him and overthrow the Spaniards that had Revolted p. 28 Chap. VIII The Spaniards Revolting are again Subdu'd by the Romans Cato being Consul comes into Spain Several Pretors succeed him Their Government and Actions p. 30 The Third BOOK Chap. I. THE first War of Numantia and Peace concluded with that City The War in Lusitania and other parts and Treachery of the Pretor Sergius Galba p. 33 Chap. II. Viriatus 's Original and Actions against the Romans The Government of several Roman Generals and among them of Metellus and Pompey and Death of Viriatus p. 35 Chap. III. The second War betwixt Rome and Numantia The Consul Mancinus concludes a dishonourable Peace with that People and is therefore delivered up to them Scipio Africanus sent against them The City destroy'd p. 38 Chap. IV. Other Occurrences in Spain after the War of Numantia The beginning of the War of Sertorius His Actions Defeat and Death p. 40 Chap. V. Pompey appeases the Tumults in Spain Julius Caesar comes into Spain The beginning of the Civil Wars there Pompey 's General defeated the whole Country reduc'd by Julius Caesar who returns to Rome p. 44 Chap. VI. Longinus Governs Spain His Actions The War betwixt Caesar and Pompey 's Sons The famous Battle of Munda Caesar returns Victorious to Rome p. 46 Chap. VII Other Commotions in Spain after the Death of Caesar The beginning of the Empire of Augustus and War of Cantabria p. 48 The Fourth BOOK Chap. I. THE Birth of Christ our Lord. The Death of Augustus and Reigns of the Emperors Tiberius Caligula and Claudius With an Account of the coming of St. James the Apostle into Spain and first Preaching of the Gospel p. 51. Chap. II. The Reigns of the Emperors Nero Galba Otho Vitellius Vespasian and Titus With an Account of the Colonies Free-Towns and Courts of Judicature then in Spain p. 53 Chap. III. The Reigns of the Emperors Domitian Nerva Trajan Adrian Antoninus Verus Marcus Aurelius and Commodus the Persecutions under them The building of the City Leon and rise of the Heresie of the Gnosticks p. 55 Chap. IV. The Reigns of the Emperors Pertinax Severus Caracalla Macrinus Heliogabalus Alexander Severus Maximinus Gordianus Philip Decius Tribonianus Gallus and Aemilianus p. 57 Chap. V. The Reigns of the Emperors Valerianus Galienus Flavius Aurelianus Tacitus Flavianus Probus Carinus Dioclesian and Maximian Constantius and Galerius Maximinus and Licinius p. 58 Chap. VI. The Reign of the Glorious Constantine the Great the first Christian Emperor The Arian Heresie The first General Council of Nice p. 60 Chap. VII The Reigns of the Emperors Constantine Constantius and Constans Julian the Apostate Jovianus Valentinian and Valens p. 62 Chap. VIII The Reigns of the Emperors Gratianus Valentinian Theodosius Arcadius and Honorius p. 64 The Fifth BOOK Chap. I. THE coming of several Barbarous Nations into Spain as the Vandals Alans Suevians Silingians and Goths Their Original and where they setled p. 67 Chap. II. The Goths vanquish and subdue all the other Barbarous Nations in Spain The Vandals after this Successful go over into Africk The rise of the Kingdom of the Suevians p. 69 Chap. III. The Reigns of the Kings Theodoredus Torismund and Theodorick Attila King of the Huns twice routed The General Council of Chalcedon p. 71 Chap. IV. The Death of King Theodorick and Reigns of Euricus and Alaricus The Goths twice overthrown by the Franks p. 73 Chap. V. The Reigns of the Kings Gesaleycus Theodorick and Amalaricus Several Spanish Synods Defeat of the Franks And Tryal by Ordeal p. 74 Chap. VI. The Reigns of Theudiselus Agila and Athanagildus A great Plague The 5th General Council An Interregnum And the Conversion of the Suevians p. 76 Chap. VII Of the two Sisters Galsuinda and Brunechilda The Reigns of the Kings Liuva and Leuvigildus This last makes his two Sons his Companions in the Throne p. 77 Chap. VIII Ermenegildus Son to Leuvigildus Marries the Lady Ingundis is Converted to the Catholick Faith is Besieg'd by his Father in Sevil and put to Death by him p. 79 Chap. IX The remaining part of the Reign of King Leuvigildus He Persecutes the Catholicks Subdues the Suevians his Death and causes of his Conversion p. 81 Chap. X. The Reign of Recaredus his and Peoples Conversion Conspiracies against him detected and punish'd He overthrows the Franks The third Council of Toledo p. 82 The Sixth BOOK Chap. I. THE remaining Actions of King Recaredus He Marries Clodosinda Sister to Childebert King of Lorrain His Death Original of Dukes and Counts p. 84 Chap. II. The Reigns of the Kings Liuva Witericus Gundemarus Sisebutus and Recaredus II. Several Synods the Jews banish'd Spain p. 86 Chap. III. The Reigns of the Kings Suinthula Rechimirus Sisenandus and Chintila The Romans quite expell'd Spain Three Synods at Toledo p. 87 Chap. IV. The Reigns of the Kings Tulga Chindasuinthus and Recesuinthus Several Synods of Toledo Increase of the Mahometan Power The Election and Coronation of King Wamba p. 89 Chap. V. The War with the Rebels in Gallia Gothica Paul Wamba 's General joyns with them The King marches against them and reduces all the Country to his Obedience p. 91 Chap. VI. Wamba returns into Spain Punishes the Heads of the Rebels His Publick Works Eleventh Council of Toledo A great Fleet of Sarazens destroy'd Wamba depos'd Ervigius Vsurps the Crown p. 93 Chap. VII The Reigns of the Kings Ervigius and Egica p. 94 Chap. VIII The Reign of King Witiza Roderick ascends the Throne Ravishes Count Julian 's Daughter and breaks open an old Castle at Toledo said to be Inchanted p. 96 Chap. IX The first coming of the Moors into Spain They prove successful and flock over in great Multitudes King Roderick overthrown in a great Battle His Death The Moors over-run the greatest part of Spain p. 98 Chap. X. The Moor Muza comes over with Supplies His Actions The Moorish Computation of Years call'd Hegira Abdalasis Son to Muza his Actions End of Count Julian and his Family Deplorable state of Spain p. 100 The Seventh BOOK Chap. I. PRince Pelayus or Pelagius takes up Arms against the Moors Is declar'd King and Miraculously Vanquishes the Infidels The Death of Muza Alahor Governs Spain p. 102 Chap. II. Pelayus 's Power increases he takes several Towns His Death The short Reign and Death of Favila Several Moorish Governours in Spain Actions of the Infidels in France p. 104 Chap. III. The Reign of D. Alonso the Catholick His Conquests and Death Several Moorish Governours in Spain Affairs of the Mahometans both in Spain and Africk p. 105 Chap. IV. The Reigns of the Kings Froyla Aurelius Silon Alonso Mauregatus and Veremundus or Bermudo Monarchy
to plead for the Empire before the Pope and returns re infecta p. 216 The Fourteenth BOOK Chap. I. THE King of Morocco passes over into spain The War with the Moors The Christians twice defeated Death of Prince Ferdinand the Heir of Castile Troubles in Navarre betwixt the Natives and the French p. 217 Chap. II. Three Popes die in one Year Prince Sancho of Castile contrives to Vsurp that Crown from his Nephews The Death of Jayme King of Aragon and of Alonso of Portugal Peter succeeds the first and Denis the latter p. 218 Chap. III. The Practices of Prince Sancho He Rebels against his Father The King of Morocco comes to aid King Alonso returns home leaving 1000 Horse to serve under him King Alonso disinherits and curses his Son Prince Sancho p. 221 Chap. IV. The Conspiracy of John Prochita in Sicily against the French and slaughter of them call'd the Sicilian Vespers Kings of France and Aragon at War about Sicily Castile and Aragon under an Interdict at the same time p. 222 Chap. V. The Death of Alonso King of Castile The beginning of the Reign of King Sancho IV. The defeat of the French Fleet on the Coast of Italy Albarazin taken by the King of Aragon p. 224 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 Morocco p. 226 Chap. VII The Kings of Castile and Portugal meet D. Lope de Haro flies to Navarre A Treaty in order to release the two Princes of Castile Charles Prince of Salerno set at liberty France and Castile joyn against Aragon Denis King of Portugal 's Issue p. 228 Chap. VIII Troubles in Castile The rightful Heirs to that Crown before Prisoners in Aragon set at liberty Wars on that account betwixt the two Crowns Badajoz Mutinies and is reduc'd An Interview betwixt the Kings of France and Castile p. 230 Chap. IX The Revolt of D. John Nun̄ez de Lara The Death of the King of Aragon His Brother Jayme Succeeds him Matches betwixt the three Kings of Spain Defeat of the Moors at Sea Original of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia p 232 Chap. X. Alcala de Henares made an Vniversity Tarifa Besieg'd by the Moors A brave Action of the Governour Sancho King of Castile dies Ferdinand IV. succeeds Peace betwixt France and Aragon p. 234 The Fifteenth BOOK Chap. I. NEW Troubles and Wars in Castile where Prince Henry takes the Government from the Queen Prince John Proclaimed King of Leon and Galicia Castile invaded by the Moors Portugueses and Aragonians p. 236 Chap. II. Peace betwixt Castile and Portugal setled by means of the double Alliances betwixt those Princes The Progress of the Wars in Sicily The Jubilee first Instituted Bilbao built and Prince John reconcil'd to the King p. 238 Chap. III. Of Raymundus Lullus and the Master of Calatrava The Marriage of King Ferdinand Peace concluded betwixt the Kings of Sicily and Naples A Synod of Bishops Troubles in Castile Pope Boniface dies Benedict XI succeeds him p. 240 Chap. IV. The Differences betwixt the Kings of Castile and Aragon reconcil'd After which they joyn in league against the Moors but to no considerable effect Death of Roger Lauria the great Admiral of Aragon and Divisions among the Moors p. 241 Chap. V. The King of Granada depos'd The King of Castile 's Sister Marry'd to the Duke of Britany The Extirpation of the Knights Templers The Death of Ferdinand IV. King of Castile p. 244 Chap. VI. The beginning of the Reign of Alonso XI King of Castile The many Confusions in that Kingdom by reason of his Infancy The Moors of Granada expell their King The Turks their Original and Growth p. 246 Chap. VII The Actions of the Catalonians in Greece The War in Andaluzia Death of Luis Hutin King of France Philip the Long succeeds him John XX. chosen Pope Defeat of the Moors by Prince Peter of Castile p. 248 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 p. 249 Chap. IX King Alonso XI of Castile takes upon him the Government The Conquest of Sardinia by the Aragonians The Death of King Denis of Portugal His Son Alonso succeeds him Jayme II. King of Aragon is succeeded by his Son Alonso IV. p. 251 Chap. X. The Wars betwixt the Christians and Infidels Rebellions in Castile Aragon Castile and Portugal joyn in League The King and Queen of Navarre come into that Country and return again to France p. 253 The Sixteenth BOOK Chap. I. THE King of Granada goes into Africk Abomelique passes over into Spain The War with the Moors A Truce concluded Alonso de la Cerda rightful King of Castile submits to King Alonso the Possessor p. 256 Chap. II. The Moors of Granada murder Mahomet their King Wars among all the Christian Kings of Spain Alonso King of Aragon dies Fresh Rebellions in Castile The Portuguese Fleet beaten by the Castilians p. 257 Chap. III. The Death of Frederick King of Sicily A Truce betwixt Castile and Portugal The Death of Abomelique and defeat of his Army Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon A Synod at Barcelona p. 259 Chap. IV. A new Invasion of Spain by Albohacen King of Morocco with 470000 Moors he Besieges Tarifa is there routed with the loss of 200000 Men by the Kings of Castile and Portugal Three defeats of the Infidels at Sea p. 261 Chap. V. The Siege and Surrender of Algezira The Infidels attempt to murder King Alonso of Castile The Earls of Derby and Salisbury come to his assistance out of England and the Earl of Faux out of France Robert King of Naples dies p. 263 Chap. VI. The King of Aragon Conquers Majorca and all its Dominions Great Troubles in Aragon The Rebels suppress'd An Vniversal Plague The Knights of Calatrava at variance at length reconcil'd p. 265 Chap. VII The Siege of Gibraltar the King dies and the Siege is rais'd King Peter succeeds him The Lady Ellenor de Guzman kill'd Some Nobles Rebel and are subdu'd Biscay annexed to the Crown of Castile Interviews of Kings p. 267 Chap. VIII Embassadors sent by King Peter into France to obtain for his Wife Blanch Daughter to the Duke of Bourbon who is brought into Spain and Marry'd to the King but he being before in Love with the Lady Mary de Padilla slights and forsakes his Queen p. 269 Chap. IX King Peter of Castile removes his Officers punishes some Rebels and reduces several Towns The War of Sardinia where Diseases rageing in the Aragonian Army that King claps up a dishonourable Peace and returns to Aragon p. 270 Chap. X. The Nobility of Castile particularly the King's Bastard Brothers in Rebellion they treat with the King without success the
of Nebuchadnezzar is much spoken of in the Hebrew Books and this gave occasion to affirm that many Towns in Andaluzia and the Kingdom of Toledo which have Hebrew Names were then Built by the Jews that were in his Army Among those Places are reckoned Toledo Escalona Noves Maqueda Yepes and others of less note which they say took their Names from Ascalon Nobe Mageddo and Joppe Cities of Palestine Toledo they say is derived from Toledoth which in Hebrew signifies Families that gathered to Build that Place I will not approve or reject these Opinions but only note that no ancient Author makes mention of any such thing Our Historians add that after the expulsion of the Phenicians and return of the Babylonians the Phocenses Inhabitants of a City so called in Ionia of the Lesser Asia tired with the Cruelties of Harpalus Cyrus's Lieutenant in those Parts sailed to Italy France and Spain in a Fleet of Galleys whereof they were the first Inventers These People landed first in Italy in the farthest part of Lucania now called Basilicata opposite to Sicily where they built a City called Velia and thought to settle but the Air being unwholsom the Land barren and the Natives opposing them part put to Sea again to find a more convenient Habitation Having toucht at Corsica they pass'd into France where they built the City of Marseilles Another part of them continued their Course along Spain and beyond the mouth of the Streights planted in certain Islands called Aphrodisiae opposite to Tarifa where they Built after the manner of Greece but all these Islands are lost except one that was called Junonia After this followed the Death of Argantonius much about the Year 200. after the Building of Rome For his greater Honour they raised a Magnificent Sepulcher with as many Pyramids about it as Enemies he had Slain with his own Hand for this Aristotle says was the manner of the Spaniards Burying their Dead Great Revolutions hap'ned after the Death of Argantonius and Spain like a Ship without a Rudder or Pilot was tossed by every Wave The Fortune of War at first variable afterwards wholly averse to the Spaniards deprived them of their Liberty The coming of the Carthaginians to Spain was the cause of all these Mischiefs the occasion of their coming shall be related The Phenicians being increased in Power and Riches returned to Spain and repossessed themselves of the Island of Cadiz designing upon the first Opportunity that should offer to pass over into the Continent They wanted a Pretence and thought none so good as that of Religion They asked leave of the Natives to erect a Temple to Hercules feigning he had appear'd and order'd them so to do Having by this Fraud obtained their desires they built a Temple in the nature of a Fort many under colour of Devotion resorting thither in a small time it grew to the Grandeur of a City which is supposed to have stood where now Medina Sidonia is which the Name Sidon seems to confirm and the small distance of only 16 Miles from the Coast of Cadiz Besides this they became Masters of other smaller Towns some Built by themselves others taken by Force from their Neighbours From these Places they made In-roads into the Country carrying away Men and Cattle and in a short time possest themselves of the City Turdetum which stood between Xcres and Arcos Of this City the Turdetani an ancient People of Betica that extended from the River Guadiana to the Ocean took Name The Bastuli reach'd from Tarifa along the Coast of the Mediterranean to a Town then called Barea now supposed to be Vera. The Turduli began at the Port of Mnesteus now Port St. Mary and ran North and East as far as Sierra Morena and the farthest part of the Province Betica Livy and Polybius make the Turduli and Turdetani the same and most Authors confound the Limits of these People therefore it will be needless to labour to fix their Bounds no more than those of the Massieni Selbisii Curenses Lignii and others whose Names are found in approv'd Authors but what Places particularly they Inhabited can not be assigned But to return to the Matter in hand the Natives provok'd by the wrongs they receiv'd from the Phenicians and growing jealous of the Increase of their new City held a great Consultation in which they treated of the Injuries they had received and Dangers that might ensue from the growing Power of those Stranges Baucius Capetus Prince of the Turdetani was there present he took upon him with wise Words to raise their drooping Spirits and did it so effectually that they all presently Voted the War against the Phenicians They appointed Officers and gave them Power to raise Men withal recommending to all to be private that so they might Surprize their Enemies To Baucius for his great Experience and the love all the People bore him they assigned the whole Management of the War Thus having gathered a mighty Army they fell upon the Phenicians who where wholly unprovided and in a short time took all the Cities they had Built and those they had Conquered giving the plunder of all their Riches to the Soldiers The City Medina Sidonia whither the remainder of the Phenicians fled confiding in the strength of the Temple soon follow'd the fate of the rest and all within it were put to the Sword Such was their desire of Revenge that laying aside all thoughts of Compassion and Zeal of Religion they fir'd and laid the Temple level with the Ground Thus all the Riches they had been many Years heaping and the stately Buildings they had with great Cost erected were destroy'd and nothing left the Phenicians on the Continent except some few small Towns which escap'd unregarded and not because they could make any Opposition Those of Cadiz despairing of accommodation with the Natives found they must either resolve to quit Spain or send for Succours from Abroad To expect Relief from Tyre in that Distress was too tedious therefore they agreed to call to their Assistance the Carthaginians to whom they were Allied as Descended from the same Original and otherwise united by continual Commerce and Amity The Embassadors being admitted to Audience in the Senate laid before them the extream Danger those of Cadiz were in that they sought not to recover what they had lost but to preserve their Liberty and Lives that the Opportunity they had so long desired of entring into Spain now offered it self very Honourable in Defence of their Allies and in revenge of the Religion Profaned in the Destruction of the Temple of Hercules whom they chiefly Worshiped The Senate of Carthage bid them be of good Heart and make good their Ground till a sufficient Fleet could be fitted out to be sent to their Relief The Carthaginians at this time were Masters of the Sea had great Fleets abroad as well of Merchants as Ships of War and were possest not only of
Boodes was sent in his place and after him Maherbal but no Account can be had of any Actions of theirs or what Governour followed It is agreed by all as certain that the Inhabitants of Marseilles in France being grown too numerous in the Year of Rome 419. sent a Colony into Spain and Inhabited that part of the City Empurias which was next the Sea at the Foot of the Pyreneans opposite to Roses in Latin called Emporia Tho' small it was divided from the rest of the City by a Wall whence in Greek it was formerly call'd Palaeopolis that is Old Town signifying the oldest part of it and also Diospolis that is two Towns Another part of the Fleet from Marseilles passed Cape Denia and built a Town near the Temple of Diana Three remarkable things were made known in Spain by the coming of this Fleet the first the great Power of the Romans and how Religiously they Assisted and Supported their Allies the second that the Syracusans after recovering their Liberty contriv'd to expel the Carthaginians out of Sicily and the third that Alexander of Macedon Sirnam'd the Great had Vanquished Darius Conquered the Empire of the Persians and Subdu'd more Countries than another Man in that time could have Travelled through This mov'd the Spaniards Inhabiting along the Coast of the Mediterranean to send an Embassy to him to desire his Protection against the Carthaginians who aim'd at the enslaving of all that Province Paulus Orosius says Maurinus was Chief of this Embassy who joyning by the way with the Embassadors of France went in their Company to Babylon where they found those of all other Provinces that were there by Alexander's appointment expecting his coming Alexander being come to Babylon they gave him an ample Account of their Commission received a favourable Answer with promise of his Protection and having been richly presented returned Home well satisfi'd No doubt but this Embassy was very displeasing to the Carthaginians but it was no time to take notice of it they being then employed in the War in Sicily whence they were totally Expell'd by Agathocles Not long after ensu'd the first War betwixt Rome and Carthage and at the same time our Authors say Spain suffered by Civil War without naming the Parties or Places only express that it was carried on with the greatest Cruelty Killing Plundering and Burning on all Hands without Mercy Much about this time which was the Year of Rome 502. the Mallorquines Revolted from the Carthaginians and having put their Garrisons to the Sword oblig'd the Fleet that lay in the Harbour with Showers of Stones to put to Sea and at last there being no hopes of appeasing those People to return to Carthage To retrieve this loss the Senate sent Hamilcar Barchinus who with great Prudence by Courtesie and Address reduc'd those Islanders to Obedience without using any Force or Violence The Year 507 of Rome and last of the first Punick War was fatal to Spain for a great Drought and violent Earthquakes by which part of the Island of Cadiz was broken off and sunk in the Sea CHAP. II. The second coming of Hamilcar Asdrubal succeeds him His Preparations for the Roman War and Death NO sooner did the Carthaginians begin to breath after their unfortunate War with Rome and other Disasters which followed it but they cast their Eyes upon Spain as the most proper place to make up their Losses Hamilcar was appointed to Command there with an absolute Power He at his setting out from Carthage according to Custom Sacrific'd and Offered up his Vows His Son Hannibal then but nine Years of Age being present he caused him to touch the Altar and Swear that when he was of Age he would revenge his Country against the Romans Besides him Hamilcar had three younger Sons Asdrubal Mago and Hanno Being arriv'd at Cadiz he receiv'd Embassadors from the Turdetani who had always continued in Amity with Carthage offering their Forces if he had occasion for their service With their assistance Hamilcar not only recover'd that part which had been lost but possest himself of all the Province of Betica either by Force or the Submission of the Natives and this was the Year of Rome 516. Strabo says the Spaniards at that time were so Rich that their Mangers and Water Troughs were made of Silver Hamilcar Coasting along the Mediterranean ran up the River Ebro where he built a Town formerly call'd Old Carthage supposed to be now Cantavecha distant ten Leagues from Tortosa to the North-West among the People then called Ilercaones The following Year he subdu'd the Coasts of the Bastetani and Contestani where now are the Cities Baça and Murcia and not far from where Saguntum once stood and whence Embassadors came to Hamilcar bringing Presents and Congratulating his Success but not with any intention of submitting themselves to him Hamilcar receiv'd and dismiss'd them with Kindness yet he earnestly desir'd to be Master of that City It was requisite to have some Colour or Pretence for that Undertaking in order to it he persuaded the Turdetani to build a Town upon the Lands of the Saguntins which was call'd Turdetuni and some will have it to be Terud 20 Leagues distant from Saguntum This bred a Difference betwixt those two Cities which was it Hamilcar aim'd at and they understanding his Design resolv'd not to move or take up Arms against the Turdetani At the Mouth of the River Ebro the Carthaginians celebrated Feasts for the Victories they had obtain'd as also for the Marriage of Himilce Daughter of Hamilcar with his Kinsman Asdrubal this was the Year of Rome 521. While these Feasts were kept Hamilcar was not Idle but sent Embassadors into France to gain the good Will of the Principal Men there believing their Friendship might be advantageous towards carrying on the War he design'd against Rome when he had once subdu'd Spain He won them with Gold of which they were Covetous and Spain yielded Plenty The Year following he advanced to the Pyreneans Conquering all from Tortosa to the River Lobregat then call'd Rubricatus Now it was that he built the famous City Barcelona Capital of Catalonia and gave it that Name from that of his Family to wit the Barzini His Designs were laid against Roses and Empurias which he thought obstructed him as being Confederates with Saguntum when Death surprized him among the Edetani whither he was returned in order to pacifie some Disturbances in the Province of Betica He was Slain in a Battle against the Natives about the ninth Year after this his second coming into Spain This Fight was so Bloody that of above 40000 Men he had in his Army two thirds were Slaughtered the rest of them under the favour of the Night escaped to the neighbouring Towns that held for them Livy says this Battle was fought near a place called Castrum Altum After this signal Defeat the Carthaginian Forces were turned against
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
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
to Peace unless the Arauci Beli and Tithii who had began those Commotions entred into the Treaty Those People were willing to make Peace provided it were upon the same Articles they had made with Gracchus Marcellus would comply but the Roman Allies withstood it saying It was not reasonable those who had done so much harm should be admitted to the same Articles they had made before the Offence committed Hereupon the Consul being doubtful what course to take agreed both Parties should send Embassadors to Rome to treat of their Affairs and the mean while granted a Truce Fulvius Nobilior being then at Rome opposed the Embassadors of those that had revolted exaggerating their Perfidiousness and the harm they had done to the Romans So they were sent back without concluding any thing and were again referred to Marcellus for an Answer which cut off all hopes of any Accommodation About the same time Marcus Atilius in Hispania Vlterior subdu'd the Lusitani and had many Towns surrendred to him The following Year Sergius Galba was sent to succeed Atilins and the Consul L. Licinius Lucullus in stead of Marcellus with him came as Legate or Lieutenant Pub. Corn. Scipio called the Lesser who afterwards destroyed Carthage Before Lucullus's arrival Marcellus ambitious of the Honour of ending that War drew his Men out of their Winter-quarters Nertobriga to provide against this Storm took 5000 Arevaci within the Walls Numantia made no less preparation against which as the head of the War Marcellus being bent he march'd and encamp'd within five Miles of it Nevertheless at the instance of Lintheus the Peace was concluded upon condition the Numantians should forsake the Beli the Tithii and Arevaci The design of the Consul was that those People being thus forsaken should be obliged to submit which accordingly fell out and they were all received into Grace giving Hostages and paying 600 Talents as Strabo tells us Lucullus came into his Province with a desire and resolution of making Spoil but finding the War of Celtiberia was at an end he marched towards the Carpetani thence he passed Tagus and came to the Vacei now part of Old Castile where he designed to Attack the City Caucia now Coca To justifie this War he pretended it was upon Account of Wrongs done to the Celtiberi by those People but in truth it was Avarice that mov'd him being a Man of a small Fortune The Inhabitants of Coca met him in open Field but were overcome and drove into the Town hereupon they surrendred delivered Hostages were obliged to furnish a certain number of Horse and to pay 100 Talents of Silver Upon these Conditions they admitted the Garrison that was appointed by the Consul to enter the City which was no sooner within but the Signal being given with a Trumpet all the Inhabitants were put to the Sword without sparing Sex or Age. An inhumane Barbarity which mov'd all the neighbouring People no longer relying on the strength of their Walls or the Roman Faith to fly with their Families and Goods into the Woods and Mountains burning all they could not carry with them Lucullus whom Poverty made Covetous and Avarice Cruel despairing of having any share in those Treasures marched to Besiege the City Intercasia which was formerly about the midway betwixt Valladolid and Astorga First he summoned the Town but they answered in case they should surrender he would keep his Word with them as he had done at Coca Then he drew out his Army to provoke them to a Battle which they refused resolving to make good their Works Some few Sallies they made but nothing of note hap'ned only that Scipio overcame a mighty Spaniard that challenged all the Romans when no other durst encounter him In the Army there was great scarcity of provisions so that the Soldiers fed upon boil'd Wheat and Barly which together with the thinness of the Water caused many to fall Sick of the Flux Yet still the hope of taking the Town made 'em hold out Having cut Wood and made Engines they cast down a great part of the Wall and adventuring to give an Assault in which Scipio first mounted the Breach and gain'd a Mural Crown they were repuls'd and fled in such Confusion that many were drown'd in a Lake that was hard by At Night the Besieg'd repair'd the breach and the Consul had been forc'd to raise the Siege but that hunger oblig'd the Townsmen to Surrender The conditions were tolerable that the Besieg'd should furnish 1000 Coats a number of Beasts for Carriage and give Hostages No Money was demanded because they had none as being a Mountain People that only minded Tillage and Cattle Hence the Consul marched to Palencia but could not enter it Some Authors say that from old Castile he traversed all Andaluzia as far as Cadiz where was presented to him a monstrous head of a Fish Sergius Galba who as was said commanded in Hispania Vlterior was not idle but oppos'd the Lusitani who made Inroads into Andaluzia and infested the Confederates of the Romans He adventuring to fight the Enemy when his Men were tir'd was put to the Rout lost 7000 Men and was forc'd with the rest to fly to Carmena as Appianus calls it I rather believe it to be Carmona then the strongest Town in those parts Here he Winter'd using all possible diligence to recruit his Forces and raise new Supplies In the Spring being desirous of Revenge he broke into Lusitania Plundering burning and destroying all that came in his way The People mov'd by these losses sent Embassadors to him he excused what they had done saying it was the barrenness of their Country oblig'd them to intrude upon their Neighbours in consideration whereof he would assign them better Lands to inhabit He appointed them a day to come to him in three Bodies which they suspecting no Falshood or Treachery readily obeyed But the Pretor was so far from keeping his word that he put them all to the Sword a Cruel Butchery and barbarous deceit Part of the Booty was given to the Souldiers the rest the General kept to himself by which means it is believed he became the richest Citizen in Rome CHAP. II. Viriatus his Original and actions against the Romans The Government of several Roman Generals and among them of Metellus and Pompey and Death of Viriatus THIS cruelty of Galba instead of Terrifying so far incensed the People against the Romans that it occasion'd the War of Viriatus which lasted Fourteen Years during which time the Romans sustain'd many and very great losses Viriatus was a Native Lusitania of mean Parentage as being in his youth a Shepheard Leaving that course of Life he fell to Robbing and having by degrees got together a good number of Men made excursions into the Neighbouring Country Subject to the Romans about the mouth of the River Guadiana Marcus Vitellius succeeded Galba in his Command the Year of Rome 604. His first care was in time to
Pompey's Legate or Lieutenant Thus the Besieged having lost all hopes of Relief were forced to surrender upon Condition their Lives should be spared and they might carry away their Goods This being performed the City was fired rather in scorn to the Roman Generals who looked on than thro' malice Orosius says Pompey was gone before Laurona was taken that the Townsmen were either put to the Sword or sold as Slaves and the Town plundered Moreover it is said the Roman Army consisted of 30000 Foot 1000 Horse whereas Sertorius had double the number of Foot and 8000 Horse Nothing more was done this Year Metellus and Pompey went to Winter near the Pyrenean Mountains Sertorius returned to Lusitania where his greatest strength lay As soon as the Season would allow it in the Year 677. both Armies took the Field The Romans divided their Forces Pompey took the City Segeda by storm Metellus fought with Hirtuleyus Sertorius's General killed 20000 of his Men and he himself escaped by flight Metellus was so proud of this Success that he wore Embroidery at Feasts and at his entry into any City suffered Incense to be offered to him as a God Some imagine that one of the two Bulls at Guisando that are cut in Stone was set up in memory of this Victory because it has this Inscription in Latin To Q. Metellus Conqueror twice Consul Pompey after taking Segeda adventured to give the Enemy Battle which was very bloody and he had certainly been lost but that Metellus who was near at hand came in and rescued him so the Armies parted with equal loss on both sides and no visible advantage as to point of Honour After this Battle Sertorius for some time was extreamly Melancholy for the loss of his Doe which he feared was taken by the Enemy and he looked upon as an ill Omen but she on a sudden again appearing he resumed his usual Mirth and applyed himself to the care of the War Another Battle was fought about the same place near the River Turia which runs thro' the Country of Valencia and is now called Guadalaviar Both Parties fought with great Resolution but Pompey got the day and Sertorius's Army was entirely Defeated Hirtuleyus and his Brother as also Caius Herennius were killed In the heat of this Fight one of Pompey's Men slew his own Brother that served on the other side which when he found as he was about stripping of him it so sensibly touched him that after sheding many Tears and laying the dead Body on the Funeral Pile he fell upon his own Sword Sertorius was at Calahorra gathering new Forces which when Pompey understood he marched to Besiege him in that place but he broke thro' and escaped tho' with the loss of 3000 Men and having got together a mighty Army offered his Enemy Battle which he avoided and marched into Winter Quarters Metellus beyond the Pyreneans and Pompey in Old Castile Sertorius was naturally of a sweet Temper had not Jealousies altered his good Inclinations and prevailed with him to slight the Romans who were disobliged for that he committed the Guard of his Person to the Celtiberi Besides he became Cruel and killed several of his Friends and some of those Youths he had sent to Osca to Study the rest he sold as Slaves and thus he alienated the Affections of the Natives which were his only support Metellus in the Spring took in several Towns On the contrary Pompey was forced by Sertorius to raise the Siege he had laid to Valencia but having increased his Forces constrained the Enemy to retire and pursued him as far as Cape St. Martin near Denia formerly called Prom. Hemeroscopeum where there happen'd a Skirmish betwixt them and nothing else considerable both Parties being unwilling to come to a Battle by reason of the smallness of their Forces In short the affairs of Sertorius went to decay till at length all fell to the Ground by his Death He was killed at Osca by one Anthony a Man of note who stab'd him as they sate together at a Feast This Design was laid by Perpenna and tho' in part discovered for which some were put to Death yet that very thing hastned the others to put it in execution This was the end of Sertorius by the Spaniards called the Roman Hannibal He left no Children and died in the Year 681. It is supposed his Body was buried at Ebora because a Tomb was found in that City as they were digging the Foundations of St. Lewis's Church with an Inscription in Latin to that effect but for this we have no Authority but that of Ambrose de Morales our Spanish Antiquary besides whom no Author of Credit mentions any such thing nor is any such Inscription to be heard of tho' it was inserted in my Latin History upon the bare Authority of the aforesaid Morales CHAP. V. Pompey appeases the Troubles in Spain Julius Caesar comes into Spain The beginning of the Civil Wars there Pompey's Generals defeated and the whole Country reduced by Julius Caesar who returns to Rome THE Death of Sertorius being known caused great Grief among his Men and they were highly Enraged when they understood Perpenna had been the Author of it and that he was by Sertorius's Will appointed one of his Heirs and sole Successor in the Government Perpenna what with Gifts and what with fair Promises soon appeased them which was the easier because the fear of the Romans tyed the Hands of many that meditated Revenge Perpenna being possessed of the Command and still suspecting the Fidelity of his Soldiers carefully avoided coming to a Battle with Pompey who laboured to put an end to that War Metellus being gone to Rome But the conduct of Pompey out-did the wariness of Perpenna for he fell into an Ambush where many of his Men were cut off the rest put to flight and he himself was taken out of the Bushes where he had hid himself He begged to be carried to Pompey having still some hopes in the Roman mercy but was deceived in his Expectation for he caused him presently to be killed as is thought for fear he should make any Discoveries whereby others might suffer for which same reason he burnt the Letters of those that invited Sertorius into Italy Sertorius and Perpenna being dead the Troubles of Spain were soon appeased Huesca Valencia and the Termestini presently submitted to the Conqueror Osma offering to stand out was taken by storm and destroyed Afranius kept such a streight Siege upon Calahorra that the Townsmen lived for some time upon the flesh of their Wives and Children which gave occasion to the Romans to call any great Famine Fames Calagurritana In conclusion it was entered by Assault the Town Demolished and the Inhabitants put to the Sword All the other Towns terrified by this Example submitted themselves The War being ended Pompey raised many Trophies upon the Pyrenean Mountains in memory of the Victories obtained and Towns he
Force or upon Submission is not known All things being settled with a wonderful Celerity Caesar having gather'd vast sums of Money to which effect he spared not the Temple of Hercules departed for Rome where he arrived in October Asinius Pollio was left to govern Hispania Vlterior and Marcus Lepidus the Citerior together with Gallia Narbonensis About this time some guess Cordova had the name of Colonia Patricia given it and several other Towns to flatter the Conqueror chang'd their Names as Attubis which was call'd Claritas Julia Ebora in Portugal Liberalitas Julia Calahorra also took the name of Julia Sexi that of Firmum Julium Iliturgi which is Anduxar that of Forum Julium Those of Ampurias laying aside the distinction there was betwixt Greeks and Spaniards receiv'd the Roman Custom Language and Laws with the Name of a Colony There are many Monuments of this War remaining in Spain and particularly at Talavera a Town well known in the Kingdom of Toledo on that part of the Wall which is opposite to St. Peter's Church these words are to be seen cut in the stones To Gneius Pompey the Son of Pompey the Great The remaining part is worn out and not legible but suppos'd to be set up in Memory of some great Action CHAP. VII Other Commotions in Spain after the Death of Caesar the beginning of the Empire of Augustus and War of Cantabria THE power of Julius Caesar was at its greatest height when the Senators Conspiring against him as a Tyrant slew him in the Senate on the 15 of March in the Year 710 giving him 23 Wounds From that time some begin the Computation of the Years of Augustus his Reign but the most Commence from the following Year when on the 22 of September according to Dio he was chosen Consul in the Place of C. Vibius Pansa slain near Modena In Spain Pollio attended to suppress the Robbers that thro' the Confusion of the times were grown very Numerous about Sierra Morena When the News of Julius Caesar's Death was brought to him he Assembled the Principal Men at Cordova and there protested before them that he would in all things submit to the Authority of the Senate of Rome This seem'd to promise some settlement of Affairs but it prov'd otherwise for Sextus Pompey appear'd about Jaca formerly the Lacetani thinking to make his advantage of the times He set up his Standard made Levies and some Men resorting to him form'd a Legion with which he took a Town near Carthagena call'd Vergi now Vera or as others will have it Verja This small beginning chang'd the Face of Affairs and Pompey's Party which seem'd to be quite forgot was revived and grew the more formidable for that he having in a pitched Battle defeated Pollio possess'd himself of all that Province of Betica or Andaluzia The upper Garment of Pollio falling or being by him cast off was a great cause of this Victory for the Soldiers imagining thereby that their General was Kill'd dismay'd and soon fled Marcus Lepidus soon quieted these troubles and perswaded Sextus with the Money he had got to go to Rome whereby he might recover his Father's Inheritance Italy was no less embroil'd in Civil Wars at the same time the Senate setting up Octavian Julius Caesar's Nephew to oppose the designs of Marc Antony whom he defeated at Modena where he had besieged Decius Brutus the Consul elect for the ensuing Year Marc Antony fled into Gaul where he agreed with Lepidus and both of them soon after with Augustus This was the beginning of the Triumvirate which divided the Roman Empire into three Parts Lepidus had Gallia Narbonensis and all Spain Antony the rest of Gaul and Augustus Italy Africk Siclly and Sardinia The Provinces of the East were not divided because Brutus and Cassius the Murderers of Caesar were possess'd of them There follow'd a great Butchery of the Nobility call'd the Proscription whereby many suffered and among the rest the Famous M. Tullius Cicero Thus the City of Rome again lost its Liberty There ensu'd other Wars first with the Murderers of Caesar then with Lucius Antonius Brother to Marc Antony After which follow'd a new distribution of Provinces which was in the Year 714 after the building of Rome In this division Spain fell to Octavian and hence it is the common and much us'd Computation of Years called Aera Caesaris takes its beginning But the most usual now Commences from the Birth of Christ which was the 39 of the other Computation according to the best Accounts In Spain that Computation continu'd till the Year of our Lord 1383 when King John the first of Castile in an Assembly of the States or Parliament order'd that for the future all computation of Years should Commence from the Birth of Christ The same had been done not long before at Valencia and was follow'd soon after in Portugal But to return to the Affairs of the Government Domicius Calvinus in the Year 35 before the Birth of Christ govern'd Spain as Proconsul and afterwards obtain'd a Triumph in Rome for having subdu'd the Ceretani at the foot the Pyrenean Mountains in that part where Cerdania now stands New divisions hap'ned betwixt the Triumphirs part of the evil consequences whereof fell upon Spain Octavian being at Variance with Lepidus soon made himself Master of Africk which was his lot in the distribution of Provinces Marc Antony who had the Eastern Provinces thought much that Octavian should seize upon all without allowing him any share Hence sprang that War betwixt them which ended in the ruin of Antony and so consequently Octavian remain'd sole Lord of all the Roman Empire in the 28th year before the birth of Christ He took the Name Octavius in Memory of his Father and that of Caesar in Honour of his Unkle that of Augustus was given him by the Senate as to a Man sent from Heaven to Restore Peace to the World During this last War Bogud King of Mauritania came over into Spain in favour of Antony but was defeated and sustain'd great loss Not long after in the eighth Consulship of Augustus 25 Years before Christ the great road in Andaluzia that ran from Cordova to Ezija and thence to the Ocean was pav'd as appears by a Marble Column that is in the Monastery of St. Francis at Cordova on which is an inscription signifying it was set up in the eighth Consulship of Augustus and that from the Temple of Janus on Guadalquivir to the Ocean were reckoned 121 Miles This Temple is suppos'd to have stood in or near Cordova After this there ensued some Commotions among the Cantabri Asturiani and Vacei about Old Castile Statilius Taurus appeas'd them it is suppos'd as Lieutenent to Caius Norbanus who about this time Triumph'd over Spain About the same time the form of the Government of Spain was chang'd for instead of Pretors and Proconsuls it was under
his Actions spread Thence he returned to Rome in the fifth Year after that War was began He carried some Spanish Soldiers of the Cohort of Calagurris for his Guard No sooner was he gone but the Cantabrians and Asturians were again in Arms but these Efforts being without Strength were ineffectual for L. Aemilius and Pub. Carisius first and afterwards Caius Furnius having slain many of the Revolters appeased the rest Many rather than submit killed themselves others went singing and full of joy to Execution Some of those that were made Slaves conspired together and killing their Masters fled to the Mountains whence they made Excursions into the neighbouring Country inticing the People to take up Arms. To appease these Troubles M. Agrippa then Son-in-law to Augustus came out of France and in some Rencounters he had with those obstinate People was worsted which moved him as a punishment to a Legion that had been the most faulty to deprive it of the Title of Augusta which before it enjoy'd This disgrace was a warning to the other Soldiers to behave themselves better so that at last Agrippa was Victorious All that could bear Arms were put to the Sword the rest forced to come down to live in the plain Country and their Weapons taken from them Some say there were other Commotions after these among the Cantabri and that the Embassadors sent to Rome to Treat despairing of ever returning home killed themselves Among the illiterate and rude Spaniards some about this time were famous for their Learning as Caius Julius Higinus and Porcius Latro a great Rhetorician and Friend to Seneca the Father of the Philosopher Those Books that are extant under the name of Higinus are by most Men attributed to another of the same Name a Native of Alexandria But Suetonius seems to be of another Opinion saying Some called him an Alexandrian others a Spaniard and he is of the Opinion of the latter and adds that he was Library-Keeper to Augustus and familiar with Ovid. Besides the Honour Spain received from these Men it was illustrated by Cornelius Balbus a Native of Cadiz who having been Consul Triumphed at Rome over the Garamantae 16 Years before the Birth of Christ He was the first Stranger that obtained that Honour and the last of Subjects for from that time forward only the Emperors or at most their nearest Kindred Triumphed All others were rewarded with the Triumphal Ornaments which were a long costly Robe a Garland of Laurel a Chair called Curulis and an Ivory Rod. Here let us conclude this Book and the Computation of Time from the building of Rome being to begin the next with the Birth of a God incarnate and from thence to date the following Years The End of Book III. THE History of SPAIN The Fourth BOOK CHAP. I. The Birth of Christ our Lord. The Death of Augustus and Reigns of the Emperors Tiberius Caligula and Claudius With an Account of the coming of St. James the Apostle into Spain and first Preaching of the Gospel WE are now come to the most happy Times when the Son of God as was requisite for fulfilling the promises of the Holy Prophets appeared to Men himself made Man and with the new Light he brought into the World show'd and made easie the way of Salvation to Mankind till then wandring and astray He restored Justice before fled from Earth and obtaining by his Death Remission of Sins erected to his eternal Father a Holy Temple after the Model of the Heavenly one and Establish'd it for ever upon Earth under the Name of the Church Of this Church we are all Members who thro' the goodness of the same God have throughout the World received the Christian Religion and preserve it with a true and constant Faith Now for as much as Spain was one of the first that receiv'd this Divine Faith and most firmly adhered to it therefore it will be necessary to relate how much it suffered in those primitive Times on that account and at the same time to set down the new Form and Method that was Establish'd in the Secular Government as also the Lives and Actions of the Roman Emperors as Sovereign Lords of Spain the Combats and Strifes of the first Christians and the Triumphs and Victories of the Holy Martyrs who in defence of the Truth spilt their Blood and lost their Lives Most happy and truely renowned Souls Our brevity in this matter shall be particular for we shall rather hint at than enlarge upon the Ecclesiastical Affairs that this Work may not exceed bounds May the Divine Light from Heaven guide and direct our Pen and Intention may it change our Ignorance into a higher Wisdom and cause our Words to equal the greatness of the Subject The Birth of Christ the Son of God into the World was on the 25th of December in the Year 752. after the building of Rome and 42d of the Reign of Augustus the Consuls then being Octavian Augustus the thireenth time and Marcus Claudius Silvanus From this number of Years some Authors deduct one and others two neither do they all agree who were then Consuls which disagreement was in the time of St. Augustin as he himself mentions We have herein after considering all Opinions adhered to that which seem'd to us most likely and which grave Authors follow But laying aside this and the like Debates not to be certainly decided we will return to the Affairs of Spain tho' at this time scarce any thing occurs worthy the relating besides the matter of greatest moment which is that all the Provinces being reduc'd under the Power and Government of one Monarch the Spaniards as well as all other Nations enjoy'd the happiness of a blessed Peace and quiet Repose being wearied out with such tedious Wars which like Links of a Chain hanging one by another continu'd for so many Years that so the Author of eternal Peace Christ the Son of God might either find Peace or bring it into the World For this reason few things of note happen'd in Spain during the Reigns of Augustus and Tiberius However some few shall be related rather to continue the Series of History than for that they are remarkable in themselves Dion alone among all Historians without fixing the time or place relates that a Captain of Robbers called Corocota after whom great search had been made of his own accord presented himself to the Emperor who not only pardoned but gave him the Reward that had been promised for taking of him Augustus dy'd at Nola in Campania on the 19th of August in the Year of Christ 15. at the Age of 76. He was the second of the Roman Emperors and possest the Empire alone for the space of 44 Years He appointed Tiberius Nero his Son-in-law to succeed him being overcome by the importunities of his Wife Livia whereas Germanicus and his Children had the better Right Tiberius Governed the Roman Empire 22 Years 6 Months and some Days He
was of double Inclinations some Good but more Bad. At first he gained Credit by his good Government and soon lost it by his excessive Luxury Cruelty and Avarice In his time Germanicus waged War in the farthest part of France and it being known in Spain that he suffered great want of all Necessaries they sent him Arms Horses and a great sum of Money which last he refused but accepted of the rest returned thanks to the Spaniards for their Affection to the People of Rome This hap'ned in the second Year of Tiberius at which time also leave was given to the Embassadors of Hispania citerior to build a Temple in Honour of Augustus Those of Hispania ulterior that they might not be behind hand with the others in Flattery begged leave to build a Temple in Honour of Tiberius and his Mother Livia a thing never used whilst Princes were living and therefore it was denied them The Cantabri at the same time Revolted and infested the neighbouring Country which oblig'd the Romans to place several Garrisons in that Province whereby their Insolency was curbed and those barbarous People by Conversing with the Romans grew more Civiliz'd Gneius Piso who had Govern'd Spain and was suspected to have Poison'd Germanicus kill'd himself at Rome Vibius Serenus who had been Proconsul of Hispania ulterior accused his own Son of taking Bribes in that Province and he being Convicted was Banished to Amorga one of the Islands in the Aegean Sea reckon'd among the Cyclades L. Piso who was Pretor in Hispania citerior by laying new Taxes and Impositions so far incens'd the Natives that they Conspired against him and he was kill'd by a Country-man among the Termistini He endeavoured to make his escape but having tir'd his Horse was taken and put to the Rack to draw from him a discovery of the other Conspirators but all in vain for the Day after being again brought out to be Tormented he slipt from his Guards and ran his Head against a Rock with such force that he fell down dead So great was the Fidelity Secrecy and Regard of Friendship in a Clown This hap'ned in the Year of Christ 26. As Tiberius advanced in Years so he grew in Avarice and all manner of Wickedness a just Judgment of Heaven for that he did not punish the cruel Executioners of our Lord Christ the Son of God who suffered in his time The Emperor Tiberius dy'd on the 16th of March in the 78th Year of his Age which was of Christ 38. Gneius Acceronius Proculus and C. Porcius Niger being Consuls Caius the Son of Germanicus succeed him in the Empire and of a certain sort of Buskin he wore called in Latin Caligae he had the name of Caligula He was only remarkable for Madness which lasted all his Life and for the manner of his Death being killed by Cherea one of the Captains of his Guards Aemelius Regulus of Cordova had attempted the same before but failed of the Execution and suffered Death His Power lasted but three Years ten Months and eight Days which were spent in extravagant Vices and Enormities Caligula being dead Caius Claudius his Uncle by the Father who lay hid for fear of being killed was brought out and Proclaimed Emperor in the Year of Christ 42. This Emperor was wholly adicted to Vice but above all his carelesness was such that his Wife Messalina durst presume publickly and almost in his sight to Marry a young Noble Man called Silius It is true she was at length tho' with much difficulty Executed for it This set him at liberty to commit another Enormity for he Marry'd Agrippina his Niece Daughter to his Brother Germanicus Such Marriages were forbid among the Romans but he made a Law which declared it Lawful for Uncles to Marry their Nieces He held the Roman Empire almost 14 Years In his time Drusilaus Rotundus Govern'd Hispania citerior and Vmbonius Silus Betica Now also Christianity was first Preach'd and began to take Root in Spain for James the Son of Zebedee Sirnam'd the Greater after Preaching in Judea and Samaria came into Spain as Isidorus witnesseth He first spread the light of the Gospel in Zaragoca where at his Instance was built a Church of the Invocation of the blessed Virgin now called of the Pillar as it is receiv'd by a constant Tradition among those People Afterwards having suffered Martyrdom at Jerusalem in the Year of Christ 42. his Body was taken up by his Disciples and put into a Ship and after Coasting about the greatest part of Spain they landed it in the farthest parts of Galicia in the City Iria Flavia now call'd El Padron whence it was translated to Compostela a place held in Veneration throughout all the Christian World on account of that Holy Body lying there The Body of this Apostle for several Ages was lost and forgot till in the Reign of King Alonso the Chast about the Year of our Lord 800. it was miraculously discovered and a Church built in the same place where it has been highly Reverenced This Devotion was much increased when D. Ramiro who Reigned soon after Alonso with the Assistance of this Saint won the famous Battle of Claviso fought against the Moors whereby he delivered the Christians of a most heavy Imposition by which they were oblig'd to deliver Yearly to those Infidels 100 chosen Maids Hence the Custom used by the Spanish Soldiers of calling upon St. James in Battle had its Original And from this time the Spaniards oblig'd themselves by a Vow to pay a certain Measure of Corn out of every Acre of Arable Land Yearly to the Church of St. James which Custom having suffered many changes has been renewed by several Popes who have issued out their Bulls to that effect and it is still preserved in a great part of Spain St. James had but very few Followers in Spain whereof some reckon up nine chosen Disciples which others say were sent into Spain by the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul which Controversie being altogether impossible to be decided I think fitter to pass it by than to take up the Reader 's Attention with what is altogether uncertain CHAP. II. The Reigns of the Emperours Nero Galba Otho Vitellius Vespasian and Titus with an Account of the Colonies Free Towns and Courts of Judicature then in Spain CLaudius the Emperour was Poison'd by an Eunuch or as others have it by his Wife Agrippina to the intent her Son Domitius Nero might obtain the Empire which prov'd fatal to her Certain it is he dyed in the Year of Grace 55. Nero his Son-in-Law and Successor held the Empire 14 Years the first 5 he govern'd well as Trajan used to testify after that he sunk into all manner of Vice and Debauchery like a wild Beast that breaking loose from its Confinement bears down all before it To such a degree did his Cruelty rage that he kill'd his own Mother of whom he
their Actions belongs not to this History but in Conclusion Vitellius was slain at Rome in the ninth Month of his Reign and 57th Year of his Age. Vespasian leaving his Son Titus to Command in Asia came by the way of Alexandria into Italy and so to Rome in the Year of our Lord 72 and was receiv'd with the general applause and satisfaction of the Senate and People He govern'd the Empire ten Years with such prudence and Virtue that he seemed to want nothing but the knowledge of the Christian Faith Titus having subdu'd the Jews and destroy'd Hierusalem Triumph'd with his Father at Rome and having brought over with him a vast number of Captive Jews part of them were sent into Spain where they setled in the City Merida as their Writers affirms At his first coming to the Empire Vespasian granted to the Spaniards the priviledges of Latium or Italy the more to incline them to his Party they at that time favouring Vitellius Licinius Larius now governed Hispania Citerior as Pretor a Man given to Learning and great Friend to Pliny then Questor there for whose natural History and some other Works he offered a great sum of Money This Licinius is supposed to have built the Bridge of Segovia a Work so lofty and wonderful that the commonalty are perswaded it was built by the Devil Others Attribute the building of this Bridge to the Emperor Trajan but there are no sufficient grounds to assert either Opinion It is much more credible that the Town in Galicia now called Betanços formerly Flavium Brigancium the other now called Padron then Iria Flavia also the Town Municipium Flavium Axaritanum now Lora and other places of that name were built by the Family of Vespasian who were all called Flavij or else they took those names in Honour of the Emperor or one of his Sons The Emperor Vespasian lived to be 70 Years of Age and then dyed at Rome on the 24th of June in the Year of our Lord 80. He was as happy in his Death as his Life for that he left behind his Son Titus to succeed in the Empire who equal'd his Father in all his Virtues and far exceeded him in Affability Sweetness of Temper and Liberality to which he was so inclin'd he was used to say none ought to go from his Princes presence dissatisfyed and remembring one Night that he had bestowed no favour that day said to those about him My Friends we have lost a day These good qualities gained him the Affections of all Men so intirely that he was called the Ornament and delight of Mankind But Death cut him off very untimely for he was not above 42 Year of Age reigned only two Years two Months and twenty Days and deceased on the 13th of September in the Year of Christ 82. Nothing of note appears to have hap'ned during this time in Spain It was Governed by three Pretors in the three Provinces Tarraconensis Betica and Lusitania In Betica there were eight Roman Colonies and as many Municipiums which enjoyed less priviledges than the others and four Courts to determine Law suits that were held at Cadiz Sevil Ezija and Cordova In Lusitania were Five Colonies one Municipium which was Lisbon called by another name Felicitas Julia and three Courts at Merida Badajoz and Santaren then called Scalabis In Hispania Citerior or Tarraconensis there were Fourteen Colonies some say more Thirteen Municipiums and Seven Courts at Cartagena Tarragona Zaragoça Clunia now Corun̄a Astorga Lugo and Braga The Pretors now when the time of their Command was expired and they waited for one to succed them called themselves Legates or Lieutenants and not Propretors as was used before CHAP. III. The Reigns of the Emperors Domitian Nerva Trajan Adrian Antoninus Verus Marcus Aurelius and Commodus the Persecutions under them the building of the City Leon and rise of the Heresie of the Gnosticks THE virtues and good qualities of Titus were set off and received the greater Luster by the disorders and extravagancies of his Brother and Successor Domitian a Man so vicious he rather resembled the Neros than the Flavij His madness was such that he caused his Wife to be called Augusta which none of his predecessors had done and himself to be stiled Lord and God He persecuted the Christians banished St. John the Evangelist to the Island Pathmos killed Marcus Aelius Glabrio and Flavius Clemens who had both been Consuls and banished Flavia Domicilla Wife to the latter into the Island Ponza without regard to the Kindred he with had both of them This his cruelty to the Christians is thought to have shortned his Days his death being foretold by Flashes of Lightning that continually fell for the space of eight Months His Avarice made him the more odious for he seized upon the Estates of the Martyrs therefore some to please him accused Domicilla's Steward that he had concealed her Riches The Steward whose name was Stephanus having notice of it to avoid that danger ventured upon a greater for with some others he conspired to kill the Tyrant which he put in Execution within his own Palace on the eighth of September in the Year 97. He dyed at the Age of 45 having Reigned 15 Years and 5 Months his Death was pleasing to all Men except the Soldiers to whom he denyed nothing that they might stand firm to him In Spain he put out an Edict by which it was forbid to plant any more Vines About the same time Eugenius Disciple to Dionysius Areopagita sent by him to Preach in Spain and first Archbishop of Toledo shed his blood in defence of the Faith of Jesus Christ in France whither he went to visit his Master At this time three Famous Spanish Poets Flourished at Rome viz. M. Valerius Martialis born at Bilbilis now Calatayud Caius Canius at Cadiz and Decianus at Merida The Senate upon the Death of Domitian chose Caius Nerva Emperor He was a Person of great Authority but very Ancient and therefore the more exposed to contempt which he being sensible of adopted M. Vlpius Trajanus a Spaniard born at Italica near Sevil a Man much in Esteem and of great parts and appointed him his Companion and Successor He repeal'd all the Decrees and Edicts made by Domitian whereupon many returned from bannishment and among the rest St. John the Evangelist from the Island Pathmos to his Church at Ephesus Nerva was Emperor only sixteen Months and then upon his Death M. Vlpius Trajanus his adopted Son undertook the Government in the Month of February and the Year of Grace 99. His great virtues were answerable to the hopes had been conceived of him His good natural parts being much Cultivated by the instructions of so good a Master as was the great Philosopher Plutarch Trajan built two Bridges of wonderful structure the one in Germany over the Danube the greatest River in Europe the other in that part of Spain we
call Estremadura over the River Tagus and is known by the name of the Bridge of Alcantara By an inscription that is still to be seen on that Bridge it appears that many Towns of the Neighbourhood contributed to the Charge This is one of the most remarkable pieces of Antiquity in Spain In a Town of Andaluzia called Aragua belonging to the Knights of the Order of St. James on the Wall of the Palace are two stones which were once the Pedestals of two Statues erected in Memory of Matidia and Marcia Sisters to Trajan as appears by the inscription upon them At the same time the Soldiers of the seventh Legion called Gemina quiting the City Sublancia in Asturias because it was seated on the ridge of a hill two Leagues below it founded a Town which from them was called Legio now the City Leon and but slenderly peopled yet was once the Court of the Kings of Leon when after the destruction of Spain the Christians began to gather strength Trajan governed the Empire the space of ninteen Years and a half In the third year of his Reign he raised a more cruel persecution against the Christians than could have been imagined from a Prince esteemed as he was Mild and Prudent This fury was in some measure abated five Years after at the instance of Pliny the Younger then Proconsul of Bithynia who in a letter advised him that the Christian Superstition as they termed it ought rather to be suppressed by Art than force because it was spread abroad in the Country as well as in Cities and that the Christians could not be convicted of any Crimes only that they had meetings before day where they Sung Hymns in Honour of Christ Upon this Trajan answered that no search should be made after the Christians but that if accused they should be punished An infinite Number of Christians suffered in this persecution Spain was not exempted from its share of blood Among others Mantius first Bishop of Ebord was Martyred There is a Rich Monastery within a League of Medina de Rio Seco of his invocation and therefore called Villa Nueva de S. Mancio At this time also Macarius Justus and Rufinus suffered Trajan dyed in Cilicia at a place then called Selinunte afterwards Trajanopolis or Trajans Town in his return to Rome from the Parthian War Nevertheless his Ashes were received into that City with Triumph for having vanquished his Enemies A thing never granted to any before or after him that they should Triumph after death Aelius Adrianus appointed by Trajan his Successor as soon as he entred upon the Government intending to visit all his Provinces set out from Rome and through Germany passed into Great Britain thence he went over into Spain so to Africk and into the East his head always bare and often afoot In this long journey he is said to have narrowly escaped an eminent danger at Tarragona where a Slave ran at him with a drawn Sword but being supposed to be mad he delivered him up to the Physicians to be cured without any other punishment Sextus Aurelius Victor says he divided Spain into six Provinces viz. Betica Lusitania Carthaginensis Tarraconensis Galicia and Mauritania's Tingitana It appears by some inscriptions of those days as also by Justinians Laws that the Governours of Betica and Lusitania were Consular Legates those of the other four Provinces were only Presidents This Emperor having no Children chose Ceionius Commodus Verus for his Successor and gave him the Title of Caesar reserving to himself that of Augustus and this was the Original of the Custom of calling the Emperors Children or Successors Caesars In the Eleventh Year of his Reign Adrian ordered that none should be punished meerly for being a Christian unless he were Convicted of some crime and was so well inclined towards the Christians that he designed to place Christ among his other Gods and caused Temples to be erected without any Idols Fearing that the greateness of the Roman Empire might cause it to sink under its own weight he set bounds to it to which purpose the Bridge built by Trajan on the Danube was demolished and in the East he ordered the River Euphrates should be the utmost Limit quitting what was Conquered beyond it He was very sickly and being tired with the continual dependance on Physicians at Bayae to avoid having more to do with them he abstained from meat and dyed having Reigned Twenty One Years In the days of this Emperor Basilides in Aegypt and Saturninus in Syria spread the Sect of the Gnosticks which confounded the Divine persons and subjected the free will and its Operations to the force of destiny and the stars Besides they affirmed that Christian justification depends only upon Faith A disciple of Basilides called Marc came into Spain and there sowed his Wicked Doctrine Among others there followed him a Woman called Agape and the Rhetorician Helpidius From these Ashes and Embers Priscillian afterwards raked a Fire which spread a mighty flame as shall be observed in its place Commodus Verus died soon after his adoption and in his place was substituted Titus Aelius Antoninus who succeeded Adrian in the Empire in the Year 139. During the Term of Twenty Two Years and Seven Months that his Reign lasted he maintained all the Provinces of the Empire in such Peace and tranquility that he was compared to Numa All Men strove to please and obey so good a Prince and he laboured to gain the Affections of all Men. His most peculiar virtues were Clemency and Meekness which gained him the Titles of Pious and Pater Patriae Under him the Christians suffered no persecution as under the other Emperors It does not appear that he did any thing remarkable in Spain but his name is to be seen in some Roman inscriptions He dyed near Rome in the Year 162 and left M. Aurelius Antoninus and Antoninus Verus to succeed him in the Empire This was the first time that two Emperors were seen in Rome with equal Power and Authority Verus lived but nine Years he renewed the persecution against the Christians quieted the East where the Persians had raised Commotions and is believed to have been the first that gave the Title of Comites or Counts to the Governours of Provinces By his death the whole charge of the Government was devolv'd upon M. Aurelius Antoninus a Prince of great goodness the sirname of Philosopher given him is a sufficient Testimony of his Learning as is the Learned Book of his still Extant He Reigned nineteen Years and one Month and dyed the 17th of March in the Year 181. Aelius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus succeeding his Father by the Vileness of his Actions much obscured the Glory of his Family It was supposed one of his Concubines named Marcia had distempered his brain with some Potion she gave him certain it is she was the cause of his Death for finding her own Name
in the List of those that were to be slain she conspired with the Eunuch Narcissus and they gave him a dose of Poison but finding it did not Work fast enough they stifled him He lived but Thirty Two Years whereof he Reign'd Twelve Eight Months and Fifteen day It is reported he kept Three hundred Concubines and a like number of the Beautifulest Youths that could be found to satisfy his beastly Lust Some Authors say it was at this time that the holy Martyrs Facundus and Primitivus suffered at the Banks of Cea a River that runs down from the Mountains of Asturias into Old Castile Here the Christians built a Church in honour of them In the time of the Moores they were remov'd into Asturias and thence returned to the same place and a Monastery of Benedictine Monks built there near that of Sahagun and is one of the chiefest places of Devotion in Spain CHAP. IV. The Reigns of the Emperors Pertinax Severus Caracalla Macrinus Heliogabalus Alexander Severus Maximinus Gordianus Philip Decius Trebonianus Gallus and Aemilianus THE Emperor Commodus was killed in the Year 193. Helvius Pertinax born of a Libertine or which is all one descended from Slaves succeeded him and ruled only two Months and Twenty eight days The Murderers of Commodus procur'd him the Crown for his approved goodness and the Pretorian Soldiers deprived him of it and his Life within his own Palace No sooner was Pertinax Murdered but Sulpicianus and Didius Julianus repaired to the Pretorian bands like Merchants to buy the Empire as if it had been exposed to sale Julianus carryed it by promising each Soldier Twenty five Sestercies which amounts to 625 Crowns an extravagant sum and not being able afterwards to pay it the Souldiers forsook him and he was killed by the contrivance of Septimius Severus Six Months after he undertook the Government For this good service Severus was declared Emperor by the Legions of Sclavonia He was born at Leptis or Tripoli in Barbary punished the Pretorian bands for the Murder of Pertinax by disarming and banishing them a Hundred Miles from Rome vanquished Pescennius Niger who called himself Emperor in the East destroyed the City Bizantium because it shut the Gates against him defeated Albinus that was revolted in France then passed over into Great Britain appeased the Commotions that were raised there resolved to build a Wall betwixt England and Scotland to curb the incursions of the Scots but was cut off by Death which seized him in the City of York when he had Reign'd Seventeen Years and Eight Months and three days In the Ninth Year of his Reign he raised a persecution against the Christians in which much blood was spilt Severus left two Sons by two Wives Aurelius Antoninus Caracalla the Eldest at his first coming to the Crown slew his Brother Gela by the Father's will appointed his Companion in the Empire This bloody Action made him odious to the People and he increased their hatred by Marrying Julia Geta's Mother and as some will have it his own He stopped not here but put to Death all that were any ways inclined to his Brother But his Barbarities could not be lasting for he was stabbed by one Marcialis a Soldier as he sate easing his Body when he had Reigned Six Years Two Months and five days Opilius Macrinus Commander of the Pretorian bands by the free consent of Audentius a Noble Man whom the Soldiers would have preferred was declared Emperor He did nothing of note and his time was so short he can scare be counted in the Number of Emperors Mesa the Sister of Julia prevailed with the Soldiers to kill him at Chaleedon together with his Son Diadumenus on the 7th of June 219. His power lasted but Three Months and Twenty Eight Days Aurelius Antoninus Varius who was Priest of the Sun in Phaenicia as is signifyed by the name Heliogabalus and for the Beauty of his Person and gracefulness which seemed to be the Tokens of a fair Soul and above all by the help of his Mother Mesa was by the unanimous consent of the Soldiers saluted Emperor His Life and manners were vicious beyond measure so wholly addicted to Lust that he acted and suffered things not to be named and raved to that excess of brutality that he endeavoured to change his Sex to the shame and disgrace of the Roman Empire and of all Mankind The World could not endure such a Monster his own Guards killed him on the Tenth of March in the Year of our Lord 223 the Eighteenth of his Age and when he had Reign'd Three Years nine Months and four days Alexander Severus Cousin-german to Heliogabalus succeeded him in the Empire his Virtues equalled the Vices of the other and he had proved one of the most glorious Emperors had he not been cut off by Death He was so far a favourer of Christians as to cause the Image of Christ to be placed among those of his other Gods he overcame the Parthians and then waging War in Germany was basely Murdered by Maximinus in the Twenty Ninth Year of his Age when he had Reigned Thirteen Years and nine days equal to the best for Justice Clemency Prudence and Meekness There is no Memory of any thing remarkable that happen'd in Spain in the days of these Emperors At Guadix is the Pedestal of a Statue erected in honour of Mammea the Mother of Alexander the Emperor the inscription of it is as follows To Julia Mammea Augusta Mother to the Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander pious happy Augustus Mother of the Army the Colony Julia Gemina Accitana devoted to her Deity and Majesty This Lady is supposed to have been a Christian at least she was Familiarly acquainted with Origen About this time Pope Anterus who then governed the See of Rome writ a Letter to the Bishops of Andaluzia and Kingdom of Toledo in which among other things he tells them that Bishops cannot lawfully be Translated from one See to another for their own ease or advantage Julius Maximinus born in Thracia of base Parentage remarkable for his extraordinary Stature of Body Strength and Swiftness passed thro' all the Degrees from a private Soldier till by force he possessed himself of the Empire after the Death of Alexander Severus in the Year of Grace 239. After quieting the Revolted Germans he prepared to make War upon Samartia now Poland when News was brought him to the City Sirmo that the Soldiers in Africk had saluted Gordianus the Governour of that Province Emperor and the Senate approved of their choice Inflamed with the desire of Revenge he marched towards Rome but stopp'd at Aquileia that City having shut the Gates against him Here he was inform'd that Gordianus and his Son of the same Name had been killed in Africk and that the Senate had in his stead chosen Balbinus and Pupienus Great was the danger that threatned had not the
Soldiers weary of the Tyrant killed him in his own Tent which delivered Rome from slavery and the Christians from the fear of the Persecution he had raised against them The Emperors Balbinus and Pupienus were killed by their own Guards within the first Year of their Reign Gordianus Grandson to the other of the same Name was before saluted Caesar and appointed their Successor and notwithstanding he was yet scarce 15 Years of age without any opposition declared Emperor After putting an end to the Persian War with the wish'd for Success he was basely murdered by Philip the Captain of his Guards in the 6th Year of his Reign The Empire was the Reward of Marcus Julius Philippus's Treason He was by Birth an Arab of mean Extraction but a good Soldier which raised him to several Commands and at last to the Empire in the Year 241. which he held above 5 Years He made a dishonourable Peace with the Persians The Goths at this time infesting the Province of Thrace one Marinus sent by him to oppose them took upon him the Title of Emperor but was vanquished and slain by Decius whom Philip had intrusted with an Army to suppress him This done the same Decius was saluted Emperor by his Legions and Philip marching to oppose him was killed in a Mutiny of his own Men at Verona As soon as Decius was possessed of the Empire which was in the Year 250. He Persecuted the Christians with the utmost cruelty He waged War with the Getae and overthrew them in the first Battle but in the second by the Treachery of Trebonianus Gallus was vanquished and killed together with his Son when he had Ruled the space of two Years This Traytor according to the Custom of those Times Usurped the Empire and held it 18 Months He made Peace with the Getae and agreed to pay them a sum of Money Yearly a thing very dishonourable to the Roman Empire whereby he became contemptible to his Soldiers and gave occasion to Aemilianus his own General an African of Mauritania Tingitana after having defeated those People in a great Battle to Revolt and Gallus being slain to seize upon the Empire His Power lasted but 4. Months his own Soldiers killing him as soon as they heard of the Election of Valerianus and therefore some do not reckon him in the number of the Emperors CHAP. V. The Reigns of the Emperors Valerianus Galienus Flavius Aurelianus Tacitus Florianus Probus Carus Carinus Dioclesian and Maximian Constantius and Galerius Maximinus and Licinius LIcinius Valerianus was 70 Years of Age when the Legions in Gallia saluted him Emperor in the Year of our Lord 254. Having Reigned 7 Years he was taken Prisoner in a Battle he fought with the Persians and liv'd above a Year in Slavery His Son Galienus thought of nothing less than relieving his Father and regaining the lost Honour of the Empire and indeed he was Distracted on all sides by the Persians Goths and Germans and by 30 Generals who in several places had taken upon them the Title of Emperors It would be endless to relate what each of them did it only makes for our purpose that one Tetricus possessed himself of Spain and had recourse to the Germans for Aid They passed thither thro' France and like a barbarous People for the space of 12 Years destroyed all that was in their way with Fire and Sword It appears by some Stones found in Spain that the Emperor Galienus's Wife was called Cornelia Salolina and Decius's Empress Herennia About this time Pope Lucius Governed the Church who in an Epistle to the Bishops of Spain and France exhorts them to hold frequent Synods determines the Power of Metropolitans oâ—er their Suffragan Bishops forbids Communication with Hereticks and encourages them to bear patiently with the lasting Calamities of the times Lucius's Successor was Stephanus in whose time the Bishops of Spain in a Council they held Degraded Martial Bishop of Merida and Basilides of Astorga as Libellatici so they called those that gave it under their Hands they Renounc'd the Christian Religion for those who proceeded so far as to offer Sacrifice to Idols were termed Sacrificati Basilides had recourse to Rome as to the Head was absolved by Pope Stephen and ordered to be restored to his Church and Dignity The Bishops of Spain offended at it consulted with St. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage who taking the Advice of others answer'd That those who forsake the Church could not be restor'd to the Honours they before enjoy'd in the Church that upon doing Pennance suitable to the Crime they might be again received into the number of the Faithful but not Replaced in the Sacerdotal Dignity as had been Determined by Pope Cornelius and that if Pope Stephen had ordered otherwise he had been imposed upon as being so far off Therefore Pope Sixtus II. successor to Stephen in his Epistle to the Bishops of Spain tells them the Decrees of the Fathers are not to be altered nor Bishops depos'd without acquainting him of Rome How this Difference ended is not known but certain it is all these three Popes suffered Martyrdom under Valerianus as did St. Laurence the Honour of Spain born at Huesca and also Orencius and Pacientia both accounted Saints The Emperor Galienus Besieging Milan his Soldiers weary of the War Mutinied and Killed him in the Year of Grace 269. when he had Governed 15 Years The Empire being thus without a Head Flavius Claudius a Noble Man and great General took upon him the Title of Emperor in the Year following The beginning of his Reign was fortunate for he killed the Tyrant Aureolus overcame the Goths and Germans but as he was preparing to march either against Tetricus in Spain or Queen Zenobia in the East Death cut him off at Sirmo a City of Hungary when he had Reigned one Year ten Months and fifteen Days His Death being known the Senate in his place chose Quintilianus his Brother a Man of so poor a Spirit that he killed himself 17 Days after his Election upon the News that Claudius's Legions had saluted Lucius Domitius Aurelianus Emperor This might have been counted among the best of Princes had he not defac'd the Lustre of his Martial Exploits with Moroseness and the hatred he bore to Christianity He Subdued Dacia Vanquished all the Tyrants that had possessed themselves of several Provinces took Queen Zenobia Prisoner and led her into Rome in Triumph which was the last Celebrated in that City after the Ancient manner Returning into the East to make War upon the Persians he was Treacherously Murdered by his Favourite Mnestheus when he had Reigned 4 Years 11 Months and 7 Days In his Days Narcissus and Felix suffered Martydom at Girona on the Borders of Spain After the Death of Aurelianus a new and unusual Contention in point of Civility hap'ned betwixt the Senate and Army each referring the choice of an Emperor to the other Six
Months were spent in agreeing the point at length the Senate overcome by the modesty of the Army named Claudius Tacitus a Man of great Ability but 68 Years of Age. So his Command prov'd but short lived for he Governed only 6 Months and 20 Days and dy'd at Tharsus in Cilicia Florianus his Brother who was there present caused himself to be Proclaimed Emperor but repenting ordered his Veins to be open'd 3 Months after and bled to Death The reason was he thought he had not Force enough to withstand the Legions of the East which had nam'd M. Aurelius Probus Emperor He tho' by Birth a Sclavonian was a Person so well versed in Civil as well as Martial Affairs and of such known Vertue that had not the Name Probus belong'd to him by his Family he had deserv'd it for his good Life and Behaviour His Reign lasted but 5 Years and 4 Months at the end of which he was killed by his own Soldiers who in his place chose M. Aurelius Carus in the Year of Grace 282. And he Named his two Sons Carinus and Numerianus his Companions in the Empire Carus was killed by a Thunder-bolt or flash of Lightning near the River Tigris in the second Year of his Reign and Numerianus murdered in a Litter in which he was carried because of his sore Eyes by his Father-in-law Aper in hopes of making himself Emperor Hereupon the Army chose Dioclesian who overthrew and killed Carinus that pretended to the whole Empire by Right of Succession At this time a Prefect called M. Aurelius Governed Hispania citerior as appears by certain Inscriptions upon Stones still preserv'd in Spain by which it also appears that the Emperors besides all their other Titles used the Name of Proconsul as may be seen upon a Stone preserved to this Day in the Market-place of Monviedro Dioclesian was a Native of Sclavonia Descended from Slaves and nevertheless was made Emperor of Rome in the Year of Christ 284. He was not inferior to the greatest Princes for Warlike Exploits but blemished all the Actions of his Life with an insatiable thirst of Christian blood In the second Year of his Reign he declared Maximianus Herculeus his Companion in the Empire and soon after gave the Title of Caesars to Galerius Maximinus and Constantius Clorus Galerius was married to Valeria Dioclesian's Daughter Constantius by his cammand was Devorced from Helena the Daughter of a King of Britain and Mother of Constantine the Great and Married to Theodora the Daughter-in-law of Maximian During the whole Reign of these two Emperors the Persecution against the Christians was so violent and bloody as it never had been before or was after in any part of the World Many suffered in Spain but especially after the coming of the President Dacianus no corner of it was free from the Blood of Martyrs Dioclesian grown weary of the Govenment and despairing of ever being able utterly to Extirpate the Christian Religion as he had designed renounced the Empire at Milan after he had held it 20 Years and retired to a private Life Maximian by his perswasion did the same at Nicomedia an example rarely to be seen By this means Constantius and Galerius were left absolute in the Year of Christ 304. Constantius for his part chose France Spain and Britain He was a Prince of that Moderation that the Service of his Table was Earthen Ware a great Friend to the Christians as appeared upon several occasions The other Provinces of the Empire fell to Galerius who the more to strengthen himself declared his two Nephews Severus and Maximinus Caesars To Maximinus he gave charge of the East to Severus of Italy and Africk he himself took care of Sclavonia and Greece Death put an end to the Actions of Constantius for he dy'd at York in the Year 306. having Reigned only 1 Year 10 Months and 8 Days About this time lived Prudentius Bishop of Tarraçona Born at Arnencia a Town in Biscay formerly an Episcopal See now only a scattered Village since the Collegiate Church was removed from thence to Vitoria by the Bull of Pope Alexander VI. In these Days also flourished Rufus Festus the famous Writer of the Roman History and a noted Poet. The Year after Constantius dy'd Maxentius Son to Maximian possessed himself of Rome and assumed the Title of Emperor Severus marched against him but was Defeated and Slain by the Tyrant Maximian hearing hereof repaired to Rome either to be assisting to his Son or in hopes to recover the Empire Ambition observes no respect of Persons his Son turn'd him out of Rome and he fled to the Protection of Constantine then residing in France who understanding that Maximian without regard to their Kindred or the Rites of Hospitality contrived his Death ordered him to be killed at Marseilles where he then was Galerius having constituted Licinius Caesar in stead of Severus marched himself into Italy to suppress the Tyrant but fearing his Army would Mutiny returned into Sclavonia without effecting any thing There he began to vent his Rage upon the Christians but Death put an end to his Designs for he dy'd of an Imposthume in the Groin 5 Years after he was raised to the Empire At that time Melchiades was Pope who in an Epistle to Marinus Leontius Benedictus and the other Bishops of Spain aduises them to take warning from the shortness of Humane Life to Govern their Flocks with Moderation That among the Apostles tho' equal in the Vocation there-was a difference in the Power which St. Peter had above the rest He also treats of the Sacrament of Confirmation This Epistle is dated in the Consulship of Rubrius and Volusianus which is in the Year of our Lord 314. CHAP. VI. The Reign of the Glorious Constantine the Great the first Christian Emperor The Arian Heresie And first General Council of Nice THE Romans weary of the Tyranny of Maxentius and reposing no confidence in the Caesars Maximinus and Licinius sent for Aid to Constantine then residing in France He readily condescended to their request and marched with his Army to Milan where to secure Licinius he gave him in Marriage his Sister Constantia That done he advanc'd towards the Tyrant Being near Rome his Thoughts fully bent upon the business in hand in a bright Sunshine day he saw the sign of the Cross in the Sky with this Inscription In hoc signo Vinces Highly encourouraged by this Miracle he ordered that the Imperial Standard call'd Labarum should be made in the figure of a Cross in the manner as represented in the Margent Hence some are of Opinion sprang the Custom in Spain of wâ—â—ting the Name of Christ with X. P. which was the form of the Labarum This is proved by a Stone found at Oreto near Almago of the time of the Emperor Valentinian II. where it appears the Name of Christ was then writ in that manner Constantine advanc'd and in Vertue
of the Cross in sight of Rome vanquished his Enemy who flying over a Bridge of Boats he had made upon the River Tiber fell in and was Drowned Thus Rome was delivered from Tyranny and Constantine entred the City in Triumph that way where now stands the most beautiful Triumphal Arch erected in memory of this Victory At the same time ceased the cruel Persecution raised against the Christians by the Tyrant It was then also that Maximin in the East profusely spilt the Blood of Christians and so great was his desire of extirpating Christianity that he ordered throughout all the Provinces under his command Children should be taught to read in and get by heart a Book in which what passed betwixt Christ and Pontius Pilate was falsely and scandalously represented on purpose to make the sacred Name of our Saviour odious and contemptible It is true not long before his Death he Repealed all those Edicts not so much of his own Inclination as for fear of Constantine whose Power daily encreased also of Licinius by whom he had been lately overthrown in Battle Licinius soon changing his mind began to declare against the Christian Religion which drew Constantine upon him They came to a Battle first in Hungary where Licinius was vanquished but pardoned at the intercession of his Wife Constantia then again in Bithynia and being again defeated Constantine spared his Life yet reduced him to live as a private Person but because afterwards he endeavoured to Revolt caused him at last to be killed He was of such an extravagant Humour that he used to say Learning was the Poison of the Common-wealth and no wonder since he was so ignorant himself he could not write his Name Thus all Commotions and Broils being appeased as well at home as Abroad all the Empire was brought under one Head who so far favoured Christianity that it daily encreased and still flourished more and more The Emperor Constantine was Baptized in Rome and by vertue of the Baptism delivered of a Leprosie he languished under as some Authors will have it but the most received Opinion is that this must be understood of the Spiritual Leprosie of Paganism A beautiful Font in the Church of St. John Lateran of curious Workmanship and adorned with large Columns of Porphyry Stone is a Testimony of his being Baptized at Rome As soon as Baptized he began to Cultivate the Religion he had embraced building Churches in several places Enacting many Holy Laws and stirring up all People with his good example Great was the prosperity of the Christian Church But all this Glory suffered some Eclipse by the obstinacy of Arius of Alexandria who taught and maintained That Christ the Son of God and the eternal Word was not of the same Substance with his Father This was the Founder of the famous Sect and Heresie of the Arians The holy Martyr St. Lucianus was Master to Arius but not in this madness his fellow Disciples Friends and Assertors were the two Eusebii of Nicomedia and Caesarea Ambition was the principal Motive of his Fall being offended that after the Death of St. Peter Bishop of Alexandria Alexander was promoted to that See without any regard had of him From hence sprang that Division betwixt Christians which spread over almost all the World and seemed to threaten Destruction For many Men of Note as well of the Clergy as Laity followed the new Opinion without giving ear to the Advice and Persuasions of those that continued firm in the true Faith The Emperor was highly concerned at this Schism and sent Hosius Bishop of Cordova to Alexandria to compose those Differences as being the most famous Man of that Age for Learning Prudence and Authority He handled that Affair with much Circumspection and for the better reconciling the Matters in Dispute is said to have been the first that invented the words Ousia which signifies Essence or Being and Hypostasis which is the Suppositum or Person Nothing was of force to convince the obstinate Arius whereupon he was Banished Alexandria and afterwards being Summoned to appear at Constantinople he there going to ease himself voided his Entrails and so made a miserable end as St. Athanasius who lived at that time testifies The evil still encreasing and taking root the Emperor resolved to have recourse to the last Remedy which was to call a General Council Nicea a City in Bithynia was the place appointed by Constantine for the Bishops to meet and thither by his order repaired 318 from all Parts In this Council Arius and his Doctrine were Condemned Meletius was also deprived of his Bishoprick because he too hotly reproved the easiness of Peter Bishop of Alexandria in reconciling and admitting to the Church such as had fallen from the Faith and by this his Zealotry had bred Divisions in the Churches of Egypt There were great Disputes about the time of Celebrating the Feast of Easter that also was settled and ordered to be kept at one and the same time throughout the World The Eastern Clergy were grown very Loose and Disorderly in their Lives particularly in what related to living Chastly and it being thought hard to reduce them to the Rules observed before therefore by the Advice of Paphnucius the Fathers condescended to allow them to keep their Wives All Persons were forbid keeping the Books of Arius upon pain of Death the said Books were all ordered to be burnt Some say the manner of reckoning by Indictions was first brought up in this Council and that it commenced in the Year of Grace 313. because in that Year the Emperor Constantine saw the sign of the Cross in the Sky The Great Hosius was present at this Council and some will have it that he Presided in it for Pope Silvester together with the two Priests Vitus and Vincentius sent from Rome to that purpose At the same time or soon after was held in Spain the Council called Iliberitanum of the City Iliberis which stood in that part of the Province Betica where now is Granada as appears by a Gate of that City still called Elvira and a Hill near it of the same name They mistake who hold that this Council was held near the Pyreneans at Colibre then called Eliberis because the difference betwixt the Names of those two Cities still continues and no Bishop of France or the adjacent Country was present at this Synod except Valerius Bishop of Zaragoça This is one of the ancientest Synods and in which several weighty Matters were handled In it mention is made of Virgins consecrated to God The Bishops here dispensed with the Fasts of the Months of July and August a Custom before received in France tho' not in Spain where there was more need of it because of the great heat They forbid Married Women writing and receiving Letters without the knowledge of their Husbands and also the painting of Saints on the Walls of Churches that they might not be defaced by the decay of the
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
the foot of the Alps the two Armies met the Battle was bloody and obstinately fought On a sudden there arose a Storm of Wind Rain Thunder and Lightning which drove so upon the Rebels that they could not weild their Weapons as Claudian a famous Poet of those times relates it 20000 Goths who served under the Emperor's pay since the death of Athanaricus did great service and thus at length Theodosius having made a great slaughter became Master of the Field Eugenius after the Fight was killed by his own Men and Arbogestes made away with himself This Battle was fought on the 17th of September 394. The same Year Theodosius named his Younger Son Honorius his Companion in the Empire and soon after dy'd of a Dropsie at Milan on the 17th of January in the following Year at the Age of 50 having Reigned 16 Years and 2 Days He was twice Married by Placilla his first Wife he left the two Emperors Arcadius and Honorius by Galla the Daughter of Valentinian and Justina he had only one Daughter named Galla Placidia St. Ambrose and St. Hierom in particular Sermons to that purpose spoke the Praises of this excellent Prince Aurelius Victor says he well deserved the Name Theodosius which signifies Given by God for his great Actions and Virtues tho' it had not been given him by his Father It was a sufficient demonstration of his Zeal for Religion that he caused the Pagan Temples which Constantine had shut up to be utterly demolished After the Death of the Great Theodosius his Sons took upon them the Administration of the Government Arcadius had the East and Honorius the West They were more Religious and Virtuous than Fortunate for in their time the Majesty of the Roman Empire which from a small beginning was raised to such a height that it laboured under its own weight began to fall and never more recovered it self By the Death of Pope Siricius Anastasius was promoted to the Government of the Church in whose time the first Council of Toledo was held in Spain and commenced on the first of September in the Year 400. This Synod condemned the Heresie of Priscillian and reconciled to the Church the two Bps. Simphosius and Dutinius and a Priest called Comasius who all Abjured it The Government of the Empire was divided in this manner Gildus commanded in Africk Rufinus in the East and Stilico in the West This last was a Person of greater Authority than the other two as being Allied to the Emperors for Serena his Wife was Daughter to Honorius the Brother of Theodosius the Great and he was Father-in-Law to Honorius the Emperor Theodosius had thus ordered that these three might be in the nature of Tutors to his Sons and ease them of the burden of the Government but they giving way to Ambition and forgetting their duty attempted to usurp the power and so destroy the Empire Gildus was the first that rebelled in Africk His own Brother Mazecel was sent to suppress him who vanquished and slew him and then himself usurped the name of Emperor and came to the same end Rufinus by birth a Britain or French-man stirred up the Goths and other barbarous Nations but the Treason being discovered lost his Head These Examples were not of force enough to deterr Traytors for Stilico intending to make his own Son Eucherius Emperor and destroy the Children of Theodosius the Great invited several Nations to invade the Empire and particularly made a private agreement with the Alans a fierce People and the Vandals of whose Country he was The Goths were the first that appeared in Arms offended that their pay was kept from them which was done designedly After over-running all Thracia and the Neighbouring Countries they broke into Italy in two Bodies Radagasius one of their chiefs without any opposition pierced as far as Tuscany and there near Florence was slain with all his Men by Stilico He might have destroyed Alaricus who commanded the other party but would not to keep the Emperor still in awe but worsted him and then assigned his Men places to inhabit in the farthest part of France Stilico was unwilling they should leave Italy and therefore sent one Saul a Jew to fall upon them who was killed and his forces routed and the Goths provoked by this injury returned into Italy where they stayed some Years The treachery of Stilico was not suspected at first but being discovered soon after his head was cut off in the Year 408. His Wife Serena and Son Eucherius were also executed and Honorius put away his Wife in hatred to her Father Stilico Great was the mischief the Goths did throughout all Italy and never ceased till they sate down before Rome the head of World which after a long siege they entred putting all within to Fire and Sword Rome was taken in the Year 410 according to the best computations Placidia Sister to the two Emperors was there taken and marryed to Ataulfus Brother-in-Law to Alaricus and soon succeeded in the Kingdom he dying at Cosencia a City of the Brutij now Calabria By means of Placidia Ataulfus and Honorius agreed and the Goths went to inhabit those parts of France and Spain which lie next the Pyrenean Mountains Hence they took occasion to make themselves Masters of all Spain and a good part of France as will appear in the following Book THE History of SPAIN The Fifth BOOK CHAP. I. The coming of several Barbarous Nations into Spain as the Vandals Alans Suevians Silingians and Goths Their Original and where they settled WE shall now Treat of a mighty power of sundry fierce and barbarous Nations which like an inundation spread themselves through all parts of Spain these were the Vandals Alans Suevians and Silingians But above all the Goths who having quitted their Ancient Seats and Habitations after filling all from East to West with the terror of their Name and Actions and over-running all Italy at last settled in Spain and there having partly expell'd and partly subdued the other Nations for above 300 years maintained their Sovereignty There is no doubt but all these People and others like them at several times came from the North and entred the Provinces of the Roman Empire their own Native Countries being overstocked with Multitudes of People and the barrenness of its soil obliging them to seek more plentiful and pleasant Seats As this in general is certain so is it no less doubtful from what particular parts or provinces each of these Nations came there is great variety of Opinions and the ignorance of those times gives us but little light to discover the Truth Pliny places the Vandals in that part of Germany about Pomerania tho' Dio says the springs of the River Albis or Elbe are in the Mountains of Vandalia The Burgundians are to be reckoned among the Vandals taking their name from Burgs signifying Villages in which they lived dispersed and after settling among the Hedui
Mean while the Tyrant Constantine and his Son Julian as also Jovius and Sebastianus who had Rebelled in France were killed by Constantius and all France reduced under the obedience of Honorius in the Year 413. Two Years after by the Emperor's consent the Goths possessed themselves of the Country about the Pyrenean Mountains and chose Narbonne for the Court of their Kings in the Year 415. whence that part of the Country came afterwards to be called Gallia Gothica the Bounds whereof were often changed according to the various Success they had in their Wars with the neighbouring Franks and Romans CHAP. II. The Goths Vanquish and Subdue all the other Barbarous Nations in Spain The Vandals after this Successful go over into Africk The rise of the Kingdom of the Suevians SPain was divided into several Kingdoms differing in Laws Customs and Religion The Romans and Spaniards were Catholicks the Goths Arians the other barbarous Nations had not yet embraced Christianity but follow'd the Superstitions of their Fore-fathers Each desiring to secure to themselves that part they had seized in the time of Confusion laboured to settle Peace and Amity with the Romans Godigisius King of the Vandals was the first that concluded an Agreement upon these Terms That his People should live peaceably in Spain without wronging the Natives and should at no time plead Prescription of 30 Years to retain what they had unjustly and violently taken from the Romans The Alans being a more sierce People than the others assaulted the Vandals and Silingians obliged them to quit all the Province Betica and retire into Galicia that with the assistance of the Suevians they might be inabled to recover their Lands from whence they were drove But the Alans turned their fury against Celtiberia and Carpetania and took many Towns from the Romans The Goths also the next Year after they had settled in France passed over into Spain Ataulfus their King either weary of the War or being better affected towards the Romans as being the Emperor's Brother-in-law inclined to Peace This no way suited with the furious Nature of the People who hereupon Conspired and Murdered him at Barcelona by the means of one Vernulfus his Favourite In the place of Ataulfus they chose Sigericus a Man of known Courage and Conduct but he also following the Footsteps of Ataulfus in his inclination to Peace was killed by his own People within the first Year of his Reign Walia a restless and turbulent Man succeeded him He at the beginning of his Reign gathered a great Fleet in order to pass over into Africk which was so shattered by a Storm in the narrowest part of the Streight that he was forced to return into Spain and come to an Agreement with Constantius The Conditions were that he should deliver up Placidia the Widdow of Ataulfus that by her Brother the Emperor was promised to the said Constantius And that the Goths should make War upon the other barbarous Nations in Spain all that they gained to belong to the Roman Empire and they to be content with what was assigned them upon the Borders of France and Spain This was concluded in the Year 418. according to Paulus Orosius Priest of Tarragona well known for his Learning who lived at this time and writ the Roman History which he continued to the following Year Honorius besides Marrying Constantius to his Sister made him his Companion in the Empire To Walia he freely added the Dominion of Guienne for having subdued as was agreed the barbarous Nations For the Goths having taken in hand that War fell upon the Alans who proud with their late Success aspired to the Sovereignty of all Spain slew their King Ataces and a great number of them in Battle and forced the rest to quit Lusitania and fly into Galicia where mixing with the Suevians the Name of their Nation and Kingdom was quite lost The Silingi were also defeated in a Battle near Tarifa and so entirely brought under that they received Gothish Governours The Vandals and Suevians terrified at this Success submitted themselves to the Romans in whose name the War was made tho' at the expence and danger of the Goths The Suevians offered to serve under the Romans but they refused lest being in Arms they might have power to Mutiny Walia having concluded so great a War and pacified Spain returned into France where he dy'd in the Year 419. Having Reigned only 3 Years in which small time he performed Actions that added much to his own and his Nations honour and increased their Territories with the addition of Guienne After the Death of Walia two things fell out very fatal one that the new Emperor Constantius returning into Italy after quieting Spain and France dy'd at Ravenna in the Year 421. leaving by his Wife Placidia a Son an Infant named Valentinian whom his Uncle Honorius took care to see Educated as his Successor in the Empire The other was that the barbarous Nations in Spain began again to Revolt and resumed their former Authority especially the Vandals whose King Gundericus designed to possess himself of all Spain To this effect they fell upon the Suevians and forced them to retire to the Mountains Ervasi supposed by some to be those now called Arvas betwixt Leon and Oviedo But because they refused to come to a Battle the Vandals despairing of doing any good upon them gathered a great Fleet and passed over to the Islands Mallorca and Minorca which they destroyed with Fire and Sword Returning thence to the Continent they utterly demolished Carthagena some time before taken from the Alans and restored to the Romans It continued in Ruins a long time till at length for the conveniency of the Port it began to be Rebuilt and in our days scarce contains 600 Families This destruction hap'ned 600 Years after it was built by the Carthaginians Gundericus King of the Vandals after taking Carthagena assaulted the Silingi who were subject to the Romans wasted the Country and having entred Sevil by force and plundred it offered to Rob the Church of St. Vincent a place of great Devotion and Riches but was by a just Judgment of God struck dead at the very Door His Bastard Brother Gensericus by others called Guntharis succeeded him All this hap'ned the same Year the Emperor Constantius dy'd at the same time also Jovinus and Maximus called themselves Emperors in Spain which obliged Honorius to send Castinus an able Commander with fresh Forces as well to suppress those Usurpers as to quell the Vandals Jovinus and Maximus were soon taken and put to Death but to subdue the Vandals was more difficult Castinus therefore not confiding in his own strength called over into Spain the Earl Bonifacius a Man much known for his great Abilities in Peace and War as also for his Friendship with St. Augustin He came over from Africk where he was Governour but Divisions falling out among them as
that had at first been conceived of him were soon disappointed for he entirely gave himself up to Sensuality Many of his People were privately Murthered and others upon forged Crimes publickly Condemned and Executed only that he might take their Wives to satisfie his Lust Hereupon he grew so hateful to his People that they Conspired and killed him in his own Palace as he sate at Dinner when he had Reigned 18 Months and 13 Days The Nobility upon the Death of Theudiselus an chose Agila for their King At his first coming to the Crown he laid close Siege to Cordova which refused to acknowledge him The Besieged making a furious Sally put his Army to flight with much slaughter killed his Son and took the Baggage whereby he was oblig'd to quit the Siege and retire to Merida This was looked upon as a Judgment from Heaven for his Profaning the Church of the Martyr Asciselus into which he had put his Horses After this misfortune he began to be less looked upon by his People and at length grew so much into contempt that one Athanagildus openly Rebelled He the more to secure and strengthen himself sent Embassadors to the Emperor Justinian offering to restore a considerable part of Spain to the Empire if he would assist him In pursuance of this Embassy Liberius was sent out of France to his aid and their Forces being joyn'd the Battle was fought near Sevil where the Rebellion is supposed first to have broke out Athanagildus obtained the Victory and Agila was slain by his own Men in the Year 554. when he had Reign'd 5 Years and 3 Months They killed him to put an end to the Civil Wars fearing lest the Power and Riches of the Goths being weakned by their own Divisions the Romans might again recover all Spain as they had done Italy and Africk In the same Year 554. by order of the Emperor Justinian was held at Constantinople the 5th General Council in which were 165 Bishops who Condemned the Opinions of Origen Jornandes a Gothish Bishop continued the History of that Nation till the time that Athanagildus having killed his Enemy was without farther Opposition acknowledged King of the Goths This King had his hands full during his whole Life being always ingaged in Wars the Success whereof proved various The great cause of these Troubles was that forgetting his Promise he endeavoured to expell the Romans all Spain On the other side they as well by Contract as force of Arms had possess'd themselves of so much that their Dominions reached from Sea to Sea By his Wife Gosuinda he had two Daughters the eldest Galsuinda Marry'd to Chilperick King of Soissons in France and Brunechilda the youngest to Sigebert King of Metz in Lorrain the Brother of Chilperick These two Ladies were by the French Bishops converted from the Sect of Arius which they had been bred in and some will have it that Athanagildus was in private a Catholick but durst not openly profess it for fear of the People He Reign'd 15 Years and 6 Months and dy'd at Toledo in the Year 567. After his Death followed an Interregnum of five Months D. Lucas de Tuy says It lasted five Years and five Months The reason of it was that the Gothish Nobility could not agree or pitch upon any one Person capable of supporting the Kingdom of the Goths then in danger of sinking and none minded the publick Calamities studying to indulge their private Humours At this time John III. Governed the See of Rome It was now also that the Suevians who possess'd Galicia returned to the Catholick Church renouncing the Heresie of Arius which they had follow'd almost 100 Years and grievously Persecuted the Catholicks Martinus Dumiensis was a great Instrument of their Conversion He was an Hungarian had Travelled throughout the East and was a Person of singular Learning at last he was Archbishop of Braga and after his Death esteem'd as a Saint in Galicia and Portugal where they Celebrate his Feast on the 20th of March. When the Suevians embraced the Catholick Religion Theodemirus Reign'd over them What Kings Reign'd betwixt Remismundus of whom we spoke before and this Theodemirus is not known the Histories of those times being imperfect The cause of the Conversion of the Suevians was this Theodemirus's Son and Heir lay dangerously Sick and the fame of the Miracles wrought by St. Martin of Tours being spread throughout the World his Father sent Embassadors to the Saints Tomb with the Youths weight in Gold and Silver to be offered for his Health But the Success not answering the King believed it proceeded from the difference of Religion and his being an Arian He sent again and the Embassadors brought a piece of the Saints Cloak and in the mean while the Prince recovered Hereupon the King in pursuance of a Vow he had made erected a Church in Honour of St. Martin and caused the Suevians publickly to embrace the Catholick Religion For the better confirming them in the Faith and by the Advice of St. Martin Dumiensis he caused a Synod of the Bishops of Galicia to be held at Braga in the third Year of his Reign and of our Lord 563. This was the first Council of Braga and Lucretius Archbishop of that City Presided in it CHAP. VII Of the two Sisters Galsuinda and Brunechilda The Reigns of the Kings Liuva and Leuvigildus This last makes his two Sons his Companions in the Throne IT was said above that Galsuinda and Brunechilda the two Daughters of Athanagildus were Marry'd in France to two Kings both which Matches in the end proved unfortunate The one soon dy'd miserably the other lived long and always in trouble Galsuinda the eldest Wife to Chilperick after suffering much thro' the Insolence of Fredegunda his Mistriss was at last found dead in her Bed and left no Issue Sigebert the Husband of Brunechilda was murdered by two Ruffians employed by the same Fredegunda and she sent Prisoner to Roan where Meroveus the Son of Chilperick admiring her Beauty Marry'd her but she having been Wife to his Uncle the Marriage was void He might have hoped for Pardon from his Father in regard to his Youth but by the procurement of Fredegunda his Mother-in-law he was first forced into a Religious Order and then killed Brunechilda having the Tuition of her two Grandsons Theodebert King of Metz and Theodorick of Burgundy made War upon Clotarius as the French Historians have it only to prefer Protadius an Italian for whom she had a more than lawful Affection Besides they add that thro' her Instigation the Brothers made War upon one another that Theodebert was killed and his two Sons and Daughter being taken she murdered the Sons and because Theodorick designed to Marry the Daughter Poison'd him After all these Cruelties Brunechilda being taken by Clotarius was four times whipped and then dragged to Death by the hair of her
to Death many Men of note some on just causes others upon false informations and enriched the Crown with their Estates His chief aim was so to weaken all other Families that none might aspire to the Crown Many not only of the Commonalty but even the Nobility Terrified with these proceedings submitted themselves to the King's Will and embraced the Arian Heresie Among others Vincencius Bishop of Zaragoca turning Arian by his ill Example drew many into the same ruin Severus Bishop of Malaga and Licinianus of Carthagena his Contemporaries writ against him The Kingdom of the Goths which by these practices seemed to increase in Power was at the same time Augmented by the additions of the Dominions of the Suevians in Spain which hap'ned in this manner King Eboricus the Son of Myrus was outed that Kingdom by Andeca a Noble Man who was Marryed to Sisegunda Eboricus his Mother-in-Law Not content with usurping the Crown he forced him to enter into a Monastery and change the Royal Robes of a Religious Habit. Eboricus was a Friend and Confederate of the Goths for which reason Leuvigildus appear'd in Arms against the Tyrant Him he overthrew in Battle took Prisoner and having stript him of the Regalia shaved his Head which according to the Custom of those times was degrading and making him incapable of being a King and after all banished him to Beja a City in Portugal These disorders gave Opportunity to one Malaricus to Rebel and being assisted by the People to take upon him the Title of King Leuvigildus soon quieted this Rebellion and made himself Master of all Galicia Eboricus 't is supposed continued as a private Man in the Monastery and the Goth had no inclination to restore him Thus the Kingdom of the Suevians that had long flourished and possessed a considerable part of Spain for the space of 174 Years was totally extinct in the Year 586. This same year Leuvigildus dyed at Toledo in the 18th Year after he began to Reign with his Brother Many Authors testify that before he dyed during his last Sickness he abjured the Arian Heresie and recommended the Catholick Religion to his Son Recaredus Our Historians relate that tho' Leuvigildus in his Heart was a Catholick yet he did not publickly abjure Arianism but temporized for fear of his Subjects Maximus says he was present at the King's Death and saw signs of his Repentance and Tears He places his decease on the second of April in the Year 587. Leuvigildus his Conversion is related to have been forwarded by several Miracles Among others it is said that in the War against his Son the Soldiers plundering a Monastery of the invocation of St. Martin near Carthagena the Monks fled into an Island and one of the Soldiers pursuing the Abbot fell down dead whereupon the King caused all that had been taken from the Monastery to be restored Another time in a dispute that was held about Religion the Catholick in testimony of the Truth he maintained took a burning Ring out of the Fire with his bare hand and received no harm which the Arian durst not do These and other Miracles caused the King to waver in his Mind He asked of an Arian Bishop why they did not work such wonders in defence of Faith He replyed he had often given sight to the blind and restored their hearing to the deaf but did it not publickly to shun Ostentation yet since it was requisite he would do it in sight of the World Soon after the King and Bishop being together an Arian who at his Instigation had feigned himself blind called upon him earnestly to restore him his sight All Men expected to see the Miracle which hap'ned contrary to what they thought for no sooner did the Bishop touch his Eyes but he was struck blind which that wretch being sensible of he openly Confessed the whole contrivance These things caused the Arian Heresie to be much slighted and the more for that during four Years continually all Spain but especially the Kingdom of Toledo was wasted by Locusts which the Commonalty said was a judgment of God for the Death of Ermenegildus and for Persecuting the Catholicks By the testimony of St. Isidorus this commendation may be given to Leuvigildus that he Corrected the Laws of the Goths at that time much corrupted abolishing some and enacting others Paul Deacon of Merida who then lived writes that Nunctus an Abbot of great Sanctity coming out of Africk to Merida to visit the Sepulcher of St. Olalia went soon after into the desart to shun the sight of Women where he was maintained by the King till the Country people of the Neighbourhood killed him upon what account is not known The King did not punish this Crime but God Almighty did for all the Murderers were possessed with Devils To conclude with Luevigildus he was the first King of the Goths that wore Garments different from the rest of the People the first that took upon him the Grandeur of a King and made use of a Crown and Scepter CHAP. X. The Reign of Recaredus his and his Peoples Conversion Conspiracies against him detected and punished He overthrows the Franks The third Council of Toledo THE Funeral Rites being performed to Leuvigildus with that State and Magnificence that was requisite Recaredus bent his Thoughts upon the setling his Court and the Government of his Kingdom His first care was to appease the Kings of France and in Order to it his first Wife Bada being Dead he indeavoured to contract an Alliance with Childebert King of Lorrain by Marrying his other Sister Clodosinda The better to effect this he sent to excuse himself of having had any hand in the Death of Ermenegildus but that on the contrary it had grieved him to the Heart The time of concluding so important an affair was not yet come but it was near at hand By the advice of the two Brothers Leander and Fulgentius he being already a Catholick in his Heart began to think of establishing the true Religion in Spain yet for the present was forced to dissemble rather than mistime such an undertaking He weighed the humour of the Commonalty which in matters of Religion is better managed by art than force Therefore he resolved to use his utmost industry cherishing some bearing with others and bestowing great Favours upon others to gain the affections of all Men. All things succeeded as he desired for the King's Will being made known as well the Nobility as Commonalty consented to it and what at first appeared so difficult was performed with more ease than could have been imagined Thus all the Goths and such of the Suevians as had till then persisted in their former Errors by a general consent embraced the Catholick Religion and at the same time hoped to gain the Favour of their Sovereign who besides the good endowments of his mind was of a Graceful Countenance and Stature which
conduced much to gain him the respect and Love of his Subjects wherefore living he was held in great Veneration and when dead his Memory was grateful to succeeding Ages It is impossible but such a change in Religion should cause some Commotions yet Recaredus his good management caused them not to be lasting or dangerous during his Reign besides that the severity he used in punishing Offenders being absolutely necessary was so far from being odious that it met a general approbation from both great and small The first that opposed the King's designs was the Bishop Athalocus in Gallia Narbonensis who was so addicted to the Arian Heresy as to suffer himself commonly to be called Arius In the same Province the two Earls Granista and Bildigernus joined with him This storm was not lasting for Athalocus soon dy'd with Grief to see his Party decay and for that the generality of the People being well inclined to the Catholick Religion he could not persuade them to Revolt The two Earls were overthrown in Battle by the Forces of Recaredus and all the harms they had done to the Catholicks reveng'd on them This Revolt hap'ned and was queil'd in Gallia Narbonensis in the 10th Month of the King's Reign at such time as he publickly abjured the Arian Heresie and embraced the Catholick Religion To the Churches he restored all their Revenues and Possessions whereof they had been deprived by his Father and Built and Endow'd many Churches and Monasteries with Royal Magnificence Many Subjects he restored to their Lands and Honours of which they had been stripp'd by his Father whose Severity he out-did in Goodness Thus the King was employed and God prospered his Affairs King Guntrandus had sent his General Desiderius with a great Army to revenge the harms done him by the Goths on their Lands in France Recaredus's Forces drew together and gave them Battle near the City Carcassonne At first the Goths were worsted and fled into that City but rallying and drawing up there they Sallied out a fresh upon the Franks who pursued in Disorder with such resolution that the Fortune of the Day was changed their Enemies totally Routed and they obtained a compleat Victory The General of the Franks was killed and more of his Men remained in the Field dead than escaped This was in the first Year of the Reign of Recaredus which was of Christ 587. as appears by an Inscription on a Stone found lately in Toledo and set up in the Cloister of the Cathedral the Words on it are these In nomine Domini consecrata ecclesia Sanctae Mariae in Catholico die primo idus Aprilis Anno feliciter primo Regni Domini nostri gloriosissimi Fl. Recaredi Regis Era DCXXV That is In the Name of the Lord the Church of St. Mary in the Catholick quarter or after the Catholick manner was Consecrated on the 13th of April in the happy first Year of the Reign of our Lord the most Glorious King Flavius Recaredus Era 625 which is the Year of Grace 587. exactly The Year following was discovered a Conspiracy against the King upon account of the change in Religion in this manner Mausona the Catholick Bishop before Banished upon this Revolution returned to his Bishoprick of Merida Sunna the Arian Bishop who was to fall from that Dignity contriv'd with some of his own Party to Murder Mausona The attempt was desperate because Duke Claudius Governour of Lusitania a Zealous Catholick resided there with a strong Garrison Whereupon the Conspirators being sensible of their danger resolved to kill Claudius as well as Mausona Witericus a Noble Youth who was bred in the House of Claudius and came afterwards to be King of the Goths was employ'd to put this in Execution It was requisite to find some good opportunity to perform this wicked Act. In order to it Sunna desired to have a time and place appointed where he might visit Mausona who suspecting the Arian desired Claudius to be present at their meeting thinking his Power and Authority might prevent any evil design This the Conspirators thought a proper opportunity to execute their Design in The appointed time being come after the first Salutations the Plotters made a sign to Witericus who stood behind Claudius but notwithstanding he endeavoured it he could never draw his Sword However they were no ways dismay'd but resolved at a publick Procession that was to be made to the Church of St. Eulalia in the Suburbs to kill the Bishop and all that accompanied him To this effect they hid a great number of Swords in certain Carts they brought in loaded with Corn. Providence prevented the Execution for Witericus altering his mind discovered the whole Contrivance Claudius immediately fell upon Sunna and his Party killed such as made resistance secured the rest gave the King an account of what he had done and by his order Banished the Offenders and Confiscated all their Goods Sunna tho' undeserving having his choice given him either to depart Spain or abjure his Heresie being obstinate went over into Africk Witericus was Pardon'd for discovering Vacrila one of the Conspirators having taken Sanctuary in the Church of St. Eulalia was Condemned to serve there as a Slave all his Life time Count Paul Sega another of the Principals had his Hands cut off and was Banished to Galicia These Examples quelled that Commotion and tho' they were sufficient to terrifie others yet a greater Storm ensued Queen Gosuinda at first in compliance with her Son-in-law feigned she embraced the Catholick Religion and proceeded so far as to spit out the blessed Sacrament she received in the Church the same was done by the Bishop Vldida her great Favourite This could not be long hid therefore they resolved to murder the King which being discovered Vldida was Banished and Gosuinda soon after dy'd a natural Death About the same time being the Year of our Lord 588. King Guntrandus sent an Army of 60000 Men under the Command of his General Bosus to break into Gallia Gothica in revenge of the Death of Desiderius Against him Recaredus sent Duke Claudius of ancient Roman Extraction who passing by the Pyrenean Mountains met the Enemy near Carcassonne In that place he resolv'd to give Battle as being of good Omen for the late Victory obtained there The Fight was bloody but the Goths at last were Victorious a vast number of Franks were slain and their Camp taken In the following Year another Conspiracy against the King was discovered contriv'd by Argimundus his Chamberlain the Accomplices were apprehended and after being Rack'd put to Death the Principal had first his Hair shav'd off which was a token of degrading him from the Nobility then his right Hand being cut off he was carried about the Streets of Toledo upon an Ass a pleasing spectacle to all good People who intirely loved the King Some time after his Head was chopt off After Montanus Julian Bacauda Peter and Euphimius were
is certain that the Alliance with the Franks was setled in the latter days of Recaredus About the same time such of the Romans as had remain'd in Spain were defeated upon several occasions and brought under by the Coths The Vascones likewise that is Navarre being revolted were pacify'd and subdu'd For these and the other glorious Actions perform'd during his Reign the King gain'd Immortal Renown He was endu'd with a singular greatness of Mind much Wit Prudence and a pleasing Person and Nature but what most gloriously shin'd in him was his great Zeal for the Catholick Religion His Death was in the Year of Grace 610 having Reign'd 15 Years one Month and 10 Days St. Isidorus says that being near his Death at Toledo he did publick Pennance for his Sins as was us'd in those days He left three Sons the Eldest called Liuva the others Suinthila and Geila The first is suppos'd to be by his first Wife he being of Age to govern at his Fathers Decease on whom the other two were got is not known Certain it is the present Kings of Spain are lineally descended from these Princes and particularly from Recaredus their Father For the better understanding whereof it will not be amiss here to insert their Genealogy Gosuinda the Wife of Athanagildus had by him two Daughters Galsuinda and Brunechilda Also Clodoveus or Clovis King of the Franks had Three Grandsons which were Guntrandus Chilperick and Sigebert all Sons of Clotarius the Son of Clovis Gassuinda was Married to Chilperick who perish'd by the Fraud of Fredegunda as was hinted before Sigebert Married Brunechilda and by her had Childebert Ingundis and Clodosinda Leuvigildus Successor of Athanagildus by his first Wife Theodosia had Ermenegildus and Recaredus before he was King and being come to the Crown Marry'd Gosuinda the Queen Dowager Ermenegildus Married Ingundis and Recaredus Clodosinda It is to be observ'd in the History of Recaredus and the ensuing Kings that whereas mention is made of Dukes and Counts or Earls those Names signify Offices and dignity of Command and not bare Titles as at present for Counts or Earls were Governors of Provinces the Dukes were Generals and had the Power of Coining Money for Payment of their Souldiers and hence the Crown Piece in Spain came to be called Ducado or a Ducate Not only the Governours of Provinces were call'd Counts but such as had any remarkable Office at Court or Command in the Army so in Military imployments we find Comites Cataphractariorum Clibanariorum and Sagittariorum At Court there was Comes Stabuli now the Constable and so others in imitation of the Roman Emperors From them also it is supposed Recaredus first took the sirname of Flavius as did the ensuing Kings after him Besides Toledo was stil'd a Royal City which was the very Title the Greeks gave to Constantinople the Seat of the Empire Thus we see that in those days Dukes and Counts or Earls were Persons of Command and those Names were not barely Titular as at present Kings having of later Years made them Hereditary assigning them certain Revenues CHAP. II. The Reigns of the Kings Liuva Witericus Gundemarus Sisebutus and Recaredus the Second several Synods the Jews Banish'd Spain LIuva being scarce Twenty Years of Age when his Father dy'd was immediately Proclaim'd King but by reason of his Youth lay the more expos'd to the insolencies of rebellious Spirits Wherefore it followed that tho' he was a Prince of Excellent Qualities and like his Father he was treacherously Murdered by Witericus before spoken of when he had Reigned only two Years during which time he did nothing remarkable save that by the Beauty of his Person and gentle behaviour he had gained the affections of all Men and left his Subjects in extream grief for that he was cut off in the flower of his Years There are Pieces of Gold found in Spain with his name on the one side and on the reverse these words HISP ALI PIVS that is Pious at Sevil which is a token of his goodness These Medals cannot be Attributed to the other Liuva because there is a Crown on them which in the times of the former was not in use among the Goths By this means the Traytor possessed himself of the Kingdom of the Goths and held it six Years and ten Months He was Fortunate in War for tho' in some rencounters with the Romans still remaining in Spain he had the worst yet at last his forces gave them an entire overthrow in a pitched Battle fought near Siguença Childebert King of Lorrain dying his two Sons divided his Dominions Theodobert was King of Lorrain and Theodorick of Burgundy Theodorick marryed the Daughter of Witericus but she was sent back into Spain a Maid some said that Theodorick was bound with Spels and Witchcraft by the Concubins he kept so that he could not have carnal knowledge of her Others are of Opinion it was done by the procurement of her Mother-in-law Brunechilda However it was Witericus stirred up Theodobert of Lorrain King Clotarius and Agilulphus of the Longobards to join in a League against Theodorick He finding himself in no Condition to oppose such a Power bought his Peace with his Brother Theodobert whereupon the other two Princes desisted from attempting any thing against him This disgrace made Witericus grow contemptible to his Subjects and their hatred began to break out which had long lain hid But what incensed the People most was that it was rumoured he designed to restore the Arian Heresie The People were so moved at this report that taking up Arms they broke in the Palace and killed the Tyrant as he sate at Dinner Nor did this satisfy their Rage so they dragged his Body about the Streets and then buried it in an infamous place This divine Vengeance tho' late overtook him for the Murder of King Liuva Gundemarus was immediatly Proclaimed King either for that he had been head of that mutiny or by the choice of the Nobility in regard of his great Wisdom and Abilities both in civil and martial Affairs He began his Reign in the Year of our Lord 610. and if it be Lawful to conjecture at History I suppose the Franks assisted him in obtaining the Crown for as appears by the Letters of Count Bulgaranus Governour of Gallia Gothica which are still preserved among the Antiquities of the University of Alcala de Henares and the Church of Oviedo Gundemarus payed a certain yearly acknowledgment to the Franks Those Letters also give us to understand that Gundemarus his Embassadors sent into France were contrary to the Law of Nations affronted by those Kings and tho' he sent other Embassadors to complain of that wrong they could not be admitted to Audience For this cause Bulgaranus would not suffer Theodorick his Embassadors to pass into Spain and at length broke out into open War and took two Forts called Jubinianum and Corneliacum Count
Bulgaranus attacked these two places upon account they had been given by King Recaredus to Brunechilda who dying soon after and her Sons and Grandsons being also extinct it is supposed for that cause the French Kings did not attempt to recover them Thus much in France In Spain King Gundemarus made War with success upon the People of Navarre who again had revolted he had also some rancounters with the Romans that maintained that part of Spain which still acknowledged the Roman Empire All which and his Death which fell out at Toledo was in the Year 612. when he had Reigned one Year ten Months and thirteen Days The Queen his Wife was called Hilduara but it is not known that he left any Issue At the same time Heraclius who succeeded Phocas was Emperor in the East and Bonifacius the 14th Governed the Catholick Church after Gregory the Great Sabinianus and Bonifacius the Third Aurasius was Bishop of Toledo his Predecessors were Euphimius Tonancius and Adelphius In his time a Synod of 25 Bishops from several parts of Spain was held at Toledo upon account that several Bishops of the Province of Carthagena would not acknowledge the Superiority of the See of Toledo for which this Synod unanimously gave judgment About this time flourished the famous Poet Draconcius who put the beginning of Genesis into Verse Gundemarus was interr'd with great Pomp and what made it the more remarkable was the Sorrow and Tears of all the People for the loss of so Excellent a Prince Next the Nobility meeting made choice of Sisebutus to succeed him who being a Person no less qualify'd than the other very zealous of the Catholick Religion and what in those days was rare Learned and skilled in the Latin Tongue the grief conceived for the former loss was in some measure allayed The hopes conceived of Sisebutus proved not vain for he soon quelled the Asturians and People of Rioja who relying upon the strength of their Mountainous Country refused to acknowledge the New King In this War he made use of Suinthila Son of the good King Recaredus a Youth of great Courage and that afterwards made this a step to ascend the Throne That Country being subdued the King increased Suinthila's Army with Addition of many new Levies made throughout his Kingdom in order to go himself in Person against the Romans who still held some part of Spain about Cadiz and along the Coast of the Ocean in Andaluzia and Portugal Having entred that Country he defeated the Enemy in two Battles took from them many Towns and scarce left the Romans a foot of Land in all Spain What was most commendable he made use of his success with great Moderation setting at Liberty a great number of Captives taken by his Soldiers in respect that they were Catholicks and to take away all cause of discontent paid their ransoms to the Owners out of his own Coffers Caesarius a Patrician who governed for the Emperor in Spain moved by the goodness of Sisebutus and despairing of being able to withstand him being so far from relief was willing to set a Treaty of Peace on foot A fit opportunity offered it self for Cecilius Bishop of Metensa being desirous of a more quiet Life quitted his Bishoprick and retired to a Monastery within the Precincts of the Romans The King cited him to appear and answer for what he had done Caesarius tho' some Persons opposed it caused him to be delivered to the King by Ansemundus whom he sent as his Ambassador with Orders if he found a fit opportunity to Treat of Peace This Embassy was pleasing to Sisebutus being himself inclinable to an accommodation and therefore he sent an Ambassador of his own called Theodorick to Caesarius who sent him with others to the Emperor Heraclius to ratify the Conditions of the Treaty The Emperor gave much credit to an Astrologer who told him the Christian Empire would be in great danger from the circumcised People which being meant of the Moors and Saracens he misapplyed to the Jews and therefore used all possible Means to oppress them Now he easily was prevailed upon to ratify the Peace the Ambassador had concluded only earnestly recommending it to the King Sisebutus that he would Banish the Jews out of all his Dominions which was granted and such rigor was used towards them that many against their Wills were forced to be baptized a thing forbid among Christians Among the Ancient Laws of the Goths called Fuero jusgo are two to be seen to this effect established by Sisebutus in the 4th Year of his Reign Hereupon a great number of Jews went over into France whence not long after they were also expelled together with the Native Jews by Dagobert King of the Franks at the request of the same Emperor Heraclius King Sisebutus taking great Liberty in relation to the Ecclesiastical affairs deposed Eusebius Bishop of Barcelona and gave that See to another as appears by his own Letters The pretence for so doing was that certain Actors had been permitted by the Bishop to represent some things relating to the superstition of the Heathens and offensive to Christian Ears By the King's Order a Synod of 8 Bishops was held at Sevil in which the Sect of the Acephali formerly condemned in the East and now brought into Spain by a Bishop that came from Syria was Anathematized and he obliged to abjure it The King being thus employed was snatched away by Death in the Year of Grace 621. having Reigned eight Years six Months and sixteen Days Several stories have been spread abroad relating to his Death Some said the Physicians gave him a Purge good as to its quality but that the quantity was too great others that instead of a Purge they poisoned him It is certain many falshoods are always spread abroad upon the death of Princes His Funeral was performed with great Pomp and many Tears expressing the great esteem he was held in by all Men. In the plain near Toledo upon the Banks of Tagus stands an Ancient Church dedicated to S. Leocadia which threatens ruin and is generally supposed to have been built by Sisebutus It is also attribued to Sisebutus that he extended the Dominion of the Goths upon the Seas either to secure their Conquests on the Land or with a design to extend them into Africk Some of our Historians write that Mahomet the Founder of that wicked Sect after he had subdued part of Asia and Africk came over into Spain and fled from Cordova for fear of St. Isidorus But this relation is wholly to be rejected as Fabulous and not agreeing with Chronology and Foreign Histories To Sisebutus succeeded his Son Recaredus too young to take upon him so great a charge he Reigned but three Months and then dyed without leaving any Memory of what hap'ned in his time CHAP. III. The Reigns of the Kings Suinthila Rechimirus Sisenandus and Chintila The Romans quite expell'd Spain
Three Synods at Toledo UPon the Death of the two Kings Father and Son the Nobility made choice to succeed him of Suinthila a Person who had given good proofs of his Courage and Conducts in the late Wars besides that the Memory of his Father King Recaredus gain'd him the Affections of all Men and made him be thought worthy that Dignity He was not only Couragious and Prudent but so bountiful towards the Needy that he was commonly called The Father of the Poor The People of Navarre again Rebelled upon this change of Government and over-ran the Province of Tarragona with Fire and Sword but the new King appearing quieted them only with his Presence and Pardoned them only upon condition they should Build and Fortifie the City Ologito which might serve as a Bridle to curb them since they made such ill use of their Liberty This City is supposed to be that now called Olite rather for the likeness of the Names than any other concluding Reason At length the Romans after this War of Navarre was ended were oblig'd to quit all Spain after having for above 70 Years maintained themselves in part of Portugal and Andaluzid There are Authors of Opinion the Goths Fortify'd Ebora to be a check upon the Romans some Testimony whereof are two Towers there said to be Built by Sisebutus The Romans had maintain'd themselves so long in those Parts by the nearness of Africk whence they received Supplies and being now cut off those Aids the false Prophet Mahomet making War there they were easily Expell'd The Government of that Roman Province was divided betwixt two Patricians one of them the King Corrupted the other he subdued by Force and thus they both were brought under All these remarkable things were concluded by King Suinthila in the 5th Year of his Reignâ— which was of Christ 626. which same Year he to secure the Succession in his Family declar'd his Son Rechimirus tho' very Young his Companion in the Throne Yet tho' the Youth gave good hopes that he would imitate the Virtues of his Father and Grandfather the Goths were much dissatisfied that the Crown should be made Hereditary which before was Elective From this time forwards they were so far incens'd that they never gave over till both Father and Son were cast down from the Regal Dignity What was most blameable in Suinthila is that after he had subdued his Enemies he suffer'd himself to become a Slave to his Vices Theodora his Wife and Geyla or Aguilanus his Brother who Govern'd him and the Kingdom in a great measure procur'd him the ill Will of his Subjects and raised those Enemies who at last wrought his downfall At this time Helladius Successor to Aurasius was Archbishop of Toledo and he dying Justus was preferred to that See The ruin of Suinthila was contrived and Executed by Sisenandus a bold and powerful Man who thinking the hatred the King had incurr'd offer'd him a fair opportunity of raising himself prevailed with Dagobert King of the Franks to assist him Having agreed upon Terms Abundantius and Venerandus the Burgundian Generals entred Spain and advanced with their Forces as far as Zaragoça The Nobility who before durst not declare themselves then taking Arms did not desist till they had expelled Suinthila his Wife and Son Rechimirus This is more certain than what others have written viz. That Suinthila and his Son dy'd at Toledo It appears by the French Histories that the Goths gave a Sum of Gold as supposed toward the charge of the War to King Dagobert which he apply'd to build the Church of St. Denis two Leagues from Paris which was of his Foundation Suinthila Reign'd 10 Years and was Deposed in that of our Lord 631. Sisenandus having as he wished ascended the Throne of the Goths and being a prudent Man perceived he was not well fixed especially in respect many still adhered to the contrary Party therefore to secure himself he thought nothing could be more Efficacious than Religion Hereupon under pretence of Reformation of Manners he gathered a Council of about 70 Bishops at Toledo But in reality his chief design was to obtain of those Prelates that they would declare Suinthila incapable of the Crown that so all those who were of his Party might desist Their first Session was held in the Church of St. Leocadia on the 5th of December in the Year 634. and third of the Reign of Sisenandus who appeared there in Tears and full of hypocritical Words They regulated the manner of holding the Provincial Yearly Synods and made several other Acts relating to the Ecclesiastical Government But the strangest is they Decreed That none should seize the Crown unless chosen by the Nobility that the Oath made to Sisenandus should be valid and Suinthila's Wife Children and Brothers Excommunicated A hard strained point for Bishops to dispose of Crowns King Sisenandus departed this Life in the Year of our Lord 635. having Reign'd three Years eleven Months and sixteen Days According to what had been Decreed in the Synod the Nobility and Prelates met and by them Chintila was elected King In the place of Justus Archbishop of Toledo who dy'd about the same time succeeded Eugenius second of the Name a Man famous for his Learning and Virtue Some Authors are of Opinion that Chintila was Brother to Sisenandus and both Sons to Suinthila but this seems to be contradicted by the fourth Council of Toledo where many Reproaches were cast upon Suinthila and it is to be supposed the Sons would never suffer that to have been done in their presence As soon as Chintila was chosen he called a Council of Bishops to confirm his Election It was tedious to stay for all the Bishops of the Kingdom therefore 22 most of the Province of Carthagena met in the first Year of his Reign and of Christ 636. The Prelates met in the Church of St. Leocadia and among other things confirmed the Election of the King forbiding any after his Death to offer any wrong to his Children They declar'd any Excommunicate that Usurped the Crown without being legally chosen and prohibit any making of Voices before the King's Death This was the 5th Council of Toledo and Eugenius Archbishop of Toledo Presided in it and confirm'd its Acts. To make â—â—e Decrees of this Synod the more binding another of 50 Bishops all within the 〈…〉 of the Goths met the Year following which was the 6th held at Toledo In it were Ratifyed all the Acts of the former particularly in relation to the King and his Children and they added That their Crown should not be conferred on any Man who did not before swear he would no way be favourable to the Jews nor suffer any that was not a Christian to live with Freedom within the Kingdom These Councils were all that is remarkable in the Reign of Chintila it is supposed the People being inclined to Peace and all
the fourth from the false Prophet Mahomet in a great Battle overthrew Gregory the Roman General and Governour of Africk for the Romans and by that means possest himself of all that vast Province The Goths of old were Masters of Mauritania Tingitana and particularly of Ceuta and the Country about it All the rest except this part fell into the hands of the Mahometans who proud with success from that time founded a new Empire in Africk whose Kings in whom according to the Custom of those People was the Spiritual as well as Temporal Power were called Miramamolines which signifies Princes of the Faithful As those of the same People in Asia stiled themselves Caliphs Spain is divided from Africk only by the narrow streight of Gibraltar Many were of Opinion this rise of those People threatned Spain and their fear was much increased by an extraordinary Eclipse of the Sun which hap'ned in the Reign of Recesuinthus so great that the day was totally darkned as the Archbishop D. Rodrigo affirms which they interpreted as an Omen of great mischiefs to ensue Recesuinthus quelled the People of Navarre who were in Arms and made incursions wasting the Country about them Besides he corrected the Laws of the Goths abolishing some and instituting many new ones the Number whereof as appears by the Book called Fuero jusgo is no less than that of all the others published by the Kings his Predecessors By these Actions the King was advanced to the highest pitch of Honour respected by his People and well esteemed abroad when Death took him away on the first of September in the Morning and in the Year of our Lord 672. having Reigned from the time his Father declared him his Companion in the Throne 23 Years 6 Months and 11 Days after the Death of his Father 21 Years and 11 Months Two Leagues from Valladolid formerly as some think called Pincia is a Town named Wamba before called Gerticos here the King dyed having been removed from Toledo to try it the change of Air would do him good His Body was buryed in the Church of that Town where his Tomb is still to be seen but the Bones were removed by King Alonso the Wise to Toledo and lay'd in the Church of St. Leocadia according to a received Tradition in that City near the high Altar on the right side Philip the Second of Spain in the Year 1575. caused the said Tomb to be opened in his Presence as also another on the left side of the Altar no Inscription was found within only the Bones wrapped in Cotton and laid in Wooden Chests but Learned Men that were present believed that on the right hand to be the Tomb of Recesuinthus as being the Ancientest and the other that of King Wamba which was also Translated to Toledo by the same King Alonso Near Duen̄as which is beyond Valladolid on the Banks of the River Pisuerga is an Ancient Church dedicated to St. John Baptist the workmanship Gothick adorned with Marble and Jasper-stone In it is an Inscription in six lines which declares it was built by King Recesuinthus and finished in the Year 661. whence some Learned Men infer the Patrimonial Estate of those two Kings was near about that place In the time of Recesuinthus Constantine was Emperour of the East and Adeodatus govern'd the Church of Rome Upon the Kings Death there ensu'd a new and bloody War in that part of the Dominion of the Goths that lay in Gallia Narbonnensis Ambition was the cause of this evil which bred great distractions in the Gothish Kingdom when they were in fullness of Peace after having vanquish'd all Foreign Enemies King Recesuinthus leaving no Issue to succeed him his Brothers either for their Age or some other reasons were not thought fit to inherit Hereupon the Nobles met and by common consent made choice of Wamba a Man of Quality who had been the Chief Favourite to the late Kings besides he was a good Soldier very discreet and so modest that he refus'd to accept of that mighty honour excusing himself on account of his great Age and begging they would not lay so heavy a burden upon him He persisting firm in refusing an Officer of note with his drawn Sword threatn'd to kill him unless he accepted of the Crown Wamba submitted to these threats but so that he should not be Anointed as the Custom was before he came to Toledo reserving this honour for that City and by that means gaining time that those who were for him might alter their resolution or at least such as oppos'd him be brought over and so no dissention might ensue He set out for Toledo where he was Anointed on the 29th of September in the Church of St. Peter and Paul near the Royal Palace In express terms he swore to observe the Laws of the Kingdom and procure the wellfare of the People Quiricus Archbishop of Toledo Successor to St. Ildefonsus perform'd the Ceremony Julian Archbishop of Toledo writes that when King Wamba was Crown'd there rose from his Head a Cloud in the form of a Pillar and a Bee was also seen to Mount on high from his Head It may be said that the People often fancy or imagine such things but the Authority of the Author is of great force All the Nobles did their Homage to the new King and among them Paul a Kinsman as some imagine to the late Kings but the name of Paul not used among the Goths and his Disloyalty make the Opinion of others more likely who say he was a Grecian Wamba was born in that part of Lusitania formerly called Igeditania where is now a Town known by the name of Idania la Vieja or Old Idania and near it a Farm with a Fountain which retains the name of Wamba The People of those parts are perswaded as having receiv'd it from their Forefathers that this same Farm was part of Wamba's Estate before he came to the Crown CHAP. V. The War with the Rebels in Gallia Gothica Paul Wamba 's General joins with them The King marches against them and reduces all the Country to his Obedience THE beginning of Wamba's Reign was full of Commotions and Troubles the Subjects growing insolent as believing him not well establish'd in the Throne The People of Navarre being of an unsetled temper revolted Wamba raised Men in Cantabria or Biscay to be the nearer to oppress those Rebels when at the same time news was brought him of more dangerous tumults in Gallia Gothica Many of that Country were dissatisfied at his being Elected and refus'd to acknowledge him as their King They conspir'd together and resolv'd to have recourse to Arms. Hilperick Earl of Nismes in France was the first that declar'd himself confiding in the great distance he was at from the King and his own extraordinary Power Gumildus Bishop of Magalona and an Abbot whose name was Remigius join'd with him They labour'd to bring Aregius Bishop of Nismes
as that of Wamba the Ruins of it still are to be seen in the Market-place of Zocodover and at the Gate del Hierro Wamba the more to strengthen the Place and bring the Suburbs within the City added a Wall lower Stones were brought for the Work from all Parts and particularly as is supposed from an old Roman Fabrick like a Circus which they had formerly raised there with Marble Stones in it and Figures like Roses or Wheels carved on them The common Sort are persuaded those were the Arms of Wamba but those very Stones prove the contrary because they are laid without any Order or Method but just as they were brought so they were placed by the Work-Men Grave Authors affirm That in Memory hereof he caused two Verses to be Carv'd on the principal Towers in unpolished Latin such as was used in that Age the Sense of them is With the help of God the mighty King Wamba raised the beautiful Wall to his City for the Honour of his Nation Besides on the upper part of the Towers he placed the Statues of those Saints held in greatest Veneration in the Town of white Marble and under them other two Verses to this effect Ye Saints who are Honour'd here keep this City and People and avert as you can all Sickness These Statues being fallen and the Inscriptions worn out by time King Philip II. caused them to be restored anew In the fourth Year of Wamba's Reign which was of our Lord 675. he caused a Synod of 17 Bishops and 7 Abbots to be held at Toledo This is counted the 11th Council of Toledo About the same time another Synod was Celebrated at Braga and was the third of that City We have no account of any other Councils in the Reign of Wamba but it 's supposed there were more both in regard that the former Councils had Ordained the keeping of yearly Provincial Synods and because grave Authors affirm that by a Council held at Toledo in his time the Bounds of each Bishoprick were assigned and this could not be done without the Concurrence of all the Bishops of Spain Wamba Instituted many Laws for the better Administration of Justice whereof there was great defect In particular he corrected the Military Discipline He Ordained that when Forces were raised all should repair to the Standard that were not over or under Age or hindred by Sickness Also that every one should send to the Army the twelfth Slave with such Weapons as are there specify'd differing from the rest Even the Bishops and Priests were commanded to march with their People 100 Miles in case of Invasions or Inroads made by the Enemy By the prudent Conduct and Management of King Wamba the Goths obtain'd a memorable Victory at Sea The Saracens were possess'd of all Africk along the Coast of the Mediterranean from the Mouth of the Streights to that of the River Nile and designing to pass over into Europe had set out a Fleet of 170 Sail with which they ran along the Coast of Spain putting all to Fire and Sword The Goths fitted out another great Fleet and coming to a Battle utterly destroy'd the Enemy burning and taking most of their Fleet. There are Authors that say The Fleet of the Saracens came into Spain at the Instigation of Ervigius who being a Man in great Power of the Family of King Recesuinthus aspired to the Crown but being disappointed this way found means to give the King a poisonous Potion with which he presently Sickned and on a sudden lost all his Senses in such manner that it was thought he could not live beyond the first Hour of the Night They shav'd his Beard shore his Head like a Priest and put him on a Monks Habit as was used in those Days All this was done as supposed by the contrivance of Ervigius that in case he recovered he should be incapable of Reigning as was Decreed by the 6th Council of Toledo Being as was thought at the last Gasp tho' he was not in his Senses they caused him to declare Ervigius his Successor and having drawn a Form of Renunciation forc'd him to Sign it All this hap'ned on Sunday the 14 of October as is supposed in the Year 680. Notwithstanding Wamba the Day following came to himself yet he would not recall what he had done Thus a mighty King was on a sudden made a Monk and resolving to forsake the World for Ervigius the same Day had caused himself to be Crown'd and taken upon him the Government tho' the Anointing was deferred till next Sunday immediately went to the Monastery of Pampliega seated according to some Opinions in the Valley of Munon where he spent the residue of his Life which according to some was 7 Years and 3 Months and more according to others He Reign'd 8 Years 1 Month and 14 Days was Buried in that Monastery and thence by King Alonso the Wise Translated to Toledo and Bury'd in the Church of St. Leocadia where lies also King Recesuinthus Julian Arch-Bishop of Toledo Anointed the new King whence it is inferred that Quiricus his Predecessor dy'd about that time if it was not that he Renounc'd the Dignity seeing the wrong that was done the good King Wamba CHAP. VII The Reigns of the Kings Ervigius and Egica FLavius Ervigius by wicked means ascended the Throne as has been said yet he governed well The better to secure himself in his ill gotten Power he made use of the show of Religion calling together all the Bishops of the Kingdom Thirty five met at Toledo on the 9th of January 681. and this is counted the 12th Council of that City Many Acts were passed in this Synod but the two most remarkable were The first approving the Election of Ervigius because they durst do no otherwise and declaring the Subjects free from their Oath of Allegiance on account of Wamba's Resignation The second was giving the Arch-Bishop of Toledo Power to create Bishops throughout Spain in the King's Absence and of Confirming those made by him Two Years after this there met in the same City by the King's Order 38 Bishops 26 Vicars of absent Bishops and 9 Abbots who together with many of the Nobles then present Celebrated the 13th Council of Toledo on the 4th of November 683. and the 4th Year of the Reign of Ervigius In this Council the chief Acts were a Pardon to those that had followed Paul's Party Abatement of Taxes and a Law to protect Queen Leubigotona and her Children in case of the King's Death The following Year by command of Pope Leo II. was held the 14th Council of Toledo in order to their receiving the Decrees of a Council celebrated not long before at Constantinople at which were 290 Prelates and it is reckon'd the 6th of the General Councils Only 17 Bishops and 10 Deputies assisted at this Synod and approv'd and receiv'd the Council of Constantinople Condemning as
that had done the Monothelites and Apollinarians who ascrib'd to Christ but one Will this Council they counted the 5th and placed it next to that of Chalcedon for it was a common Error thro' Spain Africk and Illyricum not to admit of the 5th General Council held in the time of the Emperor Justinian Ervigius notwithstanding all the means he had used to secure himself and please the People was much perplexed fearing their Hatred did not abate and might in time light upon his Children To prevent any such Disaster he Marry'd his Daughter Cixilona to a powerful Man of Wamba's Family called Egica making him swear he would Protect and Defend his Mother and Brothers-in-law After this having Repealed some of Wamba's Laws too severe for that corrupt Age and particularly that relating to Soldiers he dy'd at Toledo upon Friday the 15th of November 687. having Reign'd 7 Years and 25 Days In this King's Reign there hap'ned a great Famine in Spain and the Bridge and Walls of Merida were Repair'd with great Magnificence Ervigius the Day before he dy'd nam'd his Son-in-law Egica to succeed him and that the Nobility might without any scruple swear Allegiance to him he absolv'd them from the Oath they had taken to him The Ceremony of Anointing was performed 9 Days after at Toledo in the Church of St. Peter and Paul This King soon made it appear that the memory of Injuries is more lasting than that of Benefits for at the very beginning of his Reign in hatred to his Father-in-law he put away his Wife Cixilona notwithstanding he had by her a Son called Witiza Some are of Opinion he did it by persuasion of Wamba who under the Cloak of Religion concealed his hatred to Ervigius to the end of his Life Besides he punished some of the Nobles who had a hand in the Deposing of Wamba This is what some blame in Egica for the rest he was not inferior to the best Kings in Justice Piety Meekness and Prudence in Governing He Convened the 15th Council of Toledo at which were present 66 Bishops who held their first Session on the 15th of May 688. One of the principal Points decided in this Council was that the Oath Egica and the Nobility had taken to protect the Widow and Children of Ervigius did not extend to maintain 'em in the Possession of what they had wrongfully taken from others Here also Julian the Archbishop composed a new Apology in Vindication of that sent by the last Council to Pope Benedict in which he found fault that they had said the Will proceeded from the Will and the Wisdom from the Wisdom Pope Benedict was dead when this second Apology came to Rome and Sergius his Successor approved and highly commended it This Julian is reckoned in the number of Saints The faults of his Successor made him the more admired Sisbertus was the Man who after presuming to put on the Vestment which was brought to St. Ildefonsus from Heaven ran from one Crime to another till he raised a Rebellion against the King and as is believed stirred up Strangers to Invade the Country Three Battles were fought with the Franks in all which the Goths were defeated yet we have no Particulars of any of these Actions The King by his Prudence quell'd the Rebellion in its first rise Sisbertus the Causer of all these Mischiefs was first Banished by the King afterwards he was Deposed and Excommunicated by the Bishops who to the number of 66 Celebrated the 16th Council of Toledo 693. Here was made a Confession of Faith which expresses that in God the Will proceeds from the Will the Wisdom from the Wisdom the Essence from the Essence and that Christ our Lord descended into Hell Such Jews as should sincerely embrace Christianity were declared Noble and free from all Taxes The Laws of the Goths were Corrected and it was Ordained that Prayers should be daily offered for the Health of the King his Children and Grandchildren which Custom still continues in Spain in the Mass only some few Words altered The following Year on the 7th of November was Celebrated the last Council of Toledo The number of Bishops is not know but very few came from Gallia Gothica as well because the Plague raged there as for that the Country was infested by the neighbouring French The Bishops in order to root out the Jews who it was said had held Correspondence with the Moors in Africk inviting them over into Spain Condemned them all to be Slaves all their Goods confiscate and their Children ordered to be taken from them at 7 Years of Age and bred Christians A Law was also made to protect the Queen Cixilona and her Children after the King's Death notwithstanding as was said he was Divorced from her Three Years before this in a Council held at Zaragoça it was Enacted in general that every Queen after the Death of her Husband should become a Nun that so none might offend her Egica having Reign'd alone 10 Years made his Son Witiza whom he had by the Queen Cixilona his Companion in the Throne as appears by the Coin of those times on which are the Names of both those Princes Near the City Tuy in a pleasant Valley adorned with Springs and Trees are to be seen to this Day old Walls the Ruins of a House built by Witiza to divert himself whilst he Resided in that City for his Father to prevent Tumults and Disorders sent him to Galicia where the Kingdom of the Suevians had been Egica dy'd at Toledo 5 Years after which was the Year of our Lord 701. about the Month of November His Son coming from Galicia was Proclaimed King without any opposition and Anointed according to the Custom of the Goths on the 15th of the same Month of November CHAP. VIII The Reign of King Witiza Roderick ascends the Throne ravishes Count Julian 's Daughter and breaks open an old Castle at Toledo said to be Inchanted WItiza's Reign was Disorderly and Infamous in all respects but particularly noted for Cruelty Impiety and Contempt of the Church True it is at first he gave hopes he would prove a good Prince and protect the Innocent for he recalled those who had been Banished by his Father and restored all their Estates Besides he caused all the Records to be burnt that there might remain no memory of the Crimes that had been falsely charged upon them These were good beginnings had they been follow'd but it is hard to curb extravagant Youth and great Power His first false step was giving Ear to Flatterers at whose Instigation he fell into all manner of Lewdness a thing natural to him but which he had concealed for fear of his Father He kept a great number of Concubines with the same State as if they had been Queens and the better to colour this Impiety committed a greater giving leave to all Men to do the like and particularly to
Almaguer was compounded At present there are no Fountains in that Town but all the People make use of Wells There is no doubt but there has been as great a change in the Names of Places as in other things which causes great Confusion for the Moorish Generals to perpetuate their Memory gave their own Names and Sirnames to Towns There is no certainty of what became of Count Julian but it is a received Opinion without the Testimony of any Author to back it that his Wife was Stoned to Death a Son of his cast Headlong from a Tower at Ceuta and that himself was Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment by the Moors he so much laboured to serve In a Castle called Loharri near the City Huesca is shown a Stone Tomb without the Church of the Castle where it is reported he was Bury'd The Archbishop D. Roderick and D. Lucas de Tuy affirm That both he and the Sons of King Witiza were deprived of all they possessed and he put to Death Certain it is Spain was now in a deplorable condition almost all brought under the Dominion of the Moors There was no sort of Misery but the Christians endured Women were Ravished from their Husbands Children from their Parents and all they possessed taken from them without any Redress to be hoped for The Country yielded not its usual Product both in regard of the unseasonableness of the Weather and for want of Labourers The Churches were Prophaned and Burnt dead Bodies lay about the Streets and High-ways and nothing was to be seen or heard but Sighs and Tears Nor was there any Calamity but what Spain groaned under God permitting the Innocent to suffer with the Guilty to punish the horrid Wickedness of those Times Nevertheless in some part of Biscay Navarre Galicia and Asturias the Christians still held out rather because the Places were almost inaccessible and the Moors sleighted them than that they had any sufficient Force to make head Those who were subject to and mixed with the Moors began to be called Mixti Arabes and afterwards corruptly Mozarabes They had the free Exercise of Christian Religion with Churches and Monasteries of Men and Women as before The Bishops lest they should be scornfully treated retired with many of the Clergy into Galicia and the Bishop of Iria Flavia that is el Padron assigned many of them Tyths and other Ecclesiastical Revenues to live upon Thus Spain was destroy'd and thus ended the Kingdom of the Goths The Kingdom and Nation of the Goths were thus Subverted in my Opinion by a peculiar Providence that out of their Ashes might rise a New and Holy Spain greater in Strength and Dominions to be the Defence and Bulwark of the Catholick Religion This was the Opinion of F. Mariana and not without reason for he writ when Philip II. of Spain was Lord of the East and West-Indies by the Addition of the Kingdom of Portugal as he mentions in this place To what a low Ebb the Affairs of Spain are reduced since will appear by the Sequel of the History when we draw near our Times Let us conclude this Book to begin another with the Resurrection of Spain after these mortal Calamities The End of Book VI. THE History of SPAIN The Seventh BOOK CHAP. I. Prince Pelayus or Pelagius takes up Arms against the Moors Is declared King and miraculousty Vanquishes the Insidels The Death of Muza Alahor Governs Spain TWO Years were not quite elapsed since the Africans had commenced the War and Desolation of Spain when a numerous Army of Moors passed over the Pyrenean Mountains which pà rt France and Spain and broke into that Province with a resolution to Conquer all that was subject to the Goths in France The miserable Remains of the Goths that had escaped into Asturias Galicia and Biscay and reposed more confidence in the natural Strength of those Places than in any Force they had the Infidels being employed in the War in France had now time to Consult about recovering their lost Liberty Nothing was wanting but a General who with the hazard of his Life and good Example would stir up the Christians that remained in Spain to attempt so great an Enterprise Most of the Nobility of the Goths had perished in the War only Prince Pelayus as descended of the Royal Family was known and applauded for his great Valour and Magnanimity and looked upon by all Men as the only Person capable of such an Enterprize It fell out opportunely that he came out of Biscay whither he withdrew after the loss of the Kingdom to Asturias Whether he was called or came voluntarily to be ready upon any occasion that should offer for the publick Good is not known Perhaps there was some Dispute about the Lordship of Biscay for I find three Dukes of that Province mentioned in the Records of those Times which were Eudo Peter and Pelayus No sooner was he come to Asturias but all Men cast their Eyes upon him as the only Man that could Relieve them in that Distress if he would take upon him to be their Chief and Protector Many weighing the greatness of the Danger and their own Weakness were terrified but what fear disswaded an accident forced them to attempt Pelayus had a Sister in the prime of her Age and of an extraordinary Beauty Munuza who tho' a Christistian was Governor of Gijon for the Moors passionately loved that Lady and desired to obtain her for his Wife but being too mean could not so much as hope to gain the Consent of Pelayus Therefore under colour of Friendship he sent him to Treat about important Affairs with the Moorish General Tarif who was not then gone into Africk and during his absence easily compassed his ends Pelayus returning and understanding how his Family was disgraced was incensed to a high degree but nothing so much afflicted him as the difficulty of compassing his revenge against a Man in so great Power He thought it the best way for the present to dissemble and seem pleased at what was done By this means he found an opportunity of recovering his Sister and fled with her to the neighbouring parts of Asturias where he had many Friends and the generality were well Affected towards him Munuza frighted at this accident and fearing the Consequences might prove more dangerous than as yet appeared gave advice to Tarif of what had hap'ned Tarif sent a Party from Cordova who had infallibly taken Pelayus then wholly unprovided if he understanding the danger had not fled in haste and clapping Spurs to his Horse forced him to take the River Pionia at that time much swollen and very rapid which sav'd his Life for they that pursued him at the Heels durst not or thought it not worth while to expose themselves to such eminent danger to Apprehend him In the Valley now called Cangas then Canica he set up his Standard and beat a Drum Poor banished People resorted to him from all Parts many
Voluntarily took up Arms for the love of their Country others for fear of the Enemies and even of their own People who threatned them if they forsook the common Cause The Asturians in general all appeared Pelayus calling together the Heads of them made a Speech exhorting and encouraging them to behave themselves Manfully and Repulse their cruel Enemy Whilst he spoke the Sighs of his Auditory were so loud they often interrupted him but being somewhat animated with his Words they all swore to stand by one another and expose themselves to all dangers in opposing of the Moors Then they consulted of choosing a Chief and by the unanimous Consent of all Pelayus was pitched upon and Proclaimed King of Spain in the Year 716. some to this Number add 2 Years Thus at the time that Impiety and Tyranny were predominant in Spain a new and lasting Kingdom was erected and a Standard was set up for Relief of the oppressed Natives The People of Galicia and Biscay who like those of Asturias in some measure preserved their Liberty were invited to joyn in this Enterprize The same was done underhand to the neighbouring Towns that were subject to the Moors Some People resorted to Pelayus but many despising the new King would not leave their Houses nor expose themselves to such eminent danger Pelayus understanding how necessary it is to settle a good Reputation at first wasted the Frontiers of the Moors destroying all that stood in his way He visited the Towns of Asturias encouraging the Fearful and commending the Resolute Besides he laid up Stores of all things necessary for his Defence with great Labour and Industry as knowing it would not be long before the Insidels would be upon him He was Active and Courageous his Age fit to endure hardship his Presence not gay but such as became a Soldier One of the most noted Commanders that came out of Africk with Tarif was Alcama who was in the nature of a Major General This Man understanding what passed in Asturias speedily repaired thither from Cordova with a good Army of Moors and Christians and carried along also D. Oppas the Bishop of Sevil hoping he might be instrumental in persuading Pelayus and his Party to desist from what they had undertaken At the News of Alcama's coming the Christians dismay'd and it was thought they would never sustain so much as the sight of the Enemy In this confusion nothing but the special Hand of God and the Valour and Prudence of Pelayus could have protected those People wholly for saken by themselves It were a madness to oppose a handful of unarmed heartless Men against a disciplin'd and furious Enemy Therefore Pelayus having dispersed most of his Men into the neighbouring Towns he with 1000 of the choicest betook himself to a large Cave on the Mountain Ausena now called the Cave of St. Mary de Cobadonga He laid in Provision for a long time and furnished Arms offensive and defensive either to make good his Ground if Attack'd or Sally out if occasion offered The Moors pursued him to the very mouth of the Cave and being desirous to prevent Bloodshed for they must expect in those narrow places to receive much damage resolved to try whether Persuasions and fair Promises could prevail to reduce those People D. Oppas took this Employment upon him and having obtained liberty to Speak with Pelayus used all his Rhetorick to bring him to an Accommodation but understanding by his Answer he and all his Men were resolved to die in defence of their Liberty the Event was remitted to the decision of the Sword The Insidels attack'd the mouth of the Cave powring in a Shower of Stones and Darts Here the Hand of God appeared in defence of the Christians for all the Weapons cast against them flew back upon the Moors with great slaughter of them At this Miracle the Insidels stood astonished and the Christians taking heart rusht out upon them the Fight was Disorderly but the Enemy amazed at what they had seen turned their Backs and fled 20000 were killed in the Battle and Pursuit the rest after halting upon the top of Mount Fusena fled to the Field Libanensis thro' which runs the River Deva There another Miracle was wrought which was that near a Farm called Causegadia part of a Mountain with all that were upon it fell into the River by which a great number of Barbarians perished For many Years after Bones and pieces of Armour were dug out of that place especially when the Floods wash away the Banks Few of all that Army escaped Alcama was killed in the Fight D. Oppas the Bishop being taken it is supposed was put to Death tho' Historians do not relate it for they make no farther mention of him Munuza not thinking himself safe in Gijon attempted to make his escape but was killed by the Country People near the Village Oralie This Battle was fought in the Year of our Lord 718. At the same time Muza in Africk was Impeached before the Miramaniolin by Tarif his Enemy and being called to account could not well clear himself whereupon a great Fine was laid upon him for grief of which Disgrace he soon after dy'd His Son Abdalasis having Governed Spain three Years became Odious as well to the Natives as his own People for that he ravished their Daughters and was therefore killed in a Mosque in the Year 719. Some say he was killed by procurement of his Wite Egilona on account that he was kinder to other Women than to her others say the cause of his Death was his Pride and his taking upon him the Regal Authority by her persuasion The chief of the Murderers was his Kinsman Ajub who took upon him and held the Government of Spain the space of 1 Month. D. Roderick the Archbishop says it was he that built Calatayud a noted Town a little beyond the Borders of Aragon Vlit dying his Brother Zuleyman succeeded him in the Empire of the Moors By him instead of Abdalasis the Government of Spain was given to Alabor a Man fierce and cruel no less to the Moors than Christians for he took their Goods from the Inhabitants of Cordova only to satiate his Avarice He proceeded against all the Moors that came first into Spain only upon pretence they had wrongfully taken to themselves all the Riches of the Country This is he that translated the Seat of the Moorish Empire in Spain from Sevil to Cordova and is said to have put to Death Count Julian and the Sons of Witiza imagining the Disaster that hap'ned in Asturias had been contrived by them A just Judgment of God that Traitors to their Country should be thus used by those they served and had called to their assistance CHAP. II. Pelayus his Power increases he takes several Towns His Death The short Reign and Death of Favila Several Moorish Governours in Spain Actions of the Infidels in France PElayus having obtained that glorious Victory
great compass with the Light-Horse and before he could be discovered fell upon the Enemy in the rear which put them all into Confusion This Fortunate Battle was fought in the Year of our Lord 734. one and twenty after the destruction of Spain Abdelmelich succeeded Abderhaman and Governed the Moors in Spain and its dependencies the space of four Years without being remarkable for any thing but his Cruelty and Avarice He had Orders to invade France but was forced to turn back after losing many Men in attempting to pass the Pyrenean Mountains At the same time which was in the Year of our Lord 737. Pelayus the first King of Spain after its Desolation being of a great Age and renowned for his Exploits departed this Life at Cangas His Body was Buryed in the Church of Saint Eulalia Velaniensis which he himself had founded in the Country of Cangas There also his Wife Queen Gaudiosa was interred His Son Favila by Consent of all the People succeeded him and Reigned two Years being more famed for his Unfortunate Death and dissolute Life than for any good Actions he performed For notwithstanding the mighty War he had in hand and that his Kingdom was still tottering as subsisting rather by the Confusion of the times than the strength of the Christians yet he apply'd himself not to the cares of the Government but was wholly devoted to his Pleasures neglecting the Publick good Particularly he was addicted to Hunting and at this Sport pursuing a Bear was killed by it inglorious both in his Life and Death His Body was interred in the Church of the Holy Cross built by himself in the Territory of Cangas in which formerly was to be seen the Tomb of his Wife Froleud About this time one Julian a Grecian and Deacon Learned in the Greek and Latin Tongues wrote the Antiquities of Spain and Actions of Pelayus at Toledo Vrban Bishop of Toledo Evancius Archdeacon of the same Church and Fredoarius Bishop of Guadix Men of singular Sanctity and Learning flourishing in those Days of darkness and ignorance John Archbishop of Sevil was their Contemporary he Translated the Bible into Arabick for the good of the Christians and Moors because Latin was then little used some Copies of that Translation are to be seen to this Day in Spain CHAP. III. The Reign of D. Alonso the Catholick His Conquests and Death Several Moorish Governours in Spain Affairs of the Mahometans both in Spain and Africk FAvila dying without Issue D. Alonso and Ormisinda his Wife as Pelayus had ordained in his Will were Proclaimed King and Queen with great Satisfaction of the People and to the great good of the Kingdom D. Alonso was equally qualified in the Arts of Peace and War of a wonderful Constancy in Adversity fortunate in all his Undertakings and so very Religious that on that account the Title of Catholick was given to him as had been before to King Recaredus by the Third Council of Toledo when renouncing the Heresie of Arius he was reconciled to the Church This Title was afterwards laid aside till Pope Alexander the sixth bestowed it on Ferdinand of Aragon King of Spain to be perpetuated in his Successors Spain at that time enjoyed the Fruits of Peace Africk and France were consumed with Civil Wars Charles Martel upon the Death of Eudo seized all his Dominions in France Eudo's three Sons Aznar Hunnoldus and Vayferus sought to maintain their right by Arms. Aznar in that part of Spain which lies near Navarre took from the Moors the City Jaca with many other Towns and Castles and became the Founder of the Kingdom of Aragon a name taken from the River Aragon which runs through that Country and together with the River Ega falls into Ebro Hunnoldus and Vayferus did great harm and spread their terror throughout France The Moors desiring Revenge for their late Overthrow and being invited by Maurice Earl of Marseilles and Hunnoldus and Vayferus renewed the War in France At this time Aucupa Governed Spain at his first coming he put Abdelmelich upon his Tryal and pretending he could not clear himself laid him in Prison Aucupa was of Noble Extraction and so Zealous in his Superstition that he punished no Crimes so severely as those that related to it Having agreed with Maurice Earl of Marseilles and the Sons of Eudo with their assistance and his own Forces he pierced so far into France as to take Avignon a noble City upon the River Rhosne burning and pillaging all the Country about All this hap'ned five Years after the famous Battle of Tours that is in the Year 739. which was the first of the Reign of D. Alonso But the Valour of Martel relieved France for he drove the Enemy over the Pyrenean Hills and took Avignon and Narbonne so that nothing was left either the Goths or Moors in all France In Africk the War continued more obstinate for Belgius Abenbexius a famous Commander among the Moors Rebelled against the Emperor Ischam Several Battles were fought for the most part with Success to the Rebels whereupon Belgius resolved to pass over into Spain Abdelmelich was then again possessed of the Government for Aucupa dying ordered he should be taken out of Prison and restored to his Command This was his Ruin for Abderhaman sent before by Belgius with a great Army took him in Cordova and put him to Death with all manner of Torments in the Year of our Lord 743. The same Year dy'd the Emperor Ischam and Alulit the Son of Izit succeeded in the Empire as had been agreed We must not run too far into the Affairs of Africk Alulit at his Accession to the Crown sent Albuelcatar a Noble and Wise Man to Govern Spain who by his good Management and sending the Mutinous to the War in Africk appeased the Tumults in Spain Soon after he was killed by the contrivance of Zimael and Roba Zimael's Companion and the head Conspirator took upon him the Government and Usurp'd the Crown of Spain without any opposition for the Emperor Alulit dy'd in the second Year of his Reign which was of our Lord 744. Ibrahim his Brother succeeded him and was no longer liv'd nor fortunate for Matoan tho' his Kinsman and of the most Noble Family of the Humeyas killed him in his Palace the second Year of his Reign and made himself absolute Lord of all In this Emperor's time Roba being killed in a Battle Toba Governed Spain and he also dying within a Year Juseph a Man of great Parts was sent out of Africk to succeed both Tho' of a great Age he was much addicted to Women but made some amends for this Fault by his great Valour and the fame of his Exploits Whilst he Governed Spain Abdalla of the Noble Family of the Alavecines killed Matoan in Africk in the Year 750 Usurp'd the Crown and the better to secure himself destroyed most of the Family of the Humeyas
In Spain in the Year 753. at Cordova three Suns were seen at once and People with the fright imagined they saw several Apparitions of Men going in Procession with lighted Torches The terror was the more encreased by a great Famine which ensued caused by the Drought Spain is subject to Mean while King Alonso laying hold of the opportunity that offered of enlarging the Bounds of his Kingdom now the Moors were at variance among themselves gathered the greatest Force he could and broke into the Enemies Country with mighty Success For in Galicia he took Lugo Tuy and Astorga in Lusitania the City Porto at the mouth of the River Duero Beja Braga Viseo Flavia Bletisa and Sentica Besides he recovered Simancas Duenas Miranda Segovia Avila and Sepulveda at the foot of the Mountain Orospeda on the banks of the River Duraton a place naturally Strong formerly called Segobriga and after Sepulveda Then he turned his Victorious Arms to the Country of Bribiesca and Rioja and possessed himself of those Territories Rioja lies on one side of the Mountain Idubeda about the River Ogia which falling from that Mount runs into the River Ebro The Country is pleasant and fruitful He also took Pamplona in Navarre and that part of Biscay now called Alava It is true many of these Places were afterwards lost the Power of the Moorish Kings of Cordova daily encreasing to the great Detriment of the Christians King Alonso placed Bishops in the Cities he gain'd to instruct the Christians and restore Religion he built Churches and caused those that were prophaned to be reconciled providing them with Vestments and other Necessaries the best the Poverty of that Age would permit After performing these great Actions he dy'd at Cangas in the 74th Year of his Age and of Grace 757. He was a Prince of great Renown Reign'd 19 Years some say but 18 and left 5 Sons 4 by his Wife Ormisinda which were Froyla Bimaranus Aurelius and Vsenda By a Slave he had Mauregatus His Funeral was not so remarkable for the greatness of the Expence as for the Tears and Grief of his Subjects and the Voices of Angels said to be then heard singing these words of the Scripture Ecce quomodo moritur justus nemo percipit corde à facie iniquitatis sublatus est justus erit in pace memoria ejus This King and his Queen were Buried at Cangas in St. Mary's Monastery D. Alonso had a Brother called Froyla more known by his two Sons Aurelius and Veremundus or Bermudus than for any action of his own Let us return to the affairs of the Moors which being so intermixt with our own ought not to be forgotten It will not therefore be amiss to say something of the great discord that about this time hapned among those People on which were laid the foundations of a mighty Kingdom of theirs in Spain Mahomet the Founder of the Sarraçen Empire at his Death left never a Son but three Daughters Fatima Zeinebis and Imicultis all Married to Principal Men. Upon the Death of Mahomet first Abubacar and after him Homar whose Daughters he had Married succeeded in the Empire After them Autuman Husband to Fatima the Eldest Daughter ascended the Throne and of them descended the mighty Family of the Alavecines Mohabia Husband to the other Sister Zeinebis succeeded Autuman and of him came another powerful Family called the Humeyas His Successors were Izit his Son and Maula his Grandson after whose Death the Moors were divided some following Maroan and others Abdalla who dying all was again reduc'd under Abdelmelich the Son of Maula then Vlit Son of Abdelmelich next Zuleyman Brother to Vlit and after him Homar and Izit the Sons of Vlit Their Successor was Iscam a third Brother and his was Alulit the Son of Izit then Ibrahim his Brother Maroan though of the same Family of the Humeyas slew Ibrahim and Usurp'd the Crown Abdalla a wise and resolute Man of the Family of the Alavecines descended from Fatima kill'd Maroan and step'd into the Throne the better to secure himself in which he indeavour'd to extirpate the whole Race of the Humeyas Abderbaman who was of that Family for his own Safety was forc'd to fly into Spain where the Moors being all well affected to the Benhumeyas with their assistance he erected a new Kingdom independent of the Miramamolins of Africk or Caliphs of Asia He chose the City Cordova for the Metropolis of his new acquir'd Dominion as will further appear hereafter CHAP. IV. The Reigns of the Kings Froyla Aurelius Silon Alonso Mauregatus and Veremundus or Bermudo Monarchy of the Moors erected in Spain by Abderrhaman his Death and Wars among his Sons UPon the Death of King Alonso his Eldest Son called Froyla or Fruela succeeded in the Throne of the Christians in Spain in the Year of Grace 757. He Reigned eleven Years and three Months his Government was a mixture of Good and Evil being of a harsh Temper rather inclined to Cruelty than Mercy Some Actions of a good Prince he did for he Built the City Oviedo in Asturias and made it a Bishoprick Besides he forbid Priests Marrying a Custom introduced by Witiza and confirmed by the Example of the Greeks which in the Opinion of the Wiser sort had provoked God's Wrath and brought so many misfortunes upon Spain This Action as it gained him the Esteem of the better sort so it drew on him the hatred of the Commonalty and Priests by which his Memory was stained more than he deserved Besides his other good qualities he follow'd the Example of his Father in making War upon the Moors and in the second Year of his Reign overthrew Juzeph who then governed Spain for the Infidels and had entred Galicia killing 54000 of his Men. This loss was the ruin of Juzeph who for the space of four Years had opposed Abderhaman and now being oppressed by the Humeyas he fled from Cordova but was taken by his Enemies at Granada and making his escape thence to Toledo was there killed by his own People From this time which was the Year of our Lord 759. and according to the account of the Arabs 142 all the Moors in Spain were again United under one Head Abderhaman Abenbumeya who after took the Sirname of Adahil founded a new Kingdom of his own Nation independent of the Moors in Africk or Asia as has been hinted before Only the City Valencia held out some time but after a long Siege was forced to submit and joyn with the rest Such was the hatred this Prince bore the Christian Religion that the Christians of that City were forced to depart thence and setled in the farthest part of Lusitania about Promontorium Sacrum carrying with them the Body of St. Vencent from which that Cape now takes its Name A Moor of Fez some time after Hunting about that place slaughtered these People and carryed over their Children into Africk from whom the
place was afterwards known where the Holy Body had been buryed Abderhaman proud with his great Success made War upon Galicia and at the same time besieged Beja in Portugal but was repulsed in both places by the Valour of King Fruela who with the same Felicity not only defended his Dominions against the Infidels but subdued his Rebellious Subjects of Galicia and Navarre in the Year of our Lord 761. In this expedition he Marryed Menina or Momerana Daughter of Eudo Duke of Aquitain according to F. Mariana but the Bishop Sebastian who lived 100 Years after and wrote the History of those times only says she was a Captive taken there the Archbishop D. Roderick and D. Lucas de Tuy say she was of the Blood Royal of Navarre By her the King had D. Alonso who was afterwards King and Sirnamed the Chast and Da. Ximena well known for her incontinency and for being Mother to Bernard del Carpio King Fruela might have been reckoned among the best Princes had he not Blemished his Reputation by killing with his own Hands his Brother Bimaranus doubtless upon suspition that he designed to Rebel yet the Act was no way justifiable However to allay the hatred he had incurred by this Action he adopted and named for his Successor Bermudo the Son of Bimaranus which availed him not for his Brother Aurelius and other Conspirators Murdered him at Cangas The King and his Queen Menina were buryed in the Cathedral of Oviedo The Murderer of Fruela and Revenger of Bimaranus Brother to both tho' some will have him to be their Cousin-German and Son to Fruela the Brother of King Alonso was inthroned in the Year 768. D. Alonso the Son of Fruela was not regarded as being a Child and by reason of the General hatred conceived against his Father Aurelius Reigned six Years and a half during which time he did not any thing worthy of Commendation unless it were the quelling a Rebellion raised by the Slaves in hopes of recovering their Liberty But the honour gained by this Action was quite blotted out by the dishonourable agreement he came to with the Moors obliging himself every Year to deliver to them a certain Number of Young Maids as an acknowledgment The Christians were jealous of the mighty Power of Abderhaman and feared he might oppress their new Kingdom Therefore Aurelius to provide against that storm Marryed his Sister Adosinda to Silon a Man in great esteem that he might be assisting to him while living and succeed in the Throne after his Death for that he had never a Son nor does it appear that he was Marryed King Alonso the Great his Chronicon says Aurelius was interred in the Church of St. Martin in the Valley of Jagueya D. Lucas de Tuy writes it was at Cangas It is hard to reconcile these differences some will have Jagueya and Cangas to be the same others that Jagueya is the Town now called Yanguas and that under the Church of St. Michael in it there is a Vault dedicated to St. Andrew where are two Tombs which those People affirm to be of the Kings Favila and Aurelius After the Death of Aurelius Silon and his Wife Adosinda were Proclaimed King and Queen at Paiva and Reigned nine Years one Month and one Day At the beginning of his Reign he subdued the People of Galicia that had revolted about the Mountain Ciperius now called Cebreros Silon being of a great Age and naturally given to his ease resolved to lay aside all care by parting with the Government and accordingly by the advice of his Queen named D. Alonso the Son of Fruela his Companion in the Throne and gave him the absolute Power of Peace and War It was the misfortune of those times that when there was most need of Active and Heroick Kings they proved Soft and Effeminate From this time D. Alonso had the Title of King as appears by a Grant of his the Antientest now extant in Spain of several Lands to the Church of St. Mary de Valpuesta then a Monastery of Nuns now Collegiate This Grant bears Date according to the Julian account the Year 812. which is of our Lord 774. Authors vary about the burying place of Silon some say it is at Oviedo where there is a long Inscription at the entrance of the Church of S. Saviour with his Name in the nature of a Cypher and it is repeated 270 times that he built the Church besides under that Inscription is another signifying Here lies Sylon may the Earth be easie to him Others say he lies at Paiva in the Church of St. John the Evangelist which he built from the Ground and where without doubt is the Body of his Wife Adosinda Silon's Funeral Rites being honourably performed D. Alonso who had been his Companion to the great satisfaction of the Nobles remained sole Monarch in the Year 783. The hatred conceived again his Father was forgot and the Virtues that shined in him reconciled the Subjects affection Only his Uncle Mauregatus tho' Illegitimate pretended a right to succeed his Brothers and was put upon it by some Turbulent Persons but finding little help in the Christians he begged the Assistance of the Moors and obtained it upon Condition he should every Year deliver them 50 Maids of the Nobility and 50 of the Commonalty an infamous Article yet nothing can Curb the inordinate Ambition of a Crown The Moors above all Men are given to Venery This allurement and the Commands of Abderhaman prevailed with many to follow Mauregatus King Alonso being unprovided to meet this storm retired into Biscay where he had many Powerful Allies He was only 25 Years of Age when he was deposed in the beginning of his Reign Mauregatus Reigned 5 Years and 6 Months and was remarkable for nothing but his Cowardise Baseness and Falshood to his Country He dyed in the Year 788 and was buryed in the Church of St. John at Pavia This same Year dyed Abderhaman the King of the Moors having Reigned 29 Years he deceased at Cordova where he had fixed his residence and adorned that City with many Royal Works as the Gardens then called Rizapha now Arriçafa and the now Cathedral one of the Sumptuousest Buildings in Spain He left 9 Daughters and 11 Son and appointed Zuleman the Eldest then Governour of Toledo his Successor Issem the second Son taking the advantage of his Brother's absence and being well beloved Usurped the Crown and coming to a Battle with Zuleman drove him to Murcia where upon payment of 60000 Crowns he renounced his right and went over into Africk Next Abdalla another Brother raised some Tumults but was forced to Compound and quit Spain Bermudo Sirnamed the Deacon as having received that Order succeeded Mauregatus Historians do not agree whose Son he was nor is it easie to reconcile them Some say he was Son to Bimaranus others to D. Fruela Brother
of doing mischief now ranged the Seas under the Command of their General Rollo At first they had wasted and destroyed all the Coasts of France till the Emperors Ludovicus Pius and Carolus Crassus gave them the Province of Neustria from them afterwards called Normandy to hold in Feof of them These same People gathering a vast Fleet in France now grew very Obnoxious to the Christians of Spain They over-ran and Pillaged all the Coast of Galicia till near Corun̄a King Ramirus overthrew and put to Flight all that had Landed of them Besides in a Sea Fight 70 of their Ships were either taken or sunk by ours Those that escaped turning Cape Finisterre came to the Mouth of the River Tagus and distressed Lisbon at that time in the hands of the Moors The Year following which was of our Lord 847. having gathered news Forces they laid Siege to Sevil plundered the Territories of Cadiz and Medina Sidonia taking great numbers of Men and Cattle and putting many Moors to the Sword In fine after spending much time in that Neighbourhood understanding that Abderhaman was fitting out a powerful Fleet against them they left Spain having gained much Honour and great Riches Now followed other Commotions among the Christians Count Alderedus and Piniolus two powerful Men one after another revolted but were soon defeated Alderedus had his Eyes put out Piniolus and Seven Sons he had were Executed by the King's Command in the 5th Year of his Reign Two Years after he dyed at Oviedo having Reigned 7. he and his Wife Paterna were buryed in St. Maries Church of that City where the King's Tomb is still to be seen with an Inscription to this effect Ramiro of happy memory dy'd on the first of February I desire all that shall Read this to pray for his rest D. Ordono Son to D. Ramiro the late King succeeded his Father in the Year of our Lord 850. CHAP. VII The Persecution raised by the Moors at Cordova The Reign of D. Ordonno over the Christians and Mahomet over the Moors A Mighty Persecution was now raised against the Christians and much Blood shed at Cordova When first the Moors over-ran Spain they allowed the Christians the free Exercise of their Religion whereupon in all Cities and especially at Cordova as the Metropolis there were Priests Nuns and Monks publickly in their Habits They had also their Churches and Monasteries and the People were called to Divine Service by Ringing of Bells as formerly without receiving the least Affront or Molestation All the restraint laid upon them was that they should not offer to Revile Mahomet nor enter into the Mosques By degrees the Moors began to lay new Taxes upon the Christians to revile them and by all means find out ways to Extirpate their Name This made the Christians uneasie so that first they complained then fell to railing and inveighing against the Moors and their Superstition Hereupon King Abderhaman many Christians siding with him in Condemning their Brethren as was done by a Synod of Bishops that met at Cordova put to Death during the space of 10 Years great numbers of Christians who are reckoned as Martyrs for that their greatest Crime was the Profession of the true Faith and their Perseverance in the same In the Year 852. dy'd King Abderhaman The Christians said It was a just Judgment of God for the Blood he had spilt and it was the more likely because he fell down and dy'd suddenly without speaking one word as he stood looking upon the Bodies of the Martyrs that hung rotting on Gibbets This hap'ned the beginning of the 32d Year of his Reign He left 44 Sons and 42 Daughters In his time the Streets of Cordova were Paved and Water brought to the City from the Mountains in Leaden Pipes By him it was first Established as Law that the Sons should inherit without any regard of the other Kindred which was not till then punctually observed In pursuance of this Law his Son Mahomet succeeded him and Reign'd 35 Years and an half In the first Year of his Reign he Banished all the Christians from Court and not so satisfied the second Year raged against their Lives which he continued to the end of the 10 Years above-mentioned After the Solemnity of the Interment of D. Ramiro the late King his Son D. Ordon̄o entered upon the Government He was Mild Affable and Modest which gain'd him the Affections of all Men but being very Zealous for Justice some ill-designing Men made of this Vertue a Bait to draw him into some Miscarriages Four Slaves belonging to the Church of Compostella accused their Bishop Athaulphus of a grievous Sin the History of Compostella says it was Sodomy Being sent for to Court to answer for himself he first said Mass and went to the King in his Pontifical Robes At which instead of being appeased the King was so incensed that he caused a wild Bull anger'd by the Dogs to be let lose at him The Bishop making the sign of the Cross the Bull came tamely and suffered him to lay hold of his Horns which dropt off into his Hands At this sight the King and Nobles were so astonished that they fell down at his Feet begging Pardon for the wrong they had done him which he most readily granted Some write he Excommunicated his Accusers and retired to Asturias where he led a most holy Life having resigned his Bishoprick The Horns hung for many Years on the roof of the Church of Oviedo as a Memorial of this Miracle This F. Mariana says Was at the beginning of the Reign of King Ordonno Others will have it to have hap'ned above 100 Years after in the time of King Bermudo II. It is hard to decide which is in the right as to point of Time for since they vary in that point it is no good Authority to oblige us to believe there ever was any such Passage In the second Year of this King's Reign one Muza of the Blood of the Goths but by Profession a Moor well skilled in Warlike Affairs stirred up against himself the Arms of both Christians and Infidels for he openly Rebelled against the King of Cordova and with incredible Celerity possessed himself of Toledo Zaragoça Huesca Valencia and Tudela Then he over-ran the Frontiers of France where he took two Generals that offered to oppose him This struck such a terror in that Country that the King of France Charles the Bald thought fit to gain his Friendship with Presents Proud with Success he turns his Force against King Ordon̄o with whom and the King of Cordova he called himself the third King of Spain Breaking into the Territory of Rioja he took Alvelda and Fortify'd it King Alonso's Chronicle says he built and called it Albayda D. Ordon̄o gathering his Forces left a part before that Town and with the rest marched towards the Enemy who he was informed lay upon Mount Latursus At the first sight the two Armies
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
erected the Earldoms of Aragon and Barcelona That of Aragon thus Aznar Son of Eudo the Great coming to that part of the Country through which run the Rivers Aragon or Arga and Subordan and having gained some Towns from the Moors by consent of King Gracia called himself Earl of Aragon and was then Subject to the Kings of Navarre afterwards independent as shall appear in its Place This first Earls Son was also called Aznar his Grandson Galindo of whom there is nothing Memorable After Galindo succeeded Ximeno Aznar Ludovicus Pius during the Life of his Father Charlemaigne took Bercelond and left one Bernard a Frenchman to govern there in the Year 801. whence sprang the Earls of Barcelona In the following year dyed Garci Iniguez King of Navarre His Successor was his Son Fortun Garcia of whose exploits the Historians of Navarre relate things incredible It is not doubted he was in the Famous Battle of Roncesvalles before spoken of in which Ximeno Aznar Earl of Aragon was slain whose Sister Teuda was Married to King Fortun. Ximeno Aznar's Successor was his Unkle Ximeno Garcia or Garces King Fortun dyed in the Year 815. Sancho Garcia his Son succeeded him By this King the People of Valderroncal were exempted from all Taxes for their good Service against the Moors as appears by his Grant still extant Bernard Earl of Barcelona being accused of Treason for having to do with the Empress Wife to Ludovicus Pius for shame of this Slander returned to Spain where he had many Friends and dy'd in the Year 839. After his Death Ludovicus Pius bestowed that Earldom on Wifridus for it was not Hereditary but the free Gift of the Emperor during pleasure Garcia Aznar Son of Ximeno Aznar was now Earl of Arragon At the same time D. Sancho Garcia infested the People of Navarre beyond the Pyrenean Hills that were subject to the French and never desisted till they swore to maintain perpetual Amity with the Kings of Sobrarve This King is said to have been slain in the War against that Muza who as was said Rebelled against the King of Cordova that is about the Year 853. Next to this King a certain Author names Ximeno Garcia no other History makes mention of him but here the Royal Line expired whereupon there ensued an Interregnum for four Years During which time the Historians of Navarre say they Consulted the Pope the French and the Lombards by whose advice they took the best of the Laws of those Nations called The Charter of Sobrarve towards preserving their Liberty All their aim was to tye up the King's hands and to this effect they Instituted a Magistrate in the nature of the Roman Tribunes commonly called The Justice of Arragon Many of these Privileges and others granted by K. Alonso III. were Repealed by the States-General or Parliament in the Reign of D. Peter the last of Aragon All things being thus setled In̄igo Sanchez Earl of Bigorre in Aquitain for his swiftness Sirnamed Arista was chosen King by the Vote of 300 Nobles and having Sworn in the Church of S. Victorianus of Pamplona to maintain the Laws the Power of Government was put into his Hands All these and many other the like Relations are by many esteemed Fabulous and they believe that King Arista succeeded his Father in the Throne Certain it is that In̄igo Arista about this time Reign'd near the Pyrenean Mountains and was Married to D. In̄iga Daughter to the Earl Gonzalo of the Blood Royal of Oviedo He also Married Teuda the Daughter of Zenon Lord of Biscay and had only one Son not known by which of the two called Garci Iniguez who inherited the Kingdom The Monastery of S. Salvador de Leite seated among the Pyrenean Mountains and remarkable for the beauty of its Structure and greatness of Revenue is supposed to have been Founded by King Arista This Prince extended the Bounds of his Kingdom adding to what he had before the Plains of Navarre whereas the former Kings had contented themselves to live within the Mountains Pamplona and Alava fallen again into the hands of the Moors were by him recovered whereupon he stiled himself King of Pamplona as appears by Grants of those Kings At the same time Wifredus the Son of the other Wifredus obtained of the Emperor Charles the Gross the Earldom of Barcelona Hereditary only reserving the Right of Appeals to be made to the Emperor this was in the Year 884. Afterwards on account of Wifredus's tender Age by order of the Emperor Lewis II. Solomon Count of Cerdania Governed that Principality the space of 19 Years Wifredus among other Sons left Myrus Earl of Barcelona and Seniofredus Earl of Vrgel after their Father's decease Near the same time dy'd Garcia Aznar Earl of Aragon and his Son Ximeno Garcia succeeded him It is not to be found in what Year King Arista dy'd the most probable Opinion is it was about the Year 888. Garci Ximenes his Son succeeded him at the age of 17 but was not inferior either for warlike Exploits or civil Government to any of his Predecessors For being come to riper Years he gained much Reputation by many Victories he obtained too tedious to be here inserted His Wife's name was Da. Vrraça Sister to Fortun Ximenez Earl of Aragon or as some will have it his Kinswoman Grandchild of Galindo and Daughter of Endregotus from whom his Uncle Ximeno Garcia Usurped the Earldom of Aragon This King had two Sons Fortun and Sancho Abarca and a Daughter called Sanctiva Married to D. Ordon̄o King of Leon when he was Old and had had two Wives as has been said before He was killed by the Moors in a Battle he fought with them in the Valley of Ayuar the Archbishop D. Roderick calls it Larumbe for he often made Inroads into the Country of the Moors being desirous to enlarge his Kingdom and Extirpate all the Race of the Moors in Spain His Death was in the Year 905. as appears by the Chronicon Alveldense His two Sons succeeded him first Fortun and then Sancho in whose time as is before related the Christians lost the great Battle of Junquera The Monastery of S. Salvador de Leite pretends the Body of King Garci Iniguez lies there that of S. John de la Pen̄a contradicts it because there is to be seen there among the Tombs of the Kings one with the Name of King Garci Iniguez upon it These Disputes are not to be decided but I suppose the reason of them is that many Tombs were erected to the memory of Kings in several places by those that had received Favours from them tho' they had not their Bodies as is used even in our times Thus much at present of the Original of the Kingdom of Navarre and Earldoms of Arragon and Barcelona may suffice CHAP. II. Of the Earls of Castile The Reign of D. Fruela the Second King of Leon. Fictions concerning the Kings of Navarre The Reign of their King D. Sancho
Abarca MOst part of that Province which we call Old Castile the Romans named the Vacei it is divided from Leon by the Rivers Carrion Pisuerga Heva and Regamon on the other side it borders on Asturias Biscay and Rioja on the South its Bounds are the Mountains of Segovia and Avila which about the same time we are speaking of were the limits of the Dominions of the Moors and Christians The Country is plentiful of Corn and Wine but scarce of Oil and better Watered than other parts of Spain In this Province tho' at first they did not possess it all some powerful Men began to defend themselves against the Moors and enlarge their Territories They took the Stile of Counts or Earls by consent of the Kings of Oviedo whom they were obliged to assist in their Wars and to come when called to their General-Assemblies or Parliaments In former times as we have before more particularly related Counts or Earls were only Governours of Provinces for a time afterwards they were made so for Life and at last the Title became Hereditary Yet even to this Day many Dukes Marquesses and Earls in Spain after the Death of their Fathers do not take upon them the Title till they have obtained the King's leave It is not known for what term the first Earls of Castile enjoyed that Honour but it may be imagined they had the same beginning as all others in Christendom The first of these Counts is D. Roderick who lived in the time of King Alonso the Chast Next to him the best Authors place D. James Porcellos his Son as the Chronicon Alveldense has it This Earl lived in the time of Alonso the Great King of Oviedo He Married his Daughter Sulla Bella to Nun̄o Belchides a German that came in Pilgrimage to S. James This Gentleman being thus Allied to D. James together with him built the City Burgos that the People who before lived dispersed in Villages might form one Body of a City and it took the Name from Burg the German word for a Town Besides D. James there were at the same time other Earls of Castile for the Province was divided as were Ferdinand Anzules Almondar and his Son D. James But the greatest of them all was Nun̄ez Fernandez who had for his Son-in-law D. Garcia Brother to D. Ordon̄o II. King of Leon afterwards King himself Upon this account and because he had forced King Alonso the Great to resign the Kingdom he was grown more insolent than D. Ordon̄o cared to bear besides many underhand blew the Coals they saw begin to take Fire The King thus incensed sent for the Earls to Court upon pretence of Consulting with them about most important Affairs The place appointed for the meeting was a Town called Regular upon the mid-way on the Borders of Castile and Leon. The Earls came without any Guard and were Apprehended by the King's Order and sent Prisoners to Leon. Soon after they were also put to Death to the great Grief of the People of Castile who had been concerned at their Imprisonment King Ordon̄o was making all necessary Preparations for War as fearing the Revolt of that Province when Death took him off He dy'd at Zamora in the Year 923. and was buryed at Leon in the Church of our blessed Lady which he had caused to be Consecrated His Funeral was performed with great Solemnity Nun̄o Belchides by his Wife Sulla Bella had two Sons Nun̄o Rasura and Gustio Gonzalez Nun̄o Rasura was Grandfather to the Earl Fernan Gonzalez whom our Historians extol and raise to the Skies for his great Exploits The Infants or Princes of Lara were Grandsons to Gustio Thus the Blood of D. James Porcellos mixed with the Royal Family is derived to many Noble Houses in Spain and Abroad and its Succession has not fail'd even to our Days D. Fruela II. Succeeded his Brother D. Ordon̄o in the Throne of Leon not by Right but Force Such as the beginning was the end and his Power lasted not long for he Reign'd only 14 Months He was remarkable only for Baseness and Cruelty and therefore was called The Cruel The Sons of a Nobleman called Osmundus were by him put to Death and his Brother Fruminius Bishop of Leon Banished for that he durst not lay violent hands upon him being an Ecclesiastical Person By his Wife Munia he had D. Alonso D. Ordon̄o and D. Ramiro and out of Wedlock D. Fruela Father of D. Pelayus called the Deacon To whom was afterwards Marry'd Da. Aldonca or Alfonsa Grandchild to King Bermudo Sirnamed the Gouty D. Fruela was buryed in Leon his Fame and Memory are stained not so much for his dying of the Leprosie as for his Cowardize and the Rebellion that in his time cut off Castile from the Crown of Leon. The People there were offended at the Death of the Earls killed by D. Ordon̄o's Command this disgust was heightned by forcing them to come to Leon to all Law Suits and the Parliament They had no fair opportunity of Revolting before and therefore did it in the time of D. Fruela For their Governors they chose two Nobles with only the Title of Judges The first named was Nun̄o Rasura and Lain Calvo Men in great Power at that time Lain was the youngest and Married to Nun̄a Bella his Colleague's Daughter To him for his Valour was given the charge of Martial Affairs Nun̄o Rasura being a Person of known Prudence and Experience was to take care of the Civil Government and Admistration of Justice which he commonly performed at Burgos and sometimes in other parts of the Province Two Leagues from Medina de Pomar is a Town called Bijudico and in it an ancient Judgment Seat on which the People there have a Tradition these two Judges used to sit and hear Causes They were Governed by the ancient Laws of Castile which continued till King Alonso the Wise abrogated them and Instituted those called Las Partidas It is not known how long these two Judges lived or what Acts they performed From them descended very notable and brave Men for Lain Calvo was 5th Grandfather to the famous Cid Ruy Diaz Gonzalo Nun̄o was Son to Nun̄o Rasura and held the same Employ with no less Honour His Wife was Da. Ximena Daughter to the Earl Nun̄o Fernandez who was put to Death among the other Earls of Castile by Kind Ordon̄o Of her was born the Earl Fernan Gonzalez a Person inferior to none of the ancient Heroes for Virtue Valour and Constancy we shall speak of him in its proper place Let us return to the Kings It is most certain that the Histories of Navarre are full of Fables and Lies insomuch that they look more like Romances invented to divert idle Persons than true Relations and Records of Antiquity This appears plainly throughout all Ages but particularly in this we now write of They say that King Garci In̄iguez being slain in a Battle by the Moors his Wife Da.
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
of his Reign which last but 5 Years and 7 Months gave him not time to Exercise his many Virtues At his first Accession to the Crown D. Sancho his Brother stirred up D. Garci Sanchez his Unkle King of Navarre and the Earl Fernan Gonzalez against him The Forces of both those Nations at once entred the Territories of Leon and the King being unprovided and not yet secure of the affection of his Subjects resolved to Fortify himself and not come to a Battle His Enemies reaping no benefit by this attempt returned home to their own Countries But he to be revenged of the Earl for joyning with his Brother and Unkle without any Provocation given him presently was divorced from Da. Vrraca the Earls Daughter and Marryed Da. Elvira such was the Practice of that Age. By this Wife he had D. Bermudo who in process of time after many changes came to be King of Leon. The tumults raised in Galicia for the Love that People bore D. Sancho were soon appeased by the King who to make the greater advantage of this success entred that part of Lusitania Subject to the Moors plundering all the Country as far as Lisbon whence he returned home About the same time the Earl of Castile took from the Moors the Castle of Carranço Abderhaman King of Cordova tho' now very Aged gathered a mighty Army to the number of 80000 Fighting Men the Command of them he gave to Almanzor Alhagib that is Viceroy a General of great Note with orders furiously to over-run the Lands of the Christians Such extraordinary preparations startled the Earl he Listed all that were of Age to bear Arms and finding his Army yet too small for so great a danger held a Council of War at Mun̄on to consult what was best to be done Opinions as is usual in such Cases varyed some were for putting all to the hazard of Battle others for gathering up all Provisions into Places of strength that so the first fury of the Barbarians might be quelled before they came to Blows Gonzalo Diaz a Man of Quality without respect to Honour was for buying a Truce of the Moors The Earl knew well that many there spoke by the Mouth of Gunzalo Diaz but honour prevailed therefore he Gravely Discoursed them upon the Subject extolling the Valour of his People advising to rely on the Assistance of the Almighty and not to Blemish their good Name with the Infamy of Cowardice All agreed to him and having offer'd up their Vows to God moved towards the Enemy who lay incamped near Lara They came not immediately to a Battle and the Earl the mean while going out a hunting pursued a Wild Boor up a difficult ascent to a little Hermitage where a Holy Man called Pelagius had a small Chappel Dedicated to St. Peter The Earl moved to devotion spared the Beast and fell to his Prayers and Pelagius coming he stayed there all Night In the Morning Pelagius told him he should be Victorious and that in token thereof a Prodigy would happen before the Fight Then the Earl return'd to his People who were in care for him and gave an Account of what had befallen him The Souldiers took heart and the Army being drawn up before they engag'd a Gentleman by some call'd Pero Gonzalez de la Puente de Fitero rode out before the rest and the Earth opening swallow'd him so that he was never seen more This terrify'd the Army but the Earl told them it was the sign of Victory the Hermit had spoken of and since the Earth was not able to bear them much less would the Enemy At these words all reviv'd the onset was given and that vast multitude vanquish'd by a handful of Christians This Victory re-establish'd the tottering affairs of the Christians and the Souldiers return'd home loaded with spoils of their Enemies Part of the Booty was given to the holy Man Pelagius and afterwards the Earl built a Monastery dedicated to St. Peter upon the River Arlançd where were interr'd the Bones of D. Gonzalo his Father In our days the Cell of Pelagius is shown on a Rock near that Monastery The Moors nothing daunted at this loss prepar'd again to fall upon Castile and on the other side King Ordon̄o after the Incursion he made into Portugal desirous of revenge resolv'd to make War upon the Earl A mighty danger threatned but the King was easily appeas'd by an Embassy the Earl sent begging Pardon for what was past and that he would not prefer his private animosities before the publick good of the Christians when they were threatned with the extraordinary preparations made by the Moors Therefore the King not only forgave but sent him sufficient supplies to make head against the Moors who were advanc'd as far as Santistevan de Gormaz ravaging the Country As soon as the two Armies met the Battle was given and well fought on both sides but ours obtain'd the Victory with a mighty slaughter of the Enemies King Ordono joyful for this success provided to fall upon the Moors again when Death prevented him at Zamora in the Year 955. His Body was buried with great Pomp and Solemnity in the Monastery of St. Saviour at Leon where his Father also had been Interr'd Our Historians do not mention where D. Sancho the King's Brother was during his Brothers Life or whether ever they were reconcil'd but all agree that after the Kings Death he was by the unanimous consent of all Men Proclaim'd King He was call'd the Gross for his mighty bulk of Body unfit to endure fatigue yet he was good condition'd show'd much Constancy in Adversity and had a generous disposition In the second Year of his Reign which was of our Lord 956 by reason of a Mutiny in the Army not being well assur'd of the affections of his People because many were inclinable to D. Ordon̄o Son to D. Alonso the Monk he left his Kingdom and fled for refuge to his Uncle the King of Navarre D. Ordon̄o easily stept into the Throne and the more to secure himself Married Da. Vrraca that had been Divorc'd from his Cousin King Ordon̄o with the consent of the Earl her Father This D. Ordon̄o was so perversly inclin'd that he was call'd the Wicked and giving way to his base temper became odious and contemptible to the people D. Sancho watch'd all opportunities and mean while went to Cordova where it was reported there were very able Physicians that could bring down his fat Abderhaman receiv'd him with Courtesy and being undertaken by the Doctors his bulk was reduc'd to a moderate size To make his favours the more compleat Abderhaman gave him considerable supplies of Men to recover his Kingdom At his first approach D. Ordon̄o his Adversary fled to Asturias and thence to his Father-in-law the Earl who despising him for his Cowardice took away his Wife Thence he put himself into the hands of the Moors among whom he liv'd poor
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
whom Ambition often distracted to the advantage of the Christians In the Year 976 dyed Alhaca King of the Moors at Cordova The same Year the Moor Rasis sent his Commentaries writ in Arabick of the affairs 〈…〉 to Balharab Miramamolin of Africk by whose order they were composed Alhaca left Eight Sons all very Young and the Moors not agreeing which of them should succeed referred it to the Miramamolin of Africk who appointed Hissem tho' not above ten Years of Age. He Reigned 34 Years only in show for all the Power was in the hands of Mahomet Alhagib that is the Viceroy who took the name of Almanzor for the many Victories he obtained Hence sprang civil Wars among those People as is usual when Kings give themselves up to their ease and so far they went that Hissem lost the Crown Our affairs were in no better Posture for the King being bred among Women was effeminate besides that his Queen Da. Vrraca managed him as she pleased without any regard to the prudent advice of his Mother or his Aunt He seldom gave ear to his Subjects and for the most part returned harsh Answers which highly offended the Nobility of Galicia a People naturally fierce who finding all the Commonalty dissatisfied rebelled D. Bermudo the Kings Cousin and Son to D. OrdonÌ„o the third headed the Rebels in hopes to recover his Fathers Kingdom which he pretended was wrongfully kept from him This danger awaked the King out of his Lethargy The War was begun and lasted two Years with various success the People being divided betwixt the two parties At length a Battle was fought near a Town called Portela Arenaria many were killed on both sides and they parted upon equal Terms After this Fight D. Bermudo remained Master of Galicia and placed his Court at Compostella Pelayo the Son of Earl Roderick was made Bishop of Compostella but for his Wicked Life deposed and Peter Mansorius a Monk and Abbot of approved Vertue put in his place Earl Roderick to restore his Son brought in the Moors who took the City Compostella and threw down one side of the Church of S. James This Sacrilege went not unpunished for the greatest part of that Army perished by the Flux Almançor himself asking the cause of this distemper and being told by a Moor that one of the Disciples of the Son of Mary was there buryed resolved to desist from that enterprize but dyed in his return home at Medina Celi upon the Borders of Aragon On the other side also the Moors took many Towns as Guzman Atiença and Simancas where D. Ramiro who came to relieve it was defeated Never was Spain in a more desperated Condition After the departure of the Moors by the industry of the King and Archbishop the Wall of S. James his Church was repaired and the Church reconciled for it had been profaned by the Infidels Pelayo a wicked Prelate succeeded Peter and he for his Scandalous Life being depos'd his Brother Wimara was substituted who prov'd no better and was drown'd in the River MinÌ„o In those days the Clergy was very debauch'd not only in Spain but most parts of Christendom In Rome there was a Schism Boniface Benedict and John striving for the Chair Let us return to D. Ramiro who spent his Life in Ease and Idleness Thus Death seiz'd him at Leon in the Year 982. His Body was Interr'd in the Monastery of Destriana built by his Grandfather D. Ramiro in the Valley Ornensis by the Invocation of St. Michael Thence 200 Years after by Order of King Ferdinand the Second he was Translated to the Cathedral of Astorga Sampyrus Bishop of Astorga of whom we have made much use hitherto ended his History in this place Pelagius Bishop of Oviedo goes on he lived in the time of D. Alonso the Emperor The Credit of both these Authors is great because they write of things they were Eye Witnesses to but Sampyrus is most Esteemed and looked upon as the Gravest Author CHAP. VI. The Reign of Bermudo the Second called 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 UPon the Death of D. Ramiro the Crown fell to D. Bermudo as well in regard to his right being the King 's Cousin-German as that he possessed himself of it by Force of Arms. He Reigned 17 Years was sickly and Subject to the Gout for which reason he was called the Gouty By him the Laws of the Goths were confirmed and the Canons and Decrees of the Popes ordered to be of Force in secular Causes Before we Treat of this King it is requisite to speak of the Earl Garci Sanchez of Castile At his first Accession to the Government he Fought a Battle with the Moors near Santistevean de Gormaz on the Banks of the River Duero and killed a great Number of them putting the rest to Flight In this Battle there hap'ned a wonderful Accident Fernan Antolinez was hearing of Mass when the Fight began and being loath to leave his Devotions stayed it out Then fearing to be shamed as a Coward kept close in his House But whilst he was in the Church one like him doubtless his good Angel was seen in the heat of the Battle behaving himself so bravely that it was believed through his means the Victory was obtained To confirm this fresh bruises and spots of Blood were seen upon his Horse and Armour by which his Credit was miraculously saved Authors say the Earl Garci Fernandez had two Wives the one called Argentina a Frenchwoman with whom he fell in Love as she went in Pilgrimage to Compostella Six Years after she ran away with a Frenchman whilst her Husband â—â—â— Sick but he recovering followed her into France and being admitted into the House by a Sister-in-Law of hers called Sancha in hopes to Marry the Earl he killed Argentina and her Gallant in Bed and then returning with Sancha into Spain was Marryed to her with great Pomp and Solemnity at Burgos Many look upon this story as Romantick and affirm the Earls Wife was called OnÌ„a and that the Monastery of S. Salvador de OnÌ„a Built by him had the Name of her Others say her Name was Abba as appears by their Tombs at Arlança and CardenÌ„a There is also another relation which says that during the Earls absence in France the Moors pierced as far as Burgos and destroyed the Monastery of S. Peter of CardenÌ„a killing all the Monks which others say was 100 Years before this time unless the same thing hap'ned twice At this time the Moors put to Death many for the Faith and there wanted not some Examples of Divine Justice on them for their Cruelty whereof Alcortexi King of Sevil was one He in the time of D. Burmudo breaking into Galicia destroyed the City Compostella but his impiety passed not unpunished for such a violent Plague
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
the Earl of Castile falling upon them put them to flight and but a small number returned home This struck so great a terror into those People that they never attempted to make War again as long as Abdelmelic Ruled The Joy of this Victory was drowned in the scarcity of Provisions caused by a great Drought Gudésteus Bishop of Oviedo had been kept three Years in Prison by the King who was subject to give ear to the whispers of wicked Men. The People and among them some of Note said the Famine was a Judgment of God for the wrong done the Bishop and that unless Reparation were made him there was cause to fear a heavy Plague might follow There was danger of a Mutiny for the Multitude when they take Religion for their Pretence sooner obey the Priest than the King therefore Gudesteus was discharged out of Prison This same Year of our Lord 999 in which hap'ned the Famine was remarkable for the death of King Bermudo who dy'd of the Gout with which he had been long troubled in a Town called Berit His Body was Interred at Villabuena or Valbuena whence 23 Years after it was translated to the Church of S. John Baptist in Leon. He had two Wives one called Velasquita the other Da. Elvira From the first he was Divorced rather thro' the Corruption of those times than for that it was Lawful By her he had a Daughter called Christina By Da. Elvira he had D. Alonso and Da. Teresa Besides on two Sisters he had to do with in his Youth he got D. Ordon̄o Da. Elvira and Da. Sancha Christina the King 's eldest Daughter was Married to D. Ordon̄o called the Blind who was of the Blood Royal they had Issue D. Alonso D. Ordon̄o D. Pelayo and Da. Aldonza Marry'd to D. Pelayo called the Deacon Grandson to King Fruela by D. Fruela his Bastard Son D. Pelayo and Da. Aldonça had Issue Peter Ordon̄o Pelayo Nun̄o and Teresa from whom descended the Earls of Carrion Men of great Wisdom and Valour as will appear in its place Pelayus Ovetensis and D. Lucas de Tuy attribute to King Bermudo that passage of Ataulphus Bishop of Compostella and the wild Bull that was let lose against him which was spoken of before In this particular I give more Credit to the History of Compostella which relates it as I have done and it is a sufficient proof of their mistaking the time that about this there is no Bishop of Compostella called Ataulphus to be heard of King Bermudo appointed Melendo Gonzalez Earl of Galicia and his Wife D a. Mayor to be Tutors to his Son D. Alonso the young King during his Minority These because D. Alonso was but 5 Years of Age by the consent of the Cortes or Assembly of States and in pursuance to the Will of the Deceased Governed the Kingdom with great Prudence and Integrity The King being of Age as a Reward of their Fidelity and to make their Authority the greater Married their Daughter Da. Elvira by whom he had D. Bermudo and Da. Sancha He Reign'd 29 Years In the second Year of his Reign which was of our Lord just 1000. D. Garci Sanchez the Trembler King of Navarre dying his Son D. Sancho whom he had by his Wife Da. Ximena not Elvira or Constantia or Estephania as some will have it succeeded in the Throne This Prince in his Youth was under the Care and Tuition of Sancho Abbot of S. Salvador de Leyte who bred him Vertuously and taught him all that is fit for a Prince to know He Reigned 34 Years was so remarkable for his Vertue that he gained the name of the Greater and so fortunate that he got under his Dominion almost all that the Christians possessed in Spain But it was no good advice to divide it as he did among his Children thereby weakning the Forces of the Kingdom As the two Christian Kingdoms about this time enjoy'd Peace so Castile first and then the Moors fell to War among themselves both of them by their Civil Broils hast'ning their ruin D. Sancho Garcia Rebelled against his Father the Earl D. Garci Fernandez perhaps thinking he lived too long and being impatient to wait the few Years he had to live Both sides had recourse to Arms and the Subjects being divided the strength of that Principality was weakned The Moors were not ignorant of these Distractions and therefore resolved to make their advantage of them Accordingly they destroyed Avila that had been Rebuilt not long before Corun̄a and Santistevan de Gormaz in the Territory of Osma suffered the same fate The Affairs of the Christians were in great danger and yet the foreign Danger did not appease their domestick Tumults only kept them from coming to Blows Earl Garci Fernandez being much concerned at the harm the Moors did with what Force he could gather went out to meet them The Fight was bloody but the Earl having but a small number of Men was defeated and himself taken so desperately wounded that he dy'd in a few days He Governed Castile about 38 Years some say 49. was nothing inferior to his Father and tho' the Enemy had power to take away his Life the fame of his Actions will last for ever His Body being Ransom'd for a great Sum of Money was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Peter de Carden̄a This unhappy Battle was fought in the Year 1006. The Earl left a Daughter called Da. Vrraca who was a Nun in the Monastery of S. Cosmus and Damianus in the Town of Covarravias This Monastery was built by the Earl her Father and endowed with great Revenues besides many rich Gifts upon condition that if any Maid of his Family would not Marry she should be maintained with the Revenue of that Monastery D. Sancho succeeded his Father in the Earldom of Castile much blemished for Rebelling against him and having thereby been the cause of his death In all other respects he was good and vertuous and had very commendable parts About the same time dy'd at Cordova the Alhagib or Viceroy Abdelmelic Abderhaman a base and cowardly Fellow in scorn called Sanciolo succeeded him But he dying within 5 Months Mohomet Almahudi who I suppose was of the Race of the Abenhumeyas by force of Arms possessed himself of King Hissem who being given wholly to his pleasure was only supported by others Mahomet gave out he had killed the King Beheading one like him and keeping him privately to make use of him if needful A Kinsman of Hissem's called Zulema came over out of Africk who gathering what Forces he could and joyning with those of D. Sancho Earl of Castile overthrew the Tyrant in Battle near Cordova In this Battle were slain 35000 Moors which was the very Flower and Strength of that Kingdom so that for the future they decayed the more sensibly D. Sancho gave great Tokens of his Courage and Conduct and was the principal
Leon that had been ruined by the Moors and in it erected a Church Dedicated to S. John the Baptist Thither the Bodies of his Father D. Bermudo and the other Kings of Leon were translated which before had been carryed about for fear of the Moors The Monastery of S. Pelagius was also rebuilt in which Da. Constança the King's Sister who had Consecrated her Virginity to God lived long It has been above related how D. Vela studyed and contrived his revenge upon the Earls of Castile for wrongs and injuries he pretended to have received from them D. Sancho the Earl not only pardoned but restored to their Father's Honours three Sons of D. Vela which were Roderick James and Inigo Yet they soon fell to their wonted Treachery and leaving the Earl went over to D. Alonso the King of Leon because there was little hope to be placed in the Moors by reason of their distractions and the change of so many Princes among them D. Alonso received them Friendly and gave them a considerable Estate at the Foot of the Mountains Thus they seemed to be setled and quiet but they only waited an opportunity to make their disloyalty the more Notorious as appeared soon after and we shall shortly show King Alonso desiring to extend his Dominions broke into Lusitania and laid Siege to Viseo It happ'ned he went out without his Armour and approaching too near the Town they threw a Dart at him from the Wall and killed him Upon this misfortune his Army quitted the Siege and the Bishops that went with him to the War Accompanyed the Dead Body to Leon where it was buryed in the Church of St. John which he had built for to fix the Tombs of his Forefathers His Death hap'ned in the Year of Grace 1028. He left one Son called D. Bermudo who succeeded in the Throne and a Daughter Named Da. Sancha In his time flourished in Sanctity of Life the Bishops Froylanus of Leon and Atilanus of Zamora Froylanus was born at Lugo Atilanus at Tarragona both Monks of St. Benedict and taken out of their Monasteries to be prefered to those Bishopricks A Son of D. Ramon called D. Berenguel and Sirnamed Borello from his Grandfather was now Earl of Barcelona and better known for his Idle Life than any Virtuous action Bernard Tallaferre Earl of Besalu made some amends for the neglect of that Prince by Valiantly opposing the Moors He being drowned in the River Rhosne in France his place was supplyed by Wifredus Earl of Cerdagne who so curbed the insolency of the Moors that they ceased making any further incursions into those parts D. Berenguel at his Death left three Sons D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona D. Guillen Earl of Manresa by his Father's Will and D. Sancho a Monk of the Order of St. Benedict D. Bermudo the Third tho' very young when his Father dyed was Crown'd King in the presence of all the Nobility and Clergy in the Year 1028. The same Year dy'd D. Sancho Earl of Castile having govern'd that Province 22 Years In the Monastery of On̄a which as was said he built from the ground are still to be seen Three Tombs on the left hand of the High Altar with Inscriptions one of D. Sancho another of his Wife and the third of D. Garcia his Son who succeeded him in that Earldom His Virtues made all Men conceive early hopes of him but all vanish'd and was blasted in the Bud for he was treacherously kill'd in the very first Year of his Government by those who had least reason so to do and in the midst of his Marriage Solemnity D. Garcia had two Sisters D. Nun̄a and Da Teresa Da Nun̄a was Marry'd to D. Sancho King of Navarre who had by her at this time D. Garcia D. Ferdinand and D. Gonçalo Da Teresa was Wife to D. Bermudo King of Leon and of her was born D. Alonso who dy'd a Child D. Garcia Earl of Castile tho' but 13 Years of Age was Contracted to Da Sancha Sister to King Bermudo by this means to bind their interests the faster together and unite them against the common Enemy The City Leon was the place appointed for Celebrating the Nuptials D. Garcia went with a mighty train of People of note as well his own Subjects as those of the King of Navarre King Sancho himself with his Sons D. Ferdinand and D. Garcia for the greater honour bore him Company with such a Retinue as appear'd like a good Army By the way they took Monçon and some other Towns from the Earl Fernan Gutierrez who despising the new Princes Youth was in Rebellion yet because he submitted without making any considerable opposition he obtain'd Pardon They made but small Journeys by reason of the great number of People D. Garcia desiring to see his Bride left the King of Navarre at Sahagun and he with a small Retinue not suspecting any thing put forward This seemed a good opportunity to the Sons of D. Vela to revenge the wrongs they pretended had been done them by the Earl D. Sancho They were Men of Experience in mischief and subtle and therefore communicated their design to other wicked Persons like themselves Having laid their Plot they went out to meet their Prince who little suspected them kneeling they Kissed his Hand as was usual and showing Tokens of Repentance begged pardon of their Crimes Who could have thought that after obtaining Forgiveness they would not have strove by fresh Services to appear worthy of it On the contrary they hastned to Murder that Innocent Prince He went to hear Mass at the Church of St. Saviour and at the very Church door the Traytors assaulted him with their drawn Swords Roderick the Eldest of the Brothers notwithstanding he was his Godfather gave him the first wound then the others seconded it till he fell down Dead Da. Sancha now a Widow before she was marryed fainted away at this dismal News and as soon as she came to herself ran to the place where imbracing the dead Body she wasted herself in Sighs and Tears The Body was deposited in the Church of S. John and thence afterwards translated to the Monastery of On̄a In both places his Sepulcher is to be seen to this Day This accident changed the whole Face of affairs in Spain D. Sancho the King of Navarre who lay in the Suburbs of Leon in Tents after the manner of a Camp inherited the Earldom of Castile to which he gave the Title of a Kingdom whereby his power began to be terrible to the King of Leon. The Traitors fled and got into Monçon hoping perhaps that Fernan Gutierrez offended at the late Earl and the King of Navarre for the Towns they had taken from him would joyn them But by the industry of King Sancho they were taken and burnt King Bermudo warned by his Father's Death was inclinable to Peace and being made sensible of the inconstancy of human Affairs by the misfortune of the
ground begging a happy death and tho' the disease increased stayed at Matins heard Mass and received The Day following he returned to the Church of S. Isidorus and three days after Dyed This is what the Archbishop D. Roderick and D. Lucas de Tuy write yet others say he dyed at Cabeçon a Town near Valladolid neither do Authors agree in the time of his death King Ferdinand's Life was so holy that his Feast is Celebrated at Leon as a Saint He built many Churches and repaired others Queen Sancha was not inferior to her Husband in Vertue she dyed two Years after him and was buryed by the King in the Church of S. Isidorus Garibay says King Ferdinand dyed in the Year 1067 and quotes many Authors who all vary in the time as they do in the place of his death so that these things are very uncertain King Ferdinand by his last Will divided his Kingdoms among his Three Sons To D. Sancho the Eldest he left Castile extending from the Rivèr Ebro till that of Pisuerga for all that was taken upon the death of D. Garcia was added to Castile The Kingdom of Leon fell to D. Alonso with the Territory of Campos and that part of Asturias that reaches to the River Deva running by Oviedo as also some Towns in Galicia D. Garcia the Youngest had the remaining part of Galicia and as much of Portugal as had been recovered from the Moors All three called themselves Kings Besides King Ferdinand left the City Zamora to his Daughter D. Vrraca and that of Toro to D. Elvira These Cities were then called Infantado which is as much as the Principality signifying thereby the Estate left for support of the Younger Children Spain being divided it was impossible it should enjoy Peace all People were in suspence expecting great revolutions upon the King's death To prevent these misfortunes many of the Nobility had endeavoured to disswade him from this Resolution and the matter had been handled in Parliament Arias Gonzalo an Ancient Wise and Experienced Man had stirred most in this affair but Fatherly Love suffered not his Prudent advice to take place D. Sancho became the Throne as being a Comely and Graceful Youth better versed in War than in State affairs and therefore called the Strong Pelagius Ovetensis says he was very Beautiful and Expert in Martial affairs He was naturally Mild and Affable if not provoked or incensed by false Friends Upon the death of his Father he openly complained of the wrong had been done him by dividing the Kingdom Yet his Mother whilst she lived restrained him from falling upon his Brothers especially for that after the King's death the Crown of Leon devolved upon her as being her own Dower D. Sancho Reigned 6 Years 8 Months and 25 Days At the beginning of his Reign he had War with the Moors and soon after with the King of Aragon King Ramiro of Aragon desiring to enlarge his Territories laboured successfully to expel the remainder of the Moors out of that Kingdom He obliged Almugdadi King of Zaragoça and Almudafar King of Lerida to become tributary and overthrew the King of Huesca Those about Zaragoça having been subdued by King Ferdinand were become tributary to him but now upon the change of Kings and relying on the assistance of D. Ramiro they resolved to fall off King Sancho having speedily gathered an Army marched against them Those of Toledo immediately submitted but the Aragonians stood out Hereupon having wasted all the Country he layed Siege to Zaragoça and press'd it so vigorously it was surrendred to him upon Condition he should be obliged to support the City against all Enemies as well Christians as Moors This Capitulation seem'd directly levell'd against the King of Aragon D. Sancho was offended that the King of Aragon join'd with the Navarrois who often made Inroads upon the Dominions of Castile and besides that he receiv'd Tribute from those Aragonians that were his Subjects The Aragonians had then laid Siege to the Castle of Grados built by the Moors on the Banks of the River Esera to curb the Christians King Sancho in pursuance of his Capitulation with the Moors marched to raise that Siege The Army of Aragon being surpriz'd and attack'd in Front and Rear by the Christians and Insidels was easily routed some fled others were kill'd amongst which number was the King himself This was much about the Year 1067. D. Ramiro of Aragon had Reign'd 31 Years his Body was Bury'd in the Church of St. John de la Pen̄a where many of his Predecessors lay D. Sancho Ramirez his Son succeeded in the Throne at the Age of 18. a Prince not unlike to his Father in Virtue In this Princes time and in the Year of Grace 1068. Guinard Earl of Russillon built the Town of Perpignan on the Borders of France not far from the antient City Russillon the name of Perpignan was taken from one Bernard Perpignan who kept two Inns in that place This King Sancho is said to have abrogated the Laws of the Goths as the Catalonians had done before and established the Imperial Civil Law He was Married to D. Felicia Daughter to Armengaud Earl of Vrgel by whom he had three Sons D. Peter D. Alonso and D. Ramiro who were all successively Kings of Aragon A Bastard Son of his called D. Garcia was afterwards Bishop of Jaca At the same time there Reign'd in Spain three Kings who were Cousin-Germans tho' not equal in power yet all alike in the manner of their Death D. Sancho King of Castile was the greatest he had blemish'd the beginning of his Reign by killing his Uncle King Ramiro and growing fierce with Success was daily driving at greater mischiefs his strength being terrible to the others D. Sancho King of Navarre maintain'd his small Kingdom by making a League with him of Aragon to secure both against Castile He of Castile understanding their design thought to be beforehand with them and broke into Navarre without stoping till he came in sight of Viana There the two Kings met him and they came to a Battle in which the Castilians were defeated and their King having lost many Men return'd into his own Country The Victors resolving to make use of their Success broke into the Territories of Rioja and Briviesca where they recovered all that King Ferdinand had taken Thus were those three Princes destroying one another without reflecting upon what they might expect from the Moors The King of Castile could not at that time take revenge of his Cousins being ingaged in a new War against his Brothers He was ambitious rash and hot and pretended a right to all that had been his Fathers and did not want other grounds to raise a Quarrel upon His Brothers tho' weak could not be perswaded to Unite their Forces against their common Enemy D. Sancho having gathered a powerful Army resolved to carry on his designs On the other side D. Alonso whom that
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
Dissolute Richard Cardinal and Abbot of S. Victor of Marseilles was the Legate who in the Year 1076. called a Council of all the Bishops in Spain to Burgos In this Council it was ordained that the Roman Ministry should be in force which I believe to be the forbiding of Priests to Marry Here also as had been done before in Aragon the Gothick Breviary and Missal were abolished and the Roman ordered to be used Thus much as to Ecclesiastical Affairs Roderick Diaz was now sent into Andaluzia to oblige the Moorish Kings of Cordova and Sevil to pay the usual Tribute The Kings of Granada and Sevil were at War and the former had the better by reason some Christians served under him Roderick Diaz endeavoured to bring them to an Accommodation but he of Granada refusing was overthrown and forced to accept of the Conditions offered at first In fine Peace was established betwixt those Moors and the Christian Army returned loaded with Booty and carrying home the Tribute they had received For the many Victories he gained the Soldiers and People called Roderick Diaz Cid Campeador which is as much as Lord of the Field This raised the envy of the Nobility and Gentry who used all means to lessen and destroy him This was the easier to perform because the King was before offended at him and a new occasion of reflecting on him offered it self The Moors of Andaluzia had Revolted and the King went in Person to subdue them At the same time a number of Infidels out of Aragon broke into Castile wasting the Territory of Santistevan de Gormaz Roderick Diaz who lived retired upon his Estate knowing the King was then absent with the Forces of the Kingdom gathered what Men he could and therewith not only expelled the Moors but pursuing them entred the Kingdom of Toledo without stopping till he came in sight of that City destroying all the Country taking a great Booty and 7000 Slaves Men Women and Children His Enemies represented this to the King as a breach of the Peace with the King of Toledo and said there was no reason to suffer a Mad-man to commit daily Extravagancies This Affair being debated among the Nobility it was resolved he should be Banished and only 9 days given him to depart the Kingdom He not daring to stand this shock recommended his Wife and Children to the care of the Abbot of S. Peter de CardenÌ„a a Monastery he had a particular Devotion for and then set out with a good Retinue resolving not to be idle during his Exile but to do all the harm he could to the Moors The number of those that went with him was not great but they were chosen Men with them he entred the Kingdom of Toledo and going along up the River Henares pierced into that part of Aragon where is Alhama and the River Xalon that Waters much of the Country being drawn out in small Chanels He took from the Moors the strong Castle of Alcozer seated on a Hill and thence infested all the neighbouring Country having defeated two Captains sent by the King of Valencia to oppose him The Booty he took was extraordinary rich of which he sent 30 Horses led by as many Moors and 30 Scymiters of a Present to King Alonso who received it with great signs of Satisfaction All the People extolled his goodness and merit comparing him to the Heroes Antiquity has so much boasted of King Alonso gave a courteous Answer to the Messengers that brought the Present but would not recall their Master lest the Moors should be offended if he forgave him so soon but leave was given to all those who desired it to follow and serve under him This was not done only to oblige him but to rid the Country of many troublesome People who being bred in Arms knew not how to be idle Tho' these things happened in several Years we have put them together for the ease of the Memory Let us now turn back to the Year 1076. D. Sancho King of Navarre had a Brother called D. Ramon these tho' Sons of one Father and Mother differed much in Nature and Inclinations D. Ramon was Turbulent without regard of Justice and many like himself followed him with whose assistance he aimed at the Crown The King was very Religious and had by his Queen D. Placencia a young Son called D. Ramiro some Authors say he had two other Sons D. Ramon stiled the King's Bounty Prodigality and finding him old and his Sons in their Infancy with the help of his Friends seized on some Strong-Holds in order to carry on his wicked Designs The King endeavoured to reclaim him but seeing all fair means were of no force caused him to be Impeached and absent as he was to be declared a publick Enemy and Condemned to Death Thus they became open Enemies and each sought the Death of the other Wicked Men are generally more cautious and designing whereas the Just relying on a good Conscience are more open The King being in the Town of Rhoda the Traytor surpriz'd and murder'd him there D. Ramiro the eldest Son of the Deceased fled for Protection to Roderick Diaz the two others to D. Alonso King of Castile The Nobility of the Kingdom meeting resolved not to submit to the Murderer but because the Princes were young and absent offered the Crown to D. Sancho King of Aragon Cousin-German to the Deceased He lost no time but embracing the offer secured the greatest part of the Kingdom That part â—â—ich is about Bribiesca and Rioja submitted to Alonso King of Castile who pretended a better Right to Navarre in regard that D. Ramiro Father to the King of Aragon was a Bastard Particularly the City Najara was Surrendred to him where in the Church of S. Mary the Royal were buried the Bodies of the dead King and his Wife The King of Aragon rather than break with him of Castile agreed to pay a certain acknowledgment yearly for Navarre as appears by ancient Records of D. Sancho and D. Peter The Murderer seeing how the new King was received and having lost all hopes of being able to oppose him fled to Zaragoça where the Moorish King gave him a House and certain Lands to support the remainder of his miserable Life CHAP. VIII The Death of Almenon King of Toledo and of D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona The Conquests of the Normans in Italy The Conquest of Toledo resolved upon Ramon Earl of Barcelona Murdered IN the Year of Grace 1077. dy'd two famous Princes These were Almenon King of Toledo and D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona Sirnam'd the Old which was the most remarkable thing that happened that Year Hissem Son to the late King succeeded his Father in the Throne of Toledo and during the short time of his Reign which was but one Year kept up the Amity betwixt King Alonso of Castile and himself as he had been charged by his Father After the death of Hissem Reigned his
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
Sol to D. Peter Son to the King of Aragon of the same Name both which sent to demand them in Marriage D. Ramiro had by D. Elvira Garci Ramirez who was afterwards King of Navarre D. Peter dy'd before his Father and left no Issue Two several times King Bucar who came out of Africk was overthrown in sight of Valencia by Roderick Diaz and his Forces who kept that City as long as he lived which was five Years after the taking of it He was near his Death when the same Bucar came again before the City and perceiving it could not be maintained after his Death ordered in his Will that they should all in a Body quit the place and return to Castile The Moors believing it was a powerful Army that designed to give them Battle drew off Those Christians marched without ceasing till they came to Castile and Valencia being left without any Garison fell again into the hands of the Moors They that came from Valencia brought with them the Body of Roderick Diaz which was Bury'd with great Magnificence in the Monastery of S. Peter of Carden̄a near Burgos K. Alonso and Roderick Diaz's two Sons-in-law being present Many look upon most of this Relation as Fabulous and I write more than I believe because I would not wholly omit what others affirm In the Church of S. Peter of Carden̄a are to be seen five Tombs that of Roderick Diaz that of his Wife and those of his Son and Daughters Perhaps they are only empty Monuments such as are called Cenotaphia erected in Honour of such People The Death of Roderick Diaz de Bivar was a great loss to the Christians for his extraordinary Valour Conduct and Prosperity Authors do not agree about the Year in which it hap'ned the most likely Opinion is that it was in the Year of our Lord 1093. About this time Pope Vrban translated the Bishoprick of Iria to Compostella at the request of Dalmachius who was the first Bishop of that City and made it independant of the See of Braga King Alonso tho' very ancient never neglected the Affairs of War but made several Incursions into Andaluzia which was the more easie to be done for that Joseph the Moor was returned into Africk This gave the Christians some time of breathing which the King made use of to encrease the Religious Worship He built a Monastery of Benedictines at Toledo of the Invocation of S. Servandus and S. German others say he only repaired it Besides he erected two Monasteries of Nuns the one Dedicated to S. Peter the other to S. Dominick of Silos At Burgos without the Walls he Founded another Convent now called S. John of Burgos The Year following which was 1099. was remarkable for the Death of Pope Vrban and the taking of Jerusalem by the Christians Cardinal Raynerius who had been Legate in Spain a Person of great Worth and Experience succeeded Vrban by the Name of Pasqualis II. He in the time of his Papacy granted a Privilege to the Church of S James the Apostle that after the manner of the Church of Rome it might have seven Canons Cardinals and that the Bishops of that See might use the Pall an Ornament betokening greater Authority than that of common Bishops The next ensuing Year which was 1100. proved no less pleasing to the Christians by reason of the Death of Joseph who was Sovereign of all the Moors in Spain during the space of 12 Years and of those in Africk about 32 than it was at last unfortunate for the untimely end of D. Sancho Prince of Castile which will be seen in the next Chapter CHAP. IV. The Death of Sancho Prince of Castile and of the two Kings Peter the first of Aragon and Alonso VI. of Castile The Moorish King of Zaragoza Of two Holy Men. D. Garcia Earl of Cabra was Tutor to D. Sancho King Alonso's Son and the Heir Apparent of the Crown but Death snatched him away and with him the great hopes had been conceived of his Virtues Hali Successor to Joseph desiring to Commence his Reign with some memorable Action passed over into Spain with a powerful Army and having encreased it there entred the Kingdom of Toledo wasting all the Country till he came in sight of the City King Alonso by reason of his great Age and Sickness could not go out in Person to oppose him He gave the command of his Army to the Earl D. Garcia and for the greater Honour sent his Son D. Sancho tho' very young with him Near Veles the two Armies met and engaged In the heat of the Fight the Prince was struck down D. Garcia covered him with his Shield and with his Sword kept off the Moors that assailed him on all sides Long he kept them at a distance till being weakned by many wounds he fell down dead upon him he defended This disaster made the Infidels Victorious It is needless to relate how grievous this loss was to the King he asked what might be the reason of being so often overthrown by the Moors and a wise Man answered That the Soldiers were debauched with Ease and Luxury which made them unfit for Service Hereupon the King ordered all incentives of Luxury to be taken away and among the rest caused the Baths then much used in Spain after the manner of the Moors to be destroy'd Some hope remained in D. Alonso the King's Grandchild by D. Vrraca his Daughter but he was very Young and a Womans Government seem'd not seasonable The continual good Fortune of the King of Aragon diminished the Joy of the Moors for their success in Castile Of late the Infidels went down the wind in Aragon for the Christians had taken from them the Castle of Calasanz the Town of Pertusa on the River Canadre and the City Barbastro whither the Bishoprick of Rhoda was Translated Now the Aragonians bent all their Strength against the City Zaragoça which the Almoravides had possessed themselves of having expelled the ancient Kings These that follow were the Kings that had Reigned in that City The first was Mudir then Hiaya next Almudafar after him began another Race in Zulema to whom succeeded Hamas then Joseph then Almazazin then Abdelmelich and then Hamas Sirnamed Almuçacayto whom the Almoravides deprived of the Kingdom At this time in France Atho who after the Death of Raymund Earl of Barcelona Father of Arnaldus had Usurped the Sovereignty of the City Carcassonne where he had been Governour was expelled the place by the Inhabitants and it restored to its Lawful Prince in the Year 1102. This same Year Armengaud Earl of Vrgel was slain by the Moors in the Island of Majorca whither he went to show his Valour and was therefore called Balearicus Armengaud was Marry'd to a Daughter of Peranzules a great Man in Castile and Lord of Valladolid By her he left a young Son during whose Minority the Grandfather governed and
their Armies meeting a Battle was fought in the Plains of SantivanÌ„ez near Guimaraens a Town seated at the Conflux of the Rivers Avo and Visella D. Alonso got the Day and by that means his Mother and Fernan Paez fell into his Hands His Father-in-law he released upon promise he would depart Portugal his Mother he kept close Prisoner She in a rage for this usage sent to beg the King of Castile's Assistance against her Son promising to resign to him the Earldom of Portugal which her Son had forfeited by his Disobedience King Alonso of Castile condescended to the Intreaties of his Aunt either for that he commiserated her condition or that he desired to possess that Earldom Having gathered an Army he entred Portugal His Cousin met him and they came to a Battle in the Plain of Valdeves betwixt Moncon and Ponte de Lima. The Fight was very bloody and the Castillians being overthrown were forced to fly to Leon. This Victory so puffed up the Portugeses that without considering their own weakness or the variety of Fortune they vaunted they were no longer subject to Castile King Alonso studying Revenge gathered a greater Power than before and returned into Portugal with double Fury The Portugeses not able to withstand him retired into Guimaraens where the Castilians Besieged them with a resolution not to stir till they had revenged their late Affront Egas NunÌ„ez the young Earl's Tutor a Man of singular Prudence by consent of his Master went out to treat with the King and managed his business so well that having pacified him he raised the Siege The Portuges Historians from whom we have taken this Account add that some Years after D. Alonso of Portugal refusing to perform the Articles concluded by his Tutor the said Egas NunÌ„ez went to Toledo and surrendred himself to the King of Castile with a Haulter about his Neck to be punished for the breach of those Articles he had made King Alonso forgave but would not employ him least there might be some design lie hid under that specious pretence 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 IN the Year 1126 and much about the same time dy'd Queen Vrraca and Bernard Archshop of Toledo The Queen as has been said departed either in the Castle of SaldanÌ„a or burst at the Church of Leon. Her Body was Honourably Interred at Leon. Bernard the Archbishop dy'd at Toledo of great Age and famous for many memorable Actions He was buried in the Cathedral of that City with an Inscription on his Tomb that begins with these words Bernard was the first Venerable Primate here True it is the Archdeacon of Alcor says he lies in the Monastery of Sahagun near the Tomb of King Alonso VI. He was 40 Years Archbishop Twelve Years before his Death the Annals of Sevil say but eight with Forces maintained at his own Expence he took from the Moors the Town of Alcala seated at that time on a steep Hillock beyond the River Henares The Archbishop incamped on another Hill that Commands it now called Vera Cruz and thence so awed the Moors that they were forced to abandon the Town tho' very strong For this reason from that time the Archbishop had the Temporal as well as Spiritual Jurisdiction thereof After Bernard Raymund from the Bishoprick of Osma was translated to Toledo In his time and in the Year 1129. was held a Council of Bishops at Palencia in which James Gelmirez Archbishop of Compostela presided as Apostolick Legate The King Queen and many of the Nobility were present at it Among others two remarkable Acts passed in this Synod One that no Tyths or offering should be received from Persons Excommunicate The other that Lay-Men should not enjoy Benefices upon any pretence whatsover Soon after Cardinal Humbertus who came into Spain with the Legantine Power assembled another Synod of Bishops at Leon to consider of the Kings Marriage which some pretended was null King Alonso a Year after his Mothers death had Marry'd Berengaria the Daughter of Raimund Berengarius Earl of Barcelona The Nuptials were Celebrated at SaldanÌ„a in November and he had afterwards by her four Children Sancho Ferdinand Elizabeth and Sancha It was well known that the Queen Berengaria was related to her Husband but the point being discussed the Bishops declared it was not within the degrees of Consanquinity which are forbid by the Church Alonso was Great-Grand-son to King Ferdinand of Castile Berengaria third Grandchild to his Brother Ramiro King of Aragon After this the King bent his force against the Moors entred their Territories adjoyning on the Kingdom of Toledo and sate down before Calatrava the Inhabitants of which place used to do great harm in the Neighbouring Country It endured a long Siege but was taken and given by the King to the Archbishop of Toledo At this time the Fame of the Knights Templers was spread through the World for which reason the Archbishop gave the Town to them So say our Authors yet some are of Opinion that those Knights were not the Templers but others who in imitation of them had taken the Cross to make War upon the Moors Now also were taken the Towns of Alarcos Caracuel Mestança Alcudia Almodovar de Campo and Pedroso on the Mountain Sierra Morena What remained thereabouts might easily have been brought under such was the Consternation the Infidels were in but the season of the Year would not permit any further Action Winter being passed the King â—ed his Army through the deserts of Cazlona a part of Sierra Morena into Andaluzia burning and plundering all he came near Jaen was close Besieged all the Winter yet such was the strength of the Walls and Valour of the Inhabitants it could not be carryed Albohali the Son of Hali and Grandson of Joseph was Sovereign of the Almoravides in Africk and Spain his power inferior to his Predecessors by reason of the Civil Wars among the Moors This was therefore a fit opportunity to make War upon him King Alonso's Father-in-Law the Earl of Barcelona dy'd in the Year 1131. He left Bercelona in Spain and Carcassonne and Rodes in France to the eldest Son Raimund To Berengarius his second Son he gave the Earldoms of Provence and Aymillan His Daughter Cecily was Marry'd to Bernard Earl of Faux another whose name is not known to Aimerick Earl of Narbonne The other Daughters were left to the care of the Brother Berengarius and Marry'd to the great Men in France In the following Year there hap'ned nothing remarkable save that King Alonso raised the Siege of Jaen and returned home where he Knighted D. Sancho his Son Arming him at all points and Girting on his Sword with great Ceremony as was usual in those Days By this was signified
Aragon resigns and his Son-in-Law Raimund Earl of Barcelona assumes the Crown THese Elections brought great troubles upon the Kingdoms of Aragon and Navarre and the more for that D. Garcia was weak and D. Ramiro old The King of Castile pretended to have a better right than either of them as being descended from D. Sancho the Greater of Navarre and he had the greatest Power on which King's ground their chiefest right As for the Military Orders appointed by the late King to inherit no Body took notice of them That he might not seem careless in seeking his advantage the King of Castile entred the Territory of Rioja and recover'd all that his Father-in-law King Alonso of Aragon had taken from him by force at first and afterwards upon Capitulation Then he laid Siege to Victoria in Biscay but could not carry it tho' he had all the Towns about Thus the River Ebro came to part the Dominions of Castile and Navarre Many great Men as well as of the Clergy as Laity follow'd and assisted the King who had no sooner regain'd Rioja and Biscay but he bent his Force against Aragon so effectually that by the Month of December he was possess'd of all that part of the Kingdom which lies on this side Ebro King Ramiro being wholly unprovided and not well assur'd of the Affections of his People retir'd to Sobrarve hoping the natural strength of that Country might protect him till Fortune chang'd or some Composition could be made Oldegarius Archbishop of Taragona went betwixt both Parties labouring to bring them to an Accommodation but his endavours seemed Fruitless neither Competitor contenting himself with part as aspiring to the whole Garcia King of Navarre being resolved to condescend to some Agreement upon safe Conduct given him came to Castile where in a General Assembly or Parliament at which were present King Alonso of Castile Berengaria his Queen Sancha his Sister and Garcia King of Navarre besides a great number of Nobles it was resolved that the King of Castile should take the Title of Emperor Accordingly on Whit-Sunday in the Year 1135. as an Author then living writes and it appears by the Acts of that Assembly he was Crowned in the City of Leon by the Hands of the Archbishop of Toledo the King of Navarre standing on his right Hand and the Bishop of Leon on his Left Our Historians say Pope Innocent II. consented to this Act but it is scarce credible he would do that Affront to the Emperor of the Romans After this the new Emperor was again Crowned at Toledo These two Coronations gave occasion to the dispute there is about the place where that Ceremony was performed An Author then living says he was Crown'd three times in imitation of the German Emperors first at Toledo then at Leon and lastly at Compestella with a Crown of Gold The other Kings of Spain before this assum'd the Title only this preserv'd it and is call'd Alonso the Emperor Besides it is manifest that from his time the City Toledo began to use the Arms it still retains which are An Emperor in his Robes on a Throne the Globe in his left Hand and a naked Sword in his Right The Arms of that City before were first two Stars and after that a Lion rampant Hence also it took the stile of the Imperial City As soon as the new Emperor had taken upon him that Title he nam'd his two Sons Kings Sancho the eldest of Castile and Ferdinand the youngest of Leon. The Nobility and Clergy labour'd to compose the differences above-mention'd No good could be wrought upon Aragon therefore the two Kings of Castile and Navarre had another Conference at Paradilla on the River Ebro Here it was agreed that D. Garcia should possess Navarre and all that part of Aragon that had been Conquered but should do Fealty and Homage to the Crown of Castile for the same and also that both Kings should joyn their Forces against him of Aragon Thus the Argonians and Navarrois were intangled in War till some Bishops interposing they appointed three Arbitrators on each side by whom it was decreed That the Bounds of Navarre and Aragon should be the same they had been in the time of D. Sancho the Greater but that the King of Navarre should hold his Dominions of the Crown of Aragon which was the same thing he had promised to Castile So little did they regard Promises To ratifie this Contract the two Kings met at Pamplona but he of Aragon being inform'd the Navarrois design'd to kill him fled and thus the Breach was made wider than at first D. Ramiro for his great Age and Weakness being grown contemptible to the Commonalty as well as the Nobility in revenge call'd together all the great Men to Huesca upon pretence of Consulting with them about weighty Affairs and there put to Death 15 of the chief of them in the Year 1136. Many things are reported of his Insufficiency scarce credible but there is no doubt he was not fit for such a troublesome Government He himself at length growing weary of so many cares and resolving to ease himself of them having now a Daughter call'd Petronilla declar'd his intention at that meeting at Huesca and admonish'd all there present that their chief study ought to be to establish Friendship with D. Alonso the Emperor without thinking of any revenge against the Navarrois Raymund Earl of Barcelona was the chief Instrument in concerting matters betwixt Castile and Aragon as being Ally'd to both those Princes and having some intimation that he should Marry the Princess Petronilla and be declar'd King of Aragon At Alagon a Town three Leagues above Zaragoça on the River Ebro the two Kings met and agreed that Zaragoça should be restored to the Crown of Aragon Calatayud Alagon and the rest on this side Ebro should remain to Castile King Ramiro's Daughter was given as an Hostage for performance of Articles but they could not agree about her Marrying D. Sancho the Emperor's eldest Son for that she was promised to the Earl of Barcelona So far were both Parties from having any regard to their Alliances made with Navarre that they Articl'd to joyn their Forces against that King He having notice of it and being a Man of great Spirit provided to meet that Storm and durst not only make good his own but endeavour'd to enlarge the narrow bounds of his Dominions He Marry'd Margaret Daughter of Rotron Earl of Perche and had the City Tudela with her in Dower The Records of those times mention that he Reign'd over Pamplona Najara Alava Biscay and Guipuscoa He was supported by the French Luis their King looking upon it as a thing Honourble to protect this new Prince The Armies of Castile and Navarre encamp'd near and Towns of Galur and Cortes but came not to a Battle both sides being unwilling to hazard all for this is more likely than that they forbore in respect
Estella in Navarre signalized himself at the taking of this City he was Father to Peter de Açagra the first Lord of Albarazin of that Family S. Isidorus is said to have appeared to King Alonso before the fight and assured him of success Almeria Anciently called Abadera a City seated on the Coast of the Mediterranean between the borders of Andaluzia and Murcia was then a place of great strength and a receptable of Pyrats Thither the Christian Army marched and encamped before it at such time as the Fleets of Barcelona and Genoa according to what had been agreed having Coasted along lay in sight of the Port. The City was attacked by Sea and Land and having made a Breach and possessed themselves of certain Towers it was at last taken by storm on the 17th of October in the Year 1147. 20000 Moors who had retired into the Castle were forced to buy their Lives for a sum of Money Thus was that Nest of Pyrats that infested the Coasts of Spain France and Italy taken away The plunder was given to the Soldiers To the Genoeses was given a dish made of an Emraud which they valued above all the Booty and preserve to this day in their Treasury Others say that Jewel was found at the taking of Cesarea in Siria Winter drawing on the Army returned home loaded with Riches Raymund Earl of Barcelona not to let slip this opportunity of the Genoese Fleet agreed with them to assist him in the expelling the Moors from part of Aragon and the Islands of Majorea and Minorca In return they were to have the third part of all that was taken in that War In all Towns recovered from the Moors they should have a Church and a Tribunal of of their own and that all their Merchants should be free from Customs and Taxes These conditions being accepted of they stood along the Coast of Catalonia and with their united Forces took the City Tortosa seated at the Mouth of Ebro and therefore a proper place for Traffick This was done in the Year 1148. The following Year Lerida and Fraga two Towns of note were taken by the Christians Lerida was given to the Earl of Vrgel in reward of his great Services during that War William Peroz Bishop of Roda was appointed to the See of Lerida still retaining the Cities of Roda and Barbastro to be included in that Diocess and some Bishops of Lerida long after this time continued to stile themselves Bishops of Roda and Barbastro The affairs of the Moors in Spain went very much down the wind and the Christians grew daily stronger Many Castles Towns and Cities were taken from the Infidels Almost in the middle of Portugal on the Coast of the Ocean the River Tagus forms a Capacious Harbour the entrance or bar is somewhat dangerous but the Port within large and secure On the Northern shore of this Port is seated the City Lisbon the noblest and richest in Portugal At the back of it are certain Hills of easie ascent and the Tops of them covered with buildings The breadth of the City is not so much as the length the Ancient Circumference of the Walls is not very great but the Suburbs are large and still increase Most of the Streets are narrow and crooked and in some places very steep but what is new built much surpasses the old in Beauty About it are many Villages and good Country Houses and a soil beautified with Vineyards and Orchard of Orange and Lemmon Trees D. Alonso ardently desired to make himself Master of this important place which served as a Bulwark to all that the Moors held in those parts His own Force was not sufficient for such an undertaking and the Kings of Spain had their hands full in other places for which reason as soon as he had taken Sintra he made advantagious Proposals to the English Flemings and French to induce them to assist him with their Fleets These Fleets kept the Mouth of the Harbour that no Relief might come to the City by Sea The Forces of the Natives encamp'd where now is the Monastery of S. Vincent the Foreigners in the place where that of S. Francis was since built both places are now within the City They batter'd the Walls for many days and on the day of S. Crispin and Crispinian gave a general Assault the King himself standing by and encouraging his Men. Here the Service was desperate the Christians striving to gain the Breaches and the Moors powring showers of Weapons and Stones upon them in such manner that scarce any fell without doing execution our Men thronging upon one another At length having broke open the Gate call'd of Alfama the City was entred much Blood spilt and all that submitted made Slaves All the Plunder was given to the Soldiers and prov'd greater than had been imagin'd Gilbert a Person of great Learning and Vertue was chosen Bishop tho' a Stranger and Consecrated the principal Mosque In the very place where the King had encamp'd he built a Monastery of the Invocation of S. Vincent and plac'd therein Canons Regulars Many of the Foreigners being taken with the pleasantness of the Country resolv'd to stay and inhabit there and are said to have built Almada Villaverde Arruda Zambruia Castan̄eda and other Towns in that Neighbourhood After this the King following his good Fortune with wonderful Success took from the Moors Alanquer Obidos Ebora Yelves Mura Serpa Beja and many other Towns and Castles in that part of the Country All things submitting to his great Valour and Conduct True it is the greatest part of these Actions fell some Years later Let us return to the Course of our History At this time Eugenius III. govern'd the Church of Rome The Affairs of the Christians in the Holy-Land went to decay To remedy this misfortune the Pope went into France thence to excite all Christian Princes to the Relief of those Holy-Places and to this purpose he held a General Council at Rheimes in the Year of our Lord 1148. Raymund Archbishop of Toledo going to this Council is said by the way to have visited the Church of S. Denis two Leagues from Paris where on a Stone he found this Inscription Here lies Eugenius Martyr first Archbishop of Toledo At his return home he endeavour'd to have the Relicks of that Saint translated to Toledo but this design was prevented by his own and Queen Berengaria's Death which hap'ned near about the same time The Queen dy'd in the Year 1149. and was bury'd in the Church of S. James the Apostle This Year was very remarkable for that it Rain'd Blood in part of Portugal and the Dominions of the Moors The following Year 1150. dy'd Raymund the Archbishop John Bishop of Segovia a Man of singular Piety succeeded him This in Castile On the other part Pope Eugenius confirm'd the Title of King of Portugal to D. Alonso afterwards Alexander III. did the same For this
Grace they order'd him to pay a Yearly Acknowledgment to the Popes Eugenius appointed four Pounds of Gold Alexander two Marks Whether the Kings of Portugal then paid it is not known of late Ages that Crown had deem'd it self free from any such Imposition THE History of SPAIN The Eleventh BOOK CHAP. I. The coming into Spain of the Moors called Almohades The Death of D. Garcia King of Navarre by a fall from his Horse his Son Sancho succeeds him King Alonso and his Daughter both Marry'd Many Places taken from the Moors LET us being this Book with another Invasion of Spain made by the cruel and barbarous Family of the Almohades who about this time erected to themselves a new Kingdom in Africk and Spain Great Revolutions ensu'd and great Calamities threatn'd the Christians till the Forces of the Moors were at last crush'd by one of the most famous Victories that has been heard of obtain'd over them Albohali of the Family of the Almoravides was Emperor of the Moors in Africk and Spain at has been said before in his time a learned Man and great Astrologer call'd Tumerto seeing a â—usty proper Youth whose Name was Abdelmon the Son of a Potter he Prognosticated to him that he should be King of his Nation At the same time one Almohades a Mahometan Preacher held by the Multitude for a Saint distracted the Multitude ready to run a mading after every extravagant Novelty with a new Interpretation of their Law To him Tumerto discloses what he had found by his Science and he either believing or seeming to believe it they both consulted how to over-turn the Government of the Kingdom There is nothing so pernicious as the pretence of Religion when us'd to cover Rebellion Almohades making use of the Reputation he had gain'd persuaded his Followers to take up Arms under Abdelmon and destroy the Race of the Almoravides as Usurpers that had wrongfuly possessed the Crown by Extirpating the Alavecines a Family descended from Fatima Mahomet's eldest Daughter Besides that they must cast off the Yoke of the Almoravides to make way for those new Opinions in Religion which they had embrac'd Hereupon the Multitude took up Arms but being unskill'd in the use of them were easily overcome by Albohali Yet assembling in greater numbers they never ceased till they had overthrown the Almoravides and kill'd Albohali the King Abdelmon succeeded in the Throne and then the Followers of Almohades who from him were also call'd Almohades being possess'd of the Government chang'd the ancient Laws and Customs Having setled Africk they began to look towards Spain Tumerto was left to keep Africk under whilst Abdelmon and Almohades with a great Force pass'd over into Spain At first they did no harm hoping to attract the People by kindness and they succeeded therein for all the Moors in Spain easily embrac'd their new Opinions and their former Superstition became no less odious to them than Christianity Being possess'd of all they fell to Persecuting of the small remains of the Christians that liv'd mix'd with the Moors putting 'em to all manner of Torments Many fled to the Christians Dominions others were overcome and yielded to the Infidels so that from thence forward few Christians were left among the Moors The Almohades contenting themselves with the Sovereignty of Africk and so much of Spain as was under the Moors thought not fit at that time to make War upon the Christians who were Powerful both by Sea and Land but return'd into Africk Soon after their Prophet Almohades dy'd and the King caused a Magnificent Sepulchre to be erected for him near Morocco the Metropolis of that Kingdom whither the ignorant Multitude began to go in Pilgrimage The Almohades entred Spain in the Year 1150. Roderick the Archbishop says 6 Years sooner The same Year that Alonso the Emperor took Cordova which I suppose to be after Abdelmon return'd into Africk D. Garcia King of Navarre was kill'd by a fall off his Horse on a Rock as he was Hunting near Lorca a Town in his Dominions His Death was on the 21st of November He was going from Estella to Pamplona to punish that City for their Disobedience but this misfortune prevented his designs He Reign'd 16 Years and left these Children D. Sancho who succeeded him and was Crown'd in the Cathedral of Pamplona where he bury'd his Father Blanch Marry'd to the Emperor Alonso's Son and Marguerite to William King of Sicily call'd the Wicked Besides these he had Alonso Ramirez Lord of Castro Viejo and Sancha Marry'd first to Gaston Viscount of Bearn and afterwards to Gonzalo Earl of Molina The Death of the King of Navarre produc'd new Troubles for Alonso the Emperor and Raymund Earl of Barcelona had an Interview upon this occasion at Tudelin a Town of Navarre near the Baths at which Sancho now declar'd King of Castile by the Emperor his Father was present Here they Articled that all that part of the Dominions of Navarre which had belong'd to Castile should be restor'd to the Emperor and what had appertain'd to Aragon to the Earl That the ancient Kingdom of Navarre should be equally divided betwixt them the Earl to hold his part of the Crown of Castile In regard of the Moors they agreed that when Valencia and all that lies between Tortosa and the River Xucar as also Murcia were taken they should be deliver'd to the Aragonians so as they should do Homage for them to the Crown of Castile Hereupon they shook hands a Ceremony then used to confirm Promises and resolv'd to commence the War against Navarre when the Month of September was over All this League fell to nothing for the new King strengthen'd him self with Supplies from abroad and gain'd the Love of his Subjects which his Father never had done Other Cares diverted the Emperor and Earl so that nothing was done only some Inroads on both sides which were not of moment The Earl went into France against Trencavelle Viscount of Carcassonne with whom he at last agreed that he should do him Homage for the Towns of Carcassonne and Rhodes Alonso the Emperor was taken up in concerting of Marriages for Leuis King of France being Divorc'd from Ellenor Countess of Poitiers after he had two Children by her Marry'd the Emperor's Daughter some call her Elizabeth others Canstance At the same time the Emperor himself Marry'd Rica the Daughter of Vladislaus Duke of Poland Amidst the Nuptial Joys the noise of Arms could not take place Besides Navarre was in League with France which might perhaps appease the Emperor Besides Sancho the King was generally belov'd and the Emperor himself was a Lover of Justice all which motives induced him to forbear from War Of his Justice he gave a most pregnant Testimony in the following Action A Man of Birth that had serv'd in the Wars such as Spain call'd Infanzones living in Gallicia took away by force all that a Farmer had Being
Aragon his Issue Alonso his eldest Son succeeds in his Dominions RAymund Prince of Aragon believing the Capitulation in vertue of which he held that part of Aragon which lies on this side Ebro was void by the Death of the Emperor had a Conference with King Sancho at Naxama There the business was debated the Aragonian pretending that Zaragoça Calatayud and other Towns were now exempted from the Jurisdiction of Castile This would not be allow'd yet they agreed that the King of Castile should not be possess'd of any Towns or Castles in that Country but that the Kings of Aragon should do Homage to them for the same and be oblig'd to come to the Cortes or Parliament of Castile when call'd Moreover the League against Navarre was again renew'd but to as little effect as at other times After this Interview the Argoniam commenc'd the War against Navarre but the Forces of Castile could not do their part being prevented by the Death of the King and Queen The Queen dy'd on the 24th of June in the Year 1158. and was bury'd at Najara in the Royal Monastery of S. Mary the Burial Place of the Kings of Navarre On the last of August following the King being busie preparing for the War against the Moors departed this Life at Toledo and was Interr'd in the Cathedral near his Father He Reign'd only 1 Year and 11 Days and had he liv'd longer might have equall'd the Glory of any of his Ancestors Notwithstanding the King's Death his Army in which every Man wore the Cross entred Andaluzia and in Battle overthrew Jacob Miramamolin who was marching towards Sevil. A great slaughter was made of the Moors yet Jacob their King having recruited his Army fell upon such Moorish Kings as refused to submit to him His first attempt was upon the King of Valencia and Marcia but it succeeded not for Raymund Prince of Aragon defended him as being his Ally Then he bent his Force against Alhagius King of Merida whom he subdu'd After this Fadala and Omer two Sons of Alhagius joyning theirs with some of Jacob's entred the Christian Territories as far as Placencia and Avila and bending their course towards Talavera were on their return to Merida with a great Booty But the People of Avila under the command of their Captains Sancho and Gomez overtaking them near Sietevados totally routed them and recover'd all the Prey Four Years after this the same Commanders breaking into Estremadura defeated the Moors that came to oppose them and brought away a rich Booty of Cattle From these Gentlemen are descended the Lords of Villaroro and Marquesses of Velada At the time of his Death King Sancho recommended his Son Alonso then but four years of age to the care of Gutierre Fernandez de Castro who had been his Tutor He order'd the rest of the Nobles should still keep in their Hands those places they were in possession of till the King was 15 years of Age which prov'd very fatal and gave ill Men an opportunity of disturbing the Peace of the Kingdom the Nobility taking it ill that the King and his Authority should be put into the hands of one single Person Among the Nobility of Castile the two most powerful Families at this time were those of Castro and Lara These for a considerable time had the first Vote in the Cortes or Parliament D. Gutierre who had the charge of breeding the young King for his great Age and Experience was highly esteem'd among the Castro's He had no Children His younger Brother Roderick had four viz. Ferdinand Alvaro Peter and Gutierre and a Daughter called Sancha Marry'd to Alvaro de Gusman so that her power was as great as her Brothers The Family of Lara consisted of three Brothers Henry Alvaro and Nun̄o who had great Possessions along the River Duero and were Sons of Earl Peter of Lara kill'd at Bayonne as has been said Their Mother was a Lady call'd Aba who had been first Marry'd to D. Garcia Earl of Cabra by whom she had D. Garcia Acia the Heir of that Estate which added much to the power of the three Brothers They resented that the House of Castro should be preferr'd before them and carry'd it so high in their Discourses it appear'd they would come to blows rather than quit their pretensions D. Gutierre to secure the publick Peace was easily persuaded to put the King into the hands of D. Garcia Acia a modest Man but of too much sincerity for those times In so much that upon pretence of the Expence he was at with the King the Revenues of the Crown being intangl'd he deliver'd him up to D. Manrique de Lara his Brother by the Mother's side which was all he had strugled for D. Gutierre complained this was a breach of Faith and would again have recovered the charge of Educating the King but his Adversaries mock'd at him and thus all things seemed to tend to Confusion and War Ferdinand King of Leon pretending most right to the breeding his Nephew entred Castile with an Army wasting the Lands of the Family of Lara who remov'd the King to Soria from the danger of the War At this time dy'd D. Gutierre de Castro and was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Christopher at Encas D. Manrique de Lara grown more Insolent requir'd the Heirs of the Deceased to resign such Towns and Forts as were in their hands They excus'd themselves pleading the late King's Will by which they were not to resign them till the young King were at Age. Hereupon D. Manrique caused the Body of D. Gutierre to be taken up as if he had been guilty of Treason The case being put to Tryal Judgment was given for D. Gutierre and his Body order'd to be bury'd Mean while King Ferdinand rang'd all the Country there being no Army to make head against him D. Manrique dispairing he should be able to resist was forced to engage himself to King Ferdinand that he would deliver up the King and Government to him to hold for 12 years To this purpose the Cortes or Parliament was summoned to Soria where the young King was Here one Nun̄o Almexar seeing the King carried away to be deliver'd to his Uncle snatch'd him from those that led him and carried him away to Santistevan de Gormaz Thence with consent of the Brothers of Lara he was carried to Atiença and after many removals to Avila There the Townsmen Loyally Defended him till the 11th Year of his Age and were therefore commonly call'd the Faithful King Ferdinand in a rage for being disappointed accused Nun̄o and Manrique de Lara with breach of Faith and thereupon sent to challenge them but they only answer'd That whatsoever others thought their Consciences were satisfy'd they had done their Duty to their King All the Kingdom rejoiced the King was deliver'd from his Uncle but their Joy was not lasting for he wasted all the Country most of the Cities submitted to him
or were taken by force and Toledo it self did not escape for it appears that City submitted to King Ferdinand so that a very small part remain'd to the young King On the other side the King of Navarre thinking this a good opportunity to recover his losses having first made Peace with Aragon broke into the Dominions of Castile and possess'd himself of Logron̄o Entren̄a Briviesca and other Towns Thus all the Country was filled with confusion Whilst Castile was thus rent with intestine Divisions the Moors of Andaluzia enjoy'd perfect Peace Only the Forces of Portugal and Aragon kept them in aw Raymund Prince of Aragon was in great renown for his perpetual good Fortune which was such that Lope the Moorish King of Murcia was subject to him and in France he had taken above 30 Strong-Holds and the Town of Trencataye which he destroy'd from the Family of Beauce who invaded Provence The Emperor Frederick who had favoured his Enemies sought his Friendship and a League was concluded betwixt them Raymund had brought out of Castile Rica the Widow of the Emperor Alonso and his Daughter Sancha contracted to his own Son At the instance of the Emperor Frederick it was agreed that Rica who was his Kinswoman should Marry Raymund Berengarius Earl of Provence who thereupon should possess all the said Earldom of Provence and the City Arles with its Territory To ratifie this Agreement it was resolv'd both Raymunds should meet the Emperor at Turin on the first of August in the Year 1162. On the way thither at S. Dalmacius a Town at the foot of the Alps Raymund Prince of Aragon fell sick and dy'd the 6th day of the same Month. Notwithstanding his Death Raymund Earl of Provence obtained of the Emperor all he desired Prince Raymund's Body was brought to his Country and buried in the Monastery of Ripoli as he had ordered Cortes or a Parliament being held at Huesca Raymund's last Will left by word of Mouth was repeated whereby he declared his Son Raymund his Successor who took possession of his Father's Principality by the name of Alonso To Peter his second Son he left Cerdagne Carcassonne and Narbonne Sancho the youngest was to succeed Peter in case he died without Heirs He made no mention of his Daughter Dulcis who was after Queen of Portugal nor of his Bastard Son Berengarius who was Bishop of Taraçona and Lerida and Abbot of Montaragon The King's Minority he being but 11 years old gave an opportunity to turbulent Spirits to raise Commotions An Impostor now openly affirmed he was King Alonso who as has been said was killed 28 years before at the Battle of Fraga He said he had been till then in Asia serving against the Infidels in the Holy-Land His Age and Features but most of all the Love the Multitude has for Novelties gained him some Reputation Great mischiefs might have ensued had not the Impostor been taken at Zaragoça and put to Death in the very beginning of the Tumult In the Year 1163. the Assembly of States or Parliament of Aragon was held at Barcelona The Queen Petronilla by the advice of the Nobility resigned over the Crown of Aragon to her Son then 13 years of Age. Raymund Earl of Provence who had some time governed Catalonia for his Cousin returned home and died in the Year 1166. King Alonso receiving the News at Girona by advice of the Nobility called himself Marquess of Provence for they pretended by the Emperor's Grant that Country was not only given to the late Earl of Provence but to Raymund Prince of Aragon and his Heirs which occasioned Wars in France CHAP. IV. Alonso the young King of Castile takes upon him the Government recovers most of his Dominions joins in League with the Aragonian and Marries Ellenor Daughter to Henry II. King of England Some Actions of Ferdinand King of Leon. IN Castile the People growing weary of the King of Leon invited their young King Alonso to take upon him the Government promising all would declare for him These invitations and the persuasions of the Nobility prevailed and he resolved to depart from Avila and visit the principal places of the Kingdom This was in the Year 1168. as some write I rather believe two years sooner by the computation of time for when his Father died he was 4 years of age and at this time 11. He was not deceived for many Cities received him with Joy and furnished all Necessaries for him and his Retinue which at first consisted of only a few Nobles and a Guard of 150 Horse furnished by the City Avila This was a small Force to recover so many Places as the King of Leon held with strong Garisons The King encouraged by Success resolved to try Toledo but feared Ferdinand Ruiz de Castro who held it would not be prevailed upon to deliver that City Stephen Illan a Citizen of note had built the Church of S. Romanus in the highest part of the City and adjoyning to it a Tower which served as well for Strength as an Ornament He was an Enemy to Ferdinand de Castro and therefore getting privately out of the City he conveyed the King disguised into the Tower Then setting up the Royal Standard he gave notice the King was there whereupon the Citizens running to Arms Ferdinand de Castro fled to Huete a Town then very strong as lying upon the Frontiers exposed to the Moors The People of Toledo as well those who had been against admitting the King as the most Loyal expressed great Joy and nothing resounded but God save the King Stephen Illan for his good Service was much honoured and made Governour of the City After his death the Citizens caused his Picture on Horse-back to be drawn on the Roof of the Cathedral behind the High Altar where it is still to be seen The King entred Toledo upon Friday the 26th of August On Michaelmass-day following died John Archbishop of Toledo when he had governed that Church with much applause 16 years Cerebrunus or Cenebrunus succeeded him a Man grateful to King Alonso having taught him the first Rudiments of Learning He had been Arch-deacon of Toledo and Bishop of Siguença and it is thought was a Frenchman The King after securing Toledo at the instigation of Manrique Earl of Lara his General marched against Ferdinand de Castro who refused not to meet him being supported by the People of Huete that stood firm to him Two Leagues from that Town at a place called Garcinaharro they came to a Battle Ferdinand de Castro fought in a disguise D. Manrique with all his might charged a Gentleman that was armed like a General and killed him believing it had been Ferdinand but was himself soon after slain by one of the said Ferdinand's Followers The General being killed the King's Forces were put to flight Nun̄o Brother to Manrique understanding the deceit used by Ferdinand de Castro laid Treachery to his charge
The Original of the Knights of Santiago The taking of Cuenca by the Christians Increase of the Knights of Santiago or St. James the Apostle Several places in Navarre taken by the Castilians THE Moors were so pressed by the Aragonians that they had no place of safety Along the River Alga the Towns of Favara Maella Fresneda and others were taken from them On the River Ebro the strong Town of Caspe A great number of them had retired to the Mountain Idubeda thinking the natural strength of the place would secure them but thence also they were driven by the Valour of the Christians So that from this time the Dominion of the Moors extended no farther than the Borders of the Kingdom of Valoncia At the same time Peter de Açagra Son to Roderick de Açagra before spoken of and Lord of Estela for some signal Service done to Lope King of Murcia had the strong Town of Albarazin seated on an uncoth Mountain near the Springs of Tagus given him This place was soon after made a Bishoprick and annexed to the Province of Toledo Both the Kings of Castile and Aragon were offended at Peter de Açagra the latter pretending that City was within the limits of his Conquest whereas Peter would do Homage for it to no Man The other complained he had taken some Castles belonging to him and therefore both agreed with their joint Forces to destroy Albarazin For the more strengthening of this League cautionary Towns were given on both sides the King of Aragon had Agreda Cervera and Aguilar he of Castile Aranda Borgia and Arguedo It was also concluded that Hariza and its Castle should be delivered to the King of Castile in pursuance of the former Capitulation But because Nun̄o Sanchez delivered it without a Special Order the two Kings fell at Variance which yet went no further than Words This discord gave Peter de Açagra time to strengthen himself for neither of the Kings attack'd him He of Aragon despising the Match that had been made by his Father with the Daughter of Castile sent Embassadors to Emanuel Commenus Emperor of Constantinople to desire his Daughter in Marriage Some troubles were at this time in Aragon on occasion that William Aguillon Lord of Tarragona had killed Hugo Bishop of that City for maintaining the Priviledges of his Church The death of Hugo fell on the 22th of April in the Year 1171. which Year was also remarkable for the Death of Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury in England who was Murdered on the same score afterwards Canonized by Pope Alexander III. and soon honoured as a Saint in Spain Lope King of Murcia dy'd in the Year 1172. The King of Aragon thought this a fit opportunity to make his advantage of and entring the Kingdom of Valencia obliged that King to buy a Peace and promise for the future to pay double the Tribute he had payed before Thence the Aragonian pass'd into the Country of Murcia and lay'd Siege to the City Xativa which he was forced to quit when it was upon the point of surrendring being called away to defend his own Country against the Navarrois who made War upon him Hereupon a Truce was concluded with the King of Murcia upon Condition he should pay the same Tribute his Father had agreed to This done the King marched towards Navarre in a rage yet they came not to a Battle but he wasted that Country on the side of Tudela and took the Town of Argueda This hap'ned towards the end of the Year In the beginning of the next being 1173. the War was continued and the Aragonians utterly destroy'd the Town of Milagro betwixt Calahorra and Alfaro from whence much harm had been done in the Lands of Aragon Petronilla Mother to the King of Aragon dy'd on the Third of October the same Year at Barcelona On the 18th of January 1174. the Marriage was at last consumatted at Zaragoça betwixt the King of Aragon and Sancha Sister to him of Castile as had been agreed long before by their Parents the King of Aragon now upon second Thoughts perferring the Alliance of Castile before that of a Foreign and remote Emperor At the same time the Grecian Emperor's Daughter arrived at Montpellier in France where understanding how she was disappointed she Marry'd the Lord of that City About this time the Order of the Knights of Santiago or St. James the Apostle began first to be taken notice of and by degrees from a small beginning are now risen to a Regal Grandeur When the Sepulcher of St. James the Apostle was first discovered the devotion of the place drew many Pilgrims and many were deterred by the badness of the ways and danger of the Moors For taking away these Obstacles the Cannons of St. Eloy built many Hospitals on the road and one to be the Chief of the rest at Leon. This at first mov'd many good People to bestow great Riches upon them Afterwards some that had served in the Wars joined their stocks and lived under certain Rules like Religious Men. These by the industry of Cardinal Jacintus the Popes Legate joyned with the Canons of St. Eloy who had a Convent without the Town of Compostella and sent Commissioners to Rome to Pope Alexander for the obtaining his approbation of their new institution which was to be regulated according to the rule of St. Augustin observed by those Canons Pero Fernandez de Puente Encalada was the chief of these Commissioners who obtained the Pope's Bull approving their design and assigning them Rules to observe The Bull bears date July the 5th 1175 Pero Fernandez himself was Constituted the first great Master of the Order The Badge of the Knights is a White Cloak with a red Cross made in the manner of a Sword The Hospital of St. Mark at Leon was assigned them for their Monastery Their Possessions in Castile were very large among others they had the Towns of Vcles Mora Estriana Almodovar Larunda and Santa Cruz de la Zarça near Ocen̄a in the Year 1176. King Alonso of Castile being of Age and resolving to be revenged on the Kings of Leon and Navarre for the wrongs they had done him in his Minority before he took the Field made his Vows to God in Toledo and gave the Towns of Illescas and Hazan̄a to that Church This done he entred the Territory of Rioja as far as Ebro and having wasted the Borders of Navarre turn'd back and bent his Force against the Kingdom of Leon where he burnt and plundered all the Country the King his Unkle being too weak to withstand him The King of Leon vented his Anger upon the new Knights of St. James supposing they favoured their old Master the King of Castile and therefore drove them out of his Dominions and obliged them to fly to Castile for protection Soon after King Ferdinand repented but it was too late however by the Mediation of Prelates a Truce was
in great State to her Husband These things were done in the Year 1201. Much about the same time Berengaria the King of Castile's other Daughter was Marry'd to Alonso King of Leon at Valladolid where the two Kings met to that purpose Her Dower was only those Towns her Father had taken from her Husband Alonso Earl of Provence and William Earl of Focalquer being at variance the King of Aragon took a journey into France and composed their differences Thence he went by Sea to Rome designing to make use of the interest of Pope Innocent III. for obtaining the assistance of the Fleets of Genoa and Pisa towards the Conquest of Majorca The Pope received him with great Magnificence caused him to be anointed and himself put on his Crown ordaining that for the future the Kings of Aragon should be Crown'd by the Archbishop of Tarragona as the Popes Vicar In return the King made his Kingdom Tributary to the Pope which was highly resented by his Subjects CHAP. IX The Marriage of the King of Aragon and Death of some Persons of Note Peace concluded and Alliance between all the Christian Kings of Spain The beginning of the War with the Moors A vast Multitude of Foreigners comes to the assistance of the Christian Kings of Spain KING Peter of Aragon being returned home from Rome incensed the Minds of his Subjects by imposing a Tax called Monetal from which even the Nobility were not exempted Pope Innocent indeavoured to make a match betwixt the King and the Lady Mary Daughter to Elizabeth Queen of Jerusalem by that means to ingage him in the Holy War Conveniency prevailed and he Marryed the Lady Mary Daughter and Heiress to William Lord of Montpellier Vrraca the King of Castile's Youngest Daughter was Marry'd to Alonso the King of Portugal's eldest Son in the Year 1206. This Year there was so great an Eclipse of the Sun that the Darkness lasted Six hours as if it had been the Dead of Night The Floods were so great that the River Tagus swell'd the height of a Man above the Gate of Almofala at Toledo as the Annals of that City inform us It is likely this Gate of Almofala was the same is now call'd of St. Isidorus King Alonso made Martin Archbishop of Toledo High Chancellor of Castile No hopes being left the King of Navarre of recovering his losses he had a Conference with him of Castile at Guadalaxara where a Truce was concluded for five Years and Cautionary Towns given on both sides for security of performance In the Year 1208. dy'd Martin Archbishop of Toledo Roderick Ximenes a Navarrios succeeded him In November departed his Life Sancha Mother to the King of Aragon On the same day as the Archbishop dy'd also Stephen Illan Governour of Toledo who as was said recovered that City for the King Also the Earl of Vrgel leaving one only Daughter who being oppress'd by Gerard de Cabrera Son to Ponce before mentioned surrendred her Earldom to the King of Aragon and put herself under his protection Here ended the Dominion of the Heirs of the great Borello formerly Earls of Barcèlona and Vrgel over that City tho' her Father by Will left the half of his City of Valladolid to Pope Innocent that he might protect his Daughter in the remaining part but I do not find that ever the Pope had possession of this Legacy The Truce with the Moors was near expiring and great danger threatned unless the Christian Princes would unite their Forces for the publick good Alonzo King of Leon disturbed the Peace by seizing upon his Mother-in-law's Joynter-Lands James de Haro her Brother opposing the King drew upon himself the Forces of Leon and Castile and not able to defend his own was forc'd to fly to Navarre Thence he infested the Frontiers of Castile but being defeated by the two Kings retired to Estela a strong Town The four Kings of Castile Leon Aragon and Navarre met at Alfaro and concluded a Peace Hereupon James de Haro forsaken by all fled to Valencia to the Moors Soon after the King of Aragon entring the Kingdom of Valencia had his Horse kill'd under him in fight and must certainly have been taken but that James de Haro mounted him This made him so odious to the Infidels that he was oblig'd to go over to Africk to clear himself before the Miramamolin Afterwards having made his Peace with the Christian Kings he return'd to Castile In the Year 1209. the two Kings of Aragon and Navarre had another meeting in a Plain near a Town call'd Mallen Here all Differences were adjusted and the King of Navarre lent him of Aragon 20000 Daccats for which he was to deliver four Towns in pawn to D. Ximeno de Rada who if the Money was not repaid on the day appointed was to surrender them up to the King of Navarre King Alonso of Castile hop'd to draw Succours out of France but the Wars betwixt the French and English hindred Whereupon he entred Guienne resolving to fall upon either of the two that should refuse to hearken to Peace His labour was lost for the enmity was irreconcileable and the Preparations made by the Moors oblig'd him to return into Spain Whilst the Truce with the Moors lasted an University was Founded at Palencia at the King's charge and by the persuasion of Roderick Archbishop of Toledo and Professors of all Sciences brought out of France upon promise of great Salaries At Huelgas near Burgos the King also built a great Monastery for the burying of Kings and an Hospital adjoyning to it Constance Sister to the King of Aragon and Dowager of Hungary by whom she had a Son call'd Ladislaus by persuasion of Pope Innocent III. Marry'd Frederick King of Sicily The Alliances establish'd betwixt the Christian Princes fill'd all People with hopes and joy Yet at this time the King of Leon by command of Pope Innocent was Divorc'd from his Queen Berengaria upon account of Consanguinity and she sent to her Father Mahomet who had succeeded his Brother Abenjoseph in the Empire of the Moors made great Preparations to invade the Dominions of the Christians who on their part were not idle Peter King of Aragon took Adamuz and other Towns in the Kingdom of Valeneia To the Knights Templers he gave the Town of Tortosa for their good service perform'd in the late Wars Ferdinand Son to the King of Castile entred Andaluzia and plundred all the Country about Baeza Anduxar and Jaen About the same time Mahomet King of the Moors call'd the Green from the colour of his Turbant took Salvatierra part of the Inhabitants were put to the Sword the rest made Slaves It was Besieg'd in June 1210. and taken in September King Alonso was marching to relieve it but at Talavera his Son Ferdinand met and assur'd him there was need of a greater Army to engage the Enemy Prince Ferdinand dying in October the following Year put a stop
them as favourers of Hereticks Tho' his Friends advised him to to be more Moderate he could not restrain himself as believing the City was departing from the Law of God He went to the Common-Council and told them That accident was an affront to all Spain that where formerly just Laws and Constitutions were enacted as being the Head of a Kingdom there at present unheard of Villanies and Heresies were invented He added God would not give them rain to Bless the Fruits of the Earth till they had cast down that Church and thrown away those Bones they Worship'd For so it was that ever since that superstition began which was now ten Months it never rain'd and there was a Dearth in the Country The Judge in the presence of all the Assembly said to the Deacon Do you assure us that the Church being cast down God will give us Rain and Water the Country The Deacon full of Faith answer'd Give me leave to demolish that House and I promise in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ upon forfeiture of Life and Goods that within eight Days Our Lord will send the necessary Rain in abundance The Company gave Credit to his Words He repair'd to the place with Labourers appointed and many of the Citizens levelled the Church and scatter'd the Bones about the Dung-Hills It hap'ned to the great astonishment of them all that as the Church was pulling down among the Timber was heard a Noise as it were of a Trumpet to show the Devil forsook that place The next Day a great part of the City was burnt down for the Wind being very high the Fire could not soon be stop'd from spreading far The Multitude mutiny'd and ran to find out the Deacon with a design to Murder him saying That instead of Rain he had been the cause of that great Fire The Hereticks appear'd scoffing at the Clergy and said The Deacon deserv'd Death and that what he had promised would not come to pass But the Almighty had Mercy on his People for at the end of the Eight Days appointed he sent abundant Rain so that the Fruits of the Earth recover'd and there was a plentiful Harvest that Year The Deacon encourag'd by this success went on prosecuting the Hereticks till he oblig'd them to quit the City Thus far are the Words of this Author By which it appears that this Pestilential Heresie spread in Spain but it s greatest fury fell upon Toulouze whence ensu'd great mischiefs and the unhappy Death of the King of Aragon who would uphold it as shall appear in the Sequel The Sect of the Albigenses grew formidable and daily gathered strength not only by the number of the Commonalty that adhered to it but also by Means of the Princes and Persons of note that supported it without regarding the Pope's Authority or their own reputation These were the Earls of Toulouze Faux Besiers and Cominges In like manner the King of Aragon supported them because these Cities were Feofs depending on him as has been said before Besides he was nearly Ally'd to the Earl of Toulouze whose third Wife was the King of Aragon's Sister And the Earl's Son and Heir whose Name as well as his Father's was Raymund had taken to Wife another of the same King's Sisters called Sancha This was the true cause of his declaring for the Albigenses and taking up Arms for them Otherwise he was a truely Catholick Prince as may be inferred by his delivering his Son D. Jaime or James to Simon Earl of Monfort to be bred up and instructed which Simon was General of the Catholicks and a Scourge to the Hereticks Such was the posture of Affairs that it much troubled the Catholicks of France but above all the Pope who apprehended lest that Evil should daily take a deeper root and gather strength by so many Favourers The more for that the Multitude who love Novelties being deceived by the sleights of those Hereticks easily forsook the Faith of their Ancestors and embraced those extravagent Opinions Some Remedy was sought to put a stop to this growing Evil. Mildness was thought at first most expedient to try whether by the care of good Teachers those that had stray'd might be brought back D. James Bishop of Osma in his way to Rome whither he was sent by the King of Castile went thro' that part of France and seeing the condition of Affairs and danger those Towns were in unless some speedy remedy were apply'd gave a full account to the Pope of the whole mischief and where the greatest danger appeared With him went the Glorious Father S. Dominick then a Canon Regular of the Order of S. Augustin and afterwards on this account Founder of the Order of Preachers He was Born at Calervega in the Territory of Osma of a Noble Family The Pope understanding how the matter stood resolved to give a check to that spreading Evil. He dispatch'd the Bishop and his Companion with full Commission to quench that flame He also appointed one of the Cardinals his Legate with ample power Being come into France they chose 12 Abbots of the Order of S. Bernard to be their Associates that being Natives they might by their Preaching and Example bring back those that had gone astray But whatever was gain'd by this means many being converted from their Errors chiefly by the Preaching of S. Dominick and Miracles he wrought in several parts no less was the number of those perverted by the Hereticks For who can reduce an incens'd Rabble to reason Who can restore to their Wits Men lost and hardned in Error A Limb that cannot be healed must be cut off and the safest method is in such cases to use Rigour in time This moved the Pope and Catholick Princes to alter their methods and since no peaceable means were of force to resolve upon War and open Force as we shall show in the following Chapter CHAP. II. The Death of Peter King of Aragon and of Alonso King of Castile Simon Earl of Monfort General of the Catholicks Overthrows the Hereticks and takes the Towns they had possess'd themselves of IT being now resolved to decide these matters of Religion by Arms a great number of Soldiers were assembled out of Italy Germany and France hoping to gain the Indulgence granted by the Pope to such as took up the Cross on such occasions These first possess'd themselves of the City Besieres and in it put to the Sword 7000 of the Mutiniers This struck such a terror into the People of Carcassonne that they surrendred the City to the Catholicks and the Ringleaders were punish'd These prosperous beginnings encourag'd the Catholicks who wanting a General made choice of Simon Earl of Montfort a Town of note in the Territory of Chartres as being an experienced Soldier and of known Zeal for the Catholick Religion He having taken upon him that charge and gather'd his Forces gain'd from the Hereticks the Castle of Minerva the City
Albis a Town call'd Vaure near Toulouze and many other places This done he laid Siege to Toulouze but could not enter it by reason the Earls of Toulouze Faux and Cominges were within and defended it with great resolution Therefore raising the Siege he bent his Force against the Earldom of Faux The King of Aragon was in care for those his Friends and Allies and fear'd lest Simon of Montfort under the specious pretence of Religion should endeavour to enlarge his own Dominions Therefore immediately after the famous Battle of Navas de Tolosa he imploy'd his thoughts on the Affairs of France with so much application that it appears he was at Toulouze in the Month of January in the Year 1213. In May following he raised Men at Lerida and other places to carry on that War Being returned to France all those Princes joyn'd him with their Forces which together are said to have composed an Army of 100000 Men a number scarce credible Simon of Montfort provided to oppose so powerful an Enemy and in order to it fortified the Castle Murelle on the Banks of the River Garonne The Confederates marched to Besiege it and Montfort with a small number but chosen Men to defend it With him were seven Bishops S. Dominick and three Abbots These endeavour'd to disswade the King from supporting the Hereticks but he was deaf to their advice The Catholicks were not above 800 Horse and 1000 Foot a small number to the multitude of the Enemies However relying on the Justice of their Cause they engaged and it was resolutely fought on both sides At length thro' the special Providence of God and Valour of the Catholicks the Enemy was put to flight the Earls escap'd but the King was kill'd upon the place with several Argonians of note yet the number of the Dead was not great Every Body said the King had deserved that end for favouring of Hereticks tho' in other respects he was so true a Son of the Church that he got the name of Peter the Catholick and also for his Lewdness which transported him so far as to put away his Queen a Woman of singular Virtue upon pretence of Consanguinity and that she had been Marry'd to the Earl of Cominges tho' that Marriage had been declared invalid This Lady was now at Rome and daily expected Judgment should be given for her when the news of the King's Death was brought His Body was buried by the Knights of S. John in the Monastery of Ximena where Queen Sancha his Mother lies He left only one Son called Jayme or James but four Years of Age. There were yet living Ferdinand Brother to the Deceased and Abbot of Montaragon and consequently a professed Monk and Sancho Earl of Roussillon his Uncle of a great age as being Uncle to the late King These two notwithstanding the Profession of the one and the Age of the other had thoughts of Usurping the Crown To this purpose they endeavoured to gain the Nobility and People giving out that D. Jayme was a Bastard and they consequently next Heirs This design was no way pleasing to the Prelates and Nobles Especially Peter Fernandez de Açagra Lord of Albarazin was concerned there should be any talk of Excluding the Child and that he should be then as a Prisoner in the hands of Simon of Montfort Having therefore consulted the other Nobles they sent an Embassador to Pope Innocent desiring he would command Montfort to deliver up the Child whom all acknowledged as their King The Pope readily condescended and sent Orders to his Legate the Cardinal of Benavente then in the War against the Hereticks to give all satisfaction to the Argonians if what they demanded were just Mean while Montfort had taken Toulouze the Nest and chief Recepticle of the Hereticks The Legate gathered a Synod at Montpelier where it was unanimously agreed to give all that had been taken in War to Simon of Montfort as a Reward for his good service The Bishop of Embrun was sent to the Pope to obtain a Confirmation of this their Decree This was the posture of Affairs in France In Spain a violent Famine rag'd by reason of the Drought After the Famine as is usual follow'd the Plague caused by the unusual things eaten for want Many Towns were quite Unpeopled especially in the Kingdom of Toledo where this Calamity was most destructive as being the highest part of all Spain Roderick Archbishop of Toledo was a great help to the Poor giving extraordinary Alms and stirring up others to do the like Whereupon King Alonso afterwards at Burgos gave him 20 Villages and the Chancellorship of Castile the highest Dignity next the King to him and his Successors the Archbishops for ever This Office the Archbishops exercised by themselves or their Deputies till the time of the Archbishop Giles de Albornoz when by reason of his absence and the confusion of the times it was given to others and now those Prelates retain nothing but the bare Title King Alonso being at Burgos desired to be reconciled to the King of Leon with whom he had been offended ever since he put away his Daughter Berengaria Both Kings met at Valladolid where all differences were composed and particularly they agreed that Carpio and Monterey should be demolished because there arose Debates about them This done the King of Leon returned to his Country taking along with him by the consent of the King of Castile James Lopez de Haro to employ him in his Wars against the Moors James de Haro was then in great Repute so besides his Son a good number of Men follow'd him desiring to serve under so experienced a General The King of Castile tho' old would not slip the opportunity of making his advantage of the Moors under a consternation for their late losses The King of Leon began the War in that part of old Lusitania now called Estremadura where having plundred and wasted all the Country he took from the Moors a Town of Alcantara seated on the Banks of Tagus which he gave to the Knights of Calatrava This was the Original of the Knights of Alcantara at first subject to the Order of Calatrava now independant of them having obtained a Bull from Pope Julius II. to that effect The Habit of Calatrava formerly was a Scapular with a Hood over their Cloths like the Fryers since Pope Benedict XIII changed it and instead of the Hood they wear a red Cross Fleury Those of Alantara wear the same form of Cross but green on a white Cloak Both observe the Rule of S. Bernard and are subject to the Order of Cistercians Alonso King of Castile advanced with his Forces as far as Baeça which the Moors had again recovered and laid Siege to that City after ravaging all the open Country Jame Lopez de Haro the War of Estremadura being ended came thither Tho' they made their utmost Efforts yet could they not take that City for want of
her Husband to succeed in the Government as being a Woman of a Manly Spirit and in great power for that when she returned to Castile her Father gave her the Towns of Valladolid Munon Curiel and Santistevan de Gormaz This Lady not only bore this great Burden but out of her own Revenue supply'd the wants of the Crown Her Vertues can never be too much extoll'd her Prudence Devotion Justice and Care of the Government were not to be parallell'd Yet multitude of Business and the love of Retirement made her uneasie Some who make their own ends by diving into the Affections of Princes soon discovered this failing Particularly the three Brothers of the Family of Lara Alvaro Ferdinand and Gonzalo Sons to D. Nun̄o Earl of Lara who being used to Rule would not let slip this opportunity of seizing upon the Government They valued not the King as being an Infant nor his Sister because she was a Woman Their resolution was to compass their ends tho' the means were never so foul Two things concurred towards forwarding their purposes One was that a private Man called Garci Lorenço a Native of Plasencia had great Interest with the Lady Berengaria He being a subtle Fellow they promis'd him the Town of Tablada which he much coveted as a Reward of his good Service in case he forwarded their Project The other was the absence of Roderick Archbishop of Toledo who only by his Prudence and Authority was able to disappoint all these Contrivances He was gone to Rome to be present at the Lateran Council assembled by Pope Innocent Thither resorted 412 Prelates 71 of which were Archbishops besides the Patriarchs of Jerusalem and Constantinople Those of Antioch and Alexandria came not themselves but sent their Deputies The number of other Priests is not to be reckon'd Many matters of great moment were handled in this Council but the chief were the renewing the War in the Holy-Land and quieting France then embroil'd by the Hereticks This Council was open'd in the Month of November and in the Church of S. John Lateran Among all the Prelates Roderick Archbishop of Toledo signaliz'd himself making a Latin Speech so set off with variety of other Languages that the Fathers in admiration said The like had not been heard since the time of the Apostles Here the Jurisdiction of the Church of Toledo was debated for that the Archbishops of Taragona Braga Santiago and Narbonne would not acknowledge its Supreme Authority On the behalf of Toledo were produced Bulls of former Popes their Determinations Decrees of Councils and many Arguments deduc'd from Antiquity Much also was said by the other Party but the case was left undetermin'd because some of the Parties concern'd were absent and it was fit they should be heard Yet the Pope granted to Roderick the Archbishop the Legantine Power for ten years and also that in case the City Sevil were taken from the Moors as was hop'd by reason of the small Power of the Almohades it should be subject to the Archbishop of Toledo as its Primate and no Appeal to lye from this Decree Besides he gave him power to Legitimate 300 Bastards and to place Bishops in all such Towns as should be taken from the Moors The Archbishop gain'd great Reputation in that Council not only for his knowledge in many Languages but for his extraordinary Learning not usual in that Age. He writ the History of Spain another of the Moors and a Treatise of the Jurisdiction of his Church of Toledo Touching the Holy-War it was decreed that all Church-men should contribute towards it part of their Revenues With this Subsidy Recruits were sent over and the Town of Damiata in Aegypt taken As to the Affairs of France the two Raymund's Father and Son Earl's of Toulouze appear'd in the Council against Simon of Montfort who had despoil'd them of their Dominions The Result was that they were Condemned as Hereticks and Toulouze with all other places he had taken adjudg'd to Simon of Montfort Whereupon Montfort did Homage to the King of France for those places and setled an Alliance with him Yet not relying on the Fidelity of those People he caused Toulouze Carcassonne and Narbonne to be dismantled which together with the heavy Taxes he laid on the Subjects rendred him so odious that many Towns along the River Rhosne revolted from him to Raymund the younger and not long after he lost the City of Toulouze Notwithstanding the Decree of the Council many Nobles of France assisted the abandon'd Princes yet Simon of Montfort had regain'd Toulouze but that he was unfortunately kill'd before it by a Stone shot from an Engine A Man worthy of a longer life for his Valour and Zeal for Religion He left two Sons Aymerick and Simon Aymerick upon the Death of his Father raised the Siege and dispairing of being able to withstand all those Princes that joyn'd against him resign'd his Right to all those Towns to the King of France who in return made him Lord High-Constable These things fell out three years later than this time Let us return to the place whence we digress'd CHAP. IV. The Family of Lara take the Government of Castile into their Hands they commit many insolencies and oppress the Nobility Young King Henry Marry'd and divorc'd The King of Aragon escapes from his Keepers THE Family of Lara ceased not to Solicite Garci Lorenço as was said before and he tempted with their promises undertook to bring about their desires He only waited a fit opportunity and at length having found one when the Queen Regent little thought of any such contrivance he told her The burden of the Government was too weighty for a Woman's Shoulders and withal exaggerated the difficulties of pleasing where Interests were so different and affections so various The Queen who coveted nothing more than her ease ask'd on whom she might repose that great trust of ruling the Kingdom and breeding up the King Then he reply'd none in the Kingdom so fit as the Family of Lara being the most powerful and therefore best able to awe such as should aim at any commotions This advice was approved by the Queen who thereupon assembling the Prelates and Nobles ask'd their advice and they either not understanding the drift or being before secur'd or else hating the Government of a Woman agreed that the Queen should resign the Government to the Three Brothers of the Family of Lara Roderick the Archbishop returning at this time from Rome lik'd not these proceedings but the thing was too far gone to be recalled All he could do was to oblige those Brothers to take an Oath that they would in all things study the interest of the People and Crown that they would give no Commands without the Queen's Approbation that they would not make War nor impose new Taxes and in fine that they would bear the respect due to the Queen as the Daughter Sister and Wife of King's This seemed
fall of a Tile Ferdinand Prince of Leon succeeds his Mother Berengaria renouncing her right Orders of S. Dominick S. Francis and La Merced instituted THE Enmity betwixt D. Alvaro de Lara and Queen Berengaria put the Kingdom into Confusion and was the cause that many Murders Robberies and other Villanies were committed D Alvaro added one fraud to the perfecting of all his Projects The King being at Maqueda a Town not far from Toledo Queen Berengaria sent a Man privately to advertise him how affairs stood D. Alvaro having notice of it seized the Messenger and Counterfeiting the Queen's Hand and Seal produced Letters as from her directing the King to be Poisoned and the more to credit his invention caused the Messenger to be strangl'd This imposture being known incensed all Men against D. Alvaro and the Inhabitants of Maqueda had slain him but that he withdrew with the King to Huete Thither the Queen again sent one Roderick Gonzales de Valverde to consult with the King how he might make his escape to her This Man also was taken and sent Prisoner to Alarcon but was not put to Death for fear of the People All the storm fell upon such Nobles as adhered to the Queen The King kept his Lent at Valladolid thence D. Alvaro sent Forces to Besiege Montalegre where was D. Suero Tellez Giron a Man of Note well provided to defend himself He had two Brothers Ferdiand Ruyz and Alonso Tellez that might have relieved him but would not out of respect to the King D. Suero being summon'd in the King's name tho' he could long have held out surrendred the Fort. After this the Country was wasted and the King in Person sate down before Carrion Thence he moved to Villalva D. Alonso de Meneses who held it being then out of the Town was forced to make his way in with his Sword not without danger being himself wounded and many of his Servants kill'd Nevertheless he held out so long that the King was glad to quit that enterprize and return to Palencia At the same time the War was carry'd on against Roderick and Alvaro Cameros who held the City Calaborra The King going thither soon made himself Master of that City Garci Zapata the Governour delivering up the Castle to him After the taking of that City they Marched against D. Lope de Haro Lord of Biscay That Country is Mountainous and the People very true to their Lords for which reason the War was protracted and the King return'd home As soon as the King was gone D. Lope entred his Territories as far as Marcanda de Ebro where Gonzalo Brother to D. Alvaro the Governour met him They came not to a Battle because Religious Persons interposed Thus D. Gonzalo went away to the King and D. Lope to Otella where the Queen was not without Apprehensions that the King would Besiege her There are those who write that a Marriage was treated of betwixt the King of Castile and Sancha the King of Leon's Daughter by his first Wife upon condition she should inherit the Crown excluding Ferdinand the Son of Queen Berengaria But it is hard to find out the truth of these Affairs for the History of those times is no less confuss'd than were the times In this Historians agree that the King being at play with others of his Age in the Court of the Bishop's Palace where he then lay a Tile falling from the top of the House broke his Head in such manner that he dy'd 11 days after on the 6th of June in the Year 1217. His Body was afterwards bury'd near his Brother Ferdinand at Huelgas by Burgos He liv'd not full 14 years Reign'd 2 and 9 months This same Year the Portugueses took from the Moors a considerable Town call'd Alcazar de Sal. Matthew Bishop of Lisbon was the chief Contriver of this Enterprize for he raised considerable Forces and persuaded the Knights Templers to be assisting to him But the chief Force consisted in 100 Sail of English French and Flemings who on their way to the Holy-Land touch'd at Lisbon and were persuaded by that Bishop to put their hand to the reducing of that Town A Multitude of Moors from Sevil Cordova and other parts coming to the Relief of that place was overthrown and 60000 of them were killed The Battle was fought on the 25th of September and the place taken on the 18th of October Henry the late King had two Sisters both elder than he These were Blanch Marry'd to Luis eldest Son of Philip Augustus King of France and Berengaria who before she was parted from her Husband Alonso King of Leon brought him four Children to wit Ferdinand Alonso Constance and Berengaria Blanch was the eldest Sister and by Right ought to inherit had not force and the hatred of a Stranger taken place of Justice Many of the Nobility meeting where Queen Berengaria then was declared the Crown to appertain to her It was convenient that all things should be setled before the King of Castile's Death came to the Ears of the King of Leon lest he should pretend to that Crown in Right of his Wife tho' parted from her Accordingly Embassadors were sent to him to request he would send his Son Ferdinand to protect his Mother which they obtain'd before ever that King had notice of the Death of King Henry This was the easier to do for that D. Alvaro de Lara carry'd the dead Body with him to Tariego giving out he was still living and dispatching Business in his Name Prince Ferdinand being come to Otella where his Mother was she made over her Right to the Crown to him At Najara under an Elm-tree the Ceremony of Proclaiming him King was perform'd so little State was used in those times From Najara he went to Palencia designing to take a Progress thro' the Kingdom That City at the persuasion of the Bishop received him with great Joy and Magnificence Then he went to Duenas which shut the Gates against him but the Town being small and not strong was entred by force Here the Nobility began to treat of an Accommodation with the Family of Lara D. Alvaro was not averse to it but being used to Rule he had the presumption to ask to be Tutor to the new King King Ferdinand was at that time 18 years of age tho' some say but 16. Thus the posture of Affairs seem'd to threaten a War The King and Queen went to Valladolid a great and plentiful Town in Castile where the Cortes or Parliament met and determin'd that Berengaria was the rightful Heiress of the Crown as had been twice declared whilst her Father lived So Roderick the Archbishop who says she was the eldest Daughter but other Authors are of another Opinion The Queen here again resign'd her Right to the Crown and her Son was the second time Proclaim'd King in a great open place in the Suburbs of that Town Thence he was carry'd to the Cathedral
to take the usual Oath of maintaining the Privileges of the Subjects and receive Homage of the Nobility The King of Leon his Father offended that he had been so imposed upon sent before his Brother Sancho to invade Castile and followed himself soon after doing much harm in the Territory of Campos Queen Berengaria sent two Bishops to appease him but to no purpose D. Alvaro de Laro seem'd to side with him whereupon the King ravag'd the Country and was in hopes to have taken Burgos yet D. Lope de Haro and others made him draw back with more speed than he came Segovia and Avila being before secured by D. Alvaro had not submitted to the new King but now they sent Embassadors to the Queen excusing themselves and promising for the future a constant Fidelity which they perform'd Now D. Alvaro consented that the dead King's Body which till then he kept at Tarriego should be bury'd The Queen and some Bishops accompanied it to Huelgas where it was interr'd as was said before King Ferdinand at the same time besieg'd and took Munon a strong Town and then went with his Mother to Burgos to hold the Cortes or Parliament they had summoned thither After this they took Lerma and Lara all things submitting to the new King except the Family of Lara and their Party who had the boldness to take up at Herreruela a Town in the King's way as he was going to Palencia Most of his Men quartered in the Town and he in a Farm hard by The King's Forces having Intilligence hereof unexpectedly fell upon him and tho' he endeavoured to defend himself took him Prisoner Here an end might have been put to all the Troubles but the King thought himself too secure Thus D. Alvaro having delivered up to the King all the Towns that belong'd to the Crown was not only set at Liberty but received into Favour His Brother Ferdinand refusing to deliver Castroxoriz and Orejon was permitted to hold them as the King's Lieutenant This Peace was not lasting for those Men being used to Rule could not be content with a private Life but gathering Forces spoiled the Country of Campos King Ferdinand soon drove them out of his Dominions and they fled to Leon where they stirr'd up that King who was preparing for it to Invade Castile Some Gentlemen of Castile broke into Leon and that King coming down Besieged them in Castellon betwixt Salamanca and Medina del Campo Men flocking on the one side to relieve and on the other to press the Besieged at last a Treaty was set on foot and a Truce concluded betwixt the Father and Son D. Alvaro de Lara being at that time sick caused himself to be carry'd on Mens Shoulders to the City Toro and there dy'd having at the time of his Death taken the Habit of Santiago as was then used to obtain the Indulgencies granted to that Order He was bury'd at Vcles the head Monastery of that Order His Brother Ferdinand who had fled to Africk liv'd in a Town called Elbora near Morocco where he also ended his days having taken the Habit of S. John The Death of these turbulent Men raised the hopes of all Men that a lasting Peace might now be concluded with Leon. Thus all were bent upon carrying on the Wars against the Moors the Pope granted Indulgencies great numbers of Men were raised rather in hopes of Plunder than to get any Pardon of their Sins They ransack'd all Estremadura and laid Siege to Caçeres but were forc'd to quit it by reason of the great Rains which oblig'd them to break up and go into quarters in the Year of our Lord 1218. Whilst these Confusions reigned in Spain the neighbouring Countries were no less consumed with intestine Broils War is the Nursery of all sort of Vices which now consequently were at their full growth In the midst of this darkness God enlightned the World with the example of many virtuous Men who taught the way to Salvation Neither wanted there many that followed them Among them all one of the chiefest was the Holy Father S. Dominick born at Caleruela betwixt Osma and Aranda He was first a Canon Regular then laboured much to root out the Heresie of the Albigenses as was said before and Instituted the Holy Order of Preaching confirmed by Pope Honorius He Founded several Monasteries in Spain and returning into Italy dy'd at Bolonia The same Year another Order was Instituted in Spain called de la Merced It was first thought of by Jaime King of Aragon and perfected by Peter Nolascus a Frenchman This Order was Instituted for the Redemption of Captives Their Habit is white as also their Hood on the former the Arms of Aragon and a Cross in a red Field Next was S. Francis born at Assis in Italy Founder of the Order of his Name and S. Anthony of Padua of the same Order In Castile the War was renewed against the Moors at the instance of Roderick Archbishop of Toledo 200000 Men were gathered in the Year 1219. They plundred the Country took some Places of no note and laid Siege to Requena but were forc'd to quit it In fine the Success was not answerable to the Preparations for only a rich Booty was taken and the Army dismiss'd CHAP. VI. The Marriages of two Kings Ferdinand of Castile and Jayme of Aragon King Ferdinand quells many Commotions Death of the Kings of France and Portugal THIS Year of our Lord 1219. there hap'ned a great Famine and Mortality in Spain At the same time Jayme King of Aragon was about removing his Uncle Sancho from the Government but upon his promise of acting better for the future forgave him The King tho' but 11 Years of Age began to give tokens of Valour and take delight in Arms and Martial Affairs One Roderick de Lizana a Man in great Power was at variance with a Kinsman of his own called Lope Albero and of great Friends they were become mortal Enemies Roderick watching his opportunity seizes his Adversary and carries him Prisoner to his Castle of Lizana The King commanded him to use no further Violence but be content with what he had done but he refused to obey This so offended the King that gathering a Body of Men at Huesca he marched to Albero a Town Lizana had possess'd himself of and in two days recover'd it Thence he came before the Castle of Lizana the Patrimony of that rebellious Gentleman and because the Garison refused to surrender caused a famous Engine to be brought from Huesca which would cast 1500 Stones in 24 Hours With this the Wall was shaken many Men killed and the Garison obliged to surrender Albero was restored to his liberty and his Adversary having lost the Castle fled to Albaracin where Peter Fernandez de Açagra was his great Friend Thence having according to the Custom of those times in Writing Renounced his Country and Allegiance he infested the Borders of Aragon
charge The King warn'd Mancada to forbear violence and stand to judgment and he refusing invaded his Lands so furiously that he took from him 130 Towers and Castles and the Town of Cervellon near Barcelona The Castle of Moncada being strongly fortified and William himself in it could not be so easily carry'd Thus much in the Year 1223. in which on the 15th of July dy'd Philip King of France at Medun His Son Luis VIII Husband to Blanch of Castile and Father to S. Luis succeeded him The Year following Alonso II. Sirnamed the Fat King of Portugal deceased at Coimbra and was buryed in the Monastery of Alcobaça near his Wife D. Vrraca in a mean Tomb as was used in those days He left Three Sons Sancho Sirnamed Capelo his Successor Alonso who Marry'd Maud Countess of Bologne in France and Ferdinand Lord of Serpa who Marry'd Sancha the Daughter of Ferdinand de Lara He also left one Daughter called Ellenor Marryed to the King of Dacia as the Histories of Portugal say I will not dispute the truth of it CHAP. VII King Ferdinand of Castile his great success against the Moors King Jaime of Aragon seized by some Rebellious Nobles makes his escape and Commences War against the Rebels THE Tumults in Castile being over King Ferdinand granted a general Pardon He chose the Wisest and most Virtuous Persons to commit the Government of the Cities to and was a mortal Enemy to Hereticks for some of the Albigenses had crept into Spain These good qualities had gained him the Love of his Subjects and he to improve it resolved to make War upon the Moors The People of Cuenca Huete Moya and Alarcon understanding his design Assembl'd together and entring the Kingdom of Valencia brought thence a rich Booty On the other side the King marched towards Andaluzia and when he had passed Sierra Morena Embassadors met him from Mahomet King of Baeça offering to surrender the City and furnish Provisions and Money Having signed Articles the Army moved to Quesada a Town of note now in the Government of Caçorla At first the Inhabitants relying on the strength of their Walls defended themselves but the place was taken by Assault all that could bear Arms put to the Sword and the rest to the number of 7000 made Slaves This slaughter was a Terror to others It were tedious to relate the particulars of this expedition In short many Towns were abandoned by the Moors many surrended Of them some were destroyed others Garrisoned D. Lope de Haro and the Masters of the Military Orders attacked a Town called Mivoras and took it notwithstanding it had a Garrison of 1500 Arabs whereof part was slain the rest fled Thus the Summer and Autumn were spent and in November the Season growing bad they returned to Toledo where the Queens waited the coming of the King in the Year of our Lord 1224. Some days were spent in Publick Rejoycing and Thanksgiving after which as soon as the Weather would permit the King Ordered the Army to march towards Cuenca designing to invade the Kingdom of Valenca Zeit the King of that place terrified with his former losses came to Cuenca submitting himself to the Will of King Ferdinand The Aragonians pretending Valencia fell within the Limits of their Conquest sent Embassadors to complain and at the same time to show their resolution made an inroad into Castile by the way of Soria New troubles arising in Aragon they could not then push on that undertaking William of Moncada Peter Ahones and Ferdinand the Kings Unkle had a consultation at Tahuste where it was resolved to seize the King's Person on pretence of removing evil Councellors but in reality to make their own advantage of him Moncada was offended for the Lands he had lost Ferdinand tho' a Monk still aspired to the Crown and Ahones could not bear to be removed from the Government To strengthen their party they resolv'd to gain Nun̄o Son to Prince Sancho Earl of Russillon All things being thus Order'd they went to Aragon where the King was and coming together upon him advised him to go to Zaragoca there to settle the important affairs of the Kingdom The King tho' he saw into their drift was obliged to condescend They conducted him to his Palace at Zaragoça and plac'd Guards upon him that he might converse with nor write to no Body William Boy and Peter Sanchez Martel were Captains of this Guard and for the greater security lay at Night by the King's Bed-side In this manner they kept him 20 days till he condescended to all their demands Particularly he caused all that had been taken from William de Moncada to be restored and promised to pay him 20000 Ducats for Damages Prince Ferdinand still kept the Government in his hands and the King had no hopes of Relief but in God In Castile all things succeeded prosperously In the Year 1225. as soon as Summer came on King Ferdinand having recruited his Army entred Andaluzia The King of Baeça relieved them with Provisions and received them into the City Andujar and Martos were taken the last was given to the Knights of Calatrava Besides the Town of Jodar was gain'd and the Army return'd home loden with Plunder The same was continued the following years The Affairs of Aragon began to mend and the King departed from Zaragoça towards Tortosa a City at the Mouth of Ebro He resolved to rid himself and the Kingdom of that Oppression and therefore privately made his escape to Huerta a Town belonging to the Knights Templers Thence he sent Circular Letters to summon the Nobility to the City Teruel in order to Invade Valencia They look'd upon this as a Childish heat yet some few Aragonians and more Catalonians came at the day appointed With this small Body he broke in on that side where were before the Ilergaones and sate down before Peniscola a strong place on a Rock opposite to Majorca Zeit the King was so terrified that he sent to beg Peace and agreed to pay the fifth part of the Revenues of Valencia and Murcia This done the Aragonians return'd to Tervel and thence to Zaragoça By the way at a Village called Calamocha they met D. Peter de Ahones and his Brother the Bishop leading a Party raised at their own cost to make an Incursion into Valencia The King would not have him proceed because of the Peace he had made with the Moors but Ahones excused himself with the charge he had been at in raising those Men. Whereupon the King endeavouring to have him apprehended he was killed by the Soldiers His death was so grievously resented that except Calatayud which continued Loyal to the King all the other Cities declared for his Uncle Ferdinand Fair means failing the War broke out and was continued in the Year 1226. This same Year Luis King of France made War upon the Albigenses and having taken Avigron from them dismantled it
they had opposed their Surrender An Assault must be given and many advised to do it by Night but the King to avoid the confusion that is common in the dark drew out by break of day in order to storm causing all the Avenues to be guarded that none of the Enemy might escape Three times the Sign was given to fall on and the Soldiers stirred not till the King calling upon them as it were wak'd them out of a heavy sleep Then with a terrible shout they gave the Assault The Moors with great Courage ran to meet the Danger but being over-power'd and born down the City was entred and plundred and the People put to the Sword The Moorish King was drawn out from a private place where he lay hid and King Jayme took him by the Beard having sworn so to do yet comforted him with good words and promises After taking the City the Castle soon surrendred where was found a Son of the King 's 13 years of age who was afterwards Baptiz'd by the Name of D. Jayme and had an Estate given him which was the Town of Gotor in the Kingdom of Valencia whence his Successors Gentlemen of Note in that Country take their Name Majorca was taken on the last day of December preceeding the Year 1230. This City was made an Episcopal See notwithstanding the Canons of Barcelona pretended a Right to it but could make no good proof All the rest of the Island was easily brought under which done most of the Soldiers return'd home and the King to Catalonia This Year the Order of Mercela Instituted some time before was Confirm'd by Pope Gregory IX as appears by his Bull dated at Peroza in Tuscany the 17th of January CHAP. IX Alonso King of Leon Defeats the Moors takes Merida and Badajoz and dies Crowns of Castile and Leon united under Ferdinand Sancho King of Navarre dies Theobald succeeds him Interviews of several Kings WHilst the Forces of Aragon Conquer'd Majorca Alonso King of Leon again entred the Territories of the Moors and took the Town of Caçeres in Estremadura where he had before been repulsed This Success encouraged him to Besiege Merida a great City once the chiefest in those parts Abenhut the Moorish King thinking to establish a Reputation marched to relieve that place King Alonso was much inferiour to him in number and therefore being dubious what was best to be done he held a Council of War in which most were for drawing off Yet Honour prevailing the King resolved to give Battle and accordingly drew up his Army The Moors were not backward and the Signal being given both Parties charged with great resolution Long the Fight continued very bloody but at length the Valour of the Christians overcame the number of Infidels This Victory and Slaughter were so great that many of the neighbouring Towns were abandon'd by the Inhabitants It was reported that the Apostle S. James and other Saints were seen in this Fight encouraging the Christians as also that at Zamora S. Isidorus and others had appeared as preparing to go aid the Faithful But who can assert the truth of this Great Victories often cause any sort of Miracles to be believed After this Defeat no other hopes of relief remaining Merida was surrendred Badajoz a City on the Borders of Portugal Estremadura and Andaluzia also submitted King Alonso who was the ninth of that Name the Season being unfit for Action dismissed his Army resolving as soon as the Weather would permit to carry on the War with greater Forces Death prevented his Designs which cut him off at Sarria about the end of this Year as he was going to pay his Vows at Santiago His Body was bury'd in that Church By D. Teresa his first Wife he had two Daughters Sancha and Dulcis by Queen Berengaria he left Ferdinand already King of Castile and Alonso Lord of Molina and Berengaria Marry'd to John King of Jerusalem He had besides a Bastard Son call'd Roderick de Leon. He Reign'd 42 years was Valiant in War and a great Lover of Justice wherefore he assigned Salaries to the Judges that they might take no Bribes and punished them severely if faulty His hatred to his Son Ferdinand was such that in his Will he appointed his two Daughters to succeed him King Ferdinand had Besieged Jaen and not being able to carry it was remov'd to Daralherça where the News of his Fathers's Death was brought to him He was very intent upon the War of Andaluzia but the necessity of securing the Crown of Leon drew him away At Orgaz five League from Toledo his Mother met him and they resolv'd with all speed to move towards Leon. All things there prov'd easier than had been imagined Most places received him with great Joy and Tokens of Love He was Crown'd at Toro which had first by Letters sent to invite him Some great Men sided with the Princesses which might have proved of dangerous Consequence had not the Prelates interposed and reduc'd them to submit to him who had the most right Teresa Mother to the Princesses came out of Portugal to their aid but considering it was best to compound with her Son-in-law she met Queen Berengaria at Valencia in Galicia where it was agreed the Princesses should quit their claim to the Crown and in lieu thereof the King should allow them 30000 Ducats a year for Life This done the King set forwards towards Valencia by the way at Bonavente the Princesses met him To the Archbishop of Toledo for his indefatigable Services the King gave the Town of Cascata in that Country Thus the Kingdom of Leon was again united to Castile after it had been separated from it 63 Years and this Union has continu'd to our days D. Sancho King of Navarre who in his Youth was call'd the Strong liv'd now retir'd in the Castle of Tudela without attending to the Government This his retirement gave his Subjects opportunity to mutiny which Pamplona in particular did several times Besides Lope Diaz de Haro Lord of Biscay entred the Territories of Navarre and took some Towns and Castles King Ferdinand was suppos'd to have some hand in this Affair Yet the worst was that Theobald Earl of Champagne the King's Nephew and Heir impatient of delay contriv'd with the Nobility to Depose him King Sancho no way able to oppose so many Enemies sent to invite Jayme King of Aragon newly return'd from the Conquest of Majorca to the Castle of Tudela there to consult about Affairs of the highest nature King Jayme being then at Zaragoça set out immediately as was desired without asking any further security for his Person Both the Kings expressed much affection at their meeting and the Ceremonies being over he of Navarre complain'd of the evil Practices of his Nephew Theobald of the ambition of King Ferdinand At the same time he declar'd he had resolved to make use of the King of Aragon for regaining what he had lost about
was then quite destitute of Inhabitants but the King promising that all such as would come and inhabit there should be exempted from Taxes it was soon Peopled and regain'd its former Lustre CHAP. IV S. Luis King of France sends Presents to the Church of Toledo and makes an unfortunate Expedition to the Holy-Land Aragon Embroyl'd King Ferdinand of Castile after gaining much from the Moors dies WHilst Sevil was Besieged S. Luis King of France Enrich'd the Church of Toledo with many Holy Relicks which much encreased the Devotion to that Church and gain'd him the esteem of the People of Spain Those Relicks are preserv'd to this day and shown in the Treasury of that Church with the Original Letter sent by S. Luis upon that occasion After that King Luis sailed from Marseilles to the Conquest of the Holy-Land but his Success was not answerable to the Piety of the Undertaking For after reducing the City Damiata in Aegypt Robert the King's Brother was killed in a Battle Alonso and Charles his two Brothers together with the King himself were made Prisoners in the Year 1249. Their Liberty cost dear and little was done in the Holy-Land except the taking of Joppe Sidon and Cesarea by the French in the Year 1250. This same Year D. Gutierre Archbishop of Toledo dying at Atiença on the 9th of August as appears by the Annals of Toledo D. Sancho Son of King Ferdinand was promoted to that Dignity Some call him Peter and others John but doubtless both Names are mistaken Roderick the Archbishop by order of Queen Berengaria bred her two Grandsons Philip and Sancho at Toledo He made them both Canons of that Church Both of them study'd at Paris particularly Philip was Disciple to Albertus Magnus that great Philosopher and Divine His Learning and the Interest of his Father preferred D. Sancho to the Archbishoprick Pope Innocent IV. approved the Election but he was not Consecrated because he was not of Age being the youngest but one of all his Brothers For his sake the King gave Vzeda and Iznatoraf to the Church of Toledo in lieu of Baça which he had given when Jaen was taken About this time lived a famous Man called Pero Gonzalez who leaving the Court where he had a considerable Employment spent the rest of his life in instructing the People of Galicia and Asturias and was a famous Preacher His Cotemperary Bernard a Canon of Santiago thro' his great knowledge of the Canon-Law became Familiar with Pope Innocent and writ the Comments upon the Epistolae Decretales At the same time the Aragonians divided into Factions consumed themselves with Civil Wars King Jayme by his Queen Violante had these Sons Peter Jayme Ferdinand and Sancho and as many Daughters Violante Constantia Sancha and Mary The Queen who govern'd the King persuaded him to divide his Dominions among his Sons an advice destructive to the Kingdom and unjust in regard to Alonso the eldest Son For this reason most of the Nobility revolted from the King and openly sided with the Prince who countenanc'd them In order to compose these Differences which threatned greater Mischiefs the Cortes or Parliament was held in February at Alcanizes a Town in Aragon Judges being appointed to determine betwixt the Father and Son they gave Judgment against the Son This avail'd little the Subjects being dissatisfied and the King persisting in his Resolution insomuch that even before his Death he gave the Principality of Catalonia to his Son Peter which incens'd the other Party the more This in Aragon King Ferdinand's Affairs were in a much better posture for having setled Sevil where he intended to reside he took Xerez Medina Sidonia Begel Alpechin and Aznalfarache Besides about the Sea Coast he forc'd and demolish'd many Forts The Lands of Nebrixa were wasted yet some Towns of the Moors being well Fortify'd resolv'd to endure a Siege either for that they thought it more honourable or more safe There were thoughts of carrying on the War into Africk and to that purpose a great Fleet was providing in Biscay Death put a stop to this design which seiz'd King Ferdinand at Sevil on the 30th of May in the Year 1252. He Reign'd over Castile 34 Years 11 Months and 23 Days over Leon about 22 Years He was endew'd with all good Qualities his Life was such that it purchased him the Title of the Saint It is doubted whether his Valour Piety or good Fortune excelled most In fine he acted the part of a good Man and a Just Prince No time made his Piety so visible as the Hour of his Death Raymund Archbishop of Sevil Administred the Blessed Sacrament to him at the time it came into the Room he fell upon his Knees with a Halter about his Neck like a Criminal with great Humility begging pardon of his Sins and at the last gasp asked Forgiveness of all that were present Taking the Candle in his Hand with Eyes lifted up to Heaven he said Lord the Kingdom which you gave me and all the Honour I could merit I restore to thee Naked I came from my Mothers Womb and Naked I resign my self to the Earth Receive O Lord my Soul through the Merits of thy Holy Passion and vouchsafe to place it among thy Servants This said he order'd the Clergy to sing the Litany and Psalm Te Deum and then yielded up the Ghost A little before his Death he gave much good advice to his Son Alonso whom he appointed his Heir and recommended to his care his Queen and his other Sons of which Frederick Henry and Philip Elect of Sevil were present at his Death D. Sancho Elect of Toledo was then at his See The next day the Obsequies were perform'd with much Grandeur His Body was bury'd in the Cathedral of Sevil. This King is said to have instituted the Council of State which to this day has the Supream Authority in determining Causes He appointed 12 Judges as a higher Court whither all Appeals from inferior Tribunals should be brought so that he who Appeals deposites 500 Pistols and in case judgment be given against him forfeits them The Number of Law suits increasing and the Malice of the times still producing new Frauds it was necessary to erect this Tribunal for before each City was content with the determinations of their Judges or only Appeal'd to the Provincial Courts looking upon it as Superfluous to have recourse to the King Besides this he gave Men of Learning the care of inventing new Laws and gathering the old into one Volume now call'd Partidas which work begun in his time was perfected and publish'd under King Alonso his Son D. Lucas de Tuy brought his History down to the Death of King Ferdinand and no farther CHAP. V. The beginning of the Reign of King Alonso he is chosen Emperour by part of the Electors and Richard Duke of Cornwall by the rest Theobald the first King of Navarre dies his Son Theobald the Second
Learning gained him renown This moved the Electoral Princes of Germany after the Death of the Emperor William to choose him his Successor But they did not all consent for the Archbishops of Cologne and Mentz and the Count Palatine Elected Richard Duke of Cornwal Brother to Henry King of England This Election was made on the 6th of January in the Year 1256 some say two Years later The Archbishop of Treves and Duke of Saxony looking upon the other as invallid on the last day of March following made choice of King Alonso Embassadors were sent to them both and both took the Title of Emperors but Richard had so much the advantage that he immediately went over into Germany and was Crowned the first time at Aquisgran by the Archbishop of Cologne King Alonso was hindred by his Domestick troubles and forced to put off his departure This delay gave time to his party to cool in their Affections and the other to strengthen it self Richard seemed to have the better Title being chosen within the Year after the Death of his Predecessor and on the day appointed for the Election and also for that within the space of another Year he was Crowned at Aquisgran by the Archbishop of Cologne and seated in the Chair of Charlemaigne in token of possession Besides the Princes and Governours did him Homage All these Circumstances pleaded for Richard's right whereas King Alonso had performed none of the usual Ceremonies Both the Elector Palatine and King of Bohemia who are the Umpires when there is any thing depending had declared for Richard On the other side King Alonso pleaded that he was Elected according to Custom within the City Walls That the Archbishop of Cologne and the Palatine came with great Military Power as it were to force the others and had made a Separate Election without the Town That the Princes in the City had waited so long to reduce them to observe Order and at length the Archbishop of Treves with the Duke of Saxony who had also the Marques of Bradenburgh's Voice had Elected King Alonso the King of Bohemia's Embassador joining with them Besides these formal reasons they exprobrated Crimes to each other one side said The Archbishop of Treves was Excommunicated for oppressing his Subjects with Taxes The other objected he of Cologne had Wounded the Pope's Legate and stricken a Bishop and that the Elector Palatine abused the Churchmen and in the late Confusions had joyned with the Emperor against the Pope King Alonso being far off was detained by many troubles at home besides that he was naturally unconstant and hoped by some Artifice to put an end to that debate Richard was hindred by the Wars at that time betwixt England and France and dy'd the 6th Year after he took the Title of Emperor The end of this contest shall be told in its place CHAP. VI. Aragon and Castile at variance and reconcil'd Sancho King of Portugal dies in Exile Death of the Queen and Prince of Aragon Portugal under an Interdict Marriages of the King of Navarre and Prince of Aragon KING Alonso was naturally Mild had a great Spirit sought Glory rather than Pleasure addicted himself to Learning yet was very inconstant and covetous which drew upon him the hatred of the People and he neglected to gain the Love of the Nobility To shun idleness the ground of all intestine troubles he invaded Andaluzia his Army divided into several Bodies the better to recover divers places the Moors still possessed He in Person took Xeres his Brother Henry Arcos and Nebrixa a Town near the mouth of the River Guadalquivir D. Nun̄o de Lara was appointed Governour of Xerez Now might the Moors have been expell'd all that Country had not another War called away the King Theobald the second King of Navarre being come to Age with the assistance of the King of Aragon with whom he had renewed the League before made resolved to invade Castile pretending that Guipuscoa Alava Rioja and Briviesca belonged to his Crown and had been wrongfully taken from his Predecessors Many Nobles of Castile went over to Aragon and Navarre having first by a publick instrument renounced their Country which was the Custom used then not to be thought Traytors These stirred up and incensed that Young Prince Among them the chief was James de Haro who soon dy'd at Ban̄ares whether he went to be Cur'd Yet his Son Lope de Haro with a great retinue went to Estela where the King of Aragon then was The same did Prince Henry being much disgusted with his Brother These Princes made a League among themselves The People of Castile tho' they had not declared were of the same Opinion They were offended at the baseness of the Coin which caused all things to grow dear and the King having set rates upon all things there ensued a great scarcity because those who had stocks would not sell at that rate King Alonso understanding his danger began to Treat of some Accommodation with the King of Aragon who was not averse to it being again tho' old entangled in the Love of D. Teresa Vidaura to such a degree that he seemed infatuated At Soria the two Kings met and concluded a Peace in the Year 1256. At the same time Marguerite Mother of Theobald King of Navarre dy'd in Champagne whether she went to settle the affairs of that Earldom She was buryed in the Monastery of Claravelle then Famous for the Sanctity of its Monks The following Year dy'd at Toledo Sancho Capelo King of Portugal as Garibay in his History relates but Duarte Nun̄ez will have his Death to have happen'd in the Year 1246. His Brother Alonso who had Governed the Kingdom Thirteen Years only as Regent now took the Title of King He had by Beatrix Daughter to the King of Castile Denis his eldest Son Alonso Earl of Portalegre Blanch who lies bury'd at Huelgas where she was long Abbess and Constance who dy'd Young At this time Henry the King's Brother stirred up both the Moors and Christians at Nebrixa whether he was withdrawn to Rebellion D. Nun̄o de Lara having notice of it repaired thither from Sevil and Prince Henry not being able to oppose him fled by Sea to Valencia The King of Aragon at first received him favourably but for fear of infringing the Treaty concluded with his Brother obliged him to take his flight into Africk Thence after four Years spent at Tun̄ez he went over poor and miserable into France and so into Italy desiring to make War on his Brother if any Prince would support him The King of Aragon having setled Valencia passed over to Mompellier designing to meet the King of France On the 11th of May in the Year 1258. they met at Carbolio and were perfectly reconciled both parties freely resigning what had been before taken on either side Catalonia and Barcelona were also declared wholly independent of the Crown of France for till that
not ceas'd His Nobles were Mutinous and there was a report that the Moors of Africk made greater Preparations against Spain than they had ever done before Yet Peter Martinez the Admiral the last Year had taken Cadiz from the Moors by surprize There was some difficulty in maintaining that Island and therefore it was restor'd to the King of Morocco whose it was before by that means to oblige him King Alonso of Portugal sent his Son Denis then but 8 years old to his Grandfather the King of Castile to obtain of him that Portugal might be independant he quitting his Claim to any Homage from that Crown This was propos'd in an Assembly of the Nobility and oppos'd by none but D. Nun̄o Gonzalez de Lara the chief of the Malecontents Nevertheless the King carry'd it and Portugal was made Independant D. Nun̄o worse offended than before conspir'd against the King with D. Lope de Haro and Prince Philip the King's Brother Finding themselves too weak to carry on a Rebellion they sollicited Prince Henry who then govern'd Navarre to joyn with them but he excus'd himself with the absence of the King his Brother Being disappointed there those great Men sollicited the Kings of Portugal and Granada and even the Emperor of Morocco to joyn with them in making War upon Castile King Alonso was a Man of great sence but more fit for a Scholler than a King for whilst he Study'd the Heavens and Stars he lost the Earth and his Kingdom Understanding what was in hand by the information of Fernan Perez whom the Conspirators endeavour'd to engage to their Party he was much surpriz'd and apply'd his Thoughts to prevent the Mischiefs that threatned To this effect from Murcia where he then was he sent Henry de Arana his Embassador to endeavour some Accommodation with those Nobles who had then assembled themselves at Palencia to prepare for War He with the Queen went to Valencia to Confer with the King of Aragon That Prince like a wise Man having forseen the Storm that threatned Castile had at Burgos advis'd King Alonso not to proceed in making himself odious to his Subjects and that if he could not reconcile the Nobility he should gain the Commonalty and Prelates with whose assistance he might baffle all the designs of the others At this Conference nothing of moment was done King Alonso nevertheless was forc'd the next Year to return to Alicant to see the King his Father-in-law and desire he would withhold the Nobles of Aragon from joyning with the Rebels of Castile as they intended to do He also ask'd his advice for that the King of Granada made War upon Guadix and Malaga which Affair he ought first to take in hand King Jayme advis'd to observe the Treaty made with the Moors but that avail'd nothing for the King of Granada invited by the Rebels entred the Christian Territories burning and destroying all before him A Body of African Horse sent by Jacob Abenjoseph King of Morocco followed him Hereupon King Alonso orders his Son Ferdinand then at Sevil with all the Force he could make to oppose the Moors He himself went to Burgos to try if there were any means left to reduce the Rebels In that City the Cortes or Parliament met all those Mutiniers being summoned upon security of their Persons and for their greater safety the Hospital Royal without the City was appointed for that Assembly After several Conferences they were further from any Accommodation than before Their Passions swel'd to that height that many renouncing their Allegiance went away to Granada in the Year 1272. D. Nun̄o de Lara D. Lope de Haro and Prince Philip were the chief of the Conspirators Next to these Ferdinand de Castro Lope de Mendoça Giles de Roa Roderick de Saldan̄a besides a vast number of inferior Persons At their departure they burnt Towns and wasted the Country in token of their malice The King made hast to Toledo thence to Almagro and despairing of reducing the Rebels endeavoured to appease the King of Granada It this did not succeed he resolved to make War upon him with the greatest Force he could gather Whilst these things were acting in Castile Philip King of France Son to S. Luis added Poitiers and Toulouze to his Crown by Inheritance Not long after he expelled Roger Bernard Earl of Faux because he would not stand to Judgment This had like to have caus'd a War betwixt France and Aragon because that Earldom was a Feof of the latter The wisdom of King Jayme prevented it for he persuaded the Earl to submit himself to the King of France and so the dispute ended There were some apprehensions of Troubles within the Kingdom Peter the King 's eldest Son being offended at Ferdinand Sanchez his Bastard Brother for that in his return from the Holy-Land he had been nobly entertain'd by Charles King of Sicily and he suspected they had contriv'd something prejudicial to the Kingdom Ferdinand was at Burriana thither Peter came with a number of Soldiers and Ransack'd the whole House Mean while Ferdinand and his Wife Aldonça made their escape From this beginning greater Troubles arose the Nobility being divided between the two Brothers with such heat that Ferdinand's Party doubted not to raise War against the King himself All the Effect was that the Viscount of Cardona and other great Men lost their Estates Ferdinand Sanchez being taken by his Brother in the Castle of Pomar was Strangled and cast into the River Cinga The Head being taken off the other Conspirators were soon subdued But the Death of Fernan Sanchez hap'ned three Years later He left a young Son from whom the Family of Castro in Aragon descends To Roger Lauria King Jayme gave an Estate in Valencia because he had accompany'd his Daughter-in-law from the furthest parts of Italy This Gentleman proved a great Commander especially by Sea A Truce was concluded for many Years with Henry now King of Navarre his Brother Theobald dying without Issue The King of Aragon pretended a Right to Navarre but finding his own Subjects inclinable to Rebel thought good to agree with the Foreigners lest they should joyn with his People against him CHAP. X. Rodulphus of Ausburg chosen Emperor Henry King of Navarre dies his Daughter Joanna Inherits Alonso King of Castile agrees with his Nobles then goes into France to plead for the Empire before the Pope and returns re infecta KIng Alonso ardently desired to go over into Germany to take possession of the Empire and the more for that Richard his Competitor being dead the Electors were about choosing another This moved him to prepare for that Journey The wiser sort said it were better to settle the Kingdom at home Vain Men advised to carry an Army to subdue all that should oppose him in Germany Being resolved upon this Expedition he determined at any rate to Compound with the Moors of Granada and his own Nobles Mean while
his Sword saying There was no Reason such Men should fall out about that Dog The Arch-Bishop's Head and left Hand were cut off This Disaster was so much the more to be lamented for that the Enemy in that Fight might have been utterly overthrown had the Christians expected till D. Lope de Haro could joyn them for he coming up soon after with only his own Forces oblig'd the Moors to retire but could not totally defeat them because Night came on The Body Head and Hand of the Arch-Bishop being ransom'd at a great rate were bury'd in the Royal Chappel of Toledo where lay Alonso the Emperour and his Son Sancho Ferdinand Abbot of Covarrubias succeeded in the Archbishoprick and he having after six Months resign'd it because the Pope would not confirm his Election the Pope made choice of D. Gonzalo the second of the Name who had been Bishop of Cuenca first and then of Burgos He is said to have been a Cardinal and dyed in the Year 1299. This unhappy Year we now write of was yet more remarkable for the Death of Prince Ferdinand He dyed at Villareal where he had appointed the Rendezvous of all the Forces His Body was bury'd at Huelgas and his Death caus'd no less Grief at present than it afterwards produc'd Troubles his Brother Sancho pretending the Crown of Right appertain'd to him as second Son to King Alonso then Living notwithstanding Prince Ferdinand by his Wife the Lady Blanch left two Sons call'd Alonso and Ferdinand whom at the time of his Death he recommended to D. John de Lara eldest Son to D. NunÌ„o de Lara Prince Sancho being a Youth of good Conduct made Head against the Moors and put a stop to their proceedings He garison'd all strong Places and avoided giving Battle by that means gaining time for the fury of the Infidels to spend it self The Moors of Valencia encouraged by the success of the others and despising King Jayme who was grown old revolted notwithstanding Prince Peter was upon the Borders of Murcia wasting the Lands of Almeria with a good Body of Men. Navarre was no better setled at that time Philip King of France having contracted Joanna the Heiress of Navarre to his Son Philip who succeeded him and was called the Fair made Stephen de Belmarc a French-Man Viceroy of Navarre taking that Imployment from Peter de Montagudo A stranger had not sufficient Authority to quell the Tumults that then were in the Kingdom and Peter de Montagudo offended that he had been removed from that Post joyning with Garcia Almoravides who had always favour'd the Castilians they both headed the Mutineers Within the City Pamplona the Two Factions came to Blows Such was their cruelty that they burnt the Ripe-Corn and dash'd out the Brains of Children but the French had the worst of it Peter de Montagudo inclining afterwards to the French Party either for the sake of Peace or some other Cause was kill'd by his own People A Man unworthy that hard Fate for his many Virtues CHAP. II. Three Popes Dye in one year Prince Sancho of Castile contrives to Vsurp that Crown from his Nephews The Death of Jayme King of Aragon and of Alonso of Portugal Peter succeeds the first and Denis the latter THE following Year 1276 was remarkable for the death of Three Popes which were Gregory the Xth Innocent the Vth and Adrian the Vth. Innocent held it but Five Months and Two Days and Aâ—rian only Thirty Seven Days John the One and Twentieth succeeded him he was born at Lisbon and a great Scholar as appears by his Writings In the Ninth Month of his Pontificate he was kill'd at Viterbo by the fall of the Roof of the Room where he was Nicholas the III. was his Successor At this same time in Castile were sowed the Seeds of a Civil War which prov'd lasting and destructive Prince Sancho us'd all means to gain the affections of the Nobility and People which the King his Father had utterly lost His Journey into France had increas'd their Discontent The People was desirous of Novelties and the Nobles were well dispos'd to Rebel D. Lope de Haro a Man in great power was reconcil'd at Cordova to Prince Sancho A Truce was concluded with the Moors for two Years This done the King of Morocco pass'd over into Africk Prince Sancho with great speed went to Toledo upon pretence of visiting his Father then newly return'd from France His chief Design was to have the Succession settled upon himself with the consent of the King and Nobility D. Lope de Haro undertook to propose this Affair which highly displeas'd King Alonso both for that they urg'd the Succession whilst he was yet living and because he thought it a great wrong to exclude his Grand-children However by the Advice of his Brother Prince Emanuel then a great Friend to Prince Sancho it was resolv'd the Cortes or Parliament should meet at Segovia to determine this Affair Their Judgment was given in behalf of Prince Sancho in which doubtless regard was had to the Peace of the Kingdom which he would otherwise never have ceas'd to disturb In Aragon King Jayme us'd all his Endeavours to quell the Moors by Policy or if that fail'd to apply Force To this purpose he March'd through Valencia and in several Rencounters sometimes the one sometimes the other Party had the better Whilst the King was at Xativa his Forces were so intirely cut off at Luxen that from that Day which was Tuesday the People began to account Tuesday an unlucky Day Garci Ruiz de Açagra Son to Peter de Açagra Lord of Albarazin was slain in that Fight and the Head-Commendary of the Knights Templers taken The King griev'd at this loss and being very much broken with continual Labour left the Charge of the War to his Son Prince Poter and was carry'd away sick to Algezira a Town in Valencia There being given over by the Physicians he resign'd up the Kingdom to his Son giving him much wholesome Advice Then he put on the Habit of S. Bernard intending to spend what remain'd of Life in the Monastery of Poplete where he would also be buryed His Sickness gave him not so much Leisure he dy'd at Valenica on the 27th of July His Fame will be immortal not only for his great war-like Exploits but also for his Piety since Authors assirm that he built 1000 Churches I suppose he caus'd most of them to be Consecrated having taken them from the Moors For Martial Affairs he may be compar'd to the most renowned antient Commanders having fought Thirty pitched Battles with the Moors and been Victorious in them all whereby he obtained the Name of Conquerour He reigned Sixty Three Years and somewhat blemish'd his Good Name by his Incontinency By Queen Violante he had Peter Jayme Sancho the Arch-Bishop Elizabeth Queen of France Violante Queen of Castile Constance marryed to Prince Emanuel and Mary and Elenor who dyed
Bun̄ol There they met on the Fourteenth of Sept. 1272 and laying aside all former Animosities concluded a League After the conference the King of Aragon went away to Catalonia then in an Uproar caus'd by the Nobility Armengaud de Cabrera Son to Alvaro de Cabrera to whom the King not long before had given the Earldom of Vrgel was the great incendiary The King besieg'd Balaguer the chief City of that Earldom and in it took Armengaud himself and his Uncle Roger Bernard and some other Lords whom he long kept Prisoners especially the Earl of Faux who had Rebell'd several times Thus the Troubles of Catalonia ended Prince Sancho of Castile went to Badajoz whither his Father was gone from Sevil to endeavour to make Peace between his Grandson Denis King of Portugal and Alonso that Kings Brother whom he labour'd by Force to deprive of the Possessions his Father had left him King Alonso of Portugal Father to Denis dyed at Lisbon the beginning of this same year He Liv'd 70 years Reigned 32. and was buried in the Monastery of S. Dominick Built by himself in that City Prince Sancho having seen his Father was sent away to make New Levies throughout the whole Kingdom in order to March against the King of Granada who was then taken up in Building the Palace of that City call'd Alhambra an excellent Structure which cost much Mony that King being no less skill'd in Works of that Nature than in Military Affairs What pretence there was for this War I know not but suppose he was not included in the late Treaty made with the King of Morocco Denis the King of Portugal either that he confided not in his Grandfather or fearing he was more inclinable to his Brother tho he came as far as Yelves which is but Three Leagues from Badajoz on a sudden turn'd back and went away King Alonso in a great Rage to be so disappointed return'd to Sevil. At this time Conrade Lança Admiral of Aragon with a Fleet of Ten Galleys scour'd the Coasts of Africk particularly of Tunez and Tremezen because they refus'd to pay the Tribute agreed upon some years before A certain Author affirms this Expedition was undertaken to restore Mirabusar Expell'd his Kingdom of Tunez by his Brother All agree a great Booty was taken by the Aragonians and that at the Streights of Gibraltar they defeated Ten Galleys of the King of Morocco Taking some and Sinking others The King of Aragon at Valencia where he commonly resided gave a Grant of the Lordship of Segorve to his Bastard Son D. Jayme about the Month of November CHAP. III. The Practices of Prince Sancho He Rebels against his Father The King of Morocco comes to Aid King Alonso Returns home leaving a Thousand Horse to serve under him King Alonso Disinherits and Curses his Son Prince Sancho IN Castile the Affection the People bore Prince Sancho daily increas'd and many believ'd when he was once well rid of his Nephews he would ease his Father of the Burden of the Crown His Father suspected nothing less than such a Design Prince Sancho in the Spring of the Year 1280. March'd with the Army he had rais'd to the Frontiers about Jaen and being there Recruited with Forces sent by his Father from Sevil entred the Territories of Granada where he Burnt all the Country as far as that City and then return'd with a great number of Cattle and Captives to Cordova and thence bore his Father Company to Sevil. This Success endear'd him more to the People which was what he chiefly aim'd at to secure the Succession to the Crown Philip K. of France sent Embassadors to demand that his Nephews should be set at liberty and deliver'd up to him and in case fair means would not prevail to threaten War Nothing being concluded it was agreed the Three Kings upon sufficient Security given should meet and commune together All the Kings set forward but they met not for Prince Sancho cunningly broke off that Interview fearing his Father who was inclinable to his Grandchildren might conclude something that might be prejudicial to him However it was agreed that Charles Prince of Taranto Son to the King of Sicily should carry the messages between the Kings yet all came to nothing Prince Sanoho undermining their Designs The French only ask'd that Prince Alonso should have the City Jaen given him with the Title of King and to hold of the Crown of Castile After this Disappointment the Kings of Aragon and France met about the same Affair and with the same success only the King of France took an Oath he would resign the Lordship of Mompellier to which he had pretended a Right to Jayme King of Majorca Prince Sancho was extreamly pleas'd that he had disappointed all the Designs of those Kings yet fear'd his Fathers Love towards those Children and there wanted not some who incensed King Alonso against his Son Therefore the Prince resolv'd to strengthen himself with Foreign Aids and to that purpose procur'd an Interview between his Father the King of Aragon and himself at a Town call'd Campillo between Agreda and Taraçona on the 27th of March 1281. At this Conference a League offensive and defensive was established between the two Kings upon penalty of 20000 pound weight of Silver to him that first broke it Palaçuela Teresa Xera and Ayola were now given to the King of Aragon and in lieu of them to Prince Emanuel the King's Brother whose those Places were Escalona was given This is what was publickly acted In private they concluded with jont Forces to invade Navarre and agreed what part each was to have when Conquer'd Prince Sancho obtain'd that the young Princes his Nephews should be secur'd in the Castle of Xativa and the more to oblige the King of Aragon he promised after his Fathers Death to yield him up all the Kingdom of Navarre and to give him in Castile the Town of Requena with all its Dependencies which lies on the Borders of Valencia towards Murcia He valu'd not what promises he made to secure his Power D. John Nun̄ez de Lara a powerful Man was then Lord of Albaracin having Marry'd the Daughter and Heiress of D. Alvaro de Açagra the Son of Peter Rodriguez de Açagra both Lords of that City Thence he made inroads into both the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon carrying away much Booty and gave Protection to all those that fled to him on account of any Crimes whatsoever Particularly D. Lope Diaz de Haro a mighty Lord being offended at King Alonso and Prince Sancho for the Death of Prince Frederick and the Lord of Cameros was retir'd thither The King of Aragon and Prince Sancho consulted at Taraçona about taking that City and expelling D. John de Lara King Alonso went to Burgos to Celebrate the Neptials of his two Sons Peter and John Peter marry'd a Daughter of the Lord of Narbonne and John the Daughter of the Earl of
to return into France by Land about Autumn dismiss'd many hir'd Ships they had iâ— the 〈◊〉 Roses to 〈…〉 Charges Mean while Roger Lauria Admiral of Aragon having takeâ— the 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 Part of Italy came with great speed to relieve the King of Aragon being come upon the Coast of Spain he fell upon the French Fleet then out of Port consisting of few Ships and those unprovided and so easily overthrew them John Scoâ—us the French â—dmiral was 〈…〉 with 15 Galleys 12 others fled to the Port of Roses whence they had 〈◊〉 Their 〈…〉 burnt not only them but the very Town such was their Consteâ—nation and fled to the Camp whither they carry'd the News of their Defeat The King of France finding all things more Difficult than he had expected and much griev'd with Sickness repair'd 〈…〉 and leaving a strong Garrison in it march'd with the remainder of his Army towards Roussillon On the Pyrenâ—an Mountains the whole Army was in great Danger the Aragonians having secur'd all the Passes in hopes to take the King of France who by reason of his Indisposition was carry'd upon Men's Shoulders Great loss was sustain'd much Baggage lost and what was worst of all the King fatigu'd with the Journey dâ—'d at Peâ—pignan on the 6th of 〈◊〉 His Body as he had order'd was carry'd to the Church of â—â— Denis near Pariâ—s His Son Philip the Fair or the Beautiful succeeded him being before that King of Navarre Upon the Departure of the French all the â—had taken was recover'd by the 〈◊〉 Besides Prince Alonso sâ—nt over by his Father to that effect took all the Island of Majorca in 〈…〉 that the King of it had joyn'd with the French 〈…〉 his own Brother The King of 〈◊〉 design'd to pursue his good Fortune and had new Design◠〈…〉 to strengthen himself when Death put a Period to all his Resolutions He dy'd at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 8th Day of November in the Prime of his Age being but 〈…〉 Six Years old 〈…〉 the height of his Glory He was call'd the Great for that 〈…〉 Sicily to his Dominions and for his other memorable Exploits He was an 〈…〉 being of â—â— only Presence Presence of large Stature a generous Spirit well skill'd at all Weapons especially in wielding a Pole-Ax He had a particular Way of â—â—ining Peoples Affections with Good Words Courtesey and Liberality He leâ—t no other Reflection on himself but his lying under an Excommunication till the end of his Life the Thoughts whereof often perplexed him and particularly at the Hour of his Death He was resolv'd of that Scruple in the last Agâ—ny by the Arch-Bishop of Tarragona having exacted to Oath from him that he would for the future be obedient to the Church His Body was Buried in the Monastery of Santa Cruz which is near that Place His Children went D. Alonso the Eldest whom in his Will he appointed Heir of his Kingdoms without making particular mention of Sicily then Jayme 〈◊〉 Peter Elizabeth and the 〈◊〉 Constance all Born of Queen Constance his Wife Arnaldus de Vallanova a most famous 〈◊〉 of those times was with the King when he dy'd This Man and all his Works were afterwards condemn'd by the Inquisitions Tostatus affirms he attempted with Humour 〈◊〉 and other 〈◊〉 to form a Man and that tho' it took not effect he went a great way towards it 〈…〉 is not our Business to argue the Truth of this Assertion CHAP. VII The King of Castile and Portugal meet D. Lope de Haro flies to Navarre A Treaty in order to release the two Princes of Castile Charles Prince of Salerno set at Liberty France and Castile joyn against Aragon Denis King of Portugal his Issue THis Year unfortunate in the Death of so many Princes was in some measure bless'd with the Birth of Prince Ferdinand Son to the King of Castile and born at Sevil while his Father was gone to Badajoz to appease some Troubles that were in those Parts The Care of his Education was committed to Hernan â—once â—â— Leon a Man of great Note and Zamora was appointed for his Residence as being a Place 〈…〉 and Pleasant Moreover the following Year which was 1286 in the Cortes or Parliament he was sworn Heir to the Crownâ— which was his Father's chiefest Caâ—e both in respect he fear'd his Nephews as also because his Marriage with the Queen was illegal upon account of Consanguinity He endeavour'd to obtain a Dispensation but could never Prevail with the Popes the King of France always opposing it in favour of the two excluded Princes his near Kinsmen King Sancho labour'd by all means to gain his Good Will and to that purpose sent the same Embassadors who went to him the Year 〈◊〉 and were the Bishop of Calaherra and Abbot of Valludoliâ— Philip the 〈◊〉 King of France was Crown'd at Rheimes on the 6th of January In Sicily Prince Jayme as soon as he neard of the Death of his Father took upon him the Title of King of Sicily and Prince of Apulia and 〈◊〉 as being possess'd of a good Part of the Kingdom of Napâ—â—â— and hoping in a short time to be Master of all that remain'd Yet all places were well fortify'd and provided to oppose the Siciliaâ—â— though the Valour and Industry â—â— Robert Earl of Arras to whom the King of France after the Death of King Charles had committed the Care of the Kingdom of Naples 〈◊〉 the III. King of Aragon being sometime taken up in fitting out a Fleet to invade Majorca and Minorca as was left him in Charge by his Father delay'd his Coronation â—â— the 14th of 〈◊〉 being Easter Sunday He was crown'd at Zaragaca by the Bishop of 〈◊〉 the See of Tarragona whose that Honour was being then vacant and took the usual Oath to preserve the Liberties of the People The Expences of the Royal Family were retrench'd and at the Cortes or Parliament held at Huesca the King granted that Valencia sometime before annex'd to the Crown of Aragon should be govern'd according to the Law◠〈…〉 that Kingdom Gonçalo Archbishop of Toledo a Person of great Esteem with the King here him company to S. Sebastian in order to a Conference between him and the King of France but they met not However the Arch-Bishop was sent by King Sancho and the Duke of Burgundy by him of France to Bayonne where a Treaty of Peace was earnestly labour'd upon The French would give Ear to no Proposals unless King Sancho would put away his Wife to whom he was illegally Married by reason of their Consanguinity and Marry one of the King of France his Sisters which were 〈…〉 after Wife to Edward King of England and Blanch Marry'd to the Duke of Austria King Sancho would hot be perswaded to putaway a Virtuous Wife by whom he had a Son and â— Daughter so the Treaty broke off and he return'd to the Queen to Vitoria The King was highly affended at the
should be Marry'd to D. John de Lara's Son Her Portion was the Lordship of Molina her Father having no Issue-male The Marriage was solemniz'd at Cuenca thence the King Queen and D. John went to Toledo the latter took up his Lodging in the Monastery of S. Paul of Dominicans without the City on the Banks of Tagus Being at Dice late at Night with a rich Jew on a sudden a Servant of his call'd Nun̄o Churuchao advis'd him to make his Escape for there was a Design to kill him and in order to it Arms had been carry'd into the Court He credited the Intelligence but could not get away for that the City Gates were shut and his Servants and Horses within He spent the Night in Fear and having call'd his Servants at break of Day they perswaded him not to stir for that there was not the least ground for any Suspicion The King was much concerned that he should be Suspected and the more he endeavour'd to satisfy D. John the more Jealous he was At this time the League with the King of Granada was renew'd upon Condition he should pay the usual Tribute for that King was before wavering Hernan Ponce de Leon who commanded upon the Frontiers was the chief Instrument of continuing this good Understanding betwixt the two Kings From Toledo the King and Queen went to Burgos and thence to Palencia where was held a general Chapter of the Order of S. Dominick D. John de Lara could not be oblig'd by any Favours but endeavour'd to stir up the Nobles to revolt To oppose him Prince John the King's Brother who was belov'd by all Men was taken out of Prison and took the Oath of Fidelity to the King and his Son Ferdinand as Heir apparent kissing his Hand according to the Custom of Castile By his means many were reduc'd to the King's Service The King also going to Santiago of Galicia under colour of Devotion perswaded D. John Alonso de Albuquerque a Man of great Power who at the Instigation of D. John de Lara had revolted to lay down his Arms. These Things happen'd in Castile in the Year of our Lord 1291 when in the Month of February the Pope's Legates in France at Tarascon compos'd the Differences betwixt the Kings of France and Aragon Charles King of Naples was present with the Embassadors of the other two Kings Peace was concluded upon the following Conditions That the King of Aragon send Embassadors to Rome humbly to beg Pardon of his past Contumacy and Disobedience That he pay the yearly Tribute of 70 Ounces of Gold to the Church as was promis'd by his Grandfather That he go with a powerful Fleet to the Service of the Holy Land That at his return he advise his Mother and Brother to quit Sicily That he publish an Edict commanding all Aragonians under severe Penalties to depart that Island That Charles of Valois resign his Claim to the Crown of Aragon on Account of the Gift of the Pope That his Holiness shall receive the Aragonian into Favour and send a Prelate to take off the Interdict from his Kingdom to whom the King shall deliver the Hostages he has from the King of Naplas At the concluding of these Articles the Embassadors of Sicily were not present by the Contrivance of the King of Aragon knowing they would break all these Measures at which King Jayme and all the Sicilians were highly offended They complain'd he who ought to have Protected had deceiv'd and forsaken them yet resolv'd rather to dye than return under the Dominion of the French and they obtain'd their Ends. The French were disappointed of recovering Sicily and the King of Aragon's Voyage to the Holy Land was prevented the City Ptolemays the last that remain'd in the Hands of the Christians being taken and utterly subverted by the Infidels The Kings of Aragon and Naples met a second time at Junquera in order to establish a lasting Peace both of them being weary of the War Therefore as soon as they parted King Charles marry'd his Eldest Daughter Clemencia to Charles of Valois giving her in Dower the Earldom of Anjou and Province of Main upon Condition he should quit all Pretensions to the Crown of Aragon The King of Aragon was resolv'd to fullfil all that had been agreed upon when Death cut him off at Barcelona in the midst of his Preparations to receive the Princess Ellenor his Bride He dy'd in the Flower of his Youth being but 27 Years of Age and on the 18th Day of June His Body was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Francis in that City with the Habit of that Order Upon the News of the King of Aragon's Death his Brother Jayme presently came over from Sicily to take Possession of that Crown which appertain'd to him as next of Blood his Brother dying without Issue and having in his Will appointed him his Successor He was receiv'd without any Opposition and Crown'd at Zaragoça with the usual Solemnity on the 24th of September He would not allow of that Clause in his Brother's Will which appointed Prince Frederick his younger Brother King of Sicily but resolv'd to keep and maintain that Kingdom Alonso de la Cerda who had only the Title and Right to the Crown of Castile and was then present and King Sancho who was in Possession of the Kingdom both strove for his Friendship The Aragonian was more inclinable to the Fortune of King Sancho than the Justice of D. Alonso whose Strength decay'd especially since the Queen politickly drew away D. John Nun̄ez de Lara from his Party Besides King Sancho to strengthen himself had made a League with the King of Portugal and concluded a Match betwxit his Son and Heir Prince Ferdinand and Constance that King's Daughter giving some Towns in Castile to secure the Performance The Kings of Castile and Aragon at length concluded a Peace and for the Ratification of it agreed to meet at Montagudo a Town on the Borders of the two Kingdoms There on the 20th of November they made a League Defensive and Offensive and articled that neither should protect the others Rebels but deliver them up Moreover for that the King of Morocco notwithstanding the Truce had lay'd Siege to Beja the Aragonian oblig'd himself if it were requir'd to send 20 Galleys to relieve it To make this Agreement the sirmer it was resolv'd the Aragonian should marry Elizabeth the Daughter of the King of Castile tho' but 9 Years of Age hoping the Pope would dispense with the Consanguinity and accordingly they were Contracted at Soria on the first of December The Child was deliver'd to her Husband and then the two Kings went to Calatayud where there were great Entertainments of all sorts The Nobility of Aragon for some Years had been very Mutinous and in the Reign of King Alonso they endeavour'd to Retrench the King's Houshold and still labour'd to alter the Laws and erect a new Form of Government
Now by means of King Sancho they were reconcil'd and pardon'd The Kings parted about the end of the Year when he of Morocco rais'd his Siege and returu'd to Africk fearing Benedict Zacharias who was Equipping a great Fleet upon the Coast of Galicia besides the Town was strong and bravely defended These things concluded Spain at length was restor'd to Peace both at Home and Abroad Only D. John de Lara could not be pacify'd therefore King Sancho bent his Force against him and took the Towns of Moya and Canete which he had given him when he return'd from Aragon D. John having no Refuge left in Spain fled to France After him went the Arch-Bishop of Toledo sent by King Sancho to appease that King and continue the Amity that was betwixt them excusing the League made with Aragon as of absolute Necessity to prevent Civil-Wars The King of France answer'd he was no ways displeas'd at it but that his Brother Charles would freely renounce his Claim to Aragon provided that King would restore Sicily to the See of Rome While these things were in Agitation at the beginning of the Year 1292. Benedict Zacharias Admiral of Castile on the Coast of Africk fought 20 Galleys of the Moors and took 13 of them This Loss prevented the King of Morocco from passing over to Spain again as he had intended having a great Army ready for that purpose at Tangier King Sancho was encourag'd by this Success to set down before Tarifa which after a long Siege he took on the 21st of September The King of Portugal tho it was ask'd sent no Succour At the same time the Queen of Castile at Sevil was deliver'd of a Son call'd Philip. At first Roderick Master of the Knights of Calatrara was made Governour of Tarifa afterwards Alonso Perez de Gusman offer'd to defend it for one third of what was given to other Governours He had gather'd much Mony not only in Spain but in Africk while he serv'd the King of Morocco With it he bought several Towns in Andaluzia and added them to his paternal Estate He also gave great Alms and was therefore call'd the Good which Name his Family still keeps up From him are descended the Dukes of Medina Sidonia D. Alonso had a Son call'd John and a Grandson by him of the same Name marry'd to Beatrix Bastard Daughter to King Henry the II. who gave him the Town of Niebla in Dower with the Title of an Earl and therefore he call'd his Son Henry John the Son of Henry was by King Henry the Fourth created Duke of Medina Sidonia which Title continues in the Family Let us return to the Kings CHAP. X. Alcala de Henares made an Vniversity Tarifa Besieg'd by the Moors A brave Action of the Governour Sancho King of Castile dyes Ferdinand the Fourth succeeds Peace betwixt France and Aragon POpe Nicholas the Fourth and Sancho King of Castile earnestly endeavour'd to compose the Differences betwixt France and Aragon The Pope sent to this purpose Boniface Calamandra a Knight of S. John into Aragon but Death put a stop to his good Intentions The Sea of Rome was vacant two Years the Cardinals not agreeing King Sancho as to the Affairs of Aragon made amends for the want of a Pope for having receiv'd a favourable Answer from the King of France he invited the Aragonian to Guadalajara hoping they would terminate that Affair They met but nothing was concluded only they agreed upon another Conference at Logron̄o and invited Charles King of Naples thither who came not the Reason is not known but the Aragonian restor'd him his Children as had been promis'd by his Brother The following Year 1293. the Kings of Castile and Aragon met at Logron̄o all the fruit of the Conference was that they grew Jealous of each other The Father in Law treated the Son harshly and wrested all things to his own Advantage From that time the Aragonian began to have no Kindness for the Lady Elizabeth and to think of another Match and to this purpose pleaded Consanguinity and want of a Dispensation By the means of Calamandra he had a Conference with the King of Naples at Junquera where they treated of Contracting an Allyance by Marriage but very privately Time that discloses all Secrets made it appear they consulted about the Restitution of Sicily and marrying the King of Aragon to Blanch the Daughter of King Charles At this time King Sancho by a special Charter granted there should be publick Schools at Alcalà de Henares with the same Priviledges as at Salamanca Elizabeth Wife to D. John de Lara the younger dying the Lordship of Molina return'd to the King as next of Blood D. John de Lara the younger and Prince John the King's Brother began to raise Tumults The King to prevent a War reduc'd them by fair means D. John de Lara and his Father who now return'd from France were reconcil'd to the King Prince John the King's Brother retiring to Portugal thence together with D. John de Albuquerque made Incursions into the Country of Leon. The King sent D. John de Lara the Elder with Forces to oppose him but he was overthrown and taken Being set at Liberty he came to Toro where the King was very joyful for that he had a Daughter born there call'd Beatrix There was a Report that the King of Granada design'd to make War and he of Morocco to return into Spain therefore the King sent D. John de Lara with his two Sons D. John and D. Nun̄o to the Frontiers of Andaluzia But all this came to nothing for the Moorish Kings were quiet and D. John de Lara dy'd at Cordova This Storm being blown over Prince John the King's Brother rais'd another for he being commanded by the King of Portugal lest he should seem to infringe the Peace to depart his Kingdom went over to Tangier The King of Morocco thinking he might be of Use for carrying on the War in Spain entertain'd him Honourably and sent him with 5000 Horse to attack Tarifa Passing over into Spain he batter'd that Place with all manner of Engines and the Besieg'd encourag'd by their Commander Alonso Perez de Gusman and the Strength of their Wall defended themselves as resolutely It happen'd the Governour 's only Son was taken whom the Moors presented to the View of the Besieged threatning to cut off his Head unless they Surrendred The Father not the least daunted answer'd if he had an Hundred Sons they should all dye sooner than he would Stain his Honour by delivering that Place he had been Entrusted with and to shew his Resolution threw a Sword down from the Wall for them to Execute him with This done he went away to Dinner Soon after he return'd call'd by a great shout the Souldiers gave seeing those Bloody Barbarians execute the Innocent Child The Fact was more hainous because done by the Command of Prince John The Father understanding the Cause of that
of October 1306. They were all put to the Rack where some through excess of Pain said any thing they would have them yet many dy'd with Resolution The Great Master of the Order James de Mola as he was led to be Burnt being proms'd his Life if he would confess openly protested the Innocency of his Order declaring he had falsly charged them with those Crimes at the instigation of the Pope and King of France for which he beg'd Forgiveness of God Many others did the like The following Year Pope Clement by his Bulls appointed the Arch-Bishop of Toledo and Santiago with other Prelates Judges over the Knights Templers in Castile the Bishops of Valencia and Zaragoça for Aragon and so in all other parts of Spain and throughout Christendom They had all Orders after examining the Case to give Sentence in the Provincal Synods In Aragon those Knights stood upon their Defence in several strong Places but particularly at Monçon yet the King's Forces coming upon them they were all taken In Castile the King summon'd them to appear before the Arch-Bishop of Toledo and at the same time caus'd them to be apprehended and their Estates to be put into the Hands of the Bishops till such time as they were try'd A Synod met at Salamanca where after a full Hearing the Templers were acquitted Yet the final Determination was referred to the Pope whose Decree superseded the Opinions of all those Prelates and the whole Order was abolish'd By virtue of this Decree King Ferdinand seiz'd upon all they possess'd as well in Lands as Goods In Galicia they had the Towns of Ponferrada and Faro In Lean Balduerna Tavara Almansa Alcanizes In Estremadura Valencia Alconita Xeres de Badajoz Fregenal Nertobriga Capilla and Caracuel In Andaluzia Palma In old Castile Villalpando In the Territory of Murcia Caravaca and Alconchel In the Kingdom of Toledo Montalvan Besides S. Pedro de la Zarça Burguillos and many other Towns and Houses too tedious to repeat They are said to have had Twelve Monasteries in Spain They were summon'd before the Arch-Bishop of Toledo in the Year 1310. In a Synod held at Munster in Germany the Templers were declared innocent At last the Council of Vienne was open'd upon the 16th of October 1311. Here it was decreed that Pope Boniface should not be condemn'd Some Discourse there was about renewing the War in the Holy Land but to no effect As to the Knights Templers it was ordain'd their Order should be totally abolish'd their Goods to be given to the Knights of S. John who had then taken the Island of Rhodes Only Spain allow'd not of that Decree by reason of the War with the Moors which it was thought would prove dangerous All the World was astonish'd at the Ruin of the Templers Castile was full of Joy for the Birth of Prince Alonso of whom the Queen was delivered on the 3d of August and he soon after succeeded his Father Ferdinand The Joy was the greater because the Queen had never before been with Child and was thought to be Barren A Match was agreed betwixt Prince Peter King Ferdinand's Brother and Mary Daughter to the King of Aragon The two Kings met at Calatayud with a great Court and there the Marriage was celebrated with extraordinary Pomp. Ellenor the Sister of King Ferdinand before contracted to Prince Jayme the King of Aragon's Son was now marry'd and deliver'd to her Father in Law Some Discourse there was about carrying on the War against the Moors in the Spring There was a Difference betwixt the Kings of Castile and Portugal about the Towns of Mora and Serpa near Cape S. Vincent which had been deliver'd to the Portugues contrary to Equity during King Ferdinand's Minority The King of Aragon was chosen Umpire in this Difference This done Prince John the King of Aragon's Brother was sent into Portugal about that Affair King Ferdinand went to Valladolid where he assembl'd the Cortes or Parliament and demanded Mony for carrying on the War which was readily granted in hopes of driving the Infidels quite out of Spain Prince Peter the King's Brother being made General in the Spring of the Year 1312. march'd and lay'd Siege to Alcaudete which as was before said the Moors had taken The King follow'd to Martos there a very strange Accident happen'd Two Brothers Peter and John Carvajal were apprehended for the Murder of a Gentleman of the Family of Benavides kill'd at Palencia Many had been troubled for this Fact but it could not be prov'd upon any Body Lastly these two Gentlemen were condemn'd for it without being sufficiently Convicted or Confessing They were adjudg'd to be cast headlong off from a Rock and no Intercession could mitigate the King for he was inexorable As they were led to Execution they call'd God to witness their Innocency and appeal'd to his Tribunal before which they summon'd the King to appear within 30 Days These Words at first look'd upon as Vain were afterwards much Reflected on The King little regarding them went away to the Camp before Alcaudete there a violent Sickness forc'd him to return to Jaen not withstanding the Moors were upon surrendring His Disease increas'd so that he could not attend any Business and one day being somewhat Joyful with the News brought him that the Moors had surrendred he retir'd after Dinner to Sleep and was found Dead His Death was upon a Thursday the 7th of September He was taken off in the Flower of his Youth at the Age of 24 Years and 9 Months when he began to know somewhat of Happiness He Reign'd 17 Years 4 Months and 19 Days and was the Fourth of the Name Some said excessive Eating and Drinking caus'd his Death others that it was a Judgment for that he dy'd exactly the 30th Day after he was Summon'd For this reason he was call'd King Ferdinand the Summon'd His Body was deposited at Cordova because by reason of the great Heat of the Weather it could not then be carry'd to Sevil or Toledo the Burial Places of the King It was the more confidently believ'd he dy'd in pursuance of the Summons because the same happen'd at the same time to the Pope and King of France who were also cited by several Knights Templers as they were led to Execution What the King of Aragon decreed as to the Difference betwixt Castile and Portugal is not known but it was visible he favour'd the Portugues and King Ferdinand dying he still kept those Towns which remain to that Kingdom to this Day CHAP. VI. The beginning of the Reign of Alonso the XIth King of Castile The many Confusions in that Kingdom by reason of his Infancy The Moors of Granada expel their King The Turks their Original and Growth GReat Troubles ensu'd upon the Death of King Ferdinand because the new King was but a Year and 26 Days old As soon as the King dy'd Prince Alonso his Son was proclaim'd by the
Revenue in his Arch-Bishoprick whence there ensu'd a mortal Enmity betwixt them At the same time the Navarrois still subject to France sustain'd a great loss in Biscay Philip the Long King of France dying without Heirs on the second of June 1321 his Brother Charles the Fair succeeded him and equall'd his Brothers in Liberality Valour and Beauty In his time the Biscainers seiz'd the Castle of Gorricia in Guipuscoa pretending the Navarrois withheld it from them wrongfully 60000 Men-march'd out of Navarre if the Numbers are not mistaken and came to Botivara on the 19th of September 800 Biscainers having secur'd the Passes of the Mountains from thence roll'd down Barrels full of Stones and Bodies of Trees on the Navarrois which broke and put them to flight with greater Slaughter than could be imagin'd from so small a Number Giles Oniz commanded the Biscayners and Ponce Morentaina a Frenchman and Viceroy of Navarre those People The Pope sent Cardinal William of Bayonne his Legate into Castile to endeavour to put an end to the Distractions of that Kingdom He procur'd the Cortes or Parliament should meet at Palencia at the same time that Queen Mary the Protectress of three Kings and Honour of Castile worn out with Age and Troubles dy'd at Valladolid on the first of June 1322. She built the Monastery of Huelgas in that City where she order'd her self to be bury'd another at Burgos a third at Tore and others in several Parts of the Kingdom The Cortes at Palencia it seems took no effect A Synod of all the Bishops or Castile was held at Valladolid by the Legate There on the 2d of August many wholsom Constitions were enacted Among other things those that shall eat Flesh or sell it publickly in Lent or the Ember-days are Excommunicated Such as are not Christians are forbid to be present at Divine Service yet if Baptiz'd they are allow'd to be capable of Benefices The common way of Purgation used in Spain is Condemned The Decrees of D. John Archbishop of Toledo publish'd at that time are preserv'd to this day He ordains that Divine Service do not go forwards till the Jews or Moors go out of the Church That Monies gather'd upon the Croisade be deliver'd to the Prelate for Redemption of Captives and Relief of the Poor That Priests say Mass at least four times a year and that after they have said Mattins That what is gotten by the Church shall not be left to Children tho' got in Wedlock This same year Ismael King of Granada was kill'd in the Alhambra by his own People stirr'd up against him by the Lord of Algezira and Ozmin the first was offended at him because at the taking of Martos he took from him a Beautiful Captive the other because he lost a Nephew he dearly lov'd there Scarce was his Death known abroad when his Son Mahomet but 12 years of Age was carry'd on a Chair on Men's Shoulders through the City and proclaim'd King By this means the Governour of the City manifested his Loyalty and prevented the designs of the Conspirators who intended to have set up a King of their own making but were now forc'd to quit the City and to fly to several places CHAP. IX King Alonso the 11th of Castile takes upon him the Government The Conquest of Sardinia by the Aragonians The Death of King Denis of Portugal His Son Alonso succeeds him Jayme the 2d King of Aragon is succeeded by his Son Alonso the 4th UPon the Death of Queen Mary the Disorders of Castile were doubl'd No hopes of Remedy remain'd but in the King 's coming to Age to take upon him the Government There were great Tokens to be seen of his Prudence and Virtue At last being arriv'd at the Age of Fifteen tho' so young the necessity of the Times oblig'd him to take up the Government of his Kingdom Besides the Subjects press'd him and particularly Garcilasso de la Vega and Alvar Nunez Ossorio Men of great Note who labour'd to get into the King's Favour thereby to obtain Pardon of the Crimes they had committed during his Minority He admitted them into his Family and they grew so great that he was chiefly govern'd by them One Joseph a Jew of Ezija a very Rich Man and Chief of the Farmers and Managers of the Revenue had the next place to these Two Gentlemen The King sent Letters of Summons to the Governours of the Kingdom who presently came to him to Valladolid each striving to be first in gaining his Favours tho' their Hearts were not sincere as soon appear'd for only Prince Philip stay'd with the King D. John Manuel and D. John Lord of Biscay withdrawing privately from Court Their pretence was as usual Evil Counsellors They joyn'd their Forces and made a solemn League at Cigales The Form of Covenant formerly us'd among the Nobles of Castile was thus Having read the Articles of Agreement one of the Gentlemen concern'd in the Name of all the rest said I swear by Almighty God and by his most glorious Mother that every one of us will perform all that has been read in this Publick Instrument without Fraud or Deceit That we will not go one without the other against our Enemies nor in any manner act contrary to what has been here establish'd Whosoever shall first violate it that very Day do Thou Almighty God in this World take away his Life and torment his Soul in the other with cruel and everlasting Torments let his Strength and his Speech fail him and in Battel his Horse Arms and Spurrs and his Vassals when he has most need of them Then all present answer'd Amen Other times they divided the Consecrated Host into Two Parts and each took one then follow'd the Curses and Imprecations This is the solemn manner of Associating themselves long us'd in Castile This Union was dangerous to the King and therefore to break it he agreed to Marry D. John Manuel's Daughter who thereupon came to Pen̄afiel submitted himself to the King and deliver'd him his Daughter as yet too young to be marry'd The other D. John seeing himself forsaken thought of Marrying Blanch the Daughter of Prince Peter kill'd in Andaluzla for her great Portion she being Lady of Almaçan Alcocer and other Towns upon the Borders of Aragon which lay opportunely to forward his designs To prevent him the King was advis'd to seize upon all the Lady Blanch's Patrimony Garcilasso forgetting his Obligations to Prince Peter was the chief Man that gave this Advice D. John Manuel being restor'd to the King's Favour meditated Revenge against the Archbishop of Toledo Hereupon some hard words passing betwixt them in the King's Presence the King depriv'd the Archbishop of the Chancellorship whereat he being offended withdrew into Aragon and there exchang'd Churches with D. Ximeno de Luna Archbishop of Tarragona with the additional Title of Patriarch of Alexandria Garcilasso was made Chancellor and from that time
the Office fell to nothing tho' afterwards for some years the Archbishops appointed Deputies to execute it and now they have only the bare Title of Lords Chancellors of Castile D. John the Archbishop increas'd the number of 13 Poor maintain'd at the House of those Prelates to 30 which holds to this day The King of Aragon in persuance of the Popes Grant was resolv'd to possess himself of the Island of Sardinia then subject to the Republick of Pisa To this purpose he sent his Son D. Alonso who in the term of two years Conquer'd it defeating those of Pisa in several Encounters Yet most of the Aragonians dy'd through the unhealthfulness of the Country Prince Peter younger Brother to Alonso mov'd by the fresh example of Castile and the favour of many Nobles hop'd if his Brother dy'd in that Expedition to exclude his Sons and inherit the Crown which he understanding soon concluded a Peace with Pisa in the Month of June 1324. upon these Conditions That Prisoners on both sides be set at liberty That Trade be restor'd That the Castle of Caller with all its Territory remain to the People of Pisa That all the rest of the Island belong to the Aragonians This done he came over into Spain and prevail'd with his Father to declare his Sons Heirs of the Crown notwithstanding he should dye before them in the Cortes at Zaragoça and there the Oath of Fidelity to them as Heirs was accordingly taken The following 1325. in January and at Santarem dy'd Denis King of Portugal a Prince famous for the long time he Reigned which was 45 Years 9 Months and 5 Days as also for his continual Prosperity till the latter end of his Reign when it was disturb'd by his Son He was bury'd in the Monastery of St. Bernard built by himself a League and half from Lisbon Queen Elizabeth his Wife liv'd 11 Years after him and dy'd on the fourth of July 1332. She was afterwards Canonized for her extraordinary Virtue and Acts of Piety Alonso King Denis his eldest Son succeeded him and was call'd the Brave for his Love to Martial Affairs Of six Children he had three dy'd young which were Alonso Denis and John Mary Peter and Ellenor outliv'd their Parents This year dy'd Sancho King of Majorca at Cerdagne and because he had no Children appointed D. Jayme his Brother Ferdinand's Son his Heir The King of Aragon pretended it belong'd to him by his Grandfather's Will who was the first that erected that Kingdom Jayme had the possession but the Aragonian was powerful therefore at the instance of Philip the late King's Brother by him appointed Governour during the Minority of D. Jayme it was agreed That D. Jayme should Marry Constance Grandchild to the King of Aragon who should give her in Dower the Right he pretended to that Crown Castile was not yet quiet which caus'd King Alonso tho' naturally merciful to punish some Heads of Mutineers whence he got the Name of the Revengeful D. John the Lord of Biscay who aspir'd to marry the Lady Blanch for her great Estate and design'd to call D. Alonso de la Cerda out of France to stir up new Troubles was the first that suffer'd The King upon pretence of making War against the Moors call'd D. John to him and made some Overtures of giving him his Sister Ellenon in Marriage He came to Court on the Day of all Saints in the year 1327 and being invited to a Feast was there put to Death by the King's Order One only Daughter he had then at Nurse was carry'd to Bayonne then in the Hands of the English Mary his Mother who was in the Monastery of Perales sold all the Lordship of Biscay to Garcilasso de la Vega. Yet the King being afterwards appeas'd the Heiress of that Estate was marry'd to D. John de Lara and had the Lordship of Biscay restor'd to her The Towns and Forts D. John had by Inheritance which were above 80. were either taken by Force or Surrender'd and annex'd to the Crown D. John Manuel commanded in the Frontiers against the Moors and tho he did not much confide in the King yet he carry'd on the War vigorously The Infidels had not long before surpriz'd the Castle of Rute and design'd an Incursion into Andaluzia under their General Osmin then reconcil'd to the King D. John ingag'd them near the River Guadalhorça routed them and killed a great Number After this Victory he retir'd to his Estate much Discontented for that the King put away his Daughter Constance and marry'd Mary Daughter to the King of Portugal This was highly resented by D. John and the King of Aragon Uncle to the Lady Constance Alonso the IVth at this time was King of Aragon his Father King Jayme the IId dying at Barcelona where he was bury'd the Day after D. John the Lord of Biscay was put to Death in Castile The Lady Teresa the King's Daughter in Law dy'd 5 days before him at Zaragoça and was there bury'd in the Monastery of S. Francis D. Alonso who succeeded King Jayme had by his Wife the Lady Teresa these Children Peter Jayme and Constance for four others dy'd in their Infancy King Jayme ordain'd that the Principalities of Drago Catalonia and Valencia should never be parted He was so great an Enemy to Law-Suits that he for ever banish'd Ximeno Rada a great Lawyer by whose Contrivance many had suffer'd in their Estates Charles the Fair King of France and Navarre dy'd at Bois de Vincennes on the first of February 1328. His Queen 3 Months after his Death was deliver'd of a Daughter call'd Blanch. By the Laws of France she could not inherit the Crown therefore a Son of Charles de Valois who dyed two years before the King call'd Philip Cousin German to the three late Kings on the one side and Edward King of England as Son to the Lady Elizabeth Sister to those three Kings on the other pretended to that Crown The States of the Kingdom according to the Salique Law proclaim'd Philip de Valois whence ensu'd bloody Wars betwixt those two Nations and the Kings of England took the Title of Kings of France and quarter'd the Flower de Luces in their Arms. Navarre was more Fortunate for it was deliver'd from the Dominion of France Joanna the Daughter of King Luis Hutin marry'd the Earl of Eureux call'd Philip and they were proclaim'd King and Queen of Navarre at Pamplona by the general consent of all People that Lady having the undoubted Right to the Crown by her Mother The King of France made no Opposition as well in regard to her Title as because the Earl was his near Kinsman being Great Grandson to S. Luis King of France Before the Government was well setled the People of Navarre mutiny'd and were so outragious against the Jews that in only the Town of Estela 10000 are said to have been kill'd perhaps there may be
upon that Design Soon after two others being put to the Wrack confess'd the same Both the Moorish Kings desir'd to relieve the Town He of Morocco durst not leave Ceuta for fear his Son Abderhaman should Rebel who about this time was put to Death for attempting it The King of 〈…〉 durst not alone hazard a Battle but lest he should be thought to be Idle sent part of his Forces to over-run the Country of Ezija whilst he Burnt Palma a Town seated upon the Conflux of the Rivers Xenil and Gaudalquivir He durst not Garrison it nor make any stay there hearing the Country was gathering to make Head against him His other Forces were defeated by Ferdinand de Aguilar who took from them all the Booty they had gather'd It was now the beginning of the Year 1343 and nothing considerable was done at Algezira only some Works were carry'd on by In̄iga Lopez de Horosco wooden Towers were apply'd to the Walls and other Engines play'd but all was destroy'd with Stones cast by the Defendants The Place was unfit for advancing of Works or for the Men to ascend In the Streight of Gibraltar there are two Bays of the same Form but one bigger than the other Tarifa stands upon the Lesser and Algezira over the Greater upon a steep and craggy Hill It is divided into the New and Old each encompass'd with a Wall like two distinct Towns This was then the Seat of the African Empire in Spain No Provision could be convey'd into the Town except a few Boats that stole in by Night which was a small Relief where Hunger began to pinch It was now doubtful whether in were not better to raise the Siege than continue it for the Mony sent by the Pope and King of France was spent and he of Portugal had contributed nothing Some Overtures of Peace were made but took no Effect Therefore the King of Granada advanc'd with his Army as far as the River Guadiarro 5 Leagues from Algezira In Ceuta a great Fleet was ready with the Power of Africk to pass over into Spain These were fresh and the Christians harrass'd yet the King's Resolution and good Fortune overcome all Difficulties Considerable Succours came to him at the same time from England France and Navarre From England the Earls of Derby and Salisbury This Earl of Derby must doubtless be John of Gant 3d Son to King Edward the IIId for it was he had the Title at this time From France the Earl of Faux with his Brother and some others King Philip of Navarre having sent before great store of Provision by Sea and order'd his Army to follow hasted away himself to come time enough for the Battle which was expected would be fought D. John de Lara and D. John Manuel came before and daily fresh Forces arrived from all Parts This increase of the Christian Army terrify'd the Moors and they propos'd a Truce Notwithstanding the Treaty the Town was batter'd and the besieg'd did great harm among the Christians with Iron Bullets they shot This is the first time we find any mention of Gun-powder and Ball in our Histories In the Month of August in the County of Vrgel a Child was born with two Heads and four Legs The Superstitious People bury'd it alive and the Parents suffer'd Death for consenting to that Act. This year also dy'd Robert King of Naples At Algezira when Autumn came on the foreign Souldiers went away the English pretended they were call'd home by their King the Earl of Faux said his Men complain'd of the Pay But Sickness was the chief Motive of their Departure and the Earl of 〈…〉 dy'd at Sevil King Philip of Navarre at Xerez both in the Month of September their 〈…〉 were carry'd into their Countries The Departure of those Princes encourag'd the 〈…〉 hazard a Battle 60 Galleys of theirs which in October had Anchor'd at Estepona pass 〈…〉 to Gibraltar The River Palmones parted the two Armies both Parties several times meeting in that River at last they came to a Battle in which the Moors shew'd no Bravery but presently fled Hunger press'd in the City for our Fleet had taken two Galleys of theirs carrying in Provisions Five Barques got in at the beginning of the Year 1344 and they returning to Africk gave an Account that the besieg'd could hold out no longer Presently after a Treaty was set on Foot and on the 26th of March the City was deliver'd upon the following Conditions That the King of Granada pay the usual Tribute That the besieg'd have leave to depart and carry away their Goods That there be a Truce for the term of Ten Years Many of the Moors went over into Africk The King enter'd the City in solemn Procession on the 27th of March the great Mosque was consecrated and the Country divided among the Souldiers who were willing to live there This done the King went to Sevil where he receiv'd an Embassy from King Edward of England offering his Daughter Joanna in Marriage to France Peter the Heir of Castile This offer was then accepted of yet afterwards took no effect In the late Battle of Tarifa two Daughters of Albohacen were taken Prisoners and now sent to him without any Ransom but he return'd rich Presents Great rejoycing was throughout all Spain and the Churches resounded with Thanksgiving CHAP VI. The King of Aragon conquers Majorca and all its Dominions Great Troubles in Aragon The Rebels suppress'd An Vniversal Plague The Knights of Calatrava at Variance at length reconcil'd DUring the time of the War in Andaluzia the King of Majorca was depriv'd of his Kingdom by Peter the Ceremonious King of Aragon who ought chiefly to have protected him The City Montpellier in France was subject to the Kings of Majorca for which place the Kings of France pretended the others ought to do them Homage they having bought it of the Bishops of Magalone to whom of right it belong'd but those Kings refusing the French by force made themselves Masters of many Towns subject to Montpellier and put Garrisons into them The King of Majorca being a Dependant on the Crown of Aragon begg'd assistance of that King The Aragonian cunningly temporiz'd with the King of France and gave the other nothing but good Words At length they met and the Aragonian promis'd to aid his Kinsman in case the King of France should refuse to put the Difference between them to Judgment Embassadors were sent on this Message but this was only to gain time or mean while the King of Majorca was charg'd with many Crimes whether true or false is not known but such as serv'd for a pretence to deprive him of his Crown The Pope and Queen of Naples labour'd in vain to compose these Differences the Mallorquines wasted with heavy Taxes were willing to change their Master At length the War broke out Peter Moncada the Admiral was call'd from the Siege of Algezira and a Fleet of 116 Sail
â—own was well providâ—â— strongly fortify'd and had a good Garrison As soon as the Town was invested all 〈◊〉 Country about was laid Waste and presently the Walls began to be batter'd The Siege lasted long notwithstanding the Townsmen abated of their Heat seeing no hope of Sucâ—â—â—r yet the Garison held out resolutely During the Siege the Embassadors sent by the 〈◊〉 of Castile to establish Peace and desire Succours of the King of Aragon return'd to the Camp and with them Bernard de Cabrera a Man of great Parts and therefore brought to the Court by the King of Aragon from his retirement â—nd employ'd in the most important Affairs of the Government He came to the Camp on the â—0th of August and establish'd a League betwixt the two Kings upon these Conditions That Queen Ellenor and her Children shall peaceably enjoy all that was given them by her Husband and their Father That the King of Castile shall not give them any assistance if they raise Commotions in the Kingdom After this the King of Aragon sent 400 Cross-bow-Men and 10 Galleys under the command of Raymund Villano Joanna Queen of Navarre who after the Death of her Husband Philip resided in France at the Town of Conflans seated at the meeting of the Rivers Seyne and Oyse dy'd on the 5th of October and was buried in the Church of St. Denis near her Father King Luis Hutin She was a most virtuous Lady and had a numerous Issue Charles her Son succeeded her at the Age of 17. She had two lesser Sons Philip and Luis he who had the Seignory of Durazzâ— in Dower and these Daughters Joanna Mary Blâ—â—â—h and Agnes who were all marry'd to great Men the first to the Lord of Roanâ— the 2d to the King of Aragon the 3d to Philip de Valois King of France and the last to the Earl of Faux Mossen John de Conflans a Frenchman was now Vicerâ—y of Navarre Let us return to the Siege of Gibraltar The Moors of Granada always laid Ambushes about the Christian Camâ—â—â—nd pick'd up all Straglers The besieg'd made often Sallies and did some Execution But what was worst a violent Plague rag'd in the Army and great Numbers dy'd Most Men and particularly D. John de Lara and D. Ferdinand Manuel who had succeeded his Father in the Lordship of Villena were for raising the Siege These things somwhat mov'd the King â—et his Resolution prevail'd unfortunately to him for the Infection seiz'd him and he dy'd on the 26th of March 1350. This was the first year in which Pope Clement allow'd the Jubilee to be gain'd every 50th year which before was every Century It was also remarkable for the Death of Philip King of France His Son John succeeded him This was the end of King Alonso the XIth of Castile in the 38th year of his Age and 't is thought had he liv'd longer he would have drove the Moors out of Spain He might have been compar'd to the best of Princes had he not â—â—emish'd his Virtâ—es by much Inconstancy His Severity in executing Justice gain'd him the Name of The Vpright Immediately upon his Death the Siege was rais'd His Body was carry'd to Sevil and bury'd in the Royal Chappel In the Reign of his Son Henry he was Translated to Cordova as he had order'd it in his Will D. Giles de Albornoz Archbishop of Toledo was created a Cardinal by Pope Clement on the 18th of December Laurence de Padilla says this was the Cause why he quitted the Archbishoprick for in those Days two such Dignities were incompatible and that D. Gonçalo the IVth succeeded him and govern'd that Church but 3 Years Mighty Troubles and Confusions follow'd in Castile Most Men lay all the blame on the new King and therefore call him The Cruel 〈◊〉 Authors attribute it to the Pride and Ambition of the Nobility who 〈◊〉 the King to make 〈◊〉 â—ere Examples As soon as King Alonso dy'd his lawful Son Peter was proclaim'd King 〈◊〉 the Camp tho he was but 15 years of Age and then at Sevil with his Mother His Age was unfit for Government but his forward Wit promis'd well He was fair of Complexion had an agreeable Face with much Majesty a great Heart for difficult Attempts and would undergo any Labour He lov'd 〈◊〉 king above other Sporst and was rigid in Administring Justice Among these Virtues some Vices began to appear as Pride and Passion in his Youth afterwards he added Avarice and Incontinency These natural Imperfections were increas'd by the ill Government of his Tutor D. John de Albuquerque who gave him his Will in all things and by that means rose to the great Favour he had with him The new King had these Bastard Brothers Henry Earl of Trastamara Frederick Master of Santiago Ferdinand Lord of Ledesina and Tello Lord of Aguilar these the Sons of the Lady Ellenor de Guzman Besides these the Lady Joanna marry'd to Ferdinand and Philip de Castro Sancho John and Peter for another Peter and Sancho dy'd Young These Bastard Brothers had not much Confidence in the King who was wholly govern'd by his Mother Queen Mary The Lady Ellenor de Guzman fâ—â—ring the Queen Dowager set out from the Camp with the dead King's Body but by the way changing her Resolution left it and went to Medina Sidonia a strong Town of her own Here she was some time dubious what to do but at last resolv'd to put her self upon the King's Goodness Having fix'd this Resolution she went away to Sevil her Sons and other great Men of her Kindred went to Algezira and other strong Places The King yielding to his Mother's Passion the Lady Ellenor was cast into Prison Her Son Henry being expell'd Algezira upon a safe Conduct came to the King and hastily concluded a Match with the Lady Joanna Sister to D. Ferdinand Manuel to be 〈◊〉 Condition to oppose the King The King fell so desperately Sick that he was given over by all the Physicians Every one named a Successor according to his Fancy but the King soon recovering this only serv'd to discover the Inclinations of the People D. John de Lara envious of the great Power of D. Alonso de Albuquerque went away for Castile designing to raise a Rebellion which was easy because of his great Possessions in that Country His Designs were prevented by Death which took him away at Burgos on the 28th of November His Body was bury'd in the Monastery of St. Paul of the Dominiâ—ans in that City He left a 〈◊〉 NunÌ„o de Lara but two years Old Almost at the same time dy'd his Brother in Law D. Ferdinand Manuel leaving only a Daughter call'd Blanch. The Death of these two great Men was very pleasing to D. Alonso de Albuquerque who hop'd they being remov'd to be absolute without Controul The King upon the first News set out from Sevil hoping to seize upon their Estates and gave by the way some Signs of his
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-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
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-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
his Nephew Pâ—tâ—r de Luna but the King not approving of him the Bishop of Siguença Vicar of the Archbishoprick had charge of it for some Years till the Popes election took place The Joy and Devotion of the great Year of Jubilee 1400 was much lessen'd by the Schism in the Church tho the Christian Princes us'd all possible Means to put an end to it To this purpose for the humbling the Obduracy of Pope Benedict the King of Castile at the perswasions of D. Peter Hernandez de 〈◊〉 Cardinal of Spain publickly disown'd him Yet the King of Aragon interposing three Years after he submitted to him again From Lagâ—â—doc and Cataloâ—â—a the Plague spread over all Spain with such a mighty Mortality that it oblig'd the King of Castile to give leave to Widows to marry the same Year their Husbands dy'd which before was forbidden The King generally resided at Sevil that being a Pleasant and Healthy place and he very â—ickly In July the first Clock was fixing in the Steeple of the Cathedral for there were no such Clocks before in Spain and a great Bell to it the King Nobleâ— and a Multitude of People being present when on a sudden a Storm rising a flash of Lightning kill'd several Men. This being taken as an ill Omen Processions were made to appease God's Wrâ—th Near the Town of Niebâ—â— 5 Leagues from Segovia an Image of our Blessed Lady was 〈◊〉 and many People devoutly resorting thither to visit it Queen Cathâ—rine built there a Church for it with a Monastery of Dominicanâ— adjoyning to it which drew many 〈◊〉 and settle there so that in our Days it is grown up to be a pretty considerable 〈◊〉 â—â—â—P V. The Death of the 〈…〉 Sicily Of Tamerlan and Bajazet Pope Benedict again received in Castile The King of Castile has a Son born Pope Boniface dies Innocent the VIIâ—â— chosen at Roâ—â— THE Lady Violante Daughter to John King of Aragon was during her Father's Life contracted to Luis 〈◊〉 Anjoâ— as was said before Her Marriage was delay'd because she 〈◊〉 under Age and 〈◊〉 Year it â—â—s concluded upon She was to have 160000 Florins Portion and he to sweâ—â— never to lay any claim to the Crown of Aragon in her Right This done she was nobly Conducted into France to her Husband In the Month of March 1401 the King of Castile assembled the Cortes at Tordesillas where many good Laws were enacted particularly to restrain the Avarice of the Farmers of the Revenue and Officers of Justice In the Month of May Mary Queen of Sicily dy'd at Cataneâ— as was thought of Grief for the Death of her Son who ended his Days at 〈◊〉 Age of 7 Years Both the Mother and Son were bury'd in that City However her 〈◊〉 next of Blood remain'd King and all the Nobility aim'd to marry their Daughters 〈◊〉 to him He marryed Blanch third Daughter to the King of Navarre who afterwards inherited her Father's Kingdom The Kings of Aragon and Navaâ—â—â— met upon this Account on the Frontiers there the 〈◊〉 deliver'd his Daughter to the 〈◊〉 in Law who sent her from Valencia to Sicily in a â—â—eet commanded by D. Bernard de Cabrera but her Departure and Marriage was in the Year 1402. In November the same Year the Queen of Castile was deliver'd of a Daughter call'd Mary who was afterwards marry'd to her Cousin German Alonso King of Aragon and Naples but they had no Issue for she prov'd Barren After the Defeat of the French and Hungarians at Nicopolis Bajazet Emperor of the Turks lay'd Siege to Constantinople At the same time Tamerlan the Tartar with an incredible Army as is reported of 40000 Horse and 600000 Foot overran all the East His Custom was when he sat down before a City the first Day to put up white Colours in token of Mercy the second Day they were red to denote he would shed the Blood of the Inhabitants and the third black which signify'd the utter Desolation of the Place It happen'd the City Berytus did not surrender before the second Day and then sent out their Women and Children cloath'd in White with Boughs in their Hands to appease him but he nothing mov'd caus'd his Horse to trample them to Death A Genoese who follow'd his Camp took the Boldness upon this Occasion to put him in mind he was a Man and he with a furious Countenance answer'd Dost thou think I am a Man I am no such I am the Scourge of God and Plague of Mankind Bajâ—zet seeing all Asia was in danger of being lost rais'd the Siege of Constantinople and pass'd over into Asia On that part of Mount Taurus call'd Stella they came to a Battle and after a moâ—â— Bloody Dispute 200000 Men being slain Bajazet was overthrown and taken Him Tamerlan put into a Cage and in that manner carry'd him about Asia treading on his Shoulder every time he mounted a Horse-back and feeding him like a Dog with bits thrown from his Table King Henry of Castile though sickly attended the Affairs of the Government and sent Embassies to all parts and particularly to the Levant he sent Pelayo de Sotomayâ—â— and â—â—â—dinand de Palaçuelos who were present at that famous Battle between the Turks and Tartars Tamerlan treated them courteously and at their return to Spain sent along with them an Embassador of his own to settle Peace and Unity with the King of Spain He having concluded his Negociation return'd home accompanied by three Spanish Embassadors who writ a Journal of that Embassy which is still Extant Tamerlâ—n's Glory was not lasting At his return home he built a beautiful City which he called Mercanti He left two Sons who differing about the Inheritance tore in 〈◊〉 the Empire purchas'd by their Father This Year was unhappy to the Portugueses and Navarrois for the Heirs of both Kingdoms dy'd D. Alonso eldest Son to the King of Portugal was but 12 Years of Age. He was bury'd in the Cathâ—â—ral of Braga This Loss was the more tolerable for that there were several Brothers besides as the Princes Edward Peter Henry John and Ferdinand and two Sisters Blanch and Elizabeth At Painplona dy'd the Princes Charles 5 Years and Lâ—â—ys but 6 Months 〈…〉 were bury'd in that Cathedral The Grief of the Navarrois was the more inconsolable for that there remain'd never an Heir-male and the Crown must of course fall to the Female This Wiâ—â—er at the end of the present Year and beginning of that of our Lord 1403 the Rains were so great in Spain that most Rivers overflow'd doing great harm Particularly Guadalquivir swell'd above the Waâ—â—s of Sevil and came as far as the Church of St. Michael Alonso Perez then Governour by his Industry prevented much Mischief that might have been done The See of Toledo was vacant since the Death of the late Archbishop D. Peter Tâ—â—orio This was caus'd by the Discord betwixt the Popes for Castile had
after the Death of the King her Husband retir'd into Castile and there spent the time of her Widowhood with her Children A motion was made that the King of Castile should marry her Daughter the Princess Mary Queen Catherine approv'd not of that Match To prevent it she pleaded the King was too young whereas in reality she was rather inclin'd to Match him in Portugal with the Princess Ellenor who was her Neece and not only she but most of the Court thought that Match would unite the two Kingdoms in a lasting knot of Amity Death prevented those Designs which suddenly took away Queen Catherine at Valladolid upon Thursday the 2d of June in the Year 1418 at the age of 50. Of Body she was large and gross somewhat free in drinking as is the Custom of her Country open hearted and bountiful which Virtues some made use of to advance their Interest and slander others Most of her Counsellors and Ministers were mean Persons which is very dangerous for Princes She was bury'd in the Royal Chappel of Toledo in a particular Tomb where she had given a Revenue for 15 Chaplains to pray for the Souls of her and her Husband The Queen's Death produc'd great Alterations The King notwithstanding his tender Age came out of that profound Ignorance in which his Mother had kept him and began in some Measure to govern the Kingdom assisted with the advice of some Persons about him Among them the chiefest was the Arch-bishop of Toledo who being of a haughty Spirit ambitious of Honour and a busy Man seiz'd the Government into his own Hands so that under the Shadow of the King's Name he turn'd all things which way he pleased Two Embassadors came from France to sue for some Succours in that time of need They were put off with an excuse grounded on the King's Minority the late Troubles and new ones that were fear'd It was again propos'd to marry the King The Archbishop ow'd all his Preferment to the Crown of Aragon and therefore prevail'd the Match with Aragon should be preferr'd before that of Portugal On the 21st of October the King and Princess were contracted at Medina del Campo with great Pomp. One of the Articles of Marriage was that the Princess Catherine younger Sister to King John should be marry'd to one of the Princes of Aragon None was particularly nam'd because Prince John the eldest was unresolv'd where he should take a Wife First he was contracted to Elizabeth Daughter to the King of Navarre and broke off in hopes of marrying Joanna Queen of Naples as was said before He spent some time governing Sicily instead of Queen Blanch whom her Father the King of Navarre caus'd to return home she being the eldest Sister and Heiress of that Crown Many Princes made suit to her for her great Fortune but her Father preferr'd before them all this Prince John for his good Qualities and because he hoped Aragon and Navarre might come to be united King Alonso his Brother having no Issue Her Dower for the present was 420000 Florins It was also articl'd That in case Queen Blanch should die without Issue her Husband after the Decease of his Father and Mother in Law should during his Life stile himself and be actually King of Navarre They were marry'd by Proxy at Olite The Prince's Commissioner was James Gomez de Sandoval Nephew to the Archbishop of Toledo Lieutenant of Castile and Steward to the Prince with whom he afterwards was in the highest Favour and at last was cast down as shall be shewn in its place This Contract was made in the Year 1419. This same Year the Admiral Vincent Ferrerius of the Order of S. Dominick chang'd this Life for a better at Vannes in Britany and was afterwards for his Virtue and the Miracles he wrought put into the number of the Saints His Body was bury'd in the Cathedral of that City Let us return to King John of Castile Castile began to be disturb'd the Nobility being at Variance The King was too young and weak to curb them Many envy'd the Arch-bishop of Toledo and were offended that a Priest should have more Power than all the Nobility The King was advis'd to take upon him the Government since he was 14 Years of Age. To this purpose the Cortes met at Madrid to which all Persons of Note resorted On the 7th of March all that Assembly being together in the Palace of that Town the Archbishop made a study'd Speech declaring to them how the King intended to take the Government upon himself and lay aside his Tutors D. Alonso Enriquez the Admiral in the Name of all there present approv'd of his Resolution and they altogether applauded it It was requisite the King 's tender Years should have some support therefore he admitted to his Council all those who had been of it in his Father's time and during his Nonage The Arch-bishop of Toledo the Admiral the Constable Peter Manrique Lieutenant of Leon and John Hurtado de Mendoça the Lord Steward were appointed Commissioners to consider of all Grants and bestow Preferments Gutierre Gomez de Toledo Arch-deacon of Guadalajara was appointed to draw up and register all Orders This the Arch-bishop took ill pretending it belong'd to him as Chancellor of Castile Among others the Princes of Aragon John and Henry Master of the Order of Santiago were then at Court them the Arch-bishop endeavour'd by all means to draw to his Party that they might support him against his Enemies and he continue fixt in the Government From Madrid the King went to Segovia where a Dispute happening betwixt the Courtiers and Townsmen they were very near coming to blows The Princes of Aragon did not agree among themselves both aspiring to possess themselves of the King and Government and admitting of no Competitor The Nobility was divided D. Ruy Lopez Davalos the Constable and Peter Manrique favour'd Prince Henry Ferdinand Earl of Trastamara and the Arch-bishop of Toledo sided with Prince John The King was young and changeable soon angry and as soon pleas'd His Stature was large considering his Age his Complexion clear but withal he was weakly and had no good Face yet of Temper was mild and tractable He delighted in Hunting Justs and Turneaments lov'd Learning and could himself make indifferent Spanish Verses These Virtues which shew'd themselves in his Childhood in his riper Years spread more and grew to Perfection Yet all this was defac'd by his love of Ease and neglect of the Government He gave little attention to Business and that always in hast in short he was not fit to rule a Kingdom This it was that put his Courtiers in the way of obtaining great Preferments especially Alvaro de Luna who began already to be more in his Favour than any other Queen Mother some Years before to obstruct his unreasonable Advance in the King's Esteem had prudently forbid him the Court ordering him to return to Aragon
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
why his Nephew John de Luna translated him thence to Illueca a Town of his own betwixt Tarraçona and Calatayud having obtain'd leave for so doing conditionally he bury'd him not in hallow'd Ground as being Excommunicate when he dy'd The King of Castile having gather'd his Forces march'd to Osma in order to enter Aragon having order'd Frederick Enriquez the Admiral with the Fleet to do all the Mischief he could upon the Coasts of that Kingdom Both the Kings of Aragon and Navarre prepar'd for War but advanc'd little their Subjects looking upon that as very unfortunate On the 14th of June Embassadors from the King of Aragon arriv'd at Osma to treat of Peace Being admitted to Audience they cast all the Odium of that War upon the King's Favourites whereupon D. Alvaro and the Earl of Benavente spoke for themselves and others which rais'd some hard Words among them Raymund Perellos one of the Aragonian Embassadors offer'd to make good what had been say'd by Combat but the King being present the Dispute ended Afterwards the Embassadors spoke with all the Castilian Noblemen apart and inclin'd them to Peace The Army of Castile lay incamp'd at the Bridge of Garay suppos'd to be the Place where Numantia stood Thence the King march'd to Majano There a Truce was concluded for 5 Years upon these Conditions That Commerce should be restor'd That the Princes of Aragon should deliver Albuquerque and not come into Castile during the time of the Truce That the King of Castile should not take from them the other Towns they were then possess'd of and lastly That Frederick Earl of Luna and Godfrey Marques of Cortes who were then fled into Castile should not be wrong'd by the Kings of Aragon and Navarre To agree other Differences seven Commissioners should be appointed on each side with Power to determine Immediately this Truce was proclaim'd in the Camp and soon after in all other Places to the great Satisfaction of the People Expresses were sent to carry the News and particularly to Portugal where that King then celebrated the Nuptials of his Daughter Elizabeth with Philip Duke of Burgundy Of her was born Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy no less famous for his great Exploits than for his unfortunate End The King of Aragon sent a Fleet to bring his Brothers from Portugal designing to employ them in the War of Naples upon which he had bent all his Thoughts but they came not then The Army of Castile broke up at Osma with Orders to be in a readiness the next Spring to make War upon the Moors of Granada All the rest of that Summer the King spent at Madrigal where the Queen then was The end of the War of Aragon was the beginning of two others viz. that of Naples and that of Granada Mahomet the left-handed being restor'd to his Crown as has been said refus'd to pay the usual Tribute Yet he desir'd a Truce which was neither granted nor deny'd whilst the War of Aragon was in Hand but an Embassador was sent to amuze the Moor. Now another Embassy came from him to the same Effect it was answer'd nothing could be concluded till he pay'd what was due Alonso de Lorca sent to the King of Tunez with rich Presents to acquaint him how ungratefully the King of Granada acted prevail'd with him to send Mahomet no relief out of Africk The Cortes met at Salamanca and granted a greater supply than had been ask'd because the War was against the Infidels D. Gonçalo Bishop of Jaen and James de Ribera Lieutenant of Andaluzia with 800 Horse and 300 Foot enter'd the Plain of Granada where they lay'd two Ambushes 80 Horse advanc'd to draw out the Moors who pursu'd them cautiously till they saw the first Ambush fly as had been order'd Then the Moors thinking the Danger over follow'd disorderly and fell into the other Ambuscade where 200 of them were kill'd and 100 taken the rest knowing the Country escap'd Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo with a Party made an Incursion towards Ronda but was forc'd to retire with some Loss Soon after Roderick Perez Lieutenant of Cazorla making another inroad was surpriz'd most of his Men cut off and he had much ado to escape Garcia de Herrera in the Night surpriz'd the Town of Ximena At this time the Floods were great and particularly the River Aragon in Navarre carry'd away great part of the Town of Sanguessa The King of Castile summon'd James Gomez de Sandoval Earl of Castro and D. John de Sotomayor Master of Alcantara to appear before him but they favouring the Princes of Aragon refus'd to obey At the same time D. Alvaro de Luna his first Wife dying marry'd Joanna Daughter to the Earl of Benavente at Palencia but without much Solemnity because the Brides Grandmother dy'd then The King and Queen honour'd the Wedding This was at the beginning of the Year 1431. CHAP. III. The Death of Pope Martin the V. Eugenius the IV succeeds him The Moors of Granada overthrown in Battle Peace concluded with Portugal A Truce with the Moors Prince Peter of Aragon made Prisoner ON the 20th of February the same Year 1431 tho some will have it to be the Year following dy'd Pope Martin the V. at Rome of an Apoplexy being now reconciled to the Aragonians whose King Alonso he had invited to Italy Eugenius the IV. succeeded him on the 3d of May. Cardinal Jordan Vrsinus was very instrumental towards his Promotion therefore he favour'd the Family of Vrsini and perfecuted that of Colonna their Adversaries and Joanna Queen of Naples in imitation of him took the City Salerno from Antony Colonna The King of Castile resolving to go in Person to the War against the Moors appointed Peter Manrique to govern Castile in his Absence Then from Medina del Campo he went to Toledo where in the Cathed ral he spent all Night in Armour as those that were to be Knighted used to do In the Morning he caus'd his Colours to be bless'd and set out Cuidad Real is in the mid-way where he made some stay and on the 24th of April at two in the Afternoon there was such an Earthquake that many Buildings were shaken and some Battlements of the Castle fell down The King was forc'd to fly into the Fields and all was in a great Consternation for fear of him but not a Man was kill'd In Aragon Catalonia and Russillon the Damage was great several Towns being wholly overthrown and others suffering much by Earthquakes Soon after at Granada and in the Camp which lay near it the Armies being ready to engage the Earth shook which both Parties look'd upon as an ill Omen to themselves All Spain was in a Consternation apprehending fatal Consequences At Barcelona dy'd now Queen Violante being of a great Age she was Wife to King John the 1. and Grandmother to Luis Duke of Anjou with whom the Aragonians were now at War about the Crown of
hating him mortally The King who let slip no Opportunity to advance his Interest sent immediately Embassadors to the Queen and went over himself to the Island Ischia to be the nearer to her Most of the Summer was spent in treating but at length the Queen disannull'd the Adoption of the Duke of Anjou and renew'd that of King Alonso This was all privately transacted by the Advice of Corbella by whom the Queen was wholly directed Whilst these things were in Agitation at Naples the Princes of Aragon were in great danger Peter being a Prisoner and Henry besieg'd in Albuquerque A greater War was fear'd because the Articles agreed on before had not been observ'd whereof the Embassadors of Castile complain'd to John King of Navarre who was Lieutenant to his Brother of Aragon At length it was agreed that the two Princes should deliver up Albuquerque and all other Places they held and so depart Castile This being concluded by the Mediation of the King of Portugal the two Brothers and Catherine Wife to Prince Henry with the Master of Alcantara and Bishop of Coria embarked at Lisbon and went thence to Valencia designing to try their Fortunes again in Spain or if that fail'd to go over into Italy which was what their Brother desir'd being resolv'd to conquer the Kingdom of Naples as knowing well the Queen was more inclin'd to his Competitor and only study'd to amuze him Frederick Earl of Luna kept up his Intelligence with Castile intending to betray Taraçona and Calatayud Towns on the Frontiers of Aragon to King John This seem'd the more easy because at the same time there arose a Dispute about the Jurisdiction of the Church of Toledo D. John de Contreras Archbishop of Toledo with six others was appointed by the King of Castile to compose the Differences betwixt him and the Crown of Aragon D. John as Primate of all Spain carry'd the Cross before him which the Bishop of Taraçona first and then the Arch-bishop of Zaragoça as Metropolitan complain'd of This Dispute betwixt the Prelates hinder'd the most important Affair of the Peace which was the general Concern from being brought to an Issue and it was fear'd the Truce being expir'd the War would again break out Both Parties prepar'd for it and both were streighten'd for Mony but chiefly the Aragonians exhausted with such lasting Wars Several strange Apparitions in the Sky terrify'd the Spaniards already alarm'd with the Apprehension of a new War Particularly at Cuidad Rodrigo where the King of Castile then lay there was seen for a long time a Flame moving about which ended in a terrible clap of Thunder that was hear'd above 30 Miles from thence At the beginning of the Year 1433 it Snow'd in Aragon and Nevarre for the space of 40 Days continually which destroy'd vast Numbers of Cattle and Fowl The very wild Beasts came from the Woods to the Towns forc'd by hunger to seek Food From Cuidad Rodrigo the King of Castile went to Madrid to hold the Cortes Thither resorted so great a Multitude that the Town tho large could not contain it and many were forc'd to lodge in the neighbouring Villages Here it was consulted how to carry on the War of Granada the Truce being expir'd Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo was sent to begin the War He took some strong Holds from the Moors All the rest of Spain enjoy'd Peace this Year The Nobility of Castile strove to out do one another in the splendour of their Retinues and Expences spending the time in running at Tilt and such Sports to delight the King and People without any care of the War At Lisbon this Year the Plague carry'd off great Numbers of People King John of Portugal dy'd on the 14th of August at the Age of 76 4 Months and 3 Days and having Reign'd 48 Years 4 Months and 9 Days He is famous for having in such a confusion of times secur'd that Kingdom to his Posterity His Son Edward succeeded him and was declar'd King in a great Assembly of the Nobility being then 41 Years 9 Months and 14 Days old Besides his other Felicities King John was happy in a numerous Issue by his Wife Philippa Daughter to John Duke of Lancaster First he had Blanch who dy'd young 2dly Alonso who liv'd but 10 Years 3dly Edward who succeeded him 4thly Peter Duke of Coimbra 5thly Henry Duke of Viseo 6thly John Constable of Portugal 7thly Ferdinand Master of Avis and 8thly Elizabeth marry'd to Philip Earl of Flanders and Duke of Burgundy On the Day of King Edward's Coronation it is reported that a Jewish Physician call'd Gudiala advis'd to put off that Ceremony till the Afternoon else it would be unfortunate but his Council was slighted as superstitious As soon as the King took upon him the Government he order'd the Funeral of his Father with greater Pomp than had been till then he with all the Nobility accompanying the Corps to the Church of Batalla at Aljubarrota built by the deceas'd King as was said before All the rest of this King's Reign was answerable to this pious Beginning CHAP. V. The Council of Basil The Affairs of Naples and death of the Duke of Anjou and the Queen of Naples The Nobility of that Kingdom incline to favour the Aragonians The Pope expell'd Rome and restor'd POpe Martin the last Year of his Life had summon'd all the Christian Prelates to hold a General Council at Basil in order to reform the universal Corruption of Manners and to 〈◊〉 to the true Faith the Bohemians then tainted with new Heresies Cardinal Julian Cesarinus went from Rome to be present at the opening of the Council Eugenius successor to Pope Martin endeavour'd to remove the Council into Italy but Sigismund the Emperor oppos'd it Other Princes were courted to joyn with each of them The King of Aragon thought fit to be of the Emperor's Party hoping he would be the surer Friend to him towards obtaining the Kingdom of Naples For this Reason he sent his Embassadors to Basil as did all the other Princes of Spain mov'd by his Example At the beginning of the Year 1434 dy'd at Basil Cardinal Alonso Carrillo a Person of great Learning and Wisdom and Protector of Spain D. Alonso Carrillo his Nephew succeeded him in the Bishoprick of Siguença and came at last to be Archbishop of Toledo Sigismund the Emperor answer'd not the Expectations of the King of Aragon but as soon as he was crown'd at Rome as if the Crown had chang'd his Nature he made a League with the Venetians Florentines and Philip Duke of Milan for expelling the Aragonians out of all Italy with their joynt Forces This he did rather to comply with the Pope than out of any particular Prejudice But all things happen'd otherwise than they expected as shall appear hereafter Frederick Earl of Luna added one Crime to all his former Extravagancies which brought him to his Ruin He was bold and restless
Legate of Savoy Castile seem'd to be restor'd to perfect Peace by the Banishment of D. Alvaro de Luna but Ambition the Bane of Kingdoms soon disturb'd it The King was not of Judgment sound enough to govern without the Help and Advice of another This was well known to the Nobility and every one strove to gain his Favour in order to become First Minister of State D. Frederick the Admiral a Bold Man and of a ready Wit stood fairest being particularly recommended to the King by D. Alvaro de Luna at the time of his departure The Princes of Aragon were enrag'd that all their Contrivances fall'd them At Toro the Servants of the several Factions quarrell'd and were like to come to Blows about taking up their Lodgings The King knew not how to pacify the Nobles and therefore by the Advice of D. Alvaro's â—â—ads under colour of Hunting fled to Salamanca at the beginning of the year 1440. After him went the Princes of Aragon the Earls of Benavente Ledesina Haro 〈◊〉 Valencia and InÌ„igo Lopez de Mendoça with 600 Horse resolving to use Violence if oppos'd The King being inform'd of their coming remov'd to Bonilla a Loyal and Strong Town Thence he sent to the Princes of Aragon who under a safe Conduct came first to Salamanca and thence to Avila whither the Mutinous Lords were come designing to secure that City The Archbishop of Seviil who then sighaliz'd his Loyalty was the Chief Man that passed between them but without success Yet the Nobles made use of him to write to the King giving him grave Advice and charging D. Alvaro de Luna He return'd no 〈…〉 They went the Earls of Haro and Benavente to him who prevail'd to have the 〈…〉 at Valladolid Yet those Lords were so far from restoring the Towns they had serz'd and their hands that they secur'd Leon Segovia Zamora Salamanca Valladolid Avila Burgos Placencia and Guadalasara Besides Prince Henry had Toledo deliver'd to him by Peter Lopez de Ayala who was Governour of the Town and Castle for the King At the Cortes which sate at Valladolid in April the first thing consider'd upon was to give satisfaction to D. Alvaro de Luna and bring him back to Court. To this effect Letters were sent to him from that Assembly yet he came not for the present Soon after all the Revolted Cities return'd to their 〈…〉 had particularly Toledo Prince Henry at this time Rebell'd against his Father being 〈…〉 that D. Alvaro should return to Court John Pacheco Son to Alonso Giron Lord of 〈…〉 had the same influence over the Prince that D. Alvaro had over the King and endeavour'd by supplanting D. Alvaro who had preferr'd him to rise to his Grandeur Prince Henry of Castile withdrew from Court giving out that he would not return till some of the King's Counsellors with whom he was displeas'd were remov'd yet he came back late at Night at the perswasion of his Father-in-Law the King of Navarre To pacify him his Wife was brought from Navarre to Valladolid where on the 25th of September the Nuptials were celebrated with great Pomp and there was a Feast of Tilting in which some Nobles were kill'd because they ran with sharp-pointed Spears The Bride remain'd a Maid which was at first conceal'd but afterwards became Publick to the great Grief of all People At the same time that the Publick Rejoycing was for the Marriage of Prince Henry the Lieutenant Peter Manrrique Dy'd He was a Man of a mean Stature a great Spirit Subtle and Bold His Son James Manrique who was also Earl of TrevinÌ„o succeeded him in his 〈◊〉 D. Alvaro de Lara tho absent from Court govern'd the Kingdom which inrag'd the 〈…〉 have all 〈…〉 Son who left his Father and went away to Segovâ— declaring for the Princes of Aragon John Pacheco his Favourite neightned his discontent Toledo was again'd deliver'd up by the same Peter Lopez de Ayala to Prince Henry of Aragon The Citizens provok'd the King by securing his Messengers sent to complain of their Disloyalty which mov'd him with a small Retinue the hast thither believing they would Respect his Person He stopp'd at the Hospital of Saint Lazorus which is in the Road to Madrigal Prince Henry of Aragon came out of the City with Two Handred Horse Those with the King being Feâ— in Number Fortify'd themselves where they were but Prince Henry fearing he should become yet more odious than he was if he offer'd Violence to the King return'd into the City Roderick de Villandrando signaliz'd his Zeal and Legality for the Defence of the King in this Place in recompense for which he had a Priviledge granted him that the Earls of Ribadeo his Successors should always upon New-years Day dine with the King and serve him in the Bed-chamber For it was on the first of January 1441 that the King was in Danger in the Hospital The King went away to Torrijos and leaving Pelayo de Ribera Lord of Malpica with 100 Horse to secure that place remov'd to Avila whither D. Alvaro came to consult about carrying on the War they had in Hand His coming more incens'd the Mutineers Most of them were at Arevalo and the Queen her self favour'd her Son and Brothers against the King her Husband The King sent the Bishops of Burgos and Avila to try if there were any way of composing Differences but they could not prevail James de Valera a Gentleman who follow'd the Prince wrote a Letter to the King advising him to incline to Mercy rather than Severity It being read in Council no Body said any thing to it but the Archbishop D. Gutierre de Toledo who answer'd Let Valera give us Assistance for Advice we want none This Valera was a Man of very good natural Parts was twice Embassador in Germany and writ a short History of Spain of him called Valeriana But there is another Valeriana writ by an Archdeacon of Murcia and quoted in this Work Prince Henry being sent for by his Father to treat of Peace came to Avila but nothing was concluded The Prince being return'd to Segovia desir'd the two Queens his Mother and Mother in Law then in Castile to go as far as Santa Maria de Nieva to endeavour to appease those Commotions In that Town Blanch Queen of Navarre dy'd on the first day of April and was bury'd in the famous Church of that Place This grave Authors affirm but there is no sign of it in the Church Charles Prince of Viana her Son inherited the Crown but took not the Title of King out of respect to his Father This Prince Charles was very studious and there are some Works of his Extant as Aristole's Ethicks translated into Spanish a short History of Navarre and many Compositions in Verse which he us'd to sing to the Guitarre A Youth deserving of a better Fortune and a more peaceable Father He was 21 years of Age when his Mother dy'd Her Death put an
This done he went to Florence to see Pope Eugenius and thence into France After his departure Abruzzo Apulia and all other Places submitted to the Aragonians and thus Italy was in part pacify'd In Spain the Troubles did not cease the Nobility slighting the Government D. Luis de Guzman Master of Calatrava lay desperately Sick and was given over John Ramiroz de Guzman Chief Commendary of that Order and Ferdinand de Padilla the Master's Deputy contended who should succeed him The latter had secur'd the Votes of the Chapter that was to Elect. Therefore D. John resolv'd to obtain that Dignity by Force securing the Towns that belong'd to that Order D. Ferdinand with 400 Horse met him at Barajas defeated and took him Prisoner with his Son and two Brothers and by that means obtain'd the Mastership which yet he enjoy'd not long For the King design'd that Dignity for Alonso Bastard Son to the King of Navarre who Besieg'd Calatrava There the New Master was unluckily kill'd by a Stone one of his own Men was throwing at the Enemy After his Death D. Alonso was made Master of the Order In Biscay Tumults were rais'd upon two accounts One was that certain Societies that had been confirmed by the King fell upon the Estates of the Nobility Among the rest Peter de Ayala was Besieg'd in his Town of Salvatierra and reliev'd by his Cousin the Earl of Haro who having receiv'd a Letter in which he begg'd his Assistance swore he would not enter into a House till he had reliev'd him Another cause of these Troubles was the wicked Heresy of the Fratricelli newly started at Durango Many were put to the Wrack upon that account and others Burnt Alonso Mela a Franciscan Fryar the Ring-leader of them fled to Granada with several young Wenches where they liv'd lewdly among the Moors but at last he was put to Death by them This Man had a Brother call'd John Mela then Bishop of Zamora and afterwards a Cardinal In Portugal about the end of October dy'd Prince John the King's Uncle aged 43 years He was Constable and Master of Santiago By his Wife the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to his Brother D. Alonso Duke of Bragança he left a Son called James who inherited his Honours and Three Daughters Elizabeth Beatrix and Philippa from whom sprang great Princes D. Alvaro de Luna resided at Escalona and contriv'd to regain his former Power His Brother the Archbishop of Toledo dy'd at Talavera on the 4th of February which was a great Loss to him There only remain'd D. Roderick de Luna his second Cousin whom afterwards he promoted to the Archbishoprick of Santiago In that Confusion of times every noble Man seized upon what he could get and among them Peter Xuarez secur'd Talavera scarce admitting the King who came to quel those Disorders The Archbishop was bury'd in a beautiful Chappel of the Cathedral built by D. Alvaro After much Contention D. Gutierre de Toledo Archbishop of Sevil was promoted to the See of Toledo He was a Man too upright for those times and enjoy'd that Dignity but three Years The Bishop of Oviedo was Translated to Sevil he of Orense to Oviedo To conclude the Bishoprick of Orense was given in Commendam to John de Torquemada a Dominican afterwards Cardinal of S. Sixtus a Person of great Learning as appears by his Works His Contemporary was Alonso Tostado born at Madrigal renowned for his many Writings He came in process of time to be Bishop of Avila At Siena in Tuscany he put up several Propositions in Divinity offering to defend them in the Schools Some of them were dislik'd and the Cardinal Torquemada writ against him Tostado answered him not sparing the Pope's Authority to defend his Opinions He dy'd on the 3d of September 1455. The End of the One and Twentieth Book THE History of SPAIN The Two and Twentieth BOOK CHAP. I. The Success of the Aragonians in Italy The Rebellion in Castile The Death of the Queens of Portugal and Castile The Battle of Olmedo and Death of Prince Henry of Aragon THE Affairs of the Spaniards succeeded better in Italy than in Spain There was no great Difference betwixt the Castilians and Aragonians but their Fortune was different according to the Quality of them that govern'd The King of Aragon was an active and ambitious Prince and spar'd no Labour to advance his Glory Besides his Goodness and Bounty gain'd him the Affections of all his Subjects as well Italians as Aragonians In Castile the Power of D. Alvaro continu'd tho his Person was remov'd The King of Navarre endeavour'd net to redress what was amiss but to make himself Master of the King who always left the Government to another The King of Castile had some good Qualities but the bad were more prevalent He was addicted to Poetry and Musick and had a Genius that way lov'd Hunting and Sports but could not endure Business and therefore gave little attention to it and answer'd short His first Minister did what he would in his Name The King of Aragon having taken Naples and subdu'd all the Faction of Anjou on the 26th of February 1443 entred that City in Triumph after the manner of the antient Romans on a Chariot drawn by 4 White Horses another of the same sort being led before him All the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom follow'd the Chariot afoot and the Clergy went before singing Praises to Almighty God The People with loud Acclamations wished him a long and happy Reign He would not be crown'd saying That Honour was due to the Saints who assisted him to gain the Victory All the Streets were strew'd with Flowers and richly hung and all Places full of sweet Odours It only remain'd to gain Pope Eugenius with whom a Treaty was set afoot at Siena where he then was On the 15th of July they agreed upon these Articles That the Kingdom of Naples should remain to the King of Aragon and after him to his Son Ferdinand whom tho Illegitimate he appointed his Heir as to that Crown only That the King of Aragon should pay yearly to the Pope 8000 Ounces a sort of Coin then in use That he should endeavour to quel Francis Sforcia who proud that he had marry'd the Duke of Milan's Daughter had gain'd a great part of Marca Ancona The King perform'd more than he had promis'd for he in Person recover'd all Sforcia had taken in Marca Ancona and restor'd it to the Pope Peace was also concluded with the Genoeses they promising every Year whilst the King liv'd to present him with a great Bason of Gold But because this Act was perform'd in the sight of the People as a memorial of his Victory they continu'd it but 4 Years In Castile the King of Navarre using immoderately the Power he had unjustly acquir'd enjoy'd it but a short time He kept the King of Castile Prisoner placing People to watch his Words and Actions The Admiral and
the People being divided into Factions A great Number followed Charles Prince of Viana most Men believing he had the best right His Sister Blanch espoused his Quarrel with all her might which so highly offended the King their Father that he treated with the Earl of Faux his Son in Law about making over the Crown to him and disinheriting Charles and Blanch. The better to secure their Design they courted the King of France to joyn with them The King of Castile favoured Prince Charles and therefore there was danger of a War betwixt France and Spain At the same time King Henry was making Preparations for the War with the Moors of Granada and concluding a new Match then in Hand The Cortes met at Cuellar where all degrees of People encouraged one another to take Arms and laboured to express their Loyalty to the new King During the King's absence the Archbishop of Toledo and Earl of Haro were left at Valladolid joynt Commissioners to govern the Kingdom This done having gathered a powerful Army in which were 5000 Horse the King entred the Territories of the Moors and marched to the Plain of Granada Soon after he destroyed all the Territory of Malaga with Fire and Sword in so short a time that a single Man a Horseback could scarce have overrun it so soon Joanna Sister to King Alonso of Portugal had been contracted to the King of Castile by Proxy The Marriage was celebrated at Cordova on the 21st of May with great Solemnity and Joy the Nobility and Commonalty from all parts flocking thither There was running at Tilt and other Sports and Shows among the Military Men. Some looked upon it as an ill Omen that the Marriage was solemnized in the heat of War and therefore said that Joy would not be lasting They were married by the Archbishop of Tours then Embassador in Castile from the King of France with whom Castile was in amity and at odds with the English they being mortal Enemies to the French The fame of the War against the Moors brought such Numbers of Men that the Army consisted of 14000 Horse and 50000 Foot With these Forces three Incursions were made into the Territories of the Moors firing all the Plain even in sight of the City Granada The Moors assembled on all sides but the King thought not fit to come to a Battle having resolved for three Years continually to destroy the Corn and by that means reduce them to extream want This highly offended the Soldiers who gaped after Plunder and they threatned since so many Opportunities were let pass they would not fight when their Officers commanded The Nobility also conspired to seize the King and carry on the War after another manner Peter Giron Master of Calatrava was the chief of the Conspirators In̄igo de Mendoça third Son to the Marques de Santillana advised the King to return from Alcaudete where that contrivance was hatched to Cordova without acquainting him what was intended against him At Cordova the King was informed of the Conspiracy For that Reason as also because the Season was far advanced he dismissed his Army with Orders to be again ready in the Spring The Nobility were also dismissed and their Posts given to others which was a Punishment for their disloyalty and shewed their Intrigue was discovered The King went away to Avila and thence to Segovia to hunt resolving to return to Andaluzia very soon and to express his Resolution took two Branches of a Pomgranate Tree knotted together for the Orle of his Scutcheon that being the Coat of Arms of the Kings of Granada This denoted he would not desist till he had quite expelled the Moors In Naples at the beginning of the Year 1456 D. Alonso de Aragon Prince of Capua and Ellenor his Sister both Grandchildren to the King of Aragon were married to Hippolito and Sforcia Maria Son and Daughter of Francis Sforcia Duke of Milan Pope Calixtus was much alarmed at this Allyance it being chiefly designed against him The King of Castile returned to the War with the Moors but without the Nobility He observed the same method he had done before of wasting the Country and the Soldiers being kept from fighting were ready to Mutiny To prevent any Tumult the King called them together and in few Words shewed how much better it was to subdue the Enemy without hazarding themselves than to try the event of a Battle which must cost many Lives Thus the Army was rather appeased than satisfyed and returned to Cordova where some were dismissed and others put into Winter Quarters About the latter end of the Year the King went away to Madrid Mean while the King of Portugal sent a great Fleet towards Italy to joyn with the Confederates It arrived there at such time as the heat of the Princes of Italy was abated and new Commotions began to break out at Genoa and Siena Thus the Portugues Fleet returned home without effecting any thing Elizabeth Queen of Portugal dyed at Ebora on the 12th of December It was suspected and even agreed on all Hands that she was Poisoned The great Love the People bore her whilst she lived made this Suspicion the more easily pass for Truth and their Tears for her Death sufficiently declared their Affection The King tho he was in the prime of his Age would not marry for several Years This year was very unfortunate to the City and Kingdom of Naples for great Earthquakes which overthrew or at least endamaged many Towns and Castles The greatest Mischief was done at Brindez and Isernia In the farthest parts of Italy some Buildings were levelled with the Ground from the very Foundations others were abandoned and a Town called Boyano was swallowed up a Lake remaining in the Place of it to this Day as a Memorial of that Disaster 60000 Souls are said to have perished Pope Pius the II. and S. Antoninus say 30000 either of them a prodigious Number CHAP. IX The Prince of Viana flies to Naples The Kings of Castile and Navarre meet and conclude a Peace The War with the Moors The Death of Alonso King of Aragon His Character and Will John King of Navarre inherits the Crown of Aragon SPain found no end of its tedious Troubles The Tumults in Navarre were hotter than ever Their Neighbours the Biscainers took Arms against one another and many were daily killed Among them the great Men and Heads of Families devoured the People confiding in the strength of their Houses which are like Castles King Henry coming in time from Segovia with a sufficient Force to quell these Disorders overthrew many of those Houses which served as an Example to others not to commit the like Insolencies This happened in February 1451. Upon the way the King received into his Family a Youth born at Darango his Name Perucho Munzar who afterwards became his great Favourite Being so near Navarre the King was willing to assist Prince Charles his Friend and Ally but
Humility and Modesty About the same time dyed D. Alonso de Cartagena Bishop of Burgos who composed some Books among them a short History of the Kings of Spain in Latin called Anacephaleosis his other Works are all mentioned in the History called Valeriana D. Luis de Acuna succeeded him in the Bishoprick CHAP. X. The new War at Naples upon the Death of King Alonso and Succession of his Bastard Son Ferdinand Pope Calixtus dies Pius the II. succeeds him Alcazar on the Coast of Africk taken by the King of Portugal Prodigies in Spain KING Alonso's Death put an end to the Peace of Italy and the Kingdom of Naple which seemed to be setled was again perplexed with new Troubles A new War broke out there in such manner that it rather seemed conquered anew than preserved Ferdinand King of Naples had good Natural Parts improved with Learning and no less Experience of Military Affairs He was inferior to none in all sorts of Many Exercises and Inured to suffer Hardships In his Conversation courteous and affable All these good Qualities could not gain him the Affections of the Nobility who bore him perfect hatred Charles Prince of Viana was perswaded to pretend to that Crown as appertaining to him of Right He was willing to harken to these Insinuations and rather wanted Strength than Will to attempt it Some offered to stand by him but he durst not rely on them knowing how much easier it is to promise than to perform It was impossible these Contrivances could be kept private therefore the Prince fearing the new King sailed over into Sicily there to wait the Event of those Affairs Whilst he lived there in Banishment he had by a mean Woman called Capa two Sons Philip and John and by Mary Armendaria the Wife that had been of Francis Barhastre a Daughter called Ann afterwards married to D. Luis de la Cerda first Duke of Medina Celi Notwithstanding all his Practices King Ferdinand payed him a Pension of 12000 Ducats a Year left him by his Father Prince Charles his Departure into Sicily did not discourage the Nobility of Naples The Prince of Taranto and Marques of Cotron sent to invite King John of Aragon to come and accept of that Kingdom but he content with what he had secure made no account of their offer He set out from Tudela and having received the News of his Brother's Death came to Zaragoça where he took possession of the Kingdom of Aragon not as Lieutenant as he was before but as Proprietor The storm raised by Pope Calixtus from whom it had been least expected was great He said that Kingdom which was a Feof of the Church ought not to have been given to a Bastard and therefore pretended it was again forfeited to the See Apostolick This was believed to be only a Colour and that his Aim was to secure that Kingdom for Peter Borgia whom he had created Duke of Spoleto a City in Vmbria An extravagant Ambition much misbecoming his Age and the high Dignity God had raised him to This was supposed would prove the cause of a new War and every Body feared the late Calamities would again be renewed King Ferdinand desiring to reconcile and appease the Pope wrote a very submissive Letter to him aâ—cesting his respect to the Church and particularly to his Person putting him in mind that he had been bred under him as his Scholar and came over into Italy with him and therefore prayed to be looked upon as a Son and treated as such promising on his part to act accordingly This Letter had no effect upon the Pope who began to sollicit all the Princes and Cities of Italy to take Arms but all his Contrivances were disappointed by Death He departed this Life upon the 6th of August happily and in good Season for the Kingdom of Naples In his Place was elected Aeneas Silvius a Native of Siona of the Family of Picolomini who in all Respects acted suitable to the Name he took which was Pius the II. for he restored Peace to Italy and used his utmost endeavours to renew the War with the Turks He confirmed the Kingdom of Naples to Ferdinand only adding this Provisu that it should not be found to be done in wrong of any other He summoned a General Council to meet at Mantra in order to treat in it of the Expedition against the Turk The Neapolitans once having began to raise Commotions could not be so easily quelled The Calabrians took Arms and John Duke of Lorrain being invited from Genoa where he then was arrived on the Coast of Naples with a Fleet of 23 Galleys The chief cause of these Tumults was Abtony Centellas Marques of Girachi and Croten who to revenge the wrong he pretended done his Father by King Alonso doubted not to prefer the Dominion of the French before that of the Spaniards tho descended himself from Spain These Troubles were very great and lasted long therefore it would be too tedious to relate all the Particulars of them it will be properer for our History to return to Spain In Castile King Henry raised mean Persons to high Posts and Dignities He made Michael Lucas de Trançu born at Belmonte a Town in the Country of la Mancha Constable of Castile and gave him the Town of Agreda and Castle of Veraton and Bormediano Gomez de Solis who took the Name of Gaâ—ereâ— from his Country and was Steward of the Houshold was by the Knights of Alcantara to please the King chosen Master of that Order in the Place of D. Gutierre de Sotomayor To the Brothers of these two the King gave plentiful Estates To John de Valençuela the grand Priorship of S. John These Men he designed should stand by him against the Nobility who were disgusted His ordinary Residence was at Madrid where he wholly gave himself up to Pleasure without applying himself to the Government This extraordinary Negligence drew him into great Inconveniences and no less could be expected since he used to sign all Orders or Grants without reading or knowing what was contained in them The Revenue could not answer the vast Expence of his Houshold and other Prodigalities James Arias his Treasurer finding a fit Opportunity gave him to understand as much advising him to Retrench the number of his Servants since many of them only wasted the Revenue with their Salaries and were of no manner of use This advice did not please the King who presently answered Were I Peter Arias I should have more regard to Mony than to Generosity You speak like your self and I will do as becomes a King without fear of coming to Poverty or having occasion to raise new Tares It is the Duty of Kings to give and to measure their Power not by themselves but by the publick Good which is the true fruit of Riches To some we give because they are Serviceable to others that they may not be Wicked Words well becoming a great Prince had his Actions
King of England D. Frederick the Admiral discovered the Prince's Designs to the King of Aragon He sent for him to Lerida where the Cortes of Catalonia then sate and those of Aragon at Fraga He was advised not to go but resolved to obey and was received with Demonstrations of Love but presently after committed to Prison notwithstanding he loudly complained of Breach of Faith and the Designs of his Mother-in-Law The Nobility associated themselves engaging never to give over till their Prince were set at Liberty CHAP. II. War renewed by the Moors of Granada the Prince of Viana imprisoned and released his Death the Rebellion of Catalonia also in Navarre the Kings of France and Castile meet THE Peace established with the Moors having lasted about Three Years was now broken Ismael King of Granada had Two Sons Albohaçen and Boabdelin Albohaçen desiring to exercise his Valour gathered 2500 Horse and 15000 Foot with this Force he entred the Territory of Estepa in Andaluzia did great Mischief and drove away a vast number of Cattel Roderick Ponçe Son to the Earl of Arcos being informed hereof with the Assistance of Luis Pernia Commandant at Osuna mustered about 260 Horse and 600 Foot and marched after the Enemy who was going off in disorder and fearing no Encounter It seemed a Madness for so small a Number to engage that Multitude but D. Roderick from an Eminence observing that part of the Moors with the Booty had passed the River called De las Yeaguas and only the Horse remained behind commanded the Trumpets to â—and and his Men to fall on The Christians charged the Moors who were divided into three Bodies and received them with Resolution The Fight lasted long but at length the Moors were put to the Rout and 1400 of them slain Of the Christians 30 Horse and 150 Foot were killed Our Men quartered that Night at a place called Fuente de Piedra and being next day gathering the Plunder saw the Cattel coming towards them in great Flocks At first they imagined the Enemy had rallied but it soon appeared that the Cattel being left was returning as naturally they will towards their own Pasture The Peace thus broken Incursions were made on both sides but nothing remarkable happened Only D. John de Guzman first Duke of Medina Sidonia prepared to besiege Gibraltar nothing discouraged by the Misfortune of his Father The War raised against the King of Aragon in his own Dominions was more dangerous The Catalonians sent Deputies to beg of him to set at liberty the Prince of Viana He refused and from Words they came to Blows A great Number of Men set out from Barcelona and possessed themselves of Fraga on the Borders of Aragon Gonçalo de Saavedra sent by the King of Castile to the Assistance of the Catalonians with 1500 Horse was a great Encouragement to them D. John de Cabrera Earl of Modica in Sicily was General of the Catalonians On the other side D. Luis de Biamonte was on the Frontiers of Navarre with a good Body ready to enter Aragon if the King would not grant their Request Necessity obliged him to set his Son free on the First of March 1461. ordering the Queen his Mother-in-Law to conduct him from Morella where he was Prisoner to Villafranca There he was delivered to the Catalonians who nevertheless would not admit the Queen into Barcelona tho' they laid down their Arms. Yet for all this contrary to his Father's Will they swore to him as Heir to that Principality obliged his Father to declare him Governor of all his Dominions a Dignity usually given to the eldest Sons of those Kings and to consent that he should be Absolute in Catalonia These were hard Terms but there was no other way to appease the Catalonians Now again the Treaty of Marriage between Prince Charles and the Princess Elizabeth of Castile was hotly pursued and it was looked upon as good as concluded whereupon the Prince sent to Compliment the Princess and her Mother War broke out at the same time in Navarre for Charles Artieda as soon as the Prince was at liberty seized in his Name the Town of Lumbier in that Kingdom D. Alonso afterwards Duke of Villahermosa sent by the King besieged and furiously battered that Place The Prince's Party was weak but the King of Castile sent Roderick Ponçe and Gonçalo de Suavedra with Forces who raised the Siege Greater Preparations were making to continue that War when the News was spread abroad that the Queen was with Child This pleased some yet others gave out she was with Child by D. Beltran de la Cueva but it could never be proved whether this were true or that it was only so allowed afterwards in favour of King Ferdinand when he came to the Crown D. Alonso de Fonseca the Archbishop was sent from Court on pretence of doing him Honour to reside at Valladolid and Govern the Kingdom whilst the King was absent at the War he designed in Navarre This was done by the Advice of his Competitor the Marquiss de Villena who removed him from the King hoping thereby to become absolute in his Favour and promised to reduce the Disaffected Nobility particulary the Archbishop of Toledo and the Admiral for the Master of Calatrava had already submitted and was raising Men for the War in Navarre As soon as D. Alonso de Fonseca was gone to Valladolid the Marquiss de Villena went into the Kingdom of Toledo and at the same time the Master of Calatrava came to Aranda de Duero with 2500 Horse With that Force the King of Castile marched towards Almaçan The Aragonians were much alarmed but the Army marched away towards Navarre and in May came to LogronÌ„o a great Town in the Territory of Rioja there having received Supplies from all Parts they advanced into Navarre The Town of St. Vincent and Guardia surrendered Viana was besieged and at last delivered up by Peter Peralta who was Governour thereof and Constable of Navarre Lerin was very strong and could not be taken D. Alonso Son to the King of Aragon took the Town of Arbacuca by assault all the Castillian Garison being killed or taken All these high Designs came to nothing by the death of Charles Prince of Viana at Barcelona It was supposed Trouble and Toil was the cause of his death but the Biamonteses could never be persuaded but he had a slow Poison given him in Prison He died on the 23d of September begged pardon of his Father at the Hour of his death and was buried at Poblete He lived 40 Years 3 Months and 26 Days more famous for his Misfortunes than any other thing His Device was Two fierce Mastives fighting for a Bone denoting the Kings of France and Castile between whom Navarre was consumed Other great Men died now as Charles VII King of France His Son Lewis XI succeeded him Prince Henry Uncle to the King of Portugal departed this Life on the 13th of
in it a good Body of Horse for fear as he said of the Master of Santiago his Enemy For this Reason as also because Toledo was again in an Uproar the King returned without effecting any thing In Toledo the Earl of Cifuentes possessed himself of the Castle of S. Martin then very strong and secured the Deputy-Governor Scarce were these Tumults in Toledo quelled by the King with the Assistance of the Canons of that Church when News came from Segovia that that City was all in Confusion which perplexed the King and forced him to speed thither his Treasure being there Great was the Misery of those Times as well in Ecclesiastical as Civil Affairs The Money was either Counterfeit or of base Allay Many Petitions were presented to the King for Redress of these Grievances but all in vain Ferdinand del Pulgar a Man famous in those days wrote a Pastoral Dialogue being a Satyr upon the King and Nobles reflecting severely on the Miscarriages and Abuses in the Government The same Year on the 12th of May died Charles Duke of Guienne at Bourdeaux having then concluded a League with the Dukes of Burgundy and Britany against the King of France Bloody Wars followed afterwards between the King of France and Duke of Burgundy which we leave to the French Historians Gaston Earl of Faux has relation to the History of Spain as pretending to the Crown of Navarre in Right of his Wife Ellenor but Death cut him off this Year at Roncesvalles in his way from France to Navarre The Bishop of Siguença aspired with the King's Favour to be made a Cardinal and had good Pretensions to it for his Birth and Services but was so displeased his Promotion was delayed that he would not attend the King in his late Journeys to Portugal or Andaluzia Means were used to pacify him because he was a Man in great Power and had Kindred that were very great The Master of Santiago being now a Widower married the Daughter of the Earl of Haro and the Lady Mary de Mendoça This Match allied him to the Velascos and Mendoças and made them of his Party Particularly the Mendoças forsook the Duke of Medina Sidonia By this means the Master secured himself against the Malice of his Enemies The Bishop of Siguença had fresh Assurances given him of obtaining a Cardinal's Cap as soon as the Cardinal D. Roderick de Borgia who was daily expected arrived as he did then at the City Valencia his own Country on the 20th of June He was there nobly entertained and went thence by Land to Tarragona to meet King Ferdinand who having been with his Father before Barcelona was returning to his Wife There the Cardinal Legate gave him the Dispensation for his Marriage referred by Pope Sixtus to the Archbishop of Toledo Many Reasons were given for this Journey of King Ferdinand The true one was to acquaint his Mother with the Match designed betwixt Henry Duke of Segovia and the Princess Joanna which he endeavoured to break off His Father gave little credit to it besides that he loved his Nephew Henry as being his Brother's Son In fine King Ferdinand hasted back to Valencia and thence to Castile fearing some Revolution there The Cardinal Legate came to the King of Aragon before Barcelona at such time as the Besieged suffered much yet continued obstinate They had been many times summoned but to no purpose Therefore the King wrote a Gracious Letter to them advising not to put him upon a necessity of coming to Extremities but rather to make use of his Mercy and promising to use them as his Children This Letter softned their Hearts and there being no hopes of Relief they appointed Commissioners to Treat and surrendred upon Conditions All the French Garrison with their Commander the Son to the Duke of Lorrain was suffered to depart in safety All Persons that had been in Arms against the King were pardoned except only the Earl of Pallas who from those Places he possest on the Pyrenean Hills with the Assistance of France gave some trouble and held out for a long time after All the Acts or Decrees made by the Citizens for Ten years last past and during the War were confirmed by the King On these Terms the City was Surrendred Two Matches were agreed upon at Naples one of Frederick Son to Ferdinand King of Naples with Joanna Daughter to the King of Aragon which afterwards took no effect The other of the Princess Elenor with Hercules de Este Duke of Ferrara tho' she was before Contracted to Galeaço Maria Sforcia In Navarre the Princess Elenor Resided at Sanguessa and after the death of her Husband delivered up the strong Holds of that Kingdom to the King of France for Security of her Grandchildren whose Unckle that King was This Action much offended the King of Aragon who in Revenge thereof and of the Succours sent against him during the War of Catalonia resolved to Recover Russillon and Cerdagne With this Resolution he set out of Barcelona on the 29th of December preceding the beginning of the year 1473. Elna and Perpignan immediately opened their Gates to receive him and generally the People were well affected towards him wherefore it was not doubted the other Towns would follow their Example The Cardinal Legate set out towards Castile At Madrid he was Received with great Pomp under a Canopy before him went the Lords and Prelates and he went upon the Kings right Hand the greatest Honour according to the Custom of Spain It was proposed in the Popes Name to Raise a Sum of Money upon the Revenues of the Church to be Employed in the War against the Turks Many Objections were made especially the Poverty of the Clergy yet the Legate prevailed with the Assistance of the King The Clergy of Spain were so ignorant that few of them understood Latin and besides they were wholly given up to their Ease and Luxury Their Avarice was such that they thought all too little for them and by reason of their Ambition looked upon Simony as a lawful Purchase In the Synod called by the Legate it was proposed to Remedy these Evils and to that effect they made application to the Pope that in all Cathedrals the Bishop and Chapter should choose Two Canons whereof one should be a Canonist the other a Divine This Request being so reasonable was easily granted by the Pope and he sent his Bull to that effect CHAP. X. The Pope's Legates Practices against King Henry of Castile Massacre of the Jews Signal Loyalty of Peter de Peralta Traiterous Practices of Elizabeth Sister to King Henry of Castile A Synod at Aranda ALL the Labour employed by the Legate to Appease the Tumults in Spain proved ineffectual the Inclinations of the People being Debauched and he naturally favouring King Ferdinand and endeavouring to advance his Interest To this purpose he went to Alcalà where King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth were and with them the Archbishop of
20 Days Of Disposition he was Robust and of Spirit Lively The latter part of his Life was stained with a leud Appetite tho he was past acting for he fixed his Affection upon a handsome young Woman called Frances Rose whom he design'd to have formerly Married to that D. Jayme de Aragon who was Executed at Barcelona In his Will made 10 Years before his Death he ordained several godly Works to be performed Particularly the Erecting Two Monasteries of the Order of St. Hierome which are famous at this time One of them is St. Engracia at Zaragoça the other St. Mary de Belpuch in Catalonia his Son exactly performing all that he had ordained He also ordered that the Grandsons of his Son Ferdinand tho' by a Daughter should Inherit the Crown of Aragon and take place of their Mothers CHAP. VIII Elenor Queen of Navarre The troubles of that Kingdom and her Death The Countess of Medellin raises Tumults in Castile Portugueses overthrown by the Castilians Heretical Opinions Started and Condemned in Spain King Ferdinand goes into Aragon BY the Death of the King of Aragon his Dominions were divided Aragon fell to King Ferdinand and Navarre to the Princess Elenor in the Right of her Mother She had been 7 Years a Widow and consequently exposed to great Misfortunes That Kingdom was still divided betwixt the old Factions The Biamonteses Enemies to the new Queen were most prevalent These troubles seemed to be a Judgment for the Murders committed upon Charles Prince of Viana the Princess Blanch his Sister and the Bishop of Pamplona Queen Ellenor Reigned not a whole Month. She was more Fortunate in her Issue than in her Life for she had 4 Sons Gaston John Peter and James and 5 Daughters Mary Joanna Marguerite Catherine and Ellenor we shall briefly speak of them all great Families being descended from them Gaston died as was said before and left two Children Francis Phebus and Catherine who both Reigned in Navarre successively John was Lord of Narbonne which he bought of his Father and had Issue Gaston and Germana Gaston was killed at the Battle of Ravenna where he was General for Luis the 12th of France Germana Married King Firdinand after the death of his first Wife Peter applied himself to learning and piety and Pope Sixtus made him a Cardinal James followed the War and was never Married Mary the Eldest Daughter was Married to William Marquess of Monferrat Joanna to John Earl of Armagnac Margaret to Francis Duke of Britany and had Issue Ann and Elizabeth Ann the Heiress being Married first to Charles the 8th and after his death to Luis the 12th of France joined that Dukedom and Kingdom Catherine 4th Daughter to Queen Ellenor Married Gaston de Faux Earl of Candale and brought forth 2 Sons and a Daughter called Anne Married to Ladislaus King of Hungary Ellenor the Youngest Daughter died a Maid Queen Ellenor died on the 12th of February at Tudela where she began her Reign In her Will she Ordained out of her own Money a Monastery of Franciscans should be Built at Tafalla and that her Body should be Buried there and the Bones of her Mother Queen Blanch be also Translated thither from the Monastery of Nuestra SenÌ„ora de Nieva in Old Castile where they were deposited The Revenue was so exhausted that she was forced to Sell her Jewels to Live Francis Phebus so called for his extraordinary Beauty being but 11 Years of Age succeeded her His Mother the Lady Magdalen and his Uncle Peter the Cardinal had the Administration of the Government till he came to Years and discharged their Trust Prudently in those difficult Times The late Queen during her Troubles had no help from her Brother the King of Castile therefore she made no mention of him in her Will but directed the Governors to Adhere to France as they did which was the Cause they soon lost that Kingdom Thus much of Navarre In Castile some new Oppinions in matters of Religion were broached One Peter Oxomensis a Professor of Divinity at Salamanca was the Author By Order of Pope Sixtus the Archbishop of Toledo assembled several Persons of great Learning at Alcala where he Refided who all Condemned those new Opinions and the Author was Excommunicated unless he recanted Sentence was given on the 24th of May and soon after Pope Sixtus confirmed it by his Bull. John Prexanus a famous Divine in that Age. afterwards Bishop of Cuidad Rodrigo wrote a Book against the said Peter The Marquisate of Villena was now the Seat of War for the Marquess because Covenants were not performed with him had recourse to Arms and relieved the Town of Chinchilla besieged by the King's Forces Peter Ruiz de Alarcon who Commanded a Party of the King 's was defeated near Alberca by Peter de Baeça and D. George Manrique who in another Skirmish with Peter de Baeça was Wounded of which hurt he afterwards died A great pitty that so ripe a Wit should be so soon cut off Hereupon the Marquess was liable as having been in Arms against the King's Forces He excused himself laying the blame upon the Insolency of those Officers who forced him to do so and pleaded he had no dealings either with the King of Portugal or Archbishop of Toledo These excuses whether True or Counterfeit prevented any farther proceedings against him In this War there happned an extraordinary accident worth Relating The King's Party had hanged 6 of the Prisoners they took In revenge John Berrio an Officer of the Marquess ordered as many of those he had taken to be put to death in the same manner The Prisoners cast Lots and among the rest it fell to the share of one of 2 Brothers that were Prisoners who had a Wife and Children to die The other Brother who was a Batchellor begged to be put to death in his place and so it was done after they had both long and with many Tears contended about it King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth received the News of King John's Death and their own Accession to the Crown of Aragon in Estremadura where they were quelling the Tumults raised by the Countess of Medellin and D. Alonso de Mâ—nrey The Countess had a Spirit above a Woman for she kept her own Son D. John Portocarrero some years a Prisoner and at last turned him out of Doors which was the cause she was in Arms fearing lest she should be obliged to restore the Earldom to her Son who laid Claim to it as his Father's Inheritance She also designed to keep the City Merida in which she had a Garison D. Alonso was digusted that the Mastership of Alcantara was taken from him and given to D. John de ZunÌ„iga upon which Pretence he seized several Towns belonging to that Military Order The King provided for the War with Portugal which it was feared would prove more bloody than before yet both Parties being exhausted a Treaty was proposed This was the more Welcome to
all the Inhabitants to the Sword or sold them as Slaves King Ferdinand came to Valladolid upon the 6th of September There an opportunity was offered him of recovering the City Placencia which the late Kings had Alienated and given to the Family of Zun̄iga D. Alvaro de Zuniga dying a Grandson of his whose Father was dead before Inherited his Estate James de Zuniga Unckle to the Heir pretended he had a better Right as being Son to the deceased The Kindred was divided between both Thus the Family of the Caravajales seized the City but could not make themselves Masters of the Castle which was well defended by the Garrison King Ferdinand coming to appease that Sedition seized all D. Alvaro the new Duke surrendring and contenting himself with the Town of Bejar and its Dependancies in lieu of that City This struck a Terror into all the Nobility fearing they should be forced to restore to the King now grown strong all they had extorted from his Predecessors in times of Consusion New Tumults broke out in Aragon upon account that the Nobility were for breaking off the Association not long since formed betwixt the Cities as a thing that Curbed them They never gave over till some Years after at the Cortes held at Barcelona they obtained the Association should be dissolved for Ten Years John de Fonseca and Alvaro Arronio were sent Ambassadors to Flanders to procure the Liberty of Maximilian King of the Romans imprisoned by the People of Bruges They managed their business so well that he was Released and Reconciled to his Subjects His first Wife the Lady Mary to whom belonged the Dominion of Flanders being dead he aspired to Marry the Princess Elizabeth of Castile Her Father and Mother did not consent because she was promised in Portugal yet they offered one of that Princess's Sisters for Philip his Son and Heir Frederick the Emperor his Grandfather upon this design of Marrying him in Spain gave him the Title of Archduke of Austria whereas before they were only called Dukes The Fleet the Lord d' Albret was sitting out on the Coast of Biscay contributed much towards the obtaining the Liberty of Maximilian the People of Bruges being jealous it was designed against them The Fleet Sailed to Britany where the Duke of Orleans and his Confederates were overthrown by the King the Duke and John Gralla who Commanded the Spaniards were made Prisoners as shall be said hereafter CHAP. VIII The Masterships of all the Military Orders in Spain annexed to the Crown for ever Three Cities and other Places taken from the Moores Elizabeth Princess of Castile Married to Alonso Prince of Portugal His and his Fathers death AT the end of this Year died Gazri Lopez de Padilla Master of Calatrava Many aspired to that Dignity but King Ferdinand by virtue of a Bull obtained of Pope Innocent to that purpose annexed it to the Crown The same was afterwards done with the other Masterships whence it followed that rewards due to Soldiers were afterwards bestowed on Courtiers The usual Confusions at the Election of those Masters and the Lowness of the Kings Revenue were the cause of this Alteration In the East Bajazet the Turk gathered a mighty Army and Fleet which Allarmed all the Christian Princes but his design was against the Soldan of Egypt Only 11 Galliots of Pyrats invaded the Island of Malta and plundered it all up to the very Walls of the City This Island having Two Ports can contain any Fleet. The Ports are divided by a point of Land called of Santelmo This Point it was judged necessary to Fortifie that the Enemy might not possess themselves of the Island and from thence Infest the Coasts of the Christians A Fleet Sailed from Sicily in search of these Pyrats but came too late for they were gone with their Booty Another Fleet Sailed from Spain with Ferdinand de Acun̄a who went Viceroy into Sicily It was designed not only to defend their own Coasts but to Invade those of Africk King Ferdinand joined in a League with the King of England and House of Austria against the King of France All this tended towards subduing of the Kingdom of Naples which some of the Banished Nobility offered to King Ferdinand and others to the King of France as the more Powerful and an Enemy to the House of Aragon At the beginning of the Year 1489 1000 Horse and 2000 Foot were sent into Britany to succour the Lady Ann who succeeded her Father in that Dukedom D. Peter Sarmiento Earl of Salinas Commanded that Body The War against the Moores of Granada was of more Moment and greater advantages were expected from it therefore the King and Queen set out from Medina del Campo towards Andaluzia upon the 27th of March. The Rendezvous was at Jaen where upon a Muster the King found 12000 Horse and 50000 Foot all the choice Men in the Kingdom A good Body came from Biscay Baça was resolved upon to begin the Campaigne with By the Way that no Enemy might be left behind they took Cajor a small but strong Town This done Baça was Invested This City is Seated on the Side of a Hill down which and along the plain below it runs a small River on all other sides it is encompassed with other rising Grounds It was well Garrisoned and furnished with all Necessaries for 15 Months The Scituation did not allow any Engines to be brought up to the Walls About 1000 Horse and 2000 Foot sallied out of the City and did us some harm our Men being intangled betwixt the Channels of Water but others coming to their Relief the Enemy was repulsed with considerable loss Several other Skirmishes happened our Men destroying all the Orchards about the City Our Men could not deal with the Enemy upon equal Terms but they overpowred them in number Thus the Siege was prolonged and King Ferdinand was dubious whether he had not best raise the Siege especially because he lost many of his Men by Sickness and other accidents The Marquess of Cadiz then made a Duke advised to raise the Siege However the King resolved to continue it and the more to Curb the Besieged caused a Trench to be drawn quite round the Walls with Nine Forts at convenient distances all strongly Guarded to prevent being surprized by the Enemy Sallying All the Army was conveniently Posted about the Place and the Duke of Cadiz with 4000 Horse had charge of the Artillery Thus no relief could enter the City but they had plenty of Provisions In the Camp there was great scarcity of Bread and Money and yet fresh Troops came in daily About October came the Dukes of Najara and Alva in Mourning for their Father lately deceased The Admiral also came and the Marquis de Astorga Soon after arrived the Queen with the Princess Elizabeth the Cardinal of Toledo and other Prelates The Queens coming as I believe altered the resolution of the Besieged believing now the Siege was fixed Hazen the
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
D. John de Zun̄iga Master of Alcantara to resign up that Dignity to him and in lieu of it to accept of the Archbishoprick of Sevil. Thus the King became Master of those Three Orders for his Life and Pope Alexander joined with him Queen Elizabeth appointing her to Inherit those Dignities after his death Lastly Pope Adrian some Years after to oblige his Schollar Charles the Emperor granted to him and his Heirs the Presentation of all the Bishops in Spain which before the Kings had only liberty to recommend by way of Suit He also assigned him the Administration of the Three Military Orders for ever To this last Master of Alcantara who was afterwards a Cardinal The Master Antony de Nebriga dedicated his Dictionary This was a Man worthy of Immortal Fame and to have his Name Recorded in the History of Spain as well because he laid the Foundation of all the Learning of the Latin Tongue there as for the many Books he writ fraught with good Doctrine and Learning Among his other Works he composed the Histories of the Wars of Granada and that of Navarre which hapned some Years after true it is in those Works there appears more of his diligence and sincerity than elegancy At the same time that the Marquess of Cadiz and Master of Santiago died Henry de Guzman Duke of Medina Sidonia and D. Peter Enriquez Lieutenant of Andaluzia departed this Life D. John his Son succeeded the Duke Not long before Peter Hernandez de Velasco the Constable dying Bernardin de Velasco his Son succeeded him and Married the Lady Joanna de Aragon King Ferdinand's Bastard Daughter Nothing hapned about this time more remarkable or that put Italy and the most part of Europe into a greater confusion than the famous War in Naples undertaken by Charles the VIII King of France as has been before hinted To speak of this War let us recollect what has been in other places said of the Original Causes of it Pope Urban the VI. caused Charles Prince of Durazzo to come out of Hungary to oppose him against Joanna Queen of Naples who had favoured the Election of Clement the VII his Competitor whereby the Peace of the Church was much disturbed She called to her assistance Luis Duke of Anjou younger Son to the King of France and adopted him her Son and Heir to that Kingdom This Luis had a Son of his own Name who made War upon Ladislaus Son to Charles and King of Naples but his success was no better than his Father's for both were unfortunate in that War Luis the Grandson was called by Pope Martin the V. against Joanna the younger Queen of Naples and Sister to Ladislaus This Luis expelled Alonso King of Aragon whom the said Joanna had adopted and afterwards cast off Renee his Brother succeeded Luis with him King Alonso was long at War and at last forced him to return into France John Duke of Lorrain was Son to this Renée and in the Barons War much distressed King Fredcrick of Naples and afterwards headed the Catalonians in Rebellion against King John He dying at Barcelona as has been said Charles Nephew to Renèe his Brother's Son Inherited his Possessions This Charles in his Will constituted Luis the XI King of France his Heir believing Renée Duke of Lorrain his own Nephew could not be able to withstand the power of the Aragonians This was the original Cause of the War in Naples Another secondary Cause was added in this manner Galleazzo Duke of Milan being Murdered by his Subjects Luis Sforcia his Brother took upon him the Government of that Dukedom under colour of the Minority of John Galleazzo Son to the deceased Luis Sforcia had to Wife Beatrix Sister to to Hercules Duke of Ferrara Also Alonso Duke of Calabria Son to the King of Naples was Married to Hippolita Sister to Luis Sforcia by whom he had Ferdinand and Elizabeth Ferdinand was King of Naples after his Grandfather and Father Elizabeth was Married to John Galeazzo the true Duke of Milan This Lady seeing her Husband excluded tho' he had Two Children by her perswaded her Father to restore her Husband to the Inheritance left him by his Ancestors Luis Sforcia perceiving what a Storm threatned him from Naples invited Charles the VIII King of France to Invade that Kingdom which he said of right appertained to him Many Men of Note of his own Subjects encouraged the King to undertake this Enterprize as also some Barons of Naples Banished by King Ferdinand Philip de Comines says those Noblemen were well received at first yet such was their entertainment that necessity drove them to have recourse to King Ferdinand who had a better-Title to that Crown than the Possessors who were of the Bastard Line Yet the King perceiving those Lords only sought their own ends and would consequently follow him that came first thought not fit to engage in that War and only endeavoured to disswade the French from it By this time they were so far ingagaged there was no going back Both Parties sought to strengthen themselves with Alliances The French and Milaneses joyned in League with all the States of Italy except the Florentines who at first favoured the Aragonians and the Venetians who chose rather to stand neuter than favour either side Pope Alexander tho' at first he appeared averse from the Kings of Naples at last upon promise that his Sons should have possessions given them in that Kingdom and that a yearly Pension should be paid to him he resolved to stand by those who had obliged him The King of Naples ceased not to provide for the War and make all the Friends he could Particularly he sent an Ambassador into Spain to press the King to make War upon France He urged their near Kindred as being Cousin-germans and Brothers in-Law and put King Ferdinand in mind of the danger of Sicily in Case the French became Masters of Naples All this moved not King Ferdinand to break with France only he sent Garcilasso de la Vega to the Pope to confirm him in his resolution of protecting the King of Naples and D. Alonso de Silva brother to the Earl of Cifuentes was sent to France to disswade that King from the Enterprize he had in hand and in case he would not desist declare to him that King Ferdinand could not forsake his kinsman and Ally This hapned at the beginning of the Year 1494 when King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth having till then staid in Aragon went away from Zaragoça to Tordesillas thence to Valladolid and so to Medina del Campo There they received advice that Ferdinand King of Naples was departed this Life He died on the 25th of January of a great Age and in care for the War then in Hand Unfortunate on the one side for leaving his Affairs in so ill a Posture the chief cause whereof was his austere Temper Happy on the other side that he lived not to see the Ruin of that his
the Cardinal of St. Peter but he was disappointed The French had often urged that since King Frederick being of a Bastard Family could have no Title to the Kingdom of Naples the Right must either be in the King of France or Spain and therefore it were fit they should agree about it The Catholick King was for standing to the Determination of the Emperor This proposal did not please the French King who offered if the King of Spain would resign up his Pretensions he would make him amends in Money or otherwise and offered the Kingdom of Navarre This Affair was debated at Medina del Campa whither the French Ambassadors came to King Ferdinand They offered the whole Province of Calabria upon Condition that if after the Conquest of the Kingdom if their King had a mind to it himself he should give the Catholick King the Kingdom of Navarre and 30000 Ducats a Year Yet King Ferdinand rather inclined to have Frederick left in possession he paying to the French a Sum of Money towards the Expence of the War and a certain Tribute yearly It was also proposed that the Duke of Calabria should Marry the Daughter of the Duke of Bourbon Niece to the French King Thus the Ambassadors were dismissed and because it was believed the War would again break out after the Expiration of the Truce the Catholick King endeavoured to secure himself on the side of Navarre He demanded of that King some strong Holds for his Security and appointed the Constable Bernardin de Velasco General upon that Frontier The same Precautions were used on the side of Russillon There hapned a Mutiny at Perpignan betwixt the Townsmen and Soldiers and D. Henry the General coming to part them was wounded on the Head with a stone whereof he died The Duke of Alva succeeded in that Command and the Fleet of Spain of which D. In̄igo Manrique was Admiral was ordered to repair to that Coast These were the Preparations in Spain In Italy King Frederick to gain the Duke of Milan offered him to Wife his Daughter Charlotte and his Daughter Elizabeth to his Eldest Son but these Proposals were prevented from taking effect by the fall of those Two Houses He also pressed the Pope for the Investiture of the Kingdom which at length he obtained and the Cardinal of Valencia was sent to Crown him After the Coronation Prosper Colona was Created Duke of Trageto and Earl of Fundi Fabricius Colona Duke of Tallacoço and the Great Gonçalo de Cordova Duke of Monte de Santangelo and D. In̄igo Brother to the Marquess de Pescara who was killed Marquess del Gasto CHAP. VIII Progress of the Portugues Discoveries in the East Peter Covillam and Alonso de Paiva sent to India by Land Vasco de Gama sent to Discover India by Sea with Four Ships His Voyage till he came to Calicut AT the same time that the other Parts of Europe and especially Italy were consumed with Wars and labouredunder the Apprehensions of still greater Calamities Portugal having enjoyed a lasting Peace was Imployed in extending its Dominions in remote Parts and carrying the Light of the Gospel into the farthest bounds of the World even into India An undertaking at first thought rash but which proved Honourable and Advantageous to that Kingdom Prince Henry Brother to King Edward was the first that attempted to discover the Coast of Africk towards the South Death cut him off in the Year of Grace 1470 and of his Age 67. King Alonso his Nephew desisted from this Enterprize by reason of the unhappy Wars in which he was involved King John the II. his Son took this Work in hand again and ceased not till having passed the Line he discovered the Cape called by the Sailers Tormentoso or Stormy by reason of the great Tempests they met with there but he called it the Cape of good Hope which Name it still retains because it gave him hopes that way to send his Fleets to the Coasts of Asia and India and to partake of the Riches of those Countries For his better Information he sent Peter Covillam and Alonso de Paiva as has been already said by Land to get some knowledge of those Eastern Coasts Paiva died by the way and Covillam having travelled all those Countries sent his King an Account in Writing out of Ethiopia of what he had learnt but was not suffered to return himself Mean while King John died His Successor King Emanuel was willing to carry on this Enterprize He proposed it in Council where some advised him to desist others to proceed others to Imploy himself in the Conquest of Africk whereof enough was already discovered Among this Variety of Opinion the most Honourable took place and accordingly the King Ordered Four Ships to be fitted The Command of them he gave to Vasco de Gama a Man of a great Spirit and it was fit he should be such to begin the longest and most dangerous Voyage that ever was attempted in the World With him went his Brother Paul de Gama Nicholas Coello and other Men of Note All his Force exceeded not 160 Men as well Soldiers as Seamen They blessed the Royal Standard in a Church of our Lady standing on the Shore Founded by Prince Henry where afterwards King Emanuel Built the famous Monastery of Belem Thence they were Conducted by a great multitude of People who lamented them as dead Men and so they set Sail on the 9th of July They steered their Course first to the Canary Islands and then to those of Caboverde called by the Antients Hesperides Having passed these Islands and the chiefest of them called Santiago they stood to the Eastward crossing a mighty Gulph where by reason of the great Storms and swelling Seas they spent three Months before they discovered Land In 10 Degrees of South Latitude they discovered a pleasant River whose Banks were shaded with Trees where they Anchored to take in fresh Water and refresh themselves The People here were Black and had short curled Hair Here they Traded by Signs and for some Baubles were supplied with fresh Provisions The Gulph he called of St. Helona and the River Santiago They continued their Voyage to turn the Cape of good Hope but the Weather proved so bad they oft gave themselves for lost Here all the Commanders resolution was requisite his Men protesting he ought to turn back and not tempt Heaven but neither Threats nor Intreaties moved him It was agreed to kill him his Brother discovered the design he secured the Masters and undertook to Steer his Ship himself In this manner he reached the utmost part of the Cape and began to turn it on the 20th of November it being then Spring there About 50 Leagues beyond it is a Gulph which they called of St. Blas and in the midst of it an Island where they found a multitude of Sea Wolves thither they went to Water The Natives of it were like to those of the West Coast of Africk went
driven till our Men came to a plain where the Enemy left their Goods Wives and Children This Place the Infidels soon quitted and the Christians fell to plunder which an old valiant Moor perceiving he encouraged the rest who soon rallied and gave a fresh Charge upon the Christians Here D. Alonso de Aguilar and above 200 of his Men were killed His Son D. Peter de Cordova with much difficulty was brought off to the Earl of Uren̄a who made good his Ground The Earl of Cifuentes made a halt somewhat lower and there staying those that fled stood the Enemy till towards Morning they drew back to the top of the Mountain The King who was then at Ronda sent the Duke of Najara against Daydin and ordered the Earls of Uren̄a and Cifuentes to make show as if they would mount the same way they attempted before The Moors perceiving they were lost Men offered to submit It was agreed that such as would might have liberty to be transported to Africk paying Ten doubles a Head all that would stay should turn Christians Many went over to Barbary many more stayed and were Baptized yet were no better than those that went away Thus that War which had much alarmed all Spain was concluded The death of D. Alonso de Aguilar hapned the ensuing Year Let us return to what we left behind in point of time CHAP. III. The Birth of the Emperor Charles the V. The French possess themselves of the State of Milan and take the Duke and his Brother the Cardinal The Great Year of Jubilee 1500 The League betwixt France and Spain Cefalonia taken from the Turks AT the same time that the Moors of the Mountains Alpujarras were in Rebellion King Ferdinand had ordered a Fleet to be Rigged with all speed to be Commanded by the Great Captain in favour of the Venetians and against the Turks who threatned Italy It was given out that the Duke of Milan and King of Naples had brought them to their assistance against their Enemies Duke Valentin with Forces brought out of France made War in Romania as General of the Church against several who had possessed themselves of Towns in that Territory He took Imola and Fori the Countess whereof he made Prisoner His chief design was against the Lord of Pesaro who had Married his Sister who understanding his own danger having Garrisoned the City absented himself Luis Sforcia solicited the Emperor and Princes of Germany to assist him in recovering his Dominions He raised Men among the Swissers and Grisons and sending his Brother the Cardinal Ascanius before with them all Places he came to submitted to him The People of Milan drove their Governor into the Castle whence he was forced the 3d day to fly towards Pavia That same day the Cardinal entred Milan and after him the Duke with great Joy of the People tho' still the Castle was held by the French Pavia Lodi Pertona and Plasencia did the same The main of the French Army Rendezvouzed at Novaro in order to oppose the Duke Thither repaired the French Forces that had been with Duke Valentin he thereupon returning to Rome where nothing was done by the Pope without his advice At Ghent in Flanders the Princess Joenna Wife to the Archduke was brought to Bed of her Son Charles on the day of St. Mathias This is he to whom Heaven had Decreed so mighty an Empire as afterwards was subject to his Command Eight days after his Birth the Princess Margaret came to Ghent and was his Godmother with the Dutchess Margaret 2d Wife to Duke Charles The young Prince was Created Duke of Luxemburg whereas before the Eldest Sons of the Dukes of Burgundy were called Earls of Charalois The News of his Birth wasreceived with great Joy in Spain and the Catholick Queen said The Lot has fallen upon Mathias alluding to the day he was Born upon and considering the weakness of Prince Michael who died soon after at Granada after whose death the Archduke and his Wife were Princes of Castile and Aragon After the Return of Vasco de Gama from India Peter Alverez Cabral was sent on the 8th of March with a Fleet of 13 Sail to continue that Enterprize By the way he Discovered Brasil was at first well received at Calicut but afterwards came to Blows with that People The War continued in Lombardy and the Duke by degrees recovered all he had lost He made himself Master of Alexandria and Novaro and being desirous to put an end to the War drew out of the City with all his Forces which were about 16000 Swissers and Germans Both Armies being ready to Engage his Swissers refused to Fight against the French and their Countrymen who served on their side whereupon he retired to the City in hopes to perswade them to Fight But they had before sold and now delivered him up to the French who sent him to France where he died in Prison This sad News being brought to Cardinal Ascanius his Brother who lay before the Castle of Milan he went away with 500 Horse towards Placencia Charles Ursinus who Commanded some Troops of the Venetians met defeated and took him Prisoner After the Venetians had kept him some time they delivered him to the King of France who secured him in Prison at Bourges and some Years after set him at liberty Maximilian and Francis the Dukes Sons were at the Emperor's Court which saved them from being involved in the Ruin of their Family The French without any Opposition possessed themselves of all the Dukedom The Cardinal of Roan resided at Milan to gain whom the Pope made him Legate of France excepting Britany for the space of a Year and a half The King of Castile was jealous of the King of Navarre because he shewed much affection towards the French wherefore not content with the Ingagements the Governors of Towns were obliged to make to him the Towns of Sanguessa and Viana had been put into a third Hand by way of pledge for five Years That Time being expired the King of Navarre demanded the Restitution of them and the Catholick King delayed it To end all Controversies the King of Navarre came himself in April to Sevil where the Catholick King and Queen were All things were there adjusted and the Towns restored The Count de Lerin then a Banished Man in Castile was restored to most of his Eastate and to the Office of Constable which he had before to the great Offence of D. Alonso Peralta Earl of Santistevan from whom that Honour was then taken without any Demerit of his or any Recompence made him This 't was feared might occasion new Troubles For Security of the Agreement betwixt the Two Kings the King of Navarre left his Daughter the Princess Magdalen to be bred up in the Court of the Catholick King as a Pledge of his real Friendship This was now the great Year of Jubilee in which multitudes of People from all Parts of
those Times At the beginning of this Year Lucrecia de Borgia was married to the Heir of the Duke of Ferrara her Portion was 100000 Ducats The Archduke and his Wife by the way of Burgos Valladolid Medina and Segovia came to Madrid The Catholick King and Queen came from Andaluzia to Guadalupe There to oblige Duke Valentine and in him the Pope they gave him the City Andria and other Lands in Naples with the Title of Prince It was also proposed that the Kings of Spain and France should settle an Estate upon King Frederick and his Children The King and Queen came to Toledo upon the 22d of April as did the Princes on the 7th of May having been stayed some days at Olias by reason of the Archduke's Indisposition At Toledo on the 22d of May they were sworn Heirs of the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon in a great Assembly of Prelates and Noblemen They were tied in case they Inherited those Kingdoms to Govern them according to their ancient and known Laws At the same time that Spain rejoiced at the coming of these Princes England lamented the Death of Prince Arthur The Princess his Wife was supposed to be lest a Maid tho' they lived together as Man and Wife for 5 Months But the Prince was only 14 Years of Age and of so weak a Constitution that it gave sufficient Grounds to believe this might be true Ferdinand Duke d' Estrada was sent by the Catholick King to Condole with King Henry and to propose that the Princess might be married to his Second Son But he neither restored her Portion nor could for some time be brought to conclude that Match which afterwards proved so unfortunate Soon after the News was brought of that Prince's Death Mary Queen of Portugal was delivered at Lisbon of a Son whom they named John He afterwards Inherited his Father's Kingdom and was a most Renowned Prince CHAP. VI. Further Actions of the Great Captain at Naples The Duke of Calabria contrary to Articles sent into Spain The French and Spanish Generals Consult their Kings and have a Conference to Adjust Differences in the Division of Naples The beginning of the War betwixt them THE Great Captain as has been said laid Siege to Taranto some months before this time In that Town was the Duke of Calabria well provided to hold out Nevertheless the first day the Town was invested a Treaty was begun and at length the Duke by the means of Octavian de Santis concluded a Truce for Two months that he might have time to consult his Father both sides giving Hostages that nothing should be done to the prejudice of the other in the mean while Afterwards because the Messengers sent to King Frederick were not come back the Truce was prolonged till the end of the year upon the same Articles as before This Term also expiring without any Answer the Truce was still continued for Two months longer and the City put into the keeping of Bindo de Ptoiomeis a Subject of the Catholick King in whom the Great Captain reposed great Trust upon Condition that after that time the City should be surrendred without any farther delay but that the Duke with all his Treasure and Family should be free At the same time the Castle of Gerachi a Place of great importance 3 Leagues from the Sea was surrendred and the Prince of Salerno came to Treat with the Great Captain about coming over to his Party provided he and the Prince of Bisignano might be restored to their Estates He also demanded the Earldom of Lauria and 5000 Duccats Pension which his Predecessors used to be allowed by the Kings of Naples All these were extravagant Demands and denoted he had but a small Inclination to submit Many of the Barons who had withdrawn with King Frederick to Ischia came over now to the Great Captain Of them he admitted such as he thought were most important for his King's Service and among them Prosper and Fabricius Colona being informed the Venetians endeavoured to draw them into their Service D. James de Mendoça and In̄igo de Ayala took the City and Castle of Manfredonia by Intelligence they held with the Governour that was to keep that place for King Frederick notwithstanding the Lord of Alegre was marching at the same time to Relieve the Besieged At last the City Taranto according to Articles was delivered with its Castles to the great Captain And because one of the Articles of Surrender was That the Duke might have liberty to depart whither he pleased for the present he went to Bari which still held out for his Father tho the City was weak and the Castle but a plain House resolving to stay there for his Orders without which he would not do any thing The Great Captain earnestly desired to reconcile him to the Catholick King that be might not go to France which might cause some Troubles Proposals were made and he offered him 30000 Duccats a year for ever part in the Kingdom of Naples and part in Spain which was all he asked or could expect in that Condition The Duke liked the Offer but would conclude nothing without his Father's Consent Soon after the Dutchess Dowager of Milan his Cousin rather than to go to Sicily whither she was invited with the Queen of Hungary her Aunt retired to that City This Lady prevailed with the Duke to write a Letter to the great Captain praying him that notwithstanding the Capitulation by which he was at liberty to dispose of himself he would send him over to the Catholick King because he found his Father's Designs were not for his Advantage and yet he was not willing to act any thing publickly in opposition to him It is to be believed the Duke did not continue long in this mind for his Father by Letter pressed the Great Captain according to what had been Capitulated to give his Son his full Liberty urging that it was not like a Gentleman to break his Word and that he ought to remember how much he had been his Friend in the time of his Prosperity The Great Captain who kept a Guard upon him that he might not escape to the end to bring him to his Will besides the Revenue he had offered before now promised in the Name of the Catholick King to Marry him either to the Queen of Naples his Neece or with the Princess of Wales both very advantageous Proposals It was suspected that the Earl of Ponteza D. John de Guevera who always stuck by the Duke led him which way he pleased The Duke tho he went about Apulia in appearance free yet was so guarded that he could not get away nor scarce go a Hunting In fine this Business was so contrived that at Duke was brought back to Toranto and thence John de Conchillos had Orders to carry him in a Gally to Sicily and so to Spain it being believed Matters would be the better adjusted betwixt the Parties themselves and that the Duke
Before he went thence King Philip sent to acquaint him with some things that had passed between the Queen and himself desiring he would as a Father prevent the like for the future King Ferdinand referred him to his own Conscience From Tordesillas the Catholick King went to Tudela a Village near Valladolid and King Philip to Mucientes By the way he laboured to draw the Nobility to consent under their Hands to shut up the Queen The Admiral being asked to Sign desired first to speak with the Queen It was granted So the Admiral and Earl of Benavente went to the Castle of Mucientes where the Queen was They found her in a black Room cloathed in black her Face almost covered At the Door stood Garzilasso de la Vega and within the Archbishop of Toledo The Admiral had some Discourse with the Queen and she never said any thing from the purpose King Philip pressed she should be shut up the Admiral advised him to be careful what he did for it would be of evil Consequence to go to Valladolid without her and might be a Motive to raise Tumults under colour of setting the Queen at Liberty That his Opinion was he should never let her be from him and since Jealousie was her greatest Distemper her being shut up would only serve to increase it This being proposed in Council it was decreed she should be carried to Valladolid Before this it was agreed the Two Kings should meet at Renedo a Village a League and a half from Tudela and two and a half from Mucientes King Ferdinand desired that to avoid Scandal this Meeting might be with greater Demonstrations of Affection than the former On the 5th of July after Dinner the Two Kings set out towards Renedo King Ferdinand came first alighted at the Church and there expected his Son in Law They met with great Demonstrations of Affection Discoursed together an hour and half then called the Archbishop of Toledo before whom they used many Expressions full of Kindness no Business was spoken of nor mention made of seeing the Queen This done they parted and King Ferdinand went on his Journey towards Aragon The Duke of Alva begged Leave to bear him Company to Naples whither he intended to go but was not permitted the King telling him he had rather he should attend his Service in Castile King Ferdinand bore this shameful Expulsion out of Castile with great Resolution and appeared always pleasant to the Nobility that came to take their Leave of him If any charged others with Ingratitude to him he said they had done him good Service and he would Reward them as far as lay in his Power In short he went away as if he expected soon to return Scarce had King Ferdinand turned his Back when there began to be great Commotions in Castile which made it appear to the People what miss they were like to have of the late Government King Philip had summoned the Cortes to meet at Valladolid He still urged to shut up the Queen on account of her Infirmity and that she should not have any Hand in the Government The Nobility complied and the Archbishop of Toledo made Interest to get her into his Hands Only the Admiral of Castile opposed it and perswaded the Commons not to consent they promised they would not if any of the Nobility would stand by them and he solemnly Swore never to forsake them Thus most of them gainsaid it and only Swore as they had done before at Toro Queen Joanna Queen of Castile in her own Right the Archduke King as her Husband and Prince Charles Heir to the Crown after his Mother's Death They gave 100 Millions of Maravedies to be raised in two years for carrying on the War against the Moors which was looked upon as a heavy Tax by reason of the Famine then raging in Castile Spain was supplied with Corn out of Sicily a thing never before heard of It was also surprizing that the Council of State began to interfere with the Business of the Inquisition They gave Ear to those who made Complaint against James Rodriguez Luzero Inquisitor at Cordova him and his Inferior Officers they designed to remove from their Employments The Earl of Cabra and Marquess of Priego stood up for them The People Mutinied secured the Judge and a Notary of the Inquisition and entred the Palace where the Inquisitors resided They complained of the Archbishop of Sevil D. James de Peza who was Head Inquisitor and of all the General Council of the Inquisition which was made up of Dr. Roderick de Mercado the Master Azpeitia the Licentiate Ferdinand de Montemayor the Licentiate John Travera who was afterwards Cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo and the Licentiate Sosa all Men of known Integrity They resided at Toro and had in Custody a great number of rich Jews It was no less strange that at once all the Governors of Towns and Forts and Generals of the Frontiers were changed This Alteration was the cause of Three great Evils one that many Places of Trust were given to Flemings The second that the number of Preferments being so great they were not bestowed on Deserving Persons but as every Courtier or Nobleman was in favour or else as every one offered most Money The third that all those who were removed thought themselves wronged being outed those Places without any cause which they had obtained by their Service This was cause of great Discontent The Discontent of those who had lost their Places the Ignorance of the new Officers and above all the Report that all Preferments were sold and that the Queen was ill Treated gave occasion to the Multitude to Mutiny and Combine together for Redressing those Grievances and preventing greater they feared were like to follow Now it was thought had the Catholick King returned into Castile all Men would have followed him and the new King began to be held in such small Account that when he would have made Garcilasso de la Vega President of the Council and Tutor to Prince Ferdinand the Nobility would not allow him either D. John Manuel acted as President till such time as that Employment was disposed of In Andaluzia the Duke of Medina Sidonia the Earl of Uren̄a the Marquess de Priego and Earl of Cabra met as was supposed to Treat about setting the Queen at liberty The King and Queen in August went from Valladolid to Segovia on account that the Marquess and Marchioness of Moya would not resign the Command of that Castle to D. John Manuel as they were ordered But they knowing Forces were raising against them submitted The King hearing of it returned to Tudela de Duero designing for Burgos and Vitoria because it was reported the French had a Force in readiness to invade the Frontiers on that side To secure himself on the side of Navarre he appointed the Duke of Najara General of those Frontiers in the place of D. John de Ribera and concluded a League with
that King and Queen for Castile and Leon without mentioning his Father in Law or the Kingdom of Aragon which was contrary to the Agreement made with King Ferdinand at Villafasila and misbecoming the Duty of a Son to a Father The Catholick King by the way of Montagudo and Hariza went to Zaragoça where the Queen first and then he were received with great Joy the People having conceived hopes that the King's Marriage would produce a King of their own By the way before King Ferdinand left Castile he at several times pressed King Philip to deliver up to him Duke Valentin as his Prisoner that he might keep him in some secure place in Aragon or carry him over to Naples whither he designed soon to go and to that effect was sitting out a Fleet at Barcelona King Philip was willing to deliver him but his Council advised it was fit first to decide whose Prisoner he was being taken and sent into Spain by the Great Captain whilst Queen Elizabeth was yet living This Councel was followed which was a new Subject of Distast The Jealousie of the Great Captain still increased His long Delays gave Malicious Men occasion to Descant upon him Some said he expected the coming of the Emperor who designed to Embark in the Gulph of Venice with 8000 Germans to possess himself of that Kingdom Some said he held Intelligence with France by means of the Cardinal d' Amboise Others that he Corresponded with the Pope and designed to accept of the Command of General of the Church differed him to expel John Bentivolla out of Bolognia which City he had made himself Master of Others said he designed to Marry his Daughter to the Son of Prosper Colona that he might support himself with the Interest of the Coloneses Every Man affirmed as much of him as he imagined or believed was in his Power to do The Great Captain sent Nan̄o de Ocampo by the Post to Spain to clear him and to assure the King of his coming But there being so many various Reports this was looked upon as no sufficient Security and the King resolved to go away as soon as possible He constituted the Archbishop of Zaragaça Viceroy of Naples and the Duke of Calabria of Catalonia but took from him his Italian Servants and ordered some of them to go with him to Naples He also sollicited to have the King of France send him the Duke's Mother and her other Children but she could not be perswaded to go and therefore went away to the Marquisate of Mantua with Luis de Gonzaga her Nephew the King of France promising to allow her 10000 Duccats a year The Catholick King sent Charles de Alagon to Naples to give Advice of his coming and Assure the Colloneses that regard should be had to their Services On the 4th of September he set sail from Barcelona and with him Queen Germana the Two Queens of Naples Mother and Daughter and a great number of Castilian and Catalonian Noblemen that attended upon him The Fleet was very great for in it were the Galleys of Sicily commanded by Tristan Dolz and those of Catalonia by D. Raymund de Cardona besides many Ships The Galleys of Naples were left there for the Great Captain to come out and meet the King which he did accordingly On the 7th of September he set out from Naples by Land the Weather being unfit for the Galleys He stayed at Gaeta till the 20th of the month With him was the Duke of Termens and many Spanish and Italian Gentlemen Prisoners he carried the Prince of Rosano the Marquess of Bitonto Alonso de Sanseverino and Fabricius de Gesualdo others he left sick at Naples At the same time King Philip being come to Burgos and lodged in the Constables House immediately ordered the Lady Joanna de Aragon the Constables Wife to depart the Court that the Queen might have no body to make her Complaints to An Impeachment began to be drawn up against the Duke of Alva and the Admiral was ordered to deliver up one of his Castles he being grown into suspicion He having consulted with the Marquess of Villena the Duke of Najara and Earl of Benavente excused himself This Posture of Affairs seemed to threaten some great Revolution when King Philip was seized by a Pestilential Fever which brought him to his end in few days Some suspected he was Poisoned but his Doctors declared his Disease proceeded from too much Exercise The Queen stayed by him during the whole time of his Sickness and even after his Death could not be drawn from his Body notwithstanding that besides her ordinary Indisposition she was with Child He died on the 25th of September being 28 years of Age. He ordered his Body to be buried at Granada and it was deposited at Miraflores a Monastery of Carthusians near Burgos Such was the end of that Prince in the very beginning of his Reign being snatched away before he could enjoy the glory he might reasonably expect How many ill grounded Hopes fell to the Ground upon his Death And how many new Projects were started He was of an indifferent Stature of a fair Complexion had a thin Beard midling Eyes long Hair and all the Frame of his Body was comely and agreeable His Spirit was generous his Nature easie a Noble Fault of which his Favourites made ill use an Enemy to Business addicted to Pleasure and very apt to be led away by his Followers In August was seen a Blazing Star for the space of 8 days between the West and South After his Death it was supposed to portend the End of this Prince and that some notable Change or Revolution would ensue in his Kingdoms The End of the 28th BOOK The History of SPAIN BOOK XXIX CHAP. I. The Settlement made by the Nobility of Castile after the death of King Philip The Catholick King goes over to Naples his Reception in that City No Settlement in the Government of Castile Amidst their Confusions Duke Valentine makes his Escape NO sooner was King Philip dead but several Malignant Humours began to appear there being no Body left to put a stop to Evils that Threatned the Commonwealth The Queen to whom this principally appertained was Incapacitated by reason of her Indisposition Her Son Prince Charles was a Child and Bred abroad and if he Succeeded in the Place of his Mother he must be governed by Strangers Of his Two Grandfathers the Emperor was far off and unacquainted with the Affairs of Spain Only King Ferdinand remained on whose Prudence they might Rely but he was then absent disgusted and some feared he would if he were in Power Revenge the Affronts offered him For this Reason many projected strange Methods of Government and the day before King Philip died there being no hopes of Life there was such Contention among the Nobility as threatned a War To prevent all Disasters the Constable the Admiral and Duke del Infantado Met and Declared for his Catholick
and Riches of India he has commanded me to bring a Sample and the first Fruits a Present to be esteemed for the Place from whence it came and for the Zeal with which it is offered besides the hopes those vast Regions give us of humbling themselves at the Feet of your Holiness Instead of the Spoil of Africk which as more common could not be so acceptable I present your Holiness with a Petition in my Judgment most reasonable It is that in regard of the Importance of carrying on that Conquest and that the Revenue of Portugal is not sufficient to continue it your Goodness will assist the King my Master with your Blessing and Indulgences and besides will grant that towards the advancing that Enterprize he may make use of part of the Ecclesiastical Revenues For how can they be better spent or more to the content of the Donors than in destroying the Enemies of Christ And since all are Partakers of the Honour and profit it is reasonable all should bear a part in the Burden We do not believe this Holy See will deny that in such necessity and for such a Purpose which has been at several times granted to other Princes The Pope heard the Ambassador with great satisfaction and returned a favourable Answer saying He highly esteemed the King of Portugal received his Presents with great Affection and would forward his Designs by all the means that lay in his Power He granted his Bulls for the Croisade and allowed the King for to defray the Charge of his Undertakings to make use of the 3d part of Ecclesiastical Revenues assigned to the Churches and the 10th of all other Church Revenues Great Difficulties were met with in the Execution of these Orders which was the Fault of ill Ministers For this reason the Church compounded for 150000 Cruzado's paid down and three Years after all these Taxes were quite taken off The Commonalty misliked the applying the Revenues of the Church to any other uses and urged the Example of the Kings of Castile who were ever poor since they had to do with the Mony of the Church The King's Ministers either to flatter him or that their Opinion was really such affirmed that since the King defended not only the Laity but the Clergy it was reasonable they should all contribute to the necessary Charges of the Kingdom the Churches enjoying a great part of the Revenue It is most certain that in the time of S. Ambrose the Lands of the Church payed Taxes to the Emperors This was the Success of that Embassy About the same time arrived at Lisbon one Matthew an Armenian by Birth and by Profession a religious Man sent Ambassador from Prester John the Great Emperor of Ethiopia That Prince called David since the time that Peter Covillan went into those Parts as was said before had heard of the King of Portugal and after that of his Fleets sailing to India and the Valour of his People He thought good to make use of his Forces and to that Purpose sent this Ambassador who was well received by Alonso de Albuquerque and sent to Portugal Those who carried him made a Jest of him by the way and treated him very scornfully At Lisbon they were apprehended and had been punished but that the Ambassador interceded for them The King received him honourably and was much taken with his Letters written in the Abyssinian and Persian Languages and also with a piece of the Holy Cross he brought set in Gold By this Ambassador they understood the Customs of those People odd enough for Christians It would be tedious to speak of them at large let it suffice to know that the 8th Day as well the Women as Men are circumcised and the 40th baptized Women after Lying in observe the Custom of Purification They abstain from Meats forbidden in the Old Law They fast till Sun-set They communicate in both kinds Their Priests marry but not their Monks nor the Bishops chosen out of Monasteries They use auricular Confession and worship Saints Let us return to Italy The Pope was possessed of the City Rhegio in Lombardy and had Modena morgaged to him by the Emperor for 40000 Duccats It was thought he designed these two Cities as also Placencia Parma and Ferrara for his Brother Julian whom soon after he married to Philiberta Sister to the Duke of Savoy and gave her himself 10000 Duccats Portion CHAP. IX The Kingdom of Navarre united to that of Castile The Affairs of the Portugueses in India Their Defeat on the Coast of Africk KING Luis of France soon after his Marriage with the English Princess died as is usual where there is great inequality of Years and want of Health His Death fell out upon the first Day of the Year 1515. Francis de Valois Duke of Angouslesme the first of the Name and a Prince of a great Spirit succeeded him It was generally believed he would not rest till he had recovered Milan and Navarre and he seemed to intimate as much to those Kings His chief Care was for Italy and therefore he sought to leave all behind secure With England he was at Peace He proposed a Match betwixt Prince Charles of Austria and his Sister-in-Law Renata which was so carried on by the Earl of Nassau and Michael de Croy both of the Princes Bedchamber that they concluded it at Paris on the 24th of March. Her Portion was set at 600000 Duccats 200000 to be paid down in Mony and the Dukedom of Berry for the other 400000. The Prince was now come to Age and put into the Possession of the Government of the Low Countrys It remained to secure King Ferdinand Monsieur de Lautre Governour of Guienne proposed to the Marquess of Comares the Prolonging of the Truce for a Year but King Ferdinand understanding his Policy would not grant it unless it were for Italy as well as Spain He pressed for carrying on the League proposed by the Pope against the Turk and at the same time consented to another League against the Venetians The Conditions were that the Emperor should be possessed of Verona Vinzenza Frioli and Treviso that Bressa Bergamo and Crema should be given to the Duke of Milan in lieu of Parma and Placencia which the Pope designed for his Brother Julian Thus King Ferdinand thought the Duke of Milan would be safe and was willing he should marry one of the Sisters of Prince Charles or the Princess Margaret or else the Queen of Naples his Niece all of them great Matches King Ferdinand kept the Holy Week of Mejorada designing at the same time to assemble the Cortes of Castile at Burgos and those of Aragon to meet on the 11th of May. He sent the Queen with a sufficient Commission to preside there and thence to go to Lerida to those of Catalonia and â—o on to Valencia to those of that Kingdom He went himself to Burgos to be there at the time appointed His grand Design was to
raise Mony for the War which threatned on all sides The Cortes of Burgos gave 150 Millions of Maravedies This they did in respect that King Ferdinand then united the Kindom of Navarre to that of Castile whereas formerly it was united to Aragon By this it appears the King had no Thoughts of restoring that Kingdom but esteemed it as much his own as any of the others without the least remorse of Conscience upon that account as he was often heard to say He gave three Reasons to justifie this his Proceeding The first the Pope's deposing that King The second the free gift of that Crown to the Kings of Castile made by the Princess Clare first Wife to Prince Henry afterwards the 4th King of Castile of that Name when her Father King John of Aragon delivered her up to Gaston de Foix and her Sister Ellenor her declared Enemies who sought her Death to secure themselves the Possession of that Crown and therefore he said it was but just to revenge that Murder by depriving the Grandchildren of those that committed so great a Crime of the Kingdom His third Reason was the Right that Queen Germana pretended to the Crown after the Death of her Brother Gaston de Foix. Three Years after this it appears she assigned over all her Claim to Prince Charles then King of Castile and Aragon It was proposed in the Cortes of Aragon to raise a considerable Sum of Mony towards the War but the Nobility would not consent unless their Vassals were cut off from having any Appeal to the King This hindred all Proceedings for some Months The Archbishop of Zaragoça laboured to remove these Obstacles but perceiving nothing was done he was of Opinion to try what every City in particular would contribute King Ferdinand tho' his Sickness increased so that he was given over for Dead one night resolved to get into Aragon believing his Presence would reduce that obstinate People He sent for the Vicechancellour Antony Augustin to meet him and assoon as he came to Aranda caused him to be apprehended and sent Prisoner to the Castle of Samoncas Every one guessed at the Cause of his Imprisonment but nothing was certainly known The King left the Cardinal and Council at Segovia and hasted to Calatayud carrying Prince Ferdinand with him He could not prevail with the Nobility to quit their unjust Pretensions His Sickness increased and it is reported the famous Bell of Vililla prognosticated his Death for in Aragon it is a received Opinion that Bell rings of it self before the Death of Kings or any other great Misfortunes Thus having done nothing he returned to Madrid in Autumn The Queen having broke up the Cortes of Aragon went to Lerida to those of Catalonia At the same time these Cortes sat the Emperor the Brothers King Sigismund of Poland and Ladislaus of Hungary and his Son Luis then King of Bohemid met at Vienna on the 17th of July Their meeting was to celebrate the Nuptials of Prince Ferdinand and the Princess Mary with Luis King of Bohemia and the Lady Anne his Sister the Children of the Hungarian King Prince Ferdinand being absent the Emperor stood Proxy for her Thomas Cardinal of Strigonium the Pope's Legate performed the Ceremony It is worth observing that as Ferdinand and Mary were Grandchildren to the Catholick King so Luis and Anne were great Grandchildren to E e or Queen of Navarre and Sister to King Ferdinand Gatherine Daughter to Queen Ellenor was married to Gaston de Foix Lord of Candale whose Daughter Anne was Wife to Ladislaus King of Hungary and Mother to Luis and Anne so far was the Progeny of King John of Aragon the Father of King Ferdinand spread abroad Great things had been done by Alonso de Albuquerque Governour of India and great is the Obligation his Country owes him for having Founded their Dominion in those remote Parts He was now old sickly and worn out and had many Enemies who sent Complaints against him to Portugal it being impossible to please all Men. King Emanuel sent Lope Suarez de Albergaria a Man well versed in the Affairs of India to succeed him With him went Mathew the Ethiopian Ambassador and Duarte Galvam sent in the same Quality by King Emanuel but he died by the way Some time after Roderick de Lima was sent who carried Mathew into Ethiopia but he died before he could reach the Court. Now also went Francis Alvarez the Priest whose Book is extant giving an account of his Voyage The new Governour arrived at Goa on the 2d of September having spent but 5 Months in the Voyage which was a very short time On the 7th of that Month the Queen of Portugal was delivered of a Son called Edward an affable and mild Prince addicted to Hunting and Musick He died young yet left a Son by his Wife of his own Name and two Daughters whereof Mary was married to Alexander Farnesius then Prince and afterwards Duke of Parma and Catherine married to the Duke of Bragança When Lope Suarez arrived at Goa Albuquerque was at Ormuz ill of his last Sickness Having settled that Island he embarked being desirous to see Goa which Place was his Delight By the way he received advice of the coming of his Successor he was extreamly surprized and cried out Good God! how many Misfortunes surround me If I please the King Men are offended if I satisfie them my King is displeased Retire to the Church unhappy Old Man for no other Sanctuary is left you Soon after being better come to himself he said Truly it is God that guides the Hearts of King and disposes all things What would become of India if there were not one to succeed me after my Death In how great Danger would it be This said he reposed and finding his Malady encrease ordered his Confessor to be brought to him from Goa which was not far off Having made his Peace with God he gave up the Ghost He was doubtless one of the Bravest Men that Spain ever bred His Valour Mildness Prudence and Justice reigned in an equal degree He was patient of Labour discreet in his Resolutions quick in Execution amiable to his own People and terrible to his Enemies It was a great Mercy of God to give to the Portugueses Two such Governours at first as was he and Francis d' Almeyda being both Wise and Resolute Men and Zealous of their Prince's Service and the Propagation of the Faith tho' they differed in Opinions as to the Means of carrying on that Great Work For Francis d' Almeyda who was the first thought it best only to make themselves Masters of the Sea and not undertake any Conquests whereas on the contrary Albuquerque was wholly for gaining Strong holds in order to secure the Trade and have a Retreat for their Fleets Experience has taught how much he was in the Right Albuquerque was never married but he left a Son by a Servant and a little before his Death recommended
him to King Emanuel writing to him these Words This is my last which I write with many Sighs and assured Tokens of my End I leave only one Son who I beg may find Favour in regard to my great Services I will say nothing of my Sufferings but refer my self to my Actions His Body was buried at Goa in a Chapel he had built of the Invocation of the Blessed Virgin His Funeral Pomp was performed with Regal Magnificence and great Grief of all sorts of People When the News of his Death was brought to Portugal the King was much concerned he sent for his Son whose Name was Blas but in memory of his Father he would have him called Alonso d' Albuquerque The King provided for him and matched him Honourably He lived many Years and beautified the Chapel where his Father lay King Emanuel designed to build a Fort at the Mouth of the River Mamora in Africk about 100 miles from Arzila He sent Antony Noronha with a Fleet of 200 Sail and in it 8000 Men to perform this Work They sailed from Lisbon on the 13th of July and came to the Mouth of that River on the 23d As the Work began such a multitude of Moors came upon them that they were forced to quit that Enterprize and return to Portugal with Dishonour and the loss of 4000 Men as also the Cannon which they left in the Fort they had begun CHAP. X. The King of France recovers Milan The Swiss overthrown Death of the Great Captain and of Ferdinand King of Spain AS soon as King Francis of France found himself peaceably possessed of his Kingdom he gathered a powerful Army in order to go over into Lombardy 15000 Swiss marched to the Defence of the Duke of Milan Prosper Colona with his Men at Arms thought to secure a Pass but was himself surprized at Supper in Villafranca and made Prisoner by the Forces of the Sieur de la Palisse The Viceroy lay with his Army near the River Abdua Laurence de Medicis Son to Peter that was drowned in the River Garellano with the Forces of the Pope Quartered at Plasentia It was very requisite these Forces should join with the Swiss and the Duke of Milan earnestly pressed them so to do and the more because the French began already to be successful for Alexandria yielded to them and Novara with the Castle was taken by the Industry of Peter Navarro who in a Passion for that he was not Ransomed agreed to serve the King of France he purchasing his Liberty for 2000 Ducats King Ferdinand sent to make him great Offers but too late for he was engaged and therefore excused himself resigning up the Earldom of Oliveto he had in Naples The Viceroy was jealous that the Swiss held Correspondence with France and no less of the Pope's Forces fearing he should compound with the Enemy to save Parma and Plasentia which the Swiss intended to take from him He left Mark Antony Colona in Verona and Luis Icart in Bressa with good Garrisons and he with the rest of the Army passed the Po and fortified himself near Plasentia and the River Trebia The Swiss were offended at this Delay which proved fatal They resolved themselves with only a few Italians to fight the French who lay strongly encamped near Donato and Marignano This they did to prevent Albiano joining the French with the Venetian Forces which consisted of Nine hundred Men at Arms One thousand four hundred Light-horse and Nine hundred Foot The Swiss marched out in good Order and the French drew up to receive them Charles of Bourbon led the Van the Sieur de la Palisse the Rear and the King the main Battel The French Artillery which was numerous did the Swiss great harm They charged furiously to take it and overcoming the Enemy's Works made themselves Masters of part of it Night came on and yet the Fight ceased not as long as there was Moon-light which was till between Eleven and Twelve of the Clock The King was so forward that he was forced to stand upon his Guard only reposing himself a little on a Cart. He neither took off his Helmet nor eat a mouthful in Twenty seven Hours Understanding the Swiss would charge the rest of the Cannon he gave the Charge of it to the Germans At break of day the Fight was renewed with as great Fury as before The French Artillery playing athwart the Swiss did great execution and Albiano coming upon them with some Troops of Horse they imagining his whole Army was come retired in good order to Milan This famous Battel was fought on the Thirteenth and Fourteenth of September From Milan the Swiss marched away towards Lago de Como The Milaneses delivered up the City to the King who laid straight Siege to the Castle whither the Duke retired with what Forces he could After Thirty Days Siege the Duke surrendered and was sent to France It was Articled he should have a Pension of Thirty six thousand Crowns upon condition he should not depart that Kingdom All the other Cities and Strong-holds of the Dukedom immediately submitted to the King D. Raymund de Cardona the Viceroy marched in haste to Naples to secure that Kingdom He had Orders for employing of the Soldiers to attempt the taking of Gelves on the Coast of Africk The Pope easily temporized and meeting the Victorious King at Bolonia granted him all he could ask In Spain King Ferdinand had many other Cares upon him It was reported the Great Captain the Marquess of Priego and Earls of Cabra and Uren̄a designed to go over to Flanders The King sent Orders to secure the Great Captain but it happened he fell sick of an Ague at Loxa where he generally resided and yet it was thought his Sickness was counterfeit The King of England's Displeasure ran very high and it was convenient at such a ticklish time to appease him King Ferdinand sent him a rich Present of Jewels and Horses by the Commendary Luis Gilabert He arrived at such time as it was confirmed the Queen was with Child to the great Joy of that Kingdom At the same time Thomas Wolsey received the Cardinal's Cap for which there were great Demonstrations of publick Satisfaction This Prelate rose from a very mean Extraction to that High Dignity through the Favour of his King His Pride and Ambition afterwards fatal to that Kingdom cast him down This Cardinal and the Catholick King 's Ambassador conferred together and on the Eighteenth of October concluded a firm League betwixt the Two Kings Before this Luis de Requesens with Nine Galleys he Commanded near the Island Pantalarea defeated 13 Vessels of Turks that did great harm on the Coast of Sicily and all those Seas Barbarossa the famous Turkish Commander with his Fleet came before Bugia Many Moors came down to his Aid by Land and the Siege lasted some Months D. Raymund Carroz Commander of that Place defended it with much Bravery D.
Michael de Gurrea Viceroy of Majorca came to his Relief but could not raise the Siege The Besieged suffered great want of Provisions At such time as they were upon surrendring there came to them a Ship laden with all sorts of Victuals sent by the Viceroy of Sardinia This Supply lasted them till the Turk despairing of carrying the Place raised the Siege about the end of the Year The Catholick King 's Dropsie and the Great Captains Ague increased both of them being mortal Diseases The Great Captain set out of Loxa upon the point of death was carried on Mens Shoulders to Granada and there gave up the Ghost on the 2d of December Garibay says on the 10th He was a Man not to be matched being the Bravest and most Fortunate Commander that Spain had for many Years The Severity of his Usage increased his Glory it being very rare to Sail long in the Seas of Prosperity without some Storm Many great Men in process of time had the Brightness of their Honour sullied Time cut the Thread of his Life but his Renown will endure as long as the World Upon his death the Office of Constable of Naples was Vacant which was given to Fabricius Colona and continues in his Family to this day His Estate fell to the Lady Elvira Eldest Daughter and Heiress to her Father The Catholick King was gone from Madrid to Plasentia in order to continue his Journey to Sevil because the Air of that Place is very Wholesome There tho' very siick he was nobly Entertained and staid some days He sent Prince Ferdinand to Guadalupe thinking to Return thither and so went on to Serena to divert himself with Hawking that being a good Country for it and he delighting in that and the like Sports With him went the Admiral the Duke of Alva the Bishop of Burgos and 3 of his Council which were Dr. Laurence Galindez de Carvajal and the Lieutenants Zapata and Francis de Vargas To this Place about Christmas came Adrian Dean of Louvain Prince Charles his Preceptor sent from Flanders It was agreed at his coming that the Prince should be supplied with 50000 Ducats a Year and King Ferdinand altho' Q. Joanna died should during his Life continue in the Government of Castile They showed themselves liberal to him who according to appearance must soon resign up all to them The King returned to Madrigalejo in the Territory of Truxillo his Disease encreased so that it was plain he had but few days to live The Dean of Louvain repaired thither at which the King was offended and ordered him back to Guadalupe whither he went to see Prince Ferdinand He made his Will and Confessed to F. Thomas de Matienço of the Order of S. Dominick his Confessor The Queen having notice of the Danger he was in set out from Lerida and came to him the day before he Signed his Will Next day being Wednesday the 23d of January 1516. between One and Two in the Morning he gave up the Ghost He was one of the most remarkable Princes that ever Spain had yet it could not be expected he should be without Blemish but may serve for an Example to all future Kings of Spain He made Three Wills one at Burgos 3 years before his Death the second at Aranda de Duero 2 years later and the last when he died In all of them he names Queen Joanna his Heiress and Prince Charles her Son Governour In case the Prince was not in Spain by his first Will he ordained Prince Ferdinand should Govern in his stead but in the other two he changed that Article and ordered that during the Prince's absence the Archhishop of Zaragoça should Govern Aragon and the Cardinal of Spain Castile This was punctually observed as he had commanded True it is the Dean of Louvain producing the Prince's Commission was admitted to the Government together with the Cardinal To Prince Ferdinand the King his Grandfather left in the Kingdom of Naples the Principality of Taranto and Cities of Cotron Tropea Amantia and Galipoli besides a Pension of 50000 Ducats out of the Revenue of that Kingdom to be paid him till such time as his Brother settled an equivalent Estate upon him He also ordered that the Duke of Calabria tho' his Offence was great should be set at liberty and charged the Prince to give him an Estate to live upon But this Clause was never fully performed till the Year 1533. for several Reasons which are never wanting against unfortunate Men. He made no mention of the Vicechancellor Antony Augustin whether it was that he forgot his Crime or that he left it to another to punish could never be known Soon after the Cardinal of Spain sent him to Flanders where he was discharged on the 23d of September this same Year For his Executors the King appointed the Queen his Wife the Prince the Archbishop of Zaragoça the Dutchess of Cardona the Duke of Alva the Viceroy of Naples and F. Thomas de Matienço his Confessor and his Protonotary Michael Velasquez Clemente His Body was carried to his own Royal Chapel at Granada and laid near to that of Queen Elizabeth which was deposited in the Alhambra Of those that were present at his Death only D. Ferdinand de Aragon and D. Bernard de Sandoval y Rojas with some of his menial Servants attended the Body By the way whole Towns came out to meet it with Crosses and in Mourning partiticularly at Cordova when the Body passed through that City the Marquess of Priego and Earl of Cabra and other Gentlemen of that Place distinguished themselves All past Offences and the Severity he used towards them whilst living served only to stir up their generous Souls the more to signalize their Respect and Reverence to him dead and to his Memory At Granada the Clergy Citizens and Courts strove to outdo one another in the manner of the Reception and Funeral Rites which were performed with all Grandeur and Magnificence as was due to the Conquerour and Founder of the Happiness Peace and Prosperity of that City and whole Kingdom of Granada The End of the 30th BOOK LAUS DEO FINIS A Compendious SUPPLEMENT TO THE History of SPAIN From the Year 1615 till 1521. Written by F. John de Mariana Anno 1515. FRANCIS the new King of France having settled the Affairs of his Kingdom at home and being a hot and fiery Youth resolved to carry the War into Italy He passed the Alps with all his Forces and at his first Entrance overthrew and took Prisoner Prosper Colonna who with the Horse thought to have stopp'd his Passage Next he took Novara and the Castle wherein he was much assisted by the Industry of Count Peter Navarro who weary of his long Imprisonment and offended that he was not Ransom'd had taken Service with the French Thence the French King March'd towards Milan With Duke Maximilian were the Swiss Raymund de Cardona was at Verona and Lawrence de Medicis
under the Crown of Castile The King of France highly offended at this Disappointment to revenge it sent a new Army into Biscay under the Command of the Admiral of France who took Fuenterabia a strong Town upon the Frontiers Several Rencounters happened betwixt our Forces and those of the Enemy but at length the Town was recovered Beatrix youngest Daughter to the King of Portugal contracted to Charles Duke of Savoy was carried to her Husband in a Fleet fitted out for that purpose The Publick Joy for this Marriage was not lasting for that the King of Portugal died in December His Body was buried in the Monastery of Bethlem built by himself near Lisbon and appointed the burial Place of Kings King John the Third of the Name his Son succeeded him On the 2d of December died at Rome Pope Leo whose Memory was Reverenced for that he had restored the Peace of Italy favoured Learning and much restored the University of Rome by bringing to it Professors of all Sciences from other Parts with great Expence Nevertheless he is blamed as having been given to his Pleasures more than became his high Dignity and for immoderately extolling his Kindred first his Brother Julian and after his Death Laurence his Nephew Son to Peter his other Brother To raise them he designed to deprive the Duke of Vrbin of his Dominions but the Death of both the Brother and the Nephew prevented the execution of his Designs Pope Leo was of the House of Medicis whose Genealogy â—s this which follows The Great Cosmo de Mediois who lived in Florence 100 Years before this had a Son called Peter and by him two Grandsons Laurence and Julian Laurence had three Sons Peter John the present Pope Leo and Julian Julian had a natural Son born after his Father's Death and called Julius who came to be Pope and was called Clement the Seventh Peter Brother to Pope Leo had a Son called Laurence the Younger who was General of his Unkle the Pope's Forces He by a Mistriss had Alexander afterwards Duke of Florence by his Wife Magdalen of Bolonia left Catharine who came to be Queen of France whereby the House of Medicis is related to many Royal Families The second Julian Brother to Pope Leo had a Son called Hypolito who was afterwards a Cardinal his Unkle Pope Clement giving him the Cap. Anno 1522. On the 10th of January Cardinal Adrian tho a Fleming and at that time absent was by the Conclave chosen Pope At that time he was employed in the Government of Spain The News of his promotion was brought to him at Vitoria where he then was to give Orders for carrying on the War against France and recovering of Fuenterabia Immediately he hasted away in order to pass over into Italy yet he came not to Rome till the Summer was well advanced His Papacy was short as not exceeding twenty Months but his Learning Wisdom and Virtue were very great He changed not his Name but was called Adrian the 6th By him St. Antony Archbishop of Florence and Benon Bishop of Misna were Canonised On the 3d of February the Royalists under the Conduct of the Archbishop of Bari overcame the Rebels who were possessed of the City Toledo and so those Tumults ended Charles the Emperor leaving his Brother Ferdinand in January with the Title of Vicar of the Empire set out for Spain to settle the Kingdom and put an end to the Troubles of it He arrived with his Fleet at Santaren on the 16th of July Christiern King of Denmark had married Elizabeth Sister to the new Emperor His Uncle Frederick usurped the Kingdom whereby he was obliged to retire into Flanders where he continued in Banishment the space of 10 Years which was as long as he lived He left two Daughters lawfully begotten which were Elizabeth and Christiern the first was married to Alonso Duke of Lorrain the other to Francis Sforcia Duke of Milan Anno 1523. Pope Adrian granted to the Emperor Charles and his Successors Kings of Spain the full Authority of electing and presenting the Bishops within their Dominions His Bull was passed on the 6th of September He also for ever granted them to hold the Administration of the three military Orders which other Popes had only granted for a time The Pope died at Rome on the 12th of the same Month oppressed with Care and Grief for that the Turks had the Year before possessed themselves of the Island of Rhodes after it had endured a Siege of Eight Months During the vacancy of the Papal Chair died at Rome Cardinal Bernardin de Carvajal who had been Bishop first of Astorga then of Badajoz of Carthagena of Siguença and lastly of Plansencia D. Gutierre de Carvajal Bishop of Plasencia was Nephew to the Cardinal who resigned that See up to him This Year also died F. James Deza Master to Prince John successively Bishop of Salamanca Jaen and Sevil Inquisitor General and Elect of Toledo On the 20th of December Cardinal Julius de Medicis Cousin-German to Pope Leo the Tenth was chosen Pope in the place of Adrian deceased and took the Name of Clement the Seventh He governed the Church ten Years 10 Months and 7 Days He confirmed the Order of the Theatins calling it the Congregation of Divine-Love It was instituted by Peter Garrafa Bishop of Theatinum and other pious Persons Their Habit differs not from that of the other Clergy their Life is retired free from worldly Business and employed in singing the Canonical Hours Anno 1524. The French who had entred the Dutchy of Milan and made themselves Masters of a great part of it were this Year almost enclosed by the Imperial Army under the Command of the Duke of Bourbon who took most of the Places from whence the Army was supplied and by that means brought them into great Distress for want of Provisions This obliged the Admiral of France General of those Forces to endeavour to make a retreat but the Imperialists were so close upon him that he was forced to fight his Army was wholly overthrown and only a small part of it returned home by the way of Turin This Victory encouraged the Duke of Bourbon and Marquis of Pescara to lay Siege to Marseilles where when they had lain six Weeks hearing that the French King was coming with a powerful Army they sent away their heavy Cannon by Sea and retired with great precipitation The King not to lose this Advantage hastned to pass the Mountains and soon possessed himself of the Cities of Milan and other Places and then laid Siege to Pavia Anno 1525. King John of Portugal married Charlotte Sister to Charles the Emperor The Nuptial Solemnities were performed with much Majesty at Estremoz on the 5th of February This Lady had many Children which were Alonso Mary Catharine Beatrix Emanuel Philip John and Antony Of all these only Prince John and the Princess Mary lived to be marriagable and even
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
Prince of Orange who had entred that Province with his Forces and made him retire taking several Towns and Castles and putting many Hereticks to the Sword At the same time the Morisco's that is those descended of the Moores rebelled in the Kingdom of Granada These People were never Loyal and were then incensed for that certain Proclamations were publish'd against them Many of them perish'd in the space of two Years that those Tumults lasted The Marquis of Mondejar overthrew them seven times tho with some considerable loss caused by the Disorderliness of his Men. Lastly D. John of Austria being General they were fully subdu'd The Punishment given to those Rebels has taken from them the power of rising again by dispersing them throughout Castile Almost at the same time died first Charles Prince of Spain in Prison where his Father kept him and then Queen Elizabeth his Mother-in-Law She died of a Miscarriage leaving only two Daughters Elizabeth and Katherine and never a Son which was the reason the King her Husband married again a fourth time His too much forwardness was the cause of the Prince's Death many things were reported concerning the cause of his Imprisonment and his Father's Displeasure But there is no doubt but he was Poison'd by his Father's Command The Prince of Orange was again this Year without any Bloodshed drove out of the Low Countries and forced to retire into France where he assisted the Rebels Anno 1569. Henry de Valois Duke of Anjou and General of the King of France his Army twice in Battel overthrew the Hereticks The first was on the 13th of March at Bassac a Village in the Province of Poitiers where the Prince of Conde was killed and the Admiral escap'd by flight his Brother d' Andelot died some time after of his Wounds The second Engagement was at Montcontour on the 3d. of October the success was the same only that of the Rebels the slaughter was greater 16000 being kill'd Two thousand Horse and 4000 Foot sent by the Pope did good Service here besides the Succours from Spain which behaved themselves well upon all occasions These Forces after obtaining the Victory return'd to Italy perishing with Cold Hunger and Sickness Pope Pius this Year publish'd his Bull wherein he gave the Kingdom of England to any that would conquer it excommunicated Queen Elizabeth and absolved her Subjects of their Allegiance At this time the War continuing hot in the Low Countries many Gentlemen signaliz'd themselves and gained Honour there such were Julian Romero Sancho Davila D. Alvaro de Sandi Collonel Mondragon Collonel Francis de Verdugo and D. Lope de Figueroa Anno 1570. Forty Jesuits going to Brasill with F. Ignatius de Azevedo were murder'd at Sea by Jaques de Soria a French Pyrate and perverse Heretick After the departure of the Prince of Orange the Low Countries were more at Peace In France a Peace was concluded with the Hereticks upon no very advantageous Terms so great was the desire all Men had conceived to see that War at an end At Rome Cosmo de Medicis obtained of the Pope the Title of Great Duke of Tuscany to the Dissatisfaction of other Princes who thought his Advancement was a lessening of them Nevertheless Maximilian the Emperor confirmed that Title to Francis de Medicis his Brother-in-law and the Son of Cosmo Ann Daughter to the Emperor Maximilian came by Sea from Flanders into Spain to be married to her Uncle King Philip. This Solemnity was performed the 12th of November at Segovia With the Queen came her two young Brothers Albertus and Wenceslaus About the end of this Year hapned so terrible an Earthquake at Ferrara that the Inhabitants were forced for some days to live in the Fields in Tents many Houses were overthrown and many much damaged But this Year was for nothing so remarkable as for the War in Cyprus which produced a Holy League among the Christian Princes After the Venetians had enjoyed Peace with the Turks the space of 30 years Selymus the Great Turk having made Peace with the Persians sent his Embassadors to require the Venetians to deliver up to him the Island of Cyprus which lyes near the Province of Cilicia in the lesser Asia and in case they refused to declare War against them This Demand being so unreasonable a War necessarily ensued and the Turks landing in Cyprus about the beginning of July under the Command of Mustapha on the 9th of September took Nicosia one of the two principal Cities of that Island Famagusta formerly called Salamis held out longer The Venetian Fleet sent to the Relief of the Besieged arrived at Candia where it was joined by 60 Gallies sent by the Catholick Kings under the Command of Andrew Doria Prince of Melfi but in October the Season being too far advanced they all returned to winter in their Ports without doing any thing Only Marius Quirinus a Venetian with 12 Gallies was ordered to put Supplies of Men Ammunition and Provision into Famagusta which he accordingly performed At the same time through the earnest Sollicitation of Pope Pius the 5th a League was concluded against the Turks betwixt his Holiness his Catholick Majesty and the Venetians They agreed to fit out 200 Gallies and furnish 50000 Foot and 4000 Horse the Charge to be defrayed in this manner The Pope was to pay the 6th part the Venetians one 3d and the King of Spain one half of the Expence Marc Antony Colonna was appointed to command the Pope's Gallies Sebastian Venerius those of Venice and D. John of Austria by common Consent of all Parties was constituted Admiral and Generalissimo of the Fleet and Land Forces Anno 1571. All things being ordered in this manner Venerius and Colonna arrived first at Messina in Sicily and after them in August came D. John of Austria On the 9th of which Month the City Famagusta in Cyprus having held out almost a year's Siege was forced to surrender upon Conditions which were not perform'd by the Barbarous Enemy but contrary to their Faith given they committed great Cruelties upon the unfortunate Christians The Confederate Fleet sailed from Sicily on the 16th of September They steered directly for the Islands Echinades now called Cuçolares opposite to the Gulph of Lepanto where they had Advice the Turkish Fleet lay Both Officers and Soldiers were eager to fight and prepared themselves with great Alacrity The Venetian Gallies were on the left Prince John Andrew Doria on the right and D. John of Austria with the Spanish Gallies in the Center and with him Marc Antony Colonna and the Venetian Admiral The chief Commendary of Castile and D. Alvaro Baçan Marquis of Sancta Cruz with 30 Gallies were left as a Reserve to send Relief where the greatest Danger appeared The Enemy came out of the Mouth of the Gulph and ranged their Fleet as is their Custom in the form of a Half-Moon Six Galeasses made the Forelorn of our Fleet which
firing their Cannon disordered the Enemy Next to them D. John of Austria the first boarded the Turkish Admiral and after a doubtful Fight took her In her was killed Hali Bassa Admiral of the Fleet and two Sons of his were taken and presently Victory began to incline to the Christians Vchali the Pyrat did great harm upon the right taking 10 of our Gallies but seeing the rest of the Fleet overthrown he stood out to Sea and escaped with several of his Gallies It was a terrible Spectacle all resounded with various Cries and nothing was to be seen but killing pursuing battering and sinking of Vessels The Sea was covered with Blood and dead Bodies and the Air darkned with the Smoke 200 Turkish Gallies were either taken or sunk 25000 Turks were killed and 20000 Christian Captives set at liberty Of the Christians many were killed and among them no small number of Persons of note In short this was one of the greatest Victories that had been obtained in many years and there was great rejoycing for it in all parts of Christendom tho it was not pleasing to the Hereticks This Battel was fought on the 7th of October on which day the Memory of it is yearly celebrated as a Festival at Toledo Anno 1572. Pope Pius the 5th desiring to carry on this good Work the last Summer sent his Nephew Cardinal of Alexandria Michael Gislerius his Legate into France and Portugal to perswade those Kings to enter into this League With him went F. Francis Borgia a holy Man at that time General of the Jesuits in the place of F. James Lainez These Endeavours were fruitless as well for other Causes that occur'd as because the Pope died not long after on the 1st of Mary very unfortunately for the Affairs of Christendom Immediately after on the 10th of May Cardinal Hugo Bocompanus born at Bolongna was substituted in his Place and took the Name of Gregory the 13th He behaved himself so well that the Grief conceived for the loss of his Predecessor was much allayed for following his Footsteps he confirmed the League with the Venetians and with incredible Diligence furnished Men and Money for carrying on the War He held S. Peter's Chair 13 Years wanting one Month. At the beginning of Spring Charles the 9th King of France married Elizaleth Daughter to the Emperor Maximilian a Lady of great Vertue and extraordinary Beauty It was proposed to marry Margaret the French King's Sister to Henry of Bourbon Prince of Navarre by that means to allay the Tumults in France Pope Pius laboured to hinder that Match and offered King Sebastian of Portugal should take her to Wife which he consented to and even to accept of her without a Portion provided the French King would enter into the League against the Turks However the Prince of Navarre was preferred His Mother Joanna Queen of Navarre died at Paris the 10th of June and nevertheless the Marriage was solemnized towards the end of the Summer with a great Concourse of Nobility as well of the Hereticks as Catholicks In this Concourse Admiral Coligni was shot from a Window by the Contrivance of the Duke of Guise the Consequence whereof was a general Massacre of all the Hereticks in the City of Paris to the number of 10000. The Heads of them were put to Death by the King's Order having discovered a Conspiracy among them for assassinating of him the rest were outragiously murdered by the Rabble In Flanders the last Year towards defraying the Charge of the War a Tax was layed being the 10th Penny of all things sold This Imposition was so heavy to those Provinces which depend chiefly upon Trade that many Cities rebelled and were soon supported by Forces that came to their Assistance out of England Germany and France Zeland and Holland two inaccessible Provinces lying on the Sea and encompassed with Water were the first that rebelled Mons a strong City in Hainault followed their example D. Frederick Son to the Duke of Alva layed siege to it and leaving a sufficient Force to secure his Works marched to meet 4000 French who were coming to relieve the Place He overthrew them killing a great number taking Genlis their Commander Prisoner who died afterwards in the Castle of Antwerp The Prince of Orange came also with Forces out of Germany but the Duke of Alva had so secured all things he was forced to retire without making any attempt These Troubles besides the other Harms they did were the cause the League against the Turks was dissolved For D. John of Austria having gathered a mightier Fleet at Messina than the Year before stayed there a great while being in care for the Affairs of the Low-Countries and the more for that it was reported the French would make War on that side Thus the Season fit for Service being passed he set out of that Port at the end of September to join the Venetians and try the Fortune of another Battel But the Enemies Fleet kept close about Modon Coron and Navarrino in the Morea refusing to come to a Battel The Christian Fleet having lost all hopes of Fighting and the Weather growing unseasonable went to winter in several Ports Anno 1573. The Venetians either in consideration of the little Advantage gained by this great Fleet or because they had lost the rich Trade of the East without regard to the Confederate Princes made a shameful Peace with the Turks yielding up to them not only the Island of Cyprus but several Towns they held in Sclavonia and paying to them 300000 Ducats In May Henry Duke of Anjou the French King's Brother was elected King of Poland It was reported the French Gold bought the Votes but certain it is that as soon as the Duke heard of his Election he raised the Siege he had layed to Rochel and went to take Possession of his Kingdom D. John of Austria in October with the Fleet he had prepared against the Turks sailed over to Tunez and restored that Kingdom to Muleasse Grandson to that Muleasse who we said was expelled his Kingdom and his Eyes put out by his Son Muley Hamet the King now deposed was sent to Sicily whither soon after D. John of Austria having settled the Government and left a Garison in the City followed Thence he went over to Naples designing for Spain This Winter appeared a Comet which was only like a great shining Star without any Tail near the North-Pole What all the Astrologers admir'd in it was that it had no Parallaxis but from all places appeared to be near the same Stars and consequently must be supposed to be as high as the Stars themselves Anno 1574. The Duke of Alva having leave to return home D. Luis de Requesens chief Commendary of Castile was made Governor of the Low-Countries He came from Milan to Flanders at the beginning of the Year and it was hoped his mild Disposition and Wisdom would remedy all the Disorders
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
Brother who call'd himself Hercules He after having imbroil'd France making himself Head of the Hereticks repair'd to the Low Countries and there at his first coming possessed himself of Cambray which till then continued Loyal This was not all for the following Year he went to Antwerp and there caused himself to be declar'd Duke of Brabant which was but a meer shadow the Prince of Orange having all the Power His Authority lasted not long being at the same time disappointed of Marrying the Queen of England Anno 1582. At Antwerp a youth a Biscainer call'd John de Xauregui resolv'd to kill the Prince of Orange To this intent one day after dinner he fired a Musket at him yet killed him not but gave him a dangerous Wound in the Cheek The young Man was presently torn to pieces and all that knew of the design executed A Burgundian managed his Business more successfully for being admitted into the Prince's Family he soon after killed him in Holland At Toledo was held a Provincial Synod in which were 7 Bishops and 2 Abbots and D. Gaspar de Quiroga Archbishop of Toledo presided the Marquis de Velada assisted at it in the King's Name This Year Pope Gregory cut off 10 days in October to reduce the Solsticies and Equinoxes to their former place Besides the Golden Number was taken from the Calendar and in its place was substituted the Epact all to regulate the Observation of Times for the future better than it was before Mary the Empress came to Spain and went to Lisbon where the King her Brother was settling the Affairs of that Kingdom and with him Cardinal Albertus Son to the Empress a Prince of extraordinary Parts Antony who called himself King of Portugal after he was overthrown fled into France and having gathered a Fleet there sailed over to the Islands Terceras otherwise called Açores which still held out for him Near the Island of S. Michael he was vanquished in a Sea Fight by D. Alvaro Baçan Marquis of Santa Cruz. Philip Strozzi one of the Admirals of the French Fleet was killed the Count de Brissac the other Admiral together with Antony the pretended King saved themselves by flight All the Prisoners of Note to the number of 80 and many others the Marquis put to death the King of France consenting to it Nevertheless the People of Tercera would not submit Anno 1583. This Year the Marquis return'd and fully subdu'd them D. Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo Duke of Alva departed this Life at Lisbon aged 74 Years Soon after him died there also Sancho de Avila of the kick of a Horse on the 8th of June He was of the House of Velada and born at Avila Prince James Son to King Philip deceased at Madrid on the 1st of February for which reason the Three Estates in Portugal swore his Brother Prince Philip Heir to that Crown This Parliament being dissolv'd and Cardinal Albertus the King's Nephew constituted Governour of Portugal King Philip return'd to Castile to provide for the necessary Affairs there Anno 1584. The Duke of Alençon having obtain'd his Brother's Pardon return'd into France after he had been in England and Flanders but going from Paris soon died either of Sickness or Poisoned as some would have it Death put an end to his aspiring Thoughts which had compassed the Sovereignty of England France and Flanders The Prince of Orange was killed with a Musket-shot on the 10th of June by a young Burgundian call'd Baltasar who had entred into his Service to that purpose Such was the death of the Author of so many Mischiefs but this did not pacify the Flemmings King Philip had by his Wife Queen Elizabeth two Daughters Elizabeth and Catherine It was reported the eldest was kept for her Cousin the Emperor Rodulphus The youngest was contracted to Charles Duke of Savoy Zaragoça the principal City of Aragon was the place appointed for celebrating of the Nuptials Before the King set forward upon this Journey the Three Estates of Castile at Madrid swore Prince Philip Heir to the Crown This Ceremony was perform'd on the 11th of November being Sunday and the day of S. Martin in the Monastery of S. Hierome near that Town Quiroga Cardinal of Toledo sang the Mass Anno 1585. This Solemnity being performed the King set out for Zaragoca in very rough Weather the Winter Season not being yet past Thither came also the Duke of Savoy by Sea and was received with great Honour by the King his Father-in-Law The Marriage was celebrated with great Pomp and Ostentation on the 18th of March News was brought not long after that Pope Gregory being very aged and famous for his great Wisdom departed this Life at Rome the 12th of April In May following Cardinal Felix Montalto who had first bin General of the Recolet Franciscans then Bishop and afterwards Cardinal was lastly promoted to S. Peter's Chair He took the Name of Sixtus the Fifth governed the Church five Years and four Months and had many good Qualities but as there is no Man without a fault he is blamed for being too severe and covetous and for promoting of his Kinsmen more than was justifiable He Canonized S. James of Alcala a Franciscan whose Body is kept and Honour'd in the Monastery of that Order at Alcala The Prince of Parma made War against the Rebels in the Low Countries and having recover'd Gent and many other Places after a long and streight Siege he kept upon Antwerp forced it to surrender in August This Siege was very famous for the many extraordinary Devices used on both sides as also for the obstinacy of the Defendants but the Conduct of the General and Valour of the Spaniards overcame all Difficulties King Philip accompanied the new-Married Couple as far as Barcelona whence they sailed for Italy In his return at Monçon he held the Cortes or Parliament of Aragon which sate long many difficulties arising among them The violent heat of Summer and Autumn which proved sickly was the cause that many died there especially of the Strangers and Courtiers At last this Parliament swore Prince Philip Heir of all those Domimions Pope Sixtus at his first Accession to the Papacy published his Bull in which he declared Henry King of Navarre a Heretick and Excommunicated and deprived him of the Right of Inheriting the Kingdom of France as he did also Henry Prince of Conde his Cousin-German in case King Henry Brother-in-Law to him of Navarre died without Issue which was likely because till then the Queen had never been with-Child Anno 1586. Nevertheless the King of France labour'd to secure the Succession to the King of Navarre without regarding the Pope's Threats whereupon many of the French Nobility conspir'd to raise a Rebellion under the Colour of Religion The Ringleader was the Duke of Guise which much perplexed the King seeing three powerful Factions on foot which he feared would again
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
their King who was assisted by the German Hereticks the Kings of England and Denmark and the Dutch The Catholick Electors Kings of Spain and Poland the Pope and Princes of Italy favour'd the Emperor On the 8th of November near Prague the Rebels were overthrown and 8000 of them slain The next day the City Prague was deliver'd to the Emperor Anno 1621. Pope Paul the V. died the 28th of January Cardinal Luis of Bolonia succeeded him and took the Name of Gregory the XV. On the 15th of March following died Philip the III. King of Spain at Madrid at the Age of 43 and having Reign'd 22 Years and a half His Body was buried in the Royal Monastery of S. Laurence of the Escuriall His Son Philip the IV. succeeded him being then 16 Years of Age. The End of Mariana 's Supplement The SECOND SUPPLEMENT TO THE History of SPAIN From the Year 1621 till 1649. Written by the Reverend F. Ferdinand Camargo y Salcedo Preacher and Historiographer of the Order of S. Augustin Anno 1621. AT the Beginning of the Year 1621 Pope Paul the 5th governed the Church Philip the 3d was King of Spain Luis the 13th of France James the 1st of England Ferdinand the 2d was Emperor F. Alonso Vinacourt Master of Malta Antony Prioli Doge of Venice and Osman Emperor of Constantinople These were the Princes that ruled at the Beginning of the Year which before its End shewed the Instability of worldly Affairs in the Death of some of these Potentates Pope Paul the 5th departed this Life the 28th of January being 66 years of Age and having reigned 15 Years and 9 Months In his Place was elected on the 9th of February Alexander Ludovisius Cardinal and Archbishop of Bolonia being then 76 years of Age who took the Name of Gregory the 15th D. Emanuel de Azevedo y Zuniga Count de Monterrey went in the Catholick King 's Name to yield Obedience to him Upon Ashwednesday being the 31st of March the Great Monarch Philip the 3d of Spain changed this Life for a better He was a most singular Prince for Piety and Vertue and the best beloved of any that has held these Kingdoms His Death was in the 43d Year of his Age and 23d of his Reign King Philp the 4th as soon as he heard of his Father's Death took upon him the Government and began to act with greater Wisdom than could have been expected of his tender years He ordained that all Ministers of State should give in an Estimate of what they were worth when they first came to serve On the 22d of June he opened the Cortes at Madrid being 16 years of Age when he began his Reign as born the Year 1605 upon Good-Friday at Midnight Cardinal Bellarmine died at Rome September the 17th a Person of extraordinary Piety and Learning as appears by his Books against the Hereticks of our times and for the use of all other Persons Of two Galleons that came out of India one arrived safe at Lisbon the other fought 3 days with several Turks and having sunk 7 was himself at last burnt the loss was valued at above 2 Millions besides 600 Souls Other 13 Sail of Infidels being met in the Streights by D. Frederick the Admiral he sunk 9 took 2 and 2 fled The same D. Frederick with only 9 Ships fought 18 Hollanders at the Mouth of the Streights with good Success Upon the 21st of October D. Roderick Calderon was beheaded in the great Market-place of Madrid after he had been 2 years and a half Prisoner at Valladolid Much has been writ about him by the Name of Marquis of 7 Churches and his Wife had the publick Tears of all Persons to comfort her He himself was a rare Example of Patience and Constancy which lifted him above his Fortune Anno 1622. D. John Manrique Viceroy of Oran this Year several times defeated the Moores by which means their Insolency was abated At Rome in February 3 Suns were seen two of which were very small Xongusama Emperor of Japan provoked by the Villanous Insinuations of the Hollanders in hatred to the Catholick Religion caused diligent search to be made after the Preachers thereof and put to Death 125 of them burning alive 11 Dominicans 8 Augustinians 5 Franciscans and 9 Jesuits Osman the Great Turk invaded Poland with a mighty Army but having lost 160000 Turks in eleven several Battels he had with Prince Vladislaus returned with Shame to Constantinople There it being given out that he intended to remove his Court to Grand Caire the Janizaries mutinying put him into the Castle of the 7 Towers where they murdered him and taking out his Uncle Mustapha who was kept Prisoner there proclaimed him Emperor Anno 1623. Pope Gregory the 15th departed this Life at Rome July the 8th and on the 6th of August Cardinal Barberino was chosen in his Place and took the Name of Vrban the 8th This Year also died D. Peter de Castro y Quin̄ones Archbishop of Sevil at the Age of 102 years Charles Prince of Wales Son to King James of England set out of London in a Disguise and at Paris whither he went Post saw the King and Queen at Dinner without being known Thence he departed and came to Madrid by the Post March the 17th taking up his Lodging at the English Embassador's who gave notice of his Arrival to Count Gondamar and he to the Duke de Olivares That Afternoon the Marquis of Buckingham went to visit him and gave him the reason of the Prince's coming to Spain The King caused him to remove to S. Hierom from whence he conducted him to the Court giving him the right-hand He was entertained with all the Majesty and Grandeur imaginable The Business he came about which was to marry the Princess Mary was canvassed but he proposing among other Articles the restoring of the Elector Palatin whom the Emperor had expelled for his Rebellion the Treaty was broke off and he returned to England dissatisfied but without reason The King of Persia with the assistance of the English took the City Ormuz a most important Place in the Gulph of Persia being the great Mart of Europe Asia and Africk D. James Pimentel General of the Gallies of Naples near Sardinia discovered 6 Sail of Turks whom he fought and took but with the loss of his Life having received a Musket-shot of which he died the 4th of October Mustapha the new Sultan being judged incapable to govern so great an Empire the Janazaries deposed him and set up in his Place Amurat Brother to Osman whom they had before murdered Anno 1624. This Year the Kingdoms of Grand Cathay and Tibet were discovered They lye beyond India bordering upon China on the North-side and are very large delightful and plentiful Countries The People abhor the Mahometans and scoff at the Pagans They have particular Ceremonies of their own and many Priests whom they call Lambas some
too obstinate The Duke of Feria entring Alsace with a powerful Army raised the Siege of Constance recover'd Valdutz took Laufenburg and Rhinfelt and reliev'd Brisac a place of great importance to the House of Austria for securing the Communication between Flanders and Italy He passed the Alps with his Army in December an Action surprising and even astonishing at that Season of the Year All this Year the success of the War continued dubious Victory sometimes inclining to the one side and sometimes to the other Mary of Austria Queen of Hungary was deliver'd of a Prince call'd Ferdinand Francis The Archduke Ferdinand Charles Earl of Tyrol stood Godfather for his Catholick Majesty At Madrid on the 5th of July died the most serene Princess Sister Margaret of the Cross in the Monastery of the Poor Clares where she had lived many Years with singular Piety and Virtue F. John de Parma her Confessor writ her Life Anno 1634. This Year began Unfortunate to the Emperor and Catholick King a presage of their Losses was the death of the Duke de Feria which happen'd the 11th of January at Munich the Court of Bavaria Immediately upon the death of the Duke the command of his Army was given to Count John Cervellon by the most Serene Cardinal Prince of Spain Ferdinand of Austria who then resided at Milan Superintendent and Vicar-General of Italy This Army consisted of 10000 Foot and 2000 Horse most of them Spaniards This Year the Emperor was inform'd by some of his chief Officers that Albertus Wallestein Duke of Fridland his Generalissimo had conspir'd to debauch the Army and rise in Rebellion against him The principal Men that made this Discovery were Count Picolomini Galassius Aldringerius and Coloredius Upon their private Information the Emperor call'd his Cabinet Council where it was resolv'd that Orders should be sent to the most Loyal Commanders in the Army to apprehend the Duke of Fridland or in case they could not to kill him before the design was reveal'd Accordingly he was invited to a Supper and there put to death by the Officers of the Irish Regiments then in the Emperor's Service The two Ferdinands the King of Hungary and the Cardinal joining their Forces laid Siege to Nordlingen and the Enemy under the command of Count Gustavus Horn coming to the relief of that City overthrew them with a great slaughter after an obstinate Fight which lasted six hours At Tortosa March the 6th Mary Ortego Wife to John Xinto both Inhabitants of Almun̄ia in Aragon was deliver'd in the Hospital of a Female Child with two Heads both very beautiful 3 hands and 3 feet and 8 fingers and toes upon one of the hands and feet This Creature lived half an hour and was Baptized Anno. 1635. The most Christian King this Year declar'd War against Spain and the House of Austria publishing his Manifesto containing his Reasons for this Breach His Forces joining with the Hollanders took Tirlemont Besides he possessed himself of several Places among the Grisons to cut off the Communication between Italy and Germany Pignerol also he seized by corrupting the Governour and so open'd to himself a Passage to Susa These and other the like Hostilities oblig'd his Catholick Majesty to declare War upon the 27th of June The Renown'd Marquis of Aytona died in Flanders August the 10th The Dunkirk Privateers took this Year many Prizes of the Hollanders The Emperor 's good Fortune was much forwarded by the Peace he concluded with the Elector of Saxony with exclusion to all other Sects except the Professors of the Ausburg Confession Soon after the Archdutchess Mary-Ann of Austria the Emperor's eldest Daughter was with great Solemnity at Vienna Married to Maximilian Elector of Bavaria her Unkle The most renown'd Spanish Poet Lope Felix de Vega Carpio died at Madrid where he was born upon the 28th day of August He was the greatest Poet of his Time writ more and better than any before him and must be allow'd the Honour of his Country having merited so much Fame abroad Anno 1636. The French King having as was said in the last Year broke the Peace with Spain many learned-Pens writ in Vindication of the Catholick King 's Proceedings referring the Judgment of his Cause to the Pope which Writings were at Paris burnt by the hands of the common Hangman The Emperor made the greatest force he could to join with that of Spain in the Low Countries and both together enter'd into Picardy under the command of the most Serene Prince Cardinal Ferdinand with whom were Prince Thomas Francis of Savoy Charles Duke of Lorrain John Count Nassau and Octavius Picolomini They took la Chapelle Chates Vervins and Noyon obliging the French for the Security of the Country to break down all the Bridges upon the Rivers Oyse and Aysne as far as S. Clou. They had also Corbie deliver'd to them by the Count de Soyecourt This Success of the Spanish Forces obliged the French to call the Prince of Conde the Cardinal de la Valette and Duke of Weymar out of Alsace leaving that Country exposed to the King of Hungary and Count Galassius At the same time the Marquis of Grana so pressed the Landtgrave of Hesse that he was forced to retire to take Protection of the Hollanders Mean while the Forces of Spain by the way of Guipuzcoa broke into the Province of Guienne where they possessed themselves of Andaye Orugne Siboure and S. Jean de Luz as also of the Port and Fortress of Zocoa D. John Alonso Enriquez de Cabrera Admiral of Castile and Captain-General of the Provinces of Old Castile and D. Francis de Irracaval Marquis of Valparaiso and Viceroy of Navarre in his Majesty's Name publish'd a Manifesto containing the Reasons that mov'd him to make these Incursions The Cardinal Richlieu had perswaded the King and People that the Forces of Spain and the Empire were so inconsiderable the War would be kept out of the Kingdom and always upon the Enemies Country Now they found much the contrary being forc'd to quit Milan and the Valley of Valtelina and still retiring every where to leave a great part of their Kingdom exposed to their Enemies Several Princes who were under the Protection of France having had their Countries wasted to prevent their utter Destruction have been forced to declare against that Crown A Report being spread that Count Galassius was entring the Province of Bassigni with 25000 Men and that 14000 were marching from Silesia besides 12000 Polish Horse had-passed the Rhine the Nobility not thinking themselves safe at Paris removed the best of their Goods to Havre de Grace Seeing all things fall out far otherwise than he had expected the Cardinal laid the blame upon the Governours of the Places that had been lost declaring them Traytors and accusing F. Joseph of Paris a Capucin his great confident of feeding him with false Intelligence from the Turks Moores and Protestants The News of the Election
was long doubtful The Marquess went from place to place to encourage his Men till he was shot through with a Musquet-Ball and striving to rise up could only recover his Knees Captain Antony Paniagua the Marquess's Son at the same time with his Father had assaulted the Enemy on the other side and entring the Redoubts came to the place where his Father was almost dead but not overcome The Marquess seeing him come to his assistance said to him Charge and mind nothing else He did so and the Marquess seeing his Men discouraged said to them Go to Badajoz and carry the News of the Death of your Officers for it is Satisfaction enough for me to die with them These Words so inflamed the Soldiers that they charged again with such fury that they put the Portugueses to flight killing 600 of them and pursued them in hopes to gain the Battery Here Captain Antony Paniagua was again wounded in the left Arm with a Spear but gave no ground tho' he lost much Blood Perceiving the whole Body of the Enemy's Army coming down upon them the Spaniards retired to make good the Posts they had gained and the Portugueses enraged to be so worsted by such a small Number gave three Assaults to the Redoubts and were still repulsed with great Slaughter In this Attempt they lost 1800 Men and the Hopes of taking Badajoz which now began to think it self secure Of the Castilians 150 were killed and 80 wounded The Marquess lived but 10 hours after he received the Shot and was Buried with great Honour His Regiment was given to his Son who had so bravely Revenged his Death tho' he was then but Eighteen Years of Age. This ill Success rather enraged than discouraged the Portugueses so they continued their Attacks but to very little purpose Wherefore after having spent 33 days before the Place they drew off their Cannon to the Body of the Army It was thought they would have quitted the Siege but they leaving a sufficient Force to guard their Line on that side Guadiana passed the River which they ought to have done at first The Siege of Fort S. Christopher was one of the most remarkable Actions that hapned in the 28 Years War between Castile and Portugal Having passed the River the Enemy drew a Line 3 Leagues in length enclosing the City and worked at it 4 Months where they consumed above half their Army consisting as has been said of 16000 Foot and 2500 Horse at the beginning of the Siege This Enterprize so alarmed the Kingdom that it obliged the great Favourite D. Luis de Haro to expose himself to the Danger of the War During the Siege the Duke of Ossuna went out to have intercepted a Convoy that was coming to the Enemy's Camp but being discovered retired dividing his Horse into several Squadrons that they might take sundry Fords The Portugueses pursued with all their Horse and Foot and the Duke's Guide having missed the Ford he was forced with only 400 Horse to face the Enemy In the heat of the Action his Horse sunk in a Bog and altho' almost stifled himself in the Mire he mounted another Horse and broke the first Battalion of the Portugueses receiving two Thrusts which pierced his Armour and Doublet One of the Enemy's Soldiers laid hands on him whom he killed and seeing himself and all his Horse in danger of being lost he commanded them to take the River where 40 of them were drowned Next night he attacked one of the Enemy's Quarters killed 200 of them and brought away 40 Horses On the 22d of July the Enemy attacked Fort S. Michael with 6000 Foot sustained by Horse The Duke of Ossuna drew out his Horse and was ordered with certain Platoons of Musqueteers to charge the Enemy D. John Pacheco Lieutenant-General of Horse led the Van and fell on but being over-powered by the Portugues Horse and Foot was beat back The Duke came on with his Troops and repulsed the Enemy giving time to D. John Pacheco to rally his Men and charge again but was still forced to give way to the Multitude The Duke being still at hand in good Order suffered not the Enemy to pursue our Vanguard when broken but advancing took the Ground where the Enemy had stood which was within Pistol-shot of the Enemy's Battalions who fired upon him two hours killing above 17 of his Squadron and above 120 of the others and yet no Man broke his Rank In this posture he continued exposed to the Enemy's Fire having his Horse killed under him till the Fort being taken he was ordered to retire This Action lasted 5 hours with considerable loss on our side and of above 800 of the Enemy On the 6th of August 1200 of our Horse broke through the Enemy's Line between two Forts the Duke of Ossuna attacking them in the Rear and the Duke of S. German in the Front driving them 6 Leagues as far as Albuquerque where they halted On the 22d of August the Enemy planted a Battery of 6 Cannon on the Hill called Cerro del Viento where we had a Half-moon Palisaded with Redoubts and Flankers which would contain 2000 Foot and 1000 Horse Upon the 24th they began to play those 6 Pieces and 2 from Fort S. Michael and that day threw above 150 Bullets but without doing any considerable execution On the 30th they fired upon Fort S. Christopher and blew up the Mills then they cast Bombs into the Quarters of S. Andrew and the Potters From the 10th of October the Fury of their Batteries began to slacken That very day D. Luis de Haro set forward from Merida with 12000 Foot and 4500 Horse which the Portugueses understanding drew off so silently in the Night that their March could not be discovered till Morning showed their Army on the other side Guadiana and they encamped under the Cannon of Campo Mayor on the 14th The same day D. Luis de Haro entred Badajoz Our Army passed the River and followed the Enemy to the River Gayo which divides Castile and Portugal and so held on to Elvas burning all the Country The Defence of Badajoz was one of the most Glorious Actions during the War with Portugal and in which the Duke of Ossuna gave most signal Proofs of his Bravery and Conduct Anno 1659. The little Spuadron of Majorca mentioned in the foregoing Year this Spring took 3 English Ships richly laden from Venice but in the Fight with them Jayme Llorens Admiral of the Privatiers had an Arm taken off by a Cannon Ball of which he soon after died at Maloga Two other small Squadrons had sailed from Majorca to the Eastward who scoured the Coasts of Africk and Archipelago and brought home Prizes On the 6th of May a Proclamation was published at the Court of Madrid for lowering the value of Copper Money one half There died the Archbishop of Besançon a Prince of the Empire and Ambassador from the Province of Burgundy The Spring seemed to threaten great
as the Slaugter-house Gate scarce leaving any Monuments that there had been Buildings there It also bore down the Wall at the new Gate and broke into the City filling several Streets and finding no way out still rose drowning some Quarters of the City and in S. John's Street came up to the Floors of the second Stories All the Street de los Almaçâ—nes or of the Storehouses was drowned and all the Provisions and Merchandize laid up there were lost Several Quarters of the City were totally ruined as were the Monasteries of S. Dominick and S. Francis being so shaken they were rendred uninhabitable Great numbers of People fled to the tops of their Houses which falling they were carried away into the Mediterranean or buried in the Ruines Among the other Destruction made by the River Guadalmedina it was observed to take one corner House away intire and carry it so for a great space till at last it fell in pieces with the death of 16 Persons that were in it At 3 in the Afternoon the Storm ceased and at 5 the Water was gone out of the Streets at which time the Bishop and Governour gave great Alms among the poor People that were found alive in the ruinated Houses Above 1600 Houses were utterly destroyed 3000 so shaken that they threatned Ruine above 2000 Persons lost and the whole Dammage was computed at above 3 Millions A Ship of the Biscainers putting out of S. Sebastian met a Vessel of 28 Guns bound from Bayonne to Portugal which refusing to produce any Pass was sunk and in it 35 Men only 17 being saved by the Biscaniers among whom were 3 Portugues Fidalgos or Noblemen There was also taken a Trunk with Letters in it from the Envoy in England to the King of Portugal which were sent to Court On the 26th of September arrived at CorunÌ„a our Squadron that was out to secure the West-India Fleet with the Ships of the firm Land and new Spain being 34 Sail. These Ships besides a Chest of Pearls of inestimable Value brought for his Majesty 3247460 Pieces of Eight and for private Persons 6476690 in all 9724150 Pieces of Eight The Fleet having landed the Plate there sailed again with the other Merchandize and arrived at Cadiz on the 13th of November Amar Aga Alcaide and Governour of Tremecen had destroyed all the Corn belonging to those Moors that lived about Oran and had submitted themselves to the Spanish Governour of that Place who was then the Marquess of Leganes These Moors used to bring their Corn to sell to that City and the Garrison subsisted upon it The Marquess finding that no fair Means or Threats prevailed upon those People to reduce them marched out with 350 Foot and 180 Horse and forded the River Cid Soliman six Leagues from Oran then falling upon the Moors who live along that River he took 64 Slaves 12 Horses and a great number of Cattle whereof notice was immediately given to Amar Aga. He gathering his Turks lay in wait for the Marquess in his Return at the Ford of the River Cique where they engaged and 15 Turks were killed among whom was Xeque Salem Beniahim Amar Aga was in danger of being taken having his Horse killed and escaped upon another given him by his Guards The Turks retired to Tremecen and the Marquess returned victorious to Oran Not content with this he went out again with the same number of Horse and Foot and marching 7 Leagues to Zanua Zafa and Mediona brought under 9 Hords of Arabs containing 986 Moors 132 Tents and 16000 Head of Cattle Thus all those neighbouring Moors were again brought under Subjection and the Turks disappointed to the great Honour of the Marquess of Leganes Three Ships sailed from Alicant richly Laden with Merchandize for Venice and had aboard the Servants and Equipage of the Cardinal D. Pasqual de Aragon and other Passengers Near the Island of S. Peter they met 5 Turkish Pyrats and after Cannonading one another above 3 hours one of the 3 Ships which was French sunk another which was a Hollander being in danger to be taken burnt it self the 3 getting off in the Night arrived safe at Leghorn with 7 Turks that remain'd alive of above 100 that Boarded her Cardinal Pasqualis of Aragon made his publick Entry into Rome on the 7th of June and on the 29th after the Pope had heard Mass presented him the Hacaney and Purse with 7000 Ducats which our Kings every Year pay as an Acknowledgment for the Kingdom of Naples and that Night there was publick Rejoicings throughout the whole City Cardinal Mazarine prime Minister of France died the 9th of March. A violent Storm of Wind on the 30th of March overthrew above 150 Houses in the City Pau in the Province of Bearn On the 31th the Duke of Orleans only Brother to the most Christian King married his Cousin German Henrietta Maria Sister to the King of England and on the 18th of April the Lady Luisa of Bourbon 2d Daughter to the Duke of Orleans was by Proxy contracted to Mathius eldest Son to the Duke of Florence The Pope's Bull was published at Paris the 19th of June absolutely forbidding the Doctrine of Jansenius Queen Christina of Sweden who resided at Rome having abdicated that Kingdom hearing of the Death of her Cousin King Charles Adolphus returned to Sweden and made a solemn Entry into Stockholm where complaining that her Pension of 200000 Rixdollers was not duly paid her it was agreed in the Dyet She should have 150000 paid every Year provided She retired to some part of the Kingdom or else to Rome where She was before Such was the hatred conceived against her for embracing the Catholick Religion The War still continued hot betwixt the Venetians and the Turks in Candia and other Parts 15 Turkish Galleys were cast away in the Euxine Sea and 5 others on the Coast of Morea as also three Barbary Pyrats on the Coast of Sicily A great Earthquake hapned at Constantinople which overthrew many Buildings and killed a great number of People The Venetian Fleet had a sharp Engagement with 18 Turkish Ships that were carrying Supplies to Candia but a sudden Storm parted and dispersed them into several Ports The Turks entred Transilvania with an Army of 60000 Men and laid Siege to Plasemburg near Hermanstadt the chief City Ragotzi Prince of Transilvania attempted to put Relief into the Place with only 4000 Men and tho' heexecuted it with the loss of only 700 of his Soldiers and the Destruction of 6000 of the Enemy yet he having received 14 Wounds and soon after dying the City was taken by the Infidels Hence the Turks began to spread into Hungary doing much Mischief but the Counts Herberstein and Serini gathering 12000 Men killed 800 of them took 700 Prisoners and returned with a great Booty After this the Turks made vast Preparations in all Parts and brought the Asian Forces into Europe in Order to invade the Dominions of
Ducats and allowed 12000 Men to be raised in Germany and maintained at his cost To the Venetians he gave 100000 Ducats a Year and sent them 4000 Men for Defence of the Province of Friuli In France this Year the Queen was delivered of a Daughter who lived but a few days and her Majesty was in extream Danger but recovered The Duke of Beaufort Admiral of France sailed with a Fleet provided at Toulon and Marseilles and consisting of 14 Men of War 8 Galleys 5 Fireships 10 Brigantines 10 other Vessels and 30 Barks laden with Provisions Ammunition Lime Brick and other Necessaries for Building In this Fleet were 1500 Seamen and 5000 Land-Soldiers besides 500 Voluntiers of Quality In Port Maon in the Island Minorca he stayed till the Galleys of Malta joined him on the 17th of July and then they sailed together for the Coast of Barbary where they spent some Shot against Bugia but to little effect On the 22d they Anchored before Giguieri about 60 Leagues Eastward of Argiers and notwithstanding the Opposition made by the Enemy landed their Men as they did at Night 30 Pieces of Cannon Three Batteries being raised played seven days and nights at the end of which the French made themselves Masters of the Place having only 300 Men killed and wounded in the Action This Place is subject to the Government of Argiers and the Country about it has plenty of Cattel The Algerines having gathered 20000 Men on the 20th of October appeared before this Place and that Night attacked a Redoubt of the Castle but were so well plied with the Cannon from the Sea and the Works that they drew off with great loss Again on the 23d before day they gave a furious Assault and were again repulsed leaving behind 1000 of their Men killed and wounded The Infidels being with fresh Supplies now 40000 strong gave a third Attack on the 27th and possessed themselves of the Redoubt then following their Success they made themselves Masters of the Lines and Outworks tho' bravely defended by the French The Duke of Beaufort finding it impossible to maintain the Place the Outworks being lost shipped his Men the 30th of October and returned to France Another Squadron of 10 Ships sailed from Rochel carrying 1600 Men with Masons Carpenters and all manner of Necessaries for erecting a Colony which they accordingly performed 4 Degrees Northward of the River of the Amazons in America having found there an old Fort which they repaired and fortified with new Works The English having built several Forts about Tangier Gailan the Moor many times had attempted to gain them but still came off with loss and among others had his own Brother killed To revenge his Death and so many Disappointments he lay in ambush with Eight thousand Men and the Governour the Lord Tiveot marching out of the Town with the best of the Garrison to take a Prey encompassed them and cut off the greatest part Anno 1665. King Philip considering the great Harm the Portugueses did upon the Frontiers commanded the Marquess of Caraçena before appointed General to repaire speedily to his Command He obeyed and came to Badajoz the beginning of this Year The Duke of Aveiro went away to Cadiz where the Fleet was in a readiness and waited his coming he being appointed to Command The Duke of Osuna being accused of not having done his Duty at Cuidad Rodrigo went with Twenty four others a Voluntier into the Army which being ready to take the Field the Marquess of Caraçena commanded him to retire because he had no Order of the King for him to serve He had such small Suppires from Court during his Command at Cuidad Rodrigo that he was forced to raise Contributions which caused many Complaints to be made against him but upon Examination he was cleared and the King to restore his Honour made him Governour of Catalonia when the War was declared against France Great Preparations were made against Portugal but all came to nothing by reason of the Discourse of a Truce or Peace King Philip fell sick of his last Disease and died the 17th of September He made his Will providing for the good of the Kingdom and Education of his Son their not Four years of Age. He appointed Governors of his Son and Kingdom D. Garcia de Avellaneday Haro Count de Castrillo and President of Castile D. Christopher Crespi de Valdaura Vicechancellor of Aragon the Count de PenÌ„aranda as Counsellor of State the Marquess de Aytona as Grandee of Spain and the Cardinal of Spain Archbishop of Toledo which the Cardinal D. Baltasar de Moscoso dying the same day as the King was Interpreted in favour of D. Pasqualis of Aragon then at Rome From Rome he went to Naples to take Possession of the Viceroyship of that Kingdom and being desirous to Return to Spain obtained leave of the Queen to resign that Command to his Brother D. Peter of Aragon The Inquisitor General for the time being was also appointed one of the Governors and the Queen as Governess to the King her Son Superior to them all Her Majesty out of her great Respect to F. Everard a German her Confessor and a Jesuit raised him to the Honour of Counsellor of State and Inquisitor General by which he also became one of the Governors After the death of King Philip all the Counsels went to Kiss the New King Charles the 2d his Hand and to Recognize him as their Lawful Sovereign the day after his Fathers death On the 27th they conducted the Royal Body to the Escurial with due Pomp and Magnificence many Noblemen and the Horse guards attending till they delivered him to the Prior of the Convent There he lies in one of those stately Urns which whilst living he Erected in Honour of his Predecessors A few days after the Town of Madrid resolved to be the first in Proclaiming his Majesty King Charles II. and made choice of the Duke of Medina de las Torres to display the Standard in his Name as the Custom of Spain is On the 8th of October the Duke accompanied by many of the Nobility went on Horseback from the Count de Onâ—ies's House to the Town Court house where they alighted and were received by the Mayor and Aldermen and other Officers of the Corporation The Duke went up to the Council Chamber and sate down on the right Hand of D. Francis de Herrera Enriquez Knight of the Order of Calatrava Corregidor of the Town After a short Consultation they both stood up at once and the Corregidor taking the Standard bid the Secretaries and Notaries give it him under their Hands that he deliverd it to the Duke that the Town might display it in the Name of King Charles II. The Duke courteously received it and mounting on Horseback the Cavalcade began in manner following First went the King's Trumpets and Kettledrums then the Town Musick then 16 Alguaziles of their Liberty and after them some of the
being a Stranger had many Enemies at Court by Reason of his too great Authority and Power Particularly D. John of Austria by Letter ceased not to press the Queen to remove him from Court and She to give satisfaction to all that were discontented upon his Account complyed giving him a most honourable Discharge in such manner as if it had been granted at his own Suit and the Choice of being Ambassador either at Vienna or Rome He departed the Court on the 26th Day of February to the great Joy of many Had he made this Retreat voluntarily and of his free Choice he had gone off with Honour but staying to be thrust out went away hated and in disgrace The Translation of S. Isidorus the Patron of Madrid to a Rich Chappel built for that purpose was performed with all Pomp and Magnificence The Feast of the Canonization of S. Peter de Alcantara the Reformer of the Franciscans was celebrated by that Order during the space of 16 Days With him was also Canonized S. Magdalen of Pazzis a Carmelite Nun born at Florence This Year at the Sollicitation of the Pope a League was concluded among several Christian Princes for the Defence of Candia against the Turks Also another in Flanders betwixt the English Swedes and Hollanders for the Defence of the low Countreys The Count de Oropesa President of the Council of Orders was preferred to that of Italy The Duke of Ossuna was appointed Governour of Milan and the Duke of Sessa of Catalonia D. Ambrosio Spinola Archbishop of Santiago was Translated to the Archbishoprick of Sevil. The Count de Medellin was made President of Orders and his Place of Master of the Horse was given to the Marquess de Caslel Rodrigo Three new Counsellors of State were created which were the Constable of Castile who then governed the Low Countreys the Marquess de Astorga Ambassador at Rome and the Admiral of Castile The most sumptuous Palace begun at Barcelona by the Marquess de Castel Rodrigo one of the most Beautiful Structures in all Europe was this Year finished by the Duke of Ossuna He also raised the Citadel at Palamos a most important Sea-Port on the Coast of Catalonia and a great Inlet into that Principality FINIS THE INDEX TO Mariana's History of Spain A. ABdalasis Son to Muza his Actions Pag. 100 He marries the Widow of King Roderick 101 Abdalla dies Abderhaman succeeds him 116 Abderhaman first Moorish King in Spain 107 His Death 113 Abderhaman calls himself King of Murcia 132 Abderhaman inthron'd by the Abenhumeyas 133 Abides his Birth Education and Reign 9 Accommodation betwixt Castile and Leon. 151 Accord betwixt Castile Portugal and Aragon and Portugal 254 Betwixt Castile and Aragon 346 Betwixt France and Spain 480 Betwixt the two Kings Ferdinand and Philip 514 Betwixt the Emperor and King Ferdinand 536 Actions on the Frontiers of Castile and Portugal 433 In Navarre 554 Acts of the Cortes of Castile 305 At Madrid 254 Act of Justice 173 Adrian the Emperor reigns 21 years 56 Aelius reigns 22 years 56 Aemilianus reigns 4 months 58 Affairs of the Infidels 106 and 107 Of Aragon 202 Of Navarre 240 Of Aragon and Sardinia 288 Of Aragon unsuccessful at Naples 345 Of Naples 371 Of Portugal 375 Of Britany in France 460 Of Naples settled 527 Afranius 45 Agila reigns is kill'd having reign'd 5 years and 3 months 76 Agreement betwixt King John of Castile and his Rebels 365 Betwixt the Duke of Milan and French King 470 Betwixt King Ferdinand and the King of England 541 Alans and Vandals call'd in by Stilico 67 Alans who they were 67 They come into Spain 68 Their Progress 69 They and the Silingi subdu'd by the Goths 69 Alaricus proclaim'd King 74 Albarazin taken by the King of Aragon 226 Alcala de Henares made an University 234 Alcazar in Africk taken by the Portugueses 385 Alexander Severus reigns 13 years 57 Alexandet the 5th chosen Pope 328 Dies 330 Alexander the 6th Pope 332 Algezira besieg'd 263 Siege continu'd 264 Surrender'd 264 Alhaca the Moor dies Abderhaman the 2d succeeds him 111 Alhama taken by the Christians 440 In vain besieg'd by the Moors 441 Aljubarrota famous Battel Pag. 303 Alliance betwixt Portugal and Aragon 289 All Spain in Peace except Castile 418 Almenon the Moorish King of Toledo and Ramon Earl of Barcelona die 148 Almeria taken 171 Almohades a Family of Moors invade Spain 172 Almoravides the Moorish ruling Family come into Spain 153 Alonso the first King of Oviedo takes many Towns 106 His Death 106 Alonso the 2d King of Oviedo 108 Is expell'd by Mauregatus 108 Is restor'd His Sister debauch'd by a Count. 109 Alonso the 3d call'd the Great 114 Expell'd and recovers his Kingdome 114 His publick words His Son rebels He resigns the Crown His Death 116 Alonso the 4th calls himself King of Leon. 121 Becomes a Monk and leaves the Crown to his Brother Ramiro 122 Alonso the 5th King of Leon under the Tuition of the Earl of Galicia and his Wife 131 His Actions Is kill'd at the Siege of Viseo 134 Alonso the 6th King of Leon flies to the Moors 144 Returns from among the Moors and resumes the Crown Imprisons his Brother Garcia Takes an Oath for the Crown of Castile Aids the Moorish King of Toledo 146 Stiles himself Emperour 151 His Wife and Issue 153 His Forces overthrown by the Moors and a second time Marries his 3 Daughters to Strangers 154 His Works of Piety 158 His Death 159 Alonso the 7th proclaim'd King of Castile 162 Aspires to the Crowns of Aragon and Navarre 167 Invades them Stiles himself Emperour 168 He and his Daughter both married 173 Breaks into Andaluzia and dies 175 Alonso the 8th the young King of Castile secur'd by some Nobles 177 Receiv'd as King by his People 178 Toledo declares for him 178 Is overthrown by the Rebels 178 Assembles the Cortes or Parliament 179 Meets the King of Aragon 179 Concludes a League with him 179 Marries Ellenor the Daughter of King Henry the 2d of England 179 Invades Leon. 181 Overthrown by the Infidels 185 His two Daughters marry'd to the Kings of France and Leon. 187 His Death 195 Alonso the 9th Is divorced 186 Overthrows the Moors and takes Merida and Badajoz Fol. 205. p. 2 His Death Ibid Alonso the 10th 212 Chosen Emperour by part of the Electors and Richard Duke of Cornwal by the rest Fol. 212 p. 2 His Qualities 213 Aspires to the Empire 216 His Progress Meets the Pope in France Returns home Fol. 216 p. 2 Curses and disinherits his Son Sancho 222 Dies 225 Alonso the 11th his Birth 245 Is proclaim'd King being under 13 Months old Is kept by the Citizens of Avila 246 Enters upon the Government 251 Dies 268 Alonso the 1st King of Aragon 159 Is belov'd of all Men. 160 Is kill'd by the Moors 167 Leaves his Dominions to the Templers and other Knights 167 Alonso the 2d King of Aragon 178
His Death 185 Alonso the 3d King of Aragon Crown'd 226 Dies 333 Alonso the 4th King of Aragon 253 Dies 259 Alonso the 5th King of Aragon adopted Heir of Naples 143 Besieges the Queen of Naples in her Palace 344 Supports an Anti-Pope 345 Again invited to Naples 357 Dies at Naples Ibid Alonso the First King of Portugal his Birth 155 He governs as Earl of Portugal 156 Actions of his 169 Gives the Moors a great overthrow 169 Marries 169 His further Success 172 Title of King confirm'd on him by the Pope 172 Taken by King Ferdinand of Leon and set at liberty 182 Besieg'd by the Moors and deliver'd by the King of Leon. 183 Vanquishes the Moors 183 Dies 184 Alonso the 2d King of Portugal 188 At War with his Sisters 195 His unjust Proceedings Fol. 213 p. 2 His Death 220 Alonso the 3d King of Portugal Dies 276 Alonso the 4th King of Portugal 252 Alonso the 5th King of Portugal Proclaimed King of Castile being contracted to the Rightful Heiress 424 Passes over into Africk and thence into France 428 Resolves to go in Pilgrimage to Jerusalem and resigns his Crown to his Son 431 Dies 437 Alonso King of Naples abdicates 467 Alonso Prince of Portugal his Death 455 Alonso de la Cerda the Rightful Heir of Castile submits to Alonso King in Possession 256 Alonso de Albuquerque his Actions in India 560 Alora taken from the Moors Pag. 446 Alva Duke enters Navarre 549 Alvaro de Luna who he was 327 Becomes the great Favourite 340 Made an Earl 342 Banish'd the Court. 348 Returns to Court 349 Chosen Master of the Order of Santiago 372 His Character and fatal End 378 Amalaricus his Reign His Death 75 Anintosities against Prince Ferdinand of Castile 328 Ancinting of Kings first used in Spain 161 Antequira taken by Storm 331 The Castle surrendred 331 Antient Inscriptions 36 Antioch in danger of-Destruction 66 Apparitions in the Air and other Prodigies 357 Application for uniting the Church 335 Aragon left without Heirs 325 Divided about the Succession 332 Aragonians rout the Mallorquines 205 Destroy the French Fleet. 227 Successful in Italy 229 Successful against the Moors 180 Invade Castile 353 Decline at Naples 356 Gain two Victories at Sea 225 Arcadius and Honorius 66 Archbishop of Toledo chosen 151 Chancellour of Castile 194 Arrested by the King 311 Archbishop of Santiago flies to Portugal 317 Archduke comes into Spain 489 He and his Princess sworn Heirs of Aragon 492 Returns to Flanders 492 Concludes a Peace betwixt Spain and France 496 Archimbaud Earl of Faux his Death and Issue 334 Argantonius his great Age. 11 Argonauts in Spain 8 Arian Heresie 61 Armengaud Earl of Urgel slain 183 Arms of Aragon 174 Of Toledo 168 Of Navarre Articles betwixt Aragon and Navarre Fol. 216. p. 2 Betwixt France and Castile 230 Betwixt King Peter of Castile and the Prince of Wales 284 Betwixt Castile and Portugal 298 Asdrubal succeeds Hamilcar 18 His Death 19 Asdrubal the 2d and Mago routed and 37000 of their Men killed 26 Asdrubal Barchinus routed by Scipio 28 Asdrubal the Son of Gisgo entirely defeated by Scipio 28 Asinius Pollio and M. Lepidus Govern Spain 48 Asturians forced to submit 50 Ataultus and Sigericus Kings of the Goths murder'd 69 Athanagildus ascends the Throne 77 Unfortunate Marriages of his two Sisters 77 Atilius 34 Atlas expels Hesperus and reigns 7 Attempts of the Infidels to murder the King of Castile 264 Attila King of the Huns in France defeated by the Romans Francs and Goths and 180000 of his Men slain 71 Aubigni defeated and taken 497 Aucupa governs Spain 106 Augustus set up in the Place of Julius Caesar 48 Becomes sole Lord of the World Comes into Spain 49 Returns to Rome 50 His Death 51 Aurelius Antoninus and Antoninus Verus Reign 19 years 56 Aurelius Commodus Reigns 12 years and 8 months 56 Aurelius Probus reigns 5 years and 8 months 59 Aurelius Carus reigns 2 years 59 Aurelius King of Oviedo during his Reign does nothing honourable 108 Aza or Adham Governs Spain 104 Azamor in Africk submits to the Portugueses 448 Is taken by the Porugueses 556 B. Babel built Pag. 1 Bacchus builds Nebrixa 8 Bada Wife to Recaredus 79 Badajoz mutinies 312 Taken by the Portugueses 318 Baeca taken 171 Baleares Islands 11 Balbinus and Pupienus reign not out a Year 58 Banish'd King of Granada restor'd Barbarous Action of a Roman 41 Treachery 129 Barbarosla besieges Bugia in vain 562 Barcelona Earidome hereditary 119 Its Earls 122 Taken by the Moors 128 Surrendred to the King of Aragon 417 Battel that lasted 8 days 98 Undecided 177 De la Higuera or of the Fig-Tree 355 Of Olmedo 371 Of Cirinola 497 Of Salado 262 Of Munda 47 Of Najara 253 Of Ravenna 548 Of Blavio vid. Memorable Of Collejares 323 Of Aljubarrota 303 Of Cannas 23 Baucius Capetus General of the Spaniards 12 Chosen a 2d Time against the Carthaginians 13 Beltran de la Cueva Favourite to King Henry the 2d of Castile Created a Duke 406 Benedict the 11th Pope 241 Benedict the 13th Chosen Pope 316 Forsaken 327 Disown'd in Aragon 328 Dies 344 Berengaria Heiress to the Crown of Castile resigns her Right to her Son Ferdinand 199 Berenguel or Berengarius Earl of Barcelona 134 Berenguel Earl of Barcelona his Actions 140 Bergamo and Bressa return to the Obedience of the Venetians 546 Bermudo King of Leon succeeds Mauregatus 108 Bermudo the 2d King of Leon 127 His Death Wives and Issue 130 Bermudo the 3d King of Leon. 134 His good Government 135 Bernard first Archbishop of Toledo when recover'd from the Moors 151 Sets out for the Holy Land Is sent back by the Pope 157 His Death 165 Bernard de Cabrera cruelly put to Death 283 Bilbao City built 112 Biscay rebels 116 United to the Crown of Castile 260 Biscainers and Navarrois at War 251 Biscainers invade the Canary Islands 113 Bishop murder'd 412 Blanch and Berengaria Sisters to King Henry of Castile 199 Blanch Queen of Aragon dies 244 Blanch Daughter to the Duke of Bourbon Contracted to King Peter of Castile 269 Dies 279 Bloody Battel betwixt the Spaniards and Moors 13 Rain 172 Mutiny at Lisbon 519 Boabdil the Moorish King flies to Cordova 446 Bolonia its Siege 560 Rais'd Boniface Pope dies 322 Bravery of a Woman Fol. 208. p. 2 Bresta taken by the Viceroy 552 Broils among the Suevians 73 In Navarre and Biscay 384 Bruneclulda by the French call'd Brunchault 77 Mariana deceiv'd concerning her life 77 Bugia and other Places in Barbary taken by the Spaniards 537 Burgundians who they were 67 C. Caesar in Spain the first time His 2d Coming 44 Kills 36000 Spaniards in Gaul Returns into Spain and expels Pompey's Party 45 Returns again into Spain Reduces Cordova 47 Returns to Rome Is murder'd in the Senate 48 Caius Catinius 32 Calamities of Princes 510 Calatrava taken and given to the Knights Templers 166 Defended by two Monks
and given to their Order 175 Caligula succeeds Tiberius and reigns 3 Years 10 Months and 8 Days 52 Calixtus Chosen Pope 383 Calpurnius Pilo 32 Canary Islands 266 Conquer'd 339 Cantabri who they were 49 They are routed 49 Cape of Good Hope discover'd 380 Caracalla reigns 6 Years and 2 Months 57 Carcastonne lost and recover'd by the Earl of Barcelona 162 Cardinals fall off from the Pope 540 Carmona Besieg'd and other Towns taken Fol. 210 p. 2 Carmona surrendred to the Christians 211 Besieg'd by the Usurper 289 Carthaginians their Undertakings 10 Their first coming into Spain 12 They make War on the Phoenicians 13 Discover a new Island 16 Routed Forced from the Siege of Iliturgum Their Army again Defeated 24 Attack the Roman Camp and are repuls'd 26 Carthusian and Cestercian Monks 163 Castile its Earls Executed 820 Invaded by the Infidels 123 It s Earl reconciled to the King of Leon. 124 It s Earl imprison'd in Leon escapes by the Contrivance of his Wife 125 In League with Aragon against Navarre 170 Again 173 Commences War with the Moors 185 Reconcil'd to Portugal 238 In League with Aragon against the Moors 243 At War with the Moors 253 In League with Aragon 267 In League with Navarre 281 In League with England 281 Divided 283 At variance with Navarre 294 Makes Peace with Aragon 362 Still at variance 373 Divided betwixt the Rightful Princess and Elizabeth the Usurper 422 Castilian Fleet ravages the Coast of Britany 296 Ravages the Coasts of Portugal 301 Castilians vanquish the Moors 124 Gain another Victory 124 And Aragonians make War upon the Moors Fol. 206 p. 2 Overthrow the Portugueses at Sea 259 Overthrow the Aragonians and Navarrois 258 Defeated 302 Catalonia reduced 416 Catalonians their Actions in Asia and Greece They overthrow the Turks Their General put to Death They defeat the Greeks 249 Cathedral of Burgos built by an English Man 201 Catherine Queen of Castile dies 739 Cato the first Consul in Spain 30 Kills 40000 Spaniards Returns to Rome and Triumphs 31 Cause of the Wars betwixt Castile and Aragon Cefalonia taken by the Turks 485 Caelestin the 5th Pope Abdicates 235 Celts People of France come into Spain 10 Ceuta taken 243 Taken by the Portugueses 337 Challenge betwixt the Kings of France and Aragon 223 Charlemain in Spain 110 Charles Brother to the King of France Crowned King of Sicily and Naples 215 Dies Ibid. Charles Prince of Salerno made King of Apulia and Sicily 228 Charles the V. of France Dies 250 Charles VI. succeeds 296 Charles Inherits the Crown of Navarre 304 Dies 347 Charles II. King of Navarre 367 Charles Duke of Durazzo Crowned King of Naples 297 Charles Prince of Viana Dies 403 Charles King of Naples Dies 226 Charles VII King of France Dies 481 Charles V. Emperor his Birth 484 Chindasuinthus Usurps with the assistance of the Army 89 Chintila Ascends the Throne by Election 88 Christ our Lord Born 752 Years after the Building of Rome and in the 42th Year of the Reign of Augustus 51 Christian Princes united defeat the Infidels 130 Christian Dominions in Spain united under one Head 135 Christian Army advances against the Infidels 189 Christian Nobles perswade the Infidels to Revolt F. 215. p. 2 Christian Kings of Spain at variance 258 Christian Fleet destroyed by the Moors 261 Christians overthrown 99 Defeated 117 Suffer under the Moors 128 Spoil the Territories of the Moors 133 Join with Infidels to raise the Siege of Huesca 156 Succesful F. 209. p. 2 Defeated 447 Christopher Columbus Dies 517 Cimbri enter Spain Return with the Germans and are again Repulsed 41 Civil Wars betwixt Caesar and Pompey 45 Of Rome 48 In Aragon 200 In Navarre 403 Claudius Centho 32 Claudius Caesar Reigns almost 14 Years 52 Clement V. chosen Pope 242 Clement Pope owned in Castile 297 Clement the Pope Dies 316 Coimbra taken from the Moors 137 Combat betwixt 13 French and as many Italians 494 Commotions among the Spaniards 23 In Castile 201 In Catalonia 220 Competitors for the Kingdom of Naples 342 Conditions of Peace betwixt the Kings of Leon and Navarre 135 Confederacy against Castile 236 282 Against the Aragonians 362 Conference of the Kings of France and Castile 404 Of the French and Spanish Generals 491 Confusion of Tongues 1 Confusions in Africk 267 In Aragon 333 In Castile 408 In Biscay 413 Upon the Death of King Philip. 522 Conquest of Majorca resolved upon by the King of Aragon 204 Conspiracy detected and punished 115 Against the French in Sicily 222 Against D. Alvaro de Luna Of the Nobles 347 To Destroy D. Alvaro de Luna 365 Against K. Henry IV. of Castile 383 In Castile discovered 532 Conspirators apprehended others fly 374 Constance the King of Aragon's Daughter Married to the King of Sicily 279 Dies 282 Constans Murdered 62 Constantine the Great Reigns 32 Years 9 Months and 27 Days 60 His Death 61 Constantine Constantius and Constans Reign 62 Constantine Murdered 62 Constantius Reigns 1 Year and 10 Months 59 Constantius sole Monarch 62 His Death 62 Constantinople taken by the Turks 379 Contests about the Imperial Crown F. 212. p. 2 Controversies betwixt Castile and Portugal about their Discoveries 462 Conversion of Two Moorish Princes 140 Cordova taken by the Christians and Revolts 171 Part of it taken by a handful of Men. F. 206. p. 2 Described Besieged Surrendred 207 Cortes of Castile raise Money 237 Cortes of Castile Summoned by the King and his Son follow the latter 222 Settle the Government of Castile 247 Held at Alcalâ 267 Settle the Government of Castile 309 Meet at Madrid 313 Held in Castile 323 Grant Supplies for War with the Moors 327 Held at Burgos by K. Ferdmand Cortes meet in the Kingdom of Aragon 224 Held at Moncon 538 Held by the Queen Council of Constantinople General 64 Of Nice General 61 Of Toledo the first 66 Of Chalcedon General 67 Of Tarragona 75 Of Toledo the Second 75 Of Constantinople the 5th General 77 Of Braga the First 77 Of Braga the Second 78 Of Toledo the Third 84 Of Toledo the Fourth 86 Of Sevil. 87 Of Toledo the Fifth 88 89 Of Toledo the Sixth 89 Of Toledo the Seventh 89 Of Toledo the 8th 9th and 10th 90 Of Toledo the 11th 94 Of Toledo the 12 13th and 14th 15th 16th 17th and last 95 Of Constantinople VI. of the General 95 Of Florence General 141 Of Valencia 116 Of Rheimes General 172 Lateran General 197 Of Lions General 210 Of Vienne in Dauphinê General 244 Of Constance General 336 Of Basil General 358 Of Mantua General 401 Of Pamplona 136 Of Compostella Jaca and S. John de la Pena 142 Of Burgos 147 Of Tarragona 183 350 Of Toledo 240 Of Valladolid 251 Of Barcelona 261 Of Coyenca 140 Of Leon. 152 Of Aranda 419 Countess of Medellin a Turbulent Woman 434 Country of the Moors wasted Cruel Action of the Earles of Carrion They are overcome in Combat 157 Cruel Murder 135
Confers with Pope Benedict 336 Dies 338 Ferdinand King of Portugal 285 Marries the Lady Ellenor de Meneses 290 Dies 299 Ferdinand King of Sicily marries Elizabeth Sister to the King of Castile 414 Received as King of Castile and IV. of the Name 422 Labours to gain the Nobility of Castile 424 Goes into Aragon 435 His Son Sworn Heir of Castile Aragon and Catalonia 436 Takes Mallaga and other Places 450 Builds a Town to lie in during the Siege of Granada 457 His Character 458 Called Catholick King by the Pope 471 Two of his Daughters matched 480 Perplexity he is in 482 His double dealing 486 Becomes Odious to the People 511 Agrees with the French King 512 Little Faith in him 515 Marries Queen Germana 516 Forces raised by him 517 Many forsake him Is forced to quit Castile 518 He and his Queen at Zaragoca 520 In Italy 522 Comes to Naples 522 Returns to Castile 529 Desires Peace with Venice 437 Assists the Pope 540 Dies 562 Ferdinand King of Naples Dies 465 Ferdinand King of Naples succesful against the French 469 Dies 472 Ferdinand Prince of Castile Dies 218 188 Ferdinand Infante of Portugal left a Hostage with the Moors 363 Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile 121 His Death 126 Fidelity of a Servant 349 Fifty thousand Infidels Slain 107 Fight in which 70000 Infidels were Slain 109 Betwixt the Portugues and Castilian Armies 426 Fire rises out of the Sea and does great harm 125 First Roman and Carthaginian War 17 Flaminius 31 Flavius Claudius Reigns one Year 10 Months and 15 Days 59 Flemmings and Spaniards disagree 517 Floods 17 Florence Siena and Luca join with the Confederates 550 Florentine War 373 Florianus Reigns 3 Months 59 Fonteyus Balbus 32 Forces of Castile Routed by the Aragonians And a Second time 161 Form of Government in Castile during the Kings Minority 308 Form of the Rebels Association 252 Forreigners come to serve Count Henry 283 Forreigners did King Alonso the First of Portugal 172 Four Kings in Spain meet to conclude Peace 188 Fraga besieged and quitted 166 Again Besieged 167 France and Navarre join with Castile 303 France and Aragon make Peace 235 Franciscan Friars Preach to the Moors of Granada 319 Francis Phebus Crowned King of Navarre 437 Francs Invade Spain 76 Defeated by the Goths 83 Overthrown in Italy 81 Frederick King of Sicily beaten at Sea 239 Dies 259 Frederick II. King of Sicily Dies 293 Frederick King of Naples puts himself into the Hands of the French 488 Dies 510 French Army enters Catalonia Invade Aragon 37 Expelled Aragon 320 Support Henry the Bastard 286 And Spaniards besiege Bayonne 292 Invade Navarre 294 And Portugues Forces Invade Castile 425 And Aragonians at variance 421 Invade Naples 465 Possess themselves of the D. of Milan 484 Perish by Pestilence and stress of Weather 489 In Rousillon 502 Advance towards the Confederates 547 Decline in Italy 550 And Spaniards Conquer Naples 486 French Army enters Catalonia 226 French Army marches through Italy 503 French King at Rome 466 Returns Home 468 In Italy 528 Fresh Troubles in Castile quieted 315 Friar stirs up the People of Navarre to Rebellion 403 Friars Preachers and others oppose Hereticks 192 Froyla or Fruela succeeds King Alonso I. 106 Is murdered 107 Fruela II King of Leon. 107 Fulvius Nobilior 31 Fulvius Flaccus 32 Fulvius Nobilior comes into Spain 33 Is repulsed at Axena 34 Furius Philo. 32 Furius Philo the Consul governs Hispania Citerior 39 Further Actions of the Christians 190 G. Gaeta Besieged 501 Surrendred to the Great Captain 505 Galba the Pretor's barbarous Treachery 35 Galba governs Spain Is Proclaimed Emperor Reigns 7 Months and is slain 53 Galicians destroyed 47 Galienus Reigns 15 Years 58 Gallerius raised to the Empire 59 Garcia Earl of Castile 134 Garcia King of Navarre Imprisoned by his Brother Ferdinand Makes his escape Is overthrown and killed by King Ferdinand of Leon. 140 His Issue 141 Garcia the II. King of Navarre 167 Killed by a fall from his Horse 173 Garcia King of Galicia bleeds to death in Prison 140 Garcia de Toledo sent with Forces into Africk 539 Garci Fernandez Earl of Castile his Son Rebels against him Is killed by the Moors 131 Garci Lopez de Padilla Master of Calatrava deposed 240 Garci Sanchez King of Pamplona and Najara 122 Garci Sanches Earl of Castile 128 Garci Sanches King of Navarre 129 Gargoris or Mellicola Reigns 9 Gaston Heir of Navarre Born 343 Genealogy of the Kings of Spain 85 General Peace in Spain 249 Generosity of the Duke of Milan 361 Geneoses join the Catalonians 162 Rebell and join with Pope Eugenius and the Duke of Anjou 362 Gensericus succeeds Gundericus Passes over into Africk 70 Gesaleycus advanced to the Throne His Death 74 Gerion the First known King 6 Girona besieged by the French and taken 227 Gibraltar taken 243 Besieged 267 Gneius Fulvius 32 Gnosticks their Heresie 56 Goa in India taken by the Portugueses 537 Godigisius King of the Vandals makes Peace with the Romans 69 Goths who they were 67 68 Their Religion 68 Two great overthrows given them by the Franks They overthrow the Franks and kill 20000 of them 82 Their Conversion 82 Thrice defeated 95 Government of Castile divided betwixt the Queen Mother and Prince Ferdinand 325 Of Toledo altered And of Pamplona 343 Settled for the present 522 Gracian and Valentinian Emperors 64 Gracian the Emperor murdered when he had Reigned 7 Years 9 Months and 9 Days 65 Granada City surrendred to King Ferdinand 458 Grants made by King Henry of Castile Vacated by the Cortes 436 Great Captains Actions at Naples 490 Subdues almost all Naples 498 His Reception at Naples 499 Contrary to his Faith Given sends Duke Valentine into Spain 507 Is ill Represented to the King 508 Jealousies raised against him 520 Forbid to Pass into Italy 550 Ordered to be Apprehended 561 Dies 562 Great Preparations for the Holy War 156 Victory obtained by the Christians 117 189 Fleet of Saracens destroyed by the Goths 94 Overthrow of the Moors 113 123 Slaughter of Infidels 115 Earthquakes 115 296 355 Overthrow of the Infidels 125 Faith 192 Plague 76 Famine and Plague 194 Floods 296 321 360 Famine and Earthquakes 507 Booty taken by the Spaniards 494 Year of Jubilee 484 Disorders throughout Castile 426 Eclipse and Floods 187 Gregory XI Pope returns to Rome after the Papal Chair had been 70 Years at Avignon 293 Gregory XII chosen Pope at Rome 323 Gregory the Great Pope 84 Several Letters from him 85 His Books sent for to Rome Grounds of the War in Navarre 548 Of new Troubles in Castile 387 Gundemarus his Reign His Death 86 Gundericus King of the Vandals aspires to the Sovereignty of all Spain 70 H. Hali sent to assist the King of Sevil overthrows and kills him 153 Hali the Moor ravages the Country and lais Siege to Toledo 160 Hamilcar sent to Conquer Spain 17 Hannibal the Elder sent to govern Spain
22 Years 51 His Death 52 Titinius Curvus 32 Titus Reigns 2 Years 2 Months and 20 Days Is call'd Decus Deliciae Generis humani 54 Toledo and other Towns whence so call'd 12 Toledo a new Wall about it 94 Taken 99 It s Conquest resolv'd upon The Country about it wasted 149 Closely besieg'd The manner of inclosing it It s Surrender 150 An Archbishop Chosen 151 It s Cathedral taken forcibly from the Moors contrary to Articles 152 How its Archbishops came to be Primates of Spain 152 174 Torismund succeeds Theodoredus 71 Is murder'd 72 Toro taken by King Peter 273 Surpriz'd by the Castilians 429 Tortosa Lerida and Fraga taken 171 Towns taken by the Christians 203 In Andaluzia taken 213 Recover'd by the Christians 214 Taken on both sides 276 Taken by the Moors 373 Trajan Reigns 19 Years and a half Persecution under him His Death 55 Treachery rewarded 289 Traytors punish'd in Portugal 437 Treaty betwixt the Emperour and King Ferdinand 527 Betwixt the King of Castile and his Rebels 272 Trebonianus Gallus Reigns 18 Months 58 Trojans come into Spain 9 Troubles in Castile and Aragon upon the occasion of two Children Henry and Jayme or James to those Crowns 195 Of Castile break into open War 198 In Aragon 170 265 214 In Navarre 219 In Portugal 395 Among the Moors 310 In Naples 343 In Castile and in the Church 363 Increase in Castile 407 In Aragon Sardinia and Navarre 414 In Galicia 443 In Aragon stop the Progress of the War in Granada 452 Truce for 3 Years 115 Betwixt Aragon and Navarre 171 With the Moors 186 With Portugal 305 With the Moors of Granada 306 With Portugal for 15 Years 311 With Portugal Renew'd 319 Betwixt Castile and Portugal 343 For 5 Years 354 For 3 Years betwixt France and Spain 506 Betwixt France and Spain 553 Betwixt Spain and France prolong'd 557 True Heirs of Castile Imprison'd 220 Truxillo recover'd by a strange contrivance 353 Tryal by Ordeal 75 Tubal the first that Peopl'd Spain 1 Tulga made King 89 Tumults in Aragon and Catalonia 448 In Aragon 322 Turbulent State of Christendom 332 Turks their Original and Growth 247 Pass over into Europe 318 Take Otranto in Italy 420 Two Engagements 34 Christian Ks. make War upon the Moors 164 Archbishops Murdered 180 Holy Men. 160 Synods 161 Uncles strive to Vsurp the Crown of Aragon 195 Ecclipses F. 208 p. 2 Moorish Kings at Granada destroy one another 444 Several Rebellions quelled 201 Extraordinary accidents 246 Factions in Navarre 377 Defeats of the Moors 377 V. Valencia where Seated Besieged and Relieved 157 Abandoned by the Christians 158 It s Siege resolved on It s Description Besieged F. 207 p. 2 Delivered up to the Christians 208 Valens Emperor of the East Persecutes the Catholicks 63 His Superstitious Practices 64 Valentine Duke slain 526 Valentinian the Emperor Reigns 11 Years 8 Months and 22 Days His Death 63 Valerianus Reigns 7 Years 58 Vandals who they were 67 They come into Spain 68 Various Accidents 278 Varro 45 Vasco de Gama Discovers India 474 At Calicut 476 Returns to Portugal 477 Account of his Navigation 478 Vascones subdued 85 Vast Multitude of Infidels comes into Spain 185 217 Army of Foreigners comes into Spain to the Assistance of the Christians 188 Venetians overthrown by the French 468 546 Set upon on all Sides 535 Their Army Routed 535 Overthrown by the Viceroy of Naples 558 Venice Cannonaded 556 Vespanan chosen Emperor Reigns 10 Years 54 Victory of the French and Spaniards at Sea over the English 291 Of the English at Poitiers 275 Of the Christians by Sea 326 Obtained by the Queen of Naples 346 Of the Moors over the Christians 280 Vmcenza taken by the Imperalists 538 Violante Queen of Castile proves with Child and prevents being divorced from the King F. 212 p. 2 Flies to Aragon with her Grandchildren 219 Violante Daughter to the King af Aragon Married to Luis Duke of Anjou 321 Violent Winter 368 Viriatus his Original and Life 35 His Actions 36 Defeats the Romans and makes Peoce with them His Death 37 Vitellius his Army routed and he slain 36 Vitellius the Emperor enters Rome Reigns 9 Months 54 Vitoria City Built 183 Uncertain Government of Castile 523 Unimanus vanquished and slain by Viriatus 3 Union of the Crowns of Castile and Leon. F. 205 p. 2 Universal Plague 15 266 University of Alcalâ founded 483 Ufracâ Queen of Castile a dissolute Woman 160 Her Death 165 W. Walia Ring of the Goths agrees with the Romans 69 Wamba his accession to the Crown 91 Marches against the Rebels Recovers very many Towns Takes Narbonne Reduces other Places Enters Nismes by assault 92 Returns to Spain His publick Works 93 Is deposed Reigned 8 Years 1 Month ana 14 Days 94 War in Sicily 16 Among the Moors 109 Betwixt the Kings of Castile and Leon. 138 Of Majorca and Zaragoca 162 Betwixt Navarre and Aragon 170 180 Betwixt Castile and Navarre 175 With the Moors 194 204 245 354 257 and 456 In Italy 215 382 and 544 Betwixt Castile and Aragon 231 275 In Sicily 238 In Navarre 284 Betwixt Castile and Portugal 291 309 Betwixt Castile Aragon and Navarre 351 At Naples betwixt the Aragonians and House of Anjou 401 Breaks out inseveral Parts of Castile With the Infidels put off for some time 442 Betwixt the French and Spaniards at Naples 492 Wicked contrivance of Sons against their Mother 136 Witericus the Murderer of Liuva Usurps the Crown Is killed and dragg'd about the Streets 86 Witiza made his Fathers Companion in the Throne His Reign He Murders Favila His Death 96 Wonderful Dearth 9 Providence 128 Defeat of of Hereticks 194 Judgment 245 Works of Peter Tenorio Archbishop of Toledo 320 X. Xeres Besieged by the Moors and the Siege raised 227 Z. Zahara surprized by the Moors 440 Zama governs Spain 104 Zamora made a Bishoprick and Compostela an Archbishoprick 164 Zanelus the Pope's Nuncio in Spain 117 Zaragoca Besieged in vain 116 Besieged by the Christians Taken 163 THE INDEX TO THE SUPPLEMENT A. ACeord betwixt Spain and France Pag. 5 Actions in Portugal 48 Adrian Cardinal 2 Chosen Pope 4 Agreement with Portugal 7 Alarache in vain attempted by the Moors 92 Taken 32 Albertus the Archduke governs the Netherlands 29 Alcaraz Castle Surprized 58 Alenzon Duke in the Low Countries 24 Heads the Rebels there 25 Returns into France 26 Alexander VII chosen Pope 72 Dies 93 Alonso King of Portugal imprisoned by his Brother 94 Sent to the Island Tercera 94 Alva Duke Governor of the Low-Countreys 20 Reduces Portugal 25 Amiens taken by the Spaniards 30 Ann Princess her Birth 31 Antony Perez his Sufferings 28 Antony the Bastard of Portugal vanquished 26 With the English Fleet in Portugal 28 Antwerp Plundered 24 Archbishop of Toledo Condemned 23 B. Badajoz Besieged by the Portugueses 78 Relieved 79 Baltazar Prince Born 38 Dies 46 Barbarossa Ravages the Coast of Italy 11 Battle of S. Quintin
Sempronius Gracchus Q. Fulvius Nobilior the Consul comes into Spain Two Engagements Fulvius Repulsed at Axenia 10000 Romans slain by the Lusitanians 602. Mummius triumphs over the Lusitanians Cl. Marcellus succeeds Fulvius M. Atilius Sergius Galba Licinius Lucullus P. Cornel. Scipio Prosecution of the War with Numantia Lucullus the Consul 's barbarous cruelty Intercasia Surrendred Galba's barbarous Treachery Viriatus's Original and Rise Vitellius's Army routed and he slain 605. C. Plaucius twice Defeated by Viriatus An ancient Inscription 606. Cl. Vnimanus vanquished and killed by him 607. C. Nigidius treated in the same manner C. Lelius successful against Viriatus 609. Fab. Maximus overthrows him 610. Popilius the Pretor sent into Spain 611. Viriatus's further Actions Quincius defeats and is again worsted by him Metellus subdues the Celtiberi 612. Q. Fabius Servilius the Consul streightens Viriatus 613. Pompey in Spain Viriatus defeats the Romans makes Peace with ' em Servilius breaks the Peace and routs Viriatus The Death of Viriatus 614. Numantia again Revolts Is Besieged by Pompey 615. Pompey Treats with the People of Numantia fraudulently 616. Popilius the Consul defeated by the Numantians 617. Mancinus succeeds Popilius Mancinus concludes a dishonourable Peace with Numantia M. Lepidus Consul is routed with the loss of 6000 Romans 618. P. Furius Philo the Consul governs Hispania Citerior Mancinus delivered to the Numantians 619. Piso succeeds Furiu and is worsted Scipio Africanus sent against Numantia 621. Destruction of Numantia Scipio Triumphs over Numantia and is called Numantinus Peace in Spain 631. 643. The Cimbri enter Spain 645. 650. They return with the Germans and are again repulsed 655. A drawn Battle A barbarous Action of a Roman 657. 660. Marius and Cinna Sertorius's Actions He founds an University at Osca 674. Metellus sent by Sylla into Spain Hirtuleyus General for Sertorius twice routs the Romans Mithridates sends Embassadors to Sertorius Pompey the Great comes into Spain 677. Metellus kills 20000 of Sertorius's Men. Sertorius's last Exploits and Death 681. Perpenna succeeds Sertorius Perpenna killed The reason of the Proverb Fames Calagurritana 683. 685. Julius Caesar in Spain the first time 689. 693. Caesar's second coming The Herminii entirely subdued 38000. Spaniards slain by Julius Caesar in Gaul 699. Q. Cecilius overthrown by the Vacei 701. Three Legates sent to Govern Spain Petreyus Afranius and Varro Civil War betvvixt Caesar and Pompey Caesar returns into Spain and expells Pompey's Party 706. Longinus in danger of being murdered for his Avarice and Cruelty Roman Army mutinies Longinus cast away going to Italy Spain divided betwixt Caesar and Pompey Pompey's Sons in Spain 709. Caesar returns to Spain The famous Battle of Munda Gneius Pompey's Death Cordova reduced by Caesar Caesar returns to Rome Asinius Pollio and M. Lepidus govern Spain 710. Caesar Murdered in the Senate Sextus Pompey renews the War in Spian Defeats Pollio Augustus up in the place of Caesar The Proscription Civil Wars of Rome 714. Era Caesais Domicius Calvinus Tirumphs over the Ceretani Augustus sole Lord of the World Norbanus triumphs over Spain Cantabri they were A strange Custom Augustus in Spain Cantabri routed Galicians destroy'd Asturians forced to submit Spain intirely subdued by Augustus Many Roman Colonies planted in Spain Augustus returns to Rome Learned Spaniards Christ our Lord born 752 Years utter the Building or Rome and in the 42th of the Reign of Augustus Augustus's Death 15. Tiberius C. Reign'd 22 Years c. Wonderful Fidelity of a Country-man 26. 38. Tiberius his Death Caligula succeeds and reigns three Years ten Months and eight Days 42. Claudius C. Reigned almost fourteen Years S. James the Apostle in Spain 42. His Martyrdom his Body brought into Spain 55. Nero C. Reigned Fourteen Years Galba governs Spain Is Proclaimed Emperor Otho joins him Nero kills himself 69. Galba but 7 Months viz. slain Otho only 95. days Otho defeated kills him self Vitellius enters Rome Flavius Vespasianus chosen Emperor Vitellius only nine Months Vespasian Reigns ten Years Licinius Larius governs Spain 80. Titus Reigns only two Years 2 Months and 20 Days Decus deliciae humani generis 82. Spain how divided and govern'd Domitian 15 Years 5 Months 97. Domitian Murdered Nerva only 16 Months 99. Trajan 19 Years and a half The City Leon built 102. Persecution under Trajan 118. His death Adrian 21 Years Division of Spain Heresie of the Gnosticks 139. Elius 22 Years 162. Aurelius Antoninus Antoninus Verus 59 Years 181. Aurelius Commodus 12 Years and 8 Months 193. Helvius Pertinax 2 months 28 days Julianus 6 months Severus 17 years and 8 months 283 Persecution under Severus 212 Caracalla 6 years 2 months Opilius Macrinus 3 months 28 days 219 Heliogalus 3 years 9 months 223 Alexander Severus 13 years Maximinus 239. Balbinus and Pupienus not a Year Gordianus not quite 6. Julius Philippus above 5 Years 241. Decius 2 Years 250. Persecution Trebonianus Gallus 18 Months AEmilianus 4 Months 254. Valerianus 7 Years Galienus 15 Years 269. Flavius Claudius 1 Year 10 Months and 15 Days Quintilianus 17 Days L. Domitius Aurelianus 4 Years 11 Months and 7 Days Claudius Tacitus 6 Months and 20 Days Florianus 3 Months M. Aurelius Probus 5 Years and 4 Months 282. M. Aurelius Carus 2 Years 284. Dioclesian and Maximian 20 Years A bloody Persecution 304. Constantius 1 Year and 10 Months Galerius 306. Maxentius Constantine the Great 30 Years 9 Months and 27 Days X P The Arian Heresie The Council of Nice 337. Constantine's Death 337. Constantine Constantius and Constans Constantin Murder'd Constans Murdered Constantius sole Monarch Julian the Apostate chosen Caesar Constantius his death 361. Julian the Apostate 1 year 7 Months and 17 days Liberty of Conscience Julian killed 364. Fl. Jovianus 7 Months 2 days Fl. Valentinianus 11 Years 8 Months and 22 days Valens Emperor of the East Mutiny in Rome about electing a Pope Saxons first mentioned in Roman History Valentinian Death 375. Valens Persecutes the Catholicks His superstitious practices Irruption of the Goths Gratianus and Valentinian Theodosius declared Emperor in 't he East 383. General council of Constantinople Heresie of Macedonius Condemned Gratian the Emperor murdered when he had Reigned 7 Years 9 Months 9 Days Heresie of Priscillianus Priscillianus and his Adherents Condemned to Death Priscillianus's Errors Theodosius the Emperor Excommunicated for his cruelty at Thessalonica Antioch in danger of destruction 392. Eugenius a School-Master stiles himself Emperor 394. Theodosius dies at Milan He Reigned 16 Years and two Days Arcadius and Honorius 398. First Council of Toledo 409. Alans and Vandals called by Stilico 408. In the year 401. Rome was taken Alarick King of the Viso-Goths Who were the Vandals Alans Sùevians Silingians and Goths Burgundians Goths who they were Religion of the Goths Occasion of the Barbarous Nations coming into Spain 411 412 Vandals Alans Suvians and Silingians came into Spain Famin and Plague 413. 415. Godigisius K. of the Vandals makes Peace with the Romans Progress of the Alans Ataulfus and
Sigericus K. of the Goths murdred Walia K. of the Goths agrees with the Romans 418. Alans and Silingi subdued by the Goths Vandals and Suevians submit 410. 421. Gundericus K. of the Vandals aspires to the Sovereignty of all Spain Gensericus succeeds Gundericus 423. Honorius Reign'd above 28 Years Gensericus King of the Vandals passes over into Africk 440. 448. Theodoredus K. of the Goths Attila K. of the Huns in France Ann. Dom. 154. was the great battle fought against Attila K. of the Huns by the Romans Franks Visogoths wherein were 180000 Men slain Torismund succeeds Theodoredus Torismund Murdered 455. General Council at Chalcedon Theodorick K. of the Goths Theodorick K. of the Goths invades Spain 456. 460. 461. Broils ' among the Suevians 467. Euricus King after Theodorick 483. Alaricus Proclaimed King Two great Overthrows given the Goths by the Franks 506. Gesaleycus advanced to the Throne Francs overthrown 20000 killed 510. Gesaleycus his death 516. A Council at Tarragona 517. Three Synods 523. Amalaricus's Reign His death 531. Second Council of Toledo Tryal by Ordeal Theudis made K. by Election 541. Franks again invade Spain A great Plague 548. Theudis's Death Theudiselus Elected K. Is murdered 549. Agila Reigns 554. Is killed having Reign'd 5 Years and 3 Months The 5th General Council Athanagildus ascends the Throne 567. An Interregnum Suevians Converted Cause of the Suevians Conversion First Council of Braga The French call this Brunechilda Brunehault Unfortunate Marriages of the two Daughters of Athanagildus This Theodorick the Franch call Thierri * Doubtless it is Mariana that mistakes for the French Authors are positive in the Crimes of Brunechilda and that she committed them after the Death of Fredegunda Leuvigildus drives the Romans out of Spain 572. Second Council of Braga Leuvigildus chooses his two Sons Companions in the throne Ingundis Wife to Ermenegildus Persecuted for the Catholick Religion Bada Wife to Recaredus Ermenegildus the Kings Son Converted Messages betwixt the Father and Son Begining of the War betwixt Father and Son 580. Mahomet the Founder of Mahometism Born Anno Dom. 580. Sevil Besieged by Leuvigildus 586. Sevil taken Eremenegildus taken Death of Ermenegildus 586. Recaredus makes War in France Franks overthrown in Italy Leuvigildus Persecutes the Catholicks Suevians reduced under the Dominion of the Goths Kingdom of the Sueviens abolished 586. Death of King Leuvigildus The Causes of his Conversion Leuvigildus the first Goth that used the regal Ornament The Reign of Recaredus Conversion of the Goths Troubles on account of the change of Religion Recaredus restores the Church Possessions He Overthrows the Franks 587. Hereticks conspire against the King Conspirators punished Franks defeated by the Goths The third Council of Toledo 589. True Religion flourishes in Spain 590. Gregory the Great Pope Several Letters from him Several Synods Recaredus Marries Clodosinda Sister to Childebert King of Lorrain Romans defeated and Vascones subdued 610. King Recaredus dies Genealogy of the Kings of Spain Original of Dukes and Counts Liuva succeeds his Father Recaredus Is Murdered Witericus the Murderer of Liuva usurps the Crown Is killed and draged about the Streets 610. Gundemarus his Reign 612. His Death Fourth Synod at Toledo Subdues the Asturians Overthrow of Romans Peace with the Romans Jews Banished Synod at Sevil. 621. Sisebutus his Death Recaredus Reigned 3 Months Suinthila chosen King Romans quite expell'd Spain 626. Causes of Suinthila's ruin He is expelled by his own Subjects and the Franks 631. Sisenandus Usurps the Crown having expelled Suinthila and his Son A Synod at Toledo 634. 635 Chintila ascends the Throne by Election 636. The 5th Council of Toledo 〈…〉 5th 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 6th Council there 639. Tulga made King 641. Chindasuinthus Usurps with the assistance of the Army 647. The 7th Council of Toledo St. Gregory's Books sent for to Rome Monasteries Founded 648. Recesuinthus Advanced to the Throne by his Father The 8th Council of Toledo The 9th Council of Toledo 656. The 10th Council of Toledo 660. Increase of the Mahometan Power Recesuinthus his Actions and Death 672. Wamba his accession to the Crown Navarre revolts Rebellion in Gallia Gothica Paul General for the King takes part with the Rebels Paul declar'd King Wamba marches against the Rebels Recovers many Towns Narbonne taken Several otherplaces reduced The Rebels every where worsted Nismes carryed by Assault A miserable slaughter Paul taken Wamba return-into Spain Wamba his publick works Toledo a new Wall raised about it 675. The 11th Council of Toledo Third Council of Braga Laws Establish'd by Wamba A great Fleet of the Saracens destroy'd by the Goths 680. Wamba deposed Ervigius Usurps the Crown Wamba Reign'd 8 Years 1 Month 14 Days Ervigius the Usurper Governs well 681. The 12th Council of Toledo 683. The 13th Council of Toledo 684. The 14th Council of Toledo Many of these were rather Parliaments than Councils 6th General Council at Constantinople 687. Egica Anointed King The 15th Council of Toledo 688. Goths thrice defeated 693. The 16th Council of Toledo 17th and last Council of Toledo Witiza made his Father's Companion in the Throne 701. Egica dies Witiza's Reign His disorderly Life Murders Favila Death of Witiza 711. Original of the division of the Goths Roderick ascends the Throne The famous Count Julian who betrayed Spain to the Moors Roderick Ravishes Count Julian's Daughter Count Julian invites the Moors into Spain 12000. Moors pass over into Spain 713. Second coming of the Moors A Battle that lasted 8 Days 714. Horrid Treason of a Bishop The Christians overthrown Pelayus flies into Biscay The Infidels divide and over-run the Country Toledo taken Progress of the Moors Muza comes into Spain Takes several Towns Merida reduc'd An odd Project if true Abdalasis Son to Muza his Actions 716. Muza and Tarif at Variance The Mahometan computation of time call'd Hegira us'd in Spain Abdalasis the Moor Marries the Widow of K. Rhoderick End of Count Julian and his Family Deplorable State of Spain Irruption of the Moors into France Pelayus of the Blood Royal undertakes to oppose the Infidels Cause of Pelayus's taking Arms. Pelayus declared King 716. 1000 Christians miraculously overcame a great Power of the Infidels A Mountain falls 718. Muza's Death 719. Pelayus his Power increases 722. Leon taken by him Several Towns taken from the Moors Zama Governs Spain Aza or Adham Governs Several Governours 724. 731. The Moors from Spain again invade France Anno Dom. 734. was fought the great Battle between Charles Martel and the Moors that came out of Spain and Africk Pelayus his Death Favila succeeds him Is killed by a Bear Men Famous for Learning and Sancting Recaredus and D. Alonso the first Kings had the Title of Catholick Kings in Spain and then it lay Dormant until Ferdinand of Aragons time and was then revived by gift of Alexander the sixth Pope Aucupa Governs pain 739. Affairs of the Infidels 743. 744. Juseph Governs Spain 750. 753. King Alonso takes many Towns
757. His death Affairs of the Mahometans 54000. Infidels slain 759. Abderhaman the first absolute Morish King in Spain 761. A Note of the Translator King Fruela Murder'd 768. Aurelius during his Reign does nothing honourable Silon and Adosinda King and Queen 774. King Alonso 783. Mauregatus the Bastard aspires to the Crown assisted by the Moors Alonso flies and Mauregatus Reigns 788. Succession of the Moorish Monarchs Bermudo succeeds Mauregatus 791. A great Fight in which 70000 Infidels are slain The Heresy of Nestorius reviv'd Alonso restored The King's Sister debauch'd by a Count Wars among the Moors Lisbon taken by King Alonso Charlemaigne in Spain The Translator's note 802. The Moors in Rebellion at Toledo 805. The same at Cordova 810. Alhaca the Moor dies Abderhaman the second succeeds him 843. Reign of King Ramiro A Rebellion suppressed A memorable Battle betwixt the Christians and the Infidels The Battle renewed And takes name from the Town of Clavijo 844. Invasions of the Normans 847. King Ramiro his Death Persecution at Cordova 852. Abderhaman's Death King Ordonno's Reign Miraculous Tryal of a Bishop Division among the Infidels Great overthrow of the Moors Slaughter of Moors and Christians 857. Normans Infest the Coast of Spain Several Towns rebuilt 862. King Alonso the Great 862. He is expelled and recovers his Kingdom A Rebellion among the Moors 874. Great slaughter of Infidels A Truce for 3 Years A Conspiracy detected and punished The Church of S. James made an Archiepiscopal See 876. 881. Great Earthquakes Zaragoca Besieg'd in vain 883. Moorish Fleet perishes by Storms 886. Kings of the Moors 888. Biscay Rebels King Alonso's publick Works The King's Son Rebels He resigns the Crown 910. His Death Abdalla dies Abderhaman succeeds 913. King Ordonno succeeds his his Brother A great Victory obtained by Christians 918. A Battle undecided 921. The Christians defeated 925. Zanelus the Pope's Nunico in Spain The Orinal of the several Kingdoms in Spain Original of the Kings of Navarre Earldom of Aragon Earls of Barcelona Innigo Arista chosen King of Navarre Earldom of Barcelona Hereditary Of the Earls of Castile Earls of Castile Executed Fruela II. King of Leon. Of the King of Navarre Fictions concerning them Uncertainties concerning that Country abridged King Sancho Abarca why so called Alonso the Fourth King of Leon. 924. Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile He overthrows and kills the King of Navarre 926. 〈…〉 King 〈…〉 and Najara 931. King Alonso becomes a Monk and leaves a Crown to his Brother Ramiro Rebellion in Asturias Madrid taken and ruin'd Moors overthrown 30000 Moors killed in a Battle 934. A great Eclipse of the Sun Of the Earls of Barcelona Religious Works of King Ramiro A great overthrow given the Moors King Ramiro resigns the Crown and Dies 950. Many Towns built and repaired Ordonno the Third inherits the Crown of Leon. Is divorc'd from his Wife and Marries another Castile invaded by the Infidels The Castilians vanquish the Moors The Earl of Castile reconcil'd to the King of Leon. Another Victory of the Castilians 955. Sancho Proclaimed King 956. Ordonno expels Sancho Sancho restored Ordonno flies to the Moors A great overthrow of the Infidels Practices against the Earl of Castile The King of Navarre defeated and taken by the Earl of Castile 959. The Earl of Castile imprisoned in Leon and escapes by the contrivance of his Wife Fire rises out of the Sea and does great harm 966. Sancho inherits the Crown of Navarre King Sancho Poisoned 967. King Ramiro under the Tuition of his Mother and Aunt Peace betwixt the Moors King of Leon. The Peace broken by the Infidels Count Fernan Gonzalez dies 968. Normans infest the Coast of Spain 979. Divisions among the Moors Rebellion against the King of Leon. 982. Bermudo the second King of Leon. Garci Sanchoz Earl of Castile A wonderful Providence Christians suffer under the Moors Discord betwixt the King of Ieon and Earl of Castile 984. 985. Barcelona taken by the Moors The Royal City of Leon and other Places taken by the Infidels The Murder of Seven Brothers called three Infants de Lara Barbarous treachery A strange way of Adoption 993. Miracle at St. James his Tomb. Garci Sanchez King of Navarre Christian Princes unite and defeat the Infidels 998. Decay of the Moorish Kingdom Famine look'd upon as a Judgment for imprisonment of a Bishop 999. King Bermudo's death His Wives and Issue King Alonso under the Tuition of the Earl of Galicia his Wife 1000. Sancho K. of Navarre The Earl of Castile's Son rebells against his Father Earl of Castile killed by the Moors 1006. Sancho succeeds in the Earldom of Castile Mahomet usurps shuts up Hissem Is overthrown and 35000 of his Men slain Roman Earl of Barcelono 1010. 1010. Dissenti among the Moors Obeydalla calls himself King of Toledo Famine among the Moors Abderhaman calls himself King of Murcia Abderhaman inthroned by the Abenhameyus Then Mahomet The Kingdom of the Moors divided into many small Principalities The Christians spoil the Territories of the Moors The Moors buy Peace The Earl of Castile makes his Mother Drink the Poison she had prepared for him The Earls Issue 1020. Actions of Alonso King of Leon. King Alonso killed at the Seige of Viseo Berenguel Earl of Barcelona 1028. Bermudo the Third King of Leon. Garcia Earl of Castile A Cruel Murder King Sancho of Navarre inherits Castile King Bermudo his good Government Conditi of Peace betwixt the Kings of Leon and Navarre All the Christian Dominions in Spain United under one Head Wicked contrivance of Sons against their Mother The Q. of Navarre accused of Adultery by her own Sons Is defended by a Bastard King Sancho divides the Dominion of Spain among his Sons King Sancho setles matters of Religion 1032. A Synod at Pamplona Palentia rebuilt King Sancho Murdered 1035. Posture of affairs in Spain Ramon Earl of Barcelona Dies Kingdoms of the Moors Wars betwixt the Kings of Castile and Leon. Ferdinand Crown'd King of Leon. 1038. Ferdinand the most powerful King in Spain Ferdinand overthrows the Moors and takes several Towns 1040. Coimbra taken from the Moors King Ferdinand's Progress K. Ramiro of Aragon Wars on his Brother of Navarre Territories of the Infidels ravaged S. Isidorus his Body translated to Leon from Sevil. 1050. A Synod at Coyanca Conversion of two Moorish Princesses 1053. Garcia King of Navarre imprisoned by his Brother Ferdinand He makes his escape Ferdinand overthrows kills his Brother Garcia of Navarre K. Garcia's Issue Ramiro King of Aragon recovers his Dominions General Council of Florence 1055. A Romantick relation about Spain being exempted from the Roman Empire Roderick de Bivar called Cid who he was As many Fables are related of this Man as ever were of King Arthur Rod-rick's Opinion touching the subjection to the Empire I fear the whole relation is Fabulous The dispute decided The Famous Roderick Diaz de Bivar commonly called Cid his Original 1056. Synods held at Compostela
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
absolutely such because Nature inclines all Mortals to affect one Party more than another and we should look upon him as stupid and insensible that had not some love for his Country above another For this reason I do not pretend to affirm that my Author is absolutely Impartial being a Spaniard but I dare confidently aver he is so far beyond all that have undertaken to write History in that Nation and perhaps should I say in any other it might be no more than he deserves Our English Histories are very well known to carry too much Byass those of France are no more exempt from it nor do I think any other Nation free from the vanity of extolling its own Actions If all the World be guilty of the Crime he that has least of it must doubtless be accounted the most Vertuous and such I look upon Mariana to be which I think as great a Commendation as can be given an Author The Fabulous Stories of Antiquity he lightly runs over being unwilling as he says wholly to omit that which others have treated of at large or to impose Fictions upon his Reader as Truth This as to what hap'ned in Spain before the coming of the Romans and Cathaginians for of their times we have good Lights in Latin Authors and there is as much said here as can well be made out of them peculiarly relating to the Country without straying too much into Foreign Affairs of which still there are sufficient hints as far as they are requisite for making those of Spain the more plain and intelligible and even at times they are enlarg'd for the Instruction of the Reader who has not seen them in other Authors The Gothish times are again dark because the Barbarous Nations breaking into Spain so oppress'd the Natives that all Learning was almost lost as may appear by the profound Ignorance that reign'd for many Years This continu'd till the Conversion of the Goths when receiving the Faith they began to be Civiliz'd and by degrees apply'd themselves to profitable Studies But being Conquerors of so great a Nation and having no Body left to oppose them they gave themselves wholly up to Pride and Luxury God as may well be believ'd permitting them to fall into such heinous Sins that he might at once punish their Nation for the inhumane Barbarities their Forefathers had committed throughout the greatest part of Europe And indeed so heavy a Judgment fell upon them that the very Name of them was almost Obliterated by the Invasion of the Moors who in about eight Months space over-ran the greatest part of so vast a Dominion as Spain is leaving the distressed Natives nothing they could call their own but the barren uncoth Mountains in the Northern parts where they liv'd in Caves and Dens like wild Beasts rather because the Infidels contemned than that they wanted Power to subdue them Yet this handful of Men breaking out by degrees from those wild places when God's Mercy began to take place of his Justice in time grew formidable to the Moors and erecting several petty Kingdoms went on enlarging their Borders almost insensibly till in near 800. Years they recover'd that which as was said before they lost in 8 Months This second Inundation of Barbarians again bore down all that had been set up towards restoring of Learning and no remains of Literature seem'd for many Years to be left among the Christians those who were subject to the Moors groaning under the heavy Yoke of Oppression and those that had asserted their Liberty making it their only study to handle the Sword without finding leasure to think of the Pen. For this reason doubtless many considerable Actions have been bury'd in Oblivion and others which in part were true have been deliver'd to us with such a mixture of Fables that there 's no possibility of separating the Wheat from the Tares tho' I believe F. Mariana has labour'd as much and perhaps more successfully than any other in this particular as being intent upon discovering the truth and not fond of the Vanity of Honouring his Country with Fictions The latter Ages which draw near to us furnish much Matter for History as well because the Kings of Spain extended their Dominions and carry'd their Arms beyond the Limits of their ownCountry as because there were able Men whose care it was to transmit to Posterity the Actions of their Princes This may suffice as to the History As to the Author I think something ought to be said of him tho' I say the less of his History because it will speak for it self and having consider'd what account to give of him in few words I have found none so succinct and full as that he gives of himself in ten Lines at the end of his Latin Supplement to his History which are these Elbora me genuit Compluti Mystica cepi Romae Lutetiae dogmata quae docui Sed fractus Caelo duro atque labore Toletum Conscripsi Hesperiae tempora prisca redux Pondera de Rege Scaena de Morte Jacobo Pascha Egira Nummis inque libros Biblicos Est Mariana Domus Jesu inter Vita sodales Multiplicis Sophiae Cultus amica Quies An dabis extinctus tarda ut post fata quiescam Octo Novemque Deus quem fere Lustra premunt These are his own words which for the satisfaction of the English Reader who is not acquainted with Latin I had put into English Verse by an ingenious Friend who in compliance to my desire has Translated them almost Verbatim and confin'd himself to a narrow compass in these words Elbora gave me Birth Complutum fraught My Mind with Sacred Knowledge which I taught At Rome and Paris till th' inclement Air And broken Health constrain'd me to repair Back to Toledo where I first Compos'd Spain's History from ancient times disclos'd Weights Coins t' Hegira did my Pen engage Kings Death St. James the Paschal Feast the Stage And Books of Sacred Writ my Dwelling wears The Virgins Holy Name where free from Cares Among the Tribe of Jesus in the Chase Of various Truth I pass my quiet Days Give me good God! at length to sleep in Peace Whom more than fourscore Years with weighty Age oppress Elbora where he says he was Born is a Town now call'd Talavera upon the River Tagus in Castile Complutum where he Study'd is the Vniversity of Alcala de Henares betwixt Madrid and Toledo He taught Divinity some Years at Rome and Paris and then as appears by his own Words return'd into Spain and setled at Toledo where he Compos'd all those Works he mentions which are his Weights and Measures that is those of the Hebrews Greeks and Romans reduc'd to those then us'd in Spain a Treatise concerning the Stage another Pious upon Death and Immortality one to prove the coming of St. James the Apostle into Spain one of the Day on which Christ dy'd which is that he calls Pascha as being the Rule of keeping Easter
is usual where the Power is equal returned again into Africk and Castinus deprived of his Assistance being in no condition to oppose the Vandals went away into Italy in the Year 423. This same Year the Emperor Honorius dy'd on the 15th of Aug. having reigned 28 Years 11 Months and 10 Days He was no less famous for his Zeal in Religion than for the decay of the Roman Empire which began in his Days Valentinian III. Son of Constantius a Child succeeded in the Empire which gave occasion to Flavius Joannes to attempt to usurp the Empire but two Years after he was vanquished and slain Placidia the Empress Governed for her Son Bonifacīus who Governed Africk thinking to make his advantage of the times called over Genserius King of the Vandals into Africk who resolved not to slip so fair an opportunity of gaining so great a Dominion and therefore immediately passed over with 80000 fighting Men. The Silingi staid in Spain especially in that part of the Province Betica about Sevil upon which account they being mixed with and esteemed part of the Vandals the Country losing its former name of Betica was called Vandalosia now Andaluzia notwithstanding the Bounds of Betica and Andaluzia do not exactly agree By reason of the departure of the Vandals the Power of the Suevians began to grow Formidable throughout all Spain Hermenericus was their King and he dying of a tedious Sickness in the Year 440. and the 32d of his Reign Rechila his Son a hot and fiery Youth following his Father's Footsteps near the River Xenil met Ardebotus sent by the Emperor into Spain overthrew and killed him in Battle The Booty was such as left him rich enough to support the charge of the War After this Victory he Conquered all Betica and took Sevil a City then by reason of the Wars not so considerable as it was before or is at present Thence he turned into Lusitania and took Merida whereby what remained of the Alans was wholly brought under It was no small help to the Suevians that at that time the Country was naked and without defence for Sebastian the Roman General was gone over into Africk to oppose the Vandals where he was by them slain as Paulus Diaconus relates it Wherefore the Suevians went on and subdued Carpetania or the Kingdom of Toledo and the Province of Carthagena but soon after agreeing with the Romans they restored these two Provinces Rechila dy'd in the Year 448. and left his Son Recciarius to succeed him who was the first of the Suevian Kings that received the Faith of Christ and propagated the true Religion among his People in Spain Thus much of the Suevians CHAP. III. The Reigns of the Kings Theodoredus Torismund and Theodorick Attila King of the Huns twice Routed The General Council of Chalcedon THE Goths and their King Theodoredus Kinsman and Successor of Walia possessed but a small part of Spain to wit only that which is now Catalonia but in France they flourished both in Riches and Honour For this reason and because they were used to make the end of one War the beginning of another they broke the Peace with the Romans and began to spread a Terror Theodoredus's numerous Issue much encreased his Power for he had six Sons Torismundus Theodoricus Euricus Fridericus Reccinerus and Himericus as also two Daughters one Married to Hunnericus the Vandal Son of Gensericus who Persecuted the Catholicks in Africk and upon a groundless Suspicion sent her home after cutting off her Nose The other to Recciarius King of the Suevians in Spain About this time the Huns led by Attila commonly called The Scourge of God had entred France after burning Rome and laid Siege to Orleans which moved the Romans Franks and Goths to join in a League in order to oppose them Theodoredus King of the Goths fearing that Barbarian might fall into Guienne was the first that made head against the common Enemy and oblig'd him to raise the Siege and draw off into the Plains called Catalaunici by others Marochii and Maurisii near Toulouse AEtius Valentinian's General and Meroveus King of the Franks came up now and joyned the Goths The Forces being come together they ordered their Battles Theodoredus commanded the Right Wing AEtius the Left the Franks and Sanguibanus King of the Alans that Inhabited about Orleans were placed in the Center On the other side Attila made up his Wings which extended along those vast Plains of his Auxiliary Forces posting the Ostrogoths on the Left against the Visogoths the Huns where he was in Person made the Main Battle Betwixt both Armies was a rising Ground very advantageous to those that should possess themselves of it Both Parties strove for it but the Romans gained it This somewhat dismay'd Attila's Men but being encouraged by him the Huns gave the Onset with great Fury and were received with no less Resolution The Bodies closing there was a great havock both sides fighting obstinately for the Empire of the World 180000 Men were killed in this Fight which gave occasion to frame some Lyes as that a Rivulet which ran hard by overflowed with Blood and that the noise of Arms was heard in that place three days after as if the Ghosts of the Dead had continued the Action meer Fables to express the greatness of the slaughter King Theodoredus was killed at the beginning of the Fight being trod to Death by his own Men by reason of his age and weakness tho' some will have it that he was slain by an Ostrogoth called Andages What would have discouraged others inraged his Men for Torismundus and Theodoricus his Sons with a strong Body furiously charged and broke the Enemy and forced their General to fly after he had done all that could be expected from a wise Commander and brave Soldier The two Brothers went so far in the Pursuit that at Night they passed near the Enemies Camp where they were in some danger Torismundus was beat off his Horse wounded in the Head and brought off by the Valour of his Men. Attila who had before thought the World too little for his Conquest retired to his Camp with a Resolution if he were pressed to kill himself having to this purpose kindled a great Fire The Carts he had drawn up about his Camp and Night that came on saved him which he foresaw and therefore began the Fight after Noon AEtius spent the Night with no less fear under Arms having made a Trench of the dead Horses and Armour But the next day finding the Enemy refused to give Battle he Besieged him in his Camp at first and when he could with ease have destroyed him suffered him to march out of France and return into Pannonia The Joy of this Victory was much abated by the escape of Attila and Death of Theodoredus yet it was believed the Death of so Powerful a King was not displeasing to the Romans and Franks This Battle was
fought in the Consulship of Martianus Augustus and Clodius Adelphius in the Year of Christ 451. and the 31st of the Reign of Theodoredus Some are of opinion that Recciarius King of the Suevians was in this Battle upon account of his Affinity with the King of the Goths Certain it is that after over-running the Vascones who inhabited that part of Spain now called Navarre and still were subject to the Romans he passed into France to visit his Father-in-law and then assisted by the Goths wasted the Country of Carthagena and Carpetania At last having made Peace with the Romans he returned into his own Dominions in Betica Lusitania and Galicia still aspiring to the Sovereignty of all Spain Theodoredus's Funeral Rites being perform'd by the Goths and Torismund succeeding in the Kingdom by the advice of AEtius he forbore pursuing Attila till he had settled his own Affairs that his Brothers might not have the Power to raise any Commotions This done he marched after Attila and overtaking him near the River Loire where he was subduing the Alans that had settled there gave him a mighty Overthrow whereby he was obliged to quit all France But he Recruiting himself in Pannonia and marching towards Italy the Emperor Valentinian caused AEtius to be killed for having suffered him to escape at the Catalaunian Plains At this time St. Leo was Pope he who by the strength of his Eloquence persuaded Attila to turn back when he was marching to Rome and Gensericus the Vandal from burning of it Toribius Bishop of Astorga was familiar with Pope Leo and by his Advice gather'd a Synod of Spanish Bishops at Gelenis in Galicia where the Heresie of Priscillian then again Revived was Condemned Let us return to Torismund who because he Governed with more severity and rigour than that fierce People could bear was murdered by the contrivance of his two Brothers Theodoricus and Fridericus and by the hand of Ascalernus his great Favourite as he lay sick in his Bed in the first Year of his Reign In the ensuing Year which was of Christ 455. Thrasila a Souldier of AEtius's killed the Emperor Valentinian in Revenge as some will have it of his Generals Death but in reality at the Instigation of Maximus who upon it Usurped the Empire and the better to secure himself therein Marry'd Eudoxia Valentinian's Widow By the Death of Valentinian the Empire of the West fell quite to ruin for nine Usurpers or unhappy Emperors that succeeded one another afterwards scarce deserve to be named Marcianus who succeeded Theodosius the Lesser in the East Assembled a General Council of Bishops at Chalcedon in which was double the number of Prelates that had been at Nice They Condemned the wicked Opinions started by Dioscorus and Eutyches concerning Christ Theodoricus began his Reign over the Goths with singular Prudence and Moderation and might have been reputed an excellent Prince had he not been infected with Arianism and blemish'd his Life with the Blood of his Brother Sidonius Apollinaris Bp. of Arvernum or Clermont in an Epistle to Agricola highly extols the Virtues of Theodoricus Avitus resided at the Court of Theodoricus as Embassador from Maximus Augustus him the King persuaded upon the News of his Master's Death to possess himself of the Empire of the West and assisted him with his Counsel and Forces In requital for his Service it was agreed the Goths should enjoy all they could gain of the Suevians in Spain who incroached upon the Roman Territories and aimed at the Sovereignty of the whole It was convenient before the War was declared to find some plausible colour for it To this purpose an Embassy was sent to Recciarius advising him not to Invade his Neighbours without Provocation given and withall threatning in case he proceeded that the Goths would not be wanting to assist their Friends and Confederates the Romans Recciarius haughty with his late Success answered He would soon be at Toulouse where the Matter in Debate should be try'd in Battle Theodoricus having received this answer resolved to be beforehand with him and having raised a great Army of his own with Supplies of Franks and Burgundians passed the Pyrenean Mountains and near the River Vrbicus which runs betwixt Iberia and Astorga in Galicia after a bloody Fight Overthrew and put to flight his Enemy Great was the slaughter made of the Suevians Recciarius himself was wounded and not thinking himself safe in any part of Spain attempted to pass over into Africk but was forced back by a Storm to the City Porto in Portugal at the Mouth of the River Duero where by command of the Conqueror he was kill'd in the Year 456. according to Ado Viennensis Braga was plundred but no Blood of the Citizens spilt the Booty was rich by reason as is supposed it was the Seat of the Suevian Kings After the Battle Theodoricus having subdued Galicia placed one Acliulphus of the Family of the Varni not of the Gothish Nobility and a disloyal Person Governour there Next he entred Lusitania where at the request of S. Eulalia Protectress of Merida he forbore plundring that City This done Ceurila with part of the Army was sent into Andaluzia Nepocianus and Nericus to Galicia against Acliulphus who forgetting his Duty had Rebelled and kept that Province to himself Theodoricus returning to France took up Arms against the Romans and Majorianus upon account that they had forced Avitus to renounce the Empire and as was said before Avitus and this King were Friends He wasted the Country of France plundered the Towns and passing on as far as the River Rhosne sack'd and destroy'd Lions Thus much in France In Spain Ceurila unexpectedly entred Andaluzia the People sent Embassadors to him offering to submit themselves to the Goths saying They had not joined with the Suevians against the Romans and were ready to give Hostages and obey whatever other commands should be laid upon them All Towns received him Peaceably and furnished his Army with Corn and all other Necessaries Thus Andaluzia without any Bloodshed was brought under the Power of the Goths In Galicia the War was carried on with more Vigour but at length Acliulphus who stiled himself King was in a Battle near Lugo taken and lost his Head The Suevians sent Holy Men with the Vestments of Churches and other Sacred things to Theodoricus to implore mercy and he not only forgave but allowed them to gather the remains of their Nation and choose a King The Electors being divided one Party elected Franta for their King and the other Masdra This last within two Years was killed by his own People Remismundus his Son and Successor in the Year 460. making a League with Franta and joyning his Forces entred Lusitania putting all to Fire and Sword yet could not wholly subdue it Majorianus who Deposed Avitus and made himself Emperor came over into Spain and having settled Affairs provided a Fleet at Carthagena to pass over into
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
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
English and a French Man of War both which to shun them ran aground the Men getting ashoar the Ships were fired by our Men. Near the Island Lampadosa they had a sharp Engagement with an English Ship which being totally disabled and no hope of escaping left blew it self up After this on the Coast of Barbary they took an English Ship worth 25000 Crowns which defended it self with great Bravery About the same Place they had so furious an Engagement with a Turkish Ship that one of ours had been lost if not relieved in time the Turk was so battered She sunk downright only 18 of her Men being saved and about 300 drowned Not far from Candia they took an English Merchant Ship valued at 20000 Crowns About the Far of Messina after a bloody Fight they made themselves Masters of a Privateer belonging to certain French Knights of Malta but the Great Master demanding them they were delivered to him In their Return homewards they met an English Ship from Portugal loaden with Spice which they possessed themselves of and it was esteemed at 50000 Ducats Lastly on the Coast of Tunez they drove ashoar a Turkish Pyrate the Men saving themselves upon Land After they were in Port at Majorca they discovered at Sea a Turk giving Chase to a Vessel which laboured to get under the Cannon of dur Forts but in vain whereupon the biggest of the four Ships put to Sea again and rescued the Ship which they found to be a Hamburgher carrying Presents from King Philip to the King of Hungary and several Prelates and other Passengers to Rome On Wednesday the 20th of November the Queen was delivered of a Prince he was Baptized on the 13th of December by Baltasar de Moscoso Cradinal and Archbishop of Toledo and called Philip Prosper About the beginning of April this Year Blake the English Admiral lying upon the Coast of Spain had Intelligence that the Spanish West-India Fleet was put into the Bay of Santa Cruz in the Island of Teneriff one of the Canaries On the 13th he set sail towards them and upon the 20th discovered them in the Haven drawn up in a Half-moon and well guarded At the Mouth of the Harbour is a strong Castle with many Pieces of Cannon to secure the Entrance and round the Bay 7 small Forts with 4 or 5 Guns each besides the Lines of Communication between them lined with Musqueteers D. James Diagues the Spanish Admiral had moored the lesser Ships being 10 in number close under the Shoar 6 great Galeons lying farther out at Anchor with their Broad sides towards the Sea The Master of a Dutch Merchant-ship that lay in the Bay perceiving there would be Mischief and fearing to partake of it asked leave of D. James to depart who answered him Do you go if you will and let Blake come if he dares Blake sent in a Squadron under Captain Stainer who not regarding the Forts fell in suriously upon the Ships but Blake soon following placed some Ships to Cannonade the Forts which they did so effectually that the Defendants were forced to abandon them and himself with the rest of the Fleet joined Captain Stainer After some hours fight the Spaniards abandoned the Ships as the others had done the Forts and Blake seeing no possibility of carrying them off burnt them all except two which sunk so deep that nothing but the Tops of the Masts appeared above water This done Blake sailed out without losing a Ship and returned to his former Post at Cadiz To conclude this Year 's Campagne the Mareschal de Turenne being joined by the English Forces laid siege to S. Venant where the English having by main force taken a Half-moon the Town soon surrendered Hence they removed before Mardyke and having by continual Battery drove the Defendants out of the Wooden Fort the Town was delivered the 23d of September upon Discretion The Fort was put into the hands of the English some French being joined with them D. John of Austria considering how great a Check that Place was upon the Garrison of Dunkirk resolved to attempt the recovery of it by Escalado in the Night On the 22d of October 4000 English Scots and Irish with some Spaniards Commanded by the Duke of York and Marquess of Caraçena in the dead of Night gave the Assault and having passed the Ditch laid their Scaling-Ladders to the Wall but the English within being in a readiness to receive them and the Guns from the Fleet siercely firing being directed by 4 Torches set upon the Angles of the Fort the Assailants were repulsed with great loss Nevertheless about 4 of the Clock the Assault was renewned with greater Fury but no better Success Day approaching they retreated carrying off the Dead in Carts so that the Number was not known Anno 1658. The Mareschal de Turenne with the French and English Forces laid siege to Dunkirk which extreamly alarmed D. John of Austria considering the great Importance of that Place and therefore he resolved at any rate to relieve it Mean while the Enemy carried on their Works vigorously and had advanced their Trenches to the Counterscarp of the Place so that if the Relief was delayed the Place must of necessity fall into the hands of the Enemy D. John therefore having drained his Garrisons to make up an Army of 15000 Men marched with all possible speed through Furnes and encamped on the Sandy Hills about a mile and half from the Enemy The English and French Officers having met in Council to consider of removing the Spaniards resolved not to delay it any longer but give them Battel the next morning A sufficient Force being left to keep in the Besieged most of the English were drawn out and joined with the French Horse D. John kept his Men upon the Defensive as having the Advantage of the Ground but the English advanced with all speed thinking to come in to the Butt-end of their Musquets our Men pouring in their Volleys upon them so hotly that those first Battalions were forced to make a Halt but a Reserve of theirs coming up fresh they gained the Hills and falling to Club-musquet put the Spanish Foot to flight The French Horse seeing the Success of the English gave a Charge upon our Cavalry who disheartned upon the Flight of their Infantry took to their Heels the French furiously pursuing them Above 1000 of our Men were killed and 1500 taken besides 800 Officers all the Artillery and Baggage The French refused to ransom or exchange the Prisoners because the Number of Officers being so great D. John would be at a loss to recruit his Army After this Victory the Enemy returned to the Siege of Dunkirk where the Marquess de Lede Governour of the Place making a desperate Sally was killed with a Musquet Ball. The unfortunate Death of the Governour so discouraged the Garrison that they immediately capitulated and having obtained the usual Honourable Conditions marched out 1000 strong on the 23d of June
about 700 sick and wounded following them as they recovered This Year was remarkable and fatal for the continual Rains and vast Floods that ensued which destroyed multitudes of Cattel and many Buildings At Sea there were prodigious Storms and a great number of Ships cast away Winter being farther advanced the Frost was so severe it destroyed all Plants and great numbers of Fruit-Trees This mighty Frost gave occasion to Charles Alonso called first the Palatine of Deuxponts and afterwards King of Sweden to perform the boldest Action that ever was attempted by Man This Prince about the end of November marched his whole Army in which were 5000 Horse with all the Artillery and Baggage over the Sea upon Ice from Jutland in Denmark to the Island Alsen and thence to Langelandt which is 8 miles distant from the other From Langelandt he marched still over the Ice to Laland thence to Falster and so to Zeelandt the greatest Island of Denmark in which is the Court of that Kingdom at Copenhagen In the Spring of this Year came to the Court of Madrid an Ambassador of the Black King of Arda a Heathen The Ambassador's Name was Abani he was received and entertained with all possible Grandeur the Design of his coming being to obtain Preachers for the introducing the Christian Religion into that Kingdom Twelve Capucins were appointed by the King for that Mission and in his Letters to that Prince he promised if the Faith were once settled in his Dominions he would erect Seminaries of that Nation not only in India but in Spain also for the Education of the Youth of Arda who having received Holy Orders should be sent home to instruct the People In Catalonia the Marquess of Mortara Viceroy and Captain General of that Kingdom understanding the French had laid siege to the Castle of Canderon marched from Vich with 1800 Horse and above 1000 Foot and encamped not far from Canderon in sight of the Enemy upon a Hill The Enemy seeing him pushed on their Attacks and at the same time in a small Plain drew out 2300 Horse and about 4000 Foot leaving enough to secure their Works Joseph de Tapia Governour of the Castle having by Signs given the Viceroy to understand that he could not hold out above two days his Excellency resolved to relieve him In order to it he sent down D. James Gavallero with the best part of our Forces to ford the River Ter which runs through the Valley on that part opposite to the Enemy's Right Wing Mean while the Viceroy himself drew up the rest of his Troops and marched down on the Right opposite to the Enemy's Left Wing D. James took no notice of 30 French that were in a Tower that stood in his way but passing by it charged the Enemy with such Bravery that he obliged them to fly in great Disorder At the same time D. Marco Alexandro Borro fell on upon the other Flank so that he gave them no leisure to succour their Wing that gave way D. James still advancing to the Enemy's Works found they kept close within them and therefore he sent D. Alexander Morera and D. Alonso de Villar to dislodge them who executed it killing a great number and taking two Pieces of Cannon that battered the Castle Our Foot on the Left Wing advanced to the Regiment of Champagne and put it to the rout D. James Cavallero pursued the flying Enemy thinking to cut off their Retreat but tho' he took several Prisoners he could not compass his Design the Horse being of little use in the Mountain We had not above 100 Men killed and wounded Of the Enemy a great number was killed and 1600 taken and among them the Marquess of Montnegre General of the Horse his Brother 7 Colonels 80 Captains several Colours and all the Baggage This Year a small Squadron of Privateers sailed from Majorca to the Westward under the Command of Jaime Llorens They scoured all the Mediterranean to the Streights of Gibraltar taking several Prizes of great Value and then failing into the Ocean ran all along the Coast of Portugal as far as Cape Finisterre alarming all those Coasts but meeting with no Booty they returned into the Streights The Duke of S. German had taken Olivença from the Portugueses who could not relieve it Emanuel de Saldana the Governour marched out with the Garrison and was Prisoner afterwards at Lisbon as not having performed his Duty After this it was proposed to take Elvas a City 3 Leagues distant from Badajoz seated on a rising Ground which is all taken up with it and the Citadel there being no other Hill near it It s ancient Walls are enclosed within new ones strengthened with Bulwarks Ditches Ravelins and a covered Way so that it is accounted one of the strongest Places in Christendom D. Luis de Haro resolved to carry this Place by starving it He encamped before it and took his Quarters near the Conduits that carry the Water into the City which were immediately cut off The Town was much straitned for want of Provisions and it was thought might have been taken but that our Officers were not unanimous and envied D. Luis de Haro the Honour of reducing that Fortress Discord so prevailed with them that they suffered the Enemy to relieve the Place and so they were forced with Disgrace to quit that Enterprize The Duke of Ossuna General of the Horse in Estremadura understanding that the Enemy gathered Forces about Elvas to break into his Province broke in himself with 5000 Horse that way burning the Country and driving a great Booty of Cattel The Enemy posted themselves with a Body of Horse and Foot on a Hill in the Duke's way and he finding it not practicable to attack them there endeavoured to draw them into the Plain but could not This moved the Duke to march another way the Portugueses keeping still within view whilst he burnt all the Country and retired without any loss The Duke of S. German upon the news of the Enemy's Preparations at Elvas resolved to send the Duke with 2000 Horse to make another Incursion higher into the Country On the 13th of April he set forwards and the next day was betwixt Portalegre and Aronches having all that way burnt the Villages drove the Cattel and cut down the Corn. To put a stop to these Mischiefs the Enemy to the number of 1500 Horse and 800 Foot posted themselves in an advantageous Ground where it was impossible to attack them by reason of the difficult access to them The Duke seeing they did not offer to molest him continued his march and having burnt all for the space of 22 Leagues returned with 8000 Head of small Cattel 1000 of large and 300 Horses and Mules On the 30th of May the Duke of Ossuna marched with 1300 Horse and 200 Foot to take a strong Watch-Tower within half a League of Elvas Having viewed the Place he placed 200 Horse in the Road to Campomayor
to King Ferdinand 463 Rout of the Spaniards in Africk 539 S. Saguntum Built by the Greeks 8 Besieged 20 Destroyed 21 S. Dominick Preaches to the Albigenses 193 S. Elizabeth Queen of Portugal 300 S. Francis of Assis 200 S. German taken 501 S. Gregories Books sent for to Rome 89 S. James Apostle of Spain His Martyrdom His Body brought into Spain 52 His Church made an Archipiscopal See 115 Miracle at his Tomb. 129 S. Isidorus his Body Translated from Sevil to Leon. 140 Salamanea made an University F. 208 p. 2 Sancha Wife to King Ferdinand the First of Leon her Death 143 Sancho the First of Castile Is Restored after having been expelled 124 Is Poisóned 126 Sancho II. of Castile 143 Wars upon his Brothers 144 Expets his Brother Garcia Besieges Zamora Treacherousiy Murdered there 145 A Combat about his Death 146 Sancho III. of Castile 175 His Death 176 Sancho IV. his Father living aspires to Usarp the Crown of Castile from his Nephews 218 His Practises to gain the Affections of the People Rebels against his Father 221 Usurps the Crown of Castile 225 Dies 235 Sancho I. King of Navarre called Abarca and why 121 Sancho II. Inherits the Crown of Navarre 125 Sancho III. King of Navarre 131 Inherits Castile 135 Divides the Dominion of Spain among his Sons Settles matters of Religion 136 Is Murdered 137 Sancho IV. King of Navarre 140 Sancho V. King of Navarre 147 Breaks into Castile Dies 185 Sancho VI. King of Navarre Dies 206 Sancho King of Aragon His Actions against the Moors 155 Is killed 156 Sancho Son to Alonso the First King of Portugal sent to besiege Cuidad Rodrigo defeated 182 Succeeds to the Crown of Portugal and is the first of the Name 184 His Death 188 Sancho II. King of Portugal expelled the Kingdom by his Rebellious Subjects F. 209 p. 2 Dies at Toledo 210 213 Sancho Earl of Castile 131 Makes his Mother drink Poison she had prepared for him 133 His Issue 134 Sancho Prince of Castile killed by the Moors 158 Sappho the Carthaginian 14 Sarazens their great Power Sardima Conquered by the Aragonians 252 Reduced 431 Saxons first mentioned in Roman History 63 Scanderbeg comes to the Assistance of Ferdinand King of Naples 402 Schism in the Church 163 295 297 316 Ends. 350 Schismatick Cardinals submit Scipio Gneius passes into Spain 21 Overthrows the Carthaginians 26 Scipio Pub. Corn. sent to assist his Brother 22 Scipio's defeats Asdrubal 23 Stain 26 Scipio Pub. Corn. Proconsul of Spain takes Carthagena 27 Gains the Africans 29 Scipio Nasica 31 Scipio Corn. 34 Scipio Africanus sent against Numantia 36 Triumphs over Numantia and is called Numantinus 40 Sea Fight the Aragonians defeated by the Genoeses 361 Seditions in the Dominions of Castile 269 Seeds of Discord in Castile 230 Siege of Saulses Raised 503 Sempronius Gracchus 32 Sempronius Longus 32 Sergius Galba 34 Sertorius his Actions 41 Founds an Vniversity at Osca 42 His last Exploits and Death 43 Servilius Cepio 32 Servilius breaks the Peace and Routs Viriatus 37 Several Provinces submit to the Romans 31 Governors of Spain 31 Synods 85 Towns taken from the Moors 104 Governors in Spain 104 Towns Rebuilt 114 Towns Conquered Towns in Navarre taken by the Castillians 182 Towns taken from the Moors 166 208 Exploits against the Moors Places taken from the Moors 250 255 452 Governors chosen in the Provinces of Castile 250 Places in Castile Rebel 454 Pretenders to Castile 288 Towns taken by the Christians 330 Losses of the French 493 495 Cities in Italy sue for the Protection of Spain 506 Severus Reigns 17 Years 57 Sevil described F. 210 2 Besieged Siege Reinforced Bridge broken Delivered 211 Sicily Reduced under the Dominion of Aragon 311 Siculus Son to Atlas Inherits the Crown 7 Signal Loyalty of Peter Peralta 418 Silingi who they were 67 They come into Spain 68 Silon and Adosinda King and Queen 108 Simon Earl of Montforte General of the Catholicks 198 Is killed 199 Sintra taken from the Moors 170 Siracusa in vain besieged by the Aragonians 239 Sisebutus Elected King 86 Subdues the Asturians Overthrows the Romans Dies 87 Sisenandus Usurps the Crown having expelled Suinthila and his Son 88 Sixteen put to Death for Treason 286 Sixtus IV. chosen Pope Dies 415 Slaughter of Moors and Christians 313 Of the Christians 443 360 Of Aragonians 219 Small Body of Christians deseats a great one of Moors 360 Soldans Fleet worsted in India Some Rebels submit but fresh Troubles ensue in Castile 411 Spain its Description 1 It s Form and Situation 2 Its Rivers and Mountains 3 It s Ancient and Modern division 3 It s Language 5 Divided betwixt Caesar and Pompey 46 Entirely subdued by Augustus 50 How divided and governed 54 True Religion flourishes there 84 Spaniards Revolt from the Romans who kill 15000 of them They Revolt again 30 Honoured to incline them to serve the Romans 25 Decline in Calabria 470 Defeated 482 Their Practices 489 Spurius Lucretius 32 Storms 17 Strange Custom 49 Way of Adoption 129 Prodigy 159 Fondness betwixt King John and D. Alvaro de Luna 348 Strangers come to serve against thr Moors 154 Strife among the Nobility of Castile 308 Success of the Aragonians 164 Of the Castilians 164 203 Of the Aragonians against the Moors 166 Of the Aragonians at Naples 369 Of the Portugueses in In India 533 543 Succession of the Moorish Monarchs 108 Of the Moors 148 Of the Earls of Barcelona 148 In Sicily F. 213 p. 2 Succours from England and other Parts 264 Succours from Spain land in Naples 497 Suevians who they were 67 They come into Spain 68 Are Converted Cause of their Conversion 77 Reduced under the Dominion of the Goths Their Kingdom abolish'd 81 Suinthila Chosen King 87 Causes of his Ruine Is expell'd by his own Subjects and the Francs 88 Swisters descend into Italy 549 Rout the French 555 Synods Vid. Councils Syphax routed by Massinissa 25 T. Tacitus Reigns 6 Months and 20 Days 98 Tahuste and other Places taken 163 Tamerlan the Tartar his Exploits 321 Tangier and Arzilla taken by the King of Portugal 415 Tarifa besieg'd by the Moors 234 237 261 Terentius Varro 32 Teresa Countess Dowager of Portugal Governs 165 Territories of the Infidels ravag'd 139 260 Theobald the first King of Navarre ingages in the Holy War 208 Dies 212 Theobald the 2d King of Navarre 212 Marries Fol. 213 p. 2 Dies 216 Theodoredus King of the Goths 71 Theodorick King of the Goths Invades Spain 72 Theodorick by the French call'd Thierri 77 Theodosius declar'd Emperour in the East 64 Excommunicated for his Cruelty at Thessalonica Dies at Milan Reign'd 16 Years and 2 Days 66 Theudis King by Election His Death 76 Theudiselus elected King Is murder'd 76 Three Synods 75 Remarkable Things 17 Legates sent to govern Spain 45 Cities and other small Towns taken from the Moors 454 Defeats of the Infidels at Sea 357 Great Men die 437 Tiberius Reigns