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
that vast Ocean to refresh the Seamen with its Fruit Fish and Flesh tho' scarce Inhabited being but Four Leagues in length and so far from any Land Thence by the way of the Islands Terceras the Ships generally return to Lisbon in August or September The End of the 26th BOOK The History of SPAIN BOOK XXVII CHAP. I. The Death of the Prince of Castile Of Charles VIII King of France Matches of Two Daughters of Spain The Prince of Salerno expelled Naples France and Spain agree Hierome Savonarola burnt at Florence THE Affairs of Spain at one and the same time prospered in Italy and within Spain had a mixture of Felicity and Adversity Two Matches for as many of King Ferdinand's Daughters were concluded that is of the Princess Catherine with Arthur Prince of Wales and Heir to Henry VII King of England and of the Princess Elizabeth with Emanuel King of Portugal These Marriages were of great Importance because together with those of the House of Austria they bound such Mighty Princes to the Interest of Spain The Match with England was fully concluded upon the 15 of August 1497. To forward the Marriage with Portugal D. John Manuel that King's Foster-Brother came to Castile It was agreed that King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth should carry the Princess their Daughter to the Borders of Portugal where King Emanuel should meet them to consummate the Marriage upon the last Day of September Ceclamin was at first the Place appointed to meet but that Town wanting Conveniencies they spent three Days together at Valencia de Alcantara Their Joy was much abated by the News of the Indisposition of Prince John who died the 13 day after he was taken ill at Salamanca on the 4th of October to the great Loss and Grief of the whole Kingdom He left the Princess with Child but that availed little for in a short time after she miscarried The Prince's Body was carried to Avila to be buried in the famous Dominican Monastery of S. Thomas This dismal News came to Alcantara whilst yet the Rejoycing for the Wedding lasted but after King Ferdinand was gone King Emanuel begged of the Queen his Mother-in-Law not to let the Queen his Wife know any thing of it and so went away with her to Ebora There she was at last acquainted with the Death of the Prince her Brother She resented it as became a loving Sister but his Parents bore their Loss with great Magnanimity The Kingdom of Naples was not yet peaceable because the Prince of Salerno and his Party mistrusting the King fortified their Towns and Castles The first Demonstration that Prince gave of his Ill-will was That tho' he appeared when King Frederick was Proclaimed at Naples yet he would not be present at his Coronation under colour of Poverty However the Prince of Basiniano came to Court the day following to excuse himself and intercede for him of Salerno No means of Peace prevailed and the King was forced to march with his Army and besiege him in his strong Town of Diano Gonçalo Fernandez was now about returning to Spain as reckoning the War of Naples at an end To this purpose he had gone into Calabria thence to Sicily and now came to Naples to take his Leave of the King and Queen They pressed him to aid them in that Siege because the Defendants were numerous and the King's Party favoured them The Great Captain gathered 500 Spaniards and the King furnishing him 500 Germans he so straitned the Besieged tho' with much danger of his Person that the Prince was forced to surrender It was agreed That the Prince with all such as would follow him might safely depart the Kingdom with their Goods That all the Towns and Forts belonging to the Prince should be delivered up to the King he paying for the Cannon and Provisions in them Thus Diano was surrendered upon the 28th of December and the Prince put himself into the hands of the Duke of Melfi to be conducted to Sangalla a City in Marca de Ancona which sided with the King of France The Earls of Conça and Lauria his Confederates bore him Company He of Capacho being very old put himself upon the King's Mercy This same Year in Autumn D. John de Gusman Duke of Medina Sidonia sent a Fleet over to Africk to People Melilla which is opposite to Almeria and had been abandoned by the Moors In recompence for the Charge he had been at that Town was given to the Duke and his Heirs for ever The Xeque or Lord of Gelves who was in Rebellion aginst the King of Tunez his Sovereign to secure himself under the Christian Protection delivered up that Island and Port to the Catholick King and in his Name to John de Lanuça then Viceroy of Sicily Captain Margarit was left with the Spanish Forces to secure that Island A solemn Embassie from France now met the King at Alcala de Henares The Proposals made were That the Two Kings with their joint Forces should invade Italy That as to the Kingdom of Naples the Catholick King should possess Calabria till such time as the French King in exchange should give him the Kingdom of Navarre and 30000 Ducats yearly for what it was worth above that Kingdom That the States of Milan and Genoa should belong to the French and all the rest of Italy be equally divided betwixt them The Catholick King was not averse from the Business of Naples but as for the rest of Italy would not be concerned without advertising the Empire who had so great a Right to it At last it was resolved King Ferdinand should send Ambassadors to France to prosecute this Treaty At this time all the Monasteries of Castile were reduced to the strict Observance of their Orders which the Dominicans Augustins and Carmelites easily condescended to The Franciscans at first made some resistance According to Agreement the King sent Ferdinand Duke of Estrada and Two others his Ambassadors to conclude a Peace with France At the same time it was believed the French King resolved to invade Roussillon but Death prevented his Designs He departed this Life at Amboise on the 17th of April 1498. The Duke of Orleans called Luis XII succeeded him At Blois where the New King was and afterwards at Orleans the Treaty of Peace was carried on that King always giving good Words and fair Promises only to gain time till he was settled in the Kingdom and could be divorced from his present Wife Sister to the late King in order to marry the Dutchess of Britany who since the death of the late King her Husband was for returning into her own Country He at last compassed his ends and had by that Dutchess two Daughters only the Eldest of which was married to Francis the Heir of that Crown Before the death of King Charles it was proposed that Caesar Borgia should resign his Cardinal's Cap to which purpose that King promised him an Estate in
Brother-in-law Pygmalion to murther him This Voyage being for some time laid aside by reason of the Death of Sicheus Pygmalion set out with a Fleet from Tyre and landed among the Turduli that is in Andaluzia at the Place where now stands Almun̄ecar he built a Town for the security of Trade calling it Axis or Exis and returning home with much Treasure made afterwards several Voyages till he came as far as Cadiz which Island before called Erythrea from that time was known by the Name of Gadira that is a Bulwark either in respect it is the Bulwark of Spain against the swelling Sea or in regard of the Fortifications raised by the Phenicians They also built a Temple to Hercules on that point of Land which is opposite to the Continent and is thence called Promontorium Herculeum The Phenicians grown Rich with the Trade of Spain and having built Malaga and Abdera thought of nothing less than possessing themselves of the whole Country At this same time the Foundation of the City of Rome was laid Hezekiah Reigned in Jerusalem after Salmanasar King of the Assyrians had extirpated the Kingdom of Israel This is the same Salamanasor who laid Siege to Jerusalem and designing to Conquer the whole World went with a mighty Army into Egypt where he was overthrown by Taracho King of Egypt and AEthiopia Taracho after that Victory subdu'd many Kingdoms Strabo testifies he passed over into Europe and our Historians say he came into Spain where not far from the River Ebro he built the City Tarragona which the Scipio's long after rebuilt and made the Metropolis of the Roman Empire in Spain which gave occasion not only to the Ignorant but to learned Authors and among them Pliny and Solinus to attribute the Foundation of it to them After the Death of Queen Dido the Power of the Carthaginians increased by Sea and Land Their chief aim was to extend their Empire in Europe to this end they attempted Sicily Sardinia and Corsica but being repulsed by the Natives thought fit to try their Fortune upon lesser Islands in order hereunto directing their Course towards Spain they possessed themselves of Iviça which is an Island girt with Rocks and difficult of Access unless toward the South where is a large and spacious Harbour This Island is opposite to Cape Denia about 100 Miles distant from the Coast of Spain it is small being not above 20 Miles in Circumference at that time it was Wild and covered with Woods of Pine-trees whence the Greeks called it Pytuissa It produces great plenty of Salt the Air is temperate and the nature of the Soil such it does not only breed no Vermin or venomous Creatures but if any are brought thither they presently die This is the more wonderful for that as ancient Cosmographers affirm near it was another Island not Habitable by reason of the Multitudes of Snakes and poisonous Animals whence it was called Ophiusa that is Island of Snakes We cannot certainly determine which Island this should be at present some say it is Formentera because but two Miles from Iviça others will have it to be Dragonera by reason of the likeness of the Names The most Learned are of Opinion that a Mountain called Colubre joyning to the Continent and opposite to Pen̄iscola was called in Greek Ophiusa and in Latin Colubraria notwithstanding ancient Geographers place their Ophiusa near to Iviça The Carthaginians being possessed of Iviça and having built there a City of the same Name resolved next to attempt Majorca and Minorca distant 30 Miles from one another and 60 from the Coast of Spain The Greeks sometime called them Gynesiae by reason the Inhabitants went Naked and other whiles Baleares for their skill in casting Stones with Slings but in particular the greatest was called Clumba and the lesser Nura as Antoninus testifies and from him Florian. Before they would attempt to Land the Carthaginians went round these Islands to view all their Creeks and Harbours and being terrified by the fierceness of the Inhabitants having lost some of their forwardest Men that durst go a Shore they despaired of Success there and stoodover for the Coast of Spain with a design to make Discoveries and gain some Footing there But with little Success for the People of Saguntum foreseing the danger of such Neighbours persuaded the Natives to have no Commerce with them which together with the Distress of their own Country at that time labouring under Civil Broils and set upon by the Neighbouring Africans obliged the Carthaginians to return home Where to appease their Gods they Instituted an inhuman Sacrifice of Young-men which was afterwards used in Spain with such Rigour that in their greatest Distress they thought none a sufficient Sacrifice but the King 's eldest Son a Custom taken from the Moabites and sometimes practised by the Idolatrous Jews CHAP. V. Of the Age of Argantonius the Phenicians Attempt to Subdue all Spain but being Repuls'd sent for Aid to the Carthaginians who Ravage the Country but sustain great loss from the Natives ABout the Year 620 before the Birth of Christ and 132 after the Building of Rome was the Age of Argantonius King of the Tartessi who according to Silius Italicus's Account lived 300 Years Pliny out of Anacreon assigns him 150. To him for his great Skill in War and long Experience the People committed the Government hoping by his Courage and Conduct to be able to oppose the Designs of the Phenicians who had now laid aside their Mask and openly aimed at the Sovereignty of all Spain having to this effect passed over from Cadiz to the Continent They used Policy as well as Strength sowing Dissention among the Natives and by that means had possessed themselves of several Places The Natives gathering under the Conduct of their King Argantonius not only check'd the Phenicians but as some will have it drove them out of all the Province of Betica or Andaluzia and even out of the Island of Cadiz a thing the more likely for that many were gone before to the relief of their own Country the City of Tyre being then Besieged by the mighty King Nebuchadnezzar after he had Taken Jerusalem This Relief that went from Cadiz getting into Tyre was the cause it held out four Years and Nebuchadnezzar being called away into Egypt rais'd the Siege and having subdu'd the greatest part of Africk resolved to pass over into Spain as well to possess himself of the Riches of that Country as to take Revenge for the Relief sent thence to Tyre he landed his Army near the Pyreneans and from thence without any Opposition rang'd all the Country over till he came to Cadiz Josephus says he Conquered all Spain The Natives taking Courage began to make Head the King fearing to tempt Fortune and satisfied that he had stretched his Empire to the utmost limits of the Earth loaded with Riches returned Home in the Year 171. after the Building of Rome This comming
Portugal gave Viriatus a great Overthrow but he gathering his Forces returned upon him with such Vigour that the Victors having receiv'd much damage tho' it was the middle of Autumn were glad to retire to Cordova as if it had been Winter where they Fortified themselves without taking any care of the Spaniards their Confederates or the other Romans who were in weak Garrisons and left exposed to eminent Danger Metellus subdu'd the Celtiberi Pliny says he overcame the Arevaci nevertheless he was continued in his Command the Year 612. and the Consul Q. Fabius Servilius was sent against Viriatus with 18000 Foot and 1500 Horse Besides those Forces Micipsa the Son of Massinissa sent him 10 Elephants and 300 Horse out of Africk Notwithstanding all this mighty Army joyn'd to what was before under the Roman Pay Viriatus who lay hid in the Mountains of Andaluzia with frequent Excursions did great Damage and obtain'd many Advantages till the Romans remov'd their Camp to Vtica formerly a City of Andaluzia Then Viriatus for want of Provisions retir'd with his Army into Lusitania The Consul being rid of that danger marched to the Cunei where he overcame two Captains of Robbers call'd Curio and Apuleyus and carried some Towns by Force that were held for Viriatus with strong Garrisons A great Booty was taken and a multitude of Prisoners 500 whereof that were found most Guilty he put to Death 10000 more were sold as Slaves Metellus at the same time gain'd much Honour by entirely reducing the Celtiberi and taking the famous Cities Contrebia Versobriga and Centobriga Then hearing that the Consul Quintus Pompeius was appointed to succeed him he was so offended at it that to weaken his Forces he dismissed the Soldiers neglected the Magazines and starved the Elephants for which reason the Triumph he had otherwise well deserv'd was refus'd him at Rome Q. Pompeius came to Spain in the Year 613. Servilianus was continu'd by order of the Senate in his Command where he receiv'd into favour Canoba a Captain of Robbers who submitted himself and forced Viriatus who lay before the City Vacia to raise his Siege and fly away whereupon many neighbouring Towns submitted themselves to him As he was Active and Vigilant so was he no less Severe or rather Cruel for he cut off the Hands of all Canoba's Men and 500 other Prisoners because they had deserted from his Camp This Action in stead of terrifying the Natives put them upon desperate Counsels The Romans laid Siege to the City Erisana Viriatus without being discovered got in by Night and the next Morning made such a furious Sally that he put the Enemy to flight killing many of them those that escaped drew up in a place of no Strength where they were in great danger of perishing but Viriatus laid hold of this Opportunity to obtain an advantageous Peace which was concluded and by virtue thereof the Romans sav'd their Lives Viriatus was called a Friend of the People of Rome and all that his Men had plunder'd was allow'd them A great shame and dishonour to the Majesty of the Roman Empire Quintus Pompeius held the Government of Hispania citerior two Years but because the Province was in Peace and Metellus had left all things in disorder had not the opportunity of doing any Action of note On the contrary Servilius who by order of the Senate had vacated the Peace he made before near the City Arsa put Viriatus to the rout and pursu'd him into Carpetania where by a Stratagem he got away He drew out his Men as if intending to give Battle placing his Horse in the Front and whilst the Romans were forming their Body caused his Foot to slip away thro' the Woods that were near that done the Horse with the same swiftness got off The Consul despairing of taking so subtle an Enemy marched to the Vectones in Estremadura and thence without stopping into Galicia where all was in Disorder and full of Murders and Robberies Viriatus tired with so lasting a War and fearing his Men should make their Peace with the price of his Head sent three Embassadors to Treat with the Consul The means he chose to secure himself prov'd his ruin for Servilius corrupted the Embassadors who at their return murder'd Viriatus as he lay sleeping His Funeral was honour'd with the Tears of his Soldiers afterwards with Sports and the Sacrifice of much Cattle The Murderers petitioning the Senate at Rome for a Reward of their Service receiv'd answer That the Senate and People of Rome did not approve of Soldiers killing their General To Viriatus succeeded in the Command one Tantalus but he not being of equal Authority Valour and Conduct soon submitted himself to the Consul and was receiv'd to Grace These and the other Lusitani were disarm'd and Lands allotted them to the end that being employ'd in Tilling and the care of their Cattle they might be more inclinable to live in subjection and want the Power of Revolting CHAP. III. The second War betwixt Rome and Numantia The Consul Mancinus concludes a dishonourable Peace with that People and is therefore deliver'd up to them Scipio Africanus sent against them The City destroy'd THE very Year that Viriatus was murder'd by his own Men which was of Rome 614. the Numantians again Revolted The occasion of it was thus Metellus having subdu'd the Celtiberi there remain'd only the Numantians and Termestini who by former Treaties were declar'd Friends and Allies of the People of Rome and consequently preserv'd their Liberty The Termestini are suppos'd to be about nine Leagues from Numantia where now stands a Chappel call'd of our Lady of Tiermes Pompey intending to bring them under Subjection took for a Pretence to fall out with them that they had receiv'd into their City the Segedani who had sided with Viriatus Segeda is reckoned to be among the Beli and at this Day there is a Town betwixt Soria and Osma believ'd to be the Remnant of that City This Crime was not great yet the Numantians sent Embassadors to excuse it whom Pompey turned back with disgrace Still the Numantians sent others renouncing their Friendship with the Segedani and desiring to renew the Peace and Alliance they had made with Gracchus Pompey reply'd It was in vain to Treat of Peace unless they laid down their Arms. All hopes of an Accommodation being thus out off the Numantians provided for War and to this effect raised 8000 Foot and 2000 Horse a small number but of great Courage and Resolution Megara a Man of great Experience was appointed to command these Men. Pompey was not idle but incamp'd near Numantia with 30000 Foot and 2000 Horse The Numantians kept them in continual alarm yet so that they always avoided coming to a Battle which Pompey perceiving sate down before Termancia whence he was also forced to retire in great disorder by a Sally the Besieged made Next day they came to a Battle the
before That part of their Camp where the King's Tent stood was hem'd in with Chains of Iron and guarded by the Bravest and Noblest Moors The number of the others was so great that they cover'd all the Hills and Plains On both sides the Generals encourag'd their Men and our Bishops went thro' the Batallions stirring up the Soldiers to gain the Indulgence granted by the Pope This done both Parties charged with great Resolution No signs of Victory appear'd on either side for a long time every Man fought with such Resolution as if he had contended for Empire Our main Battle engaged first then the Navarrois and Aragonian̄s without gaining a foot of Ground but rather after three Charges seem'd to give way Then King Alonso would have cast himself into the heat of the Fight but that Roderick the Archbishop stopp'd him The rear or reserve advancing the Fight was renewed and those that seemed to waver before fell on with greater fury At length the Moors tired with sustaining the brunt all day and not able to withstand our reserve which Power'd in fresh upon them fled and a mighty slaughter of them was made 200000 are said to have been slain half of them Horse others write but half the number in all It is more wonderful that of the Christians only 25 were kill'd as Roderick the Archbishop then present testifies Others affirm 115 dy'd both small Numbers for so great an Action The Archbishop also asserts that tho' so great a number of Moors was slain there was not one drop of Blood to be seen in the Field By the advice of Zeit his Brother the Moorish King fled without stopping only to change Horse till he came the same Night to Jaen About Sun-set their Camp was entred and plundered by the Aragonians for the others followed the chace All the Moorish Kings Equipage which only was preserv'd James de Haro equally divided betwixt the Kings of Aragon and Navarre particularly his Tent which was of Red and Crimson-Silk was by King Alonso's Special Command given to the Aragonian For King Alonso coveting nothing but honour freely resigned all the Booty to his Companions It was not thought fit to have the other prey equally divided for fear of a mutiny but every Man was allowed to keep what he had got Some say that a Cross seen in the Air contributed much towards the gaining of this Victory but neither the Archbishop who was present in his History nor the King in his Letter to the Pope mention any such thing Yet all agree that Pascualis then a Canon of Toledo and who carry'd the Archbishops Cross before him broke twice through the Enemies Battle with it unhurt tho' they all aim'd at him and many darts thrown at him stuck on the staff of the Cross So great a number of Lances and Darts was found that tho' the Christians during two days they stay'd there used no other Fewel they could not consume them all Fame first and then Messengers sent on purpose soon spread the News of this Victory through all Parts Great was the grief it brought to the Moors and no less the joy it spread through all Christendom In Memory of the Action this King of Navarre to the Arms of his Ancestors which were only a red Shield added Chains and an Emraud in the middle as is used to this day in Token that he was the first who broke the Chains that defended the Enemies Camp Some will have it that King Alonso of Castile now took the Castle for his Arms but it appears to have been in use long before From this time there are those who write the Spaniards took the Custom of abstaining from Flesh upon Saturdays the contrary Custom having been introduced by the Goths who doubtless Learn'd it in Greece when they were converted This great Victory was doubtless obtained by the Prayers of the Christians who in all parts and particularly in Rome the Pope himself promoting it made Processions and offered up their Vows to Heaven for this purpose Many Bishops and a great number of Nobles whose Names it is tedious and needless to repeat were present at this Battle But in fine the Third day after the Fight the Christians moved their Camp They recovered Ferral and took Bilche Ban̄os and Tolosa from which last place this Action was nam'd The Battle of Navas de Tolosa Baeça was abandon'd by the Inhabitants and entred by our Forces which set Fire to and burnt a number of Infidels who thought to defend themselves in the great Mosque Vbeda the eighth Day after the Victory was taken by assault most of the Inhabitans put to the Sword the rest made Slaves which strook a Terror into the Moors and the plunder being given to the Army encouraged the Soldiers almost spent with Labour Sickness and the badness of the Season obliged the Kings to turn back to a more Temperate Country On their return near Catratrava they were met by the Duke of Austria who brought 200 Horse to serve in that War The King of Aragon being his Kinsman accompany'd him back to the Borders of Spain In recompense for his assistance the King of Castile restored to him of Navarre 14 Towns he had before taken from him and then having taken his leave of both Kings entred Toledo in Triumph First he gave Thanks to God for this so signal Providence and Order'd the 16th of July to be kept for ever as a Holy-Day in Memory of it by the Name of the Triumph of the Holy-Cross At the beginning of the following Year the King pursuing his success took from the Moors the Town of Duen̄as which he gave to the Knights of Calatrava and the Castle of Eznavejor to those of Santiago Alcaraz a little Town in the Mountains Mariani seated on a rising Craggy Hill having endured a Siege of two Months was taken on the 22th of May so several other places of less Note This done King Alonso loaded with honour returned to Toledo where he was receiv'd with great joy by Ellenor his Queen Berengaria his Daughter his Son Henry and all the Inhabitants This was a very scarce Year of Provisions for Authors affirm it rain'd not in the Kingdom of Toledo for the space of Nine Months so that the Country People were forced to abandon their lands and go to other places for Sustenance The End of Book XI THE History of SPAIN The Twelfth BOOK CHAP. I. The Original and growth of the Heresie of the Albigenses which spread all over France and some part of Spain Preaching against them being unsuccessful War is resolv'd upon AFter so notable a Victory gain'd over the Moors the affairs of Spain were in a Prosperous Condition for the Almohades oppress'd by so great a loss stir'd not and the Christians were encouraged to Conquer all the Infidels were still possessed off But at this same time the Kingdoms of France and Aragon fell into great Confusions and suffered much detriment
the Wrongs he did his Father yet the Kingdom he unjustly Usurp'd he govern'd Prudently At Avila he perform'd his Father's Exequies with Magnificence and at Toledo laying aside his Mourning put on the Royal Robes The Gentry who had been against him now throng'd to make their Court either in hopes to appease him or else to hide what was conceal'd in their Hearts The new King at present dissembl'd yet resolv'd as soon as setl'd to vent his Rage All the Nobility and Commons swore Allegiance to him and his Daughter Elizabeth as Heiress in case he had no Issue Male. This was done to exclude the two Brothers his Nephews whose just Cause many yet favour'd King Sancho resolv'd to gain the good Will of the King of Aragon who had those young Princes in Custody and was then preparing to besiege Albarazin being no longer able to bear with the Insolencies of D. John Nunez de Lara Therefore King Sancho because he could not go in Person sent a good Body of Men to the Assistance of the King of Aragon against that Common Enemy This done he went away for Sevil because Prince John his Brother endeavour'd to possess himself of that City by virtue of his Father's last Will but the Citizens oppos'd him and were headed by D. Alvar Nun̄ez de Lara These Disputes ceas'd upon the coming of the new King who caus'd his Brother to desist To this City came Ambassadors from the King of Morocco to settle Peace but were sent away with Scorn which provok'd the Moors to invade Spain again King Sancho to oppose them provided a great Fleet. At that time the Genoses were Famous for their skill in Navigation thence the King sent for Benedict Zacarias who brought with him twelve Galleys was created Admiral and had the Town Port S. Mary given to him and his Heirs upon Condition they should always maintain a Galley at their Cost The Cortes or Parliament met at Sevil their Business was to redress Grievances and to make void many Grants forc'd in time of Necessity from the present King and his Father That Assembly breaking up the King return'd to Castile where some conspir'd to restore his Nephews but he coming upon them some submitted and others were put to Death At this same time Roger Lauria General of the Aragonians in Sicily having near Malta defeated 20 French Galleys killing their General William Cornutus sailing towards Naples offer'd Battle to Charles the Lame Prince of Salerno and Son to King Charles who was ready with a mighty Fleet to pass over into Sicily Many and particularly the Pope's Legate advis'd the Prince not to Fight but he gave no Ear to them The Battel was Bloody but in Conclusion the French were beaten and Prince Charles taken Authors differ about the Number of Vessels on each side the most receiv'd Opinion is that the Aragonians had 42 Galleys and the French 70. This Battel was fought on the 23d of June and the Aragonians making use of their Victory took several Towns in Italy Three Days after the defeat King Charles arriv'd at Gaeta with 20 Galleys from Provence and there understood how his Son was condemn'd to Death at Mecina by the Sicilians in revenge of the Death of Conradine executed by the French after he was taken in Battel The Queen sav'd him on pretence of acquainting her Husband yet such was the Fury of the People that they broke the Prisons and put to the Sword 60 other Prisoners The King of Aragon as if he had no War abroad now lay'd Siege to Albarazin and furiously Batter'd it The City was naturally Strong well Fortify'd and had a good Garrison of hardy Souldiers yet Provisions falling short D. John Nun̄ez de Lara resolv'd to make his Escape but advis'd the Garrison to hold out whilst he went to Navarre where he was sure of Succour After his Departure the City held out a few Days and then desparing of Relief surrendred on Michaelmas Day The Garrison consisted of French and Navarrois who were all dismiss'd and People brought from the Neighbourhood as well to Inhabit the Place as Till the Land The King had a Bastard-Son by the Lady Agnes Zapata to him he had before given Algezira and Liria in the Kingdom of Valencia and now gave him the City Albarazin This was the end of that Principality for many Years possess'd by the noble Family of the Açagras CHAP. VI. The French invade Catalonia take Girona and retire back to France with Loss The King of Morocco Besieges Xeres and is repuls'd The Death of the four Kings of France Aragon Naples and Morrocco AFter the taking of Albarazin a greater Storm threatn'd the King of Aragon from France The Aragonian alone was not able to withstand the French and therefore had recourse to Forreign Aids He sent Embassadors into Germany to the Emperors Rodulphus who being a cautious Man and at that time in War with the Switsers gave only good Words King Sancho at the Instance of the King of Aragon had Conferences with him at Ciria and Borobia two Towns about Soria where they made a League and promis'd to assist one another The King of Morocco design'd to make War in Andaluzia The French wasted the Frontiers of Aragon and Jayme King of Majorca sided with them 18000 Moorish Horse besieg'd Xerez de la Frontera and made Incursions as far as Sevil. King Sancho went with speed to Toledo where Charles Earl of Artois Embassador from the King of France expected him His chief Business was to procure the Liberty of the King 's two Nephews and perswade King Sancho not to have to do with the King of Aragon who was Excommunicated by the Pope The King's Answer in Publick was that he would send Embassadors to adjust all things in France and privately he declar'd himself much the King of France his Friend The King of Aragon lay'd Siege to Tudela in Navarre by that means to divert the French who design'd to pass into Aragon through Russillon That City was bravely defended by D. John Nunez de Lara who lost Albarazin and was more Successful in the Affairs of others than his own All the Country about was wasted and the Frontier Towns of Aragon strongly Garrison'd to oppose the Enemy This done because Winter came on the King of Aragon return'd to Zaragoça There he spent the remainder of this Year and beginning of the next which was 1285 in which on the 7th of January Charles King of Naples departed this Life at Fogia a Town of Apulia being worn out with Misfortunes and griev'd at the Imprisonment of his Son This Prince had been Famous as well in Peace as War had the end of his Life been suitable to the beginning Age made him feel the Inconstancy of Fortune as it has happen'd to many Besides the Vigour of the French was decay'd and they debauch'd with Ease and Pleasure and their Governours made the King odious through their Avarice and
other his Contrivances CHAP. VIII John King of Aragon upon Complaint of his Subjects complies with their Demands Irruptions of the French into Aragon Henry the IIId proclaim'd King of Castile The form of Government appointed there during his Minority JOHN the first the new King of Aragon acted nothing like his Father who was an active Man warlike and ambitious of enlarging his Dominions King John was meek and affable unless provok'd more inclin'd to his Ease than warlike Affairs He lov'd Hawking Hunting Musick and Poetry and all things that represent Grandeur so that the Revenue was too small for his Expence The Queen was in all things like her Husband so that the Court was full of Foosting Balls and Pleasure Great Rewards were given to Poets and so fond was the King of them that he sent an Embassy into France only to have some choice ones sent him The Nobility of Aragon offended at the King's Extravagancy met at Calasanz at the same time the Cortes sat at Monçon They sent their Complaints in Writing to the Cortes which where chiefly the extraordinary Expences the Lewdness of the Court and that the Kingdom was govern'd by a Woman This was meant of Da. Carroça de Villaragur Favourite to the Queen who entirely rul'd the King Messages pass'd to and fro and at length the King being of an easy Nature comply'd with their Demands retrench'd his Expences set out Proclamations for restraining the Disorders of the People banish'd that Lady and for bid the Queen intermedling in the Government Thus those Discontents were lay'd when at the same time a War seem'd to threaten from France Bernard de Armugnac broke into Catalonia with a Body of Bretons yet made more Noise than he did harm Soon after he was follow'd by his Brother the Earl of Armagnac with greater Forces Tomich a Catalonian Historian writes he had 18000 Horse a falshood which yet shews their Number was great There was no cause to make War but the desire of Robbing They burnt some Towns and Farms and carry'd away a great Number of Prisoners and Cattle This mischief fell heaviest upon the Territories of Ampurias and Girona The Forces of Aragon assembl'd and had several Rancounters with them In one Bernard de Cabrera overthrew 8 Companies of French near Navarre In another Raymund Bages near Cavan̄as defeated a good Body of them and took their Commander call'd Martin The King set out from Girona to oppose them but they return'd into France by the way of Russillon where they did much harm The King of Aragon had stir'd up Arigotte of Auvergne to make War upon the Lands of Armagnac which mov'd the Earl to return to defend his own Luis the Son of Luis Duke of Anjou who dy'd in the Conquest of Naples and stil'd himself King of Hierusalem and Sicily marry'd Violante the Daughter of the King of Aragon at Barcelona The end of this Match was that the Aragonian should assist his Son in Law in the Conquest of Naples D. Martin Lord of Exerica the King of Aragon's Nephew as being the Son of his Brother Martin with the King's Consent marry'd Mary Queen of Sicily the Pope also agreeing to it because that Kingdom is a Feofe of the Church Sardinia was again in an uproar for that Brancaleon Doria not regarding the late Settlement and the Pardon he had receiv'd took up Arms again at the beginning of the Year 1391 on pretence of asserting the Peoples Liberties With this specious pretence he drew to his side the Genoeses and many of the Islanders so that he took Sacer the Capital City of the Island and many other Towns and Forts To crush this Rebellion the King rais'd Men and set forth a Proclamation commanding all that had Lands in the Island to go over to defend it At this same time Pope Clement created Martin Bishop of Pamplona Cardinal who was the first of those Prelates that obtained that Honour When King John of Castile fell with his Horse as has been said the Arch-bishop of Toledo who was by caus'd a Tent to be set up in that Place and guarded with trusty Persons concealing the King's Death and sending out several Messages in his Name But this Fiction could not hold long The first that resorted to behold this miserable Spectacle was Queen Beatrix before despoil'd of her Father's Kingdom and now of her Husband being left without any Children to be a Comfort in her Widowhood Prince Henry surpriz'd at his Father's Death set out from Talavera and stopp'd at Madrid with his Brother Ferdinand There the Arch-bishop caus'd him to be proclaim'd King he was the third of the Name and commonly call'd the Sickly for his want of Health All the great Men of the Kingdom flock'd to kiss his Hand and offer their Persons and Estates D. Alonso de Aragon Marques de Villena dissatisfy'd with the late King was withdrawn into Aragon He offer'd to return to Castile provided he might be restor'd to the Office of Constable The King and Queen condescended to his Request and yet he came not being detain'd for certain Reasons in Aragon The Ceremony of proclaiming the King being perform'd he went to Toledo to bury his Father in the Royal Chappel as he had ordain'd Next the Cortes assembl'd at Madrid and took in hand to settle the Government the King being but 11 years of Age. Ellenor the only Daughter to the Earl of Albuquerque for her great Fortune commonly call'd the Rich Female was then at Court Many courted her and among them her Cousin the Duke of Benavente but Prince Ferdinand was preferred before him and they were Contracted yet so that the Match should not go forwards till the King was 14 Years of Age. This was that in case the King dy'd before that Age the Prince might marry Queen Catherine the Duke of Lancaster's Daughter as had been agreed The Bride swore to the Contract being 16 Years of Age but the Prince was too young to swear When the Cortes were about setling the Government they understood by Peter Lopez de Ayala that the late King had made a Will This Will being found and read rais'd variety of Opinions They were chiefly offended at one Clause which appointed for the young King's Tutors till he was 15 Years of Age D. Alonso de Aragon the Constable the Arch-bishops of Toledo and Santiago the Master of Calatrava the Earl of Niebla and Peter de Mendoça the Lord Steward and with them 6 Citizens one of each of the Cities of Burgos Toledo Leon Sevil Cordova and Murcia to be chosen by the Counsels of those Places Every one that was not of the Number was offended The Affair was long debated Some few were for fulfilling the Will but the greatest Number were for cancelling it The Arch-Bisop of Toledo would not suffer it to be burnt because there were certain Legacies nam'd in it for his Church which he would have valid tho the rest were not The Will
them at Naples To prevent further Disorder he took the Spanish Foot with him sending the Men at Arms Light-Horse and Germans to Sessa assuring them he would soon be with them On the 16th of May he entred Naples with as great Pomp as if it had been the King himself Before him marched the Spanish Foot The Gentry came out to meet him and the Multitude covered the Fields admiring that General who had so often Overthrown his Enemies He was conducted through the Streets richly hung strewed with Flowers and full of sweet Perfumes in the same manner as when their Kings went to be Crowned Nothing but Joy appeared they that were most inclined to the French expressed most Satisfaction to disguise their own Faults The City Naples from whence the whole Kingdom takes its Name is one of the fairest richest and most Populous in all Italy It is seated on the Coast of the Mediterranean at the side of a Hill that rises betwixt the West and the North. The Streets are long and strait full of stately Buildings because the Nobility who are very numerous live there most of the Year and vie amongst themselves in Erecting stately Houses The most Famous are those of the Prince of Salerno and Duke of Gravina They encline to live there by reason of the Temperature of the Air the Fruitfulness of the Soil and the beautiful Gardens that surround the City So that there is scarce any City where so many Great Men reside It is divided into Five Sejo's which are so many Council-Houses where the Nobility and Gentry of each Quarter meet to consult about the Affairs of the City The Churches Monasteries and Hospitals are Numerous and Magnificent particularly the Hospital de la Annunciata which spends yearly above 50000 Ducats gathered by the Charity of the People upon pious Uses The Walls are strong adorned with Towers and Four strong Castles Of these the First is Castelnovo large and to appearance impregnable seated on the Shoar near the Mole which makes the Harbour The Second the Gate of Capua on the North formerly a famous Place of Strength now the Place for holding the Courts of Judicature The Third the Castle del Ovo in the Sea on a small Rock but inaccessible The Fourth that of Santelmo in the highest part of the City commands it all and is of late strongly fortified Two of these Forts to wit Castelnovo and Castel del Ovo were now in the hands of the French As soon as ever the Great Captain alighted he went to give Orders for besieging those Castles Castelnovo was furiously battered and they began to undermine it but the Besieged made a vigorous Defence Villamarin with the Fleet came to an Anchor at Nostra Signora de Pie de Gruta seven days after the Great Captain entred the City On the last day of May the Pope created Nine Cardinals Five of them Natives of Valencia On the 12th of June after a vigorous Resistance Castelnovo was taken by Storm John Pelaez de Berrio Servant to the Great Captain was the first that entred The Captains Peter Navarro an able Man at Mining and Nun̄o d' Ocampo signalized themselves the last had the Command of the Fort given him Among other Prisoners taken there was Hugh Roger Earl of Pallas who had been above 40 Years in Rebellion against the Catholick King and his Father King John He was sent to the Castle of Xativa where he ended his Days Some French and Genoese Ships came from Gaeta too late to relieve the Besieged The French Fleet consisting of 6 Carracs other Great Ships and 5 Galleys besides small Vessels came at last and Villamarin being too weak to oppose them retired to the Port of Ischia which being beset by our Fleet defended it self so well that small harm was done to it The Marquess del Gasto took care to defend the Fleet and Island The Great Captain could not stay to take the Castle del Ovo but left that in charge to Peter Navarro and Nun̄o d' Ocampo They in Boats covered with Hides approached to undermine the Rock on the side of Picifalcon Our Batteries killed most of the Defendants so that only 20 remaining they surrendered articling only for their Lives At the same time Fabricius Colona with 800 Men sent from Rome took the City of Aquila the Chief of Abruzzo and all that Province submitted Fracaso de S. Severino and Hierome Gallofo the Chief of the French Faction in that City made their escape to the Lands of the Church The End of the 27th BOOK The History of SPAIN BOOK XXVIII CHAP. 1. The Siege of Gaeta The Death of Pope Alexander VI. Pius III. Chosen Practices of the Spaniards The French Invade Roussillon ON the 18th of June the Great Captain set forwards from Naples towards S. German in order to oppose the French who lay incamped on the other side the River Garellano formerly called Lyris and to reduce some Towns thereabouts that still held for the French He passed through Aversa and Capua those Cities desiring to see him and express their Affection to Spain Whilst he was thus stayed James Garzia de Paredes and Christopher Zamudio advanced with 1500 Men to attack S. German That City and its Castle soon surrendred notwithstanding that Peter de Medicis lay with some French Forces near hand at Montecasino He despairing of holding out there went away leaving 200 Men in the Monastery who surrendred the Place The Great Captain took Roca Guillerma a strong Place also Targeto upon the River Garellano and other Places Castellon and Mala which lie near Gaeta submitted This done the Great Captain on the first of July incamped near the Suburb of Gaeta That City is very strong being for the most part encompassed with the Sea only towards the Land is a narrow and uncouth way to it and over the City Mount Orlando of difficult access where the French had planted many Pieces of Cannon so that there was no coming near to it In the Place were 4500 Men 1500 of them Horse What was worst of all they were Masters of the Sea being much stronger than the Spaniards and consequently there was no hindring the recourse of Provisions or other Supplies to them tho Villamarin came thither with his Galleys The Great Captain caused his Cannon to be brought from Naples to batter the Mount whence his Men were much annoyed lying within Shot Many of his Men were killed and among them D. Hugh de Cardona a Man of great Worth The Besieged suffered for want of Provisions but chiefly of Meal not having wherewith to grind their Corn. On the 6th of August they received Supplies of Provisions and 1500 Men in two Carracs 4 Galleons and some Galleys which carried the Marquess de Saluzes who was to succeed the Duke of Nemours as Viceroy The same day this Supply came to them Rabastein Colonel of the Germans that served in the Spanish Army was killed by a Cannon Shot This