as he lived Not long after he overthrew and took Zenon also and put him into the same Prison This Zenon is said to have left two Daughters one called Toda was Wife to Yn̄igo Arista King of Navarre the other Married Zuria who was afterwards Lord of Biscay from whom some will have it the following Lords of that Country descended till it was Incorporate in the Crown of Castile The Punishment of these two was an Example to terrifie others from attempting the like After this Alava was given to a Nobleman called Count Vigila or Vela The Lordship of Castile was in the Possession of the Count D. James Porcellos all this was in the first Year of the Reign of D. Alonso The following Year began more hot for Imundarus and Alcama Moorish Generals sate down before Leon but the King obliged them to raise the Siege with great slaughter of their Men. To strengthen himself the more against the Infidels he made a League with the French and Navarrois and the more to bind this Alliance Married a Lady of the Blood Royal of France called then Amelina afterwards Da. Ximena By her he had D. Garçia D. Ordon̄o and D. Fruela all three successively Kings and D. Gonçalo Archdeacon of Oviedo The Broils among the Moors offered the Christians a fair opportunity of carrying on some Enterprize The People of Toledo provoked by the Cruelty of the Kings of Cordova and relying on the strength of their City Rebelled and chose Mahomet Avenlope for their King but were soon subdued and Avenlope with his Brothers fled to the Protection of King Alonso who received and entertained them favourably believing they might be useful to him in his Wars against the Moors Soon after taking these along and aided by French Navarrois and Biscainers he entred the Country of the Moors Plundering and destroying all he met and without doing any thing more considerable dismissed his Army rich with the Booty they had taken In the following Year which was 874 the People of Toledo as is supposed to oblige their King made an Inroad into the Lands of the Christians as far as the River Duero but the King unexpectedly coming upon them near a Town called Pulviraria upon the River Vrbicus now Orbigo killed 12000 of them and soon after destroyed an Army that followed the others from Cordova in such manner that only 10 of them were found alive among the Dead Almudar Son of the King of Cordova followed with the main Body of the Moorish Forces but understanding the great slaughter of his People durst not advance to Sublancia where the King was and therefore marched back again by Night A Treaty was now set on foot by means of Abubalit who had been taken in Galicia and was well affected towards the Christians the conclusion was a Truce for three Years This time being expired the King broke into the Country of the Moors and passing the River Tagus advanced as far as Merida and thence returned loaden with Spoils having met no opposition Bernard del Carpio is said to have had a great share in all these Actions and that as a Reward of his Services he begged his Father's liberty which the King refusing he rose in Rebellion and built the Castle of Carpio from which he took Name Besides the Moors at his Instigation infested the Lands of the Christians After this he delivered up his Castle upon Condition his Father should be released but the King not performing he fled to France and Navarre and there dy'd in Banishment All these Transactions have no good Authority to back them and have much of Romance in them therefore it is better be succinct in Relations of that nature D. Fruela the King's Brother on what account is not known conspired to kill him but being discovered was Condemned to lose both his Eyes and live in perpetual Imprisonment the same punishment was inflicted on D. Nun̄o D. Bermudo and D. Odoario all his Brothers for conspiring with D. Fruela This punishment being thought too Cruel caused some new Broils For D. Bermudo escaping out of Prison took Astorga and Fortified it then coming to a Battle with the King was overthrown and fled to the Moors This moved the King to make the greater havock on the Lands of the Infidels particularly he so harrassed the Country of Toledo that some Years after they were forced with great Sums of Money to purchase a Truce for three Years to the great Honour of the Christians and Disgrace of the Moors About this time dy'd Athaulfus Bishop of Compostella and Sisenandus a Person of great Piety and Learning succeeded him In his time the Church of St. James was made an Archiepiscopal See and the said Church then newly finish'd Consecrated by certain Bishops that held a Synod there It was not lawful without the consent of the Pope to call a Council of Bishops therefore Severus and Desiderius were sent Embassadors to Rome and obtain'd the consent of Pope John the Eighth and his Bull Constituting the Church of Oviedo a Metropolitan See Together with the Kings Embassadors the Pope sent one called Reginald There met at Compostella 14 Bishops who Consecrated the Church of St. James the Apostle with great Solemnity on the 7th of May in the Year 876. Eleven Months after this the same Bishops by the King's Command met at Oviedo and decreed in pursuance of the Pope's Order that that See for the future should be Archiepiscopal and Ermenegildus was chosen for that dignity For some Years the Moors were quiet and nothing hapned worthy of memory Only in the Year 881. there were Earthquakes throughout all Spain which destroy'd many Buildings King Mahomet being at his Devotions a flash of Lightning kill'd two that stood next to him in the Mosque to the great terror of the rest The Year following Abdalla the Son of Lope forgetting the favours he had receiv'd from the King of Leon and envying his Uncles in whom the said King repos'd so much Confidence that he entrusted them to breed his Son D. Ordon̄o was reconcil'd to the King of Cordova and gathering Forces broke into the Lands of the Christians doing great harm till King Alonso met and worsted him at Cillorico then drove him from Pancorvo whence passing by Leon and through Portugal he return'd to Cordova Next Winter Abdalla overthrew the two Zimaels his Brother and Uncle and sent them in Fetters to the Castle of Recaria This action brought upon him the Forces of both the Kings as well of the Christians as Moors though at the same he endeavour'd to excuse himself to both D. Vela and D. James the two Earls of Biscay and Castile also entred into a League against him as the common Enemy Almudar Son to the King of Cordova and Abuhalit were sent to Besiege Zaragoça but to no effect by reason it was strong and well provided with necessaries In their return they made an Inroad into 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
THE General HISTORY OF SPAIN FROM The first Peopling of it by Tubal till the Death of King Ferdinand Who United the Crowns of CASTILE and ARAGON WITH A CONTINUATION TO THE Death of KING PHILIP III. Written in Spanish By the R. F. F. John de Mariana To which are added Two SUPPLEMENTS THE FIRST By F. Ferdinand Camargo y Salcedo the other by F. Basil Varen de Soto bringing it down to the present Reign The whole Translated from the Spanish By Cap t JOHN STEVENS LONDON Printed for Richard Sare at Grays-Inn-Gate in Holbourn Francis Saunders in the New-Exchange in the Strand and Thomas Bennet at the Half-Moon in St. Paul's Church-Yard 1699. TO THE Right Honourable CHARLES Earl of Dorset and Middlesex c. MY LORD MAriana's History of Spain has been an Offering worthy the Acceptance of two Kings Its first appearance in the World was in Latin in the Reign and under the Patronage of the Mighty Monarch Philip II. of Spain from whom it met with so favourable a Reception as encourag'd it when made Spanish by the same hand to aspire to no less Protection than the same great Prince's Son Philip III. then Sovereign not only of all Spain but of the East and West-Indies This same History now first brought to speak English I presume to present your Lordship as the worthiest Patron I could make choice of for a Work that has hitherto been thought deserving the Acceptance of Kings Nor do I think my choice inferiour to my Authors not that I mean to bring the Dignity of Crown'd Heads into a Parallel with other Honours but because Kings tho' they are above all other Men as to their Character yet they may be and are often inferior to many in the Beauties and Accomplishments both of Body and Mind Philip II. was more a Politician than an Historian and Philip III. had more of the Saint than of the Scholler the Father made it his only Study to over-reach other Princes and gain some Advantage upon them the Son rather aim'd at Heavenly than Worldly Learning Thus it appears neither of them had those parts your Lordship is possess'd of to render you if not so powerful yet a more worthy Patron Their Power might shade their Ignorance but your Lordships Judgment and Learning will exert it self even above their Power They might receive the fawning Flatteries of their Subjects but your Lordship is so far above being Flatter'd that it would be a very difficult Task to give a true Estimate of your real Abilities I will refrain enlarging upon this Subject lest Malice or Envy should interpret that a Reflection upon others which is only a faint Expression of what is your Lordships due I must desist from all that looks like Praise as well because I can't in a small compass express so much as is known to the World as because it is an undertaking much above my reach to give a Character of your Lordship or to express the worth of your Noble Ancestors Persons so truly Great are above all Flattery and mean Objects are rather expos'd to scorn than extoll'd by it Your Lordship stands highly visible among the first among those I mean who having attain'd to the utmost pitch of Honour can receive no Addition of Glory from the best of Pens This makes my Task in approaching so able a Judge the more easie which others perhaps may think the greatest difficulty Much Study and Accurate Language they say is requisite to express our selves duly to Persons of eminent Parts who are able to discover the least Imperfections and expect to be treated according to their Merit I confess the ablest Pen can never exceed where there 's true worth but at the same time it must be allow'd that those who deserve most are generally contented with least Thus we see the Greatest and Best of Men are nothing pleas'd to hear their own Commendations because tho' never so real Modesty makes them look like Flattery in their Eyes and they easily connive at Faults which are not willful because the sweetness of their Temper makes them rather commiserate then expose the Failings of others This is a Generosity without which no Man can be call'd truly Good and he that is not Good can never be truly Great Tyrants and others rais'd by infamous means to mighty Titles may according to the mistaken vulgar Sense of the World be call'd and look'd upon as Great in respect of their Power or Riches but only those are really so and will transmit that Name to Posterity who either rise by Noble and Vertuous Actions or being Nobly Born preserve that Nobility unblemish'd Your Lordship has Worth to be above Flattery Generosity not to be puff'd up with due Praises and Goodness to overlook Faults I am too sensible of my own weakness not to think so able a Judge may discover many in this Work for of this Epistle I do not speak it being only design'd to beg Pardon for the rest The Work I own deserv'd an abler Undertaker but there is something of Glory even in attempting great things tho' the Success don't answer and it is Honourable to favour and encourage such Attempts Scipio deserv'd no less Commendation for favouring Ennius than Augustus did for encouraging Virgil and Your Lordship in Patronizing this Translation tho' it prove inferior in value will do no less than the two great Monarchs I mention'd at first in giving their Protection to the Originals The less my Merit appears the greater will be the Demonstration of his Goodness who supports my Weakness The Mighty Artaxerxes accepted of Water a Country-man brought him in his Hands and stoop'd to drink of it History ought to be pure as Water without any Partiality to disturb or discolour it such has my Author been generally accounted if the course way of presenting of it in the hands of my unpolish'd Stile make it appear the less valuable Your Lordship will be pleas'd to consider it was the best Vessel I had to serve it up in and to look upon it as the best mark I was able to give of the profound Respect I owe as My Lord Your Lordships Most Faithful and most Devoted humble Servant JOHN STEVENS THE PREFACE THE Learned part of the World is so well acquainted with the value of this History that it will seem superfluous to give any Character of it so that whatsoever I can say in its behalf must fall short of what it deserves in the Opinion of those who are Judges of its worth and sach as have no knowledge of it may be apt to think me Partial as a Translator should I offer any thing in commendation of it Mariana needs no Apology having establish'd an unblemish'd Reputation and that particularly as to the best of Qualifications requir'd in an Historian which is being Impartial I will not go about to prove him so in the strictest Sense for that were to make him more than Man since we know there is none
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
Brother Hiaya Aldirbil much unlike to his Father and Brother He was a Coward and unfit for Government Lewd in his Life and spar'd not the Wives and Daughters of his Subjects whereby he became odious as well to the Moors as Christian Inhabitants of Toledo Upon the death of Hissem D. Alonso was discharged of the Oath he had taken at Toledo to be Friend to the Father and Son Both Moors and Christians weary of the Tyranny of that new Prince solicited King Alonso to free them from that Slavery and possess himself of that City These were the first inducements to undertake the Conquest of that most Noble City the Metropolis of all that Kingdom D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona dy'd in that City and was bury'd in the Cathedral thereof which he had built from the Ground with all suitable Pomp and Grandeur He divided his Dominions betwixt his two Sons D. Berenguel and D. Ramon called Cabeça de Estopa or Flaxen-Head This last according to Mariana the Younger but according to several Testimonies brought in Opposition to him by Peter Mantuanus in his Animadversions on his History the elder Brother Marry'd a Vertuous Lady Daughter to Robert Guiscard a Norman but then very Powerful in Italy as Zurita lib. 1. cap. 1. relates At this time the Normans were possessed of the extreme parts of Italy and Sicily This Lady built two Monasteries one of the Invocation of S. Daniel in the Valley of S. Mary in the Territory of Cabrera the other near Girona where after the death of her Husband she spent the remainder of her Life in much Sanctity Both Monasteries were given to the Nuns of S. Benedict D. Ramon Arnaldo or Berenguel who succeeded his Father in that Earldom was Son to this Lady About the same time Armengaud Earl of Vrgel made War upon the Moors in those Parts and William Jordan Earl of Cerdagne prosecuted the Arian Hereticks who now began again to appear in those parts after having been so long suppressed He Banished them Confiscated their Goods made them Infamous and put the Obstinate to death Thro' the Valour of Armengaud many Towns along the River Segre were taken from the Moors and particularly the City Balaguer the Metropolis of the Earldom of Vrgel Since we have above mentioned the Normans it will not be amiss to add a few Lines in relation to them their Conquests in Italy being parts we shall have much occasion to speak of in this History It has been already said how they being a Northern People possess'd themselves of that part of France before called Neustria and from them Normandy This they did under Rollo their Chief and General The 7th Duke from him was William called the Conqueror for that having defeated and slain Harold he made himself King of England Another Army of Normans went thro' France into Italy which was then divided into several small Principalities and much wasted with intestine Wars Here they first served in the Wars of Lombardy and Tuscany then passing into the Kingdom of Naples where they received Pay of the Prince of Capua and soon after for better Pay went over to him of Salerno who with their assistance obtained the Victory over his Enemy This War being ended thro' the persuasions of Maniacus Governor of Apulia and Calabria for the Grecian Emperor they undertook the Conquests of Sicily then possess'd by the Moors Their success was such that in a short time they drove the Infidels out of the Island then falling at variance with the Greeks expelled them also Thus they laid the Foundations of a mighty Monarchy in Italy and Sicily for at the fame of their success many more resorted to them out of Normandy All that was taken was divided among the Conquerors but the others soon dying all was devolved upon Robert Guiscard and Roger. Robert called himself Duke of Apulia and Calabria Roger was Earl of Sicily Robert by two Wives had these Children Boamundus Roger and one Daughter who if what the Catalonians say be true was Married to D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona as has been above related Roger had a Son also called Roger whâ—â— hanged the Title of Earl for that of King and at last became sole Lord of all that the Normans held both in Italy and Sicily Besides Italy and Greece were Tributary to him This is taken out of Gaufridus the Monk who writ the Actions of the Normans in Italy at the request of the said Earl Roger. But let us leave Italy and return to Spain The Citizens of Toledo ceased not to Sollicite the Christians to undertake the Conquest of that City Exaggerating the Calamities they endured begging relief and protesting if they were not speedily delivered from the Tyranny of their King they must have recourse to other Moors for Assistance King Alonso was perplexed and knew not what to do fearing on the one hand what might be said of him and considering on the other the great advantage of gaining that City Therefore he resolved to put it to the Votes of the Chief Nobility and Persons of most Understanding Opinions as is usual in such cases were various The most bold and daring were for undertaking that War shewing the great advantage that would Accrew to the King and to Christianity in General Others more wary said there could be no reason to attempt such a Conquest it being contrary to Conscience and Honour to break the Peace Established with those Kings where the King had received such Obligations The King having heard all their Opinions at length yielded to the desire he had of Conquering that Noble City and having positively declared his intention to be such the whole Council easily agreed to it and it was unanimously decreed to make War upon the Moors This being resolved the King applyed himself to gather store of Arms Provisions Horses and all other Necessaries He made new Levies and offered rewards to such of the Old Soldiers who were dispersed about the Kingdom as would serve All things were furnished with the more speed because News was brought that the Moors having called the King of Badajoz to their Assistance he was preparing to relieve them Such was their expedition that both Armies arrived together in sight of Toledo but the Moors perceiving King Alonso had a Gallant Army returned without attempting any thing Yet the City could not be taken at that time for that the King of it was well provided against a Siege and the natural strength of the place deterred all Men. The Christians wasted the Country burnt the Corn drove the Cattle and many Prisoners and then returned home This destruction was began in the Year 1079. and continued the next and several Years afters Canales and Olmos two Towns near that City were taken well Garrisoned and thence all the Country continually infested Thus by degrees the City began to be straitned and suffered much want Toledo is for the most part furnished with Provisions brought from
Listed themselves and wore the Cross then the Mark of being engaged in that War Among the rest Bernard Archbishop of Toledo having setled the Government of that Church and Constituted 30 Canons and as many Half-Canons taking up the Cross departed towards the Holy Land No sooner was he gone but the Canons he had appointed met and chose another Archbishop Expelling those that opposed this unlawful Proceeding D. Bernard understanding what had been done returned to Toledo and Expelling all that had a hand in that Disorder put Monks of the Monastery of Sahagun in their places This done he sets forward again and being come to Rome was obliged by the Pope to return home againe as believing his Presence was necessary at Toledo being a place but lately recovered and unsetled He absolved him of the Vow he had made to go to the Holy-Land upon condition he should lay out the Money he had designed for that Expedition in Rebuilding of Tarragona a City then newly taken from the Moors by the Earl of Barcelona In the time of the Romans it was a Noble City and the Seat of their Empire in Spain since reduced to a small number of poor Houses D. Bernard Repaired it and Translated Berengarius Bishop of Vique thither with the Dignity of Archbishop Yet the new Archbishop forgeting this Favour afterwards contended with Bernard about the Right of the Primacy Pope Vrban put an end to the strife assigning the Supremacy of all Spain to Bernard and his Successors Bernard the Archbishop in his way thro' France brought along with him many Learned and Pious Men into Spain who were afterwards promoted to great Dignities Among them also came Burdinus not worthy to be named among them for he afterwards made himself Anti-pope and caused a Schism in the Church as shall be hinted in its place Roderick Diaz Sirnamed Cid or the Lord was not idle all this while but having obtain'd leave of the King who was busie in Andaluzia with a choice Band of his own Forces fell upon the Moors that dwelt upon the Borders of Aragon and Castile All the Moorish Princes strove to gain his Friendship The first he agreed withal was the Lord of Albarrazin Then he went to visit the King of Zaragoça who received him with great signs of Affection hoping with his assistance to make himself Master of Valencia This City is seated where formerly were the Editani near the Sea in a very pleasant Country and has always been a place of great Trade and very Rich. Hiaya he that had been King of Toledo was then in possession of it having inherited it of his Father Almenon to whom it belonged The Lord of Denia Xativa and Tortosa laid close Siege to it The King of Zaragoça thought to raise himself upon the Ruins of others for the Besieged having sent to him for Relief he hoped under that colour to subdue both them and the Besiegers He agreed with Roderick Diaz and both marched thither The Lord of Denja knowing himself inferior to them made Peace with Valencia and raised the Siege Nevertheless the King of Zaragoça would have possessed himself of Valencia had not Roderick Diaz opposed him for that it was under the Protection of the King his Master Hereupon that King returned home Roderick Diaz under colour of assisting the King of Valencia made his own advantage obliging all the Moors thereabouts to pay him Tribute with which and the Booty he maintained the charge of the War King Hiaya before grown odious to his Subjects encreased their hatred by being a Friend to the Christians so that they called in the Almoravides then grown Powerful who killed Hiaya and gave the Sovereignty of the City to Abenaxa the Contriver of that Revolution Roderick Diaz desiring to punish their Treachery and rejoycing that an opportunity was offered him of taking that Noble City resolved to lay Siege to it Valencia was well stored with Provisions Warlike Ammunition a good Garison and a great number of resolute Citizens yet his Constancy overcame all those Difficulties He laid close Siege to it which lasted a long time till the Besieged wanting Provisions and seeing no hopes of relief Surrendred Not so satisfied tho' it seemed a rashness he resolved to maintain that City and in order to it made one Hierome a Companion of the Archbishop of Toledo Bishop of it Moreover he brought thither his Wife and Daughters whom as was said above he had left in the Custody of the Abbot of S. Peter of Carden̄a To the King for that he had favoured his designs he sent a Present of 200 choice Horses with as many Scymiters hanging at the Saddles Such was the posture of Roderick Diaz's Affairs when two young Lords called Earls of Carrion their Names James and Ferdinand Men of great Birth but mean degenerate Souls having obtained the King's Recommendation Marry'd his two Daughters at Valencia It hap'ned soon after that a Lion breaking lose they both hid themselves in an undecent place and at another time in a Skirmish with the Moors they fled These things made them grow contemptible to their Father-in-law who Reproached them and they study'd Revenge Suero their Uncle who ought to have given them better advice heightned their malice Having resolved upon the Villany they were to act they prepared to return home Their Father-in-law having accompanied them part of the way returned to Valencia and they prosecuted their Journey till they came to a Wood on the Frontiers of Castile after they had passed the River Duero There sending away most of their Retinue they took the two Ladies into the Wood and having strip'd them naked whipped them till they lay for dead wallowing in their blood In this manner they were found by Ordonius sent after them by their Father who suspected some ill design He carried them to the next Village where they were dressed and taken care of This Villainous Act brought upon the Husbands the hatred of all Men. Roderick Diaz seeking revenge had recourse to the King at such time as a general Assembly of the States or Parliament was held at Toledo Judges were appointed to determine what was to be done the chief whereof was Raymund of Burgundy the King's Son-in-law After a full hearing it was decreed that those two Lords should restore all that they had received with their Wives and that they and their Uncle Suero should Combat with three others appointed on his part by Roderick Diaz Three Men of note whose Names were Bermudo Antolin and Gustio undertook his Quarrel The young Lords endeavoured to evade the Combat by gaining time so Roderick Diaz went away to Valencia and they to their Estate But the King not satisfied obliged them to fight at Carrion where they were all three overcome Roderick Diaz's two Daughters were Marry'd again D. Elvira to D. Ramiro Son to D. Sancho Garcia King of Navarre who was killed by his Brother Raymund as was said above D.
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
that of Leon Beautiful and that of Sevil Great The Revenue of the Church is 30000 Ducats the Archbishops 120000 the Canons and other Dignities proportionably The Country is plain pleasant and fruitful A great part is planted with Olive-trees which produce large and pleasant Fruit thence sent to other parts It has so great a Trade and the Farmers are so numerous and rich that in the time of the Moors in Olive-Orchards call'd Axarase there were 100000 Cottages and Oil-Mills which number tho' it seem incredulous we have the Authority of King Alonso the Wise's History to testifie it The concourse of Strangers is greater than could be imagin'd especially since the Trade with the West-Indies All these things stirr'd up King Ferdinand to undertake the Conquest of so important a place Axatafe King of Sevil was not unprovided but gather'd Forces not only of his own but out of Africk and laid in great stores of Arms and Provisions All things being plentifully provided for the carrying on a long Siege King Ferdinand mov'd from Alcala Guadayra where he had spent some time and sate down before Sevil on the 25th of August in the Year 1247. The King himself Encamp'd on the Bank of the River below the City by the Fields of Tablada D. Pelayo Perez Correa Master of Santiago took his post on the other side the River in a Village called Aznalfarache to oppose Abenjafon King of Niebla who was possessed of all the Towns in that Neighbourhood Many Sallies were made by the Moors to obstruct carrying on the Works but no consiedrable Action hap'ned It was the chief care to guard all the Avenues as well the River as the Land and the Soldiers ceased not to plunder all the Country Carmona streightned with these losses surrendred Nothing was omitted by the Besieged that might endamage the Christians especially they attempted several times with Artificial Fire-works to burn our Fleet but the great Vigilance of the Admiral Boniface disappointed all their designs D. Pelayo Correa Master of Santiago and D. Lorenco Suarez did great service during the Siege Above all things incredible are related of Garci Perez Vargas of Toledo and being such they are not worthy to have a place here Mean while Prince Alonso the King's Son being invited to it by the Townsmen design'd to possess himself of Xativa in the Kingdom of Valencia and did actually take Enguerra a dependance of Xativa The King of Aragon justly provok'd by these Proceedings took Villena and 6 other Towns in the Limits of Castile having Brib'd the Governours Besides at the beginning of the Year 1248. he took from the Moors a Town called Bugerra in the same Territory These Misunderstandings seem'd to threaten greater and worse Consequences therefore Prince Alonso who was inclin'd to Moderation resolv'd upon a Conference with the King of Aragon and accordingly they met at Almizra a Town belonging to that King There by the Mediation of the Queen of Aragon and D. James de Haro with other great Men all matters were adjusted the Towns wrongfully taken restor'd on both sides and the Limits and Conquests of each Party assign'd By this Contract Almansa Sarasulla and the River Cabriolo were allotted to Murcia to Valencia Biara Saxona Alarca and Finestrato All things being setled the Princes parted King Jayme laid Siege to Xativa and had it surrendred to him towards the end of the Summer This City stands in a pleasant Country near the Mouth of the River Xucar Prince Alonso and D. James de Haro made hast to the Siege of Sevil. Alhamar also King of Sevil joyn'd King Ferdinand with a good Body of Men and that so opportunely that the Christian Soldiers weary of so tedious a Siege were about abandoning the Camp Sickness that began to spread among them greatly discourag'd them Winter was spent and no great advance made King Ferdinand himself tired with so many difficulties was dubious whether to raise or continue the Siege The Besieged in a Sally having burnt our Engines and overturn'd the Works now scoffed at our Men from the Walls Nevertheless the Siege was continued with so much the more resolution because fresh Supplies came daily into the Camp Thither repaired the Bishops D. John Arias of Santiago but falling Sick made no stay D. Garcia of Cordova D. Sancho of Coria also the Masters of Calatrava and the Princes Frederick and Henry besides a great number of Nobles It was hard by reason of the greatness of the City to secure all the Avenues tho' they were strictly watched Boniface the Admiral desiring to destroy the Bridge provided two great Ships which with the Flood and a strong Westerly Wind with full Sails so violently bore upon it that the Chains which held the Boats could not withstand the force of the shock Thus the Bridge was cut off on the 3d of May to the great Joy of the Army Flush'd with this Success the Soldiers on a sudden gave an onset on all sides labouring to make a Breach with all sorts of Instruments so resolutely that the Besieged were in great danger Their resolution and the strength of the Walls overcame the labour of the Christians Provisions beginning to fail and no hopes of Relief appearing the Citizens at first in Whispers began to talk of a Surrender soon after it became the publick Discourse and at last they demanded a Parly The Commissioners sent out to treat were for submitting to any Conditions except delivering the City and the King would hearken to nothing less than a Surrender Whilst the Treaty lasted a Truce was concluded upon At first they offer'd to pay the same they had always done to the Miramamolines This offer being rejected they proposed to deliver the third part and then half the City to be separated from the rest by a Wall over and above those Revenues King Ferdinand admitting of no Proposal less than the surrender of the City at last they came to this Conclusion That the Moorish King with all the Inhabitants carrying all their Goods might freely depart whither they pleased That excepting Sanlucar Aznalfarache and Niebla all other Towns and Castles depending on Sevil should be delivered up A Month was allow'd for performance of Articles The Castle was presently deliver'd up and on the 27th of November 100000 Moors Men Women and Children marched out of the City Some went over into Africk the rest were dispersed into other Towns and Cities in Spain This Siege lasted 16 Months during which time the Camp was like a City all things being there plentifully sold in Shops regularly disposed and Smiths Carpenters and other necessary Trades continually working On the 22d of December the King in great State entred the City and heard Mass in the Cathedral which to that purpose had been Blessed by Gutierre late Elect Archbishop of Toledo in the place of John who dy'd on the 23d of July Raymund de Losana was chosen Archbishop of the new City Sevil
was very bloody Conradin and Frederick had their Heads cut off at Naples a hard Judgment upon such great Princes At this time another Debate arose in Aragon Gerard de Cabrera pretending to the Earldom of Vrgel pleading that his Brother Alonso's Children were not Legitimate Raymund Folch their Uncle by the Mother's side and other Men of Note supported them King Jayme seem'd to espouse Gerard's quarrel and that the more for that he had made over his Right to the King as not able to carry it off himself The King of Granada prepar'd to make War upon Guadix and Malaga and was offended that King Alonso contrary to what had been agreed did underhand support them D. Nun̄o de Lara and D. Lope de Haro being disoblig'd by the King blew the Coals They promis'd the Moor if he would take up Arms not only they but many other Men of Note would go over to him There was some rumour spread abroad of these Practices but there wanted Witnesses to prove the Fact This mov'd the King to go into Andaluzia This Year the King chang'd the Name of the Village call'd S. Peter de Ariznoa in Guipuscoa into that of Vergara and made it a Market-Town The Affairs of Andaluzia being setled and Winter coming on King Alonso return'd to Toledo to entertain his Father-in-law the King of Aragon who came to be present at the first Mass of his Son D. Sancho the Archbishop which was to be Celebrated on Christmass-day D. Sancho accordingly said Mass that day the two Kings of Castile and Aragon the Queen and Prince Ferdinand being present King Jayme of Aragon staid but 8 days at Toledo being resolv'd tho' very old to go over to the War in the Holy-Land inflam'd with the desire of restoring the ancient Glory of the Christians in those parts A great and valiant Prince worthy to have succeded better than he did in that Expedition CHAP. IX The King of Aragon 's Expedition for the Holy-Land The Kings of France and Navarre and the eldest Son of the King of England move upon the same Enterprize The Nobles of Castile Revolt Troublesin Aragon THE Affairs of the Christians in the Holy-Land were reduc'd to the last extremity Now unexpectedly a fair opportunity of restoring their losses offer'd it self and stirred up at one-time England France and Spain to take Arms. Whilst Pope Innocent IV. held the General Council at Lyons in France he sent four Preachers of the Holy Order of S. Dominick among the Tartars to try whether that Barbarous People could be reduc'd to embrace Christianity Those Preachers were so successful as to gain Reputation among the Barbarians who began to show some affection towards the Christian Religion These People had now Invaded that part of Syria which was under the Saracens and the great Cham their King sent Embassadors to invite most Princes of Europe to share in that Conquest Particularly he sent Embassadors to the King of Aragon with John Alaricus of Perpegnan whom the King on account of an Embassy receiv'd before had sent into Tartary The Tartar Embassadors staid ar Barcelona Alaricus went to Toledo where in an Assembly of the Nobles he gave an account of his Embassy King Jayme resolv'd to go in Person to that War without regard to his great Age or the Intreaties of King Alonso and Queen Violante King Alonso seeing he was not to be disswaded promis'd him 100000 Ducats towards the Charge of the War Some Nobles of Castile offer'd to bear him Company and among them the Master of the Knights of Santiago and D. Gonçalo Pereyra Grand Prior of S. John From Toledo he went to Valencia where he gave Audience to the Tartars and also to another Embassador from the Emperor Paleologus who promis'd to furnish Provisions and all other Necessaries After all things were in readiness at the request of Queen Violante his Daughter he went as far as Huerta and there took his leave of her his Sons and Grandchildren On the 4th of September in the Year 1269. he set sail with a Fleet of 30 great Ships and some Galleys The Season was not fit for such Expeditions In three days they had sight of Minorca where a violent Storm dispers'd the whole Fleet which was drove to several Ports The King was put in at Marseilles and thence remov'd to the Gulph of Agde Some Ships and among 'em that in which went Fernan Sanchez the King's Son weather'd the Storm and arriv'd at Acre in the Holy-Land After refreshing himself at Montpelier the King now repenting that he had undertaken that Expedition return'd to Catalonia In Castile King Alonso with Edward Son and Heir to the King of England went as far as Logrono to meet his Daughter-in-law who was coming out of France thro' Navarre to her Husband This Marriage was Solemniz'd with greater Splendour than was ever seen before for there were present at it Jayme King of Aragon Grandfather to the Bridegroom Peter his eldest Son Philip eldest Son to the King of France Edward Son and Heir to the King of England the King of Granada King Alonso his Brothers Sons and Uncle Alonso Lord of Molina A great number of French Italian and Spanish Nobility was there and among them William Marques of Montseratte who Jovius says was Son-in-law to King Ferdinand Sancho Archbishop of Toledo was also present some say he Marry'd them This Match was contriv'd that the King of France might quit the Pretensions he had to Castile as being the Son of Blanch eldest Sister to King Henry After the Solemnity King Alonso accompany'd the King af Aragon as far as Tarraçona The English and French went further than the Aragonians in the Expedition of the Holy-Land but without much Success Edward eldest Son to the King of England with a good Fleet arriv'd at Ptolemais and escap'd himself the danger of the Assassins S. Luis King of France set Sail from Marseilles on the first of March 1270. Theobald King of Navarre having committed the Government to his Brother Henry accompany'd S. Luis After a Storm they landed at Tunez Invested the Town overthrew the Infidels twice in the Field and continu'd the Siege the space of 6 Months The great heat caus'd the Plague whereof vast numbers dy'd and among them Prince John the King's Son and lastly the King himself on the 28th of August Charles King of Sicily landing at this Juncture the Besieg'd agreed to pay him 40000 Ducats a Year and then the Army went over into Sicily Theobald King of Navarre dy'd there in the City Trapana on the 5th of December The Body of S. Luis was carry'd to S. Denis near Paris that of the King of Navarre to Champagne Queen Elizabeth his Wife dy'd on the 25th of April the Year following at Hiere in Provence Let us return to Castile King Alonso at this time was perplex'd with many cares The ambition of taking upon him the Empire of Germany had
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
King himself was in Danger till the Forces gathering from the other part of the Camp the Flemmings spent with the Heat were put to the rout After this Victory the Earl was easily restor'd King Philip return'd to his Kingdom which he found full of Robbers and other Outlaws Hereupon new Laws were Enacted which are commonly call'd Fuero Nuevo that is The new Charter The Affairs of the Kingdom being setled the King and Queen return'd to France upon pretence of Assisting the French King their Kinsman in his Wars against the English but in Reality the Love of their Country and Riches of France drew them which caus'd them to despise the Poverty of Navarre Henry Soliberte a Frenchman was left to Govern the Kingdom Castile was ingag'd in Civil Discord and the War with the Moors at the same time besides great want of Mony The Cortes or Parliament met at Madrid where it was Enacted That no Man should have more than one Employment in the King's Houshold That no new Taxes should be rais'd without the Consent of the Cortes That no Benefices should be given to Foreigners Mony was easily granted because the Moors had taken Priego a Town belonging to the Knights of Calatrava the Governour delivering it up without Bloodshed To pacify D. John Manuel his Daughter Constance till then kept in the Nature of a Prisoner at Toro was deliver'd up to him Joseph the Jew being call'd in Question for the King's Revenue whereof he was Treasurer could not make good his Accounts and was therefore depriv'd of that Place It was ordain'd that none who was not a Christian should for the future enjoy that Imployment Also that the Treasurer should not be call'd Almojarise a Word odious because Moorish but for the future should have no other Name but that of Treasurer The King of Portugal sent 500 Horse for the War against the Moors The King of Aragon and D. John Manuel promis'd to invade them with Forces of their own D. John had the Command of the Frontiers of Murcia and Peter Lopez de Ayala was his Lieutenant The King of Castile march'd into the Kingdom of Granada and lay'd Siege to Tebas de Hardales a strong Town in the year 1330. Ozmin lay with 6000 Horse at Turon 3 Leagues from Tebas and did great harm to the Christian Forragers but durst not hazard a Battle Mean while the Christians took the Town of Pruna Ozmin sent 3000 Horse to the River which runs near to Engage the Christians on that Side whilst he made himself Master of their Camp The King having Notice of it sent a strong Body to meet the Moors at the River and stay'd himself with the rest in the Camp The Moors being put to Flight our Men pursu'd them so furiously they entred their Camp and plunder'd all their Baggage Thus the People of Tebas having no hopes of Relief surrendred in August Articling only for Life Canete and Priego and many other Places did the same These Actions were the more Honourable to the King for that neither D. John Manuel nor the King of Aragon assisted him the one not being well pacify'd and the other alledging for his Excuse that the Genoeses infested his Coasts besides the Portugues Horse were return'd Home This was new Cause of Offence against D. John Manuel and therefore Peace was concluded with the Moors upon Condition they should pay 12000 Ducats yearly That done Trade was restor'd All things were the sooner agreed because the King at Sevil began wholly to devote himself to the Lady Ellenor de Guzman and Treated her as if she were his Wife This Lady was Happy in Birth Riches and Beauty she was the Daughter of Pero Nun̄ez de Guzman and Wife to John de Velasco lately Deceas'd By her the King had many Children but particularly one who came to be King Ozmin the Moorish Commander dy'd at Granada leaving two Sons Abraham and Abuzebet The Moorish King went away into Africk to bring over Forces with which he began the Bloody War we shall soon speak of The End of the Fifteenth Book THE History of SPAIN 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 AFrick is the Third Part of the formerly known World It is bounded on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the East by Egypt and the Red Sea on the North by the Mediterranean where it is broadest and from thence running towards the South groweth still narrower in the nature of a Pyramis till it ends in the Cape of Good Hope The Inhabitants differ in Laws Customs Religions Habit and Colour The inner parts are inhabited by the Ethiopians and Blacks Next is Lybia then Numidia divided by Mount Atlas Along the Coast of the Mediterranean are the People peculiarly call'd Africans and Moors which is Barbary The Country bears Corn and Feeds Cattle but has little Wood it seldom Rains there and there are but few Rivers and Springs The People are Healthy Laborious and Active In War they are more successful by their Numbers than Valour their chief strength consists in Horse Here Alboacen the IXth King of Morocco of the Family of the Merines posses'd a mighty Empire having subdu'd all the neighbouring Princes and was the only Prince that could aspire to the Crown of Spain being terrible to the Christians a Man of noted Valour and endu'd with many other good natural Parts He was at War with Botexesin King of Tremecen which War he had as an Inheritance from his Father This was the only thing that hinder'd him from invading Spain Mahomet King of Granada being of himself too weak to withstand the Christians sail'd into Africk to perswade Alboacen to joyn with him in the attempt of conquering Spain At Fez he was nobly entertain'd by the African King and all former Animosities laid aside for he was a mortal Enemy to Ozmin and his Family Both Kings strove to out-do one another in Courtesy and Liberality After these Formalities being come to treat of their Affairs the King of Granada earnestly press'd the African to joyn with him that they might restore the Honour of their Fore-Fathers in Spain and offer'd freely to yield him all that should be taken contenting himself only with the Pleasure of Revenge Alboacen promis'd as soon as the Wars in Africk were ended to go over in Person and the mean while was willing to send his Son Abomelique with a good Body of Horse as a Pledge that he design'd to follow While these Things were contriving in Africk the Moors of Granada under the command of Reduan and Abucebet made an incursion into Murcia wasted all the Country carri'd away 1200 Captives and burnt the Town of Guardamar so call'd because it lies upon the Mouth of the River Segura King Mahomet being come to Granada D.
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
vain Thence he sail'd to Barcelona where he found 12 Galleys of Aragon which he twice attempted to carry off but could not because they lay near the Shore and were bravely defended by the Catalonians Thus disappointed he sail'd for the opposite Islands He landed at Yviça and tho he assaulted the Town of that Name could not take it Mean while the King of Aragon having gather'd 40 Galleys sail'd over to Majorca designing to Fight the Castilian Fleet. The King at the Request of his People stay'd in the Island and sent the Fleet under the command of Bernard de Cabrera his Admiral and the Viscount to find out the Enemy who leaving Yviça were come to Calpe with the same Resolution The Aragonian Fleet lay at the Mouth of the River that falls into the Sea neat Denia both Parties seem'd desirous to Ingage yet both were cautious so all this threaten'd Storm vanish'd The Aragonians put into Barcelona and the King of Castile from Cartagena sent his Fleet to Sevil and went by Land himself to Tordesillas to see Da. Maria de Padilla who was there deliver'd of a Son call'd Alonso The King's Joy for his Birth was not lasting for he dy'd soon after In the Fields of Araviana at the foot of the Mountain Moncayo Count Henry and his Brother D. Tello with 700 Aragonian Horse charg'd a Party of Castile and overthrew them killing about 300 and taking many Men of Note Among the rest was killed John Fernandez de Hinestrosa the Commander in Chief The King of Castile in a rage caus'd two Bastard Brothers he kept Prisoners to be put to Death which were John and Peter It is likely they were convicted of keeping Correspondence with the Rebels yet this Action terrify'd the whole Kingdom All the great Ones trembled but doubtless it was their Guilt made them do so for many Men of Quality not thinking themselves secure in Castile fled into Aragon The King was charg'd with Cruelty but the Subject consider'd not how many frequent Rebellions oblig'd him to make Examples of Justice Having Intelligence that 12 Venetian Galleys were ready to pass out of the Streights the King sent 20 to Intercept them but a Storm disappointed the Design This is represented as a hainous Crime without reflecting that is was say'd before the Venetians were in League with Aragon and might therefore be justly looked upon as Enemies to Castile But it was the Misfortune of this King to have all his Actions misrepresented and to have those things call'd Cruelty in him which were but just Punishment of Rebels Yet because a Bastard prevail'd against him that Bastard was applauded as lawful King and the true King stiled a Tyrant Such is the Judgment of the World that Misfortunes make the best King a Tyrant and success Crowns the vilest Vsurper with the Name of a Lawful Prince The Cardinal Legate took much pains to set on Foot a Treaty of Peace which he compass'd at the beginning of the Year 1360. Embassadors were sent on both sides with full Power and the King was near a Conclusion Yet neither at Tudela nor at Sadua where the Treaty was renew'd and continu'd could any thing be brought to Perfection for the Aragonians were incourag'd with their late Success and the King of Castile after so many Disappointments would not yield the least Point Yet finding so much Falshood among his People he knew not who to trust and therefore every Day chang'd the Officers of his Household and Army This was the unhappy condition of King Peter CHAP. III. The Death of Queen Blanch and Da. Maria de Padilla Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon The War with the Moors and Death of their King The King of Aragon 's Daughter marry'd to the King of Sicily THE Treaty of Peace was so carry'd on that still fresh Preparations for War were made on both Sides The King of Castile went from Sevil towards Leon in speed to apprehend Peter Nun̄ez de Guzman Lieutenant of that Kingdom but he having Notice of the King's approach fled to Portugal a sign he was not Innocent Peter Alvarez Osorio being at Dinner with D. James Garcia de Padilla Master of Calatrava was put to Death by two of the King's Guards From Leon the King went to Burgos where he put to Death James Arias Maldonado the Archdeacon for keeping a Correspondence with Count Henry Many others sav'd their Lives by the sudden Irruptions of the Aragonians under Count Henry D. Tello and the Count de Osona into the Territory of Rioja where they took the Town of Haro and City Najara killing a great Number of Jews and making great Slaughter and Destructions In this heat they advanc'd as for as Pancorvo Gonzalo Gonzalez de Lucio Governour of Taraçona for the King of Castile deliver'd it up to the Aragonians The King of Castile march'd towards the Enemy then at Najara and encamp'd near a small Town call'd Azofra Here a Priest came to tell him he had a Revelution that his Bastard Brother Count Henry would kill him unless he mended his Life but the King for his Intelligence caus'd him to be publickly Burnt in the Camp From Azofra the King march'd towards Najara and there totally routed the Aragonians who fled to the City which might have been taken but the King could not be perswaded to besiege it Within two or three Days the Aragonians abandon'd Haro and Najara and the King put Garrisons into them Having secur'd the Frontires he return'd to Sevil and there agreed with the King of Portugal that each should deliver up the Out-laws that fled from the other The King of Portugal put to Death one Peter Coello and another because they had murder'd the Lady Agnes de Castro James Lopez Pacheco who had a Hand in her Death fled to Count Henry who afterwards for his good Service gave him an Estate in Castile and he was the Founder of the Noble Family of Pacheco Others were deliver'd to the King of Castile who put them to Death at Sevil. One of these was Peter Nun̄ez de Guzman the Lieutenant of Leon. Another was Gomez Carillo beheaded in a Galley as he was going by the King's Order from Sevil to Algozira upon pretence of being Governor of that Place Gutierre Fernandez de Toledo was put to Death at Alfaro for favouring the Party of Count Henry Gutierre Gomez and Toledo and James Gomez Brother to the deceas'd understanding he was Executed fled to Aragon D. Vasco Arch-bishop of Toledo was banish'd the Kingdom without allowing him time to change his Cloaths He went to Coimbra where in a Monastery of Dominicans he ended his Days holily Some Years after his Body was Translated to the Cathedral of Toledo Many call this Archbishop Blase It is suppos'd D. Vasco resign'd the Archbishoprick as soon as he was Banish'd for the same Year we find D. Gomez Manrique succeeded him Whilst these things happen'd in Castile the King of Aragon sent 4 Galleys well
descent was from King Alonso IVth who was his great Grandfather his Son Jayms being Father to Peter and Grandfather to the present Earl Besides he had to Wife King Martin's Sisters the Daughter of King Peter by Queen Sibila D. Alonso de Aragon Marques de Villena the Earl of Deniâ— had also a Title to the Crown but it was farther remov'd yet at the perswasion of his Friends tho very Old he set up his Title among the rest as being lineally descended from Jayme the IId King of Aragon The King of Aragon gave Audience to the French Bishop harkened to his Demands and the Reasons on which he grounded his Claim After that was over retiring to his Apartment those that were about him continu'd the Discourse and at length came to argue the Case in Form before the King William de Moncada pleaded for the Duke of Anjou whose doubtless the Right was as may appear by his Descent set down before Bernard de Centellas argu'd for the Earl of Orâ—el and Bernard Villalice for the Marques de Villena who was the remotest When they had all done the King have his Opinion which agreed with none of theirs for he positively affirm'd Prince Ferdinand of Castile had the best Title as being his Nephew the Son of his own Sister Ellenor In reality he was himself but an Usurper the Duke of Anjon having a better Right than he but he resolv'd to cut him off and continue the Crown in his own Family This Discourse of the King 's being made publick first at Barcelona where it was spoken and afterwards through all Christendom much advanc'd Prince Ferdinand his Pretension and avail'd him to be preferr'd before his Competitors This was the common Discourse of the Town and even in the King's Presence â—â— which he seem'd to be pleas'd yet in his Heart he was more inclined to his Grandson 〈◊〉 Bastard Son to the late King of Sicily whom he had already created Earl of Luna and in order to make him capable of inheriting the Crown treated with Pope Benedict about his Legitimation If this succeeded not he preferr'd his Nephew Prince Ferdinand before all others his Valour and Virtue and his despising the Crown of Castile having render'd him worthy of another Kingdom Nevertheless upon the pressing Instances of the Earl of Vrgel the King constituted him Vicar and Governour of the Kingdom an Honour usually given to the Heir of the Crown and might have been very prejudicial to the other pretenders had he not underhand given orders to the Vrreas and Herias two powerful Families in Zaragoca not to admit him into that City or suffer him to exercise that Office notwithstanding his Letters Patents This doublâ— dealing highly offended the Earl of Vrgel and was the Cause of great Troubles CHAP. X. The Moors having done maâ—â—h harm in the Christian Territories Prince Ferdinand marches against them defeats them and takes Antequera and other Places Martin King of Aragon dies A Love-Adventure THE Truce with the Moors was now expir'd and their Boldness provok'd and oblig'd the Christians to renew the War for they 〈◊〉 the Town of Zahara ravag'd all the Country and drove the Cattle To put a stop to their Fury and revenge the Wrongs receiv'd Prince Ferdinand having made the necessary Provision of Men Mony Ammunition and Victuals in the Month of February of the Year 1410 march'd with his Army towards Cordova at such time as the Infidels being disappointed of taking the Castle of Zahara abandon'd the Town and our Forces speedily repair'd the Walls and put the Place into a Posture of Defence Prince Ferdinand's Army consisted of 10000 Foot and 3500 Horse the very Flower of the Castillian Forces all brave and resolute Souldiers With him were Sancho de Rojas Bishop of Palencia Alvaro de Guzman John de Mendoça John de Velasco D. Ruy Lopez Davalas and other Towns and Men of Quality With these Forces the Prince sat down before the City Antquera on the 〈…〉 till he had made himself Master of that 〈…〉 sent 5000 Horse and 80000 Foot 〈…〉 They march'd up to the City and 〈…〉 they rang'd their Battles and engag'd The 〈…〉 5000 of 'em kill'd in the fight and pursuit 〈…〉 and their Camp plunder'd This Victory was so 〈…〉 the more Remarkable 〈…〉 of the Christians only 120 were lost Prince Ferdinand 〈…〉 thanks to Almighty God 〈…〉 great Success and sent Expresses to convey the good News to 〈…〉 The more 〈…〉 the Besieged he caus'd a deep and large Trench to be 〈…〉 with a good Breast work and Forts at convenient Distances to hinder the 〈…〉 and all manner of Provision or Relief from coming to them This 〈…〉 necessary his Forces at that time being weak because several parties were abroad by 〈◊〉 order plundring and destroying all the Country which was done 〈…〉 to the Walls of Malaga Great harm was done but the Terror spread abroad was much greater The Moorish King commanded all that were of Age without exceptions 〈…〉 and appear in Arms by which means he gather'd a 〈◊〉 Multitude 〈…〉 not to hazard another Battle and only shew'd himself to terrify the Christians 〈…〉 kept on the Hills and in the Woods The besieged began to be strenghten'd 〈…〉 most perplext them was that they had no hopes of Relief It was as bad as Death to surrender and they had no means to hold out It happen'd 300 Horse of the Garrison or Jaen made an Incursion into the Territories of the Moors 〈…〉 orderly that they were surpriz'd and all cut off This small Success encourag'd the besieged to hope that some Misfortune might befall the Besiegers Whilst these things were acting at 〈…〉 the new Pope dy'd at Bolonia on the 3d of May. His Body was bury'd in the Church 〈…〉 of that City The Cardinals of his party met and on the 〈…〉 Month Cota Deacon-Cardinal born at Naples who was then Legate 〈…〉 himself in his Papacy John the XXIIId He was bold subtle 〈…〉 made of good or bad Practices as the occasion requir'd or was 〈…〉 Purpose 〈…〉 happier in the time of his Predecessor when he govern'd all things than in his own being cast down and depriv'd of the Tiara Soon after follow'd the Death of the King of Aragon who dy'd of a stoppage in his Head on the last of May at Valdoncellas a Monastery of Nuns adjoyning to the Walls of 〈…〉 His Body was 〈◊〉 at Poplete with very little Pomp the People being affirmed at their present Loss and apprehenstâ—â— or what was like to follow The Cortes of that Principality were 〈…〉 not without some 〈…〉 of Troubles likely to break out 〈…〉 that all the States should depute certain Persons of Note to 〈…〉 King in his 〈◊〉 and intreat him that to prevent Disorders he would appoint who was to succeed him This was accordingly put in Execution and by consent of all the Deputies Fâ—rrer head of the Council of that City was appointed
Aragonians and gain'd the Victory The Enemy enter'd the King's Ship and he finding it made much Water say'd he yeilded himself Prisoner to the Duke of Milan tho not present In the same Ship were taken the Prince of Taranto and Duke of Sessa 12 other Ships were taken and in them many Prisoners of Note among them the King of Navarre whose Life Roderick Robolledo sav'd at the beginning of the Fight Prince Henry of Aragon was also made Prisoner Authors do not agree about Prince Peter Some say he escap'd by Night with 3 Galleys out of the Fight Others that he arriv'd with the rest of the Fleet from Sevil at Ischia at the time of the Battle Besides those mentioned Raymund Boil Viceroy of Naples James Gomez de Sandoval Earl of Castro with his two Sons Ferdinand and James D. John de Sotomayor In̄igo Davalos Son to the Constable D. Ruy Lopez Davalos and a Grandson of his called D. In̄igo de Guevara fell all into the Hands of the Enemy After this famous Victory the People of Gaeta sallying routed the Aragonians enter'd their Camp and plunder'd all the Baggage of those great Men. Many were taken Prisoners the rest of the Army was dispersed This Battle was fought on the 5th of August near the Island Ponça Who would not have thought this Overthrow had quite defeated the hopes of the Aragonians and yet contrary to all humane Probability this very Misfortune was the best step towards their gaining the Kingdom of Naples After the fight the Victorious Genoeses return'd home where they secur'd the greatest number of Persons to pay the Charge of the Fleet. The Kings with about 300 Men of Note were carry'd to Milan where the Genoese Admiral made his Entry in the nature of a Triumph and such a one as had not been seen in many Ages All Italy was in suspence considering what Advantage that Duke would make of his Victory and fear'd he would improve it to subdue all that Country He himself was dubious whether he should impose some hard Conditions upon them or put them to Ransom but fear'd when at Liberty they would seek Revenge At length Honour prevail'd and he resolv'd to discharge them Gratis sending them back with rich Presents He therefore receiv'd the King of Aragon with much Honour and they discours'd largely of the Danger of suffering the French to take footing in Italy Whilst these things were in Agitation at Milan the Lady Elizabeth by order of her Husband the Duke of Anjou who as has been said was Prisoner went by Sea to Genoa thence to Gaeta and lastly coming to Naples on the 18th of October much encourag'd those that were of her Party Pope Eugenius assisted her with Forces and she being a Woman excellently qualify'd purchas'd the Love of the People Many Councils were held in Spain to consider what could be done for the Kings The Cortes of Aragon met at Zaragoça and it was agreed to equip a Fleet to secure Sicily and Sardinia for all thoughts of Naples were given over At Soria the King of Castile and Queen of Aragon prolong'd the Truce for 5 Months longer Queen Ellenor Mother to the Kings that were Prisoners dy'd suddenly at Medina del Campo and was bury'd at S. John de las Duen̄as a Monastery she built At Milan the Duke and his Prisoners concluded a League Offensive and Defensive The King of Navarre went into Spain with full Commission to govern Aragon and raise Mony The Prince of Taranto and Duke of Sessa went to Naples to encourage their Party and order Prince Peter with the Fleet to assist them The King's Orders were obey'd and immediately the City Gaeta was deliver'd up to him on Christmas day Soon after the King of Aragon being set free by the Duke came to Protovenere Some will have it that there were signs which foretold the King's Imprisonment as that an Arch of the Bridge that was then building at Zaragoça over the River Ebro fell and kill'd five Men. Nine Leagues from Zaragoça on the Banks of Ebro stands a Town called Villilla where there is a Bell which those People are perswaded rings of it self before any extraordinary Accident This Bell is said to have rung without any humane help the day before the Kings were taken also on the 30th of October and again on the 5th of January following which was the year 1436 and was the Day the King was set at Liberty I do not pretend to justify these things or so much as to plead for them It is enough that grave Authors mention them and quote Eye-witnesses for the Truth of them Let the Reader make what Judgment of it he pleases CHAP. VII The Affairs of Italy after the King of Aragon was releas'd Peace concluded betwixt Castile and Aragon The Prince of Castile marries the Princess of Navarre The Portugues Loss in Africk THE Peace concluded at Milan was the cause of a bloody War for the Genoeses openly revolted against the Duke of Milan complaining he reap'd the fruit of their Victory by releasing the Kings whilst they lay under the Odium of having made them Prisoners besides that the Duke had chang'd his Protection they had implor'd in time of need into absolute Tyranny Thus having underhand made a League with Pope Eugenius and the Duke of Anjou they declar'd War Paccio Alciato Governour of the City for the Duke was kill'd and many others The chief contriver of this Revolution was Francis Spinola who had gain'd Reputation by defending Gaeta and was therefore puffed up with Pride besides that he did it in hatred to the Family of the Fliscos and Fregosos who favour'd the Aragonians Many other Towns follow'd the Example of Genoa and expell'd the Milanese Garrisons They kept the Spanish Prisoners they had for whose Ransom the King of Aragon was forc'd to pay them 70000 Crowns The Sicilians on account of antient Friendship were releas'd Gratis Only 3 Sons of John de Vintemilla remain'd long Prisoners at Genoa the cause of detaining them is not known The King of Aragon at the request of Duke Philip endeavour'd to pacify the People of Genoa with the Fleet his Brother Peter sent him from Gaeta but desisted for fear of losing time in reducing those People when the Affairs of Naples call'd upon him From Porto Venere he sent his Brother Henry into Spain and gave him the Territory of Ampurias ordering him to be assisting in the War against Castile in case that King did break as was fear'd he would when the Truce expir'd The King himself set sail and arriv'd at Gaeta on the 2d of February Mean while Prince Peter his Brother had taken Terracina to the great regret of the Pope to whom that City belong'd Upon the King's Arrival the Neapolitan Nobility repair'd to Gaeta He appointed Francis Picinino General to oblige Duke Philip whose greatest Favourite the Father of this Francis was All Italy was alarm'd and many Cities combin'd to drive the
been suitable to them This popular Inclination so entirely gained him the Affections of the Commonalty that they were never known to continue more firm to their Prince but it disobliged most of the Nobility John de Luna had the Government of Soria taken from him and was cast in Prison by the Contrivanc of John Pacheco who by these means endeavoured to get into his Power a Grandaughter of D. Alvaro de Luna Daughter to his Son John de Luna then dead The young Maid was in the Custody of that Governour of Soria who was her Kinfman and his Wife her Aunt This young Lady he married to his Son James Pacheco and by that means united the Farldom of Santistevan to his own Estate Alonso Faxardo Lieutenant of Murcia making his Advantage of the Confusion of those Times seized Carthagena and Lorca with several other Forts in that Country Against him the King sent Gonçalo de Saavedra who took from him not only those Places but all he had inherited of his Forefathers and he thought it a Happiness to save his Life At the same time dyed the Marques de Santillana He left these Children James his Heir Peter then Bishop of Calahorra In̄igo Laurence John and others from whom some noble Families in Castile are descended On the 4th of September dyed the Queen of Aragon at Valencia and was buryed in the Monastery of Nuns in that City called the Trinity Soon after the King of Portugal passing over into Africk with a powerful Fleet on the 18th of October took from the Moors a Town called Alcaçar near Ceuta His Brother Ferdinand Duke of Visco and his Uncle Henry were with him in this Expedition Duarte de Meneses was left Governour of the Place He after the King's Departure three several times repulsed great Multitudes of Moors that attacked him and made them desist from that Enterprize Prince Charles sent Embassadors out of Sicily to his Father to beg Pardon and offer his Submission But he dealt not fairly for at the same time he sollicited the King of France and Duke of Britany to joyn in League with him to recover by Force what his Father would not voluntarily yield up to him For this Reason and for fear the Sicilians should proclaim him King his Father pardoned him and he came over to Spain at the beginning of the Year 1459. Thence he went over to Majorca to wait the Event of what his Father designed for him despairing of obtaining his Mother's Kingdom His death which was near at Hand put an end to all his Contrivances His Demands were that his Father should pardon him and his Adherents and release the Constable of Navarre D. Luis de Biamonte with all others that had been delivered as Hostages That he should cause the Oath of Allegiance to be taken to him as Heir and give him leave to live quietly in any Town except the Court That he should restore to him Viana and Gandia which were his own If this were granted he offered to withdraw his Garrisons out of all Places that held for him He also desired that his Sister Ellenor Wife to the Earl of Faux might be removed from the Government of that Kingdom Much time was spent in Debate but at last neither was all he demanded granted nor what was promised performed It was the Opinion of the Vulgar that this was all the Contrivance of his Mother in Law who wished his Death fearing if he succeeded his Father it would not be well with her self and her Children The Seed of Sedition which had been long sowed in Castile at length broke out The King besides his other Faults was wholly devoted to Women First he loved one Catherine de Sandoval but left her because she admitted the Courtship of another yet soon after made her Abbess of the Monastery of S. Peter de las Duen̄as at Toledo Alonso de Cordova her Gallant was beheaded at Medina del Campo In the Place of Catherine de Sandoval he took the Lady Guiomar the most Beautiful Woman next to the Queen They two as is usual in such Cases fell at Variance D. Alonso de Fonseca Archbishop of Sevil favoured the Mistriss the Marques de Villena sided with the Queen Thus the Court was divided and the Servant grew so haughty as to Cope with her Sovereign It came to that pass that they gave one another ill Language and at length the Queen laid violent Hands upon the Mistriss and treated her severely which the King highly resented Another scandalous thing happened which was that D. Beltran de la Cueva Lord Steward of the Houshold a great Favourite of the Kings to whom he had given a plentiful Fortune grew into Familiarity with the Queen The People generally judged ill of that Freedom and some were of Opinion the King knew they were faulty and consented to it to hide his own Impotency It is to be suspected that a great part of this Fable was forged in favour of King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth when they came afterwards to the Crown Some time after this Scandal gathered strength when upon account of an Embassador coming out of Britany D. Beltran was Challenger in a Feast of running at Tilt that was in Madrid and Pardo and after the Sport was over made a Banquet greater than was thought could be done by any private Person The King was so pleased that in the Place where the Tilting was in memory of it he caused a Monastery of Hieronimites to be erected which because the Place was unhealthy was afterwards removed to that where it now stands The People after the Example of the Court were addicted to all manner of Ludeness and Prodigality and the Nobility without any regard of the King combined to raise new Troubles About this time many extraordinary Accidents were thought to foretell the Calamities that were threatned by these Disorders There appeared in the Sky a great Flame which dividing it self into two Parts the one ran towards the East and vanished the other continued some time In the Territory of Burgos and Granada there fell a shower of great Stones which killed much Cattle At Pen̄alver a Town in the Country of Alcarria it was reported a Child of three years of Age foretold the Troubles that would ensue unless the People did Pennance for their Sins The King's Lions at Segovia fought and the little one killed the biggest and eat part of him The People made Processions to appease God being terrify'd with these strange Omens but they mended not their Lives Particularly the Clergy was extraordinary depraved in so much that about this time D. Roderick de Luna Archbishop of Santiago forced away a Bride on her Wedding Day to debauch her which caused the People to Mutiny being Headed by D. Luis Osorio Son to the Earl of Trastamara In revenge of that hainous Crime they deposed that Bishop and seized all he had His End was answerable to his Life the rest whereof he spent
wrote his History positively asserts his being poisoned by the Marquess of Villena But I cannot find to what purpose that Nobleman should undertake such a hainous Crime CHAP. VI. John Duke of Lorrain Supports and Heads the Rebels in Catalonia for his Father Ferdinand Prince of Aragon declared King of Sicily The Crown of Castile offered to the Princess Elizabeth she refuses it Peace betwixt the King and Nobels REnce Duke of Anjou having accepted of the offer made him by the Catalonians because he was himself too Old to undertake that Expedition sent his Son John Duke of Lorrain who we said before was by the Aragonians drove out of Italy The King of France not regarding his League with Aragon sent him Supplies as soon as he had ended the Civil War with his Brother the Duke of Berri and Charles Duke of Burgundy John Earl of Armagnac between whom and the Duke of Lorrain there was a professed friendship brought him some Supplies with these Forces he began the War fortunately but the end was not suitable Barcelona received him with joy and it was resolved to carry the War to Ampurias The King of Aragon tho' Old and Blind repaired thither near Roses a Party of Aragonians was defeated The Body of the French Army marched towards Girona resolving if the Commandant Peter de Rocaberty came out to fight him if he kept close to Besiege the Place The Aragonians Marched out and in several Rencounters worsted the Enemy Prince Ferdinand came and put his Forces into the City whereupon the Siege was raised Soon after the Prince going out with a Party was defeated by the French and many of his Men killed Roderick Rebolledo who had behaved himself bravely in defence of the Prince was taken It was resolved to wear out the heat of the French therefore all the Frontiers were Garrisoned and Duke Alonso de Aragon left to Command there and observe the Enemy Prince Ferdinand returned to Zarogoza where the Cortes sate and was present when his Mother died as has been said above His Mother being dead and his Father 70 years of Age all the weight of the Government fell upon him therefore to give him the more Authority he was declared King of Sicily This was about the time that Prince Alonso of Castile departed this Life as we have declared The death of Prince Alonso being known at Zaragoça immediately Peter Peralta was sent to the Factious Lords of Castile to ask the Princess Elizabeth in Marriage for Prince Ferdinand His Father stayed at Zaragoça and he went away to carry on the War in Catalonia The Duke of Lorrain desiring to possess himself of Girona raised 15000 Men in Russillon and Cerdagne which with the Forces he had before was a Power too great for the Aragonians to cope with so that they could put no Relief into the Town which was closely besieged Nevertheless through the Valour of the Bishop of D. John Meliguerite and other Commanders it held out Mean while Prince Ferdinand had a Town called Verga delivered to him on the 17th of September From this time the Affairs of the Aragonians began to look with a better Aspect and the more for that the King recovered his Sight a thing then thought miraculous A Jew of Lerida undertook the Cure and couched a Cataract in the Right Eye on the 11th of September when he refused to proceed to the other saying There was no favourable Aspect of the Heavens but being pressed by the King on the 11th of October he perfected the Cure upon the Left Eye To add to this Publick Joy the Weather and want of Necessaries obliged the Enemy to raise the Siege of Girona In Portugal Prince John married his Cousin Eleanor not regarding the Promise he made to marry Joanna Princess of Castile Her Mother 's loose Life made her Birth suspected Ferdinand Duke of Viseo Father to the Lady Eleanor passed over into Africk obtained there some Victories over the Moors and returning home by his Wife Beatrix the Daughter of D. John Master of Santiago in Portugal had a Son called Emanuel who came in time to be King of Portugal The Portugueses talk of strange Prodigies seen at the Birth of that Child denoting his future Grandeur Upon the death of Prince Alonso many submitted to King Henry but the Peace was not lasting and the War that ensued wasted the Power of Spain Burgos returned to its Duty and at Madrid the Archbishop of Sevill the Earl of Benavente and other Noblemen did Homage to the King The Rebels having lost Prince Alonso resolved to offer the Crown to the Princess Elizabeth as they did at Avila the Archbishop of Toledo making an Harangue to persuade her and railing at the King She thanked them for their Offer and wishing long Life to the King her Brother intreated them to pay to him that Duty they offered to her Her Modesty surprized them all and she was thought the worthier to Reign They bent their Thoughts upon Peace and the more because the King had sent Commissioners to offer them all his Free Pardon At length Peace was concluded at Avila by the Archbishop of Sevill and Andrew de Cabrera Lord Steward of the Houshold upon these Articles That the Princess Elizabeth be sworn Heiress to the Crown That the Cities and Towns of Avila Ubeda Medina del Campo Olmedo and Escalona be given to her but upon Condition she shall not Marry without the King's Consent That the King be divorced from the Queen the Pope consenting to it That she and her Daughter be sent to Portugal That all the revolted Nobility be pardoned and restored to their Estates and Preferments taken from them during the Troubles Four Months were allowed for the Performance of these Articles These Conditions pleased not the Marquss de Santillana and his Brothers who thought it more for their Interest to have the keeping of the Princess Joanna The Queen with the Assistance of Luys de Mendoça was gone away by Night from the Castle where she was kept to her Daughter at Buytrago This much troubled the Archbishop of Sevil who had the Charge of keeping her During her Confinement she was delivered of Two Sons Ferdinand and Apostol who it is affirmed were bred in the Monastery of S. Dominick the Royal of Nuns in Toledo The Monastery of Guisando in the mid-way betwixt Madrid and Avila was appointed for the King and the Lords to meet There many Conditions were agreed to and much granted to the Nobles none of them doubting but the King and his Sister being weary of those Confusions would refuse them nothing they could ask It is said the King and Marquess de Villena had a private Conference the Substance whereof is not known but by what followed it was supposed it only tended to the securing the Marquess and advancing his Family On the 19th of September the Nobility did their Homage to King Henry and swore the Princess Elizabeth Heiress to the Crown
would be easier reconciled to the King who was his near Kinsman It is plain this was a breach of Articles In time of War Faith is not always observed but neither in Peace or War is there any regard to it where State Policy and the Interest of Princes is concerned The French and Spanish Generals in the Kingdom of Naples consulted together and with their Kings about agreeing the Differences that arose between them to avoid coming to Blows Not long before the Archduke was sworn Prince of Castile there came an Ambassador to Toledo from the King of France to Treat of this Affair He pretended that the Revenue of the Provinces allotted the King of France was much less than that of Calabria and Apulia and since some Recompence ought to be made he demanded the Country of Capitanata should be yielded to him The Catholick King answered That if the King of France thought the Division was not equal he would change Provinces with him yet if he insisted upon an Equivalent it should be made up out of the Principality and Basilicata because Capitanata was the best part of Apulia and there was no reason it should be rent from it In short he offered to remit the whole thing to the Decision of the Pope and Cardinals The King of France liked none of these Proposals being unwilling to quit the Title of King of Naples and Hierusalem if he Exchanged and threatned to use Force This Feud ran so high that being one day told by the Spanish Ambassadors that their King punctually observed all that had been agreed He answered He had done the same and in Defence of his Assertion was ready to Combat with the King of Spain or with the King of the Romans Gralla replied The King his Master was as just a Prince as any in the World which when required he was ready to make good in the Field The King of France said The King of Spain shall not be greater than I. And Gralla answered Nor you greater than the King my Master True it is the Catholick King used all possible means to prevent coming to a War The first Breach was when the Lord of Alegre who called himself Lieutenant of Capitanata came to raise the Siege the Spaniards had laid to Manfredonia as was hinted before and not content with that whilst the Great Captain besieged Taranto the French possessed themselves of Troya and other Places in Capitanata which they afterwards refused to restore Before things came to extremity the Generals agreed to have a Conference To this purpose the Great Captain went to Atela and the Duke of Nemours to Melfi Towns in Basilicata In the mid-way between them was the Chappel of S. Antony where they appointed to meet Both had with them Men Learned in the Law to plead their Title The French urg'd That what the Spaniards possessed yielded 70000 Duccats a year more than theirs and therefore it was fit they should have some Recompence made them The Spaniards insisted that they ought first to be restored to Capitanata wrongfully taken from them and then they would be ready to perform all Articles Nothing was concluded tho there passed great Civilities betwixt the Generals All hopes of Accommodation being taken away they resolved to try the Event of War Both Parties acquainted their Kings with it and writ to them for Supplies of Men and Money The Great Captain being scarce of Provisions quartered part of his Men in the Principality Captain Escalada with his Company drove the French out of Tripalda and possessed himself of that Town which is 30 miles from Naples Other Spanish Commanders made themselves Masters of other Towns in that Neighbourhood This was so highly resented by the King of France that he caused all the Effects of Spanish Merchants throughout his Kingdom to be seized The Catholick King was still for Composition even tho he were forced to resign to the French all they possessed in Capitanata which was the greatest part The Generals met again in the same place and made the Division again in appearance to the satisfaction of the French for the Principality Basilicata and Capitanata were to be divided which was as much as they could wish Whilst this was in agitation the French were reinforced by 1000 Swiss and 200 Horse sent from France besides a Supply of Money which puffed them up so as to commence the War a-new They took Venosa the Commander Peter Navarro being forced by his Men to surrender Quarata also yielded to them both Places being but 12 miles from Barleta where the Great Captain lay with most of his Forces Viseli in the Principality of Altamura revolted and the Spaniards by Sea having entred it were again expelled by the French who came to the Relief of that place Summer was now advanced and the French Camp at Quarata suffered for want of Water and Provisions our Horse cutting them off They removed thence and incamped on the Banks of the River Ofanto Then the Great Captain offered them Battle They refusing and drawing off towards Melfi some of our Horse fell in with their Rear killing many and taking part of the Baggage among which was some of the Equipage of the Duke of Nemours and the Lord of Aubeni The French would not hazard themselves till they were joined by 1000 more Swiss who were come to Naples and 400 Horse that were then at Florence The great Captain pressed his King for Supplies and particularly for 400 Horse and 2000 Foot of Gallicia and Asturias He recommended to the Ambassador D. John Manuel to send him 2000 Germans to mix with the Spaniards The Catholick King fitted out a Fleet under the Command of Bernard de Villamarin who was to transport 400 Horse and some Supplies of Money At the same time he perswaded the Emperor to invade Italy and put one of the Sons of the Deposed Duke of Milan into possession of that Dukedom And to gain the Pope he consented that Duke Valentin should be put into possession of Florence to hold that Dominion of the Empire with the Title of King CHAP. VII The Archduke of Austria and Princess his Wife sworn Heirs of Aragon he goes away for Flanders The Spaniards offer Battle to the French several small Actions betwixt them The Spaniards decline in Calabria are defeated THE Catholick King spent some days at Toledo to Entertain the Archduke and Princess then leaving the Queen there set out for Zaragoça to bring the Aragonians to his beck The Cortes of Aragon were to meet on the 19th of July but he sent to Prorogue them Being come to Zaragoça at the beginning of September because the Great Captain pressed for the Fleet he ordered one to be fitted out under the Command of Manuel de Benavides who was to transport 400 Horse and 300 Foot Soon after he ordered the rest of the Fleet to Sail with Luis Portocarrero Lord of Palma who had served well in the Wars of Granada and was
It has many great wandings and therefore tho Gaeta stands on the Bank next to Rome the shortest way to Relieve it was by passing the River twice The Lord of Alegre came from Gaeta to join the French Army with about 3000 Men. He pressed for passing the River and fighting not taking warning by the last Battle at Cirinola They passed the River at the Ford of Ceprano about the middle of October Rocaseca was the first Spanish Town they came at after passing the River Christopher Villalva Pizarro and Zamudio were there in Garison with 1200 Men. With these Troops they fell upon the Rear of the French and cut off 300 of them The French laid siege to the Town but the Defendants sallying killed above 200 and drove the rest to their Works Next day Prosper Colona and Peter Navarro reinforced the Town with 3000 Men the Great Captain marching with all his Army to their Relief but the Enemy fearing if any disaster befell them to lose their Cannon and the Weather being very Rainy repassed the River Two days after they passed again and incamped at Aquino 6 miles from S. German whither the Great Captain was returned The great Rain hindred them coming to a Battle and the French drew back to Pancorvo The Great Captain to prevent their repassing the River followed till beyond Aquino and bid them Battle They drew into an advantageous Post with their Cannon and the Spaniards were forced to return to S. German The French repassed the River Garellano At the same time the Ursini agreed with the Coloneses at Rome to come over to the Service of Spain by means of the Spanish and Venetian Ambassadors For the Venetians were not fond of having such a Powerful Neighbour as the King of France The Ursini obliged themselves to serve with 500 Men at Arms for which they were to have a Pension of 6000 Duccats Bartholomew de Albiano chief of the Ursini who was in all the Service at Garellano offered to serve with 3000 Horse and Foot Fabricius Colona took Roea de Vandra in sight of the French Army which marched down the River to a place 18 miles from S. German and but 12 from Gaeta where is a Bridge which they designed to pass Peter de Paz left to guard that Pass with 1200 Foot and a few Horse 200 other Horse having since joined him made it good against the French Army 3 days and 3 nights By this time the Great Captain came up with all his Army and firing a part of the Bridge which was of Wood incamped at the foot of it Here was great disorder among the Spaniards who because the Weather was bad and they not payed robbed the Country and many deserted insomuch that the great Officers advised to draw off It went so far that a Private Centinel put the Spear of his Pike to the Great Captain 's Breast He bore all with great Resolution and gathering what Money he could gave every Man Two Duccats and to the Captains who pressed him to retire he answered I know of what Moment the Business in Hand is to the King and am resolved rather to gain one fathom of Ground tho it were to make my Grave in than to give way tho to live 100 years This Dispute must be here ended as it shall please God and let no Man gainsay it The Colonels chiefly pressed to retire and were therefore suspected to hold Intelligence with the French Many fled from the Spanish Camp which was much weakned Hereupon the French laid a Bridge over the River and above 1500 of them passing by surprize drove the Spaniards from one of their Intrenchments The Camp which consisted of a small number of Horse and 5000 Foot taking the Alarm the great Captain mounted to range his Men. That done he alighted and taking a Halberd in his Hand was the first that charged the Enemy About 5000 of them were already over and the rest continued to pass their Cannon playing upon our Men from the other side of the River Nevertheless the Spanish Foot charged with such fury that they obliged the Enemy to turn their Backs and fly towards the Bridge About 1400 were killed and drowned in the flight The Great Captain not regarding the Enemies Cannon came to the foot of the Bridge and some of his Men passed over among the French but in their Retreat sustained some loss from the Enemies Cannon some Men of Note being killed and others wounded Captain Zamudio among the rest was dangerously hurt Nothing is more admirable than the Valour of the Ensign Ferdinand de Illescas who having his Right Hand shot off held the Colours with his Left and that being also carried away hugged them betwixt his Arms without stirring till the French were drove over the River A Man worthy of Immortal Fame and the great Rewards bestowed on him by the King at the Instance of the Great Captain This Defeat so discouraged the French that they guarded the Bridge narrowly lest our Men should come over to them not thinking themselves secure tho the River was between them Beside great Differences arising betwixt the Marquess of Mantua and the Lord of Alegre the former resolved to quit the Command of the Army saying he could not bear the Insolency of the French In his stead till their King's Pleasure were known the Officers made choice of the Marquess de Saluzes then Viceroy to Command as General The Great Captain tho inferior in number to the Enemy resolved to pass the River and fight them To this purpose he ordered a Bridge of Boats to be laid over the River 7 miles above that the French had made Bartholomew de Albiano had this given in Charge As soon as the Bridge was finished he set out from Sessa on the 28th of December and passed the River with 2000 Spanish and 1500 German Foot He had left Orders with D. James de Mendoça and Ferdinand de Andrada to gather all the Horse which was quartered thereabouts and be with him by break of day As soon as the Spaniards had passed the River the French quitted their Camp and retired to the top of a Hill Sui and Castelforte held by the French upon the River surrendred That night our Army lay incamped before Monforte and the next day marched down by the River to fight the Enemy The French sent Peter de Medicis to carry part of the Artillery in Boats to Gaeta Being come to the mouth of the River tho the Water was rough he would attempt to cross it but the Boats with the Cannon were sunk and he drowned The French Army an hour before day abandoning their Bridge Heavy Cannon Tents and part of the Baggage made haste to get into Mola which is near Gaeta The Great Captain understanding the way they took sent before Prosper Colona with the Light Horse to stay them till the Foot could come up Being come to the Bridge of Mola the Fight began but lasted
There he died two Years after more glorious and great in despising than in obtaining the Empire This Year died Henry d' Albret King of Navarre His Daughter Joanna an abstinate Heretick succeeded him Anno 1556. On the 5th of February a Truce was concluded for Five Years betwixt France and Spain It was hoped that this Cessation might end in a lasting Peace both Parties being worn out with tedious Wars but all fell to nothing by reason of the War the Pope unseasonably raised At the beginning of this Year he began to persecute the Noblemen of the House of Colonna some of them fled others were taken all whose Estates he presently seized The Catholick King ordered the Duke of Alva not to suffer any wrong to be done to them On the other side the king of France having entred into a League with the Pope sent a powerful Army into Italy under the Conduct of the Duke of Guise These Forces marched through Lombardy to Rome where they stayed some time and then marched to the Kingdom of Naples They did nothing remarkable but the greatest part of them died of Sickness and the rest returned to France Mean while the Duke of Alva having possessed himself of most of the Pope's Dominions near Rome marched with his Army and incamp'd before that City He could easily have sacked it again but he had such respect for the Place that he forbore and made Peace with the Pope upon very reasonable terms But this was about the end of the ensuing Year At the beginning of this War Cosmo Duke of Florence prevailed with the Catholick King to deliver to him the City Siena To obtain his desire he alledged the Charge he had been at in the War with that City and that some promise had been made of delivering it to him The King yeilded to Necessity and put the City into his hands upon his paying a Sum of Money down and obliging himself to hold it of the Crown of Spain Anno 1557. The War betwixt France and Spain was not thus at an end but broke out in several Parts Success was so various that neither side had any great advantage to boast of Cardinal John Sicileus died the last day of May in his place succeeded as Archbishop of Toledo F. Bartholomew de Miranda of the Order of S. Dominick He arose so high to have a greater fall On the 13th of June departed this Life at Lisbon John the Third King of Portugal a very Religious and Renowned Prince His body was buried in the Monastery of Bethlehem King Sebastian his Grandson succeeded him In the time of King John the Inquisition was first brought into Portugal for the punishment of Hereticks and Jews He founded the University of Coimbra and endued it with great Revenues bringing to it learned Professors from all Parts and assigning them plentiful Salaries Cardinal Henry the Kings Brother following his Example some time after Founded the University of Ebora which was wholly delivered up to the Care of the Jesuits a heavy burden but very profitable The Catholick King had laid Siege to S. Quintin a strong Town on the Frontiers of Flanders seated near the River Some The French came to relieve the Place but were overthrown by Philibert Duke of Savoy the Spanish General with great slaughter and many French-men of Note made Prisoners The Catholick King came thither afterwards which so terrified the Besieged and encouraged our Men that the 4th Day after they took the Town by Assault Many Prisoners were taken within it and among them Gasper Coligni the French Admiral who governed the Town and was soon after the grand Incendiary in the Civil Wars of France There happened this Year mighty Floods particularly in Italy in the Month of September the River Arnus overflowed its Banks and did great harm at Florence and all the Country about The Tiber swelled to such a degree that it drowned most part of the City On the 14th of September being the day after was concluded the Peace with the Pope At Palermo in Sicily the great Floods overthrew many Houses and drowned a multitude of Men and Women It is reported 4000 Houses were thrown down All Spain suffered this Year extream scarcity of Bread Anno 1558. This Year many Thousands died of the Plague The Contagion broke out at Murcia and thence spread to Valencia and so at last to Burgos It lasted some Years before it was quite allay'd The King of France after the defeat of S. Quintin caused the Duke of Guise to leave Milan and return into France in January The Duke having gathered a mighty Army took Calis the only Town the English possessed in France The same Month died Queen Ellenor Charles the Emperor's Sister at Valladolid In her Will she left certain Towns she possessed in Burgundy to her Daughter Mary whom she had by Emanuel King of Portugal On the 18th of April Francis the Dauphin of France Married Mary Stuard Queen of Scotland afterwards a most Unfortunate Princess The Infection of Heresie spread in both the Kingdoms of France and Scotland and many of the Nobility were taâ—nted The War continued very hot in Flanders Among all other Actions the Battel of Graveling was remarkable There the French were defeated and sustained so great loss that they presently began to treat of Peace On the 21th of September the great Emperor Charles the Fifth departed this Life at the place of his Retirement His Body was deposited in that Monastery whence some Years after by Order of the Catholick King his Son it was translated to the Royal Monastery of the Escurial In England Queen Mary and Cardinal Reginald Poole died both at the same time and with them fell the Catholick Religion in that Kingdom Anno 1559. Her Sister Queen Elizabeth being declar'd Queen repealed all the Laws made in Defence of the Catholick Religion and restor'd the Reformation began in the time of King Edward The Pope on the 23th of January banish'd out of Rome his Nephews the Sons of his Brother John Alonso These were John Garrafa Duke of Paliano the Marquis Antony and Cardinal Charles Garrafa The Crimes laid to their Charge were very heinous and one of the greatest that they suffer'd none to have access to the Pope but such as pleased them and kept Spies to observe what every one spoke On the 5th of February Charles Duke of Lorrain Married Claudia the King of France his younger Daughter for her Father design'd Elizabeth the eldest should be Married to the King of Spain The Embassadors of both Crowns met at Cambray where they handled the Business so effectually that a Peace was concluded upon these Conditions That the Duke of Savoy should be restor'd to all his Dominions which was perform'd and he had also the City Aste given him tho it was the Portion of Valentina Daughter to John Galeazzo Duke of Milan That all Places taken during the War
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
himself Master of both those places which done he possessed all the Posts about Orbitello where Charles de la Gata a Spaniard commanded and laid close Siege to it He raised several Batteries which play'd furiously upon the Town making large breaches in the Walls and still carried on his Works with great Labour But the Governour was no less industrious and vigilant still making up what the Enemies Cannon had ruin'd and with often sallies firing and destroying their Works At length the Fleet of Naples came to the Relief of the Besieged and in some Encounters with the Enemy had always the best The Spanish Forces also of Naples and Milan being joined and approaching to the assistance of the Besieged Prince Thomas finding his Army much diminish'd not only by the Assaults he had given but much more by Sickness caused by the excessive heat of the Weather retir'd back with his Army into Piedmont Thus after a Siege of 60 days Orbitello was deliver'd from danger whereas most Men judged it could not have held out above 20. It was not long before the French retrieved this Disgrace for their Fleet being soon refitted returned under the Command of the Mareschal Meleraie who possessing himself of Porto Longone in the Island Ilva opposite to the City Plombin with the same ease brought that City also to Subjection The War with Partugal was not this Year carried on with any great vigour nor any notable Action done on that side Several Incursions were made by our Parties with good success defeating those of the Enemy and bringing away great Booties of Cattel At last the Enemy with a powerful Army took the Field designing to besiege Badajoz and threatning the whole Province of Estremadura All this Preparation fell to nothing for they compassed not the razing the Fort of Telena as they intended but retired from before it with much precipitation upon the approach of the Spanish Army leaving the Fort as they found it In the Low Countries the Duke of Anguien with an Army of 40000 Men took Courtray and Winoxberg and recover'd Mardike before surprized by the Spaniards This done they laid Siege to Dunkirk which had been his principal design this place being of great importance as the chief Port the Spaniards then resorted to was bravely defended by the Marquis de Lede with a Garison of 4000 Men. But the Duke having a numerous Army which he no way spared and the Hollanders with their Fleet lying before the Harbour so that no Relief could be put into the Place it was at last surrendred upon honourable Conditions King Philip having made choice of D. John Enriquez de Cabrera Great Admiral of Castile and late Viceroy of Naples for the Embassy to Rome to yield Obedience to Pope Innocent the X. he performed that Ceremony on the 28th of April with the greatest Pomp and Magnificence that had been seen in Rome for many Years Balthasar Charles Prince of Spain and then the only Heir of the Crown having lain sick but 3 days died the 9th of October in the flower of his Age to the unspeakable Grief of all these Kingdoms Also Mary the Empress departed this Life at Lintz in Austria leaving 3 Children This Year the wonderful Bell of Vililla in Aragon rung of it self three times in one day which was Monday the 30th of April the first time it gave 11 strokes the second 8 and the third 7. Anno 1647. D. John of Austria living retir'd at Ocan̄a was this Year called thence to take the command of Generalissimo by Sea He set sail from Cadiz with a mighty Fleet and entring the Streights took a rich French Ship which carried Presents of great value to the Queen of Portugal At Tarragona he landed 4000 Men for the Service of Catalonia and sail'd thence to Naples A Deputy sent by the City Valencia to complain of certain Grievances came to the Court of Madrid and was received by the King with all possible Demonstrations of Honour all the Grandees and Noblemen of the Court attending him and his House was allow'd the same Priviledges as those of Foreign Ministers After the defeat of Monsieur de Harcour at Lerida the Prince of Conde was constituted General of the French Forces in Catalonia and coming Post to Barcelona took possession of that Command the 15th of April On the 12th of May he laid Siege to Lerida taking the same Posts that Harcour had done the Year before and batter'd it furiously D. Gregory de Brito that famous Portugues was then Governor of that City who defended it with much bravery making several sallies in which he kill'd many of the Enemy and took several Prisoners On the 18th of June the Prince of Conde by night raised his Siege and march'd over the River Noguera to a place called Las Horcas de Lerida Next day a supply of 1000 Foot with Ammunition and Provisions was put into the City The Marquis de Aytona march'd with an Army of 12000 Foot and 3500 Horse against the Prince of Conde who being too weak to oppose him dispers'd his Forces into the strong Garisons expecting new supplies from France The Constable of Castile Governour of Milan took Niza de la Palla Alva and other places in Montferrat ravaging the Country and driving the French into their Places of strength The Duke of Arcos Viceroy of Naples sent him 2500 Men in 12 Galleys commanded by Janetin Doria He landed these Forces at Final and in his return to Naples discovering the French Fleet consisting of 25 Men of War 8 Fireships and 13 Galleys he retired into Savona a Port of the Genoeses whether the French Fleet pursued threatning to burn all our Galleys unless they surrendred The Governour of Savona sent to the French Admiral to let him know if he fired a Shot he would answer with all the Guns of the City which made the French lie still till hearing that the Spanish Fleet was coming they retir'd to Toulon In the Low Countries nothing considerable was done this Year the French appear'd about Antwerp and thence moved to Oudenard without attempting any thing of moment A Truce was concluded with the Hollanders and proclaim'd at the Hague so that a free Trade was re-establish'd between them and the Spanish Provinces After the Archduke Leopold had taken upon him the Government of the Low Countries he assembled all his Forces and took from the French Armentiers Landresi and several other Places of less Note In June the Articles of Marriage betwixt King Philip and the Archdutchess Mary Anne Eldest Daughter to the Emperor Ferdinand the III. were brought to Madrid and receiv'd with great Joy and Satisfaction of the whole Court We will end this Year with the Relation of the most wonderful Rebellion that hapned at Naples After that City and Kingdom became subject to the Kings of Spain it was for some time govern'd with great Moderation and had very ample Priviledges granted to it especially by