one of the Hegira or Moorish Computation of Years from Mahomet one about the Change of Coins and one in defence of the Vulgate Edition of the Bible But that which has made most noise in the World and particularly in England is his Book de Rege Regis Institutione for some Years since there was scarce a Cobler tho' he knew not so much as the Title of the Work but quoted Mariana 's Treasonable Doctrines to Authorize Otes 's Narrative insomuch that had it not been for the former the Reputation of the latter had been in some danger However this Book tho' so much talk'd of is known but to few being very scarce and one Reason of it may be that as it contains many Treasonable Propositions most Monarchical Governments have doubtless endeavour'd to suppress it because destructive to Kings And yet tho' so much rail'd at once even by those who never saw or were capable of understanding it of late it finds good Approbation among many who keep and read it with Satisfaction but such it is as well deserves the Sentence past and executed upon it at its first coming into the World for both at Rome and at Paris it was publickly burnt by the hand of the Common Hangman a sufficient Testimony of the Abhorrence these Places had of the Opinions it teaches And perhaps had the Author been at either of them at that time he had not found much better Quarter then his Book did but he came not off Scotfree for by express Command from Rome he was kept a close Prisoner for above 20 Years and only releas'd by Death I have made so much mention of this Book because that Imprisonment which was the Consequence of it was improv'd by Mariana for Composing of this present History which now I present the World with in English In that Consinement as Sir Walter Rauleigh is said to have Compos'd his History of the World in the Tower did Mariana Compile his History of Spain He writ it first in Latin and then as he says himself fearing lest some unskilful Pen Translating it into Spanish should fully its Reputation he undertook the work himself not as a Translator but as he says with the liberty of an Author altering and adding as he found convenient upon further search into Records and Ancient Authors Yet neither the Latin nor the Spanish came lower than the end of the Reign of King Ferdinand Grandfather to the Emperor Charles V. where Mariana concluded his 30 Books being affraid to come down nearer to his own time and this because he could not speak with that Freedom and Impartiality which he had us'd throughout this Work by reason that either the Persons themselves or else the Children of those who had acted in those latter Reigns being living it took away that liberty of laying-open ill Actions and exposing the Crimes of those who in themselves or their Off-spring were still in being This made him rather chose to give over at that distance that by proceeding to oblige himself to swerve from that Ingenuity he had us'd till ââen and deviate from Truth However at the Instigation of Friend lest his History should seem an imperfect Work he writ a Supplement to it short for fear of offending but bringing it down to the Year 1621. when King Philip III. dy'd and Philip IV. came to the Crown Thus far went F. Mariana after whose Death F. Ferdinand Camargo y Salcedo of the Order of St. Augustin carry'd on another Supplement from the Year 1621. where Mariana left off till 1649. inclusive where F. Basil Varen de Soto of the Regular Clergy took it up and went on till the Year 1669. being the 5th of the Reign of this present King of Spain Charles II. Having said as much as I think requisite in relation to the Author and his Work it only remains now that I add a few words as to the Translation wherein I will be as brief as possible because I don't affect swelling a Volume with my own Notions and this being my own Labour as no Man will imagine I can say any thing to lessen it so neither am I so vain as to commend it If bad the World is not so Charitable as to connive at my faults and if it has any thing good it will recommend it self There are in the Original many Fictions which Mariana mentions after other Authors and these being allow'd of by him as Fables I have inserted with as much Brevity as I could thinking it needless to insist much upon those things which no Reader could be pleas'd with as being rather Romantick than Historical as he that writes them sufficiently proves In the next place as there is no Spanish History but swarms with Lives of Saints and Miracles so this could not but have its share of them among the rest Now this sort of Legend tho' very acceptable to Spaniards is not at all taking among us nor to say the truth any way pertinent in Profane History therefore these things I have much retrench'd not that I have wholly omitted them for that I would not do for fear of being thought Vnfaithful but I have reduc'd them into a narrow compass that the Reader may have a taste of and not be cloy'd with them This and the irregular Method of Mariana in his Chapters has forc'd me not to make so great a number of them as he has done but I have put two or three into one as I found most convenient yet so as the Reader who shall have a mind to compare the Translation with the Original may easily do it because every Break in the English is a Chapter in the Spanish by which they are easily to be found The reason of Translating it from the Spanish rather than from the Latin is because the former as was hinted above is the perfecter Work being compos'd after the other by Author and much improv'd The Names of Persons I have kept as they are in the Spanish where they are such as can't be found in English such as OrdonÌo NunÌo Sancho and the like These I say we have not in English and therefore I would not alter them at all as some have done turning them into Latin which is as odd to us as the Spanish and calling them Ordonius Nunius Sanctius and so forth Others there are which the Spaniards have corrupted being Names us'd in other Nations tho' perhaps not among us these generally I write after the manner of Spain but upon the first coming to mention them do explain and setthem down as they are call'd where they are in use an instance of these are Ramon in English Raymund Brunechilda whom the French call Brunchault Pelayo in Latin Pelagius Bermudo more properly Veremundo or Veremundus Those Names which are commonly in use with us I generally call as we do tho' I have seen the contrary practis'd yet I know no reason why since the History speaks English the Names of those it treats
Queen Mother joyns them the King gets the better and Executes many of them p. 272 The Seventeenth BOOK Chap. I. THE beginning of the War in Aragon many Rebellious Nobles in Castile put to Death The War betwixt Castile and Aragon carry'd on by Sea and Land p. 275 Chap. II. The Kings of Castile and Aragon both call the Moors to their assistance The War is carry'd on vigorously on both sides The Castilians treacherous to their King He punishes many of them The Computation of Time in Aragon altered p. 277 Chap. III. The Death of Queen Blanch and D. 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 p. 278 Chap. IV. Castile and Navarre joyn in League The War is carry'd on successfully against Aragon by King Peter of Castile who declares the Lady Mary de Padilla to have been his lawful Wife The Death of John King of France and Constance Queen of Aragon p. 281 Chap. V. Count Henry Proclaim'd King of Castile King Peter expell'd the Kingdom Refus'd Entertainment in Portugal gathers a Fleet in Galicia and flyes into France to the Protection of the English p. 282 Chap. VI. The War betwixt France Navarre and Aragon King Peter of Castile supported by the English in France is brought into Spain by the Prince of Wales with an Army Overthrows Henry the Vsurper and recovers his Kingdom p. 284 Chap. VII King Peter Excommunicated and Absolv'd Count Henry returns into Spain is again receiv'd by many Places Toledo opposes him and is Besieg'd King Peter comes to its relief is overthrown betray'd to and murder'd by Henry the Bastard p. 286 Chap. VIII Several Foreign Princes pretenders to the Crown of Castile War with Aragon Portugal and Granada Affairs of Aragon Sardinia and Navarre The League betwixt Portugal and Aragon p. 288 Chap. IX The Siege of Carmona The King of Portugal Marries the Lady Ellenor de Meneses Peace betwixt Castile Portugal and Navarre p. 289 Chap. X. Peace concluded betwixt Castile and Aragon Several Matches of Princes French and Spaniards Besiege Bayonne in vain The Papal Chair restored to Rome Death of Frederick King of Sicily p. 292 The Eighteenth BOOK Chap. I. THE Wars of Navarre Matches of some of King Henry 's Children The Schism in the Church caused by the Election of the two Popes Urban and Clement The Death of the King of Castile and of Mahomet the Moorish King of Granada p. 294 Chap. II. King John succeeds his Father in the Throne of Castile Charles King of France dies Charles VI. succeeds him Pope Clement own'd in Spain thro' the French Interest p. 296. Chap. III. Charles Duke of Durazzo Crown'd King of Naples The War with Portugal Peace concluded The King of Portugal dies Actions of the Aragonians and Catalonians in Greece and of the former in Sardinia p. 297 Chap. IV. Portugal full of Divisions about the Succession to the Crown King John of Castile having been Proclaim'd at Lisbon enters that Kingdom has many places deliver'd to him Besieges Lisbon but is forced to raise the Siege and return to Castile p. 299 Chap. V. John the Bastard Master of Avis Proclaim'd King of Portugal King John of Castile sends his Fleet then enters Portugal himself with an Army The famous Battle of Aljubarrota and rout of the Castilians p. 301 Chap. VI. The Portugueses make an Inroad into Castile and defeat a Body of Castilians The Duke of Lancaster lands at CorunÌa and takes several Towns The Death of the Kings of Naples Aragon and Navarre p. 303 Chap. VII Peace concluded with the English The Heir of Castile in imitation of the Prince of Wales in England is created Prince of Asturias A Truce with Portugal and the Moors King John of Castile kill'd by a Fall from his Horse p. 304 Chap. VIII John King of Aragon upon complaint of his Subjects complies with their demands Irruptions of the French into Aragon Henry III. Proclaim'd King of Castile The Form of Government appointed there during his Minority p. 307 Chap. IX The Contentions betwixt the Nobility of Castile about the Government They agree on a Settlement then alter it The Affairs of the Moors at Granada War renew'd with Portugal King Charles VI. of France runs distracted p. 308 Chap. X. The Divisions among the Nobility of Castile continue A Truce betwixt Castile and Portugal for 15 Years The Nobility at length pacify'd Sicily brought under the Aragonian Yoke p. 310 The Nineteenth BOOK Chap. I. KIng Henry takes upon him the Government The Cortes at Madrid Discontents among the Nobility The Death of the Master of Alcantara The Biscainers invade the Canary-Islands The Plague at Madrid p. 313 Chap. II. Another Rebellion in Castile quell'd by the King Pope Clement dies and Benedict XIII is Elected which continues the Schism The strange Death of John King of Aragon p. 315 Chap. III. The Queen of Navarre returns to her Husband The Earl of Faux invades Aragon The War betwixt Castile and Portugal renew'd Joseph King of Granada dies Mahomet his second Son Vsurps The Turks come over into Europe p. 317 Chap. IV. Two Franciscans Preaching to the Moors of Granada suffer Martyrdom The Truce with Portugal renew'd Two great Plagues in Spain and France The Year of Jubilee 1400. p. 319 Chap. V. The Death of the Queen of Sicily Of Tamerlan and Bajazet Pope Benedict again receiv'd in Castile The King of Castile has a Son born Pope Boniface dies Innocent VIII chosen at Rome p. 321 Chap. VI. Great Tumults in Aragon appeas'd by the Cortes A Battle betwixt the Castilians and the Moors The Cortes of Castile meet at Toledo and King Henry dies there A Notable Action of his p. 322 Chap. VII The Crown offer'd to Prince Ferdinand be refuses it John II. Proclaim'd King of Castile The Death of the Queen of Aragon The War of Granada Several Places taken by the Christians who also obtain a Victory at Sea p. 324 Chap. VIII The Murder of the Duke of Orleans by him of Burgundy The War carry'd on with the Moors and a Truce concluded Original of D. Alvaro de Luna Continuation of the Schism p. 326 Chap. IX The Death of Martin King of Sicily Several Pretenders to the Crown of Aragon Their several Claims Martin King of Aragon prefers that of his Nephew Prince Ferdinand of Castile tho' unjust p. 328 Chap. X. The Moors having done much 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 p. 329 The Twentieth BOOK Chap. I. THE State of Christendom Nine Judges appointed in Aragon to decide the dispute about the Succession Arguments us'd by each of the Candidates The Government of King John of Portugal p. 332 Chap. II. Ferdinand Prince of Castile declar'd King of Aragon by the Judges and afterwards Proclaim'd at
Head at a Horses tail without any Compassion shown by the People in regard they said ten Kings and a vast number of Men had dy'd by her wicked Machinations I 'm apt to believe this is all a mistake in those Authors who have attributed the Crimes of Fredegunda to Brunechilda for St. Gregory writ a Letter to her full of her Praises besides there are many Churches in France built by her and many Captives were redeemed Much more might be said both for and against her but it is not our business to reconcile the different Opinions of Historians in a matter of so small moment to the History in hand After the Death of Athanagildus who deceased at Toledo as was said before Liuva so his Name is writ upon ancient Coins a powerful Man who till then had been Viceroy of Gallia Gothica was Proclaimed King of Narbonne This was in the second Year of the Emperor Justin the Younger who was the first that sent Longinus with the Title of Exarchus to Govern Italy Liuva began his Reign in the Year 567. Nothing of Note is found in History of this King save that in the second Year of his Reign he declared Leuvigildus his Brother his Companion in the Kingdom with equal Power to himself He continued in Gallia Gothica as being the place he had most been used to and D. Lucas de Tuy says he Reigned in France 7 Years before he was King of Spain All the other Provinces that were under the Dominion of the Goths he left to his Brother's charge hoping by his care they would be restored to their former Grandeur For at that time they were at War with the Romans who possess'd a great part of Spain and maintained it not only with their own Power but the Assistance of many Goths who put themselves under their Protection Leuvigildus had two Sons by his Wife Theodosia the Daughter of Severianus Duke and Governour of the Province of Carthagena their Names were Ermenegildus and Recaredus After the Death of Theodosia Leuvigildus Marry'd Gosuinda the Widow of Athanagildus at the same time that he was called by his Brother to be his Associate in the Kingdom As soon as he came to the Crown being a Man of great Courage he made War upon the Romans They came to a Battle among the Bastetani where now stands the City Baça the Romans were Defeated and by that means expelled the whole Province The Country about Malaga was laid waste with Fire and Sword Medina Sidonia near the Streights Mouth was taken by Night being betrayed by Framidancus Cordova was in Rebellion and would own no Superior since the Defeat of King Agila Thither Leuvigildus marched and brought it under with many other Places in the Neighbourhood and great destruction of People and the Country The Neighbourhood of Sabaria not knowing in what part of Spain it lay was also Ravaged and spoiled Whilst Leuvigildus was thus employed his Brother Liuva dy'd in France in the Year 572. Having Reign'd but 5 Years some say only 3. All the Province of Andaluzia being brought under and the Romans totally expelled Leuvigildus returned towards Biscay where he took Amaya by Assault others call it Aregia and others Varegia a City as is supposed betwixt Burgos and Leon. All the rest of that Country was pillaged and spoiled and many that were in Arms killed Hence he passed over into Aquitain where he took Aspidius who was Revolted in the City Agen with his Wife Children and Riches The same Year that Liuva dy'd Myrus or as others call him Ariamirus was King of the Suevians by Succession his Father dying two Years before At the same time was held the second Council of Braga by which the Suevians were confirmed in the Catholick Religion Leuvigildus having quieted the Affairs of Aquitain returned into Spain with a resolution to destroy the Kingdom of the Suevians which had lasted so many Years Mirus fearing the Power of the Goths who began to break into Galicia sent Embassadors to sue for Peace but could only obtain a Cessation of Arms for some time The Goth was the more willing to condescend because he had no just Cause to make War upon the Suevians unless their change of Religion for the better as also for that he was to oppose a Roman Army sent by Justin the Emperor upon the Frontiers of Spain At first Leuvigildus marching thro' the Mountains of Orospeda which rise at the foot of Moncayo and passing by Molina Cuenca and Segura end near Cadiz subdued certain Mountain People who confiding in the strength of the Country refused to obey him Thus the Power of the Goths was increased and that of the Romans diminished for they had left them only a small Tract of Land near the Sea as I suppose the Mediterranean Before Leuvigildus undertook this War to take away the Custom the great ones had instituted of chusing their Kings and to secure the Succession in his own Family he declared his two Sons Ermenegildus and Recaredus his Companions in the Royal Authority and to this purpose divided the Kingdom into three parts To Ermenegildus he assigned Sevil tho Gregory of Tours says It was Merida To the City Reccopolis he gave that Name being the first Founder in honour of his Son Recaredus this was in that place where the River Guadiela falls into Tagus not far from Pastrana as the Moor Rasis testifies This City was Founded in the Year 577. Others will have it that Reccopolis was in Celtiberia and is the same with Almonacir commonly called Zorita Leuvigildus chose the City Toledo for to keep his own Court in and so did the Kings of the Goths his Successors whereas till then it had been kept at Sevil. From this beginning that City by degrees came to be the Metropolitan See of all Spain as shall appear in its place Pope Benedict Successor of John III. now Governed the Church and Tiberius II. the Roman Empire About this same time Mirus King of the Suevians made War upon the People of Rioja upon what occasion is not known but it appears that he overcame and subdued them These People were formerly called Ruccones at least the Archbishop D. Rodrigo calls them so The Country is fruitful and pleasant so proper to bear Corn it often yields twenty for one CHAP. VIII Ermenegildus Son to Leuvigildus Marries the Lady Ingundis is Converted to the Catholick Faith is Besieg'd by his Father in Sevil taken Prisoner and put to Death by him INgundis Daughter to Sigibert King of Lorrain and Brunechilda his Queen was Married to Ermenegildus in the Year 579. She was Grandchild to Athanagildus and Gosuinda by these means those two Royal Families were United and Levuigildus thought thereby to secure the Kingdom to his Posterity Ingundis came out of France with a great Retinue Her Grandmother Gosuinda for some time used her with all possible kindness in hopes to prevail with her to forsake
place was afterwards known where the Holy Body had been buryed Abderhaman proud with his great Success made War upon Galicia and at the same time besieged Beja in Portugal but was repulsed in both places by the Valour of King Fruela who with the same Felicity not only defended his Dominions against the Infidels but subdued his Rebellious Subjects of Galicia and Navarre in the Year of our Lord 761. In this expedition he Marryed Menina or Momerana Daughter of Eudo Duke of Aquitain according to F. Mariana but the Bishop Sebastian who lived 100 Years after and wrote the History of those times only says she was a Captive taken there the Archbishop D. Roderick and D. Lucas de Tuy say she was of the Blood Royal of Navarre By her the King had D. Alonso who was afterwards King and Sirnamed the Chast and Da. Ximena well known for her incontinency and for being Mother to Bernard del Carpio King Fruela might have been reckoned among the best Princes had he not Blemished his Reputation by killing with his own Hands his Brother Bimaranus doubtless upon suspition that he designed to Rebel yet the Act was no way justifiable However to allay the hatred he had incurred by this Action he adopted and named for his Successor Bermudo the Son of Bimaranus which availed him not for his Brother Aurelius and other Conspirators Murdered him at Cangas The King and his Queen Menina were buryed in the Cathedral of Oviedo The Murderer of Fruela and Revenger of Bimaranus Brother to both tho' some will have him to be their Cousin-German and Son to Fruela the Brother of King Alonso was inthroned in the Year 768. D. Alonso the Son of Fruela was not regarded as being a Child and by reason of the General hatred conceived against his Father Aurelius Reigned six Years and a half during which time he did not any thing worthy of Commendation unless it were the quelling a Rebellion raised by the Slaves in hopes of recovering their Liberty But the honour gained by this Action was quite blotted out by the dishonourable agreement he came to with the Moors obliging himself every Year to deliver to them a certain Number of Young Maids as an acknowledgment The Christians were jealous of the mighty Power of Abderhaman and feared he might oppress their new Kingdom Therefore Aurelius to provide against that storm Marryed his Sister Adosinda to Silon a Man in great esteem that he might be assisting to him while living and succeed in the Throne after his Death for that he had never a Son nor does it appear that he was Marryed King Alonso the Great his Chronicon says Aurelius was interred in the Church of St. Martin in the Valley of Jagueya D. Lucas de Tuy writes it was at Cangas It is hard to reconcile these differences some will have Jagueya and Cangas to be the same others that Jagueya is the Town now called Yanguas and that under the Church of St. Michael in it there is a Vault dedicated to St. Andrew where are two Tombs which those People affirm to be of the Kings Favila and Aurelius After the Death of Aurelius Silon and his Wife Adosinda were Proclaimed King and Queen at Paiva and Reigned nine Years one Month and one Day At the beginning of his Reign he subdued the People of Galicia that had revolted about the Mountain Ciperius now called Cebreros Silon being of a great Age and naturally given to his ease resolved to lay aside all care by parting with the Government and accordingly by the advice of his Queen named D. Alonso the Son of Fruela his Companion in the Throne and gave him the absolute Power of Peace and War It was the misfortune of those times that when there was most need of Active and Heroick Kings they proved Soft and Effeminate From this time D. Alonso had the Title of King as appears by a Grant of his the Antientest now extant in Spain of several Lands to the Church of St. Mary de Valpuesta then a Monastery of Nuns now Collegiate This Grant bears Date according to the Julian account the Year 812. which is of our Lord 774. Authors vary about the burying place of Silon some say it is at Oviedo where there is a long Inscription at the entrance of the Church of S. Saviour with his Name in the nature of a Cypher and it is repeated 270 times that he built the Church besides under that Inscription is another signifying Here lies Sylon may the Earth be easie to him Others say he lies at Paiva in the Church of St. John the Evangelist which he built from the Ground and where without doubt is the Body of his Wife Adosinda Silon's Funeral Rites being honourably performed D. Alonso who had been his Companion to the great satisfaction of the Nobles remained sole Monarch in the Year 783. The hatred conceived again his Father was forgot and the Virtues that shined in him reconciled the Subjects affection Only his Uncle Mauregatus tho' Illegitimate pretended a right to succeed his Brothers and was put upon it by some Turbulent Persons but finding little help in the Christians he begged the Assistance of the Moors and obtained it upon Condition he should every Year deliver them 50 Maids of the Nobility and 50 of the Commonalty an infamous Article yet nothing can Curb the inordinate Ambition of a Crown The Moors above all Men are given to Venery This allurement and the Commands of Abderhaman prevailed with many to follow Mauregatus King Alonso being unprovided to meet this storm retired into Biscay where he had many Powerful Allies He was only 25 Years of Age when he was deposed in the beginning of his Reign Mauregatus Reigned 5 Years and 6 Months and was remarkable for nothing but his Cowardise Baseness and Falshood to his Country He dyed in the Year 788 and was buryed in the Church of St. John at Pavia This same Year dyed Abderhaman the King of the Moors having Reigned 29 Years he deceased at Cordova where he had fixed his residence and adorned that City with many Royal Works as the Gardens then called Rizapha now Arriçafa and the now Cathedral one of the Sumptuousest Buildings in Spain He left 9 Daughters and 11 Son and appointed Zuleman the Eldest then Governour of Toledo his Successor Issem the second Son taking the advantage of his Brother's absence and being well beloved Usurped the Crown and coming to a Battle with Zuleman drove him to Murcia where upon payment of 60000 Crowns he renounced his right and went over into Africk Next Abdalla another Brother raised some Tumults but was forced to Compound and quit Spain Bermudo Sirnamed the Deacon as having received that Order succeeded Mauregatus Historians do not agree whose Son he was nor is it easie to reconcile them Some say he was Son to Bimaranus others to D. Fruela Brother
of doing mischief now ranged the Seas under the Command of their General Rollo At first they had wasted and destroyed all the Coasts of France till the Emperors Ludovicus Pius and Carolus Crassus gave them the Province of Neustria from them afterwards called Normandy to hold in Feof of them These same People gathering a vast Fleet in France now grew very Obnoxious to the Christians of Spain They over-ran and Pillaged all the Coast of Galicia till near CorunÌa King Ramirus overthrew and put to Flight all that had Landed of them Besides in a Sea Fight 70 of their Ships were either taken or sunk by ours Those that escaped turning Cape Finisterre came to the Mouth of the River Tagus and distressed Lisbon at that time in the hands of the Moors The Year following which was of our Lord 847. having gathered news Forces they laid Siege to Sevil plundered the Territories of Cadiz and Medina Sidonia taking great numbers of Men and Cattle and putting many Moors to the Sword In fine after spending much time in that Neighbourhood understanding that Abderhaman was fitting out a powerful Fleet against them they left Spain having gained much Honour and great Riches Now followed other Commotions among the Christians Count Alderedus and Piniolus two powerful Men one after another revolted but were soon defeated Alderedus had his Eyes put out Piniolus and Seven Sons he had were Executed by the King's Command in the 5th Year of his Reign Two Years after he dyed at Oviedo having Reigned 7. he and his Wife Paterna were buryed in St. Maries Church of that City where the King's Tomb is still to be seen with an Inscription to this effect Ramiro of happy memory dy'd on the first of February I desire all that shall Read this to pray for his rest D. Ordono Son to D. Ramiro the late King succeeded his Father in the Year of our Lord 850. CHAP. VII The Persecution raised by the Moors at Cordova The Reign of D. Ordonno over the Christians and Mahomet over the Moors A Mighty Persecution was now raised against the Christians and much Blood shed at Cordova When first the Moors over-ran Spain they allowed the Christians the free Exercise of their Religion whereupon in all Cities and especially at Cordova as the Metropolis there were Priests Nuns and Monks publickly in their Habits They had also their Churches and Monasteries and the People were called to Divine Service by Ringing of Bells as formerly without receiving the least Affront or Molestation All the restraint laid upon them was that they should not offer to Revile Mahomet nor enter into the Mosques By degrees the Moors began to lay new Taxes upon the Christians to revile them and by all means find out ways to Extirpate their Name This made the Christians uneasie so that first they complained then fell to railing and inveighing against the Moors and their Superstition Hereupon King Abderhaman many Christians siding with him in Condemning their Brethren as was done by a Synod of Bishops that met at Cordova put to Death during the space of 10 Years great numbers of Christians who are reckoned as Martyrs for that their greatest Crime was the Profession of the true Faith and their Perseverance in the same In the Year 852. dy'd King Abderhaman The Christians said It was a just Judgment of God for the Blood he had spilt and it was the more likely because he fell down and dy'd suddenly without speaking one word as he stood looking upon the Bodies of the Martyrs that hung rotting on Gibbets This hap'ned the beginning of the 32d Year of his Reign He left 44 Sons and 42 Daughters In his time the Streets of Cordova were Paved and Water brought to the City from the Mountains in Leaden Pipes By him it was first Established as Law that the Sons should inherit without any regard of the other Kindred which was not till then punctually observed In pursuance of this Law his Son Mahomet succeeded him and Reign'd 35 Years and an half In the first Year of his Reign he Banished all the Christians from Court and not so satisfied the second Year raged against their Lives which he continued to the end of the 10 Years above-mentioned After the Solemnity of the Interment of D. Ramiro the late King his Son D. OrdonÌo entered upon the Government He was Mild Affable and Modest which gain'd him the Affections of all Men but being very Zealous for Justice some ill-designing Men made of this Vertue a Bait to draw him into some Miscarriages Four Slaves belonging to the Church of Compostella accused their Bishop Athaulphus of a grievous Sin the History of Compostella says it was Sodomy Being sent for to Court to answer for himself he first said Mass and went to the King in his Pontifical Robes At which instead of being appeased the King was so incensed that he caused a wild Bull anger'd by the Dogs to be let lose at him The Bishop making the sign of the Cross the Bull came tamely and suffered him to lay hold of his Horns which dropt off into his Hands At this sight the King and Nobles were so astonished that they fell down at his Feet begging Pardon for the wrong they had done him which he most readily granted Some write he Excommunicated his Accusers and retired to Asturias where he led a most holy Life having resigned his Bishoprick The Horns hung for many Years on the roof of the Church of Oviedo as a Memorial of this Miracle This F. Mariana says Was at the beginning of the Reign of King Ordonno Others will have it to have hap'ned above 100 Years after in the time of King Bermudo II. It is hard to decide which is in the right as to point of Time for since they vary in that point it is no good Authority to oblige us to believe there ever was any such Passage In the second Year of this King's Reign one Muza of the Blood of the Goths but by Profession a Moor well skilled in Warlike Affairs stirred up against himself the Arms of both Christians and Infidels for he openly Rebelled against the King of Cordova and with incredible Celerity possessed himself of Toledo Zaragoça Huesca Valencia and Tudela Then he over-ran the Frontiers of France where he took two Generals that offered to oppose him This struck such a terror in that Country that the King of France Charles the Bald thought fit to gain his Friendship with Presents Proud with Success he turns his Force against King OrdonÌo with whom and the King of Cordova he called himself the third King of Spain Breaking into the Territory of Rioja he took Alvelda and Fortify'd it King Alonso's Chronicle says he built and called it Albayda D. OrdonÌo gathering his Forces left a part before that Town and with the rest marched towards the Enemy who he was informed lay upon Mount Latursus At the first sight the two Armies
ground begging a happy death and tho' the disease increased stayed at Matins heard Mass and received The Day following he returned to the Church of S. Isidorus and three days after Dyed This is what the Archbishop D. Roderick and D. Lucas de Tuy write yet others say he dyed at Cabeçon a Town near Valladolid neither do Authors agree in the time of his death King Ferdinand's Life was so holy that his Feast is Celebrated at Leon as a Saint He built many Churches and repaired others Queen Sancha was not inferior to her Husband in Vertue she dyed two Years after him and was buryed by the King in the Church of S. Isidorus Garibay says King Ferdinand dyed in the Year 1067 and quotes many Authors who all vary in the time as they do in the place of his death so that these things are very uncertain King Ferdinand by his last Will divided his Kingdoms among his Three Sons To D. Sancho the Eldest he left Castile extending from the Rivèr Ebro till that of Pisuerga for all that was taken upon the death of D. Garcia was added to Castile The Kingdom of Leon fell to D. Alonso with the Territory of Campos and that part of Asturias that reaches to the River Deva running by Oviedo as also some Towns in Galicia D. Garcia the Youngest had the remaining part of Galicia and as much of Portugal as had been recovered from the Moors All three called themselves Kings Besides King Ferdinand left the City Zamora to his Daughter D. Vrraca and that of Toro to D. Elvira These Cities were then called Infantado which is as much as the Principality signifying thereby the Estate left for support of the Younger Children Spain being divided it was impossible it should enjoy Peace all People were in suspence expecting great revolutions upon the King's death To prevent these misfortunes many of the Nobility had endeavoured to disswade him from this Resolution and the matter had been handled in Parliament Arias Gonzalo an Ancient Wise and Experienced Man had stirred most in this affair but Fatherly Love suffered not his Prudent advice to take place D. Sancho became the Throne as being a Comely and Graceful Youth better versed in War than in State affairs and therefore called the Strong Pelagius Ovetensis says he was very Beautiful and Expert in Martial affairs He was naturally Mild and Affable if not provoked or incensed by false Friends Upon the death of his Father he openly complained of the wrong had been done him by dividing the Kingdom Yet his Mother whilst she lived restrained him from falling upon his Brothers especially for that after the King's death the Crown of Leon devolved upon her as being her own Dower D. Sancho Reigned 6 Years 8 Months and 25 Days At the beginning of his Reign he had War with the Moors and soon after with the King of Aragon King Ramiro of Aragon desiring to enlarge his Territories laboured successfully to expel the remainder of the Moors out of that Kingdom He obliged Almugdadi King of Zaragoça and Almudafar King of Lerida to become tributary and overthrew the King of Huesca Those about Zaragoça having been subdued by King Ferdinand were become tributary to him but now upon the change of Kings and relying on the assistance of D. Ramiro they resolved to fall off King Sancho having speedily gathered an Army marched against them Those of Toledo immediately submitted but the Aragonians stood out Hereupon having wasted all the Country he layed Siege to Zaragoça and press'd it so vigorously it was surrendred to him upon Condition he should be obliged to support the City against all Enemies as well Christians as Moors This Capitulation seem'd directly levell'd against the King of Aragon D. Sancho was offended that the King of Aragon join'd with the Navarrois who often made Inroads upon the Dominions of Castile and besides that he receiv'd Tribute from those Aragonians that were his Subjects The Aragonians had then laid Siege to the Castle of Grados built by the Moors on the Banks of the River Esera to curb the Christians King Sancho in pursuance of his Capitulation with the Moors marched to raise that Siege The Army of Aragon being surpriz'd and attack'd in Front and Rear by the Christians and Insidels was easily routed some fled others were kill'd amongst which number was the King himself This was much about the Year 1067. D. Ramiro of Aragon had Reign'd 31 Years his Body was Bury'd in the Church of St. John de la PenÌa where many of his Predecessors lay D. Sancho Ramirez his Son succeeded in the Throne at the Age of 18. a Prince not unlike to his Father in Virtue In this Princes time and in the Year of Grace 1068. Guinard Earl of Russillon built the Town of Perpignan on the Borders of France not far from the antient City Russillon the name of Perpignan was taken from one Bernard Perpignan who kept two Inns in that place This King Sancho is said to have abrogated the Laws of the Goths as the Catalonians had done before and established the Imperial Civil Law He was Married to D. Felicia Daughter to Armengaud Earl of Vrgel by whom he had three Sons D. Peter D. Alonso and D. Ramiro who were all successively Kings of Aragon A Bastard Son of his called D. Garcia was afterwards Bishop of Jaca At the same time there Reign'd in Spain three Kings who were Cousin-Germans tho' not equal in power yet all alike in the manner of their Death D. Sancho King of Castile was the greatest he had blemish'd the beginning of his Reign by killing his Uncle King Ramiro and growing fierce with Success was daily driving at greater mischiefs his strength being terrible to the others D. Sancho King of Navarre maintain'd his small Kingdom by making a League with him of Aragon to secure both against Castile He of Castile understanding their design thought to be beforehand with them and broke into Navarre without stoping till he came in sight of Viana There the two Kings met him and they came to a Battle in which the Castilians were defeated and their King having lost many Men return'd into his own Country The Victors resolving to make use of their Success broke into the Territories of Rioja and Briviesca where they recovered all that King Ferdinand had taken Thus were those three Princes destroying one another without reflecting upon what they might expect from the Moors The King of Castile could not at that time take revenge of his Cousins being ingaged in a new War against his Brothers He was ambitious rash and hot and pretended a right to all that had been his Fathers and did not want other grounds to raise a Quarrel upon His Brothers tho' weak could not be perswaded to Unite their Forces against their common Enemy D. Sancho having gathered a powerful Army resolved to carry on his designs On the other side D. Alonso whom that
Aragon resigns and his Son-in-Law Raimund Earl of Barcelona assumes the Crown THese Elections brought great troubles upon the Kingdoms of Aragon and Navarre and the more for that D. Garcia was weak and D. Ramiro old The King of Castile pretended to have a better right than either of them as being descended from D. Sancho the Greater of Navarre and he had the greatest Power on which King's ground their chiefest right As for the Military Orders appointed by the late King to inherit no Body took notice of them That he might not seem careless in seeking his advantage the King of Castile entred the Territory of Rioja and recover'd all that his Father-in-law King Alonso of Aragon had taken from him by force at first and afterwards upon Capitulation Then he laid Siege to Victoria in Biscay but could not carry it tho' he had all the Towns about Thus the River Ebro came to part the Dominions of Castile and Navarre Many great Men as well as of the Clergy as Laity follow'd and assisted the King who had no sooner regain'd Rioja and Biscay but he bent his Force against Aragon so effectually that by the Month of December he was possess'd of all that part of the Kingdom which lies on this side Ebro King Ramiro being wholly unprovided and not well assur'd of the Affections of his People retir'd to Sobrarve hoping the natural strength of that Country might protect him till Fortune chang'd or some Composition could be made Oldegarius Archbishop of Taragona went betwixt both Parties labouring to bring them to an Accommodation but his endavours seemed Fruitless neither Competitor contenting himself with part as aspiring to the whole Garcia King of Navarre being resolved to condescend to some Agreement upon safe Conduct given him came to Castile where in a General Assembly or Parliament at which were present King Alonso of Castile Berengaria his Queen Sancha his Sister and Garcia King of Navarre besides a great number of Nobles it was resolved that the King of Castile should take the Title of Emperor Accordingly on Whit-Sunday in the Year 1135. as an Author then living writes and it appears by the Acts of that Assembly he was Crowned in the City of Leon by the Hands of the Archbishop of Toledo the King of Navarre standing on his right Hand and the Bishop of Leon on his Left Our Historians say Pope Innocent II. consented to this Act but it is scarce credible he would do that Affront to the Emperor of the Romans After this the new Emperor was again Crowned at Toledo These two Coronations gave occasion to the dispute there is about the place where that Ceremony was performed An Author then living says he was Crown'd three times in imitation of the German Emperors first at Toledo then at Leon and lastly at Compestella with a Crown of Gold The other Kings of Spain before this assum'd the Title only this preserv'd it and is call'd Alonso the Emperor Besides it is manifest that from his time the City Toledo began to use the Arms it still retains which are An Emperor in his Robes on a Throne the Globe in his left Hand and a naked Sword in his Right The Arms of that City before were first two Stars and after that a Lion rampant Hence also it took the stile of the Imperial City As soon as the new Emperor had taken upon him that Title he nam'd his two Sons Kings Sancho the eldest of Castile and Ferdinand the youngest of Leon. The Nobility and Clergy labour'd to compose the differences above-mention'd No good could be wrought upon Aragon therefore the two Kings of Castile and Navarre had another Conference at Paradilla on the River Ebro Here it was agreed that D. Garcia should possess Navarre and all that part of Aragon that had been Conquered but should do Fealty and Homage to the Crown of Castile for the same and also that both Kings should joyn their Forces against him of Aragon Thus the Argonians and Navarrois were intangled in War till some Bishops interposing they appointed three Arbitrators on each side by whom it was decreed That the Bounds of Navarre and Aragon should be the same they had been in the time of D. Sancho the Greater but that the King of Navarre should hold his Dominions of the Crown of Aragon which was the same thing he had promised to Castile So little did they regard Promises To ratifie this Contract the two Kings met at Pamplona but he of Aragon being inform'd the Navarrois design'd to kill him fled and thus the Breach was made wider than at first D. Ramiro for his great Age and Weakness being grown contemptible to the Commonalty as well as the Nobility in revenge call'd together all the great Men to Huesca upon pretence of Consulting with them about weighty Affairs and there put to Death 15 of the chief of them in the Year 1136. Many things are reported of his Insufficiency scarce credible but there is no doubt he was not fit for such a troublesome Government He himself at length growing weary of so many cares and resolving to ease himself of them having now a Daughter call'd Petronilla declar'd his intention at that meeting at Huesca and admonish'd all there present that their chief study ought to be to establish Friendship with D. Alonso the Emperor without thinking of any revenge against the Navarrois Raymund Earl of Barcelona was the chief Instrument in concerting matters betwixt Castile and Aragon as being Ally'd to both those Princes and having some intimation that he should Marry the Princess Petronilla and be declar'd King of Aragon At Alagon a Town three Leagues above Zaragoça on the River Ebro the two Kings met and agreed that Zaragoça should be restored to the Crown of Aragon Calatayud Alagon and the rest on this side Ebro should remain to Castile King Ramiro's Daughter was given as an Hostage for performance of Articles but they could not agree about her Marrying D. Sancho the Emperor's eldest Son for that she was promised to the Earl of Barcelona So far were both Parties from having any regard to their Alliances made with Navarre that they Articl'd to joyn their Forces against that King He having notice of it and being a Man of great Spirit provided to meet that Storm and durst not only make good his own but endeavour'd to enlarge the narrow bounds of his Dominions He Marry'd Margaret Daughter of Rotron Earl of Perche and had the City Tudela with her in Dower The Records of those times mention that he Reign'd over Pamplona Najara Alava Biscay and Guipuscoa He was supported by the French Luis their King looking upon it as a thing Honourble to protect this new Prince The Armies of Castile and Navarre encamp'd near and Towns of Galur and Cortes but came not to a Battle both sides being unwilling to hazard all for this is more likely than that they forbore in respect
The King flush'd with his former Success marched to Albarazin a small but very strong Place being encompassed with Rocks and almost surrounded by the River Turia commonly called Guadalaviar Two Months in the heat of Summer the King lay before it and was forced at last to raise the Siege Nevertheless Peter Fernandez de Açagra was soon after restored to the Kings favour All the Nobility interceded for him his own Services were a great recommendation and the King was willing to gain so considerable a Man These things were done in Aragon in the Year 1220. In Castile the same Year on S. Andrew's Day the Marriage of King Ferdinand with Beatrix Daughter to the late Emperor Philip was Celebrated Embassadors had been sent to Treat of this match to the Emperor Frederick II. after four Months delay it was concluded In France the Bride was entertained by King Philip with great Liberality Queen Berengaria went as far as the Borders of Biscay to receive her and at the end of a whole Year spent in this Negotiation they all arrived at Burgos the place appointed for this Solemnity Maurice Bishop of that City perform'd the Ceremony and the day before had said Mass in his Pontificalibus during which the King Knighted himself there being none worthy to perform that Act as was the Custom of those times This match prov'd fortunate in a numerous Issue for they had Seven Children viz. Alonso Ferderick Philip Sancho Emanuel Ellenor who dy'd Young and Berengaria who was a Nun in the Monastery of Huelgas near Burgos At the same time the Aragonians desiring to secure the Succession of the Crown sent Embassadors to Queen Berengaria to Treat of a match betwixt their King and her Sister Ellenor This Proposal being very advantagious to her was easily accepted and the Town of Agreda on the Bordors of Castile and Aragon appointed to Celebrate the Nuptials Queen Berengaria came first with her Sister and soon after King Jaime with a Noble retinue The Marriage was Celebrated in the Year 1221. yet the Bride the King being yet very young continued a Maid a year and half after as he himself relates in the History he writ of his own Life On the 20th of June Roderick Archbishop of Toledo consecrated the Church of S. Romanus in the highest part of that City Upon the 23d of November was born King Ferdinand's Eldest Son called Alonso About the beginning of December a great Earthquake shook many Buildings and mighty Floods and Winds following upon it part of the Walls and many Houses fell down These things were the more terrible because the City being high and built upon Rocks seem'd the safer against such disasters Navarre Portugal and Leon now enjoy'd Peace The Moors wasted themselves with Civil Wars In Castile and Aragon there were some Commotions but not considerable Roderick Lord of Cameros a Man in great Power confiding in his strength presum'd to pillage the Country about him Being summon'd by the King to Answer for himself he Answer'd he had taken the Cross in Order to go to the War in the Holy-Land This was a common excuse in those times the Pope's among other priviledges having granted that such as wore the Cross should not be Try'd before the Civil Magistrate but in the Spiritual Courts But that shift availed him nothing for he was constrained to appear at Valladolid whither the Court was remov'd from Burgos and being accused of many Crimes he fled He was attainted and his Estate Confiscated Yet being a resolute Man he fortified himself in the strong holds he had wherefore to prevent a War he was not only Pardon'd but 14000 Duccats given him to quit those Towns he held for the King After this follow'd another revolt D. Gonzalo Nunez de Lara who only remained of the Three Brothers perswaded D. Gonçalo Perez Lord of Molina to invade the Neighbouring Country about him hoping by these troubles to be restor'd to his Country for he was in Barbary ever since the Death of his Brother Ferdinand having gone thither with him Some action there was but not considerable for the Lord of Molina perceiving the danger he was in begg'd pardon and obtain'd it through the intercession of Queen Berengaria Thus D. Gonzalo de Lara despairing of succeess went into Andaluzia where among the Moors at Baeça he ended his Days neither Godly nor Honourably Such was the end of those Three Brothers from whom is descended the Family of Manriquez well known in Spain It was now the Year 1222. when the King of Leon gathering a great Army as well of Soldiers in pay as those who taking the Cross served upon their own expence entred Estremadura and laid Siege to Caceres The Moors to raise the Siege promised a great sum of Money they expected out of Africk but having obtained their ends performed not and we were not in a Condition then to force them About this time Maurice an Englishman and Bishop of Burgos laid the Foundation of the Cathedral of that City and finish'd it Many other Churches and Stately Buildings were erected in several parts of Spain Eleven Years before this we now write of Roderick Archbishop of Toledo built the great Church of Talavera D. John Chancellor to the King erected two Churches one at Valladolid and the other at Osma when he was Bishop of that See D. NunÌo Bishop of Astorga raised the Bishop's Palace in that City D. Laurence Bishop of Orense built a Bridge over the River MinÌo the Cathedral and Episcopal Palace Stephen Bishop of Tuy and Martin of Zamora spent their Revenues in such like works The King and the Queen his Mother Liberally adorned those Churches and by their example stirred up the Prelates to lay out the profits of their Benefices in the Service of the Church Let us return to the Course of the History In July dy'd Roger Earl of Faux his Son Roger Bernard succeeded him In August following Raymund Earl of Toulouze departed this Life both favourers of the Heresie of the Albigenses and therefore excommunicated for which reason the Son and Heir to the Earl of Toulouze could never obtain leave to bury his Father's Body in hollow'd ground In Aragon the King on the 21th of December pardoned Gerard Viscount Cabrera who during the troubles had possessed himself by force of the Earldom of Vrgel spoiling Aurembiasse of the Patrimony left him by his Father Armengaud This was done upon Condition he should stand to the Judgment that should be given betwixt that Lady and him Sancho Earl of Russillon the King's Unkle was still Living His Son NunÌo governed that Country with whom William of Moncada Lord of Bearn tho' they were before great Friends being offended he entred the Lands of Russillon doing great harm NunÌo not able to oppose him had recourse to the King of Aragon offering to stand to Arbitration and make reparation of any damage should be laid to his
the King entred in solemn Procession He caused the Walls to be Repaired the Church to be Consecrated and made the City a Bishoprick Authors do not agree about the time when this City was taken the most Learned affirm it was in the Year 1243. the Annals of Toledo say three Years later The Siege lasted eight Months and our Men kept the Field tho' the Winter prov'd very hard Here Roderick the Archbishop of Toledo concludes his History and says it was the 33d Year he had enjoy'd that Dignity The following Year there were Tumults betwixt the Catalonians and Aragonians each side pretending that Lerida was within their Limits The Aragonians said their Borders extended to the River Segre and the Catalonians affirm'd that the River Cinga parted those Dominions King Jayme was more inclinable to the Catalonians designing to divide his Dominions and leave Aragon to Alonso his eldest Son and the Principality of Catalonia to Peter whom he lov'd most tho' the youngest born of Violante his second Wife In fine the case being put to Arbitration the King gave Judgment for the Catalonians to whom he assign'd all the Country betwixt the Rivers Segre and Cinga This resolution of dividing his Kingdom offended not only Prince Alonso but most of the Nobility of Aragon and Catalonia Upon this the Prince withdrew to Calatayud with such as were of his party the chief whereof were Ferdinand the King's Uncle Abbot of Montaragon D. Peter Rodriguez de Aragon Peter Infante of Portugal and other Persons of both Nations who disliked the King's Designs Portugal was now in an Uproar and full of Tumults Sancho II. called Capelo of the form of his Cap then Reigning at the first Govern'd not altogether ill for we find he made War upon the Infidels and gave Mertola and other Towns taken from them to the Knights of Santiago In other respects he was of so easie a nature it almost came to be an Infatuation Mencia his Queen and Daughter to Lope de Haro Lord of Biscay had so intirely gain'd the ascendant over him that she seem'd to be King and he only the Instrument of her Will Her Favourites were of the worser sort and at their will Honours were bestow'd Crimes pardon'd and Punishments inflicted This prov'd the King's ruin for the Noblity offended to see the Government in the Hands of mean People first endeavoured to have the King Divorc'd upon account of Consanguinity and the Queen's Barrenness The business was mov'd to the Pope and to the King who was Consciencious enough yet it availed not it being hard to prevail with the Pope and the King being so in love with the Queen that the People said She had bewitch'd him But love is Witchcraft enough of its self King Sancho had a younger Brother called Alonso Marry'd to the Countess of Bologne in France The Nobility sent the Bishops of Braga and Coimbra to Pope Innocent who then held a General Council at Lyons in France to obtain his Consent for Deposing of their King and Enthroning his Brother but the Pope could not be brought to it only granted that Alonso should take charge of the Government D. Alonso having first been with the Pope at Paris took an Oath that he would have regard above all things to the Publick Good then went into Portugal It was no difficult matter to seize upon the Government the Nobility being all for him yet many Troubles ensued in which Ferdinand and Alonso his Son Kings of Castile bore a part At first King Sancho withdrew into Galicia whither the Queen had before fled Afterwards he went to Toledo to King Alonso then Reigning hoping to regain his Kingdom with the Forces of Castile But his Brother Alonso prevented him by offering to put away his Wife and Mary Beatrix Bastard Daughter to King Alonso and moreover to do him Homage and pay Tribute for the Kingdom of Portugal as had been done Originally Interest bore down Honour and the Pope declared the first Marriage void Thus the Nuptials were Celebrated Certain Towns near the Mouth of the River Guadiana taken by the Castilians which the Portugueses pretended to belong to their Conquest were given in Dower Hence some believe the Kings of Portugal took occasion to add an Orle of Castles to their former Arms. King Sancho having lost all hopes of regaining his Kingdom spent the rest of his days at Toledo living upon Revenues assigned him by the King of Castile After his Death he was Honourably Bury'd in the Cathedral near to Alonso the Emperor Authors do not agree about the time of his Death some say it was 13 years after this we now write of others but 3 and that he Reigned 34 years At the time that King Sancho dy'd his Brother Alonso besieg'd Coimbra which still continued Loyal to the King tho' the Inhabitants suffer'd great hardships Freitas the Governour being inform'd the King was dead yet not giving credit to the Report desir'd leave to go to Toledo to be satisfy'd Leave was granted and a Truce concluded betwixt the Besieged and the Besiegers for that time Freitas being come to Toledo and understanding the truth caused the King's Tomb to be open'd and put the Keys of the City into his Hands saying My Sovereign Lord and King whilst I thought you liv'd I endured all Miseries eat Hides drank Vrine and encourag'd the Townsmen to do the like I have done all that could be expected of a Loyal and dutiful Subject Now you are dead I deliver up the Keys to you which is my last Duty and with your leave will advise the Citizens since they have discharged their Duty that they submit to your Brother Alonso An example of Loyalty that well deserves eternal praise CHAP. III. The beginning of the War against Sevil. Aragon under a general Interdict The Siege and Surrender of Sevil Carmona and several other Places THE League made with the King of Granada put King Ferdinand in hopes of subduing Sevil. 500 Light-Horse were sent before under the Command of the King of Granada to waste the Lands of Carmona formerly a considerable Town Alcala Guadayra thro' that Kings persuasions surrendred Thence a good Body marched towards Sevil and fired the ripe Corn the Vines Olive-trees and all the Country-Houses D. Pelayo Correa Master of Santiago Commanded this Party Another under the King of Granada and Master of Calatrava did the like harm in the Territory of Xerez King Ferdinand himself was at Alcala Guadayra providing all Necessaries that the War might be carry'd on before the Enemy had time to gather strength Now dy'd Queen Berengaria the Kings Mother and soon after Roderick Archbishop of Toledo As to the Year Authors vary some say it was 1245. others 1247. and this agrees with the Inscription upon his Tomb. The Queen was very ancient the Archbishop besides his great Age was worn with continual Labour and had been lastly at the Council of Lyons among other things
of great Beauty which made him prefer her before Joanna Queen of Naples who was offer'd to him By this Lady he had two Sons who dy'd young and a Daughter call'd Elizabeth afterwards marry'd to the Earl of Vrgel CHAP. II. King John succeeds his Father in the Throne of Castile Charles King of France dies Charles the VIth succeeds him Pope Clement own'd in Spain through the French Interest KING John having bury'd his Father was Crown'd together with his Wife Queen Ellener in the Monastery of Huelgas at Burgos He Knighted 100 young Gentlemen according to the manner of those Times and gave the Town of Pancorvo to that City in Payment of the Expence it had been at and to reward its Loyalty The Cortes or Parliament was held in that City where several Laws were enacted One was that a Man who had receiv'd the lesser Orders if he marry'd should pay Taxes but if he liv'd Single was shorn and were the Habit of a Clergy Man he should be priviledg'd as a Church Man Great rejoycing was throughout the whole Kingdom for the King's Coronation The Joy was the greater for that it was hop'd he would prove an excellent Prince being Generous sharp Witted Mild Religious and not Conceited but always inclinable to be advis'd Of Stature he was low yet with Majesty The first thing he did after his Accession to the Crown was to express his Affection to the French and therefore immediately fitted out a Fleet and sent it against John de Montfort Duke of Britany whom because he sided with the English the King and Counsel of France had declar'd an Enemy to the Crown and confiscated his Estate The Fleet scower'd the Coast of Britany and took there the Fort they call'd Gaye The King spent the Summer at Burgos Two things concurred the one to increase the other to lessen the publick Joy The first was that one Joseph Pico a rich and famous Jew was kill'd by his own People He was Receiver General of the Revenue which rais'd him to a great height Some Jews of Note bore him ill will the reason of it is not known and they contriv'd to make him away To this purpose they deceitfully obtain'd an Order of the King for putting of him immediatly to Death and finding out the Executioner prevail'd with him to kill the Jew without delay The Fraud being discover'd the Contrivers of it were punish'd and that People were debarr'd the Power they had before of Judging their own Members a Liberty till then allow'd by the Kings forc'd by their wants because the Jews have extraordinary Methods of raising Mony The Subject of Joy was that on the 4th of October the Queen was deliver'd at Burgos of a Son call'd Henry in Honour of his Grandfather this Child came afterwards to inherit the Crown About the end of this Year and beginning of the next which was 1380 the Rains were so great and continu'd so long that all the Rivers overflow'd and all the low Lands were under Water Particularly the River Ebro near ZaragoÄa broke down it's Banks and ran a new way so that it cost much Mony and Labour to bring it back into it's own Channel From Burgos King John went to Toledo where he again repeated his Father's Exequies and plac'd his Body in the Tomb built for him Then he set out for Andaluzia resolving to aid the French against the English At Sevil he fitted out 20 Galleys with which Fernan Sanchez de Tovar having coasted along Spain and France came to the English Shore and ran up the River Thames destroying all the Country and burning the Villages The Difference about the two Popes was now hotter than ever and each of them had powerful Supporters Pope Vrban meditated Revenge against the Queen of Naples the chief causer of the Schism whom her wicked Life had rendred Infamous He invited Charles Duke of Durazzo descended of the Kings of Naples into Italy intimating he would conferr that Crown upon him On the other sid'e the Queen having no Children adopted Luys Duke of Anjou giving him the Title of Duke of Calabria appertaining to the Heirs of that Crown not doubting by that means to be supported by the Arms of France This is all the Title the Dukes of Anjou have to that Crown which was the occasion of tedious and bloody Wars betwixt them and Spain tho at this time the Design was only to support the Queen and Pope Clement On the 13th of July dy'd the Famous Bertran Claquin at the Siege of Chasteauneuf in Britany and on the 16th of September following Charles King of France departed this Life at Bois de Vincennes His Son Charles the VIth succeeded him The King of Portugal was concern'd about the Succession be being old and having never a Son Beatrix his Daughter by the Queen whose Birth was afterwards call'd in Question was contracted to Frederick Duke of Benavente and Bastard Son to King Henry After the Death of Henry the Portuguese would not stand to that Match but sent Embassadors to the new King to offer her to his Son Prince Henry then a Child but a few Months old King John hoping to joyn the Kingdom of Portugal to Castile admitted of the Proposal The Articles of Marriage were agreed upon at Soria where the Cortes met but at last they came to nothing Peter Manrique Leiutenant of Castile was apprehended being accus'd of holding a treasonable Correspondence with D. Alonso de Aragon Earl of Denia He dy'd in Prison without leaving any Children James Manrique his Brother inherited his Estate and Honours as he well deserv'd for his good Service in Navarre Luis Duke of Anjou govern'd France for King Charles who was under Age. The King of Aragon fear'd lest he should lay hold of that Opportunity to conquer the Kingdom of Majorca to which he pretended a right as has been said but he had bent his Thought upon securing the Crown of Naples to himself and his Heirs However King John of Castile sent Embassadors into France to accommodate that Affair and it was agree'd he should sell the Title he had bought King John advanc'd a good Summ out of kindness to his Father-in Law and to secure the Peace of Spain He also sent Embassadors to the Soldan of Egypt to sollicite for the Liberty of Leo King of Armenia whose Wife and Daughter had dy'd in Prison The barbarous King granted his Request and releas'd the Prisoner sending him into Spain with Letters full of Pride and Arogancy in relation to himself but honourably writ in regard to King John whose Power and Valour he extoll'd desiring his Friendship Three Years after that unfortunate King came into France and thence into Spain where the King entertain'd him honourably and gave him the Towns of Madrid and Andujan with a competent Revenue for his Maintenance He stay'd not long in Spain but return'd into France designing thence to go into England to perswade those Kings to
his Nephew Pâtâr de Luna but the King not approving of him the Bishop of Siguença Vicar of the Archbishoprick had charge of it for some Years till the Popes election took place The Joy and Devotion of the great Year of Jubilee 1400 was much lessen'd by the Schism in the Church tho the Christian Princes us'd all possible Means to put an end to it To this purpose for the humbling the Obduracy of Pope Benedict the King of Castile at the perswasions of D. Peter Hernandez de ãâã Cardinal of Spain publickly disown'd him Yet the King of Aragon interposing three Years after he submitted to him again From Lagââdoc and Cataloââa the Plague spread over all Spain with such a mighty Mortality that it oblig'd the King of Castile to give leave to Widows to marry the same Year their Husbands dy'd which before was forbidden The King generally resided at Sevil that being a Pleasant and Healthy place and he very âickly In July the first Clock was fixing in the Steeple of the Cathedral for there were no such Clocks before in Spain and a great Bell to it the King Nobleâ and a Multitude of People being present when on a sudden a Storm rising a flash of Lightning kill'd several Men. This being taken as an ill Omen Processions were made to appease God's Wrâth Near the Town of Niebââ 5 Leagues from Segovia an Image of our Blessed Lady was ãâã and many People devoutly resorting thither to visit it Queen Cathârine built there a Church for it with a Monastery of Dominicanâ adjoyning to it which drew many ãâã and settle there so that in our Days it is grown up to be a pretty considerable ãâã âââP V. The Death of the ãâ¦ã Sicily Of Tamerlan and Bajazet Pope Benedict again received in Castile The King of Castile has a Son born Pope Boniface dies Innocent the VIIââ chosen at Roââ THE Lady Violante Daughter to John King of Aragon was during her Father's Life contracted to Luis ãâã Anjoâ as was said before Her Marriage was delay'd because she ãâã under Age and ãâã Year it ââs concluded upon She was to have 160000 Florins Portion and he to sweââ never to lay any claim to the Crown of Aragon in her Right This done she was nobly Conducted into France to her Husband In the Month of March 1401 the King of Castile assembled the Cortes at Tordesillas where many good Laws were enacted particularly to restrain the Avarice of the Farmers of the Revenue and Officers of Justice In the Month of May Mary Queen of Sicily dy'd at Cataneâ as was thought of Grief for the Death of her Son who ended his Days at ãâã Age of 7 Years Both the Mother and Son were bury'd in that City However her ãâã next of Blood remain'd King and all the Nobility aim'd to marry their Daughters ãâã to him He marryed Blanch third Daughter to the King of Navarre who afterwards inherited her Father's Kingdom The Kings of Aragon and Navaâââ met upon this Account on the Frontiers there the ãâã deliver'd his Daughter to the ãâã in Law who sent her from Valencia to Sicily in a ââeet commanded by D. Bernard de Cabrera but her Departure and Marriage was in the Year 1402. In November the same Year the Queen of Castile was deliver'd of a Daughter call'd Mary who was afterwards marry'd to her Cousin German Alonso King of Aragon and Naples but they had no Issue for she prov'd Barren After the Defeat of the French and Hungarians at Nicopolis Bajazet Emperor of the Turks lay'd Siege to Constantinople At the same time Tamerlan the Tartar with an incredible Army as is reported of 40000 Horse and 600000 Foot overran all the East His Custom was when he sat down before a City the first Day to put up white Colours in token of Mercy the second Day they were red to denote he would shed the Blood of the Inhabitants and the third black which signify'd the utter Desolation of the Place It happen'd the City Berytus did not surrender before the second Day and then sent out their Women and Children cloath'd in White with Boughs in their Hands to appease him but he nothing mov'd caus'd his Horse to trample them to Death A Genoese who follow'd his Camp took the Boldness upon this Occasion to put him in mind he was a Man and he with a furious Countenance answer'd Dost thou think I am a Man I am no such I am the Scourge of God and Plague of Mankind Bajâzet seeing all Asia was in danger of being lost rais'd the Siege of Constantinople and pass'd over into Asia On that part of Mount Taurus call'd Stella they came to a Battle and after a moââ Bloody Dispute 200000 Men being slain Bajazet was overthrown and taken Him Tamerlan put into a Cage and in that manner carry'd him about Asia treading on his Shoulder every time he mounted a Horse-back and feeding him like a Dog with bits thrown from his Table King Henry of Castile though sickly attended the Affairs of the Government and sent Embassies to all parts and particularly to the Levant he sent Pelayo de Sotomayââ and âââdinand de Palaçuelos who were present at that famous Battle between the Turks and Tartars Tamerlan treated them courteously and at their return to Spain sent along with them an Embassador of his own to settle Peace and Unity with the King of Spain He having concluded his Negociation return'd home accompanied by three Spanish Embassadors who writ a Journal of that Embassy which is still Extant Tamerlân's Glory was not lasting At his return home he built a beautiful City which he called Mercanti He left two Sons who differing about the Inheritance tore in ãâã the Empire purchas'd by their Father This Year was unhappy to the Portugueses and Navarrois for the Heirs of both Kingdoms dy'd D. Alonso eldest Son to the King of Portugal was but 12 Years of Age. He was bury'd in the Cathââral of Braga This Loss was the more tolerable for that there were several Brothers besides as the Princes Edward Peter Henry John and Ferdinand and two Sisters Blanch and Elizabeth At Painplona dy'd the Princes Charles 5 Years and Lââys but 6 Months ãâ¦ã were bury'd in that Cathedral The Grief of the Navarrois was the more inconsolable for that there remain'd never an Heir-male and the Crown must of course fall to the Female This Wiââer at the end of the present Year and beginning of that of our Lord 1403 the Rains were so great in Spain that most Rivers overflow'd doing great harm Particularly Guadalquivir swell'd above the Waââs of Sevil and came as far as the Church of St. Michael Alonso Perez then Governour by his Industry prevented much Mischief that might have been done The See of Toledo was vacant since the Death of the late Archbishop D. Peter Tââorio This was caus'd by the Discord betwixt the Popes for Castile had
King Alonso having subdu'd Sardinia and abandon'd Corsica to the Genoeses sail'd with speed to Palermo in Sicily hoping to secure the Succession to the new Kingdom and was the more bent upon it for that a certain Mathematician five years before told him That Heaven promised him great Things that he should be Master of Naples that he should have many Subjects and heap mighty Riches whereupon he encourag'd him boldly to pursue his Fortune The depriving the King of Castile of his Liberty caus'd great Commotions and the Imprisonment of several Persons of Note The Court was at Talavera as has been said and the King as if he minded not the wrong done him diverted himself in Hunting This gave him an opportunity on the 29th of November to make his escape to Montalvan a Castle seated upon an Eminence almost in the mid-way betwixt Talavera and Toledo on the Banks of Tagus Alvaro de Luna his great Favourite advis'd him to fly Prince Henry gathering his Forces besieg'd the Place but would not batter it in respect to the King Prince John the Archbishop of Toledo D. Alonso Enriquez the Admiral and other Nobles assembl'd to revenge this Affront Hunger began to pinch in the Castle and they eat their Horses and other filthy Beasts At length the Siege was rais'd by them that came to relieve the Place and Prince Henry went away to Ocana a Town of his own as he was Master of Santiago resolving to stand upon his Guard After his Departure the King return'd to Talavera and was met upon the way by the Princes John and Peter of Aragon Great demonstrations of Affection passed betwixt them and the King by the Advice of Alvaro de Luna who rose apace to give the greater fall commanded them to return This alter'd the Posture of Affairs The King kept his Christmas and the beginning of the Year 1421 at Talavera Thence he went to Old Castile where he had more Forces and the People were better affected towards him Prince Henry had the Marquisate of Villena given him with his Wife which those People resented because it had been purchas'd for a sum of Mony of the King of Aragon and ought not to be alienated from the Crown Prince Henry seiz'd and garrison'd all the Towns of that Dominion except Alarcon which being naturally strong held out against him The King commanded him to disband his Forces and he refusing to obey that Estate was taken from him by Force Besides the King recall'd his Patent which made the Mastership of Santiago hereditary to the Heirs of Prince Henry This so provoked him that he set out from OcanÌa after the King with 1500 Horse He passed the Mountains and without making any stop came to Arevalo where the King was There was danger of a Battle and therefore Queen Ellenor in care for her Son Prince Henry endeavour'd to lay that Storm that threatn'd The Archbishop of Santiago did the same They perswaded the Prince to lay down his Arms and thus for that time War was prevented Blanch Daughter to the King of Navarre on the 29th of May was brought to Bed at Arevalo of a Son who was call'd Charles as his Grandfather by the Mother's side The Cortes were summon'd first to Toledo and then to Madrid and in order to meet them the King and Queen set out towards new Castile On the 23d of October they came to Toledo Prince Henry of Aragon Ruy Lopez Davalos the Constable and Peter Manrique the Lieutenant being summon'd excus'd themselves saying they had powerful Enemies at Court Mean while Alonso King of Aragon and Luis Duke of Anjou contended for the Kingdom of Naples King Alonso kept in that City Aversa a Town near it was held by the French and Excursions were made by both Parties Cerra a Town four miles from Naples was besieg'd by the Aragonians and taken after a vigorous Defence Prince Peter of Aragon being call'd by his Brother with the consent of the King of Castile went away to serve in that War at the beginning of the Year 1422. The Cortes sat at Madrid Prince John of Aragon and other great Men were present The Archbishop of Toledo was not being then sick Prince Henry and his adherents because the King would oblige them to come resolv'd the Prince and Garci Fernandez Manrique afterwards Earl of CastanÌeda should go but the Constable and Peter Manrique should stand upon their Guard in Places of Safety On the 13th of June the Prince and Garci Fernandez came to Madrid were kindly receiv'd but the next day apprehended Prince Henry was sent Prisoner to the Castle of Mora and the care of him committed to Garci Alvarez de Toledo the Earl of Vrgel who had been some years a Prisoner there being remov'd to Madrid An Impeachment of high Treason for corresponding with the Moors was brought into the Cortes against those Lords 14 Letters written by the Constable to King Joseph of Granada were produc'd and read Therefore the Estates of Prince Henry and Garci Manrique were confiscated and the same was decreed against Peter Manrique who having notice of what was in hand fled to Taraçona The like Sentence was given against the Constable who with the Lady Catherine Prince Henry's Wife fled first to Segura a strong Place towards Murcia and thence to Valencia He left a mighty Estate in Castile for Arcos Arjona Ossorno Ribadeo Candeleda Arenas and many other Towns were his so that the House Davalos began to decay Several other noble Families as the Fajardos Enriquez Sandovals Pimenteles and Zunigas rose out of the Ruins of the Davalos It was then whisper'd that those Letters of the Constable were forg'd and afterwards his Secretary John Garcia confess'd he had counterfeited them and was put to Death yet because the King and others were concern'd the Constable was not restor'd Now the King created Alvaro de Luna Earl of Santistevan de Gormaz and made him Constable Gonzalo Mexia Commendary of Segura was impower'd to act as Master of Santiago These things being concluded the King went away to Alcala and at the same time the Queen was deliver'd of a Daughter at Illescas on the 5th of October she was call'd Catherine This caus'd great Joy being an Argument the Queen was not barren as had been fear'd The Archbishop of Toledo after a tedious Sickness dy'd at Alcala de Henares and was put into a curious Marble Tomb built by himself in the Parish Church of St. Peter D. John Martinez de Contreras Dean of Toledo by the King's Interest was chosen Archbishop The Chapter rather favour'd the School-Master John Alvarez de Toledo but the King's Recommendation prevail'd The elect Archbishop went away to Rome to be confirm'd by Pope Martin the Vth as was then the Custom and spent two years in that Journey CHAP. VII The Death of the Moorish King of Granada A Truce betwixt Castile and Portugal The Interest of the Aragonians decays at Naples Joseph
away by the Floods at Valladolid and more at Medina del Campo In 40 Days no Corn was ground so that the People fed upon the Grain boil'd for want of Bread At Sevil the River Guadalquivir swell'd within a Yard of the top of the Walls Some of the Inhabitants liv'd aboard Ships for fear of being drown'd others Day and Night were repairing the Walls and Cauking the Gates These Rains and Storms began on the 28th of October and continu'd without ceasing till the 25th of March. Mean while the War with the Moors was carry'd on with various Success James de Ribera the Lieutenant at the Siege of Alora was kill'd with a Dart from the Wall At another place in a Skirmish the Moors slew John Faxardo Son to Alonso Faxardo the Lieutenant Perafan Son to James Ribera tho but 15 years of Age succeeded him in recompence for the good Service done by his Father These Losses were in some measure made up by the taking of Huescar a very strong Town by Assault Roderick Manrique Son to the Lieutenant Peter Manrique took it Besides a great Body of Moors that was marching to the Relief of it was overthrown by the Lieutenant of Caçorla and the Lord of Valdecorneja whereupon the Castle which still held out surrendred But another Misfortune soon allay'd the Joy of this Victory D. Gutierre de Sotomayor Master of Alcantara made an Incursion into the Lands of the Moors with 800 Horse and 400 Foot to attack Archidona The Moors gave the Alarm firing their Beacons upon which about 500 Men got together Arm'd with Darts and Slings and securing the Passes kill'd most of the Christians so that he escap'd with a very few This Misfortune mov'd the Lord of Valdecorneja to raise the Siege he had lay'd to Huelma tho it was near surrendring fearing the Moors encourag'd by this Success would come to relieve it He soon gather'd more Forces and joyning with the Bishop of Jaen wasted all the Territory of Guadix burning the Corn which was fit to cut His Force was 1500 Horse and 6000 Foot A great Number of Horse and 40000 Foot march'd from Granada to oppose him Nothing daunted at that Multitude he engag'd and put them to flight killing 400 the Night hindring the pursuit This Day the Lieutenant Perca signaliz'd himself for his Horse being kill'd and he wounded in the Leg he still fought so bravely afoot that the Moors were glad to leave him In the Kingdom of Murcia not far from Huescar there are two Towns call'd Velez el Roxo and Velez el Blanco The Lieutenant Faxardo lay'd Siege to and had them both surrendred These things we have related are what happen'd in three Years against the Moors we have put them together to avoid confounding the Memory This Year we now write of was Remarkable for the Peace concluded betwixt France and Burgundy which prov'd very Advantageous to France but this belongs to their Histories In Spain the Queens of Aragon and Navarre whilst the Kings their Husbands besieg'd Gaeta as shall be related obtain'd of the King of Castile who was going from Madrid to Buitrago to be entertain'd by InÌigo Lopez de Mendoça that the Truce should be prolong'd till the first of November John de Luna Lord of Illueca sent Embassador on this Account obtain'd this of D. Alvaro de Luna who then manag'd all things and was joyful for that he had a Son born at Madrid who was call'd D. John The King express'd great Satisfaction for it and the Nobility feign'd it to gain his Favour The Death of the Seneschal John Carracciolo the Duke of Anjou and Queen Joanna seem'd to have made way for the King of Aragon to obtain the Crown of Naples Many of the Nobility having consulted together seiz'd the City and Castle of Capua and sent thence Reginald de Aquino into Sicily to offer their Service to the King of Aragon provided he would immediately come to their Aid before the Enemy gather'd strength With the King were his three Brothers all of Age fit for War and well inclin'd to it Prince Peter was left in Sicily to gather the Fleet. The King with his Brother of Navarre and Prince Henry set sail from Messina only with 7 Galleys He touch'd at the Island Ponça then at Ischia and lastly came to Sessa whither a great Number of Noblemen was come from Capua to meet him The chief of them was Antony Marsano Duke of Sessa Here they consulted about carrying on the War and it was resolv'd to besiege Gaeta On the 7th of May it was invested by the Neapolitan Forces at Land and the Fleet of Aragon at Sea The Prince of Taranto came thither with his Forces The King of Aragon possess'd himself of Mount Orlando which overtops the City whereby great hope was conceiv'd it would surrender the Townsmen being in a Consternation and wanting Provisions But the Genoeses who were numerous there by reason of their great Trade resolv'd to defend the City They chose Francis Spinola a Man of Note who chiefly encourag'd them for their Commander and then turn'd all useless People out of the City whom the King of Aragon reliev'd and sent to the Neighbouring Villages which gain'd him the Affections of the Besieged and of all the Country The Senate of Genoa understanding the Danger their People were in by the Duke of Milan's Order sitted out 12 great Ships 2 Galleys and a Galliot Manning them well and putting in store of Provisions Blas Assareto was appointed to Command this Fleet a notable Souldier who had rais'd himself from a very mean Condition to that height by his Valour The King of Aragon set out to meet this Fleet with 14 Ships and 11 Galleys With him went most of the Men of Note not doubting of the Victory The Aragonians anker'd at the Island Ponça and the Genoeses on the Coast of Terracina Thence they sent a Herauld to acquaint the King of Aragon they came not to fight but only to carry Provisions to their Countrymen This Message was much ridicul'd by the Aragonians and both Parties made ready to fight Before they ingag'd 3 Genoese Ships were order'd to stand out to Sea that when the Dispute was hottest they might fall upon the Enemy's Rear The Aragonians believing they fled fell on without any Order The King attack'd the Genoese Admiral The Genoese bringing his Ship about poured abundance of Darts and Stones into the King's Poop In the same manner the other Ships grapl'd and fought as if they had been on Land The Aragonians had the Advantage in Numbers but that caus'd Confusion among them and many were Sea-sick whereas the Genoeses had the odds of being expert Mariners and us'd to that sort of fight The Galleys were of no use the Ships being ingag'd together and so much higher above the Water than the Galleys It was now late when the 3 Genoese Ships which at first were thought to fly fell athwart the
Duke of Bourbon had broke into Aragon by the way of Russillon The Q. of Aragon and K. of Navarre were much alarm'd but this Storm soon vanish'd for the Weather drove the French another way without doing any considerable harm This year was unfortunate to Portugal not only for their Loss in Africk but for the Plague which rag'd throughout the Kingdom and destroy'd great Numbers of People Also King Edward dy'd of a Fever at the Convent of Tomar whither he withdrew for fear of the Plague His Reign was short for it lasted but Five Years and Thirty Seven Days He writ a Book of the Government of a Kingdom and ordain'd that for the future the King 's Eldest Son should be call'd Prince as was the Custom in Castile He had Issue Alonso who succeeded him and was the First that had the Title of Prince in Portugal Ferdinand Duke of Viseo Master of the Orders of Christ and Santiago Constable of Portugal who was Father of Ellenor Queen of Portugal Elizabeth Dutchess of Bragança James Kill'd by his Brother-in-Law King John and Emanuel that came at length to be King of Portugal Ellenor the Empress Wife to Frederick the III. and Mother to Maximilian was also Daughter to King Edward Besides he had Catherine Contracted to several Princes yet never Marry'd and Joanna Wife to Henry IV. King of Castile The late King order'd the Queen should Govern during the Minority of his Son but the Nobility mutiny'd and chose Peter Duke of Coimbra the New King's Uncle The Queen complain'd of the Wrong done her but to no purpose In August Peter Manrique the Lieutenant with his Wife and Two Daughters let themselves down by Ropes out of the Castle of FuentiduenÌas where he was Prisoner and escap'd by the Assistance of some Servants of the Governour Gomez Carrillo and this occasion'd New Troubles Many Noblemen associated themselves with him in order to pull down D. Alvaro de Luna which was a difficult Task his Power being very great At Medina de Ruysico they made all manner of Warlike Preparations In February 1439. the King went from Madrigal to Roa to prevent their Designs carrying along with him his Son Prince Henry D. Alvaro de Luna and several other Nobles and Prelates The Conspirators sent a Letter to the King full of submissive Language protesting they were ready to Obey him or his Son and that they had taken up Arms to defend themselves against the Favourite The King return'd no Answer Roderick de Villandrando was then come from France bringing with him 4000 Horse to serve the King upon promise of being Created Earl of Ribadeo Prince Henry of Aragon and his Brother the King of Navarre entred Castile with 500 Horse hoping during those Tumults to recover the Lands that had been taken from them Both Parties sent to Court them neither knowing what they design'd They agreed among themselves that the King of Navarre should go to Cuellar where the King of Castile then was and Prince Henry to PenÌafiel a Town which had been his Their design was to look on till they found which side was likeliest to restore them to their Estates Mean while InÌigo de Zuniga Brother to the Earl of Ledesma with a Party of 500 Horse secur'd Valladolid a Large Rich and plentiful Town Immediately a great Number of the Conspirators repair'd thither The King of Castile fearing these Beginnings might produce greater Mischiefs went to Olmedo to be the nearer in order to appease those Commotions and to bring Prince Henry over to his Party They had several Conferences to this purpose but all without success for the Prince after amusing both Parties for some time at last joyn'd with the Rebels This was suppos'd to be done with the Advice of the King of Navarre that he might have a sure Stake whoever was uppermost The whole Kingdom was under great Apprehensions of a New War Therefore some Religious Pious and Learned Persons interpos'd They spoke to those Rebellious Noblemen and represented to them the Miseries of a Civil War advising to compose Differences before any Blood was spilt They labour'd so much that they perswaded both Parties to meet at Castro NunÌo there to treat of some amicable Accommodation CHAP. IX The King of Castile and the Rebels agree The Rebellion breaks out again The King taken Prisoner Blanch Queen of Navarre dyes Her Son Charles succeeds The Council at Basil Deposes Pope Eugenius and chooses Felix ON the 24th of August Castelnovo in Naples having endured a tedious Siege notwithstanding the King of Aragon was preparing to Relieve it was deliver'd up to the Enemy Yet the King of Aragon made amends for this Loss by recovering the City Salerno and several other Places At Castro NunÌo the King of Castile and his Nobles at last agreed upon these Articles That D. Alvaro de Luna be Six Months from Court without being allow'd to write to the King That their Estates be restor'd to the King of Navarre and Prince of Aragon or in lieu of them such a Revenue as shall be adjudged by Arbitrators That all Forces be dismissed That the Conspirators withdraw their Garrisons out of the Towns they have seized That no Man be punish'd for having formerly sided with Aragon and now with the Conspirators Hereupon the Mastership of Santiago was restor'd to Prince Henry and the Town of Cuellar to the King of Navarre D. Alvaro de Luna in lieu of it had Sepulveda This done the King went to Toro There he receiv'd the News that the Lady Cathorine Wife to Prince Henry of Aragon dy'd at Zaragoça without Issue on the 19th of October D. Alvaro de Luna in pursuance of the late Capitulation on the 29th of October went away to Sepulveda so highly offended he could not conceaâ it With him went Jonntile Silva chief Standard-Bearer to the King Peter de AcunÌa Gomez Carrillo and many other Men of Quality who were beholding to him or hoped to be so The Council of Basil at last deposed Pope Eugenius and in his Place chose Amadec on the Fifth of November by the Name of Felix V. He had been Forty Years Earl and Duke of Savoy and then Abdioating his Dukedom and Renouncing the Pleasures of the Court liv'd a solitary Life aiming at Perfection accompany'd only by six antient Men of Quality It was happy for Pope Engenius that the Christian Princes made no account of that Election not even the King of Aragon and Duke of Millan tho Enemies to Eugenius and higher offended at him The Authority of the Fathers at Basil declin'd yet they broke not up till the year 47 of this Century at which time they dissolv'd and return'd home being terrify'd by Luis Dauphin of France who was marching to break up their Assembly by a Decree of Frederick the Emperor Felix the New Pope upon better Advice soon after said aside the Pontifical Robes and was by Pope Nicholas Succeslor to Engenius made Cardinal and
end to the Treaty of Peace and the Queen of Castile return'd to Arevalo where she was before War broke out in several Places at the same time The Chief Heads of the Rebellion were Prince Henry of Aragon the Admiral and the Earl of Benavente D. Alvaro de Luna and his Brother the Archbishop of Toledo bravely made head against the Rebels InÌigo Lopez de Mendoça escap'd being kill'd very narrowly with a very few of his Men all the rest being cut off by John Carrillo Lieutenant of Caçorla who lay'd an Ambush for him At the same time another Party of the Malecontents was defeated by the Forces of D. Alvaro near a Town call'd Gresmonda In this Action was kill'd Laurence Davalos Son to the Constable D. Ruy Lopez Davalos John de Mena a famous Poet in those Days lamented his Death in Elegiack Verse At the same time the King of Navarre came into New Castile with a good Body of Men in favour of the Rebels because the Royalists were too hard for them and being dispersed about the Country plunder'd it and ravish'd the Women In Old Castile the King took Medina del Campo and Arevalo from the King of Navarre At a Village call'd Naharro in that Neighbourhood he had a Conference with Ellenor Queen Dowager of Portugal Nothing was concluded touching the Rebels but the King sent Embassadors to advise Peter Duke of Coimbra to do the Queen right The King of Aragon also sent an Embassy from Italy to Portugal to the same effect but nothing was done for that Prince would not quit the Government and the Kings were not at Leasure to use Force So that Queen Ellenor ended her days in Castile The Princes of Aragon hasted out of the Kingdom of Toledo to Old Castile to secure their Interest there Arevalo open'd the Gates to receive them and thence they went to Medina del Campo and sat down before it Some Skirmish happen'd but the Siege lasted not long for some of the Townsmen by Night gave entrance to the Rebels The King had dispos'd his Forces about the Streets and publick Places The Townsmen kept close in their Houses D. Alvaro de Luna his Brother the Archbishop of Toledo and the Master of Alcantara in Disguize escap'd through the midst of their Enemies being advis'd so to do by the King knowing their Lives were in Danger if taken by the Rebels They came and kissed the King's Hand conducting him to the Palace with feign'd Respect The Queens and Prince Henry hearing what had happen'd came thither and after a long Consultation in hatred to D. Alvaro all the Officers of the King's Houshold were remov'd Others that had adher'd to the King were turn'd out of the City It was propos'd to compose Differences the King being then a Prisoner and Judges were appointed to decide all Controversies D. Alvaro was commanded not to depart out of such Towns of his own as should be assign'd during the term of 6 Years and that he should not write to the King unless the Letters were first perus'd by the Queen and Prince Henry Moreover that he should not make any new Alliances or maintain Soldiers and for Security that he would perform all this he should deliver his Son D. John as Hostage and nine Castles within 30 Days These things much afflicted D. Alvaro who yet ceas'd not to study new ways to rise But all Men shun him that is falling and the Rebels strengthned their Party by fresh Allyances Joanna Daughter to the Admiral was contracted to the King of Navarre Beatrix Daughter to the Earl of Benavente to Prince Henry of Aragon These Matches were contriv'd by James Gomez de Sandoval Earl of Castro who sought by that means to unite the Malecontents and ruin D. Alvaro de Luna CHAP. X. The Progress of the Aragonians in Naples That City taken by them New Disorders in Spain The Archbishop of Toledo Dyes Of some Men famous for Learning THe Civil War in Spain seem'd to be at an end but Italy was all over in a Flame with the War of Naples The Forces of Renee wasted with delay and his Wife and Children being sent to Marseilles seem'd to denote there remain'd but small hopes Besides James Caldora the great Prop of that Party dy'd suddenly as he was going to Plunder Circaslo a Town of the Pope's Jurisdiction and the rest of his Family after his Death joyn'd with the Aragonians whose interest daily advanc'd They took the City Aversa subdu'd all Calabria and defeated the Forces of Francis Sforcia in Apulia Pope Eugenius made a League with the Venetians Florentines and Genoeses to expel the Aragonians out of Italy To this purpose the Cardinal of Trent entred the Kingdom of Naples with 10000 Men but they being Raw Soldiers did no great matter The Army of Aragon march'd directly to Naples and sate down before it Renoe not daring to come into the Field Some Provisions and Recruits were brought to the Besieg'd by the Genoeses These were small Helps for the Multitude within was great and began to suffer much Want Corn being excessive dear Some advis'd to Surrender upon any Terms but that not succeeding one Anello and his Brother both Bricklayers fled to the Camp and offer'd to shew how the City might be taken without much danger so they were well rewarded Their design was to convey Men into the Town through an Aqueduct that carries the Water into the City 200 Men were chosen for this purpose and order'd to obey the two Brothers The Way was so difficult that most of them were left behind and only 40 went through and came to the Wall of a Private House where a Woman Cry'd out and had betray'd them had they not soon stopp'd her Mouth Much time was spent in getting through the Sun was up and no Sign made to give notice they were within It was fear'd they were all Cut off and yet the Forces appointed to give the Assault apply'd the Scaling Ladders but faintly hearing no Noise within The 40 Soldiers hearing the Noise seiz'd a Tower upon the Walls call'd Sophia Thither the King of Aragon made to Relieve them and Renee to drive them out and there follow'd a hot Dispute but at length the Aragonians having forc'd some of the Gates enter'd the City Renee after having done all that became a good Commander and brave Soldier retir'd to the Castle Some Houses were Plunder'd but no body Kill'd Thus the Aragonians made themselves Masters of Naples upon Saturday the 2d of June 1442. The Soldiers were publickly commended and rewarded according to the Merit of every Man and particularly Peter Martinez Commander of those who came through the Aqueduct The Two Bricklayers receiv'd more than could be expected by such mean persons Some curious Men observ'd that Belisarius took that City from the Goths by the same Stratagem Renee having no hopes left capitulated to deliver up all Places that held out for him upon liberty to depart freely
in it a good Body of Horse for fear as he said of the Master of Santiago his Enemy For this Reason as also because Toledo was again in an Uproar the King returned without effecting any thing In Toledo the Earl of Cifuentes possessed himself of the Castle of S. Martin then very strong and secured the Deputy-Governor Scarce were these Tumults in Toledo quelled by the King with the Assistance of the Canons of that Church when News came from Segovia that that City was all in Confusion which perplexed the King and forced him to speed thither his Treasure being there Great was the Misery of those Times as well in Ecclesiastical as Civil Affairs The Money was either Counterfeit or of base Allay Many Petitions were presented to the King for Redress of these Grievances but all in vain Ferdinand del Pulgar a Man famous in those days wrote a Pastoral Dialogue being a Satyr upon the King and Nobles reflecting severely on the Miscarriages and Abuses in the Government The same Year on the 12th of May died Charles Duke of Guienne at Bourdeaux having then concluded a League with the Dukes of Burgundy and Britany against the King of France Bloody Wars followed afterwards between the King of France and Duke of Burgundy which we leave to the French Historians Gaston Earl of Faux has relation to the History of Spain as pretending to the Crown of Navarre in Right of his Wife Ellenor but Death cut him off this Year at Roncesvalles in his way from France to Navarre The Bishop of Siguença aspired with the King's Favour to be made a Cardinal and had good Pretensions to it for his Birth and Services but was so displeased his Promotion was delayed that he would not attend the King in his late Journeys to Portugal or Andaluzia Means were used to pacify him because he was a Man in great Power and had Kindred that were very great The Master of Santiago being now a Widower married the Daughter of the Earl of Haro and the Lady Mary de Mendoça This Match allied him to the Velascos and Mendoças and made them of his Party Particularly the Mendoças forsook the Duke of Medina Sidonia By this means the Master secured himself against the Malice of his Enemies The Bishop of Siguença had fresh Assurances given him of obtaining a Cardinal's Cap as soon as the Cardinal D. Roderick de Borgia who was daily expected arrived as he did then at the City Valencia his own Country on the 20th of June He was there nobly entertained and went thence by Land to Tarragona to meet King Ferdinand who having been with his Father before Barcelona was returning to his Wife There the Cardinal Legate gave him the Dispensation for his Marriage referred by Pope Sixtus to the Archbishop of Toledo Many Reasons were given for this Journey of King Ferdinand The true one was to acquaint his Mother with the Match designed betwixt Henry Duke of Segovia and the Princess Joanna which he endeavoured to break off His Father gave little credit to it besides that he loved his Nephew Henry as being his Brother's Son In fine King Ferdinand hasted back to Valencia and thence to Castile fearing some Revolution there The Cardinal Legate came to the King of Aragon before Barcelona at such time as the Besieged suffered much yet continued obstinate They had been many times summoned but to no purpose Therefore the King wrote a Gracious Letter to them advising not to put him upon a necessity of coming to Extremities but rather to make use of his Mercy and promising to use them as his Children This Letter softned their Hearts and there being no hopes of Relief they appointed Commissioners to Treat and surrendred upon Conditions All the French Garrison with their Commander the Son to the Duke of Lorrain was suffered to depart in safety All Persons that had been in Arms against the King were pardoned except only the Earl of Pallas who from those Places he possest on the Pyrenean Hills with the Assistance of France gave some trouble and held out for a long time after All the Acts or Decrees made by the Citizens for Ten years last past and during the War were confirmed by the King On these Terms the City was Surrendred Two Matches were agreed upon at Naples one of Frederick Son to Ferdinand King of Naples with Joanna Daughter to the King of Aragon which afterwards took no effect The other of the Princess Elenor with Hercules de Este Duke of Ferrara tho' she was before Contracted to Galeaço Maria Sforcia In Navarre the Princess Elenor Resided at Sanguessa and after the death of her Husband delivered up the strong Holds of that Kingdom to the King of France for Security of her Grandchildren whose Unckle that King was This Action much offended the King of Aragon who in Revenge thereof and of the Succours sent against him during the War of Catalonia resolved to Recover Russillon and Cerdagne With this Resolution he set out of Barcelona on the 29th of December preceding the beginning of the year 1473. Elna and Perpignan immediately opened their Gates to receive him and generally the People were well affected towards him wherefore it was not doubted the other Towns would follow their Example The Cardinal Legate set out towards Castile At Madrid he was Received with great Pomp under a Canopy before him went the Lords and Prelates and he went upon the Kings right Hand the greatest Honour according to the Custom of Spain It was proposed in the Popes Name to Raise a Sum of Money upon the Revenues of the Church to be Employed in the War against the Turks Many Objections were made especially the Poverty of the Clergy yet the Legate prevailed with the Assistance of the King The Clergy of Spain were so ignorant that few of them understood Latin and besides they were wholly given up to their Ease and Luxury Their Avarice was such that they thought all too little for them and by reason of their Ambition looked upon Simony as a lawful Purchase In the Synod called by the Legate it was proposed to Remedy these Evils and to that effect they made application to the Pope that in all Cathedrals the Bishop and Chapter should choose Two Canons whereof one should be a Canonist the other a Divine This Request being so reasonable was easily granted by the Pope and he sent his Bull to that effect CHAP. X. The Pope's Legates Practices against King Henry of Castile Massacre of the Jews Signal Loyalty of Peter de Peralta Traiterous Practices of Elizabeth Sister to King Henry of Castile A Synod at Aranda ALL the Labour employed by the Legate to Appease the Tumults in Spain proved ineffectual the Inclinations of the People being Debauched and he naturally favouring King Ferdinand and endeavouring to advance his Interest To this purpose he went to Alcalà where King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth were and with them the Archbishop of
flourishing Kingdom His Son Alonso succeeded him and was no way more acceptable to the People than his Father had been Cardinal John de Borgia sent on purpose by the Pope his Unckle as Legate to Naples Crowned him This Year also the Pope by his Bull granted to the Kings of Castile for ever the 3d part of the Tithes of Castile Leon and Granada conditionally that the profit thereof should be spent in the War with the Moors At Tordesillas on the 7th of June was agreed the Difference betwixt Castile and Portugal touching their Discoveries in the Indies The Conquests of Castile were to begin 36 Degrees West from the Meridian of Lisbon all thence Eastward as far as half the Circumference of the Globe to appertain to the Portugueses The matter also of the Conquests in Africk was adjusted so that all within the Kingdom of Fez should belong to Portugal the Kingdom of Tremecen to Castile but no Line was fixed to distinguish their Limits which afterwards caused new disputes CHAP. IV. The French Invade the Kingdom of Naples An account of Luis Sforcia Duke of Milan The French King at Rome Alonso King of Naples Abdicates The French Possess themselves of the Kingdom of Naples THE King of France being resolved to Invade Italy in Person gathered all his Forces the Randezvouz of his Army was at Lyons Thither came from Ostia whither he fled for fear of the Pope the Cardinal of St. Peter to forward that undertaking On the other side D. Alonso de Silva according to his Instructions in his King's behalf protested against those proceedings Nevertheless the King of France committing the Government of his Kingdom to Peter Duke of Bourbon his Brother-in-Law set out from that City upon Tuesday the 22th of July with him went most of the Nobility of France His Army consisted of about 20000 Foot and 5000 Horse To pay these Forces he borrowed Money of the Nobility besides 150000 Florms taken up of a Genoese Banker a small Sum for so great an undertaking King Alonso sent a great Fleet under the Command of his Brother Frederick to Infest the State of Genoa By Land he sent his Son the Duke of Calabria to Invade the Territories of Milan All things fell out unfortunately for Frederick did nothing worth naming and the Duke of Calabria was stopped by the Forces of France and Milan from passing out of Romania The King of France passed the Alpes and on the 9th of September came to Aste the Bounds of the Dukedom of Milan and then possessed by the Duke of Orleans who was in that Expedition and pretended a Right to the whole Dukedom D. Alonso the Spanish Ambassador was very little looked upon at Court insomuch that he was ordered to be dismissed but he winked at all being a Person of great Prudence and Sagacity At the City Aste they flighted him so far as to assign him no Quarters whereupon he was forced to go away to Genoa There he began to treat with Luis Sforcia who repented of what he had done about joining in League with the Catholick King giving him a hint that one of the Princesses should be Married to his Eldest Son for they could not Marry with any other Prince by reason of the agreement made with France This took so much with Luis Sforcia that he resolved to change Parties tho' at the same time he repaired to Aste to receive the French King and gave him a Sum of Money to pay his Army The King leaving the Duke of Orleans who designed to lay hold of that oportunity to possess himself of the State of Milan at Aste Marched with his Army to Pavia where he visitted the Duke John Galeazzo who was then at the point of death and was his Cousin-german both their Mothers being Sisters and Daughters to the Duke of Savoy The Duke died on the 21th of October and it appeared plainly he had been poisoned which increased the Hatred conceived towards his Unckle The same day the King of France entred Plasencia and with him Lewis Sforcia who understanding the death of his Nephew immediatly returned to Milan and there publickly took upon him the Title of Duke notwithstanding his Nephew left a Son five Years of Age as also two Daughters and his Wife big with Child So far did his Ambition blind him that the same day he wrote to King Alonso giving an account of his Nephews death and telling him the Nobility and People of Milan had obliged him to take the Title of Duke and that he believed this would be no way displeasing to him knowing how well affected he was towards him and his Kingdom From Plasencia the King entred into Tuscany Ambassadors came to him from all parts and particulaly from the Venetians offering their Friendship The Pope sent the Cardinal of Siena his Legate who came as far as Pisa but the King would not see him The Florentines sent Peter de Medicis on the same account He contrary to his Commission and Instructions was agreeing to deliver up to the French Saraçana Saraçanella and Piedrasanta strong Holds belonging to the Republick on Mount Apennine as also the Castles of Pesa and Leghorn and some other things to this purpose Hereat the People were so inraged that they Banished him and his Brothers the Cardinal de Medicis and Julian plundered their Houses and confiscated all their Estates which were very great Being come to Pisa the King restored that City to its Liberty delivering it from the subjection it was under to the Florentines He entred Florence the same day that Picus Mirandula died there at the Age of 34 Years a Man of such an excellent Wit that he was called the Phaenix He agreed with the Florentines to restore their Forts after the War was ended that they for his sake should pardon Peter de Medicis and his Brothers and pay 120000 Florins towards the Charge of the War Rome was in an uproar because the Cardinals could not agree and the Nobility was divided for Prosper and Fabricius Colonna favoured the French and Virginius Ursinus the Neapolitans The Colonneses with Cardinal Ascanius Sforcia had seized the City Ostia by which means Rome suffered great want no Provisions coming to it by Sea It was genarally believed the Pope would agree with the King of France or else depart Rome Hereupon the People began to mutiny and the Pope was obliged to satisfie the Cardinals and Roman Gentry assuring them he would stand by the juster Cause and if the King of France attempted to enter Rome with his Army he would make head against him and hazard his own Life in the Quarrel All he could say was of little force to encourage the People who were terrified with the News daily brought of the approach of the French and their securing the Towns belonging to the Church The Pope himself perceiving that neither his own nor the Forces of Naples with a good part whereof the Duke of Calabria then lay at
Otranto and Trana which lay convenient for their Trade in the East King Ferdinand of Spain provided for the War in Russillon To this purpose the Cortes met the last Year at Taraçona and resolved to assist the King with 200 Men at Arms and 300 Horse for 3 Years After this the Cortes of Catalonia assembled at Tortosa and sate till the beginning of the Year 1496. They also granted Supplies The two Matches with the House of Austria were also forwarded because the Archduke's Inclination lay another way Still the War in Naples continued for tho' the French were few in Number yet they had some considerable Places of Strength In ãâã Gonçalo Fernandez was strong and straitned the French very much Near Eboli the French defeated 4000 Neapolitans which made them sole Masters of the Field in that Country To raise Money they resolved to march into Apulia and receive the Duties upon Cattel which is one of the best Branches of the Revenue The King was at Benevento his Forces dispersed and went thence to Foxia to prevent the Design of the French The Marquess of Mantua with the Forces of Venice join'd him Fabricio attempting the same with 600 Swissers had most of his Men cut off by the French whereupon they grew so bold as to offer the King Battel at Foxia He refused but some small Skirmishes hapned betwixt them The French marched on to receive the Duty some they had and some the King got the rest was lost Gonçalo Fernandez being possessed of almost all Calabria had cooped the Lord Aubeni up in the extream part of that Province yet the King called him away to strike at the Head In his Place he left Cardinal Luis d' Aragon the King 's Cousin-German The Country-people thought to secure the Passes but the Spaniards being well versed in that way of Mountain-fight made a great Slaughter of them near a Town of Calabria called Muran There they understood that some of the Barons of the French Faction lay not far off at a Town called Lacino and designed to relieve the Castle of Confenza Gonçalo de Cordova marched all night surprized the Town killed many of those Nobles and sent the rest Prisoners to the King The French besieged Xerula 10 Miles from Benevento and the King sate down before Frangito The French came to relieve this Place at such time as the King's Forces entred and burnt it to lose no time in Plundering Both Armies stood in sight of one another on two Hills neither daring to pass the Valley that lay betwixt them Tho' the French were weak the King resolved not to fight till Gonçalo de Cordova had joined him which he did notwithstanding the Duke of Monpensier laboured to hinder it On Midsummer day he came up with the King who then lay before Amalfi whither the French were then retired He viewed the Place and on the 1st of July attacked the Enemies Guard upon the Mills and drove them away destroying the Mills which gained him such mighty Reputation that the Italians began to call him the Great Captain and looked upon him as Superiour to all other Officers This Siege was carried on with such Vigour that the Duke of Monpensier was forced to surrender upon Articles which were That if within 30 days he were not relieved from France he would withdraw all the Forces out of the Kingdom with their Goods Arms and Horses and deliver up all Places except Gaeta Venosa and Taranto and those Towns which the Lord of Aubeni and the Duke de Monte were possessed of Upon this Condition the King was obliged to give the French free Passage by Sea and Land This was agreed in July and afterwards performed accordingly It is worth observing That in Original Capitulations signed on both Sides they gave Gonçalo Fernandez the Title of Great Captain Nevertheless few of the French ever reached home The Duke of Monpensier died at Puzol Virginius Ursinus contrary to the Capitulation was apprehended by the Pope's Order with his Son John Jordan and other Italian Lords It troubled the King that his Word was broke and that he could not relieve them yet he durst not disobey the Pope who commanded it and whose Nephew John Borgia the Cardinal and Bishop of Melfi followed the Army as his Legate during this War and the Duke of Gandia Commanded the Forces of the Pope During the absence of the Great Captain the Affairs of Calabria grew into a worse Posture which obliged him to return thither He coming into that Province the greatest part whereof the Enemy was again possessed of so distressed them that the Lord Aubeni was forced to subscribe to the Conditions made with the Duke of Monpensier and return to France having gained the Reputation of a Brave but Unfortunate Commander in that he had to do with so great a Man as Gonçalo Fernandez At the same time that the Affairs of Naples began to have a more favourable Aspect that is about the middle of August departed this Life Queen Elizabeth Mother to the then Queen of Spain Her Body was deposited at Arevalo where she lived the latter part of her Life somewhat distracted Thence she was afterwards translated to the Church of the Carthusians at Burgos where her Husband King John II. of Castile lay buried Her Grandchild the Princess Joanna on the 22d of the same Month sailed from Laredo with a Fleet there provided to carry her to her Husband Philip Archduke of Austria The Queen her Mother bore her Company to the Sea Frederick Enriquez the Admiral carried her to Flanders were she was Nobly entertained This Year also the Pope gave to King Ferdinand of Spain the Title of Catholick King as Pius II. had before Honoured Luis XI King of France with the Name of Most Christian That is whereas before they used to write on the Pope's Bulls To the Illustrious King of Castile now they first wrote To the Catholick King of Spain This highly offended the Portugueses who said King Ferdinand was not King of it all their Kings possessing a great part The Dispute lasted till that Crown was united to Castile As soon as King Emanuel was seated on the Throne of Portugal he assembled the Cortes of the Kingdom at Montemor not far from Evora in order to settle the Government Thither came George the late King's Bastard-Son then but 14 Years of Age and with him his Tutor D. James d' Almeyda Great Prior of S. John The King received him with much Demonstration of Affection promising to look upon him as his own Child and to use him as such He immediately sent Ambassadors to the King of Spain to acquaint him with his Accession to the Crown and to the Pope to pay him Reverence as usual D. James de Sylva the King's Tutor and D. John Manuel his Foster-Brother were in great Esteem with the King D. James was created Earl of Portalegre D. John made Lord Chamberlain and afterwards became the King's greatest
would never consent to it unless he were allowed to share in the Government and also in the Revenue by which means he thought to supply his great wants He endeavoured to draw into his Service 1500 of the Catholick King 's Soldiers that served in France but the Catholick King sent Alonsode Olmedes to keep them where they were They obeyed tho' the Marquess of Brandenburgh declared them Rebels as if they had been the Emperor's Subjects The Emperor highly resented that the Catholick King would not admit of Andrew de Burgo whom he sent with the Character of his Ambassador At this time King Emanuel of Portugal extended the Glory of his Name still sending new Fleets to India and obtaining fresh Victories The Kings of Calicut and Cambaya were professed Enemies of the Portugueses and therefore made War upon the King of Cochin and other Princes who received them into their Ports and traded with them The Nobility of Andaluzia were offended for that the Catholick King made not so great account of them as of those of Castile The chief of the Malecontents were the Marquess of Priego D. Peter Fernandez de Cordova and the Earl of Cabra In a Tumult at Cordova the Officers of Justice Apprehended one of the Mutineers whom the Bishop's Servants rescued King Ferdinand set Fernan Gomez de Herrera an Alcalde de Corte with some Men to punish that Insolency He having begun to do his Duty the Marquess of Priego sent him Orders to desist and depart the City till the Kings Pleasute were farther known He on the contrary Commanded the Marquess and his Brother in the Kings Name to be gone out of Cordova The Marquess gathering a Force apprehended the Alcalde but released him again upon promise that he would not return to Cordova This Affront the King highly resented and set out himself to revenge it At Arcos he took Prince Ferdinand from the Queen against her will upon pretence of his Health He summoned Forces to join him in order to punish that Insolence and in pursuance thereof the Deputy of Sevil D. InÌigo de Velasco Ordered all betwixt 60 and 20 years of Age to be ready to march against the Marquess The Great Captain writ to the Marquess his Cousin advising him to submit and he intended so to do The Nobility and particularly the Great Captain laboured to appease the King who was resolved not to give way to Intreaties The Marquess came to submit himself when the King was at Toledo and was Ordered to Wait 5 Leagues from Court and deliver up all his strong Holds He obeyed With the King went to Cordova 1000 Horse and 3000 Foot The Marquess being taken and charged with High Treason would make no defence but cast himself upon the Kings Mercy Judgment was given some Gentlemen were condemned to death some of the Commonalty executed The Houses of D. Alonso de Carzama and Bernardin de Bocanegra who were in Prison were Razed The Marquess was banished for ever out of Cordova and out of Andaluzia during the King's pleasure who was also to secure all his strong Holds except his House at Montilla which was to be demolished The Great Captain and Constable were extreamly disgusted at this Severity insomuch that it was thought the latter would have departed the Kingdom From Cordova the King sent D. Henry de Toledo and the Licenciat Ferdinand Tello to do Homage to the Pope for the Queen his Daughter At Naples died the Queen of Hungary so very Poor the Viceroy was forced to pay the charge of her Obsequies She was buried in the Church of S. Peter Martyr where the Body of her Mother lies King Ferdinand went to Sevil where he was received with great Pomp and Joy With him went the Queen his Wife and Prince Ferdinand Henry Duke of Medina Sidonia was left young by his Father under the Guardianship of D. Peter Giron to whose Sister he was contracted The Duke was haughty and turbulent and had designed to assist the Marquess of Priego To appease the King it was offered he should deliver up his chiefest Fortresses and the Constable would be bound for his good behaviour Nevertheless neither the Duke nor D. Peter Giron came to submit themselves to the King who thereupon put D. Peter from his Guardianship banishing him from Sevil and all the Lands of Medina Sidonia and the Duke was commanded to deliver up all his Places of strength They both fled to Portugal and the King Orderèd their Lieutenants to deliver the Forts Those of Niebla and Figueras would not submit and therefore Niebla was taken by force and plundered This Severity made all Places comply This Estate was put into the Hands of the Archbishop of Sevil and the Council Ordered to prosecute D. Peter Giron The Nobility but chiefly the Constable resented this rigorous Proceeding yet the King was resolved to humble their Pride and the Archbishop of Toledo advised him so to do The Catholick King spent all Autumn in settling Andaluzia and thence promoted the War in Africk assisting the Portugueses who were much distressed The King of Fez being at variance with his Two Brothers it was thought a good Opportunity to gain some advantage in Africk and to this purpose a Fleet was fitted out at Malaga The Pyrates of Velez de la Gomera did much harm at this time along the Coast of Granada Count Peter Navarro our Admiral gave them Chase took some Vessels and pursued the others to an Island opposite to Velez and the common refuge of those Corsairs There were 200 Moors in the Fort of that Island which they call PenÌon these thinking the Earl would Attack Velez abandoned the Island to defend the Town but he immediately possessed himself of the Castle which Commands the Harbour and City and thence did them so much harm that the Moors were forced to live under Ground This Place was taken on the 23th of July and Ordered to be Fortified and well Garrisoned The Portugueses made War on the Coast of Africk along the Ocean A Moor called Zelum Cousin to the King of Fez offered to put them in a way to take Azamor a famous City on that Coast King Emanuel giving Credit to him fitted a Fleet which carried 400 Horse and above 2000 Foot under the Command of D. John de Meneses This Fleet sailed from Lisbon on the 26th of July and found all things otherwise than they expected for the Citizens defended themselves well and Zelum aided them This brought the Portugueses into great Danger and they were forced to depart without doing any thing The Weather being bad and the Tides low some Vessels and among them one Gally struck the rest came to the streights Mouth This loss seemed to be a special Providence for the King of Fez with a mighty Power sate down before Arzila on the 19th of October D. Vasco CoutinÌo Earl of Borva was Governor who the first day repulsed the Moors with much Bravery but the next day
too obstinate The Duke of Feria entring Alsace with a powerful Army raised the Siege of Constance recover'd Valdutz took Laufenburg and Rhinfelt and reliev'd Brisac a place of great importance to the House of Austria for securing the Communication between Flanders and Italy He passed the Alps with his Army in December an Action surprising and even astonishing at that Season of the Year All this Year the success of the War continued dubious Victory sometimes inclining to the one side and sometimes to the other Mary of Austria Queen of Hungary was deliver'd of a Prince call'd Ferdinand Francis The Archduke Ferdinand Charles Earl of Tyrol stood Godfather for his Catholick Majesty At Madrid on the 5th of July died the most serene Princess Sister Margaret of the Cross in the Monastery of the Poor Clares where she had lived many Years with singular Piety and Virtue F. John de Parma her Confessor writ her Life Anno 1634. This Year began Unfortunate to the Emperor and Catholick King a presage of their Losses was the death of the Duke de Feria which happen'd the 11th of January at Munich the Court of Bavaria Immediately upon the death of the Duke the command of his Army was given to Count John Cervellon by the most Serene Cardinal Prince of Spain Ferdinand of Austria who then resided at Milan Superintendent and Vicar-General of Italy This Army consisted of 10000 Foot and 2000 Horse most of them Spaniards This Year the Emperor was inform'd by some of his chief Officers that Albertus Wallestein Duke of Fridland his Generalissimo had conspir'd to debauch the Army and rise in Rebellion against him The principal Men that made this Discovery were Count Picolomini Galassius Aldringerius and Coloredius Upon their private Information the Emperor call'd his Cabinet Council where it was resolv'd that Orders should be sent to the most Loyal Commanders in the Army to apprehend the Duke of Fridland or in case they could not to kill him before the design was reveal'd Accordingly he was invited to a Supper and there put to death by the Officers of the Irish Regiments then in the Emperor's Service The two Ferdinands the King of Hungary and the Cardinal joining their Forces laid Siege to Nordlingen and the Enemy under the command of Count Gustavus Horn coming to the relief of that City overthrew them with a great slaughter after an obstinate Fight which lasted six hours At Tortosa March the 6th Mary Ortego Wife to John Xinto both Inhabitants of AlmunÌia in Aragon was deliver'd in the Hospital of a Female Child with two Heads both very beautiful 3 hands and 3 feet and 8 fingers and toes upon one of the hands and feet This Creature lived half an hour and was Baptized Anno. 1635. The most Christian King this Year declar'd War against Spain and the House of Austria publishing his Manifesto containing his Reasons for this Breach His Forces joining with the Hollanders took Tirlemont Besides he possessed himself of several Places among the Grisons to cut off the Communication between Italy and Germany Pignerol also he seized by corrupting the Governour and so open'd to himself a Passage to Susa These and other the like Hostilities oblig'd his Catholick Majesty to declare War upon the 27th of June The Renown'd Marquis of Aytona died in Flanders August the 10th The Dunkirk Privateers took this Year many Prizes of the Hollanders The Emperor 's good Fortune was much forwarded by the Peace he concluded with the Elector of Saxony with exclusion to all other Sects except the Professors of the Ausburg Confession Soon after the Archdutchess Mary-Ann of Austria the Emperor's eldest Daughter was with great Solemnity at Vienna Married to Maximilian Elector of Bavaria her Unkle The most renown'd Spanish Poet Lope Felix de Vega Carpio died at Madrid where he was born upon the 28th day of August He was the greatest Poet of his Time writ more and better than any before him and must be allow'd the Honour of his Country having merited so much Fame abroad Anno 1636. The French King having as was said in the last Year broke the Peace with Spain many learned-Pens writ in Vindication of the Catholick King 's Proceedings referring the Judgment of his Cause to the Pope which Writings were at Paris burnt by the hands of the common Hangman The Emperor made the greatest force he could to join with that of Spain in the Low Countries and both together enter'd into Picardy under the command of the most Serene Prince Cardinal Ferdinand with whom were Prince Thomas Francis of Savoy Charles Duke of Lorrain John Count Nassau and Octavius Picolomini They took la Chapelle Chates Vervins and Noyon obliging the French for the Security of the Country to break down all the Bridges upon the Rivers Oyse and Aysne as far as S. Clou. They had also Corbie deliver'd to them by the Count de Soyecourt This Success of the Spanish Forces obliged the French to call the Prince of Conde the Cardinal de la Valette and Duke of Weymar out of Alsace leaving that Country exposed to the King of Hungary and Count Galassius At the same time the Marquis of Grana so pressed the Landtgrave of Hesse that he was forced to retire to take Protection of the Hollanders Mean while the Forces of Spain by the way of Guipuzcoa broke into the Province of Guienne where they possessed themselves of Andaye Orugne Siboure and S. Jean de Luz as also of the Port and Fortress of Zocoa D. John Alonso Enriquez de Cabrera Admiral of Castile and Captain-General of the Provinces of Old Castile and D. Francis de Irracaval Marquis of Valparaiso and Viceroy of Navarre in his Majesty's Name publish'd a Manifesto containing the Reasons that mov'd him to make these Incursions The Cardinal Richlieu had perswaded the King and People that the Forces of Spain and the Empire were so inconsiderable the War would be kept out of the Kingdom and always upon the Enemies Country Now they found much the contrary being forc'd to quit Milan and the Valley of Valtelina and still retiring every where to leave a great part of their Kingdom exposed to their Enemies Several Princes who were under the Protection of France having had their Countries wasted to prevent their utter Destruction have been forced to declare against that Crown A Report being spread that Count Galassius was entring the Province of Bassigni with 25000 Men and that 14000 were marching from Silesia besides 12000 Polish Horse had-passed the Rhine the Nobility not thinking themselves safe at Paris removed the best of their Goods to Havre de Grace Seeing all things fall out far otherwise than he had expected the Cardinal laid the blame upon the Governours of the Places that had been lost declaring them Traytors and accusing F. Joseph of Paris a Capucin his great confident of feeding him with false Intelligence from the Turks Moores and Protestants The News of the Election
Geryon was Buried near the Mouth of the Streights and after worshipped as a God as appears by the Temple of Osiris Built in Sicily by Hercules and his famous Oracle at Padua which Princes often visited as Suetonius affirms Osiris having thus rescued Spain from the Tyranny of Geryon thought not fit to punish the Crimes of the Father in the Children which were three beautiful Sons to these therefore he gave the Kingdom appointing who should Govern during their Minority and then returned into Egypt These Geryons being come to Age did not only Tyranize over their Subjects but meditating Revenge for the Death of their Father induced Typhon to Murder his Brother Osiris which he performed and seated himself in the Throne of Egypt Orus the Son of Osiris who then Governed Scythia understanding what had passed hasts into Egypt and in revenge of his Fathers Murder slew Typhon then gathering a great Army he passed into Spain and drove the Geryons into the Island of Cadiz where they Fortified themselves Fearing lest so great an Army should suffer want if the War were protracted and desiring to avoid the great Bloodshed that must ensue if they came to a Battle he offered to decide the Quarrel by his own Person and sight the three Brothers They accepted of the Challenge and were all Slain by him Their Bodies were buried in the Island and from thence forward it was called Erithrea of some People that came with Orus or Hercules from the Red Sea who with the Approbation of their General planted there This done Hercules caused vast Stones and other Materials to be cast into the Sea at the mouth of the Streights and raised the two Mounts so famous by the name of Hercules's Pillers that on the West of Spain is called Calpe the other in Africk Abyla All things being settled to his Mind he chose Hispalus one of his Companions of whose good Conduct he was fully satisfied to Govern and Reign in Spain and then went over by Sea to Italy It is agreed on all Hands that Hispalus Reigned in Spain From him Justin affirms it took the Name of Hispania only one Letter being changed Others say he built Sevil in Latin Hispalis St. Isidorus says it was built by Julius Caesar and called Julia Romana perhaps it was then enlarged and beautified Plutarch affirms Spain took its Name from Pan a Follower of the second Hercules and was first called Pania then Spania others say it was from Hispanus the Son of Hispalus These are all bare surmises our Historians write many things of this Hispalus of their own Invention to beautifie their Works but their being no certain Account of such Antiquity it is better to pass it by in Silence than Impose upon the Readers Authors do not agree about the time of the Death of Hispalus but after his Days Hercules returned into Spain where having Governed with Moderation and Built as some will have it the Towns of Julia Lybica Vrgel Barcelona and Tarragona he departed this Life being of a very great Age. The Spaniards Consecrated him a God and payed him Divine Honours raising a Temple where his Body was Buried and placing Priests therein Hispalus and Hercules dying without Issue the latter before his Death appointed Hesperus Brother to Atlas and one of his Compauions to succeed him The Fame of this Hesperus's Valour and Vertue gained him such Credit among the People that of him some Greek and Latin Authors say Spain was afterwards called Hesperia tho' others are of Opinion it was from Hesperus the Evening Star The good Fortune of this King was not lasting for his Brother Atlas offended that he should be preferred before him came over into Spain and having gained the good Will of the Soldiers soon possessed himself of the Kingdom Hesperus thus forsaken fled into Italy where he was Friendly entertained and soon after constituted Tutor to the young King Coritus called by others Janus or Jupiter wherein he behaved himself so well that having gained the Affections of that People he gave his Name to Italy as he had done to Spain and it was called Hesperia Atlas jealous of his Brother's greatness and fearing he might in time recover his Kingdom resolved to prevent him In order hereunto he raised a mighty Army and under colour of Honouring them took the Chief Men of Spain along with him into Italy but his design was to keep them as Hostages lest the People in his Absence should endeavour to cast off a foreign Yoke At Sea a violent Storm scattered his Fleet and instead of Landing in Italy he was forced into Sicily that Island being exceeding Rich and Fruitful he left a considerable Number of Spaniards to Plant there This done he put to Sea again and arrived in Italy where he found his Brother Hesperus was Dead so that there was no difficulty in seizng Coritus King of Tuscany and making himself Master of the Country Atlas had two Daughters one of them called Electra was Married to Coritus and had Issue Jasius and Dardanus of whom more hereafter That his other Daughter called Rome Built the City Rome looks more like a Fiction of our Historians than a true History therefore I will make no further mention of it no more than of Sicorus Sicanus Sicceleus and Lusus whom our modern Writers reckon among the Kings of Spain whereas among the Ancients there is not the least Account of them nor of Morgetes the Son of Atlas giving his Name to the People of Italy called Morgetes for which there is no other Authority but framed likeness of Words Philistius Siracusanus's Authority is sufficient to believe that Siculus the Son of Atlas Governed Spain in his Father's absence and succeeded him in the Kingdom after his Death In his time the two Brothers Jasius and Dardanus being at Variance about the Kingdom of Tuscany by reason of the Death of their Father Coritus Siculus their Uncle went over with an Army to pacifie them and by the way Landing in Sicily is said to have given his Name to that Island till then called Trinacria of the three great Promontories that run out into the Sea Thence passing over into Tuscany he endeavoured to reconcile the Brothers but Dardanus dealing Treacherously Murdered Jasius and Siculus in Revenge drove him out of Italy Dardanus with a great Number of the Aborigines who followed his Fortunes fled into Asia where he Built the famous City of Troy Siculus having settled the Affairs of Italy and Seated the Son of Jasius on the Throne of Tuscany returned into Spain and from this time we find no Account of any other Actions of his unless we should write the Dreams and Ravings of modern Authors who also Forge other Kings of Spain upen as vain grounds as the former One of these is Testa who they say built a Town of his own Name and from him the People of that part of Spain were called Contestani Another is Romus to whom
is assigned the building of Valencia The third is Palatuus from him they write the Palatui and the City Palencia took their Names Such another is Erithrus feigned to have come from beyond the Red Sea Lastly among these is Melicola called also Gargoris of whom Justin makes mention I would not wholly omit the Names of these Kings such as they are because learned Men as well as the Ignorant have stumbled upon them tho' they are to be looked upon no better than old Women's Tales I suppose Justin calls Siculus Sicorus which I note that none may be deceived and imagine they are two distinct Kings CHAP. IV. Of the coming of several Nations into Spain as the Celts Rhodians Carthaginians and Phenicians also of Abides and a wonderful Dearth IT is impossible particularly to assign the Time that each of the above-mentioned Kings Reigned or in what Year of the World The nearest we can guess is that the Geryons lived about the 4th or 5th Century after the Deluge and Siculus above 200 Years before the Destruction of Troy In his Time or not long after a great Fleet sailed from Zant an Island in the Ionian Sea on the West of Peloponnesus or Morea and Landing in Spain they built a strong Town which they called Zazynthus of their own Country afterwards Saguntum now Monviedro These People in process of time gathering Strength spread farther along the Coast and at length built the most famous Temple of Diana from which the Promontory Diaium now Denia took Name In this Temple they placed Idols and Priests and offered great Sacrifice to the Admiration of the ignorant Natives who looked upon them as something more than Men. All the Timber-work was of Juniper a sort of Wood sweet and incorruptible in so much that Pliny affirms it was standing in his Time without the least sign of Decay After the coming of the Zazynthians Authors say there came another Dionysius or Bacchus who was the Son of Semele about 150 Years before the Trojan War and in the farthest parts of Spain betwixt the two Mouths of Guadalquivir Founded Nebrixa so called from Nebridae which in Greek signifies Deer-skins worn by Dionysius and his Followers especially when they offered Sacrifice The Name Veneria was afterwards given to Nebrixa Diodorus Siculus Writes there were three Dionysii or Bacchi The first Son of Deucalion or Noah the same above called Ostris the second Son of Proserpine or Ceres who was Painted with Horns to show he was the first that yoak'd Oxen to Plow the Land the third the Son of Semele Bornin Adultery in the City Meros which signifies a Thigh whence the Poets feign that Jupiter bread him in his Thigh Of him 't is said in imitation of the first Dionysius he Travelled the World gained many Victories and delivered Spain from Tyranny and Oppression About this same time Milico the Son of Mirica is said to have had great Power and Authority among the Spaniards and that his Successors not far from the Place where Baeça now stands built Castulon among the Oretani formerly one of the noblest Cities in Spain now no other Memory of it is remaining but in the Cottages of Gazlona Dionysius at his departure left two of his Companions behind the one Lusus of whom the Lusitani took Name the other Pan whom the ignorant People worshiped as a God and from him as Varro and Plutarch will have it the Country was first called Pania and after by the addition of one Letter Spania Jason the Thessalian desiring to gain Honour and Enrich himself built a great Ship and taking into it Hercules the Thèban Orpheus Linus Castor and Pollux and many more after Pillaging all the Coasts of Asia came as far as the Mouth of the Streights where Hercules built a Fort called Heraclea now Gibraltar whence they made Incursions Robbing the Country and had several Encounters with the Natives thence they Sailed about to Saguntum and were well received as being all Greeks From Saguntum they went over to Majorca and took Bocorris the King of that Island but understanding there was no Gold there having taken in Provision and some large Oxen they passed into Italy where Hercules slew Cacus and then returned into Greece Hecateus denies that ever this Hercules came into Spain but Diodorus and all other Authors testifie the contrary To him it is that Virgil attributes the Killing of the Geryons but this is a Poetical Licence and great mistake of Times After the coming of Hercules and Death of Milico Gargoris Reigned in Spain and was called Mellicola being the first that found out the taking of Honey In this King's time hap'ned the famous Trojan War which ended the remainders of the Greeks and Trojans spread themselves and Planted in several Parts of the World and among the rest in Spain The first reckoned among those that came is Teucrus the Brother of Ajax who not being permitted by his Father Telamon to return home alone went first to Cyprus where he built the City Salamina now Famagosta and thence passed into Spain and is there said to have erected another City called Teucria in the place where Carthagena now stands Justin and St. Isidorus both mention his coming to Spain but not his building any City But all agree that he passed out of the Streights and sailing along the Coast landed in Galicia where he Founded the City Helene now Pontevedra and add that he erected another called Amphilochia by the Romans called Aquae Calidae by the Suevi Auria now Orense Next Tydeus is said to have attempted several parts of the Spanish Coast but that meeting Opposition he sailed on to the Northern Coast of Portugal where betwixt the Rivers Minho and Lima he Founded the City Tuy in Latin Tude or Tyde Strabo writes that Mnesteus the Athenian with a Fleet came to the Mouth of the River Belon now Guadalete where he built a City of his own Name and is the same that is now Port St. Mary and besides a Temple between the two branches of Guadalquivir which was called Oraculum Mnesteum To conclude Strabo and Solinus affirm that Vlysses came into Spain and built the City of Lisbon from him in Latin called Vlysippo but others reject this Opinion in regard the ancient Name was Olysippo not Vlysippo and because there are no Grounds to believe that ever Vlysses was there About this time according to Justin Gargoris Reigned over the Curetes and resided in the Forest of the Tarresii where Ancients feigned the Titans waged War with the Gods This King stained all the Virtues with which he was endowed with the Cruelty he used towards his Grandson Abides This Child was Born of his Daughter out of Wedlock the Grand-Father to hide this shame caused him to be exposed to wild Beasts who forgetting their Fierceness Nursed him with their Milk Gargoris no way Mollified caused him to be laid in a Path where Cattle was to pass to be
gave their name to that part of France now called Burgundy Dionysius who writ Geography in verse places the Alans near Dacia and the Getes Marcellinus places them in Scythia The Silingi came into Spain with the Vandals and settled in Andaluzia without having any particular King of their own It is uncertain what part of the North they came from some believe them to have been part of Bavaria where formerly was a Town called Salingostadium near the Danube three miles from Ingolstad Grave Authors affirm the Suevians had formerly their Seats near the River Elbe but Strabo places them near the Springs of the Danube about the City Ausburg It remains to speak of the Goths whose origin because they gained and maintained the Sovereignty of Spain for many years we will look into more exactly Some were of Opinion the Goths where the same with the Getes who Pliny and Herodotus place about the Mouth of the Danube Most and the best Authors are of Opinion that the Goths came from the Province called Scandia or Scandinavia formerly Basilia or Baltia a large Country North of Germany and Poland joining on the East to Finland and encompassed on all the other sides by the Baltick and Frozen Sea Scandia altogether is a large Peninsula longer than it is broad and divided into Norway Sweden Lapland and Gothland The South-East part of this great Peninsula forms another lesser which is called Gothia or Gothland and is subdivided into Ostrogothia and Visogothia or Westrogothia that is the Eastern and Western Goths Among the Visogoths the Balti which in their Language signifies bold and among the Ostrogoths the Amali so called of a famous King and leader of theirs were the two most Noble and Kingly Families The Goths for the most part have red Hair and Beards their Complexion fair like the other People of Germany their Language not unlike nor much differing from those other Nations that about this time broke into Spain Only the Alans are said to have used the Language of Scythia but this is rather a surmise than a known truth As to Religion all these Nation had then or soon after did imbrace Christianity for before they were given to Idolatrous superstition Particularly the Goths believed they should have no success in War unless they Sacrificed human Blood and therefore offered up the Prisoners of War to Mars whom they chiefly honoured and dedicated the best of their booty hanging the skins of those they slew on Trees Before the battle they sacrificed Horses and carryed their heads on spears with the mouths open before them They believe the immortality of the Soul and that there was reward and punishment after death When it Thundered they cast Darts up towards Heaven thinking to assist God against those that endeavoured to force him out of Heaven They Sung the praises of their Forefathers to Musick as is now used in Spain Some say the Arms of the Goths were Wavy a Lion Regardant others will have them to be three Lions like those of England But it is to no purpose to insist upon these uncertainties let us see the occcasion that brought so many and so barbarous Nations into Spain In the height of that confusion into which the Roman Empire was fallen and was related in the last Book one Marcus in Britany was saluted Emperor by the Legions and soon after by them killed In his place they chose Gracinus whom also they slew within 4 Months Next they Proclaimed Constantine for no other merit but the sake of his Name which was looked upon as Fortunate This hapned in the year 411 Theodosius the younger being then Emperor of the East his Father Arcadius being dead three years before A great part of France and Spain declared for Constantine yet some adhered to the true Emperors Among these Didimus and Verinianus raising an army indeavoured to secure the passes of the Pyrenean Mountains against Constantine but were discomfited and slain by Constans the Tyrants Son whom he had taken out of a Monastery declared Caesar and sent before into Spain The Army of Constans was for the most part made up of those People that came out of Germany into France and by reason of an agreement they had made with Honorius were called Honoriaci These by consent of Constans spoiled all the Country of Spain as far as Palencia for he designed to purchase the good will of those Barbarians with the ruins of others To these at his return into France he committed the care of guarding the passes on the Pyrenean Mountains The Spaniards were offended at it and threatned some sudden change which soon after hapned For the Honoriaci invited the Vandals Alans Suevians and Silingians to come into Spain and agreed to give them free passage The occasion that moved them to quit France where they were settled is supposed to be the fear they had conceived of the Goths whom being then joyned with Honorius they thought they should be in no condition to resist No less was their dread of Constantine who having subdued great part of France aspired to be Master of all the rest Hermenericus was King of the Suevians Ataces of the Alans Gundericus of the Vandals and Silingians The coming of these Barbarous Nations was the ruin of Spain for they seized indifferently as well what belonged to Spaniards as Romans and destroyed the Towns and open Country whereupon ensued such a Famine that the Natives fed upon human flesh and the wild beasts ranged abroad to devour Men. Next followed a Plague and raged to that degree that betwixt both evils great part of the Country was left wast and so the Barbarians seated themselves where they best liked The Sùevians a part of the Vandals possessed Galicia then larger than it is now as containing all Old Castile The Alans planted in Lusitania and the Province Carthaginensis except the Kingdom of Toledo and the Celtiberi who continued in the Roman subjection Betica fell to the other Vandals and Silingians Having thus divided the Country they agreed with the Romans and then began again to till the land the Spainards looking upon this Slavery as more tolerable than the Romans Yet some few preserved their Liberty especially in Galicia among the Suevians In Hispania Citerior one Maximus was saluted Emperor by the procurement of Geroncius a Count who did it in hatred to the Tyrant Constantine tho' he had once been of his party His chief aim was under the shadow of the other to make himself absolute Therefore leaving Maximus at Tarragona he marched with an Army into France took the City Vienne and slew Constans the Caesar but hearing Constantius was coming upon him returned into Spain where the Spaniards set fire to his House and burnt him Maximus having lost Geronoius who was his support laying aside the Imperial Robes fled and led the rest of his life in misery which lasted till the time of Paulus Orosius as he himself testifies
upon and endeavoured to Rally them He himself being distinguishable by his Horse and Armour fought among the foremost and appeared where the greatest danger was Exhortations and Examples were of no force his Men all fled he remained among the last and seing no hopes left try'd to make his escape when Clodoveus or Clouis who charged at the head of his Men bore him down with a shock of his Lance. Alaricus striving to rise was killed by a French Foot Soldier Two Noble Goths thinking to revenge their King ran at Clouis who was saved by the goodness of his Armour and by the assistance of a Youth called Clodoricus that came in to his Rescue Alaricus being dead the Goths dispersed themselves into all the neighbouring Towns in such manner that no considerable Body remained together to oppose the Franks whereupon they presently possessed themselves of the City Angouleme But those Goths who had not been in this Battle assembling themselves had the courage to try their Fortune near Bourdeaux They proved no more successful than the others and the slaughter of them was so great that from that Day the Country they fought in changed its name and was called the Arian Fields from the Religion of the Goths After these two mighty Victories many Places submitted to the Franks as Bourdeaux the Vesates Cahors Rhodes and those of Albernia Even the City of Toulouse where the Goths kept their Court was taken and nothing considerable left them in France Among the Treasures of the Gothish Kings were found the Vessels and Instruments belonging to the Sacrifices at the Temple of Jerusalem which had been taken by Alaricus the first King of those People when he Sack'd Rome left by him to his Successors and now fell into the Hands of Clouis Alaricus dy'd in the Year 506. His Reign which lasted 23 Years he supported by Falshood and Cruelty which made his end the less pity'd all People saying He had well deserved it Yet he was the first King of the Goths that made use of written Laws and publish'd those of Theodosius the same Year he was slain Before his time the Goths like other barbarous Nations were Governed by the ancient Customs of their Forefathers To these Laws of Alaricus succeeding Kings added many others of all which together was composed that Volume the Spaniards call Fuero jusgo whereof we shall speak in a more proper place CHAP. V. The Reign of the Kings Gesaleycus Theodorick and Amalaricus Several Spanish Synods Defeat of the Franks And Tryal by Ordeal ALaricus left two Sons one by his Wife Theudicoda call'd Amalaricus and one by another Woman nam'd Gesaleycus The principal Men among the Goths chose the latter for their King by reason the other was but five Years of Age. This offended the King of the Ostrogoths who sent 80000 Men under the command of Ilba as well to suppress the Franks and restore the Kingdom of the Visogoths then at the point of destruction as to Re-inthrone his Grandson Amalaricus Gesaleycus fearing so great a Power as also because the King of the Burgundians had taken Narbonne not thinking himself secure in any part of France retired to Barcelona He was naturally a Coward and consequently Cruel which moved him with his own Hands and in his Palace in that City to kill Goericus a Man of Note Ilba in France assisted by the Visogoths overthrew the Franks with the slaughter of 20000 of them By this means the Visogoths recovered Guienne the Ostrogoths possessed themselves of Provence took Narbonne from the Burgundians and were about passing the Pyrenean Mountains Hereupon Gesaleycus not trusting to his own People knowing the hatred they bore him for his Cowardize and Cruelty went over into Africk Thrasimundus King of the Vandals tho' Marry'd to the Sister of Theodorick received him Friendly and relieved him with Money Having received this Aid he returned into France and after lying hid a Year raised an Army with which he durst venture to give a Battle near Barcelona but was Vanquished by Ilba and flying into France soon after dy'd with Grief in the Year of Christ 510. when he had Reigned 4 Years Authors do not agree who succeeded Gesaleycus most of them affirm that Theodorick the Ostrogoth from thence forward called himself King of the Visogoths This Opinion is confirmed by the Synods then held in Spain in which is seen the Name of Theodorick and Year of his Reign Others say Amalaricus succeeded and Theodorick only Acted as his Tutor I can no way give Credit to what Spanish Authors write viz. That Theodorick came into Spain Married a Wife of the old Spanish Race at Toledo and at her request restored them to their ancient Liberty since no Foreign Writer makes mention of any such Journey of his especially Cassiodorus and others who writ his Actions very particularly Certain it is that Theudius or Theudis who had served Theodorick as his Esquire at Arms was by his Favour appointed to Govern during the Minority of the young King which was the first step by which afterwards he ascended to the Throne In the Year 516. a Council of Bishops was held at Tarragona here we find the first mention of any Monks in Spain Here it was Ordain'd that after the manner of the Jews Sabbath Sunday should begin to be observed on Saturday Evening whence remains still the Custom among Spaniards of keeping Holyday and rejoycing on the Saturday Night Another Council was held at Girona the following Year 517. Pope Hormisda about the same time writ a Letter to John Bishop of Tarragona commanding him Yearly to hold Synods of Bishops a thing used in those Days for Reformation of Manners After the death of Hormisda in the time of his Successor John I. who was Elected in the Year 523 two other Synods were celebrated one at Lerida the other at Valencia Theodorick the Ostrogoth dying in Italy Amalaricus began to take upon him the Government of the Visogoths in Spain from which time some begin to reckon the Years of his Reign As soon as Amalaricus commenced his Reign he made Peace with the Franks and to bind it the faster Marry'd Crotilda their King's Sister and Daughter to Clouis In Dower with her the Country of Toulouse was restored to the Goths Crotilda was a Person of singular Piety and had been Religiously Educated in the true Faith by her Mother who was of the same Name This highly offended her Husband who was an Arian When she went to Church the Rabble did not only Revile but would often throw Dirt at her Her Husband did not only wink at it but when she came home frown'd gave her ill Language and at last proceeded to blows insomuch that several times he made the Blood gush from her Long she endured hoping with Patience and Meekness to soften his cruel Heart but finding there was no hopes of mollifying him at last she writ to her Brother Childebert
to Death many Men of note some on just causes others upon false informations and enriched the Crown with their Estates His chief aim was so to weaken all other Families that none might aspire to the Crown Many not only of the Commonalty but even the Nobility Terrified with these proceedings submitted themselves to the King's Will and embraced the Arian Heresie Among others Vincencius Bishop of Zaragoca turning Arian by his ill Example drew many into the same ruin Severus Bishop of Malaga and Licinianus of Carthagena his Contemporaries writ against him The Kingdom of the Goths which by these practices seemed to increase in Power was at the same time Augmented by the additions of the Dominions of the Suevians in Spain which hap'ned in this manner King Eboricus the Son of Myrus was outed that Kingdom by Andeca a Noble Man who was Marryed to Sisegunda Eboricus his Mother-in-Law Not content with usurping the Crown he forced him to enter into a Monastery and change the Royal Robes of a Religious Habit. Eboricus was a Friend and Confederate of the Goths for which reason Leuvigildus appear'd in Arms against the Tyrant Him he overthrew in Battle took Prisoner and having stript him of the Regalia shaved his Head which according to the Custom of those times was degrading and making him incapable of being a King and after all banished him to Beja a City in Portugal These disorders gave Opportunity to one Malaricus to Rebel and being assisted by the People to take upon him the Title of King Leuvigildus soon quieted this Rebellion and made himself Master of all Galicia Eboricus 't is supposed continued as a private Man in the Monastery and the Goth had no inclination to restore him Thus the Kingdom of the Suevians that had long flourished and possessed a considerable part of Spain for the space of 174 Years was totally extinct in the Year 586. This same year Leuvigildus dyed at Toledo in the 18th Year after he began to Reign with his Brother Many Authors testify that before he dyed during his last Sickness he abjured the Arian Heresie and recommended the Catholick Religion to his Son Recaredus Our Historians relate that tho' Leuvigildus in his Heart was a Catholick yet he did not publickly abjure Arianism but temporized for fear of his Subjects Maximus says he was present at the King's Death and saw signs of his Repentance and Tears He places his decease on the second of April in the Year 587. Leuvigildus his Conversion is related to have been forwarded by several Miracles Among others it is said that in the War against his Son the Soldiers plundering a Monastery of the invocation of St. Martin near Carthagena the Monks fled into an Island and one of the Soldiers pursuing the Abbot fell down dead whereupon the King caused all that had been taken from the Monastery to be restored Another time in a dispute that was held about Religion the Catholick in testimony of the Truth he maintained took a burning Ring out of the Fire with his bare hand and received no harm which the Arian durst not do These and other Miracles caused the King to waver in his Mind He asked of an Arian Bishop why they did not work such wonders in defence of Faith He replyed he had often given sight to the blind and restored their hearing to the deaf but did it not publickly to shun Ostentation yet since it was requisite he would do it in sight of the World Soon after the King and Bishop being together an Arian who at his Instigation had feigned himself blind called upon him earnestly to restore him his sight All Men expected to see the Miracle which hap'ned contrary to what they thought for no sooner did the Bishop touch his Eyes but he was struck blind which that wretch being sensible of he openly Confessed the whole contrivance These things caused the Arian Heresie to be much slighted and the more for that during four Years continually all Spain but especially the Kingdom of Toledo was wasted by Locusts which the Commonalty said was a judgment of God for the Death of Ermenegildus and for Persecuting the Catholicks By the testimony of St. Isidorus this commendation may be given to Leuvigildus that he Corrected the Laws of the Goths at that time much corrupted abolishing some and enacting others Paul Deacon of Merida who then lived writes that Nunctus an Abbot of great Sanctity coming out of Africk to Merida to visit the Sepulcher of St. Olalia went soon after into the desart to shun the sight of Women where he was maintained by the King till the Country people of the Neighbourhood killed him upon what account is not known The King did not punish this Crime but God Almighty did for all the Murderers were possessed with Devils To conclude with Luevigildus he was the first King of the Goths that wore Garments different from the rest of the People the first that took upon him the Grandeur of a King and made use of a Crown and Scepter CHAP. X. The Reign of Recaredus his and his Peoples Conversion Conspiracies against him detected and punished He overthrows the Franks The third Council of Toledo THE Funeral Rites being performed to Leuvigildus with that State and Magnificence that was requisite Recaredus bent his Thoughts upon the setling his Court and the Government of his Kingdom His first care was to appease the Kings of France and in Order to it his first Wife Bada being Dead he indeavoured to contract an Alliance with Childebert King of Lorrain by Marrying his other Sister Clodosinda The better to effect this he sent to excuse himself of having had any hand in the Death of Ermenegildus but that on the contrary it had grieved him to the Heart The time of concluding so important an affair was not yet come but it was near at hand By the advice of the two Brothers Leander and Fulgentius he being already a Catholick in his Heart began to think of establishing the true Religion in Spain yet for the present was forced to dissemble rather than mistime such an undertaking He weighed the humour of the Commonalty which in matters of Religion is better managed by art than force Therefore he resolved to use his utmost industry cherishing some bearing with others and bestowing great Favours upon others to gain the affections of all Men. All things succeeded as he desired for the King's Will being made known as well the Nobility as Commonalty consented to it and what at first appeared so difficult was performed with more ease than could have been imagined Thus all the Goths and such of the Suevians as had till then persisted in their former Errors by a general consent embraced the Catholick Religion and at the same time hoped to gain the Favour of their Sovereign who besides the good endowments of his mind was of a Graceful Countenance and Stature which
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 ââe Decrees of this Synod the more binding another of 50 Bishops all within the ãâ¦ã 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
Foreign Enemies remov'd there hap'ned no War at least none of note The good Government of the King and Authority of the Bishops kept the Subjects from offering at any Revolt Chintila dy'd in the Year of our Lord 639. when he had Reign'd three Years eight Months and nine Days CHAP. IV. The Reigns of the Kings Tulga Chindasuinthus and Recesuinthus Several Synods of Toledo Increase of the Mahometan Power The Election and Coronation of King Wamba INstead of Chintila by the unanimous consent of the Nobility was chosen Tulga young in Years but old in Virtue particularly Justice Zeal for Religion Prudence Military Experience and Bounty towards the Needy a quality most requisite in Kings who ought to think they were intrusted with the Treasures of Kingdoms to relieve the wants of such as are in distress His Perfections seem'd still to be in their increase when Death cut him off at Toledo in the Year 641. when he had Reign'd only two Years and four Months Sigibertus Gemblacensis says Tulga was a debauch'd Youth and on that score Deposed by his own People but it is more reasonable to believe St. Ildefonsus who writes as an Eye Witness than a Stranger that either writ maliciously or was imposed upon After the Death of Tulga Flavius Chindasuinthus who being General of the Army was before in Rebellion against the King with the assistance of the Soldiery mounted the Throne none of the Nobility daring to oppose him that had all the standing Forces of the Kingdom on his side It must be granted that tho' he Usurp'd the Crown Tyrannically yet afterwards he Governed with great Moderation as if he design'd that way to make good his bad Title to it The first thing he did was to settle the Common-wealth by Establishing wholsome Laws and Ordinances for the better Administration of Justice and the publick Good In the 6th Year of his Reign he called together to Toledo all the Bishops in his Kingdom whereof 30 met on the 28th of October and this is counted the 7th Council of Toledo Before this time the King had Banish'd Theodiselus Archbishop of Sevil for that he sow'd scandalous Doctrines and to gain himself the greater Authority had corrupted the Works of his Predecessor St. Isidorus Theodiselus went over into Africk and there turn'd Mahometan so blind is Man when once he strays from the right way Those Authors that write in favour of the See of Toledo and particularly the Archbishop D. Rodrigo will have it that upon this occasion King Chindasuinthus made Toledo the Metropolitan See of all Spain whereas before Sevil had enjoy'd that preheminence but they have not the Testimony of any ancient Writers to confirm their Opinion and therefore we shall not lay much stress upon it About these times Theodorus and his Successor Martin I. Govern'd the Catholick Church Chindasuinthus being desirous to enrich Spain with good Books and Learning sent Tajus Bishop of Zaragoça to Rome to obtain of Theodorus then Pope St. Gregory's Books upon Job which are full of Allegories and excellent Morality and to bring them into Spain The King thought those Books would be useful to Propagate and Confirm the Catholick Religion and be a great Addition to the Ecclesiastical Library as believing now he had Peace on all sides nothing could add more to the Glory of his Kingdom than the increase of Religion and Learning Tajus having delivered his Embassy the Pope was very willing to oblige the King But those Books thro' the Ignorance and Negligence of the times were so hid among other Papers that it was hard to find them Much time was spent in searching and the Bishop seeing little hope of Success had recourse to God and spent the Night in Prayer begging of God not to suffer the good Intentions of the King to be frustrated He fail'd not of Success for that Night God revealed or as he says in a Letter St. Gregory appear'd to him and discover'd where those Books were Now it was that Fructuosus began to be famous in Spain he being of the Royal Blood of the Goths left the World to go live in a Desart and in time at his own Expence near Coplutica at the Foot of the Mountain Irago in the place now call'd Vierço built a Monastery of Monks of the Invocation of the Martyrs Justus and Pastor The King was assisting to him in building of this Monastery and afterwards the number of Monks being too great not far off in a rough and uncouth place Founded another Dedicated to St. Peter Fructuosus Founded a third Convent in the Island of Cadiz and a fourth on the Continent nine Leagues from the Coast besides many others as well of Men as Women This was the Posture of Affairs in Spain in the latter Years of Chindasuinthus at which time he to secure the Succession of the Crown he had obtained by force in his Family chose his Son Flavius Recesuinthus his Companion in the Throne in the Year of our Lord 648. after he had Reigned alone 6 Years 8 Months and 20 Days It is true he lived three Years after but that time is allotted to the Reign of his Son because by reason of his great Age he left the whole charge of the Government to him Chindasuinthus dyed at Toledo according to some of Sickness but as others will have it was poisoned His Body and that of his Wife Riciberga were buryed in the Monastery of S. Romanus now called de Hormisda betwixt Toro and Tordesillas on the Banks of the River Duero founded by himself for his place of Burial as was accordingly performed In the Reign of Recesuinthus Eugenius the Third was Archbishop of Toledo a Person of great Learning as appears by many of his works still extant and by some reckoned among the Number of Saints In his time and by his procurement 52 Bishops met at Toledo which is counted the eighth Council held in that City This was rather a Parliament than Synod all the Nobility of the Kingdom being present at it and signing to all the Decrees which rather respected the Temporal than Spiritual Power Two Years after by the King's Order there met 16 Bishops who Celebrated the 9th Council and published 17 Acts upon several Articles The following Year 656. 20 Bishops met again in the same City and this is reckoned the tenth Council of Toledo The Acts of all these Councils as also the Lives of St. Isidorus and St. Ildefonsus whereof F. Mariana here Treats at large I thought would not be so acceptable to most Readers nor so pertinent in this as the Ecclesiastical History which I do not pretend to write and have therefore purposely omitted them In the Year 660 Twelve Bishops of Portugal held a Synod at Merida and published 23 Decrees most relating to the Celebration of Divine Service At the same time the power of the Mahometans grew formidable in Africk for Abdalla Duke of Moabia
the fourth from the false Prophet Mahomet in a great Battle overthrew Gregory the Roman General and Governour of Africk for the Romans and by that means possest himself of all that vast Province The Goths of old were Masters of Mauritania Tingitana and particularly of Ceuta and the Country about it All the rest except this part fell into the hands of the Mahometans who proud with success from that time founded a new Empire in Africk whose Kings in whom according to the Custom of those People was the Spiritual as well as Temporal Power were called Miramamolines which signifies Princes of the Faithful As those of the same People in Asia stiled themselves Caliphs Spain is divided from Africk only by the narrow streight of Gibraltar Many were of Opinion this rise of those People threatned Spain and their fear was much increased by an extraordinary Eclipse of the Sun which hap'ned in the Reign of Recesuinthus so great that the day was totally darkned as the Archbishop D. Rodrigo affirms which they interpreted as an Omen of great mischiefs to ensue Recesuinthus quelled the People of Navarre who were in Arms and made incursions wasting the Country about them Besides he corrected the Laws of the Goths abolishing some and instituting many new ones the Number whereof as appears by the Book called Fuero jusgo is no less than that of all the others published by the Kings his Predecessors By these Actions the King was advanced to the highest pitch of Honour respected by his People and well esteemed abroad when Death took him away on the first of September in the Morning and in the Year of our Lord 672. having Reigned from the time his Father declared him his Companion in the Throne 23 Years 6 Months and 11 Days after the Death of his Father 21 Years and 11 Months Two Leagues from Valladolid formerly as some think called Pincia is a Town named Wamba before called Gerticos here the King dyed having been removed from Toledo to try it the change of Air would do him good His Body was buryed in the Church of that Town where his Tomb is still to be seen but the Bones were removed by King Alonso the Wise to Toledo and lay'd in the Church of St. Leocadia according to a received Tradition in that City near the high Altar on the right side Philip the Second of Spain in the Year 1575. caused the said Tomb to be opened in his Presence as also another on the left side of the Altar no Inscription was found within only the Bones wrapped in Cotton and laid in Wooden Chests but Learned Men that were present believed that on the right hand to be the Tomb of Recesuinthus as being the Ancientest and the other that of King Wamba which was also Translated to Toledo by the same King Alonso Near DuenÌas which is beyond Valladolid on the Banks of the River Pisuerga is an Ancient Church dedicated to St. John Baptist the workmanship Gothick adorned with Marble and Jasper-stone In it is an Inscription in six lines which declares it was built by King Recesuinthus and finished in the Year 661. whence some Learned Men infer the Patrimonial Estate of those two Kings was near about that place In the time of Recesuinthus Constantine was Emperour of the East and Adeodatus govern'd the Church of Rome Upon the Kings Death there ensu'd a new and bloody War in that part of the Dominion of the Goths that lay in Gallia Narbonnensis Ambition was the cause of this evil which bred great distractions in the Gothish Kingdom when they were in fullness of Peace after having vanquish'd all Foreign Enemies King Recesuinthus leaving no Issue to succeed him his Brothers either for their Age or some other reasons were not thought fit to inherit Hereupon the Nobles met and by common consent made choice of Wamba a Man of Quality who had been the Chief Favourite to the late Kings besides he was a good Soldier very discreet and so modest that he refus'd to accept of that mighty honour excusing himself on account of his great Age and begging they would not lay so heavy a burden upon him He persisting firm in refusing an Officer of note with his drawn Sword threatn'd to kill him unless he accepted of the Crown Wamba submitted to these threats but so that he should not be Anointed as the Custom was before he came to Toledo reserving this honour for that City and by that means gaining time that those who were for him might alter their resolution or at least such as oppos'd him be brought over and so no dissention might ensue He set out for Toledo where he was Anointed on the 29th of September in the Church of St. Peter and Paul near the Royal Palace In express terms he swore to observe the Laws of the Kingdom and procure the wellfare of the People Quiricus Archbishop of Toledo Successor to St. Ildefonsus perform'd the Ceremony Julian Archbishop of Toledo writes that when King Wamba was Crown'd there rose from his Head a Cloud in the form of a Pillar and a Bee was also seen to Mount on high from his Head It may be said that the People often fancy or imagine such things but the Authority of the Author is of great force All the Nobles did their Homage to the new King and among them Paul a Kinsman as some imagine to the late Kings but the name of Paul not used among the Goths and his Disloyalty make the Opinion of others more likely who say he was a Grecian Wamba was born in that part of Lusitania formerly called Igeditania where is now a Town known by the name of Idania la Vieja or Old Idania and near it a Farm with a Fountain which retains the name of Wamba The People of those parts are perswaded as having receiv'd it from their Forefathers that this same Farm was part of Wamba's Estate before he came to the Crown CHAP. V. The War with the Rebels in Gallia Gothica Paul Wamba 's General joins with them The King marches against them and reduces all the Country to his Obedience THE beginning of Wamba's Reign was full of Commotions and Troubles the Subjects growing insolent as believing him not well establish'd in the Throne The People of Navarre being of an unsetled temper revolted Wamba raised Men in Cantabria or Biscay to be the nearer to oppress those Rebels when at the same time news was brought him of more dangerous tumults in Gallia Gothica Many of that Country were dissatisfied at his being Elected and refus'd to acknowledge him as their King They conspir'd together and resolv'd to have recourse to Arms. Hilperick Earl of Nismes in France was the first that declar'd himself confiding in the great distance he was at from the King and his own extraordinary Power Gumildus Bishop of Magalona and an Abbot whose name was Remigius join'd with him They labour'd to bring Aregius Bishop of Nismes
to King Alonso He Reigned about 2 Years alone according to Garibay his Account for F. Mariana is not intelligible in this Place and had two Sons D. Ramiro and D. Garcia by his Wife Ninilon or Vrsenda to whom he was unlawfully Married tho' afterwards he left her and lived Chast the rest of his Life In other respects he was Modest and Temperate a Lover of his ease and averse to Business yet did one thing very pleasing and commendable which was declaring of D. Alonso who had been depos'd by Mauregatus his Companion in the Throne which according to Isidorus Pacensis who then liv'd was in the Year 791. After this Bermudo reign'd Four Years and Six Months This Prince was very remarkable for his continual Prosperity good Conduct Liberality Piety the Love of his People and Terror of his Enemies By his Valour the affairs of the Christians almost sunk were re-established for in the third Year of his Reign Alonso his Companion vanquish'd Mugayo General of the Moors who had broke into Asturias upon the Account that the King refus'd to pay the Tribute of the young Maids The Battle was fought near a Town call'd Ledas the Victory one of the greatest obtain'd in Spain for 70000. Infidels were kill'd by which the Christians were deliver'd from a great Oppression and the Moors diverted with other Wars could not revenge this loss About the same time many Towns about the Pyrenean Mountains were taken from the Moors by the Kings of Navarre and Charlemaigne the Famous King of France and Emperour Here again I am forced to follow the authority of Garibay my Author being ill Printed the fate of many Books Printed in Spain Issem King of Cordova sent a good Army under the Command of his General Abdelmelich to put a stop to these Proceedings who retook Girona in Catalonia and Narbonne on the Borders of France From hence the Bishop D. Roderick says the Moors caus'd Christians to bring Earth on their Shoulders which I suppose was Sand to bind their Mortar for to finish the great Mosque at Cordova This King also built another Bridge at Cordova near the Pallace and was the first of the Moorish Kings that took a Guard of Strangers which were 3000. Renegado Christians besides he entertain'd 2000. Eunuchs as his Menial Servants He dy'd in the Year 795. having Reign'd 26 Years 10 Months and 15 days and leaving behind the name of a Wise Just and Bountiful Prince and his Son Alhaca to succeed him CHAP. V. The Reign of D. Alonso the Chast The Nestorian Heresy reviv'd The King's Sister debauch'd he takes Lisbon Wars among the Moors Invention of the Body of St. James the Apostle and Defeat of Charlemaigne DUring these last Reigns Felix Bishop of Vrgel and his Disciple Elipandus Archbishop of Toledo reviv'd the false Doctrine of Nestorius Condemn'd at the Council of Ephesus They affirm'd that Christ our Lord as Man was only the adoptive Son of the Father and endeavour'd to spread these their Opinions but were Condemn'd by Councils held at Reginum of Bavaria now Ratisbon and at Francfort Felix dy'd obstinate at Lions in France What became of Elipandus is not known Some Years after Claudius a Spaniard Disciple of Felix and Bishop of Turin who lived in the Emperour Ludovicus Pius his Court with great Opinion of Learning among other things to the Opinions of the others added a new extravagancy saying that holy Images ought to be cast out of the Churches Jonas Aurelianensis his Contemporary wrote Learnedly against him King Bermudo was Bury'd at Oviedo where formerly his and his Wives Tombs were to be seen Thus D. Alonso was left to govern by himself It is a receiv'd Opinion that he aiming at a greater Purity of Life never had Carnal Knowledge of his Wife Berta He is said to have built the Cathedral of Oviedo but others write it was D. Bermudo who began it and the Inscription at the entrance as was said above attribute it to King Sylon Perhaps all three had a hand in the work and he who finish'd had all the honour of it Certain it is King Alonso enrich'd it with many Gifts and particularly with a curious gold Cross set with Stones made by the hands of Angels as the People imagin'd because after it was done they were never seen more The glorious beginnings of this Princes Reign were somewhat Eclyps'd by a Misfortune that hapned in the Royal Family which was that Da. Ximena the Kings Sister was privately Marry'd according to our Author but that had been no such mighty disaster and all other Historians write she was debauch'd by Sandia or Sancho Earl of SaldanÌa and by him had Bernard call'd Carpensis or del Carpio much fam'd for his Exploits in Spanish History The Earl being Convicted had his Eyes put out and was Condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment which he accordingly suffer'd in the Castle of Luna Da. Ximena was shut up in a Monastery of Nuns and yet care was taken to have the Child bred up in Asturias as if he had been the King 's own The Moors at this time were not idle for Zulema and Abdalla the new King's Unkles who till then had liv'd in Africk came over into Spain Abdalla who was the boldest came first and possess'd himself of the City Valencia deliver'd to him by the Inhabitants Zulema who was ready at the first call pass'd over to his Brothers assistance and both together after wasting all the Country adventur'd to give King Alhaca Battle It was fought obstinately on both sides and much Blood spilt but at last Zulema and many more being kill'd Abdalla fled to Valencia where he came to accommodation with the King and had a Revenue assign'd him to live upon according to his Quality delivering up his Sons as Hostages whom the Moorish King treated as became his Cousin-Germans and Marry'd his own Sister to one of them This discord among the Moors was advantagious to King Alonso for he took the City of Lisbon as many Foreign Authors write tho' ours make no mention of it and sent a solemn Embassy to Charlemaigne to whom Fruella and Basilicus the Principal Embassadors of the Booty taken in that City carried a rich Present from the King of Arms Horses and Captives besides a Moorish Tent of wonderful Greatness and Workmanship After this there ensu'd so great a Rebellion in his Kingdom that he was forc'd to retire for safety to the Monastery Abeliense situate in the most uncouth part of Galicia Thence by the help of Theudius a Man of great Power he recover'd all his Dominions with more honour than if that Misfortune had not befallen him But in my Opinion nothing was more honourable in the Reign of this King than the invention of the Body of the Holy Apostle St. James Which as is generally related happen'd in this manner Theodomirus Bishop of Iria Flavia hearing great Lights were seen in a wild part of a Mountain went
Abarca MOst part of that Province which we call Old Castile the Romans named the Vacei it is divided from Leon by the Rivers Carrion Pisuerga Heva and Regamon on the other side it borders on Asturias Biscay and Rioja on the South its Bounds are the Mountains of Segovia and Avila which about the same time we are speaking of were the limits of the Dominions of the Moors and Christians The Country is plentiful of Corn and Wine but scarce of Oil and better Watered than other parts of Spain In this Province tho' at first they did not possess it all some powerful Men began to defend themselves against the Moors and enlarge their Territories They took the Stile of Counts or Earls by consent of the Kings of Oviedo whom they were obliged to assist in their Wars and to come when called to their General-Assemblies or Parliaments In former times as we have before more particularly related Counts or Earls were only Governours of Provinces for a time afterwards they were made so for Life and at last the Title became Hereditary Yet even to this Day many Dukes Marquesses and Earls in Spain after the Death of their Fathers do not take upon them the Title till they have obtained the King's leave It is not known for what term the first Earls of Castile enjoyed that Honour but it may be imagined they had the same beginning as all others in Christendom The first of these Counts is D. Roderick who lived in the time of King Alonso the Chast Next to him the best Authors place D. James Porcellos his Son as the Chronicon Alveldense has it This Earl lived in the time of Alonso the Great King of Oviedo He Married his Daughter Sulla Bella to NunÌo Belchides a German that came in Pilgrimage to S. James This Gentleman being thus Allied to D. James together with him built the City Burgos that the People who before lived dispersed in Villages might form one Body of a City and it took the Name from Burg the German word for a Town Besides D. James there were at the same time other Earls of Castile for the Province was divided as were Ferdinand Anzules Almondar and his Son D. James But the greatest of them all was NunÌez Fernandez who had for his Son-in-law D. Garcia Brother to D. OrdonÌo II. King of Leon afterwards King himself Upon this account and because he had forced King Alonso the Great to resign the Kingdom he was grown more insolent than D. OrdonÌo cared to bear besides many underhand blew the Coals they saw begin to take Fire The King thus incensed sent for the Earls to Court upon pretence of Consulting with them about most important Affairs The place appointed for the meeting was a Town called Regular upon the mid-way on the Borders of Castile and Leon. The Earls came without any Guard and were Apprehended by the King's Order and sent Prisoners to Leon. Soon after they were also put to Death to the great Grief of the People of Castile who had been concerned at their Imprisonment King OrdonÌo was making all necessary Preparations for War as fearing the Revolt of that Province when Death took him off He dy'd at Zamora in the Year 923. and was buryed at Leon in the Church of our blessed Lady which he had caused to be Consecrated His Funeral was performed with great Solemnity NunÌo Belchides by his Wife Sulla Bella had two Sons NunÌo Rasura and Gustio Gonzalez NunÌo Rasura was Grandfather to the Earl Fernan Gonzalez whom our Historians extol and raise to the Skies for his great Exploits The Infants or Princes of Lara were Grandsons to Gustio Thus the Blood of D. James Porcellos mixed with the Royal Family is derived to many Noble Houses in Spain and Abroad and its Succession has not fail'd even to our Days D. Fruela II. Succeeded his Brother D. OrdonÌo in the Throne of Leon not by Right but Force Such as the beginning was the end and his Power lasted not long for he Reign'd only 14 Months He was remarkable only for Baseness and Cruelty and therefore was called The Cruel The Sons of a Nobleman called Osmundus were by him put to Death and his Brother Fruminius Bishop of Leon Banished for that he durst not lay violent hands upon him being an Ecclesiastical Person By his Wife Munia he had D. Alonso D. OrdonÌo and D. Ramiro and out of Wedlock D. Fruela Father of D. Pelayus called the Deacon To whom was afterwards Marry'd Da. Aldonca or Alfonsa Grandchild to King Bermudo Sirnamed the Gouty D. Fruela was buryed in Leon his Fame and Memory are stained not so much for his dying of the Leprosie as for his Cowardize and the Rebellion that in his time cut off Castile from the Crown of Leon. The People there were offended at the Death of the Earls killed by D. OrdonÌo's Command this disgust was heightned by forcing them to come to Leon to all Law Suits and the Parliament They had no fair opportunity of Revolting before and therefore did it in the time of D. Fruela For their Governors they chose two Nobles with only the Title of Judges The first named was NunÌo Rasura and Lain Calvo Men in great Power at that time Lain was the youngest and Married to NunÌa Bella his Colleague's Daughter To him for his Valour was given the charge of Martial Affairs NunÌo Rasura being a Person of known Prudence and Experience was to take care of the Civil Government and Admistration of Justice which he commonly performed at Burgos and sometimes in other parts of the Province Two Leagues from Medina de Pomar is a Town called Bijudico and in it an ancient Judgment Seat on which the People there have a Tradition these two Judges used to sit and hear Causes They were Governed by the ancient Laws of Castile which continued till King Alonso the Wise abrogated them and Instituted those called Las Partidas It is not known how long these two Judges lived or what Acts they performed From them descended very notable and brave Men for Lain Calvo was 5th Grandfather to the famous Cid Ruy Diaz Gonzalo NunÌo was Son to NunÌo Rasura and held the same Employ with no less Honour His Wife was Da. Ximena Daughter to the Earl NunÌo Fernandez who was put to Death among the other Earls of Castile by Kind OrdonÌo Of her was born the Earl Fernan Gonzalez a Person inferior to none of the ancient Heroes for Virtue Valour and Constancy we shall speak of him in its proper place Let us return to the Kings It is most certain that the Histories of Navarre are full of Fables and Lies insomuch that they look more like Romances invented to divert idle Persons than true Relations and Records of Antiquity This appears plainly throughout all Ages but particularly in this we now write of They say that King Garci InÌiguez being slain in a Battle by the Moors his Wife Da.
whom Ambition often distracted to the advantage of the Christians In the Year 976 dyed Alhaca King of the Moors at Cordova The same Year the Moor Rasis sent his Commentaries writ in Arabick of the affairs ãâ¦ã to Balharab Miramamolin of Africk by whose order they were composed Alhaca left Eight Sons all very Young and the Moors not agreeing which of them should succeed referred it to the Miramamolin of Africk who appointed Hissem tho' not above ten Years of Age. He Reigned 34 Years only in show for all the Power was in the hands of Mahomet Alhagib that is the Viceroy who took the name of Almanzor for the many Victories he obtained Hence sprang civil Wars among those People as is usual when Kings give themselves up to their ease and so far they went that Hissem lost the Crown Our affairs were in no better Posture for the King being bred among Women was effeminate besides that his Queen Da. Vrraca managed him as she pleased without any regard to the prudent advice of his Mother or his Aunt He seldom gave ear to his Subjects and for the most part returned harsh Answers which highly offended the Nobility of Galicia a People naturally fierce who finding all the Commonalty dissatisfied rebelled D. Bermudo the Kings Cousin and Son to D. OrdonÌo the third headed the Rebels in hopes to recover his Fathers Kingdom which he pretended was wrongfully kept from him This danger awaked the King out of his Lethargy The War was begun and lasted two Years with various success the People being divided betwixt the two parties At length a Battle was fought near a Town called Portela Arenaria many were killed on both sides and they parted upon equal Terms After this Fight D. Bermudo remained Master of Galicia and placed his Court at Compostella Pelayo the Son of Earl Roderick was made Bishop of Compostella but for his Wicked Life deposed and Peter Mansorius a Monk and Abbot of approved Vertue put in his place Earl Roderick to restore his Son brought in the Moors who took the City Compostella and threw down one side of the Church of S. James This Sacrilege went not unpunished for the greatest part of that Army perished by the Flux Almançor himself asking the cause of this distemper and being told by a Moor that one of the Disciples of the Son of Mary was there buryed resolved to desist from that enterprize but dyed in his return home at Medina Celi upon the Borders of Aragon On the other side also the Moors took many Towns as Guzman Atiença and Simancas where D. Ramiro who came to relieve it was defeated Never was Spain in a more desperated Condition After the departure of the Moors by the industry of the King and Archbishop the Wall of S. James his Church was repaired and the Church reconciled for it had been profaned by the Infidels Pelayo a wicked Prelate succeeded Peter and he for his Scandalous Life being depos'd his Brother Wimara was substituted who prov'd no better and was drown'd in the River MinÌo In those days the Clergy was very debauch'd not only in Spain but most parts of Christendom In Rome there was a Schism Boniface Benedict and John striving for the Chair Let us return to D. Ramiro who spent his Life in Ease and Idleness Thus Death seiz'd him at Leon in the Year 982. His Body was Interr'd in the Monastery of Destriana built by his Grandfather D. Ramiro in the Valley Ornensis by the Invocation of St. Michael Thence 200 Years after by Order of King Ferdinand the Second he was Translated to the Cathedral of Astorga Sampyrus Bishop of Astorga of whom we have made much use hitherto ended his History in this place Pelagius Bishop of Oviedo goes on he lived in the time of D. Alonso the Emperor The Credit of both these Authors is great because they write of things they were Eye Witnesses to but Sampyrus is most Esteemed and looked upon as the Gravest Author CHAP. VI. The Reign of Bermudo the Second called the Gouty King of Leon. Discord betwixt him and the Earl of Castile Leon and Barcelona taken by the Infidels Garcia King of Navarre dies His Son Garci Sanchez succeeds him UPon the Death of D. Ramiro the Crown fell to D. Bermudo as well in regard to his right being the King 's Cousin-German as that he possessed himself of it by Force of Arms. He Reigned 17 Years was sickly and Subject to the Gout for which reason he was called the Gouty By him the Laws of the Goths were confirmed and the Canons and Decrees of the Popes ordered to be of Force in secular Causes Before we Treat of this King it is requisite to speak of the Earl Garci Sanchez of Castile At his first Accession to the Government he Fought a Battle with the Moors near Santistevean de Gormaz on the Banks of the River Duero and killed a great Number of them putting the rest to Flight In this Battle there hap'ned a wonderful Accident Fernan Antolinez was hearing of Mass when the Fight began and being loath to leave his Devotions stayed it out Then fearing to be shamed as a Coward kept close in his House But whilst he was in the Church one like him doubtless his good Angel was seen in the heat of the Battle behaving himself so bravely that it was believed through his means the Victory was obtained To confirm this fresh bruises and spots of Blood were seen upon his Horse and Armour by which his Credit was miraculously saved Authors say the Earl Garci Fernandez had two Wives the one called Argentina a Frenchwoman with whom he fell in Love as she went in Pilgrimage to Compostella Six Years after she ran away with a Frenchman whilst her Husband âââ Sick but he recovering followed her into France and being admitted into the House by a Sister-in-Law of hers called Sancha in hopes to Marry the Earl he killed Argentina and her Gallant in Bed and then returning with Sancha into Spain was Marryed to her with great Pomp and Solemnity at Burgos Many look upon this story as Romantick and affirm the Earls Wife was called OnÌa and that the Monastery of S. Salvador de OnÌa Built by him had the Name of her Others say her Name was Abba as appears by their Tombs at Arlança and CardenÌa There is also another relation which says that during the Earls absence in France the Moors pierced as far as Burgos and destroyed the Monastery of S. Peter of CardenÌa killing all the Monks which others say was 100 Years before this time unless the same thing hap'ned twice At this time the Moors put to Death many for the Faith and there wanted not some Examples of Divine Justice on them for their Cruelty whereof Alcortexi King of Sevil was one He in the time of D. Burmudo breaking into Galicia destroyed the City Compostella but his impiety passed not unpunished for such a violent Plague
raged in his Army that few of them returned home to carry the News and be Witnesses of the Divine Vengeance This danger being over other new troubles hap'ned in Spain as great as any had been since it began to lift up its Head These were caused by the discord betwixt the King of Leon and the Earl D. Garcia who ought to have joyned their Power for the Publick good Mahomet governed the Kingdom of the Moors in the Name of Hissem the King his greatest Aim was to destroy the Christians D. Vela he that we said in the time of the Earl Fernan Gonzalez fled to the Moors now blew these Coals The Moors joyning their Forces with a Body of Christians that followed D. Vela entred the Territories of the Christians and passing the River Duero which for many Years had parted the two Nations incamped on the Banks of the River Astura or Estola that runs by Leon. King Bermudo tho' inferior to the Enemy gathering what Forces he could surprized them and entered their Camp where they Fought in disorder all in confusion Many of the Infidels were killed at the first on-set some gathering in small Bodies defended themselves other fled till the Moorish General getting together all he could drew them up without the Camp then charged the Christians who being but few in number and tired could not stand that shock In an instant the Fortune of the Day was changed the Victors were over-come and being closely pursued few of them got unhurt to Leon but many wounded The Town had been taken but that the Winter coming on obliged the Enemy to depart having gained much honour and plunder and resolving to return as soon as the Season would permit D. Bermudo because the City was weak caused the Bodies of the Saints and Kings to be translated to Oviedo and removed thither himself The care of fortifying and defending of Leon was committed to the Earl Guilien Gonzalez This disaster hap'ned in the Year 984. in which Miron Bishop of Girona Son to Miron Earl of Barcelona dyed In that Country a Body of Moors near the Castle of Moncada overthrew Borello Cousin to the Bishop Miron Above 500 Christians were slain the rest with the Earl Borello fled to Barcelona The following Year 985 was remarkable for destruction of the two Famous Cities Leon and Barcelona On the first of Day of July the Moors laid Siege to Bercelona and took it on the 6th day of the same Month many of the Citizens were carryed away into Slavery to Cordova but the City was soon recovered by the Christians Before it was taken Borcello got out to gather Forces to relieve it and having Mustered a good Body at Maresa and other Neighbouring Places regained the City The Earl Borello dyed eight Years after leaving by his two Wives Ledgardi and Aymcrudi two Sons Raymund and Armengauds the Eldest Earl of Barcelona the other of Vrgel and was head of the Noble Family of the Armengauds or Armengols in Catalonia of which in process of time there were many brave Commanders In the other part of Spain Mahomet proud with his last success gathering a powerful Army besieged Leon. The City held out almost a Year tho' continually battered with all sorts of Engines Earl Guillen Gonzalez made it appear of how great Consequence it is to have a brave Commander Being sick in Bed with the continual Fatigue of so many Months he was told the Town was in great danger by reason of a furious Assault that was then given he then caused himself to be carryed in a Chair to the place where the greatest danger was and so effectually encouraged his Soldiers that they made good their Ground for Three Days Then seeing the Town was entred he cast himself into the midst of the Infidels and dyed with his Sword in his hand The Barbarians inraged for the loss they had sustained put to the Sword all Sexes and Ages indifferently Men Women and Children and after plundering the City cast down the Walls and all other Works about it The same disaster befell Astorga Valencia del Campo the Monastery of Sahagun Gordon Alva Luna and other Towns and Villages which were taken plundered and burnt to the Ground Next breaking into Castile they took plundered and burnt Osma Berlanga and Atiença without meeting any Opposition Nevertheless such was the madness of the Christians that not regarding the publick Calamities they destroyed one another upon Private Feuds and Animosities For the Year following Seven most Noble Brothers called the Infantes de Lara were slain by the Treachery of their Unkle Ruy Velasquez without any regard of Consanguinity they being the Sons of his Sister Da. Sancha and by the Fathers side descended from D. James Porcellos Earl of Castile These 7 Brothers have been very famous no less for their Noble Actions than Unfortunate Death It fell out that Ruy Velasquez Lord of Barcelona Solemnizing his Marriage with Da. Lambra Cousin to the Earl Garci Fernandez at Burgos A great concourse of People was at the Wedding and among the rest the Earl Garci Fernandez and the seven Brothers with their Father A dispute arose betwixt Gonzalo the Youngest of the Brothers and Alvar Sanchez a Kinsman of Da Lambra yet so that no harm was then done yet Da. Lambra taking it upon herself to wreak her revenge in the Town of Barbadillo whither the Brothers out of respect went to accompany her she caused a Slave to throw a wet Cowcomber at Gonçalo which according to the Custom of Spain was a hainous affront The Slave fled for shelter to Da. Lambra but it availed him not for in her very Arms they killed him Ruy Velasquez who was then absent as soon as he came in a rage for the affront given his Wife studyed how to revenge himself upon the Seven Brothers He thought it best to ensnare those he design'd to destroy with the show of Friendship and therefore contrived that Gonzalo Gustio should be sent to Cordova upon pretence of receiving some Money of that King but in reality to have him destroyed to which effect he had writ a Letter in Arabick to the King who pitying the Noble Persons Grey-Hairs only caused him to be imprisoned His confinement was not so close but the King's Sister could come at him and on her 't is said he got Mudarra Gonzalez the Founder of the most Noble Family of Manriquez Ruy Velasquez his rage was not appeased with the harm done to Gonzalo Gustio Near to Almenara in the Territory of Arausana at the Foot of the Mountain Moncayo he laid the Seven Brothers in Ambush pretending to make an incursion into the Country of the Moors The Brothers suspected no harm but NunÌo Salido their Tutor endeavoured to disswade them as fearing some Treachery yet his words were in vain With them were 200 Horse a small number for the Multitude of Moors that fell on him The Treason being discovered the Brothers fought
possessed themselves of the Revenues of several Churches he caused them to be all restored To the Monks of the Monastery of St. Salvador de Leyte he gave the Privilege of choosing the Bishop of Pamplona as appears by his Grant bearing date in the Year 1032. The continual Incursions of the Moors had caused the Seat of the Bishoprick of Pamplona to be removed from that City to the Monastery of Leyte as the securer place being seated on the top of the Pyrenean Mountains Now Peace being established thro' the Valour of King Sancho a Synod was held at Pamplona at the request of Sancho Abbot of Leyte and Bishop of that City in order to restore the See thither For the present it was deferred but agreed to in the time of his Successor D. Peter de Roda. In his last days the King caused the City Palentia to be Rebuilt The occasion that moved him it to as related by some if ever there was any such was in this manner That City during the Wars was totally ruined so that nothing remained but some old Walls and a Church dedicated to S. Antholin Thither the King being a Hunting pursued a wild Boor which took shelter in the very Church by the Altar and the King lifting his Arm to strike in that Holy Place found it became on a sudden numb'd and without motion Whereupon invoking the Saint the use of his Limb was again restored and the King as an acknowledgement of the relief received caused the Town and Church to be rebuilt making it an Episcopal See Methinks I am writing Fables or Romances but many of this nature are recounted in the Chronicles of Spain which I will neither Condemn nor approve of let the Reader judge of them as he shall think most agreeable to reason Let us conclude with this King who by his great Actions both in Peace and War gain'd to himself immortal Renown and large Dominions to his Posterity His Life was glorious but his Death unfortunate for on the way to Oviedo whither he was going to visit the Bodies of the Saints that make that place famous he was treacherously murdered by Assassines that way-laid him Who the Contrivers of that base Action were is not known nor perhaps was it then It is suspected some one of the Princes that envy'd his greatness was the cause of taking him off His Body was Buryed at Oviedo with Royal Solemnity Some Years after his Son D. Ferdinand King of Castile caused him to be translated to Leon and Interr'd in the Church of S. Isidorus where upon his Sepulcher is this Inscription Here lieth Sancho King of the Pyrenean Mountains and of Toulouse a Catholick Prince that stood by the Church He was killed on the 18th of October 1035. To his Children he left great cause of Debates and much unhappiness to his Kingdoms by dividing them as he did without any occasion Commonly the Subjects pay for the Sins and Extravagancies of their Princes THE History of SPAIN The Ninth BOOK CHAP. I. The Posture of Affairs in Spain Actions of D. Berenguel Earl of Barcelona Kingdoms of the Moors Wars betwixt the Kings of Castile and Leon. Ferdinand Crowned King of Leon. THE mighty Wars that hap'ned in Spain the great Calamities and Desolation thereof and the irreconcilable Enmities betwixt near Relations and even Brothers may be a sufficient warning to Sovereigns not to divide their Dominions especially when their Limits are but narrow It is a certain Maxim that Sovereignty admits of no Fellowship and Ambition is not curbed by any ties tho' never so Sacred Hence may be inferred how much King 's err who misled by Fatherly Affection rend their Kingdoms to raise many Monarchies to their Children D. Sancho King of Castile and Navarre whose Life was related in the last Book has left us an example of that fatal Policy The Christian Dominions then well extended in Spain were for the most part reduced under one head as if Heaven had purposely contrived it for the Extirpation of the Moors who thro' their own distractions were evidently tending to ruin But this King by dividing his Dominions caused that Opportunity to be lost We now enter upon more variety of matter and consequently shall not be so concise as hitherto Therefore in the first place it will be requisite to lay down the posture the Affairs of Spain were in after the Death of King Sancho He divided his Kingdoms among his Sons in this manner D. Garcia the eldest had Navarre and the Dominion of Biscay with all the Country that lies betwixt the City Najara and Mountains Doca D. Ferdinand the second Son during his Father and Mother's Life was put in possession of Castile the Title of Earl thereof being changed into that of King To D. Gonzalo the youngest of the legitimate Sons was given Sobrarve and Ribagorça with the Castles of Loharri and S. Emeterius D. Ramiro the Bastard Son had the Kingdom of Aragon given him by his Father saving some Castles which were adjudged to his Brother D. Garcia They all Stiled themselves Kings and assumed Regal Honours whence ensued dangerous and bloody Wars Each looking back upon his Father's Grandeur aspir'd to equal it and repined that his Dominions should be confined to such a narrow compass At the same time D. Bermudo Brother-in-law to Ferdinand King of Castile Reigned at Leon. Under the Crown of Leon were comprehended the Provinces of Galicia and Portugal and part of old Castile as far as the River Pisuerga D. Ramon called the old Earl of Barcelona dy'd the same Year as D. Sancho which was of Grace 1035. D. Berenguel Borello his Son succeeded him who tho' little in Body was not inferior in Valour to any of his Ancestors He recovered from the Moors by force of Arms Manresa a place called Prados del Rey Galafre Tarragona Cervera and other neighbouring Towns Besides he subdued several Moors who possessed Lands thereabout and obliged them to pay him Tribute He had two Wives called Ramalduri and Almadi The first brought him two Sons D. Peter and D. Berenguel the second had only D. Ramon Berenguel commonly nick-named Cabeca de Estopa that is Flaxen Head from the colour and softness of his Hair This was the posture of the Affairs of the Christians in Spain The Moors as was said above had as many Kingdoms as capital Cities Nevertheless the Kingdom of Cordova as the ancientest was still the most considerable as to extent of Territory but weak thro' intestine Broils The next was that of Sevil then Toledo Zaragoça Huesca and several other inferior Kings who might easily have been over-run had the Christians been united That Discord which hap'ned betwixt the Princes tho' near Relations and Brothers prevented the Execution of so holy an Undertaking D. Garcia King of Navarre at the time of his Father's death was gone to Rome to visit the Churches of St. Peter and Paul D. Ramiro his Brother thought good
worth ordered that for the future he should be called Cid which was done accordingly so that his own name was almost forgot the new Title being given him as long as he lived Our Historians add that the Kings Ferdinand of Castile and Ramiro of Aragon being at variance about the right to the City Calahorra they agreed to put the decision of that Controversy to the Issue of a Combat to be fought by two Persons one appointed by each King He of Aragon chose Martin Gomez and he of Castile took Roderick Diaz for his Champion who slew Gomez supposed by some to be the stock from which is descended the Noble Family of Luna in Spain The most learned look upon all this as Fabulous by reason that D. Garcia King of Navarre took that City from the Moors and therefore the King of Aragon could pretend no right to it Roderick Diaz being newly Married was not in the assembly of the States at such time as the Emperor and Popes demands touching the Kings submiting himself to the Empire were heard and debated The King was more inclinable to Peace yet feared the ill consequences of condescending to own a Foreign Superiority Therefore he would resolve upon nothing till Roderick was called and consulted about this affair He being come and asked his Opinion replyed It was no matter of dispute but that the Liberty of Spain ought to be asserted by force of Arms it being unreasonable that those who had not helped to relieve them from the Tyranny of the Moors should pretend to any power over them that he was resolved to stand up for the honour of his Country and would look upon all as Cowards and Traytors that were not of the same Opinion This reply of his confirmed those who before were dubious and fearful and a suitable Answer was sent to the Pope In order to oppose the Emperor Levies was made throughout the Kingdom and 10000 Men raised besides the Auxiliary Forces of the Moors who were Subject to the Christians Roderick Diaz was appointed their General who to gain the greater reputation passed the Pyrenean Mountains and marched as far as Toulouze which City I suppose was then subject to Spain as appears by the inscription on the Tomb of King Sancho the Greater above mentioned Thence he sent Embassadors to the Pope desiring him to depute Commissioners to hearthe reasons the Spaniards had to offer in their own defence The Principal Men sent were Count Roderick not he that was called Cid and D. Alvar YanÌez Minaya who prevailed with the Pope to send Rupertus Cardinalis Sabinensis his Legate and certain Embassadors from the Emperor before whom the case might be argued and decided Mean while King Ferdinand returned out of France into Spain The Legate and Embassadors stayed at Toulouse where the whole matter having been debated judgment was given in behalf of Spain and it was declared the Emperors for the future ought not to pretend to any right over it And from that time it has ever been the Opinion of all Civilians that Spain owed no acknowledgment to the Empire Popes have also pretended to receive Tribute from Spain as appears by a Bull of Gregory VII directed to the King and Lords in which he says such Tribute used to be payed before the Moors possessed themselves of the Country But this took no effect and it appears that Spain has never since been Tributary to any Foreign Prince Roderick Diaz was descended from Lain Calvo who as we said above was judge of Castile for this judge by his Wife D. Elvira NunÌa Bella had Fernan NunÌo This Nuno by his Wife D. Egilona had Lain NunÌo who had a Son called James Laynez the Husband of Teresa NunÌa and Father of Roderick Diaz commonly called Cid He by his Wife D. Ximena had a Son called James Rodriguez de Bivar killed whilst the Father was yet living in the Wars with the Moors and two Daughters which were D. Elvira and D. Sol of whom we shall speak hereafter About this time some Synods were held The first at Compostella in the Year 1056. Here it was ordained that Bishops and Priests should say Mass every Day and that the Canons should wear Hair Cloth on the Fasting days and at all times when the Litanies were said upon account of any publick necessity Another Synod was held at Jaca of the Dominions of Aragon in the Year 1060. Two Years after this another was Celebrated at S. John de la PenÌa Near this same time tho' Authors do not agree upon the Year Cardinal Hugo the Popes Legate in Spain in an Assembly of Nobility and Clergy held by consent of Ramon Earl of Barcelona in that City Abrogated the Laws of the Goths till then in use among the Catalonians and instituted others which are in Force to this Day This Cardinal Hugo I suppose is the same that had the Sirname of Candidus and came Legate into Spain in the Year 1064. at such time as there were two pretenders to the Papacy and both stiled themselves Popes One called himself Alexander II. the other Honorius II. The Kings of Spain adhered to Alexander whose Legate this was and who seemed to have the better Title CHAP. V. The remaining part of the Reign of Ferdinand King of Castile and Leon. His Dominions divided among his Children Of D. Ramiro King of Aragon Perpignan Built THE late troubles caused by the Emperors pretensions gave the Moors an opportunity of casting off the heavy Yoke King Ferdinand had laid on them At the same time as it were by common consent they all appeared in Arms but chiefly in the Kingdom of Toledo and among the Celtiberi which is part of Aragon The King was old and tired with continual Wars besides the revenues were exhausted and the Subjects wasted with heavy Taxes Queen Sancho a Woman of a Masculine Spirit being desirous to advance Christianity offered towards the charge of the War all the Money Plate and Jewels that belonged to her This supply so incouraged the King that raising a powerful Army he attack'd the Moors about the River Ebro and made a great slaughter of them Thence he advanced as far as Catalonia and Valencia and returned loaded with Booty He had the same succeess against the Kingdom of Toledo and obliged them all to swear they would punctually pay the Tribute imposed on them This done he returned home in Triumph Some Authors write that near Valencia S. Isidorus to whom he had always a particular devotion appeared to him bidding him to prepare for he should soon die His sickness which presently followed confirmed this Opinion wherefore having settled all things with the Moors he returned towards Leon being carryed in a Litter upon Mens Shoulders the Soldiers and Officers striving who should carry him On the first of January 1065. he entred the City of Leon and as he was used visited the Bodies of the Saints prostrating himself on the
afar because the Country about it is barren being Sandy and Stony there is also much scarcity of Springs and it rains but seldom it being very remote from the Sea and the highest Land in Spain Only along the Meadows through which Tagus runs the Land is Fruitful and Pleasant At the same time the Conquest of Toledo was undertaken Roderick Diaz continued the War in Aragon with great success taking several strong holds from the Moors and wanted nothing to perfect his happiness but to be restored to his Prince's favour which he much desired It fell out very opportunely that in the Year 1080. the Moors of Andaluzia fell at variance for that a Man of note among them had seized the Castle of Grados Adofir the rightful Owner had recourse to King Alonso for Assistance to recover his Castle The King finding it advantageous to himself granted the Moors request sent a Body of Troops before and followed with a greater Force in Person but the Enemy being subtle protracted the War so that the King feared Slipping the Season of going to Toledo This moved him to send for Roderick Diaz who was then in Aragon and to whom he gave that Command having received him with great affection and the more to oblige him ordained that for the future no Gentleman should be obliged to go into Banishment under Thirty days warning whereas before they had but Nine The King marched to Toledo and Roderick Diaz put an end to the War in Andaluzia recovering the Castle of Grados and taking the Moor that had seized it whom he sent to the King Thus much in Andaluzia this Year The next which was 1081. D. Garcia the King's Brother departed this Life having caused his Veins to be opened in the Prison where he was kept so highly did he resent the loss of his Kingdom and Liberty His Body was carryed to the City Leon and there honourably buryed in the Church of St. Isidorus his two Sisters many Bishops and Nobles attending the Solemnity He dyed ten Years after he had been a Prisoner and fifteen after his first Accession to the Crown Roderick Diaz having settled Andaluzia returned to the War in Aragon where in Battle he overthrew the Moorish King of Denia and D. Sancho King of Aragon who assisted him This Victory was so considerable that King Alonso sent for him did him much honour and gave to Him and his Heirs the Three Towns of Briviesca Berlanga and Arcejona Alfagio the Moorish King having recruited his Forces after the defeat entred Castile wasting the Country as far as Consuegra Tho' King Alonso was then busy before Toledo he ââeedily marched to oppose the Infidel Both Armies met a great number of Moors was slash and their King escaped by flight to a Castle The joy of this Victory was much allayed by the unfortunate Death of James Rodriguez de Bivar Son to Roderick Diaz a Youth of great hopes who began to follow his Father's Footsteps His Body was buryed in the Monastery of St. Peter de CardenÌa where his Tomb is still to be seen Alfagio the Moor tho' twice defeated gave not over but still gathering a fresh Army broke into Castile without stopping till he came to Medina del Campo Alvaryanez Minaya a brave Man related to Roderick Diaz met and defeated him the Third time This hap'ned in the Year of our Lord 1082 at which time D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona was basely Murdered near a Town called Percha betwixt Ostalric and Girond His Brother Berenguel was the contriver of his Death and was therefore so hated by the People that he went away to the holy War and at Jerusalem is said to have lost his Speech and there Dyed His Body was buryed in the Cathedral of Girona His Son D. Ramon Arnaldo succeeded him being not full a Year old but famous for the time he enjoy'd that Principality for the greatness of his Actions inferior to none of his Predecessors and for that he enlarged his Dominions not only by the addition of Besalu and Vrgel which for want of Heirs devolved to him as Feifs of the Earldom of Barcelona but also by Marrying D. Aldonça whom others call Dulcis Daughter and Heiress of Gilbert Earl of Provence with whom he had that large Province in Dower By her he had two Sons D. Ramon and D. Berenguel and three Daughters one called D. Berenguela or Berengaria Marry'd to D. Alonso stiled the Emperor The Names of the others are not known but both were Marry'd in France This Prince was long at variance and held War against Alonso Earl of Toulouse and after much contention they agreed among themselves to adopt one another's Families so that whichsoever was first Extinct the other should Inherit But this hap'ned long after the time we are now writing of Let us return to the War of Toledo CHAP. IX The famous City Toledo closely Besieged and Surrendred Many other Places taken King Alonso stiles himself Emperor THE continual waste the Christians made in the Country about Toledo burning plundering and driving all before them had reduc'd the Moors of that City to great streights The Christian Inhabitants ceased not to press King Alonso to sit down before it promising they would soon open the Gates to him That lasting War had exhausted the Subjects yet the King's resolution overcame all difficulties Great Levies were made and all things provided with a full design never to desist till the City were taken It is naturally strong and so seated that there was a necessity of dividing the Army into several Bodies and consequently a greater Force was requisite It is a matter of great consequence to have the good Will of neighbouring Princes as appeared in this War for besides the King 's own Subjects of Castile Leon Biscay Galicia and Asturias Sancho King of Aragon and Navarre brought a good Body of Men to the Siege Supplies also came from Italy and Germany and the French as being nearer came in greater numbers Because the latter served well in this War and upon other occasions great Privileges were granted to such of them as would stay in Spain whence as I suppose such as are free from Taxes are among us called Franc. Of all these Nations was formed a mighty Army which marched without delay towards Toledo full of hopes of speedy success The Moorish King made all the necessary Preparations to endure a Siege but most of all rely'd on the natural Strength of the Place encompassed with high and craggy Rocks thro' which the River Iagus in a wonderful manner breaks his way and runs almost round the City except on the North side where is a steep and difficult ascent defended by two strong Walls one above the other To Besiege this Place the Army was divided into seven Brigades which took up all the Avenues so that no Relief could be carried in The King with the best of the Army Encamp'd and Entrench'd himself
all necessary Preparations gathering Arms Horses Provisions and Money Not only the Laity but the Clergy were obliged to take up Arms old and now Soldiers raised and Supplies sollicited from abroad Many Strangers moved by the great danger Spain was in and desiring to serve in that War came over especially out of France Among these Raymund Earl of Burgundy and his Kinsman Henry who was Born at Besançon was of the House of Lorrain and in process of time the Founder of the Kingdom of Portugal Besides these there came Raymund Earl of Toulouse With them came a good number of Brave and Experienced French Soldiers D. Sancho King of Aragon was not wanting he tho' very ancient yet had the Vivacity and Courage of Youth and was an excellent Commander having gain'd Experience in the continual Wars he had with the Moors All these Forces made up so great an Army that they resolved to invade the Enemies Country They entred Andaluzia plundring and wasting all where-ever they came It was no time for the Moors to be idle both Armies came in sight of one another near a Town called Alagueto but Joseph finding himself inferior to the Christians shunn'd sighting His retreat was more like to a disorderly Flight for he lost great part of the Baggage King Alonso thought it better to content himself with the Honour gained than to tempt Fortune besides that his Army being composed of so many different Nations could not long hold together Thus he returned home his Army loaded with Spoils and pleased with their Success After this for some time the Almoravides attempted nothing farther for Joseph was forced to repair to Africk to setle his new acquired Kingdom Mean while King Alonso slept not expecting the War would soon break out again Therefore he resolved to strengthen himself with fresh Allies abroad In the first place he gave three of his Daughters in Marriage to those three Lords that came to his assistance out of France Raymund Earl of Toulouse Marry'd D. Elvira Henry of Lorrain D. Teresa both Illigitimate Raymund of Burgundy had D. Vrraca got in Wedlock This Prince is said to have rebuilt Salamanca by the King's Order Moreover Sancha the King's Daughter was Marry'd to Earl Roderick From him some will have the Noble Family of Giron to be descended To Henry was given in Dower all that had been recovered from the Moors in Portugal with the Title of Earl yet as a Subject of Castile to be obliged to come to the Parliament and serve in the Wars This was the Original of the new Kingdom of Portugal which stile it afterwards assumed and continued in the Line of this Prince above 400 Years Raymund of Burgundy had the Government of Galicia with the Title of Earl then usually given to the Governors of Provinces yet the best of his Portion was the hopes of succeeding in the Throne if Sancha the King's Son dy'd The Earl of Toulouse received his Portion in Money and Jewels but no Lands in Spain because he resolved to return to France where he had large Possessions of his own There are Authors who write that the City of Lisbon was taken by King Alonso in the Year 1093. but this is doubtful for it was often taken from the Moors and lost again till some time after this it was gain'd by the Christians and has ever since remained in their hands Much about this time began the Holy-War in the East carried on by most of the Christian Princes for recovery of the Holy-Land Peter a Hermit who Travel'd into Palestine was the first Promoter of it for he making his Observations there discoursed Simon Bishop of Jerusalem about it and having received Letters from him moved the same thing to the Pope Vrban who then sate in S. Peter's-Chair ordered a Council of Bishops to meet at Clermont in France to promote the carrying on of this War and the mean while by his Legates stirred up all the Princes of Christendom to share in so Glorious an Undertaking His Endeavours prov'd so successful that all Countries sounded of nothing but Warlike Preparations most Princes aimed to signalize themselves by showing their Zeal in so Pious a War and Thousands of private Persons voluntarily Enrolled themselves to serve upon their own cost But we must not stray too far into Affairs so Foreign Let us return to what hap'ned in Spain CHAP. II. The great Actions of D. Sancho Ramirez King of Aragon He is killed at the Siege of Huesca his Sons continue the Siege Rout a great Army of Moors and Christians that come to raise it and take the Place IN the Year 1094. was Born D. Alonso Son to Henry of Lorrain and his Wife Teresa who by his Valour made the Name of Portugal famous extended his Dominions and was the first of those Princes that assumed the Title of King which he maintained in opposition to the Kings of Castile The same Year was unhappy for the unfortunate death of D. Sancho I. King of Aragon who merited the esteem of his Subjects not only for having governed and maintained his Kingdom as well as any of his Ancestors but for enlarging and extending its Limits He was the first that came down from the high Mountains where his Predecessors maintained themselves by the natural strength of those Places into the Plains where he took many Cities and Towns He had continual Wars with the Moorish Kings of Balaguer Lerida Monçon Barbastro and Fraga and obliged them to pay him Tribute Then after a long and tedious Siege took Barbastro a Noble City on the Banks of the River Vero in a delightful Country Tho' the strength of the Walls was great yet the King's constancy and indefatigable Labour of his Men overcame all Difficulties so that it was entred by Assault and Plundered From that time Barbastro was annexed to the Bishoprick of Rhoda At this Siege Armengaud Earl of Vrgel was slain and thence called Armengaud of Barbastro He being the King's Father-in-law and Father to his Queen Felicia his death was revenged with great slaughter of the Townsmen Bolea a Town on the Borders of Navarre upon the River Cinga after a long resistance was taken from the Moors So also Monçon a strong Town in that Territory with many other Towns and Castles too tedious to rehearse Estela then a small Town in Navarre now a famous City was built at this time King Sancho having a design upon Zaragoça raised a Castle called Castellar five Leagues beyond that City on the Banks of the River Ebro to bridle the Moors and waste the Country about in which that Garrison was so successful that the City was often reduced to such want as if it had been besieged In that part of the Country where were formerly the Vascetani was built the Town of Luna remarkable for nothing more than for being the Original of the Noble Family of that Name in Aragon The King who was much given
afterwards Marry'd him to a Lady called Arsenda The Year of our Lord 1104. was unfortunate for the Death of three great Persons Peter Son to the King of Aragon and his Sister Elizabeth dy'd upon the same day and the King himself whither for Grief or thro' some other Distemper is not known departed this Life the Month following He was Bury'd at S. John de la Pena Pope Vrban at the beginning of the War in the Holy-Land granted to this King the Tenths of all Churches that should be new built or taken from the Moors excepting only Cathedrals Alanso Brother to the late King succeeded him in the Throne His Reign was long and his Actions great by which he much extended the Dominions left him by his Ancestors In the second Year of his Reign he Married D. Vrraca Daughter to King Alonso of Castile This Match was made by the King contrary to the desires of all the Nobility who would have had her Marry'd to D. Gomez Earl of Candespina None of them durst open this to the King therefore they charged a Iew who was the King's Doctor upon the first opportunity to acquaint him with their Thoughts This Jew as the King was one day diverting himself broke the business to him It highly offended the King that the Nobles should presume to dispose of his Daughter therefore he for ever forbid the Physician coming into his presence and then hastned the Marriage of his Daughter which was performed with great State at Toledo in the Year 1106. King Alonso somewhat eased with the satisfaction of this Match and desiring to revenge the death of his Son tho' very ancient took the Field again and entring Andaluzia destroyed all the Province with Fire and Sword sparing neither Man nor Beast This done he spent the remainder of his Days in quiet not only forbearing from Martial Affairs but easing himself of the Government as much as could be Yet he took care that Salamanca and Segovia which had been ruined by the Wars should be repaired fortified and embelished Peranzules a Man at that time in great vogue who had been Tutor to the Princess Vrraca in her Minority and was now the King's Favourite had the whole management of publick Affairs and by his Prudence and Vertue seem'd to support the Government The King now quite spent with age for he lived 79 Years grew sickly and was languishing a Year and seven Months yet by the advice of the Physicians he rode out daily but the natural warmth being decay'd at length he dy'd at Toledo on Thursday the first of July 1109. as Pelagius of Oviedo who lived at that time testifies He Reign'd 43 Years was modest in Prosperity and undaunted in Adversity After the Death of King Alonso the Inhabitants of Toledo in a Consternation were about abandoning the City The King's Body was kept there 20 days till this Pannick Fear was over then it was carry'd to the Monastery of Sahagun and there Bury'd with great Pomp the greatest that of the Tears of his Subjects who lamented so great a loss as they had in him These Tears seemed to forbode those Calamities that ensued and the very Stones at Leon presaged this General Lamentation At the foot of the Altar where the Priest uses to stand at Mass in the Church of S. Isidorus in Leon the Stones shed water not where they joyn'd but in the very middle for the space of three days continually which were Thursday Friday and Saturday according to Pelagius who then lived This hap'ned 8 days before the King's death and betokened the Tears of all Spain The Bishops and Clergy hereupon made Processions to appease God's Wrath. In this King's Reign one Lesmes a French-man lived in great opinion of Sanctity at Burgos his chief business was entertaining of Pilgrims His Memory is still Celebrated in that City and his Feast Yearly kept in the Church of his Name Four Leagues from Najara lived another Holy Man a Spaniard or as others say an Italian who used the same Charity and Repaired the Ways thro' which the Pilgrims went to visit the Church of S. James the Apostle and therefore he is commonly called S. Dominick de la Calçada that is of the Cunsey I suppose King Alonso made use of him in building the Bridges that are between LogronÌo and Santiago About the end of the Reign of King Alonso one Moses a learned Jew and a great Linguist was Converted and writ against the Jews and Moors so effectually that many of both Nations were Converted CHAP. V. The Reign of Queen Urraca Her Lewdness She is Divorced from her Husband Deposed from the Government her Son Alonso Proclaimed King of Castile AT the time when King Alonso dy'd his Daughter D. Vrraca Heiress of the Kingdom was absent with her Husband He had no great confidence in the Nobility of Castile who had opposed his Marriage and therefore would not venture among them without a good Body of his own Subjects This kept him back from taking possession of that large Kingdom The Queens Lewdness which was great for a Person of her Rank was concealed and hid Garrisons of Argonians were put into many Cities and Castles to keep the Castilians in subjection Peranzules having great Alliances in both Kingdoms was entrusted with the Government and kept all things in good order His Power lasted not long for the Queen a turbulent Woman being sent before by her Husband instead of Honouring him as became his great Merit treated him ill not only removing him from the Government but seizing upon his Estate All the pretence she had for this rash action was because in his Letters he stiled her Husband King of Castile This is what was given out but in reality she was sorry she was Marry'd because her Husband curb'd her Lewdness and as I am apt to believe that discreet Man reproved her scandalous Life The King was concerned so great a Man should be so ill treated and restored all his Estate He fearing the Queen's displeasure withdrew to the Earldom of Vrgel whereof as was said above he had the charge A new War now broke out in Andaluzia Hali King of the Moors hearing King Alonso was dead broke into the Christian Territories and in sight of Toledo demolished the Castle of Azeca and destroy'd the Monastery of S. Servandus whilst all the Country about was in a flame Not content with this he laid Siege to the City and for the space of 8 days battered it with all sorts of Engines It s own natural strength and a Wall built at the bottom of the City by King Alonso saved it Alvar FanÌez a great Man in those days by his Valour contributed much to the safety of the City All hopes of prevailing being lost the Moors raised the Siege and in their way home plundered Madrid and Talavera threw down their Walls and departed with a mighty Booty In Aragon the King was successful
that they so Knighted were at Age and it was a means to spur them on to imitate the Virtues of their Forefathers In this manner proceeded the affairs of Castile and Portugal whilst in Aragon all things succeeded with the Christians All that part formerly called Celtiberia was brought under our Dominion Molina which before payed Tribute surrendered To the City Pamplona was added the Suburb of S. Saturninus which the French Peopled and had all the Priviledges of free Citizens granted them and the immunities of Jaca according to which they were constituted a particular Government among themselves The Moors possessed the Sea Coasts about the Mouth of the River Ebro and from thence did much harm in the Neighbouring Country There was need of a Fleet to curb them therefore the King caused a great number of Vessels to be built at Zaragoça and we read that in the time of Vespasian the Emperor that River was Navigable as far as Logrono 65 Leagues from the Sea Mequinencia supposed to be the same Caesar calls Octogesa a strong Town seated where the Rivers Cinga and Segre met was now taken by the King of Aragon All this joyful success was turned into sorrow in this manner Fraga a Town among the Ilergetes by Ptolomey called Gallica Flavia better known by the disaster that now hap'ned than any thing remarkable in it is seated on a rising ground which being washed away by the River Cinga is difficult of access and may be easily defended by a few against a greater number On the back of the Town are Hillocks all filled which lie so close to the place that no Engines can be brought to batter it After taking Mequinencia the King resolving to carry on his Conquests entered the Country that lies up the River Segre which was very well fortified and great numbers of Moors had fled thither for security This concourse made the Kings of Lerida and Fraga grow Powerful The King of Aragon invested Fraga in the Year 1133. his Preparations were greater than the success for Winter coming on and the rains falling he was obliged to put his Army into Quarters resolving to return early in the Spring About February the Siege began and lasted all March and April without any effect the Besieged being furnished with all things necessary to hold out a long time and encouraged with the hopes of relief Abengamia King of Lerida came to raise the Siege with a good Army The Battle was fought near Fraga the Christians were but few in number and those tired many of them were killed Nevertheless this loss did not oblige them to quit the Siege because the loss sustained by the Moors was not inferor to theirs However the King fearing what might follow went away towards the Frontiers of Castile to gather more Forces in the Territory of Soria By the way he wasted the Enemies Country as far as Monçon The King with 300 Horse following the main Body was on a sudden beset by a great number of the Enemy Seeing the danger with few words he encouraged his Men who fell on and fought as could be expected in such a desperate exigency Above all the King signalized himself being well known by his Garment and bright Armour so that all the Moors bending their fury against him he was at length kill'd Having lost their King some of his Men dy'd bravely others escaped by flight This is the truth of that King 's unhappy end tho' several other false rumours have been spread among the ignorant People Some would have it that after this defeat he went to Jerusalem and dy'd there Others write that his Body was bought of the Moors and bury'd at Montaragon My. Opinion is that his Body was not found which gave occasion to invent many Fables about him Certain it is that misfortune hap'ned near the Town of SarinÌena on the 7th of September in the Year 1134. This Prince was a Person of singular Valour and Conduct An Ancient Author affirms he fought 29. Battles and was in most of them Victorious He Reigned 30 Years His Will was made three Years before his Death when he Besieg'd Bayonne which our Histories say he took and that at that Siege Peter Earl of Lara fought with Alonso Earl of Toulouze and was by him slain This Will was very remarkable and caused great troubles and confusion By it he left many Towns and Castles to several Churches in Spain and because he had no Children he made the Knights Templers the Hospitalers and those that kept the Sepulcher of Jerusalem Heirs of all his Dominions It concludes with many heavy Curses upon such as shall presume to infringe any part of it Yet the Aragonians and Navarrois assembled at Borgie a place on the Frontiers of Navarre in order to choose a King Peter Atares a Noble Man as some imagine rather than prove of the Blood Royal held that Town by Gift of the deceased King He was a Person of great merit and had doubtless been declar'd King had not his extraordinary Pride prevented it Thus the assembly broke up without coming to any Resolution The Navarrois hated the Government of the Aragonians and thought it was lawful at all times when occasion offer'd to cast off the Yoke that had been violently forced upon them Hereupon they had a meeting apart and at the perswasion of Sancho Rosa Bishop of Pamplona Proclaimed D. Garcia King He was descended of their Ancient Royal Family for he was Son to D. Ramiro and Grandson to D. Sancho who as was said was killed by his Brother Raimund On the other side the Aragonians assembling at Monçon Proclaimed D. Ramiro Brother to the late King notwithstanding he was a Monk Abbot of Sahagun and elect Bishop of Burgos first then of Pamplona and lastly of Roda and Barbastro There is yet extant an Original Instrument dated at Barbastro in October in which he stiles himself King and Priest Nor was this all for tho' he had been above 40. Years a Monk they obliged him to Marry having to that purpose obtained a dispensation of Pope Innocent II. so that he was at once a Monk a Priest a Bishop a Marry'd Man and a King He Marry'd Agnes Sister to William Earl of Poitiers and Guienne who dy'd two Years after at Santiago in Galicia whither he went in Pilgrimage His eldest Daughter Ellenor was Marryed to Luis the Young King of France from whom after having two Daughters she was Divorced by Command of Pope Eugenius III. on account of Consanguinity After that Divorce the King of France Marry'd Elizabeth the Daughter of Alonso VII King of Castile Ellenor was Marry'd to Henry Duke of Normandy and Anjau afterwards King of England by this Match Poitiers and Guienne or Aquitain were annex'd to the Crown of England whence ensu'd Bloody Wars betwixt those two Nations CHAP. IX The King of Castile aspires to the Crowns of Aragon and Navarre Stiles himself Emperor Ramiro King of
before Santarem King Alonso tho' very Aged and Lame since his hurt at Badajoz in so much that he could not ride having assembled all the Force of his Kingdom marched to Santarem He charged the Moors in the Front and his Son Sallying out of Town upon the rear they were easily put to flight Great Slaughter was made The Moorish King Mortally wounded endeavouring to pass the River Tagus which is there deep and rapid was drown'd This Victory was obtained in the Year 1184. Abenjozeph Brother to Abenjacob succeeded him in the Empire of Africk and Spain CHAP. VII The Death of the Kings of Leon and Portugal Alliances betwixt the Kings of Spain The defeat of the Christians at Alarcos Sancho the Wise King of Navarre dies Sancho the first King of Portugal Alonso the Ninth of Leon. THE Death of Armengaud Earl of Vrgel somewhat abated the joy all Spain conceived for the Victory of the Portugueses over the Moors He was Son of Armengaud of Castile Earl of Barcelona Marryed to a Sister of the King of Aragon and had not only great Dominions in Catalonia and Aragon but was also Lord of Valladolid in Castile as being great Grandson to Peranzules before spoken off This Prince to advance the Christian Cause with his own Forces broke into the Territory of Valencia and after some successful Exploits was killed in an Ambush laid by the Moors near the Town of Requena Others will have it that he was slain by the Castilians but that is not so probable He left a Son of his own Name who inherited his Dominions On the other side the King of Navarre entred Castile plundering all the Country as far as Atapuerca where the Abbot of S. Peter de CardenÌa met him with the Standard of Roderick Diaz Sirnam'd Cid begging he would restore the Booty The King not only condescended to his Request but accompanied that Standard back to the place whence it was brought These things hap'ned in the Year 1185. At the same time the King of Portugal and his Son went to Coimbra and thence to Porto where the Marriage betwixt Teresa the King's Daughter and Philip Earl of Flanders was Celebrated the Flemings call her Maud. After the Solemnity they return'd to Coimbra there the King worn out with Age and Diseases dy'd on the 6th of December being 91 years old His Body as he had ordered was bury'd in a mean Tomb in the Church of Santa Cruz built by him and thence remov'd by King Emanuel to a stately Sepulchre of Marble He was a Man accomplish'd in all manner of Virtue the Founder and Conqueror of the Kingdom of Portugal His Zeal for Religion appears by the many Churches and Monasteries he Founded in Lisbon Ebora and other places His Queen Malfada was not inferior to him in Piety and perform'd many like Acts of Christian Generosity Spain enjoy'd Peace after the late Agreement among the Christian Princes and Death of Abenjacob the Moorish King Peter Ruiz de Açagra Lord of Albarazin was willing to assist the Christian Kings in their Wars but would not be Subject to any of them and therefore stiled himself the Vassal of S. Mary The strength of his City and the Emulation of the Kings each striving to draw him to himself secur'd his Possession In the Year 1186. in January the Kings of Castile and Aragon meeting at Agreda by mutual consent Banish'd out of their Dominions all the Kindred of the said Peter de Açagra that were of his party No more was done at that time At the beginning of the Year following Gaston Viscount of Bearn did Homage to the King of Aragon at Huesca as his Predecessors had done This Year was unfortunate for the taking of Jerusalem Baldwin King of that City and the Great Master of the Templers by Saladin In Castile King Alonso regulated the Order of Calatrava In the Year 1188. dy'd Frederick King of Leon at Benavente having Reign'd 31 Years and was bury'd in the Royal Chappel at Santiago He was judg'd more fit for War than Peace immoderate in the desire of Ruling but brave and generous Martin a Priest of Leon at that time writ many Books and is said to have attain'd all his Learning in a Vision in which S. Isidorus appear'd to him and gave him a Book to eat whereas before he was very Ignorant Sancho succeeded King Alonso of Portugal and Alonso IX his Father Ferdinand in the Kingdom of Leon. Upon the Death of his Father Alonso turn'd back being then on his way to Portugal whither he was going only to shun his Mother-in-law who accounted him a Bastard and could not endure that he should take place of her Children Hence arose continual Disgusts and tho' the new King allowed her the Joynter setled by his Father yet at last she was oblig'd to retire to Najara where she spent the remainder of her Days In the Monastery of S. Mary Royal in that City are the Tombs of that Lady and her Brothers D. Lope Bishop of Segovia and D. Martin de Haro Alonso King of Leon was twice Marry'd first with Teresa Daughter of King Sancho of Portugal by whom he had three Children Sancha Ferdinand who dy'd young and Dulcis then being Divorc'd by reason of Consanguinity he Marry'd Berengaria Daughter to Alonso King of Castile his Cousin-german Sancho the first of the Name King of Portugal call'd the Peopler and the Fat was Marry'd to Aldonça Dulcis Sister to the King of Aragon By her he had many Children which were Alonso the eldest Ferdinand Peter and Henry who dy'd young and 5 Daughters Teresa Malfada Sancha Blanch and Berengaria After the Death of the Queen he had many Children by two Mistresses by the first call'd Johanna he had Vrraca and Martin by the other whose Name was Mary Teresa Egidius Constance and Roderick Teresa was Marry'd to Alonso Tello who Founded the Town of Albuquerque Alonso King of Castile by one Wife had eleven Children whereof Blanch was the happiest for that being Marry'd to Luis VIII King of France she was Mother to S. Luis After Blanch follow'd Berengaria Sancho Vrraca and Ferdinand born in the Year 1189. then Malfada and Constance then two or three Sisters whose Names are not known and lastly Ellenor and Henry the youngest who came to succeed his Father as shall be shown in its place The King of Castile was the greatest Potentate in Spain and consequently terrible to the others which mov'd them to joyn in a League Offensive and Defensive They endeavour'd to draw the King of Leon into this Confederacy but he was more inclinable to his Cousin the King of Castile and therefore as soon as setled in the possession of his Kingdom he went of his own accord to Carrion where the Cortes or Parliament of Castile was held in the Year 1188. There he was Knighted by the King and kissed his Hand a Submission misbecoming the Regal
to the King 's further Proceedings for the present His Body was carried from Madrid where he dy'd to Huelgas and there bury'd However the Cortes or Parliament was held to furnish Supplies for the War Embassies were sent to obtain Succours of other Princes and the Archbishop of Toledo to Rome to obtain the Croisade for all that should serve in that War On the other side the Moors diligently fortified their Frontiers and sent for Recruits out of Africk Alonso King of Castile the more to terrifie the Enemy broke into their Territories and took some Towns along the River Xucar Then returning to Cuenca met the King of Aragon there and had assurance of Assistance from the King of Navarre by his Embassadors The Archbishop of Toledo stirr'd up all sorts of People in France and Italy to take upon them the Croisade and succeeded so well that Authors affirm there were got together 10000 Horse and 100000 Foot of Foreigners A great number and scarce credible However by others I find they amounted to 12000 Horse and 50000 Foot These Strangers were order'd to encamp in the King's Orchards near Toledo They began to repair thither in the Month of February 1212. A Mutiny was raised in the City by the Soldiers and Rabble against the Jews and much mischief might have been done had not the Nobility protected those unhappy People Peter King of Aragon came to Toledo and was received with great Joy he brought with him 20000 Foot and 3500 Horse Sancho King of Portugal was prevented from coming by Death which overtook him at Coimbra where he was bury'd in a mean Tomb and thence remov'd to a better by King Emanuel His Son Alonso II. of the Name succeeded him and had already two Sons call'd Sancho and Alonso by his Wife Vrraca Ferdinand Uncle to the new King and Brother to the Deceased had the Year before Marry'd Joanna Countess of Flanders Daughter and Heiress to Baldwin Emperor of Constantinople Nevertheless a good Body of Men came from Portugal King Alonso assign'd pay to all that Multitude of Souldiers and made Presents to the great Men according to their Quality All Necessaries were provided for so great an Army insomuch that there were 60000 Carts only to carry the Baggage as Roderick the Archbishop testifies who was an Eye-Witness and writ all the particulars of this Expedition Yet others say there was that number of Beasts for carriage They marched from Toledo on the 21th of June James de Haro led the Van which consisted of the Strangers In the Center was the King of Aragon and he of Castile brought up the Rear The Horse amounted to 14000 the Foot not to be number'd for all that were of Age in Castile were oblig'd to carry Arms. On the 3d day they came to Malagon a Town belonging to the Moors 14 Leagues from Toledo The Inhabitants quitted the place and retired to the Castle which was taken by the Strangers and all the Infidels put to the Sword Calatrava on the 1st of July surrendred and was restor'd to the Knights of that Name from whom the Moors had taken it All the Booty was given to the Argonians and Foreigners many of whom not able to endure the great Heat and want of all Necessaries were forc'd to return home Then the Army advanc'd to Alarcos which Town having the foregoing Years been ruin'd by the Moors the few Inhabitants that were left abandon'd to the Christians Here D. Sancho King of Navarre with a good Body of Men joyn'd the Army and made amends for the Strangers that were gone Some Castles were taken by storm Near Salvatierra they made a general Muster and then mov'd to the Foot of Sierra Morena The Moorish King being inform'd hereof marched to Baeza resolving by carrying away all Provisions to secure the passage of those Mountains and chiefly to make good the Pass of Losa which was the only way our Army could go If our Army advanc'd the Moor doubted not of the Victory if they staid they must perish for want if they turn'd back it was a great loss of Reputation A Council of War being held many were of Opinion to turn back and taking a greater compass enter Andaluzia a plainer way But the King of Castile would not hearken to it believing it would make the Enemy bolder and discourage his own Men. Therefore it was resolv'd to advance D. Lope Son to James de Haro sent before by his Father with a strong Party possess'd himself of Ferral on the top of the Mountains and made the Moors give back Yet he durst not attempt the Pass of Losa thinking it a rashness at once to encounter the Enemy in such a difficult place CHAP. X. The further progress of the Christian Army which obtains a most signal Victory over the Infidels of whom 200000 are slain and this called the Battle of Navas de Tolosa Many Towns taken after this Success ALL Multitudes are subject to violent Motions and sudden Apprehensions as it hap'ned now for the Soldiers were all ready to disperse and shift for themselves believing the danger equal either in advancing or retiring God provided a Remedy in this Extremity A Shepheard who had long used those Mountains and knew them throughly some say it was an Angel for that after he had shown the way he was never seen more promised the Kings if they would rely upon him he would lead the whole Army thro' By-ways he well knew to recover the tops of all those Mountains It was not safe wholly to trust to a Person unknown nor prudent to slight that proffer in such an Exigency James de Haro and Garci Romero were sent to view what the Shepheard said The way seem'd to lead quite from the Enemy so that the Moors thought they retir'd for want of Provisions All the Ascent was difficult and craggy yet the Men refused no labour being assur'd of the Victory if once they gain'd the top of the Mountain Their chief care was to lose no time lest the Enemy should be before-hand with them Having surmounted all difficulties the Kings fortified their Camp The Enemy prepar'd for fight and drew up their Forces in four Bodies But the Christians tir'd with their March would not give Battle that day nor the next which so puffed up the Moors that their King sent Advice to several parts that within three days he should have the three Christian Kings Prisoners having already got them in a toil On Munday the 16th of July all the Army having confess'd and receiv'd drew out in order of Battle James de Haro led the Van. Gonzalo NunÌez with some Templers and Knights of other Orders commanded the middle Battle In the Rear was King Alonso the Archbishop of Toledo and other Prelates The Kings of Aragon and Navarre upon the Wings he of Navarre on the Right and he of Aragon on the Left On the other side the Moors drew up in the same manner they had done
fall of a Tile Ferdinand Prince of Leon succeeds his Mother Berengaria renouncing her right Orders of S. Dominick S. Francis and La Merced instituted THE Enmity betwixt D. Alvaro de Lara and Queen Berengaria put the Kingdom into Confusion and was the cause that many Murders Robberies and other Villanies were committed D Alvaro added one fraud to the perfecting of all his Projects The King being at Maqueda a Town not far from Toledo Queen Berengaria sent a Man privately to advertise him how affairs stood D. Alvaro having notice of it seized the Messenger and Counterfeiting the Queen's Hand and Seal produced Letters as from her directing the King to be Poisoned and the more to credit his invention caused the Messenger to be strangl'd This imposture being known incensed all Men against D. Alvaro and the Inhabitants of Maqueda had slain him but that he withdrew with the King to Huete Thither the Queen again sent one Roderick Gonzales de Valverde to consult with the King how he might make his escape to her This Man also was taken and sent Prisoner to Alarcon but was not put to Death for fear of the People All the storm fell upon such Nobles as adhered to the Queen The King kept his Lent at Valladolid thence D. Alvaro sent Forces to Besiege Montalegre where was D. Suero Tellez Giron a Man of Note well provided to defend himself He had two Brothers Ferdiand Ruyz and Alonso Tellez that might have relieved him but would not out of respect to the King D. Suero being summon'd in the King's name tho' he could long have held out surrendred the Fort. After this the Country was wasted and the King in Person sate down before Carrion Thence he moved to Villalva D. Alonso de Meneses who held it being then out of the Town was forced to make his way in with his Sword not without danger being himself wounded and many of his Servants kill'd Nevertheless he held out so long that the King was glad to quit that enterprize and return to Palencia At the same time the War was carry'd on against Roderick and Alvaro Cameros who held the City Calaborra The King going thither soon made himself Master of that City Garci Zapata the Governour delivering up the Castle to him After the taking of that City they Marched against D. Lope de Haro Lord of Biscay That Country is Mountainous and the People very true to their Lords for which reason the War was protracted and the King return'd home As soon as the King was gone D. Lope entred his Territories as far as Marcanda de Ebro where Gonzalo Brother to D. Alvaro the Governour met him They came not to a Battle because Religious Persons interposed Thus D. Gonzalo went away to the King and D. Lope to Otella where the Queen was not without Apprehensions that the King would Besiege her There are those who write that a Marriage was treated of betwixt the King of Castile and Sancha the King of Leon's Daughter by his first Wife upon condition she should inherit the Crown excluding Ferdinand the Son of Queen Berengaria But it is hard to find out the truth of these Affairs for the History of those times is no less confuss'd than were the times In this Historians agree that the King being at play with others of his Age in the Court of the Bishop's Palace where he then lay a Tile falling from the top of the House broke his Head in such manner that he dy'd 11 days after on the 6th of June in the Year 1217. His Body was afterwards bury'd near his Brother Ferdinand at Huelgas by Burgos He liv'd not full 14 years Reign'd 2 and 9 months This same Year the Portugueses took from the Moors a considerable Town call'd Alcazar de Sal. Matthew Bishop of Lisbon was the chief Contriver of this Enterprize for he raised considerable Forces and persuaded the Knights Templers to be assisting to him But the chief Force consisted in 100 Sail of English French and Flemings who on their way to the Holy-Land touch'd at Lisbon and were persuaded by that Bishop to put their hand to the reducing of that Town A Multitude of Moors from Sevil Cordova and other parts coming to the Relief of that place was overthrown and 60000 of them were killed The Battle was fought on the 25th of September and the place taken on the 18th of October Henry the late King had two Sisters both elder than he These were Blanch Marry'd to Luis eldest Son of Philip Augustus King of France and Berengaria who before she was parted from her Husband Alonso King of Leon brought him four Children to wit Ferdinand Alonso Constance and Berengaria Blanch was the eldest Sister and by Right ought to inherit had not force and the hatred of a Stranger taken place of Justice Many of the Nobility meeting where Queen Berengaria then was declared the Crown to appertain to her It was convenient that all things should be setled before the King of Castile's Death came to the Ears of the King of Leon lest he should pretend to that Crown in Right of his Wife tho' parted from her Accordingly Embassadors were sent to him to request he would send his Son Ferdinand to protect his Mother which they obtain'd before ever that King had notice of the Death of King Henry This was the easier to do for that D. Alvaro de Lara carry'd the dead Body with him to Tariego giving out he was still living and dispatching Business in his Name Prince Ferdinand being come to Otella where his Mother was she made over her Right to the Crown to him At Najara under an Elm-tree the Ceremony of Proclaiming him King was perform'd so little State was used in those times From Najara he went to Palencia designing to take a Progress thro' the Kingdom That City at the persuasion of the Bishop received him with great Joy and Magnificence Then he went to Duenas which shut the Gates against him but the Town being small and not strong was entred by force Here the Nobility began to treat of an Accommodation with the Family of Lara D. Alvaro was not averse to it but being used to Rule he had the presumption to ask to be Tutor to the new King King Ferdinand was at that time 18 years of age tho' some say but 16. Thus the posture of Affairs seem'd to threaten a War The King and Queen went to Valladolid a great and plentiful Town in Castile where the Cortes or Parliament met and determin'd that Berengaria was the rightful Heiress of the Crown as had been twice declared whilst her Father lived So Roderick the Archbishop who says she was the eldest Daughter but other Authors are of another Opinion The Queen here again resign'd her Right to the Crown and her Son was the second time Proclaim'd King in a great open place in the Suburbs of that Town Thence he was carry'd to the Cathedral
charge The King warn'd Mancada to forbear violence and stand to judgment and he refusing invaded his Lands so furiously that he took from him 130 Towers and Castles and the Town of Cervellon near Barcelona The Castle of Moncada being strongly fortified and William himself in it could not be so easily carry'd Thus much in the Year 1223. in which on the 15th of July dy'd Philip King of France at Medun His Son Luis VIII Husband to Blanch of Castile and Father to S. Luis succeeded him The Year following Alonso II. Sirnamed the Fat King of Portugal deceased at Coimbra and was buryed in the Monastery of Alcobaça near his Wife D. Vrraca in a mean Tomb as was used in those days He left Three Sons Sancho Sirnamed Capelo his Successor Alonso who Marry'd Maud Countess of Bologne in France and Ferdinand Lord of Serpa who Marry'd Sancha the Daughter of Ferdinand de Lara He also left one Daughter called Ellenor Marryed to the King of Dacia as the Histories of Portugal say I will not dispute the truth of it CHAP. VII King Ferdinand of Castile his great success against the Moors King Jaime of Aragon seized by some Rebellious Nobles makes his escape and Commences War against the Rebels THE Tumults in Castile being over King Ferdinand granted a general Pardon He chose the Wisest and most Virtuous Persons to commit the Government of the Cities to and was a mortal Enemy to Hereticks for some of the Albigenses had crept into Spain These good qualities had gained him the Love of his Subjects and he to improve it resolved to make War upon the Moors The People of Cuenca Huete Moya and Alarcon understanding his design Assembl'd together and entring the Kingdom of Valencia brought thence a rich Booty On the other side the King marched towards Andaluzia and when he had passed Sierra Morena Embassadors met him from Mahomet King of Baeça offering to surrender the City and furnish Provisions and Money Having signed Articles the Army moved to Quesada a Town of note now in the Government of Caçorla At first the Inhabitants relying on the strength of their Walls defended themselves but the place was taken by Assault all that could bear Arms put to the Sword and the rest to the number of 7000 made Slaves This slaughter was a Terror to others It were tedious to relate the particulars of this expedition In short many Towns were abandoned by the Moors many surrended Of them some were destroyed others Garrisoned D. Lope de Haro and the Masters of the Military Orders attacked a Town called Mivoras and took it notwithstanding it had a Garrison of 1500 Arabs whereof part was slain the rest fled Thus the Summer and Autumn were spent and in November the Season growing bad they returned to Toledo where the Queens waited the coming of the King in the Year of our Lord 1224. Some days were spent in Publick Rejoycing and Thanksgiving after which as soon as the Weather would permit the King Ordered the Army to march towards Cuenca designing to invade the Kingdom of Valenca Zeit the King of that place terrified with his former losses came to Cuenca submitting himself to the Will of King Ferdinand The Aragonians pretending Valencia fell within the Limits of their Conquest sent Embassadors to complain and at the same time to show their resolution made an inroad into Castile by the way of Soria New troubles arising in Aragon they could not then push on that undertaking William of Moncada Peter Ahones and Ferdinand the Kings Unkle had a consultation at Tahuste where it was resolved to seize the King's Person on pretence of removing evil Councellors but in reality to make their own advantage of him Moncada was offended for the Lands he had lost Ferdinand tho' a Monk still aspired to the Crown and Ahones could not bear to be removed from the Government To strengthen their party they resolv'd to gain NunÌo Son to Prince Sancho Earl of Russillon All things being thus Order'd they went to Aragon where the King was and coming together upon him advised him to go to Zaragoca there to settle the important affairs of the Kingdom The King tho' he saw into their drift was obliged to condescend They conducted him to his Palace at Zaragoça and plac'd Guards upon him that he might converse with nor write to no Body William Boy and Peter Sanchez Martel were Captains of this Guard and for the greater security lay at Night by the King's Bed-side In this manner they kept him 20 days till he condescended to all their demands Particularly he caused all that had been taken from William de Moncada to be restored and promised to pay him 20000 Ducats for Damages Prince Ferdinand still kept the Government in his hands and the King had no hopes of Relief but in God In Castile all things succeeded prosperously In the Year 1225. as soon as Summer came on King Ferdinand having recruited his Army entred Andaluzia The King of Baeça relieved them with Provisions and received them into the City Andujar and Martos were taken the last was given to the Knights of Calatrava Besides the Town of Jodar was gain'd and the Army return'd home loden with Plunder The same was continued the following years The Affairs of Aragon began to mend and the King departed from Zaragoça towards Tortosa a City at the Mouth of Ebro He resolved to rid himself and the Kingdom of that Oppression and therefore privately made his escape to Huerta a Town belonging to the Knights Templers Thence he sent Circular Letters to summon the Nobility to the City Teruel in order to Invade Valencia They look'd upon this as a Childish heat yet some few Aragonians and more Catalonians came at the day appointed With this small Body he broke in on that side where were before the Ilergaones and sate down before Peniscola a strong place on a Rock opposite to Majorca Zeit the King was so terrified that he sent to beg Peace and agreed to pay the fifth part of the Revenues of Valencia and Murcia This done the Aragonians return'd to Tervel and thence to Zaragoça By the way at a Village called Calamocha they met D. Peter de Ahones and his Brother the Bishop leading a Party raised at their own cost to make an Incursion into Valencia The King would not have him proceed because of the Peace he had made with the Moors but Ahones excused himself with the charge he had been at in raising those Men. Whereupon the King endeavouring to have him apprehended he was killed by the Soldiers His death was so grievously resented that except Calatayud which continued Loyal to the King all the other Cities declared for his Uncle Ferdinand Fair means failing the War broke out and was continued in the Year 1226. This same Year Luis King of France made War upon the Albigenses and having taken Avigron from them dismantled it
Biscay and in return would immediately adopt him his Son and Successor King Jayme accepted of the Adoption which was there instantly perform'd and for the better colour it was reciprocal so that whoever dy'd first the other was his Heir On the 4th of April this Contract was sign'd such of the Nobility of both Kingdoms as were present Confirming it Besides the Navarrois lent the Aragonian a great Sum of Money towards the charge of the War and had some Towns given him in pawn for the same News being brought that the King of Tunez was equipping a great Fleet to recover Majorca King Jayme was forced to make short and return to Zaragoça At this time dy'd the Lady Aurembiasse and appointed her Husband her Heir whence ensu'd new Troubles for D. Ponce de Cabrera would not quit the old Pretensions of his Family The King prevented the mischiefs that might have follow'd giving the Earldom to the new Pretender except the City Balaguer which he kept himself and to the Prince he gave the Command of the Island Majorca for Life This done he sail'd over to Majorca and understanding the King of Tunez could not come that Year return'd home King Ferdinand being taken up in setling his new Kingdom gave the Charge of carrying on the War against the Moors to Roderick Archbishop of Toledo and for his encouragement assign'd him the Town of Quesada if he could retake it from the Infidels who of late had possessed themselves of it As soon as Summer came on the Archbishop having spoiled all the Country and burnt the Corn on the Ground took not only Quesa and Caçorla but also Cuenca Chelis Niebla and other Towns of less Note thereabouts This was the Original of the Government of Caçorla which for many Years was in the hands of the Archbishops of Toledo who appointed a Lieutenant to act there in their Name Quesada being again taken by the Moors and recovered by King Ferdinand remain'd in Propriety to the Kings of Castile About this time John King of Jerusalem having lost most of his Kingdom went into Italy He was by birth a Frenchman and now solicited the Christian Princes to assist him in recovering his Dominions In the mean time he Marry'd his only Daughter Violante to the Emperor Frederick II. who for that reason took the Title of King of Jerusalem from him his Successors the Kings of Sicily had it and so it was continu'd in the Kings of Aragon and of Spain successively After this Marriage King John came into Spain and landed at Barcelona in the Year 1232. was nobly entertain'd by the King of Aragon the same by King Ferdinand in his way to Santiago whither he was going to pay his Vows At his return he Married Berengaria the Daughter of the King of Castile then went back into Italy hoping with the Succours of Christendom to conquer the Holy-Land but the Success answered not his expectation The Annals of Toledo say his coming into Spain was eight Years before this time Having lost all hopes of regaining his Kingdom by the Pope's Command he took upon him the charge of the Empire of Constantinople during the Minority of the Emperor Baldwin who in Recompence for his good Services afterwards Marry'd Mary his Daughter by the Lady Berengaria In Castile the Soldiers of the Military Orders joyning with the Bishop of Plasencia took from the Moors the Town of Truxillo in Estremadura on the 25th of January King Jayme went over the third time to Majorca and Conquer'd the Island Minorca Yvica one of the Pituissae was subdu'd the following Year 1234. by and at the Charge of William Bishop of Tarragona and therefore that Island was added to his Bishoprick This Year on the 7th of April dy'd at Tudela King Sancho of Navarre His Body was bury'd at our Lady of Roncesvalles a Monastery of Canon Regulars built by him As soon as he was dead the Navarrois sent for Theobald Earl of Champagne as being the next of the Blood and Crown'd him in May at Pamplona An Author writes that the King of Aragon winked at it perhaps out of scruple of Conscience as having no Right but the War he made afterwards shows it was rather the necessity of the times that made him lie still for the present till he was in a better condition to pursue his Pretensions tho' there seem'd to be little hopes because the People bore him no Affection He was besides taken up with the thoughts of Marrying Violanto Daughter to the King of Hungary which King Ferdinand labour'd to hinder hoping to reconcile him to his Aunt Ellenor from whom he was Divorc'd some Years before Embassadors had passed betwixt them upon this subject but nothing being concluded the two Kings had a meeting at Huerta on the Borders of both Kingdoms upon the 17th day of September Nothing was done as to the main Business for strong reasons the Aragonian urged But besides the Towns she had before he gave to Queen Ellenor Heriza to live in and condescended that for her satisfaction her Son might stay with her till he grew bigger This Lady spent her Time and Revenue in Pious Works Particularly near Almaçan at her own cost she founded a Monastery of Premostratenses an Order not long before instituted by Humbertus a Native of Lorrain The Name of Premostratenses these Religious took from the first Monastery they had which was built in the Wood of Premostre CHAP. X. The beginning progress and end of the War against Cordova with the Conquest of that noble City AFter the interview between the two Kings of Castile and Aragon they both return'd to the War against the Moors The Aragonians incourag'd by their Success in Majorca and offended at Zaen who after Usurping the Crown of Valencia had entred the Territories of Aragon burning and destroying many Towns and Villages as far as Amposta and Tortosa were resolv'd to invade Valencia The Castilians advanc'd still in Andaluzia The distractions that were among the Infidels promis'd success to the Christians for they were at that time divided into the Factions of Almohades Almoravides Benamarines and Benadalodes Such Confusion was among them that tho' no Body had lent a hand to pull it down their Kingdom must have fallen of it self In Catalonia the Tax called Bovaticum was again rais'd Many Incursions were made into the Territories of the Moors particularly D. Blasco de Alagon took from them the strong Town of Morella It somewhat offended the King that any private Person should commence that War before him therefore he took that Town from D. Blasco and in lieu of it gave him the Town of Sastago This is the original of the Earls of Sastago a Noble Family in that Kingdom After the taking of Morella another Town called Burriana having held out a Siege of two Months surrendred to the King upon promise of Life and Liberty 7000. Men and Women march'd out of the place This
was then quite destitute of Inhabitants but the King promising that all such as would come and inhabit there should be exempted from Taxes it was soon Peopled and regain'd its former Lustre CHAP. IV S. Luis King of France sends Presents to the Church of Toledo and makes an unfortunate Expedition to the Holy-Land Aragon Embroyl'd King Ferdinand of Castile after gaining much from the Moors dies WHilst Sevil was Besieged S. Luis King of France Enrich'd the Church of Toledo with many Holy Relicks which much encreased the Devotion to that Church and gain'd him the esteem of the People of Spain Those Relicks are preserv'd to this day and shown in the Treasury of that Church with the Original Letter sent by S. Luis upon that occasion After that King Luis sailed from Marseilles to the Conquest of the Holy-Land but his Success was not answerable to the Piety of the Undertaking For after reducing the City Damiata in Aegypt Robert the King's Brother was killed in a Battle Alonso and Charles his two Brothers together with the King himself were made Prisoners in the Year 1249. Their Liberty cost dear and little was done in the Holy-Land except the taking of Joppe Sidon and Cesarea by the French in the Year 1250. This same Year D. Gutierre Archbishop of Toledo dying at Atiença on the 9th of August as appears by the Annals of Toledo D. Sancho Son of King Ferdinand was promoted to that Dignity Some call him Peter and others John but doubtless both Names are mistaken Roderick the Archbishop by order of Queen Berengaria bred her two Grandsons Philip and Sancho at Toledo He made them both Canons of that Church Both of them study'd at Paris particularly Philip was Disciple to Albertus Magnus that great Philosopher and Divine His Learning and the Interest of his Father preferred D. Sancho to the Archbishoprick Pope Innocent IV. approved the Election but he was not Consecrated because he was not of Age being the youngest but one of all his Brothers For his sake the King gave Vzeda and Iznatoraf to the Church of Toledo in lieu of Baça which he had given when Jaen was taken About this time lived a famous Man called Pero Gonzalez who leaving the Court where he had a considerable Employment spent the rest of his life in instructing the People of Galicia and Asturias and was a famous Preacher His Cotemperary Bernard a Canon of Santiago thro' his great knowledge of the Canon-Law became Familiar with Pope Innocent and writ the Comments upon the Epistolae Decretales At the same time the Aragonians divided into Factions consumed themselves with Civil Wars King Jayme by his Queen Violante had these Sons Peter Jayme Ferdinand and Sancho and as many Daughters Violante Constantia Sancha and Mary The Queen who govern'd the King persuaded him to divide his Dominions among his Sons an advice destructive to the Kingdom and unjust in regard to Alonso the eldest Son For this reason most of the Nobility revolted from the King and openly sided with the Prince who countenanc'd them In order to compose these Differences which threatned greater Mischiefs the Cortes or Parliament was held in February at Alcanizes a Town in Aragon Judges being appointed to determine betwixt the Father and Son they gave Judgment against the Son This avail'd little the Subjects being dissatisfied and the King persisting in his Resolution insomuch that even before his Death he gave the Principality of Catalonia to his Son Peter which incens'd the other Party the more This in Aragon King Ferdinand's Affairs were in a much better posture for having setled Sevil where he intended to reside he took Xerez Medina Sidonia Begel Alpechin and Aznalfarache Besides about the Sea Coast he forc'd and demolish'd many Forts The Lands of Nebrixa were wasted yet some Towns of the Moors being well Fortify'd resolv'd to endure a Siege either for that they thought it more honourable or more safe There were thoughts of carrying on the War into Africk and to that purpose a great Fleet was providing in Biscay Death put a stop to this design which seiz'd King Ferdinand at Sevil on the 30th of May in the Year 1252. He Reign'd over Castile 34 Years 11 Months and 23 Days over Leon about 22 Years He was endew'd with all good Qualities his Life was such that it purchased him the Title of the Saint It is doubted whether his Valour Piety or good Fortune excelled most In fine he acted the part of a good Man and a Just Prince No time made his Piety so visible as the Hour of his Death Raymund Archbishop of Sevil Administred the Blessed Sacrament to him at the time it came into the Room he fell upon his Knees with a Halter about his Neck like a Criminal with great Humility begging pardon of his Sins and at the last gasp asked Forgiveness of all that were present Taking the Candle in his Hand with Eyes lifted up to Heaven he said Lord the Kingdom which you gave me and all the Honour I could merit I restore to thee Naked I came from my Mothers Womb and Naked I resign my self to the Earth Receive O Lord my Soul through the Merits of thy Holy Passion and vouchsafe to place it among thy Servants This said he order'd the Clergy to sing the Litany and Psalm Te Deum and then yielded up the Ghost A little before his Death he gave much good advice to his Son Alonso whom he appointed his Heir and recommended to his care his Queen and his other Sons of which Frederick Henry and Philip Elect of Sevil were present at his Death D. Sancho Elect of Toledo was then at his See The next day the Obsequies were perform'd with much Grandeur His Body was bury'd in the Cathedral of Sevil. This King is said to have instituted the Council of State which to this day has the Supream Authority in determining Causes He appointed 12 Judges as a higher Court whither all Appeals from inferior Tribunals should be brought so that he who Appeals deposites 500 Pistols and in case judgment be given against him forfeits them The Number of Law suits increasing and the Malice of the times still producing new Frauds it was necessary to erect this Tribunal for before each City was content with the determinations of their Judges or only Appeal'd to the Provincial Courts looking upon it as Superfluous to have recourse to the King Besides this he gave Men of Learning the care of inventing new Laws and gathering the old into one Volume now call'd Partidas which work begun in his time was perfected and publish'd under King Alonso his Son D. Lucas de Tuy brought his History down to the Death of King Ferdinand and no farther CHAP. V. The beginning of the Reign of King Alonso he is chosen Emperour by part of the Electors and Richard Duke of Cornwall by the rest Theobald the first King of Navarre dies his Son Theobald the Second
time they had acknowledged a certain dependance tho' it was only in form To make this Alliance the firmer a match was concluded betwixt Philip the King of France his eldest Son and Elizabeth the King of Aragon's Youngest Daughter he giving her the Towns of Carcassonne and Bezieres for a Portion This Year there hap'ned extraordinary Floods which continued from August till the 26th of December the Rivers swelling beyond their Banks and doing infinite harm Many Bridges were carry'd away and among them that at Toledo called of Alcantara But the following Year it was rebuilt as appears by the Inscription on the first Arch of the Bridge Spain was now somewhat quiet considering how many diffierent Princes ruled it Yet some misfortunes hap'ned D. Violante Queen of Aragon and her Son-in-Law Alonso dy'd The King's extravagancies seem'd to have shortned both thier Lives Prince Alonso was troubled that his Father showed him no affection at present and by dividing his Dominions had lessen'd his Inheritance for the future This was not only grievous to the Prince but to all the Nobility who publickly espous'd his quarrel and the King not long before his Sons Death to pacify them deliver'd up Valencia to him ordaining it should be always annex'd to the Crown of Aragon The Queen was offended that D. Teresa Vidaura after she had been some time laid aside was now again so great with the King that he did nothing without her He was so infatuated that he kept her as well before as after the Queen's Death with all the State due to a Queen She twice Challeng'd the King for promise of Marriage before the Pope By her the King had Peter Lord of Ayerve and Jaime Lord of Exeriça Queen Violante was bury'd at Valbuena in Catalonia Prince Alonso in the Cathedral of Valencia Zurita a Noble Historian of Aragon writes he was interred in the Monastery of Viruela of Cistercians Theobald King of Navarre after the Death of his Mother valiantly maintained the Earldom of Champagne against many Princes of France who sought to make themselves Masters of it This done he Marry'd Elizabeth the Youngest Daughter of Luis King of France The Nuptials were Celebrated at Melun but prov'd not Fortunate in the end by reason of the Queen's Barrenness This King had a Bastard Daughter by D. Marquesa de Rada and marry'd her to Peter the King of Aragon's Bastard Son Maud Countess of Bologne understanding the Death of King Sancho of Portugal went thither by Sea to plead her right of Marriage with Alonso the present King and try whether he could be moved to do her justice She came to Cascaes not far from Lisbon but the King being nothing concern'd at her misfortunes or at a Letter she sent him was forc'd to return without seeing him The King boasted he would Marry again the next Day if he thought it were for the good of his Kingdom Maud went herself to complain of the wrong done her to S. Luis then King of France and sent Embassadors to the Pope That King was too far from Portugal to relieve her The Pope sent to warn King Alonso of the wrong he offered that Lady and how hainous an offence it was to God but he gave no Ear to his advice At length he refusing to obey the Pope excommunicated him and laid an interdict on the whole Kingdom which is said to have lasted 12 Years because that King would not mend nor the succeeding Popes abate any thing of their rigour In other cases King Alonso was of a good Temper and a great Lover of Justice He clear'd the Kingdom of Robbers which were grown Numerous through the ill Government of King Sancho He also establish'd wholesome Laws and carry'd an even hand between the Nobility and Commonalty In War-like Affairs his Government was not inferior to the Civil for he enlarg'd his Dominions taking from the Moors Faro Algezira Albufera and other Towns in the Territory of Silves Castro Estremoz and Portalegre were founded by him and the City Beja ruin'd by the Wars was rebuilt In Lisbon there is a stately Convent of Dominicans built by him and another of poor Clares at Santarem His Liberality towards the poor was such that having exhausted his Treasures he often Pawn'd his Jewels to relieve them At this time the fame of King Alonso of Castile his Learning being spread throughout the World there came to him Embassadors from the Soldan of Aegypt bringing presents of rich Germents Carpets and Tapistry as also several strange Beasts never before seen in Spain This was in the Year 1260. This same Year a Town of Guipuscoa then called Arrasata chang'd its name for that of Mondragon as appears by a Charter of King Alonso the ancientest extant in Spanish for he was the first King of Spain that caused all Publick Acts to be writ in Spanish whereas before they were all in Latin On the 27th of October 1261. dy'd D. Sancho Archbishop of Toledo Pascualis or Pascasius Dean of that Church who had carry'd the Cross before Roderick the Archbishop at the Battle of Nabas de Tolosa succeeded him Doubtless he was very old and dy'd only Elect in June following His Tomb is in the Chapel of St. Lucy in that Cathedral Frederick the Emperor dying his Son Conrade succeeded him who also four Years after ended his days in Sicily either of a natural Death or as some would have it poison'd by his Bastard Brother Manfredus This Manfredus notwithstanding Conrade had appointed a Son then a Child which he left in Germany to succeed in all his Dominions by force of Arms possess'd himself of Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples The Popes whose feof those Countries were admonish'd him to desist but he taking no notice of the Ecclesiastical Censures made War in Tuscany where the Guelphs a Faction that favoured the Pope were very powerful and overthrowing them soon became absolute Master of that Province The Pope us'd all possible means to overturn that new Kingdom Charles Earl of Anjou and Brother to Luis King of France was invited into Italy upon hope given him of being made King of Sicily On the other side Manfredus sought to obtain aid from all parts and therefore had recourse in the first place to Jayme King of Aragon offering his Daughter Constance for Wife to his eldest Son Peter This match was not displeasing to the Aragonians for besides 120000 Ducats that he offer'd down with her she was Heiress to the Kingdom of Sicily Manfredus having no Heirs Male All points being agreed upon he sent F. Raymund de PenÌafuerte of the Order of S. Dominick Embassador to the Pope to indeavour to compose the differences betwixt him and Manfredus The Pope gave no manner of Ear to F. Raymund but utter'd threatning Speeches against Manfredus accusing him of many Crimes and affirming he would never Treat with him unless he laid down Arms and came submissively to him At the same
time he advis'd and warn'd King Jayme not to ingage himself with so wicked a Man least he should draw some judgment upon himself This answer put the King of Aragon to a stand but at length interest prevail'd The Marriage was Solemniz'd at Monpellier in France in the Year 1262. The King returning to Barcelona divided his Dominions among his Sons To Peter the eldest was assign'd all Aragon Catalonia and Valencia To his Son Jayme he gave Russillon Cerdagne Colibre Conflens and Valespira yet so as that he should do Homage for them to the King of Aragon They were also to be govern'd by the Laws of Catalonia and not to have Authority to Coin Money Besides those Dominions he gave him Majorca with the Title of King and also Montpelier in France Thus the Father reconcil'd the two Brothers who began to be at variance about their Inheritance the Nobility heightning their divisions without regard to the Publick every one of them striving to make his own advantage CHAP. VII The Family of the Merines obtains the Empire of Africk The War against the Moors renew'd in Spain Cuidad Rodrigo built Troubles in Aragon The City Murcia taken and the King of Granada made Tributary A New and more dangerous War than any of the former seem'd now to threaten Spain from a new Empire lately erected in Africk The Family of the Merines having overthrown and destroy'd the Almohades reviv'd the former Valour of that Nation and purpos'd to march over into Spain to restore its Empire there After the Death of Mahomet called the Green who lost the famous Battle of Nabas de Tolosa Arrasius his Grandson and Son of Bussafo who dy'd before his Father succeeded him When the Empire of the Almohades extended from the Ocean as far as Aegypt the Government of Tremecen a City on the Shore of the Mediterranean was given to a Moor call'd Gomarança of the Family of the Abdalueses which is very Noble and Rich. This Man was the first that offer'd to Revolt from his Prince Arrasius coming to suppress him was treacherously Murder'd No Enemy is so dangerous as a false Friend A Kinsman of Gomarança pretending to desert from him slew the King He being dead his Forces were easily vanquish'd by the Rebel who Sally'd out of the Castle Tremesessir where he was Besieg'd Such as escap'd the Slaughter fled to Fez which is near to that part of Africk call'd Algarve or the Plain Country Bucar Merin Governour of Fez under pretence of revenging his Master gather'd these broken Forces overthrew the Rebels and then as a Reward of his Victory laying a side the Title of Governour assum'd the Stile of King securing the Empire of Africk to himself and his Successor Thus only the Usurper being chang'd Bucar Merin founded a new Empire in Africk For Almorcanda who was of the Family of the Almohades and had succeeded Arrasius at Morocco designing to subdue Bucar was by him defeated in a Battle fought near a Town call'd Merquenosa a days Journey from Fez. By this means that which before made one Empire was divided into two which were Fez and Morocco and so continu'd some time Hiaya the Son of Bucar succeeded him He dying young his Uncle Jacob Abenjoseph who Govern'd in his Name and was a warlike and wise Man not only secur'd to himself the Dominion of Fez but with wonderful ease Conquer'd the Empire of Morocco and almost all Africk which he left to his Heirs No People under the Sun are more Inconstant than the Africans which is the reason that no Dominion is lasting among them Budebusio a powerful Moor of the Family of the Almohades offended that Almorcanda who was not so near Related to the Kings of Morocco as himself should be preferred before him offer'd Jacob King of Fez all the Lands from that City to the River Nababo if he would assist him to recover his Right Almorcanda by their joynt Forces was easily drove from Morocco yet Budebusio not only refused to perform his promise but threatned the King of Fez. After three Years spent in War between them Budebusio was despoiled of all his Dominions and the King of Fez taking Morocco became absolute Monarch of all Africk except the Cities of Tremeçen and Tunez During these Confusions two of the Almohades secur'd those Places and kept them with the Title of Kings tho' of no great Power From this Family without any interruption descended Muleasse King of Tunez who being Banished his Kingdom by the famous Pyrate Barbarossa was restored by the Emperor Charles V. These were the Families that Rul'd in Africk In Spain Mahomet Almahar was King of Granada and Hudiel of Murcia both Weak and Tributaries to King Alonso of Castile These two grown weary of their Subjection to the Christians and hoping to be reliev'd by Jacob King of Africk who began to gain great Renown agreed among themselves to Revolt Tho' before they were mortal Enemies yet their hatred to the Christians and hope of casting off their Yoke made them Friends They carry'd their Designs very private lest being too soon discover'd they might accelerate their Ruin King Alonso either that he had knowledge of these Practices or else desiring utterly to expel the Moors had no other care but of renewing the War against them Some Cities in Andaluzia refus'd to submit to him which he thought to reduce by force To this effect Pope Alexander IV. granted the Croisade to all that would serve in that War at their own Cost and Charges Embassadors were sent to the neighbouring Princes to obtain Supplies particularly it was demanded of the King of Aragon that he would give leave to his Subjects to take Arms in that Holy War as had been agreed by the Treaty at Soria The King of Aragon neither flatly deny'd nor fully granted for he excepted all the Nobility who either depended on him for their Estates or receiv'd his Pay but he allow'd that their Vassals and others of the Commonalty might take Arms. This old King design'd by these means to secure the Nobility of whose Loyalty he was not fully satisfy'd if they should get into Castile This answer so provok'd King Alonso that he once design'd to turn his Forces against Aragon but at last the Publick Good prevail'd Having taken this Resolution he deliver'd up the Castles that had been agreed at Soria to be put into a third hand by way of Caution or Security They were put into the Hands of D. Alonso Lopez de Haro for him to hold in trust and that he might perform it with freedom he was absolv'd of his Allegiance to Castile The Castles were Cervera Agreda Aguilar Arnedo and Autol. Whilst the Christians were taken up with these Debates the Moors understanding all these Preparations were level'd against them not to lose time took the Castle of Murcia and other places in that Neighbourhood in which were Christian Garisons Next they Brib'd the Moors in Sevil to Murder the King
Alhamar King of Granada died at the beginning of the Year 1273. He was a Man of Courage and Conduct Some differences arose about the Succession but that Party prevail'd with which the Outlaws of Castile joyned and Mahomet Miralmutio Leminio eldest Son to the Deceas'd was Proclaimed King Tho' this Prince was naturally an Enemy to Christians and many advised him to War yet because he was not well setled in his Kingdom King Alonso hop'd to conclude a Peace Besides several of the Revolted Nobles began to slacken in their Demands particularly Ferdinand de Castro and Roderick de SaldanÌa upon a safe-conduct came to the Cortes held at Avila At the same time in Germany they proceeded to an Election and Rodulphus Earl of Ausburg was by the unanimous consent of the Electors chosen Emperor All the Opposition King Alonso's Embassadors then at Francfort could make availed nothing The Cortes at Avila being broken up King Alonso went to Requena to consult with the King his Father-in-law about the carrying on the War against the Moors There he was seized with a dangerous Sickness and because nothing succeeded to his Mind thought good to try whether a Peace could be concluded by the means of the Queen and D. Sancho the Archbishop They two went immediately to Cordova to set the Treaty on foot To Pope Gregory X. the King sent Aymarus a Dominican and Ferdinand de Zamora his Chancellor who before the Pope pleaded the Illegality of Rodulphus's Election Ferdinand Bishop of Oviedo was sent to the Electors upon the same Errand All these Embassies took no effect But in the following Year 1274. the Pope holding a General Council at Lyons Fredulus was sent with the Legantine Power into Spain and Orders to offer King Alonso the tenth of the Ecclesiastical Revenues for carrying on the War against the Moors provided he would give over his vain pretensions to the Empire and not disturb the Peace of the Church Mean while King Henry of Navarre overgrown with Fat died at Pamplona on the 22d of July By his Wife Joanna Daughter to Robert Earl of Artois the Brother of S. Luis he left one only Daughter called like her Mother Joanna who succeeded him in the Kingdom tho' but three years of Age. This was the original of new Troubles and the cause that the Kingdom of Navarre was annexed to France Fredulus his Embassy was not ungrateful to King Alonso who answered he would entirely refer himself to the Pope Whereupon his Holiness in open Consistory confirmed the Election of Rodulphus and wrote accordingly to all Christian Princes He also ordered Rodulphus to prepare to go into Italy in order to be Crowned King Jayme tho' old went to the Council at Lyons and returned thence dissatisfied with the Pope because he refused to Crown him unless he would pay the Tribute agreed by his Father King Peter as has been said before Mean while the King of Granada and Rebellious Nobles of Castile by the Queen's Mediation were reconciled to King Alonso All their Demands were granted to the Nobles The King of Granada was ordered to pay 300000 Maravedies of Gold yearly and a great Sum of ready Money Besides because King Alonso had taken Guadix and Malaga into his Protection a Truce for a Year was concluded between them and the King of Granada Gonzalo Ruys de Atiença was then a great Man and the King's Favourite who had a great hand in this Accommodation The King of Granada and the Nobles with Prince Ferdinand set out from Cordova and were kindly received by King Alonso at Sevil. Things being thus setled the Army of Castile under the Command of Prince Ferdinand and by his Father's order moved towards Navarre to Conquer that Kingdom King Jayme having made over his Title to that Kingdom to his eldest Son Peter sent him to gain the good will of the People of Navarre who naturally were more inclinable to the Aragonians than the Castillians Neither the Policy of Aragon nor the Arms of Castile prevailed for the Queen retired into France with her Daughter under the Protection of that King Prince Ferdinand attacked Viana and being repulsed took Mendavia and other small Towns All things proved more difficult than had been expected notwithstanding no Army appeared to oppose him and the Nobility of that Kingdom was divided into several Factions Most inclinable to the Aragonians but chiefly Armengaud Bishop of Pamplona and Pero Sanchez de Montagudo Governour of the Kingdom Peter Prince of Aragon came as far as Sos a Town on the Borders of both Kingdoms there he pleaded his Title to the Crown or at least demanded 70000 Marks of Silver which King Theobald not long before had agreed to pay A Treaty being set on foot the Nobility proposed a Match betwixt the young Lady Heiress of the Crown and Prince Peter who was to have the Kingdom in Dower with her In case that Match should be disappointed they engaged to pay the Prince 200000 Marks towards the charge of the War they were to make with joynt Forces against Castile in case that King persisted to molest them These Articles were agreed on at Olite in November King Alonso being resolved to take a Journey into France held the Cortes or Parliament at Toledo that all things being setled he might set forwards The Government of the Kingdom he left to his Son Ferdinand to several Noblemen he gave Posts of Honour and made D. NunÌo de Lara General of the Frontiers against the Moors The Cortes breaking up the King and Queen their younger Children and Emanuel the King's Brother about the end of the Year set forwards Their Journeys were short by reason of the greatness of the Retinue They went to Valencia then to Tortosa then to Tarragona where King Jayme waited to entertain them They kept Christmass at Barcelona and there began the Year 1275. Both Kings were present at the Funeral of F. Raymund de PenÌafuerte a Dominican and Person of singular Piety This same Year died D. Pelayo Perez Correa Master of the Knights of Santiago very Aged and Famous for his great Exploits His Body was Buried at Talavera in the Church of S. James the Apostle which is in the Suburb as the People of that Town affirm Others say at S. Mary de Tudia a Church built by him at the foot of Sierra Morena in memory of a great Victory obtained there by him over the Moors Which was so remarkable that the People gave out the Sun had stood as at Joshua's Command They also say that Church at first was called of Tentudia from the words the Master said to the Mother of God which were SenÌora Ten Tu Dia that is to say Lady hold thy Day Fear makes one Hour look like many and many things are feigned or fancied in danger which never hap'ned King Jayme no way approved of his Son-in-law King Alonso's Journey and endeavoured all he could to dissuade him
young This was his lawful Issue By D. Teresa Egidia Vidaura he had D. Jayme Lord of Exerica and Peter Lord of Ayerve both whom at his Death he declared Legitimate and appointed to succeed in Case Queen Violante's Children left no Heirs By another Woman of the House of Antillon he had Fernan Sanchez who we said above was killed by his Brother By Berengaria Fernandez he had another Son called Peter Fernandez to whom he gave the House of Ixar From them all are descended Noble Families in the Kingdom of Aragon It is remarkable that after his four Sons which he declared Legitimate he appointed the Heirs Male of his Daughters Violante Constance and Elizabeth to succeed excluding the Mothers themselves and all other Women from ever inheriting the Crown of Aragon He charg'd his Son to expel all the Moors the Kingdom as being a People never to be trusted Prince Peter tho' his Father were dead took not immediately the name of King but stil'd himself Heir of the Kingdom till such time as he was crown'd at Zaragoça which was on the 16th of November after the Troubles of Valencia were appeas'd The Queen also was Crown'd and the Nobility took an Oath to Prince Alonso the new King's Son as Heir apparent of the Crown To D. Jayme the late King 's younger Son were given the Islands of Majorca and Minorca with the Title of King as his Father had order'd He had also the Earldom of Rusillon and Mompellier in France This Prince had Three Sons Sancho Ferdinand and Philip. The Division of the Kingdom caus'd disgusts between the two Brothers which at length broke out into open War D. Jayme complain'd that the Kingdom of Valencia had been taken from him and he left a Homager to his Brother thus his Ambition push'd him on to his Ruin and he never gave over till stripp'd of all his Dominions Navarre was nothing quieter than the rest of Spain Philip King of France having taken upon him the Charge of that Kingdom resolv'd to go thither in Person with a sufficient Army to compose those Distractions The Weather was unseasonable the Pyrenean Mountains cover'd with Snow and great want of Provisions Which difficulties caus'd him to return Home himself yet he sent forward Charles Earl of Arras with the most and best of the Army This was a Person of great Authority as being Uncle to Queen Joanna and therefore his presence was of great use The contrary Faction being worsted by the French near a Town call'd Reniega retir'd to that quarter of Pamplona call'd Maverreria the French still pursuing and pressing upon them Therefore Garcia de Almoravides the head of those People with all his Friends and Kindred in the Dark Night got through the Enemies Centinels and fled out of the Kingdom Some of them setled in Cerdagne where their Posterity remains to this Day Pamplona was taken and fired Such as remain'd terrify'd with this Punishment submitted themselves others that were fled being summon'd to appear and answer for themselves upon contempt were in absence attainted of High Treason The French General having quieted the Kingdom went into Castile and was nobly entertained by King Alonso with whom being somewhat familiar the King said He wanted not intelligence from the French Court of such as were near about that King and revealed his Secrets This whether true or false brought Broquiol the French King's Chamberlain into suspicion which was increas'd by Letters of his to King Alonso written in Cyphers intercepted by his Enemies and at last cost him his Head Da. Violante Queen of Castile seeing her Grand-children slighted and Prince Sancho prefer'd before them and not thinking her self safe resolv'd to fly and to that purpose perswaded her Brother the King of Aragon to come to the Monastery of Huerta upon pretence of visiting him there With the Queen were her Grand-children and all together went into Aragon King Alonso when he understood her design indeavour'd to prevent it but too late No misfortune could have troubled him more than this did therefore he vented his Passion upon those he thought had any hand in the Queens departure He caus'd his Brother Prince Frederick and Simon Ruiz de Haro Lord of Cameros to be apprehended The Court was full of discord and many favour'd the King's Grand-children Simon Ruyz was burnt at Trevizo by Prince Sancho his Order he also caus'd Prince Fredrick's Head to be cut off which drew on him much hatred especially for that they were executed without being try'd Embassadors pass'd between the Two Kings He of Castile demanded his Wife should be sent back and the Election of D. Sancho allow'd The King of Aragon excus'd himself saying that Business was not yet fully determin'd and that all Persons found protection in his Kingdom much more a Sister These differences were so heightn'd that it was thought the King of Aragon would have made War upon Castile had not the Moors of Valencia rebell'd and taken Montesa relying upon the King of Morocco But those Tumults were quell'd sooner than was expected for the Moors seeing no Succours came from Africk delivered up to the King Montesa and many other Castles they had in the Month of August 1277. Now King Alonso was come from Burgos to Sevil and thence sent a great Force to Besiege Algezira by Sea and Land Prince Peter the King's Son undertook to subdue that City but he return'd with Shame having lost many Men and our Fleet being ill mann'd was destroy'd by the King of Morocco Our Army dispers'd Some say the King of Morocco then built another Algezira not far from the former The Body of King Jayme of Aragon was deposited near the high Altar of the Cathedral Church of Valencia and thence in the Summer translated to the Monastery of Poblete Both the Kings of Castile and France were equally concern'd about the departure of Qu. Violante he of Castile fearing lest the Children should be carryed into France where they were sure of Protection and he of France lest they should fall into the Hands of their Uncle where their Lives were in danger or at least their Liberty was certainly lost Solemn Embassies were sent from both Princes upon this Score to the King of Aragon who at length resolv'd that Queen Violante should return to her Husband and that the Two Princes should remain in Aragon where they were secur'd in the Castle of Xativa This resolution troubled the Lady Blanch their Mother seeing them depriv'd of Liberty where she expected they should have been protected Hereupon she went away to Aragon and not obtaining any thing of that King pass'd over into France to perswade the King her Brother to make War upon Castile and Aragon unless they comply'd with her reasonable demands The Kingdom of Navarre which the French then possess'd lying so opportunely to infest Castile and Aragon mov'd that King and Prince Sancho to appoint a Conference at a place between Requena and
Monferrat Spain at present seem'd quiet but a great Storm hung over it The Jealousies between King Alonso and his Son Prince Sancho at length broke out into open War It troubled the King to see himself slighted by reason of his Age and his Subjects gaping after Innovation Therefore to gain Reputation he gather'd Forces and tho weak with Age and Troubles Ravag'd all the Country of the Moors Nothing perplex'd him so much as want of Mony To redress this he Coin'd a new sort not so Weighty nor Pure as what was in use This increas'd the hatred of the People who gave out that he had no regard to Justice and that many had their Estates Confiscated upon forg'd Crimes Fredulus Bishop of Oviedo a French Man by Birth was now sent by the King Embassador into France the pretence was to Visit King Philip and by his means obtain of the Pope the Croisade for all such as would serve against the Moors at their own Cost But the real design was to treat about setting the King's Grandsons at Liberty Prince Sancho was not ignorant of this practice and therefore to secure himself went away to Cordova and made a League with the Moorish King of Granada remitting him two Thirds of the Tribute he paid the more to gain his good will Besides the Nobility of Spain before disgusted with the King for his great severity declar'd for the Prince These things were in hand about the beginning of the year 1282. The same year in August the Marriage between King Denis of Portugal and Elizabeth eldest Daughter to the King of Aragon was solemnized at the Town of Trancoso This is that Queen Elizabeth who for her great Virtue is enrolled among the Saints and her Feast celebrated in that Kingdom King Denis without respect to his Uncle openly made a League with Prince Sancho King Alonso to the end he might quiet his Son and the Nobility without Bloodshed summon'd the Cortes or Parliament to Toledo and to prevent disorders provided sufficiently for his own Safety Prince Sancho on the other side summons them to Valladolid and thither the greatest number resorted Here he marry'd Mary the Daughter of Alonso Lord of Molina his Third Cousin and by her had Ferdinand the eldest and other Children Every thing was done in that Assembly that the Nobility desir'd for Prince Sancho to oblige them refus'd nothing but promis'd much more New Employments were constituted and new Laws enacted By these means not only the Nobles but the Commonalty were drawn into Rebellion and some in that Confusion saluted Prince Sancho King calling him Father of his Country and all other Names given to Sovereigns He positively refus'd that Title whilst his Father liv'd and nevertheless the Heat was such that Prince Emanuel D. Sancho's Uncle in the Name of all the Nobility publickly in open Assembly depos'd King Alonso from the Government This was a just Judgment of Providence for his presumption in daring to find fault with the Works of God as has been deliver'd to us by Tradition He is also said to have foreseen by his Skill in Astrology this Misfortune and that this foresight made him Cruel which hasten'd what he apprehended King Alonso thus forsaken by his Subjects apply'd himself to the King of Morocco for Supplies of Men and Mony sending him his Crown which was of great Value in Pawn Alonzo de Guzman Lord of Sanlucar was at that time in Morocco and much in Favour with that Prince to him King Alonso writ a very submissive Letter desiring he would intercede with the Moorish King to grant his Request That King hoping to make his Advantage of the discord among the Christians did more than was ask'd of him He came over to Algezira and had a Meeting with King Alonso at Zahara Great Compliments passed between them and King Alonso had the Upper Hand given him not only as a Stranger but because he was descended from Kings whereas the Moor had gain'd his Kingdom as he himself urg'd Here they consulted how to carry on the War since there were no hopes of Peace Sevil held for King Alonso Cordova for Prince Sancho his Son This City the Moors undertook to Besiege and King Alonso joyn'd them with what Forces he had but the Place being well provided with all Necessaries after 20 Days spent before it they rais'd the Siege Thence at the instance of King Alonso the Moors pass'd Sierra Morena advanc'd as far as Montiel and having plunder'd all the Country return'd with their Booty to Ezija Thither King Alonso came but went away privately being inform'd the Moor designed to secure him whether true or false is not known Certain it is that King highly resented his Honour should be brought in question and so went over into Africk Yet he left King Alonso 1000 Horse that had long serv'd him Hernan Ponce Commanded this Body and 't is said of them that meeting 10000 of the Enemies Horse near Cordova they charg'd so furiously that they broke and put them to Flight Such was their extraordinary Valour At Sevil King Alonso in a solemn Assembly disinherited his Son Sancho and pour'd out many Curses upon him That Prince regarded not his Fathers Curses but renew'd the League with the King of Granada and made all manner of Preparations about Cordova putting the Army into Winter Quarters in that Neighbourhood CHAP. IV. The Conspiracy of John Prochita in Sicily against the French and Slaughter of them call'd the Sicilian Vespers Kings of France and Aragon at War about Sicily Castile and Aragon under an Interdict at the same time THis Year was Memorable not only for the Wrongs done to King Alonso but also for the famous Conspiracy of John Prochita He had been Lord of the Island Prochita on the Coast of Sicily a Man of great Parts much a Friend to King Manfredus and since his Overthrow fearing the French fled to Aragon There he was honourably entertain'd by the Two Kings Jayme and his Son Peter and had large Revenues given him The Gibellines at that time oppress'd by the French had cast their Eyes on the King of Aragon for Protection Charles King of Sicily and Naples kept all Italy and even the City of Rome in Subjection and refus'd to release Beatrix the Daghter of Manfredus and Sister to Constance Queen of Aragon John Prochita laid hold of these Disgusts between those Princes and Great Men and hoped to improve them to the recovering of his Estate In order to it he went in disguise to Constantinople and inform'd the Emperor Paleologus how Charles King of Sicily with the Power of the French intended to deprive him of the Empire and restore Baldwin whose Daughter he had Marry'd The Emperor tho convinc'd that what Prachita told him was true would not openly declare himself but promis'd under-hand to assist the King of Aragon in his Pretensions with a great Sum of Mony This done Prochita returns into
of that Place he made Incursions upon the Frontiers of Aragon The other was to appease the Nobility of Aragon and Catalonia who were then Mutinous and stirr'd up the People to Rebellion upon the usual Pretences of Liberty and Property To this effect the Cortes or Parliament met first at Taraçona then at Zaragoça and lastly at Barcelona where the King gave Orders for the Redressing all Grievances and so the People were pacified The War he had in hand with the French made him condescend lest whilst he was busie in Sicily or Italy the Aragonians should Revolt Besides he was perplex'd for that the Pope had not only Excommunicated but Deposed him of his Fathers Dominions and given the Conquest thereof to Charles de Valois the King of France his younger Son No less Troubles were at the same time in Castile caus'd by the Discord between King Alonso and his Son The greater number follow'd Prince Sancho King Alonso being forsaken by his own People had again recourse to Strangers and brought the King of Morocco the second time into Spain giving out it was against the King of Granada who was in League with the Prince This Expedition produc'd nothing remarkable because both Christians and Moors were better provided than had been expected and the King of Granada having put strong Garrisons into all his Towns would not hazard a Battel and so the King of Morocco return'd into Africk without doing any thing remarkable This Design failing King Alonso solicited the King of France to make War upon his Son and at the same time to have the Zeal of Religion make for him accus'd his Son before the Pope of Disobedience Impiety and Ingratitude in usurping his Crown before he was Dead The Pope gave Ear to this Complaint and Excommunicated all those that adher'd to Prince Sancho He also appointed Judges to hear both Parties and they laid an Interdict upon all Towns that were for the Prince so that at one time both in Castile and Aragon tho for different reasons the Churches were shut up yet the Rebellion continu'd the Prince threatning Death to the Popes Commissioners if they fell into his hands However the dread of Ecclesiastical Censures caus'd many to fall off from him Among the first his Brothers Peter and John began to take Compassion on their Father which Prince Sancho understanding he detain'd his Brother Peter with the promise of the Kingdom of Murcia but John withdrew privately and through Portugal got away to his Father at Sevil. Many Towns repenting their Disloyalty sought how to obtain the King's Pardon and clear themselves of the Excommunication they lay under and having obtain'd both presently submitted themselves Agreda and TrevinÌo were of this number Many Men of Note as D. John NunÌez de Lara D. John Alonso de Haro and Prince James joyn'd the Army of Philip King of France then marching to the Assistance of King Alonso and with him entred Castile plundering all the Country as far as Toledo without meeting any Opposition CHAP. V. The Death of Alonso King of Castile The beginning of the Reign of King Sancho the IVth The Defeat of the French Fleet on the Coast of Italy Albarazin taken by the King of Aragon KIng Philip of France had a Son of the same Name distinguish'd by the Title of the Fair who this same year others say the next Marry'd Joanna Queen of Navarre with whom he had that Kingdom This Prince now began to plead the Rights of his Predecessors and by that means sought to extend the Borders of his Kingdom which his Design was not a little forwarded by the Discord at that time in Castile Prince Sancho did as much as could be in such a Time of Confusion He quell'd the City Toro which was about Revolting and went out to meet D. John NunÌez de Lara who wasted the Territories of Calahorra Osma and Siguença and made him retire with more speed than he came After this it was agreed the Father and Son should have a Conference in order to which King Alonso came as far as Constantina and Prince Sancho to Guadalcanal Great hopes were conceiv'd of an amicable Accommodation yet by the perswasion of some of the Princes Familiars who hated his Father or rather because many hop'd to make their Advantage of the Publick Calamities They met not but the King return'd to Sevil and the Prince to Salamanca By Consent of both Parties Beatrix Queen Dowager of Portugal and the Prince his Wife Mary who was then deliver'd of a Daughter met at Toro and labour'd all that might be for an Accommodation but to no Effect for the Enmity daily increas'd and with it the Misery of the Kingdom This was the Posture of Affairs when King Alonso dy'd at Sevil some say on the 5th some the 21st Day of April without doubt it was in the Year 1284. In his Will sign'd the foregoing November he appoints D. Alonso first and then Ferdinand his grand-Children to succeed him and in Case they dye without Issue then Philip King of France to be next Heir as descended from the King 's of Castile being Grandson to Queen Blanch and Great Grandson to King Alonso who won the Battle of Navas He made no mention of his Sons and Brothers in hatred to Prince Sancho but hop'd to bring the Power of France upon him Yet at the Hour of Death at the suit of his Son Prince John he bequeath'd to him Sevil and Badajoz and to his Brother James the Kingdom of Murcia with the Title of Kings but so as to hold of the Crown of Castile He order'd his Heart should be bury'd on Mount Calvary and his Body in Sevil or Murcia but it was not perform'd for the Heart and Bowels are at Murcia and the Body at Sevil. He was a great and wise King had he made use of his Knowledge to his own Advantage and had he not blemish'd his good Qualities with Avarice and overmuch Severity It was he who first ordain'd that all Contracts and publick Instruments should be writ in Spanish and caus'd the Holy Bible to be Translated So that the Latin being no more us'd produc'd a profound Ignorance as well in the Clergy as Laiety King Alonso being Dead tho' his Son Sancho's Title was not good yet he succeeded him without any Opposition He was at that Time at Avila scarce recover'd of a Sickness in which he had been almost given over by the Physicians at Salamanca and strength of Youth help'd the Medicines to take Effect Here he took upon him the Title of King which he had forbore during his Father's Life The Title of the Brave he gain'd by his great Spirit and Actions till then more Successful than Honourable for glorious Titles are generally obtain'd by the favour of Fortune rather than by Merit He was doubtless Bold Subtle and Industrious in all his Undertakings His Reign lasted 11 Years and a few Days his Memory defac'd with
Exactions The Death of the King of Naples was equally pleasing to the King of Aragon and grievous to him of France To divert his Melancholy by offending his Enemies he made great Levies His Land Army amounted to 20000 Horse and 80000 Foot and at the same time he provided a Fleet of 120 Sail between great Ships Galleys and other smaller Vessels He resolv'd to go in Person to this Expedition and with him Philip and Charles his Sons and Jayme King of Majorca who follow'd the French being highly offended at the Aragonian his Brother With them also was Cardinal Gervasius sent by Pope Martin the 4th as his Legate That Pope dying at Perosa on the 29th of March Honorius the IVth a Citizen of Rome of the Family Sabela was chosen in his Place and took the Part of the French no less than his Predecessor had done The Army Rendevouz'd at Narbonne and thence march'd towards Perpignan This Town was surrendred to King Jayme and admitted the French The Example was followed by all the Towns of Russillon and that Neighbourhood except one call'd Genova which in hatred to King Jayme and hoping to be speedily reliev'd held out They were deceiv'd in their Expectation for the Town was taken by Assault and all the Inhabitants put to the Sword without sparing the very Buildings which were all Burnt and Destroy'd The Bastard of Russillon a Man of great Courage who was in the Town got into the Tower of the Church where King Jayme's Intercession sav'd his Life rather than the Strength or Holiness of that Place Yet he show'd his Gratitude to the French for the King of Aragon being possessed of all the Passes on the Pyrenean Mountains so that there was no hopes of getting by he conducted them through By-paths known to him till they reach'd the Tops of those Hills and Encamp'd above the Aragonians Thus the two Kings advanc'd as far as the Territory of Ampurias There they easily took several Towns particularly Peralada and Figueras without meeting any Opposition till they sat down before Girona a great and noble City ââsting the People formerly called Ausetani It is Seated on the side of a Hill at the Foot whereof runs the River antiently called Thici now Tera which has so wash'd away the Banks next the City that they and considerably to its Strength The Walls are well built the Towers of Stone and strong in the highest part of the City stands the Cathedral and Bishop's House a large and beautiful Fabrick Above the Cathedral is a large Tower call'd Gironela Raymund ãâã Cardona ãâã Governour of that City had added new Works and throw down all the Suburbs only ãâã the Church of S. Felix for the great Devotion of the Place and it's Antiquity His Valour and Industry was great so that he several times but ãâ¦ã of the French ãâ¦ã mind their Works The King of Aragon was not far off but being too weak to give the Enemy Battel sought some Opportunity of gaining an Advantage and putting Relief into the Town It had been three Months Besieg'd when Sancho King of Castile sent Martin Bishop of Calahorra and Gonuz Garçia de Toledo Abbot of Valladolia his Embassadors to compose these Differences They were sent back with many Reproaches having scares seen the King of France It was reported King Sancho wanted not Good Will to assist the Aragonians but that he was taken up with the War in Andaluzia where ãâã Moors as was said before had âây'd Siege to Xerez de la Frontera King Sancho was my of putting all to the hazard of a ãâã and therefore only pass'd between Sevil and Nebrixa always in a Readiness to cut off the Parties of Moors that made Incursions into the Country Thus after a Siege of 6 Months the Moors raised their Camp from before Xerez being iââent of all Necessaries and fearing lest King Sancho should offer them Battel After they had pass'd the River Guadalete rather in the nature of Flight than a Retreat one ask'd of the Moorish King the Reason why he show'd so much ãâã and he answer'd I am the first that rais'd the Family of Bar-ameda to the Regal Dignity my Enemy is descended from above 40 Kings which in Battle would have been a great Terror to me and a mighty Incouragement to him This seem'd to be a good Opportunity to pursue the Infidels but King Sancho was for the safest rather than dangerous Counsels Therefore having repair'd and revictuall'd Xerez he return'd ãâã notwithstanding the Souldiers muttered they lost a great Opportunity of destroying ââ Enemy Embassadors pass'd betwixt the two Kings and at last they had a Meeting of the Banks of Guadalquivir others say at Rââaserrada There it was agreed the King of Morocco should thy 1000000 of Maravedies a ãâ¦ã that had not always the same Value towards the Charges of the War and thus it ended Many Persons of Note were disgusted at this Peace particularly Prince John the Kings Brother and D. Lope Diaz de Haro who both withdrew out of Sevil and went away to their own Lordships Not long after dy'd the King of Morocco and left his Son Joseph to succeed him Let us return to the Siege of Girona The King of Aragon desiring to cut off the Provisions that were brought to the French Army from the Port of Roses resolv'd to lay an Ambush in a convenient Place by the Way This design being discover'd by Spies Rodulphus ãâ¦ã France and John Marshal de Harcourt with the Earl of Marche went to the Place where the Ambush was lay'd with only 300 Horse On the 15th of August the Parties met and there ensu'd a desperate Fight The Aragonians were the greater Number but the French made the ãâ¦ã Bravery and Dexterity The King did all that could be expected of a wise Commandeâ and resolute Souldier He was hurt in the Head and endeavouring then to get off a ãâã Man seized his Horses Reins and had taken him had he not with his Sword cut the Râins and fled This writes Villancus who gave occasion to others to commit the same Error For all the ãâã of Aragon affirm the King came off without hurt that the Number of the Stain was ãâã both Sides tho' the French were Masters of the Field Thus ãâ¦ã Authors to vary The Season being very hot brought the Plague into the ãâ¦ã Camp and yet the Besieg'd hearing of this Defeat and having no hopes of Relief ãâ¦ã Condition they should be suffer'd to depart whither they pleas'd and to take ãâ¦ã as much of their Goods as they were able to carry Much Cruelty was us'd ãâã them that Surrendred and even the Churches were Profan'd The Sepulcher of S. Narcissus who is Patrââ of that City and theâ reverenc'd with singular Devotion was spoil'd of all the Riches belonging to it which were very considerable and carry'd away The Plague increas'd which was look'd upon as a Judgment for that Sacriledge and ãâã the French resolving
this Condition he resolv'd to have recourse to Foreigners The King of Portugal was a declar'd Enemy of Castile therefore he resolv'd to try whether the King of Aragon would relieve him To this purpose he wrote to him begging his Assistance and pondering how great a Service it was to Christendom and how much Honour would redound to him by so Noble an Action The King of Aragon answer'd extolling his Loyalty but as to Relief said he could send none for that he had but just before concluded a Peace with the Moors and could not in Honour break his word Another War broke out at the same time from Portugal That King march'd with his Army as far as Salamanca Prince John King Ferdinand's Uncle and D. John NunÌez de Lara joyn'd him after the Aragonian Army return'd home Having consulted what was best to be done it was thought expedient to Besiege Valladolid where King Ferdinand was With this Resolution they advanc'd to Simancas within Two Leagues of that City There many Gentlemen deserted the Portuguese Camp looking upon it as a shameful thing that a King should be Besieg'd by his Subjects The King of Portugal fearing lest the rest should do the same and securing the Passes he might find it difficult to return home besides Winter drawing on march'd hastily to Medina del Campo and thence to Portugal dismissing his Army The Forces the Queen had prepared for this War went by her Order to Besiege the Town of Paredes Nothing was done there for that Prince Henry with the Forces he had gather'd in Castile and the Kingdom of Toledo prevented their Design He pretended it was not proper to disturb the Cortes or Parliament then Sitting by bringing the War so near to them but in truth he was disgusted with the King and favour'd his Enemies The Queen dissembled and endeavour'd to gain him by Favours giving him at that same time the Towns of Santislevaâ de Gormaz and ãâ¦ã By the same means she drew to her D. John NunÌez de Lara tho' no Confidence âould be reposed in him for he would have gone over to the Aragonians had they given him the Town of Albarazin The Cortes were held at Valladolid in the beginning of the year 1297. and there being great scarcity of Mony all Places promis'd to furnish a great Sum which they afterwards perform'd At the same time by the Valour of John Alonso de Haro the Navarrois were put to Flight who had surpriz'd part of the Town of Najara designing to recover those Parts they had old Pretensions to and particularly the Territory of Rioja D. Jayme King of Aragon at Rome whither he was call'd by the Pope was Proclaim'd King of Sardinia and Corsica Thither went from Sicily Constance his Mother Violante his Sister Roger Lauria the Admiral and John Prochita A Match was concluded betwixt the Lady Violante and Robert Duke of Calabria Heir to the Kingdom of Naples The Nuptials were perform'd with great State Pope Boniface himself officiating King Frederick prepar'd to defend the Kingdom which had been given him by so general a Consent of the People War was declar'd against him as the disturber of the Peace of Christendom and his Brother the King of Aragon appointed Generalissimo All things being thus order'd the King of Aragon return'd home to prepare for the War Rogor Lauria was sent to Naples to serve that King Queen Constance and John Prochita weary of so many Troubles and pitying the unfortunate State of Sicily stay'd at Rome Some say they both dy'd there but most Authors agree she ended her days Five Years after at Barcelona and was buried in the Monastery of St. Francis where there is a Tomb to this day with an Inscription and her Name CHAP. II. Peace betwixt Castile and Portugal setled by the means of double Allyances betwixt those Princes The Progress of the Wars in Sicily The Jubilee first instituted Bilbao Built and Prince John reconcil'd to the King THE King of Aragon being return'd home the Towns of Lerida Vlia Filera and Salvatierra were restored to the Crown of Navarre in pursuance of the Articles made at Agnani not fulfill'd till then Alonso Ronco a Frenchman was Viceroy of Navarre in the year 1298. The City Albarazin was taken from the King of Aragon's Bastard Brother and restor'd to D. John de Lara on pretence of doing him Justice but indeed to draw over that powerful Man D. John took the Oath of Fidelity to the King at Valencia on the 7th day of April This the King of Aragon did to strengthen himself to invade at once Castile and Sicily Attempts too great for his Power The King of Sicily forsaken on all sides was most exposed to Ruin He of Castile was reconcil'd to the King of Portugal by the means of two Matches that were concluded The one was betwixt King Ferdinand and Constance the Daughter of King Denis tho' she was under Age. They were Contracted with great Solemnity at Alcaniz a Town on the Borders of Portugal and the Publick Joy was the greater for that Blanch King Ferdinand's Sister was Marry'd to Prince Alonso Son and Heir to King Denis tho' but eight years Old which was the other Match The Bride was deliver'd to her Father-in-Law and carry'd to Portugal So eager were the Castilians upon securing of Peace that tho' nothing was given in Dower by the Portuguesse with his Daughter King Ferdinand with his Sister gave the Towns of Olivença Conguela and Campo de Moya which was no small disgrace to Castile but the necessity of the Times excus'd it All the King of Portugal did was to send 300 chosen Horse under the Command of D. John de Albuquerque to serve the King of Castile against Prince John his Uncle who stil'd himself King of Leon but all this came to nothing and those Horse return'd to Portugal as they came D. Alonso de la Cerda on the other side had taken Almazan and other Towns upon the Frontiers of Aragon and Garrison'd them Siguença was Attack'd by D. John de Lura but defended by the Valour of the Citizens The Conspirators wanted Mony and therefore lest Provisions and the Souldiers Pay should fail they Coin'd Some but of base Allay Denis King of Portugal at the Request of his Son-in-law brought a good Body of Men to his Assistance by the way of Cuidad Rodrigo but being more inclinable to Peace than that Time would bear he return'd to Portugal dissatisfy'd The reason of his disgust was that he would have the Province of Galicia given to Prince John who call'd himself King and to his Heirs and that he should keep the City Leon during his Life The Queen and Nobility of Castile would not consent to those Conditions as dishonourable and prejudicial Upon the King of Portugal's Return some Nobles of Castile whom Fear before aw'd began to Revolt But the great Wisdom of the Queen pacify'd them giving every one as much as
Rojas two Men of Note Some others he imprison'd John Fernandez de Hinestrosa was let out of Prison at Toro up-upon parole that he would return if he did not appease the King but he broke his Word Henry and Frederick the King's Bastard-brothers seiz'd the City Toledo rob'd all the Jews and murder'd about 1000 of them but the King coming upon them before they were provided to make resistance they were forc'd to fly for their lives The King reveng'd himself upon the Town executing some Gentlemen and Twenty two of the Commonalty Among those condemn'd was a Goldsmith Eighty Years of Age a Son of his of Eighteen Years old offer'd to die for him and the King accepted of the Exchange Peter Gomez Barroso Bishop of Siguença was imprison'd for favouring the Towns-men and Queen Blanch sent to the Castle of Siguença Toledo being subdu'd the King went about to reduce the other Cities Cuenca shut the Gates against him and being a strong place he would not use Violence D. Sancho another Bastard-brother of the Kings was bred there under the care of Alvar Garcia de Albornoz who fled with him into Aragon Toro was besieged within it were the Queen Mother D. Henry D. Frederick D. Peter Estevanez Carpintero who call'd himself Master of Calatrava with the best Forces of the Association During the Siege Da. Maria de Padilla was delivered at Tordisillas of a third Daughter call'd Elizabth D. John de Padilla Master of Santiago was kill'd in a Skirmish with a party of Rebels The King would not bestow that Honour leaving it as a Bait to attract D. Frederik to his Service Pope Innocent sent the Cardinal of Bolonia to compose the Differences but he effected nothing only obtaining that Bishop Peter Gomez Barroso should be released Count Henry fled from Toro to Galicia D. Frederick went over to the King Lastly on the 5th of January 1356 one of the Towns-men who had the Guard of a Gate gave the King entrance The King being Master of the City caus'd Peter Estevanez Carpintero Ruy Gonzalez de CastanÌeda and other great Men to be put to death in the Queen's presence She fainted away at the sight and coming to her self loudly curs'd the King her Son and soon after with his leave went away into Portugal where she liv'd as lendly as she had done before There having an Intrigue with D. Martin Tello a Portugues Gentleman she was poison'd by the King her Brother Some say it was by her Father King Alonso the IVth The King of Castile went to Tordesillas and there had a Turneament for Joy of his success Next Morning he caus'd two of D. Fredericks Followers to be put to death which terrify'd their Master but no harm was done him This Year there was a great Earth-quake which did most harm to the Maritmie Towns At Sevil the Iron Apples that were upon the Steeple fell down and the Chappel-Royal newly finish'd by King Alonso at Lisbon was destroy'd This was look'd upon as Ominous and Processions were made to appease the divine Wrath. After the taking of Toro Count Henry fled into Biscay to his Brother Tello who made his Party Good and twice defeated the King's Forces Thence he went by Sea to Rochel in France At the same time the King of France surpris'd and made Prisoner him of Navarre as he was at a Feast with the Dauphin at Roan in Normandy He was accus'd of Treason for favouring the English being a Subject to France Thus the Spaniards residing in France were divided Count Henry receiv'd Pay of the King of France and Philip the King of Navarre's Brother joyn'd withe English in Normandy The Earl of Faux did the same offended at the wrong done to that King his Brother-in-Law Thus great Revolutions and Bloody Wars threaten'd France and Spain at the same time The End of the Sixteenth Book THE History of SPAIN The Seventeenth BOOK CHAP. I. The beginning of the War in Aragon Many Rebellious Nobles in Castile put to Death The War between Castile and Aragon carried on by Sea and Land VVE shall now write of a War betwixt two Kingdoms Ally'd by several Marriages A War bloody and destructive which consum'd many Noble Persons and lastly him that began it giving a new Race of Kings to Castile and restoring Peace The motives of this War consider'd singly and apart were inconsiderable but concurring all together made a mighty Flood of Discontents Both the Kings of Castile and Aragon were Princes of high Spirits alike in Conditions and harshness of Nature yet he of Castile as the younger was hottest The Aragonian complain'd that the Castilian countenanc'd his Brothers in raising Seditions in his Kingdom and was offended that his Brother Ferdinand had put Castilian Garrisons into his Forts of Alicant and Orihuela The King of Castile was incens'd for that the Galleys of Aragon had taken certain Ships laden with Corn at the mouth of Guadalquivir which made the want there was before more grievous besides that the Out-laws of Castile were protected in Aragon and also that the Aragonian Knights of Calatrava and Santiago would not obey their Masters in Castile Another new Complaint was added to all these which was That the King having reduc'd Castile went to Sevil and thence for his Diversion in a Galley to âee the Fishery at Almadravas near S. Lucar Two Ships lay then at Anchor in that Port Ten Galleys of Aragon bound to the Assistance of the French against the English Coasting that way spy'd those two Ships and carry'd them away before the King's Face This was a hainous Affront and Gutierre de Toledo was sent to demand satisfaction The Aragonian Commander answer'd that those Ships belong'd to Genoeses with whom they were then at War and might therefore lawfully be made Prize Having receiv'd this positive Answer from the Admiral the King of Castile sent Giles Velazquez de Segovia Embassador into Aragon to demand Restitution of the Ships taken and that the Commander of the Galleys should be deliver'd up to him At that time the King of Aragon was fitting out a Fleet at Barcelona to subdue the Rebels of Sardinia and therefore return'd a favourable Answer saying He would give Satisfaction to the King of Castile would banish his Fugitive Subjects out of Aragon and punish the Admiral at his Return But as for the Knights of Santiago and Calatrava that they being Religious Men he would stand by whatsoever the Pope should decree in that case Giles Velazquez was not satisfy'd with this Answer and therefore in his King's Name declar'd War The King of Aragon reply'd he thought there was no sufficient ground for a War and therefore would not commence it but did not doubt if invaded to repulse it Thus the War broke out Many Catalonian Merchants resided at Sevil in a moment they were all secur'd and their Effects seiz'd upon Both Kingdoms made Preparations and endeavour'd to obtain Foreign Aids Particularly Luis Brother to
that Place for Bertran Claquin and took the King as he was Hunting From Burgos Henry set out with a great Number of Foot and 4500 Horse compos'd of all the Gentry of Castile with the French and Aragonians that came to his Assistance At the Wood of BanÌares he held a Council of War The French Embassadors and Bertran Claquin were against Fighting and gave several Reasons for this their Opinion Others more hot would not hear of Delays The worst Advice was taken and the Army march'd towards Alava to oppose some Parties of Horse that spoil'd that Country Near Saldrian they encamp'd in Sight of the Enemy upon an Advantagious Ground the Rear cloas'd up with Mountains The English perceiving that Advantage march'd away towards LogronÌo which was for King Peter resolving to draw the Enemy to a Battle or else to pierce into the Heart of the Kingdom Henry understanding their Design mov'd backwards towards Najara made famous by the Battle fought there Some Letters pass'd betwixt the Princes but the Difference being a Crown it was impossible to reconcile them and therefore they order'd their Battles On the right Henry plac'd the French and his Brother Sancho with most of the Nobility of Castile on the left his Brother D. Tello and the Earl of Denia He and his Son D. Alonso commanded the main Body On the Enemies side who consisted of about 10000 Horse and as many Foot the Duke of Lancaster led the Van with Hugo Carbolaye who was gone over to the English the Count de Armagnac and Monsieur de la Brie commanded in the Body the Rear was brought up by King Peter the Prince of Wales and Jayme Son to the King of Majorca who after he escap'd out of Prison had marry'd Joanna Queen of Naples Charles King of Navarre sent 300 Horse under Martin Enrique to serve King Peter Henry had pass'd a River that ran between the two Armies and drawn up his beyond it Here both Armies met with great Fury The Right of Henry's Army where Claquin commanded stood firm and seem'd to have the better but D. Tello on the Left fled without so much as giving a Charge Thus Bertran and D. Sancho being encompass'd on all Sides were easily Overthrown with a great Slaughter of the Nobility and Commanders Henry did all that could be expected to stop and rally his Man but seeing all lost fled to Najara and thence into Aragon with a few Men of Note that follow'd him He made no stay fearing that King but went quite through into France His Army was so dispersed that no one Body was to be found in any Place After the Fight King Peter put to Death some of the Prisoners others were protected by the English and the Prince of Wales is say'd to have blam'd him for that Severity Peter Lopez de Ayala who writ the History of King Peter was one of the Prisoners and therefore deserves little Credit having writ Maliciously as being Attainted of Treason at Alfaro This Battle was fought upon a Saturday being the 3d of April 1367. D. Tello carry'd the News of the defeat to Burgos and the Lady Joanna Wife to Henry with the Archbishops of Toledo and Zaragoça fearing King Peter fled to Aragon where they were not well receiv'd for that King was resolv'd to side with the Conqueror To that purpose Hugo Carbolaye was already in Aragon and because it requir'd more time to settle a Peace a Truce was for the present concluded King Peter with all his Army march'd to Burgos where he apprehended the Arch-bishop of Braga for sâding with his Enemy and put him into a Dungeon The King was perplex'd about performing what he had Covenanted It was hard to deliver up Biscay to the Prince of Wales because that People would never condescend to be Subject to a Stranger and it was no less difficult to raise so great a Sum of Mony as was due to the English In order to raise the Mony he went to Toledo and thence to Cordova where he caus'd 16 Men of Note to be Executed for admitting his Enemy Others were executed at Sevil. Among them Da. Vrraca de Osorio was Burnt and a Maid of hers is said to have cast her self voluntarily into the Fire The King of Navarre after the Fight came from Borgia where he had been Prisoner to Tudela and kept Mossen Oliver Prisoner till he deliver'd him his Son Prince Peter left as a Hostage for Performance of what was agreed betwixt them This same Year on the 24th of August dy'd the Cardinal D. Giles de Albornoz a Man of great Parts and much in Favour with 3 Popes He recover'd the Patrimony of the Church from those that had usurp'd it and by that means made way for the Popes to return to Rome His Body was deposited at Assis and thence translated to the Cathedral of Toledo The Pope granting Indulgence to such as should carry him upon their Shoulders People came flocking out of the Towns that lay in the way and in that manner he was carry'd to Toledo CHAP. VII King Peter Excommunicated and Absolv'd Count Henry returns into Spain is again receiv'd by many Places Toledo opposes him and is Besieg'd King Peter comes to its Relief is overthrown betray'd to and Murder'd by Henry the Bastard THE Author we have above spoken of who calls himself Q. Ellenor's Caterer make smention of the Master of S. Bernard taken in the Battle of Najara and put to Death by King Peter No other Historian mentions it nor have we any the least Memory remaining of such a Dignity This Master must needs have been a Churchman for on his Account King Peter was Excommunicated Pope Vrban the Vth because the King had killed that Master and bannish'd the Bishops of Culahorra and Lugo sent an Archdeacon to notify the Sentence of Excommunication to him This Archdeacon fearing to trust to the Mercy of King Peter came up the River to Sevil in a swift Galliot and waited there till the King coming that way he asked if he would hear some News from the Levant The King drawing near to hearken to him he pronounc'd the Sentence of Excommunication and immediately fled down the River The King in a Rage spurred his Horse into the River and went so far he had been drown'd had not a Boat brought him off He vow'd to be revenged of the Pope and immediately gave orders for fitting out a great Fleet and raising a powerful Army The Pope dreading the Anger of King Peter sent the Cardinal of S. Peter his Nephew to appease and absolve him They were reconcil'd by the Legate upon these Conditions That the Dignity of Master of S. Bernard being extinct all the Towns belonging to it should as before be call'd Behetrias and be annex'd to the Crown so as never to be alienated That the 3d part of Ecclesiastical Revenues then pay'd to the Pope should be given to the King towards the Charges of the War with the
Trastamara was with him this Man was employ'd to offer Bertran Claquin many Towns and 200000 Castilian Doubles to leave the service of Henry and carry the King off Bertran refus'd but being press'd consulted with some Friends who advis'd him to acquaint Henry with the Proposal He did so and Henry thanking him for his Fidelity perswaded him to carry on that Design and secure King Peter at his Quarters King Peter accordingly came with only a few Gentlemen to Bertran and said it was time to be gone At the same time Henry enter'd the Tent and stood some time as it were astonish'd at the sight of the King till a Frenchman pointing at him said to Henry Take notice that is your Enemy King Peter with his natural fierceness answer'd I am I am Then Henry taking out his Dagger wounded him in the Face they clasped one another and both fell to the Ground but Henry was undermost till Bertran turning them Henry got uppermost and then stabb'd the King several times till he dy'd A horrid sight to behold a lawful King descended of Kings murder'd by a Bastard Frossarte a French Historian writes that as Henry enter'd the place where the King was he said Where is this Jewish Son of a Where who calls himself King of Castile and at that the King answer'd Then art the Son of a Where for I am the lawful Son of King Alonso King Peter dy'd on the 23d of March in the flower of his Age being but 34 Years and 7 Months old he reign'd 19 Years lacking 3 Days His Body was carry'd without any Pomp to Alcoçer and there deposited in the Church of S. James Afterwards he was translated by King John the IId to the royal Monastery of Dominican Nuns at Madrid After the King's death several of his Followers were apprehended CHAP. VIII Several Foreign Princes pretenders to the Crown of Castile War with Aragon Portugal and Granada Affairs of Aragon Sardinia and Navarre The League bewixt Portugal and Aragon MOntiel immediately submitted and Toledo upon the News of the King's Death was surrender'd Among foreign Princes there arose a Dispute concerning the succession of the Crown All agreed that Henry being a Bastard could have no Right and every one strove to make his Advantage of the Troubles of Castile The King of Navarre as has been said had already taken several good Towns belonging to Castile Molina CanÌete and Requena were betray'd by their Governours to the Aragonian The King of Portugal call'd himself King of Castile and Leon being great Grandson to King Sancho and Grandson to Beatrix his Daughter He was already possess'd of Cuida Rodrigo Alcantana and Tuy The King of Granada always a Friend to King Peter hop'd to make his Advantage Yet the greatest Storm was threaten'd from England and Guienne for John Duke of Lancaster Brother to the Prince of Wales had marry'd Constance Daughter to King Peter and the Earl of Cambridge another Brother had to Wife Elizabeth the younger Sister both Daughters to Da. Maria de Padilla The only remedy against all these Evils that hung over the new King Henry was to secure the Affections of the Nobility and Commons of the Kingdom Therefore he immediately went away to Sevil where he was receiv'd with the usual Joy of the Rabble thither all the Cities of Andaluzia sent to make their Submission except Carmona where King Peter had left his Children and Treasure under the Care of Martin Lopez de Cordova Master of Calatrava who still continu'd faithful to his dead Master At Sovil King Henry not without Infamy endeavour'd to settle a Truce with the King of Granada but could not obtain it Therefore having secur'd the Frontiers he went to Toledo knowing his Wife and Son were come thither from Burgos Here it was taken into Consideration how to raise Mony to pay the Arrears due to the Foreigners and what was promis'd to Bertran Claquin at Montiel for his good Service or rather infamous Treachery All that could be gather'd of the King's Revenue was but a small Summ towards satisfying the Foreigners who boasted they had put the Crown upon Henry's Head To supply this want two new sorts of base Coin were invented the one call'd Cruzados the other Royals which caus'd all things to grow excessive dear The Kings of Aragon and Portugal at this time infested the Frontiers Pero Gonzalez de Mendoça and Alvar Garcia de Albornoz were sent with an Army to oppose the Aragonians and recover'd Requena from them Henry himself march'd towards Galicia where he heard the Portugueses did much harm By the way he attempted Zamora yet stay'd not to take it but enter'd Portugal between the Rivers Duero and MinÌo burning and destroying all the Country and taking Braga and Bragança This done he return'd into Castile His Brother Sancho was with him having been ransom'd from the English who took him at the Battel of Najara The King of Portugal was too weak to give Battel and Henry drew off with much hast upon the News that the King of Granada wasted all Andaluzia having taken Algezira and so demolish'd it that it was never after Rebuilt Besides he was forc'd to return to Castile to raise Mony for Payment of the foreign Souldiers and discharging of Bertran Claquin who was courted by the King of Aragon to go over into Sardinia against Marianus the Judge of Arborea who had again rebell'd and taken many Towns D. Peter de Luna had been sent against him before who reduc'd him to secure himself in the City Oristan whence watching his Opportunity he sally'd and surprising his Besiegers put the whole Army to flight killing the General and his Brother Philip. Some Days after Brancaleon Doria who was of the Lord of Arborea his Party was reconcil'd to the King but the Rebels made even for this loss by taking the City Sacer the Capital of the Island Berengarius Carroz Earl of Quirra was sent as General to put some stop to the Proceedings of the Rebels and Bertran Claquin was sollicited to accept of that Command Bertran was about to accept of that Offer when another more important War drew him away The People of Guienne weary of the English Government sollilicited the King of France to assist them in their Rebellion He gladly condescended and sent for Claquin to command his Army in that Expedition At the same time he desir'd the King of Navarre to assist him That King resolv'd to go into France tho he had but then sent John Cruzate Dean of Tudela into Aragon to settle a Confederacy He left his Queen to govern Navarre and went to his own Estate in Normandy resolving not to trust the King of France but to make his advantage of those Wars The King of France sent Embassadors to him and at last they had a Meeting at Vernon on the Seine Here they agreed the Navarrois should deliver up Mante Meùlan and the County of Longeuville about which they were
kill'd The Portugueses kept their Ground because it was advantagious and drew their Army into two Bodies NunÌo Alvarez Pereyra created Constable by the new King led the Van the main Body the King himself headed Both Parties advanc'd somewhat but the Portugueses not above a Stones throw to avoid coming out to the Plain Then the new Constable demanded a Conference at it were to make some Overtures of Peace but tho some Men of Note were sent to him they only spent time in fruitless Debates Mean while the Castilian Commanders consulted whether it were better to give Battel or delay it till the next Day The more prudent were against attacking the Enemy in that advantagious Post but the younger sort thought they had got them in a Pound whence none could escape John de Rio the French Embassador being ask'd his Opinion earnestly disswaded giving Battel and the King was inclinable to take his Advice when some young Noblemen without expecting the Signal furiously charg'd the Enemy then the others rather than leave them in the Danger advanc'd First the Darts and Arrows flew then they came to their Swords and the Horse and Foot fought desperately mixt without any Order Every Man stood his Ground resolving to kill or be kill'd The King of Castile by reason of his Indisposition was carry'd about upon Mens Shoulders and thence encourag'd his Men. The first Body of the Enemy began to give way and was ready to fly when their new King advanc'd with his Party loudly calling upon the Souldiers and encouraging them Thus animated they rally'd and the Fortune of the Day was soon chang'd The Castilian Commanders were slain in their King's sight without turning their Backs and great Numbers of Souldiers were Slaughter'd being depriv'd of their Officers The King fearing to fall into the Enemy's Hands mounted on Horseback and fled the rest follow'd his Example 10000 Men were slain and among them many of great Quality as two Cousin Germans of the King the Lieutenant of Castile the Admiral a Marshal de Camp and the French Embassador Night which came on soon after the Fight sav'd âany Some of these joyned the Body commanded by the Master of Alcantara which notwithstanding the Rout held together Others went to meet Charles Son to the King of Navarre who had enter'd Portugal another way but came too late for the Fight The greatest Numour having lost their Arms fled into Castile It was no cheap Victory to the Portuguesess there are those who write they lost 2000 Men. The King of Castile Fear being more prodominant than his Weakness travell'd all Night without stopping till he came to Santarem which was 11 Leagues distant Thence he went down the River Tagus in a Boat and getting aboard his Fleet which lay before Lisbon sail'd away for Sevil. Thither he came cover'd with Mourning which he wore some Years That City receiv'd him with Joy and Tears mixt lamenting that great Loss but glad their King had escap'd the Danger This is the memorable Fight in which the Portugueses Triumph'd over the Power of Castile and was call'd of Aljubarrota because fought near the Village of that Name a Place only Famous for this Overthrow This Day was kept every Year by the Portugueses as a Holy Day and the Preachers from the Pulpits extoll'd the Valour of their Nation reproaching the Cowardize of the Castilians with Language misbecoming that Place the People resorting to hear them as it had been to a Play After the Victory all Portugal submitted to the Conqueror Sant arem Braganca and all other Places surrender'd and thus the New King secur'd to his Posterity the Crown he had wrongfully obtain'd At this time the King of Aragon was very ill at Figueras he was worn with Age and Troubles As soon as recover'd he shew'd himself Dissatisfy'd with his Son Prince John The People laid the Blame upon the Queen saying she had bewitch'd the King Prince John in Discontent withdrew from Court and call'd the Earl of Ampurias who had been outed his Estate with Forces from France to his Assistance For this reason the King depriv'd him of the Vicarship of the Kingdom an Honour peculiar to the eldest Son of those Kings In Aragon as has been said heretofore they have a Magistrate call'd the Justice of Aragon who is a sort of Moderator betwixt the King and the People in the Nature of the Roman Tribunes of the People To him the Prince had recourse to support him against the Wrongs offer'd him by his Father openly and by the Queen under hand That Justice supported him in the Possession of his Employment as having been Arbitrarily depos'd till the Case were brought to Judgment The Debate began this Year and was ended the next ensuing Let us see what happen'd in Castile and Portugal after that memorable Battel CHAP. VI. The Portugueses make an Inroad into Castile and defeat a Body of Castilians The Duke of Lancaster lands at Corunna and takes several Towns The Death of the Kings of Naples Aragon and Navarre THE Portugueses resolving to prosecute their Victory and make the most of their Success sent a solemn Embassy into England to joyn in League with the Duke of Lancaster the old pretender to the Crown of Castile in right of his Wife Whilst that Business was in agitation to avoid lying idle and hinder the Enemy from recovering themselves the new King of Portugal travers'd all the Country recovering entirely all that was possess'd by the Castilians His Constable NunÌo Pereyra made an Incursion into Andaluzia pillaging and wasting all that Province Peter NunÌez Master of Santiago Gonzalo NunÌez de Guzman now Master of Calatrava and the Earl of Niebla with what Forces had escap'd the late Rout went out to meet the Portugueses who were less in Number and inclos'd them as it were in a Net near a Town call'd Valverde They seeng their Danger offer'd to capitulate but Fortune still favour'd them for at the first Onset the Master of Santiago's Horse and then he himself was kill'd His Men taking this for an ill Omen drew off and the Portugueses return'd Home with a rich Booty NunÌo Pereyra the Constable for his good Service was by the new King created Earl of Barcelos Garci Fernandez de Villagarcia was by the King of Castile made Master of Santiago in stead of Peter NunÌez That King was concern'd how to defend himself against the English He went away from Sevil to Valladolid to hold the Cortes or Parliament Charles Son to the King of Navarre a brave Prince and grateful towards his Brother-in-Law met him at that City It was resolv'd to levy greater Forces than had been in Arms till that time That all Subiects should arm themselves according to their Power That publick Prayers should be made to appease God That Foreign Succours should be procur'd as well of Mony as Men for there was great scarcity of it France was judg'd the most likely place to find
Relief and a solemn Embassy was sent thither The Embassadors having laid down the miserable Condition of their King made humble suit for assistance and all the Nobles of France unanimously agreed the King ought to be supported It was resolv'd 2000 Horse should be sent into Castile under Luis de Bourbon the King's Uncle by the Mothers side and 100000 Florines for their pay They promis'd if this relief prov'd too small that the King himself would March in Person with all the Power of France and esponse the Quarrel of Castile Pope Clement from Avignon wrote a letter to King John comforting him in his Adversity Peter Earl of Trastamara the King's Cousin who deserted from his Army to Coimbra and thence went over into France being pardon'd return'd now into Castile These Helps were small but the slowness of the English prov'd the safety of Castile The King of Portugal besieg'd Coria but could not take it because some fresh Forces got into it therefore he return'd Home with much Booty The Corses met again at Segovia in order to lay Taxes for raising of Mony Here the King Publish'd a Manifesto to prove his Title to the Crown against the Duke of Lancaster But what just Title could the Son of a Bastard have where there were so many of the True Line living The Duke of Lancaster accepted of the Offers made by the Portugues He endeavour'd to obtain passage through Aragon and the King of Castile to hinder it Both parties sent their Embassadors to that King upon this account Passage being refus'd the Duke came over from England into Spain by Sea and landed at Coruna on the 26th of July In that Port he took 6 Galleys of Castile Fernan Perez de Andrada Governour of the Town defended it with such bravery it was not taken The English were only 1500 Horse and the like number of expert Archers a small Body but might have done great Harm had they immediately joyn'd the Portugueses The time they lost before CorunÌa gave a great Advantage to their Enemies Nevertheless they took several Towns in Galicia and even the City of Santiago the Metropolis of that Kingdom Some Men of Note of that Country went over to the English The Duke of Laucaster at length sail'd for Portugal and Anchor'd at the Mouth of the River Duero The King and Duke met at Porto With the Duke came his Wife Constance his Daughter Catherine and Philippa and Elizabeth two Daughters by his first Wife It was resolv'd they should joyn their Forces That the Duke should have the Kingdom of Castile and the Portugues certain Cities and Towns They agree'd the new King should marry the Dukes Daughter Philippa in Case the Pope would dispense with his Vow of Chastity as Master of Avis The King of Castile was at Zamora making Preparations to defend himself and gathering the Forces that came from France and Castile He publish'd an Edict by which all were ennobl'd who should serve two Months with Horse and Arms at their own Cost and Charge D. John Garcia Manrique Arch-bishop of Sevil was sent with a good Body of Men to secure Leon. All things succeeded better than was expected The third part of the English not us'd to that Climate was consum'd by Sickness Besides many ranging the Country disorderly were cut off by the Boors Thus nothing remarkable was done that Summer only some Messages pass'd betwixt the Kings The Duke sent to challenge the King of Castile and require him to resign up that Crown to him The King also sent Persons of Note to justify his Title but underhand to propose a Match betwixt his Son and Heir Henry and the Dukes Daughter by the Lady Constance This Proposal was no way displeasing to the Duke yet in publick he answer'd He would hear of no Terms but delivering up the Kingdom Near about this time tho far remote as to Place dy'd three Kings On the 4th of June Charles King of Naples was kill'd in Hungary his Head being cloven with a Partesan On the first of January following which began the Year 1387. Charles the IId King of Navarre ended his Days at Pamplona Some say it was the Year before His Body was buried in the Cathedral of that City Four Days after Peter the IVth King of Aragon departed this Life at Barcelona He liv'd 75 Years and reign'd 51 wanting 19 Days Of Stature he was small not Healthy very quick a great lover of Honour and of making a show of Majesty in so much that he was call'd Peter the Ceremonious He maintain'd War against powerful Princes without Foreign Aids only by his own Valour and Conduct was a lover of learned Men and particularly addicted to Astrology and Chimistry His Body was first bury'd at Barcelona and thence translated to Poplete as he had ordain'd Charles King of Naples upon the death of Luis King of Hungary had that Crown offer'd him by the Nobility he went thither and being entertain'd at Dinner by the Queen was murder'd by her Order He left a Son and a Daughter which were Ladislaus and Joanna they both reigned in Naples successively and the one being a Child the other unfit for Government they were the cause of Bloody Wars in Italy The King of Navarre had long been troubled with a Leaprousy It was commonly reported he was burnt to death for that by the Advice of Phisitians he us'd to be wrap'd in Cloaths dip'd in Brimstone on which a Spark of Fire accidentally falling is said to have consumed the Bed and Him This was the more easily believed because he was Cruel Covetous and Lascivious Joanna his youngest Daughter was Married to John de Montforte Duke of Britany who had by her four Sons and three Daughters Charles the Son of him Deceased Friend and Brother-in-Law to the King of Castile inherited the Crown of Navarre He return'd out of Castile and in the Cortes caus'd Pope Clement to be own'd as had been done in Castile for till then Navarre as well as Aragon had stood Neuter This was thought to be done rather to please the French and Castilians than out of respect to Justice The King of Castile to oblige the new King withdrew his Garrisons out of several Towns in Navarre which he held by Contract and forgave him a great Summ of Mony his Father ow'd Thus the new King was encourag'd to attempt the recovery of many Towns taken from his Father in Normandy by the French and English and sent Embassadors to them accordingly This King was mild liberal and generous whence he came to be call'd the Noble By his Wife the Lady Ellenor he had the Princesses Joanna Mary Blanch Beatrix and Elizabeth his Sons Charles and Luis died Young Illegitimate Godfrey Marques of Cortes the Founder of that Family and Joanna marry'd to InÌigo de Zuniga In Aragon King John was Crown'd after the death of his Father He was a meek Prince if not provok'd He could not be present at the
other his Contrivances CHAP. VIII John King of Aragon upon Complaint of his Subjects complies with their Demands Irruptions of the French into Aragon Henry the IIId proclaim'd King of Castile The form of Government appointed there during his Minority JOHN the first the new King of Aragon acted nothing like his Father who was an active Man warlike and ambitious of enlarging his Dominions King John was meek and affable unless provok'd more inclin'd to his Ease than warlike Affairs He lov'd Hawking Hunting Musick and Poetry and all things that represent Grandeur so that the Revenue was too small for his Expence The Queen was in all things like her Husband so that the Court was full of Foosting Balls and Pleasure Great Rewards were given to Poets and so fond was the King of them that he sent an Embassy into France only to have some choice ones sent him The Nobility of Aragon offended at the King's Extravagancy met at Calasanz at the same time the Cortes sat at Monçon They sent their Complaints in Writing to the Cortes which where chiefly the extraordinary Expences the Lewdness of the Court and that the Kingdom was govern'd by a Woman This was meant of Da. Carroça de Villaragur Favourite to the Queen who entirely rul'd the King Messages pass'd to and fro and at length the King being of an easy Nature comply'd with their Demands retrench'd his Expences set out Proclamations for restraining the Disorders of the People banish'd that Lady and for bid the Queen intermedling in the Government Thus those Discontents were lay'd when at the same time a War seem'd to threaten from France Bernard de Armugnac broke into Catalonia with a Body of Bretons yet made more Noise than he did harm Soon after he was follow'd by his Brother the Earl of Armagnac with greater Forces Tomich a Catalonian Historian writes he had 18000 Horse a falshood which yet shews their Number was great There was no cause to make War but the desire of Robbing They burnt some Towns and Farms and carry'd away a great Number of Prisoners and Cattle This mischief fell heaviest upon the Territories of Ampurias and Girona The Forces of Aragon assembl'd and had several Rancounters with them In one Bernard de Cabrera overthrew 8 Companies of French near Navarre In another Raymund Bages near CavanÌas defeated a good Body of them and took their Commander call'd Martin The King set out from Girona to oppose them but they return'd into France by the way of Russillon where they did much harm The King of Aragon had stir'd up Arigotte of Auvergne to make War upon the Lands of Armagnac which mov'd the Earl to return to defend his own Luis the Son of Luis Duke of Anjou who dy'd in the Conquest of Naples and stil'd himself King of Hierusalem and Sicily marry'd Violante the Daughter of the King of Aragon at Barcelona The end of this Match was that the Aragonian should assist his Son in Law in the Conquest of Naples D. Martin Lord of Exerica the King of Aragon's Nephew as being the Son of his Brother Martin with the King's Consent marry'd Mary Queen of Sicily the Pope also agreeing to it because that Kingdom is a Feofe of the Church Sardinia was again in an uproar for that Brancaleon Doria not regarding the late Settlement and the Pardon he had receiv'd took up Arms again at the beginning of the Year 1391 on pretence of asserting the Peoples Liberties With this specious pretence he drew to his side the Genoeses and many of the Islanders so that he took Sacer the Capital City of the Island and many other Towns and Forts To crush this Rebellion the King rais'd Men and set forth a Proclamation commanding all that had Lands in the Island to go over to defend it At this same time Pope Clement created Martin Bishop of Pamplona Cardinal who was the first of those Prelates that obtained that Honour When King John of Castile fell with his Horse as has been said the Arch-bishop of Toledo who was by caus'd a Tent to be set up in that Place and guarded with trusty Persons concealing the King's Death and sending out several Messages in his Name But this Fiction could not hold long The first that resorted to behold this miserable Spectacle was Queen Beatrix before despoil'd of her Father's Kingdom and now of her Husband being left without any Children to be a Comfort in her Widowhood Prince Henry surpriz'd at his Father's Death set out from Talavera and stopp'd at Madrid with his Brother Ferdinand There the Arch-bishop caus'd him to be proclaim'd King he was the third of the Name and commonly call'd the Sickly for his want of Health All the great Men of the Kingdom flock'd to kiss his Hand and offer their Persons and Estates D. Alonso de Aragon Marques de Villena dissatisfy'd with the late King was withdrawn into Aragon He offer'd to return to Castile provided he might be restor'd to the Office of Constable The King and Queen condescended to his Request and yet he came not being detain'd for certain Reasons in Aragon The Ceremony of proclaiming the King being perform'd he went to Toledo to bury his Father in the Royal Chappel as he had ordain'd Next the Cortes assembl'd at Madrid and took in hand to settle the Government the King being but 11 years of Age. Ellenor the only Daughter to the Earl of Albuquerque for her great Fortune commonly call'd the Rich Female was then at Court Many courted her and among them her Cousin the Duke of Benavente but Prince Ferdinand was preferred before him and they were Contracted yet so that the Match should not go forwards till the King was 14 Years of Age. This was that in case the King dy'd before that Age the Prince might marry Queen Catherine the Duke of Lancaster's Daughter as had been agreed The Bride swore to the Contract being 16 Years of Age but the Prince was too young to swear When the Cortes were about setling the Government they understood by Peter Lopez de Ayala that the late King had made a Will This Will being found and read rais'd variety of Opinions They were chiefly offended at one Clause which appointed for the young King's Tutors till he was 15 Years of Age D. Alonso de Aragon the Constable the Arch-bishops of Toledo and Santiago the Master of Calatrava the Earl of Niebla and Peter de Mendoça the Lord Steward and with them 6 Citizens one of each of the Cities of Burgos Toledo Leon Sevil Cordova and Murcia to be chosen by the Counsels of those Places Every one that was not of the Number was offended The Affair was long debated Some few were for fulfilling the Will but the greatest Number were for cancelling it The Arch-Bisop of Toledo would not suffer it to be burnt because there were certain Legacies nam'd in it for his Church which he would have valid tho the rest were not The Will
believing he was displeas'd on some private Account but this Emââssy avail'd nothing A great number of French enter'd Aragon by the way of Russââââ to rob and plunder the Country Queen Violante who by reason of her Husband's Carelesness govern'd the Kingdom sent an Embassador to complain to the King of France and her Uncles ãâã Dukes of Burgândy Beri and Orââans whereupon the French return'd home at such time as King John of Aragon was taken away suddenly He went a Hunting on the Mountain of Foxa near the Castle of Mongriu and Vrriols in the fââthest part of ãâã He rous'd a she Wolf of a prodigious size or whether he only imagin'd it for with the Surprize he fell down and gave up the Ghost on the 19th of May. He was more remarkable for his lazy Life than for any Virtue His Body was bury'd at Pâbletâ the common Place of Burial of those Kings He left no Issue-male but two Daughters by two Wiâes call'd Joâââna and Violante The first was marry'd to Mathew Earl of Fââx the latter contracted to ãâã Duke of Anjoâ In his Will he appointed his Brother Martin Duke of ãâã his Successor which was approv'd of ââ all the Kingdom to avoid falling under a ãâã if the Daughters inherited Martin was busy subduing of Sicily Mary his Wife supply'd his Place taking the Title of Queen and ââacing Guards to look to Queen Violante who say'd she was with Child to prevent any Frand The Earl of ãâã pretended to the Crown in right of his Wife because the Females had always been allow'd to inherit Yet notwithstanding his just âlaim the Cortes which met in July at Zaragoça unaââmously adjudg'd the Crown to Martin then absent They also treated of the Preparations it was requisite to make to repulse the War which was expected from France CHAP. III. The Queen of ãâã ââturns to her âââband The Earl of Faux invades Aragon The War betââââ ãâã and Portugal renewed Joseph King of Granada dies Mahomet his 2d Son usurps The Turks come over into Europe THE Kingdom of Aragon labour'd under the Apprehensions of a War and all the Country was full of Martial Preparations Castile was at Peace the Nobility being reduc'd the Earl of Gijân gone to France as had been agreed The Queen of Navarre tho against her Will was at ãâ¦ã to return to her Husband To make her easy he made Oath he would treat her ãâã a Queen and the Daughter of Kings and the King of Castile bore her Company to ãâã a Town on the Boders of Navarre Her Husband receiv'd her at Tudelâ with all possible Expressions of Affection and there was publick Thanksgiving in all Places for her Return John Huâtadâ ãâã Mendoça the Lord ãâã was much in the King of Castile's Favour who for his good Service gave ãâ¦ã of Agreda Ciria and Boravia This Bounty of the King's ãâã Envy in the ãâã and those of Agreda would not admit him as their Lord but ãâ¦ã to stand upon their Defence The King went thither and being receiv'd into ãâã Town was prevail'd upon not to alienate that Place from the Crown and in lieu of it gave D. John the Towns of Almaçan and Santistevan de Gormaz King ãâã Embassadors into France ãâã the Earl of Gijon and they came to Paris at the time appointed but the Earl appear'd not yet as they were upââ returning they understood he was arriv'd at Rochel in the Provinââ ãâã They impeach'd him before the King and after a full hearing he was declar'd ãâ¦ã and commanded to submit himself to the King of whom he might hope for Pardon âo obtain which the King of France offer'd his Intercession In case he refus'd to put himself upon his King's Mercy he was given to understand he must expect no shelter or assistance in France Orders were sent to Britany and all other ârates dependant on the Crown of France not to give him any Sâccour or Relief The ãâã of Castile knowing what Judgment had been given demanded the Town of Gijon should ãâã surrender'd to him but the Earl's Wife who was in it refus'd Whereupon he laid âlege to it and having taken it cast down not only the Walls but the Houses Her Son Henry was delivered to the Countess upon Condition she should depart the Land This done the King return'd to Madrid intending to visit Andâluzia and in order to it went to Talaverâ where in November he receiv'd the Embassadors who came from the King of Granada to renew the Truce They were order'd to follow the King to Sevil where he was receiv'd with the usual Joy He caus'd the Archdeacon of Ezija to be apprehended as a mutineer and promoter of all the harm done to the Jews The Truce was renew'd with the Moors and thus the whole Kingdom was restor'd to Peace Great hopes were conceiv'd of King Henry but all vanish'd away for he became sickly which continu'd all his Life time and his Judgment fail'd so that nothing hardly remarkable is recorded during the rest of his Reign Some attribute this to the defect of our Histories and others say the profound Peace he enjoy'd gave him no Opportunity of acting any thing worthy of Note The Duke of Benavenâe was kept Prisoner at Monterrey in custody of the Master of Santiago and thence remov'd to Almâdâvar This offended the Arch-bishop of Santiago upon whose Word he came ãâã Court. Besides that Prelate would not own the Popes of Avignon on these Distates he withdrew into Portugââ There he was first chosen Bishop of Coimbra and afterwards Archbishop of Braga ãâã this time John de Castro was Bishop of Palencia more famous for his Loyalty to King Peter than any other thing This Prelate fled into France and was restor'd when Queen Constance came to the Crown He is ãâã to have writ the beââ and truest Chronicle of the Life of King Peter but it is not Extant doubtless suppress'd by the prevailing Enemies of that unfortunate King In Aragon the People were indifferent peaceable tho where a Prince's right is disputable it commonly causes Troubles D. John Earl of Ampuriaâ was secur'd for favouring the Earl of Faux his claim A War threaten'd from France On the 2d of October the Cortes met at St. Francis in Zaragoça in a very full Assembly it was there resolv'd to raise an Army and give the Command of it to Peter Earl of Vrgel It was not without Cause they made these Preparations for the Earl of Faux having pass'd the Pyrânean Hills with a mighty Army wasted all the Country along the River Sâgre and at last in November lay'd Siege to the City Barbastro with 4000 Horse and a great number of Foot In the Camp he caus'd himself and his Wife to be proclaim'd King and Queen of Aragon About the middle of December there was an Earthquake at Valância which threw down many Buildings and shook others This the Commonalty look'd upon as an ill Omen foreboding
it were Honourable After much debating not being able to agree upon Articles of Peace they confirmed the former Truce Castile was jealous of a Breach with Aragon The Marques de Villena would not come to Court and had a great Estate on the Borders of Valencia he was much suspected to sâir up the Aragânians to War A new occasion offer'd it self to deprive him of his Estate Alonso and Peter two Sons of the Marques had marry'd two of the King of Castile's Aunts and had 30000 Ducats with each of them which Mony was pay'd down to ransom the Marques taken by the English as has been said Peter dy'd in the Battle of Aljubarrââa and was Father to the famous D. Henry de Villena who desirous of Knowledge study'd Negromancy D. Alonso never consumâated the Marriage excusing himself with the ill Reputation of his Bride King Henry as Nephew to these Ladies took their Business in Hand and demanded to have their Portions restor'd since the one was left a Widow and the other never consuminated the Marriage The Marques his Sons would give no ear to these Demands Upon this account King Henry invaded the Marques his Estate and easily made himself Master of all except Villena and Almansa in which were strong Garrisons of Aragonians Contemporary with D. Henry de Villena and not unlike to him in Learning was D. Paul de Cartagââa He was born a Jew and by his great insight in the Scripture converted and writ several notable Books For his Learning and to encourage other Jews to embrace the Faith he was first made Archdeacon of TrevinÌe then Bishop of Carthagena and lastly of Burgâs He was also Chancellor of Castile and Tutor to King John the IId Before his Conversion he had four Sons Gonçale the eldest came to be Bishop of Plasencia first then of Siguença Alonso the 2d succeeded his Father in the See of Burgos and writ the Anacephalâosis of the Kings of Spain also Dâfensorium Fidei and Defensorium Catholitae unitatis The two younger Sons were Peter and Alvaro Some think this Alvaro writ the Chronicle of King John but it was his Uncle Alvar Garzia de Sanâa Maria and others had a hand in it particularly Fârnan Perez de Gusman carry'd it on to the end and writ the Lives of the Famous Men of his time and other Works The Discord betwixt the two Popes and the little prospect there was of reconciling it and uniting the Church perplex'd ââl Christendom In Spain the last Year the Plague began to rage and continu'd spreading it self particularly along the Coast from Barcelona as far as Avignon in France Besides the ãâã were so violent that there ensu'd mighty Floods and particularly the Rivers Ebro and Vrba overflowing their Banks carry'd away Multitudes of Men and Cattle destroy'd the Corn and overthrew many Buildings As soon as the Season would permit the King of Aragon went from Barcelona to Zaragoça to hold the Cortes there which sat on the 29th of April in the Church of S. Saviour There the King being seated in his Royal Throne made a learned Speech extolling the Bravery and Loyalty of the Aragonians showing how thereby they had enlarg'd their Dominions recommending to them to continue such for the future and lastly requiring them to do their Homage and take the Oath of Allegiance to him and his Son All the King had demanded was perform'd with much Satisfaction of the whole Body The publick Joy conceiv'd on this Account was somewhat abated by the Apprehensions of a War that threaten'd from France The Bastard of Tardes passing the Pyrenean Mountains possess'd himself of Termas a Town on the Frontiers of Aragon towards Navarre which extreamly alarm'd all the Kingdom Giles Ruyz de Lihorri Governour of Aragon march'd thither with a good Body of Souldiers and some Men of Note The French expâcted not his coming but abandoning the Place retir'd to France to theirs and the ãâã of the Earl of âaux who sent them Sicily was not wholly pacify'd Some hopes of a Settlement appear'd the Queen being deliver'd of a Son call'd Peter on the 17th of November who if he had liv'd would have inherited that Crown but he and his Mother soon after dy'd and all these Hope 's vanish'd Not long after in April 1399 ãâ¦ã Queen ãâ¦ã were Crown'd at Zarâgoça by the Arch-bishop of that Plaââ ãâ¦ã of Villina was allow'd to add the Regal Arms to his own and was created Duke of Gandia in requital for what he lost in Castile At the same time Pope ãâã being forsaken by the Gardinals was much press'd by his Enemies who besieg'd him The King of Aragon sent two Embassadors to him who treated with him about finding out some ãâã of putting an end to the Schism and uniting the Church He answer'd he would commit that Affair to those Princes that had own'd him and particularly those of France and Aragon But his meaning was not the same for he charg'd them under Colour of Peace not to depart from Justice which he said was wholly on his side but that he coveted nothing more than to puâ an end to those Divisions The Aragonian Embassadors ãâ¦ã give an Account of their Negocâation to the King of France In an Assembly held ãâ¦ã upon this Affair it was resolv'd to send to require the Pope to put a speedy end to the Schism and to that purpose he should wholly refers his Case to a Council of Bishops that was to meet and the King of France would engage ãâã the security of his Person and furnish him with a sufficient Guard Whilst these things were in Agitation D. Peter Tânârio Arch-bishop of Toledo dy'd in Castile He was a Man of Judgment and Resolution fit either for Peace or War He was first Bishop of ãâã and thence without any Solicitation on his part preferr'd to Toledo In his Expences at home he was Frugal and spent the great Revenues of his Church in publick Buildings and relieving the Poor The Bridge of S. Martin at Toledo a Castle near to the Monastery of S. Servanduâ the Cloister that joins to the Cathedral with a Chappel in it and his own Tomb are all his Works That Chappel he endow'd with Revenues to maintain 16 Chaplains to pray for his and the Souls of his Predecessors At Alcala Real on the ãâã of ãâã he built a high Tower where a Light was kept every Night to guide the Christians that made their escape from the Moors At Talavera he founded a sââtely Monastery of the Invocation of S. Catherine design'd for the Canons of that Church but they refusing to live as Regulars he gave it to the Hieronimites The Arcbishop's Bridge was also of his Foundation After the Death of the Arch-bishop the Chapter chose D. Gutiârre de Toledo Archdeacon of ãâã The King offer'd the Archbishoprick to Ferdinand YanÌez a Canon of that Church of the Order of S. Hierome but he refus'd it Pope Benedict gave it to
their Territories by the way of Murcia They lay'd Siege to Vera but could not carry it being unprovided of all Necessaries for such an Undertaking besides that a great Body of Moors was marching to the Relief of the Place Therefore raising the Siege they advanc'd to meet the Infidels and ãâã Xuxena engag'd and overthrew them The Slaughter was not great because they had a âetreat near at Hand Yet they took and plunder'd the Town but the Moor ãâ¦ã This Success made so great a Noise that the Cortes hoping it was a good Omen of future Advantages granted the Supplies that were requir'd of them by the Queen and Prince They also as was but Reason appointed Prince Ferdinand General betwixt whom and the Queen there began to be some misunderstandings Malicious Persons such as are always encourag'd in Courts heighten'd those Discontents and said one day Prince Ferdinand would perplex the Queen and her Children Many lay'd the blame on a Woman call'd Ellenon Lopez for that she bred ill Blood betwixt them and was greater with the Queen than became her Majesty or was for the good of the Kingdom These Differences increasing it was contriv'd the Government should be divided so that the Queen should have Old Castile and the Prince the New with some Towns of the Old This âone the Prince sent his Wife and Children to Medina del Campo and set out himself from Sagovia for Villareal designing that the general Randezvouz of the Forces Mean while the Commanders on the Frontiers ceas'd not to make Incursions into the Country of the Moors wasting their Lands and driving great Booties of Cattle and Captives yet sometimes they came off with ãâã Worst A Moor inclin'd to Christianity came over from them and being carry'd before Laurence Suarez de Figueroa Master of Santiago who commanded on the Frontiers and was then at Ezija said to him I am not ignorant how odious the Name of ââ Deserter is to all Men yet I resolv'd to come over to you being mov'd to it from Heavenââ ãâã my ãâ¦ã testify the Sincerity of ãâã Words First let me be Buptiz'd and I will give you Instances of my real Fidelity Being ãâã he inform'd them he would shew them a way âo surprize Pruna a considerable Town of the Moors They gave credit to his Words and the chief Commendary of Santiago went with him The Moor perform'd his Promise and the Town was taken on the 4th of June Thus the Moors lost that Nest whence they continually infested the Christian Territories Prince Ferdinand went to Cordova and thence to Sevil ãâ¦ã fell sick at such time as there came to that City the Earl of Marche Son in Law to the King of Navarre of the best Blood of France of a graceful Presence and so Courteous that he gain'd the Affections of all Men. He brought with him 80 Horse to serve in that War which was expected would prove long and dangerous The Moors were not idle but first assaulted Lucena a great Town and finding they could not carry it they march'd away âo Baeça Their Numbers were great for it is lay'd they amounted to 7000 Horse and 100000 Foot an incredible Multitude but such it was as put the whole Kingdom into a Consternation Nevertheless they could not take the City for it was bravely defended but they burnt the Subarbs All the Christians far and near took the Alarm and gather'd to relieve that important Place which the Moors understanding rais'd the Siege and departed loaded with Booty and with many Captives taken in that Country On the other Hand Alonso Enriquez the Admiral obtain'd a considerable Victorâ over the Infidels on the Sea near Cadiz The Kings of Tunez and Tremezen had fitted out 23 Galleys to scour the Coast of Andaluzia at the Request of their Confederate the King of Granada The Admiral when he discover'd them had but 13 Galleys yet attacked them with such Fury that he ãâã eight sunk some and put the rest to flight Mean while Prince Ferdinand recover'd to the Sickness and being joyful for this Success march'd from Sevil on the 7th of September He had not fix'd what enterprize to take in Hand therefore a Council of War being call'd it was resolv'd to enter the Territory of Ronda and lay Siege to Zahara a Town of Note in that Country This was put in Execution and they began to batter it with 3 great pieces of Cannon day and night yet the harm they did was inconsiderable because the Gunners in those days were not expert at playing and levelling their Pieces For this Reason the Siege might have prov'd difficult if the besieg'd beginning to feel want and fearing they should have no Quarter had not made hast to surrender capitulating only for their Persons and Estates and delivering up their Arms. Other small Towns follow'd the Example of Zahara and submitted Septenil a Town strong and well Garrison'd refus'd to submit it was therefore besieg'd and batter'd at such time as Peter de Zuniga recover'd Ayamonte from the Moors as had been given him in charge by Prince Ferdinand The Moorish King was unwilling to hazard a Battle and therefore govern'd himself by Policy endeavouring to live his Enemy some considerable Diversion He gather'd his Forces which are said to have amounted to 6000 Horse and 80000 Foot but they were a meer Rable without Discipline or Sense of Honour With this Army he sat down before Jaen but sailed it for our Army march'd thither with speed and oblig'd him to retire with shame Some harm he did in the Country but that was retaliated by wasting all his Territories ãâ¦ã Besides several Parties spread themselves over all the Dominions of the Moors so that they had no Place of safety It was some Disappointment that ãâã was not taken Autumn was advanc'd and the usual great Rains began to fall Therefore Prince Ferdinand rais'd the Siege on the 25th of October and returning to Sevil restor'd to its Place the Sword with which the Holy King Ferdinand took that City which is there kept to this Day and us'd then to be taken out by Generals when they went upon any considerable Enterprize This done he put his Forces into Quarters in Sevil Cordova and other Places and went away himself to Toledo to raise more Men and make other Provision ââ continue the War CHAP. VIII The Murder of the Duke of Orleans by him of Burgundy The War carry'd on with the Moors ãâ¦ã concluded Original of D. Alvaro de Luna Continuation of ãâ¦ã Schism ãâ¦ã time dy'd at Calahorra Peter ãâã Ayala Chancellor of Castile a Man ãâ¦ã for many things and particularly for the Chronicle he wrote of the Kings Peter Henry the IId and Joââ the I st tho it is generally believ'd he wrong'd King Peter magnifying his Vices and said more than was true in Commendation of King Henry France was in Confusion for that John Duke of ãâã had caus'd Luis Duke of Orleans to be murder'd in
to speak to the King He asked of him whether it was his Will that he should succeed him who had the best Title The King bow'd his Head to denote he comented to what was said To other Questions which were put to him he return'd no manner ââ Answer In him ended the Male-Line of the Earls of Barcelona whilst had continu'd ãâ¦ã then in Aragon the space of 600 Years The good Fortune ãâ¦ã an Eclipse Many lifted up themselves to ãâ¦ã Crown ãâ¦ã that ãâ¦ã if we may so call it Upon such occasions ãâ¦ã of great Moment Prince Ferdinand for whom Heaven had reserv'd that Crown was ãâ¦ã with the War in Andaluzia He made a publick Act of accepting of the Inheritance and Crown which no Body offer'd him and at the same time sent Ferdinand ãâ¦ã and D. John Gonçalez de Azevedoâ Men of address and parts his ãâ¦ã his Interest in Aragon He himself would not quit the Siege being in hopes ãâ¦ã Master of the City very speedily and his hope was increas'd by a skirmish which ãâ¦ã hear Archidona betwixt a Party of his and the Moors who were worsted Of which Action and the manner how it came to pass it will not be amiss to give a full Accounts taken out of the Learned History which Laurence Valla wrote of the Life and ãâ¦ã of his Prince Ferdinand afterwards King of Aragon The Christians made themselves Masters of several Towns as Goza Sebar Alzana and Mara some were taken by Storm others terrify'd with their Example surrendred The Moors fear'd lest the same fate should befall Archâdona a considerable Town two Leagues distant from Antequera To secure this Place the wânt into it a strong Garrison with store of Provisions and Ammunition This done they wasted all the Neighbouring Country and destroy'd or carry'd away all sorts of Provisions that the Army which lay before Antequera might be reduc'd to want They had more Horse than the Christians which facilitated their carrying on their Designs Being inform'd that our Horses were every day carry'd to Grass down to the River Corza which runs near that Place with only a small Guard they resolv'd to surprize and drive them away A Centinel that stood on a Hill call'd PenÌa de los Endâârades or the Lover's Rock made a Smoak to give notice of the Danger the Horses and Vivandiers were in unless reliev'd in time The Christians immediately march'd out of their Trenches and charg'd the Infidels so vigorously that they oblig'd them to retire towards Archidona They were too hard press'd to get into the Town in sight whereof above 2000 were kill'd many taken and the rest entirely dispers'd and routed Of the Christians only two were slain and a few ounded On account of this Victory we may give the Reason why that Hill is call'd The Lover's Rock since this Action happen'd so near ââ it The Hill stands betwixt Archidona and Antequera A certain Christian youth was a Slave among the Moors He was so well accomplish'd so industrious obliging and careful of his Business that his Master trusted him with all his Affairs both at home and abroad A Daughter the Moor had fell in Love with the Youth She being marriageable and he a Slave their Amours were hard to conceal and dangerous if discover'd for if her Father and his Master had understood any thing of that Affair it would cost them their Lives They ãâã to make their Escape to the Country of the Christians which was most agreeable to the Youth as returning home and perhaps not so much to her unless she design'd to become a Christian which I scarce believe They set out very privately and travell'd as far as the Hill we now speak of where the young Woman sat down to rest They had not been long there before they discover'd the Father who pursu'd them with a party of Horse What could be done in that Case They resolv'd to climb up to the top of the Rock which was but a poor Defence The Father with a stern Countenance commanded them to come down threatning if they refus'd to put them to a cruel Death Those who came with him advis'd the same saying it was the only way left them to obtain Pardon and move him to Compassion by coming down and casting themselves at his Feet They refus'd to obey and the Moors alighting off their Horses attempted to climb the Rock but the young Man kept them down with Stones and Staves the only Weapons the Place and his Despair furnish'd him with The Father perceiving their Resolution sent to the next Town for some Cross bow-men to shoot them and they seeing no way to escape resolv'd Death should free than from the Reproaches and Torments they fear'd It is needless to repeat the lowing Expressions that pass'd betwixt them but in conclusion embracing one another they cast thmselves off the Rooâ on that side where the stern Father stood looking on them Thus they dy'd before they came to the Bottom moving the beholders to Compassion with that dismal Spectacle and there against the Father's Will they were bury'd in the same manner as they fell A happy End had it been for the sake of Religion and Virtue and not to satisfy their inordinate Desires Let us return to the Siege of Antequera where after the Fight of Archidona they ceas'd not with their Artillery to batter the Walls and made several Breaches the Besieged by Night making up all that was beaten down in the Day Thus much Labour was spent and yet the Siege advanc'd but slowly Prince Ferdinand observ'd that all the top of one of the Towers was quite beaten down that he judg'd a proper Place to be assaulted and order'd scaling Ladders to be apply'd and the Souldiers to mount His Commands were resolutely put in Execution tho with great Danger and Difficulty for the Moors defended the Place with extraordinary bravery At last the Christians mounted and oblig'd the Moors to retire into the Castle hoping to maintain themselves there or at least to obtain advantagious Conditions Next day there arose a Dispute among the Souldiers about who was the first that mounted the Wall Many claim'd that Honour and it was hard to decide every one having Friends Relations or Country Men to back his Pretensions It was ãâã some mutiny might be rais'd on that Account The Judges appointed to decide this Controversy gave their Judgment that Gutierre de Torres Sancho Gonçalez Serva ãâã and Baeça were the first who attempted to mount but that John Biscaino who was kill'd upon the Tower got before them all and after him John de S. Vincente had the chief Honour assign'd him The Prince commended and rewarded them all as they well desery'd for taking so considerable a Place Antequera was entred on the 6th of September Those who retir'd to the Castle surrendred eight days after having capitulated for their Persons and Goods and weââ conducted to Archidona The Victors gave thanks to
Legate of Savoy Castile seem'd to be restor'd to perfect Peace by the Banishment of D. Alvaro de Luna but Ambition the Bane of Kingdoms soon disturb'd it The King was not of Judgment sound enough to govern without the Help and Advice of another This was well known to the Nobility and every one strove to gain his Favour in order to become First Minister of State D. Frederick the Admiral a Bold Man and of a ready Wit stood fairest being particularly recommended to the King by D. Alvaro de Luna at the time of his departure The Princes of Aragon were enrag'd that all their Contrivances fall'd them At Toro the Servants of the several Factions quarrell'd and were like to come to Blows about taking up their Lodgings The King knew not how to pacify the Nobles and therefore by the Advice of D. Alvaro's ââads under colour of Hunting fled to Salamanca at the beginning of the year 1440. After him went the Princes of Aragon the Earls of Benavente Ledesina Haro ãâã Valencia and InÌigo Lopez de Mendoça with 600 Horse resolving to use Violence if oppos'd The King being inform'd of their coming remov'd to Bonilla a Loyal and Strong Town Thence he sent to the Princes of Aragon who under a safe Conduct came first to Salamanca and thence to Avila whither the Mutinous Lords were come designing to secure that City The Archbishop of Seviil who then sighaliz'd his Loyalty was the Chief Man that passed between them but without success Yet the Nobles made use of him to write to the King giving him grave Advice and charging D. Alvaro de Luna He return'd no ãâ¦ã They went the Earls of Haro and Benavente to him who prevail'd to have the ãâ¦ã at Valladolid Yet those Lords were so far from restoring the Towns they had serz'd and their hands that they secur'd Leon Segovia Zamora Salamanca Valladolid Avila Burgos Placencia and Guadalasara Besides Prince Henry had Toledo deliver'd to him by Peter Lopez de Ayala who was Governour of the Town and Castle for the King At the Cortes which sate at Valladolid in April the first thing consider'd upon was to give satisfaction to D. Alvaro de Luna and bring him back to Court. To this effect Letters were sent to him from that Assembly yet he came not for the present Soon after all the Revolted Cities return'd to their ãâ¦ã had particularly Toledo Prince Henry at this time Rebell'd against his Father being ãâ¦ã that D. Alvaro should return to Court John Pacheco Son to Alonso Giron Lord of ãâ¦ã had the same influence over the Prince that D. Alvaro had over the King and endeavour'd by supplanting D. Alvaro who had preferr'd him to rise to his Grandeur Prince Henry of Castile withdrew from Court giving out that he would not return till some of the King's Counsellors with whom he was displeas'd were remov'd yet he came back late at Night at the perswasion of his Father-in-Law the King of Navarre To pacify him his Wife was brought from Navarre to Valladolid where on the 25th of September the Nuptials were celebrated with great Pomp and there was a Feast of Tilting in which some Nobles were kill'd because they ran with sharp-pointed Spears The Bride remain'd a Maid which was at first conceal'd but afterwards became Publick to the great Grief of all People At the same time that the Publick Rejoycing was for the Marriage of Prince Henry the Lieutenant Peter Manrrique Dy'd He was a Man of a mean Stature a great Spirit Subtle and Bold His Son James Manrique who was also Earl of TrevinÌo succeeded him in his ãâã D. Alvaro de Lara tho absent from Court govern'd the Kingdom which inrag'd the ãâ¦ã have all ãâ¦ã Son who left his Father and went away to Segovâ declaring for the Princes of Aragon John Pacheco his Favourite neightned his discontent Toledo was again'd deliver'd up by the same Peter Lopez de Ayala to Prince Henry of Aragon The Citizens provok'd the King by securing his Messengers sent to complain of their Disloyalty which mov'd him with a small Retinue the hast thither believing they would Respect his Person He stopp'd at the Hospital of Saint Lazorus which is in the Road to Madrigal Prince Henry of Aragon came out of the City with Two Handred Horse Those with the King being Feâ in Number Fortify'd themselves where they were but Prince Henry fearing he should become yet more odious than he was if he offer'd Violence to the King return'd into the City Roderick de Villandrando signaliz'd his Zeal and Legality for the Defence of the King in this Place in recompense for which he had a Priviledge granted him that the Earls of Ribadeo his Successors should always upon New-years Day dine with the King and serve him in the Bed-chamber For it was on the first of January 1441 that the King was in Danger in the Hospital The King went away to Torrijos and leaving Pelayo de Ribera Lord of Malpica with 100 Horse to secure that place remov'd to Avila whither D. Alvaro came to consult about carrying on the War they had in Hand His coming more incens'd the Mutineers Most of them were at Arevalo and the Queen her self favour'd her Son and Brothers against the King her Husband The King sent the Bishops of Burgos and Avila to try if there were any way of composing Differences but they could not prevail James de Valera a Gentleman who follow'd the Prince wrote a Letter to the King advising him to incline to Mercy rather than Severity It being read in Council no Body said any thing to it but the Archbishop D. Gutierre de Toledo who answer'd Let Valera give us Assistance for Advice we want none This Valera was a Man of very good natural Parts was twice Embassador in Germany and writ a short History of Spain of him called Valeriana But there is another Valeriana writ by an Archdeacon of Murcia and quoted in this Work Prince Henry being sent for by his Father to treat of Peace came to Avila but nothing was concluded The Prince being return'd to Segovia desir'd the two Queens his Mother and Mother in Law then in Castile to go as far as Santa Maria de Nieva to endeavour to appease those Commotions In that Town Blanch Queen of Navarre dy'd on the first day of April and was bury'd in the famous Church of that Place This grave Authors affirm but there is no sign of it in the Church Charles Prince of Viana her Son inherited the Crown but took not the Title of King out of respect to his Father This Prince Charles was very studious and there are some Works of his Extant as Aristole's Ethicks translated into Spanish a short History of Navarre and many Compositions in Verse which he us'd to sing to the Guitarre A Youth deserving of a better Fortune and a more peaceable Father He was 21 years of Age when his Mother dy'd Her Death put an
that Name signifying The Lord Alexander He was given up a Hostage to Amurat the Turk but making his escape with a handful of Men held out for several Years in Epirus and overthrew great Armies of Turks But finding himself too weak alone to oppose that great Power he laboured to get forreign Aids and to this purpose made a League with the Venetians implored the Favour of the Popes and sent a solemn Embassy to the King of Aragon at the beginning of the Year 1451 offering if he relieved him with Men and Mony that after the War was ended that Province should pay the same Tribute to him it used to pay to the Turk The King sent some Supplies but too small to oppose the vast Power of the Enemy This Year was Fortunate to Spain for the Birth of the Princess Elizabeth for whom Heaven design'd the Crown of Castile her Brothers dying She was an incomparable Princess and the Glory of Spain She was born at Mndrigal on the 23d of April Henry Brother to the Admiral who had been taken up with the other Noblemen three Years before made his escape out of the Castle of Langa near Santistevan de Gormaz He had a Clew of Thred sent him and laying his Cloaths in the Bed with the Night-cap as if he had been there went up to a Tower where with the Thred he drew up a Rope that some of his Friends had ready below for him The Rope was knotted and so he let himself down Mean while the Governour looking into his Room and seeing something in the Bed thought he slept and went away satisfyed It Portugal Ellenor the King's Sister was contracted to the Emperor Frederick at Lisbon on the 9th of August Soon after the Bride was sent by Sea to Pisa and went thence to Siena in Italy The Nobility of Castile falling off from him and the Prince of Viana revolting the King of Navarre's Interest declined both at home and abroad All this was the Contrivance of D Alvaro de Luna to secure himself but it turned to his Ruin By his advice there was a sort of an Accommodation made betwixt the Kings of Castile and Navarre It was agreed that the Admiral and Earl of Castro and other Noblemen should be pardoned and restored to their Estates as also that D. Alonso Son to the King of Navarre should again have the Mastership of Calatrava But this succeeded not for Peter Giron who was in Possession made himself strong in the Town of Almagro resolving to stand upon his Guard So D. Alonso was forc'd to return to Aragon as he came which highly offended the King of Navarre To add to his Trouble Prince Henry was by the means of D. Alvaro entirely reconciled to his Father But the most grievous thing of all was that a tedious and bloody Civil War broke out in Navarre That Nation had been long divided betwixt two Factions the Biamonteses and the Agramonteses headed by the Earl of Lerin and Marques of Cortes and much Blood had been spilt The Agramonteses were for the King the Biamonteses inticed the Prince to take up Arms against his Father who they said wrongfully with-held the Crown from him In the first Place they made a League with Castile and France The King of Castile promised to assist the Prince provided he would declare and take up Arms. The King of France did the same being then in a Condition to do it having recovered all Guienne from the English As soon as the Civil War broke out in Navarre the Biamonteses seized several Towns and Cities and among them Pamplona the Metropolis of the Kingdom Olite and Aivar Yet the greatest part of the Kingdom and the Principality of Viana remained in the King's Power he having in time put Garrisons and given the Government of Towns to Men of approved Fidelity Prince Henry and soon after his Father the King of Castile came and layed Siege to Estela where the Queen of Navarre was The King her Husband speeded from Zaragoça to her Relief but bringing small Force with him and the Agramonteses not being yet able to oppose the Enemies he was forced to return to Zaragoça designing to raise Men in that Kingdom As soon as he was gone the King and Prince of Castile as it the War were ended tho they had done nothing at the Request of Prince Charles returned to Burgos His mild Nature was hurtful to Prince Charles for his Father having raised an Army tho small in Number yet composed of Old Soldiers lay'd Siege to Ayvar a well fortify'd Town His Son came to relieve the Besieged and on the 3d of October both Armies drew out Some Religious Persons laboured to reconcile the Father and Son Prince Charles was willing to lay down Arms upon Condition all that had followed him should be pardoned That the Principality of Viana and half the Revenues of the Crown should be given to him and that the King of Castile without whom he had sworn he would make no Peace should approve of these Articles The King of Navarre allowed part and rejected part of the Conditions whereupon the signal for Battle was given on both sides At first the Biamonteses made their Enemies give way but Roderick Rebolledo the King's Lord Chamberlain stood his Ground with such bravery that he gave time for those who had not engaged to come up and then they that fled before rallying endeavoured to blot out the shame of having turned their Backs Thus the Prince's Forces being an undisciplined Multitude not able to bear the Charge were put to Flight The first that ran were the Horse of Andaluzia But a few were killed many taken The Prince himself being beset delivered his Sword and Gauntlet to his Brother Alonso Authors do not write what Numbers fought or what were killed nor give any particular Account of the Battle The Prince was sent Prisoner to Tafalla and thence to Monroy It is reported he was always suspicious of being Poisoned and therefore when taken would not eat till his Brother had tasted The King of Navarre after this Victory returned to Zaragoça with his Wife who proved soon after with Child Yet the Biamonteses were no way dismayed at this Loss especially because Prince Henry came to their Assistance Besides the Nobility of Aragon favoured Prince Charles and plotted how to release him Navarre was in a miserable Condition the Country plundered by Soldiers and the Towns divided into Factions which often fell to blows In Andaluzia the Affairs of the Christians succeeded better On the 9th of February 1452 a much less party of Christians routed 600 Moorish Horse and 800 Foot who wasted the Country about Arcos D. John Ponce Earl of Arcos and Lord of Marchena commanded this Party In March 600 Horse and 1500 Foot of the Infidels were overthrown with great Slaughter by 300 Christian Horse and 2000 Foot near Lorca in the Kingdom of Murcia and a Booty of 40000 head of Cattle
done It is a wonderful thing that none of all those D. Alvaro had raised now appeared for him He was sent Prisoner to Portillo in keeping of James de Zuniga Son to the Marshal InÌigo de Zuniga This Year so remarkable in Spain for the Death of this great Man was fatal to Christendom for the loss of the City Constantinople taken by Mahomet the Great Turk after a Siege of 54 Days Great Cruelties were committed in it when entred and it has ever since been the Metropolis of the Turkish Empire Charles Prince of Viana was carryed to Zaragoça and there at the Request of the Aragonians pardon'd and set at Liberty on the 22d of June The Prince promised Obedience for the future and to withdraw his Garrisons out of all Places that held for him For Security of Performance he delivered Luis de Biamonte Earl of Lerin and Constable of Navarre and his Children with other Noblemen as Hostages The Joy for this Agreement was not lasting for new Tumults began soon after The Father's Covetousness and Son's Impatience for a long time consumed the Kingdom of Navarre as shall be related in its place Whilst the King of Castile seized upon D. Alvaro de Luna's Lands and Treasures he prepared in Prison to clear himself of the Crimes lay'd to his Charge but there was no likelyhood he should be cleared the King being his Enemy The Judges appointed to examin his Case gave Sentence of Death against him From Portillo he was carryed to Valladolid to be Executed Having confessed and received the Sacrament he was led out to Execution a Cryer proclaiming before him in manner following Our Sovereign Lord the King commands this cruel Tyrant to be Executed for that he with extraordinary Pride and Presumption to the great abuse of the Royal Majesty which is the Image of God upon Earth made himself Master of the King's Court and Palace usurping the place that did not belong to him and committed many great Crimes Extortions Rapines Violences and tyrannical Actions to the hainous offence of God and our faid Lord the King the disgrace and lessening of his Person Crown and Dignity the impairing of his Revenue and obstructing of Justice For which his Offences he is to be beheaded that the Justice of God and the King may appear and he be made an Example to deterr others from committing the like Crimes To such Actions such a Reward In the Market-place was erected a Scaffold with a Crucifix and two Flamboys on the sides of it Being upon the Scaffold he bowed to the Cross and going forward gave his Ring he used to Seal with and his Hat to his Page saying This is all I have lest to give you This moved him to weep and many followed his Example Barrasa Master of the Horse to Prince Henry being present D. Alvaro called and said to him Go warn the Prince from me not to follow this Example of his Fathers in rewarding his Servants Then seeing a high Iron hook he asked the Executioner what it was for and being told it was to fix his Head upon answered When I am dead do as thou wilt with my Body for to a brave Man neither is the manner of his Death disgraceful nor can it come too soon to him that has attained such high Honours This said he opened his Garment and without the least mark of fear bowed down his Head which was cut off on the 5th of July He was a Man in all respects great who for the space of 30 Years absolutely governed the King and directed all his Actions Alonso de Espina a Franciscan Fryar accompanied D. Alvaro de Luna to the place of Execution This Fryar wrote a Book called Fortalitium Fidei an excellent Work The dead Body remained three Days on the Scaffold with a Bason by it to gather Alms to bury him that not long before was equal to some Kings He was interred at St. Andrews the common Burial Place of Persons executed thence removed to St. Francis in that Town and lastly to his own Chappel in the Cathedral of Toledo It is reported an Astrologer told D. Alvaro his Death would be at or on Cadahalso which he supposed to be meant of a Town he had of that Name and therefore never went thither but Cadahalso in Spanish is a Scaffold But these are vain Observations The King besieged Escalona which place after the Death of D. Alvaro was surrendred by his Wife upon Condition his Treasure should be equally divided betwixt the King and her self All the rest was confiscated except the Town of Santistevan left to his Son D. John whose Daughter and Heiress married James the Son of John Pacheco and so the Earldom of Santistevan and Marquisate of Villena were united D. Alvaro had a Daughter married to InÌigo Lopez de Mendoça Duke del Infantado Also a Bastard Son and Daughter Thus much of D. Alvaro At Granada Ismael with the Assistance of the Christians and his Party among the Moors wrested the Crown from his Cousin Mahomet the Lame but being in the Throne soon forgot the Obligations he owed to the Christians In Portugal a new sort of Mony was coined called Cruzados which took that Name from the Croisade then granted by Pope Nicholas the V. to all that went to the War against the Moors in Barbary at the Request of D. Alvaro Gonzalez Bishop of Lanego CHAP. VII The Designs and Death of King John of Castile Discoveries of the Portugueses along the Coast of Africk Prince Henry proclaim'd King of Castile Peace concluded betwixt Castile Aragon and Navarre The Character of Henry the new King of Castile THE Death of D. Alvaro de Luna no way contributed to alter the Posture of Affairs for the better tho the King was resolved had he lived to take upon himself the Government and follow the Advice of the Bishop of Cuenca and Prior of Guadlupe Men of great Integrity and Piety To this purpose he sent for them both to come to Avila whither he went from Escalona He designed also to keep 8000 Horse in constant pay to be a check to his Subjects and a standing Power against Forreign Enemies Besides he resolved that every City should be impowered to Collect the Revenue that there might be no need of Farmers or Collectors who oppress the People to enrich themselves The Portugueses at this time began to make vast Discoveries along the Coast of Africk as far as the Cape of Good Hope Prince Henry Uncle to the King of Portugal being learned in Astrology and zealous of promoting the Christian Faith was the first that undertook this Affair The King of Castile pretended that Conquest appertained to him and threatned War in case the Portugues did not desist He answered he knew no wrong had been done and hoped the King of Castile would not begin a War before that dispute was decided by Law The King of Castile went to Medina del Campo and Valladolid to try
could not because that Prince being too weak to oppose the Aragonians and Earl of Faux had abandoned the Country Besides it was reported that the King of France was in League with them which moved him to pass over to France to gain that King but on a suddain altering his Resolution he decreed to go to Naples to his Uncle the King of Aragon who had sent for him determining if he would not assist him to spend his Days in Banishment By the way he visited the Pope to whom he complained of his Father's Ambition He offered to stand to the Judgment of his Holiness but all to no effect At Naples he was honourably received only the King his Uncle kindly blamed him for taking Arms against his Father The Prince in few Words excused himself for what was past and offered for the future wholly to submit to what he should Decree Roderick Vidal a Man of Quality sent into Spain to compose these Differences laboured therein with all possible Industry This Treaty was interrupted by an unexpected Accident which was that the Prince's Faction tho he was absent proclaimed him King at Pamplona which cut off all discourse of Peace The King of Castile at the request of the King of Navarre who to this effect delivered up his Son Ferdinand Hostage had an interview with him at Alfaro in March The Queens of Castile and Aragon were there present Peace was there concluded betwixt the two Kings Moreover at the Sollicitation of Luis Despuch Master of Montesa sent thither Embassador by the King of Aragon and at his Perswasion the Confederacy made with the Earl of Faux was declared void and all the Differences betwixt the King of Navarre and his Son were by Consent of both Parties referred to the King of Aragon as Arbitrator The hopes conceived of obtaining a lasting Peace by these means soon vanished as will appear hereafter In Andaluzia the Christians encamped near the Frontiers of the Moors Thither King Henry came after the Conference in the Month of April Immediately they invaded the Territories of the Moors marched in sight of Granada wasted all the Country and destroyed the Corn. A party of Christians advanced without Orders and ingaged the Enemy They were few in Number and the Enemy many consequently they were easily overthrown most of them killed and among the rest Garcilasso de la Vega a Knight of Santiago of great Renown This disaster so incensed the King that he not only burnt the Corn as he used to do but also fired the Vines and Orchards which before he spared Besides having taken a Town called Mena by Assault they put all the Inhabitants to the Sword without sparing Women or Children Thus the Moors were so humbled that they sued for and obtained Pardon A Truce was concluded for some Years by which the Infidels were obliged to pay the yearly Tribute of 12000 Ducates and to release 600 Christian Captives which Number if they had not they were to make up with Moors The Frontiers about Jaen were excepted in this Capitulation where the War was to continue and D. Garcia Manrique Earl of CastanÌeda was left to command there with 2000 Horse To encourage this War Pope Calixtus sent at the beginning of this Year his Bull granting the Croisade to the Living and Dead a thing new in Spain F. Alonso de Espina preached it up and sent Word to the King then at Palencia that the Mony collected could not be spent any other way but in the War with the Moors He brought a Priviledge that at the point of Death any that went to the War or advanced 200 Maravedies for the Expence of it might be absolved by an Priest tho he had lost his Speech so he could give any signs of Contrition Also that such as were killed should be free from the pains of Purgatory This Grant was to last four Years It raised almost 300000 Ducats Very little of it was employed against the Moors After the War was ended an Embassador came from Rome to Madrid who brought the King a Hat and Sword usually blessed on Christmas Night and sent to great Princes such as King Henry was then esteemed There is no Joy in this World perfect News was brought that the Earl of CastanÌeda pursuing a party of Moors fell into an Ambush was himself taken and most of his Men cut off Another Commander of more foresight was put in his Place The Earl was ransomed for a great sum of Mony and the Truce changed into a Peace In Italy the City Genoa was in Arms being divided into Factions The King of Aragon favoured the Adornos and John Duke of Lorrain Son to Renée Duke of Anjou who stiled himself Prince of Calabria the Tregosos Mean while the King of Aragon fell sick on the 8th of May 1458. He was very ill at Castelnovo in Naples till the 13th of June Then the Disease increasing he caused himself to be removed to the Castle del Ovo but nothing availed for he gave up the Ghost on the 27th of June at break of Day He was a most renowned Prince nothing inferior to any of the Antient ones and the Honour of Spain Besides his other Virtues he was a great encourager of Learning and very familiar with Laurence Valla Antony Panormita and Georgius Trapezuntius Men famous for their Knowledge He was much concerned at the Death of Barthlomew Faccio who writ the History of this King Hearing that a King of Spain had said Learning belonged not to a King he said that was an Expression of a Beast not of a King Many sharp and witty Sayings of this King are related which I thought needless to insert here Not long before his Death a Comet appeared betwixt Cancer and Leo whose Tail was 60 Degrees in length He made his Will the Day before he dyed In it he appoints his Brother John King of Navarre his Successor in the Kingdom of Aragon That of Naples as won by the Sword he leaves to his Bastard Son Ferdinand which was the cause of great Troubles and Wars He made no mention of the Queen his Wife It is reported by grave Authors that he designed to have been Divorced from her and to have married a Mistress he had called Lucrecia Alania There is still extant a Letter of Pope Calixtus writ with his own Hand to the Queen in which he tells her she is more beholding to him than to her Mother but that it is not convenient it should be publickly known That Lucrecia came to Rome with a Royal Retinue but could not obtain what she came about because he would not have a Hand in so great a Sin King Alonso's greatest Crime was that of Incontinency but at his Death he shewed great Tokens of Repentance and dyed like a good Christian He ordered that his Body should be buried without any Tomb at the very Church door of Poblete the Burial Place of his Ancestors A great sign of
of Jaen there appeared such a multitude of Locusts that they hid the Sun Every one interpreted this and the like Prodigies as his Fear dictated rather than according to any Reason At this time Roderick Sanchez de ârevalo who commanded the Castle of S. Angel at Rome wrote in Latin a History of Spain more Devout than Elegant It is called Palentina from the Author who was afterwards Bishop of Palencia Pope Paul II. gave him that Bishoprick at the Request of King Henry to whom he Dedicated that History The said Roderick Sanchez tho a Spaniard was very familiar with that Pope CHAP. V. Peter the Constable of Portugal dies The Rebels in Catalonia choose the Duke of Anjou for their King The Battle of Olmedo The Death of the Queen of Aragon and Prince Alonso of Castile The King recovers Toledo The Rebels of Castile Affront the Popes Legate and are Excommunicated CAstile was full of Confusion and Tumults nothing but Rapine and Murders appeared in all Places the Government being too weak to punish these Insolencies For this Reason the Towns and Cities Associated themselves and by the Kings Consent Rules were prescribed the Heads of the Association to be governed by The People generally feared left the Moores should again Conquer Spain the Kingdom being no less Debauched than in the time of King Roderick and the Archbishop of Toledo was commonly in scorn called D. Oppas which was the Name of him that had helped to betray the Country to the Infidels when they over-ran it These Divisions encouraged the Earl of Faux to invade Navarre as his Wife's Dower not content to expect the Death of his Father-in-Law tho he had blamed that forwardness in his Brother-in-Law Prince Charles Not so satisfied he resolved to oblige King Henry of Castile to deliver up those Towns of Navarre in which he had Garisons At the first onset he took the City Calahorra and laid Siege to Alfaro King Henry sent James Enriquez del Castillo his Chaplain who also wrote a Chronicle of this King to Treat with the Earl but he finding nothing was to be done by fair means gathered what Forces he could and drove him out of the Country Calahorra was also restored to the King the Townsmen expelling the Garison of the Earl of Faux In Catalonia the Aragonians in several places worsted their Enemies and recovered many Towns But what was most considerable D Peter the pretended Earl of Barcelona died at Granobla on the 29th of June His Body was buried at Barcelona He was thought to be poisoned as was very usual in those days In his Will he left that Earldom wherein he had so small a share to John Prince of Portugal his Nephew The Aragonians using the advantage of his Death took Tortosa and other Places To put a stop to all these Losses the Catalonians in a great Assembly at Barcelona chose Renee Duke of Anjou the perpetual Enemy of Aragon their King On the other side the King of Aragon sollicited the Duke of Savoy and Galeazo who had succeeded his Father Francis Sforzia in the Dukedom of Milan to join in League with him He also Courted the English and at the beginning of the year 1467 sent Peter Peralta his Constable to Castile to join in League with the Confederate Lords For the better compassing his Ends he gave Commission to Treat of Matching his Daughter Joanna with Prince Alonso and his Son Ferdinand with Beatrix Daughter to the Marquis of Villena Neither of these Marriages had effect The Earl of Benavente at this time got Prince Alonso from the Archbishop of Toledo for pretending to Entertain him in his Castle of Portillo when he had him in he'kept him yet not long after at the perswasion of the Marquis de Villena restored him to the Rebellious Lords Thus all things tended to open War which King Henry earnestly desiring to prevent condescended again to have Two Conferences with the Marquis de Villena but all to no effect notwithstanding the Earl of Plasencia's Lady a Person of great Parts and well affected towards the King was present in hopes she would reduce her Husband and some others The Marquess de Villena was more subtle to gain an Advantage than King Henry to disappoint him Another Interview was appointed at Plasencia which the Loyal Nobility were concerned at saying it was Lessening of the King to have so many Conferences with a Subject At the beginning of Summer the King removed from Madrid to Segovia and the Rebels possessed themselves of Olmedo Peter de Silva Commandant of the Garison delivered it up Mota de Medina belonged to the Archbishop of Toledo and there was danger it would fall into the hands of the Lords King Henry moved by all these Affronts ordered great Levies to be made Then he summoned the Nobility There came to him the Earl of Medina Celi the Bishop of Calahorra the Duke of Albuquerque who till then had been absent from Court and Peter Hernandez de Velasco who being pardoned his former Fault was now sent by his Father with 700 Horse and a good Body of Foot For this Service he had the Tenths of the Admiralty granted him So great Fear had possessed the King and he was so desirous to gain the Nobility that to secure the Marquis of Santillana he delivered up his Daughter Joanna to be kept by him in his Town of Buytrago Every one sold his Service the dearest he could The King having gathered a good Army marched towards Medina but being come to Olmedo the Rebels drew out to hinder his Passage King Henry was desirous to avoid fighting but could not contain his Men. Upon the 20th of August the Two Armies met and after a sharp Engagement parted again upon equal Terms yet both sides pretended to the Victory Night separated them the Rebels returned to Olmedo and the King with his Forces which were 2000 Foot and 1700. Horse marched on to Medina del Campo King Henry was not in the Fight being advised by Peter Peralta not to hazard his Person Some were of Opinion he meant not honestly being a Friend to the Rebels Neither was the Marquess de Villena there being then at a Chapter of the Order of Santiago where he was chosen Master which made the Nobility very jealous seeing him Preferred and Rewarded when he deserved the severest Punishment Ellenor Countess of Faux Governed Navarre for her Father Nicholas Echavaria Bishop of Pamplona recovered Urania which till then was held by the Castilians A Son of this Ladies called Gaston as was his Father had at this time by his Wife Magdalen Sister to Louis King of France a Son called Francis who for his great Beauty had the Sirname of Phaebeus His Daughter Catherine her Brother dying by Marriage united the State of Albret and Crown of Navarre as shall appear in its place The King of Aragon resided at Tarragona to be near to give Orders for carrying on the War in Catalonia
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
he perswaded him to send for his Sister This done he sent Beatrix de Babadilla his Wife in a Disguise like a Country Woman to Aranda where she advised the Princess to go away with speed to Segovia assuring her of her Brothers Kindness and that at worst she could be safe in the Castle Having agreed upon it the Lady Beatrix returned to her Husband and the Princess soon followed and came into the Castle of Segovia on the 28th of December preceding the beginning of the year 1474. Her coming surprized the Town and Court and the Marquiss of Villena suspecting some Design against him withdrew to Ayllon a Town not far from thence King Henry received the News in the Forest of Balsain where he was Hunting He immediately returned to Segovia and visited his Sister Both testified much Joy at their Meeting and spent a long time in private At parting the Princess recommended her Affairs to the King who answered he would consider of it Next night they supped together in the Castle and the 3d day the Princess appeared a Horseback in the Streets the King himself holding her Bridle This was a Joyful day to Spain none doubting but it would put an end to so many Troubles To add to the Publick Satisfaction King Ferdinand by the Advice of his Wife came to Segovia On the day of the Epiphany the Two Kings and Queen appeared together in publick and afterwards Dined together in the Bishops House where Andrew de Cabrera Treated them Magnificently James Enriquez del Castillo writes that D. Roderick de Villandro Earl of Ribadeo Dined with them by virtue of a Priviledge granted to his Father as was said in its place of Dining with the King upon New-Years-Day After the Dinner there was a Ball and then a Collation But all this Joy was allayed by the King's Indisposition who being taken with a violent Pain in his Side was carried away to his Palace It was suspected by the People he was Poisoned and their Opinion gained Credit because he never after had his Health and died within a year But these were only Surmises publick Prayers were made for his Health and he was somewhat eased As soon as the King recovered Articles were proposed between him and his Sister The Princess demanded to be Sworn Heiress of the Crown and promised if that were done to be always Obedient to him as also to deliver up her Daughter as a Hostage to be kept by Andrew de Cabrera On the other side the Earl of Benavente required the Princess Joanna should be Married to D. Henry of Aragon and threatned if it were not Granted to break off any Agreement designed betwixt the King and his Sister All the other Nobles and Courtiers were divided as their Interest led them The Family of Mendoça both Numerous and Powerful began to incline to the Princess Elizabeth For that very Reason the Archbishop of Toledo was for siding with the Princess Joanna King Henry was irresolute D. John Pacheco the Master of Santiago advised him by Night to secure the City and apprehend his Sister and her Husband promising to Assist him in it This design was discovered and King Ferdinand immediately withdrew to Turuegano The Princess Elizabeth resolved to keep Possession of the Castle of Segovia where all the Royal Treasure lay After their parting the two Kings Henry and Ferdinand met again accidentally The Earl of Benavente had some time before the Town of Carrion given him by King Henry which he Fortified The Marquess de Santillana was offended at it and perswaded the Earl of TrevinÌo to Surprize it He did so and the Marquess Marched from Guadalajara with Forces to Support him The Earl of Benavente moved from Segovia to take Revenge of them both and many of the Nobility flocked with Forces to favour the Party they inclined to King Ferdinand Marched with some Troops to Assist the Marquess de Santillana and King Henry planted himself between the two Armies to perswade them to an Accommodation which he effected The Earl of Benavente wholly referred himself to the King and consented to Raze the Castle of Carrion and resign the Town to the Crown the Archbishop of Toledo giving him the Town of Magan in lieu of it After this the Marquess saw the Princess Elizabeth at Segovia whence he returned to Guadalajara with a resolution to change Parties King Henry having been at Valladolid and Segovia went to Madrid at the perswasion of D. John Pacheco He perswaded the King to go to the Borders of Portugal to make a Match for the Princess Joanna with the King of Portugal but his main design was to take Possession of Truxillo which was given him by the King Gracian de Sesse Governor of the Castle refused to deliver it up till what he had laid out upon it was Refunded and his Accounts passed King Henry finding his indisposition increase upon him returned to Madrid The Master of Santiago being also taken ill was carried on Mens Shoulders to Truxillo He designed to perswade the Governor to Surrender the Castle but died suddenly of a swelling in his Cheek whence so much Blood gushed that it Choaked him It is said the last Words he spoke were only to ask whether the Castle were Surrendred His death was kept private till the Castle was delivered up In lieu of it the Governor had the Town of S. Felix in Galicia given to him and his Heirs an unfortunate Gift to him for in a Mutiny the People of that Town stoned him to death The Aragonians and French were at variance about Rusillon and Cerdagne the former endeavouring to Recover those Counties and the latter pleading their Rights to them by way of Mortgage Thus both Parties prepared to renew the War after the expiration of the Truce Nevertheless John Folch Earl of Cardona and Hugo de Rocaberti Castellan of Amposta were sent Ambassadors to France with a splendid Retinue to endeavour the composing this Affair amicably They pretended the Money was not lent in time and that contrary to the Agreement John Duke of Lorrain had been supported out of France As the Ambassadors returned without concluding any thing they were detained at Lyons contrary to all Law and Equity Those Lords being detained in France the Aragonians durst not attempt any thing Yet the beginning of the Summer 500 French Horse Commanded by John Alonso Lord of Aluda entred Rusillon and joyning with the French Garrisons sat down before Elna the lower part thereof as being weak the Citizens abandoned The King of Aragon then held the Cortes of Catalonia at Barcelona and prepared for War tho' Aged and sick of a Quartan Ague He had no great Force and therefore sought to get Supplies from abroad King Ferdinand of Naples sent him 500 Horse by Sea Ferdinand his Son in June possessed himself of Tordesillas a good Town in Old Castile being invited thither by the Townsmen to oppose Peter Mendavia Governor of Castro NunÌo who
Ferdinand was won to make this Match by a great Sum of Money offered him whereof he stood in great need The King of Portugal finding all things combined against him resolved to leave Castile but with a design to procure Forces out of France to March into Spain since of himself he was too weak and the Nobles that followed his Party either could not or would not support him Before his departure he proposed a Peace offering to refer himself wholly to the Arbitration of the King of Aragon and Archbishop of Toledo But the War being near ended it was too late to harken to such proposals He left the Earl of Marialva to Command at Toro and returned to Portugal on the 13th of June Some Gentlemen of Castile bore him Company being resolved to stick by him rather because they despaired of Pardon than out of any affection CHAP. V. The Tumults of Navarre The King of Portugal his Voyage into France Toro recovered by the Castilians from the Portugueses Several other Places retaken Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy and Galeazzo Duke of Milan Murdered IN Russillon and Cerdagne the French notwithstanding the Truce had taken Salsas a strong Castle opposite to Narbonne the Bulwark of Spain and laid Siege to Lebia a strong Town in Ampurias Besides this the Soldiers under Luis Mudarra who had served well at the Siege of Perpignan Mutinied for their Pay They took several Towns and made War as if they had been Enemies and it was feared they would join with the French There was no sufficient Force to suppress them therefore the King's Party in Lerida gave them Security that they should receive their Pay and by that means they were pacified Still they were not strong enough to oppose the French the King of Aragon being then in Navarre where the Factions ran as high as ever The Biamonteses had the better being possessed of Pamplona and having laid Siege to Estela King Ferdinand also favoured them which much offended his Father and it was requisite to provide that the French might not get Footing there Those People were perswaded the King of Aragon and Princess Elenor contrived to deliver up the Kingdom of Navarre to King Ferdinand and exclude Francis Phebus the Son of Gaston Earl of Faux Grandson to the Princess Ellenor King Ferdinand went to Biscay to appease the Tumults and Relieve Fuenterabia For the Relief of that Place he ordered a Fleet to be provided which he gave in charge to D. Ladron de Guevera a Noble Person To settle the Affairs of Navarre he desired his Father to give him a meeting at Vitoria Queen Ellzabeth resided at Tordesillas on the River Duero to Curb the Portugues Garison of Toro D. Alonso de Aragon her Brother in Law was also there with 300 Horse and despairing now of being Restored to the Mastership of Calatrava he Married Ellenor de Soto one of the Queens Lady's the Pope having dispensed with his Vow of Chastity This so incensed his Father the King of Aragon that he took from him the Towns of Ribagorça and Villahermosa and gave them to D. John his Bastard Son D. Jaime de Aragon pretended these Places belonged to him by Inheritance and took up Arms to defend his Right but it cost him his Life The Citizens of Segovia Mutinied and Besieged the Castle where was the Princess Elizabeth and it was given out they had taken it Alonso Maldonado raised this Tumult in hatred to D. Andrew de Cabrera who put him out from being Lieutenant D. John Arias Bishop of the City and Luis de Mesa assisted him Queen Elizabeth repaired thither with Speed and pacified that Insurrection some of the Mutiniers fled others were Executed In August the King of Aragon came to Vitoria being detained till then by a sore Foot There with great Joy to see his Son King of Castile whence he had been himself formerly Expelled he embraced and kissed him He would not suffer him to kiss his Hand but gave him the Right The Princess Ellenor was present at this meeting They consulted about their Affairs and some write that the King of Aragon had resolved to resign up that Crown to his Son but desisted because Castile was not then entirely Reduced and Colora the French Admiral was gone with a Fleet to Portugal to carry that King into France He was then preparing for that Voyage and being in a readiness Sailed first over into Africk to secure his Conquests there With him went the Duke of Bragança the Earl of PenÌafiel his Favourite the Prior of Ocrato and D. John Pimentel Brother to the Earl of Benavente He carried 250 Men to reinforce the Garrisons of Tangier and and Arzila From Ceuta he set Sail and Landed at Colvire in September whence he went to Perpignan and Narbonne and was received Magnificently His coming revived the War in Russillon The Aragonians took the Town of St. Laurence the French wasted the Territory of Ampurias But the worst was that the Natives were in an Uproar and therefore could not oppose the Enemy At the same time the King of Aragon returned from Vitoria to Tudela being very desirous to put an end to the Troubles of Navarre The Princess Joanna was left to Govern Catalonia during her Fathers absence Knowing her own weakness she endeavoured to come to an Accommodation and Ambassadors were sent on both sides but all they could Conclude was a Prolongation of the Truce The King of Portugal made the best of his way to Tours where the King of France was at that time He was sumptuously Received and Entertained After the Ceremony of the Reception was over he laid his Case before the King of France declaring the justice of his Cause and imploring his Aid That King promised his labour in coming to him should not be lost but his Actions were not answerable to his Words for at Paris whither the King of Portugal followed him he excused himself upon account that the English and Burgundians had again declared War against him Besides he pleaded the King of Portugal's Marriage with the Princess was not Lawful by reason they were too near of Kin. The King of Portugal thus disappointed went to meet the Duke of Burgundy his Kinsman and Ally hoping to be a Mediator betwixt him and France but without any Success The War that broke out in France was advantageous to Castile for the French who Besieged Fuenterabia concluded a Truce with the Biscayners for a short time at first and only by Land but soon after by the Solicitation of the Cardinal of Spain it was prolonged and without that limitation After their parting at Vitoria the two Kings Father and Son met again in October at Tudela to endeavour to quell the Tumults of Navarre The Earl of Lerin and the Constable Peter Peralta who were Heads of the Factions came thither and promised to stand by what the two Kings should determine Both Parties ingaged to stand to Judgment and within 16
Months to appoint Arbitrators who were to decide all Controversies This much offended the Lady Magdalen Wife that was to the late Gaston Earl of Faux fearing it was a contrivance to exclude her Children their Fathers Inheritance Berengarius de Sos Dean of Barcelona was sent Ambassador to appease that Lady and advise her not to mistrust the Kings of Castile and Aragon nor join with France She was then at Pau a Town in Bearne and answered she thanked them and would always endeavour rather to promote Peace than War On the 5th of October the Articles of Marriage betwixt Ferdinand King of Naples and Joanna Daughter to the King of Aragon were Sign'd at Tudela The Lady was Contracted at Cervera a Town in Catalonia and from thence forward she was called Queen of Naples Beatrix Daughter to the King of Naples was at the same time Married to Mathias King of Hungary She was a virtuous Lady but Barren and consequently had no Issue by him nor by King Ladislaus his Sucessor whom she afterwards Married Mean while the City Toro in Castile was surprized in the Night by D. Alonso de Fonseca Bishop of Avila and D. Frederic Son to D. Roderick Manrique Earl of Parades A Shepherd called Bartholomew shewed them how it might be scaled on that side which was least regarded by reason of a Morass that lay before it Having entred the Town they Besieged the Castle and Queen Elizabeth hearing the news repaired thither with speed from Segovia where she had been appeasing the late Tumult Mary Wife to John de Ulloa surrendred that Fortress on the 19th of October Her Son in Law the Earl of Marialva who Commanded in those parts quitted another Fort called Villalfonso near Toro and retired into Portugal There remained CastronunÌo from which Place Peter de Mendoza an able Soldier did great harm to the neighbouring Country For this reason the Kings Forces after the taking of Toro laid Siege to that Place and planted their Artillery which was carried thither with much labour Great application was made at the same time to reduce the Marquess de Villena and Archbishop of Toledo The Marquess seemed most inclinable to Submit but demanded the restitution of Villena and above 20 Towns taken from him in that Neighbourhood The Archbishop was more obstinate tho the King of Aragon ceased not to advise to compound with him at any rate But that Business was not yet ripe They began by the Marquess de Villena and promised to restore to him his whole Estate provided he surrendred the Castles of Madrid and Truxillo which still held for him The same offer was made to the Archbishop of Toledo D. Lope de AcunÌa his Nephew delivered up the City Huete which had been given him with the Title of a Duke in the time of his troubles by King Henry At the same time were killed two powerful Princes Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy and Galeazzo Duke of Milan Murdered in the Church whilst he was at Mass CHAP. VI. King Ferdinand possesses himself of the Mastership of Santiago in Trust which has ever since continued in the King 's of Spain War with the Moores of Andaluzia The King of Portugal after having Abdicated his Crown returns home and is restored by his Son QUeen Elizabeth wisely put an end to a Debate that arose about the Mastership of Santiago D. Roderick Manrique Earl of Paredes who called himself Master of Santiago and was famous for taking the Town of Huescar from the Moores died in November at Vcles His Son George Manrique wrote a learned Elegy upon his death D. Alonso de Cardenas his Competitor being dead resolved to go to Vcles with armed Men and force the Electors to chuse him Many other great Men aimed at that Dignity The King and Queen consulted at Toro what was best to be done in that Case and resolved rather to make use of Cunning than Force The King staied at Toro but the Queen made such haste to Vcles that as Ferdinand del Pulgar writes she came to that Place in three Days from Valladolid She perswaded the Knights to go with her to OcanÌa which being a bigger Town and strong they might with more Security proceed upon their Election There by the means of D. Alonso de Fonseca Bishop of Avila and her Secretary Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo she prevailed upon them that to avoid Contention they should for some time Create King Ferdinand her Husband Administrator of that Dignity This was it that first weakened the power of that Order and soon after those of Calatrava and Alcantara followed their example Yet it was not long before the King and Queen conserred that Honour upon D. Alonso de Cardenas only obliging him to pay a certain Pension towards carrying on the War with the Moores which highly offended the other Nobles who thought they had as well deserved as he King Ferdinand having settled the affairs of Old Castile and concluded a Truce with the Enemy went away to Ocana at the beginning of the Year 1477. Then he again pardoned and received into his favour the Earl of UrenÌa who now seemed perfectly reconciled From OcanÌa he went with the Queen to Toledo where in pursuance of a Vow made if they overcame the King of Portugal she ordered to be Built the famous Monastery of Franciscans still to be seen in that City and called St. Juan de los Reyes Thence they removed to Madrid and there received Advice that the Portugueses infested the Country about Badajor and Cuidad Rodrigo D. Gomer de Figueroa Earl of Feria was sent before to oppose them and the Queen followed soon after towards the Frontiers of Portugal King Ferdinand staied at Madrid in hopes to reduce the Archbishop of Toledo but he was so obstinate he would not see the King Therefore on the 24th of March the King set out for Old Castile to endeavour to pacifie Navarre which again laboured under the former Factions the Agramonteses having taken Estela and the Princess Elenor labouring to recover it with her own and the Forces of Castile At the same time the King and Queen were surprized with the News that Albohacen King of Granada notwithstanding the Truce which had lasted several Years had broke into the Kingdom of Murcia with 4000 Horse and 30000 Foot This attempt terrified the Christians who were wholly unprovided and the more for that on the 6th of April he took a little Town called Ciesa by Storm which he burnt and put all the Inhabitants to the Sword Besides he took a great booty of Cattle and returned home without any loss tho Peter Faxardo Lieuteannt of Murcia endeavoured to oppose him The harm done was not so great but that Castile not being yet pacified there was no hopes of taking revenge Cantalapiedra and CastronunÌo two Castles that held for the Portugueses were again besiged and forced to surrender The People were so incensed against CastronunÌo for the harm had been done
20 Days Of Disposition he was Robust and of Spirit Lively The latter part of his Life was stained with a leud Appetite tho he was past acting for he fixed his Affection upon a handsome young Woman called Frances Rose whom he design'd to have formerly Married to that D. Jayme de Aragon who was Executed at Barcelona In his Will made 10 Years before his Death he ordained several godly Works to be performed Particularly the Erecting Two Monasteries of the Order of St. Hierome which are famous at this time One of them is St. Engracia at Zaragoça the other St. Mary de Belpuch in Catalonia his Son exactly performing all that he had ordained He also ordered that the Grandsons of his Son Ferdinand tho' by a Daughter should Inherit the Crown of Aragon and take place of their Mothers CHAP. VIII Elenor Queen of Navarre The troubles of that Kingdom and her Death The Countess of Medellin raises Tumults in Castile Portugueses overthrown by the Castilians Heretical Opinions Started and Condemned in Spain King Ferdinand goes into Aragon BY the Death of the King of Aragon his Dominions were divided Aragon fell to King Ferdinand and Navarre to the Princess Elenor in the Right of her Mother She had been 7 Years a Widow and consequently exposed to great Misfortunes That Kingdom was still divided betwixt the old Factions The Biamonteses Enemies to the new Queen were most prevalent These troubles seemed to be a Judgment for the Murders committed upon Charles Prince of Viana the Princess Blanch his Sister and the Bishop of Pamplona Queen Ellenor Reigned not a whole Month. She was more Fortunate in her Issue than in her Life for she had 4 Sons Gaston John Peter and James and 5 Daughters Mary Joanna Marguerite Catherine and Ellenor we shall briefly speak of them all great Families being descended from them Gaston died as was said before and left two Children Francis Phebus and Catherine who both Reigned in Navarre successively John was Lord of Narbonne which he bought of his Father and had Issue Gaston and Germana Gaston was killed at the Battle of Ravenna where he was General for Luis the 12th of France Germana Married King Firdinand after the death of his first Wife Peter applied himself to learning and piety and Pope Sixtus made him a Cardinal James followed the War and was never Married Mary the Eldest Daughter was Married to William Marquess of Monferrat Joanna to John Earl of Armagnac Margaret to Francis Duke of Britany and had Issue Ann and Elizabeth Ann the Heiress being Married first to Charles the 8th and after his death to Luis the 12th of France joined that Dukedom and Kingdom Catherine 4th Daughter to Queen Ellenor Married Gaston de Faux Earl of Candale and brought forth 2 Sons and a Daughter called Anne Married to Ladislaus King of Hungary Ellenor the Youngest Daughter died a Maid Queen Ellenor died on the 12th of February at Tudela where she began her Reign In her Will she Ordained out of her own Money a Monastery of Franciscans should be Built at Tafalla and that her Body should be Buried there and the Bones of her Mother Queen Blanch be also Translated thither from the Monastery of Nuestra SenÌora de Nieva in Old Castile where they were deposited The Revenue was so exhausted that she was forced to Sell her Jewels to Live Francis Phebus so called for his extraordinary Beauty being but 11 Years of Age succeeded her His Mother the Lady Magdalen and his Uncle Peter the Cardinal had the Administration of the Government till he came to Years and discharged their Trust Prudently in those difficult Times The late Queen during her Troubles had no help from her Brother the King of Castile therefore she made no mention of him in her Will but directed the Governors to Adhere to France as they did which was the Cause they soon lost that Kingdom Thus much of Navarre In Castile some new Oppinions in matters of Religion were broached One Peter Oxomensis a Professor of Divinity at Salamanca was the Author By Order of Pope Sixtus the Archbishop of Toledo assembled several Persons of great Learning at Alcala where he Refided who all Condemned those new Opinions and the Author was Excommunicated unless he recanted Sentence was given on the 24th of May and soon after Pope Sixtus confirmed it by his Bull. John Prexanus a famous Divine in that Age. afterwards Bishop of Cuidad Rodrigo wrote a Book against the said Peter The Marquisate of Villena was now the Seat of War for the Marquess because Covenants were not performed with him had recourse to Arms and relieved the Town of Chinchilla besieged by the King's Forces Peter Ruiz de Alarcon who Commanded a Party of the King 's was defeated near Alberca by Peter de Baeça and D. George Manrique who in another Skirmish with Peter de Baeça was Wounded of which hurt he afterwards died A great pitty that so ripe a Wit should be so soon cut off Hereupon the Marquess was liable as having been in Arms against the King's Forces He excused himself laying the blame upon the Insolency of those Officers who forced him to do so and pleaded he had no dealings either with the King of Portugal or Archbishop of Toledo These excuses whether True or Counterfeit prevented any farther proceedings against him In this War there happned an extraordinary accident worth Relating The King's Party had hanged 6 of the Prisoners they took In revenge John Berrio an Officer of the Marquess ordered as many of those he had taken to be put to death in the same manner The Prisoners cast Lots and among the rest it fell to the share of one of 2 Brothers that were Prisoners who had a Wife and Children to die The other Brother who was a Batchellor begged to be put to death in his place and so it was done after they had both long and with many Tears contended about it King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth received the News of King John's Death and their own Accession to the Crown of Aragon in Estremadura where they were quelling the Tumults raised by the Countess of Medellin and D. Alonso de Mânrey The Countess had a Spirit above a Woman for she kept her own Son D. John Portocarrero some years a Prisoner and at last turned him out of Doors which was the cause she was in Arms fearing lest she should be obliged to restore the Earldom to her Son who laid Claim to it as his Father's Inheritance She also designed to keep the City Merida in which she had a Garison D. Alonso was digusted that the Mastership of Alcantara was taken from him and given to D. John de ZunÌiga upon which Pretence he seized several Towns belonging to that Military Order The King provided for the War with Portugal which it was feared would prove more bloody than before yet both Parties being exhausted a Treaty was proposed This was the more Welcome to
about 4000 Foot were either slain or taken All the Booty was recovered Having received the news of this Victory Queen Elizabeth went away to the Borders of Navarre to hasten the Marriage betwixt her Son and that Queen And King Ferdinand hasted to Andaluzia to prosecute the War Being come to Cordova it was resolved to raise greater Forces because after the taking of Boabdil the Moores were again united under Albohacen and he had recovered Granada notwithstanding many of the Citizens hated him for his Cruelty and Avarice King Ferdinand at the head of 6000 Horse and 40000 Foot destroyed the Suburbs of Yiora and having taken Tajara by Assault utterly destroyed it Thence he Marched and Encamping on the plain of Granada sent out Parties who burnt and destroyed all about them King Albohacen having no confidence in the Citizens durst not venture out of the City and onely some small Parties came out to endeavour to pick up Staglers That King sent to offer the Earl of Cifuentes and Nine more of the principal Prisoners he had taken for his Son Boabdil He also proposed Conditions of Peace but such as were haughty and violent King Ferdinand answered he was not come to receive but to give Laws and would not hear of any Peace till they laid down their Arms. The Marquess of Cadiz and others ceased not to perswade the King to release Boabdil because it was a mean to keep the Enemy divided which would redound to our advantage King Ferdinand having wasted the Country and lest a good Garrison in Albama under the Command of Ynigo Lopez de Mendoca Earl of Tendilla returned to Cordova Thither the Moorish King was brought Prisoner from the Castle of Porcuna Being come before the King he offered to kiss his Hand but King Ferdinand Embraced and Entertained him courteously After some time they concluded a League upon these Conditions That Boabdil should give his Eldest Son and 12 other Sons of the principal Moores as Hostages that he would always continue faithful to King Ferdinand That he should pay the yearly Tribute of 12000 Ducats and come to the Cortes when Summoned That in Five years time he should Release 400 Christian Slaves Upon these terms he was dismissed King Ferdinand having Garrisoned all Towns thereabouts and given the Government of Ezija and general Command of those Frontiers to D. Luis Fernandez Portocarrero set out towards the Queen At the same time 1500 Moorish Horse and 4000 Foot under the Command of Bexir Governor of Malaga broke into the Territory of Utrera but were overthrown by Portocarrero and the Marquess of Cadiz near Guadalete In memory of this good Service it was granted to the Marquesses of Cadiz for ever that they should have the Suit of Cloaths the King of Spain wore upon every Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Lady which is in September Within the same Month the Marquess recovered Zahara by surprize King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth went to Vitoria tho' with small hopes that the Marriage designed would take effect The Lady Magdalen pleaded the Queen her Daughter was Marriageable and the Prince but a Child At Vitoria the Earl of Cabra and James Fernandez de Cordova were received with extraordinary Honour the Cardinal of Toledo with all the Nobility by the King's Order going out of Town to meet them A Pension of 100000 Maravedies was given to the Earl of Cabra for his Life and to his paternal Coat of Arms was added a Kings Head Crowned within an Orle of 7 Colours betokening that number taken from the Enemy in their Retreat from Lucena The Winter Floods carryed away a great part of the Wall of Alhama and the Garrison was for abandoning the Place but the Earl of Tendilla caused a Cloth painted in such manner that the defect could not be perceived to be spread along that part By this project they gained time to repair the Damage before the Enemy understood the Cheat. For want of Money to pay the Garrison he gave them Pastboard Tickets with his name on the one Side and the value they were to go for on the other promising to make them good as soon as the danger was over On the 15th of November the Pope gave a Cardinal's Cap to D. John de Melguerite Bishop of Girona He wrote a brief History of the Kings of Spain called Paralipomena but enjoyed that Dignity only a few Months His Body lies at Rome in the Church of our Lady de Populo The troubles in Navarre did not cease and the old Factions grew strong through the general Contempt of the Government To add to all former Misfortunes a new War broke out John Viscount Narbonne Unckle to Queen Catherine pretended to have Right to that Kingdom before his Nephews and alledged that a Woman could not Inherit the Crown The truth is he had no Right and therefore by force of Arms brought all the Earldom of Faux into Subjection To put an end to these troubles it was thought convenient to hasten the Queen's Marriage The Lady Magdalen her Mother was for Marrying of her in France The People pleaded she ought not to Marry without advice of the Cortes and thereupon the Inhabitants of Tudela protested if she were disposed of otherwise they would deliver up the Town to King Ferdinand He at the beginning of the Year 1484 held the Cortes of Aragon at Taraçona where nothing remarkable was done only at first the Catalonians pleaded they ought not to be summoned out of their own Province yet at last they submitted Mean while Catherine Queen of Navarre was married to John d' Albret Lord of Perigeux Limoges Dreux and many other Places This Match produced new troubles in Navarre King Ferdinand designing to make his advantage of those Confusions stayed there himself and sent his Queen to provide for the War in Andaluzia Albohaâen kept up his Authority and his Son Boahdil had much ado to maintain the Title of King in the City Almeria that People hating him as a Friend to the Christians their Preachers employed by his Father never oeasing to rail at him About 10000 Men from Sevil and Cordova in April wasted all the Lands of Malaga No relief came to the Moores out of Africk either because that People was ingaged in other Wars or because our Fleet Commanding the Sea gave them no opportunity to stir All our Force being on that side the Genoeses under the Command of Jordieto Doria ravaged all the coasts of Catalonia and Valencia A Fleet was therefore rigged upon that Coast to Curb the Insolency of those Pyrates Some troubles in Ecclesiastical Affairs required the presence of King Ferdinand to settle them Luis Despuch Master of Montesa dying the Knights chose D. Philip Boyl in his Place but King Ferdinand pleading that by virtue of a Bull granted him by the Pope no Master of a Military Order could be Elected without his Consent the new Elect was Deposed and Charles late Duke of Viana
Burgos were sufficient to withstand the Power of the Enemy retired himself to the Castle of Santangelo and sent Word to the Duke to retire lest some misfortune should happen to him In fine the King with his whole Army entred Rome upon the last day of December preceding the Year 1495 all the People and some of the Cardinals making great expressions of Joy He Lodged himself in the Pallace of S. Mark At this time died the Cardinal of Spain at Guadalajara upon the 11th day of January aged 67 Years and 3 Months He was a noble Person excellently qualified and had a great hand in the Government all his Life-time He Founded a College at Valladolid and ordered in his Will an Hospital to be Built at Toledo to which he left all he was Worth The See of Toledo vacant by his death the King would have given to his Son Alonso Archbishop of Zaragoça but the Queen would not consent She offered it to D. Peter de Oropesa one of her Council but he would not accept of it therefore it was given to F. Francis Ximenes de Cisneros a Friar Minor of known Piety and Virtue but of mean extraction When promoted to the Archbishoprick he was the Queen's Confessor some Years after he was made Cardinal At Rome the Pope and King of France agreed that the Cardinal of Valencia should go with the King as Legate that the Great Turk's Brother should be delivered to him and that the Castles of Civita Vecchia Terraçina and Spoleto should be in his Power during the War Hereupon the King obliged himself to cause the City Ostia to be restored to the Pope after the War and to do Homage himself to the Pope as he did a few days after in the Palace of S. Peter This done the King set out from Rome on the 28th of January taking his way towards Naples whence advice was brought that the City Aquila and many other Places had voluntarily submitted to him King Ferdinand of Spain understanding what was done and of the Affront offered to the Pope resolved to declare To this purpose he sent Antony de Fonseca and John d' Albion to require the King of France to forbear making War on the Lands of the Church since he well knew the Pope and all that belonged to him ought to be exempted by the late Treaty At the same time he sent the Earl of Trivento to Command the Fleet that was fitting at Alicant and Gonçalo Fernandez de Cordova with 500 Horse by Land The Ambassadors came to Rome the same Day the King set out from thence and immediately following gave him their Credentials in the Field as he was on Horseback requiring him not to proceed further without making Satisfaction to the Church The King was surprized and said he would answer at Velitre There they delivered their Embassie more at large complaining of the Wrongs and Affronts offered to the Pope and requiring him not to proceed as to the Affair of Naples till the Case were decided in Judgment After much contesting the King said he was come too far to go back and therefore would stand to Judgment when he had conquered the Kingdom Then Antony de Fonseca replied Since your Majesty will have it so and is resolved to be tried by the Sword God the Defence of the Innocent shall be the Judge in this Cause The King my Master has done his Duty and is now left free to employ his Forces as he shall think fit This said in the presence of the King and his Council he tore the Articles of the late Agreement betwixt the Two Kings A bold Action which had almost provoked him to lay hold of him but he returned to Rome This Embassie encouraged the Pope not to stand by the late Capitulation and the next Night the Cardinal of Valencia in a Disguise stole away from Velitre He took not the Road to Rome lest it should be thought he fled by Order of the Pope but went to Spoleto a strong City belonging to the Church Whilst the King of France was yet at Rome Alonso King of Naples who had not yet reigned a whole Year resolved to Abdicate and to that intent assembled all the Nobility and his Council to whom he delivered himself in this manner You are all sensible of the dangerous Posture of our Affairs The Powerful Enemy presses upon us and yet the French do not make more haste to advance than our own People to declare for them Foreign Succours are far off and they who ought to relieve us seem least concerned at our Misfortunes I will complain of no body my Sins are the cause of this sad Disaster and it is fit he who is the occasion of it should suffer My Life is in the hands of God what I have to offer up is the Crown which I take from my own Head as unworthy of it and transfer it to my Son whose Worth you all know It is a good Change since in lieu of a Sickly Man I give you a Young and Valiant King I wish things were in that Condition that I might shew to the World how little I value its Grandeur but it is also Prudence to submit to Necessity In fine I am resolved since I cannot be useful in this time of need to quit my dear Country rather than be a Witness of its Misfortunes Perhaps this voluntary Sacrifice I make of my self may appease God's Wrath and incline the Hearts of Men to defend you It is needless to put you in mind of your Duty to your King nor him of the Care he is to have of his Subjects This Act of Resignation was performed on the 23d of January in the Castle del Ovo Thence he shipped himself with his private Treasure which was great for Sicily resolving to spend the rest of his Life in the Habit of a Priest in the City Mazara He writ to several Princes particularly King Ferdinand giving his Reasons for resigning the Crown but the truth is he did it because he was grown odious to his Subjects He lived not a Year after but spent his time in the Exercise of Virtue His Body is buried in the Cathedral of Meçina As soon as the New King was possessed of the Government he showed himself abroad in the City and to gain the Good-will of the People ordered a great Number of Prisoners to be set at liberty as well of the Nobility as Commons only excepting John Baptista Marçano Son to Marino Marçano Prince of Rosano and Duke of Sessa as also the Earl of Populo who were both in Prison since the time of the Barons Wars and were mortal Enemies to the House of Aragon This done he set out of Naples towards his Army which lay at S. German on the Borders of the Kingdom where it confines on the Lands of the Church He left his Unkle Frederick Prince of Altamura Governour of Naples The King of France coming to S. German the Town surrendered
the Cardinal of St. Peter but he was disappointed The French had often urged that since King Frederick being of a Bastard Family could have no Title to the Kingdom of Naples the Right must either be in the King of France or Spain and therefore it were fit they should agree about it The Catholick King was for standing to the Determination of the Emperor This proposal did not please the French King who offered if the King of Spain would resign up his Pretensions he would make him amends in Money or otherwise and offered the Kingdom of Navarre This Affair was debated at Medina del Campa whither the French Ambassadors came to King Ferdinand They offered the whole Province of Calabria upon Condition that if after the Conquest of the Kingdom if their King had a mind to it himself he should give the Catholick King the Kingdom of Navarre and 30000 Ducats a Year Yet King Ferdinand rather inclined to have Frederick left in possession he paying to the French a Sum of Money towards the Expence of the War and a certain Tribute yearly It was also proposed that the Duke of Calabria should Marry the Daughter of the Duke of Bourbon Niece to the French King Thus the Ambassadors were dismissed and because it was believed the War would again break out after the Expiration of the Truce the Catholick King endeavoured to secure himself on the side of Navarre He demanded of that King some strong Holds for his Security and appointed the Constable Bernardin de Velasco General upon that Frontier The same Precautions were used on the side of Russillon There hapned a Mutiny at Perpignan betwixt the Townsmen and Soldiers and D. Henry the General coming to part them was wounded on the Head with a stone whereof he died The Duke of Alva succeeded in that Command and the Fleet of Spain of which D. InÌigo Manrique was Admiral was ordered to repair to that Coast These were the Preparations in Spain In Italy King Frederick to gain the Duke of Milan offered him to Wife his Daughter Charlotte and his Daughter Elizabeth to his Eldest Son but these Proposals were prevented from taking effect by the fall of those Two Houses He also pressed the Pope for the Investiture of the Kingdom which at length he obtained and the Cardinal of Valencia was sent to Crown him After the Coronation Prosper Colona was Created Duke of Trageto and Earl of Fundi Fabricius Colona Duke of Tallacoço and the Great Gonçalo de Cordova Duke of Monte de Santangelo and D. InÌigo Brother to the Marquess de Pescara who was killed Marquess del Gasto CHAP. VIII Progress of the Portugues Discoveries in the East Peter Covillam and Alonso de Paiva sent to India by Land Vasco de Gama sent to Discover India by Sea with Four Ships His Voyage till he came to Calicut AT the same time that the other Parts of Europe and especially Italy were consumed with Wars and labouredunder the Apprehensions of still greater Calamities Portugal having enjoyed a lasting Peace was Imployed in extending its Dominions in remote Parts and carrying the Light of the Gospel into the farthest bounds of the World even into India An undertaking at first thought rash but which proved Honourable and Advantageous to that Kingdom Prince Henry Brother to King Edward was the first that attempted to discover the Coast of Africk towards the South Death cut him off in the Year of Grace 1470 and of his Age 67. King Alonso his Nephew desisted from this Enterprize by reason of the unhappy Wars in which he was involved King John the II. his Son took this Work in hand again and ceased not till having passed the Line he discovered the Cape called by the Sailers Tormentoso or Stormy by reason of the great Tempests they met with there but he called it the Cape of good Hope which Name it still retains because it gave him hopes that way to send his Fleets to the Coasts of Asia and India and to partake of the Riches of those Countries For his better Information he sent Peter Covillam and Alonso de Paiva as has been already said by Land to get some knowledge of those Eastern Coasts Paiva died by the way and Covillam having travelled all those Countries sent his King an Account in Writing out of Ethiopia of what he had learnt but was not suffered to return himself Mean while King John died His Successor King Emanuel was willing to carry on this Enterprize He proposed it in Council where some advised him to desist others to proceed others to Imploy himself in the Conquest of Africk whereof enough was already discovered Among this Variety of Opinion the most Honourable took place and accordingly the King Ordered Four Ships to be fitted The Command of them he gave to Vasco de Gama a Man of a great Spirit and it was fit he should be such to begin the longest and most dangerous Voyage that ever was attempted in the World With him went his Brother Paul de Gama Nicholas Coello and other Men of Note All his Force exceeded not 160 Men as well Soldiers as Seamen They blessed the Royal Standard in a Church of our Lady standing on the Shore Founded by Prince Henry where afterwards King Emanuel Built the famous Monastery of Belem Thence they were Conducted by a great multitude of People who lamented them as dead Men and so they set Sail on the 9th of July They steered their Course first to the Canary Islands and then to those of Caboverde called by the Antients Hesperides Having passed these Islands and the chiefest of them called Santiago they stood to the Eastward crossing a mighty Gulph where by reason of the great Storms and swelling Seas they spent three Months before they discovered Land In 10 Degrees of South Latitude they discovered a pleasant River whose Banks were shaded with Trees where they Anchored to take in fresh Water and refresh themselves The People here were Black and had short curled Hair Here they Traded by Signs and for some Baubles were supplied with fresh Provisions The Gulph he called of St. Helona and the River Santiago They continued their Voyage to turn the Cape of good Hope but the Weather proved so bad they oft gave themselves for lost Here all the Commanders resolution was requisite his Men protesting he ought to turn back and not tempt Heaven but neither Threats nor Intreaties moved him It was agreed to kill him his Brother discovered the design he secured the Masters and undertook to Steer his Ship himself In this manner he reached the utmost part of the Cape and began to turn it on the 20th of November it being then Spring there About 50 Leagues beyond it is a Gulph which they called of St. Blas and in the midst of it an Island where they found a multitude of Sea Wolves thither they went to Water The Natives of it were like to those of the West Coast of Africk went
from the mouth of Indus extends to Malabar and that to Cape Comori Betwixt these two Nations in a small Island of the Kingdom of Decan is seated the famous City Goa The Front of it is washed by the Sea the other parts by two Arms of a River Among the Malabars there are Four Conditions of People the Nobility called Caymales the Priests Brahmens whose Authority is great the Souldiery stiled Nayres and the Commonalty such as Tradesmen and Country People Generally the Merchants are Strangers From the Waste upwards they go Naked the lower parts are covered with Silks or Cotton their Cymiters hanging down from their Shoulders Their Customs and Worships are very strange Let it suffice to say the Women Marry as many Husbands as they please and therefore the Sorts do not Inherit the Fathers Estates but the Sons of Sisters are the Heirs Malabar is divided into several Kingdoms the chief whereof whom all the others look upon as their Superior and is therefore called Zamori that is Emperor is the King of Calicut a Rich and large City Seated almost in the middle of the Coast The Houses in it do not stand close together but at great Intervals each having Gardens and Orchards belonging to it Only the Kings Palaces and the Temples are of Stone the rest of Timber low and covered with leaves of Palm-trees Neither the Nobles nor Commons are allowed to raise stately Buildings This was the posture of Calicut when Vasco de Gama arrived there Many Boats came out immediately to see such strange People Gama sent ashore one of the Banished Men he had with him a vast multitude of People encompassed him Among the rest were two Moors Born at Tunez these finding by the Habit the Man was a Spaniard one of them called Monçayde asked him in Spanish of what part of Spain he was he answered of Portugal He carried the Man Home and having discoursed him went aboard to see the Commander whom he informed he had faithfully served King John of Portugal when he sent to Tunez for Arms and having given him an account of the Country offered to serve him in what lay in his power Next day Gama sent Two Ambassadors with Monçayde to the King to acquaint him he would not land without his leave but having once obtained it would deliver the Letters he brought from his King and treat with him about matters of great Moment The King was then at Pandarane a Town Two Miles from the City There he received the Messengers friendly answered he would gladly hear what their Commander had to propose and the mean while would have him bring his Ships under the Shelter of Pandarane because the Place where he lay was not safe This was accordingly done and some days after he sent the Governor of the City whom he called Catual to conduct Gama to his Pallace He left his Brother to Command in his place ordering him and Nicholas Coello that if any misfortune hapned to him ashore they should immediatly hoist Sail and return to Portugal to give the King an account of their Voyage but that they should still keep their Boats well Manned upon the Shore He carried with him 12 of his Men in the best order he could From the Shore he was carried on Mens Shoulders to the Kings Palace There he was received by the Caymales and chief of the Brahmenes Cloathed all in White This Man taking Gama by the Hand led him through several Rooms the Door of each of them was guarded by Ten Men. They came to a large Room the floor covered with silk Carpets and the Walls hung with Silk and Gold About it were certain steps like a Theatre which were the Seats of the Nobility The King Sate on a raised Throne Cloathed in white Cotton adorned with Roses of Gold on his Head a Cap of Cloth of Gold in shape like a Mitre his Arms and Legs naked but with Brazelets and Plates of Gold On his Fingers and Toes were Rings set with Diamonds and Pearls of a great Value His Complexion was Tawny his Stature large his Countenance Majestick Gama having saluted the King and being Commanded to Sit made an Harangue telling the King that he was sent to him by the mighty Emanuel King of Portugal who moved by the Fame of his Grandeur which had reached the utmost bounds of the West was ambitious to settle a friendly Correspondence and Commerce with him and his Country That it would doubtless be very advantageous to both Nations to have a free Trade and it would much redound to the honour of them both to be the first who at that distance had settled Amity and Friendship This said he presented the Letters he carried written in Arabick and Portugues as also the presents he carried The Embassy was pleasing to the King who answered that he willingly embraced the Friendship of King Emanuel and was ready to allow of a free Trade He asked many Questions concerning their Voyage and Country and ordered the Commander and all his Men to be well lodged The Moorish Merchants fearing to lose their Trade and in hatred to the Christians assembled together and laboured all that lay in their power by false Informations they devised to turn the Hearts of the King and his Courtiers against the Portugueses They said they were Pirates and the common Enemies of Mankind and that if they were admitted into Calicut all the Moors would be obliged to remove and seek some other place to Trade in That it was worthy their Consideration whether it were answerable to abandon their old tryed Friends who brought so great a Trade to the Country for a few Robbers The Malabars are a People inconstant and easily perswaded therefore giving Credit to the Moors and at their instigation they began to contrive how to destroy all the Portugueses Monçaide gave Gama an account of their design He stole away the best he could tho' not without danger to his Ships and stood out to Sea Thence he wrote a Letter to the King full of great Complaints and particularly against Catual who he was assured contrived to do him all the harm he could and desired he would cause certain Portugueses and some Merchandize left ashore to be restored to him The King gave good Words but performed not what was demanded Gama resolving to use Force took the first Ship that came that way and in it Six Men of Note with their Servants The King to redeem them sent the Portugueses and Merchandize with his Letters in answer to those brought by Gama Nevertheless he would not restore the Malabars thinking it convenient to carry them to shew in Portugal that they might give a more particular account of that Country Before Vasco de Gama hoised Sail to return to Portugal Monçaide got aboard fearing his Correspondence with the Portugueses would cost him his Life He left all his Goods at Calicut for he had not time to carry any thing away In Portugal he
those Times At the beginning of this Year Lucrecia de Borgia was married to the Heir of the Duke of Ferrara her Portion was 100000 Ducats The Archduke and his Wife by the way of Burgos Valladolid Medina and Segovia came to Madrid The Catholick King and Queen came from Andaluzia to Guadalupe There to oblige Duke Valentine and in him the Pope they gave him the City Andria and other Lands in Naples with the Title of Prince It was also proposed that the Kings of Spain and France should settle an Estate upon King Frederick and his Children The King and Queen came to Toledo upon the 22d of April as did the Princes on the 7th of May having been stayed some days at Olias by reason of the Archduke's Indisposition At Toledo on the 22d of May they were sworn Heirs of the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon in a great Assembly of Prelates and Noblemen They were tied in case they Inherited those Kingdoms to Govern them according to their ancient and known Laws At the same time that Spain rejoiced at the coming of these Princes England lamented the Death of Prince Arthur The Princess his Wife was supposed to be lest a Maid tho' they lived together as Man and Wife for 5 Months But the Prince was only 14 Years of Age and of so weak a Constitution that it gave sufficient Grounds to believe this might be true Ferdinand Duke d' Estrada was sent by the Catholick King to Condole with King Henry and to propose that the Princess might be married to his Second Son But he neither restored her Portion nor could for some time be brought to conclude that Match which afterwards proved so unfortunate Soon after the News was brought of that Prince's Death Mary Queen of Portugal was delivered at Lisbon of a Son whom they named John He afterwards Inherited his Father's Kingdom and was a most Renowned Prince CHAP. VI. Further Actions of the Great Captain at Naples The Duke of Calabria contrary to Articles sent into Spain The French and Spanish Generals Consult their Kings and have a Conference to Adjust Differences in the Division of Naples The beginning of the War betwixt them THE Great Captain as has been said laid Siege to Taranto some months before this time In that Town was the Duke of Calabria well provided to hold out Nevertheless the first day the Town was invested a Treaty was begun and at length the Duke by the means of Octavian de Santis concluded a Truce for Two months that he might have time to consult his Father both sides giving Hostages that nothing should be done to the prejudice of the other in the mean while Afterwards because the Messengers sent to King Frederick were not come back the Truce was prolonged till the end of the year upon the same Articles as before This Term also expiring without any Answer the Truce was still continued for Two months longer and the City put into the keeping of Bindo de Ptoiomeis a Subject of the Catholick King in whom the Great Captain reposed great Trust upon Condition that after that time the City should be surrendred without any farther delay but that the Duke with all his Treasure and Family should be free At the same time the Castle of Gerachi a Place of great importance 3 Leagues from the Sea was surrendred and the Prince of Salerno came to Treat with the Great Captain about coming over to his Party provided he and the Prince of Bisignano might be restored to their Estates He also demanded the Earldom of Lauria and 5000 Duccats Pension which his Predecessors used to be allowed by the Kings of Naples All these were extravagant Demands and denoted he had but a small Inclination to submit Many of the Barons who had withdrawn with King Frederick to Ischia came over now to the Great Captain Of them he admitted such as he thought were most important for his King's Service and among them Prosper and Fabricius Colona being informed the Venetians endeavoured to draw them into their Service D. James de Mendoça and InÌigo de Ayala took the City and Castle of Manfredonia by Intelligence they held with the Governour that was to keep that place for King Frederick notwithstanding the Lord of Alegre was marching at the same time to Relieve the Besieged At last the City Taranto according to Articles was delivered with its Castles to the great Captain And because one of the Articles of Surrender was That the Duke might have liberty to depart whither he pleased for the present he went to Bari which still held out for his Father tho the City was weak and the Castle but a plain House resolving to stay there for his Orders without which he would not do any thing The Great Captain earnestly desired to reconcile him to the Catholick King that be might not go to France which might cause some Troubles Proposals were made and he offered him 30000 Duccats a year for ever part in the Kingdom of Naples and part in Spain which was all he asked or could expect in that Condition The Duke liked the Offer but would conclude nothing without his Father's Consent Soon after the Dutchess Dowager of Milan his Cousin rather than to go to Sicily whither she was invited with the Queen of Hungary her Aunt retired to that City This Lady prevailed with the Duke to write a Letter to the great Captain praying him that notwithstanding the Capitulation by which he was at liberty to dispose of himself he would send him over to the Catholick King because he found his Father's Designs were not for his Advantage and yet he was not willing to act any thing publickly in opposition to him It is to be believed the Duke did not continue long in this mind for his Father by Letter pressed the Great Captain according to what had been Capitulated to give his Son his full Liberty urging that it was not like a Gentleman to break his Word and that he ought to remember how much he had been his Friend in the time of his Prosperity The Great Captain who kept a Guard upon him that he might not escape to the end to bring him to his Will besides the Revenue he had offered before now promised in the Name of the Catholick King to Marry him either to the Queen of Naples his Neece or with the Princess of Wales both very advantageous Proposals It was suspected that the Earl of Ponteza D. John de Guevera who always stuck by the Duke led him which way he pleased The Duke tho he went about Apulia in appearance free yet was so guarded that he could not get away nor scarce go a Hunting In fine this Business was so contrived that at Duke was brought back to Toranto and thence John de Conchillos had Orders to carry him in a Gally to Sicily and so to Spain it being believed Matters would be the better adjusted betwixt the Parties themselves and that the Duke
to build Ships after our manner and a great quantity of Mettal to be sent forward to Calicut the chief Mart of the East for Spice to the intent that King might drive the Portugueses out of those Seas They also proposed to the Catholick King to be Mediator betwixt them and the Portugueses for adjusting those Differences which he refused it being a matter not easily to be reconciled the Interest of both Parties being so deeply concerned None of the Princes we have spoken of enjoyed any great Satisfaction The Emperor was poor and at variance with his Son The Princess Wife to the Archduke was not in her right Senses Queen Elizabeth laboured under a foul tedious and incurable Disease which it was said would soon make an end of her It was feared her Death would produce Troubles and change of Government What Satisfaction could the King of France have seeing himself despoiled of a Kingdom he looked upon as his own King Frederick ceased not to contrive ways how he might be restored Seeing himself forsaken on all sides Discontent cast him into an Ague with which he returned from Blois to Tours his ordinary Residence It grieved him to see there was no way left to reconcile the Kings of France and Spain but above all that his Son the Duke of Calabria was not a Man of those Parts as to wade through such Difficulties Hereupon towards his latter days he wrote a Letter to him full of Fatherly Advice Fortune so persecuted this unhappy King that one night the House where he lay took fire and he had much ado to escape naked with his Wife and Children This Accident increased his Sickness of which he died in that City on the 9th of November He left by his First Wife one Daughter married in France and by the Second five Children Elizabeth Julia Alonso Caesar and the Eldest of them all Ferdinand Duke of Calabria who received the News of his Father's death at Medina del Campo where the Court of Spain then was Prosper Colona was sent by the King to give him the News and comfort him The King himself was then much afflicted on account of the Queen's Sickness she being then in great danger She pressed to have the Archduke and his Wife come into Spain but the Archduke excused himself on account of the War he was engaged in against the Duke of Guelders The truth was he had no mind to come and seemed not to value the Inheritance of such large Dominions At length the Queen died on the 26th of November She ordered her Body to be buried at Granada where because the Chapel designed for that Use was not finished she was deposited in the Alhambra By her Will she vacated some Grants prejudicial to the Crown made at the beginning of her Reign She declared the Marquisate of Moya had been given to D. Bernard de Conbera by her Consent for his good Service She also appointed the Princess Joanna and her Husband the Archduke her Heirs but in case the Princess by reason of her Indisposition or for any other Cause should not take upon her the Government then as had been before resolved in the Cortes or Assembly of the Three Estates King Ferdinand was to Govern till Prince Charles were 20 Years of Age. Besides the Administration of the Masterships of the Three Military Orders granted by the Pope to King Ferdinand she left him half the Profits of the Islands and Continent newly discovered and 10 Millions of Maravedics yearly out of the Revenue arising in the Lands of the Three Masterships Her Executors were the King the Archbishop of Toledo the Bishop of Palencia Antony Fonseca and John Velasquez her Comptrollers and John Lopez de Lezarraga her Secretary Notwithstanding the Queen's Will there wanted not some who advised the King to enter upon the Government as Heir to the Crown he being descended of the Male Line of the Kings of Castile affirming this was his safest way and that easing the People of some Burdens he would be received with General Applause However the King tho' offended at his Son-in-Law and knowing the Incapacity of his Daughter yet that very Afternoon appeared publickly on a Scaffold and caused his Daughter Joanna to be proclaimed Queen of Castile and the Archduke Philip King as being her Husband In all other Places only Queen Joanna was proclaimed without making mention of the Archduke on pretence that he ought first to swear he would preserve their Privileges and not put Strangers into Publick Employments which Queen Elizabeth had ordered in her Will. This Winter the Rains were so violent that all the Corn was destroyed and there ensued a great Famine Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth there arose Differences and Contention King Ferdidand in pursuance to her Will pretended to Govern Castile Queen Joanna's Distraction being so notorious that she was shut up in Flanders Two things he did to secure himself one was That he writ to the Archduke to acquaint him he would not be admitted into Castile unless he brought his Wife with him to satisfie the People whether her Brain was really distempered or not The other That he assembled the Cortes at Toro There on the 11th of January 1505. Garcilasso de la Vega Chief Commendary of Leon who presided in the Assembly of the Three Estates having seen that Clause in the Queen's Will which related to the Succession and Government solemnly swore Joanna Rightful Queen of Castile and the Archduke her Husband King in her Right and the Catholick King as Governour thereof Soon after the Queen's Distemper being made known they made application to King Ferdinand to take upon him the Government Letters were also sent into Flanders to the Archduke pursuant to this Address However there ensued great Contention about the Government Many of the Nobility being disgusted by the Catholick King desired a Change The chief of these were D. Peter Manrique Duke of Najara and D. James Lopez Pacheco Marquess of Villena who openly opposed the Catholick King others tho' of the same Opinion temporized Only D. Frederick de Toledo Duke of Alva stood firm to King Ferdinand The New King and his Council protested against these Proceedings of the Catholick King saying It was preposterous either to take the Title of King or come into the Kingdom if he was not to have the Power and Prerogative of a King D. John Manuel a Gentleman of a little Body but sharp Wit heightned these Discontents The Catholick King to remove him from the Archduke commanded him to return to the Emperor's Court but the Archduke would never consent and rather valued him the more making him privy to all his Secrets This Project failing the Catholick King endeavoured to gain him by large Promises made to his Wife the Lady Catherine de Castilla but he made more account of the present Bounty of a Young Prince than the Promises of a crafty Old King Nor was this all the King
grew jealous of the Kingdom of Naples fearing lest the Great Captain should encline to favour his Son-in Law Prosper Colona failed not to encrease this Jealousie tho' he had obtained all he came to Spain for and particularly that Bartholomew d' Albianos Company of 400 Men at Arms should be reduced to 200. Besides the Catholick King ordered only 1200 Men at Arms 600 Light Horse and 3000 Spanish Foot to be left in the Kingdom of Naples 2000 Spaniards to be sent to Spain and the Germans dismissed all to save Charges and weaken that Kingdom A particular Council was erected in Castile for the Government of it Ladron de Mauleon was sent Ambassadot from the King of Navarre to confirm the ancient Alliance with King Ferdinand by concluding the Match betwixt the Prince of Viana and the Archduke's Daughter He also pressed to have Duke Valentine then Prisoner released as did many Cardinals created by Pope Alexander The King was willing to renew the League and inclinable to the Match As to the Duke he said it could not be done at present tho' at the same time he thought to make use of him in Italy to balance against the Great Captain He desired Security that he would be true to his Interest and Alonso d' Este Duke of Ferrara offered to be bound for him Emanuel King of Portugal sent the Bishop of Porto and James Pacheco his Ambassadors to Rome to acknowledge Pope Julius After he had sent several Fleets to Trade in India he now sent Francis d' Almeyda with the Title of Governour to reside there that all who passed to those Parts might know who they were to obey Many Difficulties attended the Prosecution of this Enterprize besides the length of the Voyage One was the Opposition made by the Venetians as has been hinted before Another that the Soldan of Babylon either at the Instigation of that State or of his own accord undertook to ruin their Trade in those Parts He sent Maurus Guardian of the Monastery at Hierusalem with Letters to the Pope complaining of the Proceedings of the Catholick King in the Conquest of Granada and Conversion of the Moors and of the King of Portugal for ruining his Trade in India and taking his Ships He desired him to put a stop to any further progress in this Affair otherwise he threatned to destroy the Holy Sepulchre and put to death all the Christians within his Dominions This moved the Pope to send the same Religious Man with the Letters to Spain to both the Kings neither of whom made any account of them or the Threats they contained CHAP. VI. King Ferdinand becomes odious to the People The Posture of Affairs in Italy The Emperour and King Philip of Castile Ratifie the Peace with France King Ferdinand agrees with the French King THE Cortes at Toro passed the Laws called of Toro which had been framed before the death of Queen Elizabeth After the Cortes were dismissed King Ferdinand continued at Toro till the end of April to be thoroughly satisfied whether King Emanuel of Portugal approved of his continuing in the Government The Nobility in hatred to him gave out that he treated about marrying the Princess Joanna Daughter to King Henry and to assert her Title which before he had impugned and by that means to maintain himself not only as Governour but Rightful King of Castile in opposition to his Daughter and Son-in-Law It is scarce credible how much this Report incensed the People Certain it is his Vice-chancellor Alonso de la Cavalleria endeavoured to persuade him to change the Name of Governour for that of Administrator and Guardian as Fathers are to their Children before they are of Age and Queen Joanna might be account such either in regard of her want of Sense or of her being confined and that he ought to take the Title of King either on this account or as Husband to Queen Elizabeth He brought the Example of his Father King John who still called himself King of Navarre tho' he had Children and that Kingdom had been his Wife's The Nobility of Castile and those of the New King's Council were of another Opinion They said it were better for King Ferdinand to retire to the Kingdom of Aragon and from thence to aid his Children in what they should desire for that One Kingdom would not admit of Two Heads Neither could they agree as to his Kingdoms of Granada and Naples The Catholick King pretended a Right to Granada as conquered in his Wife's life-time and as for Naples he said there was no dispute of its appertaining to the House of Aragon and therefore highly resented that his Son-in Law should pretend to dispose of it without consulting him to whom only it belonged This made him suspicious of the Great Captain who was a Castilian for the Emperor had sent to know which side he would encline to in case of a War and the Pope had put the same Question to him To the Emperor he answered in general Terms to the Pope resolutely telling him It was plain he knew not what Men he had to deal with who were not used to commit any thing that was disloyal to their King or unworthy themselves From Toro the Catholick King went to Segovia and thence sent D. John de Fonseca Bishop of Palencia to Flanders to attend upon the Queen his Daughter From the Emperor and his Son came as Ambassadors to the Catholick King Andrew de Burgo of Cremona and Philibert Lord de Vere who was great with the Archduke and had much Knowledge of the Affairs of Castile To him the Catholick King made known his Grievances and again attempted to draw D. John Manuel from King Philip but he instead of it discharged himself King Ferdinand's Service King Philip also kept Lope de Conchillos Secretary to the Bishop of Palencia a long time close Prisoner for writing a Letter from the Queen to the King committing to him the Charge of the Government which Letter was intercepted and thereupon no Spaniard was suffered to speak to the Queen which so heightned her Distemper that she was shut up In Italy the Great Captain sent NunÌo de Ocampo with 1000 Men of those that were ordered to be dismissed to defend Plombin and Pisa The Florentines laid Siege to Pisa but NunÌo de Campo throwing himself with his Men into it they were forced to rise and depart without it The Coloness pressed to have Bartholomew d' Alviano's Command reformed which the Great Captain delayed knowing the Worth of that Gentleman but afterwards understanding he held Intelligence with the Pope and designed to Favour the House of Medicis against the Florentines his Command was reduced He knowing of it thought to have seized Plombin but being disappointed aimed at Pisa The Great Captain commanded him to desist upon pain of Forfeiting his Possessions and Command in Naples The Florentines laying wait for him overthrew and wounded him At Naples for his Disobedience his Estate was
and believed the Country would not be satisfied to have Force used against its rightful Sovereigns When things were in this posture tending to a Breach King Philip sent ample Commission to his Ambassadors to promote an Accommodation In pursuance hereof the Two Kings came to an Agreement at Salamanca on the 24th of November upon the following Conditions That both Kings and the Queen should Govern jointly and all their Names should be inserted in all Orders Patents or other publick Wrings and the Secretaries should subscribe by Order of their Highnesses That as soon as King Philip and Queen Joanna came into the Kingdom they should be Sworn King and Queen King Ferdinand Governor and Prince Charles Heir apparent of the Kingdoms of Castile Leon and Granada That the Revenue of the said Kingdoms should be divided into Two equal Parts after all charges deducted one Part for King Ferdinand the other for King Philip and his Queen That all Employments should be given in like manner even the Commendaries of the Military Orders tho' the Administration of them appertained beyond all dispute to the Catholick King The Pope the Emperor and Kings of England and Portugal were chosen Guarrantees for the performance hereof It was also decreed that in case the Queen would not be concerned in the Government still all Three Names should be used but only the Two Kings Subscribe and if either of the Two was absent then all business should be done by the other A Copy of these Articles was sent to Flanders which displeased King Philip and his howsoever they were accepted of and Sworn to for the King of France had great power in Flanders and besides they hoped when they came into Spain all things would become more easie Now the Secretary Lope de Conchillos was enlarged having been all this while close Prisoner This Agreement was Proclaimed at Salamanca on the 6th of January 1506 and Two days after the King and Queen set Sail from Zealand Such a violent Storm arose that some Ships were lost and the rest forced to put into Weymouth in England Thence King Philip went to Windsor to meet the King of England where they concluded a League and agreed that the King of England should Marry Margaret of Austria Widow of the late Duke of Savoy and Prince Charles of Austria Marry that Kings Daughter which Matches took no effect King Philip delivered up the Duke of Suffolk who had put himself into his Protection to the King of England In this and in Feasting was spent all the next Month after which King Philip returned to Plymouth to take Ship The Catholick King hearing of the Storm his Son-in-Law had been in gathered all the best Ships along the Coast of Spain and sent them to him under the Command of D. Charles Enriquez de Cisneros who about this time raised the Estate which his Family still possesses at Portugalete At such time as the Treaty was at Salamanca the Catholick King writ a Letter to D. John Manuel requiring him to advise King Philip to wave all past discontents and be entirely reconciled It will not be amiss to insert his answer to shew the Wit and boldness of that Gentleman it is thus I received your Highness's Letter and shall perform what is your Order which is to use all my endeavours that past Discontents may be laid aside and Friendship established for it is not to be doubted that so good a Master as your Highness and such good Schollars as the King and Queen will contribute much to the Happiness of those Kingdoms God and my Conscience can bear Witness that has been always my Study tho' some and perhaps your Highness may have judged otherwise by the ill Usage I have received But Mens Tongues and Thoughts are not to be Confined nor do I seek any Reward for what I have done It would suffice that my past Services and Fatigues were not forgotten as they are I judge by my Age and the small regard had of me that your Highness designs me no other recompence in this World but in Prayers against I go into the next Which reward I do not aspire to for I have often heard it said that a Prince can carry his Ministers to Hell but never that any King tho' the most Christian as is he of France fetched any of his Favourites out of Purgatory However I will not fail of doing my Duty nor forbear begging your Highness to use your ordinary Goodness and Prudence towards advancing this Agreement CHAP. VIII The Affairs of Portugal A bloody Mutiny at Lisbon King Ferdinand Marries Queen Germana King Philip comes into Spain and declares against the Treaty with King Ferdinand Death of Christopher Columbus THE Catholick King sent Ambassadors to the Princes appointed Guarranties betwixt himself and his Son-in-Law In particular he applied himself to King Emanuel of Portugal to understand how he would stand affected in case the Agreement were broken He answered in general Terms being in strict League with King Philip. In order to entertain whom he made great Preparations and caused much Plate to be provided either to Treat or present him for it was believed he would Land in Andaluzia and therefore might touch in some part of Portugal But the Plague spread there and was come to Santarem which made the King remove from Almeirin to Abrantes a Town seated on a rising Ground and healthy There on the 3d of March the Queen was delivered of Prince Luis who proved a Person of singular Worth Piety and Virtue especially towards the end of his life which was short Yet in his youth he had by a mean Woman a Bastard Son called Antony who was Prior of Ocrato and famous for that upon the death of his Unkle Henry the King and Cardinal he took upon him the Title of King and brought great mischief upon his Country The joy for the Birth of the Prince was allaied by a mutiny raised in Lisbon upon a light occasion In the Church of S. Dominick was a Crucifix which over the wound of the Breast had a Glass Some People hearing Mass there thought the light that came from that Glass had been miraculous which one there present being a Jew newly converted freely contradicted The People in a rage laying hold of him dragged him out of the Church made a Fire then killed and burnt him A Friar of that Convent coming out made an Harangue to the rabble exhorting them to revenge the injuries done to our Saviour by the Jews which was pouring Oyl upon the Fire for immediately the multitude ran to the Houses of the new Converts Two of the Friars going before them with a Cross Such was their fury and madness that in Three days this mutiny lasted they murdered above 2000 of those People and among them either through mistake or for private grudges several of the ancient Christians The Flemmings and Germans that were aboard their Ships in the Harbour came
Majesty and joining with the Duke of Najara and Marguess de Villena the Heads of the contrary Faction at the Archbishop of Toledo's Lodging they agreed that all Debates arising should be absolutely decided by the Arch-Bishop and 6 others chosen out of both Parties and that their Determination should be binding Thus on the First of October Articles of Agreement were Concluded upon among the Nobles and they all Swore to stand by them and they to continue in Force all the Month of December Among other things it was Decreed that none should presume to levy Forces That none should Infest or Invade the Lands Castles and Towns of another That none should Seize upon the Person of the Queen who was of Burgos or of Prince Ferdinand who was at Simancas Peter Nunez de Guzman his Governor to prevent any surprize had Recourse to the President and Council of Valladolid and they went to Simancas and brought away the Prince Placeing him in Safety in the College of S. Gregory Built by D. Alonso de Burgos Bishop of Palencia and given to the Dominicans The same day the Nobility Concluded their Agreement at Burgos the Catholick King arrived at Genoa His Voyage was tedious contrary Winds forcing him to touch at Palamos and Toulon and then to Coast along by Savona and Genoa Before he came to that City he was met by the Great Captain with the Gallies of Naples The King received him with great Affection being then convinced of his Fidelity notwithstanding all Aspersions cast upon him and spoke very much in his Commendation both before him and in his Absence Most Men but particularly the Italians could hardly be perswaded that so Wise a Man as the Great Captain would put himself into the Power of so jealous a King The City sent the King many Presents tho' he would not Land only advised them to preserve Peace among themselves for he would be always ready to Assist his Brother the King of France This made them quiet for the present tho' soon after they obliged the King of France to come into Italy to pacifie them Putting to Sea again from Genoa contrary Winds forced him into Portoso there on the 5th of October he received the News of the death of King Philip. The Archbishop of Toledo and others of his Party desired him to return with all speeed to Castile as did also D. Alvaro Osirio who was with him with the Character of Ambassador from King Philip. Yet he resolved to prosecute his Voyage He writ to the Prelates and Nobility expressing his Grief for the death of King Philip and Recommending to them to continue Loyal to the Queen promising to be with them as soon as he had settled the Affairs of Naples From Portosi he went on to Gaeta where at Puzol he spent some days to give the Neapolitans time to prepare for his Reception for they had never believed he would come especially after the death of King Philip. From Puzol he went to Castel del Ovo there on the First of November 20 Galleys came out of the Port and the King went aboard the Admiral The Cannon of the Galleys was fired first and then that of the Castles and the Ships in the Harbour This done the Galleys laid along the side of the Mole The King and Queen landed by a wooden Bridge built for that purpose The Great Captain and all the Nobility came out to meet them Being come to the last Arch of the Bridge the Great Captain leading the Queen there the King swore to preserve the Privileges of that City After which they took Horse under a Canopy carried by the Elects of the People Fabricius Colona carried the Royal Standard given him by the King himself with the Honour of Standard-bearer Next him went the Kings at Arms then the Great Captain and on his Right-hand Prosper Colona After them the other Nobility and Ambassadors But the pleasantest Sight of all was the Prisoners then set at Liberty Next behind the Canopy were the Two Cardinals of Borgia and Sorento In this manner they were conducted through the Principal Streets and Lanes of Gentlemen and Ladies richly clad and great Companies of Vocal and Instrumental Musick Being come to the Great Church they were received by the Clergy and Religious Orders in Procession At Castelnovo where the Cavalcade ended they were received by the Two Queens of Naples and the Queen of Hungary Nextday the King rode about the City accompanied by the Barons and to Honour the Great Captain alighted at his House He entred upon Business and went about to restore Ten Barons who had Forfeited their Estates A Parliament was held where they took the Oath of Fidelity to the King to his Daughter Queen Joanna and their Heirs without mentioning Queen Germana contrary to the Agreement made with France The Pretence was that she was indisposed and had already been Sworn Queen of Naples at Valladolid Mean while Castile was full of private Dissention yet nothing broke out in publick The Queen neither would nor could attend the Government only such as would obeyed the Orders of the Council Some would have the Cortes assembled to appoint Governours This was chiefly urged by the Archbishop of Toledo the Constable and the Admiral They could never persuade the Queen to sign the Writs and therefore the Council issued them The Duke of Alva tho' not at Court then opposed it saying only the King could assemble the Cortes For this reason tho' some of the Commons met nothing was done All was in confusion the Nobility at variance but yet the most agreed that King Ferdinand ought to Govern The chief of these were the Archbishop of Toledo the Constable the Admiral and the Dukes of Albuquerque and Bejar Some of these would not allow him to Govern unless he were present others said he might tho' absent Of these was the Archbishop who sollicited the King and Queen to give him as ample Commission as when he Treated with King Philip. The Duke of Najara D. Alonso Tellez Brother to the Marquess of Villena and D. John Manuel were of Opinion that no account ought to be made of the Queen no more than if she were dead by reason of her Weakness and therefore her Son Charles ought to succeed But neither could they agree in this Point for the Duke would have him brought to Spain that such as the Kingdom made choice of might Govern in his Name D. Alonso said the Protectorship belonged to the Emperor as Grandfather by the Father's side This Opinion prevailed above the Duke's and the Emperour was desirous to take upon him the Government proposing to come himself into Spain Some there were that would commit the Government to the King of Portugal and marry Prince Ferdinand to his Daughter Elizabeth proclaiming him King being utterly averse to Strangers Others were for marrying the Daughter of King Philip to the Prince of Viana and so putting the Kingdom under the King
Successors when they received the Investiture These were the same Conditions that had been imposed upon Charles the first of France About the beginning of July this Grant was passed by the Pope and College of Cardinals On the 7th of August the Pope remitted the yearly Tribute and the 50000 Duccats contenting himself with the white Palfrey and his Furniture and 300 Horse to serve him wheresoever there was War in the State of the Church designing to use them against Ferrara In the time of Pope Leo there was imposed an acknowledgment of 7000 Duccats for the leave granted to the Emperor Charles the 5th to hold that Kingdom together with the Empire which was contrary to the antient Capitulations with the Houses of Anjou and Aragon The King of France was much offended at this Proceeding and by his Ambassador the Bishop of Rieux complained grievously thereof to the Catholick King whilst the Cortes sat at Monçon There on the 13th of August was a Subsidy granted the King of 500000 Crowns a great Sum considering the Time and the Liberty of those Provinces They also in Case the King should be called away authorised Queen Germana to preside and even to assemble the Cortes again if broke up provided she were commissioned as Lieutenant of those Kingdoms The Associations erected some Years before were now dissolved Many Ambassadors and great numbers of Nobility were at Monçon during the Sitting of the Cortes At Malaga a Fleet was provided to carry over D. Garcia de Toledo and the Forces for the Conquests of Africk The King was earnest they should set out yet they delayed some time because of the Plague that was at Bugia The Fleet sailed in the heat of Summer carrying 7000 Men. Part of the Fleet and 3000 Men were left at Bugia to secure that Place James de Vera having put Bugia into a good Posture followed the Fleet and they came together being 16 Galleys to the Port of Tripoli at such time as Count Peter Navarro had embarqued his Men to the number of 8000 designing for Gelves the greatest and most important Island on the Coast of Africk about 100 Leagues West of Tripoli It is plain and sandy covered with Palm and Olive Trees so near the Continent that on the one side there is a Bridge to go over to it In length it is above 16 miles wants Water has no Town but scattering Houses and on the Shore a Castle where the Lord lives It was once subject to the King of Tunez but at this time had a Xeque or particular Lord. On the 28th of August they arrived at Gelves The Forces landed finding no Opposition either in the Island or on the Continent at a Town they call Puente Quebrada All the Army was divided into 3 Bodies D. Garcia tho he was General would advance before the rest with the Gentlemen that followed him Some say it was by advice of Peter Navarro others affirm it was against his Will The Xeque had about 150 Horse and 2000 Foot but so ill armed and so fearful they offered good Terms rather than come to Blows It was Afternoon when our Forces began to march the heat of the sandy Ground was so violent as if all had been in a Flame Scarce had they advanced 2 Leagues when some fell down dead with Drought and all suffered extremely The Vanguard being come to a Wood of Palm Trees fell into Disorder to seek Water at some Wells they imagined there were near certain ruined Houses Here the Moors observing their Confusion fell upon them D. Garcia and others that were a horse-back lighted Some advised him to retire He answered Advance Gentlemen are we come hither to turn our backs If Fortune frown on us yet she cannot make us forget the Duty we owe to our Birth Having said thus he took a Pike from an Aragonian and fell in among the Moors Our Men nothing moved by the Example of their General fled The Moors took the advantage and falling on killed four of those that alighted which were D. Garcia Garci Sarmiento Loaya and Christopher Velasquez all Commanders of Note There was no stopping of those that fled The Count ordered the Batallions of James Pocheco and Giles Nieto which were with him in the Rear to make head against the Moors and by that means prevented their being all cut off The Earl himself was in such a Consternation he was one of the first that embarqued tho he might pretend it was to oblige the Galleys next the Shore to take in the Men many being drowned because they would not admit them About 4000 of our Men were killed or taken and among them many of Note The Body of D. Garcia was carried to the Xeque who writ to D. Hugo de Moncada Viceroy of Sicily that supposing that Lord to be the King 's Kisman he kept his Body in a Chest to be disposed of as he should direct D. Garcia left a young Son called D. Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo who was afterwards one of the famous Generals of the World Count Peter Navarro having sent the King an account of that Disaster ordered the Galleys back to Naples and with the rest of the Fleet sailed for Tripoli where he arrived on the 19th of December having been 8 days in a Storm He left James de Vera in that City with a Garrison of 3000 Men other 3000 he disbanded being unfit for Service and he with 4000 more and part of the Fleet went out to scowr the Coast between Gelvez and Tunez Bad Weather obliged him to lie by most part of the Winter in the Island Lampadosa near Sicily An infinite number of Moors about the end of this Year layed Siege to the City Safin on the Coast of Africk and subject to the Portugueses Atayde the Governour having received some Supplies from the Island of Madera defended himself bravely and the Siege being raised made an Inroad as far as Almedina 32 miles from Safin He had several Skirmishes with the Moors took a great Booty but in his return such great Numbers came upon him that he was forced to quit it He made several other Incursions and came up to the very Walls of Morocco an Action of more Honour than Advantage The same was done by D. John CoutinÌo Governour of Arzilla and Peter de Sousa of Azamer both brave Commanders and ambitious of enlarging the Portugues Dominions in Africk which might have been the more easily performed that Country being divided into many Kingdoms and they at variance among themselves CHAP. X. Some Cardinals Revolt from the Pope Bolonia taken by the French The Revolted Cardinals summon a General Council MUch about the same time the Catholick King having broke up the Cortes at Monçon returned to Castile and Pope Julius set out from Rome towards Bolonia The King was going to the Cortes of Castile summoned to meet at Madrid to take care for carrying on the War in Africk and no less to provide for the Affairs
since they had their Provisions secure and the Enemy would soon want besides that there they secured the City Count Peter Navarro being a selfish Man perswaded the Viceroy to advance relying upon the Spanish Foot Accordingly our Army march'd Some French Horse skirmish'd with our Vanguard but nothing considerable was done that day The Enemy returned ãâã Camp and the Viceroy lay that night almost in sight of it Next Day being Easter Sunday and the 11th of April both Armies drew out The French had 24000 Foot 2000 Men at Arms 2000 light Horse and 50 pieces of Cannon The Duke of Ferrara and the Sieur de la Palisse led the Van. In the main Battel were the Seheschal of Normandy and Cardinal Sanseverino Legate of the Council at Pisa Frederick de Bossoln brought up the Rear the Duke of Nemours being with a Body of choice Horse as a Reserve The Confederate Army reported to consist of 18000 Foot was not near the number There were less than 8000 Spaniards and 4000 Italians 1200 Men at Arms 2000 light Horse and 24 pieces of Cannon The Viceroy ought to have moved before break of day to prevent the Enemy as Fabricius Colona advised but he would not be perswaded and ââve the Enemy time to pass a Bridge and put themselves in good Order Fabricius Colona led the Van consisting of 800 Men at Arms 600 light Horse and 4000 Foot All the rest formed two Bodies commanded by the Viceroy and Count Peter Navarro In this manner both Armies advanced by beat of Drum the Generals encouraging their Men. The Cannon began to play and altho' that of the Viceroy at first did great Execution among the Enemies Vanguard as they passed the River yet theirs being twice the number and planted in an open Plain made a much greater Slaughter among the Men at Alms who stood exposed The Marquess de Pescara gave the first Charge with the light Horse and then the Men at Arms of both Sides mixed confusedly For some time the Battel was maintained so that the Success was dubious At length the French being superiour in numbers the Confederates began to give way Here the Marquess of Pescara was wounded and taken âad Peter de Paz a notable Officer killed Count Peter Navarro who had always thoughts to carry away the Honour of the Victory now advanced with the Sâââish Foot backed by 300 Spanish Men at Arms he gathered When they charged the ãâã Foot Collonel Zamudio who was in the first Rank saw a German Officer called James Empser who came forward and challenged him O King says Zamudio how dear ãâã bay your Favours and how well da Men deserve them upon these occasions Having spoke these words he charged his Pike and struck the German dead The rest fell on so furiously that they broke the Germans then the Gascons and Italians Most of the Germans were put to the Sword for of 12 German Captains only 3 escaped and all the French Foot was put to the Rout. In the same heat they took the French Cannon but the French say Janolaço Galcoto defended it The French Horse seeing the Slaughter was made charged our Foot who having no Horse to support them and being tired with fighting were quite broke There died Collonel Zalmudi with other Officers and Count Peter Navarro was taken The rest retired in good Order the Foot that were in Van joining them On one side the River secured them and on the other the Causway The Duke of Numours desiring to break that Body that he might carry away a compleat Victory advanced with a small number contrary to the Advice of the Sieur de la Palisse who would have had him content himself with the Advantage gained Our Men turned upon him and being struck off his Horse he was killed by a private Soldier tho' he told him he was Brother to the Queen of Aragon Monsieur d' Alegre and his Son were also killed and Monsieur de Lautreque left for dead in the Field Thus about 3000 Spaniards marched away down the River Fabricius Colona with what Forces he could get together still maintained himself against all the French Army till having received two Wounds and his Horse falling he was taken by the Duke of Ferraras Men. Thus the French remained victorious but so shatter'd they could not prosecute their good Fortune nor attempt any thing of Moment Of the number of dead no certain account can be given Authors varying very much It is certain the Fight lasted 5 hours and the Victors sustained most loss Their General many Persons of Note and almost all the Germans being killed Whereas on our side few Horse were lost for that night about 3000 of them fled to Arimino and Ancona and above 4000 Spanish Foot got off safe The Viceroy went from Pesaro to Ancona to gather the remains of his Army After this Victory Ravenna was immediately surrendred to the French upon Articles which were not performed for assoon as Mark Antony Colona and D. Peter de Castro were matched away with the Garrison towards Cesena the French plundered the City without sparing Churches or Monasteries The French Authors lay the blame of this Disorder upon Jaquin a Captain of Foot who being cloathed in Cloath of Gold taken from the Churches at Bressa encouraged the Soldiers to do the like at Ravenna a greater Booty was found there than had been expected Imola Forli Cesena Arimino and most of the Forts in Romania yielded to the Victors and the Legate took possession of them for the Council of Pisa The News of this Defeat being spread abroad the Pope was no whit discouraged tho' the People of Rome was ready to mutiny The Duke of Urbino sent to offer his Service promising to make amends for past miscarriages Julicis de Medius went to Rome to give the Pope an account of the Posture of Affairs and encourage him to proceed The loss was represented to the Catholick King much less than in reality it was for in his Letters he writes it appeared by the Musters that not above 1500 Men were lost in the whole Yet he resolved to send the Great Captain to Italy whose Presence alone it was thought would make up for the dammage sustained So the King writ to several Parts and immediately sent the Commendary Solis with 2000 Spaniards to Naples The King of France hearing what had hapned said Would to God I had been drove out of Italy so my Nephew and the other Officers were alive God grant such Victories to my Enemies for if we obtain one more such Victory we are vanquished This Success so alarmed the Venetiales that they feared the French would now make themselves Masters of all Italy and they thought of changing Parties The Spanish Ambassador then Resident at Venice quieted them shewing how small the Loss had been The Cardinal of Sorrento who governed at Naples in the absence of the Viceroy required D. Hugo de Moncada Viceroy of Sicily and Captain General of both
went thither with Forces To secure the Passage into France the Duke of Alva passed the Mountains and took S. John de Pie de Puerto The Marquess of Dorset was desired to join the Spanish Army and enter Guienne He pleaded it was then too late the Summer being spent and his Men sick He complained of the Catholick King who was only intent upon his own Business in Navarre without regarding the Conquest of Guienne Therefore the Marquess returned into England which gave some cause to suspect as Antony de Nebrixa writes that he was corrupted with French Gold The Affairs of the French in Italy were changed no otherwise than if they had lost the Battel of Ravenna The Pope laid an Interdict on the Kingdom of France Excommunicated their King and absolved the People of Guienne and Normandy of their Oath of Allegiance The Duke of Urbin marching with the Robe's Forces towards ãâã that Pepple set up the Pope's Colours The Duke of Ferrara upon Composition come to Rome and publickly begged Pardon of the Pope who granted it yet restored not Rhegio but thought to have secured him had not Fabricius Colona conveyed him away The Viceroy of Naples soon recruited his Army and found with the 2000 Spaniards brought by the Commendarâ ãâã he had 7000 Foot the Command of whom was given to the Marquess of Padula and because he hurt himself in the Hand it was transferred tothe Commendary Solis Men at Arms there were 1200 and 550 Light-Horse Besides these Prosper Colona got together 400 Horse and was to Command the Vanguard This was the Viceroy's Strength when he received Orders from the Pope not to march any farther for that Lombardy was already subdued and there was no need of more Forces His Design was ever to expel all Strangers out of Italy and having already drove out the French thought to do the same with the Spaniards Nevertheless the Viceroy marched as far as the Castle of S. Peter in his way to Bolonia where certain Deputies from the Swissers met him requiring him not to advance any further which if he did they would oppose him the French being already expelled Lombardy These were all Contrivances of the Pope The Viceroy answered He was General of the League and consequently obliged to obey the Orders of the Confederate Princes After some Disputes betwixt the Emperor's and Catholick King 's Ambassadors as also the Venetians it was agreed the Viceroy should restore the Family of Medicis to Florence they being then banished It was also decreed That Maximilian Sforcia who now called himself Duke of Milan should come into Italy in order to reduce the rest of Lombardy where the Forces of the Pope possessed themselves of Plasencia and Parma Sickness and other Inconveniences caused the Council then held at Rome after Two Sessions only to be Prorogued till the beginning of December The Pope proposed making War upon the Turks the Sons of Bajazet being then at variance yet malicious Persons gave out this was only a Project of his to get the Spaniards out of Italy under that Pretence The Viceroy marched towards Florence pretending only to restore that Republick to its Liberty and reconcile it to the Church He came without meeting any resistance to Prato which is only 10 miles from Florence which Place offering to oppose him he battered and took by Storm on the 29th of August The Florentines immediately sent their Deputies to compound with the Viceroy and consented to restore the Families of Medicis and Pazzis to all their Estates as also to enter into the League forsake the French and put themselves under the Protection of Spain To express their Zeal they chose the Marquess of Padula their General and furnished some Money towards the Charge of the War The same was done by the Cities of Siena and Luca. At same time Janus Maria de Campo Fregoso was chosen Duke of Genoa in favour of the League and King Ferdinand to encourage those Cities ordered Berengarius d' Olm to ply upon those Coasts with his Galleys All things in Italy succeeded as well as he could wish which was the cause he first delayed and afterwards quite put off the Great Captain 's Voyage thither After the Battel of Ravenna he had been looked upon as the only Man that could restore Affairs in Italy whereupon the King resolved to send him thither tho' jealous of him at the same time He accepted of the Command and went to Malaga to prepare for his Voyage Vast Numbers of People flocked to him and even the King's Guards disbanded themselves to follow him Many of the Gentry made Preparations to bear him company upon their own Charges all which made the King limit the number to go with him to 500 Men at Arms and 2000 Foot Still King Ferdinand delayed the departure of the Great Captain hoping some good Accident might re-establish the Viceroy for whom he had so great a Kindness that many suspected he was his Son The Affairs in Italy being mended as has been said the King ordered the Great Captain to lay aside all Thoughts of going to Italy during the Winter and to send all the Gentry that was with him to serve in Navarre These Orders much troubled the Great Captain and he complained grievously of it All the Officers resented it so heinously that never a Captain of Men at Arms went to serve in Navarre except only Gutierre Quixada The Great Captain sent to ask leave of the King to go to his Estate in Terranova in Italy but the King persuaded him it was better to retire to his House at Loxa He was so much out of Favour that the King refused him the chief Commendary of Leon vacant by the Death of Garcilasso de la Vega as he did also the Commendary of Hârnachos both which he made suit for Two Reasons may be ascribed for this Strangeness One That King Ferdinand was not well satisfied with that Gentleman and often complained he held secret Intelligence against him The other it common to all Princes who when a Man has done more for them than is in their Power to requite look upon him as the Debtor and commonly prove ungrateful For it is ever more certain to have Faults punished than Desert rewarded No Recompence or Honour could have been too great for a Man so deserving But who can persuade Kings to curb their own private Distate Or who can limit their Jealousie especially when it is daily encreased by whispering Courtiers CHAP. V. The Siege of Pamplona The Viceroy of Naples takes the City Bressa Duke Maximilian Sforcia recovers Milan King Ferdinand falls sick THE Duke of Alva continued at S. John de Pied de Porte and his Forces took some small places of little Importance Thither James de Vera with great difficulty brought the Artillery The Dukes of Longueville Bourbon and Monpensier the Sieur de la Palisse and Monsieur de Lautrec lay at Sauveterre and the neighbouring places to
Ferdinand Gonçaga Governor of Milan seized that City and put a Garison into it The Pope fortified Parma and put Camillus Vrsinus into it Afterwards that Dominion was given to Octavius Farnesius Duke of Parma Son to Peter Luis Anno 1548. The breaking up of the Council of Trent was so much the more resented for that among the other Articles of Peace with the Princes and Cities of Germany one was That they should submit themselves to the determination of the Fathers in Matters of Religion This design failing to reconcile all Matters in Difference at the Diet at Auspurb a Book was published in Defence of the Catholick Doctrine but allowing the Laity to communicate in both Kinds and Priests to Marry It was called An Interim because to last till the Council met again and determined what was to be done Julius Phibug Michael Sidonia and Eilebius Agricola composed it In Saxony at the desire of Duke Maurice the Hereticks publish'd another Book called Adiapora that is Things Indifferent Philip Melancton was the Author of it and mentioned many things that ought to be Tolerated for the sake of Peace Matthias Illiricus and Nicholaus Gralius more rigid Hereticks wrote against this Book At the same time Muleasse King of Tunez came to Ausburg being expelled his Kingdom and having his Eyes put out by his own Son Maximilian Son to King Ferdinand came to Spain to Marry the Princess Mary his Cousin-German and to remain Governour in Spain because Prince Philip was to go for Flanders as he did in November in the same Fleet that brought Maximilian He landed at Genoa passed through Milan and Mantua and lastly at the beginning of the following Year came to Brussels in the Low Countries at such time as his Father was gone to Germany At the instance of Siceleus Archbishop of Toledo the Pope granted his Bull by which it was enacted That none descended of Jews Moors or Hereticks should have any Living in that Church D. James de Castilla the Dean and some others of the Chapter opposed this Decree but the most powerful Party prevailed Joanna d' Albret Daughter to Henry was contracted to the Duke of Cleves but the Match breaking off she now Married Antony of Bourbon Duke of Vendosme of the Blood Royal of France Anno 1549. This Year died Margaret Queen of Navarre and Mother to the above-mentioned Lady Joanna In Germany some Synods were held particularly at Treves Metz and Cologne by the Emperor's procurement to bring the deluded People to the Obedience of the Church In Africk a Man called Xerife the Son of a Merchant and himself a School-Master under the pretended Veil of Sanctity drew together a number of Armed People wherewith he expelled the Kings of Morocco Fez and Veles He of Veles fled for Refuge to the Emperor and afterwards to the King of Portugal of whom he received nothing but good Words This was the beginning of a bloody War in Africk In England Peter Martir at Oxford began publickly to teach the Heresy of the Sacramentarians and great Tumults happened about the Change of Religion They made Peace with the French who had began the War in Picardy restoring to them the City Bologn taken some Years before At Cigales on the first of November was born Anne Daughter to Prince Maximilian and Mary his Wife She was afterwards Married to her Unkle and was Queen of Spain Pope Paul died at Rome the 10th of November Anno 1550. Cardinal John Maria de Monte succeeded him by the Name of Julius the III. and lived after his Exaltation 5 Years 1 Month and 16 Days John de Vega Viceroy of Sicily on the Coast of Africk took the City called Africa formerly Leptis on the 9th of September expelling thence the Pyrat Dragut who used to set out thence and Ravage the Coasts of Sicily He put a Garison into it but soon after to save Charges utterly demolish'd it At Ausburg in Autumn was opened the Diet of the Empire at which the Emperor and his Son Prince Philip were present The Emperor strove to make his Son King of the Romans but his Brother King Ferdinand opposed it in favour of his own Son Maximilian who was come back from Spain being already chosen King of Bohemia and was now with his Father at the Diet. It was proposed to assemble a-new the Council of Trent and to make War upon Mecklenbourg where the Catholick Religion was wholly excluded Both these Propositions were offensive to Maurice Duke of Saxony tho he was appointed General of that War but what chiefly perplexed him was that the Emperor did not release his Unkle the Landtgrave of Hesse These were the Causes that moved the Duke to make War upon the Emperor who being at that time unprovided for it was reduc'd to great Extremities This Year was remarkable for the Jubilee and for the great numbers of People that repair'd to Rome to gain it Anno 1551. At the beginning of this Year died at Pavia Andrew Alciatus a famous Civilian and Humanist born at Milan who was first Professor in France and afterwards in Italy Pope Julius last December summoned the Bishops to meet again at Trent The Emperor caused the Pope's Edicts to be read at the Diet at Ausburg Duke Octavius Farnesius very unseasonably put himself under the Protection of France Ferrante Gonçaga to put a stop to his Proceedings besieged him in Parma This was the cause that Council was put off for some time but at length it was open'd in May. Cardinal Crecencius the Pope's Legate presided The Ecclesiastical Electors and many Prelates of Germany Spain and Italy were there present The King of France by his Embassador protested against their Proceedings Embassadors came from some German Princes to ask safe Conducts for the Heretical Ministers and Divines but the Conditions they proposed were so extravagant the Fathers thought it a lessening of their Authority to grant them After the Diet at Ausburg broke up Prince Philip return'd to Spain His Cousin Maximilian bore him Company as far as Genoa where he found the Princess Mary his Wife and his Children come thither by Sea out of Spain With them he return'd in December to Inspruck where the Emperor then was that City lying near to forward the Proceedings of the Council King Henry of France on the sudden commenced War in Flanders and Milan He call'd the Turkish Fleet to his Aid which on the Coast of Sicily took the Town and Castle of Augusta seated beyond the City Catania Thence they sailed over to Malta but not succeeding there crossed the Sea and on the Coast of Africk took Tripoli deliver'd to them by the Knights of Malta who had kept it ever since Rhodes was lost Two French Knights had the greatest share in that Treachery The Spaniards paid dearly for their Loyalty about 400 being put to the Sword It was given out the Turks did this in Revenge of the taking of the City of
occasioned before by too much Severity But it fell out otherwise than was expected for the French Flemish and German Hereticks conspired to revenge the Death of the Admiral of France and to secure Antwerp and other places They thought it would be easy to compass their Designs because the King of France was unprovided of an Army and in Flanders the Spanish Soldiers mutinyed for Pay being three Years in Arrears A great number of Horse at the beginning of Lent repaired to the Forrest of S. Germain through which the King of France was forced with all speed to retire to Paris Francis de Montmorency was suspected to be the Author of this Design upon the King as also of being a Favourer of the Hereticks The Spaniards in Flanders tho the chief Mutineers were punished were not appeased and yet Count Luis Brother to the Prince of Orange returning into the Country was overthrown on the 14th of April Great were the Confusions in France when the King died on the 4th of June leaving only one Daughter who lived not long after and the Crown fell to his Brother Henry then King of Poland The Turkish Fleet came to Tunez the 14th of July and on the 22d of August took the Castle of Goleta 24 Days after they took a Fort belonging to that City in which was a Spanish Garison D. John of Austria tho he lay then at Trapano in Sicily could not succour the Besieged Most Men blamed Cardinal Granville then Viceroy of Naples for not furnishing Men Money and Provisions in time Selymus the Great Turk died and Amurat his Son succeeded him About this time the King's Expences being great Duties on Goods were much raised and with the Pope's Permission the Towns belonging to the Church began to be sold The King of Portugal being naturally of a great Spirit which increased with his years sailed over with a Fleet unto Africk but did nothing worth remembring his great desire of extending the Christian Dominions suffered him not to rest In Genoa a Mutiny broke out in which-the new Nobles expelled the old ones out of the City To appease those Tumults the Cardinal John Moron was sent by the Pope a Commissary by the Emperor D. Charles de Borgia Duke of Gandia and D. John Ideaquez Embassador there were appointed by the Catholick King These after the Troubles had lasted two years adjusted all Differences Anno 1575. D. John of Austria came out of Italy into Spain and obtained of the King his Brother to appoint him his Lieutenant over all his Dominions in Italy with the Title of Vicar The Design was that no advantagious Opportunity offered might be lost as often happened by the Delays of the Viceroys This done in the same Fleet that brought him he returned to Italy to be in a Readiness to oppose the Great Turk who it was reported was preparing a mighty Fleet against the Christians This Report proved false But Moluco assisted by the Turks took the Kingdoms of Fez and Morocco from his Nephew Muley Mahomet Cheribo He pretended to justify this Proceeding by a Law some years before established which ordained that the King's Brothers should inherit before their Children Muley fled to Portugal and was the occasion of the great Loss sustained by the Portugueses in endeavouring to restore him The King of France kept the Dukes of Vendosme and Alençon Prisoners at Paris that they might not have the opportunity of embroiling the Kingdom Alençon made his Escape and fled to Normandy whither repaired to him not only the Hereticks but the Catholick Malecontents upon pretence of settling the Kingdom Soon after the Duke of Vendosme making his Escape came to him Anno 1576. Pope Gregory the 13th at Rome at length gave Judgment against Bartholomew de Miranda Archbishop of Toledo after he had been 17 years a Prisoner He died 18 days after in the Monastery of his Order called La Minerva in that City He was more fortunate while a private Man than in his great Dignity being a Person of Learning and Piety if in his latter years he had not given occasion to be suspected and even condemned as one not perfectly sound in matter of Religion Dr. Martin Aspizcueta of Navarre pleaded for him and writ in his Defence being the famousest Canonist of that Age as appears by his Works in Print no less pious than learned Maximilian the Emperor dying his Son Rodulphus already King of the Romans succeeded him in the Empire The Prince of Conde and John Casimir Son to the Palatin entred France by the way of Lorain with 30000 Men in favour of the Duke of Alençon for fear of whom a Peace was concluded with the Hereticks little to the King's Advantage D. Luis de Requesens Governor of Flanders dying the States of that Country met to consult what was to be done The result was that they conspired against their King and resolved to expel the Spaniards join with the Hereticks and take the Prince of Orange for their Head To colour their Treason soon after they sent for Mathias the Emperor's Brother out of Germany but abused him giving him the Name of Prince and doing what pleased themselves Whereupon in a little time leaving that shadow of a Principality he returned to Germany The Rebels in Flanders laid siege to the Castle of Antwerp at such time as the Spaniards being without a Head were in a Mutiny nevertheless they assembled from all parts to defend that Place The Garison of the Castle with all that resorted to them made not above 4000 Men. In the City were above 40000 able to bear Arms Yet their Multitude no way dismayed the Soldiers who falling upon them killed 14000 then plundered and set fire to that rich and beautiful City The same Day this hapned at Antwerp which was the 4th of November D. John of Austria came to Luxemburgh sent by the King of Spain to remedy the Disorders of the Low-Countries and for more Expedition he went through France in a disguise His coming availed nothing the Rebellion being too far advanced Anno 1577. Catherine Queen of Portugal died at Lisbon By her the eager Heat of King Sebastian her Grandson had bin hitherto curbed He and King Philip had an Interview at Guadalupe where they conferred about the Conquest of Africk for which Enterprize the Portugues was preparing and the Catholick King advised him not to go in Person but could not prevail In November a Comet appeared near the Sign Libra and the Planet Mars with a Tail of such extraordinary length and breadth as has scarce been seen After the Death of King Sebastian it was given out it threatned Portugal such are the Predictions of Astrologers and the Commonalty believe Comets portend change of Government Anno 1578. At Madrid on the 14th of April King Philip had a Son born of his Wife Queen Ann who was also called Philip the 4th Child this Queen had and out-lived the others As
to take the usual Oath of maintaining the Privileges of the Subjects and receive Homage of the Nobility The King of Leon his Father offended that he had been so imposed upon sent before his Brother Sancho to invade Castile and followed himself soon after doing much harm in the Territory of Campos Queen Berengaria sent two Bishops to appease him but to no purpose D. Alvaro de Laro seem'd to side with him whereupon the King ravag'd the Country and was in hopes to have taken Burgos yet D. Lope de Haro and others made him draw back with more speed than he came Segovia and Avila being before secured by D. Alvaro had not submitted to the new King but now they sent Embassadors to the Queen excusing themselves and promising for the future a constant Fidelity which they perform'd Now D. Alvaro consented that the dead King's Body which till then he kept at Tarriego should be bury'd The Queen and some Bishops accompanied it to Huelgas where it was interr'd as was said before King Ferdinand at the same time besieg'd and took Munon a strong Town and then went with his Mother to Burgos to hold the Cortes or Parliament they had summoned thither After this they took Lerma and Lara all things submitting to the new King except the Family of Lara and their Party who had the boldness to take up at Herreruela a Town in the King's way as he was going to Palencia Most of his Men quartered in the Town and he in a Farm hard by The King's Forces having Intilligence hereof unexpectedly fell upon him and tho' he endeavoured to defend himself took him Prisoner Here an end might have been put to all the Troubles but the King thought himself too secure Thus D. Alvaro having delivered up to the King all the Towns that belong'd to the Crown was not only set at Liberty but received into Favour His Brother Ferdinand refusing to deliver Castroxoriz and Orejon was permitted to hold them as the King's Lieutenant This Peace was not lasting for those Men being used to Rule could not be content with a private Life but gathering Forces spoiled the Country of Campos King Ferdinand soon drove them out of his Dominions and they fled to Leon where they stirr'd up that King who was preparing for it to Invade Castile Some Gentlemen of Castile broke into Leon and that King coming down Besieged them in Castellon betwixt Salamanca and Medina del Campo Men flocking on the one side to relieve and on the other to press the Besieged at last a Treaty was set on foot and a Truce concluded betwixt the Father and Son D. Alvaro de Lara being at that time sick caused himself to be carry'd on Mens Shoulders to the City Toro and there dy'd having at the time of his Death taken the Habit of Santiago as was then used to obtain the Indulgencies granted to that Order He was bury'd at Vcles the head Monastery of that Order His Brother Ferdinand who had fled to Africk liv'd in a Town called Elbora near Morocco where he also ended his days having taken the Habit of S. John The Death of these turbulent Men raised the hopes of all Men that a lasting Peace might now be concluded with Leon. Thus all were bent upon carrying on the Wars against the Moors the Pope granted Indulgencies great numbers of Men were raised rather in hopes of Plunder than to get any Pardon of their Sins They ransack'd all Estremadura and laid Siege to Caçeres but were forc'd to quit it by reason of the great Rains which oblig'd them to break up and go into quarters in the Year of our Lord 1218. Whilst these Confusions reigned in Spain the neighbouring Countries were no less consumed with intestine Broils War is the Nursery of all sort of Vices which now consequently were at their full growth In the midst of this darkness God enlightned the World with the example of many virtuous Men who taught the way to Salvation Neither wanted there many that followed them Among them all one of the chiefest was the Holy Father S. Dominick born at Caleruela betwixt Osma and Aranda He was first a Canon Regular then laboured much to root out the Heresie of the Albigenses as was said before and Instituted the Holy Order of Preaching confirmed by Pope Honorius He Founded several Monasteries in Spain and returning into Italy dy'd at Bolonia The same Year another Order was Instituted in Spain called de la Merced It was first thought of by Jaime King of Aragon and perfected by Peter Nolascus a Frenchman This Order was Instituted for the Redemption of Captives Their Habit is white as also their Hood on the former the Arms of Aragon and a Cross in a red Field Next was S. Francis born at Assis in Italy Founder of the Order of his Name and S. Anthony of Padua of the same Order In Castile the War was renewed against the Moors at the instance of Roderick Archbishop of Toledo 200000 Men were gathered in the Year 1219. They plundred the Country took some Places of no note and laid Siege to Requena but were forc'd to quit it In fine the Success was not answerable to the Preparations for only a rich Booty was taken and the Army dismiss'd CHAP. VI. The Marriages of two Kings Ferdinand of Castile and Jayme of Aragon King Ferdinand quells many Commotions Death of the Kings of France and Portugal THIS Year of our Lord 1219. there hap'ned a great Famine and Mortality in Spain At the same time Jayme King of Aragon was about removing his Uncle Sancho from the Government but upon his promise of acting better for the future forgave him The King tho' but 11 Years of Age began to give tokens of Valour and take delight in Arms and Martial Affairs One Roderick de Lizana a Man in great Power was at variance with a Kinsman of his own called Lope Albero and of great Friends they were become mortal Enemies Roderick watching his opportunity seizes his Adversary and carries him Prisoner to his Castle of Lizana The King commanded him to use no further Violence but be content with what he had done but he refused to obey This so offended the King that gathering a Body of Men at Huesca he marched to Albero a Town Lizana had possess'd himself of and in two days recover'd it Thence he came before the Castle of Lizana the Patrimony of that rebellious Gentleman and because the Garison refused to surrender caused a famous Engine to be brought from Huesca which would cast 1500 Stones in 24 Hours With this the Wall was shaken many Men killed and the Garison obliged to surrender Albero was restored to his liberty and his Adversary having lost the Castle fled to Albaracin where Peter Fernandez de Açagra was his great Friend Thence having according to the Custom of those times in Writing Renounced his Country and Allegiance he infested the Borders of Aragon