should not assume the Title of King of Castile and â—â—ould hold that Crown of him and do him 〈◊〉 for it That if D. Alonso dy'd without 〈◊〉 his Brother Ferdinand should 〈…〉 That the King of Castile should send â—000 Horse to the Assistance of the King of France to make War upon Aragon but give 〈◊〉 Army free passage through his Dominions if there was Occasion That the Two Princes then Prisoners being by the Two Kings set at Liberty should be deliver'd to the King of France This Agreement was so displeasing to Blanch the Mother of â—â—â— Princes that leaving her Brother she went away to Portugal She labour'd with a 〈◊〉 Spirit to get assistance against 〈◊〉 but the Success answer'd not the Pains she took Denis King of Portugal having 〈◊〉 the Moors his Dominions â—njoy'd perfect Peace and would by no 〈◊〉 be perswaded to hazard his own Quiet for the good of others This King had good natural Parts and who happy in a numerous â—â—ue By his Queen Elizabeth he had Two Daughters Elizabeth and Constance and one Son called Alonso who 〈◊〉 him By other Women he had Alonso de Albuquerque from whom descends a Noble Family in Portugal Peter given to 〈◊〉 as appears by a Book he wrote of the Nobility of Spain 〈◊〉 and Ferdinand 〈◊〉 two Daughters one marry'd to D. John de la Cerda the other to 〈◊〉 CHAP. VIII Troubles in Castile The rightful Heirs to that Crown before Prisoners in Aragon set at liberty Wars on that account betwixt those two Crowns Badajoz Mâ—tinies and is reduc'd An Interview betwixt the Kings of France and Castile CAstile was at peace with the Moors Amity being establish'd with the King of Granada and a Truce with the King of Morocco A Civil War was fear'd by all Men. These Troubles were occasion'd by the Death of D. Lope de Haro kill'd in the Court and even in the King's presence in this manner D. Alvar NunÌ„ez de Lara dying soon after he was reconcil'd to the King his Competitor D. Lope de Haro return'd to Court hoping to recover his former Favour But no sooner was D. Alvar dead than D. John his Brother was rais'd to the same degree of Esteem to the great satisfaction of the People and no less Grief of D. Lope de Haro who so highly resented it as to complain to the King himself Prince John D. Lope's Son in Law 〈…〉 Incursions far as Guidad 〈◊〉 The King complain'd thereof to D. Lope who had the Boldness to say 〈…〉 by his Consent and added that if the King went to Valladolid his Son in-Law would come to â—igules a Town 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 which was threatning of him The King tho inrag'd at this Affront dissâ—â—â—'d it at present and going to Valladolid spoke with D. John his Brother â—o those Troubles â—â—as'd for some time From Valladolid the King 〈◊〉 to Roa thence to 〈◊〉 then to Soria and then set forward towards Taragona to meet the King of Aragon and treat about delivering the Two Princes his Nephews This Meeting of the Two Kings was prevented by the Policy of D. Lope de Haro who pass'd betwixt them and made Proposals to each of them which the other never thought of His Design was by 〈◊〉 of these two Princes to pull down King Sancho from whom he was wholly 〈◊〉 Therefore nothing being concluded King Sancho return'd to Alfaro a Town or 〈◊〉 on the Borders Beacon and Navarre Prince John and D. Lope de Haro came thither to attend him without a sufficient Retinue to guard them There were 〈◊〉 at that 〈…〉 Arch-Bishop at Toledo the Bishops of Plasencia Callahorra Osma and Tuy besides the 〈…〉 Lord 〈…〉 and the Abbot of Valladolid all summon'd to a Council Prince 〈◊〉 and D. Lope being come into the Kings Presence he commanded them immediately to deliver up all the 〈◊〉 they held of the King and they excusing themselves he order'd them to be apprehended D. Lope 〈◊〉 Hand on his Sword and wrapping his Cloak about his Arm call'd the King Tyrant gave him much more opprobrious Language and stepp'd forwards to kill him All that were by 〈◊〉 and falling upon him first out off his Right Hand and soon made an end of him Prince John after wounding some of the King's Servant seeing his Father in Law Dead fled to the Queen's Chamber who stood before him to stop the King that follow'd with his drawn Sword and by her intreaties sav'd his life However he was put in Prison to stand Tryal for his Offences It would be tedious to relate all the particulars of this Treason and the Confusion in the Royal Family These Heads being taken off all Tumults ceased for the present and the Example terrifyed others from attempting just then to Rebel But when the Terror was somewhat abated that Action of the King 's began to be openly censur'd The Friends and Kindred of those two great Men withdrew from Court and many got out of the Kingdom Thus a mighty Storm seem'd to threaten and therefore the King as was said made hast to conclude the League with France Joanna Wife to the late D. Lope de Haro Daughter to D. Alonso Lord of Molina all clad in Mourning went to see the Queen her Sister at Santo Domingo de la Calçada where the Court then was and prevail'd so far with her Tears and the Queens intercession that the King was appeased and granted her Son should not be depriv'd of his Lord-ship of Biscay as had been design'd the Town of Haro and Castle of TrevinÌ„o being already seiz'd Moreover the Queen promis'd her Sister that if her Son would be quiet and submit himself to the King he should be restor'd to his Father's Honours The Lady Joanna like an unconstant Woman thinking this proceeded from Fear incens'd her Son against the King and perswaded him to cast off his Allegiance and go over to Aragon Mary Wife to Prince John then a Prisoner fled to Navarre and with her many of her Friends but others better advis'd stay'd to see the Event of Things Gaston Viscount of Bearne came speedily to Aragon resolving to hazard his Person and Estate in defence of his Kindred At the Request of all these Nobles the King of Aragon releas'd the Two Brothers Princes of Castile and the more to incense King Sancho in the Month of September at Jaca saluted Alonso the eldest King of Castile and Leon. This was the Foundation of new Wars which presently broke out between Castile and Aragon The Commonalty of Castile were for a Change the Gentry for the most part stood by King Sancho He about that time went to Vitoria in the Province of Alava and there the Queen was deliver'd of a Son who was call'd Henry This Journey was undertaken in order to meet the King of France at Bayonne as had been agreed and to subdue Biscay This War prov'd more difficult than was expected by reason of the natural Strength of
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 Saldan̄a 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
the Office fell to nothing tho' afterwards for some years the Archbishops appointed Deputies to execute it and now they have only the bare Title of Lords Chancellors of Castile D. John the Archbishop increas'd the number of 13 Poor maintain'd at the House of those Prelates to 30 which holds to this day The King of Aragon in persuance of the Popes Grant was resolv'd to possess himself of the Island of Sardinia then subject to the Republick of Pisa To this purpose he sent his Son D. Alonso who in the term of two years Conquer'd it defeating those of Pisa in several Encounters Yet most of the Aragonians dy'd through the unhealthfulness of the Country Prince Peter younger Brother to Alonso mov'd by the fresh example of Castile and the favour of many Nobles hop'd if his Brother dy'd in that Expedition to exclude his Sons and inherit the Crown which he understanding soon concluded a Peace with Pisa in the Month of June 1324. upon these Conditions That Prisoners on both sides be set at liberty That Trade be restor'd That the Castle of Caller with all its Territory remain to the People of Pisa That all the rest of the Island belong to the Aragonians This done he came over into Spain and prevail'd with his Father to declare his Sons Heirs of the Crown notwithstanding he should dye before them in the Cortes at Zaragoça and there the Oath of Fidelity to them as Heirs was accordingly taken The following 1325. in January and at Santarem dy'd Denis King of Portugal a Prince famous for the long time he Reigned which was 45 Years 9 Months and 5 Days as also for his continual Prosperity till the latter end of his Reign when it was disturb'd by his Son He was bury'd in the Monastery of St. Bernard built by himself a League and half from Lisbon Queen Elizabeth his Wife liv'd 11 Years after him and dy'd on the fourth of July 1332. She was afterwards Canonized for her extraordinary Virtue and Acts of Piety Alonso King Denis his eldest Son succeeded him and was call'd the Brave for his Love to Martial Affairs Of six Children he had three dy'd young which were Alonso Denis and John Mary Peter and Ellenor outliv'd their Parents This year dy'd Sancho King of Majorca at Cerdagne and because he had no Children appointed D. Jayme his Brother Ferdinand's Son his Heir The King of Aragon pretended it belong'd to him by his Grandfather's Will who was the first that erected that Kingdom Jayme had the possession but the Aragonian was powerful therefore at the instance of Philip the late King's Brother by him appointed Governour during the Minority of D. Jayme it was agreed That D. Jayme should Marry Constance Grandchild to the King of Aragon who should give her in Dower the Right he pretended to that Crown Castile was not yet quiet which caus'd King Alonso tho' naturally merciful to punish some Heads of Mutineers whence he got the Name of the Revengeful D. John the Lord of Biscay who aspir'd to marry the Lady Blanch for her great Estate and design'd to call D. Alonso de la Cerda out of France to stir up new Troubles was the first that suffer'd The King upon pretence of making War against the Moors call'd D. John to him and made some Overtures of giving him his Sister Ellenon in Marriage He came to Court on the Day of all Saints in the year 1327 and being invited to a Feast was there put to Death by the King's Order One only Daughter he had then at Nurse was carry'd to Bayonne then in the Hands of the English Mary his Mother who was in the Monastery of Perales sold all the Lordship of Biscay to Garcilasso de la Vega. Yet the King being afterwards appeas'd the Heiress of that Estate was marry'd to D. John de Lara and had the Lordship of Biscay restor'd to her The Towns and Forts D. John had by Inheritance which were above 80. were either taken by Force or Surrender'd and annex'd to the Crown D. John Manuel commanded in the Frontiers against the Moors and tho he did not much confide in the King yet he carry'd on the War vigorously The Infidels had not long before surpriz'd the Castle of Rute and design'd an Incursion into Andaluzia under their General Osmin then reconcil'd to the King D. John ingag'd them near the River Guadalhorça routed them and killed a great Number After this Victory he retir'd to his Estate much Discontented for that the King put away his Daughter Constance and marry'd Mary Daughter to the King of Portugal This was highly resented by D. John and the King of Aragon Uncle to the Lady Constance Alonso the IVth at this time was King of Aragon his Father King Jayme the IId dying at Barcelona where he was bury'd the Day after D. John the Lord of Biscay was put to Death in Castile The Lady Teresa the King's Daughter in Law dy'd 5 days before him at Zaragoça and was there bury'd in the Monastery of S. Francis D. Alonso who succeeded King Jayme had by his Wife the Lady Teresa these Children Peter Jayme and Constance for four others dy'd in their Infancy King Jayme ordain'd that the Principalities of Drago Catalonia and Valencia should never be parted He was so great an Enemy to Law-Suits that he for ever banish'd Ximeno Rada a great Lawyer by whose Contrivance many had suffer'd in their Estates Charles the Fair King of France and Navarre dy'd at Bois de Vincennes on the first of February 1328. His Queen 3 Months after his Death was deliver'd of a Daughter call'd Blanch. By the Laws of France she could not inherit the Crown therefore a Son of Charles de Valois who dyed two years before the King call'd Philip Cousin German to the three late Kings on the one side and Edward King of England as Son to the Lady Elizabeth Sister to those three Kings on the other pretended to that Crown The States of the Kingdom according to the Salique Law proclaim'd Philip de Valois whence ensu'd bloody Wars betwixt those two Nations and the Kings of England took the Title of Kings of France and quarter'd the Flower de Luces in their Arms. Navarre was more Fortunate for it was deliver'd from the Dominion of France Joanna the Daughter of King Luis Hutin marry'd the Earl of Eureux call'd Philip and they were proclaim'd King and Queen of Navarre at Pamplona by the general consent of all People that Lady having the undoubted Right to the Crown by her Mother The King of France made no Opposition as well in regard to her Title as because the Earl was his near Kinsman being Great Grandson to S. Luis King of France Before the Government was well setled the People of Navarre mutiny'd and were so outragious against the Jews that in only the Town of Estela 10000 are said to have been kill'd perhaps there may be
Severity D. Frederick his Bastard Brother met him at Ellerena and was receiv'd with exterior Tokens of Affection but it appear'd afterwards they were Counterfeit At the same time he order'd D. Alonso de Olmedo to put to Death the Lady Ellenor de Guzman then a Prisoner at Talavera in the Kingdom of Toledo This Town being part of the Queen's Dower was from that time call'd Talavera de la Râ—yna Garcilasso de la Vega was kill'd in the Palace at Burgos his chief Crime was the Affection he bore to D. John de Lara Garcilasso was Lieutenant of Castile Garci Manrique succeeded him in that Post It was consulted how the King might get the young Child D. Nuno de Lara Lord of Biscay into his Power But D. Mencia who had the Care of him fled with him into Biscay hoping that People would defend him The King pursu'd and they narrowly escap'd but the Child soon dying he easily subdu'd all that Lordship and annex'd Biscay Lerma and Lara with other Places to the Crown having before secur'd Joanna and Elizabeth Sisters to the Child deceas'd These things were acted in the year of Grace 1351. Great rejoycing was 〈◊〉 in Aragon for the Birth of Prince John which put an end to the strife there had been about the Succession Bernard de Cabrâ—ra was appointed his Tutor and the young Prince was created Duke of Girona From this time forward the eldest Son to the King of Aragon was always Duke of Girona Both the Kings of Castile and Aragon endeavour'd to make a 〈◊〉 with Charles King of Navarre who the year before was Crown'd at Pamplona This King thought it convenient to entertain both those Kings with fair promises Yet at the request of the Castilian he came to Burgos where they both labour'd to out-do one another in Civility and Gallantry Being almost of the same Age and Natural Inclinations they became great Friends This King Charles was by some call'd the Wicked by others the Cruel because 〈◊〉 punish'd with severity a Mutiny that was rais'd at his first Accession to the Crown After some days spent in Mirth at Burgos the King of Castile went away to hold the â—â—rtes or Parliament at Burgos and King Charles returned to â—amplona Thence desiring to be gone into France his Native Country he first went to Moblanco in Aragon to meet that King There two Marriages were propos'd one for King Charles with the Sister to the King of Sicily and the other with Blanch Widow of Philip King of France but nothing was concluded because he hop'd to Marry Joanna the King of France's Daughter CHAP. VIII Embassadors sent by King 〈◊〉 of Castile into France to obtain for his Wife Blanch Daughter to the Duke of Bourbon who is brought into Spain and Marry'd to the King but he being before in â—ove with the Lady Mary de Padilla slights and forsakes his Queen SOme Towns in Old Castile had an antient inmemorial Privilege of chusing their Lords and were therefore call'd Behâ—trias from the Greek word Hetera signifying a Company D. Alonso de Albuquerque in the Cortes labour'd that it should be establish'd for the future the King should appoint those Lords but it could not be obtain'd The next thing propos'd was to Marry the King and to that purpose John de Roelaâ— Bishop of Burgos and Alvor Garcia de Albâ—rnoz a Gentleman of Cuenca were sent Embassadors into France to ask one of the six Daughters of the Duke of Bourbon the most powerful Prince of the Blood Royal in France which they should most approve of for the King The Duke having shew'd them his Daughters they made choice of the Lady Blanch and she was Contracted to the King by Proxy This Lady was bless'd with all Perfections of Soul and Body but unfortunate in her Marriage which ought to have been the Complement of all her Felicity Henry Earl of Trastamara after the Death of his Mother and Gareilasso fled out of Asturias to Portugal fearing the King whom he was not able to oppose The King of Portugal taking compassion on the Earl and fearing leâ—t any misfortune might befall his Grandson the King of Castile his People being incens'd against him met him at Câ—idad Rodrigo There he perswaded him to pardon Count Henry In the beginning of the year 1352. Discontents began to break out in Andaluzia Asturias and Murcia D. Alonso Fernandez Coronel a powerful Man in Andaluzia was possess'd of Aguilar by the King's Gift and had long been at 〈◊〉 with Bernaâ—â—de Cabrera about that Town He was â—ealous of the King for that during his sickness at Seviâ— he had let fall some words signifying that D. John de Lara ought to succeed him which the King heinously resented This Gentleman confiding in the Strength of Aguilar stor'd his other Towns and made an Alliance with other mutinous Nobles He rais'd Men and ask'd Aid of Foreign Princes Particularly he sent D. John de la Cerda Son to Lewis and his Son in Law to the Moors Neither the King of Granada nor the Africanâ— would give him any Succour but it is said he serv'd Albohacen in a Battel in which he overthrew his Father Albohacen Thence he return'd to Portugal and there continu'd in Banishment His Wife the Lady Mary Coronel not able to endure the absence of her Husband or resist her unchast desires rather than yield to them is said to have put burning Coals into that Part which molested her The King of Castile having taken several Towns in Andaluzia prepar'd to Besiege Aguilar when News was brought him that Count Henry had Rebell'd at Gijon in Asturias and his Brother D. Tello committed many Outrages making Incursions from Montagudo on the Frontiers of Aragon This oblig'd him to March to Asturias where Gijon surrender'd upon promise of Pardon for themselves and Count Henry who lurk'd in the Mountains In this march it was that the King fell in Love with Da. Maria de Padilla a young Maid that was bred in the House of D. Alonso de Albuquerque Their familiarity began at Sahagun which prov'd Fatal to the King and Kingdom John de Hinestrola the Ladies Uncle was the manager of the unhappy Bargain The King march'd to Montagudo and took it with several other Towns for D. Tello had abandon'd it and was fled to Aragon The two Kings of Aragon being so near one another set onfoot a Treaty of Peace they met not themselves but their Embassadors D. Alonso de Albuquerque and Bernard de Gabrera concluded a Peace at Taraçona A League offensive and defensive was establish'd and they agreed the one should pardon D. Tello and the other D. Ferdinand de Aragon Then â—ing Peter return'd into Andaluzia and after a Siege of four Months took Aguilar in February 1853. D. Alonso Coronel being taken was Executed as a Traytor with Five of his Companions The Town was dismantled and the King pardon'd the multitude On the 25th of the same
〈◊〉 as he went from Court late at Night The Assassine's Name was Ottonville The Cause was suppos'd to be to 〈…〉 of such a Competitor the Duke Burgundy aspiring to the 〈…〉 of the Kingdom by reason of the King's Weakness in his Understanding As soon as the Murder was discover'd the Duke fled to his Country to stand upon his Guard At the suit of the Dutchess Dowger he was summon'd to appear and answer for him 〈◊〉 which he relying upon 〈…〉 Interest and Riches accordingly did John Pettite a Divi◠〈…〉 in his Sermons 〈…〉 this Action saying it was lawful to kill a Tyrant and such a 〈…〉 he accounted the Duke of Orleans The Judges also clear'd the Duke of Burguidy whence there 〈…〉 and bloody Wars in France which consum'd its Riches and much diminish'd its Glory The question was whether it be Lawful for a private Person to kill a Tyrant was long disputed among the Divines and the Council of Constance which met not long after gave their Judgment and 〈◊〉 Decree in the Negative Luys Duke of Orleans was Brother to the King of France and the Duke of Burgandy's Cousin German Prince Ferdinand kept his Christmas and began the Year 1408 at Toledo The King and Queen Mother resided at Guadalajata it being a temperate and healthful Place Thither the Cortes were assembled to grant Supplies for carrying on the War All were willing to forward so good a Work but it was hard to find ways to raise Mony the Country being exhausted However the pressing Instances of the Prince and other great Men prevail'd so far that 150000. Ducats were granted but upon Cohdition an account should be kept how it was lay'd out that it might not be misapply'd Whilst the Cortes were sitting the King of Granada lay'd Siege to Alcaudete with a prodigious Army of 7000 Horse and 120000 Foot The Town was in Danger and all Andaluzia alarm'd being in no Condition to oppose so great a Power because the Forces were dispers'd and Winter Season was not fit to take the Field However the besieg'd held out bravely and the Christians made Incursions into the Enemy Country three several Ways as a diversion ravaging all their Territories in revenge for the harm they had done on our Frontiers The Moors discourag'd by so many Losses sent to Treat of concluding a Truce The Prince oppos'd it hoping to gain some Advantage upon the Moors but the Queen 〈◊〉 it should be agreed to for eight Months The Country would have the Tax remitted since the War ceas'd The Prince would not consent saying it was necessary to be provided for the next Year however the fourth part was abated To these Cortes came D. Peter de Luna the Pope's Nephew and Arch-bishop of Toledo He brought along with him his Nephew Alvaro de Luna a youth 〈◊〉 18 years of Age Bastard Son to Alvaro de Luna Lord of CanÌ„ete and Juhera and of Mary de CanÌ„ete a Woman so leud she had four Bastards by four several Fathers one him we have spoken of another call'd John de Cereçuela by the Governour of Canete Martin the third by a Shepherd call'd John and the fourth called also Martin by a Farmer of Canete The two last in respect to their Brother took the Name of Luna From so base an Origin sprung this Youth who in time rose so high as to overtop the greatest Nobles of Spain and was unfortunately cast down again He was Christen'd by the Name of Peter and Pope Benedict taken with his Person and Wit caus'd him at his Confirmation to take the Name of Alvaro in respect to his Father Being come into Castile he was made one of the King's Bedchamber in which employ he so behav'd himself that he gain'd his Affection and had the ascendent over him On the 11th of May dy'd Mahomet King of Granada in that City which gave occasion to hope there would ensue a lasting Peace He is said to have been kill'd by a poison'd Shirt he put on His Brother Joseph then a Prisoner at SalobrenÌ„a was brought out and proclaim'd King As soon as Joseph came to the Crown he sent Embassadors to the King of Castile with rich Presents of Horses Furniture Cimiters rich Silks Raisins Figs and Almonds the chief Dainty among those People They had other things given them in return but obtain'd not what they desired which was to prolong the Truce Pope Benedict having tir'd the World with his Double-dealing which was now discover'd was forsaken by his Friends and knew not what course to take to support his Authority which was his main Design From Avignon he was come to Marseilles and thence sent to his Competitor Pope Gregory to make some Overtures of an Accommodation which he pretended he had always desir'd To this effect he said it were convenient they should meet in some proper Place because Affairs could not be so well setl'd by a third Hand Embassadors were sent by Pope Gregory to agree upon the place of Meeting and after much contesting concluded upon Savona a Town in the Territories of Genoa they also articl'd that neither Pope should create Cardinals till they had conferr'd together After this Pope Benedict immediately imbarqu'd for the place appointed that the World might believe he desir'd to compose Matters Pope Gregory thought not that place secure as favouring his Adversary yet came as far as Luca and Pope Benedict advanc'd to Portovenere to be the nearer to him All he acted was deceitful and even Pope Gregory contrary to what had been agreed created three new Cardinals which disgusted those of his Faction and they withdrew to Pisa Pope Benedict sent thither four of his Cardinals and three Arch-bishops who had a Conference with the other Cardinals and they agreed to call a General Council It was given out they intended to apprehead the two Popes whereupon Benedict fled out of Italy having before his Departure summon'd a general Council to meet at Perpignan On the 2d of July he landed at Colivre and thence went to Perpignan to influence the Council The King of Navarre visited the Pope there in his way to France whither he was going in hopes to recover part of what he had lost during those Troubles but he did no more this Journey than he had done the former At Perpignan 20 Bishops met most of Spain and France the Business was to put an end to the Schism and finding no likelihood of Success most of the unprivately got away Only 18 Bishops remain'd who petition'd the Pope to restore Unity to the Church tho it were by renouncing the Papacy It was not likely he would condescend yet he sent Persons of Note to Pisa â—â— on pretence of Treaty 〈◊〉 reality as Spies In that City besides many Bishops there were as Cardinals 6 of them of Pope Benedict's Faction they all sommon'd both Popes to appear before them and make good their Claims and seding neither appear'd by common Consent on the 26th of
after the Death of the King her Husband retir'd into Castile and there spent the time of her Widowhood with her Children A motion was made that the King of Castile should marry her Daughter the Princess Mary Queen Catherine approv'd not of that Match To prevent it she pleaded the King was too young whereas in reality she was rather inclin'd to Match him in Portugal with the Princess Ellenor who was her Neece and not only she but most of the Court thought that Match would unite the two Kingdoms in a lasting knot of Amity Death prevented those Designs which suddenly took away Queen Catherine at Valladolid upon Thursday the 2d of June in the Year 1418 at the age of 50. Of Body she was large and gross somewhat free in drinking as is the Custom of her Country open hearted and bountiful which Virtues some made use of to advance their Interest and slander others Most of her Counsellors and Ministers were mean Persons which is very dangerous for Princes She was bury'd in the Royal Chappel of Toledo in a particular Tomb where she had given a Revenue for 15 Chaplains to pray for the Souls of her and her Husband The Queen's Death produc'd great Alterations The King notwithstanding his tender Age came out of that profound Ignorance in which his Mother had kept him and began in some Measure to govern the Kingdom assisted with the advice of some Persons about him Among them the chiefest was the Arch-bishop of Toledo who being of a haughty Spirit ambitious of Honour and a busy Man seiz'd the Government into his own Hands so that under the Shadow of the King's Name he turn'd all things which way he pleased Two Embassadors came from France to sue for some Succours in that time of need They were put off with an excuse grounded on the King's Minority the late Troubles and new ones that were fear'd It was again propos'd to marry the King The Archbishop ow'd all his Preferment to the Crown of Aragon and therefore prevail'd the Match with Aragon should be preferr'd before that of Portugal On the 21st of October the King and Princess were contracted at Medina del Campo with great Pomp. One of the Articles of Marriage was that the Princess Catherine younger Sister to King John should be marry'd to one of the Princes of Aragon None was particularly nam'd because Prince John the eldest was unresolv'd where he should take a Wife First he was contracted to Elizabeth Daughter to the King of Navarre and broke off in hopes of marrying Joanna Queen of Naples as was said before He spent some time governing Sicily instead of Queen Blanch whom her Father the King of Navarre caus'd to return home she being the eldest Sister and Heiress of that Crown Many Princes made suit to her for her great Fortune but her Father preferr'd before them all this Prince John for his good Qualities and because he hoped Aragon and Navarre might come to be united King Alonso his Brother having no Issue Her Dower for the present was 420000 Florins It was also articl'd That in case Queen Blanch should die without Issue her Husband after the Decease of his Father and Mother in Law should during his Life stile himself and be actually King of Navarre They were marry'd by Proxy at Olite The Prince's Commissioner was James Gomez de Sandoval Nephew to the Archbishop of Toledo Lieutenant of Castile and Steward to the Prince with whom he afterwards was in the highest Favour and at last was cast down as shall be shewn in its place This Contract was made in the Year 1419. This same Year the Admiral Vincent Ferrerius of the Order of S. Dominick chang'd this Life for a better at Vannes in Britany and was afterwards for his Virtue and the Miracles he wrought put into the number of the Saints His Body was bury'd in the Cathedral of that City Let us return to King John of Castile Castile began to be disturb'd the Nobility being at Variance The King was too young and weak to curb them Many envy'd the Arch-bishop of Toledo and were offended that a Priest should have more Power than all the Nobility The King was advis'd to take upon him the Government since he was 14 Years of Age. To this purpose the Cortes met at Madrid to which all Persons of Note resorted On the 7th of March all that Assembly being together in the Palace of that Town the Archbishop made a study'd Speech declaring to them how the King intended to take the Government upon himself and lay aside his Tutors D. Alonso Enriquez the Admiral in the Name of all there present approv'd of his Resolution and they altogether applauded it It was requisite the King 's tender Years should have some support therefore he admitted to his Council all those who had been of it in his Father's time and during his Nonage The Arch-bishop of Toledo the Admiral the Constable Peter Manrique Lieutenant of Leon and John Hurtado de Mendoça the Lord Steward were appointed Commissioners to consider of all Grants and bestow Preferments Gutierre Gomez de Toledo Arch-deacon of Guadalajara was appointed to draw up and register all Orders This the Arch-bishop took ill pretending it belong'd to him as Chancellor of Castile Among others the Princes of Aragon John and Henry Master of the Order of Santiago were then at Court them the Arch-bishop endeavour'd by all means to draw to his Party that they might support him against his Enemies and he continue fixt in the Government From Madrid the King went to Segovia where a Dispute happening betwixt the Courtiers and Townsmen they were very near coming to blows The Princes of Aragon did not agree among themselves both aspiring to possess themselves of the King and Government and admitting of no Competitor The Nobility was divided D. Ruy Lopez Davalos the Constable and Peter Manrique favour'd Prince Henry Ferdinand Earl of Trastamara and the Arch-bishop of Toledo sided with Prince John The King was young and changeable soon angry and as soon pleas'd His Stature was large considering his Age his Complexion clear but withal he was weakly and had no good Face yet of Temper was mild and tractable He delighted in Hunting Justs and Turneaments lov'd Learning and could himself make indifferent Spanish Verses These Virtues which shew'd themselves in his Childhood in his riper Years spread more and grew to Perfection Yet all this was defac'd by his love of Ease and neglect of the Government He gave little attention to Business and that always in hast in short he was not fit to rule a Kingdom This it was that put his Courtiers in the way of obtaining great Preferments especially Alvaro de Luna who began already to be more in his Favour than any other Queen Mother some Years before to obstruct his unreasonable Advance in the King's Esteem had prudently forbid him the Court ordering him to return to Aragon
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 〈◊〉 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
THE General HISTORY OF SPAIN FROM The first Peopling of it by Tubal till the Death of King Ferdinand Who United the Crowns of CASTILE and ARAGON WITH A CONTINUATION TO THE Death of KING PHILIP III. Written in Spanish By the R. F. F. John de Mariana To which are added Two SUPPLEMENTS THE FIRST By F. Ferdinand Camargo y Salcedo the other by F. Basil Varen de Soto bringing it down to the present Reign The whole Translated from the Spanish By Cap t JOHN STEVENS LONDON Printed for Richard Sare at Grays-Inn-Gate in Holbourn Francis Saunders in the New-Exchange in the Strand and Thomas Bennet at the Half-Moon in St. Paul's Church-Yard 1699. TO THE Right Honourable CHARLES Earl of Dorset and Middlesex c. MY LORD MAriana's History of Spain has been an Offering worthy the Acceptance of two Kings Its first appearance in the World was in Latin in the Reign and under the Patronage of the Mighty Monarch Philip II. of Spain from whom it met with so favourable a Reception as encourag'd it when made Spanish by the same hand to aspire to no less Protection than the same great Prince's Son Philip III. then Sovereign not only of all Spain but of the East and West-Indies This same History now first brought to speak English I presume to present your Lordship as the worthiest Patron I could make choice of for a Work that has hitherto been thought deserving the Acceptance of Kings Nor do I think my choice inferiour to my Authors not that I mean to bring the Dignity of Crown'd Heads into a Parallel with other Honours but because Kings tho' they are above all other Men as to their Character yet they may be and are often inferior to many in the Beauties and Accomplishments both of Body and Mind Philip II. was more a Politician than an Historian and Philip III. had more of the Saint than of the Scholler the Father made it his only Study to over-reach other Princes and gain some Advantage upon them the Son rather aim'd at Heavenly than Worldly Learning Thus it appears neither of them had those parts your Lordship is possess'd of to render you if not so powerful yet a more worthy Patron Their Power might shade their Ignorance but your Lordships Judgment and Learning will exert it self even above their Power They might receive the fawning Flatteries of their Subjects but your Lordship is so far above being Flatter'd that it would be a very difficult Task to give a true Estimate of your real Abilities I will refrain enlarging upon this Subject lest Malice or Envy should interpret that a Reflection upon others which is only a faint Expression of what is your Lordships due I must desist from all that looks like Praise as well because I can't in a small compass express so much as is known to the World as because it is an undertaking much above my reach to give a Character of your Lordship or to express the worth of your Noble Ancestors Persons so truly Great are above all Flattery and mean Objects are rather expos'd to scorn than extoll'd by it Your Lordship stands highly visible among the first among those I mean who having attain'd to the utmost pitch of Honour can receive no Addition of Glory from the best of Pens This makes my Task in approaching so able a Judge the more easie which others perhaps may think the greatest difficulty Much Study and Accurate Language they say is requisite to express our selves duly to Persons of eminent Parts who are able to discover the least Imperfections and expect to be treated according to their Merit I confess the ablest Pen can never exceed where there 's true worth but at the same time it must be allow'd that those who deserve most are generally contented with least Thus we see the Greatest and Best of Men are nothing pleas'd to hear their own Commendations because tho' never so real Modesty makes them look like Flattery in their Eyes and they easily connive at Faults which are not willful because the sweetness of their Temper makes them rather commiserate then expose the Failings of others This is a Generosity without which no Man can be call'd truly Good and he that is not Good can never be truly Great Tyrants and others rais'd by infamous means to mighty Titles may according to the mistaken vulgar Sense of the World be call'd and look'd upon as Great in respect of their Power or Riches but only those are really so and will transmit that Name to Posterity who either rise by Noble and Vertuous Actions or being Nobly Born preserve that Nobility unblemish'd Your Lordship has Worth to be above Flattery Generosity not to be puff'd up with due Praises and Goodness to overlook Faults I am too sensible of my own weakness not to think so able a Judge may discover many in this Work for of this Epistle I do not speak it being only design'd to beg Pardon for the rest The Work I own deserv'd an abler Undertaker but there is something of Glory even in attempting great things tho' the Success don't answer and it is Honourable to favour and encourage such Attempts Scipio deserv'd no less Commendation for favouring Ennius than Augustus did for encouraging Virgil and Your Lordship in Patronizing this Translation tho' it prove inferior in value will do no less than the two great Monarchs I mention'd at first in giving their Protection to the Originals The less my Merit appears the greater will be the Demonstration of his Goodness who supports my Weakness The Mighty Artaxerxes accepted of Water a Country-man brought him in his Hands and stoop'd to drink of it History ought to be pure as Water without any Partiality to disturb or discolour it such has my Author been generally accounted if the course way of presenting of it in the hands of my unpolish'd Stile make it appear the less valuable Your Lordship will be pleas'd to consider it was the best Vessel I had to serve it up in and to look upon it as the best mark I was able to give of the profound Respect I owe as My Lord Your Lordships Most Faithful and most Devoted humble Servant JOHN STEVENS THE PREFACE THE Learned part of the World is so well acquainted with the value of this History that it will seem superfluous to give any Character of it so that whatsoever I can say in its behalf must fall short of what it deserves in the Opinion of those who are Judges of its worth and sach as have no knowledge of it may be apt to think me Partial as a Translator should I offer any thing in commendation of it Mariana needs no Apology having establish'd an unblemish'd Reputation and that particularly as to the best of Qualifications requir'd in an Historian which is being Impartial I will not go about to prove him so in the strictest Sense for that were to make him more than Man since we know there is none
Force or upon Submission is not known All things being settled with a wonderful Celerity Caesar having gather'd vast sums of Money to which effect he spared not the Temple of Hercules departed for Rome where he arrived in October Asinius Pollio was left to govern Hispania Vlterior and Marcus Lepidus the Citerior together with Gallia Narbonensis About this time some guess Cordova had the name of Colonia Patricia given it and several other Towns to flatter the Conqueror chang'd their Names as Attubis which was call'd Claritas Julia Ebora in Portugal Liberalitas Julia Calahorra also took the name of Julia Sexi that of Firmum Julium Iliturgi which is Anduxar that of Forum Julium Those of Ampurias laying aside the distinction there was betwixt Greeks and Spaniards receiv'd the Roman Custom Language and Laws with the Name of a Colony There are many Monuments of this War remaining in Spain and particularly at Talavera a Town well known in the Kingdom of Toledo on that part of the Wall which is opposite to St. Peter's Church these words are to be seen cut in the stones To Gneius Pompey the Son of Pompey the Great The remaining part is worn out and not legible but suppos'd to be set up in Memory of some great Action CHAP. VII Other Commotions in Spain after the Death of Caesar the beginning of the Empire of Augustus and War of Cantabria THE power of Julius Caesar was at its greatest height when the Senators Conspiring against him as a Tyrant slew him in the Senate on the 15 of March in the Year 710 giving him 23 Wounds From that time some begin the Computation of the Years of Augustus his Reign but the most Commence from the following Year when on the 22 of September according to Dio he was chosen Consul in the Place of C. Vibius Pansa slain near Modena In Spain Pollio attended to suppress the Robbers that thro' the Confusion of the times were grown very Numerous about Sierra Morena When the News of Julius Caesar's Death was brought to him he Assembled the Principal Men at Cordova and there protested before them that he would in all things submit to the Authority of the Senate of Rome This seem'd to promise some settlement of Affairs but it prov'd otherwise for Sextus Pompey appear'd about Jaca formerly the Lacetani thinking to make his advantage of the times He set up his Standard made Levies and some Men resorting to him form'd a Legion with which he took a Town near Carthagena call'd Vergi now Vera or as others will have it Verja This small beginning chang'd the Face of Affairs and Pompey's Party which seem'd to be quite forgot was revived and grew the more formidable for that he having in a pitched Battle defeated Pollio possess'd himself of all that Province of Betica or Andaluzia The upper Garment of Pollio falling or being by him cast off was a great cause of this Victory for the Soldiers imagining thereby that their General was Kill'd dismay'd and soon fled Marcus Lepidus soon quieted these troubles and perswaded Sextus with the Money he had got to go to Rome whereby he might recover his Father's Inheritance Italy was no less embroil'd in Civil Wars at the same time the Senate setting up Octavian Julius Caesar's Nephew to oppose the designs of Marc Antony whom he defeated at Modena where he had besieged Decius Brutus the Consul elect for the ensuing Year Marc Antony fled into Gaul where he agreed with Lepidus and both of them soon after with Augustus This was the beginning of the Triumvirate which divided the Roman Empire into three Parts Lepidus had Gallia Narbonensis and all Spain Antony the rest of Gaul and Augustus Italy Africk Siclly and Sardinia The Provinces of the East were not divided because Brutus and Cassius the Murderers of Caesar were possess'd of them There follow'd a great Butchery of the Nobility call'd the Proscription whereby many suffered and among the rest the Famous M. Tullius Cicero Thus the City of Rome again lost its Liberty There ensu'd other Wars first with the Murderers of Caesar then with Lucius Antonius Brother to Marc Antony After which follow'd a new distribution of Provinces which was in the Year 714 after the building of Rome In this division Spain fell to Octavian and hence it is the common and much us'd Computation of Years called Aera Caesaris takes its beginning But the most usual now Commences from the Birth of Christ which was the 39 of the other Computation according to the best Accounts In Spain that Computation continu'd till the Year of our Lord 1383 when King John the first of Castile in an Assembly of the States or Parliament order'd that for the future all computation of Years should Commence from the Birth of Christ The same had been done not long before at Valencia and was follow'd soon after in Portugal But to return to the Affairs of the Government Domicius Calvinus in the Year 35 before the Birth of Christ govern'd Spain as Proconsul and afterwards obtain'd a Triumph in Rome for having subdu'd the Ceretani at the foot the Pyrenean Mountains in that part where Cerdania now stands New divisions hap'ned betwixt the Triumphirs part of the evil consequences whereof fell upon Spain Octavian being at Variance with Lepidus soon made himself Master of Africk which was his lot in the distribution of Provinces Marc Antony who had the Eastern Provinces thought much that Octavian should seize upon all without allowing him any share Hence sprang that War betwixt them which ended in the ruin of Antony and so consequently Octavian remain'd sole Lord of all the Roman Empire in the 28th year before the birth of Christ He took the Name Octavius in Memory of his Father and that of Caesar in Honour of his Unkle that of Augustus was given him by the Senate as to a Man sent from Heaven to Restore Peace to the World During this last War Bogud King of Mauritania came over into Spain in favour of Antony but was defeated and sustain'd great loss Not long after in the eighth Consulship of Augustus 25 Years before Christ the great road in Andaluzia that ran from Cordova to Ezija and thence to the Ocean was pav'd as appears by a Marble Column that is in the Monastery of St. Francis at Cordova on which is an inscription signifying it was set up in the eighth Consulship of Augustus and that from the Temple of Janus on Guadalquivir to the Ocean were reckoned 121 Miles This Temple is suppos'd to have stood in or near Cordova After this there ensued some Commotions among the Cantabri Asturiani and Vacei about Old Castile Statilius Taurus appeas'd them it is suppos'd as Lieutenent to Caius Norbanus who about this time Triumph'd over Spain About the same time the form of the Government of Spain was chang'd for instead of Pretors and Proconsuls it was under
their Actions belongs not to this History but in Conclusion Vitellius was slain at Rome in the ninth Month of his Reign and 57th Year of his Age. Vespasian leaving his Son Titus to Command in Asia came by the way of Alexandria into Italy and so to Rome in the Year of our Lord 72 and was receiv'd with the general applause and satisfaction of the Senate and People He govern'd the Empire ten Years with such prudence and Virtue that he seemed to want nothing but the knowledge of the Christian Faith Titus having subdu'd the Jews and destroy'd Hierusalem Triumph'd with his Father at Rome and having brought over with him a vast number of Captive Jews part of them were sent into Spain where they setled in the City Merida as their Writers affirms At his first coming to the Empire Vespasian granted to the Spaniards the priviledges of Latium or Italy the more to incline them to his Party they at that time favouring Vitellius Licinius Larius now governed Hispania Citerior as Pretor a Man given to Learning and great Friend to Pliny then Questor there for whose natural History and some other Works he offered a great sum of Money This Licinius is supposed to have built the Bridge of Segovia a Work so lofty and wonderful that the commonalty are perswaded it was built by the Devil Others Attribute the building of this Bridge to the Emperor Trajan but there are no sufficient grounds to assert either Opinion It is much more credible that the Town in Galicia now called Betanços formerly Flavium Brigancium the other now called Padron then Iria Flavia also the Town Municipium Flavium Axaritanum now Lora and other places of that name were built by the Family of Vespasian who were all called Flavij or else they took those names in Honour of the Emperor or one of his Sons The Emperor Vespasian lived to be 70 Years of Age and then dyed at Rome on the 24th of June in the Year of our Lord 80. He was as happy in his Death as his Life for that he left behind his Son Titus to succeed in the Empire who equal'd his Father in all his Virtues and far exceeded him in Affability Sweetness of Temper and Liberality to which he was so inclin'd he was used to say none ought to go from his Princes presence dissatisfyed and remembring one Night that he had bestowed no favour that day said to those about him My Friends we have lost a day These good qualities gained him the Affections of all Men so intirely that he was called the Ornament and delight of Mankind But Death cut him off very untimely for he was not above 42 Year of Age reigned only two Years two Months and twenty Days and deceased on the 13th of September in the Year of Christ 82. Nothing of note appears to have hap'ned during this time in Spain It was Governed by three Pretors in the three Provinces Tarraconensis Betica and Lusitania In Betica there were eight Roman Colonies and as many Municipiums which enjoyed less priviledges than the others and four Courts to determine Law suits that were held at Cadiz Sevil Ezija and Cordova In Lusitania were Five Colonies one Municipium which was Lisbon called by another name Felicitas Julia and three Courts at Merida Badajoz and Santaren then called Scalabis In Hispania Citerior or Tarraconensis there were Fourteen Colonies some say more Thirteen Municipiums and Seven Courts at Cartagena Tarragona Zaragoça Clunia now Corun̄a Astorga Lugo and Braga The Pretors now when the time of their Command was expired and they waited for one to succed them called themselves Legates or Lieutenants and not Propretors as was used before CHAP. III. The Reigns of the Emperors Domitian Nerva Trajan Adrian Antoninus Verus Marcus Aurelius and Commodus the Persecutions under them the building of the City Leon and rise of the Heresie of the Gnosticks THE virtues and good qualities of Titus were set off and received the greater Luster by the disorders and extravagancies of his Brother and Successor Domitian a Man so vicious he rather resembled the Neros than the Flavij His madness was such that he caused his Wife to be called Augusta which none of his predecessors had done and himself to be stiled Lord and God He persecuted the Christians banished St. John the Evangelist to the Island Pathmos killed Marcus Aelius Glabrio and Flavius Clemens who had both been Consuls and banished Flavia Domicilla Wife to the latter into the Island Ponza without regard to the Kindred he with had both of them This his cruelty to the Christians is thought to have shortned his Days his death being foretold by Flashes of Lightning that continually fell for the space of eight Months His Avarice made him the more odious for he seized upon the Estates of the Martyrs therefore some to please him accused Domicilla's Steward that he had concealed her Riches The Steward whose name was Stephanus having notice of it to avoid that danger ventured upon a greater for with some others he conspired to kill the Tyrant which he put in Execution within his own Palace on the eighth of September in the Year 97. He dyed at the Age of 45 having Reigned 15 Years and 5 Months his Death was pleasing to all Men except the Soldiers to whom he denyed nothing that they might stand firm to him In Spain he put out an Edict by which it was forbid to plant any more Vines About the same time Eugenius Disciple to Dionysius Areopagita sent by him to Preach in Spain and first Archbishop of Toledo shed his blood in defence of the Faith of Jesus Christ in France whither he went to visit his Master At this time three Famous Spanish Poets Flourished at Rome viz. M. Valerius Martialis born at Bilbilis now Calatayud Caius Canius at Cadiz and Decianus at Merida The Senate upon the Death of Domitian chose Caius Nerva Emperor He was a Person of great Authority but very Ancient and therefore the more exposed to contempt which he being sensible of adopted M. Vlpius Trajanus a Spaniard born at Italica near Sevil a Man much in Esteem and of great parts and appointed him his Companion and Successor He repeal'd all the Decrees and Edicts made by Domitian whereupon many returned from bannishment and among the rest St. John the Evangelist from the Island Pathmos to his Church at Ephesus Nerva was Emperor only sixteen Months and then upon his Death M. Vlpius Trajanus his adopted Son undertook the Government in the Month of February and the Year of Grace 99. His great virtues were answerable to the hopes had been conceived of him His good natural parts being much Cultivated by the instructions of so good a Master as was the great Philosopher Plutarch Trajan built two Bridges of wonderful structure the one in Germany over the Danube the greatest River in Europe the other in that part of Spain we
likely it was various for on the Eighth Day they resolved to give a general Battle which was upon Sunday the 9th of the Month the Moors call Xavel or Sceval that is about June according to the reckoning of the Arabs as the Archbishop D. Roderick will have it But I rather believe it was on St. Martins Day being the 11th of November in the Year of our Lord 714. as may be gathered from the Chronicon Alveldense Both Armies being drawn up the King according to the Custom of the Gothish Kings when they went to Battle appeared in an Ivory Chariot Cloathed in Cloth of Gold encouraging his Men. Tarif on the other side did the same The Armies thus prepared waited only for the Signal to fall on the Goths gave the charge their Drums and Trumpets Sounding and the Moors received it with the Noise of Kettle-drums Such were the Shouts and Cries on both sides the Mountains and Valleys seemed to meet First they began with Slings Darts Javelins and Lances then came to the Swords A long time the Battle was Dubious but the Moors seemed to have the worst till D. Oppas the Archbishop having to that time concealed his Treachery in the heat of the fight with a great Body of his Followers went over to the Infidels He joyned Count Julian with whom was a great Number of Goths and both together fell upon the Flank of our Army Our Men Terrified with that â—â— parallelled Treachery and tired with fighting could no longer sustain that Charge but where easily put to flight The King performed the part not only of a Wise General but of a resolute Soldier relieving the weakest bringing on fresh Men in place of those that were tired and stopping those that turned their Backs At length seeing no hopes left he alighted out of his Chariot for fear of being taking and mounting on a Horse called Orelia he withdrew out of the Battle The Goths who still stood missing him were most part put to the Sword the rest betook themselves to flight The Camp was immediately entred and Baggage taken What Number was killed is not known I suppose they were so many it was hard to count them for this only Battle robbed Spain of all its Glory and in it perished the Renowned Name of the Goths The King's Horse upper Garment and Buskins covered with Pearls and Precious Stones were found on the banks of the River Guadelete and there being no News of him afterwards it was supposed he was drowned passing that River But 200 Years after in a Church of the City Viseo in Portugal there was found a Stone with a Latin inscription to this Effect Here reposeth Roderick the last King of the Goths Whence it is believed he fled into Portugal Those Soldiers that escaped dispersed themselves throughout the Neighbouring Towns Pelayus or Pelagius who some think was in this Battle retired to his own Estate in the farthest part of Biscay This Victory cost the Moors almost 16000 Men. Spain for some Years before had suffered much by Plague and Famine which had weakned and laid them the more open to their Enemies but above all the Vengeance of God for their Vices brought on these Calamities A great number of those that escaped out of the late unhappy Fight repaired to Ezija and there joyning with the Citizens had the Courage to take the Field and give the Enemy Battle but with no better success than before The City being left Defenceless was taken by the Moors and Destroyed After this by the advice of Count Julian the Infidels divided themselves into two Bodies One under the Command of Magued a Renegado marched towards Cordova and surprized it by Night But the Governour defended himself Three Months in the Church of S. George and then endeavouring to escape was taken the Church entred by Force and all in it put to the Sword Tarif with the other Body destroyed the rest of Andaluzia and took Mentesa Malaga Illiberis and Granada Murcia surrendred upon Articles by the industry of the Governour who being defeated in the Field made the Women stand upon the Walls in Mens Apparel so the Moors thinking there was a great Garrison within granted their Conditions Toledo remained a City placed in the heart of Spain and by Situation Impregnable yet Vrban the Archbishop was retired to Asturias carrying with him all the Holy relicks least they should be burnt or profaned by the Indels With him as grave Authors testify went Pelayus and for the more security hid those Holy things in a Cave in the farthest part of Spain two Leagues from the place where the City Oviedo was afterwards Built and from that time that Hill is called the Holy Mountain With Pelayus and the Archbishop went the Principal Men of Toledo The Moors joyning their Forces again easily made themselves Masters of that City Authors do not agree about the manner The Archbishop D. Roderick says it was at first betrayed by the Jews D. Lucas de Tuy affirms it held out several Months before it was betrayed by them I am more apt to believe those who write it was surrendred upon Articles after a long Siege Toledo being taken the other Cities of Spain either submited or were carried by Force Leon surrendred for want of Provision Guadalaxara was taken At Medina Celi formerly called Segoncia was found a Table of Emeraud as I believe of green Marble of inestimable value for which reason the Moors called that Town Medina Talmeyda that is the City of the Table The Booty taken at Amaya in Old Castile forced by hunger to surrender exceeded that of all other places because many confiding in its strength had fled thither with all their Riches That part of Castile was then called Campos de los Godos or the Fields of the Goths and still retains the name of Campos Astorga in Galicia was Burnt Gijon a strong place in Asturias taken Tarif having placed Garrisons in most Convenient places returned with the rest of the Army to Toledo to reap the Fruits of his Victories All this hap'ned in the Year 715. which same Year I find they also took Narbonne vast numbers of Moors flocking out of Africk at the Fame of their success The Natives dispersed and terrified could not relieve their Country having no Army to make Head against their Enemies but every City that held out chose a Governour whose Power being absolute as depending of none some Historians have given them the Title of Kings CHAP. X. The Moor Muza comes over with Supplies His Actions The Moorish Computation of Years called Hegira Abdalasis Son to Muza his Actions End of Count Julian and his Family Deplorable state of Spain WHilst these things were actiâ—â— in Spain Muza was much perplex'd on the one side he rejoyc'd that so noble a Province as Spain was subdu'd and on the other it griev'd him that Tarif had gain'd all the honour and profit of that Expedition He pass'd over into
they had opposed their Surrender An Assault must be given and many advised to do it by Night but the King to avoid the confusion that is common in the dark drew out by break of day in order to storm causing all the Avenues to be guarded that none of the Enemy might escape Three times the Sign was given to fall on and the Soldiers stirred not till the King calling upon them as it were wak'd them out of a heavy sleep Then with a terrible shout they gave the Assault The Moors with great Courage ran to meet the Danger but being over-power'd and born down the City was entred and plundred and the People put to the Sword The Moorish King was drawn out from a private place where he lay hid and King Jayme took him by the Beard having sworn so to do yet comforted him with good words and promises After taking the City the Castle soon surrendred where was found a Son of the King 's 13 years of age who was afterwards Baptiz'd by the Name of D. Jayme and had an Estate given him which was the Town of Gotor in the Kingdom of Valencia whence his Successors Gentlemen of Note in that Country take their Name Majorca was taken on the last day of December preceeding the Year 1230. This City was made an Episcopal See notwithstanding the Canons of Barcelona pretended a Right to it but could make no good proof All the rest of the Island was easily brought under which done most of the Soldiers return'd home and the King to Catalonia This Year the Order of Mercela Instituted some time before was Confirm'd by Pope Gregory IX as appears by his Bull dated at Peroza in Tuscany the 17th of January CHAP. IX Alonso King of Leon Defeats the Moors takes Merida and Badajoz and dies Crowns of Castile and Leon united under Ferdinand Sancho King of Navarre dies Theobald succeeds him Interviews of several Kings WHilst the Forces of Aragon Conquer'd Majorca Alonso King of Leon again entred the Territories of the Moors and took the Town of Caçeres in Estremadura where he had before been repulsed This Success encouraged him to Besiege Merida a great City once the chiefest in those parts Abenhut the Moorish King thinking to establish a Reputation marched to relieve that place King Alonso was much inferiour to him in number and therefore being dubious what was best to be done he held a Council of War in which most were for drawing off Yet Honour prevailing the King resolved to give Battle and accordingly drew up his Army The Moors were not backward and the Signal being given both Parties charged with great resolution Long the Fight continued very bloody but at length the Valour of the Christians overcame the number of Infidels This Victory and Slaughter were so great that many of the neighbouring Towns were abandon'd by the Inhabitants It was reported that the Apostle S. James and other Saints were seen in this Fight encouraging the Christians as also that at Zamora S. Isidorus and others had appeared as preparing to go aid the Faithful But who can assert the truth of this Great Victories often cause any sort of Miracles to be believed After this Defeat no other hopes of relief remaining Merida was surrendred Badajoz a City on the Borders of Portugal Estremadura and Andaluzia also submitted King Alonso who was the ninth of that Name the Season being unfit for Action dismissed his Army resolving as soon as the Weather would permit to carry on the War with greater Forces Death prevented his Designs which cut him off at Sarria about the end of this Year as he was going to pay his Vows at Santiago His Body was bury'd in that Church By D. Teresa his first Wife he had two Daughters Sancha and Dulcis by Queen Berengaria he left Ferdinand already King of Castile and Alonso Lord of Molina and Berengaria Marry'd to John King of Jerusalem He had besides a Bastard Son call'd Roderick de Leon. He Reign'd 42 years was Valiant in War and a great Lover of Justice wherefore he assigned Salaries to the Judges that they might take no Bribes and punished them severely if faulty His hatred to his Son Ferdinand was such that in his Will he appointed his two Daughters to succeed him King Ferdinand had Besieged Jaen and not being able to carry it was remov'd to Daralherça where the News of his Fathers's Death was brought to him He was very intent upon the War of Andaluzia but the necessity of securing the Crown of Leon drew him away At Orgaz five League from Toledo his Mother met him and they resolv'd with all speed to move towards Leon. All things there prov'd easier than had been imagined Most places received him with great Joy and Tokens of Love He was Crown'd at Toro which had first by Letters sent to invite him Some great Men sided with the Princesses which might have proved of dangerous Consequence had not the Prelates interposed and reduc'd them to submit to him who had the most right Teresa Mother to the Princesses came out of Portugal to their aid but considering it was best to compound with her Son-in-law she met Queen Berengaria at Valencia in Galicia where it was agreed the Princesses should quit their claim to the Crown and in lieu thereof the King should allow them 30000 Ducats a year for Life This done the King set forwards towards Valencia by the way at Bonavente the Princesses met him To the Archbishop of Toledo for his indefatigable Services the King gave the Town of Cascata in that Country Thus the Kingdom of Leon was again united to Castile after it had been separated from it 63 Years and this Union has continu'd to our days D. Sancho King of Navarre who in his Youth was call'd the Strong liv'd now retir'd in the Castle of Tudela without attending to the Government This his retirement gave his Subjects opportunity to mutiny which Pamplona in particular did several times Besides Lope Diaz de Haro Lord of Biscay entred the Territories of Navarre and took some Towns and Castles King Ferdinand was suppos'd to have some hand in this Affair Yet the worst was that Theobald Earl of Champagne the King's Nephew and Heir impatient of delay contriv'd with the Nobility to Depose him King Sancho no way able to oppose so many Enemies sent to invite Jayme King of Aragon newly return'd from the Conquest of Majorca to the Castle of Tudela there to consult about Affairs of the highest nature King Jayme being then at Zaragoça set out immediately as was desired without asking any further security for his Person Both the Kings expressed much affection at their meeting and the Ceremonies being over he of Navarre complain'd of the evil Practices of his Nephew Theobald of the ambition of King Ferdinand At the same time he declar'd he had resolved to make use of the King of Aragon for regaining what he had lost about
Alonso de Meneses was appointed Governour and D. Alvaro de Castro General of the Frontiers To his other Titles the King added that of King of Cordova and Baeça At this time the Episcopal See of Calahorra was translated to St. Domingo de la Calçada but those two Cities disputing the right they were at length both made Bishopricks CHAP. XI A Moorish King Baptized Description of Valencia its Siege and surrender to the King of Aragon who is Wounded before it Theobald King of Navarre goes with others to the Holy-War THE King of Aragon ceased not to press the Moors of the Kingdom of Valencia Zeit their King was Banished thence and being well affected to the Christian Religion was at length Baptized by the Name of Vincent This was done privately that the Moors might not know it he still entertaining hopes of recovering his Kingdoms His Conversion had been foretold by two Fryars John and Peter whom for that reason he caused to be put to Death D. Sancho Ahones Archbishop of Zaragoça laboured to have him Marry because his Life was scandalous he indulging his former Libertinism His Wife's Name was Dominga Lopez of Zaragoça By her he had Alda Hernandez Marry'd to Blasco Ximenez Lord of Arenos who inherited many other Towns of his Father-in-Law and from him came the Family of Arenos In Prosecution of his design the King of Aragon wasted the Territory of Exerica burning the ripe Corn on the Ground Bernard William the King's Unkle by the Mother's side was appointed General of the Frontiers to oppose the Moors he being Famous for Martial exploits In October following the Cortes or Parliament was held at Monçon where it was resolved to carry on the War and Besiege Valencia It was also determined that a certain Coin called Jaquesa which had much mixture of Brass should not be called in because it would be a great loss to those who had any quantity of it On this account they ordered that every House should pay to the King one Maravedis in Seven Years Bernard William repaired the Castle called Poyo de S. Maria destroy'd by the Moors and kept a good Garrison in it Zaen King of Valencia resolved to Besiege this Castle with 600 Horse and 40000 Foot The Christians tho' nothing equal in Number drew out to Fight them in the Field and were reduced to the utmost peril but at length their Valour overcame the Multitude and the Infidels were put to flight It was given out that St. George assisted the Christians in that Fight When success is beyond expectation Men are apt to attribute it to Miracle It is also said an Image of Our Lady was found under the Bell in the Castle to which the Neighbouring People erected a Church This Battle was fought in the Month of August of the Year 1237. King Jaime hearing of the Victory and being informed tho' it proved a false report that the Moors were returning with a greater force he with more Courage than discretion having in his Company only 130 Horse advanced beyond Poyo and Monviedro There a strong Squadron of Moorish Horse met him under the Command of D. Artal de Alagon Son to D. Blasco then in Banishment The danger was great but the King 's good Fortune and above all God's Special Providence brought him off for the Moors marched off another way without offering to charge the Christians It was very dangerous and expensive to keep the Castle of Poyo which lay near Valencia and far from Aragon but chiefly for that Bernard William the King's Unkle who Commanded there was dead which was the cause that the King set out from Zaragoça where he had passed the Winter and exposed himself to that danger He bestow'd on William Entença Son to the deceased all the honours and places of Trust his Father had possessed which were justly due to him for that Gentlemans good Service Berengarius Entença was made Governour of the Castle notwithstanding the most were for abandoning of it yet the King would not consent because it stood opportunely to forward the taking of Valencia Understanding the Soldiers designed to make their escape thence and forsake it he gathered them in the Chapel of the Castle and there upon the Altar took an Oath Solemnly that he would never return home without being Master of Valencia This his Resolution so encourag'd the Soldiers that they willingly stayed there and so dismay'd the Infidels that their King Zaen sent to sue for Peace offering to deliver up several Forts and pay a considerable Yearly Tibute Yet the King contrary to the advice of most Men refused these conditions not doubting of the Conquest of that City He was the more incouraged for that Almenara Betera Bulla and other places were surrended to him With the King at this time there were only 1000 Foot and 360 Horse a small force for so great an undertaking With this handful he durst pass the River Guadalaviar and lay Siege to that great and populous City He intrenched himself in the Mid way between Valencia and the Grao which is the shore so called for that it rises as it were by Steps a Mile distant from each place Valencia is seated in that part of Spain formerly called Tarraconensis in the Territory of the Edetany The Country about it is Fruitful and pleasant but is supplyed with Corn from abroad It was furnished with good Soldiers rich in Merchandize and so pleasant it neither felt the sharpness of Winter nor extream Heat of the Summer Its Buildings are stately its Gardens and Orchards replenished with all variety of Trees in some places cut in various shapes in others so intermixing and intangling their boughs they make a continued Arbour always Green and Pleasant Such were the Elysian Fields feign'd by the Poets Such the beauty of this City which may compare with the pleasantest in Europe On the left side it is Watered by River Guadalaviar which runs between the Wall and the Royal Palace and on the East joins to the City by a Bridge Many small Chanels are drawn from this River to Water the Orchards Three Miles off near the Sea is Albufera a place not very wholesome but where great plenty of fish is taken At that time the Walls of the Town were round containing 1000 paces in Circumference and had Four Gates The first called Boatelana towards the South East the second Baldina towards the North the third Templaria so called of a Church Built there by the Templers towards the East the fourth Xaraena betwixt which and Boatelana the King incamped that being the best place for Battery by reason of a sort of Angle the Wall made there Great diligence was used by the Christians in fixing their Engines for Battery King Zaen the first day before they could intrench drew out to give Battle but the Christians would not be drawn to Fight because their Number was yet small and supplies came in daily to them Many Prelates
from prosecuting of it King Alonso would not give ear to any advice Therefore leaving his Queen and Children at Perpignan in the Spring he passed thro' France as far as Belcayre in Provence where the Pope having dismissed the Council had appointed to meet him There the King on the day appointed before the Pope and Cardinals made a long Harangue in vindication of his Right to the Empire The Pope in few words answered to all his Pretensions intreating him if still he thought himself any way wronged for the love of God and for his sake to put it up since it concerned the Peace and Quietness of all Christendom Then the Pope being a meek Man and understanding how to appease Generous Spirits embraced and kissed him Thus that Pretension was given over Yet he set up other new ones He pleaded a Title to Suevia since the Death of Conradin as being descended by the Mothers side from the Princes of that Country and said Rodulphus besides taking the Empire from him did him wrong in Usurping that Country Besides he urged that he had an ancient Right to the Kingdom of Naples and that the French acted unjustly in seizing that Kingdom which they could pretend to Title to but that of a forcible possession To conclude he demanded that the Pope would order his Brother Henry to be set at liberty because Charles King of Sicily excused himself pretending it was not the Will of the Pope that he should be released The Pope and Cardinals being deaf to all these as he thought just demands he stormed with Passion In fine towards the end of Summer and beginning of Autumn he departed out of France much offended at the Pope Being returned into Spain he ceased not to take the Title of Emperor and use the Imperial Robes till the Archbishop of Sevil by order from the Pope obliged him with Ecclesiastical Censures to desist The Tenth of Church Revenues was granted him towards carrying on the War against the Moors This was the Original of the Custom of making use of the Church Revenues in Castile And this was all that King Alonso profited by that troublesome Journey made in hopes of obtaining the Empire The End of Book XIII THE History of SPAIN The Fourteenth BOOK CHAP. I. The King of Morocco passes over into Spain The War with the Moors the Christians twice defeated death of Prince Ferdinand the Heir of Castile Troubles in Navarre betwixt the Natives and the French JAcob Abenjoseph King of Morocco having now obtain'd the Empire of all Africk and understanding Andaluzia was left defenceless by King Alonso's departure into France was dubious whether he should invade Spain and revenge the Losses sustain'd by his Nation or whether he had not better stay at Home and settle his new accquir'd Dominions An Embassy that came to him out of Spain soon put him out of this doubt Mahomet King of Granada having more regard to his Profit than the Oath he had taken was no sooner gone from Sevil but he began to Meditate how to possess himself of all Andaluzia Considering of himself he was not able to deal with the Christians notwithstanding the absence of King Alonso he resolv'd to invite the King of Morocco then a famous and potent Prince to his Aid The King of Morocco overcome by the Perswasions of the Spanish-Moor resolv'd upon the War in Spain He rais'd Men gather'd Ships Horses and Arms and made all manner of Preparations throughout his Dominions Nothing troubl'd him so much as want of Money and the care of keeping his Design private lest the Christians being inform'd thereof should be provided to receive him To remedy his Want and colour his Intentions he sent Embassadors to the King of Aragon to borrow Money of him upon pretence of making War against a powerful Moor who had rebell'd at Ceuta Fame spread abroad what he endeavour'd to conceal Therefore neither the King of Aragon sent him Mony nor did the Castilians neglect providing to oppose him True it is Things were carry'd on slowly because King Alonso was absent and Prince Ferdinand stay'd at Burgos after taking a Progress through the Kingdom The African Moor sent Officers to take Possession of Algezira and Tarifa which as had been agreed between them were to be deliver'd to him by the King of Granada as cautionary Towns There he Landed a vast Number of Africans The Horse are said to be 17000 the Number of Foot not known but proportionabe to so great an undertaking The first care was to reconcile the Moors among themselves so those of Malaga and Guadiz came to agreement with the King of Granada At Malaga they held their Council of War where it was resolv'd to divide the Army into two parts that the Multitude might the better subsist and the Christian Territories be the more endamag'd Thus the King of Morocco undertook the Country about Sevil he of Granada that of Jaen D. Nun̄o de Lara was General of the Frontiers who with all speed sent to Prince Ferdinand for supplies whilst he gathering what Forces he could put himself into Ezija a strong place by which the King of Morocco must of necessity pass A great number of Gentry resorted to him from the neighbouring Parts whereby finding himself strong lest the Enemy should take courage at his shunning them he resolv'd to hazard a Battle At first the Christians seem'd to have the better but the Multitude at last prevailing were put to flight D. Nun̄o himself with 250 Horse and 4000 Foot were slain in the Fight Those that escaped fled to the City which was near D. Nun̄o's Head was sent of a Present to the King of Granada which was not very pleasing to him remembring his former Friendship and how by his Means he had obtained the Crown Therefore he sent it to Cordova to be buried with the Body This misfortune which happen'd in May 1275 struck a great Terror into all the Kingdom Some comfort it was that the Enemy tho' Victorious could not enter Ezija yet another disaster follow'd Sancho Arch-Bishop of Toledo having heard this sad News gather'd all the Gentry he could about Toledo Madrid Guadalaxara and Talavera and march'd in all hast towards Andaluzia The Moors of Granada destroy'd all the Lands of Jaen without sparing Man or Beast These the Arch-Bishop attacks with more Heat than Prudence contrary to the Opinions of the wisest who advis'd to expect D. Lope de Haro who was upon his March to joyn them with a good Body of Men. Near Martos on the 21st of October they fought and were easily vanquish'd not only by reason of the disparity of Number but also because the Christians were raw and the Infidels disciplin'd Souldiers The Rout was shameful the Dead but few for so remarkable a Victory D. Sancho the Arch-Bishop was taken and the two Moorish Kings being at variance about which of them he belong'd to Atar Lord of Malaga run him through with
Bun̄ol There they met on the Fourteenth of Sept. 1272 and laying aside all former Animosities concluded a League After the conference the King of Aragon went away to Catalonia then in an Uproar caus'd by the Nobility Armengaud de Cabrera Son to Alvaro de Cabrera to whom the King not long before had given the Earldom of Vrgel was the great incendiary The King besieg'd Balaguer the chief City of that Earldom and in it took Armengaud himself and his Uncle Roger Bernard and some other Lords whom he long kept Prisoners especially the Earl of Faux who had Rebell'd several times Thus the Troubles of Catalonia ended Prince Sancho of Castile went to Badajoz whither his Father was gone from Sevil to endeavour to make Peace between his Grandson Denis King of Portugal and Alonso that Kings Brother whom he labour'd by Force to deprive of the Possessions his Father had left him King Alonso of Portugal Father to Denis dyed at Lisbon the beginning of this same year He Liv'd 70 years Reigned 32. and was buried in the Monastery of S. Dominick Built by himself in that City Prince Sancho having seen his Father was sent away to make New Levies throughout the whole Kingdom in order to March against the King of Granada who was then taken up in Building the Palace of that City call'd Alhambra an excellent Structure which cost much Mony that King being no less skill'd in Works of that Nature than in Military Affairs What pretence there was for this War I know not but suppose he was not included in the late Treaty made with the King of Morocco Denis the King of Portugal either that he confided not in his Grandfather or fearing he was more inclinable to his Brother tho he came as far as Yelves which is but Three Leagues from Badajoz on a sudden turn'd back and went away King Alonso in a great Rage to be so disappointed return'd to Sevil. At this time Conrade Lança Admiral of Aragon with a Fleet of Ten Galleys scour'd the Coasts of Africk particularly of Tunez and Tremezen because they refus'd to pay the Tribute agreed upon some years before A certain Author affirms this Expedition was undertaken to restore Mirabusar Expell'd his Kingdom of Tunez by his Brother All agree a great Booty was taken by the Aragonians and that at the Streights of Gibraltar they defeated Ten Galleys of the King of Morocco Taking some and Sinking others The King of Aragon at Valencia where he commonly resided gave a Grant of the Lordship of Segorve to his Bastard Son D. Jayme about the Month of November CHAP. III. The Practices of Prince Sancho He Rebels against his Father The King of Morocco comes to Aid King Alonso Returns home leaving a Thousand Horse to serve under him King Alonso Disinherits and Curses his Son Prince Sancho IN Castile the Affection the People bore Prince Sancho daily increas'd and many believ'd when he was once well rid of his Nephews he would ease his Father of the Burden of the Crown His Father suspected nothing less than such a Design Prince Sancho in the Spring of the Year 1280. March'd with the Army he had rais'd to the Frontiers about Jaen and being there Recruited with Forces sent by his Father from Sevil entred the Territories of Granada where he Burnt all the Country as far as that City and then return'd with a great number of Cattle and Captives to Cordova and thence bore his Father Company to Sevil. This Success endear'd him more to the People which was what he chiefly aim'd at to secure the Succession to the Crown Philip K. of France sent Embassadors to demand that his Nephews should be set at liberty and deliver'd up to him and in case fair means would not prevail to threaten War Nothing being concluded it was agreed the Three Kings upon sufficient Security given should meet and commune together All the Kings set forward but they met not for Prince Sancho cunningly broke off that Interview fearing his Father who was inclinable to his Grandchildren might conclude something that might be prejudicial to him However it was agreed that Charles Prince of Taranto Son to the King of Sicily should carry the messages between the Kings yet all came to nothing Prince Sanoho undermining their Designs The French only ask'd that Prince Alonso should have the City Jaen given him with the Title of King and to hold of the Crown of Castile After this Disappointment the Kings of Aragon and France met about the same Affair and with the same success only the King of France took an Oath he would resign the Lordship of Mompellier to which he had pretended a Right to Jayme King of Majorca Prince Sancho was extreamly pleas'd that he had disappointed all the Designs of those Kings yet fear'd his Fathers Love towards those Children and there wanted not some who incensed King Alonso against his Son Therefore the Prince resolv'd to strengthen himself with Foreign Aids and to that purpose procur'd an Interview between his Father the King of Aragon and himself at a Town call'd Campillo between Agreda and Taraçona on the 27th of March 1281. At this Conference a League offensive and defensive was established between the two Kings upon penalty of 20000 pound weight of Silver to him that first broke it Palaçuela Teresa Xera and Ayola were now given to the King of Aragon and in lieu of them to Prince Emanuel the King's Brother whose those Places were Escalona was given This is what was publickly acted In private they concluded with jont Forces to invade Navarre and agreed what part each was to have when Conquer'd Prince Sancho obtain'd that the young Princes his Nephews should be secur'd in the Castle of Xativa and the more to oblige the King of Aragon he promised after his Fathers Death to yield him up all the Kingdom of Navarre and to give him in Castile the Town of Requena with all its Dependencies which lies on the Borders of Valencia towards Murcia He valu'd not what promises he made to secure his Power D. John Nun̄ez de Lara a powerful Man was then Lord of Albaracin having Marry'd the Daughter and Heiress of D. Alvaro de Açagra the Son of Peter Rodriguez de Açagra both Lords of that City Thence he made inroads into both the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon carrying away much Booty and gave Protection to all those that fled to him on account of any Crimes whatsoever Particularly D. Lope Diaz de Haro a mighty Lord being offended at King Alonso and Prince Sancho for the Death of Prince Frederick and the Lord of Cameros was retir'd thither The King of Aragon and Prince Sancho consulted at Taraçona about taking that City and expelling D. John de Lara King Alonso went to Burgos to Celebrate the Neptials of his two Sons Peter and John Peter marry'd a Daughter of the Lord of Narbonne and John the Daughter of the Earl of
he could expect to gain by Rebelling Sicily was now distress'd with War Roger Lauria serv'd the French and Fortune seem'd to incline to the Side he took Many Towns in Italy were taken by his Conduct whereupon in Sicily he was Attainted of Treason and a great Estate that had been given him for his good Services was confiscated Soon after having taken the City Cantazara in Calabria and besieging the Castle he was Overthown in Battel by a much less Number of the Enemy many of his Men slain and the rest escap'd by the Favour of the Night His too great Contempt of the Enemy and Fighting with the Sun in his Face are said to have been the Causes of this Misfortune Roger Lauria himself being wounded lurk'd about some time till he made his Escape into Aragon meditating Revenge being the more sensible of this Disgrace for that it was the first that befell him From Aragon the King and Roger Lauria set Sail with a mighty Fleet in which were no less than 80 Galleys They went directly to Rome where the Pope Blest their Standard and gave them his Benediction At Naples Robert Duke of Calabria joyn'd them with another Squadron They scour'd the Coast of Sicily where at first they found less Opposition than had been expected The City Patti and some other Places about it were taken then turning Cape Milazzo near Mecina and passing the Streight they came to the City Siracusa and laid Siege to it Whilst the Forces of Aragon were employ'd at that Siege the People of Patti ran to Arms expell'd the Garrison and besieg'd the Castle which was possess'd by the Aragonians John Lauria was sent by the King with 20 Galleys to relieve the besieg'd and furnish'd them with Provisions and all other Necessaries but as he return'd was beaten by the Mecineses who lay in wait for him with a Squadron in the Streight and he with 16 of his Galleys taken The occasion of this disaster was thus the Sicilians were better acquainted with that swelling and rapid Streight where they Fought which is betwixt Italy and Sicily Siracusa held out bravely being encouraged by King Frederick who lay not far off waiting to lay hold on any Advantage that should offer Thus the Aragonians were constrain'd to raise the Siege having lost 18000 Men by Sickness At Mecina John Lauria was try'd and condemn'd as a Traytor and had his Head cut off Roger Lauria rav'd with Passion knowing that Affront was offer'd to him but could not then seek Revenge being gone into Spain with the King of Aragon As soon as the Winter was over they both return'd to Sicily with a greater Fleet than before Robert and Philip the King of Naples his Two Sons joyn'd them by the way They sail'd together to Cape Orlando near the City Patti the Fleet consisting of 56 Galleys and a great number of other Vessels King Frederick finding his Men in Heart since their last success tho' inferiour in Strength not having above 40 Galleys resolved to Fight but was defeated several of his Galleys taken and the rest put to Flight Roger Lauria in Revenge for his Cousin us'd great Cruelty towards the Prisoners killing many of them and among others Conrade Lança a Man of Note which drew the Catalonians into great Hatred King Frederick himself was in great danger for after a Brave Defence he fainted away and yet his Men brought off his Galley which with a few others got into Mecina The King of Aragon return'd into Spain being call'd by his People but the Pope and King of Naples were offended at him That memorable Battel was fought on a Saturday being the 4th of July 1299. The same year dy'd at Rome Gonçalo Cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo as appears by the Inscription on his Tomb in the Church of St. Mary the Greater in that City D. Gonçalo the IIId his Nephew succeeded him The French who remain'd in Sicily to prosecute their Victory divided their Forces Robert and Roger Lauria laid Siege to Rendazzo a strong Place in the mid-way between Patti and Catanea Philip Duke of Taranto went with part of the Fleet to scour the Coast about Cape Trapana King Frederick came upon him so unexpectedly that he was defeated and taken Prisoner which occasion'd a Treaty of Peace and those two Nations concluded an Allyance as Fortunate as the War had been Destructive It was now the last year of this Century viz. 1300. remarkable for the Jubile first instituted by Pope Boniface who ordain'd that every hundred years there should be a full remission of sins to all those that visited the Churches of Rome Clement the VIth reduc'd it to every 50 years and afterwards Sixtus the IVth considering the shortness of Man's Life to 25. In Biscay this year was Built the famous City Bilbao on the Bank of the River Ibaisebolo two Leagues from the Sea a Place of great Trade and therefore the Inhabitants of Bermeo all remov'd thither The King of Aragon founded an University at Lerida Navarre enjoyed a perfect Peace under the Government of the Viceroy Alonso Roleedo who sent Embassadors to the Queen of Castile then at Valladolid to demand Restitution of all the Country as far as Atapuerca a Town near Burgos alledging it appertain'd to the Crown of Navarre and had been wrongfully possess'd by the Kings of Castile The Queen entertain'd the Embassadors Nobly but gave them no satisfactory Answer whereupon they repair'd to D. Alonso de la Cerda and D. John Nun̄ez de Lara who having in vain attempted Valencia were retir'd to Duen̄as D. Alonso having heard the Embassadors easily granted what he had not and D. John de Lara was sent to France to desire Succours Little was done in that matter tho' D. Alonso de la Cerda and his Brother both follow'd D. John into France for they got nothing but good words and leave to raise Men in Navarre the King of France being engaged in a War in Flanders They accordingly form'd a Body in Navarre and making an Incursion into the Territory of Calahorra were routed by D. John Alonso de Haro Lord of Cameros D. John de Lara was taken and could not be releas'd till he deliver'd up all the Towns he held for the King and took the Oath of Allegiance The King of Aragon made use of this occasion to take from him the Town of Albarazin he had before given him Prince John the King's Uncle submitted himself in the year 1301. upon these Conditions viz. That he should forbear stiling himself King and restore all Places taken during the War That he should leave the Lordship of Biscay to which he pretended a Title by his Wife to D. James Lopez de Haro That in lieu thereof the Towns of Medina de Ruyseco Castronun̄o Mansilla Paredes and Cebreros be given him to support his Dignity CHAP. III. Of Raimundus Lullus and the Master of Calatrava The Marriage of King
all the Thirds of Ecclesiastical Profits which the Kings Alonso Sancho and Ferdinand had receiv'd without leave till then and gave them to her for three Years longer The Nobility was dissatisfy'd with the Queen Mother and the Princes John and Henry the King's Uncles with D. John Son to Prince Emanuel D. John de Lara D. James de Haro and other great Ones endeavour'd to estrange the King from her To this Effect they call'd the Abbot of Santander who was Chancellor and Treasurer to account for the Revenue because he was preferr'd by the Queen but he being clear'd with Honour that Design fell to the Ground Philip King of France at the beginning of the Year 1303. sent Embassadors to demand those Towns the Navarrois pretended to belong to them but they obtain'd nothing The King of Aragon made Overtures of Peace which were also rejected He offer'd to restore all the Kingdom of Murcia if they would only deliver Alicant to him The Queen lik'd not the Proposal She remov'd D. John de Lara who began to be great with the King and made Prince Henry Lord Steward but he held it not long and these beginnings produc'd Jealousies betwixt the King and his Mother and disorders among the Nobility Prince John and D. John de Lara laying aside their former Grudges had great Power over the King Prince Henry D. John Son to Prince Emanuel and D. James de Haro could not endure to see the Queen Mother slighted for that they ow'd her Obligations This disgust had such Effect that they sent for D. Alonso de la Cerda in order to agree with him Gonzalo Ruiz was sent to Almazan to set this Affair afoot and perswade the Aragonians to march into Castile Whilst these things were in Agitation in Castile Pope Boniface was made Prisoner in the City Agnani by a Party of 300 Horse that broke in upon him being rais'd by the Cardinals of the House of Colonna whom he had depos'd and not without consent of the King of France whom he Excommunicated Three days after the Citizens of Agnani rescu'd him from the Conspirators and he return'd to Rome where he dy'd of a Disease caus'd by Grief conceiv'd for this Affront on the 12th day of October and the 35th after his Imprisonment Nicholas General of the Dominicans was in the next Conclave chosen Pope and took the Name of Benedict the XIth CHAP. IV. The Differences betwixt the Kings of Castile and Aragon reconcil'd After which they joyn in League against the Moors but to no consider able Effect Death of Roger Lauria the great Admiral of Aragon and Divisions among the Moors SPain weary'd out with long Troubles enjoy'd some Peace but there rather wanted Power than Will to disturb it The Differences betwixt the Princes were great and it was requisite to compose them Castile and Aragon were at Variance about the Kingdom of Murcia D. Alonso de la Cerda Itil'd himself King of Castile but had no Power The King of Granada invaded the Territories of the Crown of Aragon and took Bedmar a Town not far from Baeca Prince John the King's Uncle and the Family of Haro were Enemies the former pretending to the Lordship of Biscay in right of his Wife and hoping to prevail by his Interest with the King The Family of Haro for the same reason was Discontented and ready to take up Arms. King Ferdinand earnestly desir'd to put an end to all these Contentions to this purpose he sent Prince John his Uncle Embassador to the King of Aragon whose Power and Authority was then great In the Month of March 1304 at Calatayud after much debate it was agreed that Arbitrators should be chosen to whom the whole Affair should be referr'd and a Truce was concluded till Judgment should be given Time and Place were also appointed for the Kings to meet mean while King Ferdinand being careful for Andaluzia set out from Burges and in April came to Badajoz to meet his Father in Law the King of Portugal of whom he expected to recover certain Towns pawn'd to him during his Minority This enterview produc'd Discontents and nothing was done but only that the Portugues sent his Son in Law some Mony with which he went away for Andaluzia No Action happen'd but a Peace was concluded the Moor promising to pay the same Tribute his Father had done and so both Armies broke up Prince Henry dy'd about this time very Aged at Roa and was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Francis at Valladolid He was ever of a restless Spirit and ambitious of Command His Death was pleasing to all the Kingdom for they fear'd he would disturb the Peace that was afoot and because he left no Issue his Estate was divided among several Noblemen the best part falling to D. John de Lara who held the first Place in the King's Favour In pursuance of the Agreement at Calatayud Denis King of Portugal was chosen Arbitrator to decide the Differences betwixt Castile and Aragon and for his Associates Prince John for the former and D. Ximeno de Luna Bishop of Zaragoça for the latter Kingdom The two Kings met at Torrellas a Town on the Frontiers of Aragon where the Judges decreed that the River Segura should part the Dominions of Castile and Aragon which was what the Aragonian had strugl'd for Judgment was given on the 8th of August and the next day the three Kings met at Campillo and ratify'd the Decree Thence they went to Agreda and so to Taraçona and were receiv'd with great Joy for besides the 3 Kings there were as many Queens the Mother and Consort of Castile and Elizabeth of Portugal famous for Sanctity besides Elizabeth Sister to King Ferdinand who had been Contracted to the Aragonian The Retinue was great especially that of the Portugues who brought with him out of Portugal 1000 Horse and by the Way would never lye in Towns but in Tents set up in the Fields As to the Pretentions of the two Brothers Cerdas the Kings of Aragon and Portugal as Judges decited that D. Alonso should no longer take the Title of King but restore all the Towns he had been and that Alva Bejar Valdecerneja Gibraleon Sarria and some other Towns should be setl'd upon him A small recompence for so many Kingdoms This Judgment was so grievous to D. Alonso that he would not appear but went away heartily cursing the Kings It remain'd only to adjust Matters betwixt Prince John and D. James de Haro Therefore as soon as the Conference was dissolv'd King Ferdinand summon'd D. James to appear at Medina del Campo where the Cortes were to meet Judges were appointed to hear their Pretentions and determine the Cause but D. James fearing the King favour'd his Adversary withdrew After the Cortes broke up Judgment was given in favour of Prince John but the Execution of it deferr'd in hopes some means might be found of adjusting that Matter This was the Posture of
Affairs in Castile in the Year 1305. On the 17th of January dy'd Roger Lauria the famous Admiral of Aragon who gain'd Sicily for King Peter perform'd many brave Exploits by himself and those Kings did none without him His Body was bury'd in the Monastery of Santa Cruz near unto the Tomâ— of King Peter On the 6th of April dy'd Joanna Queen of Navarre at Paris and was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Francis Luis call'd Huttin succeeded his Mother in the Kingdom of Navarre and afterwards his Father in that of France The Queen left two other Sons Philip the Long and Charles the Fair who all came to be Kings of France and Navarre She left also two Daughters one dy'd Young the other call'd Elizabeth was marry'd to Edward King of England and was the beautifullest Lady of her Time Benedict sat in the Papal Chair but 8 Months and 6 Days And he dying it was vacant 10 Months and 28 Days After long Debates betwixt the French and Italian Cardinals Clement the Vth. was chosen and proclaim'd on the 5th of June He was before Arch-Bishop of Bourdeaux and is said to have promis'd many scandalous Things to the King of France before he would permit him to pass towards Rome He was Crown'd on the 11th of November at which time a Wall falling as the Procession was going did much mischief and struck the Tyara off his Head out of which a great Carbuncle was lost which Things were look'd upon as ill Omens and the rest of his life was not unlike to this beginning but those Things do not belong to this History At the same time troubles began again to break out in Spain D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara declin'd in the King's Favour who took from him the Office of Lord Steward and confer'd it on D. Lope Son to D. James de Haro on pretence that D. John de Lara being General of the Frontiers could not serve both places but in reality to oblige the Family of Haro and divide it from that of Lara Those Families understanding the Design knit their Interests the closer together and seem'd to threaten a Rebellion Alonso Perez de Guzman and the Queen interpoâ—'d and restoring each of those Gentlemen their Honours pacify'd them Besides the dispute betwixt Prince John and the House of Haro was reconcil'd upon these Conditions That D. James de Haro during his Life should possess the Lordship of Biscay and after his Death it should fall to Prince John That Orduna and Balmaseda should be Intail'd â—â—on D. John D. James his Son and his Heirs and in lieu of what he was to lose Miranda de Ebro and Villalva de Losa were given him All Men rejoyc'd to see these Differences compos'd except D. John de Lara who in a rage that he had not been consulted in the Affair of D. James de Haro and studying to make his Advantage of the publick Calamities renouncing his Oath of Fidelity withdrew with his Followers to Tordehumos a strong Pâ—ace where he hoped to be able to withstand the King whom he had hainously offended The King's Forces laid Siege to that Place but many favouring D. John it was protracted to a long time Some Overtures of Accommodation were made and because the King would not harken to them his Army broke up of it self and disbanded Among others Prince John favour'd D. John de Lara and the Business was carry'd to such a beight that the King was forc'd to Pardon him only taking from him the Towns of Moya and Canete the Gift of King Sancho Nor was the Peace lasting for both those Gentlemen imagining the King had a Design to take away their Lives openly rebell'd again Prince John was soon appeas'd but it was not so easy to reduce D. John de Lara D. Alonso de la Cerda forsaken of all Men and seeing no Hopes of obtaining the Crown sent Martin Ruiz to take possession of the Towns assign'd him by the Arbitrators and was ever after call'd D. Alonso the Disinherited The Moors of Granada about this time began to Mutiny for that their King was blind and his Brother-in-Law the Lord of Malaga govern'd the State with the same Grandeur as if he had been another King The Nobility were not wanting to incense the Commons Among them Aborrabes a Gentleman descended from the Kings of Morocco seiz'd Almeria and call'd himself King of that place Most of the People favour'd Mahomet Azar the King's Brother and were for putting the Crown upon his Head Aborrabes was expell'd Almeria by the contrary Faction and he designing to seize upon Ceuta a City on the Coast of Africk belonging to the Kingdom of Granada thought to obtain Aid of the Christians This seem'd a good opportunity to drive the Moors quite out of Spain and in order to it the Two Kings of Castile and Aragon met at the Monastery of Huerta upon the Borders of both Kingdoms at the beginning of the Year 1309. There and at Monreal whither they remov'd it was agreed First to pacify D. Alonso de la Cerda somewhat mollifying the Decree of the Arbitrators lest whilst they were busie in the War with the Moors he should raise Tumults in Castile Next to make War upon the Moors with two Armies and at once besiege Almeria and Algezira Besides it was resolv'd Prince Jayme the King of Aragon's Son should Marry Ellenor the Sister of King Ferdinand her Dower to be the sixth part of what was gain'd in War and particularly the City Almeria After the Interview broke up great preparations were made King Ferdinand went away to Toledo to see the Body of his Father King Sancho translated to a stately Tomb built by the Queen This King was naturally meer and merciful and of Body comely and well shap'd He advis'd a Gentleman to whom he had given the Government of Galicia not to put to death some Men of Note that had rais'd Rebellion in that Country but to send them to him which prov'd very advantagious for they to blot out the shame of their Crimes did extraordinary Service against the Moors The Army march'd into Andaluzia and the Castilians laid Siege to Algezira on the 27th of June About the middle of the next Month the King of Aragon set down before Almeria Gilbert Viscoune Castelnovo with part of the Aragonian-Fleet sail'd to Ceuta in Africk and took it The Plunder was given to the Souldiers the City to Aborrabe as had been agreed The Moors of Granada with all their Forces march'd to relieve Almeria but were so bravely receiv'd by the Aragonians that after a sharp Dispute they fled and a great Slaughter was made tho the Woods which were near sav'd many Whilst the Aragonians were busy in the Pursuit the Besieged fallying entred their Works but the Christians returning Victorious soon drove them back into the City On the 15th of October 40000 Moors again assauited the Aragonians in their Works and met with the
same success they had done before No'less Valour and Industry was us'd by the Castilians at Algezira but the place being strong and well Garrison'd they advanc'd but little Because the Siege seem'd tedious the Arch-Bishop of Sevil and D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara were sent with some Forces to attack Gibraltar Alonso Perez de Gusman so much spoken of was kill'd by the way in a Skirmish with the Moors to the great grief of all the Kingdom Gibraltar surrender'd to King Ferdinand who came thither to that purpose The Moors were permitted to go over into Africk and carry their Goods with them Winter and other hardships made the Souldiers before Algezira steal away from the Camp and many Men of Note went off as well as the meaner sort and among them Prince John and D. John Manuel and D. James Lopez de Haro dy'd before the Town and by his Death the Lorship of Biscay as had been agree'd fell to the Lady Mary Wife to Prince John In fine the Siege was rais'd the Moors delivering up the Towns of Quesada and Bedmar The Aragonians did the same at Almeria only upon having the captive Christians restor'd to them This was all the Fruit of that mighty Expedition CHAP. V. The King of Granada depos'd The King of Castile's Sister marry'd to the Duke of Britany The extirpation of the Knights Templers The Death of Ferdinand the IVth King of Castile DUring the late War the Blind King of Granada was depos'd by his Brother Azar kept sometime Prisoner at Almunecar thence carry'd back to Granada and there murder'd D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara had been sent Embassador into France and having dispatch'd the Business he went about return'd to the King then at Sevil. His Embassy was to the Pope to obtain of him a Grant of the Tenth of Ecclesiastical Revenues which was done and to advise him not to lay any blemish on the Memory of his Predecessor Pope Boniface at the instance of the King of France In Guipuscoa the Town of Azptitia was now Founded From Sevil the King went to Burgos to assist at the Marriage of his Sister Elizabeth that had been contracted to the King of Aragon and was now given to John Duke of Britany D. John Manuel was made Lord Steward of the Houshold Prince Peter from whom that Employment was taken shewing no discontent D. John was also General of the Frontiers in Murcia and Peter Lopez de Ayala executed that Command as his Lieutenant All this was done to oblige that Gentleman who was a Man of great Interest and so fortunate that Constance his Daughter by the first Wife was Queen of Portugal and Joanna whom he had by Blanch the Daughter of Ferdinand de la Corda Queen of Castile The King in his way to Burgos pass'd through Toledo at the time when D. Gençalo the Arch-Bishop dy'd D. Gutierre the IId then Archdeacon of that Church succeeded him Thence the King went to Burgos where the Marriage was solemniz'd with all Imaginable Grandeur There was no confidence to be repos'd in Prince John the King's Uncle and therefore there was a design of making away with him at Burgos whither he went to the Wedding D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara understanding the Design indeavour'd to disswade it and the Prince getting some intelligence stole away and many Men of Note without respect to the King follow'd him The Queen Mother made up all these Breaches and reconcil'd the Prince to the King her Son At Palencia a violent Sickness put the King's Life in danger but he remov'd to Valladolid and recover'd Blanch Queen of Aragon dy'd at Barcelona on the 14th of October She was a Lady endu'd with all Virtues and left a numerous Offspring viz. the Princes James Alonso John Peter and Raymund Berengarius Her Daughters were Mary Constance Elizabeth Blanch and Violante Blanch was Abbess of Xixena the others were marry'd to several Princes The Queens Body was bury'd with Pomp in the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Catalonia A General Councel was now assembl'd by Pope Clement at Vienne in Dauphine Among other Things intended to be brought before the Council was the Case of the Knights Templers who were accus'd of most hainous and unhear'd of Crimes And indeed such were the Articles said to have been preferr'd against them as by their Absurdity seem to prove the Innocency of those Gentlemen and to convince the whole Matter was an Imposture for it is beyond all belief that so many Men of Quality Parts and Honour throughout the whole World should be entangled in such Follies and Enormities To shew somewhat of the haniousness of the Crimes imputed to them we will set down the Heads of the Articles exhibited against them which were That when first they were admitted into the Order they recounc'd Christ the Blessed Virgin and all the Saints That they deny'd Salvation through Câ—â—st and his Divinity That they said he suffer'd on the Cross for his own Sins That they spit upon trampl'd and defil'd the Cross and Image of Christ and that particularly in the Holy Week when Christiens celebrate the Memory of his Passion That they deny'd the real Presence in the Eucharist and rejected that and the other Sacraments of the Church That the Priests of that Order did not pronounce the Words of Consecration in the Mass as reputing them meer Inventions of Men. That they held the Great Master and all who presided in any House or Convent of their Order tho no Priests had the Power of remitting Sins That a Cat us'd to come to their Assemblies which they reverenc'd as coming from Heaven That they had an Idol sometimes with three and sometimes with one Head and othertimes a dead Man's Skul and cover'd with the Skin of a Man of whom they acknowledg'd all Benefits receiv'd That they touch'd certain Cords to this Idol which they wore Superstitiously about them That they committed the Sin of Sodom and many other Things most horrid to relate The Reader may Judge whether these do not sound more like Imposture than true Crimes Villaneus S. Antonine and others vindicate the Knights tho the generality condemns them Their vast Riches were doubtless the cause of their Ruin thence proceeded the hatred of the People towards them and Princes laid hold of the Opportunity to seize upon their Estates and Treasure Sixty two Knights of the Order are said to have been examin'd before the Pope and owning their Crimes to have beg'd Pardon Their first Accusers were two of the Order to wit the Prior of Montfalcon in the Territory of Toulouze and Nofus an out-Law of Florence Witnesses scarce allowable in a Matter of such Moment Others came in to them and among the rest the Pope's Chamberlain who took that Habit at eleven Years of Age. The Heads of these Accusations were sent to the King of France then at Poitiers with the Pope By their order all the Knights throughout the Kingdom were apprehended on the 13th
means of Prince Peter his Uncle who came to Jaen as soon as Alcaudete was taken and by this Loyal Action gain'd the Love and Applause of all the People The young King was at Avila Vataza a Noble Lady Grandaughter to Theodorus Lascarus Emperor of Greece who came from Portugal with Queen Constancy was appointed his Governess She afterwards return'd to Portugal dy'd there and lyes Bury'd in the Cathedral of Coimbra as appears by the Inscription on her Tomb. Queen Mary the King's Grandmother liv'd a retir'd Life at Valladolid Queen Constance who had follow'd the King her Husband was at Martos overwhelm'd with Sorrow Prince John was gone to Valencia and D. John de Lara to Portugal both in Disgrace with King Ferdinand Every Body strugl'd to have a share in the Government chiefly D. Alonso Lord of Molina the Queen's Brother Prince Philip his Uncle and D. John Manuel labour'd hard but underhand and modestly Prince John and Prince Peter Uncle and Nephew aspir'd more openly Prince Peter being the nearest of kin to the King and most in the Favour of the People stood fairest Prince John was of riper Yeas but restless and inconstant so that he seem'd to be born only to embroil Kingdoms Prince Peter had charge of the Affairs of Andaluzia and concluded a Peace with the Moors which was convenient for both Parties for the Prince could not follow the War being taken up with his Pretensions at Court and among the Moors Farraquin Lord of Malaga sought to revenge the Murder of the late King Queen Constance and Prince Peter having conferr'd together resolv'd to go to Avila where the King was hoping the Townsmen would not oppose them or If they should to prevail by Force On the other side Prince John King Ferdinand's Uncle and D. John de Lara joyn'd in a League the likeness of their Inclinations and their common Danger made them Unite They labour'd to draw Queen Mary to their Party giving her hopes she should have the Education of her Grandson D. John de Lara came first to Avila but could not lay hold of the King for D. Sancho the Bishop convey'd him into the Cathedral and there made himself strong and defended him Next came Queen Constance and Prince Peter but the same thing happen'd to them Means of Accommodation were propos'd and it was agreed the King should be deliver'd to none but such as the Cortes or Parliament should appoint and the Citizens of Avila made an Association in order to see this perform'd D. John de Lara gave this Advice hoping to exclude Prince Peter The Cortes met at Palencia in the beginning of Spring where much Bribery was us'd The better sort were for Queen Mary and her Son Prince Peter Others preferr'd Prince John and Queen Constance who was subtilly drawn away by the adverse Party from Prince Peter Hence sprang new Fumults and Confusions Prince Peter confiding in his own Power and the Affections of the People as also hoping for Aid from Abroad agreed with D. John Manuel upon Condition that if he obtain'd his Ends he would give him the Government of the Kingdoms of Toledo and Murcia At the beginning of the Year 1313. he met his Father in Law the King of Aragon at Calatayud to whom he urg'd how much he was oblig'd to favour his Pretentions and prevent a War which might otherwise ensue Therefore by Consent of both Michael Arbe was sent Embassador to Portugal to try whether that King could prevail with the Mutineers to desist from their Pretensions and leave the Government of the Kingdom to Prince Peter allowing Queen Constance the Charge of Educating the King The People of Avila were not zealous for either Party but at last joyn'd with Prince Peter and Queen Mary his Mother yet upon Condition they should not carry the King out of the City At this Time Azar King of Granada was forc'd to retire to the Alhambra a strong Pallace in the highest part of the City because Ismael the Son of Farraquin had caus'd the Townsmen to Rebel against him Prince Peter who was then at Sevil march'd thither to relieve that King who was his Friend and Ally but came too late for he had already agreed to quit the Fitle and Authority of a King and remain content with only the City Guadin seated in the pleasant Plains of the antient Turduli Tho' the Prince could not Relieve he endeavour'd to Revenge him for he took from the Moors a strong Castle near Granada call'd Rute and made great spoil throughout the Country Azor had Reign'd Four Years and seven Months when he was deposed Ismael his Competitor and Nephew being the Son of Farraquen and his Sister succeeded him The taking of Rute gain'd Prince Peter great Reputation for that in three days he did that which several Kings had attempted in vain but the War was not carryed on because of the intestine Divisions The Cortes met in the Monastery of Sahagun to endeavour to compose those Differences Whilst they were sitting Queen Constance departed this Life for Grief that her Son was kept from her and that she was reduc'd to such Poverty that all her Jewels would not pay her Debts as she her self declar'd at her Death The Queens Death made things easier to be compos'd for Prince John having lost that support apply'd himself to Queen Mary and Prince Peter They agreed that the Queen should have the Breeding up of the King and the Princes should joyntly govern the Kingdom each in that Part which had Voted for him in the Cortes or Parliament held not long before at Palencia The King was carry'd to Toro a healthy and pleasant Place but the main design was to get him out of Avila and revenge the Affronts receiv'd of that People It was now the year 1314. when New Tumults broke out in the Kingdom of Toledo and all manner of Crimes were committed In order to settle a better Form of Government the Cortes met at Burgos where it was enacted that the supream Authority and management of Affairs should be in the Council of State That the said Council should attend the King and Queen where-ever they went That the two Princes should determine all smaller Affairs but have no power to alienate the Revenues of the Crown nor to appoint another in their stead in case any of them or the Queen should dye At the same time dyed Three Persons of great Note Peter the Queens Brother D. Tello his Son and D. John de Lara Lord Steward That Place was given to D. Alonso Prince John's Son D. John de Lara had a Sister marry'd to D. Ferdinand de la Cerda of whom was Born Blachs and D. John de Lara who took that Sirname because he inherited the Estate of the Family This in Castile In Aragon the King in November sent his Daughter Elizabeth to Germany she being Contracted to Frederick Duke of Austria who was now chosen King of the Romans
against the Moors and eaâ—â—â—â— have the payment of his own Army In this Assembly the Archbishop of Santiago in the Pope's Name propos'd the business of D. Alonso de la Cerda threatning to proceed to Ecclesiastical Censures if he were not satisfy'd D. Alonso now demanded those Towns which he refus'd when offer'd him The Nobility excus'd themselves saying it was against the Oath they had taken to lessen any thing of the King's Patrimony during his Minority All that could be obtain'd was that Ferdinand D. Alonso's younger Brother should be made Lord Steward of the Houshold The Queen went to Cuidad Rodrigo to reconcile her Son-in-Law Prince Alonso to his Father but all in vain The two Princes John and Peter went several ways to Andaluzia Ismael King of Granada to obtain Succours out of Africk gave the King of Morocco Algezira and Ronda with all their Dependencies Prince Peter took Tiscar a strong and populous Town Mahomet Andon whose the Town was surrender'd the Castle Prince John extravagantly ambitious of Honour resolv'd to march up to the Walls of Granada a rash design considering the great Heat of the Season At Alcaudete the two Princes joyn'd their Forces which consisted of 9000 Horse and a great number of Foot They march'd into the Enemies Country destroying all before them Prince John led the Van and Prince Peter brought up the Reer They took the Town of Alora but being in great haste did not make themselves Masters of the Castle On a Saturday being the Eve of Midsummer-day they appear'd in sight of Granada and rested there the next day The 3d day perceiving what Difficulties surrounded them they began to retire Prince Peter in the Van and Prince John in the Reer with the Baggage The Moors hearing of their Retreat Sally'd out of Granada to the number of 5000 Horse and a multitude of Foot under the Command of Ozmin Their design was only to stick upon our Reer without hazarding a Battel In the Heat of the day our Men were far from the River and wanted Water Hereupon the Moors charg'd them with great Fury and hideous Cries Prince Peter hearing the Noise Fac'd about to succour those that Fought The Soldiers were dispers'd and Fainting with the Heat whom the Prince endeavouring to encourage and bring on opprest with Labour and the Fury of the scorching Sun he fainted away and dy'd without any assistance The same befell Prince John who yet sensless liv'd till Night This News being spread abroad the Soldiers drew themselves into a Close Body and the Moors having plunder'd the Baggage retir'd Night sav'd many of the Christians The Bodies of the Princes were bury'd at Burgos Prince John left a Son of the same Name call'd also One-ey'd because he was really so His Inclinations were no better than his Presence Mary Wife to Prince Peter was deliver'd at Cordova of a Daughter call'd Blanch the Education of whom and the Care of her Estate Garcilasso de la Vega a great Friend of her Fathers took upon him New Troubles ensu'd in Castile upon the Death of the Princes every one striving to have the greatest share in the Government At the same time Aragon was disturb'd upon a very extraordinary occasion D. Jayme the King's eldest Son had resolv'd to renounce and resign his Right and Title to the Inheritance of that Crown His Father us'd all possible Arguments to disswade him but all to no purpose Therefore on the 23th of November before the Cortes or Parliament then assembled at Tarragona he made a publick act of Resignation That done he took the Habit of Calatrava and soon after that of Montesa The Lady Ellenor who had been Contracted to him was sent back a Maid into Castile His loose manner of Life was a sufficient proof that it was not Virtue but weakness and inconstancy that mov'd him to refuse a Kingdom D. Alonso his second Brother succeeded in the Title to the Crown and had at â—â—â—t time by his Wife the Lady Teresa a young Son call'd Peter born the 7th Month. This Ladys Portion was the Earldom of Vrgel left her by her great Uncle Armengaud Brother to her Grandmother The Moors incourag'd by their last Success took Huescar Orles and Galera Towns belonging to the Knights of Santiago Besides they made themselves Masters of Martos a very strong place where they spar'd neither Sex nor Age some Christians sav'd themselves upon a Rock near the Town and in the Castle Castile was full of Confusion caus'd by the many Competitors to the Government Queen Mary according to what had been agree'd some years before pretended it belong'd to her alone and sent her Letters to all Places exhorting the People to stick by her Being a Womâ—â— she was look'd upon as too weak to undergo so great a Burthen and many strove to raise themselves to the supream Power Among these the chief was Prince Philip the King's Uncle D. John Manuel and the other D. John who had but one Eye and was Lord of Biscay all powerful Men of the Blood Royal These were all put into Power not by publick Consent but in part as every ones Interest lay Several Assemblies of Provinces were held the result was that Andaluzia chose Prince Philip for their Governour The Kingdom of Toledo and Estremadura elected D. John Manuel most part of old Castile stood by D. John Lord of Biscay These things were not lasting but at every foot the Governours were chang'd as the Peoples Minds alter'd which caus'd an unspeakable Confusion D. Ferdinand de la Cerda had no great Interest and was suspected by all Men he resolv'd to joyn with D. John the Lord of Biscay This was the condition of Castile in the Year 1320. The same Year Prince John the King of Aragon's third Son was consecrated Arch-Bishop of Toledo at Lerida Queen Mary was somewhat jealous of that Prince but the Pope by his Letters assur'd her he would do all things in her Favour The new Arch-Bishop had great Disputes with the Prelates of that Kingdom about carrying his Cross through their Diocesses and he persisting to do so the Arch-Bishop of Zaragoça excommunicated him and shut up all the Churches This he did relying on a Decree of the Prelates of that Kingdom by which they declare any Bishop excommunicate that shall carry his Cross in the Diocess of another The King of Aragon was highly offended at it and wrote to the Pope Letters full of Passion and Threats and had perhaps gone farther but that he was disswaded by his Friends The Pope's Answer was Ambiguous for he blam'd the Arch-Bishop of Zaragoça yet order'd him of Toledo to be absolv'd of the Excommunication lest it might have been just The new Prelate being come to Toledo behav'd himself in such manner towards D. John Manuel who was marry'd to his elder Sister Constance that all Apprehensions of his favouring him ceas'd He would by no means suffer him to receive the King's
a mistake in the Numbers CHAP. X. The Wars betwixt the Christians and Infidels Rebellions in Castile Aragon Castile and Portugal joyn in League The King and Queen of Navarre come into that Country and return again to France AT the same time in Castile great Preparations were made for the War with the Moors The Moorish King 's tender Years and the Distractions among the Infidels offer'd a good Opportunity of making some considerable Advantage Besides that a Son of Ozmin call'd Abraham the Drunkard because he drank much Wine had deserted to the Christians With him came a good Body of Men. King Alonso went to Sevil and from thence made Incursions wasting the Enemy's Country He took from them Olivera Pruna and Ayamonte Thus the Summer was spent and Winter coming on the Souldiers return'd Rich with Plunder to Quarter in Sevil. D. Alonso Jofre the Admiral brought thither the News to the King that he had defeated 24 Galleys of the Moors taken 3 and sunk 4. Some of these belong'd to Granada the rest were of Asrick Above 1200 Moors were kill'd and taken Embassadors were sent to Treat about the King's Marriage D. John Manuel seeing the King resolv'd to put away his Daughter publickly renouncing his Allegiance joyn'd in League with the Kings of Aragon and Granada Besides he made Inroads from Chinchill and Almansa two strong Places wasting all the Country At the same time the King at Sevil gave the Title of Earl of Trastamara Lemos and Sarria to Alvar Nun̄ez Osorio his great Favourite an Honour had not been given in Castile for many Years past The Ceremony was very odd Three Sops were put into a Cup of Wine and set before them the King and Earl complimented one another three Times about taking the first at last the King took one and the Earl another The Earl was allow'd in the Camp to keep a Kitchin apart for his Company and in the Army to have Colours with his own Devise and Coat of Arms. His Patent being sign'd and read all that were present cry'd Let the Earl Live This was the manner of creating an Earl in those Days At Cordova the King caus'd John Ponce to be Beheaded for that he had not obey'd his Orders in restoring the Castle of Cabra to the Knights of Santiago from whom he took it during the late Troubles besides he was accus'd as a Seditious Person Many Citizens of Cordova suffer'd the same Punishment for the same or other like Crimes Garcilasso de la Vega was murder'd at Soria in the Church at Mass by the contrivance of the Nobility The King was much concern'd and had sent him not long before from Sevil to thwart the Designs of D. John Manuel Escalona a small Town in the Kingdom of Toledo mutiny'd and was for joyning with the Rebels In Castile there were Uproars particularly Toro Zamora and Valladolid had reyolted The chief Contriver of this Rebellion was Hernan Rodriguez de Balboa Grand Prior of the Order of S. John His Pretence was the Greatness of the new Earl Alvar Osorio and Joseph the Jew The King lay'd Siege to Escalona but hearing the News of Castile was forc'd to quit it He came to Valladolid where they would not admit him unless he cast off the Earl Osorio which was accordingly done This Affront was so hainously resented by Osorio that he Rebell'd and joyn'd with D. John Manuel which prov'd his utter Ruin Ramiro Flores de Guzman counterfeiting he fled from the King gain'd his Friendship and finding an Opportunity stabb'd him The King presently seiz'd all his Lands and Treasure and declar'd him a Traytor no body appearing upon Summons to Vindicate him Joseph the Jew was protected by his Meanness and general Contempt of that Nation The King was married at Cuidad Rodrigo where with him of Portugal he contriv'd to draw away the King of Aragon from the Interest of D. John Manuel To this purpose they offer'd him Ellenor the King of Castile's Sister in Marriage which he accepted of and the Lady was sent into Aragon his first Wife Teresa being dead before D. John the Patriach and Arch-bishop of Tarragona went as far as Alfaro to meet her The Ceremony was perform'd at Taraçona the King of Castile being present with him of Aragon this was at the beginning of the Year 1329. To make this League the firmer Blanch the Daughter of Prince Peter who was kill'd by the Moors was contracted to Peter the King of Portugal's eldest Son The Three Kings agreed with Joynt Forces to make War upon the Moors till they had totally driven them out of Spain Also that none of them should shelter or protect the Rebels to any of the other D. John Manuel having thus lost the Protection of Aragon to make the best Interest he could marry'd the Daughter of Ferdinand de la Cerda D. John de Lara likewise marry'd Mary the Daughter of D. John Lord of Biscay hoping with their Joynt Forces to recover that Province which the King had taken from that Lady D. John de Lara and D. John Manuel were in open Rebellion others consented underhand as D. Peter de Castro and D. John Alonso de Albuquerque Son to Hernan Sanchez and Grandson to King Denis of Portugal The greatest of all was D. John de Haro Lord of Cameros Great part of the Kingdom follow'd these Rebellious Noblemen This Year the new King and Queen of Navarre came to Pamplona and were receiv'd upon these Conditions That no Mony should be coin'd during the Term of 12 Years because if was then usual to Stamp base Metal That Foreigners should not be put into places of Trust That it should not be in their Power to sell or change the Kingdom or alienate the Revenue That their first Son as soon as he came to Age should be King and take upon him the Government and his Father Philip should allow 100000 Crowns for his Expences The King and Queen swore to the Performance of these Articles and were thereupon Crown'd in the Cathedral on the 5th of March Great Joy was express'd by all sorts of People for that the Kingdom was restored to Princes of their own after it had been 55 Years subject to Foreigners These Princes had 3 Sons Charles Philip and Luis who had all great Possessions and as many Daughters Joanna Mary and Blanch who also were well Marry'd At this time the Flemmings were in Rebellion and had imprison'd Luis their Earl who getting loose was by them besieg'd in Gant whence he fled to the King of France for Protection That King sent Embassadors to Flanders but they proving unsuccessful he had recourse to Arms. Many Princes went to that War and among them Philip King of Navarre The two Armies met near Cassel After some Skirmishes one day in August in the heat of the Day the Flemmings surpriz'd the French Camp gain'd their Works and came to the King's Tent killing many before they could defend themselves The
her A Storm threatened Castile from Portugal and no great Confidence could be repos'd in the Loyalty of D. John Manuel and D. John de Lara the former was much troubl'd at the delays of the Marriage with Portugal but fear'd to stir in it without the King's leave lest he should seize his great Patrimony in Castile D. Peter Fernandez de Castro and D. John Alonso de Albuquerque openly rebell'd and solicited the King of Portugal to make War in Castile The King took several places belonging to D. John de Lara and besieg'd him in the City Lerma all possible Means were us'd to enter the Place or bring the Townsmen to deliver up D. John but they stood firm to him D. John Manuel in order to relieve the Place went to Pen̄afiel a Town of his own and narrowly escap'd being taken by the King D. John Albuquerque submitted himself The King of Portugal sent Embassadors to perswade him of Castile to raise the Siege but they did nothing and their King assembling his Forces lay'd Siege to Badajoz Alonso de Sousa sent by him with a Party to plunder the Country was routed and many of his Men kill'd and taken which mov'd the Portugues to raise the Siege and return home Lerma having lost all Hopes of Relief was surrender'd Nevertheless D. John de Lara was restor'd to the King's Favour and to all his Estate in Biscay Only Lerma was Dismantled as a Punishment for its Rebellion This year the King of Morocco added the Kingdom of Tremeçen to his Dominions having overthrown and kill'd that King which rais'd the Hopes of the Moors and was a new Terror to the Christians The King of Castile labour'd in vain to gain his Nobles by fair means He kept his Christmas in the Year 1337. at Valladolid There he made D. John de Lara his Standard-Bearer and pardon'd D. John Manuel a false Man who Treated with both the Kings of Castile and Aragon at once that he might always have one to fly to The Enmity betwixt the King of Aragon and his Mother in Law continu'd and tho he was Solicited by an Embassador to an Accommodation he only gave fair Words The King of Castile met his Sister at Ayllon and there at her Request order'd D. James de Haro to make an Incursion into Aragon with the Forces of Soria Molina Cuenca and that Neighbourhood Queen Ellenor went to meet the King at Madrid he having appointed a great Rendezvouz of his Forces at Badajoz in order to make War upon Portugal Now was Born to the King by the Lady Ellenor another Son call'd D. Tello By the way of Badajoz the Castilians broke furiously into Portugal and Harrass'd all the Country but the King falling Sick of a Fever at Olivença was oblig'd in June to return to Sevil. About the same time Godfrey Admiral of Castile having scour'd all the Coast not far from Lisbon fought the Portugues Fleet commanded by Pecanus a Genoese At first the Portugueses had the best and took two Castilian Galleys but their Admiral being soon after taken and his Flag lower'd the Enemy was soon put to Flight 6 of their Galleys sunk and 8 taken with their Admiral and his Son Charles This Victory was so great that the King himself went out to meet the Admiral at his Return to Sevil The Arch-Bishop of Reims Embassador from the King of France and the Great Master of Rhodes from the Pope were here endeavouring to conclude a Peace but effected nothing and the King of Castile being recover'd broke into Portugal again through Algarve where formerly were the Turdetani whilst the Portugues with whom his Subjects were highly offended made the War upon Galicia The King of Castile having met no Army of the Enemy in Autumn return'd to Sevil. CHAP. III. The Death of Frederick King of Sicily A Truce betwixt Castile and Portugal The Death of Abomelique and defeat of his Army Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon A Synod at Barcelona ON the 25th of June 1337 dy'd Frederick King of Sicily of a great Age and Famous for the War he long maintain'd against Powerful Princes He lies bury'd at Catanea His Son Peter succeeded him in the Throne The Dukedoms of Athens and Neopatria he left to his 2d Son William and other Legacies to his 3d Son John His four Daughters he totally excluded from inheriting the Crown contrary to what had before and was afterwards us'd in that Kingdom D. Ximeno de Luna Arch-bishop of Toledo dy'd on the 16th of November and was bury'd in his own Cathedral Giles Alvarez de Cuenca otherwise call'd Albornoz at the Instance of the King was chosen to succeed him This Prelate was Famous for his Learning Piety and Virtue Being created Cardinal he was very Serviceable to the Popes He founded a College at Bolonia in Lombardy for 4 Chaplains and 30 Students all Spaniards Besides he left to the Chapter of Toledo the Town of Paracuellos with an Obligation of paying a Pension to the Church of Villaviciosa built by himself The Arch-bishop of Reimes and Great Master of Rhodes went from place to place exhorting the Kings of Spain to Peace It was agreed he of Castile should go to Merida to Treat there a Truce was concluded for one Year in the beginning of that which was of our Lord 1338 but no Peace could be Established Great Preparations for War were now making in Spain and it was much labour'd to settle a General Peace in the Country because Fame which always is greater than Truth spread it abroad that Albohaçen King of Morocco design'd to land in Valencia with an innumerable Multitude bringing over their Wives and Children in order to settle in Spain The King of Aragon entertain'd the English Embassadors who came to settle Peace with Ambiguous yet fair Words On the 20th of July he marry'd Mary Daughter to the King of Navarre having deferred it so long by reason she was not of Age. An Embassy was sent to the Pope begging he would order the Tenths of Ecclesiastical Revenues granted for carrying on the War against the Moors to be paid according to the full Value because they were worth little as they were in the Ancient Records This in Aragon The King of Castile was gone to Burgos to hold the Cortes or Parliament where Laws were established to regulate Excess in Dyet and Cloathing Godfrey Tenorio the Admiral was sent to the Streights to obstruct the Passage of the Moors From Burgos at the Request of his Sister the King went to Cuenca and with him D. John de Lara and D. John Manuel who were now reconcil'd to him Thither came D. Peter de Açagra from the King of Aragon to propose an Allyance against the Moors and offer the 3d part of the Fleet that should be requisite to hinder their Passage The Castillian answer'd that the Friendship of the Aragonian would be very grateful to him when he had given Satisfaction to his
â—own was well providâ—â— strongly fortify'd and had a good Garrison As soon as the Town was invested all 〈◊〉 Country about was laid Waste and presently the Walls began to be batter'd The Siege lasted long notwithstanding the Townsmen abated of their Heat seeing no hope of Sucâ—â—â—r yet the Garison held out resolutely During the Siege the Embassadors sent by the 〈◊〉 of Castile to establish Peace and desire Succours of the King of Aragon return'd to the Camp and with them Bernard de Cabrera a Man of great Parts and therefore brought to the Court by the King of Aragon from his retirement â—nd employ'd in the most important Affairs of the Government He came to the Camp on the â—0th of August and establish'd a League betwixt the two Kings upon these Conditions That Queen Ellenor and her Children shall peaceably enjoy all that was given them by her Husband and their Father That the King of Castile shall not give them any assistance if they raise Commotions in the Kingdom After this the King of Aragon sent 400 Cross-bow-Men and 10 Galleys under the command of Raymund Villano Joanna Queen of Navarre who after the Death of her Husband Philip resided in France at the Town of Conflans seated at the meeting of the Rivers Seyne and Oyse dy'd on the 5th of October and was buried in the Church of St. Denis near her Father King Luis Hutin She was a most virtuous Lady and had a numerous Issue Charles her Son succeeded her at the Age of 17. She had two lesser Sons Philip and Luis he who had the Seignory of Durazzâ— in Dower and these Daughters Joanna Mary Blâ—â—â—h and Agnes who were all marry'd to great Men the first to the Lord of Roanâ— the 2d to the King of Aragon the 3d to Philip de Valois King of France and the last to the Earl of Faux Mossen John de Conflans a Frenchman was now Vicerâ—y of Navarre Let us return to the Siege of Gibraltar The Moors of Granada always laid Ambushes about the Christian Camâ—â—â—nd pick'd up all Straglers The besieg'd made often Sallies and did some Execution But what was worst a violent Plague rag'd in the Army and great Numbers dy'd Most Men and particularly D. John de Lara and D. Ferdinand Manuel who had succeeded his Father in the Lordship of Villena were for raising the Siege These things somwhat mov'd the King â—et his Resolution prevail'd unfortunately to him for the Infection seiz'd him and he dy'd on the 26th of March 1350. This was the first year in which Pope Clement allow'd the Jubilee to be gain'd every 50th year which before was every Century It was also remarkable for the Death of Philip King of France His Son John succeeded him This was the end of King Alonso the XIth of Castile in the 38th year of his Age and 't is thought had he liv'd longer he would have drove the Moors out of Spain He might have been compar'd to the best of Princes had he not â—â—emish'd his Virtâ—es by much Inconstancy His Severity in executing Justice gain'd him the Name of The Vpright Immediately upon his Death the Siege was rais'd His Body was carry'd to Sevil and bury'd in the Royal Chappel In the Reign of his Son Henry he was Translated to Cordova as he had order'd it in his Will D. Giles de Albornoz Archbishop of Toledo was created a Cardinal by Pope Clement on the 18th of December Laurence de Padilla says this was the Cause why he quitted the Archbishoprick for in those Days two such Dignities were incompatible and that D. Gonçalo the IVth succeeded him and govern'd that Church but 3 Years Mighty Troubles and Confusions follow'd in Castile Most Men lay all the blame on the new King and therefore call him The Cruel 〈◊〉 Authors attribute it to the Pride and Ambition of the Nobility who 〈◊〉 the King to make 〈◊〉 â—ere Examples As soon as King Alonso dy'd his lawful Son Peter was proclaim'd King 〈◊〉 the Camp tho he was but 15 years of Age and then at Sevil with his Mother His Age was unfit for Government but his forward Wit promis'd well He was fair of Complexion had an agreeable Face with much Majesty a great Heart for difficult Attempts and would undergo any Labour He lov'd 〈◊〉 king above other Sporst and was rigid in Administring Justice Among these Virtues some Vices began to appear as Pride and Passion in his Youth afterwards he added Avarice and Incontinency These natural Imperfections were increas'd by the ill Government of his Tutor D. John de Albuquerque who gave him his Will in all things and by that means rose to the great Favour he had with him The new King had these Bastard Brothers Henry Earl of Trastamara Frederick Master of Santiago Ferdinand Lord of Ledesina and Tello Lord of Aguilar these the Sons of the Lady Ellenor de Guzman Besides these the Lady Joanna marry'd to Ferdinand and Philip de Castro Sancho John and Peter for another Peter and Sancho dy'd Young These Bastard Brothers had not much Confidence in the King who was wholly govern'd by his Mother Queen Mary The Lady Ellenor de Guzman fâ—â—ring the Queen Dowager set out from the Camp with the dead King's Body but by the way changing her Resolution left it and went to Medina Sidonia a strong Town of her own Here she was some time dubious what to do but at last resolv'd to put her self upon the King's Goodness Having fix'd this Resolution she went away to Sevil her Sons and other great Men of her Kindred went to Algezira and other strong Places The King yielding to his Mother's Passion the Lady Ellenor was cast into Prison Her Son Henry being expell'd Algezira upon a safe Conduct came to the King and hastily concluded a Match with the Lady Joanna Sister to D. Ferdinand Manuel to be 〈◊〉 Condition to oppose the King The King fell so desperately Sick that he was given over by all the Physicians Every one named a Successor according to his Fancy but the King soon recovering this only serv'd to discover the Inclinations of the People D. John de Lara envious of the great Power of D. Alonso de Albuquerque went away for Castile designing to raise a Rebellion which was easy because of his great Possessions in that Country His Designs were prevented by Death which took him away at Burgos on the 28th of November His Body was bury'd in the Monastery of St. Paul of the Dominiâ—ans in that City He left a 〈◊〉 NunÌ„o de Lara but two years Old Almost at the same time dy'd his Brother in Law D. Ferdinand Manuel leaving only a Daughter call'd Blanch. The Death of these two great Men was very pleasing to D. Alonso de Albuquerque who hop'd they being remov'd to be absolute without Controul The King upon the first News set out from Sevil hoping to seize upon their Estates and gave by the way some Signs of his
executes many of them AFter the King of Castile had reduced most of the Towns belonging to D. Alonso de Albuquerque being about to set out to besiege his Bastard Brother Frederick who made himself strong in the Castle of Segura he sent John Fernandez de Hinestrosa into old Castile to bring Queen Blanch and secure her in the Pallace of Toledo on pretence of the Rebellion that was in the Kingdom Being come to Toledo she went directly to the Cathedral under show of Devotion but when there would not come out expecting to be defended by the Sanctuary The King understanding what had happen'd in a Passion return'd to OcanÌ„a There he caus'd John de Padilla to be chosen Master of Callatrava â—â— stead of his Bastard-Brother Frederick notwithstanding he was a Marry'd Man and 〈◊〉 such had ever had that Honour before This was the beginning of admitting Marry'd Men to be Masters of that Order in favour of Da. Maria de Padilla whose Brother this Man was Mean while the Power of the Rebellious Nobles increas'd D. John de la Cerda joyn'd them The King wanting Forces went into old Castile to raise Men and came to Tordesillas where the Queen his Mother was The People of Toledo sent for D. Frederick who came with 700 Horse and the other Nobles flocking together kept the King besieg'd in Tordesillas Ellenor Queen of Aragon was sent by them to propose to him to banish Da. Maria de Padilla and remove her Kindred and they would all submit to him but she prevail'd not The Queen Mother and the King her Son departing from Tordesillas the Rebels march'd towards Valladolid thinking to surprise that place but being disappainted remov'd to Medina del Campo and took it without bloodshed Thither came the Bastard D. Frederick and there dy'd John Alonso de Albuquerque poyson'd by one Paul a Roman Doctor brib'd by his Enemies His Body as he order'd it in his Will was Embalmed and carry'd about by those his Fellow-Conspirators till the end of the War After this the Nobles sent some Men of Note to treat with the King the result was that they agreed upon a time to meet at a Village near Toro On the Day appointed they met with 50 Horse equally arm'd on each side where they receiv'd one another with the usual Respect the Nobles according to custom kissing the King's Hand This done Gutierre de Toledo by the King's Order told them The King was much concern'd to see so many Men of Quality in Rebellion indeavouring to bring him to their Beek That he forgave them all provided they would submit and disband their Forces and that as to what they desir'd in relation to Queen Blanch it should be done provided their Demands ended there Ferdinand de Ayala being appointed by the Nobles to speak for them with very submissive Words excus'd their coming arm'd into his presence extoll'd the virtue of Queen Blanch represented the Danger that threaten'd her from Da. Maria de Padilla and begg'd of the King to comfort and protect her and prevent the Ruin that threaten'd the Kingdom The matter was too weighty to be concluded in so short a time therefore four Gentlemen for each side were appointed to agree upon Articles of Peace Thus they parted and the King us'd such delays that all hope of adjusting Affairs vanish'd especially because he went away from Toro to meet his Mistress The Queen Mother hereupon joyn'd with the Rebels and deliver'd the City Toro up to them The King startled at the News return'd to Toro with John Fernandez de Hinestrosa and Samuel Levi a Jew who was his Treasurer The Queen Mother receiv'd him with great Affection and he told her he came to put himself into her Power and do whatsoever she would have of him Those who came with him were secur'd and the Officers of his Household chang'd D. Frederick was made Lord Chamberlain Prince Ferdinand of Aragon Chancellor D. John de la Cerda Standard-bearer D. Frederick de Castro Lord Steward and he marry'd Joanna the King's Bastard-Sister but was divorc'd as being her second Cousin These were rather Spies to secure than Servants to attend him This done they bury'd the Body of Alonso de Albuquerque thinking the War at an end The King had liberty to Hunt and having gain'd some of the Nobles fled to Segovia and with him Samuel Levi who was out upon Bail and D. Tello to whom the King shew'd some Affection but it lasted not long This was the beginning of new Uproars The Princes of Aragon and their Mother Queen Ellenor went to Roa given them by the King whilst at Toro D. John de la Cerda went to Segovia to the King D. Frederick to his Forces at Talavera D. Ferdinand de Castro to Galicia D. Tello to Biscay Count Henry and Queen Mother stay'd at Toro These Things happen'd at the end of the Year In the beginning of the Year 1355 the Cortes or Parliament was held at Burgos There the King complain'd of the Insolency of the Nobility and desired to be assisted against them An extraordinary subsidy was granted him At the same time in France the King of Navarre murder'd the Constable D. John de la Cerda younger Son to D. Alonso the Disinherited at which Action the King of France was highly offended for the love he bore the Constable The cause of his Death was that the King gave him the Earldom of Angoulesme which the King of Navarre pretended a Right to as also to those of Champagne and Brie In a Rage because the King of France refus'd him those Lordships he caus'd the Constable to be murder'd in his Castle of Aygle in Normandy on the 18th of January The King of France was not seen in four Days after he heard of this mischance and causing the Business to be inquir'd into summon'd the King of Navarre to answer for himself He appear'd having first receiv'd Luis the King's Son as Hostage for his safety He could not clear himself and the King order'd him to be apprehended but upon the Intercession of the Queen and his Sister pardon'd him We said above that Prince Peter of Portugal had long to do with the Lady Agnes de Castro her he privately Marry'd the last Year The King his Father to remove this Stain from the Royal Family caus'd her to be kill'd at Coimbra An unjust severity when she had born him four Children D. Alonso who dy'd young D. John Denis and Beatrix In July dy'd Luis King of Sicily His Brother Frederick call'd the Simple being naturally so succeeded him The Reigns of both those Kings were tempestuous which open'd the way to the King of Aragon to recover that Island But let us leave that a while to go on with the Affairs of Castile The Cortes at Burgos being broken up the King went to Medina del Campo There he put to death Peter Ruiz de Villegas Lieutenant of Castile and Sancho Ruiz de
the King of Navarre then a Prisoner in France was solicited by both Parties but he would declare for neither tho he rather inclin'd to the Aragonian Incursions were made three several ways into the Kingdom of Valencia Prince Ferdinand of Aragon hoping that Kingdom would rebel but he was deceiv'd for they were terrify'd with Punishment Thus the War was carry'd on at the end of August with great Desolation of the Country Near the same time was the memorable Battle of Poitiers in France in which the whole power of that Kingdom was discomfited by a small Number of English the King of France and his younger Son Philip taken and a great number of Nobility slain That famous Battel was fought on the 19th of September 1356. Upon occasion of this defeat the King of Navarre broke Prison and getting to Paris headed the People against the Dauphin There in a great Assembly he complain'd of the Wrongs done him and pleaded his right to the Crown as Grand-Son to King Luis Hutin whereas the King of England was Son to the Lady Elizabeth that King's Sister This had been a ground of new Confusions but that the King of Navarre wanted Power However he prevail'd so far as to have all that was his own restor'd to him with an addition of the Lordships of Mascon and Bigorre Yet he could not obtain the Earldoms of Champagne Brie and Burgundy to which he pretended to have right Heny Earl of Trastamara escaping from that Fight fled to the King of Aragon being invited by him This was the first step he rose towards obtaining the Crown of Castile It was agree'd betwixt the King of Aragon and him That Count Henry should renounce his Country and take an Oath of Fidelity to the Aragonian and that the King should give him pay for 600 Horse and as many Foot who were to serve under him At the beginning of the Year 1357 the War went on with various Success on the Frontiers of Castile and Aragon The Arigonians took Alicant the Castilians Embite and Bordalva Chief Commanders for the King of Aragon were Count Henry D. Peter de Exerica and Count Lope Ferdnandez de Luna For the King of Castile D. Frederick Master of Santiago the two Princes of Aragon and D. John de la Cerda Those of Aragon serv'd their Master with greater Fidelity than those Castile who at last were all drawn over by the Enemy D. John de la Cerda and Alvar Perez de Gusman were the first that deserted the King of Castile remembring the death of D. Alonso Coronel whose Daughters they had marry'd and who was kill'd by the King's Order as also fearing the King had a Mind to Da. Aldonça Wife to Alvar Perez They fled to Andaluzia hoping to raise a Rebellion there At this time the King of Castile laid Siege to a Castle on the Borders of Castile and Aragon call'd Tebat or as others write Silamo there he receiv'd the News that those Gentlemen were fled into Andaluzia He pursu'd them a while but finding it impossible to overtake them return'd to the War with more fury than before He took some Towns of small Note and with the same Violence enter'd Taraçona a noble City near Navarre on the 9th of March. The Citizens seeing the upper part of the Town lost surrender'd upon promise of Life and Goods and were suffer'd to depart to Tudela It was said this City was lost through the Cowardise of the Governour Michael de Guerrea who not knowing how to answer it withdrew with his Family to Navarre The King peopled the Town with Castillian Souldiers dividing the Houses and Lands among them This City being lost the King of Aragon thought not himself safe in Zaragoça especially for that at the same time D. John de la Cerda was defeated and kill'd by the Forces of the Council of Sevil commanded by D. John Ponce de Leon Lord of Marchena and Gilos Bocanegra the Admiral From France came the Earl of Faux with many Gentlemen of Note to serve the King of Aragon His Enemy the Lord La Brie came with a number of Lances to King Peter Pope Innocent's Legate the Cardinal of Bolonia sent to that purpose labour'd much to bring them to Peace and at last obtained a Truce for 15 Months Mean while Bernard de Cabrera and John Fernandez de Hinestrosa were appointed Commissioners the first for Aragon the other for Castile to treat All Places taken on both sides were deliver'd in Trust to the Cardinal Legate who excommunicated him that should offer to break the Truce This Agreement was made on the 18th of May. This Month dy'd Alonso the IIId King of Portugal Aged 77 Years and a Half He reign'd 31 Years 5 Months and 20 Days and was buried by his Queen Beatrix in the Cathedral of that City His Son Peter call'd the Cruel succeeded him About a Month before he had a Son born to him of Da. Teresa Gallego whom he kept after his Father caus'd the Lady Agnes de Castro to be put to death She was graceful but had no other good quality her Son was call'd John to whom Heaven had reserv'd the Crown of Portugal as shall appear in its Place The Truce concluded betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Aragon the Aragonian deliver'd up to the Legate the Places he had taken being but few but King Peter could never be induc'd to draw the Souldiers out of Taraçona to whom he had given Houses there He went away to Sevil to settle Andaluzia and set out a Fleet to infest the Coast of Aragon for he neither expected nor desir'd Peace At Sevil he was so taken with the Lady Aldonça Coronel that he made no account of Da. Maria de Padilla The Legate offended at his course of Life excommunicated him and laid an Interdict upon all Castile This was an extravagant Action of the Legate therefore the Pope call'd him out of Spain All was contriv'd by the King of Aragon to make King Peter odious Another Displeasure befel him The Lady Joanna Wife to Count Henry was convey'd into Aragon to her Husband by Peter Carillo a Servant of his which cut off all hope of Peace The other Brothers Frederick and Tello were willing to rebel but fear'd they could have nothing in Aragon equivalent to the Estates they must leave in Castile Prince Ferdinand of Aragon kept the Town of Jumilla taken from the Aragonians he dealing underhand with Bernard de Cabrera went over to the King of Aragon upon conditition to be made Vicar of the Kingdom and have all his Estate restor'd The Revolt of Count Henry and Prince Ferdinand as it was the Life of Aragon so it prov'd fatal to their Brothers as shall be seen here after Mathew Doria dying in Sardinia advanc'd the King of Aragons Interest for tho Marianus of Arborea was not quiet his Power alone was inconsiderable Luis of Naples was possess'd of the greatest part of Sicily Frederick
at variance and in lieu thereof should have the Lordship of Montpelier These things were done later in the Year 1375 therefore let us return to Castile King Henry's Joy for his Success was somewhat abated by the many Enemies he had yet to deal with for still King Peter's Party was not extinct The Portugueses had a strong Garrison in Cuida Rodrigo and thence infested all the neighbouring Country This place King Henry laid Siege to at the beginning of the Year 1370 but the Portugueses defended it so bravely that he was forc'd to quit that Design for the present and march away to Medina del Campos Here he held the Cortes or Parliament The chief Thing done at this Meeting was the granting of an extraordinary Subsidy towards the War There was due to Bertran Claquin 120000 Doubles promis'd him for betraying of King Peter at Montiel this was a vast Summ in those Days Jayme King of Naples was deliver'd to him as payment of 60000 the Queen his Wife offering so much for him the rest was paid down in Gold Besides the King gave him the Towns of Soria Almaçan Aciença Montagudo Molina and Seron This done he return'd into France where he was made Constable and serv'd well against the English In July the Aragonians and Navarrois concluded a League only defensive as was given out but in reality design'd against Henry of Castile Then the Towns of Salvatierra and La Real formerly belonging to Aragon were restor'd to that Crown by the Queen of Navarre In Castile Peter Manrique Lieutenant of that Kingdom and Peter Ruiz Sarmiento Lieutenant of Galicia were order'd with some Forces to defend Galicia where the Portugueses had taken Compostella Tuy and the Port of Corun̄a D. Tello King Henry's Brother was also commanded thither This done King Henry went away to Sevil with the best of his Army for there was the greatest need of it because the Moors made War on that side Carmona still held out and the Portuguese Fleet kept the Mouth of the River Gaudalquivir Henry was much pleas'd that the Masters of Santiago and Calatrava concluded a Truce with the King of Granada for he could not have withstood so many Enemies at once The Portuguese fleet consisted of 16 Galleys and 24 Ships King Henry order'd 20 Galleys to be lanch'd but they could not all be fitted because King Peter had laid up the Tackling at Carmona therefore a Fleet was order'd to come from Biscay which the Portuguese understanding durst not stay to give them Battel but return'd to Portugal having lost three Galleys and two Ships The Portuguese Fleet was at that time weaken'd having sent some Galleys to Barcelona to carry the Embassadors who went to make a League with the King of Aragon They concluded the Confederacy upon these Terms That the Kingdom of Murcia and City of Cuenca with all its Dependencies should belong to the Crown of Aragon all the other Dominions of Castile should fall to the King of Portugal who already called himself King of Castile That the King of Portugal should marry the Lady Ellenor Daughter to the Aragonian her Dower to be 100000 Florins This Contract came to nothing for the King of Portugal fell in love with and marry'd the Lady Ellenor Tellez de Meneses Daughter to Alonso Tello Count of Barceols and the Aragonian taken up with the War of Sardinia had no leisure to attend that of Castile On the 15th of October dy'd D. Tello King Henry's Brother Lord of Biscay Some say he was poison'd others deny it The King gave the Lordship of Biscay and Lara belonging D. Tello to his own Son John and ever since they have been annex'd to the Crown of Castile The Body of D. Tello was bury'd with great Pomp in the Monastery of S. Francis at Palencia CHAP. IX The Siege of Carmona The King of Portugal marries the Lady Ellenor de Meneses Peace betwixt Castile Portugal and Nevarre KIng Heny eas'd of two great Troubles by the Truce made with the Moor and the removal of the Portuguese Fleet laid Siege to Carmona the only Refuge of King Peter's Friends in the Spring of the Year 1371. This Siege lasted long and many notable Exploits were perform'd by the Besieged who kept their Gates always open making continual Salleys One Day just at Noon the Heat being very great the besieged observ'd the Enemy to keep very close in their Tents and thereupon sallying furiously enter'd their Trenches and went directly to the King's Tent resolving by his death to put an end to the War He was in extream Danger but that some Gentlemen came to his rescue and stop'd the Fury of the besieged till the Army gathering they were repuls'd with considerable Loss After this King Henry attempted by Night to scale the Walls about 40 Men at Armes got up and secur'd a Tower but the Townsmen taking the Alarm fell on them with such Bravery that the Ladders not able to bear them going down broke and those that were in the Tower were left behind Martin Lopez de Cordeva the Governour who was out of the Town that Night returning caus'd them all to be put to Death Provision failing the Governour was at last forc'd to Surrender upon Articles which were basely broken and the brave Governour Martin Lopez de Cordova publickly put to Death or rather murder'd at Sevil by the King's Command The Treasure and Innocent Children of King Peter fell into the Hands of King Henry who kept those guiltless Persons in perpetual Imprisonment This done King Henry caus'd the Bones of his Father King Alonso to be translated to the Royal Chappel of the Cathedral of Cordova At the Siege of Carmona he receiv'd the News that Peter Fernandez de Velasco had taken the City Zamora from the Portugeses and his Liuetenant Peter Manrique and Peter Ruiz Sarmiento pacify'd Galicia having defeated D. Ferdinand de Castro the chief Man that favour'd the Portugeses who having lost the Battle fled to Portugal King Ferdinand of Portugal discourag'd at these Losses gave ear to Peace propos'd to him on the behalf of King Henry by Alonso Perez de Gusman chief Alguazil of Sevil. The Treaty was concluded on the 1st Day of March upon these Articles That the King of Castile restore the Towns taken during the War That the King of Portugal marry Ellenor Daughter to him of Castile whose Dower was to be Cuidad Rodrigo Valencia de Alcantara in Estremadura and Monreal in Galicia The Love the Portuguese bore the Lady Ellenor de Meneses as has been said before prevented this Match and he sent an Embassy to excuse himself and deliver'd up all the Places he had belonging to Castile His Excuses were easily allow'd and he publickly marry'd the Lady Elenor de Meneses which prov'd an unhappy Match and produc'd Wars betwixt Castile and Portugal Before the King was marry'd his Design being known at Lisbon the People mutiny'd to prevent it but 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 Cavan̄as defeated a good Body of them and took their Commander call'd Martin The King set out from Girona to oppose them but they return'd into France by the way of Russillon where they did much harm The King of Aragon had stir'd up Arigotte of Auvergne to make War upon the Lands of Armagnac which mov'd the Earl to return to defend his own Luis the Son of Luis Duke of Anjou who dy'd in the Conquest of Naples and stil'd himself King of Hierusalem and Sicily marry'd Violante the Daughter of the King of Aragon at Barcelona The end of this Match was that the Aragonian should assist his Son in Law in the Conquest of Naples D. Martin Lord of Exerica the King of Aragon's Nephew as being the Son of his Brother Martin with the King's Consent marry'd Mary Queen of Sicily the Pope also agreeing to it because that Kingdom is a Feofe of the Church Sardinia was again in an uproar for that Brancaleon Doria not regarding the late Settlement and the Pardon he had receiv'd took up Arms again at the beginning of the Year 1391 on pretence of asserting the Peoples Liberties With this specious pretence he drew to his side the Genoeses and many of the Islanders so that he took Sacer the Capital City of the Island and many other Towns and Forts To crush this Rebellion the King rais'd Men and set forth a Proclamation commanding all that had Lands in the Island to go over to defend it At this same time Pope Clement created Martin Bishop of Pamplona Cardinal who was the first of those Prelates that obtained that Honour When King John of Castile fell with his Horse as has been said the Arch-bishop of Toledo who was by caus'd a Tent to be set up in that Place and guarded with trusty Persons concealing the King's Death and sending out several Messages in his Name But this Fiction could not hold long The first that resorted to behold this miserable Spectacle was Queen Beatrix before despoil'd of her Father's Kingdom and now of her Husband being left without any Children to be a Comfort in her Widowhood Prince Henry surpriz'd at his Father's Death set out from Talavera and stopp'd at Madrid with his Brother Ferdinand There the Arch-bishop caus'd him to be proclaim'd King he was the third of the Name and commonly call'd the Sickly for his want of Health All the great Men of the Kingdom flock'd to kiss his Hand and offer their Persons and Estates D. Alonso de Aragon Marques de Villena dissatisfy'd with the late King was withdrawn into Aragon He offer'd to return to Castile provided he might be restor'd to the Office of Constable The King and Queen condescended to his Request and yet he came not being detain'd for certain Reasons in Aragon The Ceremony of proclaiming the King being perform'd he went to Toledo to bury his Father in the Royal Chappel as he had ordain'd Next the Cortes assembl'd at Madrid and took in hand to settle the Government the King being but 11 years of Age. Ellenor the only Daughter to the Earl of Albuquerque for her great Fortune commonly call'd the Rich Female was then at Court Many courted her and among them her Cousin the Duke of Benavente but Prince Ferdinand was preferred before him and they were Contracted yet so that the Match should not go forwards till the King was 14 Years of Age. This was that in case the King dy'd before that Age the Prince might marry Queen Catherine the Duke of Lancaster's Daughter as had been agreed The Bride swore to the Contract being 16 Years of Age but the Prince was too young to swear When the Cortes were about setling the Government they understood by Peter Lopez de Ayala that the late King had made a Will This Will being found and read rais'd variety of Opinions They were chiefly offended at one Clause which appointed for the young King's Tutors till he was 15 Years of Age D. Alonso de Aragon the Constable the Arch-bishops of Toledo and Santiago the Master of Calatrava the Earl of Niebla and Peter de Mendoça the Lord Steward and with them 6 Citizens one of each of the Cities of Burgos Toledo Leon Sevil Cordova and Murcia to be chosen by the Counsels of those Places Every one that was not of the Number was offended The Affair was long debated Some few were for fulfilling the Will but the greatest Number were for cancelling it The Arch-Bisop of Toledo would not suffer it to be burnt because there were certain Legacies nam'd in it for his Church which he would have valid tho the rest were not The Will
believing he was displeas'd on some private Account but this Emâ—â—ssy avail'd nothing A great number of French enter'd Aragon by the way of Russâ—â—â—â— 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 〈◊〉 Dukes of Burgâ—ndy Beri and Orâ—â—ans 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 fâ—â—thest part of 〈◊〉 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 Pâ—bletâ— the common Place of Burial of those Kings He left no Issue-male but two Daughters by two Wiâ—es call'd Joâ—â—â—na and Violante The first was marry'd to Mathew Earl of Fâ—â—x the latter contracted to 〈◊〉 Duke of Anjoâ— In his Will he appointed his Brother Martin Duke of 〈◊〉 his Successor which was approv'd of â—â— all the Kingdom to avoid falling under a 〈◊〉 if the Daughters inherited Martin was busy subduing of Sicily Mary his Wife supply'd his Place taking the Title of Queen and â—â—acing Guards to look to Queen Violante who say'd she was with Child to prevent any Frand The Earl of 〈◊〉 pretended to the Crown in right of his Wife because the Females had always been allow'd to inherit Yet notwithstanding his just â—laim the Cortes which met in July at Zaragoça unaâ—â—mously 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 〈◊〉 â—â—turns to her â—â—â—band The Earl of Faux invades Aragon The War betâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 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 Gijâ—n gone to France as had been agreed The Queen of Navarre tho against her Will was at 〈…〉 to return to her Husband To make her easy he made Oath he would treat her 〈◊〉 a Queen and the Daughter of Kings and the King of Castile bore her Company to 〈◊〉 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 Huâ—tad◠〈◊〉 Mendoça the Lord 〈◊〉 was much in the King of Castile's Favour who for his good Service gave 〈…〉 of Agreda Ciria and Boravia This Bounty of the King's 〈◊〉 Envy in the 〈◊〉 and those of Agreda would not admit him as their Lord but 〈…〉 to stand upon their Defence The King went thither and being receiv'd into 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 Embassadors into France 〈◊〉 the Earl of Gijon and they came to Paris at the time appointed but the Earl appear'd not yet as they were upâ—â— returning they understood he was arriv'd at Rochel in the Provinâ—◠〈◊〉 They impeach'd him before the King and after a full hearing he was declar'd 〈…〉 and commanded to submit himself to the King of whom he might hope for Pardon â—o 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 â—rates dependant on the Crown of France not to give him any Sâ—ccour or Relief The 〈◊〉 of Castile knowing what Judgment had been given demanded the Town of Gijon should 〈◊〉 surrender'd to him but the Earl's Wife who was in it refus'd Whereupon he laid â—lege 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 Andâ—luzia 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 Benavenâ—e was kept Prisoner at Monterrey in custody of the Master of Santiago and thence remov'd to Almâ—dâ—var This offended the Arch-bishop of Santiago upon whose Word he came 〈◊〉 Court. Besides that Prelate would not own the Popes of Avignon on these Distates he withdrew into Portugâ—â— There he was first chosen Bishop of Coimbra and afterwards Archbishop of Braga 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 to have writ the beâ—â— 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 Pyrâ—nean Hills with a mighty Army wasted all the Country along the River Sâ—gre 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 Valâ—ncia which threw down many Buildings and shook others This the Commonalty look'd upon as an ill Omen foreboding
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 In̄igo 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
Earl of Benavente nay the Prince of Castile and Queen had a hand in this Practice F. Lope Barrientos Bishop of Avila mov'd by the Wrong done the King and desiring to restore D. Alvaro discour'd John de Pacheco seriously upon the Point and they resolv'd to try whether some of the Nobles had Courage enough to oppose the Princes of Aragon To the end their Designs might be the better conceal'd they advis'd the Prince who was of Council with them to go from Tordesillas to Segovia upon pretence of Hunting Thence they sent Letters to D. Alvaro giving him an Account of what they had done At the same time the Earls of Haro and Ledesma meeting at Curiel had consulted about setting the King at Liberty which oblig'd the Prince to return to Tordesillas to see what could be done But the Princes of Aragon prevented their Designs and forc'd them to fly whence ensu'd new Troubles The King of Navarre was marry'd at Lobaton on the 1st of September 1444 and Prince Henry at Cordova where he was fixing the Interest of his Party James Valera was sent Embassador into France to obtain Liberty for the Earl of Armagnac secur'd by the Dauphin and for Martin Son to D. Alonso Earl of Gijon He was accus'd of holding Correspondence with the English and set at Liberty upon Condition that if ever he was found faulty he should forfeit the Towns of Ribadeo and Cangas in Asturias Besides the King of Castile oblig'd himself in such Case to make War with the Forces of Biscay that bordered on his Dominions At the same time some dealt with Henry Prince of Castile about destroying of D. Alvaro and others about restoring him Bishop Barrientos and John Pacheco thought fit to dispatch before they were discover'd and to that purpose held the King of Navarre in hand as if they design'd to joyn with him Mean while Prince Henry return'd to Segovia and thence sollicited the Earls of Haro Plasencia and Castaneda to unite their Forces with his Besides them the Earl of Alva the Archbishop of Toledo and Lord of Hita took party with them This done thinking themselves strong enough for the Princes of Aragon by the Prince's Order they all went to Avila They had 1500 Horse and D. Alvaro de Luna came to them Their greatest want was of Mony Thence they went to Burgos where the other Nobles their Associates were The Aragonians sent the King to the Town of Portillo with the Earl of Castro to guard him and the King of Navarre gather'd 2000 Horse With this Force he march'd towards the Confederate Nobles who daily grew stronger and near Pampliega in the Territory of Burgos the two Parties drew up Some Religious Persons endeavour'd to compose Differences but a light Skirmish that happen'd drew them to a Battle which was parted by the Night The King of Navarre finding himself too weak retir'd in the dark to Palencia a strong City Another Misfortune was added to this which was that the King of Castile under colour of Hunting made his escape to his Son His Liberty chang'd the Face of Affairs The King of Navarre went to his Kingdom to raise Forces and carry on what he had begun all the other great Men of his Faction went each to his own Lands Thus the Towns belonging to the Princes of Aragon fell into the Hands of the King particularly Medina del Campo Arevalo Olmedo Roa and Aranda Prince Henry of Aragon return'd to his Town of Ocana in Andaluzia Henry Prince of Castile and D. Alvaro march'd after him but he fled to the Kingdom of Murcia there Alonso Faxardo Lieutenant of that Kingdom receiv'd him into the strong City of Lorca he being a favourer of that Party This was about the end of the Year On the 5th of July the same Year dy'd Ferdinand Uncle to the King of Portugal at Fez where he was bury'd Two years after his Body was translated to Aljubarrota his Father's Burial place The Portugueses account him a Saint and say he never had to do with Women nor ever told a Lye Castile seemed to be in a better Condition since the Princes of Aragon were expelled but still a War was fear'd The Cortes met at Medina del Campo and order'd some Mony for the War but not enough Thither came the Prince of Castile and D. Alvaro de Luna after they had taken from Prince Henry several Towns belonging to him as Master of the Order of Santiago Warlike Preparations were made The King of Navarre made an Incursion into the Kingdom of Toledo with 400 Horse and 600 Foot by the way of Atiença in which he had a Garrison This Number tho small was formidable because some of the People were for him and others stood Neuters so he easily made himself Master of Torija Alcala de Henares and other places The King of Castile gathering what Force he had march'd to Espinar to wait there till other Troops joyn'd him Soon after this on the 18th of February 1445 dy'd Queen Ellenor of Portugal at Toledo and a few days after Mary Queen of Castile follow'd her ending her days at Villacastin near Segovia It was suspected they were poison'd because both dy'd so near the same time and suddenly also because Queen Mary's Body was full of Spots This Report was the easier credited because they lived a loose Life From Espinar the King went to Madrid and soon after to Alcala being invited thither by the Inhabitants The King of Navarre lay with his Forces thereabouts and being joyn'd by his Brother Henry was now 1500 Horse strong With this Body he kept himself in the Mountains of Old Alcala resolving not to fight without the Advantage of Ground he being too weak in Numbers Thence he sent Ferrer de Lanuza Justice of Aragon to his Brother the King of Aragon to desire him since the War of Naples was ended to come into Spain either to attend the War or compose the Differences The King of Castile also sent to complain to him of his Brothers There was no Action at Alcala and the Princes of Aragon by the way of Tablada hasted away to Arevalo The King of Castile follow'd close at their Heels so that both came the same day to Arevalo The King of Navarre took Olmedo by force and put to Death the loyal Party that had shut the Gates upon him About half a League from Olmedo near the Mills call'd de los Abades the King of Castile intrench'd with 2000 Horse and the like Number of Foot There his Son Henry D. Alvaro John Pacheco In̄igo Lopez de Mendoça the Earl of Alva and Bishop Barrientos joyn'd him On the other side the Admiral the Earl of Benavente the Brothers Peter Ferdinand and James Quin̄ones the Earl of Castro and John de Tovar brought a 1000 Horse to the Aragonians By the Contrivance of Bishop Barrientos a treaty was set on Foot to amuse the Rebels till the Master of Alcantara joyn'd the King He being
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 â—revalo 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
the City Toledo and turn out the Mareschal Ferdinand de Ribadeneira who stood firm to King Henry The Citizens repulsed him and the King having notice of that Attempt came himself and quieted the City All things being reduced to good order such as had a hand in that Uproar were pardoned which made those Disaffected Persons the more bold After this D. John Pacheco Master of Santiago withdrew to Pen̄afiel where his Wife was being desirous at last to live at ease and fearing he must be odious to many Men having long continued great at Court which he thought his Absence would remedy In his Place he sent his Son James to whom as has been said he had before resigned the Marquisate of Villena The King received the Marquess with as great Demonstrations of Affection as if his Father had done him some signal Services He had a good Presence was in the Prime of his Youth and his Garb suitable to the Greatness of his Fortune From Toledo the King returned to Segovia where his Affection to him daily encreased to that degree that he went daily to visit the Marquess who was lodged in the Monastery of Friars of S. Hierom called El Parral A Proposal was made of reconciling Andrew de Cabrera and the Family of Pacheco and that he should deliver up to the King the Castle of Segovia and all the Treasures in it In lieu of it they offered him the Town of Moya near the Borders of Valencia and not far from Cuenca where the said Cabrera was born He was willing to harken to these Proposals but the Townsmen understanding it mutinied and brought in an Aragonian Garrison John Fernandez de Heredia brought those Forces from Valencia and took Possession of the Town in the Name of the Princess Elizabeth which much troubled King Henry The Lady Elizabeth went from Tordelaguna in the Kingdom of Toledo to Aranda de Duero being invited thither by the People in Hatred to Queen Joanna whose that Town was her Lewdness being very Offensive to the whole Kingdom and most particularly to the King as who was chiefly concerned But some Men tho' Wickedness displease them have not Resolution enough to punish it and such was this Prince as long as he lived The Queen and her Daughter Joanna were at this time kept in the Castle of Madrid by the Marquess de Villena Agreda followed the Example of Aranda near to which it is seated and submitted to the Princess Elizabeth which was not only grievous to the King but more to the Earl of Medina Celi to whom he had given that Town At this time D. Alonso Carrillo Archbishop of Toledo who accompanied the Princess to Aranda assembled in that Town a Synod of the Bishops of his Province Besides the Bishops many other Ecclesiastical and Secular Persons of Note repaired thither It was given out they were assembled for Reformation of Manners but it is rather to be suspected the Design was to strengthen the Aragonian Faction and gain the Affections of those that came thither On the 5th of December they published Four Decrees and no more which were these That Bishops in Publick always wear a Surplice That every Priest be obliged at least three or four times a Year to say Mass That Church-men shall not take Service or receive Wages from any Man whatsoever except the King That no manner of Benefice be given to any who does not at least well understand Grammar Scarce was the Synod broke up when King Ferdinand came to Almaçan and Berlanga where the Earl of Medina Celi and Peter de Mendoça Lord of Almaçan entertained him splendidly Thence he went on to Aranda to give Life to his Party by his Presence This Year died in Castile D. Frederick the Admiral and D. Gomez de Caçeres y Solis Master of Alcantara to whom succeeded D. John de Zun̄iga as has been said before In France Nicholas Son to John Duke of Lorrain departed this Life His Grandfather Renee was still alive whose Grandson by a Daughter called also Renee inherited the Dukedom of Lorrain This Duke was famous for a Victory he obtained over the Flemmings near to Nanci a City in his Dominions In this Fight Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy was defeated and slain John Earl of Armagnac after his flight into Spain was never looked upon by his King Being therefore disgusted he made War in Guienne with Forces of the Duke of Burgundy and there took Peter de Bourbon Governor of that Province Prisoner he being betrayed by his own Men. This Presumption much more offended the King especially for that he would not release him till his Town of Lectour which had been taken from him was restored The Cardinal Albigensis with some Forces he gathered took Lectour and destroyed it and put the Earl to Death notwithstanding he surrendred upon Conditions Tho' the Action in it self were not justifiable being a Breach of Faith yet most Men said He had well deserved that Fate for his many horrid Crimes and particularly for Counterfeiting the Pope's Bull to dispense with him to marry his own Sister which he did and lay with her The End of the 23d Book The History of SPAIN BOOK XXIV CHAP. I. The Princess Elizabeth pretends to be Reconciled to her Brother and openly aspires to the Crown upon his Indisposition D. John Pacheco Master of Santiago dies Differences betwixt the French and Aragonians King Ferdinand goes to Barcelona Jews Massacred in Sicily Ferdinand and Elizabeth proclaimed King and Queen of Castile The King of Portugal undertakes the Protection of the Princess Joanna his Niece THere was no end of the Discontents of the Nobility of Castile The Aragonian Faction increased daily in strength The Master of Santiago ceased not to heap up Riches and only dreaded the Aragonians should prevail which would endanger his Estate great part whereof had belonged to the Princes of that House This made him endeavour to obstruct the Mariage of Prince Ferdinand with the Princess Elizabeth and that of D. Henry of Aragon with the Princess Joanna His great Aim was to possess himself of the Castle of Segovia as well as that of Madrid looking upon them as his greatest security Only Andrew de Cabrera who had great Interest with the King and was a Man of much forecast opposed him This caused Animosities betwixt them and each strove to undermine the other The Master was more Powerful but Cabrera more Fortunate and Politick He used all his Endeavours to Reconcile King Henry to his Sister the Princess Elizabeth which the absence of the Master of Santiago much forwarded and finding the King one day alone he pressed him hard upon that Point representing to him the danger of opposing the Inclinations of the People and how much to the King's advantage it was to have them well affected towards him The King being naturally irresolute and inconstant was easily moved At several other times Cabrera urged the same thing to the King till
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 Trevin̄o 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 Nun̄o who
the Two distressed Kings Alonso and Ferdinand and Joanna the Queen-Dowager Gonçalo Fernandez de Cordova was stopped some Days with his Men at Majorca and Sardinia but arrived at Meçina on the 24th of May. King Ferdinand of Naples had already possessed himself of Rijoles and other neighbouring Places in Calabria in which Province Everard Stuart Lord of Aubeni a renowned Commander was left Governour by the King of France Rijoles Cotron Amantia and some other Places were delivered to Gonçalo Fernandez to hold them for the King his Master till he should be paid the Charges of that War as also to secure Sicily Some difference arose betwixt the new King and Gonçalo Fernandez because the King was positive for marching with all his Forces directly to Naples the Citizens inviting him even before the King of France was gone thence Gonçalo Fernandez would not abandon Calabria where he had those Strong-holds and doubted not but the rest of the Country would declare for the King of Spain for whom they testified a singular Affection It was agreed to relieve Semanera which was distressed by the French The Lord Aubeni lay in the way with whom the King came to a Battel was defeated and had been killed or taken his Horse falling dead under him had not a Gentleman called John Andrew d' Altavila mounted him on his own Horse so the King escaped and the Gentleman was killed which was an extraordinary Demonstration of Loyalty in those corrupt Times This Battel was fought on June 21. Our Forces retired to Semanera thence the King went over to Sicily resolving to return again to Naples before the News of that Misfortune could come thither Gonçalo Fernandez went away to the other part of Calabria where he soon took several Places and at last subdued the whole Province The King with 60 Sail he found at Meçina without any Land-men passed over to Naples where he was received with great Joy The People rose and plundered the Houses of the Princes of Salerno and Basignano The Duke of Monpensier and Prince of Salerno retired to Castelnovo Capua and all Apulia followed the example of Naples Besides upon the News of the Battel of Tarro the Colonels forsook the French and agreed with the King of Naples On the other side the Ursini joined with the French Still the Castles of Naples held for the French but were close blocked up A Moor who was in the Monastery of Santa Cruz still held by the French advertised the Marquess de Pescara he would give him admittance into it The Marquess coming thither at night that Fellow gave him a mortal Wound This Nobleman was the King's General he left a Son called Ferdinand who was afterwards a famous Commander Prosper Colonna succeeded him in his Command The Castles were at length surrendered the Duke of Monpensier and Prince of Salerno being before gone to the City Salerno by Sea During this War of Naples was first discovered a new Disease contagious only by way of carnal Copulation The Italians called it the French Disease and the French the Neapolitan Disease the Africans the Spanish-Disease It is most likely it came from the Indies and was carried to Naples by the Spaniards Tenerif one of the Canary Islands was this Year brought under the Dominion of Spain by Forces sent thither by the King The King of that Island being brought to Spain was sent as a Present to the Republick of Venice Alonso de Lugo for his good Service in the Conquest of this Island and that of Palma was made Lieutenant of the Canaries Thus all those Islands were brought under the Dominion of Spain CHAP. VI. The Death of John II. King of Portugal The French quite expelled the Kingdom of Naples Ferdinand King of Spain Honoured by the Pope with the Title of Catholick King The Posture of Affairs in Portugal under Emanuel the New King THE Catholick King laboured to draw the Kings of England and Portugal into the League against France He of Portugal excused himself upon account of his ancient Friendship with France and his Dissatisfaction against the Pope who refused to Legitimate his Son George whom he had by a Lady of Quality and designed to make his Heir having to that purpose sollicited the Emperor to renounce any Claim he might lay to that Crown To the King of England it was not only proposed he should enter into the Confederacy but also marry his Heir to one of the Princesses of Castile Both things succeeded but it was after some time The King of Portugal being troubled with a Dropsie went to the Baths of Algarve which are the best in those Parts This Remedy failed and he died on the 14th of September at Alvor In his Will he appointed Emanuel his Cousin Son to his Unkle Ferdinand to succeed him In case he died withour Issue he substituted his Bastard-Son George to whom for the present he gave the Mastership of the Order of Christ and the Dukedom of Coimbra From him are descended the Dukes of Aviero This Prince had a mixture of Good and Evil He encouraged Brave and Virtuous Men was a Lover of Justice had a piercing Judgment and Noble Inclinations The Blood he spilt made him hateful to his Subjects and his Device was a Pelican that feeds its young with its own Blood His Body was first buried in the Cathedral of Silves and thence translated to the Monastery of Batalla among his Ancestors After his death Emanuel was by the General Consent of all Men proclaimed King notwithstanding Maximilian the Emperor had a better Title as being the Eldest of the late King's Cousin-Germans but this availed him not D. Henry Enriquez Earl of Liste who Commanded on the Frontiers of Russillon made an Incursion into the Frontiers of Narbonne D. Peter Manrique did the same by the way of Guipuzcoa They did nothing considerable but were the cause that the King of France who stayed at Aste till the end of Autumn made haste to conclude a Treaty with the Duke of Milan The principal Articles agreed upon were That Novaro should be restored to the Duke That the Castellet of Genoua should be put into the hands of the Duke of Ferrara and free Passage and Assistance given the French to recover Naples And That the Duke of Milan should pay down 50000 Ducats to him of Orleans This done the King of France returned to his Country The King of Naples complained of this Agreement and the Duke made Necessity his Excuse The Neapolitan the more to oblige the King of Castile to protect him proposed to marry one of his Daughters This being delayed at last by the Advice of the Queen Dowager he resolved to marry the Lady Joanna her Daughter and his own Aunt being Sister to his Father He demanded Aid of the Venetians and they sent him some Forces Commanded by the Marquess of Mantua and 15000 Ducats in Money For this Aid the King put into their hands as a Pawn the Cities Brindez
that vast Ocean to refresh the Seamen with its Fruit Fish and Flesh tho' scarce Inhabited being but Four Leagues in length and so far from any Land Thence by the way of the Islands Terceras the Ships generally return to Lisbon in August or September The End of the 26th BOOK The History of SPAIN BOOK XXVII CHAP. I. The Death of the Prince of Castile Of Charles VIII King of France Matches of Two Daughters of Spain The Prince of Salerno expelled Naples France and Spain agree Hierome Savonarola burnt at Florence THE Affairs of Spain at one and the same time prospered in Italy and within Spain had a mixture of Felicity and Adversity Two Matches for as many of King Ferdinand's Daughters were concluded that is of the Princess Catherine with Arthur Prince of Wales and Heir to Henry VII King of England and of the Princess Elizabeth with Emanuel King of Portugal These Marriages were of great Importance because together with those of the House of Austria they bound such Mighty Princes to the Interest of Spain The Match with England was fully concluded upon the 15 of August 1497. To forward the Marriage with Portugal D. John Manuel that King's Foster-Brother came to Castile It was agreed that King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth should carry the Princess their Daughter to the Borders of Portugal where King Emanuel should meet them to consummate the Marriage upon the last Day of September Ceclamin was at first the Place appointed to meet but that Town wanting Conveniencies they spent three Days together at Valencia de Alcantara Their Joy was much abated by the News of the Indisposition of Prince John who died the 13 day after he was taken ill at Salamanca on the 4th of October to the great Loss and Grief of the whole Kingdom He left the Princess with Child but that availed little for in a short time after she miscarried The Prince's Body was carried to Avila to be buried in the famous Dominican Monastery of S. Thomas This dismal News came to Alcantara whilst yet the Rejoycing for the Wedding lasted but after King Ferdinand was gone King Emanuel begged of the Queen his Mother-in-Law not to let the Queen his Wife know any thing of it and so went away with her to Ebora There she was at last acquainted with the Death of the Prince her Brother She resented it as became a loving Sister but his Parents bore their Loss with great Magnanimity The Kingdom of Naples was not yet peaceable because the Prince of Salerno and his Party mistrusting the King fortified their Towns and Castles The first Demonstration that Prince gave of his Ill-will was That tho' he appeared when King Frederick was Proclaimed at Naples yet he would not be present at his Coronation under colour of Poverty However the Prince of Basiniano came to Court the day following to excuse himself and intercede for him of Salerno No means of Peace prevailed and the King was forced to march with his Army and besiege him in his strong Town of Diano Gonçalo Fernandez was now about returning to Spain as reckoning the War of Naples at an end To this purpose he had gone into Calabria thence to Sicily and now came to Naples to take his Leave of the King and Queen They pressed him to aid them in that Siege because the Defendants were numerous and the King's Party favoured them The Great Captain gathered 500 Spaniards and the King furnishing him 500 Germans he so straitned the Besieged tho' with much danger of his Person that the Prince was forced to surrender It was agreed That the Prince with all such as would follow him might safely depart the Kingdom with their Goods That all the Towns and Forts belonging to the Prince should be delivered up to the King he paying for the Cannon and Provisions in them Thus Diano was surrendered upon the 28th of December and the Prince put himself into the hands of the Duke of Melfi to be conducted to Sangalla a City in Marca de Ancona which sided with the King of France The Earls of Conça and Lauria his Confederates bore him Company He of Capacho being very old put himself upon the King's Mercy This same Year in Autumn D. John de Gusman Duke of Medina Sidonia sent a Fleet over to Africk to People Melilla which is opposite to Almeria and had been abandoned by the Moors In recompence for the Charge he had been at that Town was given to the Duke and his Heirs for ever The Xeque or Lord of Gelves who was in Rebellion aginst the King of Tunez his Sovereign to secure himself under the Christian Protection delivered up that Island and Port to the Catholick King and in his Name to John de Lanuça then Viceroy of Sicily Captain Margarit was left with the Spanish Forces to secure that Island A solemn Embassie from France now met the King at Alcala de Henares The Proposals made were That the Two Kings with their joint Forces should invade Italy That as to the Kingdom of Naples the Catholick King should possess Calabria till such time as the French King in exchange should give him the Kingdom of Navarre and 30000 Ducats yearly for what it was worth above that Kingdom That the States of Milan and Genoa should belong to the French and all the rest of Italy be equally divided betwixt them The Catholick King was not averse from the Business of Naples but as for the rest of Italy would not be concerned without advertising the Empire who had so great a Right to it At last it was resolved King Ferdinand should send Ambassadors to France to prosecute this Treaty At this time all the Monasteries of Castile were reduced to the strict Observance of their Orders which the Dominicans Augustins and Carmelites easily condescended to The Franciscans at first made some resistance According to Agreement the King sent Ferdinand Duke of Estrada and Two others his Ambassadors to conclude a Peace with France At the same time it was believed the French King resolved to invade Roussillon but Death prevented his Designs He departed this Life at Amboise on the 17th of April 1498. The Duke of Orleans called Luis XII succeeded him At Blois where the New King was and afterwards at Orleans the Treaty of Peace was carried on that King always giving good Words and fair Promises only to gain time till he was settled in the Kingdom and could be divorced from his present Wife Sister to the late King in order to marry the Dutchess of Britany who since the death of the late King her Husband was for returning into her own Country He at last compassed his ends and had by that Dutchess two Daughters only the Eldest of which was married to Francis the Heir of that Crown Before the death of King Charles it was proposed that Caesar Borgia should resign his Cardinal's Cap to which purpose that King promised him an Estate in
of Milan joined in League with the French King engaging to aid them with 1200 Men at Arms and 6000 Swissers For this Supply the King was to give them Cremona and Guiradada two Towns of Note in that Dukedom The Duke seeing little prospect of Help in the Christians prevailed with the Turks to infest the Venetian Territories which rendred him still more odious At the same time died the Prince of Salerno leaving the Pretensions to that Principality and his Hatred to the House of Aragon to his Son Robert The King of Navarre demanded of King Ferdinand the Restitution of the Towns of Arcos Guardia and S. Vincent which the latter held instead of the City Estela adjudged by the King of France to Henry IV. of Castile when he was Arbitrator betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Navarre This Pretension gave occasion to fear some Breach with France but that King being wholly taken up with his Pretensions in Italy had not leisure to engage in other Men's Quarrels For about the same time time a mighty Army of French passed the Alps and marched to the City Aste which for some Years had belonged to the Dukes of Orleans being given to Charles Duke of Orleans by Philip Duke of Milan for assisting him in his Wars with the Venetians In August 1499. that Army advanced under the Conduct of the Lord of Aubeni and John James Trivulcio They met no Opposition but in few Days made themselves Masters of Alexandria Pavia Plasencia and many other Towns On the other side the Venetians took Cremona Guiaradada Lodi and all that belonged to the Dukedom of Milan on that side This gave the People of Milan occasion to mutiny The Duke fled to the Castle and having sent his Treasure and Family before him to Germany followed soon after himself On the 6th of September Genoa submitted to the French The King of France who till then had stayed at Lions came to reap the Fruit of this Success Duke Valentine came with him whom he had promised to assist with 300 Horse at his own Charge and 4000 Swiss to be payed by the Pope to make War upon Romania He also promised to aid the Florentines to recover Pisa The Conquest of Milan being so easily performed the King of France encouraged by the Pope bent his Thoughts upon Naples but first returned home to recruit his Army The Catholick King laboured to prevent the War in Italy and made advantageous Proposals to the French in behalf of King Frederick Finding nothing would after the Resolution of the King of France he resolved to set on foot again the Treaty of Dividing that Kingdom betwixt that King and himself since King Frederick as descended of a Bastard could have no Right To this effect he sent one of his Domesticks to join with his Ambassador John Gralla then in France It was believed these Proposals would have produced a firm Peace betwixt the Two Kings tho' at the same time King Frederick threatned if the French invaded him he would bring the Turks upon Italy At the same time he made large offers to be reconciled to the Pope which Duke Valentin prevented taking any effect by writing how displeasing those Overtures were at the French Court. At the end of this Year was Born in Flanders the Lady Ellenor eldest Daughter to the Archduke who was first Queen of Portugal and afterwards of France About this time the Archbishop of Toledo began to Found an University at Alcalà after the manner of that at Paris The King was at Granada and thinking the Conversion of the Moors who were very numerous would be the only means to secure that Kingdom gave it in Charge to the Archbishop of that City with whom joined the Archbishop of Toledo They consulted about punishing some who had been Christians and were again become Moors and resolved to Baptize their Children They also treated the Alfaquies with much Courtesie which was the cause that many Infidels were Baptized These things moved the Moors of the quarter of Albaicin to mutiny and fortifie themselves but they were at last suppressed by the Earl of Tendilla the Governor and on the 18th of November 3000 of them were Baptized Many that persisted obstinate were punished and their Mosques were Consecrated into Churches About 50000 of another quarter in Granada followed their Example The Moors living along the Mountains called Alpujarras hearing they were to be Baptized by force rebelled and first those of Huejar who were soon subdued by the Earl of Tendilla and the Great Captain Soon after the Moors in the Mountains were in Rebellion and the Infidels Besieged Marxena but D. Peter Faxardo taking Alhumilla they raised the Siege King Ferdinand hereupon came from Sevil to Granada and gathering a powerful Army Marched himself to Lanjaron on the first of March 1500. That Town was taken by Storm and plundered The Earl of Lerin and other Noblemen took several strong Places whereupon the Rebels submitted and were received to Mercy upon promise they would within 4 days deliver up Castilde Ferro Adra and Ban̄ol as also all Arms offensive and defensive and pay 50000 Ducats This done the King dismissed his Army and returned to Granada to forward the Conversion of the Infidels and soon after those of Alpujarras Almeria Baça Guadix and other Places were Baptized Preachers were sent to all Parts with Guards for security of their Persons This and the report that they should be forced to quit their Sect caused the Moors of Belefique and Nixar which is the most inaccessible part of the Mountains of Alpujarras to Rebel the following Winter The King appointed the Alcaide de los Donzeles to Command against them He having gathered his Forces besieged Belefique which held out some Months but at last for want of Water was surrendred only upon promise of their Lives Those of Nixar terrified by this example submitted upon Condition they might ransom themselves for 25000 Ducats Above 10000 Moors were now Baptized On the other side the Moors of the Mountains of Ronda and Villaluenga revolted The King to suppress them published a Proclamation commanding them all to remove to Castile but underhand permitted all such as were converted to stay and enjoy their Possessions The Earl of Uren̄a D. Alonso de Aguilar and the Earl of Cifuentes were sent to make War upon those People The native Moors had been easily reduced but that some who came from Barbary encouraged them to stand it out However many came from Ronda and were Baptized for fear All the rest retired to Sierra Bermeja which is very difficult of access Our Forces encamped at the Foot of the Mountain the Moors at the same time guarded the passes Some Christians carrying a Standard with them their design being only to plunder passed a Brook and began to ascend the Hill the others fearing some Misfortune might befall them followed after The Moors endeavoured to keep them down still securing every advantageous Post but were
take him into his Protection This the Catholick King would not agree to because of the Treaty he had in hand with France which being at last concluded tho' King Frederick was willing the Match should go on the Catholick King would not consent King Frederick to secure himself against the French and divert them from their Pretensions to his Kingdom made large Offers to them The King of France proposed That to secure the Performance of what they should agree upon he should deliver up to him the Castle of Gaeta and that Frederick's Son should reside in his Court and marry Germana Daughter to the Earl of Narbonne or the Sister of Monsieur d' Angoulesme Besides he demanded a Million in ready Money and 25000 Ducats of yearly Tribute All heavy Conditions which that King could not condeâ—cend to tho' he was willing to give the Million demanded In fine none of these Matches was concluded At length the Pope dispenced with the King of Portugal and he was contracted by Proxy at Granada in August D. Alvaro de Portugal performing that Ceremony for him There was no manner of Solemnity or Publick Rejoycing In that City on the 12th of September the King passed a Grant to the Marquesses of Moya by virtue whereof the Cup that the King drinks out of on S. Luis's Day every Year belongs to them This was done in memory that upon that Day D. Andrew de Cabrara first Marquess of Moya delivered up to King Ferdinand all the Treasure of King Henry that was in his custody in the Castle of Segovia which was a great means to establish him in the Kingdom With the Princess as far as the Borders of Portugal went D. James Hurtado de Mendoça Archbishop of Sevil Patriarch of Alexandria and now made Cardinal of Spain as his Unkle had been he was also Brother to the Earl of Tendilla Also the Marquess of Villena and many other Lords bore her Company On the Borders of Portugal she was received by the Duke of Bragança tho' at that time he was disgusted because the King so highly favoured D. George de Portugal whom he had created Duke of Coimbra and given him to Wife Beatrix de Melo Daughter to D. Alvaro de Portugal and the Lady Philippa de Melo his Wife With the Duke of Bragança were many other Nobles She entred into that Kingdom upon the 20th of October and on the 30th of the same Month was married with great Solemnity at Alcaçar do Sal where the King waited her coming This Marriage was very fruitful for they had many Children as shall be declared in its place Soon after the Princess Margaret was married to Philibert Duke of Savoy but she was unfortunate in Husbands for he also died soon after The Soldan of Babylâ—â— signified some Discontent against the Catholick King because he made War against the Moors of Granada It was feared he might molest the Christians that lived in his Dominions and hinder the Pilgrimages to the Holy City Hierusalem For this reason the King resolved to send a solemn Embassie to give him Satisfaction Peter Martyr of Angleria a Milanese the King's Chaplain was chose for this Employment He did his Message discreetly and obtained of the Soldan all he desired He was out a Year and at his return was made Dean of Granada where he afterwards died and ordered himself to be buried sitting on a Chair with a Casula or Vestment made of a rich Silk the Soldan gave him He wrote Decades of the War of Granada of his Embassie and the Discovery of the West-Indies in which is to be seen more of Truth than Elegancy All Europe was in suspence waiting the Event of the War of Naples undertaken by the joint Forces of France and Spain for the Ruin of King Frederick and deprive him of that Rich and Noble Kingdom The Catholick King sent advice of his Resolution from Granada to the Great Captain on the 1st of March 1501. ordering him at the same time to leave the War against the Turk and return immediately with his Fleet to the Port of Meçina Soon after he sent him the Title of his Lieutenant in the Dukedoms of Apulia and Calabria To oppose the Turk he prevailed with the King of Portugal to send a Fleet to those Parts which he did under the Command of D. John de Meneses Earl of Taroça who by the way attempted the Port of Maçalquivir near Oran and being repulsed sailed on to the Island of Corfu whence he returned to Portugal without doing any thing It was also proposed to the King of France to send his Fleet against the Turks That King made choice of Luis d' Armagnac Duke of Nemours Earl of Armagnac and Guise to Command his Forces that were to invade Naples He would not give this Command to Luis de Luxembourg Earl of Ligni who sued for it lest he should cause some disorder by the Right he pretended to the Principality of Altamura The Duke of Nemours made some stay in France therefore the Lord of Aubeni who was made Lord High Constable of Naples moved with the French Forces out of Lombardy towards Naples and with him the Earl of Gayace a Man of great Quality who had fled from Naples At this time Francis de Rojas a very able Man was sent to succeed Laurence Suarez as Ambassador at Rome At the Emperor's Court had resided for some Years with that Character D. John Emanuel a Man of great Note but Turbulent In the Court of France John Michael Gralla was still resident and John Claver at Naples The Great Captain in pursuance of the Orders he had received repaired to Meçina with his Fleet thence he went to Palermo to order the Viceroy John de Lanuça to gather what Money and Forces he could for the Enterprize in hand Some Misunderstanding there hapned betwixt them as is usual where each arrogates to himself a Superiority but at last they agreed in what concerned the King's Service and the Great Captain having gathered what Force he could returned to Meçina where was the General Rendezvous The Great Captain was possessed in Calabria of the Dukedom of Monte de Santangelo given him by King Frederick when the late War was concluded Before he entred upon that Conquest he sent Captain Gençalo de Foces to excuse him to that King to restore to him that Dukedom and renounce the Oath of Allegiance he had taken to him for the same The King absolved him of his Oath yet gave him the Dukedom again wishing it were better for his sake upon condition he should not infest his Subjects from the Castles belonging to it This and the Intelligence his Ambassadors sent from Spain fully convinced King Frederick how near and certain his Ruin was He turned himself about and found no Loyalty in his Subjects no Strength in his Kingdom nor no Support from abroad He sent his Son Ferdinend to Taranto a strong City in the farthest part of Apulia and of all
disgrace being offended the Peace lately agreed upon was rejected Luis Portocarrero sailed from Cartagena with the Fleet there provided for him about the middle of February He had a troublesome Voyage being in two Storms however he arrived safe with the whole Fleet at Meçina in 20 days but the Men and Horses suffered very much It being consulted where were best to land some were for sailing to Apulia in pursuance to the Orders of the Great Captain but Portocarrero thinking it too far to go by Sea went over to Rijoles to make War in Calabria as had been directed in Spain The Lord of Aubigni after he had defeated Emanuel de Benavides and D. Hugh de Cardona lay at Mota Bubalina in hopes to starve Girachi which was but 3 Leagues off whither most of the Spaniards fled after the Rout. The Prince of Basignano was gone home and the Prince of Salerno and Earl of Mileto to Naples Portocarrero resolving to take the Field mustered his Forces at Rijoles and there fell sick of a Fever Before his death he understood that some Officers of Note were possessed of Terranova which the French abandoned upon the News of the arrival of the Spanish Fleet. He was also informed That the Lord of Aubigni hearing of his Sickness had besieged them and that they were distressed that being a Place of no Strength Hereupon Portocarrero appointed D. Ferdinand d' Andrada his Lieutenant ordering him to march with all the Forces to the Relief of the Besieged and at the same time the Admiral Villamarin to come with the Galleys before Joya to make the French believe there came Relief both by Sea and Land The Spaniards made haste being informed the Besieged suffered much for want of Provisions They being come to Semenara the Lord of Aubigni removed from Burgo de Terranova to Casales D. Ferdinand satisfied he had relieved the Besieged stayed at Semenera Thither came to him Emanuel de Benavides Antony de Leiva Gonçalo Davalos D. Hugo and D. John de Cardona with their respective Companies with which he formed a Body strong enough to rout the Enemy in their Retreat to Melito This was the Opinion of D. Hugo but D. Ferdinand excused himself saying he had positive Orders not to hazard a Battel In fine Portocarrero died and his Body was buried at Meçina Hereupon some Dispute arose among the Chief Officers about the Supream Command They referred themselves to the Viceroy of Sicily who gave it for D. Ferdinand d' Andrada D. Hugo and D. John de Cardona were offended that a younger Soldier should be put over their Heads yet they submitted Both sides were eager to fight and the Lord of Aubigni sent a Trumpet to offer Battel but the Spanish Commander refused upon account of his Orders This encouraged the Enemy as also that they understood our Soldiers were dissatisfied for want of their Pay Therefore the Lord Aubigni marched his Forces out of Rosano and Joya and came in sight of Semenera He passed the River and entred the Plain Not long before the Soldiers of Galicia had mutinied for their Pay and there was danger some Disaster might happen The Viceroy of Sicily sending some Money and the Officers selling their Plate and Jewels soon appeased them The French were 300 Men at Arms 600 Light-Horse 1500 standing Foot and above 3000 of the Country-People The Spaniards marched out of Semenera in good Order being about 800 Horse and 4000 Foot The Lord of Aubigni retired to Joya not daring to stand a Battel Our Men followed designing to attack the Town After some Actions of lesser Note on the 21st of April both Parties drew out as it were by Consent and advanced towards one another by Sound of Drums and Trumpets Each strove to take the advantage of the Sun To this effect the Spaniards passed the River somewhat higher the French imagining they drew off charged disorderly having fired their Cannon at random which did no hurt nor discomposed the Spaniards who had placed the Foot on the Left the Light-Horse on the Right and the Men at Arms in the Centre Our Horse charged the Enemy with such Force that most of them were dismounted whereupon the Foot who followed fled without striking stroke The Spaniards pursued them to the Gates of Joya whither most of them fled Most of the French Commanders were taken and Horatius and Alonso de Sanseverino the Brother and Cousin to the Prince de Bisignano surrendered themselves and the Town of Joya The Lord of Aubigni was taken at Roça d' Angito whither he fled This Victory one of the Famousest during that War was the cause that all Calabria submitted CHAP. X. The Battel of Cirinola and great Overthrow of the French Almost all the Kingdom of Naples subdued by the Great Captain His Reception into that Noble City THE Great Captain was reduced to such Want that he had but 3 Days Provision and no way to get any besides he feared the Neighbouring Towns that were all in the same Condition would revolt Therefore he resolved to march towards the Enemy and first to Cirinola a weak Town but had a good Garrison in the Castle and all the Enemy's Army lay within 6 Miles of it which must oblige them to come to a Battel Before he set out he gave every Man at Arms two Ducats and half a one to each Foot-Soldier The Soldiers were forward enough and not pressing for their Pay The first day passing below the famous Town of Cannas on the Banks of the River Ofanto they encamped 3 Miles from the French Next day they continued their March towards Cirinola always in good Order because the Enemy was so near Fabricius Colona and Luis de Herrera led the advanced Body consisting of above 1000 Light-Horse D. James de Mendoça led the Van in which were 2000 Spanish Foot The Great Captain kept in the Rear with some Men at Arms and Light-Horse and the Germans to receive the Enemy if they should follow him The Country was dry the Day hot and the March long which so fatigued the Men that some Men at Arms and Foot died for Thirst This being known to the French they agreed to lay hold of so good an Opportunity and March out of their Strength to give them Battel Their Force was 500 Men at Arms 2000 Light-Horse and 4000 Swiss and Gascons embattelled after this manner In the Van was the Prince of Salerno with 200 Men at Arms and 2000 Foot In the Rear the Prince of Melfi with one Troop of Men at Arms 1000 of the Country-People and some Gascons The Duke of Nemours himself Commanded the rest of the Army which made the Main Body The Spanish Foot were best if they had not been so fatigued but the Enemy had the Advantage in Horse In this manner the French marched to attack our Rear It seemed impossible for the Spaniards to reach Cirinola where they had fortified their Camp without losing their Baggage and many of
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 Nun̄o 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 Nun̄o 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
to take share in the plunder of the Houses The King hearing of this Tumult sent James de Almeyda and James Lopez to take cognisance of the matter The Two Friars that were the Ringleaders were put to death and burnt and many others punished The Strangers hoisting Sails got away with a rich Booty In Castile on the one side was expected the coming of the new King and Queen and on the other was great rejoicing for the Marriage of King Ferdinand and the Lady Germana From Salamanca went the Archbishop of Zaragoça with other Men and Ladies of Quality to Fuenterabia to attend the Bride King Ferdinand the Two Queens of Naples Mother and Daughter the Duke of Calabria and many more Lords went to Valladolid and thence to Duen̄as There on the 18th of March they were Married The Queen was great Niece to the Catholick King and Grandaughter to his Sister Ellenor Queen of Navarre The Popes dispensation was obtained with much difficulty the Emperor and his Son opposing it With the Queen came Luis d' Amboise Bishop of Albi Hector Pignatelo and Peter de Santandrea the King of France his Ambassadors There came also the Princes of Salerno and Melfi and other Barons of the Faction of Anjou to settle their Affairs Next day after the Marriage the King and Queen with all their Train set out towards Valladolid In that City the King took a solemn Oath in the presence of many Prelates and Noblemen to oblige himself and his Successors to the performance of all the Articles of the League with France A few days after the Neapolitan Barons did Homage to the King and Queen as rightful Sovereigns of the Kingdom of Naples for themselves and those that were absent This Solemnity being over the King set out for Burgos to meet the new King and Queen who he expected would Land at Laredo or some other Port of that Coast with whom went the Archbishops of Toledo and Sevil the Duke of Alva the Admiral the Constable and the Earl of Cifuentes All these seemed inclined to see all that was ordained by the Will of Queen Elizabeth performed At Torquemada the Catholick King received advice that his Son and Daughter were Landed at Corun̄a on the 28th of April The cause of their coming so late was the stay they made with the King of England and their being detained at Plymouth by the Weather They Landed at Corun̄a King Philip being perswaded it was best for him to be the farthest he could from his Father-in-Law to have time to find how the Nobility and Commonality stood affected towards him to behave himself accordingly being resolved not to stand to the late Agreement unless he were forced to it This was the Advice of D. John Manuel who had great influence over him and would have carried him to land in Andalucia if the Weather had permitted About this time Gonçalo Marin̄o de Ribera Commander of Melilla for the Duke of Medina Sidonia had the Town of Caçaça delivered to him by Composition It is in the Kingdom of Fez 5 Leagues from Melilla and has a good Port and remained in Propriety to the Duke of Medina Sidonia The coming of King Philip which ought to have produced Peace and a general Satisfaction might have caused an absolute Breach had not the Catholick King prudently quenched the spreading flame of Discontent which began to appear in all Places The Humours and Designs of the Two Kings were opposite in all respects As soon as King Philip Landed he sent to require the Earls of Benavente and Lemos as also the other Nobility of Galicia and Castile to Declare for him which was the way to raise Tumults rather than settle Peace Finding this contrivance answered his expectation and that many freely declared for him he presently professed he would not stand to the late Treaty concluded at Salamanca He also began to discountenance his Father-in-Laws Servants and one day speaking to D. Peter de Ayala told him that tho' he had in Flanders and England winked at his Proceedings in opposition to his Service he would no longer bear with it and since he was his Subject he should take care how he behaved himself He turned away the Alcaides and Alguaziles de Corte sent by King Ferdinand to attend upon him thinking his Father-in-Law designed to choose his Family He was well instructed not to allow of any Tutor or Overseer as D. John Manuel called it His followers exclaimed against the Catholick King especially for his Marriage and the Articles of it which gave away the Kingdom of Naples from his Daughter and Grandson In this particular no doubt they had reason but the King did it to gain the King of France On the other Side the Catholick King as soon as he heard of his Son-in-law and Daughters Landing sent D. Raimund de Cardona and Ferdinand de Vega to visit them and went himself towards Leon in order to meet them but stopped at Astorga till he knew their Will He ordered the Marquess of Villena who was come to Burgos with a great Train and the Duke of Najara who was raising his kindred and followers to go to Corun̄a in Warlike manner to forbear proceeding after that manner and to go thither with their usual Retinue He pressed his Son-in-Law to dismiss 2000 Germans he brought with him fearing that might give some cause of Discontent to the People He also sent Almaçan his Secretary to join with his Ambassadors D. Raimund D. Ferdinand de Vega D. Peter de Ayala and Gutierre Gomez de Fuensalida that they might agree upon the Place where he should meet his Son and Daughter which he desired might be very speedily and King Philip's followers laboured to delay as much as might be First Sarria then Ponferrada were the Places proposed for the interview but none pleased his People and particularly D. John Manuel who managed all and feared that if the Two Kings met the one being very subtle and the other open besides the respect due to a Father they would easily agree which was what he chiefly laboured to prevent To this purpose he told D. Peter de Ayala that the Catholick King might be perswaded three things whereon he much relied should never come to pass First that at the Interview there should be no manner of Discourse of Business Secondly that the meeting should be in the Field and not with equal Retinues but that King Philip should have much the greater Thirdly that the Catholick King should not Confide in the Favour of the Queen his Daughter for it would not avail him Great Offers were again made to D. John Manuel for himself and his Children to bring him over to King Ferdinand but he had a Spirit above all that At this time died at Valladolid Christopher Columbus Admiral of the West-Indies the first Discoverer of the New World Now also the Marquess of Villena the Earl of Benavente and the Duke of Najara were come to Corun̄a and
raise Mony for the War which threatned on all sides The Cortes of Burgos gave 150 Millions of Maravedies This they did in respect that King Ferdinand then united the Kindom of Navarre to that of Castile whereas formerly it was united to Aragon By this it appears the King had no Thoughts of restoring that Kingdom but esteemed it as much his own as any of the others without the least remorse of Conscience upon that account as he was often heard to say He gave three Reasons to justifie this his Proceeding The first the Pope's deposing that King The second the free gift of that Crown to the Kings of Castile made by the Princess Clare first Wife to Prince Henry afterwards the 4th King of Castile of that Name when her Father King John of Aragon delivered her up to Gaston de Foix and her Sister Ellenor her declared Enemies who sought her Death to secure themselves the Possession of that Crown and therefore he said it was but just to revenge that Murder by depriving the Grandchildren of those that committed so great a Crime of the Kingdom His third Reason was the Right that Queen Germana pretended to the Crown after the Death of her Brother Gaston de Foix. Three Years after this it appears she assigned over all her Claim to Prince Charles then King of Castile and Aragon It was proposed in the Cortes of Aragon to raise a considerable Sum of Mony towards the War but the Nobility would not consent unless their Vassals were cut off from having any Appeal to the King This hindred all Proceedings for some Months The Archbishop of Zaragoça laboured to remove these Obstacles but perceiving nothing was done he was of Opinion to try what every City in particular would contribute King Ferdinand tho' his Sickness increased so that he was given over for Dead one night resolved to get into Aragon believing his Presence would reduce that obstinate People He sent for the Vicechancellour Antony Augustin to meet him and assoon as he came to Aranda caused him to be apprehended and sent Prisoner to the Castle of Samoncas Every one guessed at the Cause of his Imprisonment but nothing was certainly known The King left the Cardinal and Council at Segovia and hasted to Calatayud carrying Prince Ferdinand with him He could not prevail with the Nobility to quit their unjust Pretensions His Sickness increased and it is reported the famous Bell of Vililla prognosticated his Death for in Aragon it is a received Opinion that Bell rings of it self before the Death of Kings or any other great Misfortunes Thus having done nothing he returned to Madrid in Autumn The Queen having broke up the Cortes of Aragon went to Lerida to those of Catalonia At the same time these Cortes sat the Emperor the Brothers King Sigismund of Poland and Ladislaus of Hungary and his Son Luis then King of Bohemid met at Vienna on the 17th of July Their meeting was to celebrate the Nuptials of Prince Ferdinand and the Princess Mary with Luis King of Bohemia and the Lady Anne his Sister the Children of the Hungarian King Prince Ferdinand being absent the Emperor stood Proxy for her Thomas Cardinal of Strigonium the Pope's Legate performed the Ceremony It is worth observing that as Ferdinand and Mary were Grandchildren to the Catholick King so Luis and Anne were great Grandchildren to E e or Queen of Navarre and Sister to King Ferdinand Gatherine Daughter to Queen Ellenor was married to Gaston de Foix Lord of Candale whose Daughter Anne was Wife to Ladislaus King of Hungary and Mother to Luis and Anne so far was the Progeny of King John of Aragon the Father of King Ferdinand spread abroad Great things had been done by Alonso de Albuquerque Governour of India and great is the Obligation his Country owes him for having Founded their Dominion in those remote Parts He was now old sickly and worn out and had many Enemies who sent Complaints against him to Portugal it being impossible to please all Men. King Emanuel sent Lope Suarez de Albergaria a Man well versed in the Affairs of India to succeed him With him went Mathew the Ethiopian Ambassador and Duarte Galvam sent in the same Quality by King Emanuel but he died by the way Some time after Roderick de Lima was sent who carried Mathew into Ethiopia but he died before he could reach the Court. Now also went Francis Alvarez the Priest whose Book is extant giving an account of his Voyage The new Governour arrived at Goa on the 2d of September having spent but 5 Months in the Voyage which was a very short time On the 7th of that Month the Queen of Portugal was delivered of a Son called Edward an affable and mild Prince addicted to Hunting and Musick He died young yet left a Son by his Wife of his own Name and two Daughters whereof Mary was married to Alexander Farnesius then Prince and afterwards Duke of Parma and Catherine married to the Duke of Bragança When Lope Suarez arrived at Goa Albuquerque was at Ormuz ill of his last Sickness Having settled that Island he embarked being desirous to see Goa which Place was his Delight By the way he received advice of the coming of his Successor he was extreamly surprized and cried out Good God! how many Misfortunes surround me If I please the King Men are offended if I satisfie them my King is displeased Retire to the Church unhappy Old Man for no other Sanctuary is left you Soon after being better come to himself he said Truly it is God that guides the Hearts of King and disposes all things What would become of India if there were not one to succeed me after my Death In how great Danger would it be This said he reposed and finding his Malady encrease ordered his Confessor to be brought to him from Goa which was not far off Having made his Peace with God he gave up the Ghost He was doubtless one of the Bravest Men that Spain ever bred His Valour Mildness Prudence and Justice reigned in an equal degree He was patient of Labour discreet in his Resolutions quick in Execution amiable to his own People and terrible to his Enemies It was a great Mercy of God to give to the Portugueses Two such Governours at first as was he and Francis d' Almeyda being both Wise and Resolute Men and Zealous of their Prince's Service and the Propagation of the Faith tho' they differed in Opinions as to the Means of carrying on that Great Work For Francis d' Almeyda who was the first thought it best only to make themselves Masters of the Sea and not undertake any Conquests whereas on the contrary Albuquerque was wholly for gaining Strong holds in order to secure the Trade and have a Retreat for their Fleets Experience has taught how much he was in the Right Albuquerque was never married but he left a Son by a Servant and a little before his Death recommended
the two Crowns A great Earthquake Orders of St. Hierome and St. Isidort 1374. French Spaniards besiege Bayonne 1375. Pope Gregory the XIth returns to Rome after the Papal Chair had been 70 Years at Avignon 1376. Frederick the IId of Sicily dies A general Peace in Spain 1377 The French invade Navarre Castile at variance with Navarre 1378 Marriages of K. Henry's Bastards Schism in the Church Troubles in Portugal 1379 Navarre and Castile make Peace Death of K. Henry Mahomet K. of Granada dies John succeeds to the Crown of Castile Castilian Fleet ravages the Coasts of Britany 1380. Great Floods Charles K. of France dies Charles the VIth succeeds Leo K. of Armenia in Spain A Schlsm Pr. Ferdinand born in Castile 1381. Pope Clement own'd in Castile Charles Duke of Durrazzo crown'd K. of Naples English joyn with Portugal against Castile 1382. Rebellion suppress'd Articles betwixt Castile and Portugal Death of the Qu. of Castile 1383. Marriage of the K. of Castile with the Princess of Portugal Ferdinand King of Portugal dies Divisions in Portugal about the Succession of the Crown King John of Castile proclaimed K. at Lisbon Portugueses that favour'd the K. of Castile The Master of 〈◊〉 a Bastard aspires to the C own of Portugal Lisbon besieged The Siege raised 1385. John the Bastard proclaim'd K. of Portugal Castilian Fleet ravages the Coast of Portugal K. John of Castile makes his Will Famous Battel of Aljubarota Castilians defeated All Portugal submits to John the Usurper Another verthrow of the Castilians France and Navarre joyn with Castile The Duke of Lancaster lands at Corunna Death of 3 Kings Of Peter K. of Aragon Charles Inherlts the Crown of Navarre John crown'd K. of Aragon Peace establish'd betwixt the English and Castilians 1388. Kings of Castile and Navarre meet Heir of Castile made Prince of Austurias Truce with Portugal 1390. Acts of the Cortes of Castile Truce with the Moors of Granada Pious Gifts of the K. of Castile K. John of Castile kill'd by fall from his Horse Qualities of King John of Aragon French invade Aragon 1391. Henry the IIId proclaimed K. of Castile K. John of Castile his last Will. Form of Government of Castile during the Kings Minority Strife among the Nobility of Castile They raise Forces They agree The Cortes settle the Government 1392. A Mutiny at Sevil. The War with Portugal breaks out again Troubles among the Moors K. John of Portugal his Issue Discord continues in Castile 1393. Truce with Portugal for 15 Years Arch bishop of Toledo arrested by the King Nobility of Castile reconcil'd Sicily reduc'd under the Dominion of Aragon K. Henry takes upon him the Government Biscainers invade the Canary Islands Cortes meet at Madrid 1394. The Plague at Madrid Discontents among the Nobility of Castile The Master of Alcantara cut off by the Moors Rebellion in Old Castile Mutinous Lords submit Fresh Troubled in Castile quleted Pope Clement dies the Schism continues Benedict the XIIIth chosen Pope 1395. Strange Death of K. John of Aragâ—â— Martin K. of Aragon â— Elleâ—â—â— of Navarre returns to her Husband Earl of Gijon declar'd Traytor The Archbishop of Santiago flies to Portugal The Earl of Faux invades Aragon 1396. Turks pass over into Europe Joseph K. of Granada his strange Death Mahâ—met Usurps Badajoz taken by the Portugueses 1397. Franciscan Fryars preach to the Moors of Granada 1398. Truce with Portugal renew'd Paul de Cartagenâ— famous for Learning Plague in Spain and France and great Floods French expell'd Aragon 1399. Works of Peter Tenâ—rio Archbishop of Toledo 1400. Plague in Spain Violante Daughter to the K. of Aragon marryed to Luis Duke of Anjoâ— 1401. Mary Q. of Sicily dies 1402. Tamerlan the Tatrar his exploits Embassies betwixt Tamerlan and the K. of Castile 1403. Great Floods The King of Navarre uses means to recover his Possessions in France 1404. Boniface the Pope dies and Innocent the VIIth is chosen at Rome Jews and Moors distinguish'd in Castile 1406. The Battle of Collejarts Cortes held in Castile Innocent the Pope dies at Roâ—◠〈◊〉 Gregory the XIIth is chosen Henry K. of Castile dies A notable Action of K. Henry 1407. K. Henry's Will Wonderful modesty of Prince Ferdinand who refuses the Crown being offer'd to him John the IId an Infant proclaim'd K. of Castile Aragon left without Heirs Government of Prince Ferdinand of Castile Government divided betwixt the Queen and Prince Victory of the Christians by Sea Luis Duke of Orleans murder'd 1408. Cortes of Castile grant suplies for War with the Moors D. Alvaro de Luna who he was Pope Benedict forsaken 1046. Alexander the Vth chosen Pope Animosities against Prince Ferdinand of Castile Martin K. of Sicily dies Martin K. of Aragon marries Pretenders to the Crown of Aragon Dispute concerning the Crown of Aragon Prince Ferdinand marches against the Infidels 1410. Moors overthrown Pope Alexander dies John the XXIIId is chosen Martin K. of Aragon dies Race of the Earls of Barcelona extinct Several Towns taken by the Christians A Love Adventure AnteqÌ„ueraÌ„ taken by Storm The Castle surrendred Turbulent State of Christendom Aragon divided about the Succession 1411. K. John of Portugal his Government Confusions in Aragon Judges appointed to decide the Right to the Crown of Aragon Earl of Vrgel's Pretensions Ferdinand declared King of Aragon by the Judges He is proclaim'd at â—aragoca Settles the Affairs of Aragon Archimbaud Earl of Faux his Death and Issue The new King's Actions K. Ferdinand and Pope Benedict meer 1413. He besieges the Earl of Vrgel in Balaguer The Earl surrenders himself Application for uniting the Church Ferdinand crown'd at Zaragoca King Ferdinand confers with Pope Benedict Council of Constance Jews converted 1415. Pope John forced to quit the Papacy Marriage of the Prince of Aragon with the Princess of Castile Ceuta taken by the Portugueses Interview of Princes at Perpignan Pope Benedict disown'd in Aragon 1416. Ferdinand of Aragon dies New Troubles in Castile 1417. John Hus and Hierome of Prague burnt Martin the Vth. chosen Pope The Canaries conquered Henry the Vth of England invades France Catherine Queen of Castile dies John King of Castile govern'd by the Archbishop of Toledo Marriages of Princes 1419. Nobility of Castile raise Tumults King John's Character D. Alvaro de Luna the great Favourite 1420. K. John of Castile under restraint Prodigles Discoveries by Henry Infante of Portugal Alonso K. of Aragon adopted Heir of Naples K. John of Castile makes his escape 1421. Prince Henry in open Rebellion Competitors for the Kingdom of Naples 1422. Prince Henry imprison'd Alvaro de Luna made an Earl Government of Toledo altered Also at Pamplona Gaston Heir of Navarre born 1423. Truce betwixt Castile and Portugal Troubles of Naples K. Alonso of Aragon besieges the Queen of Naples in her Palace Luis Duke of Anjou adopted Heir of Naples Joseph K. of Granada dies Benedict the pretended Pope dies Alonso K. of Aragon supports an Antipope Marseilles taken
Months His severity and the mutability of those People caused his ruin One Mahomet was put into his place and Reigned one Year four Months and twenty two Days and then was killed by the Citizens The same befell Hiaya the Son of Hali who was of the other Faction and had been before Proclaimed King he was in the same manner slain at Malaga whither as was said he had retired when he had Reigned in Cordova only three Months and twenty Days After this Idric Brother to Hali and Unkle to Hiaya was sent for out of Africk where he was Lord of Ceuta to take the Crown This Man being come into Spain what on account of his Kindred with the other two and what by force of Arms possessed himself of the Kingdom of Granada Sevil Almeria and other Neighbouring Cities The inland continued under Hissem for after the Death of Hiaya the People of Cordova had Reinthroned him unless it was another of the same name those Citizens made Choice of for these affairs are very dark The extravagancies of Ministers commonly turn to the ruin of their Masters as hap'ned to Hissem for his Alhagib or Viceroy being Cruel and Covetous was killed and the King expelled his City In that confusion a Youth of the Family of the Humeyas being assisted by a Company of wild Young Fellows entred the Palace and desired of the Soldiers to Proclaim him King They excused themselves with the disloyalty of the Citizens and advised him to take warning by so many as had perished before him to this he Answered Call me King to Day and kill me to Morrow Such is the inordinate desire of Reigning Nevertheless this Man and Hissem with all the Abenhumeyas as the causers of all these Confusions were turned out of the Town by the Citizens Hissem tired with so many changes of Fortune at last came to Zaragoça where he was well received by Zulema Abenbut King of that City who gave him a Castle called Alçuela where he spent the rest of his Life as a private Man D. Roderick the Archbishop who gives this account of the last Kings of Cordova somewhat more obscure than it is set down here does not mention what became of Idric How is it possible in such Confusion to be plain We can only add that from this time forwards the Kingdom of the Moors which for so many Years had mantained it self in great Power and Splendor in Spain so visibly decayed that it was divided into many Sovereignties for every one that could possess himself of a City called himself King of it Jahuar seized Cordova Albudazin Sevil. Haytan he that at first assisted Hissem and then became his Enemy secured Toledo Some will have the Kingdom of Toledo to be more Ancient because that City often rebelled against the Kings of Cordova Other Kingdoms were erected in other Cities too long and confused to insert here It will suffice to know that these Sovereignties continued till the powerful Family of the Almoravides came into Spain with their King Thesephin which was in the Year of our Lord 1091. Let us turn back now to the affairs of the Christians under the Earl D. Sancho and King Alonso CHAP. IX The last Actions of D. Alonso King of Leon and his Death The Reign of D. Bermudo the Third His Son Sancho Earl of Castile Poisons his Mother His Son Garcia Murdered D. Sancho Earl of Castile desiring to revenge the Death of his Father with the Assistance of the Kingdoms of Navarre and Leon that were his Allies entred the Kingdom of Toledo putting all that stood in his way to Fire and Sword The same havock was made in the Territory of Cordova whither our Forces advanced incouraged with their success In both places a great Booty of Captives and Cattle was taken Tho' the harm was great much more was the Terror this struck into the Infidels who being embroiled in Civil Wars could not oppose the Enemy so that they who not long before kept the Christians in continual fear were now forced to buy a Peace at a dear Sepulveda a Town on the Frontiers also Osma Santistevan de Gormaz and other Towns taken by the Moors in the last War were now recovered From this time some Anthors write the Nobility of Castile were exempted from following the Wars at their own cost only upon the hopes of Booty and it was ordained they should receive pay as was used in all other Countries D. Sancho in a great measure Blemished the Honour gained in this Expedition by the Death he put his Mother to She fell in Love with a Lewd Brawny Moor and durst not Marry him not so much for any Scruple of Conscience as for fear of her Son and therefore resolved to Murder him by that means to make way to her infamous Wedding The Dose was prepared to Poison him but the Earl having intelligence of it forced his Mother by way of respect to Drink first of the Cup she offered him Hence some think sprang the Custom used in some parts of Spain to make the Women Drink before the Men. Other Authors write that a Lady belonging to the Countess having seen her prepare the Dose gave Notice to her Husband whom some call Sancho del Valle de Espinosa and he to the Earl and thereby obtained that Privilege enjoyed to this day by the Family of Monteros de Espinosa of Guarding the King's Person by Night True it is I find no good grounds to believe this Relation but it is so recorded and the People of that Town affirm it as a certain Truth They add that the Earl to atone for this fault and allay the hatred the People had conceived against him built a Monastery for Nuns and in honour of his Mother gave it the Name of On̄a which Monastery Sancho the Greater King of Navarre gave to the Monks of Cluni and in our Days is the chief in that Country D. Sancho by his Wife Da. Vrraca had D. Garcia Da. Nun̄a Da. Teresa and Da. Trigida The two eldest Daughters were marryed to great Men Trigida was Abbess in the Monastery of On̄a About the same time D. Sancho made a New way for Strangers to travel to the Church of St. James the Apostle through Navarre Rioja Briviesca and the Country of Burgos Before this time the Christian Dominions being of a smaller extent the Pilgrims that came out of France used to Travel with much difficulty through Biscay and the Mountains of Asturias where the ways were uncouth and there was a general want of all necessaries King Alonso enjoying a perfect Peace by reason of the Civil Wars among the Moors and the League that was between the Christian Princes gave his Mind wholly to the Civil Government and held an Assembly of the States or Parliament at Oviedo in the Year of our Lord 1020. In this Parliament the Ancient Laws of the Goths were Corrected The King at his own cost and charges rebuilt the City
Leon that had been ruined by the Moors and in it erected a Church Dedicated to S. John the Baptist Thither the Bodies of his Father D. Bermudo and the other Kings of Leon were translated which before had been carryed about for fear of the Moors The Monastery of S. Pelagius was also rebuilt in which Da. Constança the King's Sister who had Consecrated her Virginity to God lived long It has been above related how D. Vela studyed and contrived his revenge upon the Earls of Castile for wrongs and injuries he pretended to have received from them D. Sancho the Earl not only pardoned but restored to their Father's Honours three Sons of D. Vela which were Roderick James and Inigo Yet they soon fell to their wonted Treachery and leaving the Earl went over to D. Alonso the King of Leon because there was little hope to be placed in the Moors by reason of their distractions and the change of so many Princes among them D. Alonso received them Friendly and gave them a considerable Estate at the Foot of the Mountains Thus they seemed to be setled and quiet but they only waited an opportunity to make their disloyalty the more Notorious as appeared soon after and we shall shortly show King Alonso desiring to extend his Dominions broke into Lusitania and laid Siege to Viseo It happ'ned he went out without his Armour and approaching too near the Town they threw a Dart at him from the Wall and killed him Upon this misfortune his Army quitted the Siege and the Bishops that went with him to the War Accompanyed the Dead Body to Leon where it was buryed in the Church of St. John which he had built for to fix the Tombs of his Forefathers His Death hap'ned in the Year of Grace 1028. He left one Son called D. Bermudo who succeeded in the Throne and a Daughter Named Da. Sancha In his time flourished in Sanctity of Life the Bishops Froylanus of Leon and Atilanus of Zamora Froylanus was born at Lugo Atilanus at Tarragona both Monks of St. Benedict and taken out of their Monasteries to be prefered to those Bishopricks A Son of D. Ramon called D. Berenguel and Sirnamed Borello from his Grandfather was now Earl of Barcelona and better known for his Idle Life than any Virtuous action Bernard Tallaferre Earl of Besalu made some amends for the neglect of that Prince by Valiantly opposing the Moors He being drowned in the River Rhosne in France his place was supplyed by Wifredus Earl of Cerdagne who so curbed the insolency of the Moors that they ceased making any further incursions into those parts D. Berenguel at his Death left three Sons D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona D. Guillen Earl of Manresa by his Father's Will and D. Sancho a Monk of the Order of St. Benedict D. Bermudo the Third tho' very young when his Father dyed was Crown'd King in the presence of all the Nobility and Clergy in the Year 1028. The same Year dy'd D. Sancho Earl of Castile having govern'd that Province 22 Years In the Monastery of On̄a which as was said he built from the ground are still to be seen Three Tombs on the left hand of the High Altar with Inscriptions one of D. Sancho another of his Wife and the third of D. Garcia his Son who succeeded him in that Earldom His Virtues made all Men conceive early hopes of him but all vanish'd and was blasted in the Bud for he was treacherously kill'd in the very first Year of his Government by those who had least reason so to do and in the midst of his Marriage Solemnity D. Garcia had two Sisters D. Nun̄a and Da Teresa Da Nun̄a was Marry'd to D. Sancho King of Navarre who had by her at this time D. Garcia D. Ferdinand and D. Gonçalo Da Teresa was Wife to D. Bermudo King of Leon and of her was born D. Alonso who dy'd a Child D. Garcia Earl of Castile tho' but 13 Years of Age was Contracted to Da Sancha Sister to King Bermudo by this means to bind their interests the faster together and unite them against the common Enemy The City Leon was the place appointed for Celebrating the Nuptials D. Garcia went with a mighty train of People of note as well his own Subjects as those of the King of Navarre King Sancho himself with his Sons D. Ferdinand and D. Garcia for the greater honour bore him Company with such a Retinue as appear'd like a good Army By the way they took Monçon and some other Towns from the Earl Fernan Gutierrez who despising the new Princes Youth was in Rebellion yet because he submitted without making any considerable opposition he obtain'd Pardon They made but small Journeys by reason of the great number of People D. Garcia desiring to see his Bride left the King of Navarre at Sahagun and he with a small Retinue not suspecting any thing put forward This seemed a good opportunity to the Sons of D. Vela to revenge the wrongs they pretended had been done them by the Earl D. Sancho They were Men of Experience in mischief and subtle and therefore communicated their design to other wicked Persons like themselves Having laid their Plot they went out to meet their Prince who little suspected them kneeling they Kissed his Hand as was usual and showing Tokens of Repentance begged pardon of their Crimes Who could have thought that after obtaining Forgiveness they would not have strove by fresh Services to appear worthy of it On the contrary they hastned to Murder that Innocent Prince He went to hear Mass at the Church of St. Saviour and at the very Church door the Traytors assaulted him with their drawn Swords Roderick the Eldest of the Brothers notwithstanding he was his Godfather gave him the first wound then the others seconded it till he fell down Dead Da. Sancha now a Widow before she was marryed fainted away at this dismal News and as soon as she came to herself ran to the place where imbracing the dead Body she wasted herself in Sighs and Tears The Body was deposited in the Church of S. John and thence afterwards translated to the Monastery of On̄a In both places his Sepulcher is to be seen to this Day This accident changed the whole Face of affairs in Spain D. Sancho the King of Navarre who lay in the Suburbs of Leon in Tents after the manner of a Camp inherited the Earldom of Castile to which he gave the Title of a Kingdom whereby his power began to be terrible to the King of Leon. The Traitors fled and got into Monçon hoping perhaps that Fernan Gutierrez offended at the late Earl and the King of Navarre for the Towns they had taken from him would joyn them But by the industry of King Sancho they were taken and burnt King Bermudo warned by his Father's Death was inclinable to Peace and being made sensible of the inconstancy of human Affairs by the misfortune of the
his Sword saying There was no Reason such Men should fall out about that Dog The Arch-Bishop's Head and left Hand were cut off This Disaster was so much the more to be lamented for that the Enemy in that Fight might have been utterly overthrown had the Christians expected till D. Lope de Haro could joyn them for he coming up soon after with only his own Forces oblig'd the Moors to retire but could not totally defeat them because Night came on The Body Head and Hand of the Arch-Bishop being ransom'd at a great rate were bury'd in the Royal Chappel of Toledo where lay Alonso the Emperour and his Son Sancho Ferdinand Abbot of Covarrubias succeeded in the Archbishoprick and he having after six Months resign'd it because the Pope would not confirm his Election the Pope made choice of D. Gonzalo the second of the Name who had been Bishop of Cuenca first and then of Burgos He is said to have been a Cardinal and dyed in the Year 1299. This unhappy Year we now write of was yet more remarkable for the Death of Prince Ferdinand He dyed at Villareal where he had appointed the Rendezvous of all the Forces His Body was bury'd at Huelgas and his Death caus'd no less Grief at present than it afterwards produc'd Troubles his Brother Sancho pretending the Crown of Right appertain'd to him as second Son to King Alonso then Living notwithstanding Prince Ferdinand by his Wife the Lady Blanch left two Sons call'd Alonso and Ferdinand whom at the time of his Death he recommended to D. John de Lara eldest Son to D. NunÌ„o de Lara Prince Sancho being a Youth of good Conduct made Head against the Moors and put a stop to their proceedings He garison'd all strong Places and avoided giving Battle by that means gaining time for the fury of the Infidels to spend it self The Moors of Valencia encouraged by the success of the others and despising King Jayme who was grown old revolted notwithstanding Prince Peter was upon the Borders of Murcia wasting the Lands of Almeria with a good Body of Men. Navarre was no better setled at that time Philip King of France having contracted Joanna the Heiress of Navarre to his Son Philip who succeeded him and was called the Fair made Stephen de Belmarc a French-Man Viceroy of Navarre taking that Imployment from Peter de Montagudo A stranger had not sufficient Authority to quell the Tumults that then were in the Kingdom and Peter de Montagudo offended that he had been removed from that Post joyning with Garcia Almoravides who had always favour'd the Castilians they both headed the Mutineers Within the City Pamplona the Two Factions came to Blows Such was their cruelty that they burnt the Ripe-Corn and dash'd out the Brains of Children but the French had the worst of it Peter de Montagudo inclining afterwards to the French Party either for the sake of Peace or some other Cause was kill'd by his own People A Man unworthy that hard Fate for his many Virtues CHAP. II. Three Popes Dye in one year Prince Sancho of Castile contrives to Vsurp that Crown from his Nephews The Death of Jayme King of Aragon and of Alonso of Portugal Peter succeeds the first and Denis the latter THE following Year 1276 was remarkable for the death of Three Popes which were Gregory the Xth Innocent the Vth and Adrian the Vth. Innocent held it but Five Months and Two Days and Aâ—rian only Thirty Seven Days John the One and Twentieth succeeded him he was born at Lisbon and a great Scholar as appears by his Writings In the Ninth Month of his Pontificate he was kill'd at Viterbo by the fall of the Roof of the Room where he was Nicholas the III. was his Successor At this same time in Castile were sowed the Seeds of a Civil War which prov'd lasting and destructive Prince Sancho us'd all means to gain the affections of the Nobility and People which the King his Father had utterly lost His Journey into France had increas'd their Discontent The People was desirous of Novelties and the Nobles were well dispos'd to Rebel D. Lope de Haro a Man in great power was reconcil'd at Cordova to Prince Sancho A Truce was concluded with the Moors for two Years This done the King of Morocco pass'd over into Africk Prince Sancho with great speed went to Toledo upon pretence of visiting his Father then newly return'd from France His chief Design was to have the Succession settled upon himself with the consent of the King and Nobility D. Lope de Haro undertook to propose this Affair which highly displeas'd King Alonso both for that they urg'd the Succession whilst he was yet living and because he thought it a great wrong to exclude his Grand-children However by the Advice of his Brother Prince Emanuel then a great Friend to Prince Sancho it was resolv'd the Cortes or Parliament should meet at Segovia to determine this Affair Their Judgment was given in behalf of Prince Sancho in which doubtless regard was had to the Peace of the Kingdom which he would otherwise never have ceas'd to disturb In Aragon King Jayme us'd all his Endeavours to quell the Moors by Policy or if that fail'd to apply Force To this purpose he March'd through Valencia and in several Rencounters sometimes the one sometimes the other Party had the better Whilst the King was at Xativa his Forces were so intirely cut off at Luxen that from that Day which was Tuesday the People began to account Tuesday an unlucky Day Garci Ruiz de Açagra Son to Peter de Açagra Lord of Albarazin was slain in that Fight and the Head-Commendary of the Knights Templers taken The King griev'd at this loss and being very much broken with continual Labour left the Charge of the War to his Son Prince Poter and was carry'd away sick to Algezira a Town in Valencia There being given over by the Physicians he resign'd up the Kingdom to his Son giving him much wholesome Advice Then he put on the Habit of S. Bernard intending to spend what remain'd of Life in the Monastery of Poplete where he would also be buryed His Sickness gave him not so much Leisure he dy'd at Valenica on the 27th of July His Fame will be immortal not only for his great war-like Exploits but also for his Piety since Authors assirm that he built 1000 Churches I suppose he caus'd most of them to be Consecrated having taken them from the Moors For Martial Affairs he may be compar'd to the most renowned antient Commanders having fought Thirty pitched Battles with the Moors and been Victorious in them all whereby he obtained the Name of Conquerour He reigned Sixty Three Years and somewhat blemish'd his Good Name by his Incontinency By Queen Violante he had Peter Jayme Sancho the Arch-Bishop Elizabeth Queen of France Violante Queen of Castile Constance marryed to Prince Emanuel and Mary and Elenor who dyed
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
Revenue in his Arch-Bishoprick whence there ensu'd a mortal Enmity betwixt them At the same time the Navarrois still subject to France sustain'd a great loss in Biscay Philip the Long King of France dying without Heirs on the second of June 1321 his Brother Charles the Fair succeeded him and equall'd his Brothers in Liberality Valour and Beauty In his time the Biscainers seiz'd the Castle of Gorricia in Guipuscoa pretending the Navarrois withheld it from them wrongfully 60000 Men-march'd out of Navarre if the Numbers are not mistaken and came to Botivara on the 19th of September 800 Biscainers having secur'd the Passes of the Mountains from thence roll'd down Barrels full of Stones and Bodies of Trees on the Navarrois which broke and put them to flight with greater Slaughter than could be imagin'd from so small a Number Giles Oniz commanded the Biscayners and Ponce Morentaina a Frenchman and Viceroy of Navarre those People The Pope sent Cardinal William of Bayonne his Legate into Castile to endeavour to put an end to the Distractions of that Kingdom He procur'd the Cortes or Parliament should meet at Palencia at the same time that Queen Mary the Protectress of three Kings and Honour of Castile worn out with Age and Troubles dy'd at Valladolid on the first of June 1322. She built the Monastery of Huelgas in that City where she order'd her self to be bury'd another at Burgos a third at Tore and others in several Parts of the Kingdom The Cortes at Palencia it seems took no effect A Synod of all the Bishops or Castile was held at Valladolid by the Legate There on the 2d of August many wholsom Constitions were enacted Among other things those that shall eat Flesh or sell it publickly in Lent or the Ember-days are Excommunicated Such as are not Christians are forbid to be present at Divine Service yet if Baptiz'd they are allow'd to be capable of Benefices The common way of Purgation used in Spain is Condemned The Decrees of D. John Archbishop of Toledo publish'd at that time are preserv'd to this day He ordains that Divine Service do not go forwards till the Jews or Moors go out of the Church That Monies gather'd upon the Croisade be deliver'd to the Prelate for Redemption of Captives and Relief of the Poor That Priests say Mass at least four times a year and that after they have said Mattins That what is gotten by the Church shall not be left to Children tho' got in Wedlock This same year Ismael King of Granada was kill'd in the Alhambra by his own People stirr'd up against him by the Lord of Algezira and Ozmin the first was offended at him because at the taking of Martos he took from him a Beautiful Captive the other because he lost a Nephew he dearly lov'd there Scarce was his Death known abroad when his Son Mahomet but 12 years of Age was carry'd on a Chair on Men's Shoulders through the City and proclaim'd King By this means the Governour of the City manifested his Loyalty and prevented the designs of the Conspirators who intended to have set up a King of their own making but were now forc'd to quit the City and to fly to several places CHAP. IX King Alonso the 11th of Castile takes upon him the Government The Conquest of Sardinia by the Aragonians The Death of King Denis of Portugal His Son Alonso succeeds him Jayme the 2d King of Aragon is succeeded by his Son Alonso the 4th UPon the Death of Queen Mary the Disorders of Castile were doubl'd No hopes of Remedy remain'd but in the King 's coming to Age to take upon him the Government There were great Tokens to be seen of his Prudence and Virtue At last being arriv'd at the Age of Fifteen tho' so young the necessity of the Times oblig'd him to take up the Government of his Kingdom Besides the Subjects press'd him and particularly Garcilasso de la Vega and Alvar Nunez Ossorio Men of great Note who labour'd to get into the King's Favour thereby to obtain Pardon of the Crimes they had committed during his Minority He admitted them into his Family and they grew so great that he was chiefly govern'd by them One Joseph a Jew of Ezija a very Rich Man and Chief of the Farmers and Managers of the Revenue had the next place to these Two Gentlemen The King sent Letters of Summons to the Governours of the Kingdom who presently came to him to Valladolid each striving to be first in gaining his Favours tho' their Hearts were not sincere as soon appear'd for only Prince Philip stay'd with the King D. John Manuel and D. John Lord of Biscay withdrawing privately from Court Their pretence was as usual Evil Counsellors They joyn'd their Forces and made a solemn League at Cigales The Form of Covenant formerly us'd among the Nobles of Castile was thus Having read the Articles of Agreement one of the Gentlemen concern'd in the Name of all the rest said I swear by Almighty God and by his most glorious Mother that every one of us will perform all that has been read in this Publick Instrument without Fraud or Deceit That we will not go one without the other against our Enemies nor in any manner act contrary to what has been here establish'd Whosoever shall first violate it that very Day do Thou Almighty God in this World take away his Life and torment his Soul in the other with cruel and everlasting Torments let his Strength and his Speech fail him and in Battel his Horse Arms and Spurrs and his Vassals when he has most need of them Then all present answer'd Amen Other times they divided the Consecrated Host into Two Parts and each took one then follow'd the Curses and Imprecations This is the solemn manner of Associating themselves long us'd in Castile This Union was dangerous to the King and therefore to break it he agreed to Marry D. John Manuel's Daughter who thereupon came to Pen̄afiel submitted himself to the King and deliver'd him his Daughter as yet too young to be marry'd The other D. John seeing himself forsaken thought of Marrying Blanch the Daughter of Prince Peter kill'd in Andaluzla for her great Portion she being Lady of Almaçan Alcocer and other Towns upon the Borders of Aragon which lay opportunely to forward his designs To prevent him the King was advis'd to seize upon all the Lady Blanch's Patrimony Garcilasso forgetting his Obligations to Prince Peter was the chief Man that gave this Advice D. John Manuel being restor'd to the King's Favour meditated Revenge against the Archbishop of Toledo Hereupon some hard words passing betwixt them in the King's Presence the King depriv'd the Archbishop of the Chancellorship whereat he being offended withdrew into Aragon and there exchang'd Churches with D. Ximeno de Luna Archbishop of Tarragona with the additional Title of Patriarch of Alexandria Garcilasso was made Chancellor and from that time
Favourite A Proclamation was published to restore to their Liberty all the Jews who as was said before were unjustly made Slaves by his Predecessor He sent Men and Ammunition into Africk where the Portugueses had Ceuta taken by King John I. and Tangier and Arzila taken by King Alonso Unkle to Emanuel D. John de Meneses Governour of Arzila because some of the neighbouring Villages did not bring in their wonted Contributions joined with the Commander of Tangier and marched against them They were unexpectedly set upon by Barata and Almanderino two Moorish Commanders yet tho' the Enemy were much more numerous they put them to the rout All this hapned before the Cortes of Montemor broke up which could not put an end to the Business in hand because the Plague raging there the King was forced at the beginning of this Year to remove to Setuval to meet his two Widow-Sisters Queen Ellenor and the Dutchess of Bragança There it was proposed that D. Alvaro Brother to the late Duke of Bragança and that Duke's Children who were in Castile since nothing could be proved against them should be restored to their Estates King Ferdinand of Spain sollicited for them and the King's Sisters begged it with Tears especially the Dutchess as most concerned as also his Mother the Dutchess of Viseo The King was unwilling so soon to alter his Predecessor's Decrees and to disoblige those that were in Possession of those banished Persons Estates but at last overcome with so many Intreaties he made up their Losses other ways so that none might have cause to complain It was proposed to marry the King who was 26 Years of Age when he Inherited the Crown No Match seemed so advantageous as with Castile King Ferdinand was willing but would not give him his Eldest Daughter the Second was gone to Flanders and the Lady Catherine Contracted in England so he offered the Lady Mary The Portugues took it ill that any Prince should be preferred before him besides he took a liking to the Lady Elizabeth when she was in Portugal Upon account of this Treaty the Catholick King demanded of him That he should enter into the League against France and the Princess That he should banish the Moors and Jews As to the King's Request he excused himself pleading the ancient Friendship betwixt France and Portugal yet he was willing to join in a League for the Defence of Spain but would not involve himself in Quarrels that concerned him not He condescended to the Desires of the Princess tho' many opposed it And accordingly about the end of the Year set out a Proclamation commanding all the Moors and Jews to depart by a time limitted or else they should be made Slaves All the Moors without hesitation went over to Africk In the Business of the Jews there was more difficulty for soon after the King ordered all their Children under 14 Years of Age to be taken from them and Baptized A Practice not at all justifiable because none ought to be forced to become Christians nor Children to be taken from their Parents The rest were so hardly used that great Numbers were Baptized but it was a constrained Conversion Leave was also obtained of the Pope for the Commendaries of the Three Military Orders in that Kingdom to Marry so that they were only obliged to Conjugal Chastity There were sufficient Causes to obtain this Liberty and yet many condemned it Certain it is this made way for the spending the Revenues of those Orders otherwise than had been intended for what used to be employed in the War was now consumed in Pleasure and Luxury CHAP. VII The death of Ferdinand King of Naples The Emperor passes into Italy The Popes Forces defeated by the Ursini The death of the Duke of Gandia The Marriage of Prince John of Spain Proposals concerning settling the Kingdom of Naples THE Wars in Italy were not likely to cease The King of England by reason of the Match agreed upon with Spain resolved to enter into the League against France The Emperor gave out he would go himself into Italy to settle the Affairs of Lombardy and Tuscany This moved the Duke of Milan to think of forsaking the French Interest and the more for that about this time died the Dauphin of France a young Child and the King being sickly it was to be feared that Crown would come to the Duke of Orleans his greatest Enemy These reasons inclined him to adhere to the Confederate Princes In the Kingdom of Naples the Venetians possessed some part of Apulia The great Captain held Rijoles Amantia and other Places of Calabria for the Catholick King Notwithstanding the late Capitulation the French were still possessed of some Towns To reduce all the Kingdom King Ferdinand sent D. Cesar de Aragon his Father's Bastard Brother to Taranto and commanded the Duke of Urbin who served him in this War to repair to Abruzzo when having in a short time subdued most of that Province he went away to Rome with Prosper Colona Gaeta was a business of more concern for tho' the Earl of Trivento and the Venetian Gallies pressed it by Sea they advanced not much It was proposed to Besiege the Place by Land when King Ferdinand fell Sick of a flux at Soma which so increased that being carried to Naples he died on the 7th of October Frederick his Uncle then at Castellon understanding his death immediately repaired to Naples and was proclaimed King the very day his Nephew died His first care was to aâ—â—ee with the Princes of Salerno and Bisignano as also the Earls of Lauria and Melito the great Enemies of the House of Aragon Many Princes began to have an Eye towards that Crown and particularly the Catholick King whose Title began to be urged both at Rome and Naples but to no effect at that time for the Pope and other Princes had rather have a weak King for their Neighbour than the Power of Spain The Great Captain who might have done something in the Affair was employed at the Siege of the Castle of Cosenza which he hoped suddenly to be Master of and thus to secure all that Province Soon after having subdued Calabria and taken that Fort he went to Nola and leaving his Forces there visited the Queens comforting them for the death of the King The new King sat down before Gaeta with all his Forces It hapned the Lord of Aubenie who was going by Land to Rome came thither at such time as the besieged were much streightned he entred the Town and caused it to be surrendred upon Articles The French departed in a Galleon and Two Ships Loaden with the Booty and Plate taken out of the Churches One of the Ships perished in a Storm the other ran aground near Terracina which was looked upon as a Judgment On the other side the Emperor as he had agreed passed the Alps and entred Lombardy with 1000 Horse and 5000 Foot The Duke of Milan with his Forces joined him