ground begging a happy death and tho' the disease increased stayed at Matins heard Mass and received The Day following he returned to the Church of S. Isidorus and three days after Dyed This is what the Archbishop D. Roderick and D. Lucas de Tuy write yet others say he dyed at Cabeçon a Town near Valladolid neither do Authors agree in the time of his death King Ferdinand's Life was so holy that his Feast is Celebrated at Leon as a Saint He built many Churches and repaired others Queen Sancha was not inferior to her Husband in Vertue she dyed two Years after him and was buryed by the King in the Church of S. Isidorus Garibay says King Ferdinand dyed in the Year 1067 and quotes many Authors who all vary in the time as they do in the place of his death so that these things are very uncertain King Ferdinand by his last Will divided his Kingdoms among his Three Sons To D. Sancho the Eldest he left Castile extending from the Rivèr Ebro till that of Pisuerga for all that was taken upon the death of D. Garcia was added to Castile The Kingdom of Leon fell to D. Alonso with the Territory of Campos and that part of Asturias that reaches to the River Deva running by Oviedo as also some Towns in Galicia D. Garcia the Youngest had the remaining part of Galicia and as much of Portugal as had been recovered from the Moors All three called themselves Kings Besides King Ferdinand left the City Zamora to his Daughter D. Vrraca and that of Toro to D. Elvira These Cities were then called Infantado which is as much as the Principality signifying thereby the Estate left for support of the Younger Children Spain being divided it was impossible it should enjoy Peace all People were in suspence expecting great revolutions upon the King's death To prevent these misfortunes many of the Nobility had endeavoured to disswade him from this Resolution and the matter had been handled in Parliament Arias Gonzalo an Ancient Wise and Experienced Man had stirred most in this affair but Fatherly Love suffered not his Prudent advice to take place D. Sancho became the Throne as being a Comely and Graceful Youth better versed in War than in State affairs and therefore called the Strong Pelagius Ovetensis says he was very Beautiful and Expert in Martial affairs He was naturally Mild and Affable if not provoked or incensed by false Friends Upon the death of his Father he openly complained of the wrong had been done him by dividing the Kingdom Yet his Mother whilst she lived restrained him from falling upon his Brothers especially for that after the King's death the Crown of Leon devolved upon her as being her own Dower D. Sancho Reigned 6 Years 8 Months and 25 Days At the beginning of his Reign he had War with the Moors and soon after with the King of Aragon King Ramiro of Aragon desiring to enlarge his Territories laboured successfully to expel the remainder of the Moors out of that Kingdom He obliged Almugdadi King of Zaragoça and Almudafar King of Lerida to become tributary and overthrew the King of Huesca Those about Zaragoça having been subdued by King Ferdinand were become tributary to him but now upon the change of Kings and relying on the assistance of D. Ramiro they resolved to fall off King Sancho having speedily gathered an Army marched against them Those of Toledo immediately submitted but the Aragonians stood out Hereupon having wasted all the Country he layed Siege to Zaragoça and press'd it so vigorously it was surrendred to him upon Condition he should be obliged to support the City against all Enemies as well Christians as Moors This Capitulation seem'd directly levell'd against the King of Aragon D. Sancho was offended that the King of Aragon join'd with the Navarrois who often made Inroads upon the Dominions of Castile and besides that he receiv'd Tribute from those Aragonians that were his Subjects The Aragonians had then laid Siege to the Castle of Grados built by the Moors on the Banks of the River Esera to curb the Christians King Sancho in pursuance of his Capitulation with the Moors marched to raise that Siege The Army of Aragon being surpriz'd and attack'd in Front and Rear by the Christians and Insidels was easily routed some fled others were kill'd amongst which number was the King himself This was much about the Year 1067. D. Ramiro of Aragon had Reign'd 31 Years his Body was Bury'd in the Church of St. John de la Pen̄a where many of his Predecessors lay D. Sancho Ramirez his Son succeeded in the Throne at the Age of 18. a Prince not unlike to his Father in Virtue In this Princes time and in the Year of Grace 1068. Guinard Earl of Russillon built the Town of Perpignan on the Borders of France not far from the antient City Russillon the name of Perpignan was taken from one Bernard Perpignan who kept two Inns in that place This King Sancho is said to have abrogated the Laws of the Goths as the Catalonians had done before and established the Imperial Civil Law He was Married to D. Felicia Daughter to Armengaud Earl of Vrgel by whom he had three Sons D. Peter D. Alonso and D. Ramiro who were all successively Kings of Aragon A Bastard Son of his called D. Garcia was afterwards Bishop of Jaca At the same time there Reign'd in Spain three Kings who were Cousin-Germans tho' not equal in power yet all alike in the manner of their Death D. Sancho King of Castile was the greatest he had blemish'd the beginning of his Reign by killing his Uncle King Ramiro and growing fierce with Success was daily driving at greater mischiefs his strength being terrible to the others D. Sancho King of Navarre maintain'd his small Kingdom by making a League with him of Aragon to secure both against Castile He of Castile understanding their design thought to be beforehand with them and broke into Navarre without stoping till he came in sight of Viana There the two Kings met him and they came to a Battle in which the Castilians were defeated and their King having lost many Men return'd into his own Country The Victors resolving to make use of their Success broke into the Territories of Rioja and Briviesca where they recovered all that King Ferdinand had taken Thus were those three Princes destroying one another without reflecting upon what they might expect from the Moors The King of Castile could not at that time take revenge of his Cousins being ingaged in a new War against his Brothers He was ambitious rash and hot and pretended a right to all that had been his Fathers and did not want other grounds to raise a Quarrel upon His Brothers tho' weak could not be perswaded to Unite their Forces against their common Enemy D. Sancho having gathered a powerful Army resolved to carry on his designs On the other side D. Alonso whom that
Brother Hiaya Aldirbil much unlike to his Father and Brother He was a Coward and unfit for Government Lewd in his Life and spar'd not the Wives and Daughters of his Subjects whereby he became odious as well to the Moors as Christian Inhabitants of Toledo Upon the death of Hissem D. Alonso was discharged of the Oath he had taken at Toledo to be Friend to the Father and Son Both Moors and Christians weary of the Tyranny of that new Prince solicited King Alonso to free them from that Slavery and possess himself of that City These were the first inducements to undertake the Conquest of that most Noble City the Metropolis of all that Kingdom D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona dy'd in that City and was bury'd in the Cathedral thereof which he had built from the Ground with all suitable Pomp and Grandeur He divided his Dominions betwixt his two Sons D. Berenguel and D. Ramon called Cabeça de Estopa or Flaxen-Head This last according to Mariana the Younger but according to several Testimonies brought in Opposition to him by Peter Mantuanus in his Animadversions on his History the elder Brother Marry'd a Vertuous Lady Daughter to Robert Guiscard a Norman but then very Powerful in Italy as Zurita lib. 1. cap. 1. relates At this time the Normans were possessed of the extreme parts of Italy and Sicily This Lady built two Monasteries one of the Invocation of S. Daniel in the Valley of S. Mary in the Territory of Cabrera the other near Girona where after the death of her Husband she spent the remainder of her Life in much Sanctity Both Monasteries were given to the Nuns of S. Benedict D. Ramon Arnaldo or Berenguel who succeeded his Father in that Earldom was Son to this Lady About the same time Armengaud Earl of Vrgel made War upon the Moors in those Parts and William Jordan Earl of Cerdagne prosecuted the Arian Hereticks who now began again to appear in those parts after having been so long suppressed He Banished them Confiscated their Goods made them Infamous and put the Obstinate to death Thro' the Valour of Armengaud many Towns along the River Segre were taken from the Moors and particularly the City Balaguer the Metropolis of the Earldom of Vrgel Since we have above mentioned the Normans it will not be amiss to add a few Lines in relation to them their Conquests in Italy being parts we shall have much occasion to speak of in this History It has been already said how they being a Northern People possess'd themselves of that part of France before called Neustria and from them Normandy This they did under Rollo their Chief and General The 7th Duke from him was William called the Conqueror for that having defeated and slain Harold he made himself King of England Another Army of Normans went thro' France into Italy which was then divided into several small Principalities and much wasted with intestine Wars Here they first served in the Wars of Lombardy and Tuscany then passing into the Kingdom of Naples where they received Pay of the Prince of Capua and soon after for better Pay went over to him of Salerno who with their assistance obtained the Victory over his Enemy This War being ended thro' the persuasions of Maniacus Governor of Apulia and Calabria for the Grecian Emperor they undertook the Conquests of Sicily then possess'd by the Moors Their success was such that in a short time they drove the Infidels out of the Island then falling at variance with the Greeks expelled them also Thus they laid the Foundations of a mighty Monarchy in Italy and Sicily for at the fame of their success many more resorted to them out of Normandy All that was taken was divided among the Conquerors but the others soon dying all was devolved upon Robert Guiscard and Roger. Robert called himself Duke of Apulia and Calabria Roger was Earl of Sicily Robert by two Wives had these Children Boamundus Roger and one Daughter who if what the Catalonians say be true was Married to D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona as has been above related Roger had a Son also called Roger whâ—â— hanged the Title of Earl for that of King and at last became sole Lord of all that the Normans held both in Italy and Sicily Besides Italy and Greece were Tributary to him This is taken out of Gaufridus the Monk who writ the Actions of the Normans in Italy at the request of the said Earl Roger. But let us leave Italy and return to Spain The Citizens of Toledo ceased not to Sollicite the Christians to undertake the Conquest of that City Exaggerating the Calamities they endured begging relief and protesting if they were not speedily delivered from the Tyranny of their King they must have recourse to other Moors for Assistance King Alonso was perplexed and knew not what to do fearing on the one hand what might be said of him and considering on the other the great advantage of gaining that City Therefore he resolved to put it to the Votes of the Chief Nobility and Persons of most Understanding Opinions as is usual in such cases were various The most bold and daring were for undertaking that War shewing the great advantage that would Accrew to the King and to Christianity in General Others more wary said there could be no reason to attempt such a Conquest it being contrary to Conscience and Honour to break the Peace Established with those Kings where the King had received such Obligations The King having heard all their Opinions at length yielded to the desire he had of Conquering that Noble City and having positively declared his intention to be such the whole Council easily agreed to it and it was unanimously decreed to make War upon the Moors This being resolved the King applyed himself to gather store of Arms Provisions Horses and all other Necessaries He made new Levies and offered rewards to such of the Old Soldiers who were dispersed about the Kingdom as would serve All things were furnished with the more speed because News was brought that the Moors having called the King of Badajoz to their Assistance he was preparing to relieve them Such was their expedition that both Armies arrived together in sight of Toledo but the Moors perceiving King Alonso had a Gallant Army returned without attempting any thing Yet the City could not be taken at that time for that the King of it was well provided against a Siege and the natural strength of the place deterred all Men. The Christians wasted the Country burnt the Corn drove the Cattle and many Prisoners and then returned home This destruction was began in the Year 1079. and continued the next and several Years afters Canales and Olmos two Towns near that City were taken well Garrisoned and thence all the Country continually infested Thus by degrees the City began to be straitned and suffered much want Toledo is for the most part furnished with Provisions brought from
all the Towns in Normandy he held for his King Charles the Heir of Navarre was confin'd to the Court and his Brethren Peter and Mary were imprison'd at Bretol All the Dominions of the Navarrois in France were taken from him except two Towns and Cherbourg which was pawn'd to the English Not content with this the French labour'd to induce the King of Castile to invade Navarre and he wanted not the Will only look'd for some specious pretence to declare War It happen'd opportunely that the King of Navarre complain'd that the Mony agreed to be paid him in Gold was paid partly in Silver Coin which had much Allay and was under Value To revenge this Wrong he dealt underhand with Peter Manrique Lieutenant of Castile and Governour of Logron̄o to deliver up that City to him The Governour gave his King an account of it who order'd him to carry on the Plot and secure the King of Navarre He did so and that King coming with 400 Horse sent part of them to the City suspecting some Treachery and therefore would not go himself Those sent being admitted into the Place were most of them taken and stript only a few escaping Among these Martin Enriquez the King's Standard-bearer defended himself with only his Sword against a great Number and at last sav'd himself and the Standard leaping off the Bridge into the River Ebro This was the beginning of the War King Henry gave the Command of his Army to his Son Prince John who enter'd Navarre plunder'd the Country took Guardia and Viana and burn't 〈◊〉 and Artaxond Thus Navarra was wasted by two powerful Kings neither of whome alone it was able to withstand This in the Year 1378. The King of Castile resided at Burgos where the marriage of his Bashard Son D. Alonso Earl of Gijon with Elizabeth the bastard-Bastard-Daughter to the King of Portugal was solemniz'd He also contracted two bastard-Bastard-Daughters to the two Sons of D. Alonso de Aragon Earl of Denis and Marquis of Villena Peter the younger Son presently marry'd Joanna the eldest and had by her Henry and Alonso Ellenor the youngest was contracted to D. Alonso who was then as a Hostage in the Hands of the English for his Father's Ransom yet afterwards the Match broke off Another Match was concluded betwixt Beatrix Legitimate Daughter to the King of Portugal and Frederick Bastard to King Henry Pope Gregory the XIth dy'd at Rome on the 27th of March. The conclave Meeting to elect a new Pope after many intreaties and Threats of the People and Senators of Rome chose Bartholomew-Butillius a Neapolitan Arch-bishop of Bari who took the Name of Vrban the VIth This done some of the Cardinals withdrew to the Castle of ◠Angelo others fled yet they all assisted at the Coronation Nevertheless they met afterwards at Fundi and elected another Pope who was Robert Cardinal of Geneva and took the Name of Clement the VIIth This was the beginning of the Schism that follow'd Pope Vrban in one day created 29 Cardinals all Men of Note Clement went away to Avignon and all Christendom was divided not knowing the true Pope The English Italians and Germans follow'd Vrban the French and Scotch supported Clement The Spaniards at first stood Neuters tho courted by both Whilst the Church was thus divided Portugal enjoy'd perfect Peace yet as it is usual the People was discontented for that the Queen manag'd all things and bestow'd all Honours upon her own Friends and Relations besides she was suspected of entertaining a scandalous Familiarity with D. John Fernandez de Andeyro Earl of Dren Denis and John the King's Brothers being disgussed fled to Castile John their Bastard-Brother and Master of Avis was cast into Prison but submitted to the Queen and appeas'd her The lower part of the City Lisbon towards the Sea was wall'd in because that side had receiv'd most Harm in the last Siege Both the Popes sent their Legates to court the Kings of Spain to declare for them The Aragonians resolv'd to stand Neuter tho offended at Vrban who went about to take Sicily and Sardinia from him yet he would not suffer the Edicts of Clement to be read in his Kingdom but order'd all the Ecclessastical Revenues appertaining to the Pope to be deposited in a third Hand Pope Vrban's Legates found King Henry at Cordova and press'd him to declare against Clement but he would not give any Answer till the Case was debated by learned Men at Toledo Prince John being return'd from the War in Navarre was in that City as also the French Embassadors who came to sollicit for Clement An Assembly of Bishops and Learned Men was held who declar'd it was not their Part to judge of that Controversy but would stand by him that should be own'd Pope by the Church and that till it were decided the Ecclesiastical Revenues should be deposited for the true Pope This was the Answer given to the Embassadors in the Year 1379 Hence King Henry went away to Burgos to prepare for the War with Navarre and there met him Embassadors from that King to treat of Peace which was concluded upon these Conditions That the English Soldiers should depart Navarre That 20 strong places and among them Estela Tudela and Viana should admit Castilian Garrisons for 10 Years That the King of Castile should lend the Navarrois 20000 Ducats as soon as the Peace was ratify'd This done the two Kings met at Santo Domingo de la Calcada with great Retinues and strove to outdo one another in Grandeur and Courtesy The King of Granada having always favour'd King Peter fear'd King Henry now at leisure would take Revenge Not finding himself able to withstand his Power he employ'd a Moor to Murder him This Moor endeavour'd to gain King Henry's Favour by continual Attendance and many Presents Among other Things he gave him a pair of Moorish Buskins as Grave Authors affirm they were poison'd but this is a fabulous Conceit taken up because he fell Sick the Day he put them on and dy'd ten Days after in the City of Santo Domingo His death happen'd on the 29th of May. Good Writers affirm he dy'd of the Gout He liv'd 46 Years and 5 Months and Reign'd after he was call'd King at Calahorra 13 Years and 2 Months His Body was carry'd to Burgos his Son John now King accompanying it and was deposited in the Cathedral Thence he was translated to Valladolid and lastly to Toledo He order'd himself to be buried in the Habit of S. Dominick for the particular Devotion he had to that Saint of whose Order the Kings us'd to choose their Confessor About the same time dy'd the King of Granada Mahomet call'd of Gaudix for his Curiosity in beautifying that City He may be esteem'd more fortunate than all his Predicessors having had no civil Broils during his whole Reign The King of Aragon tho very antient took to Wife Sybila Fortia a Widow Lady
was done tho with some Difficulty and thus at length after so many Revolutions that Island was pacify'd Sardinia was also brought under by an Agreement made with William Vincent Narbonne in Virtue of which he was to deliver up to the King the City Sacer which he was then possess'd of and all his other Lands and Possessions in that Island and in lien thereof to have certain Towns and a Sum of Mony in Spain This was the Posture of Affairs in Aragon In France about this time dy'd Archimbaud Earl of Faux He left 5 Sons John who succeeded him in the Earldom Gaston the IId Archimbaud the IIId Peter the IVth who became a Priest and was Cardinal of Faux and the youngest Matthew Earl of Cominges John the eldest marry'd the Princess Joanna Daughter to the King of Navarre and she dying without Issue he took to Wife Mary Daughter to Charles d' Albret by whom he had two Sons Gaston the eldest and the youngest Peter Viscount Lautrec the Founder of the Family of that Name in France which has produc'd many famous Men and continu'd very renown'd till near our Days The Peace the Kingdom of Aragron enjoy'd abroad could not influence the Earl of Vrgel to desist from his wicked Machinations In Castile the Truce concluded with the Moors at their Instance the foregoing April was prolong'd for 17 Months more For this reason the Mony that the Country had rais'd to carry on the War against the Moors and amounted to the Sum of 100000 Ducats was by the general Consent and Approbation of the whole Kingdom given to the new King Ferdinand for his present Expence besides a good Body of Horse and Foot that attended him A very opportune Supply to settle him in his new acquir'd Kingdom and curb the wicked Designs of ill-meaning Men. His greatest Recommendation was his courteous and loving Disposition which gain'd him the good Will of all Men and yet the Aragonians were dissatisfy'd that he kept about him a Guard of Strangers and pretended by that Method to secure to himself the Crown they had of their own accord given him They complain'd it was a Reflection upon the Loyalty of the Natives and the Fidelity they had inviolably observed towards their Kings since that Kingdom was first 〈…〉 King with 〈…〉 what he could gather in Aragon march'd after 〈…〉 punish him The Earl had but a small Power to 〈…〉 thought to make use of Policy Therefore he sent Embassadors to 〈…〉 to do Homage to him which accordingly they 〈…〉 October All this was only to amuse the new King to the 〈…〉 his Army and send back the Troops of 〈…〉 greatest part of them The King and Pope Benedict 〈…〉 upon there the Pope gave the King the Investiture 〈…〉 and Corsica as was of Custom they being Feoâ—es of 〈…〉 the Kings of Aragon After this Interview at the end of 〈…〉 the next which was 1413 the Cortes of Catalonia met at 〈…〉 to pacify the Earl of Vrgel that he might not disturb the Peace 〈…〉 to which purpose they granted all he sent to demand and particularly that Prince 〈◊〉 should marry his Daughter and Heiress All these Condescentions did not satisfy him but 〈…〉 Correspondence with England and France to procure Assistance 〈…〉 The King having notice of it to â—â—â—sh him in time rais'd all the Forces he 〈…〉 sent him 400 Horse out of Castile but they 〈…〉 joyning him The King of Navarre offer'd his 〈…〉 Subjects should take it ill if he made use of many 〈…〉 of â—ortes Bastard Son to that King came with a good 〈…〉 With this Force he broke into the Country of the Earl of Vrgel 〈…〉 till he sâ—t down before â—alaguer the chief Town of that Dominion in which 〈…〉 confiding in the Strenâ—â—â— of the Place was The Siege was tedious and difficult but whilst it lasted all the rest of the Earldom submitted to the King At this time came 〈…〉 Embassadors from the Kings of France and Naples He of France advertiz'd him 〈…〉 the Insolency of the â—â—â—ke of Burgundy and the rebellious Practices of the 〈…〉 as in great Danger being in a manner a Prisoner with his Son and 〈…〉 and therefore earnestly intreated he would assist him King Ladislaus 〈…〉 their Forces against the Duke of Anjoâ— his Competitor in the Kingdom 〈…〉 might prove a dangerous Enemy to Aragon having also 〈◊〉 to that Kingdom To the King of France he answer'd he was much conceâ—â—◠〈…〉 Misfortunes and would as soon as his Affairs did permit assist him with his utmost â—ower The answer to Ladislaus was That he thank'd him for his offer of Friendship but that there had been an uninterrupted Friendship betwixt him and the Duke of Anjon which he could not violate and therefore would rather chuse to be a Mediator betwixt them 〈…〉 part with either against the other The Embassadors being dismiss'd the Siege was 〈…〉 observ'd 〈…〉 began to want Provisions and desir'd to Article Elizabeth thâ— Countesâ— to prevent further 〈◊〉 with her Husband's leave and the King's Permission 〈◊〉 out to endeavour to appâ—â—â— him All she could obtain of the King was the Earls 〈…〉 he would surrender himself The Case was desperate and there was no way 〈◊〉 â—o submit to Necessity On the last day of October the Earl came to the Camp and â—â—lling at the King's Feet begg'd Pardon promising to behave himself better for the future All the King answer'd was That tho he had deserv'd Death he gave him his Life yâ—â— made â—o 〈…〉 his Liberty or Estate but order'd him to be secur'd at Lerida After the 〈…〉 and that Earldom pacify'd the Earl was convicted of high Treason and 〈…〉 was confiscated and he condemned to perpetual Imprisonment 〈…〉 many Friends in that Kingdom and therefore was sent to Castile where 〈…〉 Castle of VrenÌ„a next in that of Mora and lastly dy'd a Prisoner at 〈…〉 of Valencia Antony de Luna who held the Castle of Lohorri for the Earl seeing that had befallen him left that Castle and his own Estate and fled Thus those Troubles concluded with more ease than had been expected CHAP. III. The Christian Princes all combine with the Emperor to put an end to the Schism in the Church In order to it King Ferdinand of Aragon has a Conference with Pope Benedict The Council of Constance The two Popes John and Gregory abdicate WHilst what has been related happen'd in Aragon all the Princes of Christendom sent their Embassadors to Sigismund the Emperor desiring him to find out some means to restore the Unity of the Church by putting an end to the Schism which had lasted so many Years He having consulted with the Embassadors about that Affair sent to require those who call'd themselves Popes to consent to the calling of a General Council where they should all freely renounce the Papacy and stand to the Determination of the Fathers Hitherto their Condescention was fegn'd and they had
Italy It was reported he sent him to Vallona to obtain Succours of the Turk He gathered all the Forces he could which amounted to 800 Men at Arms and 4000 Foot fortified Capua where he left Fabricius Colona and Hugh de Cardona with 200 Men at Arms and 1600 Foot The Great Captain being a Man of a vast Reach easily perceived that Agreement betwixt the Two Kings could not be lasting as well for the natural Haughtiness of the French as by reason of the Difficulties that must of necessity arise in dividing of the Country besides that Sovereignty admits of no Rival Therefore he thought it requisite to anticipate the French that they might not obstruct his Conquest He sent the greatest part of the Fleet under the Command of James de Mendoça to the Coast of Apulia to hinder the Turks from coming over thither The Fleet of Portugal came not in time He sent Inigo Lopez d' Ayala with the rest of the Fleet to Naples with Orders to transport Joanna the Queen Dowager of Naples into Sicily King Frederick suffered her to depart tho' he had before detained her in hopes through her means to move King Ferdinand her Unkle to assist him The Great Captain passed the Streight of Meçina with his Forces which consisted of 300 Men at Arms the same Number of Light-Horse and 3000 Foot The Spanish Ambassador at Rome sent him 600 Spaniards who had served under Duke Valentine Orders were left in Sicily for sending after him 400 chosen Horsemen With this Force in a few days he subdued all Calabria except the strong Towns of Girachi and S. Agatha all other Places declaring for Spain The Spaniards passed over to Calabria on the 5th of July and on the 8th the French entred the Kingdom of Naples by the way of Rome All Places submitted to them without resistance till they came to Capua to which they laid siege All Abruzzo submitted to the French in like manner Capua could have held out long but that the Earl of Palena betrayed it to them They plundered the City and took Fabricius Colona Hugh de Cordona and all the other Commanders that were in it This News brought to the Great Captain at Nicastro on the 29th of July made him hasten to take the Castle of Cosenza He appointed Luis Mudarra Governor of that Town and the Earl of Ayelo of all Calabria marching himself speedily to Apulia that he might have done with that Province before the French at Naples All Places yielded to him at last he sate down before Taranto where the Duke of Calabria was at such time as the French were possessed of Naples Duke Valentine having taken Faença and Poimbin came now to serve the French King Frederick and the French General agreed in Italy That he should deliver up Naples and Gaeta with the Castles and pay 60000 Ducats for their Expence and they were to suffer him to depart with his Treasure and Servants to Ischia where he had 6 Months allowed him to consider whither he would remove The King with his Wife and Children the Queen of Hungary and Dutchess of Milan went over to that Island Thither repaired to them Prosper and Fabricius Colona being Ransomed So that the French were now possessed of all their Dividend of that Kingdom but soon they began to cast their eye upon the rest In Castile at this time there arose a great Controversie betwixt the Lady Mary Pacheco Countess of Benevento and her Son D. Alonso Pimentel about the Guardianship and Marrying of the Marchioness of Villafranca the Countess's Grandchild The Dukes del Infantado and Alva asked her for their Sons and the Earl of Benevento her Unkle for himself At length it was agreed That the Lady Beatrix Daughter to the Countess should be married to D. Garcia de Toledo Eldest Son to the Duke of Alva and the Marchioness to D. Peter Brother to Garcia CHAP. V. The French and Spaniards fall at Variancc about dividing their Conquest The Description of the Kingdom of Naples Frederick King of Naples puts himself into the French King's hands French perish by Pestilence and Stress of Weather The coming of the Archduke into Spain NO sooner were the French possessed of Naples but there arose Debates betwixt them and the Spaniards about some Parts of that Kingdom which were not mentioned in the Division agreed upon by them These were Capitanata Basilicata and the Hither and Farther Principality The French were so forward that they sent a Son of the Earl of Capacho to cause that part of Basilicata to declare for France They also agreed with the Prince of Melfi about that Principality which is in the same Province and the King of France had already given it to John James Trivulcio Some Noblemen were released who had been imprisoned by the King of Naples and among them John Baptista Morçano after he had been almost 40 Years in custody He boldly attempted to possess himself of the Principality of Rosano which had been his Father's and is in Calabria Also Luis d' Arsi being empowered by the Lord of Ligni raised the Principality of Altamura in Apulia for the French These were Heart-burnings at present and seemed to tend to a Breach Methods of reconciling these Differences were first proposed to the Lord of Aubeni and then to the Duke of Nemours who came after the Surrender of Naples It was agreed that neither Party should intrude into those Provinces which were out of Dispute and that those that stood dubious which side they belonged to should remain in common to both till such time as the Controversie was decided Matters of the Government and Revenue were also adjusted but nothing observed For the better understanding this Dispute and the clearing which side had the most Right it will be convenient to give a short Description of the Kingdom of Naples and of all its Parts The Kingdom of Naples contains all that Country which extends from Taracina or Fundi on the Mediterranean and the River Truento that falls into the Gulp of Venice to the utmost Point of Italy Mount Apenine which joins with the Alpes cuts this Kingdom and all the rest of Italy into two Parts At the first entrance into the Kingdom on the Right-hand of that Mountain upon the Mediterranean lies the Principal-part of it called Campania or Terra de Labor of the ancient Liborii who dwelt there In this Province are Gaeta Nola Capua and Naples the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom Formerly all the Country from the River Tiber to Naples was called Campania now that which lies betwixt Rome and the Borders of that Kingdom goes by the Name of Campagna di Roma On the Left-hand lies Abrazzo containing many of the ancient Provinces namely the Sabines where is Ascoli the Marrucini where is Theate the Peligni and Vestini in which are the Cities of Aquila and Sulmona the Marsi where is the Lake Ficinus and the Dutchy of Tagliacoço and part of the Samnites famous
he should have taken it and so the Breach had been the greater His chief care was to reestablish the Administration of Justice much depraved by the late Confusions He endeavoured to raise some Supplies of Money to help defray the past Expences and pay the Forces he was to keep on Foot which he Quartered about as might be least offensive to the People Some Companies of Spaniards whom he knew to be Insolent and Injurious he sent away to Spain in Two Ships He forgot not to repair the harms done during the War and particularly the Walls of Naples and Gasto Capua he secured with such Works as made it stronger than if it had been Walled These things he did to be in a readiness in case the Enemy should attempt any thing again and all was easie to him by reason of the great reputation he had gained not only in that Kingdom but throughout all Italy so that many Cities offered to side with Spain Genoa both the Factions of the Adornos and Fregosos consenting offered to revolt from the French so they were supplied with 2000 Spaniards Julian de Medicis Brother to Peter that was drowned in the River Garellano promised 100000 Ducats a Year from himself and his Party if he were restored to Florence whence at present he was Banished The Council of Pisa to avoid falling again into the Hands of the Florentines proposed either to submit themselves wholly to the Catholick King or to put themselves under his Protection The City Areço rather than continue subject to the Florentines made the same offers The Lord of Plombin a City tho' small yet of great importance for the defence of the Kingdom put himself under the Protection of Spain To be short Pandolfo Petrucci and Paul Ballon made the same Overtures for themselves and their Cities of Siena and Perusa Even in the City of Milan 600 of the Citizens offered their Service if he would attempt to Conquer that Dukedom All these practices were at an end by the Truce concluded in France by the Ambassadors Gralla and Antony Augustin for Three Years the Kingdom of Naples included The Catholick King Swore to observe it at Mejorada about the end of January One of the Articles was that the said Truce should be Proclaimed at Naples on the 25th of February which was not performed because the Great Captain would first have it made known to such as were still in Rebellion The Prince of Rosano would not admit of it but because the Commendary Solis on that score did not press Rosano he with his Forces sate down before Cherinthia where he did much harm Luis de Arsi tho' he admitted the Truce drove the Cattle of Andria and Barletta and took what Prisoners he could Our Commanders said that notwithstanding the Truce they might punish such of the Barons as committed any Insult after it and therefore pressed both them we have spoken of Venosa with its Castle was easily taken because Luis de Arsi left it unprovided when he retired thence to Trana and thence to France which in a Bravado he did with Colours flying and Beat of Drum Thus only Six Towns in that Kingdom and those remote from the Sea were left to the French The King of France pretended that all that was taken after the day appointed for proclaiming the Truce ought to be restored as unlawfully gained and suspected the Delay of proclaiming had been advisedly contrived to that purpose On the other side it was guessed he never intended to observe the Truce and had only contrived it to have the better Opportunity of taking the Spaniards at an Advantage which might well be believed because at the same time he had appointed John James Trivulcio his General in Italy besides 5000 Swissers and 500 Horse were daily expected out of France under the Command of the Lords of Aubigni and Alegre and the Marquess of Mantua and Duke of Ferrara raised all the Forces they could in Italy At the same time the Great Captain was dangerously sick which with the Report spread abroad of Re-establishing king Frederick and the Pope's soliciting to have him General of the French Forces gave occasion to People to discourse variously of matters of State and particularly the Coloneses took the Liberty to utter some bold Speeches All was again appeased by the Recovery of the Great Captain who pesently appyled himself to make all the necessary Prepations for a mighty War which was expected would break out again in that Kingdom All Italy and Spain suffered very much this Year by Famine and on the 5th of April being Good Friday there were great Earth-quakes in Castile and Andaluzia which overthrew many Buildings The greatest harm was done in some Towns on the Banks of the River Guadalquivir Lope Soarez de Albergaria Sailed from Lisbon with a good Fleet for India This same Year the Catholick King gave the Office of Lord High Steward to D. Bernard de Sandoval y Rojas Marquess of Denia of whose Family because often mention is made it will not be from the purpose to set down the latter part of their Genealogy Ferdinand Gutierrez de Sandoval who is said to have been chief Commendary of Castile was Father to D. James Gomez de Sandoval first Earl of Castro and Lord Lieutenant of Castile his Eldest Son was Ferdinand the Father of D. James Gomez de Sandoval whom King Ferdinand Created Marquess of Denia His Son was D. Bernard who we said was made Lord High Steward to the same King Ferdinand in which place he continued even after the King's death to Queen Joanna D. Bernard had by his Wife the Lady Frances Enriquez Four Sons and Six Daughters He had also a Bastard Son who for his good Parts came to be Archbishop of Sevil. Luis Eldest Son to D. Bernard was Father to Francis Earl of Lerma who died before him but left a Son called D. Francis Gomez de Sandoval who came to be Duke of Lerma and a Cardinal of whom we shall speak in another Place D. Ferdinand Youngest Son to the said Marquess had many Children and among them D. Bernard de Rojas y Sandoval Cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo to whom that Church is obliged for restoring to it the Lieutenancy of CaÄ™orla after it had been many Years Alienated CHAP. IV. Perfidiousness of Duke Valentin who is as perfidiously sent into Spain by the Great Captain contrary to his promise and he ill represented to the King Projects of Peace betwixt France and Spain come to nothing THE Vâ—netians after the death of Pope Alexander had possessed themselves of several Cities in Romania and aimed at the rest Duke Valentin being no way able to oppose them agreed to deliver such Forts as remained in his power to Pope Julius who sent one Peter de Oviedo to take possession but the Duke changing his Mind gave private Orders to his Lieutenant at Cesana to Hang the said Peter He did so whereupon the Pope Arrested
He of Burgos delayed whereupon the King sent Peter Navarro with Forces to besiege it and then the Lieutenant submitted as did all the others D. John Manuel by the way of Navarre went into France designing for Germany There only remained the Duke of Najara who fortified that Town and levied Forces hoping the Emperour would soon come and therefore acted in the Name of Prince Charles as his Viceroy To put a stop to these troubles the King set out towards Burgos and from Arcos sent Ferdinand Duke of Strada to require that Duke to deliver up his Forts The Duke excused himself The King leaving the Queen at Arcos because she would not go to Burgos where she lost her Husband went on himself in order to force the Duke Count Peter Navarro was sent with his Forces the Guards and Artillery to seize all the Duke's Estate and his Person Several of the Nobility interposed and the Duke submitted to deliver up many Places of Strength Hereupon the King pardoned the Duke and not long after by degrees restored all those Forts to Duke Antony Manrique Earl of Triveno Son to the Duke To oblige the Duke of Albuquerque the King proposed to marry the Lady Joanna de Aragon Daughter to the Archbishop of Zoragoça to the Dukes eldest Son but this Match did not succeed and she was afterwards married to D. John de Borgia Duke of Gandia The Emperor was much offended at the Kings of France and Spain He complained of the Catholick King for that he had seized upon the Government of Castile without agreeing with him It was reported he would send 3000 Germans to Naples to favour the Pretensions of the Duke of Calabria and it was also suspected that the Great Captain forwarded this Design in hopes to marry his eldest Daughter to the Duke and would accept of the Command of General of the Forces of the Church with a Pension of 6000 Ducats But those were mere Jealousies and soon after the Emperor declared he would break through the Dutchy of Milan and with all his Forces invade the State of Venice The Catholick King took care to secure the Duke of Calabria who was at his Court The Emperor was offended at the King of France for that he supported the Duke of Guelders and had made War in Burgundy at the time that King Ferdinand went into Italy He did not approve of the Conference betwixt the two Kings and took it ill that the Match betwixt Prince Charles and the Princess Claudia was broke off At this time that Lady was contracted to the Duke of Angoulesme Heir to the Crown of France and therefore the Emperor pleaded the Investiture of the Dutchy of Milan according to the Agreement made with King Philip was void The Catholick King valued not the Match thinking by this means to secure Prince Charles the Inheritance of the Kingdom of Naples The King of France not regarding the Emperor's Complaints he thought of marrying Prince Charles to Mary Daughter to the King of England This Match was so far advanced that the Princess's Portion was assigned to be 250000 Crowns and the Time and Place of Marriage appointed It was concluded the Consent of King Ferdinand and Queen Joanna should be asked but the Marriage to be consummated tho they opposed it This Match pleased the King of England yet he was willing to oblige King Ferdinand in hopes himself to marry Queen Joanna The Catholick King gave him good words to secure the Marriage of his Daughter the Princess Catherine with the Prince of Wales But the King of England at the same time delayed in hopes to promote the Match for himself which was a strange Complication of Politicks Death broke off all the King of England's designs Many said King Ferdinand intended to marry Queen Joanna to his Brother-in-law Gaston de Foix to put him in possession of the Kingdom of Navarre to which he pretended a Right and by that means take revenge of the King and Queen of Navarre who had often offended him and lastly in siezing the Estate of of the Earl of Lerin who was married to his Sister and refusing to restore and stand Tryal with him D. John Manuel was come to the Emperor's Court but not so well looked upon as before which he perceiving thought of returning to Spain In order to it he proposed to King Ferdinand either to restore him to his Estate and treat him according to his quality or else to give him leave with his Wife and Children to go to Portugal otherwise he must like a desperate Man do all that he could against him Nothing was granted him and he tho out of favour by his sharp Wit sowed Discord betwixt those two Princes It was also believed Cardinal Bernardin de Carvajal the Pope's Legate at the Emperor's Court did King Ferdinand no good Offices there wherefore the King requested of the Pope that he might be removed and called back to Rome which at last he obtained CHAP. V. The Designs of bringing Prince Charles into Spain King Ferdinand in Andaluzia to settle that Country Penon in Africk taken by the Spaniards the Portugueses loosers at Azamor in that part of the World yet relieve Arzila THe Emperor now declared his warlike Preparations were not designed against Naples but against the French in Milan and tho the Pope and King Ferdinand interposed for a Peace or Truce he would not give ear to it unless upon very advantageous Conditions He left the Princess Margaret his Daughter to Govern Flanders in Jan. 1508 marched towards Italy and in February came to Trent There he took the Name of Emperor Elect being till then called King of the Romans His General was the Marquess of Brandenburgh his Forces so small that no great matter could be expected of them The first Hostilities were committed in the Valley of Cadoro subject to the Venetians and the Emperor understanding that 5000 Swiss were going into the French Service returned into Switzerland to prevent it and thence to Luxemburgh because French Forces marched that way Upon his departure most of the Germans at Cadora disbanded and 2000 that remained were defeated by the Venetians The Catholick King tho setled in the Government of Castile thought himself not secure knowing there were many that persisted in their aversness to him Among the rest the Bioshps of Badajoz and Catania signalized themselves having no hopes of Preferment unless the Government were changed The Pope at the King's Suits commissioned the Archbishop of Toledo and Bishop of Burgos to prosecute them He of Badajoz endeavouring to make his escape into Flanders was apprehended near Santander and after being Prisoner some time at Atiença was remitted to the Archbishop of Toledo according to the Pope's Order D. Jayme de Conchillos Bishop of Girachi the King's Ambassador at the Emperor's Court pressed to have Prince Charles sent to Spain to have him bred after the manner of the Country and to secure his Succession but the Emperor
ordered them to obey the Legate and Viceroy to whom he sent a Sword and Cap as also the Standards he blessed on Christmas Day The Venetians neither sent the Supplies of Mony they had promised nor of Men but under the shelter of the League endeavoured to recover what the Emperor and King of France had taken from them The Viceroy encamped four miles from Bologna and the next day being the 16th of January within Cannon shot of the Town at Belpogio a Country House of the Bentivoglios Within the City were 500 Horse and 2000 Foot under the Command of Monsieur de Alegre The same Day the Viceroy marched towards Bologna the Duke of Ferrara took Bastida and rased it to the Ground The Viceroy took up his Quarters at Belpoggio the Marquess of Padula and Count de Populo advanced with the Foot and possessed themselves of a Monastery called S. Michael de Rosque quenching the Fire set to it by those within There they planted some Pieces of Cannon and the rest on a Hill hard by Before this Advice was brought that Gaston de Foix Duke of Nemours was at Parma gathering his Forces which were 800 Lances 1000 light Horse and 3000 Foot and was to joyn at Final 20 miles from Bologna the Troops of the Duke of Ferrara being 2000 Gascons and some Horse all this in Order to raise the Siege Fabricius Colona lay about Cento and Pieve with part of the Army to observe the passage of the French the Viceroy ordered him to come to the other side of the City towards the Mountain It was resolved to move the Batteries to that side the Wall being there weakest but soon after it was agreed the Army should lie all together to secure the Cannon and repulse the Relief The Artillery was planted betwixt S. Michael and the Florence Gate On the 28th of January they began to play Part of the Wall was beaten down and some Soldiers got into a Tower where they displayed the Colours but were soon drove out by the besieged Count Peter Navarro finished a Mine and having set Fire to it the Wall was lifted up so that they without saw those in the Town and the Townsmen those in the Field under the Wall yet it sell again in the same place and setled as fast as at first This was looked upon as a Miracle because within adjoyning to the Wall was a Chappel held in great veneration called of Baracan which like the rest was blown up and settled again Nevertheless the City was in great danger when there fell a Snow for 3 Days together This gave the French General an opportunity of throwing himself into the City with a good Body of Men without being discovered by the Centinels For this reason and because the Weather continued very severe the Army of the Consederates raised the Siege and drew back to S. Lazaro 2 miles from Bologna The Forces of the Pope retired as far as Imola the Viceroy to the Castle of S. Peter and the Forces were dispersed in the neighbouring places This was the event ofthat so much talked of Siege Many as is usual in the like Cases blamed the General for that as they said without regarding the unseasonableness of the weather he had let slip 8 Days in which he might have made a considerable Advance That the Army encamped far from the place where it ought to have been That the Trenches were not well carried on nor the Mines rightly placed In fine that the Guards were so ill kept they gave the Enemy an Opportunity of getting into the Town without being discovered The truth is the Weather was unseasonable and neither the Swiss came as was expected nor did the Venetians send any Supplies of Men. There were at this Siege among the rest Antony de Leyva Captain Alvarado and the Marquess of Pescara D. Ferdinand de Avalos who was afterwards a most renowned General The King of England prepared to be in a readiness as soon as the Season would permit to invade the Province of Guienne in France those Kings of old pretending a Title to that Country and Luiz Carroz the Ambassador pressing him to undertake that Expedition in the Name of the Catholick King Thomas Gray Marquess of Dorset the King's Cousin-german was appointed General of the English Army The Catholick King thought it convenient for that time to give over the Conquest of Africk and to draw out the Forces that were at Oran leaving only as many as was requisite for the Defence of the Place He ordered the Town should be divided 600 Houses were appointed 200 for Horse and the rest for Foot The Houses Orchards and Lands belonging to the City were distributed among the Inhabitants that the Place might be more easily maintained For the greater encouragement of People to come and inhabit there it was granted they should be free from all manner of Taxes and Impositions besides that they were to receive Pay On the last of Janaary Queen Mary of Portugal was delivered at Lisbon of a Son called Prince Henry who was afterwards a Cardinal and lastly upon the Death of his Nephew King Sebastian came to be King of Portugal The same Day this Prince was born it snowed very much at Lisbon a thing extraordinary in that City Curious Persons said that Snow denoted the Innocence of his Life which was very holy and the pureness of his Chastity which he preserved as long as he lived He was in his Countenance the likest to his Father of all the Brothers King Ferdinand was now at Burgos there on the 16th of February upon the Death of the Constable D. Bernardin de Velasco he contracted the Earl's Daughter Juliana Grandchild to the King himself being born of the Lady Joanna of Aragon to Ferdinand de Velasco eldest Son to D. Inigo who succeeded his Brother Bernardin in the Lordship of Haro and the Dignity of Constable The Absence of the Duke of Nemours gave an Opportunity and Courage to the People of Bressa and Bergamo to revolt from the French and submit themselves again to the Venetians excepting the Castles which the French still kept This was a Thing of dangerous Consequence being a Precedent for all the other Cities which had been newly conquer'd to do the like As soon as the Duke had relieved Bolonia he resolved to repair thither and carried along with him Monsieur d' Alegre A French Commander called Foullette was left at Bolonia with 300 Men at Arms and 3000 Foot to secure that City Andrew Gritti with the Army of the Republick and the Inhabitants of Bressa marched forward to oppose the Duke He retired to the Mountain and after Midnight entred the City by the way of the Castle Thence he marched out to fight the Venetians A bloody and obstinate Battel was fought and many killed on both sides but the French obtained the Victory Andrew Gritti Antony Justiniano Governour of the City and Paul Manfron were made Prisoners Count Luis Bogara
Alonso of Portugal takes the Title of King His Wars with the Moors War betwixt the Christian Princes and Peace concluded Baeça and Almeria taken by the King of Castile and Lisbon by him of Portugal p. 169 The Eleventh BOOK Chap. I. THE coming into Spain of the Moors call'd Almohades The Death of D. Garcia King of Navarre by a fall from his Horse his Son Sancho succeeds him King Alonso and his Daughter both Marry'd Many Places taken from the Moors p. 171 Chap. II. King Luis the Younger of France comes into Spain Alonso of Castile and Leon call'd the Emperor dies His Sons Sancho and Ferdinand inherit the Crowns of Castile and Leon. Original of the Knights of Calatrava p. 174 Chap. III. The Death of Sancho King of Castile The great Commotions that ensu'd The Death of Raymund Prince of Aragon his Issue Alonso his eldest Son succeeds in his Dominions p. 176 Chap. IV. Alonso the young King of Castile takes upon him the Government recovers most of his Dominions joyns in League with the Aragonian and Marries Ellenor the Daughter to Henry II. King of England Some Actions of Ferdinand King of Leon. p. 178 Chap. V. The League made against Peter Ruiz de Açagra The Original of the Knights of Santiago The taking of Cuenca by the Christians Increase of the Knights of Santiago or S. James the Apostle Several Places in Navarre taken by the Castilians p. 180 Chap. VI. Rebellion in the Kingdom of Leon suppress'd Alonso King of Portugal taken by Ferdinard of Leon and set at liberty Being Besieg'd in Santarem by the Moors is reliev'd by him He Vanquishes the Infidels Actions of his Son Sancho p. 182 Chap. VII The Death of the Kings of Leon and Portugal Alliances betwixt the Kings of Spain The Defeat of the Christians at Alarcos Sancho the Wise King of Navarre dies Sancho I. King of Portugal Alonso IX of Leon. p. 183 Chap. VIII King Alonso of Aragon dies and his Son Peter succeeds him The King of Leon Divorc'd Castilians and Aragonians over-run Navarre Alonso King of Castile 's two Daughters Marry'd to the Kings of England and Leon. Plague and Famine in Spain p. 186 Chap. IX The Marriage of the King of Aragon and Death of some Persons of Note Peace concluded and Alliance betwixt all the Christian Kings of Spain The beginning of the War with the Moors A vast Multitude of Foreigners comes to the Assistance of the Christian Kings of Spain p. 187 Chap. X. The further Progress of the Christian Army which obtains a most signal Victory over the Infidels of whom 200000 are slain and this call'd the Battle of Navas de Tolosa Many Towns taken after this Success p. 189 The Twelfth BOOK Chap. I. THE Original and Growth of the Heresie of the Albigenses which spread all over France and some part of Spain Preaching against them unsuccessful War is resolv'd upon p. 191 Chap. II. The Death of Peter King of Aragon and of Alonso King of Castile Simon Earl of Montfort General of the Catholicks Overthrows the Hereticks and takes the Towns they had possessed themselves of p. 193 Chap. III. Disorders in Castile and Aragon under the two Infant Kings Sancho King of Navarre altogether decripid The Lateran General Council Honours done there to the Archbishop of Toledo p. 195 Chap. IV. The Family of Lara take the Government of Castile into their Hands They commit many Insolencies and oppress the Nobility Young King Henry Marry'd and Divorc'd The King of Aragon escapes from his Keepers p. 197 Chap. V. Great Disorders in Castile rais'd by the Family of Lara Young King Henry kill'd by the fall of a Tile Ferdinand Prince of Leon succeeds his Mother Berengaria renouncing her Right Orders of S. Dominick S. Francis and La Merced Instituted p. 198 Chap. VI. The Marriages of two Kings Ferdinand of Castile and Jayme of Aragon King Ferdinand quells many Commotions Death of the Kings of France and Portugal p. 200 Chap. VII King Ferdinand of Castile 's great Success against the Moors King Jayme of Aragon seiz'd by some Rebellious Nobles makes his escapes and commences War against the Rebels p. 202 Chap. VIII The War with the Moors renew'd The Island of Majorca Conquer'd by the Aragonians The Popes Legate disanuls the Marriage of King Jayme on account of Consanguinity Raymund Earl of Toulouze a Heretick reduc'd p. 204 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 p. 205 Chap. X. The beginning progress and end of the War against Cordova with the Conquest of that Noble City p. 206 Chap. XI A Moorish King Baptiz'd 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 p. 207 The Thirteenth BOOK Chap. I. THE taking of many Towns by the Christians The Kingdom of Murcia surrendred to King Ferdinand His Marriage Salamanca made an Vniversity 20000 Moors defeated by the Christians p. 208 Chap. II. A defeat of the Christians who recover and are successful take Jaen and many other Places The King of Granada made Tributary King Sancho II. of Portugal expell'd by his Rebellious Subjects p. 209 Chap. III. The beginning of the War against Sevil. Aragon under a General Interdict The Siege and Surrender of Sevil. Carmona and several other Places p. 210 Chap. IV. S. Luis King of France sends Presents to the Church of Toledo and makes an unfortunate Expedition to the Holy-Land Aragon embroyl'd King Ferdinand of Castile after gaining much from the Moors dies p. 211 Chap. V. The beginning of the Reign of King Alonso he is chosen Emperor by part of the Electors and Richard Duke of Cornwal by the rest Theobald I. King of Navarre dies his Son Theobald II. succeeds him p. 212 Chap. VI. Aragon and Castile at variance and reconcil'd Sancho King of Portugal dies in Exile Death of the Queen and Prince of Aragon Portugal under an Interdict Marriages of the King of of Navarre and Prince of Aragon p. 213 Chap. VII The Family of the Merines obtains the Empire of Africk The War against the Moors renew'd in Spain Cuidad Rodrigo built Troubles in Aragon The City Murcia taken and the King of Granada made Tributary p. 214 Chap. VIII The Kingdom of the Normans in Sicily extinguish'd by the French The Empress of Constantinople comes into Spain and Jayme King of Aragon to Toledo p. 215 Chap. IX The King of Aragon 's Expedition for the Holy-Land The Kings of France and Navarre and the eldest Son of the King of England move upon the same Enterprize The Nobles of Castile revolt Troubles in Aragon p. 216 Chap. X. Rodulphus of Ausburg chosen Emperor Henry King of Navarre dies His Daughter Joanna Inherits Alonso King of Castile agrees with his Nobles then goes into France
that had at first been conceived of him were soon disappointed for he entirely gave himself up to Sensuality Many of his People were privately Murthered and others upon forged Crimes publickly Condemned and Executed only that he might take their Wives to satisfie his Lust Hereupon he grew so hateful to his People that they Conspired and killed him in his own Palace as he sate at Dinner when he had Reigned 18 Months and 13 Days The Nobility upon the Death of Theudiselus an chose Agila for their King At his first coming to the Crown he laid close Siege to Cordova which refused to acknowledge him The Besieged making a furious Sally put his Army to flight with much slaughter killed his Son and took the Baggage whereby he was oblig'd to quit the Siege and retire to Merida This was looked upon as a Judgment from Heaven for his Profaning the Church of the Martyr Asciselus into which he had put his Horses After this misfortune he began to be less looked upon by his People and at length grew so much into contempt that one Athanagildus openly Rebelled He the more to secure and strengthen himself sent Embassadors to the Emperor Justinian offering to restore a considerable part of Spain to the Empire if he would assist him In pursuance of this Embassy Liberius was sent out of France to his aid and their Forces being joyn'd the Battle was fought near Sevil where the Rebellion is supposed first to have broke out Athanagildus obtained the Victory and Agila was slain by his own Men in the Year 554. when he had Reign'd 5 Years and 3 Months They killed him to put an end to the Civil Wars fearing lest the Power and Riches of the Goths being weakned by their own Divisions the Romans might again recover all Spain as they had done Italy and Africk In the same Year 554. by order of the Emperor Justinian was held at Constantinople the 5th General Council in which were 165 Bishops who Condemned the Opinions of Origen Jornandes a Gothish Bishop continued the History of that Nation till the time that Athanagildus having killed his Enemy was without farther Opposition acknowledged King of the Goths This King had his hands full during his whole Life being always ingaged in Wars the Success whereof proved various The great cause of these Troubles was that forgetting his Promise he endeavoured to expell the Romans all Spain On the other side they as well by Contract as force of Arms had possess'd themselves of so much that their Dominions reached from Sea to Sea By his Wife Gosuinda he had two Daughters the eldest Galsuinda Marry'd to Chilperick King of Soissons in France and Brunechilda the youngest to Sigebert King of Metz in Lorrain the Brother of Chilperick These two Ladies were by the French Bishops converted from the Sect of Arius which they had been bred in and some will have it that Athanagildus was in private a Catholick but durst not openly profess it for fear of the People He Reign'd 15 Years and 6 Months and dy'd at Toledo in the Year 567. After his Death followed an Interregnum of five Months D. Lucas de Tuy says It lasted five Years and five Months The reason of it was that the Gothish Nobility could not agree or pitch upon any one Person capable of supporting the Kingdom of the Goths then in danger of sinking and none minded the publick Calamities studying to indulge their private Humours At this time John III. Governed the See of Rome It was now also that the Suevians who possess'd Galicia returned to the Catholick Church renouncing the Heresie of Arius which they had follow'd almost 100 Years and grievously Persecuted the Catholicks Martinus Dumiensis was a great Instrument of their Conversion He was an Hungarian had Travelled throughout the East and was a Person of singular Learning at last he was Archbishop of Braga and after his Death esteem'd as a Saint in Galicia and Portugal where they Celebrate his Feast on the 20th of March. When the Suevians embraced the Catholick Religion Theodemirus Reign'd over them What Kings Reign'd betwixt Remismundus of whom we spoke before and this Theodemirus is not known the Histories of those times being imperfect The cause of the Conversion of the Suevians was this Theodemirus's Son and Heir lay dangerously Sick and the fame of the Miracles wrought by St. Martin of Tours being spread throughout the World his Father sent Embassadors to the Saints Tomb with the Youths weight in Gold and Silver to be offered for his Health But the Success not answering the King believed it proceeded from the difference of Religion and his being an Arian He sent again and the Embassadors brought a piece of the Saints Cloak and in the mean while the Prince recovered Hereupon the King in pursuance of a Vow he had made erected a Church in Honour of St. Martin and caused the Suevians publickly to embrace the Catholick Religion For the better confirming them in the Faith and by the Advice of St. Martin Dumiensis he caused a Synod of the Bishops of Galicia to be held at Braga in the third Year of his Reign and of our Lord 563. This was the first Council of Braga and Lucretius Archbishop of that City Presided in it CHAP. VII Of the two Sisters Galsuinda and Brunechilda The Reigns of the Kings Liuva and Leuvigildus This last makes his two Sons his Companions in the Throne IT was said above that Galsuinda and Brunechilda the two Daughters of Athanagildus were Marry'd in France to two Kings both which Matches in the end proved unfortunate The one soon dy'd miserably the other lived long and always in trouble Galsuinda the eldest Wife to Chilperick after suffering much thro' the Insolence of Fredegunda his Mistriss was at last found dead in her Bed and left no Issue Sigebert the Husband of Brunechilda was murdered by two Ruffians employed by the same Fredegunda and she sent Prisoner to Roan where Meroveus the Son of Chilperick admiring her Beauty Marry'd her but she having been Wife to his Uncle the Marriage was void He might have hoped for Pardon from his Father in regard to his Youth but by the procurement of Fredegunda his Mother-in-law he was first forced into a Religious Order and then killed Brunechilda having the Tuition of her two Grandsons Theodebert King of Metz and Theodorick of Burgundy made War upon Clotarius as the French Historians have it only to prefer Protadius an Italian for whom she had a more than lawful Affection Besides they add that thro' her Instigation the Brothers made War upon one another that Theodebert was killed and his two Sons and Daughter being taken she murdered the Sons and because Theodorick designed to Marry the Daughter Poison'd him After all these Cruelties Brunechilda being taken by Clotarius was four times whipped and then dragged to Death by the hair of her
is certain that the Alliance with the Franks was setled in the latter days of Recaredus About the same time such of the Romans as had remain'd in Spain were defeated upon several occasions and brought under by the Coths The Vascones likewise that is Navarre being revolted were pacify'd and subdu'd For these and the other glorious Actions perform'd during his Reign the King gain'd Immortal Renown He was endu'd with a singular greatness of Mind much Wit Prudence and a pleasing Person and Nature but what most gloriously shin'd in him was his great Zeal for the Catholick Religion His Death was in the Year of Grace 610 having Reign'd 15 Years one Month and 10 Days St. Isidorus says that being near his Death at Toledo he did publick Pennance for his Sins as was us'd in those days He left three Sons the Eldest called Liuva the others Suinthila and Geila The first is suppos'd to be by his first Wife he being of Age to govern at his Fathers Decease on whom the other two were got is not known Certain it is the present Kings of Spain are lineally descended from these Princes and particularly from Recaredus their Father For the better understanding whereof it will not be amiss here to insert their Genealogy Gosuinda the Wife of Athanagildus had by him two Daughters Galsuinda and Brunechilda Also Clodoveus or Clovis King of the Franks had Three Grandsons which were Guntrandus Chilperick and Sigebert all Sons of Clotarius the Son of Clovis Gassuinda was Married to Chilperick who perish'd by the Fraud of Fredegunda as was hinted before Sigebert Married Brunechilda and by her had Childebert Ingundis and Clodosinda Leuvigildus Successor of Athanagildus by his first Wife Theodosia had Ermenegildus and Recaredus before he was King and being come to the Crown Marry'd Gosuinda the Queen Dowager Ermenegildus Married Ingundis and Recaredus Clodosinda It is to be observ'd in the History of Recaredus and the ensuing Kings that whereas mention is made of Dukes and Counts or Earls those Names signify Offices and dignity of Command and not bare Titles as at present for Counts or Earls were Governors of Provinces the Dukes were Generals and had the Power of Coining Money for Payment of their Souldiers and hence the Crown Piece in Spain came to be called Ducado or a Ducate Not only the Governours of Provinces were call'd Counts but such as had any remarkable Office at Court or Command in the Army so in Military imployments we find Comites Cataphractariorum Clibanariorum and Sagittariorum At Court there was Comes Stabuli now the Constable and so others in imitation of the Roman Emperors From them also it is supposed Recaredus first took the sirname of Flavius as did the ensuing Kings after him Besides Toledo was stil'd a Royal City which was the very Title the Greeks gave to Constantinople the Seat of the Empire Thus we see that in those days Dukes and Counts or Earls were Persons of Command and those Names were not barely Titular as at present Kings having of later Years made them Hereditary assigning them certain Revenues CHAP. II. The Reigns of the Kings Liuva Witericus Gundemarus Sisebutus and Recaredus the Second several Synods the Jews Banish'd Spain LIuva being scarce Twenty Years of Age when his Father dy'd was immediately Proclaim'd King but by reason of his Youth lay the more expos'd to the insolencies of rebellious Spirits Wherefore it followed that tho' he was a Prince of Excellent Qualities and like his Father he was treacherously Murdered by Witericus before spoken of when he had Reigned only two Years during which time he did nothing remarkable save that by the Beauty of his Person and gentle behaviour he had gained the affections of all Men and left his Subjects in extream grief for that he was cut off in the flower of his Years There are Pieces of Gold found in Spain with his name on the one side and on the reverse these words HISP ALI PIVS that is Pious at Sevil which is a token of his goodness These Medals cannot be Attributed to the other Liuva because there is a Crown on them which in the times of the former was not in use among the Goths By this means the Traytor possessed himself of the Kingdom of the Goths and held it six Years and ten Months He was Fortunate in War for tho' in some rencounters with the Romans still remaining in Spain he had the worst yet at last his forces gave them an entire overthrow in a pitched Battle fought near Siguença Childebert King of Lorrain dying his two Sons divided his Dominions Theodobert was King of Lorrain and Theodorick of Burgundy Theodorick marryed the Daughter of Witericus but she was sent back into Spain a Maid some said that Theodorick was bound with Spels and Witchcraft by the Concubins he kept so that he could not have carnal knowledge of her Others are of Opinion it was done by the procurement of her Mother-in-law Brunechilda However it was Witericus stirred up Theodobert of Lorrain King Clotarius and Agilulphus of the Longobards to join in a League against Theodorick He finding himself in no Condition to oppose such a Power bought his Peace with his Brother Theodobert whereupon the other two Princes desisted from attempting any thing against him This disgrace made Witericus grow contemptible to his Subjects and their hatred began to break out which had long lain hid But what incensed the People most was that it was rumoured he designed to restore the Arian Heresie The People were so moved at this report that taking up Arms they broke in the Palace and killed the Tyrant as he sate at Dinner Nor did this satisfy their Rage so they dragged his Body about the Streets and then buried it in an infamous place This divine Vengeance tho' late overtook him for the Murder of King Liuva Gundemarus was immediatly Proclaimed King either for that he had been head of that mutiny or by the choice of the Nobility in regard of his great Wisdom and Abilities both in civil and martial Affairs He began his Reign in the Year of our Lord 610. and if it be Lawful to conjecture at History I suppose the Franks assisted him in obtaining the Crown for as appears by the Letters of Count Bulgaranus Governour of Gallia Gothica which are still preserved among the Antiquities of the University of Alcala de Henares and the Church of Oviedo Gundemarus payed a certain yearly acknowledgment to the Franks Those Letters also give us to understand that Gundemarus his Embassadors sent into France were contrary to the Law of Nations affronted by those Kings and tho' he sent other Embassadors to complain of that wrong they could not be admitted to Audience For this cause Bulgaranus would not suffer Theodorick his Embassadors to pass into Spain and at length broke out into open War and took two Forts called Jubinianum and Corneliacum Count
In Spain in the Year 753. at Cordova three Suns were seen at once and People with the fright imagined they saw several Apparitions of Men going in Procession with lighted Torches The terror was the more encreased by a great Famine which ensued caused by the Drought Spain is subject to Mean while King Alonso laying hold of the opportunity that offered of enlarging the Bounds of his Kingdom now the Moors were at variance among themselves gathered the greatest Force he could and broke into the Enemies Country with mighty Success For in Galicia he took Lugo Tuy and Astorga in Lusitania the City Porto at the mouth of the River Duero Beja Braga Viseo Flavia Bletisa and Sentica Besides he recovered Simancas Duenas Miranda Segovia Avila and Sepulveda at the foot of the Mountain Orospeda on the banks of the River Duraton a place naturally Strong formerly called Segobriga and after Sepulveda Then he turned his Victorious Arms to the Country of Bribiesca and Rioja and possessed himself of those Territories Rioja lies on one side of the Mountain Idubeda about the River Ogia which falling from that Mount runs into the River Ebro The Country is pleasant and fruitful He also took Pamplona in Navarre and that part of Biscay now called Alava It is true many of these Places were afterwards lost the Power of the Moorish Kings of Cordova daily encreasing to the great Detriment of the Christians King Alonso placed Bishops in the Cities he gain'd to instruct the Christians and restore Religion he built Churches and caused those that were prophaned to be reconciled providing them with Vestments and other Necessaries the best the Poverty of that Age would permit After performing these great Actions he dy'd at Cangas in the 74th Year of his Age and of Grace 757. He was a Prince of great Renown Reign'd 19 Years some say but 18 and left 5 Sons 4 by his Wife Ormisinda which were Froyla Bimaranus Aurelius and Vsenda By a Slave he had Mauregatus His Funeral was not so remarkable for the greatness of the Expence as for the Tears and Grief of his Subjects and the Voices of Angels said to be then heard singing these words of the Scripture Ecce quomodo moritur justus nemo percipit corde à facie iniquitatis sublatus est justus erit in pace memoria ejus This King and his Queen were Buried at Cangas in St. Mary's Monastery D. Alonso had a Brother called Froyla more known by his two Sons Aurelius and Veremundus or Bermudus than for any action of his own Let us return to the affairs of the Moors which being so intermixt with our own ought not to be forgotten It will not therefore be amiss to say something of the great discord that about this time hapned among those People on which were laid the foundations of a mighty Kingdom of theirs in Spain Mahomet the Founder of the Sarraçen Empire at his Death left never a Son but three Daughters Fatima Zeinebis and Imicultis all Married to Principal Men. Upon the Death of Mahomet first Abubacar and after him Homar whose Daughters he had Married succeeded in the Empire After them Autuman Husband to Fatima the Eldest Daughter ascended the Throne and of them descended the mighty Family of the Alavecines Mohabia Husband to the other Sister Zeinebis succeeded Autuman and of him came another powerful Family called the Humeyas His Successors were Izit his Son and Maula his Grandson after whose Death the Moors were divided some following Maroan and others Abdalla who dying all was again reduc'd under Abdelmelich the Son of Maula then Vlit Son of Abdelmelich next Zuleyman Brother to Vlit and after him Homar and Izit the Sons of Vlit Their Successor was Iscam a third Brother and his was Alulit the Son of Izit then Ibrahim his Brother Maroan though of the same Family of the Humeyas slew Ibrahim and Usurp'd the Crown Abdalla a wise and resolute Man of the Family of the Alavecines descended from Fatima kill'd Maroan and step'd into the Throne the better to secure himself in which he indeavour'd to extirpate the whole Race of the Humeyas Abderbaman who was of that Family for his own Safety was forc'd to fly into Spain where the Moors being all well affected to the Benhumeyas with their assistance he erected a new Kingdom independent of the Miramamolins of Africk or Caliphs of Asia He chose the City Cordova for the Metropolis of his new acquir'd Dominion as will further appear hereafter CHAP. IV. The Reigns of the Kings Froyla Aurelius Silon Alonso Mauregatus and Veremundus or Bermudo Monarchy of the Moors erected in Spain by Abderrhaman his Death and Wars among his Sons UPon the Death of King Alonso his Eldest Son called Froyla or Fruela succeeded in the Throne of the Christians in Spain in the Year of Grace 757. He Reigned eleven Years and three Months his Government was a mixture of Good and Evil being of a harsh Temper rather inclined to Cruelty than Mercy Some Actions of a good Prince he did for he Built the City Oviedo in Asturias and made it a Bishoprick Besides he forbid Priests Marrying a Custom introduced by Witiza and confirmed by the Example of the Greeks which in the Opinion of the Wiser sort had provoked God's Wrath and brought so many misfortunes upon Spain This Action as it gained him the Esteem of the better sort so it drew on him the hatred of the Commonalty and Priests by which his Memory was stained more than he deserved Besides his other good qualities he follow'd the Example of his Father in making War upon the Moors and in the second Year of his Reign overthrew Juzeph who then governed Spain for the Infidels and had entred Galicia killing 54000 of his Men. This loss was the ruin of Juzeph who for the space of four Years had opposed Abderhaman and now being oppressed by the Humeyas he fled from Cordova but was taken by his Enemies at Granada and making his escape thence to Toledo was there killed by his own People From this time which was the Year of our Lord 759. and according to the account of the Arabs 142 all the Moors in Spain were again United under one Head Abderhaman Abenbumeya who after took the Sirname of Adahil founded a new Kingdom of his own Nation independent of the Moors in Africk or Asia as has been hinted before Only the City Valencia held out some time but after a long Siege was forced to submit and joyn with the rest Such was the hatred this Prince bore the Christian Religion that the Christians of that City were forced to depart thence and setled in the farthest part of Lusitania about Promontorium Sacrum carrying with them the Body of St. Vencent from which that Cape now takes its Name A Moor of Fez some time after Hunting about that place slaughtered these People and carryed over their Children into Africk from whom the
place was afterwards known where the Holy Body had been buryed Abderhaman proud with his great Success made War upon Galicia and at the same time besieged Beja in Portugal but was repulsed in both places by the Valour of King Fruela who with the same Felicity not only defended his Dominions against the Infidels but subdued his Rebellious Subjects of Galicia and Navarre in the Year of our Lord 761. In this expedition he Marryed Menina or Momerana Daughter of Eudo Duke of Aquitain according to F. Mariana but the Bishop Sebastian who lived 100 Years after and wrote the History of those times only says she was a Captive taken there the Archbishop D. Roderick and D. Lucas de Tuy say she was of the Blood Royal of Navarre By her the King had D. Alonso who was afterwards King and Sirnamed the Chast and Da. Ximena well known for her incontinency and for being Mother to Bernard del Carpio King Fruela might have been reckoned among the best Princes had he not Blemished his Reputation by killing with his own Hands his Brother Bimaranus doubtless upon suspition that he designed to Rebel yet the Act was no way justifiable However to allay the hatred he had incurred by this Action he adopted and named for his Successor Bermudo the Son of Bimaranus which availed him not for his Brother Aurelius and other Conspirators Murdered him at Cangas The King and his Queen Menina were buryed in the Cathedral of Oviedo The Murderer of Fruela and Revenger of Bimaranus Brother to both tho' some will have him to be their Cousin-German and Son to Fruela the Brother of King Alonso was inthroned in the Year 768. D. Alonso the Son of Fruela was not regarded as being a Child and by reason of the General hatred conceived against his Father Aurelius Reigned six Years and a half during which time he did not any thing worthy of Commendation unless it were the quelling a Rebellion raised by the Slaves in hopes of recovering their Liberty But the honour gained by this Action was quite blotted out by the dishonourable agreement he came to with the Moors obliging himself every Year to deliver to them a certain Number of Young Maids as an acknowledgment The Christians were jealous of the mighty Power of Abderhaman and feared he might oppress their new Kingdom Therefore Aurelius to provide against that storm Marryed his Sister Adosinda to Silon a Man in great esteem that he might be assisting to him while living and succeed in the Throne after his Death for that he had never a Son nor does it appear that he was Marryed King Alonso the Great his Chronicon says Aurelius was interred in the Church of St. Martin in the Valley of Jagueya D. Lucas de Tuy writes it was at Cangas It is hard to reconcile these differences some will have Jagueya and Cangas to be the same others that Jagueya is the Town now called Yanguas and that under the Church of St. Michael in it there is a Vault dedicated to St. Andrew where are two Tombs which those People affirm to be of the Kings Favila and Aurelius After the Death of Aurelius Silon and his Wife Adosinda were Proclaimed King and Queen at Paiva and Reigned nine Years one Month and one Day At the beginning of his Reign he subdued the People of Galicia that had revolted about the Mountain Ciperius now called Cebreros Silon being of a great Age and naturally given to his ease resolved to lay aside all care by parting with the Government and accordingly by the advice of his Queen named D. Alonso the Son of Fruela his Companion in the Throne and gave him the absolute Power of Peace and War It was the misfortune of those times that when there was most need of Active and Heroick Kings they proved Soft and Effeminate From this time D. Alonso had the Title of King as appears by a Grant of his the Antientest now extant in Spain of several Lands to the Church of St. Mary de Valpuesta then a Monastery of Nuns now Collegiate This Grant bears Date according to the Julian account the Year 812. which is of our Lord 774. Authors vary about the burying place of Silon some say it is at Oviedo where there is a long Inscription at the entrance of the Church of S. Saviour with his Name in the nature of a Cypher and it is repeated 270 times that he built the Church besides under that Inscription is another signifying Here lies Sylon may the Earth be easie to him Others say he lies at Paiva in the Church of St. John the Evangelist which he built from the Ground and where without doubt is the Body of his Wife Adosinda Silon's Funeral Rites being honourably performed D. Alonso who had been his Companion to the great satisfaction of the Nobles remained sole Monarch in the Year 783. The hatred conceived again his Father was forgot and the Virtues that shined in him reconciled the Subjects affection Only his Uncle Mauregatus tho' Illegitimate pretended a right to succeed his Brothers and was put upon it by some Turbulent Persons but finding little help in the Christians he begged the Assistance of the Moors and obtained it upon Condition he should every Year deliver them 50 Maids of the Nobility and 50 of the Commonalty an infamous Article yet nothing can Curb the inordinate Ambition of a Crown The Moors above all Men are given to Venery This allurement and the Commands of Abderhaman prevailed with many to follow Mauregatus King Alonso being unprovided to meet this storm retired into Biscay where he had many Powerful Allies He was only 25 Years of Age when he was deposed in the beginning of his Reign Mauregatus Reigned 5 Years and 6 Months and was remarkable for nothing but his Cowardise Baseness and Falshood to his Country He dyed in the Year 788 and was buryed in the Church of St. John at Pavia This same Year dyed Abderhaman the King of the Moors having Reigned 29 Years he deceased at Cordova where he had fixed his residence and adorned that City with many Royal Works as the Gardens then called Rizapha now Arriçafa and the now Cathedral one of the Sumptuousest Buildings in Spain He left 9 Daughters and 11 Son and appointed Zuleman the Eldest then Governour of Toledo his Successor Issem the second Son taking the advantage of his Brother's absence and being well beloved Usurped the Crown and coming to a Battle with Zuleman drove him to Murcia where upon payment of 60000 Crowns he renounced his right and went over into Africk Next Abdalla another Brother raised some Tumults but was forced to Compound and quit Spain Bermudo Sirnamed the Deacon as having received that Order succeeded Mauregatus Historians do not agree whose Son he was nor is it easie to reconcile them Some say he was Son to Bimaranus others to D. Fruela Brother
erected the Earldoms of Aragon and Barcelona That of Aragon thus Aznar Son of Eudo the Great coming to that part of the Country through which run the Rivers Aragon or Arga and Subordan and having gained some Towns from the Moors by consent of King Gracia called himself Earl of Aragon and was then Subject to the Kings of Navarre afterwards independent as shall appear in its Place This first Earls Son was also called Aznar his Grandson Galindo of whom there is nothing Memorable After Galindo succeeded Ximeno Aznar Ludovicus Pius during the Life of his Father Charlemaigne took Bercelond and left one Bernard a Frenchman to govern there in the Year 801. whence sprang the Earls of Barcelona In the following year dyed Garci Iniguez King of Navarre His Successor was his Son Fortun Garcia of whose exploits the Historians of Navarre relate things incredible It is not doubted he was in the Famous Battle of Roncesvalles before spoken of in which Ximeno Aznar Earl of Aragon was slain whose Sister Teuda was Married to King Fortun. Ximeno Aznar's Successor was his Unkle Ximeno Garcia or Garces King Fortun dyed in the Year 815. Sancho Garcia his Son succeeded him By this King the People of Valderroncal were exempted from all Taxes for their good Service against the Moors as appears by his Grant still extant Bernard Earl of Barcelona being accused of Treason for having to do with the Empress Wife to Ludovicus Pius for shame of this Slander returned to Spain where he had many Friends and dy'd in the Year 839. After his Death Ludovicus Pius bestowed that Earldom on Wifridus for it was not Hereditary but the free Gift of the Emperor during pleasure Garcia Aznar Son of Ximeno Aznar was now Earl of Arragon At the same time D. Sancho Garcia infested the People of Navarre beyond the Pyrenean Hills that were subject to the French and never desisted till they swore to maintain perpetual Amity with the Kings of Sobrarve This King is said to have been slain in the War against that Muza who as was said Rebelled against the King of Cordova that is about the Year 853. Next to this King a certain Author names Ximeno Garcia no other History makes mention of him but here the Royal Line expired whereupon there ensued an Interregnum for four Years During which time the Historians of Navarre say they Consulted the Pope the French and the Lombards by whose advice they took the best of the Laws of those Nations called The Charter of Sobrarve towards preserving their Liberty All their aim was to tye up the King's hands and to this effect they Instituted a Magistrate in the nature of the Roman Tribunes commonly called The Justice of Arragon Many of these Privileges and others granted by K. Alonso III. were Repealed by the States-General or Parliament in the Reign of D. Peter the last of Aragon All things being thus setled In̄igo Sanchez Earl of Bigorre in Aquitain for his swiftness Sirnamed Arista was chosen King by the Vote of 300 Nobles and having Sworn in the Church of S. Victorianus of Pamplona to maintain the Laws the Power of Government was put into his Hands All these and many other the like Relations are by many esteemed Fabulous and they believe that King Arista succeeded his Father in the Throne Certain it is that In̄igo Arista about this time Reign'd near the Pyrenean Mountains and was Married to D. In̄iga Daughter to the Earl Gonzalo of the Blood Royal of Oviedo He also Married Teuda the Daughter of Zenon Lord of Biscay and had only one Son not known by which of the two called Garci Iniguez who inherited the Kingdom The Monastery of S. Salvador de Leite seated among the Pyrenean Mountains and remarkable for the beauty of its Structure and greatness of Revenue is supposed to have been Founded by King Arista This Prince extended the Bounds of his Kingdom adding to what he had before the Plains of Navarre whereas the former Kings had contented themselves to live within the Mountains Pamplona and Alava fallen again into the hands of the Moors were by him recovered whereupon he stiled himself King of Pamplona as appears by Grants of those Kings At the same time Wifredus the Son of the other Wifredus obtained of the Emperor Charles the Gross the Earldom of Barcelona Hereditary only reserving the Right of Appeals to be made to the Emperor this was in the Year 884. Afterwards on account of Wifredus's tender Age by order of the Emperor Lewis II. Solomon Count of Cerdania Governed that Principality the space of 19 Years Wifredus among other Sons left Myrus Earl of Barcelona and Seniofredus Earl of Vrgel after their Father's decease Near the same time dy'd Garcia Aznar Earl of Aragon and his Son Ximeno Garcia succeeded him It is not to be found in what Year King Arista dy'd the most probable Opinion is it was about the Year 888. Garci Ximenes his Son succeeded him at the age of 17 but was not inferior either for warlike Exploits or civil Government to any of his Predecessors For being come to riper Years he gained much Reputation by many Victories he obtained too tedious to be here inserted His Wife's name was Da. Vrraça Sister to Fortun Ximenez Earl of Aragon or as some will have it his Kinswoman Grandchild of Galindo and Daughter of Endregotus from whom his Uncle Ximeno Garcia Usurped the Earldom of Aragon This King had two Sons Fortun and Sancho Abarca and a Daughter called Sanctiva Married to D. Ordon̄o King of Leon when he was Old and had had two Wives as has been said before He was killed by the Moors in a Battle he fought with them in the Valley of Ayuar the Archbishop D. Roderick calls it Larumbe for he often made Inroads into the Country of the Moors being desirous to enlarge his Kingdom and Extirpate all the Race of the Moors in Spain His Death was in the Year 905. as appears by the Chronicon Alveldense His two Sons succeeded him first Fortun and then Sancho in whose time as is before related the Christians lost the great Battle of Junquera The Monastery of S. Salvador de Leite pretends the Body of King Garci Iniguez lies there that of S. John de la Pen̄a contradicts it because there is to be seen there among the Tombs of the Kings one with the Name of King Garci Iniguez upon it These Disputes are not to be decided but I suppose the reason of them is that many Tombs were erected to the memory of Kings in several places by those that had received Favours from them tho' they had not their Bodies as is used even in our times Thus much at present of the Original of the Kingdom of Navarre and Earldoms of Arragon and Barcelona may suffice CHAP. II. Of the Earls of Castile The Reign of D. Fruela the Second King of Leon. Fictions concerning the Kings of Navarre The Reign of their King D. Sancho
come without an Army which he looking upon as an Insolence that they should prescribe Rules to their Sovereign entred with a powerful Army and vanquished his Enemies The Multitude was pardoned only the Heads punished D. Fruela's Sons as soon as taken had their Eyes put out the same was done to D. Alonso the King's Brother Not far from the City Leon is the Monastery of St. Julian there they were all kept as long as they liv'd and bury'd when dead as was Da. Vrraca the Wife of D. Alonso These troubles being thus over the King bent his Force against the Moors and entring the Kingdom of Toledo took the great Town of Madrid plundred and burnt and then threw down the Walls At the same time the Moors desirous of Revenge breke into the Country of the Christians and first entred into Castile The Earl being weakned by the late War of Navarre sent a submissive Embassy to D. Ramiro begging his Assistance and excusing himself for what was past It was easie to appease the King in that time of danger therefore he marched and joyned the Earl Near Osma they came to a Battle many of the Moors were kill'd the rest put to flight and the Christian Army returned home loaded with precious Spoils From this time some are of Opinion the Earls of Castile became again Feudataries to the Kings of Leon for it is thought D. Ramiro would not have pardoned past Injuries upon other terms D. Ramiro ardently desiring to extirpate the Moors marched towards Zaragoça Abenbaya held that City of Abderhaman King of Cordova With the King went the Earl Fernan Gonzalez The Moor finding himself unable to oppose so great a Power submitted himself to the King with a promise of Tribute No Faith is observed by Moors longer than they are forc'd so this Infidel as soon as our Army was departed joyning with Abderhaman broke into the Christian Borders and advanced as far as Simancas The King marched towards the Enemy and gave them Battle which was one of the bloodiest of those days for 30000 Moors were kill'd others say 60000. Fernan Gonzalez who had not been in the Fight falling upon those that fled made no less slaughter as appears by an ancient Grant in the Monastery of St. Millan de la Cogulla in the Mountains of Oca in which all the Neighbourhood are commanded to supply that Monastery with all Necessaries as the Earl had vowed when he went to this War All the Army was persuaded that two Angels on white Horses fought at the head of them and obtained this Victory The chief Alfaqui who is like a Bishop among the Moors was taken and thus the Province was deliver'd from the terror they had conceiv'd on account of those mighty Preparations In the Year 934. which was the same in which this Battle was fought on the 19th of July there hap'ned so great an Eclypse of the Sun that for the space of an hour the day was turned into perfect darkness Again on the 15th of October the light of the Sun became came yellow a great opening appear'd in the Sky wonderful Comets were seen towards the South and all the Fruits of the Earth were blasted besides other Tokens of God's Wrath. These Prodigies perplexed the People but after the Battle it was supposed they threatned the Infidels About this time dyed Miron Earl of Barcelona leaving 3 Sons under Age. Seniofredus who succeeded him Oliva Sirnamed Cabreta who was Lord of Basalu and Cerdania and Miron afterwards Bishop and Earl of Girona By reason of the Young Princes infancy the Government was long in the hands of his Unkle Seniofredus Earl of Vrgel which was a step for his Heirs to possess themselves of that Principality Whilst this Seniofredus governed a Synod of Bishops was held at a Town called Fuentecubierta in the Territory of Narbonne Seniofredus Earl of Barcelona dying without Issue tho' Marryed to Mary the Daughter of King Sancho Abarca Borello Earl of Vrgel Son to the other Seniofredus by Force possessed himself of the Principality of Barcelona for he could have no right to exclude Oliva Brother to the deceased King Ramiro growing Ancient began to give his Mind to Peace and apply himself to Religious Exercises therefore with the spoils of the Moors he Built a Monastery for Nuns at Leon of the invocation of S. Saviour where he caused his Daughter Da. Elvira to take the Habit. Besides this he Built Four other Convents and when he was busied about these Affairs Civil broils obliged him again to unsheath the Sword Fernan Gonçalez and James Nunez two Men of Note Rebelled and finding themselves too weak called the Moors and their General Accipha to their Aid First they destroyed the Territory of Salamanca upon the River Tormes then the Country of Aamya and part of Asturias were wasted D. Ramiro drove the Moors out of all the Country took the Promoters of this Sedition yet soon after set them at Liberty only upon taking the Oath of Allegiance over again a great Demonstration of the King's Mercy Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile by his Wife Da. Vrraca had a Daughter of the same Name whom he Marryed to D. Ordon̄o Son to the King of Leon. After this the King tho' Aged being an Enemy to Idleness made another incursion into the Enemies Country as far as Talavera in the Kingdom of Toledo and overthrew an Army of Moors that came to oppose him killing 12000. and taking 7000 Prisoners This Victory supported his Reputation which often decays as Kings grow Old Being returned home he dismissed his Army loaded with the spoils of the Enemy and went himself in Pilgrimage to Oviedo to visit the many Bodies of Saints that were there and give Thanks to Almighty God for so many Blessings At Oviedo which is an unhealthy place he fell Sick yet returned to Leon and there resigned up the Crown to his Son Then having received the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist at the hands of the Bishops and Abbots there present he dyed in the Year of our Lord 950. on the 5th Day of January and was Buried in the Monastery of S. Saviour which himself had Built This Year was very remarkable for the many Towns that in it were either Built or Repaired which were Osma Roa Riaça and Clunia among the Arebaci now called Corun̄a Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile much about this time also Built Sepulveda in a place naturally strong and by his Valour the Christian cause was not only kept from decaying but was daily advanced and increased in honour CHAP. IV. The Reigns of D. Ordonno the Third D. Sancho the Gross Kings of Leon and of Garci Sanchez King of Navarre and actions of Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile BY the Death of D. Ramiro his Son D. Ordon̄o inherited the Crown of Leon. He was a Man of great Courage expert in Warlike affairs and had Prudence to govern but the shortness
raged in his Army that few of them returned home to carry the News and be Witnesses of the Divine Vengeance This danger being over other new troubles hap'ned in Spain as great as any had been since it began to lift up its Head These were caused by the discord betwixt the King of Leon and the Earl D. Garcia who ought to have joyned their Power for the Publick good Mahomet governed the Kingdom of the Moors in the Name of Hissem the King his greatest Aim was to destroy the Christians D. Vela he that we said in the time of the Earl Fernan Gonzalez fled to the Moors now blew these Coals The Moors joyning their Forces with a Body of Christians that followed D. Vela entred the Territories of the Christians and passing the River Duero which for many Years had parted the two Nations incamped on the Banks of the River Astura or Estola that runs by Leon. King Bermudo tho' inferior to the Enemy gathering what Forces he could surprized them and entered their Camp where they Fought in disorder all in confusion Many of the Infidels were killed at the first on-set some gathering in small Bodies defended themselves other fled till the Moorish General getting together all he could drew them up without the Camp then charged the Christians who being but few in number and tired could not stand that shock In an instant the Fortune of the Day was changed the Victors were over-come and being closely pursued few of them got unhurt to Leon but many wounded The Town had been taken but that the Winter coming on obliged the Enemy to depart having gained much honour and plunder and resolving to return as soon as the Season would permit D. Bermudo because the City was weak caused the Bodies of the Saints and Kings to be translated to Oviedo and removed thither himself The care of fortifying and defending of Leon was committed to the Earl Guilien Gonzalez This disaster hap'ned in the Year 984. in which Miron Bishop of Girona Son to Miron Earl of Barcelona dyed In that Country a Body of Moors near the Castle of Moncada overthrew Borello Cousin to the Bishop Miron Above 500 Christians were slain the rest with the Earl Borello fled to Barcelona The following Year 985 was remarkable for destruction of the two Famous Cities Leon and Barcelona On the first of Day of July the Moors laid Siege to Bercelona and took it on the 6th day of the same Month many of the Citizens were carryed away into Slavery to Cordova but the City was soon recovered by the Christians Before it was taken Borcello got out to gather Forces to relieve it and having Mustered a good Body at Maresa and other Neighbouring Places regained the City The Earl Borello dyed eight Years after leaving by his two Wives Ledgardi and Aymcrudi two Sons Raymund and Armengauds the Eldest Earl of Barcelona the other of Vrgel and was head of the Noble Family of the Armengauds or Armengols in Catalonia of which in process of time there were many brave Commanders In the other part of Spain Mahomet proud with his last success gathering a powerful Army besieged Leon. The City held out almost a Year tho' continually battered with all sorts of Engines Earl Guillen Gonzalez made it appear of how great Consequence it is to have a brave Commander Being sick in Bed with the continual Fatigue of so many Months he was told the Town was in great danger by reason of a furious Assault that was then given he then caused himself to be carryed in a Chair to the place where the greatest danger was and so effectually encouraged his Soldiers that they made good their Ground for Three Days Then seeing the Town was entred he cast himself into the midst of the Infidels and dyed with his Sword in his hand The Barbarians inraged for the loss they had sustained put to the Sword all Sexes and Ages indifferently Men Women and Children and after plundering the City cast down the Walls and all other Works about it The same disaster befell Astorga Valencia del Campo the Monastery of Sahagun Gordon Alva Luna and other Towns and Villages which were taken plundered and burnt to the Ground Next breaking into Castile they took plundered and burnt Osma Berlanga and Atiença without meeting any Opposition Nevertheless such was the madness of the Christians that not regarding the publick Calamities they destroyed one another upon Private Feuds and Animosities For the Year following Seven most Noble Brothers called the Infantes de Lara were slain by the Treachery of their Unkle Ruy Velasquez without any regard of Consanguinity they being the Sons of his Sister Da. Sancha and by the Fathers side descended from D. James Porcellos Earl of Castile These 7 Brothers have been very famous no less for their Noble Actions than Unfortunate Death It fell out that Ruy Velasquez Lord of Barcelona Solemnizing his Marriage with Da. Lambra Cousin to the Earl Garci Fernandez at Burgos A great concourse of People was at the Wedding and among the rest the Earl Garci Fernandez and the seven Brothers with their Father A dispute arose betwixt Gonzalo the Youngest of the Brothers and Alvar Sanchez a Kinsman of Da Lambra yet so that no harm was then done yet Da. Lambra taking it upon herself to wreak her revenge in the Town of Barbadillo whither the Brothers out of respect went to accompany her she caused a Slave to throw a wet Cowcomber at Gonçalo which according to the Custom of Spain was a hainous affront The Slave fled for shelter to Da. Lambra but it availed him not for in her very Arms they killed him Ruy Velasquez who was then absent as soon as he came in a rage for the affront given his Wife studyed how to revenge himself upon the Seven Brothers He thought it best to ensnare those he design'd to destroy with the show of Friendship and therefore contrived that Gonzalo Gustio should be sent to Cordova upon pretence of receiving some Money of that King but in reality to have him destroyed to which effect he had writ a Letter in Arabick to the King who pitying the Noble Persons Grey-Hairs only caused him to be imprisoned His confinement was not so close but the King's Sister could come at him and on her 't is said he got Mudarra Gonzalez the Founder of the most Noble Family of Manriquez Ruy Velasquez his rage was not appeased with the harm done to Gonzalo Gustio Near to Almenara in the Territory of Arausana at the Foot of the Mountain Moncayo he laid the Seven Brothers in Ambush pretending to make an incursion into the Country of the Moors The Brothers suspected no harm but Nun̄o Salido their Tutor endeavoured to disswade them as fearing some Treachery yet his words were in vain With them were 200 Horse a small number for the Multitude of Moors that fell on him The Treason being discovered the Brothers fought
possessed themselves of the Revenues of several Churches he caused them to be all restored To the Monks of the Monastery of St. Salvador de Leyte he gave the Privilege of choosing the Bishop of Pamplona as appears by his Grant bearing date in the Year 1032. The continual Incursions of the Moors had caused the Seat of the Bishoprick of Pamplona to be removed from that City to the Monastery of Leyte as the securer place being seated on the top of the Pyrenean Mountains Now Peace being established thro' the Valour of King Sancho a Synod was held at Pamplona at the request of Sancho Abbot of Leyte and Bishop of that City in order to restore the See thither For the present it was deferred but agreed to in the time of his Successor D. Peter de Roda. In his last days the King caused the City Palentia to be Rebuilt The occasion that moved him it to as related by some if ever there was any such was in this manner That City during the Wars was totally ruined so that nothing remained but some old Walls and a Church dedicated to S. Antholin Thither the King being a Hunting pursued a wild Boor which took shelter in the very Church by the Altar and the King lifting his Arm to strike in that Holy Place found it became on a sudden numb'd and without motion Whereupon invoking the Saint the use of his Limb was again restored and the King as an acknowledgement of the relief received caused the Town and Church to be rebuilt making it an Episcopal See Methinks I am writing Fables or Romances but many of this nature are recounted in the Chronicles of Spain which I will neither Condemn nor approve of let the Reader judge of them as he shall think most agreeable to reason Let us conclude with this King who by his great Actions both in Peace and War gain'd to himself immortal Renown and large Dominions to his Posterity His Life was glorious but his Death unfortunate for on the way to Oviedo whither he was going to visit the Bodies of the Saints that make that place famous he was treacherously murdered by Assassines that way-laid him Who the Contrivers of that base Action were is not known nor perhaps was it then It is suspected some one of the Princes that envy'd his greatness was the cause of taking him off His Body was Buryed at Oviedo with Royal Solemnity Some Years after his Son D. Ferdinand King of Castile caused him to be translated to Leon and Interr'd in the Church of S. Isidorus where upon his Sepulcher is this Inscription Here lieth Sancho King of the Pyrenean Mountains and of Toulouse a Catholick Prince that stood by the Church He was killed on the 18th of October 1035. To his Children he left great cause of Debates and much unhappiness to his Kingdoms by dividing them as he did without any occasion Commonly the Subjects pay for the Sins and Extravagancies of their Princes THE History of SPAIN The Ninth BOOK CHAP. I. The Posture of Affairs in Spain Actions of D. Berenguel Earl of Barcelona Kingdoms of the Moors Wars betwixt the Kings of Castile and Leon. Ferdinand Crowned King of Leon. THE mighty Wars that hap'ned in Spain the great Calamities and Desolation thereof and the irreconcilable Enmities betwixt near Relations and even Brothers may be a sufficient warning to Sovereigns not to divide their Dominions especially when their Limits are but narrow It is a certain Maxim that Sovereignty admits of no Fellowship and Ambition is not curbed by any ties tho' never so Sacred Hence may be inferred how much King 's err who misled by Fatherly Affection rend their Kingdoms to raise many Monarchies to their Children D. Sancho King of Castile and Navarre whose Life was related in the last Book has left us an example of that fatal Policy The Christian Dominions then well extended in Spain were for the most part reduced under one head as if Heaven had purposely contrived it for the Extirpation of the Moors who thro' their own distractions were evidently tending to ruin But this King by dividing his Dominions caused that Opportunity to be lost We now enter upon more variety of matter and consequently shall not be so concise as hitherto Therefore in the first place it will be requisite to lay down the posture the Affairs of Spain were in after the Death of King Sancho He divided his Kingdoms among his Sons in this manner D. Garcia the eldest had Navarre and the Dominion of Biscay with all the Country that lies betwixt the City Najara and Mountains Doca D. Ferdinand the second Son during his Father and Mother's Life was put in possession of Castile the Title of Earl thereof being changed into that of King To D. Gonzalo the youngest of the legitimate Sons was given Sobrarve and Ribagorça with the Castles of Loharri and S. Emeterius D. Ramiro the Bastard Son had the Kingdom of Aragon given him by his Father saving some Castles which were adjudged to his Brother D. Garcia They all Stiled themselves Kings and assumed Regal Honours whence ensued dangerous and bloody Wars Each looking back upon his Father's Grandeur aspir'd to equal it and repined that his Dominions should be confined to such a narrow compass At the same time D. Bermudo Brother-in-law to Ferdinand King of Castile Reigned at Leon. Under the Crown of Leon were comprehended the Provinces of Galicia and Portugal and part of old Castile as far as the River Pisuerga D. Ramon called the old Earl of Barcelona dy'd the same Year as D. Sancho which was of Grace 1035. D. Berenguel Borello his Son succeeded him who tho' little in Body was not inferior in Valour to any of his Ancestors He recovered from the Moors by force of Arms Manresa a place called Prados del Rey Galafre Tarragona Cervera and other neighbouring Towns Besides he subdued several Moors who possessed Lands thereabout and obliged them to pay him Tribute He had two Wives called Ramalduri and Almadi The first brought him two Sons D. Peter and D. Berenguel the second had only D. Ramon Berenguel commonly nick-named Cabeca de Estopa that is Flaxen Head from the colour and softness of his Hair This was the posture of the Affairs of the Christians in Spain The Moors as was said above had as many Kingdoms as capital Cities Nevertheless the Kingdom of Cordova as the ancientest was still the most considerable as to extent of Territory but weak thro' intestine Broils The next was that of Sevil then Toledo Zaragoça Huesca and several other inferior Kings who might easily have been over-run had the Christians been united That Discord which hap'ned betwixt the Princes tho' near Relations and Brothers prevented the Execution of so holy an Undertaking D. Garcia King of Navarre at the time of his Father's death was gone to Rome to visit the Churches of St. Peter and Paul D. Ramiro his Brother thought good
of Triumph administring Justice and levying Money in order to carry on the War the next Year against those Moors who lived along the Banks of Ebro in great security being grown rich in Cattle they had taken from the Christians That Conquest more properly appertained to the Crowns of Navarre and Aragon but they being at War among themselves had not leisure to think of any other business D. Ramiro had encreased his Dominions with the addition of Sobrarve and Ribagorça which fell to him by the death of his Brother D. Gonzalo Some Authors will have it that D. Gonzalo dy'd before his Father others say he was treacherously killed by one Ramonette of Gascogne who way-laid him near the Bridge of Montelus as he returned from Hunting Certain it is his Body was buryed in the Church of S. Victorianus King Ramiro being thus encreased in strength made War upon him of Navarre who with-held from him part of his Kingdom of Aragon He was inferior in strength but besides being a very expert Soldier he had Succours from France being Married to Gisberga or as others call her Hermesenda Daughter to Bernard Roger Earl of Bigorre by his Wife Garsenda By this Gisberga or Hermesenda the King had D. Ramiro D. Sancho D. Garcia and D. Sancha Married to the Earl of Toulouse and D. Teresa Wife to Beltran Earl of Provence Illegitimate he had a Son called D. Sancho to whom he gave Ayvar Xabier Latres and Ribagorça all which he dying without Issue returned to the Crown of Aragon D. Ramiro's Arms were Azure a Cross Argent afterwards changed by his Successors as shall be told in its place Let us return to King Ferdinand who entring the Country of the Moors took Santistevan de Gormaz Vadoregio Aguilar and Valerancia now called Berlanga then destroyed the Territory of Taraçona and wasted the Country as far as Medina Celi throwing down all the Beacons used by the Moors to raise the People against the Christians Thence he turned back and passing the Mountains entred the Kingdom of Toledo ravaging all about Salamanca Vzeda Guadalajara Alcala and even as far as Madrid Almenon King of Toledo moved by these losses and fearing greater bought a Peace of King Ferdinand for a great Sum of Money The same was done by the Kings of Zaragoça Portugal and Sevil and they promised to pay Tribute yearly to the great Honour of the Christians and Shame of the Moors who were now subject to those they had not long before Lorded it over These were special Blessings of God for the good Lives the Christians then led following the example of their King whereby many Moors were Converted and the Bodies of Saints held even by them in great Veneration CHAP. III. S. Isidorus his Body translated to Leon. Conversion of two Moorish Princesses Garcia King of Navarre kill'd by his Brother Ferdinand Ramiro King of Aragon recovers his Dominions THere was a Church Dedicated to St. John Baptist the ancient burial place of the Kings of Leon much decay'd by reason of the Wars and with Age. D. Sancha the Queen perswaded her Husband to repair it and Order'd himself and Posterity to be there Inter'd The more to increase the Peoples Devotion towards this Church the King thought good to enrich it with the Bodies of some Saints and therefore made War upon the King of Sevil to obtain that of S. Justa which that Prince was willing to give to purchase Peace but the People Mutinying at such time as it should have been carryed away those that were sent for it in place of it took the Body of S. Isidorus formerly Bishop of that City This holy Body was Conducted in great state to Leon and there plac'd in the Church of St. John Baptist which from thence forward lost that name and was call'd of St. Isidorus In the Year 1050. was held a Synod at Coyança now Valencia in the Country of Oviedo at which were present the King Queen Nobility and Nine Bishops About the same time two Daughters of Moorish Kings were Converted and Baptized the one was Casilda Daughter to Almenon King of Toledo the other Zaida Daughter to Benabet of Sevil. The Cause of their Conversion was thus Casilda was very Compassionate and us'd to relieve the Captive Christians which much offended her Father who met her one day carrying meat to them and asking what it was she said They were Roses and uncovering found the Meat Converted into those Flowers This Miracle mov'd her to embrace Christianity and soon after being sick she was advis'd to Bath her self in St. Vincent's Lake which is in the Territory of Briviesca where she soon recover'd her Health was Baptiz'd and continu'd in the same place the rest of her days leading a very holy Life insomuch that she is reckoned in the number of Saints Zaida either by her Example or some other motive was inclin'd to become a Christian and St. Isidorus appear'd to her in a Dream perswading her to put in Execution so good a purpose She acquainted her Father with it and he being unwilling to oppose her yet fearing to displease the People if he consented agreed with D. Alonso King Ferdinand's Son that he should force her away from a place where he would leave her which was accordingly perform'd and she carryed to Leon there instructed and baptiz'd Some say she was call'd Elizabeth others Mary so many affirm she was after Marry'd to D. Alonso when he was King of Castile yet Pelagius Bishop of Oviedo says she was not his Wife but Mistress These contradictions and many other that occur in this History are hard to be reconcil'd In the Year of Grace 1053. D. Garcia King of Navarre was kill'd in the Wars being a Couragious and Wise Prince no less a Souldier than a General Those Seeds of Discord that some Years before had been sow'd between the Brothers now grew up to the ruin of D. Garcia D. Ferdinand pretended a right to the Territory of Briviesca and part of Rioja On the other side D. Garcia complain'd that wrong had been done him in the division of the Kingdom and pleaded right of Inheritance against his Father's Will D. Garcia fell sick at Najara D. Ferdinand coming to visit him he resolv'd to secure him but D. Ferdinand having notice of his design fled D. Garcia to take off the hatred conceiv'd against him for that falshood seem'd much concern'd that his Brother should suspect him and hearing he was sick at Burgos went thither to visit him This satisfy'd not D. Ferdinand for he seiz'd his Brother and sent him with a Guard to the Castle of Ceya He corrupting his Keepers fled to Navarre with a resolution to take revenge Having gather'd all his own and the Forces of the Moors his Confederates he entred Castile and after passing the Mountains Doca committed great havock King Ferdinand was not idle but mov'd with an Army of Experienc'd Souldiers towards his Brother They
afar because the Country about it is barren being Sandy and Stony there is also much scarcity of Springs and it rains but seldom it being very remote from the Sea and the highest Land in Spain Only along the Meadows through which Tagus runs the Land is Fruitful and Pleasant At the same time the Conquest of Toledo was undertaken Roderick Diaz continued the War in Aragon with great success taking several strong holds from the Moors and wanted nothing to perfect his happiness but to be restored to his Prince's favour which he much desired It fell out very opportunely that in the Year 1080. the Moors of Andaluzia fell at variance for that a Man of note among them had seized the Castle of Grados Adofir the rightful Owner had recourse to King Alonso for Assistance to recover his Castle The King finding it advantageous to himself granted the Moors request sent a Body of Troops before and followed with a greater Force in Person but the Enemy being subtle protracted the War so that the King feared Slipping the Season of going to Toledo This moved him to send for Roderick Diaz who was then in Aragon and to whom he gave that Command having received him with great affection and the more to oblige him ordained that for the future no Gentleman should be obliged to go into Banishment under Thirty days warning whereas before they had but Nine The King marched to Toledo and Roderick Diaz put an end to the War in Andaluzia recovering the Castle of Grados and taking the Moor that had seized it whom he sent to the King Thus much in Andaluzia this Year The next which was 1081. D. Garcia the King's Brother departed this Life having caused his Veins to be opened in the Prison where he was kept so highly did he resent the loss of his Kingdom and Liberty His Body was carryed to the City Leon and there honourably buryed in the Church of St. Isidorus his two Sisters many Bishops and Nobles attending the Solemnity He dyed ten Years after he had been a Prisoner and fifteen after his first Accession to the Crown Roderick Diaz having settled Andaluzia returned to the War in Aragon where in Battle he overthrew the Moorish King of Denia and D. Sancho King of Aragon who assisted him This Victory was so considerable that King Alonso sent for him did him much honour and gave to Him and his Heirs the Three Towns of Briviesca Berlanga and Arcejona Alfagio the Moorish King having recruited his Forces after the defeat entred Castile wasting the Country as far as Consuegra Tho' King Alonso was then busy before Toledo he â—â—eedily marched to oppose the Infidel Both Armies met a great number of Moors was slash and their King escaped by flight to a Castle The joy of this Victory was much allayed by the unfortunate Death of James Rodriguez de Bivar Son to Roderick Diaz a Youth of great hopes who began to follow his Father's Footsteps His Body was buryed in the Monastery of St. Peter de CardenÌ„a where his Tomb is still to be seen Alfagio the Moor tho' twice defeated gave not over but still gathering a fresh Army broke into Castile without stopping till he came to Medina del Campo Alvaryanez Minaya a brave Man related to Roderick Diaz met and defeated him the Third time This hap'ned in the Year of our Lord 1082 at which time D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona was basely Murdered near a Town called Percha betwixt Ostalric and Girond His Brother Berenguel was the contriver of his Death and was therefore so hated by the People that he went away to the holy War and at Jerusalem is said to have lost his Speech and there Dyed His Body was buryed in the Cathedral of Girona His Son D. Ramon Arnaldo succeeded him being not full a Year old but famous for the time he enjoy'd that Principality for the greatness of his Actions inferior to none of his Predecessors and for that he enlarged his Dominions not only by the addition of Besalu and Vrgel which for want of Heirs devolved to him as Feifs of the Earldom of Barcelona but also by Marrying D. Aldonça whom others call Dulcis Daughter and Heiress of Gilbert Earl of Provence with whom he had that large Province in Dower By her he had two Sons D. Ramon and D. Berenguel and three Daughters one called D. Berenguela or Berengaria Marry'd to D. Alonso stiled the Emperor The Names of the others are not known but both were Marry'd in France This Prince was long at variance and held War against Alonso Earl of Toulouse and after much contention they agreed among themselves to adopt one another's Families so that whichsoever was first Extinct the other should Inherit But this hap'ned long after the time we are now writing of Let us return to the War of Toledo CHAP. IX The famous City Toledo closely Besieged and Surrendred Many other Places taken King Alonso stiles himself Emperor THE continual waste the Christians made in the Country about Toledo burning plundering and driving all before them had reduc'd the Moors of that City to great streights The Christian Inhabitants ceased not to press King Alonso to sit down before it promising they would soon open the Gates to him That lasting War had exhausted the Subjects yet the King's resolution overcame all difficulties Great Levies were made and all things provided with a full design never to desist till the City were taken It is naturally strong and so seated that there was a necessity of dividing the Army into several Bodies and consequently a greater Force was requisite It is a matter of great consequence to have the good Will of neighbouring Princes as appeared in this War for besides the King 's own Subjects of Castile Leon Biscay Galicia and Asturias Sancho King of Aragon and Navarre brought a good Body of Men to the Siege Supplies also came from Italy and Germany and the French as being nearer came in greater numbers Because the latter served well in this War and upon other occasions great Privileges were granted to such of them as would stay in Spain whence as I suppose such as are free from Taxes are among us called Franc. Of all these Nations was formed a mighty Army which marched without delay towards Toledo full of hopes of speedy success The Moorish King made all the necessary Preparations to endure a Siege but most of all rely'd on the natural Strength of the Place encompassed with high and craggy Rocks thro' which the River Iagus in a wonderful manner breaks his way and runs almost round the City except on the North side where is a steep and difficult ascent defended by two strong Walls one above the other To Besiege this Place the Army was divided into seven Brigades which took up all the Avenues so that no Relief could be carried in The King with the best of the Army Encamp'd and Entrench'd himself
Sol to D. Peter Son to the King of Aragon of the same Name both which sent to demand them in Marriage D. Ramiro had by D. Elvira Garci Ramirez who was afterwards King of Navarre D. Peter dy'd before his Father and left no Issue Two several times King Bucar who came out of Africk was overthrown in sight of Valencia by Roderick Diaz and his Forces who kept that City as long as he lived which was five Years after the taking of it He was near his Death when the same Bucar came again before the City and perceiving it could not be maintained after his Death ordered in his Will that they should all in a Body quit the place and return to Castile The Moors believing it was a powerful Army that designed to give them Battle drew off Those Christians marched without ceasing till they came to Castile and Valencia being left without any Garison fell again into the hands of the Moors They that came from Valencia brought with them the Body of Roderick Diaz which was Bury'd with great Magnificence in the Monastery of S. Peter of Carden̄a near Burgos K. Alonso and Roderick Diaz's two Sons-in-law being present Many look upon most of this Relation as Fabulous and I write more than I believe because I would not wholly omit what others affirm In the Church of S. Peter of Carden̄a are to be seen five Tombs that of Roderick Diaz that of his Wife and those of his Son and Daughters Perhaps they are only empty Monuments such as are called Cenotaphia erected in Honour of such People The Death of Roderick Diaz de Bivar was a great loss to the Christians for his extraordinary Valour Conduct and Prosperity Authors do not agree about the Year in which it hap'ned the most likely Opinion is that it was in the Year of our Lord 1093. About this time Pope Vrban translated the Bishoprick of Iria to Compostella at the request of Dalmachius who was the first Bishop of that City and made it independant of the See of Braga King Alonso tho' very ancient never neglected the Affairs of War but made several Incursions into Andaluzia which was the more easie to be done for that Joseph the Moor was returned into Africk This gave the Christians some time of breathing which the King made use of to encrease the Religious Worship He built a Monastery of Benedictines at Toledo of the Invocation of S. Servandus and S. German others say he only repaired it Besides he erected two Monasteries of Nuns the one Dedicated to S. Peter the other to S. Dominick of Silos At Burgos without the Walls he Founded another Convent now called S. John of Burgos The Year following which was 1099. was remarkable for the Death of Pope Vrban and the taking of Jerusalem by the Christians Cardinal Raynerius who had been Legate in Spain a Person of great Worth and Experience succeeded Vrban by the Name of Pasqualis II. He in the time of his Papacy granted a Privilege to the Church of S James the Apostle that after the manner of the Church of Rome it might have seven Canons Cardinals and that the Bishops of that See might use the Pall an Ornament betokening greater Authority than that of common Bishops The next ensuing Year which was 1100. proved no less pleasing to the Christians by reason of the Death of Joseph who was Sovereign of all the Moors in Spain during the space of 12 Years and of those in Africk about 32 than it was at last unfortunate for the untimely end of D. Sancho Prince of Castile which will be seen in the next Chapter CHAP. IV. The Death of Sancho Prince of Castile and of the two Kings Peter the first of Aragon and Alonso VI. of Castile The Moorish King of Zaragoza Of two Holy Men. D. Garcia Earl of Cabra was Tutor to D. Sancho King Alonso's Son and the Heir Apparent of the Crown but Death snatched him away and with him the great hopes had been conceived of his Virtues Hali Successor to Joseph desiring to Commence his Reign with some memorable Action passed over into Spain with a powerful Army and having encreased it there entred the Kingdom of Toledo wasting all the Country till he came in sight of the City King Alonso by reason of his great Age and Sickness could not go out in Person to oppose him He gave the command of his Army to the Earl D. Garcia and for the greater Honour sent his Son D. Sancho tho' very young with him Near Veles the two Armies met and engaged In the heat of the Fight the Prince was struck down D. Garcia covered him with his Shield and with his Sword kept off the Moors that assailed him on all sides Long he kept them at a distance till being weakned by many wounds he fell down dead upon him he defended This disaster made the Infidels Victorious It is needless to relate how grievous this loss was to the King he asked what might be the reason of being so often overthrown by the Moors and a wise Man answered That the Soldiers were debauched with Ease and Luxury which made them unfit for Service Hereupon the King ordered all incentives of Luxury to be taken away and among the rest caused the Baths then much used in Spain after the manner of the Moors to be destroy'd Some hope remained in D. Alonso the King's Grandchild by D. Vrraca his Daughter but he was very Young and a Womans Government seem'd not seasonable The continual good Fortune of the King of Aragon diminished the Joy of the Moors for their success in Castile Of late the Infidels went down the wind in Aragon for the Christians had taken from them the Castle of Calasanz the Town of Pertusa on the River Canadre and the City Barbastro whither the Bishoprick of Rhoda was Translated Now the Aragonians bent all their Strength against the City Zaragoça which the Almoravides had possessed themselves of having expelled the ancient Kings These that follow were the Kings that had Reigned in that City The first was Mudir then Hiaya next Almudafar after him began another Race in Zulema to whom succeeded Hamas then Joseph then Almazazin then Abdelmelich and then Hamas Sirnamed Almuçacayto whom the Almoravides deprived of the Kingdom At this time in France Atho who after the Death of Raymund Earl of Barcelona Father of Arnaldus had Usurped the Sovereignty of the City Carcassonne where he had been Governour was expelled the place by the Inhabitants and it restored to its Lawful Prince in the Year 1102. This same Year Armengaud Earl of Vrgel was slain by the Moors in the Island of Majorca whither he went to show his Valour and was therefore called Balearicus Armengaud was Marry'd to a Daughter of Peranzules a great Man in Castile and Lord of Valladolid By her he left a young Son during whose Minority the Grandfather governed and
their Armies meeting a Battle was fought in the Plains of SantivanÌ„ez near Guimaraens a Town seated at the Conflux of the Rivers Avo and Visella D. Alonso got the Day and by that means his Mother and Fernan Paez fell into his Hands His Father-in-law he released upon promise he would depart Portugal his Mother he kept close Prisoner She in a rage for this usage sent to beg the King of Castile's Assistance against her Son promising to resign to him the Earldom of Portugal which her Son had forfeited by his Disobedience King Alonso of Castile condescended to the Intreaties of his Aunt either for that he commiserated her condition or that he desired to possess that Earldom Having gathered an Army he entred Portugal His Cousin met him and they came to a Battle in the Plain of Valdeves betwixt Moncon and Ponte de Lima. The Fight was very bloody and the Castillians being overthrown were forced to fly to Leon. This Victory so puffed up the Portugeses that without considering their own weakness or the variety of Fortune they vaunted they were no longer subject to Castile King Alonso studying Revenge gathered a greater Power than before and returned into Portugal with double Fury The Portugeses not able to withstand him retired into Guimaraens where the Castilians Besieged them with a resolution not to stir till they had revenged their late Affront Egas NunÌ„ez the young Earl's Tutor a Man of singular Prudence by consent of his Master went out to treat with the King and managed his business so well that having pacified him he raised the Siege The Portuges Historians from whom we have taken this Account add that some Years after D. Alonso of Portugal refusing to perform the Articles concluded by his Tutor the said Egas NunÌ„ez went to Toledo and surrendred himself to the King of Castile with a Haulter about his Neck to be punished for the breach of those Articles he had made King Alonso forgave but would not employ him least there might be some design lie hid under that specious pretence CHAP. VIII The War betwixt the King of Castile and the Moors The Death of King Alonso of Aragon and Revolutions of that Kingdom and Navarre The former choses Ramiro a Monk the latter Garcia for their King IN the Year 1126 and much about the same time dy'd Queen Vrraca and Bernard Archshop of Toledo The Queen as has been said departed either in the Castle of SaldanÌ„a or burst at the Church of Leon. Her Body was Honourably Interred at Leon. Bernard the Archbishop dy'd at Toledo of great Age and famous for many memorable Actions He was buried in the Cathedral of that City with an Inscription on his Tomb that begins with these words Bernard was the first Venerable Primate here True it is the Archdeacon of Alcor says he lies in the Monastery of Sahagun near the Tomb of King Alonso VI. He was 40 Years Archbishop Twelve Years before his Death the Annals of Sevil say but eight with Forces maintained at his own Expence he took from the Moors the Town of Alcala seated at that time on a steep Hillock beyond the River Henares The Archbishop incamped on another Hill that Commands it now called Vera Cruz and thence so awed the Moors that they were forced to abandon the Town tho' very strong For this reason from that time the Archbishop had the Temporal as well as Spiritual Jurisdiction thereof After Bernard Raymund from the Bishoprick of Osma was translated to Toledo In his time and in the Year 1129. was held a Council of Bishops at Palencia in which James Gelmirez Archbishop of Compostela presided as Apostolick Legate The King Queen and many of the Nobility were present at it Among others two remarkable Acts passed in this Synod One that no Tyths or offering should be received from Persons Excommunicate The other that Lay-Men should not enjoy Benefices upon any pretence whatsover Soon after Cardinal Humbertus who came into Spain with the Legantine Power assembled another Synod of Bishops at Leon to consider of the Kings Marriage which some pretended was null King Alonso a Year after his Mothers death had Marry'd Berengaria the Daughter of Raimund Berengarius Earl of Barcelona The Nuptials were Celebrated at SaldanÌ„a in November and he had afterwards by her four Children Sancho Ferdinand Elizabeth and Sancha It was well known that the Queen Berengaria was related to her Husband but the point being discussed the Bishops declared it was not within the degrees of Consanquinity which are forbid by the Church Alonso was Great-Grand-son to King Ferdinand of Castile Berengaria third Grandchild to his Brother Ramiro King of Aragon After this the King bent his force against the Moors entred their Territories adjoyning on the Kingdom of Toledo and sate down before Calatrava the Inhabitants of which place used to do great harm in the Neighbouring Country It endured a long Siege but was taken and given by the King to the Archbishop of Toledo At this time the Fame of the Knights Templers was spread through the World for which reason the Archbishop gave the Town to them So say our Authors yet some are of Opinion that those Knights were not the Templers but others who in imitation of them had taken the Cross to make War upon the Moors Now also were taken the Towns of Alarcos Caracuel Mestança Alcudia Almodovar de Campo and Pedroso on the Mountain Sierra Morena What remained thereabouts might easily have been brought under such was the Consternation the Infidels were in but the season of the Year would not permit any further Action Winter being passed the King â—ed his Army through the deserts of Cazlona a part of Sierra Morena into Andaluzia burning and plundering all he came near Jaen was close Besieged all the Winter yet such was the strength of the Walls and Valour of the Inhabitants it could not be carryed Albohali the Son of Hali and Grandson of Joseph was Sovereign of the Almoravides in Africk and Spain his power inferior to his Predecessors by reason of the Civil Wars among the Moors This was therefore a fit opportunity to make War upon him King Alonso's Father-in-Law the Earl of Barcelona dy'd in the Year 1131. He left Bercelona in Spain and Carcassonne and Rodes in France to the eldest Son Raimund To Berengarius his second Son he gave the Earldoms of Provence and Aymillan His Daughter Cecily was Marry'd to Bernard Earl of Faux another whose name is not known to Aimerick Earl of Narbonne The other Daughters were left to the care of the Brother Berengarius and Marry'd to the great Men in France In the following Year there hap'ned nothing remarkable save that King Alonso raised the Siege of Jaen and returned home where he Knighted D. Sancho his Son Arming him at all points and Girting on his Sword with great Ceremony as was usual in those Days By this was signified
Aragon resigns and his Son-in-Law Raimund Earl of Barcelona assumes the Crown THese Elections brought great troubles upon the Kingdoms of Aragon and Navarre and the more for that D. Garcia was weak and D. Ramiro old The King of Castile pretended to have a better right than either of them as being descended from D. Sancho the Greater of Navarre and he had the greatest Power on which King's ground their chiefest right As for the Military Orders appointed by the late King to inherit no Body took notice of them That he might not seem careless in seeking his advantage the King of Castile entred the Territory of Rioja and recover'd all that his Father-in-law King Alonso of Aragon had taken from him by force at first and afterwards upon Capitulation Then he laid Siege to Victoria in Biscay but could not carry it tho' he had all the Towns about Thus the River Ebro came to part the Dominions of Castile and Navarre Many great Men as well as of the Clergy as Laity follow'd and assisted the King who had no sooner regain'd Rioja and Biscay but he bent his Force against Aragon so effectually that by the Month of December he was possess'd of all that part of the Kingdom which lies on this side Ebro King Ramiro being wholly unprovided and not well assur'd of the Affections of his People retir'd to Sobrarve hoping the natural strength of that Country might protect him till Fortune chang'd or some Composition could be made Oldegarius Archbishop of Taragona went betwixt both Parties labouring to bring them to an Accommodation but his endavours seemed Fruitless neither Competitor contenting himself with part as aspiring to the whole Garcia King of Navarre being resolved to condescend to some Agreement upon safe Conduct given him came to Castile where in a General Assembly or Parliament at which were present King Alonso of Castile Berengaria his Queen Sancha his Sister and Garcia King of Navarre besides a great number of Nobles it was resolved that the King of Castile should take the Title of Emperor Accordingly on Whit-Sunday in the Year 1135. as an Author then living writes and it appears by the Acts of that Assembly he was Crowned in the City of Leon by the Hands of the Archbishop of Toledo the King of Navarre standing on his right Hand and the Bishop of Leon on his Left Our Historians say Pope Innocent II. consented to this Act but it is scarce credible he would do that Affront to the Emperor of the Romans After this the new Emperor was again Crowned at Toledo These two Coronations gave occasion to the dispute there is about the place where that Ceremony was performed An Author then living says he was Crown'd three times in imitation of the German Emperors first at Toledo then at Leon and lastly at Compestella with a Crown of Gold The other Kings of Spain before this assum'd the Title only this preserv'd it and is call'd Alonso the Emperor Besides it is manifest that from his time the City Toledo began to use the Arms it still retains which are An Emperor in his Robes on a Throne the Globe in his left Hand and a naked Sword in his Right The Arms of that City before were first two Stars and after that a Lion rampant Hence also it took the stile of the Imperial City As soon as the new Emperor had taken upon him that Title he nam'd his two Sons Kings Sancho the eldest of Castile and Ferdinand the youngest of Leon. The Nobility and Clergy labour'd to compose the differences above-mention'd No good could be wrought upon Aragon therefore the two Kings of Castile and Navarre had another Conference at Paradilla on the River Ebro Here it was agreed that D. Garcia should possess Navarre and all that part of Aragon that had been Conquered but should do Fealty and Homage to the Crown of Castile for the same and also that both Kings should joyn their Forces against him of Aragon Thus the Argonians and Navarrois were intangled in War till some Bishops interposing they appointed three Arbitrators on each side by whom it was decreed That the Bounds of Navarre and Aragon should be the same they had been in the time of D. Sancho the Greater but that the King of Navarre should hold his Dominions of the Crown of Aragon which was the same thing he had promised to Castile So little did they regard Promises To ratifie this Contract the two Kings met at Pamplona but he of Aragon being inform'd the Navarrois design'd to kill him fled and thus the Breach was made wider than at first D. Ramiro for his great Age and Weakness being grown contemptible to the Commonalty as well as the Nobility in revenge call'd together all the great Men to Huesca upon pretence of Consulting with them about weighty Affairs and there put to Death 15 of the chief of them in the Year 1136. Many things are reported of his Insufficiency scarce credible but there is no doubt he was not fit for such a troublesome Government He himself at length growing weary of so many cares and resolving to ease himself of them having now a Daughter call'd Petronilla declar'd his intention at that meeting at Huesca and admonish'd all there present that their chief study ought to be to establish Friendship with D. Alonso the Emperor without thinking of any revenge against the Navarrois Raymund Earl of Barcelona was the chief Instrument in concerting matters betwixt Castile and Aragon as being Ally'd to both those Princes and having some intimation that he should Marry the Princess Petronilla and be declar'd King of Aragon At Alagon a Town three Leagues above Zaragoça on the River Ebro the two Kings met and agreed that Zaragoça should be restored to the Crown of Aragon Calatayud Alagon and the rest on this side Ebro should remain to Castile King Ramiro's Daughter was given as an Hostage for performance of Articles but they could not agree about her Marrying D. Sancho the Emperor's eldest Son for that she was promised to the Earl of Barcelona So far were both Parties from having any regard to their Alliances made with Navarre that they Articl'd to joyn their Forces against that King He having notice of it and being a Man of great Spirit provided to meet that Storm and durst not only make good his own but endeavour'd to enlarge the narrow bounds of his Dominions He Marry'd Margaret Daughter of Rotron Earl of Perche and had the City Tudela with her in Dower The Records of those times mention that he Reign'd over Pamplona Najara Alava Biscay and Guipuscoa He was supported by the French Luis their King looking upon it as a thing Honourble to protect this new Prince The Armies of Castile and Navarre encamp'd near and Towns of Galur and Cortes but came not to a Battle both sides being unwilling to hazard all for this is more likely than that they forbore in respect
to the Feast of Easter The Marriage betwixt the Earl of Barcelona and the Princess Petronilla was agreed upon on the 11th of August that same Year 1137. This done D. Ramiro laying aside the care of the Government withdrew to the Church of St. Peter at Huesea still retaining the Title of King and Power of resuming that Authority when he should think fit All Officers were order'd to take the Oath of Fidelity to the Earl of Barcelona and because the Nobles on account of Service in that time of need had obtain'd Grants of many Towns and Castles from the King all such Grants were made void especially those that passed since the King chose the Earl for his Son-in-law As to Navarre it was ordain'd the Bounds of the Kingdoms should be the same that had been agreed upon at Pamplona and Valdoluengo As soon as Raymund entred upon the Government he had a Conference with the Emperor D. Alonso at Carrion where he obtain'd all the Lands that had been taken from the Crown of Aragon on this side Ebro should be restor'd but only to be held of the Crown of Castile This done he made his Entry into Zaragoça and was receiv'd with great applause having establish'd Peace William Raymund Seneschal or High-Steward of Catalonia had a great hand in all these Affairs and as a Reward had the Town of Moncada given him from him descends the Noble Family of Moncada in that Country CHAP. X. D. Alonso of Portugal takes the Title of King His Wars with the Moors War betwixt Christian Princes and Peace concluded Baeca and Almeria taken by the King of Castile and Lisbon by him of Portugal THese Confusions we have spoken of gave the Portugueses an opportunity of enlarging their Dominions and rendring their Name famous D. Alonso Prince or as some call him Duke of Portugal being a Man no less renowned in Peace than War ceased not enlarging and beutifying his Dominions At Coimbra he built the Monastery of Santacruz a stately Structure which he chose for his place of Burial and endow'd it with the Town of Leyra then taken from the Moors This was but an Introduction to greater Exploits for in the Year 1139. he broke into the Territories of the Infidels with a powerful Army and passing the River Tagus made War upon Ismar the Moorish King in those parts In this Expedition dy'd Egas NunÌ„ez D. Alonso's Tutor by whose wise Councels he had till then been govern'd In the City Porto there is a Monastery of Benedictive Monks founded by D. Egas in which are to be seen his and his Children Tombs That of his Wife D. Teresa is in the Monastery of Gereceda of Cistercians built by her two Leagues from Lamego Ismar understanding of D. Alonso's design gather'd all the Forces he could and four other Moorish Kings joyning him compos'd a Formidable Army The two Bodies had sight of one another in a Plain then call'd Vrichio now Cabeças de Ryes or King's-head a place fit to give Battle That Country is water'd by the River Palma which about Beja where it springs has little water but other Streams falling into it gathers such a Body that near Alcaçar do Sal where it falls into the Sea it is Navigable D. Alonso was surpriz'd to see so great a number of Enemies but Honour prevailing above Fear and the more for that two days before that is on the 25th of July being the Feast of S. James the Apostle his Soldiers had saluted him King he resolv'd to put all to the hazard of a Battle Having in few Words encourag'd his Men he order'd to sound a Charge the Enemy did the same and there ensu'd a most obstinate Battle both Parties fighting for Honour for their Lives and for the Dominion of all Portugal After a sharp dispute the Multitude of Moors gave way to the Valour of the Christians many of them were kill'd and many made Prisoners The Standards of the 5 Kings were taken and from them the Portugue Arms which are Azure five Escutcheons Others will have it that they signifie the five Wounds of our Saviour but I see no Authority for it In the time of Sancho II. King of Portugal there was added to the ancient Arms an Orle of Castles the number not fix'd then now they use seven This is the famous Battle so much and so justly extoll'd by the Portugues Writers after which the strength of Portugal increased in an extraordinary manner All the Glory of the King's Actions was sully'd by the Imprisonment of his Mother which Pope Innocent II. understanding sent the Bishop of Coimbra to treat with him about restoring her to her Liberty But the King was Deaf to all Advice therefore the Bishop leaving the City under an Interdict departed out of Portugal A Cardinal being also sent from Rome upon the same account had no better success but was oblig'd by the King's Threats to take off the Interdict he had laid upon the whole Kingdome King Alonso now Marry'd the Lady Malfada some say she was Daughter to Amalaricus Lord of Molina others to Amadeus Earl of Savoy By her he had D. Sancho D. Vrraca and D. Teresa The last Marry'd afterwards to Philip Earl of Flanders Besides these the King had a Bastard Son call'd Peter After the Nuptial Solemnities the Portugueses applyed themselves again to the War Santaren a Town of note seated on the Banks of Tagus was surprized and the Moors expell'd With the Booty taken in this Action the King founded the Monastery of Alcobaça of the Order of St. Bernard as he had vowed to do if he took that Town There was great strife betwixt Albohali head of the Family of the Almoravides and Abdelmon of the Almohades a New rising Family among the Moors about the Empire of Africk This gave the Christians an opportunity of subduing the Moors in Spain and indeed nothing supported them but the Wars we had among our selves Such was the Peace the Moors injoy'd in some places that they gave themselves to study and several Learned Men flourished among them especially at Cordova In this number some reckon Anicenne tho' others affirm he was never in Spain Averroes now â—â— fit Commentaries on Aristotle and Avenzor was Famous in Mathematicks especially Astrology Thus much of Cordova In Portugal the Christians took by force of Arms the Town of Sintra seated near the Promonrtorâ— by the Ancients called Artabrum and not far from the Mouth of Tagus This was a Convement place to receive Foreign Succours and Fleets arriv'd there from England France and Flanders bringing such considerable supplies that the King resolved to lay Siege to Lisbon the Metropolis of Portugal But before we Treat of that Famous Siege let us look back upon what we left behind Whilst these things hap'ned in Portugal the Aragonians and Navarrois were at War Both strove to bring D. Alonso of Castile to their part but Raymund Earl of Barcelona having
concluded betwixt those two Crowns Thus much concerning the Original of this Order of Knighthood I know some will have King Alonso the Chast and others King Ramiro to be the Founders of it long belong this time but they have no grounds for it In France after much trouble Peace was concluded betwixt the King of Aragon and Earl of Toulouze who was dissatisfied for that the King obstructed the Marriage of his Son with the Daughter of the late Earl of Provence The King gave him 3000 Marks of Silver to quit his pretensions and his Son Married the Sister of Trencavelle Viscount of Carcassonne her name was Beatrix Hugo Great Master of the Templers was very instrumental in making this Accommodation Castile after a long Oppression began now through the Valour of its King D. Alonso to lift up its head At the same time the power of the Moors declined The Almohades wholly taken up with the affairs of Africk had not leasure to mind Spain Besides Aven Jacob Successor to Abdelmon tho' of sufficient Valour yet equalled not his Father in good Fortune The King of Castile being now at Age resolved not to let slip so good an opportunity of inlargeing his Territories Having therefore taken his revenge on Navarre and Leon he consulted with the King of Aragon about carrying on the War against the Moors and it was determined to begin by the Conquest of Cuenca This City was built by the Moors on a high and Craggy Hill shut up on two sides by the Rivers Xucar and Huecar so that it is naturally impregnable The ascent is difficult the Streets narrow so steep that Horses cannot go in many of them In those days it had no Spring nor Wells at present Water has been brought to it from other Hills so that it was easie to keep the Town from Water but not practicable to assault it by reason of the Cragginess of the Ground Great preparations were made in both Kingdoms and many Captains of note and Prelates attended the Kings in this Expedition Among them Peter de Açagrd being now reconciled to the Kings was the first that took his Post before the City The Siege was begun with the Year and there being no Possibility of Battering or Assaulting the Town lasted long the Moors defending themselves in hopes of relief Provisions grew as scarce in the Camp as in the Town and they lived only upon plunder Besides there was no Money to pay the Soldiers and invite Vivandiers These difficulties moved the King of Castile to go to Burgos to raise Money The Cortes or Parliament being Assembled it was proposed that not only the Commonalty but Nobility and Gentry who used to be free from Taxes should pay to the King five Maravedies of Gold a Head for that the populace was before wasted with Taxes This advice was given by D. James de Haro Lord of Biscay whose Sister was Marryed to the King of Leon and brought him two Sons Sancho and Garcia Peter Earl of Lara opposed it and a great number of Nobility joyning him left the Assembly resolving to maintain their Priviledges by force of Arms. The King moved by this danger gave over that Tax It was agreed among the Nobles to make an Annual Feast to Peter of Lara and his Successors in Memory of this Mutinous exploit Whilst these debates were at Burgos the Siege having lasted Nine Months Cuenca was at last taken in the Month of September 1177. This same Year was Fortunate to Navarre in the Birth of Ferdinand of whom the Fruitful Queen Beatrix was delivered after she had brought Sancho Raymund Berengaria Teresa and Blanch. For the greater honour of the City Cuenca it was by consent of the Pope made a Bishoprick the Priviledges of Valera an Episcopal See in the time of the Goths being translated thither To the Citizens was granted the Priviledge of sending Representatives to the Cortes or Parliament In reward of their good Service the Aragonians were freed from the Homage they ow'd to Castile A League was concluded betwixt the two Kings against all Princes except him of Leon who was exempted in respect to his Kindred After Cuenca the War continuing Alarcon a place of no less strength was taken Also the Town of Iniesta better known for its Salt-Pits the Salt whereof is like Transparent Stone than for the goodness of the soil The Knights of St. James that they might be nearer the Moors were Ordered to settle their Monastery at Vcles whence King Ferdinand of Leon repenting what he had done would have had them return to their first Habitation After much debate it was agreed that Four Priests of that Order should be sent to Leon who should still be Subject to the Monastery of Vcles which they afterwards refused and Pope Vrban I. Ordered the Monasteries should be independent of one another only subject to the great Master of the Order Not long after these Knights were admitted to Portugal and had large Possessions given them They for many Years obey'd the Great Master of the Order till King Denis assigning them a Head of their own withdrew them from any dependance on Castile Tho' these things fell out in several Years they are put together to ease the Memory Let us return to the series of the History The King of Castile now built the City Plasencia on the Borders of his Kingdom and made it a Bishoprick The Walls of Toledo were repaired and the Town of Alarcos rebuilt All this hap'ned in the Year of our Lord 1178. At the same time Alonso King of Aragon upon the death of Giraldus Earl of Russillon who dy'd without Issue seized upon that Earldom and from thence forward stiled himself King of Aragon Earl of Barcelona and Russillon and Marquess of Provence On the 20th of March 1179. he set out from Perpignan towards Cazola where he was to have an interview with the King of Castile Here it was agreed that Valencia Xativa Denia and their Dependancies should belong to the Conquest of Aragon All the other Towns in the Kingdom of Murcia were assigned to Castile They also made a League against Sancho King of Navarre to his great loss for the Castillians took from him the Towns of Briviesca Cerezo Logron̄o and all that lies between the Mountains Doca and Calahorra To these Roderick the Archbishop adds Navarrete Thence the Army of Castile marched towards Leon where they plundered and wasted all the Country The King of Leon being too weak to defend himself Sollicited him of Aragon putting him in mind this was a breach of the Confederacy made at Cuenca There only wanted a pretence for the Kingdom of Aragon to break with Castile therefore he sent to demand Restitution of Hariza and its Castle and in case of refusal to declare War Great were the Apprehensions of a Bloody War yet the King of Castile's modesty prevented it for he restored Hariza and forbore carrying on the War
in great State to her Husband These things were done in the Year 1201. Much about the same time Berengaria the King of Castile's other Daughter was Marry'd to Alonso King of Leon at Valladolid where the two Kings met to that purpose Her Dower was only those Towns her Father had taken from her Husband Alonso Earl of Provence and William Earl of Focalquer being at variance the King of Aragon took a journey into France and composed their differences Thence he went by Sea to Rome designing to make use of the interest of Pope Innocent III. for obtaining the assistance of the Fleets of Genoa and Pisa towards the Conquest of Majorca The Pope received him with great Magnificence caused him to be anointed and himself put on his Crown ordaining that for the future the Kings of Aragon should be Crown'd by the Archbishop of Tarragona as the Popes Vicar In return the King made his Kingdom Tributary to the Pope which was highly resented by his Subjects CHAP. IX The Marriage of the King of Aragon and Death of some Persons of Note Peace concluded and Alliance between all the Christian Kings of Spain The beginning of the War with the Moors A vast Multitude of Foreigners comes to the assistance of the Christian Kings of Spain KING Peter of Aragon being returned home from Rome incensed the Minds of his Subjects by imposing a Tax called Monetal from which even the Nobility were not exempted Pope Innocent indeavoured to make a match betwixt the King and the Lady Mary Daughter to Elizabeth Queen of Jerusalem by that means to ingage him in the Holy War Conveniency prevailed and he Marryed the Lady Mary Daughter and Heiress to William Lord of Montpellier Vrraca the King of Castile's Youngest Daughter was Marry'd to Alonso the King of Portugal's eldest Son in the Year 1206. This Year there was so great an Eclipse of the Sun that the Darkness lasted Six hours as if it had been the Dead of Night The Floods were so great that the River Tagus swell'd the height of a Man above the Gate of Almofala at Toledo as the Annals of that City inform us It is likely this Gate of Almofala was the same is now call'd of St. Isidorus King Alonso made Martin Archbishop of Toledo High Chancellor of Castile No hopes being left the King of Navarre of recovering his losses he had a Conference with him of Castile at Guadalaxara where a Truce was concluded for five Years and Cautionary Towns given on both sides for security of performance In the Year 1208. dy'd Martin Archbishop of Toledo Roderick Ximenes a Navarrios succeeded him In November departed his Life Sancha Mother to the King of Aragon On the same day as the Archbishop dy'd also Stephen Illan Governour of Toledo who as was said recovered that City for the King Also the Earl of Vrgel leaving one only Daughter who being oppress'd by Gerard de Cabrera Son to Ponce before mentioned surrendred her Earldom to the King of Aragon and put herself under his protection Here ended the Dominion of the Heirs of the great Borello formerly Earls of Barcèlona and Vrgel over that City tho' her Father by Will left the half of his City of Valladolid to Pope Innocent that he might protect his Daughter in the remaining part but I do not find that ever the Pope had possession of this Legacy The Truce with the Moors was near expiring and great danger threatned unless the Christian Princes would unite their Forces for the publick good Alonzo King of Leon disturbed the Peace by seizing upon his Mother-in-law's Joynter-Lands James de Haro her Brother opposing the King drew upon himself the Forces of Leon and Castile and not able to defend his own was forc'd to fly to Navarre Thence he infested the Frontiers of Castile but being defeated by the two Kings retired to Estela a strong Town The four Kings of Castile Leon Aragon and Navarre met at Alfaro and concluded a Peace Hereupon James de Haro forsaken by all fled to Valencia to the Moors Soon after the King of Aragon entring the Kingdom of Valencia had his Horse kill'd under him in fight and must certainly have been taken but that James de Haro mounted him This made him so odious to the Infidels that he was oblig'd to go over to Africk to clear himself before the Miramamolin Afterwards having made his Peace with the Christian Kings he return'd to Castile In the Year 1209. the two Kings of Aragon and Navarre had another meeting in a Plain near a Town call'd Mallen Here all Differences were adjusted and the King of Navarre lent him of Aragon 20000 Daccats for which he was to deliver four Towns in pawn to D. Ximeno de Rada who if the Money was not repaid on the day appointed was to surrender them up to the King of Navarre King Alonso of Castile hop'd to draw Succours out of France but the Wars betwixt the French and English hindred Whereupon he entred Guienne resolving to fall upon either of the two that should refuse to hearken to Peace His labour was lost for the enmity was irreconcileable and the Preparations made by the Moors oblig'd him to return into Spain Whilst the Truce with the Moors lasted an University was Founded at Palencia at the King's charge and by the persuasion of Roderick Archbishop of Toledo and Professors of all Sciences brought out of France upon promise of great Salaries At Huelgas near Burgos the King also built a great Monastery for the burying of Kings and an Hospital adjoyning to it Constance Sister to the King of Aragon and Dowager of Hungary by whom she had a Son call'd Ladislaus by persuasion of Pope Innocent III. Marry'd Frederick King of Sicily The Alliances establish'd betwixt the Christian Princes fill'd all People with hopes and joy Yet at this time the King of Leon by command of Pope Innocent was Divorc'd from his Queen Berengaria upon account of Consanguinity and she sent to her Father Mahomet who had succeeded his Brother Abenjoseph in the Empire of the Moors made great Preparations to invade the Dominions of the Christians who on their part were not idle Peter King of Aragon took Adamuz and other Towns in the Kingdom of Valeneia To the Knights Templers he gave the Town of Tortosa for their good service perform'd in the late Wars Ferdinand Son to the King of Castile entred Andaluzia and plundred all the Country about Baeza Anduxar and Jaen About the same time Mahomet King of the Moors call'd the Green from the colour of his Turbant took Salvatierra part of the Inhabitants were put to the Sword the rest made Slaves It was Besieg'd in June 1210. and taken in September King Alonso was marching to relieve it but at Talavera his Son Ferdinand met and assur'd him there was need of a greater Army to engage the Enemy Prince Ferdinand dying in October the following Year put a stop
fall of a Tile Ferdinand Prince of Leon succeeds his Mother Berengaria renouncing her right Orders of S. Dominick S. Francis and La Merced instituted THE Enmity betwixt D. Alvaro de Lara and Queen Berengaria put the Kingdom into Confusion and was the cause that many Murders Robberies and other Villanies were committed D Alvaro added one fraud to the perfecting of all his Projects The King being at Maqueda a Town not far from Toledo Queen Berengaria sent a Man privately to advertise him how affairs stood D. Alvaro having notice of it seized the Messenger and Counterfeiting the Queen's Hand and Seal produced Letters as from her directing the King to be Poisoned and the more to credit his invention caused the Messenger to be strangl'd This imposture being known incensed all Men against D. Alvaro and the Inhabitants of Maqueda had slain him but that he withdrew with the King to Huete Thither the Queen again sent one Roderick Gonzales de Valverde to consult with the King how he might make his escape to her This Man also was taken and sent Prisoner to Alarcon but was not put to Death for fear of the People All the storm fell upon such Nobles as adhered to the Queen The King kept his Lent at Valladolid thence D. Alvaro sent Forces to Besiege Montalegre where was D. Suero Tellez Giron a Man of Note well provided to defend himself He had two Brothers Ferdiand Ruyz and Alonso Tellez that might have relieved him but would not out of respect to the King D. Suero being summon'd in the King's name tho' he could long have held out surrendred the Fort. After this the Country was wasted and the King in Person sate down before Carrion Thence he moved to Villalva D. Alonso de Meneses who held it being then out of the Town was forced to make his way in with his Sword not without danger being himself wounded and many of his Servants kill'd Nevertheless he held out so long that the King was glad to quit that enterprize and return to Palencia At the same time the War was carry'd on against Roderick and Alvaro Cameros who held the City Calaborra The King going thither soon made himself Master of that City Garci Zapata the Governour delivering up the Castle to him After the taking of that City they Marched against D. Lope de Haro Lord of Biscay That Country is Mountainous and the People very true to their Lords for which reason the War was protracted and the King return'd home As soon as the King was gone D. Lope entred his Territories as far as Marcanda de Ebro where Gonzalo Brother to D. Alvaro the Governour met him They came not to a Battle because Religious Persons interposed Thus D. Gonzalo went away to the King and D. Lope to Otella where the Queen was not without Apprehensions that the King would Besiege her There are those who write that a Marriage was treated of betwixt the King of Castile and Sancha the King of Leon's Daughter by his first Wife upon condition she should inherit the Crown excluding Ferdinand the Son of Queen Berengaria But it is hard to find out the truth of these Affairs for the History of those times is no less confuss'd than were the times In this Historians agree that the King being at play with others of his Age in the Court of the Bishop's Palace where he then lay a Tile falling from the top of the House broke his Head in such manner that he dy'd 11 days after on the 6th of June in the Year 1217. His Body was afterwards bury'd near his Brother Ferdinand at Huelgas by Burgos He liv'd not full 14 years Reign'd 2 and 9 months This same Year the Portugueses took from the Moors a considerable Town call'd Alcazar de Sal. Matthew Bishop of Lisbon was the chief Contriver of this Enterprize for he raised considerable Forces and persuaded the Knights Templers to be assisting to him But the chief Force consisted in 100 Sail of English French and Flemings who on their way to the Holy-Land touch'd at Lisbon and were persuaded by that Bishop to put their hand to the reducing of that Town A Multitude of Moors from Sevil Cordova and other parts coming to the Relief of that place was overthrown and 60000 of them were killed The Battle was fought on the 25th of September and the place taken on the 18th of October Henry the late King had two Sisters both elder than he These were Blanch Marry'd to Luis eldest Son of Philip Augustus King of France and Berengaria who before she was parted from her Husband Alonso King of Leon brought him four Children to wit Ferdinand Alonso Constance and Berengaria Blanch was the eldest Sister and by Right ought to inherit had not force and the hatred of a Stranger taken place of Justice Many of the Nobility meeting where Queen Berengaria then was declared the Crown to appertain to her It was convenient that all things should be setled before the King of Castile's Death came to the Ears of the King of Leon lest he should pretend to that Crown in Right of his Wife tho' parted from her Accordingly Embassadors were sent to him to request he would send his Son Ferdinand to protect his Mother which they obtain'd before ever that King had notice of the Death of King Henry This was the easier to do for that D. Alvaro de Lara carry'd the dead Body with him to Tariego giving out he was still living and dispatching Business in his Name Prince Ferdinand being come to Otella where his Mother was she made over her Right to the Crown to him At Najara under an Elm-tree the Ceremony of Proclaiming him King was perform'd so little State was used in those times From Najara he went to Palencia designing to take a Progress thro' the Kingdom That City at the persuasion of the Bishop received him with great Joy and Magnificence Then he went to Duenas which shut the Gates against him but the Town being small and not strong was entred by force Here the Nobility began to treat of an Accommodation with the Family of Lara D. Alvaro was not averse to it but being used to Rule he had the presumption to ask to be Tutor to the new King King Ferdinand was at that time 18 years of age tho' some say but 16. Thus the posture of Affairs seem'd to threaten a War The King and Queen went to Valladolid a great and plentiful Town in Castile where the Cortes or Parliament met and determin'd that Berengaria was the rightful Heiress of the Crown as had been twice declared whilst her Father lived So Roderick the Archbishop who says she was the eldest Daughter but other Authors are of another Opinion The Queen here again resign'd her Right to the Crown and her Son was the second time Proclaim'd King in a great open place in the Suburbs of that Town Thence he was carry'd to the Cathedral
was then quite destitute of Inhabitants but the King promising that all such as would come and inhabit there should be exempted from Taxes it was soon Peopled and regain'd its former Lustre CHAP. IV S. Luis King of France sends Presents to the Church of Toledo and makes an unfortunate Expedition to the Holy-Land Aragon Embroyl'd King Ferdinand of Castile after gaining much from the Moors dies WHilst Sevil was Besieged S. Luis King of France Enrich'd the Church of Toledo with many Holy Relicks which much encreased the Devotion to that Church and gain'd him the esteem of the People of Spain Those Relicks are preserv'd to this day and shown in the Treasury of that Church with the Original Letter sent by S. Luis upon that occasion After that King Luis sailed from Marseilles to the Conquest of the Holy-Land but his Success was not answerable to the Piety of the Undertaking For after reducing the City Damiata in Aegypt Robert the King's Brother was killed in a Battle Alonso and Charles his two Brothers together with the King himself were made Prisoners in the Year 1249. Their Liberty cost dear and little was done in the Holy-Land except the taking of Joppe Sidon and Cesarea by the French in the Year 1250. This same Year D. Gutierre Archbishop of Toledo dying at Atiença on the 9th of August as appears by the Annals of Toledo D. Sancho Son of King Ferdinand was promoted to that Dignity Some call him Peter and others John but doubtless both Names are mistaken Roderick the Archbishop by order of Queen Berengaria bred her two Grandsons Philip and Sancho at Toledo He made them both Canons of that Church Both of them study'd at Paris particularly Philip was Disciple to Albertus Magnus that great Philosopher and Divine His Learning and the Interest of his Father preferred D. Sancho to the Archbishoprick Pope Innocent IV. approved the Election but he was not Consecrated because he was not of Age being the youngest but one of all his Brothers For his sake the King gave Vzeda and Iznatoraf to the Church of Toledo in lieu of Baça which he had given when Jaen was taken About this time lived a famous Man called Pero Gonzalez who leaving the Court where he had a considerable Employment spent the rest of his life in instructing the People of Galicia and Asturias and was a famous Preacher His Cotemperary Bernard a Canon of Santiago thro' his great knowledge of the Canon-Law became Familiar with Pope Innocent and writ the Comments upon the Epistolae Decretales At the same time the Aragonians divided into Factions consumed themselves with Civil Wars King Jayme by his Queen Violante had these Sons Peter Jayme Ferdinand and Sancho and as many Daughters Violante Constantia Sancha and Mary The Queen who govern'd the King persuaded him to divide his Dominions among his Sons an advice destructive to the Kingdom and unjust in regard to Alonso the eldest Son For this reason most of the Nobility revolted from the King and openly sided with the Prince who countenanc'd them In order to compose these Differences which threatned greater Mischiefs the Cortes or Parliament was held in February at Alcanizes a Town in Aragon Judges being appointed to determine betwixt the Father and Son they gave Judgment against the Son This avail'd little the Subjects being dissatisfied and the King persisting in his Resolution insomuch that even before his Death he gave the Principality of Catalonia to his Son Peter which incens'd the other Party the more This in Aragon King Ferdinand's Affairs were in a much better posture for having setled Sevil where he intended to reside he took Xerez Medina Sidonia Begel Alpechin and Aznalfarache Besides about the Sea Coast he forc'd and demolish'd many Forts The Lands of Nebrixa were wasted yet some Towns of the Moors being well Fortify'd resolv'd to endure a Siege either for that they thought it more honourable or more safe There were thoughts of carrying on the War into Africk and to that purpose a great Fleet was providing in Biscay Death put a stop to this design which seiz'd King Ferdinand at Sevil on the 30th of May in the Year 1252. He Reign'd over Castile 34 Years 11 Months and 23 Days over Leon about 22 Years He was endew'd with all good Qualities his Life was such that it purchased him the Title of the Saint It is doubted whether his Valour Piety or good Fortune excelled most In fine he acted the part of a good Man and a Just Prince No time made his Piety so visible as the Hour of his Death Raymund Archbishop of Sevil Administred the Blessed Sacrament to him at the time it came into the Room he fell upon his Knees with a Halter about his Neck like a Criminal with great Humility begging pardon of his Sins and at the last gasp asked Forgiveness of all that were present Taking the Candle in his Hand with Eyes lifted up to Heaven he said Lord the Kingdom which you gave me and all the Honour I could merit I restore to thee Naked I came from my Mothers Womb and Naked I resign my self to the Earth Receive O Lord my Soul through the Merits of thy Holy Passion and vouchsafe to place it among thy Servants This said he order'd the Clergy to sing the Litany and Psalm Te Deum and then yielded up the Ghost A little before his Death he gave much good advice to his Son Alonso whom he appointed his Heir and recommended to his care his Queen and his other Sons of which Frederick Henry and Philip Elect of Sevil were present at his Death D. Sancho Elect of Toledo was then at his See The next day the Obsequies were perform'd with much Grandeur His Body was bury'd in the Cathedral of Sevil. This King is said to have instituted the Council of State which to this day has the Supream Authority in determining Causes He appointed 12 Judges as a higher Court whither all Appeals from inferior Tribunals should be brought so that he who Appeals deposites 500 Pistols and in case judgment be given against him forfeits them The Number of Law suits increasing and the Malice of the times still producing new Frauds it was necessary to erect this Tribunal for before each City was content with the determinations of their Judges or only Appeal'd to the Provincial Courts looking upon it as Superfluous to have recourse to the King Besides this he gave Men of Learning the care of inventing new Laws and gathering the old into one Volume now call'd Partidas which work begun in his time was perfected and publish'd under King Alonso his Son D. Lucas de Tuy brought his History down to the Death of King Ferdinand and no farther CHAP. V. The beginning of the Reign of King Alonso he is chosen Emperour by part of the Electors and Richard Duke of Cornwall by the rest Theobald the first King of Navarre dies his Son Theobald the Second
succeeds him KIng Alonso the Tenth of the Name as was of right succeeded his Father Ferdinand His Reign for the strange variety of Revolutions that happen'd prov'd much more wonderful than glorious For what can be more admirable than to see a Prince bred in War and so Learned that few private Persons could compare with him reduc'd to that Unfortunate State he could neither obtain the Empire offer'd him by Strangers nor secure the Kingdom left him by his Father but to be reduc'd almost to the state of a private Man He sully'd the Title of the Wise purchas'd by his Learning by not knowing how to foresee and prevent the Calamities that fell upon him At Sevil where he was when his Father dy'd he was Proclaim'd King His first action was to renew the League with the King of Granada and he remitted him the sixth part of the Tribute he us'd to pay This was done in respect to his good Services and to encourage him to continue faithful That Prince was so great an admirer of King Ferdinand that tho' a Moor he sent Yearly 100 Wax Torches to Sevil for that Kings Anniversary There was great scarcity of Money to relieve which want it was thought fit that instead of Pepiones a Coin so call'd that was made of pure Metal there should Burgaleses be us'd which were base and full of allay This was no relief to the King's wants for all things grew dear and he was forc'd to raise the Salaries of all Officers But the People were much more inrag'd when another sort of Money was invented call'd Black because it had much Copper 15 pieces of this Money were worth a Crown one Burgales was worth two Pepiones This Method of raising Money has often been found very prejudicial and soon made King Alonso odious to his Subjects King Alonso was troubled for the Barrenness of his Queen Violante Flatterers advis'd there might be a Divorce obtain'd and the King was easy to be perswaded He sent to conclude a Match with Christina Daughter to the King of Denmark and she was brought into Spain King Jayme of Aragon indeavour'd by fair means to alter this resolution but those failing had recourse to Arms. Thus the War broke out incursions were made on both sides and the Frontiers plunder'd Theobald King of Navarre dy'd now on the 8th of July 1253. As he was worthy of praise for his zeal towards the Holy Land so he was Blameable for invading the rights of the Church on which account it is said that Kingdom was for the space of three Years under a general Interdict After that time was expir'd Peter Remigius or Gaçoliz Bishop of Pamplona who had been Banished was reconciled to the King and return'd to his Church Theobald was honourable for other good qualities and especially for his Learning He had Three Wives by the first who was Daughter to the Earl of Lorrain he had no Children Being Divorc'd from her by the Pope's Command he Marry'd Sibila Daughter to Philip Earl of Flanders by whom he had Blanch Marry'd to John Duke of Britanny called the Red. By his third Wife the Daughter of Archimbaud Earl of Faux he had Theobald Henry and Ellenor Theobald succeeded his Father being then not 15 Years of Age but of an Excellent temper and promising hopes Queen Marguerite his Mother fearing Alonso King of Castile being eas'd of the War with the Moors would again set up his pretensions to that Crown had recourse to the King of Aragon with him she had a Conference at Tudela in August and they concluded a League Offensive and Defensive It was also agreed that Theobald should Marry one of King Jayme's Daughters and that neither of them should be given to any of the King of Castile's Brothers without the consent of Queen Marguerite However the King of Aragon sav'd to himself his pretensions to that Crown on account of the adoption of King Sancho That this League might be the firmer they had it confirmed by the Pope It aim'd directly at Castile The apprehensions of a War caus'd the King of Aragon and his Son to be reconcil'd Thus I find that Alonso the eldest Son confirm'd under an Oath what his Father had given to Peter and Jayme the two Younger Brothers A new War ensued Alasarcho a designing Moor promis'd to deliver up the Castle of Reguara King Jayme being a forward Prince easily gave credit to him and was on the way with a small handful of Men. He had fallen into the snare and been taken but that he had intelligence of the design The Moor thus disappointed perswaded those of Valencia to revolt thither the King hasted and it was debated to expel all the Infidels Interest sway'd the Nobility to oppose this advice but the Prelate and Commonalty prevail'd so the Moors were Commanded to depart Valencia and all its Territory within a time prefixt They tho' 60000. strong and in Arms obey'd and dispersed themselves into the Country of Murzia and Granada A considerable number also setled in that part now called La Mancha de Aragon formerly Montaragon of a Town of that Name At that time it was not Tilled nor Improved at present yields Corn that supplies many Places Ferdinand Brother to King Alonso made a considerable profit of the Moors for being Governour of Villena through which they were to pass he obliged every one to pay a Crown of Gold These affairs hindred the King of Aragon from falling upon Castile and this delay proved fortunate At the same time that Christina after her long Voyage came to Toledo which was in the Year 1254. it appeared that the Queen was with Child The King moved at so unexpected an accident changed his hatred into Love and those who before perswaded a Divorce now pleaded for the Queen Such is the Custom of Flatterers Philip the King's Brother notwithstanding he was Abbot of Valladolid and Elect Archbishop of Sevil renounced the Priestly Function and with the King's consent Marry'd Christina who dy'd soon after Queen Violantes Barreness was chang'd into Fruitfulness and she bore many Children These were Berengaria Beatrix Ferdinand called de la Cerda that is of the Hair because of long Hair that grew on his back Sancho Peter John James Elizabeth and Ellenor By a Woman of mean Extraction the King had Alonso Fernandez by D. Mayor Daughter to Peter de Guzman he had Beatrix both Illegitimate In the following Year 1255. Edward the Eldest Son of Henry King of England came into Spain the cause of his coming is not known unless it were on account of Christina who was his Cousin-german He was honourably received by the King at Burgos and by him Knighted according to the Custom of those times Honours directed to appease the Fierce Youth King Alonso had not the same Character in all parts In Spain he was hated by his Subjects and not much beloved by the Neighbouring Princes Abroad the Fame of
was very bloody Conradin and Frederick had their Heads cut off at Naples a hard Judgment upon such great Princes At this time another Debate arose in Aragon Gerard de Cabrera pretending to the Earldom of Vrgel pleading that his Brother Alonso's Children were not Legitimate Raymund Folch their Uncle by the Mother's side and other Men of Note supported them King Jayme seem'd to espouse Gerard's quarrel and that the more for that he had made over his Right to the King as not able to carry it off himself The King of Granada prepar'd to make War upon Guadix and Malaga and was offended that King Alonso contrary to what had been agreed did underhand support them D. Nun̄o de Lara and D. Lope de Haro being disoblig'd by the King blew the Coals They promis'd the Moor if he would take up Arms not only they but many other Men of Note would go over to him There was some rumour spread abroad of these Practices but there wanted Witnesses to prove the Fact This mov'd the King to go into Andaluzia This Year the King chang'd the Name of the Village call'd S. Peter de Ariznoa in Guipuscoa into that of Vergara and made it a Market-Town The Affairs of Andaluzia being setled and Winter coming on King Alonso return'd to Toledo to entertain his Father-in-law the King of Aragon who came to be present at the first Mass of his Son D. Sancho the Archbishop which was to be Celebrated on Christmass-day D. Sancho accordingly said Mass that day the two Kings of Castile and Aragon the Queen and Prince Ferdinand being present King Jayme of Aragon staid but 8 days at Toledo being resolv'd tho' very old to go over to the War in the Holy-Land inflam'd with the desire of restoring the ancient Glory of the Christians in those parts A great and valiant Prince worthy to have succeded better than he did in that Expedition CHAP. IX The King of Aragon 's Expedition for the Holy-Land The Kings of France and Navarre and the eldest Son of the King of England move upon the same Enterprize The Nobles of Castile Revolt Troublesin Aragon THE Affairs of the Christians in the Holy-Land were reduc'd to the last extremity Now unexpectedly a fair opportunity of restoring their losses offer'd it self and stirred up at one-time England France and Spain to take Arms. Whilst Pope Innocent IV. held the General Council at Lyons in France he sent four Preachers of the Holy Order of S. Dominick among the Tartars to try whether that Barbarous People could be reduc'd to embrace Christianity Those Preachers were so successful as to gain Reputation among the Barbarians who began to show some affection towards the Christian Religion These People had now Invaded that part of Syria which was under the Saracens and the great Cham their King sent Embassadors to invite most Princes of Europe to share in that Conquest Particularly he sent Embassadors to the King of Aragon with John Alaricus of Perpegnan whom the King on account of an Embassy receiv'd before had sent into Tartary The Tartar Embassadors staid ar Barcelona Alaricus went to Toledo where in an Assembly of the Nobles he gave an account of his Embassy King Jayme resolv'd to go in Person to that War without regard to his great Age or the Intreaties of King Alonso and Queen Violante King Alonso seeing he was not to be disswaded promis'd him 100000 Ducats towards the Charge of the War Some Nobles of Castile offer'd to bear him Company and among them the Master of the Knights of Santiago and D. Gonçalo Pereyra Grand Prior of S. John From Toledo he went to Valencia where he gave Audience to the Tartars and also to another Embassador from the Emperor Paleologus who promis'd to furnish Provisions and all other Necessaries After all things were in readiness at the request of Queen Violante his Daughter he went as far as Huerta and there took his leave of her his Sons and Grandchildren On the 4th of September in the Year 1269. he set sail with a Fleet of 30 great Ships and some Galleys The Season was not fit for such Expeditions In three days they had sight of Minorca where a violent Storm dispers'd the whole Fleet which was drove to several Ports The King was put in at Marseilles and thence remov'd to the Gulph of Agde Some Ships and among 'em that in which went Fernan Sanchez the King's Son weather'd the Storm and arriv'd at Acre in the Holy-Land After refreshing himself at Montpelier the King now repenting that he had undertaken that Expedition return'd to Catalonia In Castile King Alonso with Edward Son and Heir to the King of England went as far as Logrono to meet his Daughter-in-law who was coming out of France thro' Navarre to her Husband This Marriage was Solemniz'd with greater Splendour than was ever seen before for there were present at it Jayme King of Aragon Grandfather to the Bridegroom Peter his eldest Son Philip eldest Son to the King of France Edward Son and Heir to the King of England the King of Granada King Alonso his Brothers Sons and Uncle Alonso Lord of Molina A great number of French Italian and Spanish Nobility was there and among them William Marques of Montseratte who Jovius says was Son-in-law to King Ferdinand Sancho Archbishop of Toledo was also present some say he Marry'd them This Match was contriv'd that the King of France might quit the Pretensions he had to Castile as being the Son of Blanch eldest Sister to King Henry After the Solemnity King Alonso accompany'd the King af Aragon as far as Tarraçona The English and French went further than the Aragonians in the Expedition of the Holy-Land but without much Success Edward eldest Son to the King of England with a good Fleet arriv'd at Ptolemais and escap'd himself the danger of the Assassins S. Luis King of France set Sail from Marseilles on the first of March 1270. Theobald King of Navarre having committed the Government to his Brother Henry accompany'd S. Luis After a Storm they landed at Tunez Invested the Town overthrew the Infidels twice in the Field and continu'd the Siege the space of 6 Months The great heat caus'd the Plague whereof vast numbers dy'd and among them Prince John the King's Son and lastly the King himself on the 28th of August Charles King of Sicily landing at this Juncture the Besieg'd agreed to pay him 40000 Ducats a Year and then the Army went over into Sicily Theobald King of Navarre dy'd there in the City Trapana on the 5th of December The Body of S. Luis was carry'd to S. Denis near Paris that of the King of Navarre to Champagne Queen Elizabeth his Wife dy'd on the 25th of April the Year following at Hiere in Provence Let us return to Castile King Alonso at this time was perplex'd with many cares The ambition of taking upon him the Empire of Germany had
Bun̄ol There they met on the Fourteenth of Sept. 1272 and laying aside all former Animosities concluded a League After the conference the King of Aragon went away to Catalonia then in an Uproar caus'd by the Nobility Armengaud de Cabrera Son to Alvaro de Cabrera to whom the King not long before had given the Earldom of Vrgel was the great incendiary The King besieg'd Balaguer the chief City of that Earldom and in it took Armengaud himself and his Uncle Roger Bernard and some other Lords whom he long kept Prisoners especially the Earl of Faux who had Rebell'd several times Thus the Troubles of Catalonia ended Prince Sancho of Castile went to Badajoz whither his Father was gone from Sevil to endeavour to make Peace between his Grandson Denis King of Portugal and Alonso that Kings Brother whom he labour'd by Force to deprive of the Possessions his Father had left him King Alonso of Portugal Father to Denis dyed at Lisbon the beginning of this same year He Liv'd 70 years Reigned 32. and was buried in the Monastery of S. Dominick Built by himself in that City Prince Sancho having seen his Father was sent away to make New Levies throughout the whole Kingdom in order to March against the King of Granada who was then taken up in Building the Palace of that City call'd Alhambra an excellent Structure which cost much Mony that King being no less skill'd in Works of that Nature than in Military Affairs What pretence there was for this War I know not but suppose he was not included in the late Treaty made with the King of Morocco Denis the King of Portugal either that he confided not in his Grandfather or fearing he was more inclinable to his Brother tho he came as far as Yelves which is but Three Leagues from Badajoz on a sudden turn'd back and went away King Alonso in a great Rage to be so disappointed return'd to Sevil. At this time Conrade Lança Admiral of Aragon with a Fleet of Ten Galleys scour'd the Coasts of Africk particularly of Tunez and Tremezen because they refus'd to pay the Tribute agreed upon some years before A certain Author affirms this Expedition was undertaken to restore Mirabusar Expell'd his Kingdom of Tunez by his Brother All agree a great Booty was taken by the Aragonians and that at the Streights of Gibraltar they defeated Ten Galleys of the King of Morocco Taking some and Sinking others The King of Aragon at Valencia where he commonly resided gave a Grant of the Lordship of Segorve to his Bastard Son D. Jayme about the Month of November CHAP. III. The Practices of Prince Sancho He Rebels against his Father The King of Morocco comes to Aid King Alonso Returns home leaving a Thousand Horse to serve under him King Alonso Disinherits and Curses his Son Prince Sancho IN Castile the Affection the People bore Prince Sancho daily increas'd and many believ'd when he was once well rid of his Nephews he would ease his Father of the Burden of the Crown His Father suspected nothing less than such a Design Prince Sancho in the Spring of the Year 1280. March'd with the Army he had rais'd to the Frontiers about Jaen and being there Recruited with Forces sent by his Father from Sevil entred the Territories of Granada where he Burnt all the Country as far as that City and then return'd with a great number of Cattle and Captives to Cordova and thence bore his Father Company to Sevil. This Success endear'd him more to the People which was what he chiefly aim'd at to secure the Succession to the Crown Philip K. of France sent Embassadors to demand that his Nephews should be set at liberty and deliver'd up to him and in case fair means would not prevail to threaten War Nothing being concluded it was agreed the Three Kings upon sufficient Security given should meet and commune together All the Kings set forward but they met not for Prince Sancho cunningly broke off that Interview fearing his Father who was inclinable to his Grandchildren might conclude something that might be prejudicial to him However it was agreed that Charles Prince of Taranto Son to the King of Sicily should carry the messages between the Kings yet all came to nothing Prince Sanoho undermining their Designs The French only ask'd that Prince Alonso should have the City Jaen given him with the Title of King and to hold of the Crown of Castile After this Disappointment the Kings of Aragon and France met about the same Affair and with the same success only the King of France took an Oath he would resign the Lordship of Mompellier to which he had pretended a Right to Jayme King of Majorca Prince Sancho was extreamly pleas'd that he had disappointed all the Designs of those Kings yet fear'd his Fathers Love towards those Children and there wanted not some who incensed King Alonso against his Son Therefore the Prince resolv'd to strengthen himself with Foreign Aids and to that purpose procur'd an Interview between his Father the King of Aragon and himself at a Town call'd Campillo between Agreda and Taraçona on the 27th of March 1281. At this Conference a League offensive and defensive was established between the two Kings upon penalty of 20000 pound weight of Silver to him that first broke it Palaçuela Teresa Xera and Ayola were now given to the King of Aragon and in lieu of them to Prince Emanuel the King's Brother whose those Places were Escalona was given This is what was publickly acted In private they concluded with jont Forces to invade Navarre and agreed what part each was to have when Conquer'd Prince Sancho obtain'd that the young Princes his Nephews should be secur'd in the Castle of Xativa and the more to oblige the King of Aragon he promised after his Fathers Death to yield him up all the Kingdom of Navarre and to give him in Castile the Town of Requena with all its Dependencies which lies on the Borders of Valencia towards Murcia He valu'd not what promises he made to secure his Power D. John Nun̄ez de Lara a powerful Man was then Lord of Albaracin having Marry'd the Daughter and Heiress of D. Alvaro de Açagra the Son of Peter Rodriguez de Açagra both Lords of that City Thence he made inroads into both the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon carrying away much Booty and gave Protection to all those that fled to him on account of any Crimes whatsoever Particularly D. Lope Diaz de Haro a mighty Lord being offended at King Alonso and Prince Sancho for the Death of Prince Frederick and the Lord of Cameros was retir'd thither The King of Aragon and Prince Sancho consulted at Taraçona about taking that City and expelling D. John de Lara King Alonso went to Burgos to Celebrate the Neptials of his two Sons Peter and John Peter marry'd a Daughter of the Lord of Narbonne and John the Daughter of the Earl of
Abbot of Valladalid for that it was he who started that Discourse and consulted with the Queen how to be reveng'd They thought fit to call him to Aâ—â—ount for the administration of the Royal Revenue which he had Charge of and the Business was committed to the Arch-Bishop of Toledo King Sancho went away to Santiago in 〈◊〉 and by the way in the Monasterâ— of Sahagun finding that the Bonca of King Alonso the VIth and his two Queens Elizabeth and Mary were meanly laterred he â—â—us'd them to be put into decent Tombs with 〈…〉 Being return'd to Valladâ—lid he honour'd D. Lope Diaz de Haro â—â—rd of Biscay to whom chiefly he 〈…〉 Crown with the place of Lord Steward of his Household and his Standard heaâ—ery Besides he made him Governour of many Forth and on the 1st of January gave him the Title of an Earl all these Honours in remainder to his son James Lopez de Haro 〈…〉 de Haro Brother to D. Lope was made General of 〈…〉 Thus that Family increas'd Riches and Power and D. Lope became the King 's Favouriâ—â— all Things were govern'd according to his Will in so much that the other Nobles complain'd he tyranniz'd in the Name of King Sancho Paticularly the People of Leon and Gâ—â—cia found fault that he bestow'd all 〈…〉 upon his own Creatures D. Lope great yâ—t more Hanghty having marry'd his Daughter Mary to Prince John and endeavour'd to have the King put away his Queen that he might Marry his Consin Gulielma Daughter to â—astâ—n Earl 〈…〉 This was not at all pleasing to the King who had now by the Queen another Son call'd Alonso and therefore sought an Opportunity to â—ake off D. Lope yet fearing some Rebellion kept him close about his Person in the same Hâ—â—â—ur whilst he visited the Kingdom of Toledo and went to 〈◊〉 The Design of this burney was to 〈◊〉 the People of Galicia who had revolted and put a stop to the incursions of the 〈…〉 Prince Alonso the King of Portugal's Brother and D. Alvar NunÌ„oz de Lara Son to D. John de Lara a restless Man and us'd to live upon Rapine Prince Alonso was possess'd of the 〈◊〉 of Pertalegâ—â— and Roncaâ— on the Frontiers of Castile and Portugal 〈◊〉 Lope de Haro was lest to reduce the Rebels of Galicia The affair of Portugal was 〈◊〉 of between that King and him of Castile and they agreeing with joynt Forces laid Siege to Ronca destroy'd all the Country and oblig'd it to surrender The two Kings being together at this Siege the Portuguese advis'd the Castilian to take D. Alvar NunÌ„ez de Lara into Favour that his Greatness might serve as a check to D. Lope de Haro which was done accordingly D. Lope diving into that Design upon pretence of visiting his Cousin the Viscount of Bearne withdrew into Navarre The Navarrois were of themselves inclinable to make War against Castile and therefore upon his coming took up Arms. Clement Luna a Frenchman was then Viceroy of Navarre Many Incursions were made by the Navarrois as well into Castile as Aragon but nothing of Note was done except taking the Town of Salvatierra from the later The Aragonians made War into Italy with better success Roger Lauria a brave Commander and famous for his late Victories surpriz'd a mighty Fleet of the Enemy near Naples and after a sharp Dispute obtain'd a compleat Victory taking 42 Sale and 5000 Prisoners among which were many of Note Most of them were ransom'd only Guido de Montfort was not releas'd the Kings of England and Aragon being his 〈…〉 Enemies because this Man was Great Grand-son to Simon Earl of Montfort who as has been said overthrew and kill'd Peter King of Aragon in the War of Toulouze And Simon Grand-son to the other Simon took Richard Brother to King Henry of England Prisoner Guido also cruelly Murder'd Henry the Son of that Richard the Emperour in the Cathedral of Viterbo at Man in Revenge for his Father kill'd in Battle by Edward King of England The French and English Historians affirm 〈◊〉 Guido was deliver'd up to the King of England A Sicilian Writer of that Age positively says he 〈…〉 Sicily of a Disease which could not be cur'd without having to do with a Woman which he absolutely refus'd because he would not wrong his Wife Margueriâ—e who after his Death behav'd not her self so well as she ought to have done The Aragonians were now at Peace and famous for their Riches Strength and the memorable Action they had perform'd Only the King of Majorca â—â—â—ested the Coast of â—â—â—alonia but â—â— nothing Remarkable Alonso King of Aragon was renowned and had the Ballance of Peace and War in his Hands keeping the two rightful Princes of Castile Prisoners in Aragon and him of Salerâ—o in Sicily These Princes growing weary of their Confinement inclin'd to admit of any 〈…〉 so they might be enlarg'd and great Kings interceded for them Many 〈…〉 sent from France and Castile upon that Affair but the Authority of Edward King of England was of most Weight because the Aragonian sought to Marry his Daughter Ellâ—â—or â—â—ose Kings resolv'd to meet at the City Oloron in the Province of Bearne and there 〈…〉 of the King of England it was agreed that the Prince of Salerno should be set at Liberty within a Year upon these Conditions That the Kingdom of Sicily should remain to D. Jayme That he should prevail with the Pope to give his consent and take 〈…〉 censures under which the Kingdom of Aragon lay That he should Pay 30000 Marks of Silver That Charles of Valcis should quit his Pretensions to the Crown of Aragon given him by Pope Martin And that if all this were not perfor 〈◊〉 within the Term of three Years that Prince should return in Prison and in the mean while should give his Three Sons Robert Charles and Luis and Sixty Men of Note of 〈…〉 as Hostages Charles Prince of 〈◊〉 being set at liberty went over into France and thence into Tuscany and after having appeas'd the Tumults rais'd by the 〈◊〉 in Rodâ— was at last by Pope 〈◊〉 the IV th declared King of Apulia and Sicily and accordingly 〈…〉 Pope pretended the late Agreement was invalid being made without his Consent that Kingdom being an antient Fleâ— of the Church This highly perplexed the King of Aragon and the Wordâ— for that he understand that Sancho King of Castile was 〈…〉 to break 〈◊〉 him and joyn with the King of France the Queen and Arch-Bishop of Toledo favouring the French and many others oppos'd He â—â— many Troubles ensu'd and D. Lope de Haro dying â—â— shall be related but Friends and 〈…〉 fled to Aragon and were the 〈◊〉 of new Wars This 〈…〉 speedily with the French The Embassadors of both Kings and the Popes 〈…〉 at the â—â—ity Lyons in French and â—here they agreed Thâ—â— King Sancho should give to D. Alonso de la Cerda the Kingdom of Mâ—â—câ—â— upon Condition he
Now by means of King Sancho they were reconcil'd and pardon'd The Kings parted about the end of the Year when he of Morocco rais'd his Siege and returu'd to Africk fearing Benedict Zacharias who was Equipping a great Fleet upon the Coast of Galicia besides the Town was strong and bravely defended These things concluded Spain at length was restor'd to Peace both at Home and Abroad Only D. John de Lara could not be pacify'd therefore King Sancho bent his Force against him and took the Towns of Moya and Canete which he had given him when he return'd from Aragon D. John having no Refuge left in Spain fled to France After him went the Arch-Bishop of Toledo sent by King Sancho to appease that King and continue the Amity that was betwixt them excusing the League made with Aragon as of absolute Necessity to prevent Civil-Wars The King of France answer'd he was no ways displeas'd at it but that his Brother Charles would freely renounce his Claim to Aragon provided that King would restore Sicily to the See of Rome While these things were in Agitation at the beginning of the Year 1292. Benedict Zacharias Admiral of Castile on the Coast of Africk fought 20 Galleys of the Moors and took 13 of them This Loss prevented the King of Morocco from passing over to Spain again as he had intended having a great Army ready for that purpose at Tangier King Sancho was encourag'd by this Success to set down before Tarifa which after a long Siege he took on the 21st of September The King of Portugal tho it was ask'd sent no Succour At the same time the Queen of Castile at Sevil was deliver'd of a Son call'd Philip. At first Roderick Master of the Knights of Calatrara was made Governour of Tarifa afterwards Alonso Perez de Gusman offer'd to defend it for one third of what was given to other Governours He had gather'd much Mony not only in Spain but in Africk while he serv'd the King of Morocco With it he bought several Towns in Andaluzia and added them to his paternal Estate He also gave great Alms and was therefore call'd the Good which Name his Family still keeps up From him are descended the Dukes of Medina Sidonia D. Alonso had a Son call'd John and a Grandson by him of the same Name marry'd to Beatrix Bastard Daughter to King Henry the II. who gave him the Town of Niebla in Dower with the Title of an Earl and therefore he call'd his Son Henry John the Son of Henry was by King Henry the Fourth created Duke of Medina Sidonia which Title continues in the Family Let us return to the Kings CHAP. X. Alcala de Henares made an Vniversity Tarifa Besieg'd by the Moors A brave Action of the Governour Sancho King of Castile dyes Ferdinand the Fourth succeeds Peace betwixt France and Aragon POpe Nicholas the Fourth and Sancho King of Castile earnestly endeavour'd to compose the Differences betwixt France and Aragon The Pope sent to this purpose Boniface Calamandra a Knight of S. John into Aragon but Death put a stop to his good Intentions The Sea of Rome was vacant two Years the Cardinals not agreeing King Sancho as to the Affairs of Aragon made amends for the want of a Pope for having receiv'd a favourable Answer from the King of France he invited the Aragonian to Guadalajara hoping they would terminate that Affair They met but nothing was concluded only they agreed upon another Conference at Logron̄o and invited Charles King of Naples thither who came not the Reason is not known but the Aragonian restor'd him his Children as had been promis'd by his Brother The following Year 1293. the Kings of Castile and Aragon met at Logron̄o all the fruit of the Conference was that they grew Jealous of each other The Father in Law treated the Son harshly and wrested all things to his own Advantage From that time the Aragonian began to have no Kindness for the Lady Elizabeth and to think of another Match and to this purpose pleaded Consanguinity and want of a Dispensation By the means of Calamandra he had a Conference with the King of Naples at Junquera where they treated of Contracting an Allyance by Marriage but very privately Time that discloses all Secrets made it appear they consulted about the Restitution of Sicily and marrying the King of Aragon to Blanch the Daughter of King Charles At this time King Sancho by a special Charter granted there should be publick Schools at Alcalà de Henares with the same Priviledges as at Salamanca Elizabeth Wife to D. John de Lara the younger dying the Lordship of Molina return'd to the King as next of Blood D. John de Lara the younger and Prince John the King's Brother began to raise Tumults The King to prevent a War reduc'd them by fair means D. John de Lara and his Father who now return'd from France were reconcil'd to the King Prince John the King's Brother retiring to Portugal thence together with D. John de Albuquerque made Incursions into the Country of Leon. The King sent D. John de Lara the Elder with Forces to oppose him but he was overthrown and taken Being set at Liberty he came to Toro where the King was very joyful for that he had a Daughter born there call'd Beatrix There was a Report that the King of Granada design'd to make War and he of Morocco to return into Spain therefore the King sent D. John de Lara with his two Sons D. John and D. Nun̄o to the Frontiers of Andaluzia But all this came to nothing for the Moorish Kings were quiet and D. John de Lara dy'd at Cordova This Storm being blown over Prince John the King's Brother rais'd another for he being commanded by the King of Portugal lest he should seem to infringe the Peace to depart his Kingdom went over to Tangier The King of Morocco thinking he might be of Use for carrying on the War in Spain entertain'd him Honourably and sent him with 5000 Horse to attack Tarifa Passing over into Spain he batter'd that Place with all manner of Engines and the Besieg'd encourag'd by their Commander Alonso Perez de Gusman and the Strength of their Wall defended themselves as resolutely It happen'd the Governour 's only Son was taken whom the Moors presented to the View of the Besieged threatning to cut off his Head unless they Surrendred The Father not the least daunted answer'd if he had an Hundred Sons they should all dye sooner than he would Stain his Honour by delivering that Place he had been Entrusted with and to shew his Resolution threw a Sword down from the Wall for them to Execute him with This done he went away to Dinner Soon after he return'd call'd by a great shout the Souldiers gave seeing those Bloody Barbarians execute the Innocent Child The Fact was more hainous because done by the Command of Prince John The Father understanding the Cause of that
stay to besiege it resolving to advance towards his Enemy who was incamp'd at Santaren The King of Portugal being too weak for his Enemy kept himself within the Walls and King Henry march'd away to Lisbon At his first coming he enter'd and burnt the Suburbs but the City being strong and well defended could not be taken However some Ships were burnt in the River and others taken by the Fleet of Castile a great Number of Prisoners and a rich Booty was carry'd away Mean while the Legate ceas'd not to labour for Peace and at last brought the two Kings together into a Boat upon the River Tagus on the 28th of March and they agreed to these Conditions That the King of Portugal by a certain Day should banish his Kingdom the Gentlemen that fled from Castile who were about 500 in Number That all Places taken during that War should be restor'd on both Sides That Beatrix Sister to the King of Portugal should be marry'd to D. Sancho Brother to King Henry and Earl of Albuquerque and Elizabeth Bastard Daughter to the King of Portugal to Alonso the Bastard of King Henry King Ferdinand gave Hostages for Security of Performance D. Sancho and the Lady Beatrix were presently marry'd at Santaren The Lady Elizabeth being but 8 Years of Age was delivered to King Henry and then the two Kings parted King Henry march'd directly against Navarre but the Pope's Legate reconcil'd those two Kings also The Navarrois restor'd the Towns of Victoria and Logron̄o Charles his Son was contracted to Ellenor Daughter to the King of Castile her Portion 120000 Crowns of Gold The Kings met at Briones a Town on the Frontiers where the Princes were marry'd and the King of Navarre gave his younger Son Peter to him of Castile as a Hostage When the King of Navarre return'd out of France he found that Bernard Bishop of Pamplona and Cruzate Dean of Tudela whom he had joyn'd in Commission with the Queen had not discharg'd their Trust faithfully They understanding the King's Displeasure fled the Bishop got to Avignon but the Dean was kill'd by the way as was suspected by the King's order The Bishop went on to Rome where he dy'd CHAP. X. Peace concluded betwixt Castile and Aragon Several Matches of Princes French and Spaniards besiege Bayonne in vain The Papal Chair restor'd to Rome Death of Frederick King of Sicily FRom Briones the King of Castile return'd to the Kingdom of Toledo he of Navarre to his Court whence he sent the Queen into France to appease that King who was highly offended suspecting the Navarrois had employ'd People to Poison him Then the King of Navarre went in Person to Madrid to perswade King Henry to forsake the French and side with the English Offering if he would pay the Arrears due to the Prince of Wales and his Army from King Peter that the English would quit their Claim to the Crown of Castile and lay down all other Animosities King Henry answer'd he would never depart from the Interest of France where he had found Relief in his Distress but that if the English would make Peace with France he would join in it and pay them as much as should be adjudg'd by impartial Judges Thus nothing was concluded and the Navarrois return'd to Pamplona the Castilian to Andaluzia The Lady Mary Daughter to D. Ferdinand de la Cerda marry'd in France to the Earl of Alençon sent to demand of King Henry the Lordships of Biscay and Lara as of right appertaining to her He reply'd if she would send two of her Sons to reside at his Court they should be put into Possession but having better Estates in France they never came In October Balthasar Spinola a Genoese came into Aragon as Embassador from the English to conclude a League against Castile They offer'd him if the Kingdom were conquer'd the Cities of Murcia Cuenca and Soria with all their Dependencies but the King of Aragon could not be prevail'd upon In February happen'd a great Earthquake in the Earldom of Ribagorça in which many Towns were wholly swallow'd up Luis Duke of Anjou came to Carcassonne to endeavour to settle a Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon fearing lest the English the mortal Enemies of France should become Masters of Castile After much debating it was resolv'd to referr the Dicision of their Differences to Guido Cardinal of Bolonia the Pope's Legate On the 15th of October Pope Gregory the XIth confirm'd the Order of the Fryers of S. Hierome first invented by certain Italian Hermits near the City Toledo Some Years after the Order of the Isidorians was taken from this same In December tho Peace could not be concluded a Truce was agreed upon till the Feast of Pentecost In the Year 1374 John Duke of Lancaster landed with an Army at Calis and being join'd by the Duke of Britany march'd across the Country to Bourdeaux with a Design to conquer Castile He sent Embassadors to the Kings of Aragon and Navarre to ask Supplies but they thought it safest to look on as Neuters King Henry fearing this Storm went to Burgos where he made all possible Preparations to withstand it D. Sancho his Brother endeavouring to appease a Sedition among the Souldiers was wounded in the Face with a Spear and dy'd The Lady Beatrix his Wife left with Child was deliver'd of a Daughter called Ellenor who was marry'd to Prince Ferdinand afterwards King of Aragon King Henry near Ban̄ares made a review of his Forces and found 1200 Horse and 5000 Foot a small Number but good Men. The English Forces consum'd by their long March when they came to Bourdeaux were not above 6000 strong and therefore had lay'd aside the Design of entring Spain Luis Duke of Anjou thinking this a good Opportunity to expel them France advis'd King Henry to joyn his Forces with him and besiege Bayonne King Henry took his Advice and besieg'd the Place but was forc'd by the Rains and want of Provisions to quit it Beltran de Guevara Lord of On̄ate did good Service in this Expedition for which the King at his return gave him the Valley of Leniz In August the Prince of Majorca enter'd the Country of Russillon with a powerful Army yet did nothing considerable On the other side the Lord of Bearne and Godfrey Recco a Breton made an Incursion into the Territory of Borgia and destroy'd all they came near The King of Aragon sent Francis de Perellas Viscount Roda to conclude a League with the Duke of Lancaster A violent Storm cast him upon the Coast of Granada where he was made Prisoner by that King in revenge for certain Vessels of his taken by the Aragonians and to please the King of Castile A new Embassy was sent by King Henry to Barcelona to establish Peace with the Aragonian On the 3d of November dy'd in Normandy Joanna Queen of Navarre at whose Request her Brother the King of France often pardon'd her Husband
their Title to Castile and that the King of Portugal offer'd to marry his Daughter Beatrix the Heiress of that Crown to Edward the Son of Edmund Earl of Cambridge A Treaty being set afoot the following Articles were agreed upon That Beatrix the Daughter of Portugal should be contracted to Ferdinand younger Son to the King of Castile that so Portugal might not be united to Castile That the Prisoners and Galleys taken in the Sea Fight should be restor'd to the Portugues That the King of Castile should furnish the English with a Fleet to return Home These were hard Terms for the King of Castile but the Desire of Peace overcame all Difficulties and he gave Hostages for the Performance of those Conditions Thus the Battel was prevented and the War ended The Joy conceiv'd for this Peace was interrupted by the death of some eminent Persons King John return'd to the Kingdom of Toledo and lay Sick at Cuellar when his Wife Queen Ellenor dy'd in Childbed of a Daughter that liv'd not long Her Body was Buried in the Royal Chappel at Toledo Her death mov'd the King of Portugal to alter the first Article of the late Treaty and he sent to offer his Daughter to the King thinking by that means to secure the Succession of the Crown of Portugal it being tedious to expect till Prince Ferdinand were grown up They easily agreed and one of the Articles was that in case King Ferdinand dy'd the Queen Dowager should govern Portugal till the Princess had a Child of Age. The City Elvas was the place appointed for the Marriage These things happen'd in Spain about the end of the Year At the same time in Greece the Aragonians and Navarrois were at War about the Dutchess of Athens and Neopatria Philip Dalmao Viscount Rocaberti Admiral of the Aragonian Fleet subdu'd those Dominions for he expell'd the Navarrois put Garrisons of his own into the Towns leaving Romanus de Villanucva Governour and return'd home himself Sicily was also in Confusion for Artal de Alagon Count de Mistreta being a Man of great Power would marry the Queen to his own liking and bestow the Crown on whom he pleas'd To this purpose he call'd out of Lombardy John Galeazzo who was not yet Duke of Milan but he would not go because the Aragonians had taken his Fleet in the Port of Pisa some time before The Nobility of Sicily were offended that D. Artal should pretend to the whole Power of Government William Raymund de Moncada having Communicated his Design to the King of Aragon enter'd Catanca seiz'd the Queen and convey'd her away to Augusta a strong Fort of his own on the Sea Shore into which he had put a good Garrison of Catalonians sent him by the King under the Command of Roger de Moncada D. Artal seeing himself disappointed lay'd Siege to Augusta Dalmao in his Return out of Greece touch'd in Sicily and understanding how Affairs stood forc'd the Enemy to raise the Siege and convey'd the Queen safe into Spain The Queen afterwards marry'd in Aragon and by that means the Kingdoms of Aragon and Sicily were united with a stronger and more lasting Band than they had been before Charles the Heir of Navarre was still detain'd a Prisoner in France The King of Castile interceding for him he was set at Liberty which 〈…〉 oblig'd him that he ever continu'd firm to the Interest of Castile He came to 〈◊〉 at the beginning of the Year 1383 and was receiv'd with Joy His Father grown Old corrected his course of Life The Marriage of the King of Castile with the Princess of Portugal was solemniz'd with great Pomp at the Place appointed Her Father could not be Present being then Sick D. Alonso Earl of Gijon again rais'd Uproars in Asturias Some Forces were sent which easily reduc'd him to his Duty and the King went to hold the 〈◊〉 at Segovia where nothing memorable was done but altering the Common Account as had been done before at Valencia of reckoning from the Aera of Cesar to begin at the Birth of our Saviour On the 20th of October after a languishing Sicknels Ferdinand King of Portugal dy'd at Lisbon He liv'd 43 Years 10 Months and 18 Days and Reign'd 19 Years 9 Months and 10 Days and may be reckon'd among the good Princes for his Meekness Learning and Sweetness of Temper His Body was bury'd in the Monasters of Franciscans of Santarem near to his Mother Queen Constance Sardinia was not yet free from Tumults Hugh Arborea Son to Marianus aim'd as well as his Father at a Crown but being of a cruel and haughty Temper was murder'd by his own People It was hop'd his Death would put an end to those Troubles Therefore Brancalcon Doria who had serv'd the King faithfully repair'd to Aragon to regulate the Affairs of the Island but was secur'd because his Wife Ellenor Arborea a Masculin Woman attempted by force of Arms to Revenge her Brother's Death and recover her Father's Estate and took several strong Holds Her Husband Brancalcon was carry'd under a strong Guard to pacify her but could not prevail wherefore he was long in Custody at Caller and the Interest of Aragon went down the Wind the King being wholly taken up with other Cares which touch'd him nearer CHAP. IV. Portugal full of Divisions about the Succession to the Crown King John of Castile having been proclaim'd at Lisbon enters that Kingdom has many Places deliver'd to him Besieges Lisbon but is forc'd to raise the Siege and return to Castile THE King of Portugal's Death was the cause of bloody Wars betwixt that Crown and Castile The People would not hear of submitting to a Stranger all were for Electing a King of their own A Meeting of the Nobility was held at Lisbon but nothing concluded Some of the great Ones underhand invited King John of Castile to take Possession of the Kingdom Among these was D. John the Master of Avis who dealt subtilly because he had not yet gain'd the Affections of the People Time was spent in Castile consulting the Affair till the Opportunity was lost never to be recover'd At last it was decreed the King should go before in peaceable manner and the Army follow to subdue if there were Occasion such as offer'd to oppose him The Bishop of Guardia which is on the Borders of Portugal offer'd to deliver up that City to the King Before he set out upon this Expedition it was requisite to put a stop to the wicked Designs of some Men in Castile D. John Brother to the late King of Portugal who had fled to Castile was imprison'd at Toledo for no other Crime but because he might pretend a Right to that Crown being Brother to the late King The Earl of Gijon was secur'd in the Castle of Montalvan because after he had been pardon'd so often he still kept Correspondence with the Portugueses All his Estate was Consiscated and he left in Charge with
They wish'd for any manner of Composition and at length the Mortality was so great that the Siege was rais'd with much Loss and Dishonour and the Army march'd away James Sarmiento was made Marshal de Camp in the Place of his Brother deceas'd and had the Government of Santarem given him Other Officers were put into Garrisons about the Country the King designing to recruit his Army and return as soon as possible This done the Fleet and Army mov'd towards Sevil. Much harm might have been done them had the Besieg'd pursu'd but they were glad to be rid of them at any rate Processions were made at Lisbon and throughout the Kingdom for this Deliverance At this time the King of Aragon shew'd no Kindness to his two Sons by the first Wife the Princes John and Martin The Blame was laid upon the Mother in Law but Prince John had offended his Father by Marrying privately the Lady Violante Daughter to the Duke of Berri not regarding the Queen of Sicily which was much the better match The King vented his Passion upon John Earl of Ampurias in whose Dominions and under whose Protection they were Marry'd for as soon as his Son return'd home and was Pardon'd he seiz'd the greatest part of the Earl's Estate The Earl himself fled by Sea to Avignon resolving to make use of the Forces of his Friends for recovering of his Dominions CHAP. V. John the Bastard Master of Avis proclaim'd King of Portugal King John of Castile sends his Fleet then enters Portugal himself with an Army The famous Battle of Aljubarrota and rout of the Castilians AT the beginning of the Year 1385 the King of Castile was employ'd in raising Land-Forces and had fitted a Fleet of 12 Galleys and 20 Ships Yet all things went on slowly because he fell Sick and was in Danger of Death yet as soon as recover'd he forwarded all Preparations News was brought that the Garrison of Santarem had taken the Master of 〈◊〉 and Grand Prior of S. John but this prov'd False and the Joy conceiv'd was turn into Sorrow for it was certainly known that the Portugueses in Coimbra had proclaim'd the Master of Avis King which was engaging themselves so far that there was no way to go back again The chief of the Rebels in that City had consulted together and agreed it was absolutely Necessary to choose them a Head and that for the greater Authority he ought to be declar'd King Some thought this too bold an Attempt and were against excluding Queen Beatrix whose Right it was or so far Provoking the Anger of Castile Others favour'd Prince John tho then a Prisoner at Toledo but this was wholly rejected he being in no Condition to assist them Therefore they all voted for the Master of Avis who was present and proclaim'd him King on the 5th of April at the Monastery of St. Francis in Coimbra where that Consultation was held All that were present even those that had before oppos'd it kiss'd his Hand and did Homage to him to express their Zeal Prophesies were then invented to justify their Choice and they gave out that at the beginning of these Troubles a Child in the Cradle had three Times with a loud Voice cry'd out D. John King of Portugal Which they attributed to the Master of Avis for Men are apt to fancy every thing as they would have it From that Day the Portugueses despairing of Pardon became more resolute and bold The Province between the Rivers Duero and MinÌ„o soon declar'd for the new King This Joy was somewhat abated by the Arrival of the Fleet of Castile on the Coast of Portugal which meeting no body to oppose it ravag'd all the Sea Coasts The King of Castile was at Cordova and thence at the beginning of Summer sent his Queen to Avila since she could be no longer useful her Subjects having wholly cast her off About the beginning of July D. Peter Tenorio Archbishop of Toledo made an Incursion into the Country of Viseo destroying all the Country and sparing neither Sex nor Age but at their Return they were met with and overthrown by the Portugueses Many other Encounters happen'd with various Success but all prov'd ruinous to the Natives for both Parties liv'd at Discretion The Army of Castile randevouz'd at Guidad Rodrigo when the Summer was well advanc'd Only Prince Charles Son to the King of Navarre was expected with a good Body of Men. A Council of War being held the wiser sort were against Fighting and only for wasting the Country and wearying out the Rebels But their Opinion prevail'd who being young were hottest and magnify'd the Strength of Castile despising the Enemy as a raw and undisciplined Rabble and therefore were for putting an end speedily to the War This advice the King follow'd tho the other was the safest The Castilians were overseen in many things and they ought at least to have expected the Succours that the Prince of Navarre was to bring Having fix'd this Resolution they enter'd that part of Portugal call'd Beâ—ra and took Cillorico Thence they advanc'd and burnt the Suburbs of Coimbra and attempted to take Leyria which held for Queen Ellenor During the Siege of Cillorico the King being unhealthy and considering the Danger of the War made his Will upon the 21st of July In it he ordain'd that the Lordships of Biscay and Molina his Mother's Inheritance should for ever be annex'd to the Crown and belong to the eldest Sons of the Kings of Castile He appointed 6 Tutors for his Son and Heir Henry and 12 Governours of the Kingdom during his Minority The Queen his Mother in Law the Princes John and Denis of Portugal the Children of King Peter and Son of D. Ferdinand de Castre who were all Prisoners in Castile he order'd should have Justice done them The Shortness of his Life gave not Leasure to make it known whether he design'd to put to Death or release them Many other things he ordained in his Will which being made without Deliberation was the Cause of many Troubles and Confusions The Portugues Army was advanc'd to Tomar with a Resolution to try their Fortune The Castilians march'd to meet them They discover'd one another about the Mid-way and there Intrench'd themselves The Portugueses were in a narrow Place having a Plain on the Front and deep Morasses on each side which secur'd their Flanks they were 2200 Horse and 10000 Foot The Castilians being much more Numerous encamp'd in an open Plain about a League and half from them and being confident of their Strength advanc'd and offer'd Battol on the Eve of the Assumption The King of Castile led the main Battel and some of the Nobles the Wings which in the time of need were useless by season of the Streightness of the Ground D. Gonzalo NunÌ„ez de Guzman with a Body of 〈◊〉 was order'd through By ways to fall upon the Enemies Rear that none might escape being taken or
enterment of his Father being then Sick at Girona nor attend the Government then in Confusion the Queen Dowager her Brother and many Men of Note being imprison'd they endeavour'd to fly for fear of the new King The Queen was accus'd by a Jew of having given her Husband some bewitching Potion severals were tortur'd and put to death on this account and the Queen condemn'd to the Wrack but it was not put in Execution yet all her Estate was seiz'd and she only allow'd a Pension to live on The first thing the King did was the submitting his Kingdom to Pope Clement as Castile and Navarre had done before John Earl of Ampurias being at Barcelona in Hopes to be rewarded for his Services to the new King while Prince was cast into Prison upon Pretence that he had call'd in the French to recover his Estate D. Ximeno Peres de Arenos the King's Lord Chamberlain was sent to compose the Affairs of Sardinia He agreed with the Lady Ellenor Arborea in behalf of her Son Marianus whom she had by her Husband Brancaleon Doria That the Judicature of Arborea should remain to them and their Heirs That for other Towns they pretended Right to they should be left to Arbitration That all Places taken during the War should be restor'd Both Parties having Sign'd these Articles the War ceas'd CHAP. VII Peace Concluded with the English The Heir of Castile in imitation of the Prince of Wales in England is created Prince of Asturias A Truce with Portugal and the Moors King John of Castile kill'd by a fall from his Horse THE Treaty of Peace with the English was still afoot and yet the War was vigorously Prosecuted 600 English Horse and as many Archers for the rest were consum'd with Sickness sat down before Benavente whith them 2000 Portuguese Horse and 6000 Foot Alvaro Osoiro the Governour defended the Place bravely and did the Enemy some Harm The King of Castile was unwilling to hazard a Battel which gave the Enemy the Opportunity of taking some Towns in that Neighbourhood Yet their Loss was greater than the Advantage they could propose to themselves for the Flague rag'd among the Foreigners and Famine consum'd them all Therefore after two Months spent in the Siege they return'd into Portugal The Treaty of Peace drew near to a Conclusion therefore the King of Castile sent back the Succours that came to him from France He also sent Embassadors to the Duke of Lancaster with Power to conclude The Duke was at Trancoso a Town in Portugal there he receiv'd the Embassadors The Articles agreed upon were That the King's Son and Duke's Daughter should immediately be contracted That the Bride by way of Joynture should have Soria Atiença Almaçan and Molina That the Dutchess her Mother should have Gaudalajara Medina del Campo and Olmedo That the Duke should have 600000 Florines paid him at certain times appointed and 40000 yearly during his Life and the Life of his Wife Constance These are the Heads of that Agreement The King of Portugal storm'd not thinking himself secure as long as he of Castile reign'd On the other side the Duke complain'd that the King had consummated the Marriage with his Daughter before the dispensation came and therefore from Porto sail'd directly for Bayonne in France Upon his Departure the Towns in Galicia that held for the English submitted to their King as did the Gentry that sided with them having obtain'd Pardon The King of Castile commonly resided at Salamanca or Toro to be at Hand upon all Occasions He sent Embassadors to Bayonne to ratify what had been concluded The greatest Difficulty lay in raising the Mony to pay the Duke of Lancaster To this intent the Cortes met at Briviesca about the beginning of the Year 1388. To oblige his Subjects the King granted all their Requests It was design'd to lay the Tax upon Estates without exempting the Nobility or Clergy but the great Ones opposing it as a Breach of Privilege other Methods were found out After the Cortes broke up the Kings of Castile and Navarre met first at Calahorra then at Navarrets where they renew'd their antient Friendship Queen Ellenor bore her Husband company and with his Consent stay'd in Castile to try whether her Country Air could cure her as she pretended but in reality to be parted from him as afterwards appear'd After this interview the King of Castile appointed the City of Palencia for the Cortes to meet because the Plague was still at Burgos Here his Son was with great Pomp marry'd to the Duke of Lancaster's Daughter Their Ages were not answerable the Prince being but 10 Years of Age the Lady Catharine 19. The eldest Sons of the Kings of England are call'd Princes of Wales In imitation of them the King of Castile created his Son Prince of Asturias and gave him the Lordships of Bijar and Andujar which Custom has continu'd to our Days and so we shall hereafter call the Heir of the Crown The chief Thing done at the Cortes was setling how the Mony for the Duke of Lancaster should be rais'd That done and Peace concluded Constance the Dutchess King Peter's Daughter laying aside the Title of Queen came in August to Medina del Campo to see the King who entertain'd her nobly and gave her the City Huete Betwixt the King and the Duke rich Presents pass'd particularly the Duke sent the King a very curious Crown of Gold The Dutchess went to Guadalajara and took Possession of that Place about the beginning of the Year 1389 The King stay'd at Madrid thither came Embassadors to him from the Duke of Lancaster desiring they might meet on the Borders of Guienne and Biscay He set out in order to it but fell sick by the Way at Burgos yet went on as far as Victoria where he took leave of the Dutchess sending some Persons of Note to bear her Company and excuse him to her Husband on account of his Indisposition In reality he fear'd meeting the Duke left he should endeavour to take him off from siding with the French and he was unwilling to disoblige the Duke or break with France The Duke thus disappointed communicated his Design to the Embassadors who answer'd they had no Orders about that Affair and so return'd to Victoria On the 13th of March as they were digging a Foundation in some part of the Church of S. Engracia at Zaragoça they found two Tombs with Inscriptions the one of S. Engracia the other of S. Lupercius Among the Articles made with the English there was one that any of the Allyes of either part should be admitted into that Treaty The Cortes of Castile met at Segovia and sent Embassadors to Portugal to try whether that King would come into the League He puss'd up with Success had resolv'd to continue the War and invade Galicia yet by the Industry of F. Ferdinand de Illescas one of the Embassadors he agreed to a Truce for
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
June 1409 they elected a third Pope who was Peter Philargus a Native of Candia of the Order of Fryers Minors and Archbishop of Milan In his Papacy he took the Name of Alexander the Vth. His Reign was short and extended not to a Year This which was looked upon as a Remedy only serv'd to increase the Disease for instead of two now there were three Popes each pretending to be the Right So weak is all humane Policy CHAP. IX The Death of Martin King of Sicily Several pretenders to the Crown of Aragon Their several Claims Martin King of Aragon prefers that of his 〈◊〉 Prince Ferdinand of Castile tho unjust PRince Ferdinand govern'd the Kingdom of Castile prudently yet let slip no Opportunity of advancing his Family and increasing his Estate For this reason some Persons spar'd not to set the Queen against him which was easy as she was a Woman and naturally Jealous There is nothing more uncertain than the favour of Princes They said the excessive Power of Prince Ferdinand might prove dangerous to the Crown for that too much Grandeur is seldom attended with Loyalty James Lopez de ZunÌ„iga and John de Velasco whose Interest was great at Court were the Men that chiefly heightned these Jealousies Frederick â—â—rl of Trastamara the Son of Peter Constable of Castile advis'd the Prince to secure them but they having notice of the Design fled The Queen when she knew it was offended and grew more suspicious than before saying that Affront was offer'd to her and design'd to deprive her of their Advice and Assistance Besides the other Blessings which Heaven and Nature had plentifully bestow'd on Prince Ferdinand in which no Prince of that Age surpass'd him he had a numerous Issue viz. 5 Sons Alonso John Henry Sancho and Peter call'd afterwards the Princes of Aragon and two Daughters Mary and Ellenor About this time dy'd Ferdinand Rodriguez de Villalobos Master of the Order of Alcantara and Prince Ferdinand obtain'd that Honour for his fourth Son Sancho the Pope dispensing with his Age. Henry the third Son was in the like manner soon after made Master of the Order of Santiago upon the Death of Laurence Suarez de Figueroa Many were offended that the Prince not content with the Government bestow'd all Perferments upon his Sons At this time the Duke of Austria and Earl of Luxembourg sent to offer Supplies of Men to carry on the War of Granada Charles Duke of Orleans promis'd 1000 French Horse and made suit to have to Wife Queen Beatrix the Widow of King John the Ist of Castile who had the right to the Crown of Portugal Neither was his offer accepted of nor his Request granted for the Queen would not marry again or leave Spain and the Truce was continued for 5 Months longer at the suit of Joseph King of Granada Yet soon after the Moors making an Attempt upon Priego gave a sufficient occasion to the Christians to break with them but the King of Granada â—ent to excuse that Action as done without his Consent and offering to make Reparation of Damages such as Judges appointed on both sides should decree This year betwixt Salamanca and Cuidad Rodrigo was found an Image of our Blessed Lady held in great Veneration and call'd De la PenÌ„a de Françia very famous for a Monastery of Dominicans built in that Place and for the great Concourse of People that resorts thither The same year was unfortunate to the Aragonians to the Death of Martin King of Sicily only Son and Heir to the King of Aragon who departed this Life at Caller in Sardinia on the 25th of July in the flower of his Age and the promising hopes conceiv'd of him His Father had sent him into that Island to suppress Brancaleon Doria and Aymerick Viscount Narbonne who having marry'd two Daughters of Marianus Judge of Arborea lay'd claim to and endeavour'd to possess themselves of it They were grown strong because the Power of the Aragonians was small and the Islanders rather favour'd them than Strangers The King 's coming chang'd the Face of Affairs Both Parties assembl'd their Forces and met near a Town call'd Luri There they engag'd the Isanders were overthrown and Brancaleon their General taken Death prevented the Kingdom making his Advantage of that Victory and putting an end to the War But Peter de Torrellas the Mareschal that Prince's Favourite and some other Men of Note with the Forces that remain'd for some time made good the Aragonian Party The King's Body was bury'd in the Cathedral of Caller By his Wife Blanch he had one Son who dy'd not long before him He had also two Bastard Sons by two Sicilian Women one was 〈…〉 whose Mothers Name was Teresa and by Agathusa he had the Lady Violante afterwards marry'd to the Earl of Niebla It was reported the Cause of his Death was his too much Familiarity with a young Woman of Sardinia before he was perfectly recover'd of a Sickness he had In his Will he constituted his Father Heir of the Kingdom of Sicily and ordain'd his Wife 〈◊〉 Blanch should continue in the Government thereof as he left her at his Departure then â—â— Several Persons of Note were nam'd to be assisting to her with their Advice The loss of this Prince was much lamented throughout the Kingdom of Aragon and many contests arose about the Right of Succession It is in vain to relate how grievous this Misfortune was to his Father every one may judgeâ—â— himself Yet he monerated his Sorrow and having perform'd the Funeral Rights to 〈…〉 apply'd himself to setling of the Kingdom His Favourites advis'd him to marry 〈…〉 was 〈…〉 might have Children and by that means settle the 〈…〉 prevent many Mischiefs which must otherwise follow He approv'd of theâ—◠〈…〉 beautiful Lady and of the Blood Royal of Aragon The Marriage was solemniz'd at Burcelona on the 17th of September The King was but 5â— years of Age but sickle and extreamly fat those very Medicines or Provocatives he made use of for getting of Children wasted him inwardly and hasten'd his Death Luis Duke of Anjou being inform'd of the Death of the King of Sicily was the first that reassum'd his Hopes of inheriting that Crown He sent the Bishop of Conserans to desire the King to declare his Son Luis whom he had by the Lady Violante Daughter to King John 〈◊〉 to the Crown as being the next of Blood the eldest Sister Joanna being dead two years before He also ask'd leave for the Mother to come to Aragon to breed up her Son according to the Custom of the Country It was look'd upon as an ill Omen that the King during the Solemnity of his Marriage should he pressed to declare an Heir The People thought the Earl of Vrgel to have a better Right but it was only to please their own Inclin'd out for all Nations would rather have a King of their own Country than a Stranger The Earl's
the 10th of June recruited the Aragonians who were now grown weak and declin'd Encourag'd with this Relief they again fought in the City many were kill'd and several Houses plunder'd The Queen went away to Aversa and Sforcia with her as also a good Garrison and 5000 Citizens who offer'd to stand by her Prisoners on both sides were exchang'd and thus Caracciolo recovered his Liberty At length on the 21st of June the Queen at Nola recall'd and made void the Adoption of King Alonso as an ungrateful and unworthy Person In his stead she adopted and appointed her Successor Luis Duke of Anjou the third of the Name and Son to the 2d To this effect she sent for him from Rome and created him Duke of Calabria a Title usually given to the Heir of the Crown Sforcia and Caracciolo who were most in favour gave the Queen this Advice From this time the good Fortune of the Aragonians began to change and decline King Alonso sent for Braccio de Monton out of Abruzzo where he was besieging Aquila a great City designing to set him up against Sforcia But he excus'd himself either not liking the Party or because he hop'd to make himself Master of that City and all its Territory For this reason King Alonso was oblig'd to resolve upon returning to Spain to settle his Affairs and gather new Forces to carry on the War tho he gave out it was to set at Liberty his Brother Prince Henry He left his other Brother Prince Peter his Commissioner with full Power to Command in his Absence With him stay'd James Caldora and several other considerable Officers of both Nations Antony de Luna Son to Antony de Luna Earl of Calatabelota was appointed Governour of Gaeta At the same time the King of Castile took a Progress to Plasencia Talavera and Madrid and his Queen was brought to Bed on the 10th of September of another Daughter call'd Ellenor Joseph the Moorish King dy'd at Granada and Mahomet his Son called The left-handed succeeded him He was afterwards Famous for being three times depos'd and as often restor'd to his Kingdom and for his many Misfortunes rather than any great Actions At first he observ'd the Peace with the King of Castile and oblig'd Muley King of Tunez Thus he endeavour'd by the Friendship of these Princes to secure himself against his Enemies but took no care to gain the Affections of his People the surest Prop of Princes So that he appears to have been as imperfect in his Judgment as he was in his Body and Fortune prov'd his Enemy CHAP. VIII The pretended Pope Benedict dying another is supported by the King of Aragon who plunders Marseilles prepares to make War upon Castile but comes to an Accommodation yet loses all his Interest at Naples D. Peter de Luna who during the time of the Schism call'd himself Benedict the XIIIth as long as he lived kept at Peniscola relying on the Strength of that Place and persisted in calling himself Pope He dy'd in that Town on the 23d of May being Whitsunday at the Age of 90 Years a wonderful thing that he should live so long amidst so many Troubles Luis Pançan a Citizen of Sevil and follower of D. Alonso Carrillo Cardinal of S. Eustachius in a Commentary he writ of some remarkable Occurrences in those Times affirms positively that Benedict was Poison'd in some Wafers he us'd to eat after Meat by a Fryar call'd Thomas who was very familiar with him and that he being afterwards by his own Confession found Guilty of the Fact was torn in Pieces by four Horses He further adds that the Cardinal of Pisa sent to Aragon to apprehend Benedict gave this Advice and that it being put in Execution he fled from Tortosa where he had stay'd to see the Event fearing D. Roderick and D. Alvaro who resolv'd to revenge the Death of their Uncle Benedict by killing the Legate if he had not made his Escape having perform'd what he came for but not wholly put an end to the Schism For by two Cardinals that remain'd of the Faction of Benedict one Giles Mun̄oz a Canon of Barcelona was set up in his place He was a Man of no Note and the election of so little Value that he himself was dubious whether he should accept of it till King Alonso of Aragon encourag'd and perswaded him to take upon him the Papacy by the Name of Clement the VIIIth This the King did to be reveng'd of Pope Martin the Vth who favour'd the Party of the Anjouins and oppos'd the Aragonians insomuch that he had of late created Luis Duke of Anjou King of Naples and had approv'd of the new adoption made by the Queen joyning his Forces with hers A General Council which began to assemble at Pavia in pursuance to the Degree of the Council of Constance was by reason of the Plague which rag'd in that City removed to Siena in Tuscany and thither the Bishops and Embassadors repair'd from all Parts King Alonso sent his with Orders to justify Pope Benedict and complain of the wrong done in deposing of him This struck a Terror into Pope Martin and made him slacken in favouring the Faction of Anjou so he speedily broke up the Council Proroguing it to a farther time He fear'd lest the Schism should again be reviv'd and Christendom farther involv'd in Difficulties D. John de Contreras Arch-bishop of Toledo took place of all the Spanish Arch-bishops at this Council by order of Pope Martin as appears by two Bulls of his still extant among the Records of the Church of Toledo But these things happen'd somewhat later King Alonso having resolv'd to pass over into Spain imbark'd on a Fleet of 18 Galleys and 12 Ships About the middle of October he sail'd from Naples The Weather being bad the Fleet was dispers'd but as soon as it clear'd up they joyn'd again and sail'd together to Marseilles on the Coast of Provence a City belonging to the Duke of Anjou Having broken the Chains they entred the Port and assaulted the City The Service was hot and lasted till Night when Folch Earl of Cardona who commanded the Ships advis'd to desist because they knew not the Streets and in the dark tho the Gates had been open the confusion would be great and the Townsmen have a considerable Advantage over them John de Corbera on the other side affirm'd the Townsmen were now in a Consternation and ought to be press'd before they had time to recover themselves This Opinion was approv'd of by the King the Assault was renew'd and the City enter'd Night and Darkness gave the Souldiers an Opportunity to commit all manner of Insolences but the King shew'd himself Religious for he order'd that no wrong should be offer'd to Women who had taken Sanctuary in Churches nor any thing that they carry'd with them taken from them This Order was proclaim'd and punctually observ'd They Ship'd the Booty and left the City
Means The King from Cabeçon went to the Kingdom of Toledo and the Nobles to Plasencia D. Peter Giron Master of Calatrava went away to Andalusia where he had the Town of Ossuna designing to stir up that People to Rebellion D. John de Valencuela had the grand Priorship of S. John taken from him and the Bishop of Jaen his Goods and Revenues only because they were Loyal to their King Besides this D. Peter Giron raised Men and endeavoured with large Promises to Debauch all the Nobility of that Country The Duke of Medina Sidonia the Earl of Arcos D. Alonso de Aguilar and the Councils of Sevill and Cordoua resolved to join with the Rebels King Henry perceiving the Storm gather assembled a Councel at Madrid where he asked what was best to be done in that Exigence All being silent the Archbishop of Toledo said his Opinion was The first thing to be procured was that Prince Alonso should be put into the Kings Hands as the fittest Person to secure the Pledge of Peace which if the Nobility â—â—used then they ought to be proceeded against by force of Arms That to this purpose the Court should remove to Salamanca to be near to the Rebels either to Treat of Peace or to carry on the War These things being thought to be meant as they were said were easily agreed to A Message was sent to the Nobles and the Forces ordered to march to Salamanca The King himself went away to Old Castile and with what Forces he had laid Siege to Arevalo then held by the Rebels Thence the Archbishop of Toledo putting off his Disguise went away to Avila whereof he was made Governor by the King Thither the Conspirators repaired to him The Admiral as had been agreed seized Valladolid where they designed their Forces should Rendezvous These sad News having awaked the King out of his Lethargy he is said to have fallen down before a Crucifix and uttered these Words Thy Aid I implore my Lord Christ the Son of God by whom Kings Reign To thee I Recommend my Person and Dignity I only beg this Punishment which I confess inferior to my Deserts may be for the good of my Soul Lord give me Patience to endure it and permit not the People to suffer for my sake Then he hasted away to Salamanca At Avila the Rebels resolved upon a most Barbarous Action to the Eternal Infamy of Spain Without the Walls of that City they Erected a Scaffold and placed on it the Statue of King Henry in his Royal Robes on a Throne with his Scepter and Crown Thither the Villanous Nobles and a Multitude of People resorted Then a Cryer proclaimed Sentence against the King laying to his Charge many horrid Crimes Whilst the Sentence was reading they leasurely stripped the Statue of all its Robes and at last with Reproachful Language threw it down from the Scaffold This Villany was acted upon Wednesday the 5th of June Immediately Prince Alonso who had been all the while present was brought upon the Scaffold there lifted upon the Shoulders of the Nobles and proclaimed King the Royal Standard being Displayed in his Name as was the Custom at the Inauguration of Kings The Multitude presently cryed God Save King Alonso which was ingaging themselves in the Quarrel The News of this horrid Treason being spread abroad some approved of others condemned it It was easie for the new King to be Liberal of what was not his own to Gutierre de Solis at the Request of his Brother the Master of Alcantara he gave the City Coria with the Title of an Earl Burgos and Toledo approved this Act of the Nobles On the other side many great Men declared for King Henry D. Garcia de Toledo Earl of Alva being reconciled came to him with 500 Horse and 1000 Foot The Queen and Princess Elizabeth were sent to the King of Portugal to beg Succours of him They met him at Guardia on the Borders of Portugal yet obtained nothing but good Words and Civil Entertainment The Rebels Rendezvoused at Valladolid the Loyalists at Toro being more Numerous than well Disciplined PenÌ„astor was besieged by the Rebels who because it made a Virgorous Defence threw down its Walls to terrifie other Places Thence they removed to Simancas whither the King sent John Fernandez Galindo with 3000 Horse which so encouraged the Besieged that the Rabble formally condemned the Archbishop of Toledo and having dragged his Statue about the Streets burnt it in revenge to the Affront offered to the King at Avila Hereupon the Rebels raised the Siege but especially because they heard the King had an Army of 80000 Foot and 14000 Horse at Toro This Army marched to Simancas By the way in a Skirmish John Carillo a Captain of the Rebels was wounded and taken being at the point of Death he discovered a Conspiracy naming the Persons concerned in it to the King in private but the King fearing his Discovery might be feigned concealed their Names He laid Siege to Valladolid but could not take it by reason it had a strong Garison or rather because the Kings Men had no stomach to fight There a Treaty was again set on foot King Henry and the Marquis de Villena met again Much was promised and nothing performed yet the King was perswaded since his Revenue could not bear so great a Charge to dismiss his Army and then Prince Alonso quitting the Title of King with all the Nobility would submit Thus both sides disbanded and the Noblemen who were with the King tho they had'done no Service were highly Rewarded The Rebels went away to Arevalo and so Valladolid returned to its Duty Prince Alonso was kept in the nature of a Prisoner and they threatned to kill him because he designed to make his escape to his Brother The Treaty of Peace went on and the Rebels promised to submit provided the Princess Elizabeth were Married to the Master of Calatrava The King consented and immediately sent the Duke of Albuquerque and Bishop of Calahorra from Court because they were Enemies to the Master This Project afflicted the Princess who wept bitterly and having told the cause of her Grief to Da. Beatrix de Bobadilla her first Lady of the Bedchamber that Lady shewing her a naked Dagger promised she would with it kill the Master of Calatrava rather than he should have her But God ordered it better for as he hasted from his Town of Almagro to celebrate the Marriage he fell sick by the way and died at Villarubia at the beginning of the year 1466 He was buried in a private Chappel at Calatrava His Two Sons inherited his Estate D. Alonso Tellez Giron the eldest in pursuance of his Fathers Will was Earl of UrenÌ„a D. Roderick Tellez Giron the younger had the Mastership of Calatrava having before obtained the Popes Bull to that effect He had also a third Son called D. John Pacheco all three unlawfully begotten Not long before the Masters Death in the Territory
20 Days Of Disposition he was Robust and of Spirit Lively The latter part of his Life was stained with a leud Appetite tho he was past acting for he fixed his Affection upon a handsome young Woman called Frances Rose whom he design'd to have formerly Married to that D. Jayme de Aragon who was Executed at Barcelona In his Will made 10 Years before his Death he ordained several godly Works to be performed Particularly the Erecting Two Monasteries of the Order of St. Hierome which are famous at this time One of them is St. Engracia at Zaragoça the other St. Mary de Belpuch in Catalonia his Son exactly performing all that he had ordained He also ordered that the Grandsons of his Son Ferdinand tho' by a Daughter should Inherit the Crown of Aragon and take place of their Mothers CHAP. VIII Elenor Queen of Navarre The troubles of that Kingdom and her Death The Countess of Medellin raises Tumults in Castile Portugueses overthrown by the Castilians Heretical Opinions Started and Condemned in Spain King Ferdinand goes into Aragon BY the Death of the King of Aragon his Dominions were divided Aragon fell to King Ferdinand and Navarre to the Princess Elenor in the Right of her Mother She had been 7 Years a Widow and consequently exposed to great Misfortunes That Kingdom was still divided betwixt the old Factions The Biamonteses Enemies to the new Queen were most prevalent These troubles seemed to be a Judgment for the Murders committed upon Charles Prince of Viana the Princess Blanch his Sister and the Bishop of Pamplona Queen Ellenor Reigned not a whole Month. She was more Fortunate in her Issue than in her Life for she had 4 Sons Gaston John Peter and James and 5 Daughters Mary Joanna Marguerite Catherine and Ellenor we shall briefly speak of them all great Families being descended from them Gaston died as was said before and left two Children Francis Phebus and Catherine who both Reigned in Navarre successively John was Lord of Narbonne which he bought of his Father and had Issue Gaston and Germana Gaston was killed at the Battle of Ravenna where he was General for Luis the 12th of France Germana Married King Firdinand after the death of his first Wife Peter applied himself to learning and piety and Pope Sixtus made him a Cardinal James followed the War and was never Married Mary the Eldest Daughter was Married to William Marquess of Monferrat Joanna to John Earl of Armagnac Margaret to Francis Duke of Britany and had Issue Ann and Elizabeth Ann the Heiress being Married first to Charles the 8th and after his death to Luis the 12th of France joined that Dukedom and Kingdom Catherine 4th Daughter to Queen Ellenor Married Gaston de Faux Earl of Candale and brought forth 2 Sons and a Daughter called Anne Married to Ladislaus King of Hungary Ellenor the Youngest Daughter died a Maid Queen Ellenor died on the 12th of February at Tudela where she began her Reign In her Will she Ordained out of her own Money a Monastery of Franciscans should be Built at Tafalla and that her Body should be Buried there and the Bones of her Mother Queen Blanch be also Translated thither from the Monastery of Nuestra SenÌ„ora de Nieva in Old Castile where they were deposited The Revenue was so exhausted that she was forced to Sell her Jewels to Live Francis Phebus so called for his extraordinary Beauty being but 11 Years of Age succeeded her His Mother the Lady Magdalen and his Uncle Peter the Cardinal had the Administration of the Government till he came to Years and discharged their Trust Prudently in those difficult Times The late Queen during her Troubles had no help from her Brother the King of Castile therefore she made no mention of him in her Will but directed the Governors to Adhere to France as they did which was the Cause they soon lost that Kingdom Thus much of Navarre In Castile some new Oppinions in matters of Religion were broached One Peter Oxomensis a Professor of Divinity at Salamanca was the Author By Order of Pope Sixtus the Archbishop of Toledo assembled several Persons of great Learning at Alcala where he Refided who all Condemned those new Opinions and the Author was Excommunicated unless he recanted Sentence was given on the 24th of May and soon after Pope Sixtus confirmed it by his Bull. John Prexanus a famous Divine in that Age. afterwards Bishop of Cuidad Rodrigo wrote a Book against the said Peter The Marquisate of Villena was now the Seat of War for the Marquess because Covenants were not performed with him had recourse to Arms and relieved the Town of Chinchilla besieged by the King's Forces Peter Ruiz de Alarcon who Commanded a Party of the King 's was defeated near Alberca by Peter de Baeça and D. George Manrique who in another Skirmish with Peter de Baeça was Wounded of which hurt he afterwards died A great pitty that so ripe a Wit should be so soon cut off Hereupon the Marquess was liable as having been in Arms against the King's Forces He excused himself laying the blame upon the Insolency of those Officers who forced him to do so and pleaded he had no dealings either with the King of Portugal or Archbishop of Toledo These excuses whether True or Counterfeit prevented any farther proceedings against him In this War there happned an extraordinary accident worth Relating The King's Party had hanged 6 of the Prisoners they took In revenge John Berrio an Officer of the Marquess ordered as many of those he had taken to be put to death in the same manner The Prisoners cast Lots and among the rest it fell to the share of one of 2 Brothers that were Prisoners who had a Wife and Children to die The other Brother who was a Batchellor begged to be put to death in his place and so it was done after they had both long and with many Tears contended about it King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth received the News of King John's Death and their own Accession to the Crown of Aragon in Estremadura where they were quelling the Tumults raised by the Countess of Medellin and D. Alonso de Mâ—nrey The Countess had a Spirit above a Woman for she kept her own Son D. John Portocarrero some years a Prisoner and at last turned him out of Doors which was the cause she was in Arms fearing lest she should be obliged to restore the Earldom to her Son who laid Claim to it as his Father's Inheritance She also designed to keep the City Merida in which she had a Garison D. Alonso was digusted that the Mastership of Alcantara was taken from him and given to D. John de ZunÌ„iga upon which Pretence he seized several Towns belonging to that Military Order The King provided for the War with Portugal which it was feared would prove more bloody than before yet both Parties being exhausted a Treaty was proposed This was the more Welcome to
into possession of his Estate before his death This produced a new debate for Joanna Daughter to the Earl deceased and Wife to D. Luis the Earl of Benavente's Son claimed that Earldom Upon this account both Parties were in Arms. King Ferdinand Commanded them to stand to the determination of the Law threatning to fall upon him that should refuse yet he favoured the Grandson of the deceased who was in possession Whilst he was busie in Galicia the Moores near Malaga made a great slaughter of our Men which was the greatest loss we sustained during that War Peter Enriquez Lieutenant of Andaluzia having with the Assistance of the Earl of Cadiz recovered his Town of Can̄ete and Fortified it was desirous to be revenged upon the Moores D. Alonso de Aguilar and the Master of Santiago had also resolved to make an Incursion into the Moorish Territories The Earl of Cifuentes had attempted to recover Zahara but failed All these Commanders agreed to make an Inroad into the Territory of Malaga in three Bodies That Country is rich by reason of the Silken manufactures and therefore they hoped to make a considerable Booty Near Malaga there are certain uncouth Mountains called Axarquia over those Mountains they Marched plundered and burnt all the Country and some Parties of Horse advanced even in sight of Malaga This provoked the Citizens and the People of the Mountains assembled and secured all the Passes Our Men sought to retire but could not There were two Ways the longest by the Sea which was plainest but dangerous because of the Castle of Malaga and several Creeks that cross it The other through which they came was shorter but very difficult by reason of the Woods and Mountains Two Mountains particularly close up a deep Vally through the middle of which runs a River that parts them Our Men entred this Valley in a Consternation encumbred with the Booty when on the one side the Moores attacked them and on the other they saw the Pass secured by another Party which added much to their Fear They were Tyred with Marching two days Faint for want of Food and could neither go backwards nor forwards Many were killed with Arrows and Musket Shot the Moores being very good Marksmen Night coming on the Terror increased with the darkness and the continual shouts of the Enemy Then the Master of Santiago cryed out How long shall we suffer our selves Fellow-Soldiers to be Slaughtered like sheep Our Swords and our Valour must open the Way or at least let us endeavour to Sell our Lives dear and not die unrevenged Having spoke thus they began to ascend the Hill and with much difficulty reached to the Top. There the Fight was bloody and the Slaughter on our side great many Persons of Note were killed The Marquess of Cadiz found Guides who led him off through by-ways The Earl of Cifuentes his Squadron which brought up the Rear sustained most loss he and his Brother Peter de Silva were taken and carried to Granada Of 2700 Horse 800 were killed and among them 3 Brothers of the Marquess of Cadiz James Lope and Bertran besides others of his Relations Near twice as many were taken and of them 400 of the best Gentry in Spain Some few with the Master of Santiago escaped over the desert part of the Mountain and got to Antequera Others as chance led them made their way to other Places This Misfortune hapned upon the 21th of March being the Feast of St. Benedict usually a day of Joy in Spain but now converted into Sorrow Abohardil Brother to King Albohacen and Governor of Malaga who Commanded the Moores gained great Reputation by this extraordinary Success CHAP. III. The Moores defeated and Boabdil their King taken and afterwards released The Affaires of Navarre Pope Sixtus dies Innocent the Eighth succeeds him Marquess del Gasto and Pescara from whom Descended THE Sorrow conceived by The Christians for their loss was soon allayed by a greater Defeat they gave the Moores Albohazen and Boabdil the Two Moorish Kings did one another all the harm they could yet at the same time both endeavoured to gain the Affection of their People destroying the Christians To this purpose Boabdil having gathered a good Body entred the Territory of Ecija designing to surprize Lucena a Town more large and rich than strong Alatar his Father in Law who from a mean Condition rose by his Valour to that Honour gave this Advice James Fernandez de Cordova who was Lord of that Town and some others thereabouts understanding the design of the Moores gave advice of the danger he was in to his Unckle the Earl of Cabra But few Horse remained in those parts by reason of the late slaughter and the Inhabitants of Lucena were in a Consternation because their Walls were not Strong to make resistance The Moores came before the Town on the 21th of April The Governour coveyed the Townsmen into the upper Town and gave the guard of the lower to 200 Horse and 800 Foot he had got together They defended it so bravely that the Enemy dispairing of Success and in a rage for some Men they lost in the Attack vented their Fury upon the Olive Gardens Besides Hamet Abencerrage wasted the Lands of Mon̄tilla with 300 Horse He was samiliarly acquainted with James de Cordova the Family of the Abencerrages having resided at Cordova when they were Banished out of Granada Upon account of this acquaintance he had an interview with James de Cordova designing to circumvent him His fraud was disappointed by another policy The Governor seemed inclinable to surrender the Town and by that means gained time till the Count de Cabra could come to his Relief Upon the news of his approach the Enemy raised the Siege and began to March off with the Booty which was very great The besieged Sallyed and Charged their Rear to keep them in Play till the Earl of Cabra came up It will scarce be believed that tho' the Moores were Ten times the number of the Christians they did not stand the first shock A League and a half from Lucena and in the Way to Loxa is a pleasant Brook which then with the Summer Rains was swelled The Enemies Foot having passed this Brook began to fly only taking care to drive the Booty Their Horse tho' in a Consternation made a stand the King himself striving to encourage them All proved ineffectual for the Christians advancing they were Charged in Flank by D. Alonso de Aguilar who came from Antequera with 40 Horse and some few Foot The Enemy suddenly gave way and fled The King alighted off from a white Horse and endeavoured to hide himself among the Trees and Bushes on the Banks of the River Three Foot Soldiers found him and he discovered himself for fear of being killed He was secured and sent to Lucena In the pursuit which lasted till Night above 1000 Horse were killed and among them Alatar being 90 Years of Age
that he had killed 90 Christians by the way who lay very secure upon Sierra Nevada The Citizens with great Acclamations proclaimed him King Albohazen at the beginning of this Mutiny went away to Almun̄ecar where his Treasure lay There his cruel Brother caused him to be Murdered only to secure himself in the Throne he had usurped King Ferdinand tho many were of Opinion the Soldiers who were harassed with the late Expeditions ought to rest commanded the Army to Rendezvous at Alcala Real because that Town was upon the Frontiers and went himself thither from Cordcua upon the first of September notwithstanding the Heat was excessive that part of the Country being naturally hotter than the rest of Spain The Earl of Cabra desiring to signalize himself begged he might first enter the Moorish Territories as he did with 700 Horse and 3000 Foot He was ordered to take with him Martin Alonso de Montemayor and to sit down before Moclin a strong Town near Granada the King promising to back them with the whole Army The Earl marched day and night to surprize the new King Albohardil who he understood was quartered near that place with 1500 Horse and a greater number of Foot This Design being discovered to the Moore he removed to a Hill and at break of day fell upon the Christians in certain Defiles with such fury that the best Soldiers were killed and most of the Foot The Earl lost his Brother Gonçalo and he with a few Horse fled towards the way where he expected to meet Garzi Lopez de Padilla Master of Calatrava who followed those that had advanced before This Loss so troubled King Ferdinand that he retired for some time On the Frontier near Jaen are two Towns and Castles called Cambil and Albahar The River Frio runs betwixt them and tho small is difficult to be waded because of its high Banks Both these Places were besieged Albahar is beyond the River and near it is a Hill that commands it on which the King tho with much labour caused the Cannon to be planted This so terrified the Moores that they surrendred both Towns and Castles on the 23d of September being the very day on which they were lost 120 years before After this the King put the Army into Winter Quarters and went himself with the Queen to Alcala de Henares During this Expedition died D. Alonso de Aragon Duke de Villahermosa the King's Brother a brave Commander His Body was deposited at Baeça and thence translated to Poplete the burial-place of his Ancestors Of him are descended the Dukes of Villahermosa and Earls of Ribagorça In Toledo the Inquisition severely punished those who renouncing the Christian Faith became Jews A great number of those People who were reconciled and implored Mercy was pardoned They are now called De la Gracia that is the People of Grace The Nobility of Naples had now raised a Bloody War against their King Ferdinand upon the usual Pretences Pope Innocent favoured them but it was rather in Words than Effect for he was ancient and otherwise employed The chief of the Conspirators were the Princes of Salerno Basigniano and Altamura as also the Marquess del Gasto It was reported that Frederick the King's Son under-hand supported the Rebels but this could never be proved The Wicked Life of Alonso Duke of Calabria the King 's Eldest Son was one great Motive of this Revolt The King resolved to reduce the Rebels rather by Policy than Force and therefore gave his General Pardon to all the Mutiniers King Ferdinand of Spain also sent the Earl of Tendilla his Ambassador to ingage to those Noblemen for their safety provided they laid down their Arms. But the King of Naples as soon as the Storm was over made no account of those Promises and at several times as occasion served seized the Heads of the Rebellion and put them all to death King Ferdinand of Castile ceased not to protest against those Proceedings but he of Naples ceased not to proceed in cutting off his Enemies which proved fatal to him at last as we shall see in its place Let us turn back On the 16th of December Queen Elizabeth at Aloala de Henares was delivered of a Daughter called Catherine well known in the World as Wife to two Brothers Sons to the King of England and for her great Sufferings caused by the inordinate Lust and infidelity of her Husband which also drew great Calamities upon the whole English Nation Their Sins and Rebellion drew Judgments upon them Richard III. having murdered his Two Nephews Edward and Richard the rightful Heirs of the Crown usurped the Kingdom He Govern'd like a Tyrant and ended accordingly Henry Earl of Richmond who had been a Prisoner in Britany having obtained his Liberty overthrew the Tyrant in Battle and killed him By that means he secured the Crown to himself This Henry had a Son called Henry like himself who was the Eighth of that Name King of England and famous for his Incontinency for putting away Catherine his Wife and for disowning the Supremacy of the Pope besides many other Crimes which have left an indelible stain upon his Name CHAP. V. The Tumults in Aragon and Catalonia Several Towns taken from the Moores A Sedition in Galicia King Albohardil attacks the Castle call'd Albaizin in Granada and is repulsed Azamor on the Coast of Africk delivered to the Portugueses SOme small Tumults hapned in Aragon but those in Catalonia were more dangerous yet the Prudence of King Ferdinand overcame them all The City Zaragoça is seated in a Plain on the Banks of the River Ebro and is in Beauty Riches and number of Inhabitants almost equal to the best in Spain This Place has often Mutinied in defence of its Priviledges as it hapned at this time John de Burgos the King 's Alguazil gave some ill Language to Peter Cerdan the Chief of the Aldermen and Head of their Counsel Others coming in apprehended the Alguazil Tried Condemned and Hanged him which was a great Affront to the King He was then upon the point of entring upon the Kingdom of Granada with his Army and therefore sent Orders to John Hernandez de Heredia supream Governor of that Kingdom to punish all that had a Hand in that Affair with the utmost rigor and at the same time told the Deputies sent by the City that no harm should be done for he was expert in Dissembling The Head of the Aldermen could not be apprehended because the Chief Justice of Aragon protected him but Martin Pertusa who was the next and had been very active in the Business of the Alguazil was suddenly Executed the King's Letters being carried before him upon a Spear to awe the People who were ready to Rescue him This struck a Terror into the others and so the Sedition was appeased Soon after another Tumult hapned upon account of a more Hainous Crime than the last Peter Arbuc was Inquisitor in that City and punished
out of England The Prince of Orange had recourse to the Kings of the Romans and of Spain King Ferdinand sent 1000 choice Horse under the Command of D. Peter Gomez Sarmiento Earl of Salinas who landed in Britany at the beginning of the year 1490. This Succour did nothing there and d' Albret despairing of success upon promise of being made Constable of France resolved to change Parties and accordingly delivered up Nantes the chief City of that Dukedom to the French King Ferdinand seeing his Forces were of no use in Britany and upon hopes given him of being restored to Russillon and Cerdaigne called them home Luis XI King of France had ordered that Restitution to be made in his Will being perswaded so to do by F. Francis de Paula Founder of the Minims whom he sent for out of Italy before his death The Spaniards being gone the King of France soon possessed himself of the greatest part of Britany and presently after Married Ann the Dutchess This Marriage so increased the Power and confirmed the Affairs of France that all Divisions being at an end the French had leasure to invade Italy In Spain King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth having ended the War with the Moors resolved to banish the Jews out of all their Dominions To this purpose they ordered a Proclamation to be set forth at Granada where they then were in the Month of March 1492 commanding all that Nation to depart the Kingdom within four months leave being given them either to sell their Goods or carry them with them In the month of April F. Thomas de Torquemada the first Inquisitor General published an Order forbidding all Christians after that time to Entertain or Conceal them under severe Penalties This caused an infinite number of those People to transport themselves to several places Some went over to Africk others to Italy and many to the Eastern Countreys where their Descendents still use the Spanish Tongue A great number of them stayed in Portugal upon Leave granted by King John II. yet so that each of them should pay Eight Crowns in Gold for their Reception and depart the Kingdom within a certain time limited After the expiration whereof all such as stayed should be made Slaves Many of them were accordingly brought into Servitude and afterwards set free by King Emamul at the beginning of his Reign What number of Jews went out of Spain cannot be positively affirmed Most Authors say there were 170000 Families and some say they made up 800000 Souls A vast Multitude which caused many to condemn this Action of the King 's as a great loss to his Kingdoms these being a Rich and Industrious People No doubt but it was a great advantage to those Countreys whither they went because they carried with them great part of the Riches of Spain True it is many of them rather than leave their Country and sustain such great loss were Baptized some sincerely others only for Protection At this time died at Rome Pope Innocent VIII The next day after his Death the Cardinals met to choose another and at last after much struggling whether by fair or soul means is not mine to decide Cardinal Roderick Borgia was Elected and took the Name of Alexander VI. Many ill things have been said of this Pope some it is likely were true but magnified through Malice because he was a Stranger as being born at Valencia When his Unckle Calixtus was chosen Pope he made haste to Rome and being created Cardinal had by a Roman Woman called Zanocia or Vanezia four Sons Peter Luis the Eldest Cesar John and Godfrey and one Daughter called Lucretia He was so rich that he bought the Dukedom of Gandia and gave it to his Son Peter Luis and after his decease to his 3d Son John whose Son and Heir was John Father to D. Francis Borgia a Holy Man for quitting that Estate he became a Jesuit Alexander was Elected on the 11th of August and Crowned on the 27th The same day he confirmed the Decree before passed for Erecting the See of Valencia into an Archbishoprick and gave it to his Second Son Cesar then Bishop of Pamplona The year following he made him a Cardinal several Witnesses being produced to Swear he was not Son to the Pope but to Dominick Arin̄ano Husband to Zanocia such was the Corruption of that Age. The youngest Son of all was Godfrey who by Contract with the King of Naples was created Prince of Esquilache Lucretia was first Married to John Sforzia then to Luis Alonso de Aragon Bastard Son to Alonso King of Naples and lastly to Alonso de Este Eldest Son to Hercules Duke of Ferrara During the Papacy of Alexander 〈◊〉 Cardinals Caps were given to Spaniards Navarre was now in an uproar for two Reasons One was that John Viscount Narbonne Unckle to the Queen of Navarre pretended he had a better Right to the Crown than she because his Eldest Brother Gaston died before his Mother Queen Ellenor and therefore he said he was to take place of the Grandchildren On the other side the Earl of Lerin disturbed the Country being possessed of Pamplona Olite and several other Places Each Party had recourse to King Ferdinand to justifie their Proceedings as to one who was so nearly concerned and might be so great a support to them As to the Viscount King Ferdinand answered he would stand by the King and Queen of Navarre their Right being undisputable He therefore took several Places in the County of Faux by force of Arms and at the same time pleaded his Title in the Parliament of Paris yet at length he compounded and gave over his Pretentions for a while For the Earl of Lerin it was ordained that he should deliver up those Places he was unjustly possessed of and be banished Navarre during his Life together with his two Sons Luis and Ferdinand To mollifie these hard Conditions the Town of Huescar in the Kingdom of Granada was given him with the Title of a Marquess This was concluded the following year and put in execution 3 years after Let us turn back to what we have left behind CHAP. II. Discoveries and Conquests of the Spaniards in the West-Indies Controversies arise betwixt the Crowns of Spain and Portugal concerning their Discoveries Roussillon and Cerdagne restored to King Ferdinand THE most Honourable and Advantageous Enterprize that Spain ever undertook was the Discovery of the West-Indies properly called The New World which hapned in this manner A Ship being drove by a violent Storm from the Coast of Africk was cast upon an unknown Land After the Storm had ceased the Master with only 3 or 4 Mariners the rest being consumed by Famine returned to the Island Madera Christopher Columbus a Genoese but Married in Portugal was then in that Island and was an able Seaman and daring Man He entertained the Master of that Ship in his House who died soon after and left Columbus his Journal of that Voyage Others
they died soon after they were married Pope Leo the same Year he died entred into a League with Charles the Emperor for expelling the French out of Italy upon condition that every Year upon S. Peter's Day the Emperor should for the Kingdom of Naples besides the White Hacaney pay 7000 Ducats and that the Kingdom of Sicily should be owned as a Feoffe of the Church paying only 15000 Ducats as it had used to do That till such time as the Pope were repayed his Expences in that War he should hold the Cities of Plasencia and Parma the Profits whereof were not to be deducted out of the Principal and that the Dukedom of Milan should be given to Francis Sforcia Afterwards followed the expulsion of the French and their return as was said the last Year The King of France lying before Pavia in which was Antony de Leyva and a good Garison of Germans the Emperor's Generals hasted to the Relief of the City These were Charles de Lanoy Viceroy of Naples Charles Duke of Bourbon and Ferdinand Davlos Marquis of Pescara who overthrew the French Army took the King and sent him Prisoner into Spain Henry d' Albret King of Navarre was also taken but he bribing his Keepers made his escape out of the Castle of Pavia In this Battel was slain the Marquis of Civita de Santangel whose Name was Ferdinand Castriot Great-Grandson to the most Renowned Scanderberg Prince of Epirus and Terror of the Turks His Reins not being chained were cut and his Horse ran with him into the midst of the Enemies where the King of France himself killed him with his Lance. This Battel was fought upon Friday the 24th of February being the Feast of the Apostle S. Mathias Anno 1526. Thus Europe for a while was delivered from the Desolation of War King Francis of France was Prisoner in the Castle of Madrid His Mother the Queen-Regent of France in his absence earnestly desiring her Sons Liberty sent her Daughter the Lady Margaret who had been Married to Charles Duke of Alençon into Spain to treat of some Accommodation She managed the business so well that on the 14th of January an Alliance was concluded between the King and the Emperor upon the following Conditions That from thence forward it should not be allowed the Flemings to Appeal to the King of France That the King of France should quit all his Pretensions to Milan Genoa and Aste That he should restore Burgundy to the Emperor That he should Marry Ellenor the Queen-Dowager of Portugal the Emperor's Sister and should have with her 200000 Duccats That he should Pardon Charles Duke of Bourbon And That all other Differences should be determined according to Equity The Duke of Bourbon had to Wife Susanna Grandchild to Lewis the Eleventh King of France and Daughter to Peter Duke of Bourbon and Anne the aforesaid King 's Eldest Daughter To him Charles last of the Duke of Anger 's had by his Will left his Dominions in France and his Title to the Kingdom of Naples Charles the Eighth Son and Heir to King Lewis left no Issue therefore the Duke of Bourbon tho he pretended not to the Crown as not being the next of the Male Line yet he insisted that all the Dominions that had accrued to the Crown by other means belonged to his Wife as next of Blood to the late Kings After her Death he pretended tho he had no issue to retain the Dukedom of Bourbon as next of Kin in the Male-Line to his Father-in-Law But the King's Mother urged that she was Neice to the said Peter of Bourbon being his Sister's Daughter and this Title prevailed The Treaty being concluded the King of France departed out of Spain leaving as Hostages acording to Agreement for performance of the Capitulation his two Sons Francis the Dauphine and Henry the Younger At Sevil on the 3d of March was celebrated the Marriage of the Emperor with Elizabeth eldest Sister to the King of Portugal D. Ferdinand of Aragon Duke of Calabria before set at Liberty and D. Alonso de Fonseca who had succeeded Cardinal William de Croy in the Archbishoprick of Toledo accompanied the Bride from the Borders of Portugal The Emperor had deprived Francis Sforcia of the Dukedom of Milan accusing him of being unfaithful and holding Correspondence with France Pope Clement to restore him and being himself offended because it was by Law established in Spain that Benefices should not be given to Strangers and that the Pope's Bulls should be examined in Council joined in League with the French and Venetians he also invited the King of England into the Confederacy and promised D. Ferdinand Davalos Marquis of Pescara and Governor of Milan if he would join with them to make him King of Naples which Kingdom he designed to Conquer These Practices were the cause of great and mighty Mischiefs that ensued Mean while the Marquis of Pescara died and leaving no Issue his Cousin D. Alonso Davalos Marquis del Gasto inherited his Title and Estate Solyman the Great Turk Son to Selymus overthrew in Battel near the City Buda King Luis of Hungary and by his Death not only the City Buda was lost but Contentions arising about the Succession the Kingdom was brought into great distress Part of the Nobility were for Ferdinand of Austria because he was Married to the late King's Sister and part stood up for John Sepusius Vayvode of Transilvania whence ensued grievous Wars Mary the Queen-Dowager having no Issue returned to Flanders Anno 1527. Cardinal Pompeius Colonna and Vespasian Colonna having raised Forces in the Territory of Rome and being joined by others sent by D. Hugo de Moncada Viceroy of Naples they had so streightned the Pope at Rome that he could scarce secure his Person or prevent the Soldiers Plundering the Sacred Palace After which Charles Duke of Bourbon with part of the Imperial Army marched out of Lombardy towards Rome designing to Plunder that City The Duke of Vrbin and Janetin de Medicis Father to Cosmo who was after Duke of Florence set out to oppose him but were overthrown passing the River Mincius and Janetin slain The Duke of Bourbon assaulting Rome was killed with a Musket Shot from the Walls nevertheless the Soldiers pursued their Design and Sacked the City laying Siege to the Castle of Santangelo whither the Pope and Cardinals retired The Emperor was at Valladolid when the News of this Disaster was brought to him he immediately caused the Publick Feasts and Rejoicing for the Birth of his Son Prince Philip born in that City the 20th of May to cease which was a Token of his Religious Zeal and that so great a Disorder had not happened with his knowledge On the other side the Florentins who mortally hated the Pope seeing him Distressed expelled out of their City the Family of Medicis and particularly Hippolito and Alexander who were the Chiefs of that House which was the Cause why
which was the Introduction to all the Disorders that afterwards happen'd in England Civil Wars broke out between the Catholick and Heretick Cantons of Swisserland They came to a Battel near Zurick in which the Catholicks had the better In this Fight Zuinglius was killed At Basle Ecolampadius was found dead in his Bed Both these were Heads of that wicked Sect of Sacramentarians Anno 1532. The Emperor assembled the Diet at Ratisbon to raise the Forces of the Empire to oppose Solyman the Great Turk who threatned Hungary Liberty of Conscience was granted to the pretended Reformed Religion whereupon the Professors of it joined with the Catholicks in raising Forces The Pope sent a Supply of Italians under the Conduct of the Cardinal Hippolito de Medicis The King of Portugal also sent Succour Thus about 20000 Horse and 80000 Foot were raised They encamp'd near Vienna whither the Turks had designed to advance The Emperor in Person commanded this Army The Infidels understanding the great Power of the Christians tho they were much more numerous durst not hazard a Battel but contenting themselves with having ravaged Hungary and part of Austria returned the same way they came At the same time Andrew Doria with the Imperial Fleet sailing into the Morea took Coron and Modon John Frederick Duke of Saxony a great Favourer of Martin Luther died and his Son of the same Name and no better a Christian than he succeeded him The Emperor having setled the Affairs of Germany passed over into Italy At Bolonia he had a Conference with the Pope concluded a League with him against the Turk and it was proposed to call a General Council to put a stop to the growing Heresies But the main Design of these Princes was to prevent the French returning into Italy for it was thought that King would never desist till he had recover'd Milan Anno 1533. It seems there was no reality in their Proceedings for as soon as the Emperor returned into Spain the Pope and King of France met at Marseilles This Meeting it was fear'd would produce new Commotions and Wars in Italy The Death of the Pope which soon after ensued broke all those Measures All that took effect was that Catharine Daughter to Laurence de Medicis was Married to Henry Son to the King of France who afterwards Francis the Dauphin his Elder Brother dying came to be Dauphin and at last King She had in Dower certain Towns in Auvergn and a great Sum of Money Anno 1534. D. Alonso de Fonseca Archbishop of Toledo died the 4th of February and the Cardinal D. Jobn de Tavera succeeded him in that Dighity Pope Clement immediately after his return out of France fell sick of a lingring Disease and having setled his own Affairs and those of the City departed this Life at Rome the 24th Day of September On the 15th of October Cardinal Alexander Farnesius born at Rome and well versed in all the Affairs of that Court was chosen his Successor took the Name of Paul the III. and govern'd the Church 15 Years and 28 Days In his younger Days he had two Children unlawfully begotten which were Peter Luis and Constance Peter Luis was Father to Alexander Farnesius Constance was Mother of Guido Sforcia Both these were made Cardinals in the first Promotion Alexander Farnesius had two Brothers Octavius afterwards Duke of Parma and Raynuncius Knight of S. John of Hierusalem and lastly a Cardinal In England this November it was by Law establish'd That the Pope should have no Spiritual Jurisdiction within that Kingdom but that the King was Head of the Church Some who would not consent and among them certain Carthusians John Fisher Bishop of Rochester and Sir Thomas Moore late Chancellor were put to Death A Famous Pyrat called Ariadenus Barbarkssa had made himself King of Argiers and being afterwards Admiral of the Turkish Fleet took the City Tunez on the Coast of Africk expelling thence Muleasse the rightful King Anno 1535. The Emperor set Sail with a powerful Fleet from Barcelona on the 30th of May to restore Muleasse who had fled to him for Protection Prince Luis of Portugal kept him Company with certain Galleons fitted out by his Brother to that purpose They had a favourable Passage and landing on the Coast of Africk at their first arrival took the strong Castle of Goletta and in the Month of July were Masters of the City of Tunez The City was delivered to King Muleasse D. Bernardin de Mendoça was left in the Castlc with a Garison of 1000 Men. This done the Emperor sailed over to Sicily and thence to Naples Mean while the King of France passing the Alpes took from Charles Duke of Savoy the City of Turin and many other Places in Piemont whence ensued great Broils To encrease which Francis Sforcia Duke of Milan dying without Issue appointed the Emperor Charles his Heir Anno 1536. From Naples the Emperor went to Rome where in the Presence of the Pope and Cardinals he grievously inveighed against the King of France and was so far transported with Passion that he challenged him to Fight hand to hand upon Easter-Monday following Soon after departing Rome he entred France with a powerful Army He advanced as far as Marseilles to which he laid Siege but was forced to return without doing any thing remarkable In this Expedition Garcilasso de la Vega the Famous Spanish Poet was killed by certain Country People from a Tower which the Emperor so highly resented that he caused the Tower to be razed and all those Men to be hanged Antony de Leyva a famous Commander and then General died also in this Undertaking Three things remarkable happened this Year The first the Death of Francis the Dauphin of France suspected to have been Poisoned The second a Provincial Council held at Cologn by Hermanus Archbishop of that City who seven years after turned Lutheran was therefore deposed by the Pope and Adolphus placed in his stead The third was the Death of Erasmus Roterodamus who departed this Life at Basle being 70 Years of Age a Person of great Learning but no good Reputation In England on the 29th of May Anne Bullen tho the King had by her a Daughter called Elizabeth was accused and convicted of Adultery and accordingly Beheaded Jean Seymour stepped into her Place but the Year after she died in Childbed Her Son lived and was called Edward After this the King Married Anne Sister to the Duke of Cleves from whom he was soon after Divorced having before establish'd a Law to allow of Divorces Thus he Married his fifth Wife Catherine Howard but her also he put to Death for Adultery and because she had lost her Virginity before she was Married to him Lastly he Married the Lady Catherine Par her he made not away for soon after he died himself Anno 1537. Duke Alexander de Medicis was murdered at Florence the 6th of January by the
this Year was happy in the Birth of this Prince so it was unfortunate to Portugal and all Spain For King Sebastian carried away by the Heat of Youth and ambitious to extend the Christian Name in Africk took into his Protection King Muley Hamet He gathered Forces out of Germany Italy and Castile to join with his own He fitted out a great Fleet in which he shipped all his Forces and sailing in July arrived at Arzila a City in Africk subject to the Portugueses His first Design was to attack the Castle of Alarache which is at the Mouth of the River Lucus The Portugueses began to march up the Country and Moluco met them with a far greater number of Men. The Battel was fought on the 4th of August and the Portugueses overthrown The Slaughter was great and the number of Prisoners incredible among which were many of note No Battel in many years was so unfortunate for three Kings died there Moluco of Sickness which had long stuck by him he left his Brother Hamet his Heir The King of Portugal was killed in the Battel and Muley drowned in passing a River as he fled D. John of Austria to pacify the Flemmings consented that the Spaniards should be drawn out of those Provinces and Garisons of the Natives put into their Strong-holds which proved fatal For scarce were the Spaniards gone when the Hereticks conspired to seize D. John He having notice of their Design fled to Namur began to assemble Forces recalled the Spaniards who were marching towards Italy and had some Skirmishes with the Enemy from whom he took some places But Death taking him off in October and in the Flower of his Age put a stop to all his Designs He died a natural Death in the Field Alexander Farnesius Prince of Parma succeeded him in the Government of these Provinces The Provinces being dissatisfied with the Archduke Mathias called Francis Duke of Alenson to their assistance against D. John of Austria who having accepted of the Offer and being come to Mons in Hainault they gave him the Title of Protector of Flanders In Portugal died the Princess Mary Daughter to Emanuel by his last Wife Ellenor This Lady when she died was well in years and a Maid for tho several Matches were proposed never any took effect Anno 1579. As soon as the dismal News of the Death of King Sebastian was brought to Lisbon Cardinal Henry his Great Uncle Brother to his Grandfather was proclaimed King tho then very old and unhealthy The Nobility to secure the Succession would have him marry but it being unlikely he should have any Children there were many Pretenders to that Crown King Philip in Right of his Mother Elizabeth the Empress Philibert Duke of Savoy as Son to the Lady Beatrix both which were Daughters to King Emanuel The Prince of Parma in the Right of his Wife the Princess Mary then dead but had left two Sons Ranucius and Edward And the Duke of Bragança in the Right of Catherine his Wife These two Ladies were Grand-children to King Emanuel and Daughters to Prince Edward Mary was the eldest but was dead and Catherine was living Antony Prior of Ocrato put in his Claim as Son to Prince Luis and Grandson to King Emanuel He to cover his being a Bastard pretended his Father had been married to his Mother but no proof appeared Catherine Queen-Mother of France claimed that Kingdom as descended from Matildis Countess of Bologn Wife to Alonso the 3d King of Portugal affirming they had Issue The Portugueses urged that the Countess left no Child either by her first or second Husband and proved that when she died Robert her Nephew Son to her Sister Alicia inherited her Dominions from whom that Queen was descended by the Mother's side None of these Princesses wanted the Pens of Learned Men to vindicate their Titles but King Philip had the Power which never fails to bear down all that the Learned can say in behalf of their Cause In Sicily this Year a vast quantity of Liquid Fire gushed out of Mount Etna which did much harm in the Neighbouring Country Anno 1580. King Philip prepared for the War with Portugal and to that purpose caused several Troops of Italians Germans and Spaniards to march towards the Frontiers of that Kingdom To prevent Disorders King Philip labour'd to prevail with the new King his Unkle to declare him his Heir but at the same time whilst this was in hand King Henry departed this Life at Almeirin on the last of January It appear'd a War must of necessity ensue for that the Portugueses it could not be expected would submit to the Spaniards There wanted a General The Duke of Alva was then Prisoner at Vzeda because he had obliged his Son Frederick to Marry the Daughter of D. Garcia de Toledo Marquis of Villa Franca without regard to another Lady belonging to the Queen to whom the said Frederick had before promised Marriage and the King had commanded him not to dispose of himself till that Affair was decided It was now thought fit to release and send him to Portugal The King himself to be the nearer at hand went first to Merida and then to Badajoz a City on the Frontiers of that Kingdom His Forces were not great being scarce 12000 Foot and 1500 Horse but they were the Flower of the Spanish Army old Soldiers of great Experience With this strength and the good Conduct of the Duke of Alva Antony the Bastard who with the Favour of the People called himself King was overthrown first at Lisbon and soon after near Porto by Sancho Davila Camp-Master-General in that Expedition Thus he being expelled the Country all that Kingdom was brought under Mean while King Philip lay at Burgos so sick that the Physicians had given him over Scarce was he recover'd when the Queen his Wife who was with him died on the 26th of October He had by her four Sons Ferdinand and Charles both dead before James who lived not long after and Philip then a Child and sickly but afterwards grew healthy and lived long He had also a Daughter called Mary that was but short lived About this time died Hierome Osorio a Portugues Bishop of Silves a great Orator but not in his History as appears by the Books he wrote His Contemporary was Andrew Resendius of the same Nation a great Antiquary and imitator of Horace in the Learned Verses he composed Emanuel Duke of Savoy also departed this Life and his Son Charles succeeded him In Flanders after the death of D. John of Austria the War continued hot and most of the Country was in Rebellion Mathias the Archduke left the Country and returned into Germany Those Provinces having once revolted would not return to their duty and tho they all combin'd together yet of themselves they were not strong enough to oppose the King which made them send for Francis Duke of Alençon the French King's
of the Moors erected in Spain by Abderhaman His Death and Wars among his Sons p. 107 Chap. V. The Reign of D. Alonso the Chast The Nestorian Heresie reviv'd The Kings Sister debauch'd he takes Lisbon Wars among the Moors Invention of the Body of S. James the Apostle and defeat of Charlemaine p. 109 Chap. VI. The remaining part of the Reign of King Alonso Rebellion among the Moors Alhaca the Moor dies and Abderhaman succeeds him The Reign of King Ramiro he overthrows the Moors in a great Battle His Death and Invasion of the Normans p. 110 Chap. VII The Persecution rais'd by the Moors at Cordova The Reign of D. Ordonno over the Christians and Mahomet over the Moors p. 112 Chap. VIII The Reign of King Alonso the Great He is expell'd and restor'd His Brothers Conspire against him and are punish'd The Church of St. James the Apostle made an Archbishoprick Mahomet the Moorish King dies p. 114 Chap. IX The Death of King Alonso the Great The Reigns of D. Garcia and D. Ordonno II. of Oviedo and of Almundar Abdalla and Abderhaman of Cordova p. 116 The Eighth BOOK Chap. I. THE Original of the Kingdoms of Navarre and Aragon and Earls of Barcelona with their Succession and Actions down to the time of King Ordonno II. of Leon. p. 118 Chap. II. Of the Earls of Castile The Reigns of D. Fruela II. King of Leon. Fictions concerning the Kings of Navarre The Reign of their King D. Sancho Abarca p. 120 Chap. III. The Reigns of Alonso IV. and Ramiro II. Kings of Leon. Sancho Abarca King of Navarre slain by Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile Several Defeats of the Moors Agreat Eclypse p. 121 Chap. IV. The Reigns of D. Ordonno III. D. Sancho the Gross Kings of Leon and of Garcia Sanchez King of Navarre and Actions of Fernan Gonzalez Earl of Castile p. 123 Chap. V. The Reign of Ramiro III. King of Leon. Death of Earl Fernan Gonzalez Normans infest the Coasts of Spain Divisions among the Moors Rebellion against the King of Leon and his Death p. 126 Chap. VI. The Reign of Bermudo II. call'd the Gouty King of Leon. Discord betwixt him and the Earl of Castile Leon and Barcelona taken by the Infidels Garcia King of Navarre dies His Son Garci Sanchez succeeds him p. 127 Chap. VII The Death of King Bermudo the Gouty and beginning of the Reign of D. Alonso V. King of Leon. Many troubles among the Moors The Earl of Castile slain by the Infidels p. 130 Chap. VIII Continues the mighty Revolutions among the Infidels with the dismembring of the Mighty Kingdom of Cordova and erecting of several other little Sovereignties in the chief Cities of Spain p. 132 Chap. IX The last Actions of D. Alonso King of Leon and his Death The Reign of D. Bermudo III. His Son Sancho Earl of Castile Poisons his Mother His Son Garcia Murder'd p. 133 Chap. X. The remaining part of the Reign of Sancho the Greater King of Navarre Wicked Contrivance of his Sons against their Mother He settles Religious Affairs Rebuilds Palencia and is Murder'd p. 135 The Ninth BOOK Chap. I. THE Posture of Affairs in Spain Actions of D. Berenguel Earl of Barcelona Kingdoms of the Moors Wars betwixt the Kings of Castile and Leon. Ferdinand Crown'd King of Leon. p. 137 Chap. II. Ferdinand King of Castile and Leon the most Powerful King of Spain overthrows the Moors takes several Towns and ravages the Territories of the Infidels Ramiro King of Aragon Wars on his Brother of Navarre p. 138 Chap. III. S. Isidorus 's Body translated to Leon. Conversion of two Moorish Princesses Garcia King of Navarre kill'd by his Brother Ferdinand Ramiro King of Aragon recovers his Dominions p. 140 Chap. IV. The manner how Spain came to be exempted from the Roman Empire The famous Roderick Diaz de Bivar commonly call'd Cid His Extraction and first Actions Three Synods held in Spain p. 141 Chap. V. The remaining part of the Reign of Ferdinand King of Castile and Leon. His Dominions divided amongst his Children Of D. Ramiro King of Aragon Perpignan built p. 143 Chap. VI. The Progress of the War D. Sancho made upon his two Brothers He expels Alonso King of Leon first and then Garcia King of Galicia lays Siege to the City Zamora and is there murder'd p. 144 Chap. VII King Alonso returns from among the Moors and recovers his Brothers Kingdoms The first part of his Reign Actions of Roderick de Bivar King Sancho of Navarre murder'd by his own Brother p. 146 Chap. VIII The Death of Almenon King of Toledo and of D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona The Conquests of the Moors in Italy The Conquest of Toledo resolv'd upon Ramon Earl of Barcelona murder'd p. 148 Chap. IX The famous City Toledo closely Besieg'd and Surrendred many other Places taken King Alonso stiles himself Emperor p. 150 Chap. X. The Election of the new Archbishop of Toledo The abolishing the old Missal and Breviary The Original of the Archbishop of Toledo His Spiritual Jurisdiction over all Spain King Alphonso's Wives and Children New Wars break out in Spain p. 151 The Tenth BOOK Chap. I. THE Moorish Family of the Almoravides comes into Spain King Alonso twice overthrown by them Several Strangers come out of France to serve under him he bestows three of his Daughters on them The Holy War in the East p. 153. Chap. II. The great Actions of D. Sancho Ramirez King of Aragon He is kill'd at the Siege of Huesca His Sons continue the Siege rout a great Army of the Moors and Christians that come to raise it and take the Place p. 155 Chap. III. Great Preparations thro' Christendom for the Holy War Valencia taken by Roderick de Bivar other Actions of his suspected to be Fabulous His Death and that of Joseph the Moorish Monarch p. 156 Chap. IV. The Death of Sancho Prince of Castile and of the two Kings Peter I. of Aragon and Alonso IV. of Castile The Moorish King of Zaragoça Of two Holy Men. p. 158 Chap. V. The Reign of Queen Urraca Her Lewdness She is Divorc'd from her Husband Depos'd from the Government Her Son Alonso Proclaim'd King of Castile p. 160 Chap. VI. The Wars of Majorca and Zaragoça The Schism of Burdinus Peace concluded betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Aragon The Original of the Kingdom of Portugal p. 162 Chap. VII A Schism in the Church on account of the Antipope Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon War with the Moors Original of the Kingdom of Portugal p. 163 Chap. VIII The War betwixt the King of Castile and the Moors The Death of King Alonso of Aragon and Revolutions of that Kingdom and Navarre The former choses Ramiro a Monk the latter Garcia for their King p. 165 Chap. IX The King of Castile aspires to the Crowns of Aragon and Navarre Stiles himself Emperor Ramiro King of Aragon resigns and his Son-in-law Raymund Earl of Barcelona assumes the Crown p. 167 Chap. X. D.
Jews expelled Spain Pope Innocent VIII dies Alexander VI. succeeds him Navarre pacified Roussillon and Cerdagne restored to King Ferdinand p. 460 Chap. II Discoveries and Conquests of the Spaniards in the West-Indies Controversies arise betwixt the Crowns of Spain and Portugal concerning their Discoveries Roussillon and Cerdagne restored to King Ferdinand p. 461 Chap. III. Palma one of the Canary-Islands Conquered The Mastership of the three Military Orders annexed to the Crown of Castile The Original of the Neapolitan War The Death of Ferdinand King of Naples p. 464 Chap. IV. The French invade the Kingdom of Naples An Account of Luis Sforcia Duke of Milan The French King at Rome Alonso King of Naples Abdicates The French possess themselves of the Kingdom of Naples p. 465 Chap. V. The League against the French carried on with wonderfull secrecy The French King returns home The Venetians overthrown by the French King Ferdinand of Naples successful against them and recovers that Noble City p. 468 Chap. VI The Death of John II. King of Portugal The French quite expell'd 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 p. 469 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 setling the Kingdom of Naples p. 472 Chap. VIII Progress of the Portugueses Discoveries in the East Peter Covillam and Alonso de Paira sent to India by Land Vasca de Gama sent to discover India by Sea with four Ships His Voyage till he came to Calicut p. 474 Chap. IX A short but particular Account of India what happened to Vasco de Gama at Calicut His bold Enterprize there and a Relation of his return to Portugal p. 476 Chap. X. An Account of the Navigation of Vasco de Gama and of all the Coasts of Africk as they lay in his way Of the Island of Zocotora and of all the Coast of Asia as far as China and the Method observed by the Portugueses in Sailing thither p. 478 The Twenty Seventh BOOK 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 Hierom Savonorola burnt at Florence p. 480 Chap. II. The King of Portugal sworn Heir to the Crown of Castile Elizabeth his Queen delivered of a Son dies The Duke of Milan expelled his Dominions Vniversity of Alcala founded Rebellion of the Mountain Moors p. 481 Chap. III. The Birth of the Emperor Charles V. The French possess themselves of the State of Milan and take the Duke and his Brother the Cardinal The great Year of Jubelee 1500. The League betwixt France and Spain Cefalonia taken from the Turks p. 484 Chap. IV. King Ferdinand 's double dealing The Princess Mary of Castile Marry'd to the King of Portugal The French and Spaniards jointly subdue the Kingdom of Naples Actions of the Great Captain p. 486 Chap. V. The French and Spaniards fall at variance about divideing their Conquest The Description of the Kingdom of Naples Frederick King of Naples puts himself into the French King's hands French perish by Pestilence and stress of Weather The coming of the Arch-Duke into Spain p. 488 Chap. VI. Further Actions of the Great Captain at Naples The Duke of Calabria contrary to Articles sent into Spain The French and Spanish Generals consult their Kings and have a Conference to adjust Differences in the division of Naples The beginning of the War betwixt them p. 490 Chap. VII The Arch-Duke of Austria and Princess his Wife sworn Heirs of Aragon He goes away for Flanders The Spaniards offer Battle to the French several small Actions betwixt them The Spaniards decline in Calabria are defeated p. 492 Chap VIII Great Booty taken by the Spaniards as also the Sieur de la Palisse A Combat betwixt 13 French and as many Italians Several losses of the French The Marques del Gasto comes over to the Spaniards p. 494 Chap. IX The Peace concluded by the Arch-Duke with France It takes no effect Succours from Spain arrive at Naples The Lord Aubigni defeated and taken p. 496 Chap. X. The Battle 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 p. 497 The Twenty Eight BOOK Chap. I. THE Siege of Gaeta The Death of Pope Alexander VI. Pius III. chosen Practices of the Spaniards The French invade Roussillion p. 501 Chap. II. The French Besiege Saulses or as the Spaniards call it Salsas The Siege raised Nineteen Sail of Infidels destroyed Pope Pius III. dies Julius II. chosen The French Army marches thro' Italy Two Defeats given them p. 502 Chap. III. The City Gaeta surrendred A Truce betwixt France and Spain The Prefect of Rome submits to Spain The Nobility of Naples swear Allegiance to Spain and several Cities of Italy sue for its Protection Truce for 3 years betwixt France and Spain p. 505 Chap. VI. Perfidiousness of Duke Valentine who is as perfidiously sent into Spain by the Great Captain contrary to his Promise and he ill represented to the King Projects of Peace betwixt France and Spain come to nothing p. 507 Chap. V. The League betwixt the Emperor the Arch-Duke and King of France The League against the Venetians The Death of King Frederick of Naples and Queen Elizabeth of Castile Contention about the Government of Castile betwixt King Ferdinand and King Philip. Treaties with France p. 509 Chap. VI. King Ferdinand becomes odious to his People The posture of Affairs in Italy The Emperor and King Philip of Castile Ratifie the Peace with France King Ferdinand agrees with the French King p. 511 Chap. VII Mazalquivir in Africk taken from the Moors The Nobility of Spain divided for and against King Philip. The Agreement made betwixt the two Kings Ferdinand and Philip The latter in England p. 513 Chap. VIII The Affairs of Portugal A bloody Mutiny at Lisbon King Ferdinand Marries Queen Germana King Philip comes into Spain and declares against the Treaty with King Ferdinand Death of Christopher Columbus p. 515 Chap. IX The Spaniards and Flemings at variance upon their first Meeting King Ferdinand raises Forces pretending to rescue his Daughter Many forsake him and he is forced to quit Castile An Interview of the two Kings p. 517 Chap. X. The two Kings of Spain agree and join in League Joanna King Philip 's Queen Distracted thro' Jealousie Troubles in Castile King Ferdinand and his Queen go to Zaragoca Jealeusie started against the Great Captain King Philip dies p. 519 The Twenty Ninth BOOK Chap. I. THE Settlement made by the Nobility of Castile after the Death of King Philip. The Catholick King goes over to Naples His Reception
in the List of those that were to be slain she conspired with the Eunuch Narcissus and they gave him a dose of Poison but finding it did not Work fast enough they stifled him He lived but Thirty Two Years whereof he Reign'd Twelve Eight Months and Fifteen day It is reported he kept Three hundred Concubines and a like number of the Beautifulest Youths that could be found to satisfy his beastly Lust Some Authors say it was at this time that the holy Martyrs Facundus and Primitivus suffered at the Banks of Cea a River that runs down from the Mountains of Asturias into Old Castile Here the Christians built a Church in honour of them In the time of the Moores they were remov'd into Asturias and thence returned to the same place and a Monastery of Benedictine Monks built there near that of Sahagun and is one of the chiefest places of Devotion in Spain CHAP. IV. The Reigns of the Emperors Pertinax Severus Caracalla Macrinus Heliogabalus Alexander Severus Maximinus Gordianus Philip Decius Trebonianus Gallus and Aemilianus THE Emperor Commodus was killed in the Year 193. Helvius Pertinax born of a Libertine or which is all one descended from Slaves succeeded him and ruled only two Months and Twenty eight days The Murderers of Commodus procur'd him the Crown for his approved goodness and the Pretorian Soldiers deprived him of it and his Life within his own Palace No sooner was Pertinax Murdered but Sulpicianus and Didius Julianus repaired to the Pretorian bands like Merchants to buy the Empire as if it had been exposed to sale Julianus carryed it by promising each Soldier Twenty five Sestercies which amounts to 625 Crowns an extravagant sum and not being able afterwards to pay it the Souldiers forsook him and he was killed by the contrivance of Septimius Severus Six Months after he undertook the Government For this good service Severus was declared Emperor by the Legions of Sclavonia He was born at Leptis or Tripoli in Barbary punished the Pretorian bands for the Murder of Pertinax by disarming and banishing them a Hundred Miles from Rome vanquished Pescennius Niger who called himself Emperor in the East destroyed the City Bizantium because it shut the Gates against him defeated Albinus that was revolted in France then passed over into Great Britain appeased the Commotions that were raised there resolved to build a Wall betwixt England and Scotland to curb the incursions of the Scots but was cut off by Death which seized him in the City of York when he had Reign'd Seventeen Years and Eight Months and three days In the Ninth Year of his Reign he raised a persecution against the Christians in which much blood was spilt Severus left two Sons by two Wives Aurelius Antoninus Caracalla the Eldest at his first coming to the Crown slew his Brother Gela by the Father's will appointed his Companion in the Empire This bloody Action made him odious to the People and he increased their hatred by Marrying Julia Geta's Mother and as some will have it his own He stopped not here but put to Death all that were any ways inclined to his Brother But his Barbarities could not be lasting for he was stabbed by one Marcialis a Soldier as he sate easing his Body when he had Reigned Six Years Two Months and five days Opilius Macrinus Commander of the Pretorian bands by the free consent of Audentius a Noble Man whom the Soldiers would have preferred was declared Emperor He did nothing of note and his time was so short he can scare be counted in the Number of Emperors Mesa the Sister of Julia prevailed with the Soldiers to kill him at Chaleedon together with his Son Diadumenus on the 7th of June 219. His power lasted but Three Months and Twenty Eight Days Aurelius Antoninus Varius who was Priest of the Sun in Phaenicia as is signifyed by the name Heliogabalus and for the Beauty of his Person and gracefulness which seemed to be the Tokens of a fair Soul and above all by the help of his Mother Mesa was by the unanimous consent of the Soldiers saluted Emperor His Life and manners were vicious beyond measure so wholly addicted to Lust that he acted and suffered things not to be named and raved to that excess of brutality that he endeavoured to change his Sex to the shame and disgrace of the Roman Empire and of all Mankind The World could not endure such a Monster his own Guards killed him on the Tenth of March in the Year of our Lord 223 the Eighteenth of his Age and when he had Reign'd Three Years nine Months and four days Alexander Severus Cousin-german to Heliogabalus succeeded him in the Empire his Virtues equalled the Vices of the other and he had proved one of the most glorious Emperors had he not been cut off by Death He was so far a favourer of Christians as to cause the Image of Christ to be placed among those of his other Gods he overcame the Parthians and then waging War in Germany was basely Murdered by Maximinus in the Twenty Ninth Year of his Age when he had Reigned Thirteen Years and nine days equal to the best for Justice Clemency Prudence and Meekness There is no Memory of any thing remarkable that happen'd in Spain in the days of these Emperors At Guadix is the Pedestal of a Statue erected in honour of Mammea the Mother of Alexander the Emperor the inscription of it is as follows To Julia Mammea Augusta Mother to the Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander pious happy Augustus Mother of the Army the Colony Julia Gemina Accitana devoted to her Deity and Majesty This Lady is supposed to have been a Christian at least she was Familiarly acquainted with Origen About this time Pope Anterus who then governed the See of Rome writ a Letter to the Bishops of Andaluzia and Kingdom of Toledo in which among other things he tells them that Bishops cannot lawfully be Translated from one See to another for their own ease or advantage Julius Maximinus born in Thracia of base Parentage remarkable for his extraordinary Stature of Body Strength and Swiftness passed thro' all the Degrees from a private Soldier till by force he possessed himself of the Empire after the Death of Alexander Severus in the Year of Grace 239. After quieting the Revolted Germans he prepared to make War upon Samartia now Poland when News was brought him to the City Sirmo that the Soldiers in Africk had saluted Gordianus the Governour of that Province Emperor and the Senate approved of their choice Inflamed with the desire of Revenge he marched towards Rome but stopp'd at Aquileia that City having shut the Gates against him Here he was inform'd that Gordianus and his Son of the same Name had been killed in Africk and that the Senate had in his stead chosen Balbinus and Pupienus Great was the danger that threatned had not the
Walls They likewise mention Metropolitans before called Bishops of the first Chair To return to Constantine he Rebuilt the City Bizantium destroyed by the Emperor Severus and removed the Imperial Court thither calling it of his own Name Constantinople He instituted four Praefecti Pretorii two to command in the East and two in the West one of these over Italy the other over France and Spain the Residence of the latter was in France and under him a Vicar Governed Spain Constantine having settled all things to his mind dy'd in the Year of our Lord 337. having Reigned 30 Years 9 Months and 27 Day His putting to Death his Son Crispus and Wife Fausta gave occasion to some to slander this great Monarch and many other Calumnies have been raised to deface the memory of his glorious Actions But many Learned Pens have writ of him in particular and it belongs not to us to enlarge upon this Subject CHAP. VII The Reigns of the Emperors Constantine Constantius and Constans Julian the Apostate Jovianus Valentinian and Valens COnstantine left three Sons by his second Wife to wit Constantine Constantius and Constans all three at several times during his Life named Caesars and at his Death he divided the Empire among them in this manner To Constantine the eldest he assigned the West beyond the Aples to Constantius the second Son the East and to Constans the youngest Italy Africk and Sclavonia The same he confirmed by his last Will and Testament and ordered moreover that Dalmatius Cousin-germain to the Emperors should have the Title of Caesar in the East Him Constantius caused tobe killed in a Mutiny of the Soldiers in the first year of his Reign Constantine the Eldest of the three Brothers the third year after the Death of his Father was Treacherously slain near Aquileia having marched so far in order to deprive his Brother Constans of the Empire upon pretence it all belonged to him and that he had been wronged in the distribution of the Provinces Some have writ that Constantine was an Arian but the contrary appears in that through his means his Brother Constantius recalled St. Athanasius from banishment The Emperor Constans was a great support to the Catholicks and they soon found a great miss of him for he ended his days on the way to Spain at the City Erna in the county of Roussillon He was killed by Magnentius who was in Rebellion and possessed of France and Spain Constantius resolving to revenge the Death of his Brother before he set out named Gallus his Cousin Caesar Both Armies met near the City Murcia in Sclavonia where they came to a battle which proved very bloody for of the usurpers side 24000 Men were killed and 30000 of Constantius yet he got the day but the forces of the Empire where much weakned by so great a slaughter The Tyrant after the Fight fled to Lions in France there he and his Brother Decentius by him appointed Caesar despairing of making head again killed themselves By this Victory all the Provinces of the Empire were again brought under one Monarch Nevertheless the Germans broke into France doing great harm there The Emperor besides his other faults was jealous of all Men and gave ear to Court-Whisperers the Plague of all Courts whereby he had been prevailed upon some time before in the East to kill his Cousin Gallus Notwithstanding that he might at once oppose the Persians and quiet France he took Gallus his own Brother Julian out of a Monastery and declared him Caesar and to bind him the faster to his interest marryed him to his Sister Helen Julian was sent into France whilst the Emperor prepared for the War against the Persians At this time St. Athanasius for fear of being kill'd absented himself again and lay hid till the death of Constantius which hap'ned in this manner The event of the Persian War was unfortunate and met with several disasters at which the Emperor was highly concerned At the same time the Soldiers in France pleased with the conduct of Julian saluted him Emperor at Paris This was a fresh cause of grief to Constantius who resolved to march against him but was prevented by death which overtook him at Antioch There he was baptized after the manner of the Arians either that he had deferred it till then or that he was rebaptiz'd at they also used His death hap'ned on the 3d of November 361. In Spain about the same time certain Pages bringing Lights at night came in saying Let us Conquer Let us Conquer whence it may be supposed the Custom of saluting one another when lights are brought in had its Original among us A certain Roman that was present imagining this word had carryed some farther meaning drew his Sword and kill'd the Master of the House with all his Family This Ammianus Marcellinus relates without any other Circumstance About this time also Flourished Clemens Prudentius a Soldier and Lawyer in his Youth in his riper years a Poet famous for the verses he writ in praise of the Holy Martyrs Also Juvencus a Spanish Priest writ the like of Christ in Heroick verse and Pacianus Bishop of Barcelona employed his Talent in writning against the Novatians The Emperor Constantius left never a Son and therefore appointed him he would have Persecuted whilst living his Successor at his death that is his Cousin Julian a Man of Learning and good natural endowments that might have been compared to the best of Emperors had he still adhered to the true Religion and not suffered himself to be perverted by his Master Libahus so as to forsake Christianity by which he got the name of Apostate As soon as possest of the Empire to gain the good will of all Men he gave full Liberty to every one to follow the Religion they pleased He revoked the Sentence of banishment that had passed against Catholicks excepting Athanasius whom because after the death of Constantius he returned to his Church he ordered to be apprehended and so forced him again to abscond To the Jews he gave Liberty to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem but such Flames issued out of the foundations they were oblig'd to desist The Gentiles were permitted to open their Temples shut up since the time of Constantine His hatred to the Christians was great yet he thought better to weaken them by Policy than open force and therefore forbid their being admitted to any places of honour or trust or their Childrens to be taught in the Greek Schools which stirred up many Christians to write Learnedly in Verse and Prose particularly the two Apollinarii Father and Son Persons of great Learning This Emperors end was suitable to his beginning He undertook the War against the Persians was at first successful but thereupon advanced so far that all his Army was in danger of perishing and he himself slain with a Dart as some say accidentally thrown by his own Men or
the foot of the Alps the two Armies met the Battle was bloody and obstinately fought On a sudden there arose a Storm of Wind Rain Thunder and Lightning which drove so upon the Rebels that they could not weild their Weapons as Claudian a famous Poet of those times relates it 20000 Goths who served under the Emperor's pay since the death of Athanaricus did great service and thus at length Theodosius having made a great slaughter became Master of the Field Eugenius after the Fight was killed by his own Men and Arbogestes made away with himself This Battle was fought on the 17th of September 394. The same Year Theodosius named his Younger Son Honorius his Companion in the Empire and soon after dy'd of a Dropsie at Milan on the 17th of January in the following Year at the Age of 50 having Reigned 16 Years and 2 Days He was twice Married by Placilla his first Wife he left the two Emperors Arcadius and Honorius by Galla the Daughter of Valentinian and Justina he had only one Daughter named Galla Placidia St. Ambrose and St. Hierom in particular Sermons to that purpose spoke the Praises of this excellent Prince Aurelius Victor says he well deserved the Name Theodosius which signifies Given by God for his great Actions and Virtues tho' it had not been given him by his Father It was a sufficient demonstration of his Zeal for Religion that he caused the Pagan Temples which Constantine had shut up to be utterly demolished After the Death of the Great Theodosius his Sons took upon them the Administration of the Government Arcadius had the East and Honorius the West They were more Religious and Virtuous than Fortunate for in their time the Majesty of the Roman Empire which from a small beginning was raised to such a height that it laboured under its own weight began to fall and never more recovered it self By the Death of Pope Siricius Anastasius was promoted to the Government of the Church in whose time the first Council of Toledo was held in Spain and commenced on the first of September in the Year 400. This Synod condemned the Heresie of Priscillian and reconciled to the Church the two Bps. Simphosius and Dutinius and a Priest called Comasius who all Abjured it The Government of the Empire was divided in this manner Gildus commanded in Africk Rufinus in the East and Stilico in the West This last was a Person of greater Authority than the other two as being Allied to the Emperors for Serena his Wife was Daughter to Honorius the Brother of Theodosius the Great and he was Father-in-Law to Honorius the Emperor Theodosius had thus ordered that these three might be in the nature of Tutors to his Sons and ease them of the burden of the Government but they giving way to Ambition and forgetting their duty attempted to usurp the power and so destroy the Empire Gildus was the first that rebelled in Africk His own Brother Mazecel was sent to suppress him who vanquished and slew him and then himself usurped the name of Emperor and came to the same end Rufinus by birth a Britain or French-man stirred up the Goths and other barbarous Nations but the Treason being discovered lost his Head These Examples were not of force enough to deterr Traytors for Stilico intending to make his own Son Eucherius Emperor and destroy the Children of Theodosius the Great invited several Nations to invade the Empire and particularly made a private agreement with the Alans a fierce People and the Vandals of whose Country he was The Goths were the first that appeared in Arms offended that their pay was kept from them which was done designedly After over-running all Thracia and the Neighbouring Countries they broke into Italy in two Bodies Radagasius one of their chiefs without any opposition pierced as far as Tuscany and there near Florence was slain with all his Men by Stilico He might have destroyed Alaricus who commanded the other party but would not to keep the Emperor still in awe but worsted him and then assigned his Men places to inhabit in the farthest part of France Stilico was unwilling they should leave Italy and therefore sent one Saul a Jew to fall upon them who was killed and his forces routed and the Goths provoked by this injury returned into Italy where they stayed some Years The treachery of Stilico was not suspected at first but being discovered soon after his head was cut off in the Year 408. His Wife Serena and Son Eucherius were also executed and Honorius put away his Wife in hatred to her Father Stilico Great was the mischief the Goths did throughout all Italy and never ceased till they sate down before Rome the head of World which after a long siege they entred putting all within to Fire and Sword Rome was taken in the Year 410 according to the best computations Placidia Sister to the two Emperors was there taken and marryed to Ataulfus Brother-in-Law to Alaricus and soon succeeded in the Kingdom he dying at Cosencia a City of the Brutij now Calabria By means of Placidia Ataulfus and Honorius agreed and the Goths went to inhabit those parts of France and Spain which lie next the Pyrenean Mountains Hence they took occasion to make themselves Masters of all Spain and a good part of France as will appear in the following Book THE History of SPAIN The Fifth BOOK CHAP. I. The coming of several Barbarous Nations into Spain as the Vandals Alans Suevians Silingians and Goths Their Original and where they settled WE shall now Treat of a mighty power of sundry fierce and barbarous Nations which like an inundation spread themselves through all parts of Spain these were the Vandals Alans Suevians and Silingians But above all the Goths who having quitted their Ancient Seats and Habitations after filling all from East to West with the terror of their Name and Actions and over-running all Italy at last settled in Spain and there having partly expell'd and partly subdued the other Nations for above 300 years maintained their Sovereignty There is no doubt but all these People and others like them at several times came from the North and entred the Provinces of the Roman Empire their own Native Countries being overstocked with Multitudes of People and the barrenness of its soil obliging them to seek more plentiful and pleasant Seats As this in general is certain so is it no less doubtful from what particular parts or provinces each of these Nations came there is great variety of Opinions and the ignorance of those times gives us but little light to discover the Truth Pliny places the Vandals in that part of Germany about Pomerania tho' Dio says the springs of the River Albis or Elbe are in the Mountains of Vandalia The Burgundians are to be reckoned among the Vandals taking their name from Burgs signifying Villages in which they lived dispersed and after settling among the Hedui
is usual where the Power is equal returned again into Africk and Castinus deprived of his Assistance being in no condition to oppose the Vandals went away into Italy in the Year 423. This same Year the Emperor Honorius dy'd on the 15th of Aug. having reigned 28 Years 11 Months and 10 Days He was no less famous for his Zeal in Religion than for the decay of the Roman Empire which began in his Days Valentinian III. Son of Constantius a Child succeeded in the Empire which gave occasion to Flavius Joannes to attempt to usurp the Empire but two Years after he was vanquished and slain Placidia the Empress Governed for her Son Bonifacīus who Governed Africk thinking to make his advantage of the times called over Genserius King of the Vandals into Africk who resolved not to slip so fair an opportunity of gaining so great a Dominion and therefore immediately passed over with 80000 fighting Men. The Silingi staid in Spain especially in that part of the Province Betica about Sevil upon which account they being mixed with and esteemed part of the Vandals the Country losing its former name of Betica was called Vandalosia now Andaluzia notwithstanding the Bounds of Betica and Andaluzia do not exactly agree By reason of the departure of the Vandals the Power of the Suevians began to grow Formidable throughout all Spain Hermenericus was their King and he dying of a tedious Sickness in the Year 440. and the 32d of his Reign Rechila his Son a hot and fiery Youth following his Father's Footsteps near the River Xenil met Ardebotus sent by the Emperor into Spain overthrew and killed him in Battle The Booty was such as left him rich enough to support the charge of the War After this Victory he Conquered all Betica and took Sevil a City then by reason of the Wars not so considerable as it was before or is at present Thence he turned into Lusitania and took Merida whereby what remained of the Alans was wholly brought under It was no small help to the Suevians that at that time the Country was naked and without defence for Sebastian the Roman General was gone over into Africk to oppose the Vandals where he was by them slain as Paulus Diaconus relates it Wherefore the Suevians went on and subdued Carpetania or the Kingdom of Toledo and the Province of Carthagena but soon after agreeing with the Romans they restored these two Provinces Rechila dy'd in the Year 448. and left his Son Recciarius to succeed him who was the first of the Suevian Kings that received the Faith of Christ and propagated the true Religion among his People in Spain Thus much of the Suevians CHAP. III. The Reigns of the Kings Theodoredus Torismund and Theodorick Attila King of the Huns twice Routed The General Council of Chalcedon THE Goths and their King Theodoredus Kinsman and Successor of Walia possessed but a small part of Spain to wit only that which is now Catalonia but in France they flourished both in Riches and Honour For this reason and because they were used to make the end of one War the beginning of another they broke the Peace with the Romans and began to spread a Terror Theodoredus's numerous Issue much encreased his Power for he had six Sons Torismundus Theodoricus Euricus Fridericus Reccinerus and Himericus as also two Daughters one Married to Hunnericus the Vandal Son of Gensericus who Persecuted the Catholicks in Africk and upon a groundless Suspicion sent her home after cutting off her Nose The other to Recciarius King of the Suevians in Spain About this time the Huns led by Attila commonly called The Scourge of God had entred France after burning Rome and laid Siege to Orleans which moved the Romans Franks and Goths to join in a League in order to oppose them Theodoredus King of the Goths fearing that Barbarian might fall into Guienne was the first that made head against the common Enemy and oblig'd him to raise the Siege and draw off into the Plains called Catalaunici by others Marochii and Maurisii near Toulouse AEtius Valentinian's General and Meroveus King of the Franks came up now and joyned the Goths The Forces being come together they ordered their Battles Theodoredus commanded the Right Wing AEtius the Left the Franks and Sanguibanus King of the Alans that Inhabited about Orleans were placed in the Center On the other side Attila made up his Wings which extended along those vast Plains of his Auxiliary Forces posting the Ostrogoths on the Left against the Visogoths the Huns where he was in Person made the Main Battle Betwixt both Armies was a rising Ground very advantageous to those that should possess themselves of it Both Parties strove for it but the Romans gained it This somewhat dismay'd Attila's Men but being encouraged by him the Huns gave the Onset with great Fury and were received with no less Resolution The Bodies closing there was a great havock both sides fighting obstinately for the Empire of the World 180000 Men were killed in this Fight which gave occasion to frame some Lyes as that a Rivulet which ran hard by overflowed with Blood and that the noise of Arms was heard in that place three days after as if the Ghosts of the Dead had continued the Action meer Fables to express the greatness of the slaughter King Theodoredus was killed at the beginning of the Fight being trod to Death by his own Men by reason of his age and weakness tho' some will have it that he was slain by an Ostrogoth called Andages What would have discouraged others inraged his Men for Torismundus and Theodoricus his Sons with a strong Body furiously charged and broke the Enemy and forced their General to fly after he had done all that could be expected from a wise Commander and brave Soldier The two Brothers went so far in the Pursuit that at Night they passed near the Enemies Camp where they were in some danger Torismundus was beat off his Horse wounded in the Head and brought off by the Valour of his Men. Attila who had before thought the World too little for his Conquest retired to his Camp with a Resolution if he were pressed to kill himself having to this purpose kindled a great Fire The Carts he had drawn up about his Camp and Night that came on saved him which he foresaw and therefore began the Fight after Noon AEtius spent the Night with no less fear under Arms having made a Trench of the dead Horses and Armour But the next day finding the Enemy refused to give Battle he Besieged him in his Camp at first and when he could with ease have destroyed him suffered him to march out of France and return into Pannonia The Joy of this Victory was much abated by the escape of Attila and Death of Theodoredus yet it was believed the Death of so Powerful a King was not displeasing to the Romans and Franks This Battle was
the Catholick Religion embrace the Sect of Arrius and be Rebaptiz'd She gave no Ear to these perswasions but continued firm in the Faith which so far provok'd Gosuinda being a haughty and ill-natur'd Woman that she gave her very despightful Language and at length one day laid hands upon her dragging her by the hair of the head till the Blood ran from her nay another time made her fall into a Fish-pond with eminent danger of her Life This cruel usage no way mov'd Ingundis to alter her resolution but on the contrary it is believ'd that through her means Ermenegildus then began to think of becoming a Catholick St. Leander Bishop of Sevil was very instrumental in this good work for finding him well inclin'd he instructed him in all matters of Faith They had the better opportunity to do this because Leuvigildus was gone to Toledo Ringundis the Daughter of Chilperick King of France and Fredegunda was about this time contracted to Recaredus and was on her way to Spain to her Husband Being come as far as Toulouse She receiv'd the news of her Father's Death who was Murder'd by Candricus his Constable and thereupon she suddenly return'd home Recaredus having lost this Match afterwards Married the Lady Bada whose Country and Family are not known Some say she was of the noblest Blood of the Goths as being Daughter to Fontus Count of the Partimonii Whilst Leuvigildus was busy making up these Matches his Son Ermenegildus compleated the work of his Conversion This Princes Conversion was the Cause of a tedious and bloody War betwixt the Father and the Son Gosuinda who ought to have appeas'd her Husbands Passion and labour'd for an accommodation being her self naturally obstinate and a Mother-in-law blew the Coals and stir'd up the King who was sufficiently provok'd upon that score Before they broke out into open War the Father indeavour'd by fair means to bring his Son to complyance and to this purpose sent Embassadors and writ a Letter to him the substance whereof was to this effect That he had rather have treated with him Face to Face than by Letter That he had bred him with all the tenderness of a Father and when grown up made him his Companion in the Throne That if he desir'd more or resented his Brothers having a share in the Kingdom he ought to have made his Complaint to him That it was only Ambition which mov'd him to despise his Father and forsake the Religion of his Ancestors To conclude perswades him to take wholsome advice and submit himself to his Father from whom so doing he might hope for Forgiveness or if he persisted expect to find no Mercy Ermenegildus was much troubl'd at this Letter but being resolv'd not to alter his Opinion he answer'd his Father Acknowledging the Favours he had done him to be beyond his Merits protesting he desir'd nothing more earnestly than to appear grateful and express his utmost duty to him as a Father but withal shewing how his first duty ought to be to God and his own Soul in taking care of which he thought he had offended no body He ends praying to God to direct his Father for the common good of his Sons and People The Kingdom was divided into two Factions The Catholicks who were numerous but not in Power either openly or underhand favour'd Ermenegildus the Arrians who were more powerful followed Leuvigildus Gregory of Tours says that Ermenegildus when he was Confirm'd and receiv'd into the Church by the Arrians took the name of John This seems to be contradicted by the Gold Coin stamp'd in the heat of that War as is suppos'd which on the one side bears the Name and Effigies of Ermenegildus and on the Reverse the Image of Victory with this Inscription Man fly from the King The Catholicks sought for aid from far Countries and to this purpose Leander was sent by Sea to Constantinople where Tiberius Augustus resided This Leander of a Benedictine Monk was preferred to the Bishoprick of Sevil he was a Person of singular Learning great Sanctity a sweet Conversation and much Eloquence a wonderful thing in those days His Embassy took no effect but he was present at a Synod held in that City and there contracted Friendship with St. Gregory Sirnam'd the Great who was then Legate at Constantinople from Pope Pelagius the Second The War in fine broke out in the Year 580 a Year unfortunate to Christendom for in it was born in Arabia the False Prophet Mahomet afterwards the Founder and Head of all the Mahometan Sects Ermenegildus Fortify'd Sevil and Cordova laying in store of Corn and other necessaries either to hold out a Siege or supply him if the War were portracted He made a League with the Roman Commanders and delivered up to them his Wife and Son newly Born that those he loved best might be out of danger in case things succeeded not according to his desire On the other side Leuvigildus finding no perswasions or fair promises prevailed with his Son made all necessary Preparations to reduce him by force To this purpose with much Gold he drew over the Romans to his Party as Men that without regard of Promises or Engagements follow'd that side which was strongest and where the greatest gain was and therefore forsook his Son This done he endeavoured to reconcile the Differences betwixt the Catholicks and Arians being sensible that Division in point of Religion was the chief cause of all those Mischiefs To this purpose he held a Synod of Arian Bishops at Toledo where it was determined the Custom of Re-baptizing such as fell from the Church into Arianism should be abolished It was also agreed That the Person of the Son was equal to the Father but all this was only in outward appearance Nevertheless this Fiction succeeded so well that many left Ermenegildus the difference of Religion being as they thought taken away and others were not so Zealous as they had been in his Cause The greatest part seeing how great the danger was like to be thought better to stand Neuters than expose their Lives and Fortunes to eminent Peril Three Years being thus spent in preparing Leuvigildus with mighty Forces he had raised moved towards his Son He marched to the farthest part of Andaluzia and laid Siege to Sevil a noted large and rich City There being no hopes that the Besieged would surrender as those who were well inclined to Ermenegildus and prepared by their Bishop Leander he resolved to make use at once both of Strength and Policy Guadalquivir runs thro' that City carrying so much Water as suffices to bear great Ships The King to hinder carrying any Relief into the Town resolved to turn the River out of its Channel This was a work that required much Time and Labour For this reason a League above Sevil to secure their Camp they rebuilt the Walls of the ancient Italica whose Magnificence in the time of the
Ecclesiastical Persons to Marry Another Law was also Established disowning the Pope To give the greater force to these Laws a Council of Bishops met at Toledo but the Decrees of it are not placed among those of the other Councils as being contrary to the Canons of the Church From this time all things began to fall into confusion for tho' many were pleased with Libertinism yet some were Zealous for the Observation of the Laws and ancient Customs and began to think of restoring the Family of King Chindasuinthus as the only Remedy against so many evils Witiza was not ignorant of it and from it took occasion to prosecute what he had began in his Father's days which was to embrue his Hands in the Blood of that Family There were living two Sons of Chindasuinthus Brothers to K. Recesuinthus the one called Theodofredus the other Favila Thedofredus was Duke of Cordova where he built a Palace then and long after very famous He had resolved not to go to Court as being jealous of the King Favila was Duke of Cantabria or Biscay and whilst Witiza in his Father's time resided in Galicia had bore him Company with the charge of Captain of his Guards which the Goths then called Protospatarius Witiza slew him with a stroke of a Club as some think on account of his Wife These were the first Works of his Cruelty and Hatred to that Noble Family before he came to the Crown Favila left a Son called Pelayus or Pelagius who afterwards began to restore Spain after its general Desolation and at that time was Lieutenant to his Father but upon his Death retired to his Estate in Cantabria and Count Julian Marry'd to Witiza's Sister had the charge of Protospatarius Witiza being come to the Crown turned his Rage against Pelagius and his Uncle Theodofredus The latter he caused to have his Eyes put out Pelagius escaped out of his reach as did Roderick Son to Theodofredus who was afterwards King It is said Pelagius went in Pilgrimage to Jerusalem as a Testimony whereof the Staves used by him and his Companion were shown long after at Arraria a Town in Biscay These Cruelties and his other Vices made Witiza odious to his People he despairing of gaining their Affections resolved to keep them under by Terror and to this end caused the Walls of almost all the Cities in Spain to be Demolished I say almost all because some were exempted as Toledo Leon and Astorga Besides he destroy'd all the Arms of the Kingdom pretending it was to secure the Peace He Persecuted Gundericus the Archbishop of Toledo and some Priests that still preserved their Innocence and would not approve of his Enormities Sinderedus Successor to Gundericus overcome by Witiza's cruelty comply'd with him and consented that Oppas his Brother or as some will have it his Son should be Translated from the Archbishoprick of Sevil to that of Toledo The Death of Witiza was suitable to his Life yet Authors differ in the manner of it D. Roderick the Archbishop says He was killed by the contrivance of Roderick whose Father ended his Days at Cordova in perpetual Imprisonment and Darkness Other good Authors affirm Witiza dy'd a natural Death at Toledo in the 12th Year of his Reign which was of Christ 711. He left two Sons whose Names were Eba and Sisebutus Some People favouring these two Youths and others their Adversary there arose great Contests and Confusions which ended in a greater Destruction than could have been imagined Since the Division of the Goths about these two Families brought on their total Desolation it will not be amiss to declare the Descent of them both Chindasuinthus by his Wife Riesberga left Recesuinthus who succeeded him in the Crown Theodofredus Favila and one Daughter whose Name is not known Recesuinthus dy'd without Issue therefore the Nobles chose Wamba to succeed him Chindasuinthus's Daughter was Marry'd to Ardebastus who tho' a Greek for his Valour and Birth merited the King's Daughter and had by her Ervigius he that was the Beginner of all those Calamities Usurping the Kingdom and Deposing Wamba by wicked means Ervigius by his Wife Liubigotona had a Daughter called Cixilona Marry'd to King Egica a Kinsman of Wamba this Marriage being designed to cut off all Animosities by uniting these two Houses Of this Marriage were born Witiza that was King Oppas Bishop of Sevil and a Daughter as grave Authors say Marry'd to Count Julian Witiza as was said above had two Sons Eba and Sisebutus Theodofredus the second Son of Chindasuinthus by his Wife Ricilona a noble Lady had Roderick the Plague and Ruin of Spain Favila the third Son of Chindasuinthus had Pelayus no way like his Cousin for by his Valour the Christians in Spain began to make Head after they had been cast down and oppress'd thro' the madness of Roderick Spain being in this condition Roderick excluding the Sons of Witiza ascended the Throne of the Goths by choice as is believed of the Nobles The Kingdom was full of Distractions by reason of the several Interests the People were grown Effeminate giving themselves up to Feasting Drink and Lewdness the Military Discipline was quite lost and the Kingdom of the Goths was now running headlong to Destruction The new King had good natural Parts and seemed to be well inclined He was hardy resolute bountiful and had excellent ways of gaining of Men. Such he was before his Accession to the Crown but no sooner put into possession of it than he sullied all these Vertues with no less Vices Above all he was implacable when offended wholly given up to Lust and had no Discretion in his Undertakings and in fine was more like to Witiza than to his Father or Grandfather There are Pieces of Money of his to be seen with his Name and Effigies armed and with a stern Countenance on the reverse these Words Igeditania Pius a Motto he merited not but was given to Flatter him King Roderick enlarged and beautified the Palace built by his Father near Cordova which the Moors afterwards called Roderick's Palace He called home his Cousin Pelayus and made him Captain of the Guards the greatest Trust at Court Witiza's sons he treated so ill that they for fear of worse Consequences fled into that part of Barbary that was subject to the Goths called Mauritania Tingitana At that time Count Requila Governed that Province as Lieutenant I believe to Count Julian a Man in such Power that besides it he had the Government of that part of Spain about the Streight of Gibraltar whence is a short cut into Africk Besides all this he held a great Estate of his own about Consuegra inferior to none in the Kingdom Hence sprung all the Mischiefs that ensued for Witiza's Sons before they went over into Africk had sowed the Seeds of a Rebellion and were assisted by Oppas the Bishop who was of the Blood Royal and very Powerful These Beginnings which ought to have been
Favour seizes upon a Town call'd St. Christina two Leagues from Lugo King Alonso was immediately upon him and coming to a Battle slew him and 50000 of his Men. In the mean while dy'd Alhaca King of Cordova in the Year of our Lord 821 of the Arabs 206 of his Reign 27. He left 19 Sons and 21 Daughters His Son Abderhaman succeeded him being 41 Years of Age and Reigned 31. About this time says Zonaras the Moors of Spain pass'd into Candia and Planted there Much is now spoke of the Prowess of Bernard del Carpio and his Rebellion but these are things more like Romance than History and therefore I pass them by The King being very old and upon his Death-bed appointed D Ramiro the Son of D. Bermudo to succeed him and dy'd Aged 85. years having Reign'd 52 Years five Months and thirteen Days and in the Year of our Lord 843. according to the Chronicle of King Alonso the Great and the most ancient Records He deceas'd at Oviedo and was Buried in the Church of St. Mary in that City The Reign of King Ramiro as to time was short but glorious and full of honourable Exploits For to him under God is due the honour of restoring the Spanish Monarchy to its former lustre His Government in all respects was excellent but above all in Martial Exploits Wizards and Conjurers he caus'd to be burnt and Robbers that then were in great numbers to have their Eyes put out At the time of King Alonso his Death D. Ramiro was among the Varduli a part of Old Castile or Biscay His absence gave an opportunity to Count Nepotianus to possess himself of Asturias and assume the Title of King All mutinous and turbulent Persons follow'd him and he rais'd a considerable Army King Ramiro was not idle but met him with an equal force the Battle was fought in Galicia near the River Narceya where Nepotianus being forsaken by his Army was forc'd to fly but in the flight taken by two of his own Chief Officers called Somna and Scipio and deliver'd up to the King After these civil dissentions ensu'd the War with the Moors at first terrible but in the conclusion most fortunate to the Christians Abderhaman was King of the Moors a Prince fierce by nature and haughty with his continual success for he had not only expell'd his Uncle Abdalla who endeavour'd to recover the Kingdom but had taken the City Barcelona This done he resolv'd upon the War against King Ramiro and upon this account sent to demand of him the Tribute of 100 young Maids Mauregatus had formerly consented to pay His Embassadors were dismissed with scorn and protected only by the Law of Nations from suffering for their presumption Next all that were of Age in the Kingdom except some few left to till the ground for fear of a Famine were listed the very Bishops and Persons Consecrated to God follow'd the Christian Camp To gain a reputation and be thought the Aggressors they broke into the Territory of Rioja then possess'd by the Moors Abderhaman on the other side having made mighty preparations of all things necessary advanc'd towards the Christians The two Armies met near Alvelda or Albayda a Town then of strength now almost unpeopled but famous once for a Monastery built there by Sancho King of Navarre of the Invocation of S. Martin the Revenue and Library whereof was afterwards translated to the Church of St. Mary the Round in the City Logron̄o two Leagues distant from Alvelda In that place the Battle was fought and prov'd one of the bloodyest of that Age. Our Army being compos'd of Men gather'd in hast was no way to compare to the Enemy for Discipline All must have been lost had not the Commanders still appear'd where the danger call'd encouraging the Men not only with words but their Example Night put an end to the Battle The smallest Accidents in War often prove of the greatest Consequence so now the approach of the Night saved the Christians from utter Destruction The King retired to a rising ground that was near with his broken Forces fortified himself the best the time would permit and caused the wounded to be taken care of whilst all the Army almost despairing of their safety offered their Vows and Tears to Heaven Sorrow and Care so oppressed King Ramiro his Thoughts that he fell into a slumber in which he thought he saw the Apostle St. James bidding him be of good Heart and assuring him of the Victory This vision or dream so revived him that he started up and calling into his Presence all the Prelates and Chief Men of the Army related at large what he had seen and exhorted them to put their Confidence in God and not doubt of the Victory This done he Ordered his Battle and gave the Signal to fall on Our Men Encouraged with what they had heard attack the Enemy furiously calling upon S. James whence sprang the Custom to this Day in use among Spaniards of invoking that Saint when they Charge The Infidels surprized at the boldness of our Men whom they thought vanquished and struck with terror from Heaven could not bear the brunt of that Charge but fled and were so sharply pursued that 60000 of them were killed It was said the Apostle St. James was seen in the heat of the Fight leading our Men upon a White Horse in his hand a White Banner with a Red Cross in the middle After this Victory the Christians regained many Towns among them Clavijo from which this Battle took Name Alvelda and Calahorra This Memorable Battle was fought in the Year 844. being the second of the Reign of King Ramiro Having returned Thanks to Almightly God the Victorious Army by vow obliged all Spain tho' the greatest part was subject then to the Moors to pay for ever yearly a certain Measure of Wine or Corn for every Akre of Land as also that whensoever any Booty was divided St. James should have his share as a Horse Man Of the spoils taken this War the King caused a Stately Church to be Built in honour of our Blessed Lady which is to be seen to this day half a League from Oviedo on the side of Mount Naurancius and near it was Built another Dedicated to St. Michael The Queen whom some call Vrraca others Paterna Mother to D. Ordon̄o and D. Garcia furnished those Churches with all things necessary for she used to spare all that was possible of her own Expence and lay it out upon Churches especially that of the Apostle St. James The joy and advantage of this great Victory was not lasting or considerable as might have been expected by reason of another War that ensued Our Nation had scarce began to shake off the Yoke laid upon them by the Moors who came from the South when it Laboured under another Plague sent from the North. Such were the Normans who drove by necessity or rather the desire
of doing mischief now ranged the Seas under the Command of their General Rollo At first they had wasted and destroyed all the Coasts of France till the Emperors Ludovicus Pius and Carolus Crassus gave them the Province of Neustria from them afterwards called Normandy to hold in Feof of them These same People gathering a vast Fleet in France now grew very Obnoxious to the Christians of Spain They over-ran and Pillaged all the Coast of Galicia till near Corun̄a King Ramirus overthrew and put to Flight all that had Landed of them Besides in a Sea Fight 70 of their Ships were either taken or sunk by ours Those that escaped turning Cape Finisterre came to the Mouth of the River Tagus and distressed Lisbon at that time in the hands of the Moors The Year following which was of our Lord 847. having gathered news Forces they laid Siege to Sevil plundered the Territories of Cadiz and Medina Sidonia taking great numbers of Men and Cattle and putting many Moors to the Sword In fine after spending much time in that Neighbourhood understanding that Abderhaman was fitting out a powerful Fleet against them they left Spain having gained much Honour and great Riches Now followed other Commotions among the Christians Count Alderedus and Piniolus two powerful Men one after another revolted but were soon defeated Alderedus had his Eyes put out Piniolus and Seven Sons he had were Executed by the King's Command in the 5th Year of his Reign Two Years after he dyed at Oviedo having Reigned 7. he and his Wife Paterna were buryed in St. Maries Church of that City where the King's Tomb is still to be seen with an Inscription to this effect Ramiro of happy memory dy'd on the first of February I desire all that shall Read this to pray for his rest D. Ordono Son to D. Ramiro the late King succeeded his Father in the Year of our Lord 850. CHAP. VII The Persecution raised by the Moors at Cordova The Reign of D. Ordonno over the Christians and Mahomet over the Moors A Mighty Persecution was now raised against the Christians and much Blood shed at Cordova When first the Moors over-ran Spain they allowed the Christians the free Exercise of their Religion whereupon in all Cities and especially at Cordova as the Metropolis there were Priests Nuns and Monks publickly in their Habits They had also their Churches and Monasteries and the People were called to Divine Service by Ringing of Bells as formerly without receiving the least Affront or Molestation All the restraint laid upon them was that they should not offer to Revile Mahomet nor enter into the Mosques By degrees the Moors began to lay new Taxes upon the Christians to revile them and by all means find out ways to Extirpate their Name This made the Christians uneasie so that first they complained then fell to railing and inveighing against the Moors and their Superstition Hereupon King Abderhaman many Christians siding with him in Condemning their Brethren as was done by a Synod of Bishops that met at Cordova put to Death during the space of 10 Years great numbers of Christians who are reckoned as Martyrs for that their greatest Crime was the Profession of the true Faith and their Perseverance in the same In the Year 852. dy'd King Abderhaman The Christians said It was a just Judgment of God for the Blood he had spilt and it was the more likely because he fell down and dy'd suddenly without speaking one word as he stood looking upon the Bodies of the Martyrs that hung rotting on Gibbets This hap'ned the beginning of the 32d Year of his Reign He left 44 Sons and 42 Daughters In his time the Streets of Cordova were Paved and Water brought to the City from the Mountains in Leaden Pipes By him it was first Established as Law that the Sons should inherit without any regard of the other Kindred which was not till then punctually observed In pursuance of this Law his Son Mahomet succeeded him and Reign'd 35 Years and an half In the first Year of his Reign he Banished all the Christians from Court and not so satisfied the second Year raged against their Lives which he continued to the end of the 10 Years above-mentioned After the Solemnity of the Interment of D. Ramiro the late King his Son D. Ordon̄o entered upon the Government He was Mild Affable and Modest which gain'd him the Affections of all Men but being very Zealous for Justice some ill-designing Men made of this Vertue a Bait to draw him into some Miscarriages Four Slaves belonging to the Church of Compostella accused their Bishop Athaulphus of a grievous Sin the History of Compostella says it was Sodomy Being sent for to Court to answer for himself he first said Mass and went to the King in his Pontifical Robes At which instead of being appeased the King was so incensed that he caused a wild Bull anger'd by the Dogs to be let lose at him The Bishop making the sign of the Cross the Bull came tamely and suffered him to lay hold of his Horns which dropt off into his Hands At this sight the King and Nobles were so astonished that they fell down at his Feet begging Pardon for the wrong they had done him which he most readily granted Some write he Excommunicated his Accusers and retired to Asturias where he led a most holy Life having resigned his Bishoprick The Horns hung for many Years on the roof of the Church of Oviedo as a Memorial of this Miracle This F. Mariana says Was at the beginning of the Reign of King Ordonno Others will have it to have hap'ned above 100 Years after in the time of King Bermudo II. It is hard to decide which is in the right as to point of Time for since they vary in that point it is no good Authority to oblige us to believe there ever was any such Passage In the second Year of this King's Reign one Muza of the Blood of the Goths but by Profession a Moor well skilled in Warlike Affairs stirred up against himself the Arms of both Christians and Infidels for he openly Rebelled against the King of Cordova and with incredible Celerity possessed himself of Toledo Zaragoça Huesca Valencia and Tudela Then he over-ran the Frontiers of France where he took two Generals that offered to oppose him This struck such a terror in that Country that the King of France Charles the Bald thought fit to gain his Friendship with Presents Proud with Success he turns his Force against King Ordon̄o with whom and the King of Cordova he called himself the third King of Spain Breaking into the Territory of Rioja he took Alvelda and Fortify'd it King Alonso's Chronicle says he built and called it Albayda D. Ordon̄o gathering his Forces left a part before that Town and with the rest marched towards the Enemy who he was informed lay upon Mount Latursus At the first sight the two Armies
Territories of Biscay and Castile but were by the Earls drove out again King Alonso waited for them at Sublancia which they understanding return'd home only destroying by the way the Famous Monastery of Sabagun Nevertheless Abuhalit sent underhand to treat of Peace and Dulcidius was sent by the King on the same score to Cordova about the end of the Year 883. In the mean while a great Fleet of Moors was gather'd at Sevil to destroy the Coast of Galicia the greatest part whereof perish'd by Storms A Truce was concluded with the Moors by Dulcidius for Six Years Presently after follow'd the Death of Mahomet in the Year 886. He left 30 Sons and 20 Daughters CHAP. IX The Death of King Alonso the Great The Reigns of D. Garcia and D. Ordonno the second of Oviedo and of Almundar Abdalla and Abderhaman of Cordova A Lmundar the Son of Mahomet succeeded his Father He was generous and mild and therefore at his Accession to the Crown abolish'd an imposition of the tenths the People of Cordova used to pay They forgetting his favour Mutiny'd and he being about to suppress them dy'd before he had Reign'd full two Years leaving behind him Six Sons and Seven Daughters Nevertheless Abdalla his Brother was chosen King by the Souldiers in the Year 888 and Reign'd 25 Years The beginning of his Reign was full of trouble by reason that Homar a turbulent Moor revolted and drew to his Party Lisbon Astapa Sevil and other Towns Yet this was soon over for Homar of his own accord submitted and was reconcil'd to the King This Ease in obtaining Pardon encourag'd him to rebel again and the Moors being divided into Factions betwixt the Families of the Humeyas and Alavecins there never wanted some to side with any turbulent Spirit Abdalla pursu'd Homar so close he was forc'd to fly to the Christians and there receiv'd Baptism tho' not with a good intention as afterwards appear'd The Biscainers under the Conduct of Zuria thought to be of the Blood Royal of Scotland and Son-in-law of Zenore before-mention'd revolted from King Alonso D. Ordon̄o sent by his Father to reduce them was overcome in Battle whereupon Zuria was declar'd Lord of Biscay This Battle was fought hear a place then call'd Padura but afterwards Ariogorriaga which in the Language of Biscay signifies Bloody Stone The natural strength of that Country hindred the King from taking Revenge besides his great Age which made him now study to govern in Peace building Churches Forts and Cities for the safety and conveniency of his Subjects At the beginning of his Reign he rebuilt Sublancia and Cea near Leon and the Castle Guazon on the Sea Coast betwixt Oviedo and Gijon Afterwards the Cities Porto Viseo Chaves Oca and Zamora To his Son D. Garcia he recommended the Building of Toro He took from the Moors Coimbra Simancas Duen̄as and all the Territory of Campos Besides he rebuilt the Monastery of Sahagun destroy'd by the Moors one of the greatest in all Spain His Revenues were too small for these mighty Expences he was therefore obliged to raise new Taxes at which the Subjects being disgusted the Queen persuaded her Son D. Garcia to lay hold of that opportunity and Rebel against his Father D. Alonso tho' Old and Decay'd presently repaired to Zamora took his Son and caused him to be confined in the Castle Guazon This did not put an end to the Troubles for Nun̄o Hernandez Earl of Castile a Powerful Man and Father-in-law to D. Garcia made War upon the King which lasted two Years at the end of which the Rebels prevailed and the King weary of trouble and coveting repose resigned the Crown to his Son D. Garcia and to his other Son D. Ordon̄o gave the Lordship of Galicia in the Year 910. The following Year D. Alonso after going in Pilgrimage to Santiago and making an Incursion into the Country of the Moors with the consent of his Son dy'd at Zamora His Body and that of his Queen were first Buried at Astorga and thence Translated to Oviedo At the same time dy'd at Cordova Abdalla King of the Moors aged 72 Years leaving 12 Sons and 13 Daughters Abderhaman the Grandson of Abdalla and Son of Mahomet succeeded his Grandfather a thing not usual for the Grandson to be preferred before the Sons of the Deceased At his accession to the Crown he was 23 Years of Age and enjoy'd it 50 Years To his Name was added the Title of Almanzor Ledin Alla that is Defender of the Law of God as also that of Miramamolin or Prince of those that believe Abderhaman may be counted among the greatest of the Moorish Kings He spent all his Life in reconciling the differences betwixt his People adminstred Justice impartially built a Castle near Cordova took Ceuta in Africk and Beautified many Cities of his Kingdom Power ill gotten for the most part is not lasting So D. Garcia enjoyed the Kingdom he took by Force from his Father only Three Years During that time he made War upon the Moors wasted their Country plundred their Towns overthrew and took Prisoner Ayola a Noble Moor that offered to oppose him yet through the neglect of his Keeper he made his escape near to a Town called Tremulo The King dy'd at Zamora in the Year 913. He left no Children whereupon D. Ordon̄o his Brother succeeded him and had been reckoned a good Prince had he not imbrued his Hands in the Blood of the Earls of Castile His Reign lasted 9 Years and a half At first to gain reputation and humble the Moors he broke into the Kingdom of Toledo and laid Siege to Talavera a pleasant and strong City An Army was sent by the King of Cordova to relieve the Place but it was defeated the Town taken plundred and burnt because it could not be maintained being encompassed on all sides with Garrisons of the Moors The Governour and many more were taken and the Christian Army returned home Victorious and loaded with spoils The King of Cordova fearing this beginning might be an Introduction to worse Consequences sent to desire Assistance of the King of Mauritania who sent him a considerable Body of Men under the Command of his General Almotaraf To these was joyned the Army of the Moors in Spain Commanded by Avolalpaz and thus they overran the Lands of the Christians as far as the River Duero Here the King met and gave them Battle near to the Town of Santistevan de Gormaz which was very Bloody and for a long time the event seemed dubious till the two Moorish Generals and a great number of their Men being killed the rest fled That the advantage of this Victory might be the greater they wasted all the Country of Lusitania as far as Guadiana but above all the Territories of Merida and Badajoz suffered This struck such a Terror into those People that they bought a Peace It happened in the
and banish'd and at last dy'd in Cordova At the same time Castile was divided with Civil Broils D. Vela Grandson to the other D. Vela who we said was Lord of Alava had great Power there and in the adjoining part of Castile and being a hot Youth took up Arms against the Earl Fernan Gonzalez The Earl lost no time but put him and his Allies to the rout pursuing them so close they were forc'd to take into the Country of the Moors which was the occasion of great troubles and Misfortunes Almanzor Alhagib either at the instigation of these Outlaws or to revenge the affront he had receiv'd rais'd a powerful Army and furiously invaded Castile The Earl marching to meet him by the way went to visit Pelagius the Hermit but finding he was dead and being troubled in mind the said Pelagius appear'd to him in his sleep assuring him of the Victory The two Armies ingag'd near Piedrabita and the dispute was hotter than ever it had been before tho' the multitude of Enemies was great and the Christian Army exceeded not 450 Horse and 15000 Foot It is said the Fight lasted three days only ceasing at Night upon the last day St. James the Apostle was seen at the head of the Christians and gained them the Victory A greater number of the Infidels was slain than in any other Battle our Forces pursuing them two days After this Victory Embassadors came from all the Cities of Castile and the neighbouring parts to Congratulate with the Earl Above all D. Sancho King of Leon sent a splendid Embassy enviting the Earl to be present at the Cortes or Parliament he designed to hold in Leon. This a little perplex'd him fearing some design was hid under that show of Friendship but having no lawful Excuse to absent himself he came on the day appointed accompanied with the Nobility The King went out to meet him and the Parliament was held in the Year 958. but what their Business was is not known Authors relate that the Earl sold the King a stately Horse and a Hawk for a great Sum upon condition if not paid at the time perfixed the price should be doubled every day after Besides by the policy of Da. Teresa the Queen Dowager who desired to revenge her Father's Death it was contriv'd that Da. Sancha her Sister should be Marry'd to the Earl she was then with her Brother D. Garcia King of Navarre and Da. Vrraca the Earl's first Wife was dead It was resolv'd to lay a snare against the Earl because down right force would not prevail and K. Sancho was unwilling to break his word openly therefore it was agreed to work underhand and make use of the perfidiousness of the Navarrois Garci Sanchez was ignorant of D. Sancho's designs and therefore to revenge past wrongs continually infested the Frontiers of Castile After the Earl had complained by his Embassdors they broke out into open War and came to a Battle in which the Earl obtained the Victory Our Historians write that Lope Diaz Lord of Biscay assisted the Earl upon this occasion and say he was Son to In̄igo Ezquerra great Grandson to Zuria formerly Lord of that Country After this Victory a Peace being concluded the Earl in pursuance to the Articles thereof went to Navarre with a good Retinue unarmed as to a Wedding however he was taken Prisoner by the King who was at the place appointed with armed Men. Hence he was delivered by the love of Da. Sancha for whose sake he fell into that misfortune and with her escaped to his own Country On the Frontiers of Castile about Rioja he was met by the Forces of Castile that had vow'd not to return till he were set at liberty Great was the Joy on both sides At Burgos the Nuptials were celebrated The King of Navarre deceived by his Sister prepared for War and the Earl not being backward they Engaged on the Frontiers of Castile and Navarre the King was overthrown and taken Prisoner in the Year 959. The same Year dy'd Abderhaman King of Cordova being of a great Age. Not long before his Death the King of Leon sent him a solemn Embassy desiring the Body of the Martyr Pelayus which was not granted by him but was soon after by his Son and Successor Alhaca who Reign'd 17 Years and 2 Months and being inclinable to Peace endeavoured to oblige all the neighbouring Kings D. Garcia King of Navarre was set at liberty after he had been 13 Months a Prisoner at Burgos the Tears of Da. Sancha and the Intreaties of other Princes having appeased the Earl Queen Teresa a Woman of a fierce and restless Spirit being so far disappointed in her design against the Earl laid other snares for him She persuaded her Son the King of Leon to call him to the Parliament He went tho' with a Jealousie the King came not out to meet him as before but when he came to kiss his Hand ordered him to be cast into Prison This was a great Affliction to the Earl's People Da. Sancha his Wife a Lady of a Masculine Temper and ready wit designing to rescue him feigned she would go in Pilgrimage to the Church of St. James the Apostle Her way was thro' the City Leon the King went out to meet and entertain her Friendly as became a Person of her Quality and his Aunt With much intreaty she obtained leave to visit her Husband and having stay'd all Night together he went out in the Morning in her Cloaths and got safe to his Country The King understanding the Fraud was somewhat concerned but thinking better of it sent her home Honourably to her Husband who over-joy'd at her coming would not make War upon the King but demanded what was due to him for the Horse and the Hawk he had sold him No Payment was made for the Sum by reason of the delay was greater than the King could pay and the Earl made waste upon the Lands of the Kingdom of Leon. Whereupon they agreed that in satisfaction for the Debt Castile for the future should owe no Subjection to the Crown of Leon. This Agreement they say was made in the Year of our Lord 965. The same Year a powerful Army of Moors breaking thro' the Kingdom laid Siege to the City Leon but by the Valour of the Garrlson and Townsmen were Repulsed with great loss Vast flames of Fire rising out of the Sea spread over the Country destroying many Towns even as far as Zamora which beside the present loss was look'd upon as an Omen of future Ills. D. Garci Sanchez King of Navarre dy'd the ensuing Year of 966 leaving by his Queen two Sons D. Sancho and D. Ramiro and three Daughters Da. Vrraca Da. Ermenesilda and Da. Teresa His Son D. Sancho inherited the Crown joyntly with his Brother D. Ramiro The latter Reign'd 10 Years and it is thought dy'd without Issue D. Sancho who as appears by his Grants Rul'd 27 Years Stiled
the Earl of Castile falling upon them put them to flight and but a small number returned home This struck so great a terror into those People that they never attempted to make War again as long as Abdelmelic Ruled The Joy of this Victory was drowned in the scarcity of Provisions caused by a great Drought Gudésteus Bishop of Oviedo had been kept three Years in Prison by the King who was subject to give ear to the whispers of wicked Men. The People and among them some of Note said the Famine was a Judgment of God for the wrong done the Bishop and that unless Reparation were made him there was cause to fear a heavy Plague might follow There was danger of a Mutiny for the Multitude when they take Religion for their Pretence sooner obey the Priest than the King therefore Gudesteus was discharged out of Prison This same Year of our Lord 999 in which hap'ned the Famine was remarkable for the death of King Bermudo who dy'd of the Gout with which he had been long troubled in a Town called Berit His Body was Interred at Villabuena or Valbuena whence 23 Years after it was translated to the Church of S. John Baptist in Leon. He had two Wives one called Velasquita the other Da. Elvira From the first he was Divorced rather thro' the Corruption of those times than for that it was Lawful By her he had a Daughter called Christina By Da. Elvira he had D. Alonso and Da. Teresa Besides on two Sisters he had to do with in his Youth he got D. Ordon̄o Da. Elvira and Da. Sancha Christina the King 's eldest Daughter was Married to D. Ordon̄o called the Blind who was of the Blood Royal they had Issue D. Alonso D. Ordon̄o D. Pelayo and Da. Aldonza Marry'd to D. Pelayo called the Deacon Grandson to King Fruela by D. Fruela his Bastard Son D. Pelayo and Da. Aldonça had Issue Peter Ordon̄o Pelayo Nun̄o and Teresa from whom descended the Earls of Carrion Men of great Wisdom and Valour as will appear in its place Pelayus Ovetensis and D. Lucas de Tuy attribute to King Bermudo that passage of Ataulphus Bishop of Compostella and the wild Bull that was let lose against him which was spoken of before In this particular I give more Credit to the History of Compostella which relates it as I have done and it is a sufficient proof of their mistaking the time that about this there is no Bishop of Compostella called Ataulphus to be heard of King Bermudo appointed Melendo Gonzalez Earl of Galicia and his Wife D a. Mayor to be Tutors to his Son D. Alonso the young King during his Minority These because D. Alonso was but 5 Years of Age by the consent of the Cortes or Assembly of States and in pursuance to the Will of the Deceased Governed the Kingdom with great Prudence and Integrity The King being of Age as a Reward of their Fidelity and to make their Authority the greater Married their Daughter Da. Elvira by whom he had D. Bermudo and Da. Sancha He Reign'd 29 Years In the second Year of his Reign which was of our Lord just 1000. D. Garci Sanchez the Trembler King of Navarre dying his Son D. Sancho whom he had by his Wife Da. Ximena not Elvira or Constantia or Estephania as some will have it succeeded in the Throne This Prince in his Youth was under the Care and Tuition of Sancho Abbot of S. Salvador de Leyte who bred him Vertuously and taught him all that is fit for a Prince to know He Reigned 34 Years was so remarkable for his Vertue that he gained the name of the Greater and so fortunate that he got under his Dominion almost all that the Christians possessed in Spain But it was no good advice to divide it as he did among his Children thereby weakning the Forces of the Kingdom As the two Christian Kingdoms about this time enjoy'd Peace so Castile first and then the Moors fell to War among themselves both of them by their Civil Broils hast'ning their ruin D. Sancho Garcia Rebelled against his Father the Earl D. Garci Fernandez perhaps thinking he lived too long and being impatient to wait the few Years he had to live Both sides had recourse to Arms and the Subjects being divided the strength of that Principality was weakned The Moors were not ignorant of these Distractions and therefore resolved to make their advantage of them Accordingly they destroyed Avila that had been Rebuilt not long before Corun̄a and Santistevan de Gormaz in the Territory of Osma suffered the same fate The Affairs of the Christians were in great danger and yet the foreign Danger did not appease their domestick Tumults only kept them from coming to Blows Earl Garci Fernandez being much concerned at the harm the Moors did with what Force he could gather went out to meet them The Fight was bloody but the Earl having but a small number of Men was defeated and himself taken so desperately wounded that he dy'd in a few days He Governed Castile about 38 Years some say 49. was nothing inferior to his Father and tho' the Enemy had power to take away his Life the fame of his Actions will last for ever His Body being Ransom'd for a great Sum of Money was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Peter de Carden̄a This unhappy Battle was fought in the Year 1006. The Earl left a Daughter called Da. Vrraca who was a Nun in the Monastery of S. Cosmus and Damianus in the Town of Covarravias This Monastery was built by the Earl her Father and endowed with great Revenues besides many rich Gifts upon condition that if any Maid of his Family would not Marry she should be maintained with the Revenue of that Monastery D. Sancho succeeded his Father in the Earldom of Castile much blemished for Rebelling against him and having thereby been the cause of his death In all other respects he was good and vertuous and had very commendable parts About the same time dy'd at Cordova the Alhagib or Viceroy Abdelmelic Abderhaman a base and cowardly Fellow in scorn called Sanciolo succeeded him But he dying within 5 Months Mohomet Almahudi who I suppose was of the Race of the Abenhumeyas by force of Arms possessed himself of King Hissem who being given wholly to his pleasure was only supported by others Mahomet gave out he had killed the King Beheading one like him and keeping him privately to make use of him if needful A Kinsman of Hissem's called Zulema came over out of Africk who gathering what Forces he could and joyning with those of D. Sancho Earl of Castile overthrew the Tyrant in Battle near Cordova In this Battle were slain 35000 Moors which was the very Flower and Strength of that Kingdom so that for the future they decayed the more sensibly D. Sancho gave great Tokens of his Courage and Conduct and was the principal
Leon that had been ruined by the Moors and in it erected a Church Dedicated to S. John the Baptist Thither the Bodies of his Father D. Bermudo and the other Kings of Leon were translated which before had been carryed about for fear of the Moors The Monastery of S. Pelagius was also rebuilt in which Da. Constança the King's Sister who had Consecrated her Virginity to God lived long It has been above related how D. Vela studyed and contrived his revenge upon the Earls of Castile for wrongs and injuries he pretended to have received from them D. Sancho the Earl not only pardoned but restored to their Father's Honours three Sons of D. Vela which were Roderick James and Inigo Yet they soon fell to their wonted Treachery and leaving the Earl went over to D. Alonso the King of Leon because there was little hope to be placed in the Moors by reason of their distractions and the change of so many Princes among them D. Alonso received them Friendly and gave them a considerable Estate at the Foot of the Mountains Thus they seemed to be setled and quiet but they only waited an opportunity to make their disloyalty the more Notorious as appeared soon after and we shall shortly show King Alonso desiring to extend his Dominions broke into Lusitania and laid Siege to Viseo It happ'ned he went out without his Armour and approaching too near the Town they threw a Dart at him from the Wall and killed him Upon this misfortune his Army quitted the Siege and the Bishops that went with him to the War Accompanyed the Dead Body to Leon where it was buryed in the Church of St. John which he had built for to fix the Tombs of his Forefathers His Death hap'ned in the Year of Grace 1028. He left one Son called D. Bermudo who succeeded in the Throne and a Daughter Named Da. Sancha In his time flourished in Sanctity of Life the Bishops Froylanus of Leon and Atilanus of Zamora Froylanus was born at Lugo Atilanus at Tarragona both Monks of St. Benedict and taken out of their Monasteries to be prefered to those Bishopricks A Son of D. Ramon called D. Berenguel and Sirnamed Borello from his Grandfather was now Earl of Barcelona and better known for his Idle Life than any Virtuous action Bernard Tallaferre Earl of Besalu made some amends for the neglect of that Prince by Valiantly opposing the Moors He being drowned in the River Rhosne in France his place was supplyed by Wifredus Earl of Cerdagne who so curbed the insolency of the Moors that they ceased making any further incursions into those parts D. Berenguel at his Death left three Sons D. Ramon Earl of Barcelona D. Guillen Earl of Manresa by his Father's Will and D. Sancho a Monk of the Order of St. Benedict D. Bermudo the Third tho' very young when his Father dyed was Crown'd King in the presence of all the Nobility and Clergy in the Year 1028. The same Year dy'd D. Sancho Earl of Castile having govern'd that Province 22 Years In the Monastery of On̄a which as was said he built from the ground are still to be seen Three Tombs on the left hand of the High Altar with Inscriptions one of D. Sancho another of his Wife and the third of D. Garcia his Son who succeeded him in that Earldom His Virtues made all Men conceive early hopes of him but all vanish'd and was blasted in the Bud for he was treacherously kill'd in the very first Year of his Government by those who had least reason so to do and in the midst of his Marriage Solemnity D. Garcia had two Sisters D. Nun̄a and Da Teresa Da Nun̄a was Marry'd to D. Sancho King of Navarre who had by her at this time D. Garcia D. Ferdinand and D. Gonçalo Da Teresa was Wife to D. Bermudo King of Leon and of her was born D. Alonso who dy'd a Child D. Garcia Earl of Castile tho' but 13 Years of Age was Contracted to Da Sancha Sister to King Bermudo by this means to bind their interests the faster together and unite them against the common Enemy The City Leon was the place appointed for Celebrating the Nuptials D. Garcia went with a mighty train of People of note as well his own Subjects as those of the King of Navarre King Sancho himself with his Sons D. Ferdinand and D. Garcia for the greater honour bore him Company with such a Retinue as appear'd like a good Army By the way they took Monçon and some other Towns from the Earl Fernan Gutierrez who despising the new Princes Youth was in Rebellion yet because he submitted without making any considerable opposition he obtain'd Pardon They made but small Journeys by reason of the great number of People D. Garcia desiring to see his Bride left the King of Navarre at Sahagun and he with a small Retinue not suspecting any thing put forward This seemed a good opportunity to the Sons of D. Vela to revenge the wrongs they pretended had been done them by the Earl D. Sancho They were Men of Experience in mischief and subtle and therefore communicated their design to other wicked Persons like themselves Having laid their Plot they went out to meet their Prince who little suspected them kneeling they Kissed his Hand as was usual and showing Tokens of Repentance begged pardon of their Crimes Who could have thought that after obtaining Forgiveness they would not have strove by fresh Services to appear worthy of it On the contrary they hastned to Murder that Innocent Prince He went to hear Mass at the Church of St. Saviour and at the very Church door the Traytors assaulted him with their drawn Swords Roderick the Eldest of the Brothers notwithstanding he was his Godfather gave him the first wound then the others seconded it till he fell down Dead Da. Sancha now a Widow before she was marryed fainted away at this dismal News and as soon as she came to herself ran to the place where imbracing the dead Body she wasted herself in Sighs and Tears The Body was deposited in the Church of S. John and thence afterwards translated to the Monastery of On̄a In both places his Sepulcher is to be seen to this Day This accident changed the whole Face of affairs in Spain D. Sancho the King of Navarre who lay in the Suburbs of Leon in Tents after the manner of a Camp inherited the Earldom of Castile to which he gave the Title of a Kingdom whereby his power began to be terrible to the King of Leon. The Traitors fled and got into Monçon hoping perhaps that Fernan Gutierrez offended at the late Earl and the King of Navarre for the Towns they had taken from him would joyn them But by the industry of King Sancho they were taken and burnt King Bermudo warned by his Father's Death was inclinable to Peace and being made sensible of the inconstancy of human Affairs by the misfortune of the
Earl applyed himself to the care of Religion and the civil Government In the first place being desirous to reform the depraved manners of those times he provided that justice should be impartially administred to all and to this effect established new Laws Next with great Penalties and using the utmost severity he freed the Kingdom from Robbers Thus he gained the affections of his People and seemed to flourish under a setled Peace No Prosperity is lasting D. Sancho King of Navarre led by Ambition disturbed his quiet D. Bermudo had no Issue Male and therefore the Crown must of Course fall to his Sister Da. Sancha The Subjects feared by her means a Forreigner might be brought to Reign over them Both the King and People sought some remedy against this danger that Threatned The King of Navarre being sensible of it gathered a powerful Army and entred the Kingdom of D. Bermudo doing great harm He possessed himself of all the Country beyond the River Cea and by his success it was likely he would subdue all the Dominions of the Kingdom of Leon. D. Bermudo warned by these losses with the consent of the Nobility who were more inclinable to Peace than War thought best to agree the difference upon these Conditions That Da. Sancha should be Marryed to D. Ferdinand the King of Navarre's second Son that she should receive in Dower for the present all that had been taken during the War and he declared Heiress of the Kingdom These were Terms disadvantageous to the Crown of Leon but produced a firm Peace betwixt the Christians in Spain and almost all they possessed fell into the Hands of one Family Moreover it was remarkable that at the same time both the Dominious of Castile and Leon fell to Women and consequently into the hands of Strangers a thing odious to all People but that had several times before hap'ned to the Crown of Leon. It is not our task to decide whether it be safe or otherwise Some Nations have never allowed of Women to inherit CHAP. X. The remaining part of the Reign of Sancho the Greater King of Navarre Wicked Contrivance of his Sons against their Mother He settles Religious Affairs Rebuilds Palencia and is Murdered KIng Sancho began to be in Years when he got for himself the Sovereignty of Castile and made way for his Son Ferdinand to obtain the Crown of Leon. The Renowned Actions he performed did not only purchase him the name of the Greater but the Stile commonly given him of Emperor of Spain a Custom of all People to flatter their Princes with mighty Titles He setled his Court at Najara as being on the Frontiers of Castile and Navarre and there so managed the Civil Government as never to neglect carrying on the War Therefore taking the advantage of the Discord that reigned among the Moors he marched against them well furnished with old Soldiers and stores of Provisions and wasted all their Lands even as far as Cordova whither he advanced without meeting any opposition But at the same time that he was striking a Terror into his Enemy plundering the Country and taking Towns and Castles a Disaster that fell out in his Family called him home which was thus When he went to the War he particularly recommended to the Queen a Horse of great value he had In those days the Spaniards valued no thing so much as their Horses and Arms. D. Garcia the King 's eldest Son asked that Horse of the Queen and she was about granting his request but that Peter Sesse the Master of the Horse told her the King would be offended at it D. Garcia in a rage for being deny'd either that he believed the words of Peter Sesse had too much force with the Queen or only mov'd with the desire of revenge resolved to accuse his Mother of Adultery He carried it not on rashly but with deliberation and cunning drew his Brother Ferdinand to be of his side At first D. Ferdinand thought that too wicked an undertaking yet afterwards so far consented as to swear he would stand Neuter without inclining to either Party The King was much surprized when he heard of D. Garcia's accusing his Mother and thereupon returned home On the one side the Queen 's known Vertue and Integrity pleaded for her and on the other he could not be persuaded his Son could have taken such a matter in hand without sufficient Grounds D. Ferdinand being asked his Opinion made the Case the more suspicious by his doubtful Answer In fine the Queen was secured in the Castle of Najara and it was thought fit to have this Business debated by the Nobility The Result was that unless the Queen could find one to Combat in defence of her Honour she should be burnt The King had a Bastard Son called Ramiro by a Noble Woman of Navarre some call her Vrraca others Caya He taking compassion on the Queen and having discovered the Falshood of D. Garcia challenged him as was then used among the Spaniards and went out to Combat in defence of the Queens Honour Whatever Party should prove Victorious it was a great Misfortune to the King But God in the utmost extremity prevented the mischief for a Holy Man by his Persuasions reduced the two Brothers to confess their Crime and casting themselves at the King's Feet to beg his Pardon The King having reproached them with the hainousness of their Guilt turned them over to receive their doom from the Queen to whom alone he gave the power of passing Judgment on so hainous a Fact She overcome by the intreaties of the Nobility and submission of her Sons pardoned them upon condition D. Ramiro for his Loyalty and good Service should have the Kingdom of Aragon secured to him The defect in his Birth being sufficiently made amends for by his Valour and Vertue D. Garcia the eldest Son was hereby cut off the Inheritance due to him from his Mother King Sancho consented to all that the Queen had ordain'd Some Authors scruple the truth of this Relation and say the Kingdoms were divided by the last Will of D. Sancho whose Example was afterwards followed by his Son D. Ferdinand who also divided his Kingdoms among his Children It is hard to determine who is in the right but indeed that Story about the Queen has the air of a Romance It is also said of D. Garcia that either to obtain Pardon for that Fault or upon account of some Vow he went to Rome to visit the Holy Places there King Sancho after all these Troubles were over gave his mind to Religion At that time the Monastery of Cluni in Burgundy was famous for having reformed the Rules of S. Benedict Thence he caused Monks to come to instruct the Monasteries of S. Salvador de Leyte that of On̄a and of S. John de la Pen̄a and to reduce them to the rigour of their Foundation Besides finding that Lay-men had thro' the confusions of the times
Listed themselves and wore the Cross then the Mark of being engaged in that War Among the rest Bernard Archbishop of Toledo having setled the Government of that Church and Constituted 30 Canons and as many Half-Canons taking up the Cross departed towards the Holy Land No sooner was he gone but the Canons he had appointed met and chose another Archbishop Expelling those that opposed this unlawful Proceeding D. Bernard understanding what had been done returned to Toledo and Expelling all that had a hand in that Disorder put Monks of the Monastery of Sahagun in their places This done he sets forward again and being come to Rome was obliged by the Pope to return home againe as believing his Presence was necessary at Toledo being a place but lately recovered and unsetled He absolved him of the Vow he had made to go to the Holy-Land upon condition he should lay out the Money he had designed for that Expedition in Rebuilding of Tarragona a City then newly taken from the Moors by the Earl of Barcelona In the time of the Romans it was a Noble City and the Seat of their Empire in Spain since reduced to a small number of poor Houses D. Bernard Repaired it and Translated Berengarius Bishop of Vique thither with the Dignity of Archbishop Yet the new Archbishop forgeting this Favour afterwards contended with Bernard about the Right of the Primacy Pope Vrban put an end to the strife assigning the Supremacy of all Spain to Bernard and his Successors Bernard the Archbishop in his way thro' France brought along with him many Learned and Pious Men into Spain who were afterwards promoted to great Dignities Among them also came Burdinus not worthy to be named among them for he afterwards made himself Anti-pope and caused a Schism in the Church as shall be hinted in its place Roderick Diaz Sirnamed Cid or the Lord was not idle all this while but having obtain'd leave of the King who was busie in Andaluzia with a choice Band of his own Forces fell upon the Moors that dwelt upon the Borders of Aragon and Castile All the Moorish Princes strove to gain his Friendship The first he agreed withal was the Lord of Albarrazin Then he went to visit the King of Zaragoça who received him with great signs of Affection hoping with his assistance to make himself Master of Valencia This City is seated where formerly were the Editani near the Sea in a very pleasant Country and has always been a place of great Trade and very Rich. Hiaya he that had been King of Toledo was then in possession of it having inherited it of his Father Almenon to whom it belonged The Lord of Denia Xativa and Tortosa laid close Siege to it The King of Zaragoça thought to raise himself upon the Ruins of others for the Besieged having sent to him for Relief he hoped under that colour to subdue both them and the Besiegers He agreed with Roderick Diaz and both marched thither The Lord of Denja knowing himself inferior to them made Peace with Valencia and raised the Siege Nevertheless the King of Zaragoça would have possessed himself of Valencia had not Roderick Diaz opposed him for that it was under the Protection of the King his Master Hereupon that King returned home Roderick Diaz under colour of assisting the King of Valencia made his own advantage obliging all the Moors thereabouts to pay him Tribute with which and the Booty he maintained the charge of the War King Hiaya before grown odious to his Subjects encreased their hatred by being a Friend to the Christians so that they called in the Almoravides then grown Powerful who killed Hiaya and gave the Sovereignty of the City to Abenaxa the Contriver of that Revolution Roderick Diaz desiring to punish their Treachery and rejoycing that an opportunity was offered him of taking that Noble City resolved to lay Siege to it Valencia was well stored with Provisions Warlike Ammunition a good Garison and a great number of resolute Citizens yet his Constancy overcame all those Difficulties He laid close Siege to it which lasted a long time till the Besieged wanting Provisions and seeing no hopes of relief Surrendred Not so satisfied tho' it seemed a rashness he resolved to maintain that City and in order to it made one Hierome a Companion of the Archbishop of Toledo Bishop of it Moreover he brought thither his Wife and Daughters whom as was said above he had left in the Custody of the Abbot of S. Peter of Carden̄a To the King for that he had favoured his designs he sent a Present of 200 choice Horses with as many Scymiters hanging at the Saddles Such was the posture of Roderick Diaz's Affairs when two young Lords called Earls of Carrion their Names James and Ferdinand Men of great Birth but mean degenerate Souls having obtained the King's Recommendation Marry'd his two Daughters at Valencia It hap'ned soon after that a Lion breaking lose they both hid themselves in an undecent place and at another time in a Skirmish with the Moors they fled These things made them grow contemptible to their Father-in-law who Reproached them and they study'd Revenge Suero their Uncle who ought to have given them better advice heightned their malice Having resolved upon the Villany they were to act they prepared to return home Their Father-in-law having accompanied them part of the way returned to Valencia and they prosecuted their Journey till they came to a Wood on the Frontiers of Castile after they had passed the River Duero There sending away most of their Retinue they took the two Ladies into the Wood and having strip'd them naked whipped them till they lay for dead wallowing in their blood In this manner they were found by Ordonius sent after them by their Father who suspected some ill design He carried them to the next Village where they were dressed and taken care of This Villainous Act brought upon the Husbands the hatred of all Men. Roderick Diaz seeking revenge had recourse to the King at such time as a general Assembly of the States or Parliament was held at Toledo Judges were appointed to determine what was to be done the chief whereof was Raymund of Burgundy the King's Son-in-law After a full hearing it was decreed that those two Lords should restore all that they had received with their Wives and that they and their Uncle Suero should Combat with three others appointed on his part by Roderick Diaz Three Men of note whose Names were Bermudo Antolin and Gustio undertook his Quarrel The young Lords endeavoured to evade the Combat by gaining time so Roderick Diaz went away to Valencia and they to their Estate But the King not satisfied obliged them to fight at Carrion where they were all three overcome Roderick Diaz's two Daughters were Marry'd again D. Elvira to D. Ramiro Son to D. Sancho Garcia King of Navarre who was killed by his Brother Raymund as was said above D.
afterwards Marry'd him to a Lady called Arsenda The Year of our Lord 1104. was unfortunate for the Death of three great Persons Peter Son to the King of Aragon and his Sister Elizabeth dy'd upon the same day and the King himself whither for Grief or thro' some other Distemper is not known departed this Life the Month following He was Bury'd at S. John de la Pena Pope Vrban at the beginning of the War in the Holy-Land granted to this King the Tenths of all Churches that should be new built or taken from the Moors excepting only Cathedrals Alanso Brother to the late King succeeded him in the Throne His Reign was long and his Actions great by which he much extended the Dominions left him by his Ancestors In the second Year of his Reign he Married D. Vrraca Daughter to King Alonso of Castile This Match was made by the King contrary to the desires of all the Nobility who would have had her Marry'd to D. Gomez Earl of Candespina None of them durst open this to the King therefore they charged a Iew who was the King's Doctor upon the first opportunity to acquaint him with their Thoughts This Jew as the King was one day diverting himself broke the business to him It highly offended the King that the Nobles should presume to dispose of his Daughter therefore he for ever forbid the Physician coming into his presence and then hastned the Marriage of his Daughter which was performed with great State at Toledo in the Year 1106. King Alonso somewhat eased with the satisfaction of this Match and desiring to revenge the death of his Son tho' very ancient took the Field again and entring Andaluzia destroyed all the Province with Fire and Sword sparing neither Man nor Beast This done he spent the remainder of his Days in quiet not only forbearing from Martial Affairs but easing himself of the Government as much as could be Yet he took care that Salamanca and Segovia which had been ruined by the Wars should be repaired fortified and embelished Peranzules a Man at that time in great vogue who had been Tutor to the Princess Vrraca in her Minority and was now the King's Favourite had the whole management of publick Affairs and by his Prudence and Vertue seem'd to support the Government The King now quite spent with age for he lived 79 Years grew sickly and was languishing a Year and seven Months yet by the advice of the Physicians he rode out daily but the natural warmth being decay'd at length he dy'd at Toledo on Thursday the first of July 1109. as Pelagius of Oviedo who lived at that time testifies He Reign'd 43 Years was modest in Prosperity and undaunted in Adversity After the Death of King Alonso the Inhabitants of Toledo in a Consternation were about abandoning the City The King's Body was kept there 20 days till this Pannick Fear was over then it was carry'd to the Monastery of Sahagun and there Bury'd with great Pomp the greatest that of the Tears of his Subjects who lamented so great a loss as they had in him These Tears seemed to forbode those Calamities that ensued and the very Stones at Leon presaged this General Lamentation At the foot of the Altar where the Priest uses to stand at Mass in the Church of S. Isidorus in Leon the Stones shed water not where they joyn'd but in the very middle for the space of three days continually which were Thursday Friday and Saturday according to Pelagius who then lived This hap'ned 8 days before the King's death and betokened the Tears of all Spain The Bishops and Clergy hereupon made Processions to appease God's Wrath. In this King's Reign one Lesmes a French-man lived in great opinion of Sanctity at Burgos his chief business was entertaining of Pilgrims His Memory is still Celebrated in that City and his Feast Yearly kept in the Church of his Name Four Leagues from Najara lived another Holy Man a Spaniard or as others say an Italian who used the same Charity and Repaired the Ways thro' which the Pilgrims went to visit the Church of S. James the Apostle and therefore he is commonly called S. Dominick de la Calçada that is of the Cunsey I suppose King Alonso made use of him in building the Bridges that are between Logron̄o and Santiago About the end of the Reign of King Alonso one Moses a learned Jew and a great Linguist was Converted and writ against the Jews and Moors so effectually that many of both Nations were Converted CHAP. V. The Reign of Queen Urraca Her Lewdness She is Divorced from her Husband Deposed from the Government her Son Alonso Proclaimed King of Castile AT the time when King Alonso dy'd his Daughter D. Vrraca Heiress of the Kingdom was absent with her Husband He had no great confidence in the Nobility of Castile who had opposed his Marriage and therefore would not venture among them without a good Body of his own Subjects This kept him back from taking possession of that large Kingdom The Queens Lewdness which was great for a Person of her Rank was concealed and hid Garrisons of Argonians were put into many Cities and Castles to keep the Castilians in subjection Peranzules having great Alliances in both Kingdoms was entrusted with the Government and kept all things in good order His Power lasted not long for the Queen a turbulent Woman being sent before by her Husband instead of Honouring him as became his great Merit treated him ill not only removing him from the Government but seizing upon his Estate All the pretence she had for this rash action was because in his Letters he stiled her Husband King of Castile This is what was given out but in reality she was sorry she was Marry'd because her Husband curb'd her Lewdness and as I am apt to believe that discreet Man reproved her scandalous Life The King was concerned so great a Man should be so ill treated and restored all his Estate He fearing the Queen's displeasure withdrew to the Earldom of Vrgel whereof as was said above he had the charge A new War now broke out in Andaluzia Hali King of the Moors hearing King Alonso was dead broke into the Christian Territories and in sight of Toledo demolished the Castle of Azeca and destroy'd the Monastery of S. Servandus whilst all the Country about was in a flame Not content with this he laid Siege to the City and for the space of 8 days battered it with all sorts of Engines It s own natural strength and a Wall built at the bottom of the City by King Alonso saved it Alvar Fan̄ez a great Man in those days by his Valour contributed much to the safety of the City All hopes of prevailing being lost the Moors raised the Siege and in their way home plundered Madrid and Talavera threw down their Walls and departed with a mighty Booty In Aragon the King was successful
warn'd by the King and Governour to make restitution he did not obey Hereupon the King in disguise for the greater secrecy Travelled from Toledo to the farthest part of Gallicia and seizing that Soldier caused him to be hang'd before his own door This action gained him great reputation In the Year 1152. he lay'd Siege to Jaen and the following to Guadix in Andaluzia but took neither D. Petronila Queen of Aragon was delivered of a Son who during his Father's Life was called Raymund and after his death Alonso It is remarkable that before her Labour this Lady made her Will by which in case she were delivered of a Son she left the Crown of Aragon to him but if it proved a Daughter she bequeath'd it to her Husband All that the Moors possessed along the Rivers Segre and Cinga was now taken from them by the Aragonians Besides that many Castles between Tarragona and Tortosa in places naturally strong and almost inaccessible were recovered also the Town of Miravete on the Banks of the River Ebro which was given to the Knights Templers The King bought the third part of Tortosa which according to contract at the taking of it belonged to the Genoeses for a sum of ready Money These actions made the name of the Earl Raymund Famous not only in Spain but in Foreign Countries yet such was his Modesty tho' he would never take the Title of King tho' he had a Crown in the right of his Wife but stiled himself Prince of Aragon From this time the Arms of Aragon were chang'd for those of Catalonia which are Barry of eight Pieces Or and Gules Sancho who afterwards succeeded his Father Alonso King of Portugal was born on the 11th of November 1154. in the City Coimbra The Birth of this Prince and coming of Lewis King of France into Spain were the most remarkable things happ'ned this Year CHAP. II. King Luis the Younger of France comes into Spain Alonso of Castile and Leon call'd the Emperor Dies His Sons Sancho and Ferdinand inherit the Crowns of Castile and Leon. Original of the Knights of Calatrava LVis King of France call'd the Younger being suspicious that the Empress his Wife was not lawfully begotten resolv'd to come into Spain to be better inform'd but that the design of his coming might not be known pretended to go on Pilgrimage to the Church of S. James the Apostle in Galicia His Father-in-Law the Emperor Alonso with his two Sons and the King of Navarre went as far as Burgos to meet him and thither resorted all the Nobility in their greatest Splendor to shew the riches of Spain to the French In this manner they Travelled to Compostela and having performed their devotions returned to Toledo where a General Assembly of the States or Parliament as well of the Moors Subject to the Emperor as the Christians was by him called the more to manifest his Power and Grandeur Among the rest came Raymund Earl of Barcelona with a very Splendid Retinue King Luis considering the Grandeur of this Assembly confessed he had not seen any to compare to it and Praised God that he had to Wife the Daughter of Alonso the Emperor and Neice to the Prince of Aragon All sorts of Sports were exhibited with great Magnificence and rich presents offered to the Stranger but he would accept of nothing save only a rich Carbuncle and thus he returned home well pleased Raymund of Aragon bore him Company as far as Jaca where they were received with much Grandeur On the 28th of August dy'd the Earl of Vrgel Grandson to Peranzules for distinction sake he was call'd Armengaud of Castile Upon Friday the 11th of November 1155. Blanch Wife to Sancho King of Castile was deliver'd of a Son called Alonso who came to inherit his Father and Grandfather's Dominions It had been proposed in the Treaty of Tudelin to have this Lady divorced as being under Age but Justice the Love her Husband bore her and her own innocence prevailed Hugh Bauce and his Brothers the Sons of Raymund and Grandsons of Gilbert grounding their right on a Priviledge of the Emperors granted to them strove to possess themselves of all Provence but the Earl of Barcelona marching with a powerful Army to protect his Nephew they were soon reduced At the same time Jacintus the Popes Legate settled the affairs of the Church in Spain giving judgment for the Archbishop of Toledo against those of Santiago and Braga who contended for the Primacy Luis King of France at the instance of his Father-in-Law now sent an Arm of S. Eugenius the Martyr spoken of before which was received without the City by the Emperor his Sons and all the Clergy and carry'd on their Shoulders in Procession to the Cathedral in the Year 1156. The rest of the Body was brought to Spain in the time of Philip II. and placed in the same Church Raymund Prince of Aragon could not brook the cutting off the Kingdom of Navarre from that of Aragon Hereupon he Solicited Alonso the Emperor to put in execution the League concluded at Tudelin and with joint Forces to invade Navarre and the more to strengthen this agreement a Match was proposed betwixt Sancha the Emperors Daughter by his Wife Rica and the Son of Raymund but both being Infants nothing more was done but signing the Treaty Sancho and Ferdinand the Emperor's Sons were included in this Alliance Nevertheless the Emperor would rather have been Mediator for Peace with the King of Navarre hoping to Marry his Daughter Beatriz whom he had by his Wife Berengaria to that King This took effect afterwards In the mean while he indeavoured to delay joyning with the Aragonians under Colour of making War upon the Moors before the Empire of the Almahodes was quite setled in Spain For now Abdelmon dying his Son and Successor Jacob or as others call him Joseph a Warlike Man was come over out of Africk with 60000 Horse and much greater number of Foot This perplexed the Emperor who thereupon earnestly intreated the Prince of Aragon now ready to enter Navarre with a powerful Army that he would not commence the War till after the Feast of S. Martin That enterprize was accordingly put off but the Confederacy renewed at Toledo in February 1157. This delay was the more tolerable to Prince Raymund for that he was obliged to repair to Narbonne Hermengada Viscountess of that City was forced thence and obliged to fly to his Protection Berengarius the Archbishop who gave her the advice accompany'd her to Perpignan where all things were setled Alonso the Emperor with a mighty Army broke into Andaluzia burning and destroying all before him He recovered Bacça which had been lately lost took Andujar and Quesada and the heat of the Summer coming on left his Son Sancho the greater part of the Army to secure those Conquests His Son Ferdinand and he returned with the rest of the
Forces but by the way at the Wood of Cazlona in Sierra Morena the Emperor fell sick and near the Town of Fresneda he dyed in a Tent on the 21th of August he lived 51 Years 5 Months and 21 Days was King 35 Years and had the Title of Emperor 22 Years and a half A Prince worthy of a longer Life Pious in his Youth Brave and Modest in his riper Years always a pattern of Virtue and Famous to Posterity for his zeal to the Christian Religion He had three Wives Berengaria Beatrix and Rica The second had no Children the last was Mother of Sancha Berengaria brought him Sancho and Ferdinand his Successors also Elizabeth and Beatrix Besides these Alonso and another Ferdinand who dy'd Young and was bury'd in a Monastery of Nuns of the invocation of S. Clement built by his Father with this Inscription on his Tomb Here lies the most Illustrious D. Ferdinand Son to the Emperor D. Alonso who built this Monastery he laid him here to Honour it Sancho and Ferdinand the Emperor's Sons divided his Dominions as he had Ordered Ferdinand had the Kingdom of Leon and Galicia Sancho the Elder Castile with all it Dependencies Both were good and virtuous Princes Sancho was best beloved as being the more affable and dying soon was called the Desired Ferdinand was jealous and gave ear to Court-Flatterers therefore before his Father's Funeral Rites were perform'd he repaired to Leon to take possession of his Kingdom On the contrary Sancho understanding his death made hast to Frensneda and thence conducted him with all the Nobility to Toledo where he was buryed with great Pomp in the Cathedral of that City Sancho King of Navarre for his Learning Age and Exploits called the Wise saying hold of this opportunity over ran all the Lands of Castile as far as Burgos and with the same celerity return'd into his own Country The Moors finding those places they had lost forsaken by the New King easily recovered them It was requisite to check both those Enemies but it was thought fit first to move against Navarre It hap'ned that Ponze Earl of Minerva one of the chief among the Nobility of Leon being wronged by King Ferdinand fled to Castile He being a Person of known Valour and Conduct was favourably received by King Sancho and appointed General of the Expedition against Navarre Having taken charge of the Army by the way of Briviesca he entred the Territory of Rioja and incamped in a plain called Valpiedra near the Town of Ban̄ares where both Parties Ordered their Battles D. Lope de Haro led the Van of the Navarrois D. Ladron de Guevara the Rear and the King the Main Body The Castillians being the more numerous and resolute were not backward At the first charge the Castillians gave way but recovering themselves put the Navarrois to flight but made no great slaughter most saving themselves in the Neighbouring Castles and Towns Supplies coming up now out of France the King adventured a second time to fight in the same place but with no better success Many of the Nobles being taken were generously Treated by D. Ponze and afterwards set at Liberty After this Victory he returned to Burgos where the King having commended and rewarded the Soldiers above all honoured D. Ponze and that to such a degree that he marched as far as the Monastery of Sahagun resolving to make War upon his Brother if he did not condescend to restore him to his Possessions King Ferdinand perceiving the danger he was in came to his Brother unarmed where all differences were agreed and he promised not only to restore D. Ponze but to bestow fresh honours upon him Besides he offered to do Homage to his Brother which King Sancho with great courtesy refused to accept of Calatrava a Town seated on the Banks of Guadiana not far from Almagro when taken from the Moors was given to the Knights Templers but they understanding the Infidels made great preparations to Besiege it and despairing of holding out restored it to the King No Body would undertake to defend it only two Cistercian Monks who came to Court upon business offered themselves These were Raymund Abbot of Fitero near the River Pisuerga and his Companion James Velazquez who having been a Soldier was become a Religious but still had a great Spirit and perswaded the Abbot to undertake the maintaining of that place This offer was very grateful to the King and to John Archbishop of Toledo who were before much concerned for the danger which threatned that place The Archbishop because Calatrava belonged to his Diocess advanced a sum of Money and in his Sermons stirred up the People to contribute towards the defence of that Town either by adventuring their Persons or laying out their Money since they were all concerned in the preservation of it as being the Bulwark of the Christian Borders which once lost ruin and desolation would soon come upon every particular Man's Estate This was at the beginning of the Year 1158. The King freely gave the Town of Calatrava to the Order of the Cistercians for ever Fame which commonly surpasses truth is of great moment in all Worldly affairs as it appeared now for the Moors hearing of the mighty preparations that were making to defend that City came not before it This was the Original of the Knights of Calatrava for many Soldiers followed the Abbot and took the habit he gave them Being returned to Toledo he brought a great number of Cattle from his Monastery and from the Neighbourhood about 20000 people to whom he gave the Lands about Calatrava which before lay wast for want of Inhabitants Thus the Town was secured against any danger Abbot Raymund dy'd some Years after at Ciruelas a Village where he was also buried and is honoured as a Saint Thence in the Year 1471. he was translated to our Lady of Mount Sion a Monastery of Bernardines near Toledo James Velazquez lived many years after and dy'd in the Monastery of S. Peter at Gumiel where he is buried From this beginning the Military Order of Calatrava rose to the greatness it is now arrived at Pope Alexander III. confirmed it by his Bull in the Year 1164 The Convent at first setled in Calatrava was thence removed to Ciruelos then to Buxeda to Corcoles Salvatierra and lastly to Covos There are other lesser Convents of the Order in other places but that is the Principal This Order in process of time grew rich and had the Lordship of many Towns for their good Services and thro' the Bounty of Kings Formerly the Revenues of such Towns were given to old Knights of that Order for their Maintenance during their own Lives only and not for their Heirs Now they serve only to support the Prodigality of Courtiers Thus for the most part good Institutions are perverted CHAP. III. The Death of Sancho King of Castile The great Commotions that ensued The Death of Raymund Prince of
Aragon his Issue Alonso his eldest Son succeeds in his Dominions RAymund Prince of Aragon believing the Capitulation in vertue of which he held that part of Aragon which lies on this side Ebro was void by the Death of the Emperor had a Conference with King Sancho at Naxama There the business was debated the Aragonian pretending that Zaragoça Calatayud and other Towns were now exempted from the Jurisdiction of Castile This would not be allow'd yet they agreed that the King of Castile should not be possess'd of any Towns or Castles in that Country but that the Kings of Aragon should do Homage to them for the same and be oblig'd to come to the Cortes or Parliament of Castile when call'd Moreover the League against Navarre was again renew'd but to as little effect as at other times After this Interview the Argoniam commenc'd the War against Navarre but the Forces of Castile could not do their part being prevented by the Death of the King and Queen The Queen dy'd on the 24th of June in the Year 1158. and was bury'd at Najara in the Royal Monastery of S. Mary the Burial Place of the Kings of Navarre On the last of August following the King being busie preparing for the War against the Moors departed this Life at Toledo and was Interr'd in the Cathedral near his Father He Reign'd only 1 Year and 11 Days and had he liv'd longer might have equall'd the Glory of any of his Ancestors Notwithstanding the King's Death his Army in which every Man wore the Cross entred Andaluzia and in Battle overthrew Jacob Miramamolin who was marching towards Sevil. A great slaughter was made of the Moors yet Jacob their King having recruited his Army fell upon such Moorish Kings as refused to submit to him His first attempt was upon the King of Valencia and Marcia but it succeeded not for Raymund Prince of Aragon defended him as being his Ally Then he bent his Force against Alhagius King of Merida whom he subdu'd After this Fadala and Omer two Sons of Alhagius joyning theirs with some of Jacob's entred the Christian Territories as far as Placencia and Avila and bending their course towards Talavera were on their return to Merida with a great Booty But the People of Avila under the command of their Captains Sancho and Gomez overtaking them near Sietevados totally routed them and recover'd all the Prey Four Years after this the same Commanders breaking into Estremadura defeated the Moors that came to oppose them and brought away a rich Booty of Cattle From these Gentlemen are descended the Lords of Villaroro and Marquesses of Velada At the time of his Death King Sancho recommended his Son Alonso then but four years of age to the care of Gutierre Fernandez de Castro who had been his Tutor He order'd the rest of the Nobles should still keep in their Hands those places they were in possession of till the King was 15 years of Age which prov'd very fatal and gave ill Men an opportunity of disturbing the Peace of the Kingdom the Nobility taking it ill that the King and his Authority should be put into the hands of one single Person Among the Nobility of Castile the two most powerful Families at this time were those of Castro and Lara These for a considerable time had the first Vote in the Cortes or Parliament D. Gutierre who had the charge of breeding the young King for his great Age and Experience was highly esteem'd among the Castro's He had no Children His younger Brother Roderick had four viz. Ferdinand Alvaro Peter and Gutierre and a Daughter called Sancha Marry'd to Alvaro de Gusman so that her power was as great as her Brothers The Family of Lara consisted of three Brothers Henry Alvaro and Nun̄o who had great Possessions along the River Duero and were Sons of Earl Peter of Lara kill'd at Bayonne as has been said Their Mother was a Lady call'd Aba who had been first Marry'd to D. Garcia Earl of Cabra by whom she had D. Garcia Acia the Heir of that Estate which added much to the power of the three Brothers They resented that the House of Castro should be preferr'd before them and carry'd it so high in their Discourses it appear'd they would come to blows rather than quit their pretensions D. Gutierre to secure the publick Peace was easily persuaded to put the King into the hands of D. Garcia Acia a modest Man but of too much sincerity for those times In so much that upon pretence of the Expence he was at with the King the Revenues of the Crown being intangl'd he deliver'd him up to D. Manrique de Lara his Brother by the Mother's side which was all he had strugled for D. Gutierre complained this was a breach of Faith and would again have recovered the charge of Educating the King but his Adversaries mock'd at him and thus all things seemed to tend to Confusion and War Ferdinand King of Leon pretending most right to the breeding his Nephew entred Castile with an Army wasting the Lands of the Family of Lara who remov'd the King to Soria from the danger of the War At this time dy'd D. Gutierre de Castro and was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Christopher at Encas D. Manrique de Lara grown more Insolent requir'd the Heirs of the Deceased to resign such Towns and Forts as were in their hands They excus'd themselves pleading the late King's Will by which they were not to resign them till the young King were at Age. Hereupon D. Manrique caused the Body of D. Gutierre to be taken up as if he had been guilty of Treason The case being put to Tryal Judgment was given for D. Gutierre and his Body order'd to be bury'd Mean while King Ferdinand rang'd all the Country there being no Army to make head against him D. Manrique dispairing he should be able to resist was forced to engage himself to King Ferdinand that he would deliver up the King and Government to him to hold for 12 years To this purpose the Cortes or Parliament was summoned to Soria where the young King was Here one Nun̄o Almexar seeing the King carried away to be deliver'd to his Uncle snatch'd him from those that led him and carried him away to Santistevan de Gormaz Thence with consent of the Brothers of Lara he was carried to Atiença and after many removals to Avila There the Townsmen Loyally Defended him till the 11th Year of his Age and were therefore commonly call'd the Faithful King Ferdinand in a rage for being disappointed accused Nun̄o and Manrique de Lara with breach of Faith and thereupon sent to challenge them but they only answer'd That whatsoever others thought their Consciences were satisfy'd they had done their Duty to their King All the Kingdom rejoiced the King was deliver'd from his Uncle but their Joy was not lasting for he wasted all the Country most of the Cities submitted to him
or were taken by force and Toledo it self did not escape for it appears that City submitted to King Ferdinand so that a very small part remain'd to the young King On the other side the King of Navarre thinking this a good opportunity to recover his losses having first made Peace with Aragon broke into the Dominions of Castile and possess'd himself of Logron̄o Entren̄a Briviesca and other Towns Thus all the Country was filled with confusion Whilst Castile was thus rent with intestine Divisions the Moors of Andaluzia enjoy'd perfect Peace Only the Forces of Portugal and Aragon kept them in aw Raymund Prince of Aragon was in great renown for his perpetual good Fortune which was such that Lope the Moorish King of Murcia was subject to him and in France he had taken above 30 Strong-Holds and the Town of Trencataye which he destroy'd from the Family of Beauce who invaded Provence The Emperor Frederick who had favoured his Enemies sought his Friendship and a League was concluded betwixt them Raymund had brought out of Castile Rica the Widow of the Emperor Alonso and his Daughter Sancha contracted to his own Son At the instance of the Emperor Frederick it was agreed that Rica who was his Kinswoman should Marry Raymund Berengarius Earl of Provence who thereupon should possess all the said Earldom of Provence and the City Arles with its Territory To ratifie this Agreement it was resolv'd both Raymunds should meet the Emperor at Turin on the first of August in the Year 1162. On the way thither at S. Dalmacius a Town at the foot of the Alps Raymund Prince of Aragon fell sick and dy'd the 6th day of the same Month. Notwithstanding his Death Raymund Earl of Provence obtained of the Emperor all he desired Prince Raymund's Body was brought to his Country and buried in the Monastery of Ripoli as he had ordered Cortes or a Parliament being held at Huesca Raymund's last Will left by word of Mouth was repeated whereby he declared his Son Raymund his Successor who took possession of his Father's Principality by the name of Alonso To Peter his second Son he left Cerdagne Carcassonne and Narbonne Sancho the youngest was to succeed Peter in case he died without Heirs He made no mention of his Daughter Dulcis who was after Queen of Portugal nor of his Bastard Son Berengarius who was Bishop of Taraçona and Lerida and Abbot of Montaragon The King's Minority he being but 11 years old gave an opportunity to turbulent Spirits to raise Commotions An Impostor now openly affirmed he was King Alonso who as has been said was killed 28 years before at the Battle of Fraga He said he had been till then in Asia serving against the Infidels in the Holy-Land His Age and Features but most of all the Love the Multitude has for Novelties gained him some Reputation Great mischiefs might have ensued had not the Impostor been taken at Zaragoça and put to Death in the very beginning of the Tumult In the Year 1163. the Assembly of States or Parliament of Aragon was held at Barcelona The Queen Petronilla by the advice of the Nobility resigned over the Crown of Aragon to her Son then 13 years of Age. Raymund Earl of Provence who had some time governed Catalonia for his Cousin returned home and died in the Year 1166. King Alonso receiving the News at Girona by advice of the Nobility called himself Marquess of Provence for they pretended by the Emperor's Grant that Country was not only given to the late Earl of Provence but to Raymund Prince of Aragon and his Heirs which occasioned Wars in France CHAP. IV. Alonso the young King of Castile takes upon him the Government recovers most of his Dominions joins in League with the Aragonian and Marries Ellenor Daughter to Henry II. King of England Some Actions of Ferdinand King of Leon. IN Castile the People growing weary of the King of Leon invited their young King Alonso to take upon him the Government promising all would declare for him These invitations and the persuasions of the Nobility prevailed and he resolved to depart from Avila and visit the principal places of the Kingdom This was in the Year 1168. as some write I rather believe two years sooner by the computation of time for when his Father died he was 4 years of age and at this time 11. He was not deceived for many Cities received him with Joy and furnished all Necessaries for him and his Retinue which at first consisted of only a few Nobles and a Guard of 150 Horse furnished by the City Avila This was a small Force to recover so many Places as the King of Leon held with strong Garisons The King encouraged by Success resolved to try Toledo but feared Ferdinand Ruiz de Castro who held it would not be prevailed upon to deliver that City Stephen Illan a Citizen of note had built the Church of S. Romanus in the highest part of the City and adjoyning to it a Tower which served as well for Strength as an Ornament He was an Enemy to Ferdinand de Castro and therefore getting privately out of the City he conveyed the King disguised into the Tower Then setting up the Royal Standard he gave notice the King was there whereupon the Citizens running to Arms Ferdinand de Castro fled to Huete a Town then very strong as lying upon the Frontiers exposed to the Moors The People of Toledo as well those who had been against admitting the King as the most Loyal expressed great Joy and nothing resounded but God save the King Stephen Illan for his good Service was much honoured and made Governour of the City After his death the Citizens caused his Picture on Horse-back to be drawn on the Roof of the Cathedral behind the High Altar where it is still to be seen The King entred Toledo upon Friday the 26th of August On Michaelmass-day following died John Archbishop of Toledo when he had governed that Church with much applause 16 years Cerebrunus or Cenebrunus succeeded him a Man grateful to King Alonso having taught him the first Rudiments of Learning He had been Arch-deacon of Toledo and Bishop of Siguença and it is thought was a Frenchman The King after securing Toledo at the instigation of Manrique Earl of Lara his General marched against Ferdinand de Castro who refused not to meet him being supported by the People of Huete that stood firm to him Two Leagues from that Town at a place called Garcinaharro they came to a Battle Ferdinand de Castro fought in a disguise D. Manrique with all his might charged a Gentleman that was armed like a General and killed him believing it had been Ferdinand but was himself soon after slain by one of the said Ferdinand's Followers The General being killed the King's Forces were put to flight Nun̄o Brother to Manrique understanding the deceit used by Ferdinand de Castro laid Treachery to his charge
before That part of their Camp where the King's Tent stood was hem'd in with Chains of Iron and guarded by the Bravest and Noblest Moors The number of the others was so great that they cover'd all the Hills and Plains On both sides the Generals encourag'd their Men and our Bishops went thro' the Batallions stirring up the Soldiers to gain the Indulgence granted by the Pope This done both Parties charged with great Resolution No signs of Victory appear'd on either side for a long time every Man fought with such Resolution as if he had contended for Empire Our main Battle engaged first then the Navarrois and Aragonian̄s without gaining a foot of Ground but rather after three Charges seem'd to give way Then King Alonso would have cast himself into the heat of the Fight but that Roderick the Archbishop stopp'd him The rear or reserve advancing the Fight was renewed and those that seemed to waver before fell on with greater fury At length the Moors tired with sustaining the brunt all day and not able to withstand our reserve which Power'd in fresh upon them fled and a mighty slaughter of them was made 200000 are said to have been slain half of them Horse others write but half the number in all It is more wonderful that of the Christians only 25 were kill'd as Roderick the Archbishop then present testifies Others affirm 115 dy'd both small Numbers for so great an Action The Archbishop also asserts that tho' so great a number of Moors was slain there was not one drop of Blood to be seen in the Field By the advice of Zeit his Brother the Moorish King fled without stopping only to change Horse till he came the same Night to Jaen About Sun-set their Camp was entred and plundered by the Aragonians for the others followed the chace All the Moorish Kings Equipage which only was preserv'd James de Haro equally divided betwixt the Kings of Aragon and Navarre particularly his Tent which was of Red and Crimson-Silk was by King Alonso's Special Command given to the Aragonian For King Alonso coveting nothing but honour freely resigned all the Booty to his Companions It was not thought fit to have the other prey equally divided for fear of a mutiny but every Man was allowed to keep what he had got Some say that a Cross seen in the Air contributed much towards the gaining of this Victory but neither the Archbishop who was present in his History nor the King in his Letter to the Pope mention any such thing Yet all agree that Pascualis then a Canon of Toledo and who carry'd the Archbishops Cross before him broke twice through the Enemies Battle with it unhurt tho' they all aim'd at him and many darts thrown at him stuck on the staff of the Cross So great a number of Lances and Darts was found that tho' the Christians during two days they stay'd there used no other Fewel they could not consume them all Fame first and then Messengers sent on purpose soon spread the News of this Victory through all Parts Great was the grief it brought to the Moors and no less the joy it spread through all Christendom In Memory of the Action this King of Navarre to the Arms of his Ancestors which were only a red Shield added Chains and an Emraud in the middle as is used to this day in Token that he was the first who broke the Chains that defended the Enemies Camp Some will have it that King Alonso of Castile now took the Castle for his Arms but it appears to have been in use long before From this time there are those who write the Spaniards took the Custom of abstaining from Flesh upon Saturdays the contrary Custom having been introduced by the Goths who doubtless Learn'd it in Greece when they were converted This great Victory was doubtless obtained by the Prayers of the Christians who in all parts and particularly in Rome the Pope himself promoting it made Processions and offered up their Vows to Heaven for this purpose Many Bishops and a great number of Nobles whose Names it is tedious and needless to repeat were present at this Battle But in fine the Third day after the Fight the Christians moved their Camp They recovered Ferral and took Bilche Ban̄os and Tolosa from which last place this Action was nam'd The Battle of Navas de Tolosa Baeça was abandon'd by the Inhabitants and entred by our Forces which set Fire to and burnt a number of Infidels who thought to defend themselves in the great Mosque Vbeda the eighth Day after the Victory was taken by assault most of the Inhabitans put to the Sword the rest made Slaves which strook a Terror into the Moors and the plunder being given to the Army encouraged the Soldiers almost spent with Labour Sickness and the badness of the Season obliged the Kings to turn back to a more Temperate Country On their return near Catratrava they were met by the Duke of Austria who brought 200 Horse to serve in that War The King of Aragon being his Kinsman accompany'd him back to the Borders of Spain In recompense for his assistance the King of Castile restored to him of Navarre 14 Towns he had before taken from him and then having taken his leave of both Kings entred Toledo in Triumph First he gave Thanks to God for this so signal Providence and Order'd the 16th of July to be kept for ever as a Holy-Day in Memory of it by the Name of the Triumph of the Holy-Cross At the beginning of the following Year the King pursuing his success took from the Moors the Town of Duen̄as which he gave to the Knights of Calatrava and the Castle of Eznavejor to those of Santiago Alcaraz a little Town in the Mountains Mariani seated on a rising Craggy Hill having endured a Siege of two Months was taken on the 22th of May so several other places of less Note This done King Alonso loaded with honour returned to Toledo where he was receiv'd with great joy by Ellenor his Queen Berengaria his Daughter his Son Henry and all the Inhabitants This was a very scarce Year of Provisions for Authors affirm it rain'd not in the Kingdom of Toledo for the space of Nine Months so that the Country People were forced to abandon their lands and go to other places for Sustenance The End of Book XI THE History of SPAIN The Twelfth BOOK CHAP. I. The Original and growth of the Heresie of the Albigenses which spread all over France and some part of Spain Preaching against them being unsuccessful War is resolv'd upon AFter so notable a Victory gain'd over the Moors the affairs of Spain were in a Prosperous Condition for the Almohades oppress'd by so great a loss stir'd not and the Christians were encouraged to Conquer all the Infidels were still possessed off But at this same time the Kingdoms of France and Aragon fell into great Confusions and suffered much detriment
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
Learning gained him renown This moved the Electoral Princes of Germany after the Death of the Emperor William to choose him his Successor But they did not all consent for the Archbishops of Cologne and Mentz and the Count Palatine Elected Richard Duke of Cornwal Brother to Henry King of England This Election was made on the 6th of January in the Year 1256 some say two Years later The Archbishop of Treves and Duke of Saxony looking upon the other as invallid on the last day of March following made choice of King Alonso Embassadors were sent to them both and both took the Title of Emperors but Richard had so much the advantage that he immediately went over into Germany and was Crowned the first time at Aquisgran by the Archbishop of Cologne King Alonso was hindred by his Domestick troubles and forced to put off his departure This delay gave time to his party to cool in their Affections and the other to strengthen it self Richard seemed to have the better Title being chosen within the Year after the Death of his Predecessor and on the day appointed for the Election and also for that within the space of another Year he was Crowned at Aquisgran by the Archbishop of Cologne and seated in the Chair of Charlemaigne in token of possession Besides the Princes and Governours did him Homage All these Circumstances pleaded for Richard's right whereas King Alonso had performed none of the usual Ceremonies Both the Elector Palatine and King of Bohemia who are the Umpires when there is any thing depending had declared for Richard On the other side King Alonso pleaded that he was Elected according to Custom within the City Walls That the Archbishop of Cologne and the Palatine came with great Military Power as it were to force the others and had made a Separate Election without the Town That the Princes in the City had waited so long to reduce them to observe Order and at length the Archbishop of Treves with the Duke of Saxony who had also the Marques of Bradenburgh's Voice had Elected King Alonso the King of Bohemia's Embassador joining with them Besides these formal reasons they exprobrated Crimes to each other one side said The Archbishop of Treves was Excommunicated for oppressing his Subjects with Taxes The other objected he of Cologne had Wounded the Pope's Legate and stricken a Bishop and that the Elector Palatine abused the Churchmen and in the late Confusions had joyned with the Emperor against the Pope King Alonso being far off was detained by many troubles at home besides that he was naturally unconstant and hoped by some Artifice to put an end to that debate Richard was hindred by the Wars at that time betwixt England and France and dy'd the 6th Year after he took the Title of Emperor The end of this contest shall be told in its place CHAP. VI. Aragon and Castile at variance and reconcil'd Sancho King of Portugal dies in Exile Death of the Queen and Prince of Aragon Portugal under an Interdict Marriages of the King of Navarre and Prince of Aragon KING Alonso was naturally Mild had a great Spirit sought Glory rather than Pleasure addicted himself to Learning yet was very inconstant and covetous which drew upon him the hatred of the People and he neglected to gain the Love of the Nobility To shun idleness the ground of all intestine troubles he invaded Andaluzia his Army divided into several Bodies the better to recover divers places the Moors still possessed He in Person took Xeres his Brother Henry Arcos and Nebrixa a Town near the mouth of the River Guadalquivir D. Nun̄o de Lara was appointed Governour of Xerez Now might the Moors have been expell'd all that Country had not another War called away the King Theobald the second King of Navarre being come to Age with the assistance of the King of Aragon with whom he had renewed the League before made resolved to invade Castile pretending that Guipuscoa Alava Rioja and Briviesca belonged to his Crown and had been wrongfully taken from his Predecessors Many Nobles of Castile went over to Aragon and Navarre having first by a publick instrument renounced their Country which was the Custom used then not to be thought Traytors These stirred up and incensed that Young Prince Among them the chief was James de Haro who soon dy'd at Ban̄ares whether he went to be Cur'd Yet his Son Lope de Haro with a great retinue went to Estela where the King of Aragon then was The same did Prince Henry being much disgusted with his Brother These Princes made a League among themselves The People of Castile tho' they had not declared were of the same Opinion They were offended at the baseness of the Coin which caused all things to grow dear and the King having set rates upon all things there ensued a great scarcity because those who had stocks would not sell at that rate King Alonso understanding his danger began to Treat of some Accommodation with the King of Aragon who was not averse to it being again tho' old entangled in the Love of D. Teresa Vidaura to such a degree that he seemed infatuated At Soria the two Kings met and concluded a Peace in the Year 1256. At the same time Marguerite Mother of Theobald King of Navarre dy'd in Champagne whether she went to settle the affairs of that Earldom She was buryed in the Monastery of Claravelle then Famous for the Sanctity of its Monks The following Year dy'd at Toledo Sancho Capelo King of Portugal as Garibay in his History relates but Duarte Nun̄ez will have his Death to have happen'd in the Year 1246. His Brother Alonso who had Governed the Kingdom Thirteen Years only as Regent now took the Title of King He had by Beatrix Daughter to the King of Castile Denis his eldest Son Alonso Earl of Portalegre Blanch who lies bury'd at Huelgas where she was long Abbess and Constance who dy'd Young At this time Henry the King's Brother stirred up both the Moors and Christians at Nebrixa whether he was withdrawn to Rebellion D. Nun̄o de Lara having notice of it repaired thither from Sevil and Prince Henry not being able to oppose him fled by Sea to Valencia The King of Aragon at first received him favourably but for fear of infringing the Treaty concluded with his Brother obliged him to take his flight into Africk Thence after four Years spent at Tun̄ez he went over poor and miserable into France and so into Italy desiring to make War on his Brother if any Prince would support him The King of Aragon having setled Valencia passed over to Mompellier designing to meet the King of France On the 11th of May in the Year 1258. they met at Carbolio and were perfectly reconciled both parties freely resigning what had been before taken on either side Catalonia and Barcelona were also declared wholly independent of the Crown of France for till that
time they had acknowledged a certain dependance tho' it was only in form To make this Alliance the firmer a match was concluded betwixt Philip the King of France his eldest Son and Elizabeth the King of Aragon's Youngest Daughter he giving her the Towns of Carcassonne and Bezieres for a Portion This Year there hap'ned extraordinary Floods which continued from August till the 26th of December the Rivers swelling beyond their Banks and doing infinite harm Many Bridges were carry'd away and among them that at Toledo called of Alcantara But the following Year it was rebuilt as appears by the Inscription on the first Arch of the Bridge Spain was now somewhat quiet considering how many diffierent Princes ruled it Yet some misfortunes hap'ned D. Violante Queen of Aragon and her Son-in-Law Alonso dy'd The King's extravagancies seem'd to have shortned both thier Lives Prince Alonso was troubled that his Father showed him no affection at present and by dividing his Dominions had lessen'd his Inheritance for the future This was not only grievous to the Prince but to all the Nobility who publickly espous'd his quarrel and the King not long before his Sons Death to pacify them deliver'd up Valencia to him ordaining it should be always annex'd to the Crown of Aragon The Queen was offended that D. Teresa Vidaura after she had been some time laid aside was now again so great with the King that he did nothing without her He was so infatuated that he kept her as well before as after the Queen's Death with all the State due to a Queen She twice Challeng'd the King for promise of Marriage before the Pope By her the King had Peter Lord of Ayerve and Jaime Lord of Exeriça Queen Violante was bury'd at Valbuena in Catalonia Prince Alonso in the Cathedral of Valencia Zurita a Noble Historian of Aragon writes he was interred in the Monastery of Viruela of Cistercians Theobald King of Navarre after the Death of his Mother valiantly maintained the Earldom of Champagne against many Princes of France who sought to make themselves Masters of it This done he Marry'd Elizabeth the Youngest Daughter of Luis King of France The Nuptials were Celebrated at Melun but prov'd not Fortunate in the end by reason of the Queen's Barrenness This King had a Bastard Daughter by D. Marquesa de Rada and marry'd her to Peter the King of Aragon's Bastard Son Maud Countess of Bologne understanding the Death of King Sancho of Portugal went thither by Sea to plead her right of Marriage with Alonso the present King and try whether he could be moved to do her justice She came to Cascaes not far from Lisbon but the King being nothing concern'd at her misfortunes or at a Letter she sent him was forc'd to return without seeing him The King boasted he would Marry again the next Day if he thought it were for the good of his Kingdom Maud went herself to complain of the wrong done her to S. Luis then King of France and sent Embassadors to the Pope That King was too far from Portugal to relieve her The Pope sent to warn King Alonso of the wrong he offered that Lady and how hainous an offence it was to God but he gave no Ear to his advice At length he refusing to obey the Pope excommunicated him and laid an interdict on the whole Kingdom which is said to have lasted 12 Years because that King would not mend nor the succeeding Popes abate any thing of their rigour In other cases King Alonso was of a good Temper and a great Lover of Justice He clear'd the Kingdom of Robbers which were grown Numerous through the ill Government of King Sancho He also establish'd wholesome Laws and carry'd an even hand between the Nobility and Commonalty In War-like Affairs his Government was not inferior to the Civil for he enlarg'd his Dominions taking from the Moors Faro Algezira Albufera and other Towns in the Territory of Silves Castro Estremoz and Portalegre were founded by him and the City Beja ruin'd by the Wars was rebuilt In Lisbon there is a stately Convent of Dominicans built by him and another of poor Clares at Santarem His Liberality towards the poor was such that having exhausted his Treasures he often Pawn'd his Jewels to relieve them At this time the fame of King Alonso of Castile his Learning being spread throughout the World there came to him Embassadors from the Soldan of Aegypt bringing presents of rich Germents Carpets and Tapistry as also several strange Beasts never before seen in Spain This was in the Year 1260. This same Year a Town of Guipuscoa then called Arrasata chang'd its name for that of Mondragon as appears by a Charter of King Alonso the ancientest extant in Spanish for he was the first King of Spain that caused all Publick Acts to be writ in Spanish whereas before they were all in Latin On the 27th of October 1261. dy'd D. Sancho Archbishop of Toledo Pascualis or Pascasius Dean of that Church who had carry'd the Cross before Roderick the Archbishop at the Battle of Nabas de Tolosa succeeded him Doubtless he was very old and dy'd only Elect in June following His Tomb is in the Chapel of St. Lucy in that Cathedral Frederick the Emperor dying his Son Conrade succeeded him who also four Years after ended his days in Sicily either of a natural Death or as some would have it poison'd by his Bastard Brother Manfredus This Manfredus notwithstanding Conrade had appointed a Son then a Child which he left in Germany to succeed in all his Dominions by force of Arms possess'd himself of Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples The Popes whose feof those Countries were admonish'd him to desist but he taking no notice of the Ecclesiastical Censures made War in Tuscany where the Guelphs a Faction that favoured the Pope were very powerful and overthrowing them soon became absolute Master of that Province The Pope us'd all possible means to overturn that new Kingdom Charles Earl of Anjou and Brother to Luis King of France was invited into Italy upon hope given him of being made King of Sicily On the other side Manfredus sought to obtain aid from all parts and therefore had recourse in the first place to Jayme King of Aragon offering his Daughter Constance for Wife to his eldest Son Peter This match was not displeasing to the Aragonians for besides 120000 Ducats that he offer'd down with her she was Heiress to the Kingdom of Sicily Manfredus having no Heirs Male All points being agreed upon he sent F. Raymund de Pen̄afuerte of the Order of S. Dominick Embassador to the Pope to indeavour to compose the differences betwixt him and Manfredus The Pope gave no manner of Ear to F. Raymund but utter'd threatning Speeches against Manfredus accusing him of many Crimes and affirming he would never Treat with him unless he laid down Arms and came submissively to him At the same
time he advis'd and warn'd King Jayme not to ingage himself with so wicked a Man least he should draw some judgment upon himself This answer put the King of Aragon to a stand but at length interest prevail'd The Marriage was Solemniz'd at Monpellier in France in the Year 1262. The King returning to Barcelona divided his Dominions among his Sons To Peter the eldest was assign'd all Aragon Catalonia and Valencia To his Son Jayme he gave Russillon Cerdagne Colibre Conflens and Valespira yet so as that he should do Homage for them to the King of Aragon They were also to be govern'd by the Laws of Catalonia and not to have Authority to Coin Money Besides those Dominions he gave him Majorca with the Title of King and also Montpelier in France Thus the Father reconcil'd the two Brothers who began to be at variance about their Inheritance the Nobility heightning their divisions without regard to the Publick every one of them striving to make his own advantage CHAP. VII The Family of the Merines obtains the Empire of Africk The War against the Moors renew'd in Spain Cuidad Rodrigo built Troubles in Aragon The City Murcia taken and the King of Granada made Tributary A New and more dangerous War than any of the former seem'd now to threaten Spain from a new Empire lately erected in Africk The Family of the Merines having overthrown and destroy'd the Almohades reviv'd the former Valour of that Nation and purpos'd to march over into Spain to restore its Empire there After the Death of Mahomet called the Green who lost the famous Battle of Nabas de Tolosa Arrasius his Grandson and Son of Bussafo who dy'd before his Father succeeded him When the Empire of the Almohades extended from the Ocean as far as Aegypt the Government of Tremecen a City on the Shore of the Mediterranean was given to a Moor call'd Gomarança of the Family of the Abdalueses which is very Noble and Rich. This Man was the first that offer'd to Revolt from his Prince Arrasius coming to suppress him was treacherously Murder'd No Enemy is so dangerous as a false Friend A Kinsman of Gomarança pretending to desert from him slew the King He being dead his Forces were easily vanquish'd by the Rebel who Sally'd out of the Castle Tremesessir where he was Besieg'd Such as escap'd the Slaughter fled to Fez which is near to that part of Africk call'd Algarve or the Plain Country Bucar Merin Governour of Fez under pretence of revenging his Master gather'd these broken Forces overthrew the Rebels and then as a Reward of his Victory laying a side the Title of Governour assum'd the Stile of King securing the Empire of Africk to himself and his Successor Thus only the Usurper being chang'd Bucar Merin founded a new Empire in Africk For Almorcanda who was of the Family of the Almohades and had succeeded Arrasius at Morocco designing to subdue Bucar was by him defeated in a Battle fought near a Town call'd Merquenosa a days Journey from Fez. By this means that which before made one Empire was divided into two which were Fez and Morocco and so continu'd some time Hiaya the Son of Bucar succeeded him He dying young his Uncle Jacob Abenjoseph who Govern'd in his Name and was a warlike and wise Man not only secur'd to himself the Dominion of Fez but with wonderful ease Conquer'd the Empire of Morocco and almost all Africk which he left to his Heirs No People under the Sun are more Inconstant than the Africans which is the reason that no Dominion is lasting among them Budebusio a powerful Moor of the Family of the Almohades offended that Almorcanda who was not so near Related to the Kings of Morocco as himself should be preferred before him offer'd Jacob King of Fez all the Lands from that City to the River Nababo if he would assist him to recover his Right Almorcanda by their joynt Forces was easily drove from Morocco yet Budebusio not only refused to perform his promise but threatned the King of Fez. After three Years spent in War between them Budebusio was despoiled of all his Dominions and the King of Fez taking Morocco became absolute Monarch of all Africk except the Cities of Tremeçen and Tunez During these Confusions two of the Almohades secur'd those Places and kept them with the Title of Kings tho' of no great Power From this Family without any interruption descended Muleasse King of Tunez who being Banished his Kingdom by the famous Pyrate Barbarossa was restored by the Emperor Charles V. These were the Families that Rul'd in Africk In Spain Mahomet Almahar was King of Granada and Hudiel of Murcia both Weak and Tributaries to King Alonso of Castile These two grown weary of their Subjection to the Christians and hoping to be reliev'd by Jacob King of Africk who began to gain great Renown agreed among themselves to Revolt Tho' before they were mortal Enemies yet their hatred to the Christians and hope of casting off their Yoke made them Friends They carry'd their Designs very private lest being too soon discover'd they might accelerate their Ruin King Alonso either that he had knowledge of these Practices or else desiring utterly to expel the Moors had no other care but of renewing the War against them Some Cities in Andaluzia refus'd to submit to him which he thought to reduce by force To this effect Pope Alexander IV. granted the Croisade to all that would serve in that War at their own Cost and Charges Embassadors were sent to the neighbouring Princes to obtain Supplies particularly it was demanded of the King of Aragon that he would give leave to his Subjects to take Arms in that Holy War as had been agreed by the Treaty at Soria The King of Aragon neither flatly deny'd nor fully granted for he excepted all the Nobility who either depended on him for their Estates or receiv'd his Pay but he allow'd that their Vassals and others of the Commonalty might take Arms. This old King design'd by these means to secure the Nobility of whose Loyalty he was not fully satisfy'd if they should get into Castile This answer so provok'd King Alonso that he once design'd to turn his Forces against Aragon but at last the Publick Good prevail'd Having taken this Resolution he deliver'd up the Castles that had been agreed at Soria to be put into a third hand by way of Caution or Security They were put into the Hands of D. Alonso Lopez de Haro for him to hold in trust and that he might perform it with freedom he was absolv'd of his Allegiance to Castile The Castles were Cervera Agreda Aguilar Arnedo and Autol. Whilst the Christians were taken up with these Debates the Moors understanding all these Preparations were level'd against them not to lose time took the Castle of Murcia and other places in that Neighbourhood in which were Christian Garisons Next they Brib'd the Moors in Sevil to Murder the King
which make it look like a Terrestial Paradise In our days the principal Trade of that City is Silk At that time it was well Fortify'd and had a strong Garison Some Sallies were made at first in which the Besieg'd came off always with loss In conclusion the Siege had not lasted long before the Moors Capitulated and Surrendred the Place On the other side King Alonso at Alcala de Bençayde came to an Accommodation with the Moors of Granada upon the following Conditions That the King of Granada break the League with Hudiel King of Murcia That he pay 50000 Ducats Yeatly as was done before That King Alonso on his part no longer Protect the Moors of Guadix and Malaga provided the Moorish King grant them a Truce for a Year That the King of Murcia if taken by the Christians have his Life spar'd These Articles being sign'd King Alonso hasted to take possession of Murcia after the surrender whereof King Jayme was return'd home At the Town of Santistevan Hudiel King of Murcia met King Alonso and falling at his Feet begg'd pardon for what was past which was granted upon condition he should no longer use the Stile of King but be content with such Revenues as were assigned him The Title of King was given to Mahomet the Brother of that Abenhut who we said above was kill'd at Almeria Only the third part of the King's Revenue was allotted him the rest to be paid to the Crown of Castile this was the end of the War which had held most People in suspence CHAP. VIII The Kingdom of the Normans in Sicily extinguish'd by the French Wars in Italy The Empress of Constantinople comes into Spain And Jayme King of Aragon to Toledo WHilst the War was in Andaluzia and Murcia the other parts of Spain enjoy'd Peace or there were no considerable Troubles a thing rare among so many Princes and in such a time of Popular Liberty Only Gonçalo Yanez Baçan a Nobleman of Navarre having by a publick Instrument renounc'd his Country with the King of Aragon's consent built a Castle he call'd Boeta whence he infested the Lands of Navarre S. Luis King of France at the same time sent to Pamplona a piece of the Crown of Thorns which was put upon our Saviour's Head Baldwin the Emperor of Constantinople had pawn'd it to him for a Sum of Money In Italy Charles Brother to the King of France slew King Manfredus possess'd himself of all his Dominions and at Rome was Crown'd King of Sicily and Naples The Battle was fought near Benavente which put an end to the Dominion of the Normans when it had lasted many years in those parts The new King oblig'd himself to pay 40000 Ducats every Year to the Church of Rome as an acknowledgment for that Feof and engag'd not to accept of the Empire tho' offer'd him without his Procurement King Jayme much concern'd at the misfortune of his Ally Manfredus study'd how to retrieve that loss As soon as the War was concluded in Murcia he went to the farthest part of Catalonia to be ready if there were any means left to restore the remainder of the Normans and possess himself of that Kingdom which he pretended belong'd to his Son in the Right of his Wife the only Daughter of Manfredus Mean while King Alonso was busie in setling the Affairs of Murcia gathering People to inhabit that Country and building Castles for its security Castile could not furnish a sufficient Multitude therefore he brought many out of Catalonia to settle there Tho' contrary to the late Capitulation he ceas'd not to relieve the Moors of Malaga and Guadix The King of Granada came himself to Murcia to complain of this wrong and receiving no satisfactory answer return'd home worse offended than he came Some Nobles who before were disgusted at King Alonso laid hold of this opportunity and advis'd the Moor to take Arms. The chief of these was D. Nun̄o Gonzalez de Lara a Rich and Powerful Man who pretended the King had much wrong'd his Father D. Nun̄o and D. John his Brother This was the beginning of new Troubles at such time as the King promising himself a lasting Peace was gone to view the Building of Villareal Thence he sent Embassadors to S. Luis King of France to demand his Daughter Blanch in Marriage for his eldest Son Prince Ferdinand This done he went to Vitoria where the King of England had appointed to meet him upon Affairs of high concern yet came not Nevertheless he sent Edward his Son at such time as King Alonso was gone back to Burgos At the same time the Empress of Constantinople being drove from her Empire came to confer with the King Baldwin her Husband and Justinian the Patriarch being Expell'd Greece by Michael Paleologus were taken by the way and fell into the Hands of the Soldan of Aegypt The Empress whose Name was Martha agreed to give 30000 Marks of Silver for his Ransome To gather this great Sum she had recourse to the Pope and King of France and lastly coming to Burgos in the Year 1268. made her address to the King for only the third part of that Sum. The King gave her the whole which was Profuseness rather than Liberality at a time when the Royal Treasures were quite exhausted Some Historians reject this Relation and say Baldwin was never taken by the Soldan of Aegypt In this I have follow'd the Authority of our Histories tho' I know Fame often exceeds the truth Baldwin the Emperor having recover'd his Liberty and lost his Empire went into France and thence to Namur which City was his own where he spent the residue of his Life By a Grant made to the Knights of Calatrava in the Year of our Lord 1264. it appears the See of Toledo was then Vacant unless as it often happens the Years therein be mistaken Either this Year or rather some time sooner Sancho Son to Jayme King of Aragon succeeded Pascualis Archbishop of Toledo I imagine the new Prelate being under Age staid some time in Aragon before he came to his Church which might give occasion to some to write that the See was vacant His Father lov'd him tenderly and therefore about this time came to Toledo to see him as shall presently be related Great Wars and Confusions were now in Italy for Conradin the Suevian strove by force and against the will of the Pope to recover his Father's Dominions Frederick Duke of Saxony accompany'd him out of Germany and Henry Brother to the King of Castile went to him from Rome where he was a Senator his Birth as I suppose supplying his Defects Besides these all the Gibellins of Italy took up Arms for him With these Forces Conradin broke into Naples and in Abruzzo near the Lake Taliacoso came to a Battle with King Charles who was there ready to receive him The French obtain'd the Victory Frederick and Henry were taken in Fight Conradin in the pursuit which
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
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
this Condition he resolv'd to have recourse to Foreigners The King of Portugal was a declar'd Enemy of Castile therefore he resolv'd to try whether the King of Aragon would relieve him To this purpose he wrote to him begging his Assistance and pondering how great a Service it was to Christendom and how much Honour would redound to him by so Noble an Action The King of Aragon answer'd extolling his Loyalty but as to Relief said he could send none for that he had but just before concluded a Peace with the Moors and could not in Honour break his word Another War broke out at the same time from Portugal That King march'd with his Army as far as Salamanca Prince John King Ferdinand's Uncle and D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara joyn'd him after the Aragonian Army return'd home Having consulted what was best to be done it was thought expedient to Besiege Valladolid where King Ferdinand was With this Resolution they advanc'd to Simancas within Two Leagues of that City There many Gentlemen deserted the Portuguese Camp looking upon it as a shameful thing that a King should be Besieg'd by his Subjects The King of Portugal fearing lest the rest should do the same and securing the Passes he might find it difficult to return home besides Winter drawing on march'd hastily to Medina del Campo and thence to Portugal dismissing his Army The Forces the Queen had prepared for this War went by her Order to Besiege the Town of Paredes Nothing was done there for that Prince Henry with the Forces he had gather'd in Castile and the Kingdom of Toledo prevented their Design He pretended it was not proper to disturb the Cortes or Parliament then Sitting by bringing the War so near to them but in truth he was disgusted with the King and favour'd his Enemies The Queen dissembled and endeavour'd to gain him by Favours giving him at that same time the Towns of Santislevaâ— de Gormaz and 〈…〉 By the same means she drew to her D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara tho' no Confidence â—ould be reposed in him for he would have gone over to the Aragonians had they given him the Town of Albarazin The Cortes were held at Valladolid in the beginning of the year 1297. and there being great scarcity of Mony all Places promis'd to furnish a great Sum which they afterwards perform'd At the same time by the Valour of John Alonso de Haro the Navarrois were put to Flight who had surpriz'd part of the Town of Najara designing to recover those Parts they had old Pretensions to and particularly the Territory of Rioja D. Jayme King of Aragon at Rome whither he was call'd by the Pope was Proclaim'd King of Sardinia and Corsica Thither went from Sicily Constance his Mother Violante his Sister Roger Lauria the Admiral and John Prochita A Match was concluded betwixt the Lady Violante and Robert Duke of Calabria Heir to the Kingdom of Naples The Nuptials were perform'd with great State Pope Boniface himself officiating King Frederick prepar'd to defend the Kingdom which had been given him by so general a Consent of the People War was declar'd against him as the disturber of the Peace of Christendom and his Brother the King of Aragon appointed Generalissimo All things being thus order'd the King of Aragon return'd home to prepare for the War Rogor Lauria was sent to Naples to serve that King Queen Constance and John Prochita weary of so many Troubles and pitying the unfortunate State of Sicily stay'd at Rome Some say they both dy'd there but most Authors agree she ended her days Five Years after at Barcelona and was buried in the Monastery of St. Francis where there is a Tomb to this day with an Inscription and her Name CHAP. II. Peace betwixt Castile and Portugal setled by the means of double Allyances betwixt those Princes The Progress of the Wars in Sicily The Jubilee first instituted Bilbao Built and Prince John reconcil'd to the King THE King of Aragon being return'd home the Towns of Lerida Vlia Filera and Salvatierra were restored to the Crown of Navarre in pursuance of the Articles made at Agnani not fulfill'd till then Alonso Ronco a Frenchman was Viceroy of Navarre in the year 1298. The City Albarazin was taken from the King of Aragon's Bastard Brother and restor'd to D. John de Lara on pretence of doing him Justice but indeed to draw over that powerful Man D. John took the Oath of Fidelity to the King at Valencia on the 7th day of April This the King of Aragon did to strengthen himself to invade at once Castile and Sicily Attempts too great for his Power The King of Sicily forsaken on all sides was most exposed to Ruin He of Castile was reconcil'd to the King of Portugal by the means of two Matches that were concluded The one was betwixt King Ferdinand and Constance the Daughter of King Denis tho' she was under Age. They were Contracted with great Solemnity at Alcaniz a Town on the Borders of Portugal and the Publick Joy was the greater for that Blanch King Ferdinand's Sister was Marry'd to Prince Alonso Son and Heir to King Denis tho' but eight years Old which was the other Match The Bride was deliver'd to her Father-in-Law and carry'd to Portugal So eager were the Castilians upon securing of Peace that tho' nothing was given in Dower by the Portuguesse with his Daughter King Ferdinand with his Sister gave the Towns of Olivença Conguela and Campo de Moya which was no small disgrace to Castile but the necessity of the Times excus'd it All the King of Portugal did was to send 300 chosen Horse under the Command of D. John de Albuquerque to serve the King of Castile against Prince John his Uncle who stil'd himself King of Leon but all this came to nothing and those Horse return'd to Portugal as they came D. Alonso de la Cerda on the other side had taken Almazan and other Towns upon the Frontiers of Aragon and Garrison'd them Siguença was Attack'd by D. John de Lura but defended by the Valour of the Citizens The Conspirators wanted Mony and therefore lest Provisions and the Souldiers Pay should fail they Coin'd Some but of base Allay Denis King of Portugal at the Request of his Son-in-law brought a good Body of Men to his Assistance by the way of Cuidad Rodrigo but being more inclinable to Peace than that Time would bear he return'd to Portugal dissatisfy'd The reason of his disgust was that he would have the Province of Galicia given to Prince John who call'd himself King and to his Heirs and that he should keep the City Leon during his Life The Queen and Nobility of Castile would not consent to those Conditions as dishonourable and prejudicial Upon the King of Portugal's Return some Nobles of Castile whom Fear before aw'd began to Revolt But the great Wisdom of the Queen pacify'd them giving every one as much as
of October 1306. They were all put to the Rack where some through excess of Pain said any thing they would have them yet many dy'd with Resolution The Great Master of the Order James de Mola as he was led to be Burnt being proms'd his Life if he would confess openly protested the Innocency of his Order declaring he had falsly charged them with those Crimes at the instigation of the Pope and King of France for which he beg'd Forgiveness of God Many others did the like The following Year Pope Clement by his Bulls appointed the Arch-Bishop of Toledo and Santiago with other Prelates Judges over the Knights Templers in Castile the Bishops of Valencia and Zaragoça for Aragon and so in all other parts of Spain and throughout Christendom They had all Orders after examining the Case to give Sentence in the Provincal Synods In Aragon those Knights stood upon their Defence in several strong Places but particularly at Monçon yet the King's Forces coming upon them they were all taken In Castile the King summon'd them to appear before the Arch-Bishop of Toledo and at the same time caus'd them to be apprehended and their Estates to be put into the Hands of the Bishops till such time as they were try'd A Synod met at Salamanca where after a full Hearing the Templers were acquitted Yet the final Determination was referred to the Pope whose Decree superseded the Opinions of all those Prelates and the whole Order was abolish'd By virtue of this Decree King Ferdinand seiz'd upon all they possess'd as well in Lands as Goods In Galicia they had the Towns of Ponferrada and Faro In Lean Balduerna Tavara Almansa Alcanizes In Estremadura Valencia Alconita Xeres de Badajoz Fregenal Nertobriga Capilla and Caracuel In Andaluzia Palma In old Castile Villalpando In the Territory of Murcia Caravaca and Alconchel In the Kingdom of Toledo Montalvan Besides S. Pedro de la Zarça Burguillos and many other Towns and Houses too tedious to repeat They are said to have had Twelve Monasteries in Spain They were summon'd before the Arch-Bishop of Toledo in the Year 1310. In a Synod held at Munster in Germany the Templers were declared innocent At last the Council of Vienne was open'd upon the 16th of October 1311. Here it was decreed that Pope Boniface should not be condemn'd Some Discourse there was about renewing the War in the Holy Land but to no effect As to the Knights Templers it was ordain'd their Order should be totally abolish'd their Goods to be given to the Knights of S. John who had then taken the Island of Rhodes Only Spain allow'd not of that Decree by reason of the War with the Moors which it was thought would prove dangerous All the World was astonish'd at the Ruin of the Templers Castile was full of Joy for the Birth of Prince Alonso of whom the Queen was delivered on the 3d of August and he soon after succeeded his Father Ferdinand The Joy was the greater because the Queen had never before been with Child and was thought to be Barren A Match was agreed betwixt Prince Peter King Ferdinand's Brother and Mary Daughter to the King of Aragon The two Kings met at Calatayud with a great Court and there the Marriage was celebrated with extraordinary Pomp. Ellenor the Sister of King Ferdinand before contracted to Prince Jayme the King of Aragon's Son was now marry'd and deliver'd to her Father in Law Some Discourse there was about carrying on the War against the Moors in the Spring There was a Difference betwixt the Kings of Castile and Portugal about the Towns of Mora and Serpa near Cape S. Vincent which had been deliver'd to the Portugues contrary to Equity during King Ferdinand's Minority The King of Aragon was chosen Umpire in this Difference This done Prince John the King of Aragon's Brother was sent into Portugal about that Affair King Ferdinand went to Valladolid where he assembl'd the Cortes or Parliament and demanded Mony for carrying on the War which was readily granted in hopes of driving the Infidels quite out of Spain Prince Peter the King's Brother being made General in the Spring of the Year 1312. march'd and lay'd Siege to Alcaudete which as was before said the Moors had taken The King follow'd to Martos there a very strange Accident happen'd Two Brothers Peter and John Carvajal were apprehended for the Murder of a Gentleman of the Family of Benavides kill'd at Palencia Many had been troubled for this Fact but it could not be prov'd upon any Body Lastly these two Gentlemen were condemn'd for it without being sufficiently Convicted or Confessing They were adjudg'd to be cast headlong off from a Rock and no Intercession could mitigate the King for he was inexorable As they were led to Execution they call'd God to witness their Innocency and appeal'd to his Tribunal before which they summon'd the King to appear within 30 Days These Words at first look'd upon as Vain were afterwards much Reflected on The King little regarding them went away to the Camp before Alcaudete there a violent Sickness forc'd him to return to Jaen not withstanding the Moors were upon surrendring His Disease increas'd so that he could not attend any Business and one day being somewhat Joyful with the News brought him that the Moors had surrendred he retir'd after Dinner to Sleep and was found Dead His Death was upon a Thursday the 7th of September He was taken off in the Flower of his Youth at the Age of 24 Years and 9 Months when he began to know somewhat of Happiness He Reign'd 17 Years 4 Months and 19 Days and was the Fourth of the Name Some said excessive Eating and Drinking caus'd his Death others that it was a Judgment for that he dy'd exactly the 30th Day after he was Summon'd For this reason he was call'd King Ferdinand the Summon'd His Body was deposited at Cordova because by reason of the great Heat of the Weather it could not then be carry'd to Sevil or Toledo the Burial Places of the King It was the more confidently believ'd he dy'd in pursuance of the Summons because the same happen'd at the same time to the Pope and King of France who were also cited by several Knights Templers as they were led to Execution What the King of Aragon decreed as to the Difference betwixt Castile and Portugal is not known but it was visible he favour'd the Portugues and King Ferdinand dying he still kept those Towns which remain to that Kingdom to this Day CHAP. VI. The beginning of the Reign of Alonso the XIth King of Castile The many Confusions in that Kingdom by reason of his Infancy The Moors of Granada expel their King The Turks their Original and Growth GReat Troubles ensu'd upon the Death of King Ferdinand because the new King was but a Year and 26 Days old As soon as the King dy'd Prince Alonso his Son was proclaim'd by the
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
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
King himself was in Danger till the Forces gathering from the other part of the Camp the Flemmings spent with the Heat were put to the rout After this Victory the Earl was easily restor'd King Philip return'd to his Kingdom which he found full of Robbers and other Outlaws Hereupon new Laws were Enacted which are commonly call'd Fuero Nuevo that is The new Charter The Affairs of the Kingdom being setled the King and Queen return'd to France upon pretence of Assisting the French King their Kinsman in his Wars against the English but in Reality the Love of their Country and Riches of France drew them which caus'd them to despise the Poverty of Navarre Henry Soliberte a Frenchman was left to Govern the Kingdom Castile was ingag'd in Civil Discord and the War with the Moors at the same time besides great want of Mony The Cortes or Parliament met at Madrid where it was Enacted That no Man should have more than one Employment in the King's Houshold That no new Taxes should be rais'd without the Consent of the Cortes That no Benefices should be given to Foreigners Mony was easily granted because the Moors had taken Priego a Town belonging to the Knights of Calatrava the Governour delivering it up without Bloodshed To pacify D. John Manuel his Daughter Constance till then kept in the Nature of a Prisoner at Toro was deliver'd up to him Joseph the Jew being call'd in Question for the King's Revenue whereof he was Treasurer could not make good his Accounts and was therefore depriv'd of that Place It was ordain'd that none who was not a Christian should for the future enjoy that Imployment Also that the Treasurer should not be call'd Almojarise a Word odious because Moorish but for the future should have no other Name but that of Treasurer The King of Portugal sent 500 Horse for the War against the Moors The King of Aragon and D. John Manuel promis'd to invade them with Forces of their own D. John had the Command of the Frontiers of Murcia and Peter Lopez de Ayala was his Lieutenant The King of Castile march'd into the Kingdom of Granada and lay'd Siege to Tebas de Hardales a strong Town in the year 1330. Ozmin lay with 6000 Horse at Turon 3 Leagues from Tebas and did great harm to the Christian Forragers but durst not hazard a Battle Mean while the Christians took the Town of Pruna Ozmin sent 3000 Horse to the River which runs near to Engage the Christians on that Side whilst he made himself Master of their Camp The King having Notice of it sent a strong Body to meet the Moors at the River and stay'd himself with the rest in the Camp The Moors being put to Flight our Men pursu'd them so furiously they entred their Camp and plunder'd all their Baggage Thus the People of Tebas having no hopes of Relief surrendred in August Articling only for Life Canete and Priego and many other Places did the same These Actions were the more Honourable to the King for that neither D. John Manuel nor the King of Aragon assisted him the one not being well pacify'd and the other alledging for his Excuse that the Genoeses infested his Coasts besides the Portugues Horse were return'd Home This was new Cause of Offence against D. John Manuel and therefore Peace was concluded with the Moors upon Condition they should pay 12000 Ducats yearly That done Trade was restor'd All things were the sooner agreed because the King at Sevil began wholly to devote himself to the Lady Ellenor de Guzman and Treated her as if she were his Wife This Lady was Happy in Birth Riches and Beauty she was the Daughter of Pero Nun̄ez de Guzman and Wife to John de Velasco lately Deceas'd By her the King had many Children but particularly one who came to be King Ozmin the Moorish Commander dy'd at Granada leaving two Sons Abraham and Abuzebet The Moorish King went away into Africk to bring over Forces with which he began the Bloody War we shall soon speak of The End of the Fifteenth Book THE History of SPAIN The Sixteenth BOOK CHAP. I. The King of Granada goes into Africk Abomelique passes over into Spain The War with the Moors A Truce concluded Alonso de la Cerda rightful King of Castile submits to King Alonso the Possessor AFrick is the Third Part of the formerly known World It is bounded on the West with the Atlantick Ocean on the East by Egypt and the Red Sea on the North by the Mediterranean where it is broadest and from thence running towards the South groweth still narrower in the nature of a Pyramis till it ends in the Cape of Good Hope The Inhabitants differ in Laws Customs Religions Habit and Colour The inner parts are inhabited by the Ethiopians and Blacks Next is Lybia then Numidia divided by Mount Atlas Along the Coast of the Mediterranean are the People peculiarly call'd Africans and Moors which is Barbary The Country bears Corn and Feeds Cattle but has little Wood it seldom Rains there and there are but few Rivers and Springs The People are Healthy Laborious and Active In War they are more successful by their Numbers than Valour their chief strength consists in Horse Here Alboacen the IXth King of Morocco of the Family of the Merines posses'd a mighty Empire having subdu'd all the neighbouring Princes and was the only Prince that could aspire to the Crown of Spain being terrible to the Christians a Man of noted Valour and endu'd with many other good natural Parts He was at War with Botexesin King of Tremecen which War he had as an Inheritance from his Father This was the only thing that hinder'd him from invading Spain Mahomet King of Granada being of himself too weak to withstand the Christians sail'd into Africk to perswade Alboacen to joyn with him in the attempt of conquering Spain At Fez he was nobly entertain'd by the African King and all former Animosities laid aside for he was a mortal Enemy to Ozmin and his Family Both Kings strove to out-do one another in Courtesy and Liberality After these Formalities being come to treat of their Affairs the King of Granada earnestly press'd the African to joyn with him that they might restore the Honour of their Fore-Fathers in Spain and offer'd freely to yield him all that should be taken contenting himself only with the Pleasure of Revenge Alboacen promis'd as soon as the Wars in Africk were ended to go over in Person and the mean while was willing to send his Son Abomelique with a good Body of Horse as a Pledge that he design'd to follow While these Things were contriving in Africk the Moors of Granada under the command of Reduan and Abucebet made an incursion into Murcia wasted all the Country carri'd away 1200 Captives and burnt the Town of Guardamar so call'd because it lies upon the Mouth of the River Segura King Mahomet being come to Granada D.
John Manuel and the other Rebels enter'd into a League with him which was concluded by Peter Carillo who pass'd between them Their Hearts were so full of Venom that they had no respect to Loyalty or Christianity Elizabeth Queen of Portugal was still living and tho very aged spar'd no Labour that might conduce to the publick Good She prevail'd with the King of Castile to meet her at Badajoz but the interview prov'd fruitless As the King return'd from this City D. Alonso de la Cerda who had so long with undoubted Right strugl'd for the Crown met him unexpectedly at Burgillos and kiss'd his Hand in token of Submission The King was extreamly pleas'd and assign'd him Lands to live upon D. Alonso in France had marry'd a Lady of the Blood Royal call'd Madelfa by whom he had two Sons Luis and John Luis the eldest came with him into Spain John on account of his Kindred with the King of France was by him created Duke of Angoulesme and Constable of France which was the next Dignity to the King in Martial Affairs now in Spain it is but a bare Title The King came to Talavera in the Kingdom of Toledo Santollala was a Town half way betwixt Toledo and Talavera it belong'd to D. John Manuel and thence some wicked Men us'd to break out and commit Murders and Robberies These being apprehended by the King's Order were put to death Such another Example was made at Toledo whence the King went to Madrid Segovia and Valladolid Here the Lady Ellenor was brought to bed of a Son who was call'd Peter to whom the Lordship of Aguilar del Campo was given There being great scarcity of Mony a base sort of Coin was then stamp'd call'd Cornade which caus'd all Provisions to grow excessive dear and Trade to cease At Burgos Embassadors came to the King from that part of Biscay call'd Alava offering him the Lordship of that Country which till then was free and govern'd by its own Laws excuâ—â— Vitoria and TrevinÌ„o that were subject to Castile In the Plains of Arriaga where they us'd of old to hold their Assemblies they made their Submission to the King 〈◊〉 themselves up voluntarily to him and were allow'd the Charter of LogronÌ„o and all their ancient Priviledges which are in Force to this day so that they enjoy a sort of Liberty and are exâ—â—ipted from all Taxes Publick Instruments of these Acts are preserv'd under King Alonso's Hand dated at Vitoria on the second of April 1332. Here the King intistuted a new Order of Knighthood call'd of the Belt from one those Knights wore about Four Fingers broad of Colour Red or Crimson on the right Shoulder and falling under the left Arm. None were admitted to this Order but Men of noble Extraction who had serv'd 10 Years in the Court or Army The King himself was Master of the Order which was long held in great esteem but in time fell to nothing So that only the bare memory of it remains The King visited the Church of St. James the Apostle at Compostela was there Knighted and at Burgos both he and the Queen were Crown'd The Queen for modesty sake was not anointed besides that she was with Child Many Gentlemen arm'd Capape were Knighted and it was ordain'd that for the future all Persons should receive that Honour in that posture Two Things disturb'd the Publick Joy one was that Prince Peter of Portugal began to talk of putting away the Lady Blanch. The other that he was about Marrying Constance the Daughter of D. John Manuel The Lady Blanch was Sickly and Barren Fernan Rodriguez de Balboa Great Prior of S. John was the promoter of this Design advising the Queen to forward it in Revenge because her Husband was wholly devoted to other Women At this time the King had by the Queen his Son Ferdinand who if he had liv'd had been King and by his Mistress the Lady Ellenor he had D. Sancho to whom he gave the Town of Ledesma Both were born at the same time in Valladolid Abomelique the King of Morocco's Son as had been agree'd with him of Granada pass'd the Streights of Gibraltar and at Algezira took the Title of King of that Place and Ronda He brought out of Africk 7000 Horse At the beginning of the Year 1333 D. Ximeno de Luna Arch-Bishop of Toledo held a Synod at Alcalà de Henares Abomelique in February laid Siege to Gibraltar and storm'd it with all manner of Engines The King made some stay in old Castile an appease the Tumults there but sent before Godfrey Tenorlo the Admiral and the Masters or the Military Orders to relieve the besieg'd who were in great want for Vasco Perez the Governour through Covetousness was unprovided of all Necessaries The King of Granada made an incursson into the Territory of Cordova wasted the Country took Cabra ras'd the Castle and carry'd away all the Inhabitants into Slavery they having been betray'd to him by their Governour 〈◊〉 after suffering great Hardships was surrender'd upon condition the Garison and Townsmen might March away Vasco Perez the Governour fearing his King's displeasure went over into Africk The King having pacify'd the Mutineers march'd to Sovil but too late to relieve Gibraltar which he understood at Xeres was surrendred yet he resolv'd to attempt the Recovery of it before the Moors could Victual and Repair it D. Jayme de Exerica was here with a Body of Aragonians Near Gibraltar there happen'd several Skirmishes but neither side was for hazarding a Battle Provisions growing scarce among the Christians many deferted and were taken by the Moors who laid wait in the Passes The King of Granada joyn'd Abomelique who being thus reinforc'd and finding the Enemy much weaken'd drew out twice and offer'd Battle But the King intrench'd himself before the Town strongly drawing a Line quite round which ended upon the Sea Mean while D. John Manuel and D. John de Lara with their Followers having made a League with the King of Aragon did great Harm in Castile D. John de Haro Lord of Cameros had joyn'd them These Things oblig'd the King to desist from his Enterprise upon Gibraltar and conclude a Truce with the Moors for Four Years the King of Granada being still oblig'd to pay the usual Tribute CHAP. II. The Moors of Granada murder Mahomet their King Wars among all the Christian Kings of Spain Alonso King of Aragon dies Fresh Rebellions in Castile The Portugues Fleet-beaten by the 〈…〉 THE Kings of Castile and Granada after concluding the Truce dined together and strove to outdo one another in making Rich Presents which prov'd the ruin of the later The King of Castile went to Sevil Abomelique to Algezira and he of Granada to Malaga There the Sons of Ozmin hating the King for his entertaining Friendship with the Christians conspir'd with one Abmar of the antient Blood Royal of Granada and murder'd him on the 20th of August Reduan a
Gentleman of great Note who had been Governour of Granada and had no hand in this Treason set up Joseph Bulhugia Brother to the deceas'd which displeas'd many because there was another Brother Elder than he call'd Ferrachen Thus the Moors were in confusion D. Gonçalo and Ferdinand de Aguilar two Brothers Lords of Montilla and Aguilar went over to the New King being disoblig'd by their own Incursions were made upon the Borders and the Truce lately concluded violated More mischief had ensu'd but that Abomelique was call'd into Africk by his Father to serve against Tremeçen He being gone a Truce was again concluded in the beginning of the year 1334. with the New King for four years yet so that the Moors were freed from the Tribute they used to pay the King of Castile being wholly bent upon subduing his Rebels At this time the Lady Ellenor de Guzman the King's Mistriss was brought to Bed of two Sons at a Birth which were Henry and Fredrick of whom we shall have much occasion to speak In the Spring the King return'd to Castile was at Segovia and thence went to Valladolid The Rebellious Nobles not being able to maintain a War were hard press'd and most of the Towns belonging to them taken the greatest part of Biscay submitting to the King to whom they swore Fidelity under an Old Tree at Guernica as is their Custom Some few Places impregnable by Nature still held out for D. John de Lara D. John de Haro was beheaded as a Traytor in his own Town of Agoncillo and his Estate Confiscate except the Town of Cameros given to his Brothers D. Alvaro and D. Alonso that so Noble a Family might not wholly perish The Governour of the Castle of Iscar shut the Gates against the King and being taken lost his Head for the same About the end of August the Queen was deliver'd of a Son at Burgos who was call'd Peter and his Brother Ferdinand dying came to be King of Castile By the Lady Ellenor the King had another Son call'd Ferdinand In Aragon two Brothers of that King dy'd one after another one was D. Jayme Master of the Knights of Montesa who had renounc'd his Right to the Crown and D. John Archbishop of Tarragona in whose place Arnaldus Cascomes Bishop of Lerida succeeded The King of Aragon by reason of his indisposition committed the whole care of the Government to his eldest Son Prince Peter Queen Ellenor who govern'd the King through her importunity obtain'd of him several Towns for her Sons Ferdinand and John to the prejudice of Prince Peter and as was said contrary to the King's Oath who had sworn not to alienate any thing belonging to the Crown This was the ground of great Hatred betwixt the Mother and Son-in-Law which caus'd many Tumults in the Kingdom The Queen had a meeting with her Brother of Castile and he promis'd to support her as did D. John de Exerica and his Brother Peter who were both of her Party At the beginning of the year 1335 D. John Manuel terrify'd by the example of D. John de Haro and D. John de Lara was reconcil'd to the King to the great Joy of all People for which there were publick Sports and particularly a notable Turnament But this Joy was not lasting for the King of Portugal was resolv'd to put away his Wife Blanch and Marry the Lady Constance and ratheâ— hazard a War than not have his Will The King of Aragon's Eldest Son was contracted to Mary Daughter to the King of Navarre she â—eing preferr'd before her Sister Joanna the Elder to inherit the Crown in case that King dy'd without Issue Male. Henry Viceroy of Navarre contriv'd these Affairs which were very displeasing to the King of Castile against whom they seem'd to be levell'd for the Prince of Aragon made this League with Navarre in hatred to his Mother-in-Law The Navarrois surpriz'd the Monastery of Fitero appertaining to Castile Complaint being made to the King of Aragon he answer'd by reason of his Indisposition he could not govern his Son Thus the War broke out Martin Portocarrero was sent with a great Army into Navarre They came to a Battel near Tudela which was very Bloody but the Navarrois were defeated and a great number of them drowned in the River Ebro D. Michael Zapata the Aragonian General was absent fortifying Fitero but appear'd on the Neighbouring Hills when the Battel was almost over His coming caus'd the Navarrois to Raily and the Battel was renew'd yet the Aragonians tho' they came in fresh were put to Flight and their General taken by the Castillians The Slaughter was not so great as expected because the Castilians were tir'd and Night drew on besides that the Enemy differ'd not in Language which sav'd many On the other side the Biscayners under their General Lope de LescanÌ„o having destroy'd all the Territory of Pamplona took the Castle of Vnsa Thus the Insolency of the Navarrois was check'd At that time the King of Castile lay sick of an Ague at Palencia and taking Compassion of the Navarrois order'd his General to March out of that Country who brought with him Prince Peter of Aragon's Royal Standard Gaston Earl of Faux march'd to the Assistance of Navarre and their Forces being joyn'd they laid Siege to LogronÌ„o the chief City on the Frontiers The Neighbouring People and Inhabitants of that Place gave the Enemy Battel but were defeated and forc'd to retire into the City Ruy Diaz de Gaoâ—â—â— â—â—â—mander and a Native of LogronÌ„o with only three Soldiers made good a Bridge against the whole Army of the Enemy left they should enter the Town together with the Citizens He was kill'd his Companions came off and defended the Town for the Navarrois finding great opposition rais'd the Siege and return'd home John Archbishop of Reimes going on Pilgrimage to Santiago at this time in his way made a Peace betwixt these two Crowns Three Embassies came at once to the King of Castile from the Kings Edward of England Philip of France and Alboacen of Morocco The last sent Rich Presents and desir'd to have the Truce renew'd The English offer'd a Wife for Prince Peter which was refus'd by reason of his tender Age. This in the Year 1335. Soon after at the beginning of the following Year D. Alonso King of Aragon dy'd at Barcelona He was a just merciful and religious Prince and was therefore call'd the Pious He was more Fortunate during his Father's Reign than his own and that by reason of his continual Indisposition To D. Jayme his youngest Son by his first Wife he left the Earldom of Vrgel and Prince Peter was Heir to the Crown To his Sons by the 2d Wife he left other Possessions as has been said above Queen Ellenor fearing her Son in Law went away to Albarazin being a place of great Strength and near the Frontiers of Castile D. John and Peter de Exerica follow'd
Sister Ellenor in the Complaints she had against him In the Cortes of Aragon held at Daroca Prince Peter the King of Aragon's Uncle and D. John Manuel were chosen Arbitrators to decide these Differences and they agreed that D. John de Exerica should be pardon'd and all that had been granted to the Queen and her Sons by the late King confirm'd to them It happen'd fortunately that D. Peter de Luna Arch-bishop of Zaragoça was then at Rome who might have obstructed this Agreement The King of Castile sign'd these Articles at Madrid and Queen Ellenor with her Children return'd to Aragon where they were receiv'd with great Pomp. The Arch-bishop of Reimes the Great Master of Rhodes and Arch-bishop of Braga Embassador from Portugal were dismiss'd because they demanded Constance the Daughter of D. John Manuel for the Prince of Portugal Vasco Rodriguez Cornade Master of the Knights of Santiago dying his Nephew Vasco Lopez was by the Knights chosen to succeed him at which the King was offended because he design'd that Honour for his son Frederick Many Objections were made against the new Master and his Election whereupon he fled to Portugal and was therefore depos'd and D. Alonso Melendez de Guzman Uncle by the Mother's Side to Frederick the King's Son chosen Master D. Ruy Perez Master of Alcantara was also depos'd and D. Gonçalo Martinez elected in his Place A mighty Army was gathering about Sevil for the War with the Moors The King of Castile us'd all Expedition because he understood Abomelique was come out of Africk with 5000 Horse and the time of the Truce was now expir'd All the Territory of Antequera Archidona and Ronda was wasted and a great Multitude of Moors who came out of the last and fell upon our Rear routed by D. John de Lara D. John Manuel and the Master of Santiago who Commanded there In the Pursuit many Moors who had fled to the Ridges of the Mountains cast themselves headlong for fear of the Christians This done the Army return'd to Sevil and was dispers'd into Garrisons to guard the Frontiers At this time came Gilaberto Admiral of Aragon with 12 Galleys to joyn the Fleet of Castile and guard the Mouth of the Streights There was great want of Mony In September the King went to the Cortes he had Summon'd to meet at Madrid leaving the Master of Santiago to Command as General and other Noblemen in other Posts Great store of Corn was lay'd up at Nebrixa near the Mouth of Guadalquivir which the Moors knowing the King was gone thought to make themselves Masters of Our Men tho' it was the dead of Winter drew out of their Garrisons Abomelique incamp'd near Xerez and sent 1500 Horse to Nebrixa The Town defended it self but all the Country was destroy'd Fernan Perez Portocarrero Alvar Perez de Gusman and D. Peter Ponce de Leon with a small Party march'd Day and Night and near Arcos overtook the 1500 Moors who mov'd slowly by reason of their great Booty They charg'd them so furiously that few escap'd being kill'd or taken and the whole Prey was recover'd Incourag'd with this Success they resolv'd to fall upon Abomelique and the main Army of the Moors Abomelique was marching towards Arcos in great Disorder without any advanc'd Parties The Christians at break of Day fell on with extraordinary Bravery 500 Moors made some Resistance upon passing a River but our Men being over the Infidels soon fled and were entirely Overthrown Abomelique in the Confusion flying afoot was kill'd in the Croud his Cousin Aliatar dy'd in the Battle and 10000 Moors were slain as the Report went The Christians having taken all the Enemie's Tents and Baggage return'd Joyful and with Honour after obtaining two Victories to their Quarters This year the Arch-bishop of Tarragona held a provincial Synod at Barcelona and the Body of Saint Eulalia was in solemn Procession translated to a more honourable Tomb. The King of Aragon went to Avignon to do Homage to the Pope for the Islands of Sardinia and Corsica CHAP. IV. A new Invasion of Spain by Alboacen King of Morocco with 470000 Moors he Besieges Tarifa and is there routed with the loss of 200000 Men by the Kings of Castile and Portugal Three Defeats of the Infidels at Sea THE Death of Abomelique was much lamented in Africk and stir'd up an earnest desire of Revenge Great Levies were made throughout all that Empire in order to invade Spain Thus 70000 Horse and 400000 Foot were rais'd the greatest Army ever yet enter'd Spain Besides the Moors fitted out 250 Ships and 70 Galleys Whilst the King of Castile was afflicted with the Thoughts of making Head against that Multitude another Misfortune increas'd his Trouble D. Gonzalo Martinez or Nunez Master of Calatrava was impeach'd of several hainous Crimes and being Summon'd to appear and answer for himself fled to the King of Granada Besides the Admiral of Aragon making a descent near Algezira was kill'd in a Skirmish with the Moors Nevertheless in the Spring the King went into Andaluzia and besieg'd the Master of Calatrava in Valencia a Town within the Bounds of the Antient Lusitania He was taken condemn'd as a Traytor Beheaded and Burnt for a Terror to others D. Nun̄o Chamizo a Man of known-worth was chosen in his Place Alboacen began to send over his Army into Spain and had Landed 3000 Horse who made an Incursion into the Territories of Xerez Arcos and Medina Sidonia As they return'd loaded with Booty and fearing no Danger the Garrison of Xerez fell upon them unexpectedly recover'd the Prey and kill'd 2000. Five Months being spent in passing over all the Moorish Army at last they Randezvouz'd near Algezira The People lay'd the blame upon Tenorio the Admiral of Castile and said he might have hinder'd their Passage which Reflection his Great Spirit disdaining to bear he adventur'd to Fight the Enemy's whole Fleet but was overthrown all his Squadron lost himself kill'd and only 5 Galleys escap'd to Tarifa The King much perplex'd about the dangerous Posture of Affairs in Spain assembled all the Prelates and Nobility at Sevil where he was making Preparations for the War lay'd before them the Condition of the Kingdom the greatness of the Danger and want of Mony and then withdrew that they might debate with more Liberty Some were positive for making Peace with the Moors at any rate being in no Condition to withstand them Others resolutely oppos'd that Opinion and would hear of nothing but carrying on the War since no Peace could be then Honourable or Secure This advice prevail'd and it was resolv'd to sollicite the Kings of Aragon and Portugal to joyn their Forces with Castile The Fleet was refitted at Sanlucar and the Command of it given to D. Alonso Artiz Calderon Great Prior of S. John The King of Aragon sent his Fleet commanded by Peter de Moncada 15 Galleys came from Genoa at the Charge of the King of Castile John
Martinez de Leiva went Embassador to the Pope and obtain'd the Croizade for all those that serv'd three Months at their own Expence To oblige the King of Portugal he of Castile consented that the Lady Constance Daughter to D. John Manuel should be sent to Portugal and marry'd to Prince Peter which was accordingly perform'd at Ebora Her Portion 300000 Ducats Besides Mary Queen of Castile went by the King her Husband's Order to Portugal to intreat the King her Father to joyn his Forces with those of Castile against the common Enemy Her Father promis'd to go in Person and immediately sent 12 Galleys commanded by the Admiral Peeano who was now releas'd The two Kings of Castile and Portugal had a Meeting at Jurumen̄a a Town on the Banks of the River Guadiana and parted good Friends laying aside all former Grudges Forces from all Parts march'd to Sevil and still they were hasten'd because News was brought that Alboacen and the King of Granada had lay'd Siege to Tarifa They sat down before it on the 23d of September and batter'd it furiously applying great Wooden Towers to the Walls for the more Terror Tho the Garrison was numerous it was fear'd they could not long hold out and therefore the King still gave them fresh assurances of Relief and provided for it with all possible Diligence The King being come back to Sevil and the King of Portugal soon following him with 1000 Horse more valuable for their Bravery than Number they both instantly set forward from Sevil where the Rendezvouz was resolving to relieve the Town or hazard a Battle for it The Number of the Christians was not to compare with that of the Moors for they had but 14000 Horse and 25000 Foot yet with that Force they march'd to Tarifa The Moorish Kings understanding the Resolution of our Army Burnt their Engines and possess'd themselves of certain Hills near their Camp They intrench'd not believing the Victory secure Our Army being come to a Village call'd La Pen̄a del Ciervo there discover'd the Enemy and held a Council of War Here it was resolv'd that at Midnight 1000 Horse and 4000 Foot should be put into Tarifa who when they saw the Armies ingag'd were to sally and flank the Infidels upon the Hills the rest of the Army was order'd to refresh themselves and be ready for the Fight at break of day Great Joy was among the Christians that Night they offer'd up their Vows to Heaven and swore to stand by one another and never to return Home unless Victorious At break of Day the Kings and others by their Example receiv'd the Holy Communion and then the Army was drawn out D. John de Lara D. John Manuel and the Master of Santiago commanded the Van D. Gonzalo de Aguilar the Rear and D. Pero Nun̄ez a Reserve of Foot The main Body was headed by the Two Kings and with them the Arch-Bishop of Toledo and many Prelates and Nobles A French Gentleman call'd Jugo by the Popes appointment carry'd the Standard of the Croizade and all the Souldiers wore a red Cross on their Breasts in Token they fought for the Faith The King of Portugal undertook to charge him of Granada and had with him besides his own People the Masters of Calatrava and Alcantara The King of Castile just as the Armies were ready to fall on encourag'd his Men and then the Signal being given they mov'd towards the Enemy Betwixt the two Armies was a River call'd Salado which not far from thence falls into the Sea from this River the Battle took Name and was ever called of Salado Whoever first pass'd seem'd to have gain'd some Advantage therefore the Moorish King sent 2000 Horse to guard the Passage Mean while he not doubting of the Victory Rode among his Battalions exhorting and animating them D. John de Lara and D. John Manuel were the first of the Christians that came to the River and made a Stand which caus'd many to believe they acted treacherously The Two Brothers Gonzalo and Garcia Lasso passing over a small Bridge were the first that ingaged They were in great danger being overpower'd by Numbers when Alvar Perez de Guzman reliev'd them and then all the rest follow'd The King of Portugal march'd on the left along the Hills he of Castile taking a Circuit by the Shore fell furiously on the Enemy Both Sides rent the Skies with hideous Cries and being come to Handy-strokes stood their Ground without giving way the Generals causing the Standards to be advanc'd where the greatest Danger was Certain Bands of Christians through By-ways got to the Enemies Camp which they plunder'd having slain those that were left to Guard it They that Fought understanding what had happen'd were dismay'd and soon after fled A mighty Slaughter of them was made 200000 are said to have been kill'd and a great Number taken Only 20 Christians are reported to have perish'd which seems absolutely incredible Those Soldiers that belong'd to the Fleet did no Service for all the Aragonians remain'd aboard Navarre sent no Succour that King being taken up in the Wars of France Reginald Poncius a French-man govern'd that Kingdom The Arch-Bishop of Toledo never stirr'd from the King of Castile's Side during the Battle and hinder'd him from casting himself desperately among the Enemy being almost forsaken by his Men. This Battle was fought in the Year of Grace 1340. Authors vary about the Day but I look upon the most certain Account to be that it was upon a Munday the 30th of October as it is set down in the Kalendar of the Church of Toledo where according to antient Custom a Thanksgiving Day is kept on this account The routed Moors fled to Algezira and thence fearing a Siege the King of Granada withdrew to Marbella Albohacen to Gibraltar and that same Night sail'd over into Africk fearing lest his Son Abderhaman hearing of his defeat should rebell against him In this Fight Fatima Daughter to the King of Tunez Albahacen's chief Wife and three other of his Wives as also his Son Abohamar were taken Two other Sons of his were kill'd In the Moorish Camp vast Riches were found of all sorts but particulary so much Gold and Silver that it caus'd the value of Mony to fall in Spain and all Commodities to rise Our Victorious Kings return'd at Night to the Camp those that pursu'd the Enemy came back tir'd with killing and such as lov'd profit more than Honour loaden with Plunder Next day they furnish'd Tarifa with all Necessaries and order'd the Breaches to be repair'd It had been expedient in that consternation of the Moors to besiege Algezira but the Army being unprovided for a Siege Provisions growing scarce and Winter drawing on they return'd to Sevil. There they were receiv'd in Triumph and great Rejoycing was throughout all Spain with publick Thanksgivings The King of Portugal of all the Booty took only some Horse-Furniture and Cimiters to keep as a Trophey of
fitted out The King of Aragon landed in Majorca where the Islanders had assembled 300 Horse and 15000 Foot but all Raw undisciplin'd Souldiers They were easily overthrown and their King fled to the City Poncia and thence desparing of better Fortune over to the Continent Those People being before well affected to the Aragonian soon took the Oath of Fidelity to him and he return'd to Barcelona leaving Arnaldus de Eril Viceroy of the Islands Russillon and Cerdagne on the Borders of Spain were Infested and some Towns there taken belonging to the King of Majorca A Cardinal was now sent by the Pope as his Legate to reconcile these Kings his coming the approach of Winter and want of Engines to batter Walls made the War cease for sometime but his Embassy took no further Effect In the Month of April 1344 the War was renew'd with more Fury than at first all the open Country destroy'd and the places of Strength taken Some perswaded the King of Majorca to put himself into the Power of the Aragonian Others more fierce said it was better to dye than trust him Nothing was left the King of Majorca but the Town of Perpignan therefore he sent by D. Peter de Exerica to acquaint the King of Aragon he would put himself into his Power upon promise of Life and Liberty Having receiv'd that Promise in July he came from Perpignan to Elna where the Camp of Aragon then was Being come before the King of Aragon he kiss'd his Hand and with Submissive Words begg'd pardon The Aragonian receiv'd him with feign'd Friendship and promis Forgiveness but his Actions were not answerable to his Words Soon after in an Assembly of Nobility at Barcelona he depriv'd him of the regal Title and asign'd him some Estate to live upon Finding himself deceiv'd the King of Majorca fled into France designing to renew the War and seeing there was little help in the Pope cast himself wholly upon the King of France to whom he sold the Lordship of Montpellier for 100000 Crowns in Gold The War was again Commenc'd in the Island Cerdagne and Russillon which prov'd fatal to him for he was 5 years after overthrown and kill'd in a Battle in Majorca by the Aragonians His Body was deposited in Valencia his Sons and Nephews liv'd Poor and in Bannishment The same year that Algezira was taken and the King of Majorca depos'd there was a mighty Earthquake at Lisbon which shook all the Buildings and threw down the Steeple of the Cathedral and was look'd upon as an Omen of ensuing Misfortunes Constance the Daughter of D. John Manuel and Wife of Prince Peter of Portugal dy'd in the year 1345. Her Death was the less grievous to him because he was in Love with the Lady Agnes de Castro and kept her in as great State as his Wife The Lady Constance left two Sons Ferdinand and Mary After the War with the Moors was ended the King of Castile labour'd to punnish the Disorders that had happen'd in that turbulent Time and to perswade the Kingdom of Toledo and Andaluzia to grant him the same Duty on Merchandize as Burgos and Leon had done In Aragon new Troubles began to break out for the King endeavour'd by all means to increase the Grandeur of the Crown by recalling many Grants of his Predecessors and oblig'd his Brother D. Jayme to quit the place of Vicar General of the Kingdom In the year 1346 dy'd the Queen of Aragon a most virtuous Lady She was bury'd at Valencia To the intent the King might have Issue male a Match was presently propos'd with the Lady Eillenor Daughter to the King of Portugal Ferdinand the Aragonian's Brother thought to marry that Lady but the King prevail'd chiefly by the assistance of D. John Manuel whose Son Ferdinand marry'd Joanna cousin German to the King of Aragon The Nobility and Commous of Aragon rebell'd upon pretence that Wrong had been done to D. Jayme the King's Brother and that several publick Acts were made in the Name of the Lady Constance as Heiress of the Crown Ximeno de Vrrea Peter Coronel Blase de Alagon and D. Lope de Luna were appointed Conservators of the Liberties of the People D. Jayme Earl of Vrgel was châ—â—en for their chief His Brothers Ferdinand and John were call'd out of Castile The King assembl'd the Cortes at Zaragoça and to please thâ—â—eople restor'd the Vicarship to his Brother D. Jayme and declar'd him heir of the Crown Thus all People were pleas'd but D. Jayme soon dying their Joy expir'd The King went to Barceloâ—â— whither he had order'd his Queen to be conducted from Portugal and here it was the Earl of Vrgel dy'd about the end of the Year 1347. His Brothers Ferdinand and 〈◊〉 â—â—aded the Mutinâ—ers being assisted by the King of Castile with 800 Horse The King of Aragon was marry'd without any Pomp by reason of the publick Sorrow for the death of D. Jayme as also because of the Troubles of the Kingdom The Two Brothers Ferdinand and John who had been in Castile to consult with their Mother and the King their Uncle headed the Rebels being assisted with 800 Horse from Castile Ferdinand went 〈◊〉 to Valencia and John to Zaragoça Their Mother resided at Cuenca and Requena Fernan Perez Portocarrero was sent from Castile and MunÌ„on Lopez de Tauste from Aragon to reconcile the Brothers of that Crown and procure that no Aid might be given to the Rebels Alvar Garcia de Albornoz was allow'd to raise 600 Horse in Castile to serve the King of Aragon who put himself into the Hands of the Rebels at Valencia Here the People Mutinying assaulted the Palace and the King was forc'd to ride out among them and grant that D. Ferdinand should be Vicar of the Kingdom and Heir to the Crown excluding the King's Daughters After the King's departure D. Lope de Luna who was reconcil'd to the King was very severe towards 〈◊〉 Conspirator He encamp'd about Daroca Prince Ferdinand march'd against him with 15000 Horse and Fooâ— they came to a Battle in which the Rebels were routed 〈…〉 Prince Ferdinand himself taken but Alvar Garcia de Albornoz who was intrusted to 〈◊〉 him suffer'd him to make his escape into Castile The King to reward D. Lope created him Earl of Luna a thing not much us'd in Aragon After this Victory all submitted to the King Yet Prince Ferdinand was again declar'd Heir and the Power of the High Justice of Aragon was increas'd that the King might not oppress the People This in Aragon in the Year 1348. This Year a destructive Plague spread it self first in the East then into Italy Sicily Majorca and Spain where no City escap'd it and the Mortality was so great that only in the City Zaragoça in October 100 dyed in one day The infection was so great that nobody would look to the Sick or bury the Dead Ellenor the new Queen of Aragon dy'd
month dy'd D. Gonçalo Archbishop of Toledo D. Vasco or Blas then Bishop of Palâ—ncia succeeded him From Aguilar the King went to Cordova at such time as Dâ— Maria de Padilla was brought to Bed of â— Daughter call'd Beatrix Thence he return'd into the Kingdom of Toledo At Torrijos five Leagues from Toledo in a Turnament made for Joy of his Success and Birth of his Daughter the King receiv'd a Wound in his Hand which had like to have cost him his Life foâ— that the Surgeons could find no means to stop the Blood To this Town came D. Alonso â—â— Albuquerque who had been on an Embassy in Portugâ—â— and brought with him D. John de la 〈◊〉 whom the King receiv'd into Favour with demonstrations of Affection but could never â—â— prevail'd upon to restore him his Father in Laws Lands for he now began to be positive About this time the Lady Blanch of Borbon came to Valladolid accompany'd by the Viscount of Narbonnâ— and D. Frederick the Master of Santiago who went out to meet her D. Alonso de Albuquerque was for having the Marriage solemniz'd immediately He then was so absolute that at times he spoke disrespectful Words to the King and hastned his Marriage lest Da. Maria de Padilla's Relations should work him out of Favour and so it fell out Yet the Marriagew as solemniz'd on the 3d. of June At the same time in France another more fortunate Marriage was consummated betwixt Charles King of Navarre and the Lady Joanna eldest Daughter to the King of France A Match I say more happy for the 〈◊〉 they always had to one another and their Issue They had three Sons â—â—arles 〈◊〉 and Peter the second dyed young and three Daughters Mary Blaâ—ch and Joâ—â—n◠〈◊〉 liv'd 〈…〉 Years the other two were Match'd to great Princes Before he was Marry'd King Charlâ—s had a bastard-Bastard-Son called Leo of whom are descended the Marqueses of Cortes in Navarre The Marqueses of Falces in that Kingdom say they are descended from Peter the Kings lawful Son Scarce was King Peter married when he began to slight the Bride being wholly devoted to Da. Maria de Padilla Two Days after he prepar'd to go to the Castle of Montalvan on the Banks of Tagus where he had left his Minion The Queen his Mother and his Aunt Queen Ellenor conjur'd him not to forsake his Queen and give himself up to his Lust but he nothing mov'd said He did not design any such thing yet immediately took Horse and rode away without speaking to any body Count Henry D. Tello and the Princes of Aragon went with him for now the Nobility study'd to please and flatter him Only D. Giles de Albornos the Cardinal who had been Arch-Bishop of Toledo ceas'd not to reprove him till he became hateful to him Then with leave he retir'd to Cuença and thence went into France to Pope Innocent who had succeeded Pope Clement the last Year The King and Lady Mary Padilla from Montalvan went to Toledo At Valladolid it was consulted how to bring him back by force which he understanding was so offended at D. Alonso de Albuquerque the first mover of that Design that he was forc'd to appease him to deliver up his Son Giles as an Hostage At length through much intreaty of the Nobility he was perswaded to return to Valladolid to see the Queen but stay'd with her only two Days It was given out he was bewithc'd by a Jew with a Ribben so charm'd that it appear'd to the King like a Snake Some believ'd the King did not so suddenly quit his â—â—een without cause but because he discover'd Treachery in his Brother Frederick which I suppose is ment in regard to her Honour But all these are Surmises for there needs no stronger Witchcraft nor other Offence to draw a Man away than Love From Valladolid the King went away to Olmedo a Town in that Neighbourhood Thither by his Order came the Lady Mary de Padilla from Toledo and he never more had Compassion or so much as thought of the Queen his unfortunate Wife CHAP. IX King Peter of Castile removes his Officers punishes some Rebels and reduces several Towns The War of Sardinia where Diseases raging in the Aragonian Army that King clapâ— up a dishonourable Peace and returns to Aragon D. Alonso de Albuquerque being in disgrace spent some time upon his own Estate and then fearing the King would pursue him fled to Portugal D. Frederick Master of Santiâ—go had been discontented ever since the King caus'd his Mother to be put to death but being now reconcil'd came to Cuellar where the Court resided D. Tello his Brother at Segovia Marry'd Joanna Daughter to D. John de Lara and had with her the Lordship of Biscay The Kindred of Da. Maria de Padilla promoted this Match to oblige the King's Brothers who were Enemies to D. Alonso de Albuquerque Queen Blanch resided at Medina del Campo with the Queen her Mother-in-Law living like a Widow and spending her time in modest Recreations Thence she was by the King's Order remov'd to Arevalo and forbid conversing with her Mother-in-Law or any of the Nobility Peter Gudiel Bishop of Segovia and Tello Palomeque a Gentleman of Toledo were appointed to guard her The King chang'd the Officers of his Houshold and made James Garâ—â—a â—â— Padilla Brother to his Mistress Lord Chamberlain Alvaro â—â— Albornâ—z Cup-bearer and Peter Gonzalez Mendoça Taster These changes were made in hatred to D. Alonso de Albuquerque who had before many of his Creatures at Court. In Autumn the King went to Andaluzia and displac'd many great Men preferr'd by Alonso de Albuquerque The King was wholly govern'd by Dâ— Maria de Padilla and her Kindred and 〈…〉 Nobility even his Brothers made their Court to her This Winter the great Rains caus'd mighty Floods especially at Sevil where they made up all the Gates of the City lest it should break in At the beginning of the year 1354. D. John NunÌ„ez de Prado Master of Calâ—â—râ—â—a who had fled to Aragon came to Almagro the chief Town of that Order being invited by the King 's kind Letters There D. John de la Cerda who was in Favour made him Prisoâ—â— His greatest Crime was being a Friend to D. Alonso de Albuquerque and having perswaded the King to return to the Queen D. James de Padilla was immediately chosen Master and John Nunez put to Death at Maqueda The King seem'd sorâ—y for hiâ—â—â—ath but no body being question'd it was concluded to be done by his Comâ—â—â—d Nâ—â—â—â—he King invaded the Inheritance of D. Alonso de Albuquerque in which were manâ—â—â—rong â—â—aces Medeâ—â—â—n was besieg'd and the Governour not able to defend it surrender'd having first obtain'd his Master's Consent The Town of Albuquerque tho' besieg'd held out and D. Frederick and Count Henry were left at Badajoz to Blockade it The King went to Câ—cerâ—s and thence sent Embassadors to Alonso King of
call'd the Simple who two Years before succeeded his Brother Luis was Young and Weak as well in Judgment as Forces and preserv'd the Title of King in the City Catanea The Power of the French daily increasing he was so dismay'd that he freely made over all his Dominions of Sicily Athens and Neopatria to his Sister Ellenor Wife to the King of Aragon to whom he sent a publick Instrument of this donation to oblige him to send Forces to his Aid but the Aragonian had his Hands so full at Home that he could not relieve his Brother-in-Law The Affairs of Sicily reduc'd to this miserable Condition were up-held by the Valour of D. 〈◊〉 de Aragon Earl of Mistreta and Lord Justice of Sicily who overthrew the Enemy in Battel punish'd some Rebels and redu'd others CHAP. II. The Kings of Castile and Aragon both call the Moors to their assistance The War is carry'd on vigorously on both sides The Castilians treacherous to their King He punishes many of them The computation of time in Aragon alter'd REvenge carry'd the King 's of Castile and Aragon headlong to their Ruin and so blinded them that they call'd the Moors to their assistance The King of Granada sent a Body of Horse to the Service of Castile as was agreed betwixt them The King of Aragon call'd over the King of Morocco Pope Innocent by Letter grievously complain'd of this Action but in vain The Nobles of Castile were wrought upon by the Aragonians and forsook their Prince The first was Prince Ferdinand of Aragon as was said above Yet Jumilla by him betray'd was retaken at the beginning of the Year 1358 by D. Frederick Master of Santiago This done he went away to the King then at Sevil who caus'd him to be put to death in his presence by his Guards understanding he dealt underhand with the Aragonians From Sevil the King went with great speed to Biscay designing the same Fate for the other Brother D. Tello who suspecting it fled by Sea into France and thence into Aragon D. Tello being gone Prince John of Aragon begg'd of the King he would put him into Possession of the Lordship of Biscay to which he had right by his Wife the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to D. John Nun̄ez de Lara The King knowing he was associated with the rebellious Peers caus'd him to be slain by his Guards in his presence and his Body to be thrown out at a Window and say'd to some Biscayners that look'd on Behold him that would have been your Lord. His Body was carry'd to Burgos there cast into the River and never after seen Queen Ellenor that Prince's Mother and the Lady Elizabeth his Wife were sent Prisoners from Roa to the Castle of Castroxeriz Six Heads of Men of Note were brought to him to Burgos from several Places He had resolv'd to execute others at Valladolid but was prevented by the Incursions Count Henry and Prince Ferdinand made into his Territories the former wasted all the Country of Campos Soria and Almaçan the other the Kingdom of Murcia From Osma the King went to Burgos to provide against these Irruptions Thence he sent to complain to the King of Aragon that he had broke the Truce That King answer'd the Truce had been broken in retaking Jumilla and calleng'd him to decide the Quarrel with 20 50 or 100 Men of a side King Peter made small account of his Challenge but sent D. Gutierre Gomez de Toledo lately made great Prior of St. John to secure the Kingdom of Murcia others had other Commands given them He himself went away to Sevil where he had fitted 12 Galleys which were joyn'd by 6 from Genoa with which he design'd to scour the Coast of Valencia and attempt the Maritime Towns These Galleys took the Town of Guardamar belonging to Prince Ferdinand but were prevented from taking the Castle by a suddain Storm in which they all perish'd except two that were out at Sea This loss no way discourag'd the King who burnt the Town and march'd away to Murcia Thence he sent his Favourite Martin Yanez to Sevil to equip another Fleet and he having gather'd an Army from all parts march'd away to Almaçan and thence into the Enemies Country where he took several Towns Winter drawing on he return'd to Sevil resolving to fit out a great Fleet to which purpose the King of Portugal his Uncle sent him Ten Galleys and he of Granada Three This Year was remarkable for the Birth of the Lady Ellenor Daughter to Peter King of Aragon and of D. John Son to Count Henry whom Heaven had decreed should be marry'd together and inherit the Crown of Castile This Year also it was ordain'd in the Cortes of Valencia that the computation of Years should no longer be taken from the Era of Cesar but from the Birth of Christ At the beginning of the Year 1359 the King of Aragon laid Siege to the strong Town of Medina Celi but it being well defended return'd to Zaragoça without any Success The King of Castile being on the way to relieve Medina Celi understood the Cardinal of Bolonia the Pope's Legate was arriv'd at Almaçan In that place the Legate had Audience and earnestly exhorted the King in the Pope's Name to incline to Peace with the Christians and employ his Arms against the Infidels The King answer'd he had been already impos'd upon by the King of Aragon under pretence of Peace and therefore was resolv'd to give no more Ear to it unless the Aragoman would banish the out-Laws of Castile restore the Towns wrongfully taken during his Grand-fathers Minority and pay 500000 Florins for the Charge of War With this Answer the Legate went to the King of Aragon who excus'd himself and laid the blame upon his Enemy as is usual The time was spent in Messages to and fro and yet not so much as a truce could be concluded All hopes of Peace being laid aside the King of Castile at Almaçan declar'd Prince Ferdinand and the two Brothers Count Henry and D. Tello Traytors Queen Ellenor was put to death in Prison and soon after the Lady Joanna de Lara Her Sister the Lady Elizabeth was sent with Qu. Blanch from the Castle of Siguença to Xerez de la Frontera This done the King imbarqu'd aboard a Fleet of 41 Galleys and 80 Ships so well stord and carrying so powerful an Army that they were provided for any great Enterprize By the way he took a mighty Venetian Garack only because it resisted it was carry'd to Cathagena and all its rich Lading secur'd The Fleet sail'd to Guardumar and took both the Town and Castle by Storm Alicant was abandoned by the Aragonians D. Gutierre de Toledo was left with a good Force to secure the Towns taken The King with the rest of the Fleet sail'd to Tortosa at the Mouth of the River Ebro There the Legate came aboard his Galley and again made some Overtures of Peace but in
equipp'd to the Assistance of the King of Tremecen his Ally They met 5 Galleys of Castile which took and carry'd them to Sevil there many of them with their Commander Mathew Merzero were put to Death by the King's Order Samuel Levi a Jew was the King's Treasurer and had the diposal of all the Revenue whereby he gather'd great Riches which now prov'd his Ruin He was accus'd of many Frauds and being put to the Wrack dy'd upon it The King seiz'd upon his Estate valu'd at 400000 Ducats others say more besides Moveables and Jewels At the end of this Year Mahomet Lagus was expell'd his Kingdom by his own Subjects Mahomet Aben Alhamar was set up in his Place and from the Colour of his Hair and Beard call'd the Red. They said the Crowa appertain'd to him as being descended of the Antient Kings of Granada Hence ensu'd new Wars for the King of Castile was a Friend to him that was depos'd who fled to Ronda a Town belonging to the King of Morocco The King of Castile resolv'd to stand by his old Friend On the other side the new King to strengthen himself sought the Friendship of the Aragonian which and calling King Abohanen out of Africk cost him his Life At the end of this Year the Lady Constance Daughter to the King of Aragon was sent into Sicily to be marry'd to King Frederick Olfo Prochita Governour of the Island Sardinia commanded the Fleet that carry'd her The Marriage was celebrated on the 11th of April 1361 at Catanea From that time the Affairs of the Island began to be more Successful the Neopolitans being vanquish'd and expell'd the Kingdom Of this Queen was born the Lady Mary who was afterwards Queen of Aragon and had in Dower the Kingdom of Sicily At length by the Industry of the Cardinal Legate Peace was concluded in Castile yet so that none thought it would be lasting The Articles were That all Places taken on both Sides should be restor'd and that the Out-laws of Castile should be expell'd Aragon provided the King pardon'd them On the 18th of May the Peace was Proclaim'd at Deza where the King of Castile was then encamp'd This Peace was forwarded by the fear of the War the King of Granada then made upon Castile For the greater security it was agreed that cautionary Towns on both sides should be put into the Hands of King Charles of Navarre who was then coming out of France into Spain very Joyful for that his Queen had brought him a Son call'd Charles Mean while his Brother Prince Luis Govern'd the Kingdom Peace concluded the King of Aragon went away to Zaragoça and he of Castile to Sevil Count Henry and his Brothers into France hoping to renew the War Many Nobles of Castile were ready to take up Arms upon pretence of protecting Queen Blanch which heightned the King's hatred towards her It was said he caus'd her to be Poison'd in the Prison where he kept her She was doubtless the most unfortunate Queen of Spain There is a report that the King being a Hunting near Medina Sidonia there met him a Shepherd of a terrible Aspect threatning him if he had not Compassion of Queen Blanch and that the King sending presently to see whether it was not some body employ'd by her she was found at Prayers and closely Guarded The Shepherd being releas'd out of Prison was never after seen Doubtless were this a Vision he had never been put into Prison The Lady Elizabeth de Lara Daughter to D. John de Lara was also Poison'd in Prison at Xerez An Historian who stiles himself head Caterer to Queen Ellenor of Castile in certain Commentaries he writ upon what happen'd in his Time says Queen Blanch dy'd at Vren̄a near the City Toro in old Castile This uncertainty as to the Place of her Death makes it appear the manner of it is not so certain tho the Malice of Authors who all humour'd the Success of Henry the Bastard caus'd all Crimes to be laid to his Predecessor Peter because he was Unfortunate The publick Grief for so many Calamities was somewhat asswag'd by the Death of Da. Maria de Padilla who ended her Days at Sevil in July A Woman laying aside her Incontinency in all other Respects worthy to be a Queen Her Funeral-Rites were perform'd throughout the Kingdom with the same Magnificence as if she had been Queen She was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Mary de Estudilla which she built in old Castile The Body of Queen Blanch was deposited in the Cathedral of Tudela by some French Gentlemen who came to the Assistance of Count Henry in order to carry it into France In the Monastery of Dominican Nuns at Toledo there are 3 Tombs one of the Lady Teresa by whom King Peter had a Daughter called Mary who was many Years Prioress in that Monastery and lies in the 2d Tomb. In the 3d are D. Sancho and D. James Sons of King Peter by the Lady Elizabeth At this time the King of Portugal solemnly declar'd in Lisbon that the Children he had by the Lady Agnez de Castro were born in lawful Wedlock and as such capable of inheriting the Crown and as Witnesses of his Marriage he produc'd Giles Bishop of Guardia and Stephen Lovata his Master of the Robes The King and Witnesses made Oath of the Truth of their Assertion in the Presence of all the Nobility and of John Alonso Tello the year before created Earl of Barcelos and was the first that obtain'd that Honour in Portugal Mean while the War of Granada was carry'd on with great Heat The Forces of Castile ravag'd the Territories of the Moors and laid Siege to Antequera formerly call'd Syngilia a strong and well Garrison'd Town whence they were Repuls'd Having wasted the Plain of Granada they return'd Home without performing any memorable Action Soon after 600 Moorish Horse and 2000 Foot broke into the Lieutenancy of Caçorla and took a great Booty of Cattle The Gentry of Jaen and the Neighbouring Places assembling recovered the Prey killing many of the Enemy and putting the rest to Flight A more dangerous War was expected from France which the Cardinal Legate endeavour'd to prevent and to that effect spent the Summer at Pamplona He labour'd to perswade King Peter to pardon the Out-laws of Castile and reverse their Attainder of Treason The King would not hear of it therefore the Cardinal at the Solicitation of the King of Aragon took upon him to declare their Attainder Void This provok'd the King of Castile who resolv'd to take Revenge as soon as he had put an end to the War with the Moors On the 18th of February 1362 the Moors obtain'd a notable Victory over the Christians near Guadix D. James Garcia de Padillu Master of Calatrava and Henry Enriquez Lieutenant of the Frontiers of Jaen with other Gentlemen entred the Moorish Territories with 1000 Horse and 2000 Foot designing to
Attack Guadix A great Number of Men was put into that Place unknown to the Christians who sent some Troops to Plunder the Fields call'd Val de Alhama The Moors perceiving they were divided fell upon those with great Fury that remain'd behind The Fight lasted all Day but the Number of Moors prevailing many of our Men were kill'd many taken and among them the Master of Calatrava who was carry'd to Granada and that King being desirous to appease King Peter sent him away without any Ransom King Peter believing this Courtesy proceeded from fear assembling his Forces enter'd the Kingdom of Granada took several Towns and return'd to Sevil with a rich Booty To this Misfortune of the Moorish Kings another was added which was that many Men of Note forsook him and favour'd his Adversary Mahomet Lagus who was in Banishment The King fearing he should be expelled the Kingdom consulted with his Friends what was best to be done and by the advice of one Edriz a constant follower of his Fortunes having obtain'd a Pass came away to Sevil with 400 Horse and 200 Foot to put himself under the Protection of the King of Castile The King receiv'd him Honourably in the Palace of Sevil and having heard him promis'd all should be well Then he was sent to Sup with D. Garcia de Toledo the Master of Santiago whilst they were at Supper the Moorish King was apprehended and a few Days after being Cloath'd in his Royal Robes which were Scarlet was carry'd out upon an Ass with 37 of his Gentlemen to the publick Place of Execution which is near the City and is call'd Tablada There they were all put to Death It was given out their Riches were the Cause of their Death and some Authors say King Peter himself slew the Moorish King with a Spear His Body was sent to his Competitor Mahomet Lagus who immediately recover'd his Kingdom and sent away all the Christians taken at the Fight of Guadix without Ransom CHAP. IV. Castile and Navarre joyn in League The War is carry'd on Successfully against Aragon by King Peter of Castile who declares the Lady Mary de Padilla to have been his lawful Wife The Death of John King of France and Constance Queen of Aragon THE War with the Moors being ended the King of Castile bent his Thoughts against Aragon but gave out that the Preparations he made were to defend himself against France He resolv'd to make a League with England fearing the King of France would take Revenge for the Wrongs done his Neece Queen Blanch. At Soria he had a Meeting with the King of Navarre and they made a League against Aragon the Navarrois pretending to take Revenge for that the Aragonian being his Brother in Law and Ally had not assisted him when he was Prisoner in France Having therefore assembl'd all the Force of his Kingdom he lay'd Siege to the Town of Sos in Aragon and took it after a vigorous Resistance made At the same time the King of Castile with an Army of 10000 Horse and 30000 Foot entred Aragon resolving to besiege Calatayud By the way he took Hariza Ateca Cetina and Alhama and in June sat down before the strong City of Calatayud within it was a numerous and resolute Garrison The King of Aragon considering the Danger the Besieg'd were in sent the Count de Osona Son to Bernard Cabrera D. Peter de Luna his Brother D. Artal and other Gentlemen to attempt getting into the Town that they might encourage the Besieg'd till he could send them Relief They being come to Miedes a Town near Calatayud King Peter who had notice of it surpriz'd the Place and carry'd them away Prisoners to the Camp The King of Aragon being unprovided sent to desire Aid in France and to call Count Henry and his Brother D. Tello to his Assistance Relief was long a coming and the City no longer able to hold out was surrendred upon the 29th of August upon Condition the Inhabitants should remain free in their Persons and Estates as they had been under the Crown of Aragon This City being taken and a good Garrison put into it under the command of the Master of Santiago the King return'd to Sevil. Here before he went to Calatayud he had held the Cortes or Parliament in which he publickly declar'd and vouched that Da. Maria de Padilla had been his lawful Wife he being privately Marry'd to her long before Queen Blanch came into Spain which made his Marriage with that Lady void That he had not discover'd it before fearing the Malice of the Nobility but thought himself now oblig'd in Conscience to do it as also for the sake of the Children he had by her He order'd she should for the future be call'd Queen and bury'd among the Kings On the 17th of October following dy'd his Son Alonso whom he design'd his Heir On the 18th of November the King made his Will in which he orders himself to be bury'd with the Habit of S. Francis betwixt Da. Maria de Padilla and his Son Alonso It appears he was not so remote from godly Thoughts as his Enemies represent him tho his violent Nature often transported him By this Will he appoints his Daughters by Da. Maria de Padilla successively his Heiresses and after them his Son John by the Lady Joanna de Castro The Witnesses of the Marriage produc'd were of undoubted Reputation such as D. Garcia de Padilla Master of Calatrava John Fernandez de Hinestrosa one John Alsonso de Mayorga and John Perez a Priest who all made Oath upon that Matter In one Article of his Will he forbid his Daughters on pain of incurring his Curse and forfeiting the Crown marrying of Prince Ferdinand of Aragon or Count Henry or D. Tello his Bastard Brothers but order'd Beatrix the Elder to marry Ferdinand Prince of Portugal and that the Crown of Castile should be her Dower D. Garci Alvarez de Toledo Master of Santiago was appointed her Tutor He also ordain'd that D. James de Padilla Master of Calatrava and D. Suero Martinez Master of Alcantara should be supported in their Estates Honours and Dignities Having setl'd all things in the dead of Winter being the beginning of the Year 1363 the War was carry'd on with great Vigour Levies were made throughout the Kingdom and a League with the King of England Malvenda Aranda and Borgia with other Towns of less Note were taken and Taraçona besieg'd On the other side the King of Navarre made an Incursion into Aragon and destroy'd all the Country wherever he came Luis Brother to the King of Navarre Giles Fernandez Carvallo Master of Santiago in Portugal with 300 Horse and some French Gentlemen came to serve the King of Castile The King of Aragon courted him of Granada to make War in Andaluzia but he refus'd acknowledging the Favour lately receiv'd He also solicited the African Moors and excus'd himself for so doing by the Example of the King
of Castile whom Farax Reduan serv'd with 600 Moorish Horse sent by the King of Granada Count Henry was daily expected out of France with 3000 Lances yet all the Power of Aragon was Inferior to that of Castile wherefore Taraçona Tervel Segorbe Exerica and many other Places surrender'd The Castilians without Opposition peirc'd into the Heart of the Kingdom and took Monviedro On the 20th of July they besieg'd Valencia In Aragon they gave themselves for lost when Count Henry arriving reinforc'd their Army so that they durst advance towards the Enemy But the Army of Castile being much weaken'd with Garrisoning the Towns taken the King would not hazzard a Battel and therefore retir'd to Monviedro The Aragonian perceiving he could not draw the Enemy to a Battel retir'd to Burrlanna a strong Town 2000 Horse were sent by the King of Castile to disturb their March but they did nothing worth taking notice of Whilst these Things were in Agitation in Spain King John of France dy'd at London whether he went to ransom the Hostages left there when he was releas'd His Son Charles the Vth. succeeded him Charles the new King was an utter Enemy to him of Navarre therefore as soon as he was possess'd of the Kingdom he sent Bertran Claquin a famous General with an Army to invade his Territories in France This General took several Towns and overthrew in Battle Philip the King's Brother who soon after dy'd His death mov'd the King of Navarre to propose a Peace betwixt the Kings of Spain Besides he began to pity his Kinsman the King of Aragon and was envious of the Success of the Castilian Hereupon Luis the King of Navarre's Brother and the Abbot of Fuscan the Popes Nuncio went to treat with the King of Castile and found with him the Count de Denia and Bernard de Cabrera Embassadors from the King of Aragon These Gentlemen mollify'd the King of Castile's Heart especially by proposing two Matches one for him with Joanna Daughter to the King of Aragon the other for his Daughter Beatrix with John Duke of Girona Heir of that Crown This is what was propos'd publickly Underhand the death of Henry Earle of Trastamana and Prince Ferdinand of Aragon were contriv'd but the King of Aragon was unwilling to condescend Nevertheless whether it was to please the King of Castile or for any other Reason Prince Ferdinand was put to death at Castellon a Town near Burriana The old Animosities were reviv'd and he was about making his escape into France with some Castilians that follow'd him His Wife flying towards Portugal was taken by the way and afterwards sent to her Father Count Henry was not a little pleas'd at the death of Prince Ferdinand as being thereby deliver'd of a powerful Competitor in his pretensions to the Crown of Castile But his Joy had like to be but short for the next day he was in evident Danger of his Life without knowing any thing of it The Kings of Aragon and Navarre had agreed to meet together with Count Henry in the Castle of Vncastel belonging to the Aragonian on the Borders of Navarre and there to kill him The Count tho ignorant of the Design was jealous and would not go into the Castle To satisfy him John Ramirez de Arellano was made Governour of the Place in whom doubtless the Count had some Confidence and went thither upon his patole Some say this Meeting was at Sos on the Frontiers of Navarre This Caution sav'd Count Henry's Life for the Kings could not prevail with the Governour to suffer him to come to any harm He said the Count was his Friend and besides he had ingag'd his Honour to him and therefore on no account would blast his Reputation with the Name of Treachery About this time Constance Queen of Sicily ended her days at Catanea She left one Daughter called Mary who afterwards inherited her Father's Kingdom which in her right came to Martin Her Husband the Son of another Martin Duke of Monblanc and lastly King of Aragon The Treaty of Peace being broke up the King of Aragon went to Catalonia to provide for his defence He of Castile return'd to Sevil with such eager Desire of renewing the War that about the end of the Year he enter'd the Kingdom of Valencia took the Towns of Alicant Muela Gallosa Denia Gandia and Oliva and in the Month of December laid Siege to Valencia the Metropolis of that Kingdom CHAP. V. Count Henry proclaimed King of Castile King Peter expelled the Kingdom Refus'd entertainment in Portugal gathers a Fleet in Galicia and flies into France to the protection of the English THE King of Aragon who kept his Christmas at Lerida was much surpris'd at this Advance of the Castilians On the 23d of February 1364 he had a Conference with the King of Navarre at Sos. Count Henry was there being reconcil'd to the Two Kings or what is likelyest not knowing what had been design'd against him They make a Confederacy which was not lasting Castile they divided among themselves The King of Navarre was to have Biscay and old Castile he of Aragon the Kingdoms of Murcia and Toledo Count Henry all the other parts Only Bernard de Cabrera lik'd not these Proceedings therefore they resolv'd to kill him which was not so private but he had some notice of it and fled to Navarre Count Henry sent some Officers after him by whom he was apprehended at Carcastillo and deliver'd to the King of Aragon That King having gather'd his Forces march'd to raise the Siege of Valencia The Castilians would not come to a Battel but kept within their Intrenchments and so the Aragonians got into Valencia The Fleet of Castile consisting of 24 Galleys and 46 Ships sail'd to Monviedro there they understood that the Viscount Cardona was with 17 Galleys of Aragon in the River of Cullera The King of Castile made thither resolving to take them but at the Mouth of the River a sudden Tempest forc'd him back to the Port from whence he set out The King himself was in great Danger and therefore as soon as he Landed went in Pilgrimage to the Church of our Lady del Puch to give Thanks He is said to have done this Barefoot and in his Shirt which shews he was not so ungodly as he is represented After this the King of Aragon return'd to Barcelona he of Castile to Murcia and thence to Sevil in the Heat of Summer On the 26th of July Bernard de Cabrera was publickly put to death at Zaragoça the King himself giving Sentence against him and consiscating all his Lands This was doubtless a cruel Act for he had serv'd well was Innocent and had been the King's Tutor all his Crime was speaking the Truth to the King's Advantage but Kings love Flatterers The Queen the King of Navarre Count Henry and Count de Ribagorça contriv'd his death The War continu'd hot Ayora in the Kingdom of Valencia was taken by
the King of Castile D. Gutierre de Toledo Master of Calatrava leading a Convoy to Monviedro was defeated and kill'd by the Aragonians Martin Lopez de Cordova succeeded him The King of Castile thought to make himself Master of Orihuela but the Aragonian offering him Battel and he refusing the place was relieved and the Aragonian return'd home At the beginning of the Year 1365 the King of Aragon besieg'd Monviedro and had it surrender'd to him On the other side the Castilians after a long Siege took Orihuela D. Gomez de Porras Prior of St. John either because he fear'd King Peter for loosing Monviedro or to curry favour with Count Henry deserted to the Aragonians with 600 Horse that were in that Town From this time the Forces of Castile began to decrease and there being Peace betwixt France and England many French came to serve the King of Aragon These were no better than common Robbers to whom the Pope and King of France gave great Summs of Mony to purchase their absence They were invited into Spain by Count Henry This Body was made up of English and Germans as well as French to the Number of 12000 Frossarte a French Historion says 30000. Bertran Claquin and Hugo Carbolaye were their chief Commanders On the First of January 1366 their advanc'd Parties came to Barcelona the rest of them soon after The King of Aragon receiv'd them joyfully distributed a Summ of Mony among them and promised much more Bertran Claquin he made Earl of Borgia The King of Castile held his Cortes or Parliament at Burgos and demanded supplies of Mony Monsieur de la Brie who came out of France to serve him advis'd to buy off the Strangers that follow'd Count Henry and undertook to manage that affair but King Peter being a Man without fear gave no attention to his Counsel Count Henry and the King of Aragon met at Zaragoça where the foreign Forces were There the League betwixt them was renew'd the limits of their Dominions in case they succeeded determin'd and it was agreed that D. John the Count's Son should marry Ellenor the King's Daughter This done the King stay'd at Zaragoça and Count Henry having assembled all his Army enter'd Castile by the way of Alfaro Ynigo Lopez de Horosco was Governour of that Town which was very strong therefore the Army stay'd not to besiege it but march'd towards Calahorra the chief City in those parts seated on the River Ebro Ferdinand Bishop of that place and Fernan Sanches de Tovar the Governour open'd the Gates to the Count on the 16th of March. Here a Councel was held to consider how to proceed Some were for marching directly to Burgos the chief City of Castile Others advis'd Count Henry to take the title of King that so there might remain no hope of reconciliation with King Peter of Castile Bertran Claquin spoke much to this purpose and all the chief Officers of the Army siding with him they easily perswaded him to accept of the Title and immediately proclaim'd him about the Streets The new-made King was bountiful of what was not his own giving Towns and Cities to all present To Bertran Claquin he gave Trastamara and to Hugo Carbolaye Carrion with the Title of Earls To his Brother D. Tello he restor'd Biscay to D. Sancho he gave Albuquerque the Master-Ship of Santiago to Gonçalo Mexia that of Calatrava to Peter Muniz to D. Alonso de Aragon that King's Uncle the Marquisate of Villena and all that belonged to D. John Manuel and as much more to many others Thus Castile was divided betwixt two Kings striving for the Crown Nothing kept the people in their Obedience to King Peter but fear tho his was the undoubted Right the other being a Bastard Henry advanc'd towards Burgos leaving LogronÌ„o as believing it in vain to attempt it Navarrete and Bribiesca surrendred King Peter was at Burgos doubtful that course to take as confiding but little in his People At length he resolv'd to go to Sevil for there were his Children and Treasure The People of Burgos offer'd to stand by him he thank'd them but would not then make use of their Zeal and absolv'd them from their Oath of Fidelity that if they were put to Streights they might receive Count Henry without being look'd upon as Rebels Before his departure he put to death John Fernandez de Tovar Brother to him that deliver'd up Calahorra On the 28th of March he set out from Burgos sending Orders by the way to the Commanders of the conquer'd places in Aragon to burn them and with all Speed march to meet him at Toledo Thus all he gain'd in some Years was lost in one Day He stay'd some time at Toledo to secure that City and left D. Garci Alvarez de Toledo Master of Santiago to command there No sooner was King Peter gone from Burgos but the Citizens sent to invite Count Henry thither They stil'd him Count but offer'd him the Crown if he would take it in that City according to ancient Custom He accepted their Offer march'd thither and was Crown'd in the Monastery of Huelgas After the Example of Burgos most Cities in that Kingdom within 25 Days submitted to him Thus his Power became equal to his Adversary the Nobility and Commonalty striving to gain the Favour of the new King The Affairs of Castile and Leon being setled he remov'd to Toledo where he was receiv'd with joy Garci Alvarez de Toledo resign'd the Mastership of Santiago in lieu thereof and for deserting his Master had Oropisa and Valdecorneja given him Count Henry being posses'd of Toledo all the rest was easy so that King Peter durst not stay longer in the Kingdom but imbarqâ—ing his Children and Treasure aboard a Galley fled to Portugal The King of Portugal would not receive him Ferdinand his Son favour'd Count Henry and kept correspondence with him Yet King Peter had no Wrong offer'd him but was suffer'd to pass quietly through that Kingdom into Galicia where he design'd to gather a Fleet in order to sail to Bayonne At Compostella he caus'd D. Suero Arch-Bishop of that See and the Dean to be put to death Having got together Twenty two Ships and some smaller Vessels he set Sail for France carrying with him his Son D. John and two Daughters for Beatrix the eldest was dead tho Polydore writes she dy'd at Bayonne There he arriv'd safe that place being then in the Hands of the English with a considerable part of his Treasure for the rest which his Treasurer Martin Yanez had in a Galley was taken by the People of Sevil to please Count Henry who after the surrender of Cordova was expected at Sevil. The new made King Henry being come to Sevil concluded Peace with the Kings of Portugal and Granada That done as if nothing more remain'd to do he disbanded his Army retaining only 15000 Lances of the Foreignes under the command of Bertran Claquin and Bernal
She now dy'd of Grief because he refus'd her Her Body was bury'd among the Kings at S. Denis The King her Husband made himself odious by persecuting the Kindred of those who had been against him Aragon besides the Wars this Year suffer'd by Famine which was somewhat abated by bringing Corn from Africk and did some good by forcing the Enemy to depart the Kingdom Jayme King of Naples who marched into Castile with his Army to look for Provisions dy'd there at the beginning of the Year 1375. His Sister Elizabeth who was with him led the Army back into France there she resign'd all her Claims against the House of Aragon to Luis the King of France his Brother which caus'd new Troubles Now the Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon was concluded on the 12th of April the Conditions were That the Lady Ellenor before promis'd to Prince John should be marry'd to him her Dower 200000 Florins lent by the Araganian to King Henry at the beginning of the Civil Wars That Molina should be restored to Castile and That the Aragonian should pay 12000 Florins towards the Charge of the War This Agreement was celebrated with great Joy in both Kingdoms This Year was Fortunate to all Christendom as well as Spain because Pope Gregory the XIth return'd to Rome after the Popes his Predecessors had resided 70 Years at Avignon Bertran Claquin having for his good Service got the Earldom of Longueville in France ◠sold his Lands in Spain to King Henry for 260000 Doubles At Soria on the 27th of May Prince Charles of Navarre marry'd Ellenor King Henry's Daughter and on the 19th of June Prince John his Son took to Wife Ellenor Daughter to the King of Aragon News was now brought that D. Ferdinand de Castro who the last Year fled to Portugal was dead in England Also that Ferdinand de Tovar Admiral of Castile had done much harm along the Coasts of that Island From Soria King Henry went to Burgos He design'd to assist the French with all his Power against the English His Son Alonso Earl of Gijon to avoid marrying Elizabeth Daughter to the King of Portugal fled into France but was soon brought back by his Father At the end of this Year dy'd D. Gomez Manrique Arch-bishop of Toledo The Chapter having chosen two to succeed him the Decision of the Controversy was left to the Pope who allow'd of neither of them but gave that Dignity to Peter Tenorio then Bishop of Coimbra About this time dy'd some Men of Note of Navarre Particularly D. Roderick Vrriz a Man of a great Estate and Interest was by the King's Command apprehended and Beheaded in Pamplona at the latter end of March 1376. Some private Correspondence he held with the King of Castile was the cause of his Death It was Reported he intended to betray the Castles of Tudela and Caparroso but it is not likely they should so soon design to disturb the Peace D. Bernard Folcaut Bishop of Pamplona dy'd on the 7th of July in Banishment at Agnani in Italy D. Martin Calva a most learned Man was chosen to succeed him Frederick King of Sicily departed this Life at Messina on the 26th of July His Daughter the Lady Mary was left sole Heiress of that Kingdom and the Dutchies of Athens and Neopatria which produc'd Differences betwixt several Princes aspiring to marry her This also administred to the Aragonians a fair Opportunity of enlarging their Dominions The End of the Seventeenth Book THE History of SPAIN The Eighteenth BOOK CHAP. I. The Wars of Navarre Matches of some of King Henry's Children The Schism in the Church caus'd by the Election of the Two Popes Urban and Clement The death of King Henry of Castile and of Mahomet the Moorish King of Granada SPAIN now enjoy'd a perfect Peace all its Kings being Ally'd by Marriages and grown weary of the long Wars With the Moors there was a Truce The Duke of Lancaster ingag'd in the Wars of France could not apply himself to the Conquest of Castile King Henry having thus put an End to all the Wars apply'd himself to the Civil Government and reformation of many Abuses crept in by the liberty of the Times Only Aragon was under the Apprehensions of a War for Luis Duke of Anjou to whom Jayme Prince of Majorca had made over his Title to that Kingdom began now to set up his Pretensions The King of Aragon assembled the Cortes at Monçon where new Impositions were laid upon the Jews and Moors only for none would be allow'd upon the Christians yet they offer'd to defend the Country at their own Charge Great Preparations were made for that War It is reported that 40 Galleys were fitted out on the Coast of France and 4000 Men at Arms gather'd and it was fear'd in Aragon that peace being concluded with the English as was expected the Pope interposing all the Power of France would fall upon that Kingdom Besides a Matter of small Moment had like to have produc'd another War D. John Ramirez de Arellano returning from Rome through Aragon at Barcelona was challeng'd and call'd Traitor in the King's presence by the Viscount de Rota for that he had entic'd D. Jayme Prince of Majorca to invade Aragon The Challenge was accepted and the time fix'd for fighting 90 Days after King Henry labour'd to prevent the Combat but the King of Aragon favouring the Viscount they could not agree The King of Castile hereupon said They should Fight but he would send 3000 Horse to see Justice done which was as good as declaring War This mov'd the Aragonian to desist A Treaty of Peace was set afoot at Bruges in Flanders first and in the Year 1377 at Bologne in Picardy betwixt the English and French the Embassadors of Castile being present in Order to have their King Comprehended but nothing was concluded The Death of the Prince of Wales and his Father King Edward the IIId broke all their Measures Richard the King's Grandchild and Son to the Black Prince succeeded King Edward The Duke of Burgundy after the Treaty broke up came into Spain to pay a Vow he had made to visit the Body of the Apostle S. James in Galicia In his return Home he was nobly entertain'd by King Henry at Segovia The rest of the Summer the King spent at Leon and the Winter at Sevil. All the Warlike Preparations made in France fell upon the King of Navarre's Dominions Charles Peter and Mary Princes of Navarre were in France With Charles went Baldwin who was Governour of several strong holds in Normandy and Jaques de la Rue his Favourite who had Orders to propose to the English that the King would make War upon France if they would give him the Dutchy of Guienne to be held in Feof of them The French having intelligence of this Design secur'd Rue put him to the rack and he confessing was executed at Paris Baldwin was commanded to deliver up
of great Beauty which made him prefer her before Joanna Queen of Naples who was offer'd to him By this Lady he had two Sons who dy'd young and a Daughter call'd Elizabeth afterwards marry'd to the Earl of Vrgel CHAP. II. King John succeeds his Father in the Throne of Castile Charles King of France dies Charles the VIth succeeds him Pope Clement own'd in Spain through the French Interest KING John having bury'd his Father was Crown'd together with his Wife Queen Ellener in the Monastery of Huelgas at Burgos He Knighted 100 young Gentlemen according to the manner of those Times and gave the Town of Pancorvo to that City in Payment of the Expence it had been at and to reward its Loyalty The Cortes or Parliament was held in that City where several Laws were enacted One was that a Man who had receiv'd the lesser Orders if he marry'd should pay Taxes but if he liv'd Single was shorn and were the Habit of a Clergy Man he should be priviledg'd as a Church Man Great rejoycing was throughout the whole Kingdom for the King's Coronation The Joy was the greater for that it was hop'd he would prove an excellent Prince being Generous sharp Witted Mild Religious and not Conceited but always inclinable to be advis'd Of Stature he was low yet with Majesty The first thing he did after his Accession to the Crown was to express his Affection to the French and therefore immediately fitted out a Fleet and sent it against John de Montfort Duke of Britany whom because he sided with the English the King and Counsel of France had declar'd an Enemy to the Crown and confiscated his Estate The Fleet scower'd the Coast of Britany and took there the Fort they call'd Gaye The King spent the Summer at Burgos Two things concurred the one to increase the other to lessen the publick Joy The first was that one Joseph Pico a rich and famous Jew was kill'd by his own People He was Receiver General of the Revenue which rais'd him to a great height Some Jews of Note bore him ill will the reason of it is not known and they contriv'd to make him away To this purpose they deceitfully obtain'd an Order of the King for putting of him immediatly to Death and finding out the Executioner prevail'd with him to kill the Jew without delay The Fraud being discover'd the Contrivers of it were punish'd and that People were debarr'd the Power they had before of Judging their own Members a Liberty till then allow'd by the Kings forc'd by their wants because the Jews have extraordinary Methods of raising Mony The Subject of Joy was that on the 4th of October the Queen was deliver'd at Burgos of a Son call'd Henry in Honour of his Grandfather this Child came afterwards to inherit the Crown About the end of this Year and beginning of the next which was 1380 the Rains were so great and continu'd so long that all the Rivers overflow'd and all the low Lands were under Water Particularly the River Ebro near Zaragoća broke down it's Banks and ran a new way so that it cost much Mony and Labour to bring it back into it's own Channel From Burgos King John went to Toledo where he again repeated his Father's Exequies and plac'd his Body in the Tomb built for him Then he set out for Andaluzia resolving to aid the French against the English At Sevil he fitted out 20 Galleys with which Fernan Sanchez de Tovar having coasted along Spain and France came to the English Shore and ran up the River Thames destroying all the Country and burning the Villages The Difference about the two Popes was now hotter than ever and each of them had powerful Supporters Pope Vrban meditated Revenge against the Queen of Naples the chief causer of the Schism whom her wicked Life had rendred Infamous He invited Charles Duke of Durazzo descended of the Kings of Naples into Italy intimating he would conferr that Crown upon him On the other sid'e the Queen having no Children adopted Luys Duke of Anjou giving him the Title of Duke of Calabria appertaining to the Heirs of that Crown not doubting by that means to be supported by the Arms of France This is all the Title the Dukes of Anjou have to that Crown which was the occasion of tedious and bloody Wars betwixt them and Spain tho at this time the Design was only to support the Queen and Pope Clement On the 13th of July dy'd the Famous Bertran Claquin at the Siege of Chasteauneuf in Britany and on the 16th of September following Charles King of France departed this Life at Bois de Vincennes His Son Charles the VIth succeeded him The King of Portugal was concern'd about the Succession be being old and having never a Son Beatrix his Daughter by the Queen whose Birth was afterwards call'd in Question was contracted to Frederick Duke of Benavente and Bastard Son to King Henry After the Death of Henry the Portuguese would not stand to that Match but sent Embassadors to the new King to offer her to his Son Prince Henry then a Child but a few Months old King John hoping to joyn the Kingdom of Portugal to Castile admitted of the Proposal The Articles of Marriage were agreed upon at Soria where the Cortes met but at last they came to nothing Peter Manrique Leiutenant of Castile was apprehended being accus'd of holding a treasonable Correspondence with D. Alonso de Aragon Earl of Denia He dy'd in Prison without leaving any Children James Manrique his Brother inherited his Estate and Honours as he well deserv'd for his good Service in Navarre Luis Duke of Anjou govern'd France for King Charles who was under Age. The King of Aragon fear'd lest he should lay hold of that Opportunity to conquer the Kingdom of Majorca to which he pretended a right as has been said but he had bent his Thought upon securing the Crown of Naples to himself and his Heirs However King John of Castile sent Embassadors into France to accommodate that Affair and it was agree'd he should sell the Title he had bought King John advanc'd a good Summ out of kindness to his Father-in Law and to secure the Peace of Spain He also sent Embassadors to the Soldan of Egypt to sollicite for the Liberty of Leo King of Armenia whose Wife and Daughter had dy'd in Prison The barbarous King granted his Request and releas'd the Prisoner sending him into Spain with Letters full of Pride and Arogancy in relation to himself but honourably writ in regard to King John whose Power and Valour he extoll'd desiring his Friendship Three Years after that unfortunate King came into France and thence into Spain where the King entertain'd him honourably and gave him the Towns of Madrid and Andujan with a competent Revenue for his Maintenance He stay'd not long in Spain but return'd into France designing thence to go into England to perswade those Kings to
Relief and a solemn Embassy was sent thither The Embassadors having laid down the miserable Condition of their King made humble suit for assistance and all the Nobles of France unanimously agreed the King ought to be supported It was resolv'd 2000 Horse should be sent into Castile under Luis de Bourbon the King's Uncle by the Mothers side and 100000 Florines for their pay They promis'd if this relief prov'd too small that the King himself would March in Person with all the Power of France and esponse the Quarrel of Castile Pope Clement from Avignon wrote a letter to King John comforting him in his Adversity Peter Earl of Trastamara the King's Cousin who deserted from his Army to Coimbra and thence went over into France being pardon'd return'd now into Castile These Helps were small but the slowness of the English prov'd the safety of Castile The King of Portugal besieg'd Coria but could not take it because some fresh Forces got into it therefore he return'd Home with much Booty The Corses met again at Segovia in order to lay Taxes for raising of Mony Here the King Publish'd a Manifesto to prove his Title to the Crown against the Duke of Lancaster But what just Title could the Son of a Bastard have where there were so many of the True Line living The Duke of Lancaster accepted of the Offers made by the Portugues He endeavour'd to obtain passage through Aragon and the King of Castile to hinder it Both parties sent their Embassadors to that King upon this account Passage being refus'd the Duke came over from England into Spain by Sea and landed at Coruna on the 26th of July In that Port he took 6 Galleys of Castile Fernan Perez de Andrada Governour of the Town defended it with such bravery it was not taken The English were only 1500 Horse and the like number of expert Archers a small Body but might have done great Harm had they immediately joyn'd the Portugueses The time they lost before Corun̄a gave a great Advantage to their Enemies Nevertheless they took several Towns in Galicia and even the City of Santiago the Metropolis of that Kingdom Some Men of Note of that Country went over to the English The Duke of Laucaster at length sail'd for Portugal and Anchor'd at the Mouth of the River Duero The King and Duke met at Porto With the Duke came his Wife Constance his Daughter Catherine and Philippa and Elizabeth two Daughters by his first Wife It was resolv'd they should joyn their Forces That the Duke should have the Kingdom of Castile and the Portugues certain Cities and Towns They agree'd the new King should marry the Dukes Daughter Philippa in Case the Pope would dispense with his Vow of Chastity as Master of Avis The King of Castile was at Zamora making Preparations to defend himself and gathering the Forces that came from France and Castile He publish'd an Edict by which all were ennobl'd who should serve two Months with Horse and Arms at their own Cost and Charge D. John Garcia Manrique Arch-bishop of Sevil was sent with a good Body of Men to secure Leon. All things succeeded better than was expected The third part of the English not us'd to that Climate was consum'd by Sickness Besides many ranging the Country disorderly were cut off by the Boors Thus nothing remarkable was done that Summer only some Messages pass'd betwixt the Kings The Duke sent to challenge the King of Castile and require him to resign up that Crown to him The King also sent Persons of Note to justify his Title but underhand to propose a Match betwixt his Son and Heir Henry and the Dukes Daughter by the Lady Constance This Proposal was no way displeasing to the Duke yet in publick he answer'd He would hear of no Terms but delivering up the Kingdom Near about this time tho far remote as to Place dy'd three Kings On the 4th of June Charles King of Naples was kill'd in Hungary his Head being cloven with a Partesan On the first of January following which began the Year 1387. Charles the IId King of Navarre ended his Days at Pamplona Some say it was the Year before His Body was buried in the Cathedral of that City Four Days after Peter the IVth King of Aragon departed this Life at Barcelona He liv'd 75 Years and reign'd 51 wanting 19 Days Of Stature he was small not Healthy very quick a great lover of Honour and of making a show of Majesty in so much that he was call'd Peter the Ceremonious He maintain'd War against powerful Princes without Foreign Aids only by his own Valour and Conduct was a lover of learned Men and particularly addicted to Astrology and Chimistry His Body was first bury'd at Barcelona and thence translated to Poplete as he had ordain'd Charles King of Naples upon the death of Luis King of Hungary had that Crown offer'd him by the Nobility he went thither and being entertain'd at Dinner by the Queen was murder'd by her Order He left a Son and a Daughter which were Ladislaus and Joanna they both reigned in Naples successively and the one being a Child the other unfit for Government they were the cause of Bloody Wars in Italy The King of Navarre had long been troubled with a Leaprousy It was commonly reported he was burnt to death for that by the Advice of Phisitians he us'd to be wrap'd in Cloaths dip'd in Brimstone on which a Spark of Fire accidentally falling is said to have consumed the Bed and Him This was the more easily believed because he was Cruel Covetous and Lascivious Joanna his youngest Daughter was Married to John de Montforte Duke of Britany who had by her four Sons and three Daughters Charles the Son of him Deceased Friend and Brother-in-Law to the King of Castile inherited the Crown of Navarre He return'd out of Castile and in the Cortes caus'd Pope Clement to be own'd as had been done in Castile for till then Navarre as well as Aragon had stood Neuter This was thought to be done rather to please the French and Castilians than out of respect to Justice The King of Castile to oblige the new King withdrew his Garrisons out of several Towns in Navarre which he held by Contract and forgave him a great Summ of Mony his Father ow'd Thus the new King was encourag'd to attempt the recovery of many Towns taken from his Father in Normandy by the French and English and sent Embassadors to them accordingly This King was mild liberal and generous whence he came to be call'd the Noble By his Wife the Lady Ellenor he had the Princesses Joanna Mary Blanch Beatrix and Elizabeth his Sons Charles and Luis died Young Illegitimate Godfrey Marques of Cortes the Founder of that Family and Joanna marry'd to In̄igo de Zuniga In Aragon King John was Crown'd after the death of his Father He was a meek Prince if not provok'd He could not be present at the
future Calamities These fears vanish'd the Earl of Faux raising the Siege of Barbastro and marching away through Navarre in such hast it rather look'd like a Flight than a Retreat The cause was that the People had carry'd all Provisions into strong holds and the Earl of Vrgel sticking upon his Skirts he was forc'd to leave part of his Baggage in several Places This was about the beginning of the Year 1396 at which time Martin the new King having receiv'd these good News and subdu'd the Rebels in Sicily resolv'd to return into Spain By the way he touch'd in Sardinia and pacify'd that Island and thence went up the River Rosne in Provence to the City Avignâ—n to see Pope Benedict The Pope gave him a Rose of Gold and the Investiture of Sardinia and Corsica with the Title of King but to hold them of the 〈◊〉 Thence he came to Barcelona and was receiv'd in Triumph In a great Assembly o◠〈◊〉 Nobility he took possession of the Crown and declar'd the Earl of Faux and his Wiâ—e Traytors for having assum'd the regal Title and invaded the Kingdom The Eastern Empire through intestine Divisâ—ons and the perpetual felicity of the Ottomâ—ns was now tending to Ruin That Party of the Greeks which was weakest call'd over Amurat Emperor of the Turks to their Assistance and he passing the Hellespont seiz'd Gâ—llipoli Adrianople and many other Places Sigâ—smund King of Hungâ—ry dreading so dangerous a Neighbour begg'd Succour of Charles the 6th King of France who sent him a good body of Horse under the Command of John Son to the Duke of Burâ—â—â—dy These Forces being come into Hungary it was resolv'd to give the Enemy Battle The French naturally eager advancing too far before the Hungarians were most of them kill'd and the Duke of Burgundy's Son taken whom his Father Ransom'd for a great Sum of Mony Thus the whole Army was overthrown and King Sigismund escap'd by Flight At Granadâ— King Joseph dy'd as was suspected poison'd by the King of 〈◊〉 who sent him a rich Coat which as soon as he put on he fell into violent Torture and expir'd 30 Days after his Flesh fâ—lling off by Piecemeal A wonderful thing if true After his Death Mahomet his 2d Son surnam'd Balva usurp'd the Crown excluding Joseph the elder He had secur'd the Affections of the People and only fear'd lest the King of Castile should take 〈◊〉 part of his Brother To prevent which he went away to Toledo to gain the good Will or the King and his Courtiers with rich Presents His Designs succeeded well for he renew'd the Truce made with his Father At this time the 〈◊〉 sâ—â—ting at Toledo an Edict was publish'd excluding all Strangers excepting a few particular Persons and the whole Portugues Nation whom they thought by this means to oblige from enjoying Ecclesiastical Benefices It was also ordain'd that none should keep a Saddle-Mule who had not a good Horse to encourage the breed of Horses On the 5th of October at Sevil dy'd John de Guzman Earl of Niebla his Son Henry succeeded him and was Father of John de Guzman who was afterwards created the first Duke of that noble Family The Portugueses to make their Advantage of the King's want of Health resolv'd to take up Arms and gave out to Colour this Breach that it was be 〈◊〉 some of the Nobility of Castile had not sign'd the late Treaty Their Army at first onset took Badajoz a City on the Frontiers From this beginning the War was afterwards continu'd the term of three Years The King of Castile having assembl'd his Forces gave the Command of them to Ruy Lopez Davalos not long before made Constable of Castile James Hurtado de Mendoça the Admiral was sent to look to the Mariâ—ime Affairs On May 1397 5 Galleys of Castile met 7 of Portugal coming from Genâ—a laden with Arms and Ammunition These they assail'd so desperately that four were taken one sunk the other two fled It was a great piece of Cruelty that after Quarters given in cold Blood they threw 400 Men into the Sea The Admiral coasting along Portugâ—â— burnt several Towns and plunder'd the Country without Opposition Many Portugueses of Note came over to the King of Castile and serv'd him well The chiefest of them were Martin Giles and Lope de Aâ—una three Brothers also John and Lope Pacheco Brothers All these Gentlemen had good Estates given them by the Kings of Castile for their good Services and were the Founders of several Noble Families In Galâ—cia the Portâ—â—ueses took the City Tuy In Estrâ—â—adura they lay'd Siege to Alâ—â—â—tara but the Constable of Castile coming down in time not only rais'd the Siege but entring Portugal ravag'd the Country and took several Places of small Note The Master of Alcantara the Admiral and chief Justice of Castile besiâ—g'd Miranda de Duero and the Constable coming to joyn them the Besieg'd were forc'd to surrender Thus the Damage being equal on both sides it was hop'd a Peace might ensue betwixt the two Nations CHAP. IV. Two Francisâ—ans 〈◊〉 to the Moors of Granada suffer Martyrdom The Truce with Portugal 〈◊〉 Two great Plagues in Spain and France The Year of Jubilee 1400. AT the beginning of this War two Franciscan Fryars whose Names are not known zealoâ—s for the â—ropagation of the Faith adventur'd to preach publickly to the Moors in Granada and many People flock'd to heaâ— them Being warn'd to desist and they still going oâ— the 〈◊〉 by the King's Order apprehended and beheaded them and they are reverenc'd as Martyrs 〈◊〉 Benedict as has been said before was forsaken by all his Cardinals at Avignon the Kiâ—â— of France press'd and only those of Spain own'd him A great assembly of Prelâ—â—es and other learned Men was held betwixt the French and Spaniards about him but nothing was resolv'd upon only they agreed both Popes should recal the Ecclesiastical â—ensures they had thunder'd one against the other and appoint a Place of meeting to compose those Differences In Pamplâ—na great â—â—rt of the Cathedral had fallen seven Years before and neither the â—roâ—â—ts of the Church 〈◊〉 private Contributions were sufficient to repair it therefore the King assign'd the 40th part of his Revenue for 12 Years to carry on that Work This King desiring to recover the County of Eureux and his Possessions in Normandy had sent an Embassy to that effect into France but that not succeeding went thither himself to as little 〈◊〉 the King of France not being recover'd of his â—â—disposition Thus without doing any thing he return'd home in September 1398 Being come home he caus'd his Son Charles but a Year old to be sworn to as Heir of the Crown The Joy of this solemnity was â—â—ort for the Prince dy'd soon after The Portugueses humbled by their late Disappointments sent Embassadors to treat of Peace King Henry answer'd he neither began the War nor would obstruct the Peace provided
it were Honourable After much debating not being able to agree upon Articles of Peace they confirmed the former Truce Castile was jealous of a Breach with Aragon The Marques de Villena would not come to Court and had a great Estate on the Borders of Valencia he was much suspected to sâ—ir up the Aragâ—nians to War A new occasion offer'd it self to deprive him of his Estate Alonso and Peter two Sons of the Marques had marry'd two of the King of Castile's Aunts and had 30000 Ducats with each of them which Mony was pay'd down to ransom the Marques taken by the English as has been said Peter dy'd in the Battle of Aljubarrâ—â—a and was Father to the famous D. Henry de Villena who desirous of Knowledge study'd Negromancy D. Alonso never consumâ—ated the Marriage excusing himself with the ill Reputation of his Bride King Henry as Nephew to these Ladies took their Business in Hand and demanded to have their Portions restor'd since the one was left a Widow and the other never consuminated the Marriage The Marques his Sons would give no ear to these Demands Upon this account King Henry invaded the Marques his Estate and easily made himself Master of all except Villena and Almansa in which were strong Garrisons of Aragonians Contemporary with D. Henry de Villena and not unlike to him in Learning was D. Paul de Cartagâ—â—a He was born a Jew and by his great insight in the Scripture converted and writ several notable Books For his Learning and to encourage other Jews to embrace the Faith he was first made Archdeacon of TrevinÌ„e then Bishop of Carthagena and lastly of Burgâ—s He was also Chancellor of Castile and Tutor to King John the IId Before his Conversion he had four Sons Gonçale the eldest came to be Bishop of Plasencia first then of Siguença Alonso the 2d succeeded his Father in the See of Burgos and writ the Anacephalâ—osis of the Kings of Spain also Dâ—fensorium Fidei and Defensorium Catholitae unitatis The two younger Sons were Peter and Alvaro Some think this Alvaro writ the Chronicle of King John but it was his Uncle Alvar Garzia de Sanâ—a Maria and others had a hand in it particularly Fâ—rnan Perez de Gusman carry'd it on to the end and writ the Lives of the Famous Men of his time and other Works The Discord betwixt the two Popes and the little prospect there was of reconciling it and uniting the Church perplex'd â—â—l Christendom In Spain the last Year the Plague began to rage and continu'd spreading it self particularly along the Coast from Barcelona as far as Avignon in France Besides the 〈◊〉 were so violent that there ensu'd mighty Floods and particularly the Rivers Ebro and Vrba overflowing their Banks carry'd away Multitudes of Men and Cattle destroy'd the Corn and overthrew many Buildings As soon as the Season would permit the King of Aragon went from Barcelona to Zaragoça to hold the Cortes there which sat on the 29th of April in the Church of S. Saviour There the King being seated in his Royal Throne made a learned Speech extolling the Bravery and Loyalty of the Aragonians showing how thereby they had enlarg'd their Dominions recommending to them to continue such for the future and lastly requiring them to do their Homage and take the Oath of Allegiance to him and his Son All the King had demanded was perform'd with much Satisfaction of the whole Body The publick Joy conceiv'd on this Account was somewhat abated by the Apprehensions of a War that threaten'd from France The Bastard of Tardes passing the Pyrenean Mountains possess'd himself of Termas a Town on the Frontiers of Aragon towards Navarre which extreamly alarm'd all the Kingdom Giles Ruyz de Lihorri Governour of Aragon march'd thither with a good Body of Souldiers and some Men of Note The French expâ—cted not his coming but abandoning the Place retir'd to France to theirs and the 〈◊〉 of the Earl of â—aux who sent them Sicily was not wholly pacify'd Some hopes of a Settlement appear'd the Queen being deliver'd of a Son call'd Peter on the 17th of November who if he had liv'd would have inherited that Crown but he and his Mother soon after dy'd and all these Hope 's vanish'd Not long after in April 1399 〈…〉 Queen 〈…〉 were Crown'd at Zarâ—goça by the Arch-bishop of that Plaâ—◠〈…〉 of Villina was allow'd to add the Regal Arms to his own and was created Duke of Gandia in requital for what he lost in Castile At the same time Pope 〈◊〉 being forsaken by the Gardinals was much press'd by his Enemies who besieg'd him The King of Aragon sent two Embassadors to him who treated with him about finding out some 〈◊〉 of putting an end to the Schism and uniting the Church He answer'd he would commit that Affair to those Princes that had own'd him and particularly those of France and Aragon But his meaning was not the same for he charg'd them under Colour of Peace not to depart from Justice which he said was wholly on his side but that he coveted nothing more than to puâ— an end to those Divisions The Aragonian Embassadors 〈…〉 give an Account of their Negocâ—ation to the King of France In an Assembly held 〈…〉 upon this Affair it was resolv'd to send to require the Pope to put a speedy end to the Schism and to that purpose he should wholly refers his Case to a Council of Bishops that was to meet and the King of France would engage 〈◊〉 the security of his Person and furnish him with a sufficient Guard Whilst these things were in Agitation D. Peter Tâ—nâ—rio Arch-bishop of Toledo dy'd in Castile He was a Man of Judgment and Resolution fit either for Peace or War He was first Bishop of 〈◊〉 and thence without any Solicitation on his part preferr'd to Toledo In his Expences at home he was Frugal and spent the great Revenues of his Church in publick Buildings and relieving the Poor The Bridge of S. Martin at Toledo a Castle near to the Monastery of S. Servanduâ— the Cloister that joins to the Cathedral with a Chappel in it and his own Tomb are all his Works That Chappel he endow'd with Revenues to maintain 16 Chaplains to pray for his and the Souls of his Predecessors At Alcala Real on the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 he built a high Tower where a Light was kept every Night to guide the Christians that made their escape from the Moors At Talavera he founded a sâ—â—tely Monastery of the Invocation of S. Catherine design'd for the Canons of that Church but they refusing to live as Regulars he gave it to the Hieronimites The Arcbishop's Bridge was also of his Foundation After the Death of the Arch-bishop the Chapter chose D. Gutiâ—rre de Toledo Archdeacon of 〈◊〉 The King offer'd the Archbishoprick to Ferdinand YanÌ„ez a Canon of that Church of the Order of S. Hierome but he refus'd it Pope Benedict gave it to
his Nephew Pâ—tâ—r de Luna but the King not approving of him the Bishop of Siguença Vicar of the Archbishoprick had charge of it for some Years till the Popes election took place The Joy and Devotion of the great Year of Jubilee 1400 was much lessen'd by the Schism in the Church tho the Christian Princes us'd all possible Means to put an end to it To this purpose for the humbling the Obduracy of Pope Benedict the King of Castile at the perswasions of D. Peter Hernandez de 〈◊〉 Cardinal of Spain publickly disown'd him Yet the King of Aragon interposing three Years after he submitted to him again From Lagâ—â—doc and Cataloâ—â—a the Plague spread over all Spain with such a mighty Mortality that it oblig'd the King of Castile to give leave to Widows to marry the same Year their Husbands dy'd which before was forbidden The King generally resided at Sevil that being a Pleasant and Healthy place and he very â—ickly In July the first Clock was fixing in the Steeple of the Cathedral for there were no such Clocks before in Spain and a great Bell to it the King Nobleâ— and a Multitude of People being present when on a sudden a Storm rising a flash of Lightning kill'd several Men. This being taken as an ill Omen Processions were made to appease God's Wrâ—th Near the Town of Niebâ—â— 5 Leagues from Segovia an Image of our Blessed Lady was 〈◊〉 and many People devoutly resorting thither to visit it Queen Cathâ—rine built there a Church for it with a Monastery of Dominicanâ— adjoyning to it which drew many 〈◊〉 and settle there so that in our Days it is grown up to be a pretty considerable 〈◊〉 â—â—â—P V. The Death of the 〈…〉 Sicily Of Tamerlan and Bajazet Pope Benedict again received in Castile The King of Castile has a Son born Pope Boniface dies Innocent the VIIâ—â— chosen at Roâ—â— THE Lady Violante Daughter to John King of Aragon was during her Father's Life contracted to Luis 〈◊〉 Anjoâ— as was said before Her Marriage was delay'd because she 〈◊〉 under Age and 〈◊〉 Year it â—â—s concluded upon She was to have 160000 Florins Portion and he to sweâ—â— never to lay any claim to the Crown of Aragon in her Right This done she was nobly Conducted into France to her Husband In the Month of March 1401 the King of Castile assembled the Cortes at Tordesillas where many good Laws were enacted particularly to restrain the Avarice of the Farmers of the Revenue and Officers of Justice In the Month of May Mary Queen of Sicily dy'd at Cataneâ— as was thought of Grief for the Death of her Son who ended his Days at 〈◊〉 Age of 7 Years Both the Mother and Son were bury'd in that City However her 〈◊〉 next of Blood remain'd King and all the Nobility aim'd to marry their Daughters 〈◊〉 to him He marryed Blanch third Daughter to the King of Navarre who afterwards inherited her Father's Kingdom The Kings of Aragon and Navaâ—â—â— met upon this Account on the Frontiers there the 〈◊〉 deliver'd his Daughter to the 〈◊〉 in Law who sent her from Valencia to Sicily in a â—â—eet commanded by D. Bernard de Cabrera but her Departure and Marriage was in the Year 1402. In November the same Year the Queen of Castile was deliver'd of a Daughter call'd Mary who was afterwards marry'd to her Cousin German Alonso King of Aragon and Naples but they had no Issue for she prov'd Barren After the Defeat of the French and Hungarians at Nicopolis Bajazet Emperor of the Turks lay'd Siege to Constantinople At the same time Tamerlan the Tartar with an incredible Army as is reported of 40000 Horse and 600000 Foot overran all the East His Custom was when he sat down before a City the first Day to put up white Colours in token of Mercy the second Day they were red to denote he would shed the Blood of the Inhabitants and the third black which signify'd the utter Desolation of the Place It happen'd the City Berytus did not surrender before the second Day and then sent out their Women and Children cloath'd in White with Boughs in their Hands to appease him but he nothing mov'd caus'd his Horse to trample them to Death A Genoese who follow'd his Camp took the Boldness upon this Occasion to put him in mind he was a Man and he with a furious Countenance answer'd Dost thou think I am a Man I am no such I am the Scourge of God and Plague of Mankind Bajâ—zet seeing all Asia was in danger of being lost rais'd the Siege of Constantinople and pass'd over into Asia On that part of Mount Taurus call'd Stella they came to a Battle and after a moâ—â— Bloody Dispute 200000 Men being slain Bajazet was overthrown and taken Him Tamerlan put into a Cage and in that manner carry'd him about Asia treading on his Shoulder every time he mounted a Horse-back and feeding him like a Dog with bits thrown from his Table King Henry of Castile though sickly attended the Affairs of the Government and sent Embassies to all parts and particularly to the Levant he sent Pelayo de Sotomayâ—â— and â—â—â—dinand de Palaçuelos who were present at that famous Battle between the Turks and Tartars Tamerlan treated them courteously and at their return to Spain sent along with them an Embassador of his own to settle Peace and Unity with the King of Spain He having concluded his Negociation return'd home accompanied by three Spanish Embassadors who writ a Journal of that Embassy which is still Extant Tamerlâ—n's Glory was not lasting At his return home he built a beautiful City which he called Mercanti He left two Sons who differing about the Inheritance tore in 〈◊〉 the Empire purchas'd by their Father This Year was unhappy to the Portugueses and Navarrois for the Heirs of both Kingdoms dy'd D. Alonso eldest Son to the King of Portugal was but 12 Years of Age. He was bury'd in the Cathâ—â—ral of Braga This Loss was the more tolerable for that there were several Brothers besides as the Princes Edward Peter Henry John and Ferdinand and two Sisters Blanch and Elizabeth At Painplona dy'd the Princes Charles 5 Years and Lâ—â—ys but 6 Months 〈…〉 were bury'd in that Cathedral The Grief of the Navarrois was the more inconsolable for that there remain'd never an Heir-male and the Crown must of course fall to the Female This Wiâ—â—er at the end of the present Year and beginning of that of our Lord 1403 the Rains were so great in Spain that most Rivers overflow'd doing great harm Particularly Guadalquivir swell'd above the Waâ—â—s of Sevil and came as far as the Church of St. Michael Alonso Perez then Governour by his Industry prevented much Mischief that might have been done The See of Toledo was vacant since the Death of the late Archbishop D. Peter Tâ—â—orio This was caus'd by the Discord betwixt the Popes for Castile had
the Crown but I will make your Reigs short This said he call'd in the Executioners and 600 Souldiers he had in a readiness All were astonish'd but the Archbishop of Toledo fell on his Knees begging Pardon and all the rest follow'd his Example Seeing them at his Feet the King pardon'd them but kept them two Months Prisoners in the Castle till they deliver'd up all the Towns they held and refuâ—â—ed what they ow'd to the Crown This Example made the Nobility more Submissive than ever they had been He us'd greater Severity at Sevil for he 〈◊〉 1000 Men to be Executed for being guilty of the Tumults â—ais'd by the Earl of Niebla 〈◊〉 Peter Ponce He advanc'd his own and the Prince his Brother's Revenue so that great 〈◊〉 were every Year lay'd up in the Palace of Madrid to which he added those Towers that are still standing for its greater Security His is that saying I fear the Curses of the People more than the Enemy's Weapons Thus without oppressing his Subjects he gather'd great Treasure only by looking after his Revenue CHAP. VII The Crown offered to Prince Ferdinand he refuses it John the IId proclaimed King of Castile The Death of the Queen of Aragon The War of Granada Several Places taken by the Christians who also obtain a Victory at Sea After the 〈…〉 of the King's Interrment were perform'd with the Pomp and Majesty that was becoming the Nobility met as the Rebellious Custom was to appoint a Successor and do their Homage to him This was in the beginning of the Year 1407. Their Opinions vary'd and every one spoke according to his Inclination Many thought it hard to stay till a Prince then but 22 Months old came to Age. The late King's Will was read in which he â—â—dain'd that the Queen and Prince Ferdinand should govern the Kingdom and 〈◊〉 â—lectors to the young King James Lopez de Zuniga and John de Velasco were appoint 〈…〉 guard and educate him and the Bishop of Carthagena Lord Chancellor to be his Preceedor till he was 14 Years of Age. These three were commanded only to attend to the Education of the Child without intermedling with the Government Some said no part of this Will ought to be observ'd as being made but the day before the King dy'd when he was not absolutely Master of his Reason but his Brain disturb'd and that it was not reasonable to expose the Kingdom to so many Confusions as might arise upon this Account This was not only discours'd in private but in publick Meetings and about the Streets Every one condemn'd the Will and yet none car'd to expose himself too much by opposing it They 〈…〉 Prince Ferdinand as the only Man that could deliver them from the Misfortunes they apprehended yet they feard he would not consent to it because he was naturally very meek and modest which some call'd fear some laziness and others meanness of 〈…〉 The Absence of the Queen her 〈◊〉 and being a Foreigner made Men bold She 〈◊〉 then at Segovea with her Children over wholm'd with Grief for the Death of her Husband and in care for the Event of those Practices at Toledo The Nobility having consulted together resolv'd to try Prince Ferdinand and in the Name of them all Ruy Lopez Davaloâ— made a long Harangue offering him the Crown and pressing him to accept of it at their Hands After Ruy Lopez had done 〈◊〉 the other Nobles begg'd the same of him and there wanted not some who pretended 〈…〉 and Revelations to justify their Request The Prince with wonderful Modesty answer'd that a Crown was not so much to be coveted as to become infamous for the sake of it by wronging an innocent Child and a Widow Queen whom all ought protect Besides that of necessity Wars must ensue That he thank'd them for their good Will and in requital would give them a King which was his Brother's Son and his own Nephew and â—n his 〈…〉 would spare no Labour or Danger for the publick good but take upon him the Government as his Brother ordain'd Soon after he assembl'd the 〈…〉 and Prelates in the Chappel of D. Peter Tenorio which is in the Cloisters of the Cathedralâ— There Ruy Lopez the Constable thinking his Mind might be alter'd publickly ask'd him whom he would have proclaim'd King The Prince with some marks of Displeasure answer'd aloud Who but my Brother's Son Then the Standards were display'd as the Custom of Spain is in the Name of King John the IId and the Kings at Arms proclaim'd him first in the Assembly and then in all publick Places of the City Prince Ferdinand by this Action purchas'd an immortal Renown and his Moderation and Loyalty were highly extoll'd even by those that advis'd him to accept of the Crown and thus he made himself way to obtain other 〈…〉 which Heaven for his Virtue had reserv'd for him His Glory was so much 〈…〉 for that his Brother for some time before his Death had bore him ill-will giving Ear to the Insinuations of some Court Parasites True it is he was 〈…〉 concil'd and agreed that his Daughter Mary who might come to inherit the Crown 〈…〉 marry'd to D. Alonso the Prince's eldest Son which was Advantagious to both Brothers and for the common good of the Kingdom Queen Mary of Aragon dy'd on the 29th of December at Villareal a Town near Valencia to the great Grief of the King her Husband and all that Country for her extraordinary Parts Her Body was bury'd with the usual Magnificence at Poblete the Burial place of those Kings Of four Children she had three dy'd Young which were James John and Margaret Only Martin was left then King of Sicily who applying himself wholly to the Affairs of that Island without regard to his Health as being Young and offering himself freely to all Dangers as being of a great Spirit soon after was snatch'd away and left his Subjects overwhelm'd in Troubles Prince Ferdinand having setl'd 〈◊〉 at Toledo on the 1st of January went thence to Segovia to visit the Queen and take 〈…〉 in all things relating to the Administration of the Government That all things might be done with the greater Majesty and Authority he summon'd thither the Cortes and accordingly the Nobles Prelates and Commons met there Several Affairs were consider'd of by them Particularly the Education of the young King was committed to the Queen she pressing for it tho it was contrary to the Will of the late King Henry To John de Valasco and James Lopez de Zuniga in lieu of that Employment taken from them they gave the Sum of 6000 Florins each A small Recompence for so great a Trust but Necessity oblig'd them to comply with the Will of the Queen and Prince nor was it safe to oppose them who had the Power of the Government The 〈◊〉 design'd against the Moors was also taken into Consideration and in February the Christians made an Incursion into
Having ratify'd this agreement the Aragonians on their side chose Dominick Bishop of Huesca Francis de Aranda and Berengarius de Bardax The Catalonians appointed for them Sargarida Arch-bishop of Tarragona William de Valseca and Bernard Gualbe For Valâ—ncia were nam'd F. Vincent Ferrer of the Order of S. Dominick his Brother Boniface Ferrer a Carthusian and Peter Beltran These Judges immediately met and sent their Summons to the Candidates to appear warning such as refus'd that their Pretensions should be utterly lay'd aside Prince Ferdinand sent James Lopez de Zuniga Lord of Bejar and D. Sancho de Rojas Bishop of Palencia who is said by this and the like Negociations to have obtain'd the Earldom of Pernia which the Bishops of Palencia possess to this day For the Earl of Vrgel came Ximeno a Franciscan Bishop of Malta They were oblig'd to take an Oath that they would stand by the Decision of the 9 Judges Luis Duke of Anjou refus'd to appear resolving to make use of Force Besides he excepted against 4 of the Judges as partial Among the Candidates no account was made of Frederick Earl of Luna because he was a Bastard and had no great Interest D. Alonso de Aragon dy'd in the heat of this Dispute and his Son Alonso as also his Brother John Earl of Prades were easily put by being not so near of kin to the late Kings as the other pretenders On the behalf of the Earl of Vrgel it was pleaded That according to antient Custom Females ought wholly to be excluded from any pretension to the Crown and if that were allow'd their Sons could not pretend to the Right their Mothers had not Besides that King Martin in latter days had constituted the Earl Governour of the Kingdom and Constable a certain Sign he thought the Inheritance appertain'd to the said Earl and no other Prince Ferdinand's Agents as they were instructed by Vincent Arias Bishop of Plasencia and the most famous Civilian of that Age made no mention of the Prince's Right by the Female Line but pleaded That the Crown is inherited by Right of Blood therefore when the immediate Line fails and it must fall to one of the collateral Branches there must respect be had to the Sex and Age if they be within the same degree of Consaguinity so that the Male take place of the Female and the elder of the younger without regard to the Stock from which they proceed CHAP. II. Ferdmand Prince of Castile declar'd King of Aragon by the Judges and afterwards proclaim'd at Zaragoca He settles the Kingdom besieges and takes the Earl of Urgel who aspir'd to the Crown WHen the Judges had heard what each of the Competitors had to say and the case had been thoroughly argu'd they clos'd the Informations and conferr'd together about the Judgment they were to give They kept their Opinions private and held the People in suspence as desirous to see the end of that Debate To give Judgment with the Solemnity that was requisite and to the satisfaction of all Men they caus'd a large Scaffold to be erected before the Church so high that they might be seen all round Mass was said by the Bishop of Huesca as is usual in such Casts Then the Judges came out of the Church and seated themselves at the upper end of the Scaffold and in another place the Embassadors of the Candidates Pope Benedict was present and had a great Hand in the Affair F. Vincent Ferrer for his great Sanctity and paticular skill in preaching was employ'd to make a Speech to the People and pronounce the Sentence His Haraâ—gue being ended all Men were attentive to hear the new King nam'd Then F. Vincent with a loud Voice read the Decree of all the Judges which he had in Writing When he came to name Ferdinand the Shouts and Acclamations were so great they seem'd to rend the Skies and nothing else could be heard for a long time After they had somewhat ceas'd the Musick there ready sang the Te Deum This remarkable Act was perform'd on the last day of June which ended immediately Embassadors were sent to give Notice thereof to Prince Ferdinand and hasten his coming He was then at Cuenca in care for the Event of that Affair Embassadors came from all parts to Congratulate with him some out of Love others to temporize Particularly Sigismund the new Emperor elected the last May a Prince more fortunate in Peace than in War and famous for restoring Unity to the Church by putting an end to the Schism that had so long continu'd sent to give him Joy of his Accession to that Crown Prince Perdinand as soon as he had setled his private Affairs went away to Varagâ—\l = c \a in which City he was proclaim'd King on the 3d of September The Nobility did Homage and took the usual Oath of Allegiance to him and his eldest Son Prince Alonso whom they acknowledg'd true Heir of the Crown after the death of his Father giving him the Title of Prince of Girona in imitation of Castile whereas till then the eldest Sons of the Kings of Aragon were call'd Dukes of that City Of the Competitors to the Crown there came to that solemnity Frederick Earl of Luna and D. Alonso de Aragon the younger Duke of Gandia The Earl of Vrgel to excuse himself pretended Sickness but in reality thought to possess himself by force of Arms of the Crown which he said was wrongfully taken from him Of himself he was but weak nor had he any Allies to support him and therefore resolv'd to make use of the Assistance of the Duke of Clarence Son to the King of England 〈…〉 great Power at that time These Practices perplexed the new King considering 〈…〉 times a small Spark not quenched raises a great Flame However as soon as the Solomnity was over he thought fit in the first Place to apply himself to the Affairs of Sicily and Sardinia which were in danger of being lost The Genoeses tho they aim'd at the Conquest of Sardinia yet mov'd by the Fame that was spread abroad of the new King sent Baptista Gigala and Peter Perseo Embassadors to Congratulate with him By their means a Truce was established betwixt those two Nations for five Years In Sicily Bernard de Cabrera was Prisoner being surpriz'd by his Enemies at Palermo and put into the Castle of Mota near Tavormina He was kept more strictly than became his Quality or suited with his former Services but as he deserved for his insolent Design of marrying the Queen Dowager without considering her Dignity or his own Age which was far advanc'd Sancho Ruyz de Lâ—horri Admiral of the Sicilian Sea was the chief Man that oppos'd and brought him to this Condition The new King order'd the should be set at Liberty upon Condition he immediately departed out of Sicily and as soon as possible appear'd before him to answer to such things as should be lay'd to his Charge This
King Alonso having subdu'd Sardinia and abandon'd Corsica to the Genoeses sail'd with speed to Palermo in Sicily hoping to secure the Succession to the new Kingdom and was the more bent upon it for that a certain Mathematician five years before told him That Heaven promised him great Things that he should be Master of Naples that he should have many Subjects and heap mighty Riches whereupon he encourag'd him boldly to pursue his Fortune The depriving the King of Castile of his Liberty caus'd great Commotions and the Imprisonment of several Persons of Note The Court was at Talavera as has been said and the King as if he minded not the wrong done him diverted himself in Hunting This gave him an opportunity on the 29th of November to make his escape to Montalvan a Castle seated upon an Eminence almost in the mid-way betwixt Talavera and Toledo on the Banks of Tagus Alvaro de Luna his great Favourite advis'd him to fly Prince Henry gathering his Forces besieg'd the Place but would not batter it in respect to the King Prince John the Archbishop of Toledo D. Alonso Enriquez the Admiral and other Nobles assembl'd to revenge this Affront Hunger began to pinch in the Castle and they eat their Horses and other filthy Beasts At length the Siege was rais'd by them that came to relieve the Place and Prince Henry went away to Ocana a Town of his own as he was Master of Santiago resolving to stand upon his Guard After his Departure the King return'd to Talavera and was met upon the way by the Princes John and Peter of Aragon Great demonstrations of Affection passed betwixt them and the King by the Advice of Alvaro de Luna who rose apace to give the greater fall commanded them to return This alter'd the Posture of Affairs The King kept his Christmas and the beginning of the Year 1421 at Talavera Thence he went to Old Castile where he had more Forces and the People were better affected towards him Prince Henry had the Marquisate of Villena given him with his Wife which those People resented because it had been purchas'd for a sum of Mony of the King of Aragon and ought not to be alienated from the Crown Prince Henry seiz'd and garrison'd all the Towns of that Dominion except Alarcon which being naturally strong held out against him The King commanded him to disband his Forces and he refusing to obey that Estate was taken from him by Force Besides the King recall'd his Patent which made the Mastership of Santiago hereditary to the Heirs of Prince Henry This so provoked him that he set out from Ocan̄a after the King with 1500 Horse He passed the Mountains and without making any stop came to Arevalo where the King was There was danger of a Battle and therefore Queen Ellenor in care for her Son Prince Henry endeavour'd to lay that Storm that threatn'd The Archbishop of Santiago did the same They perswaded the Prince to lay down his Arms and thus for that time War was prevented Blanch Daughter to the King of Navarre on the 29th of May was brought to Bed at Arevalo of a Son who was call'd Charles as his Grandfather by the Mother's side The Cortes were summon'd first to Toledo and then to Madrid and in order to meet them the King and Queen set out towards new Castile On the 23d of October they came to Toledo Prince Henry of Aragon Ruy Lopez Davalos the Constable and Peter Manrique the Lieutenant being summon'd excus'd themselves saying they had powerful Enemies at Court Mean while Alonso King of Aragon and Luis Duke of Anjou contended for the Kingdom of Naples King Alonso kept in that City Aversa a Town near it was held by the French and Excursions were made by both Parties Cerra a Town four miles from Naples was besieg'd by the Aragonians and taken after a vigorous Defence Prince Peter of Aragon being call'd by his Brother with the consent of the King of Castile went away to serve in that War at the beginning of the Year 1422. The Cortes sat at Madrid Prince John of Aragon and other great Men were present The Archbishop of Toledo was not being then sick Prince Henry and his adherents because the King would oblige them to come resolv'd the Prince and Garci Fernandez Manrique afterwards Earl of Castan̄eda should go but the Constable and Peter Manrique should stand upon their Guard in Places of Safety On the 13th of June the Prince and Garci Fernandez came to Madrid were kindly receiv'd but the next day apprehended Prince Henry was sent Prisoner to the Castle of Mora and the care of him committed to Garci Alvarez de Toledo the Earl of Vrgel who had been some years a Prisoner there being remov'd to Madrid An Impeachment of high Treason for corresponding with the Moors was brought into the Cortes against those Lords 14 Letters written by the Constable to King Joseph of Granada were produc'd and read Therefore the Estates of Prince Henry and Garci Manrique were confiscated and the same was decreed against Peter Manrique who having notice of what was in hand fled to Taraçona The like Sentence was given against the Constable who with the Lady Catherine Prince Henry's Wife fled first to Segura a strong Place towards Murcia and thence to Valencia He left a mighty Estate in Castile for Arcos Arjona Ossorno Ribadeo Candeleda Arenas and many other Towns were his so that the House Davalos began to decay Several other noble Families as the Fajardos Enriquez Sandovals Pimenteles and Zunigas rose out of the Ruins of the Davalos It was then whisper'd that those Letters of the Constable were forg'd and afterwards his Secretary John Garcia confess'd he had counterfeited them and was put to Death yet because the King and others were concern'd the Constable was not restor'd Now the King created Alvaro de Luna Earl of Santistevan de Gormaz and made him Constable Gonzalo Mexia Commendary of Segura was impower'd to act as Master of Santiago These things being concluded the King went away to Alcala and at the same time the Queen was deliver'd of a Daughter at Illescas on the 5th of October she was call'd Catherine This caus'd great Joy being an Argument the Queen was not barren as had been fear'd The Archbishop of Toledo after a tedious Sickness dy'd at Alcala de Henares and was put into a curious Marble Tomb built by himself in the Parish Church of St. Peter D. John Martinez de Contreras Dean of Toledo by the King's Interest was chosen Archbishop The Chapter rather favour'd the School-Master John Alvarez de Toledo but the King's Recommendation prevail'd The elect Archbishop went away to Rome to be confirm'd by Pope Martin the Vth as was then the Custom and spent two years in that Journey CHAP. VII The Death of the Moorish King of Granada A Truce betwixt Castile and Portugal The Interest of the Aragonians decays at Naples Joseph
banish'd This Resolution appear'd very hard on his side to the King of Castile but it was natural for Prince John to favour his Brother besides that the King of Aragon would hear of no Conditions without the Prisoner were releas'd which made the King of Castile and his Nobles to condescend CHAP. IX The Death of King Charles of Navarre King John proclaim'd D. Alvaro de Luna banish'd the Court of Castile Villanous Practices of the Nobility The King of Granada deposed UPon Saturday the 8th of September being the Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Lady dy'd Charles the Noble King of Navarre at Olite of a sudden fit that seiz'd him and no remedy could be found for it His Body was bury'd with great Pomp in the Cathedral of Pamplona His Daughter Blanch was with him at his Death and had been not long before deliver'd of a Daughter called also Blanch who prov'd very Unfortunate As soon as her Father was dead she sent her Husband the Royal Standard in token of his Accession to the Crown and he was proclaim'd King of Navarre in the Camp Some blamed this Action as Precipitate and said they ought first to have taken the usual Oath of preserving the Liberties of the People The News of Prince Henry's being set at Liberty reach'd his Brothers in a day and half it being so order'd that the Beacons should be fir'd whereof there is a great number in Castile Hereupon the Forces of Aragon return'd to Taraçona and in November following were dismiss'd Prince John went as far as Agreda to meet his Brother Henry and conduct him to the King of Aragon It was a joyful Day for the three Brothers not only for the Liberty Prince Henry had obtain'd but because it was a sort of Victory to have reduc'd Castile to Complyance About the same time at Valencia on the 29th of November dy'd D. Alonso the younger Duke of Gandia without Issue His Dominion of Ribagorca was given to Prince John at this time King of Navarre D. Henry de Guzman Earl of Niebla after many Disputes was parted from his Wife the Lady Violante Daughter to Martin King of Sicily to the great Regret of her Bastard Brother D. Frederick Earl of Luna It griev'd him to see his Sister so wrong'd without any fault committed on her Side only for the extravagant Amours of her Husband and therefore endeavour'd to gain the Affections of the Nobility of Castile hoping that way to secure his Revenge Prince Henry's Liberty reduc'd the Affairs of Castile to a worse Condition than they were in before Till this time the Kingdom was divided into three Factions that of D. Alvaro de Luna and those of the two Princes John and Henry of Aragon The rest of the Nobility according to every Man's Inclination adher'd to some one of these Parties Now the two Princes being reconcil'd the three Factions were reduc'd to two Most of the Nobility conspir'd against D. Alvaro It griev'd them to see him and a few Creatures of his ingross all the King's Favour and Envy push'd them on to contrive his Ruin But he relying on his Prince's Favour with whom he had been Familiar from his tender Years despis'd them all insomuch that it was given out and great Men affirm'd he had the Boldness to make Love to the Queen but this could never be prov'd and it is to be believ'd that many things were wrongfully lay'd to his Charge through the Envy of his Adversaries This Conspiracy was first begun against him at Taraçona when the three Brothers of Aragon met It was brought to Perfection the following Year 1426. The King of Castile kept his Christmas and new Year at Segovia and John the New King of Navarre at Medina del Campo with his Mother having not long before met the King of Castile at Roa Prince Henry was gone to Ocan̄a being forbid coming to Court or intermedling with the Government The King of Aragon resided at Valencia at such time as the Lady Constance Daughter to the Constable Ruy Lopez Davalos was marry'd to Luis Massa a noble and rich Youth the King paying the greatest part of her Portion This Prince was so generous he not only supported the Father but afterwards when he recover'd Naples gave great Possesseions to his Son D. In̄igo Davalos and to his Grandson call'd D. In̄igo de Guevara The Queen Dowager of Aragon with her Daughter the Princess Ellenor went to Valencia at the Request of the King her Son but soon return'd to Medina del Campo She was unwilling by her long Absence to offend the King of Castile who had now sent the Earl of Vrgel from Castrotaraf whither he had been remov'd from the Castle of Madrid into the Kingdom of Valencia supposing he might be useful in Aragon by reason of the Troubles that threaten'd Castile He was put into the Castle of Xativa where he ended his Days and tedious Imprisonment At Toro the Cortes met where it was propos'd to Retrench the King's Expences because they exceeded the Revenue Therefore the Guards that consisted of 1000 Horse were reduc'd to 100 and D. Alvaro de Luna made their Captain which increas'd his Power and the Envy conceiv'd against him At this same time dy'd John de Mendoça Steward of the Houshould and Alonso Enriguez the Admiral fell sick of a Disease that carry'd him off three Years after their Employments were given to their Sons The great Men by Letter that their Meeting might not cause Suspition associated themselves The chief of them were the Masters of the Orders of Calatrava and Alcantara Peter Velasco Lord Chamberlain the King of Navarre and his Brother Prince Henry They took a solemn Oath to stand by one another and with regard to the King's Majesty use all means that the Publick might not suffer by evil Counsellors This Association was concluded about the beginning of November at the Hermitage of Orçilla in the Territory of Medina del Campo From Toro the King of Castile went to Zamora at the beginning of the Year 1427. Prince Henry of Aragon tho forbid the Court mov'd from Ocan̄a towards Old Castile with a great Retinue well Arm'd The King was gone to Simancas and the Princes of Aragon with the Competitors stay'd at Valladolid Such of the Nobility as were not in the Association stood Neuters His People being divided the King was Weak and Naked besides his natural inclination to Ease A Petition was presented by the Conspirators representing what they found fault with in the King's Family and the Crimes of D. Alvaro de Luna Having consider'd this Affair Judges were appointed to regulate it most of them were in the Association viz. the Admiral the Master of Calatrava Peter Manrique and Ferdinand de Robles who tho of mean Extraction was very Rich and High Treasurer These were Commission'd to examine into the Crimes imputed to D. Alvaro de Luna and to them was joyn'd the Abbot of St. Benedict
Naples In May the King of Castile came to Cordova and from thence sent D. Alvaro de Luna before him with a good Body of Men who wasted all the Country and destroy'd the very Orchards in sight of Granada without sparing a beautiful Palace that King had there Yet neither this Damage nor the Challenges sent by D. Alvaro could draw the Moors out to fight A Council of War being held at Cordova some advis'd only to pillage and wast the Country others to undertake some considerable Siege At length it was resolv'd to march to Granada and try the Fortune of a compleat Battle as one Gilairo advis'd who having been taken by the Moors young had renounc'd the Faith but not from his Heart and was therefore now return'd to Cordova He assur'd that as soon as they should appear before the City Joseph Benelmao the Grandson of Mahomet the Red who was kill'd at Sevil would come over with a good Body of Men. This being resolv'd the Queen who till then accompany'd the King departed for Carmona and the Army march'd on The King halted at Alvendin till all the Forces were joyn'd 80000 Men randezvouzed there and among them many of Note James Ribera and John de Guzman had the 〈◊〉 of Major Generals which before was executed by the Marshals Advancing thence of the 2d day they came into the Country of the Moors marching in order as if the Enemy were in sight D. Alvaro de Luna led the Van in which were 2500 Men at Arms. In the main Body was the King with many Nobles In the Rear came the Courtiers and a great Number of Church-men The Flanks were secur'd by several great Men. The two Major Generals march'd before with a Forlorn of 1500 light Horse These began the Battle which was fought on the 29th of June in this manner The Moors march'd out of Granada with mighty shouts but the Christians were the first that gain'd a rising Ground which began the fight Great was the Number of the Infidels who were still relieved by fresh of â—oops from the City Our Forces also advanc'd Peter Velasco gave such a Charge as made the Moors give way Yet they retir'd orderly to the City so that for that day none turn'd his Back The Moors being retir'd the King encamp'd and intrench'd himself at the foot of the Mount Elvira Of the Moors there were 5000 Horse and about 200000 Foot part quarter'd in the Town the rest under the Walls On Sunday following the Infidels drew out to fight The Master of Calatrava was with a Number of Pioniers levelling the Ground which was all enclos'd Upon him and his Pioniers fell the first fury of the Moors Henry Earl of Niebla and James de ZunÌ„iga who were nearest came to his Relief The heat of the fight and on the Day increas'd for it was now about Noon The King in a Passion because he design'd not to have fought that day sent D. Alvaro de Luna to command the Men to retire but they were so far ingag'd it was impossible This being told the King he drew out all his Army and having encourag'd them gave the sign to fall on They were vigorously receiv'd by the Moor â—â— and great cries rais'd on both sides For some time the Battle stood firm so that no Advantage appear'd on either side The King was among the foremost Ranks which greatly encourag'd his Men and made them charge with fresh fury Then the Moors gave way some retur'd to the City others fled to the Mountains our Men pursuing till the darkness of the Night parted them It is not exactly known what Number was kill'd but it was suppos'd to be about 10000. D. John de Cereçuela Bishop of Osma gain'd the Enemy's Camp which was among the Vineyards and Olive Gardens the other Church-men went out with their Crosses to meet the King as he return'd to the Camp There the Army continu'd ten Days No proposals of Peace were made by the Moors tho they durst not so much as come out to their Vineyards All the Country about was wasted without any Opposition This done the King return'd The command of the Frontiers was given to the Master of Calatrava and the Lieutenant James de Ribera Benalmao was left with them and had the Title of King given him that if his Party prevail'd it might be a means to take Granada This was the Success of this Expedition and of the famous Battle called De la Higuera or of the Fig Tree because one stood in the Place where they fought Few Christians were kill'd in this Expedition and of those none of Note which made the Joy of the Victory the more compleat D. Nuno Alvarez Pereyra Constable of Portugal and Earl of Barcelos and Oren who had long liv'd retir'd in the Monastery of Carmelites built by himself in Lisbon dy'd now in the 71 year of his Age and 46 of his Constableship He also founded two other Monasteries one of St. George at Aljubarrota and another of St. Mary at Villaviciosa The King honour'd his Funeral with his Presence at the said Church of the Carmelites He left one only Daughter called Beatrix who was marry'd to D. Alonso Duke of Bragança Bastard Son to the King of Portugal All his Estate he divided among his Grandchildren born before his Death The King of Portugal warn'd by the Death of his Friend who was of the same Age with him that he had not long to live resolv'd to use all his endeavours to conclude a Peace with Castile King John had departed out of the Kingdom of Granada very hastily whereby many said a good Opportunity of gaining some Advantage was lost It was reported that D. Alvaro was brib'd to give this Advice by a great sum of Gold sent him in a Present of dry Figs and this was the more easily credited because all things were done by his Advice From Cordova they went to Toledo and thence to Medina del Campo whither the Cortes were summon'd In them nothing remarkable was done except the changing the Truce with Portugal into a perpetual Peace which was proclaim'd on the 30th of October at Medina and Lisbon The Earl of Castro was attainted of high Treason The Towns belonging to the Master of Alcantara were confiscated and garrison'd by the King Peter Fernandez de Velasco Earl of Haro Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo and D. Gutierre de Toledo Bishop of Palencia were apprehended their Charge was favouring the Princes of Aragon and contriving to kill D. Alvaro These things much incensed the Nobility some of whom resolv'd to take up Arms. Particularly YnÌ„igo Lopez de Mendoça fortify'd and garrison'd the Town of Hita Mony was rais'd for carrying on the War against the Moors which was now well advanc'd the Lieutenant and Master of Calatrava having taken Meros Ronda Cambil Illoro Archidona Setenil and other Places of less Note and also the City Loxa tho very strong was gain'd Our Forces besieged the
Duke of Bourbon had broke into Aragon by the way of Russillon The Q. of Aragon and K. of Navarre were much alarm'd but this Storm soon vanish'd for the Weather drove the French another way without doing any considerable harm This year was unfortunate to Portugal not only for their Loss in Africk but for the Plague which rag'd throughout the Kingdom and destroy'd great Numbers of People Also King Edward dy'd of a Fever at the Convent of Tomar whither he withdrew for fear of the Plague His Reign was short for it lasted but Five Years and Thirty Seven Days He writ a Book of the Government of a Kingdom and ordain'd that for the future the King 's Eldest Son should be call'd Prince as was the Custom in Castile He had Issue Alonso who succeeded him and was the First that had the Title of Prince in Portugal Ferdinand Duke of Viseo Master of the Orders of Christ and Santiago Constable of Portugal who was Father of Ellenor Queen of Portugal Elizabeth Dutchess of Bragança James Kill'd by his Brother-in-Law King John and Emanuel that came at length to be King of Portugal Ellenor the Empress Wife to Frederick the III. and Mother to Maximilian was also Daughter to King Edward Besides he had Catherine Contracted to several Princes yet never Marry'd and Joanna Wife to Henry IV. King of Castile The late King order'd the Queen should Govern during the Minority of his Son but the Nobility mutiny'd and chose Peter Duke of Coimbra the New King's Uncle The Queen complain'd of the Wrong done her but to no purpose In August Peter Manrique the Lieutenant with his Wife and Two Daughters let themselves down by Ropes out of the Castle of Fuentiduen̄as where he was Prisoner and escap'd by the Assistance of some Servants of the Governour Gomez Carrillo and this occasion'd New Troubles Many Noblemen associated themselves with him in order to pull down D. Alvaro de Luna which was a difficult Task his Power being very great At Medina de Ruysico they made all manner of Warlike Preparations In February 1439. the King went from Madrigal to Roa to prevent their Designs carrying along with him his Son Prince Henry D. Alvaro de Luna and several other Nobles and Prelates The Conspirators sent a Letter to the King full of submissive Language protesting they were ready to Obey him or his Son and that they had taken up Arms to defend themselves against the Favourite The King return'd no Answer Roderick de Villandrando was then come from France bringing with him 4000 Horse to serve the King upon promise of being Created Earl of Ribadeo Prince Henry of Aragon and his Brother the King of Navarre entred Castile with 500 Horse hoping during those Tumults to recover the Lands that had been taken from them Both Parties sent to Court them neither knowing what they design'd They agreed among themselves that the King of Navarre should go to Cuellar where the King of Castile then was and Prince Henry to Pen̄afiel a Town which had been his Their design was to look on till they found which side was likeliest to restore them to their Estates Mean while In̄igo de Zuniga Brother to the Earl of Ledesma with a Party of 500 Horse secur'd Valladolid a Large Rich and plentiful Town Immediately a great Number of the Conspirators repair'd thither The King of Castile fearing these Beginnings might produce greater Mischiefs went to Olmedo to be the nearer in order to appease those Commotions and to bring Prince Henry over to his Party They had several Conferences to this purpose but all without success for the Prince after amusing both Parties for some time at last joyn'd with the Rebels This was suppos'd to be done with the Advice of the King of Navarre that he might have a sure Stake whoever was uppermost The whole Kingdom was under great Apprehensions of a New War Therefore some Religious Pious and Learned Persons interpos'd They spoke to those Rebellious Noblemen and represented to them the Miseries of a Civil War advising to compose Differences before any Blood was spilt They labour'd so much that they perswaded both Parties to meet at Castro Nun̄o there to treat of some amicable Accommodation CHAP. IX The King of Castile and the Rebels agree The Rebellion breaks out again The King taken Prisoner Blanch Queen of Navarre dyes Her Son Charles succeeds The Council at Basil Deposes Pope Eugenius and chooses Felix ON the 24th of August Castelnovo in Naples having endured a tedious Siege notwithstanding the King of Aragon was preparing to Relieve it was deliver'd up to the Enemy Yet the King of Aragon made amends for this Loss by recovering the City Salerno and several other Places At Castro Nun̄o the King of Castile and his Nobles at last agreed upon these Articles That D. Alvaro de Luna be Six Months from Court without being allow'd to write to the King That their Estates be restor'd to the King of Navarre and Prince of Aragon or in lieu of them such a Revenue as shall be adjudged by Arbitrators That all Forces be dismissed That the Conspirators withdraw their Garrisons out of the Towns they have seized That no Man be punish'd for having formerly sided with Aragon and now with the Conspirators Hereupon the Mastership of Santiago was restor'd to Prince Henry and the Town of Cuellar to the King of Navarre D. Alvaro de Luna in lieu of it had Sepulveda This done the King went to Toro There he receiv'd the News that the Lady Cathorine Wife to Prince Henry of Aragon dy'd at Zaragoça without Issue on the 19th of October D. Alvaro de Luna in pursuance of the late Capitulation on the 29th of October went away to Sepulveda so highly offended he could not concea◠it With him went Jonntile Silva chief Standard-Bearer to the King Peter de Acun̄a Gomez Carrillo and many other Men of Quality who were beholding to him or hoped to be so The Council of Basil at last deposed Pope Eugenius and in his Place chose Amadec on the Fifth of November by the Name of Felix V. He had been Forty Years Earl and Duke of Savoy and then Abdioating his Dukedom and Renouncing the Pleasures of the Court liv'd a solitary Life aiming at Perfection accompany'd only by six antient Men of Quality It was happy for Pope Engenius that the Christian Princes made no account of that Election not even the King of Aragon and Duke of Millan tho Enemies to Eugenius and higher offended at him The Authority of the Fathers at Basil declin'd yet they broke not up till the year 47 of this Century at which time they dissolv'd and return'd home being terrify'd by Luis Dauphin of France who was marching to break up their Assembly by a Decree of Frederick the Emperor Felix the New Pope upon better Advice soon after said aside the Pontifical Robes and was by Pope Nicholas Succeslor to Engenius made Cardinal and
This done he went to Florence to see Pope Eugenius and thence into France After his departure Abruzzo Apulia and all other Places submitted to the Aragonians and thus Italy was in part pacify'd In Spain the Troubles did not cease the Nobility slighting the Government D. Luis de Guzman Master of Calatrava lay desperately Sick and was given over John Ramiroz de Guzman Chief Commendary of that Order and Ferdinand de Padilla the Master's Deputy contended who should succeed him The latter had secur'd the Votes of the Chapter that was to Elect. Therefore D. John resolv'd to obtain that Dignity by Force securing the Towns that belong'd to that Order D. Ferdinand with 400 Horse met him at Barajas defeated and took him Prisoner with his Son and two Brothers and by that means obtain'd the Mastership which yet he enjoy'd not long For the King design'd that Dignity for Alonso Bastard Son to the King of Navarre who Besieg'd Calatrava There the New Master was unluckily kill'd by a Stone one of his own Men was throwing at the Enemy After his Death D. Alonso was made Master of the Order In Biscay Tumults were rais'd upon two accounts One was that certain Societies that had been confirmed by the King fell upon the Estates of the Nobility Among the rest Peter de Ayala was Besieg'd in his Town of Salvatierra and reliev'd by his Cousin the Earl of Haro who having receiv'd a Letter in which he begg'd his Assistance swore he would not enter into a House till he had reliev'd him Another cause of these Troubles was the wicked Heresy of the Fratricelli newly started at Durango Many were put to the Wrack upon that account and others Burnt Alonso Mela a Franciscan Fryar the Ring-leader of them fled to Granada with several young Wenches where they liv'd lewdly among the Moors but at last he was put to Death by them This Man had a Brother call'd John Mela then Bishop of Zamora and afterwards a Cardinal In Portugal about the end of October dy'd Prince John the King's Uncle aged 43 years He was Constable and Master of Santiago By his Wife the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to his Brother D. Alonso Duke of Bragança he left a Son called James who inherited his Honours and Three Daughters Elizabeth Beatrix and Philippa from whom sprang great Princes D. Alvaro de Luna resided at Escalona and contriv'd to regain his former Power His Brother the Archbishop of Toledo dy'd at Talavera on the 4th of February which was a great Loss to him There only remain'd D. Roderick de Luna his second Cousin whom afterwards he promoted to the Archbishoprick of Santiago In that Confusion of times every noble Man seized upon what he could get and among them Peter Xuarez secur'd Talavera scarce admitting the King who came to quel those Disorders The Archbishop was bury'd in a beautiful Chappel of the Cathedral built by D. Alvaro After much Contention D. Gutierre de Toledo Archbishop of Sevil was promoted to the See of Toledo He was a Man too upright for those times and enjoy'd that Dignity but three Years The Bishop of Oviedo was Translated to Sevil he of Orense to Oviedo To conclude the Bishoprick of Orense was given in Commendam to John de Torquemada a Dominican afterwards Cardinal of S. Sixtus a Person of great Learning as appears by his Works His Contemporary was Alonso Tostado born at Madrigal renowned for his many Writings He came in process of time to be Bishop of Avila At Siena in Tuscany he put up several Propositions in Divinity offering to defend them in the Schools Some of them were dislik'd and the Cardinal Torquemada writ against him Tostado answered him not sparing the Pope's Authority to defend his Opinions He dy'd on the 3d of September 1455. The End of the One and Twentieth Book THE History of SPAIN The Two and Twentieth BOOK CHAP. I. The Success of the Aragonians in Italy The Rebellion in Castile The Death of the Queens of Portugal and Castile The Battle of Olmedo and Death of Prince Henry of Aragon THE Affairs of the Spaniards succeeded better in Italy than in Spain There was no great Difference betwixt the Castilians and Aragonians but their Fortune was different according to the Quality of them that govern'd The King of Aragon was an active and ambitious Prince and spar'd no Labour to advance his Glory Besides his Goodness and Bounty gain'd him the Affections of all his Subjects as well Italians as Aragonians In Castile the Power of D. Alvaro continu'd tho his Person was remov'd The King of Navarre endeavour'd net to redress what was amiss but to make himself Master of the King who always left the Government to another The King of Castile had some good Qualities but the bad were more prevalent He was addicted to Poetry and Musick and had a Genius that way lov'd Hunting and Sports but could not endure Business and therefore gave little attention to it and answer'd short His first Minister did what he would in his Name The King of Aragon having taken Naples and subdu'd all the Faction of Anjou on the 26th of February 1443 entred that City in Triumph after the manner of the antient Romans on a Chariot drawn by 4 White Horses another of the same sort being led before him All the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom follow'd the Chariot afoot and the Clergy went before singing Praises to Almighty God The People with loud Acclamations wished him a long and happy Reign He would not be crown'd saying That Honour was due to the Saints who assisted him to gain the Victory All the Streets were strew'd with Flowers and richly hung and all Places full of sweet Odours It only remain'd to gain Pope Eugenius with whom a Treaty was set afoot at Siena where he then was On the 15th of July they agreed upon these Articles That the Kingdom of Naples should remain to the King of Aragon and after him to his Son Ferdinand whom tho Illegitimate he appointed his Heir as to that Crown only That the King of Aragon should pay yearly to the Pope 8000 Ounces a sort of Coin then in use That he should endeavour to quel Francis Sforcia who proud that he had marry'd the Duke of Milan's Daughter had gain'd a great part of Marca Ancona The King perform'd more than he had promis'd for he in Person recover'd all Sforcia had taken in Marca Ancona and restor'd it to the Pope Peace was also concluded with the Genoeses they promising every Year whilst the King liv'd to present him with a great Bason of Gold But because this Act was perform'd in the sight of the People as a memorial of his Victory they continu'd it but 4 Years In Castile the King of Navarre using immoderately the Power he had unjustly acquir'd enjoy'd it but a short time He kept the King of Castile Prisoner placing People to watch his Words and Actions The Admiral and
done It is a wonderful thing that none of all those D. Alvaro had raised now appeared for him He was sent Prisoner to Portillo in keeping of James de Zuniga Son to the Marshal In̄igo de Zuniga This Year so remarkable in Spain for the Death of this great Man was fatal to Christendom for the loss of the City Constantinople taken by Mahomet the Great Turk after a Siege of 54 Days Great Cruelties were committed in it when entred and it has ever since been the Metropolis of the Turkish Empire Charles Prince of Viana was carryed to Zaragoça and there at the Request of the Aragonians pardon'd and set at Liberty on the 22d of June The Prince promised Obedience for the future and to withdraw his Garrisons out of all Places that held for him For Security of Performance he delivered Luis de Biamonte Earl of Lerin and Constable of Navarre and his Children with other Noblemen as Hostages The Joy for this Agreement was not lasting for new Tumults began soon after The Father's Covetousness and Son's Impatience for a long time consumed the Kingdom of Navarre as shall be related in its place Whilst the King of Castile seized upon D. Alvaro de Luna's Lands and Treasures he prepared in Prison to clear himself of the Crimes lay'd to his Charge but there was no likelyhood he should be cleared the King being his Enemy The Judges appointed to examin his Case gave Sentence of Death against him From Portillo he was carryed to Valladolid to be Executed Having confessed and received the Sacrament he was led out to Execution a Cryer proclaiming before him in manner following Our Sovereign Lord the King commands this cruel Tyrant to be Executed for that he with extraordinary Pride and Presumption to the great abuse of the Royal Majesty which is the Image of God upon Earth made himself Master of the King's Court and Palace usurping the place that did not belong to him and committed many great Crimes Extortions Rapines Violences and tyrannical Actions to the hainous offence of God and our faid Lord the King the disgrace and lessening of his Person Crown and Dignity the impairing of his Revenue and obstructing of Justice For which his Offences he is to be beheaded that the Justice of God and the King may appear and he be made an Example to deterr others from committing the like Crimes To such Actions such a Reward In the Market-place was erected a Scaffold with a Crucifix and two Flamboys on the sides of it Being upon the Scaffold he bowed to the Cross and going forward gave his Ring he used to Seal with and his Hat to his Page saying This is all I have lest to give you This moved him to weep and many followed his Example Barrasa Master of the Horse to Prince Henry being present D. Alvaro called and said to him Go warn the Prince from me not to follow this Example of his Fathers in rewarding his Servants Then seeing a high Iron hook he asked the Executioner what it was for and being told it was to fix his Head upon answered When I am dead do as thou wilt with my Body for to a brave Man neither is the manner of his Death disgraceful nor can it come too soon to him that has attained such high Honours This said he opened his Garment and without the least mark of fear bowed down his Head which was cut off on the 5th of July He was a Man in all respects great who for the space of 30 Years absolutely governed the King and directed all his Actions Alonso de Espina a Franciscan Fryar accompanied D. Alvaro de Luna to the place of Execution This Fryar wrote a Book called Fortalitium Fidei an excellent Work The dead Body remained three Days on the Scaffold with a Bason by it to gather Alms to bury him that not long before was equal to some Kings He was interred at St. Andrews the common Burial Place of Persons executed thence removed to St. Francis in that Town and lastly to his own Chappel in the Cathedral of Toledo It is reported an Astrologer told D. Alvaro his Death would be at or on Cadahalso which he supposed to be meant of a Town he had of that Name and therefore never went thither but Cadahalso in Spanish is a Scaffold But these are vain Observations The King besieged Escalona which place after the Death of D. Alvaro was surrendred by his Wife upon Condition his Treasure should be equally divided betwixt the King and her self All the rest was confiscated except the Town of Santistevan left to his Son D. John whose Daughter and Heiress married James the Son of John Pacheco and so the Earldom of Santistevan and Marquisate of Villena were united D. Alvaro had a Daughter married to In̄igo Lopez de Mendoça Duke del Infantado Also a Bastard Son and Daughter Thus much of D. Alvaro At Granada Ismael with the Assistance of the Christians and his Party among the Moors wrested the Crown from his Cousin Mahomet the Lame but being in the Throne soon forgot the Obligations he owed to the Christians In Portugal a new sort of Mony was coined called Cruzados which took that Name from the Croisade then granted by Pope Nicholas the V. to all that went to the War against the Moors in Barbary at the Request of D. Alvaro Gonzalez Bishop of Lanego CHAP. VII The Designs and Death of King John of Castile Discoveries of the Portugueses along the Coast of Africk Prince Henry proclaim'd King of Castile Peace concluded betwixt Castile Aragon and Navarre The Character of Henry the new King of Castile THE Death of D. Alvaro de Luna no way contributed to alter the Posture of Affairs for the better tho the King was resolved had he lived to take upon himself the Government and follow the Advice of the Bishop of Cuenca and Prior of Guadlupe Men of great Integrity and Piety To this purpose he sent for them both to come to Avila whither he went from Escalona He designed also to keep 8000 Horse in constant pay to be a check to his Subjects and a standing Power against Forreign Enemies Besides he resolved that every City should be impowered to Collect the Revenue that there might be no need of Farmers or Collectors who oppress the People to enrich themselves The Portugueses at this time began to make vast Discoveries along the Coast of Africk as far as the Cape of Good Hope Prince Henry Uncle to the King of Portugal being learned in Astrology and zealous of promoting the Christian Faith was the first that undertook this Affair The King of Castile pretended that Conquest appertained to him and threatned War in case the Portugues did not desist He answered he knew no wrong had been done and hoped the King of Castile would not begin a War before that dispute was decided by Law The King of Castile went to Medina del Campo and Valladolid to try
been suitable to them This popular Inclination so entirely gained him the Affections of the Commonalty that they were never known to continue more firm to their Prince but it disobliged most of the Nobility John de Luna had the Government of Soria taken from him and was cast in Prison by the Contrivanc of John Pacheco who by these means endeavoured to get into his Power a Grandaughter of D. Alvaro de Luna Daughter to his Son John de Luna then dead The young Maid was in the Custody of that Governour of Soria who was her Kinfman and his Wife her Aunt This young Lady he married to his Son James Pacheco and by that means united the Farldom of Santistevan to his own Estate Alonso Faxardo Lieutenant of Murcia making his Advantage of the Confusion of those Times seized Carthagena and Lorca with several other Forts in that Country Against him the King sent Gonçalo de Saavedra who took from him not only those Places but all he had inherited of his Forefathers and he thought it a Happiness to save his Life At the same time dyed the Marques de Santillana He left these Children James his Heir Peter then Bishop of Calahorra In̄igo Laurence John and others from whom some noble Families in Castile are descended On the 4th of September dyed the Queen of Aragon at Valencia and was buryed in the Monastery of Nuns in that City called the Trinity Soon after the King of Portugal passing over into Africk with a powerful Fleet on the 18th of October took from the Moors a Town called Alcaçar near Ceuta His Brother Ferdinand Duke of Visco and his Uncle Henry were with him in this Expedition Duarte de Meneses was left Governour of the Place He after the King's Departure three several times repulsed great Multitudes of Moors that attacked him and made them desist from that Enterprize Prince Charles sent Embassadors out of Sicily to his Father to beg Pardon and offer his Submission But he dealt not fairly for at the same time he sollicited the King of France and Duke of Britany to joyn in League with him to recover by Force what his Father would not voluntarily yield up to him For this Reason and for fear the Sicilians should proclaim him King his Father pardoned him and he came over to Spain at the beginning of the Year 1459. Thence he went over to Majorca to wait the Event of what his Father designed for him despairing of obtaining his Mother's Kingdom His death which was near at Hand put an end to all his Contrivances His Demands were that his Father should pardon him and his Adherents and release the Constable of Navarre D. Luis de Biamonte with all others that had been delivered as Hostages That he should cause the Oath of Allegiance to be taken to him as Heir and give him leave to live quietly in any Town except the Court That he should restore to him Viana and Gandia which were his own If this were granted he offered to withdraw his Garrisons out of all Places that held for him He also desired that his Sister Ellenor Wife to the Earl of Faux might be removed from the Government of that Kingdom Much time was spent in Debate but at last neither was all he demanded granted nor what was promised performed It was the Opinion of the Vulgar that this was all the Contrivance of his Mother in Law who wished his Death fearing if he succeeded his Father it would not be well with her self and her Children The Seed of Sedition which had been long sowed in Castile at length broke out The King besides his other Faults was wholly devoted to Women First he loved one Catherine de Sandoval but left her because she admitted the Courtship of another yet soon after made her Abbess of the Monastery of S. Peter de las Duen̄as at Toledo Alonso de Cordova her Gallant was beheaded at Medina del Campo In the Place of Catherine de Sandoval he took the Lady Guiomar the most Beautiful Woman next to the Queen They two as is usual in such Cases fell at Variance D. Alonso de Fonseca Archbishop of Sevil favoured the Mistriss the Marques de Villena sided with the Queen Thus the Court was divided and the Servant grew so haughty as to Cope with her Sovereign It came to that pass that they gave one another ill Language and at length the Queen laid violent Hands upon the Mistriss and treated her severely which the King highly resented Another scandalous thing happened which was that D. Beltran de la Cueva Lord Steward of the Houshold a great Favourite of the Kings to whom he had given a plentiful Fortune grew into Familiarity with the Queen The People generally judged ill of that Freedom and some were of Opinion the King knew they were faulty and consented to it to hide his own Impotency It is to be suspected that a great part of this Fable was forged in favour of King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth when they came afterwards to the Crown Some time after this Scandal gathered strength when upon account of an Embassador coming out of Britany D. Beltran was Challenger in a Feast of running at Tilt that was in Madrid and Pardo and after the Sport was over made a Banquet greater than was thought could be done by any private Person The King was so pleased that in the Place where the Tilting was in memory of it he caused a Monastery of Hieronimites to be erected which because the Place was unhealthy was afterwards removed to that where it now stands The People after the Example of the Court were addicted to all manner of Ludeness and Prodigality and the Nobility without any regard of the King combined to raise new Troubles About this time many extraordinary Accidents were thought to foretell the Calamities that were threatned by these Disorders There appeared in the Sky a great Flame which dividing it self into two Parts the one ran towards the East and vanished the other continued some time In the Territory of Burgos and Granada there fell a shower of great Stones which killed much Cattle At Pen̄alver a Town in the Country of Alcarria it was reported a Child of three years of Age foretold the Troubles that would ensue unless the People did Pennance for their Sins The King's Lions at Segovia fought and the little one killed the biggest and eat part of him The People made Processions to appease God being terrify'd with these strange Omens but they mended not their Lives Particularly the Clergy was extraordinary depraved in so much that about this time D. Roderick de Luna Archbishop of Santiago forced away a Bride on her Wedding Day to debauch her which caused the People to Mutiny being Headed by D. Luis Osorio Son to the Earl of Trastamara In revenge of that hainous Crime they deposed that Bishop and seized all he had His End was answerable to his Life the rest whereof he spent
November having never touched Woman tho 77 Years of Age. Of all the Brothers only D. Alonso the Bastard Duke of Bragança remained and he also died the next Year By his Wife Beatrix Daughter to the Constable Nun̄o Pereira he had a Son called Ferdinand from whom are lineally descended the Dukes of Bragança in Portugal Prince Charles dying the Cause of Discord was taken away and yet the Effect ceased not Ferdinand Brother to the Deceased was immediately sworn Heir to the Crown first at Calatayud for Aragon and then at Barcelona for Catalonia Nevertheless the People took Arms the Nobility giving it out that the Prince was poisoned by his Mother-in-Law The chief Incendiary was F. John Gualves a Dominican who with seditious Sermons stirred up the People to Rebellion Barcelona being in an Uproar the Queen went away thence to Girona The King of Aragon perceiving the Danger that threatned sollicited foreign Princes particularly the King of France and Castile to assist him or at least that the latter would not offend him since Prince Charles was dead King Henry was at Madrid joyful that the Queen was with Child having caused her to be brought thither on Men's Shoulders that the Journey might not do her harm At the beginning of the Year 1462 she was delivered of a Daughter called Joanna who was immediately sworn Heiress of Castile The People believed her the Daughter of D. Beltran and the more because he was then created Earl of Ledesma Andrew de Cabera his great Friend was made Steward of the Houshold which was a step for him to attain vast Wealth The Count d' Armagnac was then at Court as Ambassador from the King of France to settle Peace The Archbishop of Toledo being reconciled to the King held the Supreme Power On the 23d of March the Aragonian Ambassadors at length concluded a Peace between Castile and Aragon and for Security Cautionary Towns were given to the King of Castile who put others into a Third hand to remain as Pledges on his part On the 12th of April the King of Aragon made a League with the King of France at Olite It was there agreed That the King of France should send the Aragonian 700 Men at Arms and 200000 Crowns for which the States of Cerdagne and Russillon were mortgaged to him the Revenues thereof not to be accounted any part of Payment To ratifie this Contract the Two Kings appointed an Interview at Salvatierra a Town in the Province of Bearne At the same time the Earl of Faux had the Lady Blanch Sister to Prince Charles and Heiress of Navarre delivered up to him notwithstanding her grievous Complaints of the Wrong done her She was confined to the Castle of Ortes in the Territory of Faux and there soon after poisoned Her Body was buried in the City Lascar Both the Kings of Castile and Aragon ratified the Peace concluded at Madrid On the 30th of May the Catalonians besieged the Queen of Aragon in Girona forced the City and had taken the Old Castle called Gironela where the Queen was but that the French Horse coming obliged them to quit that Design and the City The King of Aragon also hasted to the relief of his Wife and having worsted the Rebels in several Rencounters and taken many Towns encamped near Barcelona at last The Queen of Castile miscarried at Aranda with the Fright that her Hair took fire by the Sun shining through a Glass The Grief for this Loss was soon forgot by reason of the great Joy and Festivals at the Wedding of the Count de Ledesma with the younger Daughter of the Earl of Santillana at Guadalajara the King and Queen being present Thence the Queen went to Segovia and the King to Atiensa to Hunt Thither came a Gentleman called Copones from the Catalonians to offer him that Country provided he would support them The King accepting their Offer sent them 2500 Horse whose arrival in Catalonia animated the Multitude and they presently proclaimed King Henry Earl of Barcelona This News was very pleasing to the King of Castile but much more to hear that D. John de Guzman Duke of Medina Sidonia had taken Gibraltar from the Moors and the Master of Alcantara Archidona He ordered Gibraltar to be inserted among his Royal Titles Incursions were made into Valencia and Aragon and that Kingdom might have been subdued had King Henry been resolute Therefore the King of Aragon laboured to be reconciled with him To this effect the Admiral of France and that King 's Ambaslador came to Almaçan where King Henry was at the beginning of the Year 1463. He was splendidly entertained and in a Ball Danced with the Queen whereupon he swore never more to Dance with any Woman It was agreed the Kings of France and Castile should have a Conference and accordingly they met near Fuenterabia about the end of April The Castilians vied to outdo one another in rich Apparel whereas the French and particularly their King were very plain which caused the Castilians to jeer and reflect upon them The Spaniards passed the River Videsao some say by way of acknowledging the King of France to be the greater Our Historians say it was because all that River belongs to Spain and therefore King Henry being come to the High-water Mark on the further side side There were the Borders of Castile and France and that King Louis answered It is true Here the Judgment given by the King of France as Arbitrator between Castile and Aragon was read the Heads whereof were That the Castilians should quit Catalonia and Navarre That the City Estela and its Liberty should remain to King Henry and that the Queen of Aragon and her Daughter should remain at Raga in custody of the Archbishop of Toledo as Hostages for performance of Articles This Judgment offended all the Three Nations concerned and nothing more was effected at this Conference Philip de Comines a famous French Historian absolutely condemns this and all such Meetings of Kings as the Incentives of Emulation and Discord whereas all they can propose to do at an Interview may be as well settled by their Ambassadors without any Hazard or Discontent to either Party He relates how the Spaniards came over into France and were entertained by the King That King Henry had an unpleasing Countenance and his Garb was disagreeable to the French whereas the Spaniards attributed the Plainness of the French King's Habit to Covetousness He adds the only Fruit of this Meeting was Plots and Contrivances among the Nobility which at length proved the Ruin of King Henry whom he says he saw forsaken by his Subjects and reduced to Misery This Year on the 12th of November passed from this Life to a better the Holy F. James de Alcala in the Monastery of Franciscans at Alcala de Heneres built by D. Alonso Carrillo Archbishop of Toledo He was born at S. Nicholas in the Diocess of Sevill His Life and the Miracles he
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
and tho very aged and blind of both Eyes had still a great Spirit In that City on the 22th of January 1468 Ellenor his Bastard Daughter was Married to D. Luis de Biamonte Earl of Lerin Her Portion was 15000 Florins and the Design to secure that Family so Powerful in Navarre The Queen held the Cortes of Aragon at Zaragoça for the King her Husband There she died on the 13th of February to the great Grief of the King who lamented it the more because he was so aged himself and his Son to whom she might have been a great support so young Not long before she met her Daughter in Law the Countess of Faux at Exea on the Borders of Aragon and there they concluded a League Offensive and Defensive Her Body was Buried at Poblete Only one Crime was laid to her Charge which was the Death of her Son in Law Prince Charles and this they say troubled her Conscience at the hour of her Death The News of the Troubles in Castile was come to Rome King Henry sollicited the Pope to Depose the Bishops that were in Rebellion and to Excommunicate the Nobility if they would not submit Antony Venerio Bishop of Leon was therefore sent Nuncio into Spain First he waited upon the King at Medina del Campo Then endeavouring to Treat with the Rebels was by them twice put off with Reproachful Language and he threatning to Excommunicate them they answered The Pope had nothing to do with the Affairs of the Crown and that they would Appeal to the next General Councel Another Misfortune befell the King which was that D. John Arias Bishop of Segovia in revenge that his Brother Peter Arias had been wrongfully imprisoned tho now set at liberty resolved to deliver up that City to the Lords The Place is strong being seated on the Mountains that part Old and New Castile The Queen and Dutchess of Albuquerque who were there were so surprized at the coming of the Rebels that they could scarce have time to get into the Castle nor were they easily admitted Peter Munsares the Governor being of Intelligence with the Rebels The Princess Elizaheth who knew of the Design stayed in the Palace and then went to her Brother Alonso designing to take part with him This News was soon carried to Medina del Campo where King Henry was which troubled him more than any other Loss because he loved that City kept his Treasure there and it was the place where he Diverted himself From this time forward he seemed disturbed in his Brain trusted no Body was suspicious of all Men and unsettled sometimes for Peace and sometimes for War but Peace was more suitable to his Nature He appointed to meet the Marquess de Villena at Coca notwithstanding all his Friends opposed it which made many forsake him Nothing was done at Coca therefore they agreed to meet again in the Castle of Segovia There they agreed upon these Articles which were no better observed than others had been That the Castle of Segovia be delivered to Prince Alonso That the King have Liberty to take out his Treasures which shall be kept in the Castle of Madrid by Peter Muncares That the Queen be left with the Archhishop of Sevil as an Hostage for Performance hereof That these things performed the Nobles within 6 months Restore the King to the Government and submit to him These were hard Conditions for the King But the worst was that the Queen in the Castle of Alabejos whither the Bishop sent her took a Liking to a young Man and proved with Child by him which confirmed all the former Suspicions of her Dishonesty and made for the Rebels The King distracted with these Misfortunes went from place to place almost like a Private Man forsaken of most Men only 10 attending him He resolved at last to try the Earl of Plasencia and put himself into his Power He was there well received and lived about 4 months in the Castle of that City The Pope sent a new Nuncio to persuade the Lords to submit to the King but they persisting Obstinate he Excommunicated them This did not correct tho it troubled them so much that they sent Deputies to Rome who were not suffered to come within the Walls of that City till they had taken an Oath not to give the Title of King to Prince Alonso The Pope severely Reproved them in the Consistory assuring them God would punish their Disloyalty and that it was to be feared the young Prince would come to an untimely Death for the Sins of others This Saying of his proved Prophetick and his Severity did some kidness to King Henry At the same time the City Toledo was restored to the King Peter Lopez de Ayala was Governor of that City F. Peter de Silva of the Order of S. Dominick and Bishop of Badajoz his Brother in Law Treated with his Sister the Governors Wife about delivering up the City to the King They sent to him he came from Plasencia in two days and entring the City by night was lodged in the Dominican Monastery His coming being known a Bell was Rung and the People took the Alarm Peter Lopez advised the King should not shew himself because the People would not pay him any respect Therefore about midnight he left the City with him went Perafan de Ribera and the two Sons of Peter Lopez de Ayala Peter and Alonso At the Gate the King found his Horse was tired having travelled 18 Leagues that Day He asked one of the Company to give him his Horse which he refused but the two Sons of Peter Lopez immediately alighted and on their knees begg'd of the King to accept of theirs one for himself and the other for his Squire of the Body The King did so those Gentleman followed him a Foot Being come to Olias the King gave Peter Lopez de Ayala and his Sons for ever an Estate of 70000 Mervidies a Year The Bishop also was forc'd to leave the City yet within Four days the Governors Wives tears prevail'd with him to call the King again He came and found all things better dispos'd than he expected and at the suit of the People confirm'd their Charter granting them new Privileges But Peter Lopez de Ayala was created Earl of Fuensalida and continued Governor of the City then the King went away to Madrid there he secur'd the Governor of that Place Peter Muçares but soon after dismiss'd him The loss of Toledo so nearly touched the Rebels that they immediately Marched from Arevalo where their Forces were to Besiege that City In their March near Carden̄osa Prince Alonso fell sick and died on the 5th of July which put a stop to their proceedings His Body was Buried in the Church of St. Francis at Arevalo thence afterwards translated to the Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores at Burgos Some said he died of the Plague which then raged in those parts others that he was poisoned Alonso de Palencia who
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
appointed for Contracting the Princess Thither went the King and Queen with their Daughter and the Master of Santiago the Archbishop of Sevil the Duke of Arevalo the Bishop of Siguença and his Brothers there they all publickly renounced the Allegiance Sworn to the Princess Elizabeth On the 26th of October the Ceremony of the Princesses Marriage was performed The King and Queen Swore she was their Lawful Daughter and the Nobility did Homage to her and she was Sworn Heiress of the Kingdom After the Solemnity as they returned to Segovia there arose such a Storm of Wind Rain and Snow that the French Ambassadors were in danger and some of their Servants perished which some looked upon as an ill Omen to that Wedding From Segovia the Ambassadors returned home well satisfied with their Negociation the Bishop of Siguença by the Kings Order accompanying them as far as Burgos This had been the Occasion of a Bloody War between Spain and France had not Heaven prevented it For the King of France had not long before a Son born which cut off the Duke of Guienne's hopes of inheriting that Crown and he died two years after as shall be related in its place CHAP. VIII The Tumults and Confusions in Aragon Sardinia and Navarre The King of Castile Labours to Reduce his Rebels Pope Paul II. Dies Sixtus IV. Chosen King Alonso of Portugal takes Arzila and Tangier in Africk AS the Power of Aragon had been increased by the Marriage in Castile so was its Quiet much disturbed by the War which still continued in Catalonia and new Commotions in Sardinia and Navarre Leonard de Alagon Son to Artal de Alagon and Benedicta de Arborea in her Right pretended to the Estate of that Family the Marquess de Oristan Salvador de Arborea dying without Issue He sought to do himself Right by force of Arms and took several Towns belonging to the King and other great Men. Nicholas Carros the Viceroy had not a sufficient Strength to suppress him In Navarre the Earl of Faux with the Assistance of the Biamonteses possessed himself of great part of the Kingdom and laid Siege to Tudela The King sent the Archbishop of Zaragoça before and notwithstanding his great Age followed him with a good Force which obliged his Son in Law to raise the Siege A Treaty was set on foot and at length at Olite it was Agreed That the King of Aragon should still retain the Title of King of Navarre but the Government should be wholly in the Power of the Earl of Faux and his Wife News was here brought them of a sad Misfortune that had happened in France which was That at a Feast of Tilting made by Charles Duke of Guienne for Joy of his Marriage a Splinter from his own Lance broke upon his Adversary struck Gaston Son to the Earl of Faux through the sight of his Helmet and killed him This was on the 27th of November He was 26 years of Age. His Body was carried to Bourdeaux and there buried in the Cathedral of that City He left Two Children by his Wife Magdalen a Son call'd Francis Phebus and a Daughter named Catherine who both came to the Crown of Navarre This grieved the King of Aragon but above all the Danger of his Son Ferdinand whom he thought not safe to leave in Castile where he had many Enemies and among them that King nor yet to call him away unless he had secured his Succession to that Crown He was the more perplexed for that the Bishop of Toledo a Man of great Power was Discontented and took it ill that King Ferdinand was more Familiar with and had more Confidence in Guterre de Cardenas and the Admiral D. Alonso Enriquez than in him Besides that King had let fall a word signifying That he would not suffer himself to be governed by any Man This troubled the Archbishop and he resolved to withdraw The King of Aragon being informed of it endeavoured to appease him writing a Letter to his Son wherein he Advised him to Prefer the Archbishop before all others and use him as a Father Yet this did not fully satisfie the Archbishop The Affairs of Aragon were in a good posture in Catalonia for John Duke of Lorrain died at Barcelona upon the 16th of December and was buried in the Cathedral The Rebels were not at all dismayed hereat but hoping the King of France would stand by them published an Ordinance enjoining all Places that were without Governours not to admit of any unless Renee Duke of Anjou or his Grandson Nicholas Son to the deceased came to them in Person In Castile the King of Aragon used all Means to Oblige the Nobility D. John Pacheco was promised his Estate should be enlarged and the Archbishop of Toledo that his Sons Troylo and Lope should be Preferred and Provided for Many others of the Nobility were reduced either by Fair Promises or great Gifts yet neither D. John Pacheco nor the Archbishop could be prevailed upon King Henry used the same Art especially towards the Archbishop It was thought he would not be overcome by fair Means only therefore Vasco de Contreras took from him the Town of Perales The Archbishop gathering some Forces besieged that Town but the King at the beginning of the year 1471 hasted to Madrid and marching thence with 800 Men raised the Siege which done he returned back to Madrid and the Archbishop to Alcalà A new way was found to reduce the Rebellious Prelates but especially those of Toledo and Segovia The King obtained of the Pope Two Bulls one whereof Cited the Bishop of Segovia to Appear before him at Rome within 90. days after the Notification of it By the other the Archbishop was Commanded to Submit to the King and in case he was Refractory 4 Canons of Toledo were empowered to draw up a Process against him and send it to Rome These 4 Canons were appointed by the Chapter but through the Contrivance of the Master of Santiago they proceeded not upon that Affair To the Master of Santiago the King gave the Town of Alcaraz and to D. Roderick Ponce Earl of Arcos the Island of Cadiz and the Title of a Marquess by way of Portion with Beatrix Daughter to the Master of Santiago in order to make an Interest against the Duke of Medina Sidonia who was an Enemy to them both Biscay was again in an uproar Avendan̄o and Moxica the Heads of the Mutineers being returned from Banishment by the help of the Earl of Trevin̄o who assisted them in hatred to Peter Fernandez de Velasco Earl of Haro who banished them Both these Noblemen marched with Forces into Biscay and on the 27th of April came to a Battle near a Town called Monguia The Earl of Trevin̄o was strongest in Foot which were of most use in that uncouth Countrey so that he overthrew his Adversary Many were killed especially of the Gentry and more made Prisoners King Henry hearing of it posted
own Order that is the Dominicans It had been began in the time of King Alonso the Wise The Church was doubtless built lately by the Cardinal John de Torquemada who had his Education in that House At this time the holy Tribunal of the Inquisition was first erected in Castile There were before certain Inquisitors of this nature but they had not the power nor the method that was now introduced The principal promoter and founder of this Court was the Cardinal of Spain moved to it by the great corruption caused by the mixture of Christians Jews and Moores Many Jews who had been Converted relapsed to their former Error and particularly the number was great at Sevil where the Inquisition first executed its Authority If their Crimes were hainous they were burnt if of a lesser hue their Goods were Confiscate their Persons condemned to perpetual Imprisonment or obliged to wear what they call a Sanbenito that is piece of yellow Baise hanging on the Breast and Back with a red Cross upon it which was a mighty Infamy It was thought too much severity that the Children should suffer for the Crimes of their Parents that the accuser should not be known nor confront the party accused as had ever been used in all Courts and lastly that Sins of this nature should be punished with death Some wholly condemned this severity yet others approved of and defended it The event has made it appear this Court has been very necessary and advantageous to the Kingdom Many wholesome Laws were at first Enacted and have since been enlarged to restrain the power of the Judges and keep them within the bounds of moderation that they may not be debauched by Avarice But the greatest security consists in that these Imployments are always bestowed on Persons of great learning and known integrity and piety The first Inquisitor General was F. Thomas de Torquemada of the Order of St. Dominick Confessor to the King and Queen and Prior of the Monastery at Segovia His Authority at first extended only to the Kingdom of Castile Four years after it comprehended all Aragon At first the Inquisitor General used to send his Commissioners to all parts as occasion required without having any fixed Tribunals Since it is established that the Inquisitor General with Five of the supream Councill determines all the most weighty Affairs of Religion at the Court where the other Tribunals are All smaller Affairs are committed to 2 or 3 Inquisitors who keep their Courts in several Cities The places where now the Inquisitors reside are Toledo Cuenca Murcia Valladolid Santiago Logron̄o Sevil Cordova Granada Elerena and in the Kingdom of Aragon Valencia Zaragoça and Barcelona An Edict was published by the Inquisitor General offering a free pardon to all guilty Persons who should come in and submit themselves 17000 as well Men as Women of all sorts are said to have presented themselves 2000 were burnt and a greater number fled From this beginning it has rose to be the most dreaded Tribunal in the World A proper remedy against the Calamities that soon after ensued and confounded many other Kingdoms Before the King and Queen of Castile went from Sevil they ordered that neither the Duke of Medina Sidonia nor the Marquess of Cadiz should be admitted into that City so the heats of the Factions being taken away all was in Peace On the Frontiers of Portugal Lope Vasco a Portugues Governor of the Castle of Mora secured that place for King Ferdinand and sent him advice of it that he might be relieved King Ferdinand was very desirous to make War upon Portugal in Person thinking it would redound to his Honour not only to defend his own but to invade another Neither his Father nor any of the wiser sort approved of his design as dangerous and unprofitable Therefore he sent D. Alonso de Cardenas Master of Santiago with 1500 Horse and 15000 Foot Nothing of Moment was done for John Prince of Portugal recovered the Castle of Mora which disappointed all their designs It was more requisite to secure Truxillo thither the King and Queen went taking Cordova in their way Mean while at Land a Town in the Territory of Cahors in France a Match was agreed betwixt Frederick second Son to the King of Naples and Anne Daughter of Amadee Duke of Savoy The King of France promised the Bride who was his Sisters Daughter a great Estate in France and offered to deliver up Russillon and Cerdaigne till such time as he performed or the King of Aragon paid the Money about which they were at variance This highly offended the Two Kings of Spain Father and Son who resented that the King of Naples without regard to their kindred should prefer the friendship of France before that of Spain and accept of those Places for which they were Engaged in War The Truce was near expiring and there was danger the War would again break out at a very improper time for both Nations The King of France was busie in the Conquest of Flanders In Castile all was not settled for the King of Portugal prepared to renew the War and the Countess of Medellin a Masculine Woman with Alonso de Monroy Deputy to the Master of Calatrava were revolted For these reasons John de Gamboa Governor of Fuenterabia and the Archdeacon of Almaçan by Order of King Ferdinand began to treat of an acommodation with the French Ambassadors who were at Bayonne They managed this Affair so well that the Truce was changed into a Peace upon the old Conditions that had been betwixt those Two Crowns and the King of Aragon was included which was only imposing upon him since the Lands in dispute were not restored to him However it was agreed Judges should be appointed to decide that Difference The joy conceived in Castile on account of this Peace was increased by some concurring Causes One was that the Earl of Alva Liste the Kings Unckle came to Truxillo having been à Prisoner ever since the Battle of Toro Another that the Archbishop of Toledo drove by necessity all his Revenues being Seized submitted to King Ferdinando and delivered up his strong Holds to be held by the King It was given out he held Correspondence with the King of Portugal still nevertheless he was pardoned Moreover Pope Sixtus revoked the dispensation he had given the King of Portugal for Marrying his Neece the Princess Joanna which many thought was too great a Compliance with the King of Naples at whose Suit it was done and misbecoming the Papal Authority In order to settle all their Affairs and particularly the Peace with France the Two Kings Father and Son designed to meet at Molina and Daroca When on a sudden the King of Aragon fell sick at Barcelona and died on the 19th of January 1479. His Body was buried at Poblete and he was so Poor that to defray the Charge of his Funeral his Houshold Goods were Pawned He lived 81 Years 7 Months and
great Virtue and Ability and had this Dignity conferred on him as a Reward for his good Services D. Ynigo Manrique Bishop of Jaen was translated in his stead to the Archbishoprick of Sevil. In Navarre a great Joy was allayed by a greater Sorrow King Francis who during the Troubles of Navarre had resided in France at last as had been agreed came to Pamplona with his Mother Uncles and a great Retinue of Nobility of France and Navarre He was received with great Pomp and a general Applause Crowned in the Cathedral and Proclaimed King on the 3d of October He was then in the flower of his Youth being 15 years of Age wonderful Beautiful and well inclined The first thing he did was to forbid upon Pain of Death any Persons whatsoever calling themselves Biamonteses or Agramonteses the hateful Names of those Factions which had so long distracted that Kingdom He made Luis Earl of Lerin Constable and gave him Larraga and other Towns to oblige him because he was powerful This done he took a Progress through the Kingdom punished Malefactors and secured the Authority of Magistrates It was proposed to Marry him to secure the Succession King Ferdinand offered his Daughter the Princess Joanna The King of France advised him to take to Wife the other Princess Joanna Daughter to King Henry then a professed Nun in Portugal thinking by this means to have an opportunity of subduing Castile Magdalen the young King's Mother an Ambitious Woman was more inclinable to this Match and therefore lest any Violence should be offered her Son persuaded him to repass the Mountains where he had large Dominions He was no sooner come to the City Pau or S. Paul in Bearne but he fell sick and died on the 30th of January 1483. His Body was buried in Lescar a City in Bearn His Sister Catherine succeeded him in the Throne as was her due By her Marriage soon after that Kingdom fell under the Dominion of the French who enjoyed it not long In Portugal King John punished some of the Nobility who had conspired to Murder him and with their Blood revenged their wicked Designs against his Person These Nobles were offended at the King 's Austere Temper his Severity in punishing Offenders and for his great freedom in declaring his Mind But above all they resented that contrary to ancient Custom the King's Alguaziles or Officers by his special Command apprehended and punished Malefactors upon their Estates They consulted together and expecting no Redress by fair Means resolved to use Force The Heads of this Conspiracy were the Dukes Ferdinand of Bragança and James of Viseo the most Powerful Men in the Kingdom and of the Blood Royal. Many others joined with them as the Marquess de Montemor the Earl of Haro the Duke of Braganca's Brothers D. Garcia de Meneses Bishop of Ebora his Brother Ferdinand and D. Lope du Albuquerque Earl of Penamacor This Conspiracy was discovered after this manner The Cortes sate at Ebora Some good Laws were Established and among other things it was provided that the Nobility should not have the Power of Oppressing the People This the Duke of Bragança complained was a Breach of the ancient Priviledges of the Nobility and offered to produce the Grants of Kings to his Predecessors Lope de Figueredo his Comptroller searching for these Papers found among them others which made out that the Duke held Correspondence with the King of Castile to the prejudice of the Crown of Portugal He carried them privately to the King who having viewed them ordered him to Copy them and return the Originals to the place where he found them It hapned the Queen in the Spring of the year 1483 was sick at Almarin after Lying in Her Brother the Duke of Viseo and her Brother in Law the Duke of Bragança came to visit her The King Entertained them kindly desiring to put a stop to that Mischief without hazarding a War At length one morning after hearing Mass he took the Duke of Bragança aside there he told him how he was informed of all his Designs and Treasonable Correspondence with Castile that he was with much difficulty induced to believe it and yet being convinced of the truth was willing to Pardon and bury it in oblivion advising him to consider none could be more his Friend than he that was so near a Kinsman and that if any thing had been amiss he ought to have advised him better or winked at any Error in the Government This Discourse of the King 's surprized the Duke He begged the King would not give Credit to Informers who strive to rise upon the Ruins of others assuring him he would not lay the stain of Disloyalty upon his Family and affirming with great Imprecations upon himself that all he said was true The King went away to Santarem the Dukes to their Estates no way departing from their Designs Mean while F. Ferdinand de Talavera Prior of Prado a Monastery of the Order of S. Hierome near Valladolid and the King's Confessor was sent to Portugal to Ratifie the late Peace and Propose that the Prince and Princess given as Hostages might be restored to their Parents which was accordingly done Only this Alteration was made in the former Articles that Prince Alonso should Marry the Princess Joanna the youngest Daughter of King Ferdinand because they were both of an Age. In May the Princess Elizabeth returned to Castile and Prince Alonso to his Father the Duke of Bragança accompanying him to Ebora where the Court was There he was apprehended upon Intelligence given by Gaspar Jusarte that he still held Correspondece with King Ferdinand by the means of Peter Jusarte Both Brothers were Rewarded for the Discovery The Duke was impeached of High Treason Tried and Condemned to Death His Execution was on the 22th of June With him suffered 6 other Fidalgos or Noblemen found guilty of the same Crime The Constable of Portugal the Dukes Brothers and others fled The Dutchess as soon as she received the News of her Husband's Death sent her 3 Sons Philip James and Denis to Castile Philip died there a Batchelor James was Pardoned and returned to Portugal Denis Married the Heiress of the Earl of Lemos in Castile His youth saved the Duke of Viseo the King only giving him a Reprimand the day after the Execution of the other Neither the Punishment of the one nor the Mercy extended to the other Duke had influence enough to prevail with the other Conspirators to desist They complained that no Man was safe and that the Duke of Bragança had been wrongfully put to death Therefore it was resolved the King should be murdered and the Duke of Viseo set up in his place They only waited an opportunity to give the Stroke but before it could be performed all the Conspiracy was detected after this manner James Tinoco had a Sister who was Mistress to the Archbishop of Ebora She having found out what was contrived discovered
chosen in his stead Also Pope Sixtus gave the Archbishoprick of Sevil to Cardinal Roderick Borgia but the King opposed him and it was given to James de Mendoça then Bishop of Palencia Thus the Kings of Spain began to claim the Right of nominating their Bishops The Neapolitans and Venetians were now at War about Hercules Duke of Ferrara whom the former Protected because he was Married to their King's Daughter On the 12th of August died Pope Sixtus His Successor was Cardinal John Baptista Cibo who took the Name of Innocent the 8th At the same time died In̄igo Davalos Son to the Constable Ruy Lopez Davalos He was in high favour with the Kings of Naples and left several Children of whom some Princes in Italy are descended and particularly the famous Ferdinand Marquess of Pescara who filled not only Italy but all the World with the same of his Exploits Inigo Davalo was Father to D. Alonso Marquess del Gasto who was also renowned for his Valour and his Cousin dying without Children he Inherited his Estate which he left to his Heirs upon Condition one of them should be called Marquess de Pescara and the next Marquess del Gasto alternatively as is practised till this day CHAP. IV. Alora and other Places taken from the Moores Albohardil usurps the Crown of Granada and defeats the Earl of Cabra The Rebellion in Naples Birth of the Princess Catherine of Castile afterwards Wife to Henry VIII King of England IN Andaluzia our Forces never ceas'd to harass the Enemies Country At Cordoua a Council was held to agree about undertaking some Enterprize and tho the Master of Santiago was of another Opinion the Marquess of Cadiz his Advice prevailed which was to attack Alora a Town almost in the mid-way between Antequera and Malaga It is stronger by Nature than any addition of Art The Army was ready to march when King Ferdinand came and approved of the Enterprize The better to amuze the Enemy he gave out he was going to put new Forces into Alhama but being come to Antequera turned short and set down before Alora unexpected Our Cannon soon beat down part of the Walls which so terrified the Moores that they surrendred on the 21th of June upon Condition to carry their Goods with them We lost not one Man in this Siege Several other Places were attacked and at one called Caçarabonela where there was a Skirmish with a Body of the Enemy D. Gutierre de Sotomayor Earl of Benalcaçar being too eager was killed in the prime of his Age. After this 300 Knights of Calatrava were put into Alhama under the Command of Garzi Lopez de Padilla chosen Master of that Order in the place of Roderick Tellez Giron deceased The King marched on and incamped in sight of Granada His Army consisted of 6000 Horse and scarce 10000 Foot In the City there were reported to be 70000 Combatants a number scarce to be believed However King Ferdinand ravaged all that place and having spent 50 days in this Expedition returned with his Army entire and loaded with Plunder to the Christian Territories The Command of Alora he gave to Luis Fernandez Portocarrero D. Alvaro de Mendoça Earl of Castro was made Admiral that he being a Man of singular Conduct might hinder any Succours from passing out of Africk After the heat of the Summer was over the Christians again took the Field They battered a Castle near Malaga called Septenil which the Besieged terrified with the Cannon surrendred being payed for the Provisions they left behind them Thence our Army marched towards Ronda a strong and almost inaccessible City being seated betwixt craggy Mountains the greatest part of it encompassed by a River the rest covered with Rocks The Inhabitants of this place were Resolute and Warlike and well provided with all Necessaries for their Defence Our Forces being come in sight of the Walls destroyed all the Orchards and Olive-Trees thereabouts but Money growing short to pay the Soldiers they made but a short stay there The Army being put into Winter-quarters the King and Queen went away to Sevil and came to that City upon the 2d of October In the month of January 1485 the King took the Field thinking to surprize the City Loxa but desisted by reason of the Rains and bad Weather as also because a Soldier of Note called John de Ortega said that design was impracticable The Nobility came in daily with their Troops so that in a little time the Army amounted to 9000 Horse and 20000 Foot With this Force it was decreed to prosecute the War At the same time the Citizens of Almeria as if their King Boabdil were the Cause of all their Misfortunes assaulted his Palace killed his Brother and secured his Mother who had been the chief Incendiary betwixt the Father and Son King Boabdil himself being then out of the Town as soon as he received the News of that Misfortune fled with a few Followers to Cordoua The Inhabitants of Ronda whose numbers were much decreased were in a great Consternation A Moore called Joseph Xerife gave notice of it to the Marquess of Cadiz and it was decreed to undertake that Enterprize First they attacked a Town called Cohine near Alora which they took by Assault and razed because it was too large to be defended Another Town called Cartama of which all the Valley takes Name was also taken The Master of Santiago was made Governor of it at his own Request This done they marched to Malaga where Albohardil the Moorish King's Brother resided in whose Valour the Moores chiefly confided for the Reputation he gained in the Slaughter of the Christians on the Mountains of Malaga Little was done there and the Army returned the way it came to Ronda The Forces were divided into 5 parts that they might encompass the Town on all sides The King with the greatest Body encamped before the Castle All the Avenues were secured that no Succours might get into the Town which was then much weakned a great number of the Inhabitants being abroad upon Parties to plunder in Andalusia For these Reasons and because the Christians advanced their Works with great Industry the Besieged surrendred upon Articles the 23d of May. Among the other Conditions it was agreed that some of the Principal Inhabitants should have Revenues assigned them at Sevil out of the Estates of Gonçalo Picon and others condemned by the Inquisition A good Garrison was put into that City Several other Towns along the Mountain surrendred the chief whereof were Caçarabonela and Marbella which lies near the Sea The Moores were in a great Consternation and had little help in their Kings the one being fled the other ancient sickly and almost blind This moved them to choose for their King Muley Albohardil who resided at Malaga and was a Man of great Courage and Conduct He immediately accepted of the Crown they offered him went away to Granada and entred that City in Triumphant manner being proud
to Death Afterwards the Licentiate Peter de Gasca tho a Priest and one of the General Council of the Inquisition put an end to all those Tumults rather by Policy than Force He put to death Gonçalo Pizarro and the other Heads of the Rebellion This done he returned into Spain where he was first Bishop of Palencia then of Siguença till the end of his Life which was very long Ferdinand Pizarro the only Surviver of the Three Brothers was long a Prisoner in Spain for before the Rebellion of his Brother he came to answer for the Murder of Almagro which was the cause of all those Broils Thus God punished the Murder of the Emperor Atabalipa not suffering one of his Enemies to escape scotfree and the ill acquired Riches perished with their Owners The Customs of all these People were strange and all other things extraordinary Their Fish Beasts Trees and Herbs all different from ours They had no use of Letters no Money no Weights nor did they build any Ships only Boats of one Tree hollowed like Trays which they call Canoes For Cloathing they had neither Linnen Woollen nor Silk but only Cotton whereof there is abundance There was no Iron and consequently none of the Weapons and other Necessaries made thereof Corn like ours they have none but a Grain they call Maiz nor Oil nor Wine made of Grapes but they wanted not other Liquors to make them Drunk to which they are much addicted They know not how to make Candles of Wax or Tallow There were no Beasts of Burden nor to Ride nor Carts or Litters Prisoners taken in War and Slaves were sacrificed in such vast numbers that it is held for a certain truth above 20000 perished in this manner every year in only the City Mexico whose Flesh they eat without any loathing It was Customary to have many Wives and Sodomy was permitted so brutish was their Government Their Garb was strange and many went quite naked Afterwards Chile upon the South Sea was discovered where were found Warlike Indians and difficult to be subdued and on our side beyond Brasil and the River de la Plata lies Paraguay and Tucuman extending to the Streights of Magellan The Philippine Islands were found at another time and took their Name from Philip II. King of Spain The Lieutenant Michael Lopez de Legaspi conquered the chief of them called Luzon and its City Manila on the 18th of May 1572. Lastly in the year 1598 a good Body of Men under the Command of D. John de Onate set out from Mexico to the Conquest of New Mexico This Country lies in about 30 deg of N. Lat. The Soil is fruitful the People more polished than the other Indians their Houses 3 or 4 and some 7 Stories high It was known by hearsay ever since the time of Cortes and often attempted to be conquered but never before with such a Power The Success was not answerable to so great Preparations This may suffice as to the West-Indies Charles VIII King of France being inflamed with the desire of conquering the Kingdom of Naples to which he pretended he had a good Title thought it necessary to secure King Ferdinand by entring into a League with him lest he should in his absence invade France the Kingdom of Naples belonging to the House of Aragon To this purpose a Treaty was carried on for restoring Russillon and Cerdaigne King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth leaving the Government of their new Kingdom of Granada to the Earl of Tendilla in June set out towards Aragon to be nearer to their Commissioners who managed that Treaty At Zaragoça they settled the Government of that City and went thence to Barcelona in October There as the King came out from giving Audience according to Custom one John Canamares a Catalonian came up with his naked Sword to kill him and gave him a Wound under his Ear. This Fellow being apprehended it appeared he was Mad and had undertaken that Action because he Dreamed that if he killed the King he should succeed him However he was torn with Pinchers and then burnt The League betwixt Spain and France after much altercation was lastly concluded at Narbonne on the 18th of January 1493 all Princes except the Pope being excluded It was agreed that the King of Spain should not Marry his Daughters without the consent of the King of France and that on this account Russillon and Cerdaigne should be restored However some months passed before the execution Next to pacifie Maximilian King of the Romans the King of France restored to him his Daughter and the Earldom of Artois her Dower and gave him Security for the Restitution of the Earldom of Burgundy and the rest of the Dutchy wrongfully detained from him At the same time died the Emperor Frederick and his Son Maximilian succeeded him King Ferdinand continued still in Aragon and Catalonia till such time as according to Contract Russillon and Cerdaigne were delivered to him in September the French Garrison marching out All Historians and especially the French blame that King for parting with those Dominions he had in possession upon an uncertain hope Many lay the blame on the Bishop of Albi who was the French Ambassador at the Treaty and say he was corrupted with Spanish Gold CHAP. III. Palma one of the Canary Islands Conquered The Masterships of the Three Military Orders annexed to the Crown of Castile The Original of the Neopolitan War The death of Ferdinand King of Naples AT the same time that King Ferdinand recovered Russillon he was in the farthest part of Spain restored to the Island of Cadiz and its Port which is one of the most famous in the whole World King Henry the IV. had with his wonted Prodigality given it to D. John Ponce de Leon Earl of Arcos who dying some Months after the taking of Granada that Island was taken from Rodcrick Ponce his Grandson and Heir and restored to the Crown Yet in lieu of it the Town of Casares in Africk was given to Roderick Ponce and his Title of Earl changed into that of Duke of Arcos The Island Palma one of the Canaries was now Conquered by Alonso de Lugo sent by the King and Queen upon that Expedition But the most considerable thing which hapned this Year was that the King possessed himself of the Masterships of the Three Military Orders in Castile The Masters were exempt from the Regal Jurisdiction and were so excessive powerful by reason of their vast Riches and many Dependants that they were grown terrible to the Kings themselves For this reason Pope Innocent the VIII granted the Catholick King Ferdinand should hold those Masterships as Administrator This Bull was obtained about the same time that D. Garcia de Padilla Master of Calatrava departed this Life which was in the Year 1487 and D. Alonso de Cardenas Master of Santiago dying at this time the King took possession of that Mastership The following Year he agreed with
the Cardinal of St. Peter but he was disappointed The French had often urged that since King Frederick being of a Bastard Family could have no Title to the Kingdom of Naples the Right must either be in the King of France or Spain and therefore it were fit they should agree about it The Catholick King was for standing to the Determination of the Emperor This proposal did not please the French King who offered if the King of Spain would resign up his Pretensions he would make him amends in Money or otherwise and offered the Kingdom of Navarre This Affair was debated at Medina del Campa whither the French Ambassadors came to King Ferdinand They offered the whole Province of Calabria upon Condition that if after the Conquest of the Kingdom if their King had a mind to it himself he should give the Catholick King the Kingdom of Navarre and 30000 Ducats a Year Yet King Ferdinand rather inclined to have Frederick left in possession he paying to the French a Sum of Money towards the Expence of the War and a certain Tribute yearly It was also proposed that the Duke of Calabria should Marry the Daughter of the Duke of Bourbon Niece to the French King Thus the Ambassadors were dismissed and because it was believed the War would again break out after the Expiration of the Truce the Catholick King endeavoured to secure himself on the side of Navarre He demanded of that King some strong Holds for his Security and appointed the Constable Bernardin de Velasco General upon that Frontier The same Precautions were used on the side of Russillon There hapned a Mutiny at Perpignan betwixt the Townsmen and Soldiers and D. Henry the General coming to part them was wounded on the Head with a stone whereof he died The Duke of Alva succeeded in that Command and the Fleet of Spain of which D. In̄igo Manrique was Admiral was ordered to repair to that Coast These were the Preparations in Spain In Italy King Frederick to gain the Duke of Milan offered him to Wife his Daughter Charlotte and his Daughter Elizabeth to his Eldest Son but these Proposals were prevented from taking effect by the fall of those Two Houses He also pressed the Pope for the Investiture of the Kingdom which at length he obtained and the Cardinal of Valencia was sent to Crown him After the Coronation Prosper Colona was Created Duke of Trageto and Earl of Fundi Fabricius Colona Duke of Tallacoço and the Great Gonçalo de Cordova Duke of Monte de Santangelo and D. In̄igo Brother to the Marquess de Pescara who was killed Marquess del Gasto CHAP. VIII Progress of the Portugues Discoveries in the East Peter Covillam and Alonso de Paiva sent to India by Land Vasco de Gama sent to Discover India by Sea with Four Ships His Voyage till he came to Calicut AT the same time that the other Parts of Europe and especially Italy were consumed with Wars and labouredunder the Apprehensions of still greater Calamities Portugal having enjoyed a lasting Peace was Imployed in extending its Dominions in remote Parts and carrying the Light of the Gospel into the farthest bounds of the World even into India An undertaking at first thought rash but which proved Honourable and Advantageous to that Kingdom Prince Henry Brother to King Edward was the first that attempted to discover the Coast of Africk towards the South Death cut him off in the Year of Grace 1470 and of his Age 67. King Alonso his Nephew desisted from this Enterprize by reason of the unhappy Wars in which he was involved King John the II. his Son took this Work in hand again and ceased not till having passed the Line he discovered the Cape called by the Sailers Tormentoso or Stormy by reason of the great Tempests they met with there but he called it the Cape of good Hope which Name it still retains because it gave him hopes that way to send his Fleets to the Coasts of Asia and India and to partake of the Riches of those Countries For his better Information he sent Peter Covillam and Alonso de Paiva as has been already said by Land to get some knowledge of those Eastern Coasts Paiva died by the way and Covillam having travelled all those Countries sent his King an Account in Writing out of Ethiopia of what he had learnt but was not suffered to return himself Mean while King John died His Successor King Emanuel was willing to carry on this Enterprize He proposed it in Council where some advised him to desist others to proceed others to Imploy himself in the Conquest of Africk whereof enough was already discovered Among this Variety of Opinion the most Honourable took place and accordingly the King Ordered Four Ships to be fitted The Command of them he gave to Vasco de Gama a Man of a great Spirit and it was fit he should be such to begin the longest and most dangerous Voyage that ever was attempted in the World With him went his Brother Paul de Gama Nicholas Coello and other Men of Note All his Force exceeded not 160 Men as well Soldiers as Seamen They blessed the Royal Standard in a Church of our Lady standing on the Shore Founded by Prince Henry where afterwards King Emanuel Built the famous Monastery of Belem Thence they were Conducted by a great multitude of People who lamented them as dead Men and so they set Sail on the 9th of July They steered their Course first to the Canary Islands and then to those of Caboverde called by the Antients Hesperides Having passed these Islands and the chiefest of them called Santiago they stood to the Eastward crossing a mighty Gulph where by reason of the great Storms and swelling Seas they spent three Months before they discovered Land In 10 Degrees of South Latitude they discovered a pleasant River whose Banks were shaded with Trees where they Anchored to take in fresh Water and refresh themselves The People here were Black and had short curled Hair Here they Traded by Signs and for some Baubles were supplied with fresh Provisions The Gulph he called of St. Helona and the River Santiago They continued their Voyage to turn the Cape of good Hope but the Weather proved so bad they oft gave themselves for lost Here all the Commanders resolution was requisite his Men protesting he ought to turn back and not tempt Heaven but neither Threats nor Intreaties moved him It was agreed to kill him his Brother discovered the design he secured the Masters and undertook to Steer his Ship himself In this manner he reached the utmost part of the Cape and began to turn it on the 20th of November it being then Spring there About 50 Leagues beyond it is a Gulph which they called of St. Blas and in the midst of it an Island where they found a multitude of Sea Wolves thither they went to Water The Natives of it were like to those of the West Coast of Africk went
Christendom flocked to Rome to obtain the Indulgence and Remission of their Sins Nothing could be more depraved than the People of that City but especially the Clergy for which God seemed in some measure to threaten his Judgments by an Accident that befel the Pope On the day of S. Peter and Paul about Four in the afternoon hapned a violent storm of Rain and Hail with so furious a Hurricane that it beat down the Stack of Chimneys over the Room where the Pope was under that where Duke Valentin Lodged The fall of it beat down the Floors of the Dukes Room killing Two and wounding a Third Florentine who were waiting there to receive some Money Many Bricks and Planks fell before the Pope who was much saved by the Canopy under which he Sate However he was found Senseless with a Wound on his Head another on his Hand The Cardinal of Capua and Mosen Po who were with him saved themselves within the Arches of the Windows The Pope was 70 Years of Age and his wounds dangerous which made People look upon him as a dead Man and Duke Valentin was gathering Forces to have a Pope of his own chusing It pleased God he recovered and so all that Confusion Ceased At this time the Great Captain set Sail from Malaga with a Fleet of 27 Ships 25 Caravels some Gallies and other small Craft in which were 4000 Foot and 300 Men at Arms. With him went many Men of Note They touched at Majorca and Sardinia and at last arrived at Mecina in Sicily on the 18th of July Thither repaired to him the Spanish Soldiers that were in Italy all choice Men and he gathered some other Vessels The Turks laid Siege to Modon a City of the Venetians in the Morea and these pressed the Great Captain to join them yet he could not set forward till the 27th of September when Modon was lost The Xeque of Gelves desired the Great Captain to send him some Succours because the People of the Island were incensed against the Soldiers of Margarit for their Insolencies and all Barbary against the Xeque for having called the Christians No Relief was sent but Orders given him to apprehend Margarit and all his Men whom he afterwards released and possessed himself of the Castle and Island of Gelves On the 2d of October the Spanish Fleet arrived at Gorfu an Island of the Venetians Hereupon the Turks altered their Resolution of invading that Island and marched to Napoli de Romania Now the Peace betwixt France and Spain was concluded upon honourable Conditions As to the Kingdom of Naples it was agreed it should be taken from King Frederick that Apulia and Calabria should be given to the Catholick King Abruzzo and Campania to the French and that all the Revenue of the Kingdom should be equally divided This Agreement was not like to be lasting Besides their pretensions of Right to that Crown they had another colour which was to make War upon the Turks with whom King Frederick was in League At first this contract was kept very private afterwards discovered to the Pope who was well pleased and gave each of the Kings an Investiture of his Part to the King of France with the Title of King of Naples and Hierusalem and to the Catholick King that of Duke of Apulia From Corfu the Spanish Fleet sailed to Zant where it arrived the 5th of October There the Venetian Fleet joined it Two French Carracks came thither with 800 Men that King having promised to assist the Venetians when they delivered up Cardinal Ascanius to him The Turks who had distressed Napoli de Romania raised their Siege and their Fleet drew into the Channel of Negropont on the farther side of the Morea At Zant there were various Opinions about what was best to be done The Great Captain was for attacking Modon It was resolved to Conquer the Island Cefalonia which is large and has one of the best Ports in the World on the West side It lies between Corfu and Zant opposite to the Gulph of Lepanto The French being gone upon pretence they were not paid the rest laid Siege to the chief Town of the Island called S. George In it were 300 Turks chosen Men who defended themselves well and the Christians were repulsed in an assault they gave the first day By reason of the Bad Weather the Siege lasted some Weeks but upon Christmas-Eve the Town was carried by storm 170 Turks were killed and 50 that retired to a strong Tower surrendred upon discretion Captain Martin Gomez was the first that entred the Town That Island had belonged to Leonard Torus a Greek from whose Brother the Venetians took and gave it to the Turks Now it was again given to the Venetians This done the Great Captain returned to Sicily and arrived at Siracusa where all his Fleet met having been dispersed in a Storm For his good Service done to that State the Venetians sent the Great Captain the Title of Nobleman of Venice and with it a present of Plate and rich Silks All the present he sent to the King contenting himself with the honour gained At this time Duke Valentin after having murdered his Brother in Law D. Alonso de Aragon Duke of Viseli had renewed the War in Romania and taken Pesera and Arimino without any Resistance Faença held out long This Year also the Pope allowed of the Divorce betwixt Ladislaus King of Hungary and Beatrix of Aragon who had been Wife to Mathias his Predecessor Daughter to Ferdinand King of Naples and Niece to the Catholick King Ladislaus Married Ann Daughter to Gaston de Faux Lord of Candale Niece to the Catholick King and Grandchild to Queen Ellenor of Navarre CHAP. IV. King Ferdinand 's Double-dealing The Princess Mary of Castile married to the King of Portugal The French and Spaniards jointly subdue the Kingdom of Naples Actions of the Great Captain OF Four Daughters the Catholick King and Queen had the Princess Mary was still unmarried King Ferdinand of Naples was desirous to have her for his Son the Duke of Calabria hoping by that means to secure his Crown The King of Portugal also sollicited to have her tho' he had been married to her Sister This was thought the better Match but the Dispensation was hard to be obtained because the Affinity was in the First Degree The Pope tho' in other things free enough was very backward in this pretending that the King of France pressed him not to grant it He said he would not consent to it unless the Catholick King would secure him against any harm that might threaten him upon that account Much time was spent in debating this Point King Ferdinand would have the Duke of Calabria marry his Neice Queen Joanna Widow of Ferdinand II. King of Naples who was still in that Kingdom her Father having left her 400000 Ducats King Frederick approved of the Match to save the Payment of that vast Sum but would have the King of Spain
made the Great Captain draw back to Castellon All this while nothing was done for tho a Breach had been made in the Town Wall it could not be attacked nor did the Besieged offer to Sally But the day we retired 2500 Men attacked our Germans in the Rear who drew them on to an open Ground far from the City then 400 Spaniards charged them so furiously they were driven to the very Gates of Gaeta with the loss of 200 whom our Men returning stripped at their leasure Whilst this was doing at Gaeta both sides made great Preparations The King of France sent the Lord de la Trimoüille to the Relief of Gaeta with 600 French Lances and 8000 Swiss besides 4000 French gone by Sea to Leghorne Telamon and Porto Hercules The Rendezvous was at Parma Thither repaired the Duke of Ferrara the Marquess of Mantua and other Italian Noblemen Trimoüille dying the Marquess of Mantua was made General of that Army On the other side the Catholick King sent 6 Galleys to Naples with Men and Money under the Command of D. Raimund de Cardona Still the Spanish Fleet was inferior to the French which consisted of 30 Sail of all sorts The Great Captain laboured to bring the Family of the Ursini to the Service of the Catholick King and at length prevailed Bartholomew de Albiano coming into the Service as their Chief and behaving himself afterwards with much bravery in the Wars of Italy Money was offered the Emperor to induce him to invade Lombardy and the Pope was also tampered with to declare for Spain for at this time he stood Neuter but the Treaty seemed to be well advanced if there were any Confidence to be reposed in Duke Valentin Death prevented this taking effect for the Pope was snatched away by Poison Duke Valentin had prepared for certain Cardinals in the Garden of Cardinal Adrian Corneto where they Supped The Servants mistaking the Bottles gave the Pope the Duke and Cardinal Adrian of the Poison The Duke immediately took Antidotes which with the strength of Youth carried it off but the Pope and Cardinal being old could not overcome the strength of the Potion This was the end of Pope Alexander who had scandalized the World Many aspired to succeed him grounding their Pretentions on their Interest rather than their Learning or Piety King Frederick had now an Interview with the King of France at Macon and Proposals were made for restoring him but all to no purpose Great apprehensions there were of a War in Spain by reason of the Forces that gathered about Narbonne Hereupon the Catholick King went to Zaragcça raised Men and constituted D. Frederick de Toledo Duke of Alva General of Russillon Some were for perswading the King to be before-hand with the Enemy and invade France The distrust conceived against the King and Queen of Navarre daily increased all that Family being of the French Interest insomuch that the Lord of Vannes Brother to the King served under them at Naples and his Father the Lord d' Albret was now made Governour of Guienne Beside the Lord of Lusse intended to enter into the Valley of Anfo which is part of Aragon to attack the Castle of Verdun and this could not be done without he were suffered to pass through Val de Roncal belonging to Navarre That King endeavoured to clear himself and had to that purpose sent his Daughter Magdalen to be bred under Queen Elizabeth but this was now a small tie because this same year was born to him a Son called Henry who inherited that Crown Upon this suspicion Queen Elizabeth ordered the Constable of Castile and Duke of Najara with their own Forces and 500 Horse she sent to draw near the Frontiers of that Kingdom tho John de Ribera who commanded there before was putting all things into the best posture he could no body doubting but the War would break out on that side So it proved for the King of France with all his Forces which amounted to 20000 Men tho the strength of them consisted in 10000 Foot and 1000 Horse resolv'd to invade Roussillon believing he should find no sufficient Force there to oppose him About the end of August the Mareschal de Rieux having assembled all these Forces incamped on the Borders of Roussillon at a Place called Palma There they stayed some days and then marched towards Salsas the Foot over the Mountain the Horse through the Plain leaving the Passes guarded lest our Forces should cut off their Provisions that came from France On the 16th of September they sate down before Salsas The Duke of Alva was then at Perpignan with 1000 Light Horse 500 Men at Arms and 6000 Foot Next day after he came D. Sancho de Castilla who Commanded there before threw himself into Salsas Some of the Dukes Parties went out to view the Enemies Camp and allarm them the Duke himself came out of Perpignan and encamped at Rabaltas above Sallas and the French Army There was no coming at him there by reason of the strength of the place and he was ready to lay hold of any Advantage should be offered yet he offered Battle which was too much boldness considering how much weaker he was than the Enemy but he had much the advantage of the Ground Whilst the French lay before Salsas the Cardinals at Rome were shut up in the Conclave to choose a new Pope There were many Candidates The Cardinal of Roan was strongly supported by the French and the Cardinal Bernardin de Carvajall no less by the Great Captain Yet neither of them nor the Cardinal Peter Julia de Robere nor he of Naples who also made Interest carried it tho they stayed the Election 35 days The Cardinals agreed that whosoever was chosen Pope should be obliged within two years to assemble a General Council and that one should be called every 3 years ever after to Reform all Abuses To this all the Cardinals Swore and then by Plurality of Voices made choice of Francis Picolomini Cardinal of Siena who had the Reputation of a Pious Man He was Elected on the 22th of September and took the Name of Pius III. in Honour of his Uncle by the Mothers side Pope Pius II. His first Thoughts were to Reform the Church and State which he declared before his Coronation resolving to call a General Council immediately But Death snatching him away 26 days after his Election put a stop to all his Virtuous Designs CHAP. II. The French besiege Saulses or as the Spaniards call it Salsas The Siege raised Nineteen Sail of Infidels destroyed Pope Pius III. dies Julius II. Chosen The French Army marches through Italy Two Defeats given them AT Salsas or as the French call it Saulses they battered the Castle so furiously at the same time carrying on their Mines that they overthrew a large space of the great Tower and Bulwark that was not quite finished Thus the Ditch being filled up they made their Approaches to
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
seized whereupon he went over to the other Party The Spanish Soldiers who according to the King's Order were to be dismissed tho' it was given out they should be sent to the Conquest of Gelves mutinied and much perplexed the Great Captain Yet he appeased and sent them to Spain as he was ordered The Emperor and King Philip met to ratifie the Treaty concluded with the King of France from whom came also the Cardinal of Amboise who took the Oath and did Homage to the Emperor in the Name of the King his Master for the Investiture of Milan granted to him and his Heirs Males and for want of them it was to devolve to his Daughter Claudia and Charles her Husband Yet in case that Marriage were disappointed through the King of France's means then that Dukedom should again fall to the House of Austria It was also declared that Investiture was given saving always a better Title which afterwards the Sons of Sforcia pleaded for recovery of that Dukedom On account of the first of these Conditions Prince Charles when Emperor pretended that Dominion appertained to him but then the King of France was to be repaid the 200000 Livres he gave for the Investiture Nothing was concluded concerning the Kingdom of Naples but the Marriage of Prince Charles and the Princess Claudia being confirmed it was supposed to be designed for her Dowry as had been before agreed These things perplexed the Catholick King who therefore contrived how to gain the King of France and secure himself on that side He thought the best way was to marry Germana de Foix that King's Niece F. John de Enguerra of the Order of S. Bernard and Inquisitor in Catalonia was sent to propose this Match This was so pleasing to the King of France that he resigned over the Kingdom of Naples to his Niece and her Heirs On the other side the Catholick King consented That in case he had no Issue by her that Kingdom should devolve to the King of France and his Heirs Besides he engaged to pay him 500000 Ducats within the space of 10 Years He also promised to restore the Barons of the French Faction which was hard to be done All the Prisoners the Great Captain had were also to be set at liberty and namely the Prince of Rosano and Marquess de Bitonto Only Duke Valentine and the Earl of Pallas were excepted On these Terms the King of France promised to aid the Catholick King against the Emperour and his Son in case they attempted to remove him from the Government of Castile Guicciardin adds That the Catholick King engaged to assist Gaston de Foix his Brother-in Law to conquer the Kingdom of Navarre to which he pretended to have Right As also That the King of France should send the Queen-Dowager of Naples with her Children into Spain and if she would not go then to order her to depart his Dominions All these Articles were agreed upon this Summer and on the 25th of August D. John de Sylva Earl of Cifuentes and Micer Thomas Malferit were sent from Segovia to France with the former Ambassador F. John d' Enguerra to Sign them They had also Orders to release the Prisoners at Naples and to secure the return of those that were banished It was also proposed to Robert de Sanseverino Prince of Salerno and Head of the Banished Barons to marry the Lady Marina d' Aragon Daughter to D. Alonso d' Aragon Duke of Villahermosa and Earl of Ribagorça which was so pleasing to the King of France that he endeavoured to hinder King Philip from going into Spain sending his Secretary to require him not to undertake that Journey till the Differences betwixt him and his Father-in Law were adjusted To make the surer of him he encouraged the Duke of Guelders to prosecute the War against him with a greater Power This Treaty put the Kingdom of Naples into an Uproar and those Barons who were possessed of the Lands of them that were fled combined to stand by one another Prosper Colona went to Rome and offered the Pope to conquer that Kingdom for him provided the King of France would quit his Claim The Nobility of Castile were no less disgusted it being reported That Queen Elizabeth before she died obliged King Ferdinand to swear he would never marry before she committed to him the Government of the Kingdom Some blamed the Great Captain because he did not declare for King Philip since that Match of King Ferdinand cut off Prince Charles from Inheriting the Kingdom of Naples whether the King had Issue or not King Philip was not a little offended to have the Kingdom of Naples absolutely disposed of from him and the Crown of Aragon left disputable if King Ferdinand should have a Son The Catholick King to prevent further Misunderstandings sent D. Peter Ayala the Protonotary who had been before Ambassador in England to Flanders that he with Gutierre Gomez de Fuensalida his Ambassador there should acquaint King Philip with the Treaty concluded and endeavour the Enlargement of Lope de Conchillos kept close Prisoner at Vilvorde As to the Marriage King Philip in general Terms answered He rejoiced at it that King Ferdinand was free and might marry where he pleased For what concerned Lope de Conchillos he said he was his Servant and received Wages from him and therefore having imprisoned him for his Demerits he did not design to release him Still the Venetians looked on without perceiving how great a Storm threatned them True it is they compounded with the Pope retaining Faença and Arimino and restoring what they had in the Earldoms of Imola and Sessena On these Terms they took into their protection the Duke of Urbino and the Prefect of Rome the Pope's Nephew whom the Duke had adopted and to the intent he might inherit the Dukedom given him to Wife the Daughter of the Marquess of Mantua his Brother-in-Law Advice was given to the Great Captain of the Peace concluded with the King of France and he ordered to come to Spain the Archbishop of Zaragoça being privately appointed Viceroy of Naples The Great Captain expressed Joy for the Peace and caused it to be proclaimed at Naples and as to his departure answered it should be very speedily but still he found Excuses to delay it which encreased the Jealousie before conceived of him and furnished much matter of Discourse tho' he sent his Secretary John Lopez de Vergara to justifie him CHAP. VII Mazalquivir in Africk taken from the Moors The Nobility of Spain divided for and against King Philip The Agreement made betwixt the Two Kings Ferdinand and Philip The latter in England THE Archbishop of Toledo never forsook the Catholick King but upon all occasions stood by him with extraordinary Fidelity and was a great Check to many disaffected Persons This Prelate was a Man of a mighty Spirit and more Generous than might have been expected of his mean Education He often pressed the
that King and Queen for Castile and Leon without mentioning his Father in Law or the Kingdom of Aragon which was contrary to the Agreement made with King Ferdinand at Villafasila and misbecoming the Duty of a Son to a Father The Catholick King by the way of Montagudo and Hariza went to Zaragoça where the Queen first and then he were received with great Joy the People having conceived hopes that the King's Marriage would produce a King of their own By the way before King Ferdinand left Castile he at several times pressed King Philip to deliver up to him Duke Valentin as his Prisoner that he might keep him in some secure place in Aragon or carry him over to Naples whither he designed soon to go and to that effect was sitting out a Fleet at Barcelona King Philip was willing to deliver him but his Council advised it was fit first to decide whose Prisoner he was being taken and sent into Spain by the Great Captain whilst Queen Elizabeth was yet living This Councel was followed which was a new Subject of Distast The Jealousie of the Great Captain still increased His long Delays gave Malicious Men occasion to Descant upon him Some said he expected the coming of the Emperor who designed to Embark in the Gulph of Venice with 8000 Germans to possess himself of that Kingdom Some said he held Intelligence with France by means of the Cardinal d' Amboise Others that he Corresponded with the Pope and designed to accept of the Command of General of the Church differed him to expel John Bentivolla out of Bolognia which City he had made himself Master of Others said he designed to Marry his Daughter to the Son of Prosper Colona that he might support himself with the Interest of the Coloneses Every Man affirmed as much of him as he imagined or believed was in his Power to do The Great Captain sent Nan̄o de Ocampo by the Post to Spain to clear him and to assure the King of his coming But there being so many various Reports this was looked upon as no sufficient Security and the King resolved to go away as soon as possible He constituted the Archbishop of Zaragaça Viceroy of Naples and the Duke of Calabria of Catalonia but took from him his Italian Servants and ordered some of them to go with him to Naples He also sollicited to have the King of France send him the Duke's Mother and her other Children but she could not be perswaded to go and therefore went away to the Marquisate of Mantua with Luis de Gonzaga her Nephew the King of France promising to allow her 10000 Duccats a year The Catholick King sent Charles de Alagon to Naples to give Advice of his coming and Assure the Colloneses that regard should be had to their Services On the 4th of September he set sail from Barcelona and with him Queen Germana the Two Queens of Naples Mother and Daughter and a great number of Castilian and Catalonian Noblemen that attended upon him The Fleet was very great for in it were the Galleys of Sicily commanded by Tristan Dolz and those of Catalonia by D. Raymund de Cardona besides many Ships The Galleys of Naples were left there for the Great Captain to come out and meet the King which he did accordingly On the 7th of September he set out from Naples by Land the Weather being unfit for the Galleys He stayed at Gaeta till the 20th of the month With him was the Duke of Termens and many Spanish and Italian Gentlemen Prisoners he carried the Prince of Rosano the Marquess of Bitonto Alonso de Sanseverino and Fabricius de Gesualdo others he left sick at Naples At the same time King Philip being come to Burgos and lodged in the Constables House immediately ordered the Lady Joanna de Aragon the Constables Wife to depart the Court that the Queen might have no body to make her Complaints to An Impeachment began to be drawn up against the Duke of Alva and the Admiral was ordered to deliver up one of his Castles he being grown into suspicion He having consulted with the Marquess of Villena the Duke of Najara and Earl of Benavente excused himself This Posture of Affairs seemed to threaten some great Revolution when King Philip was seized by a Pestilential Fever which brought him to his end in few days Some suspected he was Poisoned but his Doctors declared his Disease proceeded from too much Exercise The Queen stayed by him during the whole time of his Sickness and even after his Death could not be drawn from his Body notwithstanding that besides her ordinary Indisposition she was with Child He died on the 25th of September being 28 years of Age. He ordered his Body to be buried at Granada and it was deposited at Miraflores a Monastery of Carthusians near Burgos Such was the end of that Prince in the very beginning of his Reign being snatched away before he could enjoy the glory he might reasonably expect How many ill grounded Hopes fell to the Ground upon his Death And how many new Projects were started He was of an indifferent Stature of a fair Complexion had a thin Beard midling Eyes long Hair and all the Frame of his Body was comely and agreeable His Spirit was generous his Nature easie a Noble Fault of which his Favourites made ill use an Enemy to Business addicted to Pleasure and very apt to be led away by his Followers In August was seen a Blazing Star for the space of 8 days between the West and South After his Death it was supposed to portend the End of this Prince and that some notable Change or Revolution would ensue in his Kingdoms The End of the 28th BOOK The History of SPAIN BOOK XXIX CHAP. I. The Settlement made by the Nobility of Castile after the death of King Philip The Catholick King goes over to Naples his Reception in that City No Settlement in the Government of Castile Amidst their Confusions Duke Valentine makes his Escape NO sooner was King Philip dead but several Malignant Humours began to appear there being no Body left to put a stop to Evils that Threatned the Commonwealth The Queen to whom this principally appertained was Incapacitated by reason of her Indisposition Her Son Prince Charles was a Child and Bred abroad and if he Succeeded in the Place of his Mother he must be governed by Strangers Of his Two Grandfathers the Emperor was far off and unacquainted with the Affairs of Spain Only King Ferdinand remained on whose Prudence they might Rely but he was then absent disgusted and some feared he would if he were in Power Revenge the Affronts offered him For this Reason many projected strange Methods of Government and the day before King Philip died there being no hopes of Life there was such Contention among the Nobility as threatned a War To prevent all Disasters the Constable the Admiral and Duke del Infantado Met and Declared for his Catholick
had joined the Turks with 34 Sail. These small Vessels sailing under the Shore the Portugueses descryed only 5 Ships which they thought to belong to Alonso de Albuquerque whom they expected Part of the Enemies Fleet entred the Harbour and that day was spent in Cannonading one another Next day Laurence de Almeyda Attacks Mir Hozem's Admiral Gally but could not grapple by reason it was Ebb and the Enemy lay in shoal Water He sustained much loss because the Enemies Vessel was higher Decked and was himself wounded with Two Darts Pelayo de Sousa and James Perez took each of them one of the Enemies Gallies and thus that day ended The day following Melique came into the Port with his Vessels whereupon the Portugueses at midnight resolved to put out to Sea But the Enemy perceiving them move fell upon them and so pierced the Admiral which was the last that she made much Water and what was worse ran a Ground and the Water Ebbing none of the others could come in to assist her The Enemy Cannonaded her till such time as Laurence de Almeyda being killed with a Cannon-shot and 80 of 100 Men he had the other 20 with the Ship were taken The rest put to Sea and recovered the Port of Cananor whence they sent advice of what had hapned to the Governor This Battle was fought towards the end of the Year Almeyda and Albuquerque came both to Cananor and Albuquerque contending to take upon him the Government according to the King's Order Almeyda sent him Prisoner to Cochin This done he gathered the greatest Fleet he could at Onor burnt several Ships of Calicut destroyed the City Dabul and many Vessels there and on the 5th of January 1509 sailed towards Diu a Port of Cambaya where the Enemy lay Mir Hozem placed himself in shoal-water under the Cannon of the City He had at this time 3 Caracs 3 Galleons 6 Gallies and 4 Ships of Cambaya besides Melique's small Vessels Almeyda had in all 19 Sail and in them 1300 Portugueses and 400 Malabars The Two Fleets Cannonaded one another but could not draw near because the Weather was calm Next day they engaged and after a very bloody Dispute the Portugueses obtained the Victory Of the Enemy 4000 were slain of which number were all the 800 Mamalucs except only 22. Three of their great Ships were sunk besides many small Vessels Two Galleons Two Gallies and Four great Ships were taken The Commanders Mir Hozem and Melique escaped On our side 32 were killed and 300 wounded This done Almeyda returned to Cochin where there was much contention about the Government which was ended by Ferdinand Coutinho who this Year sailed from Lisbon with 15 Ships and Orders to put Alonso de Albequerque in Possession of the Government as was accordingly done From Valladolid the Catholick King went to Arcos where he found the Queen his Daughter so ill Lodged that the last Winter she fell sick through the coldness of the Room she lay in In February he removed her to Tordesillas and with her the Body of her Husband which was afterwards by her Son the Emperor Charles the V buried in the Royal Chapel at Granada The Queen lived out the rest of her days in that Town Queen Joanna's Condition was such she might better be counted among the Dead than the Living Her two Sisters ran different Fortunes The Queen of Portugal lived happy abounding in Riches and having a numerous Issue and this very Year she was delivered of a Son called Alonso who was afterwards a Gardinal but died young The Princess of Wales in England neither Widow nor Wife was hardly used by her Father-in-Law who hoped that way to induce her Father to give him in Marriage his other Daughter Joanna Queen of Castile The King's death which hapned upon the 21st of April for the present put an end to those Discontents Soon after the Match before agreed upon betwixt this Lady and the Prince of Wales after his Father's Death King Henry VIII was consummated That Princess had no Inclination to this Match but it was for the Conveniency of both Kings King Henry was of a graceful Presence but very Lewd especially towards his latter days insomuch that to gratifie his Lust he cast off all Obedience to the Church and made way for all the Confusion that afterwards hapned in that Kingdom Whilst Queen Catherine was yet living tho' he had by her a Daughter called Mary upon pretence she had been married to his Brother and that the Pope could not dispence to marry her he put her away and publickly married Anne of Bullen whom afterwards he convicted of Adultery and executed By her he had Elizabeth afterwards Queen Next he married Jane Seymour who died in Childbed but her Son lived and was called Edward VI. His Fourth Wife was Anne of Cleves from whom he was Divorced and to that purpose made a Law which allowed of Divorces His Fifth Wife was Anne Howard who was put to death for Adultery The last was the Lady Catherine Parr from whom he was not divorced nor had any Children by her death putting an end to his wicked Courses King Ferdinand made publick rejoycing at Valladolid upon the News of the Marriage of his Daughter on Midsummer-day He also agreed that Prince Charles should marry that King's Sister and ordered Gutierre Gomez his Ambassador to Compliment her upon the same At Valladolid Queen Germana was delivered of a Son on the 3d of May he was called John Prince of Aragon but died within a few Hours His Body was deposited in the Monastery of S. Paul in that City and thence translated to Poblete the ancient Burial-place of the Kings of Aragon The Catholick King prepared to make War upon the Venetians and grounded the Justice of his Proceedings principally upon Two Points The first That those Cities the Venetians were possessed of in Apulia were mortagaged to them by Ferdinand II. King of Naples and that they neither performed the Conditions of the Mortgage nor would restore those Places when the Money was tendred to them The second was That the Catholick King had been at a greater Expence either in gaining Cephalonia for that Republick or in the War made upon France on their account and upon promise that they would allow him 50000 Ducats a Year towards the Charge of that War which Debt tho' it had been demanded of them they would never pay nor so much as acknowledge CHAP. VII The Cardinal of Spain takes Oran in Africk The War against the Venetians and their Losses They recover Padua and other Places GReat Preparations were made throughout all Spain for the Conquest of Africk and the Cardinal of Spain did not only furnish Money towards it but designed to go over in Person The Rendezvous of the Forces was at Carthagena Stores of Ammunition and Provisions were made there and at Malaga About 14000 Men were gathered as well Horse as Foot The Principal Commanders were James de
of Granada Andrew de Cuesta Bishop of Leon D. Martin de Ayala of Segovia D. James de Covarrubias of Cuidad Rodrigo and D. Antony Augustin of Lerida Of the Divines the most remarkable were the Fathers James Lainez Alonso Salmeron and Peter de Soto of the Order of S. Dominick a Learned and Pious Man He died at Trent in his old Age He was under a cloud at Rome Salarraez King of Argiers this year laid Siege to Oran and Mazalquivir The Earl of Alcaudete was in Oran and his Brother D. Martin de Cordova in Mazalquivir both of them behaved themselves with much Bravery but the Defence of Mazalquivir which was hardest press'd will ever be famous D. John de Mendoça General of the Spanish Galleys coming thither raised the Siege Anno 1564. John Calvin died at Geneva the 19th of May Theodorus Beza succeeded him former wicked but the latter if possible worse To discover how wicked a Man Beza was it suffices to read his Love Poems By them it appears he was a fit Head for the Sect he professed D. Garcia de Toledo Marquis of Villafranca Son to D. Peter de Toledo who was Viceroy of Sicily and Admiral of Spain this Year on the 6th of September near the City Velez on the Coast of Africk took from the Moores the strong Castle El Pen̄ol built formerly by Count Peter Navarro but at this time possessed by the Moores On the 25th of July the Emperor Ferdinand died at Vienna His Son Maximilian the second of the Name succeeded him Anno 1565. D. Luis de Biamonte Earl of Lerin and Constable of Navarre departed this Life without leaving any Issue-Male and D. James de Toledo younger Son to Duke of Alva Marrying his Daughter Brianda inherited all his Estate Thus ended that Family which for many Years had disturb'd the Kingdom always opposing the natural Kings from whom it was descended Elizabeth Queen of Spain with the consent of the King her Husband went to the Frontiers of France as far as the City Bayonne in Guienne where she spent 17 days with her Mother and Brothers and then returned into Spain At the same time the Island of Malta began to be infested by the Turkish Fleet. Three Months were spent in the Siege many Knights and a great number of the Enemy were slain and among them the Pyrate Dragut taken off with a Cannon-Ball At last the Turks understanding that D. Garcia de Toledo Viceroy of Sicily was coming to the Relief of the Besieged they raised the Siege and sailed off having sustained great loss In Spain in pursuance of the Decrees of the Council of Trent many Synods were held the principal were those of Toledo Salamanca and Braga In that of Toledo was the Bishop of Siguença D. Peter de la Gasca and among the Deputies for the Church of Cuenca D. Alonso Ramirez de Vergara a Man very much noted for Learning and Piety and extreamly Charitable especially towards the Jesuits for whom he built at his own Cost a Colledge at Alcala whither his Bones were translated with much Solemnity on the 25th of October 1621. to a stately Church there built by the Ladies Mary and Katherine de Mendoça The Body of the Martir S. Eugenius first Bishop of Toledo was with great Solemnity brought from the Monastery of S. Denis near Paris and arrived at Toledo the 18th of November The King was present at the Feast with all the Royal Family the Princes Rodulphus and Ernestus Sons to the Emperor and the Bishops who were Assembled at the Synod Pope Pius the Fourth departed this Life the 10th of December Anno 1566. Cardinal Michael Gislerius born at Boschio in the Territory of Alexandria a City of Lombardy and of the Order of S. Dominick was on the 7th of January chosen Pope He took the Name of Pius V. and Govern'd the Church 6 Years 3 Months and 23 Days His Life and Conversation were so Holy few have been to compare to him The Catholick King was in the Forest of Balsain by reason of the heat of the Summer when on the 12th of August the Queen was deliver'd of a Daughter called Elizabeth Clare Eugenia Solyman the Great Turk had laid Siege to Sigeth a strong but small Town in Hungary before it could be reduced he died but yet his Army afterwards took the place He left his Son Selymus the Second his Heir Margaret Dutchess of Parma the Catholick King 's Sister Govern'd the Low Countries for him the Hereticks contemned her because she was a Woman and consequently those Provinces began to Mutiny Many extraordinary Insolencies were committed in several Places but most they raged against the Images of Saints that were in the Churches The Queen of Scotland flying the Rebellion of her Subjects at Home was forc'd into England where upon false Informations contrary to all Human and Divine Laws she was cast into Prison Anno 1567. The Archbishop of Toledo after his Case had depended many Years was by Order of Pope Pius the Fifth sent to Rome where he arrived the 28th of May and was sent Prisoner to the Castle of Santangelo till Judgment should be given The Rebellion in Flanders ran high and continued for several Years D. Ferdinand of Toledo Duke of Alva was sent by the King to quench this Fire Soon after his arrival the Princess Margaret went away for Italy and the Counts of Horn and Egmont were taken up by the Duke The Rebel Hereticks in France besieged Paris The Constable Montmorancy marched to raise the Siege They came to a Battel near St. Denis where the Catholicks got the Victory but with the Death of the Constable The Enemy with the Admiral their General were put to flight Count Aremberg who came from Flanders with 4000 Burgundians to the Assistance of the Catholicks was very instrumental in obtaining this Victory Anno 1568. On the 7th of March the Bodies of the Holy Martyrs Pastor and Justus were brought from Huesca and interr'd at Alcala de Henares where they suffered and were born The principal Ring-leader of the Rebellion in the Low Countries was the Prince of Orange who fearing to meet with what he deserv'd was fled His Brother Count Luis with several Companies of Germans entred West-Frizeland Count Aremberg with his Forces and the Spanish Regiment of D. Gonçalo de Bracamonte march'd against him but being too hasty in charging was overthrown The Count and many more being slain the rest fled to Groningen through the Marishes the Country being overflow'd by reason the Dikes were broken Count Egmont and Count Horn being convicted of Treason as is believed very wrongfully were by the Duke of Alva's Order executed at Brussels They were publickly Beheaded on the 4th of June and to prevent the People Mutinying they were strongly guarded to the Scaffold and all the Streets lined This Execution rather incensed than appeased the People This done the Duke of Alva march'd against the
Prince of Orange who had entred that Province with his Forces and made him retire taking several Towns and Castles and putting many Hereticks to the Sword At the same time the Morisco's that is those descended of the Moores rebelled in the Kingdom of Granada These People were never Loyal and were then incensed for that certain Proclamations were publish'd against them Many of them perish'd in the space of two Years that those Tumults lasted The Marquis of Mondejar overthrew them seven times tho with some considerable loss caused by the Disorderliness of his Men. Lastly D. John of Austria being General they were fully subdu'd The Punishment given to those Rebels has taken from them the power of rising again by dispersing them throughout Castile Almost at the same time died first Charles Prince of Spain in Prison where his Father kept him and then Queen Elizabeth his Mother-in-Law She died of a Miscarriage leaving only two Daughters Elizabeth and Katherine and never a Son which was the reason the King her Husband married again a fourth time His too much forwardness was the cause of the Prince's Death many things were reported concerning the cause of his Imprisonment and his Father's Displeasure But there is no doubt but he was Poison'd by his Father's Command The Prince of Orange was again this Year without any Bloodshed drove out of the Low Countries and forced to retire into France where he assisted the Rebels Anno 1569. Henry de Valois Duke of Anjou and General of the King of France his Army twice in Battel overthrew the Hereticks The first was on the 13th of March at Bassac a Village in the Province of Poitiers where the Prince of Conde was killed and the Admiral escap'd by flight his Brother d' Andelot died some time after of his Wounds The second Engagement was at Montcontour on the 3d. of October the success was the same only that of the Rebels the slaughter was greater 16000 being kill'd Two thousand Horse and 4000 Foot sent by the Pope did good Service here besides the Succours from Spain which behaved themselves well upon all occasions These Forces after obtaining the Victory return'd to Italy perishing with Cold Hunger and Sickness Pope Pius this Year publish'd his Bull wherein he gave the Kingdom of England to any that would conquer it excommunicated Queen Elizabeth and absolved her Subjects of their Allegiance At this time the War continuing hot in the Low Countries many Gentlemen signaliz'd themselves and gained Honour there such were Julian Romero Sancho Davila D. Alvaro de Sandi Collonel Mondragon Collonel Francis de Verdugo and D. Lope de Figueroa Anno 1570. Forty Jesuits going to Brasill with F. Ignatius de Azevedo were murder'd at Sea by Jaques de Soria a French Pyrate and perverse Heretick After the departure of the Prince of Orange the Low Countries were more at Peace In France a Peace was concluded with the Hereticks upon no very advantageous Terms so great was the desire all Men had conceived to see that War at an end At Rome Cosmo de Medicis obtained of the Pope the Title of Great Duke of Tuscany to the Dissatisfaction of other Princes who thought his Advancement was a lessening of them Nevertheless Maximilian the Emperor confirmed that Title to Francis de Medicis his Brother-in-law and the Son of Cosmo Ann Daughter to the Emperor Maximilian came by Sea from Flanders into Spain to be married to her Uncle King Philip. This Solemnity was performed the 12th of November at Segovia With the Queen came her two young Brothers Albertus and Wenceslaus About the end of this Year hapned so terrible an Earthquake at Ferrara that the Inhabitants were forced for some days to live in the Fields in Tents many Houses were overthrown and many much damaged But this Year was for nothing so remarkable as for the War in Cyprus which produced a Holy League among the Christian Princes After the Venetians had enjoyed Peace with the Turks the space of 30 years Selymus the Great Turk having made Peace with the Persians sent his Embassadors to require the Venetians to deliver up to him the Island of Cyprus which lyes near the Province of Cilicia in the lesser Asia and in case they refused to declare War against them This Demand being so unreasonable a War necessarily ensued and the Turks landing in Cyprus about the beginning of July under the Command of Mustapha on the 9th of September took Nicosia one of the two principal Cities of that Island Famagusta formerly called Salamis held out longer The Venetian Fleet sent to the Relief of the Besieged arrived at Candia where it was joined by 60 Gallies sent by the Catholick Kings under the Command of Andrew Doria Prince of Melfi but in October the Season being too far advanced they all returned to winter in their Ports without doing any thing Only Marius Quirinus a Venetian with 12 Gallies was ordered to put Supplies of Men Ammunition and Provision into Famagusta which he accordingly performed At the same time through the earnest Sollicitation of Pope Pius the 5th a League was concluded against the Turks betwixt his Holiness his Catholick Majesty and the Venetians They agreed to fit out 200 Gallies and furnish 50000 Foot and 4000 Horse the Charge to be defrayed in this manner The Pope was to pay the 6th part the Venetians one 3d and the King of Spain one half of the Expence Marc Antony Colonna was appointed to command the Pope's Gallies Sebastian Venerius those of Venice and D. John of Austria by common Consent of all Parties was constituted Admiral and Generalissimo of the Fleet and Land Forces Anno 1571. All things being ordered in this manner Venerius and Colonna arrived first at Messina in Sicily and after them in August came D. John of Austria On the 9th of which Month the City Famagusta in Cyprus having held out almost a year's Siege was forced to surrender upon Conditions which were not perform'd by the Barbarous Enemy but contrary to their Faith given they committed great Cruelties upon the unfortunate Christians The Confederate Fleet sailed from Sicily on the 16th of September They steered directly for the Islands Echinades now called Cuçolares opposite to the Gulph of Lepanto where they had Advice the Turkish Fleet lay Both Officers and Soldiers were eager to fight and prepared themselves with great Alacrity The Venetian Gallies were on the left Prince John Andrew Doria on the right and D. John of Austria with the Spanish Gallies in the Center and with him Marc Antony Colonna and the Venetian Admiral The chief Commendary of Castile and D. Alvaro Baçan Marquis of Sancta Cruz with 30 Gallies were left as a Reserve to send Relief where the greatest Danger appeared The Enemy came out of the Mouth of the Gulph and ranged their Fleet as is their Custom in the form of a Half-Moon Six Galeasses made the Forelorn of our Fleet which
Elizabeth Queen of England died at London the 23d of March when she had lived 70 Years 6 Months and 16 Days and reigned 44. Her Successor was King James the 1 st of England and 6th of Scotland being the Great Grandson of Margaret Sister to King Henry the 8th His Father and Mother were Catholicks and she a Saint but his Tutor George Buchanan was a perverse Heretick tho a Learned Man This was the first sole Monarch of that Island and consequently took the Title of King of Great Britain Anno 1603. D. John de Tarsis Earl of Villamediana and Post-Master General was sent Embassador into England to compliment that King upon his Accession to the Crown He behaved himself with singular Wisdom and Dexterity and laid the Foundation of that Peace which was afterwards concluded betwixt Spain and England in the Year following At Madrid died Mary the Empress who was Daughter Daughter-in-law Wife and Mother to five Emperors a thing never before heard of and was her self a Person excellently qualified She was there buried in the Monastery of the Barefooted Nuns Anno 1604. John Fernandez de Velasco Constable of Castile was sent by the King Embassador into England He took his Journey through France and was nobly entertained by that King at Paris thence he went to Flanders and so to London There on the 29th of August he concluded the Peace before agreed upon by the Marquis of Villamediana his Catholick Majesties Embassador Anno 1605. On the 3d of March died at Rome Pope Clement the 8th a Person of extraordinary Piety and Zeal Cardinal Alexander de Medicis succeeded him on the 2d of April by the Name of Leo the 11th He was very old and sickly and lived but till the 27th of that Month and on the 16th of May Cardinal Camillus Borgelia born at Rome but originally of Siena was enthroned in his Place He took the Name of Paul the 5th and was at variance with the Venetians which was so high that it threatned a War The Difference was about certain Laws by them established one of them was to enable the civil Magistrate to punish the Clergy another that no Estates real might be settled upon Monasteries which Law is called De Manu mortuis This Dispute was argued and bandied on both sides till at last by the Prudence and Conduct of the Pope all things were pacified Besides because a Difference had many years depended betwixt the Dominicans and Jesuits about Matters of Grace and Free-will he decreed that both Parties might without reflecting upon one another still follow their Opinions till such time as another Decree passed to justify either the one or the other Prince Philip was born the 8th of April at Valladolid D Galceran de Alluanel a Catalonian Gentleman of great Learning and Modesty was appointed his Preceptor and D. Balthasar de Zun̄iga Anno 1606. At Valladolid on the 18th of August was born the the Princess Mary At Toledo died the Lady Stephania Manrique Great Grand-daughter to D. Roderick Manrique Master of Santiago Her Revenue and that of her Brother Peter neither of them being married were given to the Colledge and Monastery of the Jesuits in that City where they both lye with Inscriptions upon their Tombs Anno 1607. At Madrid Prince Charles was born in September The Parliament gave the King 23 Millions payable in 8 years This Tax is raised out of the 8th part of all the Wine and Oyl of the Growth of the Kingdom The first time it was imposed was in the Reign of King Philip the 3d but was not laid so high as this time Anno 1608. In the Church of S. Hierom in Madrid upon Sunday the 13th of January Prince Philip was sworn Heir to the Crown The Cardinal of Toledo said Mass and performed the Ceremony His Grand-mother by the Mother's side the Princess Mary of Bavaria died at Gratz the Capital of Stiria in Germany on the 29th of April Her Daughters she left nobly matched Charles the Archduke was her Husband her Son was Ferdinand the Archduke Brother to Margaret Queen of Spain and Cousin-German to the Emperor Rodulphus About this time the Territory and Government of Cazorla was after great and tedious Disputes restor'd to the Church of Toledo through the Means and Procurement of the Archbishop D. Bernard de Rojas y Sandoval Anno 1609. In the Netherlands on the 14th of April a Truce was concluded with the Dutch Rebels but not well observ'd tho the King ratified it at Segovia in July Prince Ferdinand was born at the Escurial the 17th of May. The 27th of June the Pope Beatified the Holy Father Ignatius de Loyola Founder of the Jesuits Pope Gregory the XV. Canonized him March the 12th 1622. Anno 1610. At Paris on the 14th of May Francis Ravilliac a bloody Villain who had been a School-Master barbarously murder'd Henry IV. King of France stabbing him with a Ponyard His Son Luis XIII succeeded him The Princess Margaret was born the 25th of the same Month at Lerma In November by the contrivance of a certain Moor with whom private Correspondence was held our Forces possessed themselves of the strong Castle of Alarache a place of great importance upon the Coast of Africk on the Ocean About it is a Bay and River called Mamora which was a Den of Pyrats For this reason four Years after D. Luis Faxardo Admiral of the Fleet possessed himself of that place and built a good Castle in which he left a sufficient Garison The Moores at first flocked thither to hinder this Work but prevailed not This Year was very remarkable for the banishing of all the Morisco's that is those descended of the Moores out of Spain This wicked Race held correspondence with the Turks and Barbary Moores So great a Work could not be finished this Year but was afterwards continued however many are said to have remain'd behind not being well known to be such tho the multitude of those that departed was incredible Anno 1611. This Year was unfortunate for the death of Margaret of Austria Queen of Spain who for her extraordinary good Qualities was entirely beloved of all her Subjects She was deliver'd on the 22th of September at the Escuriall of a Son call'd Alonso who lived not out a Year and she died on the 3d. of October Her Body was buried in the Escuriall She built at Madrid a Monastery of Nuns called of the Incarnation Anno 1612. Treaties were a-foot at Paris and Madrid for two Matches the one between our Prince and the Lady Elizabeth Sister to the French King The other betwixt the same King and the Princess Anne the Consummation was put off because the Parties were so young Rodulphus the Emperor by reason of his want of Health lived a long time retired at Prague the Capital City of Bohemia There the last Year on the 11th of August he resigned up his Dominions of Hungary
Marquis of Pobar to try his Fortune with 2500 Horse who were all unfortunately lost without Fighting and the Marquis made Prisoner This Year on the 9th of October to the great Regret of all Spain died the most Serene Prince Ferdinand of Austria Brother to King Philip. He was in his Youth created Cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo and afterwards Governor and Captain General of the Low Countries He was but 31 Years and a half old when he departed this Life but lives for ever in the Fame of the many Victories he obtained Pope Vrban the 8th this Year created at once 14 Cardinals Anno 1642. King Philip being in care for the Affairs of Catalonia and desiring to reduce his Subjects in that Province calling together the Nobility went away to Zaragoça in the beginning of April Mean while the Fleet set out from Cadiz commanded by the Duke of Cuidadreal and having met and engaged the French Fleet a sudden Storm arising dispersed it This and the Impossibility of relieving Perpignan by Land obliged the Marquis de Flores Davila Governor there to surrender upon honourable Terms after the Town had suffered extreamly through want of Provisions This was a considerable loss Perpignan being the best Fortress in Catalonia against the French The main Body of our Army having taken the Posts about Lerida in order to besiege it Monsieur de la Motte with the French Forces marched to the Relief of the Place but the Marquis de Leganez attacked and forced him to retire leaving behind him 3 Pieces of Cannon The Rains were so excessive about Sevill at the beginning of this Year that the River swelled above its Banks and the Inundation was so great that all the Shores being stopped as is usual upon the like Occasions the City was filled with the Rain From the 17th till the 26th of January the River never fell nor were the Shores opened This Flood was greater than that in the Year 1625. All Triana and the Quarters of S. Bernard and S. Rocque were drowned so was that of Santelmo the Convent of S. James and S. Sebastian and other Neighbouring Places yet no body perished for the Chapter of the Cathedral gave every day the value of 2500 Ducats in Bread besides other Charity to relieve those that had suffered by the Inundation The Mole Bridge and all the Boats were carried away Anno 1643. Luis the 13th the most Christian King of France departed this Life May the 14th King Philip having setled the Affairs of his Court set out again for Catalonia Mean while the Duke and Count of Olivares with his Majesty's leave whose great Favourite he had been quitted the Government he had long managed and retired to Loeches a Monastery of Descalced Dominican Nuns founded by himself where he stayed till his Removal to Toro in which place he setled with his Wife and Family till he died The City of Lerida taken by Monsieur de la Motte General of the French Army was a long time besieged by the Forces of the Catholick King till the Enemy after an obstinate Defence was compelled by extream Famine to deliver it to his Majesty who in Person took Possession of that Place to the great Joy of the Inhabitants for being restored to their lawful Soveraign Anno 1644. Pope Vrban the 8th died the 29th of July having sat in S. Peter's Chair 21 Years Innocent the 10th was chosen to succeed him on the 15th of September The most renowned Elizabeth of Bourbon Queen of Spain deceased October the 6th to the unspeakable Grief of these Kingdoms and particularly of the Catholick King her Husband Her Exequies were most solemnly performed in the Monastery of S. Hierom in Madrid and in all Cities of France and Spain She was a Princess of singular Wisdom and Judgment in matter of Government and had by his Majesty 5 Daughters and one Son which was Prince Balthasar Charles King Philip the 4th returned to Zaragoça where the Prince was sworn Heir of that Kingdom and took an Oath to preserve their Priviledges On the 22d of July at Toro died the Duke and Count of Olivares and was buried in the Monastery of Nuns he had built at Loeches He also founded the Pallace called Buenretiro at Madrid for the Diversion of the Kings D. Luis de Haro was his Heir Him the King sent to the Provinces of Andaluzia to obtain of them a Supply of Money which they granted with extraordinary Liberality The Cortes of Aragon being summoned to meet at Zaragoça in September the King took his way thither with the Prince and having opened the Cortes left the Bishop of Malaga to preside there and went away himself with the Prince to Valencia There also the Cortes of that Kingdom were assembled and swore the Prince Heir the King honouring several Noble Families with Titles and other Demonstrations of his Affection On the 4th of December his Majesty returned to Madrid and issued his Writs for the Cortes to meet at Madrid the 22d of February Cardinal Borja having taken Possession of the Archbishoprick of Toledo and being constituted President of the Council of Aragon died of the Gout at Madrid the 28th of December and was buried in his own Cathedral The Cardinal Sandoval then Bishop of Jaen was by the King appointed to succeed him and he positively refusing that Honour three several times his Majesty prevailed with the Pope to lay his positive Commands upon him to which he was forced to submit Few such Prelates are now adays to be found The Plate Fleet arrived in good time and very rich tho there hapned great Storms and above 30 Ships of Strangers were cast away This was the severest Winter that for many years had been seen in Spain or in all Europe For above 60 days the Sun never shined out mighty Snows fell Rivers swelled and the Frost was great so that the Roads were for a time shut up to the great hindrance of Trade It was observed that a great number of Frenchmen came to Burgos in the Habit of Pilgrims on pretence of going to Santiago but as it appeared designing under that disguise to get into Portugal Expresses were sent about to apprehend them all and above 90 were sent Prisoners to Madrid Anno 1645. February the 22d the Cortes of Castile according to Summons met at Madrid and the King as is usual having assisted in Person at the opening thereof and recommended to them the Care of the Kingdom referred them to the President who was to continue at all their Sessions in his Name The Marquis de Leganez was sent with a considerable body of Horse and Foot to command as Captain-General in the Province of Estremadura against the Portugueses With him went the Marquis Molinguen General of Horse They in several Skirmishes worsted the Enemy pursuing them into their own Borders and bringing thence considerable Booties of Cattel and a great number of Prisoners After this the Marquis
as the Slaugter-house Gate scarce leaving any Monuments that there had been Buildings there It also bore down the Wall at the new Gate and broke into the City filling several Streets and finding no way out still rose drowning some Quarters of the City and in S. John's Street came up to the Floors of the second Stories All the Street de los Almaçâ—nes or of the Storehouses was drowned and all the Provisions and Merchandize laid up there were lost Several Quarters of the City were totally ruined as were the Monasteries of S. Dominick and S. Francis being so shaken they were rendred uninhabitable Great numbers of People fled to the tops of their Houses which falling they were carried away into the Mediterranean or buried in the Ruines Among the other Destruction made by the River Guadalmedina it was observed to take one corner House away intire and carry it so for a great space till at last it fell in pieces with the death of 16 Persons that were in it At 3 in the Afternoon the Storm ceased and at 5 the Water was gone out of the Streets at which time the Bishop and Governour gave great Alms among the poor People that were found alive in the ruinated Houses Above 1600 Houses were utterly destroyed 3000 so shaken that they threatned Ruine above 2000 Persons lost and the whole Dammage was computed at above 3 Millions A Ship of the Biscainers putting out of S. Sebastian met a Vessel of 28 Guns bound from Bayonne to Portugal which refusing to produce any Pass was sunk and in it 35 Men only 17 being saved by the Biscaniers among whom were 3 Portugues Fidalgos or Noblemen There was also taken a Trunk with Letters in it from the Envoy in England to the King of Portugal which were sent to Court On the 26th of September arrived at CorunÌ„a our Squadron that was out to secure the West-India Fleet with the Ships of the firm Land and new Spain being 34 Sail. These Ships besides a Chest of Pearls of inestimable Value brought for his Majesty 3247460 Pieces of Eight and for private Persons 6476690 in all 9724150 Pieces of Eight The Fleet having landed the Plate there sailed again with the other Merchandize and arrived at Cadiz on the 13th of November Amar Aga Alcaide and Governour of Tremecen had destroyed all the Corn belonging to those Moors that lived about Oran and had submitted themselves to the Spanish Governour of that Place who was then the Marquess of Leganes These Moors used to bring their Corn to sell to that City and the Garrison subsisted upon it The Marquess finding that no fair Means or Threats prevailed upon those People to reduce them marched out with 350 Foot and 180 Horse and forded the River Cid Soliman six Leagues from Oran then falling upon the Moors who live along that River he took 64 Slaves 12 Horses and a great number of Cattle whereof notice was immediately given to Amar Aga. He gathering his Turks lay in wait for the Marquess in his Return at the Ford of the River Cique where they engaged and 15 Turks were killed among whom was Xeque Salem Beniahim Amar Aga was in danger of being taken having his Horse killed and escaped upon another given him by his Guards The Turks retired to Tremecen and the Marquess returned victorious to Oran Not content with this he went out again with the same number of Horse and Foot and marching 7 Leagues to Zanua Zafa and Mediona brought under 9 Hords of Arabs containing 986 Moors 132 Tents and 16000 Head of Cattle Thus all those neighbouring Moors were again brought under Subjection and the Turks disappointed to the great Honour of the Marquess of Leganes Three Ships sailed from Alicant richly Laden with Merchandize for Venice and had aboard the Servants and Equipage of the Cardinal D. Pasqual de Aragon and other Passengers Near the Island of S. Peter they met 5 Turkish Pyrats and after Cannonading one another above 3 hours one of the 3 Ships which was French sunk another which was a Hollander being in danger to be taken burnt it self the 3 getting off in the Night arrived safe at Leghorn with 7 Turks that remain'd alive of above 100 that Boarded her Cardinal Pasqualis of Aragon made his publick Entry into Rome on the 7th of June and on the 29th after the Pope had heard Mass presented him the Hacaney and Purse with 7000 Ducats which our Kings every Year pay as an Acknowledgment for the Kingdom of Naples and that Night there was publick Rejoicings throughout the whole City Cardinal Mazarine prime Minister of France died the 9th of March. A violent Storm of Wind on the 30th of March overthrew above 150 Houses in the City Pau in the Province of Bearn On the 31th the Duke of Orleans only Brother to the most Christian King married his Cousin German Henrietta Maria Sister to the King of England and on the 18th of April the Lady Luisa of Bourbon 2d Daughter to the Duke of Orleans was by Proxy contracted to Mathius eldest Son to the Duke of Florence The Pope's Bull was published at Paris the 19th of June absolutely forbidding the Doctrine of Jansenius Queen Christina of Sweden who resided at Rome having abdicated that Kingdom hearing of the Death of her Cousin King Charles Adolphus returned to Sweden and made a solemn Entry into Stockholm where complaining that her Pension of 200000 Rixdollers was not duly paid her it was agreed in the Dyet She should have 150000 paid every Year provided She retired to some part of the Kingdom or else to Rome where She was before Such was the hatred conceived against her for embracing the Catholick Religion The War still continued hot betwixt the Venetians and the Turks in Candia and other Parts 15 Turkish Galleys were cast away in the Euxine Sea and 5 others on the Coast of Morea as also three Barbary Pyrats on the Coast of Sicily A great Earthquake hapned at Constantinople which overthrew many Buildings and killed a great number of People The Venetian Fleet had a sharp Engagement with 18 Turkish Ships that were carrying Supplies to Candia but a sudden Storm parted and dispersed them into several Ports The Turks entred Transilvania with an Army of 60000 Men and laid Siege to Plasemburg near Hermanstadt the chief City Ragotzi Prince of Transilvania attempted to put Relief into the Place with only 4000 Men and tho' heexecuted it with the loss of only 700 of his Soldiers and the Destruction of 6000 of the Enemy yet he having received 14 Wounds and soon after dying the City was taken by the Infidels Hence the Turks began to spread into Hungary doing much Mischief but the Counts Herberstein and Serini gathering 12000 Men killed 800 of them took 700 Prisoners and returned with a great Booty After this the Turks made vast Preparations in all Parts and brought the Asian Forces into Europe in Order to invade the Dominions of
Monferrat Spain at present seem'd quiet but a great Storm hung over it The Jealousies between King Alonso and his Son Prince Sancho at length broke out into open War It troubled the King to see himself slighted by reason of his Age and his Subjects gaping after Innovation Therefore to gain Reputation he gather'd Forces and tho weak with Age and Troubles Ravag'd all the Country of the Moors Nothing perplex'd him so much as want of Mony To redress this he Coin'd a new sort not so Weighty nor Pure as what was in use This increas'd the hatred of the People who gave out that he had no regard to Justice and that many had their Estates Confiscated upon forg'd Crimes Fredulus Bishop of Oviedo a French Man by Birth was now sent by the King Embassador into France the pretence was to Visit King Philip and by his means obtain of the Pope the Croisade for all such as would serve against the Moors at their own Cost But the real design was to treat about setting the King's Grandsons at Liberty Prince Sancho was not ignorant of this practice and therefore to secure himself went away to Cordova and made a League with the Moorish King of Granada remitting him two Thirds of the Tribute he paid the more to gain his good will Besides the Nobility of Spain before disgusted with the King for his great severity declar'd for the Prince These things were in hand about the beginning of the year 1282. The same year in August the Marriage between King Denis of Portugal and Elizabeth eldest Daughter to the King of Aragon was solemnized at the Town of Trancoso This is that Queen Elizabeth who for her great Virtue is enrolled among the Saints and her Feast celebrated in that Kingdom King Denis without respect to his Uncle openly made a League with Prince Sancho King Alonso to the end he might quiet his Son and the Nobility without Bloodshed summon'd the Cortes or Parliament to Toledo and to prevent disorders provided sufficiently for his own Safety Prince Sancho on the other side summons them to Valladolid and thither the greatest number resorted Here he marry'd Mary the Daughter of Alonso Lord of Molina his Third Cousin and by her had Ferdinand the eldest and other Children Every thing was done in that Assembly that the Nobility desir'd for Prince Sancho to oblige them refus'd nothing but promis'd much more New Employments were constituted and new Laws enacted By these means not only the Nobles but the Commonalty were drawn into Rebellion and some in that Confusion saluted Prince Sancho King calling him Father of his Country and all other Names given to Sovereigns He positively refus'd that Title whilst his Father liv'd and nevertheless the Heat was such that Prince Emanuel D. Sancho's Uncle in the Name of all the Nobility publickly in open Assembly depos'd King Alonso from the Government This was a just Judgment of Providence for his presumption in daring to find fault with the Works of God as has been deliver'd to us by Tradition He is also said to have foreseen by his Skill in Astrology this Misfortune and that this foresight made him Cruel which hasten'd what he apprehended King Alonso thus forsaken by his Subjects apply'd himself to the King of Morocco for Supplies of Men and Mony sending him his Crown which was of great Value in Pawn Alonzo de Guzman Lord of Sanlucar was at that time in Morocco and much in Favour with that Prince to him King Alonso writ a very submissive Letter desiring he would intercede with the Moorish King to grant his Request That King hoping to make his Advantage of the discord among the Christians did more than was ask'd of him He came over to Algezira and had a Meeting with King Alonso at Zahara Great Compliments passed between them and King Alonso had the Upper Hand given him not only as a Stranger but because he was descended from Kings whereas the Moor had gain'd his Kingdom as he himself urg'd Here they consulted how to carry on the War since there were no hopes of Peace Sevil held for King Alonso Cordova for Prince Sancho his Son This City the Moors undertook to Besiege and King Alonso joyn'd them with what Forces he had but the Place being well provided with all Necessaries after 20 Days spent before it they rais'd the Siege Thence at the instance of King Alonso the Moors pass'd Sierra Morena advanc'd as far as Montiel and having plunder'd all the Country return'd with their Booty to Ezija Thither King Alonso came but went away privately being inform'd the Moor designed to secure him whether true or false is not known Certain it is that King highly resented his Honour should be brought in question and so went over into Africk Yet he left King Alonso 1000 Horse that had long serv'd him Hernan Ponce Commanded this Body and 't is said of them that meeting 10000 of the Enemies Horse near Cordova they charg'd so furiously that they broke and put them to Flight Such was their extraordinary Valour At Sevil King Alonso in a solemn Assembly disinherited his Son Sancho and pour'd out many Curses upon him That Prince regarded not his Fathers Curses but renew'd the League with the King of Granada and made all manner of Preparations about Cordova putting the Army into Winter Quarters in that Neighbourhood CHAP. IV. The Conspiracy of John Prochita in Sicily against the French and Slaughter of them call'd the Sicilian Vespers Kings of France and Aragon at War about Sicily Castile and Aragon under an Interdict at the same time THis Year was Memorable not only for the Wrongs done to King Alonso but also for the famous Conspiracy of John Prochita He had been Lord of the Island Prochita on the Coast of Sicily a Man of great Parts much a Friend to King Manfredus and since his Overthrow fearing the French fled to Aragon There he was honourably entertain'd by the Two Kings Jayme and his Son Peter and had large Revenues given him The Gibellines at that time oppress'd by the French had cast their Eyes on the King of Aragon for Protection Charles King of Sicily and Naples kept all Italy and even the City of Rome in Subjection and refus'd to release Beatrix the Daghter of Manfredus and Sister to Constance Queen of Aragon John Prochita laid hold of these Disgusts between those Princes and Great Men and hoped to improve them to the recovering of his Estate In order to it he went in disguise to Constantinople and inform'd the Emperor Paleologus how Charles King of Sicily with the Power of the French intended to deprive him of the Empire and restore Baldwin whose Daughter he had Marry'd The Emperor tho convinc'd that what Prachita told him was true would not openly declare himself but promis'd under-hand to assist the King of Aragon in his Pretensions with a great Sum of Mony This done Prochita returns into
the Country want of Provisions and the Resolution of that People Some Hopes there had been of gaining D. James de Haro Brother to D. Lope by the means of Ruy Perez Ponce Master of Calatrava and the Lord-ship of Biscay was partly offer'd him but he chose rather to retire into Aragon resolving to stand by his Nephew All things were disposed for a Rupture when D. James de Haro Son to D. Lope dy'd very fortunately for King Sancho His Death caus'd the Affections of his Followers to cool and all Biscay which till then held out to submit to the Valour of James Lopez de Salzedo a Man in great esteem to whom that Affair was committed King Sancho having settled Biscay and put off the Interview with the King of France left his Brother Prince John Prisoner in the Castle of Burgos whence he was remov'd to Curiel and he himself being perplexed in Mind about the War with Aragon went to Sabugal a Town on the Frontiers of Portugal There he concluded a League with that King against the Aragonians and the out-Laws of Castile who prepar'd for War under Colour of restoring D. Alonso de la Cerda who stil'd himself King of Castile to his Grand-father's Kingdom These Things concluded King Sancho March'd with all the Forces he could gather to meet the Aragonians at Almaçan The Two Armies met in the Month of April 1289 but nothing remarkable was done Only Moron was taken by the Aragonians and Almaçan Besieg'd On the other side King Sancho entring the Frontiers of Aragon destroy'd all the open Country and burnt many Towns D. James Lopez de Haro in the same manner wasted all the Territory of Cuenca and Huete and defeated a Party of the Enemy near Pajaron killing Redorick de Sotomayor Commander of the Castilians D. James sent the Colours taken to the City Tiruel One Misfortune still follow'd upon the Neck of another and the Innocent People suffer'd for these Quarrels of the great Ones Most Cities sided with King Sancho but at Badajoz there happen'd a great Tumult That City of old was divided into Two Factions the Bejarani and the Portugueses The Bejarani being expell'd the City by their Enemies apply'd themselves to the King for Redress he order'd they should be restor'd but the Portugueses obey'd not Hereupon the Bejarani having gather'd a good Force kill'd many of their Adversaries and forc'd the rest to quit the Place This done they fortify'd themselves in the upper Part of the City and proclaim'd D. Alonso de la Cerda King King Sancho highly offended hereat laid Siege to the Town which presently surrender'd having Articled only for Life Contrary to Agreement 4000 Men and Women were put to the Sword The same happen'd to Talavera a considerable Town in the Kingdom of Toldo upon the same Account 400 of the principal Inhabitants were publickly Quarter'd at the Gate which for that Reason was ever since call'd the Gate of Quarters This the Inhabitants have by Tradition tho no Author makes mention of it These Two Towns serv'd for an Example to all others The following Year 1290 it was again agreed the Kings of France and Castile should meet They both accordingly came on the Day appointed to Bayonne The chief Points agreed upon at this Interview were That the King of France should desist giving any farther Protection to the two Princes of Castile That he should renounce all Claim and Title to that Crown as Great Grandson to Queen Blanch. And that both Kings should make War upon Aragon At the same time Tolosa Segura and Villafranca which began to be Rebuilt in Biscay in the time of King Alonso were now finish'd by King Sancho as appears by publick Instruments sign'd at Vitoria and Valladolid whither the King went from Bayonne The King of Aragon finding himself too weak to make Head against France Castile and Italy inclin'd to Peace notwithstanding Charles King of Naples did not perform his Promise at which the King of England who had procur'd his Liberty was highly offended All Parties had recourse to the Pope laying their Case before him He answer'd he would send Legates who having heard them all should endeavour to reconcile these Differences Benedict Colona and Gerard de Parma two Cardinals were sent into France to this Purpose Mean while Charles King of Naples and the King of Aragon upon Security given on both Sides met at Junquera a Town in Catalonia There they concluded a Truce for some Months whilst the Cardinals could settle a Peace which both earnestly desir'd King Charles that he might recover Sicily and the Aragonian to take off that long Interdict under which his Kingdom lay and put an end to the War with France that he might be at Leisure to bend his Force against Castile CHAP. IX The revolt of D. John Nunnez de Lara The Death of the King of Aragon His Brother Jâ—â—me succeeds him Matches betwixt the three Kings of Spain Defeat of the Moors at Sea Original of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara began again to incline to take part with the Aragonians either out of his natural Inconstancy or because some Overtures were made of restoring Albarazin to him King Sancho understanding of what Consequence his stay or departure might be did all he could to oblige him and therefore made him General of the Frontiers of Aragon and bestow'd other Favours upon him All prov'd ineffectual and the more for that at Burgos where the Court then was Letters were brought him intimating some Design against his Person whether true or false is not known D. John who was naturally jealous gave Credit to those Letters and withdrawing from Court went away nastily through Navarre to Aragon notwithstanding the Queen us'd means to stop him and the King himself went after him as far as Valladolid As soon as D. John had joyn'd the other Conspirators he enter'd Castile and did all the harm he could as far as Cuenca and Alarcon A Body of King Sancho's Forces coming to oppose him was defeated and many Colours taken after which he forc'd the Town of Moya and return'd to Valencia with a great Number of Prisoners and Cattle From thence the King of Aragon D. James de Haro and D. John de Lara made an Incursion by the way of Molina Signença Berlanga and Almaçan and destroy'd all the Country without meeting any Opposition King Sancho endeavour'd to put a stop to this Mischief but an Ague kept him in such a Condition he could neither Act nor give the necessary Orders insomuch that he was given over by the Doctors The Queen who was lately deliver'd of a Prince call'd Peter tho' not perfectly recover'd set out to see the King Her Presence was comfortable to him and produc'd good Effect She reduc'd D. John de Lara who now repented his Change being disappointed of recovering Albarazin It was agreed that Elizabeth Daughter to the Lady Blanch and the Queen's Brother
should be Marry'd to D. John de Lara's Son Her Portion was the Lordship of Molina her Father having no Issue-male The Marriage was solemniz'd at Cuenca thence the King Queen and D. John went to Toledo the latter took up his Lodging in the Monastery of S. Paul of Dominicans without the City on the Banks of Tagus Being at Dice late at Night with a rich Jew on a sudden a Servant of his call'd Nun̄o Churuchao advis'd him to make his Escape for there was a Design to kill him and in order to it Arms had been carry'd into the Court He credited the Intelligence but could not get away for that the City Gates were shut and his Servants and Horses within He spent the Night in Fear and having call'd his Servants at break of Day they perswaded him not to stir for that there was not the least ground for any Suspicion The King was much concerned that he should be Suspected and the more he endeavour'd to satisfy D. John the more Jealous he was At this time the League with the King of Granada was renew'd upon Condition he should pay the usual Tribute for that King was before wavering Hernan Ponce de Leon who commanded upon the Frontiers was the chief Instrument of continuing this good Understanding betwixt the two Kings From Toledo the King and Queen went to Burgos and thence to Palencia where was held a general Chapter of the Order of S. Dominick D. John de Lara could not be oblig'd by any Favours but endeavour'd to stir up the Nobles to revolt To oppose him Prince John the King's Brother who was belov'd by all Men was taken out of Prison and took the Oath of Fidelity to the King and his Son Ferdinand as Heir apparent kissing his Hand according to the Custom of Castile By his means many were reduc'd to the King's Service The King also going to Santiago of Galicia under colour of Devotion perswaded D. John Alonso de Albuquerque a Man of great Power who at the Instigation of D. John de Lara had revolted to lay down his Arms. These Things happen'd in Castile in the Year of our Lord 1291 when in the Month of February the Pope's Legates in France at Tarascon compos'd the Differences betwixt the Kings of France and Aragon Charles King of Naples was present with the Embassadors of the other two Kings Peace was concluded upon the following Conditions That the King of Aragon send Embassadors to Rome humbly to beg Pardon of his past Contumacy and Disobedience That he pay the yearly Tribute of 70 Ounces of Gold to the Church as was promis'd by his Grandfather That he go with a powerful Fleet to the Service of the Holy Land That at his return he advise his Mother and Brother to quit Sicily That he publish an Edict commanding all Aragonians under severe Penalties to depart that Island That Charles of Valois resign his Claim to the Crown of Aragon on Account of the Gift of the Pope That his Holiness shall receive the Aragonian into Favour and send a Prelate to take off the Interdict from his Kingdom to whom the King shall deliver the Hostages he has from the King of Naplas At the concluding of these Articles the Embassadors of Sicily were not present by the Contrivance of the King of Aragon knowing they would break all these Measures at which King Jayme and all the Sicilians were highly offended They complain'd he who ought to have Protected had deceiv'd and forsaken them yet resolv'd rather to dye than return under the Dominion of the French and they obtain'd their Ends. The French were disappointed of recovering Sicily and the King of Aragon's Voyage to the Holy Land was prevented the City Ptolemays the last that remain'd in the Hands of the Christians being taken and utterly subverted by the Infidels The Kings of Aragon and Naples met a second time at Junquera in order to establish a lasting Peace both of them being weary of the War Therefore as soon as they parted King Charles marry'd his Eldest Daughter Clemencia to Charles of Valois giving her in Dower the Earldom of Anjou and Province of Main upon Condition he should quit all Pretensions to the Crown of Aragon The King of Aragon was resolv'd to fullfil all that had been agreed upon when Death cut him off at Barcelona in the midst of his Preparations to receive the Princess Ellenor his Bride He dy'd in the Flower of his Youth being but 27 Years of Age and on the 18th Day of June His Body was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Francis in that City with the Habit of that Order Upon the News of the King of Aragon's Death his Brother Jayme presently came over from Sicily to take Possession of that Crown which appertain'd to him as next of Blood his Brother dying without Issue and having in his Will appointed him his Successor He was receiv'd without any Opposition and Crown'd at Zaragoça with the usual Solemnity on the 24th of September He would not allow of that Clause in his Brother's Will which appointed Prince Frederick his younger Brother King of Sicily but resolv'd to keep and maintain that Kingdom Alonso de la Cerda who had only the Title and Right to the Crown of Castile and was then present and King Sancho who was in Possession of the Kingdom both strove for his Friendship The Aragonian was more inclinable to the Fortune of King Sancho than the Justice of D. Alonso whose Strength decay'd especially since the Queen politickly drew away D. John Nun̄ez de Lara from his Party Besides King Sancho to strengthen himself had made a League with the King of Portugal and concluded a Match betwxit his Son and Heir Prince Ferdinand and Constance that King's Daughter giving some Towns in Castile to secure the Performance The Kings of Castile and Aragon at length concluded a Peace and for the Ratification of it agreed to meet at Montagudo a Town on the Borders of the two Kingdoms There on the 20th of November they made a League Defensive and Offensive and articled that neither should protect the others Rebels but deliver them up Moreover for that the King of Morocco notwithstanding the Truce had lay'd Siege to Beja the Aragonian oblig'd himself if it were requir'd to send 20 Galleys to relieve it To make this Agreement the sirmer it was resolv'd the Aragonian should marry Elizabeth the Daughter of the King of Castile tho' but 9 Years of Age hoping the Pope would dispense with the Consanguinity and accordingly they were Contracted at Soria on the first of December The Child was deliver'd to her Husband and then the two Kings went to Calatayud where there were great Entertainments of all sorts The Nobility of Aragon for some Years had been very Mutinous and in the Reign of King Alonso they endeavour'd to Retrench the King's Houshold and still labour'd to alter the Laws and erect a new Form of Government