was a stranger accident of a woman Iew who had a great deuotion to the Virgin Mary in secret who beeing wrongfully accused by her husband of adultery as by the order of law she was ready to be cast downe from a high rocke neere the town she recommended herselfe to the blessed Virgin who preseruing her in the fal layd her at the foot of the rocke without any harme This Iew beeing ill instructed in her religion and worse in that of the Christians published this miracle vnto the people and was ledde with great admiration vnto the church of S. Mary the great in Segobia where beeing baptised she was named Mary that leaped from the rocke these are the tales of Friar Alphonso d' Espina in his booke called Fortalitium fidei The King Don Fernand hauing a great desire to chase the Moores of Seuille An. 1246. about the yeare 1246. prepared an armie at sea in Biscay and Guipuscoa whether hee sent a Captaine of great experience called Raymond Boniface borne at Burgos inioyning him to be at a prefixt time vppon the coast of Andalusia that he might at one instant beseege the cittie both by sea and land In the meane time he so annoyed the towne of Carmona as he forced them to some submission hee tooke Constantine the which he gaue to the citty of Cordoua and to the towne of Reyna wherewith he endowed the knights of the Order of Saint Iames the which is at â—his day a goodly Commanderie The towne of Lora hauing yeelded for feare of a seege the king gaue it to the Order of Saint Iohn of Hierusalem he afterwards tooke Cantillana by force where there were aboue seuen hundred Moores slaine Guillena yeelded by composition so as they sped well for that time but rebelling afterwards it was razed Hereupon the king fell sicke which stayed the course of his victories for that he could not be in person in the army the which is of great importance yet Alcala del Rio was taken after a long seege and a great resistance The king hauing recouered his health Arragon they treated a marriage betwixt the Infant Don Alphonso and D. Violant Infanta of Arragon daughter to the King D. Iaime and the Queene D. Violant his second wife Marriage of the Iâ—fant of Castilâ—e with â— Vâ—olant of Arragon the which was consummated in the towne of Vailledolit whether the Princesse was brought this yeere 1246. By this marriage all quarrels betwixt these two Kings were reconciled for the King D. Iames held himselfe wronged by him of Castille for many respects but especially for that hee had assisted and supported his sonne D. Alphonso who had conspired against him some yeeres before with the Nobility of Arragon and Valencia for that the King D. Iames hauing in the yeere 1243. propounded vnto the Estates assembled at Daroca to allot portions vnto his children which he had by diuers ventures that he might leaue them in peace after his death he had assigned vnto D. Alphonso the eldest the crowne of Arragon and to D. Pedro which he had by Queene Violant the Principality of Cattelogne which Proâ—ince notwithstanding he would restraine by the riuer of Sigro leauing by that meanes the towne of Lerida in Arragon whereat the Cattelans seemed to be much discontented and the Infant D. Alphonso more who would not haue this principality dismeâ—bred from the crowne this businesse being referred vnto the Estates which were held sometime after at Barcelona the limits and iurisdiction of Cattelogne were extended vnto the riuer Signa so as Ribagorçe and Pallars were conteined in Cattelogne notwithstanding the King persisting to leaue D. Pedro his younger sonne heire of that Prouince the Infant D. Alphonso conspired with D. Fernand his great vncle D. Pedro of Portugal D. Pedro Fernandes d' Aragra D. Iohn Gonçal of Heredia and drawing vnto him all the Nobility of Arragon and Valencia he had taken armes and being aided and fauored by D. Fernand King of Castille he had caused great troubles in Arragon the which the King hauing by good councel somewhat pacefied hee was this yeere reconciled to the King of Castille by meanes of this marriage many Noblemen of both Kingdomes hauing beene mediators therein yea and some learned men whereof there were many in Castille for this King D. Fernand was the first of the Kings of Castille Learned men first aâ—mitted into the câ—â—ncel of Castille which did honour his councell of Estate with learned men choosing twelue which were well read in the law who did alwaies accompany him the which was imitated by many Kings his successors By these graue and learned men Castille was then begun by the Kings commandement the bookes of the lawes of the realme called Las Siete partidas the which was finished in the time of D. Alphonso his sonne a worthy worke Las Sietâ— parâ—â—das contâ—yning the lawes of Castille copious and ful of variety this assembly of learned men was continued for a time and then changed mingling sometimes church-men amongst them and knights that were not learned for the affaires of the Estate In the end they did conuert it into a Chancery whereas suites were decided the which was as a court of Parliament following the King and afterwards it was diuided into two Courts or Chanceries one setled at Grenado and the other at Vailledolit as we see in our time In like manner D. Iames King of Arragon caused the lawes and customes of Arragon to be reduced into writing as it were in one body hauing til that time beene obserued by tradition which volume was confirmed by the Estates held at Huesca in the yeere 1247. The King being at Alcala del Rio he was aduertised that his Admiral Raymond Boniface was come into the mouth of the riuer of Guadalquiuir with thriteene ships of warre which had beene set vpon by twenty Moores ships of Seuile Ceâ—ta and Tanger whom the Christians had vanquished taken three ships broken and disarmed the second and sonke one the rest hauing recouered the sea Of which danger the King hauing intelligence before and that there was a fleet of Moores at sea which attended his army hee had sent some troupes of horse 〈◊〉 foote vnto the sea coast to fauour them if they should bee forced to run on shoare but they arriued after the victory these thirteene vessels keeping the month of the riuer the land army came and camped about the city of Seuile Seuile besiâ—ged An. 1247 in the mouth of August 1247. not without great and bloudy skirmishes against the Moores who sallied out vpon them which made the approches especially towards the sea vsing withall many politike stratagems to fire the ships which lay at anchor within the riuer which attempts the Admiral Raymond Boniface did valiantly withstand and repulsed the Moores to their great losse and shame The beginning of this siege was so prosperous for the Christians as the garrison and Inhabitants of Carmona being
seruice He was liberall to all men and magnificent in gifts especially to Princes and their Ambassadours Hee was a louer of iustice and yet neuerthelesse mercifull full of commiseration and flow to condemne any man to death the which he could temper so well as his clemencie profited and redounded to the benefite of diuers yet offenders were punished and corrected in such sort as his Realmes were neuer since his time so well gouerned and cleansed from all manner of violence and outrage When hee had ouercome his enemies hee did alwaies shew himselfe meeke and gentle hee tooke delight in all excellent things vsing alwaies great modestie therein hee was sumptuous in mooueables in gold and siluer plate iewels and other ornaments of rare esteeme except about his owne royall person which was euer apparelled according to the common vse and fashion of his Gentlemen not delighting in rich and costly stuffes nor new fashions hee was stately and magnificent in martiall playes and shewes which were frequent in his Court and no lesse in buildings whereof the royall pallace the bridge and great Hospitall of Sarragossa do make mention The new castle at Naples brought into the forme which now it is is a worke of his he made the fortresse of the Eggeshabitable and commodious hee caused the marshes about the cittie to be dryed vp hee builded shippes of no meane greatnesse which seemed like castles vppon the sea he entertayned a great number of huntsmen but his chief delight and pleasure was in hawking And beeing a warlike Prince hee made two enterprises into Barbarie the one to Zerba anciently called the Isle of the Lotophages the which he tooke and defeated in battell Butifer king of Tunis who came to driue him thence with aboue an hundred thousand Moores the other against the towne properly called Affrica the situation whereof hee very well viewed hauing a purpose to returne thither where he burned all the shippes and vessels that he found in the hauen when hee was at peace in the kingdome of Naples he gaue ayde and succour to the Despotto of Acarnania assayled by the Turkes and to Scanderbeg Prince of Albania warring vpon the same nation Learning and learned men beloued of king Don Alphonso Sentence of D. Alphonso where his souldiers gaue sufficient proofe of braue warriours which did greatly redound to the Kings honour A man would scarce beleeue what honour and respect he did beare to learning and learned men beeing oftentimes wont to say That a King without learning was like a crowned Asse the which sentence he had read in the preface before the Spanish Translation of Saint Austens booke Of the Cittie of God and therefore he employed part of his time in the study of letters although he were of good yeares before he beganne and he did neuer neglect the reading of Bookes nor his conference and disputations with learned men how great affaires of State or warre soeuer hee had Beeing well stricken in yeares hee euer had in his company an old Grammarian called Master Martin with whome hee delighted greatly to discourse both abroade and at home and he did so profit at his studie that hee did translate Seneca's Epistles a worke very hard intreating of morall Philosophie into the Spanish tongue hee tooke such pleasure in reading the holy Scriptures as hee would often vaunt that he had read the old and new Testament fourteene times ouer To shew the singular affection hee did beare to learning and learned men hee gaue for his Deuice in armorie an open booke and hee would say that Bookes were Princes best Councellors with protestation that he had receiued best counsell of the dead meaning of his bookes In the deuastations and spoyles of Citties during his warres hee reserued for his part of the spoyle bookes which were carefully sought for and brought vnto him hee would reade with great delight Titus Liâ—ius and Caesars Commentaries so that besides the sundry reparations of Schooles and Auditories where hee assigned pensions to the Doctors Regents and schollers his Court was daily frequented with the learnedst men of his time to wit Bartholomew Facio George of Trebiçonde Laurentius Vallâ— Iohn Auriâ—pa Antonio of Palermo and others Hee did honour the great Captaines and worthie men in the Art militarie â—earned men 〈◊〉 to K. Aâ—phonsâ—s court of what nation soeuer they were likewise Grauers Architects excellent Enginers skilfull Marriners and generally any man of worth and desert in what art of science soeuer so that hee left behind him the eternall and euer-during memorie of a Prince truly vertuous valiant bountifull and esteeming vertue as it rightly deserued Now King Don Alphonso beeing dead and his sonne Don Fernand beeing in trouble at his first comming to the Crowne diuers citties and some great Lords of the kingdome of Naples did mooue and stirre vp the Prince Don Charles of Nauarre to take to himselfe the same Crowne which they offered vnto him but he made them such an answer as they perceiued thereby that he had learned to be modest to follow equity and right and not rashly to cast himselfe into another mans possession And for that hee would not giue any euill suspition of himselfe hee went into Sicill a Kingdome fallen by the death of Don Alphonso to the King his father with those of Arragon Sardynia Majorca Minorca Valencâ—a and the Principalitie of Cattelogne in the which by right belonging to the eldest sonnes of the Kings of Arragon hee obtayned in esse the principalitie of Girona and the right of succession in all these Kingdomes afterwards He remained and continued a while in Sicill greatly honoured and beloued of the Sicillians during which time he was amorously familiar with a very fayre and beautifull Gentlewoman of a meane of spring and parentage named Capa on whome hee begate two children the one named Don Philip of Nauarre and Arragon who was Master of the Order of Monteça Genealâ—gie of Nauarre and Arragon and dyed in the warre of Granado in the seruice of the King Don Fernand his Vncle the other was called Don Iohn who was Bishoppe of Huesca Hee had also a daughter named Donnaâ— Anne of Nauarre and Arragon who was Dutchesse of Medina Celi and wife to Don Lewis de la Cerde but it is vncertaine whether shee was borne of this mother As the aboue-named tumults and dissentions continued in Nauarre the Prouinces of Guipuscoa and Biscay beeing neere-bordering neighbours Castile and wrapped vp in one selfe same ayre entred into ciuill or rather vnciuill dissentions hauing likewise their factions of the Gamboines and Ognazines who could not bee repressed by any forme of iustice Therefore the King Don Henry was aduised to go thither in person the which he did and there by the aduice of his Councell and vppon information made of those trobles and outrages he razed and ouerthrew diuers towers and strong houses belonging to the chiefe of the Factions which serued for places of retreat and
the end stirre vp the other people of Spaine against the Gaditanes whereof followed much warre of small fame by reason of the weakenesse of the Commonweales and Potentates which did manage them if wee will compare them with others of those times Onely there is an honourable mention made of a noble man commaunding vpon the coast of the Ocean Arganthon neere vnto this Island of Gadis called Arganthon happie in wealth and long prosperitie of his affaires for they say he liued 155 yeares and reigned 80 and withall loued justice whose time is conferred with that of Ancus Martius reigning in Rome about 150 yeares after the foundation thereof The Gaditanes were kept somewhat in awe by him and others yet not so subdued but they tooke armes vpon all occasions so as the people round about conspired against them who finding not themselues strong ynough to oppose against so many enemies they resolued to call the Carthaginians to their aid who in the end became masters of Spaine Carthaginians called into Spain by the Gaditanes vntill the Romanes stayed the course of their victories and conquests the which shall be related in the following Bookes with more delight for that we are better assured than of these things Hitherto we haue discoursed of the beginning and antiquitie of those nations which came first to inhabit Spaine following the obscure steps of those that haue left any thing in writing or read or conjectured hauing scarce obserued any order of times being without any sure grounds for euen the places whereas euery one of the Gouernors Captains or Kings wherof we haue made mention did reigne is not very certaine Yet it is most apparent that the Isle of Gades hath been the most famous place of all Spaine and that the superstition of idolatrous people hath preserued it from the inuasions and spoyles of strangers Religion whatsoeuer it be is â—aturally reâ—ereâ—ed by reason of the famous Temple of Hercules which was built there and that the maine land which is about this Island and the strait which is neere vnto it haue beene sooner and more particularly knowne than other places within the heart of Spaine by reason of the commodious landing for Armies and the abourd of merchants strangers which came thither by sea And it is credible that within the countrey there were many pettie kings heads of people without fame and it may be without any good and lawfull policie and it is not impertinent that some townes famous in after ages and euen in our times whose beginning is not known haue had their first foundations from these vnknowne people Wee haue willingly omitted many discourses written by others for that wee haue held them fabulous or at the least very doubtfull as the comming of Noe into Spaine and the voyage and conquest thereof by Nabuchodonozor and such like which we may read in counterfeit Berosus or in Iosephus being deceiued by the memorials of the Chaldeans who put this last Nabuchodonozor aboue all the Hercules that euer were to whose acts the which in truth were great as we may gather by the holy Scriptures wee doe not any way derogate by calling in question his comming into Spaine for that Asia Aegypt and Africk which were neere might furnish him wherewith to erect his trophies The great drought whereof some haue left remembrance seemeth as incredible vnto vs A prodigious drought the which continued six and twentie yeares and burnt all the trees and plants in Spaine except some Oliue and Pomegranet trees as they say as if these trees could not be hurt by the extreame heat as well as the rest it dried vp all the riuers except Ebro and Guadalquibir which became small vnprofitable riuers so as the people were forced to goe out in great troupes to seeke for other dwellings These things for that they haue not beene written by any auncient and good Authors who would not haue passed ouer so memorable an accident with silence and for the absurdities which follow they are with reason rejected And for as much as in that which we are hereafter to treat of we shall find Spaine more manured better peopled with men townes and burroughes limitted and distinguished by more apparent bounds and hauing some better forme of gouernment and policie than it hath hitherto had we haue thought it expedient for the Readers ease before we enter into the subject to make a particular and briefe description thereof making some mention of the fertilitie of the soyle qualitie of the ayre and nature and manners of the Spaniards both auncient and moderne 10 Spaine in generall Description of Spaine and in regard of other countries had from the beginning naturall limits as they are at this day vnlesse they will say that the continuall beating of the waues of the sea hath made some breaches or hath diuided it from Africke to the which some beleeue it was joyned in the beginning or that the forme hath beene changed by some other accident There may well be some diminution for in Islands the which for that they are little are better comprehended and measured by the sences we find without all question that some at this present are much lesse than they were in former ages and others that haue beene famous are now perished and are no more hauing beene vndermined by the waues and swallowed vp in the sea But whatsoeuer hath happened since that Spaine had any fame vnto this day it doth not appeare that there hath beene any great portion cut away or that it is much altered or changed This Region hath beene very fitly compared by the Auncients to an Oxes hyde spread abroad Spaine like to an Oxes hyde for beginning by the necke somewhat narrow which is the passage of the Pyrenee mountaines by the which it is joyned vnto Fraunce it extendeth it selfe to the right and to the left going towards the West so as making in a manner a square forme the Promontories or heads which thrust into the sea on the one side vpon the coast of Biscaye and at Finis terrae and on the other at Cap de Gates and at the strait of Gibaltar represent the legs then the point of Cap S. Vincent stretcht forth behind towards the West makes the tayle That which is taken for the East part of Spaine runs along the Pyrenee mountaines beginning neere vnto the towne of Bayonne vpon the limits of Fraunce where was nerctofore the Promontorie Easo and runs vnto Cap de Crux whereas Venus Temple was in old time that is from the Ocean to the Mediterranean sea being 80 leagues or thereabouts taking the way by Fraunce for these mountaines haue no strait course but bend much towards Spaine and hold a great part of that countrey so as he that would goe from the Ocean to the Mediterranean sea within the countrey of Spaine on that side of the mountaines should find it much more than 80 leagues Although that this coast of Spaine
of the Pyrenees but the one and the other were by some called Illiberis and more properly Seuil Eliocrota and the Bishop called Eliocrotensis betwixt Carthagena and Caslona Some hold that the Vandales ruined it Elna and Elnensis Episc. in Gaule Narbonoise Tol. Emerita Emeritanus Episc. called Augusta it is Merida at this day it hath nothing singular but some ruines and markes of antiquitie Metropol Eminium or Euminium betwixt Coimbra and Porto vpon a riuer of that name Eminiensis Episcopus Brag. Ergauica a towne of Arragon now called Alcanniz it is no Bishopricke at this day Tarrag. G Gerunda and Gerundensis Episc. Girone Tarrag. Gerabrica or Ierabrica betwixt Lisbone and S. Irene Gerabricensis Episc. Merid. H Hispalis and Hispalensis Episc. Seuille Metropol I Ilerda Lerida Ilerdensis Episc. in Arragon now a Bishopricke and an Vniuersitie Tarrag. Ilice Ilicensis Episc. from whence Sinus Ilicitanus was named in the kingdome of Valence vpon the sea looking to the islands of Pityeuses Tol. Ilands of Majorque and Minorque had their Bishop Seuil Ilipa a citie in the strait of Betica or Andalusia Tarrag. Illiberis or Eliberis at the foot of the Pyrenees neere to Colibre Tarrag. Immotinensis it may be Imomōtensis Episc. there is now no memorie of it some thinke it is Montanches Merid. Imopyreneus was called the Bishop of Rhoda it is Roses at this day of the diocesse of Girone Tarrag. Impuritanus or rather Emporitanus of Empuria of the same diocesse Tarrag. Iugastrensis Episc. or rather Iuncariensis Iuncaria was neere to Girone Iunquera Brag. Intercatiensis Intercatia was neere to the Astures Brag. Iria flauia had a Bishop called Iriensis at this day it is Padron the Bishops See was transferred from thence to Compostella Seuil Italica a citie neere to Seuille whereof there are not any markes remaining Italicensis Episc. Hispalis the old Seuil L Lambria and Lambrionensis neere to the riuer Limia in Portugall Brag. Lacobrica and Lacobricensis Episc. there were two towns of this name the one at Cap S. Vincent the other neere to Palenza Merid. Lameca is a Bishopricke yet in Portugall Lamecensis Episc. Merid. Legio Legionensis Episc. at this day Leon the chiefe towne of a realme and a Bishopricke enjoying the priuiledges of a Metropolitane Brag. Lucensis Episc. Lugo in Gallicia Brag. M Malaca and Malacitanus Episc. it is at this day a citie and Episcopall See Seuil Mentesa now Montijo or else Iaen in Andalusia Tol. N Nouiensis Nouium in Gallicia it may be Noya Brag. O Olisipo and Olisiponensis Episc. Lisbone most famous in our time Merid. Orcelis whose Bishop was at the Councell of Arles Merid. Oretan and Oretanus Episc. Calatraua where there is an order of knights Tol. Osca that is Huesca in Arragon a Bishopricke and an Vniuersitie Tarrag. Ossobonensis Episc. Ossobona was in Algarbe neere to Pharo which by the Moores was called Exuba Merid. Oxoniensis and Oxouiensis it is Osona a Bishopricke at this day Vxania Plinie Tol. P Pacensis Episc. a Pace Augusta it is now Badaios which the Moores did call Baxangus corrupting the word Merid. Palentia or Palantia and the Bishop Palentinensis it is a Bishopricke at this time of the same name Tol. Pampelonensis Episc. or Pampilonensis Pampelone the chiefe citie of Nauarre it is a Bishopricke at this day Tarrag. Placentia and the Bishop Placentin it is now so called Merid. Porto or Portogallo Portogalensis Episc. at this day a good port of the sea and a Bishopricke Brag. S Salmantica Salmanticensis Episc. Salamanca a Bishopricke and a famous Vniuersitie Merid. Segobia and the Bishop Segobiensis it holds yet the name and dignitie in old time Secobia Antonin Segouia Plinie Tol. Segobrica Segobricensis Segorbia in Arragon Tol. Seguntia Siguença Seguntinus Episc. in the limits of Castille and Arragon it keepes the name and the dignitie Tol. Setabis Xatiua in the realme of Valence and the Bishop Setabiensis it is now no Bishopricke Tol. Sarabriensis Episc. in whose place is written in the bookes of Councels Sibariensis Sarabris it may be was Zamore or Toro Merid. Sitia Sitianensis Episc. it was in Betica depending vpon Corduba for the temporall Seuil Sitalensis and Sitialensis all one Seuil T Tarracon Tarraconensis Episc. it is an Archbishopricke at this day Metropol Turiasso Turiassonensis Episc. Tarrassone in the limits of Nauarre Tarrag. Toletum Toletanus a well knowne Archbishopricke Primat of Spaine in old time Metropolitane Metropol Tucca Tuccitanus Episc. it was in Betica neere to Castulo Seuil Tude or Tyde it is Tuy in Gallicia now vpon the riuer of Minio Episc. Tudensis it holds the dignitie Brag. Tullica and his Bishop Tullicensis in Cantabria among the Autrigons whereof Calagurris was the chiefe Tarrag. V Valence a famous Archbishopricke at this day Valeria at this day Concia or Cuenca Conciensis Episc. it was sometimes called Valeriensis Tol. Vellensis or Veliensis it was a Bishopricke among the Autrigons Tarrag. Vesci Vesciensis Episc. it is Viseo a citie in Portugall Merid. Vrci Vrcitanus Episc. neere Murcia or Almerie Tol. Vrgelitanus it is Vrgel in Arragon a Bishopricke Tarrag. Vxama Tol. These townes vntill the destruction of the Gothes kingdome haue beene Bishops seats according to the order and discipline which was then obserued in Christian churches Those of Seuille Toledo Merida Braga and Tarragone were Archbishoprickes Metropolitanes and Primats Diuers names but of one signification which did not inferre any superioritie one ouer another for they were equall in power and they did preside in Councels according to the antiquities of their seas ⧠THE SIXT BOOKE OF the Historie of Spaine The Contents 1 OF the Moores or Arabians which inuaded Spaine their beginning and manners 2 Mahumets sect his birth designs and Empire of his successors vnto Vlit the tenth Caliph 3 Conquest of Spaine by the Moores 4 Pelagius the deliuerer of Spaine and first king of Ouiedo 5 Garcia Ximenes deliuerer of the Christians oppressed in Spaine first king in Sobrarbre and Nauarre 6 Fafila second king of Ouiedo many Gouernors Moores in Spaine in his time 7 Alphonse third king of Ouiedo 8 D. Froila fourth king of Ouiedo the first which vsed the title of Don. 9 Abderamen first soueraigne king of the Moores in Spaine sitting at Cordoua 10 D. Aurelle fift king of Ouiedo 11 D. Sillo sixt king of Ouiedo 12 D. Aznar first Earle of Arragon vnder Nauarre 13 D. Garcia Inigo second king of Sobrarbre or Nauarre 14 D. Mauregat seuenth king of Ouiedo 15 D. Bermund eight king of Ouiedo 16 Hizen second soueraigne king ouer the Moores in Spaine 17 D. Galinde second Earle of Arragon 18 Cattelogne the name and the gouernment of the Christians in that prouince vnder Bernard 19 D. Alphonse the chast ninth king of Ouiedo 20 Inuention of S. Iaques his sepulchre as the Spaniards affirme 21 Haliathan third soueraigne king ouer the Spanish Moores 22 Expedition of Charlemaigne into Spaine and the defeat at Ronceaux 23 D. Fortun third king of Sobrarbre and Nauarre 24 D. Sancho Garces
gouernors of Castille murthered where some dayes after without any formall proceeding he caused them to be murthered in the prison D. Diego Porcello as some thinke was of this number D. Nugno Bellides maried his daughter D. Sulla of whom were borne two sonnes D. Nugno Nugnez Razura D. Diego Porcello the stemme of the princes of Castille grandfather to the earle D. Fernand Gonsales and the other was Iustus Gonsales grandfather to the Lord of Lara A yeare after this tyranous action the king D. Ordogno died according to the common opinion in the yeare of our saluation 897 but according to the letters and titles of donation of the abbeyes and churches of Spaine he liued in the yeare 919 as Garibay saith who hath made a diligent search Of the authoritie and truth of which charters we may iustly doubt This king raigned eight yeares and was buried at Leon in the new Cathedrall church of Saint Marie the great the first of those kings which had beene interred at Leon. D. Froila second of that name and 15 King of Ouiedo and Leon. 48 AFter the death of D. Ordogno An. 897. the realme was held by his brother D. Froila who vsurped it from his nephewes D. Alphonso and D. Ramir sonnes to the deceased He is not put in the catalogue of the kings of Ouiedo it may be by reason of the shortnesse of his raigne or in detestation of his cruelties which purchased him the surname of Cruell or for some other considerations Genealogie of Ouiedo and Leon. He had maried a ladie called D. Munina or D. Nugna by whom he had three sonnes D. Alphonso D. Ordogno and D. Ramir and by a concubine a bastard called D. Fruela Of this bastard issued D. Pelagius called the Deacon who maried D. Aldonsa grand child to D. Bermund the Goutie whereof we will make mention King D. Fruela was a tyrant Tyrants alwaies feareful suspitious and cruelt and therefore fearefull and suspitious so as he vsed great crueltie against the noblest personages in Spaine he put some to death banished many and afflicted euerie estate Among the rest he put to death the children of a noble knight called D. Olmunde or Dimunde banished D. Frominio their brother who was Bishop of Leon and committed many other such outrages yet couered with the cloke of iustice as tyrants doe vsually 49 The people of Castille incensed at the crueltie vsed against their earles by D. Ordogno rebelled against the Crowne of Ouiedo and Leon Change of the Estate of Castille and made an Estate apart chusing two Gouernors or Iudges among them whereof the one should haue charge of the war Iudges chosen in Castille and the other should take knowledge of ciuile causes These were Nugno Razura and Flauin Caluo his sonne in law Nugno Razura was sonne to Nugno Bellides a German knight who they say was the first founder of the citie of Burgos so called by him of a German word signifying a habitation of people This knight comming into Spaine vpon deuotion to visit S. Iaques sepulchre was there maried to D. Sulla daughter to D. Diego Porcello and had by her this D. Nugno Razura a knight who was wise valiant and much esteemed by reason of his modestie He had one sonne and one daughter by his wife D. Gonsalo Nugnes and D. Eluira Nugnes or else D. Theresa Nugnes surnamed Bella either for that she was exceeding faire or to seeme to be so for the custome of the auncient was to giue their children pleasing names and surnames thinking they should thereby purchase fauour with men and that a goodly name gaue some marke or impression to the person conformable to that which it did signifie This ladie D. Bella was maried by her father to Flauin Caluo a knight of Castille lord of Biuar by whom descended by fiue degrees Cid Ruys Diaz who was a wise and valiant knight By these two Castille was gouerned without opposition for that the king D. Fruela being hated and ill obeyed by reason of his tyranie and tormented with continuall distrust being also growne a leaper could not bring any armie against them Wherefore this manner of gouernement was setled among the Castillans and the countrey was dismembred from the Crowne of Ouiedo for a time and the riuer of Pisorga diuided Castille the old from the kingdome of Leon. D. Nugnes determined of ciuile causes with great equitie and iustice Flauin Caluo managed matters of state and warre Mention is made in certain priuiledges giuen by the first kings of Castille to certain towns of that countrey of a volume of the Castillian Lawes according to the which iustice should be administred called the booke of Iudges the which was of great authoritie vnto the time of king D. Alphonso the Wise sonne to D. Fernand the third that the Lawes of the seuen parties were brought in according to the which this realme was afterwards gouerned King D. Fruela Ouiedo and Leon. without rest among his subiects without warre against the Moores and Infidels without honour in any of his actions and without health in his person infected with leprosie raigned onely foureteene monethes and was interred at Leon in the chiefe church in the yeare 898 according to the common opinion but there are letters in the treasurie of Saint Iaques of a donation of twelue miles of ground to this church made by this king dated the 28 of Iune 924 which Garibay saith he hath seene ⧠THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF the Historie of Spaine The Contents of the seuenth Booke 1 D Sancho Abarca second of that name and ninth king of Nauarre 2 D. Alphonso fourth of that name and 16 king of Ouiedo and Leon. 3 D. Ramir second of that name and 17 king of Leon leauing the title of Ouiedo 4 D. Gonsal Nugnes Iudge of Castille his vertues 5 D Fernand Gonsales first earle proprietarie of Castille 6 D. Mir second proprietarie earle of Barcelone 7 D. Ordogno third of that name and 18 king of Leon. 8 D. Garcia Sanches fourth of that name and 10 king of Nauarre 9 D. Seniofrid third earle of Barcelone sonne to D. Mir. 10 D. Sancho first of that name and 19 king of Leon called the Fat. 11 Hali Hatan ninth Souer aigne king of the Arabians or Moores in Spaine 12 D. Ramir third of that name and 20 king of Leon. 13 D. Garcia Fernandes second proprietarie earle of Castille 14 Hizen second of that name and 10 king of the Moores at Cordoua 15 D. Bermund second of that name 21 king of Leon from whom the citie of Leon was taken by the Moores 16 D. Sancho third of that name and 11 king of Nauarre 17 D. Borel fourth proprietarie earle of Barcelone 18 D. Alphonso fift of that name and 22 king of Leon. 19 D. Sancho Garcia third earle of Castille 20 D. Raymond Borel fift earle of Barcelone 21 Decay of the Moores power in Spaine by their ciuile dissentions 22
sonne in law the which hee did by the aduice of D. Bernard Archbishop of Toledo D. Vâ—raca laâ—re of Castille and Leon married to D. Alphonso of Nauarre which marriage was accomplished according vnto some in the life time of the King D. Pedro others say it was after his decease D. Alphonso hauing already succeeded him to the crowne of Nauarre and Arragon in the yeere 1104. for that the King D. Pedros sonne of the same name was dead without children and D. Isabel his daughter was also dead a virgin An. 1104. This King D. Pedro and his children were buried at Iean de la Pegna the last of the Kings which were interred there He had raigned in Nauarre and Arragon ten yeeres and three monthes As for King D. Alphonso he liued vnto the yeere 1108. being afflicted with great infirmities Death of D. Alphonso the sixth King of Castille with the which he languished to the age of 73. whereof hee raigned foure and thirty yeeres and eight monthes after the decease of his brother D. Sancho his body is interred in the Monastery of Sahagun D. Alphonso his son in law succeeded him in the right of D. Vrraca the only lawfull daughter of the deceased in all his realmes of Castille Leon Toledo and other Siegneuries A little before his death one Moyse a Iew very learned in the tongues in Philosophy and the holy Scriptures was baptized and the King D. Alphonso was his god father Conuersion of Moysâ—a Iew. wherefore hee was called Pedro Alphonso His conuersion was profitable to many Iewes and Moores whom by disputing and writing hee brought to leaue their sects and to imbrace the name and profession of Christians At the same time florished Deminike de la Calçada whose practise was to retire the pilgrimes which went to Saint Iaques and to direct them in their way At the place of whose aboade there was since a city built of that name he caused a Chappel to bee built there in honour of the Virgin Mary and a little from thence fiue yeeres before his death he made his sepulcher for at that time they buried not any in holie ground Now it is a Cathedral Church The end of the eight Booke The Contents of the ninth Booke 1. VNion of the realmes of Castille Leon Nauarre and Arragon vnder the King D. Alphonso the 7. of that name in Leon and 2. in Castille and the first in Nauarre and Arragoâ— 2. Seege and taking of the city of Sarragosse from the Moores the which was afterwards the chiefe of the realme of Arragon 3. The County of Prouence anexed to the house of Barcelone by hereditary succession 4. D. Alphonso Henriques 2. Earle of Portugal and the bad gouernment of the Countesse D. Theresa his Mother 5. The licentions life of the Queene D. Vrraca heire of Castille her diuorce from King D. Alphonso her husband and the miseries which happened in Castille 6. Conspiracy of the Nobility and States of Castille and Leon against the Queene D. Vrraca and the establishing of her sonne D. Alphonso 7. Raymond in the reyall dignity accounted the 8. of that name and the 27. King of Leon and 5. of Castille 8. Disordred and prodigious testament of D. Alphonso the 7. King of Nauarre and Arragon 9. Vsurpations of townes and Lands in Nauarre by King Alphonso Raymond of Castille 10. D. Garcia Ramir the 19. King of Nauarre and 7. of that name 11. D. Frere Ramir the 5. King of Arragon and 2. of that name 12. Kings of Nauarre and Arragon forced to acknowledge the soueraignty of Castille 13. Vnion of Cattelogne to the crowne of Arragon by the marriage of the Earle of Barcelon D. Raymond Berenger with D. Petronille 14. Accord betwixt D. Raymond Betenger Prince Regent of Arragon with the Templers and Hospitaliers vpon the testament of King D. Alphonso 15. The Earle of Portugal takes the title of King 16. Change of the State in Affrike and the new raigne of the Almohades 17. Taking of Lisbone and other townes from the Moores by the new King D. Alphonso Henriques 18. D. Sancho the 20. King of Nauarre 7. of that name 19. Change of Religion among the Moores in Spaine and persecution of Christians by the new sectaries 20. D. Sancho the 6. King of Castille 3. of that name 21. D. Fernand the 2. of that name 28. King of Leon. 22. Institution of the Order of the Knights of Calatrana This ninth booke containes the rest of the Kings of Nauarre Arragon Leon and Castille and the erection of the Earldome of Portugal to a Kingdome by D. Alphonso Henriques as followeth NAVARRE ARRAGON LEON CASTILLE 18. Alphonso Emperour 1-4 the same 1-26 the same 7-4 the same 2. 19. D. Garcia Ramir. 7. 5. D. Fr. Ramir. 2. 27. D. Alphon. Ra. 8-5 the same 3. 20. D. Sancho 7. D. Petronille and 28. D. Fernand 2. 6. D. Sancho 3. D. Raymond Berenger vnites Arragon and Cattelogne PORTVGAL D. Alphonso Henriques 2. Earle and the first which tooke vpon him the title of King D. Alphonso the eighteenth King of Nauarre Emperor of Spaine ALL the Christian Kingdomes of Spaine were vnited in one body Nauarre Ar. 1. ragâ—a Leon and Castille in the yeere 1108. by the succession of Leon Castille An. 1108. Toledo and other conquests fallne to D. Vrraca wife to D. Alphonso King of Nauarre and Arragon intitled Emperor of Spaine by a better right then his Predecessors notwithstanding that some Chronicles will not haue him put in the ranke and number of the Kings of Castille and Leon for that it was D. Vrraca his wife and not hee which was heire of the sayd Realmes D. Pedro Ansures during the Kings absence who was in Nauarre and Arragon gouerned and was Viceroy in Castille in which time the Moores went to field and did great harme vnto the Christians taking the towne of Coria with other places D. Alphonso King of Nauarre entred with an army into Castille leading with him D. Vrrca his wife but there needed not any force for all obeyed him both the townes forts and Noblemen of the country whom hee gouerned with all mildnesse humanity and iustice and repulsed the inuasions of the Moores on the fronters of his wiues dominions but hee made sharper warre against them vpon the confines of Nauarre and Arragon in Castille hee repaired Vilhorade in Rioje Berlanga and vpon the riuer of Duero Almasan and Soria The surname of warrior was giuen him by reason of his deeds of armes and the battailes wherein he was during his raigne The Histories report that he did fight 29. times in a pitcht field was victor in them al except in the two last battailes D. Alphonso seâ—â—es to assarâ—h insâ— lse of Castille which were fought nere vnto Fraga Hauing goften footing in Castille he began to forecast what might happen if his wife should die without children by him wherefore he put gouernors and captaines of his countries of Nauar
ancient Mentiça an Episcopal seate in the Goths time The same dignitie was restored and the Mesguide made a Cathedrall church by the king D. Fernand in the yeare 1243. who continued there eight moneths for that it had beene taken in Winter and for that it did behooue him to giue order for many things for the preseruation of his new conquests in that countrie as also for the distrust hee might haue of the King of Granado his new ally whom notwithstanding he had no cause to doubt beeing very faithfull From Iaen he came to Cordoua where he was aduised to assayle Carmona whither king Mahomad came to serue him with fiue hundred Genets Hauing spoyled the countrie the two Kings came against Alcala of Guadajaira which place by the king of Granados meanes yeelded from thence certaine fore-runners were sent to a place called Axarafe of Seuile beeing led by the Master of the Knights of Saint Iames and others vnder the conduct of the King of Granado and the Master of the Knights of Calatraua were sent towards Xeres The King beeing in the mean time at Guadajaira he had newes of the death of D. Berenguela his mother whereat he was much grieued so as the warre of Seuile grew somewhat cold yet he was so farre imbarked as he durst not abandon the fronter to come into Castile The king of Granado had leaue to returne into his country the King Don Fernand remaining very well satisfied of him Whilest matters passed thus in Castile Portugal all was in combustion in Portugal by the negligence and basenesse of the king Don Sancho Capello who was wholly giuen to his wiues humors beeing hated of the Portugals and he himselfe disliked for her sake for many malefactors and insolent persons were supported by her who grew daily more audacious in their excesse without any feare of Iustice which was troden vnder foote for their respect For these considerations the Queene beeing also barren all the Noblemen of the kingdome desired to haue this woman separated and sent out of Portugall for the effecting whereof they made great instance at Rome but neither exhortation admonition commandement nor censure could preuaile for the King did so doat of D. Mencia Lopes as hee would not leaue her which the Portugals perceiuing some of them presumed to seaze on her in the citty of Coimbra Queene of â—ortugal 〈…〉 his subiects for her insolâ—nâ—ies conducted her into Gallicia from whence she neuer returned more into Portugall Not content herewith as excesse and insolencies were familiar and ordinarie among them laying aside all respect and reuerence which they ought vnto their Prince they sought to depose him from the royall dignitie whereby it appeared that the whole subiect of the troubles did not consist in the Queene Donna Meuâ—ia but in their ambition and priuate desseignes for their chiefe desire was to haue Don Alphonso the Kings brother who was married to Matilda Countesse of Bologne and liued in Picardy aduanced to the royall throne in his place The newes of these tumults beeing published in Arragon Don Pedro Intant of Portugal who was Earle of Vrgel and Lord of Segorue intreated the King Don Iaime to send Ambassadours into Portugall to perswade the Noblemen and States of the Countrie to receiue him for Gouernour as a Prince of Portugall who beeing affected to the good and quiet of the Countrey would order the affaires to euery mans liking and content The which the king Don Iaime did but it was in vaine for most of the Portugalls were so affected to the Earle of Bologne as the Ambassadours of Arragon were forced to returne suddenly It was therefore resolued that the Earle Don Alphonso should be called and to the end that matters might passe with some colour of Iustice and lawfull Order D Alphonso called to be 〈…〉 Porâ—â—gal they sent the Arch-bishop of Braga the Bishop of Coimbra with some Noble-men of the Countrey to Pope Innocent the fourth who had begunne a Councell at Lions who did authorize this fact of the Estates by his Apostolicke power and named Don Alphonso Earle of Bologne Regent of Portugall leauing the title of King to his brother Don Sancho Capello Some write that the Earle came to Lions to kisse the Popes foote and accepted from his hands the charge of Gouernor of Portugal D. Sancho king of Portugal abandons his realme in Iretires into â—astile and afterwards at Paris he sware the Articles and capitulations which were made in that behalfe from whence he went into Portugall with the Popes Briefes where he was receiued by the subiects but not by D. Sancho who would not obey the Popes commandement but retired into Castile The Authors do not agree well about the time of this retreate some saying that it was during the raigne of Don Fernand others attribute it to the time of D. Alphonso his sonne which is the most likely wherefore continuing to treate of the affaires of Castile in D. Fernands time we will afterwards returne to the Estate of Portugal The yeare 1245. was the last of the life of Don Roderigo Ximenes Arch-bishop of Toledo Castâ—le 1245. a Prelate of great esteeme among the Spaniards He dyed in his returne of a voyage from Rome vppon the confines of Castile and Arragon in the Monasterie called Our Lady of Huerta or Horta where he was interred famous for his doctrine good life great experience and rare eloquence according to the time and especially for his hatred against the name of the Mahumetists and Moores to whom hee made warre with all his power spirit body and wealth he was a fauourer of the rents and priuiledges of the Clergie the which he did much augment in Spaine especially in his owne Sea and built and peopled many places which had beene ruined Don Iohn the second succeeded him in the Arch-bishopricke of Toledo Primacie of Spaine and Chancelorship of Castile About the end of Don Roderigo Ximenes dayes mention is made of a Booke found by a Iew in a stone Booke sound in Spaine in the which it was contained without any shew of ioyning together it was written in three languages Hebrew Greeke and Latin the which made mention of three worlds from Adam vnto Antichrist shewing the nature and disposition of the men of either world and in the beginning of the discourse of the third world it contained that the Sonne of God should be borne of Virgin and suffer for the saluation of mankind and the which seemed more then wonderfull it was written in this booke that it should be found during the raigne of Don Fernand. Whether this were a thing done of purpose or accidentall by this strange inuention rather then for that which the Booke contained this Iew was mooued to become a Christian at Toledo for hee might haue learned the comming of the Sonne of God in Isay and other bookes of the old Testament and in the Gospell if he would haue read them In Segobia there
marauidis for the exactions and concussions done vppon his people and the kings money keeping them two moneths in the castle of Burgos vntill the full payment and execution of these things If he were moderate in this act of iustice Executions 〈◊〉 Seuile hee vsed greater rigour at Seuile where all was full of partialities proceeding from the diuisions and quarrels which his tutor had bred which the Magistrates and kings officers could not suppresse Being declared of full age he went thither and caused the Earle of Niebla Peter Ponce of Leon and other heads and chief authors of these seditions to be put in prison and hauing examined euery mans actions he banished some others he condemned in great fynes and losse of their offices and caused many to be hanged or lose their heads so as there were aboue a thousand persons intangled in these punishments and executions of iustice one of the chiefe ministers whereof was Doctor Iohn Alphonso of Toro to whom the gouernement of Seuile was giuen for matters of iustice and the more to countenance him the king stayed there many daies This king gaue many other testimonies of his loue to iustice he gaue audience to all sutors indifferently three dayes in the weeke he heard all the complaints of his subiects and prouided for them he could discerne of men of iudgement which were fit for councell and the gouernment of the commonwealth The most esteemed and of greatest authoritie about him were Don Pedro Tenorio Arch-bishop of Toledo Friar Iohn Henriques and Friar Fernando of Illesca with the Cardinall D. Pedro of Frias Bishop of Osma and these for the Clergie Elâ—etion of 〈◊〉 men to 〈◊〉 great aff â—â—res of Knights he made great esteeme of Don Laurence Suarez of Figueroa Master of Saint Iames Gonçales Nugnes of Guzman Master of Calatraua Diego Hurtado of Mendoça high Admirall of Castile Ruy Lopes of Aualos his Lord Chamberlaine and afterwards Constable Diego Lopes of Estuniga chiefe Iutice Peter Lopes of Ayala a knight of great learning who came to be Lord Chancelour Iohn Velasco a Chamberlaine and other knights of his Councell which consisted of sixteene graue personages Among others that were very deare vnto him there was a Doctor a Iew by sect borne at Burgos who afterwards imbraced the Christian Religion called Don Pablo who for his learning and good life Doctor Pablo a Iew learned and of a good life was in time chosen Bishop of Carthagena and in the end obtained the Bishopricke of Burgos He had many times oppugned the Christian Religion as a Iew Rabin and Master in the Iewish Law but hauing receiued in gift of a Christian Doctor the booke of Saint Thomas Aquinas intituled de Legibus he read it diligently and was so mooued with the reasons thereof as he left his Iewish religion the which is not strange say the Diuines of Spaine for he that knowes not Saint Thomas knoweth not any thing and he that knoweth him knowes all things This Prelate who was a great Preacher a great Philosopher wise and iudicious in matters of State and of the kings Councell wrate many bookes whereof some are yet extant Beeing a Iew he was married Doctor Pablos children all learned and had three soones all learned men whereof the one was Deane of Segobia and succeeded his father in the Bishoppricke of Burgos he was called Don Alphonso of Carthagena from whome we haue the genealogie of the kings of Castile written in Latine Don Gonçalo another sonne of D. Pablos was Bishop of Palença a Prelat of great learning and the third was Aluar Garcia of S. Maria a learned man also D. Pablo their father beeing of the King Don Henries Councell notwithstanding that he had bin a Iew did aduise him and his successors Counsel of a Iew against Iewes not to receiue into their seruice either of his housholds Councell or to any Offices of the Realm any Iew although he were conuerted and that for some speciall causes The King Don Henry being endowed with these good qualities beyond the Ordinary of young Princes had also some blemishes like other mortall men for hee was noted to be sparing and desirous to heape vp treasure and yet they say that it was without the oppression of his subiects the which is hard in a Prince yet hee gaue many prouisions and pensions to them that were neere to him in bloud or allyed to him by affinitie as to the Queene D. Beatrix his mother-in-law whome he maintained in the estate of a Queene and to Don Fernand his brother who shewed himselfe alwaies obedient to his will His countries beeing in peace he gaue himselfe to repaire and fortifie the fronter places and did build a new the castle of Carthagena As for religious buildings the church and conuent of the Carthusians at Burgos called Mirefleurs are his worke he was a great fauorer of the Franciscans to whome Queene Katherine his wife had a particular deuotion who was a Ladie of great pietie according to the instruction of that time bountifull maiesticall wife and discreet in her words yet superfluous in her manner of liuing and louing wine whereby in her latter dayes she fell into a palsey The Kings infirmities which began at the age of seuenteene yeares did in time so vndermine him being incurable as he became drie and leane so as the proportion of his body was changed and he seemed another man then formerly he had beene moreouer he was so sad and melancholicke as most commonly he was alone and would not admit of any company Yet he was alwaies carefull of the gouernement of the Realme He alwaies entertayned Ambassadours in Princes Courts as well Christians as Mahumetists by whom he was aduertised what was done in forraine countries their manners and manner of gouernements a thing most profitable for him that sends them Ambassadors discourer the councels and actions of Princes but not for them that receiue them for by Ambassadors which are resident the Councels and actions of Princes are discouered to the great preiudice of their estates Two of his Ambassadors sent into the East the which wee Pelayo of Soto maior and Fernando Pelasuel fell into the hands of Tamberlaine Emperor of the Tartarians after the defeate of Baiazet who intreated then graciously and sent them backe into Spaine with an Ambassador of his to demand friendship of king Henry During his raigne in the yeare 1397 the order to the Knights of the Calatraua in steed of a blacke hood which they had worne vntill that time Red crosse the marke of the Order of Calatraua tooke for their marke a red square crosse which they carry at this day the which was done by the Bull of Pope Benedict of Auignon at the instance of Don Gonçal Nugnes of Guzman maister of the Calatraua The realme of Castille being at peace with all men it was ingaged in new troubles by Don Iohn King of Portugall for that the Articles of the truce concluded
Brittanie caused all disorders to bee reformed and restitution to be made The Councell of King Iohn was then reduced to fifteene Prelates and Knights whereof fiue should assist and serue and they should change euery foure moneths Don Iohn King of Portugall laboured to quench and qualifie all occasions of new trobles betwixt his Realme and that of Castile Portugal by a firme peace Wherefore hauing sent backe his ambassadours in the yeare 1419. to Don Iohn King of Castile they were returned with good hope and promise to send ambassadours into Portugall expressely to that end This king D. Iohn the first of that name then raigning in Portugall hauing made a long truce with D. Henry King of Castile during that time he gaue himselfe to gouerne his Realme with iustice to repaire the ruines which had growne by the precedent warres and to adorne it with new buildings wherein employing himselfe with iudgement bountie and wisedome hee was beloued and respected both of his owne subiects and of strangers In remembrance of the victorie which he had gotten at Aljubarote he did build neere vnto it a sumptuous Monasterie which he dedicated to the Virgin Mary and did call it Saint Mary the royall of the battell or victorie which is a Conuent of Iacobin Friars And for that he had a better iudgement then many other Princes knowing that most of the relligious Monkes and other persons did not vnderstand the Latin tongue Booke of the â—oly Scripture translated into Portugall in the which the houres and suffrages were sung in churches he caused them to be translated into the Portugall tongue and in like manner many bookes of the holy Scripture and the interpretation thereof namely the foure Euangelists the which did afterwards much displease our Doctors in Diuinity Hee was so zealous of the honor of his house as a Groome of his chamber called Don Fernand Alphonso of Saint Iren hauing so much forgotten himselfe as to defloure one of the Queenes maides daughter to D. Aluar Peres of Castro Earle of Arroyoles he caused him to be burnt in the place of Rusio in Lisbon and as for her he chased her shamefully from Court sending her to her parents neither could the Queenes intercession preuaile any thing He did also punish with great seuerity the other insolencies of his Courtiers and aboue all things he shewed himselfe a louer of iustice onely he did forget to do reason to D. Beatrix Queene of Castile pretending to be right heire of the Realme which he enioyed whilest that she liued as it were in a priuate estate in Castile an example of rare patience and chastitie for shee would neuer heare speake of a second mariage although she were sought vnto by Princes of great state who happily might haue setled her in her fathers kingdome Besides the aboueâ—named buildings he built the towne of Almerin vpon the riuer of Tayo the pallace of Sintra the castle at Lisbon those of Sierra Balada neere to S. Iren and other Seeing himselfe in peace with all Christian Princes and well obeyed of his subiects he passed the sea with an armie and tooke Ceuta from the Moores of Affricke hauing in his company the Infant D. Edward holding then the place of the eldest for Don Alphonso was dead the Infant Don Pedro Duke of Coimbra and Lord of Montmajor the old and of Auero Don Pedro of Meneses Earle of Viana standard bearer of the realm who was the first Gouernor of Ceuta which victorie was intermixt with mourning for the death of the Queene D. Philippe his wife which happened in the yeares 1415. at what time the king D. Iohn did take a way the vse of accompting the yeares by the Aera of Caesar the which had beene till that time obserued in Portugall ordaining that from that time the yeare should begin from the Natiuity of Christ and that it should bee so dated in all publike and priuate writings to the end to conforme himselfe to that which was brought into Castile Arragon and Nauarre and to auoyd the confusion which fell our in contracts and bargains betwixt the subiects of the Realmes of Spaine In the yeare 1419. 1419. the Infant Don Henry his sonne who was Master of the Order of Christ mooued with an honest emulation by the conquest which his father had made vpon the Barbarians hauing conferred with some men of knowledge and experience in Cosmographie resolued to runne ouer the Ocean sea and to discouer the shoare and Ilands thereof Going from Lisbon with some ships hee came to the Iland of Madera in the yeare 1420. the which he found desert and full of wood An. 1420. whereof it carries the name M adera discouered for Madera is that which the Latins call Materia and we timber He set fire to this wood so as hauing cleansed it they found the soyle good and fruitfull for all things especially for sugar canes which grow in such aboundance as both Spaine and all Europe make great vse of it The Infant did afterwards continue this and other nauigations D. Henry Master of Christus the first discouerer at sea and was the first spurre to the Portugals which came after to discouer the coasts of Affricke and Asia and the Ilands of the South and Easterne seas with great honor to their nation and infinit profite to the whole world These things were attempted by the Portugals when as the peace betwixt them and the Castillans was doubtfull for the Councell of Castile delayed it by reason of the kings minority yet they liued quietly one with another About that time the ambassadors of Castile Castile which had beene sent to the Councell of Constance returned into Spaine bringing home the re-union of the church of Rome vnder Pope Martin the fift Among them was Don Diego of Anaya Maldonado Archb. of Seuile who built the Colledge of Saint Bartholomew at Salamanca this yeare 1420. beeing called the great Colledge the most auncient of all Castile where many learned men haue beene bred In that Vniuersitie of Salamanca are many other Colledges built and endowed with good liuings where there is good exercise of Diuinity arts and tongs as also in other townes of Spaine by the care of Bishops and good Prelates labouring chiefly to maintaine learning which are the grounds of pietie and vertue The same yeare a marriage was made betwixt D. Blanche of Nauarre the widdow-Queene of Sicile Nauarre and the Infant D. Iohn of Arragon second sonne to the King Don Fernand deceased By the treatie concluded the yeare before it was sayd That if the Infanta the presumptiue heire of Nauarre for the elder sister the Countesse of Foix was already dead without children should die before her husband hauing children or not that hee should raigne during his life in Nauarre after the decease of King Charles his father-in-law From this condition and promise being sworne there grew many troubles in Nauar. Besides the expectation of the Realme there
attended the affaires of his kingdome but his minde was aboue all other matters set on this nauigation the which hee did set downe according to the opinions which hee had receiued from diuerse places which did confirme and verifie the discourse which Pedro de Cobanilla had sent him who remained in Prester Iohns Countrey Emperour of Aethiopia from whence there arriued at Lisbone a little before the Kings death a learned and discreete Monke who informed the king more particularly of diuers matters which serued afterwards to great purpose Now king Iohn feeling himselfe neere his end made his Will and hauing no lawfull children hee knew that the kingdome was to fall to Don Manuell Duke of Beja Hee was therefore desirous to giue Don George his base sonne a portion vnto whome hee gaue the Cittie of Coimbra with the title of Duke and Montmajor the old and the lands of the Infantasgo in the same forme as his Grandfather the Infant Don Pedro father to Queen Izabella his mother had possessed them hee gaue him moreouer the Isle of Madera Beja and Viseo which was not performed afterward This will and Testament was signed by Don Manuel and D. George and by fiue other personages of great place who made vp the number of seuen witnesses After this hee went into Algarbe to the Bathes of Monchiz in the moneth of October the season beeing cold and vnfit for his disease and hunting the wild Bore vppon a wet rainie day hee got a fluxe Wherefore as soone as he came to Albor assured tokens of death beganne to appeare vpon him wherof he was admonished by D. Diego Ortiz Bishop of Tanger and Don Diego Almeyda Prior of Saint Iohns who was Gouernour to Don George then disposing himselfe to dye hee appoynted certaine things out of a little Booke to be read and accomplished at such time as he was readie to giue vp the ghost First hee craued pardon of the Dutchesse Donna Beatrix his mother-in-law of Queene Leonora his wife and of the Cardinal Don George of Acosta who then was at Rome he likewise craued pardon of the whole Estates of his Kingdome in generall And to the end that his sonne Don George should not grieue and trouble his mind hee caused him to bee ledde foorth of his chamber and there stood round about his bed Don George of Almeyda Bishop of Coimbra and his brother Don Diego of Almeyda Prior of Saint Iohns Don Iohn de Silua Bishop of Silues Don Diego Ortiz Bishop of Tanger and Don Iohn de Vasconcellos Earle of Penela with certaine Chaplens who exhorted him for his soules health In this manner this King died hauing held the scepter of Portugall foureteene yeares and two moneths in the yeare 1495. and in the sixe and fortieth of his age Death of king Iohn of Portugal his bodie by his owne appointment was layd in the Cathedrall church of Silues and was afterwards transported by the commaundement of the King his successor to the Monasterie of Battaile 1495. beeing the last king that was buried there and it is reported that yet to this day his bodie lyes whole and vnconsumed He was an excellent King and esteemed to be so by the other Princes of Christendome Returning to the affaires of Castile King Ferdinand and Queene Izabella departing from Tordesillas Castile went to Areualo to visite the old Queene Izabella mother to Queene Izabella then raigning from whence they came to Segouia and afterward to Madrid where by the aduice of their Councell it was decreed that the king should take the Master-ship of Alcantara into his owne hands as well as those of Saint Iames and Calatraua for to be perpetuall Administrator thereof and to the end that there might bee no more masters in Castile then the King and Queene the which was approued by authoritie Apostolicall Don Iohn of Estuniga beeing bereft of his Mastership was otherwaies recompenced This yeare also the new Chancerie and royall audience at Cité reall was erected for pleas and causes depending beyond Tayo this riuer separating the bounds of the two Chanceries namely of this and of that at Vailiodolit from this Spring in the mountaine of Cuenca where it enters into the lands of Portugall Don Alphonso Carillo Bishop of Catania and afterwards of Auilla was the first President thereof Now the King and Queene had sent some few dayes before Antonio Fonseca Ambassadour to the French king Charles the eight to the end to diuer him from the warre of Naples enterprized against King Alphonso their Newphew and to declare plainely to him now that they had gotten the Earledome of Rossillon their meaning And king Charles beeing alreadie come into Italy with a mightie armie the Ambassadour metre him at Vilitri neere to Rome where he deliuered his Ambassage and did protest notwithstanding the agreement and promises made at the restitution of the Earledome of Rossillon that if he did persist to poursue by armes his pretended right to the kingdome of Naples king Fernand his master could do no lesse then shew himselfe his enemie and take vpon him his Nephewes defence and therefore he entreated him to thinke of it and to referre all their differences to the Popes iudgement who could very well iudge whither the kingdome of Naples did belong to the French or to the Arragonois The Ambassador wold haue sayd more but he was interrupted in his speech by certain hotte and fierie French Lords who made him hold his peace and told him that he spake too arrogantly and impertinently Peace betwixt Fâ—ance and Castile broken therefore the Ambassador following his instruction tooke the Articles of the last agreement betwixt King Charles and King Ferdinand which he brought with him and tare them in peeces in the presence of the King Lords and Knights of his Armie and hee warned at the same instant Charles de Areillan and Iohn Petit Ceruillon Spanish Captaines who serued in King Charles his Armie that as subiects to King Ferdinand they should depart thence within three dayes and giue ouer the French Kings seruice on paine of being held rebels to their Prince From the same time was the friendship betwixt those two Kings broken and warre in a manner denounced King Charles pursued his destenie and without any difficulty made himselfe maister of the Realme of Naples King Alphonso before hee had fully raigned a yeare hauing giuen ouer the kingdome to his sonne Ferdinand went into Sicill and there ledde a monastick life but not long after the Kings of Castile beeing at Tortosa in Cattalonia did openly and by effect declare themselues enemies to the French as well for feare least they being already Maisters of Naples should seaze vpon Sicill where they pretended like right as also at the entreaty of Pope Alexander and other Potentates of Italy being in the same feare of their owne estates and would not permit the power of the French to grow so great in Italy therefore they set forth a Nauie of
they were most of them put to the sword and the rest taken prisoners onely they had libertie which went forth to capitulate Fort at Gerbe taken by the Turkes The fort was spoyled but the gaine was small The Generall Pialy hauing stayed there eight dayes with his fleet he went and made a stately entrie at Tripoli then returning home he was forced by contrarie winds to stay in a port of Sicile neere to Sarragosse where some Turkes going to water they receiued much losse by the horsemen which garded the coast The next day Lewis Sahaâ—edra went vnto the Bassa with a safeconduct touching the ransome of prisoners lamenting much the miserie of those noblemen he found there and wondering at the smiling countenance wherewith Sandy entertained him who shewed himselfe like one that was neuer altered by the crosses or smiles of fortune The Bassa gaue him good hope of ransome but the wind growing faire in the morning he weighed anker Pialy Bassa â—â—ters Constantinople in triumph and went on his voyage Comming to Constantinople he entred in great triumph causing the prisoners to be carried to his house In which Aluaro de Sandy shewed againe his generous mind for some shewing him a bathing house a place appointed for many slaues he refused to enter into it letting the Bassa vnderstand That it was no fit lodging for him and the Turke not without wonder at the greatnesse of his mind commaunded that he should haue chambers appointed for him They were all presented with great solemnitie before the great Turke who stood behind a window to see them they all refusing to accept any vnfitting conditions that were offered them by the great men of the port Sundy was carried to the tower of Marnero whereas those prisoners which once enter doe neuer or seldome come forth Sancho de Lieua Berlingheri and others were sent to the tower of Pera. After this great losse 1561 new miseries pursued some of them that escaped for D. Lewis Osorio and the vicont of Cigale being come into Sicile hauing bought a Turkish gallie which had beene taken from Vluccialy the pyrat a renegado of Calabria it was taken from them by the Viceroy in the port of Messina Whereat these two captaines being much moued they meant to passe into Spaine to complaine vnto the king going in two of their vessels but they were set vpon by a gallie and two Turkish foists and taken almost without any resistance Cigale was led to Constantinople with Scipio his sonne the father dyed there and the sonne denied Iesus Christ from whom came that famous Cigale who was a Bassa in our time The Commaunder Guimerano hauing the reputation of a great mariner was made Generall of the gallies of Sicile but at his first going forth with seuen gallies hee was incountred by Dragut neere vnto the island of Lipari hauing eleuen gallies well armed who tooke him with his seuen gallies and led him away Among the prisoners was the bishop of Cattanea of the house of Caraccioli In the king of Spaines countries of the Netherlands they of the reformed religion increasing mightily notwithstanding the rigorous Edicts which had beene made by the Emperour the Councell of Spaine thought it fit to bring in the Inquisition to suppressâ— them appointing certaine Inquisitors of the Faith who should haue a care that no forbidden bookes should bee read nor kept in their houses and that no man should dispute against the Romish religion But the king hauing promised That hee would not charge his subiects with such an intollerable yoke as the Inquisition was and the Inquisitors finding that they could not by any meanes put it in practise they sought to bring it in by a couert meanes Now bishops in the Netherlands vnder colour of making new bishops in the countrey to effect the which cardinall Granuelle sent doctor Sonnius to Rome as you may read more at large in the Historie of the Netherlands This yeare 1561 the king of Spaine made great instance at Rome King of Spaine seekes to prepare a great fleet with the reuenues of the Clergie to haue libertie from the Pope to dispose of some of the tenthes of the Clergie of Spaine which amounting to a great summe yearely he meant to applie to the good of Christendome and especially of his realmes of Spaine arming a great number of gallies more than had bin accustomed to defend those coasts being continually annoyed with multitudes of pirats who had their retreats in the ports of Barbarie And as many of the noblemen of Spaine shewed themselues readie to contribute out of their owne reuenues to so good and necessarie a worke so the Pope did not refuse to gratifie the king but stayed his resolution for that he would not displease the Prelates of Spaine who did not seeme verie willing to beare this burthen and the Pope desired more at that time than any other when as they sought to draw the Councell againe together not to giue them any great distast The warre beginning to grow hot in France 1562 for matters of religion the Protestants being in armes after the massacre of Vassy the French king craued aid from the Pope and king of Spaine who were verie willing to giue him the best succours they could The Pope on the sudden could not send him aboue two thousand foot and two hundred harquebusiers on horsebacke vnder Fabritio Serbelloni his nephew Generall of his forces at Auignon who finding himselfe too weake for them of the Religion that were in that countrey demaunded new succours and had two companies of lances sent him but the Catholike king offered to sed tenne thousand foot King of Spaine sends succours into France and 3000 horse of the which the French accepted 3000 Spaniards and 3000 Italians but they came late after the battell of Dreux The prince D. Carlo D. Carlo prince of Spaine grieuously sicke sonne to the king of Spaine appointed the sole heire of so many realmes playing at Alcala de Henares with some young youthes his play-fellowes hee fell vnfortunatly downe the stayres in the palace where they stood playing in which fall hee was so hurt in the head as the Physiâ—ians dispaired of his life In this mournefull accident the king referred his fatherly affection to the will of God writing into all his realmes That they should with their deuout prayers procure the princes long life if it were for the glorie of his diuine Maiestie and the good of his subiects Some write that hee was strangely cured by the bodie of Saint Diego who dyed some hundred yeares before a religious man of the Order of Saint Francis the which the king caused to bee brought into the princes presence This bodie was kept in a shrine of yron which Henrie the fourth of that name king of Castille had caused to bee made and layed in a chappell built in honour of him This shrine being brought and opened in the kings presence they found