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
Bulgaranus attacked these two places upon account they had been given by King Recaredus to Brunechilda who dying soon after and her Sons and Grandsons being also extinct it is supposed for that cause the French Kings did not attempt to recover them Thus much in France In Spain King Gundemarus made War with success upon the People of Navarre who again had revolted he had also some rancounters with the Romans that maintained that part of Spain which still acknowledged the Roman Empire All which and his Death which fell out at Toledo was in the Year 612. when he had Reigned one Year ten Months and thirteen Days The Queen his Wife was called Hilduara but it is not known that he left any Issue At the same time Heraclius who succeeded Phocas was Emperor in the East and Bonifacius the 14th Governed the Catholick Church after Gregory the Great Sabinianus and Bonifacius the Third Aurasius was Bishop of Toledo his Predecessors were Euphimius Tonancius and Adelphius In his time a Synod of 25 Bishops from several parts of Spain was held at Toledo upon account that several Bishops of the Province of Carthagena would not acknowledge the Superiority of the See of Toledo for which this Synod unanimously gave judgment About this time flourished the famous Poet Draconcius who put the beginning of Genesis into Verse Gundemarus was interr'd with great Pomp and what made it the more remarkable was the Sorrow and Tears of all the People for the loss of so Excellent a Prince Next the Nobility meeting made choice of Sisebutus to succeed him who being a Person no less qualify'd than the other very zealous of the Catholick Religion and what in those days was rare Learned and skilled in the Latin Tongue the grief conceived for the former loss was in some measure allayed The hopes conceived of Sisebutus proved not vain for he soon quelled the Asturians and People of Rioja who relying upon the strength of their Mountainous Country refused to acknowledge the New King In this War he made use of Suinthila Son of the good King Recaredus a Youth of great Courage and that afterwards made this a step to ascend the Throne That Country being subdued the King increased Suinthila's Army with Addition of many new Levies made throughout his Kingdom in order to go himself in Person against the Romans who still held some part of Spain about Cadiz and along the Coast of the Ocean in Andaluzia and Portugal Having entred that Country he defeated the Enemy in two Battles took from them many Towns and scarce left the Romans a foot of Land in all Spain What was most commendable he made use of his success with great Moderation setting at Liberty a great number of Captives taken by his Soldiers in respect that they were Catholicks and to take away all cause of discontent paid their ransoms to the Owners out of his own Coffers Caesarius a Patrician who governed for the Emperor in Spain moved by the goodness of Sisebutus and despairing of being able to withstand him being so far from relief was willing to set a Treaty of Peace on foot A fit opportunity offered it self for Cecilius Bishop of Metensa being desirous of a more quiet Life quitted his Bishoprick and retired to a Monastery within the Precincts of the Romans The King cited him to appear and answer for what he had done Caesarius tho' some Persons opposed it caused him to be delivered to the King by Ansemundus whom he sent as his Ambassador with Orders if he found a fit opportunity to Treat of Peace This Embassy was pleasing to Sisebutus being himself inclinable to an accommodation and therefore he sent an Ambassador of his own called Theodorick to Caesarius who sent him with others to the Emperor Heraclius to ratify the Conditions of the Treaty The Emperor gave much credit to an Astrologer who told him the Christian Empire would be in great danger from the circumcised People which being meant of the Moors and Saracens he misapplyed to the Jews and therefore used all possible Means to oppress them Now he easily was prevailed upon to ratify the Peace the Ambassador had concluded only earnestly recommending it to the King Sisebutus that he would Banish the Jews out of all his Dominions which was granted and such rigor was used towards them that many against their Wills were forced to be baptized a thing forbid among Christians Among the Ancient Laws of the Goths called Fuero jusgo are two to be seen to this effect established by Sisebutus in the 4th Year of his Reign Hereupon a great number of Jews went over into France whence not long after they were also expelled together with the Native Jews by Dagobert King of the Franks at the request of the same Emperor Heraclius King Sisebutus taking great Liberty in relation to the Ecclesiastical affairs deposed Eusebius Bishop of Barcelona and gave that See to another as appears by his own Letters The pretence for so doing was that certain Actors had been permitted by the Bishop to represent some things relating to the superstition of the Heathens and offensive to Christian Ears By the King's Order a Synod of 8 Bishops was held at Sevil in which the Sect of the Acephali formerly condemned in the East and now brought into Spain by a Bishop that came from Syria was Anathematized and he obliged to abjure it The King being thus employed was snatched away by Death in the Year of Grace 621. having Reigned eight Years six Months and sixteen Days Several stories have been spread abroad relating to his Death Some said the Physicians gave him a Purge good as to its quality but that the quantity was too great others that instead of a Purge they poisoned him It is certain many falshoods are always spread abroad upon the death of Princes His Funeral was performed with great Pomp and many Tears expressing the great esteem he was held in by all Men. In the plain near Toledo upon the Banks of Tagus stands an Ancient Church dedicated to S. Leocadia which threatens ruin and is generally supposed to have been built by Sisebutus It is also attribued to Sisebutus that he extended the Dominion of the Goths upon the Seas either to secure their Conquests on the Land or with a design to extend them into Africk Some of our Historians write that Mahomet the Founder of that wicked Sect after he had subdued part of Asia and Africk came over into Spain and fled from Cordova for fear of St. Isidorus But this relation is wholly to be rejected as Fabulous and not agreeing with Chronology and Foreign Histories To Sisebutus succeeded his Son Recaredus too young to take upon him so great a charge he Reigned but three Months and then dyed without leaving any Memory of what hap'ned in his time CHAP. III. The Reigns of the Kings Suinthila Rechimirus Sisenandus and Chintila The Romans quite expell'd Spain
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
to lay hold of the opportunity his absence offered for enlarging his Dominions For the more security to his designs he entred into League with the Kings of Zaragoça Huesca and Tudela tho' Moors and joyn'd his Forces with theirs With them he broke into Navarre and laid Siege to Tafalla a Town of note It hap'ned D. Garcia at the same time returned from his Pilgrimage and gathering what Strength he could on a sudden fell upon his Brother with such fury that he forced him to fly out of Aragon without stopping till he came to Sobrarve His flight was with such precipitation that he was obliged to leap upon the next Horse that came to hand without Saddle or Bridle These were the beginnings of greater Troubles that ensued The Nobility of Leon were offended at Ferdinand King of Castile and stirred up their King D. Bermudo against him D. Bermudo himself was dissatisfied for that the other had Marry'd his Sister against his will and Conquered a considerable part of his Dominions as was said in the last Book There was a fair opportunity of taking revenge the Brothers being at variance and King Ferdinand's Force but very small Wherefore D. Bermudo gathers an Army and enters Castile D. Ferdinand called upon his Brother D. Garcia for Aid who came speedily to his relief Their Forces being joyn'd they advance towards their Enemy and Encamp'd in sight of him on the Banks of the River Carrion in the Valley of Tamaron near a Town called Lantada Both sides were eager to fight so there was no time lost but they presently came to a Battle which proved very bloody and great numbers were slain In the heat of the Action D. Bermudo resolutely broke into the midst of the Enemies designing to single out King Ferdinand but was wounded with a Spear whereof he fell down dead His Death put an end to the War for King Ferdinand after this Victory entred the Kingdom of Leon which then belonged to him of Right and easily possessed himself of it notwithstanding some opposition was made only in hatred to the Government of a Stranger But Courage without Strength is useless The City of Leon at first shut its Gates against the Conqueror but being wholly unprovided of all Necessaries to hold out a Siege soon surrendered The Citizens conducted the King with great Joy to the Church of S. Mary de Regla where he was Proclaimed and Crowned Servandus Bishop of Leon performed the Ceremony in the Year of Grace 1038. D. Ferdinand Reign'd in Leon 28 Years 6 Months and 12 Days and 12 Years more in Castile part before and part after the Death of his Father CHAP. II. Ferdinand 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 BY the addition of this new Kingdom D. Ferdinand became the most powerful King in Spain His Zeal for Religion and many Vertues which were no way inferior to his Power and Warlike Atchievements caused him to be called the Great and the Flattery of his People extended so far as to stile him Emperor Besides he was fortunate in a numerous Issue His first Child before he came to the Crown was D. Vrraca next D. Sancho who succeeded him then D. Elvira who was Married to the Count de Cabra after her D. Alonso who at last became sole Sovereign of all those Dominions and lastly D. Garcia the youngest all of them by one Wife These Children were educated with that care as became their Dignity D. Ferdinand having setled his Government enjoyed a perfect Peace but thought nothing could gain him more Reputation among his People or be more pleasing to God than to make War upon the Moors That part of the Country lying betwixt the Rivers Guadiana and Tagus and along the River Duero being then the Frontiers of the Moors was called Estremadura and still retains the name Having raised a considerable Army he marched towards those Borders as being the nearest and because the Moors then had made an Inroad into the Country of the Christians and taken a great Booty The King marched with such speed that he put them to flight and recovered all the Prey Then encouraged with success he marched into their Territories wasting all the Country about Merida and Badajoz without sparing any thing that came in his way but driving a vast number of Cattle and Prisoners Besides he took two Towns the one called Sena and the other Gani. In Portugal after a long Siege and vigorous Resistance made by the Moors the City Viseo surrendered The taking of this City was most grateful to the King not only in regard of its great importance but also because in it he found the Moor who as was said before killed his Father-in-law D. Alonso with a Dart he threw from the Wall His death the King now revenged on the Infidel putting out his Eyes cutting off both his Hands and one of his Feet At this time also were taken from the Moors the Castles of S. Martin and Taranço Hence the King went to the Church of S. James the Apostle to pay his Vows made and offer new ones to obtain that Saint's assistance for the future as he had till then This hap'ned the second Year after he was possessed of the Crown of Leon. The following Year which was of our Lord 1040. he commenced the War with greater heat than before by the Siege of Coimbra which at length was surrendred to him upon Discretion Want of all Necessaries obliged the Besieged to submit after enduring a Siege of seven Months which some Authors mistake and would make seven Years At that time it was one of the most famous Cities in Portugal now much more renown'd for Learning having been made an University by King John III. of Portugal who assigned great Revenues to it and it is one of the chiefest in Spain It is said the Monks of a Monastery called Lormanus or rather Lorvao were a great help towards carrying on the Siege by relieving the King's Army with great store of Provision they had laid up unknown to the Moors What return the King made is not known By the taking of this City the Territories of the Kingdom of Leon were extended to the River Mondego which runs thro' it and is called in Latin Monda The King gave the Government of this City and adjacent Country to one Sisnandus a Man well skilled in the manner of fighting with the Moors having served Benabet King of Sevil in his Wars against the Christians such was the corruption of that Age. After setling his Conquest the King again returned to visit the Church of St. James and offered part of the Spoil in acknowledgment for his Success past and to beg a continuance for the future This done he took a Progress to the principal Cities of Castile and Leon in manner
his Actions spread Thence he returned to Rome in the fifth Year after that War was began He carried some Spanish Soldiers of the Cohort of Calagurris for his Guard No sooner was he gone but the Cantabrians and Asturians were again in Arms but these Efforts being without Strength were ineffectual for L. Aemilius and Pub. Carisius first and afterwards Caius Furnius having slain many of the Revolters appeased the rest Many rather than submit killed themselves others went singing and full of joy to Execution Some of those that were made Slaves conspired together and killing their Masters fled to the Mountains whence they made Excursions into the neighbouring Country inticing the People to take up Arms. To appease these Troubles M. Agrippa then Son-in-law to Augustus came out of France and in some Rencounters he had with those obstinate People was worsted which moved him as a punishment to a Legion that had been the most faulty to deprive it of the Title of Augusta which before it enjoy'd This disgrace was a warning to the other Soldiers to behave themselves better so that at last Agrippa was Victorious All that could bear Arms were put to the Sword the rest forced to come down to live in the plain Country and their Weapons taken from them Some say there were other Commotions after these among the Cantabri and that the Embassadors sent to Rome to Treat despairing of ever returning home killed themselves Among the illiterate and rude Spaniards some about this time were famous for their Learning as Caius Julius Higinus and Porcius Latro a great Rhetorician and Friend to Seneca the Father of the Philosopher Those Books that are extant under the name of Higinus are by most Men attributed to another of the same Name a Native of Alexandria But Suetonius seems to be of another Opinion saying Some called him an Alexandrian others a Spaniard and he is of the Opinion of the latter and adds that he was Library-Keeper to Augustus and familiar with Ovid. Besides the Honour Spain received from these Men it was illustrated by Cornelius Balbus a Native of Cadiz who having been Consul Triumphed at Rome over the Garamantae 16 Years before the Birth of Christ He was the first Stranger that obtained that Honour and the last of Subjects for from that time forward only the Emperors or at most their nearest Kindred Triumphed All others were rewarded with the Triumphal Ornaments which were a long costly Robe a Garland of Laurel a Chair called Curulis and an Ivory Rod. Here let us conclude this Book and the Computation of Time from the building of Rome being to begin the next with the Birth of a God incarnate and from thence to date the following Years The End of Book III. THE History of SPAIN The Fourth BOOK CHAP. I. The Birth of Christ our Lord. The Death of Augustus and Reigns of the Emperors Tiberius Caligula and Claudius With an Account of the coming of St. James the Apostle into Spain and first Preaching of the Gospel WE are now come to the most happy Times when the Son of God as was requisite for fulfilling the promises of the Holy Prophets appeared to Men himself made Man and with the new Light he brought into the World show'd and made easie the way of Salvation to Mankind till then wandring and astray He restored Justice before fled from Earth and obtaining by his Death Remission of Sins erected to his eternal Father a Holy Temple after the Model of the Heavenly one and Establish'd it for ever upon Earth under the Name of the Church Of this Church we are all Members who thro' the goodness of the same God have throughout the World received the Christian Religion and preserve it with a true and constant Faith Now for as much as Spain was one of the first that receiv'd this Divine Faith and most firmly adhered to it therefore it will be necessary to relate how much it suffered in those primitive Times on that account and at the same time to set down the new Form and Method that was Establish'd in the Secular Government as also the Lives and Actions of the Roman Emperors as Sovereign Lords of Spain the Combats and Strifes of the first Christians and the Triumphs and Victories of the Holy Martyrs who in defence of the Truth spilt their Blood and lost their Lives Most happy and truely renowned Souls Our brevity in this matter shall be particular for we shall rather hint at than enlarge upon the Ecclesiastical Affairs that this Work may not exceed bounds May the Divine Light from Heaven guide and direct our Pen and Intention may it change our Ignorance into a higher Wisdom and cause our Words to equal the greatness of the Subject The Birth of Christ the Son of God into the World was on the 25th of December in the Year 752. after the building of Rome and 42d of the Reign of Augustus the Consuls then being Octavian Augustus the thireenth time and Marcus Claudius Silvanus From this number of Years some Authors deduct one and others two neither do they all agree who were then Consuls which disagreement was in the time of St. Augustin as he himself mentions We have herein after considering all Opinions adhered to that which seem'd to us most likely and which grave Authors follow But laying aside this and the like Debates not to be certainly decided we will return to the Affairs of Spain tho' at this time scarce any thing occurs worthy the relating besides the matter of greatest moment which is that all the Provinces being reduc'd under the Power and Government of one Monarch the Spaniards as well as all other Nations enjoy'd the happiness of a blessed Peace and quiet Repose being wearied out with such tedious Wars which like Links of a Chain hanging one by another continu'd for so many Years that so the Author of eternal Peace Christ the Son of God might either find Peace or bring it into the World For this reason few things of note happen'd in Spain during the Reigns of Augustus and Tiberius However some few shall be related rather to continue the Series of History than for that they are remarkable in themselves Dion alone among all Historians without fixing the time or place relates that a Captain of Robbers called Corocota after whom great search had been made of his own accord presented himself to the Emperor who not only pardoned but gave him the Reward that had been promised for taking of him Augustus dy'd at Nola in Campania on the 19th of August in the Year of Christ 15. at the Age of 76. He was the second of the Roman Emperors and possest the Empire alone for the space of 44 Years He appointed Tiberius Nero his Son-in-law to succeed him being overcome by the importunities of his Wife Livia whereas Germanicus and his Children had the better Right Tiberius Governed the Roman Empire 22 Years 6 Months and some Days He
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
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
say he was informed by one Marcus Polus a Florentine and others that he found out by his Skill in Astrology that there were vast Countreys towards the West undiscovered These his thoughts he communicated first to the King of Portugal then to Henry VII of England and being slighted by them both came to the Court of King Ferdinand There he waited 7 years and at last after the subduing of the Kingdom of Granada obtained of the King 3 Ships to attempt this Discovery It is wonderful that so great an Undertaking was begun only with 17000 Duccats which the King was forced to borrow his Revenue was so far exhausted Columbus set sail on the 3d of August from Palos de Moguer and having touched at the Canaries after several days sail and many difficulties he discovered certain Islands which he called The Princes Islands He spent some days there and leaving some of his Company in a Fort he built under the Command of James de Arana returned to Spain with the News of what he had discovered and some Proofs of the Riches of the Country The following year he continued to discover many other Islands the chiefest whereof were Hispaniola and Cuba Besides he Coasted a great part of the Continent as well towards the Southern as Northern Pole Columbus died in the year of Grace 1500 a Man worthy of Immortal Praise He was made Admiral of the Indies and Duke of Veraguas Rewards due to his great Merit Several others continued these Discoveries as well during his Life as after his Death Among these Americus Vespusius a Florentine by order of Emanuel King of Portugal in the year 1500 discovered all Brasil which is a great part of that Continent After much of the Northern Coast had been discovered by several Persons Vasco Nun̄ez de Balboa born at Badajoz was the first that adventured to pass that narrow Neck of Land that lies between Nombre de Dios and Panama and so came to the South Sea in the year 1513. These Discoveries of Columbus and Americus Vespusius raised a Controversie betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Portugal the latter pretending all the Discovery of the New World appertained to him by Grants of several Popes and particularly of Eugenius IV. On the other side the King of Castile pleaded a Bull of Pope Alexander VI. in the year 1493 which assigned to him all the Lands to the Westward of an imaginary Line drawn 100 Leagues beyond the Islands of Cabo Verde This Grant was afterwards altered by another which ordained the said Line to be drawn 370 Leagues farther towards the West to the end that Brasil might fall within the Portugues Limits Hierome Ozorio Bishop of Silves in the Life of King Emanuel affirms the said Line was appointed to be drawn 36 Degrees West of the Meridian of Lisbon Upon this Determination was grounded another Dispute the Castillians pretending that the Molucco Islands whence the Spice is brought fell within their Limits as being within that half of the World assigned them All this the Portugueses deny and each Party bring Arguments to make good their Assertions Certain it is that Ferdinand Magallanes a Portugues being disgusted because his King did not Reward his Services done in India perswaded the Emperor Charles V. Grandson to King Ferdinand that a new way might be found to the Moluco Islands by the South West He had 5 Ships given him for this Enterprize and sailed from Sevil in the year 1519. Having touched at the Canaries he Coasted all along Brasil and found a Streight in 53 Degrees of South Latitude which of him is called the Streight of Magellan At the entrance of that Streight one of the Ships struck upon a Rock and was lost another weary of that long Voyage stole away by night and returned to Sevil. With the rest he passed the Streight and was himself with some of his Companions killed in an Island called Zubu Those that were left being too few to Man all the Ships burnt one and with the other two came to the Moluco Islands They loaded in the Island of Tidore but one of them being very leaky was lost The other coming round by the Cape of Good Hope at last arrived at Sevil 3 years after his departure The Ship was called the Victory the Master John Sebastian Cano a Biscainer whose Name ought never to be forgotten as being the first that sailed round the World Many afterwards attempted that same Voyage but the Profit not answering the Trouble it was laid aside as also because King John of Portugal lent the Emperor Charles V. 350000 Duccats upon Condition he and his Heirs should desist from that Undertaking till the Money were repayed On the Right Hand of that Neck of Land which we have said lies between the North and South Seas is the Kingdom of New Spain and the City Mexico its Metropolis seated in the midst of a Lake Over this and many other large Provinces and Kingdoms Reigned the mighty Emperor Montezuma whom Ferdinand Cortes in the year 1520 with wonderful Resolution apprehended and made Prisoner in his own Palace He being killed accidentally by a Stone cast at a Window where he was looking out to appease his People Cortes brought those vast Provinces under the subjection of Charles the Emperor gained himself Eternal Honour and left to his Successors the Marquesses del Valle a great Estate in the Kingdom of Mexico On the Left Hand of that Neck of Land Francis Pizarro in the year 1525 discovered the Kingdom of Peru and 6 years after Conquered it taking and putting to death Atabalipa Lord of that Country This is the richest Countrey for Mines of Gold and Silver hitherto discovered insomuch that all the Utensils of those People even to their Pots and Kettles were of these precious Mettals Pizarro shared not the vast Booty he got there fairly with James de Almagro his principal Companion in that Conquest and the rest of his Men and yet the meanest Soldier 's part came to 9000 Duccats which was the richest Plunder ever taken till that time His Force was about 300 Men who in Battle overthrew above 100000 Indians Riches and Plenty produced Pride and Insolence for Ferdinand Brother to Francis Pizarro understanding that Almagro openly complained of the Wrong done him and meditated Revenge he murdered him A Bastard Son of Almagro whom he had by an Indian and whose Name was James assaulted the House of Francis Pizarro in the City of Lima and killed him in revenge of his Father This was a bold Attempt and to punish it the Governour Christopher Vaca de Castro joined with Gonçalo Pizarro another Brother of the said Francis and with their Forces overthrew and killed the said James This Victory and his great Riches so puffed up Gonçalo Pizarro that he attempted to make himself absolute Lord of that Country Blasco Nun̄ez Vela was sent by the Emperor from Spain to be Viceroy of Peru him the Rebellious Spaniards took Prisoner and put