of whom live in Communities others by themselves All of them profess Poverty live upon Charity never marry and spend much of the day in Prayer Such of the People as have two Sons dedicate one to this Priestly Order Their Churches are neat the Walls and Roofs painted The Images they use are of Gold and among them one of a Woman which they say represents the Mother of God They acknowledge the Mysteries of the Incarnation and blessed Trinity and use Confession in some cases but only to the chief Lamba These and many other odd Rites seem to be the small Remains of the Doctrine of S. Thomas the Apostle This Country was with incredible labour discovered by F. Antony de Andrade a Portugues Jesuit This Year also the Great Empire of Ethiopia was converted to the Catholick Religion and a number of Priests and Friars of all Orders were sent for to Rome to instruct the People The Dutch Rebels always Enemies to Spain attempted this Year the Conquest of Brasil in America They arrived at the City S. Salvador with a Fleet of 35 Sail and in it 3000 Men and great store of Artillery Provisions and Ammunition They landed without any opposition and the Citizens seeking only to save their Lives fled to the Mountains abandoning the City The Enemy possessed themselves of it profaning the Churches and plundering the Houses where they found a great Treasure but enjoyed it not long being shamefully soon after expelled thence In India the Admiral Ruy Freyre de Andrade fought the Dutch and Turks together and defeated them On the 25th of November came to Madrid Charles Archduke of Austria and was received by the King Queen and Princes with great Demonstrations of Affection The Joy was soon turned into Sorrow for he was taken sick and died within a few days Anno 1625. The Happiness of this Year was began by the Jubilee kept at Rome with a mighty Concourse of People Vladislaus Prince of Poland the King 's Eldest Son was there nobly entertained and presented by the Pope James the 1st King of Great Britain died the 2d of March His Son Charles succeeded him The Marquis of Spinola after a most memorable Siege which alone would fill a Volume on the 2d of June made himself Master of Breda in Brabant At Madrid the Inquisition upon the 21st and 22d days of July burnt Benedict Ferrer and Reginald de Peralta both Hereticks The City S. Salvador and Baya de Todos Santos Brasil being taken by the Hollanders as has been said his Majesty ordered his Fleet to put to Sea under the Command of D. Frederick de Toledo This Fleet consisted of Castillians Portugueses and Neopolitans who soon expelled the Rebels that Province Notwithstanding the Peace with England above 100 Sail of English appeared before Cadiz They landed some Men but lost most of them together with their Reputation The wonderful Bell of Villilla in Aragon rung of it self this Year on the 28th of August threatning some great Misfortune to ensue May the 17th at Valladolid the Cardinal Duke of Lerma departed this Life A Man gracious in the height of his Fortune and nothing dejected in his greatest Adversity F. John de Mariana of the Society of Jesus born at Talavera de la Reyna who writ the History of Spain to which this Supplement is added changed this Life for a better at the Age of 92 years having eternized his Memory in his admirable Works Anno 1626. His Majesty went from Madrid to hold the Cortes of Aragon Valencia and Catalonia and having some business there so many Affairs were at once taken in hand that the King returned to Madrid without doing any thing There May the 29th Francis Barberino the Pope's Nephew and Legate made his Entry and was nobly entertained by the King to express how much he honoured such a Guest The Floods were so great in January that extraordinary Harm was done particularly at Sevil and Salamanca the Rivers Guadalquivir and Tormes drowning those Cities It was proposed to marry the Princess Mary of Austria to Ferdinand the 3d Emperor and King of Hungary This Year also was the Conference of Monçon between the Commissioners of France and Spain for reconciling the Differences about Valtolina Count Tilli the Imperial General obtained a most notable Victory over the King of Denmark upon the 27th of August Anno 1627. The Catholick Religion at this time began to spread in China In Japan the Persecution continued extreamly severe without sparing Sex or Age. This Year 10 Jesuits suffered Martyrdom being burnt with a slow Fire after they had been long kept in Prison But these Cruelties no way deterred those Fathers from repairing thither from sundry parts for the good of that People and Propagation of the Faith The Emperor having been of late successful in his Wars published an Edict at Prague the Capital of Bohemia commanding all that were not of the Catholick Religion either to conform or depart the Kingdom within 6 Months A certain Youth well born but very leud at Molsleim in Alsace obliged himself to the Devil by a Note under his hand to be his at the end of 7 years so he might obtain all he desired in the mean time he also bound himself to read no pious Books But God touching his Heart he put himself into the hands of the Jesuits of that City by whose means he was delivered and the Devil obliged to restore both Obligations Anno 1628. This Year was remarkable for the Siege of Cazal layed by D. Gonçalo de Cordova as also for that Peter Petrin a Dutch Pyrat seized the Fleet that lay in the Port of Matanças without any opposition Certain Dutch Ships entred the River between Guequil and the Island Puna in America and landing in their Long-boats some Men and 3 Pieces of Canon began to batter the City Jayaqui and fired the Suburbs where they killed 11 of our Men but were forced to retire having lost 80 of their Men 3 Boats and leaving behind the 3 Pieces of Canon Thence they went over to the Island Puna in which is a small Town of the Indians There they found a Friar of the Mercenarians who was left to instruct the Indians Having laid hold of him one of them said This Man every day eats his God let us take him out of his Belly Which said they ripped him up from the Belly to the Throat and pulled out his Heart This Year a Proclamation was set forth for lessening the Value of the Copper-money At Arjona a Town of note in the Bishoprick of Jaen were discovered many Skulls and other Bones of Men and about them Ashes Coles Tiles Stones and Chains of Iron These were supposed to be the Bodies of the Saints Bonosus and Maximianus who suffer'd Martyrdom in that Town in the Year 301 as also those of the Martyrs Apollo Isacius Crotas and others Much Blood was seen to flow from those dry Bones the Sent
to the Feast of Easter The Marriage betwixt the Earl of Barcelona and the Princess Petronilla was agreed upon on the 11th of August that same Year 1137. This done D. Ramiro laying aside the care of the Government withdrew to the Church of St. Peter at Huesea still retaining the Title of King and Power of resuming that Authority when he should think fit All Officers were order'd to take the Oath of Fidelity to the Earl of Barcelona and because the Nobles on account of Service in that time of need had obtain'd Grants of many Towns and Castles from the King all such Grants were made void especially those that passed since the King chose the Earl for his Son-in-law As to Navarre it was ordain'd the Bounds of the Kingdoms should be the same that had been agreed upon at Pamplona and Valdoluengo As soon as Raymund entred upon the Government he had a Conference with the Emperor D. Alonso at Carrion where he obtain'd all the Lands that had been taken from the Crown of Aragon on this side Ebro should be restor'd but only to be held of the Crown of Castile This done he made his Entry into Zaragoça and was receiv'd with great applause having establish'd Peace William Raymund Seneschal or High-Steward of Catalonia had a great hand in all these Affairs and as a Reward had the Town of Moncada given him from him descends the Noble Family of Moncada in that Country CHAP. X. D. Alonso of Portugal takes the Title of King His Wars with the Moors War betwixt Christian Princes and Peace concluded Baeca and Almeria taken by the King of Castile and Lisbon by him of Portugal THese Confusions we have spoken of gave the Portugueses an opportunity of enlarging their Dominions and rendring their Name famous D. Alonso Prince or as some call him Duke of Portugal being a Man no less renowned in Peace than War ceased not enlarging and beutifying his Dominions At Coimbra he built the Monastery of Santacruz a stately Structure which he chose for his place of Burial and endow'd it with the Town of Leyra then taken from the Moors This was but an Introduction to greater Exploits for in the Year 1139. he broke into the Territories of the Infidels with a powerful Army and passing the River Tagus made War upon Ismar the Moorish King in those parts In this Expedition dy'd Egas NunÌ„ez D. Alonso's Tutor by whose wise Councels he had till then been govern'd In the City Porto there is a Monastery of Benedictive Monks founded by D. Egas in which are to be seen his and his Children Tombs That of his Wife D. Teresa is in the Monastery of Gereceda of Cistercians built by her two Leagues from Lamego Ismar understanding of D. Alonso's design gather'd all the Forces he could and four other Moorish Kings joyning him compos'd a Formidable Army The two Bodies had sight of one another in a Plain then call'd Vrichio now Cabeças de Ryes or King's-head a place fit to give Battle That Country is water'd by the River Palma which about Beja where it springs has little water but other Streams falling into it gathers such a Body that near Alcaçar do Sal where it falls into the Sea it is Navigable D. Alonso was surpriz'd to see so great a number of Enemies but Honour prevailing above Fear and the more for that two days before that is on the 25th of July being the Feast of S. James the Apostle his Soldiers had saluted him King he resolv'd to put all to the hazard of a Battle Having in few Words encourag'd his Men he order'd to sound a Charge the Enemy did the same and there ensu'd a most obstinate Battle both Parties fighting for Honour for their Lives and for the Dominion of all Portugal After a sharp dispute the Multitude of Moors gave way to the Valour of the Christians many of them were kill'd and many made Prisoners The Standards of the 5 Kings were taken and from them the Portugue Arms which are Azure five Escutcheons Others will have it that they signifie the five Wounds of our Saviour but I see no Authority for it In the time of Sancho II. King of Portugal there was added to the ancient Arms an Orle of Castles the number not fix'd then now they use seven This is the famous Battle so much and so justly extoll'd by the Portugues Writers after which the strength of Portugal increased in an extraordinary manner All the Glory of the King's Actions was sully'd by the Imprisonment of his Mother which Pope Innocent II. understanding sent the Bishop of Coimbra to treat with him about restoring her to her Liberty But the King was Deaf to all Advice therefore the Bishop leaving the City under an Interdict departed out of Portugal A Cardinal being also sent from Rome upon the same account had no better success but was oblig'd by the King's Threats to take off the Interdict he had laid upon the whole Kingdome King Alonso now Marry'd the Lady Malfada some say she was Daughter to Amalaricus Lord of Molina others to Amadeus Earl of Savoy By her he had D. Sancho D. Vrraca and D. Teresa The last Marry'd afterwards to Philip Earl of Flanders Besides these the King had a Bastard Son call'd Peter After the Nuptial Solemnities the Portugueses applyed themselves again to the War Santaren a Town of note seated on the Banks of Tagus was surprized and the Moors expell'd With the Booty taken in this Action the King founded the Monastery of Alcobaça of the Order of St. Bernard as he had vowed to do if he took that Town There was great strife betwixt Albohali head of the Family of the Almoravides and Abdelmon of the Almohades a New rising Family among the Moors about the Empire of Africk This gave the Christians an opportunity of subduing the Moors in Spain and indeed nothing supported them but the Wars we had among our selves Such was the Peace the Moors injoy'd in some places that they gave themselves to study and several Learned Men flourished among them especially at Cordova In this number some reckon Anicenne tho' others affirm he was never in Spain Averroes now â—â— fit Commentaries on Aristotle and Avenzor was Famous in Mathematicks especially Astrology Thus much of Cordova In Portugal the Christians took by force of Arms the Town of Sintra seated near the Promonrtorâ— by the Ancients called Artabrum and not far from the Mouth of Tagus This was a Convement place to receive Foreign Succours and Fleets arriv'd there from England France and Flanders bringing such considerable supplies that the King resolved to lay Siege to Lisbon the Metropolis of Portugal But before we Treat of that Famous Siege let us look back upon what we left behind Whilst these things hap'ned in Portugal the Aragonians and Navarrois were at War Both strove to bring D. Alonso of Castile to their part but Raymund Earl of Barcelona having
There he died two Years after more glorious and great in despising than in obtaining the Empire This Year died Henry d' Albret King of Navarre His Daughter Joanna an abstinate Heretick succeeded him Anno 1556. On the 5th of February a Truce was concluded for Five Years betwixt France and Spain It was hoped that this Cessation might end in a lasting Peace both Parties being worn out with tedious Wars but all fell to nothing by reason of the War the Pope unseasonably raised At the beginning of this Year he began to persecute the Noblemen of the House of Colonna some of them fled others were taken all whose Estates he presently seized The Catholick King ordered the Duke of Alva not to suffer any wrong to be done to them On the other side the king of France having entred into a League with the Pope sent a powerful Army into Italy under the Conduct of the Duke of Guise These Forces marched through Lombardy to Rome where they stayed some time and then marched to the Kingdom of Naples They did nothing remarkable but the greatest part of them died of Sickness and the rest returned to France Mean while the Duke of Alva having possessed himself of most of the Pope's Dominions near Rome marched with his Army and incamp'd before that City He could easily have sacked it again but he had such respect for the Place that he forbore and made Peace with the Pope upon very reasonable terms But this was about the end of the ensuing Year At the beginning of this War Cosmo Duke of Florence prevailed with the Catholick King to deliver to him the City Siena To obtain his desire he alledged the Charge he had been at in the War with that City and that some promise had been made of delivering it to him The King yeilded to Necessity and put the City into his hands upon his paying a Sum of Money down and obliging himself to hold it of the Crown of Spain Anno 1557. The War betwixt France and Spain was not thus at an end but broke out in several Parts Success was so various that neither side had any great advantage to boast of Cardinal John Sicileus died the last day of May in his place succeeded as Archbishop of Toledo F. Bartholomew de Miranda of the Order of S. Dominick He arose so high to have a greater fall On the 13th of June departed this Life at Lisbon John the Third King of Portugal a very Religious and Renowned Prince His body was buried in the Monastery of Bethlehem King Sebastian his Grandson succeeded him In the time of King John the Inquisition was first brought into Portugal for the punishment of Hereticks and Jews He founded the University of Coimbra and endued it with great Revenues bringing to it learned Professors from all Parts and assigning them plentiful Salaries Cardinal Henry the Kings Brother following his Example some time after Founded the University of Ebora which was wholly delivered up to the Care of the Jesuits a heavy burden but very profitable The Catholick King had laid Siege to S. Quintin a strong Town on the Frontiers of Flanders seated near the River Some The French came to relieve the Place but were overthrown by Philibert Duke of Savoy the Spanish General with great slaughter and many French-men of Note made Prisoners The Catholick King came thither afterwards which so terrified the Besieged and encouraged our Men that the 4th Day after they took the Town by Assault Many Prisoners were taken within it and among them Gasper Coligni the French Admiral who governed the Town and was soon after the grand Incendiary in the Civil Wars of France There happened this Year mighty Floods particularly in Italy in the Month of September the River Arnus overflowed its Banks and did great harm at Florence and all the Country about The Tiber swelled to such a degree that it drowned most part of the City On the 14th of September being the day after was concluded the Peace with the Pope At Palermo in Sicily the great Floods overthrew many Houses and drowned a multitude of Men and Women It is reported 4000 Houses were thrown down All Spain suffered this Year extream scarcity of Bread Anno 1558. This Year many Thousands died of the Plague The Contagion broke out at Murcia and thence spread to Valencia and so at last to Burgos It lasted some Years before it was quite allay'd The King of France after the defeat of S. Quintin caused the Duke of Guise to leave Milan and return into France in January The Duke having gathered a mighty Army took Calis the only Town the English possessed in France The same Month died Queen Ellenor Charles the Emperor's Sister at Valladolid In her Will she left certain Towns she possessed in Burgundy to her Daughter Mary whom she had by Emanuel King of Portugal On the 18th of April Francis the Dauphin of France Married Mary Stuard Queen of Scotland afterwards a most Unfortunate Princess The Infection of Heresie spread in both the Kingdoms of France and Scotland and many of the Nobility were taâ—nted The War continued very hot in Flanders Among all other Actions the Battel of Graveling was remarkable There the French were defeated and sustained so great loss that they presently began to treat of Peace On the 21th of September the great Emperor Charles the Fifth departed this Life at the place of his Retirement His Body was deposited in that Monastery whence some Years after by Order of the Catholick King his Son it was translated to the Royal Monastery of the Escurial In England Queen Mary and Cardinal Reginald Poole died both at the same time and with them fell the Catholick Religion in that Kingdom Anno 1559. Her Sister Queen Elizabeth being declar'd Queen repealed all the Laws made in Defence of the Catholick Religion and restor'd the Reformation began in the time of King Edward The Pope on the 23th of January banish'd out of Rome his Nephews the Sons of his Brother John Alonso These were John Garrafa Duke of Paliano the Marquis Antony and Cardinal Charles Garrafa The Crimes laid to their Charge were very heinous and one of the greatest that they suffer'd none to have access to the Pope but such as pleased them and kept Spies to observe what every one spoke On the 5th of February Charles Duke of Lorrain Married Claudia the King of France his younger Daughter for her Father design'd Elizabeth the eldest should be Married to the King of Spain The Embassadors of both Crowns met at Cambray where they handled the Business so effectually that a Peace was concluded upon these Conditions That the Duke of Savoy should be restor'd to all his Dominions which was perform'd and he had also the City Aste given him tho it was the Portion of Valentina Daughter to John Galeazzo Duke of Milan That all Places taken during the War
to plead for the Empire before the Pope and returns re infecta p. 216 The Fourteenth BOOK Chap. I. THE King of Morocco passes over into spain The War with the Moors The Christians twice defeated Death of Prince Ferdinand the Heir of Castile Troubles in Navarre betwixt the Natives and the French p. 217 Chap. II. Three Popes die in one Year Prince Sancho of Castile contrives to Vsurp that Crown from his Nephews The Death of Jayme King of Aragon and of Alonso of Portugal Peter succeeds the first and Denis the latter p. 218 Chap. III. The Practices of Prince Sancho He Rebels against his Father The King of Morocco comes to aid King Alonso returns home leaving 1000 Horse to serve under him King Alonso disinherits and curses his Son Prince Sancho p. 221 Chap. IV. The Conspiracy of John Prochita in Sicily against the French and slaughter of them call'd the Sicilian Vespers Kings of France and Aragon at War about Sicily Castile and Aragon under an Interdict at the same time p. 222 Chap. V. The Death of Alonso King of Castile The beginning of the Reign of King Sancho IV. The defeat of the French Fleet on the Coast of Italy Albarazin taken by the King of Aragon p. 224 Chap. VI. The French Invade Catalonia take Girona and retire back to France with loss The King of Morocco Besieges Xeres and is repuls'd The Death of the four Kings of France Aragon Naples and Morocco p. 226 Chap. VII The Kings of Castile and Portugal meet D. Lope de Haro flies to Navarre A Treaty in order to release the two Princes of Castile Charles Prince of Salerno set at liberty France and Castile joyn against Aragon Denis King of Portugal 's Issue p. 228 Chap. VIII Troubles in Castile The rightful Heirs to that Crown before Prisoners in Aragon set at liberty Wars on that account betwixt the two Crowns Badajoz Mutinies and is reduc'd An Interview betwixt the Kings of France and Castile p. 230 Chap. IX The Revolt of D. John Nun̄ez de Lara The Death of the King of Aragon His Brother Jayme Succeeds him Matches betwixt the three Kings of Spain Defeat of the Moors at Sea Original of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia p 232 Chap. X. Alcala de Henares made an Vniversity Tarifa Besieg'd by the Moors A brave Action of the Governour Sancho King of Castile dies Ferdinand IV. succeeds Peace betwixt France and Aragon p. 234 The Fifteenth BOOK Chap. I. NEW Troubles and Wars in Castile where Prince Henry takes the Government from the Queen Prince John Proclaimed King of Leon and Galicia Castile invaded by the Moors Portugueses and Aragonians p. 236 Chap. II. Peace betwixt Castile and Portugal setled by means of the double Alliances betwixt those Princes The Progress of the Wars in Sicily The Jubilee first Instituted Bilbao built and Prince John reconcil'd to the King p. 238 Chap. III. Of Raymundus Lullus and the Master of Calatrava The Marriage of King Ferdinand Peace concluded betwixt the Kings of Sicily and Naples A Synod of Bishops Troubles in Castile Pope Boniface dies Benedict XI succeeds him p. 240 Chap. IV. The Differences betwixt the Kings of Castile and Aragon reconcil'd After which they joyn in league against the Moors but to no considerable effect Death of Roger Lauria the great Admiral of Aragon and Divisions among the Moors p. 241 Chap. V. The King of Granada depos'd The King of Castile 's Sister Marry'd to the Duke of Britany The Extirpation of the Knights Templers The Death of Ferdinand IV. King of Castile p. 244 Chap. VI. The beginning of the Reign of Alonso XI King of Castile The many Confusions in that Kingdom by reason of his Infancy The Moors of Granada expell their King The Turks their Original and Growth p. 246 Chap. VII The Actions of the Catalonians in Greece The War in Andaluzia Death of Luis Hutin King of France Philip the Long succeeds him John XX. chosen Pope Defeat of the Moors by Prince Peter of Castile p. 248 Chap. VIII Institution of two new Orders of Knighthood in Aragon and Portugal Peter and John Princes of Castile kill'd by the Moors The Government of that Kingdom in Confusion A great Overthrow given the Navarrois by the Biscainers p. 249 Chap. IX King Alonso XI of Castile takes upon him the Government The Conquest of Sardinia by the Aragonians The Death of King Denis of Portugal His Son Alonso succeeds him Jayme II. King of Aragon is succeeded by his Son Alonso IV. p. 251 Chap. X. The Wars betwixt the Christians and Infidels Rebellions in Castile Aragon Castile and Portugal joyn in League The King and Queen of Navarre come into that Country and return again to France p. 253 The Sixteenth BOOK Chap. I. THE King of Granada goes into Africk Abomelique passes over into Spain The War with the Moors A Truce concluded Alonso de la Cerda rightful King of Castile submits to King Alonso the Possessor p. 256 Chap. II. The Moors of Granada murder Mahomet their King Wars among all the Christian Kings of Spain Alonso King of Aragon dies Fresh Rebellions in Castile The Portuguese Fleet beaten by the Castilians p. 257 Chap. III. The Death of Frederick King of Sicily A Truce betwixt Castile and Portugal The Death of Abomelique and defeat of his Army Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon A Synod at Barcelona p. 259 Chap. IV. A new Invasion of Spain by Albohacen King of Morocco with 470000 Moors he Besieges Tarifa is there routed with the loss of 200000 Men by the Kings of Castile and Portugal Three defeats of the Infidels at Sea p. 261 Chap. V. The Siege and Surrender of Algezira The Infidels attempt to murder King Alonso of Castile The Earls of Derby and Salisbury come to his assistance out of England and the Earl of Faux out of France Robert King of Naples dies p. 263 Chap. VI. The King of Aragon Conquers Majorca and all its Dominions Great Troubles in Aragon The Rebels suppress'd An Vniversal Plague The Knights of Calatrava at variance at length reconcil'd p. 265 Chap. VII The Siege of Gibraltar the King dies and the Siege is rais'd King Peter succeeds him The Lady Ellenor de Guzman kill'd Some Nobles Rebel and are subdu'd Biscay annexed to the Crown of Castile Interviews of Kings p. 267 Chap. VIII Embassadors sent by King Peter into France to obtain for his Wife Blanch Daughter to the Duke of Bourbon who is brought into Spain and Marry'd to the King but he being before in Love with the Lady Mary de Padilla slights and forsakes his Queen p. 269 Chap. IX King Peter of Castile removes his Officers punishes some Rebels and reduces several Towns The War of Sardinia where Diseases rageing in the Aragonian Army that King claps up a dishonourable Peace and returns to Aragon p. 270 Chap. X. The Nobility of Castile particularly the King's Bastard Brothers in Rebellion they treat with the King without success the
the Province Betica or Andaluzia where they totally Subverted a Colony of the Phocencians the Name of it is not known but it was the first that raised the Commotions in that Province as also the first that suffered for them At Carthage upon the news of the Death of Hamilcar the City was divided betwixt the Edi and Barcini about Naming him a Successor but at last by the Interest of Hannibal Asdrubal was appointed for that Command in the Year of Rome 524. Asdrubal having settled the Affairs of Spain the Year following returned to Carthage hoping to get the whole Government of the Common-Wealth into his own hands but being disappointed was glad to reassume his Command in Spain He found the Province in Peace and therefore resolved to Build in the Province of the Contestani on the Sea-coast a City which was called New Carthage to distinguish it from that Founded by Hamilcar on the River Ebro This City has a good Harbour secured from all Winds by high Hills which encompass it round leaving only a narrow Channel to pass into it opposite to which is a small Island first called Herculea then by the Latins Scombraria of a certain sort of Fish whereof there is great plenty thereabouts formerly the City was inferiour to none for the strength of its Walls beauty of the Buildings Nobility and Riches of the Citizens at present it is reduc'd to a small Number of Inhabitants yet retains some Footsteps of its Grandeur and is called Carthagena The Romans understanding what was doing in Spain and being Jealous of the Carthaginians endeavour'd by means of the People of Marseilles to settle some Alliances in Spain It was no difficult Task for them to compass their Design all the People being Jealous of the Proceedings of the Carthaginians Ampurias was the first City that made a League with the Romans it is seated among the People then called Indegetes that Bordered on the Laletani on the one side and the Ceretani on the other and reached from the River then Sameroca now Sambucha to the Ryrenean Hills At the Instance of those of Ampurias Saguntum and Denia came into the League which gave occasion to the bloody War that soon after ensued between the Romans and Carthaginians Asdrubal was not ignorant of these Proceedings but he thought fit to wink at them till all things were ready for the War he designed in order to which tho' with much difficulty he obtain'd of the Senate to send Hannibal into Spain At his Arrival the Soldiers and his Friends received him with great Demonstrations of Joy and Asdrubal declared him his Lieutenant in the Year after the building of Rome 528. At this time came into Spain Embassadors from Rome who proposed That whereas the Romans and Carthaginians were Friends and Confederates and that there was of late Alliances between the said Romans and some of the People of Hispania Citerior therefore to prevent all Misunderstandings and that neither might incroach upon the Territories of the other the River Ebro should be the Bounds of the Carthaginian Province and that notwithstanding Saguntum was on the other side of that River they should not intrude upon their Liberties In fine that none should offer any wrong to the Friends and Allies of the other This Embassy was very ungrateful to the Carthaginians thinking it too great a Presumption in the Romans to give Laws to the Conquerors in their own Province However they thought fit to submit to the Necessity of Times till they were better provided to carry on a War and therefore agreed to all the Embassadors demanded and the more because they understood the Gauls had been Defeated by the Romans and 40000 of them Slain in the Battle besides 10000 taken The Embassadors being gone Asdrubal spent three Years in providing all Necessaries for the War he designed But Death put a stop to his Proceedings for he was Kill'd by a Slave in Revenge of the Death of his Master whose Name was Tagus a Noble Spaniard that had been slain by Asdrubal the second Year of the 139 Olympiad and 532. of the building of Rome So great was the satisfaction this Slave receiv'd in Killing of Asdrubal at the Altar as he was offering Sacrifice that tho' he was taken and put to exquisite Torments he never expressed the least sense of Pain but bore all with a chearful and smiling Countenance CHAP. III. The beginning progress and end of the Saguntine War with the utter Extirpation of that City ASdrubal being Slain as above the Government of Spain by the general Consent of the Soldiers and Approbation of the Senate and People was Conferred upon his Brother-in-law Hannibal He was then in the Prime of his Youth being 26 Years of Age of great Courage and Resolution endow'd with excellent Natural Parts but no less inclin'd to Vice of Body hardy as inur'd to Labour his Mind generous and more covetous of Honour than Ease his Boldness was extraordinary his Prudence and Secrecy nothing inferiour All these Virtues were darkned by his Treachery Cruelty and Irreligion yet was he Esteemed and generally Beloved by all Being possess'd of the Government and fearing lest Death should cut him off as had hap'ned to Asdrubal his only Study was how to carry on a War against the Romans It was requisite to find some Colour and Pretence and therefore he resolv'd first to break with Saguntum to revenge some Injuries done to his Allies Before he entred upon this great Undertaking he thought fit to Celebrate his Nuptials with Himilce a Native of Castulon then a Noble City where now stand the poor Cottages of Cazlona not far from the City Baeza where are still some footsteps of its Greatness This Lady was of the Race of Milico an ancient King of Spain and it was said that Cyrrheus the Phocensian from whom also she was Descended had Founded that City and given it the Name of his Mother Castulona Her Dower was very great and the Power of Hannibal hereby much increased because the People look'd upon him as their Country-man and Friend In his time also and by his order were discover'd several Mines of Gold and Silver which were call'd Hannibal's Wells We may guess at the Treasure these Mines yielded by one of them call'd Bebelus out of which it is Recorded there was Dayly taken 300 pound Weight of pure Silver Hannibal's first War was against the Carpetani that is the Kingdom of Toledo a Fierce and Warlike Nation and which in Number of Men exceeded any other in Spain Of these the Olcades where now Ocan̄a stands tho' Stephanus places them near the River Ebro were the first Subdu'd Then near unto Tagus was Fought a bloody Battle in which the Natives were Defeated At the same time there arose Differences among the People of Saguntum which serv'd to make way for their Enemy who let slip no Opportunity To quell these Tumults the wiser Sort had recourse to Rome whence at their
Romans was singular as appears by the Ruins that still remain about the place where now stands the Monastery of St. Isidorus Myrus King of the Suevians tho' a Catholick brought Forces to the assistance of Leuvigildus but dyed during the Seige Eboricus his Son succeeded him Gregory of Tours says otherwise to wit that he sided with Ermenegildus that the War ended he made Peace with Leuvigildus and returning home dy'd of a Sickness he had contracted during the Siege The River was turned another way which brought the Besieged into extreme want Ermenegildus after holding out a Year there being no hopes of withstanding any longer fled to the Romans not knowing they had forsaken his Interest and joyn'd with his Enemies Ermenegildus being gone the City was delivered up to his Father in the Year 586. This did not satisfie Leuvigildus nor did he desist till he had got his Son into his power Authors do not agree in the manner of taking him Some say That being ill treated by the Romans he went away to Cordova and was by the People of that Town delivered up to his Father Gregory of Tours says He was taken at Ossetum whither he had retired the Place being strong and the Inhabitants well affected towards him Into the Town he took 300 Men leaving the rest incamped hard by intending in case his Father attacked him to fall on him in Front and Rear he reckoned without his Host and therefore was deceived For Leuvigildus having intelligence of his design countermined all his Contrivances and falling furiously upon that Town entred and set Fire to it on all sides Ermenegildus despairing of making his escape took Sanctuary in a Church hoping to appease his Pathers Anger Recaredus the younger Brother a Person of great Generosityand Prudence was with his Father Leuvigildus He asked his Father's leave and Brother's consent to speak with him and there advised him to have recourse to his Father's mercy with assurance of Pardon and all Friendly Offices from his own part These promises were confirmed by Oath Leuvigildus was called and being come Ermenegildus with a sorrowful Countenance cast himself at his Feet He received him with exterior signs of Joy and kiss'd him in token of Forgiveness but he had other things in his Heart for having caused him to go to the Camp he soon after was stript of the Royal Robes and sent Prisoner to Sevil. The Abbot Bicliarensis says He was Banished to Valencia and dy'd at Tarragona At Sevil near the Gate called of Cordova there is still to be seen a Tower well known upon account of Ermenegildus's Imprisonment which is very high narrow and dark It is commonly received that he lived there with Bolts on his Feet and his Hands ty'd behind him and that not satisfied with those hardships he used great Austerity in his Dyet lying upon Hair-cloth and spending his time in Contemplation In this manner he continued till the Feast of Easter which fell upon the 14th of April in the Year 586. Then Leuvigildus sent an Arian Bishop to him to give him the Blessed Sacrament after the manner of the Arians Ermenegildus turned him away with Contempt which his Father took so hainously that he caused his Head immediately to be cut off Pope Sixtus I. Canoniz'd this Saint and ordered his Feast to be kept throughout Spain on the 14th of April His Prison was afterwards converted into a Chappel and he was formerly held in great Veneration so that from him many as well Women as Men are supposed to have taken the Names of Ermenegildus Ermesinda Ermenesinda Ermegildez and Ermildez Where his Body lies is not known nor have we any account how he was Buryed Gregory the Great relates the Death of Ermenegildus lib. 3. dial cap. 31. and says Musick was heard near the Dead Body and Lights were seen over it at Night About this time Pelagius the second governed the Catholick Church St. Gregory the Great was his Successor CHAP. IX The remaining part of the Reign of King Leuvilgildus He Persecutes the Catholicks Subdues the Suevians His Death and Causes of his Conversion NO sooner hand Indegundis received Advice of her Husband's Imprisonment and Death but she went over into Africk overwhelmed with Sorrow and Tears The Roman Officers in whose Custody she was designed to send her and Theodorick her Son to the Emperor Mauricius On the other side the Kings of the Franks Childebert Brother and Guntrandus Unkle to Indegundis resolved to Revenge the wrong done her and Death of Ermenegildus Recaredus having intelligence of it and intending to be beforehand with them broke into Frane plundered and wasted all the Country and took a strong Castle in the Territory of Arles called Vgernum Great was the havock he committed and greater the Terror he spread whereupon a Treaty of Peace was set a foot and Leuvigildus sent his Embassadors to assist at it Nothing was concluded for besides the former wrongs the Goths at that time took certain French Ships on the Coast of Galicia with all the Men and Merchandize in them This Action so far incensed the Franks that tho another Embassy was sent their Kings and chiefly Guntrandus would give no Ear to the Proposals of the Goths Authors say Recaredus the second time from Narbonne made roads into the Country of the Franks and did great harm Childebert who was most exposed to the danger and concerned for the injuries done to his Sister and Brother-in-Law the better to secure his revenge invited Mauricius the Emperor whose offers before he had slighted to joyn his Forces with him in order to oppose the Longobards who had possessed themselves of Italy and the Goths in Spain This Alliance being concluded he marched into Italy with a great Army The Enemy at first avoided coming to a Battle whereupon the Franks growing secure and despising them they fell upon them by surprize and put their whole Army to the rout with the greatest Slaughter that had been known of that Nation This disaster doubtless made Childebert more complying with the Goths besides that the Emperor being otherwise employed assisted his Confederates rather with his Name than Power and Indegundis the cause of this War was now dead some say in Africk others in Sicily for Authors do not agree about it neither is it known what became of her Son There is an Account that he was carryed to the Emperor and is supposed to have dyed soon after Maximus says the Mother dyed at Palermo and the Son was long after her at Constantinople Leuvigildus desiring to extirpate the Catholick Religion in Spain for that as he thought it had been the cause of all past misfortunes banished all the best and holyest Men as those that supported and maintained it Among the rest were Leander Bishop of Sevil and Fulgencius of Ezija and Mausona of Merida The King seized upon the Revenues of the Churches abolished all the Ecclesiastical Priviledges and put
conduced much to gain him the respect and Love of his Subjects wherefore living he was held in great Veneration and when dead his Memory was grateful to succeeding Ages It is impossible but such a change in Religion should cause some Commotions yet Recaredus his good management caused them not to be lasting or dangerous during his Reign besides that the severity he used in punishing Offenders being absolutely necessary was so far from being odious that it met a general approbation from both great and small The first that opposed the King's designs was the Bishop Athalocus in Gallia Narbonensis who was so addicted to the Arian Heresy as to suffer himself commonly to be called Arius In the same Province the two Earls Granista and Bildigernus joined with him This storm was not lasting for Athalocus soon dy'd with Grief to see his Party decay and for that the generality of the People being well inclined to the Catholick Religion he could not persuade them to Revolt The two Earls were overthrown in Battle by the Forces of Recaredus and all the harms they had done to the Catholicks reveng'd on them This Revolt hap'ned and was queil'd in Gallia Narbonensis in the 10th Month of the King's Reign at such time as he publickly abjured the Arian Heresie and embraced the Catholick Religion To the Churches he restored all their Revenues and Possessions whereof they had been deprived by his Father and Built and Endow'd many Churches and Monasteries with Royal Magnificence Many Subjects he restored to their Lands and Honours of which they had been stripp'd by his Father whose Severity he out-did in Goodness Thus the King was employed and God prospered his Affairs King Guntrandus had sent his General Desiderius with a great Army to revenge the harms done him by the Goths on their Lands in France Recaredus's Forces drew together and gave them Battle near the City Carcassonne At first the Goths were worsted and fled into that City but rallying and drawing up there they Sallied out a fresh upon the Franks who pursued in Disorder with such resolution that the Fortune of the Day was changed their Enemies totally Routed and they obtained a compleat Victory The General of the Franks was killed and more of his Men remained in the Field dead than escaped This was in the first Year of the Reign of Recaredus which was of Christ 587. as appears by an Inscription on a Stone found lately in Toledo and set up in the Cloister of the Cathedral the Words on it are these In nomine Domini consecrata ecclesia Sanctae Mariae in Catholico die primo idus Aprilis Anno feliciter primo Regni Domini nostri gloriosissimi Fl. Recaredi Regis Era DCXXV That is In the Name of the Lord the Church of St. Mary in the Catholick quarter or after the Catholick manner was Consecrated on the 13th of April in the happy first Year of the Reign of our Lord the most Glorious King Flavius Recaredus Era 625 which is the Year of Grace 587. exactly The Year following was discovered a Conspiracy against the King upon account of the change in Religion in this manner Mausona the Catholick Bishop before Banished upon this Revolution returned to his Bishoprick of Merida Sunna the Arian Bishop who was to fall from that Dignity contriv'd with some of his own Party to Murder Mausona The attempt was desperate because Duke Claudius Governour of Lusitania a Zealous Catholick resided there with a strong Garrison Whereupon the Conspirators being sensible of their danger resolved to kill Claudius as well as Mausona Witericus a Noble Youth who was bred in the House of Claudius and came afterwards to be King of the Goths was employ'd to put this in Execution It was requisite to find some good opportunity to perform this wicked Act. In order to it Sunna desired to have a time and place appointed where he might visit Mausona who suspecting the Arian desired Claudius to be present at their meeting thinking his Power and Authority might prevent any evil design This the Conspirators thought a proper opportunity to execute their Design in The appointed time being come after the first Salutations the Plotters made a sign to Witericus who stood behind Claudius but notwithstanding he endeavoured it he could never draw his Sword However they were no ways dismay'd but resolved at a publick Procession that was to be made to the Church of St. Eulalia in the Suburbs to kill the Bishop and all that accompanied him To this effect they hid a great number of Swords in certain Carts they brought in loaded with Corn. Providence prevented the Execution for Witericus altering his mind discovered the whole Contrivance Claudius immediately fell upon Sunna and his Party killed such as made resistance secured the rest gave the King an account of what he had done and by his order Banished the Offenders and Confiscated all their Goods Sunna tho' undeserving having his choice given him either to depart Spain or abjure his Heresie being obstinate went over into Africk Witericus was Pardon'd for discovering Vacrila one of the Conspirators having taken Sanctuary in the Church of St. Eulalia was Condemned to serve there as a Slave all his Life time Count Paul Sega another of the Principals had his Hands cut off and was Banished to Galicia These Examples quelled that Commotion and tho' they were sufficient to terrifie others yet a greater Storm ensued Queen Gosuinda at first in compliance with her Son-in-law feigned she embraced the Catholick Religion and proceeded so far as to spit out the blessed Sacrament she received in the Church the same was done by the Bishop Vldida her great Favourite This could not be long hid therefore they resolved to murder the King which being discovered Vldida was Banished and Gosuinda soon after dy'd a natural Death About the same time being the Year of our Lord 588. King Guntrandus sent an Army of 60000 Men under the Command of his General Bosus to break into Gallia Gothica in revenge of the Death of Desiderius Against him Recaredus sent Duke Claudius of ancient Roman Extraction who passing by the Pyrenean Mountains met the Enemy near Carcassonne In that place he resolv'd to give Battle as being of good Omen for the late Victory obtained there The Fight was bloody but the Goths at last were Victorious a vast number of Franks were slain and their Camp taken In the following Year another Conspiracy against the King was discovered contriv'd by Argimundus his Chamberlain the Accomplices were apprehended and after being Rack'd put to Death the Principal had first his Hair shav'd off which was a token of degrading him from the Nobility then his right Hand being cut off he was carried about the Streets of Toledo upon an Ass a pleasing spectacle to all good People who intirely loved the King Some time after his Head was chopt off After Montanus Julian Bacauda Peter and Euphimius were
Spain with 12000 Men and tho' some advis'd to join his Forces with Tarif in order to subdue what still remain'd he took the Councel of those wicked Christians who held their interest in more esteem than Conscience and promis'd to assist him in reducing such places as held out Count Julian either in hope of greater rewards or disgusted at Tarif repair'd to Muza From Algezira where these Infidels landed they march'd to Medina Sidonia which after a Siege of some days they took by Assault Next Carmona having made a good defence was entred by Stratagem some of Count Julian's Souldiers either feigning to Desart or being receiv'd as Merchants for in this Authors vary having possess'd themselves of one of the Gates Many of the Goths resorted to Sevil but upon the approach of the Enemy fled and the Moors gave liberty to the Jews to inhabit it mixt with their own People Beja in Portugal had the same Fortune but the People of Merida tho' much weakned before had the Courage to try their Fortune in the Field and being over-power'd having lost and killed many were forc'd to take the shelter of the Walls Muza taking a view of the City said It look'd as if People had been gather'd from all parts of the World to build it that he would be a happy Man that were Master of it Inflam'd with this desire he sought means to possess himself of that place Not far from the City was a Quarry in which he laid an Ambush that night Next day the Townsmen sallying were hemm'd in and only a few fought their way back the rest perish'd This made them cautious for the future and they resolv'd only to defend their Walls Muza seeing the Siege was like to be tedious apply'd all Engines then in use for battering the Walls which the Besieg'd us'd all diligence to oppose but they were few in number and spent with labour Whereupon they offer'd to treat but upon such high terms that Muza rejected them and the Commissioners believing him so old he could not outlive the Siege would abate nothing The Moor finding in what they grounded their Confidence black'd his grey Hairs and sending for them again they were so surpriz'd not understanding the reason of his sudden change that they immediately submitted to such Articles as he would allow At the same time the People of Beja and Ilipula surpriz'd Sevil and put to the Sword the Garrison the Moors had in that City yet this avail'd them little for soon after the Enemy came upon them and again brought them into subjection The manner of it was thus Abdalasis the Son of Muza who came over into Spain with him complain'd to his Father that he had not given him an opportunity of signalizing himself His Father finding he was in the right gave him the Command of a strong Body of Moors with whom he broke into the Country of Valencia had several Encounters with those People and took the Cities of Denia Alicant and Huerta upon Articles which were That he should not profane the Churches That the People might live peaceably in the Christian Religion and only pay certain Taxes agreed upon These things being perform'd in the Year 716. he return'd to Sevil slew those that had revolted then took Ilipula and it may be imagin'd destroy'd it for whereas it was then a populous City it is now only a small Town called Pen̄aflor situate betwixt Cordova and Sevil. From Merida Muza went away for Toledo Tarif for the more honour came out as far as Talavera to meet him They met with great demonstrations of Friendship and Affection but all counterfeit Tarif was fearful of being call'd to an account and Muza envious of what he had done Being come to Toledo Tarif his accounts were call'd for as well in regard to the charge of the War as to the treasure that had been taken He endeavour'd with submission and Friendly Offices to appease the Old Man At length being reconcil'd they set forwards together towards Zaragoça which City and many others too tedious to relate they took without any trouble they all Surrendring themselves Thus all Spain seem'd to be subdu'd the third Year after the first Army of Moors came over out of Africk True it is the farthest parts could not be brought under without much difficulty as being defended by high and almost inaccessible Mountains Vlit the Miramamolin understanding the success of his Arms and the differences that were betwixt his Generals Order'd them both to appear before him Muza being about to depart appointed his Son Abdalasis to govern in his absence having first oblig'd the Moors to swear they would be Obedient to him This done Muza and Tarif the two Famous Generals prepar'd to Imbark carrying with them all the Treasures the Goths in so many Years had heap'd up From this time forward the old Computation of Years used in Spain beginning at the Birth of Christ or the Julian Account was quite laid aside and that used by the Moors and called Hegira that is an Expedition was taken up which begins from the time that Mahomet first took upon him the Title of King at Damascus In what Year of our Lord this hap'ned Authors do not agree and this difference arises from that betwixt the Years of the Arabs and ours theirs being 11 Days and 6 Hours less than ours as consisting of only 354 Days In my Opinion the Account of the Arabs ought to commence in the Years of our Lord 722. on the 15th of July as appears by the Annals of Toledo composed above 300 Years ago Abdalasis for some time Governed the Province he had received of his Father with Prudence and Wisdom Great Multitudes resorted out of Africk to Plant and People that vast Country left almost waste by the late Wars They had Lands assigned them and Sevil was appointed to be the Metropolis of the new Empire in respect to its greatness strength and commodious Situation Egilona King Roderick's Queen was among the other Prisoners she was Young Beautiful and Comely The Governour caused her to be brought to his Presence and at first sight fell in love with her to such a degree that he took her to Wife without debarring her the Exercise of the Christian Religion He held her in great Esteem all his Life-time for besides her Beauty she was Discreet and in all his Affairs he was directed by her to that degree that by her persuasion he took upon him the State of a King and was Crowned In the Country of Antequera where it Borders upon Malaga there is a Mountain called Abdalasis perhaps it took the Name from this Prince Some also believe that Almaguera a Town belonging to the Knights of St. James had the Name of Magued the Moorish General who 't is said used to drink the Water of a Fountain hard by it and in the Arabick Alma is Water from which Word and Magued they suppose the Name
great compass with the Light-Horse and before he could be discovered fell upon the Enemy in the rear which put them all into Confusion This Fortunate Battle was fought in the Year of our Lord 734. one and twenty after the destruction of Spain Abdelmelich succeeded Abderhaman and Governed the Moors in Spain and its dependencies the space of four Years without being remarkable for any thing but his Cruelty and Avarice He had Orders to invade France but was forced to turn back after losing many Men in attempting to pass the Pyrenean Mountains At the same time which was in the Year of our Lord 737. Pelayus the first King of Spain after its Desolation being of a great Age and renowned for his Exploits departed this Life at Cangas His Body was Buryed in the Church of Saint Eulalia Velaniensis which he himself had founded in the Country of Cangas There also his Wife Queen Gaudiosa was interred His Son Favila by Consent of all the People succeeded him and Reigned two Years being more famed for his Unfortunate Death and dissolute Life than for any good Actions he performed For notwithstanding the mighty War he had in hand and that his Kingdom was still tottering as subsisting rather by the Confusion of the times than the strength of the Christians yet he apply'd himself not to the cares of the Government but was wholly devoted to his Pleasures neglecting the Publick good Particularly he was addicted to Hunting and at this Sport pursuing a Bear was killed by it inglorious both in his Life and Death His Body was interred in the Church of the Holy Cross built by himself in the Territory of Cangas in which formerly was to be seen the Tomb of his Wife Froleud About this time one Julian a Grecian and Deacon Learned in the Greek and Latin Tongues wrote the Antiquities of Spain and Actions of Pelayus at Toledo Vrban Bishop of Toledo Evancius Archdeacon of the same Church and Fredoarius Bishop of Guadix Men of singular Sanctity and Learning flourishing in those Days of darkness and ignorance John Archbishop of Sevil was their Contemporary he Translated the Bible into Arabick for the good of the Christians and Moors because Latin was then little used some Copies of that Translation are to be seen to this Day in Spain CHAP. III. The Reign of D. Alonso the Catholick His Conquests and Death Several Moorish Governours in Spain Affairs of the Mahometans both in Spain and Africk FAvila dying without Issue D. Alonso and Ormisinda his Wife as Pelayus had ordained in his Will were Proclaimed King and Queen with great Satisfaction of the People and to the great good of the Kingdom D. Alonso was equally qualified in the Arts of Peace and War of a wonderful Constancy in Adversity fortunate in all his Undertakings and so very Religious that on that account the Title of Catholick was given to him as had been before to King Recaredus by the Third Council of Toledo when renouncing the Heresie of Arius he was reconciled to the Church This Title was afterwards laid aside till Pope Alexander the sixth bestowed it on Ferdinand of Aragon King of Spain to be perpetuated in his Successors Spain at that time enjoyed the Fruits of Peace Africk and France were consumed with Civil Wars Charles Martel upon the Death of Eudo seized all his Dominions in France Eudo's three Sons Aznar Hunnoldus and Vayferus sought to maintain their right by Arms. Aznar in that part of Spain which lies near Navarre took from the Moors the City Jaca with many other Towns and Castles and became the Founder of the Kingdom of Aragon a name taken from the River Aragon which runs through that Country and together with the River Ega falls into Ebro Hunnoldus and Vayferus did great harm and spread their terror throughout France The Moors desiring Revenge for their late Overthrow and being invited by Maurice Earl of Marseilles and Hunnoldus and Vayferus renewed the War in France At this time Aucupa Governed Spain at his first coming he put Abdelmelich upon his Tryal and pretending he could not clear himself laid him in Prison Aucupa was of Noble Extraction and so Zealous in his Superstition that he punished no Crimes so severely as those that related to it Having agreed with Maurice Earl of Marseilles and the Sons of Eudo with their assistance and his own Forces he pierced so far into France as to take Avignon a noble City upon the River Rhosne burning and pillaging all the Country about All this hap'ned five Years after the famous Battle of Tours that is in the Year 739. which was the first of the Reign of D. Alonso But the Valour of Martel relieved France for he drove the Enemy over the Pyrenean Hills and took Avignon and Narbonne so that nothing was left either the Goths or Moors in all France In Africk the War continued more obstinate for Belgius Abenbexius a famous Commander among the Moors Rebelled against the Emperor Ischam Several Battles were fought for the most part with Success to the Rebels whereupon Belgius resolved to pass over into Spain Abdelmelich was then again possessed of the Government for Aucupa dying ordered he should be taken out of Prison and restored to his Command This was his Ruin for Abderhaman sent before by Belgius with a great Army took him in Cordova and put him to Death with all manner of Torments in the Year of our Lord 743. The same Year dy'd the Emperor Ischam and Alulit the Son of Izit succeeded in the Empire as had been agreed We must not run too far into the Affairs of Africk Alulit at his Accession to the Crown sent Albuelcatar a Noble and Wise Man to Govern Spain who by his good Management and sending the Mutinous to the War in Africk appeased the Tumults in Spain Soon after he was killed by the contrivance of Zimael and Roba Zimael's Companion and the head Conspirator took upon him the Government and Usurp'd the Crown of Spain without any opposition for the Emperor Alulit dy'd in the second Year of his Reign which was of our Lord 744. Ibrahim his Brother succeeded him and was no longer liv'd nor fortunate for Matoan tho' his Kinsman and of the most Noble Family of the Humeyas killed him in his Palace the second Year of his Reign and made himself absolute Lord of all In this Emperor's time Roba being killed in a Battle Toba Governed Spain and he also dying within a Year Juseph a Man of great Parts was sent out of Africk to succeed both Tho' of a great Age he was much addicted to Women but made some amends for this Fault by his great Valour and the fame of his Exploits Whilst he Governed Spain Abdalla of the Noble Family of the Alavecines killed Matoan in Africk in the Year 750 Usurp'd the Crown and the better to secure himself destroyed most of the Family of the Humeyas
thither and causing the Bushes and Briars to be cut down and digging up a heap of Earth found the holy Body in a Marble Sepulcher Overjoy'd at this he went to Court to acquaint the King who in Person repair'd thither and caus'd a Church to be Erected in that place dedicated to St. James but mean as having only mud Walls He also instituted Benefices belonging to it and assign'd them Revenues The Fame of it being spread abroad brought People from all parts of Christendom and to this day it is one of the most frequented Pilgrimages in the World Some grave and Learned Persons have made a doubt whether St. James the Apostle ever was in Spain and consequently of the Invention of his Body I will not undertake to discuss the point but must confess I think the general consent of all Christendom in this behalf appears to me more convincing than all the Arguments they can bring to oppose it All Historians agree that Charlemaigne was in Spain and some will have it he came more than once among the rest our Author F. Mariana is of this Opinion and relates his coming twice but both times with the very same circumstances which makes me of the Opinion be mistook and made two Expeditions of one for the best as well Spanish as French Authors make mention of no more The Histories of these two Nations absolutely disagree in their account of the famous Battle of Roncesvalles and even the Spaniards themselves vary much in their relations many of which are very fabulous for which reason I am more inclinable to give credit to the French as the most probable I will therefore in a thing so dubious not spend much time but in few words set down what our Author says of it and then briefly touch upon the more likely account given by the French F. Mariana says that the Emperor Charlemaigne was invited into Spain by King Alonso to assist him in driving the Moors out of all that Kingdom As a recompence for this service he was to Inherit the Crown This Treaty being made known in Spain the Nobility would no ways consent to be brought under the Dominion of the French and Bernard del Carpio a hot Youth offer'd to head those that would oppose them King Alonso himself repented and Marsilius the Morish King of Zaragoca join'd with him as fearing the Emperor whom he had offended by Usurping the Dominions of Ibnabala his Confederate All these Forces possess'd the Passes of the Pyrenean Mountains and at the place called Roncesvalles the two Armies met Rutlandus commonly called Orlando Earl of Britany Anselmus and Eginardus led the Van the Spaniards falling Furiously on them before they could put themselves into Order of Battle slew Rutlandus of whom so many Fables are Written both by the Spaniards and French The Emperor seeing the great Slaughter of his Men indeavoured to bring up the rest of the Army to their relief but finding no hopes of success was himself forced to make away This is in short the account F. Mariana gives but Einhardus Chancellor to Charlemaigne and his Son-in-Law in the Life of that Emperor which he writ says That Charlemaigne came to restore Ibnabala expelled by Marsiluis that he passed the Mountains and subdued all that part of the Country but in his return the Vascones fell upon the rear in the narrow passes of the Mountains slew all that were parted from the main Body among them Eghartus Anselmus and Rutlandus and that this could not be revenged because the Vascones on a sudden were all dispersed and not to be found All the French Authors agree in this account Besides it appears if ever there was such a Man as Bernard del Carpio which is doubtful that he could not then according to the time assigned for his Birth be above 13 Years of Age and therefore unfit for such great undertakings Much more might be said to this purpose but I rather choose to adhere to certainties than fill Paper with not only doubtful but Romantick stories framed to swell Volumes and please the ignorant Let us therefore return to King Alonso CHAP. VI. The remaining part of the Reign of King Alonso Rebellion among the Moors Alhaca the Moor dies and Abderhamen succeeds him The Reign of King Ramiro he overthrows the Moors in a great Battle his Death and Invasion of the Normans ALL things during King Alonso's Reign succeeded Fortunately for the Christians and he not only applyed himself to the Business of the War but Laboured to improve the Civil Government and above all was zealous for Propagating Religion As soon as the Cathedral of Oviedo was finished to increase the Devotion of the place he caused it to be Consecrated by seven Bishops in the Year of our Lord 802. He also Erected in the same City another Church dedicated to our Blessed Lady with a Cloister for the Interment of Kings because then they were not bury'd in the Church besides this a third Church to St. Thyrsus Martyr and a fourth to St. Julian as likewise a Royal Palace Thus contenting himself with indifferent Dyet and Rayment all his care was to beautify and adorn that City by him first made the Capital of the Kingdom The Moors were now in Rebellion against their King and particularly those of Toledo Plenty and Ease were the cause of these distractions King Alhaca being a Person subtle and deceitful sent Ambroz the Governour of Huesca a Friend to the People of Toledo to them with fawning Letters laying all the blame upon the Magistrates and courting the Citizens to be pacify'd The People of Toledo are naturally open-hearted therefore suspecting nothing they admitted him into the Town Not long after Ambroz feigning some discontent perswades the People to Mutiny again and builds a strong Castle where now stands the Church of St. Christopher into which he puts a good Garrison Abderhaman the King's Son came to quell this Rebellion and deceiving the People as the other had done was admitted Therefore the better to put his design in Execution he invites the best of the Town into the Castle and there Massacred 5000. of them in the Year of our Lord 805. This Cruel Execution quieted Toledo but not so at Cordova where the Inhabitants of the Suburbs Mutinying Abdelcarin who had gain'd Fame at the Siege of Calahorra reduc'd them and hang'd 300 along the River By the Christians two Armies of Infidels that broke into Galicia were overthrown and forc'd to withdraw with great loss in the Year 810. Ores Governour of Merida laid Siege to Benavente but upon the approach of King Alonso was forc'd to quit it and retire In the same manner Alcama Governour of Badajoz was drove from before Camora Soon after Mahomet a Noble Moor upon some discontent put himself with a good Body of Men under the Protection of King Alonso and had a place assign'd him in Galicia to inhabit The Moor desiring to regain his Princes
Abarca MOst part of that Province which we call Old Castile the Romans named the Vacei it is divided from Leon by the Rivers Carrion Pisuerga Heva and Regamon on the other side it borders on Asturias Biscay and Rioja on the South its Bounds are the Mountains of Segovia and Avila which about the same time we are speaking of were the limits of the Dominions of the Moors and Christians The Country is plentiful of Corn and Wine but scarce of Oil and better Watered than other parts of Spain In this Province tho' at first they did not possess it all some powerful Men began to defend themselves against the Moors and enlarge their Territories They took the Stile of Counts or Earls by consent of the Kings of Oviedo whom they were obliged to assist in their Wars and to come when called to their General-Assemblies or Parliaments In former times as we have before more particularly related Counts or Earls were only Governours of Provinces for a time afterwards they were made so for Life and at last the Title became Hereditary Yet even to this Day many Dukes Marquesses and Earls in Spain after the Death of their Fathers do not take upon them the Title till they have obtained the King's leave It is not known for what term the first Earls of Castile enjoyed that Honour but it may be imagined they had the same beginning as all others in Christendom The first of these Counts is D. Roderick who lived in the time of King Alonso the Chast Next to him the best Authors place D. James Porcellos his Son as the Chronicon Alveldense has it This Earl lived in the time of Alonso the Great King of Oviedo He Married his Daughter Sulla Bella to Nun̄o Belchides a German that came in Pilgrimage to S. James This Gentleman being thus Allied to D. James together with him built the City Burgos that the People who before lived dispersed in Villages might form one Body of a City and it took the Name from Burg the German word for a Town Besides D. James there were at the same time other Earls of Castile for the Province was divided as were Ferdinand Anzules Almondar and his Son D. James But the greatest of them all was Nun̄ez Fernandez who had for his Son-in-law D. Garcia Brother to D. Ordon̄o II. King of Leon afterwards King himself Upon this account and because he had forced King Alonso the Great to resign the Kingdom he was grown more insolent than D. Ordon̄o cared to bear besides many underhand blew the Coals they saw begin to take Fire The King thus incensed sent for the Earls to Court upon pretence of Consulting with them about most important Affairs The place appointed for the meeting was a Town called Regular upon the mid-way on the Borders of Castile and Leon. The Earls came without any Guard and were Apprehended by the King's Order and sent Prisoners to Leon. Soon after they were also put to Death to the great Grief of the People of Castile who had been concerned at their Imprisonment King Ordon̄o was making all necessary Preparations for War as fearing the Revolt of that Province when Death took him off He dy'd at Zamora in the Year 923. and was buryed at Leon in the Church of our blessed Lady which he had caused to be Consecrated His Funeral was performed with great Solemnity Nun̄o Belchides by his Wife Sulla Bella had two Sons Nun̄o Rasura and Gustio Gonzalez Nun̄o Rasura was Grandfather to the Earl Fernan Gonzalez whom our Historians extol and raise to the Skies for his great Exploits The Infants or Princes of Lara were Grandsons to Gustio Thus the Blood of D. James Porcellos mixed with the Royal Family is derived to many Noble Houses in Spain and Abroad and its Succession has not fail'd even to our Days D. Fruela II. Succeeded his Brother D. Ordon̄o in the Throne of Leon not by Right but Force Such as the beginning was the end and his Power lasted not long for he Reign'd only 14 Months He was remarkable only for Baseness and Cruelty and therefore was called The Cruel The Sons of a Nobleman called Osmundus were by him put to Death and his Brother Fruminius Bishop of Leon Banished for that he durst not lay violent hands upon him being an Ecclesiastical Person By his Wife Munia he had D. Alonso D. Ordon̄o and D. Ramiro and out of Wedlock D. Fruela Father of D. Pelayus called the Deacon To whom was afterwards Marry'd Da. Aldonca or Alfonsa Grandchild to King Bermudo Sirnamed the Gouty D. Fruela was buryed in Leon his Fame and Memory are stained not so much for his dying of the Leprosie as for his Cowardize and the Rebellion that in his time cut off Castile from the Crown of Leon. The People there were offended at the Death of the Earls killed by D. Ordon̄o's Command this disgust was heightned by forcing them to come to Leon to all Law Suits and the Parliament They had no fair opportunity of Revolting before and therefore did it in the time of D. Fruela For their Governors they chose two Nobles with only the Title of Judges The first named was Nun̄o Rasura and Lain Calvo Men in great Power at that time Lain was the youngest and Married to Nun̄a Bella his Colleague's Daughter To him for his Valour was given the charge of Martial Affairs Nun̄o Rasura being a Person of known Prudence and Experience was to take care of the Civil Government and Admistration of Justice which he commonly performed at Burgos and sometimes in other parts of the Province Two Leagues from Medina de Pomar is a Town called Bijudico and in it an ancient Judgment Seat on which the People there have a Tradition these two Judges used to sit and hear Causes They were Governed by the ancient Laws of Castile which continued till King Alonso the Wise abrogated them and Instituted those called Las Partidas It is not known how long these two Judges lived or what Acts they performed From them descended very notable and brave Men for Lain Calvo was 5th Grandfather to the famous Cid Ruy Diaz Gonzalo Nun̄o was Son to Nun̄o Rasura and held the same Employ with no less Honour His Wife was Da. Ximena Daughter to the Earl Nun̄o Fernandez who was put to Death among the other Earls of Castile by Kind Ordon̄o Of her was born the Earl Fernan Gonzalez a Person inferior to none of the ancient Heroes for Virtue Valour and Constancy we shall speak of him in its proper place Let us return to the Kings It is most certain that the Histories of Navarre are full of Fables and Lies insomuch that they look more like Romances invented to divert idle Persons than true Relations and Records of Antiquity This appears plainly throughout all Ages but particularly in this we now write of They say that King Garci In̄iguez being slain in a Battle by the Moors his Wife Da.
of his Reign which last but 5 Years and 7 Months gave him not time to Exercise his many Virtues At his first Accession to the Crown D. Sancho his Brother stirred up D. Garci Sanchez his Unkle King of Navarre and the Earl Fernan Gonzalez against him The Forces of both those Nations at once entred the Territories of Leon and the King being unprovided and not yet secure of the affection of his Subjects resolved to Fortify himself and not come to a Battle His Enemies reaping no benefit by this attempt returned home to their own Countries But he to be revenged of the Earl for joyning with his Brother and Unkle without any Provocation given him presently was divorced from Da. Vrraca the Earls Daughter and Marryed Da. Elvira such was the Practice of that Age. By this Wife he had D. Bermudo who in process of time after many changes came to be King of Leon. The tumults raised in Galicia for the Love that People bore D. Sancho were soon appeased by the King who to make the greater advantage of this success entred that part of Lusitania Subject to the Moors plundering all the Country as far as Lisbon whence he returned home About the same time the Earl of Castile took from the Moors the Castle of Carranço Abderhaman King of Cordova tho' now very Aged gathered a mighty Army to the number of 80000 Fighting Men the Command of them he gave to Almanzor Alhagib that is Viceroy a General of great Note with orders furiously to over-run the Lands of the Christians Such extraordinary preparations startled the Earl he Listed all that were of Age to bear Arms and finding his Army yet too small for so great a danger held a Council of War at Mun̄on to consult what was best to be done Opinions as is usual in such Cases varyed some were for putting all to the hazard of Battle others for gathering up all Provisions into Places of strength that so the first fury of the Barbarians might be quelled before they came to Blows Gonzalo Diaz a Man of Quality without respect to Honour was for buying a Truce of the Moors The Earl knew well that many there spoke by the Mouth of Gunzalo Diaz but honour prevailed therefore he Gravely Discoursed them upon the Subject extolling the Valour of his People advising to rely on the Assistance of the Almighty and not to Blemish their good Name with the Infamy of Cowardice All agreed to him and having offer'd up their Vows to God moved towards the Enemy who lay incamped near Lara They came not immediately to a Battle and the Earl the mean while going out a hunting pursued a Wild Boor up a difficult ascent to a little Hermitage where a Holy Man called Pelagius had a small Chappel Dedicated to St. Peter The Earl moved to devotion spared the Beast and fell to his Prayers and Pelagius coming he stayed there all Night In the Morning Pelagius told him he should be Victorious and that in token thereof a Prodigy would happen before the Fight Then the Earl return'd to his People who were in care for him and gave an Account of what had befallen him The Souldiers took heart and the Army being drawn up before they engag'd a Gentleman by some call'd Pero Gonzalez de la Puente de Fitero rode out before the rest and the Earth opening swallow'd him so that he was never seen more This terrify'd the Army but the Earl told them it was the sign of Victory the Hermit had spoken of and since the Earth was not able to bear them much less would the Enemy At these words all reviv'd the onset was given and that vast multitude vanquish'd by a handful of Christians This Victory re-establish'd the tottering affairs of the Christians and the Souldiers return'd home loaded with spoils of their Enemies Part of the Booty was given to the holy Man Pelagius and afterwards the Earl built a Monastery dedicated to St. Peter upon the River Arlançd where were interr'd the Bones of D. Gonzalo his Father In our days the Cell of Pelagius is shown on a Rock near that Monastery The Moors nothing daunted at this loss prepar'd again to fall upon Castile and on the other side King Ordon̄o after the Incursion he made into Portugal desirous of revenge resolv'd to make War upon the Earl A mighty danger threatned but the King was easily appeas'd by an Embassy the Earl sent begging Pardon for what was past and that he would not prefer his private animosities before the publick good of the Christians when they were threatned with the extraordinary preparations made by the Moors Therefore the King not only forgave but sent him sufficient supplies to make head against the Moors who were advanc'd as far as Santistevan de Gormaz ravaging the Country As soon as the two Armies met the Battle was given and well fought on both sides but ours obtain'd the Victory with a mighty slaughter of the Enemies King Ordono joyful for this success provided to fall upon the Moors again when Death prevented him at Zamora in the Year 955. His Body was buried with great Pomp and Solemnity in the Monastery of St. Saviour at Leon where his Father also had been Interr'd Our Historians do not mention where D. Sancho the King's Brother was during his Brothers Life or whether ever they were reconcil'd but all agree that after the Kings Death he was by the unanimous consent of all Men Proclaim'd King He was call'd the Gross for his mighty bulk of Body unfit to endure fatigue yet he was good condition'd show'd much Constancy in Adversity and had a generous disposition In the second Year of his Reign which was of our Lord 956 by reason of a Mutiny in the Army not being well assur'd of the affections of his People because many were inclinable to D. Ordon̄o Son to D. Alonso the Monk he left his Kingdom and fled for refuge to his Uncle the King of Navarre D. Ordon̄o easily stept into the Throne and the more to secure himself Married Da. Vrraca that had been Divorc'd from his Cousin King Ordon̄o with the consent of the Earl her Father This D. Ordon̄o was so perversly inclin'd that he was call'd the Wicked and giving way to his base temper became odious and contemptible to the people D. Sancho watch'd all opportunities and mean while went to Cordova where it was reported there were very able Physicians that could bring down his fat Abderhaman receiv'd him with Courtesy and being undertaken by the Doctors his bulk was reduc'd to a moderate size To make his favours the more compleat Abderhaman gave him considerable supplies of Men to recover his Kingdom At his first approach D. Ordon̄o his Adversary fled to Asturias and thence to his Father-in-law the Earl who despising him for his Cowardice took away his Wife Thence he put himself into the hands of the Moors among whom he liv'd poor
himself King of Pamplona Najara and Alava He increased his Dominions by the addition of the Lordship of Biscay and City of Najara the chief of that Principality His Piety and Liberality appears by the Lands he gave to the Monastery of S. Salvadot de Leyte S. Millan de Najara S. John de la Pen̄a His Wife was Da. Vrraca by whom he had D. Garci Sanchez called the Trembler because he used to quake at the beginning of a Battle for which defect he made amends by his great Courage and Conduct when heated in fight Thro' the neglect of the Historians of that Age nothing else of note appears in the Life of D. Sancho In Galicia there broke out new Commotions that Country being full of Factions at a very unseasonable time when they had enough to do against the Moors The cause of these Tumults is not known but it appears they were soon appeased by the King 's good Management Some of the Mutiniers were Executed others Banished to that part of Portugal which was under the King upon the Frontiers of the Moors That Province was govern'd by an Earl called Gonzalo a Man of wicked Principles who in defence of those Banished Persons they being of his Faction Rebelled and broke in as far as the River Duero There not confiding in his strength he had recourse to Fraud and with much entreaty obtain'd pardon He had formerly been in great Esteem and Favour with the King and was now restored to the same Honour whereby he found means to give the King a poisoned Apple As soon as he had eaten it the violence of the Poison spred it self thro' all his Veins and seized the Vitals he ordered himself to be carried to Leon tho' given over by the Physicians but dy'd before he could reach the City the third day after he was Poisoned in the 967. having Reign'd 12 Years His Body was bury'd in the Church of St. Saviour at Leon. CHAP. V. The Reign of Ramiro the Third King of Leon. Death of Earl Fernan Gonzalez Normans infest the Coasts of Spain Divisions among the Moors Rebellion against the King of Leon and his Death IT is a thing beyond all dispute that King Sancho was Marry'd to Da. Teresa and that D. Ramiro was but 5 Years old when his Father dy'd He Reign'd 15 Years but by reason of his tender Age the Government was in the hands of his Mother and of Da. Elvira his Aunt whom others call Geloyra both Ladies of singular Prudence and extraordinary Qualities yet because the King was little and they Women there hap'ned many Broils Sisnandus the Successor of Ermenegildus Bishop of Compostella and Son to the Earl Menendus was Deposed and Imprisoned by King Sancho for that he lived a dissolute Life and spent the Revenue of the Church profusely and in his stead was chosen Rodesindus who was first Bishop and after a Monk of the Order of S. Benedict in the Monastery of Celanova he was besides of the Blood Royal as Son to the Earl Gutierre Arias and his Wife Aldara Sisnandus upon the Death of the King being set at liberty took possession of the Bishoprick of Compostella forcing Rodesindus for fear of Death to resign and return to his Monastery where he spent the rest of his Life well pleased to be rid of that charge There was Peace betwixt the Kingdoms of Leon and Cordova for Alhaca King of Cordova to gain the good will of the new King sent him the Body of the Martyr Pelayus which was laid in the Monastery built at Leon by King Sancho who desired to Enrich it with those Reliques This Monastery was formerly called of S. John Baptist afterwards of St. Pelagius or Pelayus now of St. Isidorus The cause of changing the Names was the Translation of the Bodies of those Saints at several times The Peace was now disturbed at the persuasion of that D. Vela who we said above fled to Cordova and at his instigation the Moors inclined to make War upon Castile to revenge the great losses they had sustained by means of that Earl King Alhaca tho' of himself more addicted to Peace than War yet overcome by the importunity of his People he gathered a Powerful Army and breaking into Castile possessed himself of Sepulveda Gormaz Simancas and Duen̄as Encouraged with this Success he broke the Peace that was between him and the King of Leon and invading his Dominions took Zamora and levelled it with the Ground The great Grief the Earl Fernan Gonzalez conceived for these Losses was the cause of his Death which hap'ned the ensuing Year 968. He dy'd at Burgos and was bury'd near the River Arlança in the Monastery of S. Peter near the High Altar where are to be seen his and his Wife's Tombs with inscriptions declaring whose they are His Funeral was no less remarkable for the Tears of the People lamenting the loss of so good a Prince by whose Valour the Christian cause had been so long supported than for the Grandeur and Magnificence of the Ceremony By two Wives he had these Sons D. Gonzalo D. Sancho D. Garci Fernandez others add Peter and Baldwin He had also one Daughter called Da. Vrraca of whom we have spoken before Garci Fernandez succeeded his Father either because the others were dead or if alive he was preferred before them for his good Inclinations and the early hopes he gave of his future Vertues which soon increased and grew to a mighty head At the same time the Normans Inhabiting that part of France formerly called Neustria now Normandy who some Years before were Converted to the Christian Faith by Herveus Bishop of Rheims being accustomed to Rob upon the Coast of Spain gathered a numerous Fleet and wasted all the Coast of Galicia burnt Villages Castles and Towns took the Men and carried away all that was in their way This Plague lasted 2 Years The King by reason of his tender Years could not defend his People Sisnandus Bishop of Compostella a Man fitter to be a Souldier than a Prelate gathering a number of the Natives and charging the Enemy near a Town call'd Fornellas was kill'd with a Dart on the 20th of March 979. What was commendable in him is that he indeavour'd to Wall the Town of Compostella that so holy a place might not be expos'd to the insolency of the Enemy The Earl Garci Sanchez being chosen to Command on that side behaved himself better for surprizing the Normans near the Sea as they marched loaded with plunder and out of order he made a great slaughter of them This Captain Gunderedus was killed the Booty and Prisoners recovered and of their Ships not one escaped being taken or burnt Thus Spain after long suffering by those Cruel and Barbarous People was at length delivered from that Calamity by so total an overthrow of them as they had scarce received the like in any other Country Let us now see what was doing among the Infidels
of Triumph administring Justice and levying Money in order to carry on the War the next Year against those Moors who lived along the Banks of Ebro in great security being grown rich in Cattle they had taken from the Christians That Conquest more properly appertained to the Crowns of Navarre and Aragon but they being at War among themselves had not leisure to think of any other business D. Ramiro had encreased his Dominions with the addition of Sobrarve and Ribagorça which fell to him by the death of his Brother D. Gonzalo Some Authors will have it that D. Gonzalo dy'd before his Father others say he was treacherously killed by one Ramonette of Gascogne who way-laid him near the Bridge of Montelus as he returned from Hunting Certain it is his Body was buryed in the Church of S. Victorianus King Ramiro being thus encreased in strength made War upon him of Navarre who with-held from him part of his Kingdom of Aragon He was inferior in strength but besides being a very expert Soldier he had Succours from France being Married to Gisberga or as others call her Hermesenda Daughter to Bernard Roger Earl of Bigorre by his Wife Garsenda By this Gisberga or Hermesenda the King had D. Ramiro D. Sancho D. Garcia and D. Sancha Married to the Earl of Toulouse and D. Teresa Wife to Beltran Earl of Provence Illegitimate he had a Son called D. Sancho to whom he gave Ayvar Xabier Latres and Ribagorça all which he dying without Issue returned to the Crown of Aragon D. Ramiro's Arms were Azure a Cross Argent afterwards changed by his Successors as shall be told in its place Let us return to King Ferdinand who entring the Country of the Moors took Santistevan de Gormaz Vadoregio Aguilar and Valerancia now called Berlanga then destroyed the Territory of Taraçona and wasted the Country as far as Medina Celi throwing down all the Beacons used by the Moors to raise the People against the Christians Thence he turned back and passing the Mountains entred the Kingdom of Toledo ravaging all about Salamanca Vzeda Guadalajara Alcala and even as far as Madrid Almenon King of Toledo moved by these losses and fearing greater bought a Peace of King Ferdinand for a great Sum of Money The same was done by the Kings of Zaragoça Portugal and Sevil and they promised to pay Tribute yearly to the great Honour of the Christians and Shame of the Moors who were now subject to those they had not long before Lorded it over These were special Blessings of God for the good Lives the Christians then led following the example of their King whereby many Moors were Converted and the Bodies of Saints held even by them in great Veneration CHAP. III. S. Isidorus his Body translated to Leon. Conversion of two Moorish Princesses Garcia King of Navarre kill'd by his Brother Ferdinand Ramiro King of Aragon recovers his Dominions THere was a Church Dedicated to St. John Baptist the ancient burial place of the Kings of Leon much decay'd by reason of the Wars and with Age. D. Sancha the Queen perswaded her Husband to repair it and Order'd himself and Posterity to be there Inter'd The more to increase the Peoples Devotion towards this Church the King thought good to enrich it with the Bodies of some Saints and therefore made War upon the King of Sevil to obtain that of S. Justa which that Prince was willing to give to purchase Peace but the People Mutinying at such time as it should have been carryed away those that were sent for it in place of it took the Body of S. Isidorus formerly Bishop of that City This holy Body was Conducted in great state to Leon and there plac'd in the Church of St. John Baptist which from thence forward lost that name and was call'd of St. Isidorus In the Year 1050. was held a Synod at Coyança now Valencia in the Country of Oviedo at which were present the King Queen Nobility and Nine Bishops About the same time two Daughters of Moorish Kings were Converted and Baptized the one was Casilda Daughter to Almenon King of Toledo the other Zaida Daughter to Benabet of Sevil. The Cause of their Conversion was thus Casilda was very Compassionate and us'd to relieve the Captive Christians which much offended her Father who met her one day carrying meat to them and asking what it was she said They were Roses and uncovering found the Meat Converted into those Flowers This Miracle mov'd her to embrace Christianity and soon after being sick she was advis'd to Bath her self in St. Vincent's Lake which is in the Territory of Briviesca where she soon recover'd her Health was Baptiz'd and continu'd in the same place the rest of her days leading a very holy Life insomuch that she is reckoned in the number of Saints Zaida either by her Example or some other motive was inclin'd to become a Christian and St. Isidorus appear'd to her in a Dream perswading her to put in Execution so good a purpose She acquainted her Father with it and he being unwilling to oppose her yet fearing to displease the People if he consented agreed with D. Alonso King Ferdinand's Son that he should force her away from a place where he would leave her which was accordingly perform'd and she carryed to Leon there instructed and baptiz'd Some say she was call'd Elizabeth others Mary so many affirm she was after Marry'd to D. Alonso when he was King of Castile yet Pelagius Bishop of Oviedo says she was not his Wife but Mistress These contradictions and many other that occur in this History are hard to be reconcil'd In the Year of Grace 1053. D. Garcia King of Navarre was kill'd in the Wars being a Couragious and Wise Prince no less a Souldier than a General Those Seeds of Discord that some Years before had been sow'd between the Brothers now grew up to the ruin of D. Garcia D. Ferdinand pretended a right to the Territory of Briviesca and part of Rioja On the other side D. Garcia complain'd that wrong had been done him in the division of the Kingdom and pleaded right of Inheritance against his Father's Will D. Garcia fell sick at Najara D. Ferdinand coming to visit him he resolv'd to secure him but D. Ferdinand having notice of his design fled D. Garcia to take off the hatred conceiv'd against him for that falshood seem'd much concern'd that his Brother should suspect him and hearing he was sick at Burgos went thither to visit him This satisfy'd not D. Ferdinand for he seiz'd his Brother and sent him with a Guard to the Castle of Ceya He corrupting his Keepers fled to Navarre with a resolution to take revenge Having gather'd all his own and the Forces of the Moors his Confederates he entred Castile and after passing the Mountains Doca committed great havock King Ferdinand was not idle but mov'd with an Army of Experienc'd Souldiers towards his Brother They
worth ordered that for the future he should be called Cid which was done accordingly so that his own name was almost forgot the new Title being given him as long as he lived Our Historians add that the Kings Ferdinand of Castile and Ramiro of Aragon being at variance about the right to the City Calahorra they agreed to put the decision of that Controversy to the Issue of a Combat to be fought by two Persons one appointed by each King He of Aragon chose Martin Gomez and he of Castile took Roderick Diaz for his Champion who slew Gomez supposed by some to be the stock from which is descended the Noble Family of Luna in Spain The most learned look upon all this as Fabulous by reason that D. Garcia King of Navarre took that City from the Moors and therefore the King of Aragon could pretend no right to it Roderick Diaz being newly Married was not in the assembly of the States at such time as the Emperor and Popes demands touching the Kings submiting himself to the Empire were heard and debated The King was more inclinable to Peace yet feared the ill consequences of condescending to own a Foreign Superiority Therefore he would resolve upon nothing till Roderick was called and consulted about this affair He being come and asked his Opinion replyed It was no matter of dispute but that the Liberty of Spain ought to be asserted by force of Arms it being unreasonable that those who had not helped to relieve them from the Tyranny of the Moors should pretend to any power over them that he was resolved to stand up for the honour of his Country and would look upon all as Cowards and Traytors that were not of the same Opinion This reply of his confirmed those who before were dubious and fearful and a suitable Answer was sent to the Pope In order to oppose the Emperor Levies was made throughout the Kingdom and 10000 Men raised besides the Auxiliary Forces of the Moors who were Subject to the Christians Roderick Diaz was appointed their General who to gain the greater reputation passed the Pyrenean Mountains and marched as far as Toulouze which City I suppose was then subject to Spain as appears by the inscription on the Tomb of King Sancho the Greater above mentioned Thence he sent Embassadors to the Pope desiring him to depute Commissioners to hearthe reasons the Spaniards had to offer in their own defence The Principal Men sent were Count Roderick not he that was called Cid and D. Alvar Yan̄ez Minaya who prevailed with the Pope to send Rupertus Cardinalis Sabinensis his Legate and certain Embassadors from the Emperor before whom the case might be argued and decided Mean while King Ferdinand returned out of France into Spain The Legate and Embassadors stayed at Toulouse where the whole matter having been debated judgment was given in behalf of Spain and it was declared the Emperors for the future ought not to pretend to any right over it And from that time it has ever been the Opinion of all Civilians that Spain owed no acknowledgment to the Empire Popes have also pretended to receive Tribute from Spain as appears by a Bull of Gregory VII directed to the King and Lords in which he says such Tribute used to be payed before the Moors possessed themselves of the Country But this took no effect and it appears that Spain has never since been Tributary to any Foreign Prince Roderick Diaz was descended from Lain Calvo who as we said above was judge of Castile for this judge by his Wife D. Elvira Nun̄a Bella had Fernan Nun̄o This Nuno by his Wife D. Egilona had Lain Nun̄o who had a Son called James Laynez the Husband of Teresa Nun̄a and Father of Roderick Diaz commonly called Cid He by his Wife D. Ximena had a Son called James Rodriguez de Bivar killed whilst the Father was yet living in the Wars with the Moors and two Daughters which were D. Elvira and D. Sol of whom we shall speak hereafter About this time some Synods were held The first at Compostella in the Year 1056. Here it was ordained that Bishops and Priests should say Mass every Day and that the Canons should wear Hair Cloth on the Fasting days and at all times when the Litanies were said upon account of any publick necessity Another Synod was held at Jaca of the Dominions of Aragon in the Year 1060. Two Years after this another was Celebrated at S. John de la Pen̄a Near this same time tho' Authors do not agree upon the Year Cardinal Hugo the Popes Legate in Spain in an Assembly of Nobility and Clergy held by consent of Ramon Earl of Barcelona in that City Abrogated the Laws of the Goths till then in use among the Catalonians and instituted others which are in Force to this Day This Cardinal Hugo I suppose is the same that had the Sirname of Candidus and came Legate into Spain in the Year 1064. at such time as there were two pretenders to the Papacy and both stiled themselves Popes One called himself Alexander II. the other Honorius II. The Kings of Spain adhered to Alexander whose Legate this was and who seemed to have the better Title CHAP. V. The remaining part of the Reign of Ferdinand King of Castile and Leon. His Dominions divided among his Children Of D. Ramiro King of Aragon Perpignan Built THE late troubles caused by the Emperors pretensions gave the Moors an opportunity of casting off the heavy Yoke King Ferdinand had laid on them At the same time as it were by common consent they all appeared in Arms but chiefly in the Kingdom of Toledo and among the Celtiberi which is part of Aragon The King was old and tired with continual Wars besides the revenues were exhausted and the Subjects wasted with heavy Taxes Queen Sancho a Woman of a Masculine Spirit being desirous to advance Christianity offered towards the charge of the War all the Money Plate and Jewels that belonged to her This supply so incouraged the King that raising a powerful Army he attack'd the Moors about the River Ebro and made a great slaughter of them Thence he advanced as far as Catalonia and Valencia and returned loaded with Booty He had the same succeess against the Kingdom of Toledo and obliged them all to swear they would punctually pay the Tribute imposed on them This done he returned home in Triumph Some Authors write that near Valencia S. Isidorus to whom he had always a particular devotion appeared to him bidding him to prepare for he should soon die His sickness which presently followed confirmed this Opinion wherefore having settled all things with the Moors he returned towards Leon being carryed in a Litter upon Mens Shoulders the Soldiers and Officers striving who should carry him On the first of January 1065. he entred the City of Leon and as he was used visited the Bodies of the Saints prostrating himself on the
afterwards Marry'd him to a Lady called Arsenda The Year of our Lord 1104. was unfortunate for the Death of three great Persons Peter Son to the King of Aragon and his Sister Elizabeth dy'd upon the same day and the King himself whither for Grief or thro' some other Distemper is not known departed this Life the Month following He was Bury'd at S. John de la Pena Pope Vrban at the beginning of the War in the Holy-Land granted to this King the Tenths of all Churches that should be new built or taken from the Moors excepting only Cathedrals Alanso Brother to the late King succeeded him in the Throne His Reign was long and his Actions great by which he much extended the Dominions left him by his Ancestors In the second Year of his Reign he Married D. Vrraca Daughter to King Alonso of Castile This Match was made by the King contrary to the desires of all the Nobility who would have had her Marry'd to D. Gomez Earl of Candespina None of them durst open this to the King therefore they charged a Iew who was the King's Doctor upon the first opportunity to acquaint him with their Thoughts This Jew as the King was one day diverting himself broke the business to him It highly offended the King that the Nobles should presume to dispose of his Daughter therefore he for ever forbid the Physician coming into his presence and then hastned the Marriage of his Daughter which was performed with great State at Toledo in the Year 1106. King Alonso somewhat eased with the satisfaction of this Match and desiring to revenge the death of his Son tho' very ancient took the Field again and entring Andaluzia destroyed all the Province with Fire and Sword sparing neither Man nor Beast This done he spent the remainder of his Days in quiet not only forbearing from Martial Affairs but easing himself of the Government as much as could be Yet he took care that Salamanca and Segovia which had been ruined by the Wars should be repaired fortified and embelished Peranzules a Man at that time in great vogue who had been Tutor to the Princess Vrraca in her Minority and was now the King's Favourite had the whole management of publick Affairs and by his Prudence and Vertue seem'd to support the Government The King now quite spent with age for he lived 79 Years grew sickly and was languishing a Year and seven Months yet by the advice of the Physicians he rode out daily but the natural warmth being decay'd at length he dy'd at Toledo on Thursday the first of July 1109. as Pelagius of Oviedo who lived at that time testifies He Reign'd 43 Years was modest in Prosperity and undaunted in Adversity After the Death of King Alonso the Inhabitants of Toledo in a Consternation were about abandoning the City The King's Body was kept there 20 days till this Pannick Fear was over then it was carry'd to the Monastery of Sahagun and there Bury'd with great Pomp the greatest that of the Tears of his Subjects who lamented so great a loss as they had in him These Tears seemed to forbode those Calamities that ensued and the very Stones at Leon presaged this General Lamentation At the foot of the Altar where the Priest uses to stand at Mass in the Church of S. Isidorus in Leon the Stones shed water not where they joyn'd but in the very middle for the space of three days continually which were Thursday Friday and Saturday according to Pelagius who then lived This hap'ned 8 days before the King's death and betokened the Tears of all Spain The Bishops and Clergy hereupon made Processions to appease God's Wrath. In this King's Reign one Lesmes a French-man lived in great opinion of Sanctity at Burgos his chief business was entertaining of Pilgrims His Memory is still Celebrated in that City and his Feast Yearly kept in the Church of his Name Four Leagues from Najara lived another Holy Man a Spaniard or as others say an Italian who used the same Charity and Repaired the Ways thro' which the Pilgrims went to visit the Church of S. James the Apostle and therefore he is commonly called S. Dominick de la Calçada that is of the Cunsey I suppose King Alonso made use of him in building the Bridges that are between Logron̄o and Santiago About the end of the Reign of King Alonso one Moses a learned Jew and a great Linguist was Converted and writ against the Jews and Moors so effectually that many of both Nations were Converted CHAP. V. The Reign of Queen Urraca Her Lewdness She is Divorced from her Husband Deposed from the Government her Son Alonso Proclaimed King of Castile AT the time when King Alonso dy'd his Daughter D. Vrraca Heiress of the Kingdom was absent with her Husband He had no great confidence in the Nobility of Castile who had opposed his Marriage and therefore would not venture among them without a good Body of his own Subjects This kept him back from taking possession of that large Kingdom The Queens Lewdness which was great for a Person of her Rank was concealed and hid Garrisons of Argonians were put into many Cities and Castles to keep the Castilians in subjection Peranzules having great Alliances in both Kingdoms was entrusted with the Government and kept all things in good order His Power lasted not long for the Queen a turbulent Woman being sent before by her Husband instead of Honouring him as became his great Merit treated him ill not only removing him from the Government but seizing upon his Estate All the pretence she had for this rash action was because in his Letters he stiled her Husband King of Castile This is what was given out but in reality she was sorry she was Marry'd because her Husband curb'd her Lewdness and as I am apt to believe that discreet Man reproved her scandalous Life The King was concerned so great a Man should be so ill treated and restored all his Estate He fearing the Queen's displeasure withdrew to the Earldom of Vrgel whereof as was said above he had the charge A new War now broke out in Andaluzia Hali King of the Moors hearing King Alonso was dead broke into the Christian Territories and in sight of Toledo demolished the Castle of Azeca and destroy'd the Monastery of S. Servandus whilst all the Country about was in a flame Not content with this he laid Siege to the City and for the space of 8 days battered it with all sorts of Engines It s own natural strength and a Wall built at the bottom of the City by King Alonso saved it Alvar Fan̄ez a great Man in those days by his Valour contributed much to the safety of the City All hopes of prevailing being lost the Moors raised the Siege and in their way home plundered Madrid and Talavera threw down their Walls and departed with a mighty Booty In Aragon the King was successful
that they so Knighted were at Age and it was a means to spur them on to imitate the Virtues of their Forefathers In this manner proceeded the affairs of Castile and Portugal whilst in Aragon all things succeeded with the Christians All that part formerly called Celtiberia was brought under our Dominion Molina which before payed Tribute surrendered To the City Pamplona was added the Suburb of S. Saturninus which the French Peopled and had all the Priviledges of free Citizens granted them and the immunities of Jaca according to which they were constituted a particular Government among themselves The Moors possessed the Sea Coasts about the Mouth of the River Ebro and from thence did much harm in the Neighbouring Country There was need of a Fleet to curb them therefore the King caused a great number of Vessels to be built at Zaragoça and we read that in the time of Vespasian the Emperor that River was Navigable as far as Logrono 65 Leagues from the Sea Mequinencia supposed to be the same Caesar calls Octogesa a strong Town seated where the Rivers Cinga and Segre met was now taken by the King of Aragon All this joyful success was turned into sorrow in this manner Fraga a Town among the Ilergetes by Ptolomey called Gallica Flavia better known by the disaster that now hap'ned than any thing remarkable in it is seated on a rising ground which being washed away by the River Cinga is difficult of access and may be easily defended by a few against a greater number On the back of the Town are Hillocks all filled which lie so close to the place that no Engines can be brought to batter it After taking Mequinencia the King resolving to carry on his Conquests entered the Country that lies up the River Segre which was very well fortified and great numbers of Moors had fled thither for security This concourse made the Kings of Lerida and Fraga grow Powerful The King of Aragon invested Fraga in the Year 1133. his Preparations were greater than the success for Winter coming on and the rains falling he was obliged to put his Army into Quarters resolving to return early in the Spring About February the Siege began and lasted all March and April without any effect the Besieged being furnished with all things necessary to hold out a long time and encouraged with the hopes of relief Abengamia King of Lerida came to raise the Siege with a good Army The Battle was fought near Fraga the Christians were but few in number and those tired many of them were killed Nevertheless this loss did not oblige them to quit the Siege because the loss sustained by the Moors was not inferor to theirs However the King fearing what might follow went away towards the Frontiers of Castile to gather more Forces in the Territory of Soria By the way he wasted the Enemies Country as far as Monçon The King with 300 Horse following the main Body was on a sudden beset by a great number of the Enemy Seeing the danger with few words he encouraged his Men who fell on and fought as could be expected in such a desperate exigency Above all the King signalized himself being well known by his Garment and bright Armour so that all the Moors bending their fury against him he was at length kill'd Having lost their King some of his Men dy'd bravely others escaped by flight This is the truth of that King 's unhappy end tho' several other false rumours have been spread among the ignorant People Some would have it that after this defeat he went to Jerusalem and dy'd there Others write that his Body was bought of the Moors and bury'd at Montaragon My. Opinion is that his Body was not found which gave occasion to invent many Fables about him Certain it is that misfortune hap'ned near the Town of Sarin̄ena on the 7th of September in the Year 1134. This Prince was a Person of singular Valour and Conduct An Ancient Author affirms he fought 29. Battles and was in most of them Victorious He Reigned 30 Years His Will was made three Years before his Death when he Besieg'd Bayonne which our Histories say he took and that at that Siege Peter Earl of Lara fought with Alonso Earl of Toulouze and was by him slain This Will was very remarkable and caused great troubles and confusion By it he left many Towns and Castles to several Churches in Spain and because he had no Children he made the Knights Templers the Hospitalers and those that kept the Sepulcher of Jerusalem Heirs of all his Dominions It concludes with many heavy Curses upon such as shall presume to infringe any part of it Yet the Aragonians and Navarrois assembled at Borgie a place on the Frontiers of Navarre in order to choose a King Peter Atares a Noble Man as some imagine rather than prove of the Blood Royal held that Town by Gift of the deceased King He was a Person of great merit and had doubtless been declar'd King had not his extraordinary Pride prevented it Thus the assembly broke up without coming to any Resolution The Navarrois hated the Government of the Aragonians and thought it was lawful at all times when occasion offer'd to cast off the Yoke that had been violently forced upon them Hereupon they had a meeting apart and at the perswasion of Sancho Rosa Bishop of Pamplona Proclaimed D. Garcia King He was descended of their Ancient Royal Family for he was Son to D. Ramiro and Grandson to D. Sancho who as was said was killed by his Brother Raimund On the other side the Aragonians assembling at Monçon Proclaimed D. Ramiro Brother to the late King notwithstanding he was a Monk Abbot of Sahagun and elect Bishop of Burgos first then of Pamplona and lastly of Roda and Barbastro There is yet extant an Original Instrument dated at Barbastro in October in which he stiles himself King and Priest Nor was this all for tho' he had been above 40. Years a Monk they obliged him to Marry having to that purpose obtained a dispensation of Pope Innocent II. so that he was at once a Monk a Priest a Bishop a Marry'd Man and a King He Marry'd Agnes Sister to William Earl of Poitiers and Guienne who dy'd two Years after at Santiago in Galicia whither he went in Pilgrimage His eldest Daughter Ellenor was Marryed to Luis the Young King of France from whom after having two Daughters she was Divorced by Command of Pope Eugenius III. on account of Consanguinity After that Divorce the King of France Marry'd Elizabeth the Daughter of Alonso VII King of Castile Ellenor was Marry'd to Henry Duke of Normandy and Anjau afterwards King of England by this Match Poitiers and Guienne or Aquitain were annex'd to the Crown of England whence ensu'd Bloody Wars betwixt those two Nations CHAP. IX The King of Castile aspires to the Crowns of Aragon and Navarre Stiles himself Emperor Ramiro King of
Forces but by the way at the Wood of Cazlona in Sierra Morena the Emperor fell sick and near the Town of Fresneda he dyed in a Tent on the 21th of August he lived 51 Years 5 Months and 21 Days was King 35 Years and had the Title of Emperor 22 Years and a half A Prince worthy of a longer Life Pious in his Youth Brave and Modest in his riper Years always a pattern of Virtue and Famous to Posterity for his zeal to the Christian Religion He had three Wives Berengaria Beatrix and Rica The second had no Children the last was Mother of Sancha Berengaria brought him Sancho and Ferdinand his Successors also Elizabeth and Beatrix Besides these Alonso and another Ferdinand who dy'd Young and was bury'd in a Monastery of Nuns of the invocation of S. Clement built by his Father with this Inscription on his Tomb Here lies the most Illustrious D. Ferdinand Son to the Emperor D. Alonso who built this Monastery he laid him here to Honour it Sancho and Ferdinand the Emperor's Sons divided his Dominions as he had Ordered Ferdinand had the Kingdom of Leon and Galicia Sancho the Elder Castile with all it Dependencies Both were good and virtuous Princes Sancho was best beloved as being the more affable and dying soon was called the Desired Ferdinand was jealous and gave ear to Court-Flatterers therefore before his Father's Funeral Rites were perform'd he repaired to Leon to take possession of his Kingdom On the contrary Sancho understanding his death made hast to Frensneda and thence conducted him with all the Nobility to Toledo where he was buryed with great Pomp in the Cathedral of that City Sancho King of Navarre for his Learning Age and Exploits called the Wise saying hold of this opportunity over ran all the Lands of Castile as far as Burgos and with the same celerity return'd into his own Country The Moors finding those places they had lost forsaken by the New King easily recovered them It was requisite to check both those Enemies but it was thought fit first to move against Navarre It hap'ned that Ponze Earl of Minerva one of the chief among the Nobility of Leon being wronged by King Ferdinand fled to Castile He being a Person of known Valour and Conduct was favourably received by King Sancho and appointed General of the Expedition against Navarre Having taken charge of the Army by the way of Briviesca he entred the Territory of Rioja and incamped in a plain called Valpiedra near the Town of Ban̄ares where both Parties Ordered their Battles D. Lope de Haro led the Van of the Navarrois D. Ladron de Guevara the Rear and the King the Main Body The Castillians being the more numerous and resolute were not backward At the first charge the Castillians gave way but recovering themselves put the Navarrois to flight but made no great slaughter most saving themselves in the Neighbouring Castles and Towns Supplies coming up now out of France the King adventured a second time to fight in the same place but with no better success Many of the Nobles being taken were generously Treated by D. Ponze and afterwards set at Liberty After this Victory he returned to Burgos where the King having commended and rewarded the Soldiers above all honoured D. Ponze and that to such a degree that he marched as far as the Monastery of Sahagun resolving to make War upon his Brother if he did not condescend to restore him to his Possessions King Ferdinand perceiving the danger he was in came to his Brother unarmed where all differences were agreed and he promised not only to restore D. Ponze but to bestow fresh honours upon him Besides he offered to do Homage to his Brother which King Sancho with great courtesy refused to accept of Calatrava a Town seated on the Banks of Guadiana not far from Almagro when taken from the Moors was given to the Knights Templers but they understanding the Infidels made great preparations to Besiege it and despairing of holding out restored it to the King No Body would undertake to defend it only two Cistercian Monks who came to Court upon business offered themselves These were Raymund Abbot of Fitero near the River Pisuerga and his Companion James Velazquez who having been a Soldier was become a Religious but still had a great Spirit and perswaded the Abbot to undertake the maintaining of that place This offer was very grateful to the King and to John Archbishop of Toledo who were before much concerned for the danger which threatned that place The Archbishop because Calatrava belonged to his Diocess advanced a sum of Money and in his Sermons stirred up the People to contribute towards the defence of that Town either by adventuring their Persons or laying out their Money since they were all concerned in the preservation of it as being the Bulwark of the Christian Borders which once lost ruin and desolation would soon come upon every particular Man's Estate This was at the beginning of the Year 1158. The King freely gave the Town of Calatrava to the Order of the Cistercians for ever Fame which commonly surpasses truth is of great moment in all Worldly affairs as it appeared now for the Moors hearing of the mighty preparations that were making to defend that City came not before it This was the Original of the Knights of Calatrava for many Soldiers followed the Abbot and took the habit he gave them Being returned to Toledo he brought a great number of Cattle from his Monastery and from the Neighbourhood about 20000 people to whom he gave the Lands about Calatrava which before lay wast for want of Inhabitants Thus the Town was secured against any danger Abbot Raymund dy'd some Years after at Ciruelas a Village where he was also buried and is honoured as a Saint Thence in the Year 1471. he was translated to our Lady of Mount Sion a Monastery of Bernardines near Toledo James Velazquez lived many years after and dy'd in the Monastery of S. Peter at Gumiel where he is buried From this beginning the Military Order of Calatrava rose to the greatness it is now arrived at Pope Alexander III. confirmed it by his Bull in the Year 1164 The Convent at first setled in Calatrava was thence removed to Ciruelos then to Buxeda to Corcoles Salvatierra and lastly to Covos There are other lesser Convents of the Order in other places but that is the Principal This Order in process of time grew rich and had the Lordship of many Towns for their good Services and thro' the Bounty of Kings Formerly the Revenues of such Towns were given to old Knights of that Order for their Maintenance during their own Lives only and not for their Heirs Now they serve only to support the Prodigality of Courtiers Thus for the most part good Institutions are perverted CHAP. III. The Death of Sancho King of Castile The great Commotions that ensued The Death of Raymund Prince of
concluded betwixt those two Crowns Thus much concerning the Original of this Order of Knighthood I know some will have King Alonso the Chast and others King Ramiro to be the Founders of it long belong this time but they have no grounds for it In France after much trouble Peace was concluded betwixt the King of Aragon and Earl of Toulouze who was dissatisfied for that the King obstructed the Marriage of his Son with the Daughter of the late Earl of Provence The King gave him 3000 Marks of Silver to quit his pretensions and his Son Married the Sister of Trencavelle Viscount of Carcassonne her name was Beatrix Hugo Great Master of the Templers was very instrumental in making this Accommodation Castile after a long Oppression began now through the Valour of its King D. Alonso to lift up its head At the same time the power of the Moors declined The Almohades wholly taken up with the affairs of Africk had not leasure to mind Spain Besides Aven Jacob Successor to Abdelmon tho' of sufficient Valour yet equalled not his Father in good Fortune The King of Castile being now at Age resolved not to let slip so good an opportunity of inlargeing his Territories Having therefore taken his revenge on Navarre and Leon he consulted with the King of Aragon about carrying on the War against the Moors and it was determined to begin by the Conquest of Cuenca This City was built by the Moors on a high and Craggy Hill shut up on two sides by the Rivers Xucar and Huecar so that it is naturally impregnable The ascent is difficult the Streets narrow so steep that Horses cannot go in many of them In those days it had no Spring nor Wells at present Water has been brought to it from other Hills so that it was easie to keep the Town from Water but not practicable to assault it by reason of the Cragginess of the Ground Great preparations were made in both Kingdoms and many Captains of note and Prelates attended the Kings in this Expedition Among them Peter de Açagrd being now reconciled to the Kings was the first that took his Post before the City The Siege was begun with the Year and there being no Possibility of Battering or Assaulting the Town lasted long the Moors defending themselves in hopes of relief Provisions grew as scarce in the Camp as in the Town and they lived only upon plunder Besides there was no Money to pay the Soldiers and invite Vivandiers These difficulties moved the King of Castile to go to Burgos to raise Money The Cortes or Parliament being Assembled it was proposed that not only the Commonalty but Nobility and Gentry who used to be free from Taxes should pay to the King five Maravedies of Gold a Head for that the populace was before wasted with Taxes This advice was given by D. James de Haro Lord of Biscay whose Sister was Marryed to the King of Leon and brought him two Sons Sancho and Garcia Peter Earl of Lara opposed it and a great number of Nobility joyning him left the Assembly resolving to maintain their Priviledges by force of Arms. The King moved by this danger gave over that Tax It was agreed among the Nobles to make an Annual Feast to Peter of Lara and his Successors in Memory of this Mutinous exploit Whilst these debates were at Burgos the Siege having lasted Nine Months Cuenca was at last taken in the Month of September 1177. This same Year was Fortunate to Navarre in the Birth of Ferdinand of whom the Fruitful Queen Beatrix was delivered after she had brought Sancho Raymund Berengaria Teresa and Blanch. For the greater honour of the City Cuenca it was by consent of the Pope made a Bishoprick the Priviledges of Valera an Episcopal See in the time of the Goths being translated thither To the Citizens was granted the Priviledge of sending Representatives to the Cortes or Parliament In reward of their good Service the Aragonians were freed from the Homage they ow'd to Castile A League was concluded betwixt the two Kings against all Princes except him of Leon who was exempted in respect to his Kindred After Cuenca the War continuing Alarcon a place of no less strength was taken Also the Town of Iniesta better known for its Salt-Pits the Salt whereof is like Transparent Stone than for the goodness of the soil The Knights of St. James that they might be nearer the Moors were Ordered to settle their Monastery at Vcles whence King Ferdinand of Leon repenting what he had done would have had them return to their first Habitation After much debate it was agreed that Four Priests of that Order should be sent to Leon who should still be Subject to the Monastery of Vcles which they afterwards refused and Pope Vrban I. Ordered the Monasteries should be independent of one another only subject to the great Master of the Order Not long after these Knights were admitted to Portugal and had large Possessions given them They for many Years obey'd the Great Master of the Order till King Denis assigning them a Head of their own withdrew them from any dependance on Castile Tho' these things fell out in several Years they are put together to ease the Memory Let us return to the series of the History The King of Castile now built the City Plasencia on the Borders of his Kingdom and made it a Bishoprick The Walls of Toledo were repaired and the Town of Alarcos rebuilt All this hap'ned in the Year of our Lord 1178. At the same time Alonso King of Aragon upon the death of Giraldus Earl of Russillon who dy'd without Issue seized upon that Earldom and from thence forward stiled himself King of Aragon Earl of Barcelona and Russillon and Marquess of Provence On the 20th of March 1179. he set out from Perpignan towards Cazola where he was to have an interview with the King of Castile Here it was agreed that Valencia Xativa Denia and their Dependancies should belong to the Conquest of Aragon All the other Towns in the Kingdom of Murcia were assigned to Castile They also made a League against Sancho King of Navarre to his great loss for the Castillians took from him the Towns of Briviesca Cerezo Logron̄o and all that lies between the Mountains Doca and Calahorra To these Roderick the Archbishop adds Navarrete Thence the Army of Castile marched towards Leon where they plundered and wasted all the Country The King of Leon being too weak to defend himself Sollicited him of Aragon putting him in mind this was a breach of the Confederacy made at Cuenca There only wanted a pretence for the Kingdom of Aragon to break with Castile therefore he sent to demand Restitution of Hariza and its Castle and in case of refusal to declare War Great were the Apprehensions of a Bloody War yet the King of Castile's modesty prevented it for he restored Hariza and forbore carrying on the War
that they might have no shelter there He dy'd in November following at Montpelier The Dominion of the Moors in Spain was now going to decay and King Ferdinand being sensible of it resolved to push on its ruin Therefore he invaded their Teritories took some small places and Besieged Jaen but could not take it because besides a strong Garison of Infidels Alvaro Perez de Castro having renounced his Country and Allegiance was within with 160 perfidious Christians that followed him This Alvaro was Son to Ferdinand de Castro who dy'd at Morocco Thence the King removed to Priego a Town so strong that the Moors had carried all their Goods thither for security Yet it was taken by Assault and all within put to the Sword except a few who retired to the Castle and Capitulated to march away Next he sate down before Loxa which was also taken by Storm as was the Castle all the Inhabitants slain and the Walls demolished for a terror to other places This had so good effect that the People of Alhambra a strong place not far from Granada abandoned it and fled to that City leaving much Provision and part of their Goods behind ' em These People were assigned the upper part of the City to inhabit and from them it was called Alhambra or as some will have it from the red Earth so named in Arabick Our Forces pursued then to the City destroying all the Gardens and Orchards about it This boldness so terrified the Town that they sent to sue for Peace which was granted them they setting at liberty 1300 Christian Captives D. Alvaro de Castro who was one of their Embassadors was here reconciled to the King This done the King took and raz'd Montejo as not Tenable being too remote We also find Capilla a Town in Estremadura was now taken but it soon after fell again into the hands of the Moors Summer being spent the King returned to Toledo leaving the guard of the Frontiers to the Master of Calatrava and Alvaro Perez de Castro Those Soldiers that remain'd in the Garisons of Andaluzia plundred and burnt all that Country even to the Walls of Sevil. Abuli King of that City marched out with a great Force to oppose them but was routed and 20000 of his Men killed Nevertheless the Moors took the Castle of Garces When King Ferdinand after the Winter was over marched again into Andaluzia the King of Baeça met him with 3000 Horse and a great Body of Foot offering his Service He granted that Christian Garisons should be put into Salvatierra Capilla and Burgalhemar and delivered up the Castle of Baeça to be held by the Master of Calatrava Capilla being a strong Town the Inhabitants would not receive the Garison and therefore King Ferdinand laid Siege to it He had but a small Army and therefore leaving it there went himself to raise more Forces Being in doubt whether to carry on the War in Andaluzia or march into France to the Relief of his Aunt Queen Blanch who was slighted by the Nobility because the King her Son was very young two things happen'd that made him lay aside all thoughts of moving towards France One That his Army had taken Capilla and it was requisite to secure it The other That his own People killed the King of Baeça because he was so great a Friend to the Christians and thereby the Garison in that Castle was in danger All these things were acting in the Year 1227. in which the Foundation of the Cathedral of Toledo was also laid Other Churches may exceed this in Grandeur of Building but none in Christendom can equal it in costly Ornaments and greatness of Revenue On the 18th of July dy'd Pope Honorius III. Gregory IX succeeded him At this time flourished D. Lucas Bishop of Tuy famous for Virtue and Learning He writ a History of Spain the Life of S. Isidorus and a great Book of Miracles in which he also confutes the Errors of the Albigenses He composed these Books as he himself testifies by order of Queen Berengaria a very devout Lady and great favourer of Virtuous and Learned Men. Thus it appears those Hereticks had at that time crept into Spain CHAP. VIII The War with the Moors renewed The Island of Majorca Conquered by the Aragonians The Pope's Legate disanuls the Marriage of King Jayme on account of Consanguinity Raymund Earl of Toulouze a Heretick reduc'd THE Citizens of Baeça Besieged the Castle which as has been said was in the hands of the Christians They tho' few in number being furnished with Provisions held out till King Ferdinand coming with a great Army the Moors not only raised the Siege but abandoning the City retired further into Andaluzia D. Lope de Haro for his good Service was appointed Governour of that City Martos was given in charge to Alvaro Perez de Castro and Tello de Meneses Nothing more of note was done this Campaign After the King's return to Toledo D. Tello with the Forces under his Command made an Incursion as far as Sevil To divert him and at the Sollicitation of the Moors that abandoned Baeça the King of Sevil advanced as far as that City but finding he had not a Force to make head against the Christians he concluded a Peace promising to pay 300000 Maravedis yearly The Moors of Murcia proclaimed one Abenhut of the Blood Royal of Zaragoça and an utter Enemy to the Almohades their King A vast number of People resorted to him he palliating his Ambition with Religion and giving out that all the losses sustained were a punishment for the new Opinions introduc'd by the Almohades This was the posture of Affairs in Spain in the Year 1228. In France this same Year Raymund Earl of Toulouze being hard pressed by King Luis was reconciled to the Church and obtained Peace upon those conditions That he should labour to extirpate the Heresie of the Albigenses That his Daughter should Marry one of the King's Brothers That if he dy'd without Issue the Earldom of Toulouze should be annex'd to the Crown of France That he should maintain at his cost a College for Instruction of his People and that he should serve five years in the Holy-Land For security of performance he deliver'd up to the King five Castles and his Daughter Now dy'd in Spain among other Persons of note D. Ramiro Bishop of Pamplona of the Blood Royal of Navarre Peter Ramirez succeeded him in whose time Pope Gregory IX took that Church and its Prelates under his Protection which was the same as exempting 'em from the Jurisdiction of the Spanish Metropolitans In Aragon the King by Policy reduc'd the factious Nobility His Uncle Ferdinand he again took into favour upon condition he should promise that the Conspirators would quit the Engagements they had made to one another D. Sancho Bishop of Zaragoça press'd to have those Towns that belong'd to his Brother Peter de Ahones and had been seized by the
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
of that Place he made Incursions upon the Frontiers of Aragon The other was to appease the Nobility of Aragon and Catalonia who were then Mutinous and stirr'd up the People to Rebellion upon the usual Pretences of Liberty and Property To this effect the Cortes or Parliament met first at Taraçona then at Zaragoça and lastly at Barcelona where the King gave Orders for the Redressing all Grievances and so the People were pacified The War he had in hand with the French made him condescend lest whilst he was busie in Sicily or Italy the Aragonians should Revolt Besides he was perplex'd for that the Pope had not only Excommunicated but Deposed him of his Fathers Dominions and given the Conquest thereof to Charles de Valois the King of France his younger Son No less Troubles were at the same time in Castile caus'd by the Discord between King Alonso and his Son The greater number follow'd Prince Sancho King Alonso being forsaken by his own People had again recourse to Strangers and brought the King of Morocco the second time into Spain giving out it was against the King of Granada who was in League with the Prince This Expedition produc'd nothing remarkable because both Christians and Moors were better provided than had been expected and the King of Granada having put strong Garrisons into all his Towns would not hazard a Battel and so the King of Morocco return'd into Africk without doing any thing remarkable This Design failing King Alonso solicited the King of France to make War upon his Son and at the same time to have the Zeal of Religion make for him accus'd his Son before the Pope of Disobedience Impiety and Ingratitude in usurping his Crown before he was Dead The Pope gave Ear to this Complaint and Excommunicated all those that adher'd to Prince Sancho He also appointed Judges to hear both Parties and they laid an Interdict upon all Towns that were for the Prince so that at one time both in Castile and Aragon tho for different reasons the Churches were shut up yet the Rebellion continu'd the Prince threatning Death to the Popes Commissioners if they fell into his hands However the dread of Ecclesiastical Censures caus'd many to fall off from him Among the first his Brothers Peter and John began to take Compassion on their Father which Prince Sancho understanding he detain'd his Brother Peter with the promise of the Kingdom of Murcia but John withdrew privately and through Portugal got away to his Father at Sevil. Many Towns repenting their Disloyalty sought how to obtain the King's Pardon and clear themselves of the Excommunication they lay under and having obtain'd both presently submitted themselves Agreda and Trevin̄o were of this number Many Men of Note as D. John Nun̄ez de Lara D. John Alonso de Haro and Prince James joyn'd the Army of Philip King of France then marching to the Assistance of King Alonso and with him entred Castile plundering all the Country as far as Toledo without meeting any Opposition CHAP. V. The Death of Alonso King of Castile The beginning of the Reign of King Sancho the IVth The Defeat of the French Fleet on the Coast of Italy Albarazin taken by the King of Aragon KIng Philip of France had a Son of the same Name distinguish'd by the Title of the Fair who this same year others say the next Marry'd Joanna Queen of Navarre with whom he had that Kingdom This Prince now began to plead the Rights of his Predecessors and by that means sought to extend the Borders of his Kingdom which his Design was not a little forwarded by the Discord at that time in Castile Prince Sancho did as much as could be in such a Time of Confusion He quell'd the City Toro which was about Revolting and went out to meet D. John Nun̄ez de Lara who wasted the Territories of Calahorra Osma and Siguença and made him retire with more speed than he came After this it was agreed the Father and Son should have a Conference in order to which King Alonso came as far as Constantina and Prince Sancho to Guadalcanal Great hopes were conceiv'd of an amicable Accommodation yet by the perswasion of some of the Princes Familiars who hated his Father or rather because many hop'd to make their Advantage of the Publick Calamities They met not but the King return'd to Sevil and the Prince to Salamanca By Consent of both Parties Beatrix Queen Dowager of Portugal and the Prince his Wife Mary who was then deliver'd of a Daughter met at Toro and labour'd all that might be for an Accommodation but to no Effect for the Enmity daily increas'd and with it the Misery of the Kingdom This was the Posture of Affairs when King Alonso dy'd at Sevil some say on the 5th some the 21st Day of April without doubt it was in the Year 1284. In his Will sign'd the foregoing November he appoints D. Alonso first and then Ferdinand his grand-Children to succeed him and in Case they dye without Issue then Philip King of France to be next Heir as descended from the King 's of Castile being Grandson to Queen Blanch and Great Grandson to King Alonso who won the Battle of Navas He made no mention of his Sons and Brothers in hatred to Prince Sancho but hop'd to bring the Power of France upon him Yet at the Hour of Death at the suit of his Son Prince John he bequeath'd to him Sevil and Badajoz and to his Brother James the Kingdom of Murcia with the Title of Kings but so as to hold of the Crown of Castile He order'd his Heart should be bury'd on Mount Calvary and his Body in Sevil or Murcia but it was not perform'd for the Heart and Bowels are at Murcia and the Body at Sevil. He was a great and wise King had he made use of his Knowledge to his own Advantage and had he not blemish'd his good Qualities with Avarice and overmuch Severity It was he who first ordain'd that all Contracts and publick Instruments should be writ in Spanish and caus'd the Holy Bible to be Translated So that the Latin being no more us'd produc'd a profound Ignorance as well in the Clergy as Laiety King Alonso being Dead tho' his Son Sancho's Title was not good yet he succeeded him without any Opposition He was at that Time at Avila scarce recover'd of a Sickness in which he had been almost given over by the Physicians at Salamanca and strength of Youth help'd the Medicines to take Effect Here he took upon him the Title of King which he had forbore during his Father's Life The Title of the Brave he gain'd by his great Spirit and Actions till then more Successful than Honourable for glorious Titles are generally obtain'd by the favour of Fortune rather than by Merit He was doubtless Bold Subtle and Industrious in all his Undertakings His Reign lasted 11 Years and a few Days his Memory defac'd with
same success they had done before No'less Valour and Industry was us'd by the Castilians at Algezira but the place being strong and well Garrison'd they advanc'd but little Because the Siege seem'd tedious the Arch-Bishop of Sevil and D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara were sent with some Forces to attack Gibraltar Alonso Perez de Gusman so much spoken of was kill'd by the way in a Skirmish with the Moors to the great grief of all the Kingdom Gibraltar surrender'd to King Ferdinand who came thither to that purpose The Moors were permitted to go over into Africk and carry their Goods with them Winter and other hardships made the Souldiers before Algezira steal away from the Camp and many Men of Note went off as well as the meaner sort and among them Prince John and D. John Manuel and D. James Lopez de Haro dy'd before the Town and by his Death the Lorship of Biscay as had been agree'd fell to the Lady Mary Wife to Prince John In fine the Siege was rais'd the Moors delivering up the Towns of Quesada and Bedmar The Aragonians did the same at Almeria only upon having the captive Christians restor'd to them This was all the Fruit of that mighty Expedition CHAP. V. The King of Granada depos'd The King of Castile's Sister marry'd to the Duke of Britany The extirpation of the Knights Templers The Death of Ferdinand the IVth King of Castile DUring the late War the Blind King of Granada was depos'd by his Brother Azar kept sometime Prisoner at Almunecar thence carry'd back to Granada and there murder'd D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara had been sent Embassador into France and having dispatch'd the Business he went about return'd to the King then at Sevil. His Embassy was to the Pope to obtain of him a Grant of the Tenth of Ecclesiastical Revenues which was done and to advise him not to lay any blemish on the Memory of his Predecessor Pope Boniface at the instance of the King of France In Guipuscoa the Town of Azptitia was now Founded From Sevil the King went to Burgos to assist at the Marriage of his Sister Elizabeth that had been contracted to the King of Aragon and was now given to John Duke of Britany D. John Manuel was made Lord Steward of the Houshold Prince Peter from whom that Employment was taken shewing no discontent D. John was also General of the Frontiers in Murcia and Peter Lopez de Ayala executed that Command as his Lieutenant All this was done to oblige that Gentleman who was a Man of great Interest and so fortunate that Constance his Daughter by the first Wife was Queen of Portugal and Joanna whom he had by Blanch the Daughter of Ferdinand de la Corda Queen of Castile The King in his way to Burgos pass'd through Toledo at the time when D. Gençalo the Arch-Bishop dy'd D. Gutierre the IId then Archdeacon of that Church succeeded him Thence the King went to Burgos where the Marriage was solemniz'd with all Imaginable Grandeur There was no confidence to be repos'd in Prince John the King's Uncle and therefore there was a design of making away with him at Burgos whither he went to the Wedding D. John NunÌ„ez de Lara understanding the Design indeavour'd to disswade it and the Prince getting some intelligence stole away and many Men of Note without respect to the King follow'd him The Queen Mother made up all these Breaches and reconcil'd the Prince to the King her Son At Palencia a violent Sickness put the King's Life in danger but he remov'd to Valladolid and recover'd Blanch Queen of Aragon dy'd at Barcelona on the 14th of October She was a Lady endu'd with all Virtues and left a numerous Offspring viz. the Princes James Alonso John Peter and Raymund Berengarius Her Daughters were Mary Constance Elizabeth Blanch and Violante Blanch was Abbess of Xixena the others were marry'd to several Princes The Queens Body was bury'd with Pomp in the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Catalonia A General Councel was now assembl'd by Pope Clement at Vienne in Dauphine Among other Things intended to be brought before the Council was the Case of the Knights Templers who were accus'd of most hainous and unhear'd of Crimes And indeed such were the Articles said to have been preferr'd against them as by their Absurdity seem to prove the Innocency of those Gentlemen and to convince the whole Matter was an Imposture for it is beyond all belief that so many Men of Quality Parts and Honour throughout the whole World should be entangled in such Follies and Enormities To shew somewhat of the haniousness of the Crimes imputed to them we will set down the Heads of the Articles exhibited against them which were That when first they were admitted into the Order they recounc'd Christ the Blessed Virgin and all the Saints That they deny'd Salvation through Câ—â—st and his Divinity That they said he suffer'd on the Cross for his own Sins That they spit upon trampl'd and defil'd the Cross and Image of Christ and that particularly in the Holy Week when Christiens celebrate the Memory of his Passion That they deny'd the real Presence in the Eucharist and rejected that and the other Sacraments of the Church That the Priests of that Order did not pronounce the Words of Consecration in the Mass as reputing them meer Inventions of Men. That they held the Great Master and all who presided in any House or Convent of their Order tho no Priests had the Power of remitting Sins That a Cat us'd to come to their Assemblies which they reverenc'd as coming from Heaven That they had an Idol sometimes with three and sometimes with one Head and othertimes a dead Man's Skul and cover'd with the Skin of a Man of whom they acknowledg'd all Benefits receiv'd That they touch'd certain Cords to this Idol which they wore Superstitiously about them That they committed the Sin of Sodom and many other Things most horrid to relate The Reader may Judge whether these do not sound more like Imposture than true Crimes Villaneus S. Antonine and others vindicate the Knights tho the generality condemns them Their vast Riches were doubtless the cause of their Ruin thence proceeded the hatred of the People towards them and Princes laid hold of the Opportunity to seize upon their Estates and Treasure Sixty two Knights of the Order are said to have been examin'd before the Pope and owning their Crimes to have beg'd Pardon Their first Accusers were two of the Order to wit the Prior of Montfalcon in the Territory of Toulouze and Nofus an out-Law of Florence Witnesses scarce allowable in a Matter of such Moment Others came in to them and among the rest the Pope's Chamberlain who took that Habit at eleven Years of Age. The Heads of these Accusations were sent to the King of France then at Poitiers with the Pope By their order all the Knights throughout the Kingdom were apprehended on the 13th
Robert King of Naples his mortal Enemy who secur'd them at Aversa There they were till both dy'd with hard Usage Prince Ferdinand of Majorca was not kept to strictly and was soon after releas'd At Mecina he marry'd Elizabeth the Grandchild of Luis the last Prince of the Morea a Frenchman who dy'd not long before without leaving any Heir-male After the Departure of the French from the Levant those Catalonians that remain'd there destroy'd all wherever they went Gualter de Brena Duke of Athens being then at War entertain'd them and they soon mutiny'd kill'd him and plunder'd the City but reserv'd the Title of Duke for Frederick King of Sicily in hopes he would relieve them King Frederick accepted of the Title and sent Governours and Officers under whom the War was continu'd with various Success This Dukedom he left to his younger Son William and he to his Brother John then succeeded Frederick his Son who dying without Issue that Title fell to Frederick King of Sicily Great Grandson to him that first sent the Catalonians to Greece Hence the Kings of Aragon as Kings of Sicily stil'd themselves Dukes of Athens and Neopatria Luis Hutin King of France dying on the 5th of June 1315. Philip the Long his Brother succeeded him Joanna his Daughter being excluded by the Salique Law But she could not be excluded from the Crown of Navarre because her Grandmother not many Years before had inhenâ—â—'d that Crown Pope Clement dying at Avignon the See of Rome was Vacant two Years and four Months through the Divisions among the French and Italian Cardinals at last John the XXth was chosen on the 7th of August 1316. He made Zaragoça an Arch-Bishoprick to whose Jurisdiction he subjected Pamplona Calahorra Huesca and Tarraçona all which and Zaragoça it self were before Subordinate to Tarragona In Castile things were very much unsetled and yet they made War upon the Moors Azar not brooking his Fall contrary to Agreement assum'd the Title of King and being of himself too weak us'd the Assistance of the Christians It was not fit to let slip so good an Opportunity of extirpating the Moors Prince Peter was appointed General against them both because of his Age and because he had many Friends among the Infidels As also because his Uncle Prince John was then afflicted with the Death of his eldest Son D. Alonso who dy'd at Morales near Toro and was bury'd at Leon. About this Time Prince Ferdinand of Majorca dy'd in the Morea whither he went to recover his Wife's Dominions His Body was brought to Spain and bury'd at Perpignan He left a Son call'd D. Jayme Prince Peter in Andaluzia provided a great Convoy for Guadix which suffer'd want and the Enemy lying in the way he March'd with it himself Near Alaten a great Number of Moorish Horse commanded by Ozmin a brave Souldier met him After a sharp Ingagement the Moors were put to Flight 1500 of them kill'd and among them 40 of the Noblest of Granada Guadix was reliev'd and two Forts call'd Gambil and Algabardos taken This Success which ought to have gain'd him the Love of all Men rais'd Emulation and many sought his Ruin whom his Uncle Prince John incens'd It was propos'd the Governours should deliver up some Towns of their own for Security that they would Govern uprightly This Business was mov'd in the Cortes at Burgos first and then at Carrion where Prince Peter to his great Honour comply'd with all their Demands Mony was wanting and the People would not hear of Taxes therefore upon Suit made to him the Pope granted the Tenth of Ecclesiastical Revenues for the War and the Cruzade to all that serv'd upon their own Cost Besides the Country rais'd some Mony Thus our Army being increas'd wasted all the Country as far as the Walls of Granada the Moors refusing to hazard a Battle The Infidels designing to besiege Gibraltar it was provided with all Necessaries so they desisted and at the same time the Castle of Belmes was taken from them It was now the Year 1316 in which Rocaberti Arch-Bishop of Tarragona dying the Chapter elected Prince John the King of Aragon's 3d Son but the Pope could never be brought to confirm the Election Therefore they were forc'd to proceed to a new Choice which fell upon D. Ximeno de Luna Arch-Bishop of Zaragoça D. Peter de Luna succeeded him in that See and Prince John was made Abbot of Montaragon vacant by the Promotion of D. Peter to the Archbishoprick CHAP. VIII Institution of two new Orders of Knighthood in Aragon and Portugal Peter and John Princes of Castile kill'd by the Moors The Government of that Kingdom in Confusion A great Overthrow given the Navarrois by the Biscainers IN the Year 1317 the King of Aragon obtain'd leave of the Pope to institute a new Order of Knighthood out of the Ruins of the Templers That they should be of the Cistercian Order subject to that of Calatrava but to have a particular Master of their own Their Badge was a plain Red Cross on a White Cloak Their principal Seat Montesa whence they took their Name They did as good Service against the Moors who infested the Coasts of Valencia as any other Order Soon after in Portugal by Permission of the same Pope was instituted another Order call'd of Christ the chiefest in that Kingdom Their Badge a Red Cross with a white Twist in the middle To them also were given the Lands of the Templers their chief Seat is at Tomar The Portugueses had long enjoy'd Peace which was now disturb'd by Civil Discord Prince Alonso was displeas'd with his Father the true Cause was Ambition and the desire of â—â—igning before his Time but he pretended his Bastard Brother Alonzo Sanchez had too much Power and more Interest with the King than was reasonable Many forsook the King and follow'd the Prince who seiz'd upon the Cities of Coimbra and Porto The King endeavour'd to appease him by fair means and us'd all possible Methods to prevent a War Mean while in Aragon dy'd Queen Mary Sister to the King of Cyprus whence she came the Year before and was marry'd to the King of Aragon The Marriage was Celebrated at Girona and she was bury'd at Tortosa where she ended her Days in the Year 1318. The following Year 1319 was Remarkable for two extraordinary Accidents One the unfortunate Death of the two Princes John and Peter The other the voluntary Resignation made by D. Jayme Heir to the Crown of Aragon Prince John envy'd the Honour and Esteem his Competitor Prince Peter acquir'd and Prince Peter was a Man would take no wrong It was fear'd these Differences might break out into open Hostilities for Prince John under colour of the War with the Moors had rais'd great Forces in Old Castile The Queen made up these Breaches at Valladolid where the Cortes thaâ—â— sat and it was agreed both Princes should Command severally
John Manuel and the other Rebels enter'd into a League with him which was concluded by Peter Carillo who pass'd between them Their Hearts were so full of Venom that they had no respect to Loyalty or Christianity Elizabeth Queen of Portugal was still living and tho very aged spar'd no Labour that might conduce to the publick Good She prevail'd with the King of Castile to meet her at Badajoz but the interview prov'd fruitless As the King return'd from this City D. Alonso de la Cerda who had so long with undoubted Right strugl'd for the Crown met him unexpectedly at Burgillos and kiss'd his Hand in token of Submission The King was extreamly pleas'd and assign'd him Lands to live upon D. Alonso in France had marry'd a Lady of the Blood Royal call'd Madelfa by whom he had two Sons Luis and John Luis the eldest came with him into Spain John on account of his Kindred with the King of France was by him created Duke of Angoulesme and Constable of France which was the next Dignity to the King in Martial Affairs now in Spain it is but a bare Title The King came to Talavera in the Kingdom of Toledo Santollala was a Town half way betwixt Toledo and Talavera it belong'd to D. John Manuel and thence some wicked Men us'd to break out and commit Murders and Robberies These being apprehended by the King's Order were put to death Such another Example was made at Toledo whence the King went to Madrid Segovia and Valladolid Here the Lady Ellenor was brought to bed of a Son who was call'd Peter to whom the Lordship of Aguilar del Campo was given There being great scarcity of Mony a base sort of Coin was then stamp'd call'd Cornade which caus'd all Provisions to grow excessive dear and Trade to cease At Burgos Embassadors came to the King from that part of Biscay call'd Alava offering him the Lordship of that Country which till then was free and govern'd by its own Laws excuâ—â— Vitoria and TrevinÌ„o that were subject to Castile In the Plains of Arriaga where they us'd of old to hold their Assemblies they made their Submission to the King 〈◊〉 themselves up voluntarily to him and were allow'd the Charter of LogronÌ„o and all their ancient Priviledges which are in Force to this day so that they enjoy a sort of Liberty and are exâ—â—ipted from all Taxes Publick Instruments of these Acts are preserv'd under King Alonso's Hand dated at Vitoria on the second of April 1332. Here the King intistuted a new Order of Knighthood call'd of the Belt from one those Knights wore about Four Fingers broad of Colour Red or Crimson on the right Shoulder and falling under the left Arm. None were admitted to this Order but Men of noble Extraction who had serv'd 10 Years in the Court or Army The King himself was Master of the Order which was long held in great esteem but in time fell to nothing So that only the bare memory of it remains The King visited the Church of St. James the Apostle at Compostela was there Knighted and at Burgos both he and the Queen were Crown'd The Queen for modesty sake was not anointed besides that she was with Child Many Gentlemen arm'd Capape were Knighted and it was ordain'd that for the future all Persons should receive that Honour in that posture Two Things disturb'd the Publick Joy one was that Prince Peter of Portugal began to talk of putting away the Lady Blanch. The other that he was about Marrying Constance the Daughter of D. John Manuel The Lady Blanch was Sickly and Barren Fernan Rodriguez de Balboa Great Prior of S. John was the promoter of this Design advising the Queen to forward it in Revenge because her Husband was wholly devoted to other Women At this time the King had by the Queen his Son Ferdinand who if he had liv'd had been King and by his Mistress the Lady Ellenor he had D. Sancho to whom he gave the Town of Ledesma Both were born at the same time in Valladolid Abomelique the King of Morocco's Son as had been agree'd with him of Granada pass'd the Streights of Gibraltar and at Algezira took the Title of King of that Place and Ronda He brought out of Africk 7000 Horse At the beginning of the Year 1333 D. Ximeno de Luna Arch-Bishop of Toledo held a Synod at Alcalà de Henares Abomelique in February laid Siege to Gibraltar and storm'd it with all manner of Engines The King made some stay in old Castile an appease the Tumults there but sent before Godfrey Tenorlo the Admiral and the Masters or the Military Orders to relieve the besieg'd who were in great want for Vasco Perez the Governour through Covetousness was unprovided of all Necessaries The King of Granada made an incursson into the Territory of Cordova wasted the Country took Cabra ras'd the Castle and carry'd away all the Inhabitants into Slavery they having been betray'd to him by their Governour 〈◊〉 after suffering great Hardships was surrender'd upon condition the Garison and Townsmen might March away Vasco Perez the Governour fearing his King's displeasure went over into Africk The King having pacify'd the Mutineers march'd to Sovil but too late to relieve Gibraltar which he understood at Xeres was surrendred yet he resolv'd to attempt the Recovery of it before the Moors could Victual and Repair it D. Jayme de Exerica was here with a Body of Aragonians Near Gibraltar there happen'd several Skirmishes but neither side was for hazarding a Battle Provisions growing scarce among the Christians many deferted and were taken by the Moors who laid wait in the Passes The King of Granada joyn'd Abomelique who being thus reinforc'd and finding the Enemy much weaken'd drew out twice and offer'd Battle But the King intrench'd himself before the Town strongly drawing a Line quite round which ended upon the Sea Mean while D. John Manuel and D. John de Lara with their Followers having made a League with the King of Aragon did great Harm in Castile D. John de Haro Lord of Cameros had joyn'd them These Things oblig'd the King to desist from his Enterprise upon Gibraltar and conclude a Truce with the Moors for Four Years the King of Granada being still oblig'd to pay the usual Tribute CHAP. II. The Moors of Granada murder Mahomet their King Wars among all the Christian Kings of Spain Alonso King of Aragon dies Fresh Rebellions in Castile The Portugues Fleet-beaten by the 〈…〉 THE Kings of Castile and Granada after concluding the Truce dined together and strove to outdo one another in making Rich Presents which prov'd the ruin of the later The King of Castile went to Sevil Abomelique to Algezira and he of Granada to Malaga There the Sons of Ozmin hating the King for his entertaining Friendship with the Christians conspir'd with one Abmar of the antient Blood Royal of Granada and murder'd him on the 20th of August Reduan a
Sister Ellenor in the Complaints she had against him In the Cortes of Aragon held at Daroca Prince Peter the King of Aragon's Uncle and D. John Manuel were chosen Arbitrators to decide these Differences and they agreed that D. John de Exerica should be pardon'd and all that had been granted to the Queen and her Sons by the late King confirm'd to them It happen'd fortunately that D. Peter de Luna Arch-bishop of Zaragoça was then at Rome who might have obstructed this Agreement The King of Castile sign'd these Articles at Madrid and Queen Ellenor with her Children return'd to Aragon where they were receiv'd with great Pomp. The Arch-bishop of Reimes the Great Master of Rhodes and Arch-bishop of Braga Embassador from Portugal were dismiss'd because they demanded Constance the Daughter of D. John Manuel for the Prince of Portugal Vasco Rodriguez Cornade Master of the Knights of Santiago dying his Nephew Vasco Lopez was by the Knights chosen to succeed him at which the King was offended because he design'd that Honour for his son Frederick Many Objections were made against the new Master and his Election whereupon he fled to Portugal and was therefore depos'd and D. Alonso Melendez de Guzman Uncle by the Mother's Side to Frederick the King's Son chosen Master D. Ruy Perez Master of Alcantara was also depos'd and D. Gonçalo Martinez elected in his Place A mighty Army was gathering about Sevil for the War with the Moors The King of Castile us'd all Expedition because he understood Abomelique was come out of Africk with 5000 Horse and the time of the Truce was now expir'd All the Territory of Antequera Archidona and Ronda was wasted and a great Multitude of Moors who came out of the last and fell upon our Rear routed by D. John de Lara D. John Manuel and the Master of Santiago who Commanded there In the Pursuit many Moors who had fled to the Ridges of the Mountains cast themselves headlong for fear of the Christians This done the Army return'd to Sevil and was dispers'd into Garrisons to guard the Frontiers At this time came Gilaberto Admiral of Aragon with 12 Galleys to joyn the Fleet of Castile and guard the Mouth of the Streights There was great want of Mony In September the King went to the Cortes he had Summon'd to meet at Madrid leaving the Master of Santiago to Command as General and other Noblemen in other Posts Great store of Corn was lay'd up at Nebrixa near the Mouth of Guadalquivir which the Moors knowing the King was gone thought to make themselves Masters of Our Men tho' it was the dead of Winter drew out of their Garrisons Abomelique incamp'd near Xerez and sent 1500 Horse to Nebrixa The Town defended it self but all the Country was destroy'd Fernan Perez Portocarrero Alvar Perez de Gusman and D. Peter Ponce de Leon with a small Party march'd Day and Night and near Arcos overtook the 1500 Moors who mov'd slowly by reason of their great Booty They charg'd them so furiously that few escap'd being kill'd or taken and the whole Prey was recover'd Incourag'd with this Success they resolv'd to fall upon Abomelique and the main Army of the Moors Abomelique was marching towards Arcos in great Disorder without any advanc'd Parties The Christians at break of Day fell on with extraordinary Bravery 500 Moors made some Resistance upon passing a River but our Men being over the Infidels soon fled and were entirely Overthrown Abomelique in the Confusion flying afoot was kill'd in the Croud his Cousin Aliatar dy'd in the Battle and 10000 Moors were slain as the Report went The Christians having taken all the Enemie's Tents and Baggage return'd Joyful and with Honour after obtaining two Victories to their Quarters This year the Arch-bishop of Tarragona held a provincial Synod at Barcelona and the Body of Saint Eulalia was in solemn Procession translated to a more honourable Tomb. The King of Aragon went to Avignon to do Homage to the Pope for the Islands of Sardinia and Corsica CHAP. IV. A new Invasion of Spain by Alboacen King of Morocco with 470000 Moors he Besieges Tarifa and is there routed with the loss of 200000 Men by the Kings of Castile and Portugal Three Defeats of the Infidels at Sea THE Death of Abomelique was much lamented in Africk and stir'd up an earnest desire of Revenge Great Levies were made throughout all that Empire in order to invade Spain Thus 70000 Horse and 400000 Foot were rais'd the greatest Army ever yet enter'd Spain Besides the Moors fitted out 250 Ships and 70 Galleys Whilst the King of Castile was afflicted with the Thoughts of making Head against that Multitude another Misfortune increas'd his Trouble D. Gonzalo Martinez or Nunez Master of Calatrava was impeach'd of several hainous Crimes and being Summon'd to appear and answer for himself fled to the King of Granada Besides the Admiral of Aragon making a descent near Algezira was kill'd in a Skirmish with the Moors Nevertheless in the Spring the King went into Andaluzia and besieg'd the Master of Calatrava in Valencia a Town within the Bounds of the Antient Lusitania He was taken condemn'd as a Traytor Beheaded and Burnt for a Terror to others D. Nun̄o Chamizo a Man of known-worth was chosen in his Place Alboacen began to send over his Army into Spain and had Landed 3000 Horse who made an Incursion into the Territories of Xerez Arcos and Medina Sidonia As they return'd loaded with Booty and fearing no Danger the Garrison of Xerez fell upon them unexpectedly recover'd the Prey and kill'd 2000. Five Months being spent in passing over all the Moorish Army at last they Randezvouz'd near Algezira The People lay'd the blame upon Tenorio the Admiral of Castile and said he might have hinder'd their Passage which Reflection his Great Spirit disdaining to bear he adventur'd to Fight the Enemy's whole Fleet but was overthrown all his Squadron lost himself kill'd and only 5 Galleys escap'd to Tarifa The King much perplex'd about the dangerous Posture of Affairs in Spain assembled all the Prelates and Nobility at Sevil where he was making Preparations for the War lay'd before them the Condition of the Kingdom the greatness of the Danger and want of Mony and then withdrew that they might debate with more Liberty Some were positive for making Peace with the Moors at any rate being in no Condition to withstand them Others resolutely oppos'd that Opinion and would hear of nothing but carrying on the War since no Peace could be then Honourable or Secure This advice prevail'd and it was resolv'd to sollicite the Kings of Aragon and Portugal to joyn their Forces with Castile The Fleet was refitted at Sanlucar and the Command of it given to D. Alonso Artiz Calderon Great Prior of S. John The King of Aragon sent his Fleet commanded by Peter de Moncada 15 Galleys came from Genoa at the Charge of the King of Castile John
month dy'd D. Gonçalo Archbishop of Toledo D. Vasco or Blas then Bishop of Palâ—ncia succeeded him From Aguilar the King went to Cordova at such time as Dâ— Maria de Padilla was brought to Bed of â— Daughter call'd Beatrix Thence he return'd into the Kingdom of Toledo At Torrijos five Leagues from Toledo in a Turnament made for Joy of his Success and Birth of his Daughter the King receiv'd a Wound in his Hand which had like to have cost him his Life foâ— that the Surgeons could find no means to stop the Blood To this Town came D. Alonso â—â— Albuquerque who had been on an Embassy in Portugâ—â— and brought with him D. John de la 〈◊〉 whom the King receiv'd into Favour with demonstrations of Affection but could never â—â— prevail'd upon to restore him his Father in Laws Lands for he now began to be positive About this time the Lady Blanch of Borbon came to Valladolid accompany'd by the Viscount of Narbonnâ— and D. Frederick the Master of Santiago who went out to meet her D. Alonso de Albuquerque was for having the Marriage solemniz'd immediately He then was so absolute that at times he spoke disrespectful Words to the King and hastned his Marriage lest Da. Maria de Padilla's Relations should work him out of Favour and so it fell out Yet the Marriagew as solemniz'd on the 3d. of June At the same time in France another more fortunate Marriage was consummated betwixt Charles King of Navarre and the Lady Joanna eldest Daughter to the King of France A Match I say more happy for the 〈◊〉 they always had to one another and their Issue They had three Sons â—â—arles 〈◊〉 and Peter the second dyed young and three Daughters Mary Blaâ—ch and Joâ—â—n◠〈◊〉 liv'd 〈…〉 Years the other two were Match'd to great Princes Before he was Marry'd King Charlâ—s had a Bastard-Son called Leo of whom are descended the Marqueses of Cortes in Navarre The Marqueses of Falces in that Kingdom say they are descended from Peter the Kings lawful Son Scarce was King Peter married when he began to slight the Bride being wholly devoted to Da. Maria de Padilla Two Days after he prepar'd to go to the Castle of Montalvan on the Banks of Tagus where he had left his Minion The Queen his Mother and his Aunt Queen Ellenor conjur'd him not to forsake his Queen and give himself up to his Lust but he nothing mov'd said He did not design any such thing yet immediately took Horse and rode away without speaking to any body Count Henry D. Tello and the Princes of Aragon went with him for now the Nobility study'd to please and flatter him Only D. Giles de Albornos the Cardinal who had been Arch-Bishop of Toledo ceas'd not to reprove him till he became hateful to him Then with leave he retir'd to Cuença and thence went into France to Pope Innocent who had succeeded Pope Clement the last Year The King and Lady Mary Padilla from Montalvan went to Toledo At Valladolid it was consulted how to bring him back by force which he understanding was so offended at D. Alonso de Albuquerque the first mover of that Design that he was forc'd to appease him to deliver up his Son Giles as an Hostage At length through much intreaty of the Nobility he was perswaded to return to Valladolid to see the Queen but stay'd with her only two Days It was given out he was bewithc'd by a Jew with a Ribben so charm'd that it appear'd to the King like a Snake Some believ'd the King did not so suddenly quit his â—â—een without cause but because he discover'd Treachery in his Brother Frederick which I suppose is ment in regard to her Honour But all these are Surmises for there needs no stronger Witchcraft nor other Offence to draw a Man away than Love From Valladolid the King went away to Olmedo a Town in that Neighbourhood Thither by his Order came the Lady Mary de Padilla from Toledo and he never more had Compassion or so much as thought of the Queen his unfortunate Wife CHAP. IX King Peter of Castile removes his Officers punishes some Rebels and reduces several Towns The War of Sardinia where Diseases raging in the Aragonian Army that King clapâ— up a dishonourable Peace and returns to Aragon D. Alonso de Albuquerque being in disgrace spent some time upon his own Estate and then fearing the King would pursue him fled to Portugal D. Frederick Master of Santiâ—go had been discontented ever since the King caus'd his Mother to be put to death but being now reconcil'd came to Cuellar where the Court resided D. Tello his Brother at Segovia Marry'd Joanna Daughter to D. John de Lara and had with her the Lordship of Biscay The Kindred of Da. Maria de Padilla promoted this Match to oblige the King's Brothers who were Enemies to D. Alonso de Albuquerque Queen Blanch resided at Medina del Campo with the Queen her Mother-in-Law living like a Widow and spending her time in modest Recreations Thence she was by the King's Order remov'd to Arevalo and forbid conversing with her Mother-in-Law or any of the Nobility Peter Gudiel Bishop of Segovia and Tello Palomeque a Gentleman of Toledo were appointed to guard her The King chang'd the Officers of his Houshold and made James Garâ—â—a â—â— Padilla Brother to his Mistress Lord Chamberlain Alvaro â—â— Albornâ—z Cup-bearer and Peter Gonzalez Mendoça Taster These changes were made in hatred to D. Alonso de Albuquerque who had before many of his Creatures at Court. In Autumn the King went to Andaluzia and displac'd many great Men preferr'd by Alonso de Albuquerque The King was wholly govern'd by Dâ— Maria de Padilla and her Kindred and 〈…〉 Nobility even his Brothers made their Court to her This Winter the great Rains caus'd mighty Floods especially at Sevil where they made up all the Gates of the City lest it should break in At the beginning of the year 1354. D. John NunÌ„ez de Prado Master of Calâ—â—râ—â—a who had fled to Aragon came to Almagro the chief Town of that Order being invited by the King 's kind Letters There D. John de la Cerda who was in Favour made him Prisoâ—â— His greatest Crime was being a Friend to D. Alonso de Albuquerque and having perswaded the King to return to the Queen D. James de Padilla was immediately chosen Master and John Nunez put to Death at Maqueda The King seem'd sorâ—y for hiâ—â—â—ath but no body being question'd it was concluded to be done by his Comâ—â—â—d Nâ—â—â—â—he King invaded the Inheritance of D. Alonso de Albuquerque in which were manâ—â—â—rong â—â—aces Medeâ—â—â—n was besieg'd and the Governour not able to defend it surrender'd having first obtain'd his Master's Consent The Town of Albuquerque tho' besieg'd held out and D. Frederick and Count Henry were left at Badajoz to Blockade it The King went to Câ—cerâ—s and thence sent Embassadors to Alonso King of
equipp'd to the Assistance of the King of Tremecen his Ally They met 5 Galleys of Castile which took and carry'd them to Sevil there many of them with their Commander Mathew Merzero were put to Death by the King's Order Samuel Levi a Jew was the King's Treasurer and had the diposal of all the Revenue whereby he gather'd great Riches which now prov'd his Ruin He was accus'd of many Frauds and being put to the Wrack dy'd upon it The King seiz'd upon his Estate valu'd at 400000 Ducats others say more besides Moveables and Jewels At the end of this Year Mahomet Lagus was expell'd his Kingdom by his own Subjects Mahomet Aben Alhamar was set up in his Place and from the Colour of his Hair and Beard call'd the Red. They said the Crowa appertain'd to him as being descended of the Antient Kings of Granada Hence ensu'd new Wars for the King of Castile was a Friend to him that was depos'd who fled to Ronda a Town belonging to the King of Morocco The King of Castile resolv'd to stand by his old Friend On the other side the new King to strengthen himself sought the Friendship of the Aragonian which and calling King Abohanen out of Africk cost him his Life At the end of this Year the Lady Constance Daughter to the King of Aragon was sent into Sicily to be marry'd to King Frederick Olfo Prochita Governour of the Island Sardinia commanded the Fleet that carry'd her The Marriage was celebrated on the 11th of April 1361 at Catanea From that time the Affairs of the Island began to be more Successful the Neopolitans being vanquish'd and expell'd the Kingdom Of this Queen was born the Lady Mary who was afterwards Queen of Aragon and had in Dower the Kingdom of Sicily At length by the Industry of the Cardinal Legate Peace was concluded in Castile yet so that none thought it would be lasting The Articles were That all Places taken on both Sides should be restor'd and that the Out-laws of Castile should be expell'd Aragon provided the King pardon'd them On the 18th of May the Peace was Proclaim'd at Deza where the King of Castile was then encamp'd This Peace was forwarded by the fear of the War the King of Granada then made upon Castile For the greater security it was agreed that cautionary Towns on both sides should be put into the Hands of King Charles of Navarre who was then coming out of France into Spain very Joyful for that his Queen had brought him a Son call'd Charles Mean while his Brother Prince Luis Govern'd the Kingdom Peace concluded the King of Aragon went away to Zaragoça and he of Castile to Sevil Count Henry and his Brothers into France hoping to renew the War Many Nobles of Castile were ready to take up Arms upon pretence of protecting Queen Blanch which heightned the King's hatred towards her It was said he caus'd her to be Poison'd in the Prison where he kept her She was doubtless the most unfortunate Queen of Spain There is a report that the King being a Hunting near Medina Sidonia there met him a Shepherd of a terrible Aspect threatning him if he had not Compassion of Queen Blanch and that the King sending presently to see whether it was not some body employ'd by her she was found at Prayers and closely Guarded The Shepherd being releas'd out of Prison was never after seen Doubtless were this a Vision he had never been put into Prison The Lady Elizabeth de Lara Daughter to D. John de Lara was also Poison'd in Prison at Xerez An Historian who stiles himself head Caterer to Queen Ellenor of Castile in certain Commentaries he writ upon what happen'd in his Time says Queen Blanch dy'd at Vren̄a near the City Toro in old Castile This uncertainty as to the Place of her Death makes it appear the manner of it is not so certain tho the Malice of Authors who all humour'd the Success of Henry the Bastard caus'd all Crimes to be laid to his Predecessor Peter because he was Unfortunate The publick Grief for so many Calamities was somewhat asswag'd by the Death of Da. Maria de Padilla who ended her Days at Sevil in July A Woman laying aside her Incontinency in all other Respects worthy to be a Queen Her Funeral-Rites were perform'd throughout the Kingdom with the same Magnificence as if she had been Queen She was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Mary de Estudilla which she built in old Castile The Body of Queen Blanch was deposited in the Cathedral of Tudela by some French Gentlemen who came to the Assistance of Count Henry in order to carry it into France In the Monastery of Dominican Nuns at Toledo there are 3 Tombs one of the Lady Teresa by whom King Peter had a Daughter called Mary who was many Years Prioress in that Monastery and lies in the 2d Tomb. In the 3d are D. Sancho and D. James Sons of King Peter by the Lady Elizabeth At this time the King of Portugal solemnly declar'd in Lisbon that the Children he had by the Lady Agnez de Castro were born in lawful Wedlock and as such capable of inheriting the Crown and as Witnesses of his Marriage he produc'd Giles Bishop of Guardia and Stephen Lovata his Master of the Robes The King and Witnesses made Oath of the Truth of their Assertion in the Presence of all the Nobility and of John Alonso Tello the year before created Earl of Barcelos and was the first that obtain'd that Honour in Portugal Mean while the War of Granada was carry'd on with great Heat The Forces of Castile ravag'd the Territories of the Moors and laid Siege to Antequera formerly call'd Syngilia a strong and well Garrison'd Town whence they were Repuls'd Having wasted the Plain of Granada they return'd Home without performing any memorable Action Soon after 600 Moorish Horse and 2000 Foot broke into the Lieutenancy of Caçorla and took a great Booty of Cattle The Gentry of Jaen and the Neighbouring Places assembling recovered the Prey killing many of the Enemy and putting the rest to Flight A more dangerous War was expected from France which the Cardinal Legate endeavour'd to prevent and to that effect spent the Summer at Pamplona He labour'd to perswade King Peter to pardon the Out-laws of Castile and reverse their Attainder of Treason The King would not hear of it therefore the Cardinal at the Solicitation of the King of Aragon took upon him to declare their Attainder Void This provok'd the King of Castile who resolv'd to take Revenge as soon as he had put an end to the War with the Moors On the 18th of February 1362 the Moors obtain'd a notable Victory over the Christians near Guadix D. James Garcia de Padillu Master of Calatrava and Henry Enriquez Lieutenant of the Frontiers of Jaen with other Gentlemen entred the Moorish Territories with 1000 Horse and 2000 Foot designing to
that Place for Bertran Claquin and took the King as he was Hunting From Burgos Henry set out with a great Number of Foot and 4500 Horse compos'd of all the Gentry of Castile with the French and Aragonians that came to his Assistance At the Wood of BanÌ„ares he held a Council of War The French Embassadors and Bertran Claquin were against Fighting and gave several Reasons for this their Opinion Others more hot would not hear of Delays The worst Advice was taken and the Army march'd towards Alava to oppose some Parties of Horse that spoil'd that Country Near Saldrian they encamp'd in Sight of the Enemy upon an Advantagious Ground the Rear cloas'd up with Mountains The English perceiving that Advantage march'd away towards LogronÌ„o which was for King Peter resolving to draw the Enemy to a Battle or else to pierce into the Heart of the Kingdom Henry understanding their Design mov'd backwards towards Najara made famous by the Battle fought there Some Letters pass'd betwixt the Princes but the Difference being a Crown it was impossible to reconcile them and therefore they order'd their Battles On the right Henry plac'd the French and his Brother Sancho with most of the Nobility of Castile on the left his Brother D. Tello and the Earl of Denia He and his Son D. Alonso commanded the main Body On the Enemies side who consisted of about 10000 Horse and as many Foot the Duke of Lancaster led the Van with Hugo Carbolaye who was gone over to the English the Count de Armagnac and Monsieur de la Brie commanded in the Body the Rear was brought up by King Peter the Prince of Wales and Jayme Son to the King of Majorca who after he escap'd out of Prison had marry'd Joanna Queen of Naples Charles King of Navarre sent 300 Horse under Martin Enrique to serve King Peter Henry had pass'd a River that ran between the two Armies and drawn up his beyond it Here both Armies met with great Fury The Right of Henry's Army where Claquin commanded stood firm and seem'd to have the better but D. Tello on the Left fled without so much as giving a Charge Thus Bertran and D. Sancho being encompass'd on all Sides were easily Overthrown with a great Slaughter of the Nobility and Commanders Henry did all that could be expected to stop and rally his Man but seeing all lost fled to Najara and thence into Aragon with a few Men of Note that follow'd him He made no stay fearing that King but went quite through into France His Army was so dispersed that no one Body was to be found in any Place After the Fight King Peter put to Death some of the Prisoners others were protected by the English and the Prince of Wales is say'd to have blam'd him for that Severity Peter Lopez de Ayala who writ the History of King Peter was one of the Prisoners and therefore deserves little Credit having writ Maliciously as being Attainted of Treason at Alfaro This Battle was fought upon a Saturday being the 3d of April 1367. D. Tello carry'd the News of the defeat to Burgos and the Lady Joanna Wife to Henry with the Archbishops of Toledo and Zaragoça fearing King Peter fled to Aragon where they were not well receiv'd for that King was resolv'd to side with the Conqueror To that purpose Hugo Carbolaye was already in Aragon and because it requir'd more time to settle a Peace a Truce was for the present concluded King Peter with all his Army march'd to Burgos where he apprehended the Arch-bishop of Braga for sâ—ding with his Enemy and put him into a Dungeon The King was perplex'd about performing what he had Covenanted It was hard to deliver up Biscay to the Prince of Wales because that People would never condescend to be Subject to a Stranger and it was no less difficult to raise so great a Sum of Mony as was due to the English In order to raise the Mony he went to Toledo and thence to Cordova where he caus'd 16 Men of Note to be Executed for admitting his Enemy Others were executed at Sevil. Among them Da. Vrraca de Osorio was Burnt and a Maid of hers is said to have cast her self voluntarily into the Fire The King of Navarre after the Fight came from Borgia where he had been Prisoner to Tudela and kept Mossen Oliver Prisoner till he deliver'd him his Son Prince Peter left as a Hostage for Performance of what was agreed betwixt them This same Year on the 24th of August dy'd the Cardinal D. Giles de Albornoz a Man of great Parts and much in Favour with 3 Popes He recover'd the Patrimony of the Church from those that had usurp'd it and by that means made way for the Popes to return to Rome His Body was deposited at Assis and thence translated to the Cathedral of Toledo The Pope granting Indulgence to such as should carry him upon their Shoulders People came flocking out of the Towns that lay in the way and in that manner he was carry'd to Toledo CHAP. VII King Peter Excommunicated and Absolv'd Count Henry returns into Spain is again receiv'd by many Places Toledo opposes him and is Besieg'd King Peter comes to its Relief is overthrown betray'd to and Murder'd by Henry the Bastard THE Author we have above spoken of who calls himself Q. Ellenor's Caterer make smention of the Master of S. Bernard taken in the Battle of Najara and put to Death by King Peter No other Historian mentions it nor have we any the least Memory remaining of such a Dignity This Master must needs have been a Churchman for on his Account King Peter was Excommunicated Pope Vrban the Vth because the King had killed that Master and bannish'd the Bishops of Culahorra and Lugo sent an Archdeacon to notify the Sentence of Excommunication to him This Archdeacon fearing to trust to the Mercy of King Peter came up the River to Sevil in a swift Galliot and waited there till the King coming that way he asked if he would hear some News from the Levant The King drawing near to hearken to him he pronounc'd the Sentence of Excommunication and immediately fled down the River The King in a Rage spurred his Horse into the River and went so far he had been drown'd had not a Boat brought him off He vow'd to be revenged of the Pope and immediately gave orders for fitting out a great Fleet and raising a powerful Army The Pope dreading the Anger of King Peter sent the Cardinal of S. Peter his Nephew to appease and absolve him They were reconcil'd by the Legate upon these Conditions That the Dignity of Master of S. Bernard being extinct all the Towns belonging to it should as before be call'd Behetrias and be annex'd to the Crown so as never to be alienated That the 3d part of Ecclesiastical Revenues then pay'd to the Pope should be given to the King towards the Charges of the War with the
of great Beauty which made him prefer her before Joanna Queen of Naples who was offer'd to him By this Lady he had two Sons who dy'd young and a Daughter call'd Elizabeth afterwards marry'd to the Earl of Vrgel CHAP. II. King John succeeds his Father in the Throne of Castile Charles King of France dies Charles the VIth succeeds him Pope Clement own'd in Spain through the French Interest KING John having bury'd his Father was Crown'd together with his Wife Queen Ellener in the Monastery of Huelgas at Burgos He Knighted 100 young Gentlemen according to the manner of those Times and gave the Town of Pancorvo to that City in Payment of the Expence it had been at and to reward its Loyalty The Cortes or Parliament was held in that City where several Laws were enacted One was that a Man who had receiv'd the lesser Orders if he marry'd should pay Taxes but if he liv'd Single was shorn and were the Habit of a Clergy Man he should be priviledg'd as a Church Man Great rejoycing was throughout the whole Kingdom for the King's Coronation The Joy was the greater for that it was hop'd he would prove an excellent Prince being Generous sharp Witted Mild Religious and not Conceited but always inclinable to be advis'd Of Stature he was low yet with Majesty The first thing he did after his Accession to the Crown was to express his Affection to the French and therefore immediately fitted out a Fleet and sent it against John de Montfort Duke of Britany whom because he sided with the English the King and Counsel of France had declar'd an Enemy to the Crown and confiscated his Estate The Fleet scower'd the Coast of Britany and took there the Fort they call'd Gaye The King spent the Summer at Burgos Two things concurred the one to increase the other to lessen the publick Joy The first was that one Joseph Pico a rich and famous Jew was kill'd by his own People He was Receiver General of the Revenue which rais'd him to a great height Some Jews of Note bore him ill will the reason of it is not known and they contriv'd to make him away To this purpose they deceitfully obtain'd an Order of the King for putting of him immediatly to Death and finding out the Executioner prevail'd with him to kill the Jew without delay The Fraud being discover'd the Contrivers of it were punish'd and that People were debarr'd the Power they had before of Judging their own Members a Liberty till then allow'd by the Kings forc'd by their wants because the Jews have extraordinary Methods of raising Mony The Subject of Joy was that on the 4th of October the Queen was deliver'd at Burgos of a Son call'd Henry in Honour of his Grandfather this Child came afterwards to inherit the Crown About the end of this Year and beginning of the next which was 1380 the Rains were so great and continu'd so long that all the Rivers overflow'd and all the low Lands were under Water Particularly the River Ebro near Zaragoća broke down it's Banks and ran a new way so that it cost much Mony and Labour to bring it back into it's own Channel From Burgos King John went to Toledo where he again repeated his Father's Exequies and plac'd his Body in the Tomb built for him Then he set out for Andaluzia resolving to aid the French against the English At Sevil he fitted out 20 Galleys with which Fernan Sanchez de Tovar having coasted along Spain and France came to the English Shore and ran up the River Thames destroying all the Country and burning the Villages The Difference about the two Popes was now hotter than ever and each of them had powerful Supporters Pope Vrban meditated Revenge against the Queen of Naples the chief causer of the Schism whom her wicked Life had rendred Infamous He invited Charles Duke of Durazzo descended of the Kings of Naples into Italy intimating he would conferr that Crown upon him On the other sid'e the Queen having no Children adopted Luys Duke of Anjou giving him the Title of Duke of Calabria appertaining to the Heirs of that Crown not doubting by that means to be supported by the Arms of France This is all the Title the Dukes of Anjou have to that Crown which was the occasion of tedious and bloody Wars betwixt them and Spain tho at this time the Design was only to support the Queen and Pope Clement On the 13th of July dy'd the Famous Bertran Claquin at the Siege of Chasteauneuf in Britany and on the 16th of September following Charles King of France departed this Life at Bois de Vincennes His Son Charles the VIth succeeded him The King of Portugal was concern'd about the Succession be being old and having never a Son Beatrix his Daughter by the Queen whose Birth was afterwards call'd in Question was contracted to Frederick Duke of Benavente and Bastard Son to King Henry After the Death of Henry the Portuguese would not stand to that Match but sent Embassadors to the new King to offer her to his Son Prince Henry then a Child but a few Months old King John hoping to joyn the Kingdom of Portugal to Castile admitted of the Proposal The Articles of Marriage were agreed upon at Soria where the Cortes met but at last they came to nothing Peter Manrique Leiutenant of Castile was apprehended being accus'd of holding a treasonable Correspondence with D. Alonso de Aragon Earl of Denia He dy'd in Prison without leaving any Children James Manrique his Brother inherited his Estate and Honours as he well deserv'd for his good Service in Navarre Luis Duke of Anjou govern'd France for King Charles who was under Age. The King of Aragon fear'd lest he should lay hold of that Opportunity to conquer the Kingdom of Majorca to which he pretended a right as has been said but he had bent his Thought upon securing the Crown of Naples to himself and his Heirs However King John of Castile sent Embassadors into France to accommodate that Affair and it was agree'd he should sell the Title he had bought King John advanc'd a good Summ out of kindness to his Father-in Law and to secure the Peace of Spain He also sent Embassadors to the Soldan of Egypt to sollicite for the Liberty of Leo King of Armenia whose Wife and Daughter had dy'd in Prison The barbarous King granted his Request and releas'd the Prisoner sending him into Spain with Letters full of Pride and Arogancy in relation to himself but honourably writ in regard to King John whose Power and Valour he extoll'd desiring his Friendship Three Years after that unfortunate King came into France and thence into Spain where the King entertain'd him honourably and gave him the Towns of Madrid and Andujan with a competent Revenue for his Maintenance He stay'd not long in Spain but return'd into France designing thence to go into England to perswade those Kings to
future Calamities These fears vanish'd the Earl of Faux raising the Siege of Barbastro and marching away through Navarre in such hast it rather look'd like a Flight than a Retreat The cause was that the People had carry'd all Provisions into strong holds and the Earl of Vrgel sticking upon his Skirts he was forc'd to leave part of his Baggage in several Places This was about the beginning of the Year 1396 at which time Martin the new King having receiv'd these good News and subdu'd the Rebels in Sicily resolv'd to return into Spain By the way he touch'd in Sardinia and pacify'd that Island and thence went up the River Rosne in Provence to the City Avignâ—n to see Pope Benedict The Pope gave him a Rose of Gold and the Investiture of Sardinia and Corsica with the Title of King but to hold them of the 〈◊〉 Thence he came to Barcelona and was receiv'd in Triumph In a great Assembly o◠〈◊〉 Nobility he took possession of the Crown and declar'd the Earl of Faux and his Wiâ—e Traytors for having assum'd the regal Title and invaded the Kingdom The Eastern Empire through intestine Divisâ—ons and the perpetual felicity of the Ottomâ—ns was now tending to Ruin That Party of the Greeks which was weakest call'd over Amurat Emperor of the Turks to their Assistance and he passing the Hellespont seiz'd Gâ—llipoli Adrianople and many other Places Sigâ—smund King of Hungâ—ry dreading so dangerous a Neighbour begg'd Succour of Charles the 6th King of France who sent him a good body of Horse under the Command of John Son to the Duke of Burâ—â—â—dy These Forces being come into Hungary it was resolv'd to give the Enemy Battle The French naturally eager advancing too far before the Hungarians were most of them kill'd and the Duke of Burgundy's Son taken whom his Father Ransom'd for a great Sum of Mony Thus the whole Army was overthrown and King Sigismund escap'd by Flight At Granadâ— King Joseph dy'd as was suspected poison'd by the King of 〈◊〉 who sent him a rich Coat which as soon as he put on he fell into violent Torture and expir'd 30 Days after his Flesh fâ—lling off by Piecemeal A wonderful thing if true After his Death Mahomet his 2d Son surnam'd Balva usurp'd the Crown excluding Joseph the elder He had secur'd the Affections of the People and only fear'd lest the King of Castile should take 〈◊〉 part of his Brother To prevent which he went away to Toledo to gain the good Will or the King and his Courtiers with rich Presents His Designs succeeded well for he renew'd the Truce made with his Father At this time the 〈◊〉 sâ—â—ting at Toledo an Edict was publish'd excluding all Strangers excepting a few particular Persons and the whole Portugues Nation whom they thought by this means to oblige from enjoying Ecclesiastical Benefices It was also ordain'd that none should keep a Saddle-Mule who had not a good Horse to encourage the breed of Horses On the 5th of October at Sevil dy'd John de Guzman Earl of Niebla his Son Henry succeeded him and was Father of John de Guzman who was afterwards created the first Duke of that noble Family The Portugueses to make their Advantage of the King's want of Health resolv'd to take up Arms and gave out to Colour this Breach that it was be 〈◊〉 some of the Nobility of Castile had not sign'd the late Treaty Their Army at first onset took Badajoz a City on the Frontiers From this beginning the War was afterwards continu'd the term of three Years The King of Castile having assembl'd his Forces gave the Command of them to Ruy Lopez Davalos not long before made Constable of Castile James Hurtado de Mendoça the Admiral was sent to look to the Mariâ—ime Affairs On May 1397 5 Galleys of Castile met 7 of Portugal coming from Genâ—a laden with Arms and Ammunition These they assail'd so desperately that four were taken one sunk the other two fled It was a great piece of Cruelty that after Quarters given in cold Blood they threw 400 Men into the Sea The Admiral coasting along Portugâ—â— burnt several Towns and plunder'd the Country without Opposition Many Portugueses of Note came over to the King of Castile and serv'd him well The chiefest of them were Martin Giles and Lope de Aâ—una three Brothers also John and Lope Pacheco Brothers All these Gentlemen had good Estates given them by the Kings of Castile for their good Services and were the Founders of several Noble Families In Galâ—cia the Portâ—â—ueses took the City Tuy In Estrâ—â—adura they lay'd Siege to Alâ—â—â—tara but the Constable of Castile coming down in time not only rais'd the Siege but entring Portugal ravag'd the Country and took several Places of small Note The Master of Alcantara the Admiral and chief Justice of Castile besiâ—g'd Miranda de Duero and the Constable coming to joyn them the Besieg'd were forc'd to surrender Thus the Damage being equal on both sides it was hop'd a Peace might ensue betwixt the two Nations CHAP. IV. Two Francisâ—ans 〈◊〉 to the Moors of Granada suffer Martyrdom The Truce with Portugal 〈◊〉 Two great Plagues in Spain and France The Year of Jubilee 1400. AT the beginning of this War two Franciscan Fryars whose Names are not known zealoâ—s for the â—ropagation of the Faith adventur'd to preach publickly to the Moors in Granada and many People flock'd to heaâ— them Being warn'd to desist and they still going oâ— the 〈◊〉 by the King's Order apprehended and beheaded them and they are reverenc'd as Martyrs 〈◊〉 Benedict as has been said before was forsaken by all his Cardinals at Avignon the Kiâ—â— of France press'd and only those of Spain own'd him A great assembly of Prelâ—â—es and other learned Men was held betwixt the French and Spaniards about him but nothing was resolv'd upon only they agreed both Popes should recal the Ecclesiastical â—ensures they had thunder'd one against the other and appoint a Place of meeting to compose those Differences In Pamplâ—na great â—â—rt of the Cathedral had fallen seven Years before and neither the â—roâ—â—ts of the Church 〈◊〉 private Contributions were sufficient to repair it therefore the King assign'd the 40th part of his Revenue for 12 Years to carry on that Work This King desiring to recover the County of Eureux and his Possessions in Normandy had sent an Embassy to that effect into France but that not succeeding went thither himself to as little 〈◊〉 the King of France not being recover'd of his â—â—disposition Thus without doing any thing he return'd home in September 1398 Being come home he caus'd his Son Charles but a Year old to be sworn to as Heir of the Crown The Joy of this solemnity was â—â—ort for the Prince dy'd soon after The Portugueses humbled by their late Disappointments sent Embassadors to treat of Peace King Henry answer'd he neither began the War nor would obstruct the Peace provided
descent was from King Alonso IVth who was his great Grandfather his Son Jayms being Father to Peter and Grandfather to the present Earl Besides he had to Wife King Martin's Sisters the Daughter of King Peter by Queen Sibila D. Alonso de Aragon Marques de Villena the Earl of Deniâ— had also a Title to the Crown but it was farther remov'd yet at the perswasion of his Friends tho very Old he set up his Title among the rest as being lineally descended from Jayme the IId King of Aragon The King of Aragon gave Audience to the French Bishop harkened to his Demands and the Reasons on which he grounded his Claim After that was over retiring to his Apartment those that were about him continu'd the Discourse and at length came to argue the Case in Form before the King William de Moncada pleaded for the Duke of Anjou whose doubtless the Right was as may appear by his Descent set down before Bernard de Centellas argu'd for the Earl of Orâ—el and Bernard Villalice for the Marques de Villena who was the remotest When they had all done the King have his Opinion which agreed with none of theirs for he positively affirm'd Prince Ferdinand of Castile had the best Title as being his Nephew the Son of his own Sister Ellenor In reality he was himself but an Usurper the Duke of Anjon having a better Right than he but he resolv'd to cut him off and continue the Crown in his own Family This Discourse of the King 's being made publick first at Barcelona where it was spoken and afterwards through all Christendom much advanc'd Prince Ferdinand his Pretension and avail'd him to be preferr'd before his Competitors This was the common Discourse of the Town and even in the King's Presence â—â— which he seem'd to be pleas'd yet in his Heart he was more inclined to his Grandson 〈◊〉 Bastard Son to the late King of Sicily whom he had already created Earl of Luna and in order to make him capable of inheriting the Crown treated with Pope Benedict about his Legitimation If this succeeded not he preferr'd his Nephew Prince Ferdinand before all others his Valour and Virtue and his despising the Crown of Castile having render'd him worthy of another Kingdom Nevertheless upon the pressing Instances of the Earl of Vrgel the King constituted him Vicar and Governour of the Kingdom an Honour usually given to the Heir of the Crown and might have been very prejudicial to the other pretenders had he not underhand given orders to the Vrreas and Herias two powerful Families in Zaragoca not to admit him into that City or suffer him to exercise that Office notwithstanding his Letters Patents This doublâ— dealing highly offended the Earl of Vrgel and was the Cause of great Troubles CHAP. X. The Moors having done maâ—â—h harm in the Christian Territories Prince Ferdinand marches against them defeats them and takes Antequera and other Places Martin King of Aragon dies A Love-Adventure THE Truce with the Moors was now expir'd and their Boldness provok'd and oblig'd the Christians to renew the War for they 〈◊〉 the Town of Zahara ravag'd all the Country and drove the Cattle To put a stop to their Fury and revenge the Wrongs receiv'd Prince Ferdinand having made the necessary Provision of Men Mony Ammunition and Victuals in the Month of February of the Year 1410 march'd with his Army towards Cordova at such time as the Infidels being disappointed of taking the Castle of Zahara abandon'd the Town and our Forces speedily repair'd the Walls and put the Place into a Posture of Defence Prince Ferdinand's Army consisted of 10000 Foot and 3500 Horse the very Flower of the Castillian Forces all brave and resolute Souldiers With him were Sancho de Rojas Bishop of Palencia Alvaro de Guzman John de Mendoça John de Velasco D. Ruy Lopez Davalas and other Towns and Men of Quality With these Forces the Prince sat down before the City Antquera on the 〈…〉 till he had made himself Master of that 〈…〉 sent 5000 Horse and 80000 Foot 〈…〉 They march'd up to the City and 〈…〉 they rang'd their Battles and engag'd The 〈…〉 5000 of 'em kill'd in the fight and pursuit 〈…〉 and their Camp plunder'd This Victory was so 〈…〉 the more Remarkable 〈…〉 of the Christians only 120 were lost Prince Ferdinand 〈…〉 thanks to Almighty God 〈…〉 great Success and sent Expresses to convey the good News to 〈…〉 The more 〈…〉 the Besieged he caus'd a deep and large Trench to be 〈…〉 with a good Breast work and Forts at convenient Distances to hinder the 〈…〉 and all manner of Provision or Relief from coming to them This 〈…〉 necessary his Forces at that time being weak because several parties were abroad by 〈◊〉 order plundring and destroying all the Country which was done 〈…〉 to the Walls of Malaga Great harm was done but the Terror spread abroad was much greater The Moorish King commanded all that were of Age without exceptions 〈…〉 and appear in Arms by which means he gather'd a 〈◊〉 Multitude 〈…〉 not to hazard another Battle and only shew'd himself to terrify the Christians 〈…〉 kept on the Hills and in the Woods The besieged began to be strenghten'd 〈…〉 most perplext them was that they had no hopes of Relief It was as bad as Death to surrender and they had no means to hold out It happen'd 300 Horse of the Garrison or Jaen made an Incursion into the Territories of the Moors 〈…〉 orderly that they were surpriz'd and all cut off This small Success encourag'd the besieged to hope that some Misfortune might befall the Besiegers Whilst these things were acting at 〈…〉 the new Pope dy'd at Bolonia on the 3d of May. His Body was bury'd in the Church 〈…〉 of that City The Cardinals of his party met and on the 〈…〉 Month Cota Deacon-Cardinal born at Naples who was then Legate 〈…〉 himself in his Papacy John the XXIIId He was bold subtle 〈…〉 made of good or bad Practices as the occasion requir'd or was 〈…〉 Purpose 〈…〉 happier in the time of his Predecessor when he govern'd all things than in his own being cast down and depriv'd of the Tiara Soon after follow'd the Death of the King of Aragon who dy'd of a stoppage in his Head on the last of May at Valdoncellas a Monastery of Nuns adjoyning to the Walls of 〈…〉 His Body was 〈◊〉 at Poplete with very little Pomp the People being affirmed at their present Loss and apprehenstâ—â— or what was like to follow The Cortes of that Principality were 〈…〉 not without some 〈…〉 of Troubles likely to break out 〈…〉 that all the States should depute certain Persons of Note to 〈…〉 King in his 〈◊〉 and intreat him that to prevent Disorders he would appoint who was to succeed him This was accordingly put in Execution and by consent of all the Deputies Fâ—rrer head of the Council of that City was appointed
far different Thoughts Now the Popes John and Gregory gave ear to this Request Only Pope Benedict persisted obstinately and would hear of no Proposals of Peace It was given in charge to the King of Aragon to reduce him to Reason He and the King of France sent Embassadors to him upon that Account At the same time the King of Aragon having subdu'd Vrgel and establish'd Peace in his Kingdom return'd to Zaragoça and enter'd that City in Triumph There he was crown'd on the 11th of February 1414 that Ceremony having been deferr'd till then for several Reasons and was now perform'd by the Arch-bishop of Tarragona as Primate of all that Kingdom The King was crown'd with the Crown sent him by his Sister in Law Catherine Queen Dowager of Castile the value of its Workmanship being equal to that of the Matter tho made of Gold set with precious Stones Several Embassadors of Forreign Princes were present as also the Prelates and Nobles of that Kingdom particularly D. Bernard de Cabrera Earl of Osona and Modica now restor'd to the King's Favour and D. Henry de Villena a Man no less remarkable for his extraordinary Learning than for the Misfortunes he underwent and was at that time depriv'd of his Inheritance and the Mastership of the Order of Calatrava The manner of it was thus D. Gonzalo de Guzman dying D. Henry de Villena through the Favour of King Henry the IIId obtained that Dignity Many of the Knights objected that he was marry'd and therefore according to the Constitutions of the Order could not be Master His Ambition was such that he resolv'd to be Divorc'd from his Wife the Lady Mary de Albornoz tho her Portion was great she being Lady of Alcoçer Salmeron Valdolivas and the other Towns of the Infantado To carry on this Divorce he own'd himself naturally Impotent and to the end his own Estate might not fall to the Order made over to the King the Towns of Tineo and Cangas and his Right to the Marquisate of Villen̄a The Commendaries of the Order easily perceiv'd this was all Fraud They assembled again and having taken this Affair into Consideration depos'd D. Henry as illegally elected choosing D. Luis de Guzman in his Place This Election caus'd Disputes which lasted 6 Years All the Knights of that Order did not agree some were for the first some for the last Master In conclusion the Cistercian Monks by order of Pope Benedict having hear'd both Parties gave Judgment in favour of D. Luis de Guzman Thus he who valu'd himself upon his great Learning was found not to understand his own Interest and taking his Wife again spent the remainder of his Days in Poverty for tho the Mastership was taken from him the Patrimony of his Ancestors was not restor'd him After the Solemnities at Zaragoça were perform'd the new King bent his Thoughts to the Affairs of the Church as all Christian Princes desir'd Having signify'd so much to Pope Benedict they agreed to meet at Morella a Town in the Kingdom of Valencia on the Borders of Aragon and Catalonia The King signaliz'd himself in treating the Pope with all manner of Respect For first he led the Horse on which he rode to the Church and thence to his Lodging carry'd his Train next day he waited upon him at Table and Prince Henry did the Office of Cup-bearer His Service which was of Pewter he chang'd into Silver and Gold all to soften his obdurate Heart They met several times to treat of the Affair in Hand The Pope would not yield to lay down that Dignity and his followers obstructed it 50 Days were spent and nothing concluded At the same time came News from Italy of the Death of Ladislaus King of Naples who was reported to be poison'd in the height of all his Prosperity when he might have hop'd to make himself Master of all Italy He had no Issue for which reason that Crown fell to his Sister Joanna Widow of William Duke of Austria not above 30 Years of Age and no less leud than the other Queen of Naples of the same Name we have before mentioned Many Princes considering a Kingdom was her Dower were ambitious to marry her and she was contracted to John second Son to the King of Aragon who on that Account went over to Sicily and yet the Match was broken off and that Queen marry'd to James of Bourbon Earl of Marche a comly Youth Pandolphus Alopus was greater with the Queen than became the Regal Dignity which was censur'd by the People and resented by the Nobility All hopes of reducing Pope Benedict being lost the Christian Princes still continu'd their Resolution of assembling a General Council and appointed the City Constance in Germany to be the Place of Meeting The Bishops of Italy and France came first Pope Gregory sent his Embassadors with full Power to renounce the Papacy for him if requir'd Pope John came in Person relying on his Friendship with the Emperor King Ferdinand ceas'd not to press Pope Benedict to comply as well as his Competitors After much contesting they sent an Embassy to the Emperor desiring they three might meet in some convenient Place The Prelates continued to assemble at Constance and about 300 met The Council was open'd on the 5th of November At the same time in Aragon a great Number of Jews was converted by S. Vincent Ferrerius To facilitate the Conversion of the rest several severe Laws were enacted against them At Constance on Christmas Night which preceded the Year 1415. Pope John and the Emperor went together to Matins two Chairs were set for them the Pope's somewhat above the Emperor's After the Divine Service they began to discourse of the Affair in Hand and it was agreed by all the Prelates that the three Popes should freely abdicate to which Pope John tho with some Reluctancy condescended On the 4th of March he said a solemn Mass and that ended promis'd in publick to renounce the Papacy which gave great Satisfaction to all Men. This was but Counterfeit for not long after he fled away by Night with a design to keep that Division afoot Some Persons were sent after him who apprehended and brought him back to Constance where he was forc'd to resign the Papacy and given in Custody to the Count Palatine yet three Years after he escap'd and to pacify him had his Cardinals Cap restor'd and dy'd at Florence where he was also bury'd The Treasures he had heap'd whilst Pope were left in the Hands of Cosmo de Medices a Noble Citizen of that Place which is said to have been the first step he ascended by and his Family afterwards to be Princes of that Dominion The Joy conceiv'd for the deposing of Pope John was redoubl'd 5 Days after when Charles Malatesta Pope Gregory's Commissioner made a solemn Act of Renunciation in his Name Only Pope Benedict remain'd of whose Obstinacy they fear'd he would continue the Schism
that in case they were divided the most Votes should decide the Matter They having consulted together Decreed That the King should remove to Cigales That the Princes of Aragon should have leave to visit him and That D. Alvaro de Luna should be banish'd the Court for a Year and half I know not whether it was more shame to the King or Kingdom that the King should be commanded by his Subjects The King as had been ordain'd went to Cigales where the Conspirators visited him and among them Prince Henry who kneeling shed Tears in token of Repentance Such is the Power of Dissimulation D. Alvaro went to Ayllon a Town of his own many Nobles bearing him Company After his removal the Nobles fell at Variance every one striving to gain the King's Affection because he was intirely govern'd by his Favourite Ferdinand Alonso de Robles had got the start of all others for having been in Favour before now his Competitor was remov'd he grew still greater insomuch that upon pretence he was indispos'd the King and Nobles often went to Council to his House It rais'd Envy in many to see a mean Person lifted up to that Height and the King was displeas'd at him for having rashly given Judgment against D. Alvaro de Luna to whom he ow'd many Obligations His Enemies making use of the King's Displeasure prevail'd with the King of Navarre to accuse him of many Crimes as that he was a Seditious Person kept Correspondence abroad and Conspir'd with the Nobility against the King and often spoke irreverently of him His Case being hear'd he was secur'd at Segovia and at last dy'd a Prisoner at Vzeda leaving an Example of the uncertainty of Court-Favour This Year the King of Granada was by his Subjects expell'd his Kingdom and went over in a miserable Condition to beg the King of Tunez his Assistance Mahomet call'd The Little as soon as he was seated in the Throne persecuted all the other King's Friends putting some to Death banishing others and seizing their Estates which he prodigally gave away One Joseph of the noble Family of the Abencerrages who was Governour of the City seeing no hopes of prevailing against the Usurper fled to Murcia hoping to bring the Forces of Castile upon the new Tyrant before he was well fix'd in the Government At the same time two remarkable Things happen'd in Castile One was that the King obtained of Pope Martin the Thirds of Ecclesiastical Revenues for ever The other that the Order of St. Hierome was divided into two Branches One F. Lope de Olmedo who was familiar with Pope Martin was the Author of this Separation Near Sevil he founded a Monastery of the Invocation of St. Isidorus which was the Head of his Reformation and of it the Fryars were called Isidorians This Division lasted till King Philip the II again united the whole Order under the Antient Rule of St. Hierome Let us return to the Troubles of Castile CHAP. X. D. Alvaro de Luna returns to Court greater in the King's Favour than ever The banish'd King of Granada restor'd Some Affairs of France and final end of the Schism in the Church SOme natural Sympathy or other extraordinary hidden Cause it was doubtless that so link'd together the Affection of the King of Castile and D. Alvaro de Luna that they could not live asunder notwithstanding on that Account they both became odious but particularly D. Alvaro to such a degree that it exceeded all the Malice the Antient Romans ever bore Sejanus or any other the Favourites of their Emperors They were so blind in their Affection that neither the King took Notice how prejudicial that Familiarity was to him nor D. Alvaro was sensible that he was driving headlong to his Ruin Nothing pleas'd the King nor was his Countenance ever smooth or serene since D. Alvaro was remov'd from him Of him he commonly spoke in the Day and thought of him at Night The Courtiers perceiving that of necessity D. Alvaro must shortly be restor'd and that then his Power and Interest would be much greater than before as having overcome the Malice of his Enemies and conquer'd his ill Fortune made all their Efforts to gain his Favour Even the King of Navarre being envious that his Brother Prince Henry should have a greater Interest in the King of Castile than himself began to favour D. Alvaro and sollicit he might return to Court. On the 6th of January 1428 dy'd D. Ruy Lopez Davalos at Valencia where the King of Aragon then was This Gentleman was more Fortunate in his Issue than in his Life By three Wives he had seven Sons and two Daughters From them in Italy are descended the Earls of Potencia and Bovino the Marqueses del Vasto and Pescara and many other Honourable Families in Spain His Body was deposited at Valencia thence afterwards translated to Toledo and bury'd in the Monastery of St. Augustin He us'd to give ear to Astrologers being himself much addicted to that vain Science yet he could never foresee his own Fall When he dy'd he had not altogether lay'd aside the hopes of recovering his Estate Prince Henry of Aragon began to labour to bring it about but Fortune and all his Friends fail'd the Unfortuate Ruy Lopez Only Alvar Nun̄ez de Herrera a Citizen of Cordova his Steward in the time of Prosperity continu'd faithful to him till the last and was cast into Prison as accessary to the Crime his Master was accused of As soon as discharg'd he never gave over prosecuting John Garcia the Forger of that Contrivance for Perjury till he was executed on that Account To relieve his Master he sold all he had got under him and gather'd 8000 Florins in Gold which he put into the Timber of a Loom that it might not be discover'd and loading it upon an Ass sent his Son a Foot in a Disguize with it to him A wonderful act of Fidelity well deserving a particular Encomium His Death secur'd D. Alvaro de Luna in the Ministery The King of Castile resided at Segovia his thoughts taken up in disappointing the Designs of the Nobility and breaking their Cabals He publish'd an Order commanding them to release one another of the solemn Promises they had made to stand together and granted a general Pardon for all past Faults To the Princess Catherine Wife to Prince Henry in lieu of Villena he gave the Cities of Truxillo and Alcaraz and some lesser Towns in the Kingdom of Toledo near Gaudalajara as also 200000 Florins which was a prodigious Portion At the Instance of Prince Henry the King also revers'd the attainder of Ruy Lopez Davalos but his Estate and Honours were not restor'd to his Children as of Right they ought to have been After this the King went to Turuegano Thither by his Order came D. Alvaro de Luna with a great and splendid Retinue and joyful for the Victory he had obtain'd over his Enemies He advanc'd daily
We shall now relate the cause of this War and its event as also the rise and fall of D. Alvaro de Luna who now the second time began to tend to his utter Ruin perswading the King at his return to Court to command all the Nobility to retire from Court to their own Houses which Advice was bad in it self and prov'd fatal to him that gave it Peter Fernandez de Velasco Peter de Zun̄iga D. Roderick Alonso Pimentel Earl of Benavente and the Masters of the Orders of Calatrava and Alcantara understanding the King's Pleasure immediately retir'd to their own Houses There only remain'd the Princes of Aragon who seem'd too great to be turn'd off but D. Alvaro was so bold he doubted not to ingage them He first attack'd the King of Navarre whom all the World blam'd for neglecting his own to apply himself to the Business of another This Censure of the World was pleasing to the King and D. Alvaro and some Persons of Note were sent to signify the King's Pleasure to him Queen Blanch his Wife foreseeing the Danger sent to invite him home in the Name of all the People of Navarre King John was offended at these Contrivances of D. Alvaro yet seeing he must submit to Necessity he had a Conference with the King at Valladolid where the Cortes then sat Here the League before made betwixt Castile Aragon and Navarre was renew'd and sworn to by the two Kings Dr. James Franco was sent Embassador to get the Ratification of the King of Aragon who was not present at the Treaty These things being thus concluded the King of Navarre went away to his Kingdom He of Aragon after many delays at Barcelona told Dr. James Franco he did not approve of many of the Articles which ought to be alter'd and believing this Embassador a fit Man for his purpose he sent by him a private Message to D. Alvaro acquainting him that Peter Manrique was the Man who blew the Coles and sow'd Discord betwixt his Brothers That he was a Double-dealing Person and therefore ought to be expell'd the Court. The cause why the King of Aragon was displeas'd with Peter Manrique is not known At the same time the Archbishop of Zaragoça was cast into Prison where he dy'd The manner of his Death is variously reported some say he was strangl'd others that he was cast into the River Several Citizens of Zaragoça were also executed They were accus'd of keeping private Correspondence with D. Alvaro the Truth is they were too free in speaking of the King saying he ought to be oblig'd to observe the Peace made with Castile lest the whole Kingdom should suffer for his Miscarriages Francis Clement Bishop of Barcelona succeeded the Archbishop The two Brothers Kings of Aragon and Navarre plotted to joyn their Forces to ruin D. Alvaro de Luna He of Aragon call'd to him his Brother Prince Henry at the beginning of April 1429. They met at Tervel and resolv'd upon the War with Castile The King of Navarre was not present at this Interview being then busy about the solemnity of his Coronation which was perform'd at Pamplona on the 15th of May. The King and Queen in their Royal Robes and their Crowns on their Heads after the manner of the Goths were lifted up on the Shoulders of the Nobility the Royal Standards were display'd and they proclaim'd by a Herauld Presently after Levies of Men were made underhand in both Kingdoms It was given out those Preparations were to assist the French but in truth they were design'd against Castile This could not be so secret but the King of Castile understood it Embassadors pass'd betwixt them but to no effect Then the two Kings advanc'd as far as Hariza upon the Borders of Aragon designing to break into Castile on that side To this purpose James Gomez de Sandoval put a Garrison into Pen̄afiel and Prince Peter of Aragon came to the Camp from Medina del Campo The King of Castile made great Levies and commanded all the Nobility to assist him particularly Prince Henry of Aragon and Frederick Duke of Arjona were summon'd Besides he oblig'd the three Estates to take an Oath they would serve him faithfully in that War and discover any Designs against him making a Vow if they fail'd to go bear-footed to Hicrusalem without ever desiring to be absolv'd of that Vow This was done at Palencia at the beginning of May. D. Alvaro de Luna the Admiral Peter Manrique and Peter Fernandez de Velasco were appointed to guard the Frontiers with 2000 Horse no sufficient Force to oppose the Aragonians James Lopez de Zun̄iga was order'd to follow them as a reserve with another Body of Horse The King himself with part of the Army undertook the Siege of Pen̄afiel He encamp'd before it and summon'd the Inhabitants to surrender upon pain of being us'd as Traitors The Townsmen immediatly surrender'd and were pardoned D. Peter de Aragon and James Gomez de Sandoval Earl of Castro retir'd to the Castle which was not besieg'd because it would require much time The Kings of Aragon and Navarre enter'd Castile by the way of Cogolluda and encamp'd in an open Plain The Castilians on a Hill a League and half distant The Forces of Aragon and Navarre consisted of 2500 Horse 1000 Foot all well Armed and old Soldiers In the Camp of Castile there were but 1700 Horse and 400 Foot Both Parties being eager to fight mov'd forwards on the first of July the Generals exhorting their Men. D. Alvaro de Luna when the Enemy came in sight perceiving the greatness of the Danger order'd the Carts to be drawn up about his Men in the Nature of a Trench resolving not to fight unless he had some Advantage or were forc'd Prince Henry for the one side and the Lieutenant Peter Manrique for the other met and concluded nothing having only affronted one another Some Skirmishes pass'd betwixt them but the Cardinal of Faux the Pope's Legate in Aragon interposing the Battle was deferr'd till next day That delay prov'd Advantagious for the Queen of Aragon a Woman of a manly Spirit came and pitched her Tent betwixt the two Armies and manag'd the Affair so discreetly that Peace was concluded and as soon as the Castilians had sworn to observe it Hostilities ceas'd The Castilians stay'd in the same place but the Kings of Aragon and Navarre returned home without doing any harm to the Country Prince Henry was of late very near surprizing the City Toledo but failing a little before the Skirmish went and joyn'd his Brothers Now relying on the Articles of Peace he went by the way of Siguença to Veles resolving if what had been agreed upon in relation to him were not observed to raise new Troubles Nevertheless the King of Castile advanc'd with 10000 Horse and 50000 Foot His Sister the Queen of Aragon and the Cardinal of Faux told him what had been agreed and advis'd to lay down his Arms. But
Naples In May the King of Castile came to Cordova and from thence sent D. Alvaro de Luna before him with a good Body of Men who wasted all the Country and destroy'd the very Orchards in sight of Granada without sparing a beautiful Palace that King had there Yet neither this Damage nor the Challenges sent by D. Alvaro could draw the Moors out to fight A Council of War being held at Cordova some advis'd only to pillage and wast the Country others to undertake some considerable Siege At length it was resolv'd to march to Granada and try the Fortune of a compleat Battle as one Gilairo advis'd who having been taken by the Moors young had renounc'd the Faith but not from his Heart and was therefore now return'd to Cordova He assur'd that as soon as they should appear before the City Joseph Benelmao the Grandson of Mahomet the Red who was kill'd at Sevil would come over with a good Body of Men. This being resolv'd the Queen who till then accompany'd the King departed for Carmona and the Army march'd on The King halted at Alvendin till all the Forces were joyn'd 80000 Men randezvouzed there and among them many of Note James Ribera and John de Guzman had the 〈◊〉 of Major Generals which before was executed by the Marshals Advancing thence of the 2d day they came into the Country of the Moors marching in order as if the Enemy were in sight D. Alvaro de Luna led the Van in which were 2500 Men at Arms. In the main Body was the King with many Nobles In the Rear came the Courtiers and a great Number of Church-men The Flanks were secur'd by several great Men. The two Major Generals march'd before with a Forlorn of 1500 light Horse These began the Battle which was fought on the 29th of June in this manner The Moors march'd out of Granada with mighty shouts but the Christians were the first that gain'd a rising Ground which began the fight Great was the Number of the Infidels who were still relieved by fresh of â—oops from the City Our Forces also advanc'd Peter Velasco gave such a Charge as made the Moors give way Yet they retir'd orderly to the City so that for that day none turn'd his Back The Moors being retir'd the King encamp'd and intrench'd himself at the foot of the Mount Elvira Of the Moors there were 5000 Horse and about 200000 Foot part quarter'd in the Town the rest under the Walls On Sunday following the Infidels drew out to fight The Master of Calatrava was with a Number of Pioniers levelling the Ground which was all enclos'd Upon him and his Pioniers fell the first fury of the Moors Henry Earl of Niebla and James de ZunÌ„iga who were nearest came to his Relief The heat of the fight and on the Day increas'd for it was now about Noon The King in a Passion because he design'd not to have fought that day sent D. Alvaro de Luna to command the Men to retire but they were so far ingag'd it was impossible This being told the King he drew out all his Army and having encourag'd them gave the sign to fall on They were vigorously receiv'd by the Moor â—â— and great cries rais'd on both sides For some time the Battle stood firm so that no Advantage appear'd on either side The King was among the foremost Ranks which greatly encourag'd his Men and made them charge with fresh fury Then the Moors gave way some retur'd to the City others fled to the Mountains our Men pursuing till the darkness of the Night parted them It is not exactly known what Number was kill'd but it was suppos'd to be about 10000. D. John de Cereçuela Bishop of Osma gain'd the Enemy's Camp which was among the Vineyards and Olive Gardens the other Church-men went out with their Crosses to meet the King as he return'd to the Camp There the Army continu'd ten Days No proposals of Peace were made by the Moors tho they durst not so much as come out to their Vineyards All the Country about was wasted without any Opposition This done the King return'd The command of the Frontiers was given to the Master of Calatrava and the Lieutenant James de Ribera Benalmao was left with them and had the Title of King given him that if his Party prevail'd it might be a means to take Granada This was the Success of this Expedition and of the famous Battle called De la Higuera or of the Fig Tree because one stood in the Place where they fought Few Christians were kill'd in this Expedition and of those none of Note which made the Joy of the Victory the more compleat D. Nuno Alvarez Pereyra Constable of Portugal and Earl of Barcelos and Oren who had long liv'd retir'd in the Monastery of Carmelites built by himself in Lisbon dy'd now in the 71 year of his Age and 46 of his Constableship He also founded two other Monasteries one of St. George at Aljubarrota and another of St. Mary at Villaviciosa The King honour'd his Funeral with his Presence at the said Church of the Carmelites He left one only Daughter called Beatrix who was marry'd to D. Alonso Duke of Bragança Bastard Son to the King of Portugal All his Estate he divided among his Grandchildren born before his Death The King of Portugal warn'd by the Death of his Friend who was of the same Age with him that he had not long to live resolv'd to use all his endeavours to conclude a Peace with Castile King John had departed out of the Kingdom of Granada very hastily whereby many said a good Opportunity of gaining some Advantage was lost It was reported that D. Alvaro was brib'd to give this Advice by a great sum of Gold sent him in a Present of dry Figs and this was the more easily credited because all things were done by his Advice From Cordova they went to Toledo and thence to Medina del Campo whither the Cortes were summon'd In them nothing remarkable was done except the changing the Truce with Portugal into a perpetual Peace which was proclaim'd on the 30th of October at Medina and Lisbon The Earl of Castro was attainted of high Treason The Towns belonging to the Master of Alcantara were confiscated and garrison'd by the King Peter Fernandez de Velasco Earl of Haro Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo and D. Gutierre de Toledo Bishop of Palencia were apprehended their Charge was favouring the Princes of Aragon and contriving to kill D. Alvaro These things much incensed the Nobility some of whom resolv'd to take up Arms. Particularly YnÌ„igo Lopez de Mendoça fortify'd and garrison'd the Town of Hita Mony was rais'd for carrying on the War against the Moors which was now well advanc'd the Lieutenant and Master of Calatrava having taken Meros Ronda Cambil Illoro Archidona Setenil and other Places of less Note and also the City Loxa tho very strong was gain'd Our Forces besieged the
had left a great Estate in Aragon and sold the Towns given him in Castile Being by his Prodigality reduc'd to Poverty he resolv'd to plunder the rich City of Sevil. He was offended at the Earl of Niebla who had great Power in that City and design'd by the way to be reveng'd on him So great an Enterprize was not to be undertaken without Company To this purpose he drew together many whom their leud Lives had reduc'd to want and among them two considerable Men call'd Regidores of Sevil. A Secret could not be kept among so many The Plot was discover'd and D. Frederick secur'd at Medina del Campo whither the King went at the beginning of the Year Thence he was carry'd to Vren̄a and afterwards to a Castle near Olmedo where he ended his Days pitied by no Man the Castilians hating him as a Deserter from his Prince His Companions were all put to Death Violante Countess of Niebla his Sister who would have interceded for him was not permitted to speak to the King but sent away to Cuellar with Orders she should not stir from thence without leave it being suspected that the Earl had undertook that desperate Enterprize relying on her Assistance The Punishment of the Earl no way discouraged the Princes of Aragon from proceeding in their wicked Practices after they were expell'd Castile The King of Castile complain'd that they violated the Conditions of the Truce agreed upon not long before and therefore said it was requisite to secure the publick Peace they should be sent out of Spain The King of Navarre having hear'd the Embassadors perswaded the Princes his Brothers to go over into Italy whither he would soon follow them telling them the Kingdom of Naples once conquer'd it would be easy to recover their Estates in Castile They went over to Sicily where King Alonso then was endeavouring to gain the Affections of the Neapolitan Nobility and to settle a Peace with the Princes of Italy in order to possess himself of Naples Above all he labour'd to reconcile Pope Eugenius whom he knew to be his Enemy A fair Opportunity seem'd now to offer it self the Queen having been long Sick and the Nobility at variance and a great Misfortune befalling the Pope in this manner Antony Colonna Prince of Salerno coming to Rome the People mutiny'd and expell'd the Pope being inrag'd for that he persecuted the Family of Colonna and because through his Fault Francis Sforcia with some Forces of the Duke of Milan had wasted the Territory of Rome The Pope fled down the Tiber in a Boat the People throwing Stones at him and in the Galleys he found at Ostia went away into Tuscany This Affront offer'd the Pope variously affected several Princes Some of them said he had well deserv'd it for provoking the People and opposing the Council of Basil The News of this Accident reach'd the King of Aragon at Palermo on the 9th of July He hop'd this might be a means to gain the Pope to his Interest Therefore he sent Embassadors to condole and offer his Assistance for vanquishing his Enemies and pacifying the People The Pope accepted not his offer for within the 5th Month the Tumults of Rome ceas'd and the Citizens submitted themselves to him admitting a Garrison into the Capitol which done they were absolv'd of the Censures they had incurr'd by affronting the Pope On the 16th of September dy'd D. John de Contreras Archbishop of Toledo at Alcala de Henares His Body was bury'd with Pomp in the Cathedral of Toledo The Chapter was divided about choosing one to succeed him some were for Vasco Ramirez de Guzman Archdeacon of Toledo others for the Dean Ruy Garcia de Villaquiran This disagreement gave the King an Opportunity to intrepose and by his Procurement D. John de Cereçuela Archbishop of Sevil was elected At the same time that the King was at Madrid D. Henry de Villena dy'd there He sustain'd the Loss of his vast Fortune with great Patience living to a great Age and wholly devoted to his Study His Inclination to Learning was such that he study'd Magick and some of his Books were afterwards burnt by the King's Order The Nobility of Naples weary of the Government of a Woman and of her Extravagances inclin'd to favour the King of Aragon He drew to his Party with great Promises Nicholas Picinus then a renouned Captain in Italy and Kinsman to Braccio At Palermo he also joyn'd in League with the Prince of Taranto and all his Adherents who being injur'd by the Duke of Anjou and James Caldora had recourse to the King of Aragon for Relief It was agreed they should espouse the Quarrel of the Aragonian he assisting them with 2000 Horse and 1000 Foot which they judged a sufficient Force to oppose the Enemy but it prov'd otherwise For the Prince of Taranto was soon stripp'd of all his Possessions which were great except some few small Places of very great Strength The War seem'd to be near an end when the Duke of Anjou worn with Fatigue and overcome by the Unhealthiness of the Air dyed in Calabria about the middle of November in the Flower of his Age and the height of his Prosperity being almost possess'd of the Kingdom and then newly marry'd to Margaret Daughther to Amedee Duke of Savoy The Queen of Naples also departed this Life in that City at the beginning of the Year 1435. Her Body was bury'd with little Ceremony in the Church Annunciada The Death of the Queen and Duke advanc'd the Interest of Aragon and weaken'd that of the French Yet the People of Naples without any Order or consulting the Nobility proclaim'd Renee Brother to the late Duke their King as the Queen had order'd in her Will But there was little help to be expected from him being then a Prisoner He had marry'd the Daughter of the Duke of Lorrain and he dying without Issue-male possess'd himself of that Dukedom Antony Earl of Vaudemont Brother to the deceas'd overthrew took him Prisoner and deliver'd him up to the Duke of Burgundy Orin Carracciolo George Alemani and Baltasar Rata the most noted Men of the French Faction were appointed Governours at Naples In Spain D. Roderick de Velasco Bishop of Palencia was unfortunately kill'd by his own Cook who being distracted and going about with a Club in his Hand was ask'd what he design'd to do with it he answer'd kill the Bishop but being a Forreigner and not well understood because he spoke not plain was laugh'd at yet presently after he came upon the Bishop and beat out his Brains CHAP. VI. Mighty Inundations throughout Spain A great Victory over the Moors The further Actions of the Aragonians at Naples The Kings of Aragon and Navarre taken by the Genoeses and set at Liberty by the Duke of Milan THIS prov'd a dangerous Winter in Castile by reason of the great Rains The Roads were so deep there was scarce any Travelling Many Buildings were carry'd
away by the Floods at Valladolid and more at Medina del Campo In 40 Days no Corn was ground so that the People fed upon the Grain boil'd for want of Bread At Sevil the River Guadalquivir swell'd within a Yard of the top of the Walls Some of the Inhabitants liv'd aboard Ships for fear of being drown'd others Day and Night were repairing the Walls and Cauking the Gates These Rains and Storms began on the 28th of October and continu'd without ceasing till the 25th of March. Mean while the War with the Moors was carry'd on with various Success James de Ribera the Lieutenant at the Siege of Alora was kill'd with a Dart from the Wall At another place in a Skirmish the Moors slew John Faxardo Son to Alonso Faxardo the Lieutenant Perafan Son to James Ribera tho but 15 years of Age succeeded him in recompence for the good Service done by his Father These Losses were in some measure made up by the taking of Huescar a very strong Town by Assault Roderick Manrique Son to the Lieutenant Peter Manrique took it Besides a great Body of Moors that was marching to the Relief of it was overthrown by the Lieutenant of Caçorla and the Lord of Valdecorneja whereupon the Castle which still held out surrendred But another Misfortune soon allay'd the Joy of this Victory D. Gutierre de Sotomayor Master of Alcantara made an Incursion into the Lands of the Moors with 800 Horse and 400 Foot to attack Archidona The Moors gave the Alarm firing their Beacons upon which about 500 Men got together Arm'd with Darts and Slings and securing the Passes kill'd most of the Christians so that he escap'd with a very few This Misfortune mov'd the Lord of Valdecorneja to raise the Siege he had lay'd to Huelma tho it was near surrendring fearing the Moors encourag'd by this Success would come to relieve it He soon gather'd more Forces and joyning with the Bishop of Jaen wasted all the Territory of Guadix burning the Corn which was fit to cut His Force was 1500 Horse and 6000 Foot A great Number of Horse and 40000 Foot march'd from Granada to oppose him Nothing daunted at that Multitude he engag'd and put them to flight killing 400 the Night hindring the pursuit This Day the Lieutenant Perca signaliz'd himself for his Horse being kill'd and he wounded in the Leg he still fought so bravely afoot that the Moors were glad to leave him In the Kingdom of Murcia not far from Huescar there are two Towns call'd Velez el Roxo and Velez el Blanco The Lieutenant Faxardo lay'd Siege to and had them both surrendred These things we have related are what happen'd in three Years against the Moors we have put them together to avoid confounding the Memory This Year we now write of was Remarkable for the Peace concluded betwixt France and Burgundy which prov'd very Advantageous to France but this belongs to their Histories In Spain the Queens of Aragon and Navarre whilst the Kings their Husbands besieg'd Gaeta as shall be related obtain'd of the King of Castile who was going from Madrid to Buitrago to be entertain'd by In̄igo Lopez de Mendoça that the Truce should be prolong'd till the first of November John de Luna Lord of Illueca sent Embassador on this Account obtain'd this of D. Alvaro de Luna who then manag'd all things and was joyful for that he had a Son born at Madrid who was call'd D. John The King express'd great Satisfaction for it and the Nobility feign'd it to gain his Favour The Death of the Seneschal John Carracciolo the Duke of Anjou and Queen Joanna seem'd to have made way for the King of Aragon to obtain the Crown of Naples Many of the Nobility having consulted together seiz'd the City and Castle of Capua and sent thence Reginald de Aquino into Sicily to offer their Service to the King of Aragon provided he would immediately come to their Aid before the Enemy gather'd strength With the King were his three Brothers all of Age fit for War and well inclin'd to it Prince Peter was left in Sicily to gather the Fleet. The King with his Brother of Navarre and Prince Henry set sail from Messina only with 7 Galleys He touch'd at the Island Ponça then at Ischia and lastly came to Sessa whither a great Number of Noblemen was come from Capua to meet him The chief of them was Antony Marsano Duke of Sessa Here they consulted about carrying on the War and it was resolv'd to besiege Gaeta On the 7th of May it was invested by the Neapolitan Forces at Land and the Fleet of Aragon at Sea The Prince of Taranto came thither with his Forces The King of Aragon possess'd himself of Mount Orlando which overtops the City whereby great hope was conceiv'd it would surrender the Townsmen being in a Consternation and wanting Provisions But the Genoeses who were numerous there by reason of their great Trade resolv'd to defend the City They chose Francis Spinola a Man of Note who chiefly encourag'd them for their Commander and then turn'd all useless People out of the City whom the King of Aragon reliev'd and sent to the Neighbouring Villages which gain'd him the Affections of the Besieged and of all the Country The Senate of Genoa understanding the Danger their People were in by the Duke of Milan's Order sitted out 12 great Ships 2 Galleys and a Galliot Manning them well and putting in store of Provisions Blas Assareto was appointed to Command this Fleet a notable Souldier who had rais'd himself from a very mean Condition to that height by his Valour The King of Aragon set out to meet this Fleet with 14 Ships and 11 Galleys With him went most of the Men of Note not doubting of the Victory The Aragonians anker'd at the Island Ponça and the Genoeses on the Coast of Terracina Thence they sent a Herauld to acquaint the King of Aragon they came not to fight but only to carry Provisions to their Countrymen This Message was much ridicul'd by the Aragonians and both Parties made ready to fight Before they ingag'd 3 Genoese Ships were order'd to stand out to Sea that when the Dispute was hottest they might fall upon the Enemy's Rear The Aragonians believing they fled fell on without any Order The King attack'd the Genoese Admiral The Genoese bringing his Ship about poured abundance of Darts and Stones into the King's Poop In the same manner the other Ships grapl'd and fought as if they had been on Land The Aragonians had the Advantage in Numbers but that caus'd Confusion among them and many were Sea-sick whereas the Genoeses had the odds of being expert Mariners and us'd to that sort of fight The Galleys were of no use the Ships being ingag'd together and so much higher above the Water than the Galleys It was now late when the 3 Genoese Ships which at first were thought to fly fell athwart the
Duke of Bourbon had broke into Aragon by the way of Russillon The Q. of Aragon and K. of Navarre were much alarm'd but this Storm soon vanish'd for the Weather drove the French another way without doing any considerable harm This year was unfortunate to Portugal not only for their Loss in Africk but for the Plague which rag'd throughout the Kingdom and destroy'd great Numbers of People Also King Edward dy'd of a Fever at the Convent of Tomar whither he withdrew for fear of the Plague His Reign was short for it lasted but Five Years and Thirty Seven Days He writ a Book of the Government of a Kingdom and ordain'd that for the future the King 's Eldest Son should be call'd Prince as was the Custom in Castile He had Issue Alonso who succeeded him and was the First that had the Title of Prince in Portugal Ferdinand Duke of Viseo Master of the Orders of Christ and Santiago Constable of Portugal who was Father of Ellenor Queen of Portugal Elizabeth Dutchess of Bragança James Kill'd by his Brother-in-Law King John and Emanuel that came at length to be King of Portugal Ellenor the Empress Wife to Frederick the III. and Mother to Maximilian was also Daughter to King Edward Besides he had Catherine Contracted to several Princes yet never Marry'd and Joanna Wife to Henry IV. King of Castile The late King order'd the Queen should Govern during the Minority of his Son but the Nobility mutiny'd and chose Peter Duke of Coimbra the New King's Uncle The Queen complain'd of the Wrong done her but to no purpose In August Peter Manrique the Lieutenant with his Wife and Two Daughters let themselves down by Ropes out of the Castle of Fuentiduen̄as where he was Prisoner and escap'd by the Assistance of some Servants of the Governour Gomez Carrillo and this occasion'd New Troubles Many Noblemen associated themselves with him in order to pull down D. Alvaro de Luna which was a difficult Task his Power being very great At Medina de Ruysico they made all manner of Warlike Preparations In February 1439. the King went from Madrigal to Roa to prevent their Designs carrying along with him his Son Prince Henry D. Alvaro de Luna and several other Nobles and Prelates The Conspirators sent a Letter to the King full of submissive Language protesting they were ready to Obey him or his Son and that they had taken up Arms to defend themselves against the Favourite The King return'd no Answer Roderick de Villandrando was then come from France bringing with him 4000 Horse to serve the King upon promise of being Created Earl of Ribadeo Prince Henry of Aragon and his Brother the King of Navarre entred Castile with 500 Horse hoping during those Tumults to recover the Lands that had been taken from them Both Parties sent to Court them neither knowing what they design'd They agreed among themselves that the King of Navarre should go to Cuellar where the King of Castile then was and Prince Henry to Pen̄afiel a Town which had been his Their design was to look on till they found which side was likeliest to restore them to their Estates Mean while In̄igo de Zuniga Brother to the Earl of Ledesma with a Party of 500 Horse secur'd Valladolid a Large Rich and plentiful Town Immediately a great Number of the Conspirators repair'd thither The King of Castile fearing these Beginnings might produce greater Mischiefs went to Olmedo to be the nearer in order to appease those Commotions and to bring Prince Henry over to his Party They had several Conferences to this purpose but all without success for the Prince after amusing both Parties for some time at last joyn'd with the Rebels This was suppos'd to be done with the Advice of the King of Navarre that he might have a sure Stake whoever was uppermost The whole Kingdom was under great Apprehensions of a New War Therefore some Religious Pious and Learned Persons interpos'd They spoke to those Rebellious Noblemen and represented to them the Miseries of a Civil War advising to compose Differences before any Blood was spilt They labour'd so much that they perswaded both Parties to meet at Castro Nun̄o there to treat of some amicable Accommodation CHAP. IX The King of Castile and the Rebels agree The Rebellion breaks out again The King taken Prisoner Blanch Queen of Navarre dyes Her Son Charles succeeds The Council at Basil Deposes Pope Eugenius and chooses Felix ON the 24th of August Castelnovo in Naples having endured a tedious Siege notwithstanding the King of Aragon was preparing to Relieve it was deliver'd up to the Enemy Yet the King of Aragon made amends for this Loss by recovering the City Salerno and several other Places At Castro Nun̄o the King of Castile and his Nobles at last agreed upon these Articles That D. Alvaro de Luna be Six Months from Court without being allow'd to write to the King That their Estates be restor'd to the King of Navarre and Prince of Aragon or in lieu of them such a Revenue as shall be adjudged by Arbitrators That all Forces be dismissed That the Conspirators withdraw their Garrisons out of the Towns they have seized That no Man be punish'd for having formerly sided with Aragon and now with the Conspirators Hereupon the Mastership of Santiago was restor'd to Prince Henry and the Town of Cuellar to the King of Navarre D. Alvaro de Luna in lieu of it had Sepulveda This done the King went to Toro There he receiv'd the News that the Lady Cathorine Wife to Prince Henry of Aragon dy'd at Zaragoça without Issue on the 19th of October D. Alvaro de Luna in pursuance of the late Capitulation on the 29th of October went away to Sepulveda so highly offended he could not concea◠it With him went Jonntile Silva chief Standard-Bearer to the King Peter de Acun̄a Gomez Carrillo and many other Men of Quality who were beholding to him or hoped to be so The Council of Basil at last deposed Pope Eugenius and in his Place chose Amadec on the Fifth of November by the Name of Felix V. He had been Forty Years Earl and Duke of Savoy and then Abdioating his Dukedom and Renouncing the Pleasures of the Court liv'd a solitary Life aiming at Perfection accompany'd only by six antient Men of Quality It was happy for Pope Engenius that the Christian Princes made no account of that Election not even the King of Aragon and Duke of Millan tho Enemies to Eugenius and higher offended at him The Authority of the Fathers at Basil declin'd yet they broke not up till the year 47 of this Century at which time they dissolv'd and return'd home being terrify'd by Luis Dauphin of France who was marching to break up their Assembly by a Decree of Frederick the Emperor Felix the New Pope upon better Advice soon after said aside the Pontifical Robes and was by Pope Nicholas Succeslor to Engenius made Cardinal and
Earl of Benavente nay the Prince of Castile and Queen had a hand in this Practice F. Lope Barrientos Bishop of Avila mov'd by the Wrong done the King and desiring to restore D. Alvaro discour'd John de Pacheco seriously upon the Point and they resolv'd to try whether some of the Nobles had Courage enough to oppose the Princes of Aragon To the end their Designs might be the better conceal'd they advis'd the Prince who was of Council with them to go from Tordesillas to Segovia upon pretence of Hunting Thence they sent Letters to D. Alvaro giving him an Account of what they had done At the same time the Earls of Haro and Ledesma meeting at Curiel had consulted about setting the King at Liberty which oblig'd the Prince to return to Tordesillas to see what could be done But the Princes of Aragon prevented their Designs and forc'd them to fly whence ensu'd new Troubles The King of Navarre was marry'd at Lobaton on the 1st of September 1444 and Prince Henry at Cordova where he was fixing the Interest of his Party James Valera was sent Embassador into France to obtain Liberty for the Earl of Armagnac secur'd by the Dauphin and for Martin Son to D. Alonso Earl of Gijon He was accus'd of holding Correspondence with the English and set at Liberty upon Condition that if ever he was found faulty he should forfeit the Towns of Ribadeo and Cangas in Asturias Besides the King of Castile oblig'd himself in such Case to make War with the Forces of Biscay that bordered on his Dominions At the same time some dealt with Henry Prince of Castile about destroying of D. Alvaro and others about restoring him Bishop Barrientos and John Pacheco thought fit to dispatch before they were discover'd and to that purpose held the King of Navarre in hand as if they design'd to joyn with him Mean while Prince Henry return'd to Segovia and thence sollicited the Earls of Haro Plasencia and Castaneda to unite their Forces with his Besides them the Earl of Alva the Archbishop of Toledo and Lord of Hita took party with them This done thinking themselves strong enough for the Princes of Aragon by the Prince's Order they all went to Avila They had 1500 Horse and D. Alvaro de Luna came to them Their greatest want was of Mony Thence they went to Burgos where the other Nobles their Associates were The Aragonians sent the King to the Town of Portillo with the Earl of Castro to guard him and the King of Navarre gather'd 2000 Horse With this Force he march'd towards the Confederate Nobles who daily grew stronger and near Pampliega in the Territory of Burgos the two Parties drew up Some Religious Persons endeavour'd to compose Differences but a light Skirmish that happen'd drew them to a Battle which was parted by the Night The King of Navarre finding himself too weak retir'd in the dark to Palencia a strong City Another Misfortune was added to this which was that the King of Castile under colour of Hunting made his escape to his Son His Liberty chang'd the Face of Affairs The King of Navarre went to his Kingdom to raise Forces and carry on what he had begun all the other great Men of his Faction went each to his own Lands Thus the Towns belonging to the Princes of Aragon fell into the Hands of the King particularly Medina del Campo Arevalo Olmedo Roa and Aranda Prince Henry of Aragon return'd to his Town of Ocana in Andaluzia Henry Prince of Castile and D. Alvaro march'd after him but he fled to the Kingdom of Murcia there Alonso Faxardo Lieutenant of that Kingdom receiv'd him into the strong City of Lorca he being a favourer of that Party This was about the end of the Year On the 5th of July the same Year dy'd Ferdinand Uncle to the King of Portugal at Fez where he was bury'd Two years after his Body was translated to Aljubarrota his Father's Burial place The Portugueses account him a Saint and say he never had to do with Women nor ever told a Lye Castile seemed to be in a better Condition since the Princes of Aragon were expelled but still a War was fear'd The Cortes met at Medina del Campo and order'd some Mony for the War but not enough Thither came the Prince of Castile and D. Alvaro de Luna after they had taken from Prince Henry several Towns belonging to him as Master of the Order of Santiago Warlike Preparations were made The King of Navarre made an Incursion into the Kingdom of Toledo with 400 Horse and 600 Foot by the way of Atiença in which he had a Garrison This Number tho small was formidable because some of the People were for him and others stood Neuters so he easily made himself Master of Torija Alcala de Henares and other places The King of Castile gathering what Force he had march'd to Espinar to wait there till other Troops joyn'd him Soon after this on the 18th of February 1445 dy'd Queen Ellenor of Portugal at Toledo and a few days after Mary Queen of Castile follow'd her ending her days at Villacastin near Segovia It was suspected they were poison'd because both dy'd so near the same time and suddenly also because Queen Mary's Body was full of Spots This Report was the easier credited because they lived a loose Life From Espinar the King went to Madrid and soon after to Alcala being invited thither by the Inhabitants The King of Navarre lay with his Forces thereabouts and being joyn'd by his Brother Henry was now 1500 Horse strong With this Body he kept himself in the Mountains of Old Alcala resolving not to fight without the Advantage of Ground he being too weak in Numbers Thence he sent Ferrer de Lanuza Justice of Aragon to his Brother the King of Aragon to desire him since the War of Naples was ended to come into Spain either to attend the War or compose the Differences The King of Castile also sent to complain to him of his Brothers There was no Action at Alcala and the Princes of Aragon by the way of Tablada hasted away to Arevalo The King of Castile follow'd close at their Heels so that both came the same day to Arevalo The King of Navarre took Olmedo by force and put to Death the loyal Party that had shut the Gates upon him About half a League from Olmedo near the Mills call'd de los Abades the King of Castile intrench'd with 2000 Horse and the like Number of Foot There his Son Henry D. Alvaro John Pacheco In̄igo Lopez de Mendoça the Earl of Alva and Bishop Barrientos joyn'd him On the other side the Admiral the Earl of Benavente the Brothers Peter Ferdinand and James Quin̄ones the Earl of Castro and John de Tovar brought a 1000 Horse to the Aragonians By the Contrivance of Bishop Barrientos a treaty was set on Foot to amuse the Rebels till the Master of Alcantara joyn'd the King He being
come the King's Forces offer'd Battle but the Aragonians were too weak to fight and too ill provided to endure a Siege Therefore they sent Commissioners to inform the King they were ready to submit to him provided D. Alvaro were remov'd The King only answer'd he would consider of it Whilst they were treating of Peace they came accidentally to a Battle upon Wedensday the 19th of May. Henry Prince of Castile being a hot Youth advanc'd with 50 Horse to draw out the Enemy to Skirmish A like number came out of the Town but back'd by Men at Arms. Those with the Prince seeing a great Number fled the Aragonians pursuing them up to their very Trenches Upon this the Royalists drew out D. Alvaro led the Van the Bishop of Siguença Peter de Acun̄a In̄igo Lopez de Mendoça and the Earl of Alva commanded the Men at Arms upon the Flanks In the main Body was Prince Henry with 550 Men at Arms under the Command of the Master of Alcantara The King the Archbishop of Toledo and other noble Men brought up the Rear In this Order they stood most part of the Day no Body coming out of the Town Two hours before Sun set Orders were given to return to the Camp Then the Aragonians sally'd out with great shouts thinking the Night would shrowd them if worsted and could be no hindrance to them if Victorious because they knew the Country The light Horse gave the first Charge and then all the rest fell on The Body commanded by Prince Henry of Aragon charg'd D. Alvaro that which the King of Navarre led attack'd Henry Prince of Castile Both sides fought resolutely but the Aragonians were inferior in Number and began to give way Night drew on and the Princes of Aragon having done all that could be expected from brave Commanders seeing their Men fly retir'd to Olmedo The Admiral and Earl of Benavente took another way The Earl of Castro Henry Brother to the Admiral and Ferdinand de Quin̄ones were taken with 200 more Only 37 were kill'd in fight but many wounded The Princes of Aragon the same Night fled towards that Kingdom the King of Navarre unhurt Prince Henry dy'd soon after at Calatayud of a Wound he receiv'd in his left Hand a Gangrene striking into his Arm. He was a Man of a great Spirit but restless His Body was bury'd in that City He left one Son of his own Name by his second Wife who in time to come prov'd as Turbulent as his Father After the Victory the King sent Expresses to all parts to give Notice of it and built a Chappel in the Place where the Battle was fought CHAP. II. The Marriage of Ferdinand Bastard Son to the King of Aragon and appointed Heir to the Kingdom of Naples Mahomet King of Granada depos'd D. Alvaro de Luna chosen Master of the Order of Santiago Continual Success attended the Armies of Aragon in Italy King Alonso in favour of the Pope had recovered Marca Ancona from Francis Sforcia Yet his Party ceased not to raise Commotions whereupon the King of Aragon at the Pope's Instance returned thither and being come to Fontana del Populo a Town not far from the City Teano summoned the Nobles to attend him there Among the rest came Antony Centellas Marques of Girachi with 300 Horse he had done good Service during the late War and sold part of his Estate to pay his Men. The King desired to marry Enricosa Rufa Daughter and Heiress to the Marques de Croton to In̄igo Davalos as a Reward for his good Service and recommended this Affair to Antony Centellas He liking her Fortune marries her himself by which his Power was increased and consequently his Boldness At first this was connived at but soon after he payed for all He was charged with contriving the Death of a certain Favourite of the King 's whereupon he fled from the Camp to Catançaro a Town of his own The King moved at this returned to Naples and sent Messengers to reduce Centellas by fair means but he would not give ear to them Therefore the King himself marches into Calabria and having taken several Towns came before Cataniçaro Centellas seeing no hope of Relief surrendred upon promise of Pardon He was ordered to deliver up that City and the Castle of Turpia and he with his Wife and Children was sent to Naples Great rejoycing was throughout the Kingdom as well for restoring of Peace to it as on account that Ferdinand the King's Son was on the 30th of May married to Elizabeth de Claramonte to whom he was before contracted This was contrived to oblige the Prince of Taranto whose Neece she was In the midst of all his Joy came the sad News of the Death of the two Queens the King's Sisters and his Brother Prince Henry and the King of Navarre's being expelled Castile That King's Embassador pressed King Alonso to return into Spain He answered when the Wars of Marca Ancona were ended he would go that the mean while the King of Navarre should govern Aragon and raise Forces in both Kingdoms for the War with Castile and also that a Truce should be made with the Moors of Granada for a Year That City about this time changed its King Mahomet the left-handed during the Rebellion in Castile enjoy'd Peace which caused him Troubles at home The Moorish King had two Cousin Germans one of them called Ismael being fearful of his Uncle fled to the King of Castile The other called Mahomet the Lame because he was so associated himself with some Moors of Quality at Almeria With their Assistance he seized the Castle of Granada called Alhambra took the King and cast him into Prison This done he usurped the Title of King On this occasion the Moors were divided into Factions Andilbar Governour of Granada seized the strong Castle of Montefrio near Alcala Real and having no hopes of restoring the Old King offered the Crown to Ismael He having received Supplies of Men and Mony from the King of Castile hasted to possess himself of a Kingdom These things happen'd at the end of this Year let us return to what is behind After the Battle of Olmedo a Council was held in D. Alvaro de Luna's Tent he being wounded in the left Leg. There it was resolved that all the Rebels Estates should be Confiscated Cuellar was taken and Simancas besieged Prince Henry was for pardoning the Admiral the others opposed it Therefore the Prince went away to Segovia and the King his Father fearing fresh Tumults left Peter Sarmiento to reduce the other Towns and went himself to Nuestro Sen̄ora de Nieva to reduce his Son Before he would submit he demanded Jaen Logrono and Caceres for himself Barcarroto Salvatierra and Salvaleon Towns on the Borders of Portugal for John Pacheco The King condescended and thus they received a Reward whereas they deserved Punishment Moreover at Medina de Rioseco the Admiral was pardoned provided he came in
whether the Change of Air would remove an Ague that consumed him There he received the Answer from Portugal and the Queen of Aragon who came to settle Peace betwixt the Princes of Spain wherein she was not unsuccessful Notwithstanding there happened a new Cause of Offence which was that Prince Henry was Divorced from Blanch his Wife pretending that by reason of some Witchcraft he could not have to do with her whereas in Truth his other Debaucheries made him unfit to have to do with a Maid The Divorce was first granted by Luis de Acun̄a Administrator of the Church of Segovia for the Cardinal D. John de Cervantes and afterwards confirmed by the Archbishop of Toledo commissioned by Pope Nicholas But the World was surprized that after this Divorce Prince Henry should marry again On the 13th of November the King of Castile had a Son born at Tordesillas called Alonso who tho short liv'd was the cause of a Bloody War At the Instance of the Queen of Aragon a Treaty of Peace was set on Foot betwixt the Kings of Castile and Aragon as also betwixt the King of Navarre and the Prince his Son and for the better carrying of it on a Truce was concluded for the following Year Whilst these things were in Agitation the King's Sickness increased to that Degree that having received the Sacraments he dyed at Valladolid on the 20th of July 1454. For the present he was deposited at St. Paul in Valladolid and afterwards as he had ordered translated to the Carthusians at Burgos built By his Father and given to that Order by him His Obsequies were performed in all Cities and even at Naples where the Vinetian Embassador appearing among the Mourners cloathed in Scarlet and Crimson changed their Sorrow into Laughter Besides a great part of the Mausoleum built of Wood in the Church was burnt by the great number of Lights In his Will the King left the Mastership of Santiago and Constableship of Castile to his Son Prince Alonso and appointed the Bishop of Cuenca the Prior of Guadalupe and John de Padilla the Lord Chamberlain his Tutors It is thought if he had not been so young he would have appointed him his Successor being highly offended at Prince Henry To the Princess Elizabeth he left the Town of Cuenca and a great Sum of Mony to the Queen his Wife Soria Arevalo and Madrigal Four days after the late King's Death Prince Henry was proclaimed King Immediately the Earls or Alva and Trevin̄o were released out of Prison which made the Joy at the Coronation the more compleat All the late King's Officers of the Houshold were continu'd in their Posts Lastly the Treaty of Peace began by the Queen of Aragon was concluded upon these Conditions That the King of Navarre D. Alonso his Son and Henry Son to Prince Henry of Aragon renounce all their Pretensions to any Estates or Dignities in Castile That in lieu thereof the King of Castile pay them yearly certain Pensions then agreed upon That the Admiral of Castile his Brother Henry John de Tovar Lord of Berlanga and the rest that took party with the King of Navarre may return to their Estates D. James Gomez de Sandoval Earl of Castro dyed before his Cause was determined and was buryed at Borgia Before his Death for his great Fidelity to the Aragonians he had Denia in the Kingdom of Valencia and Lerma in Old Castile given him These Towns he left to his Son Ferdinand who with some other Outlaws was not comprehended in the Pardon but left to the Mercy of the New King All Places taken during the late War on both sides were agreed to be restored 15000 Florins were given to the King of Navarre for the Town of Atiença Next it was attempted to settle the Affairs of Navarre but that succeeded not Whilst the Princes concerned could ratify the Peace already concluded it was agreed to prolong the Truce for a Year longer This done the Queen of Aragon returned to her Kingdom D. John Pacheco Marques of Villen̄a was now beyond Dispute the most powerful Nobleman in Castile as well in respect of his great Riches as the Favour of the new King He and D. Ferrer de Lanuza and D. John Biamonte Brother to the Constable of Navarre being commissioned by their Masters the Kings of Castile and Navarre and Charles Prince of Viana met at Agreda about the beginning of the Year 1455 to compose the Differences betwixt the King of Navarre and his Son but they had no Success It was supposed D. John Pacheco underhand obstructed the Peace of Navarre fearing it might be a means to lessen his Authority Only a Truce was concluded to last till the end of April Thus much of Navarre In Castile the hopes the People had conceived that the Change of Government would produce some good Effect now vanished The new King was as much given to his Ease as his Father and in other Respects was worse He had Wit enough but no Resolution was given up to Lewdness and hated Business D. John Pacheco governed with more Moderation than D. Alvaro de Luna or at least was more Fortunate for he held it all his Life time King Henry had a great Head a high Forehead cloudy Eyes his Nose fallen not naturally but by an accident his Hair of a Chesnut colour his Complexion ruddy and swarthy All his Face was disagreeable his Body tall his Legs long but his Limbs strong He loved Hunting and Musick and was not over curious in his Dress He drank Water eat much his Manners and course of Life were wholly addicted to Debauchery and Lewdness This weakned his Body which was subject to Diseases as his Mind was to Inconstancy He was called the Liberal and the Impotent this last Title from a defect in Nature the other from his great Profuseness in giving He forgot the Favours he bestowed but remembred any Service done him He was extreamly courteous spoke lovingly to all Men and was merciful to a Fault This strange Mixture of different Qualities was the cause there never were greater Troubles than in his Time He reign'd 20 Years 4 Months and two Days CHAP. VIII The great League made in Italy The Death of Pope Nicholas Calixtus succeeds him The War of Granada King Henry of Castile marries Joanna Sister to the King of Portugal Earthquaks in Italy THREE years before this we write of there began a bloody War in Italy Francis Sforcia being possessed of the Dutchy of Milan demanded of the Venetians certain Towns belonging to the Dutchy which they held along the River Abdua They refusing he resolved to use Force and to that purpose joyned in League with the Florentines In revenge the Venetians commanded all Florentines to depart out of their Territories and forbid all Commerce with them Besides by the means of Leonello Marques of Ferrara they joyned in League with the King of Aragon William Marques of Montferrat was sent
could not because that Prince being too weak to oppose the Aragonians and Earl of Faux had abandoned the Country Besides it was reported that the King of France was in League with them which moved him to pass over to France to gain that King but on a suddain altering his Resolution he decreed to go to Naples to his Uncle the King of Aragon who had sent for him determining if he would not assist him to spend his Days in Banishment By the way he visited the Pope to whom he complained of his Father's Ambition He offered to stand to the Judgment of his Holiness but all to no effect At Naples he was honourably received only the King his Uncle kindly blamed him for taking Arms against his Father The Prince in few Words excused himself for what was past and offered for the future wholly to submit to what he should Decree Roderick Vidal a Man of Quality sent into Spain to compose these Differences laboured therein with all possible Industry This Treaty was interrupted by an unexpected Accident which was that the Prince's Faction tho he was absent proclaimed him King at Pamplona which cut off all discourse of Peace The King of Castile at the request of the King of Navarre who to this effect delivered up his Son Ferdinand Hostage had an interview with him at Alfaro in March The Queens of Castile and Aragon were there present Peace was there concluded betwixt the two Kings Moreover at the Sollicitation of Luis Despuch Master of Montesa sent thither Embassador by the King of Aragon and at his Perswasion the Confederacy made with the Earl of Faux was declared void and all the Differences betwixt the King of Navarre and his Son were by Consent of both Parties referred to the King of Aragon as Arbitrator The hopes conceived of obtaining a lasting Peace by these means soon vanished as will appear hereafter In Andaluzia the Christians encamped near the Frontiers of the Moors Thither King Henry came after the Conference in the Month of April Immediately they invaded the Territories of the Moors marched in sight of Granada wasted all the Country and destroyed the Corn. A party of Christians advanced without Orders and ingaged the Enemy They were few in Number and the Enemy many consequently they were easily overthrown most of them killed and among the rest Garcilasso de la Vega a Knight of Santiago of great Renown This disaster so incensed the King that he not only burnt the Corn as he used to do but also fired the Vines and Orchards which before he spared Besides having taken a Town called Mena by Assault they put all the Inhabitants to the Sword without sparing Women or Children Thus the Moors were so humbled that they sued for and obtained Pardon A Truce was concluded for some Years by which the Infidels were obliged to pay the yearly Tribute of 12000 Ducates and to release 600 Christian Captives which Number if they had not they were to make up with Moors The Frontiers about Jaen were excepted in this Capitulation where the War was to continue and D. Garcia Manrique Earl of Castan̄eda was left to command there with 2000 Horse To encourage this War Pope Calixtus sent at the beginning of this Year his Bull granting the Croisade to the Living and Dead a thing new in Spain F. Alonso de Espina preached it up and sent Word to the King then at Palencia that the Mony collected could not be spent any other way but in the War with the Moors He brought a Priviledge that at the point of Death any that went to the War or advanced 200 Maravedies for the Expence of it might be absolved by an Priest tho he had lost his Speech so he could give any signs of Contrition Also that such as were killed should be free from the pains of Purgatory This Grant was to last four Years It raised almost 300000 Ducats Very little of it was employed against the Moors After the War was ended an Embassador came from Rome to Madrid who brought the King a Hat and Sword usually blessed on Christmas Night and sent to great Princes such as King Henry was then esteemed There is no Joy in this World perfect News was brought that the Earl of Castan̄eda pursuing a party of Moors fell into an Ambush was himself taken and most of his Men cut off Another Commander of more foresight was put in his Place The Earl was ransomed for a great sum of Mony and the Truce changed into a Peace In Italy the City Genoa was in Arms being divided into Factions The King of Aragon favoured the Adornos and John Duke of Lorrain Son to Renée Duke of Anjou who stiled himself Prince of Calabria the Tregosos Mean while the King of Aragon fell sick on the 8th of May 1458. He was very ill at Castelnovo in Naples till the 13th of June Then the Disease increasing he caused himself to be removed to the Castle del Ovo but nothing availed for he gave up the Ghost on the 27th of June at break of Day He was a most renowned Prince nothing inferior to any of the Antient ones and the Honour of Spain Besides his other Virtues he was a great encourager of Learning and very familiar with Laurence Valla Antony Panormita and Georgius Trapezuntius Men famous for their Knowledge He was much concerned at the Death of Barthlomew Faccio who writ the History of this King Hearing that a King of Spain had said Learning belonged not to a King he said that was an Expression of a Beast not of a King Many sharp and witty Sayings of this King are related which I thought needless to insert here Not long before his Death a Comet appeared betwixt Cancer and Leo whose Tail was 60 Degrees in length He made his Will the Day before he dyed In it he appoints his Brother John King of Navarre his Successor in the Kingdom of Aragon That of Naples as won by the Sword he leaves to his Bastard Son Ferdinand which was the cause of great Troubles and Wars He made no mention of the Queen his Wife It is reported by grave Authors that he designed to have been Divorced from her and to have married a Mistress he had called Lucrecia Alania There is still extant a Letter of Pope Calixtus writ with his own Hand to the Queen in which he tells her she is more beholding to him than to her Mother but that it is not convenient it should be publickly known That Lucrecia came to Rome with a Royal Retinue but could not obtain what she came about because he would not have a Hand in so great a Sin King Alonso's greatest Crime was that of Incontinency but at his Death he shewed great Tokens of Repentance and dyed like a good Christian He ordered that his Body should be buried without any Tomb at the very Church door of Poblete the Burial Place of his Ancestors A great sign of
away to Burgos and thence to Ordun̄a upon his coming all was presently quiet He made a Truce between the Two Parties till such time as they could be fully Reconciled and set all the Prisoners free After this great Levies were made throughout Castile and the Nobility was summoned to the end to force King Ferdinand and Elizabeth his Queen to depart the Kingdom yet by the Advice of the Master of Santiago this Design was laid aside Toledo and Sevil mutinied at the same time both Cities being divided into Factions Those of Toledo were the Ayalas and Silvas The Earl of Cifuentes was Head of the Silvas and he of Fuensalida of the Ayalas To put an end to these Contentions by the Advice of the Bishop F. Peter de Silva the Earl of Cifuentes Married Ellenor Daughter to him of Fuensalida What was designed to produce a Peace proved the cause of greater Discord not only the Earl of Cifuentes but John de Ribera his Uncle being admitted into the City against the Kings will one of them coming to be Married and the other to honour that Solemnity The Faction of the Silvas having got their Chief among them armed against their Adversaries with such fury that King Henry was forced to come thither in Person and having appeased the Tumult deprived the Earl of Fuensalida of the Government of the City which he had held many years and put Garci Lopez into that Command with the Title of Deputy At Sevil the Marquess of Cadiz was expelled that City by the Duke of Medina Sidonia Hence ensued a formal War which was ended by D. Yn̄igo Lopez de Mendoça Earl of Tendilla sent thither to that purpose he using more Art than Force or Severity Medina Sidonia was restored to its Owner It was a very great loss for Castile that Pope Paul II. died on the 25th of July During his Papacy he did much for the good and advantage of Spain On the 9th of August was chosen in his place the Cardinal Francis de Ruvere of the Order of Friers Minors he took the Name of Sixtus IV. a Man of no less Merit than his Predecessor and as well affected towards Spain At the same time a Body of Moores broke into the inward parts of Andaluzia and made great havock in the Territory of Alcantara The Booty they took was so great they could observe no Order in marching In Revenge for this Affront and to Divert the Enemy by the King's Order the Marquess of Cadiz with his Forces took the Town of Cardella in the Kingdom of Granada by force but he leaving a weak Garison in the place it was soon recovered by the Moores This Year was Fortunate to Portugal King Alonso about the middle of August set sail from Lisbon with a Fleet consisting of 300 Sail between great and small resolving to renew the War in Africk With him went Prince John his Son that he might learn his first Military Rudiments in that Holy War and all the Flower of the Nobility and Souldiery of the Kingdom The Army consisted of about 30000 Men. At his first landing he took from the Moores the Town of Arzila in which above 2000 Infidels were killed and 5000 sold as Slaves which raised a great Sum of Money This Success was not bought without Blood for several Persons of Note among the Portugueses were killed and among them D. Alvaro de Castro Earl of Montesanto and D. John Coutin̄o Earl of Marialva whose dead Body the King having seen turning to his Son he said God grant you prove so great a Souldier The Example of Arzila so terrified the Moores of Tangier that they abandoned it the Command of which Place the King gave to Roderick Merlo Henry de Meneses Earl of Valencia was left Governour of Arzila and Alcaçar Having in so short a time concluded such Noble Exploits the King returned with his Fleet in safety to Portugal D. Alonso Vasconcellos was in this Expedition created Earl of Penella as a Reward of his good Service CHAP. IX Catalonia reduced Charles Duke of Guienne dies Cardinal Borgia the Pope's Legate comes into Spain Interview of the Kings of Castile and Portugal The Master of Santiago strengthens himself against his Enemies Barcelona surrendred to the King of Aragon IN Catalonia the Aragonians were now successful for after the Death of the Duke of Lorrain Girona was surrendred to the King What remained of the Enemy whose Chief Commanders were Reiner Bastard Son to the Duke and James Galeoto were either besieged in a Town called S. Adrian on the Banks of the River Bese or overthrown by the General D. Alonso de Aragon as they marched to relieve that Place The King tho' so old ceased not to press the Enemy in Ampurias As he lay encamped near Torella he is said in a Dream to have seen a notable Soldier that died in that War who advised him not to decamp from thence because it would prove dangerous to him The King took no notice of this Dream but moved thence and having taken Roses and laid Siege to Peralada was in great danger of his Life by a Camisade given at Night by the Earl of Campobaso who commanded the Enemy He was so surprized that he fled half naked to Figueras Nevertheless next day he returned to the Siege and wasted the Country which obliged the Town to surrender All that Country being subdued he marched with his Army and sate down before Barcelona the Siege of which Place lasted long he being resolved to carry that Town by Policy rather than open Force In Old Castile King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth laboured to draw the People to their Party some Towns surrendred to him and among them Sepulveda This done they sent for the Archbishop of Toledo resolving to reconcile him at any rate and being come went with him to Tordelaguna a Town of his on purpose to oblige him Charles Duke of Guienne not regarding that he was contracted to the Princess Joanna as doubting whose Daughter she was was now making a Match with the Duke of Burgundy's Daughter As soon as King Henry had notice of it he went from Segovia to Badajoz to meet the King of Portugal at the beginning of the Year 1472. The Earl of Feria in whose Custody that City was in Hatred to the Master of Santiago would not admit the King Between that Place and Elvas the two Kings met and treated about the King of Portugal's marrying the Princess Joanna but nothing was concluded The Portugues placed no great Confidence in the King or the Master of Santiago beside that King Ferdinand and his Queen became daily more acceptable to the People For the present the Insolence of the Earl of Feria was winked at but not long after King Henry went into Andaluzia with a Resolution to punish all the Mutinous Lords He came to Cordova and would not go on to Sevil because the Duke of Medina-Sidonia was possessed of that City and had
with a Company of Robbers did great harm thereabouts From Segovia whither he returned he resolved to go Visit his Father who was sick By the way at Alcalà he Visited the Archbishop of Toledo thinking by that Civility to gain him to his Party At Guadalajara he also Visited the Marquess de Santillana and so went on to Barcelona where his Father lay In the Kingdom of Valencia the Towns of Segorve and Exerica Mutinied at the same time and took up Arms. The People of Exerica to free themselves from the Tyranny of Francis Sarsuela who they pretended oppressed them Those of Segorve to follow D. Henry de Aragon contrary to the King's Will and Pleasure These Confusions lasted long but nothing remarkable hapned in them only that at length Segorve was confiscate and Exerica restored to its Owner King Ferdinand was at Barcelona consulting with his Father about the War in Russillon when News was brought him from Castile that that D. John Pacheco Master of Santiago departed this Life on the 4th of October upon whose Death the Nobles were worse divided than before Many aimed at that Mastership The Duke of Medina Sidonia the Marquess of Santillana and the Earls of Albuquerque and Benavente confided in their Riches and hoped that way to carry it D. Alonso de Cardenas chief Commendary of Leon was chosen in that City and D. Roderick Manrique Earl of Paredes at Veles The Marquess de Villena pleaded the Pope during his Father's Life-time had given him that Dignity but because he produced no Bull it was supposed he only did it to delay time till he could make an Interest with his Holiness As he went towards Villarejo de Salvanes to meet the Earl of Ossorno he was apprehended and sent Prisoner to Fuentiduen̄a King Henry Resenting this Affront and believing the Earl of Ossorno would not obey his Orders sate down with some Forces before Fuentiduena tho he was then much indisposed Many Lords as well Spiritual as Temporal repaired thither to serve him Delays were dangerous the King's Sickness increasing and the Weather being bad therefore they resolved to oppose one Fraud against another Lope Vasquez de Acun̄a Brother to the Archbishop of Toledo pretending to Treat with the Earl of Osorno's Wife secured her and a Son of hers and carried them away to Huete This obliged her Husband to release the Marquess Thus the Designs of the Earl of Osorno were disappointed King Ferdinand being informed what had hapned left the Care of the War in Ampurias to his Father and returned to Zaragoça There he thought if the Affairs of Castile would permit to assemble the Cortes of Aragon in order to raise Money whereof he stood in great want The more because the French Forces daily increased and they had besieged Elna with 900 Horse and 10000 Foot That place being reduced to great extremity surrendred on the 5th of December upon Condition the Garrison should march away in safety It was much feared lest Perpignan should be lost the Castle being already in the Hands of the French as were all the Garrisons about it This year was particularly Remarkable for the Havock made among the Jews in all parts of Sicily The Rabble without respect to D. Lope de Urrea their Viceroy who punished some of them killed many of those Wretches and plundered their Houses The Peace with the Moores of Granada was duely observed on both sides In Navarre there were Tumults between the Biamonteses who took part with the Princess Ellenor and the Agramonteses who favoured the King of Aragon CHAP. II. The Death of Henry King of Castile Ferdinand and Elizabeth usurp the Crown of Castile from Joanna the Rightful Heiress and are proclaimed King and Queen The King of Portugal undertakes the Protection of the Rightful Heiress his Neece KIng Henry's Indisposition which had held him long daily encreased and being heightned with Troubles and the Toil of his late Expedition became mortal The Physicians ordered him to be carried to Madrid hoping the Air might contribute to his Recovery but neither that nor any Medicines proved effectual On the 11th of December having prepared himself as became a good Christian he gave up the Ghost at the end of the 45th Year of his Age and having Reigned 20 Years 4 Months and 22 Days His Will was not made in form but written in haste by John de Oviedo his Secretary in whom he reposed great Confidence He appointed the Cardinal of Spain and Marquess de Villena his Executors Being asked by F. Peter de Maçuelos Prior of S. Hierom in Madrid who Confessed him at that time Whom he appointed to Succeed him He said the Princess Joanna whom he recommended to his Two Executors as also to the Duke of Arevalo the Marquiss of Santillana the Earl of Benavente and the Constable in whom he most confided His Body was deposited without much Ceremony in the Monastery of S. Hierom at Madrid and thence as he had ordained translated to the Church of Guadalupe This Prince was for nothing so remarkable as for his loose Life He left no Issue Male and was himself the last of the Male Line of King Henry the Bastard King Henry's death caused a mighty alteration in Castile The greatest number took part with the Princess Elizabeth yet many adhered to the Princess Joanna particularly the Marquess de Villena and the Duke of Arevalo with all their Kindred and Followers supported that Lady They expected she should have the Title of Queen and they all the Power chusing a Husband for her where they thought fit All the Country from Toledo to Murcia sided with these Two Noblemen as did all the Men of Note in Galicia with such Resolution that they took Arms against D. Alonso de Azevedo y Fonseca Archbishop of Santiago because he declared for the other side At Segovia such as were there present publickly took the Oath of Allegiance to Queen Elizabeth upon a Scaffold raised for that purpose Then King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth were proclaimed by a Herauld amidst the loud Acclamations of the People All kissed her Hand and conducted her a Horseback to Church Few Lords were then in Segovia and none of them Grandees The first that came to express their Loyalty were the Cardinal of Spain and Earl of Benavente soon after the Archbishop of Toledo the Marquiss de Santillana the Dukes of Alva and Albuquerque the Constable and the Admiral Others did their Homage and took the Oath of Allegiance by Proxy No Oath was taken to King Ferdinand till he came and swore to preserve the Privileges of the Kingdom He was then holding the Cortes of Aragon and Zaragoça and endeavouring to raise Money but as soon as he heard of the death of King Henry he set out for Castile He left his Sister Joanna Contracted to Ferdinand King of Naples then a Widower to preside in the Cortes It was usual with the Nobility of Castile to sell their Loyalty as dear
at Paris where were found two Letters one for the King of France giving him an account of his design In the other he advised his Son immediately to cause himself to be Crowned King His Son having read this Letter was Crowned on the 11th of November only Five days before the arrival of his Father at Cascaes For the King of France had immediately sent some Persons after him who forced him to come back He advis'd him to return to his Country which he accordingly did The King came to Portugal very sad and lean His Son went out with joy to receive him and restored him his Crown and Dignity This was the event of the King of Portugals Voyage and Attempts which at first were hot but in the Conclusion fell to the Ground The following Year 1478 was unfortunate and remarkable because on the 23th of January was Born in Flanders of the Lady Mary Heiress to Charles the Bold Duke of Burgundy and Maximilian Duke of Austria Philip who was afterwards happy in the great Dominions he acquired and the Successor he left tho his prosperity was not lasting Death snatching him away in the prime of his youth In the Month of April in the City of Florence certain Citizens conspiring against the Brothers of the House of Medicis who they suspected design'd to Usurp the Sovereignty of that City till then Free Murder'd Julian in the Church of St. Librada the other called Lawrence de Medicis saved himself in the Sacristy of the said Church Hereupon the other Citizens ran to Arms and apprehended Salviato Archbishop of Pisa one of the Conspirators in the Pallace of the Seigneury whither he went to exhort the People to defend their Liberty Without farther Process he hanged him out of the Window The Cardinal of St. George who was said to favour the Conspirators was in great danger Florence was Excommunicated for the Murder of the Archbishop but the King of France interposing the City was absolv'd rather through fear than for any good-will The Pope and King of Naples had also made War upon the Florentines but now also a Peace was Concluded and they were left at Liberty as they were before CHAP. VII Sardinia entirely reduced The Birth of John Prince of Castile The Inquisition first settled in Spain Peace Concluded betwixt France and Castile the death of King John of Aragon IN Sardinia the War continu'd hot and both parties looked for supplies from abroad The Genoeses who ought to have assisted the Marquess de Oristan as their ancient Allie forbore because they had lately concluded a Truce at Naples with the House of Aragon Fresh succours came daily to the Royallists from Aragon and Sicily and at last the Earl of Cardona Viceroy of Sicily went over in Person After several skirmishes the two Armies met near a Castle called Machomera There the Battle was given in which the Marquess was killed and his Army routed Artal his Son endeavouring to make his escape in a Boat was taken by Two Aragonian Gallies and carried Prisoner into Spain by Villamarin the Admiral He was Confined to the Castle of Xativa and all his Estate which was considerable as well in Sardinta as the Continent Confiscate Particularly the Marquisates of Oristan and Gociano were for ever annexed to the Crown and added to the other regal Titles This Battle was fought on the 19th of May. Thus that Island which had been so long contended for was at last wholly subdued by the Aragonians King Ferdinand of Castile tho the Affairs of Andaluzia were not altogether settled and his Queen was with Child returned to the Kingdom of Aragon for two reasons The first to reduce the Archbishop of Toledo and perswade him not to call in the King of Portugal again The other to revive the Association of the Towns against Robbers and Outlaws which decayed much by reason of the great charge of keeping Soldidiers in Pay To this effect the Cortes were held at Madrid where the Association was continued for Three Years longer Nothing could be concluded with the Archbishop tho endeavours were used to satisfie him there had been no design of killing him After the Cortes broke up King Ferdinand returned to Sevil the Queen earnestly desiring it because she was near her time Thither came Ambassadors from the King of Granada to desire the Truce might be renewed which was refused unless besides doing Homage he would pay the Tribute used formerly The King sent Ambassadors to Granada to treat of it and the Moore answered That the Kings who used to pay that Tribute were dead many Years before and that at present in the Mint of Granada no Gold or Silver was Coined but instead of it they made Spears Darts and Cimiters King Ferdinand tho' offended at this Answer necessity obliging him to it renewed the Truce On the 28th of June the Queen fell in labour and was delivered of a Son called Prince John who was unfortunately cut off in the Flower of his Age as we shall relate in its Place The King of Aragon tho tired with Age demanded this Child should be sent to him to be bred up after the manner of Aragon At this time the King of Aragon contended for the Archbishoprick of Zaragoça His aim was to confer it upon D. Alonso Bastard Son to King Ferdinand The Pope was willing to dispence with his Illegitimacy but not with his Age for he was but Six Years old and therefore desired to bestow that See upon the Cardinal Ausias Despuch believing the King would allow it by reason of the great services done by his Brother the Master of the Order of Montesa It proved otherwise for the King in a passion seized the Cardinals Estate and affronted his kindred The King of Naples interposing who was great with the Pope the King of Aragon obtained his desire and that Dignity was given to D. Alonso as perpetual Administrator This was the foundation of a Custom prejudicial to the Church ever since in use and meerly extorted from the Pope at that time It was then the Custom in Spain that all Bishops had their nomination from the King whence ensued another dispute about the See of Taraçoza for the Cardinal Andrew Ferrer dying the Pope bestowed it upon Andrew Martinez King Ferdinand opposed it designing that Church for the Cardinal of Spain who at last carried it Such another debate hapned about the See of Cuenca in which the King also prevailed A Bull was also granted by which the whole power of nominating their Bishops was granted to the Kings of Castile for ever Four years before another Bull had been obtained which excluded for the future all Strangers from reversions of Bishopricks James Saldan̄a Ambassador from King Henry at Rome procured it He went to Portugal with the Princess Joanna and from him is descended a noble Family there of his Name F. Alonso de Burgos Bishop of Palencia Built at Valladolid the famous Monastery of St. Paul of his
20 Days Of Disposition he was Robust and of Spirit Lively The latter part of his Life was stained with a leud Appetite tho he was past acting for he fixed his Affection upon a handsome young Woman called Frances Rose whom he design'd to have formerly Married to that D. Jayme de Aragon who was Executed at Barcelona In his Will made 10 Years before his Death he ordained several godly Works to be performed Particularly the Erecting Two Monasteries of the Order of St. Hierome which are famous at this time One of them is St. Engracia at Zaragoça the other St. Mary de Belpuch in Catalonia his Son exactly performing all that he had ordained He also ordered that the Grandsons of his Son Ferdinand tho' by a Daughter should Inherit the Crown of Aragon and take place of their Mothers CHAP. VIII Elenor Queen of Navarre The troubles of that Kingdom and her Death The Countess of Medellin raises Tumults in Castile Portugueses overthrown by the Castilians Heretical Opinions Started and Condemned in Spain King Ferdinand goes into Aragon BY the Death of the King of Aragon his Dominions were divided Aragon fell to King Ferdinand and Navarre to the Princess Elenor in the Right of her Mother She had been 7 Years a Widow and consequently exposed to great Misfortunes That Kingdom was still divided betwixt the old Factions The Biamonteses Enemies to the new Queen were most prevalent These troubles seemed to be a Judgment for the Murders committed upon Charles Prince of Viana the Princess Blanch his Sister and the Bishop of Pamplona Queen Ellenor Reigned not a whole Month. She was more Fortunate in her Issue than in her Life for she had 4 Sons Gaston John Peter and James and 5 Daughters Mary Joanna Marguerite Catherine and Ellenor we shall briefly speak of them all great Families being descended from them Gaston died as was said before and left two Children Francis Phebus and Catherine who both Reigned in Navarre successively John was Lord of Narbonne which he bought of his Father and had Issue Gaston and Germana Gaston was killed at the Battle of Ravenna where he was General for Luis the 12th of France Germana Married King Firdinand after the death of his first Wife Peter applied himself to learning and piety and Pope Sixtus made him a Cardinal James followed the War and was never Married Mary the Eldest Daughter was Married to William Marquess of Monferrat Joanna to John Earl of Armagnac Margaret to Francis Duke of Britany and had Issue Ann and Elizabeth Ann the Heiress being Married first to Charles the 8th and after his death to Luis the 12th of France joined that Dukedom and Kingdom Catherine 4th Daughter to Queen Ellenor Married Gaston de Faux Earl of Candale and brought forth 2 Sons and a Daughter called Anne Married to Ladislaus King of Hungary Ellenor the Youngest Daughter died a Maid Queen Ellenor died on the 12th of February at Tudela where she began her Reign In her Will she Ordained out of her own Money a Monastery of Franciscans should be Built at Tafalla and that her Body should be Buried there and the Bones of her Mother Queen Blanch be also Translated thither from the Monastery of Nuestra SenÌ„ora de Nieva in Old Castile where they were deposited The Revenue was so exhausted that she was forced to Sell her Jewels to Live Francis Phebus so called for his extraordinary Beauty being but 11 Years of Age succeeded her His Mother the Lady Magdalen and his Uncle Peter the Cardinal had the Administration of the Government till he came to Years and discharged their Trust Prudently in those difficult Times The late Queen during her Troubles had no help from her Brother the King of Castile therefore she made no mention of him in her Will but directed the Governors to Adhere to France as they did which was the Cause they soon lost that Kingdom Thus much of Navarre In Castile some new Oppinions in matters of Religion were broached One Peter Oxomensis a Professor of Divinity at Salamanca was the Author By Order of Pope Sixtus the Archbishop of Toledo assembled several Persons of great Learning at Alcala where he Refided who all Condemned those new Opinions and the Author was Excommunicated unless he recanted Sentence was given on the 24th of May and soon after Pope Sixtus confirmed it by his Bull. John Prexanus a famous Divine in that Age. afterwards Bishop of Cuidad Rodrigo wrote a Book against the said Peter The Marquisate of Villena was now the Seat of War for the Marquess because Covenants were not performed with him had recourse to Arms and relieved the Town of Chinchilla besieged by the King's Forces Peter Ruiz de Alarcon who Commanded a Party of the King 's was defeated near Alberca by Peter de Baeça and D. George Manrique who in another Skirmish with Peter de Baeça was Wounded of which hurt he afterwards died A great pitty that so ripe a Wit should be so soon cut off Hereupon the Marquess was liable as having been in Arms against the King's Forces He excused himself laying the blame upon the Insolency of those Officers who forced him to do so and pleaded he had no dealings either with the King of Portugal or Archbishop of Toledo These excuses whether True or Counterfeit prevented any farther proceedings against him In this War there happned an extraordinary accident worth Relating The King's Party had hanged 6 of the Prisoners they took In revenge John Berrio an Officer of the Marquess ordered as many of those he had taken to be put to death in the same manner The Prisoners cast Lots and among the rest it fell to the share of one of 2 Brothers that were Prisoners who had a Wife and Children to die The other Brother who was a Batchellor begged to be put to death in his place and so it was done after they had both long and with many Tears contended about it King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth received the News of King John's Death and their own Accession to the Crown of Aragon in Estremadura where they were quelling the Tumults raised by the Countess of Medellin and D. Alonso de Mâ—nrey The Countess had a Spirit above a Woman for she kept her own Son D. John Portocarrero some years a Prisoner and at last turned him out of Doors which was the cause she was in Arms fearing lest she should be obliged to restore the Earldom to her Son who laid Claim to it as his Father's Inheritance She also designed to keep the City Merida in which she had a Garison D. Alonso was digusted that the Mastership of Alcantara was taken from him and given to D. John de ZunÌ„iga upon which Pretence he seized several Towns belonging to that Military Order The King provided for the War with Portugal which it was feared would prove more bloody than before yet both Parties being exhausted a Treaty was proposed This was the more Welcome to
small Labour that remained chearfully putting them in mind of the rich Booty that Place would afford 300 chosen Men advanced and came late at night to the Walls Perceiving no noise in the Castle they applied their Scaling-Ladders and mounted the Wall The first that got up was John de Ortega then another John born at Toledo and the third Martin Galindo all three resolute Soldiers They killed the Sentinels who were asleep and some others then opening the Gate all the others rushed in The Townsmen speedily cast up Works to secure themselves against the Castle and were attacked at break of day by our Men but without success Sancho de Avila Governor of Carmona and Martin de Rojas of Arcos bebing too forward were both killed in the Castle-Gate Any delay was dangerous because Granada was but 8 Leagues off Some were for demolishing the Castle and retiring The Bolder sort were against quitting the Enterprize upon any account This Advice prevailed and the Town was assaulted on all sides Some from without scaled the Walls thither the Moors bent their whole Force which gave those in the Castle an opportunity of entring the Town on that side A resolute Fight was maintained in the Streets The Christians were the better Soldiers but the Infidels more numerous yet both Parties stood their ground till night when such as remained of the Enemy retired to a Mosque where many were killed and the rest made Slaves Thus the loss of Zahara was doubly repaid This was the beginning of that tedious and bloody War Alhama was taken on the last Day of February The taking of this Place struck a Terror into the Moors and caused the Christians to stand upon their Guard The Moors finding the Christians gained footing so near Granada feared the approaching Downfal of that Kingdom Besides they were afflicted at some Apparitions seen in the Air and because an old Fortune-teller as soon as the Infidels took Zahara is said to have cried out The Ruine of that Town God grant what I say prove false will fall upon our Heads My Mind gives me the End of our Dominion in Spain draws near This caused the King to raise Men throughout his Kingdom and to march towards Alhama with 3000 Horse and about 50000 Foot So great an Army was terrible to our Men who could not quit the Place without much Dishonour They sent Messengers to all Parts to hasten Relief and mean while ceased not Day or Night to repair the Walls and add new Works The Safety of the Town consisted in that the Enemy for haste brought no Cannon or other Engines for Battery Therefore all their Assaults proved unsuccessful for our Men bravely made good the Walls The sharpest Dispute was at the River which runs near the Town in which there being no Fountains nor Cisterns the Besieged were obliged to go out for Water The Moors laboured to turn the River another way which tho' with much loss they performed cutting a new Channel D. Alonso de Aguilar marched from Cordova with 1000 Horse and 3000 Foot to the Relief of the Besieged but all Passes being secured by the Enemy was forced to return without effecting any thing All the Hopes that remained was in the Duke of Medina Sidonia and that not much because of his ancient Enmity with the Marquess of Cadiz to which was added that he resented that Expedition had been undertaken without consulting him The Love of his Country prevailed with his Generous Spirit above private Animosities and the Publick Danger reconciled those Opposites Having resolved to relieve the Besieged he took the Royal Standard out of Sevil and joined with other Noblemen particularly D. Roderick Giron Master of Calatrava and D. James Pacheco Marquess of Villena They gathered about 5000 Horse and 40000 Foot King Ferdinand the very Day he received the News of the taking of Alhama and the Danger our Men were in set forward with speed from Medina del Campo leaving Orders for the Queen to follow him He sent Orders to the Noblemen not to enter the Moorish Territories before he came because it was requisite to carry a greater force The great want of Water the Besieged endured made all delay dangerous therefore the Lords notwithstanding that Order marched The Moors expected not their coming but raised the Siege and departed Then the Besieged marched out to meet those that came to their Relief and joyfully embraced one another The Marquess of Cadiz embraced the Duke of Medina Sidonia they saluted one another courteously and so ended the Hatred which had been betwixt those two Families for many Years This Joy was very near being converted into Sorrow by a Dispute arising among the Soldiers Those that came to relieve the Besieged pretended to have share in the Plunder of the Town and from Words they had come to Blows but that the Duke pacified his Men with fair Speeches and promises of leading them to greater Plunder A fresh Garrison was put into the Town and the Army marched back Immediately the Moors returned to the Siege and several Parties went out to plunder the neighbouring Country The Infidels observing the highest part of Alhama being difficult of access was slenderly guarded scaled it before break of day on the 20th of April Our Men taking the Alarm charged the Enemy with such Fury that several of them were killed and the rest to save themselves leaped over the Walls Two Citizens of Sevil signalized themselves in this Action the one called Peter Pineda the other Alonso Ponce CHAP. II. Preparations for carrying on the War against the Moors Loxa in vain Besieged and that War laid aside for some time Some Tumults in Galizia A great Slaughter of Christians on the Mountains of Malaga WHilst the Moors lay before Alhama the King and Queen consulted at Cordova about prosecuting the War Some advised to abandon Alhama as hard to be defended being encompassed with Enemies on all sides The Queen was positive it ought to be defended Her Opinion prevailed and by the Advice of James de Merlo whom the King held in great account it was resolved to besiege Loxa a very strong City not far from Alhama Ezija was the Place appointed for the Army to Rendezvous about 5000 Horse and 8000 Foot gathered there A small Number for so great an Undertaking After the Moors were gone the King marched with part of these Forces to Alhama on the 29th of April He put a new Garrison into the Place and left D. Luis Portocarrero Lord of Palma a great Soldier to Command there Then having wasted the Plain of Granada without sustaining any loss he returned to Cordova to make the necessary Preparations for War Besides the Queen was near her time and he was willing to be present at her lying in On the 29th of July she was delivered of two Children the one that lived was called Mary the other was dead Hence the People took occasion to frame Omens of the Success of the War according
to every Man's Fancy But what most troubled them was to see those who carried the Standards to Church to be Blessed look extraordinarily melancholy Others laughed at all these Observations as at vain and accidental things The day following the King went away to Ezija all Persons of any Note striving to have part in that Undertaking According as had been resolved they marched to Loxa where they encamped and entrenched themselves near the Suburbs among Olive Gardens on that side where the River Xenil is so straightned by high Banks that it is not sordable The Ground was streight and not proper for the Horse and the Citizens being Masters of the Bridge it was hard to pass the River Near this place is a Hill called Albohacen which being commodious to hinder the Enemy from sallying and to command the City the Master of Calatrava and Marquesses of Villena and Cadiz were ordered to possess themselves of it Within the City were about 3000 Horse Commanded by Alatar a Brave Captain They made several Sallies particularly upon a Saturday being encouraged by some Recruits they had received and the Hopes that the King of Granada was marching to relieve them they attacked our Post upon the Hill sallying in two Bodies Our Guards being surprized fled Those that encamped next them came to their Relief but without any Order or leaving a Guard in the Camp The other Body of Moors laying hold of this Opportunity easily made themselves Masters of our Works which greatly discouraged those that were engaged However they ran to defend their Camp and behaved themselves with great Bravery The Enemy pressed them in Front and Rear which was the cause our Men were defeated The Master of Calatrava was killed with many others the rest saved themselves by flight King Ferdinand discouraged by this Misfortune and perceiving that what his Brother the Duke de Villahermosa had said was true to wit That the Army was encamped in a disadventageous Post as also understanding the Enemy's Army marched towards him the next day marched away as far as the Lovers Rock called Pen̄a de los Enamorados which was seven Leagues distant from Loxa He retired in good Order the Marquess of Cadiz facing the Enemy who continually charged the Rear but were so bravely received they fled to the City This was the end of that ill laid Design The Moors encouraged by this Success returned to the Siege of Alhama King Ferdinand on the 14th of August in Person relieved the Besieged laid in Provision for 9 Months and gave the Lieutenancy of that Place to D. Luis Osorio who tho' Elect Bishop of Jaen was a brave and experienced Soldier Besides the King plundered and burnt all the Plain of Granada 600 Moors came out of the City to skirmish but the Earl of Cabra and Chief Commendary of Calatrava killed many of them and forced the rest back into the Town These were great Losses to the Moors but the greatest Mischief was Discord among themselves for a great number of the Citizens of Granada taking Arms drove their King Albohaçen out of the City They accused him of Tyranny and of beginning that bloody War In his Place they set up his own Son Mahomet Boabdil commonly called the Little King others call him Haley Muley Alcadurbil Malaga Baça and some other Cities continued Loyal to King Albohaçen Thus that Nation was divided betwixt Two Factions which did them no less harm than the Enemies abroad It is remarkable that amidst these Confusions neither Party asked Aid of the Christians but in the heat of the Civil War made Incursions into their Territories and took the Town of Can̄ete on the Frontiers of that Kingdom Other Affairs for some time diverted the King and Queen from the War with the Moores and they returned to the Kingdom of Toledo The Command of the Frontiers about Ezija was given to D. Peter Manrique Earl of Trevin̄o and lately created Duke of Najara D. Alonso de Cardenas Master of Santiago was to Command about Jaen The Government of Sevil was given to D. John de Silva Earl of Cifuentes All things thus settled the King and Queen came to Madrid about the beginning of Winter There the Cortes assembled to regulate the Association set on Foot some Years before as has been said that they might not abuse the Power they had Supplies were also demanded for the Expences of the War and they offered to furnish 16000 Beasts for Carriage Pope Sixtus commanded the Clergy to contribute 100000 Ducats for once He also granted the Croisade to such as served at their own Cost or at least contributed a certain small Sum of Money This was again granted 3 Years after and has continued ever since being Yearly Collected which brings a great Sum of Money into the Kings Coffers Besides all this much Money was borrowed of Bankers and other private Persons The Aragonians would not receive D. Raimund Folch Earl of Cardona for their Viceroy and pleaded it was a breach of their Priviledges to put a Stranger over them After some debate the King condescended and constituted his Son Alonso de Aragon Archbishop of Zaragoça Viceroy The designs of the Portugueses and Navarrois did not a little perplex King Ferdinand The King of Portugal proposed to Marry his Neece the Princess Joanna Daughter to King Henry to Francis Phebus King of Navarre who was not yet dead Navarre favoured France To prevent danger Ambassadors were sent to both Those who went to Navarre which was after the death of that King had orders to propose a Match betwixt Queen Catherine who had Inherited that Crown and Prince John King Ferdinand 's Son They had also instructions to endeavour to gain all the Men in Power particularly the Faction of the Biamonteses that was possessed of Pamplona and most of the Kingdom the Queen having little left her but the Name tho' she had appointed a Viceroy who was Monsieur de Abene a Frenchman well versed in Affairs of that nature Magdalen the Queen's Mother seemed pleased at the Match and said there could be nothing on her side to obstruct so advantageous a proposal In Galicia the Constable and Earl of Benavente with their followers were in Arms. Each of them strove to seize the Castles of the Bishops to be in a better Condition to oppose his Adversary King Ferdinand to prevent mischief Ordered Ferdinand de Acun̄a Governor of that Country to seize those Places The Governor besieging the Castle of Lugo D. Peter Ossorio Earl of Lemos came with Forces to the Assistance of his Brother who was Bishop of that City This produced a new War which obliged King Ferdinand to set out from Madrid on the 11th of February 1413 and hasten into Galicia By the way he received advice that the Earl of Lemos was dead He appointed his Grandson Roderick his Heir tho' a Bastard of his Son Alonso The Grandfather obtained a dispensation of the Pope to make him Legitimate and put him
wounded but at last the Infidels were obliged to retire Some in the Town believing themselves lost resolved to kill the King Among these one who was accounted a Holy Man to compass his Design suffered himself to be taken He desired to be carried before the King who at that time as God ordered it was taking his rest therefore the Queen commanded him to be carried before the Marquess of Moya The Moor by the Riches he saw in the Tent guess'd it to be the King 's and drawing a Cimiter which through oversight had not been taken from him made at D. Alvaro de Portugall who was accidentally talking with the Lady Marchioness He bowing his Body escaped the Blow and the Moore was killed by those that came in to rescue D. Alvaro Thus through God's Mercy that danger was diverted The Army was increased by the arrival of the Duke of Medina Sidonia Maximilian Duke of Austria who was afterwards Emperor sent two Ships from Flanders laden with all manner of Warlike Stores under the Command of D. Ladron de Guevara The number of the Besieged also increased for that some got into the City through the Works next the Sea Hunger pinched and yet the Barbary Soldiers would hear of no Capitulation The Citizens were for surrendring One of them called Dordux a Man of great Note went out to Capitulate The King said there were no Conditions to be allowed but they must surrender upon Discretion This was in publick but under-hand he promised Dordux that if he managed that Business well he and all his Kindred should not only be set free but well Rewarded The Moore undertook to do it and accordingly admitted the Christians into the Castle and set up their Colours on the highest Tower This terrified both the Citizens and Barbary Soldiers yet at the same time they hoped the Capitulation made by Dordux would extend to them all For this reason they packed up their Goods to depart but they were deceived for their Goods and Liberty were taken from them The same hapned to the Soldiers who drew out near the Sea to march away All the Africans with their Commander Zegri were made Prisoners Many Christians who had fled to the Moores were put to death The Jews who after being Baptized had relapsed were burnt All the other Jews and Moores who were Natives of the City were allowed to Ransom themselves at an easie rate This Noble City was taken on the 18th of August for which there was General Rejoycing and Thanksgiving throughout all Spain It appeared that in the time of the Goths it had been a Bishoprick and therefore the Pope granted his Bull to restore that Dignity The general Joy for this Success was somewhat abated by the News that Bajazet the Great Turk provided a mighty Fleet to invade Sicily by that means to divert the Spaniards from the Conquest of Granada Whilst the Moores were running to ruin the Portugueses sending out Fleets every year opened themselves a way to the Eastern Countreys A mighty Undertaking first commenced as has been said by Prince Henry who first caused the Coast of Africk along the Ocean to be discovered This Work was continued several years after without intermission But the Profit in those Discoveries not answering the Trouble and Cost they designed to pass onward to the rich Provinces of India to bring home to their Country the Riches of those Parts which Heaven had so largely bestowed upon those People as all sorts of Spice Precious Stones Pearls Gold Silver Ivory and many other Things which the insatiable Pride of Man rather than Necessity has caused to be highly valued Things strange and at that great distance are never truly represented but highly magnified It was reported there were Woods of great tall Trees of Cinnamon Cassiafistula and Cloves great store of Pepper and Ginger Beasts of extraordinary Shapes and Men of strange Customs and Countenances The Wiser sort thought it a great Madness for a Kingdom so small and of so little strength as Portugal to seek out those Nations seated in respect to them in the utmost bounds of the Earth and parted from them by such a vast Ocean But all Difficulties yielded to Avarice and Ambition To this purpose the King of Portugal some years since sent Bartholomew Diaz an able Pilot to the Cape of Good Hope which is the utmost point of Africk to the South and beyond the Equinoctial He passed that Cape and came to a River which he called Del Infante With Bartholomew Diaz went F. Antony of the Order of S. Francis who was an Active and Bold Man He having viewed a great part of Africk and Assia travelling from that place came at last to Hierusalem Lastly he returning by Land and Bartholomew Diaz by Sea gave an Account to the King of what they had discovered This encouraged the Portugueses to proceed in so great an Undertaking For the better carrying on of their Design they chose two Men of Courage and Experience and that were great Masters of the Arabick Language to proceed in this Discovery one of them was Peter Covillam and the other Alonso de Payva To save the vast Charge of a Fleet they were sent by Land to discover the inferior Parts of Africk and Asia each of them taking one of those Parts of the World for his Province With these Instructions they set out of Lisbon on the 15th of May took Naples and Rome in their way thence passed to Hierusalem then to Alexandria and so to Grand Caire the principal City of Egypt Here they parted Peter Cavillam for Ormuz an Island at the mouth of the Persian Gulph and thence to Calicut Alonso de Payva undertook to examine the Inland of Ethiopia where he died For this Reason and because he received Letters from the King ordering him not to return till he had surveyed all those Provinces Peter Covillam went into Ethiopia Alexander Nau and David successively Emperors of Ethiopia and vulgarly called Prester John took an Affection to Covillam and therefore would not suffer him to return home but gave him a Wife and Land to live upon Since he could not return he thence sent an Account to the King in Writing of all he had seen He said Calicut was the Richest and most famous Place of Trade in all the East the Inhabitants of a Sallow Complexion not Warlike and Extravagant in their manner of living That they went Naked from the Waste upwards wore much Gold and Silk their Arms loaded with Pearls a Cimiter hanging from their Shoulders That one Woman Married several Husbands for which reason no body Knowing the Father the Nephews being Sons of Sisters Inherited That in Ethiopia were many large Provinces of Blacks that they all profess Christianity but much corrupted with Jewish and Heretical Customs That they were all subject to one powerful King who maintained mighty Armies of Horse and Foot and always lived in the Field To conclude that he believed those People might be
easily reconciled to the Church if Ambassadors were sent and Peace and Commerce settled with them But most of these things hapned some Years later It is time to return to Castile CHAP. VII Tumults in Aragon the Cities Associate there The War with the Moores renewed and several Places taken from them which they with the same facility recover Maximilian King of the Romans aimes to Marry the Princess Elizabeth of Castile AFter the taking of Malaga when King Ferdinand thought to have gone on in his Conquest the troubles in Aragon oblged him to go thither to put a stop to the Murders and Robberies committed there At Valencia D. Philip de Aragon Master of the Order of Montesa killed John de Valterra a noble Youth and his Rival for both Courted the Lady Ellenor Marchioness of Cotron and Daughter of Anthony Centellas which occasioned great Tumults in that City To obviate these harms King Ferdinand set out from Cordova and arrived at Zaragoça on the 19th of November The manner of choosing Magistrates in that City was altered The Council and Commons used before to have the Election of them and now because that produced Disputes and Mutinies they desired for the Future the Nomination of them should be in the King Besides the Towns associated after the manner of Castile each engaging to contribute to the Maintenance of 150 Horse who were to Travel about and punish all Malefactors It was Ordained that the King should have the choosing of the Captain of this Association or Brotherhood out of 3 Citizens of Zaragoça named by the Council of that City Laws were also Enacted to prevent their abusing the Power given them This was concluded at the beginning of the Year 1488. At the same time came Leonard Tocco a Grecian and of the Family of the Grecian Emperors whom the Turks had drove out of his Dominions and obliged to fly into Italy Ambassador from the King of Naples to conclude the Match before proposed betwixt the Grandson of that King and the Princess Elizabeth Daughter to King Ferdinand This Affair took not Effect because the King designed to Marry his Daughter to the King of France or else to the Prince of Portugal hoping that would be a secure Band of friendship with either of those Nations Instead of her he offered his other Daughter the Princess Mary From Zaragoça the King and Queen went to Valencia thither came to them Alan Father to John d' Albret King of Navarre He came to ask Succour against the King of France who had Conquered part of that Kingdom and the Navarrois themselves who were in Rebellion particularly the Biamonteses were possessed of great part of Navarre and kept the King out notwithstanding but three Years before all things had been agreed and the Earl of Lerin with his whole Family and followers had been restored to their Possessions and others given them that they might rest contented It was also proposed that the King should Protect Francis Duke of Britany whose Daughter Ann many Princes sought to have to Wife because he had no Heir Male. Charles the 8th King of France made War on him on this account Monsieur d' Albret and the Duke of Orleans favoured that Duke Maximilian then King of the Romans was assaulted by the People of Bruges in Flanders and kept Prisoner All these things troubled the King because Maximilian was a friend to Spain and d' Albret who gave the Intelligence his Confederate In fine a League was concluded betwixt the King and Alan against all Princes except the King of France whom it was not convenient for Alan or his Son to disoblige because their Dominions were either in his Power or at least lay exposed to him yet all this was Counterfeit for the real design was to make use of the Forces of Spain against France It was agreed among other things that a Fleet should be fittedout on the Coast of Biscay and Men raised to be sent to Britany under the Command of Michael John de Gralla a Catalonian All this Affair was Concluded and Signed on the 21th of March. The Cortes of Valencia were opened in that City and broke up at Origuela to settle that Country which done King Ferdinand made hast through the Kingdom of Murcia that borders on the Moorish Territories Great preparations were made for carrying on the War and subduing that Country where Albohardil with much difficulty supported the Title of a King tho' still stronger than his Nephew as being possessed of Guadix Almeria and Baça with all the Mountain Country of Granada which was as far as the Sea whence he gathered a greater Revenue because the Mountain was untouched besides the great advantage made of the silken Manufacture which is the best of all Spain The Natives hated Boabdil looking upon him as a Coward and Friend to the Christians and Albohardil had gained Reputation by taking a great Booty about Alcalà Real John de Benavides who Commanded there soon revenged this Loss burning all the Territory of Almeria The Warlike preparations were not carried on with that Vigour the King could have wished because Andalvzia had suffered this Year and the last by the Plague The King Ordered the Rendezvouz to be at Murcia where he was resolving to Attack Vera a Town upon the Sea-coast No resistance was made but it surrendred on the 10th of June Muxacra Velez el Blanco and Velez el Rubio with several other Towns and Castles that were not well Fortified did the same The King was desirous to lay Siege to Almeria a City in that Neighbourhood An impregnable Castle called Taberna stood in the way and the old Moorish King came in Person with 1000 Horse and 20000 Foot to put a Garrison into it resolving to lie in the Woods and cut off our Parties and avoid coming to a Battle because his Men were raw and undisciplined The Enemy refusing to Fight our Forces had the more liberty to wast the Country Most harm was done about Almeria and Baça which is a fruitful Country because watered The Channels that convey the Water were the occasion that many of our Men were cut off and among them D. Philip de Aragon Master of the Order of Montesa a forward and brave Youth King Ferdinand his Forces being weak and he called away upon other Affairs having Garrisoned the Frontiers went away towards Castile No sooner was he gone but the Moorish King recovered all the Towns had been taken from him Mean while the Inhabitants of Guasin a very strong Town near Ronda conspiring put all the Garrison to the Sword It was not long before they received the reward of that Action for the neighbouring Moores to shew they had no hand in that Slaughter and fearing least they should suffer for it assembled and laid Siege to Guasin The Marquess of Cadiz and Earl of Cifuentes came with Forces from Sevil to their Assistance and having taken the Town in Revenge either put
out of England The Prince of Orange had recourse to the Kings of the Romans and of Spain King Ferdinand sent 1000 choice Horse under the Command of D. Peter Gomez Sarmiento Earl of Salinas who landed in Britany at the beginning of the year 1490. This Succour did nothing there and d' Albret despairing of success upon promise of being made Constable of France resolved to change Parties and accordingly delivered up Nantes the chief City of that Dukedom to the French King Ferdinand seeing his Forces were of no use in Britany and upon hopes given him of being restored to Russillon and Cerdaigne called them home Luis XI King of France had ordered that Restitution to be made in his Will being perswaded so to do by F. Francis de Paula Founder of the Minims whom he sent for out of Italy before his death The Spaniards being gone the King of France soon possessed himself of the greatest part of Britany and presently after Married Ann the Dutchess This Marriage so increased the Power and confirmed the Affairs of France that all Divisions being at an end the French had leasure to invade Italy In Spain King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth having ended the War with the Moors resolved to banish the Jews out of all their Dominions To this purpose they ordered a Proclamation to be set forth at Granada where they then were in the Month of March 1492 commanding all that Nation to depart the Kingdom within four months leave being given them either to sell their Goods or carry them with them In the month of April F. Thomas de Torquemada the first Inquisitor General published an Order forbidding all Christians after that time to Entertain or Conceal them under severe Penalties This caused an infinite number of those People to transport themselves to several places Some went over to Africk others to Italy and many to the Eastern Countreys where their Descendents still use the Spanish Tongue A great number of them stayed in Portugal upon Leave granted by King John II. yet so that each of them should pay Eight Crowns in Gold for their Reception and depart the Kingdom within a certain time limited After the expiration whereof all such as stayed should be made Slaves Many of them were accordingly brought into Servitude and afterwards set free by King Emamul at the beginning of his Reign What number of Jews went out of Spain cannot be positively affirmed Most Authors say there were 170000 Families and some say they made up 800000 Souls A vast Multitude which caused many to condemn this Action of the King 's as a great loss to his Kingdoms these being a Rich and Industrious People No doubt but it was a great advantage to those Countreys whither they went because they carried with them great part of the Riches of Spain True it is many of them rather than leave their Country and sustain such great loss were Baptized some sincerely others only for Protection At this time died at Rome Pope Innocent VIII The next day after his Death the Cardinals met to choose another and at last after much struggling whether by fair or soul means is not mine to decide Cardinal Roderick Borgia was Elected and took the Name of Alexander VI. Many ill things have been said of this Pope some it is likely were true but magnified through Malice because he was a Stranger as being born at Valencia When his Unckle Calixtus was chosen Pope he made haste to Rome and being created Cardinal had by a Roman Woman called Zanocia or Vanezia four Sons Peter Luis the Eldest Cesar John and Godfrey and one Daughter called Lucretia He was so rich that he bought the Dukedom of Gandia and gave it to his Son Peter Luis and after his decease to his 3d Son John whose Son and Heir was John Father to D. Francis Borgia a Holy Man for quitting that Estate he became a Jesuit Alexander was Elected on the 11th of August and Crowned on the 27th The same day he confirmed the Decree before passed for Erecting the See of Valencia into an Archbishoprick and gave it to his Second Son Cesar then Bishop of Pamplona The year following he made him a Cardinal several Witnesses being produced to Swear he was not Son to the Pope but to Dominick Arin̄ano Husband to Zanocia such was the Corruption of that Age. The youngest Son of all was Godfrey who by Contract with the King of Naples was created Prince of Esquilache Lucretia was first Married to John Sforzia then to Luis Alonso de Aragon Bastard Son to Alonso King of Naples and lastly to Alonso de Este Eldest Son to Hercules Duke of Ferrara During the Papacy of Alexander 〈◊〉 Cardinals Caps were given to Spaniards Navarre was now in an uproar for two Reasons One was that John Viscount Narbonne Unckle to the Queen of Navarre pretended he had a better Right to the Crown than she because his Eldest Brother Gaston died before his Mother Queen Ellenor and therefore he said he was to take place of the Grandchildren On the other side the Earl of Lerin disturbed the Country being possessed of Pamplona Olite and several other Places Each Party had recourse to King Ferdinand to justifie their Proceedings as to one who was so nearly concerned and might be so great a support to them As to the Viscount King Ferdinand answered he would stand by the King and Queen of Navarre their Right being undisputable He therefore took several Places in the County of Faux by force of Arms and at the same time pleaded his Title in the Parliament of Paris yet at length he compounded and gave over his Pretentions for a while For the Earl of Lerin it was ordained that he should deliver up those Places he was unjustly possessed of and be banished Navarre during his Life together with his two Sons Luis and Ferdinand To mollifie these hard Conditions the Town of Huescar in the Kingdom of Granada was given him with the Title of a Marquess This was concluded the following year and put in execution 3 years after Let us turn back to what we have left behind CHAP. II. Discoveries and Conquests of the Spaniards in the West-Indies Controversies arise betwixt the Crowns of Spain and Portugal concerning their Discoveries Roussillon and Cerdagne restored to King Ferdinand THE most Honourable and Advantageous Enterprize that Spain ever undertook was the Discovery of the West-Indies properly called The New World which hapned in this manner A Ship being drove by a violent Storm from the Coast of Africk was cast upon an unknown Land After the Storm had ceased the Master with only 3 or 4 Mariners the rest being consumed by Famine returned to the Island Madera Christopher Columbus a Genoese but Married in Portugal was then in that Island and was an able Seaman and daring Man He entertained the Master of that Ship in his House who died soon after and left Columbus his Journal of that Voyage Others
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
Otranto and Trana which lay convenient for their Trade in the East King Ferdinand of Spain provided for the War in Russillon To this purpose the Cortes met the last Year at Taraçona and resolved to assist the King with 200 Men at Arms and 300 Horse for 3 Years After this the Cortes of Catalonia assembled at Tortosa and sate till the beginning of the Year 1496. They also granted Supplies The two Matches with the House of Austria were also forwarded because the Archduke's Inclination lay another way Still the War in Naples continued for tho' the French were few in Number yet they had some considerable Places of Strength In 〈◊〉 Gonçalo Fernandez was strong and straitned the French very much Near Eboli the French defeated 4000 Neapolitans which made them sole Masters of the Field in that Country To raise Money they resolved to march into Apulia and receive the Duties upon Cattel which is one of the best Branches of the Revenue The King was at Benevento his Forces dispersed and went thence to Foxia to prevent the Design of the French The Marquess of Mantua with the Forces of Venice join'd him Fabricio attempting the same with 600 Swissers had most of his Men cut off by the French whereupon they grew so bold as to offer the King Battel at Foxia He refused but some small Skirmishes hapned betwixt them The French marched on to receive the Duty some they had and some the King got the rest was lost Gonçalo Fernandez being possessed of almost all Calabria had cooped the Lord Aubeni up in the extream part of that Province yet the King called him away to strike at the Head In his Place he left Cardinal Luis d' Aragon the King 's Cousin-German The Country-people thought to secure the Passes but the Spaniards being well versed in that way of Mountain-fight made a great Slaughter of them near a Town of Calabria called Muran There they understood that some of the Barons of the French Faction lay not far off at a Town called Lacino and designed to relieve the Castle of Confenza Gonçalo de Cordova marched all night surprized the Town killed many of those Nobles and sent the rest Prisoners to the King The French besieged Xerula 10 Miles from Benevento and the King sate down before Frangito The French came to relieve this Place at such time as the King's Forces entred and burnt it to lose no time in Plundering Both Armies stood in sight of one another on two Hills neither daring to pass the Valley that lay betwixt them Tho' the French were weak the King resolved not to fight till Gonçalo de Cordova had joined him which he did notwithstanding the Duke of Monpensier laboured to hinder it On Midsummer day he came up with the King who then lay before Amalfi whither the French were then retired He viewed the Place and on the 1st of July attacked the Enemies Guard upon the Mills and drove them away destroying the Mills which gained him such mighty Reputation that the Italians began to call him the Great Captain and looked upon him as Superiour to all other Officers This Siege was carried on with such Vigour that the Duke of Monpensier was forced to surrender upon Articles which were That if within 30 days he were not relieved from France he would withdraw all the Forces out of the Kingdom with their Goods Arms and Horses and deliver up all Places except Gaeta Venosa and Taranto and those Towns which the Lord of Aubeni and the Duke de Monte were possessed of Upon this Condition the King was obliged to give the French free Passage by Sea and Land This was agreed in July and afterwards performed accordingly It is worth observing That in Original Capitulations signed on both Sides they gave Gonçalo Fernandez the Title of Great Captain Nevertheless few of the French ever reached home The Duke of Monpensier died at Puzol Virginius Ursinus contrary to the Capitulation was apprehended by the Pope's Order with his Son John Jordan and other Italian Lords It troubled the King that his Word was broke and that he could not relieve them yet he durst not disobey the Pope who commanded it and whose Nephew John Borgia the Cardinal and Bishop of Melfi followed the Army as his Legate during this War and the Duke of Gandia Commanded the Forces of the Pope During the absence of the Great Captain the Affairs of Calabria grew into a worse Posture which obliged him to return thither He coming into that Province the greatest part whereof the Enemy was again possessed of so distressed them that the Lord Aubeni was forced to subscribe to the Conditions made with the Duke of Monpensier and return to France having gained the Reputation of a Brave but Unfortunate Commander in that he had to do with so great a Man as Gonçalo Fernandez At the same time that the Affairs of Naples began to have a more favourable Aspect that is about the middle of August departed this Life Queen Elizabeth Mother to the then Queen of Spain Her Body was deposited at Arevalo where she lived the latter part of her Life somewhat distracted Thence she was afterwards translated to the Church of the Carthusians at Burgos where her Husband King John II. of Castile lay buried Her Grandchild the Princess Joanna on the 22d of the same Month sailed from Laredo with a Fleet there provided to carry her to her Husband Philip Archduke of Austria The Queen her Mother bore her Company to the Sea Frederick Enriquez the Admiral carried her to Flanders were she was Nobly entertained This Year also the Pope gave to King Ferdinand of Spain the Title of Catholick King as Pius II. had before Honoured Luis XI King of France with the Name of Most Christian That is whereas before they used to write on the Pope's Bulls To the Illustrious King of Castile now they first wrote To the Catholick King of Spain This highly offended the Portugueses who said King Ferdinand was not King of it all their Kings possessing a great part The Dispute lasted till that Crown was united to Castile As soon as King Emanuel was seated on the Throne of Portugal he assembled the Cortes of the Kingdom at Montemor not far from Evora in order to settle the Government Thither came George the late King's Bastard-Son then but 14 Years of Age and with him his Tutor D. James d' Almeyda Great Prior of S. John The King received him with much Demonstration of Affection promising to look upon him as his own Child and to use him as such He immediately sent Ambassadors to the King of Spain to acquaint him with his Accession to the Crown and to the Pope to pay him Reverence as usual D. James de Sylva the King's Tutor and D. John Manuel his Foster-Brother were in great Esteem with the King D. James was created Earl of Portalegre D. John made Lord Chamberlain and afterwards became the King's greatest
France and to marry him to the Lady Charlotte Daughter to the King of Naples Her Father would not consent because they demanded the Principality of Taranto with her as Dower and this was suspected to be in order to seize the whole Kingdom of Naples The Duke of Milan and Cardinal Ascanius his Brother pressed the King to consent lest the Pope should bring the French upon him again which would prove his utter Ruin as it did K. Ferdinand did not approve of this Contrivance tho' he was offered the disposal of the Churches of Pamplona and Valencia then in the hands of Caesar Borgia These Practices scandalized all Christendom to see that a Cardinal in Holy Orders should have leave given him to marry The Wickedness of the Court of Rome gave all the World enough to talk therefore Hierome Savonarola a Dominican who of late Years had a great hand in the Government of Florence Preaching with extraordinary Freedom against the Extravagancies of the Pope was by his Order publickly burnt with two of his Companions in the Market place of that City upon Palm-Sunday Many in Florence to this day account him a Martyr others condemned his Boldness But this hapned not only at Florence for Garcilasso the Catholick King 's Ambassador reproved the Pope to his face and required him in his King's Name to redress those Disorders The Pope was angry at this Liberty but mended not his Faults Soon after Caesar Borgia publickly protested he took Orders against his Will and desired a Dispensation to quit all his Benefices and resign the Cardinal's Cap. Many of the Cardinals were of Opinion he deserved for his wicked Life to be degraded and not suffered to resign but none durst speak for fear of the Pope In fine he resigned and the New King of France created him Duke of Valence Being disappointed of the Daughter of Frederick King of Naples he married the Daughter of the Lord d' Albret and Sister to the King of Navarre By her he had a Daughter who her Father dying was left to the Care of her Unkle the King of Navarre This same Year the Great Captain having gathered a Fleet at Naples sailed for Spain He was the Honour of our Nation for the many Victories he obtained and subduing that Kingdom after such great Disorders CHAP. II. The King of Portugal sworn Heir to the Crown of Castile Elizabeth his Queen delivered of a Son dies The Duke of Milan expelled his Dominions University of Alcala founded Rebellion of the Mountain-Moors AS soon as Prince John died the King and Queen began to be sollicitous about the Succession of the Crown but waited to see what the Princess Margaret would bring forth Their Grief was increased when at Alcala de Henares she miscarried of a Daughter Hereupon they advertised the King of Portugal of his Title to the Crown and advised him to come to Castile and be Sworn according to Custom The Archduke and his Dutchess who at that time took the Stile of Princes of Spain were warned to forbear it The King and Queen of Portugal entred Castile by the way of Badajoz where they were received by the Dukes of Medina Sidonia and Alva with many other Great Men. Thence they went to spend the Holy Week at Guadalupe and on the 26th of April came to Toledo where the Catholick King and Queen expected them and according to Custom on the Sunday following Homage was done to them and they were Sworn Heirs of Castile The Business of Aragon was not so easie because Henry Duke of Segorve was alive and pretended no Woman could Inherit that Crown and therefore it appertained to him and his Son Alonso as descended of the Male Line of King Ferdinand of Aragon To make all things the easier the Kings of Castile and Portugal went to Zaragoça and there on the 14th of July proposed to the Nobility to Swear to the King and Queen of Portugal as Heirs of the Crown There arose a great Debate some affirming no Woman could Inherit that Crown and others maintaining the contrary To end this Dispute it pleased God that the Queen of Portugal on the 23d of August was delivered of a Son whom they called Michael She died within an Hour after The King her Husband returned immediately to his Kingdom The Queen's Body was deposited in the Church of S. Francis and thence translated to the Monastery of Nuns of S. Elizabeth built by her Father at Toledo On the 22d of September all Difficulties being removed the young Prince was by general Consent Sworn Heir to the Crown of Aragon and soon after the same was done in Castile Before King Ferdinand went to Zaragoça he had sent D. Alonso de Sylva his Ambassador to France to Compliment the New King upon his Accession to the Crown and at the same time to press the Conclusion of the Peace He with the other Ambassadors there before soon brought it to a Period The same was done on his part by the Archduke without consulting his Father or Father-in-Law Luis d' Amboise Archbishop of Roan by his Interest with the King of France much forwarded this Agreement In September the Pope made him a Cardidal at the suit of the French King who was intent upon passing into Italy upon account of the Right he pretended to have to the Dutchy of Milan and Kingdom of Naples From Zaragoça King Ferdinand sent D. Yn̄igo de Cordova Brother to the Earl of Cabra and Dr. Philip Ponce to require the Pope to restore the City Benevento to the Church and to reform the Abuses of his Court and Leudness of his Family The King of Portugal by the Advice of his Father-in-Law sent D. Roderick de Castro and D. Henry Coutin̄o to Rome with the same Embassie They all admonished the Pope and made their Protestation Garcilasso de la Vega performing the Office of Notary Apostolick The Pope was highly offended and threatned to punish them for their Presumption yet at last be answered That Benevento was not nor should not be alienated As to the Reforming his House he answered harshly Within few days the Prince of Esquilache his Wife his Sister Lucrecia and her Husband whose Leudness as well as Caesar Borgia's incensed the People all departed Rome Such was the Hatred the Pope conceived on this account against Garcilasso de la Vega that he was forced to leave that City and the Portugues Ambassadors soon followed at the beginning of the Year 1499. Those of the Catholick King stayed some time longer till the coming of Lorenço Suarez de Figueroa who was appointed to succeed his Brother Garcilasso after he had been Ambassador at Venice where he gained great Reputation Many heavy Cares at the same time lay upon the Catholick King Italy was in danger by reason of the French King's Pretensions The Pope egged him on in hopes to be revenged on King Frederick and to raise Duke Valentine The Venetians also offended with the Duke
Italy It was reported he sent him to Vallona to obtain Succours of the Turk He gathered all the Forces he could which amounted to 800 Men at Arms and 4000 Foot fortified Capua where he left Fabricius Colona and Hugh de Cardona with 200 Men at Arms and 1600 Foot The Great Captain being a Man of a vast Reach easily perceived that Agreement betwixt the Two Kings could not be lasting as well for the natural Haughtiness of the French as by reason of the Difficulties that must of necessity arise in dividing of the Country besides that Sovereignty admits of no Rival Therefore he thought it requisite to anticipate the French that they might not obstruct his Conquest He sent the greatest part of the Fleet under the Command of James de Mendoça to the Coast of Apulia to hinder the Turks from coming over thither The Fleet of Portugal came not in time He sent Inigo Lopez d' Ayala with the rest of the Fleet to Naples with Orders to transport Joanna the Queen Dowager of Naples into Sicily King Frederick suffered her to depart tho' he had before detained her in hopes through her means to move King Ferdinand her Unkle to assist him The Great Captain passed the Streight of Meçina with his Forces which consisted of 300 Men at Arms the same Number of Light-Horse and 3000 Foot The Spanish Ambassador at Rome sent him 600 Spaniards who had served under Duke Valentine Orders were left in Sicily for sending after him 400 chosen Horsemen With this Force in a few days he subdued all Calabria except the strong Towns of Girachi and S. Agatha all other Places declaring for Spain The Spaniards passed over to Calabria on the 5th of July and on the 8th the French entred the Kingdom of Naples by the way of Rome All Places submitted to them without resistance till they came to Capua to which they laid siege All Abruzzo submitted to the French in like manner Capua could have held out long but that the Earl of Palena betrayed it to them They plundered the City and took Fabricius Colona Hugh de Cordona and all the other Commanders that were in it This News brought to the Great Captain at Nicastro on the 29th of July made him hasten to take the Castle of Cosenza He appointed Luis Mudarra Governor of that Town and the Earl of Ayelo of all Calabria marching himself speedily to Apulia that he might have done with that Province before the French at Naples All Places yielded to him at last he sate down before Taranto where the Duke of Calabria was at such time as the French were possessed of Naples Duke Valentine having taken Faença and Poimbin came now to serve the French King Frederick and the French General agreed in Italy That he should deliver up Naples and Gaeta with the Castles and pay 60000 Ducats for their Expence and they were to suffer him to depart with his Treasure and Servants to Ischia where he had 6 Months allowed him to consider whither he would remove The King with his Wife and Children the Queen of Hungary and Dutchess of Milan went over to that Island Thither repaired to them Prosper and Fabricius Colona being Ransomed So that the French were now possessed of all their Dividend of that Kingdom but soon they began to cast their eye upon the rest In Castile at this time there arose a great Controversie betwixt the Lady Mary Pacheco Countess of Benevento and her Son D. Alonso Pimentel about the Guardianship and Marrying of the Marchioness of Villafranca the Countess's Grandchild The Dukes del Infantado and Alva asked her for their Sons and the Earl of Benevento her Unkle for himself At length it was agreed That the Lady Beatrix Daughter to the Countess should be married to D. Garcia de Toledo Eldest Son to the Duke of Alva and the Marchioness to D. Peter Brother to Garcia CHAP. V. The French and Spaniards fall at Variancc about dividing their Conquest The Description of the Kingdom of Naples Frederick King of Naples puts himself into the French King's hands French perish by Pestilence and Stress of Weather The coming of the Archduke into Spain NO sooner were the French possessed of Naples but there arose Debates betwixt them and the Spaniards about some Parts of that Kingdom which were not mentioned in the Division agreed upon by them These were Capitanata Basilicata and the Hither and Farther Principality The French were so forward that they sent a Son of the Earl of Capacho to cause that part of Basilicata to declare for France They also agreed with the Prince of Melfi about that Principality which is in the same Province and the King of France had already given it to John James Trivulcio Some Noblemen were released who had been imprisoned by the King of Naples and among them John Baptista Morçano after he had been almost 40 Years in custody He boldly attempted to possess himself of the Principality of Rosano which had been his Father's and is in Calabria Also Luis d' Arsi being empowered by the Lord of Ligni raised the Principality of Altamura in Apulia for the French These were Heart-burnings at present and seemed to tend to a Breach Methods of reconciling these Differences were first proposed to the Lord of Aubeni and then to the Duke of Nemours who came after the Surrender of Naples It was agreed that neither Party should intrude into those Provinces which were out of Dispute and that those that stood dubious which side they belonged to should remain in common to both till such time as the Controversie was decided Matters of the Government and Revenue were also adjusted but nothing observed For the better understanding this Dispute and the clearing which side had the most Right it will be convenient to give a short Description of the Kingdom of Naples and of all its Parts The Kingdom of Naples contains all that Country which extends from Taracina or Fundi on the Mediterranean and the River Truento that falls into the Gulp of Venice to the utmost Point of Italy Mount Apenine which joins with the Alpes cuts this Kingdom and all the rest of Italy into two Parts At the first entrance into the Kingdom on the Right-hand of that Mountain upon the Mediterranean lies the Principal-part of it called Campania or Terra de Labor of the ancient Liborii who dwelt there In this Province are Gaeta Nola Capua and Naples the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom Formerly all the Country from the River Tiber to Naples was called Campania now that which lies betwixt Rome and the Borders of that Kingdom goes by the Name of Campagna di Roma On the Left-hand lies Abrazzo containing many of the ancient Provinces namely the Sabines where is Ascoli the Marrucini where is Theate the Peligni and Vestini in which are the Cities of Aquila and Sulmona the Marsi where is the Lake Ficinus and the Dutchy of Tagliacoço and part of the Samnites famous
those Times At the beginning of this Year Lucrecia de Borgia was married to the Heir of the Duke of Ferrara her Portion was 100000 Ducats The Archduke and his Wife by the way of Burgos Valladolid Medina and Segovia came to Madrid The Catholick King and Queen came from Andaluzia to Guadalupe There to oblige Duke Valentine and in him the Pope they gave him the City Andria and other Lands in Naples with the Title of Prince It was also proposed that the Kings of Spain and France should settle an Estate upon King Frederick and his Children The King and Queen came to Toledo upon the 22d of April as did the Princes on the 7th of May having been stayed some days at Olias by reason of the Archduke's Indisposition At Toledo on the 22d of May they were sworn Heirs of the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon in a great Assembly of Prelates and Noblemen They were tied in case they Inherited those Kingdoms to Govern them according to their ancient and known Laws At the same time that Spain rejoiced at the coming of these Princes England lamented the Death of Prince Arthur The Princess his Wife was supposed to be lest a Maid tho' they lived together as Man and Wife for 5 Months But the Prince was only 14 Years of Age and of so weak a Constitution that it gave sufficient Grounds to believe this might be true Ferdinand Duke d' Estrada was sent by the Catholick King to Condole with King Henry and to propose that the Princess might be married to his Second Son But he neither restored her Portion nor could for some time be brought to conclude that Match which afterwards proved so unfortunate Soon after the News was brought of that Prince's Death Mary Queen of Portugal was delivered at Lisbon of a Son whom they named John He afterwards Inherited his Father's Kingdom and was a most Renowned Prince CHAP. VI. Further Actions of the Great Captain at Naples The Duke of Calabria contrary to Articles sent into Spain The French and Spanish Generals Consult their Kings and have a Conference to Adjust Differences in the Division of Naples The beginning of the War betwixt them THE Great Captain as has been said laid Siege to Taranto some months before this time In that Town was the Duke of Calabria well provided to hold out Nevertheless the first day the Town was invested a Treaty was begun and at length the Duke by the means of Octavian de Santis concluded a Truce for Two months that he might have time to consult his Father both sides giving Hostages that nothing should be done to the prejudice of the other in the mean while Afterwards because the Messengers sent to King Frederick were not come back the Truce was prolonged till the end of the year upon the same Articles as before This Term also expiring without any Answer the Truce was still continued for Two months longer and the City put into the keeping of Bindo de Ptoiomeis a Subject of the Catholick King in whom the Great Captain reposed great Trust upon Condition that after that time the City should be surrendred without any farther delay but that the Duke with all his Treasure and Family should be free At the same time the Castle of Gerachi a Place of great importance 3 Leagues from the Sea was surrendred and the Prince of Salerno came to Treat with the Great Captain about coming over to his Party provided he and the Prince of Bisignano might be restored to their Estates He also demanded the Earldom of Lauria and 5000 Duccats Pension which his Predecessors used to be allowed by the Kings of Naples All these were extravagant Demands and denoted he had but a small Inclination to submit Many of the Barons who had withdrawn with King Frederick to Ischia came over now to the Great Captain Of them he admitted such as he thought were most important for his King's Service and among them Prosper and Fabricius Colona being informed the Venetians endeavoured to draw them into their Service D. James de Mendoça and In̄igo de Ayala took the City and Castle of Manfredonia by Intelligence they held with the Governour that was to keep that place for King Frederick notwithstanding the Lord of Alegre was marching at the same time to Relieve the Besieged At last the City Taranto according to Articles was delivered with its Castles to the great Captain And because one of the Articles of Surrender was That the Duke might have liberty to depart whither he pleased for the present he went to Bari which still held out for his Father tho the City was weak and the Castle but a plain House resolving to stay there for his Orders without which he would not do any thing The Great Captain earnestly desired to reconcile him to the Catholick King that be might not go to France which might cause some Troubles Proposals were made and he offered him 30000 Duccats a year for ever part in the Kingdom of Naples and part in Spain which was all he asked or could expect in that Condition The Duke liked the Offer but would conclude nothing without his Father's Consent Soon after the Dutchess Dowager of Milan his Cousin rather than to go to Sicily whither she was invited with the Queen of Hungary her Aunt retired to that City This Lady prevailed with the Duke to write a Letter to the great Captain praying him that notwithstanding the Capitulation by which he was at liberty to dispose of himself he would send him over to the Catholick King because he found his Father's Designs were not for his Advantage and yet he was not willing to act any thing publickly in opposition to him It is to be believed the Duke did not continue long in this mind for his Father by Letter pressed the Great Captain according to what had been Capitulated to give his Son his full Liberty urging that it was not like a Gentleman to break his Word and that he ought to remember how much he had been his Friend in the time of his Prosperity The Great Captain who kept a Guard upon him that he might not escape to the end to bring him to his Will besides the Revenue he had offered before now promised in the Name of the Catholick King to Marry him either to the Queen of Naples his Neece or with the Princess of Wales both very advantageous Proposals It was suspected that the Earl of Ponteza D. John de Guevera who always stuck by the Duke led him which way he pleased The Duke tho he went about Apulia in appearance free yet was so guarded that he could not get away nor scarce go a Hunting In fine this Business was so contrived that at Duke was brought back to Toranto and thence John de Conchillos had Orders to carry him in a Gally to Sicily and so to Spain it being believed Matters would be the better adjusted betwixt the Parties themselves and that the Duke
Enemy to the French D. Alonso the famous Marquess of Pescara was Son to this Marquess and Inherited that Title of his Cousin Ferdinand who died without Issue The Marquess declared for Spain in Ischia upon Easter-day About the same time the Commendary Aguilera landed at Cotron 300 Men sent by the Spanish Ambassador at Rome The Commendary Gomez de Solis relieved the Castle of Cosenza and entred the City by force driving out the Earl of Melito who was in it with Four times his Number A dispute arose betwixt the French and Spaniards about the Prisoners taken at Rubo It was agreed that Horsemen taken Prisoners should lose their Horse and Arms and be Ransomed for a Quarters pay The French had taken Theodorus Bolala Captain of the Albaneses James de Vera who had the Command of the Artillery and Escalada a Spanish Captain of Foot with about 30 others They released all as had been agreed except those Three pleading that being Officers they were not within the benefit of the Cartel Yet now they would have all the Prisoners taken at Rubo Ransomed like private Men without considering that many of them were Gentlemen and Commanders The Great Captain was informed that according to the Custom of Naples in relation to the Cartel for Horsemen to be Ransomed for their Quarters pay it did not extend to such as were taken in pitched Battle or a Town taken by Storm All the old Soldiers being of this Opinion he answered the French accordingly and the Prisoners were reserved to Ransom themselves according to their ability or as they could agree with those that took them But the main design was to detain them that they might not be serviceable to the Duke of Nemours in the Battle which as things then stood it was believed must soon be fought CHAP. IX The Peace Concluded by the Archduke with France It takes no effect Succours from Spain arrive at Naples The Lord Aubigni defeated and taken AT such time as the Archduke was departing from Madrid he pressed the King his Father in-Law to let him understand his ultimate Resolution as to a Peace with France and give him Commission to Treat in case that King could be brought to any reasonable Terms At first the Catholick King would not consent suspecting the Archduke and his followers to be too well affected to the French and fearing to discourage his Friends in Italy if they heard he was upon Treating with France Nevertheless such Instance was made by the Archduke that he gave him a Commission with a very limited Instruction which he promised not to exceed and afterwards by F. Bernard Boil Abbot of S. Michael de la Cuxa sent him new Instructions and a larger Commission yet so that he should let no body know he carried that Commission but the Archduke who should swear not to reveal it and if he followed not the Instruction he should not give him the Commission till farther Orders The Archduke came to Lions at such time as the War was carried on in Apulia and Calabria as has been said and the Princess at Alcalà de Henares was delivered of a Son called Ferdinand being Baptized by the Archbishop of Toledo and the Duke of Najara and Marquess of Villena being Godfathers At Lions was the King the Pope's Legate and the Cardinal of Roan They began to Treat but not according to the Instructions The Abbot put the Archduke in mind they ought to proceed no farther without acquainting the King He was not allowed to send an Express but on the contrary was put to such a Nonplus being in the power of the French and his own People advising him not to regard the Instructions that he consented to what they pleased It was believed the French had bribed his followers The substance of the Agreement was that one of these Two Methods should be taken either the Catholick King should resign up his Part to his Grandson Prince Charles and the King of France his to his Daughter Claudia these Two young Princes being Contracted and that till such time as they were Married the Catholick Kings Part should be put into the Hands of the Archduke and the other to remain in the power of the French Or else that both French and Spaniards should possess each their own Part and Capitanata about which was the strife should be delivered in Trust to a Third Person These Conditions were extravagant for by the first the Spaniards were to lose what they held and the French were left in possession and the latter left the whole Dispute still undecided Mean while the Catholick King returned to Zaragoça to break up the Cortes that Sate still They agreed to furnish 200 Men at Arms and 300 light Horse at their own charge for Three Years both the Men and Officers to be Natives of the Kingdom These Men were soon raised and ordered to march to Russillon to oppose the French if they should attempt any thing on that side because the Marschal of Britany Captain General of France the Sieur de Dunois and the Grand Escuyer were marching with Forces towards Carcassonne Hereupon the King ordered his Forces to draw near to Figueras and D. Sanch de Castilla General of Russillon put all Places there in a Posture of Defence The King intending to be near the Frontiers came to Poblete where he had Intelligence from the Abbot Boil how the Archduke was pressed to come to Agreement contrary to his Instructions Orders were sent him by the King how to proceed All this availed nothing for the Peace was Proclaimed and the Archduke sent John Edin his Harbinger and the King of France Edward Bollotte of his Bedchamber to give notice of it to the Great Captain and Duke of Nemours that all Hostilities might Cease This done the Archduke departed towards Savoy to see his Sister the Lady Margaret with whom and the Duke of Savoy he stayed the Easter-Holidays John Edin and Edward Bollotte speeded on their Journey through Rome giving out the Peace was concluded They came to Barleta at such time as both Parties were preparing to come to a Battle particularly the Great Captain after 2500 Germans whom he had long expected came down the Gulph of Venice and joined him John Edin gave him the Archduke's Letter requiring him to cease from any farther Acts of Hostility but he was already advertized by the King of the Archdukes going into France and Commanded not to obey any Order of his unless Confirmed by his Majesty Therefore he answered those Orders could not be regarded till the King were acquainted with them and that Policy should not avail the French for he knew his Duty and would himself carry the Answer to the Duke of Nemours He was as good as his Word The Catholick King would not agree to this Peace but to satisfie the World proposed the restoring of King Frederick The King of France would not hear the Ambassador sent to this effect but turned him away with
disgrace being offended the Peace lately agreed upon was rejected Luis Portocarrero sailed from Cartagena with the Fleet there provided for him about the middle of February He had a troublesome Voyage being in two Storms however he arrived safe with the whole Fleet at Meçina in 20 days but the Men and Horses suffered very much It being consulted where were best to land some were for sailing to Apulia in pursuance to the Orders of the Great Captain but Portocarrero thinking it too far to go by Sea went over to Rijoles to make War in Calabria as had been directed in Spain The Lord of Aubigni after he had defeated Emanuel de Benavides and D. Hugh de Cardona lay at Mota Bubalina in hopes to starve Girachi which was but 3 Leagues off whither most of the Spaniards fled after the Rout. The Prince of Basignano was gone home and the Prince of Salerno and Earl of Mileto to Naples Portocarrero resolving to take the Field mustered his Forces at Rijoles and there fell sick of a Fever Before his death he understood that some Officers of Note were possessed of Terranova which the French abandoned upon the News of the arrival of the Spanish Fleet. He was also informed That the Lord of Aubigni hearing of his Sickness had besieged them and that they were distressed that being a Place of no Strength Hereupon Portocarrero appointed D. Ferdinand d' Andrada his Lieutenant ordering him to march with all the Forces to the Relief of the Besieged and at the same time the Admiral Villamarin to come with the Galleys before Joya to make the French believe there came Relief both by Sea and Land The Spaniards made haste being informed the Besieged suffered much for want of Provisions They being come to Semenara the Lord of Aubigni removed from Burgo de Terranova to Casales D. Ferdinand satisfied he had relieved the Besieged stayed at Semenera Thither came to him Emanuel de Benavides Antony de Leiva Gonçalo Davalos D. Hugo and D. John de Cardona with their respective Companies with which he formed a Body strong enough to rout the Enemy in their Retreat to Melito This was the Opinion of D. Hugo but D. Ferdinand excused himself saying he had positive Orders not to hazard a Battel In fine Portocarrero died and his Body was buried at Meçina Hereupon some Dispute arose among the Chief Officers about the Supream Command They referred themselves to the Viceroy of Sicily who gave it for D. Ferdinand d' Andrada D. Hugo and D. John de Cardona were offended that a younger Soldier should be put over their Heads yet they submitted Both sides were eager to fight and the Lord of Aubigni sent a Trumpet to offer Battel but the Spanish Commander refused upon account of his Orders This encouraged the Enemy as also that they understood our Soldiers were dissatisfied for want of their Pay Therefore the Lord Aubigni marched his Forces out of Rosano and Joya and came in sight of Semenera He passed the River and entred the Plain Not long before the Soldiers of Galicia had mutinied for their Pay and there was danger some Disaster might happen The Viceroy of Sicily sending some Money and the Officers selling their Plate and Jewels soon appeased them The French were 300 Men at Arms 600 Light-Horse 1500 standing Foot and above 3000 of the Country-People The Spaniards marched out of Semenera in good Order being about 800 Horse and 4000 Foot The Lord of Aubigni retired to Joya not daring to stand a Battel Our Men followed designing to attack the Town After some Actions of lesser Note on the 21st of April both Parties drew out as it were by Consent and advanced towards one another by Sound of Drums and Trumpets Each strove to take the advantage of the Sun To this effect the Spaniards passed the River somewhat higher the French imagining they drew off charged disorderly having fired their Cannon at random which did no hurt nor discomposed the Spaniards who had placed the Foot on the Left the Light-Horse on the Right and the Men at Arms in the Centre Our Horse charged the Enemy with such Force that most of them were dismounted whereupon the Foot who followed fled without striking stroke The Spaniards pursued them to the Gates of Joya whither most of them fled Most of the French Commanders were taken and Horatius and Alonso de Sanseverino the Brother and Cousin to the Prince de Bisignano surrendered themselves and the Town of Joya The Lord of Aubigni was taken at Roça d' Angito whither he fled This Victory one of the Famousest during that War was the cause that all Calabria submitted CHAP. X. The Battel of Cirinola and great Overthrow of the French Almost all the Kingdom of Naples subdued by the Great Captain His Reception into that Noble City THE Great Captain was reduced to such Want that he had but 3 Days Provision and no way to get any besides he feared the Neighbouring Towns that were all in the same Condition would revolt Therefore he resolved to march towards the Enemy and first to Cirinola a weak Town but had a good Garrison in the Castle and all the Enemy's Army lay within 6 Miles of it which must oblige them to come to a Battel Before he set out he gave every Man at Arms two Ducats and half a one to each Foot-Soldier The Soldiers were forward enough and not pressing for their Pay The first day passing below the famous Town of Cannas on the Banks of the River Ofanto they encamped 3 Miles from the French Next day they continued their March towards Cirinola always in good Order because the Enemy was so near Fabricius Colona and Luis de Herrera led the advanced Body consisting of above 1000 Light-Horse D. James de Mendoça led the Van in which were 2000 Spanish Foot The Great Captain kept in the Rear with some Men at Arms and Light-Horse and the Germans to receive the Enemy if they should follow him The Country was dry the Day hot and the March long which so fatigued the Men that some Men at Arms and Foot died for Thirst This being known to the French they agreed to lay hold of so good an Opportunity and March out of their Strength to give them Battel Their Force was 500 Men at Arms 2000 Light-Horse and 4000 Swiss and Gascons embattelled after this manner In the Van was the Prince of Salerno with 200 Men at Arms and 2000 Foot In the Rear the Prince of Melfi with one Troop of Men at Arms 1000 of the Country-People and some Gascons The Duke of Nemours himself Commanded the rest of the Army which made the Main Body The Spanish Foot were best if they had not been so fatigued but the Enemy had the Advantage in Horse In this manner the French marched to attack our Rear It seemed impossible for the Spaniards to reach Cirinola where they had fortified their Camp without losing their Baggage and many of
them at Naples To prevent further Disorder he took the Spanish Foot with him sending the Men at Arms Light-Horse and Germans to Sessa assuring them he would soon be with them On the 16th of May he entred Naples with as great Pomp as if it had been the King himself Before him marched the Spanish Foot The Gentry came out to meet him and the Multitude covered the Fields admiring that General who had so often Overthrown his Enemies He was conducted through the Streets richly hung strewed with Flowers and full of sweet Perfumes in the same manner as when their Kings went to be Crowned Nothing but Joy appeared they that were most inclined to the French expressed most Satisfaction to disguise their own Faults The City Naples from whence the whole Kingdom takes its Name is one of the fairest richest and most Populous in all Italy It is seated on the Coast of the Mediterranean at the side of a Hill that rises betwixt the West and the North. The Streets are long and strait full of stately Buildings because the Nobility who are very numerous live there most of the Year and vie amongst themselves in Erecting stately Houses The most Famous are those of the Prince of Salerno and Duke of Gravina They encline to live there by reason of the Temperature of the Air the Fruitfulness of the Soil and the beautiful Gardens that surround the City So that there is scarce any City where so many Great Men reside It is divided into Five Sejo's which are so many Council-Houses where the Nobility and Gentry of each Quarter meet to consult about the Affairs of the City The Churches Monasteries and Hospitals are Numerous and Magnificent particularly the Hospital de la Annunciata which spends yearly above 50000 Ducats gathered by the Charity of the People upon pious Uses The Walls are strong adorned with Towers and Four strong Castles Of these the First is Castelnovo large and to appearance impregnable seated on the Shoar near the Mole which makes the Harbour The Second the Gate of Capua on the North formerly a famous Place of Strength now the Place for holding the Courts of Judicature The Third the Castle del Ovo in the Sea on a small Rock but inaccessible The Fourth that of Santelmo in the highest part of the City commands it all and is of late strongly fortified Two of these Forts to wit Castelnovo and Castel del Ovo were now in the hands of the French As soon as ever the Great Captain alighted he went to give Orders for besieging those Castles Castelnovo was furiously battered and they began to undermine it but the Besieged made a vigorous Defence Villamarin with the Fleet came to an Anchor at Nostra Signora de Pie de Gruta seven days after the Great Captain entred the City On the last day of May the Pope created Nine Cardinals Five of them Natives of Valencia On the 12th of June after a vigorous Resistance Castelnovo was taken by Storm John Pelaez de Berrio Servant to the Great Captain was the first that entred The Captains Peter Navarro an able Man at Mining and Nun̄o d' Ocampo signalized themselves the last had the Command of the Fort given him Among other Prisoners taken there was Hugh Roger Earl of Pallas who had been above 40 Years in Rebellion against the Catholick King and his Father King John He was sent to the Castle of Xativa where he ended his Days Some French and Genoese Ships came from Gaeta too late to relieve the Besieged The French Fleet consisting of 6 Carracs other Great Ships and 5 Galleys besides small Vessels came at last and Villamarin being too weak to oppose them retired to the Port of Ischia which being beset by our Fleet defended it self so well that small harm was done to it The Marquess del Gasto took care to defend the Fleet and Island The Great Captain could not stay to take the Castle del Ovo but left that in charge to Peter Navarro and Nun̄o d' Ocampo They in Boats covered with Hides approached to undermine the Rock on the side of Picifalcon Our Batteries killed most of the Defendants so that only 20 remaining they surrendered articling only for their Lives At the same time Fabricius Colona with 800 Men sent from Rome took the City of Aquila the Chief of Abruzzo and all that Province submitted Fracaso de S. Severino and Hierome Gallofo the Chief of the French Faction in that City made their escape to the Lands of the Church The End of the 27th BOOK The History of SPAIN BOOK XXVIII CHAP. 1. The Siege of Gaeta The Death of Pope Alexander VI. Pius III. Chosen Practices of the Spaniards The French Invade Roussillon ON the 18th of June the Great Captain set forwards from Naples towards S. German in order to oppose the French who lay incamped on the other side the River Garellano formerly called Lyris and to reduce some Towns thereabouts that still held for the French He passed through Aversa and Capua those Cities desiring to see him and express their Affection to Spain Whilst he was thus stayed James Garzia de Paredes and Christopher Zamudio advanced with 1500 Men to attack S. German That City and its Castle soon surrendred notwithstanding that Peter de Medicis lay with some French Forces near hand at Montecasino He despairing of holding out there went away leaving 200 Men in the Monastery who surrendred the Place The Great Captain took Roca Guillerma a strong Place also Targeto upon the River Garellano and other Places Castellon and Mala which lie near Gaeta submitted This done the Great Captain on the first of July incamped near the Suburb of Gaeta That City is very strong being for the most part encompassed with the Sea only towards the Land is a narrow and uncouth way to it and over the City Mount Orlando of difficult access where the French had planted many Pieces of Cannon so that there was no coming near to it In the Place were 4500 Men 1500 of them Horse What was worst of all they were Masters of the Sea being much stronger than the Spaniards and consequently there was no hindring the recourse of Provisions or other Supplies to them tho Villamarin came thither with his Galleys The Great Captain caused his Cannon to be brought from Naples to batter the Mount whence his Men were much annoyed lying within Shot Many of his Men were killed and among them D. Hugh de Cardona a Man of great Worth The Besieged suffered for want of Provisions but chiefly of Meal not having wherewith to grind their Corn. On the 6th of August they received Supplies of Provisions and 1500 Men in two Carracs 4 Galleons and some Galleys which carried the Marquess de Saluzes who was to succeed the Duke of Nemours as Viceroy The same day this Supply came to them Rabastein Colonel of the Germans that served in the Spanish Army was killed by a Cannon Shot This
the Duke till he should cause the Places to be delivered It was agreed that till the Surrender of the Towns he should be in Custody of the Cardinal Bernardine de Carvajal at Ostiá which performed the Pope was to furnish him with Two Gallies to go over to France As soon as the Great Captain had notice of it he sent Lezcano to Ostia to the Cardinal to advise him to perswade the Duke to go to Naples that so that Boutefeu might do no more mischief The Cardinal having promised to use his endeavours Lescano gave him the Great Captains safe Conduct Mean while the Towns were delivered and then the Duke at the perswasion of the Cardinal went to Naples and delivered himself up to the Great Captain who entertained him nobly But he being a restless Spirit and well beloved by the Soldiery as soon as he came to Naples contrived to send Men and Money to Relieve the Castle of Forli which still held for him He also meditated how to make himself Master of Plombin Perosa and Pisa tho' under the Protection of the Catholick King and endeavoured to debauch the Spanish and German Troops with great offers he made to them The Great Captain understanding of it took care to disappoint his Designs The Duke had laid Horses to make his escape from Naples knowing the King of France had sent the Marquess of Final to Ostia on purpose to draw him to his Service To prevent his Escape the Great Captain ordered him to be secured in Castlenovo tho' the Pope demanded he should be sent back to Ostia since the Castle of Forli was not delivered but at length by the Procurement of the Great Captain that Place submitted to him Soon after the Great Captain resolved D. Antony de Cardona and Lezcano should carry the Duke to Spain to prevent farther troubles in Italy Most Men blamed the great Captain as guilty of breach of Faith in Confining and sending the Duke to Spain and the Catholick King at first was sorry it was done But the Great Captain had more regard to the common Good than to his own Honour The King of France was much concerned at the Dukes Imprisonment as believing he should have a want of him and as soon as he was informed of his being sent to Spain said From hence forwards the Word of the Spaniards and the Faith of the Carthaginians may go together since they are alike in all things At this time the King and Queen of Navarre had sent a solemn Embassy to Castile to propose a Match betwixt Henry d' Albret their Son and Prince of Viana and Elizabeth 2d Daughter to the Archduke At first the Catholick King and Queen willingly harkned to this Treaty as the proper means to secure themselves on the side of Navarre which gave them no small Trouble and the more for that the Princess Magdalen of Navarre who was kept by them in the nature of a Hostage for performance of the former Treaty died soon after at Medina del Campo D. John Manuel the Catholick King 's Ambassador at the Emperor's Court by the Archduke's Order went to Flanders He was afterwards very great with that Prince and for the present it was Ordered that all Affairs relating to Spain should be communicated to him which was more pleasing to the Emperor who hoped by his means to compose some Differences he had with Son than to the Catholick King who pressed to have his Grandson Prince Charles brought to Spain for many reasons that moved him to it The Emperor and Archduke delayed his coming being desirous to conclude the Match betwixt him and Claudia Daughter to the King of France believing this to be the surest way to compose all the Differences then on Foot betwixt Spain France and Burgundy Besides the King of France offered that the Estates of Orleans Britany Milan and Burgundy should swear to them as lawful Successors and offered to give what Security should be demanded for the Performance The Queen Mother to the Bride had rather she should be Married to Francis de Valois Duke of Angoulesme who was Heir to the Crown and would no ways suffer such large Dominions to be Alienated from it unless they were immediately delivered up which could not be done In the midst of all his Prosperity and Honour acquired the Great Captain was not free from Troubles and Crosses for there are never wanting some who endeavour to undermine and ensnare those whom they see Rise above themselves and Princes commonly pay Services with Ingratitude when they are greater than can easily be recompenced It was impossible to satisfie all that had Served in that War for every one values his own Merits at a greater Rate than he ought Such as were dissatisfied either went themselves to Spain to complain or sent their Grievances in Writing and were perhaps better admitted than they ought to have been Many Articles were exhibited against the Great Captain the chief were That he had assisted the Cardinal Julian de Rouere to obtain the Papacy as appeared by a Letter intercepted from the said Cardinal promising great things if he would support him The Truth is that the Great Captain favoured Cardinal Bernardin de Carvajal and the Ambassador Francis de Rojas the Cardinal of Naples who had promised him a Cardinals Cap but neither of them coming up malicious Men charged the Election upon those who had no hand in it His next charge was that the Soldiers committed many Insolencies and were not punished which rendred the Spaniards odious to the People and might be the cause of some disorder He answered he could not commend the Virtue of those People most of them being such as Spain for their Villanies could no longer endure and had been necessitated to disburden it self of them Yet that the chief cause of their Disorders was want of Pay and that it was rather to be admired they had been so much under Command having suffered so much especially at Garellano and Gaeta where 14 Months Pay was due to them and yet no Mutiny happened That nevertheless no Man committed a Crime but he was punished tho' in time of War it was impossible to prevent all disorders His Third Accusation was that the Revenue was lavished since that which was great together with the Confiscations amounting to vast Sums did not suffice to pay the Army and that no Account could be given of the Money sent him from Spain This last was the Fault of Francis Suarez the Paymaster and other his Officers who had the Receiving and Laying out of that Money The Revenue of Naples did not exceed 450000 Ducats and the Pay of the Army in one Year came to 800000. As for Confiscations there could not so much be made of them as was imagined because the greatest Part was spent in Gratifications to those that had Served well Hence sprung the chief Article exhibited against him which was that he gave away Towns Estates and Commands as if
seized whereupon he went over to the other Party The Spanish Soldiers who according to the King's Order were to be dismissed tho' it was given out they should be sent to the Conquest of Gelves mutinied and much perplexed the Great Captain Yet he appeased and sent them to Spain as he was ordered The Emperor and King Philip met to ratifie the Treaty concluded with the King of France from whom came also the Cardinal of Amboise who took the Oath and did Homage to the Emperor in the Name of the King his Master for the Investiture of Milan granted to him and his Heirs Males and for want of them it was to devolve to his Daughter Claudia and Charles her Husband Yet in case that Marriage were disappointed through the King of France's means then that Dukedom should again fall to the House of Austria It was also declared that Investiture was given saving always a better Title which afterwards the Sons of Sforcia pleaded for recovery of that Dukedom On account of the first of these Conditions Prince Charles when Emperor pretended that Dominion appertained to him but then the King of France was to be repaid the 200000 Livres he gave for the Investiture Nothing was concluded concerning the Kingdom of Naples but the Marriage of Prince Charles and the Princess Claudia being confirmed it was supposed to be designed for her Dowry as had been before agreed These things perplexed the Catholick King who therefore contrived how to gain the King of France and secure himself on that side He thought the best way was to marry Germana de Foix that King's Niece F. John de Enguerra of the Order of S. Bernard and Inquisitor in Catalonia was sent to propose this Match This was so pleasing to the King of France that he resigned over the Kingdom of Naples to his Niece and her Heirs On the other side the Catholick King consented That in case he had no Issue by her that Kingdom should devolve to the King of France and his Heirs Besides he engaged to pay him 500000 Ducats within the space of 10 Years He also promised to restore the Barons of the French Faction which was hard to be done All the Prisoners the Great Captain had were also to be set at liberty and namely the Prince of Rosano and Marquess de Bitonto Only Duke Valentine and the Earl of Pallas were excepted On these Terms the King of France promised to aid the Catholick King against the Emperour and his Son in case they attempted to remove him from the Government of Castile Guicciardin adds That the Catholick King engaged to assist Gaston de Foix his Brother-in Law to conquer the Kingdom of Navarre to which he pretended to have Right As also That the King of France should send the Queen-Dowager of Naples with her Children into Spain and if she would not go then to order her to depart his Dominions All these Articles were agreed upon this Summer and on the 25th of August D. John de Sylva Earl of Cifuentes and Micer Thomas Malferit were sent from Segovia to France with the former Ambassador F. John d' Enguerra to Sign them They had also Orders to release the Prisoners at Naples and to secure the return of those that were banished It was also proposed to Robert de Sanseverino Prince of Salerno and Head of the Banished Barons to marry the Lady Marina d' Aragon Daughter to D. Alonso d' Aragon Duke of Villahermosa and Earl of Ribagorça which was so pleasing to the King of France that he endeavoured to hinder King Philip from going into Spain sending his Secretary to require him not to undertake that Journey till the Differences betwixt him and his Father-in Law were adjusted To make the surer of him he encouraged the Duke of Guelders to prosecute the War against him with a greater Power This Treaty put the Kingdom of Naples into an Uproar and those Barons who were possessed of the Lands of them that were fled combined to stand by one another Prosper Colona went to Rome and offered the Pope to conquer that Kingdom for him provided the King of France would quit his Claim The Nobility of Castile were no less disgusted it being reported That Queen Elizabeth before she died obliged King Ferdinand to swear he would never marry before she committed to him the Government of the Kingdom Some blamed the Great Captain because he did not declare for King Philip since that Match of King Ferdinand cut off Prince Charles from Inheriting the Kingdom of Naples whether the King had Issue or not King Philip was not a little offended to have the Kingdom of Naples absolutely disposed of from him and the Crown of Aragon left disputable if King Ferdinand should have a Son The Catholick King to prevent further Misunderstandings sent D. Peter Ayala the Protonotary who had been before Ambassador in England to Flanders that he with Gutierre Gomez de Fuensalida his Ambassador there should acquaint King Philip with the Treaty concluded and endeavour the Enlargement of Lope de Conchillos kept close Prisoner at Vilvorde As to the Marriage King Philip in general Terms answered He rejoiced at it that King Ferdinand was free and might marry where he pleased For what concerned Lope de Conchillos he said he was his Servant and received Wages from him and therefore having imprisoned him for his Demerits he did not design to release him Still the Venetians looked on without perceiving how great a Storm threatned them True it is they compounded with the Pope retaining Faença and Arimino and restoring what they had in the Earldoms of Imola and Sessena On these Terms they took into their protection the Duke of Urbino and the Prefect of Rome the Pope's Nephew whom the Duke had adopted and to the intent he might inherit the Dukedom given him to Wife the Daughter of the Marquess of Mantua his Brother-in-Law Advice was given to the Great Captain of the Peace concluded with the King of France and he ordered to come to Spain the Archbishop of Zaragoça being privately appointed Viceroy of Naples The Great Captain expressed Joy for the Peace and caused it to be proclaimed at Naples and as to his departure answered it should be very speedily but still he found Excuses to delay it which encreased the Jealousie before conceived of him and furnished much matter of Discourse tho' he sent his Secretary John Lopez de Vergara to justifie him CHAP. VII Mazalquivir in Africk taken from the Moors The Nobility of Spain divided for and against King Philip The Agreement made betwixt the Two Kings Ferdinand and Philip The latter in England THE Archbishop of Toledo never forsook the Catholick King but upon all occasions stood by him with extraordinary Fidelity and was a great Check to many disaffected Persons This Prelate was a Man of a mighty Spirit and more Generous than might have been expected of his mean Education He often pressed the
King even whilst Queen Elizabeth was living to make War upon the Moors in Barbary as soon as that in Naples were ended This Business was so far advanced that the King ordered part of the Spanish Forces to be sent out of Naples into Spain which was accordingly done The Earl of Tendilla offered if the King would assign him 40 Millions of Maravedies to conquer Oran and the Port of Mazalquivir with the Towns adjacent In case any of that Sum were left after defraying the Charge he promised to restore it but if it fell short to make it up of his own This Contract being well advanced was broke off by the Queen's death Yet that the Enterprize might not be wholly laid aside and the Neapolitan Soldiers be idle the Archbishop lent the King 11 Millions towards carrying on that Design A Fleet was fitted out on the Coast of Andaluzia at first intending to take Tedeliz a Town betwixt Bugia and Argiers to which purpose Intelligence was held with some Persons in it But this appearing to be a Place of no Consequence nor worth the keeping it was resolved to attempt Mazalquivir which in Arabick signifies the Great Port and Ptolomy calls it Portus Magnus It stands near to Oran almost opposite to Almeria only a little more to the Eastward The Fleet consisted of 6 Galleys and a great Number of Caravels and other small Vessels in which were about 5000 Men under the Command of D. James Fernandez de Cordova a Valiant Officer They sailed from Malaga upon Friday the 29th of August D. Raymund de Cardona was Admiral They met with bad Weather and were forced to put into the Port of Almeria Thence they set forward on the 11th of September and came to an Anchor with the whole Fleet in the Harbour of Mazalquivir On the Point of the Harbour was a Bulwark planted with Cannon with other Works under which our Fleet entred 150 Horse and 3000 Foot came to obstruct our Men landing The Landing-place was bad and the Weather tempestuous yet the Valour of the Christians overcame all Difficulties Peter Lopez Zagal a valiant Soldier was the first that leaped ashore The Moors were forced back to Oran and only 400 left in the Fort of Mazalquivir The Fort was battered the Commander of it killed by a Cannon-Ball and their best Guns dismounted This so discouraged the Moors that the third day they surrendered and the Spanish Colours were set upon the Walls It fell out very fortunately in the first place that the Fleet was stayed by ill Weather for upon the News of their setting out of Malaga a great Multitude of Moors assembled but having waited 8 days and Provisions growing scarce they thought our Fleet had steered another Course and so they dispersed Next that the very Day the Fort surrendered a great number of Moors came down the Mountain to relieve the Besieged who might have done us much harm if they had come soon enough They joined with those of Oran and took the Field in order as was thought to give Battel which yet they durst not do tho' our Commander drew out to meet them Some Skirmishes there were with our Parties that went out for Wood or Water of both which they were scarce The Command of that Fort with the Title of Captain General of the Conquests in Barbary was given to James Fernandez de Cordova D. Raimund de Cardona returned with his Fleet to Malaga on the 24th of the aforesaid Month. Those that were left at Mazalquivir concluded a Truce with the Moors at Oran by which a Free Trade was allowed between them which was very advantageous to the Moors because of their Trade This Enterprize gained the Catholick King much Reputation tho' at the same time malicious People gave out that was only a Colour to gather Forces which in reality were designed to keep out his Son-in-Law if he should attempt to come to deprive him of the Government This good Beginning encouraged the Archbishop of Toledo to spend most of his Revenue in prosecuting that Design insomuch that he thought of going over into Africk himself as at last he did About the middle of this Month the Queen was delivered of a Daughter called Mary The Catholick King sent Charles d' Aragon one of his Domesticks to visit her and advise King Philip to Peace King Emanuel of Portugal retired to Almeria because the Plague began to spread at Lisbon This same Year the Court of Chancery was removed from Ciudad Reall to Granada and the Bishop of Astorga made President King Ferdinand spent some Months at Segovia and in the Forrest of Balsain and on the 20th of October went away to Salamanca where he caused the Peace concluded with France to be Proclaimed which was not so well liked for the most part in Castile as in Aragon The same thing that pleased the one Kingdom discontented the other that is the Separation of the Kingdoms All things were disposed to oppose King Philip in case of an open Breach He from Brussels sent to require the Nobility to stand by him particularly the Marquess de Villena the Duke of Najara Garlciasso de la Vega the Duke of Medina Sidonia the Earl of Uren̄a the Admiral and Constable of Castile which Two last tho' related to King Ferdinand were wavering D. John Manuel with his Letters widened the Breach but always seemed desirous they should come to Agreement which he said was easie if King Ferdinand would leave Castile to his Son-in Law whose of Right it was Otherwise he must expect to be turned out of it and in danger of Aragon for King Philip either with or without his consent would be there very soon In order to it a great Fleet was fitting out in Zealand and 60 Sail were already in a readiness Notwithstanding the King of France sent twice to require King Philip not to undertake that Voyage till he had agreed with his Father-in-Law on the 8th of November he set out from Brussels for Zealand There he delayed the time whereupon it was believed he staied to have those of his Party in Spain to declare themselves openly The Marquess de Villena chief of them going at this time to Toledo it was supposed he had Orders from King Philip to secure that City which alarmed the People and the Family of the Silvas who stood firm to King Ferdinand joined with the Governor D. Peter de Castilla to oppose him but the Marquess went away quietly Besides the Family of Silva the Duke of Alva and the Archbishop of Toledo the principal Men that adhered to the Catholick King were D. Bernard de Rojas Marquess of Denia D. Gutierre Lopez chief Commendary of Calatrava Antony de Fonseca and Ferdinand de la Vega. These were for opposing King Philip by all means whatsoever if he should attempt to come to Castile before some Agreement were made This was the Resolution of the Catholick King tho' he was unwilling to take up Arms against his Children
and believed the Country would not be satisfied to have Force used against its rightful Sovereigns When things were in this posture tending to a Breach King Philip sent ample Commission to his Ambassadors to promote an Accommodation In pursuance hereof the Two Kings came to an Agreement at Salamanca on the 24th of November upon the following Conditions That both Kings and the Queen should Govern jointly and all their Names should be inserted in all Orders Patents or other publick Wrings and the Secretaries should subscribe by Order of their Highnesses That as soon as King Philip and Queen Joanna came into the Kingdom they should be Sworn King and Queen King Ferdinand Governor and Prince Charles Heir apparent of the Kingdoms of Castile Leon and Granada That the Revenue of the said Kingdoms should be divided into Two equal Parts after all charges deducted one Part for King Ferdinand the other for King Philip and his Queen That all Employments should be given in like manner even the Commendaries of the Military Orders tho' the Administration of them appertained beyond all dispute to the Catholick King The Pope the Emperor and Kings of England and Portugal were chosen Guarrantees for the performance hereof It was also decreed that in case the Queen would not be concerned in the Government still all Three Names should be used but only the Two Kings Subscribe and if either of the Two was absent then all business should be done by the other A Copy of these Articles was sent to Flanders which displeased King Philip and his howsoever they were accepted of and Sworn to for the King of France had great power in Flanders and besides they hoped when they came into Spain all things would become more easie Now the Secretary Lope de Conchillos was enlarged having been all this while close Prisoner This Agreement was Proclaimed at Salamanca on the 6th of January 1506 and Two days after the King and Queen set Sail from Zealand Such a violent Storm arose that some Ships were lost and the rest forced to put into Weymouth in England Thence King Philip went to Windsor to meet the King of England where they concluded a League and agreed that the King of England should Marry Margaret of Austria Widow of the late Duke of Savoy and Prince Charles of Austria Marry that Kings Daughter which Matches took no effect King Philip delivered up the Duke of Suffolk who had put himself into his Protection to the King of England In this and in Feasting was spent all the next Month after which King Philip returned to Plymouth to take Ship The Catholick King hearing of the Storm his Son-in-Law had been in gathered all the best Ships along the Coast of Spain and sent them to him under the Command of D. Charles Enriquez de Cisneros who about this time raised the Estate which his Family still possesses at Portugalete At such time as the Treaty was at Salamanca the Catholick King writ a Letter to D. John Manuel requiring him to advise King Philip to wave all past discontents and be entirely reconciled It will not be amiss to insert his answer to shew the Wit and boldness of that Gentleman it is thus I received your Highness's Letter and shall perform what is your Order which is to use all my endeavours that past Discontents may be laid aside and Friendship established for it is not to be doubted that so good a Master as your Highness and such good Schollars as the King and Queen will contribute much to the Happiness of those Kingdoms God and my Conscience can bear Witness that has been always my Study tho' some and perhaps your Highness may have judged otherwise by the ill Usage I have received But Mens Tongues and Thoughts are not to be Confined nor do I seek any Reward for what I have done It would suffice that my past Services and Fatigues were not forgotten as they are I judge by my Age and the small regard had of me that your Highness designs me no other recompence in this World but in Prayers against I go into the next Which reward I do not aspire to for I have often heard it said that a Prince can carry his Ministers to Hell but never that any King tho' the most Christian as is he of France fetched any of his Favourites out of Purgatory However I will not fail of doing my Duty nor forbear begging your Highness to use your ordinary Goodness and Prudence towards advancing this Agreement CHAP. VIII The Affairs of Portugal A bloody Mutiny at Lisbon King Ferdinand Marries Queen Germana King Philip comes into Spain and declares against the Treaty with King Ferdinand Death of Christopher Columbus THE Catholick King sent Ambassadors to the Princes appointed Guarranties betwixt himself and his Son-in-Law In particular he applied himself to King Emanuel of Portugal to understand how he would stand affected in case the Agreement were broken He answered in general Terms being in strict League with King Philip. In order to entertain whom he made great Preparations and caused much Plate to be provided either to Treat or present him for it was believed he would Land in Andaluzia and therefore might touch in some part of Portugal But the Plague spread there and was come to Santarem which made the King remove from Almeirin to Abrantes a Town seated on a rising Ground and healthy There on the 3d of March the Queen was delivered of Prince Luis who proved a Person of singular Worth Piety and Virtue especially towards the end of his life which was short Yet in his youth he had by a mean Woman a Bastard Son called Antony who was Prior of Ocrato and famous for that upon the death of his Unkle Henry the King and Cardinal he took upon him the Title of King and brought great mischief upon his Country The joy for the Birth of the Prince was allaied by a mutiny raised in Lisbon upon a light occasion In the Church of S. Dominick was a Crucifix which over the wound of the Breast had a Glass Some People hearing Mass there thought the light that came from that Glass had been miraculous which one there present being a Jew newly converted freely contradicted The People in a rage laying hold of him dragged him out of the Church made a Fire then killed and burnt him A Friar of that Convent coming out made an Harangue to the rabble exhorting them to revenge the injuries done to our Saviour by the Jews which was pouring Oyl upon the Fire for immediately the multitude ran to the Houses of the new Converts Two of the Friars going before them with a Cross Such was their fury and madness that in Three days this mutiny lasted they murdered above 2000 of those People and among them either through mistake or for private grudges several of the ancient Christians The Flemmings and Germans that were aboard their Ships in the Harbour came
to take share in the plunder of the Houses The King hearing of this Tumult sent James de Almeyda and James Lopez to take cognisance of the matter The Two Friars that were the Ringleaders were put to death and burnt and many others punished The Strangers hoisting Sails got away with a rich Booty In Castile on the one side was expected the coming of the new King and Queen and on the other was great rejoicing for the Marriage of King Ferdinand and the Lady Germana From Salamanca went the Archbishop of Zaragoça with other Men and Ladies of Quality to Fuenterabia to attend the Bride King Ferdinand the Two Queens of Naples Mother and Daughter the Duke of Calabria and many more Lords went to Valladolid and thence to Duen̄as There on the 18th of March they were Married The Queen was great Niece to the Catholick King and Grandaughter to his Sister Ellenor Queen of Navarre The Popes dispensation was obtained with much difficulty the Emperor and his Son opposing it With the Queen came Luis d' Amboise Bishop of Albi Hector Pignatelo and Peter de Santandrea the King of France his Ambassadors There came also the Princes of Salerno and Melfi and other Barons of the Faction of Anjou to settle their Affairs Next day after the Marriage the King and Queen with all their Train set out towards Valladolid In that City the King took a solemn Oath in the presence of many Prelates and Noblemen to oblige himself and his Successors to the performance of all the Articles of the League with France A few days after the Neapolitan Barons did Homage to the King and Queen as rightful Sovereigns of the Kingdom of Naples for themselves and those that were absent This Solemnity being over the King set out for Burgos to meet the new King and Queen who he expected would Land at Laredo or some other Port of that Coast with whom went the Archbishops of Toledo and Sevil the Duke of Alva the Admiral the Constable and the Earl of Cifuentes All these seemed inclined to see all that was ordained by the Will of Queen Elizabeth performed At Torquemada the Catholick King received advice that his Son and Daughter were Landed at Corun̄a on the 28th of April The cause of their coming so late was the stay they made with the King of England and their being detained at Plymouth by the Weather They Landed at Corun̄a King Philip being perswaded it was best for him to be the farthest he could from his Father-in-Law to have time to find how the Nobility and Commonality stood affected towards him to behave himself accordingly being resolved not to stand to the late Agreement unless he were forced to it This was the Advice of D. John Manuel who had great influence over him and would have carried him to land in Andalucia if the Weather had permitted About this time Gonçalo Marin̄o de Ribera Commander of Melilla for the Duke of Medina Sidonia had the Town of Caçaça delivered to him by Composition It is in the Kingdom of Fez 5 Leagues from Melilla and has a good Port and remained in Propriety to the Duke of Medina Sidonia The coming of King Philip which ought to have produced Peace and a general Satisfaction might have caused an absolute Breach had not the Catholick King prudently quenched the spreading flame of Discontent which began to appear in all Places The Humours and Designs of the Two Kings were opposite in all respects As soon as King Philip Landed he sent to require the Earls of Benavente and Lemos as also the other Nobility of Galicia and Castile to Declare for him which was the way to raise Tumults rather than settle Peace Finding this contrivance answered his expectation and that many freely declared for him he presently professed he would not stand to the late Treaty concluded at Salamanca He also began to discountenance his Father-in-Laws Servants and one day speaking to D. Peter de Ayala told him that tho' he had in Flanders and England winked at his Proceedings in opposition to his Service he would no longer bear with it and since he was his Subject he should take care how he behaved himself He turned away the Alcaides and Alguaziles de Corte sent by King Ferdinand to attend upon him thinking his Father-in-Law designed to choose his Family He was well instructed not to allow of any Tutor or Overseer as D. John Manuel called it His followers exclaimed against the Catholick King especially for his Marriage and the Articles of it which gave away the Kingdom of Naples from his Daughter and Grandson In this particular no doubt they had reason but the King did it to gain the King of France On the other Side the Catholick King as soon as he heard of his Son-in-law and Daughters Landing sent D. Raimund de Cardona and Ferdinand de Vega to visit them and went himself towards Leon in order to meet them but stopped at Astorga till he knew their Will He ordered the Marquess of Villena who was come to Burgos with a great Train and the Duke of Najara who was raising his kindred and followers to go to Corun̄a in Warlike manner to forbear proceeding after that manner and to go thither with their usual Retinue He pressed his Son-in-Law to dismiss 2000 Germans he brought with him fearing that might give some cause of Discontent to the People He also sent Almaçan his Secretary to join with his Ambassadors D. Raimund D. Ferdinand de Vega D. Peter de Ayala and Gutierre Gomez de Fuensalida that they might agree upon the Place where he should meet his Son and Daughter which he desired might be very speedily and King Philip's followers laboured to delay as much as might be First Sarria then Ponferrada were the Places proposed for the interview but none pleased his People and particularly D. John Manuel who managed all and feared that if the Two Kings met the one being very subtle and the other open besides the respect due to a Father they would easily agree which was what he chiefly laboured to prevent To this purpose he told D. Peter de Ayala that the Catholick King might be perswaded three things whereon he much relied should never come to pass First that at the Interview there should be no manner of Discourse of Business Secondly that the meeting should be in the Field and not with equal Retinues but that King Philip should have much the greater Thirdly that the Catholick King should not Confide in the Favour of the Queen his Daughter for it would not avail him Great Offers were again made to D. John Manuel for himself and his Children to bring him over to King Ferdinand but he had a Spirit above all that At this time died at Valladolid Christopher Columbus Admiral of the West-Indies the first Discoverer of the New World Now also the Marquess of Villena the Earl of Benavente and the Duke of Najara were come to Corun̄a and
daily more People resorted thither and more Men of Note as the Duke of Bejar the Marquesses of Astorga and Aguilar Gazilasso de la Vega and the Duke del Infantado This encouraged the followers of King Philip. The Catholick King stayed at Astorga till the 15th of May thence he went to Ravanal designing to go on to Santiago and to appoint the Interview there Some of his Council advised him not to be too hasty because Delay would breed Discord among the Noblemen and the Favourites of King Philip and by that means he would be reduced to submit to his Father-in-Law This was the Posture of Affairs in Castile The Princes of Italy and other Nations expected the Event of King Philip's going into Spain believing the Catholick King would be Affronted and much Weakened This they were the more apt to give Credit to because they saw the Great Captain contrary to his King's Orders continued at Naples which they could not believe to be without some Mystery But he understanding these Surmises sent before his Horses and Equipage and with it Peter Navarro to acquaint the Catholick King with the true Reasons of his stay which were to Order the Garrisons and appease the Soldiers who mutinied for want of Pay On the other Side John Baptista Espinelo went away at the same time for Spain to Complain of the Great Captain and blame all his Proceedings which was easie to do because he had much Credit with the Catholick King Calumny often prevails above Truth at least its first Efforts are more violent Thus the Catholick King resolved to use all means to draw the Great Captain from Naples and to this purpose appointed his Son the Archbishop of Zaragoça to go and take the Government of that Kingdom upon him At the same time he sent John Lopez de Vergara Secretary to the Great Captain with a Note under his Hand wherein he solemnly Swore he would give him the Mastership of the Order of Santiago as soon as he came into Spain This was believed to be only a Design to intrap him for at the same time he Ordered Peter Navarro created Earl of Olivito to go with the Archbishop and Apprehend him in Castelnovo The reason why the King changed his Mind was because he received a Letter from the Great Captain assuring him of his Fidelity and swearing to stand by him and keep that Kingdom at his Devotion besides he promised he would soon be in Spain Thus this Storm was laid which at that time might have been of dangerous Consequence CHAP. IX The Spaniards and Flemmings at variance upon their first meeting King Ferdinand raises Forces pretending to Rescue his Daughter Many forsake him and he is forced to quit Castile An Interview of the Two Kings NO sooner were the Noblemen come to Corun̄a but there arose Disputes and Contentions among them nor could they agree with the Flemmings The Marquess of Villena took Place of all others and as Lord High Steward when the King heard Mass stood next the Curtin on the one Side and Monsieur de Vere as Steward for Flanders on the other They could not agree about the Interview betwixt the Two Kings The Castilians were for hindering of it that they might not agree the Flemmings as the more sincere People thought it best they should meet to prevent Misunderstandings Monsieur de Vere was he that appeared most for the Interview yet some malicious Persons said he did it out of malice to D. John Manuel by reason of his great Interest in King Philip. But he at this time gave greater signs of Discontent than of being in Favour the coming of so many Noblemen having very much startled him fearing least some of them should step in before him and be the cause of his fall All of them agreed in their Complaints against the Catholick King Some thought it hard he should take to himself half the Revenune of the Crown and not divide the Income of the Masterships Some said how could Three Kings be endured in Castile and D. John Manuel produced a Grant passed in France wherein King Ferdinand Stiled himself King of Castile Many reflected that all Commands in Spain were held in the Name of the Catholick King who was still to appoint Governors to many Cities whereas it would not be in the power of King Philip in a long time to dispose of those Posts Above all they exclaimed that he raised Men under Colour of setting his Daughter at Liberty she being kept up and not allowed to be seen by reason of her Indisposition This Article was true For King Ferdinand had sent out Orders to levy Forces upon pretence of Rescuing his Daughter to strengthen himself if they should come to an open Breach The Duke of Alva had already raised a Force in the Kingdom of Leon to stand by the Catholick King he only of all the Nobility adhering to him tho' he was sensible of the Danger he exposed himself to since all forsook the King even the Constable who was his Son-in Law and the Admiral his Cousin having thought it more for their Advantage to accompany King Philip. King Ferdinand not satisfied with raising Men in Castile sent an Aragonian Gentleman called Jaime Albion to acquaint the King of France with the Posture of his Affairs and request him to stir up the Duke of Guelders and Bishop of Liege to make War upon Flanders by that means to bring down King Philip to his own Terms Still the Talk of an Interview continued but could not be agreed upon King Philip resolved to set out from Corun̄a towards Santiago Before him marched the Germans with their Cannon in as good Order as if they were in an Enemies Country The same day being the 28th of May the Catholick King and Queen set out towards Betanços D. John Alonso de Fonseca Archbishop of Santiago had declared for the Catholick King which was the reason King Philip would not meet him there nor made no long stay in the Place but turned off to Orense and the Catholick King staid at Villafranca Then King Philip sent Word to the Catholick King that if he would send the Archbishop of Toledo to him he hoped all things would be adjusted to Content This was accordingly done and the Archbishop laboured to reconcile all Differences but advanced little the Nobility opposing it as unwilling that the Two Kings should be reconciled From Villafranca King Ferdinand went to Baneza and thence to Matilla at which time many Prelates and other Gentlemen forsook him being drawn away by the Nobles that had Declared against him This made the Catholick King despair of being able to support himself if the matter came to be decided by the Sword which was the cause he endeavoured to Compound with his Son-in-Law at any Rate Hereupon he sent him a Letter desiring they might meet without farther delay or hearkning to ill affected Persons His answer was only Complaints that the Catholick King raised
Majesty and joining with the Duke of Najara and Marguess de Villena the Heads of the contrary Faction at the Archbishop of Toledo's Lodging they agreed that all Debates arising should be absolutely decided by the Arch-Bishop and 6 others chosen out of both Parties and that their Determination should be binding Thus on the First of October Articles of Agreement were Concluded upon among the Nobles and they all Swore to stand by them and they to continue in Force all the Month of December Among other things it was Decreed that none should presume to levy Forces That none should Infest or Invade the Lands Castles and Towns of another That none should Seize upon the Person of the Queen who was of Burgos or of Prince Ferdinand who was at Simancas Peter Nunez de Guzman his Governor to prevent any surprize had Recourse to the President and Council of Valladolid and they went to Simancas and brought away the Prince Placeing him in Safety in the College of S. Gregory Built by D. Alonso de Burgos Bishop of Palencia and given to the Dominicans The same day the Nobility Concluded their Agreement at Burgos the Catholick King arrived at Genoa His Voyage was tedious contrary Winds forcing him to touch at Palamos and Toulon and then to Coast along by Savona and Genoa Before he came to that City he was met by the Great Captain with the Gallies of Naples The King received him with great Affection being then convinced of his Fidelity notwithstanding all Aspersions cast upon him and spoke very much in his Commendation both before him and in his Absence Most Men but particularly the Italians could hardly be perswaded that so Wise a Man as the Great Captain would put himself into the Power of so jealous a King The City sent the King many Presents tho' he would not Land only advised them to preserve Peace among themselves for he would be always ready to Assist his Brother the King of France This made them quiet for the present tho' soon after they obliged the King of France to come into Italy to pacifie them Putting to Sea again from Genoa contrary Winds forced him into Portoso there on the 5th of October he received the News of the death of King Philip. The Archbishop of Toledo and others of his Party desired him to return with all speeed to Castile as did also D. Alvaro Osirio who was with him with the Character of Ambassador from King Philip. Yet he resolved to prosecute his Voyage He writ to the Prelates and Nobility expressing his Grief for the death of King Philip and Recommending to them to continue Loyal to the Queen promising to be with them as soon as he had settled the Affairs of Naples From Portosi he went on to Gaeta where at Puzol he spent some days to give the Neapolitans time to prepare for his Reception for they had never believed he would come especially after the death of King Philip. From Puzol he went to Castel del Ovo there on the First of November 20 Galleys came out of the Port and the King went aboard the Admiral The Cannon of the Galleys was fired first and then that of the Castles and the Ships in the Harbour This done the Galleys laid along the side of the Mole The King and Queen landed by a wooden Bridge built for that purpose The Great Captain and all the Nobility came out to meet them Being come to the last Arch of the Bridge the Great Captain leading the Queen there the King swore to preserve the Privileges of that City After which they took Horse under a Canopy carried by the Elects of the People Fabricius Colona carried the Royal Standard given him by the King himself with the Honour of Standard-bearer Next him went the Kings at Arms then the Great Captain and on his Right-hand Prosper Colona After them the other Nobility and Ambassadors But the pleasantest Sight of all was the Prisoners then set at Liberty Next behind the Canopy were the Two Cardinals of Borgia and Sorento In this manner they were conducted through the Principal Streets and Lanes of Gentlemen and Ladies richly clad and great Companies of Vocal and Instrumental Musick Being come to the Great Church they were received by the Clergy and Religious Orders in Procession At Castelnovo where the Cavalcade ended they were received by the Two Queens of Naples and the Queen of Hungary Nextday the King rode about the City accompanied by the Barons and to Honour the Great Captain alighted at his House He entred upon Business and went about to restore Ten Barons who had Forfeited their Estates A Parliament was held where they took the Oath of Fidelity to the King to his Daughter Queen Joanna and their Heirs without mentioning Queen Germana contrary to the Agreement made with France The Pretence was that she was indisposed and had already been Sworn Queen of Naples at Valladolid Mean while Castile was full of private Dissention yet nothing broke out in publick The Queen neither would nor could attend the Government only such as would obeyed the Orders of the Council Some would have the Cortes assembled to appoint Governours This was chiefly urged by the Archbishop of Toledo the Constable and the Admiral They could never persuade the Queen to sign the Writs and therefore the Council issued them The Duke of Alva tho' not at Court then opposed it saying only the King could assemble the Cortes For this reason tho' some of the Commons met nothing was done All was in confusion the Nobility at variance but yet the most agreed that King Ferdinand ought to Govern The chief of these were the Archbishop of Toledo the Constable the Admiral and the Dukes of Albuquerque and Bejar Some of these would not allow him to Govern unless he were present others said he might tho' absent Of these was the Archbishop who sollicited the King and Queen to give him as ample Commission as when he Treated with King Philip. The Duke of Najara D. Alonso Tellez Brother to the Marquess of Villena and D. John Manuel were of Opinion that no account ought to be made of the Queen no more than if she were dead by reason of her Weakness and therefore her Son Charles ought to succeed But neither could they agree in this Point for the Duke would have him brought to Spain that such as the Kingdom made choice of might Govern in his Name D. Alonso said the Protectorship belonged to the Emperor as Grandfather by the Father's side This Opinion prevailed above the Duke's and the Emperour was desirous to take upon him the Government proposing to come himself into Spain Some there were that would commit the Government to the King of Portugal and marry Prince Ferdinand to his Daughter Elizabeth proclaiming him King being utterly averse to Strangers Others were for marrying the Daughter of King Philip to the Prince of Viana and so putting the Kingdom under the King
to secure Prince Charles in the Succession all Places of Strength should be put into the Emperor's hands That some Children of the Nobility should be sent to Flanders to he bred with Prince Charles and Security given that none should suffer for having taken part with King Philip. That the Investiture of Naples should be obtained in such manner as might not be prejudicial to Prince Charles The Catholick King not approving of these Conditions prepared to depart notwithstanding the Emperor required him not to stir till all differences were agreed Nevertheless King Ferdinand being resolved to return to Spain sent Bernard Dezpuch Master of Montesa Antony Augustino and Hierome Vic his Ambassadors to do Homage to the Pope which was done on the 30th of April and at the same time an offer made of all the King's Forces for the Service of the Church The Pope was well pleased and in Token of his Affection sent the golden Rose that is blessed on Christmas Night to the King He also offered the Great Captain to make him General of the Forces of the Church which Employment the Venetians also offered him in their Service but the King prevented him from accepting either by promising again to make him Master of the Order of Santiago That it might not be thought an empty Promise the King had given Orders to his Ambassador Antony Augustino to obtain leave of the Pope to resign that Dignity into the hands of the Archbishops of Toledo and Sevil and the Bishop of Palencia that with the Pope's Commission they might confer it upon the Great Captain The Pope was willing the Great Captain should have that Dignity but would not agree to the Commission as a lessening of his own Authority Hereupon the business was delayed which made it all to be looked upon as an Artifice of the King 's to draw the great Captain out of Italy He was then Duke of Sessa and Terranova and Constable of Naples King Ferdinand being desirous to alter the late Capitulation with France touching the Inheritance of the Kingdom of Naples in case Queen Germana had no Issue promised to assist the Cardinal d' Amboise towards obtaining the Papacy if he would prevail with the King of France to quit his pretensions to that Crown It was indeed but reasonable since the King of France obstructed the Marriage of Prince Charles with his Daughter Claudia and thereby cut him off the Inheritance of Britany and Milan that he should make him amends by quitting all Claim to Naples The King of France would not hearken to this being offended the Nobility at Naples had taken the Oath of Fidelity to Queen Joanna without making mention of Queen Germana contrary to the express Articles sworn to by the Catholick King It was very requisite the Catholick King should hasten his Return to Spain but the Affairs of Naples detained him He pressed the Pope to grant him the Investiture of Naples which the Pope at last was willing to grant upon condition he would recover for him the Cities of Faença and Arimino taken by the Venetians This being a thing could not be presently done the King resolved to depart To oblige the great Captain the more he caused a publick Instrument to be made in vindication of his Loyalty Copies whereof were sent to all Princes John de Lanuça Viceroy of Sicily was come to Naples him he resolved to leave with the same character in that Kingdom But both he and his Son dying before the King embarqued he gave that Command to his Nephew D. John de Aragon Earl of Ribagorça and sent D. Raymund de Cardona to Sicily with the Title of Lievtenant General The Viceroy was commanded not to disoblige the Coloneses and Ursini and Bartholomew de Albiano having submitted himself to the King was restored to his Estate Besides the ordinary Forces 200 Gentlemen were appointed to do Duty at Court and 150 Duccats pay allowed each of them Philip Ferreras was sent Ambassadour to Venice to assure that State which was jealous of the Kings designs All things being thus ordered the King set fail on the 4th of June with 16 Galleys Eight days before the Ships set out under the Command of the Earl Peter Navarro At this time the Kingdom of Portugal was in a most flourishing condition and famous throughout the World for the valour and prudence of its King On the 5th of June the Queen was deliver'd at Lisbon of a Son called Ferdinand who died in the flower of his Age. Some Noblemen of Castile and particularly the Marquess de Villena would have committed the Government of Castile to the King of Portugal to exclude King Ferdinand He thought not good to hazard any thing upon the promises of so few tho at the same time he was willing to have had a hand in the Government of Castile that he might marry his Children to those of Queen Joanna and make use of the Forces of that Crown for advancing his Conquests in India and Africk or at least have conveyed that Power to the Emperour The King of Navarre also offered the Emperour passage through his Kingdom being jealous if the Catholick King grew so powerful he would never desist till he had deprived him of his Crown The Nobility of the Emperor's Faction pressed him to come over and it is certain he had possitively resolved to take a journey into Spain CHAP. IV. The King of France enters Italy with an Army to reduce Genoa has an Interview with King Ferdinand who returns to Castile The Spaniards defeated in Africk The Emperor offended at King Ferdinand The King of France was now in Italy whither he came with a great Army to reduce the Genoeses who had mutiny'd against the Nobility beaten down the French Arms and chosen for their Duke one Paul de Nobe a Silk-Dyer It was agreed that as the Catholick King returned to Spain he should meet the King of France at Savona Bad Weather detained the Galleys some time at Gaeta and upon the Coast of Rome and Tuscany On the 26th of June the Catholick King came to Genoa where Gaston de Foix Lord of Narbonne his Nephew and Brother-in-law went out to meet him with 4 Galleys The King of France being before at Savona met the Catholick King upon the shoar and having embrac'd him they went together under a Canopy to the Castle where they were to be entertained King Ferdinand on the right hand the King of France on the left and the Queen in the middle The more to honour them the King of France went to lodge in the Bishop's House On S. Peter's Day they heard Mass together the Nobility of both Kingdoms vying in costly Apparel That night the Queen supped with the King of France her Unkle and the two Cardinals of S. Praxedes and d' Amboise with King Ferdinand Next night the two Kings and Queens supped together and with them the great Captain at the Request of the King of France who spoke
very honourably of him King Ferdinand commended the Lord of Aubigny who thence conceived hopes of recovering the Earldom of Venafra which he was possess'd of when the War broke out It was the Subject of many reflections that the Catholick King put himself into the Power of his Competitor The chief business discoursed of at this Interview was about the League against the Venetians before designed The Kings having taken leave of one another King Ferdinand prosecuted his voyage which was tedious by reason of contrary winds He arrived at Codaques upon the Coast of Catalonia on the 11th of July but because the Plague was in that Countrey sailed away to Valencia where he arrived the 20th of the same Month Peter Navarro with the Ships being there before The King and Queen were received with great Pomp the Queen under a Canopy it being the first time she had been there Upon the arrival of the King Castile easily submitted and particularly the Marquess of Villena complyed upon promise that the King would stand Tryal at Law with him Satisfaction in Mony and Lands was promised the Duke of Medina Sidonia for Gibraltar The Archbishop of Toledo was pleased that besides other Favours the King had obtained him a Cardinals Cap and the Office of Inquisitor General of Castile and Leon the Archbishop of Sevil resigning that place F. John de Enguerra the King's Confessor was Inquisitor General for Aragon Thus the Nobility were gained and all Castile pacified What gave scandal was that the King prevailed with the Pope to grant the Archbishoprick of Santiago to D. Alonso de Fonseca a Youth of no Learning and what is worse his own Father resigning of that See to him upon the Title given him of Patriarch of Alexandria True it is they had both done good Service which might in some measure excuse this odious Succession of a Bastard to his Father's Bishoprick but yet it was no way justifiable It remained now to reduce the Duke of Najara D. John Manuel and the Earl of Lemos who in Galicia had taken the Town of Ponferrada belonging to the Crown and most of the Marquisate of Villafranca to which he pretended a Right The Duke of Alva and Earl of Benavente were sent against him with 2000 Horse and 3000 Foot The Duke of Bragança would have assisted the Earl but the King of Portugal would not permit yet he prevailed with the Archbishop that the Earl should not be put out by force of Arms but by regular course of Law At last the Earl submitted restored Ponferrada and the Marquisate of Villafrrnca D. John Manuel being resolved to go for Flanders whether all the Flemmings were already gone gave up the Castle of Burgos to the Duke of Najara and that of Jaen to the Earl of Cabra About this time the Catholick King received the News that the Alcaide de los Donzeles Governour of Mazalquivir having made an Incursion towards Tremezen with 100 Horse and 3000 Foot being upon his Return with a great Booty near Oran was overthrown by the King of Tremeçen The Governour fought his way through with 70 Horse and got to Mazalquivir only 400 more escaped by flight and as many were taken Upon this News the King sent some Galleys from Valencia to the Relief of Mazalquivir At Naples James Garcia de Paredes James de Aguayo and Melgarijo turned Pyrats James Garcia went to the Levant and did great harm there The other two lay at Ischia and robbed all that came in their way Michalot de Pratz a brave Commander sent by the Viceroy to suppress them near Belveder in the Prince of Bisignano's Country took their Vessels and they fled to the Shore Scarce had Michalot done this when the Caravel he went in was lost and he drowned in a sudden Storm About this time Alonso de Albuquerque sent the last Year with Tristan d' Acun̄na to India to succeed Francis de Almeyda as Governour before he came to him subdued the Island of Ormuz one of the most important Places in those Parts lying at the Mouth of the Persian Gulph and tho barren extremely hot destitute of Water and not above 4 Leagues in Length yet for all this vastly rich and delightful by reason of its great Trade in the East On the Coast of Africk upon the Ocean the Portugueses took Safin a large and populous City once subject to the Kings of Morocco but at that time to particular Lords of its own Queen Germana was left at Valencia as the King's Deputy but she soon went away to Castile Count Peter Navarro set out with most of the Forces that came in the Fleet towards Almacen and the King set forwards on the 11th of August The Archbishop of Zoragoça and Dukes of Medina Celi and Albuquerque went out to meet him On the 21th of August he came to Montagudo the first Town in the Kingdom of Castile Thence he went to Almaçan and Aranda All the way he was met by Prelates and Noblemen Till this time Queen Joanna stayed at Hornillos the Roof of the Church where her Husband 's Body lay was burnt and the Body removed to the House where she lay Hearing of her Father's coming she went to Tortolei a Village near Aranda On the 28th of August the King came to Tortoles and the Queen falling at his Feet he knelt down to take her up After embracing they withdrew and having conferred together the Queen went away to her Lodgings Next day the King went to visit her and after that began to dispose of all things There they continued 7 days and then went to Santa Maria del Campo The King would have given the Archbishop the Cardinals Cap there but the Queen said it was not fit she should be where there was any Rejoycings and therefore it was given him at the Church of Mahamud He was honoured with the Title of Cardinal of Spain but the private Name was of S. Balbina Andrew de Burgo the Emperour's Ambassador ceased not after the coming of the Catholick King to perswade many to declare against his Government The King sent him away and with him John Albion to desire the Emperour to send an Ambassador that would promote the Peace and Welfare of those Kingdoms He undertook to reconcile the Admiral Constable and Duke of Alva and secure them to his own Interest He gave Orders for appeasing the Tumults in Andaluzia and for securing the Sea-Ports of Biscay and Galicia ordering the Earl of Lemos and D. Ferdinand de Andrada to come out of Galicia where they had great Power The same was done at Cadiz Gibraltar and Malaga and for more security the Moriscos that is those descended of Moors were ordered to retire 2 Leagues from the Sea Coast that all those Shores might be peopled by the antient Christian Race but this could not be compassed D. John Manuel had possession of the Castles of Burgos Jaen Plasencia and Miravete which the King commanded his Lieutenants to deliver
would never consent to it unless he were allowed to share in the Government and also in the Revenue by which means he thought to supply his great wants He endeavoured to draw into his Service 1500 of the Catholick King 's Soldiers that served in France but the Catholick King sent Alonsode Olmedes to keep them where they were They obeyed tho' the Marquess of Brandenburgh declared them Rebels as if they had been the Emperor's Subjects The Emperor highly resented that the Catholick King would not admit of Andrew de Burgo whom he sent with the Character of his Ambassador At this time King Emanuel of Portugal extended the Glory of his Name still sending new Fleets to India and obtaining fresh Victories The Kings of Calicut and Cambaya were professed Enemies of the Portugueses and therefore made War upon the King of Cochin and other Princes who received them into their Ports and traded with them The Nobility of Andaluzia were offended for that the Catholick King made not so great account of them as of those of Castile The chief of the Malecontents were the Marquess of Priego D. Peter Fernandez de Cordova and the Earl of Cabra In a Tumult at Cordova the Officers of Justice Apprehended one of the Mutineers whom the Bishop's Servants rescued King Ferdinand set Fernan Gomez de Herrera an Alcalde de Corte with some Men to punish that Insolency He having begun to do his Duty the Marquess of Priego sent him Orders to desist and depart the City till the Kings Pleasute were farther known He on the contrary Commanded the Marquess and his Brother in the Kings Name to be gone out of Cordova The Marquess gathering a Force apprehended the Alcalde but released him again upon promise that he would not return to Cordova This Affront the King highly resented and set out himself to revenge it At Arcos he took Prince Ferdinand from the Queen against her will upon pretence of his Health He summoned Forces to join him in order to punish that Insolence and in pursuance thereof the Deputy of Sevil D. In̄igo de Velasco Ordered all betwixt 60 and 20 years of Age to be ready to march against the Marquess The Great Captain writ to the Marquess his Cousin advising him to submit and he intended so to do The Nobility and particularly the Great Captain laboured to appease the King who was resolved not to give way to Intreaties The Marquess came to submit himself when the King was at Toledo and was Ordered to Wait 5 Leagues from Court and deliver up all his strong Holds He obeyed With the King went to Cordova 1000 Horse and 3000 Foot The Marquess being taken and charged with High Treason would make no defence but cast himself upon the Kings Mercy Judgment was given some Gentlemen were condemned to death some of the Commonalty executed The Houses of D. Alonso de Carzama and Bernardin de Bocanegra who were in Prison were Razed The Marquess was banished for ever out of Cordova and out of Andaluzia during the King's pleasure who was also to secure all his strong Holds except his House at Montilla which was to be demolished The Great Captain and Constable were extreamly disgusted at this Severity insomuch that it was thought the latter would have departed the Kingdom From Cordova the King sent D. Henry de Toledo and the Licenciat Ferdinand Tello to do Homage to the Pope for the Queen his Daughter At Naples died the Queen of Hungary so very Poor the Viceroy was forced to pay the charge of her Obsequies She was buried in the Church of S. Peter Martyr where the Body of her Mother lies King Ferdinand went to Sevil where he was received with great Pomp and Joy With him went the Queen his Wife and Prince Ferdinand Henry Duke of Medina Sidonia was left young by his Father under the Guardianship of D. Peter Giron to whose Sister he was contracted The Duke was haughty and turbulent and had designed to assist the Marquess of Priego To appease the King it was offered he should deliver up his chiefest Fortresses and the Constable would be bound for his good behaviour Nevertheless neither the Duke nor D. Peter Giron came to submit themselves to the King who thereupon put D. Peter from his Guardianship banishing him from Sevil and all the Lands of Medina Sidonia and the Duke was commanded to deliver up all his Places of strength They both fled to Portugal and the King Orderèd their Lieutenants to deliver the Forts Those of Niebla and Figueras would not submit and therefore Niebla was taken by force and plundered This Severity made all Places comply This Estate was put into the Hands of the Archbishop of Sevil and the Council Ordered to prosecute D. Peter Giron The Nobility but chiefly the Constable resented this rigorous Proceeding yet the King was resolved to humble their Pride and the Archbishop of Toledo advised him so to do The Catholick King spent all Autumn in settling Andaluzia and thence promoted the War in Africk assisting the Portugueses who were much distressed The King of Fez being at variance with his Two Brothers it was thought a good Opportunity to gain some advantage in Africk and to this purpose a Fleet was fitted out at Malaga The Pyrates of Velez de la Gomera did much harm at this time along the Coast of Granada Count Peter Navarro our Admiral gave them Chase took some Vessels and pursued the others to an Island opposite to Velez and the common refuge of those Corsairs There were 200 Moors in the Fort of that Island which they call Pen̄on these thinking the Earl would Attack Velez abandoned the Island to defend the Town but he immediately possessed himself of the Castle which Commands the Harbour and City and thence did them so much harm that the Moors were forced to live under Ground This Place was taken on the 23th of July and Ordered to be Fortified and well Garrisoned The Portugueses made War on the Coast of Africk along the Ocean A Moor called Zelum Cousin to the King of Fez offered to put them in a way to take Azamor a famous City on that Coast King Emanuel giving Credit to him fitted a Fleet which carried 400 Horse and above 2000 Foot under the Command of D. John de Meneses This Fleet sailed from Lisbon on the 26th of July and found all things otherwise than they expected for the Citizens defended themselves well and Zelum aided them This brought the Portugueses into great Danger and they were forced to depart without doing any thing The Weather being bad and the Tides low some Vessels and among them one Gally struck the rest came to the streights Mouth This loss seemed to be a special Providence for the King of Fez with a mighty Power sate down before Arzila on the 19th of October D. Vasco Coutin̄o Earl of Borva was Governor who the first day repulsed the Moors with much Bravery but the next day
had joined the Turks with 34 Sail. These small Vessels sailing under the Shore the Portugueses descryed only 5 Ships which they thought to belong to Alonso de Albuquerque whom they expected Part of the Enemies Fleet entred the Harbour and that day was spent in Cannonading one another Next day Laurence de Almeyda Attacks Mir Hozem's Admiral Gally but could not grapple by reason it was Ebb and the Enemy lay in shoal Water He sustained much loss because the Enemies Vessel was higher Decked and was himself wounded with Two Darts Pelayo de Sousa and James Perez took each of them one of the Enemies Gallies and thus that day ended The day following Melique came into the Port with his Vessels whereupon the Portugueses at midnight resolved to put out to Sea But the Enemy perceiving them move fell upon them and so pierced the Admiral which was the last that she made much Water and what was worse ran a Ground and the Water Ebbing none of the others could come in to assist her The Enemy Cannonaded her till such time as Laurence de Almeyda being killed with a Cannon-shot and 80 of 100 Men he had the other 20 with the Ship were taken The rest put to Sea and recovered the Port of Cananor whence they sent advice of what had hapned to the Governor This Battle was fought towards the end of the Year Almeyda and Albuquerque came both to Cananor and Albuquerque contending to take upon him the Government according to the King's Order Almeyda sent him Prisoner to Cochin This done he gathered the greatest Fleet he could at Onor burnt several Ships of Calicut destroyed the City Dabul and many Vessels there and on the 5th of January 1509 sailed towards Diu a Port of Cambaya where the Enemy lay Mir Hozem placed himself in shoal-water under the Cannon of the City He had at this time 3 Caracs 3 Galleons 6 Gallies and 4 Ships of Cambaya besides Melique's small Vessels Almeyda had in all 19 Sail and in them 1300 Portugueses and 400 Malabars The Two Fleets Cannonaded one another but could not draw near because the Weather was calm Next day they engaged and after a very bloody Dispute the Portugueses obtained the Victory Of the Enemy 4000 were slain of which number were all the 800 Mamalucs except only 22. Three of their great Ships were sunk besides many small Vessels Two Galleons Two Gallies and Four great Ships were taken The Commanders Mir Hozem and Melique escaped On our side 32 were killed and 300 wounded This done Almeyda returned to Cochin where there was much contention about the Government which was ended by Ferdinand Coutinho who this Year sailed from Lisbon with 15 Ships and Orders to put Alonso de Albequerque in Possession of the Government as was accordingly done From Valladolid the Catholick King went to Arcos where he found the Queen his Daughter so ill Lodged that the last Winter she fell sick through the coldness of the Room she lay in In February he removed her to Tordesillas and with her the Body of her Husband which was afterwards by her Son the Emperor Charles the V buried in the Royal Chapel at Granada The Queen lived out the rest of her days in that Town Queen Joanna's Condition was such she might better be counted among the Dead than the Living Her two Sisters ran different Fortunes The Queen of Portugal lived happy abounding in Riches and having a numerous Issue and this very Year she was delivered of a Son called Alonso who was afterwards a Gardinal but died young The Princess of Wales in England neither Widow nor Wife was hardly used by her Father-in-Law who hoped that way to induce her Father to give him in Marriage his other Daughter Joanna Queen of Castile The King's death which hapned upon the 21st of April for the present put an end to those Discontents Soon after the Match before agreed upon betwixt this Lady and the Prince of Wales after his Father's Death King Henry VIII was consummated That Princess had no Inclination to this Match but it was for the Conveniency of both Kings King Henry was of a graceful Presence but very Lewd especially towards his latter days insomuch that to gratifie his Lust he cast off all Obedience to the Church and made way for all the Confusion that afterwards hapned in that Kingdom Whilst Queen Catherine was yet living tho' he had by her a Daughter called Mary upon pretence she had been married to his Brother and that the Pope could not dispence to marry her he put her away and publickly married Anne of Bullen whom afterwards he convicted of Adultery and executed By her he had Elizabeth afterwards Queen Next he married Jane Seymour who died in Childbed but her Son lived and was called Edward VI. His Fourth Wife was Anne of Cleves from whom he was Divorced and to that purpose made a Law which allowed of Divorces His Fifth Wife was Anne Howard who was put to death for Adultery The last was the Lady Catherine Parr from whom he was not divorced nor had any Children by her death putting an end to his wicked Courses King Ferdinand made publick rejoycing at Valladolid upon the News of the Marriage of his Daughter on Midsummer-day He also agreed that Prince Charles should marry that King's Sister and ordered Gutierre Gomez his Ambassador to Compliment her upon the same At Valladolid Queen Germana was delivered of a Son on the 3d of May he was called John Prince of Aragon but died within a few Hours His Body was deposited in the Monastery of S. Paul in that City and thence translated to Poblete the ancient Burial-place of the Kings of Aragon The Catholick King prepared to make War upon the Venetians and grounded the Justice of his Proceedings principally upon Two Points The first That those Cities the Venetians were possessed of in Apulia were mortagaged to them by Ferdinand II. King of Naples and that they neither performed the Conditions of the Mortgage nor would restore those Places when the Money was tendred to them The second was That the Catholick King had been at a greater Expence either in gaining Cephalonia for that Republick or in the War made upon France on their account and upon promise that they would allow him 50000 Ducats a Year towards the Charge of that War which Debt tho' it had been demanded of them they would never pay nor so much as acknowledge CHAP. VII The Cardinal of Spain takes Oran in Africk The War against the Venetians and their Losses They recover Padua and other Places GReat Preparations were made throughout all Spain for the Conquest of Africk and the Cardinal of Spain did not only furnish Money towards it but designed to go over in Person The Rendezvous of the Forces was at Carthagena Stores of Ammunition and Provisions were made there and at Malaga About 14000 Men were gathered as well Horse as Foot The Principal Commanders were James de
Kingdoms to come over with all the Forces he could make which he did with those that came from Tripoli and some other Horse D. Raymund de Cardona from Ancona repaired to Naples to recruit his Army and make the other necessary Preparations Before the Battel was fought Pope Julius provided for the celebrating the Lateran Council at the time appointed In order to it he appointed 8 Cardinals and some other Persons to attend that Affair and reform the City of Rome and his own Court that the foreign Prelates might not be scandalized at any Disorders He pressed the Bishops of Naples Sicily and Spain but particularly the Archbishops of Toledo and Sevil to repair to the Council that so he might bear down the Assembly at Pisa under the Schismatick Cardinals They about this time removed from Pisa to Milan and encouraged by the Success of the French published their Declaration against the Pope It contained That whereas they had often intreated him to come to the Council or at least not to obstruct the Sitting o' it and that instead of so doing he had caused much innocent Blood to be shed and there was no hope of his forsaking his Vices therefore they suspended him from Spiritual or Temporal Jurisdiction which they adjudged to the Council according to the Decrees of the Eleventh Session of the Council of Bosle and the Fourth and Fifth of the Council of Constance This Declaration was set up in the Churches of Milan Florence Genoa Verondâ— and Bolonia A Buisness that scandalized the whole World and made the Pope the more earnest to open the Council of S. John Lateran At length it was opened on the 10th of May. There were present the Cardinals of Rome many Prelates from several Parts and the Pope himself presided Egidius de Viterbo General of the Order of S. Augustin made a Learned Speech upon the Subject of their being there Assembled CHAP. IV. The War in Navarre King Ferdinand possesses himself of that Kingdom The Affairs of Italy The Great Captain stopped from going thither THE Truce betwixt the Emperor and Venetians and the Negociation of the Cardinal of Sion was the cause that on the 19th of May 16000 Swiss were come to Valcamonica and brought with them 18 Field Pieces Besides these 6000 came by the way of Novara and 2000 by Bergamo The Baron of Altsaxe was their General and with him came Matthew Cardinal of Sion Most of the French Forces abandoned Italy On the 27th of May above 20000 Swiss came to Verona which they easily took the French quitting both City and Castle Here Paul Capelo with 700 Men at Arms 800 Light-Horse and 4000 Foot of the Republick joined the Swiss They together pursued the French Army who retired to Aste on the utmost Borders of Milan the Sieur de la Palisse resolving to abandon Lombardy being terrified that the Germans had forsaken him Cremona Milan and almost all the Cities submitted themselves to this powerful Army and Ravenna was delivered to the Pope The Spaniards were for restoring that Dukedom to Maximilian Sforcia The Schismatick Cardinals fled into France Parma and Plasencia submitted to the Pope In Spain the Differences continued betwixt the Kings of Aragon and Navarre and the latter was fearful since the death of the Duke of Nemours that the other would pretend to that Kingdom in right of Queen Germana The French Ambassador in Navarre assured that King That his Master would stand by him with all his Forces and offered to give his youngest Daughter in marriage to the Prince of Viana These Promises so prevailed with that King that he entred into a League with France which proved his ruin Mean while the Marquess of Dorset with the English Fleet in which were 5000 Archers came to Passage a Port in Guipuscoa D. Frederick de Portugal Bishop of Siguença who was at S. Sebastian by the King's Order to furnish the English with all Necessaries went to welcome him A good Force was gathering in Castile to join with the English under the Command of the Duke of Alva King Ferdinand's Design was first to invade Navarre that he might leave aâ— safe behind He summoned the Corles of Aragon to meet at Monçon appointing Queen Germana to preside and ordered all the Forces of the Kingdom to be got together because he intented to Command in Person The Cortes agreed to maintain 200 Men at Arms and 300 Light Horse for the space of 2 Years and 8 Months The King of Navarre to divert this Storm sent his Mareschal Peter of Navarre to make some Composition The Catholick King resolved to besiege Pamplona and would have the Marquess of Dorset join with him but he excused himself saying he had no Orders to make War upon the King of Navarre and complained that the King's Forces were not ready to invade Guienne He said at first it had been easie to take Bayonne it being unprovided which now would be very difficult they having had time to prepare for their Defence The Duke of Alva waited for Orders at Vitoria His Forces which consisted of 1000 Men at Arms 1500 Light-Horse and 6000 Foot Quartered in Alava Rioja and Guipuzcoa Orders were brought the Duke to march to Pamplona and accordingly he entred the Kingdom of Navarre upon the 21st of July D. Luis de Biamonte who was banished Navarre led the Van. The Queen was gone to Bearne and the King was at Pamplona but no hopes being left of defending it retired to Lumbieâ—â—e Pamplona immediately surrendered to the Duke and all other Places were for doing the same Upon this King John sent Three Commissioners to the Duke who resigned up the whole Kingdom to King Ferdinand to be held in trust and consented to deliver up the Prince of Viana the King's Son King John withdrew over the Mountains All Places submitted except Estela and Val d' Ezua in the Mountain The French who came to succour King John were now in Bearne The Catholick King came to LogronÌ„o D. Antony d' AcunÌ„a Bishop of Zamora had been at Pamplona in the behalf of the See Apostolick to require King John not to side with the Enemies of the Church and was now sent to Bearne to advise that King not to deviate from the late Articles agreed upon He was taken at Salvatierra and delivered up to the Duke of Longueville the French General and Governour of Guienne who afterwards sent him back to carry on the Treaty of Peace he leaving Three Nephews Hostages for his Return Navarre submitting so easily made the French jealous of some Treachery to remove which Suspicion King John put Salvatierra into their hands and went himself to the King of France He had resolved with all his Forces to secure Guienne and on the other side King Ferdinand was making sure of Navarre He made all the Country Swear Allegiance to him as to their King pretending King John had broke the Capitulation Tudela submitted not till the Archbishop of Zaragoça
went thither with Forces To secure the Passage into France the Duke of Alva passed the Mountains and took S. John de Pie de Puerto The Marquess of Dorset was desired to join the Spanish Army and enter Guienne He pleaded it was then too late the Summer being spent and his Men sick He complained of the Catholick King who was only intent upon his own Business in Navarre without regarding the Conquest of Guienne Therefore the Marquess returned into England which gave some cause to suspect as Antony de Nebrixa writes that he was corrupted with French Gold The Affairs of the French in Italy were changed no otherwise than if they had lost the Battel of Ravenna The Pope laid an Interdict on the Kingdom of France Excommunicated their King and absolved the People of Guienne and Normandy of their Oath of Allegiance The Duke of Urbin marching with the Robe's Forces towards 〈◊〉 that Pepple set up the Pope's Colours The Duke of Ferrara upon Composition come to Rome and publickly begged Pardon of the Pope who granted it yet restored not Rhegio but thought to have secured him had not Fabricius Colona conveyed him away The Viceroy of Naples soon recruited his Army and found with the 2000 Spaniards brought by the Commendar◠〈◊〉 he had 7000 Foot the Command of whom was given to the Marquess of Padula and because he hurt himself in the Hand it was transferred tothe Commendary Solis Men at Arms there were 1200 and 550 Light-Horse Besides these Prosper Colona got together 400 Horse and was to Command the Vanguard This was the Viceroy's Strength when he received Orders from the Pope not to march any farther for that Lombardy was already subdued and there was no need of more Forces His Design was ever to expel all Strangers out of Italy and having already drove out the French thought to do the same with the Spaniards Nevertheless the Viceroy marched as far as the Castle of S. Peter in his way to Bolonia where certain Deputies from the Swissers met him requiring him not to advance any further which if he did they would oppose him the French being already expelled Lombardy These were all Contrivances of the Pope The Viceroy answered He was General of the League and consequently obliged to obey the Orders of the Confederate Princes After some Disputes betwixt the Emperor's and Catholick King 's Ambassadors as also the Venetians it was agreed the Viceroy should restore the Family of Medicis to Florence they being then banished It was also decreed That Maximilian Sforcia who now called himself Duke of Milan should come into Italy in order to reduce the rest of Lombardy where the Forces of the Pope possessed themselves of Plasencia and Parma Sickness and other Inconveniences caused the Council then held at Rome after Two Sessions only to be Prorogued till the beginning of December The Pope proposed making War upon the Turks the Sons of Bajazet being then at variance yet malicious Persons gave out this was only a Project of his to get the Spaniards out of Italy under that Pretence The Viceroy marched towards Florence pretending only to restore that Republick to its Liberty and reconcile it to the Church He came without meeting any resistance to Prato which is only 10 miles from Florence which Place offering to oppose him he battered and took by Storm on the 29th of August The Florentines immediately sent their Deputies to compound with the Viceroy and consented to restore the Families of Medicis and Pazzis to all their Estates as also to enter into the League forsake the French and put themselves under the Protection of Spain To express their Zeal they chose the Marquess of Padula their General and furnished some Money towards the Charge of the War The same was done by the Cities of Siena and Luca. At same time Janus Maria de Campo Fregoso was chosen Duke of Genoa in favour of the League and King Ferdinand to encourage those Cities ordered Berengarius d' Olm to ply upon those Coasts with his Galleys All things in Italy succeeded as well as he could wish which was the cause he first delayed and afterwards quite put off the Great Captain 's Voyage thither After the Battel of Ravenna he had been looked upon as the only Man that could restore Affairs in Italy whereupon the King resolved to send him thither tho' jealous of him at the same time He accepted of the Command and went to Malaga to prepare for his Voyage Vast Numbers of People flocked to him and even the King's Guards disbanded themselves to follow him Many of the Gentry made Preparations to bear him company upon their own Charges all which made the King limit the number to go with him to 500 Men at Arms and 2000 Foot Still King Ferdinand delayed the departure of the Great Captain hoping some good Accident might re-establish the Viceroy for whom he had so great a Kindness that many suspected he was his Son The Affairs in Italy being mended as has been said the King ordered the Great Captain to lay aside all Thoughts of going to Italy during the Winter and to send all the Gentry that was with him to serve in Navarre These Orders much troubled the Great Captain and he complained grievously of it All the Officers resented it so heinously that never a Captain of Men at Arms went to serve in Navarre except only Gutierre Quixada The Great Captain sent to ask leave of the King to go to his Estate in Terranova in Italy but the King persuaded him it was better to retire to his House at Loxa He was so much out of Favour that the King refused him the chief Commendary of Leon vacant by the Death of Garcilasso de la Vega as he did also the Commendary of Hâ—rnachos both which he made suit for Two Reasons may be ascribed for this Strangeness One That King Ferdinand was not well satisfied with that Gentleman and often complained he held secret Intelligence against him The other it common to all Princes who when a Man has done more for them than is in their Power to requite look upon him as the Debtor and commonly prove ungrateful For it is ever more certain to have Faults punished than Desert rewarded No Recompence or Honour could have been too great for a Man so deserving But who can persuade Kings to curb their own private Distate Or who can limit their Jealousie especially when it is daily encreased by whispering Courtiers CHAP. V. The Siege of Pamplona The Viceroy of Naples takes the City Bressa Duke Maximilian Sforcia recovers Milan King Ferdinand falls sick THE Duke of Alva continued at S. John de Pied de Porte and his Forces took some small places of little Importance Thither James de Vera with great difficulty brought the Artillery The Dukes of Longueville Bourbon and Monpensier the Sieur de la Palisse and Monsieur de Lautrec lay at Sauveterre and the neighbouring places to
him to King Emanuel writing to him these Words This is my last which I write with many Sighs and assured Tokens of my End I leave only one Son who I beg may find Favour in regard to my great Services I will say nothing of my Sufferings but refer my self to my Actions His Body was buried at Goa in a Chapel he had built of the Invocation of the Blessed Virgin His Funeral Pomp was performed with Regal Magnificence and great Grief of all sorts of People When the News of his Death was brought to Portugal the King was much concerned he sent for his Son whose Name was Blas but in memory of his Father he would have him called Alonso d' Albuquerque The King provided for him and matched him Honourably He lived many Years and beautified the Chapel where his Father lay King Emanuel designed to build a Fort at the Mouth of the River Mamora in Africk about 100 miles from Arzila He sent Antony Noronha with a Fleet of 200 Sail and in it 8000 Men to perform this Work They sailed from Lisbon on the 13th of July and came to the Mouth of that River on the 23d As the Work began such a multitude of Moors came upon them that they were forced to quit that Enterprize and return to Portugal with Dishonour and the loss of 4000 Men as also the Cannon which they left in the Fort they had begun CHAP. X. The King of France recovers Milan The Swiss overthrown Death of the Great Captain and of Ferdinand King of Spain AS soon as King Francis of France found himself peaceably possessed of his Kingdom he gathered a powerful Army in order to go over into Lombardy 15000 Swiss marched to the Defence of the Duke of Milan Prosper Colona with his Men at Arms thought to secure a Pass but was himself surprized at Supper in Villafranca and made Prisoner by the Forces of the Sieur de la Palisse The Viceroy lay with his Army near the River Abdua Laurence de Medicis Son to Peter that was drowned in the River Garellano with the Forces of the Pope Quartered at Plasentia It was very requisite these Forces should join with the Swiss and the Duke of Milan earnestly pressed them so to do and the more because the French began already to be successful for Alexandria yielded to them and Novara with the Castle was taken by the Industry of Peter Navarro who in a Passion for that he was not Ransomed agreed to serve the King of France he purchasing his Liberty for 2000 Ducats King Ferdinand sent to make him great Offers but too late for he was engaged and therefore excused himself resigning up the Earldom of Oliveto he had in Naples The Viceroy was jealous that the Swiss held Correspondence with France and no less of the Pope's Forces fearing he should compound with the Enemy to save Parma and Plasentia which the Swiss intended to take from him He left Mark Antony Colona in Verona and Luis Icart in Bressa with good Garrisons and he with the rest of the Army passed the Po and fortified himself near Plasentia and the River Trebia The Swiss were offended at this Delay which proved fatal They resolved themselves with only a few Italians to fight the French who lay strongly encamped near Donato and Marignano This they did to prevent Albiano joining the French with the Venetian Forces which consisted of Nine hundred Men at Arms One thousand four hundred Light-horse and Nine hundred Foot The Swiss marched out in good Order and the French drew up to receive them Charles of Bourbon led the Van the Sieur de la Palisse the Rear and the King the main Battel The French Artillery which was numerous did the Swiss great harm They charged furiously to take it and overcoming the Enemy's Works made themselves Masters of part of it Night came on and yet the Fight ceased not as long as there was Moon-light which was till between Eleven and Twelve of the Clock The King was so forward that he was forced to stand upon his Guard only reposing himself a little on a Cart. He neither took off his Helmet nor eat a mouthful in Twenty seven Hours Understanding the Swiss would charge the rest of the Cannon he gave the Charge of it to the Germans At break of day the Fight was renewed with as great Fury as before The French Artillery playing athwart the Swiss did great execution and Albiano coming upon them with some Troops of Horse they imagining his whole Army was come retired in good order to Milan This famous Battel was fought on the Thirteenth and Fourteenth of September From Milan the Swiss marched away towards Lago de Como The Milaneses delivered up the City to the King who laid straight Siege to the Castle whither the Duke retired with what Forces he could After Thirty Days Siege the Duke surrendered and was sent to France It was Articled he should have a Pension of Thirty six thousand Crowns upon condition he should not depart that Kingdom All the other Cities and Strong-holds of the Dukedom immediately submitted to the King D. Raymund de Cardona the Viceroy marched in haste to Naples to secure that Kingdom He had Orders for employing of the Soldiers to attempt the taking of Gelves on the Coast of Africk The Pope easily temporized and meeting the Victorious King at Bolonia granted him all he could ask In Spain King Ferdinand had many other Cares upon him It was reported the Great Captain the Marquess of Priego and Earls of Cabra and Uren̄a designed to go over to Flanders The King sent Orders to secure the Great Captain but it happened he fell sick of an Ague at Loxa where he generally resided and yet it was thought his Sickness was counterfeit The King of England's Displeasure ran very high and it was convenient at such a ticklish time to appease him King Ferdinand sent him a rich Present of Jewels and Horses by the Commendary Luis Gilabert He arrived at such time as it was confirmed the Queen was with Child to the great Joy of that Kingdom At the same time Thomas Wolsey received the Cardinal's Cap for which there were great Demonstrations of publick Satisfaction This Prelate rose from a very mean Extraction to that High Dignity through the Favour of his King His Pride and Ambition afterwards fatal to that Kingdom cast him down This Cardinal and the Catholick King 's Ambassador conferred together and on the Eighteenth of October concluded a firm League betwixt the Two Kings Before this Luis de Requesens with Nine Galleys he Commanded near the Island Pantalarea defeated 13 Vessels of Turks that did great harm on the Coast of Sicily and all those Seas Barbarossa the famous Turkish Commander with his Fleet came before Bugia Many Moors came down to his Aid by Land and the Siege lasted some Months D. Raymund Carroz Commander of that Place defended it with much Bravery D.
General for the Pope at Placencia They not coming in time as they ought to have done the Swiss marched out to meet the King and tho the Battel was so resolutely fought that it lasted all day and part of the night next morning the Swiss terrified with a false Rumour that fresh Supplies were coming to the King were overcome and put to flight The Duke was taken in the Castle whether he fled for refuge and sent Prisoner into France as his Father had been and continued there in like manner as long as he lived This memorable Battel was fought on the 13th of September The Consequence of this Victory was such in Italy that the Spaniards who before were absolute being drove out of Lombardy and State of Milan began now to be in fear for Naples The Catholick King raised Men and endeavour'd to have Succours from all Parts yet at the same time he gave Orders to secure the Great Captain Gonçalo Fernandez de Cordova and other Men of Quality because they designed to go over to Flanders but he fell sick in October at Loxa and died the Second of December at Granada Anno 1516. Ferdinand the Catholick King died at Madrigalejo near Truxillo as he was going to Sevil on the 27th of January of a Dropsy which had troubled him many Months It is reported that the Bell of Velilla in Aragon which uses to denounce such Misfortunes had also been heard to ring of it self before this He appointed his Grandson Charles of Austria his Heir To his Grandson Ferdinand he left the City Taranto and some other Lands in the Kingdom of Naples To govern during the absence of King Charles he appointed the Cardinal of Spain Archbishop of Toledo in Castile and his Son the Archbishop of Zaragoça in Aragon Ferdinand Duke of Calabria he ordered to be set at Liberty and to have a competent Revenue assigned him His Body and that of the Queen his Wife were buried in the Cathedral of Granada as he had ordained in his Will King Charles by his Letters Patents appointed Adrian Dean of Lovain to govern together with the Cardinal of Spain and notwithstanding his Mother was still living he took upon him the Title of King without consent of the Nobility yet he continued to use that Stile it being a thing of dangerous consequence to oppose him Our Governours were in care for Navarre fearing least now upon the Change of Princes that Kingdom should declare for its own antient Kings For this reason they chose the Duke of Najara Governour and General of that Kingdom he being a Person very fit for that Employment by reason of the great Alliances he had among that People his Estate lying near at hand Nevertheless Peter of Navarre Mareschal of that Kingdom and Marquis of Cortes raised some Commotions which were not of any moment for he was taken and sent Prisoner to Simancas where he continued in Confinement as long as he lived Besides all those Contrivances ended in the Death of King John d' Albret who died in his Dominion of Bearne upon Tuesday the Nineteenth of June Anno 1517. Eight Months after ensued the Death of the Queen his Wife Both their Bodies were buried at Lescar a City in the Province of Bearne tho they in their Will had ordered themselves to be buried at Pamplona as King and Queen of Navarre by that means as it were to make good their Title which was a small comfort having lost the Crown Henry d' Albret their Son succeeded them in their Possessions as also in the Pretensions to that Kingdom At Lisbon in March died Mary Queen of Portugal in the flower of her Age. She died in Labour and was buried in the Church called de la Madre de Dios or of the Mother of God in that City She had the following Children Prince John the Eldest Elizabeth Beatrix Luis Ferdinand Alonso who was a Cardinal Henry also Cardinal and King Edward besides two that died young Adrian Florencius born at Vtrecht in the Low Countries Dean of Lovain and Bishop of Tortosa in Spain was at Rome chosen Cardinal on the 27th of June Charles of Austria the new King arrived with his Fleet at Villavicosa a Town in Astarias the 19th of September The Cardinal of Spain went to meet him but died by the way at Roa His Body was buried in the Colledge of S. Ildefonsus at Alcala de Henares which he had built from the Ground and endowed with plentiful Revenues to be a Seminary of Learning The manner of it is after that of the University of Paris if we may be allowed to compare small things to great at least much Profit has redounded from it to Spain a great number of Youth being there instructed and many Persons of great Learning having been brought up there He was Archbishop 22 Years Cardinal William de Croy a Fleming succeeded him in that Dignity This Year was remarkable and no less Unfortunate for two things that happened One was the total overthrow of the Empire of the Sultans of Egypt the other the broaching of the Heresy of Martin Luther Egypt was Subject to the Roman Empire till the time of the Emperor Heraclius when the false Prophet Mahomet conquer'd that Province After his Death it was possessed by the Caliphs who as he had appointed were Supream in Spirituals as well as Temporals These continued till the War of the Holy Land when King Amalaricus of Hierusalem having taken the City of Damiata formerly called Pelusium drove the Caliph to such streights that he was forced to crave Aid of the Sultan of Siria Sarraco was sent with these Succours He in requital for the Assistance given possessed himself of the Kingdom of Egypt leaving to the Caliphs only the Spiritual Jurisdiction Saladin the Son of Sarraco was Sultan of Egypt and Siria and having obtained many Victories over the Christians and taken Hierusalem reduced the Christians there to great streights Not long after Melechsala being possessed of that Empire finding himself too weak to oppose the Christians bought of the Tartars a great number of Circassian Slaves with whose help he did many great things and among the rest took S. Luis King of France Prisoner at Damiata The Slaves having murdered Melechsala chose a King from among themselves called Turqueminius upon condition that neither his Sons should inherit the Crown nor the Sons of the other Slaves should be admitted into their Order but that only those should be Soldiers and bare command who being the Sons of Christian Parents had renounced the Faith These they called Mamalucks and from among them the King was to be chosen This Government flourished 300 Years till the time of Cayerbeyus who obtained many Victories over the Turks and reigned in the time of King Ferdinand of Spain Campson his Successor after the Turks had overthrown the Persians near the City Tarvisium fearing they would invade Siria marched against them with his
under the Crown of Castile The King of France highly offended at this Disappointment to revenge it sent a new Army into Biscay under the Command of the Admiral of France who took Fuenterabia a strong Town upon the Frontiers Several Rencounters happened betwixt our Forces and those of the Enemy but at length the Town was recovered Beatrix youngest Daughter to the King of Portugal contracted to Charles Duke of Savoy was carried to her Husband in a Fleet fitted out for that purpose The Publick Joy for this Marriage was not lasting for that the King of Portugal died in December His Body was buried in the Monastery of Bethlem built by himself near Lisbon and appointed the burial Place of Kings King John the Third of the Name his Son succeeded him On the 2d of December died at Rome Pope Leo whose Memory was Reverenced for that he had restored the Peace of Italy favoured Learning and much restored the University of Rome by bringing to it Professors of all Sciences from other Parts with great Expence Nevertheless he is blamed as having been given to his Pleasures more than became his high Dignity and for immoderately extolling his Kindred first his Brother Julian and after his Death Laurence his Nephew Son to Peter his other Brother To raise them he designed to deprive the Duke of Vrbin of his Dominions but the Death of both the Brother and the Nephew prevented the execution of his Designs Pope Leo was of the House of Medicis whose Genealogy â—s this which follows The Great Cosmo de Mediois who lived in Florence 100 Years before this had a Son called Peter and by him two Grandsons Laurence and Julian Laurence had three Sons Peter John the present Pope Leo and Julian Julian had a natural Son born after his Father's Death and called Julius who came to be Pope and was called Clement the Seventh Peter Brother to Pope Leo had a Son called Laurence the Younger who was General of his Unkle the Pope's Forces He by a Mistriss had Alexander afterwards Duke of Florence by his Wife Magdalen of Bolonia left Catharine who came to be Queen of France whereby the House of Medicis is related to many Royal Families The second Julian Brother to Pope Leo had a Son called Hypolito who was afterwards a Cardinal his Unkle Pope Clement giving him the Cap. Anno 1522. On the 10th of January Cardinal Adrian tho a Fleming and at that time absent was by the Conclave chosen Pope At that time he was employed in the Government of Spain The News of his promotion was brought to him at Vitoria where he then was to give Orders for carrying on the War against France and recovering of Fuenterabia Immediately he hasted away in order to pass over into Italy yet he came not to Rome till the Summer was well advanced His Papacy was short as not exceeding twenty Months but his Learning Wisdom and Virtue were very great He changed not his Name but was called Adrian the 6th By him St. Antony Archbishop of Florence and Benon Bishop of Misna were Canonised On the 3d of February the Royalists under the Conduct of the Archbishop of Bari overcame the Rebels who were possessed of the City Toledo and so those Tumults ended Charles the Emperor leaving his Brother Ferdinand in January with the Title of Vicar of the Empire set out for Spain to settle the Kingdom and put an end to the Troubles of it He arrived with his Fleet at Santaren on the 16th of July Christiern King of Denmark had married Elizabeth Sister to the new Emperor His Uncle Frederick usurped the Kingdom whereby he was obliged to retire into Flanders where he continued in Banishment the space of 10 Years which was as long as he lived He left two Daughters lawfully begotten which were Elizabeth and Christiern the first was married to Alonso Duke of Lorrain the other to Francis Sforcia Duke of Milan Anno 1523. Pope Adrian granted to the Emperor Charles and his Successors Kings of Spain the full Authority of electing and presenting the Bishops within their Dominions His Bull was passed on the 6th of September He also for ever granted them to hold the Administration of the three military Orders which other Popes had only granted for a time The Pope died at Rome on the 12th of the same Month oppressed with Care and Grief for that the Turks had the Year before possessed themselves of the Island of Rhodes after it had endured a Siege of Eight Months During the vacancy of the Papal Chair died at Rome Cardinal Bernardin de Carvajal who had been Bishop first of Astorga then of Badajoz of Carthagena of Siguença and lastly of Plansencia D. Gutierre de Carvajal Bishop of Plasencia was Nephew to the Cardinal who resigned that See up to him This Year also died F. James Deza Master to Prince John successively Bishop of Salamanca Jaen and Sevil Inquisitor General and Elect of Toledo On the 20th of December Cardinal Julius de Medicis Cousin-German to Pope Leo the Tenth was chosen Pope in the place of Adrian deceased and took the Name of Clement the Seventh He governed the Church ten Years 10 Months and 7 Days He confirmed the Order of the Theatins calling it the Congregation of Divine-Love It was instituted by Peter Garrafa Bishop of Theatinum and other pious Persons Their Habit differs not from that of the other Clergy their Life is retired free from worldly Business and employed in singing the Canonical Hours Anno 1524. The French who had entred the Dutchy of Milan and made themselves Masters of a great part of it were this Year almost enclosed by the Imperial Army under the Command of the Duke of Bourbon who took most of the Places from whence the Army was supplied and by that means brought them into great Distress for want of Provisions This obliged the Admiral of France General of those Forces to endeavour to make a retreat but the Imperialists were so close upon him that he was forced to fight his Army was wholly overthrown and only a small part of it returned home by the way of Turin This Victory encouraged the Duke of Bourbon and Marquis of Pescara to lay Siege to Marseilles where when they had lain six Weeks hearing that the French King was coming with a powerful Army they sent away their heavy Cannon by Sea and retired with great precipitation The King not to lose this Advantage hastned to pass the Mountains and soon possessed himself of the Cities of Milan and other Places and then laid Siege to Pavia Anno 1525. King John of Portugal married Charlotte Sister to Charles the Emperor The Nuptial Solemnities were performed with much Majesty at Estremoz on the 5th of February This Lady had many Children which were Alonso Mary Catharine Beatrix Emanuel Philip John and Antony Of all these only Prince John and the Princess Mary lived to be marriagable and even
the Pope who was there present and therefore the Reflection upon him was the greater The Diet at Ratisbon being broke up the Emperor went into Italy and conferred with the Pope at Luca in September The chief Subject of their Conference was about Assembling a General Council Leaving the Pope he went to Genoa where Andrew Doria had a great Fleet in readiness to go over to Argiers on the Coast of Africk The Season was then too far advanced therefore the Pope and others laboured to disswade the Emperor from that Enterprize but he was not to be moved Being come upon the Coast of Africk about the end of October and having lost great part of his Fleet in a terrible Storm he was forced to retire to Bugia whence he passed over much afflicted to Carthagena having done nothing and sustained great loss Ferdinand Cortes who accompanied the Emperor in this Expedition his Galley sinking was obliged to swim for his Life and lost two Cups made of Emraulds which he had tyed about him in a cloath and were worth 300000 Duccats Anno 1542. The bloody Wars betwixt Christian Princes disappointed the Pope's design the last year of assembling a General Council but now he published a new Edict Summoning all the Bishops to meet at the City Trent He appointed the Cardinals Parisius Moron and Poole to preside in his Name but this design was also put off because the French King made War upon the Emperor The cause of this War was that the King sent two Embassadors to the Turk one a Genoese called Fregoso the other a Spaniard whose name was Antony Rincon Alonso Davalos Marquis del Gasto was then Governour of Milan Certain Spanish Soldiers discovered these Embassadors sailing down the River Po tho they were disguised like Pilgrims they seized and drowned them in the River This happened the last year and so incensed the French King that he immediately had recourse to Arms and with a mighty Army invaded Flanders Besides Henry the Dauphin by his Fathers order laid Siege to Perpignan on the borders of Spain The Garison defended themselves with such bravery that sallying they nailed his great Guns and Succours coming from all Parts he was forced to raise the Siege and retire John de Vega Lord of Valverde was at this time Viceroy of Navarre whence he went Embassador to Rome then Governed Sicily several Years and lastly returning into Spain was President of the Royal Council of Castile which Office he discharged with great Reputation He was a Man of great Integrity Wisdom and Piety At the beginning of December dyed James the Fifth King of Scotland leaving only one Daughter called Mary born not long before his Death of Mary his Queen Sister to the Duke of Guise Such multitudes of Locusts were in Germany Italy and Spain that they darkned the Sun as they flew In Sicily a great Earthquake did much harm in several Cities and Towns but the most mischief was done at the City Siracusa Anno 1543. The Emperor having appointed his Son Philip Governour of Spain sailed over to Genoa being in care for Italy and Germany At Busseto between Placencia and Cremona he met the Pope there they conferred about the General Council the Pope's Legates being already at Trent waiting the coming of the Bishops It was also proposed to make Peace between France and Spain but the time was not yet come Cosmo de Medicis Duke of Florence was allowed to buy out the Castles of Florence and Leghorn then held by the Emperor for 200000 Duccats The Pope had given the Cities of Placencia and Parma to Peter Luis his Son and would have had the Emperor confirm his Gift those Cities belonging to the State of Milan but could not prevail The King of France Invaded the Low Countries by the way of S. Quintin On the other side the great Pyrate Barbarussa having sacked and burnt the city Rijoles not far from the Streight of Messina ran along the Coast of Italy and put into the Port of Toulon There joyning the Duke d' Enguien they together attacked the City Nice near the State of Genoa and tho they took it could not reduce the Fortress yet they spent the best part of the Summer before it For this reason and because it was reported that Andrew Doria was coming to the Relief of the Besieged they returned to Winter at Toulon Anno 1544. On the 4th of January this year happened a wonderful Eclipse of the Sun which lasted some hours and not long after followed 3 Eclipses of the Moon which is said never to have happened since the time of Charlemagne The success of the Wars was various for Barbarussa in his return towards the Levant in several places ravaged the Coasts of Naples The fear was greater than the harm tho he took and plundered the City and Island of Lipari On the Coast of Sicily he took plundered and burnt the City Pati Many thousand Souls were carried by him into Captivity The Duke d' Anguien with a great Army entred Milan the Marquis del Gasto marched to oppose him They met near a Town called Carigno and the Battel was fought on the 14th of April which was very bloody but the French obtained the Victory and yet could not possess themselves of the Dukedom of Milan The Emperor and King of England had made a League against France The Emperor broke into France by the way of Flanders Took several Towns and came near to Paris So great was the terror he spread that many of the wealthy Citizens abandoned that City This Consternation was the greater for that at the same time the King of England possessed himself of the City of Boulogne Under these Circumstances a Treaty of Peace was set a foot The Embassadors of these Princes met at Soissons where they concluded a Peace upon the following Conditions That all things taken on either side since the Truce concluded at Nice should be restored That they should joyn their Forces in defence of the Catholick Religion against the Turks and Hereticks That the King of France shall renounce all his Pretensions in Flanders Aragon or Naples That the Emperor should give to Charles Duke of Orleans the King of France his younger Son one of his Daughters in Marriage or else one of those of his Brother Ferdinand In case he gave his own Daughter he should give her in Dower the Low Countries with the Title of King to her Husband But if it were his Brother's Daughter that the Dukedom of Milan should be her Dower The Agreement was made on the 24th of September but it took no effect Charles Duke of Orleans soon after dying Anno 1545. Prince Philip of Spain was before contracted to Mary Daughter to the King of Portugal last Year they were Married at Salamanca with great Solemnity The Duke of Medina Sidonia went to the Borders of Portugal to conduct the Bride who soon after proved with Child and was
should be restor'd That Corsica be restor'd to the Genoeses That neither the Spaniard lay Claim to Burgundy nor the French to Milan or Naples Lastly That all Prisoners taken for 16 Years last past be set at Liberty These Articles being agreed upon King Philip in pursuance of them Married by Proxy at Paris on the 22th of June the Princess Elizabeth the Duke of Alva representing the King Soon after on the 11th of July the Lady Margaret was Married to the Duke of Savoy The Publick Joy was turn'd into extream Grief for that King Henry himself Tilting was struck into the Eye by a Splinter of his Adversary's Lance of which he died the day following His Son Francis the Second succeeded him being Sixteen Years of Age. He had three Brothers Charles Alexander Edward and Hercules His Sisters were Elizabeth and Claudia before-mentioned the youngest of all called Margaret some Years after was Married to Henry Prince of Bearne and King of Navarre Pope Paul the Fourth departed this Life at Rome the 18th of August D. Bartholomew de Miranda of the Order of S. Dominick two Years before chosen Archbishop of Toledo in the place of Cardinal Siceleus was Apprehended and made Prisoner by the Inquisitors in his Town of Tordelaguna upon the 23th of August He was many Years in Prison so great is the Power of the Inquisition in Spain At the same time King Philip arrived with his Fleet at Laredo in his return from Flanders Anno 1560. On the 26th of December last past Cardinal John Angelo de Medicis was chosen Pope He took the Name of Pius the Fourth and govern'd the Church 5 Years 11 Months and 15 Days Spain this Year was filled with Joy not only for the arrival of their long-wish'd-for King but also for his Marriage which was consummated at Guadalajara in the Kingdom of Toledo upon the 31th day of January This Joy was the greater for that all Men hoped the Peace would be lasting The Cardinal of Burgos and Duke del Infantado went to the Borders of France to fetch the Bride The great Solemnization of the Marriage was at Toledo whither the King and new Queen went from Guadalajara The Duke of Medina Celi Viceroy of Sicily took the Island of Gelves but after he was Master of it the Turkish Fleet coming upon him he lost a great part of his own and with much difficulty escaped himself Among other Prisoners taken by the Turks were one of the Duke's Sons D. Alvaro de Sande and Sancho de Avila brave Soldiers In France began the Tumults and Rebellion which lasted many Years under colour of Religion To remedy these Troubles the Three Estates or Parliament of France met at Orleans where several good Laws were enacted but never observed Francis the new King of France died in that City on the 5th of December His Brother Charles the Ninth of the Name being then but nine Years old succeeded him Anno 1561. In Rome Pope Pius the Fourth caused the Duke of Paliano and Cardinal Garrafa to be put to Death The Cardinal was strangled in Prison the Duke publickly Beheaded The Commonalty tho they were satisfied those Persons had deserved that Punishment yet using their common Liberty especially assumed by the Italians gave out it was done to please the Catholick King Certain it is the Pope their Unkle had expelled them Rome for their Crimes and now they were punish'd with loss of their Lives In the Spring Queen Mary of Scotland having at once lost her Mother and Husband returned to Scotland where she Married a second and third time A Lady worthy a more favourable Destiny for in England after a long Imprisonment she was unjustly put to Death In France the Tumults daily encreased To pacify the People it was resolved the Catholicks and Hereticks should meet and dispute at Poissy five Leagues from Paris Hippolito de Este Cardinal of Ferrara and with him James Lainez General of the Jesuits in the place of F. Ignatius de Loyola dead six Years before were sent from Rome The Pope's Intention was that in case that Meeting could not be prevented at least nothing should be positively determined in it but all things referred to the Council of Trent which he had summoned to meet again The Meeting could not be prevented the Dispute was about the Real Presence F. Lainez when it came to his turn to speak publickly with great freedom rebuked the Queen for that she being a Woman was present at Disputes about Religion In this Dispute he confuted Peter Martyr always calling him Father Peter because he had been a Friar Anno 1562. In January the Council of Trent was again open'd Cardinal John Moron and three other Cardinals presided as the Pop's Legates There was present a great number of Prelates and among them many French who came with Charles Cardinal of Lorrain In the Port de la Herradura in a violent Storm which rose in the Night Twenty two Galleys were cast away with their General D. John de Mendoça Great was the Desolation made in France many stately Churches were overthrown by the Hereticks and many Cities rebelled against the King Among others the King of Navarre to put a stop to these Evils laid Siege to Roan then in Rebellion but he was killed by a Musket-shot from the Walls on the 17th of November but before he expired the City was taken by his Forces The Prince of Conde who headed the Hereticks encouraged by the Recruits he received out of Germany was so bold as to lay Siege to Paris On the 8th of December the Catholicks gave them Battel being strengthned by a good supply of Spaniards sent by King Philip they all behaved themselves so well that they raised the Siege and pursuing the Enemy as far as Dreux overthrew them with great slaughter taking the Prince of Conde Prisoner Anno 1563. The Strength and Hopes of France at this time was in the House of Guise The Duke of Guise the King's Lieutenant then lay before the City Orleans seated on the Loire and in Rebellion One John Poltrot came out of the City purposely and in the passing of the River shot the Duke of which wound he died the 24th of February Poltrot being taken and put to the Rack confessed that Admiral Coligni and Theodorus Beza a principal Man among the Ministers had put him upon this wicked Enterprise He was at Paris publickly torn in pieces by four Horses D. Francis of Navarre Archbishop of Valencia died in a Village near that City on the 16th of April It is reported of him but no Proof appears that he writ the History of Spain which he composed with much care tho the Stile was not of the best The Council of Trent broke up the 5th of December and was soon after confirm'd by Pope Pius the Fourth Of the Spanish Bishops those that most signalized themselves for Learning in this Council were D. Peter Guerrero Archbishop
occasioned before by too much Severity But it fell out otherwise than was expected for the French Flemish and German Hereticks conspired to revenge the Death of the Admiral of France and to secure Antwerp and other places They thought it would be easy to compass their Designs because the King of France was unprovided of an Army and in Flanders the Spanish Soldiers mutinyed for Pay being three Years in Arrears A great number of Horse at the beginning of Lent repaired to the Forrest of S. Germain through which the King of France was forced with all speed to retire to Paris Francis de Montmorency was suspected to be the Author of this Design upon the King as also of being a Favourer of the Hereticks The Spaniards in Flanders tho the chief Mutineers were punished were not appeased and yet Count Luis Brother to the Prince of Orange returning into the Country was overthrown on the 14th of April Great were the Confusions in France when the King died on the 4th of June leaving only one Daughter who lived not long after and the Crown fell to his Brother Henry then King of Poland The Turkish Fleet came to Tunez the 14th of July and on the 22d of August took the Castle of Goleta 24 Days after they took a Fort belonging to that City in which was a Spanish Garison D. John of Austria tho he lay then at Trapano in Sicily could not succour the Besieged Most Men blamed Cardinal Granville then Viceroy of Naples for not furnishing Men Money and Provisions in time Selymus the Great Turk died and Amurat his Son succeeded him About this time the King's Expences being great Duties on Goods were much raised and with the Pope's Permission the Towns belonging to the Church began to be sold The King of Portugal being naturally of a great Spirit which increased with his years sailed over with a Fleet unto Africk but did nothing worth remembring his great desire of extending the Christian Dominions suffered him not to rest In Genoa a Mutiny broke out in which-the new Nobles expelled the old ones out of the City To appease those Tumults the Cardinal John Moron was sent by the Pope a Commissary by the Emperor D. Charles de Borgia Duke of Gandia and D. John Ideaquez Embassador there were appointed by the Catholick King These after the Troubles had lasted two years adjusted all Differences Anno 1575. D. John of Austria came out of Italy into Spain and obtained of the King his Brother to appoint him his Lieutenant over all his Dominions in Italy with the Title of Vicar The Design was that no advantagious Opportunity offered might be lost as often happened by the Delays of the Viceroys This done in the same Fleet that brought him he returned to Italy to be in a Readiness to oppose the Great Turk who it was reported was preparing a mighty Fleet against the Christians This Report proved false But Moluco assisted by the Turks took the Kingdoms of Fez and Morocco from his Nephew Muley Mahomet Cheribo He pretended to justify this Proceeding by a Law some years before established which ordained that the King's Brothers should inherit before their Children Muley fled to Portugal and was the occasion of the great Loss sustained by the Portugueses in endeavouring to restore him The King of France kept the Dukes of Vendosme and Alençon Prisoners at Paris that they might not have the opportunity of embroiling the Kingdom Alençon made his Escape and fled to Normandy whither repaired to him not only the Hereticks but the Catholick Malecontents upon pretence of settling the Kingdom Soon after the Duke of Vendosme making his Escape came to him Anno 1576. Pope Gregory the 13th at Rome at length gave Judgment against Bartholomew de Miranda Archbishop of Toledo after he had been 17 years a Prisoner He died 18 days after in the Monastery of his Order called La Minerva in that City He was more fortunate while a private Man than in his great Dignity being a Person of Learning and Piety if in his latter years he had not given occasion to be suspected and even condemned as one not perfectly sound in matter of Religion Dr. Martin Aspizcueta of Navarre pleaded for him and writ in his Defence being the famousest Canonist of that Age as appears by his Works in Print no less pious than learned Maximilian the Emperor dying his Son Rodulphus already King of the Romans succeeded him in the Empire The Prince of Conde and John Casimir Son to the Palatin entred France by the way of Lorain with 30000 Men in favour of the Duke of Alençon for fear of whom a Peace was concluded with the Hereticks little to the King's Advantage D. Luis de Requesens Governor of Flanders dying the States of that Country met to consult what was to be done The result was that they conspired against their King and resolved to expel the Spaniards join with the Hereticks and take the Prince of Orange for their Head To colour their Treason soon after they sent for Mathias the Emperor's Brother out of Germany but abused him giving him the Name of Prince and doing what pleased themselves Whereupon in a little time leaving that shadow of a Principality he returned to Germany The Rebels in Flanders laid siege to the Castle of Antwerp at such time as the Spaniards being without a Head were in a Mutiny nevertheless they assembled from all parts to defend that Place The Garison of the Castle with all that resorted to them made not above 4000 Men. In the City were above 40000 able to bear Arms Yet their Multitude no way dismayed the Soldiers who falling upon them killed 14000 then plundered and set fire to that rich and beautiful City The same Day this hapned at Antwerp which was the 4th of November D. John of Austria came to Luxemburgh sent by the King of Spain to remedy the Disorders of the Low-Countries and for more Expedition he went through France in a disguise His coming availed nothing the Rebellion being too far advanced Anno 1577. Catherine Queen of Portugal died at Lisbon By her the eager Heat of King Sebastian her Grandson had bin hitherto curbed He and King Philip had an Interview at Guadalupe where they conferred about the Conquest of Africk for which Enterprize the Portugues was preparing and the Catholick King advised him not to go in Person but could not prevail In November a Comet appeared near the Sign Libra and the Planet Mars with a Tail of such extraordinary length and breadth as has scarce been seen After the Death of King Sebastian it was given out it threatned Portugal such are the Predictions of Astrologers and the Commonalty believe Comets portend change of Government Anno 1578. At Madrid on the 14th of April King Philip had a Son born of his Wife Queen Ann who was also called Philip the 4th Child this Queen had and out-lived the others As
embroil the whole Kingdom Yet at first he seemed to approve of the Association and offer'd to be Head of it till perceiving he had only the Name and all things tended to his own Ruin he put off that disguise The Pope who at first in favour of the Leaguers had condemned the King of Navarre now repenting was averse to their Proceedings and showed himself more favourable to the King Anno 1587. Mary Stuart Queen of Scotland was beheaded on the 17th of February in Foderingay Castle where she had been kept Prisoner 16 years Elizabeth Queen of England gave Sentence of Death against her at London This unfortunate Princess by reason of the Rebellion in Scotland retir'd into England upon Queen Elizabeth's Word given for her Safety and nevertheless was kept Prisoner and at last murdered It was thought the Christian Princes would not suffer her Death to be unrevenged but the King of France whom it chiefly concerned she having been Wife to his Brother King Francis was taken up with the Tumults of his own Kingdom King Philip was providing for this Enterprize at the time that Sir Francis Drake who the last Year had plundered the Coasts of America and carried a great quantity of Gold into England had the Boldness this Spring to attempt the Island of Cadiz and had certainly possessed himself of it had not two Gallies that were in the Port kept him in play till such time as the Neighbouring People came to succour the City and among them the Duke of Medina Sidonia The King was then at Toledo to assist at the reception of the Body of S. Leocadia Virgin and Martyr which had lain many Ages in a Monastery of Benedictine Monks called S. Gillain near Mons in Hainault The Procession and Feast were celebrated with great Pomp on the 26th of April there being present besides the King Mary the Empress his Sister and Prince Philip his Son who helped to carry the Coarse on which the Body was laid France as has been said was divided into three Factions when 30000 Germans enter'd it in favour of the King of Navarre and under the Command of the Duke de Bouillon They spread a great Terror throughout the Kingdom The King of France on the one side and the Duke of Guise on the other went out to meet them who keeping continually in their Rear and cutting them off and the Winter besides being severe great part of them perished the rest disbanded and returned home Soon after the Duke of Bouillon died Thus the Catholicks began again to take heart Spain was under no small Apprehensions least that Plague should spread on this side of the Pyrenean Hills France suffered not only by those People but was afflicted with Plague and Famine Great Processions were made to appease the Divine Wrath. Whole Towns went out clad in white with their Crosses singing Hymns and imploring the Mercy of God Anno 1588. King Philip had in readiness a mighty Fleet at Lisbon to revenge the Death of the Innocent Queen of Scots and the many Wrongs done to himself The Marquis of Sancta Cruz was appointed Admiral but he dying in the midst of all these Preparations the Duke of Medina Sidonia was substituted in his place He set sail in June with fair Weather and having turned Cape Finisterre off of Corun̄a a violent Storm so scattered and disabled the Fleet that they could not put to Sea again till September At length it came to the Coast of Flanders the English Fleet always hovering upon their skirts whose Cannon and the many Sand Banks much endangered our Fleet. Some Ships were taken by the Enemy and many sore battered by their Shot For which reason endeavouring to return home round the North of Scotland many Ships perished in that stormy Season and long Voyage Besides the extremity of the Cold and want of Provisions consumed most of the Men so that very few Ships and a small number of Mariners and Soldiers returned to several Ports of Spain Thus Humane Designs are disappointed by a superior Power Doubtless the Flower of all the Spanish Soldiers was lost in this Expedition and God by this Disaster punished the many Sins of this Nation The King of France resolved to punish the Duke of Guise as Head of the League and by that means to curb the rebellious Parisians who supported him To this purpose he brought into the City 4000 Foreigners The Duke of Guise also came relying on the favour of the Multitude who immediately taking Arms drove out the Strangers and forced the King himself to retire Soon after the King published an Edict approving of all that the Duke of Guise had done and after that another for assembling the States or Parliament and laying hold of that opportunity put to Death the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal his Brother imprisoning several others who had a hand in the League Anno 1589. The Queen-Mother of France died 12 days after this Execution and many Cities Rebelled but Paris fignaliz'd it self above all others Some Months after the King laid Siege to Paris and whilst he was before it James Clement a Burgundian and Dominican Friar coming out of the City upon pretence of revealing some Secret to the King stabbed him with a poison'd Knife of which he died The Villain was immediately torn in pieces a small Revenge for so detestable a Parricide Henry King of Navarre who was then in the Camp as of right belong'd to him presently entituled himself King of France and went through many Troubles before he was setled in the quiet Possession of that Kingdom Portugal was this Year in danger to be Embroiled for the English Fleet came before Lisbon upon pretence of restoring Antony the Bastard to the Kingdom of his Ancestors He came with the Fleet himself and landed with a good number of Men encamped before the City but finding there was no Commotion within the Prince Cardinal and Count de Fuentes having secured all things he was forced for want of Provisions to turn back and soon after the whole Fleet having done nothing worth remembring return'd for England Their departure deliver'd Spain from great Apprehensions At Lisbon a Conspiracy of the Citizens was discover'd in Favour of the pretended Prince Antony Some few of them were Executed for a Terror to the rest The Nobility continued very Loyal as those who had most to lose if any Change of Government happen'd A Nun at Lisbon with her Counterfeit Sanctity had deceived not only the Vulgar sort but Men of great Learning and being now discover'd to the Inquisition was punish'd as she deserv'd Soon after died F. Luis de Granada of the Order of S. Dominick a Man well known for his Works and singular Piety John Davila a Famous Preacher was his Contemporary At Barcelona the Plague raged violently Many things were said of the Cause of that Distemper but nothing was proved This Year in the Kingdom of Toledo was
finish'd the Famous Structure of St. Laurence the Royal which had been Thirty Years in hand since King Philip began to build it near a Village called the Escuriall in the Territory of Segovia It consists of a Monastery of the Order of S. Hierome a Colledge and a Palace for the Kings to divert themselves in Summer The Work is truly Majestick equal to any of the former memorable Structures and may well be accounted the Eighth Wonder Anno 1590. This Year was remarkable for the death of two Popes Sixtus who died the 28th of August and Vrban the Seventh who lived but twelve days after his Exaltation to the Papacy Neither did the Pope's Gregory the Fourteenth and Innocent the Ninth sit above a few Months in S. Peter's Chair till at last Clement the Eighth was elected who held it longer and without reproach Autumn this Year was very sickly Many People perished in Spain but the greatest Mortality was in the Country either for want of Medicines or that there was less to oppose the Infection of the Air. Among the rest Dr. John Calderon a Famous Divine and Canon of Toledo fell sick in a pleasant place whither he retired to pass the heat of the Summer Anno 1591. Antony Perez once the King's Secretary and in great Favour with him after he had bin Prisoner the space of 12 Years fled from the Prison in Madrid in April the foregoing Year He went into Aragon there to deliver himself up to the Great Justice of that Kingdom and answer for the death of Secretary Escobedo whom he caused to be killed one Night as he was going from Court together with other things laid to his Charge The Joy some People conceived at his flight was soon changed into Tears On the 24th of May this Year the Prisoner was remov'd from the Great Justice his Prison to that of the Inquisition The Rabble mutinying and taking up Arms with cries of Liberty assaulted the House of D. In̄igo de Mendoça Marquis of Almenara the Lieutenant They had before conceiv'd Malice against him and now murder'd him With the same Fury they ran next to the Prison of the Inquisition which they broke open and restor'd Antony Perez to the Prison where he was before In pursuance hereof on the 24th of September the People rose again because it was design'd to carry back the Prisoner to the Inquisition and breaking the Prison set him at Liberty In this Tumult some were killed and wounded Antony Perez fled to France where he died some Years after The Rebellious Citizens soon paid for their Rebellion for D. Alonso de Vargas an old Low Country Soldier was sent thither with an Army who reduc'd the City and put to death many of the Mutiniers among whom was D. John de Lamuza the Great Justice for that he appear'd in Arms against the King D. James de Heredia and D. John de Luna two of the chief Incendiaries were beheaded with many more The Duke of Villahermosa and Count de Aranda were taken and sent Prisoners to Castile where they died not long after in Prison but were afterwards acquitted of the Treason In order to settle the Affairs of that Kingdom the Cortes met at Taraçona at which D. Andrew de Bobadilla Archbishop of Zaragoça presided Anno 1592. The King himself by the way of Valladolid Burgos aad Pamplona went thither at the end of this Year With him were the Princess Elizabeth and her Brother Prince Philip who at Pamplona and Taraçona was sworn Heir of those Crowns Thus the Tumults in Aragon were appeas'd almost two Years after they commenc'd many of the Offenders being punish'd and Garisons put into Zaragoça and other places After the Cortes were held at Taraçona all Men submitted themselves being terrified with the Punishment of others and their own Losses For tho the Fury of the Multitude be great the Power of the King is greater and doubtless when Kings are resolute all the vain efforts of a tumultuous People are easy to be quelled and end in their own Destruction Anno 1593. King Henry of Navarre seemed now inclined to embrace the Catholick Religion and desired to be absolv'd of the Ecclesiastical Censures The Duke of Nemours sent by him to Rome to this effect used his utmost Endeavours to obtain it of the Pope who appear'd very rigid and much blamed the Archbishop of Bourges who had absolved him in France fearing his Conversion was only feigned but the contrary appear'd afterwards King Philip by his Agents now labour'd hard in France that the King of Navarre for his Religion might be excluded the Succession and he himself elected in his stead but that failing he proposed Archduke Ernestus the Emperor's Brother or any of the Princes of the House of Lorrain offering his Daughter Elizabeth in Marriage and many great Sums of Money with considerable Forces to support them All this fell to nothing King Henry being converted and by the unanimous Consent of all the States after many Difficulties proclaimed King Anno 1594. At Rome the Pope on the 17th of April Canonized S. Hyacinthus a Polander of the Order of S. Dominick At Madrid on the 22th of November died D. Gaspar de Quiroga Archbishop of Toledo and Cardinal aged 83 Years He was buried in a Monastery of the Order of S. Augustin in a Town of Madrigal where he was born He was an upright Man and of very good Parts but there is none free from some Fault His Revenue being very great and his Expence small he heaped up much Money and having made no Will the Pope order'd it to be equally divided into three Parts the one for pious Uses another for himself and the third for the King Albertus the Archduke and Cardinal succeeded him in the Archbishorick but afterwards having obtain'd the Pope's Dispensation by the King his Unkle's Order he quitted all his Church Preferments and Married This Year Javarin a very strong Town in Hungary was besieged and taken by the Turks Anno 1595. At the beginning of this Year died in Flanders the Archduke Ernestus who governed that Country for the King his Unkle On the third of April Albertus the Archduke his Brother took possession of the Archbishoprick of Toledo He never went to his Church or was consecrated because the King his Unkle gave him the Government of the Netherlands for which he set out from Madrid in August Garcia de Loaysa was left to govern the Bishoprick and three Years after the Archduke resigning it succeeded him in that Dignity The Government of the Low Countries upon the death of Ernestus the Archduke was some time in the Hands of D. Peter Enriquez de Toledo Earl of Fuentes a notable Soldier He on the 3d. of October after a tedious Siege took Cambray from the French who attempted three times to relieve it and were as often repulsed The Pope on the 25th of November made Valladolid a Bishops See and the King
soon after gave it the Title and Priviledge of a City Dr. Bartholomew de la Plaça was the first Bishop About the end of this Year the Floods were very great and the River at Sevill breaking into the City did much harm at the Custom-House The King of France being entirely reconciled to the Church was at last absolved by the Pope and immediately all his Kingdom submitted to him D Peter de Toledo Marquis of Villafranca on the 23th of September took and plunder'd the City Patras in the Morca having gone from Messina with 20 Galleys upon that design Anno 1596. Sir Francis Drake landed Men at Nombre de Dios in America designing to march over that narrow Neck of Land and plunder Panama The Spaniards taking the Alarm charged and forced him to retire to his Ships about the beginning of January He often did much harm along those Coasts but at last died at Portobelo and his Fleet was driven out of the West Indies by D. Bernardin de Avellaneda Albertus the Archduke on the 17th of April took Calais from the French but not long after it was restor'd upon composition At this time the King lay at Azeca near Toledo so dangerously sick that he was given over for dead He removed to Toledo where News was brought that the English Fleet on the 1st of July took and plundered the Island and City of Cadiz and burnt the Fleet that lay there bound for Mexico which was so great a loss that many Merchants throughout the Kingdom suffered much and some broke Anno 1597. Ferdinand Tello Governor of Dourlans for the Spaniards having Intelligence with the People of Amiens the chief City of Picardy suprized and made himself Master of it The King of France considering the great Importance of that Place came thither in Person and laid siege to it Albertus the Archduke marched with about 20000 Men out of Artois designing to relieve the City but finding the King too well posted and having suffered somewhat by his Artillery and in some small Skirmishes he retired upon which the City was surrendred the Garison marching out with the usual Honourable Formalities Sigismund Bator Prince of Transilvania who at this time with much Bravery maintained War against the Turks and Hereticks went to Vienna to attend the Emperor who supplied him with Money as did the Pope and Catholick King But the hopes conceived of his Proceedings vanished for he was taken sick some said he was bewitched whereupon he forsook the War and left his Wife the Daughter of Charles the Archduke and resigning up his Dominions to the Emperor lived a private Life at Prague where he died some years after Anno 1598. This Year on the 6th of May the King gave up all the Low-Countries to his eldest Daughter Elizabeth in order to marry her as was afterwards done to her Cousin the Archduke Albertus who to that purpose resigned up his Cardinal's Cap and the Archbishoprick of Toledo which was given to Garcia de Loaysa Prince Philip's Tutor Yet this Donation was in such manner that those Countries were to be held of the Crown of Spain to which also was reserved the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Prerogative of placing Governors in certain Castles such as Antwerp Ghent and Cambray Soon after a Peace was concluded with France in bringing the which to effect the Pope laboured very earnestly The King's Distemper still increasing upon him he died at the Escurial the 13th of September and was there buried A Prince remarkable for some Vertues as Liberality Resolution Vigilancy Abstemiousness in eating and drinking But no less for many Vices as Lust Cruelty Pride Perfidiousness and several others He lived 71 Years 3 Months and some Days and reigned in Castile 42 Years 7 Months and 28 Days Prince Philip his Son succeeded him Anno 1599. On the 22d of February died at Alcala de Henares Garcia de Loaysa Archbishop of Toledo and with him the great hopes conceived of his Vertue and Ability He was buried in that Town in the Chapel of the Martyrs without any Tomb. D. Bernardin de Rojas y Sandoval at that time Bishop of Jaen succeeded him and not long after had the Cardinal's Cap brought him to Toledo the King being present at that Ceremony The new King was before contracted to Margaret the Daughter to Charles the Archduke who came to him by the way of Milan with her Mother and Albertus the Archduke The Pope was at that time in Ferrara which City after the Death of the last Duke who left no Heir fell to the Church whereof it was a Feofe Thither the Queen and Archduke repaired and the Ceremony of the two Marriages was performed by the Pope with extraordinary Magnificence tho the King and Princess were not there They departed thence and on the 25th of March arrived at Alfaques de Tortosa thence they went to Valencia where the King was married The King went forward to Barcelona to bear the Archduke company who with the Princess his Wife imbarked for Flanders on the 7th of June After which the King and Queen returned to Valencia and thence to Madrid Anno 1600. This Year was very remarkable for the Jubilee at Rome to which a great number of People resorted The Winter was so extraordinary rainy that the Tiber overflowing Rome was 3 days full of Water and great harm done Among 13 Cardinals promoted by the Pope one was Robert Bellarmine of the Society of Jesus Nephew to Pope Marcellus a Man of a good Life and extraordinary Learning as appears by the many notable Books he published The new King of France with the Approbation of the Pope put away Queen Margaret his first Wife and presently after married Mary de Medicis Daughter to Francis Duke of Florence Anno 1601. About March or April the Court of Castile removed from Madrid to Valladolid in favour of that Country which was very poor but many Inconveniences being found there some years after it returned to the same place The famous Bell of Vililla in Aragon is reported to have rung it self several times which is accounted to portend some extraordinary Revolutions or other great matters like to happen but no such strange effects appear'd for many years after At Rome on the 29th of April S. Raymundus Pen̄afort of the Order of S. Dominick was Canonized On the 25th of August Prince Doria the great Admiral sailed to Argiers with a great Fleet came before that City in the night unperceived but was drove off again by contrary Winds On the 22d of September was born at Valladolid the Princess Ann afterwards married to Luis the 13th King of France and conducted to the Frontiers by the Archbishop of Toledo Anno 1602. The Marquis de Fuentes having corrupted the Lanskeneghts that were in Garison at Final made himself Master of that place as he did also of Milesino without any Provocation or just cause given
considering how prejudicial to our Affairs the Fort and Bridge of Olivença were being upon the River Guadiana and cutting off our Convoys of Provisions that were to march on this side the River He marched thither with 6000 Foot 2000 Horse and 3 Pieces of Cannon After our Cannon was planted and began to play tho they in the Fort made some shot they surrendred the first day as did those upon the Bridge The Fort was easily razed but there was great difficulty in breaking the Bridge the Matter that cemented it being harder than the Stone it self so that tho the Foot spent 10 days working at it with Pickaxes they must have gone away and left it standing had not means been found to blow it up All the Mills on this side Guadiana that served the Neighbouring Towns were in like manner destroyed Mean while Intelligence being given that the Post was coming from Lisbon to Elvas an Officer was sent with 6 Troopers to intercept it by the way they took a Soldier going to Elvas to carry the News that 1800 Foot were marching to reinforce that place and would the next morning be near Villalvin This Intelligence was immediately carried to the Marquis Molinguen who having computed the time and finding it was practicable to cut them off sent the two Commissary Generals with 1500 Horse and they came so opportunely that of the 1800 Foot they killed 500 and took 200 Prisoners 40 of whom they left by the way being desperately wounded Had there not been a Mountain hard by not one of them had escaped It was afterwards known by some Prisoners that above 350 wounded Men returned the next day to Estremoz In Catalonia the Marquis of Mortara General of the Spanish Forces having suffer'd the Count de Harcour the French Viceroy of Catalonia who had taken Roses to pass the River Segre in his sight was by him in a bloody Battel overthrown and taken Prisoner with 200 of his Officers most of them Men of Quality Andrew Cantelmo with most of the Horse fled to Balaguer whether Harcour pursued and laying Siege to the Town took him in it These things-moved King Philip to recal the Marquis of Leganez out of Estremadura and send him into Catalonia with the Title of Viceroy and Captain-General of that Principality and the Counties of Roussillon and Cerdagne The Marquis of Molinguen General of the Horse was left Commander in chief in Estremadura He to keep his Men in Action upon Tuesday in the Holy Week sent 900 Horse in three Bodies into Portugal to wast the Country They march'd 8 Leagues out-right burning and destroying all the Villages and Gentlemens Houses and brought away 1000 Head of great Cattle and 8000 of small King Philip having given all the necessary Orders for the opening of the Campagne set out of Madrid on the 14th of April with the Prince and came to Pamplona on the 23th of the same Month. There he was received with all the Magnificence and Demonstrations of Duty imaginable D. Gregory Brito Knight of the Order of Calatrava a Portugues and Governor of the City Lerida considering of how great importance it would be to remove the French out of the Castle of Termes a place of such strength that they called it Petit Rochel being six Miles distant from Lerida and three from Balaguer march'd on the 6th of April at midnight from Lerida with a body of Foot and some Horse towards that place Before break of day he assaulted it with such bravery that he made himself Master of it putting most of the Garison to the Sword This done he order'd his Horse to advance and fired some Guns in hopes to draw out the Garison of Balaguer but they stirred not In this Castle of Termes were found 1000 Muskets 500 Suits of Armour 10 pieces of Cannon 10 Boats to make Bridges with the Carts to carry them Tents to the value of 4000 Duccats a great quantity of Merchandize and much Ammunition and Provision this place being one of the Enemies Magazines The French in Garrison at Balaguer thought to carry some Timber and other Materals out of the Ruins of Termes to serve in the Forfications they were raising to which purpose they sent thither 100 Men with Mules for carriage but D. Gregory Brito having notice of it circumvented the whole Party and made them Prisoners without any bloodshed Italy enjoy'd Peace but was now alarm'd with the News of the mighty Maritime Preparations made by the Ottoman Emperor which moved the Viceroys of Sicily and Naples to put themselves into the best posture of Defence they were able The Great Master of Malta sent all over Christendom to summon all the Knights of the Order to repair to him with what Supplies they could The Venetians also judging all those Preparations were made against them omitted nothing that could tend to the securing of their Dominions At last having held all Europe in suspence this mighty Storm fell upon the Island of Candia where the Infidels soon made themselves Masters of the Fort S. Theodore and the City Canea His Holiness this Year in March created nine Cardinals The Duke of Arcos new Viceroy of Naples came to Rome where he was honourably received and splendidly entertain'd by the Pope after which he set forward for Naples Prince Thomas of Savoy entring some Miles into the Dukedom of Milan possessed himself of Roca de Bejeuen but presently retired thence and seiz'd the Castle of Pro and some Hills about it The Marquis of Velada Governor of Milan march'd from Mortara with 7000 Foot and 8 Pieces of Cannon He attack'd the Enemy with such Bravery that they were drove from their places of strength having lost 1500 of their Foot and among them 300 Officers Prince Maurice of Savoy died afterwards of his Wounds and Prince Thomas his Brother received two Musket-shots Anno 1646. Harcour the French Viceroy in Catalonia laid Siege to Lerida a strong and important City upon the River Segre and the Borders of Catalonia and Aragon Before this place he lay five Months hindring all manner of Succours from being put into it The Marquis de Leganes the Spanish General after he had taken several small places to give a diversion to the Enemy and cut off some of their Convoys finding them not quit their Enterprize being joined by the Duke del Infantado and his Army now amounting to 25000 Men resolved to attack the French in their Trenches which accordingly he did and after a hot dispute put them to flight forcing them to take shelter at Balaguer All their Baggage Cannon and great store of Ammunition and Provisions were taken This Victory cost the Spaniards much Blood being forc'd to drive the Enemy out of their Works but the importance of relieving Lerida made amends for all Prince Thomas of Savoy who commanded the French in Italy in May appear'd before the Ports Telamon and S. Stephen with a powerful Fleet and 20000 Men. He soon made
sent to them out of France and received with general Applause and great Acclamations The Commonalty strengthned by his coming a long time held out against the Viceroy But at last growing weary of the War they again returned to their Duty A general Pardon was granted them and they were received to Mercy in the King's Name by D. John of Austria The Duke of Guise endeavouring to escape was taken by the Spaniards Anno 1648. This Year was fatal to France for the Troubles there raised against the King in most part of the Kingdom but more especially at Paris by the Prince of Conde and Duke of Longueville the Heads of the Rebels The Marquis de Caracena making his Advantage of their Confusions with 8000 Foot and 4000 Horse invaded the Dukedom of Modena wasting and destroying all that Country so that the Duke forsaken by the French was forced to make use of the Duke of Parma to intercede for him and adjust all matters in difference The French Rebels having prayed Aid of the Archduke Leopold Governor of the Low Countries he marched with his Army as far as Senlis which is but 10 Leagues from Paris and having done nothing worthy that Trouble or Charge returned towards Flanders There ashamed of that fruitless Expedition tho it were Winter he ordered the Marquis Sprondiato to invest Ipres in order to besiege it The French Fleet commanded by Thomas Duke of Savoy infested the Coasts of the Kingdom of Naples but in its return lost 4000 Men cut off only by the Country People as they ravaged the Country The Marquis of Leganez who commanded upon the Frontiers of Portugal ordered D. Gregory Ibarra Commissary General of Badajoz to make an Inroad into the Enemies Frontiers with 6 Troops of Horse and drive all the Cattel He in pursuance of these Orders gathered about 400 Horse at Higuera and with them entered into Portugal on the 8th of November there they spent 2 Nights and a Day ransacking all the Houses and Villages in the Territories of Cerpa and Moura and gathering all the Cattel With this Booty they returned the 18th towards Castile to lye that Night near Oliva where all the Cattel was conveniently shut up in the enclosed Fields The Horse being dismounted to take their Rest Parties went out to discover whether the Enemy moved About 9 at night our advanced Centinels hearing the trampling of many Horses gave the Alarm by firing their Carabines The Enemy being discovered halted to order their Squadrons which gave our Men time to Mount and the Commissary-General to form them into two Squadrons ordering the foremost when charged to give way as if yielding to the Portugueses to break through that so he might take them in the middle His Contrivance accordingly fell out for they broke through to look for their Cattel but meeting with the 2d Squadron maintained the Fight about half an hour Then being hard pressed both before and behind they began to fly at the Flanks our Men not pursuing them far because of the Darkness of the Night Of the Enemy 40 were taken 52 killed and 90 wounded and 100 of their Horses were found On our side D. Gregory Ibarra and 5 Soldiers were wounded one Captain reformed and two Soldiers killed They stood all night at Arms and the next day marched to Xeres de los Cavalleros The Booty they brought consisted of 5000 Sheep and Goats 500 Swine 200 Oxen and Cows 70 Mules â—â— Slaves and the 100 Horse taken in the Skirmish This Year the satifications of the Peace betwixt Spain and Holland were exchanged at Munster in Westphalia on the 15th and 16th of May. After which the Plenipotentiaries on both sides in the behalf of their Masters swore the Performance of the Articles Which done they embraced and all the Cannon of the Town was fired to express the publick Joy In the Spring the Plague broke out at Murcia Origueld and Elche and thence diffused it self to several other places tho not so destructive But it was lamentable to see the mighty havock it made at Sevil the most famous Mart of all Spain Anno 1649. The Archduke Leopold Governor of the Low Countries in May took the Field with a powerful Army to oppose the French who under the Command of the Prince of Conde had laid Siege to Ipres being informed there was but a small Garison in the Place The Prince to reinforce his Army drew 2000 Men out of Courtray which the Archduke understanding sat down before it and in two days was Master of the Town the Garison retiring into the Cittadel His Highness attacked the Plate which was surrendred to him upon honourable Conditions the 12th of May. The Blunder of this Town was considerable the Country People having carried the best of their Goods thither The Prince of Conde never stirred thinking the Archduke would have been taken up some days before Courtray However the Prince had Ipres delivered to him on the 15th of May the Garison marching out in honourable manner The Archduke encamped hard by in the open Field to draw the Enemy to a Battel which they refusing he sent a body of 1000 Horse and 6000 Foot to ravage the Countries of Picardy and Champagne They performed what was given them in charge so effectually that they struck a Terror into the City of Paris whence Orders were sent to the Prince to come to the relief of the City Mean while the French endeavoured to surprize Ostend before which appeared 6 great Men of War and several other lesser Vessels which immediately landed about 2000 Men. The Governor of Ostend perceiving them sent out some Parties to keep them in play till after long skirmishing some Supplied coming to him and being strong both in Horse and Foot he charged the Enemy with such Fury that they cryed out for quarter which was easily granted them 1200 Prisoners were taken and among them 2 Majors and 50 Captains Many were killed and drowned The Count de Harcourt having received strong Supplies from France laid Siege to Cambray on the 18th of June with 25000 Men and daily carried on his Works against the Town His Highness the Archduke kept his Horse continually in readiness contriving which way he might put some relief into the Town On the 2d of July he took two Soldiers of the Enemy who discovered to him which was the safest way to compass his Design He divided his Forces into three parts with two of which he charged the Enemy whilst the 3d commanded by Colonel Brullel broke through their Camp and put into the Town 800 Horse and 400 Foot whom the Horse carried behind them The Count de Harcourt perceiving the Succours were got into the Place thought it to no purpose to spend more time before it and drew off to Chastelet Sunday the 4th of July the Archduke marched into Cambray where after the Singing of Te Deum he was splendidly entertained by the Governor This done he marched with
very Moors fearful of her Power never sail that way but they leave some Alms to her Chappel The Count and supreme Council of Italy celebrated the Feast of this Saint in September at the Royal Monastery of Nuns called of the Angels of the Order of S. Francis The Service of the Church was performed with Musick and great Pomp the Night being turned into Day with Illuminations and artificial Fire-works At length Barcelona after a tedious Siege was again restored to his Majesty on the 17th of October to the great Honour of the Generals commanding there and universal Joy of the Inhabitants Upon this News his Majesty went a horseback to the Church of Atocha the Streets were hung with rich Tapistry for three Nights the Town was enlightened with Illuminations and Bonfires and a Bull Feast was kept in the great Market-place Barcelona sent a Gentleman to make its Submission to the King he was introduced with as great State as if he had been an Ambassador from the most potent Monarch After the King he visited the Queen and Princesses He was nobly entertained all things were adjusted and restored to the same Posture they were in before the Revolt of that City On the 3d of October happened a notable Fight betwixt the Spanish and Portugues Horse The General of Estremadura having ordered a Convoy for Alburea the Night before it set out a Party of 20 Horse was sent to discover the Convoy which being upon the Point to march the Lieutenant who Commanded the Party gave Intelligence that he had spy'd 5 Squadrons marching towards the Field of Canes to lie in wait for the Convoy The Troops of Talavera were ordered to join those before destined for the Convoy Our General of Horse was desirous to meet the Enemy and used his endeavours to that Purpose The Scouts affirmed the Enemies Squadrons marched towards the Watch-Tower of S. Jaspar along the side of Conchuela Our Men marched directly towards them and understanding they retired to the Ford of Sancha Brava made haste to overtake them and found the Enemy had joined the rest of their Horse Our Troops drew up those of Talavera were not yet come but marched with all possible Speed The Fight began the Enemy who understood we had more Troops at hand laying hold of the present Advantage with 7 Squadrons Charged our Vanguard which consisted of four Our Men received them with such Resolution that they drove them back upon their main Body and then considering the Force they had to deal with halted The main Body of the Portugueses was advancing as the Troops of Talavera came in but had not yet time to join our Battel Our General ordered his Troops to stand their Ground and receive the Enemies Charge Both Vanguard 's charged and fought sometime Sword in hand without giving Ground till at length the Enemies Rear began to file off Ours did the like and having made up their Squadrons advanced towards the Enemy who retired precipitantly without facing about tho' some Parties were sent after them The main Bodies could not be brought to engage Of the Enemy 210 were killed on our side not above 20 killed and wounded Here 617 of our Horse drove 1500 Portugueses The Cortes of Madrid to express their Zeal to the Queen of Angels sent F. Gonçalo de Castilla a Jesuit Ambassador to Rome to obtain of the Pope that the Immaculate Conception might be made a matter of Faith but he died at Rome before any thing was done in that Affair The Bishop of Valencia was appointed to succeed him The Military Orders of Santiago Calatrava and Alcantara signalized their Devotion in this particular On the 15th of December the Order of Calatrava kept this Solemnity and continued it 9 Days the Members swearing to defend and maintain the immaculate Conception The same was afterwards done by the two other Military Orders of Santiago and Alcantara The Council of Madrid followed the Example of the Military Orders The Marquess de Caracena of whom the Italians confess that no Governour of Milan ever performed so much with so small Forces having received Orders from his Majesty to possess himself of Trin a most important Place and then ill provided overcoming all Difficulties as well of want of Men to take as Means to preserve that Place with the greatest Secrecy imaginable resolved to attack that Place He sent the Marquess Serra Major General from Milan on the 3d of May and on the 4th he secured all the Avenues to that Place The Marquess having given the necessary Orders to D. John Vazquez Coronado Governour of the Castle of Milan for remounting the Cavalty raising the Militia and for following him with the German Troops that then were coming into the Dukedom went away himself to the Siege 400 of the Enemies Foot were sent by the River Po to get into the Place and landed not far from it in a Wood whereof the Governour of Milan having Intelligence he sent the Marquess Serra to cut them off but they retired in time to Crecentin leaving their Boats which were taken by our Men. The Marquess de Villar gathered 1500 Foot and 150 Horse thinking to break through the Marquess of Caraçena's Quarters and make his way into the Town but was most vigorously repulsed Within 10 Days the Bulwarks were undermined and so the Place surrendred the 30th of May. 500 Soldiers marched out of it besides some sick At this Siege the Marquess of Caracena gained the Reputation of a most expert General in all sorts of Martial Discipline and Knowledge The Marquess encouraged by this Success resolved to attempt Cazal This is a Place in Italy esteemed impregnable and much coveted by all the neighbouring Princes It s Cittadel was built by the Duke of Mantua having obtained leave of King Philip the 2d all Men believing it was rather raised for the Service of Spain than of its own Prince But time altering Mens Affections the Owners fearful of the Power of Spain called in the French to defend it About the middle of September the Marquess set out to besiege this Place and coming to Moncalvo stretched out his Army to the Territory of Val de Grani for want of Forage Then having laid a Bridge over the Po passed over the Spaniards the Marquess de Borgameneiro's Regiment of Germans and that of Collonel Beitin because the Piemonteses had drawn 400 Men out of Jadi and led them by the way of Clavasco 1300 remaining still at Jadi but they marched off by degrees and hoped for some Succour from Verceli The Piamonteses were much more concerned at some Passages betwixt the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua and to see the Spaniards fortifie Rosignano Pontestura and S. George near Cazal The Marquess quartered the Body of his Army near Moncalvo blocking up Cazal The French thought to have put 400 Men into the Town but the Marquess of Sorto Son to the Marquess de los Balbases and General of the Men at Arms prevented
them scowring all the Country 14 miles about for the space of 8 days Then the Marquess of Caraçena drew near to attack the Place and great Stores of Provisions and Ammunition were making at Milan To hinder the French putting any Relief into the Town the Marquess possessed himself of the Hill placing there 4 Regiments of Foot the Horse of Naples that of the Commissary General Moron and his own Troops of Guards The Marquess of Sento lay at Pianura with 4 Regiments of Foot the Milanese and German Horse and some other Troops On the other side the Po was a Regiment of German Horse and one of Foot Besides these our Governour drew our Forces out of Milan and 5 Companies out of Alexandria to strengthen his Army and gathered a great number of Pioniers to secure all the Posts Upon the 24th of September he invested the Place posted himself raised his Batteries and in 14 days began to undermine which succeeding overthrew two Towers of the Cittadel Our Men gave the Assault and carried it on with such Bravery that they enter'd the Place before thought impregnable The French retired to the City and our Governour using his Victory with Moderation gave them the usual honourable Conditions 800 Men besides the sick and those that guarded the Baggage marched out with 2 Pieces of Cannon and were conducted to Berrua A thousand Men were left in Garrison in the Place The Duke of Mantua who during the Siege lay at Milan set out thence for Cazal and was received with much Pomp and Applause into that City The Duke being in the City our Governour went to visit him and found such Entertainment as became the Restorer of that City to its rightful Owner the Cannon of the City and Army firing Next day the Duke repayed the Visit and the Marquess marched with his Army from Cazal towards Valencia de Po thence to Pavia and lastly to Milan where his Reception was in the manner of the Roman Triumphs This good Fortune was seconded by the taking of Graveling one of the strongest Places in the low Countreys fortified by the Emperor Charles the 5th It is seated on a Plain near the Sea side to cover the Country from paying Contributions to the Enemy The Duke of Orleans layed Siege to this Place upon the 19th of May 1644 and took it the 28th of the Month following D. Ferdinand de Solis Governour of this Place performed the Duty of a brave Commander keeping the Enemy 29 Days from the Ditch of the Counterscarp then maintaining the Bastion 20 Days and at last marched out with all the Marks of Honour From hence the French at their Pleasure infested all Flanders and added many new Works to the old Leopold the Archduke and the Earl of Fuensaldan̄a thought good to lay hold of the Opportunity now offered the Count de Grave Governour of the place being absent Having caused the Outworks to he viewed and got an account of the Provisions and Ammunition that were in the Place they resolved to besiege it notwithstanding many Difficulties that appeared and particularly the want of Forage for their Horse It was also very hard to prevent Succours coming from Calais On the 11th of April the Army began to march towards the Town under the Command of D. Ferdinand de Solis Governour of Winock's Berg with Orders to post himself as near as might be Count Fuensaldan̄a joined the Marquess Sfrondato and the Prince of Ligni and the Archduke marched and took his Quarters at Bourburg the Army from all Parts repairing to the Siege The Enemy was surprized and without hopes of Relief However 400 Men from Bologn and Calais attempted to get in but were so received that only 50 compassed it On the other side 300 from Dunkirk tryed their Fortune and 200 of them made their way to the Place Our Attacks were carried on in four places and the Enemy being ill provided and despairing of Relief surrendred on the 17th of April and marched out the 19th being Whitsunday with the usual honourable Formalities Presently after followed the taking of Dunkirk In order to it the Count de Fuensaldan̄a was commanded to provide all Necessaries which he performed with great Diligence On the 25th of August the Count set out from Brussels and came to Berg S. Winock on the 1st of September There the Prince de Ligni joined him and having taken his Post they raised two Batteries one on the side of Fort Lion which was committed to Major General Baltasar Mercader and the other on the Downs where the Prince of Ligni's Quarters were under the care of D. Ferdinand de Solis Both Batteries looked towards those of the Enemy at the Gate towards the Canal which were to hinder the Approach of our Vessels and cover their own We soon dismounted all their Cannon and drove those that guarded them from the Port. The next Night three Attacks were carried on with the Loss of only 12 of our Men. Major General Charles Caupi was wounded in the Leg and the Count Moteria in the Shoulder The Works were carried on and other Batteries raised then his Highness came into the Trenches and was present at the taking of some of the Outworks Advice was brought that several Vessels were fitting at Calais to put Relief into the Place but Care being taken to obstruct them they appeared not Our Attacks being carried on and the Lines of Communication between them perfected our Men lodged themselves at the Foot of the Pallisadoes D. Baltasar Mercader gained a Post and made a Lodgment which secured our passage to the Canal On the 10th of September a Deserter from the Town reported the Governour was wounded in the Belly with a Cannon Ball the Town Major lay sick the King's Lieutenant was dead the Town sickly and the Soldiers mutinous The same Day the besieged heing hard pressed beat a Parley and capitulated At the same time the Duke of Mercaeur having gathered 18 Sail of Men of War and 4 Fireships in Britany with 3000 Land-men in them for the Relief of Dunkirk was coming into the Downs where Admiral Blake lay with 20 Sail resolved to hinder his passage The Archduke commanded our Fleet to set sail and oppose the Approach of the Enemy The French behaved themselves with much Bravery but were utterly defeated 4 of their Ships taken by the Spaniards and 10 by the English The besieged after this Loss having no hopes left performed the Articles before agreed upon and on the 16th of September marched out being 2000 Strong and were conducted with their Baggage to Calais Two days were allowed for their March and 150 Waggons to carry their Baggage In France this Year happened a great Battel betwixt the Prince of Conde who was in open Rebellion and the King's Forces commanded by the Mareschals de Turenne and Hocquincour wherein the latter were overthrown with the loss of 3500 Men they both narrowly escaping About the end of this Year the Earl of
Spaniards in Italy The King easily granted his Request and promised to assist him with some of his Men of War He went away to Marseilles and there gave Orders for the fitting out of this Squadron at Toulon whis was performed with such Expedition that by the middle of October it was in a Readiness to sail It consisted of 23 great Ships 6 Galleys and other small Vessels well Manned and stored with all Necessaries the Duke himself Commanding in Person About the beginning of November the Fleet hoised Sail and came in sight of Sardinia but was by the Weather drove to Cape Polo in the Island of Corsica The Earl of Lemos gave notice of it to the Viceroy of Naples The Weather clearing up the Duke of Guise scoured all the Coast of Naples till the Wind again carried him to Sicily to the Island-Fabiana near Trepano where he took 300 Head of great Cattle 1000 of small 1000 Barrels of Tunny Fish and all the fishing Tackle Hereupon the Duke del Infantado Viceroy of Sicily sailing close under the shore in a Gally got into Trepano to encourage the People The Enemy by stress of Weather was drove to the Channel of Malta whence they were forced by the Cannon of that Place and entred the Gulph of Venice and came before Castelamar The Viceroy of Naples understanding that the French were plying upon the Coast so that no Body could judge of their Design sent some Forces with Cannon to Bain and Puzol to secure those Places At the same time he sent out 15 Galleys to observe the Enemy but a sudden Storm arising forced them back not without great Danger of being cast away Two Expresses came to the Viceroy one from Lieutenant General Amadee to acquaint him he had been summoned by a Trumpet from the Duke of Guise and had answered he would defend that Place to the last The other brought the same News from the Earl of Chelano Tho' it was thought unlikely that the Enemy would attempt any thing against Castelamar both because it was an open Town not fit for them to keep as also for that there were then in it 800 Foot and two Troops of Horse besides a great number of Gentlemen and other People fit to bear Arms yet the Viceroy sent thither 4 Troops of Horse 150 Spanish Foot and near 50 reformed Officers a good Quantity of Ammunition and 4 Pieces of Cannon Besides he sent a Gally with supplies thither by Sea and ordered General Frangipani then at Salerno to march with all Expedition to Castelamar But scarce had the Duke of Guise received the Answer sent him by the Lieutenant General Amadee when he landed his Men which done he began from from the Fleet furiously to Cannonade the Town those that were landed at the same time assaulting it in three Places It was Night and the Foot of the Regiment of Calabria perceiving a great number of French come down the Mountain fled the Governor thus forsaken Capitulated The Troops sent by the Viceroy came after the Surrender and the Gally could not get in the Place being surrounded by the Enemies Fleet. Having taken the Town the French plundered it shipping all the Booty which the Duke of Guise afterwards excused saying It was done without his Orders The Viceroy not knowing the Place was taken had ordered General Charles de la Gata to march thither with all the Force he could from Sessa As soon as the News of the Surrender was brought the Nobillity and Commonalty of Naples offered the Viceroy to serve his Majesty with their Lives so that a good Army was formed of only private Persons The Duke of Guise landing with 1500 Horse was met by 500 Spanish Foot and 4 Troops of Horse who obliged him to retire with some loss He cut over another way towards the Tower of Annunciada and meeting there with another Party was in like manner repulsed and forced to fly Another party of French was routed upon the Mountain at Gragnano All the rest of the Forces drew off 400 of them delivered themselves up to General Charles de Gata and declared that 1500 had been killed The Night of the 21th the Fleet was in a great Storm which drove a Ship of 40 Guns ashore at Castelamar where she was lost with 5 Tartans so that nothing succeeding they abandoned the City but as they went aboard Captain Matelle fell upon them and made a great slaughter They sailed in great Danger the Ships being much shattered by the shot of our Galleys and to Crown their Misfortune a Ship in which were 600 Men stuck upon the Rock of Montaragone and 3 others laden with Ammunition were drove upon that Shore This was the Success of the Duke of Guise his Expedition The Venetians now made great Levies the Turks Army that lay before Candia having received fresh Supplies of Men and Money from Constantinople The King of France his Coffers being exhausted with continual Wars sold the Territory of Fera and Marquisate of Neste to Cardinal Mazarine for 2 Millions of Livers and made the Marquess de Normentiers Mareschal of France for 200000. Cardinal Mazarine reformed a great number of Army Officers whereupon many of them being discontented went over to the Prince of Conde Tho' so sparing of the King's Money with his own or rather the King 's he bought the Dukedoms of Humene Nivers and Rhetel of the Duke of Mantua and thus became one of the greatest Subjects in France Casimir King of Poland fought a bloody Battle with the Muscovites Tartars and Cossacks and was overthrown yet he soon gathered a numerous Army to make head anew against the Enemy who were said to be 500000 Men. On Friday the 25th of May died Margaret Dutchess of Mantua Grandchild to King Philip II. at Miranda de Ebro being on her way to Italy After the death of the Duke of Mantua her Husband King Philip the IV. brought her to his Court and having there nobly entertained her made her Governess of Portugal and all the Dominions depending on that Crown which Office she executed with great Wisdom and general Satisfaction till the Revolt of that Kingdom Her Body was deposited in the Royal Monastery of Huelgas at Burgos and her Obsequies performed in the Royal Monastery of the Discalced Nuns This Year the Portugueses committed a perfidious Act of Barbarity Their Governor of the Castle of Salvatierra for that Town tho' it be in Estermadura was then in their Hands Articled to surrender that Place to our Forces To this purpose the General repaired thither from Badajoz with 400 Horse and sent before 25 of his best Men to take possession They being admitted were made Prisoners and their Brains beaten out with an Iron Bar. The Officer that Commanded them was torn to Pieces at the mouth of a Gun Our Forces understanding this Treachery retired as also because they were informed that 8 Musquetiers lay in every House of the Street that leads to the Castle Anno 1655.
up his Men and ordering the Governour of Bouchain to make a false Attack at a Place far distant and upon Pain of Death forbidding any Man to fire Pistol or take Prisoner at one of the Clock he assaulted the Mareschal de Turenne's Quarters and by two was in the Town with 4000 Horse whence he sent to acquaint D. John with his Success Had this Relief been delayed but 24 hours it had been difficult to effect it without a great Army and at that time there were but 500 Men in the Place which requires 4000 to make a Defence The Enemy immediately drew off and encamped a League and a half off between Cambray and Chastelet Next Day D. John went to Mons in order to meet the Prince of Conde and consult about the further Operations of the Campagne The French having quitted their Design upon Cambray marched and layd Siege to Montmidy in the Province of Luxemburg a Place with much Difficulty to be succoured by us because of the Barrenness of the Country and want of Forage and where they might easily subsist being supplied from Lorrain On the 10th of June the Mareschal de la Ferte invested this Place which was bravely maintained by the Garrison consisting of 700 Men without losing a foot of Ground till the 3d of July Relief was designed but failed and the Place was at length delivered up to the French In February this Year the most Christian King voluntarily caused the Cittadel of Turin to be delivered up to the Dutchess of Savoy Soon after the Differences betwixt the Catholick King and Duke of Mantua being reconciled by the Emperor Ferdinand the 3d upon Condition the Duke should admit a Garrison of Germans into Cazal to be paid by the King of Spain the King of France grew so jealous that this might be destructive to his Designs upon Italy that he again attempted to recover the Cittadel of Turin he had so generously delivered This Design was managed in the Night by way of Escalade but so unfortunately that the French were forced to desist after losing 800 Men This Year the Plague raged at Naples in so extraordinary a manner that 500000 Persons are said to have died of it Mighty Alms were given and publick Examples of Penance made to appease the Wrath of Heaven and the Pestilence at last ceasing it is reported above 15000 Couple were married in a very short space This Contagion extending to the City of Rome his Holiness forbid all great Assemblies of People even in the Churches and on all other accounts and to prevent any mighty Concourse received the Hacaney at the hands of the Spanish Ambassador the Duke of Tursis in private On the 2d of April died Ferdinand the 3d Emperor of the Romans at Vienna in the 49th Year of his Age and the 20th of his Reign On the 17th of February this Year the prodigious Bell at Velilla in Aragon rung out of it self without the help of Man This Bell has been famous in all Ages for its wonderful manner of Ringing a Prodigy none could ever dive into tho' many have said much concerning it and this very Year was Printed at Madrid a particular Description of its Wonders The Duke of Lorrain who as has been said was kept at Toledo as an honourable Prisoner having the Liberty of the Town and Country about for his Diversion had contrived to make his Escape but his Design being discovered he was privately advertised it would be in vain to attempt any such matter whereupon he desisted and was continued upon the same Foot as before The French being joined in League with the Dukes of Savoy and Modena took the Field about the middle of July The Prince of Conti was General of the French Duke Picolomini of the Savoyards and the Duke of Modena of his own Forces They entred the State of Milan all together to the number of 11000 Horse and 7000 Foot with all Necessaries to besiege Alexandria la Palla Upon the 17th of July they sat down before the Town drew their Lines and began their Attacks D. James de Rabanal was Governour of the Town who behaved himself with much Bravery making several Sallies in which he killed some number of the Enemy and ruined part of their Works The Count de Fuensaldan̄a then Governour of Milan marched with his Army to the Relief of Alexandria At the same time the Governour of the Town and the Forces without attacked the Enemy with singular Resolution but the Enemies Horse coming down obliged the Count to retire The Count intrenched and regularly made his Approaches to the Enemies Works and being come within 60 paces of them they not able to withstand the Enemy both in Front and Rear sent their Baggage over the River Tanor and drew off themselves in the Night to Aste The Great Master of Malta died on the 14th of August after having for many Years performed noble Actions in his continual Wars with the Turks On the 17th the Order elected D. Martin de Redin then Viceroy of Sicily Great Master He was the 4th Spaniard that arrived to that Honour two of the former were Portugueses the other an Aragonian and this a Navarrois King Philip desiring wholly at once to cut off the bringing in of Contraband Goods forbid by several former Proclamations Issued another on the 11th of September by which all Licences before granted for importing of such Goods are declared void tho' the time by the said Licences prefixed were not expired And for the better preventing any under-hand Trade for the future absolutely forbid the wearing of Cloath of Gold or Silver all Laces of Gold Silver or Counterfeit Pearls and Jewels whether true or false allowing only of Plate Buttons always excepting the Service of Churches and the Persons of such as are actually in Military Employments About the beginning of this Year two Ships failed from Majorca and performed many notable Exploits which merit the Remembrance First they gave Chace to the Admiral of Argiers forcing him to retire for safety under the Cannon of Goleta Thence they stood over to the Coast of France where they plyed a long time before the Harbour of Marseilles obstructing all the Trade of that Port. Two French Masters of Seties attempting to get in were taken and the Prize valued at 4000 Pieces of Eight Sailing towards Cyprus they met a Vessel of Malaga and another of Sardinia with whom they joined On the 7th of April they discovered a great Ship on the Coast of Cyprus which they took after a Fight of Four hours It was loaded with Flax and Cotton and esteem'd worth 20000 Pieces of Eight Then standing towards Tunez near S. John of Acre they took a smal Vessel of the Moors which they call a Saique laden with Rice and having divided it among the four Ships sunk the Vessel Near Alexandria they took a French Setie laden with Flax and Hides worth 15000 Pieces of Eight Here they discovered an
Spanish and Swiss Guards with their Lieutenants At a small distance followed the orderly Troop of Noblemen and Gentlemen belonging to the Court and the Captains of the Guards Next them were the Four Mace-bearers with short Roman Crimson Coats and Gilt Maces on their shoulders Then came the Regidores and next them the Kings at Arms with their Embroidered Coats and lastly the Corregidor and Duke of Medina on the right Hand carrying the Standard In this manner they came to the grand Market Place which tho large was then too little to contain the Multitude In the midst of it was raised a Scaffold covered with rich Carpets about 5 or 6 Foot high 30 in length and 20 in breadth with a Staire-case 12 Foot wide and Railed The Duke and Corregidor the Secretaries and the 4 Kings at Armes on both sides of them facing the Windows where the Kings use to see publick Spectacles then the eldest King at Arms who was then D. John de Mendoza with a loud Voice Three times Cried Silence silence silence Hear hear hear Then the Duke also with a loud Voice said Three times Castile Castile Castile for the Catholick King Charles II of the Name whom God preserve The Multitude unanimously shouted Let him Live let him Live let him Live This Ceremony being ended in the Market Place all the Company went to the Palace where the King was Seated in the Chair of the Emperor Charles V. thence he went and did the same in the Town All this being performed the Duke required of the Secretaries and Notaries to give it him under their Hands that he again Restored the Standard to D. Francis de Herrera Enriquez Corregidor of the Town The Corregidor having received it went up to the Council Chamber of the Town and fixed it in the Balcony under a rich Canopy there to remain 8 days and nights the continual lights in the Streets displaying the richness of it On the 2d of July being the Feast of the Visitation D Luis de Aragony Cardona Duke of Segorve and Cardona the eldest Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece was Commanded to go and gird on the King's Sword The Duke came to the Kings Appartment with a great Retinue and there Knighted the King girt on his Sword and kissed his Hand Upon the 8th of the Month the Duke of Cardona as eldest Knight of the Golden Fleece Summoned the other Knights to meet in the Queen's Apartment There met the Duke of Montalto the Princes of Avelino Astillano and Barbançon and the German Ambassador all Knights of the Order the Secretary of the Order being also present in the presence of whom the Duke put the golden Collar with the Fleece hanging to it about the King's Neck the Knights there present doing Homage to him in the Name of the whole Order for the Provinces they represented Astillano Avelino and Montalto for Italy Barbançon for Flanders the Ambassador for Germany and the Duke of Cardona for Spain in Virtue of the Popes Bulls granted the Kings of Spain as Administrators of the Military Orders within their Dominions Anno 1666. This Year began with a Treaty of Peace betwixt Castile and Portugal Some proposals were offered by the Military Commanders of both Kingdoms to the Two Queens then Governing for their Sons who were both under Age. These proposals being altogether managed at a distance by 3 Persons they could not come to any Agreement and both Parties were still in Arms. It pleased God to take to himself the Queen Mother of France Ann Mauricia of Austria upon whose death the King her Son began new Commotions there being none to allay Resentments betwixt the Two Nations No Body could guess what his great Preparations tended to for he like a good Soldier kept his Counsels secret raising great jealousies in all the Neighbouring Princes The Queen Regent of Portugal also departed this Life on the 25th of February On the 25th of April the Princess Margaret of Austria was Contracted to her Uncle Leopoldus Ignatius the Emperor Her departure was fixed for the 28th of the same Month She Travelled to Denia thinking to Embark there but being disappointed went thence to Barcelona Her Imperial Majesty came the 18th of July to Monjuy distant half a League from Barcelona whither she came by Sea D. Luis Gonzaga the Viceroy first then the Bishop Chapter and Magistrates went out to welcome and kiss her Hand which Ceremony lasted from 6 in the Morning till Noon All this while she was upon the Sea in the Admiral Gally encompassed by 27 others and much bigger than any of them being guilt all over even to the Oars the Stem and Stern set round with Christal Glass through which appeared her Majesties Bed At Noon she came to the Mole of the City and all the Cannon was Three times fired round the Gallys answering She stept out of the Gally upon a Bridge made on purpose that ran 200 yards into the Sea was Railed on both sides the Rails covered with Crimson Damask and the Ground with Red and Yellow Bays The Duke of Albuquerque handed her out then followed the Dutchess the Ladies Cardinal Colonna Two Bishops and the Dukes Two Brothers These were covered but the Viceroy and other Nobility had their Hats in their Hands At the Foot of the Bridge were Two rich Chairs which took up the Empress and Dutchess the rest went a-Foot to the Mole where they again came out of their Chairs and went into a Coach the Cannon now Firing the 4th time The Empress spent 3 days in Visiting the City and Churches all which time there were Fireworks and Illuminations at Night other sports being forbidden on account of the King's death Six days before her Majesty Embarked came 7 Galleys of Malta which Saluted 7 times with Vollies of small as well as great Shot Every Salute was answered by the City and the Rejoicing lasted Two Hours The 10th of August her Majesty Embarked being 3 times saluted by the Cannon of the Town her Fleet consisted of 34 Galleys Contrary Winds obliged them to put into Roses and Cadaques at length they arrived at Final where Cardinal Nepos the Pope's Legate the Duke of Savoy the Duke of Modena the Duke of Florence his Brother with other great Men expected her Majesty accompanied by 10000 Men to guard her to Trent There the Duke of Albuquerque delivered her to the Imperial Ministers sent to Receive her and taking his leave returned with all the Spaniards going over to Sicily to take Possession of the Viceroyship of that Island Cid Hamet the Moor after having been several times assisted by King Philip IV. and receiving many Favours at his Hands in Requital for all those Obligations resolved to surprize the Town of Alarache and to that effect provided all things necessary for an Escalade A Christian Captive understanding the Design fled with danger of his Life the 24th of February and the 26th came to the Bank of the River
from the Empire and 5000 from England A covered way was made at Brussels and 6000 Men put into Garrison there whereof 2000 were Spaniards The Emperor made a League with the German Princes The Cantons of Switzerland promised to assist his Catholick Majesty with each 1000 Men. At the same time the Ministers in Spain spent their time in debating how to have a numerous Army in the low Countreys D. Luis Ponce Governour of Milan perceiving the great Warlike Preparations made by the French and guessing what their Aim might be visited all the strong places of his Government repairing the Dammage done by the violent Rains the Winter before and putting them in a Posture to oppose the Designs of the French The Marquess of Astorga S. Roman and Velada Ambassador from his Catholick Majesty made his public Entry into Rome with the usual Splendour but had not Audience Pope Alexander the 7th being then sick and soon after dying Upon his Death the College of Cardinals elected Cardinal Julius Rospigliosi to succeed him who took the Name of Clement the 9th His Promotion was highly applauded at the Court of Madrid where he was acquainted having been Nuncio there and being known to be well affected towards the Crown of Spain Publick Prayers were made at Vienna for the happy Deliverance of the Empress who soon after was brought to bed of a Son to the great Joy of the Imperial and Spanish Courts The Venetians understanding the great Preparations the Turks made against Candia sent three Ships laden with Ammunition and other Warlike Stores to the Relief of the Place Mean while the Batteries of the Infidels had made great Havock in the Town beating down many Houses and Churches The besieged in Revenge hung out a white Flag and the Turks flooking to the Walls they sprung three Mines and sallying killed above 3000 of them The prime Vizier caused the Bassa of Anatolia to be strangled because he had not sent him such Supplies of Men as he expected Upon the Gulf of Venice stands the rich City Ragusa the Head of a small Territory governed in the nature of a Republick but paying Tribute to the Turks It is strong populous and abounds in Wealth Simon Lascari Archbishop of Durazzo a Monk of the Order of S. Basil sent this Year a Relation to the Monks of his Order of the utter Desolation of this City by an Earthquake which overthrew all the Houses Churches and other Buildings whatsoever overwhelming all the People in such manner that only 18 Gentlemen who hapned to be abroad escaped All the Castles and other Fortifications were cast down and among them a new Fort raised by the Turks to command the City Anno 1668. All the Discourse at the Court of Madrid was that D. John of Austria would go to Corun̄a there to take Shipping for Flanders where it was thought he was to Command There arose many Differences about his Departure and great Offers were made him however it took no effect This Rumour moved the King of France who had a Squadron abroad infesting our Coast to order his Admiral to search all Ships and endeavour to intercept him This Year came to Court an Ambassador from the Great Duke of Muscovy the first that was seen here and therefore much admired His Retinue was great and his Entertainment magnificent Now at length the Peace was concluded betwixt Castile and Portugal by the Mediation of the King of Great Britain who had often proposed it to King Philip the 4th but without Success The Marquess del Carpio who was Prisoner at Lisbon ever since the Defeat of our Forces at Ebora was a great Instrument in promoting this Treaty However it had not been concluded but that the King of France invading the Low Countreys the Power of Spain was not then such as to oppose both Enemies and therefore chose to compound with the nearest to be at better leisure to withstand him that was farthest off The Count de Castrillo resigned the Office of President of Castile his Majesty consenting on Account of his continual Infirmities D. James Riquelme Bishop of Plasencia was chosen President of Castile in his Place and he dying soon after D. James Valladares then Bishop of Oviedo and afterwards of Placencia succeeded him This Year Portugal was threatned with a Civil War for Prince Peter younger Brother to Alonso King of Portugal not only revolted from him but cast him into Prison upon pretence that he was not of Capacity to Govern the Kingdom Not content with his Crown he also charged him of being impotent and thereupon took from him his Wife whom he also married having to authorise this Act God knows by what Practices obtained a Dispensation from the See of Rome It was reported the King had made his Escape out of Prison which had it been true would have turned to the Destruction of that Kingdom for doubtless he could not among forreign Princes have failed of Succours and he had many Friends at home who would have shown themselves if an Opportunity had presented but better Care was taken to secure that unfortunate King The Great Turk after the Defeat of his Fleet and the Loss sustained by the prime Vizier at Candia prepared to set out another numerous Fleet and to that effect sent Orders to all his Bassa's to gather all the Vessels they could in order to send powerful Succours to the Vizier at Candia In Poland the Diet was all in Confusion about the Election of a new King Some of the Electors refused to sit till all forreign Ministers were departed from Cracow and particularly the French Ambassador but he had too many Friends among the Palatines who stood by him and therefore the opposite Party could not prevail Anno 1669. Prince Peter of Portugal to rid himself of King Alonso his Brother who being near at hand might cause some trouble gave in Charge to a Gentleman in whom he reposed great Confidence to carry him to the Islands Terceras This Gentleman the Day before he was to have departed entred himself among the Jesuits and took the Habit. The Prince caused the Monastery to be beset and taking him forcibly out cast him into Prison Many Judgments were made upon his Imprisonment and the Courtiers who pretend to see farther than other Men suspected the Gentleman had Orders to kill the King by the way and to give it out that he had dy'd a natural Death How true this was is not ours to decide God who suffers none to pass unpunished will judge of it Her Catholick Majesty having regard to the great Merits and extraordinary Services of D. John of Austria was pleased to Constitute him Lord Lieutenant and Captain General of Aragon and Vicar General of Valencia Sardinia Majorca and the adjacent Islands of the Principality of Catalonia and Earldomes of Rousillon and Cerdagne with all other Dependencies upon the Crown of Aragon F. Everard Nitard the Queen's Confessor and a Jesuit
of October 1306. They were all put to the Rack where some through excess of Pain said any thing they would have them yet many dy'd with Resolution The Great Master of the Order James de Mola as he was led to be Burnt being proms'd his Life if he would confess openly protested the Innocency of his Order declaring he had falsly charged them with those Crimes at the instigation of the Pope and King of France for which he beg'd Forgiveness of God Many others did the like The following Year Pope Clement by his Bulls appointed the Arch-Bishop of Toledo and Santiago with other Prelates Judges over the Knights Templers in Castile the Bishops of Valencia and Zaragoça for Aragon and so in all other parts of Spain and throughout Christendom They had all Orders after examining the Case to give Sentence in the Provincal Synods In Aragon those Knights stood upon their Defence in several strong Places but particularly at Monçon yet the King's Forces coming upon them they were all taken In Castile the King summon'd them to appear before the Arch-Bishop of Toledo and at the same time caus'd them to be apprehended and their Estates to be put into the Hands of the Bishops till such time as they were try'd A Synod met at Salamanca where after a full Hearing the Templers were acquitted Yet the final Determination was referred to the Pope whose Decree superseded the Opinions of all those Prelates and the whole Order was abolish'd By virtue of this Decree King Ferdinand seiz'd upon all they possess'd as well in Lands as Goods In Galicia they had the Towns of Ponferrada and Faro In Lean Balduerna Tavara Almansa Alcanizes In Estremadura Valencia Alconita Xeres de Badajoz Fregenal Nertobriga Capilla and Caracuel In Andaluzia Palma In old Castile Villalpando In the Territory of Murcia Caravaca and Alconchel In the Kingdom of Toledo Montalvan Besides S. Pedro de la Zarça Burguillos and many other Towns and Houses too tedious to repeat They are said to have had Twelve Monasteries in Spain They were summon'd before the Arch-Bishop of Toledo in the Year 1310. In a Synod held at Munster in Germany the Templers were declared innocent At last the Council of Vienne was open'd upon the 16th of October 1311. Here it was decreed that Pope Boniface should not be condemn'd Some Discourse there was about renewing the War in the Holy Land but to no effect As to the Knights Templers it was ordain'd their Order should be totally abolish'd their Goods to be given to the Knights of S. John who had then taken the Island of Rhodes Only Spain allow'd not of that Decree by reason of the War with the Moors which it was thought would prove dangerous All the World was astonish'd at the Ruin of the Templers Castile was full of Joy for the Birth of Prince Alonso of whom the Queen was delivered on the 3d of August and he soon after succeeded his Father Ferdinand The Joy was the greater because the Queen had never before been with Child and was thought to be Barren A Match was agreed betwixt Prince Peter King Ferdinand's Brother and Mary Daughter to the King of Aragon The two Kings met at Calatayud with a great Court and there the Marriage was celebrated with extraordinary Pomp. Ellenor the Sister of King Ferdinand before contracted to Prince Jayme the King of Aragon's Son was now marry'd and deliver'd to her Father in Law Some Discourse there was about carrying on the War against the Moors in the Spring There was a Difference betwixt the Kings of Castile and Portugal about the Towns of Mora and Serpa near Cape S. Vincent which had been deliver'd to the Portugues contrary to Equity during King Ferdinand's Minority The King of Aragon was chosen Umpire in this Difference This done Prince John the King of Aragon's Brother was sent into Portugal about that Affair King Ferdinand went to Valladolid where he assembl'd the Cortes or Parliament and demanded Mony for carrying on the War which was readily granted in hopes of driving the Infidels quite out of Spain Prince Peter the King's Brother being made General in the Spring of the Year 1312. march'd and lay'd Siege to Alcaudete which as was before said the Moors had taken The King follow'd to Martos there a very strange Accident happen'd Two Brothers Peter and John Carvajal were apprehended for the Murder of a Gentleman of the Family of Benavides kill'd at Palencia Many had been troubled for this Fact but it could not be prov'd upon any Body Lastly these two Gentlemen were condemn'd for it without being sufficiently Convicted or Confessing They were adjudg'd to be cast headlong off from a Rock and no Intercession could mitigate the King for he was inexorable As they were led to Execution they call'd God to witness their Innocency and appeal'd to his Tribunal before which they summon'd the King to appear within 30 Days These Words at first look'd upon as Vain were afterwards much Reflected on The King little regarding them went away to the Camp before Alcaudete there a violent Sickness forc'd him to return to Jaen not withstanding the Moors were upon surrendring His Disease increas'd so that he could not attend any Business and one day being somewhat Joyful with the News brought him that the Moors had surrendred he retir'd after Dinner to Sleep and was found Dead His Death was upon a Thursday the 7th of September He was taken off in the Flower of his Youth at the Age of 24 Years and 9 Months when he began to know somewhat of Happiness He Reign'd 17 Years 4 Months and 19 Days and was the Fourth of the Name Some said excessive Eating and Drinking caus'd his Death others that it was a Judgment for that he dy'd exactly the 30th Day after he was Summon'd For this reason he was call'd King Ferdinand the Summon'd His Body was deposited at Cordova because by reason of the great Heat of the Weather it could not then be carry'd to Sevil or Toledo the Burial Places of the King It was the more confidently believ'd he dy'd in pursuance of the Summons because the same happen'd at the same time to the Pope and King of France who were also cited by several Knights Templers as they were led to Execution What the King of Aragon decreed as to the Difference betwixt Castile and Portugal is not known but it was visible he favour'd the Portugues and King Ferdinand dying he still kept those Towns which remain to that Kingdom to this Day CHAP. VI. The beginning of the Reign of Alonso the XIth King of Castile The many Confusions in that Kingdom by reason of his Infancy The Moors of Granada expel their King The Turks their Original and Growth GReat Troubles ensu'd upon the Death of King Ferdinand because the new King was but a Year and 26 Days old As soon as the King dy'd Prince Alonso his Son was proclaim'd by the
of Jaen there appeared such a multitude of Locusts that they hid the Sun Every one interpreted this and the like Prodigies as his Fear dictated rather than according to any Reason At this time Roderick Sanchez de â—revalo who commanded the Castle of S. Angel at Rome wrote in Latin a History of Spain more Devout than Elegant It is called Palentina from the Author who was afterwards Bishop of Palencia Pope Paul II. gave him that Bishoprick at the Request of King Henry to whom he Dedicated that History The said Roderick Sanchez tho a Spaniard was very familiar with that Pope CHAP. V. Peter the Constable of Portugal dies The Rebels in Catalonia choose the Duke of Anjou for their King The Battle of Olmedo The Death of the Queen of Aragon and Prince Alonso of Castile The King recovers Toledo The Rebels of Castile Affront the Popes Legate and are Excommunicated CAstile was full of Confusion and Tumults nothing but Rapine and Murders appeared in all Places the Government being too weak to punish these Insolencies For this Reason the Towns and Cities Associated themselves and by the Kings Consent Rules were prescribed the Heads of the Association to be governed by The People generally feared left the Moores should again Conquer Spain the Kingdom being no less Debauched than in the time of King Roderick and the Archbishop of Toledo was commonly in scorn called D. Oppas which was the Name of him that had helped to betray the Country to the Infidels when they over-ran it These Divisions encouraged the Earl of Faux to invade Navarre as his Wife's Dower not content to expect the Death of his Father-in-Law tho he had blamed that forwardness in his Brother-in-Law Prince Charles Not so satisfied he resolved to oblige King Henry of Castile to deliver up those Towns of Navarre in which he had Garisons At the first onset he took the City Calahorra and laid Siege to Alfaro King Henry sent James Enriquez del Castillo his Chaplain who also wrote a Chronicle of this King to Treat with the Earl but he finding nothing was to be done by fair means gathered what Forces he could and drove him out of the Country Calahorra was also restored to the King the Townsmen expelling the Garison of the Earl of Faux In Catalonia the Aragonians in several places worsted their Enemies and recovered many Towns But what was most considerable D Peter the pretended Earl of Barcelona died at Granobla on the 29th of June His Body was buried at Barcelona He was thought to be poisoned as was very usual in those days In his Will he left that Earldom wherein he had so small a share to John Prince of Portugal his Nephew The Aragonians using the advantage of his Death took Tortosa and other Places To put a stop to all these Losses the Catalonians in a great Assembly at Barcelona chose Renee Duke of Anjou the perpetual Enemy of Aragon their King On the other side the King of Aragon sollicited the Duke of Savoy and Galeazo who had succeeded his Father Francis Sforzia in the Dukedom of Milan to join in League with him He also Courted the English and at the beginning of the year 1467 sent Peter Peralta his Constable to Castile to join in League with the Confederate Lords For the better compassing his Ends he gave Commission to Treat of Matching his Daughter Joanna with Prince Alonso and his Son Ferdinand with Beatrix Daughter to the Marquis of Villena Neither of these Marriages had effect The Earl of Benavente at this time got Prince Alonso from the Archbishop of Toledo for pretending to Entertain him in his Castle of Portillo when he had him in he'kept him yet not long after at the perswasion of the Marquis de Villena restored him to the Rebellious Lords Thus all things tended to open War which King Henry earnestly desiring to prevent condescended again to have Two Conferences with the Marquis de Villena but all to no effect notwithstanding the Earl of Plasencia's Lady a Person of great Parts and well affected towards the King was present in hopes she would reduce her Husband and some others The Marquess de Villena was more subtle to gain an Advantage than King Henry to disappoint him Another Interview was appointed at Plasencia which the Loyal Nobility were concerned at saying it was Lessening of the King to have so many Conferences with a Subject At the beginning of Summer the King removed from Madrid to Segovia and the Rebels possessed themselves of Olmedo Peter de Silva Commandant of the Garison delivered it up Mota de Medina belonged to the Archbishop of Toledo and there was danger it would fall into the hands of the Lords King Henry moved by all these Affronts ordered great Levies to be made Then he summoned the Nobility There came to him the Earl of Medina Celi the Bishop of Calahorra the Duke of Albuquerque who till then had been absent from Court and Peter Hernandez de Velasco who being pardoned his former Fault was now sent by his Father with 700 Horse and a good Body of Foot For this Service he had the Tenths of the Admiralty granted him So great Fear had possessed the King and he was so desirous to gain the Nobility that to secure the Marquis of Santillana he delivered up his Daughter Joanna to be kept by him in his Town of Buytrago Every one sold his Service the dearest he could The King having gathered a good Army marched towards Medina but being come to Olmedo the Rebels drew out to hinder his Passage King Henry was desirous to avoid fighting but could not contain his Men. Upon the 20th of August the Two Armies met and after a sharp Engagement parted again upon equal Terms yet both sides pretended to the Victory Night separated them the Rebels returned to Olmedo and the King with his Forces which were 2000 Foot and 1700. Horse marched on to Medina del Campo King Henry was not in the Fight being advised by Peter Peralta not to hazard his Person Some were of Opinion he meant not honestly being a Friend to the Rebels Neither was the Marquess de Villena there being then at a Chapter of the Order of Santiago where he was chosen Master which made the Nobility very jealous seeing him Preferred and Rewarded when he deserved the severest Punishment Ellenor Countess of Faux Governed Navarre for her Father Nicholas Echavaria Bishop of Pamplona recovered Urania which till then was held by the Castilians A Son of this Ladies called Gaston as was his Father had at this time by his Wife Magdalen Sister to Louis King of France a Son called Francis who for his great Beauty had the Sirname of Phaebeus His Daughter Catherine her Brother dying by Marriage united the State of Albret and Crown of Navarre as shall appear in its place The King of Aragon resided at Tarragona to be near to give Orders for carrying on the War in Catalonia
and tho very aged and blind of both Eyes had still a great Spirit In that City on the 22th of January 1468 Ellenor his Bastard Daughter was Married to D. Luis de Biamonte Earl of Lerin Her Portion was 15000 Florins and the Design to secure that Family so Powerful in Navarre The Queen held the Cortes of Aragon at Zaragoça for the King her Husband There she died on the 13th of February to the great Grief of the King who lamented it the more because he was so aged himself and his Son to whom she might have been a great support so young Not long before she met her Daughter in Law the Countess of Faux at Exea on the Borders of Aragon and there they concluded a League Offensive and Defensive Her Body was Buried at Poblete Only one Crime was laid to her Charge which was the Death of her Son in Law Prince Charles and this they say troubled her Conscience at the hour of her Death The News of the Troubles in Castile was come to Rome King Henry sollicited the Pope to Depose the Bishops that were in Rebellion and to Excommunicate the Nobility if they would not submit Antony Venerio Bishop of Leon was therefore sent Nuncio into Spain First he waited upon the King at Medina del Campo Then endeavouring to Treat with the Rebels was by them twice put off with Reproachful Language and he threatning to Excommunicate them they answered The Pope had nothing to do with the Affairs of the Crown and that they would Appeal to the next General Councel Another Misfortune befell the King which was that D. John Arias Bishop of Segovia in revenge that his Brother Peter Arias had been wrongfully imprisoned tho now set at liberty resolved to deliver up that City to the Lords The Place is strong being seated on the Mountains that part Old and New Castile The Queen and Dutchess of Albuquerque who were there were so surprized at the coming of the Rebels that they could scarce have time to get into the Castle nor were they easily admitted Peter Munsares the Governor being of Intelligence with the Rebels The Princess Elizaheth who knew of the Design stayed in the Palace and then went to her Brother Alonso designing to take part with him This News was soon carried to Medina del Campo where King Henry was which troubled him more than any other Loss because he loved that City kept his Treasure there and it was the place where he Diverted himself From this time forward he seemed disturbed in his Brain trusted no Body was suspicious of all Men and unsettled sometimes for Peace and sometimes for War but Peace was more suitable to his Nature He appointed to meet the Marquess de Villena at Coca notwithstanding all his Friends opposed it which made many forsake him Nothing was done at Coca therefore they agreed to meet again in the Castle of Segovia There they agreed upon these Articles which were no better observed than others had been That the Castle of Segovia be delivered to Prince Alonso That the King have Liberty to take out his Treasures which shall be kept in the Castle of Madrid by Peter Muncares That the Queen be left with the Archhishop of Sevil as an Hostage for Performance hereof That these things performed the Nobles within 6 months Restore the King to the Government and submit to him These were hard Conditions for the King But the worst was that the Queen in the Castle of Alabejos whither the Bishop sent her took a Liking to a young Man and proved with Child by him which confirmed all the former Suspicions of her Dishonesty and made for the Rebels The King distracted with these Misfortunes went from place to place almost like a Private Man forsaken of most Men only 10 attending him He resolved at last to try the Earl of Plasencia and put himself into his Power He was there well received and lived about 4 months in the Castle of that City The Pope sent a new Nuncio to persuade the Lords to submit to the King but they persisting Obstinate he Excommunicated them This did not correct tho it troubled them so much that they sent Deputies to Rome who were not suffered to come within the Walls of that City till they had taken an Oath not to give the Title of King to Prince Alonso The Pope severely Reproved them in the Consistory assuring them God would punish their Disloyalty and that it was to be feared the young Prince would come to an untimely Death for the Sins of others This Saying of his proved Prophetick and his Severity did some kidness to King Henry At the same time the City Toledo was restored to the King Peter Lopez de Ayala was Governor of that City F. Peter de Silva of the Order of S. Dominick and Bishop of Badajoz his Brother in Law Treated with his Sister the Governors Wife about delivering up the City to the King They sent to him he came from Plasencia in two days and entring the City by night was lodged in the Dominican Monastery His coming being known a Bell was Rung and the People took the Alarm Peter Lopez advised the King should not shew himself because the People would not pay him any respect Therefore about midnight he left the City with him went Perafan de Ribera and the two Sons of Peter Lopez de Ayala Peter and Alonso At the Gate the King found his Horse was tired having travelled 18 Leagues that Day He asked one of the Company to give him his Horse which he refused but the two Sons of Peter Lopez immediately alighted and on their knees begg'd of the King to accept of theirs one for himself and the other for his Squire of the Body The King did so those Gentleman followed him a Foot Being come to Olias the King gave Peter Lopez de Ayala and his Sons for ever an Estate of 70000 Mervidies a Year The Bishop also was forc'd to leave the City yet within Four days the Governors Wives tears prevail'd with him to call the King again He came and found all things better dispos'd than he expected and at the suit of the People confirm'd their Charter granting them new Privileges But Peter Lopez de Ayala was created Earl of Fuensalida and continued Governor of the City then the King went away to Madrid there he secur'd the Governor of that Place Peter Muçares but soon after dismiss'd him The loss of Toledo so nearly touched the Rebels that they immediately Marched from Arevalo where their Forces were to Besiege that City In their March near Carden̄osa Prince Alonso fell sick and died on the 5th of July which put a stop to their proceedings His Body was Buried in the Church of St. Francis at Arevalo thence afterwards translated to the Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores at Burgos Some said he died of the Plague which then raged in those parts others that he was poisoned Alonso de Palencia who
the Portugueses because on the 24th of February they had received a great Overthrow near Albufera two Leagues from Merida by the Forces under the Command of the Master of Santiago The Slaughter was so great that few escaped to Merida which as was said held for the Countess of Medellin In this Battle the Master and other Officers signalized themselves and among them James de Vera who killed the Portugues Standard-bearer and took the Royal Standard As a Reward the Master had the Pension of 3 Millions he was to pay out of the Mastership remitted and other Favours were bestowed upon James de Vera and the rest The Lady Beatrix Dutchess of Viseo Aunt to Queen Elizabeth and Mother-in-Law to John Prince of Portugal took upon her to Compose Differences betwixt Castile and Portugal King Ferdinand was in haste to take possession of his new Kingdom and the more for that the Aragonians to curb the Navarrois who had taken some Strong Holds on their Frontiers had assembled the Cortes without acquainting him which Action was contrary to the known Laws of that Kingdom Therefore the King left Queen Elizabeth to conclude the Peace with her Aunt Alcantara was the place agreed upon betwixt them Two for their Meeting This done the King went to pay his Devotions at Guadalupe and thence by the way of Santollalla Heriza and Calataynd to Aragon He made his Publick Entry into Zaragoça on the 28th of June with great State and the general Applause of the People who went out to meet him Next him went Luis Naya the chief Magistrate of the City The King was richly Cloathed and under a Canopy and the People with loud Acclamations wished him a Long and Happy Reign There he spent some time in hearing the Complaints of all that thought themselves aggrieved Soon after he went to Barcelona where he made Proposals about Recovering Russillon and Cerdagne but it took not effect then Yet Four Judges were appointed to determine all Differences betwixt France and Aragon as had been agreed at Bayonne From Barcelona the King went on to Valencia there he was splendidly received as in other Places and applied himself to pacifie certain Tumults occasioned by D. Ximeno de Urrea Viscount de Viota who had by force of Arms seized D. Jayme de Pallas Viscount Chelva and his Wife on pretence that Chelva and Mançanera possessed by the said D. Jayme belonged to him By the King's Command both Parties laid down their Arms. Afterwards when the Suit had depended three years the Judges offended at the Insolency of D. Ximeno in presuming to use Force gave Sentence against him and adjudged those Towns to his Adversary D. Jayme de Pallas CHAP. IX Peace concluded betwixt Castile and Portugal The Turks get footing in Italy and are again expelled King Alonso of Portugal dies Henry the late King of Castile his Grants vacated by the Cortes Prince John Son to King Ferdinand sworn Heir of Castile QUeen Elizabeth and her Aunt the Dutchess of Viseo met as had been agreed at Alcantara and after some days spent in Debating fixed upon these Articles That the King of Portugal should not Stile himself King of Castile nor give the Arms of that Kingdom and King Ferdinand should do the same in respect to Portugal That Prince John Son to King Ferdinand as soon as he was of Age should Marry the Princess Joanna That in case Prince John when at Age should dislike that Marriage then his Father and Mother should be obliged to pay 100000 Ducats to the Princess Joanna That if she thought the time too long to stay she might have liberty to become a Nun. That the Princess Elizabeth of Castile should be Married to Alonso Grandson to the King of Portugal That the Disaffected Nobles of Castile should not be protected in Portugal That the Conquest and Discoveries on the Coast of Africk and in the Ocean should entirely appertain to Portugal Lastly That for Security of the Performance of these Articles the Princesses Joanna and Elizabeth and Prince Alonso should be delivered as Hostages to the Dutchess of Viseo to be by her kept in the Castle of Mora and the King of Portugal on his part to deliver up to her four other Castles on the borders of the Kingdom This was the end of that tedious and expensive War Great Rejoycing and Thanksgiving was throughout all Spain for the Peace King Ferdinand from Valencia where he received this Joyful News returned to Toledo about the end of the year There Queen Elizabeth his Wife expected him and their Joy was redoubled by the Birth of the Princess Joanna whom Heaven had decreed to inherit the Kingdoms of her Ancestors Soon after the other Princess Joanna Daughter to King Henry perceiving how she was imposed upon became a Nun in the Monastery of S. Clare at Coimbra where she led a Virtuous Life and persevered till her Death Nevertheless the Princess Elizabeth and Prince Alonso were delivered up to the Dutchess of Viseo according to Articles The Countess of Medellin and D. Alonso de Monroy submitted as did other Nobles of Castile who had been the chief support of Portugal The Marquess of Villena his former Articles being somewhat altered was restored to the King and Queen's Favour about the beginning of the year 1480. By this new Contract the Marquess was left possessed of Escalona Belmonte Villena and Almansa the other Towns of his fell to the King Necessity obliged him to submit to these hard Terms In January died Renee Duke of Anjou in France a Prince no less famous for his ill Fortune than long Life Till the last he Stiled himself King of Aragon Sicily and Hierusalem all empty Titles In his Will he appointed his Nephew Charles his Heir To Renee Duke of Lorrain his Grandson by the Mother side he left the Dutchy of Bar which he possessed in France At Toledo the Cortes of Castile were assembled Great numbers of People resorted thither and many Grievances were laid before them The Country complained that the Nobility oppressed the Poor and devoured the Revenues of the Crown which was the cause that heavy Taxes were daily imposed upon the People Commissioners were appointed to inspect into this Affair and they having considered of it declared that all Grants made by King Henry or extorted by force ought to be void Yet all the Power of the Laws and Magistrates was not of force to curb the Insolencies of the Nobility In May all the Three Estates swore Prince John Heir of the Crown after the death of his Parents Now Castile being thus settled the King and Queen went first to Medina del Campo and then to Valladolid where some Noblemen received exemplary Punishment for Crimes committed which terrified others Galicia was not perfectly reduced that being a fierce sort of People The Cities Lugo Orense Mondon̄edo Bivero and Corun̄a would not submit Ferdinand de Acun̄a and a Civilian called Garcia Chinchilla were sent to
Africa but the truth was they undertook this War at the Instigation of the French King whose Embassadors were aboard the Fleet. Anno 1552. Four Divines or Ministers of Wittemberg the chief of whom was Brencius came to Trent They presented to the Council a Book called the Wittemberg Confession All this was only to amuse the Council till such time as Duke Maurice had raised Men and made other warlike Preparations On the 2d of April News was brought to Trent that he had seized the City Ausburg and that the Emperor was in danger at Inspruck which caused the Council on a sudden to break up On the other side Albertus Marquis of Brandenburg possessed himself of Treves and the French of all Lorrain The Emperor was much perplex'd not being able to withstand so many Enemies He resolved to release the Duke of Saxony and the Landtgrave which pacified Duke Maurice On the Borders of Italy whither in the first Consternation he retired Forces flock'd to him from all Parts However he pardon'd the Marquis of Brandenburg designing to make use of him against the French This done he laid Siege to Metz with a great Army on the 20th of October but many of his Men perishing by reason of the badness of the Weather he was forced to quit that Enterprize On the 2d of December this Year departed this Life the Blessed F. Francis Xaverius as he was going to China He was a Native of Navarre and one of the Ten first Companions of S. Ignatius He preached among the barbarous People of India Japan and other Parts and was doubtless a Man of singular Sanctity and admirable in his Life His Body is preserved entire in the Church of his Order at Goa he being Canonized D. Peter de Toledo was Viceroy of Naples at such time as Ferdinand de Sanseverino Prince of Salerno caused the Turkish Fleet under the Command of Rustan Bassa to come against that City His Treason being discover'd he fled to Venice for which cause the Fleet returned to Constantinople without attempting any thing Only near the Island Ponça they met Andrew Doria overthrew his Fleet and took 7 of his Galleys The Prince of Salerno having declared himself went away to the Port to incite him the next Year to send another Fleet. The Emperor had put a Garison into Siena under the Command of D. James de Mendoza upon occasion of the Tumults and Factions in that City and to prevent its being deliver'd to the French D. James for his greater security raised a Fort for the Garison The Citizens suspecting this tended to deprive them of their Liberty put themselves under the Protection of France and then taking Arms expelled the Garison razing the Fort from the very Foundations which necessitated them to prepare for the ensuing War and for the Siege which was laid to the Place by D. Peter de Toledo in pursuance of the Emperor's commands This Year died at Florence Paulus Jovius at Ferrara Lillus Gregorius Giraldus and at Salamanca Ferdinand Pincianus the Greek Commentator Anno 1553. King Edward of England departed this Life on the 16th of July his Sister Queen Mary succeeded him tho opposed by many She being possessed of the Crown restor'd the Catholick Religion D. Peter de Toledo lying at the Siege of Siena died in the House of his Son-in-Law Cosmo de Medicis Duke of Florence His Forces return'd to Naples upon a Report of the approach of the Turkish Fleet under the command of the afore-mention'd Prince of Salerno This Fleet appear'd before Naples but there happening no Mutiny in the City it sailed on to Corsica great part whereof the Turks possessed themselves of it being subject to the Genoeses This Year John Prince of Portugal Married Joanna the Emperor's Daughter with great Solemnity but the Joy of this Match was not lasting Anno 1554. Before a Year was gone about after his Marriage the said Prince John died at Lisbon the 2d of January His Body was buried at the Monastery of Bethlem near Lisbon On the 20th of January his Wife was deliver'd of a Son who of the Day of his Birth was called Sebastian He was of a Noble and truly Royal Spirit but lived not long His Mother went away to Castile to govern those Kingdoms because her Brother Prince Philip was going away to be Married The new Queen of England desiring to secure her self in the Throne thought fit to chuse a Resolute and Powerful Husband and found none fitter for her purpose than Philip Prince of Spain to whom the Emperor his Father had on the last of October before resign'd up the Kingdom of Naples and Dukedom of Milan All Points being adjusted the Prince went over into England where the Marriage was Solemnized at Winchester on the 25th of July being St. James's Day Cardinal Reginald Poole was present being the Pope's Legate of the Blood Royal of England and great Sanctity of Life to reduce that Kingdom as he did to the Obedience of the Church of Rome Our Forces return'd to the Siege of Siena and the Marquis de Marignano the Emperor's General overthrew in Battel near that City Peter Strozzi a Banish'd Florentin sent by the French King with Forces to relieve the Besieged and drive the Imperialists out of Milan Anno 1555. Pope Julius died at Rome the 23d of March and on the 10th of April Cardinal Marcellus Gerninus born at Montepulchiano was chosen to succeed him and kept his former Name He held S. Peter's Chair only 22 days wherefore on the 23th of May Cardinal John Peter Garrasa born at Naples of noble Birth and a great Spirit was Elected in his room He took the Name of Paul IVth and governed the Church 4 Years 2 Months and 27 Days At length the City Siena tired with the Miseries of a long Siege was surrendred to the Emperor D. Francis de Mendoça Cardinal of Burgos was sent from Rome to settle the Government of that City At the Suit and Intercession of Cardinal Alexander Farnesius the Emperor pardoned his Brother Duke Octavius but kept in his hands the Citadel of Plasencia where a Spanish Garrison was left which King Philip the Second some Years after withdrew D. Ferdinand of Toledo Duke of Alva was at this time Viceroy of Naples he was ordered to march to Milan to oppose the Mareschal de Brissac who made War on that side for the King of France tho not with much vigor King Philip the Summer being well advanced departed out of England and came to Brussels where the Emperor his Father resigned up to him all his Kingdoms being desirous to take his repose as he accordingly did the Year following when having given up the Empire to his Brother Ferdinand he with his two Sisters the two Queens Ellenor and Mary went over into Spain and made choice for his retreat of the Monastery of S. Justa of the Order of S. Hierome in the territory of Plasencia
Jaca and S. Jokn de la Penna 1060. The Moors rise against Ferdinand and are suppressed 1065. Ferdinand Dies Death of Queen Sancha Ferdinand by Will leaves to each of his three Sons a Kingdom and Towns to his Daughters 1067. 1068. Perpignan Built The Kings alike in the manner of their Death King Sancho Wars upon his Brothers 1071. King Alonso flies to the Moors K. Sancho expels his Brother Garcia K. Sancho Besieges Zamora K. Sancho treacherously Murder'd before Zamora A single Combat upon the King's death K. Alonso returns from among the Moors and receives the Crown He imprisons his Brother Garcia Takes an Oath for the Crown of Castile 1073. 1074. K. Alonso aids the Moorish K. of Toledo 1076. A Synod at Burgos Roderick de Bivar ravages the Dominions of the Moors He is Banished 1076. Sancho K. of Navarre 1077. Almenon the Moorish King of Toledo and Ramon Earl of Barcelona dye Succession of the Moors Succession of the Earls of Barcelona Actions of the Normans in Italy Norman Earls and Kings The Conquest oâ— Toledo resolved upon Country about Toledo wasted 1079. Roderick Diaz deBivar his further Actions 1080. 1081. D. Garcia the King's Brother Bleeds to Death in Prison An overthrow given the Infidels Ramon Earl of Barcelona Murdred his Son Ramon succeeds him 1082. Toledo closely Besieged The manner of enclosing the City Articles of surrender Toledo surrendered Many Towns taken K. Alonso stiles himself Emperor 1086. An Archbishop of Toledo chosen Bernard first Archbishop The great Church taken forcibly from the Moors contrary to Articles The Moors beg for the Queen and Archbishop The Popes Legate his unjust proceedings 1088. Archbishop of Toledo made Primate of all spain Roman Missal and Breviary introduced 1091. Synod at Leon. How the Archbishops of Toledo came to be to be Primates of all Spain K. Alonso his Wives and Issue The Moorish Family of the Almoravides comes into Spain Hali sent to assist the King of Sevil overthrows and kills him 1091. King Alonso's Forces overthrown by the Moors A second defeat of the Christians Joseph the Miramamolin comes out of Africk Several Strangers come to serve against the Moors King Alonso Marries 3 Daughters to Strangers Original of the Kingdom of Portugal 1093. The Holy-War in the East 1094. Birth of Alonso I. King of Portugal Sancho I. King of Aragon His actions against the Moors Town of Luna built Monks cast off subjection to the Bishop K. Sancho killed His Son Peter succeeds him Christians and Infidels joyn to raise the Siege The Moors routed by the Christians Huesca surrendred Great Preparations for the Holy-War Bernard Archbishop of Toledo sets out for the Holy-land Is sent back by the Pope Valencia where seated besieged and relieved Roderick de Bivar takes Valencia Marries his Daughters to the Earls of Carrion Cruel Action of those Earls Valencia abandoned by the Christians Roderick de Bivar's Death 1093. K. Alonso's Works of Piety 1099. Jerusalem taken by the Christians 1100. Death of Joseph the Moorish Monarch Sancho Prince of Castile killed by the Moors The Infidels victorious Moorish King 's of Zaragoza 1102. 1104. The King of Aragon his Son Daughter all die Alonso succeeds to the Crown of Aragon 1106. 1109. The death of Alonso King of Castile Strange Prodigy Two holy Men. Vrraca Queen of Castile a dissolute Woman Hali the Moor ravages the Country and lays Siege to Toledo 1110. 1111. King Alonso of Aragon beloved of all Men. Two Synods Anointing of Kings first used in Spain The forces of Castile routed by the Aragonians Another defeat of the Castilians Alomso VII Proclaimed King of Castile The Wars of Majorca and Zaragoca Genoeses joyn the Catalonians 1115. Carcassone lost and recovered by the Earl of Barcelona Earl of Toulouze routed by him of Poitiers 1116. Zaragoca besieged by the Christians Tahuste other places taken 1118. Zaragoca taken Carthusian and Cistercians Monks Knights and Templers Hospitalers 1119. A Schism in the Church Peace concluded betwixt Castile and Aragon Conditions of the Peace 1122. The two Christian Kings make War upon the Moors Success of the Aragonians 1123. Of the Castillians Zamora made a Bishoprick and Compostella an Archbishoprick 1124. The Original of the Kingdom of Portugal Portugal describ'd Henry Earl of Portugal dies Teresa the Countess Dowager governs Alonso governs as Earl of Portugal Portugeses overthrows the Castillians This fabulous Story is apply'd to other Persons as well as this 1126. Death of Queen Vrraca and Bernard Archbishop of Toledo 1129. A Council of Palencia Calatrava taken and given to the Knights Templers Several other Towns Conquer'd 1131. Raimund Earl of Barcelona Success of the Aragonians against the Moors Fraga bebesieged and quitted 1133. Fraga again besiege The King of Aragon slain 1134. The King leave his Dominions to the Templers and other Knights The Navarrois choose Garcia for their King The Aragons choose Ramiro a Monk The King of Castile aspires to the Crowns of Aragon and Navarre He invades ' em 1135. The King of Castile stiles himself Emperor Arms of Toledo The King of Aragon puts to death 15 Noblemen 1136. Peace betwixt Castile and Aragon 1137. The King of Aragon quits the government and Raymund Earl of Barcelona his Son-in-law enters upon it Alonso of Portugal's Actions 1139. A great Overthrow given the Moors by the new Portuges King Portugal under an Interdict Alonso K. of Portugal Marries Divisions among Moors and Christians Sintra taken from the Moors War betwixt Navarre and Aragon 1140. Castile and Aragon in League against Navarre Troubles in Aragon 1141. 1143. Earl of Barcelona makes War in France 1144. Factions among the Moors 1146 A Truce betwixt Aragon Navarre Cordova taken by the Christians and revolts Baeca taken The City Almeria taken 1147. Tortosa taken as also Lerida and Fraga Lisbon Besieged and taken by the new King of Portugal Foreigners and K. Alonso of Portugal King Alonso of Portugal's further Success 1148. A General Council at Rheimes 1149. Bloody Rain 1150. The Title of King confirm'd upon Alonso I. of Portugal Another Invasion of Spain by the Moors called Almohades A Potter's Son set up King of the Moors Persecution under the Moors 1150. Garcia K. of Navarre kill'd by a fall from his Horse Sancho Crown'd King of Navarre Castile and Aragon joyn in League against Navarre Alonso of Castile and his Daughter both Marry'd An Act of Justice 1152. Many places taken by the Aragonians from the Moors Arms of Aragon 1154. Luis the Younger King of France comes into Spain His Entertainment 1155. Toledo declared Metropoiis of all Spain 1156. League betwixt Castile and Aragon renewed 1157. Alonso called the Emperor breaks into Andaluzia His Death Sancho has the Crown of Castile and Ferdinand that of Leon. War betwixt Castile and Navarre The Navarrois twice defeated Calatrava defended by two Monks given to their Order 1158. Original of the Knights of Calatrava League betwixt Castile and Aragon renew'd Sancho K. of
Castile dies 1158. Infidels twice defeated Faction of the two great Houses of Castro and Lara Ferdinand of Leon enters Castile Alonso the young K. of Castile secured by some Nobles Raymund Prince of Aragon successful against the French and Moors 1162. His Death Alonso succeeds Raymund his Father in the Dominion of Aragon 1163. 1166. Alonso received as King of Castile 1168. Toledo declares for him He is overthrown by the Rebels Siege of the Castle Zurita Just Reward of of Treachery Earthquake and Floods Cuidad Rodrigo built 1170. K Alonso assembles the Cortes or Parliament Meets the King of Aragon Concludes a League with him Marries Ellenor Daughter of Henry II. King of England Aragonians success against the Moors League against Peter Ruiz de Azagra Two Archbishops Murder'd 1171. 1172. War betwixt Aragon and Navarre 1173. 1174. The Order of Knighthood of Santiago or St. James the Apostle 1175. 1176. Alonso of Castile invades Leon. The Conquest of Cuenca resolv'd upon It s description The Siege The Town taken 1177. Increase of the Knights of Santiago 1178. 1179. Several Towns of Navarre taken by the Castillians The Kingdom of Leon Rebels Sancho Son to Alonso King of Portugal sent to Besiege Cuidad Rodrigo defeated Alonso King of 1180. Victoria City built Synod at Tarragona 1181. Alonso of Portugal Besieged by the Moors and delivered by the King of Leon. 1181. A Legate makes Peace among Christians 1183. Alonso King of Portugal vanquisheth the Moors 1184. Armengaud Earl of Vrgel slain King of Navarre breaks into Castile 1185. Alonso the first King of Portugal dies 1186. 1187. Jerusalem lost 1188. Sancho the first succeeds to the Crown of Portugal Alonso 9th to that of Leon. 1189. A League against Castile 1188. 1190. 1191. 1192. Castile Commences War with the Moors 1194. Sancho the Wise King of Navarre dies A vast Multitude of Infidels come into Spain King Alonso overthrown by the Infidels 1195. 1196. King Alonso of Aragon dies his Son Peter II. succeeds him Famine Plague 1197. 1198. A Truce with the Moors 1199. Plague Famine in Portugal 1200. King of Leon divorced Navarre over-run by them Alonso K. of Castile's two Daughters Marry'd to the Kings of France and Leon. 1201. Marriages 1206. A great Eclipse of the Sun Floods 1208. Four Kings of Spain meet and conclude a Peace 1209. Several Exploits against the Moors 1210. Prince Ferdinand of Castile's Death A vast Army of Foreigners comes into Spain to the assistance of the Christians 1212. Sancho K. of Portugal dies his Son Alonso II. succeeds him A mighty Army of Christians in Castile The Christian Army advances against the Infidels A great Victory obtain'd by the Christians 200000 Infidels said to be kill'd in this Battle Arms of Navarre Further actions of the Christian Army This called the Battle of Navas de Tolosa and why 1213. Cause of the War betwixt France Aragon Heresie of the Albigenses its Original Description of the City Albis Disorders raised by the Hereticks in the City of Leon. Fryars Preachers others oppose the Hereticks A Deacon Zealous in this affair Great Faith Hereticks expell'd Favourers of the Albigenses S. Dominick Preaches against the Hereticks Proceedings of the Catholicks against the Albigenses Simon Earl of Montfort General of the Catholicks 1213. A wonderful defeat of Hereticks the King of Aragon slain Jayme or James succeeds to the Crown of Aragon A great Famine and Plague Archbishops of Toledo Chancellors of Castile War with the Moors Original of the Knights of Alcantara Alonso II. King of Portugal at War with his Sisters Alonso the VIII K. of Castile dies 1214. Also Ellenor his Queen others Troubles in Castile and Aragon upon the Accession of two Children Henry and Jayme or James to those Crowns Two Uncles strive to usurp the Crown of Aragon Jayme the young K. comes into Spain Sancho K. of Navarre decrepid 1215. Henry I. King of Castile 11 years of age The House of Lara conspires against the young K. of Castile Lateran General Council Honours done the Archbishop of Toledo Simon of Montfort killed The Family of Lara seizes the Government of Castile into their hands Oath the Archbishop obliges 'em to take Alvaro the elder Brother ex-communicated He seizes upon the Queens Lands and Banishes her Young K. Henry Married Is parted from his Wife on account of Consanguinity 1216. The King of Aragon escapes from his Keepers 1217. Troubles of Castile They break out into open War 1217. Henry I. the young King of Castile's Death 60000 Moors killed Blanch and Berengaria Sisters to K. Henry of Castile Berengaria Heiress to the Crown of Castile resigns her Right to her Son Ferdinand Ferdinand King of Castile The King of Leon makes war upon his Son the K. of Castile D. Alvaro de Lara taken by the King and set at liberty D. Alvaro D. Ferdinand de Lara their Death 1218. The Order of S. Dominick and la Marced for Redemption of Captives instituted S. Francis of Assis 1219. Civil Broils in Aragon 1220. Ferdinand of Castile Marries Beatrix Daughter to the Emperor Philip. His Issue Jaime K. of Aragon Marries Ellenor of Castile 1221. Earthquakes Floods and Storms Commotions in Castile Two several Rebellons quel'd 1222. Cathedral of Burgos built by an Englishman Other structures Affairs of Aragon 1223. Death of the Kings of France and Portugal Ferdinand of Castile makes War upon the Moors A Prosperous Expedition 1224. A Conspiracy against Jaime K. of Aragon The King seized 1225. Success of the Castilians The King of Aragon escapes and invades Valencia Kills the Rebel Peter Ahones 1226. Towns taken by the Castilians Defeat of the Moors 1227. D. Lucas Bishop of Tuy a famous Writer War renew'd with the Moors by King Ferdinand of Castile Raymund Eael of Toulouze a Hetick reduced Pacification in Aragon 1229. The Conquest Majorca resolved upon by the King of Aragon Insolency of a Moor. Pope's Legate in Aragon Majorca described King Jayme lands on it The Aragonians rout the Majorcans Majorca taken by Storm 1230. Alonso King of Leon overthrows the Moors and takes Merida and Badajoz The death of Alonso I. King of Leon. Union of the Crowns of Castile and Leon. Rebellion in Navarre Interview of the Kings of Aragon and Navarre Roderick the Archbishop invades the Moors John King of Jerusalem comes into Spain 1232. The Islands Minorca and Yuisa conquered 1234. Sancho King of Navarre dies Theobald I. King of Navarre King of Castile and Arragon meet Castilians and Aragonians make War upon the Moors Division among the Moors Many places taken by the Christians Part of the City Cordova taken by a handful of Men. 1235. King Ferdinand hasts to secure the Conquest of Cordova Description of Cordova The Siege 1236. City surrendred A Moorish King Baptised Siege of Valencia resolved 1237. The King of Aragon in Danger Description of Valencia Valencia Besieged The King Wounded at the Siege 1238. Valencia deliver'd up to the Christians Theobald King