The general history of Spain from the first peopling of it by Tubal, till the death of King Ferdinand, who united the crowns of Castile and Aragon : with a continuation to the death of King Philip III / written in Spanish by the R.F.F. John de Mariana ; to which are added, two supplements, the first by F. Ferdinand Camargo y Salcedo, the other by F. Basil Varen de Soto, bringing it down to the present reign ; the whole translated from the Spanish by Capt. John Stevens.

CHAP. I. Of the first Peopling of Spain by Tubal, of the Fruitfulness of the Soil, its Situation and Circumference; and of its principal Mountains and Rivers.

TƲbal, the Son of Japheth, was the first Man that Peopled Spain after the Flood. Many * 1.1 grave Authors testify that he planted several Colonies in this part of the World, and governed Spain with Piety and Justice. The motive of his coming was this. In the Year 131. (according to the best computation) after the Deluge, the Sons of Adam, having, at the instigation of the haughty Nimrod, attempted to build the famous Tower of Babel in contempt of God's Omnipotence, were dispersed and scattered over the Face of the Earth. One Language being before common to all, through the just Judgment of the Almighty, there arose among them such a Confusion of Tongues, that not able longer to converse or understand one another, they were obliged to part Companies, and spread abroad into several Countries. The World was divided among the three Sons of Noah, after this manner. To Shem was allotted all Asia beyond Euphrates Eastward, as also the Country of Syria and Palestine. To Ham was assigned from Babylon Westward, the three Arabia's, Egypt, and all Africk. The Portion of Japheth, and his Posterity, was that part of Asia which lies North of the Mountains Taurus and Amanus, and all Europe. The Earth being thus divided, the Children of Japheth setled themselves in several Provinces, and Tubal who was his Fifth Son, was sent to the farthest Regions Westward, that is, to Spain, where he founded the Spanish Monarchy, which continues to this time. This is that Empire which in all Ages has afforded Men Famous, both in Peace and War, which has been blessed with Plenty and Pro∣sperity, and which has always furnished extraordinary matter to imploy the greatest Pens: and yet it has ever wanted Writers to celebrate the great actions and heroick atchieve∣ments performed by its People. This defect has given many the boldness to write Romances and Poetical Fictions rather than true Histories; and has moved me with that little Learning, and small talent I have attained, to attempt this great Work, rather for the sake of truth than in hopes of any honour or reward, which I expect not from Man, nor can any be proportion∣ed to the labour of this Undertaking. I will not fill a Volume with Preambles; but fall to the real matter I have in hand; and in order thereunto, it will be convenient in the first place to give some account of the Soil and Product of Spain, of its Situation, Extent, Division, Mountains and Rivers, as also of the Language and Customs of the Inhabitants.

The Country of Spain is no way inferiour to any of the best in the World, either in regard of * 1.2 the Climate, or of the Plenty of all things necessary for Life, which it abundantly produces; or of the great quantity of Gold and Silver, and other Metals, and precious Stones; which are found in it. It is not scorched with the violent heat of the Sun as Africk, nor so subject to stormy Winds, Frost, and Damps as France, but being seated between both enjoys a greater tempe∣rature

than either, so that the heat of the Summer and Winter, Frosts and Rain, renderit so fruitful, that it not only abundantly supplies the Natives, but also furnishes other Coun∣tries; its Product being whatever is necessary for the support of human Life, and satisfaction of Man's Pride and Ambition. The Fruit is most delicious to the tast, the Vines exuberant, and the Wines generous. The Plenty of Corn, Honey, Oyl, Cattle, Sugar and Silk, is ex∣traordinary; but the quantity of Wooll is beyond measure. There are Mines of Gold and Silver, and Veins of Iron; transparent Stones like Looking-Glasses, as also many Quarries of rich Marble of several Colours. No Country yields more Vermillion, especially about Ama∣den, a Town antiently called Sisapone, among the People formerly known by the Name of Oretani. The Soil in several places varies, some produces Woods, some Corn, and some is bare; for the most there are but few Rivers and Springs, but the ground is of that goodness it commonly yields twenty or thirty for one increase, some good years eighty for one; yet this is but very rare. In many parts of Spain, there are barren Mountains, and some bare and stony Hills, which have something of deformity. This is mostly in the Northern Parts, for the Southern are fruitful and pleasant. Along the Sea-Coast there is plenty of Fish, which is very scarce in the Inland, by reason there are but few Rivers, and fewer Lakes. Never∣theless there is no part of the Country that is wholly fruitless. Where no Corn grows there is plenty of Grass to feed Cattle, of small Rushes whereof Cordage is made for Shipping; and of large Rushes to make Mats, and for other uses. The Horses are so fleet, that it gave oc∣casion to the Poets to feign they were ingendred by the Wind. In fine Pliny himself testifies, that all near the Sea-Coast, Spain is the best and most fruitful of all Countries, except Italy, which it exceeds in the temperature and pleasantness of its air, and doubtless were there not want of rain some Summers, it were far beyond all the Provinces of Europe and Africk. Now in our Age, that the Spaniards have made their way to the East and West-Indies, it abounds in all manner of Riches, and may be said to exceed all other Nations. The quantity of Gold, Silver, precious Stones, and other things of great value, that have been brought hither is so great, if related, it would seem incredible; yet which is much to the honour and advantage of our Nation, and the no small benefit of others who are partakers of our Riches and Plenty.

Spain is the most Western part of Europe, it is divided from France by the Pyrenean Hills * 1.3 and from Africk by the narrow Streights of Gibraltar. The form of it is that of an Oxes Hide extended (as represented by Geographers) encompassed on all sides by the Sea, except on the side of the Pyrenean Mountains which run from Sea to Sea, and expire in two Promontories, one upon the Ocean, or Bay of Biscay, called Olarso, near Fuenterabia, the other in the Me∣diterranean, formerly called Veneris Promontorium, from a Temple of that Goddess that stood there; now the Christian Name is Cabo de Cruces, or Cape Crosses. From this Cape, which is the limit of Gallia Narbonensis, the Coast runs South-West along the Mediterranean, and makes one of the sides of Spain, the length whereof is 270. Leagues Coasting, for taken in a streight line it is less. Note that I allow four Italian Miles to each Spanish League. On this side of Spain is Colibre, an ancient City of Gallia, at present more noted for its antiquity and the conveniency of its Harbour, than for the number of its Inhabitants, which is but incon∣siderable, or for its value being extreamly poor. After Cape Venus, or Cruces, which is near Colibre, follow the two Capes, called formerly Lunarium, and Ferrarium, or Tenebrium; making the Mouth of the River Ebro. In this interval is the Mouth of the River Lobregat, which runs red into the Sea, and thence was called by the ancients Rubricatus, that is ruddy. On this same side stand the Cities Bercelona, Tarragona, Tortosa, and Monviedro, the formerly famous Saguntum: the Goths, by reason of its ruins, called it Murvetrum, that is Old Wall, a place well known for its fidelity to the Romans, and for its destruction. After Monviedro follows Valencia, the mouth of the River Xucar, Denia, and Cape Gatas, so called from the many Agates there found. The Greeks called it Promontorium Charidemum, which signifies gracious, believing those Stones did win the good will of men, and made them Friends. Next is Almeria, which some believe to be built out of the ruins of the ancient Abdera, others are of opinion it is the ancient Ʋrci, seated among the Bastetani in the Territory of Baça Still running along that Coast there follows Malaga, and then the Mouth of the Streights, for∣merly called Heraclea, or Calpe, now Gibraltar. Peter Mantuanus in his Annotations upon the History of Mariana, proves out of Strabo and other Authors, that Tarifa was not called Tartessum, but that this name was given to Cadiz the City of Carteia, and another City that stood in an Island made by the Mouths of the River Betis. Next is Tartessum, (commonly known by the name of Tarifa) whence once the whole Streight was called Tartessiacum. This Streight was also called Herculeum from Hercules, who is reported to have endeavoured to stop it up, and join the two Continents. It is also called Gaditanum from Cadiz, in Latin Gades, an Island on the right hand coming out of the Streights. This name was given to Cadiz from a Carthaginean word, signifying a Fence (as does the Hebrew word Gheder) because it stands as a Bank to bear off the swelling Waves of the Sea. This Island was formerly 700. paces distant from the Coast of Spain, and had 200. Leagues in Circumference; at present it is but Three Leagues in length, and is joined to the Continent by a Bridge, so little is the distance. From the Mouth of the Streights to Cape Finisterre (formerly Nerium Promontorium) Sailers reckon 226. Leagues, because Cape St. Vincent (formerly Promontorium Sacrum) which is

opposite to the Pyrenean Mountains, and makes the greatest distance in Spain, running far out into the Sea stretches out the extent of that Coast much longer than if it could be gone in a strait line. On this Coast facing the Ocean are seated Sevil upon the Banks of the River Gua∣dalquivir, and Lisbon on the Tagus, Cities not inferiour to many of the best of Europe for Greatness, Populousness and Trade. The third side of Spain lying East and West, con∣tains 134. Leagues, not in a strait Line, as Pomponius Mela thought, but full of Creeks and Bays. The chief Ports in that Part are Corun̄a, Bilbao, Laredo and Santander. The length of the Pyrenean Mountains which form the fourth side of Spain, bending in towards it, and running from the Ocean to the Mediterranean N. W. and S. E. is 80 Leagues. Such as have passed over the highest Mountain of Cantabria called St. Adrian, report that from thence both Seas may be seen, but they may take their own Fancies and Imaginations for Truth.

Between Biscay and Navarre at the Place called Roncesvalles, (famous for the great Slaughter * 1.4 of the Nobility of France made there when Charlemaign Invaded Spain) a ridge of Hills spring∣ing from the Pyreneans runs to the Westward, and leaves on the Right Hand the Cantabri and Province of Asturias, then cuts Gallicia in the middle, and forms Cape Finisterre butting out far into the Sea. By this Mountain are divided the Ʋltramontani from the Citramontani, or those beyond from those on this side the Mountains. From these Mountains springs that formerly called Idubeda, now Oca, taking the Name of the ancient City Auca, whose Ruins are to be seen near Villafranca, about 5 Leagues from Burgos. This Mountain rising near the Spring of the River Ebro, on the Borders of Asturias, where is a Town called Fontibre, or the Fountains of Ebro, and running down by Bribiesca and the Arevaci, near Mount Orbion and Moncayo passes along between Calatayud and Daroca, and ends in the Mediterranean not far from Tortosa, from which City, that part of these Mountains takes Name. From this Mountain Idubeda or Oca, begins that of Orospeda, which at first rises so leasurely it is scarce perceivable, but further on lifts its Head, and forms the Mountains of Molina, then those of Cuenca, where on the Left-Hand are the Springs of the River Xucar? and on the Right those of Tagus, both noted Streams. Next follow the Mountains of Consuegra, near which in the Plains, formerly called Laminitani, now of Montiel are the Fountains of Guadiana. Hence it goes on to Alcaraz and Segura, where in different places spring the Rivers of Segura, (for∣merly Tader) Guadalquivir running towards different Seas. At Caçorla this Mountain Orospeda divides it self into two Branches, one of them opposite to Murcia, expires in the Sea near Muxacra, or Murgis; on the Right-Hand whereof are the Bastetani, so called from the City Basta, now Baça, on the Left are the Contestani, ancient People of Spain, whose Metropolis now is Murcia. The other stretches it self towards Malaga, and joyning to the Mountains of Granada, runs beyond Gibraltar and Tarifa as if it designed to pass the Streight into Africk. From Orospeda near Alcaraz, rise the Mountains Mariani, vulgarly called Sierra Morcna, the foot whereof all along almost as far as the Ocean, is washed by the River Guadalquivir, which at Anduxar cuts Andaluzia in the middle, runs by Cordova, Italica, and Sevil, and falls into the Ocean near the Place formerly called Templum Luciferi, now to St. Lucar. At present this River has but one Mouth, in ancient Times it is said to have had two; for Nebrixa and Asta which the Ancients placed on the Island of Guadalquivir, are now two Leagues from the Mouth of it. Not far from the rise of Orospeda, and near Moncayo, in the midst of a great Plain other Mountains lift up their Heads, which no doubt are Branches of the Pyreneans, as all others that cross Spain are. The rise of this is scarce perceivable at first, but for the fall of several Waters, and because the River Duero, whose Source is in the Pelendones, and whose Course is Southward as far as Soria, it is there by them turned away to the Westward. A∣mong ancient Authors I find no mention of these Mounts, at present they have several Names, taken for the most part from the Neighbouring Cities, as of Soria, Segovia, and Avila. Ca∣stile the greatest Province of Spain, is by these Mountains divided into the Old and the New. Hence they run on near Coma and Placentia, are watered on the Left by the River Tagus, and passing on, part Portugal into two almost equal Portions. They expire at Sintra, which is on Mount Tagrus, seven Leagues to the Northward of Lisbon, where they form in the Ocean the Cape called by Solinus, Promontorium Artabrum.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tubal in Spain.
• * 1.2

  Descrip∣tion of Spain.
• * 1.3

  Its Situa∣tion and Form.
• * 1.4

  Rivers and Mountains of Spain.