CHAP. I. The coming into Spain of the Moors called Almohades. The Death of D. Gar∣cia, King of Navarre, by a fall from his Horse, his Son Sancho succeeds him. King Alonso, and his Daughter, both Marry'd. Many Places taken from the Moors.

LET us being this Book with another Invasion of Spain, made by the cruel and bar∣barous Family of the Almohades, who about this time erected to themselves a * new Kingdom in Africk and Spain. Great Revolutions ensu'd, and great Calami∣ties threatn'd the Christians, till the Forces of the Moors were at last crush'd by one of the most famous Victories that has been heard of, obtain'd over them. Albohali, of Page  173 the Family of the Almoravides, was Emperor of the Moors, in Africk and Spain, at has been said before, in his time, a learned Man, and great Astrologer, call'd Tumerto, seeing a •usty, proper Youth, whose Name was Abdelmon, the Son of a Potter, he Prognosticated to him, that he should be King of his Nation. At the same time, one Almohades, a Mahometan* Preacher, held by the Multitude for a Saint, distracted the Multitude, ready to run a mad∣ing after every extravagant Novelty, with a new Interpretation of their Law. To him Tu∣merto discloses what he had found by his Science, and he either believing, or seeming to be∣lieve it, they both consulted how to over-turn the Government of the Kingdom. There is nothing so pernicious, as the pretence of Religion, when us'd to cover Rebellion. Almoha∣des making use of the Reputation he had gain'd, persuaded his Followers to take up Arms un∣der Abdelmon, and destroy the Race of the Almoravides, as Usurpers, that had wrongfuly possessed the Crown, by Extirpating the Alavecines, a Family descended from Fatima, Maho∣met's eldest Daughter. Besides that, they must cast off the Yoke of the Almoravides, to make way for those new Opinions in Religion, which they had embrac'd. Hereupon, the Multi∣tude took up Arms, but being unskill'd in the use of them, were easily overcome by Alboha∣li. Yet assembling in greater numbers, they never ceased till they had overthrown the Al∣moravides, and kill'd Albohali, the King. Abdelmon succeeded in the Throne, and then the Fol∣lowers of Almohades, who from him were also call'd Almohades; being possess'd of the Govern∣ment, chang'd the ancient Laws and Customs. Having setled Africk, they began to look to∣wards Spain. Tumerto was left to keep Africk under, whilst Abdelmon and Almohades, with a great Force pass'd over into Spain. At first they did no harm, hoping to attract the People by kindness, and they succeeded therein; for all the Moors in Spain, easily embrac'd their new Opinions, and their former Superstition became no less odious to them than Christiani∣ty. Being possess'd of all, they fell to Persecuting of the small remains of the Christians that liv'd mix'd with the Moors, putting 'em to all manner of Torments. Many fled to the Christi∣ans * Dominions, others were overcome, and yielded to the Infidels; so that from thence for∣ward, few Christians were left among the Moors. The Almohades contenting themselves with the Sovereignty of Africk, and so much of Spain as was under the Moors, thought not fit at that time to make War upon the Christians, who were Powerful both by Sea and Land, but return'd into Africk. Soon after, their Prophet Almohades dy'd, and the King caused a Magnificent Sepulchre to be erected for him, near Morocco, the Metropolis of that Kingdom, whither the ignorant Multitude began to go in Pilgrimage. The Almoha∣des entred Spain in the Year 1150. Roderick, the Archbishop, says 6 Years sooner.

The same Year that Alonso, the Emperor took Cordova, which, I suppose to be after Ab∣delmon* return'd into Africk. D. Garcia, King of Navarre, was kill'd by a fall off his Horse * on a Rock, as he was Hunting, near Lorca, a Town in his Dominions. His Death was on the 21st of November. He was going from Estella to Pamplona, to punish that City for their Disobedience, but this misfortune prevented his designs. He Reign'd 16 Years, and left these Children, D. Sancho, who succeeded him, and was Crown'd in the Cathedral of Pamplona, where he bury'd his Father, Blanch, Marry'd to the Emperor Alonso's Son, and Marguerite, to William, King of Sicily, call'd the Wicked. Besides these, he had Alonso Ramirez, Lord of Castro Viejo, and Sancha Marry'd first to Gaston, Viscount of Bearn, and afterwards to Gon∣zalo, Earl of Molina. The Death of the King of Navarre produc'd new Troubles; for Alon∣so, the Emperor, and Raymund, Earl of Barcelona, had an Interview upon this occasion, at *Tudelin, a Town of Navarre, near the Baths, at which Sancho, now declar'd King of Ca∣stile, by the Emperor his Father, was present. Here they Articled, that all that part of the Dominions of Navarre, which had belong'd to Castile, should be restor'd to the Emperor; and what had appertain'd to Aragon, to the Earl, That the ancient Kingdom of Navarre should be equally divided betwixt them; the Earl to hold his part of the Crown of Castile. In regard of the Moors, they agreed, that when Valencia, and all that lies between Tortosa, and the River Xucar, as also Murcia were taken, they should be deliver'd to the Aragonians, so as they should do Homage for them to the Crown of Castile. Hereupon they shook hands, a Ceremony then used to confirm Promises, and resolv'd to commence the War against Na∣varre, when the Month of September was over. All this League fell to nothing, for the new King strengthen'd him self with Supplies from abroad, and gain'd the Love of his Sub∣jects, which his Father never had done. Other Cares diverted the Emperor and Earl, so that nothing was done, only some Inroads on both sides, which were not of moment. The Earl went into France, against Trencavelle, Viscount of Carcassonne, with whom, he at last agreed, that he should do him Homage for the Towns of Carcassonne and Rhodes. Alonso the Emperor, was taken up in concerting of Marriages; for Leuis, King of France, being Di∣vorc'd * from Ellenor, Countess of Poitiers, after he had two Children by her, Marry'd the Emperor's Daughter, some call her Elizabeth, others Canstance. At the same time, the Emperor himself Marry'd Rica, the Daughter of Ʋladislaus, Duke of Poland. Amidst the Nuptial Joys the noise of Arms could not take place. Besides, Navarre was in League with France, which might, perhaps, appease the Emperor. Besides, Sancho, the King was generally belov'd, and the Emperor himself was a Lover of Justice, all which motives indu∣ced him to forbear from War. Of his Justice he gave a most pregnant Testimony in the * following Action. A Man of Birth that had serv'd in the Wars, such as Spain call'd Infan∣zones,Page  174 living in Gallicia, took away by force all that a Farmer had. Being warn'd by the King and Governour, to make restitution, he did not obey. Hereupon the King in disguise, for the greater secrecy Travelled from Toledo, to the farthest part of Gallicia, and seizing that Soldier, caused him to be hang'd before his own door. This action gained him great reputa∣tion. In the Year 1152. he lay'd Siege to Jaen, and the following to Guadix in Andaluzia,* but took neither. D. Petronila Queen of Aragon, was delivered of a Son, who during his Fa∣ther's Life, was called Raymund, and after his death Alonso. It is remarkable, that before her Labour, this Lady made her Will, by which, in case she were delivered of a Son, she left the Crown of Aragon to him, but if it proved a Daughter, she bequeath'd it to her Husband. All that the Moors possessed along the Rivers Segre and Cinga, was now taken from them by the Aragonians. Besides, that many Castles between Tarragona and Tortosa, in places natu∣rally * strong, and almost inaccessible, were recovered, also the Town of Miravete, on the Banks of the River Ebro, which was given to the Knights Templers. The King bought the third part of Tortosa, which according to contract at the taking of it, belonged to the Geno∣eses, for a sum of ready Money. These actions made the name of the Earl Raymund Famous, not only in Spain but in Foreign Countries, yet such was his Modesty, tho' he would never take the Title of King, tho' he had a Crown in the right of his Wife, but stiled himself Prince of Aragon. From this time the Arms of Aragon, were chang'd for those of Catalonia, which * are Barry of eight Pieces, Or and Gules. Sancho, who afterwards succeeded his Father Alonso King of Portugal, was born on the 11th of November 1154. in the City Coimbra. The Birth of this Prince, and coming of Lewis King of France into Spain; were the most remark∣able * things happ'ned this Year.

CHAP. II. King Luis the Younger of France comes into Spain. Alonso of Castile and Leon call'd the Emperor Dies. His Sons Sancho and Ferdinand, inherit the Crowns of Castile and Leon. Original of the Knights of Calatrava.

LƲis King of France, call'd the Younger, being suspicious, that the Empress his Wife, was not lawfully begotten, resolv'd to come into Spain, to be better inform'd, but that the de∣sign * of his coming might not be known, pretended to go on Pilgrimage to the Church of S. James the Apostle in Galicia. His Father-in-Law, the Emperor Alonso, with his two Sons, and the King of Navarre, went as far as Burgos to meet him, and thither resorted all the Nobility, in their greatest Splendor, to shew the riches of Spain to the French. In this manner they Tra∣velled to Compostela, and having performed their devotions, returned to Toledo, where a Gene∣ral Assembly of the States, or Parliament, as well of the Moors Subject to the Emperor, as the Christians, was by him called, the more to manifest his Power and Grandeur. Among the rest, came Raymund Earl of Barcelona, with a very Splendid Retinue. King Luis considering the Grandeur of this Assembly, confessed he had not seen any to compare to it, and Praised God that he had to Wife, the Daughter of Alonso the Emperor, and Neice to the Prince of Aragon. All sorts of Sports were exhibited with great Magnificence, and rich presents of∣fered to the Stranger, but he would accept of nothing, save only a rich Carbuncle, and thus * he returned home well pleased. Raymund of Aragon, bore him Company as far as Jaca, where they were received with much Grandeur. On the 28th of August dy'd the Earl of Ʋrgel, Grandson to Peranzules, for distinction sake, he was call'd Armengaud of Castile. Upon Friday the 11th of November 1155. Blanch, Wife to Sancho, King of Castile, was deliver'd of a Son, called Alonso, who came to inherit his Father and Grandfather's Dominions. It had * been proposed in the Treaty of Tudelin, to have this Lady divorced as being under Age, but Justice, the Love her Husband bore her, and her own innocence, prevailed. Hugh Bauce, and his Brothers the Sons of Raymund, and Grandsons of Gilbert, grounding their right on a Privi∣ledge of the Emperors granted to them, strove to possess themselves of all Provence, but the Earl of Barcelona, marching with a powerful Army to protect his Nephew, they were soon reduced. At the same time Jacintus, the Popes Legate, settled the affairs of the Church in Spain, giving judgment for the Archbishop of Toledo, against those of Santiago, and Braga, who con∣tended * for the Primacy. Luis King of France, at the instance of his Father-in-Law, now sent an Arm of S. Eugenius the Martyr, spoken of before, which was received without the City, by the Emperor, his Sons, and all the Clergy, and carry'd on their Shoulders, in Pro∣cession to the Cathedral, in the Year 1156. The rest of the Body was brought to Spain, in * the time of Philip II. and placed in the same Church.

Raymund Prince of Aragon, could not brook the cutting off the Kingdom of Navarre from that of Aragon. Hereupon he Solicited Alonso, the Emperor, to put in execution the League * concluded at Tudelin, and with joint Forces, to invade Navarre, and the more to strengthen this agreement, a Match was proposed betwixt Sancha, the Emperors Daughter, by his Wife Rica, and the Son of Raymund, but both being Infants, nothing more was done, but signing the Treaty. Sancho and Ferdinand, the Emperor's Sons, were included in this Alliance. Ne∣vertheless Page  175 the Emperor would rather have been Mediator for Peace, with the King of Na∣varre, hoping to Marry his Daughter Beatriz, whom he had by his Wife Berengaria, to that King. This took effect afterwards. In the mean while, he indeavoured to delay joyn∣ing with the Aragonians, under Colour of making War upon the Moors, before the Empire of the Almahodes, was quite setled in Spain. For now Abdelmon dying, his Son and Succes∣sor Jacob, or as others call him Joseph, a Warlike Man, was come over out of Africk with 60000 Horse, and much greater number of Foot. This perplexed the Emperor, who thereupon earnestly intreated the Prince of Aragon, now ready to enter Navarre, with a powerful Ar∣my, that he would not commence the War till after the Feast of S. Martin. That enter∣prize was accordingly put off, but the Confederacy renewed at Toledo, in February 1157. * This delay was the more tolerable to Prince Raymund, for that he was obliged to repair to Narbonne. Hermengada, Viscountess of that City, was forced thence, and obliged to fly to his Protection. Berengarius the Archbishop, who gave her the advice, accompany'd her to Per∣pignan, where all things were setled. Alonso, the Emperor, with a mighty Army broke into *Andaluzia, burning and destroying all before him. He recovered Bacça, which had been lately lost, took Andujar and Quesada, and the heat of the Summer coming on, left his Son Sancho the greater part of the Army, to secure those Conquests. His Son Ferdinand and he returned with the rest of the Forces, but by the way at the Wood of Cazlona, in Sierra Morena, the Emperor fell sick, and near the Town of Fresneda, he dyed in a Tent, on the 21th of August, he lived 51 Years, 5 Months, and 21 Days, was King 35 Years, and had, the Title of Emperor 22 Years and a half. A Prince worthy of a longer Life, Pious in his Youth, Brave and Modest in his riper Years, always a pattern of Virtue, and Famous to Posterity, for his zeal to the Christian Religion. He had three Wives, Berengaria, Beatrix, and Rica. The second had no Children, the last was Mother of Sancha. Berengaria brought him Sancho and Ferdinand his Successors, also Elizabeth and Beatrix. Besides these, Alonso, and another Ferdinand, who dy'd Young, and was bury'd in a Monastery of Nuns, of the invocation of S. Clement, built by his Father, with this Inscription on his Tomb, Here lies the most Illustrious D. Ferdinand, Son to the Emperor; D. Alonso, who built this Monastery, he laid him here to Honour it.

Sancho and Ferdinand, the Emperor's Sons, divided his Dominions as he had Ordered. *Ferdinand had the Kingdom of Leon and Galicia. Sancho the Elder Castile, with all it De∣pendencies. 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 Coun∣try. * The Moors finding those places they had lost, forsaken by the New King, easily re∣covered 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 Nobili∣ty 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 Na∣varrois, 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 slaugh∣ter; 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 be∣fore Page  176 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 Ber∣nardines, 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 Ca∣latrava 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 pro∣cess of time grew rich, and had the Lordship of many Towns, for their good Services, and thro' the Bounty of Kings. Formerly, the Revenues of such Towns, were given to old Knights of that Order, for their Maintenance, during their own Lives only, and not for their Heirs. Now they serve only to support the Prodigality of Courtiers. Thus, for the most part, good Institutions are perverted.

CHAP. III. The Death of Sancho, King of Castile, The great Commotions that ensued. The Death of Raymund, Prince of Aragon, his Issue. Alonso, his eldest Son succeeds in his Dominions.

RAymund, Prince of Aragon, believing the Capitulation, in vertue of which, he held that part of Aragon which lies on this side Ebro, was void by the Death of the Em∣peror, * had a Conference with King Sancho, at Naxama. There the business was debated, the Aragonian) pretending that Zaragoça, Calatayud, and other Towns, were now exempted from the Jurisdiction of Castile. This would not be allow'd, yet they agreed that the King of Castile should not be possess'd of any Towns, or Castles in that Country; but that the Kings of Aragon should do Homage to them for the same, and be oblig'd to come to the Cortes, or Parliament of Castile, when call'd. Moreover, the League against Navarre, was again renew'd, but to as little effect as at other times. After this Interview, the Argoni∣am commenc'd the War against Navarre; but the Forces of Castile could not do their part, being prevented by the Death of the King and Queen. The Queen dy'd on the 24th of June, in the Year 1158. and was bury'd at Najara, in the Royal Monastery of S. Mary, the Buri∣al * Place of the Kings of Navarre. On the last of August following, the King being busie, preparing for the War against the Moors, departed this Life at Toledo, and was Interr'd in * the Cathedral, near his Father. He Reign'd only 1 Year, and 11 Days; and had he liv'd longer, might have equall'd the Glory of any of his Ancestors. Notwithstanding the King's Death, his Army, in which, every Man wore the Cross, entred Andaluzia, and in Battle overthrew Jacob Miramamolin, who was marching towards Sevil. A great slaughter was made of the Moors; yet Jacob, their King, having recruited his Army, fell upon such Moorish Kings as refused to submit to him. His first attempt was upon the King of Valencia and Marcia, but it succeeded not, for Raymund, Prince of Aragon, defended him, as being his Ally. Then he bent his Force against Alhagius, King of Merida, whom he subdu'd, After this, Fadala and Omer, two Sons of Alhagius, joyning theirs with some of Jacob's, entred the Christian Territories as far as Placencia and Avila, and bending their course towards Ta∣lavera, were on their return to Merida with a great Booty. But the People of Avila, under the command of their Captains, Sancho and Gomez, overtaking them near Sietevados, totally routed * them, and recover'd all the Prey. Four Years after this, the same Commanders breaking in∣to Estremadura, defeated the Moors that came to oppose them, and brought away a rich Booty of Cattle. From these Gentlemen, are descended the Lords of Villaroro, and Mar∣quesses of Velada. At the time of his Death, King Sancho, recommended his Son Alonso, then but four years of age, to the care of Gutierre Fernandez de Castro, who had been his Tutor. He order'd the rest of the Nobles should still keep in their Hands those places they were in Page  177 possession of, till the King was 15 years of Age, which prov'd very fatal, and gave ill Men an opportunity of disturbing the Peace of the Kingdom; the Nobility taking it ill, that the King and his Authority, should be put into the hands of one single Person.

Among the Nobility of Castile, the two most powerful Families at this time, were those of *Castro and Lara. These for a considerable time, had the first Vote in the Cortes, or Parlia∣ment. D. Gutierre, who had the charge of breeding the young King, for his great Age and Experience, was highly esteem'd among the Castro's. He had no Children. His younger Brother Roderick, had four, viz. Ferdinand, Alvaro, Peter and Gutierre, and a Daughter, cal∣led Sancha, Marry'd to Alvaro de Gusman, so that her power was as great as her Brothers. The Family of Lara, consisted of three Brothers, Henry, Alvaro and Nun̄o, who had great Possessions along the River Duero, and were Sons of Earl Peter of Lara, kill'd at Bayonne, as has been said. Their Mother was a Lady, call'd Aba, who had been first Mar∣ry'd to D. Garcia, Earl of Cabra, by whom she had D. Garcia Acia, the Heir of that Estate, which added much to the power of the three Brothers. They resented that the House of Ca∣stro should be preferr'd before them, and carry'd it so high in their Discourses, it appear'd they would come to blows rather than quit their pretensions. D. Gutierre, to secure the pub∣lick Peace, was easily persuaded to put the King into the hands of D. Garcia Acia, a modest Man, but of too much sincerity for those times. In so much, that upon pretence of the Ex∣pence he was at with the King, the Revenues of the Crown being intangl'd, he deliver'd him up to D. Manrique de Lara, his. Brother by the Mother's side, which was all he had strugled for. D. Gutierre complained this was a breach of Faith, and would again have recovered the charge of Educating the King, but his Adversaries mock'd at him, and thus all things seem∣ed to tend to Confusion and War. Ferdinand, King of Leon, pretending most right to the breeding his Nephew, entred Castile with an Army, wasting the Lands of the Family of Lara,* who remov'd the King to Soria, from the danger of the War. At this time dy'd D. Gu∣tierre de Castro, and was bury'd in the Monastery of S. Christopher, at Encas. D. Manrique de Lara grown more Insolent, requir'd the Heirs of the Deceased, to resign such Towns and Forts as were in their hands. They excus'd themselves, pleading the late King's Will, by which, they were not to resign them till the young King were at Age. Hereupon D. Man∣rique caused the Body of D. Gutierre to be taken up, as if he had been guilty of Treason. The case being put to Tryal, Judgment was given for D. Gutierre, and his Body order'd to be bury'd. Mean while, King Ferdinand rang'd all the Country, there being no Army to make head against him. D. Manrique dispairing he should be able to resist, was forced to en∣gage himself to King Ferdinand, that he would deliver up the King and Government to him, to hold for 12 years. To this purpose, the Cortes, or Parliament was summoned to Soria, where the young King was. Here, one Nun̄o Almexar, seeing the King carried away to be * deliver'd to his Uncle, snatch'd him from those that led him, and carried him away to San∣tistevan de Gormaz. Thence with consent of the Brothers of Lara, he was carried to Atiença, and after many removals to Avila. There the Townsmen Loyally Defended him till the 11th Year of his Age, and were therefore commonly call'd the Faithful. King Ferdinand in a rage for being disappointed, accused Nun̄o and Manrique de Lara with breach of Faith, and thereupon, sent to challenge them; but they only answer'd, That whatsoever others thought, their Consciences were satisfy'd they had done their Duty to their King. All the Kingdom rejoiced the King was deliver'd from his Uncle, but their Joy was not lasting, for he wast∣ed all the Country, most of the Cities submitted to him, or were taken by force, and Tole∣do it self did not escape, for it appears, that City submitted to King Ferdinand, so that a very small part remain'd to the young King. On the other side, the King of Navarre, think∣ing this a good opportunity to recover his losses, having first made Peace with Aragon, broke into the Dominions of Castile, and possess'd himself of Logron̄o, Entren̄a, Briviesca, and o∣ther Towns. Thus all the Country was filled with confusion.

Whilst Castile was thus rent with intestine Divisions, the Moors of Andaluzia enjoy'd per∣fect Peace. Only the Forces of Portugal and Aragon kept them in aw. Raymund, Prince of *Aragon, was in great renown for his perpetual good Fortune, which was such, that Lope, the Moorish King of Murcia, was subject to him, and in France, he had taken above 30 Strong-Holds, and the Town of Trencataye, which he destroy'd, from the Family of Beauce, who in∣vaded Provence. The Emperor Frederick, who had favoured his Enemies, sought his Friend∣ship, and a League was concluded betwixt them. Raymund had brought out of Castile, Ri∣ca, the Widow of the Emperor Alonso, and his Daughter Sancha, contracted to his own Son. At the instance of the Emperor Frederick, it was agreed, that Rica, who was his Kinswoman, should Marry Raymund Berengarius, Earl of Provence, who thereupon should possess all the said Earldom of Provence, and the City Arles, with its Territory. To ratifie this Agree∣ment, it was resolv'd both Raymunds should meet the Emperor at Turin, on the first of Au∣gust, in the Year 1162. On the way thither, at S. Dalmacius, a Town at the foot of the *Alps, Raymund, Prince of Aragon, fell sick and dy'd the 6th day of the same Month. Not∣withstanding * his Death, Raymund, Earl of Provence, obtained of the Emperor all he desired. Prince Raymund's Body was brought to his Country, and buried in the Monastery of Ripoli, as he had ordered. Cortes, or a Parliament, being held at Huesca, Raymund's last Will, left by word of Mouth, was repeated, whereby he declared his Son Raymund, his Successor, who Page  178 took possession of his Father's Principality, by the name of Alonso. To Peter, his second Son, * he left Cerdagne, Carcassonne and Narbonne. Sancho, the youngest, was to succeed Peter, in case he died without Heirs. He made no mention of his Daughter Dulcis, who was after, Queen of Portugal, nor of his Bastard Son Berengarius, who was Bishop of Taraçona and Lerida, and Abbot of Montaragon. The King's Minority (he being but 11 years old) gave an opportunity to turbulent Spirits to raise Commotions. An Impostor now openly affirmed he was King Alonso, who, as has been said, was killed 28 years before, at the Battle of Fraga. He said he had been till then in Asia, serving against the Infidels in the Holy-Land. His Age and Features, but most of all, the Love the Multitude has for Novelties, gained him some Reputation. Great mischiefs might have ensued, had not the Impostor been taken at Zara∣goça, and put to Death in the very beginning of the Tumult. In the Year 1163. the As∣sembly * of States, or Parliament of Aragon, was held at Barcelona. The Queen Petronilla, by the advice of the Nobility, resigned over the Crown of Aragon, to her Son, then 13 years of Age. Raymund, Earl of Provence, who had some time governed Catalonia for his Cou∣sin, returned home; and died in the Year 1166. King Alonso receiving the News at Girona, by advice of the Nobility, called himself Marquess of Provence; for they pretended by the * Emperor's Grant, that Country was not only given to the late Earl of Provence, but to Ray∣mund, Prince of Aragon, and his Heirs, which occasioned Wars in France.

CHAP. IV. Alonso, the young King of Castile takes upon him the Government, recovers most of his Dominions; joins in League with the Aragonian, and Marries Ellenor, Daughter to Henry II. King of England. Some Actions of Ferdi∣nand, King of Leon.

IN Castile, the People growing weary of the King of Leon, invited their young King A∣lonso, to take upon him the Government, promising, all would declare for him. These * invitations, and the persuasions of the Nobility, prevailed, and he resolved to depart from Avila, and visit the principal places of the Kingdom. This was in the Year 1168. as some * write, I rather believe two years sooner, by the computation of time; for when his Father died, he was 4 years of age, and at this time 11. He was not deceived, for many Cities received him with Joy, and furnished all Necessaries for him, and his Retinue, which at first, consisted of only a few Nobles, and a Guard of 150 Horse, furnished by the City Avila. This was a small Force to recover so many Places as the King of Leon held with strong Garisons. The King encouraged by Success, resolved to try Toledo, but feared Ferdinand Ruiz de Castro, who held it, would not be prevailed upon to deliver that City. Stephen Illan, a Citizen of note, had built the Church of S. Romanus, in the highest part of the City, and adjoyning to it a Tower, which served as well for Strength as an Ornament. He was an Enemy to Ferdinand de Castro, and therefore getting privately out of the City, he conveyed the King, disguised, into the Tower. Then setting up the Royal Standard, he gave no∣tice the King was there, whereupon the Citizens running to Arms, Ferdinand de Castro, fled to Huete, a Town then very strong, as lying upon the Frontiers, exposed to the Moors. The People of Toledo, as well those who had been against admitting the King, as the most * Loyal, expressed great Joy, and nothing resounded but, God save the King. Stephen Illan, for his good Service was much honoured, and made Governour of the City. After his death, the Citizens caused his Picture on Horse-back to be drawn on the Roof of the Cathedral, be∣hind the High Altar, where it is still to be seen. The King entred Toledo, upon Friday the 26th of August. On Michaelmass-day following, died John, Archbishop of Toledo, when he had governed that Church with much applause 16 years. Cerebrunus, or Cenebrunus, suc∣ceeded him, a Man grateful to King Alonso, having taught him the first Rudiments of Learn∣ing. He had been Arch-deacon of Toledo, and Bishop of Siguença, and it is thought, was a Frenchman. The King, after securing Toledo, at the instigation of Manrique, Earl of Lara, his General, marched against Ferdinand de Castro, who refused not to meet him, being sup∣ported by the People of Huete, that stood firm to him. Two Leagues from that Town, at a place called Garcinaharro, they came to a Battle. Ferdinand de Castro, fought in a disguise, D. Manrique with all his might charged a Gentleman that was armed like a General, and killed him, believing it had been Ferdinand, but was himself soon after slain by one of the said Ferdinand's Followers. The General being killed, the King's Forces were put to flight. *Nun̄o, Brother to Manrique, understanding the deceit used by Ferdinand de Castro, laid Treachery to his charge, and challenged him, as was then usual; but some Persons of Piety interposing the business was mitigated; yet the hatred betwixt those two Families, could not be rooted out. Many Towns and Places of strength, adhered to Ferdinand de Castro, therefore the King forbore for the present contending with him, and bending his Force ano∣ther way, recovered many places that were not Garrisoned. It was thought convenient to try the Castle of Zurita, seated on a Hill, at the foot whereof, runs the River Tagus, Lope*Page  179Arenas held it as Lieutenant to Ferdinand de Castro. Being summoned, he excused himself, saying, The King was not yet at the age appointed by his Father's Will, and that he was but Lieute∣nant, and could not surrender without leave of his Lord. No hopes remaining of a surrender, it was resolved to use force. D. Lope de Haro came from the farthest part of Biscay, to serve at that Siege. Provisions growing scarce, the Besieged resolved to use Fraud; and therefore, upon pretence of Capitulating, getting D. Nun̄o, and Suero de Lara, into the Castle, kept them Prisoners, believing, the King to save them, would raise the Siege. There was one Dominick in the Camp, who had deserted from the Castle, this Man offer'd for a Reward, to make them Masters of the Fort. Upon promise of what he demanded, he wounded one Peter Ruiz, who was consenting to it, and flying, was admitted into the Castle, and to the Favour of the Lieutenant, whose Servant he had been. He watched his opportunity, and kill'd the Lieutenant; whereupon, the Castle was immediately Surrendred. The King caused Dominick's * Eyes to be put out, as an example of Treachery, yet allowed him a Maintenance, which was afterwards taken away, and he put to Death, for that he boasted of his wickedness. The Army was dismissed, and D. Lope de Haro much commended, return'd home, having re∣fused Presents that were offer'd him, because the King's Treasury was exhausted. This Gen∣tleman is said to have built the Town of Haro, not far from the River Ebro. The King went to Toledo, whither he had summon'd the General Assembly, call'd Cortes, or Parlia∣ment, and there it was consulted how to settle the Kingdom, and recover those places that would not submit. This Year was remarkable for great Rains and Floods, particularly, at Toledo, the River Tagus swelled till it came to the Church of S. Isidorus. The following Year, * on the 8th of February, there was an Earthquake in that City, a thing not usual, and there∣fore thought to presage more Troubles.

Ferdinand, King of Leon, had Marry'd Ʋrraca, the Daughter of Alonso, King of Portugal, by whom he had Alonso, who succeeded him, notwithstanding he was Divorc'd from the Queen, on account of Consanguinity. This Divorce produc'd enmity betwixt the Kings, and much harm was done on both sides. King Ferdinand was busie, repairing the Towns ruin'd by the Wars, and building others. By the advice of a Banish'd Portugues, he built Cuidad Rodrigo, on the Borders of Portugal, to be a check to those People. Hence arose Disgusts, which ended * in open Enmity. King Ferdinand, tho' Affable and Courteous, was Brave and Resolute, and feared not at once to engage both the Kings of Castile and Portugal. King Alonso of Castile, in the beginning of the Year 1170. held the Cortes, or Parliament, at Burgos, where it was Enacted, That since he was at the age of 15, appointed by his Father's Will for delivering * all Cities, Towns and Castles into his Hands, there should be War declared against all such * as withheld any from him, not excepting King Ferdinand, who still was possess'd of a consider∣able part of the Kingdom. That War, many difficulties intervening, was deferr'd for some time. The great Men, lest they should be reputed Traitors, now no excuse was left, obey∣ed. Among the first, was Ferdinand de Castro, who fearing his Enemies, and the King's Dis∣pleasure, renouncing his Country, as the Custom was then, went over to the Moors, whence he ceased not to do harm upon the Lands of the Christians. It was also proposed in the Cortes, or Parliament, to set on foot a Treaty of Marriage between the King, and the Lady Ellenor, Daughter to Henry II. King of England, and Duke of Normandy, and Aquitain. Af∣ter this, Alonso, King of Aragon, had an Interview with his Cousin, the King of Castile, at Sahagun, where a League was concluded between them. Thence the two Kings, about the beginning of July, went to Zaragoça. From thence an Embassy was sent to treat about the * King's Marriage. Cerebrunus, Archbishop of Toledo, was Principal of the Embassy, with him went Raymund, Bishop of Palencia, and other Prelates, and Noblemen. At Bourdeaux the Treaty was concluded, whence the Lady came into Spain, attended not only by those that went for her, but by Bernard, Bishop of that City, and many other Persons of Note. Mean while, the Kings of Castile and Aragon, had made a League Offensive and Defensive against all Princes, except the King of England, in respect to the Marriage in hand. For * the more security, Cautionary Towns were given on both sides; the King of Aragon, had Najara and Biguerra, he of Castile, Ariza and Daroca. The Bride being come to Taraçona, there the Nuptials were Celebrated with great Pomp, in the Month of September. The King of Aragon gave her. Her Joynter was a great part of Castile, Burgos, Medina del Campo, and many other Towns, and half of all that should be taken from the Moors. For the King ravished with the beauty of his Bride, endeavour'd to exceed all his Predecessors in Liberali∣ty. Lope, the Moorish King of Murcia, was doubtless, in League with the King of Castile, for I find he went to Toledo about this time. King Alonso of Aragon, was about making War upon him, on account that he refused to pay the Tribute he paid to his Father; but they agreed, and he consented to pay, upon Condition, King Alonso should not uphold the Ma∣çemutes, his Enemies. All the Solemnities being perform'd at Taraçona, the two Christian Kings parted, and publick Rejoicings were again Celebrated at Burgos. After that, the Troop of Avila, which till then, had attended the King, was dismiss'd. Great Privileges were granted to the City Avila, for its Fidelity to the King in the worst of times. Then the King and Queen, set out for Toledo. At the same time, the King of Aragon, with the consent of the Bishop of Rhoda, had the Head of Valerius, Bishop of Zaragoça, transla∣ted to that City, from Rhoda, where it had been till then. Garsendis, Princess of Bearn, by Page  180 the Death of her Father and Brother, did Homage to the King of Aragon, and confirmed the contract made, that she should not Marry without his leave. Some are of Opinion, she was Marry'd to William of Moncada, a Nobleman, and Seneschal of Catalonia, of which there is no proof, and therefore I thought better to leave it dubious, than attempt to decide it on ei∣ther side.

CHAP. V. The League made against Peter Ruiz de Azagra. The Original of the Knights of Santiago. The taking of Cuenca by the Christians. Increase of the Knights of Santiago, or St. James the Apostle. Several places in Navarre taken by the Castilians.

THE Moors were so pressed by the Aragonians, that they had no place of safety. Along * the River Alga, the Towns of Favara, Maella, Fresneda, and others, were taken from them. On the River Ebro the strong Town of Caspe. A great number of them had retired to the Mountain Idubeda, thinking the natural strength of the place would secure them, but thence also they were driven by the Valour of the Christians. So that from this time, the Domi∣nion of the Moors extended no farther than the Borders of the Kingdom of Valoncia. At the same time Peter de Açagra, Son to Roderick de Açagra, before spoken of, and Lord of Estela, for some signal Service done to Lope King of Murcia, had the strong Town of Albarazin, seated on an uncoth Mountain, near the Springs of Tagus, given him. This place was soon after * made a Bishoprick, and annexed to the Province of Toledo. Both the Kings of Castile and Aragon, were offended at Peter de Açagra, the latter pretending that City was within the limits of his Conquest, whereas Peter would do Homage for it to no Man. The other com∣plained he had taken some Castles belonging to him, and therefore both agreed with their joint Forces to destroy Albarazin. For the more strengthening of this League, cautionary Towns were given on both sides, the King of Aragon had Agreda, Cervera, and Aguilar, he of Castile, Aranda, Borgia, and Arguedo. It was also concluded that Hariza, and its Castle, should be delivered to the King of Castile, in pursuance of the former Capitulation. But be∣cause Nun̄o Sanchez delivered it without a Special Order, the two Kings fell at Variance, which yet went no further than Words. This discord gave Peter de Açagra time to strengthen himself, for neither of the Kings attack'd him. He of Aragon despising the Match that had been made by his Father, with the Daughter of Castile, sent Embassadors to Emanuel Commenus, Emperor of Constantinople, to desire his Daughter in Marriage. Some troubles were at this time in Aragon, on occasion that William Aguillon Lord of Tarragona,* had killed Hugo Bishop of that City, for maintaining the Priviledges of his Church. The death of Hugo fell on the 22th of April, in the Year 1171. which Year was also remarkable, * for the Death of Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury in England, who was Murdered on the same score, afterwards Canonized by Pope Alexander III. and soon honoured as a Saint in Spain. Lope King of Murcia dy'd in the Year 1172. The King of Aragon thought this a fit * opportunity to make his advantage of, and entring the Kingdom of Valencia, obliged that King to buy a Peace, and promise for the future to pay double the Tribute he had payed be∣fore. Thence the Aragonian pass'd into the Country of Murcia, and lay'd Siege to the City Xativa,* which he was forced to quit, when it was upon the point of surrendring, being called away to defend his own Country against the Navarrois, who made War upon him. Here∣upon a Truce was concluded with the King of Murcia, upon Condition he should pay the same Tribute his Father had agreed to. This done, the King marched towards Navarre in a rage, yet they came not to a Battle, but he wasted that Country on the side of Tudela, and took the Town of Argueda. This hap'ned towards the end of the Year. In the beginning of the next, being 1173. the War was continued, and the Aragonians utterly destroy'd the Town of Milagro, betwixt Calahorra and Alfaro, from whence much harm had been done in the Lands * of Aragon. Petronilla, Mother to the King of Aragon, dy'd on the Third of October the same Year at Barcelona. On the 18th of January 1174. the Marriage was at last consumatted at Zaragoça, betwixt the King of Aragon and Sancha, Sister to him of Castile, as had been a∣greed * long before by their Parents, the King of Aragon, now upon second Thoughts, perferring the Alliance of Castile before that of a Foreign and remote Emperor. At the same time the Grecian Emperor's Daughter, arrived at Montpellier in France, where understanding how she was disappointed, she Marry'd the Lord of that City.

About this time the Order of the Knights of Santiago, or St. James the Apostle, began * first to be taken notice of, and by degrees, from a small beginning, are now risen to a Regal Grandeur. When the Sepulcher of St. James the Apostle was first discovered, the devotion of the place drew many Pilgrims, and many were deterred by the badness of the ways, and danger of the Moors. For taking away these Obstacles, the Cannons of St. Eloy built many Hospitals on the road, and one to be the Chief of the rest at Leon. This at first mov'd many good People to bestow great Riches upon them. Afterwards some that had served in the Page  181 Wars joined their stocks, and lived under certain Rules, like Religious Men. These by the industry of Cardinal Jacintus, the Popes Legate, joyned with the Canons of St. Eloy, who had a Convent without the Town of Compostella, and sent Commissioners to Rome, to Pope Alexander, for the obtaining his approbation of their new institution, which was to be regulated, accord∣ing to the rule of St. Augustin, observed by those Canons. Pero Fernandez de Puente Encalada, was the chief of these Commissioners, who obtained the Pope's Bull, approving their design, and assigning them Rules to observe. The Bull bears date July the 5th 1175, Pero Fernandez him∣self * was Constituted the first great Master of the Order. The Badge of the Knights is a White Cloak, with a red Cross, made in the manner of a Sword. The Hospital of St. Mark at Leon was assigned them for their Monastery. Their Possessions in Castile were very large, among others they had the Towns of Ʋcles, Mora, Estriana, Almodovar, Larunda, and Santa Cruz de la Zarça, near Ocen̄a. in the Year 1176. King Alonso of Castile being of Age, and * resolving to be revenged on the Kings of Leon, and Navarre, for the wrongs they had done * him in his Minority, before he took the Field, made his Vows to God in Toledo, and gave the Towns of Illescas and Hazan̄a to that Church. This done he entred the Territory of Rioja, as far as Ebro, and having wasted the Borders of Navarre, turn'd back, and bent his Force a∣gainst the Kingdom of Leon, where he burnt and plundered all the Country, the King his Unkle being too weak to withstand him. The King of Leon vented his Anger upon the new Knights of St. James, supposing they favoured their old Master the King of Castile, and therefore drove them out of his Dominions, and obliged them to fly to Castile for protection. Soon after King Ferdinand repented, but it was too late, however by the Mediation of Pre∣lates, a Truce was concluded betwixt those two Crowns. Thus much concerning the Ori∣ginal 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 Suc∣cessor 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 inlarge∣ing 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 deter∣mined 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 im∣pregnable. 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. A∣mong 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 re∣lief. * 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 mo∣ved 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 Fer∣dinand, of whom the Fruitful Queen Beatrix was delivered, after she had brought Sancho, Ray∣mund,*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 Aragoni∣ans 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 Page  182 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 Ʋcles, whence King Ferdinand of Leon re∣penting * 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 Ʋcles, which they afterwards refused, and Pope Ʋrban 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 Or∣der, till King Denis assigning them a Head of their own, withdrew them from any depen∣dance 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 for∣ward * stiled himself, King of Aragon, Earl of Barcelona, and Russillon, and Marquess of Pro∣vence. 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 against Leon, thinking the wrongs done him had been sufficiently reveng'd.

CHAP. VI. Rebellion in the Kingdom of Leon suppress'd. Alonso King of Portugal, taken by Ferdinand of Leon, and set at Liberty. Being Besieg'd in Santarem by the Moors, is relieved by him. He vanquishes the Infidels. Actions of his Son Sancho.

THE People of Leon bore Ferdinand their King no Affection, some pretending heavy Taxes, others that he was Austere, and the City Salamanca complained that he had ta∣ken * part of their Territory to add it to Ledesma, which he rebuilt. Hereupon they rebelled under one Nun̄o Rabia, whom D. Lucas de Tuy says, they called King. The Town of Avila sent them supplies, but King Ferdinand coming upon them overthrew the Rebels, took their Captain, and caused him to be executed. Salamanca was easily reduced, and Zamora, before Mutinous, by this example, was pacified. These troubles being over, the King was perplexed how to relieve Cuidad Rodrigo, besieged by Ferdinand de Castro, with a great number of Moors. S. Isidorus Patron of Leon, is said to have assisted him in vanquishing them, as he did, and grown proud with this success, entred Portugal, and plundered the Frontiers. D. Ferdinand de Castro, was prevailed upon by the King, to quit the Service of the Moors, and ingage under him a∣gainst Castile, whose Territories he immediately entred with the Forces of Leon. Near Lu∣brical in the Country of Campos, he overthrew a Body of the Enemy that came to oppose him, took many Prisoners of note, and among them D. Nun̄o de Lara his Mortal Enemy. He Treated them all courteously, and gave them their Liberty, only exacting an Oath of them, that they would be his true Friends. Then putting away his first Wife, he Marryed D. Estephania, King Ferdinand's Sister, by whom he had Peter de Castro, of whom we shall speak hereafter. Alonso King of Portugal, tho' of a great Age, had Warlike Thoughts, and resented that *Cuidad Rodrigo, was a curb and inlet to Portugal. Wherefore, having gather'd a powerful Army, he gave the Command of it to his Son Sancho, ordering him to Besiege that City, being persuaded, the King of Leon, now ingaged in War with Castile, could not have leisure to relieve it. King Ferdinand, with part of his Forces, met the Portugueses, and near the Town of Arraganal, overthrew them, taking many Prisoners, whom he presently set at li∣berty. King Alonso, after this loss, recruiting his Army, entred Galicia, where he took Limia, Turonia, and some other Towns. Then having encreased his Army, he attack'd Ba∣dojoz, which, tho' it belong'd to the Moors, was under the protection of King Ferdinand, who immediately came to its relief. The Portugues had already taken part of the City, but Portugal taken by King Ferdinand of Leon, and set at Liberty. *Page  183 daring to give Battle, was vanquish'd, and forc'd to retire into the very Town. That was no place of safety, for the Moors press'd him on the one side; and the Christians on the other. Attempting to escape, he was struck down by the Bolt of the Gate, and so taken. King Ferdinand having entertain'd him with all manner of Civility, and caused his wound to be dressed, gave him his Liberty. This Courtesie so oblig'd the Portugues, that he offer'd to submit himself and Kingdom to King Ferdinand, which was refused, and nothing demanded of him, but the restitution of the Towns he had taken in Galicia. The following Year be∣ing 1180. on the first of October, dy'd Luis VII. King of France, and Philip Augustus suc∣ceeded * him. About the same time Sancho King of Navarre, built the City Victoria, in that part of Biscay called Alava, it is the head of that Province, and stands where formerly was * a Village called Gasteiso. At Tarragona a Synod was held, where among other things it was decreed, that for the future the Catalonians, in the publick writings, should forbear naming the Kings of France, and the Year of their Reigns, as had been used till then. In the Year 1181. dy'd Cerebrunns Archbishop of Toledo. Gonzalo the first of this Name, a Man of great * Piety and Learning succeeded him. Some name Peter de Cardona, before D. Gonçalo, some after him, perhaps he was Elect, and not Consecrated, most Authors make no mention of him.

King Ferdinand of Leon, now made himself Master of Badajoz. That City was altogether * inhabited by Moors, and he could neither People it with Christians, nor leave a sufficient Garrison. Therefore he gave the Government of it to Abenabel, a Moor, who soon rebell'd, and called the Almohades to his assistance. Not content with this, he gathered an Army, wasted the Frontiers of Leon, and then marching into Portugal, Besieg'd King Alonso in San∣tarem. King Ferdinand assembling his Forces, marched with all speed to the relief of his Father-in-Law, but the Moors not daring to stand the Power of both Kings, fled. At first the King of Portugal was jealous of King Ferdinand's designs, being as much afraid of him, as of the Moors, but being better assured, took Courage. King Ferdinand returned home, with great honour and a rich Booty. This same Year 1181 Pope Lucius III. entred upon the * Papacy. He sent a Legate into Spain, to settle Peace betwixt the Christian Princes, for the better prosecuting the War against the Moors. The King of Aragon, being resolv'd to go in Pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James, bore the Legate Company into Castile. By their * Mediation Peace was Established, the Bounds of each Kingdom assigned, and how much of what the Moors possessed, should belong to the Conquest of each appointed, wherein the King of Aragon, gain'd great reputation for his modesty, having no further assign'd him than to Valencia, but afterwards his Son Peter being dissatisfy'd, had it extended to Alicant. Only the King of Navarre, could not be perswaded, to admit of this pacification, being highly offended at the King of Castile, for the great harm he had done him. However for some time Peace continued among the Christans, or at least no considerable Hostilities were committed. The War was carryed on against the Moors, chiefly by the King of Portugal, who in the Year 1183. caused the Bones of S. Vincent, to be brought from the Cape of his Name, to the Cathedral of Lisbon. He sent his Son Sancho, to the other side of Tagus, to * secure the Frontiers, and observe the Moors. Sancho being Young, and Ambitious of Ho∣nour, with a good force entred Andaluzia, and ravag'd all the Country as far as Sevil. Those People daring to come out, and give him Battle, he overthrew them, and laid Siege to Ilipa, now called Niebla, but could not take it, being forc'd to raise the Siege, upon News brought him, that the Moors had attacked Beja, on the Frontiers of Portugal. Them also he put to flight, and entred Santarem in Triumph. At the same time intelligence was brought that the Almohades, with their King Abenjacob, gather'd mighty Forces against Portugal, but they were so quick, that before it was expected they sate down before Santarem. King Alonso, tho' very Aged, and Lame, since his hurt at Badajoz, in so much that he could * not ride, having assembled all the Force of his Kingdom, marched to Santarem. He charged the Moors in the Front, and his Son Sallying out of Town upon the rear, they were easily put to flight; Great Slaughter was made. The Moorish King Mortally wounded, endeavouring to pass the River Tagus, which is there deep and rapid, was drown'd. This Victory was obtained in the Year 1184. Abenjozeph, Brother to Abenjacob, succeeded him * in the Empire of Africk and Spain.

CHAP. VII. The Death of the Kings of Leon and Portugal. Alliances betwixt the Kings of Spain. The defeat of the Christians at Alarcos. Sancho, the Wise, King of Navarre dies. Sancho the first King of Portugal. Alonso the Ninth of Leon.

THE Death of Armengaud Earl of Ʋrgel, somewhat abated the joy all Spain conceived for the Victory of the Portugueses over the Moors. He was Son of Armengaud of Castile,* Earl of Barcelona, Marryed to a Sister of the King of Aragon, and had not only great Dominions in Catalonia, and Aragon, but was also Lord of Valladolid in Castile, as being great Grandson Page  184 to Peranzules, before spoken off. This Prince to advance the Christian Cause, with his own Forces broke into the Territory of Valencia, and after some successful Exploits, was killed in an Ambush laid by the Moors, near the Town of Requena. Others will have it, that he was slain by the Castilians, but that is not so probable. He left a Son of his own Name, who in∣herited his Dominions. On the other side, the King of Navarre entred Castile, plundering * all the Country as far as Atapuerca, where the Abbot of S. Peter de Carden̄a, met him with the Standard of Roderick Diaz, Sirnam'd Cid, begging he would restore the Booty. The King not only condescended to his Request, but accompanied that Standard back to the place whence it was brought. These things hap'ned in the Year 1185. At the same time, the King of Portugal and his Son, went to Coimbra, and thence to Porto, where the Marriage be∣twixt *Teresa, the King's Daughter, and Philip, Earl of Flanders, was Celebrated; the Flem∣ings call her Maud. After the Solemnity, they return'd to Coimbra, there the King, worn out with Age and Diseases, dy'd on the 6th of December, being 91 years old. His Body, as he had ordered, was bury'd in a mean Tomb in the Church of Santa Cruz, built by him, and * thence remov'd by King Emanuel, to a stately Sepulchre of Marble. He was a Man accom∣plish'd in all manner of Virtue, the Founder, and Conqueror of the Kingdom of Portugal. His Zeal for Religion, appears by the many Churches and Monasteries he Founded, in Lisbon, Ebora, and other places. His Queen Malfada, was not inferior to him in Piety, and per∣form'd many like Acts of Christian Generosity. Spain enjoy'd Peace after the late Agree∣ment among the Christian Princes, and Death of Abenjacob, the Moorish King. Peter Ruiz de Açagra, Lord of Albarazin, was willing to assist the Christian Kings in their Wars, but would not be Subject to any of them; and therefore stiled himself the Vassal of S. Mary. The strength of his City, and the Emulation of the Kings, each striving to draw him to himself, secur'd his Possession. In the Year 1186. in January, the Kings of Castile and Aragon, meet∣ing at Agreda, by mutual consent, Banish'd out of their Dominions all the Kindred of the said *Peter de Açagra, that were of his party. No more was done at that time. At the begin∣ning of the Year following, Gaston, Viscount of Bearn, did Homage to the King of Aragon,* at Huesca, as his Predecessors had done. This Year was unfortunate for the taking of Jeru∣salem,*Baldwin, King of that City, and the Great Master of the Templers, by Saladin. In Castile, King Alonso regulated the Order of Calatrava. In the Year 1188. dy'd Frederick, King of Leon, at Benavente, having Reign'd 31 Years, and was bury'd in the Royal Chappel * at Santiago. He was judg'd more fit for War than Peace, immoderate in the desire of Ruling, but brave and generous. Martin, a Priest of Leon, at that time writ many Books, and is said to have attain'd all his Learning in a Vision, in which S. Isidorus appear'd to him, and gave him a Book to eat; whereas before he was very Ignorant.

Sancho succeeded King Alonso, of Portugal, and Alonso IX. his Father Ferdinand, in the King∣dom of Leon. Upon the Death of his Father, Alonso turn'd back, being then on his way * to Portugal, whither he was going only to shun his Mother-in-law, who accounted him a Bastard, and could not endure that he should take place of her Children. Hence arose conti∣nual Disgusts, and tho' the new King allowed her the Joynter setled by his Father; yet at last she was oblig'd to retire to Najara, where she spent the remainder of her Days. In the Mo∣nastery of S. Mary Royal, in that City, are the Tombs of that Lady, and her Brothers, D. Lope, Bishop of Segovia, and D. Martin de Haro. Alonso, King of Leon, was twice Marry'd, first with Teresa, Daughter of King Sancho of Portugal, by whom he had three Children, Sancha, Ferdinand, who dy'd young, and Dulcis; then being Divorc'd, by reason of Con∣sanguinity, he Marry'd Berengaria, Daughter to Alonso, King of Castile, his Cousin-german. Sancho the first of the Name, King of Portugal, call'd the Peopler, and the Fat, was Marry'd to Aldonça Dulcis, Sister to the King of Aragon. By her he had many Children, which were Alonso, the eldest, Ferdinand, Peter, and Henry, who dy'd young, and 5 Daughters, Teresa, Malfada, Sancha, Blanch and Berengaria. After the Death of the Queen, he had many Children by two Mistresses; by the first, call'd Johanna, he had Ʋrraca and Martin; by the other, whose Name was Mary, Teresa, Egidius, Constance and Roderick. Teresa was Marry'd to Alonso Tello, who Founded the Town of Albuquerque. Alonso, King of Castile, by one Wife, had eleven Children, whereof Blanch was the happiest, for that being Marry'd to Luis VIII. King of France, she was Mother to S. Luis. After Blanch, follow'd Berengaria, Sancho, Ʋrraca, and Ferdinand, born in the Year 1189. then Malfada and Constance, then two or three Sisters, whose Names are not known, and lastly, Ellenor and Henry, the young∣est, * who came to succeed his Father, as shall be shown in its place. The King of Castile was the greatest Potentate in Spain, and consequently, terrible to the others, which mov'd them * to joyn in a League Offensive and Defensive. They endeavour'd to draw the King of Leon into this Confederacy, but he was more inclinable to his Cousin, the King of Castile; and therefore as soon as setled in the possession of his Kingdom, he went of his own accord to Carrion, where the Cortes, or Parliament of Castile was held, in the Year 1188. There he was Knighted by the King, and kissed his Hand; a Submission misbecoming the Regal Autho∣rity. *Conrad, Son to the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who was going a Pilgrimage, and Raymund, Earl of Toulouze, were present at that Assembly, and Knighted by the King, ac∣cording to the Custom of Spain. A Match was also agreed upon, betwixt Conrade and Beren∣garia, the King's Daughter; but at last it took no effect. The Kings of Aragon and Na∣varre,Page  185 in the Month of September 1190. had a Conference at Borgia, and there concluded * a League against Castile. Afterwards Leon and Portugal, were drawn into the Confederacy at Huesca, where the Embassadors of those two Crowns met the King of Aragon. There to the former Articles, it was added, that none of those Princes should make Peace, or Truce, or declare War, without the consent of the others. The Treaty was signed in May 1191. This same Year Pope Clement III. departed this Life at Rome, and Celestin III. suc∣ceeded * him, Gonzalo Archbishop of Toledo, dy'd in August the same Year. In his time, King Alonso gave the Towns of Talamanca and Esquivias to that Church. Martin Lopez, for his extraordinary Actions, and Generosity, call'd the Great, succeeded him. This same Year the River Tagus was Frozen at Toledo, a thing very rare in that Temperate Climate.

James Lopez de Haro Lord of Biscay, the greatest among the Nobility of Castile, and Go∣vernour of Briviesca, Najara, and Soria, perswaded the King to assemble the Cortes, or Par∣liament at Carrion, in the Year 1192. for carrying on the War against the Moors. Least the Kings of Leon and Navarre, with whom Castile was at Variance, should take any advan∣tage, ** while the King was employ'd against the Infidels, a Peace was concluded with those Princes. Then Martin Archbishop of Toledo, was Ordered to Commence the War, as a prelude to what follow'd. In Aragon, the Earl of Ʋrgel, who since his Father's death, had been out of the Kingdom, upon account of the Enmity betwixt him, and Ponce de Cabrera, a Po∣werful Man, now at length came, and submitted himself to the King. Gaston Earl of Bearne, Marry'd a Daughter of Bernard Earl of Cominges, and with her had in Dower, the Lordship of Bigorre, in Feof of the King of Aragon. Berengarius Bishop of Tarragona, was kill'd on the 16th of February 1194. by Michael de Moncada, as is reported, but the cause of their Enmity is not known. On the 17th of June following dy'd at Pamplona, Sancho King of Navarre, for his * more than Ordinary Learning, Sirnamed the Wise. His Body was bury'd with great Pomp in * the Cathedral of that City. He Reign'd 43 Years, 7 Months, and 6 Days. By his Wife Sancha, Aunt to the King of Castile, he left Ferdinand, Ramiro, Berengaria, Teresa, Blanch, and the eldest of them all that succeeded him, was Sancho VIII. King of Navarre, who for the greatness of his Spirit, and Warlike actions, obtained the Title of the Strong. He was also called The Confin'd, for that towards his end he was long shut up in the Castle of Tudela, by reason of a Cancer he had, and would suffer no Body to see him. There remain many Footsteps of his Magnificence, and particularly, he turned the Channel of the River Erbo, to bring it to Tudela, and built a Bridge over it. He founded two Monasteries of Cistercians, called Fitero and Oliva, and a Church of the invocation of St. Mary at Roncesvalles, for him∣self and his Successors to be Bury'd. His Wife was Clemencia, Daughter to Raymund IV. Earl of Toulouze, by her he had Ferdinand, who dy'd before his Father, of a fall he had from his Horse in hunting, and was bury'd in the Church of S. Mary at Tudela. At the time of D. Sancho's Accession to the Crown, all Spain was under the apprehension of a Bloody War. Martin Archbishop of Toledo, had broke into Andaluzia, and made great havock, putting all the Country to fire and Sword, and no Body attempting to oppose him, returned with a rich Booty. The Moors incensed at this loss, gathered all their Forces, and Abenjoseph Mazemute Miramamolin of Africk, came into Spain with a vast Multitude of Men, for not * only the Almohades, but the Arabs and Ethiopians follow'd him. This Inundation pass'd over Sierra Morena, and incamped near Alarcos, a Town built not long before by the Christians. King Alonso was no ways daunted, but having sent to the Kings of Leon and Navarre for aid, advanced to Alarcos, and pitch'd his Camp near the Enemy, whose Multitude fill'd all those Hills and Plains. Some advised to wait the coming of the two Kings, others more hot, would not give them any share in the honour of that Action. The worst advice took place, both Armies drew out, and a Battle was fought near Alarcos, upon Wednesday the 19th of June 1195. Great Bravery was shown on both sides, but the Multitude of the Enemy prevailed, * our Army was put to flight, great Numbers slain, and among them Martin Martinez Great Master of Calatrava. Some say, Martin Archbishop of Toledo was in this fight. James de Haro, the Principal Promoter of this War, behav'd himself ill, and withdrew at the begin∣nig of the Battle to Alarcos, either despairing of success, or as some will have it, being dis∣gusted with the King, for comparing the Gentry of Andaluzia to the Nobility of Castile in Bravery. The Moors after the Victory, not only took Alarcos, but entred the Kingdom of Toledo, as far as Yevenes, which is Six Leagues from that City, and then turned back. In our days there remain only some ruins of Alarcos, and a Church of Our Lady held in great Veneration, it is supposed the Infidels destroyed that place. This misfortune was deem'd a judgment of God on the King, for that Neglecting his Wife, he was fallen in Love with a Jewish Woman, whom the Nobility in scorn caused to be killed. The King being in a rage for the loss of her, an Angel appeared to him in the same form, he had one painted, and with threats oblig'd him to give over that fondness. In the Church of Illescas, on the right hand of the High-Altar, is a Chapel called the Angel, with an Inscription signifying that to be the place, where the Angel appear'd to King Alonso the Good, so he is stiled. The Kings of Leon and Navarre, hearing of the disaster befallen at Alarcos, drew back their Forces. He of Leon, visited King Alonso, but he of Navarre, returned without so much as Saluting him, which affront the King of Castile highly resented, and resolved to take revenge, not only of the Moors, but of the Navarrois.

CHAP. VIII. King Alonso of Aragon dies, and his Son Peter succeeds him. The King of Leon divorc'd. Castilians and Aragonians over-run Navarre. Alonso King of Castile's two Daughters Marry'd to the Kings of England and Leon. Plague and Famine in Spain.

THE following Year being, 1196. dyed King Alonso of Aragon, the second of the Spanish* Kings in Power, in Valour inferior to none. He breath'd his last at Perpignan, at a * time his Kingdom enjoy'd Plenty and Peace. His Son Peter succeeded him, and was the se∣cond of the Name. To Alonso he left Provence and its Dependencies, to Ferdinand the Mona∣stery of Poblete of Cistercians, founded by his Father, and finished by himself, betwixt Tar∣ragona and Lerida. His three Daughters, Constance, Ellenor, and Dulcis, were appointed to succeed in the Throne, in case their Brothers dy'd without Heirs. This Year was also un∣fortunate for Plague and Famine, which raged most in Catalonia. The Moorish King also made an incursion, took Caceres and Plasencia, destroyed the Country of Talavera, but could not enter the Town, and demolished Santolalla and Escalona. Toledo was ten Days Besieged. In the Year ensuing which was 1197. there were great revolutions in Catalonia, the People being divided in Factions, some followed Armengaud Earl of Ʋrgel, other Roger Earl of Faux,* who prevailed and subdued the other Party. Abenjoseph the Moor flushed with succeess marched again to Toledo, but despairing of taking that City, ravaged all the Country about Madrid and Alcala, then turning off to the left, did the same about Ocan̄a, Ʋcles, Huete, and Cuenca. King Alonso not able of himself to withstand so great a Power, thought of Foreign aids, there was no hopes in Leon and Navarre, who at the same time wasted his Domi∣nions, the one entred at Soria, the other the Country of Campos. No hopes remained, ex∣cept Peter called the Catholick King of Aragon, who readily condescended and they joyn'd their Forces. It was resolved first to take revenge on the King of Leon, from whom were easily taken the Towns of Bolanos, Castroverde, Valencia and Carpio. Navarre was designed to suffer next, but it was not effected, for that Abenjoseph prepared again to invade Castile, however the Christians again, in the Year 1198 turned their fury against Leon, ravaged all the Ter∣ritory ** of Salamanca, and took Alva and Monterey, with other lesser places. Such was the blind Passion of the two Kings, that to be at leasure to invade Navarre, they concluded a Truce for ten Years, with the Moor Abenjoseph. At this time Sancho King of Portugal, was busie re∣pairing many Towns as Valencia de Min̄o, Montemor O Novo, Vallelas, Penamacor, Sorrella, Penella, and others, which he gave some to the Knights of Santiago, some to those of Avis, who then first began to be known. With the assistance of a Fleet of English, French and Flemmings, he took the City Silves, near Cape S. Vincent. His Brother-in-Law Philip Earl of Flanders, sent 27 Ships, and a good Body of choice Soldiers. Authors do not agree about the time of this Action, some say it was the Year 1199. others 10 Years before. Many Pro∣digies * seen about this time, Terrfied all Men, especially the Vulgar, who are more Supersti∣tious. In Portugal there was a raging Plague and Famine at once, which the Commonalty * attributed to Gods Vengeance, for that Alonso King of Leon, and Teresa Princess of Portugal, were not divorc'd, as the Pope had expresly Commanded, by reason of their Consanguinity, so that Portugal was under an interdict, and all Persons who opposed that Separation Excom∣municated. To add to these misfortunes, the City Silves was recover'd by Abenjoseph the Moor.

At length in the Year 1200. the King of Leon was divorced, and immediately began to treat of Marrying Berengaria, Daughter to King Alonso of Castile, with whom he had as near ** Kindred as with the former; but state Policy bears down Conscience and Religion. It ap∣pears by an Epistle of Pope Innocent III. to the Archbishop of Compostella, that he refus'd to give a Dispensation for this Marriage. Alonso King of Castile, ardently desired to be reveng'd of Navarre, but the King of Aragon could not join him presently, as had been agreed, being then at variance with his Mother Queen Sancha, of whom he was suspicious, and therefore seiz'd upon her jointer Lands. The two Kings met at Hariza, and there matters were ad∣justed betwixt the Aragonian and his Mother. Peter Ruiz de Açagra, Lord of Albarazin, be∣ing reconcil'd to both Kings, was at this Congress; and here was concluded a stricter Alli∣ance on the 30th of November. This same Year, according to our Historians. Richard King of England Married Berengaria the Daughter of Sancho King of Navarre. English Authors say it was a Year sooner, and that he dy'd this same Year. King Alonso of Castile, by the benefit of the Truce with the Moors, repair'd all the places they had demolish'd; and at the same time ceas'd not to press the King of Aragon to join his Forces against Navarre, as had been agreed. At last both Armies entred Navarre. Sancho King of Navarre, despairing of any Succour from Christian Princes, and finding himself too weak to withstand so great a Power, went over into Africk, not doubting of assistance from Abenjoseph Miramamolin. He being gone, the Kings of Castile and Aragon rang'd that Country, without any opposition. Aivar, and the Country of Valderroncal, were given to the King of Aragon; he of Castile had Page  187Miranda and Insula, and lay'd Siege to Vitoria, head of the Province Alaba. The Siege grow∣ing tedious, the King left James de Haro to Command there, and went himself to the Pro∣vince of Guipuscoa in Biscay, which submitted to him; the People being offended at the Go∣vernment of the Navarrois. Vitoria was also Surrendred, and after it all the Fortresses in *Alaba. Yet they Capitulated, that the King should impose no new Laws or Governours on them, except in Vitoria and Trevin̄o, where he might place whom he pleas'd. Nothing could withstand the two Kings, the Country being altogether forsaken. A report was also spread, that King Sancho had an Incurable Cancer in one of his Legs, which proceeded from Melan∣choly for his Misfortunes. The Sea-Coasts of Biscay were now fortify'd, some Towns re∣pair'd, as S. Sebastian, Fuenterrabia, Guetaria, and Motrico; and other new ones built, which were Laredo, Santander, and St. Vincent. Mean while King Sancho having met with no suc∣cess, return'd home with shame, and found his Kingdom diminish'd on all sides. He sent sub∣missive Embassies to both the Kings, but they obtained nothing, for neither of them would part with what he had gained by the Sword, besides they had other pretensions of right to palliate their Ambition.

Whilst these things hap'ned in Spain, John King of England, being hard pressed by Philip**Augustus King of France, concluded a dishonourable Peace, by which he restored many Towns to the French, and the better to Colour this condescention gave them in the Nature of Dower, obliging the King of France, to Marry one of the Daughters of Alonso King of Castile, and Neices to John. King Alonso had Four Daughters, three of them marriageable, which were Berengaria, Ʋrraca, and Blanch. Berengaria, about the same time was Marryed to the King of Leon, the French had their choice of the other two, and pitched upon Blanch. She was Con∣tracted at Burgos, and thence convey'd to Guienne, then in the hands of the English, from whence the Nobility of France conducted her in great State, to her Husband. These things were done in the Year 1201. Much about the same time Berengaria, the King of Castile's other Daughter was Marry'd to Alonso King of Leon, at Valladolid, where the two Kings met to that purpose. Her Dower was only those Towns her Father had taken from her Husband. Alonso Earl of Provence, and William Earl of Focalquer, being at variance, the King of Aragon took a journey into France, and composed their differences. Thence he went by Sea to Rome, designing to make use of the interest of Pope Innocent III. for obtain∣ing the assistance of the Fleets of Genoa and Pisa, towards the Conquest of Majorca. The Pope received him with great Magnificence, caused him to be anointed, and himself put on his Crown, ordaining, that for the future, the Kings of Aragon should be Crown'd by the Arch∣bishop of Tarragona, as the Popes Vicar. In return, the King made his Kingdom Tributary to the Pope, which was highly resented by his Subjects.

CHAP. IX. The Marriage of the King of Aragon, and Death of some Persons of Note. Peace concluded, and Alliance between all the Christian Kings of Spain. The begin∣ning of the War with the Moors. A vast Multitude of Foreigners comes to the assistance of the Christian Kings of Spain.

KING Peter of Aragon, being returned home from Rome, incensed the Minds of his * Subjects, by imposing a Tax called Monetal, from which even the Nobility were not exempted. Pope Innocent indeavoured to make a match betwixt the King, and the Lady Ma∣ry, Daughter to Elizabeth Queen of Jerusalem, by that means to ingage him in the Holy War. Conveniency prevailed, and he Marryed the Lady Mary, Daughter and Heiress to William Lord of Montpellier, Ʋrraca, the King of Castile's Youngest Daughter, was Marry'd to Alonso, the King of Portugal's eldest Son in the Year 1206. This Year there was so great an Eclipse * of the Sun, that the Darkness lasted Six hours, as if it had been the Dead of Night. * The Floods were so great, that the River Tagus swell'd the height of a Man above the Gate of Almofala at Toledo, as the Annals of that City inform us. It is likely this Gate of Almofala was the same, is now call'd of St. Isidorus. King Alonso made Martin Archbi∣shop of Toledo, High Chancellor of Castile. No hopes being left, the King of Navarre of recovering his losses, he had a Conference with him of Castile at Guadalaxara, where a Truce was concluded for five Years, and Cautionary Towns given on both sides, for security of performance. In the Year 1208. dy'd Martin Archbishop of Toledo, Roderick Ximenes, a Navarrios succeeded him. In November departed his Life, Sancha Mother to the King of *Aragon. On the same day as the Archbishop, dy'd also Stephen Illan Governour of Toledo, who, as was said, recovered that City for the King. Also the Earl of Ʋrgel, leaving one only Daughter, who being oppress'd by Gerard de Cabrera, Son to Ponce, before mentioned, surrendred her Earldom to the King of Aragon, and put herself under his protection. Here ended the Dominion of the Heirs of the great Borello, formerly Earls of Barcèlona and Ʋrgel over that City, tho' her Father, by Will, left the half of his City of Valladolid, to Pope Page  188Innocent, that he might protect his Daughter in the remaining part, but I do not find that ever the Pope had possession of this Legacy.

The Truce with the Moors was near expiring, and great danger threatned, unless the Christian Princes would unite their Forces for the publick good. Alonzo, King of Leon, disturb∣ed the Peace, by seizing upon his Mother-in-law's Joynter-Lands. James de Haro, her Bro∣ther, opposing the King, drew upon himself the Forces of Leon and Castile, and not able to defend his own, was forc'd to fly to Navarre. Thence, he infested the Frontiers of Castile, but being defeated by the two Kings, retired to Estela, a strong Town. The four Kings of Castile, Leon, Aragon, and Navarre, met at Alfaro, and concluded a Peace. Hereupon *James de Haro, forsaken by all, fled to Valencia to the Moors. Soon after, the King of Ara∣gon entring the Kingdom of Valencia, had his Horse kill'd under him in fight, and must cer∣tainly have been taken, but that James de Haro mounted him. This made him so odious to the Infidels, that he was oblig'd to go over to Africk to clear himself before the Miramamo∣lin. Afterwards, having made his Peace with the Christian Kings, he return'd to Castile. In the Year 1209. the two Kings of Aragon and Navarre, had another meeting, in a Plain, * near a Town call'd Mallen. Here all Differences were adjusted, and the King of Navarre lent him of Aragon 20000 Daccats, for which, he was to deliver four Towns in pawn to D. Ximeno de Rada, who, if the Money was not repaid on the day appointed, was to sur∣render them up to the King of Navarre. King Alonso of Castile, hop'd to draw Succours out of France, but the Wars betwixt the French and English, hindred. Whereupon, he en∣tred Guienne, resolving to fall upon either of the two that should refuse to hearken to Peace. His labour was lost, for the enmity was irreconcileable, and the Preparations made by the Moors, oblig'd him to return into Spain. Whilst the Truce with the Moors lasted, an Univer∣sity was Founded at Palencia, at the King's charge, and by the persuasion of Roderick, Arch∣bishop of Toledo, and Professors of all Sciences brought out of France, upon promise of great Salaries. At Huelgas, near Burgos, the King also built a great Monastery for the burying of Kings, and an Hospital adjoyning to it. Constance, Sister to the King of Aragon, and Dow∣ager of Hungary, by whom she had a Son call'd Ladislaus, by persuasion of Pope Innocent III. Marry'd Frederick, King of Sicily.

The Alliances establish'd betwixt the Christian Princes fill'd all People with hopes and joy. Yet at this time the King of Leon, by command of Pope Innocent, was Divorc'd from his Queen Berengaria, upon account of Consanguinity, and she sent to her Father. Mahomet,* who had succeeded his Brother Abenjoseph, in the Empire of the Moors, made great Prepa∣rations to invade the Dominions of the Christians, who on their part, were not idle. Peter, King of Aragon, took Adamuz, and other Towns in the Kingdom of Valeneia. To the Knights Templers, he gave the Town of Tortosa for their good service perform'd in the late Wars. Ferdinand, Son to the King of Castile, entred Andaluzia, and plundred all the Coun∣try about Baeza, Anduxar and Jaen. About the same time, Mahomet, King of the Moors, call'd the Green, from the colour of his Turbant, took Salvatierra, part of the Inhabitants were put to the Sword, the rest made Slaves. It was Besieg'd in June 1210. and taken in *September. King Alonso was marching to relieve it, but at Talavera his Son Ferdinand met, * and assur'd him there was need of a greater Army to engage the Enemy. Prince Ferdinand dying in October, the following Year, put a stop to the King's further Proceedings for the present. His Body was carried from Madrid, where he dy'd, to Huelgas, and there bury'd. However, the Cortes, or Parliament, was held to furnish Supplies for the War. Embassies were sent to obtain Succours of other Princes, and the Archbishop of Toledo, to Rome, to obtain the Croisade for all that should serve in that War. On the other side, the Moors dili∣gently fortified their Frontiers, and sent for Recruits out of Africk. Alonso, King of Castile, the more to terrifie the Enemy, broke into their Territories, and took some Towns along the River Xucar. Then returning to Cuenca, met the King of Aragon there, and had assurance of Assistance from the King of Navarre, by his Embassadors. The Archbishop of Toledo, stirr'd up all sorts of People in France and Italy, to take upon them the Croisade, and suc∣ceeded * so well, that Authors affirm, there were got together 10000 Horse, and 100000 Foot of Foreigners. A great number, and scarce credible. However, by others, I find they amounted to 12000 Horse, and 50000 Foot. These Strangers were order'd to encamp in the King's Orchards, near Toledo. They began to repair thither in the Month of February, 1212. A Mutiny was raised in the City by the Soldiers and Rabble, against the Jews, and much mischief might have been done, had not the Nobility protected those unhappy People. Peter, King of Aragon, came to Toledo, and was received with great Joy; he brought with him 20000 Foot, and 3500 Horse. Sancho, King of Portugal, was prevented from coming * by Death, which overtook him at Coimbra, where he was bury'd in a mean Tomb, and thence * remov'd to a better, by King Emanuel. His Son Alonso II. of the Name, succeeded him, and had already two Sons, call'd Sancho and Alonso, by his Wife Ʋrraca. Ferdinand, Uncle to the new King, and Brother to the Deceased, had the Year before Marry'd Joanna, Countess of Flanders, Daughter and Heiress to Baldwin, Emperor of Constantinople. Nevertheless, a good Body of Men came from Portugal. King Alonso assign'd pay to all that Multitude of Souldi∣ers, and made Presents to the great Men according to their Quality. All Necessaries were provided for so great an Army, insomuch, that there were 60000 Carts only to carry the Page  189 Baggage, as Roderick the Archbishop testifies, who was an Eye-Witness, and writ all the par∣ticulars of this Expedition. Yet others say, there was that number of Beasts for carriage. They marched from Toledo, on the 21th of June. James de Haro led the Van, which consist∣ed of the Strangers. In the Center was the King of Aragon, and he of Castile brought up the Rear. The Horse amounted to 14000, the Foot not to be number'd; for all that were * of Age in Castile, were oblig'd to carry Arms. On the 3d day they came to Malagon, a Town belonging to the Moors, 14 Leagues from Toledo. The Inhabitants quitted the place, and retired to the Castle, which was taken by the Strangers, and all the Infidels put to the Sword. Calatrava on the 1st of July surrendred, and was restor'd to the Knights of that Name, from whom the Moors had taken it. All the Booty was given to the Argonians and Foreigners, many of whom not able to endure the great Heat, and want of all Necessaries, were forc'd to return home. Then the Army advanc'd to Alarcos, which Town having the foregoing Years been ruin'd by the Moors, the few Inhabitants that were left, abandon'd to the Christians. Here D. Sancho, King of Navarre, with a good Body of Men joyn'd the Army, and made amends for the Strangers that were gone. Some Castles were taken by storm. Near Salvatierra, they made a general Muster, and then mov'd to the Foot of Sierra Morena. The Moorish King being inform'd hereof, marched to Baeza, resolving by carry∣ing away all Provisions, to secure the passage of those Mountains, and chiefly, to make good the Pass of Losa, which was the only way our Army could go. If our Army advanc'd, the Moor doubted not of the Victory; if they staid, they must perish for want; if they turn'd back it was a great loss of Reputation. A Council of War being held, many were of Opini∣on to turn back, and taking a greater compass, enter Andaluzia, a plainer way. But the King of Castile would not hearken to it, believing it would make the Enemy bolder, and discourage his own Men. Therefore it was resolv'd to advance. D. Lope, Son to James de Haro, sent before by his Father with a strong Party, possess'd himself of Ferral, on the top of the Mountains, and made the Moors give back. Yet he durst not attempt the Pass of Losa, thinking it a rashness at once to encounter the Enemy in such a difficult place.

CHAP. X. The further progress of the Christian Army, which obtains a most signal Victory over the Infidels, of whom 200000 are slain, and this called the Battle of Navas de To∣losa. Many Towns taken after this Success.

ALL Multitudes are subject to violent Motions, and sudden Apprehensions, as it hap'ned * now, for the Soldiers were all ready to disperse, and shift for themselves, believing the danger equal either in advancing or retiring. God provided a Remedy in this Extremity. A Shepheard, who had long used those Mountains, and knew them throughly, (some say it was an Angel, for that after he had shown the way, he was never seen more) promised the Kings, if they would rely upon him, he would lead the whole Army thro' By-ways he well knew, to recover the tops of all those Mountains. It was not safe, wholly to trust to a Per∣son unknown, nor prudent to slight that proffer, in such an Exigency. James de Haro, and Garci Romero, were sent to view what the Shepheard said. The way seem'd to lead quite from the Enemy, so that the Moors thought they retir'd for want of Provisions. All the As∣cent was difficult and craggy, yet the Men refused no labour, being assur'd of the Victory, if once they gain'd the top of the Mountain. Their chief care was to lose no time, lest the Ene∣my should be before-hand with them. Having surmounted all difficulties, the Kings fortifi∣ed their Camp. The Enemy prepar'd for fight, and drew up their Forces in four Bodies. But the Christians tir'd with their March, would not give Battle that day, nor the next, * which so puffed up the Moors, that their King sent Advice to several parts, that within three days, he should have the three Christian Kings Prisoners, having already got them in a toil. On Munday, the 16th of July, all the Army having confess'd and receiv'd, drew out in or∣der of Battle. James de Haro led the Van. Gonzalo Nun̄ez with some Templers, and Knights of other Orders, commanded the middle Battle. In the Rear was King Alonso, the Archbishop of Toledo, and other Prelates. The Kings of Aragon and Navarre upon the Wings, he of Navarre, on the Right, and he of Aragon, on the Left. On the other side, the Moors drew up in the same manner they had done before. That part of their Camp where the King's Tent stood, was hem'd in with Chains of Iron, and guarded by the Bravest and Noblest Moors. The number of the others was so great, that they cover'd all the Hills and Plains. On both sides, the Generals encourag'd their Men, and our Bishops went thro' the Batallions, stirring up the Soldiers to gain the Indulgence granted by the Pope. This done, both Parties charged with great Resolution. No signs of Victory appear'd on either side for a long time, every Man fought with such Resolution, as if he had contended for Empire. Our main Battle engaged first, then the Navarrois and Aragonian̄s, without gaining a foot of Ground, but rather after three Charges seem'd to give way. Then King Alonso would have cast himself into the heat of the Fight, but that Roderick the Archbishop stopp'd him. Page  190 The rear, or reserve, advancing the Fight, was renewed, and those that seemed to waver before, fell on with greater fury. At length the Moors tired with sustaining the brunt all day, and not able to withstand our reserve which Power'd in fresh upon them, fled, and a mighty slaughter of them was made. 200000 are said to have been slain, half of them Horse, others * write but half the number in all. It is more wonderful that of the Christians, only 25 were kill'd, as Roderick the Archbishop then present testifies. Others affirm 115 dy'd, both small Numbers for so great an Action. The Archbishop also asserts, that tho' so great a num∣ber of Moors was slain, there was not one drop of Blood to be seen in the Field. By the advice of Zeit his Brother, the Moorish King fled without stopping, only to change Horse, till he came the same Night to Jaen. About Sun-set their Camp was entred, and plundered by the Aragonians, for the others followed the chace. All the Moorish Kings Equipage which only was preserv'd, James de Haro, equally divided betwixt the Kings of Aragon and Navarre, particularly his Tent, which was of Red and Crimson-Silk, was by King Alonso's Special Command, given to the Aragonian. For King Alonso coveting nothing but honour, freely resigned all the Booty to his Companions. It was not thought fit to have the other prey equally divided, for fear of a mutiny, but every Man was allowed to keep what he had got. Some say, that a Cross seen in the Air, contributed much towards the gaining of this Victory, but neither the Arch∣bishop who was present in his History, nor the King in his Letter to the Pope, mention a∣ny such thing. Yet all agree, that Pascualis, then a Canon of Toledo, and who carry'd the Arch∣bishops Cross before him, broke twice through the Enemies Battle with it unhurt, tho' they all aim'd at him, and many darts thrown at him, stuck on the staff of the Cross. So great a number of Lances and Darts was found, that tho' the Christians during two days they stay'd there, used no other Fewel, they could not consume them all. Fame first, and then Mes∣sengers sent on purpose, soon spread the News of this Victory through all Parts. Great was the grief it brought to the Moors, and no less the joy, it spread through all Christendom. In Memory of the Action, this King of Navarre, to the Arms of his Ancestors, which were * only a red Shield, added Chains and an Emraud in the middle, as is used to this day, in To∣ken that he was the first who broke the Chains that defended the Enemies Camp. Some will have it, that King Alonso of Castile, now took the Castle for his Arms, but it appears to have been in use long before. From this time, there are those who write, the Spaniards took the Custom of abstaining from Flesh upon Saturdays, the contrary Custom having been intro∣duced by the Goths, who doubtless Learn'd it in Greece, when they were converted. This great Victory was doubtless obtained by the Prayers of the Christians, who in all parts, and particu∣larly in Rome, the Pope himself promoting it, made Processions, and offered up their Vows to Heaven for this purpose.

Many Bishops, and a great number of Nobles, whose Names it is tedious and needless to repeat, were present at this Battle. But in fine, the Third day after the Fight, the Christi∣ans moved their Camp. They recovered Ferral, and took Bilche, Ban̄os and Tolosa, from * which last place this Action was nam'd. The Battle of Navas de Tolosa. Baeça was aban∣don'd by the Inhabitants, and entred by our Forces, which set Fire to, and burnt a number of Infidels, who thought to defend themselves in the great Mosque. Ʋbeda, the eighth Day after the Victory, was taken by assault, most of the Inhabitans put to the Sword, the rest made Slaves, which strook a Terror into the Moors, and the plunder being given to the Army, encouraged the Soldiers, almost spent with Labour. Sickness, and the badness of the Sea∣son, obliged the Kings to turn back to a more Temperate Country. On their return near Catratrava, they were met by the Duke of Austria, who brought 200 Horse to serve in that War. The King of Aragon being his Kinsman, accompany'd him back to the Borders of Spain. In recompense for his assistance, the King of Castile, restored to him of Navarre, 14 Towns he had before taken from him, and then having taken his leave of both Kings, en∣tred Toledo in Triumph. First he gave Thanks to God for this so signal Providence, and Order'd the 16th of July to be kept for ever as a Holy-Day in Memory of it, by the Name of the Triumph of the Holy-Cross. At the beginning of the following Year, the King pur∣suing his success, took from the Moors the Town of Duen̄as, which he gave to the Knights * of Calatrava, and the Castle of Eznavejor, to those of Santiago. Alcaraz, a little Town in the Mountains Mariani, seated on a rising Craggy Hill, having endured a Siege of two Months, was taken on the 22th of May, so several other places of less Note. This done, King Alonso, loaded with honour, returned to Toledo, where he was receiv'd with great joy, by Ellenor his Queen, Berengaria his Daughter, his Son Henry, and all the Inhabitants. This was a very scarce Year of Provisions, for Authors affirm, it rain'd not in the Kingdom of Toledo, for the space of Nine Months, so that the Country People were forced to abandon their lands, and go to other places for Sustenance.