Fight. When success is beyond expectation, Men are apt to attribute it to Miracle. It is al∣so said, an Image of Our Lady was found under the Bell in the Castle, to which the Neigh∣bouring People erected a Church. This Battle was fought in the Month of August of the Year 1237. King Jaime hearing of the Victory, and being informed, tho' it proved a false report, that the Moors were returning with a greater force, he with more Courage than discretion, having in his Company only 130 Horse, advanced beyond Poyo and Monviedro. There a strong Squadron of Moorish Horse met him, under the Command of D. Artal de Ala∣gon, Son to D. Blasco, then in Banishment. The danger was great, but the King's good For∣tune, and above all God's Special Providence brought him off, for the Moors marched off an∣other way, without offering to charge the Christians. It was very dangerous, and expensive to keep the Castle of Poyo, which lay near Valencia, and far from Aragon, but chiefly for that Bernard William the King's Unkle, who Commanded there was dead, which was the cause that the King set out from Zaragoça, where he had passed the Winter, and exposed himself to that danger. He bestow'd on William Entença, Son to the deceased, all the honours and places of Trust his Father had possessed, which were justly due to him, for that Gentlemans good Service. Berengarius Entença, was made Governour of the Castle, notwithstanding the most were for abandoning of it, yet the King would not consent, because it stood oppor∣tunely to forward the taking of Valencia. Understanding the Soldiers designed to make their escape thence, and forsake it, he gathered them in the Chapel of the Castle, and there upon the Altar, took an Oath Solemnly, that he would never return home without being Master of Valencia. This his Resolution so encourag'd the Soldiers, that they willingly stayed there, and so dismay'd the Infidels, that their King Zaen sent to sue for Peace, offering to deliver up several Forts, and pay a considerable Yearly Tibute. Yet the King, contrary to the advice of most Men, refused these conditions, not doubting of the Conquest of that City. He was the more incouraged, for that Almenara, Betera, Bulla, and other places were surrended to him. With the King at this time, there were only 1000 Foot and 360 Horse, a small force for so great an undertaking. With this handful, he durst pass the River Guadalaviar, and lay Siege to that great and populous City. He intrenched himself in the Mid way, between Valen∣cia and the Grao, which is the shore so called, for that it rises as it were by Steps, a Mile distant from each place. Valencia is seated in that part of Spain formerly called Tarraconensis, in the Territory of the Edetany. The Country about it is Fruitful and pleasant, but is sup∣plyed with Corn from abroad. It was furnished with good Soldiers, rich in Merchandize, and so pleasant, it neither felt the sharpness of Winter, nor extream Heat of the Summer. Its Buildings are stately, its Gardens and Orchards replenished with all variety of Trees, in some places cut in various shapes, in others, so intermixing and intangling their boughs, they make a continued Arbour, always Green and Pleasant. Such were the Elysian Fields, feign'd by the Poets. Such the beauty of this City, which may compare with the pleasantest in Europe. On the left side it is Watered by River Guadalaviar, which runs between the Wall and the Royal Palace, and on the East joins to the City by a Bridge. Many small Chanels are drawn from this River to Water the Orchards. Three Miles off, near the Sea, is Albufera, a place not very wholesome, but where great plenty of fish is taken. At that time the Walls of the Town were round, containing 1000 paces in Circumference, and had Four Gates. The first called Boatelana towards the South East; the second Baldina towards the North; the third Templaria (so called of a Church Built there by the Templers) towards the East; the fourth Xaraena, betwixt which and Boatelana, the King incamped, that being the best place for Battery, by reason of a sort of Angle the Wall made there. Great dili∣gence was used by the Christians, in fixing their Engines for Battery. King Zaen, the first day before they could intrench, drew out to give Battle, but the Christians would not be drawn to Fight, because their Number was yet small, and supplies came in daily to them. Many Prelates and other Persons of note were at the Siege. A Body of Frenchmen, came un∣der the Command of Aymilius Bishop of Narbonne, also succours out of England, drawn by the Fame of the enterprize. In several Skirmishes the Enemies were worsted, which made them more cautious how they Sally'd. The Christians lodging themselves under the Walls, in Three several places, lay'd open, as much of them as for one Man to pass. Mean while the Besieged were not idle. Peter Rodriguez de Açagra and Ximeno de Ʋrrea, at the same time took the Town of Cilla, on the other side of Valentia. Yet the Moors gain'd Courage at the Arrival of the King of Tunez, his Fleet consisting of 18 Ships and Gallies. This availed them nothing, for the Africans understanding a Fleet was furnishing against them at Tortosa, sailed away without relieving the City, or taking Pen̄iscola on that Coast as they had de∣signed. Now the Besieged began to dismay, not only for this disappointment, but also be∣cause Provisions began to grow scarce, and they feared greater want. On the contary, the Christian Camp was full of hopes, and had plenty of all things, notwithstanding they were so increased, that now they amounted to 60000 Foot, and 1000 Horse. The King gave great demonstrations, as well of his Valour as Conduct, and acted the part not only of a General, but of a Soldier upon occasion, insomuch, that approaching too near the Wall, he was wounded with a dart in the forehead. For five days he could not go abroad. On the 13th of June, this Year 1238. he received Embassadors in the Camp from the Pope, and Ci∣ties of Lombardy, offering to put themselves into his hands, if he would assist them against the