told him was true, would not openly declare himself, but promis'd under-hand, to assist the King of Aragon in his Pretensions, with a great Sum of Mony. This done, Prochita returns into Italy, where he gave the Pope an account of his Negotiation, and then went into Sicily, to stir the People there to Rebel. Such was the Security of the French, and the Secrecy of the Conspirators, that nothing was discover'd. At this time dy'd Pope Nicholas, and Martin the IVth native of Tours, succeeded him. This Pope was wholly devoted to King Charles, and to oblige him, Excommunicated the Greek Emperor. Besides, he refused to Canonize Raymund of Pena∣fuerte, which the King of Aragon solicited for, pretending that nothing ought to be granted him, whilst he refused to pay the Tribute he ow'd to the Church of Rome, but instead thereof he recall'd the Grant of the Tenths of Ecclesiastical Revenues, which his Predecessors had made to King Jayme, Father to him now Reigning. What might have terrify'd the Arago∣nian, made him the more eager; and therefore he furnish'd a mighty Fleet on the Coast of Aragon, giving out, it was to go over into Africk, where two Sons of the King of Tunez, who was deposed by Conrade Lança, were at variance about the Cities of Constantina and Bugia. This was given out, but his real design was against Sicily. The Popes and King of France's Embassadors, pressing to know the intent of those Preparations, as being both con∣cern'd for King Charles, the King of Aragon in a Passion answer'd, If he thought his Shirt knew his design, he would take it off and burn it. The Grecian Emperor according to pro∣mise, sent a considerable Sum of Mony. The Conspiracy of the Sicilians was put in Execu∣tion at the holiest time of the year, to wit, on the 21st. of March, being Easter Tuesday, when the French were most secure, being wholly bent upon Sports and Pastimes. At the time when the Bells Rung to Vespers or Evensong, all the French throughout the whole Island were Massacred; and thence came the Proverb of the Sicilian Vespers. Besides, the Sicilians seiz'd upon all the Fleet provided in the Ports of that Island against the Grecian Emperor, then de∣clar'd an Enemy by the Pope. This is the most receiv'd Relation of that memorable Action. Yet others affirm, it began at Palermo, where a French Man offering to search a Woman for Arms, the People laid hold of that occasion to Rise, and kill all the French in the City, Castle and Country, without sparing either Age or Sex, insomuch that they slew such Women as they thought to be with Child by them, that none of the Race might remain. The City of Palermo was Plunder'd, as if an Enemy had entred it. All other Towns follow'd the Ex∣ample of Palermo. Only Mecina was some time quiet; because Herbertus Aurelianensis Go∣vernour of the whole Island for the French, was there, yet soon after the Mecineses expell'd the Governour and Garrison. William Porcelotte a Provençal, who was Governour of Cala∣tafimia, in the Heat of that Confusion was permitted to depart peaceably, the general opi∣nion conceiv'd of his Goodness and Modesty, protecting him. This was the event of that most famous Conspiracy of John Prochita. The Sicilians after their Fury was over, reflecting on their Danger, and resolving rather to Dye than fall again into the hands of the French, thought fit to have recourse to the Ring of Aragon for Protection. Whilst this was doing in Sicily, he was at Tortosa, with his Fleet in a readiness, and thence went over into Africk; where having plunder'd and ruin'd the Sea Coasts, on a sudden he Sail'd over to Corsica. There he was inform'd of what had been done in Sicily, and that King Charles was gone in great haste from Tuscany, and had laid Siege to Mecina, Battering it with the greatest Fury imaginable. The French acted with Rage, seeking to revenge the Slaughter of their Country-men, and the Be∣sieg'd defended themselves with such Resolution, that the Women and Children were not exempted from the Labour or Danger. Now the King of Aragon arrived at Palermo, where the more to tye him to the Interest of the Island, he was Crowned; and there his Fleet was Increas'd with the Addition of the Ships taken by the Sicilians, and provided by the French against the Grecian Emperor. Hope of speedy Relief encourag'd the Besieg'd, and King Charles was forc'd to quit the Siege, and with Shame return into Italy. The Two Kings sent one another Letters full of reproachful Language, and declar'd open War. The King of Aragon expected Supplies from Spain, King Charles from France and Marseilles. The later incamp'd with his Army near the Streight of Mecina, in sight of Sicily. King Peter had di∣stributed his Forces in Garrisons. He finding the Enemy was Strong, and that his own Re∣cruits were to come from far off, thought good to make use of Policy. King Charles was Brave, and valu'd himself much upon his Strength and Skill at all Weapons. King Peter sent him a Challenge to Fight Hand to Hand, and decide the Quarrel without the Effusion of so much Blood, as must of necessity be shed in a Battel: So say the French Historians. But the Aragonians affirm, that King Charles Challeng'd King Peter, and that Simon Leontius a Do∣minican, brought the Challenge. Certain it is, the Challenge was accepted; and they agreed to Fight with 100 Gentlemen on a side. A Dispute arising about the Place of Com∣bat, Bourdeaux was agreed upon as an indifferent Place, being then in the Hands of the King of England. They appointed the Day, and swore to the Conditions of the Combat. The Pope knowing what had been done in Sicily, charg'd the King of Aragon to desist, and not disturb the publick Peace; but he refusing to obey, on the Ninth of November was Excom∣municated. He also sent to the King of England to forbid him permitting the Battel in his Dominions, yet that avail'd not. Queen Constance by her Husband's Order went to Sicily that the Sicilians might not Revolt, she being their Natural Sovereign. She arriv'd at Me∣cina on the 22th. of April 1283. and with her, her Son Jayme, to whom his Father design'd to