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

CHAP. VIII. Troubles in Castile. The rightful Heirs to that Crown, before Prisoners in Aragon, set at liberty. Wars on that account betwixt those two Crowns. Badajoz M••tinies and is reduc'd. An Interview betwixt the Kings of France and Castile.

CAstile was at peace with the Moors, Amity being establish'd with the King of Granada, * 1.1 and a Truce with the King of Morocco. A Civil War was fear'd by all Men. These Troubles were occasion'd by the Death of D. Lope de Haro, kill'd in the Court, and even in the King's presence in this manner. D. Alvar Nun̄ez de Lara dying soon after he was reconcil'd to the King, his Competitor D. Lope de Haro return'd to Court, hoping to recover his former Fa∣vour. But no sooner was D. Alvar dead, than D. John his Brother, was rais'd to the same degree of Esteem, to the great satisfaction of the People, and no less Grief of D. Lope de Haro, who so highly resented it, as to complain to the King himself. Prince John, D. Lope's Son in Law, 〈…〉〈…〉 Incursions far as Guidad 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The King complain'd thereof to D. Lope, who had the Boldness to say 〈…〉〈…〉 by his Consent, and added, that if the King went to Valladolid, his Son in-Law would come to ••igules, a Town 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which was threatning of him. The King tho inrag'd at this Affront, diss••••••'d it at present, and going to Valladolid, spoke with D. John his Brother, ••o those Troubles ••••as'd for some time. From Valladolid the King 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Roa, thence to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then to Soria, and then set forward towards Taragona to meet the King of Aragon and treat about delivering the Two Prin∣ces his Nephews. This Meeting of the Two Kings was prevented by the Policy of D. Lope de Haro, who pass'd betwixt them, and made Proposals to each of them, which the other never thought of. His Design was by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of these two Princes to pull down King San∣cho, from whom he was wholly 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Therefore nothing being concluded, King Sancho return'd to Alfaro a Town, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉, on the Borders Beacon and Navarre. Prince John, and D. Lope de Haro came thither to attend him, without a sufficient Retinue to guard them. There were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at that 〈…〉〈…〉 Arch-Bishop at Toledo, the Bishops of Plasencia, Callahorra, Osma and Tuy, besides the 〈…〉〈…〉. Lord 〈…〉〈…〉, and the Abbot of Valladolid, all summon'd to a Council. Prince 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and D. Lope, being come into the Kings Presence, he commanded them immediately to deliver up all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they held of the King, and they excusing themselves, he order'd them to be apprehended D. Lope 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hand on his Sword and wrapping his Cloak about his Arm, call'd the King Tyrant, gave him much more * 1.2 opprobrious Language, and stepp'd forwards to kill him. All that were by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and falling

upon him, first out off his Right Hand, and soon made an end of him. Prince John after wounding some of the King's Servant, seeing his Father in Law Dead, fled to the Queen's Chamber, who stood before him to stop the King, that follow'd with his drawn Sword, and by her intreaties sav'd his life. However he was put in Prison, to stand Tryal for his Offences. It would be tedious to relate all the particulars of this Treason, and the Confusion in the Royal Family. These Heads being taken off, all Tumults ceased for the present, and the Example terrifyed others from attempting just then to Rebel. But when the Terror was somewhat abated, that Action of the King's began to be openly censur'd: The Friends and Kindred of those two great Men withdrew from Court, and many got out of the Kingdom. Thus a mighty Storm seem'd to threaten, and therefore the King, as was said, made hast to conclude the League with France. Joanna Wife to the late D. Lope de Haro, Daughter to D. Alonso, Lord of Molina, all clad in Mourning, went to see the Queen her Sister at Santo Domingo de la Calçada, where the Court then was, and prevail'd so far with her Tears; and the Queens intercession, that the King was appeased, and granted her Son should not be depriv'd of his Lord-ship of Biscay, as had been design'd, the Town of Haro and Castle of Trevin̄o being already seiz'd. Moreover the Queen promis'd her Sister, that if her Son would be quiet and submit himself to the King, he should be restor'd to his Father's Honours. The Lady Joanna, like an un∣constant Woman, thinking this proceeded from Fear, incens'd her Son against the King, and perswaded him to cast off his Allegiance and go over to Aragon. Mary, Wife to Prince John, then a Prisoner, fled to Navarre, and with her many of her Friends; but others better advis'd stay'd to see the Event of Things. Gaston Viscount of Bearne came speedily to Aragon, resol∣ving to hazard his Person and Estate in defence of his Kindred. At the Request of all these * 1.3 Nobles, the King of Aragon releas'd the Two Brothers Princes of Castile, and the more to incense King Sancho, in the Month of September at Jaca, saluted Alonso, the eldest, King of Castile and Leon. This was the Foundation of new Wars, which presently broke out between Castile and Aragon. The Commonalty of Castile were for a Change; the Gentry for the most part stood by King Sancho. He about that time went to Vitoria in the Province of Alava, and there the Queen was deliver'd of a Son, who was call'd Henry. This Journey was underta∣ken in order to meet the King of France at Bayonne, as had been agreed, and to subdue Biscay. This War prov'd more difficult than was expected, by reason of the natural Strength of the Country, want of Provisions, and the Resolution of that People. Some Hopes there had been of gaining D. James de Haro Brother to D. Lope, by the means of Ruy Perez Ponce, Master of Calatrava, and the Lord-ship of Biscay was partly offer'd him; but he chose rather to re∣tire into Aragon, resolving to stand by his Nephew. All things were disposed for a Rupture, when D. James de Haro, Son to D. Lope, dy'd very fortunately for King Sancho. His Death caus'd the Affections of his Followers to cool, and all Biscay, which till then held out, to sub∣mit to the Valour of James Lopez de Salzedo, a Man in great esteem, to whom that Affair was committed.

King Sancho having settled Biscay, and put off the Interview with the King of France, left his Brother Prince John Prisoner in the Castle of Burgos, whence he was remov'd to Curiel, and he himself being perplexed in Mind about the War with Aragon, went to Sabugal, a Town on the Frontiers of Portugal. There he concluded a League with that King, against the Aragonians, and the out-Laws of Castile, who prepar'd for War under Colour of restoring * 1.4 D. Alonso de la Cerda, who stil'd himself King of Castile, to his Grand-father's Kingdom. These Things concluded, King Sancho March'd with all the Forces he could gather to meet the Aragonians at Almaçan. The Two Armies met in the Month of April 1289, but nothing remarkable was done. Only Moron was taken by the Aragonians, and Almaçan Besieg'd. On the other side, King Sancho entring the Frontiers of Aragon, destroy'd all the open Country, and burnt many Towns. D. James Lopez de Haro in the same manner, wasted all the Territory of Cuenca and Huete, and defeated a Party of the Enemy near Pajaron, killing Redorick de Sotomayor, Commander of the Castilians. D. James sent the Colours taken, to the City Tiruel. One Misfortune still follow'd upon the Neck of another, and the Innocent Peo∣ple suffer'd for these Quarrels of the great Ones. Most Cities sided with King Sancho, but at Badajoz there happen'd a great Tumult. That City of old, was divided into Two Factions, * 1.5 the Bejarani, and the Portugueses. The Bejarani being expell'd the City by their Enemies, ap∣ply'd themselves to the King for Redress, he order'd they should be restor'd, but the Por∣tugueses obey'd not. Hereupon the Bejarani having gather'd a good Force, kill'd many of their Adversaries, and forc'd the rest to quit the Place. This done, they fortify'd them∣selves in the upper Part of the City, and proclaim'd D. Alonso de la Cerda King. King San∣cho highly offended hereat, laid Siege to the Town, which presently surrender'd, having Articled only for Life. Contrary to Agreement, 4000 Men and Women were put to the Sword. The same happen'd to Talavera, a considerable Town in the Kingdom of Toldo, upon the same Account, 400 of the principal Inhabitants were publickly Quarter'd at the Gate, which for that Reason, was ever since call'd the Gate of Quarters. This the Inhabi∣tants * 1.6 have by Tradition, tho no Author makes mention of it. These Two Towns serv'd for * 1.7 an Example to all others. The following Year 1290, it was again agreed the Kings of France and Castile should meet. They both accordingly came on the Day appointed, to Bay∣onne. The chief Points agreed upon at this Interview were, That the King of France

should desist giving any farther Protection to the two Princes of Castile, That he should re∣nounce all Claim and Title to that Crown, as Great Grandson to Queen Blanch. And that both Kings should make War upon Aragon. At the same time Tolosa, Segura, and Villafranca, which began to be Rebuilt in Biscay, in the time of King Alonso, were now finish'd by King Sancho, as appears by publick Instruments sign'd at Vitoria and Valladolid, whither the King went from Bayonne. The King of Aragon finding himself too weak to make Head against France, Castile, and Italy, inclin'd to Peace, notwithstanding Charles King of Naples did not perform his Promise, at which the King of England, who had procur'd his Liberty, was highly of∣fended. All Parties had recourse to the Pope, laying their Case before him. He answer'd he would send Legates, who having heard them all, should endeavour to reconcile these Dif∣ferences. Benedict Colona, and Gerard de Parma, two Cardinals, were sent into France to this Purpose. Mean while Charles King of Naples, and the King of Aragon, upon Security given on both Sides, met at Junquera, a Town in Catalonia. There they concluded a Truce for some Months, whilst the Cardinals could settle a Peace, which both earnestly desir'd; King Charles that he might recover Sicily, and the Aragonian to take off that long Interdict, under which his Kingdom lay, and put an end to the War with France, that he might be at Leisure to bend his Force against Castile.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Seeds of discord in Castile.
• * 1.2

  D. Lope de Haro kill'd at Court.
• * 1.3

  The right∣ful Princes of Castile released.
• * 1.4

  War be∣twixt Ca∣stile and Aragon.
• * 1.5

  Mutiny at Badajoz.
• * 1.6

  1290
• * 1.7

  Interview of the Kings of France and Castile.