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 VI. The King of Aragon conquers Majorca, and all its Dominions. Great Troubles in Ara∣gon. The Rebels suppress'd. An Ʋniversal Plague. The Knights of Calatrava at Variance, at length reconcil'd.

DUring the time of the War in Andaluzia, the King of Majorca was depriv'd of his King∣dom, * 1.1 by Peter the Ceremonious, King of Aragon, who ought chiefly to have protected him. The City Montpellier in France, was subject to the Kings of Majorca, for which place the Kings of France pretended the others ought to do them Homage, they having bought it of the Bishops of Magalone, to whom of right it belong'd; but those Kings refusing, the French by force made themselves Masters of many Towns, subject to Montpellier, and put Garrisons into them. The King of Majorca being a Dependant on the Crown of Aragon, begg'd assi∣stance of that King. The Aragonian cunningly temporiz'd with the King of France, and gave the other nothing but good Words. At length they met, and the Aragonian promis'd to aid his Kinsman, in case the King of France should refuse to put the Difference between them to Judgment. Embassadors were sent on this Message; but this was only to gain time, or mean while the King of Majorca was charg'd with many Crimes, whether true or false, is not known, but such as serv'd for a pretence to deprive him of his Crown. The Pope and Queen of Naples labour'd in vain to compose these Differences; the Mallorquines wasted with heavy Taxes, were willing to change their Master. At length the War broke out, Peter Moncada the Admiral was call'd from the Siege of Algezira, and a Fleet of 116 Sail fitted out. The King of Aragon landed in Majorca, where the Islanders had assembled 300 Horse, and 15000 Foot, but all Raw undisciplin'd Souldiers. They were easily overthrown, and their King fled to the City Poncia, and thence, desparing of better Fortune, over to the Continent. Those People being before well affected to the Aragonian, soon took the Oath of Fidelity to him, and he return'd to Barcelona, leaving Arnaldus de Eril, Viceroy of the Islands. Russillon and Cerdagne on the Borders of Spain were Infested, and some Towns there taken, belong∣ing to the King of Majorca. A Cardinal was now sent by the Pope as his Legate, to reconcile these Kings; his coming, the approach of Winter, and want of Engines to batter Walls, made the War cease for sometime, but his Embassy took no further Effect. In the Month of April 1344, the War was renew'd with more Fury than at first, all the open Country destroy'd, and the places of Strength taken. Some perswaded the King of Majorca to put himself into * 1.2 the Power of the Aragonian. Others more fierce, said it was better to dye than trust him. Nothing was left the King of Majorca but the Town of Perpignan, therefore he sent by D. * 1.3 Peter de Exerica to acquaint the King of Aragon he would put himself into his Power, upon promise of Life and Liberty. Having receiv'd that Promise in July, he came from Perpig∣nan to Elna, where the Camp of Aragon then was. Being come before the King of Aragon he kiss'd his Hand, and with Submissive Words begg'd pardon. The Aragonian receiv'd him with feign'd Friendship, and promis Forgiveness, but his Actions were not answerable to his Words. Soon after in an Assembly of Nobility at Barcelona, he depriv'd him of the re∣gal Title, and asign'd him some Estate to live upon. Finding himself deceiv'd, the King of Majorca fled into France, designing to renew the War, and seeing there was little help in the Pope, cast himself wholly upon the King of France, to whom he sold the Lordship of Montpellier for 100000 Crowns in Gold. The War was again Commenc'd in the Island, Cerdagne and Russillon, which prov'd fatal to him, for he was 5 years after overthrown and kill'd in a Battle in Majorca by the Aragonians. His Body was deposited in Valencia, his Sons and Nephews liv'd Poor and in Bannishment. The same year that Algezira was taken, and the King of Majorca depos'd, there was a mighty Earthquake at Lisbon, which shook all the * 1.4 Buildings, and threw down the Steeple of the Cathedral, and was look'd upon as an Omen of ensuing Misfortunes. Constance the Daughter of D. John Manuel, and Wife of Prince Pe∣ter of Portugal, dy'd in the year 1345. Her Death was the less grievous to him because he * 1.5 was in Love with the Lady Agnes de Castro, and kept her in as great State as his Wife. The Lady Constance left two Sons, Ferdinand and Mary.

After the War with the Moors was ended, the King of Castile labour'd to punnish the Disorders that had happen'd in that turbulent Time, and to perswade the Kingdom of To∣ledo and Andaluzia, to grant him the same Duty on Merchandize, as Burgos and Leon had done. In Aragon new Troubles began to break out, for the King endeavour'd by all * 1.6 means to increase the Grandeur of the Crown by recalling many Grants of his Predecessors, and oblig'd his Brother D. Jayme to quit the place of Vicar General of the Kingdom. In the year 1346, dy'd the Queen of Aragon, a most virtuous Lady. She was bury'd at Valen∣cia. * 1.7 To the intent the King might have Issue male, a Match was presently propos'd with the Lady Eillenor, Daughter to the King of Portugal. Ferdinand the Aragonian's Brother thought to marry that Lady, but the King prevail'd, chiefly by the assistance of D. John Manuel, whose Son Ferdinand marry'd Joanna cousin German to the King of Aragon. The Nobility and Commous of Aragon rebell'd upon pretence that Wrong had been done to D. Jayme the King's Brother, and that several publick Acts were made in the Name of the Lady

Constance, as Heiress of the Crown. Ximeno de Ʋrrea, Peter Coronel, Blase de Alagon, and D. Lope de Luna were appointed Conservators of the Liberties of the People. D. Jayme Earl of Ʋrgel, was ch••••en for their chief. His Brothers Ferdinand and John were call'd out of Castile. The King assembl'd the Cortes at Zaragoça, and to please th•• ••eople, restor'd the Vicarship to his Brother D. Jayme, and declar'd him heir of the Crown. Thus all People were pleas'd, but D. Jayme soon dying, their Joy expir'd. The King went to Barcelo••••, whither he had order'd his Queen to be conducted from Portugal, and here it was the Earl of Ʋrgel dy'd, * 1.8 about the end of the Year 1347. His Brothers Ferdinand and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••aded the Mutin••ers, being assisted by the King of Castile with 800 Horse. The King of Aragon was marry'd * 1.9 without any Pomp, by reason of the publick Sorrow, for the death of D. Jayme, as also be∣cause of the Troubles of the Kingdom. The Two Brothers Ferdinand and John, who had been in Castile, to consult with their Mother and the King their Uncle, headed the Rebels, being assisted with 800 Horse from Castile. Ferdinand went 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Valencia, and John, to Zaragoça. Their Mother resided at Cuenca and Requena.

Fernan Perez Portocarrero was sent from Castile, and Mun̄on Lopez de Tauste from Aragon, to reconcile the Brothers of that Crown, and procure that no Aid might be given to the Rebels. Alvar Garcia de Albornoz, was allow'd to raise 600 Horse in Castile, to serve the King of Aragon, who put himself into the Hands of the Rebels, at Valencia. Here the People Mutinying, assaulted the Palace, and the King was forc'd to ride out among them, and grant that D. Ferdinand should be Vicar of the Kingdom, and Heir to the Crown, ex∣cluding the King's Daughters. After the King's departure D. Lope de Luna who was recon∣cil'd to the King, was very severe towards 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Conspirator. He encamp'd about Daroca. Prince Ferdinand march'd against him with 15000 Horse and Foo••; they came to a Battle in which the Rebels were routed, 〈…〉〈…〉 Prince Ferdinand himself taken; but Alvar Garcia de Albornoz who was intrusted to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, suffer'd him to make his escape into Castile. The King to reward D. Lope, created him Earl of Luna; a thing not much us'd in Aragon. After this Victory all submitted to the King. Yet Prince Ferdinand was again declar'd Heir, and the Power of the High Justice of Aragon was increas'd, that the King might not oppress the People. This in Aragon in the Year 1348. This Year a * 1.10 destructive. Plague spread it self first in the East, then into Italy, Sicily, Majorca, and * 1.11 Spain; where no City escap'd it, and the Mortality was so great, that only in the City Za∣ragoça in October 100 dyed in one day. The infection was so great, that nobody would look to the Sick, or bury the Dead. Ellenor the new Queen of Aragon dy'd about this time at Ex∣erica, whither the King retir'd for fear of the Plague. The King having overcome the Re∣bels of Valencia, made severe Examples of them to terrify others.

The Knights of Calatrava, of Castile and Aragon were at Variance, and had chosen Two * 1.12 Masters, one at Calatrava, the other at Alcanizes. Garci Lopez, who was Master of the Or∣der, 20 Years before this time, being accus'd of nations Crimes, and summon'd to appear before the King of Castile, to answer for himself, fled to Aragon and Garci Lopez protected by the King of Aragon resided at Alcanices, a Town belonging to the Order, and there sup∣ported his Authority; tho condemn'd as a Rebel, by the King of Castile and depos'd from his Mastership, yet he exercis'd that Power. John Nun̄ez de Prado, who was reported to be Bastard Son to the Lady Blanch, Aunt to the King of Portugal and Abbess, of the Monastrey of Huelgas, was chosen in his place. The ••••stercian Abbots confirm'd this Election, yet the Ara∣gonians would not admit of it, but Garci Lopez dying, made choice of Alonso Perez de Toro, and he was confirm'd by Arnoldus, Abbot of Morimonte in France. It was often indeavour'd to reconcile the ••••ights, but could never be effected till now; Alonso Perez dying, they of Alcanizes Elected John Rodrigues. Before this last Election was confirm'd the Kings of Castile and Aragon, caus'd the Two Masters of the Order to meet at Zarago••a, where their Case be∣ing refer'd to the King of Aragon, he gave Uudgment in favour of Castile, and John Rodriguez was depos'd, but had the chief Commend•••••• of Alcanicez given him, with Jurisdiction over all the Knights of that Kingdom, during by Life. At this time Luis Earl of Clermont, Son to D. Alonso de la Cerda, call'd the Disinherited, was fitting out a Fleet in Catalonia, the Pope ha∣ving two Years before given him the Conquest of the Canary, or Fortunate Islands, with the * 1.13 Title of King of them; upon condition he should cause the Gospel to be preached to the Bar∣barous Inhabitants. These Islands lie in the great Atlantick Ocean, westward of Africk. They are 7 in Number, and in the Latitude of 27 Degrees North. The 〈…〉〈…〉 called Ganaria, whence the others take Name. They are very fruitful, but were once almost destroy'd by Rabbits, which carry'd from the Continent increas'd beyond measure. The Island call'd Hi∣erro, has no other Water than what Distils from the Leaves of one Tree▪ D. Luis by reason of the Wars in France, and the loss of the Battle o•• Cressy, in which Philip of France was defeated by the English, never went forward with this Conquest. About 50 Years after this time the Biscainers and Andaluzians set out a Fleet to plunder these Islands, and having brought a great Booty from that call'd Lançarote, the Kings of Spain had a desire to conquer them, but were diverted by other things. Some Years after John Betancour a French-man, with per∣mission of Henry the IIId. of Castile, undertook▪ the Conquest, upon Condition he should hold them off the Crown of Castile. He subdu'd the 5 lesser Islands, but could not conquer the two greater. A Bishop call'd Mendo was sent thither. •• Menaut•• Heir to Betancou•• and this Bi∣shop

were at Daggers draw, the former regarding nothing but his Interest, and the latter not enduring to see the Poor Islanders oppress'd. The King of Castile hearing of these Disorders, sent one Peter Ba•••••• who possess'd himself of the Islands, and sold them to a Gen∣tleman call'd Por••ca, from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had them, and stil'd himself King of Canaria. But not being able to conquer Grand Canaria, he sold four of the Islands to the Catholick King Fer∣dinand, and retained Gomera, stiling himself Earl of it. King Ferdinand conquer'd and annex'd all those Islands to the Crown of Castile. Let us return to Spain. In the Year 1349 the Lady Ell••nor el∣dest Sister ••o Lu•••• King 〈…〉〈…〉▪ was marry'd to the King of Aragon, with great Pomp, at Valencia. * 1.14

Notes

• * 1.1

  Majorca subdued by the A∣ragonians.
• * 1.2

  1344.
• * 1.3

  The K. of Majorca delivers himself to him of A∣ragon.
• * 1.4

  Earth∣quake at Lisbon.
• * 1.5

  1345.
• * 1.6

  Troubles in Ara∣gon.
• * 1.7

  1346.
• * 1.8

  1347
• * 1.9

  K. Peter the IV. of Aragon marry'd.
• * 1.10

  1348
• * 1.11

  Universal Plague.
• * 1.12

  Dissention among the Knights of Calatrava.
• * 1.13

  Canary Islands.
• * 1.14

  1349