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. V. John the Bastard, Master of Avis proclaim'd King of Portugal. King John of Castile sends his Fleet, then enters Portugal himself with an Army. The famous Battle of Aljubarrota, and rout of the Castilians.

AT the beginning of the Year 1385, the King of Castile was employ'd in raising Land-Forces, * 1.1 and had fitted a Fleet of 12 Galleys, and 20 Ships. Yet all things went on slowly, because he fell Sick, and was in Danger of Death, yet as soon as recover'd he for∣warded all Preparations. News was brought that the Garrison of Santarem had taken the Master of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Grand Prior of S. John, but this prov'd False, and the Joy conceiv'd * 1.2 was turn into Sorrow, for it was certainly known that the Portugueses in Coimbra had pro∣claim'd the Master of Avis King, which was engaging themselves so far, that there was no way to go back again. The chief of the Rebels in that City had consulted together, and agreed it was absolutely Necessary to choose them a Head, and that for the greater Autho∣rity he ought to be declar'd King. Some thought this too bold an Attempt, and were against excluding Queen Beatrix, whose Right it was, or so far Provoking the Anger of Ca∣stile. Others favour'd Prince John, tho then a Prisoner at Toledo, but this was wholly re∣jected, he being in no Condition to assist them. Therefore they all voted for the Master of Avis who was present, and proclaim'd him King on the 5th of April, at the Monastery of St. Francis in Coimbra, where that Consultation was held. All that were present, even those that had before oppos'd it kiss'd his Hand, and did Homage to him to express their Zeal. Prophesies were then invented to justify their Choice, and they gave out, that at the begin∣ning of these Troubles, a Child in the Cradle had three Times with a loud Voice cry'd out, D. John King of Portugal. Which they attributed to the Master of Avis, for Men are apt to fancy every thing as they would have it. From that Day the Portugueses despairing of Par∣don, became more resolute and bold. The Province between the Rivers, Duero and Min̄o, soon declar'd for the new King. This Joy was somewhat abated by the Arrival of the Fleet of Castile, on the Coast of Portugal, which meeting no body to oppose it ravag'd all the Sea * 1.3 Coasts. The King of Castile was at Cordova, and thence at the beginning of Summer sent his Queen to Avila, since she could be no longer useful, her Subjects having wholly cast her off. About the beginning of July D. Peter Tenorio, Archbishop of Toledo made an Incursion in∣to the Country of Viseo, destroying all the Country, and sparing neither Sex nor Age, but at their Return they were met with and overthrown by the Portugueses. Many other En∣counters happen'd with various Success, but all prov'd ruinous to the Natives, for both Parties liv'd at Discretion. The Army of Castile randevouz'd at Guidad Rodrigo, when the Summer was well advanc'd. Only Prince Charles, Son to the King of Navarre, was expect∣ed with a good Body of Men. A Council of War being held, the wiser sort were against Fighting, and only for wasting the Country, and wearying out the Rebels: But their Opi∣nion prevail'd, who being young were hottest, and magnify'd the Strength of Castile, des∣pising the Enemy, as a raw and undisciplined Rabble, and therefore were for putting an end speedily to the War. This advice the King follow'd, tho the other was the safest. The Castilians were overseen in many things, and they ought at least to have expected the Suc∣cours that the Prince of Navarre was to bring. Having fix'd this Resolution they enter'd that part of Portugal call'd Be••ra, and took Cillorico. Thence they advanc'd and burnt the Suburbs of Coimbra, and attempted to take Leyria, which held for Queen Ellenor. During the Siege of Cillorico, the King being unhealthy, and considering the Danger of the War, made his Will upon the 21st of July. In it he ordain'd that the Lordships of Biscay and Mo∣lina his Mother's Inheritance should for ever be annex'd to the Crown, and belong to the eldest Sons of the Kings of Castile. He appointed 6 Tutors for his Son and Heir Henry, and 12 Governours of the Kingdom during his Minority. The Queen his Mother in Law, the * 1.4 Princes John and Denis of Portugal, the Children of King Peter, and Son of D. Ferdinand de Castre, who were all Prisoners in Castile, he order'd should have Justice done them. The Shortness of his Life gave not Leasure to make it known, whether he design'd to put to Death or release them. Many other things he ordained in his Will, which being made with∣out Deliberation was the Cause of many Troubles and Confusions. The Portugues Army was advanc'd to Tomar with a Resolution to try their Fortune. The Castilians march'd to meet them. They discover'd one another about the Mid-way, and there Intrench'd them∣selves.

The Portugueses were in a narrow Place, having a Plain on the Front, and deep Morasses on each side, which secur'd their Flanks, they were 2200 Horse, and 10000 Foot. The Castilians being much more Numerous encamp'd in an open Plain about a League and * 1.5 half from them, and being confident of their Strength, advanc'd and offer'd Battol on the Eve of the Assumption. The King of Castile led the main Battel, and some of the Nobles the Wings, which in the time of need were useless by season of the Streightness of the Ground. D. Gonzalo Nun̄ez de Guzman, with a Body of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was order'd through. By ways to fall upon the Enemies Rear, that none might escape being taken or kill'd. The Portugueses kept their Ground because it was advantagious, and drew their Army into two Bodies. Nun̄o Alvarez Pereyra created Constable by the new King, led the Van, the main Body the King himself headed. Both Parties advanc'd somewhat, but the Portugueses not above a Stones throw, to avoid coming out to the Plain. Then the new Constable demanded a Conference, at it were to make some Overtures of Peace, but tho some Men of Note were sent to him they only spent time in fruitless Debates. Mean while the Castilian Commanders consulted whether it were better to give Battel or delay it till the next Day. The more prudent were against attacking the Enemy in that advantagious Post, but the younger sort thought they had got them in a Pound whence none could escape. John de Rio the French Embassador be∣ing ask'd his Opinion, earnestly disswaded giving Battel, and the King was inclinable to take his Advice, when some young Noblemen without expecting the Signal furiously charg'd the Enemy, then the others rather than leave them in the Danger advanc'd. First the Darts and Arrows flew, then they came to their Swords, and the Horse and Foot fought desperately mixt without any Order. Every Man stood his Ground, resolving to kill or be kill'd. The King of Castile by reason of his Indisposition was carry'd about upon Mens Shoulders, and thence encourag'd his Men. The first Body of the Enemy began to give way and was ready to fly, when their new King advanc'd with his Party, loudly calling upon the Souldiers and encouraging them. Thus animated they rally'd, and the Fortune of the Day was soon * 1.6 chang'd. The Castilian Commanders were slain in their King's sight, without turning their Backs, and great Numbers of Souldiers were Slaughter'd being depriv'd of their Officers. The King fearing to fall into the Enemy's Hands mounted on Horseback and fled, the rest follow'd his Example. 10000 Men were slain, and among them many of great Quality, as two Cousin Germans of the King, the Lieutenant of Castile, the Admiral, a Marshal de Camp, and the French Embassador. Night which came on soon after the Fight, sav'd ••any. Some of these joyned the Body commanded by the Master of Alcantara, which notwithstanding the Rout held together. Others went to meet Charles, Son to the King of Navarre; who had enter'd Portugal another way, but came too late for the Fight. The greatest Numour having lost their Arms fled into Castile. It was no cheap Victory to the Portuguesess, there are those who write they lost 2000 Men. The King of Castile, Fear being more prodominant than his Weakness, travell'd all Night, without stopping till he came to Santarem, which was 11 Leagues distant. Thence he went down the River Tagus in a Boat, and getting aboard his Fleet which lay before Lisbon, sail'd away for Sevil. Thither he came cover'd with Mourn∣ing which he wore some Years. That City receiv'd him with Joy and Tears mixt, lament∣ing that great Loss, but glad their King had escap'd the Danger. This is the memorable Fight in which the Portugueses Triumph'd over the Power of Castile, and was call'd of Alju∣barrota, because fought near the Village of that Name a Place only Famous for this Over∣throw. This Day was kept every Year by the Portugueses as a Holy Day, and the Preachers from the Pulpits extoll'd the Valour of their Nation, reproaching the Cowardize of the Ca∣stilians with Language misbecoming that Place, the People resorting to hear them as it had been to a Play. After the Victory all Portugal submitted to the Conqueror. Sant arem, Bra∣ganca, * 1.7 and all other Places surrender'd, and thus the New King secur'd to his Posterity the Crown he had wrongfully obtain'd. At this time the King of Aragon was very ill at Figueras, he was worn with Age and Troubles. As soon as recover'd he shew'd himself Dissatisfy'd with his Son Prince John. The People laid the Blame upon the Queen, saying she had be∣witch'd the King. Prince John in Discontent withdrew from Court, and call'd the Earl of Ampurias, who had been outed his Estate, with Forces from France to his Assistance. For this reason the King depriv'd him of the Vicarship of the Kingdom, an Honour peculiar to the eldest Son of those Kings. In Aragon, as has been said heretofore, they have a Magi∣strate call'd the Justice of Aragon, who is a sort of Moderator betwixt the King and the People in the Nature of the Roman Tribunes of the People. To him the Prince had recourse to support him against the Wrongs offer'd him by his Father openly, and by the Queen un∣der hand. That Justice supported him in the Possession of his Employment, as having been Arbitrarily depos'd, till the Case were brought to Judgment. The Debate began this Year and was ended the next ensuing. Let us see what happen'd in Castile and Portugal after that me∣morable Battel.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1385.
• * 1.2

  John the Bastard pro∣claim'd K. of Portugal.
• * 1.3

  Castilian Fleet ra∣vages the Coast of Portugal.
• * 1.4

  K. John of Castile makes his Will.
• * 1.5

  Famous Battel of Aljubaro∣ta.
• * 1.6

  Castilians defeated.
• * 1.7

  All Portu∣gal sub∣mits to John the Usurper.