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. D. Alvaro de Luna the King of Castile's great Favourite, his Character and fatal End. Mahomet the Turk takes Constantinople. Mahomet King of Granada deposed. Cruzadoes coin'd in Portugal.

LET us now come to the unhappy Death of D. Alvaro de Luna, Constable of Castile, and Master of Santiago, who from a low Condition ascended to the height of Worldly Hap∣piness, * 1.1 whence he was cast headlong by an unbrideled Ambition. He had good Natural Parts, and no less good Qualities, a ready Wit, a piercing Judgement. His Words were always Premeditated, but sharp, tho he had an impediment in his Speech. His cunning and art of Dissembling were great, his Pride and Ambition nothing inferior. Of Body he was little, but it was strong and enured to Labour. The Features of his Face were pleasing, and withal Majestick. As he grew in Years he also grew in haughtiness, was difficult of access, spoke harshly, and suffered himself to be swayed by Passion, never putting any mean to his Revenge. He had been often impeached upon several Articles, as that he had ga∣thered more Treasure than suited with his Quality, and ceased not still to heap up more. That he had disgraced the Nobility. That he had the King in his Power and governed absolutely, wanting himself nothing but the Name of a King, having gain'd the Affections of the People, and being possest of many strong Holds, and vast Riches drawn out of the King's Coffers. These things the King was sensible in part were true, and yet he only durst some∣times complain to the Queen, till at length a fair opportunity of destroying him was offered. D. Peter de Zun̄iga, Earl of Plasencia was withdrawn from Court to Bejar, and D. Alvaro believing it was in hatred to him, resolved to do him all the harm he could. Near Bejar is the Castle of Piedrahita, whence D. Garcia, Son to the Earl of Alva ceased not to do much

harm in revenge that his Father was kept in Prison. D. Alvaro advised to besiege this Ca∣stle, hoping to surprize at the same time the Earl of Plasencia. The Earl of Haro, and Marques of Santillana agreed with the Earl of Plasencia to send 500 Horse to Valladolid, where the Court was, to murder D. Alvaro, but he having timely notice of the Design per∣swaded the King to remove to Burgos. In̄igo de Zuniga was Governour of the Castle of that City. The King being now weary of D. Alvaro, sent the Countess of Ribadeo, Neece to the Earl of Plasencia, to advise him to come speedily to Court to secure his Enemy D. Al∣varo. The Earl being then sick could not go himself, but sent his eldest Son D. Alvaro, who stopped at Curiel, near Burgos, to gather some Horse. The King advised D. Alvaro de Luna to retire to his Estate, but he refused unless the Archbishop of Toledo were left in his Place. D. Alvaro de Luna suspecting some Design against him, caused Alonso de Vivero an Officer of the Revenue to be mudered in his Chamber and thrown out of the Window in∣to the River, without respecting the King, or the Holiness of the Day, it being Good Fry∣day the 30th of March 1453. This Crime hastned his Ruin, for the King sent to call D. * 1.2 Alvaro de Zuniga. He came to the City in Disguize, about 80 Horse following him in small Parties at distances. It being then Night they sent for some of the Townsmen to the Ca∣stle, and advis'd them to guard the Streets. This could not be done so privately, but that it was noised about, that D. Alvaro de Luna was to be apprehended the next Day. No Bo∣dy offered to give him Notice of it but one James Gotor, his Servant, who advised him to fly to his own Lands, but he refused to stir as undervaluing his Enemies. On the 5th of April the House where he Lodged was beset, and after some Messages had passed to and fro he surrendred himself, having first received a Promise under the King's Hand, that no wrong should be done to him. He was secured in that same House, and thither the King came to dine after hearing Mass. D. Alonso de Fonseca Bishop of Avila came by the King's side. D. Alvaro spying him, laying hold of his own Beard said, By this thou shalt pay for thy advice little Priest. The Bishop answered, Sir, I call God to witness I have no more hand in this Business than the King of Granada. After Dinner D. Alvaro asked leave to speak with the King, and being denyed sent him a Letter to this Effect.

It is 45 Years since I came into your Service, and confess my Reward has been greater than I could have hoped for. There wanted nothing to compleat my Happiness, but that I had retired in time. I might well have withdrawn as other great Men have done, but chose rather to serve still and dis∣charge my Duty, which proves my Ruin. It is a great grief to be deprived of my Li∣berty, having ventured my Life and Fortune to obtain it for your Highness. I know I have offended God, and shall think it a Happiness if my Troubles serve to appease him. My riches have brought me to this pass, and I would willingly resign them were they not in your Hands already. I am sorry it is not in my Power to shew to the World that I can despise as well as gather them. I only beg that in regard my Conscience is trou∣bled about 10 or 12000 Crowns which I have unjustly gathered to supply the wants of the Exchequer, they may be refunded out of my own Treasure, which if I have not de∣served by my Service, at least it ought to be granted, because the Request is just in it self. The King answered, "That he had received more than ever Prince bestowed on a Sub∣ject. That as to assisting him in recovering his Liberty he was also the Cause that he lost it. And as to the wants of the Exchequer, since he had made them it had been rea∣sonable he had supplyed them out of his own Fortune, yet Justice should be done.

It is a wonderful thing, that none of all those D. Alvaro had raised now, appeared for him. He was sent Prisoner to Portillo, in keeping of James de Zuniga, Son to the Marshal In̄igo de Zuniga. This Year so remarkable in Spain for the Death of this great Man, was fatal to Christen∣dom, for the loss of the City Constantinople, taken by Mahomet the Great Turk, after a Siege of 54 Days. Great Cruelties were committed in it when entred, and it has ever since * 1.3 been the Metropolis of the Turkish Empire. Charles Prince of Viana was carryed to Zara∣goça, and there at the Request of the Aragonians pardon'd and set at Liberty on the 22d of June. The Prince promised Obedience for the future, and to withdraw his Garrisons out of all Places that held for him. For Security of Performance he delivered Luis de Bia∣monte, Earl of Lerin, and Constable of Navarre, and his Children, with other Noblemen as Hostages. The Joy for this Agreement was not lasting, for new Tumults began soon af∣ter. The Father's Covetousness, and Son's Impatience for a long time consumed the King∣dom of Navarre, as shall be related in its place.

Whilst the King of Castile seized upon D. Alvaro de Luna's Lands and Treasures, he prepared in Prison to clear himself of the Crimes lay'd to his Charge, but there was no likelyhood he should be cleared, the King being his Enemy. The Judges appointed to ex∣amin his Case gave Sentence of Death against him. From Portillo he was carryed to Val∣ladolid to be Executed.

Having confessed and received the Sacrament, he was led out to Execution, a Cryer proclaiming before him in manner following; Our Sovereign Lord the King commands this cruel Tyrant to be Executed, for that he with extraordinary Pride and Presumption, to the great abuse of the Royal Majesty, which is the Image of God upon Earth, made himself Master of the King's Court and Palace, usurping the place that did not belong to him, and committed many great Crimes, Extortions, Rapines, Violences and tyrannical Actions to the hainous offence of God, and our faid Lord the

King, the disgrace and lessening of his Person, Crown and Dignity, the impairing of his Revenue, and obstructing of Justice. For which his Offences he is to be beheaded, that the Justice of God and the King may appear, and he be made an Example to deterr others from committing the like Crimes.

To such Actions such a Reward. In the Market∣place was erected a Scaffold with a Crucifix, and two Flamboys on the sides of it. Being upon the Scaffold he bowed to the Cross, and going forward gave his Ring he used to Seal with, and his Hat to his Page, saying, This is all I have lest to give you. This moved him to weep, and many followed his Example. Barrasa, Master of the Horse to Prince Henry be∣ing present, D. Alvaro called and said to him, Go warn the Prince from me, not to follow this Example of his Fathers in rewarding his Servants. Then seeing a high Iron hook, he asked the Executioner what it was for, and being told it was to fix his Head upon, answered, When I am dead do as thou wilt with my Body, for to a brave Man neither is the manner of his Death disgraceful, nor can it come too soon to him that has attained such high Honours. This said, he opened his Garment, and without the least mark of fear bowed down his Head, which was cut off on the 5th of July. He was a Man in all respects great, who for the space of 30 Years absolutely governed the King, and directed all his Actions. Alonso de Espina, a Franciscan Fryar accompanied D. Alvaro de Luna to the place of Execution. This Fryar wrote a Book called Fortalitium Fidei, an excellent Work. The dead Body remained three Days on the Scaffold with a Bason by it to gather Alms to bury him, that not long before was equal to some Kings. He was interred at St. Andrews, the common Burial Place of Per∣sons executed, thence removed to St. Francis in that Town, and lastly to his own Chappel in the Cathedral of Toledo. It is reported an Astrologer told D. Alvaro his Death would be at or on Cadahalso, which he supposed to be meant of a Town he had of that Name, and therefore never went thither, but Cadahalso in Spanish is a Scaffold. But these are vain Observations. The King besieged Escalona, which place after the Death of D. Alvaro was surrendred by his Wife, upon Condition, his Treasure should be equally divided betwixt the King and her self. All the rest was confiscated except the Town of Santistevan left to his Son D. John, whose Daughter and Heiress married James the Son of John Pacheco, and so the Earldom of Santistevan and Marquisate of Villena were united. D. Alvaro had a Daugh∣ter married to In̄igo Lopez de Mendoça, Duke del Infantado. Also a Bastard Son and Daugh∣ter. Thus much of D. Alvaro. At Granada, Ismael, with the Assistance of the Christians, * 1.4 and his Party among the Moors, wrested the Crown from his Cousin, Mahomet the Lame; but being in the Throne soon forgot the Obligations he owed to the Christians. In Portu∣gal a new sort of Mony was coined called Cruzados, which took that Name from the Croi∣sade, * 1.5 then granted by Pope Nicholas the V. to all that went to the War against the Moors in Barbary, at the Request of D. Alvaro Gonzalez, Bishop of Lanego.

Notes

• * 1.1

  D. Alvaro de Luna his Cha∣racter and fatal End.
• * 1.2

  1453.
• * 1.3

  Constanti∣nople tak∣en by the Turks.
• * 1.4

  K. of Gra∣nada de∣posed.
• * 1.5

  Cruzados first coin∣ed in Por∣tugal.