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. II. The King of Portugal sworn Heir to the Crown of Castile; Elizabeth his Queen delivered of a Son, dies; The Duke of Milan expelled his Dominions; University of Alcala founded; Rebellion of the Mountain-Moors.

AS soon as Prince John died, the King and Queen began to be sollicitous about the Suc∣cession * 1.1 of the Crown, but waited to see what the Princess Margaret would bring forth. Their Grief was increased, when at Alcala de Henares she miscarried of a Daughter. Here∣upon they advertised the King of Portugal of his Title to the Crown, and advised him to come to Castile, and be Sworn according to Custom. The Archduke and his Dutchess, who at that time took the Stile of Princes of Spain, were warned to forbear it. The King and Queen of Portugal entred Castile by the way of Badajoz, where they were received by the Dukes of Medina Sidonia and Alva, with many other Great Men. Thence they went to spend the Holy Week at Guadalupe, and on the 26th of April came to Toledo, where the Catholick King and Queen expected them; and according to Custom, on the Sunday following, Ho∣mage was done to them, and they were Sworn Heirs of Castile. The Business of Aragon was not so easie, because Henry Duke of Segorve was alive, and pretended no Woman could Inherit that Crown; and therefore it appertained to him and his Son Alonso, as descended of the Male Line of King Ferdinand of Aragon. To make all things the easier, the Kings of

Castile and Portugal went to Zaragoça, and there, on the 14th of July, proposed to the No∣bility to Swear to the King and Queen of Portugal as Heirs of the Crown. There arose a great Debate, some affirming no Woman could Inherit that Crown, and others maintaining the contrary. To end this Dispute, it pleased God that the Queen of Portugal, on the 23d of August, was delivered of a Son, whom they called Michael. She died within an Hour after. * 1.2 The King her Husband returned immediately to his Kingdom. The Queen's Body was de∣posited in the Church of S. Francis, and thence translated to the Monastery of Nuns of S. Eli∣zabeth, built by her Father at Toledo. On the 22d of September all Difficulties being removed, the young Prince was by general Consent Sworn Heir to the Crown of Aragon, and soon after the same was done in Castile. Before King Ferdinand went to Zaragoça, he had sent D. Alonso de Sylva his Ambassador to France, to Compliment the New King upon his Accession to the Crown, and at the same time to press the Conclusion of the Peace. He, with the other Ambassadors there before, soon brought it to a Period. The same was done on his part by the Archduke, without consulting his Father or Father-in-Law. Luis d' Amboise, Arch∣bishop of Roan, by his Interest with the King of France, much forwarded this Agreement. In September the Pope made him a Cardidal at the suit of the French King, who was intent upon passing into Italy, upon account of the Right he pretended to have to the Dutchy of Milan and Kingdom of Naples: From Zaragoça King Ferdinand sent D. Yn̄igo de Cordova, Brother to the Earl of Cabra, and Dr. Philip Ponce, to require the Pope to restore the City Benevento to the Church, and to reform the Abuses of his Court and Leudness of his Family. The King of Portugal, by the Advice of his Father-in-Law, sent D. Roderick de Castro, and D. Henry Coutin̄o to Rome with the same Embassie. They all admonished the Pope, and made their Protestation, Garcilasso de la Vega performing the Office of Notary Apostolick, The Pope was highly offended, and threatned to punish them for their Presumption; yet at last be answered, That Benevento was not nor should not be alienated. As to the Reforming his House, he answered harshly. Within few days the Prince of Esquilache, his Wife, his Sister Lucrecia and her Husband, whose Leudness, as well as Caesar Borgia's, incensed the People, all departed Rome. Such was the Hatred the Pope conceived on this account against Garci∣lasso de la Vega, that he was forced to leave that City, and the Portugues Ambassadors soon fol∣lowed, at the beginning of the Year 1499. Those of the Catholick King stayed some time longer till the coming of Lorenço Suarez de Figueroa, who was appointed to succeed his Bro∣ther * 1.3 Garcilasso, after he had been Ambassador at Venice, where he gained great Repu∣tation.

Many heavy Cares at the same time lay upon the Catholick King. Italy was in danger by * 1.4 reason of the French King's Pretensions The Pope egged him on, in hopes to be revenged on King Frederick, and to raise Duke Valentine. The Venetians also, offended with the Duke of Milan, joined in League with the French King, engaging to aid them with 1200 Men at Arms, and 6000 Swissers. For this Supply the King was to give them Cremona and Guiradada, two Towns of Note in that Dukedom. The Duke seeing little prospect of Help in the Chri∣stians, prevailed with the Turks to infest the Venetian Territories, which rendred him still more odious. At the same time died the Prince of Salerno, leaving the Pretensions to that Princi∣pality, and his Hatred to the House of Aragon, to his Son Robert. The King of Navarre demanded of King Ferdinand the Restitution of the Towns of Arcos, Guardia, and S. Vincent, which the latter held instead of the City Estela, adjudged by the King of France to Henry IV. of Castile, when he was Arbitrator betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Navarre. This Preten∣sion gave occasion to fear some Breach with France; but that King being wholly taken up with his Pretensions in Italy, had not leisure to engage in other Men's Quarrels: For about the same time time a mighty Army of French passed the Alps, and marched to the City Aste, which for some Years had belonged to the Dukes of Orleans, being given to Charles Duke of Orleans by Philip Duke of Milan, for assisting him in his Wars with the Venetians. In August, 1499. that Army advanced under the Conduct of the Lord of Aubeni, and John James Tri∣vulcio. They met no Opposition, but in few Days made themselves Masters of Alexandria. * 1.5 Pavia, Plasencia, and many other Towns. On the other side, the Venetians took Cremona, * 1.6 Guiaradada, Lodi, and all that belonged to the Dukedom of Milan on that side. This gave the People of Milan occasion to mutiny. The Duke fled to the Castle, and having sent his Treasure and Family before him to Germany, followed soon after himself. On the 6th of September Genoa submitted to the French. The King of France, who till then had stayed at Lions, came to reap the Fruit of this Success. Duke Valentine came with him, whom he had promised to assist with 300 Horse at his own Charge, and 4000 Swiss, to be payed by the Pope to make War upon Romania. He also promised to aid the Florentines to recover Pisa. The Conquest of Milan being so easily performed, the King of France, encouraged by the Pope, bent his Thoughts upon Naples, but first returned home to recruit his Army. The Catholick King laboured to prevent the War in Italy, and made advantageous Proposals to the French in behalf of King Frederick. Finding nothing would after the Resolution of the King of France, he resolved to set on foot again the Treaty of Dividing that Kingdom betwixt that King and himself, since King Frederick, as descended of a Bastard, could have no Right. To this effect he sent one of his Domesticks to join with his Ambassador John Gralla then in France. It was believed these Proposals would have produced a firm Peace betwixt the Two

Kings, tho' at the same time King Frederick threatned if the French invaded him, he would bring the Turks upon Italy. At the same time he made large offers to be reconciled to the Pope, which Duke Valentin prevented taking any effect by writing, how displeasing those Overtures were at the French Court. At the end of this Year was Born in Flanders the Lady Ellenor eldest Daughter to the Archduke, who was first Queen of Portugal, and afterwards of France.

About this time the Archbishop of Toledo began to Found an University at Alcalà, after the manner of that at Paris. The King was at Granada, and thinking the Conversion of the * 1.7 Moors who were very numerous, would be the only means to secure that Kingdom, gave it in Charge to the Archbishop of that City, with whom joined the Archbishop of Toledo. They consulted about punishing some who had been Christians and were again become Moors, and resolved to Baptize their Children. They also treated the Alfaquies with much Cour∣tesie, which was the cause that many Infidels were Baptized. These things moved the Moors of the quarter of Albaicin to mutiny and fortifie themselves, but they were at last suppressed by the Earl of Tendilla the Governor, and on the 18th of November 3000 of them were Baptized. Many that persisted obstinate were punished, and their Mosques were Consecrated into Churches. About 50000 of another quarter in Granada followed their Ex∣ample. The Moors living along the Mountains called Alpujarras hearing they were to be Baptized by force, rebelled, and first those of Huejar, who were soon subdued by the Earl of Tendilla and the Great Captain. Soon after the Moors in the Mountains were in Rebellion, and the Infidels Besieged Marxena, but D. Peter Faxardo taking Alhumilla, they raised the Siege. King Ferdinand hereupon came from Sevil to Granada, and gathering a powerful Army, * 1.8 Marched himself to Lanjaron on the first of March 1500. That Town was taken by Storm and plundered. The Earl of Lerin and other Noblemen took several strong Places, where∣upon the Rebels submitted, and were received to Mercy upon promise they would within 4 days deliver up Castilde Ferro, Adra and Ban̄ol, as also all Arms offensive and defensive, and pay 50000 Ducats. This done the King dismissed his Army and returned to Granada, to forward the Conversion of the Infidels, and soon after those of Alpujarras, Almeria, Baça, Guadix and other Places were Baptized. Preachers were sent to all Parts with Guards for security of their Persons. This, and the report that they should be forced to quit their Sect, caused the Moors of Belefique and Nixar, which is the most inaccessible part of the Mountains of Alpujarras to Rebel the following Winter. The King appointed the Alcaide de los Donzeles to Command against them. He having gathered his Forces besieged Belefique, which held out some Months, but at last for want of Water was surrendred only upon pro∣mise of their Lives. Those of Nixar terrified by this example, submitted upon Condition they might ransom themselves for 25000 Ducats. Above 10000 Moors were now Baptized. On the other side the Moors of the Mountains of Ronda and Villaluenga revolted. The King to suppress them, published a Proclamation commanding them all to remove to Ca∣stile, but underhand permitted all such as were converted to stay and enjoy their Possessi∣ons. The Earl of Uren̄a, D. Alonso de Aguilar, and the Earl of Cifuentes were sent to make War upon those People. The native Moors had been easily reduced, but that some who came from Barbary encouraged them to stand it out. However many came from Ronda, and were Baptized for fear. All the rest retired to Sierra Bermeja, which is very difficult of access. Our Forces encamped at the Foot of the Mountain, the Moors at the same time guarded the passes. Some Christians carrying a Standard with them, their design being only to plunder, passed a Brook and began to ascend the Hill, the others fearing some Misfortune might befall them, followed after. The Moors endeavoured to keep them down, still securing every advantageous Post, but were driven till our Men came to a plain where the Enemy left their Goods, Wives and Children. This Place the Infidels soon quitted and the Christians fell to plunder, which an old valiant Moor perceiving, he en∣couraged the rest, who soon rallied and gave a fresh Charge upon the Christians. Here D. Alonso de Aguilar and above 200 of his Men were killed. His Son D. Peter de Cordova with much difficulty was brought off to the Earl of Uren̄a who made good his Ground. The Earl of Cifuentes made a halt somewhat lower, and there staying those that fled, stood the Enemy till towards Morning they drew back to the top of the Mountain. The King who was then at Ronda, sent the Duke of Najara against Daydin, and ordered the Earls of Uren̄a and Cifuentes to make show as if they would mount the same way they attempt∣ed before. The Moors perceiving they were lost Men, offered to submit. It was agreed that such as would, might have liberty to be transported to Africk, paying Ten doubles a Head, all that would stay should turn Christians. Many went over to Barbary, many more stayed and were Baptized, yet were no better than those that went away. Thus that War which had much alarmed all Spain was concluded. The death of D. Alonso de Aguilar hapned the ensuing Year. Let us return to what we left behind in point of time.

Notes

• * 1.1

  King of Portugal sworn Heir of Castile.
• * 1.2

  Queen of Portugal being delivered of a Son, dies.
• * 1.3

  1499.
• * 1.4

  Perplexi∣ty of King Ferdinand.
• * 1.5

  1499.
• * 1.6

  The Duke of Milan expelled his Duke∣dom.
• * 1.7

  Universi∣ty of Al∣calá Founded.
• * 1.8

  Moors in the Moun∣tains Re∣bell.