of his Papacy, by which it may be concluded, the Embassadors were forc'd back into Spain by Storms, and long detain'd there, as also that they made a long stay at Rome. The first Let∣ter is directed to Duke Claudius of Merida, the Principal Man in Spain, next to the King, re∣commending to him the Abbot Cyriacus, then going into Spain. The second to Leander, con∣doling his Sufferings, by the Gout. The third is to the King, encouraging him to continue firm in the Faith he had receiv'd, and commending his good actions. With this Letter he sent him a piece of the holy Cross, some Hairs of St. John Baptist, a Key touch'd to the Body of St. Peter; and some silings of the same Saints Chains. To Saint Leander he sent the Pall. For at that time the Jews having offer'd large summs of Money, that a Law pass'd against them might be Repeal'd, the King had refus'd to grant it. There is a common received Opinion among Spaniards, tho' no Author mentions any such thing, that the Spanish Em∣bassadors returning into Spain, among other Presents they had for the King, and the Bishop Leander, brought an Image of our B. Lady, Carv'd in Wood, sent by the Pope to the latter, and that it is the same which many Years after was found in a Cave; together with the Bodies of St. Fulgencius, Bishop of Ezija, and St. Florentina his Sister; and which at this time is held in great Veneration at Guadalupe, one of the chief Monasteries of the Order of St. Hierome in all Spain. Whilst the Embassadors resided at Rome, several Synods were held in Spain, according to a Decree of the late Council of Toledo, as is suppos'd, which Ordain'd there should be Yearly Provincial Synods held, for the reformation of Manners, and the good of the Church. One of these Synods was held by Leander at Sevil, another at Nar∣bonne, in Gallia Gothica, others at Zaragoça, Toledo, Huesca, and Barceiona; whose Acts are not here set down, as belonging more properly to the Ecclesiastical History. Let us return to the King, who after the Death of his Queen Bada, being desirous to conclude a Peace with the Kings of France; and in order to it, laying aside all former resentments, sent Em∣bassadors to Childebert King of Lorrain, to ask his Sister Clodosinda in Marriage, as was before hinted. This Marriage was at last concluded, Recaredus protesting to those Kings, he never had any hand in the Death of Ermenegildus, but had been very sensibly touch'd with his Bro∣thers Misfortunes. Clodosinda was before promis'd to Anthari King of the Longobards, but Recaredus was prefer'd before him; both in regard of the pressing instances he made, as also because he was a Catholick, and the other a Pagan. Authors do not agree as to the time of the Celebration of the Nuptials; but it is certain, that the Alliance with the Franks was set∣led in the latter days of Recaredus. About the same time such of the Romans as had remain'd in Spain, were defeated upon several occasions, and brought under by the Coths. The Vas∣cones likewise, that is Navarre being revolted, were pacify'd and subdu'd. For these, and the other glorious Actions perform'd during his Reign, the King gain'd Immortal Renown. He was endu'd with a singular greatness of Mind, much Wit, Prudence, and a pleasing Per∣son and Nature; but what most gloriously shin'd in him, was his great Zeal for the Catholick Religion. His Death was in the Year of Grace 610, having Reign'd 15 Years, one Month, and 10 Days. St. Isidorus says, that being near his Death, at Toledo, he did publick Pennance for his Sins, as was us'd in those days. He left three Sons, the Eldest called Liuva, the others Suinthila and Geila. The first is suppos'd to be by his first Wife, he being of Age to govern at his Fathers Decease, on whom the other two were got is not known. Certain it is, the present Kings of Spain are lineally descended from these Princes, and particularly from Recaredus their Father. For the better understanding whereof, it will not be amiss here to insert their Genealogy. Gosuinda the Wife of Athanagildus, had by him two Daughters, Gal∣suinda and Brunechilda. Also Clodoveus, or Clovis, King of the Franks, had Three Grand∣sons, which were Guntrandus, Chilperick, and Sigebert, all Sons of Clotarius the Son of Clovis. Gassuinda was Married to Chilperick, who perish'd by the Fraud of Fredegunda, as was hinted before. Sigebert Married Brunechilda, and by her had Childebert, Ingundis, and Clodosinda. Leuvigildus, Successor of Athanagildus, by his first Wife, Theodosia had Ermenegildus, and Recaredus, before he was King, and being come to the Crown Marry'd Gosuinda the Queen Dowager. Ermenegildus Married Ingundis, and Recaredus Clodosinda. It is to be observ'd in the History of Recaredus, and the ensuing Kings, that whereas mention is made of Dukes, and Counts, or Earls, those Names signify Offices and dignity of Command, and not bare Titles as at present; for Counts or Earls, were Governors of Provinces; the Dukes were Generals, and had the Power of Coining Money, for Payment of their Souldiers; and hence the Crown Piece in Spain came to be called Ducado, or a Ducate: Not only the Governours of Provinces were call'd Counts, but such as had any remarkable Office at Court, or Command in the Army; so in Military imployments, we find Comites Cataphractariorum, Clibanariorum, and Sagittariorum. At Court there was Comes Stabuli, now the Constable, and so others in imi∣tation of the Roman Emperors. From them also it is supposed Recaredus first took the sirname of Flavius, as did the ensuing Kings after him. Besides Toledo was stil'd a Royal City, which was the very Title the Greeks gave to Constantinople, the Seat of the Empire. Thus we see that in those days, Dukes, and Counts, or Earls, were Persons of Command; and those Names were not barely Titular, as at present, Kings having of later Years made them Here∣ditary, assigning them certain Revenues.