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. IV. The Reigns of D. Ordonno the Third, D. Sancho the Gross, Kings of Leon, and of Garci Sanchez, King of Navarre, and actions of Fernan Gonzalez, Earl of Castile.

BY the Death of D. Ramiro, his Son D. Ordon̄o inherited the Crown of Leon. He was a * 1.1 Man of great Courage, expert in Warlike affairs, and had Prudence to govern, but the shortness of his Reign which last but 5 Years, and 7 Months, gave him not time to Exercise his many Virtues. At his first Accession to the Crown, D. Sancho his Brother stirred up D. Garci Sanchez his Unkle King of Navarre, and the Earl Fernan Gonzalez against him. The Forces of both those Nations, at once entred the Territories of Leon, and the King being unpro∣vided, and not yet secure of the affection of his Subjects, resolved to Fortify himself, and not come to a Battle. His Enemies reaping no benefit by this attempt, returned home to their own Countries. But he to be revenged of the Earl, for joyning with his Brother and Un∣kle, without any Provocation given him, presently was divorced from Da. Ʋrraca the * 1.2 Earls Daughter, and Marryed Da. Elvira, such was the Practice of that Age. By this Wife he had D. Bermudo, who in process of time, after many changes came to be King of Leon. The tumults raised in Galicia, for the Love that People bore D. Sancho, were soon appeased by the King, who to make the greater advantage of this success, entred that part of Lusita∣nia Subject to the Moors, plundering all the Country as far as Lisbon, whence he returned home. About the same time the Earl of Castile, took from the Moors the Castle of Carranço. Abderhaman King of Cordova, tho' now very Aged, gathered a mighty Army to the number of 80000 Fighting Men, the Command of them he gave to Almanzor Alhagib (that is Viceroy) a General of great Note, with orders furiously to over-run the Lands of the Christians. Such extraordinary preparations startled the Earl, he Listed all that were of Age to bear Arms, and finding his Army yet too small for so great a danger, held a Council of War at Mun̄on, * 1.3 to consult what was best to be done, Opinions, as is usual in such Cases varyed, some were for putting all to the hazard of Battle, others for gathering up all Provisions into Places of

strength, that so the first fury of the Barbarians might be quelled before they came to Blows. Gonzalo Diaz, a Man of Quality, without respect to Honour, was for buying a Truce of the Moors. The Earl knew well that many there spoke by the Mouth of Gunzalo Diaz, but honour pre∣vailed, therefore he Gravely Discoursed them upon the Subject, extolling the Valour of his People, advising to rely on the Assistance of the Almighty, and not to Blemish their good Name with the Infamy of Cowardice. All agreed to him, and having offer'd up their Vows to God, moved towards the Enemy, who lay incamped near Lara. They came not immediately to a Battle, and the Earl the mean while going out a hunting, pursued a Wild Boor, up a difficult ascent to a little Hermitage, where a Holy Man called Pelagius, had a small Chap∣pel Dedicated to St. Peter. The Earl moved to devotion spared the Beast, and fell to his Prayers, and Pelagius coming, he stayed there all Night. In the Morning Pelagius told him, he should be Victorious, and that in token thereof a Prodigy would hap∣pen before the Fight. Then the Earl return'd to his People who were in care for him, and gave an Account of what had befallen him. The Souldiers took heart, and the Army being drawn up, before they engag'd, a Gentleman, by some call'd Pero Gonzalez de la Puente de Fitero, rode out before the rest, and the Earth opening swallow'd him, so that he was ne∣ver seen more. This terrify'd the Army, but the Earl told them it was the sign of Victory, the Hermit had spoken of, and since the Earth was not able to bear them, much less would the Enemy. At these words all reviv'd, the onset was given, and that vast multitude van∣quish'd * 1.4 by a handful of Christians. This Victory re-establish'd the tottering affairs of the Christians, and the Souldiers return'd home loaded with spoils of their Enemies. Part of the Booty was given to the holy Man Pelagius, and afterwards the Earl built a Monastery, dedi∣cated to St. Peter, upon the River Arlançd, where were interr'd the Bones of D. Gonzalo, his Father. In our days the Cell of Pelagius is shown on a Rock, near that Monastery. The Moors nothing daunted at this loss, prepar'd again to fall upon Castile, and on the other side King Ordon̄o, after the Incursion he made into Portugal, desirous of revenge, resolv'd to make War upon the Earl. A mighty danger threatned, but the King was easily appeas'd, by an Embassy the Earl sent, begging Pardon for what was past, and that he would not prefer his * 1.5 private animosities before the publick good of the Christians, when they were threatned with the extraordinary preparations made by the Moors. Therefore the King not only forgave, but sent him sufficient supplies to make head against the Moors, who were advanc'd as far as Santistevan de Gormaz, ravaging the Country. As soon as the two Armies met the Battle was given and well fought on both sides, but ours obtain'd the Victory, with a mighty slaugh∣ter of the Enemies. King Ordono joyful for this success, provided to fall upon the Moors again, when Death prevented him at Zamora in the Year 955. His Body was buried with great Pomp and Solemnity in the Monastery of St. Saviour at Leon, where his Father also had * 1.6 been Interr'd.

Our Historians do not mention where D. Sancho the King's Brother was during his Brothers Life, or whether ever they were reconcil'd; but all agree, that after the Kings Death, he was by the unanimous consent of all Men, Proclaim'd King. He was call'd the Gross, for his mighty bulk of Body, unfit to endure fatigue; yet he was good condition'd, show'd much * 1.7 Constancy in Adversity, and had a generous disposition. In the second Year of his Reign, which was of our Lord 956, by reason of a Mutiny in the Army, not being well assur'd of the affections of his People, because many were inclinable to D. Ordon̄o, Son to D. Alonso the * 1.8 Monk, he left his Kingdom, and fled for refuge to his Uncle, the King of Navarre. D. Or∣don̄o, easily stept into the Throne, and the more to secure himself, Married Da. Ʋrraca, that * 1.9 had been Divorc'd from his Cousin King Ordon̄o, with the consent of the Earl her Father. This D. Ordon̄o, was so perversly inclin'd, that he was call'd the Wicked, and giving way to his base temper, became odious and contemptible to the people. D. Sancho watch'd all op∣portunities, and mean while went to Cordova, where it was reported there were very able Physicians that could bring down his fat. Abderhaman receiv'd him with Courtesy, and be∣ing undertaken by the Doctors, his bulk was reduc'd to a moderate size. To make his favours the more compleat, Abderhaman gave him considerable supplies of Men to recover his King∣dom. At his first approach D. Ordon̄o his Adversary fled to Asturias, and thence to his Father-in-law * 1.10 the Earl, who despising him for his Cowardice, took away his Wife. Thence he put himself into the hands of the Moors, among whom he liv'd poor and banish'd; and at last dy'd in Cordova. At the same time Castile was divided with Civil Broils. D. Vela, Grandson to the other D. Vela, who we said was Lord of Alava, had great Power there, and in the ad∣joining part of Castile; and being a hot Youth, took up Arms against the Earl Fernan Gonza∣lez. The Earl lost no time, but put him and his Allies to the rout, pursuing them so close they were forc'd to take into the Country of the Moors, which was the occasion of great trou∣bles and Misfortunes. Almanzor Alhagib, either at the instigation of these Outlaws, or to revenge the affront he had receiv'd, rais'd a powerful Army, and furiously invaded Castile. The Earl marching to meet him, by the way went to visit Pelagius the Hermit, but finding he was dead, and being troubled in mind, the said Pelagius appear'd to him in his sleep, as∣suring him of the Victory. The two Armies ingag'd near Piedrabita, and the dispute was hotter than ever it had been before; tho' the multitude of Enemies was great, and the Chri∣stian Army exceeded not 450 Horse and 15000 Foot. It is said the Fight lasted three days,

only ceasing at Night, upon the last day St. James the Apostle was seen at the head of the * 1.11 Christians, and gained them the Victory. A greater number of the Infidels was slain than in any other Battle, our Forces pursuing them two days. After this Victory Embassadors came from all the Cities of Castile, and the neighbouring parts, to Congratulate with the Earl. Above all, D. Sancho, King of Leon, sent a splendid Embassy, enviting the Earl to be pre∣sent at the Cortes, or Parliament, he designed to hold in Leon. This a little perplex'd him, fearing some design was hid under that show of Friendship; but having no lawful Excuse to absent himself, he came on the day appointed, accompanied with the Nobility. The King went out to meet him, and the Parliament was held in the Year 958. but what their Business was, is not known. Authors relate, that the Earl sold the King a stately Horse and a Hawk, for a great Sum, upon condition, if not paid at the time perfixed the price should be doub∣led every day after. Besides, by the policy of Da. Teresa, the Queen Dowager, who de∣sired to revenge her Father's Death, it was contriv'd, that Da. Sancha, her Sister, should * 1.12 be Marry'd to the Earl; she was then with her Brother D. Garcia, King of Navarre, and Da. Ʋrraca, the Earl's first Wife, was dead. It was resolv'd to lay a snare against the Earl, because down right force would not prevail, and K. Sancho was unwilling to break his word openly, therefore it was agreed to work underhand, and make use of the perfidiousness of the Navarrois. Garci Sanchez was ignorant of D. Sancho's designs, and therefore to revenge past wrongs, continually infested the Frontiers of Castile. After the Earl had complained by his Embas∣sdors, they broke out into open War, and came to a Battle, in which the Earl obtained the Victory. Our Historians write, that Lope Diaz, Lord of Biscay, assisted the Earl upon this occasion, and say he was Son to In̄igo Ezquerra, great Grandson to Zuria, formerly Lord of that Country. After this Victory, a Peace being concluded, the Earl in pursuance to the Ar∣ticles thereof, went to Navarre with a good Retinue unarmed, as to a Wedding; however, he was taken Prisoner by the King, who was at the place appointed, with armed Men. Hence he was delivered by the love of Da. Sancha, for whose sake he fell into that misfor∣tune, and with her escaped to his own Country. On the Frontiers of Castile, about Rioja, he was met by the Forces of Castile, that had vow'd, not to return till he were set at liberty. Great was the Joy on both sides. At Burgos the Nuptials were celebrated. The King of Na∣varre, deceived by his Sister, prepared for War, and the Earl not being backward, they En∣gaged on the Frontiers of Castile and Navarre, the King was overthrown, and taken Priso∣ner, * 1.13 in the Year 959. The same Year dy'd Abderhaman, King of Cordova, being of a great Age. Not long before his Death, the King of Leon sent him a solemn Embassy, desiring the Body of the Martyr Pelayus, which was not granted by him, but was soon after, by his Son and Successor Alhaca, who Reign'd 17 Years and 2 Months, and being inclinable to Peace, endeavoured to oblige all the neighbouring Kings. D. Garcia King of Navarre, was set at liberty, after he had been 13 Months a Prisoner at Burgos, the Tears of Da. Sancha, and * 1.14 the Intreaties of other Princes having appeased the Earl. Queen Teresa, a Woman of a fierce and restless Spirit, being so far disappointed in her design against the Earl, laid other snares for him. She persuaded her Son, the King of Leon, to call him to the Parliament. He went, tho' with a Jealousie, the King came not out to meet him as before, but when he came to kiss his Hand, ordered him to be cast into Prison. This was a great Affliction to the Earl's People, Da. Sancha, his Wife, a Lady of a Masculine Temper, and ready wit, de∣signing to rescue him, feigned she would go in Pilgrimage to the Church of St. James the Apostle. Her way was thro' the City Leon, the King went out to meet and entertain her * 1.15 Friendly, as became a Person of her Quality, and his Aunt. With much intreaty, she ob∣tained leave to visit her Husband, and having stay'd all Night together, he went out in the Morning in her Cloaths, and got safe to his Country. The King understanding the Fraud, was somewhat concerned, but thinking better of it, sent her home Honourably to her Hus∣band, who over-joy'd at her coming, would not make War upon the King, but demanded what was due to him for the Horse and the Hawk he had sold him. No Payment was made, for the Sum, by reason of the delay, was greater than the King could pay, and the Earl made waste upon the Lands of the Kingdom of Leon. Whereupon, they agreed, that in sa∣tisfaction for the Debt, Castile for the future, should owe no Subjection to the Crown of Leon. This Agreement, they say, was made in the Year of our Lord 965. The same Year a powerful Army of Moors breaking thro' the Kingdom, laid Siege to the City Leon, but by the Valour of the Garrlson and Townsmen, were Repulsed with great loss. Vast flames of Fire rising out of the Sea, spread over the Country, destroying many Towns, even as far as * 1.16 Zamora, which beside the present loss, was look'd upon as an Omen of future Ills. D. Gar∣ci Sanchez, King of Navarre, dy'd the ensuing Year of 966, leaving by his Queen two Sons, D. Sancho and D. Ramiro, and three Daughters, Da. Ʋrraca, Da. Ermenesilda and Da. Te∣resa. * 1.17 His Son D. Sancho inherited the Crown, joyntly with his Brother D. Ramiro. The lat∣ter * 1.18 Reign'd 10 Years, and it is thought, dy'd without Issue. D. Sancho, who, as appears by his Grants, Rul'd 27 Years, Stiled himself King of Pamplona, Najara and Alava. He in∣creased his Dominions by the addition of the Lordship of Biscay, and City of Najara, the chief of that Principality. His Piety and Liberality appears by the Lands he gave to the Mo∣nastery of S. Salvadot de Leyte, S. Millan de Najara, S. John de la Pen̄a. His Wife was Da. Ʋrraca, by whom, he had D. Garci Sanchez, called the Trembler, because he used to quake at

the beginning of a Battle, for which defect, he made amends by his great Courage and Con∣duct, when heated in fight. Thro' the neglect of the Historians of that Age, nothing else of note appears in the Life of D. Sancho. In Galicia, there broke out new Commotions, that Country being full of Factions at a very unseasonable time, when they had enough to do against the Moors. The cause of these Tumults is not known, but it appears, they were soon appeased by the King's good Management. Some of the Mutiniers were Executed, others Banished to that part of Portugal which was under the King, upon the Frontiers of the Moors. That Province was govern'd by an Earl, called Gonzalo, a Man of wicked Principles, who, in defence of those Banished Persons, they being of his Faction, Rebelled, and broke in as far as the River Duero. There not confiding in his strength, he had recourse to Fraud, and with much entreaty, obtain'd pardon. He had formerly been in great Esteem and Favour with the King, and was now restored to the same Honour, whereby he found means to give the King a poisoned Apple. As soon as he had eaten it, the violence of the Poison spred it self * 1.19 thro' all his Veins, and seized the Vitals; he ordered himself to be carried to Leon, tho' gi∣ven over by the Physicians, but dy'd before he could reach the City, the third day after he was Poisoned, in the 967. having Reign'd 12 Years. His Body was bury'd in the Church * 1.20 of St. Saviour at Leon.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ordonno the Third inherits the Crown of Leon.
• * 1.2

  Is divorc'd from his Wife, and Marries another.
• * 1.3

  Castile in∣vaded by the Infi∣dels.
• * 1.4

  The Ca∣stilians vanquish the Moors.
• * 1.5

  The Earl of Castile reconcil'd to the King of Leon. Another Victory of the Castilians.
• * 1.6

  955.
• * 1.7

  Sancho Proclaim∣ed King.
• * 1.8

  956.
• * 1.9

  Ordonno expels Sancho.
• * 1.10

  Sancho re∣stored Ordonno. flies to the Moors.
• * 1.11

  A great over∣throw of the Infi∣dels.
• * 1.12

  Practices against the Earl of Castile.
• * 1.13

  The King of Navarre defeated, and taken by the Earl of Castile.
• * 1.14

  959.
• * 1.15

  The Earl of Castile imprison∣ed in Leon and e∣scapes by the con∣trivance of his Wife.
• * 1.16

  Fire rises out of the Sea, and does great harm.
• * 1.17

  966.
• * 1.18

  Sancho in∣herits the Crown of Navarre.
• * 1.19

  King San∣cho Poison∣ed.
• * 1.20

  967.