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TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM PRESCOTT, LL.D., THE GUIDE OF MY YOUTH, MY BEST FRIEND IN RIPER YEARS, THESE VOLUMES, WITH THE WARMEST FEELINGS OF FILIAL AFFECTION, ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. PREFACE
TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM PRESCOTT, LL.D., THE GUIDE OF MY YOUTH, MY BEST FRIEND IN RIPER YEARS, THESE VOLUMES, WITH THE WARMEST FEELINGS OF FILIAL AFFECTION, ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. PREFACE
English writers have done more for the illustration of Spanish history, than for that of any other except their own. To say nothing of the recent general compendium, executed for the "Cabinet Cyclopaedia," a work of singular acuteness and information, we have particular narratives of the several reigns, in an unbroken series, from the emperor Charles the Fifth (the First of Spain) to Charles the Third, at the close of the last century, by authors whose names are a sufficient guaranty for the exc
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PREFACE
PREFACE
Since the publication of the First Edition of this work, it has undergone a careful revision; and this, aided by the communications of several intelligent friends, who have taken an interest in its success, has enabled me to correct several verbal inaccuracies, and a few typographical errors, which had been previously overlooked. While the Second Edition was passing through the press, I received, also, copies of two valuable Spanish works, having relation to the reign of the Catholic sovereigns,
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INTRODUCTION.
INTRODUCTION.
Early History and Constitution of Castile.—Invasion of the Arabs.—Slow Reconquest of the Country.—Religious Enthusiasm of the Spaniards.— Influence of their Minstrelsy.—Their Chivalry.—Castilian Towns.— Cortes.—Its Powers.—Its Boldness.—Wealth of the Cities.—The Nobility. —Their Privileges and Wealth.—Knights.—Clergy.—Poverty of the Crown.— Limited Extent of the Prerogative. For several hundred years after the great Saracen invasion in the beginning of the eighth century, Spain was broken up int
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SECTION II.
SECTION II.
Rise of Aragon.—Ricos Hombres.—Their Immunities.—Their Turbulence.— Privileges of Union.—The Legislature.—Its Forms.—Its Powers.—General Privilege.—Judicial Functions of Cortes.—The Justice.—His Great Authority.—Else and Opulence of Barcelona.—Her Free Institutions.— Intellectual Culture. The political institutions of Aragon, although bearing a general resemblance to those of Castile, were sufficiently dissimilar to stamp a peculiar physiognomy on the character of the nation, which still continu
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
1406-1454. Revolution of Trastamara.—Accession of John II.—Rise of Alvaro de Luna. —Jealousy of the Nobles.—Oppression of the Commons.—Its Consequences.— Early Literature of Castile.—Its Encouragement under John II.—Decline of Alvaro de Luna.—His Fall.—Death of John II.—Birth of Isabella. The fierce civil feuds, which preceded the accession of the House of Trastamara in 1368, were as fatal to the nobility of Castile, as the wars of the Hoses were to that of England. There was scarcely a family o
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
1452-1472. John of Aragon.—Difficulties with his Son Carlos.—Birth of Ferdinand.— Insurrection of Catalonia.—Death of Carlos.—His Character.—Tragical Story of Blanche.—Young Ferdinand besieged by the Catalans.—Treaty between France and Aragon.—Distress and Embarrassments of John.—Siege and Surrender of Barcelona. We must now transport the reader to Aragon, in order to take a view of the extraordinary circumstances, which opened the way for Ferdinand's succession in that kingdom. The throne, whic
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
1454-1469. Henry IV. disappoints Expectations.—Oppression of the People.—League of the Nobles.—Extraordinary Scene at Avila.—Early Education of Isabella.— Death of her Brother Alfonso.—Intestine Anarchy.—The Crown offered to Isabella.—She declines it.—Her Suitors.—She accepts Ferdinand of Aragon.—Marriage Articles.—Critical Situation of Isabella.—Ferdinand enters Castile.—Their Marriage. While these stormy events were occurring in Aragon, the Infanta Isabella, whose birth was mentioned at the cl
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
1469-1474. Factions in Castile.—Ferdinand and Isabella.—Gallant Defence of Perpignan against the French.—Ferdinand Raises the Siege.—Isabella's Party gains Strength.—Interview between King Henry IV. and Isabella.—The French Invade Roussillon.—Ferdinand's Summary Justice.—Death of Henry IV., of Castile.—Influence of his Reign. The marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella disconcerted the operations of the marquis of Villena, or, as he should be styled, the grand master of St. James, since he had resign
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
1474-1476. Isabella proclaimed Queen.—Settlement of the Crown.—Alfonso of Portugal supports Joanna.—Invades Castile.—Retreat of the Castilians.— Appropriation of the Church Plate.—Reorganization of the Army.—Battle of Toro.—Submission of the whole Kingdom.—Peace with France and Portugal.— Joanna takes the Veil.—Death of John II., of Aragon. Most of the contemporary writers are content to derive Isabella's title to the crown of Castile from the illegitimacy of her rival Joanna. But, as this fact,
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
1475-1482. Schemes of Reform.—Holy Brotherhood.—Tumult at Segovia.—The Queen's Presence of Mind.—Severe Execution of Justice.—Royal Progress through Andalusia.—Reorganization of the Tribunals.—Castilian Jurisprudence.— Plans for Reducing the Nobles.—Revocation of Grants.—Military Orders of Castile.—Masterships annexed to the Crown.—Ecclesiastical Usurpations Resisted.—Restoration of Trade.—Prosperity of the Kingdom. I have deferred to the present chapter a consideration of the important changes
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Origin of the Ancient Inquisition.—Retrospective View of the Jews in Spain.—Their Wealth and Civilization.—Bigotry of the Age.—Its Influence on Isabella.—Her Confessor, Torquemada.—Bull authorizing the Inquisition.—Tribunal at Seville.—Forms of Trial.—Torture.—Autos da Fe.—Number of Convictions.—Perfidious Policy of Rome. It is painful, after having dwelt so long on the important benefits resulting to Castile from the comprehensive policy of Isabella, to be compelled to turn to the darker side o
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
Conquest of Spain by the Arabs.—Cordovan Empire.—High Civilization and Prosperity.—Its Dismemberment.—Kingdom of Granada.—Luxurious and Chivalrous Character.—Literature of the Spanish Arabs.—Progress in Science.—Historical Merits.—Useful Discoveries.—Poetry and Romance.— Influence on the Spaniards. We have now arrived at the commencement of the famous war of Granada, which terminated in the subversion of the Arabian empire in Spain, after it had subsisted for nearly eight centuries, and with the
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
1481-1482. Zahara Surprised by the Moors.—Marquis of Cadiz.—His Expedition against Alhama.—Valor of the Citizens.—Desperate Struggle.—Fall of Alhama.— Consternation of the Moors.—Vigorous Measures of the Queen. No sooner had Ferdinand and Isabella restored internal tranquillity to their dominions, and made the strength effective which had been acquired by their union under one government, than they turned their eyes to those fair regions of the Peninsula, over which the Moslem crescent had reign
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
1482-1483. Unsuccessful Attempt on Loja.—Revolution in Granada.—Expedition to the Axarquia.—Military Array.—Moorish Preparations.—Bloody Conflict among the Mountains.—The Spaniards force a Passage.—The Marquis of Cadiz Escapes. Loja stands not many leagues from Albania, on the banks of the Xenil, which rolls its clear current through a valley luxuriant with vineyards and olive-gardens; but the city is deeply intrenched among hills of so rugged an aspect, that it has been led not inappropriately
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
1483-1487. Defeat and Capture of Abdallah.—Policy of the Sovereigns.—Large Trains of Artillery.—Description of the Pieces.—Stupendous Roads.—Isabella's Care of the Troops.—Her Perseverance.—Discipline of the Army.—Swiss Mercenaries.—English Lord Scales.—Magnificence of the Nobles.—Isabella Visits the Camp.—Ceremonies on the Occupation of a City. The young monarch, Abu Abdallah, was probably the only person in Granada who did not receive with unmingled satisfaction the tidings of the rout in the
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PART FIRST. [CONTINUED.]
PART FIRST. [CONTINUED.]
1483-1487. Isabella enforces the Laws.—Punishment of Ecclesiastics.—Inquisition in Aragon.—Remonstrances of the Cortes.—Conspiracy.—Assassination of the Inquisitor Arbues.—Cruel Persecutions.—Inquisition throughout Ferdinand's Dominions. In such intervals of leisure as occurred amid their military operations, Ferdinand and Isabella were diligently occupied with the interior government of the kingdom, and especially with the rigid administration of justice, the most difficult of all duties in an
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
1487. Narrow Escape of Ferdinand before Velez.—Malaga invested by Sea and Land.—Brilliant Spectacle.—The Queen visits the Camp.—Attempt to Assassinate the Sovereigns.—Distress and Resolution of the Besieged.— Enthusiasm of the Christians.—Outworks Carried by them.—Proposals for Surrender.—Haughty Demeanor of Ferdinand.—Malaga Surrenders at Discretion.—Cruel Policy of the Victors. Before commencing operations against Malaga, it was thought expedient by the Spanish council of war to obtain possess
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
1487-1489. The Sovereigns visit Aragon.—The King lays Siege to Baza.—Its Great Strength.—Gardens Cleared of their Timber.—The Queen Raises the Spirits of her Troops.—Her Patriotic Sacrifices.—Suspension of Arms.—Baza Surrenders.—Treaty with Zagal.—Difficulties of the Campaign.—Isabella's Popularity and Influence. In the autumn of 1487, Ferdinand and Isabella, accompanied by the younger branches of the royal family, visited Aragon, to obtain the recognition from the cortes of Prince John's succes
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
1490-1492. The Infanta Isabella Affianced to the Prince of Portugal.—Isabella Deposes Judges at Valladolid.—Encampment before Granada.—The Queen Surveys the City.—Moslem and Christian Chivalry.—Conflagration of the Christian Camp.—Erection of Santa Fe.—Capitulation of Granada.—Results of the War.—Its Moral Influence.—Its Military Influence.—Fate of the Moors.—Death and Character of the Marquis of Cadiz. In the spring of 1490, ambassadors arrived from Lisbon for the purpose of carrying into effec
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
1492. Early Discoveries of the Portuguese.—Of the Spaniards.—Columbus.—His Application at the Castilian Court.—Rejected.—Negotiations Resumed.— Favorable Disposition of the Queen.—Arrangement with Columbus.—He Sails on his First Voyage.—Indifference to the Enterprise.—Acknowledgments due to Isabella. While Ferdinand and Isabella were at Santa Fe, the capitulation was signed, that opened the way to an extent of empire, compared with which their recent conquests, and indeed all their present domin
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
1492. Excitement against the Jews.—Edict of Expulsion.—Dreadful Sufferings of the Emigrants.—Whole Number of Exiles.—Disastrous Results.—True Motives of the Edict.—Contemporary Judgments. While the Spanish sovereigns were detained before Granada, they published their memorable and most disastrous edict against the Jews; inscribing it, as it were, with the same pen which drew up the glorious capitulation of Granada and the treaty with Columbus. The reader has been made acquainted in a preceding c
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
1492-1493. Attempt on Ferdinand's Life.—Consternation and Loyalty of the People.— Return of Columbus.—His Progress to Barcelona.—Interviews with the Sovereigns.—Sensations caused by the Discovery.—Regulations of Trade.— Conversion of the Natives.—Famous Bulls of Alexander VI.—Jealousy of Portugal.—Second Voyage of Columbus.—Treaty of Tordesillas. Towards the latter end of May, 1492, the Spanish sovereigns quitted Granada, between which and Santa Fe they had divided their time since the surrender
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
Early Education of Ferdinand.—Of Isabella.—Her Library.—Early Promise of Prince John.—Scholarship of the Nobles.—Accomplished Women.— Classical Learning.—Universities.—Printing Introduced.—Encouraged by the Queen.—Actual Progress of Science. We have now arrived at the period, when the history of Spain becomes incorporated with that of the other states of Europe. Before embarking on the wide sea of European politics, however, and bidding adieu, for a season, to the shores of Spain, it will be nec
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
This Reign an Epoch in Polite Letters.—Romances of Chivalry.—Ballads or Romances .—Moorish Minstrelsy.—"Cancionero General."—Its Literary Value.—Rise of the Spanish Drama.—Criticism on "Celestina."—Encina.— Naharro.—Low Condition of the Stage.—National Spirit of the Literature of this Epoch. Ornamental or polite literature, which, emanating from the taste and sensibility of a nation, readily exhibits its various fluctuations of fashion and feeling, was stamped in Spain with the distinguishing ch
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PART SECOND.
PART SECOND.
1493-1517. 1493-1495. Europe at the Close of the Fifteenth Century.—More Intimate Relations between States.—Italy the School of Politics.—Pretensions of Charles VIII. to Naples.—Treaty of Barcelona.—The French Invade Naples.— Ferdinand's Dissatisfaction.—Tactics and Arms of the Different Nations.— Preparations of Spain.—Mission to Charles VIII.—Bold Conduct of the Envoys.—The French enter Naples. We have now reached that memorable epoch, when the different nations of Europe, surmounting the barr
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
1495-1496. Impolitic Conduct of Charles.—He Plunders the Works of Art.—Gonsalvo de Cordova.—His Brilliant Qualities.—Raised to the Italian Command.—Battle of Seminara.—Gonsalvo's Successes.—Decline of the French.—He Receives the Title of Great Captain.—Expulsion of the French from Italy. Charles the Eighth might have found abundant occupation, during his brief residence at Naples, in placing the kingdom in a proper posture of defence, and in conciliating the good-will of the inhabitants, without
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
1496-1498. Gonsalvo Succors the Pope.—Storms Ostia.—Reception in Rome.—Peace with France.—Ferdinand's Reputation advanced by his Conduct in the War.— Organization of the Militia. It had been arranged by the treaty of Venice, that while the allies were carrying on the war in Naples, the emperor elect and the king of Spain should make a diversion in their favor, by invading the French frontiers. Ferdinand had performed his part of the engagement. Ever since the beginning of the war, he had maintai
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Royal Family of Castile.—Matrimonial Alliances with Portugal.—With Austria.—Marriage of John and Margaret.—Death of Prince John.—The Queen's Resignation.—Independence of the Cortes of Aragon.—Death of the Princess Isabella.—Recognition of her Infant Son Miguel. The credit and authority which the Castilian sovereigns established by the success of their arms, were greatly raised by the matrimonial connections which they formed for their children. This was too important a spring of their policy to
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Death of Mendoza.—His Early Life and Character.—The Queen his Executor. —Origin of Ximenes.—He Enters the Franciscan Order.—His Ascetic Life.— Confessor to the Queen.—Made Archbishop of Toledo.—Austerity of his Life.—Reform of the Monastic Orders.—Insults Offered to the Queen.—She Consents to the Reform. In the beginning of 1495, the sovereigns lost their old and faithful minister, the grand cardinal of Spain, Don Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza. He was the fourth son of the celebrated marquis of Sant
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
1499-1500. Tranquil State of Granada.—Mild Policy of Talavera.—Clergy Dissatisfied with it.—Violent Measures of Ximenes.—His Fanaticism.—Its Mischievous Effects.—Insurrection in Granada.—Tranquillity Restored.—Baptism of the Inhabitants. Moral energy, or constancy of purpose, seems to be less properly an independent power of the mind than a mode of action, by which its various powers operate with effect. But, however this may be, it enters more largely, perhaps, than mere talent, as commonly und
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
1500-1502. Rising in the Alpuxarras.—Expedition to the Sierra Vermeja.—Alonso de Aguilar.—His Noble Character, and Death.—Bloody Rout of the Spaniards.— Final Submission to Ferdinand.—Cruel Policy of the Victors.— Commemorative Ballads.—Edict against the Moors,—Causes of Intolerance.— Last Notice of the Moors under the Present Reign. While affairs went forward so triumphantly in the capital of Granada, they excited general discontent in other parts of that kingdom, especially the wild regions of
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
1494-1503. Progress of Discovery.—Reaction of Public Feeling.—The Queen's Confidence in Columbus.—He Discovers Terra Firma.—Isabella Sends Back the Indian Slaves.—Complaints against Columbus.—Superseded in the Government.—Vindication of the Sovereigns.—His Fourth and Last Voyage. The reader will turn with satisfaction from the melancholy and mortifying details of superstition, to the generous efforts, which the Spanish government was making to enlarge the limits of science and dominion in the we
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Careful Provision for the Colonies.—License for Private Voyages.— Important Papal Concessions.—The Queen's Zeal for Conversion.—Immediate Profits from the Discoveries.—Their Moral Consequences.—Their Geographical Extent. A consideration of the colonial policy pursued during Isabella's lifetime has been hitherto deferred to avoid breaking the narrative of Columbus's personal adventures. I shall now endeavor to present the reader with a brief outline of it, as far as can be collected from imperfec
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