|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 51
"The worthy chronicler is no less elaborate in his description of
the masters of Santiago, Calatrava, and Alcantara, and their
valiant knights, armed at all points, and decorated with the badges
of their orders. These, he affirms, were the flower of Christian
chivalry; being constantly in service they became more steadfast
and accomplished in discipline than the irregular and temporary
levies of feudal nobles. Calm, solemn, and stately, they sat like
towers upon their powerful chargers. On parades they manifested
none of the show and ostentation of the other troops: neither, in
battle, did they endeavor to signalize themselves by any fiery
vivacity, or desperate and vainglorious exploit,--everything, with
them, was measured and sedate; yet it was observed that none were
more warlike in their appearance in the camp, or more terrible for
their achievements in the field.
"The gorgeous magnificence of the Spanish nobles found but little
favor in the eyes of the sovereigns. They saw that it caused a
competition in expense ruinous to cavaliers of moderate fortune;
and they feared that a softness and effeminacy might thus be
introduced, incompatible with the stern nature of the war. They
signified their disapprobation to several of the principal
noblemen, and recommended a more sober and soldier-like display
while in actual service.
"'These are rare troops for a tournay, my lord [said Ferdinand to
the Duke of Infantado, as he beheld his retainers glittering in
gold and embroidery]; but gold, though gorgeous, is soft and
yielding: iron is the metal for the field.'
"'Sire [replied the duke], if my men parade in gold, your majesty
will find they fight with steel.' The king smiled, but shook his
head, and the duke treasured up his speech in his heart."
Our author excels in such descriptions as that of the progress of
Isabella to the camp of Ferdinand after the capture of Loxa, and of the
picturesque pageantry which imparted something of gayety to the brutal
pastime of war:--
"It was in the early part of June that the queen departed from
Cordova, with the Princess Isabella and numerous ladies of her
court. She had a glorious attendance of cavaliers and pages, with
many guards and domestics. There were forty mules for the use of
the queen, the princess and their train.
"As this courtly cavalcade approached the Rock of the Lovers, on
the banks of the river Yeguas, they beheld a splendid train of
knights advancing to meet them. It was headed by that accomplished
cavalier the Marques Duke de Cadiz, accompanied by the adelantado
of Andalusia. He had left the camp the day after the capture of
Illora, and advanced thus far to receive the queen and escort her
over the borders. The queen received the marques with distinguished
honor, for he was esteemed the mirror of chivalry. His actions in
this war had become the theme of every tongue, and many hesitated
not to compare him in prowess with the immortal Cid.
"Thus gallantly attended, the queen entered the vanquished frontier
of Granada, journeying securely along the pleasant banks of the
Xenel, so lately subject to the scourings of the Moors. She stopped
at Loxa, where she administered aid and consolation to the wounded,
distributing money among them for their support, according to their
rank.
"The king, after the capture of Illora, had removed his camp before
the fortress of Moclin, with an intention of besieging it. Thither
the queen proceeded, still escorted through the mountain roads by
the Marques of Cadiz. As Isabella drew near to the camp, the Duke
del Infantado issued forth a league and a half to receive her,
magnificently arrayed, and followed by all his chivalry in glorious
attire. With him came the standard of Seville, borne by the
men-at-arms of that renowned city, and the Prior of St. Juan, with
his followers. They ranged themselves in order of battle, on the
left of the road by which the queen was to pass.
"The worthy Agapida is loyally minute in his description of the
state and grandeur of the Catholic sovereigns. The queen rode a
chestnut mule, seated in a magnificent saddle-chair, decorated with
silver gilt. The housings of the mule were of fine crimson cloth;
the borders embroidered with gold; the reins and head-piece were of
satin, curiously embossed with needlework of silk, and wrought with
golden letters. The queen wore a brial or regal skirt of velvet,
under which were others of brocade; a scarlet mantle, ornamented in
the Moresco fashion; and a black hat, embroidered round the crown
and brim.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|