means.

their ease in the midst of plenty of provisions and wine, and the next day, which was Palm Sunday, remained where they were to refresh themselves. Don Pedro wished to have shown his vengeance by putting all the Spanish prisoners to death; but the Prince interceded for them, and pointed out to him that kindness and generosity would do more towards gaining for him a friendly reception in his kingdom than any other Much against his will, therefore, he forgave Don Sancho and all the other prisoners, on condition that they would swear fealty and homage, and acknowledge him as their lord. Burgos, Villorado, and many other places then surrendered, and after meeting with this success Don Pedro went to Seville, with the intention of procuring money for payment of the forces, while the Prince fixed his quarters at Valladolid. The news of the defeat of King Henry soon spread through France, England, and Germany; and wherever true valor and deeds of arms were esteemed the Prince rose in admiration and honor. The Germans, Flemings, and English declared that he was the mirror of knighthood-that having gained three glorious victories, the first at Cressy, the second at Poitiers ten years afterwards, and the third in Spain, at Navarretta, he was worthy of governing the whole world. In France, however, there was much lamentation, for many knights of that kingdom had been captured and many slain.

King Henry, after the battle, escaped with his wife and children as quickly as he was able to the King of Aragon at Valencia, to whom he related his ill success; from Valencia he went to Montpellier to the Duke of Anjou, who cordially loved him, and as cordially hated the English, though he was not at war with them at the time; thence the unfortunate monarch paid a visit to Pope Urban; and afterwards, having bought or borrowed of the Duke of Anjou a castle called Roquemaure, he there collected about 300 men, and finding his forces increase, made an incursion into Aquitaine, doing much damage to the country. The Prince of Wales waited at Valladolid for the return of Don Pedro, who never came, nor could he for some time learn any certain tidings of him. It was now the feast of St. John the Baptist, and his council advised him to send two or three knights to

remonstrate with Don Pedro on his conduct. The knights found him at Seville, and received from him some paltry excuses, which they reported to the Prince, who on hearing them was so much displeased that he determined to withdraw his forces from Spain, declaring that Don Pedro had shamefully and dishonorably failed in his engagements. Orders were immediately given to that effect, and all prepared for departure except the King of Majorca, who was so ill that he could not be moved. Nothing of importance occurred on their way back; but as they approached Bordeaux great preparations were made to receive them; the Princess of Wales, accompanied by her eldest son, Edward, who was then about three years old, went out to meet her husband, and in the city, on the occasion, there were great rejoicings. The Prince, immediately on his return, disbanded his forces, having satisfied them with money as far as he was able, for he said, that "Although Don Pedro had not kept his engagements, it was not becoming of him to act in like manner to those who had so well served him."-SIR J. FROISSART.

THE DEATH OF QUEEN BLANCHE.

"Maria de Padilla, be not thus of dismal mood,

For if I twice have wedded me, it all was for thy good;

But if upon Queen Blanche ye will that I some scorn should show, For a banner to Medina my messenger shall go;

The work shall be of Blanche's tears, of Blanche's blood the ground

Such pennon shall they weave for thee, such sacrifice be found."

Then to the Lord of Ortis, that excellent baron,

He said, "Now hear me, Ynigo, forthwith for this begone.'
Then answer made Don Ynigo, "Such gift I ne'er will bring,
For he that harmeth Lady Blanche doth harm my lord the king."
Then Pedro to his chamber went, his cheek was burning red,
And to a bowman of his guard the dark command he said.

The bowman to Medina passed; when the Queen beheld him near, "Alas!" she said, "my maidens, he brings my death, I fear."

Then said the archer, bending low, "The King's commandment take,

And see thy soul be ordered well with God that did it make;
For lo! thine hour is come, therefore no refuge may there be;"
Then gently spake the Lady Blanche, "My friend, I pardon thee;

Do what thou wilt, so be the king hath his commandment given, Deny me not confession,-if so, forgive ye Heaven."

Much grieved the bowman for her tears, and for her beauty's sake; While thus Queen Blanche of Bourbon her last complaint did

make:

"O France! my noble country-O blood of high Bourbon ! Not eighteen years have I seen out before my life is gone.

"The king hath never known me; a virgin true I die, Whate'er I've done to proud Castille, no treason e'er did I. The crown they put upon my head was a crown of blood and sighs, God grant me soon another crown more precious in the skies." These words she spake, then down she knelt, and took the bowman's blow;

Her tender neck was cut in twain, and out the blood did flow. -SPANISH BALLAD, Translated by J. G. LOCKHART.

ENRY II., of Castile, known also as the Count of Trastamare, was born in January, 1333. He was the natural son of Alfonso XI., and thus brother of Peter the Cruel, in the account of whom may be found part of Henry's career. Peter, on becoming king, showed him much kindness, called him and his mother to court, and made him Count of Trastamare. The Count, however, had reason to suspect his brother's enmity, and sought to take advantage of the discontent against him, which the severity and cruelty of Peter had provoked.

The deaths of the Queen and the mother of Henry were openly charged on Peter, and made the occasion of revolt. This insurrection was suppressed, and Henry fled to Portugal; he then joined the King of Aragon in an attack on Castile, was again beaten, and fled to France. Here he raised a considerable body of troops, with Bertrand du Guesclin as commander. With the aid of this leader Henry was so far successful that he was crowned at Burgos; but Edward, the Black Prince, coming to the assistance of Peter, totally defeated Henry at the battle of Navarretta, and took Du Guesclin prisoner.

Henry again fled to France; but the cruelties of Peter excited fresh discontent, of which Henry took advantage. He obtained a declaration of his legitimacy from Pope Urban V., money from Charles V. of France, with which he ransomed Du Guesclin, raised fresh troops, and again invaded

Castile. Peter, now unsupported by the English prince, was beaten, and fled to Montiel, where, in an interview after his capture, Henry slew him with his own hand.

Henry was the second and last monarch of illegitimate birth that ever reigned in Castile and Leon. The only lawful heir to the Castilian crown, according to the right of succession, was Fernando, King of Portugal, grandson of the Princess Beatrix, daughter of Sancho the Brave, King of Castile, who was married to Alfonso IV., of Portugal. To the sober-judging Castilians, the right of that prince seemed so clear that not a few of the nobility hastened to do homage to him as their lawful sovereign, and several cities of Leon, as well as of Galicia, declared for him. The encouragement thus given to his just pretensions caused him to assume the title of King of Castile and Leon, in addition to that of Portugal, and to prepare considerable armaments for the purpose of enforcing them. But the opportunity of forever uniting the two countries was lost through national prejudices, rendered inveterate.

The difficulties with which Henry had to contend were of no common order. The Kings of Portugal, Navarre and Aragon were arrayed against him. But Henry had great courage, and he resolutely prepared to vindicate his authority. After an ineffectual attempt to procure the submission of Carmona, he assembled his troops at Toledo, reduced Requeña by means of his generals, and with a considerable force marched on Zamora, which he also hoped to reduce. Hearing, however, that Fernando was advancing on Corunna, he marched towards Galicia; but as the Portuguese, on hearing of his approach, hastily retreated, he turned aside into that kingdom, took Bruga and some minor fortresses and returned. No sooner had he retired, than detached bands of Portuguese penetrated into Estremadura and committed destructive ravages. Henry managed, however, to preserve his frontier strongholds, both on the side of Portugal and of Aragon. Early in 1370 he had the still greater good fortune of defeating a powerful fleet at sea, which Fernando had dispatched to the mouth of the Guadalquivir river.

In 1371 Henry prosecuted with vigor the siege of Carmona,