INTRODUCTION. THE most interesting and circumstantial information we possess concerning the reign of Don Pedro, has been transmitted to us by Pero Lopez de Ayala. That illustrious chronicler, who was a contemporary of Don Pedro, and enabled, through birth and the important offices which he discharged, to observe and study closely the events of his time, seems to have united all the qualities which render the testimony of an historian truly valuable, his naturally great powers of observation having been matured by actual experience in state affairs, and assisted by the cultivation. of letters. Nevertheless, he has been accused by modern writers, not only of partiality, but even of dishonesty. I purpose endeavouring to show the injustice of this imputation. If I can prove the veracity of the author whom I have generally taken for my guide, I shall, perhaps, inspire some confidence in my own work. The life of Ayala is very imperfectly known, and VOL. I. B indeed only through some passages in his own writings. His father, Don Fernando Perez de Ayala, was Adelantado* of the kingdom of Murcia, and the friend or dependent of Don Juan de Alburquerque, the all-powerful minister of Castile during the early part of the reign of Don Pedro. Pero Lopez was page to that king in 1333t. In 1354, at the conference of Tejadillo, Fernando Perez was the spokesman of the revolted Ricos Hombres, and his son was present at the same interview as page or esquire to the Infante Don Fernando de Aragon, one of the principal rebel chiefst. A few years after the civil war in 1359, we find Pero Lopez a captain in the Castilian fleet sent against the Aragonese court, and embarked on board the royal galley, whence it may be inferred that he held from that time a post in Don Pedro's household.§ He served Don Pedro faithfully until 1366. Then seeing his sovereign abandon Spain, and seek refuge in Guyenne, Pero Lopez considered himself released from his oath, and offered his services to Don Enrique de Trastamara, the fortunate usurper of the crown of Castile. He fought under his command at the battle of Navarrete, and was taken prisoner by the English. Having purchased liberty by payment of a heavy ransom, he rejoined Don Enrique, probably before his entry into Spain,|| and was ever treated by that prince * A governor, uniting civil and military authority. Ayala, p. 90, Abreviada. Idem, p. 157 and following. Idem, p. 276. He was with Don Enrique at Burgos in 1367. Ayala, p. 517. Abrev. |