CHAPTER VIII. GOVERNMENT OF DON ENRIQUE-CIVIL WAR. I. FORTUNE had reversed the positions of the two brothers: Don Pedro was now imploring the protection of a foreign court, and Don Enrique, astonished at his own success, was daily making new conquests, and receiving an enthusiastic welcome from both nobles and burghers. At Seville, so great was the concourse of people to witness his entrance, that several hours elapsed ere he could make his way through the crowd, every one pressing forward to contemplate his features; and although he had arrived at the city gates very early in the morning, he was unable to enter the Alcazar until after vespers.* He there found several of Don Pedro's old servants, who came to kiss his hands and offer him their tardy homage, bringing excuses which were readily accepted. Admiral Boccanegra gave Don Enrique a reception particularly well-timed. He placed at the disposal of the new king, Don Pedro's treasure, of which he had just taken possession, and which * Ayala, p. 421. consisted of thirty-six hundred weight of gold, and a large quantity of jewellery. This prize was more important than the conquest of a province. The Genoese deserter received for his reward the rich lordship of Otiel.* There was not a town nor a castle in Andalucia that hesitated to follow the example of the capital. The Moorish king himself, after some ineftual attempts on the frontier, feeling convinced that the cause of his former protector was for ever lost, sent to sue for peace, and obtained it without difficulty. Don Enrique, now that he was freed from this source of anxiety, and seeing the whole kingdom at his feet, Galicia alone excepted, thought that he could not do better than rid himself of his auxiliaries, who began to prove troublesome. The Adventurers, finding few opportunities of fighting, were determined not to be deprived of their privilege of pillaging. Complaints of their violent conduct was raised on all sides, and in some provinces the people took up arms against them. Don Enrique dismissed the greater number of these mercenaries, though not without first loading them with presents. He only desired to retain in his service Du Guesclin and Calverley, who were in some measure become his liegemen, with fifteen hundred lances chosen principally from the French and Breton bands.† At the suggestion of Du Guesclin, in whom he placed entire confidence, he had given a preference to the French, and if he retained Sir Hugh de Calverley, it was probably in the Salazar, "Casa de Lara," t. 11, Lib. XII. Ayala, p. 422. hope that this renowned captain might prove a useful mediator with the Prince of Wales, whose hostile attitude already caused him serious uneasiness. The Comte de La Marche and the Sire de Beaujeu, with the principal body of Adventurers, quitted Spain, satisfied that they had fulfilled their chivalric oath, and avenged their relative, Queen Blanche. At Seville, indeed, they had discovered a ballestero of Don Pedro's guard, whom public rumour accused as the murderer of the young queen, and after having obtained Don Enrique's permission to have this man delivered up to them, they hung him without form of trial.* The execution of this poor wretch constituted the sole exploit of these nobles, the only two men whom a disinterested motive had attracted to the pretender's banner. As for the Adventurers, they found more frequent opportunities for making use of their arms on their return than during their long march through Spain. Castilians, Navarrese, Aragonese, all rose up against them, and the Knights Companions had everywhere to force a passage with their swords. But no obstacle could stay these intrepid veterans. They crossed the Pyrenees in good order, and fought their way through the main body of a French army which vainly endeavoured to oppose their descent from the mountains.† * Ayala, p. 423. Como quier que fue pequeña emienda; a poor satisfaction, says the chronicler. + Froissart, Lib. 1. Pt. 11. chap. ccxiv. Dom Vaissette, t. IV., p. 332. "Hist. de Languedoc," t. IV. p. 332. The majority of the Adventurers were vassals of the King of France, and before they had crossed the Pyrenees, it was generally known that the Black Prince was preparing to invade Spain. Every obstacle was there Although Don Enrique was perfectly aware that Galicia, and some cities in the north of Castile, still refused to acknowledge his authority, he remained nearly four months at Seville. This long sojourn was necessary to enable him to organise his government and re-establish order, which had been everywhere disturbed by the late commotions. It was also necessary to negociate with the kings, his neighbours, to satisfy the rapacity of the nobility, content the Commons, obtain from all parties the obedience which had been forgotten during several months of anarchy, and finally, make preparations for a dangerous war, for he did not fore thrown in the way of the Free Lances. Even the Comte de Foix, at the instance of Messire Bertrand Du Guesclin, who was then at Montpellier with the Duc d'Anjou, refused to allow them to pass through his lands, on the ground that they were little better than common robbers; he, however, yielded at last to the solicitation of the Prince, conveyed to him through Sir John Chandos. Those divisions of the companies, however, who returned to France through the Comtés of Foix and Armagnac, encountered but slight obstacles, compared to the Adventurers who had taken the road through Languedoc. Sir Gui d'Assai, the Seneschal of Toulouse, with the aid of the Vicomte de Narbonne, and the Seneschals of Carcassone and Beaucaire, collecting a force of five hundred men-at-arms, and four thousand archers, left Toulouse to oppose the further progress of the English and Gascon adventurers. On their arrival before Montauban, after a few days passed in unavailing parleys between them and Sir John Combes, the governor of that place, who held it for the Prince of Wales, an engagement took place. The Knights Companions, though much inferior in number, totally routed their opponents, taking Sir Gui d'Assai, the Vicomte de Narbonne, the Seneschals of Carcassone and Beaucaire, with upwards of a hundred French and Provecçal knights, prisoners.-T. conceal from himself that if the English once espoused Don Pedro's cause, they would make a powerful effort in his behalf.* Far from expecting assistance from his former allies, Don Enrique had now reason for anxiety on account of the exigencies of the King of Aragon. He hastened to despatch Du Guesclin to his court. The * Don Enrique at first, seems to have treated the rumoured invasion of the Prince of Wales but lightly. It was Du Guesclin who made him perceive the extreme danger of his position. King Enrique," writes Froissart," had not heard of the prince's intentions to bring his brother Don Pedro back to Castile, so soon as these knights, (the English and Gascon Free Companions) and well it was for them he had not; otherwise if he had received this intelligence, they would not have been suffered to depart so easily; for he had the power to detain and vex them. However, when he knew the trnth of it, he did not seem much affected by it, nevertheless, he spoke to Sir Bertrand Du Guesclin, who was still with him, as follows: Sir Bertrand, think of the Prince of Wales: they say, he intends to make war upon us, to replace by force this Jew, who calls himself King of Spain, upon our throne of Castile. What do you say to this?' To which Sir Bertrand replied: He is so valiant and determined a knight, that since he has undertaken it, he will exert himself to the utmost to accomplish it. I would, therefore, advise you to guard well all the passes and defiles on every side, so that no one may enter or go out of your kingdom without your leave. In the meantime, keep up the affections of your subjects. I know for a truth, that you will have great assistance from many knights in France, who will be happy to serve you. I will, with your permission, return thither, where I am sure of finding several friends, and I will bring back with me as many as I possibly can.' 'By my faith,' replied King Enrique, you say well; and I will in this business follow everything you shall order.'" Johnes' Froissart, vol. 1. chap. ccxxxIII. VOL. II. |