HISTORY OF THE REIGN

OF

FERDINAND AND ISABELLA,

The Catholic, of Spain.

BY

WILLIAM H. PRESCOTT.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:

GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & Co.

FARRINGDON STREET.

1854.

P7
1854

v. 2

CONTENTS.

PART THE SECOND.

THE PERIOD WHEN, THE INTERIOR ORGANISATION OF THE

MONARCHY HAVING BEEN COMPLETED, THE SPANISH

NATION ENTERED ON ITS SCHEMES OF DISCOVERY AND

CONQUEST; OR THE PERIOD ILLUSTRATING MORE PAR-

TICULARLY THE FOREIGN POLICY OF FERDINAND AND

ISABELLA.

CHAPTER I.

ITALIAN WARS-GENERAL VIEW OF EUROPE-INVASION OF ITALY

BY CHARLES VIII. OF FRANCE.

Foreign politics directed by Ferdinand-Europe at the close of the

fifteenth century-Character of the reigning Sovereigns-Improved

political and moral condition-More intimate relations between states

-Foreign relations conducted by the Sovereign-Italy the school of

politics-Her most powerful states-Character of Italian politics-

Internal prosperity-Intrigues of Sforza-Charles VIII. of France-

His pretensions to Naples-Negotiations respecting Roussillon-

Charles's counsellors in the pay of Ferdinand-Treaty of Barcelona

-Its importance to Spain-Alarm at the French invasion, in Italy-

In Europe, especially Spain-Preparations of Charles-An envoy sent

to the French court-Announces Ferdinand's views-Charles's dis-

satisfaction-The French cross the Alps-Italian tactics-The Swiss

infantry-French artillery-Sforza jealous of the French-The pope

confers the title of Catholic-Naval preparations in Spain-Second

mission to Charles VIII.-Bold conduct of the envoys-The king of

Naples flies to Sicily-The French enter Naples-General hostility to

them-League of Venice-Zurita's Life and Writings-Page 3-26.

CHAPTER II.

ITALIAN WARS-RETREAT OF CHARLES VIII.-CAMPAIGNS OF GONSALVO

DE CORDOVA-FINAL EXPULSION OF THE FRENCH.

Conduct of Charles-Plunders the works of art-Retreat of the French

-Gonsalvo de Cordova-His brilliant qualities-Raised to the Italian

command-Arrives in Italy-Lands in Calabria-Marches on Seminara

-Gonsalvo's prudence-Battle of Seminara-Defeat of the Neapoli-

tans-Gonsalvo retreats to Reggio-Ferdinand recovers his capital-

Gonsalvo in Calabria - His successes Decline of the French-

Besieged in Atella-Gonsalvo surprises Laino-Arrives before Atella

-Receives the title of Great Captain-Beats a detachment of Swiss-

Capitulation of Montpensier-Miserable state of the French-Death

of Ferdinand of Naples-Accession of Frederic II.-Total expulsion

of the French-Remarks on Guicciardini and Giovio-Sismondi-

Page 27-46,

CHAPTER III.

ITALIAN WARS-GONSALVO SUCCOURS THE POPE-TREATY WITH

FRANCE-ORGANISATION OF THE SPANISH MILITIA.

War on the side of Roussillon-The pope asks the aid of Gonsalvo-

Storming and capture of Ostia-Gonsalvo enters Rome-His recep-

tion by the pope-Returns to Spain-Peace with France-Ferdinand's

views respecting Naples-His fame acquired by the war-Influence

of the war on Spain-Organisation of the militia-Page 46-53.

CHAPTER IV.

ALLIANCES OF THE ROYAL FAMILY-DEATH OF PRINCE JOHN

AND PRINCESS ISABELLA.

Royal family of Castile-Joanna Beltraneja-Marriage of the princess

Isabella-Death of her husband-Alliances with the house of Austria

-And that of England-Joanna embarks-The queen's anxiety-

Margaret of Austria-Returns in the fleet-Marriage of John and

Margaret-Second marriage of Princess Isabella-Sudden illness of

Prince John-His death-His amiable character-The king and

queen of Portugal visit Spain-Objections to their recognition-

Isabella displeased-Her daughter's death-Its effects on Isabella—

Prince Miguel's recognition-Page 53-67.

CHAPTER V.

DEATH OF CARDINAL MENDOZA-RISE OF XIMENES-

ECCLESIASTICAL REFORM.

Death of Mendoza-His early life-And character-His amours-The

queen his executor-Birth of Ximenes-He visits Rome-His return

and imprisonment-Established at Siguenza-Enters the Franciscan

order-His severe penance-His ascetic life-He is made guardian of

Salzeda-Introduced to the queen-Made her confessor-Elected

provincial-Corruption of the monasteries-Attempt at reform-See

of Toledo vacant Offered to Ximenes-He reluctantly accepts-

Characteristic anecdotes of Ximenes-His austere life-Reform in his

diocese-Example of his severity-Reform of the monastic orders-

Great excitement caused by it-Visit of the Franciscan general-

Insults the queen-The pope's interference-Consents to the reform

-Its operation and effects-Alvaro Gomez, and biographers of

Ximenes-Page 67-85.