Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/449

Rh Princes equally zealous and ambitious, like Ferdinand and Isabella, were naturally disposed to think of increasing their hereditary dominions, by expelling the enemies of Christianity, and extending its doctrines. Every thing conspired to favour this project, when, in 1483, Ferdinand entered Granada. He continued the war with rapid success. Isabella attended him in several expeditions, and they were once in great danger of being taken; but at length, in 1492, the king of Granada capitulated, and his dominions were annexed to their crown; which ended the empire of the Arabs in Spain, after it had continued about eight hundred years.

The great Columbus, a Genoese navigator, who, perfectly acquainted with the figure of the earth, conceived the idea of another hemisphere, after having, unsuccessfully, applied to his countrymen and to Portugal, for means to make this grand discovery, had laid his proposals before the court of Spain, where he had long suffered all that supercilious neglect which unsupported merit so often meets with from men of office, who are too apt to despise what they do not understand.

Ferdinand and Isabella were then engaged in the conquest of Granada. The Spanish treasury was exhausted; but no sooner were the Moors subdued, but the ambitious mind of Isabella seemed to sympathize with the bold spirit of Columbus, She offered to pledge her jewels, in order to furnish him with a fleet; and by her means it was effected. On his return, he was much honoured, ordered into the presence of Ferdinand and Isabella, and desired to sit covered, like a grandee. Royal favour beamed on him with unremitting brightness; and the pope having issued a bull, granting to the