Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/112

xciv KClv INTRODUCTION. iNTROD. Instead of abusing his victory, as might have been anticipated from his character, Peter adopted a far more magnanimous policy. He confirmed the ancient privileges of the realm, and made in addi- tion other wise and salutary concessions. From this period, therefore, is to be dated the possession of constitutional liberty in Aragon ; (for surely the reign of unbridled license, above described, is not deserving that name ;) and this not so much from the acquisition of new immunities, as from the more perfect security afforded for the enjoyment of the old. The court of the Justiciar that great barrier interposed by the constitution between despotism on the one hand and popular license on the other, was more strongly protected, and causes hitherto decided by arms were referred for adjudication to this tribunal. ^' From this period, too, the cortes, whose voice was scarcely heard amid the wild up- roar of preceding times, was allowed to extend a beneficial and protecting sway over the land. And, although the social history of Aragon, like that of other countries in this rude age, is too often stained with deeds of violence and personal feuds, yet the state at large, under the steady operation of its laws, probably enjoyed a more uninterrupted tran- quillity, than fell to the lot of any other nation in Europe. by Blancas among the manuscripts ReipublicjB interitum videbatur esse of the archbishop of Sarapossa ; allatura, stabilem nobis constituit but he dccHned publishing it from pacem, tranquillilatem, et otium. deference to the prohibition of his Inde enim Majristratus Justitiae Ar- anceslors. Commcntarii, p. 179. agonum in earn, quam nunc coli- 27 " IIesc itsque domestica Regis mus, amplitudinem dignitatis dcve- victoria, quae miserrimum universaj nit." Ibid., p. 197.