Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/126

102 102 WAR OF GRANADA. PART I. Results of the war of Granada. Thus ended the war of Granada, which is often compared by the Castilian chroniclers to that of Troy in its duration, and which certainly fully equalled the latter in variety of picturesque and romantic incidents, and in circumstances of poetical interest. With the surrender of its capital, termi- nated the Arabian empire in the Peninsula, after an existence of seven hundred and forty-one years from the date of the original conquest. The con- sequences of this closing war were of the highest moment to Spain. The most obvious, was the re- covery of an extensive territory, hitherto held by a people, whose difference of religion, language, and general habits, made them not only incapable of upon the receipt of these letters, sent all his nobles and prelates that were about the court, together with the mayor and aldermen of London, in great solemnity to the church of Paul ; there to hear a declaration from the lord chancel- lor, now cardinal. When they were assembled, the cardinal, stand- ing upon the uppermost step, or halfpace, before the quire, and all the nobles, prelates, and governors of the city at the foot of the stairs, made a speech to them ; letting them know that they were assem- bled in that consecrated place to sing unto God a new song. For that, said he, these many years the Cliristians have not gained new ground or territory upon the infidels, nor enlarged and set fur- ther the bounds of the Christian world. Hut this is now done by the prowess and devotion of Ferdi- nando and Isabella, kings of Spain ; who have, to their nnmortal honor, recovered the great and rich king- dom of Granada, and tlie populous and miglity city of the same name from the Moors, having been in possession thereof by the space of seven hundred years, and more ; for which this assembly and all Chris- tians are to render laud and thanks to God, and to celebrate this noble act of the king of Spain ; who in this is not only victorious but apostolical, in the gaining of new provinces to the Christian faith. And the rather for that this vic- tory and conquest is obtained with- out much eflusion of blood. Where- by it is to be hoped, that there shall be gained not only new ter- ritory, but infinite souls to the Church of Ciirist, whom the Al- mighty, as it seems, would have live to be converted. Ilerewithal he did relate some of the most memorable particulars of the war and victory. And, after his speech ended, tiie whole assembly went solemnly in procession, and Te Dcum was £ung."" Lord Bacon, History of the Reign of King Hen- ry VII., in hisW^orks, (ed. London, 1819,) vol. v. pp. 85, 66. — See also Hall, Chronicle, p. 453.