Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/310

302 ceeded in placing himself at the head of affairs, and assembled the Cortes or grand national council of the kingdom at Toledo, at which the king presided, assisted by the superior clergy and the nobles. The affairs of the Church seem to have been the first matter of discussion, and S. Isidore was commissioned to frame a missal and breviary for the Spanish Church, which should remedy the wants and irregularities of those in common use. This compilation formed thenceforward the ritual of the Gothic Church till the fifteenth century, and is styled the Musarabic Liturgy. This form is preserved in one place in Spain down to our own days; a small chapel in the cathedral at Toledo still continues to be served after the manner of the Goths, its priests and choir receive a special training to that end. This chapel had fallen much into decay, till during the reign of Philip II. of Spain (1556—1598) Cardinal Ximenes repaired and endowed it for ever, that the memory of the Gothic Christians might not be lost in Spain. This prelate, though austere in his own habits and discouraging any art of mere luxury, yet fostered any sculpture or painting which could be applied to the adornment of religious edifices. He patronised and employed several of the famous painters of his day, especially in the chapel of Toledo restored by him and consecrated to the Musarabic form of worship.

"In 1080 a curious duel took place. The Popes had long desired to substitute the Romish ritual for that of the Gothic Church, but they found it difficult, nay, impossible, to wean the people from the faith of their ancestors. On the Archbishop endeavouring to establish the Roman mass-book at Toledo the people demanded the trial by ordeal of the ancient liturgy. Accordingly the king, the queen, the nobles, and clergy being assembled, a great fire was kindled in the public market-place of Toledo, and the two books were cast into the flames. The Romish ritual remained unconsumed, but the words in the book were obliterated by smoke; the Musarabic book came out as clear as it was cast in. The queen being dissatisfied with the result, the trial by duel was demanded, in which the champion of the ancient ritual was again victorious. The king then pronounced both equally good, but issued an edict that the ancient book should be used only in