University of Virginia Library

7. CHAPTER VII.
How the Duke of Medina Sidonia, and the chivalry of
Andalusia, hastened to the relief of Alhama.

The perilous situation of the christian cavaliers,
pent up and beleaguered within the walls of Alhama,
spread terror among their friends, and anxiety throughout
all Andalusia. Nothing, however, could equal the
anguish of the marchioness of Cadiz, the wife of the
gallant Roderigo Ponce de Leon. In her deep distress,
she looked round for some powerful noble,
who had the means of rousing the country to the
assistance of her husband. No one appeared more
competent for the purpose than Don Juan de Guzman,
the duke of Medina Sidonia. He was one of
the most wealthy and puissant grandees of Spain;
his possessions extended over some of the most fertile
parts of Andalusia, embracing towns, and seaports,
and numerous villages. Here he reigned in
feudal state, like a petty sovereign, and could at any
time bring into the field an immense force of vassals
and retainers.

The duke of Medina Sidonia, and the marques of
Cadiz, however, were at this time deadly foes. An
hereditary feud existed between them, which had
often arisen to bloodshed and open war; for as yet
the fierce contests between the proud and puissant
Spanish nobles had not been completely quelled by

the power of the crown, and in this respect they
exerted a right of sovereignty, in leading their vassals
against each other in open field.

The duke of Medina Sidonia would have appeared,
to many, the very last person to whom to apply for
aid of the marques of Cadiz; but the marchioness
judged of him by the standard of her own high and
generous mind. She knew him to be a gallant and
courteous knight, and had already experienced the
magnanimity of his spirit, having been relieved by
him when besieged by the Moors in her husband's
fortress of Arcos. To the duke, therefore, she applied
in this moment of sudden calamity, imploring
him to furnish succor to her husband. The event
showed how well noble spirits understand each other.
No sooner did the duke receive this appeal from the
wife of his enemy, than he generously forgot all feeling
of animosity, and determined to go in person to his
succor. He immediately dispatched a courteous
letter to the marchioness, assuring her that in consideration
of the request of so honorable and estimable
a lady, and to rescue from peril so valiant a cavalier
as her husband, whose loss would be great, not only
to Spain, but to all christendom, he would forego the
recollection of all past grievances, and hasten to his
relief with all the forces he could raise.

The duke wrote at the same time to the alcaydes
of his towns and fortresses, ordering them to join him
forthwith at Seville, with all the forces they could
spare from their garrisons. He called on all the
chivalry of Andalusia to make a common cause in

the rescue of those christian cavaliers, and he offered
large pay to all volunteers who would resort to him
with horses, armor, and provisions. Thus all who
could be incited by honor, religion, patriotism, or
thirst of gain, were induced to hasten to his standard,
and he took the field with an army of five thousand
horse and fifty thousand foot.[1] Many cavaliers of
distinguished name accompanied him in this generous
enterprise. Among these was the redoubtable Alonzo
de Aguilar, the chosen friend of the marques of Cadiz,
and with him his younger brother, Gonsalvo Fernandez
de Cordova, afterwards renowned as the
grand captain; Don Roderigo Giron, also, Master of
the order of Calatrava, together with Martin Alonzo
de Montemayor, and the marques De Villena, esteemed
the best lance in Spain. It was a gallant
and splendid army, comprising the flower of Spanish
chivalry, and poured forth in brilliant array from the
gates of Seville, bearing the great standard of that
ancient and renowned city.

Ferdinand and Isabella were at Medina del Campo,
when tidings came of the capture of Alhama. The
king was at mass when he received the news, and
ordered te deum to be chanted for this signal triumph
of the holy faith. When the first flush of triumph
had subsided, and the king learnt the imminent peril
of the valorous Ponce de Leon and his companions,
and the great danger that this strong hold might again

be wrested from their grasp, he resolved to hurry in
person to the scene of action. So pressing appeared
to him the emergency, that he barely gave himself
time to take a hasty repast while horses were providing,
and then departed at furious speed for Andalusia,
leaving a request for the queen to follow him.[2]
He was attended by Don Beltram de la Cueva, duke
of Albuquerque, Don Inigo Lopez de Mendoza,
count of Tendilla, and Don Pedro Mauriques, count
of Treviño, with a few more cavaliers of prowess
and distinction. He travelled by forced journeys,
frequently changing his jaded horses, being eager to
arrive in time to take command of the Andalusian
chivalry. When he arrived within five leagues of
Cordova, the duke of Albuquerque remonstrated with
him upon entering, with such incautious haste, into
the enemies' country. He represented to him that
there were troops enough assembled to succor Alhama,
and that it was not for him to venture his royal
person in doing what could be done by his subjects;
especially as he had such valiant and experienced
captains to act for him. “Besides, sire,” added the
duke, “your majesty should bethink you that the
troops about to take the field are mere men of Andalusia,
whereas your illustrious predecessors never
made an inroad into the territory of the Moors, without
being accompanied by a powerful force of the
staunch and iron warriors of old Castile.”

“Duke,” replied the king, “your counsel might

have been good, had I not departed from Medina
with the avowed determination of succoring these
cavaliers in person. I am now near the end of my
journey, and it would be beneath my dignity to
change my intention, before even I had met with an
impediment. I shall take the troops of this country
who are assembled, without waiting for those of
Castile, and, with the aid of God, shall prosecute
my journey.”[3]

As king Ferdinand approached Cordova, the principal
inhabitants came forth to receive him. Learning,
however, that the duke of Medina Sidonia was
already on the march, and pressing forward into the
territory of the Moors, the king was all on fire to
overtake him, and to lead in person the succor to
Alhama. Without entering Cordova, therefore, he
exchanged his weary horses for those of the inhabitants
who had come forth to meet him, and pressed
forward for the army. He dispatched fleet couriers
in advance, requesting the duke of Medina Sidonia
to await his coming, that he might take command of
the forces.

Neither the duke nor his companions in arms,
however, felt inclined to pause in their generous expedition,
and gratify the inclination of the king. They
sent back missives, representing that they were far
within the enemies' frontier, and it was dangerous
either to pause or turn back. They had likewise
received pressing entreaties from the besieged to

hasten their speed, setting forth their great sufferings,
and their hourly peril of being overwhelmed by the
enemy.

The king was at Ponton del Maestre, when he received
these missives. So inflamed was he with zeal
for the success of this enterprise, that he would have
penetrated into the kingdom of Granada with the
handful of cavaliers who accompanied him, but they
represented the rashness of such a journey, through
the mountainous defiles of a hostile country, thickly
beset with towns and castles. With some difficulty,
therefore, he was dissuaded from his inclination, and
prevailed upon to await tidings from the army, in
the frontier city of Antiquera.