Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXII TERMINATION OF THE RECONQUEST 1486-1492 Summary of the Causes of the Decay of the Moslem Empire-- Loja taken by Storm--Progress of the Feud between AlZagal and Boabdil--The Christians assist the Latter-- Anarchy in Granada--Siege of Velez--Ineffectual Attempt of Al-Zagal to relieve it--Surrender of the City--Situation of Malaga--Its Delightful Surroundings--Its Vast Commercial and Manufacturing Interests--It is invested by Ferdinand--Desperate Resistance of the Garrison--Its Sufferings--Capitulation of the City--Enslavement of the Population--Duplicity of the Spanish Sovereigns--War with Al-Zagal--Siege of Baza--Discontent of the Christian Soldiery--Energy and Firmness of the Queen-- Embassy from the Sultan--Baza surrenders--Al-Zagal relinquishes His Crown--War with Boabdil--The Last Campaign--Blockade of Granada--Distress of Its Inhabitants --Submission of the Capital--Fate of Boabdil--Isabella the Inspiring Genius of the Conquest. The relentless policy of the Spanish sovereigns, which, in addition to the resources of honorable warfare, adopted without reserve every crafty expedient to weaken the power of their adversaries, pursued its end with unflagging perseverance and indomitable energy. The paramount value of the old Roman maxim, "Divide et impera," which had been the corner-stone of the great political fabric that dominated the ancient world, had long been fully recognized by the Christian sovereigns of the Peninsula. The animosity of the Moslem factions that so frequently, in the settlement of their sanguinary disputes, summoned from the Desert great hordes of Mauritanian barbarians, first afforded to the struggling Castilian monarchy an example whose teachings it was not slow to appreciate and to follow. From the...
