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. 1845 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. E have already at considerable length related the numerous and important events that, until the middle of the Sixteenth Century, befel the City of Gibraltar; than which no country, no capital, had ever from its foundation experienced more frequently the scourge of war, nor been subjected to so many and such variety of masters. Its contiguity to Africa invited the first incursion of the Saracens, and, as if for the observance of an immutable law, their successors for many ages followed in the same course, overwhelming this unhappy spot with all the miseries of renewed conquests. The Viceroys of the Califat, the rebels of Africa, the Kings of Cordova, Seville, Fez, and Granada, and all other adventurers aspiring to dominion in Spain, became in turn the masters of this small but devoted portion of Spanish territory; and as between these Mahometan barbarians fresh discords continually arose, renewed misfortunes, disorders, and violences became the lot of Gibraltar on every change of possessor. From the first arrival of Tarik in 710 Gibraltar was a perpetual object of contention between the powerful Moorish Chiefs in Spain, even until the Eleventh Century. At that period it was held by the Kings of Seville. After severe contests it was possessed by the Benimerines, from whom it passed into the hands of the Kings of Granada. Although wrested from these in 1309, by Don Alonzo Perez de Guzman, it again fell under the yoke of the Benimerines; having after a long and obstinate Siege surrendered to Abdul Malic, who then styled himself King of Gibraltar. To recover it from the Mahometans, Don Alonzo, 11th King of Castille, was twice under its walls, having, as we have seen, sacrificed his life on the last occasion in his heroic...
