THE

LIFE AND TIMES

OF

FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

PART THE FIRST,

Continued.

1406-1492.

THE PERIOD WHEN THE DIFFERENT KINGDOMS OF SPAIN WERE FIRST UNITED UNDER ONE MONARCHY, AND A THOROUGH REFORM INTRODUCED INTO THEIR INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION; OR THE PERIOD EXHIBITING MOST FULLY THE DOMESTIC POLICY OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

VOL. II.

B

THE city of Loja stands not many leagues from Alhama, on the banks of the Xenil, which rolls its clear current through a valley luxuriant with vineyards and olive-gardens, but deeply intrenched among hills of so rugged an aspect, that the city has been led not inappropriately to assume as the motto on its arms, "A flower among thorns." Under the Moors, it was defended by a strong fortress, while the Xenil, circumscribing it like a deep moat upon the south, formed an excellent rampart against the approaches of a besieging army; since it was fordable only in one place, and traversed by a single bridge, which might be easily commanded by the city. In addition to these advantages, the King of Granada, taking warning from the fate of Alhama, had strengthened its garrison with 3,000 of his choicest troops, under the command of a skilful and experienced warrior, named Aly Atar.*

Estrada, Poblacion Gen. de España, tom. ii. pp. 242, 243.— Zurita, Anal. de Aragon, tom.

iv. fol. 317. Cardonne, Hist. d'Afrique et d'Espagne, tom. iii.

p. 261.