y the whole world, disheartened by the fate of
Cordova, and betrayed {117} by the party of his competitor, Zean
offered to become the vassal of the crown of Aragon, and to pay a
tribute in acknowledgment of his vassalage; but the Christian monarch
was inflexible, and would accede to no terms that did not include a
stipulation to surrender the city.

Fifty thousand Moors, bearing their treasures with them, accompanied
the departure of their sovereign from Valencia. Jacques had pledged
his royal word to protect the rich booty which they so highly valued
from the cupidity of his soldiers, and he faithfully performed his
promise.

After the destruction of the two powerful kingdoms of Andalusia and
Valencia, there seemed to exist no Moorish power capable of arresting
the progress of the Spanish arms. That of Seville, which alone
remained, was already menaced by the victorious Ferdinand. But, just
at this period, a new state rose suddenly into importance, which
maintained a high degree of celebrity for two hundred years, and long
prevented the final ruin of the Moors.

[1] See note A, page 216.

[2] See note B, page 216.

[3] See note C, page 218.

[4] See Note D, page 220.

[5] A.D. 1178.

[6] See Note E, page 221.

[7] A.D. 1213, Heg. 610.

[8] See Note F, page 231.

[9] A.D. 1236, Heg. 634.

{118}

FOURTH EPOCH.

THE KINGS OF GRENADA.

_Extending from the middle of the Thirteenth Century to the period of
the Total Expulsion of the Moors from Spain, A.D. 1493._

The unprecedented success of the Spaniards, and, above all, the loss of
Cordova, spread consternation among the Moors. That ardent and
superstitious people, who were ever equally ready to cherish delusive
hopes, and to yield to despondency when those anticipations were
disappointed, looked upon their empire as ruined the moment the
Christian cross surmounted the pinnacle of their grand mosque, and the
banner of Castile waved over the walls of their ancient capital--those
walls on which the standards of the Caliphs of the West and of their
Prophet had for centuries floated in triumph.

Notwithstanding this national dejection, however, Seville, Grenada,
Murcia, and the kingdom of Algarva still belonged to the Mussulmans.
They possessed all the seaports, and the {119} whole maritime coast of
the south of Spain. Their enormous population, and great national
wealth and industry, also secured to them immense resources; but
Cordov