e in some measure
consoled himself for his disgraces in the Netherlands. On the sixth
day of April king Philip, at the head of a numerous army, undertook the
siege of Barcelona, while the count de Thoulouse blocked it up with a
powerful squadron. The inhabitants, animated by the presence of king
Charles, made a vigorous defence; and the garrison was reinforced
with some troops from Gironne and other places. But, after the fort of
Montjuic was taken, the place was so hard pressed, that Charles ran
the utmost risk of falling into the hands of the enemy; for the carl of
Peterborough, who had marched from Valencia with two thousand men, found
it impracticable to enter the city. Nevertheless, he maintained his
post upon the hills; and, with surprising courage and activity, kept
the besiegers in continual alarm. At length, sir John Leake sailed
from Lisbon with thirty ships of the line; and on the eighth day of May
arrived in sight of Barcelona. The French admiral no sooner received
intelligence of his approach, than he set sail for Toulon. In three
days after his departure, king Philip abandoned the siege and retired in
great disorder, leaving behind his tents, with the sick and wounded.
On the side of Portugal, the duke of Berwick was left with such an
inconsiderable force as proved insufficient to defend the frontiers. The
earl of Galway, with an army of twenty thousand men, undertook the siege
of Alcantra; and in three days the garrison, consisting of four thousand
men, were made prisoners of war. Then he marched to Placentia, and
advanced as far as the bridge of Almaris; but the Portuguese would
penetrate no farther until they should know the fate of Barcelona.
When they understood the siege was raised, they consented to proceed to
Madrid. Philip guessed their intention, posted to that capital, and sent
his queen with all his valuable effects to Burgos, whither he followed
her in person, after having destroyed everything that he could not carry
away. About the latter end of June, the earl of Galway entered the city
without resistance; but the Spaniards were extremely mortified to see
an army of Portuguese, headed by an heretic, in possession of their
capital. King Charles loitered away his time in Barcelona, until his
competitor recovered his spirits, and received such reinforcements as
enabled him to return to Madrid with an army equal to that commanded by
the earl of Galway. This general made a motion towards Arragon, in