A History of Spain Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 Excerpt: ... one hand and their large shields in the other. The black slaves, clothed in white, with battle-axes on their shoulders, formed two other lines. The outer court was full of the Andalusian and African guards, magnificently clothed and armed, and the white slaves with their swords in their hands. The whole then took the oath of fidelity, beginning with the princes of the royal house. In the year 963 Alhakem made his algehib or holy war, and advanced into the kingdom of Leon as far as Zamora, which he took. On this occasion he republished the rules which the military were too apt to forget, for such as should engage in war. "All enemies are to be offered their choice of embracing the faith of Mahomet or paying tribute. Unless the enemy be double the number, it is infamous to fly. In entering an enemy's land, the lives of women, children, and solitary hermits are to be respected. If an assurance of safety has once been given, it shall be religiously kept; and the protection granted by one chief shall be respected by all. All booty, after the royal fifth is set apart, shall be divided on the field of battle, or in the camp. The officers shall observe the strictest impartiality in sharing prizes, whatever be the religion of the soldier; and extra services to be in like manner equally rewarded. No man, who has father and mother living, shall go to battle without the permission of both." Very shortly after Alhakem's expedition to Zamora, he received ambassadors from Leon, offering peace; and as he was fond of tranquillity, he readily came to terms with them, and entertained them for some time magnificently in Cordova: on their return he sent a nobleman of his council with them, to bear his letters to the king of Leon, with a present consisting of two beau...