History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain (Volume 2) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1862. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... of national sorrow, as the last of the revered line, who was to preside over the destinies of Aragon as a separate and independent kingdom. (l) CHAPTER XXV. ADMINISTRATION, DEATH, AND CHARACTER OF CARDINAL XIMENES. 1516, 1517. Ximenes Governor of Castile--Charles proclaimed King--Ximenes's Domestic Policy--He intimidates the Nobles--Public Discontents--Charles lands in Spain--His Ingratitude to Ximenes--The Cardinal's Illness and Death--His extraordinary Character. The personal history of Ferdinand the Catholic terminates, of course, with the preceding chapter. In order to bring the history of his reign, however, to a suitable close, it is necessary to continue the narrative through the brief regency of Ximenes, to the period when the government was delivered into the hands of Ferdinand's grandson and successor, Charles the Fifth. By the testament of the deceased monarch, as we have seen, Cardinal Ximenez de Cisnerps was appointed sole regent of Castile. He met with opposition, however, from Adrian, the dean of Louvain, who produced powers of similar purport from Prince Charles. Neither party could boast a sufficient warrant (1) See the closing chapter of the great Aragonese annalist, who terminates his historic labours with the death of Ferdinand the Catholic.--(Zurita, Anales, tom. vi. lib. 10, cap. 100.) I will cite only one extract from the profuse panegyrics of the national writers, which attests the veneration in which Ferdinand's memory was held in Aragon. It is from one whose pen is never prostituted to parasitical or party purposes, and whose judgment is usually as correct as the expression of it is candid: "Quo plangore ac lamentatione universa civitas complebatur. Neque solum homines, scd ipsa tecta, et parietes urbis videbantur acerbum illius, qui om...