The Spanish Royal TapestriesCalvert, Albert Frederick
History
The Spanish Royal Tapestries
Calvert, Albert Frederick
Tapestry -- Spain -- History; Tapestry -- Spain -- Madrid
_Tapestry No. 8._ The original of this tapestry was lost during the
eighteenth century, shortly after the reproduction of the Tunis series
was undertaken at the command of Philip V. This represented the march
against Tunis of the Emperor and his troops, and the victory gained at
Los over Barbarossa, where 600 of the enemy were slain.
_Tapestry No. 9._ The upper inscription of this tapestry reads: “After
having scattered the enemy’s army and put to flight the captain,
Barbarossa, the Emperor, with his troops, advances on Tunis and occupies
the outskirts of the town. The Christians, held captive in the fortress,
rise and demand aid from the Marquis de Vasto. The place is taken and
the Emperor allows it to be sacked.” The Latin legend adds the following
details about the slaves: “Undermining the walls and breaking down the
doors, they have, with God’s help, abandoned their prison. Having
defeated the garrison they make themselves masters of the citadel and
implore help from the avenger, Charles. Haradin flies the town.”
The inscription in the border directs us that “we are looking towards
the lagoon, with Tunis in front, Goletta and the north behind.”
_Tapestry No. 10._ This represents “the sack of Tunis, hostilities
against those who offer resistance, and the imprisonment of a great
number of the enemy. The Conqueror delivers over the town to the King of
Tunis, who remains a vassal of the Emperor.”
The Latin text reads: “The troops sent against the outskirts of the town
lay siege to and take them, slaughter the enemy’s army, take the houses
and spare the inhabitants; as to the remainder, they use the rights of
conquest. More than 20,000 captives recover their liberty and salute,
with cries of gratitude, Charles the avenger. The Conqueror
re-establishes on the throne of his ancestors the unfortunate Hassan,
though he hardly merited this, since he had promised much and performed
little.”
_Tapestry No. 11._ This tapestry shared the fate of No. 8, being lost
during the eighteenth century. From the reproduction we find that it
represented the return of the army to Rada after the occupation of
Tunis, which lasted eight days. “The Emperor orders the Moors to bring
back their wives and children, and to bring the clothes taken by the
soldiers during the sack. In order to be recognized they are to carry on
their heads branches of olive. He also orders them to furnish the
Christians with the recovered vessels, so that they may return to their
respective countries.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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