John, of Austria, 1547-1578; Spain -- History -- Philip II, 1556-1598
The King had written very minute details to the President, D. Pedro
Deza, notifying even how many of the officials of the Courts and Chapter
were to go to meet his brother. But the King could not regulate the
enthusiasm of the neighbours, or the joy of the troops, some of whom had
become slack through the indolence of the Marqués de Mondejar, and
others discontented through the harshness and severity of the Marqués de
los Vélez. So there was universal hope and joy that day in Granada, and
all went to meet the new leader through the fields of the Vega, which
were as fresh and as full of sunshine and flowers as were their hopes.
The first to set out was the Conde de Tendilla, eldest son of Mondejar,
and he reached the village of Alboloto, a league and a half from
Granada; with him were 200 men, 100 of the troop of Tello Gonzalo de
Aguilar, and 100 of his own, whose lieutenant was Gonzalo Chacón,
shortly afterwards the hero of a certain noisy adventure in the capital.
The latter were all finely turned out in Moorish costume, the others
wearing crimson silk and satin in the Spanish fashion, and all well
armed with cuirasses, helmets, shields and lances, as if they wished to
show by their dress that it was a day of rejoicing though a time of war.
In the same manner came D. John and his men; he wore a breastplate,
shoulder-piece, and gorget of burnished steel, garnished with golden
nails, "cuxotes" or wide breeches of cloth of silver and gold, over
mulberry-coloured silk, caught in by strings of pearls; crimson
stockings, high white leather boots with golden spurs, cuffs and ruff of
rich Flemish point, and a high hat of cut velvet with a tuft of
feathers, fastened with a magnificent jewel of emeralds; on his breast
hung the Golden Fleece, and on his left arm he wore a crimson cockade,
the badge of his command, which was afterwards changed for a flowing red
sash. They met at Alboloto and exchanged compliments, and together
returned to Granada, forming a brilliant squadron. First came D. John of
Austria between Luis Quijada and the Conde de Miranda, behind them
followed the gentlemen and the troops. Meanwhile, at the Royal Hospital,
outside the gates, were waiting the President D. Pedro Deza, the
Archbishop, and the Corregidor; the first had brought four judges and
the magistrates; the second four canons and the dignitaries of the
Chapter; and the Corregidor four aldermen and their deputies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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