CHAPTER XXV.
The Castilian aristocracy, it may be believed, did not much relish the new yoke imposed on them by their priestly regent.Anecdote of Ximenes. On one occasion, it is said, they went in a body and demanded of Ximenes by what powers he held the government so absolutely. He referred them for answer to Ferdinand's testament and Charles's letter. As they objected to these, he led them to a window of the apartment, and showed them a park of artillery below, exclaiming, at the same time, "There are my credentials, then!" The story is characteristic; but, though often repeated, must be admitted to stand on slender authority.[1]
His military ordinance One of the regent's first acts was the famous ordinance, encouraging the burgesses, by liberal rewards, to enroll themselves into companies, and submit to regular military training, at stated seasons. The nobles saw the operation of this measure too well, not to use all their efforts to counteract it. In this they succeeded for a time, as the cardinal, with his usual boldness, had ventured on it without waiting for Charles's sanction, and in opposition to most of the council. The resolute spirit of the minister, however, eventually triumphed
- ↑ Robles, Vida de Ximenez, cap. 18.—Gomez, De Rebus Gestis, fol. 158.—Lanuza, Historias, tom.i. lib. 2, cap. 4.Alvaro Gomez finds no better authority than vulgar rumor for this story. According to Robles,the cardinal, after this bravado, twirled his cordelier's belt about his fingers, saying, "he wanted nothing better than that to tame the pride of the Castilian nobles with!" But Ximenes was neither a fool, nor a madman; although his overzealous biographers make him sometimes one, and sometimes the other. Voltaire, who never lets the opportunity slip of seizing a paradox in character or conduct, speaks of Ximenes as one "qui, toujours vetu en cordelier, met son faste a fouler sous ses sandaies le faste Espagnol." Essai sur les Moeurs, chap. 121.
