Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/103

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CHAPTER XV. WAR OF GRANADA. — SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF THE CITY ' OF GRANADA. 1490—1492. The Infanta Isabella affianced to the Prince of Portugal. — Isabella de- poses Judges at Valladolid. — Encampment before Granada. — The Queen surveys the City. — Moslem and Christian Chivalry. — Confla- gration of the Christian Camp. — Erection of Santa Fe. — Capitula- tion of Granada. — Results of the War. — Its moral Influence. — Its military Influence. — Fate of the Moors. — Death and Character of the Marquis of Cadiz. In the spring of 1490, ambassadors arrived from chapter Lisbon for the purpose of carrying into effect the treaty of marriage, which had been arranged be- tween Alonso, heir of the Portuguese monarchy, and Isabella, infanta of Castile. An alliance with this kingdom, which from its contiguity possessed such ready means of annoyance to Castile, and which had shown such willingness to employ them in enforcing the pretensions of Joanna Beltraneja, was an object of importance to Ferdinand and Isabella. No inferior consideration could have re- conciled the queen to a separation from this be- loved daughter, her eldest child, whose gentle and uncommonly amiable disposition seems to have endeared her beyond their other children to her parents. The infanta IsabellB