99 



and tMs concord between them arose from their joint wish, by 

 weakening the Saracens, to compel them to abandon their con- 

 quests in Europe. The Enghsh succeeded in their enterprize ; 

 the town was taken and burnt ; and it continued in a state of ruin, 

 entirely destitute of inhabitants, for nearly thirty years, when the 

 power of the Mahometan lords and priests of Corduba having 

 extended to Mauritania, Arzilla, by the exertions of those new 

 masters, rose from its ashes, with renewed and increased beauty and 

 strength. To prevent mistakes, I shall set down the Italian words, 

 as far as relates to the situation of Arzilla, the invasion by the 

 English, and some important facts which preceded and followed it. 

 " Arzilla fu gran citt^, et edificata da Romani sul mare Oceano, 

 vicina alio Strotto delle Colonne di Hercole, circa a settanta miglia. 

 Questa fu suddita al Signer di Septa che era tributario de Romani. 

 Dipoi fu presa da Gotti. Indi fu presa da Mahumettani gli anni 

 novantaquatro di Lhegira : Essi ne furono per duganto venti anni 

 possessori per infinoatanto, che gl' Inglesi con una grossa Armata a 

 persuasione de Gotti Cassediarano, ignali furono insieme nimici, 

 percioque i Gotti erano Christiani et che gli Inglesi adoravano- 

 gli idoli. Et cio essi facerano a fine che i Mahumettani levassoro 

 il pih dell Europa. Successe I'impresa a gl' Inglesi ; et presala 

 Citta, la posero a ferro e a fiamme onde non vene iscamp6 un solo. 

 Et cosi si rimase presso a trenta anni rouinata, et dishabitala. Ma 

 poscia regnando i Signori et Pontefici di Cordona in Mauritania, 

 la restaurarono, et retornarono a migliore, et piu nobile qualita, 

 et fortezza." This invasion of the English so unhesitatingly an- 

 nounced by Leo Cwhom he expressly states to have been idolaters^ 

 if real, must have taken place, according to the dates, in the reign 

 of Athelstan, whose Saxon subjects were Christians, and the king 

 himself so zealous an one, that he quieted and confirmed his 



o2 



