Algezir 223 



For the sojourn of the two earls in Spahi, we are almost wholly 

 dependent upon the Cronica, the relevant parts of which are here 

 presented in a somewhat condensed translation : 



P 

 And the Earls of Derby' and Salisbury, men of prominence in the 

 realm of England, came to the war against the Moors, like many 

 others from foreign countries, for the salvation of their souls, and 

 to see and know the king. . . . And these earls, being at Villa 

 Real, heard how the Moors were to fight with the King of Castile 

 on a certain day. Accordingly, they both traveled as fast as their 

 palfreys could carry them, and arrived at Seville in a very few days, 

 though all who started with them failed on the way, and were unable 

 to complete the journey, save four knights only. And when they 

 arrived at Seville, they were at the house that the company of the 

 Bardi kept there, and sought how they might reach the camp with 

 additional knights, if possible; if not, then at least they them- 

 selves. . . . When they arrived, they learned that the King of 

 Granada and the Moors were near the Guadiaro river,^ and that 

 there was no fixed day for the battle. And on this account they 

 awaited their troops there, in the meanwhile sending their men to 

 headquarters to announce their coming to the king, and to have 

 houses constructed against their arrival. When the troops arrived, 

 they all left Seville for the royal camp. Here the king welcomed 

 them, and was much pleased with them ; for they were valiant 

 knights, bringing with them brave companies, and had been at many 

 hotly contested battles. In blood the Earl of Derby stood the higher, 

 being of royal lineage''; but the Earl of Salisbury had taken part 

 in many battles, in one of which he had lost an eye. 



IP 

 And the king [Alfonso] went out to receive them [Gaston de Foix 

 and his brother]," and paid them much honor, and commanded that 

 dwellings be assigned them apart from the other camps, and near 

 where the Earls of Derby and Salisbury were dwelling'^; for one 

 -reason, so that they might be further removed from the city, and, 

 for another, that they might be free from annoyance by the Castilian 

 troops. 



^ Cronica, pp. 541-2. 



° Always written 'Arbi.' 



* Alfonso received word of this on May 3 {Cronica, p. 539). 



* He was great-grandson of Henry III, as Edward III was. 

 ° Cronica, p. 544. 



" See above, p. 219. 



' This was the end of June, so that the two earls must have arrived 

 before that date, and after May 3 (see above, p. 222, note i). 



