1 94 Unexplored Spain 



The actual origin in Spain of the Corrida de Toros must 

 thus be traced to the Spanish Arabs, who, to exercise them- 

 selves and their steeds during intermittent periods of peace, 

 adopted this dangerous pastime with the view of fortifying and 

 invigorating personal valour, so necessary in times of constant 

 strife. 



The Arab's spear and charger were opposed to the wild bull of 

 the Spanish plain under conditions many of which are analogous 

 to these in vogue to-day. 



In those earlier ages it was permitted to an unhorsed cavalier 

 to accept protection from the horns of his enemy at the hands of 

 his personal retainers, who not infrequently sacrificed their own 

 lives in devotion to their chief. 



At this period (during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries) 

 the knight who, lance in hand, had been hurled from the saddle 

 might draw his sword and kill the bull, his vassals being allowed 

 to assist in placing the animal (by deft display of coloured cloaks) 

 in a position to facilitate the death -stroke. Here, doubtless, 

 originated the art of " playing " the bull, and incidentally sprang 

 the professional bull-fighter. 



For as these servants became experts, and by reason of their 

 prowess gained extra wages, so proportionately such skill became 

 of pecuniary value. Mercenaries of this sort were, nevertheless, 

 despised — to risk their lives in return for money was regarded as 

 an infamous thing. But at least they had inaugurated the regime 

 of the highly paid matador of to-day. 



During the first century after the Reconquest bull-fighting 

 was opposed by several powerful influences, but each in turn it 

 survived and set at naught. Isabel la Catolica, horrified by the 

 sight of bloodshed at a bull-fight which she personally attended, 

 decided to prohibit all corridas ; but that, she found, lay beyond 

 even her great influence. Next, in 1567, the power of the Papacy 

 was invoked in vain. 



Pope Pius v., by a hida of November 20, forbade the spectacle 

 under pain of excommunication, the denial of Christian burial, 

 and similar ecclesiastical penalties ; but he and his hula had like- 

 wise to go under in face of the national sentiment of Spain. 



A noble bull fell to the lance of Isabel's grandson, H.M. 

 the Emperor Charles V., in the Plaza Mayor of Valladolid amidst 

 acclamation of countless admirers. This occurred during the 



