2i8 Chaucer's Knight and his Exploits in the South 



nations, under the command of Alfonso. The Moors of Africa, 

 bent on revenge for the defeat at Salado, by which they had 

 been stricken sore, had fitted out a fleet, which had been destroyed 

 and put to flight by the Genoese admiral, Egidio di Boccanegra 

 (brother of the first doge of Genoa, Simone), commanding 70 

 galleys, of which 12 were Genoese.^ The overthrow of the fleet 

 rendered it possible for Alfonso to begin the siege of Algeciras, 

 which was accordingly undertaken on Aug. 3, 1342, with a com- 

 bined investment by sea and land. The Moorish garrison 

 numbered 30,0(X> men, of whom 12,000 were archers. The neigh- 

 boring territory abounded in tillable land and pasture, well irri- 

 gated and provided with drinking-water; mills were at hand to 

 provide flour, and orchards and vineyards were scattered through 

 the environs.^ Alfonso's fleet proceeded to blockade the harbor, 

 while his army took up a position southeast of the city. Draw- 

 ing near to the Old Town, the troops dug a trench from the little 

 river Miel to the seashore, behind which they erected a stock- 

 ade and cast up entrenchments. By early October Alfonso began 

 to make applications for aid to foreign powers, especially to 

 France and the Pope. About this time heavy rains, continuing 

 for a month, flooded Alfonso's camp, carrying away tents and 

 huts, and causing much sickness, to say nothing of discomfort 

 and the destruction oi food. Whole nights long the king was 

 obliged to stand in the water, so drenched was his bed.^ What 

 with all this, and the nocturnal sallies of the Moors, the army 

 was forced to construct shelters on higher and more distant 

 points. It was not until March of the next year, 1343, that a 

 close and complete investment was effected. Ballistas were set 

 up, to match the artillery in the city ; and in the handling of these 

 the Genoese showed themselves peculiarly expert. As early 

 as February, Abu-'l-Hajjaj, King of Granada, sent an embassy, 

 as he did more than once afterwards, to treat of peace; but 

 Alfonso declined any overtures, except on condition that he 

 would abandon his ally, the King of Belmarye; on this point, 

 however, Abu-'l-Hajjaj was obdurate. Meanwhile, Abu-'l-Hassan 



^ Schirrmacher 5. 218-220. 



^ Cronica, p. 489 : 'Muy buenas aguas dulces, et grandes labranzas de 

 pan, et muchas vinas et huertas, et muchos regadios, et moliendas asaz.' 

 ^ Cronica, p. 506. 



