234 Chaucer^s Knight and his Exploits in the South 



Peter the Cruel (ruled 1350-69) of Castile was reported to 

 have formed a treaty of alliance with the kings of Belmarye and 

 Tramissene in 1366, or thereabouts.^ Such rumors as the fol- 

 lowing were current: 



And, besides all this, there ran a bruit of him among his own men 

 how that he was amiably allied with the king of Granade and with 

 the king of Bellemarine and the king of Tremesen, who were all 

 God's enemies and infidels: wherefore some of his own men feared 

 that he would do some hurt to his own country, as in violating of 

 God's churches, for he began already to take from them their rents 

 and revenues, and held some of their prelates in prison, and con- 

 strained them by tyranny,' 



After the coronation of Henry of Trastamare in 1366, his army, 

 estimated at 60,000 men, well armed and mounted, announced 

 their intention, after subduing Castile, to invade Granada and 

 Belmarye, thereby causing great fear among the Saracens.^ 

 Before entering Spain for the support of Henry, the captains 

 of the companies sent a herald with letters to Peter, requesting 

 to be allowed, as pilgrims, to pass through his dominions on their 

 way to Granada and Belmarye, whither they were bound for the 

 destruction of the infidels."* 



In 1382 it came to the ears of the English serving in Spain 

 with the Earl of Cambridge that the King of Granada was 

 warring against the Kings of Barbary and Tramissene, and that 

 they were welcome to take service with him for the campaign. 

 Several Frenchmen on the ground availed themselves of this 

 offer, but only a few Englishmen, the greater part returning to 

 England with the earl.^ 



^Merimee, Hist, de Don Pedre I^^, p. 425; Kervyn 7, 264; 17, 459; cf. 

 Ibu-Khaldoun, Hist, des Berberes 4. 380. 



"Kervyn 7. 86. See also the fantastic story told by Cuvelier (Chronique 

 de Bertrand du Guesclin 14426-35, 14503-6, 14549-51, 14597-622, 15255-6, 

 15275-421, 15957-80; cf. 9076, 9293, 9568, 9904) about the journey of Peter 

 into Belmarye to secure aid for the relief of Toledb early in 1369. 



' Kervyn 7. 93. 



* Kervyn 17. 425. 



° Kervyn 9. 492. It is interesting to note that, by a charter of Peter's, 

 dated Sept. 23, 1366, he accorded to the English the privilege of being 

 the first to engage the Moors in any battle with the King of Granada 

 (Kervyn 20. 515). 



