Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/306

162 ACCESSION OF FERDINAIND AND ISABELLA. PART fought hand to hand with their swords, with a fury — sharpened by the ancient rivalry of the two nations, making the whole a contest of physical strength rather than skill. ^^ The royal standard of Portugal was torn to shreds in the attempt to seize it on the one side and to preserve it on the other, while its gallant bearer, Edward de Almeyda, after losing first his right arm, and then his left, in its defence, held it firmly with his teeth until he was cut down by the assailants. The armour of this knight was to be seen as late as Mariana's time, in the cathedral church of Toledo, where it was preserved as a trophy of this desper- ate act of heroism, which brings to mind a similar feat recorded in Grecian story. The old archbishop of Toledo, and the cardinal Mendoza, who, like his reverend rival, had ex- changed the crosier for the corslet, were to be seen on that day in the thickest of the melee. The holy wars with the infidel perpetuated the unbe- coming spectacle of militant ecclesiastics among the Spaniards, to a still later period, and long after it had disappeared from the rest of civilized Eu- rope. ThePortu- At lene;th, after an obstinate strujrglc of more giieie routed, " ' CO than three hours, the valor of the Castilian troops prevailed, and the Portuguese were seen to give 23 Carbajal, Analcs, MS., ailo ii. pp. 404, 405. — Bernaldez, 76. — L. Marineo, Cosas Memo- Reyes Cat61icos, MS., cap. 23. — rabies, fol. 158. — Pulgar, Reyes La Cledo, Hist, de Portugal, torn. Caiolicos, pp. 85-89. — Faria y iii. pp. 378-383. — Zurita, Ana- Sousa, Europa Portuguesa, torn les, torn. iv. fol. 252-256.