Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/550

WAR OF GRANADA. PART L solemn pomp beneath a rich canopy of state to the cathedral church, where he prostrated himself in grateful adoration of the Lord of hosts. Intelli- gence of their triumphant progress in the war was constantly transmitted to the pope, who returned his benediction, accompanied by more substantial marks of favor, in bulls of crusade, and taxes on ecclesiastical rents. ^^ The ceremonials observed on the occupation of a new conquest were such as to affect the heart no less than the imagination. " The royal alfe- rez^"^ says Marineo, " raised the standard of the Cross, the sign of our salvation, on the summit of the principal fortress ; and all who beheld it pros- trated themselves on their knees in silent worship of the Almighty, while the priests chanted the glorious anthem, Te Deurn laudamus. The ensign or pennon of St. James, the chivalric patron of Spain, was then unfolded, and all invoked his blessed name. Lastly, was displayed the banner of the sovereigns, emblazoned with the royal arms ; at which the whole army shouted forth, as if with one voice, ' Castile, Castile ! ' After these so- lemnities, a bishop led the way to the principal mosque, which, after the rites of purification, he consecrated to the service of the true faith." The standard of the Cross above referred to, was of massive silver, and was a present from pope Sixtus the Fourth to Ferdinand, in whose tent it 35 In 1486, we find Ferdinand of Compostella. Carbajal, Anales, and Isabella performing a pilgrim- MS., auo 86. age to the siirine of !St. James