Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/72

liv INTRODUCTION. iNTKOD. wild kind of justice, so characteristic of an unset- tled state of society, repeatedly received the legis- lative sanction ; and, however formidable such a popular engine may have appeared to the eye of the monarch, he w^as often led to countenance it by a sense of his own impotence, as well as of the overweening power of the nobles, against whom it was principally directed. Hence these associa- tions, although the epithet may seem somewhat overstrained, have received the appellation of " cor- tes extraordinary."^*^ Wealth of With these immunities, the cities of Castile at- the cities. tained a degree of opulence and splendor unri- valled, unless in Italy, during the middle ages. At a very early period, indeed, their contact with the Arabs had familiarized them with a better system of agriculture, and a dexterity in the mechanic arts unknown in other parts of Christendom.^' On the 40 So at least they are styled by command of the king, shall at- Marina. See his account of these tempt to collect an unlawful tax, he institutions ; (Teoria, part. 2, cap. shall be put to death on the spot. 39 ; ) also Salazar de Mendoza, Art. 9. (Monarqula, lib. 3, cap. 15, 1(3,) "^i See Sempere, Historia del and Sempere, (Histoiredes Cortes, Luxo, torn. i. p. 97. — Masdeu, chap. 12, 13.) One hundred cities Hist. Crilica, torn. xiii. nos. 90, associated in the Hermandad of 91. — Gold and silver, curiously 1315. In that of 1295, were thir- wrought into plate, were export- ty-four. The knights and inferior ed in considerable quantities from nobility frequently made part of the Spain, in the tenth and eleventh association. The articles of con- centuries. They were much used federation are given by Risco, in in the churches. The tiara of the his continuation of Florez. (EspaHa pope was so riclily incrusted with Sagrada, (Madrid, 1775-1826,) the precious metals, says Masdeu, tom. xxxvi.p. 102.) In one of these as to receive the name of Spano- articles it is declared, that, if any clis/a. The familiar use of these noble shall dejirive a member of metals as ornaments of dress is the association of his property, and attested by tlic ancient poem of the refuse restitution, iiis house shall "Cid." See, in particular, the be razed to the ground. (Art. 4.) costume of the Campeador ; vv In another, that if any one, by 3099 et seq.