Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/93

Henry 111., uf Caslile. CASTII.E. !xxv principal nobility, who perverted to their own emol- section- uments the high powers intrusted to them. They '- — usurped the possessions of the crown, and invaded some of its most valuable privileges ; so that the sovereign's subsequent life was often consumed in fruitless attempts to repair the losses of his minor- ity. He sometimes, indeed, in the impotence of other resources, resorted to such unhappy expedi- ents as treachery and assassination.^^ A pleasant tale is told by the Spanish historians, of the more innocent device of Henry the Third, for the recov- ery of the estates extorted from the crown by the rapacious nobles during his minority. Returnin"; home late one evening, fatigued and Anecdote of half famished, from a hunting expedition, he was chagrined to find no refreshment prepared for him, and still more so, to learn from his steward, that he had neither money nor credit to purchase it. The day's sport, however, fortunately furnished the means of appeasing the royal appetite ; and, while this was in progress, the steward took occa- sion to contrast the indigent condition of the king with that of his nobles, who habitually indulged in the most expensive entertainments, and were that very evening feasting with the archbishop of Tole- do. The prince, suppressing his indignation, de- termined like the far-famed caliph, in the " Arabian Nights," to inspect the affair in person, and, as- suming a disguise, introduced himself privately into the archbishop's palace, where he witnessed 88 Mariana, Hist, de Espaiia, lib. 15, cap. 19, 20.