Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-23


The King adopted the suggestion; the Pope re-
lieved the grand master of his VOW of celibacy and
splendid preparations were made for the approach
ing nuptias.
The young Princess was not all pleased with the
match; for the proposed bridegroom was many
years her or was herGe and 4 IN 4
worst vices of the age. She proved herself as stub
born she was beautiful.
g Before will wed the grand master. will starve
ACCORDINGLY she shut herself up in her apart
ment, refused to eat, and impored Heaven to save
her from the dishonor either by her own death or
by that of the grand master.
Compose Yourself dear Isabella" said Beatriz
of Bobadilla faithful friend who was greatly
affected by the Princess sorrow. 1.-The marriage
shall not be contaminated l swear that will my
self slay the bridegroom with this dagger.
Fortunately the noblewoman was not obliged
to execute her VOW While on his way to secure his
bride. the grand master was attacked by an acute
disorder, and died four days later. with lmpreca-
tons his lips" says Prescott, because his life
had not been spared some few weeks longer.
Peace being restored in the Kingdom after.
many suitors, among them Richard of Gloucester:
the Duke of Guyenne, and the wldower King OF
Portugal, sought Isabella's hand; for in addition
to her graces Of she was the recognized heir
ess to the throne of CASTLE. But the Princess was
favoraby impressed by none of their offers =,
Il will marry none of them!" she said, and dis
missed their ENJOYS with decided negatives
Presently, however, an offer came from Ferdinand,
heir apparent to the throne of Aragon. Prince
and of noble bearing. This time Isabella hesitated,
and finally gave the Aragonese envoy favorable
answer to his masters suit.
King Henry, however, urged on by the Marquis
of Viliena, who was now in high favor. wished to
force her to marry the King of Portugal.
IF you refuse, then, by the mass! will imprison
in the the e Of 0s w he sabea
residing took her part and "even the boys paraded
the streets with banners emblazoned with the arms
trastine the old King of Portugal with the youth
and chivalry of Ferdinand"
Isabella now transferred her residence to Mad
rgal There her enemies attempted to seize her,
and, after being foiled directed their attention to
keeping Ferdinand out of CASTLE.
The young Prince in trying position. His
father was in the midst OF desperate war and
could spare neither the for protecting his son S
entry nor the money with which to make it imposing.
But the young Prince was made OF the right stuff
Il will 60 if l have to wear the rags OF beggar!
he declared fercely.
1t was finally decided that few friends and at
tendants should dress themselves as merchants,
while Ferdinand should assume the garb of a
servant grooming the mules and serving at the table
and that the party should endeavor to evade the
vigilance of the Castian guards in this way. TRAY
cling chiefly at night. they succeeded in escaping
money and arrived at Valladolid without single
maravedi. The interview between the young lovers
none the less aftectionate and few days later
the marriage took place. AS Isabella almost as
pennies as Ferdinand the ceremony was attended
with only moderate splendor-pad for with money
borrowed for the occasion.
But the union the beginning OF great things.
1t resulted in the formation of Spain. which tor a
long time was to be the most powerful Kingdom in
Europe, and in the final conquest OF Granada from
the Mohammedans. And it is safe to say that If
it had taken place America would not have
been discovered by Columbus.
United Half of Western Europe
FIGHT years after the marriage of Ferdinand and
II Isabella. Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.
was killed in a battle with the Swiss. His crafty