rable peace with the King of
Castile. He agreed to do homage for his crown to the Castilian
sovereign, to put the strong place of Jaen into his hands, to pay him a
tribute, and to furnish him with auxiliary troops for any wars in which
he should engage. On these conditions Ferdinand acknowledged him King
of Grenada, and even aided him in subduing his rebellious subjects.

The sagacious Ferdinand thus established a {126} truce with Grenada,
that he might the more effectually concentrate his forces against
Seville, which he had long entertained hopes of conquering.

The important city of Seville was no longer under the dominion of a
king, but formed a kind of republic, governed by military magistrates.
Its situation at no great distance from the mouth of the Guadalquivir,
its commerce, its population, the mildness of the climate, and the
fertility of the environs, rendered Seville one of the most flourishing
cities of Spain.

Ferdinand, foreseeing a long resistance, commenced the campaign by
seizing upon all the neighbouring towns.

Finally, he laid siege to Seville itself, and his fleet, stationed at
the mouth of the Guadalquivir, closed the door to any assistance which
might be sent from Africa in aid of the beleaguered city.

The siege was long and bloody. The Sevillians were numerous and well
skilled in the arts of war, and their ally, the King of Algarva,
harassed the besiegers unceasingly. Notwithstanding the extreme
bravery displayed by the Christians in their assaults, and the scarcity
of {127} provisions which began to be felt within the walls, the city,
after an investment of a whole year, still refused to surrender.

Ferdinand then summoned the King of Grenada to come, in accordance with
their treaty, and serve under his banners. Alhamar was forced to obey,
and soon presented himself in the Christian camp at the head of a
brilliant army. The inhabitants of Seville lost all hope after this
occurrence, and surrendered to the Castilian monarch. The King of
Grenada returned to his own dominions with the humiliating glory of
having contributed, by his assistance, to the ruin of his countrymen.

Ferdinand, with more piety than policy, banished the infidels from
Seville. One hundred thousand of that unfortunate people left the
city, to seek an exile's home in Africa or in the provinces of Grenada.

The kingdom of Grenada now became the sole and last asylum of the
Spanish Moslems. The little kingdom of