[Footnote A:  Al margen se lee:  “Que se le de la fee".]

[Footnote B:  Al margen:  “Que se le de mandamiento.  En 15 de diciembre de 1576".’]

[Footnote 188:  Documentos ineditos, vol.  XI, p. 358:  ’En 13 de agosto de 1577 anos, por mandado de los senores Inquisidores saque esta sentencia de fray Luis, signada, e la entregue al Senor Inquisidor doctor Guijano.  Sacose para el maestrescuela de Salamanca.’  This sentence is probably written by the secretary, Celedon Gustin.]

IV

When did Luis de Leon return to Salamanca, and how was he received there?  According to an anonymous contemporary, whom Gallardo conjectured to be a Jesuit, Luis de Leon made a sort of triumphal entry into Salamanca, accompanied by a procession which marched along to the sound of timbrels and trumpets.[189] This procession is alleged to have taken place in the afternoon of December 30, 1576; but, as the statement is made by one who has no divine idea of a date,[190] it would be imprudent to rely on his unsupported authority in this particular.  The date of the procession may be doubtful.  There is no reason to doubt the general accuracy of the assertion that there was some public manifestation of joy at Luis de Leon’s release.[191] Though he was not popular, his fellow-citizens were proud of him, and there is a natural tendency to show sympathy with a man who has been hardly used.  But life is not made up of triumphal processions.  On December 31[192] Luis de Leon met the Claustro of the University, which had been duly informed of his acquittal.  After congratulatory phrases from the Rector, the released man was invited to speak.  According to the decree of the Inquisition, Luis de Leon was entitled to claim restitution to his University chair.  There were practical difficulties in the way.  Luis de Leon’s tenure had lapsed while he was in prison at Valladolid; his immediate successor had been Bartolome de Medina, a dangerous enemy, and the chair was subsequently occupied by the Benedictine Fray Garcia del Castillo, another declared opponent who had intervened at an early stage of the case.  Luis de Leon renounced all claim, present or future, to his former chair—­que la daba por bien empleada—­so long as it was held by Castillo.  He besought the Claustro to bear in mind his past services, pointed out that his acquittal implied a general approval of his teaching, and then left the meeting.[193] Finally the Claustro of Salamanca agreed to create a new chair for Luis de Leon, with a salary of two hundred ducats a year, his duty being to lecture on theology.[194]