English earl and his train, who prided themselves in always appearing in the garb and manner of their country—­and were indeed something very magnificent, delectable, and strange to behold.’

“The worthy chronicler is no less elaborate in his description of the masters of Santiago, Calatrava, and Alcantara, and their valiant knights, armed at all points, and decorated with the badges of their orders.  These, he affirms, were the flower of Christian chivalry; being constantly in service they became more steadfast and accomplished in discipline than the irregular and temporary levies of feudal nobles.  Calm, solemn, and stately, they sat like towers upon their powerful chargers.  On parades they manifested none of the show and ostentation of the other troops:  neither, in battle, did they endeavor to signalize themselves by any fiery vivacity, or desperate and vainglorious exploit,—­everything, with them, was measured and sedate; yet it was observed that none were more warlike in their appearance in the camp, or more terrible for their achievements in the field.

“The gorgeous magnificence of the Spanish nobles found but little favor in the eyes of the sovereigns.  They saw that it caused a competition in expense ruinous to cavaliers of moderate fortune; and they feared that a softness and effeminacy might thus be introduced, incompatible with the stern nature of the war.  They signified their disapprobation to several of the principal noblemen, and recommended a more sober and soldier-like display while in actual service.

“’These are rare troops for a tourney, my lord [said Ferdinand to the Duke of Infantado, as he beheld his retainers glittering in gold and embroidery]; but gold, though gorgeous, is soft and yielding:  iron is the metal for the field.’

     “’Sire replied the duke, if my men parade in gold, your majesty will
     find they fight with steel.’  The king smiled, but shook his head,
     and the duke treasured up his speech in his heart.”

Our author excels in such descriptions as that of the progress of Isabella to the camp of Ferdinand after the capture of Loxa, and of the picturesque pageantry which imparted something of gayety to the brutal pastime of war: 

“It was in the early part of June that the queen departed from Cordova, with the Princess Isabella and numerous ladies of her court.  She had a glorious attendance of cavaliers and pages, with many guards and domestics.  There were forty mules for the use of the queen, the princess, and their train.

“As this courtly cavalcade approached the Rock of the Lovers, on the banks of the river Yeguas, they beheld a splendid train of knights advancing to meet them.  It was headed by that accomplished cavalier the Marques Duke de Cadiz, accompanied by the adelantado of Andalusia.  He had left the camp the day after the capture of Illora,