“Have you not heard of the adventure of the Canon Almela who was at the conquest of Grenada, with two horsemen and seven followers on foot. He wore girded at his side a sword which he affirmed had belonged to the Cid Ruy Díaz.” (Page 126).
The individual referred to in the above passage is Diego Rodríguez de Almela, who ultimately attained the ecclesiastical dignity of Arcipreste (Archpriest). He was a native of the city of Murcia, and the author of some learned historical works, one of which is entitled: El Valerio de las estorias escolásticas é de España.—(The Valerius of the Scholastic History and of Spain). The first edition of this work is exceedingly rare, and at its close appears the following note.
“To the glory and honour of our Blessed Savior and Redeemer, the printing of this book, called El Valerio de las estorias escolásticas é de España was finished in the noble city of Murcia, by maestre Lope de la Roca, a German and a printer of books, on Thursday the sixth day of November, in the year one thousand four hundred and eighty-seven.”
In the certificate of the King-at-Arms attached to the royal letters patent conferring the rank of nobility on Don Francisco Xavier de Almela i Peñafiel, there is a paragraph relating to the lineage of the Almela family. It is there set forth that “Diego Rodríguez de Almela, Canon of the Holy Cathedral Church of Carthegena, Chaplain to the Catholic Queen, and Her Majesty’s Chronicler, who served personally with two esquires and six men on foot at the conquest of Grenada, presented to the Catholic King[80] the sword of the Cid Ruy Díaz.”
(P).
“The Great Emperor finding himself challenged with all the solemnity of the laws of the duelo, took counsel of his cousin, Don Diego, Duke del Infantado, as to the course he ought to pursue.” (Page 128).
The letter addressed on this occasion by the Emperor to the Duke del Infantado, and the Duke’s reply to it, are mentioned but not given by Sandoval, in his History of Charles V. These two letters are printed in an exceedingly scarce work, entitled, Diálogos de contención entre la milicia y la ciencia.[81] by Francisco Núñez de Velasco. The following extract from the Duke’s letter, precisely verifies that passage of the Buscapié to which this note has reference.
“Truly, Señor, it would be a fine example, if the great debt which all the world knows is due to you from the King of France, were to be paid by a challenge to your imperial person. Such a proceeding, if sanctioned by your Majesty, would go far to establish throughout your dominions a law to the effect that all debts may be paid by recourse to arms; which would tend more to the shedding of blood than to the vindication of justice and mercy. All this I write to your Majesty that you may deliberate on my opinion, and I beg you will be assured that if, on more mature reflection I see reason to alter my opinion, I will forthwith advise your Majesty thereof, with all the fidelity I owe you. For this is a matter which concerns my honour, together with that of all the grandees of these realms.”