[47] This is very similar to the account in the Primera Crónica General, p. 252 column b, line 42. (Hereafter such references will be indicated in the usual manner thus: Prim. Crón. Gral., p. 252 b 42.) Here, however, the scene is in Africa and, after losing his tongue, the bishop could sing and preach louder and more clearly than ever before. The heretics who ridiculed him were, in this instance, the ones who lost the power of speech.
[48] See table on p. 136 for numbers.
[49] A candle with healing power is mentioned in No. 259. St. Mary appeared to two men just before a duel and told them to go to her church at Arras. There she appeared to them again and inspired them with the spirit of forgiveness. She also gave them a taper that would cure leprosy. A bishop hearing of this wonderful instrument, took it and because of that contracted the disease; they, with the aid of the candle cured him, discovering that only in their hands did it have any effect.
[50] This peculiar use of the term “gentile” meaning “non-Christian” is quite common in the literature of the period.
[51] There is some similarity between this one and No. 259 summarized on p. 71, note 7.
[52] In the Crónica the knight is the son of Fernán González and the Virgin sends “un ángel”. Otherwise the story is the same tho told in greater detail.
[53] According to the laws the only ordeal allowed was that of combat and that was only encouraged between knights (Partidas 7-6-1). In speaking of ordeals in general the law reads: Partidas 3-14-8.
Et hay otra que se face por fama, ó por leyes ó por derechos que las partes muestran en juicio para averiguar et veneer sus pleytos asi como delante mostraremos: et aun acostumbraron antiguamente et úsanlo hoy en día, otra manera de prueba, asi como por lid de caballeros ó de peones que se face en razon de riepto ó de otra manera: et como quier que en algunas tierras hayan (sic) esto por costumbre, pero los sabios antiguos que ficieron las leyes non lo tuvieron por derecha prueba: et esto por dos razones; la una porque muchas vegadas acaesce que en tales lides pierde la verdat et vence la mentira: la otra porque aquel que ha voluntad de se aventurar á esta prueba semeja que quiere tentar a Dios Nuestro Señor, que es cosa que él defendió por su palabra allí do dixo: ve a riedro satanas, non tentarás a Dios tu señor.—(The Italics are mine).
See also “Ordeal” in Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Vol. IX, page 508.
[54] In Berceo’s Miraglos de Nuestra Señora No. 20, we find the same legend, but here the Devil takes the form of a bull, a dog and a lion. The Virgin takes the priest home and puts him to bed and then bids him go to confession next morning and do penance.