ALPHONSO XI

[ALPHONSO XI]. King of Castile and Leon [1312-1350]. Royal Charter, one page, 32 by 23 1/2 inches, on vellum, Royal Chancery, Segovia, September 29, 1344. Written in Castilian vernacular with the royal names, the opening device and the King's seal painted in red, green, blue and biege. Fine condition.

An important and exceptionally attractive document in which Alphonso grants the town of Escamjella to Yenego Lopez de Horozco. The charter also commemorates the taking of Algeçiras and the subjugation of Granada in 1340, events which marked the effective end of Moorish power is Spain. Granada's fall was brought about by the great navel victory of the Rio Salado, mentioned here in a separate passage. The King's admiral, Don Egidio Boccanegra [brother of Simon Boccanegra, the first Doge of Venice], was sent with eleven galleys against the Moorish King of Granada, Yusuf Abu'l Hadchach, and Abul Hassan, Emir of Masseucos. The Spaniard defeated Yusuf's fleet of sixty ships and was rewarded with the title of grand admiral and other honors. This document contains confirmations by Yusuf [styled Don Yuçaff Abulhagege in the text] and Don Egidio, as well as by leading lay and church princes and the King's own staff. Contained in a custom designed, burgundy quarter leather fall-back box.

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• Royalty