CHAPTER XIX

THE PROGRESS OF THE CHRISTIAN ARMS

General Disorder in the Peninsula--Aggressive Policy of the Christians--Capture of Ubeda--Al-Mamun--Rise of Mohammed-Ibn-Hud--Merida taken by the King of Leon--Prosperity of Barcelona--Jaime I. of Aragon--Siege of Majorca--Terrible Sack of that City--Extinction of the Almohades--Siege and Capture of Cordova by Ferdinand--Valencia surrenders to the King of Aragon--Character of the Struggle between Christian and Moslem--Xativa--Its Prosperity--Murcia becomes the Property of Castile--Xativa acquired by Aragon--Death and Character of Jaime--Rise of the Kingdom of Granada--Its Wealth and Literary Culture--Ferdinand captures Jaen--Mohammed-Ibn-Ahmar, King of Granada, renders Homage to Ferdinand--Seville invested by the Castilians--Great Strength of that City--Its Obstinate Defence--It is reduced by Famine--Character of Ferdinand the Saint 334