No sooner did tidings reach Aben Osmyn of the public
discontent than his ambition was aroused. Throwing himself suddenly
into Granada, he raised a popular tumult, surprised his uncle in the
Alhambra, compelled him to abdicate, and proclaimed himself king. This
occurred in September, 1445.
The Abencerrages now gave up the fortunes of the left-handed king as
hopeless, and himself as incompetent to rule. Led by their kinsman,
the vizier Abdelbar, and accompanied by many other cavaliers, they
abandoned the court and took post in Montefrio. Thence Abdelbar
wrote to Prince Aben Ismael, who had taken refuge in Castile, inviting
him to the camp, offering to support his pretensions to the throne,
and advising him to leave Castile secretly, lest his departure
should be opposed by King Juan II. The prince, however, confiding in
the generosity of the Castilian monarch, told him frankly the whole
matter. He was not mistaken. King Juan not merely gave him
permission to depart, but promised him aid, and gave him letters to
that effect to his commanders on the frontiers. Aben Ismael departed
with a brilliant escort, arrived in safety at Montefrio, and was
proclaimed king of Granada by Abdelbar and his partisans, the most
important of whom were the Abencerrages. A long course of civil wars
ensued between the two cousins, rivals for the throne. Aben Osmyn
was aided by the kings of Navarre and Aragon, while Juan II, at war
with his rebellious subjects, could give little assistance to Aben
Ismael.
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