Having perpetrated this atrocious act of
vengeance, and hearing by the shouts of the populace that Aben
Ismael was already proclaimed king in the city, he escaped with his
satellites by the Cerro del Sol and the valley of the Darro to the
Alpuxarra mountains, where he and his followers led a kind of robber
life, laying villages and roads under contribution.
Aben Ismael II, who thus attained the throne in 1454, secured the
friendship of King Juan II by acts of homage and magnificent presents.
He gave liberal rewards to those who had been faithful to him, and
consoled the families of those who had fallen in his cause. During his
reign, the Abencerrages were again among the most favored of the
brilliant chivalry that graced his court. Aben Ismael, however, was
not of a warlike spirit; his reign was distinguished rather by works
of public utility, the ruins of some of which are still to be seen
on the Cerro del Sol.
In the same year of 1454 Juan II died, and was succeeded by Henry IV
of Castile, surnamed the Impotent. Aben Ismael neglected to renew
the league of amity with him which had existed with his predecessor,
as he found it to be unpopular with the people of Granada. King
Henry resented the omission, and, under pretext of arrears of tribute,
made repeated forays into the kingdom of Granada. He gave
countenance also to Aben Osmyn and his robber hordes, and took some of
them into pay; but his proud cavaliers refused to associate with
infidel outlaws, and determined to seize Aben Osmyn; who, however,
made his escape, first to Seville, and thence to Castile.
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