They always
enjoyed a distinguished rank in Granada, from their royal descent by
the mother's side; and from being connected, through the princes of
Almeria, with the last and the present king. The sons had
distinguished themselves by their talents and bravery, and the
daughter Cetimerien was married to Cid Hiaya, grandson of King Yusef
and brother-in-law of El Zagal. Thus powerfully connected, it is not
surprising to find Abul Cacim Venegas advanced to the post of vizier
of Muley Abul Hassan, and Reduan Venegas one of his most favored
generals. Their rise was regarded with an evil eye by the
Abencerrages, who remembered the disasters brought upon their
family, and the deaths of so many of their line, in the war fomented
by the intrigues of Don Pedro, in the days of Yusef Aben Alhamar. A
feud had existed ever since between the Abencerrages and the house
of Venegas. It was soon to be aggravated by a formidable schism
which took place in the royal harem.
Muley Abul Hassan, in his youthful days, had married his cousin, the
princess Ayxa la Horra, daughter of his uncle, the ill-starred sultan,
Muhamed the Left-handed; by her he had two sons, the eldest of whom
was Boabdil, heir presumptive to the throne. Unfortunately at an
advanced age he took another wife, Isabella de Solis, a young and
beautiful Christian captive; better known by her Moorish appellation
of Zoraya; by her he had also two sons.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164