Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada, from the mss. of Fray Antonio Agapida

(14 User reviews)   4436
By Jacob Brown Posted on Dec 22, 2025
In Category - Hard Sci-Fi
Irving, Washington, 1783-1859 Irving, Washington, 1783-1859
English
Hey, have you ever wondered what the final years of Muslim Spain were really like? Washington Irving's 'Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada' is a wild ride. It's framed as a rediscovered manuscript from a fiery Spanish friar who witnessed the whole thing. The book follows the decade-long war between Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand and the last Muslim ruler, Boabdil. It's not just dates and battles—it's packed with chivalry, betrayal, and epic sieges. Irving makes this huge historical moment feel immediate and personal, like you're right there in the dusty camps and glittering courts. If you like history that reads like an adventure story, this is your next read.
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V..........Expedition of the Marques of Cadiz against Alhama. VI.........How the People of Granada were Affected on Hearing of the Capture of the Alhama; and how the Moorish King sallied forth to Regain it. VII........How the Duke of Medina Sidonia and the Chivalry of Andalusia Hastened to the Relief of Alhama. VIII.......Sequel of the Events at Alhama. IX.........Events at Granada, and Rise of the Moorish King, Boabdil el Chico. X..........Royal Expedition against Loxa. XI.........How Muley Abul Hassan made a Foray into the Lands of Medina Sidonia, and how he was Received. XII........Foray of Spanish Cavaliers among the Mountains of Malaga. XIII.......Effects of the Disasters among the Mountains of Malaga. XIV........How King Boabdil el Chico Marched over the Border. XV.........How the Count de Cabra sallied forth from his Castle in Quest of King Boabdil. XVI........The Battle of Lucena. XVII.......Lamentations of the Moors for the Battle of Lucena. XVIII......How Muley Abul Hassan Profited by the Misfortunes of his Son Boabdil. XIX........Captivity of Boabdil el Chico. XX.........Of the Treatment of Boabdil by the Castilian Sovereigns. XXI........Return of Boabdil from Captivity. XXII.......Foray of the Moorish Alcaydes, and Battle of Lopera. XXIII......Retreat of Hamet el Zegri, Alcayde of Ronda. XXIV.......Of the reception at Court of the Count de Cabra and the Alcayde de los Donceles. XXV........How the Marques of Cadiz concerted to Surprise Zahara, and the Result of his Enterprise. XXVI.......Of the Fortress of Alhama, and how Wisely it was Governed by the Count de Tendilla. XXVII......Foray of Christian Knights into the Territory of the Moors. XXVIII.....Attempt of El Zagal to Surprise Boabdil in Almeria. XXIX.......How King Ferdinand Commenced another Campaign against the Moors, and how he Laid Siege to Coin and Cartama. XXX........Siege of Ronda. XXXI.......How the People of Granada invited El Zagal to the Throne, and how he Marched to the Capital. XXXII......How the Count de Cabra attempted to Capture another King, and how he Fared in his Attempt. XXXIII.....Expedition against the Castles of Cambil and Albahar. XXXIV......Enterprise of the Knights of Calatrava against Zalea. XXXV.......Death of Muley Abul Hassan. XXXVI......Of the Christian Army which Assembled at the City of Cordova. XXXVII.....How Fresh Commotions broke out in Granada, and how the People undertook to Allay them. XXXVIII....How King Ferdinand held a Council of War at the Rock of the Lovers. XXXIX......How the Royal Army appeared Before the City of Loxa, and how it was Received; and of the Doughty Achievements of the English Earl. XL.........Conclusion of the Siege of Loxa. XLI........Capture of Illora. XLII.......Of the Arrival of Queen Isabella at the Camp before Moclin; and of the Pleasant Sayings of the English Earl. XLIII......How King Ferdinand Attacked Moclin, and of the Strange Events that attended its Capture. XLIV.......How King Ferdinand Foraged the Vega; and of the Battle of the Bridge of Pinos, and the Fate of the two Moorish Brothers. XLV........Attempt of El Zagal upon the Life of Boabdil, and how the Latter was Roused to Action. XLVI.......How Boabdil returned Secretly to Granada, and how he was Received.--Second Embassy of Don Juan de Vera, and his Perils in the Alhambra. XLVII......How King Ferdinand laid Siege to Velez Malaga. XLVIII.....How King Ferdinand and his Army were Exposed to Imminent Peril before Velez Malaga. XLIX.......Result of the Stratagem of El Zagal to Surprise King Ferdinand. L..........How the People of Granada Rewarded the Valor of El Zagal. LI.........Surrender of the Velez Malaga and Other Places. LII........Of the City of Malaga and its Inhabitants.--Mission of Hernando del Pulgar. LIII.......Advance of King Ferdinand against Malaga. LIV........Siege of Malaga. LV.........Siege of Malaga continued.--Obstinacy of Hamet el Zegri. LVI........Attack of the Marques of Cadiz upon Gibralfaro. LVII.......Siege of Malaga continued.--Stratagems of...

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Washington Irving, the guy who gave us 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' takes a sharp turn into history with this one. He presents it as a translation of a lost account by a fictional monk, Fray Antonio Agapida, who was supposedly there.

The Story

The book covers the final war (1482-1492) to take the city of Granada, the last Muslim stronghold in Spain. We follow the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, as they slowly squeeze the kingdom. On the other side is Boabdil, the last Sultan, caught in a web of family feuds and political drama within the Alhambra's walls. The narrative swings between grand military campaigns—the storming of fortresses, the chivalric jousts between knights—and the intense personal struggles of leaders on both sides. It all builds toward the inevitable, poignant surrender of the city.

Why You Should Read It

Irving's genius is in the telling. He doesn't just report events; he makes you feel the tension, the dust of the march, and the clash of cultures. Through his 'found manuscript' device, we get a fiercely partisan, often funny, and wholly engaging narrator in Fray Agapida, who cheers every Spanish victory as an act of God. It lets Irving present the drama and the bias of the era simultaneously. You get the sweep of history without losing the human stories that make it stick.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who finds dry history books a slog but loves a great story. If you enjoy epic historical dramas, complex conflicts where neither side is purely good or evil, or classic adventure writing with a rich voice, you'll be hooked. It's history served not as a lecture, but as a fireside tale from a passionate, opinionated, and unforgettable guide.



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Patricia Garcia
1 year ago

This is one of those stories where the pacing is just right, keeping you engaged. Exceeded all my expectations.

Lucas Lee
1 year ago

The formatting on this digital edition is flawless.

Michael Anderson
3 weeks ago

Perfect.

Ashley Williams
9 months ago

Five stars!

Charles Ramirez
1 year ago

Perfect.

5
5 out of 5 (14 User reviews )

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