Note 915 — Chapter II · MORISCOS.[867]

Relazioni Venete, Serie I, T. V, p. 145.

The Córtes of 1570 petitioned Philip to repeal the prohibition of using arquebuses in the chase, pointing out that the war in Granada had shown the scarcity of the weapon in Spain and the lack of men that could use it. They also referred to the difficulty experienced in arming the levies and suggested that the cities and towns should be permitted to provide armories at their own cost under such restrictions as the king might prescribe. To these petitions the royal replies were equivocal. It is all highly significant of the suspicions entertained by the monarch as to the loyalty of his subjects.—Córtes de Córdova del año de setenta, fol. 6, 12 (Alcalá, 1575).