Note 11 — The Towers, Courts, and Halls of the Alhambra.

The Moorish fortress of Alhama was rightly regarded as one of the two “Keys” of Granada, Loja—the Lôsha of the Moors—ranking as the other. Loja was besieged by Ferdinand and Isabella, and captured, in 1488, after thirty-four days’ investment; chiefly, it is said, by the aid of English archers under Earl Rivers, son of Anthony Wydeville, brother to Elizabeth, Queen of our Edward IV. Alhama had fallen 28th February, 1482, and its loss is the subject of the ballad referred to.