Beschreibung:

FERDINAND V and ISABELLA I, King and Queen of Spain. Document signed ("Yo el rey" and "Yo la Reina"), countersigned by Royal Steward Juan de la Para, Seville, 3 January 1491. 1 page, folio, 288 x 205 mm. (11¼ x 8 1/8 in.), text written in a typical Spanish court hand, small repair to lower right-hand corner, otherwise in good condition, in Spanish. FERDINAND AND ISABELLA REWARD A DISTINGUISHED SOLDIER WITH A KNIGHTHOOD AND PROPERTY SEIZED FROM THE MOORS An interesting Royal grant, dated only a year before the completion of the expulsion of the Moors from Granada and the first voyage of Columbus. Los Reyes católicos grant to a captain who fought with gallantry at Fuente, a knighthood and the rights to property in Fuente captured from the Moors: "...on your behalf, Captain Miguel Sanchez Guerrero, soldier of our army, it has been brought to our attention that you have served us for many years in the conquests of these realms, performing many brave deeds in proof of your valor both in our service and in fulfillment of our wishes, and, signally, in the taking of Fuente as commander and captain, and have always given little thought for your person and your life; and it is said that you ask to be honored with our favor as a knight in our personal guard, and, since in order to uphold this position with greater dignity, you beseech us to give you some of the property taken from the Moors; and, because we ought to honor your services and reward them so that others may follow your example: therefore, it is our will to grant you the said favor, and we do name and make you knight of our personal guard; and we do give you the lands and the house which the Moor Sofiz held in Fuente, and may you enjoy them freely, you and the descendants of your line, in perpetuity for the centuries of time...And we do commend you to our courts and council in the said town that they may see you and yours established on said property..."