of their country, carrying with him fire and sword, and pressed them
sorely so that they yielded vassalage. Then turning through Portugal,
he won the town of Sea, which was upon the western slope of the Serra
da Estrella; and also another town called Gamne, the site whereof
cannot now be known, for in course of years names change and are
forgotten. And proceeding with his conquests he laid siege to the city
of Viseu, that he might take vengeance for the death of King Don
Alfonso, his wife's father, who had been slain before that city. But
the people of Viseu, as they lived with this fear before their eyes,
had fortified their city well, and stored it abundantly with all things
needful, and moreover, they put their trust in their Alcayde, who was
an African, by name Cid Alafum, a man tried in arms. He encouraged
them, saying that the city could not be taken in ten years, by a
greater power than the Christians; and there were many good arbalisters
in the city, who shot so strong that neither shield nor armour availed
against their quarrels. King Don Ferrando therefore ordered mantles to
be made, and also pavaises to protect his people; and moreover he
enjoined them to fasten boards upon their shields, so that the quarrels
from the crossbows might not pierce through. And he continued for
eighteen days to combat the city, keeping such good watch, that neither
could they within receive help from without, nor themselves issue
forth; and on the eighteenth day, which was the Vesper of St. Peter's,
he won the city by force of arms; and few were they who escaped from
the sword of the conquerors, except those who retreated with Alafum
into the castle. And on the following day at the hour of tierce they
also came to terms, and yielded themselves to his mercy, saving their
lives. In this manner was Viseu recovered by the Christians, and never
after did that city fall into the hands of the barbarians. And the Moor
who had slain King Don Alfonso fell into Ferrando's power, and the King
took vengeance and punished him in all the parts which had offended; he