PETER (Do); Pmnto) THE CRUEL, King of Castile and Leon, was the son of Alfonzo XI. and Maria of Portugal, and was bon at Burgos, Aug. 30, 1334. On his father's death (1350), Peter succeeded to the throne without opposition, but left the whole exer cise of power to his mother, Donna Maria, and Albuerque, his father's prime minister and chancellor. But by the instigation of his mistress (afterward his queen), Marie dc Padilla, Peter emancipated himself (1353) from the guidance of the queen-mother and her coadjutor Albuerquc, taking the reins of government in his own hands. His rule being much more impartial than that of the regency, obtained exceeding popularity, which was increased by ids affable mariner towards the mass of his subjects; but the strict justice with which he decided all causes between the rich and poor, the clergy and the laity, combined with a haughty and imperious carriage toward them, alienated from him the nobles and clergy. The plottings of Albucrque, who had fled to Portugal, having culminated (1354) in an outbreak in the province of Estremadura, Peter marched against the rebels, but was betrayed by his brother, Henry of Trastamare, and taken prisoner (Dee., 1354). Popular opinion now declared loudly in his favor; and having escaped from prison, he found himself speedily at the head of a powerful army, with which, despite the excommunication of the pope, be speedily reduced his opponents to submis sion. But this episode in his career had a disastrous influence on his character for the rest of his life. Betrayed by his relatives, and even by his mother, he became sus picious of every one; and having experienced to the full the power of his enemies. he scrupled not as to the weapons to be employed against them. The rest of his reign was devoted to the destruction of the power of the great vassals, the establishment of his own authority on the ruins of their feudal tyranny, and long-continued and bloody wars with the kingdoms of Aragon and Granada. As the people, however, were in general well
and justly governed, it is not imprelbable that he might have retained his throne in spite of his numerous enemies, had not the heavy taxes which were imposed to maintain the cost of his long wars with Aragon and Granada dissipated his popularity. Henry, who had fled to France, now seizing the favorableopportunity,returned (1366) at the head of a body of exiles, backed by Bertrand du Gueselin (q.v.) with an army of mercenaries, and aided by Aragon, France, and the pope. Peter, however, by promising to England the sea board of Biscay, with the provinces of Guipuzcoa and Logrono, and supplying a con tribution of 56,000 florins, prevailed upon Edward the Black Prince to espouse his cause. Edward invaded Castile in the spring of 1367, totally defeated Henry and Du Guesclin at Navarette (April), taking the latter prisoner (releasing him almost immediately after), and speedily restoring Peter to the throne. But the king disgusted his chivalrous ally by his cruelty to the vanquished, and paid no heed to his remonstrances; Edward accordingly repassed the Pyrenees, and left the misguided monarch to his fate. The whole kingdom groaned under his cruelties; rebellions broke out everywhere; and, in autumn 1367, Henry returned with 400 lances, the people immediately flocking to hiz standard. Peter's scanty and ill-disciplined forces were routed at Montle] (Mar. 14, 1369), and himself compelled to retire fir safety within the town, whence he was treacherously decoyed and captured by Du Guesclin. He was carried to a tent, where a single combat took place between him and Henry, in which the latter would have been slain, had not some of his followers come to his aid, and slain the unfortunate Peter, Mar. 23, 1369.