ALPIIONSO, or Aeoxso X., surnamed the Wise, king of Leon and Castile, succeeded his father Ferdi nand in the year 1252. He was justly regarded, at his accession, as a prince of great qualities ; and high ex pectations were formed of his government. But, by en gaging in a multitude of ambitious projects, beyond his strength and resources, he soon involved himself in end less difficulties, and oppressed his subjects with intolera ble burdens. Almost at the same time, he made an at tempt upon Gascony, in opposition to Henry III. of England ; prepared an expedition, which his father had meditated, against the Moors in Barbary ; advanced a claim, which he derived from the right of his mother, to the dutchy of Swabia ; and even became a competitor for the imperial dignity in Germany. By these, and other extravagant plans, his treasury, was exhausted, and his subjects filled with discontent ; frequent insur rections excited, and favourable opportunities afforded to the Moors for invading his dominions. In the midst of these troubles, he displayed the greatest activity and presence of mind. He calmed the commotions among his people by good management, and as much condescen sion and clemency as possible. And, in repelling the hostile aggressions of the Moors, he proved himself to he possessed both of personal courage and military skill. He had long meditated, and frequently attempted a journey to Italy, in order to enforce his different claims in a personal interview with the pope. This plan was opposed by his nobles, and was the occasion of the n:ost formidable conspiracies against his authority. In tent, however, upon obtaining the high title of emperor. he at length left his dominions under his eldest son as regent, and met the pope at Baucaire, in France. But all his arguments and endeavours were unavailing ; and he returned without any encouragement or success. During his absence, his kingdom had been exposed to new invasions, and involved in new dissensions. On his return, he found, that the prince regent was dead., and that his second son, Don Sancho, was claiming a right to the crown, in preference to the children of his elder brother. The pretensions of Sancho were acknow ledged by an assembly of the states ; but Philip, king of France, who was uncle to the children of the deceased prince, supported their cause, and threatened A plionso with a war. Pope John XXI. however, who was more friendly to Alphonso than his predecessor had been, inter posed his authority ; and it was agreed, that the king dom of Murcia should be given to the Infant Don Alon so de Cerda, upon condition of his doing homage to Don Sancho, when he should be king of Castile. But the states, at the instigation of Sancho, refused to ratify this agreement, deposed Alphonso, and appointed San cho regent. The aged king, in the bitterness of his heart, disinherited his son with the most solemn impre cations, and sought assistance against his adversaries from the Moors. His party increased and prevailed ; and Sancho was anxious to appease his indignation.
When Alphonso was informed that his son was labour ing under a dangerous distemper, and that he professed contrition for his conduct, he retracted his curses, re scinded his will, and died, a short time afterwards, in the 81st year of his age, in 1284. He was a prince of eminent talents and extensive knowledge ; but was de ficient in wisdom to distinguish, and in steadiness to pur sue the proper objects of his attention as a sovereign. From this want of a directing mind, his very virtues and attainments frequently became the sources of his errors. His generous disposition led him into profusion ; and his love of learning turned his thoughts too much from the interests of his kingdom. Amidst all the troubles, however, in which he was involved, he found means to confer upon his subjects several permanent benefits. He improved the Castilian tongue, and caused a general history of Spain to be composed in that language. He augmented the privileges of the university of Salamanca, and corrected many errors in its original statutes. He prohibited the use of Latin terms in law proceedings, and directed them to be carried on in the language of the country. He completed the compilation of laws which his father had begun ; caused them to be ar ranged under proper heads ; and published them, for the instruction of his subjects, under the title of Las Parti das. He paid great attention to the improvement of astronomy ; invited, from all parts of Europe, persons well skilled in that science ; and employed them in correcting the astronomical tables of Ptolemy. The work which was thus completed under his direction, in 1251, and which occasioned him an immense expense, is justly inscribed with his name, and is known by the title of the Alpbonsine Tables. He composed a variety of treatises on physics and ethics, which he entitled " The Treasure ;" and is said also to have written two volumes on chemistry. He has been charged with the following impious speech, "that if he had been consulted by the Deity, he would have advised him to form the universe on a better plan." This saying has generally been con sidered, at most, as only a sarcasm upon the confusion of the Ptolemaic system ; but, even in this view, the ex pression is so shockingly profane, that it is much doubt ed, whether it was ever uttered by this prince. It is at least very inconsistent with another circumstance re lated of hint; namely, that he had carefully perused the sacred Scriptures fourteen times, with various commen taries. There is as good authority for the truth of the one anecdote as of the oilier ; and if this be admitted, it must also be acknowledged, that it is not very probable, that he, who showed so great regard for the divine word, should indulge in such irreverent reflections on the divine works. Sec Riccioli rilniagcst. t. 1, p. 444; Weidler's Hist. 4stron. p. 280 ; and Mod. Un. Hist. vol. xx. p. (q)