Chapter 5

Doubtful martyrs--No persecution raging--The Muzarabes--Churches in Cordova--Arab description of a church--Monasteries outside the city--Voluntary martyrs, chiefly from Cordova--No ferment at Elvira--Enthusiasts not a large body--Their leaders--The moderate party--Objections against the martyrs--Voluntary martyrdoms forbidden by the Church--Answer of apologists--Evidence as to persecution--Apologists inconsistent--Eulogius and Alvar--Reviling of Mohammed--Martyrs worked no miracles--Defence of apologists illogical--Martyrs put to death not by idolaters--Death without torture--Their bodies corrupted--Moslem taunts--Effect of martyrdoms on the Moslems--Prohibition of relics--Traffic in relics--They work miracles--Relics taken from Spain to France--Expedition of monks for that purpose--St Vincent's body--Relics of George, Aurelius, etc., carried off--Return to France--Measures of the moderate party--Of the Moslems--Reccafredus--supported by the majority of Christians--Fanatics coerced--Anathematized--Action of king--Suspects political movement--Revolt at Toledo--Grand Council--Measures against zealots--Meditated persecution--The extreme party broken up--Apostasies--Reason of these--The exceptor Gomez--The decision of the Council--Cessation of martyrdoms 54-73