more or less probable.  The story may derive from Fray Basilio Ponce de Leon or it may not.  It is the kind of story that any unscrupulous person might easily invent and repeat to a too credulous visitor.  As it stands, the evidence in its support is, on the face of it, unsatisfactory.  The case for the story is perhaps not quite so weak as has been supposed;[200] ingenuity has shown that the case against it may, to some extent, be frittered away.[201] Still, there is no getting over the fact that this charming anecdote is first reported outside of Spain by a foreigner who related it in print long after Luis de Leon’s death.  No first-hand testimony in its favour has hitherto been produced.  Those who choose to believe in the authenticity of the current version may not unreasonably do so; it is obvious, however, that, in the absence of direct evidence, they will have great difficulty in persuading others to share their belief.

To return to prosaic details.  The Claustro had promptly created a chair for Luis de Leon after his release from prison; there was more ado about granting his request—­made on the ground of health—­that he should be allowed to lecture from ten till eleven o’clock.  Unluckily, this time had been already allotted to the Dean of the Theological Faculty, Diego Rodriguez, a Dominican, who objected to the proposal.  Bartolome de Medina not unnaturally stood by his brother-Dominican, opposed the demand of the newly elected professor on the ground that it could not be granted without showing disrespect to the Dean, and suggested that Luis de Leon should be instructed to lecture from four to five o’clock.  On a vote being taken, the Claustro gave Luis de Leon a majority; but, as the Rector of the University claimed to be the deciding authority on such questions, the matter was not finally decided at this meeting.[202] It might seem that, in practice, Luis de Leon carried his point for, as the clock struck ten on January 29, 1577, he began his first lecture in his new post; but this was mainly a formal taking possession of the post, and the professor in his fragmentary lecture took occasion to protest against not having a lecture hour assigned to him.[203] Luis de Leon continued to occupy the chair that had been created for him.  The death of Francisco Sancho, bishop of Segorbe, in June 1578 caused a vacancy in the university chair of Moral Philosophy.  Luis de Leon determined to present himself as a candidate.  A rival candidate came forward in the person of Fray Francisco Zumel, Rector of the Mercenarian College.  The struggle was vehement.  Zumel did not stick at trifles; he charged his opponent with exercising undue pressure on the electors by means of cajolery, threats, lavish hospitality (which was dispensed with the aid of brother-Augustinians), bribery, and attempted personal violence.[204] Luis de Leon was not behindhand:  he sought to have Zumel disqualified on technical grounds, and further accused his opponent of breaking the law governing