He had not succeeded with the great dukes.

Now he was to press his adventure upon a king and queen who were engaged in a difficult war with the Moors, who still held a considerable part of the peninsula of Spain.
The king and queen were residing at Cordova, a rich and beautiful city, which they had taken from the Moors.

Under their rule Cordova had been the most important seat of learning in Europe.

Here Columbus tarried at the house of Alonso de Quintinilla, who became an ardent convert to his theory, and introduced him to important friends.

By their agency, arrangements were made, in which Columbus should present his views to the king.