The Rise & fall of the late eminent and powerful favorite of Spain, the Count Olivares ; the unparallel'd imposture of Michael de Molina, executed at Madrid in the year 1641 ; the right and title of the present Kind of Portugall Don John the fourth, with the most memorable passages of his reign unto the year 1644 translated out of the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese by Edw. Chamberlayne ...

The Rise & fall of the late eminent and powerful favorite of Spain, the Count Olivares ; the unparallel'd imposture of Michael de Molina, executed at Madrid in the year 1641 ; the right and title of the present Kind of Portugall Don John the fourth, with the most memorable passages of his reign unto the year 1644 translated out of the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese by Edw. Chamberlayne ...

Table of contents

Title page

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To the Reader.

Faults to be corrected.

[1]

THE RISE & FALL OF THE Late eminent and Powerfull Favourite of SPAINE, Don Jaſpar de Guzman Conde, Duke of Olivares and St LUCAR.

[2]

Title page

Exemplum ſine Exemplo: OR, The unparallel'd CASE OF Michael de Molina Executed at Madrid in the Year 1641. Faithfully Tranſlated out of the SPANISH.

[3]

Title page

THE RIGHT & TITLE OF The preſent King OF PORTUGALL Don John the fourth: With the moſt memorable Paſſages of his raigne.

§

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THE RISE & FALL OF THE Late Eminent and powerful Favorite of SPAIN, The Count OLIVARES.

THE Unparallel'd Impoſture OF MICHAEL de MOLINA Executed at MADRID in the Year, 1641.

The Right and Title of the preſent King of Portugall Don JOHN the fourth; With the moſt memorable Paſſages of his Reign unto the year 1644.

Tranſlated out of the Italian, Spaniſh, and Portughez, By Edw: Chamberlayne, Gent'.

In tenui Labor—

London, Printed by T: N: for Thomas Heath at his ſhop in Ruſſell ſtreet, near the Piazza's of Covent-Garden, 1653.

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FIDE ET FORTITUDINE.

The Right Honble. Algernon Capell. Earl of Eſsex▪ Viſcount Maldon▪ & Baron Capell of Hadham▪ 17 [...]1

To the Reader.

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THE Originall Structures, from whence the materials of theſe pieces are taken, ſeeming more ſpacious then was neceſſary, I have taken the pains to pull them down, and rebuild them in the narrow room here preſented; wherein my principall care hath been (ut miſceam utile dulci) that no part of theſe new buildings may be without commodity or delight, although the beauty of them may be ſomewhat defaced (for tranſlations are [Page] ever prejudiciall to the grace and ſplendor of the Original, eſpecially when done by an unskilfull pen) yet I chooſe rather to be cenſured of weakneſs in expoſing to the publick, then of envy in engroſſing to my ſelfe a Commodity that might any way benefit my Countrey-men.

Amongſt the many curious Pieces that came to my hands in forraign parts, I have made choyce of theſe in the firſt place (wanting opportunity for a more weighty task) becauſe pieces of this nature have this peculiar unto them, that they are acceptable to moſt intelligent perſons, for that they repreſent ſunccinctly many curious particularities, whereof generall [Page] Hiſtories cannot take any notice.

The firſt of theſe Relations was written at Madrid in Italian by an Agent there to one of the Princes of Italy, at the time that the Conde Duke de Olivarez was baniſht the Court of Spain. I have pruned off ſome ſuperfluous branches, and ingrafted a few neceſſary Cions borrowed from other trees.

The ſecond was written at large in Spaniſh by the Alcalde, or Judge to whom was committed the proſecution of that whole buſineſs. The Book was ſwoln with various digreſſions and infinite quotations (as their manner is) which would have been very impertinent ro an Engliſh Reader.

The former part of the third [Page] Diſcourſe was written in the Portugal Tongue, and the later part in Italian; the one amplified with the numberleſs authoritics of Civilians, and the other with many prolix excurſions, which in Engliſh would have been as tedious as improper.

If the Reader reaping in few houres the fruits of many dayes labour, ſhall receive content, I ſhall not onely be ſatisfied for this pains, but encouraged for another undertaking.

Faults to be corrected.

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PAge 10. line 8. for Aunt read Couſin. p. 14. l. 2. leave out would. P. 47. l. 8. for in read ni. P. 51. l. 26. read fuer Ça. P 52. l. 17. for having read he. P. 57. l. 24. r, debauched. P. 102. l. 19. for mus read mas. P. 104. 24. for in r. ni. There are many falſe pointings and other inconſiderable miſtakes, whereof the Printer humbly demands pardon.

§

THE RISE & FALL OF THE Late eminent and Powerfull Favourite of SPAINE, Don Jaſpar de Guzman Conde, Duke of Olivares and St LUCAR.

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DON Jaſpar de Guzman, ſon of Don Henry Count de Olivares, was born in Rome at the time that his Father was there Ambaſſador from Philip the ſecond▪ and it was noted as an unlucky preſage that he drew his firſt breath in the Palace of Nero▪ [Page] which gave occaſion to ſome Wits to ſtyle him the Nero diſguiſed; becauſe his actions were always very cruell, yet without ſhedding blood; his deliberations violent, but without noiſe; his carriage courteous, but without love▪ his words very fair, but without effect.

Being the third Son of his Family, he be took himſelf to the ſtudy of the Law at Salamanca, where he was Corrivall with three Learned perſons for a Prebendary at Sevill, which he obtained. Not long after coming to Court at the time when Don Balthazzar Zuniga was in favor with Philip the 3d upon the fall of the houſe of Lerma, he eaſily crept into the favor and familiarity of Philip the fourth; then Prince; and complying in all things with his humor, became abſolute maſter of his Will, by that time the death of his Father had made him abſolute Monarch of Spain.

To aſſure himſelf in this height of Honor and Power, he held at a diſtance from his Majeſty the Princes of the blood; particularly Prince Philibert de Savoy, and [Page] it is believed, that jealous of the vivacity and Nobleneſſe of ſpirit which began to ſhine in the Infante Don Carlos (who was idolized by the Spaniards) he haſtned his death As for the Cardinall Infante Don Ferdinando, he ſpeciouſly pretended that it was neceſſary he ſhould be employed in the Wars of Germany, and afterwards in the Government of Flanders. Sent moſt of the A Grandee of Spain, is any Nobleman that hath the priviledg to be alwayes covered in the Kings preſence, as all Noblemen had before the time of Charls the fifth. Grandees and perſons, whoſe parts or power gave any occaſion of jealouſie to the Conde Duke, to Employments farre from the Court; thereby ſo powerfully ſuppreſſing the worth of all other, that none being left to oppoſe him, he became the ſole Arbibitrator of the Monarchy, and abſolute Maſter of his Maſters will.

As for the Queen, whom the the Laws of God and Man forbad to bee ſeparated from her Husband; ſhe was kept in ſuch awe and ſubjection by the Dutcheſs of Olivarez, her firſt Lady of [Page] Honor, that though ſhe had the Title and outſide of a Queen, ſhe was little better than a ſlave to the Duke; who would often intimate to the King, that no other account was to be made of a Woman, but as a thing neceſſary to propagate the ſpecies.

Now although ſome rigour ſhould bee uſed in the examination of all the actions of the Conde Duke, it will not be denyed but that he had moſt rare endowments for a Miniſter of State; for the zeal and paſſion he had for to Aggrandize his Maſter and his Dominions, knew no bounds; He gave himſelf wholly to the tranſaction of publique Affairs; inſomuch that he would not allow himſelf one hour of Recreation; He was the declared enemy of all Preſents, not ſuffering any of his ſervants to ſell his Favor, or their Credit with him: But on the contrary ſpent of his own Revenues for the ſervice of the King, profeſſing that all he had was devoted to the publique good, and that hee did nothing but to augment the grandeur of the King, and to ſerve the State. Yet ſome that would [Page] ſeem to ſee farther then vulgar eyes, ſay, That the reaſon why hee received no preſents, was, becauſe hee conceived that to be the only way to continue in favor; and that by other ways being as covetous as cruell, hee found out the true ſecret of heaping up treaſure, without appearing ambitious. To this end he got into his hands! Commanderies of all the three Orders of Knighthood, which were worth to him 40000 Crowns per an'; made himſelf great Maſter of the Kings Wardrobe; Maſter of the Horſe; & Great Chancellor of the Indies, which three Offices were worth him 200000 Crownes per annum; but much more conſiderable were the vaſt ſums received from the Indies; for when the Fleet ſet ſail from Sevill and Lisbon, he cauſed to be ſhipt abundance of Corn, Wine, and Oyle Cuſtome-free, which he ſent from his County of Olivarez; and ſelling the ſame in the Indies at four times their worth in Spain, cauſed the Moneys to be employed in Spices, Jewels, Indigoes, &c. which are there at a low price, bur of great value in Europe; ſo that [Page] without couſening the King hee hath this way gained many Millions which Wiſe men perſwade themſelves were never ſpent in the Kings ſervice.

As for his zeal to augment his Maſters greatneſs; ſome are of opinion, That the exceſs of ſo eminent a Vertue was in him a Vice which produced great Miſchiefs; for he was ſo paſsionate in the purſuance of that deſigne, that he feared not to diſcontent the People, the Nobility, the Princes, the Queen her ſelf, ſo hee might content the King, and carry on his deſign.

Firſt, for the People, whoſe Love is the main foundation and ſtrongeſt prop of Monarchies: This blind paſsion carryed him away ſo far, as to endevor to aboliſh in Spain divers priviledges and Liberties, to the end hee might render the King more abſolute over his Subjects: Hee extorted from the Laity and Clergy, by the Mediannates, an invention of his own, which was the Payment of half an years Revenues of all Offices and Benefices that were bestowed; alſo by abaſing and raiſing [Page] the value of Coyne, an intollerable grievance to the Subject; and by many other Impoſitions, raiſed above Two hundred and ſixteen Millions of Gold.

Such like endeavours were the firſt ground of the totall revolt of the Catalonians, who together with the people of Aragon, had ſo great Priviledges and Liberties, that they paſſed rather for a people recommended then ſubject to the Kings of Spain; whence it hath ever been Arcanum Imperii amongſt the Kings of Spain to endeavor to infringe thoſe Priviledges that rendred ſuſpitious the Loyalty of thoſe people: Inſomuch, that in all the Wars with France, the Kings of Spain durſt not ſuffer their Armies to march that way. Thoſe of Aragon, in that notable buſineſs of Don Antonio Perez, were by Philip the ſecond, not without much craft and force, brought into abſolute ſubjection: but the Catalonians continued ſtedfaſt in the maintenance of their Priviledges, and very difficult to be reduced to ſuch ſubjection; becauſe being borderers upon France by ſea and land, [Page] they could commodiouſly receive thence aſſiſtance or ſuccour. Nevertheleſs the ſaid zeal of the Conde Duke put him upon that attempt, ſo that at a Parliament holden at Barcellona, the chief Citie of Catalonia, the jealous Catalonians took no ſmall diſtaſte that the Duke endeavoured to invade their Privileges, by not ſuffering their Commiſſioners to be covered in his preſence, which had uſed to be covered in the Kings preſence. After this the Duke proceeding in the like attempts to diminiſh their Priviledges, & yet to keep them in obedience, quartered Souldiers upon them after the faſhion of Lombardy; but the Catalonians not being able to endure the inſolence of the ſoldiers, took Arms, killed & drave away their soldiers, killed alſo their Vice-Roy, the Conde di Coloma, & put themſelves under the protection of the French. Thus was loſt the moſt populous part of all Spain, a Countrey above 800 miles in compaſs, and the onely Countrey of all Spain wherein is to be found all materials neceſſary for making and rigging ſhips: The Caſtles, Manors, Villages, great Towns, and Cities ſtand ſo thick, that they ſeem rather one [Page] continued Citie then a Province.

To this may be added the inexpreſſible loſſe of the Kingdome of Portugall, with all the dependencies upon that Crown in the Eaſt and Weſt Indies, Africa, and Tercera Iſlands, by the miſcarriage of the Conde Duke in diſcontenting that Nation, which ſhall be related at large as a moſt remarkable Hiſtory. There have ever been a certain Antipathy & enmity betwixt the Spaniards and Portugals, as great as between the Spaniard and French. But ſince they have been ſubject to the Kings of Spain, have been ſo averſe from the Government that the Pariſh Prieſts and Preachers at the end of their Maſs and Sermons, were wont to exhort the people publickly to ſay two Ave Maries, to the end that it would pleaſe our Saviour and the bleſſed Virgin to deliver them from the Tyranny (as they termed it) of the Caſtillians, expecting always ſome favourable occaſion to make an univerſall Revolt.

Notwithſtanding, in the year, 1636. the new Tax called the Fifth part, was generally impoſed, that is Five per Cent. [Page] upon all Eſtates and Merchandiſe; which being judged not only very grievous, but alſo moſt unjuſt, gave occaſion to all the Southern part of Portugall to riſe in arms, and had no queſtion ſet the whole Kingdom on fire, had it not been quencht by the great care of the Infanta Margarita of Savoy, the Kings Aunt, then Governeſs.

The Court of Spain obſerving hereupon the inclinations of that people to an univerſall revolt, reſolved to uſe the beſt means to ſecure it: In the firſt place, to allure forth the great Duke of Briganza, who for Riches, power, number of Tenants, affection of the people, and kindred, was the chief Nobleman not onely of Portugall, but of all Spain, and (which was more then all had an undoubted right to the Crown of Portugall, and therefore certainly it was a cruell pity in Philip the ſecond, to ſeiz upon this Kingdom, and yet to leave the pretender to the Crown, not onely alive, but greater and higher then ever he was: It being an infallible Maxime, That nothing can bee ſufficient to ſecure his Loyalty, who hath [Page] power enough to juſtifie diſloyalty To make ſure of the Duke, they firſt offred him the Government of Milan, which he modeſtly refuſed, reſolving not to ſtirre forth of Portugall. Hereupon the Conde Duke was reſolved to try all ways imaginable; to which the Rebellion of Catalonia ſeemed to offer a fit opportunity for this deſign; for the Conde Duke politickly gave out that the King was to goe in perſon againſt the Catalonians; and therefore that all the Nobility in the Kings dominions were to appear within 4 Months at Madrid, to wait upon the King in this Expedition. But the Duke of Braganza wel knowing the affection of the Portugals and ſuſpition of the Caſtillians; to the end that hee might take off the one, and aſſure the other, retires himſelf to his Countrey houſe, there to follow his hunting, excuſing himſelf to the Conde Duke, that his affairs at preſent were in ſo bad a condition, that hee could not appeare abroad with that ſplendor and dignity that became a perſon of his Quality; and that he was confident he could doe his Majeſty [Page] better ſervice by ſtaying at home when all the reſt of the Nobility were gone forth. This anſwer much augmented the former ſuſpitions of the Conde Duke: wherefore he reſolved to make uſe of the moſt exquiſite diſſimulation that ever he had done in all his life; and becauſe it was a moſt tickliſh affair, an extraordinary caution and ſubtilty was neceſſary: Firſt then, the Conde Duke by Letters aſſures the Duke of Braganza he was well ſatified with his reaſons, and of his good inclination to his Majeſties ſervice. Secondly, to make a ſhew of true amity, ſeemed to be very compaſſionate of what regarded the Dukes Intereſt. Thirdly, he aſſured him that the King was very well content that he ſhould continue there, & to reſtifie unto him the confidence and truſt was repoſd in him, made him General of all the Militia of Portugall, leaving it to his choice to reſide in what place he pleaſed neer Lisbon; and to ſupply his preſent neceſſity, ſent him 60000 Crowns.

This Intrigue of the Conde Dukes appeared to thoſe that ſaw onely the outſide [Page] of the buſineſs, ſo ſtrange and ſo prejudiciall to the Kings intereſt, that they cryed out, This was the very way to loſe all, the rather becauſe by calling back the Duke from his retired life at his Countrey Houſe, he was now expoſed to the view of the Lisbonians, in whoſe thoughts the Houſe of Braganza hath ever been repreſented as right heir to that Crown, that his preſence muſt needs augment the hopes of the Portugals, and new kindle their deſires to have a King of their own.

Laſtly, That the Militia of Portugall was put into thoſe very hands that aſpired to the Scepter: but this kind of dealing was the Conde Dukes ordinary courſe, who was oft heard to brag, that he gained much more by ſuch counterfeit Careſſes, then with downright threats. It was never Olivarez intention to truſt the Duke, but to carry the buſineſs ſo, that the Duke might truſt him. And indeed what greater teſtimony of confidence could have been imagined, then to ſend the Duke neer Lisbon, give him the command of all the Forces, and ſupply him with moneys. [Page] All theſe crafts and ſubtilties no doubt would had bin enough to have charmed the Dukes ſpirit, and to have made him to confide in Olivarez, but that the particular acquaintance hee had with his dealings, had inſtructed him to ſtand upon his guard. In the mean time the Infanta Margarita upon whole ſhoulders all the good and bad events of Portugall was like to fall, amazed at theſe manifeſt opportunities of Revolt were offered to the Duke, advertiſed the King thereof by divers Letters, whereunto ſhe received cold anſwers full of Riddles and darkneſs; the obſcurity whereof a little after ſeemed much greater; For, without giving her any notice, all the Spaniards that kept Gariſon in Saint Johns Caſtle, which commanded Lisbon, were drawn forth, at a time when the ſafety and ſecurity of the whole Kingdom depended upon that Caſtles ſtrength, and that ſtrength upon the fidelity of thoſe Spaniſh ſouldiers; but it was a ſtratageme wherein conſiſted the laſt attempt of Olivarez to ſecure the Duke; and that his cunning might not be diſcovered, but lie [Page] hid for a time, ſtaid till Summer, 1640. before he would invite afreſh the Duke to come to Court, which he did at length by a large Letter; wherein after ample teſtimonies of affection, he much commended the Loyalty of the Duke, his vigilance and diligence in his Office of Generall; and the happy effects of his authority over the Portugals; then repreſented unto him the ſad condition of the Monarchy, by reaſon of the diſorders of Flanders, diſaſters of Italy, and the great preparations of the Turk; but chiefly becauſe of the moſt powerfull Enemies the French, already entred into Spain by the aſſiſtance of the Catalonians: that the onely way to ſave the Kingdome, was to chaſe away theſe laſt, but that this could not be well effected but by a vigorous aſsiſtance of all the Grandees of Spain, of which he was the chief; He might by his preſence, and with a good number of his Tenants, give example to others; and that to this end his Majeſty expected him every moment, with deſign to Honour him, and conferr upon him priviledges and dignities of [Page] high concernment. Now although the Duke was reputed a man not very well verſed in the world, yet he carried himſelf with ſo much wiſdom and diſcretion, that after he had ſupplied the King with a conſiderable number of his Tenants and Friends, he refuſed to goe in perſon; but uſing craft againſt craft, retired himſelf to his Countrey houſe, that ſo he might take off all ſuſpition of jealouſie, that he plotted any thing againſt the State. The Conde Duke in all this uſed all fair means, becauſe he ſaw there was no hope of prevailing otherwiſe, inſomuch that by reciprocal diſſimulation each of them laboured to give teſtimonie of ſingular affection and perfect confidence.

The Infanta vigilant upon all ocaſions, obſerving theſe proceedings, and foreſeeing what would be the iſſue, wrote to the King and to Olivarez very urgent letters, proteſting that if ſpeedy remedy were not taken, the Kingdome muſt needs be loſt; The King hereunto gave no anſwer▪ but Olivarez in his Letters uſeth her like a ſilly woman, fitter to govern a Family [Page] then a Kingdom, bidding her, that if ſhe comprehended not the myſteries of State, at leaſt ſhe ſhould not diſcover them. In the mean time Olivarez ſent ſecret Inſtructions to Don Lopez de Oſsis, and Don Antonio de Oquendo, after they had relieved Flanders with men and money, to put in with his whole Fleet upon the Coaſt of Portugall; and ſo ſoon as the Duke of Braganza ſhould come aboard the ſhips, according to the duty of his place, and new office, they ſhould ſet ſail and bring him away to Cales; but that great Fleet was ruined by the Hollander upon the Downs in the year 1639. Hereupon it being thought neceſſary to weaken the Portugals by draining the Kingdom of ſuperfluous humours, a great number of Souldiers were drawn forth, which inflamed more thoſe ill humors, that had been much ſtirred by the divers diſcontents and diſtaſte which generally was taken againſt Vaſconzellos chief Secretary of State, who taking upon him the manage of all affairs, leaving to the Infanta onely the bare Title of Vice-Queen, governed abſolutely according [Page] to his own will and pleaſure, being a man of unſufferable petulancy, and ſet as controller of his Miſtreſs actions, and in Madrid the Principall affairs of Portugall were menaged by Don Diego Suarez, father in law to Vaſconzellos: Theſe, with ſome other miſcarriages, were the true occaſions of that generall revolt, which was contrived in few days, and executed in fewer hours. For as ſoon as ſome of the chiefe Nobility privatly met together, began the diſcourſe of the many grievances, intollerable taxations, pride and arrogancy of the Caſtillians that were Officers of State, in particular of the tyranny of Vaſconzellos, their Liberties violated, their Clergy impoveriſhed, their Nobility deſtined for the ſlaughter, their Countrey ruinated, and all their Privileges engraven upon a Marble pillar, expoſed to the publick view, violated and infringed, &c. It was propoſed at the ſame privat meeting to change it into a Commonwealth; But the Archbiſhop of Lisbon with powerful reaſons made abortive that deſigne, and ſet their thoughts upon [Page] endevouring to win the Duke of Braganza to accept of the Crown, the Dukes name was John ſon to Theodoſius, ſon to Katherine, who was daughter to Edward, ſon to Emanuel King of Portugall: ſo it was agreed that one Don Gaſton Cotigno ſhould make this Overture to the Duke, who went immediatly to his Highneſs at His Country houſe, and there told him of the generall diſcontent of the people, of the generall conſent of the Nobility and Clergy to receive Him as their King; and that the preſent conjuncture of affairs ſeemed to invite Him to embrace without delay ſo profitable and neceſſary a deſign, for that now the Houſe of Auſtria was at a low ebb, diſtracted with Wars on every ſide, all the Forces of Spain employed againſt Catalonia; that they could not want aſsiſtance from France, and others that were jealous of the greatneſs of that Houſe; that now was the time for him to recover that Right which hath been ſo long detained from his Anceſtors; that Fortune ſeldome offers a man a Kingdom; that this opportunity being let ſlip, in vain [Page] might He hereafter hope for the like, or for ſuccor from the Portugals, when Hee ſhall be clapt in priſon at Madrid; that if He would not take it upon Him, the whole Kingdome was reſolved to change it into a Republick, and then He ſhould not only be equalized with the reſt of low Condition, but hated by all, and looked upon as one who refuſed to bee an inſtrument of His Countries Liberty, and ſo ſhould bee the moſt unappy man amongſt them.

After a long ſilence, the Duke told him He thanked him and the whole Nobility for their affections toward Him, but that this was a buſineſs of ſuch weight, that it required a more mature deliberation; That he knew well, that this was an Affair of that kinde, that knew no medium betwixt the Crown and the Halter. The next night communicating the whole buſineſs to his Wife, who is ſiſter to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, a Woman of a Manly courage, fit for ſuch a bold Enterpriſe; and wavering with Himſelf whether Hee had better conſent to the Nobility, or fly to Madrid, his Wife thus briefly ſpake to [Page] him; My Friend, if thou goeſt to Madrid, thou runneſt the hazard of loſing thy Head; if thou accepteſt the Crown, thou runneſt the ſame hazard; If then thou muſt periſh, better dye nobly at home, then baſely abroad: At which words the Duke was ſo animated, that he came forth of his Cloſet, and bad one of his Confidents goe and acquaint the Nobility, that he was reſolved to undertake the ſame Enterpriſe, and run the ſame hazard with them all; whereupon, immediatly, (for this buſineſs could not ſuffer delay) the Nobility about Midday diſperſed themſelves into ſeverall places of the City, as they had agreed, ſome amongſt the guard of Swiſſes; ſome towards the lodging of the Infanta; ſome to the Caſtle; others to the Spaniſh Fleet in the Haven; others to the Spaniſh Corps de Gard before the Kings Palace; and others to the Lodgings of Vazconzellos: And at the hour appointed, a Piſtoll being ſhot off near the Palace, the next fell upon the Swiſſe guard; and others hearing the noiſe of them, fell on in their appointed ſtations, made themſelves Maſters [Page] of all in a moment, without killing but one Swiſſe who made reſiſtance, beſides Vaſconzellos, who was killed in his chamber, and thrown down out of his window to be a publick ſpectacle to the people. Others preſenting themſelves before the Vice-Queen, ſhe told them, That if this inſurrection had no other aim but to revenge themſelves upon Vaſconzellos, ſhe aſſured them upon returning to their obedience, to gain a generall pardon from the King. But ſhe was anſwered, That as for their moſt unjuſt grievances they had now received ſatisfaction upon Vanſconzellos, and had no other King but Don John the fourth. Hereupon the cry went all over Lisbon, God ſave King John; and from one of the clock till three all ſhops were ſhut; but then all were again ſet open with ſo great joy and content of the Citizens, that all rancor and malice ſet a-part, the moſt inveterate enemies embraced one another with tears of joy. The Infanta for more ſecurity they removed away from the Palace to the Houſe where anciently the Infanta's of Portugal were wont [Page] to dwell, leaving her ſome Souldiers to guard her. The Archbiſhop of Lisbon went in ſolemne proceſſion through the Citie, and to encourage the people, and fix them the better in their reſolutions in chuſing a new King, made uſe of one of the nails wherewith Chriſt was nail'd to the Croſſe, which he carried in his hand, thereby authorizing this inſurrection with an act of Religion, to intimate to the people, that all was ordained by the ſpeciall providence of heaven, and that in defending the cauſe of Braganza, they ſhould defend the cauſe of God: To corroborate which conceit, they made uſe of certain old Propheſies and new Prodigies, that in the perſon of this Duke was verified a certain apparition of Chriſt to King Alfonſo juſt as he was ready to give battell to the five Kings of the Moores, by which he was promiſed not onely victory, but that he and his generations ſhould reign to the ſixteenth Generation, at which his Race ſhould be thought extinct, but ſhould flouriſh again when it ſhould be leaſt of all thought upon: They made [Page] their obſervations alſo upon the day, being the firſt of December, on which day the Citie was recovered out of the hands of the Moors, and ſeized upon by Philip the ſecond, ſo that it was a day fatall to Liſbon. Amongſt other prodigies that were given out to keep the common people the better in their loyalty to their new King, one was, that the next day in the chamber where Vaſconzollos was killed, there were found ſo great a number of Bats, that none could enter into the room. Alſo, that the plot ſhould be kept ſecret ſo long time, for it was plotted ſome weeks before it was executed, was reckond as a great wonder, that among ſo many perſons of different degrees, kindred, age, rich and poor, the deſign ſhould be kept undiſcovered. Another as great a wonder was that Liſbon, a Citie ſo wonderfully populous, and the whole Kingdome ſhould with one univerſall acclamation accept of the Duke, not one perſon gain-ſaying, That all the Forts and Caſtles garriſon'd by Spaniards, ſhould be delivered up without reſiſtance, and that all the Spaniards alſo ſhould be [Page] ſent away, and the quiet of the Kingdome ſetled without the effuſion of more bloud then of two or three perſons. The Marqueſs de la Puebla, kinſman to the Conde Duke, with ſome other of the principall Spaniards, were ſecured as Hoſtages for thoſe Portugals that ſhould be found at Madrid, or elſe where in the Catholique Kings dominion. Thurſday following the Duke made his entry into Lisbon, with the generall acclamations of all ſorts, crying, God ſave King John, all the Canons diſcharging, Bells ringing, with Bonfires and Fireworks for three nights following. And the more to gain the peoples affections, divers impoſitions were taken off, priſoners ſet at liberty, and Offices confer'd upon the Race of thoſe whoſe Anceſtors had enjoyed the ſame under the naturall Kings of Portugall.

All ſorts of Men, Clergy or Laymen or women, brought in their Plate, Gold, Jewels, &c. to make money for the maintenace of this new Kingdome. The Clergy brought in as a gift ſix hundred thouſand Crowns, the Nobility four hundred [Page] thouſand, and the people one Million of Gold.

The 15 of December the King was ſworn, and January the 28 following, was delared and confirmed in a generall Aſſembly or Parliament of the Three States, Lords Spiritual, Lords Temporal, and Commons of that Kingdom.

The King ſent a courteous Complement by ſome Nobles to the Infanta Margarit of Savoy, aſſuring her of all civill uſage befitting a Princeſs of her quality, deſiring her withall to forbear all diſcourſe whereby ſhe might inſtill into his ſubjects hearts any opinion prejudicial to his moſt juſt and righteous cauſe. But ſhe notwithſtanding, with much boldneſſe, after many expreſſions of thankfulneſſe to the Duke, fell into a large and grave exhortation to tho [...]e Nobles to lay aſide all vain hopes, and return to their true allegeance, not doubting to obtain pardon, but the Rubicon was already paſſed; nor is any Rhetorick powerful enough to perſwade a King to quit a Royal Scepter.

The King was about 37 years old when [Page] he was proclaimed King, affecting always a plain Garb and ſober diet, often ſaying, that great perſonages ought to be affable, and that any clothes becom them, and any diet nouriſheth them; he is very active of body, few there are that can outrun him; and indeed he hath run wel that hath gained a Crown. He hath [...]y his wife the ſiſter of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, many ſons and daughters.

Thus was the Kingdom of Portugal, the beſt pearl in the king of Spains Crown, utterly loſt. It is for wealth, power and commodity of ſituation, above all other that Kings Dominions; It is 350 miles long, and about 12 [...] broad, lying all along upon the Sea, thick peopled and powerful at Sea. With it revolted all the Tercera Iſlands, all the Eaſt Indies, all upon the coaſt of Africa, but onely one Town called Ceuta, which is the onely place that belonged to the Portugall Kings, that is now in the hand of the Spaniard.

Immediatly Ambaſſadours were diſpatched into England and Holland, but [Page] chiefly into Catalonia, to offer them all aide and aſſiſtance poſſible. The newes of the generall Revolt of Portugall ſtroke a generall ſadneſs in all the Court at Madrid, onely the Conde Duke came laughing to the King (ſome would thereby collect, that the Duke took great delight in chaſtiſing the people, and impoſing new Laws) and demanded of His Majeſty las Albricias, as they call it, that is A reward for bringing of good news, for that His Majeſty was now abſolute over Portugall, (the People having forfeited all their Priviledges by their Rebellion) and lawfull Owner o [...] all the Eſtate of the duke of Braganza, and all the Nobles his followers, to diſp [...]ſe amongſt his Loyall Subjects: Although others imagine with more reaſon, that the Conde Duke inwardly reſented that buſineſs more then any man; but according to his manner, would ſet a good face on it.

After ſo many principall Feathers had been pluckt out of the Auſtrian Eagle; as if the world had conſpired to leave Her ſta [...]k naked, ſome nearer home began to [Page] be plucking likewiſe. The Duke of Medina Sidonia, whoſe ſiſter was now Queen of Portugall, with ſome other diſcontented Nobles of Andaluzia (the next beſt Countrey that the King of Spain had at this time) reſolve by the help of the Portugall, their next Neighbour, and the aſsiſtance of the French and Dutch fleet, then near upon that Coaſt, to Cantonize all Andaluzia, and Medina Sidonia to bee Head thereof; unleſs the King would bee perſwaded to change the preſent Miniſters of [...]tate, and require a [...]uſt account of ſo many Millions gathered of the People; which if He would doe, they would then continue his Loyall Subjects: But the Conde Duke by his cunning extinguiſhed this fire in the Birth, for with much ſweetneſs and fair words, without the leaſt violence, he drew the Duke of Medina Sidonia to Madrid, and ſecured his perſon (as he ſtands at this day in Valliadolid) and ſent another Govern ur with ſuch inſtructions, that he ſatisfied or terrified all turbulent ſpirits.

[Page]Theſe many diſaſters one upon the neck of another, awaked the Court of Spain▪ and ſo ſtartled them, that they now began to double their diligence and circumſpecti▪ inſomuch that the Councell of State ſate conſtantly morning and Evening, to provide againſt the many ſtorms that threatned on every ſide. Not long before the diſgrace and death of the Conde Duke, was diſcovered the unparaleld Forgery of Michael de Molina, and his Treachery in giving informations, ſome falſe and ſome true, to moſt of the Ambaſſadors of Forraign States; which for its extraordinary ſtrangeneſs (for it is Exemplum ſine Exemplo) ſhall after this Relation be fully rehearſed.

But to proceed, nevertheleſs the Conde Duke caſt all the miſcarriages in Portugall upon the Infanta; and laboured as much as poſsibly hee could to hinder her from coming to Court, leſt ſhe ſhould juſtifie her ſelf, and caſt (if not ſuſpicion upon his Loyalty, yet at leaſt a foul blot upon his Reputation; therefore ſhe being ſent out of Portugall, was by Olivarez means confined [Page] in Eſtremadurae, and afterwards at Ocania near Madrid, where ſhee was not allowed neceſſaries; which made her at length privately fly away to Madrid.

Beſides the Infanta, he had alſo much diſcontented the chief Nobility, who afterward all helped to pull him out of his ſeat; for he never thought himſelf ſufficiently aſſured in the Kings favor and command of the Kingdome, unleſs after Tarquins example▪ he abaſed (inſtead of cutting off) the Heads of the Grandees; the houſe of Lerma, the houſe of Toledo, the Duke of Alva, the duke of Ferrandino, the duke of Hijar, the dukes of Maqueda, Lemos, Fuentecalida, Altamire, &c. All either ruined or diſgraced by the Dukes means. Onely the Conde de Monterey, and the Marqueſs de Leganes were thought worthy by Olivarez to have part in the Government, two Men of mean extraction and Fortune, by their prodigious exactions (for which they were called Los dos Ladrones, the two Theeves) raiſed to incredible wealth. Whereat the prime Nobility of Spain were ſo much incenſed, [Page] that they all withdrew themſelves from Court, none waiting upon the King at Table, at Chappell, nor in Hunting; ſo that Olivarez now was ſaid to bee ſole Servant, as ſole Maſter of his Catholique Majeſty; at which time he was in his third Seventh year, or grand Climacterical of his Favor, for he declined and fell ſoon after, beyond the hopes and expectation, but on this ſide the deſires and wiſhes of the w [...]ole Monarchy. Becauſe the Fall of this huge tall Cedar was ſo late and eminent, the manner of his Fall, the Ropes and Engines made uſe of, together with the Perſons that put their Hands to this work, ſhall bee more particularly related.

The favour of the Count Olivarez, duke of St Lucar, which had continued twenty two yeares, had caſt ſo deep roots in the heart of the King, that all the world believed it to be as immoveable as the old Oak that reſiſts all ſtorms; and that it was never to be ſhaken, neither by the Winds of Envie, nor the Whirlwinds of perſecution, nor yet by the Tempeſts which of▪ [Page] ten ariſe in Kings Courts by the conſpiracies and conjurations of thoſe who are ambitious of rule; that which upheld this common conceite was the naturall inclination which the King had from his youth to the perſon and rare endowments of the Lord Duke; an inclination which proceeded as ſome judged rather out of a kinde of reſpect then bare amity, becauſe the affection towards him which upon all ocaſions he expreſſed was not a token of ſingular love only, but of a certain fear to doe any thing that might give the leaſt diſguſt to him, which was no ſmall diminution of his Royal greatnes, and ſeemed to overthrow the very order which Nature and the lawes doth eſtabliſh twixt King and ſubject: inſomuch that ſome out of reſpect to his Majeſty would not queſtion his prudence, but rather believe and publiſh that this ſo ſtrong paſſion could not be effected without ſome kind of witchcraft; but the Dukes known vertues were ſufficient to convince ſuch popular ſlanders.

The firſt motives of the diſgrace of the Lord Duke, were the unfortunate ſucceſſes [Page] of the Monarchy of Spain, whilſt he had the managing thereof. In the loſſe of Ormus, Goa and all thoſe other vaſt dominions in the Eaſt Indies, the loſſe of Braſile and the Terceras Ilands, of the Kingdome of Portugal and the Principality of Catalonia, the two moſt populous and fertile parts of all that Continent: of Rosſillion and a part of Burgundy: of Heſdin and Arras in Flanders, of divers ſtrong Towns in Luxemburg, of that moſt important Place Briſach: The impoveriſhment and almoſt ruin of the Kingdomes of Naples, and Sicily, and of the Dutchy of Milan: the loſſe of above two hundred ſhips at ſea: the extorting from the ſubject by Firſt fruits; One part whereof was employed towards the raiſing of Armies that were ſoon loſt, and to rigge Navies that were ſoon deſtroyed; the other part hoarded up in the Coffers of the Vice Royes, Governours, Generalls and other Miniſters of ſtate, his creatures. [...]ll theſe things laid together made the world deſire to ſee the recovery of theſe loſſes built upon his ruins, by his fall to ſee the riſe of the Monarchy, [Page] and by his diſgrace and ruin to ſet up the reputation of the King and reformation of the State.

But deſires effect little, there muſt be vigourous endeavours to remove ſuch a favourit, with a reſolution to ruin or be ruined, no medium there; Chi vuoll appicar il ſonaglio alla gatta? when none other durſt venture to hang the bell about the Cats neck, it was undertaken by the Queen.

It happened that the King going in perſon to his Army in Catalonia, the Queen was left Governeſſe at Madrid, where ſhe had opportunity to employ and make known her rare qualities and endowments; for abateing the auſtere gravity of the Spanyard, and mixing it with the courteſy of the French; ſhe oft viſited the ſouldiery about Madrid, diſcourſed with the Captains, took order for their pay, encouraged them to ſerve faithfully the King, cauſed Juſtice to be adminiſtred with integrity, gave often audience to all ſortes, diſcontented none in the rayſing moneyes, and in all affaires behaved her ſelfe with ſuch an heroick diſcretion; that all men eſteemed [Page] her the moſt deſerving Queen that ever Spain had, the fame of her merit that had been buryed ſo many years, arrived to the Kings eare at his return to Madrid, where ſhee took occaſion to ſpeake of the Intereſt of the Monarchy, of the loſſe of Kingdomes and ruin of Armyes, the want of money, the continuall complaints of ſubjects: and that the King might not imagine ſhe ſpake in oppoſition to the Duke, ſhee authorized all with the teſtimonies of ſome of the principall Miniſters of ſtate, who had already agreed to ſecond her ſo ſoon as ſhe had broken the ice; amongſt whom was the Count de Caſtrillo, who was the more forward herein, not only becauſe he was a lover of the Publick, but alſo becauſe he was brother to the Marques de Carpio who maried the Dukes ſiſter, whereby he had Don Lewes de Haro (the preſent favorit) who was the only nephew of the Duke, yet diſinherited by him to the end he might advance his baſtard.

The King conſidering their diſcourſe, began to be perſwaded at length that if the Duke had any longer the Managery [Page] of the ſtate all would come to ruin; hereupon every day abateing the fervour of his affections towards him, he would ſometimes reproach the Duke that hee was ill informed, and ſometimes that hee was a moſt unfortunate man: The Duke fore-ſeeing his declination, demanded leave to retire himſelf from the Court; whereto the King anſwered coldly, my Lord, we ought both of us to deviſe ſome remedy for theſe misfortunes. In the mean time it was noyſed abroad that the favour of the Duke was ſo ſhaken that one ſhock more would down with it to the ground, all men bleſſing and commending the Queen, crying that the Iſabells were ever fortunat to the Monarchy of Spain, Iſabell of Portugall wife of King John the 2d overthrew the inſolent favour of Alvares de Luna, and diſcharged her husbands Kingdom of the tyranny of that favorite: Iſabella de Caſtile demonſtrated to Ferdinand her Husband that in the Kings Court, the Kings favourite ought to be none but the Queen that the ſubjects were born only to obey and the King to command: and that the happy removall of this moſt puiſſant [Page] favourite could bee hoped from no other hand but of Iſabella de Burbon.

When a Tree is falling, every one cryes Down with it. A Lady that was once the Kings Nurce, Donna Anna de Guevara, partly out of zeal to the Kings ſervice, and partly to be revenged on the Dutcheſs, as the King was to paſs by night from his Lodgings to the Queens, ſhe put herſelf in the paſſage, caſting herſelf at the kings feet, & having proteſted that ſhe was not there to demand any grace at his Majeſties hands, but to render to the Crown of Spain the greateſt ſervice that it could receive; ſhe ſaid that her motherly affection enforced her to diſcover to his Majeſty what perhaps many others durſt not for human reſpects. The King giving her leave to ſpeak freely, ſhe repreſented unto him the generall affliction of his people, the calamity of his Kingdoms, the abuſes committed in his Revenues, the many loſſes on every ſide, and the ſad condition of the whole Monarchy of Spain ſhewing him, that theſe evils were the judgments of God upon him, for ſuffering the government of his Kingdoms which God had appointed [Page] for him onely, to continue in the hands of another, that now it was high time that his Majeſty ſhould be out of his minority, and that he ſhould not incenſe the wrath of God againſt him, by ſuffering his poor ſubjects to be abuſed,; at leaſt that he would have compaſſion on the Prince his Son, who ran an hazard to be ſimple King of Caſtile, or leſſe; concluding, that if ſhe had offended his Majeſty by her liberty of ſpeech, ſhe was ready to receive puniſhment, being well content having given her milk for the good of her King, to ſacrifice her blood for the good of the Realms of her Prince. The King having hearkned unto her with much attention, anſwered, Haveis hablado verdades, You have told me the truth.

After this appears upon the Stage (for perfecting the Cataſtrophe of the Dukes Tragedy) the Infanta Margarite de Savoy Dutcheſs of Savoy, who had been ſo roughly handled by the Duke both before & after her leaving Portugall, being ſecretly come from Ocania, where ſhe had been in a manner confined, and arrived at Court, the [Page] Duke did his utmoſt to debar her audience with the King, and to diſcredit her in the Councell of State, and would not vouchſafe to viſit her. Nevertheleſſe the Queen invited her to come to her Lodgeings, and took order that ſhe ſhould have opportuity to ſpeak with the King for two hours ſpace.

The Infanta gave God thanks for her ſafe deliverance out of the hands of the Portugals, that after ſo great ſufferings, ſhe might once more appear in the preſence of his Majeſty, to make known her innocence, and the failings and errors of others, made a brief Relation of all things paſt in Portugall, making it appear that ſhe was innocent, and that the loſſe of Portugall was to be attributed to the careleſneſſe and negligence, if not to the intention of the Duke. The Queen in the mean time failed not to help out the Infanta in all her diſcourſe, which left ſo deep an impreſſion in the heart of the King, that it may truly be ſaid, That the mortall wound was given that very day to the favour of the Duke. To diſpatch him [Page] the ſooner, it was repreſented to the King what little reſpect the Grandees bare now to his Majeſty, not waiting upon him as they were wont, but all retiring themſelves. The King asked the Marqueſs of Carpio what was the reaſon hereof? Who replied, That being little accounted of by the Duke, they judged it more meet to forbear the ſervices they owed to his Majeſty, then to lie under the ſuſpition of the Duke, and to give him occaſion by their reſidence at Court, to make them feel the effects of his jealouſie. To help forward, there happened a memorable accident in Segovia, where ſix men masked entring by force into the Governors houſe, who imagining them to be Robbers, offered them money, and all that he had, ſo they would not defile his wife, and defloure his daughters: One of them anſwered, That they were not come to rob him, but to ſerve the King, and delivering a paper into his hands, told him, that if he would ſave his life, t he ſhould go immediatly to Madrid and preſent this Writing, not to the Duke, but to the King [Page] himſelf, that it contained affairs very ſecret, and of great importance to the State, and to the ſervice of his Majeſty; and would not depart till they ſaw him upon his way to Madrid, threatning to kill him if he performed not that whereto he was obliged as a ſubject, and as a Miniſter of the Kings. Being arrived, he had audience of the King, and ſo was ſent back to his Government. It was judged by the circumſtances, that the contents of the Writing was very prejudiciall to the Duke.

Hereunto may be added one thing more that might probably have a ſtrong influence upon the ſpirit of the King for the removall of his Favourite. The Marqueſs of Grana, Ambaſſador in Madrid for the Emperour, bringing with him the hereditary valour of the Houſe of Caretti, the courage, prudence, and conduct of Affairs whereof he hath given ſufficient teſtimonies in the military imployments which he hath had many years in Italy, in Flanders, and in Germany, together with his great gift of five Languages, which he ſpeaks as if they were all naturall, hath [Page] gained him a great eſteem with all men. And the liberty which he uſed in ſpeaking of the affairs of the State (although it proceeded from the natural ingenuity and zeal towards the intereſt of the Houſe of Auſtria) rendring him odious to the Duke, whoſe ears had been accuſtomed to hear onely applauſes full of flattery, and not the plain ſincere truth, having now an opportunity to revenge himſelf with Juſtice, did it to the purpoſe: For having received a letter from the Emperour to the King, that the affairs of the Houſe of Auſtria grew worſe and worſe every day, ſo that if ſpeedy order were not taken, all would be ruined, that his Majeſty ought to conſider wel the quality of the perſon that had made him loſe Portugall, Catalonia, and ſo many other Dominions, &c. He preſently communicates the ſame to the Queen, together with his inſtructions, that he had a part of what he ſhould doe therein (for the Letter was open) and ſo had audience of the King, where it may well be imagined with what violence and ardor he preſt the affair againſt his enemy.

[Page]To all theſe aſſaults that came upon the neck one of another, this was none of the leaſt, that the Prince Don Balthazar Carlos the only ſon of the King, was now going into the fourteenth year of his Age; yet to the great aſtoniſhment of all the world, he continued under the tuition of Women, without any Officers and ſervants given him, after the manner of Princes; whereas at the ſame time one of the Kings baſe ſons of the ſame age had a Court formed him, was declared Generaliſſimo of Portugall, Prince of the Sea, and Grand Prior of Caſtile for the order of Malta, and named Don John de Auſtria, and had the Marqueſs of Caſtanieda given him for his Governor; whereat the people murmured greatly: For this Don John was begotten upon a Woman of baſe Extraction, called la Calderona, a Comedian, not handſome, but of extraordinary pleaſantneſs; who is ſince made a Nunne. The Youth being of excellent parts, and like to make a gallant Man, was much affected by the King, though he be quite of another complexion.

[Page]The King having before been earneſt to have formed a Family and Officers for the Prince, the Conde Duke alwayes hindred the ſame; becauſe firſt, hee feared that the Prince, who was of a moſt lively ſpirit, would then finde out that abroad, whereof the King was kept ignorant at home. Secondly, to gain an opportunity by prolonging the time, for Don Henry his Baſtard to faſhion himſelf for the Court, and by his Match and Honours conferred upon him, be at length reputed fit to bee Governor to the Prince, and ſucceed in the grace and favour of the King. At length the King being earneſtly ſollicited by the Queen, formed a Liſt of the Servants that were to ſerve the Prince in his Court now to be erected, becauſe he was of the Age of Fourteen years; giving notice to the Duke that proviſion might be made of al things neceſſary for a Court: The Duke tooke the Liſt and changed a great number in the ſame, which diſpleaſed the King extremely, having been before for other reaſons ſufficiently moved; after the King ſpake of the Princes Lodgings, deſiring to [Page] know the Dukes Opinion; who anſwered, That his Highneſs would be very well in the Lodgings of the Infante Cardinal deceaſed: But why my Lord (replyed the King) will not He be better in thoſe Lodgings you are in at preſent, which are the very Lodgings that my Father and I had being Princes? The Duke was with this ſtruck dumbe, perceiving well that his diſgrace drew neare: for certain it is, That his extreme inſolence haſtned as much as poſſible the Reſolution that the King had taken: For that very Evening his Majeſty wrote him a Billet with his own Hand, whereby hee forbad him to meddle any more in the Government; and from henceforward hee ſhould retire to Loeches, not farre from Madrid, untill farther Order ſhould bee given. The Duke read this Billet without any diſturbance, reſolving in a matter of that weight not to diſcharge his minde but to his Wife only, to whom he ſent the Note by a Poſt to Loeches.

Next day ſhe came weeping to her Huſband; and after two houres diſcourſe went to ſpeak with the King, who ſoon diſpatcht [Page] her, the ſame day ſhee caſt her ſelf with teares at the Queens feet, beſeeching her to intercede for them, in conſideration of the many ſervices and ſincere faithfulneſs of the Duke her husband.

The Queen gave her a ſhort anſwer, Lo que han hecho Dios los vaſallos y los malos ſuceſſos no lo puede deſhazer el Rey in ye. What God, the people, and evill ſucceſſes have done, the King nor I can undoe. This buſineſſe was not known Friday and Saturday to any but Don Lewis de Haro, of whom the King made uſe to talk with the Duke about ſome ſecret affairs. This Don Lewis de Haro is Nephew to the Duke, but ſo hated by him, that lately his mother dying, who was ſiſter to the Duke, he would not once ſend to viſit him; notwithſtanding Don Lewis carried himſelfe ſo Nobly in this occaſion, that caſting himſelfe at the kings feet, he beſeeched him that in regard the Dukes removall was irrevocable, yet that it would pleaſe his Majeſty at leaſt that it ſhould be done with all the mildneſs, and with as little diminution of his Honor, as the Juſtice of [Page] his Majeſty could permit. The King hereupon granted that the Duke ſhould continue three days in his Palace; that hee ſhould aſſiſt at the Councels and Aſſemblies, and give Audience for his particular affairs: Alſo, it was permitted to the Duke, that in preſence of the chief Notary, and of Secretary Carnero, hee ſhould review all his Papers, and burn what hee pleaſed; which he did: Though the King were thought too indulgent therein.

The ſame day, as ſome came to have Audience of the Duke, he bad let them know, That he was a little indiſpoſed, and ſuffred none to enter. Saturday morning the King ſent to demand the Key wherewith he entred the Kings Lodgings at his pleaſure; but hee ſent to demand Audience of the King, which Hee granted him in publick before the Patriarch, and divers Gentlemen of his Bedchamber; where he ſpake more then a quarter of an hour; and whereas the King was wont to heare with attention thoſe that ſpoke, hee now ſeemed to be careleſs of what the Duke ſaid; who having made an end, went immediatly into [Page] a Junta, where he ſhewed himſelf as rigorous as ever; and handled ſo roughly two of the Secretaries, that they ſaid afterwards one to another, Que Diablo tiene el Conde en la Cabe [...]a nos ha tratados como trapos viejos. What the Devill aileth the Count? He hath handled us like Scullions. The ſame day ſome Ambaſſadours demanded audience of him, but had not admiſſion under pretence that he was not well. Finally, that evening being St. Anthonies day, the diſgrace of the Duke began to be noiſed in the Palace, but with ſuch exceſs of joy, as that the next morning was found a paper ſtuck up at the Palace gate with theſe verſes;

En el dia de Sant Antonio

Hiſieronſe milagros dos

Empeço a reinar Dios

Y del Rey ſe echo el Demonio.

Upon the day of Saint Anthony

God did his reign begin,

The Divell on the ſame Saints day

Was caſt out of the King.

[Page]Next day being Sunday, the joy was ſo univerſall, that had it not been a little curbed by the fear that men had that the Duke by his craft would regain the Kings favour, there would have been publick fires of joy; however all that day the Fruterers & Bakers threw their Wares to thoſe that would have them, without taking any money, to teſtifie their exceſs of joy and contentment.

Munday the King, Queen, Prince, Infanta, and Dutcheſs of Mantua, paſſing all in one Coach towards the Carmelites, a great multitude of people followed, crying, Viva el Rey por lo que ha hecho viva el Rey y muer a el mal govierno. God ſave the King for what he hath done; let the King live, and the ill government die. There arrived alſo an infinite number of people to participate of the common joy which was taken for the diſgrace of the Duke.

Tueſday the Dutcheſs with extraordinary ſubmiſſiveneſs, attempted again to make an accomodation, but all in vain, whereat the Duke was ſo enraged againſt the Queen, whom he looked upon as the [Page] ſole cauſe of his disfavour, that as ſoon as the King was departed to goe to the Eſcuriall, he carried himſelf in the Councels and Junta's in ſuch a manner that he made the world believe he was yet to ſtay, which not onely cooled the generall joy, but amazed the Queen ſo greatly, that that night ſhe wrot a moſt preſſing letter to the King concerning him.

Thurſday evening, the King returning towards Madrid, met on the way ten Grandees of Spain, and asked them what was happened at Madrid, that made ſo many come together? Don Melchior de Borgia anſwered him, That the time was how come, that his Majeſty might know the true devotion of the Grandees towards the Crown, and that if heretofore they had not waited upon him according to their obligations, his Majeſty knew well [...]he reaſon of the ſame.

The King being arrived at the Palace in Madrid, asked whether the Duke was [...]etired, it was anſwered, No. The King [...] a chafe turning to Don Lewes de Haro, [...]ying, Que aguarda el hombre, la fuerca? [Page] What doth the man ſtay for to be thruſt out? Hereupon the Duke ſeeing no more hopes left, prepared himſelf to be gone, ſpending the whole night in viewing his papers, and burning a great part of them. In the mean time the people longed to ſee the day of his departure, and one more impatient then the reſt, ſet abroad this Diſtick;

Phoſphore redde diem, quid gaudia noſtra moraris,

Ecce Comes Cecidit! Phoſphore redde diem.

Friday about one of the clock afternoon, he departed not without much artifice; For fearing to be torn in pieces by the people, having cauſed Coaches and Mules to ſtand ready for three dayes together before he intended to depart; But as the Coaches with ſix Horſes waited at the great gate of the Palace, he went forth by the back gate behind the kitchin, and put himſelf into an ill-favoured Coach drawn with four Mules, where having drawn the Curtains, and placed [Page] himſelfe between two Ieſuits, as if he had been going to execution, he took his way by the ſtreet of Atocha, at the ſame time that his Family in his velvet Coaches paſſed the ordinary way, where they were met with a company of Boyes, that thinking the Duke was there, diſcharged a ſhowre of ſtones at the Coaches; but being ſhewn that the Duke was not there, they ceaſed; ſo that the Duke by this ſubtilty arrived ſafe at Loeches, a place whereof he had the Royalty.

In the mean time the Dutcheſs continued at Court, governing the Prince and little Infanta; but without once entring into the Queens chamber.

Now the conſequences of this diſgrace of Olivarez, are many, and thoſe very remarkable. In the firſt place, the King hath thereby recovered the credit and reputation which he had utterly loſt in the opinions of all men as well forraigners as ſublects, who ſaw him ſo wholly led away by the will of the Conde Duke, that he ſeemed rather a Subject then a Soveraign.

[Page]But on the Saturday after the departure▪ of Olivarez, the King called a Councell of State in his Lodgings, where he ſpake ſo judiciouſly, that all admired his ability, and teſtified by their tears their great affections and reſpects towards him: The ſubject of the Kings diſcourſe was to advertiſe the Councell how he had deprived the Conde Duke of his dignities, not for any crime that he had committed, but to ſatisfie himſelf in giving ſatisfaction and content to his ſubjects; That his deſire was, That the memory of the Conde Duke might be kept in eſteem among all men for the good ſervices which he had ſo faithfully rendred to the Crown ſo many years, proteſting for the future, not to give the Title of Favourite to any of his ſubjects, but to aſſiſt himſelf in all Councels, and that all weighty affairs ſhould paſs through his own hands, commanding to every one of thoſe there, to ſpeak their opinions freely without partiality at all times, and not to conceale the truth from him. Whereto the Cardinall Borgia, as head of that Councell, anſwered, That they would [Page] give obedience to theſe his Majeſties commands, as to Laws Divine.

Next day his Majeſty having called together all his Gentlemen of his Bed-chamber, whereof moſt are Grandees of Spain; he demanded the aſſiſtance of their Tenants, Friends and Kindred, for the ſpeedy ſettlement of the kingdom: Which together with other teſtimonies of prudence and care that his Majeſty manifeſted, made all men ſay, It was now the time that Philip the fourth deſerved the ſurname of Grand, which had been given him by the flattery of Olivarez, at that time when he cauſed his Majeſty to loſe his Dominions and Reputation.

Next day the King cauſed all his plate to be coined into money, by whoſe example alſo the Nobility and Commons ſent theirs to the Mint, and all contented themſelves to be ſerved in earthen ware.

The next conſequence of Olivarez diſgrace was the advancements of divers Noblemen to their dignities, and the pulling down of the Favorites of the Conde Duke.

[Page]The third effect, and perhaps that which Olivarez reſented moſt of all, is the miſerable condition of his Baſtard ſon, a buſineſs of that ſtrange and extraordinary carriage, that it is worthy a large Treatiſe, but was briefly thus: The Conde Duke being at Madrid twelve years before he was in favour at Court, fell in love with Donna Marguerita Spinola, whoſe Father was a Genoway, and mother a Spaniard. This Lady, though noble and rich, yet was not free from temptations, amongſt which riches and honour are the moſt efficacious. Don Franciſco de Valeaſar, Alcalde of the Court and Palace, one of the higheſt places of Judicature in Spain, although he had a wife, one Donna Marguerita to his luſt, maintained her and her family at his charges, and with profuſe preſents and Iewels, kept her wholly to himſelf. At length Olivarez with much difficulty, got a ſhare in her alſo; and ſhe ſoon after had a ſon named Julian, which none then made doubt to be the ſon of the Alcalde, who nevertheleſſe underſtanding that others had had a finger in the pye as well as himſelf, took no [Page] affection to, nor care of the child; ſo he was brought up idly by the mother untill the age of 18 years; at which time his mother dying, and he finding himſelf without father or mother, went boldly to the Alcalde, and beſought him to declare him his ſon, that ſo he might not be expoſed to the world without Father and without Name; proteſting that he would never lay claim to any thing, but onely under the name of Valeaſar he would get his living with his Sword. The Alcalde wholly uncertain that he was his child, would not be induced to declare thus till upon his deathbed, and then rather out of charity then belief that he was his ſon. So then by the name of Julian Valeaſar he went firſt into the Indies, where for ſome Roguery he was condemned to be hanged; but becauſe the Vice-king there was a great friend to the Alcalde, he gave him his pardon. Thence he went into Flanders and Italy, where he ſerved as a common Souldier, but was very deboſht and of rude behaviour. In the mean time Olivarez having no further hope of children, ſent to ſearch out [Page] this vagabond Valeaſar, who he remembred was born at the time that he had to do with his mother; but before Valeaſar could be found, he had married D. Iſabella de Azueta, a common Strumpet; nevertheleſs November 1641. to the aſtoniſhment of all men, Olivarez owned him for his ſon, and declared him ſo by a publick act by the good will and pleaſure of his Majeſty, wherein he names him, Don Henry Philipe de Guzman, heir apparent of the Count de Olivarez, and of the Dutchy of St. Lucar, ſo ſoon as it ſhall pleaſe his Majeſty in acknowledgement of his ſervices, to make him a Grandee of Spain; becauſe the Title of Duke in Caſtile is not given but to thoſe that may ſtand covered in the Kings preſence.

Olivarez advertized all Ambaſſadors and Grandees hereof, to the great diſpleaſure of all his Family and Kindred; then reſolves to marry him with one of the principall Ladies of Spain: To which end he caſt his eye upon the firſt: Lady of the Court, Donna Juana de Velaſco, daughter to the Conſtable of Caſtile, who for Nobleneſs [Page] of blood is not to be equalled by any the Subjects of that Kingdome. For he ſhews in the Arms of his Predeceſſors, five Royall Quarrers. To accompliſh this match, it was neceſſary to annull the former marriage by an order from Rome. The Pope deputes the Biſhop of Avila with full power, who notwithſtanding the Proteſts of the woman, gave ſentence againſt her, becauſe ſhe was not married by her own Parſon, although ſome more conſcientious Divines gave their opinions in favour of the woman, and that the marriage was good and valuable; but the authority of the Favourite prevailed over theſe reaſons, and the marriage was ſolemnly broken. In purſuance whereof Olivarez treated for a match with the ſaid Lady, and in ſpite of her Father and Kindred, obtained her for his Baſtard. And here one might obſerve the baſe ſpirits of Flatterers, for all the Grandees, all the Nobility of the Court, all Officers of State, went to give Don Henry el para bien, or joy of his marriage, treating him by the Title of Excellency, and giving him reſpect fitter for a [Page] King then a ſubject. In the mean time he became ſo rediculous a perſonage in his carriag, that not being accuſtomed to ſuch ceremonies he often fell into great abſurdities which made ſome Italians ſay, Don Harrigo era un Facchino veſtito da ReSpagnuolo. That Don Henry was a plowman dreſſed like a King.

A Pallace was provided for Duke Henry, ſo rich and ſumpteous that never any, Grandee of Spain had the like, Preſents were ſent him from all perſons and all Places, the Duke of Medina de las Torres ſent him a preſent valued at twenty five thouſand Crownes. Don Henry received the Habit of Alcantara with a Commanderie of ten thouſand Crownes and was declared a gentleman of the Kings bed chamber with promiſe to have the Charge of Preſident of the Indies and all to make way for to be governour to the Prince for which porpoſe the Prince was kept under the government of the Ducheſſe of Olivares and no Court formed longer then the ordinary and accuſtomed time. Now the hatred was ſo generall and ſo great againſt [Page] D. Henry who could not forbear his baſe carriage and behaviour that the people ſang publickly.

Enriquez de dos Nombres y dos Mugeres,

Hijo de dos Padres y dos Madres,

Valgate el Diablo el Hombre que mas quiſieres.

Harry, a Man of two Names and two Wives; a Son of two Fathers and two Mothers. The Divell take him that owns thee.

The declaring of this Baſtard heir to Olivarez, greatly diſpleaſed the Marqueſs of Carpio, who married Olivarez ſiſter, becauſe hereby was diſ [...]inherited the right Heir Don Lewis de Haro, ſon to the ſaid Marqueſs, already declared ſo, an honeſt Gentleman, and of good parts, and at preſent ſole Favourite in the Court of Spain.

Upon the fall of the Conde Duke, Don Henry immediatly loſt the Title of Excellency, his great train, and the Kings favour, and from a great Idoll became a Man of [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] Clouts, ſcorned by all men. The Conſtable intended to take home his daughter, and to declare the former marriage valuable. But ſome Nobles with whom he adviſed thereof, telling him that he ſhould forbear ſuch attempt; for the former marriage being declared valuable, his daughter will be declared an Adultereſs; whereto he anſwered, I had rather Donna Juana were taken for my daughter and a Whore, then chaſt and wife of ſuch a Fellow.

Not long after D. Henry died without iſſue, and his Father the Conde Duke of grief ended his dayes at the Houſe where he was confined; the one ending like a Comet after a great blaze for a ſhort time; the other like a Candle, after a long time in a ſnuff.

Next followeth the unparalleld Caſe of Michael de Molina.

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Exemplum ſine Exemplo: OR, The unparalleld IMPOSTVRE OF Michaell de Molina, Executed at Madrid in the Year 1641▪

Faithfully Tranſlated out of the SPANISH.

LONDON, Printed for Tho. Heath, 1653.

Exemplum ſine Exemplo: OR, The unparallel'd CASE OF Michael de Molina Executed at Madrid in the Year 1641. Faithfully Tranſlated out of the SPANISH.

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MIchael de Molina, born of honeſt parents at Cuenea, a City in the Kingdom of Caſtile, bred there in the Jeſuits Colledg, and after at the Univerſity of Alcala de Henares; to try his fortune, went thence [Page] to Court, where to gain a living ſpeedily, he undertooke to give ſecret intelligence to the ſecretaries of the ſeverall Ambaſſadours then reſiding at that Court; and to give the more credit to his reports, gave out, That he was ſervant to Andrew de Rojas, Cavalier of the order of Santiago, and ſecretary of the Councell of State: inſomuch that he forged letters, feigned diſcourſes, framed intelligences fitted for the purpoſes and affayres of the Ambaſſadors wherewith he dealt, counterfeited the Kings hand, invented Cyphers, made conſultations and orders to the number of 345 ſeverall Papers, and all with that dexterity, that he deceived and abuſed not only the ſecretaryes of the Emperour the Venetian, and French Ambaſſadours, but alſo and moſt of all, Don Lorenço Coqui, ſecretary to the late Don Lorenço Campegi, Nuntio to the Pope; in whoſe houſe he was at length apprehended; upon whoſe apprehenſion and ſearch of his papers, he told the officers That if the tenour of thoſe papers [Page] ſhould be looked upon as jeſts and conceits, he ſhould not ſpeed ſo ill; but if as a crime it would appear ſo great that one life would not be enough to pay for the ſame. And his Majeſty takeing notice that the buſines was of that importance that the like had not been heard or found in any Hiſtory, Commanded that there ſhould be on purpoſe a Court of Juſtice compoſed of two of the chiefe Nobility, and two of the Cheife Judges, before whom when the ſaid Michael de Molina was ſufficiently convinced, and had made a large confeſſion (which for its matchleſſe ſtrangenes ſhall be verbatim ſet down) he was ſentenced as followeth;

IN the town of Madrid July 31 1641. the Lords of his Majeſtyes Counſell, who by particular order have taken cognizance of the accuſation given in by Don Marcellino Faria de Guzman Atturney, nominated by his Majeſty▪ for this cauſe againſt Michael de Molina late of Cuenca, priſoner in the Gaole of this [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] Court for offences and high treaſon committed by him, whereof he hath been accuſed, doe condemne the ſaid Michael Molina to be hanged on a gallowes, and his goods to be confiſcated to the Kings uſe, the execution whereof they leave to the Lord Judge D. John de Quinnoues; and this is their will and pleaſure.

This ſentence was made known to the priſoner upon the firſt of Auguſt, and execution done accordingly in the Plaça Major of Madrid, the third day following; at which time and place the Proclamation uſually made at the execution was thus;

THis is the Juſtice which the King our Soveraigne Lord commandeth to be done upon this man, for having committed high treaſon, and publiſhed falſities, forgeries, and horrible cheats on the affaires and grave miniſters of ſtate; for which he commands that he be hanged by the neck till he die, to the [Page] end that it may be to him for a puniſhment, and to others an example; then concludes, Quien tal haze tal pague, He that thus doeth, let him thus pay for the ſame. As he ſtood upon the ladder ready to be turned off, he delivered in writing to father Andrew Emanuel of the Society of Jeſus, a declaration, the contents whereof enſueth word for word;

LOyall ſubjects of our ſoveraigne Lord the King, I am Michael de Molina born at Cuenca, the grievouſnes of my crimes is ſo great, that a puniſhment can hardly be invented to equalize mine offences againſt God, againſt our ſoveraigne Lord the King whom God preſerve, againſt the Emperour, againſt my native country; againſt the Lord Duke de Olivarez, and Sant Lucar, againſt the moſt grave, faithfull and loyall Miniſters of ſtate, whom I have diſcredited with my forgeries and lies. The clemency of the King our ſoveraigne (whom God preſerve) hath been very eminent in ſentencing me ſo mercifully, [Page] God grant, to whom I now goe to render a ſtrict account, that there be found mercy for me in the life to come, and that I then pay not for the clemency ſhewed me here. I do here declare and confeſſe upon mine own free will, that not having the feare of God nor man before mine eyes, I have been the cauſe of the greteſt part of the miſchiefes that this Monarchy ſuffereth, and of thoſe calamities and miſeryes which you faithfull people yet ſuffer, for which I humbly beg pardon of all thoſe that are abſent, as well as of you here preſent. For I am the man that feigned that the King our ſoveraigne Lord (whom God preſerve) and the Emperour, inſtigated thereunto by the Lord Duke of Saint Lucar, and fomented by him, did plot the death of our moſt holy father Urban the 8th Pope, head of the Church, and vicar of Chriſt, for which purpoſe I invented and contrived orders of the King our ſoveraign, and of the Emperour, letters from the Duke, Orders, inſtructions and [Page] judgments of the Counſellours of State with letters from Vice Royes and Embaſſadours, with purpoſe to abuſe and deceive the Nuntio and the Embaſſadours of ſeverall Princes, and thereby to get money from them, not caring for the dammage might ariſe and accrue from thence to the world, and to this Monarchy; and not contented here with, I invented that in caſe the ſaid death could not be effected, that then endeavour ſhould be to call a Councell, and to depoſe the Pope, or make a ſchiſme in the Church. I invented and forged, that the Lord Duke did by order from the King, the Emperour and the Counſell of ſtate, endevour to kill the Cardinal Richelieu, Favorit to the moſt Chriſtian King of France; for which purpoſe, and for the death of the Pope, I feigned perſons that were to have been inſtruments of the ſame; I gave notice to the Ambaſſadours hereof ſhewing them letters and Orders which I feigned as I judged meet. I made them believe that I was [Page] an Officer of the Counſell of ſtate, and that by that means I came to the knowledg of theſe plots and conſpiracies, whereby I have diſturbed the world, cauſed jealouſyes and ſuſpitions amongſt all the Princes of Europe, and the miſchiefs that this Monarchy now ſuffereth. I alſo advertiſed the Embaſſadours, and the enemies of this ſtate, of letters, conſults, orders and decrees made by the King and Counſell for driving the French out of Piemont, the Correſpondencies of the Cardinal of Savoy with the ſubjects of that ſtate for effectuating the ſame; the coming of Prince Thomas from Flanders to Savoy for the ſame purpoſe, and to lay ſiege to Caſal, of an Army to be rayſed and maintayned in Alſatia; of an intention to kill Duke Bernard de Weimar General of the Swedes, the intentions of the King our Soveraign, with the ſtates of Venice and Genoa concerning Piemont and Caſal; the purpoſe of ſupplies which both ſtates of Venice and Genoa would ſend to France and Holland; and [Page] the intentions of the Pope to aſſiſt France againſt Spain; the intent of England to [...]gue with Spain; the purpoſe that the French and Hollanders had to joyn their fleets to hinder all ſuccours of Flanders, and to ſurpriſe the plate fleet, and infect the coaſts of Spain; the deſign that the Hollander had upon Antwerp in the year 1638. the ſucceſſe of Fontarabie; whereupon I feigned letters from the Prince of Conde, and from the Ducheſſe de Chever [...]uſe; alſo concerning the impriſonment of Don Gualterio Peni Secretary and Reſident for France in this Court, with whom I had intimate friendſhip, which was the ground of all theſe diſaſters: of the ſecret compliance between the Cardinall Infante, and the Prince of Orenge: of the conſpirarcy by the Prince of Orenge to kill the Cardinal Richelieu; the deſign of Holland, that the States of Flanders ſhould be independent of Spain, and our King ſhould renounce his right to the Cardinall Infanta to the end the Hollanders ſhould receive him, and [Page] ſubject themſelves to him: of the capitulations and agreement twixt the King our Sov: and the Duke of Modena, whereby I feigned that the ſaid Duke was to aſſiſt with ſix thouſand men, at his own charge, againſt France; and that the King was to give him the charge of Viceroy of Catalonia, and twenty thouſand ſouldiers to enter into France by Catalonia which was the firſt ground of the warr at Salſas and Perpignian the key of Catalonia; of the general reſolutions of the year 1639. in order to the affayres of Germany, Flanders, and Italy: of the purpoſe to take away the Nuntio's Court in theſe kingdomes for the diſorders and exceſſes of the ſame: of the great reſentments of the King our ſoveraign againſt the King of France, for his leagueing with the Swedes, his confederation with the Turks and Proteſtant Princes of Germany, for his protection and league with Holland; for his commerce with Venice and Genoa to the great diſcommodity of Spain; for the diſunion which he endeavoured to [Page] make between Spain and England: of the reſentment that the King our Soverain had againſt the Pope, for his amity and aſſiſting of France; and not his endeavouring rather as a father of the whole Church to pacify the warres by all meanes poſſible; of the deſign of changeing the commanders in cheife of all the Emperours armies and the Spaniſh, thereby to make the people deſperate, becauſe of the failing of faith and credit; of the recruiting and arming the Gallies of Spain, Sicily and Naples for the maintaining commerce, ſecret intelligence in Toulon and Marſeilles: of the capitulation of the Venetian with the grand Turke, and the meanes whereby they drew the Turke to aſſent to their demands, and the little ſecurity the Turke had from them: all which I invented, feigned and contrived; together with many more letters, Cyphers, Papers, &c. without any intelligence, correſpondence, or amity with any officer or Miniſter of ſtate of this kingdome, but that I alone without the [Page] helpe or aſſiſtance of any other have feigned and invented all the foreſaid deſigns, whereof I gave information to the Nuntio and his ſecretary, to the ſaid Ambaſſadours, and to Monſiuer de Peny with whom I have kept correſpondence in France ſince the breaking forth of the warre: the which as a truth I ſweare before God, and declare it for diſcharging my conſcience; I aske of God forgivenes, alſo of the King our ſoveraign (whom God preſerve) of the Emperour, of the Lord Duke, againſt whom I directed moſt of thoſe forgeries, of the Duke of Medina las Torres, of the Marques of Leganés, of the Duke of Villahernoſa, of the Count of Oniate, of the Marques of Villa Franca, of the Marques of Mirabel, of the moſt illuſtrious Lord Inquiſitour Generall, the father Confeſſour of the moſt Eminent Cardinals, the Cardinal Borgia, and Cardinal Spinola, and Cardinal of Sandoval, of the Lord Don Geronimo of Villanueva, Pronotary of Arragon and ſecretary of ſtate, of Don Andrew de Rojas ſecretary [Page] of ſtate, of the Ambaſſadour of Genoa, and of all the reſt whom I have falſely defamed by theſe forgeries and Impoſtures; and alſo I aske pardon of all the faithfull and loyall ſubjects of theſe kingdomes, charging them to take example by me. And to the end that it may be manifeſted to all times, I thus make declaration, that God may pardon me, and for the ſatisfaction of this, and all other Nations which I have diſturbed with the wickednes of my inventions. In witnes whereof I have hereunto ſet my name, Dated in the Plaça Mayor, and place of Execution in Madrid, the 3 of Auguſt 1641. Thus ended Michael de Molina, in whom the Refran or Spaniſh proverbe was verified.

Quien en un ano quiere ſer rico al medio le ahorcan, He that will be rich in one year, ſhall be hanged at halfe yeares end.

FINIS.

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THE RIGHT & TITLE OF The preſent KING OF PORTUGAL: Don John the Fourth.

With the moſt Memorable Paſſages of his Reigne.

LONDON, Printed for Tho. Heath, 1653.

THE RIGHT & TITLE OF The preſent King OF PORTUGALL Don John the fourth: With the moſt memorable Paſſages of his raigne.

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FOr the more cleare diſcovery of the Title whereby the preſent King of Portugal, holds that Crown, it will be neceſſary to know the fundamental conſtitutions of that Kingdom, as well as the pe [...]igree of that King.

[Page]In the year of our Redemption 1139. an Army of four hundred thouſand Moors under the conduct of five Kings, threatning as a vaſt deluge, to overflow at once all the Country of Portugal were totally diſcomſited by a ſmall handfull of Chriſtians, in the plains of Ourique, where immediatly before the battel the people choſe their Generall, Don Alfonſo for their King: (for before they were under the protection of the King of Caſtile & Leon) who after the fight called an Aſſembly of the three Eſtates in the City of Lamego, where was ſolemnely enacted as followeth.

In the name of the moſt holy Trinity Father, Son, and holy Ghoſt, Amen.

I Alphonſo ſonn of Count Henry &c. by the grace of God lately advanced to the Royall Throne have called together the Biſhops, Nobles and Deputies of Cities in the Church of Saint Mary Almacave in Lamego; where ſitting upon my Royal Throne without any enſignes of Royalty my Deputy Lorenzo Venegas ſtood up an [...] ſpake thus. You are aſſembled by the [Page] Authority of King Alfonſo, to ſee the Popes letters, and reſolve to confirm him for your King, whereat all with one voice cried, We will that he be our King. The Deputy demanded, ſhall he only be King and not his ſonns after him? They anſwered he, ſo long as he lives, and his ſonns after his death, then ſaid the Deputy give him the Royall enſignes: we give them, anſwered they, in the name of God: So the Archbiſhop of Braga, placed the Crown upon the Kings head; who drawing his ſword ſaid; Bleſſed be God, that hath been my helper, with this ſword have I delivered you and overcome our enemies, and now that you have made me your King, let us make lawes, for the government of the Kingdome, they anſwered, ſo will wee dread ſoveraigne, we wil make ſuch lawes as ſhall ſeem good to you, and wee and all our children and poſterity are wholy at your command, we will firſt make lawes for the ſucceſſion of the Crown as followeth.

1 God ſave King Alfonſo let him be maſter of the Kingdome: and after him (that [Page] there may be no trouble of chooſing a King) let his ſonn raigne, after him his grand child, and ſo from father to ſonn in ſecula ſeculorum.

2 If during the fathers life the eldeſt ſonn die, the next brother ſhall be King, and ſo forward.

3 If the King die without ſonns having a brother, he ſhall ſucceed, but not his ſonn after him unleſſe the Parliament will have it ſo.

Then Lorenzo Venegas, the Kings Deputy, deſired the States, to aske the King, if the daughters ſhould enter into the Succeſſion, of the Kingdome: after ſome debate thereon it was reſolved. Becauſe the daughters are of the Royall ſtock as well as the Sonns, they ſhould ſucceed on this manner.

4 If the King have only Daughters, the eldeſt ſhall be Queen, after her father, upon condition that ſhe be married to a native of the Kingdome, and that he be a Nobleman, who ſhall not take upon him the name of King, untill he hath a ſonn born: nor wear a crown on his head, nor take the right [...] of his wife.

[Page]5 Laſtly which moſt concernes the enſuing diſcourſe it was thus enacted.

Sit iſt a Lex in ſempiternum, quod prima filia Regis accipiat maritum de Portugale, ut non veniat Regnum ad extraneos & ſi caſaverit cum principe extraneo, non ſit Regina, quia nunquam volumus noſtrum Regnum ire for de Portugalenſibus, qui nos ſua fortitudine Reges fecerunt ſine adjutorio alieno per ſuam fortitudinem & cum ſangine ſuo. That is,

Let it be a law for ever, that the Kings eldeſt daughter marry a native of Portugal, that ſo the Crown may never deſcend to ſtrangers, and in caſe ſhe ſhould marry to a Prince that is a ſtranger, let her not be Queen for wee will never have our Kingdom, goe out of the race of the Portugals, who have made us Kings, by their own valour, without forreign asſiſtance, by their own valour, and with the effuſion of their own blood.

This law was put in execution after the death of D. Fernando the 9 King of that race, whoſe daughter, Donna Beatrice, being married out of Portugal to the King [Page] of Caſtile: D. John, the firſt was excluded from ſucceſſion, and a new election made; from which new election, (that we may haſten to our purpoſe) lineally deſcended, D. Emanuel, the fourteenth King of Portugal, who had ſix ſonns and two daughters in this following order.

1 The Prince D. John.

2 The Infanta Dona Beatrice, married to the Emperour Charles the fift, by whom ſhe had Philip the ſecond.

3 The Infanta Dona Beatrice, married to Emanuel Duke of Savoy, by whom ſhe had Philip Duke of Savoy.

4 The Infanta D. Lewis who left only, Don Antonio illegitimate.

5 The Infante Don fernando died without iſſue.

6 The Infante D. Alfonſo Cardinal Archbiſhop of Liſbon, and Abbot of Alcobaza never married.

7 The Infante D. Henry, Cardinal and Arch biſhop of Braga.

8 The Infante D. Edward, who left two daughters, the eldeſt was Mary, married out of the Kingdom to Alexander Farneſe [Page] Duke of Parma, the yonger was Catherine married in the Kingdome to John Duke of Braganza.

After the death of King Emanuel ſucceeded his eldeſt ſonne Don John, called King John the third: whoſe only ſonne, that had iſſue called Prince John, dieing before his father, left D. Sebaſtian who ſucceeding his Grandfather was ſlain before he was married, in that Signal battell in Africa; famous for the deaths of three Kings anno. 1578. where were unfortunatly loſt with their King, moſt of the Nobility, and Flower of Portugal, Upon the death of King Sebaſtian, the crown returned to the eldeſt ſurvivour of his Granfathers brothers which was D. Henry, the Cardinal, whoſe function; (for he was a prieſt) rendred him as uncapable of marrying as his age, (for he was 67. years old) rendred him unable for generation, ſo that during his raigne which laſted not two years, the chief diſcourſes, and debates not only of Portugal but of all Chriſtendome was: who rightfully and who probably ſhould ſucceed King Henry. There were [Page] ſome pretended right but wanted power, others had power, but wanted right, and there were ſome pretenders that had neither right nor power.

Firſt, The People claymed jure Regni, to have the right to elect their own King.

Secondly, the Pope challenged jure Divino, to be the arbitratour, (if not donour) in all controverſies for Crownes, and that Alfonſo, the firſt King, to obtain the title of King, became Tributary to the ſea of Rome.

Thirdly, Don Antonio illegitimate ſonn to the Infant D. Lewis, pretended that his mother was lawfully wedded (as well as bedded) with his father.

Fourthly, Catherine de Medicis widow of Henry the 2. King of France as deſcended from the King of Portugal D. Alfonſo, the 3. and for that all ſince that King have raigned unjuſtly.

Fiftly, Philbert Duke of Savoy ſonne to Beatrice, younger daughter to Emanuel, would not loſe a Crown for want of laying claym thereto, knowing that of all the pretenders that were not natives he was [Page] looked on as the fitteſt to reſiſt King Philip not only for his perſonal valour but alſo for his dominions, bordering on the Dutchy of Milan which in caſe of need he might invade by the aſſiſtance of the French, his neighbours upon the other ſide.

7 Reinuce the yong Prince of Parma laid claim to this Crown in right of his Mother Mary, lately deceaſed; alleadging that jure primogeniturae the male line was to be ſerved before the female; ſo that untill the line of his Grandfather the Infante D. Edward, were wholy extinct, neither Philip the 2. nor the Duke of Savoy could have any right

Seventhly, Catherine Dutches of Braganza pleaded that in all ſucceſſions there are to be conſidered theſe four qualityes, in the perſons pretending; viz, th [...] line, the degree the ſexe, and the Age, that the better line is firſt to take place, although others ſhould have advantage in the other three qualities. That in ſucceſſion of Crow [...]es the laſt poſſeſſour is to be ſucceeded jure hered latis which allow [...]s the [Page] benefit of repreſentation, that ſhe repreſenting the Infante D. Edward, the better line did by her repreſentation, precede Rainuce (for the law allows not a Grandchild that benefit,) and by her better line exclude King Philip who deſcended from a daughter, laſtly by the fundamental Lawes of the Kingdom, ſhe was to be preferred before all other the pretenders, for that ſhe was both born and married within the Kingdome.

Eighthly, Philip the 2. after all reſolved that ſo faire a Crown, lyeing ſo conveniently for him ſhould not eſcape him; yet (becauſe force is of harder digeſtion) firſt to make triall of the moſt gentle meanes to effect his propoſed ends, to this purpoſe, he employes the beſt wits of all the Vniverſityes in Chriſtendom to prove his, and diſprove all other claymes.

After much bickering, it was alledged in favour of King Philip, firſt againſt the Prince of Parma and the Dutcheſs of Braganza, that ſucceſſions of Crowns were to be decided by the Law of Nations not of the Empire, upon which onely her [Page] jus repreſentandi patrem was grounded, that the neereſt male in degree to the laſt poſſeſſour ought to ſucceed, that the Infante D. Édw. being deceaſed before his brother Henry was King, could have no right in himſelf, therefore could derive none to his poſterity; for nemo dat quod in ſe non habet: That it was very unreaſonable that Catherine ſhould be leſſe prejudiced in her ſelf for her ſex, then King Philip ſhould be in his Mother.

Next, it was alledged againſt the Queen of France, that preſcription of above 300 years (whereas Lawyers allow 100 years a ſufficient Title for any Kingdome) lay moſt evidently againſt her.

Againſt the people it was anſwered, That untill the Royall Line of a Kingdome be quite extinct, there can be no right of election in them.

But the main Argument whereby King Philip confuted theſe and all other pretenders, was his ſword, wherewith like another Alexander, he cut that Gordian knot; wherefore not to loſe time nor opportunity, whilſt the Univerſity invented [Page] the moſt powerful Arguments, he made all preparations poſſible for a powerful Army to be ready, in the mean time wrought ſo effectually with Father Leon Henriques, a Jeſuit, and Confeſſor to King Henry, and Frier Ferdinando Caſtillo a Dominican, that all intentions prejudicial to King Philips deſignes were craftily diverted, as from declaring the Dutcheſs of Braganza next heir, whereunto King Henry was moſt inclinable; alſo from marrying in hopes of iſſue, whereto he was once ſo farre perſwaded, as to endeavour a diſpenſation from Rome; but his hopes and intentions were ſoon after cut off by death: the newes whereof arriving to King Philip, he marched away immediatly with an Army of above twenty thouſand old Souldiers towards Liſbon, where he found no other reſiſtance but Don Antonio, one of the forementioned pretenders in the head of a popular tumult, rather then a regular Army, which being ſoon diſcomfited, and the ſuburbs of Lisbon ſacked, to gratifie the Souldiers, he eaſily made himſelf Maſter of the [Page] whole kingdome: But before this could be brought about, Pope Gregory the 13 had ſent Cardinal Riario Legat into Spain, with order to diſſwade the Catholique King from raiſing Arms, and ſo to paſſe into Portugall, there to arbitrate the right between all pretenders. Philip to avoid this, and yet to approve himſelfe (as he always profeſt) a moſt obedient ſon of the Church, he gave ſecret order in all places where the Legat was to paſſe, that he ſhould be entertained with all reſpect and magnificence poſſible, and thereby be ſo dexterouſly detained, that the kingdom might be poſſeſſed by him before the Legat could arrive at Gourt, which was acted accordingly, and the Legat wel ſatisfied in his entertainment, though not in his negotiation.

When the Nobility and people of Portugall ſaw themſelves thus unawares yoked by the Caſtilians againſt whom above all other there was ever a certain antipathy of nature, they were exceedingly diſcontented, but ſeeing there was no hope to withſtand ſo great a Potentate as Philip [Page] the ſecond, reputed at that time not onely the moſt prudent (or rather crafty ſubtile man) but the moſt puiſſant Monarch that later ages have produced, they all ſubmitted to the King, who the better to win them, condeſcended to meet that ſubmiſſion, and be ſworn in an Aſſembly of Eſtates, to theſe capitulations following,

1. That his Majeſty ſhould obſerve all Lawes, Liberties, Priviledges and Cuſtomes granted to the people by former Kings of Portugall.

2. That the Vice King, or Governor, ſhall always be the Son, Brother, Uncle, or Nephew of the King, or elſe a Native of Portugall.

3. That all chiefe Offices of the Church or State ſhall be beſtowed upon the Natives of Portugal, and not upon ſtrangers. Like wiſe the Governments of all Townes and Places.

That all Countries now belonging to Portugall, ſhall ſo continue to the commodity and benefit of that Nation.

5. That the Portugall Nation ſhall be [Page] admitted to all Offices in the Kings Houſe, as well as the Caſtilians.

6. That becauſe the King cannot conveniently be always in Portugal, he ſhall ſend the Prince to be bred up amongst them.

At the end of theſe Articles was adjoyned a bleſſing to thoſe Kings that ſhould obſerve them, and a curſe to thoſe that ſhould violate them; adding moreover, That in caſe (which God forbid) that his Majeſty which now is, or his Succeſſors, ſhould not obſerve this agreement, or ſhould procure a diſpenſation for this Oath, the three States of the Kingdom might freely deny ſubjection and obedience to the King, without being guilty either of perjury or treaſon. This clauſe, although it was not printed with the Capitulation made in the firſt Aſſembly of Eſtates, yet is rehearſed by divers Authors, amongſt others by the Author della Legge Regia di Portogallo ſtampata in Madrid.

After this accord, the Cardinal Albert, Archduke of Auſtria, ſon to the Empeour, and neph [...] [...] King Philip, was placed as Vice- [...] of Portugal, yet durſt [Page] not his Majeſty leave the Kingdome ſo ſoon; for he perceived a general diſcontent to continue amongſt them, inſomuch that the Preachers would ordinarily in their Sermons vent ſpeeches clearly tending to ſedition, which made the King oft complain, that the Portugal Preachers had waged the hardeſt warre with him; but yet that he looked upon them as crack't brain'd, adding ſometmes with much mildneſs and patience, Pues dexaldos por que uſan a los privilegios que han los locos. Once Father Lewis Alvarez a Jeſuit preaching before the King on St. Philips day, (about the time that it was argued by ſome Lawyers, that the Dutcheſs of Braganza in the ſucceſſion of this Crown, did fully repreſent her Father) turned towards his Majeſty ſaying (as it runs in the Goſpel for that day) Philippe, qui videt me, videt patrem meum, making a diſcourſe thereon in favour of the Dutcheſſe Title; whereat the King not ſeeming to be moved at all, keeping his wonted gravity, ſaid, If the Pope, who had Chriſtned this Father another Saint [Page] Paul (for ſo he was eſteemed) had known him better, he would have ſtiled him rather a Spirituall mad man. Another time the ſame Father preaching before the Arch. duke, took his Text, Surge, tolle grabatum tuum, & ambula, turning to the Duke, ſaid, Sir, the meaning hereof is, Ariſe up, take up your pack, and be gone home. Moreover in the Chappel of the Duke of Braganza, they were wont to ſing the Lamentations of Jeremy (wherein the Prophet repreſents the oppreſſion and ſcorn which the Iſraelites ſuffered while they were without a King of their own) applying all to themſelves and the Caſtilians, as Aquam noſtram pecunia bibimus, becauſe of the Exciſe upon their Drink, and moſt other neceſſaries impoſed by King Philip; and Servi dominati ſunt in nos. And again, Cecidit Corona capitis noſtri, alwayes ending with Recordare Domine quid acciderit nobis: Intuere & reſpice opprobrium noſtrum; Haereditas noſtra verſa eſt ad alienos.

In the mean time ſome comforted themſelves with expectations of a change [Page] by the return of D. Sebaſtian whom they would not yet believe to be dead; others believing that he was indeed killed in the battell of Africa, yet that he ſhould be reſtored miraculouſly. Some gave great credit to old Propheſies, eſpecially to that of an Hermit to King Alfonſo the firſt, that he ſhould overcome the Moors with their five Kings, and that in the ſixteenth Generation his line ſhould fail for a time, but that then God ſhould have compaſſion on them. And to a letter of St. Bernard wrot to the ſame King Alfonſo, the originall whereof was by the laſt King of France given to the Ambaſſadour of Portugall, 1641. the tenor of it was, that he rendred thanks for the lands beſtowed upon him to build a Monaſtery, that in recompence thereof God bad him declare unto him, that there ſhould not fail a native of Portugal to ſit upon that Throne, unleſſe for the greatneſs of their ſins God would chaſtiſe them for a time: but that this time of chaſtiſement ſhould not laſt 60 years. Other Propheſies there were of one St Gil a Dominican, and Simon [Page] Gomez, both living and reputed for Saints. But whilſt the people buſied their heads with theſe expectations, King Philip proceeded ſenſim ſine ſenſu to eſtabliſh and confirm his right and power over the kingdome, and to break thoſe ſhackles of Soveraignty wherewith he was fettered, whoſe footſteps his ſon King Philip the third followed exactly, though not with that craft and diſſimulation as his Father had done; yet during their reigns it muſt be acknowledged that of many Articles ſome were obſerved; but as ſoon as Philip the fourth at preſent King of Spain, was warm in his Throne, it was reſolved by the Count de Olivarez, Duke of Saint Lucar, that the beſt way to continue that Nation in ſubjection and peace, was to aboliſh all their priviledges, which were but ſo many encouragements to oppoſe the Kings deſignes; in purſuance whereof the Dutcheſs of Mantua was made Governor of Portugal, although ſhe was neither Daughter, Siſter, Aunt or Neece to the King; the great Offices were beſtowed upon Caſtilians, Italians, and other Forreigners; [Page] penſions out of the Biſhopricks, and other Eccleſiaſtical promotions, were alſo given to ſtrangers; the governments of Caſtles and Towns were put into the hands of Caſtilians: new Impoſitions were laid upon the people, the Revenues of the kingdome were imployed for the uſe of the Court at Madrid, &c.

And that this deſign of Olivarez might be no way hindred, the Nobility, and ableſt men of the Kingdome were drawn forth ſome to Court, ſome to employments in Warre, and ſome to priſons, where they were deſtined to ſlaughter, as appeared by a Letter written from Madrid to Vaſconzellos his Agent at Lisbon, where he ſaith, por los cuernos de los Fidalgos que ya ſtan aqui, bien puede V. M. rezar un pater noſter por ſus almas; mus por aquellos, que no han querido venir, me recomendo. As for thoſe raſcally Gentlemen of Portugal which are here already, you may bid God have mercy on their ſouls; but commend me to thoſe that would not come. But this hard dealing with the Nobility already called forth of [Page] forth of the kingdome, and the calling for more gave the firſt occaſion to ſome of the Noblemen to aſſemble together where they reſolve Not only to ſtay at home, but to have a King at home; whereupon the Duke of Braganza, Grandchild of the fore-mentioned Katherine, by the name of Don John the Fourth now raigning, was advanced to the Crown, as is at large related in the life of Olivarez, and therefore needs not here to be repeated: Only hereunto ſhall be annexed the moſt memorable paſſages that have happened ſince hee came to the Crown.

The Kingdome of Portugall having been poſſeſſed by three Kings of Spaine, ſucceſſively from the yeare 1580. untill the year 1640. not full ſixty years, according to the prophecy of St Bernard; for before Philip the ſecond was received and ſworn their King, it was April, 1581. whereas the preſent king of Portugall, Don John the fourth was proclaimed on the firſt of December, 1640. being then at Villavicioſa his Country-houſe; upon the fifth of the ſame Month, without any [Page] pomp or guard, he entred into Lisbon, yet with ſo great ſecurity, as if he had been guarded with a moſt invincible Army; whereupon he ſaid, That to be King and Soveraign of the Portugall Nation, there was no neeed off any other Guard or Armes then the hearts of the people. So ſoon as it was known in Lisbon that the King was arrived, the concourſe of People was ſo great before the Palace, and the joy ſo extreme, that for a time they ſeemed to be tranſported out of themſelves, ſome leaping, others dancing, ſome kiſſing the Kings hand, others throwing themſelves down at his Foot; all ſhouting and crying, Viva viva el Rey Dom Joam el quarto noſſo Senhor; God ſave the king D. John the fourth, our Soveraigne Lord. That Evening all the Cannons were diſcharged, and ſo many Fireworks and Lights, that the Night was turned into Day, whereat a Spaniſh Gentleman ſaid, Es poſsible que ſe quita un Reyno a el Rey D Felipe con ſolas Luminarias y vivas ſin mas exercito in poder. Gran ſenal y efeto ſin duda del brazo de Dios todo poderoſo. Is it poſſible that [Page] king Philip ſhould be deprived of a whole kingdome with only Lights and Fireworks without a powerfull Army. Certainly this is an evident token of the Almighties power.

Upon the fifteenth following was the King ſolemnly crowned, in the great place before his Palace, upon a Theater, wheron was raiſed a great Scaffold, and upon that a leſſer, whereon was placed three ſteps higher a Chaire of State under a Canopy all covered over with cloth of Gold; about Midday came forth his Majeſty in a Suit of Cheſnut-coloured Velvet embroidered with Gold and Buttons of Diamonds; about his Neck a Collar of great value, whereunto hung the habit of the chief order of Knighthood, called, El Orden de Chriſto; He was girded with a gilt Sword; his Robe was cloth of Gold lined with White, wrought with Gold flowers; his Train was born up by the Lord Chamberlain D. John Roderiguez; before his Majeſty was the Sword borne by D. Francis de Mello Marquis of Ferreira high Conſtable of the kingdome; [Page] and before him the kings Banner diſplayed by Fernando Telles de Meneſes as knight Marſhall, and before him the Marquis of Govea D. Manrique de Sylva Steward of the kings Houſe, with all the Grandees, Nobility and Gentry; before all went Portugall king at Arms, with the Heralds, Purſevants, &c.

His Majeſty being ſate in his Chaire with a Cryſtall Scepter in his right Hand, whereon ſtood the high Conſtable, and behind the Chair the Lord Chamberlain: There was placed before him a Table covered with cloth of Gold, with a Cuſhion thereon, and upon the cuſhion a Croſs of Gold with a Miſſall; then the Archbiſhops of Lisbon and Braga, with the Inquiſitor-Generall, kneeling down upon a Cuſhion, made his Oath to the kingdome as followeth:

WE ſwear and promiſe by the grace of God, to Rule and Govern you well and juſtly, and to adminiſter unto you Juſtice as far [Page] as Humane frailty will permit; to maintain unto you your Cuſtomes, Priviledges, and Liberties granted unto you by the Kings our Predeceſſors. So God help Us, and this his holy Goſpel.

After this taken by the King, the three Eſtates, Clergy, Nobility and Commons ſwore Allegiance to his Majeſty in theſe words; One for every Eſtate ſaid:

I Swear by this holy Goſpell of God toucht corporally with my Hand, that I receive for our King and lawfull Soveraign, the High and Mighty King Don John the Fourth our Soveraigne, and doe Homage unto him according to the uſe and cuſtome of his Kingdome.

This Ceremony being paſt, Francis de [Page] Lucena, Secretary of State, ſtanding in the middle of the Scaffold, with a lowd voyce declared, That his Majeſty accepted the Oath and Homage which they had made. Then the King at Arms having cried O yez thrice, Ferdinando Telles de Meneſes, knight Marſhal, with a lowd voyce ſaid, Royal, Royal, Royal, for the high and mighty Lord King John the fourth our Soveraigne; and the Heralds with all the people ecchoed, Royal, Royal, Royal: Then all the Drummes, Trumpets and Fifes ſounding, his Majeſty came off the Theater, and mounting on Horſeback, rode under a moſt rich Cloth of State towards the great Church, with all his Grandees and Nobles before him bare headed on foot. By the way in a great open place were preſented unto the King, together with an eloquent Harangue, the keyes of the Citie; which being returned, his Majeſty rode forward with incredible acclamations and applauſe, the Ladies out of the Windowes throwing down Flowers and ſweet Waters upon their heads with a thouſand benedictions, [Page] &c. In this pomp his Majeſty was received at the Cathedral Church by the Archbiſhop in his Pontificalibus; whence (his devotions being ended) he returned to his Palace with the like ſolemn magnificence.

The kingdome of Portugall being thus eſtabliſhed, care was taken to give timely notice hereof to all places under their ſubjection in all parts of the world, ſo that not long after the King was with unexpreſſible joy proclaimed in the Iſland Madera, in Porto Santo, in Mazagan and Aer upon the coaſt of Africa, in the Iſland of St Michael, in the kingdome of Angola, in the Tercera Iſlands, (although the Governor there made ſome reſiſtance at firſt) in Braſile, in all the Eaſt Indies, and as far as China.

On the 8 of January following, with the like pompous ſolemnity the three Eſtates took an oath to the Prince in theſe words: We acknowledge and receive for our true and Naturall Prince, the high and excellent Prince D. Theodoſio, Son, Heir, and ſucceſſor of our ſoveraign Lord the [Page] King, and as his true and naturall ſubjects and vaſſals, we doe him homage in the hands of the King; and after the death of our ſoveraign Lord the King, we will acknowledge and receive him for our true and naturall King and Soveraign of thoſe kingdomes of Portugal and Algarbe, and beyond ſea in Africa, Lord of Guine, of the Conqueſts, Navigations, and Commerce in Ethiopia, Arabia, Perſia, India, &c. we will obey his Commands and Decrees in all and through all both high and low, we will make war and maintain peace with all thoſe that his Highneſs ſhal command us. And all this we ſwear to God upon the holy Croſſe, and the holy Goſpel.

Next day the King being placed on his Royal Throne, there was an Aſſembly of the three eſtates in their rich Robes, where D. Emanuel de Acugna, Biſhop of Elvas, made a moſt eloquent ſpeech, the ſubſtance whereof was, That one of the firſt Laws of Nature was, the uniting of men together, from whence Cities and kingdomes had their original, and by which they after defended themſelves in [Page] warres, and maintained themſelves in peace; that for this cauſe his Majeſty had called this Aſſembly to conſult for the better ſervice of God, defence in warre, and government in peace, that there could be no ſervice of God without union in Religion, no defence without union amongſt Men, no Regular government without union of Councels: That his Majeſty did expect to be informed by his loyal ſubjects, what was for the good of the State; That they were to render thankes to the Almighty, who had given them a King that would govern by the known Laws: That his Majeſty did not eſteem thoſe Tributes lawful that were paid with tears, and therefore did from this preſent take off from his ſubjects all tribute that ever have been impoſed by the kings of Caſtile; becauſe his Majeſty will not reign over our goods, nor over our heads, nor over our priviledges, but over our hearts, hoping that you will find out a more ſweet expedient to defend your Countrey againſt your potent enemy, who threatneth to make us all ſlaves, [Page] and to deſtroy and annihilate our Nation. Let us therefore conſidering his Majeſties goodneſſe, and our own honour, manifeſt at once unto the whole world, that as never ſubjects had ſuch a gracious king, ſo never king had ſuch loyal ſubjects.

Then ſtanding up the moſt ancient officer of the Chamber of Lisbon, in the name of the three Eſtates (who all ſtood up likewiſe) returned humble thanks to his Majeſty for his gracious bounty, profeſſing withall, that they did not onely offer up their goods, but conſecrate their lives to his Majeſties ſervice, that his Majeſty might freely diſpoſe of the one and the other to his ſervice, according to his pleaſure, &c.

In purſuance whereof they voted, that two millions ſhould be preſently levyed by the kingdome; but his Majeſty not being willing that any money ſhould be impoſed upon the ſubject as a tax, all men ſtrove who ſhould advance moſt freely, ſo that in few dayes, there were brought in 4 millions of gold, not to pay ſouldiers (for all offered their ſervice to purſue the war [Page] gratis at their own charges) but to maintain the ſplendor of the King and Kingdom.

The next reſolution of this Aſſembly was to diſpatch Ambaſſadors to all States of Chriſtendom to enter into confederations for the better eſtabliſhment of the Kingdom, and reputation of the King.

In the firſt place his Majeſty conſidering how much it did import to correſpond with Catalonia, that ſo they might joyntly not only defend themſelves, but alſo moleſt Caſtile, which being as it were between the two arms of Portugal and Catalonia, muſt needs be eaſily incommodated by them both at Sea and Land; thither was ſent Ambaſſador Father Ignatius Maſcarenas a Jeſuit, with another Father of the ſame Order, to offer them all aſſiſtance and ſupplies for their maintenance and defence againſt the Catholick King, which Ambaſſy did ſo incredibly rejoyce and encourage the Catalonians, that the very next day they obtained a moſt ſignal victory by couragiouſly defending themſelves againſt the Spaniſh [Page] Army of 25000. men under the conduct of the Marquiſs de los Veles.

The next was a moſt ſolemn Ambaſſage to the moſt Chriſtian King Lewis 13. for which high employment were choſen two perſonages of great worth, D. Franciſco de Mello and D. Antonio Coello de Caravallio, the one for his exquiſite judgment and experience in State affairs, and the other for his noble ſpirit and eminent knowledg in the Civil Law, moſt fit to undertake ſo important a charge. Theſe two perſonages attended with a magnificent train landed at Rochel, and upon the 15 of March made a moſt ſolemn entrance into Paris, being met and conducted by 134. Coaches, beſides much Nobility on Horſeback unto the Palace appointed for Extraordinary Ambaſſadors, where they were entertained in a ſumptuous manner at the Kings charges, from thence were they carried by the Duke of Cheureuſe and the Count of Brulon in the Kings Coaches unto his Majeſty then at St Germains to receive their firſt Audience, which was performed with extraordinary reſpect, for [Page] upon the Ambaſſadors entrance into the preſence chamber his Majeſty roſe out of his Chair and came forward three ſteps to receive them, nor would the King ſuffer them to deliver their Ambaſſy vncovered, or to kiſs his hand at their departure, but inſteed thereof embraced them in his arms with a chearfull countenance, promiſing them all the aſſiſtance that lay in his power: From the Kings preſence they were conducted to a Dinner provided for them, and after that to the Lodgings of the Queen, who ſitting in a chair without armes roſe up, and coming forward two or three ſteps received them moſt courteouſly, not permitting them to ſpeak untill they were covered: Amongſt other diſcourſe, D. Franciſco de Mello told her Majeſty, that he feared his Embaſſy would not be acceptable, for that his Maſter had deprived her brother of one of his Kingdoms, whereto her Majeſty replyd, that although ſhe was ſiſter to the King of Spain, yet ſhe was wife to the King of France, and thereupon began to ſpeak Spaniſh, which the Ambaſſador obſerving, [Page] demanded wherefore her Majeſty had not vouchſafed them that favour ſooner, it being a language better underſtood by them? the Queen anſwered, for fear they ſhould be daunted to hear her ſpeak Spaniſh; the Ambaſſador to improve the jeſt replyd, Como a tam grande Senora, ſi, pero como a Caſtillana, no. It was true conſidering her greatneſs, but not her Countrey, whereat her Majeſty ſmiling went on promiſing them all favour, and wiſhing many happy dayes to King John and the Prince his ſon: thus having delivered to her Majeſty a Letter from the Queen of Portugal, they took leave to go viſit the moſt Eminent Cardinal Richelieu, who being advertiſed of their coming, came forward to the third chamber to meet them, and there received them with expreſſions of great affection, after which he conducted them into his own Chamber, where all three being ſate his Eminence (a perſonage for his moſt admirable abilities worthy to live many ages) diſcovered divers affairs of importance to the Ambaſſadors, and they o [...] [Page] the other ſide made his Eminence underſtand how highly it imported that the two Crowns of France and Portugal ſhould be united by an indiſſoluble league and amity, conſidering that the primary and principal aim of the houſe of Auſtria (whoſe branches were ſpread over Europe) was not only to be the greateſt, but the only Monarch of Chriſtendom, for which end it never made ſcruple to uſurp Kingdoms and States upon the weakeſt pretences imaginable, as have appeared in the Kingdoms of Naples, Sicily and Navarre, the Dutchy of Milan, and ſeveral other States more lately in Germany, the ſeizing upon the Valtelline, that ſo (being Maſter of that paſſage) he may upon any opportunity lead an Army of high Germans into Italy: Moreover conſidering the vaſt power and intereſt this Family hath, not only in all the other States of Italy and Germany, and in the Low Countries, but alſo in almoſt all America; it muſt be confeſſed that they have a large foundation of their imaginary univerſal Monarchy, yet no one thing gave them [Page] ſo great hopes as the poſſeſſion of Portugal: Firſt becauſe by the addition of that Kingdom, they became abſolute Maſters not only of all Spain, but of all the Eaſt Indies, of all the Eaſtern Trade, of Ethiopia, Perſia, Arabia, China, Iapan, and all that incredible wealth that was raiſed out of the Portugal Traffique, whereby the Auſtrian greatneſs (if not their Monarchy) was principally ſuſtained, therefore that it much concerned all States to endeavour not only to put a ſtop to the growth of that monſtrous tree, but to cut off ſome arms thereof that it may the leſs damnify and annoy the leſſer trees that grow by it: that to do this none was more concerned or more able then the Kingdom of France united with the Kingdom of Portugal, which having bin reputed the right arm (as Catalonia was the left) of that huge Auſtrian Coloſſus and now ſeparated from it and joyned with France, will be able to do as great ſervice againſt it, as ever it hath been forced to do for it, not only by aſſaulting the Spaniard at home in his own houſe [Page] but by intercepting the Plate-Fleet which coming from the Weſt Indies, muſt neceſſarily paſs by the gates of their Enemies (the Tereera Iſlands) and ſo run a hazard to be loſt, or elſe be at the charges of an extraordinary Convoy. Having thus diſcourſed with his Eminence of thoſe and other weighty affairs, he was pleaſed to offer not only all the aſſiſtance of the moſt Chriſtian King, but that he would diſburſe of his own for the Service of Portugal, that he would preſently ſend thither a Fleet of twenty Sail with his Nephews Admiral and Ambaſſador extraordinary: whereupon the Ambaſſadors taking leave, they were accompanied by his Eminence as far as the ſtairs, which the Ambaſſadors endeavouring to hinder, the Cardinal told them that the Ambaſſadors of Portugal were to be treated with no leſs reſpect then thoſe of the Emperor or Pope. Some few days after in the houſe of the Grand Chancellour, there was appointed a Junta of the Ambaſſadors with his Majeſties Commiſſioners, together with the Secretary Chavigny, [Page] where was ſoon concluded a peace and league between the Crown of France and Portugal, and the Ambaſſadors with much courteſie and ſatisfaction diſmiſſed.

It very much concerned the kingdome of Portugall to maintain amity and peace with the Crown of England, not only for the Navigation and Commerce of both States, but alſo for other particular ends in the preſent conjuncture of affairs, principally to break the good correſpondency that was at preſent maintained between the Crowns of Spain and England: For this purpoſe in March 1641. were diſpatcht for England Don Antonio de Almada, and Dr Franciſco de Andrada Leiton, perſonages of great abilities, who arriving ſafe (in ſpite of the Dunkerkers that chaſed them) in England, were received with demonſtrations of great courteſie (notwithſtanding the earneſt labouring of the Spaniſh Reſident to the contrary.) It is true, that his Majeſty of England was ſo tender of his honour and conſcience, that he anſwered Dr Antonio de Soſa, Secretary to the Ambaſſadors ſent before to make [Page] way, that he would be firſt ſatisfied by what right and title his Maſter was made King of Portugal, before he would accept of the Ambaſſage. Whereupon the Secretary (being one of the moſt exquiſite wits of this age) in the ſpace of twenty four hours, drew up and preſented to his Majeſty a writing, which declared at large what here in ſubſtance enſueth.

Upon the death of King Henry the Cardinall without iſſue, many pretended (together with the Infanta Donna Catherine, Dutcheſs of Braganza, and Grandmother to this preſent King) to the Crown of Portugal, but all their pretences wanting foundation, ſoon fell, except that of Philip the ſecond, King of Spain, who propt up his with force.

King Henry was Uncle, equally neer to both, but with this difference, Catherine was the daughter of a ſon named Edward, and Philip was ſonne of a daughter named Iſabella, brother and ſiſter to King Henry.

King Philip pleaded, that he being in equall degree with Catherine, was to be preferred for his ſex.

[Page]Catherine replyed, That the conſtitution of that kingdom allowing females to ſucceed; and withall, the benefit of repreſentation in all Inheritances, ſhe repreſenting Edward muſt exclude Philip by the very ſame right that her Father (if he were living) would exclude Philips mother.

This concluſion is infallible in jure, whereto Philip anſwered, That ſucceſsion of kingdoms deſcending jure ſanguinis, there was allowed no repreſentation.

Catherine deſtroyed that foundation, alledging, That the ſucceſsion by the death of the laſt King, was derived jure haereditario, & non ſanguinis, becauſe the ſucceſsion of Kingdomes was to be regulated by that ancient way whereby all things deſcended by inheritance. The other way of ſucceſsion being not known until later Ages, nor ever practiſed either in Spain or Portugal in ſuch caſes.

Briefly, in behalf of Catherine it was urged (which by the Caſtilians can never be denied or anſwered) that ſhe was no ſtranger, but a Native of the kingdom, to whom alone (according to the Laws of Lamego) the [Page] Crown of Portugal can appertain.

This is the ſimple Title of the Houſe of Braganza, againſt which the Caſtilians have forged a thouſand Titles for the Houſe of Auſtria, as being the tenth or twentieth Grandchild of ſuch a King, or ſuch a Prince, &c. which if ſufficient Title againſt the next allies, certainly the King of Caſtile is not onely King of Portugal, but all Europe (for there is ſcarce a Prince from whom he is not deſcended) and happily this is the ground whereon he builds his hopes to be univerſal Monarch, unleſs perchance he may eſteem himſelfe ſo by Will from Adam, as ſome have imagined.

When the King had received and deliberated upon the writing, he gave order that they ſhould be conducted to London with all ſolemnity convenient, & diſpoſed of in a Palace ready prepared for them; after which with great ceremony they received audience of his Majeſty in a moſt ſtately fair Hall, where his Majeſty was placed on a Throne raiſed two ſteps, on each ſide Latices, within which ſtood his [Page] Nobles; at the Ambaſſadors entrance, as they made their reverence, the King uncovered himſelf and would not be covered untill the Ambaſſadors were ſo too: To the Propoſals made by Don Antonio de Almlda, the King anſwered he ſhould be very glad to find out a way to be friend to the King of Portugal, and to renew the an [...]ient amity of the two Crowns without [...] with Spain.

Some days following the Ambaſſadors went to viſit the Queen, who being placed under a cloath of State (upon the entrance of the Ambaſſadors) roſe up and came forward down as farr as the Carpet extended, making a low reverence at all three times, that the Ambaſſadors bowed, and being come neerer, her Majeſty made them be covered; then uncovering themſelves again, they ſpake with their hats in their hands; which ended, the Queen told them, that ſhe much deſired to keep ſtrait amity with her Majeſty the Queen of Portugall, &c.

Don Alon ſo de Cardenas, Ambaſſador Ordinary in the Court of England for the [Page] King of Spain, laboured ſtill by friends, by moneys, by promiſes even to to the reſtitution of the Palatinate, ſo that the peace might not be made with Portugal, but in vain; for upon the 13 of June 1641 the peace was concluded.

The Commerce and correſpondence that have always been between the kingdom of Portugal and Denmark, induced King John to ſend Ambaſſadors thither; but the greater correſpondence with the Houſe of Auſtria, and ſome dependence upon the Emperour, hindred the reception of that Ambaſſage,; yet the King, and all the principal of the kingdom, deſiring not to break with Portugal, gave all other ſatisfaction poſſible by extraordinary courteſies and reſpect to the Ambaſſadors, who from thence went into Swethland, where they were received with much ſolemnity and rejoycing by the whole kingdome. Their reception at the young Queens Court at Stockholm, was very magnificent, where a league was ſoon concluded, and the Ambaſſadors diſmiſſed) as the manner is there) with chains of [Page] Gold, and her Majeſties portrait in a Medall of Gold. With the like readineſs did the States of the Low-Countries receive the Ambaſſage brought thither by that worthy perſonage, Triſtano de Mendoza Hurtada, and a Truce of ten years made with Portugal; not a peace becauſe the Hollander having conquered many places in Braſil, Angola, &c. whilſt thoſe countries were under the King of Spain, that neither ſide might be prejudiced, the King of Portugal would not approve of the conqueſts, becauſe they were places depending on the Crown of Portugal; nor could the States promiſe reſtitution, becauſe they now belonged to their Weſt Indy Company, who ſince have often violated the Articles of this Truce, to the great diſhonor of the States, to whom (ſo long as they neglect to puniſh the tranſgreſſors of their own Capitulations) no State will treat or truſt for the future, ſeeing them ſo ſhamefully break their word without the leaſt occaſion given

It was long debated in the Court of Portugal, whether an Ambaſſage ſhould [Page] be ſent to his Holineſs at Rome, or elſe a more opportune conjuncture of time expected. Some were of opinion that an Ambaſſage was to be ſent thither without further delay, becauſe thereby they clearly teſtifying their duty and reſpect to his Holineſs, as he was Head of the Catholick Church, Portugal ſhould gain his good favour, and an acknowledgement that his Majeſty Don John was rightfull King of Portugall, which would be of very much importance to the affairs of the Kingdom.

But theſe conſiderations ſeemed to others rather things deſirable then feaſable. Firſt, becauſe the King of Spain was at preſent powerful at Rome to oppoſe the reception of their Ambaſſador. Secondly, becauſe the Pope, although he was never in heart a Spaniard, yet he would never yeeld to ſhew himſelfe an enemy to the Catholick King. Moreover, the Spaniard cunningly fomenting the opinion which all the world had entertained, That his Holineſs did in all things incline to the French intereſt, would from ſuch a reception [Page] draw as much as they could ever ask or deſire; for this cauſe the Pope (that he might not ſeem their enemy) alwayes granted them what ever they demanded: Therefore it was alledged, That it would be better firſt to ſound the mind and inclinations of his Holineſs, then to run the hazard of ſome diſgrace and afront to his Majeſty and the whole Nation. And in caſe the Pope ſhould reſolve not to receive the Ambaſſage, to whom could they appeal for the injury done to the Crown? We ſee many Popes ſo bewitched with the intereſt of their own families, as to give occaſion to the world to believe, that their aim is not what is abſolutly the beſt, but what is beſt for themſelves. An example hereof we have in Pope Gregory the thirteenth, ſo affectionate to the kingdom of Portugal at firſt, that he imployed the utmoſt of his power to hinder King Philip the ſecond from uſurping it; yet ſhortly after, for the intereſt of his own family, approved all that was done by the ſame King. Who hath more to give, or at leaſt to promiſe, then the Catholick King? [Page] Therefore in any buſineſs of competition, he muſt neceſſarily have the advantage againſt all others.

Nevertheleſs the French promiſing their aſſiſtance at Rome, and their interceſſion with his holineſs, it was at length reſolved by the major part, that an Ambaſſage ſhould be ſpeedily ſent to Rome.

His Majeſty hereupon made choyce of D. Michael de Portogallo, ſon to Count Vimioſo of the blood Royall, Biſhop of Lamego, and Pantableone Rodriguez Biſhop of Elvas, perſonages of abilities ſuitable to ſo high an employment. Upon the newes of their landing in Italy, the Spaniards in Rome on the one ſide, provided to oppose their entrance, at leaſt hinder their reception; the French, Portugals and Catalonians on the other ſide, reſolved to venture their lives in the Cauſe: His Holines fearing a petty war ſhould be kindled in his own boſome, and the diſhonor that would accrue to him in caſe that the perſon of an Ambaſſador ſhould be violated as it were in his own houſe, gave order to all his Officers & Guards to prevent al intended [Page] violences. Whereupon the Spaniard openly proteſted, that if his Holineſs received the Portugal Ambaſſador, they with their Ambaſſadors, would immediatly leave Rome. Notwithſtanding all oppoſitions, in Novem. 1641, the two Portugal Ambaſſadors being met by divers Cardinals, Princes and Cavaliers well armed, entred into Rome, and were conducted to the palace of the French Ambaſſador, who with much courteſie received them at his gate, always giving them the precedence.

Hereupon the Spaniſh Ambaſſadors, the Marqueſs de los Velos, & D. John Chiumazzero, ſcattered abroad their Manifeſtos, wherin they labored to prove that his Holineſs ought not to receive the Ambaſſadors of the Duke of Braganza (as they ſtiled him) Firſt, becauſe he was a tyrant and uſurper of a kingdom that had been in the quiet poſſeſſion of the Catholick kings the ſpace of ſixty years: Secondly, becauſe the Duke was a Rebell, and a perjured perſon, having before ſworn allegeance to the Catholick King: Thirdly, [Page] that the reception of theſe Ambaſſadors would be very much prejudiciall to the Catholick King, by giving encouragement to others to attempt the like Rebellions, &c.

The Ambaſſadors in the mean time loſt no time in endeavouring by themſelves, and by the French Ambaſſadour (who had expreſſe order for the ſame from his maſter) to incline his Holineſs to admit their Ambaſſage; but his Holineſs, who had ever ſhewed himſelf very timerous to give any diſguſt to the Spaniard, leſt they ſhould take occaſion to do his Holineſs a diſpleaſure, or revenge themſelves hereafter upon his Nephews, reſolved to refuſe the Ambaſſage, pretending certain violations of the Church Rites in Portugal, and that he was much unſatisfied in their King, for his detaining in priſon the Archbiſhop of Braga, and other Eccleſiaſticall perſons, although his Majeſty had moſt juſt cauſe ſo to doe, as ſhall hereafter appeare. So soon as the Spaniards underſtood this reſolution of his Holineſs, (whilſt the Portugals [Page] were labouring to prove their cauſe by Declarations, Allegations, and Arguments, as well Political as Legal) they reſolved to make a quick diſpatch of the buſineſs, and for that purpoſe had drawn together above two hundred Banditi with intent o ſeize upon the Biſhop of Lamego, and carry him away to Naples, as they had done the Prince of Sans, who was there put to death: but the Marques de lo [...] Veles was underſtood by ſome of his ſervants, that it would be better taken to give the Portugal Ambaſſadors ſome high affront upon ſome encounter in the ſtreets which being communicated to the reſt of the Nation, (whereof there are alwaye many in Rome) ſome to obtain diſpenſations of marriage, others to get ſpiritual livings) they flocked to the Spaniſh Ambaſſadors Palace well provided of Army and (that they might not be looked on a Souldiers) went under the name of Foo [...] men to the Marqueſs, whereof the Po [...] taking ſpeciall notice, made it known the Marqueſs that theſe proceedings in peaceable Citie, were much diſtaſted; an [Page] at the ſame time ſent a Meſſenger to aſſure the Biſhop of Lamego that he ſhould not fear any thing, for that upon the word of his Holineſs, he ſhould walk the ſtreets untouch't: yet upon the 20 of August 1642, the Biſhop going to viſit the French Ambaſſador, was followed by a Spy of the Marqueſs to ſee whither he went; which being obſerved by ſome of the Biſhops retinue, they ſent a counter-ſpy to ſee what they did at the Marqueſs Houſe; and finding there great preparation of Coaches and Men, news thereof was brought to the French Ambaſſador, whereupon the French, Portugals, and Catalonians were ſoon aſſembled with their Piſtols and Firelocks to convoy home the Biſhop, who by the way after Sun ſet was met by the Marqueſs guarded with [...]bove ſixty Footmen and eight Coaches, full of Captains and Officers called hither from Naples, beſides divers others, and subjects of that Crown. So ſoon as they ſpied the Biſhops Coach, the Spaniards [...]ried aloud, Si fermaſſero all▪ Ambaſciatore [...]i Spagna, that they ſhould ſtop for the [Page] Ambaſſador of Spain, whereto the Portugals anſwered, che ſi fermaſſero loro, that they ſhould ſtop: whereupon all leaped out of their Coaches with their naked ſwords, and making a ſtand, diſcharged one Gun, which was followed by both ſides with a moſt gallant volley of ſhot: There were ſlain on the Portugal part, a Knight of Malta, and one Lacky that belonged to the French Ambaſſador, together with one Italian and a Portugal Page, beſides divers wounded. On the Spaniſh part there were eight ſlain in the place, and about 20 wounded, the Marqueſs leaving his Coach and Horſes dead, crept forth not by the Boot, but behind the Coach, between the two wheels, and fled into the next ſhop without his hat, without any colour in his face, or ſpirit in his body, and from thence was carried to the Palace of the Spaniſh Cardinal Albornoz, his Coach ſtanding upon the place till the next day. The Biſhop of Lamego went back to the houſe of the French Ambaſſador, and thence to his own Houſe. His Holineſs much diſquieted at theſe inſolencies, [Page] commanded a guard of Souldiers to be preſently put upon the houſe both of the Marquiſs and the Biſhop, who not long after was by the King of Portugal called home, after he had again preſſed and urged the Pope (by a large memorial of the reaſons wherefore he ought to be received) and had been again refuſed.

About this time was with much artifice contrived and moſt ſhamefully effected the impriſonment of that moſt gallant Prince, the Infante Edward, called by the Portugals Don Duarte brother to the King now reigning, who for divers years (before his brother had any thoughts of a Crown) had ſerved the Emperor in his Wars with eminent gallantry, and as eminent ſucceſs. Upon the newes of the revolt of Portugal, this Prince was in the Emperors ſervice, being reſolved there to continue untill he was betrayed by Don Franciſco de Mello a Portugal then Ambaſſador in the Emperors Court for the Catholick King, who notwithſtanding all his obligations to the houſe of Braganza, yet with intent to build his fortunes upon [Page] their ruine, moſt earneſtly ſollicites the Emperor to ſeize upon his perſon and deliver him up to the King of Spain, alleadging how much it concerned the Intereſts of the Catholick King, that the perſon of Don Duarte ſhould be ſecured, and how much it behoved his Imperial Majeſty in this particular, to ſhew his affection to the Catholick King his brother, and to the whole houſe of Auſtria, ſhewing that this Prince was the main prop of the houſe of Braganza, that God had left this only remedy in the hands of the houſe of Auſtria whereby Portugal may be reduced to obedience, that it would be a great error not to make uſe of this opportunity, that if he ſhould eſcape out of their hands, he might by his great inſight in Warlick affairs aſſiſt his brother, and thereby much infeſt the Catholick King.

The Emperor having heard this diſcourſe of Mello, was at firſt ſo farr from being perſwaded, that he anſwered him, he abhorred the breach of publick Faith, and the violation of Hoſpitality, that this would be againſt the Liberties of the [Page] Empire, and againſt his own honor to impriſon a Prince for no fault; but on the contrary, that had deſerved ſo well of the Empire, and to whom his Majeſty confeſſed himſelf very much obliged.

The Arch-Duke Leopold, brother to the Emperor, did ſo farr deteſt the motion, that he ſaid he waſht his hands of ſo foule and ſhamefull an act, yet Mello not at all diſcouraged purſues his deſign, corrupting with ſums of money the Count of Tratmanſdorff, and ſome other penſioners to the Crown of Spain; but they at length aſhamed of the imployment, Mello reſolves upon a more ſubtil invention, which was to perſwade the Emperor to hearken to one Father Diego de Quiroga, who of a Souldier turned Monk, and was now Confeſſor to the Empreſs; this Father being wont to give his opinion of ſuch actions as theſe according to the rules of Intereſt of State, would perſwade the Emperor not only that with good conſcience he might ſecure the perſon of Don Duarte, but that for divirs reaſons of State he ought to do it: His [Page] Imperial Majeſty at firſt very unſatisfied in the buſineſs, was reſolved not to do it, but by the importunity of Mello and the ghoſtly perſwaſions of Quiroga, he was at length induced to alter his reſolution, and to give order to D. Lewes Gonzaga that he ſhould go to Leipen the Princes quarters, and to ſummon him to Ratisbon: in the mean time to prevent the ill impreſſion that this would cauſe in the minds of all men of honor and honeſty; it was reported abroad that D. Duarte was fled for ſome miſdemeanor, and thereupon propoſal was made of ſixteen thouſand crowns to any man that could bring him alive or dead; of which the Prince being ignorant eſcaped very narrowly the hands of ſome of thoſe people that went ſearching for him in hopes of the propoſed reward; when he was com to Ratisbon he was caſt into a vile priſon appointed only for perſons of mean quality, and all his Servants impriſoned, D. de Franciſco de Mello not content herewith, now ſollicites the Emperor afreſh that he may be delivered into the Spaniards hands, and ſent [Page] priſoner to Milain, whereto his Majeſty would not hearken, but on the contrary ſent a meſſage to D. Duarte, promiſing upon his word not to deliver him into the hands of the Spaniard, but to procure ſpeedily his liberty. But his ill uſage increaſing, D. Duarte made all the means poſſible to get audience of the Emperor, which would never be granted, nor was it any wonder, for there is no face mere ugly or more terrible to the offender tehn the face offended; hereupon the Infante made his proteſtation, calling God and man to witneſs the wrong and injurie done unto him by the Emperor, to whom he was neither ſubject by any obligation or birth, that when his brother was made King of Portugal he was in the Emperors ſervice, wholly ignorant of any deſigne of his brothers, that if the King of Spain was offended, he might revenge himſelf upon the perſon offending that that buſineſs no way concerned the Emperor: All which particulars were acknowledged by his Imperial Majeſty, by a meſſenger ſent to Don Duarte in priſon, aſſuring him again [Page] that he ſhould not be delivered into the hands of his enemies, yet that his liberty could not be granted for ſome reaſons of State, whereupon D. Franciſco de Soſa Coutigno Ambaſſador extraordinary from Portugal to Swethland in the name of the King his Maſter, repreſented at large to the Diet at Ratisbon the whole proceeding, requiring juſtice and libirty for the Infante; But nothing can prevail againſt Intereſt, the effects of all Manifeſto's, Petitions and Interceſſions were that the Infante was removed from place to place, and ſent farther off where he had ſtill harder uſage, only the Emperor ſeemed yet immutable in his reſolution not to deliver him into the hands of the Spaniard untill the moſt powerfull means in this world to conquer all difficulties was uſed, which is money; for upon promiſe of forty thouſand crowns the Emperor (contrary to the immunities of the Empire, to the rules of hoſpitality, to the priviledge of free Princes, to the Law of Nations, and contrary to his word and promiſe ſo often reiterated) yeilded that the moſt innocent [Page] Prince ſhould be ſent whether the Catholick King ſhould think meet: ſo he was hurried away towards the State of Milain to remain priſoner in that Caſtle; by the way as he entred into the Spaniſh Territories he was received by the Count de Siruela the Governor of that ſtate, wherethe Commiſſary of the Emperor took his leav to return, to whom D. Duarte ſaid openly, Tell thy Maſter that I am more ſorry that I have ſerved ſo unworthy a Prince, then to ſee my ſelf a priſoner ſold into the hands of my enemies, but that the juſt Judg of the World will one day ſuffer the like dealing towards his children, who are no more privildged for being of the houſe of Auſtria, then my ſelf that am of the blood royal of Portugal, and that poſterity will judg of him and of me.

The Emperor in his inſtructions to thoſe that convoyed the Infante, gave expreſs order that in caſe their priſoner made any attempt to eſcape, they ſhould kill him upon the place. Being arrived at Milain, he was clapt up in the priſon where all the Rogues and Banditi are [Page] to be kept, with a guard in the ſame chamber ſo rude that he could hardly take any ſleep.

Any man of honor would have been pierced to the very ſoul with this harſh treaty, how much more a Prince of ſo high blood, who knew himſelf deſcended from ſo many glorious Kings, and allyed to the greateſt Princes of Europe, for which cauſe the Kings ever treated the houſe of Braganza much different from the Grandees of Spain, giving them the reſpect due to ſoveraign Princes, in ſo much that Philip the ſecond who deſired to a baſe that Family, always received the Duke of Braganza under the ſame cloth of State within the Royal Curtain in all publick Aſſemblies, allowing him always a chair with a cuſhion, and as oft as he went to viſit his Majeſty, he would go to receive the Duke as farr as the middle of the chamber: Beſides, the Princes of this Family had always a guard of their own to wait upon them even in the Kings Court.

This then was the reward of that unfortunate [Page] prince, for having left his Countrey, Kindred, Friends, Intereſt, fot having ſerved the Emperour eight yeares at his own proper charges, for having ventured his life upon all occaſions with the formoſt, expecting no other pay then thanks, and no other recompence then honor.

Yet there wanted not ſome to defend the Emperour in this action, alledging that it was no new thing, for that Charls Duke of Burgundy had in the ſame manner delivered up the Count de St. Paul to the King of France, who put him to death; whereunto it was anſwered, That all the misfortune of that Prince is by Philip de Comines, and others, attributed to that foul fact, Ex iſto tempore, ſaith one, nihil Carolo proſpere ſucceſsit, ſed calamitati acceſsit calamitas, donec victus ab Helvetiis ad Nanecium miſerrime trucidatus eſt.

When D. John the preſent King of Portugal, had been fully informed how his brother was treated, he was reſolved to revenge himſelfe by Arms; but the Caſtilians beginning to make incurſions upon [Page] all the borders of Porougal, diverting his thoughts, made him look neerer home to put the kingdome into a poſture of Defence, to fortifie his chiefe Townes, and to train up all the people to the uſe of Arms.

The Caſtilians in the inroads that they made into Portugal▪ laid all waſte before them, ſpared neither ſex nor age upon the taking of any place, which ſo inraged the Portugals, that to revenge themſelves, they did the like in an incurſion into Galitia.

During theſe extremities of Barbariſme upon the confines of the kingdome, there was wonderful tranquillity and unanimity at home; onely ſome few thought themſelves ſo farre obliged to the Catholick King, as to re-eſtabliſh him in his Throne, amongſt whom D. Sebaſtian de Matos Archbiſhop of Braga, a creature of the Count de Olivarez was the principal, who at the beginning of the revolt oppoſed himſelf ſo much, that divers Gentlemen were once reſolved to ſend him after Vazconzellos. This Prelat having imparted [Page] his deſigne to D. Lewis de Meneſes Marqueſs de Villa Real, an ambitious man, and to his ſonne the Duke de Camigna, both diſcontented becauſ they thought themſelvs not preferred according to their merits, perſwaded them that it was a moſt unworthy thing to ſuffer themſelves to be ſubject to a fellow-ſubject, but rather return to the obedience and loyalty of their ancient Soveraign, who is able to beſtow upon a deſerving man more in one day, then the Duke of Braganza in an hundred years, &c. Inſomuch that they were ſoon gained. Next, the Archbiſhop draws in D. Auguſtine Manuele, a man of noble blood, excellent parts, neceſſitous, and never yet employed in any buſineſs; all notable motives to make a man embrace deſperate deſignes. After him was aſſaulted Pietro de Baeza, an upſtart Chriſtian (as they call thoſe Chriſtians whoſe anceſtors were once Jewes: this Gentleman famous for his vaſt riches and his great intimacy with that eminent Favourite, the Count Olivarez, was wont to ſay, That Olivarez favour would one day advance [Page] him either to high honor or elſe to a high gallows; which proved preciſely true, as will appear anon.

Theſe, with ſome few other Conſpirators, oft aſſembled themſelves privatly to conſider how their deſigns might be ſpeedily put in execution; for which purpoſe ſome were of opinion, that many more were to be drawn into the plot: But then it was feared on the one ſide, that thereby the deſign might be diſcovered; on the other ſide that there was a neceſſity thereof, for that without communicating to others, the buſineſs reſted onely in the Idaea. Others adviſed that the aſſiſtance of the King of Spain was to be got in readineſs; but that then the King of Portugal would make as great preparations, and ſo render that way difficult; yet ſome replied, that thereby the Spaniard by way of intelligence might be the more eaſily let in, but that ſeemed as difficult, becauſe the whole Militia was in the hands of perſons moſt truſty to the King. Another time they had thoughts of taking the King out of the way by ſome ſudden violent [Page] death, which by ſome more moderate was oppoſed, and that rather ſome way was to be invented to cauſe his Majeſty to renounce his title to the Crown, and to retire himſelf out of the danger repreſented unto him. In this wavering condition moſt of them inclined to a mediocrity, although the ſame in all eminent attempts is the very ſtepmother of good ſucceſs. Moderate reſolutions are the moſt of all pernitions where a deſigne is to begin with execution: Yet ſome more valorous and leſs wary then the reſt, were of opinion that they ſhould preſently ſet upon the the work, and leave the ſucceſſe to the diſpoſition of Fortune, inſomuch that of many Irons that were in the fire, none was yet hot.

Amongſt the conſpirators, divers of them (notwithſtanding his Majeſties expreſs prohibition) kept ſecret correſpondence with the Court at Madrid by the means of divers perſons much ſuſpected. The King of Portugal (who had alwayes an eye upon the Archbiſhop of Braga, and the Marqueſs de Villa Real, knowing their [Page] diſaffection from the beginning) at length intercepts ſome of their Letters, wherein was diſcovered the names of the conſpirators, and the whole treaty; wherefore his Majeſty deſiring to ſecure all their perſons at once, without any noyſe, gave order that by ſound of Trumpet and Drum (as the cuſtome is) it ſhould be proclaimed, That his Majeſty intended to goe abroad forth of the Citie; whereupon all the Nobility (out of their great affection to his Majeſty) were ſoon aſſembled to wait upon him. When the King ſaw them all ready, he commanded firſt to call a Councell of State, where ſome of the conſpirators aſſiſted; being there ſate, he cauſed them all to be arreſted one by one without the leaſt diſturbance, which certainly could otherwiſe have been hardly prevented; for if the conſpiracy had been known before the perſons were in cuſtody, there would not have been ſo much danger of their eſcape, as to have been immediatly (without expecting the courſe of juſtice torn in pieces by the people. Beſides, the wiſdome of his Majeſty would, [Page] that by the uſual forms of Juſtice their crime might be as manifeſt to the world as their puniſhment.

So ſo on as theſe were ſafe in priſon, his Majeſty proclaimed a pardon to all complices of this conſpiracy that ſhould come in within four days and confeſs their fault, but the diligence of the King had been ſo exquiſite, that there was not one man left to take the benefit of that grace.

Not many days after, they were all ſolemnly arraigned, found guilty of high Treaſon, condemned and executed in manner following.

Upon the laſt of Auguſt 1641. the Marquis de Villa real, the Duke de Camigna his ſon, the Count de Armamac and D. Auguſtin Manuele were led along a Gallery made of purpoſe to the Scaffold, whereupon were built two ſtories one above another, upon the uppermoſt there were placed two chairs, upon the ſecond ſtory one chair, and upon the Skaffold it ſelf another.

Firſt was led forth the Marquiſs in a [Page] long black baies cloak, and his ſervants in mourning, who after he had prayed for a good ſpace upon his knees, roſe up, and having made a long ſpeech, demanded if there were no hopes of pardon; upon which all the people cryed out, let him die, let him die for a Traytor, then the Executioner according to the manner, with a loud voice proclaimed, This is the Juſtice that the King our Soveraign Lord commands to be executed upon the perſon of Don Lewes de Meneſes ſometime Marquiſs of Villa Real, that his throat be cut as a Traytor to his Majeſty, Nobility, and people of this Kingdom, that for his crime his goods be confiſcated, and his memory baniſhed out of the world. Whereat all the people cryed Juſtice; which the Marquiſs hearing, with much gravity demanded pardon of all the ſpectators, deſiring them to aſſiſt him with their prayers to God for a pardon of this and all his other ſins, then turning to a father Jeſuit his Confeſſor, prayed him that in his behalf he would preſent himſelf at his Majeſties feet, and beſeech him out of his goodneſs that he [Page] would vouchſafe to forgive him this hainous offence committed againſt him and the whole Kingdom: after which, ſitting down in the chair, his arms and legs were tied to the arms and legs of the chair, then leaning his head over the back of the chair, the Executioner with a knife cut his throat, after covering him with a black ſilk.

In the ſame manner upon the ſame Skaffold appeared his ſon the Duke of Camigna, attended with all his ſervants in mourning: paſſing by his fathers corps, he kneeled down and ſeveral times kiſſed his feet, begging of the people the ſuffrage of one Pater noſter for his fathers ſoul; then ſitting down in the other chair after the proclamation of the Executioner, received the ſame puniſhment. The Judges would have had both their necks to be cut behind, but his Majeſty would not give way thereunto, being a puniſhment too ignominious in Portugal for perſons of their quality.

After theſe appeared the Count of Armamac attended with one only ſervant, [Page] who in the chair placed in the lower ſtory received the ſame puniſhment: as alſo D. Auguſtin Manuele upon the skaffold below.

The ſame day Pietro de Baeza, and one Melchior Correa de Franca being drawn at an horſe tail to the place of execution, were hanged upon a gallowes extraordinary high.

Upon a lower gallowes in the ſame place were hanged Diego de Brito Nabo, and Antonio Valente: the quarters of theſe four laſt mentioned were hung up at the gates of the City, and their heads ſet up near the frontiers of the Kingdom.

In September following, for the ſame crime, were likewiſe executed, Antonio Cogamigno, and Antonio Correa, the later of which, all the time of his impriſonment was an example of penitence, feeding only upon bread and water, and whipping himſelf every day, with continual prayers to God for pardon of that and his other ſins.

The Archbiſhop of Braga, the Biſhop of Martiria, and the Biſhop of Malacca, [Page] and Fryer Emanuel de Macedo (although they were complices in the ſame conſpiracy, yet becauſe they were Eccleſiaſtical perſons) were not put to death as they deſerved, but reſerved in priſon untill the Popes pleaſure were known concerning them.

The Archbiſhop during his impriſonment, did oft acknowledg his offence by Letters to his Majeſty, deſiring that himſelf might ſuffer, ſo that the others might be ſpared, in regard that what they had done was rather in obedience to him, then ill will to his Majeſty. Upon his deathbed in priſon (which happened about three years after the fact committed) he gave order that ſo ſoon as he was dead, his laſt Will and Teſtament ſhould be carried to the King, wherein he beſought his Majeſty that he would vouchſafe of his goodneſs to pardon him the Treaſon committed by him againſt his Majeſty and his native Country, and that he would let his body be buried without the Church of any pariſh of Lisbon, without any inſcription or tombe▪ſtone, that ſo there [Page] might remain no memory of a man that had been a Traytor to his King and to his Country. A good example of Chriſtian humility, and of admonition to others not to meddle with the like affairs; for attempts of this nature are like hot irons, which inſteed of heating, ſcorch the hands of thoſe that handle them. This ſo exemplary puniſhment and rigorous juſtice inflicted upon the forenamed delinquents, did not only eſtabliſh the Kingdom, and ſecure the Family and Perſon of the King, but alſo ſtrook a terror into all the Kings Enemies (if there were any left) and excited the Kings friends to love him and watch over him the more diligently.

The mutual incurſions upon the frontiers between the Caſtillians and Portugals ſtill continued with great animoſity and violence.

About this time (although there was a truce concluded, between Portugal and Holland as afore expreſſed, and a great Navy ſent from Holland to aſſiſt the Portugal againſt the Spaniard) yet there paſſed [Page] high acts of hoſtility between the two Nations in Africa and America beyond the Line; for the Hollanders ſeeing the diſunion of Portugal from Caſtile, made all poſſible haſte to finiſh the conqueſt of thoſe parts before a perfect peace ſhould be concluded with Portugal, that ſo in the Treaty they might pretend reaſon that all things ſhould continue in the ſtate they were then found: to this end during all quiet and peaceable commerce between the two Nations in the Kingdom of Angola, the Hollander ſurpriſed the Portugals that were Governors of the place, killing divers and robbing all of the great wealth there found, of which perfidiouſneſſe, and of the barbarous uſage towards the priſoners there taken, complaint was made to the States at the Hague, but without any ſatisfaction.

In the mean time the Catholick King was very ſollicitous for the recovery of Portugal; for the effecting whereof, he did not conſult only with his greateſt Statiſts at home, but alſo with thoſe abroad, from [Page] one of whom he received this enſuing Letter

By the Letter which your Majeſty was pleaſed to write unto me on the 6 of March paſt, I am commanded to deliver my advice touching the beſt expedient for the recovery of Portugal. Sir, the Clemency uſed by King Philip the ſecond, your Majeſties Grandfather towards the Kingdom of Portugal, was a fatal preſage of the preſent calamities, and future deſtruct on not only of Spain, but the whole Spaniſh Monarchy, because that Kingdom was only in name, but never really Conquered, remaining rich and aboundant with the ſame, if not greater priviledges then before. The Grandees and Nobles at home, the people not at all cruſhed, and (which is more then all) the Government in the hands of natives, and all his Majeſties other Subjects excluded from all places of power, honor or profit. Sir, the holy Scripture which is the mirror and rule of our actions, teacheth that when Salmanaſar conquered the Kingdon of Iſrael, he did carry away not only the Royal Family, [Page] but tranſported all the Nobility and People into divers Provinces of his own kingdoms, and into the new Conqueſts ſent new inhabitants; yet the Iſraelites were never ſuch inveterate enemies to the Aſſyrians, as the Portugals with Divelliſh madneſſe have ſhewed themſelves againſt the intereſt and conveniences of this Monarch.

Moreover, in the ſame Scripture it is read, That Nebuchadonoſor having conquered Jeruſalem, tranſplanted all that he found in that kingdom, leaving onely a few miſerable inconſiderable people to remain there.

So Athalia Queen of Judah, ſaw no other way to preſerve a kingdom newly conquered, but by extinguiſhing all the generation upon whom the Jews could caſt their eyes in hopes of revolt.

And Jehu King elected by God, extinguiſht all the family of Ahab, together with all his dependents, friends, and acquaintance, not ſparing ſo much as the Prieſts.

Theſe, Sir, are the Rules that the holy Scripture teacheth to be practiſed upon the Families and People that abhor the dominion [Page] of their own Soveraignes.

It was, Sir, very fatall to ſtand expecting and hoping for better times and opportunities for the ſecuring of Portugal.

In the year 1638. obſerving the ill affection of that Nation, my advice was, that without any delay that kingdome was to be ſecured by force of Armes: others were of the ſame judgements, but Fate would have it that (for fear of new troubles) by delayes way ſhould be made for a Rebellion, then which there could not have been a greater, although that form of Government which was expedient for the Spaniſh Monarchy, and was alwayes held neceſſary for preſerving that Crown, had been put in execution with the greateſt violence imaginable.

But when a Jewel is gone, the main inquiry ſhould be by what means it may be found again, not how it came to be loſt.

The firſt means then of recovering that Crown, may be (what your Majeſties Grandfather made uſe of) to buy your rights of your own subjects by Gifts and Promiſes, wherein your Majeſty is to be as prodigall as the Portugals are inſolent in expecting and demanding; [Page] and indeed experience teacheth, that that Nation is ſo addicted to their own intereſt, that more may be effected this way then by a powerfull Army; to him will they be ſubject who wil give moſt, or from whom moſt can be expected; herein prodigality wil be good husbandry: For when Portugal ſhal be returned to the obedience of your Majeſty, all that wealth which hath been beſtowed amongst them, wil return likewiſe.

The ſecond means is by force of Armes; but this wil be difficult at preſent by reaſon of the ſeverall engagements of this Monarchy elſewhere. I ſuppoſe, Sir, that in caſe Portugal ſhould be conquered by force, all their conqueſts in the Indies, &c. wil remain in their hands; for thither wil they all fly, and from thence they wil be alwayes ready to aſſiſt our enemies: wherefore it would be very expedient for your Majeſties ſervice, that a Truce were firſt made with the Hollanders upon condition that they make warre upon the Portugal in the Indies, and have what ever they can conquer: Whence will ariſe this commodity, that they will want the wealth of their conqueſts; your Majeſty being [Page] diſengaged with the Hollander) wil the ſooner conquer them at home, and the Hollander wil onely come to receive to day at the hand of your Majeſty, what to morrow the Portugal muſt deliver up unto them. At the ſame time the Hollanders and Flemings may ſcour the Coaſts of Portugal, and the Engliſh be invited to a more frequent navigation into the Eaſt Indies and China, whereby the Portugal Trade there may eaſily be ruined.

The third way is, That the Pope be perſwaded to thunder his Excommunications againſt the Houſe of Braganza, and againſt the whole Kingdom as perjured, and perturbators of the publick peace, animating all Christian Princes to aſsiſt in the regaining that kingdom, upon pretence of advancing the Catholick Faith.

Moreover, diffidencies and jealouſies between the Duke of Braganza and the people, may eaſily be fomented by the means of Merchants, ſtrangers, and by Flemings and Burgundians, under the name of French. And to effect theſe diffidencies the better, a Treaty may really be begun with the Duke, which [Page] being diſcovered by the people (though it be before the Duke could know therof) they will deſtroy him and all his Family; and in ſuch caſe the civill diſſentions will open a way for your Majeſty to recover your right: Deſperate evils muſt have Deſperate remedies, the kingdome of Portugal is the canker of the Spaniſh Monarchy: therefore,

Enſe recidendum eſt ne pars ſyncera trahatur.

Let not your Majeſty defer the right remedy: the greateſt rigor is here the greateſt charity, and to have no charity is to have much prudency: to bury this Hydra in its own aſhes, will be triumph enogh: to live without this arm is better then to have it employed againſt its own head: Let your Majeſty never believeor hope better of that nation, then you have ſeen theſe 60 years paſt; never think to keep that Countrey if not planted with other people, the deteſtation againſt your Majeſties government is hereditary.

The intereſt of the King, Sir, it very ample, and hath no bounds againſt Rebels, every action is juſt and honourable [Page] that tends to the recovery of the Kings right.

Moreover, a Truce is to be made with the Catalonians, wherby they being freed from the tumultuous courſes of warre, will have time to take notice of the French inſolencies, and growing weary of that yoke, wil at length eaſily embrace the next opportunity to return to their obedience; which once effected, will make the whole people of Portugall waver between hopes and fears, and beget variety of opinions amongst them, which for the conquering of kingdoms (the Emperour Julian was wont to ſay) is much more advantageous then the power of an Army, as the Grandfather of your Majeſty found in the ſucceſsion of Portugal. To this may be added, that it will be very expedient, that your Majesty name Biſhops to diſpoſe of all Governments and Offices of that Crown to the the moſt confiding perſons in that kingdom; for this will beget diſtruſt amongst them all, and the ignorant people not knowing whom to trust, will put all into confuſion, whereby your Majeſties ſervice will be more eaſily advanced.

[Page] Thus in obedience to your Majeſties Com▪ mands, I have imparted my weak advice wherin if I have erred, your Majesties goodneſs will attribute it to my want of abilities, n [...]t of affection. God preſerve the Catholick and Royall perſon of your Majesty, as the Christian world, and [...]e your Majeſties ſubjects have need.

But to return to the affairs of Portugal, which were at this time a little diſcompoſed by the generall diſcontent and diſtaſt taken at the Secretary of State, Don Francisco de Lucena, who having lived long in the Court of Spain, was at length by Olivarez means made Under-Secretary to Vazconcellos, and for his readineſs to proclaim King John, and his abilities in that place, his Majeſty continned him there, relying upon him with ſo great affection and confidence, that although ſome had advertiſed his Majeſty that he held correſpondence with the Court at Madrid, yet he would not ſuſpect his integrity, untill the whole three Eſtates being again aſſembled upon urgent occaſions, openly [Page] fuſed all Acts that ſhould paſſe the hands of Secretary Lucena, and gave his Majeſty to underſtand, That untill Lucena were brought to triall, there ſhould be no further proceeding in the Aſſembly of Eſtates: whereat his Majeſty was much moved; yet out of his prudency reſolved to give ſatisfaction to his ſubjects by delivering his Secretary up to juſtice; but that he might have a fair procceding, the King ſate in perſon during the examination of witneſſes: in the mean time by the Poſt came ſecret information to his Majeſty, whereupon were impriſoned the brocher and three ſervants of the Secretary, together with an Engliſh Monk, and a Cavalier of the habit. Not long after Lucena was arraigned and found guilty of betraying his truſt, intelligence with the enemy, negligence of timely advertiſing the Infante Don Duarte to retire out of Germany, &c. for which he was condemned and executed in a publick place in Lisbon, where he proteſted to the very laſt his innocency touching any treachery towards his Majeſty.

[Page]With the death of the Secretary the three Eſtates were ſatisfied, and according to his Majeſties command had aſſembled themſelves Septem. 18. 1643. taking their places in their wonted manner, the Dukes upon velvet Chairs without Armes, the Marqueſſes upon Forms covered with red Cloth, the Earls upon Forms covered with ordinary Cloth, the Prelats apart upon Forms covered with velvet, and all the Deputies of Cities and Towns upon plain forms, in order on both ſides; with a paſſage in the middle. Being all ſate, Don Emanuel d [...] Acugna, Dean of his Majeſties Chappell, roſe up, and after reverence made to the King placed upon his Throne, delivered an elegant ſpeech, the ſum whereof was,

That in the ſpace of 60 years that the Kingdom was under the power of the Kings of Caſtile, there had been but two aſſemblies of Eſtates, the firſt to enſlave them, the next to abuſe them. But ſince they were under the obedience of the preſent King (whom God preſerve) within the ſpace of two years, they have had two Aſſemblies, the former to ſettle [Page] their liberties, the preſent to beget a right underſtanding between the King and his people, wherein they had all freedom to demand what ever was neceſſary, that the world might ſee that they are now no longer ſlaves but children, no longer ſtrangers but natives, and that they are under rather a loving father, then a ſevere ſoveraign.

In the former Aſſembly (ſaid he) his Majesty took all the Cuſtoms, and left the defence of the kingdom to your hands, you ordered what ſeemed good unto your ſelves, you made choyce of a general aſsistance by way of contribution; but in the levying thereof the first payment was found uneffectuall, the ſecond unequal, the third unſufficient, whence aroſe ſome complaints, ſome imagining that the fault procceded from the unequal diviſion of the contribution; others from the change of value in money and commodities; and others from the diſorderly gathering and diſburſing the whole. I may eaſily ſay, if there were any error committed, yet it might be excuſable for that, Never had any weighty affair its conception and perfection at once; Then ſhall errors ceaſe to be in [Page] Government when men ſhall ceaſe to be in the world. Theſe things are to be endured with the ſame patience that Drowths, Dearths, Inundations, and ſuch other diſorders in Nature; for the wit of man cannot hold forth a remedy for all diſeaſes: But certainly there will be no ground of reprehenſion (though much of admiration to him that ſhall conſider how his Majeſty entred upon a Kingdom exhauſted by the Caſtilians of money and other neceſſaries for offence or defence, and yet how in leſſe then one year and a halfe we ſhould want neither ſhipping nor Artillery, nor Horſe nor Arms, nor Fortifications nor Armies upon the Frontiers. Three powerfull Fleets put to Sea, divers honorable and extraordinary Ambaſſages, beſides many other ſecret (yet neceſſary) expences, all which will aſtoniſh any underſtanding man. Now to [...] the end that the people may have full ſatisfaction, his Majesty commadded that (before farther proceeding) it be made appear particularly how all the money received hath been laid out, and then it is expected, and the preſent ſtate of affairs requireth, that we all contribute liberally, [Page] conſidering that theſe charges are but for a time, but our liberties are for ever, that we ſhall never have a better opportunity to deſtroy our enemy, that Nature teacheth to hazard an arm to ſave the whole body; the Merchants at ſea caſt away one part of their goods ſometimes to ſave the rest; we are now on ſhipboard in a ſtorm, our goods, our lives, our liberties, our honour, our Countrey, are all in danger.

Moreover, the barbarous uſage of the King of Caſtile towards the Infante Don Duarte, calls upon this Aſſembly for revenge, that we ſpend not onely our mony, but our bloud in affection to him, and that we make our enemies ſpend theirs in ſatisfaction for him, &c.

The three Eſtates encouraged by this Harange, took a good order for the redreſsing of all grievances, and advancing his Majeſties ſervice, that ſoon after an Army of twenty thouſand Foot, and three thouſand Horſe were upon their march with the King in the head thereof, reſolved to make the feat of war in Caſtile, which was performed with much gallantry, and [Page] as much ſucceſs. In the mean time news was brought to his Majeſty of the birth of his ſecond ſonne, but firſt child after he came to the Crown, for which cauſe he was baptized with as great pomp as could be deviſed, and was named Alfonſo.

About the ſame time there arrived from the Indies ſome rich Galeons, that brought news with what generall applauſe and exceſſe of joy his Majeſty was proclaimed throughout all thoſe Countries.

But becauſe all men underſtand not how conſiderable the ſeverall dominions belonging to the Crown of Portugal, and now in the poſſeſsion of King John are, I thought fit here to make a brief narration thereof.

The Crown of Portugal at this day enjoys conſiderable eſtates in the Eaſt Indies, that they may be called a mighty Empire; for, to ſay nothing of Madera, Tercera, and St Michael Iſlands, ſo long time poſſeſſed by the Portugal nation, they have made themſelves maſters of many ſtrong places in Africa, as in Guinea, in the kingdom of Congo and Angola, the great Iſland of St. Laurence, [Page] of Soffala, and Mozambique on the Continent, thence paſsing the mouth of the red Sea, they have ſetled a Trade with Socatra and Calaiate; thence paſsing the Bay of Perſia, and the mouth of the great river Indus, which gave occaſion of the name to thoſe countries, they ſubdued Calecut, Cochim, &c. the Iſland of Goa, Cial, Daman, &c. thence towards the river Ganges, they conquered Ceilam, Malacca, Sumatra, Solor, Larantuca, &c. thence farther forward they entred into the kingdome of Pegu, into Juva major and minor, into the kingdome of China, where they held a ſtrong place called Macao. In ſumme, the Kingdoms, Provinces, Iſlands Cities that the Nation of Portugal hath conquered abroad, may be compared to the ancient Roman Empire; nor hath their valour been much inferior to that of the Romans if we conſider the warre they have made with the King of Cambaia, who for puiſſance, riches, and military courage ſurpaſpaſſed Xerxes, Darius, or Pyrrhus, the warre they have made with Iſamalucco & Idalcam in the kingdom of Decam, both [Page] equall to mighty Kings, whoſe Armies conſiſted of Perſians, Turkes, Janizaries; Arabs, Moors, and the beſt warriers of all the Eaſt: the warre they have waged with the Moores of Malacca, Sumatra and Molucco, who were as well provided of Artilry, as any of the Princes of Europe; alſo with the Kings of Bengala, Peug, Siam, & many other formidable powers. It is true, that during the time that Portugal was under the Catholick Kings, many places were loſt, yet there remains to this day under the command of K. John the fourth, above fifty Towns and Forts accounted impregnable, as Mozambique, Cuama, Monomotapa, Mombaza, Maſcale Diu Damam, Bazain, Chiaul, Onor, Barcelor, Mangalor, Cananor, Cranganor Cochim, Coulam, Negapatan, Meliapor, the Iſle of Ceilam, the kingdome of Jafanapatan, the Cities of Manac and Nombre de Jeſu; then more Northward, Azarim, Danu, Agazim, Maim, Trapor, and many other places: in all which are maintained Governors and Souldiers, beſides in the head Citie Goa, there is a Viceroy with all Courts of Juſtice, [Page] whither many Kings of the Eaſt ſend Tribute and Ambaſſadors to maintain amity with the King of Portugall, inſomuch that the Portugall Trade extends itſelfe into the Eaſt neer four thouſand leagues, by which are maintained all the Garriſons, all the ſhips (whereof there are oftimes two or three Fleets) and much wealth ſent home every yeare. Upon the coaſt of Africa the Crown of Portugall yet poſſeſſeth divers places ſo well fortified, that the neighbouring Moores could never yet recover them.

In America; the famous country of Braſile belongs to the King of Portugall, one thouſand foure hundred leagues on the coaſt thereof containing 14. governements whereof the head City is Saint Salvadar.

But to return to the Frontiers of Portugal, where we left the Portugals and Caſtillians making inrodes, waſting the Country, ſurpriſing the Towns, ofts kirmiſhing, but never yet in any ſet Battel, untill the year, 1644. where both Armies met upon the borders of Portugall, in a plain [Page] called Campo-Mayor. The Spaniſh Army conſiſting for the moſt part of ſtrangers, was under the conduct of the Marqueſs de Torrecuſa, and the Portugal Army, conſiſting of Natives, with ſome few Hollanders, were under the command of Matthias de' Albuquerque: The batail was fought with as much order as courage on both ſides, but the Spaniard being more numerous, eſpecially in Horſe, after ſeverall furious charges put the whole Army of Portugal into diſorder, ſeiſed upon all their Artillery and Baggage, killed Albuquerques horſe under him, and took many priſoners; yet after all, the Generall being mounted upon another horſe, rallied ſome of his beſt Souldiers, and charging afreſh, recovered all, put to flight the whole Army of their Enemies, and chaſed them above 3 miles. Of the Spaniſh Army there were ſlain 1600 men upon the place; amongſt whom was the Lieutenant General, the General of the horſe, and the General of the Artillery, 5 Campmaſters, 2 Adjutants of horſe, 3 Sergeant-Majors, 23 Cornets, the Count de Montixo, together [Page] with very many Cavaliers of the Orders of Saint James, Calatrava, and Alcantara; there were taken 4000 Armes, and above 1000 Horſe. Of the Portugal Army were ſlain not above 300. amongſt whom 2 Campmaſters, and one Sergeant Major, one Captain of horſe, and eight of Foot; but there were taken priſoners divers Noblemen, Commanders, and Officers, which were hurryed away by the Caſtillians in their flight.

Not long after was impriſoned in Liſbon, the Marqueſs de Montalban, D. George Maſcarenas, Lord Treaſurer, Preſident of the Councell of the Indies, and a Councellor of State; together with ſome others, upon ſuſpition of a conſpiracy againſt his Majeſty; but upon Examination it being diſcovered that the ſuſpicion was cunningly raiſed by the Caſtillians, with intent to deprive his Majeſty of the ſervice of his moſt able Miniſters, and to make the World believe that the Portugall Nobility were diſcontented with their King, they were ſet at liberty, and their honors repaired by his Majeſties Proclamation.

[Page]In this condition ſtood the King and Kingdom of Portugall in the year, 1644. and in this condition it may probably continue for many years:

Firſt, becauſe the Catholick King will not probably quit his pretences here, ſooner then he hath done in the Netherlands.

Secondly, becauſe the Nation of Portugall beareth ſuch extraordinary affection to the whole Family of their preſent King, and ſuch exceeding hatred to the Caſtillians, that they will chooſe rather to be extirpated and deſtroyed, then bee brought again under the yoke of the Catholick King.

Thirdly, becauſe the Catholick King is not able (during the warr with France) to gain any thing upon that Kingdom either at home or abroad, as hath bin evident ever ſince King John the Fourth came to that Crown.

Fourthly, becauſe it is ſo much the intereſt of France to keep the Crown of Portugall apart, that the peace with Spain will never bee concluded without including Portugall.

[Page]Laſtly, ſuppoſing that by all the States of Chriſtendom, contrary to their owne intereſt, the Kingdom of Portugal ſhould be abandoned to the fury of the Spaniard, and granting that Philip the ſecond made himſelf maſter thereof by force; yet if their then impuiſſance and diſtractions be remembred, and their preſent power and unanimity be conſider'd, it muſt neceſſarily be concluded, That the Re-union of Portugal with Caſtile is morally impoſsible.

FINIS

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

The Rise & fall of the late eminent and powerful favorite of Spain, the Count Olivares ; the unparallel'd imposture of Michael de Molina, executed at Madrid in the year 1641 ; the right and title of the present Kind of Portugall Don John the fourth, with the most memorable passages of his reign unto the year 1644 translated out of the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese by Edw. Chamberlayne ...

Edition statement

1653

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A57342

ID [STC]

Wing R1533

ID [STC]

ESTC R24148

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

07957888

ID [OCLC]

ocm 07957888

ID [VID]

40725

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A57342)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 40725)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1238:12 or 2293:17)

Source

— The Rise & fall of the late eminent and powerful favorite of Spain, the Count Olivares ; the unparallel'd imposture of Michael de Molina, executed at Madrid in the year 1641 ; the right and title of the present Kind of Portugall Don John the fourth, with the most memorable passages of his reign unto the year 1644 translated out of the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese by Edw. Chamberlayne ..., Chamberlayne, Edward, 1616-1703..

Extent

[8], 176 p.

Printed by T.N. for Thomas Heath ...,. London :: 1653.. (Errata: p. [7] (1st grouping)) (Each part has special t.p., and continuous paging.) (Copy at reel 2293:17 incorrectly identified as Wing (2nd ed.) R1532.) (Reproduction of originals in Library of Congress and William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles.)

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