1 HENRY Of BOURGONGNE Count of PORTUGAL. CHAP. I.

Years of CHRIST. 1090

AMong so many Kings and Princes, who draw their Source and Original from the House of FRANCE, and that have in several parts of the World gi­ven testimony of their Pietie, joyned with apparent Valour, in their Wars against the Sarazens, Moors, Turks, and other Infidels, the generous Prince HENRY OF BOURGONGNE Son of Henry, and grandson of Robert of France, Duke of Bourgongne, whose Father was King Robert, hath rendred his memory so much the more illustrious and famous, as being a worthy Son, an imi­tator of his Fathers virtues, and the Establisher and Founder of the Kingdom of PORTUGAL. He was the first that swayed the Scepter, and who hath given Original to twenty Kings, who have there since reigned for the space of neer five hundred years, with such power, that they have by the force of their own Armes, Conquered and Subjected to their Dominion several Kingdoms and strong holds in Affrick, Persia, East-India and America, which hath facilitated the means to Civilize those peo­ple that were heretofore wholly barbarous, and of Idolatrous and Mahume­tans, to convert them to Christianity. So that we must acknowledge, that these Princes (originally of the most august Family of the French Kings) have very much merited from the Christian Religion.

Several Histories of France, Portugal, Castille, and other Nations have very much laboured to finde out and discover from what Countrey, and what [Page 2] House this Prince HENRY deduced his Original. His extraction ha­ving been unknown for a long time, and concerning which there hath been almost as many Opinions as Writers. Some have written that he descended from an Emperour of Constantinople, others from a King of Hungary, some from William Count of Bourgongne, brother of Raymond Count of Outre-Soane, and others also from Guy Count of Vernoeil in Normandy, brother of this William. Aux Antiqui­tez de la Gaule Belgique. Furthermore there are that report, that he was son of Henry, Duke and Earl of Limbourg, and Duke of Lorraine. Lastly, others (which have followed the Error of Richard of Vassebourg a Modern Historian) are of Opinion that William was his Father, who was called Baron of Joinville, whom they make to be Governor of Lorraine in the absence of his Father the great Godfrey of Buillon elected King of Jerusalem.

But all these Opinions, and Imaginary descents, have been worthily re­futed by Theodore Godefroy Advocate in the Court of Parliament of Paris, in a Treatise which he hath published of the Original of the Kings of POR­TUGAL; having first revived this Opinion, and clearly justified by proofs and undeniable reasons, that they are descended in Line Masculine from the Royal House of FRANCE by this HENRY the chief of his Branch.

And he groundeth principally upon the Authority of the Fragment (which yet remaineth) of an old Latin History of France, which begins at the decease of King Robert, and is continued to the Reign of Philip the first; An History composed by a Monk of the Abbey of Saint Benedict Lez Fleury upon the Loir in the Diocess of Orleance, who lived in the time of the same HENRY; This Fragment (with other Historians) hath been published at the end of the last Age by the Learned Peter Pithou.

Note here the terms of this Ancient Author which hath been translated: Our design is not here to mention how many times the King Andefonse (he is cal­led also Alphonso the VI. King of Castille and Leon) generously behaved him­self against the Sarazins, Bragm. Hist. à Rege Roberto ad Philipp. I. nor the number of the Battels in which he hath van­quished them. It's he which wrested from them, and subjected to his Empire the strong City of Toledo. He espoused Constance daughter of Robert Duke of Bourgongne, and had a daughter by her which he gave in marriage to Ray­mond Count of Outre-Sonne. As for his other daughter begotten out of mar­riage, He espoused her to HENRY one of the sons of the sons of the same Duke of BOURGONGNE, and upon the Confines of Spain, opposed them both against the Agarenes. He nameth also the Infidels under whose yoke Spain at that time mourned, and of which they possessed a good part.

This is the more to be credited, for that the Historian who wrote it, was co-temporary with the Prince of whom we speak, as may be gathered by o­ther Passages of his History.

Jo. Mariana Hist. Hisp. lib. 10. cap. 1.Several give unto HENRY the Title and Quality of Count of POR­TUGAL, and agree in this Point, that he was established Earl thereof in the Years of CHRIST. 1090 year One thousand fourscore and ten, by the King of Castille his Father in Law, who gave him this County in Dower, in hope (as this King did verily be­lieve) he would war upon the Moors in Portugal, as Hugh the first of the name Duke of Bourgongne his elder brother had done in Arragon; in which he was not deceived; for he served as a Rampire to check the course of those Bar­barians. But it is otherwise to be presumed, and that the same Queen of Ca­stille Constance, Th. Godefroy. who was Aunt by the Fathers side of this HENRY, and lived in the time of the marriage, might have contributed her recommenda­tion for the attainment of this Province of Portugal in Dower: and Note [Page 3] also that the Count of Outre-Soan, who espoused the other lawfully begot­ten Daughter of the same King, as we have said, had in Marriage with her only a summe of money.

Godefroy is not only of this opinion, for it was also followed by Jaques Augustus de Thou President in the Court of Parliament, in the History of his time; by Prudencio de Sandoval Bishop of Pampelona in Navarre, and Historiographer of Philip the III. King of Spain in the History of Ferdi­nand I. and other Kings of Castille; by Andrew du Chesne the Kings Geo­grapher in the Histories of Bourgongne and Vergy; as also by Antonio de Vasconcellos a Portugues, of the Order of Jesus, and Rector of the Uni­versity of Evora, in the Latine History of the Kings of Portugal, which he hath written in a most elegant Stile.

This natural Daughter of King Alphonso, Duarte Nunez en Chron. des Reis de Port. and of Ximena de Gusman wife of HENRY OF BOURGONGNE, was named TERESA Years of CHRIST. 1089 OF CASTILLE. He left France in the Year One thousand fourscore and nine, accompanied with a good number of Lords for the succour of the King of Castille, among which there are named seven Counts; the princi­pal of which were Raymond the son of William Count of Bourgongne, Ray­mond of St. Gilles, and Toulouse, Chronique M S. de S. Denys. this HENRY (who by mistake is sir­named of Lorraine in the History) Rotrou de Perche, and William Viscount of Melun; they are all said to be at the same Battel; for which cause some suppose it had the appellation of the Seven Counts: But the Histories of Spain speak otherwise.

The Count HENRY Ordered the City of Conimbra for his principal residence and that of his Court;Vasconcellius Anacephaloeosi I. and the City of Braga for Metropolitane of the other Churches. He vanquished and put to flight some Moorish Kings at Visco and Lamego, and seized also upon Lisbonne (it hath since been the Capital City of the Kingdom) which not long after they recovered again.

But this great Prince being impatient of repose without honour (if we Years of CHRIST. 1097 credit some Authors) undertook the Crossiade with Godfrey of Buillon and other Princes for the recovery of the Holy Land, where he performed won­ders.Duarte Nunez. Being upon his return from this Voyage (of which some make a doubt) he vigorously continued his War against the Moors, nor did his great age cause him to discontinue the performance of his Martial Affairs. And lastly,His Death. Vasconcellius. he dyed at the Siege of the City of Asturia in the Year One Years of CHRIST. 1112 thousand one hundred and twelve; being then aged about Threescore and ten years, yet there be some that extend the Course of his Life to a longer period. He was inhumed in the Cathedral Church of the City of Braga, Duarte Nunez. which is one of the chief of the Kingdom of Portugal. In the Year One thousand five hundred and thirteen, Diego de Sousa being then Bishop (who was descended from Prince HENRY) caused a Chappel to be built, in which he reposed the bones of this Prince, and wrote an Epitaph, which declared him to be Son of a King of Hungary. But Edward Nunez, In his Chro­nicle of Portu­gal. a judi­cious and learned person, hath with reason refuted the error of this Origi­nal. He often nameth TERESA, Queen, as being a Kings Daughter. She deceased about the Year One thousand one hundred and thirty. Her bo­dy lieth near unto that of her Husband Count HENRY.Andr. Resendi­us. lib. 4. Anti­quit. Lusit. Although the greater number of Writers give her the Qualification of a Natural Daughter; there is an Author of this Time, famous, and well read in the knowledge of the Portugal Antiquities, who assures us that in the Ancient Chronicles in Manuscript, she is called the Daughter of the Queen Ximena [Page 4] de Gusman lawful Wife of King Alphonso, Dom. Anton. de Sousa denieth that Teresa was a Bastard, and also writeth that her younger Sister Uracca usurped the King­dom of Castille against her. These are his words: Tharasia mater Alphonsi primi Regis lusitaniae, filia erat Legi­tima, & natu major Alphonsi 6. Regis Legionis & Castellae cum (que). pater mortuus fuerit sine filio masculo, ut est notorium, ip­sa extabat haeres Legitima Reg­norum ejus, Q [...]ae tamen Uracca soror junior usurpavit, quapro­pter inter utram (que) orta sunt bella. Appen. ad Lusit. Lib. Cap. 4. Actio Prima. and al­so Nunez and Vasconcellos seem to be of the same opinion, which is confirmed by the quality of Ximena, who was descended from one of the most Illustrious Houses of Spain. The History of Por­tugal hath been written by several Authors, and i [...] several Languages, among others, by Edward Galvan; Stephen Garibay; the same NuneZ or Noni­us Leo, a Portugal Lawyer; John de Maris; John de Barros; Lopez de Castagneda, Damiano de Goez; Hierosme Osorio Bishop of Silva; John Mariana, the same Vasconcellos; Hierosme Francchi Conestag­gio; Joseph Texera, Theodore Godefroy, and o­thers, who have conjointly treated of the Hi­story of SPAINE.

2 ALPHONSO I KING OF PORTUGAL. CHAP. II.

Years of CHRIST. 1112

TO the Count of Portugal, Henry of Bourgongne, and the Coun­tess Teresa of Ca­stille his wife, succeeded this Prince their Son;His Birth. and was born at Guimareans in the Years of CHRIST. 1094 Month of July, in the Year One thousand fourscore and fourteen, who did more and more augment the glory of this Family.

Being only Eighteen years old at the death of his Father, he was, by some of the Por­tugals, judged too young to undergo and manage those grand Warres, begun as well against the Moors, as those of Leon; and therefore they en­deavoured to marry Theresa Widow of the defunct, to the Count of Trastamare; who upon this occasion should undertake the Government of Portugal. But the young Prince ALPHONSO not suffering it, opposed him with so much courage, that having Vanquished the Count, he was constrained to with-draw. And nevertheless by the Agreement afterwards setled be­twixt them, he caused him to marry his Sister Uracca of Portugal, as we have said before, by which we may presume, that the Marriage of Teresa with the Count of Trastamare was only proposed. It's true, which we add, That ALPHONSO so ill resented his intended Deprivation from the Government, that it urged him to confine this Princess to a Prison,Vignier sou [...] l'an. 1147. in which she finished her life. Whereupon not long after began that cruel Warre with Alphonso VII. King of Castille and Leon, his Cousin; from which nevertheless he ever came off with honour; and, according to some, woun­ded this King in a Battel, put the flower of his Nobility to the Sword,Vasconcello [...] to the number of seven Earls that accompanied him, and took the Queen of Castille his wife prisoner. Whom some believe to be, (as it's probable she was) the Mother of ALPHONSO.

Afterwards the Count of Portugal directed the course of his War against Ismar and four other Infidel Kings, whom he defeated at Ourique in a pitch­ed [Page 6] field, [...]aribay. Mariana. Nunez. and also that Puissant Army by them raised, some Historians write, that upon the day of [...] Aire in that form he was Crucified,Vasconcellius. who bowing his body downward, and casting his eyes on the ground, expressed these words, ALPHONSO, thou shalt overcome in this sign; which came to pass, for the five Sarazen Kings were kill'd upon the place, i [...] memory of which signal Victory, to the end there might remain a perpetual mark thereof to Posterity,The Arms of Portugal are changed. ALPHONSO changed the Azure-Cross, which he did before bear in a silver field for his Armes, into five Escocheons also Azure, every one of them charged with five pence of silver, and this in commemoration of the thirty pieces of sil­ver for which our L [...] was [...]d by the Jews. Nunez. Vigu [...]r. In the same Year of our Salvation, One thousand one hundred and nine and thirty, in pursuit of the Years of CHRIST. 1139 same Victory, those of the A [...]y of ALPHONSO, acknowledged and sa­luted him for King at Conimbra, leaving the name of Duke, which he had before changed into that of Count.

Aud. Favine. Lib. 6. c. 18. Alphonso Henriquez first King of Portugal, having conquered from the Moors the City of E­vora Anno 1147. there placed a Garison, or number of brave-spirited Knights to defend it, who made themselves known under the name of Fellow-Brethren of St. Mary of Evora. The same King Alphonso not long after gave them the strong Castle d'Avis, and therefore the Knights of this Order were called, Brethren d'Avis, who preserved the memory thereof in their Armes, which they took thus. D'or a la Croix Fleur de [...]isee de Syn [...]ple, & en pointe deux Osieaux kin [...] que des Corbeaux de sable. Le Ordin de Avis t [...]o su principio en al anno de 1147. en tiempo del Rey Dom Alonso primero Rey du Portugal. L'lamose al principio la Cavalleria de Ebora, porque tuuo su Conve [...]to en la Ciudad d'este d [...]mbre, Su primer Maestre sellamo D [...]m Ferdinando Monteiro; despues sucedio en el Maestrado D [...]m Fernand, Tannes a qui el Rei Dom Alonso de Portugal die el Castillo de Avis anno 1161. y f [...]endo allirans la dado el Con­vento primero, sell [...]mo DE AVIS. [...]so por segnal una Cruz como la de Alcantara, y por Armus la misma Cruz en Campo d'Oro, y at pie della dos Aves negras por alusion del [...]ombre de AVIS. Thus much out of Dom Damiano a Go­as; Rade [...] de Andrada; and the Count of Lansarote, in his Nobility of A [...]dalu [...]ia. Memorable was that Assembly Convened by this King Al­phonso in the City of Lamogo, consisting of the three Estates of the Kingdom, where were made many Laws which they justly account their Fundamentals,Nunez. Vasconcellos. as unalterable as those of the Me [...]ds and Persians, made Sacred by the observation of them both by Prince and People; among which it was enacted, First, That the said King Alphonso's son, Grand­son, and so forward, should reign after him for ever. But if the King have only daughters, the eldest should be Queen after her father, upon condition she be married to a Native of Portugal, and that he be a Noble-man, who shall not take up­on him the name of a King, until he hath a son born, nor wear a Crown on his head, nor take the right hand of his Wife. But the last clause is most to be considered, which my Au­thor hath faithfully transcribed out of the said Laws. Sit istadex in sempiter [...]um quod Prima Filia Regis [...]piat maritum de Portugale, ut non veniat Regnū ad Extra [...]s; & si [...]asaverit cum Principe extranto, non sit Regina: quia [...] volum [...] nostrum Regnum ire de Portugal [...] sibus qui nos sua for­titudine Reges fecerunt, sine Adjutorio alien [...], per suam forti­tudinem, & cum sanguine suó. This Law was put in execution after the death of Ferdi­nando the 9th King of that race; for Donna Beatrice his daugh­ter being married to John the first of the name, King of Ca­stille a Forrein Prince, was excluded, and John the first King of Portugal, though illegitimate, was advanced to the Throne.In the mean time an Army composed of divers Nations, viz. English, Flemmings, Nor­mans and Lorrainois, being em­barqued in England, and bound for Jerusalem, Robt. de Monte. to give succour to the Christians un­der the Conduct of William Longespe Duke of Normandy (my Author meaneth Earl of Salisbury) passed by the coast Years of CHRIST. 1147 of Spain, [Shield with Croix Fleur de Lis de Synople] where making some stay, at the instance of King ALPHONSO, they besie­ged and took the City of Lisbonne which the Moors pos­sessed; the Siege having con­tinued five months; They were at length defeated by the Christians, who delivered this City into the hands and power of ALPHONSO, he also Conquered from them the Cities of Leirta, Santa­rem, Evora, Elvas, Beja, and several other Towns and Fortresses, which make at present the better part of the Kingdom of Portugal, which he annexed to the Province situate between the Rivers of Dourho and Minho, and that of Tars [...]s Mo [...]tes, as also a part of Estremaduru (where are Br [...]ga, Conimbra, Visco, and other Cities) Provinces which descended to him by successi­on from his Mother the Countess Teresa.

Now fell out the dispute betwixt Ferdinando King of Castille and Leon, Idem. Years of CHRIST. 1179 and his Father-in-law King ALPHONSO, about the City of Badai­os, which the Castillian urged belonged unto him, as being enterprised upon the Moors; being come to blows, the King of Portugal having by an accident been hurt before the fight, fell within the power of the King of Castille his Enemy, but afterward a peace being concluded betwixt them, the Portugues remitted unto Ferdinand part of the Provinces of Galicia.

Years of CHRIST. 1181 His success was more propitious in the Enterprise he undertook against Alboias King of Seville, whom he also subdued,Vasconcellos and after the Victory obtain­ed, instituted a Military Order, called, Of the Eagle; The device was An Eagle Purple enfermed within a Circle Or.

After all these Warres ALPHONSO had attained to a very great age, nevertheless he ceased not to exercise himself in his Martial affairs, with his Valiant Son, who seconded him in his high and generous Enter­prises.

But that hindred not his inclination to Piety, and the erection of several Churches and Monasteries,Idem among others he Founded that of St. Croix at Conimbra, which he so richly endowed, and with so stupendious a revenue, that the famous University of this City hath a sensible apprehension there­of, and that it is at this day the most Famous and Flourishing of all Spaine. ALPHONSO also Founded the Monasteries of St. Bernard of Alco­bace, and of St. Vincent near Lisbonne, in the same place where he en­camped at the Siege thereof. In short, the Portugal Historians give him the reputation of having Built and Founded an hundred and fifty Churches and Religious Houses.

In fine, this great Prince being aged Fourscore and eleven years,Nunez. and af­ter he had Reigned Six and forty,His Death. departed out of this life into a better, in Years of CHRIST. 1186 the same City of Conimbra, the Ninth day of December, in the Year One thousand one hundred fourscore and six, (and not two years before, as some believe) and lieth in this Church of St. Croix. King Emanuel, one of his most Illustrious Successors, erected for him (a long time after) a most Mag­nificent Tomb.

There are divers opinions among Authors,Nunez. about the House from which Queen MAUD wife of ALPHONSO did descend,His Mar­riage. Pingonius. whom he mar­ried in the Year One thousand one hundred and six and forty (and not two Years of CHRIST. 1146 years before, as some are of opinion.Dami. a Gotz.) For those which write the History of Portugal and Savoy, Vasconcellos. say that she was Daughter of Amides the second of the name, Count of Savoy or Maurienne, and of Maud Daughter of the Count of Albon (they would say Viennois) his second Wife.In the Hist. of Arragon. But Hie­rosme Surita writes, that she was Sister of Peter, Count of Lara and Molo­na, and Daughter of Henry, Count of Lara, and of Ermensi [...]d [...] Vicoun­tess of Narbonna; An opinion which is reproved by Nunez. And neverthe­less it may be that he married both the one, and the other; certain it is, that Queen Maud dyed in Anno One thousand one hundred threescore and eigh­teen, Years of CHRIST. 1178 and was interred with her Husband.

3 SANCEO I. Of the Name, KING of PORTUGAL.PORTUGAL CHAP. III.Comme cy de­vant.

Years of CHRIST. 1185

IF Alphonso the first was a GREAT and MAGNANIMOUS King? this his Son and Succes­sor did not degenerate; For (in the Judgement of many) he seemed to be equal in Pie­ty towards God, in Prudence and Ingenuity in the manage­ment of his Estate, and in Mar­tial Prowesse, of which he gave a sufficient proof at the famous Combat of Seville, against the Sarazens, of whom there fell so great a number, that the River of Betis was for some space of time made red, and tinctured with their Blood.

His Birth.He took his first Breath at Years of CHRIST. 1154 Conimbra the Eleventh day of November, Nunez. in the Year One thousand one hundred and four and fifty.

Before he came to the Crown, two Mahumetane Princes having besieged the City of Badaios, he came to the relief thereof so opportunely, that he raised the Siege, and afterwards gained a memorable Victory.Vasconcellos. He perfor­med several other Noble adventures. But most miraculous was that Tro­phie he obtained upon the Puissant King of Marocco, Miramolin. For nei­ther the assistance of thirteen other Kings, wherewith he was accompanied, nor the infinite number of Sarazens his followers, (and who had besieged SANCEO in Scalube,) could hinder him the gaining a Victory upon [Page 10] so many Enemies conjured to the Ruine of him, and also of his House.

After so many Warres, observing Portugal to be almost Desert, and the Land unmanured; He favoured so much labouring men, and rendred himself so great a Proficient in the Knowledge of Agriculture, that he was ordinarily called THE LABOURER,Idem. as if he had been the whole course of his life exercised in this Employment; although indeed he was in­tirely born a son of Mars. A great lover he was of Architecture, and took the care to re-build several Cities and Castles ruined by those Warres.

History of Flanders.It fell out, that a Fleet of Ships composed of Danes, Frisons, and Hol­landers, Years of CHRIST. 1189 having put to Sea (as at other times) bound for the Holy Land to Warre upon the Infidels; were by foul weather driven into the Port of Lis­bonne; And then SANCEO taking this opportunity (as his father had done before him) so ordered it,Vasconcellius. that they assisted him in the Reduction of the City of Silva in the Kingdom of the Algarbies, a place at that time most flourishing, and strongly Fortified; which hath since been made the Metropolis of that Kingdom.

But as the Time and the Affairs of the World are often crossed by sini­ster events, it hapned that another Miramblin, also King of Marocco, came and assaulted Portugal, committing several Ravages and Spoyles, and there leaving the marks of a most sad desolation, unfortunately followed with Rain and Inundations,Nunez. then with extream Drouths, Famine, and other contagious diseases, which swept away so great a number of people, that Portugal was reduced to a miserable estate for the space of eight or ten years:Vasconcellius. So that the Moors took advantage by these calamities to seize upon several Cities and places. Accidents which caused King SANCEO to contract a League with them for the space of five years, during which time there fell out another Warre betwixt him and the King of Leon, all which mis-fortunes hindred his Voyage beyond Sea, which he had resolved against the Infidels; having only sent to the oppressed Christians some pieces of Money. This League being ended, the Sarazens began again their in­cursions.

The last memorable Action of War performed by King SANCEO,Years of CHRIST. 1200 was the Prise of the City of Elva from the Moors, His Death. which they had posses­sed a long time, and not long after he dyed in the Year One thousand two Years of CHRIST. 1212 hundred and twelve, being aged eight and fifty years, and having Reigned seven and twenty. He was interred in the Church of St. Croix, where King Emanuel raised a Tomb for him like unto that of his father. He left behind him great Treasure, and remarkable summes of money, of which (by his Testament, which he had made two years before his death) he di­sposed for Legacies to his Children, and several Churches.

In the Year One thousand one hundred fourscore and one, the same King SANCEO was conjoyned in Marriage with DOULCE,Nunez. Surita. Vasconcellius. His Mar­riage. or ALDONSE OF ARRAGON, daughter of Raymond Berenga­rius, Years of CHRIST. 1181 Earl of Barcelona, and of Perrenella daughter and Heir of Raymer King of Arragon. The which Queen DOULCE dyed in the Year One Years of CHRIST. 1198 thousand one hundred fourscore and eighteen. Nunez. After her Death the King her Husband suffered himself to be transported to unlawful Loves, and had seve­ral Bastards. Which incontinence did somewhat eclips the lustre of those Virtues with which he was adorned.

4 ALPHONSO II. Of the Name, KING of PORTUGAL. CHAP. IV.

THis King was born upon the day of the Feast of St. George, His Birth. the three and twentieth of Years of CHRIST. 1185 April, in the Year, One thou­sand one hundred fourscore and five, and succeeded King San­ceo the First his Father, at the Age of Seven and twenty years.

Following the steps of his Ancestors, he behaved himself Valiantly in several Conflicts against the Moors. By the as­sistance of a Naval Army con­sisting of those of the Belgique Nations, he recovered out of the hands of the Infidels the City of Alcassere de Sal; which was performed at the instance Years of CHRIST. 1217 of Matthew Bishop of Lisbonne, a man of an holy life.Vasconcellius.

In pursuance of which ALPHONSO vanquished the Kings of Seville, and of Jean, who came to lay Siege to the City of Juica.

But if he was plausable in his Military and publick Affairs, he could not avoid the reproach which Posterity hath cast upon him in his History,Nunez. in what concerned his Domestick, having ill treated his Brothers and Si­sters, and his Brother-in-law the King of Leon, not suffering them to en­joy the portions and inheritance which belonged unto them, nor per­forming the Testament and last Will of the King their Father. By reason of which there ensued great Divisions, untill that the Pope, unto whom the younger Princes made their recourse, used his Censures and Interdictions against ALPHONSO, and constrained him to submit to Arbitration for the Determination of their Differences, and to undergo the Execution of that Judgement which should be given.

He was tall of stature, of an able body, and so corpulent, that his sub­jects sirnamed him,Vasconcellius. The Gross, which, it may be, shortned his life; for he [Page 17] lived only Eight and forty years. And after he had Reigned One and twenty years,His Death. he expired, Anno, One thousand two hundred three and thir­ty, Years of CHRIST. 1233 as Edwardo Nunez, and Antonio Vasconcellos do note; and not in the Year, One thousand two hundred twenty and four, as others have written.

He was inhumed in a Chappel,Mariana. which he Ordered to be made in the Ab­bey of Alcobace, near unto the Sepulchre of URACCA OF CA­STILLE his Wife, Daughter of Alphonso VIII. others say IX. of that name, King of Castille, and of Elianor of England his Wife; and Sister of Blanche of Bastille, Queen of France, Nunez. Mother of the King St. LEWIS. Some years after George de Mello Abbot of the Monastery, caused the Corps of King ALPHONSO, and of the Queen his wife, to be transported to the Chappel of St. Vincent.

5. SANCEO II. Of the Name, KING of PORTUGAL. CHAP. V.

AMong the Children Years of CHRIST. 1233 of Alphonso II. and of Uracca of Castille, His Birth. this Prince who came into the World in the Year, One thousand two hundred and Years of CHRIST. 1207 seven, the Eighth day of Sep­tember, was the eldest.

Who brought with him from the womb such mortal in­firmities, as made most be­lieve, he would sooner arrive at the grave, than the Scepter, the Queen his Mother having tryed all humane remedies, ap­plyed herself to Divine, ma­king a Vow to God, that if he lived past his adolescency, she would make him pass the Hood of Canons Regular of the Or­der of St. Augustine, which she inviolably performed, and from which habit this King [Page 19] was sirnamed CAPELLO.Nunez. Vasconcellius, Mariana. Also he appeared more apt and proper for a monastick and quiet life, than to the exercise of War, and the Govern­ment of his Kingdom, to which he succeeded at the age of Six and twenty years.

Also the Queen of Castille Berengaria, (his Cousin) who had the Go­vernment of this Prince, observing him to be of a weak Judgement, en­deavoured to match him to some Lady of an Illustrious House, that in de­fect of her Husband, might be capable of the management of his affairs. But some Grandees of the Kingdom opposed this design, prevented her, and clandestinely married him to SANCE-MENTIE-LOPEZ DE HARO,His Mar­riage. daughter of Diego-Lopez de Haro, Lord of Biscay, and of Uracca natural daughter of Alphonso IX. King of Leon. After which several of the Prelates having made Remonstrance to the Pope of the un­lawfulness of the Marriage, which had been effected without the Dispensa­tion of the Holy See, which was required by reason of the proximity of blood betwixt the parties, and for that the King also continued in the evil Government of his Estate, during which time several mischiefs had been committed, they supplicated Pope Gregory IX. for a remedy.Nunez.

Who sent therefore his Legate Apostolick, the Bishop of Sabine, Mariana. into Portugal, after whose departure the oppression, disorders, and popular Se­dition still remained as before; these calamities caused the Prelates and some of the Grandees to make their second application to Rome, at what time Innocent IV. sate in the Holy Chair; who Ordered (with a Salvo to the Authority Royal, and the Children of King SANCEO, if he should have any) that the Count of Bolongne, Alphonso his younger Brother, should take the Reins of the Government, and the administration of affairs into his hand; as he did accordingly.

But SANCEO unwilling to quit his Kingdom and lawful inheri­tance, made his recourse for assistance to the King of Castille, who sent him an Army, with which he entred the field, but with so little success, that he was forced to disband his Souldiers, and secure himself by retiring to the City of Toledo in Castille, from which time he addicted himself wholly to devotion and a private life, distributing Alms to the poor of what he had brought out of Portugal, living with great austerity, and supporting his exile and other calamities, with an admired patience and constancy. But there were yet among his Subjects those who remained unshaken in that du­ty and fidelity which they had sworne, who made his re-establishment their endeavours;His death. but their design was interrupted by the news of his death Years of CHRIST. 1246 happening in the Year, One thousand two hundred six and forty, in the same City of Toledo; he lieth in the Cathedral Church, his body being in­terred in a Sepulchre which he had prepared in his life-time.

Some Historians, and among others Mariana in the thirteenth Book of his History of Spain, extendeth his Life to fifty years, and his Reign to three and thirty, John Vasee saith six and twenty, but they are both in an errour, for Edward Nunez hath made appear in his Chronicle of Portugal, who tells us more certainly, that he lived only Nine and thirty years, and Governed thirteen. And dying without issue, he had for his Successor to the Crown, his younger brother Prince Alphonso, of whom we have spo­ken.

5. ALPHONSO III. Of the Name, KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES. CHAP. VI.

A Year after this Years of CHRIST. 1246 Prince was esta­blished Regent of Portugal, he ascended the Throne by the decease (with­out issue) of his elder brother King Sanceo II. both sons of King Alphonso, also Second of the name, and of Uracca of Castille, being at that time aged about Six and thirty years. His Birth. For he was born at Conimbra the Tenth day of May, Anno, One thousand two Years of CHRIST. 1210 hundred and ten.

The Queen of France, Blanche of Castille, his Aunt by the Mothers side, enter­tained him in the Court of her son the King St. Lewis, His Mar­riage. and also procured his Marri­age (in the Year, One thou­sand Years of CHRIST. 1235 two hundred and thirty five (according to the Historian of Portugal, Nunez, and not ten years af­ter following the opinion of other Writers) with MAUD OF DAM­MARTIN Countess of BOLONGNE, eldest daughter of Rai­naud Count of Dammartin in his own right, and of Bolongne in the right of the Countess Ida his Wife, which MAUD was at that time Widow to Philip of France, younger son of King Philip Augustus.

This Prince ALPHONSO, after his Marriage, had the Title of Count of Bolongne; And gave such notable testimonies of his Virtue, that the Pope elected him Captain of those Knights of the Cruciada, who were judged worthy to carry their Valour into the Holy Land against the Enemies of our Faith, but he was diverted this Honour, by the necessity of his re­turn into Portugal, to put an end to those troubles which were moved by the ambition of those who presumed upon the plyable nature of King SANCEO II. his brother.

After he was come to the Crown, he found difficulty enough to establish himself, wherefore he was necessitated to reduce some Places by force, and to carry himself severely towards his Nobility.

Home-bred stirs being quieted,Nunez. he gave his mind to the Building of se­veral Cities of his Kingdom, and also Founded two Monasteries of the Order of the Jacobines, one at Lisbonne, the other at Elvas, and the Ab­bey of Nunnes of the Order of St Clare at Santarem; and furthermore, he instituted several Fairs for the increase of Commerce with his Neighbours, delighting much in Traffique, and for the encouragement thereof, remit­ting his Customs.

But as all these generous Acts acquired him a grand reputation,Mariana. yet he also underwent an unhappy scandal,Nunez. for notwithstanding his lawful Wife the Princess MAUD was then living, he endeavoured to violate the holy Laws of Marriage; For under pretext that this Princess was too old, and so incapable of bringing him Children, he espoused another Wife, (a­bout the Year,His 2d. Marriage. One thousand two hundred and threescore,) which was BEA­TRICE Years of CHRIST. 1260 OF CASTILLE, natural daughter of Alphonso IX. King of Castille, and of Mary Vilena, daughter of Peter de Gusman; some write, that the King of Castille gave in Dower to this BEATRICE his daughter, the Kingdom of Algarues, a good part of which ALPHONSO III. gained out of the hands of the Moors.

In consideration of this alliance,Castella aurea in Campo ru [...]ro per circum, sunt Insignia Regni Algar­biorum uniti Lusitanio; ea primo posuit Sancius 1. Rex 2. quoniam Algarbia cepit à Sarracenis; sed, eo Regno ad ipsis Infidelibus recu­pecato, cessarunt Castella; quous (que) ALPHONSUS 3. Rex 5. eo ite­eum obtento, Castellorum restituit circum. Fuit aurem numerus Ca­stellorum diversus us (que) ad tempus Johannis 2. qui reformans in om­nibus Regium scutum secundùm re­gulam, reduxit Castella ad septem (qui numerus perfectus) prout ap­parent hodiè. Dom. Anto. de Sou­sa. Lusit. Liberat. Appen. Cap. 1. he added to the Armes of Portugal, A Border gueulles charged with seven Castles Or. Which some believe to be the Armes of the Kingdom of Al­garvie, Vasconcellius. the Title of which King ALPHONSO also joyned with that of Portugal. The Border and Castles are added to the Arms of Portugal.

Now MAUD understanding the design of the King her Husband, to take another wife; From France she undertook a journey into Por­tugal, and there made her protestations and op­position against this unlawful Marriage, which ALPHONSO regarded not, but slightly pas­sed over. When this would not move him to Justice, the Princess and her kindred, (of the number of which was the King St. Lewis) made their appeal to Pope Alex­ander IV. with whom their complaint and the Princesses tears took such effect,Mariana. that he first mildly admonished ALPHONSO to receive again his lawful wife, and forsake BEATRIX, but continuing refractory and stubborn, the same Pope thundred out his Excommunications against him and his Kingdom, prohibiting Divine Service throughout all his Do­minions, under which Interdiction he lay the space of two years, and to the death of MAUD happening in the Year,Nunez. One thousand two hundred Years of CHRIST. 1262 threescore and two, when the Prelates of the Kingdom so carried the mat­ter to Pope Urban IV. that he not only removed this Excommunication, but also approved the Marriage; this proceeded principally from the Relation of kindred the said Pope had to the King ALPHONSO, and for the peace and welfare of the Kingdom.

MAUD having made her last Will and Testament in the Year, One thousand two hundred forty and one, bequeathed unto her Husband King ALPHONSO, the Summe of Twenty thousand Livets,Idem. beside the right she had to another Summe of Four thousand l. due unto her by the [Page 22] Count and Countess of Flanders. Also to others she left many pious Le­gacies, and ordered for the Executors of this her last Testament, Robert Bishop of Beauùais, her Cousin Matthew de Trie, and others; Gifts which were approved by Gaucher de Chastillon sieur de Monjay her Kinsman, who had espoused Jane her daughter,Mariana. descended from her first Mar­riage.

Nunez.Lastly,His Death. King ALPHONSO having lived Threescore and nine years,Vasconcellius. and Reigned Three and thirty, finished his dayes at Lisbonne, the Capital City of his Estate, in the Year, One thousand two hundred three­score Years of CHRIST. 1279 and nineteen. He received the honour of Sepulture within the Church of St. Dominick in the same place; and from thence, ten years after, his body was transported to the Chappel dedicated to St. Vincent in the Abbey of Alcobace, where lieth also Queen Beatrix of Castille his Wife.

T [...]a [...]té du droit de succession sur la Portugal de la Royne Ca­therine de Me­dicis.Some are of opinion, that he had by the Countess of Bolongne two sons, the elder of which, named after him Alphonso, dyed young; the youn­ger called Robert, lived in France, and was Count of Bolongne, from whom are descended the other Earls unto Jane de la Tour, who exchanged this County for that of Lauregais, and had issue her daughter Magdelene de la Tour, Mother of Queen Katherine de Medicis, wife of Henry II. King of France. The same Queen, as being descended from Robert, pretended a right to the Kingdom of Portugal after the death of the Kings Sebastian and Henry. And at what time the Estates were assembled to Advise of a Suc­cessor to the Crown, she sent her Embassadors also thither to represent her Right and Pretentions, as also did several other Princes upon the same ac­count. At the same time there was published in France a Treatise (which is reputed to have for Author Peter Beloy afterwards the Kings Advocate in the Court of Parliament of Toulouse) concerning the right and lawful suc­cession of the Kingdom of Portugal appertaining to this Queen Katherine, Mother of the most Christian King Henry III.

En Chronica des Reis de Portugal.But the Castillian and Portugal Historians, among others Edward Nu­nez, will not admit of this descent of the House of Bolongne, nor that ALPHONSO III. had any children by Queen MAUD his first Wife. But to confound this extraction, and to prove it only imaginary, he grounds upon divers Circumstances, and pregnant Conjectures, which he particularly toucheth upon in the Chronicle of the Kings of Portugal, by him published in his own Language; Conjectures drawn from the time, as also from the consideration of the Age of the Princess, and the words of her last Testament (in which there is mention made only of her daughter by the first Bed.) And lastly, from the Contents of that Sup­plication Years of CHRIST. 1262 presented by the Prelates to the Pope, intreating his Holiness to give Absolution to their King, and a Dispensation, to the end that he and Beatrix might lawfully continue and live together, and that their Children after them might be capable of the possession of their Estates.

6. DIONYSIO KING of PORTUGAL and the AL­GARVES, sirnamed, Father of his Countrey. CHAP. VII.

Years of CHRIST. 1279

TO King Alphonso III. succeeded this his eldest son, whom he had by Beatrix of Castille his second Wife.His Birth. The time of his Birth was in Years of CHRIST. 1261 the Year, One thousand two hundred threescore and one, upon the Ninth day of Octo­ber, being the Feast of St. Dionysius, wherefore he was called by the name of that great Areopagite.

He was a Prince both Pi­ous, Just, and Liberal, and moreover, so singular an Ad­mirer of Truth, of which he was so Grand and Religious an observer, that he was ne­ver known to make breach of his promise, often saying, That, Nothing was more of­fensive, than an Untruth.

He had arrived at the Eighteenth year of his age at the death of his father, at what time he took the reins of the Government into his own hand, when the Queen his Mother fear­ing that by his too prodigal Liberality and profuseness, he would exhaust the Treasure of the Kingdom, desired to take a part with him in the ad­ministration of his affairs. But this, King DIONYSIO would not consent unto, which so much incensed the Queen,Nunez that she retired into Ca­stille, under pretext of a Religious desire she had to give assistance to the King her father, and being gray with age, she there finished her mortal life, before which nevertheless King DIONYSIO went into Castille, where he obtained a reconciliation, and had the happiness to comfort her at her last gasp.

But King Sanceo of Castille making little reckoning of performance of the agreements of Marriage made betwixt his Children,Mariana. and those of King DIONYSIO, gave ground to that Warre set on foot betwixt them, in the beginning of which Sanceo deceasing, his Son and Successor continu­ed it, who was so Canvased by the Portuguesses, that he was constrained to Demand the Peace;Vasconcellius. which not long after he violated, and so again, to his great prejudice, drew upon himself the just Armes of King DIONY­SIO. But their discords ended in another agreement sealed and confirmed by the knot of other alliances of Marriage reciprocally contracted between their Houses of Castille and Portugal.

Nunez.The differences between the Kings of Castille and Arragon, and Alfon­so de la Cerda, who pretended to the Kingdom of Castille, being put to the Arbiterment of this King DIONYSIO, he shewed the admirable effects of his wisdom in composing their discords, and left them to the en­joyment of a most happy peace.

But the Divisions and Civil Warre happening betwixt him and his son and Successor the Prince Alphonso, jealous and envious of the affection which the King did bear to Alphonso-Sanceo his natural brother, gave him some trouble in his declining years, for though the Bastard had fled into Castille, Mariana. Nunez. Vasconcellius. yet this young Prince ceased not to continue discontents towards his father, who having held the Scepter six and forty years, and lived three­score and four, dyed at Santarem in the Year,His Death. One thousand three hundred twenty and five, the seventh day of January. His body was brought and Years of CHRIST. 1325 interred in the Monastery of St. Dionysius, called Odiuelles, Religious of the Order of the Cistertians, by him founded, and situate three Leagues from Lisbonne. Nor was this the only Foundation of his raising: For the Monastery of Nunns of the Order of St. Clare at Conimbra (which Queen ISABEL OF ARRAGON his Wife Founded, and where she was inhumed,) oweth much to his Liberality.

Aub. Miraus. Hil. de Costo. Marin. Siculus.He espoused this Princess in the Year,His Marri­age. One thousand two hundred four­score and two, who was daughter of Peter III. King of Arragon, and of Years of CHRIST. 1282 Constance, who had for father Manfroy King of Sicelie, and for Grand-father by the Mothers side,Vasconcellius. Perpinian. the Emperour Frederick II. ISABEL was born Years of CHRIST. 1271 in the Year, One thousand two hundred threescore and eleven. In the whole course of her life, especially in her younger years, she wholly dedicated her self to Piety and Devotion, exercising several works of Charity, princi­pally towards the poor and indigent, and was the instrument of the accord and reconciliation betwixt the Princes her kindred. She vailed her self a Nun of the third Order of St. Francis. In fine, as she made a journey in­to Castille, to endeavour an Agreement betwixt her Son the King of Portu­gal, Alphonso IV. and the King of Castille, Alphonso IX. her Nephew, she found out her heavenly rest at Estremos, in the Year, One thousand Years of CHRIST. 1336 three hundred six and thirty, being aged Threescore and five years. And because there had been several Miracles wrought at her Tomb, it was first beautified by Pope Leo X. then in our dayes, and in the Year of Jubile,Years of CHRIST. 1625 One thousand six hundred and twenty five, Pope Urban VIII. Canonized her, and entred her in the Catalogue of Saints, the Five and twentieth day of May, being the Feast of the Trinity; this was performed at the in­treaty of Philip IV. King of Spain, and of Queen Elizabeth of France his Wife.

Several famous men have written the Life and Actions of this good and Pious Princess, among others John-Peter Perpinian, and Antonio Vas­concellos, [Page 27] Jesuites, and Aubert le Mire, grand Dean of the Church of our Lady at Anuers; but more particularly than all the rest, P. Hillarian de Coste, a Frier Minor of the Order of St. Francis de Paula, hath most ingeniously treated thereof.

This King DIONYSIO,This Order of Chr [...]stus, had Cōmandries not only in Portugal, and Algarue; but in Affrica and the Indies also, and especially in Brasille, which made the Mastership thereof seem so wealthy, that is a­mounted to the yearly rent of an Hundred thou­sand Ducates. And this was the reason why it was annexed inseparably (as well as that D'Avis) to the Crown of Portugal; The Kings thereof ha­ving taken the Title of Perpetual Administrators of the Orders D'Avis, and of Christus. And. Favine. fol. 188. A. Favin [...]. in the Year, One thousand three hun­dred and eighteen (others say twen­ty) Instituted the Military OR­DER OF CHRIST,The Order of Christ institu­ted. which is the chief of the three Orders of Portugal. The Knights live accor­ding to the rule of the Cistercians, wear a black Robe, and upon that a Cross Pateé Red, surmounted by a Plain Cross White. This Order was Confirmed by Pope John XXII. The King gave unto the Knights the Towns and Lands which the Templars (but a little before abrogated) had in Portugal, and for their principal abode, the City of Tomar.

This Prince was so great an Admirer of Learning, that he established the Famous University of Conimbra in his Kingdom.Vasconcellius. He was a Lover of Poesie, unto which he sometimes addicted himself. And so much favoured Labouring men (by the example of one of his Ancestors) that he bestow­ed upon them several Immunities and Priviledges, giving them the appella­tion of The Nerves of the Earth. In Brief, His excellent Government, his Ordinances and Rules for the order of Justice, and the Cities and Towns which he either built or restored; did deservedly merit him the name of Father of his Countrey. So that whatsoever his Illustrious Predecessors made themselves Renowned for, in Martial Performances, he commanded and acquired by those of Peace, and Policy.

7. ALPHONSO IV. KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES. CHAP. VIII.

THe beginning of Years of CHRIST. 1325 the Year, One thousand two hun­dred fourscore and Years of CHRIST. 1290 ten, His Birth. was re­markable in Portugal for the Birth of this Prince, which fell out to be at Conimbra in the Month of February. He came to the Crown at the age of Thirty five years. And either for the tartness of his Disposition, or the grandure of his Courage, was called the Bold.

He still continued in that unwarrantable Hatred towards his brother Sanceo, whom by his own Judgement he banish­ed the Kingdom, deprived of his Honours and Dignities, seized upon his Lands, and confiscated his Goods. Sanceo was at that time in Castille, who by Letters made his applica­tion to King ALPHON­SO, but his Prayers wrought little effect upon the hard and obstinate heart of his brother, wherefore seeing intreaties would not soften [Page 29] him, the Bastard resolves to force that with the reason and Justice of his Sword, which his supplications could not obtain, raises an Army, enters Portugal, takes several places, and layes the Countrey waste; The King al­so draws into the Field, where he performs the like acts of Hostility, but at length an agreement was made betwixt them.

The end of this Warre, was the beginning of another Commotion, betwixt the Father-in-law and the Son, this King of Portugal and the King of Castille Alphonso XI. Vasconcellius. who being incensed for that the Portuguesses would marry the Princess Constance (daughter of the Infant John-Emanuel, de­scended from King Ferdinand of Castille, called the Holy) to his Son the Prince Pedro; These Princes were upon the point of another Cruel Warre, but that Pope Benedict XII. and the King of France, Philip IV. perfected a reconciliation betwixt them, shewing these two Kings the danger that Spain at that time did undergo, by reason of the progress the Moors had made, and that their Armies would be better employed against the Enemies of their Faith, the Infidels, than in the ruine of themselves; To whom the Holy Queen of Portugal, Isabel of Arragon, having joyned her prayers, things were at last agreed.

So the two Kings, of Enemies, being made Friends,Garibai. Mariana. Lib. 16. C. 7. joyned their Forces against their common adversaries the Moors, conducted by Albohacen King of Fez, and Joseph King of Granada, who had laid a straight Siege to Tariffa, The famous Battel of Ta­riffa, or Salado. 1340. which they resolved to raise maugre the almost numberless number, and (to be imagined) invincible Troops of these Barbarians, they gave them a Field near unto the River Salado, in which famous Battel, the two Christi­an Kings (both ALPHONSO's) engaged them with so indefatigable and undaunted Resolutions, that they obtained a most Famous Victory, and a Glorious Trophy, which hapned in the Year, One thousand three hundred and forty. An incredible number of these Infidels were killed both upon the Field, and in the pursuit. And if we will believe the Castillian Histo­rians, there dyed of them Two hundred thousand, the Portugal Histories say Four hundred thousand, with the loss only of twenty of the Christi­ans. These two Kings by this wonderful Victory, gained a grand reputa­tion in the world, and that reputation a security to their estates. The King of Portugal took prisoner with his own hands, the son of Albohali, then King of Salamanque, whom he brought Captive into Portugal.

Years of CHRIST. 1355 Not long after his arrival,Nunez. at the instigation of some evil instruments of his Court, he stained his reputation in the cruel Execution of Agnes de Ca­stro, of whom his son was most passionately enamoured, taking her as his Wife after the death of the Princess Constance; from this Original sprung that most Unnatural Warre betwixt the father and the son, which was look­ed upon by Historians, as a judgement from God, who had permitted, that ALPHONSO should suffer the same injuries from his son, which he had done to his father.

His Death.ALPHONSO IV. dyed at Lisbonne in the Month of May, Mariana. One Years of CHRIST. 1357 thousand three hundred fifty and seven, after he had performed the Kingly Office, One and thirty years, and five Months;Nunez. and lived Threescore and seven. He lieth in the Cathedral Church with the Queen BEATRICE OF CASTILLE his Wife, who was daughter of King Sanceo IV. and of Mary of Molina his Wife. He was a Lover of Justice; Magnani­mous; and resembled in many good parts King Dionysio his father, but was far inferior to him in the Virtue of Liberality; he is blamed also for the im­moderate love he had to the exercise of Hunting.

He took for his Device, a Stone, upon which stood an Eagle with his Wings expanded; This was the Soul, ALTIORA PETO, to sig­nifie, that he aspired to High and Celestial things.

8. PETER KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES. CHAP. IX.

Years of CHRIST. 1359

AS this King is a­dored on the one side for be­ing a most zea­lous Defender of his Laws and Ordinances, and an observer of Justice with such care, that he banish­ed his Kingdom, all those that made breach thereof, and so acquired the excellent appel­lation of The Justicer: So on the other side he is repre­hended also, and blamed, to have put them in execution a­gainst the Criminals with such rigor and severity, that he was therefore called the Cruel. It being remarkable, that at this time there Reigned three Kings in Spain that had this same sirname; The other two were Peter King of Castille, and Charles II. King of Na­varre. But PETER, of whom we speak, was so much transported to the virtue of Liberality (in which he had a community with King Dionysius his Grand-father) that he often used this expression, That a King that let slip one day without the distribution of same Benefit, was not worthy of the Title of the Dignity Royall.

His Birth.He first saw the light of day in the Year, One thousand three hundred and twenty, the Nineteenth day of the Month of April; and was also in the Years of CHRIST. 1320 Seven and thirtieth year of his age, when his fathers death made his way to the Crown the end of whose Reign was sad and mournful, occasioned by the death of CONSTANCE MANUEL this his sons Wife, who was Daughter of the Infant John Manuel Duke of Penastel, Marquess of Vilena, and Siegnour of As [...]alona, who was son of the Infant Emanuel, issued from Ferdinand III. King of Castille, as hath been said before.N [...]z. PE­TER [Page 32] had been before married to Blanche the daughter of Peter King of Castille, whom he repudiated. This Princess CONSTANCE was Entombed in the Abbey of St. Francis at Santarem.

Among the Ladies of Honour which attended her at Court, the princi­pal was Agnes de Castro, daughter of Pedro-Fernando de Castro, the most Excellently qualified Lord of Galicia, Ga ibay. and nearly related both to the Kings of Castille, Mariana. and Portugal. This Lady being adorned with many beauties both of body and mind, attracted the Affection of Prince PETER in the life time of his Wife Constance, and after whose decease he clandestine­ly married, as he afterwards confirmed by his Solemn Oath.

But some Lords of the Court having conceived a secret envy against her, supposing her to be instrumental to incite the young Prince to prefer and agrandize her relations and kindred, perswaded the King Alphonso IV. to put her to death;Nunez Vasconcellius. which was accordingly executed: But the young Prince PETER conceived so great a displeasure and indignation thereat, that he not only took Arms against his father, but put to cruel torments the Instruments of this wicked assassination.

During his whole Reign he deported himself so to the Kings his Neigh­bours, that although they were continually infested with grand Warres and troubles, with which the Kingdoms of Castille and Arragon were often affli­cted; his Estate on the contrary, had the happiness to enjoy under him a blessed and happy Peace.

He raised two Proud and Magnificent Tombs in the Abbey of Alcobace, one for himself, the other for Agnes de Castro; whose Effigies was to be seen upon this Monument, adorned with a Royal Diadem, to signifie, that he owned her for his Queen and Wife; Also he caused Royal Obsequies to be performed at her Burial.

In fine, when he had ruled the Scepter of Portugal for the space of ten years, seven months, and eight dayes, he expired at Estremos in January, His death. in the Year, One thousand three hundred threescore and seventeen. He had Years of CHRIST. 1377 for his Device a Star with these words,Mariana. Nunez. MONSTRAT ITER, which he took in Memory of the three Kings, who were conducted by the Star, going to adore our Lord, at his Nativity.

9. FERDINAND KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES. CHAP. X.

TO King Peter suc­ceeded Years of CHRIST. 1377 this Prince his Son, His Birth. born in the Year of our Years of CHRIST. 1340 Salvation,Mariana. Vasconcellius. One thousand three hundred and forty, the Twentieth day of February; and in the Twenty seventh year of his age he be­gan his Reign, his Father ha­ving left him to the enjoy­ment of a Rich and Flourish­ing Kingdom.

His person was comely, and his aspect pleasant, and most accomplished he had been in all perfections, had it not been that he was unstable and wavering in his Resolu­tions.

Mariana.He pretended a right of Succession to the Crown of Castille after the death of King Peter, as being Great Grand­child of King Sanceo IV. and in this end he contracted an alliance with the King of Ar­ragon; but to no purpose, for [Page 35] having to do with so Valiant a Prince, as was King Henry II. Bastard-bro­ther of the same King Peter, he discontinued his pretentions.

He gave his promise for the Marriage of Leonora daughter of the King of Arragon, and contracted the same agreement with the King of Castille, to espouse his Daughter also of the same name; but being ill counselled, and continuing in his Levity, he abandoned these honourable and advanta­geous Marriages, to contract an unlawful one with LEONORA TELLEZ, Daughter of Martin-Alphonso Tellez, Nunez. Vasconcellius. and of Aldouce de Vasconcellos, notwithstanding she was before married to John-Laurens de Cugna, under colour that her former Marriage was unlawful, as being con­tracted without Dispensation, and notwithstanding the propinquity of kin­dred betwixt the Parties; This gave disgust to several of the Portugal Lords, who retired into Castille, as did also Cugna.

The King FERDINAND was yet so rash, as to renew his former Claim and Pretentions to the Kingdom of Castille, but Henry King of Ca­stille, being the more expert Souldier, had much the advantage of him, who entred into the Field, marched into Portugal, stormed several Towns, laid waste the Countrey, and at length begirt Lisbonne with a straight Siege; But their differences were at last composed in the Conjugal Bed (the ordinary way of reconciliation between the two Royal Houses of Portugal and Castille) by several Marriages contracted betwixt them.

After the death of Henry, History of Ca­stille. FERDINAND renewed his old quar­rel against John King of Castille his Successor, and called in the English to his succour, who were in the end so burthensome, that he was for the second time, enforced to come to an agreement.

He begirt the Cities of Lisbonne and Evora, with strong Walls,The Dignities of Constable and Marshal first created in Portugal: Nunez. Vasconcellius. Mariana. and was the first that created the Dignities of Constable and Marshall in Portugal. And dyed in the same City of Lisbonne, His death. the Nine and twentieth day of Years of CHRIST. 1383 October, Anno, One thousand three hundred fourscore and three, having Reigned Seventeen years, and lived Three and forty. He lieth in the Church of Santarem, near unto his Mother Constance Manuel.

He took for his Symbole, a Sword which transpierced two hearts, with these words, CUR NON UTRUNQUE; by which, he would have understood, that by the sagacity of his Judgement, he could peni­trate into the most secret thoughts.

9. JOHN I. Of the Name, KING of PORTUGAL And the ALGARVES. Sirnamed, With the Good Memory, and Fa­ther of his Countrey. CHAP. XI.

Years of CHRIST. 1385

THE defect of the birth of this Prince, who was natural Son of Peter King of Portugal, was in some sort covered, and, as it were, re­paired by his singular virtues; Being most Pious, Magnani­mous, Liberal and Clement.

His Birth.The Eleventh day of A­pril Years of CHRIST. 1357 gave him Birth, which was in the Year, One thou­sand three hundred fifty and seven, and was but Seven Year old when the King his Father established him Grand-Master of the Knights of the Order D'Avis.

In the time of King Fer­dinand his Brothers Reign, he had been imprisoned at the in­stance of Queen Leonora his Wife, who had contracted envy against him, for having reproved her too free and fa­miliar carriage with the Count of Andrie: for which, nei­ther she nor the Count were backward in the procuration of his Death. But God, who hath the disposition of Crowns, had Ordered it other wayes.

For JOHN found out means to shake off the Bonds of his Capti­vity; and after the Death of his Brother, this Queen Elianora administring the Affairs of State, otherwise than it belonged unto her, and continuing in her unlawful Loves, to the great dissatisfaction of the Portugues; They perswaded the Grand-Master to take away the life of this Count, which he did accordingly; by this act acquiring to himself so great an affection, that they Proclaimed him, Defender and Protector of the Publick Liberty; and then he was made General in the Warre against John I. King of Castille, who aspired to the Succession of the Kingdom of Portugal, in the right of Beatrix his Queen, as we have told you before.

Vignier.But the people more willing to submit to the Government of a Prince of the Blood of their Natural Kings, than to that of a stranger; And obser­ving the lawful Line of the Heirs-Male to fail in Ferdinand, they elected this JOHN his Brother, King, notwithstanding he was born out of Mar­riage; This was performed in a general Assembly of the Estates of Portugal, held in the City of Conimbra, in the Year, One thousand three hundred Years of CHRIST. 1384 fourscore and four. But this Election suited not with the desires of Prince JOHN, who told them that he was well content with that Honourable Title which had before been given him; But the Portugues, besides that hatred they did bear the Castillians, considering his rare qualifications, judg­ed him more fit and proper for the Dignity of the Crown, than any other, earnestly entreating his acceptation thereof, as one whom they judged capa­ble of defending them from their Enemies.

Mariana.The Principal of which was the King of Castille, who, incited by the Queen of Portugal, Leonor his Wives Mother, raised a considerable Ar­my, with which he laid a Siege to Lisbonne; defended this City was with so much resolution, that after the Castillians had sate down before it some months,Vasconcellius. they were constrained to raise their Camp. Upon their retreat, the Portugues animated by the presence of their generous Prince JOHN, fell into the pursuit of them unto Aljuberot, The Battel of Minberot. where both Armies drew up and began the Fight, and where the Castillians were worsted. This nota­ble Victory hapned to be in August, Froisard. Anno, One thousand three hundred Years of CHRIST. 1385 fourscore and five. From which year some have computed the time of the Reign of JOHN, and write that he was then Proclaimed King.

Nunez.After this generous exploit, gathering the fruit of this his Victory, he conquered from his Enemy, and reduced to his obedience, those Cities and Towns which had been lost in the former Warre. In the mean time the King of Castille being deceased, Henry III. his Son and Successor having had the sad experience of his Fathers losses, and the new King of Portugals successes, was willing to let fall his Fathers pretentions, to hearken to a peace at last concluded betwixt these two Kings, and afterwards continued with King John II. Son of this Henry.

So that now King JOHN OF PORTUGAL seeing himself in the enjoyment of a happy peace, and also in a good correspondence with his Neighbours: Notwithstanding he was grown in years, that checked not his resolution from aspiring unto high and pious designs; He turned his Armes therefore against the Moors and Sarazens of Affrick, and by the ex­ample of his Valiant Sons,Godefroy. subdued the strong Town of Septe, which stood Years of CHRIST. 1415 as a Rampire opposite to Spain, to the great prejudice of the Christians. And considering his Kingdom to be of too small an extendure,Mariana. lib. 20. c. 7. to Digni­fie the numerous issue he had by his happy Marriage, he projected to acquire them possessions by the force of his Armes, in other Kingdoms. Insomuch [Page 39] that he gave beginnings to those famous Conquests which have since been prosecuted and continued by the illustrious Kings his Successors.

The exercise of his Armes was no Remora to impede the progress of his Justice, witness the Code of Justinian, Vasconcellius. which he caused to be translated into his own Language,Nunez. to the end his Subjects might observe it as his Royal Ordinance; And for a Monument of his Piety, he founded the Monastery of the Order of St. Dominick, dedicated to the holy Virgin, giving it the name of BATTEL, in remembrance of that signal Victory there gained vpon the Castillians, and caused it to be built in the same place where he was Conquerour. And because the Cathedral Church of Lisbonne was first subject to the Arch-bishop of Merida, and then to that of Braga; he ob­tained the erection thereof into an Arch-bishoprick, from Pope Boniface II. which was done in the Year, One thousand three hundred fourscore and ten. The Magnificence of this Prince yet appears in those superb Structures of several Palaces and Royal Mansions, which he built in the City of Lis­bonne, and in those of Saintre, Sanctare [...], Almerin, and other places.

In fine, after so many Hernick performances,Vignier. King JOHN (whom Froissard by mistake calls Dionysius) finished the course of his life at Lis­bonne, His death. Years of CHRIST. 1433 the Fourteenth day of August, in the Year, One thousand four hun­dred three and thirty, after he had lived Threescore and sixteen years, and Reigned Eight and forty years, Four months, and Nine dayes.Vasconcellius. His bo­dy was with Funeral Pomp (at that time a thing unaccustomed) conducted by men of all Estates, in a Chariot of Triumph, his Sons accompanying it, and deposited in the same Monastery of BATTEL. He was so la­mented by his Subjects, that they gave him these glorious Titles, of, With the good Memory, and of, Father of the Countrey. In short, he had in the course of his life several rencounters and conformities parallel with those of the Valiant French Prince Charles Martel.

This King JOHN OF PORTUGAL united his Forces and Designs against the Castillians with John of England, Duke of Lancaster, And du Chesne, in his History of England. one of the younger Sons of Edward III. King of England, who pretended to the Kingdom of Castille, in the right of his second Wife Constance daugh­ter of King Peter the Cruel; this English Prince assisted him with a Fleet well furnished with Souldiers, and more firmly to contract this Alliance, King JOHN (after he had obtained Dispensation from the Pope for the Vow he had made as a Knight of the Order d'Avis) espoused PHILIP­PA OF LANCASTER his Daughter;Nunez. His Marriage. this Marriage was Cele­brated Years of CHRIST. 1387 in the Year, One thousand three hundred fourscore and seven; The Duke of Lancaster promising himself,Vasconcellius. that by this course he should more ea­sily make his way to the Kingdom of Castille. The Queen PHILIPPA dyed a long time before the King her Husband, about the Year, One thou­sand Years of CHRIST. 1415 four hundred and fifteen; during that preparation of Warre which he made for his Voyage into Affrica, leaving, with the grief of her Death, a Noble and Flourishing Progeny, which did not degenerate from the Vertues and Excellencies of their Father.

His Device was a Rock, the Chief of which was transpierced with a Sword, held by an Arm issuing out of a Cloud, with these words, ACU­IT UT PENITRET; for to signifie, that he exercised his Soul­diers to things trouble some and difficult; that they might the more easily perform the high and generous Enterprises.

10. EDWARD KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES. CHAP. XII.

NOthing was more Years of CHRIST. 1433 to be desired in King ED­WARD, but that he had been favoured with better fortune, and a longer life: for he wan­ted no Virtue, and rendred himself by several actions, a worthy Successor of King John, first of that name, his Father: He had this name given him in memory of Ed­ward III. King of England, Grand-father to his Mother Philippa of Lancaster. Ha­ving found his Kingdom flou­rishing, in peace, rich, and his people Warlike, and well exercised in Military affairs, by reason of the former Wars, there was hope that he would have augmented those Con­quests made by his predeces­sor; But providence per­mitted this hope to be frustra­ted.

Nonius.The beginning of his reign was employed in the War of Affrick, Mariana. at the Siege of Tangier, which suc­ceeded not according to his desire;Vasconcellius. so that for the accomplishment of a Trea­ty which he made with the Moors, into whose hands he promised to render in a certain time the City of Septe, he was constrained to give them in Ho­stage the Prince Ferdinand his Brother, who dyed in their hands; The Estates of Portugal thinking it not reasonable to quit unto those Infidels a place of so great importance.

It was also in the beginning of his reign, that the Popes Martin V. then Eugenius IV. assembled the Council of Basil, at which all the Christian Princes were exhorted to give their assistance; King EDWARD re­solved to go thither in person.Idem. But the grand affairs that at this time lay up­on [Page 47] his hands, impeaded his Journey. For to supply which default, he sent thither a Solemn Embassade, of which Alphonso Bishop of Porte, and the Count of Ouren were chief. They obtained of the Pope, That from that time forward the Knights of the Military Orders of St. James, and St. John, should be dispensed for Marriage. As also that the Kings of Portu­gal might from that time be Anointed and Sacred as the Kings of England were.

The same King EDWARD was of a temper couragious, and that which is rare in a Prince, joyned the exercise of Armes with the knowledge of Letters and Sciences;Mariana. and so earnestly dedicated himself to the study of Philosophy, that he composed many rare and excellent Works; among others, a Treatise of the Administration of Justice, and the Duty of a Prince, another of the Office of the Faithful Councellour, and a third al­so of the Art of Riding and Managing of Horses. His Eloquence and Piety History makes famous. He was a favourer of Learned men, and of all those that he observed to be excellent in any Art, giving them access to his person, and conferring familiarly with them, for the advantage and infor­mation of his judgement.

Among those evils wherewith he was afflicted,Vasconcellius. that of the Plague was the most fatal, which hapned in his Kingdom, and from which his Royal person it self was not exempted. For he was touched with a contagious Disease up­on the opening of a Letter which one sent him from an infected place, sud­denly after which he dyed in the Abbey of Tomar (whither he had retired Years of CHRIST. 1438 to avoid the danger) the Eighteenth day of September, His Death. in the Year, One thousand four hundred eight and thirty, which was the Seven and thirtieth Year of his age, and the Fifth of his reign; He had his Burial in the Ab­bey of Battel. His Marriage. In the Year, One thousand four hundred eight and twenty, this King EDWARD Despoused ELEANOR OF ARRAGON,L. Marin sicu­lus. Mariana. Lib. 20. Cap. 16. & Lib. 21. Cap. 13. Years of CHRIST. 1428 second Daughter of Ferdinand of Castille, King of Arragon and Sicilie, and of Eleanor of Albuquerque his Wife, the Princess had in Marriage Two hun­dred thousand Florins. She was then aged Twenty seven years, and not Six and thirty, as writeth Mariana; for the Portugal Historians note her Birth to be in the Year,Her Birth. One thousand four hundred and one.

Years of CHRIST. 1401 By his Testament he ordained his Wife Regent of the Kingdom during the minority of his eldest Son and Successor: to the great dissatisfaction of the Princes his younger Brothers, and also of the people, who would not submit to the Command of a Woman, and more especially of a Stranger, this gave occasion to the Estates of the Kingdom to reject this his Will, and on the contrary to nominate for Regent, Peter Duke of Conimbra, Brother to the Defunct, at which the Queen conceived so great a displeasure, that she made her complaint to her Brothers, and the King of Castille, but in vain, so that leaving Portugal, she retired to Toledo, where she dyed a sud­den death in the Year,Her death. One thousand four hundred five and forty, the Years of CHRIST. 1445 Eighteenth day of February, not without suspition of poyson. Her body was first inhumed in the Abbey of Religious of the Order of St. Dominique, founded in the place where she chose her abode, but afterwards transported to that of Aljubarot, by the care of the King her Son.

King EDWARD had for his Device, a Lance environed with a Serpent (the one is the Symbole of Warre, and the other of Wisdom) with this Inscription, LOCO ET TEMPORE; to represent, that War must be prosecuted in time and place, and in such occasions to use Pru­dence and Discretion.

11. ALPHONSO V. Of the Name, KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES; Sirnamed, The Affrican. CHAP. XIII.

TO King Edward Years of CHRIST. 1438 succeeded this Prince, who was his eldest Son,His Birth. born in Years of CHRIST. 1432 the Month of January, Ao One thousand four hundred thir­ty and two.

He was but six years old when he succeeded to the Crown. His minority cau­sing great agitations for the Regency, his Grandees ha­ving revolted from Queen E­leanor of Arragon his Mo­ther, who pretended thereto by the Testamentary Will of her Husband; but the Duke of Conimbra, Uncle by the Fathers side to the young King, carried it, as we have before written.

And notwithstanding this Prince had prudently and faithfully administred the af­fairs of State, yet some per­sons envious at his Virtue, ha­ving given the King some e­vil Impressions concerning him, he was easily induced to Commence a War with the Duke, which he so sharply prosecuted, that he gave a total rout to his Army, and kill'd him upon the Field, which Action was the more unnatural and tragical,His first Marriage. because the same Duke had a double relation to this King, both by Affinity, and Blood; for (in the Year, One thousand four hundred forty and eight) the Princess ELIZABETH OF CO­NIMBRA Years of CHRIST. 1448 [Page 53] his Daughter had been espoused to ALPHONSO. But it often falls out, that Passion, that dangerous Counseller of Princes, shuts her eyes to all manner of Respects.

This War being stifled, the King of Portugal, by the example of his Grand-sire and Father, turned his Arms against the Moors. Vasconcellius. He had made a promise to Pope Calixtus, to fall upon the Turk in Asia, and for that purpose had accepted the Crossiade: but the death of that Soveraign Bishop hapning in the mean time, he cancelled that design of assaulting the Turk. Nevertheless he resolved to pass into Affrick, and to make his way, transported a good Army, besieged the Fort of Alcacer near unto Septe, which he subdued by fine force, and entred in Triumph.Nonius. Not long af­ter the King of Fez having two several times laid Siege to the same place, it Years of CHRIST. 1459 was with so much valour defended by the Portuguesses, that they were con­strained to retire with shame and prejudice.

Years of CHRIST. 1463 Four years after ALPHONSO made his second expedition into Affrica, but not attended with the former success. Afterward he set Sail the third time for that Countrey, better accompanied than before:Vasconcellius. For he transported Thirty thousand men, with whom he reduced the strong Ci­ty of Arzille, at the assault of which he gave such proof of his Valour, and became so terrible to the Infidels, that they also quit and abandoned the City of Tangier. But as he made his entrance into the same City, the loss of his Uncle Ferdinand coming into his memory afresh, somewhat allayed the satisfaction he received in the Prize of this place. Also so many memo­rable and glorious Conquests, acquired him, as another Scipio, the Sirname and Title of, The Affrican.

The Queen his first Wife that virtuous Princess, ceased not to bear him still that respect, affection, and honour required, notwithstanding that fatal Difference that had been betwixt him and her father.Mariana. Lib. 22. C. 17. She deceased at Evora in the Month of December, in the Year, One thousand four hundred fif­ty Years of CHRIST. 1456 and six.

So ALPHONSO being a Widower, took a resolution to marry a second Wife, and for that purpose cast his eyes upon Jane of Castille his Neece,His secōd Marriage. Daughter of King Henry IV. and of Jane of Portugal his Sister. Ha­ving therefore obtained a Dispensation from Pope Sixtus IV. Vignier. he espoused Years of CHRIST. 1475 her in the Year, One thousand four hundred threescore and fifteen, others say that it was in the year following; then having been proclaimed Kings of Castille after the death of Henry, they sent their Summons to Ferdinand King of Arragon, and his Wife the Princess Elizabeth of Castille Sister of Henry, who pretended to be true and lawful Heir, to desist from the en­terprize which they endeavoured upon the Kingdom of Castille, maintain­ing that Jane was not Daughter of King Henry, for all that he had owned her for such by his Testament, and for his Heir. But this Summons was of little effect, for they ceased not by the strength of their great Forces, and those of their partakers, to maintain themselves in the Title by them usurp­ed, and in their Actual possession.

This was the reason why the Duke of Areual, and the Marquess of Villena, Confederates of the Portuguesses, and in whose protection the Fa­ther had left his Daughter, with those of their followers, strengthned with some French Troops, with the succours of Alphonso, took Arms against Elizabeth, and endeavoured the seising some places. Upon which motive Ferdinand also drew into the Field,Mariana. lib. 24. c. 10. and begirt the Castle Taure with a strait Siege; To the relief of which the King of Portugal came in person with [Page 54] his associates; the Armies being come to blows, they disputed it with so much Gallantry, that the Castillian lost the day, (according to the Portu­gal Years of CHRIST. 1476 Historians, but the Histories of Castille agree not in this point;) ne­vertheless they were not forced to raise their Siege.

The King of Portugal having recruited his Army with a good number of Souldiers, came to another engagement with the Army of Ferdinand, but the issue of this second Battel was contrary to the other:Vasconcellius. For he was vanquished, and unfortunately put to flight, which gave an absolute check to the course of his designs, and of ever arriving at his pretentions in Castille. Likewise also the Marquess of Villena, and other Lords of his party, being suborned, and corrupted with gifts, abandoned him, and ranged themselves on the stronger side, being that of Ferdinand.

The Arragonians took this advantage; and to confirm their cause, obtain­ed a Bull from the Pope, which he made to be published in Castille, by which the Marriage of King ALPHONSO with Jane, was declared null, and of no validity, notwithstanding it was Consummated by his Authority, and according to his Rescript: But he declared that, by that his Bull he had been circumvented.

In this extremity the Portuguesses yet stood upon their guard, hoping to Years of CHRIST. 1476 find assistance from the Kingdom of France. And to that intent sent their Express to King Lewis XI. P. Mathieu on l' Histoire de Lovis XI. liure 7. from whom they only received a fair reception, and good words; for it fell out to be in that nick of time that Lewis had made a League with Ferdinand, that he might the better prosecute the War with the Count of Roussillion, so that the grand affairs that he had at that time against Charles Duke of Bourgongne, would not permit him to give succours to ALPHONSO;Philip de Com­mines. It's the judgement of an Historian of that time, that if he had assisted him, it's very probable he might have brought his Enemy to a Composition, and to that point which he desired.

Vasconcellius.Then in this despair observing that all things went contrary to his expe­ctation,Mariana. he designed to perform (as a private and unknown person) the Voyage to Jerusalem; where in his youth he had made a Vow to go fight the Turks, which he had undertaken, had not he been diverted by the King of France. At his return into Portugal, he found the Prince his young Years of CHRIST. 1477 Son, commanding in the Quality of King, according to that charge which he had given him upon his journey into France. Mariana reports, that this was by Letters at his departure from Paris.

Idem. Lib. 24. Cap. 20.So ALPHONSO constrained to submit to Time and adverse For­tune, looked upon a Peace as the best expedient he could make use of with his enemies,Nonius. which was concluded at Alcantara, in the Year, One thousand Years of CHRIST. 1479 four hundred threescore and nineteen, by which he excluded himself from any farther Pretentions to that Kingdom. This Peace was confirmed and Sealed by the agreement of several Marriages contracted betwixt the Chil­dren of the Adversary Kings: It being remarkable, that in the Treaty of this Peace, it was particularly declared, That it should continue the space of an hundred and one years; those which effected it, putting, as it's usu­al so to do,Connostaggio au l ure de l'union de PORTU­GAL au Roy­aume de CASTILLE. the Incertain for the Infinite. But this limited number pro­ved Prophetical. For the time an hundred and one years, continued from the end of this War, until that in the Year, One thousand five hundred and fourscore, this Kingdom was subdued by Philip II. King of Spain (de­scended from Ferdinand and Elizabeth) against King Anthony of Portugal, when he rendred himself absolute Master thereof. So that the words and Agreements of the Treaty of Peace, did at last meet with the quality of the Event.

Now ALPHONSO transported with indignation, that the Queen his Wife had been deprived of that Right which she had to the Kingdom of Castille, and vexed with the sinister events that had hapned to his Estate: but principally that his Wife had put on the habit of Religious in the Mo­nastery of St. Clare which she had founded at Santarem, Mariana. was carried a­way with such an extream excess of Melancholly,His Death. that it cast him into a Years of CHRIST. 1441 violent Disease, and so finished the course of his life at Sintra, being the place of his Birth.Lib. 24. Cap. 21. His decease hapned the Eight (Mariana writes the Last) day of August, A^o One thousand four hundred fourscore and one, ha­ving held the Scepter Forty years, and lived Fifty. He lieth at the Royal Abbey of Battel, with his Ancestors.

This Prince is commended for his Valour, Sobriety, Continence, and Liberality, as also to have been the first of the Kings of Portugal, that pla­ced a Liberary in the Royal Palace, by which we may believe, that in imitation of his Father, he also was a lover of Learning.

12. JOHN II. Of the Name, KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES, Lord of GUINEE, Sirnamed, THE GREAT. CHAP. XIV.

AMong the troubles Years of CHRIST. 1481 and infelicities wherewith Al­phonso V. was afflicted toward the end of his Reign, he had at the least this contentment and happiness, to have a va­liant Son; as was this Prince; who first saw the light of day at Lisbonne, where Queen E­lizabeth of Conimbra his Mo­ther brought him into the Years of CHRIST. 1455 World the Fourth day of May, His Birth. in the Year, One thousand four hundred fifty and five.

In his younger years he be­haved himself with so much Gallantry in the second expe­dition of Affrica, but more particularly at the prize of Ar­gesille from the Moors, that the King his Father conferred upon him the Order of Knight­hood;Vasconcellius. Afterwards also he gave testimony of a great Courage in the Warre of Castille; And upon Alphonso's journey into France, he commanded this young Prince to take upon him the Government of his Estate, with the Title of King. At his return his Father perswading him to retain this Title and Royal quality, during his absence in Affrica, as a good Son, he refused this proffer, and relinqui­shed the Dignity of King; saying, That he received a much greater con­tentment [Page 57] to see his Father re-established in his Kingdom, than that he himself had Command of the whole Earth.

Years of CHRIST. 1481 The time of his Fathers death being come,Mariana. Lib. 24. C. 23. he succeeded him, and took in hand the Scepter, when he was of the age of Six and twenty years. No sooner was he mounted upon the Throne, but he caused Justice severely to be ad­ministred, without exception, permitting the Judges, and other Ministers of State, to seize upon the Malefactors wheresoever they were to be found, not exempting the Houses of the Grandees it self, notwithstand­ing that Priviledge, and Antient Custom that might be alledged to the contrary. This caused many of his own Relations wickedly to plot against him, and to hold intelligence, and contrive conspiracies, with the Castillian to his ruine. The Chief of these were Ferdinand Duke Years of CHRIST. 1483 of Braganza, and James Duke of Visco; the contrivances and pernitious designs of the first having been manifestly discovered by his own Letters at his Indictment, so that being convicted, he was condemned,Vasconcellius. and then publickly executed, and his Goods confiscated; which so much amazed some of them, that they fled into Castille.

But for all this the audacity of the Conspirators was such, that they cea­sed not yet to contrive the death of the King, of which he had information, and not long after got the Duke of Visco into his power, where he lost his life, being assassinated by the Kings own hand. The severity of which action, hath by some been called Inhumanity, & Cruelty: but this default was recompen­ced with several perfections of Body and Soul, with which he was adorned.

He designed to prosecute the high and glorious designs of the King his Father for the Discovery and Conquests of strange Regions, proposing a beginning by the Western Coast of Ethiopia, History of Portugal. and giving Commission to John Cane a Portugal Knight, to search out a Countrey which is on the other side the Equator, where being arrived, he found it to be the King­dom of Congo, the inhabitants whereof were so humane, and docile, that some of them suffered themselves to be brought into Portugal, and there, with the Language, they were instructed in the Principles of the Christian Religion, and then Baptized. At their return they perswaded their King and his Subjects also to be Baptized. With this King, and with others of Ethiopia JOHN entred into League, and caused in this Countrey to be raised the Cittadel of St. George, since called, the Mine, from which the Kings his Successors have extracted a good quantity of Gold.

In the beginning of this Voyage the Portuguesses having arrived at a Cape, which by estimation is the greatest of the World, they conceived so happy success in their enterprise, by the advantage thereof, that they gave it the appellation of, The Cape of good Hope, antiently being called the Front of Affrica; it opened them the way to the knowledge of the Estate of the Indian Princes, and to penetrate further into Ethiopia, where they found reigning that Prince, which we vulgarly call Prester John; because he is named in his Language, Belulgian, which signifieth, A Precious Stone of incomparable excellence, a Title and old Sirname usurped by the An­tient Emperours of Ethiopia, who maintain themselves to be descended from the Blood of Solomon by the Queen of Saba.

Some time after the same King JOHN II.Nun [...]z. sent a great Army into Affrica, which landed in the Isle of Gesire, which is the mouth of the River Luc, where the Portuguesses endeavoured to raise a Fort against the impeach­ments of the King of Fez; but this King, after he had cut off their passage of retreat, forced them to quit their prize, and by composition to return into their own Countrey.

In the mean time King JOHN being advertised of the Donation made to the King of Castille, Vignier. Ferdinand, by Pope Alexander VI. of those new Regions which had been discovered by his Subjects, the Portugal being interessed therein, as prejudicial to the discovery that for his part he had made upon the Coast of Ethiopia, for this reason entred into a difference with the Castillian; which caused the Pope on his own accord, to give unto King Ferdinand the Indies newly found out, and to the King of Portugal the Coast of Affrica: But to the intent that the one might not attempt any thing upon the other, he caused to be drawn upon the Globe a Line fal­ling from North to South, which passed towards the West, above Four hundred miles distant from the Isles of Cape-verd, that it might not touch upon Affrica.

This, with other violent Actions of King JOHN, drew upon him the odium of several persons,Mariana. in such manner, that they were followed with con­spiracies against his life;His Death. that at last he was found poysoned in the place of Alvor in his Kingdom of Algarvie, Vasconcellius. the Five and twentieth day of October, in the Years of CHRIST. 1495 Year, One thousand four hundred fourscore and fifteen; after he had lived Forty years, and reigned Fourteen; His body was first inhumed in the Ca­thedral Church of Silues, until that in the Year, One thousand four hun­dred fourscore and nineteen, King Emanuel his Cousin and Successor, and his Estates, caused it to be brought to the Abbey of Battel.

He was very Pious, and Charitable to the Poor, for whose Retreat, and Relief, he founded and endowed a fair Hospital at Lisbonne. His Prudence appeared in the government of his Kingdom, and by the placing his favours upon persons of desert; keeping a most exact Register of the names of those that had faithfully served him, and who were capable, and endued with qualities required, in the administration of his affairs; He had a spirit elated, and ambitious of the greatest things.

About the Year, One thousand four hundred threescore and ten, not be­ing above Fifteen years old,Mariana. His Mar­riage. he married LEONORA OF POR­TUGAL, or OF VISCO, his Cousin, Daughter of his Uncle Ferdinand of Portugal Duke of Visco, and Constable of the Kingdom, by Years of CHRIST. 1470 whom he had only one Son, Heir apparent to his Estates, but he had the unhappiness and regret to see him dye before him, contrary to the common course of Nature. Then endeavouring to legitimate his Natural Son George Duke of Aueiro, with some intention to leave him the Crown; The Queen his Wife opposed this design, not willing that her Brother the Prince Ema­nuel should be deprived of the Right he had to the Kingdom by the decease of his Cousin Alphonso the young Prince, and to which he succeeded after decease of King JOHN.

Who took in his Device, a Pelican, a Bird so Natural and affectionate to her young,Idem. Vasconcellius. that she wounds her breast, and feeds them with her own blood, with this Inscription, PRO LEGE ET GREGE; wit­nessing thereby, how much he both loved, and cherished his people; for whose defnce and Religion, he had exposed his life to several hazards; Some have noted, that he was the first among the Kings of Portugal, that adorned the Helmet of the Portugal Arms with a Sphere for Creast, which he took as a presage of the new Discoveries which were made during his Reign, and of some of the Kings his Successors, under both the Poles.

12. EMANUEL KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES, on this and the other side the Sea in Affrick; Lord of Guineé, and of the Conquest, Navigation, and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and India. CHAP. XV.

THe continued suc­cess Years of CHRIST. 1495 of this Mo­narch, his he­roick Virtues, and so many glorious Con­quests and adventures, which he happily atchieved, having vanquished and made tributary several Kings, but chiefly the care he had for the plantation of the Christian Religion in the most remote Regions, have (justly) given him the esteem of one of the greatest, most illustrious, and most happy Princes of the World.

The King of Portugal his Grand-father by the Fathers side, had issue a younger Son, who carried the name of Ferdi­nand, and was Duke of Visco, who by a Princess of his own Blood (called Beatrice, daugh­ter of his Uncle John of Por­tugal, Grand Master of the Order of St. James, and Con­stable of the Kingdom,) had among other Children this King EMANUEL, born in the City of Alcochet the last day of May, in the Year, One thousand four hundred threescore and nine. His Birth. Years of CHRIST. 1469 [Page 61] He was first honoured with the Title of Duke of Beia; then being in the Six and twentieth year of his age, succeeded to the Crown of Portugal after the death of John II. his Cosin, dying without Children in the Year, One thousand four hundred thirty and five.

Years of CHRIST. 1495 First of all he called a General Council, in which he put the Question,Hier. Osorius in Hist. Reg. Emanuel. Mariana. Whether he should prosecute, or decline the designs of the King his Pre­decessor for the Conquest of new discoverie; after the deliberation, and ad­vice required in a matter of that moment, it was resolved, That he was obliged to prosecute them, as well for the Honour, as the Profit and great ad­vantage, that would thereby accrue to him and his Estate.

Then being set on edge by the example of the Kings of Castille his Neighbours, who had made discovery of the West-Indies, he endeavour­ed for his part to find out with his Ships, all that Countrey on the further side the Cape of Good Hope (at which the Fleet of King John II. had before arrived) unto the East-Indies, from whence he knew that the precious Stones, Spices, Drouges, Perfumes, Medicinals, and other singular and precious commodities were imported for the accommodation of whole Europe.

Years of CHRIST. 1499 So that in the Year, One thousand four hundred fourscore and nineteen, Osorius. he sent Vasquez Gama a Portugal Gentlemen with four Ships, who in two years Voyage discovered the whole Western Coast of Ethiopia, with the Isles of Quiola, Mosambique, Monbaze, Melinde, and at last arrived at the Kingdom of Malabar, otherwise called Calecur, so named from the Capital City so named, which is the place of all the East most frequented by the Merchants, and from whence the greatest quantity of Spices is shipped for this part of the world. Wherefore after that the Portuguesses had been favou­rably received by the King of this Countrey, and observed with great dan­ger (which was occasioned by the unfaithfulnesse of the Moors) that which they, knew their Prince EMANUEL to be most desirous of, they returned to bring the honour to their Countrey of the Discovery of things not known, nor seen, since the Creation of the World, by any Nation of Europe, which Antiquity it self thought to be impossible.

Years of CHRIST. 1500 Not long after he sent a second Caravelle about the Year, One thousand five hundred, under the Command of Pedro Alvarez Cupral, Idem. Osorius. which en­deavouring to steer the same course with the former, was by storm driven upon the Coast of Brasille (at that time known by the name of St. Croix) joyning to Peru. By others nevertheless it's believed,Mariana. lib. 26. that it was Americ Vespure a Florentine, who under the Countenance of the same King EMA­NUEL, discovered the Countrey of Brazille: But be it as it will,Lopez Castag­neda in the Hi­story of the East-Indies. John de Baros. Cupral having informed himself of the state of this Countrey, steered the course that he formerly intended, and passed by the Kingdoms of Quiola, Mo­sambique, and Melinde, with the Kings whereof he contracted an Alliance in the name of EMANUEL his Master, and there raised several For­tresses. [Page 62] Finally, he arrived at the Port of Calecut, the King whereof at his first entrance entertained him with friendship, desiring also to enter into a League with the King of Portugal. Damian de Goez. But the Moors and Sarazens that held a Commerce in his Kingdom, so wrought upon the King, that they chan­ged his mind, and he became a mortal enemy. This was the ground of a cruel Warre betwixt them, which lasted above Thirteen years, in which time the Portugals performing many notable actions of Warre,Osorio. acquired a grand reputation, and Empire in the East, the experience of their Valour causing the Kings of Cochan, Coulan, and Cananor, Neighbours of Calecut, to seek their friendship, by a Peace with their King EMANUEL.

In the mean time the Portugal Garisons of Affrica under the Govern­ment of John Meneses the Kings Lieutenant, in the City and Fortress of Arzille, and of Roderick de Castro, engaged the Moors with happy success, and routed the Army of the King of Fez, Vegnier. upon his endeavour of the sur­prise Years of CHRIST. 1510 of the Town of Tangier. Jo. Pet. Maphe­us in Hist. Ind. At the same instant a Squadron of three Ships commanded by John Nunez, arrived at the Indies, where they enga­ged the King of Calecut, who was shamefully defeated by a number much inferiour to his, in pursuit of which they obtained several other signal Victories.

Sometime after the same King of Calecut fell upon the King of Cochin with such fury, (because he had given entertainment to the Portuguesses) that he was forced to forsake his Kingdom;Osorius. which he chose rather to suffer (like a Noble Prince) than to renounce that League of Amity and Faith which he had promised to the King of Portugal, who was so sensible of this Acti­on, that he judged himself obliged to re-establish him, and for that pur­pose sent ten Ships under the Conduct of the famous Captain Alphonso d'­Albuquerque, Alphonso d'Al­buquerque in his Commen­taries. who chased the Calecutins out of the Kingdom of Cochin, re-established their King, and built a Fort for his Retreat; then having given some allarums to the King of Calecut in his own Countrey, they returned Richly laden with Spices.Osorius. This Infidel King having raised another Army Years of CHRIST. 1504 consisting of Fifty thousand Souldiers, transported them in an hundred and sixty Gallies, and came before the Pass of Cochin to repell the Portuguesses, but this great Army found so sharp an entertainment, that they returned home, less by the number of Eight thousand, which were there kill'd, with­out the loss (a Miracle if true) of one Christian.

Thuanus lib. 1.This happy success gave encouragement to King EMANUEL to send Francis Almeida his Viceroy to the Indies, to Establish and confirm his Empire, and also to maintain the Kings his Confederates in security a­gainst their Enemies.Osorius. This Viceroy in his Voyage to establish a Lieutenant Years of CHRIST. 1506 at Quiola, fell upon the King of Mombaze, because he would not declare himself subject to the King of Portugal his Master, and also upon the King of Onor, which is on the Coast of Arabiae, on whom he gained a famous Victory, and fired the City thereof. At his arrival in the Indies, there came an Ambassadour from the King of Narsingne, J. Pierre Maffeé. the most considerable of East-India, on the other side the River Ganges, to Contract a friendship with the Portuguesses, saying, That he was incited to search them out, for the wonders that they were reported to have accomplished in those parts.

Lopez de Ca­stagneda.At which time the King of Zophala in Ethiopia came to an engagement with the Portuguesses, where they not only put his Army to flight, but cha­sed him to the Gates of his own Palace,Aut. de Sainct Romain. and for the third time were Victors over the Naval Army of the King of Calecut: the like good fortune attended their actions in Affrica, where they reduced into their power, the Years of CHRIST. 1507 [Page 63] strong Town of Zafin situate in the Province of Morocca, or Mauritania Tin­gitana, and then raised that Siege which Mahumet King of Fez had laid to the Citadel of Arzille.

About this time Helen the Widow of the King of Ethiopia (vulgarly called Prester John,) who had the Government of the young King Atani Tingil her Grand-child, likewise sent her Ambassadour to King EMA­NUEL, to conclude a Peace with him. In a Letter which she wrote him, she made mention of a Prophesie: That in the later dayes, there should de­scend from the French Region, a Prince that should extirpate and abolish all the Nations of the Moors and Barbarians.

Years of CHRIST. 1509 The defeat of the Navy of the Souldan of Babylon, Osorius. Lib. 6. which was joyned with those of the Kings of Cambaye and Calecut, given by the Valiant Al­meida, constrained also this King to render himself Vassal and Tributary to the Portuguesses: Who with their new supplies sent to the Indies, discover­ed the Isle of St. Laurence, and then delivered from the servitude of the Arrabes, the Isle of Zacocora inhabited by the Christians.

On the other side Alphonso d'Albuquerque Captain of another Army, subdued the Isle of Ormus, situate in the mouth of the Gulph of Persia, and compelled the King thereof to render himself subject to the King of Portu­gal; being at that time Vassal to the Sophy of Persia. The same Albuquer­que successor of Almeida, subjected the City of Goa by fine force,Thuanus. which Years of CHRIST. 1510 is at present an Arch-bishoprick, and the Chief of this Estate; as also the residence of the Viceroy. The strong City of Benastarin also owns him for her Conquerour.

But we cannot without admiration inform you, being a thing which sur­passeth almost humane belief, that the Generous Albuquerque assisted with a small number, subdued the opulent City of Malaca situate in the mouth of the golden Chersonesus, a City surrounded with strong Bulworks,Vasconcellius. defen­ded by Thirty thousand Souldiers, and fortified with Eight thousand peeces Years of CHRIST. 1513 of Canon, where he made prise of above Three millions of gold; and then seized the Islands of the Moluccos.

In the mean time Zeiam Prince of the Puissant City of Azamor in Mau­ritania, having violated the Faith he had given to the Portuguesses; Nonius. Osorius. EMA­NUEL to be revenged, sent a Fleet of Two hundred Ships,Vignier. attacqued this City with such fury, that the Besieged after they had endured some as­saults, were glad to quit the place to the Portuguesses; who encouraged by the success of so much prosperity, pursued their Conquests, took and sacqued several other Towns and Fortresses; and defeated the Armies of Cherif Lord of the Province of Zela in Mauritania, and also those of Ma­humed and Nazec Kings of Fez and of Mequinesie.

Years of CHRIST. 1515 Not long after, in the Year,Osorius. One thousand five hundred and fif­teen, the Ambassadour of David King of Ethiopia arrived in Portugal, sent to negotiate a Peace with King EMANUEL; so much was the Re­nown of his Puissance and Authority spread almost over the whole Uni­verse.

But the sweetness of so much Prosperity, was at last somewhat distemper­ed with the bitterness of Adversity; when in the same year, one of the Portugal Armies consisting of a considerable number of Ships, was at their return defeated in Affrica near unto the River Mamora, by that of the Kings of Fez and Morocco.

For as this great Monarch in all his famous Designs, made the glory, and advancement of the service of God his principal end; so had he a diligent [Page 64] care for the establishment of the Christian Religion in Ethiopia, India, Af­frick, Mariana. Lib. 26. Cap. 17. and divers other Regions. And for other Monuments of his signal Piety, he caused to be built several Temples, which he richly endowed; he did the like in Portugal, Vasconcellius. as the Magnificent Church of Bethleem dedica­ted to the holy Virgin, upon the River Tagus near unto Lisbonne, and the Monastery of St. Jerosme in the same place, another stately Church at Tomar, and the Convent of the Cordeliers at Evora; as also a House at Lisbonne, called De Misericordia, for the Relief of poor Gentlemen. He also Founded the Royal Palace in the same City, and another at Conimbra.

Idem.After so many notable Victories, he sent a stately Ambassade to Pope Years of CHRIST. 1513 Leo X. with several rich presents, besides a Rinocere, and an Elephant, which was (according to a Portugal Historian) the first that Rome had e­ver seen come from the Eastern parts.

In fine,His Death. EMANUEL departed this life at Lisbonne the Thirteenth day of December, in the Year, One thousand five hundred twenty and one, Years of CHRIST. 1521 aged Fifty and two years,Mariana. having Reigned Six and twenty. He was inhu­med in the same Church of Bethleem, Vasconcellius. which he left unfinished; But Queen Katherine King John III. his Sons Wife built the High Altar, and also erected two stately Monuments for this King and Queen, a place since de­signed for the Mortuary of their Kings.

Osorius.Besides the works of Piety which we have observed in this King, he had also the care to convert unto the Christian faith, a good number of Jews, and to exterminate the Sarazens his Kingdom. He remitted to the Eccle­siastiques, the tenths which they payed to his Demain for Sales and Ac­quisitions, caused several profitable Laws to be digested into better Order, and Administred Justice with all Integrity. Also by his Wisdom, and by so many signal Acts, and prosperous Voyages, he rendered his Kingdom, Rich, and Flourishing, abounding in Gold, Silver, Pearl, pretious stones, Spices, and other excellent Commodities, so that the Portuguesses called his Reign, The Golden Age. He was furthermore admired for his Sobriety, and to have abstained from Wine the whole course of his life. He was a great Lover of Hunting, Hawlking, and Musick.

His Device was a Sphere, and a terrestial Globe environed with the Sea, with this Circumscription, PRIMUS CIRCUNDEDISTI ME. To signifie, that, His Fleets had compassed the whole Circle of the Earth.

Idem.This great King was thrice married;His first Marriage. First (A^o One thousand four hun­dred fourscore and seventeen, Mariana. in the Month of October, and in the City of Alcantara, Vasconcellius.) to the Princess ISABEL OF CASTILLE, eldest Years of CHRIST. 1497 Daughter of Ferdinand and Elizabeth King and Queen of Castille and Arra­gon, and Widow to the Prince of Portugal Alphonso, Son of King John II. his Cosin and Predecessor. Not long after this Marriage, the young Prince John of Castille, Isabels brother, deceased, so that she became heir apparent to the Kingdoms of her Father and Mother, of which King EMA­NUEL and she were declared Princes. But a little while after, the Three and twentieth day of August, A^o One thousand four hundred fourscore Years of CHRIST. 1498 and eighteen, this young Queen dyed in Child-bed, at Saragoca in Arra­gon, her Body was transported to Toledo; and interred in the Nunnery of St. Isabel, which King Ferdinand her Father had founded.

Idem.Two years after, the Thirtieth day of October, His secōd Marriage. A^o One thousand five hundred, King EMANUEL espoused (after Dispensation granted by Pope Alexander VI.) his second Wife, at Setubal, (not at Valence as some Years of CHRIST. 1500 [Page 65] write) being the Princess MARY OF CASTILLE, Sister of I­sabel his first Wife. She also dyed in Child-bed at Lisbonne, in the Year, Years of CHRIST. 1517 One thousand five hundred and seventeen, aged Five and thirty years, and was buried in the Monastery of our Lady.

His third Marriage.The third and last Wife of King EMANUEL, was LEONOR OF AUSTRIA, Sister to the Emperour Charles V. and Daughter of Years of CHRIST. 1519 Philip I. of the name, and of Joane, King and Queen of Castille. This Marriage was Celebrated in the Year, One thousand five hundred and nine­teen, and lasted but two years. Leonor espoused for her second Husband Francis I. of that name, King of France, who had before married Queen Claude a former Wife. She deceased at Validolit, Mariana. others say at Badaios (where Years of CHRIST. 1558 she was buried) in March, Anno, One thousand five hundred eight ond fif­ty, in the Sixtieth year of her age.

The History of King EMANUEL hath been most elegantly writ­ten in the Latin Tongue, by Hierosme Osorio Bishop of Silve in the Algar­vies, by Damian Goez a Portugal Knight in his Language, who was em­ployed in several important Voyages and other affairs; His Conquests also have been recorded by Lopez de Castagneda, and Anthony de St. Romain, in their Histories of East-India; by Alphonso d'Albuquerque in his Com­mentaries, John de Baros in the History of Asia, Peter de Maris in his Dialogues, John-Pedro Maffeé of the Order of Jesus in the History of the Indies in a most eloquent stile; but incomparably well worded by John Ma­riana, and Antonio Vasconcellos of the same Order.

13. JOHN III. Of the Name, KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES, on this, and the other side the Affrican Sea, Lord of Guineé, &c. CHAP. XVI.

Years of CHRIST. 1521

THIS Prince was the eldest Son of E­manuel King of Portugal, and of Mary of Castille his second Wife.His Birth. The place of his Birth, Lisbonne; The time, the Sixth day of June, in the Year, One thousand five hundred and two.

At the age of Twenty years he succeeded to the Crown of his Father, and wanted no cou­rage to continue his high de­signs, as well to maintain him­self in those memorable Con­quests, that he had so happily accomplished, as for the gain­ing of other Isles, Kingdoms, Cities, and Countries. To this effect Nonio Acuna his Viceroy in the Indies, took and ruined the Isle of Bethleem, then subjected Bacin and Da­man, two famous Indian Ci­ties, slew Sultan Baduc the pu­issant King of Cambaie, and subjected the City of Dium, where he built a Cittadelle. The success the Christians had in these parts, so perplexed the Turk, that he sent a powerful Fleet com­manded by the Bassa of Egypt, to drive the Portugals from Dium and other places, which they had in that Countrey: This Army joyned with that of Cambaie, but at the rencounter they received so sharp a welcome from the [Page 72] Defendants commanded by Antonio Silueria, Vasconcellius. that a great number of them were kill'd upon the place.Years of CHRIST. 1538

Andrade.Nine years after this, the second Siege of Dium, was with much resolu­tion Years of CHRIST. 1547 maintained by John Mascaregna, against the Sultan Mamudin, not less notorious than the other, being that then also the Turk assisted the Indian with his Forces.

The like success smiled for a time upon the Christians at Safin in Africa, where they valiantly endured Six months Siege by the Cherifs Army con­sisting of an hundred thousand Souldiers, but not long after the Cherif or King of Suez worsted the Portuguesses, which so much cooled their resolu­tions, that King JOHN deliberated to abandon all his Forts of Affrica, the more firmly to settle and establish himself in the Indies, Guineé, and Bra­sille, but this councel was not followed, for only quitting and dismantling the Inland Forts, he retained, and fortified the Port Towns of Septe, Tan­gier, and Mazagan, with all things necessary for a resistance.

Vasconcellius.This King JOHN obtained from the Pope, That the City of Evora should be erected into an Arch-bishoprick, the Cities of Portalegre, Leiria, and Miranda in Portugal, into Bishopricks, as also, of Cochin and Malaca in Asia, of Baia in Brasille, of Cape Asinaire in Guineé; and in Ethiopia he established John Bermudes for first Patriarch of the Latine Church.

Andrada.Following the steps of the King his Father, to him was attributed the honour of having planted the Gospel in the Eastern parts of Asia, in Ethi­opia the Higher, and other remote Provinces; as also in the Molucco Islands, and Japon, where he sent that famous Jesuite Francis Xauier, afterwards Canonized, the fruit of whose labours appeared in the conversion of many Infidels to the faith. Insomuch that it's remarkable, that under the hap­py Reign of this Prince JOHN, there were twelve Pagan Kings baptized, with the greater part of their people. He performed many other profita­ble works for the advancement of Piety; caused several Monasteries to be reformed according to their Antient Rules, and was one of the first Kings that favoured, and greatly encreased the Order of the Society of Jesus, for whom he erected several Colledges in Portugal, and his other Dominions.

Nunius.He was a devout Prince, and naturally so benigne and clement, that he even shewed himself slow in Ordering punishment to the Malefactors, and when Judgment was given against such, (which he did in person once a week) he rather inclined to Forgiveness, than Condemnation. A Lover he was of Peace and Tranquility, a favourer of persons of merit, and parts, having given entertainment in his Kingdom to strangers of divers professions. He transferred the University of Lisbonne to Conimbra, V [...]sconcellius. and richly endowed it, augmented the Salaries of the publick Professors, and rendred this Acha­demy one of the most famous of Europe. He raised also several proud Stru­ctures at Evora, and restored the Aquaeduct of this City, which place he so much delighted in, that he made it the most ordinary place of his dwelling.

Mariana.In the Year, One thousand five hundred twenty and five, His Marri­age. and in the Month of February, he espoused Katherine of Austria at Salamanca, she Years of CHRIST. 1525 was Sister of the Emperour Charles V. and fourth Daughter of Philip I. of the name King of Spain, and of Queen Joane his Wife. She dyed at Lisbonne, Anno, One thousand five hundred threescore and seventeen, ha­ving Years of CHRIST. 1577 lived to a very great age. His Grand-son King Sebastian, who succee­ded this King JOHN, for the respect and reverence which he did bear this Princess his Grand-mother, did for some time bridle the impetuosity of his rash designs.

King JOHN III. her Husband, deceased twenty years before her of an Apoplexie,His Death in the City of Lisbonne, the Eleventh day of June, in Years of CHRIST. 1557 the Year, One thousand five hundred fifty and seven, after he had lived Fifty and five years, and reigned Five and thirty and an half. His body was interred in the Church of the Monastery of Bethleem, which being be­gun to be built by his Father, was accomplished by him and the Queen his Wife.

The Symbole or Devise of this King, was a Rock composed of five Collumnes, upon which was exalted a Cross, and for the Soul of the De­vice, IN HOC SIGNO VINCES; presenting thereby, (in imitation of Constantine the great, and of one of his Ancestors) that in this sign of the Redemption of Man-kind, and of the Death of the Savi­our of the world, he vanquished the enemies of our Faith.

15. SEBASTIAN KING of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES, on this, and the other side the Sea in Affrica, Lord of Guineé, and of the Conquest, Navigations, and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and India. CHAP. XVII.

Years of CHRIST. 1557

THAT Preju­dice which yong Princes and their people receive by ill weighed coun­cels, and imprudent deliberati­ons, is apparent in this King, when their hot courage, accom­panied with rashness; throws them into the precepice of a deplorable ruine. This was King SEBASTIAN's con­dition, who being in the first Flower of his age, without ex­perience in Deeds of War, em­barqued himself in a dangerous (yet glorious) enterprise, a­gainst the Advice of his nearest Friends, and most faithful Councellers, leaving his King­dom emptyed of Money, na­ked of Nobility, without a certain Heir, and in the hands of ill-affected Governours. So that in Fine, he miserably pe­rished, and by this unhappy Event gave great advantages to the Infidels, and grief to his Subjects, which was the more increased, for that the Kingdom of Portugal having for a long time enjoyed the calm of an happy Peace, and so much Prosperity, was not only agitated with furious Tem­pests, and intestine Wars; but also fell into the hands of a stranger.

This King SEBASTIAN was only Son of Prince John of Portu­gal, [Page 76] and of Joane of Austria his Wife,No [...]ius. born a posthumus (in the Year, One thousand five hundred fifty and four) the Twentieth day of January, His Birth. on which day is celebrated the Feast of St. Sebastian, Vasconcellius. in memory of whom Years of CHRIST. 1554 he had this name given him.

After the death of his Grand-father King John III. being but Three years old, he succeeded to the Crown of Portugal, and during his minority, was under the Government of Queen Katherine of Austria. But afterwards this Princess, not being able to undergo so great a charge as that of the Re­gency, transferred it by the Estates to Cardinal Henry, great Uncle by the Fathers side to King SEBASTIAN; who having attained to the Fourteenth year of his age, began to take the Reins of Government into his own hand.

Vasconcellius.The Moors taking advantage by the infirmity of his age, thought it now a fit time to endeavour the reduction of some of his best Garisons in Affrica. So that Mahomet King of Mauritania, the Son of Cherif Abdala, came Years of CHRIST. 1562 with a considerable force, and begirt Magazon with a strait Siege, and had it not been by Roderick de Sosa nobly defended for the space of Three months, they had carried it.

Thuanus.No better was the Fortune of the Infidels Ten years after, when they Years of CHRIST. 1572 undertook the same design upon the Towns of Goa, and Chiaule. For At­taida and Mascaregna so resolutely opposed, that after Six months Siege before the one, and Nine before the other, they were forced to retire with loss and shame.

Now was King SEBASTIAN in the Twentieth year of his age, who being of an able Body, and of a Couragious, and Martial Soul, not content with those Dominions which he possessed, resolved to make Con­quest of new, not considering, that this design was not to be effected, without great hazard, and in the alteration of that repose his Kingdom had so long enjoyed. He had first designed a War against the Indians, but that his Kinsmen and Subjects would not consent unto. But as there was some difficulty wholly to withdraw the young Prince (who had a Warlike spirit) from this Enterprise, such as were near him, laboured to divert him by means of another which they laid before him, turning all his Resolution up­on Affrick, to engage the Moors which live in that part called Mauritania Tingitana, where the Portugals maintained (to their great Charge) upon the Coast of Barbary, the three Fortresses of Septe, Tangier, and Magazon, the In-let and Key of Spain, by which the Moors have heretofore conquer­ed it; But this diversion whereunto they perswaded the King, produced sad effects, principally proceeding for want of Judgment, for although it were difficult wholly to disswade him from the expedition of India, and therefore convenient to represent unto him some other Action; yet should they ad­visedly have foreseen, not to divert him from one mischief, to thrust him into a greater.

The young King stayed not long to put this design in execution. For in the Year, One thousand five hundred threescore and fourteen, he assem­bled Years of CHRIST. 1574 (against the inclination of his best Friends) certain of his Souldiers,King Se­bastian's first Voy­age into Affrica. and with four Gallies, and some Ships, and Carvels passed into Affrica, un­der colour of visiting his Forts,Co [...]staggio. although he really desired to effect more than he made shew of; There they came to some Skermishes with the Moors, at which he was almost alwayes found in person, where discovering his own weakness, and vexing himself that he could not perform what he desired; He returned back to Lisbonne, still devising some new manner of War, which [Page 77] so disquieted his conceit, that he neither said nor did any thing to other end; deliberating not as a King, but as a private Souldier, to accustom his body to labour, intending thereby to habituate himself more to the hardships and miseries of War. This inclination (in which the heavens had some part) was not contradicted by any of his Council; For although these acti­ons of the Kings were rash, yet Ambition, and fear of his displeasure, were of such force, That the Nobility, Magistrates, and other persons (who might have forced him) durst not open their mouths, nor oppose them­selves against his Will; and if any did mutter or speak to the contrary, they were men of base Quality, and not admitted.

The Cardinal Henry his great Uncle, Brother to John III. Conestaggio. his Grand­father, and Queen Katherine (in whom Flattery should have found no place) had small credit with the King, neither did they use the Authority they might have had, both fearing they should not prevail; but lose (with the Kings disgrace) that small command was yet remaining in them: So as by a fatal silence, they suffered this young Prince for the second time to return into Affrica.

And the more to enflame King SEBASTIAN, it fortuned that Muley Mahomet chased out of the Kingdom of Morocco by his Uncle Muley Moluc, endeavoured his re-establishment by the aide of the Christians;Errera. and for this purpose entreated succours from SEBASTIAN, perswading this King, that by the advantage of those Friends that he could make in his own Kingdom, he should be able to defeat Moluc, and to open him a way to trace the whole Empire of Morocco.

SEBASTIAN drawn on by this vain hope,Vasconcellius. embraced the Moors offer, and finding himself not able to perform this expedition without ano­ther Confederate, endeavoured to draw into this Action his Uncle by the Mothers side, the King of Spain, Philip II. to which effect an Interview was appointed at Guadalupa; There the Kings met,Nonius. and proposals were made of a match betwixt King Philips Daughter, and King SEBASTI­AN, and as to the War of Affrica, the Spanish King liked well of it, so that it might be prosecuted by his Lieutenants, but not that he should un­dertake it in person, excusing himself that he could not assist him with a con­siderable force, pretending he had occasion for Souldiers to resist the Turk in Italy; so that from the Catholique King he could expect but small supplies.

Years of CHRIST. 1578 So that now assisted only with some Regiments of Italians, Germans, and Irish (after he had with great pomp caused the Royal Standerd to be hallowed in the Cathedral Church of Lisbonne) SEBASTIAN set Sail for Affrick with an Army of Eighteen thousand men,King Se­bastian's second ex­pedition into Affri­ca. Mariana in Summario de Hist. Hisp. and the assistance of a great number of the Nobility of his Kingdom, among which were se­veral Princes and Lords, descended from the Royal Family.

At his arrival, Muley Moluc, Conestaggio. fearing that the event of this War might fall out to his disadvantage, offered him ten miles Circuit about every one of his Fortresses of Affrica for Tillage; But SEBASTIAN would not hearken to any Composition, unless he would yield into his hands the Towns of Tituan, Alarache, and the Cape of Aghero, which the Cherif refused.

In the mean time the Portuguesses being disswaded from marching by land to lay Siege to Alarache, to avoid the iminent danger which the Army would fall into thereby, were so ill councelled, and so unfortunate, as to for­sake that by Sea, the far more advantagious, and of less hazard.

The Bat­tel of Al­cacer.The Armies then coming to an engagement the Fourth day of August, Thuanus Hist. sui temp. Years of CHRIST. 1578 in the Year, One thousand five hundred threescore and eighteen, in the Plain [Page 78] of Alcacer. King SEBASTIAN's Horse had for sometime the bet­ter of the Moorish Cavalry,Errera. but the grand advantage the Moors had of the Christians in number (being ten to one) so much prevailed, that what they could not perform by their valour,Nonius. they executed with their number, so that the Christians wearied with Conquering, were at last wholly defea­ted.Conestaggio. The King was first wounded in the right Arm with the shot of a Har­quebuze, whereof making small account, he went ordering things in all parts of the Army; But being at that time deprived of the greatest Trea­sure which young Kings ought to have in so important occasions, a person sage and advised, to whom he should give ear; when he began to see his men break, he fell furiously with some Gentlemen that were about him, into the Enemies ranks, valiantly fighting to give incouragement to the Souldiers. Those that saw him, wondred at his Courage, for although they had kill'd three Horses under him without any whit daunting him, yet was he indefa­tigable in charging, striking, and relieving all parts of the Army where it was most oppressed. But being but a man seconded by few, he cannot re­sist the Enemies fury, nor make his Friends partakers of his Valour: so that being unhorsed, he was taken and disarmed.His Death. And upon a dispute hapning a­mong the Moors for this royal Prisoner, was by them most inhumanely butch­ered Years of CHRIST. 1578 in cold blood.

Vasconcellius.Such was the death of this unfortunate King, wherein did rencounter all things that might make it deplorable; his youth, the expectation of his Virtues, the want of Succession, the violence of his Death, and the prison of his body, remaining in the hands of the Moors.

He was indued with excellent qualities; which were of no advantage to him, wanting, because of his youth, that Virtue which ought to govern our Actions.Conestaggio. For all his designs which carried him to a precipitate end, were built upon his Magnanimity, Liberality, his desire of Military Glory, the Disposition of his body, and the Vigour of his Courage. So that we may well say of this unfortunate young Prince, that which was sometimes spo­ken of Alexander the Great, That Nature had given him Virtue, and For­tune Vices. For to say truly, SEBASTIAN had his Virtues from Na­ture, and his Vices from his Education.

Mariana.This Battel was the more remarkable, for that the two other Kings, Mo­luc and Mahumed dyed there also, the first with the violent access of a natural disease, the other was drowned in passing the River of Mucazen, to save himself by flight. There dyed Three thousand Moors, and as many Chri­stians, or more; among which were many persons of Honour; For besides the Captains of the strangers, and the Duke of Aueiro: there was slain Al­phonso of Portugal Count of Vimioso; Lewis Coutinho Earl of Rodondo; Vasco de Gama Count of Vidiguera; Alphonso of Norogna Earl of Mira, John Lobo Baron of Alvito, Alvara of Mello eldest Son to the Count of Tentugal; James brother to the Duke of Braganza, John de Silveira el­dest Son to the Earl of Sorteglia, Christopher of Tauora, and many others of account, so as some Noble Families were there wholly extinct; and The­odosius Duke of Barcellos, and Anthony Prior of Crato, with many others, were taken Prisoners.

Errera.The Body of King SEBASTIAN pierced with seven wounds, not being known till two dayes after the fight, was brought unto Alcacer, and afterwards the King of Spain Uncle to the Defunct, by the permission of the Cherif King of Morocco, caused it to be conveyed to Septe, where it rested, until that in the Year, One thousand five hundred fourscore and two, [Page 79] it was from thence transported into the Kingdom of Portugal, and with Mag­nificent Funeral Pomp (performed in the presence of the same King) interred in the Monastery of Bethleem, Conestaggio. with the Kings of Portugal his Ancestors.

And here I cannot omit to inform you of that Ceremony used by the Portuguesses in bewailing their dead Kings,The Cere­mony used by the Por­tuguesses in bewail­ing their dead Kings. Idem. and performed by them upon the news of the death of this King SEBASTIAN. First there parted from the Magistrates house, a Citizen on Hors-back, covered himself and his Horse all in Black, with a great Ensign in his hand likewise of Black, bearing it on his shoulder that it might trail on the ground, after him fol­lowed three old men on foot in Mourning weeds, with three Scutchions in their hands, like Shields or Targets, bearing them high upon their heads without any figure upon them, but all Black; Then followed some Citi­zens of the same Magistrates, and other inferiors in great numbers: All these went through the principal Streets of Lisbonne, and coming to the steps of the Cathedral Church, which is near unto the place from whence they parted; those which hold the Scutcheons, mount up certain degrees, and one of them lifting up his Shield, cries with a loud voice, People of Lis­bonne, lament your King SEBASTIAN, who is dead: Then all the people weep, and cry: Having ended his words, he breaks his Scutch­ion as a vain thing, striking it on the place where he stands: Then proceed they on, and being come to the New Street, ascending the Stairs of the little Church of our Lady of Oliuera, another of them which carried the Scutchions, pronounceth the same words the former had done, and breaks his Shield in the same manner; The like is done by the third upon the stairs of the Hospital: So as all the three Scutchions being broken in those places, they all return home, and thus is the Ceremony ended.

The same King was at the time of his death aged Four and twenty years,Nonius. Seven Months, and Fifteen Dayes,Vasconcellius. and had Reigned about Two and twenty.

He never married, although there were proposals made of three several wives, Isabel of Austria Daughter of the King of Spain, Margaret of France Daughter of King Henry II. and also another Isabel of Austria Daughter of the Emperour Maximilian I. and Widow of the King of France, Charles IX.

He had his Piety by inheritance, having made his Religion flourish, and established it in Brasille and the Indies, where he founded several Churches and Colledges, but more especially those of the Jesuites.

About two and twenty years after his decease,Thuanu [...]. there was a man in Italy who reported himself to be the same King SEBASTIAN, and that having escaped from the Battel of Alcacer, he had wandred up and down for a long time, without making himself known. Which being repre­sented to the Senate of Venice with many Circumstances, some believed it to be a truth, others were doubtful, and also many there were that sup­posed him to be an Imposter. But certain it was, that having been im­prisoned at Florence, and from thence conveyed to Naples, and put in the Gallies, he there came to a miserable end.

The Cardinal Henry of Portugal being exceeding old,Vasconcellius. against the common course of Nature succeeded King SEBASTIAN his Ne­phews Son.Mariana. Which young Prince in that Warre which he undertook in Affrick, endeavouring to deliver a Nation from servitude, by his impru­dence rendred the greater part of his Nobility slaves to the Arabes, and [Page 80] Moors, Conestaggio. and of a free Nation, as it was, in a small space of time was redu­ced under the obedience of the Castillians, which they for so many years held for their capital Enemies; as writeth Hierosme Franchi Conestaggio, a Gentleman of Genoa, who hath most judiciously discoursed this last Warre of the Portuguesses in Affrica, as also the end of this Branch of the House of Portugal, the Change of their Government, and the Union of this Kingdom to the Crown of Castille. The same Subject hath been ellegantly Written by Jaques Augustus de Thou, in the History of his time; and by Antonio Errera, Historiographer to the King of Spain, Philip II.

13. HENRY CARDINAL of PORTUGAL, then Elected KING Of PORTUGAL and the ALGARVES, &c. CHAP. XVIII.

Years of CHRIST. 1578 AMong the seven Sons issued from the Marriage of Emanuel King of Portugal, and of Mary of Castille his second Wife,His Birth. this HENRY was Years of CHRIST. 1512 the fifth:Vasconcellius. born the last day of January, in the Year, One thousand five hundred and twelve. He was first of all Archbishop of Brachara, Nonius. and Primate of Spain, then of Lisbonne, and lastly also first Archbishop of Evora, where he founded a fair Colledge for the Jesuites.

Years of CHRIST. 1546 In the Year, One thousand five hundred forty and six, Pope Paul III. adopted him to the Sacred Colledge of Cardinals. During the Reigns of his Bro­ther, and Nephews Son John III. and Sebastian, he was In­quisitor Major of the Faith in Portugal.

After that Katherine of Austria, Widow of Prince John of Portugal his Nephew, Mother of young King Sebasti­an, had quit the Regency of the Kingdom, the Estates conferred it upon this Cardinal HENRY, great Uncle to the young King, in the Year, One thousand five hundred Years of CHRIST. 1562 threescore and two. He exercised this Charge until the King came to age, who upon his second expedition into Affrica, wanting a careful person to whom he might leave the Government of the Kingdom in his absence, went [Page 82] to Evora, where HENRY at that time lived. And although this Prince was not greatly pleasing to him, yet did he intreat him to take this care in his absence, which the Cardinal would by no means accept, excu­sing it by reason of his age, and indisposition to Rule; so that the King made choice of four Governours to command in his name, which were George d'Almeda Archbishop of Lisbonne, Peter d'Alcasoua, Francis de Sada, and John Mascaregnas, to whom he gave a plenipotentiary power.

Conestaggio.After his death in Affrica, these Governours committed the manage­ment of affairs to the Cardinal,Thuanus. who not long after was Proclaimed, and Sworne King by the Portuguesses: Conestaggio. The Cere­mony of the Portu­guesses in swearing their King The Form of the Oath was performed in this manner; The XXV. of August, the Hospital Church of All Saints was hanged with Silk Tapestry, in the which they erected a Throne, upon which was placed a Seat of Cloth of Gold; thither came the King in the morning, in the habit of a Cardinal; going from the Palace, there march­ed before him eight Attabales, or Drums on Hors-back, after the Moresco manner, and nine Heraulds all on Hors-back, carrying upon their Cloaks their Coats of Arms: after followed on foot, almost all the Officers of the Court, those of the Chamber, and other Magistrates; behind them was the Duke of Braganza on Hors-back bareheaded, bearing in his hand a Sword, with a Scabard of Gold, as Constable: a little after came the Cardinal upon a Mule, the which Alvara de Silva Count of Portalegre, Lord Steward of his Houshold, led by the reins; there followed after ma­ny Noblemen and Gentlemen on Hors-back, with a great number of peo­ple on foot: The Cardinal invironed with a great multitude, ascended the Stairs of the Hospital, being entred the Church, having heard Service, and ended his Prayers, he seated himself in the Chair of State prepared on the Throne, where presently Francis de Sada (one of those that had been Governours) put the Scepter in his hand, and Michael de Mora Se­cretary, standing a little distant, said (reading it with a loud voice) That King HENRY by the Death of King Sebastian, did succeed in the Realm, and therefore they had delivered him the Scepter, and that he was come to take the accustomed Oath, to maintain and observe unto his people, and to any other, all Liberties, Priviledges and Conventions, granted by his Pre­decessors: which done, the Secretary kneeling before him with an open Book, the King laid his hand thereon, swearing so to do: Then did the Attabales sound, every man crying, Reale, Reale, for HENRY King of Portugal: This done, he rose, and with the same company, holding still the Scepter in his hand, he returned to the Palace, the Attabales sounding, and the Heraulds crying from time to time as before.

Conestaggio.Now being seated in the Royal Throne,The Deli­berations of King HENRY at his co­ming to the Crown. although he was Threescore and seven years of age, and not healthful, yet looked he about him, and (as it were determined from above, that Portugal should fall by degrees to its declination) did not provide for the State, according to that opinion that was conceived of him: but the Realm by reason of their miseries past, remained as a body empty and afflicted, which needed a wise Physitian to restore it. For as one mischief comes not alone, the new King did more torment it; for although many supposed, that he being old, a Priest, and of an exemplary life, should lay all passions aside, and be careful to settle the state of the Common-wealth in better order than he had found it; yet notwithstanding he could not temper himself, with such a disposition as was fit for his Quality and years: But as it often falls out in them which have been oppressed, who coming to Rule, seek Revenge upon their enemies, [Page 83] even so did he (not imitating the example of Lewis XII. King of France, who disdained to requite the wrongs done to him being Duke of Orleance) who resolved to revenge the injuries done to him being Cardinal, if they may be justly called injuries, when as Princes be not respected of their inferiours as they ought: For not being greatly favoured by the King his Predecessor, the Ministers, and Favourites of his Nephew, did not use him with that Respect as was required, conceiving (that being so old, and Sebastian so young) that he would never have attained to the Crown: By reason where­of he deprived almost all the Officers of the Court, and some of them that did manage the Kings Treasure, of their Offices; and advanced his own Servants.

In the mean time, the Estates of the Kingdom beseeching him to take care for the declaring of his Successor to the Crown, he Convoked a Solemn Assembly of the same Estates in the City of Almerin, to hear the Claims of those Princes which pretended to the Kingdom. The number of whom was many; viz. Antonio Bastard of Portugal, King HENRY's Nephew; the Catholick King Philip II. the Duke of Braganza in the Right of the Dutchess his Wife; the Duke of Savoy; the Prince of Parma; the Queen of France, Katherine de Medicis, Mother of King Henry III. and Pope Gregory XIII.

His Death.During this Assembly,Conestaggio. King HENRY left this World the last day of Years of CHRIST. 1580 January, in the Year, One thousand five hundred and fourscore; it being remarkable,Thuanus. That he began to die in the beginning of the Eclipse of the Moon, and finished with it;Vasconcellius. as if that celestial Sign had wrought that Ef­fect in him (being a King of a weak body) which it doth not in stronger;Mariana. or at least, not so suddenly, as Astrologers do write. Neither is the houre to be neglected, being the same wherein he was born, Threescore and eight years before, having Reigned Seventeen Months, and eight dayes; so that in him ended the Male Line of the Kings of Portugal of that Branch; since derived from the Collateral of the Dukes of Braganza. He was of a thin Body, small of Stature, and of a lean Face: As for his Judgment, it was indifferent, indued (besides the Latine Tongue) with some Knowledge. Alwayes held to be Chaste, and did never blemish this Angelical Virtue, but with the desire of Marriage in his later dayes. He was acounted sparing, gi­ving rather than denying; for he refused seldom, but he gave sparingly. Ambitious he was of all Jurisdiction, as well Ecclesiastical, as Civil, zealous in Religion; yet in the Reformation of religious persons, more strict than was convenient. He was Bishop, Governour of the Realm, Inquisitor Ma­jor, Legate Apostolick, and King: But the more he soared, the more he discovered his weakness; suffering himself in his most important Affairs to be governed by his Ministers,Conestaggio. not being able to determine the Cause of the Succession: Opinions were grafted in him with great obstinacy, retaining a continual remembrance of wrongs; so that Justice was in him, but an un­just execution of his own Passions. In Fine, He was indued with great Vir­tues, and with fewer, and lesser Vices, yet were they equal in this; for he had the Virtues of an Ecclesiastical person, and the defects of a Prince: During his life, he was feared of many, and beloved of few, so as none la­mented his death; only such, as were well-affected (desiring the Dispute of Succession had been determined before his death) had a sensible appre­hension of his loss.

His Body rested some time at Almerin, until that Philip II. King of Spain, caused it to be brought to the Monastery of our Lady at Bethleem, [Page 84] notwithstanding that HENRY had Ordered his Sepulture at Evora, where he had in his life-time erected a stately Marble Tomb.

His Device was an Anchor, and a Daulphin, with this Inscription, FESTINA LENTE, for to denote, That in the execution of all Actions; Diligence, with Diseretion, and a Mediocrity was to be used.

14. ANTHONY The Bastard, Proclaimed King of PORTU­GAL, and the ALGARVES, &c. CHAP. XIX.

THE Prince Lewis of Portugal Duke of Beia his father, whose Years of CHRIST. 1580 Natural and only Son he was, educated him in good Lear­ning, but more particularly in the study of Divinity, with intention to make him a Divine; But being come to a riper age, he was made Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and Prior of Crato.

He had embraced this Profession against his inclination, so that Pope Gregory XIII. was the more willing to dispence with the Vow he had made; which Dispensation was obtained at the instance and pursuit of King Sebasti­an of Portugal, who so highly esteemed this Prince ANTHONY his Years of CHRIST. 1574 Cosin, that upon his first Voyage into Affrick, he made him his Lieute­nant General, notwithstanding that Prince Edward of Portugal the Consta­ble, was present.

Conestaggio.At the second expedition that the same King Sebastian undertook for Years of CHRIST. 1578 Affrica, Jac. Augustus Thuanus. he also accompanied him, and assisted him at the Fatal Battel of Alcacer, in which he was made a Prisoner, and reduced to a miserable Cap­tivity for the space of Forty dayes; After which by an especial Providence, he found means to recover his liberty.

Being upon his return, he had intelligence that his Uncle the Cardinal Henry, after the Death of King Sebastian, was Elected King of Portugal.

During whose Reign (as you have read) the Estates having been assem­bled to advise of a Successor to the Crown, ANTHONY was of the Number of the Competitors, urging, That he ought to be preferred, as on­ly Male-child of the Posterity of King Emanuel: In pursuit of which, af­ter the Decease of Henry, he was by the consent of the Three Estates, also Elected King the Nineteenth day of June, in the Year, One thousand five Years of CHRIST. 1580 hundred and fourscore, Conestaggio. in the City of Sanctarem; then afterwards Con­firmed in that of Lisbon, Texera. Metropolis of the Kingdom; then received in the Quality of King at Setubal, and acknowledged for such, by all the Towns and Fortresses of Affrica, and Isles subject to the Dominion of Portugal; as also by the famous University of Conimbra.

But the King of Spain, Philip II. H. F. Conestag­gio. pretending on the contrary to be lawful Successor to the Crown, in the Right of the Empress, Isabel of Portugal, his Mother, incontimently raised a considerable Army,Thuanus. Texera. under the Conduct of his Martial favourite, that famous Captain, Ferdinand de Toledo Duke of Alva, who entred the Frontiers, and seized upon divers Towns by accord, which the Popula [...]s hearing of, which were with ANTHONY at St. Arem, Proclaimed him King, that so they might have a head to their con­fused body. After which ANTHONY repaired to Lisbonne, and there was sworne, sent the Count of Vimioso to Setaval, whence he expelled the Governours, who there had intended to admit the Spanish Gallies, so that all the places about Lisbonne were at his devotion. But Alva very much prevailed, as well through his own good Discipline, as the Inconstancy, Headiness, and unskilfulness of his enemies: so that he soon conquered the whole Kingdom of Algarves; Notwithstanding the Pope (thinking it not convenient in Reason of State, that the Catholique King, whose power was already so formidable in Italy, should grow more potent by the additi­on of a new Kingdom) had sent his Legate to exhort him to desist from Armes, offering him a Judge to decide the Rights of the Pretendants:H. F. Conestag­gio. but the Spaniard being loth to put that to Compromise whereof he was already assured, deceived him with delayes so long, until the Victory was even in his hands; so that the fea [...]s of ANTHONY encreased as his hopes de­cayed: The Duke of Braganza, and the greatest part of the Nobility, ma­king their peace with the Enemy to their best advantage, no hope of Re­lief remaining from other Countries (a foundation built upon succours from the Enemies ill-willers being alwayes unsure, since they will not declare themselves unless their Companions be strong) and his Army which he had levied, being composed either of unwilling minds, or unable bodies, since all were Mechaniques, Mariners, Slaves, or religious persons, whose vaunts before the Fight did more inflame, than their valour in Fight did defend him, whom they had inflamed. Yet such as they were, they banded to­gether under the leading of ANTHONY,ANTHO­NY's A [...] ­my defea­ted near Lisbonne. at Alcantara expecting the Enemy, in the Year, One thousand five hundred and fourscore, where they were put to rout, chased to Lisbonne Walls, and the Suburbs sacked a thou­sand Portugals being slain in Fight, partly in their Trenches, and partly at Years of CHRIST. 1580 the defence of a Bridge, where they made a valiant resistance, AN­THONY fled to Viana, whither he was so sharply pursued by Zanches d'Avila Marescal of the Field, that in the habit of a Mariner he hardly e­scaped in a small Boat, both Captivity from his Pursuers, and drowning through the violence of the wind and waves. The year following, viz. One thousand five hundred fourscore and one, he escaped into France from Setu­val in a Flemmish Ship which he did hire by the aid of a woman and a Re­ligious person, where he incited the Duke of Alenzon to annoy the Catho­lick King in Brabant, and the Queen Mother (who seemed discontented with the Spaniard, for interrupting the course of Justice, by the violence of Armes) to assist him with Men and Munition for the recovery of Portu­gal, and the Defence of the Terceraes, which stood out in his Cause, and had vanquished Peter de la Baldes, with the loss of Four hundred of his men, who had been sent thither to reduce those Islands to the obedience of the King of Spain.

Portugal was now peaceably enjoyed by the Catholick King, who had made his Magnificent entry into Lisbonne, granted a General Pardon to all ANTHONY's Faction, excepting the Religious, and some few parti­culars, [Page 86] and received the Oath of Allegiance to himself and Dom Diego his son, from the States of the Kingdom. At this time ANTHONY was armed by the Queen Mother with Sixty Sail, and Seven thousand men for the assurance of the Islands, and the surprising of the Indian Fleet un­der the leading of Philip Strozzi Collonel of the French Infantry, and Monsieur Brisack, against whom they sent the Marquess of St. Croix with a formidable Army, who engaged with the French near the Island of St. Michael in a bloody fight, wherein Strozzi, Strozzi, and the Count of Vimioso slain. and the Count of Vimioso were slain, much blood spilt on both sides, but the French received the Foil, and yet not so weakned, but that ANTHONY retained the Island in his hands, from whence he after Sailed into France, leaving Emanuel de Silva Governour behind. After the Report of this Victory the Catholick King imagining his assurance of Portugal to be good, departed into Castille, lea­ving Cardinal Albert Arch-duke of Austria, Vice-roy in his stead, having first received a new Oath to his Son Dom Philip, because Dom Diego his eldest Son was deceased.

Conestaggio.But because he meant to make his Conquest entire, the year following (1583.) he sent the Marquess of St. Croix, with a greater Navy than Years of CHRIST. 1583 before, to the Islands, where Twelve hundred French, under the Conduct of Monsieur de Chattes, being joyned with those Portuguesses which were under Emanuel de Silva, made a valiant resistance, but being oppressed with so great a number of Enemies, being Ten thousand trained Souldiers at least, the French yielded upon Composition, and Emanuel de Silva was taken, and beheaded; After which Victory Faiole was reduced to obedi­ence, after some small resistance,Portugal wholly subjected to the Ca­tholick King. and thus was the Conquest of the King­dom of Portugal wholly compleated, and subjected to the Catholick King.

ANTHONY being returned into France, (the Sanctuary of afflicted Princes;) from thence he writ a long Letter to Pope Gregory XIII. representing the Right he had to the Kingdom of Portugal; adding, That he had been justly Elected King: That the Marriage of Prince Lewis his Father, had been decla­red lawful, by the Sentence of the Bishop of Angra, the Popes Legate: That King Henry his Uncle had unjustly Sentenc'd him in his own Defence; for his Legitimation having been proved, the Crown had in Justice fallen upon him the said ANTHONY, before Henry himself, as being the Son of his elder Brother, whose Sentence was revoked and annihilated by Pope Gregory: To whom, Pope Sixtus the Fifth succeeding, the same King AN­THONY writ him also another Letter, as well to Congratulate with him in his Election, offering him the Vowes of an obedient Son; as to implore his help towards his Establishment in his Ancient Possession, and Royal Dignity.

Camdenus.ANTHONY, not long after, obtained Letters of Recommendation from Queen Katharine, to Elizabeth Queen of England; in which,ANTHO­NY enter­tained in England. she forewarned her, and other Princes, to beware of the Spanish Greatness, who now enriched with the Addition of Portugal, East-India, and many Islands in the Atlantique Sea, might in time over shadow all his Neighbouring Prin­ces. Queen Elizabeth, alwayes Provident of her own, and her Subjects Safety, easily listned to this Councel, and bountifully relieved ANTHO­NY, which she thought she might do without Offence, considering, that she acknowledged him her Kinsman, descended of the Blood Royal of Eng­land; nor was there any League made betwixt the Spaniards and English, that the Portugals might not be received into England. Here then AN­THONY resided, till that fatal Blow was given to their (as they called [Page 87] it) Invincible Armado, when Queen Elizabeth judged it more Honourable to attaque her Enemy, than again to be assailed by him; suffered a Fleet to be set forth against Spain, commanded by Sir John Norris, and Sir Francis Drake, and some other private Perons: The Hollander likewise joined some Ships; so that the Fleet consisted of about Eleven thousand Souldiers, and Fifteen hundred Mariners.

With this Fleet ANTHONY, with some few Portuguesses, set Sail out of England, having before assured the English, That the Portuguesses would revolt from the Spaniard and appear for him; and that Muley Hamet, King of Morocco, would strengthen him with Twenty thousand men.

The first place the English Fleet put into, was the Groyne in Gallicia, the base Town they easily took; but endeavouring the higher, were repulsed, and forced to raise their Siege, upon Report that the Count of Andrada was coming with Forces to cut off their passage to their Ships, which Norris re­solving to prevent, marched up to them, defeated them, and had the slaugh­ter of them for Three Miles; after which, having pillaged, and burnt some Villages, they returned to Sea, steering their Course for Portugal.

They had laboured some time with contrary Winds, plying to and fro at Sea, when Robert the young Earle of Essex fell into them, who out of Mi­litary Glory, Hate of the Spaniard, and Commiseration of ANTHONY, had left the Court, without the knowledge or consent of the Queen, in hope, by Reason of the influence he had upon the Souldiery, to be chosen General of the Foot. Two dayes after his Conjunction with them, they arrived in Penicha, where they landed after the loss of some men, and reduced the Ca­stle to ANTHONY'S Obedience.

Sir John Norris marcheth ditectly to Lisbonne.Hence the Land-forces under the Command of Sir John Norris, march­ed directly, and with all possible speed towards Lisbon, about Sixty Miles distant, Drake promising to follow with the Fleet by the way of the River Tagus. The Army being arrived at Lisbon, though they had before at a Councel of War determined to encamp on the East-side of the Town, the better to bar Succours from coming out of Spain; now contrary to their own Resolutions, sate down before St. Katherines Suburbs on the West-side; whereas at first they found no Resistance, so they found little help, but what the prayers of some few disarmed men gave them, who now and then cried out, God save the King ANTHONY: And indeed other help they could not afford him, Albertus Arch-duke of Austria the Vice-Roy having before disarmed the Portugals.

The next day when the English, weary with their long march, betook themselves to their Rest, the Spanish Garison sallied out upon them, who were at first resisted by Brett; and his Companies, till more coming up to their Assistance, forced the Spaniards to give back, the Valiant Earle of Essex chasing them to the very Gates; but the English had several Com­manders of Note, and no small quantity of private Souldiers slain.

In sum, when they had now stayed two dayes before the Town, and per­ceived that the Portugals, notwithstanding the great brags and fair promises of ANTHONY, did not at all incline to a Revolt, and that no Advice came of any Assistance from Muley Hamet King of Morocco; but that instead of them, fresh Forces flocked in great Numbers from the East-parts into the City, whil'st their Army was lessned by a violent Sickness, their Provisi­on and Ammunition failed, and their great Guns for Battery arrived not, they raised their Siege, and took their way towards Cascais, a small Town at the mouth of the River, the Spaniards following them at a distance, but not [Page 88] ever daring to fall in their Rear. The Town of Cascais they took, blew up the Castle; and so, notwithstanding all the intreaties of ANTHONY, set Sail for England, firing in their way Vigo, a Port-town, deserted of its Inhabitants.

Thuanus.So that now after a second Repulse, ANTHONY was forced to re­tire into France, where he was favourably received by King Henry the Great, under whose protection he passed the rest of his life;His Death. and having lived Threescore and four Years, dyed at Paris, the Five and twentieth day of Years of CHRIST. 1595 August, in the Year, One thousand five hundred fourscore and fifteen. His body was deposited in the Church of the Cordileires in the same City. There was found in his Cabinet a Latine Paraphrase upon the penitential Psalms, with some Prayers in no Vulgar Stile, which gave Testimony of his Piety, whose Epitaph in Latine Verse, hath been written by Frederick Morel, the Kings Greek Professor in the University of Paris.

PHILIP II, III, IV. Of that NAME, KINGS OF SPAIN, And 19, 20, 21. KINGS of PORTUGAL. CHAP. XX.

BUt it was no Arguments could confute, or annul the certain and indu­bitable right of the Dutchess of Braganza, which was clear to the World, both by her Descent, and by the Fundamental Laws of the Nation, and this King PHILIP knew well, and therefore, though he carried on his affairs very candidly to the eyes of men, and seemed unbyassed with proper Interest, by offering to submit his Title to a Dispu­tation, professing, That the Laws of Portugal were more favorable to him, than the Law of Castille, and openly acknowledging, That if he should chance to die before King Henry, his eldest Son being a degree farther off, would come behind some of the Pretenders, of whom himself had the precedence. Though, I say, he carried himself thus fair to the World, yet he clandestinely wrought with Father Leon Henriques a Jesuite, and Confessor to King Henry, and Ferdinando Castillo, a Dominican, and of the Kings bosom Councel, to endeavor by all means possi­ble to divert all Designs in prejudice of his Claims, and especially that Catherine Dutchess of Braganza might not by Henry be declared to be the next Heir apparent; which he, conscious of the justice of the Title, was very willing to have done.

And whilest these two Fathers prosecuted his interest there with the old, and al­most doting King Henry, the vigilant PHILIP provided an Army in readiness, with which he resolved to enter into Portugal, and with his Sword make good his disputable Title, as soon as that old Kings death should give him the Warning-piece to fall on.

Yet when that was given, and PHILIP ready to march with an Army of Twenty thousand men into Portugal, he had like to have been prevented; for Pope Gregory the Thirteenth pretending still his right to Dispose, or at least to Arbitrate all Difference concerning that Crown, had sent Cardinal Riario Legat Apostolique, with Order to disswade the Catholick King from raising Arms, and that done, to pass into Portugal, and in his Holiness name and behalf, to Arbitrate the Right between all Pretenders; which designs of the Popes, this crafty Spanish Fox circumvent­ed, for having pre-advice of it, and resolving to pursue his own intentions of assu­ring to himself the Kingdom of Portugal, and yet approve himself an obedient Son of the Church, he gave Order in all places where the Legat was to pass, he should [Page 94] be most Magnificently entertained, so that by such sumptuous Treatments, the time might be dexterously protracted, and he possessed of that Kingdom before the Le­gal arrived at Court; which was accordingly done, and the Legat returned thanks for his Magnificent Entertainments, though he was displeased at the ill success of his Negotiation.

But to proceed to the manner of his possessing himself of this Kingdom: No sooner did the News arrive at the Spanish Court of the death of King Henry, but Ferdinand de Toledo, Duke D'Alva, was commanded with an Army of Twenty thousand men to march toward Lisbonne, and in the Name and Right of his Ca­tholick Majesty, to make Conquest of the Kingdom, if he found opposition.

But all the appearance of opposition which he found, was made by Don Antonio the Bastard-son of Lewis the Infante, who having got into Lisbonne in the Head of a tumultuary Rabble, rather than a well-formed Army, endeavored at first to make some resistance, but was soon discomfited, and the Suburbs of Lisbonne being sacked to satisfie the Souldiers, the City was surrendred to him, whither soon after the King came, and so by a mixt Title of Descent and Arms, took possession of the Kingdom, Ao 1510. Katherine Dutchess of Braganza being enforced to surrender to him all her interest and pretensions; which you have read at large in Anthony.

The Nobility and People of Portugal were, without doubt, extreamly amazed to see themselves so suddenly surprized, and made Subject to a Forein Prince, and especially to a Prince of that Nation, against whom they had a natural Antipathy: but finding themselves in a condition not able to make any resistance, they thought they should gain more by submitting freely to that King, than by being forced to it; and therefore they made their humble submission, which PHILIP met as it were half-way, and condescended in the General Assembly of Estates, to be sworn to these Articles or Capitulations following.

• I. That the said PHILIP King of Spain, &c. should observe all the Laws, Liberties, Priviledges, and Customs granted to the People by the former Kings of Portugal.
• II. That the Vice-King, or Governor, should be alwayes the Son, Brother, Uncle, or Nephew of the King, or else a Native of Portugal.
• III. That all chief Offices of the Church or State, should be bestowed upon the Natives of Portugal, and not upon Strangers; likewise the Governments of all Towns and places.
• IV. That all Countries now belonging to the Portugal, should so continue, to the commo­dity and benefit of the Nation.
• V. That the Portugal Nation should be admitted to all Offices in the Kings House, as well as the Castillians.
• VI. That because the King could not conveniently be alwayes in Portugal, he should send the Prince to be bred up amongst them.

These Articles were shut up, or concluded, with a Blessing upon such Kings as should observe and keep them, and a Curse on those who should break or violate them. And some Authors likewise affirm, that there was another Clause added to them, signifying, That in case (which God forbid) that the King which then was, or his Successors, should not observe this Agreement, or should procure a Di­spensation [Page 95] 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.

Though these Articles were thus sworn to, and the Cardinal Albertus Archduke of Austria, Son to the Emperour, and Nephew to the King of Spain, appointed Vice-King of Portugal, PHILIP the Second durst not in Person yet leave the King­dom; for he perceived by their Murmurs and visible Discontents, that their Submis­sion to him, proceeded more out of Fear, than Love; and that as he had in a mo­ment gained that Kingdom, so he should as soon lose it, if he should but give them the least opportunity.

For that the People were highly discontented, might easily appear by their atten­tive listning after old Prophesies, among which, was one of an old Hermit, who told Alphonso the first King of Portugal, Of the great Victory that he should obtain over the Five Kings of the Moors; that he and his Posterity should Reign happily Kings of Portugal, but that in the Sixteenth Generation his Line should fail, but that God at length should have mercy again upon them, and restore them.

Others had respect to a Letter written by St. Bernard to the same King Alphonso (the Original of which is reported to have been given to the Portugal Embassadours, by Lewis the Thirteenth King of France, A^o One thousand six handred and forty one) the substance of which was to this effect: That he rendred thanks to him for the Lands bestowed upon him, that in recompence thereof, God had declared unto him, That there should not fail a Native of Portugal to sit upon that Throne, unless for the greatness of their sins God would chastise them for a time; but that this time of Chastisement should not last above Sixty Years.

Other Prophesies there were of this Nature, and to this Effect, which put the People in hopes of a Deliverance, and many of them flattered themselves, That Don Sebastian was yet alive, and would come and deliver them; nay, so foolish were some of them, that though they believed him slain at the Battel of Alcacer in Bar­bary; yet they thought he should live again, and miraculously come to redeem them.

But that which most of all expressed the Peoples Discontents, was, what was pub­lickly spoken by the mouths of their Oratours, the Priests in their Pulpits, who would ordinarily in their Sermons utter Speeches much in prejudice of the Spaniards Title, and in Favour of the Dutchess of Braganza; nor were they sparing to do so in the presence of the King himself, who would therefore often say, That the Por­tuguez Clergy had made the sharpest War with him.

Father Lewis Alvarez a Jesuite, preaching one day before the Vice-Roy, took his Text, Surge, tolle Grabatum tuum, & ambula; and turning himself to the Duke, said, Sir, the meaning of that is, Arise, Take up your Pack, and be gone home: But a­bove all this, might the Discontents be perceived in the Noblemens Chappels, es­pecially in the Duke of Braganza's, where they were wont to sing the Lamentations of Jeremy, applying all the scorn and reproach of the Israelites to themselves; as Aquam nostram pecunia bibimus; because of the Excize put by the Spaniards upon Wine, and other Necessaries: And that, Servi Dominati sunt in nos; and that, Ce­cidit Corona Capitis nostri; most commonly ending with this Invocation, Recordare Domine, Quid acciderit nobis Intuere & respice opprobrium nostrum: Haereditas nostra versa est ad alienos.

Yet did King PHILIP bear all these Affronts with an incomparable Patience, dissembling with an admirable Prudence his Passion (if he had any) for these Dis­contents; for he knew, the only way to win this Nation to an Obedience and Com­pliance, must be Lenity at first, whatever he intended to practise afterwards; and that he had by his exact keeping of his Word and Oath, won much upon this People, ap­pears, in that during his whole Reign, and the Reign of his Successor, PHILIP [Page 96] the Third, who followed his Fathers foot-steps, though not with that Craft and Dis­simulation, they made no Attempts, nor were inclinable to a Revolt.

Those Attempts made by Anthony (which you may read in his story) and some small bustles with one or two Counterfeit Sebastians not worth mentioning, were the only storms, that hapned in this Kingdom during the reigns of PHILIP the second, and third; for they keeping their words in most things, though some of their priviledges they infringed, had almost brought the people to a willingnesse to be their slaves, whereas PHILIP the fourth committing the whole charge of the Government to Count Olivarez, (who though without doubt an able States­man, yet would seem to have a way in policy by himself, which no body else could understand the reason of) lost the whole Kingdom, and all its Territories.

For such was the new rigorous ways which he would prescribe in the Government of Catalonia and Portugal, both people very tender of their Priviledges, the least breach of which should have been seconded by a potent Force to have suppressed them, in case they should attempt an Insurrection, when instead of having such power in readiness, the Catalonians had rather opportunity given them to rebel, and spurs to provoke them to make use of the opportunity; for some Souldiers being scatteringly quartered among them, but too few to curb them, they looked upon that as a greater intrenchment upon their Liberties than any before, and a design utterly to enslave them: wherefore converting their patience into fury, they took Arms, massacred those Souldiers, slew their Viceroy, and put themselves under the French Protection.

This Revolt of the Catalonians was a president to the Portugals, who had extream­ly suffered under the breach of their Priviledges: for contrary to the second Article sworn to by King PHILIP the Second, which said, That the Viceroy or Gover­nor, should be either Son, Brother, Uncle, or Nephew to the King of Spain: The Infanta Margarita di Mantoua, who had no relation at all to the Kings of Castille, was made Governess, which they might, and perhaps would have born, had they not been incensed by a more feeling injury Anno 1636. when the Tax of a fifth part was im­posed upon all the Subjects of that Kingdom; an intollerable grievance, and thought so insufferable by the Southern parts of the Nation, that they rose in Arms to op­pose it, and had set the whole Kingdom in a combustion, had it not been timely quen­ched by the timely care and industry of the then Governess, the Infanta Margarita of Mantoua.

Yet this small stir gave an Item to the Court of Spain, of the readiness of the people to revolt, which made Olivarez endeavor by all ways possible to cut off the means of their being able to do, but whilest he endeavored to prevent them, he gave them the means to do it, though he failed not to make use of those courses which in probability might ensure that Kingdom; the chief of which was, the en­deavoring to allure from thence the Duke of Braganza, whom the people of Por­tugal looked upon as the person who of right ought to be their King, and who was the only Native of the Kingdom who might restore again the Line of Alphonso; besides, he was a Prince, who for Power, Riches, and Number of Tenants, not only exceeded all the Nobles of Portugal, but even of Spain it self.

And indeed the Duke of Braganza was one of the most glorious Subjects in Europe, being allied to most Kings in Christendom; which made the Kings of Spain, though they were Competitors for the Crown of Portugal, treat this Fa­mily with more honor than any other of his Grandees, receiving them almost with as much respect, as if they were Soveraign Princes; which appeared in PHILIP the Second, who most of all desired to abase this Family, yet would always when the Duke of Braganza came to visit him; meet him in the middle of the room, and not permitting him to kiss his hand, seat him with himself under the Canopy of Estate.

To draw him therefore out of that Kingdom, Olivarez first politickly offered him the Government of Milan, a place of great trust and honor, but he modestly refused it, as not in a condition at that present to undertake so great a Command, and indeed expressing an unwillingness to go out of Portugal.

But his unwillingnesse to go from thence, made the King of Spain, and Count Olivarez the more willing to draw him from thence, it was therefore given out, That the King himself was resolved to go in person to reduce the revolted Cata­lonians, and that therefore all the Nobility should be in a readiness in four months time to attend his Majesty in that Expedition. But the Duke of Braganza being suspitious of the Spaniards, because he knew himself suspected by them, and likely to be, whil'st the Portuguesses so much affected him; to assure himself of the ones Love, and to avoid (if possible) the others Suspect, retires himself to his Coun­trey-house at Villa-Viciosa, and there follows his Sports of Hunting, &c. not at all regarding matters of State, withal sending an Excuse to Count Olivarez, That his Affairs at present were in so low and mean a Condition, that he could not appear to attend his Majesty in that Pomp and Splendor that became a Person of his Quality; and that therefore he should do his Majesty more Service in staying at Home, when the other Nobles were abroad, than he could possibly do by attending him.

This Plot thus failing, made the Court of Spain more suspitious of the Duke than ever before; Count Olivarez therefore resolves to employ his utmost Art of Dis­simulation to entrap him, which he sets upon by a Fetch so far about, that to the eye of Reason, it might put the Duke into ambitious Thoughts of endeavouring to assume his Throne, and in a way to accomplish those Thoughts, rather than any way preju­dice him; but it appeared afterwards that Olivarez Design in so far trusting the Duke, was only because the Duke should trust him.

In Answer to Braganza's Letter of Excuse, the Count assures him that his Ma­jesty was very well satisfied with his Reasons of not attending him in the intended Expedition against Catalonia, and that he was very sensible of his good Inclinations to his Service: That for his own part, he was very sorry that his Affairs were in so low a Condition; for he could not but Commiserate his Interest as his own. That his Majesty, to let him know how great Confidence he reposed in his Fidelity, had ap­pointed him General of the Militia of that Kingdom, and had for his present Sup­ply, sent him Sixty thousand Crowns, leaving it to his Choice to reside in what place near Lisbon he pleased.

This strange Confidence put in the Duke by the King of Spain, much amazed the greatest Polititians, who thought it reasonable, That the Spaniard should have per­mitted the Duke still to have kept retired in the Countrey, rather than to have given him such a Command, and called him to Lisbon into the continual View of the People, who looking upon him as the Heir of that House which had ever been re­presented to have the only Right to the Crown, might easily be inflamed with a De­sire to have a King of their own.

And these things was the Princess of Mantour very sensible of, and therefore con­tinually sollicited the King to know his Reason, or to desire him to remove those ap­parent Opportunities which he had given the Duke of Braganza to effect a Revolt: But she not only received intricate and enigmatical Answers from the King, and Duke D'Olivarez; but likewise had the former Actions seconded with one, which made her of Opinion that his Catholick Majesty had a mind to toss the Kingdom into Braganza's hands whether he would or no; for on a sudden, without any notice giv­en to her, all the Spanish Garison in St. Johns Castle, which commanded the City of Lisbon; and indeed upon the strength of which, the whole safety and security of the Kingdom depended, were suddenly drawn forth, and the Castle left to the disposure of Don John of Braganza.

But this was the last Act of Count Olivarez Confidence in the Duke; for by trusting him so much, he now thought that he could not but reciprocally repose Con­fidence in him; and therefore next Summer, A^o One thousand six hundred and forty: He again by Letters sollicites him to leave Portugal, and come to Madrid, first telling him, That his Catholick Majesty gave him many Thanks, and greatly applauded his Loyalty in the Exercise of the Office of General, and was very sensible of the good Effects which his Authority had wrought over the Portugals. Next he represented unto him the present declining Condition of the Spanish Monarchy; not only by Reason of the Disorders in Flanders and Italy, and the preparations of the Turk; but more especially, for that their most potent Enemies the French, were now in As­sistance of the Revolted Catalonians, entred into Spain: That it highly concerned his Catholick Majesty to drive these out of his Territories, which could not be ef­fected, but by a very powerful Force; that he being one of the prime Grandees of the Kingdom, might by his presence in the Head of a good number of his Tenants, encourage others to a sutable Assistance, that to that purpose his Catholick Majesty expected him every Moment, having designed for him great Honours, Priviledges and Dignities sutable to his Merit.

But as cunning an Angler as Olivarez was, yet he failed of his Mark, the Bait would not yet hook in the Fish; for though the Duke of Braganza was accounted no very great Polititian, yet his own Safety taught him to know that all these Trusts, and fair Promises, were but gilded Allurements to draw him to his Destruction; ha­ving therefore supplied the King with a considerable number of his Tenants and Friends, he found Excuses for his own not going in Person; and to take off all su­spition of Jealousie or Thoughts, that he had any Design against the State, he reti­red again to his Countrey-house. Thus did these two great Personages by Craft and Dissimulation, endeavour to supplant each other, only the one strove the others Destruction, the other only studied his own Safety and Preservation.

During all these passages, the Vice-Queen Margarita of Mantoua, was very vigi­lant in her Government, and foreseeing what in Reason might be the issue of these proceedings, wrote very importunately to the King, assuring him, That if it were not suddenly prevented, the Kingdom would infallibly be lost. To which, his Majesty returned her no Answer; and Olivarez in his slighting her judgment (as fitter to Govern a private House, than a Kingdom) desired her, That if her Capacity would not reach to the height and drift of those Mysteries of State, yet that her Wisdom would prompt her not to discover them.

Yet without doubt Olivarez was inwardly perplexed to see all his Plots thus fail, and foul means he durst not openly attempt, such was the Dukes Potency, and the great Love the People bore him; he therefore at last has Recourse to Treachery, and to that intent gives secret Advice to Don Lopez D'Ossis, and Don Antonie D'Oquen­do, That when they had relieved Flanders with Men and money, they should with the whole Fleet put into Portugal, and then as soon as the Duke should according to the Duty of his new Place and Office come aboard, they should immediately set Sail, and bring him away to Cales: But this Plot was by a strange Divine Providence pre­vented; for that Fleet was totally Routed by the Hollanders upon the Coast of England, in the Year, One thousand six hundred thirty and nine.

17. JOHN IV. Of the Name, KING of PORTUGAL, Algarvia, Affrick, Arabia, Persia, India, and Brasil, &c. CHAP. XXI.

NOw was the time come, wherein, according to St. Bernards Prophecy, the Kingdom of Portu­gal was to be released from the Tyranny of Strangers, and restored again to the Government of a Native King, to which all things seemed so well to quadrate, that we cannot imagine there was less than a Divine Hand in it; for though (all Plots failing against the Duke of Braganza,) the Spaniards beginning to fear somewhat, drew out as many of the Native Souldiers out of the King­dom as conveniently they could, think­ing thereby to lessen the ill humours which began now to appear, yet they did thereby only the more stir up and enflame those discontents which were taken at Vasconsellos managing all Affairs of State.

For although the most Illustrious Infanta Margarita of Mantoua was a Princess of great judgment and know­ledge in State-affairs, yet she permitted her self to be so much over-ruled by Vasconsellos Secretary of State, or at least was so much over-ruled by him, whether she would or no, that he either by some secret consent of his Catholick Majesty, or led on by his own ambitious spirit, confiding in the great favour he had at Court, never permitted the Infanta to enjoy other than the title of Vice-Queen.

And insufferable was the Government of Vasconcellos to the Portuguesses, who as much hated his obscure Birth, as they did his evil Customs: He was a man wholly composed of Pride, Cruelty, and Avarice, that knew no moderation but in exces­ses: small lapses were by him made capital crimes, chastising with all severity those whom he did but suppose dissatisfied with his Government; And exercising with [Page 100] all rigor the Spanish Inquisition, punished not only the actions, but the very thoughts of men. The infringing of the greatest Priviledges of the Portugal Nation seem­ed to him but a trifle; which continued oppressions, in the end so exasperated the whole People, that animated by the knowledge of their own strength, by the ma­ny diversions of the Spanish Nation, by the late example of the Catalonians, and incited by the absolute ruine which they saw hung over their heads, whil'st Six thou­sand of them were yearly listed and forced to serve the Spaniard in his forreign Wars, they resolved to loose his Yoke from off their Necks, and to disclaim his obedience, by the election of a King of their own.

Some have been of opinion, That this Conspiracy was at least of Ten years standing, agreed and assented to by most of the Grandees of Portugal: I date not affirm it, nor deny it; for such great actions of State do resemble Lightning, which once past, leave but the greater darkness: the Air of State-mysteries is not to be flown in by less than Eagles; I shall therefore omit to search into so great a Privacy, and only recount the Publick Action.

On Saturdoy the First of February, Anno, One thousand six hundred and forty, (and Saturdayes have been often observed to be propitious to the Portugal Nation,) all the Nobility of the Kingdom, led on by the Marquesses of Ferreira, and the Count of Vimioso, took Arms, and accompanied with a great multitude of the In­habitants of Lisbonne, and some Portuguese Souldiers came to the Castle, which scituate in the middest of Lisbonne, serves both for a Palace and a Castle: this was the residence of the Vice-Queen, and hither assembled all the Magistrates for Go­verning of the Kingdom, the Guards which were two Companies of Spaniards, and two of High Dutch, either before gained by secret intelligence, or frighted with the great numbers of the Portugals, or desire of Novelty, or else perhaps unwilling to make resistance against those to whom they were most of them joyned by friendship or Marriage, without the least opposition, abandoning their Post, gave them free admittance.

Whilest these things had hapned, the Secretary Vasconsellos was in the Cham­bers of his Office (upon some reasons he had by the Discontents of the People, to suspect an Insurrection) at that instant writing into Spain, of the Alienation of the minds of the Nobility from the Spanish Government, and ernestly pressing that some rigorous Resolution might be taken to prevent it; which Letters afterwards taken, did sufficiently demonstrate his ill will to the Portuguese Nation.

Whil'st he was thus busied, the confused noise of the Souldiers pierced his ears, at which wondring not so much at the tumult, as at what should be the cause of it, being accompanied only with a Dutch-man, and another of the Guard, he would have gone down, but was hindred by the Portugals, who came running up, crying, Kill the Traytor, Kill the Enemy of our Blood; whereupon not knowing where to save himself, he fled, with those two accompanying him, into an inner Chamber, and there with his Sword in his hand, accompanied and assisted by those two that were with him, disposed himself to sell his Life at the dearest rate he could: but his Valour stood him in no stead, for those two who endeavored to defend him, being slain with two Musquet-shot, he seeing it vain to defend himself there longer, leapt desperately out of the Window, rather to seek his Death, than out of any hopes to save his life; for no sooner was he down, but numberless Swords were embrued in his Blood, the very women and children running to tear in pieces his dead body, with the same alacrity as he used to torment them, when alive.

In the mean time the Marquess of Ferreira was gone to secure the Vice-Queen, whom having committed to the Guard of Two hundred Musquetteers, he calls a Council, and in a short Discourse sets forth the miseries the Kingdom had endured whilest it lay subject to the Spanish Government, who had sought no other end but [Page 104] their destruction: Then putting them in mind of the Valor and Merits of their Nation, he exhorts them to condescend to the Election of a New King, nomina­ting to them the Duke of Braganza, as the most worthy of the Crown, not so much for his Power, Riches, or the Greatness of his House, as because the King­dom was his indubitable Right; he being the only Person left of that Stock, which for so many years had gloriously governed Portugal.

A long Discourse was superfluous to those who were before perswaded. A pub­lick shout interrupted the Marquesses Speech, all of them crying with a loud voice, That they would have JOHN Duke of Braganza for their King. In the whole multitude there was not a face, much less a voice that did gainsay this general Vote, either because they did all really rejoyce to see that they should again have a King of their own Nation, or because none could without danger oppose themselves to the torrent of so a Publick Will.

The Duke was at this time at his Countrey-house at Villa-Vitiosa, whether by accident, or because he would always have had occasion to excuse himself, if the business should not have succeeded, I cannot guess: but by reason of his absence they thought fit to make choice of two Governors, whom, to avoid the pretences of others, they nominated to be the Archbishops of Lisbon and Bra­ganza.

These began immediately to exercise their Command, and were obeyed with so much quiet, that in all that great and populous City of Lisbon there was none slain, but only those before-mentioned; the prisons were opened, nor was there any that suffered any wrong, either in their goods or life: All the Shops were opened as if there had not happened any Change of Government.

Only the house of Vasconcellos was sackt, with so much anger and despite, that they did not pardon the very Doors and Windows; nay, such was the fury of the people, that had they not been hindred by the Souldiers of the Guard, they had levelled it with the ground. As for his carcase, it suffered all those disgraces which a people wronged both in their liberties and estates, could inflict: they ran like mad men to express living sentiments of Revenge upon his dead and sense­less Corps, vaunting who could invent the newest ways of disgrace and scorn, till at length almost wearied with their inhumane sport, they left it in the street so mangled, that it did not seem to have the least resemblance of a man; from whence it was the next day carried by the Fraternity della misericordia, and thrown into the Burying-place of the Moors.

The Marquess of Alemquer, after he had by command from the Governor assu­red the strongest posts of the City, sent several Souldiers into the streets, crying, Long live King JOHN the Fourth; which the people hearing, distracted as it were with very joy, leaving their Trades, ran up and down proclaiming him with voices of Jubilee, the greatest part through excess of passion, not being able to refrain from tears.

The Messengers did not run, but flie to the Duke of Braganza, to give him notice of his promotion to the Crown: The first arrived on Sunday morning before day; he feigned a great alteration at this Advice, whereupon some have presumed to say, That he had not any knowledge of the Design. He seemed at first not to believe it, but told the Messengers, that though he might have desert, and a spirit fit for the Crown of Portugal, yet he had neither will nor ambition to de­sire. That his enemies wronged him, by tempting him with Stratagems as far from his Genius, as his Faith. But at the arrival of the Count of Monte Santo, who came to accompany him to Lisbon, he seemed of another mind; and having been with him in private discourse for the space of about two hours, without any further delay, then what the relating the business to his Wife, and to the Prince [Page 102] his son, made, he departed with the Count from Villa Vizosa, accompanied with about five hundred persons.

Yet others there be that affirm, That he was not only acquainted with the de­sign of the Revolt, but of Council about it, and that some time before the Nobility having had a private Meeting at Lisbon, it was at first propounded, That they should reduce the Kingdom into the form of a Common-wealth; but that not being approved of by the major part, the Arch-bishop of Lisbon stood up, and in a most eloquent Speech, having laid before them the miseries they had endured under the Spanish yoke, recommended unto them JOHN Duke of Braganza, as the indubitable Heir of the Crown, and their rightful Soveraign.

This Motion needed not to be seconded with many Arguments to induce a general Consent, they all most willingly assented to it, and concluded to send Gaston Co­tigno, a man of a fluent and voluble tongue, to acquaint the Duke with their in­tentions, and to perswade him to accept the Crown, and free his Countrey.

Gaston being arrived, with many well-coucht words acquaints him, That there was now a pregnant opportunity offered to recover the indubitable right of his Ancestors to the Crown of Portugal: That the Nobility and Clergy were wholly inclined to redeem themselves from the Tyranny of the Castillians, by securing the Crown upon his head: That the universal Odium of the whole People to the Spa­nish Government, the present low Condition of the House of Austria, distracted on every side with War; the assured Assistance that France and other Nations, e­mulating the greatness of Spain, would lend, were as so many Motives to perswade them not to let slip so fair an opportunity to regain their liberty: That if he by Refusal, should be the sole Enemy to his Countries Freedom, they would effect it themselves, and reduce it into a Common-wealth; with many other Arguments used he, which his Love to the House of Braganza, his hatred to the Castillians, or his own Ingenuity prompted to him.

The Duke's amazement permitted him not to return a sudden Answer: but after a little pause, he replied, That he was highly obliged both to him and all the Nobility, for their affections to him, but that this was a Business required great de­liberation: That there was no Medium between a Throne and a Chair of Executi­on, that therefore he would first advise with himself, and not rashly attempt so ha­zardous a business.

He therefore communicates the whole business to his Dutchess Donna Lucia, Si­ster to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, a woman of a Noble, Heroick, and Masculine Spirit, with her he consults whether he were best accept of the Propositions of the Nobility, or to prevent all hazards go to Madrid: and being anxious what course to take, his Wife nobly told him: My friend, if thou goest to Madrid, thou do'st in­curre the danger of losing thy life; and if thou acceptest the Crown, thou do'st no more: consider then whether it be not better to dye Nobly at home, than basely abroad.

These words of his Ladies (say some) animated him to a resolution to accept the Crown; so he returned Gaston in answer, That he would conform himself to the councels of the Nobility, resolving to live and run all hazards whatever with them, for the regaining of his Countries Liberty.

In the mean time the Marquess of Ferreira used his utmost endeavors for the re­ducing of those Castles which still held out for his Catholick Majesty. The first day the Castle of Colline was rendred, which for its situation was judged inexpug­nable, yet the Captain of it no sooner saw it besieged, but moved either with Gold, or Fear, he delivered it up on Articles. The Tower of Belem, and that De la Cabera were suddenly surprized before they within had any notice of what was done; The strong Fortress of St. Giuliano, a modern Fortification, and built to defend the Mouth of the River, was ready to surrender, when a Castellane, who was [Page 103] there a Prisoner, and under Sentence of Death for the Surrendry of a Fort in Bra­zil, shut out the Captain, who was gone to Parlie with the Portuguesses, and re­solved to defend it many dayes: he might have held it out the Siege, but finding neither Ammunition nor Provision, consumed, as was believed, on purpose by the Captain, who unwilling to have the Blot of a Traytor cast upon him for so sudden a delivery, thought it fitter to be forced by necessity to open the Gates to the Mar­quesse.

After the Surrendry of Fort San Giuliano, the Marquess of Ferreira in the name of the King, gave the Sacrament of Fidelity, or an Oath of Allegiance to all the Orders, to wit, to the Clergy, Nobility and Commons, which was received with so much readiness, that had not the Marquess seen the necessary Orders observed, the People had run into certain inconveniencies, so much they strived to prevent one another in willingness to perform this duty.

On Thursday the Sixth of February, His Majesty made his entrance into Lis­bonne, with all these applauses that a beloved King can expect from his most loving Subjects. The rich Liveries given by the Nobles, the Triumphal Arches, the Streets hung with Tapestry, the multitudes of the People flocking to see him, and the excellent Fire-works, (which were so many, that a Spaniard cryed out, Es possible que se quita un Reyno a el Rey D Felippe, cun solas Luminarias & vivas sinmas excercito in Poder, Gran senal y efeto sin Duda del Brazo de dios todo Podero­so! Is it possible that King Philip should be deprived of a Kingdom, with only Lights and Fire-works, without a powerful Army! certainly this is an evident To­ken that 'tis the Almighty hand of God,) were the least demonstrations of that Cities love and joy: so great was the concourse of those that flocked to see their new King, that though his Majesty entred into the City by Noon, he could not through the Throng arrive at the Palace till Two hours after Sun-set: curiosity and love which usually have the force to stir up all affections, made this People flock so fast to the sight of their Prince. And because it is prudence in a Publick joy, to accommodate ones self to the will of the most, even those who either for envy, or some other cause, hated the House of Braganza, did not cease to make some demon­stration of reverence and mirth, and by how much the more they thought themselves observed, by so much the more they strove to seem other than they were.

His Majesty being arrived at the Palace, instead of reposing himself, addicted himself wholly to consult about carrying on the War; knowing well that onely la­bour produces true rest. The first consultations were concerning the expugnati­on of the Tower of St. John, which of all the Forts in the Kingdom only held out for the Catholick King. To reduce this Cittadel, the Marquess of Ferreira was sent in person with a numerous Army, though for the most part tumultuary, and ill ordered; but what they wanted in discipline, they supplyed in affection; not refusing to engage themselves in the extreamest dangers: for two days the Marquess found strong ressistance, but on the third day it yielded, as it is supposed, forced rather by bullets of Gold, than of Iron. Don Antonio de Mascarendas, with a Por­tuguess Garison was appointed commander of this Fortress, which he very diligent­ly repaired, not only of the damages now received by Battery, but with other necessary fortifications, to bring it to greater perfection.

The Kingdom thus suddenly reduced to the devotion of King JOHN the fourth, the several Governors were commanded to their Countries to levy Forces. who listed the inhabitants indifferently from the age of Eighteen to Sixty; in whom they found so much disposition, that many offered their estates, and their lives, and would follow the colours, although they had licence to depart.

On the 25. of the same Month, followed the Coronation of his Majesty, ac­companied with all those applauses demonstrations of joy, which could proceed [Page 101] from a people of infinite Riches, who weary of the Command of strangers, were consequently ambitious of a King of their own Nation.

In the publique Place before the Palace upon a most sumptuous Theatre, was e­rected a great Stage, and upon that a less, upon the top of which but three steps higher, stood a Chair of State under a Canopy, all covered over with Cloth of Gold. About noon His Majesty came forth of his Palace Royal in a Suit of Chesnut coloured Velvet embroidered with Gold, and buttons richly set with Diamonds: about his neck was a Collar of great value, whereunto hung the badge of the chief Order of Knight-hood, called El Ordine di Christo. He was girded with a gilt Sword, his Robe was Cloth of God lined with white, wrought with Gold and flowers, the Sword was born before him by Don Francisco De Alello Marquess of Ferreira, High Constable of the Kingdom, and before him was the Kings Banner displayed by Ferdinando Telles de Meneses Earl Marshal, before him went D. Manrique De Silva, Marquess of Govea, Steward of the Kings Hous­hold, and so in order his Nobles and Grandees of the Realm one before another, before all went Portugal King at Arms, with the Heralds Pursuivants, &c.

His Majesty being ascended the Stage, and having placed himself in the Chair of Estate, had the Crown set upon His Head, and the Scepter delivered to him, with the accustomed Ceremonies by the Archbishop of Lisbon; which done, he spoke to His Majesty to this effect.

Behold, O most Sacred Majesty, these your Subjects who do more rejoyce to see this day, than of all the days of their lives: They rejoyce to see the Crown of Portugal, returned into its Antient stock, they rejoyce to have found a Father who will govern them like Children, not Tyrannize over them like slaves. They here, Great SIR, offer their estates, their lives, and oblige themselves to run through all the accidents of fortunes, to establish that Crown upon your Head, which now with so much devotion, with so much readiness they have placed upon it. They cannot sufficiently express their affections to Your Majesty; could they bring their hearts, and lay them down at your Majesties feet, they would not refuse to do it, so sure are they that they have found a King all goodness, all love, who will not let slip any means for the Establishing of the Crown, for the quiet of his Subjects, for augmenting his Dominions, and for the conservation of those priviledges which have been written with the blood of our progenitors: Be your Ma­jesty graciously pleased to accept this common resentment expressed by my mouth, there being nothing that more comforts the minds of good Subjects, than the pleasing of their Prince.

The good old Prelate spoke these words with so much feeling, that the tears of his eyes testified the affection of his heart.

To this speech of the Archbishops, His Majesty returned answer, in expressions equal to his love and greatness: That the weight of the Scepter, and subjecti­on to the Crown, were things always dissonant to his Genius; That he had of late years given them sufficient testimony of it, whilst they were not more affecti­onate in offering, than he was ready to deny the taking upon him the weight of the Kingdom. That his now condescending to their desires, was only to pro­vide for the Kingdom, which had been acquisted, and agrandized with the blood of his Predecessors, and to take it from the hands of those, who besides their un­justly possessing it, had rendred themselves unworthy of it, by endeavouring by all means to ruine it: in sum, he concluded with thanks for their love, offering himself ready to adventure his health, and life, for their preservation, the redeem­ing them from slavery, and maintaining of their priviledges.

This short discourse ended, His Majesty went to the great Church in the same order as before, where being set in a Chair of Estate, raised upon a Stage for that purpose, with a Christal Scepter in his right hand, at which stood the Lord Con­stable, [Page 105] and behind him the Lord Chamberlain, there was placed before him a Table Covered with Cloth of Gold, and a Cushion thereon, upon the Cushion lay a Gold Crucifix and a Messal. Here the Archbishops of Lisbon and Braga, admini­stred the ensuing Oath to the King.

WE swear and promise by the grace of God, to rule and govern you well, and justly, and to administer justice as far as humane frailty will permit, to maintain unto you your Customs, Priviledges and liberties, granted unto you by the Kings our Pre­decessors. So God help us God, and this his holy Gospel.

This Oath being administred, the three Estates, to wit, the Clergy, Nobility, and Commons, took the following Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty, one for every one of the Estates, pronouncing these words.

I Swear by this holy Gospel of God, touching corporally with my hand, That I receive for our King and lawful Soveraign, the High and Mighty King DON JOHN the fourth, our Soveraign, and do homage unto him, according to the use and custome of his Kingdoms.

This, and the Ceremonies attendant ended, his Majesty, accompanied with all his Nobles, returned to his Palace, whether notwithstanding it was a very great rain, all the Grandees went bare-headed, where there was a most sumptuous Ban­quet prepared, but his Majesty gave himself wholly to consult of preparations for the Warre, shewing thereby that Kings in their greatest felicity and delights, should not forget affairs of State, and taking care for the preservation of their Subjects.

But amongst debates of the War abroad, there happened one of an affair near home, concerning the placing or displacing Officers of State; and because His Majesty knew that the charge of such Officers, must needs be with the resentment of many, and that there is nothing more alienates the minds of men, than to see themselves undeservedly deprived of their honours, he took away only the places of two, to wit, that of the Providitore of the Custom-house, because he was Son-in-Law to Diego Soarez, and Brother-in-Law to Vasconsellos the late deservedly-slain Secretary; and that of the Count of Castanhie, who was President of the Tribunal, or Court of Conscience, because he was too much interessed with His Ca­tholick Majesty.

As for the Infanta Margarita di Mantoua, late Vice-Queen, and the Marquess Della Puebla Kinsman to Olivarez, the Castle called Pasos de Angiobregas, was as­signed them, with Fourteen thousand Crowns a year for maintenance. An hono­rable Prison it was, nor could they desire any thing but liberty, which show'd a great Nobleness of mind in King JOHN: but Princes alwayes do like Princes, and much it demonstrates the Magnanimity of the mind, to honour our Enemies, though they be our Prisoners.

Nor must we here forget the Magnanimous and Couragious Carriage of the Dutchess of Mantoua late Vice-Queen, during these confusions and distractions; for King JOHN sending to ascertain her, That she should want none of those Civilities that were suitable to a Princess of her high Birth, Provided she would forbear all Discourse and Practises which might infuse into any an ill opinion of his present Government. She returned Thanks to the Duke, (for she would not stile him King) for his Complement: but withal fell into a grave Exhortation to those Nobles that carried the Message, telling them, That they should lay aside all vain hopes, and not cozen themselves, but return to their old Allegiance, according as they were obliged by Oath, which if they did, she doubted not to find them all pardon.

The rest of the Castillians of Authority were confined in the Castle, and all the [Page 106] Souldiers took the Portuguese Pay, either because they believed doing so, to be most for their interest, or else because being most of them linkt in Parentage with the Portuguesses, they believed the Portugal interest to be their own.

Shortly after, Lucia now Queen of Portugal, Sister to the Duke of Medina Si­donia, with her Son the Prince Theodosio arrived at Lisbonne, who were received with all imaginable expressions of joy: the Queen was soon after Solemnly Crown­ed, and the Prince installed, at whose Installation, the Nobles and Grandees of the Realm, took to him the following Oath.

WE acknowledge, and receive for our true and natural Prince, the high and excellent Prince D. Theodosio, as Sonne, Heir, and Successor of our So­veraign Lord the King; and as his true and natural Subjects, we do him homage in the hands of the King, and after the death of our true and natural King and So­veraign of these Kingdoms of Portugal and Algarve, and beyond Sea in Affrica, Lord of Guiana; of the Conquests, Navigation, 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 shall Command us: And all this we swear to God upon the ho­ly Cross, and the holy Gospel.

These Ceremonies performed with all fitting Solemnity, the King, to show that the good of his Subjects was his only care, called an Assembly of the Three Estates of the Kingdom, who being Convened, and the King seated in His Royal Throne, Don Emanuel D'Acugna Bishop of Elvas made a Speech to them, to the following purpose.

THat one of the first Laws of Nature, was, the uniting of men together, from whence Cities and Kingdoms had their Original, and by which they after defended them­selves in War, and maintained themselves in Peace; That for that cause His Majesty had called this Assembly to Consult for the better service of God, Defence in War, and Government in Peace: That there could be no Service of God without Union of Reli­gion, no Defence without Union amongst men, no Regular Government without Union of Councils: 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 thanks to the Almighty, who had given them a King that would govern them by known Laws; That His Majesty did not esteem those Tributes lawful that were paid with tears, and therefore did from that pre­sent, take off from His Subjects all Tributes that had been imposed by the Kings of Castille, because His Majesty would not Reign over their Goods, nor over their Heads, nor over their Priviledges, but over their Hearts, hoping that they would find out a sweet expedient to defend their Countrey against their Potent enemy, who threatned to make them all slaves, and to destroy, and to annihilate their Nation. That they would therefore, considering His Majesties Goodness, and their own Honor, manifest at once unto the world, That as never Subjects had such a Gracious King, so never King had such Loyal Subjects.

The Bishop having ended his Speech, the most antient Officer of the Chamber of Lisbonne, stood up, and in the name of all the three Estates, (who stood up like­wise,) returned humble thanks to His Majesty, for this gracious bounty, heartily professing, That they did not only offer up their Goods, but their Lives to His Ma­jesties service, earnestly intreating His Majesty to dispose both of the one and the other, as he pleased. And to manifest that their hearts and their mouths concorded in this free offer of themselves to His Majesty, they presently Voted, That Two Millions should be immediately raised by the Kingdom: but His Majesty wisely and politickly declined the imposing of a Tax upon his Subject, chusing rather to ac­cept [Page 107] of their Benevolence; which made every one strive who should offer most; so instead of the Two Millions, there was in short time brought into the Treasury Four Millions of Gold.

Nor was this Money intended by them, nor employed to any other use than to maintain the Grandezza and Splendour of the King and Kingdom, there being no need of Money for the payment of Souldiers, every one offering to serve freely, and at their own Charge, against their Vow'd Enemies the Castillians.

But let us for some time leave the Assembly sitting, and give an account how this Action was resented into the Spanish Court: Most mens minds were struck with con­sternation, but Olivarez came smiling to the King, saying; Sir, I pray give me las Albricias to hansel the good news, for now you are more absolute King of Portugal than ever, for the People have forfeited all their Priviledges by this Rebellion, be­sides the Estate of the Duke of Braganza, with all his Complices, are yours by right of Confiscation, so that you have enough to distribute among your Loyal Subjects by way of reward. But however Olivarez seemed thus to dissemble his passion; it was be­lieved, that this news struck deeper into him than any.

The King of Spain upon the first news of the Proclamation of King JOHN, sent a Letter to him to this purpose:

To this Letter His Majesty of Portugal returned answer:

Thus was this Kingdom utterly lost to the Spanish Monarchy, and not only it, but with it all that they enjoyed by that Kingdom in the East-Indies, the Tercera Islands, and other Islands in the Atlantick Sea the Kingdom of Algarve, Brasil, together with all they had in Affrica, except the Town of Cexta, which was the whole remained to the Spanish Nation of all those great Dominions.

But that all men might know the greatness of their loss, and what the Crown of Portugal enjoys abroad, take here a brief narration:

First, Those Islands of the Tercera, Madera, and St. Michael, so long time possessed by the Portugal Nation, which though inconsiderable to their other Do­minions, yet deserve to be mentioned; next those many strong places of which they have made themselves Masters in Affrica, as in Guiana, in the Kingdoms of Congo and Angola, the great Island of St. Laurence, of Soffola and Mozambique: on the Continent thence passing the Month of the Red-Sea, they have setled a Trade with Socatra and Calaite; thence passing the Bay of Persia, to the Mouth of the Ri­ver Indus, they subdued Calecut, Coetium, &c. the Island of Goa, Ciaul, Daman, [Page 108] &c. thence toward the River Ganges, they possessed Ceilam, Malacca, Sumatra, So­lon, Larantuca, &c. Thence farther they were entred into the Kingdom of Pegu, in­to Java-major, and Minor, into the Kingdom of C [...]ina where they fortified Macoa: In sum, the Kingdoms, Provinces, Islands, and Cities, that the Portugal Nation had Conquered, and were possessed of abroad, may in some measure be compared to the Antient Roman Empire; nor was their Valour much inferior to the Romans, if we consider the War they made with the King of Cambaia, who for Puissance and Military Courage, or numbers of Men of War, did exceed Xerxes, Darius, or Pyr­rhus; the Battels they had with Ismalucco, and Idaliam in the Kingdom of Decam, both equal to mighty Kings and their Armies, consisting of the best Warriors of the East; the War they have waged with the Moors of Malacca, Sumatra, and Mo­lucco, as also with the Kings of Bengala, Peug, and Siam, &c. with many other for­midable powers. Many of those places most certain it is, were lost while the Ca­tholique King had possession of Portugal; but with it he likewise lost, and King JOHN IV. had possession of above Fifty Towns and Forts accounted impregna­ble, such were, Mozambique, Cuama, Monomotasca, Mombaza, Masiala, Dui, Damam, Bazaine, Chiaul, Onor, Barcelor, Mangalor, Cananor, Cranganor, Cochim Conlan, Nega­patan, Meliapor, the Isle of Ceilam, the Kingdom of Jafanapalan, the Cities of Ma­nac, and Nombrede Jesu; then more Northward, Azarim, Danue Agazim, Maim Tra­por, and many other places, in all which were maintained Governours and Souldiers, and a Vice-Roy, residing at Goa, with Courts of Justice, &c. Hither many Kings of the East used to send Ambassadors to maintain Amity with the King of Portugal, and to bring Tribute to him. Thus the Portugal Trade in the East extendeth it self no less than Four thousand Leagues, by which Trade all the Garisons are maintained, and all the Ships (whereof they are oftentimes Two or three Fleets) and much Wealth sent home every Year; besides those aforementioned, the Crown of Portu­gal has several Towns on the Coast of Affrica, so strongly fortified, That the Moors of the Countrey could never yet recover them, such as Tangier, &c.

In America they possess the famous Countrey of Brazile, which stretcheth it self One thousand four hundred Leagues upon the Sea-Coast, containing Fourteen Go­vernments, and many principal Cities, St. Salvador, Pernambuco, &c.

Thus great a loss did the Spanish Monarchy suffer by the Revolt of Portugal, which the Catholick King Philip the Fourth was very solicitous to recover, and to that end and purpose did not only consult with the greatest States-men at home, but likewise with those abroad, from one of whom he to that effect received the ensuing Letter.

But notwithstanding all these endeavors, and these proposed Artifices, nothing prevailed towards the King of Spain's recovery of this Kingdom, nor was it proba­ble that any of these Deceits ever should, whil'st is considered the extraordinary love and affection which the whole Nation of the Portuguesses bore to the Family of their present King, and the inveterate hatred which they did, and always have born to the Castillians, which was so exceeding great, that it is believed they would rather have suffered themselves to be extirpated and routed out, than again submit their Necks to the Spanish Yoke.

And that ever the Spaniard should again recover it per force, is incredible, if we either consider the Union and Unanimity of the Portugal Nation, and their Resolu­tions to undergo the greatest miseries of War can inflict, or the Interest of all the other Princes of Christendom, who may justly suspect the encroaching greatness of the Spaniard, and therefore endeavor rather to Lop off more Limbs from that great Body, than suffer this to be rejoyned.

But it is now high time to return to a Review of the Actions of the Grand As­sembly of the Estates of Portugal, who next Resolved to Dispatch Ambassadors to [Page 111] all States of Christendom, to enter into Confederacies, for the better defence and establishment of the Kingdom, and for the Glory and Reputation of the King.

In the first place, the Father Ignatius Mascarenas a Jesuite, with another Father of the same Order, was sent into Catalonia, to offer them all assistance and supplies for their maintenance, and defence against the Catholique King, for very well did the King of Portugal know that it highly did import his Interest to correspond with them, that so they might joyntly, not onely defend, but also offend the King of Spain, whose Country lying betwixt them both, they might at pleasure invade, or molest it, either by Sea or Land.

This Embassie of King JOHN'S so rejoyced and encouraged the Catalonians, that the very next day after the Ambassadors had Audience, they obtained a most signal Victory in their own defence against the Spaniards, who had assaulted them with an Army of twenty five thousand men under the Command of the Marquiss De los veles.

Shortly after that the Father Ignatius Mascarenas was dispatched to the Cataloni­ans D. Francisco de Mello, and Don Antonia Caelle Carravallio, (persons both of excellent and admired abilities, the one for his great experience and judgment in State-affairs, and the other for his noble Spirit, and eminent knowledge in the Civil Law) to go on a solemn Embassie to the most Christian King Lewis the thir­teenth of France.

These attended with a Stately and most Magnificent Train, landed soon after at Rochel and on the fifteenth of March 1641. made a solemn Entrance into Paris, being met and conducted in by a great number of Coaches, filled with the Gran­dees of the Kingdom, besides numbers of the French Nobility, who came to at­tend them on horse-back.

Thus accompanied, they were conducted to the Palace appointed for the Enter­tainment of the Extraordinary Ambassadors, where they were in a sumptuous and magnificent manner feasted at the Kings Charges.

From thence they were by the Duke of Chevereux, and the Count de Brulon, conducted in the Kings Coaches unto his Majesty then at St. Germains, to receive the first Audience; which was performed with extraordinary shews of love and re­spect: for upon the entrance of the Ambassadors into the place appointed for their Audience, the King rose out of his Chair of Estate: and went forward three steps to receive them, nor would he permit them to deliver their Embassie with their Hats off, or to descend so low, as to kiss his hands at their departure, but in stead of that Ceremony, he affectionately imbraced them in his Arms, promising them the greatest Assistance his Power was able to give.

They were from the Kings presence conduced to a sumptuous Dinner provided for them, and after that brought to the Queens Lodging, who was set to ex­pect their coming: at their entrance she likewise rose, and advanced three steps to meet them, receiving them with a cheerful and courteous countenance, and not permitting them to be uncovered.

Amongst other Discourses which they had with her, D. Francisco de Mello told her, That he feared his Embassie might not be acceptable, because the King his Master had deprived her Brother of one of his Kingdoms. Whereunto she readily re­plyed, That though she was sister to the King of Spain, yet she was wife to the King of France.

After some Discourse in French, her Majesty began to speak to them in Spanish, which they observing, desired to know wherefore her Majesty had not vouchsafed them that favor sooner, it being a Language by them better understood; To which the Queen jestingly answered, For fear they should be frighted, to hear her speak Spanish, and the Embassador to improve the jest, replyed, Como a tum Grand [Page 112] Signora si, pero coma a Castiliano no, that it was true considering her Greatness, but not her Country: The Queen smiling, went on, promising them all assistance possi­ble, and wishing all prosperity to King JOHN and his Queen; and so they having delivered her Majesty a Letter from the Queen of Portugal, took their leave.

From her Majesty they went to visit his Eminence the Cardinal Richlieu, who being advertised of their coming, came forward to the third Chamber to meet them, where he received them with expressions of great affection, and promises and proffers of services, and from thence conducted them to his own Chamber.

Being all three sate, the Cardinal (who was the most experienced and greatest Statesman of his time) discoursed with them of divers affairs of great importance, and they endeavored to explain to his Eminence what was before his sentiment, that it very much imported the two Crowns of France and Portugal to be united by an in­dissoluble League, considering that it was the Chief and Principal end and aim of the House of Austria, (whose Branches were spread over almost all Europe) not only to be the greatest, but to be the sole and only Monarch of Christendom: That to effect those ambitious desires, he had never made scruple to usurp and seize upon Kingdoms and States upon the least pretences imaginable, as had appeared in the Kingdoms of Naples, Sicily, Navarre, the Dutchy of Millan, and lately several States in Germany, seizing upon the Valtoline, whereby they had a passage open to lead an Army of Germans into Italy at pleasure.

That considering the vast power and interest that this Family had, not only in Europe, but also in America, it could not but be confessed, That they had a large foundation of their imaginary Universal Monarchy; but that nothing gave them so great hopes, as the possession of Portugal.

For by the addition of that Kingdom to the Crown of Castille, 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, Japan, and all that incredible wealth that was raised out of the Portugal Traffick, whereby the Austrian Greatness (if not their Monarchy) was principally sustained, that therefore it concerned all States whatsoever, not only to put a stop to the raving Tyranny of this devouring Mon­ster, but to suppress and lessen his Power by all means possible.

That to do this, none was more concerned, or more able, than the Kingdom of France united with that of Portugal: That this having been called the Right Arm (as Catalonia the Left) of that great Austrian Colossus, now both being separated from it, and united to France, will be able to do greater service against it, than they were ever forced to do for it, not only by assaulting the Spaniard within his own doors, but by intercepting the Plate-Fleet; which in its return from the West-Indies, it being necessarily forced to pass by the Tercera Islands, must run in danger of the Portuguez Fleet, or be forced to be at the Charge of an extraordinary Convoy.

These were the sum of the Ambassadors Discourses to the Cardinal: In answer to which, his Eminence made offer, not only of all the Assistance of the most Chri­stian King his Master, but that he would disburse himself for the service of the King of Portugal, promising that he would presently send thither a Fleet of Twenty Sail with his Nephew, Admiral and Ambassador Extraordinary.

This Treatment thus ended, the Ambassadors took their leaves, his Eminence waiting upon them as far as the Stairs; which when they endeavored to hinder, he replied, That the Ambassadors of the King of Portugal, were to be Treated with as much Respect as those of the Emperor or Pope.

Few dayes after, a Juncto of the King of France his Council, were appointed to Treat with the Ambassadors in the House of the Lord High Chancellor of the Kingdom, where a Peace was fully concluded between the two Kingdoms of France and Portugal.

Other Ambassadors were (about the same time that the afore-mentioned were sent into France) dispatched into England; for it very much concerned the King­dom of Portugal to maintain a good Correspondence with the Crown of England, both in regard of the Navigation and Commerce of both States, and also the better to break that Amity and good Understanding which was now held between the Crown of Spain and that State. Hither therefore were sent Don Antonio D'Alma­do, and Don Francisco D'Averado Leilon, both persons of exquisite parts; who, notwithstanding that the Dunkirkers Chased them, arrived safe in England.

And for all the sturdy endeavors of the Spanish Ambassadors, they were received on shore with abundance of Respect; yet His Majesty of England would not give them Audience, or accept of the Ambassage from the King of Portugal, so tender was He of His Honor and Conscience, till Don Antonia de Sosa their Secretary, had drawn up a Paper, to satisfie Him of the Right and Title of the Duke of Braganza to the Crown of Portugal. The sum of which was:

The King having perused and deliberated upon this Paper, gave immediately Order they should be presently conducted to London, which was done with all conve­nient Solemnity, and they lodged in a Palace ready prepared for them: soon after with great Ceremony they received Audience of His Majesty, in a fair and Stately Hall prepared for that purpose, where His Majesty sate upon a Throne raised two steps, and at the entrance of the Ambassador pulled off His Hat, nor would be co­vered till they were so too.

To the Propositions made in the Speech of D. Antonia D'Almoda, concerning a Peace between Portugal and England, His Majesty replied, That he should be ve­ry glad if an expedient might be found out to renew the Antient Leagues of Friend­ship between the two Crowns, without the breaking with Spain.

Some few dayes after, the Ambassadors were conducted to give a Visit to Mary [Page 114] Queen of England, who sate in a Chair of Estate ready to entertain them: when they came into the Presence, She rose out of the Chair, and came as far as the Car­petting, making low reverence as the Ambassadors bowed; when they came near, Her Majesty made them be covered, but afterwards they spoke with their Hats off. In conclusion the Queen told them, That she much desired to hold Correspondence with Her Majesty of Portugal.

In fine, on the Thirteenth of June, One thousand six hundred and forty one, a Peace was absolutely concluded with the Portugal, notwithstanding the earnest en­deavors of Don Alonza Cardenas, [...]ger Ambassador for Spain, who by Gifts and Promises, even as far as the restitutio [...] of the Palatinate, endeavored to hinder it.

The Ambassadors that were sent [...] the King of Denmark (notwithstanding the great Traffick and Commerce that had formerly bin held between that Kingdom and Portugal) were not (by reason of the great interest the House of Austria had with those Kings) received; yet the King gave all possible Respect otherwise to them. From thence they passed into Sweden, and were Magnificently entertained at the young Queens Court at Stockholm, where a League was soon concluded, and the Ambassadors dismissed, according to the Custom of that Nation, with Gold Chains, and the Queens Portraicture in a Meddal of Gold.

The Ambassador D. Tristano De Mendoza Hurtada, that was sent to the States of the United Provinces, was received with the like Magnificence and seeming affe­ction, and a Truce concluded with the Kingdom of Portugal for Ten years; for a Peace the States would not assent to, because they having Conquered many places in Brasil, Angola, &c which belonged to the Crown and Kingdom of Portugal, could not make restitution of them, by reason they now belonged to the West-India Com­pany; nor could the King of Portugal allow the Conquest, as things of right be­longing to his Crown, and depending on it.

But now we come to treat of a more solemn Embassie, to wit, that to the Pope: Long was it debated in the Assembly of Estates, whether an Ambassador should be sent to Rome immediately, or a more opportune conjuncture of time be expected. Some were of opinion that the sending an Ambassador without further delay, would be a testification of their duty, and incline the Popes Holiness to acknowledge DON JOHN the lawful Heir, and rightful King of Portugal, which would extreamly further and advance the Affairs of the Kingdom.

But others there were who conceived those things rather desirable than feasable, and were of the opinion they should rather stay till a fitter opportunity, alledging, that the King of Spain's present power at Rome, might probably oppose the Re­ception of their Ambassador: that although the Pope never was in his heart a Spa­niard, yet he would never yield to show himself an enemy to the Catholick King: That the Spaniards cunningly fomenting the opinion which all the world had en­tertainted, that his Holiness did in all things favor the French interest, would from such a Reception, draw as much as ever they could ask or desire. That for this cause the Pope (that he might not seem their enemy) had alwayes granted them whatever they desired; That therefore they thought it convenient first to sound his Holiness, before they run the hazard of the disgrace and affront which might fall upon his Majesty, and the whole Kingdom; That in case the Pope should decline the reception of the Ambassador, to whom could they repair or ap­peal to vindicate the injury done to the Crown? That many Popes had been so fascinated to the interest of their own family, that the world had very great oc­casion to believe, that their designs tended rather to what was best for themselves, than to what was best indeed: That the Portugal Nation, had as much reason to distrust the See of Rome as any, whilst they had to their cost had examples how they onely pursued their own ends. As particularly Gregory the thirteenth, who at [Page 115] first seemed so affectionate to the Kingdom of Portugal, that he imployed the ut­most of his Power for the Interest of his own Family, approved of all that King had done; that there was none who had more to give, or at least who had more to promise, than the Catholick King; so that in any business of Competition he must necessarily gain the better.

But notwithstanding all these Arguments to the contrary, upon the promises of the King of France, to be a Mediator at the See of Rome, for the Reception of their Ambassadors, by the suffrage of some few Voices, to make the major part, it was concluded, That Ambassadors should immediately be sent to Rome.

And in pursuance of this Vote, the King immediately made choice of two Reverend and able Persons, to wit, Michael De Portogallo, Son to the Count Vimio­so of the Blood Royal, Bishop of Lamego, and D. Petableone Rodriguiz, Bishop of Elvas: No sooner was the news arrived at Rome of their being landed in Italy, but the Spaniards in Rome mustred themselves together, with resolution either to oppose their entrance, or at least hinder their reception; whil'st on the other side the French, Portugal, and Catalonians assembled themselves together, resolving to hazard their dearest Blood in their Cause.

His Holiness seeing these preparations on both sides, feared lest his Countrey should be made the Seat of a petty War, and considering that in any case the disho­nour would accrue to him, if whil'st under his Command and Protection, the Person of an Ambassador should be violated, strictly Commanded all his Guards to take spe­cial care to prevent the Violencies intended.

The Spaniards by this Order hindred from what they purposed, their Ambas­sadors openly protested, That if his Holiness did receive the Portugal Ambassador, they would immediately leave Rome. But notwithstanding these protestations, and all other opposition they could possibly make, in November, One thousand six hun­dred and forty one, 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 received them with all Respect possible, still giving them the precedence.

Hereupon several Manifesto's are scattered abroad by the two Spanish Ambassa­dors, the Marquess De los Veles, and D. John Chiumarrero, labouring 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 that Kingdom, which had been in the quiet possession of the Catholick King these Sixty years. Secondly, Because he was a Rebel, and a Perjured Person, having sworn Allegiance to the Catholick King. Thirdly, That the Reception of these Ambassadors would ani­mate other Subjects of the Catholick King to Rebellion.

But whil'st the Spanish Ambassadors are violently shooting such Paper-Bullets, the Portuguesses used all their endeavors, both by themselves, and the French Am­bassadors, (who had express Order from the most Christian King his Master to that purpose,) to prevail with the Pope, to give them Audience, and admit their Em­bassie: but his Holiness was so fearful to displease the Spaniard, lest he should after­wards take occasion to revenge himself upon his Nephews, that he utterly declined their Reception, yet not out of any of the Spaniards Allegations, but upon pre­tence that certain of the Church Rites had been violated in Portugal; the Arch-bi­shop of Braga, and other Ecclesiastical Persons, being kept in durance, though it was for very good reasons, as hereafter shall appear.

Yet the Spaniards were not content with this Resolution of his Holiness, but (whil'st the Portugals were endeavoring to prove their Cause, by both Political and Legal Declarations, Allegations, and Arguments,) fearing lest the Pope might chance to alter his mind, resolved to make a quick dispatch of the Business, and to [Page 116] that purpose Two hundred Banditi were hired to seize upon the Bishop of Lamego, and carry him to Naples, as the Prince of Sans had been before served by them, and there put to Death.

But this Design, themselves at length could not agree upon, for the Marquess De Los Velos, thought it would be better and less dangerous to give the Portugals a Publick Affront in the City, which was concluded to be put in effect, and to that purpose it was communicated to the rest of the Nation, (whereof upon several oc­casions there are alwayes many in Rome) who assembled together well Armed at the Ambassadors Palace: and so great is the Power of Revenge: that to the end they might the better effect their design, and yet not appear as Souldiers, though there were many Gentlemen of quality amongst them, they condescended to go under the name of Foot-men to the Marquess.

The Popes Holiness hearing of the great preparations of the Spaniard, sent to them to let them know, that he could not but be very much distasted to see such disorders attempted in a peaceable City, and therefore desiring them for his Honors sake to desist, and withal sent a Messenger to the Bishop of Lamego, to assure him that he need not fear any thing, for upon the Word of his Holiness, he should walk the Streets undisturbed.

But do the Pope what he could, either by threats, desires, or perswasions, the Spaniards were resolved to prosecute their design, which they put in execu­tion to their own cost, on the twenty of August, One thousand six hundred forty two. On which day the Bishop of Lamego going to visit the French Ambassador, one of his retinue observed, that he was dog'd by a Spanish Spie; whereupon a Coun­ter-Spie was sent to the Marquesses to bring intelligence what they were doing there, who brought word to the French Ambassadors, that there was great prepara­tions of Coaches and Men: whereupon the French, Portugals, and Catalonians, assem­bled, and armed themselves with Pistols and Fire-locks, to convoy home the Bishop.

By the way they were met by the Spanish Ambassador, accompanied with about eight Coaches full of Captains and Officers come from Naples, and guarded with a­bout sixty Foot-men, besides divers others of that Nation. No sooner came they in sight of the Bishops Coach, but they cried aloud, Che si fermassero all' Ambas­ciatore di Spagna; that they should stop for the Ambassador of Spain: but the Por­tugals driving on, answered, Che fi fermassero Lavo, that they should stop.

Hereupon both sides with their Swords drawn leapt out of the Coaches, and making a stand, one Gun was first fired by the Spaniards side, and immediately seconded with a brave volley on both sides; when they fell into Swords point, the Bishops side soon getting the better of it, yet there was slain a Knight of Malta, an Italian, and a French and Portugal page, but on the Spanish Marquesses side, there were eight killed upon the place, and above twenty wounded, the Mar­quess leaving his Coach-horses dead, escaped out of the back of the Coach, which stood upon the place till next day, and got into the next shop without his hat, and trembling for fear, from whence he was carried to the Spanish Cardinal Al­bornoz Palace. The Portuguesse Ambassador returned first to the French Palace, and from thence went safely home.

His Holiness the Pope was extreamly perplexed at these disturbances, and therefore to prevent the like for the future, Commanded a guard of Souldiers to be put upon the houses, both of the Bishop and the Marquess. But shortly after, when the Bishop of Lamego had again pressed the Pope, by a large memorial of the reasons why he should be received, and was absolutely refused, he was by his Master the King of Portugal called home.

Whilst these things were acting abroad, the Castillians begun to make con­tinual in-roads into the borders of Portugal, which made King JOHN look more narrowly into the defence of his Kingdom, fortifie all the Frontiers, and train up his Subjects to military exercises.

The Spaniards in one in-road which they made into Portugal, laid waste all before them, sparing neither Sex nor Age wheresoever they came, which made the Portu­gals in revenge, commit the like out-rages in an in-road they made into Gallicia.

But these were publick enmities, and therefore more easie to be opposed; but there was a private Serpent that lay Lurking at home, which was so much the like­lier to do mischief, by how much it was more secretly hidden. Some few there were who thought themselves so highly obliged to the Catholick King, as to en­deavour the re-uniting of the Crown of Portugal to his vast Dominions, and again inslave their Countrey to Forreigners.

The principal of these was the Arch-bishop of Braga, alwayes a great Creature and Favourite of the Count Olivarez, who had at the beginning of the Revolt, show'd himself so opposite to the Freedom of his Countrey, that many Gentlemen were once resolved to make him suffer the same fate with Vasconcellos the Secreta­ry; Nor had he ceased ever since to show visible signs of his discontentment at the Government.

In this Arch-bishops head was the whole Conspiracy first hatch't, and by him communicated to D. Lewis de Meneses Marquess of Villa-real, and the Duke of Ca­migna his Son, two Persons sufficiently Ambitious, and both discontented, as not thinking themselves sufficiently rewarded according to their Merit: These the Arch­bishop tampered with, perswading them, That it was a low and unworthy thing, much beneath their Birth and Greatness, to suffer themselves to be subject to a fel­low-Subject: That it would be much more Noble and Generous in them, to return their Allegiance to the King of Spain their Antient Soveraign, who was able to be­stow more upon a Person deserving in one day, than the Duke of Braganza could in an hundred years. These and few other Arguments were sufficient to draw those, who before out of their envy to the House of Braganza, were inclinable to a change.

These made sure, the Arch-bishop next draws into this Plot a Gentleman of a Noble Blood, named, D. Augustine Emanuel, a man of excellent parts, but somewhat necessitated, nor had ever been looked upon, or put into any employ­ment, which without any other incentives, were motives sufficient to move a man to any desperate design. Next him was added to this Conspiracy, Pietro Baeza, a lately converted Jew, whom the Portuguesses call Upstart Christians; he was Fa­mous for nothing, but his vast Riches; being a great Criado of the Count Olivarez, whose Favour, he used often to say, would one day advance him to high Honor, or to a high pair of Gallows, which last proved very true.

Many private Meetings had these, and some few other Conspirators, where they debated to bring their Designs to effect; some were of opinion, that before they could bring it to perfection, more should be acquainted with it, for it was impossible that so few should ever be able to compass it: But in this course there arose many fears and doubts, lest too many being acquainted with it, some should discover it, as had often hapned in Designs of that high Nature: yet at length it was found ne­cessary to draw more into the Plot, for whil'st they were so few, the Business only rested in imagination, but could never be put in execution.

Having therefore added some more to the number, their next debates were of the manner how to bring it to effect; some advised that a Power of the Catholick Kings was to be got in a readiness, but they then thought that the King of Portugal would raise as great a force, and so prevent a sudden Invasion: Yet in answer to that Objection, it was by some alledged, That the Spaniard by way of Intelligence might be let in, which again seemed as difficult, the Militia being in the hands of Persons most Loyal and Trusty to the King: Others proposed, That the only way to ef­fect it, was by a sudden and violent making away of the King; but this advice was opposed by most, who inclined to a mediocrity, and would rather have found out a [Page 118] way to make his Majesty renounce his own Right and Title to the Crown, and retire himself from the dangers which should be presented unto him.

But whil'st they thus wavered in opinions, and inclined to that moderation, which is the ruine of all Designs of this Nature, they gave the King time and occasion to search out their Plots; for his Majesty having alwayes had a suspitious eye upon the Arch-bishop of Braga, and the Marquess of Villa-Real, and having received now private notice, that they had had sundry Meetings, and were observed daily to con­verse with Persons as discontented as themselves, endeavored by all means possible to know the depth of their Counsel, and at length intercepts some of their Letters to Madrid, which discovered not only the whole Plot, but even the names of all the Conspirators.

The Act of Holding Correspondence with the Spaniard, was Treason in it self, sufficient to take away their lives, being contrary to his Majesties express command, its being to this intent, made it but so much the more hainous: His Majesty there­fore not knowing how far it might have proceeded, made no delayes, but presently by the sound of Drum and Trumpet (as the Custom is) caused to be Proclaimed, That he intended to go forth of the City; upon which all the Nobles and Gentry, according to the usual manner, assembled at the Palace to accompany his Majesty, who when he saw them all ready, commanded first that a Council of Estate should be called, which was done, many of the Conspirators being assistant in it, who be­ing sate, his Majesty without any noise caused them to be arrested one by one, which without the taking of this course, he could never have effected; for if the Conspi­racy had been detected, before their Persons had been seized, they had either been torn in pieces by the fury of the People, or else had some of them escaped.

It was very strange that of all the Plotters in this Conspiracy, not one should, either by accident, or otherwise, escape, for the Persons of these now taken, were no sooner imprisoned, but his Majesty published a Proclamation, declaring a Free Pardon to all the Complices in this Conspiracy, that should within Four dayes come and acknowledge their fault, and beg it; but the Kings diligence had been such before, that there was not one left to accept of this Grace.

Shortly after those who had been taken, were Arraigned according to Law, found Guilty of High Treason, and in manner following executed.

On the last day of August, One thousand six hundred and forty one, the Marquess of Villa-Real, the Duke of Camigna, his Son, the Count de Armamac, and D. Au­gustine Manuele, were led along a Gallery to a Scaffold erected for the purpose, with two stories, on the uppermost of which stood two Chairs, on the next one, and on the Scaffold it self the fourth.

The first that was conducted forth to Execution, was the Marquess of Villa-Real, who was clothed in a long black Bayes Cloak, and his servants attending him in mourning, being mounted to the uppermost part of the Scaffold, he prayed for a good space upon his knees, and then rising up, asked, If there were no hopes of Pardon? which made the people with one voice cry out, No, let him die, let him die for a Traytor.

The next funebrious Ceremony of his Execution, was the Proclamation, which according to the usual manner was made by the Executioner, in these words; This is the Justice that the King our Soveraign Lord, commands to be executed upon the person of Don Lewis de Meneses, sometimes Marquess 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 out, Justice, Justice.

The Marquess thereupon seeing no hopes of any Repreive, with a sober and becoming gravity demanded Pardon of all the Spectators, desiring them to [Page 119] assist him with their prayers to God for the Pardon of this, and all his other sins; then turning to a Father-Jesuite his Confessor, he prayed him in his behalf to present himself at his Majesties feet, and beseech him out of his wonted goodness, to forgive him that hainous offence committed against him and the whole King­dom.

Having ended this Speech, he very patiently sate down in the Chair, and the Executioner having tied his arms and legs, to the arms and legs of the Chair, he leaned his neck over the back of the Chair, and the Executioner with his knife cut his throat, covering him afterwards with a black Scarf.

In the same maner his son the Duke of Camigna came to the Scaffold, his ser­vants all attending him in mourning; as he came to his fathers Corps he kneeled down, and several times kissed his feet, begged of the people the suffrage of one Pater nostre for his fathers soul; then after some prayers, and Proclamation made by the Executioner, he received the same punishment.

Next that suffered was the Count of Armamac, in the Chair seated upon the lower story; and after him Don Augustin Manuel upon the Scaffold it self; the Judges would have had all their necks cut behind, but his Majesty would not con­sent thereto, as a punishment too ignominious for persons of their quality.

The same day Pietro de Baeza, and Melchior Correa de Franca, were drawn at a horse-tail to an extraordinary high gallows, and there hanged, whilest Diego de Bri­to Nabo, and Antonio Valente, were executed upon a lower; the Quarters of these four were set up at the Gates of the City, and their Heads placed upon several Frontier Towns.

In the Month of September following, for the same offence Antonia Cogamigne, and Antonio Correa, were likewise executed, the first of which during the whole time of his Imprisonment, was an example of Penitence, feeding only upon Bread and Water, and whipping himself very often, with continual prayers to God for Pardon of that, and all his other sins.

As for the Arch-Bishop of Braga, and the Bishops of Martiria and Malacca, and Fryer Emanuel de Macedo, though they were the persons that had the greatest hand in the Conspiracy; yet in regard they were Ecclesiastical persons, they suffered not death, according to their deserts, but were kept in prison, till the Popes pleasure were known concerning them.

Here must not be forgot a great example of humility and repentance in the Arch-Bishop of Braga, not only in his life time (when he often writ to the King, that he might suffer, and others be spared, who were rather drawn in, in comply­ance and obedience to him, than out of any ill-will to the King and Kingdom (but also at his death (which hapned about Three years after his Imprisonment) when he gave Order, That as soon as he was dead, his Last Will and Testament should be carried to the King, wherein he humbly intreated his Majesty to Pardon the Treason committed against him, and his Native Countrey, and that he would permit his body to be buried without the Church of any Parish of Lisbonne, and that without any Inscription or Tomb-stone, that there might remain no memory of a man who had been a Traytor to his King and Countrey.

This exemplary punishment, and rigorous execution of Justice upon the fore­mentioned trayterous Delinquents, established the King in his Kingdom, struck a terror into his enemies, and increased his Subjects love and care of him more dili­gently to Watch his Royal Families, and the Kingdoms safety.

But in the mean time daily incursions were made upon the Frontiers between the Castillians and Portuguesses, with the same Violence, Cruelty and Animosity, as for­merly.

About the beginning of the year, One thousand six hundred and forty two (notwith­standing [Page 120] the Truce that had been concluded between Portugal and Holland, and that a great Fleet of Hollanders had been sent to assist the Portugal against the Spaniard) there passed very high Acts of Hostility between the two Nations in Affrica and America, beyond the Line; for the Hollanders seeing the disunion of Portugal from Castille, made all speed possible to perfect 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 purpose, that is, the expediting their Conquest, the Hollanders treach­erously (whilest there was all quiet and peacable Commerce held between the two Nations in the Kingdom of Angola) surprized the Portugals that were Go­vernors of the place, Killed divers, and Robbed all of the great Wealth they there found; of which Perfidiousness, as also of the Barbarous Usage of the Priso­ners there taken, Complaints were made to the States General at the Hague, but no Redress was granted; nor was the King of Portugal of Ability to force it.

In the mean time the Affairs in Portugal were a little discomposed by the general Discontent and Distaste taken at the Secretary of State, Don Francisco de Lucena: This man had lived a long time in the Court of Spain, till he was by Olivarez made Under-Secretary to Vasconcellos; his Readiness to Proclaim King JOHN, and his Abilities in the place, made the King continue him in it, reposing in him so great a Confidence, That though some had Advertized his Majesty that he kept Corres­pondence with the Court at Madrid, yet the King would not suspect him, nor permit him to be brought to a Trial.

But about the middle of the Year, One thousand six hundred and forty three; the ur­gent Affairs of the Kingdom requiring a Convention of the Three Estates, they o­penly refused all Acts that should pass the hands of Secretary Lucena, positively tel­ling his Majesty, That until he were brought to Trial, no Acts should Pass in the As­sembly of Estates, nor any farther Proceedings be made.

His Majesty was very much Grieved hereat, yet prudently Resolved to give his Subjects Satisfaction, by delivering up his Secretary to Justice; yet Resolving he should have a fair Trial, and to that purpose sitting himself to hear the Witnesses ex­amined. Whilest Process was framed against the Secretary, some secret Advice came to his Majesty, which caused the Imprisonment of the Brother, and Three Servants of the Secretary, together with an English Monck, and a Cavalier of the Habit; not long after, the Secretary was Arraigned and Condemned for betraying his Truth, in holding Correspondence with the Enemy, and in neglecting timely to Advertise the Infanta Edward to retire out of Germany, &c. and according to his Sentence, exe­cuted in a Publick place in Lisbon, where at his Death, he protested his Innocency touching any Treachery towards his Majesty.

The Death of the Secretary both pleased the People, and satisfied the Assembly of Estates, who now, according to his Majesties Command, met on September 18. One thousand six hundred and forty three; and being all sate, and his Majesty seated in his Throne, D. Emanuel D'Acugna, Dean of his Majesties Chappel, rose up, and after Reverence made to the King, spake to the Effect following.

This Speech of the Deans was spoken with so much Affection, that it stirred up and encouraged the States readily to give all Assistance imaginable, both for Re­dressing of Grievances, and for the Levying Arms, so that within a small time af­ter, the King was in the Head of Twenty thousand Foot, and Three thousand Horse, marching towards the Fronteirs of Castille.

Whil'st these great preparations for Hostility were made, the Queen brought forth into the World a second Son to His Majesty, but first Child after he came to the Crown, which added to the Magnificence of his Christning, he was named Al­phonso, and his Brother Theodosio dying before his Father, succeeded in the Kingdom and is at present King of Portugal.

Many Skirmishes had passed between the Castillians and Portuguesses, many town, had been surprized, many lands wasted, but never happened a set-battel between them till in the year, One thousand six hundred and forty four, when both Armies met upon the Border of Portugal in a field called Campo Major. The Spanish Army which for the most part consisted of strangers, was under the Command of the [Page 122] Marquess of Forrecusa, and the Portugal Army consisting of Natives, and some few Hollanders, were commanded by Macchias de Albuquerque. This fight was maintained with all possible courage and resolution on both sides; but the Spa­niards being more numerous, especially in horse, at length put the whole Portu­guese Army in Disorder, seized on their whole Artillery, and Baggage, and slew Albuquerques Horse under him, took many Prisoners, and assured themselves of an absolute Victory. But Fortune which had thus favourably smiled upon them in the beginning of the Day, frowned as harshly upon them in the Conclusion; for Albuquerque being re-mounted, Rallied again his scattered Forces, re-charged the pursuing Spaniards, put them to a total Rout, and pursued the Chase for above three Miles.

In this Battel the Castillians lost One thousand six hundred men upon the place, amongst which were the Lieutenant General, the General of the Horse, the Gene­ral of the Artillery, the Count de Montixo, five Camp-masters, two Adjutants of Horse, three Serjeant Majors, three and twenty Cornets, together with many Knights of the Order of St. James Calatrava and Alcantara: there were taken about Four thousand Arms, and a thousand Horse.

On the Portuguese side there were not above Three hundred slain, among which were two Camp-masters, one Serjeant Major, a Captain of Horse, and eight of Foot, but many Noblemen, Commanders, and Officers taken Prisoners in the first encoun­ter, were carried away by the Spaniards in their flight.

It was not long after this Battel, that the Marquess De Montalban, D. George Mascaneras Lord Treasurer, President of the Council of the Indies, and Councel­lor of Estate, with some others, were imprisoned upon suspition of a Conspiracy against the King of Portugal: but it being upon Examination found, that the suspi­tion was by the Spaniards cunningly raised, to deprive King JOHN of his most able Ministers, and to make the World believe the Portuguese Nobility were dis­contented with their King; they were set at Liberty, and their Honours fully repaired by a Proclamation of the Kings.

For the Spaniards ceased not by all means and devices, which the Will and Po­licy of the most wicked States-men could invent, not only to weaken the Portu­guess Nation within it self, by breeding discontents (if possible) between the King and the three Estates, but likewise to undervalue them, and make their credit be slighted and disregarded by other Kingdoms and States, their Confederates and Allies.

Yet besides these subtile Ambages, the King of Castille did not desist the en­deavoring to oppress this Kingdom by force of Arms; but not only the resolved and immutable unity of the Portuguess Nation, was a strong Tower and invinci­ble Fortress against the Spanish Power, but so extreamly was the House of Austria involved in Wars and Disasters on every side, that that vast Body was rather in a condition to crave help and assistance from others, than indeed to oppress them. For besides the Wars in Catalonia, which had put itself under the protection of the most potent King of France, in the Low-countreys, which had proved so tedious and so chargeable a War to Spains; in Italy, in this Kingdom, and in Germany, there happened several Commotions and popular Tumults in some of the King of Spain's Dominions, which not only robbed the King of a present supply of Trea­sure, but were otherwise retardments to the prosecution of his Wars in other places.

The first of these Commotions began in the Island of Sicily, where the peo­ple gathering together in a tumultuous manner, forced the Vice-roy to take off all new Imposts and Taxes which the Kings present necessities had enforced him to lay upon them. This encouraged their neighbours on the adjacent Continent, the [Page 123] Inhabitants of the Famous City of Naples, in hopes to rid themselves of their op­pressions, to rise in like manner in Arms; which they did, encouraged and com­manded by one Thomas Aniello, or vulgarly Masaniello, who though of so mean and obscure a birth as a poor Fisher-boy; yet to the wonder of the World for ten dayes Commanded this mighty City, and freed it from all Gabels, so that ever since these two Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily have rather been a great charge, than any benefit to the Spanish Monarch.

These Troubles, and the Austrian Families being every where encompassed and embroiled in Wars, together with the earnest desire of the King of Castille to pro­secute a vigorous War against Catalonia, and Portugal, were I suppose the motives which perswaded the Catholique King to end those Wars, which had lasted in the low Countreys for above ninety years, by owning now at last (what he had so long refused) the united Provinces free States, so an obsolute peace was concluded on, and proclaimed at all the chief towns in the Netherlands, on the 5. of June, One thousand six hundred and forty eight, a Peace no less advantagious to the Spaniards, than disadvantagious to the Portugals, by reason of the pretences the Dutch had to Brazil, and other places in the West-Indies. King JOHN of Portugal about the beginning of the year, One thousand six hundred and forty nine, thought his Son the Prince Theodosio arrived at an age fitting to keep a Court of himself; Lodgings were therefore appointed for him, divided from the Royal Palace, and Officers of his Houshold nominated and appointed by the King, amongst whom the Earls of Villa nova, of Miranda, of Valdereis & Fernando, Telles de Monezez, (who had for­merly been Governour of the City of Port,) were entrusted as the principal Gen­tlemen of his Chamber.

The King likewise thought fit to adde a third to the two former Superintendants of his Revenue, whom he nominated to be D. Rey de Moure Tellez, whose former Office of Steward to the Queen, was at the same time conferred on D. Antonio de Silva Lord of Billas.

Notwithstanding the Truce, the Hollanders still continued their outrages on the other side the Line, but principally in Brazil, where they seized upon many of the Portugal sorts, impeded the Traffick, abused and murthered the Subjects, which made His Majesty resolve to call the Earl of Castle Melhor from his charge of being General of the Portugal Forces upon the Frontiers of Gallicia, and committing that to the young Viscount de Villanova de Servera that the Earl might be imployed as Vice­roy to Brazil to curb the Flemmings insolencies, and to secure the Portuguess Mer­chants Ships from their Pyracies, the King appointed a Fleet of forty Ships of War, and six thousand Men to attend that service as Convoys.

His Holiness the Popes anger as yet continued towards the Kingdom of Portugal, for he had not only hitherto refused to receive Ambassadors from thence, but to supply those Archbishopricks, Bishopricks, and other Ecclesiastical Offices of the Kingdom, which by the death of the former possessors were vacant: this the King found a great inconveniency in, and therefore thought fit once more to attempt his Holiness; and to present him the names of such of his own Subjects, whose piety, learning, or other sufficiencies he thought might make them capable of such digni­ties; As first, for the Archbishoprick of Braga, (formerly acknowledged to be the primacy of all Spain, notwithstanding the pretensions of Toledo) he nominated Don Pedro de Lancastro, President of the Justice of the Palace of the House of Ameiro, and descended from JOHN the second King of Portugal. For the Arch­bishoprick of Evora, His Majesty nominated D. Francisco Barrez Bishop of the Al­garez, Bishoprick he bestowed upon the Father Dennis Des Anges an Augustine Monk, and Confessor to His Majesty: for the Bishoprick of Guarda was appoin­ted D. Antonio Pobo, great Prior of the Military Order of St. James: for the Bishop­rick [Page 124] of Lamego, D. Antonio de Mendosa Commissary of the Bula de la Croisaida: for the Bishoprick of Lerida, D. Deigo de Souza Inquisitor of the holy Office: for that of Conimbra, Don Sebastian Casar de Menerez, who was before nominated for the Bishoprick of Porto, but that was given by his Majesty to D. Pedro de Menerez, once named Bishop of Miranda, of which last place D. Pedro de Porros Tutor of the Prince D. Theodosio was now named Bishop. These choices of his Majesty, the Pope after some time Confirmed D. Francisco de Souza, who was sent as extraordi­nary Ambassador, notwithstanding the opposition of the Spaniards received, not unlikely out of a fear that they would Officiate without his Confirmation, and so in a manner Renounce the Power of the See of Rome.

But in the middest of this setling of Ecclesiastical affairs, Arms were not silent, for upon the Borders there hapned a Skirmish between the Castillians and Portuguese about the latter end of April, One thousand six hundred forty and nine, Lord of The­mer Court, Lieutenant General of the Portuguese Horse, and Monsieur Du Quesne the Commissary General gained a Victory over a small Army of the Spaniards, de­feating Seven hundred of the Spaniards, and taking divers Prisoners, amongst whom was the Nephew of the Marquess of Melinguen Lieutenant General of the Castillian Army at Badajox, who was after exchanged for the Count Fiesque Lauagna, who for some years past had been Prisoner in Castille: in this Conflict the Portuguese lost but Twenty five men, the Chief of which was Sieur de la Touche, a French Captain, who had behaved himself most Valorously.

The Commotions of the Perisians against the King of France, had given the Spaniard great hopes of better success than they had many years had, but the middle of the Year, One thousand six hundred and forty nine, happily concluding them, the news of their Pacification, and that of a great Victory gained by the Portuguesses against the Hollanders in Brazile, caused a general joy over all Portugal; for the King appointed Publick Thanks to be given, and Te Deum to be Sung in all Churches.

Hopes to revenge the late defeat given by the Lord Therimicourt, and desire to do some Valiant Act before he departed from his Government, made the Marquess of Leganez Governour of the Spanish Forces at Estramadura, give an Alarum to the Portuguese Frontiers, and enter into the Countrey with Two thousand Horse, and Six thousand Foot, but the Valiant Count of St. Laurence assaulting him, for­ced him to retire with shame, and excuse himself that he marched out only to meet the Marquess of Mortare, who was appointed to succeed him in the Government.

Yet this small and worthless Alarum, made the King of Portugal, who knew that too much care could not be had of the Safety of his Kingdom, to send Orders to the Governors to look more exactly to the Countreys committed to their Char­ges, than formerly, and strictly to give Charge to Don Juan de Menezez Governor of Porto. The Viscount Ponte de Lima Governor of the Countreys between Dou­ro and Mimbo, to the Count of Arogna Governor of Trasmontes, and Don Roderigo de Castro Governor of Beira, to repair with all expedition to their several Commands.

Nor was his Majesty less careful of his Dominions abroad, than of those near home, which made him dispatch the Baron of Alviro to be Governor of Tanger, and D. Francisco de Norogna to Mazagan, both strong Forts in Affrica; the last of which had been neer surprized by the Moors of Barbary, but the Commander of that Party which assaulted it, being slain by a Valorous French-man, they were beaten off with loss, for which service the King bestowed upon the French-man a Pension of Six hundred Crowns per annum.

And whil'st His Majesty was distributing his Bounties, he could not forget the Lady Dona Maria Manuel, Widow to the some-time before deceased D. Antonio Coello, D. Caravallio, who had ever since His Majesties coming to the Crown, been one of His Privy-Councellors, and was one of the Chief Persons that went Am­bassadors [Page 125] into France, to renew the Alliance, and conclude a firm League between the King of Portugal, and Lewis the Thirteenth King of France; His Majesty therefore in consideration of his services, bestowed a valuable Pension on his afore­said Widow.

There was almost daily in-roads made upon the Frontiers in some places or other, amongst the rest, the Baron of Themericourt entred with a strong Party into the Spa­nish Territories, surprised the Suburbs of the City of Albuquerque, and brought away a very rich Booty, without the loss of so much as one Souldier upon the place, and not above Twenty wounded.

The succour of the distressed Subjects of the more distressed King of England, about the Year, One thousand six hundred and fifty, gave occasion to the King of Portugal to manifest his affection to the English Nation, which he did by giving as­sistance to the Gallant Prince Rupert, who being by His Majesty of England made Admiral of those few Ships which in the Year, One thousand six hundred and forty eight, returned to their Allegiance, had ever since been pursued by the more Po­tent Fleets of the English Rebels, and was now by them driven to seek the prote­ction of his Portugal Majesty, who notwithstanding that the Fleet of the Rebels with threatning Bravado's, demanded the said Kings leave, either to assault them in his Port, or to force them to come out bravely, protected them under his Castles.

In Revenge of which, the Rebels of England, who stiled themselves a Parliament, Proclaimed an open War with the Portugal Nation, which his Majesty, notwithstand­ing his great Engagement at that present, both against the Spaniards at home, and the Hollanders on the other side the Line, resolved to endure, rather than deliver up the faithful Subjects of England into the hands of Murther, Tyranny, and Trea­son; and therefore in part to cry quittance with the English, who had taken Prize several Ships belonging to this Nation, he made seizure of all the English Ships and Goods within his whole Dominions, but only those he had before Protected.

But at length Prince Rupert finding a clear Passage from out his Ports, where he had for many Months been blocked up, the King, by Reason of his other large Ex­pences in defence of his Kingdom, finding himself unable to maintain a War against the English; and Nature dictating us to the Preservation of our Selves, Resolved, more moved out of Necessity, than Inclination, to send an Agent into England to conclude a Peace.

The Person deputed to go on this unpleasant Employment (viz. to Court Re­bels) was D. Suarez de Gimeraines, who had for his Assistance and Interpreter, Mr. Miles an English Merchant, these two Embarqued upon a Hamburgher hired for that pur­pose by the King of Portugal, arrived in England, in January 1650. About the beginning of February, D. Suarez had Audience before a Committee of the pretend­ed Parliament, to whom he made a Speech in Latine to this Effect.

To this large Speech of forced and known flattery, if we respect it in relation to the persons it was spoke to, (though most true in those particulars relating to the English Nation whil'st monarchical) was answered by the Rebels, with a large Ha­range of the injuries they supposed done them by the protection of Prince Ruperts Fleet, and seizure of the English Merchants Ships and Goods, concluding that they must have reparation made them for the publique damage of the Common­wealth, which they would be willing to accept of in any honourable manner, and were willing to that purpose, if the Ambassador had sufficient power to treat with him to that effect.

In summe, after some time the Count Del Sa Lord Chamberlain of the King­dom of Portugal arrived in England, in the quality of an Ambassador extraordinary, who after many Conferences, Addresses, and large Offers made, obtained a Peace, upon condition to repay great Summes of money towards the satisfaction of the losses of the English Merchants.

During the stay of this Ambassador, his brother D. Pantaleon Sa, Knight of Malta, led by I know not what frantick madnesse, made a great uproar upon the New Exchange in London, where some English, were by him and his Followers, murdered; for which several of his retinue were hanged, and himself, notwith­standing the earnest solicitations of his brother, afterwards beheaded on Tower-hill, when the government of England was changed from a strange kinde of Common­wealth, to a stranger kind of Monarchy, under a Protector.

But to return back again to the affairs of the Kingdom of Portugal. The Earl of Castle Melhor who had been sent Vice-Roy into Brazil, had so good success, that with the assistance of those Portuguesses before in the Kingdom, he expulsed the Hollanders out of all their Garrisons there, except the strong Fortress of Recif, which was built upon a Rock wholly invironed by the Sea. This animated the United States of the Netherlands, to endeavor a revenge and recovery of that coun­try, and to that end and purpose, a Potent Fleet was set out, and notwithstand­ing the very earnest endeavors, and large offers of the Portuguess Ambassador at the Hague, set sail to reconquer that Kingdom, but not with that success which was expected, for the expedition proved wholly fruitless, and after so great an expence, the States were so highly discontented, that the Admiral Wittison was arrested at the Hague, to answer such things as should be objected against him con­cerning that voyage.

It much concerns that King who hath to deal with enemies too potent for him, to strengthen himself with such Alliance, as may most advantage him, and en­damage his Foe; This consideration made King JOHN of Portugal, about the year, One thousand six hundred and fifty two, send an Ambassador to the young Duke of Savoy, (who by reason of the scituation of his Country, had good and frequent opportunities to annoy the Catholique King,) and divert him from turning his whole Force upon this Kingdom) offering reciprocal Marriage between that Duke and his Daughter, and the young Prince Theodosia and Savoys Sister. But this his intention, was I suppose diverted, if not wholly hindred by the great power of Cardinal Mazarine in France, who designed one of his Nieces as a fit match for Eugenius young Duke of Savoy.

'Tis not at all safe nor fit for a subject to grow too rich, at least not to exceed his Soveraign in Treasure, for he thereby layes himself open to the envie and suspition of his Prince, nor is it possible that any who hath managed a publick imployment, can be so without faults, as that somewhat cannot be laid to his charge to render him at a Kings mercy.

Sufficient example of this we have in D. Phillip de Mascarendas Vice-Roy of Goa in the East-Indies, who having for many years officiated in that high imployment, had gathered up an infinite Mass of Riches, and now being called home, thought in peace and quiet to enjoy what with a penurious and industrious hand he had been ma­ny years storing up: but the King being informed that he had indeed such a vaste trea­sure in Gold, Diamonds, Pearls and other Jewels, as he could not with his own honor or safety permit a Subject to enjoy, easily found out them who were ready to form complaints against him, which were as readily listned to by the Kings Council, who presently drawing up a charge against him, for having used an arbitrary power, oppres­sed, and abused the Subjects, and Merchants trading thither, &c. caused the Ship wherein he came, with all the riches laden on it, to be seized on for the Kings use, and himself for some time imprisoned, nor had it been a wonder if he had made a forfeiture of his life, as well as of the greatest part of his estate.

The strength of the Hollanders at Sea, had been the greatest obstacle to the Portu­guese, not wholly regaining their ancient possession in Brazile, but the Wars wherein the Hollanders had involved themselves with England, proving so powerful a diversi­on, the Portuguese took the advantage to reduce Recif, which with several Forts that encompassed it, and some few other, were the only places that held out against them.

Against this therefore with a sufficient Land-force, came Don Francisco Barreto, Governor of Pernambuco, (whil'st the Portuguese Navy consisting of 65. Sayl, blocked it up by sea,) and first by storm took the Fort of Salines, and thence coming before that of Burracco, found it already abandoned, and blown up by the defendants: he next proceeded to the new Fortress, the next and strongest Fort to that of Recif, and well manned and munitioned. Thus having made a sturdy resistance, was at length forced by the Portugal, which so amazed the Hollanders, that though they had fifteen hundred men, and six months provisions in Recif, yet they agreed to yield it upon ho­norable terms on the 26 of January 1654. being twenty four years after they had ta­ken it from the Portugals.

THE Conditions upon which this strong Fortress was surrendred up, were to this effect.

1. That D. Francisco Barreto should forget all Acts of Hostility made by the Hol­landers against the Portugals by Sea and Land.

2. That all persons whatsoever, even the Jewes in Recif, and Maurice-town, though Rebels against the King of Portugal, should be pardoned.

3. That all Hollanders should be free to carry away those Goods they actually possessed.

4. That they should have sufficient number of ships able to pass the Equinoctial Line, with Iron-guns for their Transportation.

5. That the Hollanders married with Portugal Women, or Natives there, should be dealt so withal, as if they had married Dutch Women, and should with the consent of the Women, have power to carry them away with them.

6. That those who would stay there under the Obedience of the Portugals, should be u­sed as well as if they were Native Portugals, and as to their Religion, should live as other strangers do in Portugal.

7. That all Forts about Recif and Maurice town, viz. the Port of St. Bastions, Boa, Vista, St. Austines, Convent, the Castle of Maurice-town, that of the three Bastions, the Brum, with it's Redoubt, the Castle of St. George, and all others should be surrendred to [Page 130] the aforesaid D. Francisco Barreto, Governour of Pernambucco, with all the Ordnance and Ammunition presently after the signing of these Articles.

8. That the Hollanders should be free to remain in Recif and Maurice-town for Three Months, they surrendring their Arms, which should be restored to them when they took shipping, and in the mean while they should have power to buy them necessary provisions of the Portugals for the Voyage.

9. All Negotiations and Alienations should be made during the said Three Months ac­cording to the present Articles.

10. That the Governour should quarter his Forces where he pleased, and that the Hollan­ders should be protected during those Three Months, and having Liberty to end their private Differences before their own Judges.

11. That they should carry away all their papers whatsoever.

12. That if they could not sell their Goods in the said Three Months time, they should leave them with whom they pleased under the Obedience of the Portugals, to be disposed of according to their own Order.

13. That they should have all the Victuals in the store-houses of Recif, and the other Forts for their Voyage.

14. That as to their pretensions against the Portugals, they might sue them at the King of Portugals Court.

15. That all their Vessels should be restored unto them, which they might fit for their Voyage.

16. That they might have liberty to advise all their ships upon the Coast, to come and lade their Goods at Recif: And in the last Article it was expressed, That upon the demand of the Hollanders, that this might not prejudice any former Treaty between the King of Portugal, and the States General, D. Francisco Barreto would not assent thereunto.

There were other articles likewise granted to the Military Forces, the sum of which were, that all offences and hostages might be forgotten, that all souldiers should go out of Recif with their Arms, Match lighted, Bullet in mouth, Fly­ing-colours; but coming near the Portugal Army, should put out the Match, and lay their Arms in those Magazines appointed by the governour of Pernambucco, to be restored to them at their departure, provided they went to Nants, Rochel, or to some place in the United Provinces and not to any belonging to the King of Por­tugal; for security whereof they should give three hostages, and all Officers and Souldiers should be shipt together with General Sigismond Schop, after the delivery of the Forts of Riogrando, Paraiba, and Tamarica. That the General should have twenty pieces of brass ordnance; from four Pound-Bullet to eighteen, with all their furnitures, besides all necessary Iron-guns, for the defence of the Ships that should be afforded them for their transportation, with convenient supplies of ammunition and provision, according to the thirteenth Article before recited: That General Sigismond, and all his Officers of War, should have liberty to carry away or sell all his or their goods or slaves. That sick or wounded persons should have liberty to stay till they recovered, but the Governour would not condescend to release those Hollanders which were prisoners before this surrendry: A general pardon was grant­ed to all rebels, chiefly to Amboyna, Mendaz, and all other Indians and Negroes, but they were not to have the honor to march out with their Arms. In sum, the supream Council at Recif, did oblige themselves for the surrendring of these places, upon the signing of these Articles, and for the delivering up the Island of Farnam, Viaca, Noroga, Riogrand, Paraiba, and Tamarica, upon the same conditions for the inhabitants, as had been granted to those of Recif.

These articles were signed and delivered on both sides, at the Camp at Taborda, on the 18. of January, One thousand six hundred and fifty three, and Conditions on both [Page 131] sides punctually observed. Thus did the Hollanders lose all their Acquists in Bra­zil, which so exasperated those high and mighty States, that at the coming into Holland of myn Heer Sigismond Schop, who had there been General of their Militia, they caused him to be imprisoned, and tried for his life by a Council of War, but notwithstanding endeavors of his enemies, he was acquitted.

Nor were the Portugals at home less fortunate against their neighbour enemy the Spaniards, for to omit many petty skirmishes, in-roads made by them with all suc­cess desirable in the summer, One thousand six hundred and fity four, D. Antonio D'Al­buquerque General of the Portuguess horse, taking an advantage upon a party of Castillians, which lay upon the Borders neer Aronches, under the command of Count D'Amaranthe, set upon them, slew their General Amaranthe, and took six hundred horse; and farther animated with this success, and the knowledge he had that a vigorous prosecution is the onely mother of a true victory, pursued them with an Army of 3000 Foot and 1500 Horse, eight leagues into their own Coun­try, as far as the old and strong Castle of D'Oluce, while encouraging his Soldiers, (made valorous by their former good fortune) he resolved to attacque, and with continued batteries, and storms so wearied out the enemy, that after four days siege they yielded upon composition, and Albuquerque looking upon it as a place considerable, both for the countenancing of incursions into the enemies country, and keeping in awe the town of Xeres, which is hard by, having repaired it and placed in it a strong Garrison, returned.

About the beginning of the year, One thousand six hundred and fifty five, D. Fran­cisco De Ferrara Rabella arrived in England, with Commission from the King of Portugal as Agent, to Oliver Cromwel, who then swayed here under the title of Protector, to make a more firm confirmation of the Peace with England, and to advise, I suppose, about carrying on the War with Spain; which when Cromwel had given some reasons to make the world believe he would commence against that Catholick Monarch, and how much such a War was for the Interest of Portugal, none will doubt who have read the foregoing story, which made King JOHN Court that English Usurper with more Submissness and Complacency, by both harbouring his Fleets, and sending Presents to his Generals, than otherwise his Genius would have permitted him to have done, any way in prejudice of Englands lawful KING. In the mean time the death of Pope Innocentius the Tenth, made D. Francisco de Souza, Ambassadour at Rome for the King of Portugal, make new Addresses to A­lexander the Seventh his Successor, for Confirmation of the Church-Officers in that Kingdom; for he never had any full Grant from Innocent; but now the Spanish Ambas­sadors opposed themselves more than ever, and by means of the Queen of Sweden, who wholly imployed her interest for the benefit of that Nation, endeavoured to fru­strate even the Portuguesses Hopes; nay, so desperate was the Spaniards Malice, That they laid several Designs to murder the Portugal Ambassadour, but all proved ineffectual. In sum, After D. Francisco de Souza, had spent some years in the Court of Rome to very little purpose, he was, upon the death of King JOHN the Fourth, called home to be Governour of the young King Alphonso.

The proffered interchangeable Match with Savoy, not taking effect, father Du Rozaire, a Dominican, and Arch-bishop of Goa, was sent Agent to France, to treat about a Marriage between that King, and the Infanta Donna Catharina, with Propo­sals of Three Millions of Gold for Her Portion, and that the King of Portugal would for Seven Years maintain Eighteen Men of War at Sea, for the defence and service of the French Crown.

Long was this Business in Negotiation, and by many thought would have taken effect, the Agent being very highly carressed both by the King and Queen-mother of France; but whether by reason of Cardinal Mazarine's dislike of it, or other Rea­sons [Page 132] of State, it was prolonged by continual demurs, till after the King of Portu­gal's Death, and then wholly broken off.