but of the great desire he had to be assured of this Realme wherein he did surmount his owne nature and the custome of the Spanish nation who by their long delaies doe often faile in their enterprises The galleies and ships which had transported these men went to Saint Marie Porte where the whole nauie by sea should assemble Henry was still discontented with Anthony who notwithstanding the Kings late commandement not to approch within a hundreth miles of the Court wandered from place to place drawing the peoples harts vnto him The King was desirous to finde some meanes to punish him with a more rigorous sentence But the Prior when as the cause of his legitimation was in question before the King by vertue of his holines briefe mistrusting what hapned had by the counsell of Alexander Formento then the Popes Nuncio in the Realme sent to Rome complaining vnto the Pope of the hatred his vncle did vniustly beare him beseeching him to reuoke the cause vnto himselfe and to be the onely iudge thereof for that the King was suspect vnto him By reason whereof the Pope saying that his first intention was not to make Henry absolute iudge to giue sentence inclusiue he write vnto him by an other briefe with defence not to proceede in the cause for the which he appointed as newe iudges the said Nuncio George de Almada archbishop of Lisbone but not with authoritie to giue sentence but after due information of the processe to sende it to Rome This briefe was sent to the Nuncio that he might deliuer it vnto the King the which he did by an apostolike Notarie fearing he should haue refused it Henry was greatly mooued that the Pope had reuoked the cause vnto himselfe both for that the execution of the sentence did import as also imagining he was wronged by taking the cause out of his handes whereof before he had made him iudge So as greatly discontented with the Pope and his choler encreasing against his Nephew he woulde now vse his roiall authoritie and leauing to proceede as the Popes substitute he began as King to proceed against the Prior. And although the Nuncio it may be by the Popes commandement or rather by his own inclination was fauourable vnto him shewing himselfe very opposite to the Catholique King yet Henry left not daily yet coldly to continue the cause of the succession for hauing cited him to courte and he not daring appeere he caused his edicts and proclamations to be set vpon the pallace gate whereby he was cited to appeere within twelue daies The Prior who had soone a copie of this edict from his agents was greatly displeased to see the course the King held against him yet durst he not appeere fearing if he fell into the kings hands the hatred he did beare him woulde drawe him to some strange conclusion he resolued therefore to absent himselfe labouring to appease his wrath by letters which he did write vnto him complaining of the manner of his proceedings in his behalfe striuing to make knowne his better deseruing He saide that he ioyed in his afflictions calling him in his edicts Nephew as indeed he was and sonne to that his brother to whom this Crowne hauing so great a bond he did not beleeue he should so sonne forget it although his ill deseruings had bin greater then his fathers merits He remembred the respect the King himselfe and his predecessors had vnto his father and the amasement they should haue to see him thus by him vniustly persecuted He did not attribute the blame of the kings inclination to the king himselfe but to the sinnes of the Realme and to the ill disposition of some fauorites shewing on the one side that he bare with patience what it shoulde please God to impose and on the other side complained of his vncle that he did execute against him the passions of priuate men And forasmuch as when he returned from prison out of Affrick some had giuen out that he had fledde from the battaile and was not taken prisoner he touched likewise this point lamenting to be so slaundered He complained of the King saying that to the ende no man shoulde haue compassion on him he was forced to leaue the Court by night hauing only had some speech of his legitimation shewing he was not woorthie of any brotherly reprehension He did aggrauate his banishment with no small preiudice to his credite at such a time as his competitors were fauoured inuironed with their kinsemen and demaunded iustice face to face He alleaged that his holines briefe which the king had obtained against him was ignominious and full of discurtesies nothing agreeing to the honor of his father And although he had obtained an other contrary thereunto whereby his holines had reuoked to himselfe the knowledge of the cause yet was he resolued not to alter any thing but to passe his daies in miserie and sorrow whilest the euill deserued passion of the king shoulde continue He lamented to haue beene forced to giue in his proofes within two daies much more time being granted to any other that pretended and that they had giuen no answere to many things he demanded He complained grieuously of the sentence and commandement to apprehend him for subornation of false witnesses the which he denied although he saide that in the kings publike seate of iustice such as had produced false witnesses were not greatly punished He seemed to be greatly greeued to be called disobedient a troubler of the publike quiet of the realmes excusing himselfe with most vehement wordes He lamented that the Realme was ruined which his predecessors had woone defended and maintained He made no mention of appearance but saide it was lawfull for him as to theeues to hide himselfe and flie the face of iustice adding that if the faults wherewith hee is charged were such as the lawes of the Realme command the Church to redresse for that he hath no sure accesse it woulde please his highnes to graunt that Crato shoulde serue as his sanctuarie And although if his sinnes so required that being Nephew to the king the first person of the Realme his humble and obedient vassall it coulde not mollifie his vncles hart he woulde craue at Gods hands remedies for his afflictions He required with humilitie that it might be lawfull for him to appeale from his edicts vnto the king himselfe better instructed demaunding copies thereof to contradict them concluding that if it might not be graunted yet at the least his letter might be annexed to the proces for if due respect would haue suffred him he woulde haue caused it to be set vp in the same place of the edicts for the discharge of his honor and to make knowne to the worlde that he was vassal nephew faithful seruant vnto the king This letter did nothing mooue the kings hart but wrought the same effect with his choler as a little water doth to a great fire For being more
credible that Philip according to his custome woulde with lawes and his power keepe them vnder and contrariwise that the people shoulde embrace him whom he doth equally fauour yeelding them equall iustice And yet notwithstanding the greater part followed the contrarie for the Nobilitie did embrace Philip and the people fled him For satisfaction whereof and to reclaime them from the opinion they held the Agents of the Catholique King were desirous besides the diligence they had vsed to publish throughout the Realme the Kings title and the mildenes of his yoke seeming not sufficient for the content of the common people to haue priuately imparted it to many Their aduersaries amongst the which was the magistrate of the Chamber of Lisbone woulde willingly haue taken occasion to publish vnto the worlde their contrarie reasons whereon they grounded but it was not tolerated neither for the one nor the other to speake publikely in the assemblies of the people for besides that it was prohibited euery one durst not freely discouer his intention For this occasion diuers fell to write the grounds of their partie by discourse and letters And although writings breede not so firme an impression in the minde as the voice yet their discourse published did perswade with greater efficacie then they had done by speaking for that writings came to the hands of more men then wordes could haue done where reading and examining them they wrought great effects There were many of these letters seene without authors and although some were friuolous and without sense yet the better sorte which followed the Catholique kings partie tended to satisfie the people and to terrifie the motiues thereof by the greatnes of the action and the perill of warre They did particularly touch one after another the reasons of the pretendents and refuting them all shewed that the Catholique King did precead They made no small adoo about the processe of Anthony saying that he was a bastard although he had beene declared legitimate and to precead Philip yet shoulde they neuer satisfie the worlde but they woulde surmise some cosinage deuised to take the Crowne from him who ought to enioy it They disprooued the reasons of such as maintained the election of the King to be in the people hauing a lawfull successor bringing in examples of the Popes authoritie in the nomination of Kings as well of Alphonso the first as of the Earle of Bulloigne And if Iohn the first were chosen king it was after a battaile woone the Portugals affirming there were no lawfull successors but bastards illegitimate but by their owne reason they said it was apparant there was now no question of the election seeing there remained a lawful kinseman They laboured to make knowne that God hauing called vnto him two and twentie successors which did all precead the Catholique king that his pleasure was by vniting of Portugall to the Realmes of Castill to fortifie an arme of the Church to resist all the outragious attempts of infidels and heretikes But leauing the iustice and will of God aside they discoursed examining the honors and blames the losses and profits which by the one or other meanes might happen as for honor they shoulde not take for any disgrace and obedience which fell by lawfull succession alleaging that the States of Castill when as king Emanuell did inherite being strong enough to defende themselues if they woulde receiued him curteously And when as the Archduke of Austria although a Germaine did succeed him they did the like They mocked at such as said that Castill should be vnited to Portugall but not Portugal to Castill proouing that no Portugall euer came neere this Court but he was embraced greatlie honoured many of the principall houses of Castill being issued from Portugall They did contradict with liuely reasons such as feared to be oppressed like to the estates of Flaunders Naples and Millaine saying that in Flaunders they had alwaies vsed the people with great kindnes that they had beene gouerned by their owne nation that the Spaniards had no charge there That many of the principall had rebelled against the church of Rome against their king the which he woulde not suffer that in this enterprise more for that which concerned the good of the Church then for any other respect the King had spent 50. millions of gold and that hauing for enimies both Germany Flaunders England they could not take these countries from the Kings possession but hauing meanes graunting free libertie of Religion to be absolute Lord and to reape thereby great profit he would not accept thereof onely for the remorse of his conscience preferring the seruice of God before all other respects They saide that the Neapolitanes and Millanoyes had beene conquered by force weake of themselues and enuironed with enimies that they were not burdened neither coulde he do lesse then maintaine garrisons inferring thereby that if they were peaceably inherited they shoulde haue libertie like good and faithfull subiects and maintaine with more force that which their fathers had gotten without feare of any thing whatsoeuer but if they suffered themselues to be conquered by armes they should be Neapolitanes Millanoyes and possiblie woorse They commended the Portugals as faithfull obedient and indued with commendable parts blaming the basenes of such as were not ashamed to thinke they coulde be ill intreated of any prince whatsoeuer They said that since Philip was resolute and that hee had written to the cities of the Realme the assurance of his action seeing that in fourteene yeeres hee had neuer abandoned the enterprise in Flaunders being farre off hauing so many kings opposite and the Flemmings suing to be subiect vnder iust conditions that it is not credible he woulde desist from Portugall being so neare so weake without succours and hauing so great an interest they reported with ioy the deeds of the Spaniards saying that when as Spaine takes armes he doth imprison the king of Fraunce and the greatest of Germanie makes the Turke to turne his backe takes from him Malta dissolues his armies maintaines continually in Flaunders an armie sounde and lustie breaking and dispersing his enimies and yet the Noblemen of Spaine remaine quietly in their houses From their valour they came to the consideration how Portugall woulde resist so great a Monarch entreating them with affectionate words to haue regard thereunto They saide that the comfort of men of iudgement was to see the small force of the Portugals for if it were greater they might for a time make some resistance considering their obstinacie iudging that in the beginning of this warre the kings of the Indies woulde presently become Lords of the sea coast the Moores woulde assaile the places of Affricke the French and English woulde attempt the Islands some woulde vsurpe on one side some of another not onely to the losse of the Realme but of all Christendome They brought in the example of King Sebastian shewing that he was lost for not measuring
two chanels by a shelfe which they call Cacippo That which lieth betwixt the right banke and the shelfe is defended by the rocke or castell of Saint Iulian the other which is betwixt the shelfe and the sandie hill which they terme La Carriera d'Alcasoua is not defended by any forte neither can the artillerie of Saint Iulian reach so farre Emanuell woulde builde a forte in the Iland to defend this passage And although hauing digged deepe in the sand he coulde finde no firme ground to settle his foundation yet woulde not Emanuell desist from his opinion but hauing no meanes to builde it of stone he raised it of woode filling it with earth the which he supplied with artillerie and many other things necessarie yet coulde he hardly furnish it with water for that his caske burnt with the sunne and the reuerberation of the sands which is vehement in those partes although they were couered with sailes did breake and woulde holde no water At that time the Gouernours did an acte of great consideration to animate men to the defence of the Realme for by a newe and dangerous example they vsed religious men as instruments to execute their intention commaunding all religious houses that they should not onely in their sermons but also in their confessions commaund their preachers and confessors to animate the people to defence in that sort as they preach the Croisado against infidels And for that the Portugals are too ambitious of honor they commaunded them to vse this encouragement that such should be most honoured who did most readily prepare for resistance so as their preachings which should haue beene religious were become furious orations of soldiers This was greatly blamed by the good and wise and was the cause of great hurt to the whole Realme for besides the imploying of priestes in a prophaned action they did animate the poore people to this defence the which afterwardes did thrust them rashly into armes It was likewise very hurtfull to the religious houses for as it is dangerous to stirre vp the mindes of religious persons these being by the death of king Henry growne more then before adding thereunto this other libertie to speake publikely whilest they did animate others it bred in themselues warlike affections so as hauing passed the limits of their profession in a manner all the Ecclesiasticall state ran into mightie abuses and disorders as we shall hereafter see There wanted money to furnish the charge for this defence and therefore they desired to borrowe one hundreth thousand duckats of the marchants the which although they would not agree vnto they were forced to pay These things were practised at Lisbone more then in any other parts of the Realme In the meane time the Gouernours were in diuision and irresolute loosing still of their reputation For the Prior continuing still in the cause of his legitimation and seeming daily a more obstinate pretendent threatned such as shoulde contradict him The ministers of iustice began to decline from their accustomed authoritie and euery man presumed to speake and do what he pleased shewing well that it was a realme without a king the which was remarkable in two points which then hapned as well amongst the religious as the secular The one was that the religious of the order of Saint Ierome in our Ladies monasterie of Belem being desirous to recouer their libertie which the king had taken from them who with consent of the Pope and of his authoritie had bound them notwithstanding the rules of this religion to chuse superior officers at his pleasure that is one of the fower or fiue religious men that he should name to euerie office Frier Emanuel d'Euora being then Prouinciall all the Religious went vnto him saying That he was not iudicially chosen to that charge and therefore he shoulde renounce his office and they would choose another according to the Statutes The Frier to whom this seemed of harde digestion opposed himselfe to their demaund with many reasons and multiplying many words both of the one side and of the other they did forceably put the Prouinciall prisoner in a Seller vsing him something hardly in their choler The kinsmen to the Prouinciall hearing of this disorder ranne for remedie to Alexander Formento then Nuncio for his Holinesse in that Realme who vnderstanding the reasons of both parties although the Religious protested he was not their Iudge yet he commaunded the Prouinciall should be deliuered and restored to his charge citing some of the Religious men of the Monasterie before him as seditious The Friers to whome this sentence was signified by a publike Notarie would not obey So as the kinsmen of the Religious prisoner crauing aide from the secular power the Gouernours sent the officers of iustice of the citie of Lisbone to the Couent with three Ensignes of soldiers to see this sentence put in execution by force who being come to Belem the Friers shut their gates leauing the Church open where notwithstanding the grate of wood which shuts vp the great Chappell and the Sepulchres of kings was close they went into the quire singing their Letanies But after the officers of iustice had knocked a while at the Couent gate and no man opening it entering into the Church they burst downe the grate of wood so as the soldiers comming into the Cloister of Friers they laide hold of such Religious persons as they met with small respect of their priestly order And although the elders came with their Crosses Buls and excommunications it nothing preuailed for they must of force deliuer the Religious man and restore him to his former estate the which they did protesting they had vsed violence and that they woulde complaine to the Apostolique seate The other case was that Fernand de Pina a Doctor and Citizen being chosen in the place of Diego Salema whome Henry had deposed Vereador of the Chamber which is the highest degree of magistrate that hath charge of the citie he was at noone day in the market place wounded in the head with a Curtelax by Anthony Soarez whereof he died soone after the which the Prior had caused to be done for that Pyna in his office had not onely spoken ill against him but also laboured to draw the officers and all the Councell of the Chamber to the Catholique Kings deuotion Anthonie desired to reuenge himselfe in this manner and the offender who knew better how to strike then to flie being hurt by the Sergeants and retired into a Church without the citie was taken prisoner by the Iustice and after some daies of imprisonment was hanged and quartered the which execution was done with trouble and feare least the people shoulde deliuer him For the authoritie of the Gouernours declining the ministers of iustice were not respected And for that they knew this murther was committed by the commaundement of Anthonie the people were inclined to saue him The Religious for the like respect alleaging that the
lost his head and many others put to death And the returne of the armie to Andelouzia THE estate of the Realme after the Kings departure remained all that winter quiet and although the people had their mindes yet disquieted and some of the nobilitie not fully satisfied hauing left the kings court and the Cardinals likewise retyred themselues to their castles and houses yet no man durst shew any discontent The greatest part although they loued peace and desired the tranquillitie of the Realme yet were they in their hearts contented to see the Terceres make resistance and continue in the deuotion of Anthonie and the French supposing that whilest the King had any warres he would entreat them better and beare them more respect then they thought hee should doe if all were pacified neither preuailed it that the Portugalles were made much of in Castile and admitted neere the King as they had woonte to bee when hee was in Portugall nor yet that the saide King had it may bee to make the present gouernement conformeable to that was passed obtained from the Pope the authoritie of the Legate for the Cardinall euen as Henry enioied it the which bredde a great benefite to the realme for as it hapneth to passionate mindes they were not remooued from their opinion for the Cardinall being made Legate for two yeeres onely they feared that the time being expired they woulde take an occasion to recall him into Castill and so the Realme should be reduced into a prouince and that the king remaining at Madrill shoulde gouerne it At that time Sanches d'Auila died being stroke with a horse for that leauing chirurgerie he woulde be cured by a soldier with certaine blessings the which caused the Castillians to mourne for although he were but marshall generall of the fielde yet remaining after the death of the Duke of Alua of greatest knowledge amongst the Spaniards in the arte of warre there was not any man neere the Duke of Gandia of so great experience Hee was a man without feare and happie in warre esteemed by the Duke of Alua aboue all the soldiers of his time but this life which he had vnto his olde age so happily aduentured at the cannons mouth was nowe taken away by death vpon a small mischance In Fraunce it seemed that all the French were turned vnto the affaires of Flaunders affecting them more then Portugall and although there were an intent at the Priors instance to set foorth some ships of warre yet founde they therein coldenes and want of money whereby it appeered that whereas they attempted something it should not be to offend but rather to prouide for defence And although they had now intelligence that certaine French ships guided by the Portugals and especially by one Emanuel Serradas had inuaded the Ilands of Cape Vert and spoiled some part of them yet they made no account thereof vnderstanding they were but small barkes of pirates At the Terceres Emanuel de Silua was still gouernour who shewed himselfe an obstinate enimie to the Catholique King a faithfull minister to the Prior and a cruell persecutor of the Philippines Notwithstanding ill disposed of small iudgment and little experience With these his qualities he afflicted the poore people in diuers manners for the meanes which he inuented to borrow money to molest and condemne many persons were insupportable The pride arrogancie whereunto he was growen as it hapneth often in him that is not accustomed to commaund made him seeme inuincible and immortall the wrongs he committed were so infinite that iustice had lost her place the libertie his friendes and seruants tooke vpon them was without restraint the subiection and seruitude of those that did not flatter him was such as the slaues were more free I leaue the executions he committed vpon such as would haue compounded with the Catholique king and coulde not conceale their mindes for vsing many stratagemes to discouer their affections wherein as he founde any one lesse obstinate then himselfe hee was miserable being cruelly punished both in body and goods And for this occasion he caused manie to be slaine betraied by one Amador Vieira who hauing beene secretlie sent into this Iland by King Philip to continue his followers in their fidelitie to sounde the disposition of the people and to drawe all he coulde to his deuotion after he had wel executed his charge he reuealed vnto Silua such as had discouered themselues by whom they were miserablie afflicted And as tyrannie taught him he daily made newe ordinances and lawes in the name of Anthony the officers and ministers of iustice in the citie which were vsually chosen by voices he alone woulde haue the naming of them He was not onely contented to obserue those lawes which treated of high treason but also made a new lawe more seuere that such as did but talke of that matter shoulde suffer death and that such witnesses should serue although lesse in number then the auncient lawes had ordained He would haue the sentences in such cases registred by the Magistrate of the citie for a perpetuall memorie to all to terrifie and tyrannize the more There was within the Iland little aboue seauen hundreth French soldiers one onely company of English and about three thousand Portugals it was fortified on all partes where they might lande with aboue thirtie fortes and many trenches made with such arte and diligence as it seemed impossible to enter if they were guarded And although these thinges with the other qualities of the place made it vneasie to force yet Silua iudged it stronger then it was and did trust as a man of no experience more in the defenders then was conuenient In the meane time they prepared an armie for sea at Lisbone and assembled the Spanish soldiers to imploy them against this Iland vnder the command of the Marques of Saint a Croix being more in number both in ships and men then the yeere before besides there was speech to sende fowre galliasses and twelue galleies for which cause they shortned their yardes prouiding square sailes and of a thirde maste which they call the meane In Spaine there were diuers opinions concerning this armie making diuers discourses thereon both by worde and writing Such as were not to be imploied in this action to whom no part of the honour or praise did belong made it easie saying that the people were alreadie so wearied poore and oppressed by the garrisons as the armie should no sooner appeere but they woulde bee at the Kings deuotion And the cause why they did no sooner yeeld was the subiection wherein they were held and although they neither would nor coulde come to composition yet were they easie to force for the citie of Angra and all other places being dismantled and weake they had no other defence then the landing the which they supposed were impossible to hinder proouing by ancient and latter examples that in warre there was no meanes to stoppe
onely vnprofitable and ridiculous but did confirme the opinion of such as hold that Clergie men are as vncapable to gouerne in politique affaires as secular magistrates be in ecclesicall causes but God when he meaneth to punish taketh away mans vnderstanding and giueth him an ouerweening spirit euen so did he with the Portugals sending them chastisements for their offences committed in time of prosperitie or by his secret iudgements when as they thought themselues most secure their fall was the greater being in their greatest glorie For this nation the proudest in the world in this last warre of Affrick became slaues vnto the Arabians and Moores and being free in a short time by their warre against the Castillians were conquered by them whom they holde for their capitall enimies The afflictions of this Realme tooke their beginning in the twentieth yeere of the age of Sebastian who borne after the death of his father a little before the decease of his grandfather by entreaties and to the fatall ruine of his subiects strong of body and of a couragious minde full of ouerweening the which is a naturall vice in Portugals not content with his owne dominions resolued as it were by force to alter the quiet which his Realme had so long enioyed And although it seemed hard of execution being inuironed with the territories of Phillip of Austria King of Spaine his deare friend and kinsman more mightie than himselfe with whom he might not contend nor passe by land into any other countrey But as it is easie to perish for him that is desperate he let him vnderstande the excessiue desire he had to ruine himselfe all his He had first plotted a warre against the Indians which his kinsmen and subiects woulde not consent vnto But as there was some difficultie wholie to withdrawe the yoong Prince who had a warlike spirite from this enterprise such as were neere about him laboured to diuerte him by meanes of an other which they laide before him turning all his resolutions vpon Affrick to indomage the Moores which liue in that part which is called Mauritania Tingitana whereas the Portugals maintaine to their great charge vpon the borders of the Sea those three forenamed fortresses Ceute Tanger and Mazagon the buckler and key of Spaine by which the Moores haue heeretofore conquered it But this diuersion whereunto they perswaded the King was cause of great ruines proceeding from want of iudgement for although it were hard wholie to disswade him from the enterprise of the Indies and therefore conuenient to represent vnto him some other action yet shoulde they aduisedly haue foreseene not to drawe him from one mischiefe to thrust him into a greater But these men diuerted him from an enterprise farre off and of hard execution by representing vnto him a neerer easier to effect but more perillous And although they surmized he would not haue vndertaken it but with deliberation yet shoulde they not haue giuen too much confidence to his yoong age for the which the Iesuits were greatly blamed who hauing planted their religion in this Realme more then in any other of the worlde and with more zeale as enimies to the enimies of God they did encourage this yoong Prince whom Queene Katherine had giuen to them in charge to this enterprise with carefull instructions the which as then they might easily effect But finding the King soone after readie to execute it with rashnes they had no more the credite to diuert him being in disgrace So as this yoonge King bred vp amongst women religious persons delights and pleasures had a more bould and warlike spirite then if he had beene borne and nourished in the middest of armies He raised certaine troupes of footemen of his people of Lisbone whom he did inrowle and traine vp to the Pike and Harquebuse sending them once a weeke to the fielde to practise with intent to vse them when neede shoulde require The which he staied not long to effect For in the yeere 1574. he assembled against the will of the wisest certaine of his souldiers and with fower gallies and certaine ships and caruels passed into Affrick vnder colour to visite his Fortes although in his minde he had a desire to do more then he spake and as yoong and without experience thought to effect more then he did Being arriued in those countries he onely discouered finding his owne weakenesse but in light skirmishes which are made daily vpon those frontires with the Moores he shewed himselfe most willing to be in person vexing himselfe when he coulde not do as he desired but as a royall person it behooued him to containe himselfe within the tearmes of grauitie the which hee often exceeded Hee returned soone to Lisbone still deuising with himselfe some newe manner of warre and was so disquieted and carefull in his conceite that he neither saide nor did any thing that tended to other end deuising not as a king but as a priuate souldier to accustome his body to labour seeming vnto him by this meanes to make himselfe more strong and better able to endure the discommodities of warre This inclination wherein the heauens had some part was not gainsaid by any of his chiefe Counsell nor kinsmen of riper age who might haue disswaded him and drawn him to haue enioyed his Realme For although the action seemed rash yet ambition and feare of the Kings disgrace were of such force that the Nobles Magistrates and great persons who might haue forced him durst not open their mouthes nor oppose themselues against his will and if any one did mutter or speake to the contrary they were men of base qualitie and not admitted The Cardinall Henry his vnckle brother to Iohn the thirde his grand-father and Queene Katherine in whom flatterie shoulde finde no place had small credite with the King neither did they vse the authoritie they might haue had both fearing they shoulde not preuaile but loose with the Kings disgrace the small commandement was yet remaining in them so as by a fatall silence they suffered this yoong Prince to returne the second time into Affrick with apparant perill wherein Peter D'Alcasoua was a chiefe actor who hauing before time beene Secretarie of the Realme and Counsellour of the State greatly fauoured of King Iohn and Queene Katherine was now disgraced and put from his places when as the Cardinall Henry gaue the gouernment to King Sebastian the which hapned more by emulation and for that the Cardinall woulde settle a newe forme and plant newe officers in the managing of the affaires then for any faults that were imputed vnto him were they true or false But in the declining of fauorites it alwaies chanceth that faults serue rather to iustifie the ambition of an other then the offenders punishment And in these afflictions he had liued content for being wise and rich he had borne his aduersitie with a constant courage still expecting some meanes to returne into his place and dignitie the which fell out
easily by the practise and industrie of another For Martin Gonzales de Camera his competitour hauing succeeded him in his offices with some other depending of the Iesuites whom the Cardinall sought to bring in they had no lesse conflict with their enimies then Peter had with his for that Aluaro de Castro fauorite to the king of a contrarie faction with some of his friendes desiring secretly to withdraw the Kings affection from Martin and his partie tooke occasion to effect it when as the King was at Cape Saint Vincent whether he went in Sommer to satisfie the desire he had to go to sea making him beleeue and it may be not without cause that Martin and the fathers as men ignorant in matters of State of the wealth of Princes had wasted the treasure of the Crowne and cut off the meanes for all such enterprizes as he might execute by their lawes made vpon the changes of money the which if they did not reuoke it were impossible to effect his glorious designes This was a deadly blowe yet did they adde one more of greater moment giuing the King to vnderstande being yoong and high minded that he was oppressed by them that they ruled in effect and he in shew and they passed on so farre that they caused a Secretarie of the chamber well fauoured of the King and a great talker presenting him one day with a commandement of small importance to signe to say vnto him that he might boldly subscribe it for that hee was king vntill he shoulde returne to Lisbone so as mingling sport with truth they drew this yoong Prince from the affection he bare to the ministers which had beene giuen him by the Queene and Cardinall and changed the doctrine wherein he had beene nourished But Peter D'Alcasoua reapt the whole fruite thereof for the King being estranged from his enimies and the lawes made by them reuoked Aluaro de Castro the author thereof died none of his faction remaining saue Emanuel Quaresinia who had the office which they call Dispaccio of great importance beeing Controwler of the Kings rewardes who hauing neither experience nor authoritie to maintaine himselfe long in this degree nor yet iudgement to contend with Alcasoua the said Peter laid holde of this occasion to recouer his former place And to effect it the more safely he married Lewes his eldest sonne with the daughter of Christopher de Tauora a great fauorite of Sebastians Being thus returned into fauour with the king he easily maintained it seconding his humours in making the meanes easie to recouer money and vnfolding all doubts for the execution of his enterprise by reason whereof he made him Chamberlaine or rather Veador de Hazenda a place of greater countenance then the other imploying him in most important affaires And although his cunning did somewhat assist the King in his determinations yet was there another occasion presented which made his hopes increase which was this Long time before there died in Affrick Mulei Mahamet Cheriffe he who had vnited the Kingdome of Feez Marroc and Turedant the which he had alwais possessed deuided with his brother Mulei Hamet It seemes that these whiles they liued quietly togither made a law that al the children that suruiued after their decease should succeed in the kingdome before any one of the nephewes should enioy the succession so as to the yongest vncle should succeed the eldest nephew yet after their decease although they left many children the greatest part thereof euen as it hapned vnto their fathers died by the sword or were strangled in prison for the iealousie of State by the commandemēt of Abdala one of the sonnes of Mahamet who succeeded his father raigned xvij yeres the most happie peaceable Prince that euer that countrey enioied This man although he were cruel yet did he refraine from murthering his three brethren it may be for that they were very children when he came to the succession but growing to more yeeres they fell to distrust him so as two of them fled to the Turke the thirde tooke his way by lande and went to liue amongst the Arabians And although the lawe had decreed that the next brother shoulde succeed to the Crowne yet Abdala resolued to sweare his eldest sonne Mahamet his successour which being performed sodainly this newe Prince practised against his vncles sending a Moore to Tremisenne to kill the eldest who was deteined by the Turkes the which he did effect wounding him with a dart in the Mezquita This act did greatly trouble the other brother Mulei Moluc yoong and of great hope who remaining at Algier demaunding succours in vaine from Philip King of Spaine by the meanes of Rodorike Alphonso Pimentel Earle of Benauent then Viceroy of Valencia he resolued to goe seeke it at Constantinople where he attended long with patience exclaiming against his kindred and not obtaining that which he demaunded till in the end hauing giuen an honorable testimonie of himselfe in the last sea fight at Nauarin betwixt the armies of the league and Turke and at the taking of Golette he obtained three thousand souldiers of the Turke for this conquest vpon certaine conditions that were not obserued With these forces and his Moores that followed him which wanted not in Affrick he entred his Nephewes kingdome for his brother was now dead and defeated three armies whereof the last which seemes woonderfull consisted of threescore thousand horse and ten thousand foote and tooke absolute possession of the Realmes liuing with great reputation both of the Moores and Christians Mulei Mahamet being in this manner expelled his countrey he fled to Pignon of Velay a fortresse which the Catholique king holdes in Affrick and from thence by the counsell as they say of a Renegado he sent his ambassadors to the said King letting him vnderstand of his disgrace and crauing aide to be restored to his estate Whereunto the Catholique King hauing made no answere conformable to the desires of the Moore being gone to Ceuta he did the like office with King Sebastian shewing vnto him that by this occasion he shoulde easilie make himselfe Emperour of Marocco The yoong Prince fedde with this vaine hope seemed nowe to haue a lawfull subiect to make warre whereon he resolued and to succour the Moore Mahamet He propounded this to his Counsell laboring to proue that it was both profitable and honorable whereunto although there were some of contrarie aduise laying before him that he was without heires that Christians shoulde rather imploy their armes against heretikes then Infidels that his forces alone were too feeble for so great an action strengthning their reasons with many examples notwithstanding as Princes blinded with their owne desires will not allow the mishaps and disgraces of an other issuing from their ill measured Counsell to serue them as examples of better aduise there was neither reason nor example could preuaile against the Kings opinion but fortified in his resolution by many who either for their owne
aide enter one foot into Affrick that they had disimbarked rashly had retired like cowards Lewis de Silua one of the Kings chiefe fauorites spake his mind freely vpon this point saying there was no reason for an Armie to march by land that went to a towne adioyning vpon the sea hauing so goodly a Fleete which might easily be furnished with fresh water for so small a voyage which was their onely want He alleaged that it was most easie to goe by sea standing in no feare of any enimie most profitable for that the way short and the descent easie vnderstanding that there was no resistance contrariwise it was most dangerous to march by land being ignorant where the enimie did lie what forces he had So as supposing him to be far off he might be at their backs and hauing any wants which happen often in an Armie being far from the sea they should hardly be supplied that betwixt Alarache and them did run the riuer of Lixe called by Ptolome Lixos vpon the left bank whereof standeth the towne that hauing neither bridge nor barkes to passe they must leauing the sea side by a long course seeke a foorde or the Moores bridge whither being come it were doubtfull to know with what facilitie they should passe it being likely the enemies would fortifie the passage Betwixt these two contrarie opinions the one by sea the other by lande the thirde was spoken of the which was to march along the sea side in view of the Fleete with their Chariots vpon the left hand in steed of Rampiers and being come to the mouth of the riuer to passe them with their barkes but this opinion which seemed to be lesse hurtfull was not liked of by the King although the rest that would haue gone by sea gaue eare to it most willingly yet those that did contradict it although they were more in number yet being of lesse authoritie the King being of the other partie the worst of all three which was to goe by lande preuayled Mulei Mahamet seeing the King so hot in this action grew daily into new feares hoping of no good successe he doubted before that if the King should haue the victorie he would charge him with too heauie a yoke but hauing viewed the Armie he lost all hope of victorie if they should fight and therefore thought it most conuenient to aduise the King to goe by sea to Alarache hoping he should easily win that place and returne into Portugall with that victorie leauing his Armie in Affricke by meanes where of he hoped to win such credit that they should abandon Moluc and flye vnto him yet if he would fight to do it with more facilitie and greater iudgement then it seemed to him Sebastian would But his counsell preuailed no more with the King then the rest so as commaunding Diego de Sosa to attend him with the Fleete at Alarache he marched with his whole Armie to Alcasarquiuir being the direct way vnto the bridge hauing but 13000. foote and 1500. horse that is 8000 Portugals 3000. Germaines 1000. Spaniards and 600. Italians with twelue peeces of Artillerie but the more they aduanced into the firme lande the more their feare increased and chiefely of them that perswaded to goe by sea And although some did againe shew vnto the King that Errors in war cannot be repaired that it would be too late after to change his resolution and that he ought to haue great care in the execution of those things that cannot be redressed beseeching him not to cast himselfe into so dangerous an enterprise and aboue all not to leaue the sea laying before him the perill the small gaine the want of victuals and the little or no experience of the souldiers yet nothing preuailed but as it often happeneth that we reape a bad recompence for good counsel being discōtented with those he should haue fauoured he would scarse heare thē The rest knowing by this proofe he would accept of no counsell durst not aduise him for feare of his disgrace The Armie had no chiefe leaders able to commaund and therefōre could neither march lodge nor fight in order For although the King serued as Generall Edward de Meneses Marshall of the Campe with some others of lesse qualitie yet they wanted experience for although the strangers had their commanders of more experience in actions of war then the Portugals as the Marques generall of the Italians the Lord of Tamberg of the Germaines and Alphonso d' Aguilar of the Spaniards yet for that none of them was Generall and being strangers they might not dispose of the Armie so as none of the Portugals knew his charge The King the 29. of Iuly made his first lodging at the Milles three miles from Arzilla the second at Menera where he had aduertisement that Moluc approched From thence he wrote his letters to Lisbone to Peter d Alcasoua briefly but ful of ouerweening in the which he said he vnderstood that Moluc drew neere him and if he escaped not he woulde ioyne battell with him At that time arriued Captaine Frauncis d'Aldana who had promised to serue the King and for that effect had obtayned leaue of the Catholike King which no man else could do as a man expert in war hauing viewed the ill disposition of the Campe began to execute all the greatest charges disposing the souldiers in the best order that he could although being a stranger and of no credit with the Portugals he could not effect all he vnderstood In this sort they marched slowly lodging alwaies in places of aduantage by the industrie of the saide Aldana and of Philip Terzy who serued as Ingener although they discouered some horse yet knew they not for certaine what Moluc pretended Aldana brought vnto the King letters from the Duke of Alua with present of a headpiece which was the Emperours Charles the fifth and a cassocke of white taffetie with the which the said Charles entered conquerour into Tunis He said vnto some that he had beene sorrie the King should attempt any thing in the firme lande of Affricke But hearing by his owne letters that he would onely goe to Alarache he did receiue great contentment and did commend his resolution being in the meane time come into certaine small hils which they call Cabeza d' Ardana they tooke their third lodging from thence they went to Bercain but to come to the fifth they must passe the small riuer of Mucazen at a foord the which fals somewhat lower into Lixe Moluc aduertised of the Portugals course hauing made longer staie at his lodging beyond Alcazar then he ment to giue the enimie better meanes to approch his troupes being ioined he dislodged the second of August marching towards Alcazar The day following he went directly towards the bridge which the Portugals sought for and being passed did strongly encampe themselues towards the sea not meaning to passe any farther the waies being full of hils
to make the preparatiues for the war hee did suspend him from all his offices and proceeded against him by way of Iustice And although all his faults were restrained to this onely to haue counselled or at least not disswaded the king from the warre of Affricke yet his processe being verified he suffered condemnation by the Iudges to loose all his offices priuiledges and recompences which had beene giuen him in the end of Sebastians life It preuailed not for his iustification to alleage that if the Cardinall himselfe did not perswade the enterprise yet at the least he did consent vnto it and approoue it which fault was greater in him then in any other that his perswasions shoulde be of more importance with the king then all mens seeing that for the preheminence of his place he alone might speake cleerely and force him which others could not doe fearing as subiects and with reason the indignation of a yoong king the which they say he ought not to haue feared both for his qualitie and his age which should neither yeeld to feare nor hope He tooke the same course against Lewes de Silua and many others that came out of Affrick whereby it was apparent the King knew not absolutely how to vse clemencie nor wrath for neither did he pardon as a man of the Church nor reuenge as a displeased Prince This bredde an alteration in all the affaires of the Realme neither was it sufficient that such as were aduanced to these newe offices were men without experience who by their ignorance did mightily trouble such as did treate with them but for that we easily encline to the woorst some of them vnder colour to seeme affectionate seruants to their king not onely prouided for that which passed their charge but examined the actions of their predecessors finding therein a thousand cauils and preferring the appearance of the kings profite before iustice they disannulled conuentions and lawes to the great trouble and damage of many and small honour to themselues and then did they seeme to doe best iustice when they did molest most such as Sebastian had fauoured and wrought quite contrarie to that which had beene formerly done Notwithstanding if any thing were done by them that was absolutely good it was the disannulling of the impost of salt which Sebastian had imposed Whilest these things passed in Portugall the Catholique King hauing sent Christopher de Mora thither Peter de Venegas into Affrick he perfourmed the funerals of Sebastian in the Church of Saint Ierome at Madrill although it was secretly muttered that the Duke of Alua shoulde say the King shoulde haue perfourmed it in Portugall in our Ladies Church of Belem where the other Kings are accustomed to be interred inferring it may be that Philip was successour to Sebastian or at the least shoulde assure himselfe by force of the succession after Henry causing himselfe to be sworne Prince The report of the Dukes words did greatly mooue Ferrant de Silua Embassadour for Portugall and all the Portugals being a speech that did pearce their harts proceeding from a person whom they helde enimie to their nation for the olde grudges betwixt him and Ruigomes de Silua a naturall Portugall in great credite with Philip besides that being a principall man of account they feared least he spake it with participation of the Kinges minde and tooke it as a declaration of his meaning In this time they spake diuersly of these affaires For although amongst the Castillians the Duke himselfe and one or two other principall persons had this consideration yet in generall they did not beleeue it neither had they considered that Philip shoulde inherite this Realme but they supposed it did of right appertaine to the sonne of the Duke of Parma But the Portugals who had better considered thereof and whose lawes were more in fauour of Philip then those of Castill were amongst themselues better resolued neither was the Catholique King long vnsatisfied hauing both in his owne Countries in Portugall and other places caused learned men diligently to examine who was by right equitie the true successour of this Realme he began now to conceiue that after Henry the succession appertained vnto himselfe And nowe he founde that it was not onely the generall opinion of the Doctors but some amongst them yea of the Portugals thēselues did maintaine that the King did preceade the Cardinal and that these Realmes did appertaine to the Crowne of Castill They alleaged but with the authoritie of fewe Doctors that the lawes of Portugall and the Ciuill likewise ordaine that in case of Realmes the inheritance shall goe to the neerest kinsemen of the last possessour prouided alwaies that he be issued from the same stocke That Sebastian being the last the Catholique King was the neerest kinseman he had and of the same race for besides that he was the eldest of the Nephewes of King Emanuel he was brother to the Kings mother deceased and preceaded the Cardinall a degree being brother to his grandfather They did likewise renewe the auncient pretention of the Castillians saying that by right the Realme appertained vnto them for that King Alphonse the sixth coulde not by generall consent nor with any reason disunite it from the Crowne neither Alphonse the tenth giue the Algarues to his daughter in dowry nor free it of the tribute whereunto it was bounde And although this last pretention to preceade Henry seemed to the King and his ministers of force yet he resolued onely to follow the first and to succeede the Cardinall for desiring to enioy the Realme with peace Henry being already proclaimed king with the consent of the people he supposed he coulde not without offence or without forces take possession thereof besides the respect he bare vnto his vncle and the hope of his short life Heere may be noted the hazard if we may so tearme it whereunto the King if he had interest by his affinitie did thrust his heires by the concealing of his right fearing to offende that nation For besides that during the life of Henry the Portugals shoulde haue leisure to prepare against him if they were not disposed to yeelde to his subiection and if he shoulde die before the Cardinall his successors were excluded from this great inheritance and Emanuel Phillibert Duke of Sauoy did preceade all the rest While these things were consulting in Castill the King of Portugall somewhat setled in his Throne and the heate of his first inclination tempered all the States of the Realme entreated him to prouide that before his death a successor were declared that after his decease they might not liue in suspence And therefore the Magistrate of the Chamber of Lisbone being superior to all others of the Realme made great instance vpon this point and one day all the officers being assembled they went to courte where one of them in the name of the rest spake thus vnto the King Your Highnes shall vnderstande with how
great desire and affection his people of Lisbone beseecheth the Lorde to graunt him a long life for thereon depends all our good hoping that in time it may alter many things which nowe holdeth vs in carefull consideration The wounde of afflictions which this Realme hath suffered is yet so greene and so lamentable as we will not at this present make mention thereof It sufficeth they are such as the memorie will neuer be extinct whilest the worlde continueth and although we be bound to lay the fault vpon our owne offences yet may we attribute a parte to the negligence of the people and of such as at that time did gouerne the common wealth But being expedient not to heape error vpon error it seemes we ought with a liuely voice and due humilitie cry vnto your highnes that as a iust and holy king you woulde preuent the miseries that hang ouer vs It cannot enter into our thoughts to mooue you to marriage being no iudges of your conscience and disposition but we may well say if these two cōsiderations do allow it why do you suffer the delay of one day If you be resolued not to marry your Highnes ought with the like care to say vnto such as pretend to the succession that within a time prefixed they shoulde come to deliuer their reasons that if the successor be a naturall borne the people shal haue some breathing from the afflictions they suffer if he shall be a stranger it seemes conuenient they shoulde know it and haue leisure to aduise what to do For if our sinnes permit that the Lorde shall call away your Highnes being in the state we are now what shall become of vs being most apparant that all such as pretend to haue any title do consult arme plot and measure their forces while the people remaines doubtfull not knowing with reason vnto what part to incline Your Highnes dying in this time before the deciding of the cause we beseech you to cōsider the oppressions they shal suffer the spoilings the murthers the dishonoring of women and holy things and all other excesse which is commonly practised in such times the which may be wholie auoided by knowing who shall succeede vnto the crowne We do solicite your Highnes to sweare a Prince for it may be he that at this present hath interest to this Realme God may call him before your Highnes but the contrary hapning we may plainly knowe who shall succeed for heerein consistes the quiet of this Realme if you do it not willingly or that there be any let you ought to consent that the people declare one especially they of the citie of Lisbone vpon whom all Portugall dependes The holie Ghost who is the guide of kings inspire your Highnes that by his merits the anger of God may be pacified the which he powreth downe vpon vs for our offences and grant that we may amend our liues and preserue your Highnes in health for which all his people praie In this manner the officer of the Chamber spake in vaine but forasmuch as it seemed vnto the king ouer ruled in this respect by the diuine power that the remedie was not so easie nor the matter so soone decided as they supposed he made answere that it was a care grauen in his hart the which he woulde effect with all possible speede resoluing to haue regard vnto it But this succession gaue greater cause both to thinke talke secretlie and openlie in Castill then in anie other place for the King resoluing by all possible meanes to vnite Portugall with his other Kingdomes the Nobilitie did not willingly entertaine it but did seeme that the greatest from Charles the fifth forwards had not tasted the greatnes of the King lesse respecting them then had done the auncient Kings of Castill making them march in one degree of equall iustice with their inferiours The other Gentlemen and common people were nothing enclined to this vnion Saying that if this Realme were not separated from the rest of Spaine they shoulde haue no meanes to marrie their Kings daughters but into other prouinces which were dangerous both for that the women did not inherite and for the heresies wherewith the northren Regions bee at this present infected Manie and of all qualities who holding Portugall as the Sanctuarie of Castill were content with the separation remaining as an assured retreate for offenders It seemed to the King that hee shoulde not onely send a sufficient man thither to performe that office but also that it was necessarie that one of the chiefe of Spaine and best acquainted with the affaires of State shoulde goe to propound the cause of succession For this occasion they named as it is said Gasper Quiroga Cardinall and Archbishop of Toledo Ferdinand Aluares of Tolede Duke of Alua Anthony of Toledo Prior of the order of Saint Iohns master of the Kings Horse Frauncis Pacheco Cardinall of Burgos all principall personages Quiroga was thought verie fit by reason of his dignitie and wisedome togither with the experience he had gotten in the court of Rome hauing beene there long Auditor of the Rota The Duke of Alua for his authoritie experience and wisedome was thought the better for beginning to feare they should come to armes it seemed that he best could treate of the succession and withall sounde the Portugals forces and what succours they might drawe vnto them and afterwardes if neede required being a great captaine coulde by his aduise vndertake the warre with greater assurance Manie did approoue Anthony of Tolledo for besides the opinion they had of his wisedome he was accounted godly religious and otherwise vertuous the which they supposed woulde make him more pleasing vnto Henry But in the iudgement of the most aduised they preferred the Cardinall of Burgos for besides those other good parts which he enioied with the rest he was thought most able to treate the matter of State besides that being a priest and a Cardinall they shoulde seeme to sende vnto Henry a companion But notwithstanding there was not in Spaine any greater personages of like experience vnto these to mannage a matter of so great importance being the greatest that euer was presented vnto this crowne yet the preferred Peter Girone Duke of Ossuna and although his qualitie being great among the greatest of the Realme was woorthie of anie charge accompanied with manie vertues and some other particularities that were necessarie for the voiage notwithstanding some did attribute this election to the ordinarie diseases of the court and to the respects which Kings Councels doe commonly vse inferring thereby that therein he was extraordinarily fauoured by Peter Fassardo Marques de los Veles his kinsman at that time fauoured by the king Some said also and it may be not without grounde that it was not conuenient to sende anie personage into Portugall whose wisedome and iudgement were knowne vnto the worlde to the ende the Portugals shoulde not feare to treate freely with him of all
if it were not their pleasure he should deale with those causes of the succession he would willingly desist and onely treat of that which did simply concerne the charge of an Ambassadour and after retire himselfe if neede were But this modestie made him more suspect for thereby they might iudge he desired nothing more then once to haue an entrie and after to make himselfe Patrone of the whole cause At that time Christopher de Mora was called to court who treated secretly with the King of many things concerning the Realme he laboured to be sent backe with the Title of Ambassador yet many supposed his commission being ended he should not returne But being accounted as he was indeed confident iudicious and diligent although of no great experience in matters of waight being made gentleman of the chamber he was sent backe with the Title he desired to keepe Sylua from returning into Portugall all his hopes being frustrate they stayed him saying it was conuenient the King should retaine him neere about him to iudge the better of what should be written out of Portugall And hauing reduced the number of twelue coūsellors of the succession to fower he commaunded he should be one the rest being the Cardinall of Toledo Lewis Manriques Marques of Aguilar both of the councell of State and Anthonie of Padiglia President of the councell of millitarie orders The generall discourse concerning the election of the one for Ambassador and the exclusion of the other was diuers but when as the excluded could not preuaile according to the counterfeit show of the court he tooke all for a fauour Whilest these things passed in Castil the pretendents in Portugal both naturall borne and strangers called by citation framed their reasons and euerie man laboured to make the King capable of his right The Duke of Ossuna pleaded for King Philip Charles de la Rouuere for the Duke of Sauoy Ferrant Farnese Bishop of Parma for Rainucius Fernese The Queene of Fraunce was not cited yet did not she desist from her pretention by the meanes of Vrban of Saint Gelais Bishop of Cominges who had some difficultie to be admitted The King seemed long doubtfull in this point for on the one side with the inclination he had to the Dutchesse he would exclude al others with the desire he had to frustrate Philip he labored to admit all that did pretend In this point hatred preuailed before affection Enduring this infamous allegation of the Queen who saide that Henry of whom she demaunded iustice and eleuen other Kings his predecessors had beene all bastards and vnlawfull for that was her plea And although he doubted of the Bishops procuration after some difficulties promising to satisfie him within a limited time by an other commission he was receiued to plead appointing him an aduocate in the cause The principall groundes of the pleaders were these Anthonie at the end of fiftie yeeres would be admitted for lawfull hauing neuer before pretended it and therfore vndoubtedly the succession of the Realme did appertaine vnto him for that as a male issued from a male he saide with the qualitie of his father he did surmount his age wherein Philip did surpasse him that being a male he was before the Dutchesse and did vanquish Rhanucius by his age and neerenes Phillibert Duke of Sauoy did not wholie deceiue himselfe for as he assisted not for any other ende but to shewe that as the neerest of kinne he did preceade the Prince of Castill in case that Henry outliued Philip he was least importune They did pleade vehemently for Rainucius Farnese and in his fauour the Doctors of the Vniuersitie of Padua had written and to confute the reasons of proximitie wherein the other competitors did surmount they alleaged that conformeable to pure and simple lawe so many sonnes as Kings haue so many heires of inheritance they do frame whereof the first line doth inherite whilest it remaines which being extinct the seconde doth succeed it and so consequently in order That Edward the Grandfather by the Mothers side of the saide Ranucius was chiefe of the second race of the children of King Emanuel whereof the first being vtterly extinct in Sebastian the line of the second ought to succeed vntill it were likewise extinct where by descending from braunch to braunch it came directly to the saide Ranucius And although Philip and Phillibert were pretendents male and lawfully issued from an elder feminine stocke whilest there was remaining any heires descending from the elder feminine males as he was they coulde not inherite and that the Dutchesse who was a woman and Anthony vnlawfull ought not to take it from him although he succeeded them all The Dutchesse with more liuely hope both of her iustice and of the Kings fauour had caused to be written in the Vniuersitie of Coimbra a long curious allegation the Doctors who are the learnedst of the Realme hoping to please the King handled the cause with all possible care She laboured to prooue that they succeed in Realmes by the inheritance of the last possessor and that in this kinde of succession the lawes allowe the benefite of representation and in the difficultie which the Doctors mooue in the deciding whether this priuiledge be allowable to the Nephewes when they do not ioine with the Vncle in the inheritance they ought to follow those which holde the affirmatiue and that the women doe not onely represent the degree of the predecessors but also the sexe She therefore representing Edwrad her Father sonne to King Emanuel and brother to king Henrie woulde precead all the other pretendents both the Catholique king for that he issued from a daughter Anthony being a bastard Ranucius as being neerer vnto Henry admitting neither degrees elderships nor representations alleaging for that purpose infinite authorities of Doctors These her allegations were imprinted and sent to the Pope and to all the Princes in Christendome hoping thereby to make a great breach in their harts The Catholique king saide he was the eldest and lawfullest Nephew male of king Emanuel then liuing and that not any one of the others being not able to make themselues equall vnto him they sought to helpe themselues with fixions and representations the which he woulde prooue by some lawes were not to be admitted in this case nor amongst these persons for that going before them all ingeneral by age he did surpasse them in particular one after an other Anthony by legitimation the Duchesse by sexe Ranucius by nearenes the Duke of Sauoy by the age of Isabell Augusta his mother elder then Beatrice Mother to the saide Duke The people alleage that the issue male of their Kings failing in that case the election appertained to them fortifying this reason by the example of the election which was made of their King Iohn the first but of this pretention being generall they made small account The Queene Mother of Fraunce with a
his disfauour retaining still the right of armes by reason whereof in this suspence he forbare still to giue the Nuncio his answere vntill that being better assured of the disposition of Henry he made answere that his interest being so apparant and the King so well enclined there needed not any mediation the which if it were requisite he woulde accept of this office of the good zeale of his holines The indisposition of Henry and the disquietnes of his minde did much afflict him so as he resembled a lampe neere extinct the which sometimes yeelds a great light sometimes seemes quite out They feared he shoulde die of an accident which hapned and therefore his Counsell thought good not to attende his death for the declaration of the Gouernours but to put them as it were in possession the which was partly executed For the King being halfe dead they brought vnto him the coffer wherein the Rowle was kept with the names of the Gouernours in the great Church of Lisbone and hauing opened it they founde them to be George Dalmeda archbishop of Lisbone Frauncis de Sada first groome of the Kings chamber Iean Tello Iean Mascaregnas and Diego Lopez de Sosa President of the Counsell of Iustice of the citie who tooke their oathes to gouerne according to the lawes of the Realme and to the limited commission which Henry had particularly set downe This diligence bredde aswell in the peoples mindes as in the Catholique Kings a iealousie of the kings death and the rather for that two daies before they woulde not suffer any to see him supposing they woulde keepe it secret vntill they had taken counsell put the Gouernours in possession and prepared for defence And although it were presently knowne that the King was yet liuing and so amended that he had almost recouered his former health yet the generall opinion being that he coulde not liue long all mens mindes were in suspence in this Realme THE FOVRTH BOOKE The Contents of the fourth Booke The Castillians and Portugals discourse vpon the state of Portugall the vehemencie of the plague the estate of Almerin the death of King Henry the Regency of the Gouernours the practise of Anthonie to be chosen King the Testament of Henry the diligence of the Catholique King to vnderstande if he might with a safe conscience make warre the election of the Duke of Alua as generall of the enterprise and the priuileges the Catholique King offered if they woulde deliuer him the Realme THe Catholique King in the meane time kept his armie togither in Spaine with greater paines and more charge then he had done else where for the countrey being not greatly fertile he was enforced to fetch victuals from other parts being then about the ende of Nouember 1579. there was then no assuraunce of things whereby they might either dismisse their armie or imploy it For although king Henry was yet liuing and well affected yet the Portugals being most obstinate against the Castillians he desired not to liue any longer doubtfull of the succession as well for the charge as for the euent and therefore he ceased not continually to importune Henry to declare him Successor obiecting many reasons why he was bound to do it and propounding many inconueniences which woulde follow not doing it the which was spoken in doubtfull tearmes whereby it seemed he woulde make the equitie of his cause apparant by force And although this entreatie seemed somewhat to threaten yet did it nothing displease Henry suffering it expresly to bee published that the people might beleeue he was forced to this declaration The whole Realme was discontented to see Henry dying the Catholique King armed and the small remainder of time spent in matters of light importance whereof their discourses and opinions were as diuers as they were different in passions The Priors partisans being in a manner all of base qualitie hauing their reason darkned and not setled in opinion saide that he was legitimate and that the Crowne appertained vnto him but that the king of his absolute authoritie hating him woulde depriue him and that all his fauorites did concurre in this resolution For the King hauing alwaies persecuted Anthony by their aduise they feared that he comming to raigne woulde take such reuenge as they deserued and therefore preferring their owne securitie before the libertie of their countrey they woulde take the Realme from him and giue it to a stranger Many others alleaged that although hee were a bastard yet they ought to giue him the Realme being the neerest allied of the bloud royall Others in whom hatred to their neighbours preuailed more then any other inclination saide that whosoeuer had interest to the Realme yet shoulde they by no meanes giue it to the Catholique King but rather come to armes vaunting themselues to be valiant They added moreouer that they woulde demaund aide from Fraunce and England whereof they were assured and hauing them they doubted not to seate a King at their pleasures There were some yet fewe but of iudgement who comparing the forces of Portugall with Castill founde they coulde not flie the yoke of the Catholique King and although with great griefe yet they hoped it might prooue a gentle amitie and that these Realmes vnited togither Portugall might reape great profit by the commerce traffique Many spake after their owne humors saying that Anthony leauing the habite of Saint Iean shoulde marrie with the daughter of the Duke of Bragance and being vnited togither they needed not to feare Others gaue out that the Catholique King woulde be contented to giue his seconde sonne to the Portugals for their king to be brought vp amongst them the which they shoulde accept for were it whosoeuer it were sufficient to haue a King alone And some say that Henry laboured to effect this but Philip soone resolued him saying that he coulde not do it but to preiudice the Prince his eldest sonne fearing by this meanes to leaue a seminarie of diuision in Spaine betwixt his descendents The perswasion of the Catholique Kings Agents with the Nobility were of great effect by reason whereof there were few Gentlemen amidst this diuersitie of opinion but either did willingly encline to the said King or corrupted held their peace and retired themselues from Court auoiding all occasion to declare themselues Of the fiue Gouernours chosen three were drawne to the Catholique Kings deuotion and although we should not be amazed to see the common people who by custome inconstant and without iudgement holde the woorser part yet did it breed a woonder in many that the Portugals in generall euery one according to his qualitie framed in their mindes a resolution contrarie to that which by reason they ought to haue done in a matter of so great importance in the which they should haue taken greater consideration For that some discoursed without passion that the Nobilitie accustomed to be respected of the King shoulde flie the obedience of the Catholique King being
for by that meanes he should prouide for all things fit for the Realme giuing satisfaction to him that should haue the strongest pretention And although the matter were still in doubt yet the King had thought it the best course as they should well finde and if they would consider thereof being of such importance as his Highnes had thought it conuenient to impart it vnto them and with their counsell to determine what should be most necessarie for the seruice of God and the profit of the Realme That hee did recommend it vnto them that with quietnes of mindes and the onely respect of the diuine seruice and the common good they should treat and consider of this matter giuing the King present knowledge of their opinions This Ambassage did greatly alter the councell who expected an Ambassage from the King whether he would admit their demand concerning the election and seeing they treated with them of a matter halfe ended laying aside what the Ambassador had propounded they resolued to send backe to the King to expostulate an answere of their Ambassage which done they profited no more then before But to Phebus Moniz one of those which went who possibly spake without respect the King made answere with great patience That he should haue come accompanied with choler whereunto he replied that it was reasonable seeing his Highnes would giue the Realme vnto the Castillians Let him giue it to any Portugall whosoeuer they were all contented The day following the Bishop returned to the assembly and without any answer to the Deputies demaund hee saide vnto them in the Kings behalfe That his Highnes vnderstood that some of the Councell were mistaken supposing the accord whereof he had made mention should be betwixt the King of Castill the Duchesse of Bragance which being contrarie he thought it good to explaine his meaning that the accord which he laboured was betwixt the King of Castill and these Realmes and to let them vnderstande that sentence was readie to be giuen in fauour of the king of Castill and therefore they shoulde consider how much more fit it were to ende it by accorde then by sentence that they shoulde well consider of that which he had sent to be deliuered vnto them for being a matter so important to the Realme it was necessarie that all should be capable The Bishop being departed many of the Deputies grewe in choler some of them saying that the Bishop affected vnto Philip had forged this Embassage of himselfe and that it was not credible the King had deliuered it thus vnto him Many spoke freely and some sought to interrupt him before hee had ended seeming vnto them that the king not answering their demaunde made small account of this assemblie saying that he coulde be no iust iudge of this cause seeing he had declared his intention But weighing better if they should confesse that he had pronounced it as a king and iudge they were bound to obey they beganne to say he had made no declaration holding it in suspence They sent to the assemblie of the Clergie to let them vnderstand what had passed and to complaine and to the King likewise to demaund an answer who answering them that he woulde sende did presse them to rest satisfied and to commit the care of this resolution to some fewe of them whereunto the Deputies woulde not agree fearing least the authoritie of the pretendents might force them or corrupt the iudges protesting openly that they woulde neither conuent nor accord with the Castillians But King Henry seeing the Deputies obstinately forcing an aunswere to their demaund finding he coulde neither drawe them to composition nor to compremit the matter to fewe fearing if hee shoulde pronounce the sentence they woulde make some exception resolued to make short to graunt that which they demaunded For which cause he sent backe the Bishop the thirde time who with a more pleasing audience then before saide vnto them in the kings behalfe That seeing the accord he had propounded did not seeme pleasing vnto them as vnto his Highnes he woulde make no other motion but woulde admit them to pleade the interest they had in the Kings election giuing them notwithstanding but two daies libertie to produce their reasons The Deputies glad of this answere sent to kisse the Kings hand for this fauour crauing leaue to draw some auncient writings out of the Records requiring more libertie of time the which he would not graunt referring them to the Soueraigne magistrate for the writings The Portugals were puffed vp with hope by this permission to elect a King at their owne pleasure and therefore many more hastily then they should declared themselues protesting they would rather yeeld to any then to the Castillians And not onely the common people but many of the Nobilitie said the same whereof many shewing themselues too seditious were banished the assemblies whereas such as seconded the Kings will besides the promises of the Catholike Kings Agents were fauoured and rewarded by Henrie The pretendents to the succession were discontented with the Kings inclination some complayned others dissembled The Duke of Bragance relied greatly vpon his wiues Title The Bishop of Parma comming to the assembly of States complayned publikely of the King with graue wordes to whom Emanuell de Sosa made a wise answere assuring him of the Kings intent to doe iustice whilest the matter stoode vpon these termes the King grew so weake as he could not rise from his bed giuing signes of a short life yet did he not leaue to the hower of his death to prouide for all things necessarie At that time the Duke of Bragance thought it fit to send Katherine his wife to Almeryn to visite Henrie to perswade him to declare her heire to the Crowne the which he did with small content to Henrie to whom she spake freely This her comming the Archbishop of Euora vncle to the Duke hauing at the same time giuen a prebend of the same church of great reuenue to Paul Alphonso bred matter of iealousie in such as were affected to the Catholique King who not knowing the qualitie of this Doctor and the obedience wherewith they keepe the Kings commaundements charged him not to haue perfourmed such offices with the Dutchesse as were conformable to Henries commission who drawning neere vnto midnight passed into an other life a thing woorthie to be noted that he began to die in the beginning of the Ecclipse of the moone he died with the end thereof as if that the celestiall signe had wrought that effect in him being a King of a weake bodie which it doth not in stronger or at the least not so suddenly as Astrologians doe write neither is the hower to be neglected being the same wherein he was borne 68. yeeres before The religious which were at his death saide that he was alwaies talking About ten of the clocke hee demaunded howe the time went and being told he desired some rest and that they
meanes difficult That this deceit should grow from the opinion they haue conceiued that in the end all that they can doe for his Maiestie is to consigne him the realme by accord and composition not remembring that he receiued it not from their hands but from God and by his owne right so as these words of capitulations transactions and accords be neither proper nor fit for if they looke vnto the preseruation of their statutes and priuileges they should not be called accords but bonds the which his Maiestie must accomplish as lawfull king of Portugall And if they referre it to that which is newly to be graunted them much lesse doe they deserue that name but rather of the liberalitie greatnes and meere grace whereunto his Maiestie for the bountie and loue he beareth them will binde himselfe with all the assurance they can demaund so as the estates were necessarie when as the realme might dispute vpon these graces and choose another king whom they pleased but hauing no authoritie but to intreate for the augmentation of these fauours the estates had nothing to doe with his entrie That they deliuered all these things onely to make plaine the matter with the rigour of truth without any meaning of his Maiestie to refuse such graces as had beene offered on his behalfe or to giue the assurance they should require for the accomplishment thereof neither doth he stande vpon the meanes termes or words which shall be requisite to giue full contentment to the realme although they be in effect the same with capitulations and accords That as the inconueniencie they alleage wants substance and reason so those which are presented in his Maiesties name were so precise and necessarie as they admitted no more delay although that he desired to satisfie their demaunds as he alwaies sought to doe by effect in any thing he could That it is apparant the armie now marching and approching so neare it cannot turne head nor entertaine it selfe for that the victuals in the countrey are consumed and that which they haue in store would be spoiled besides it is a dangerous matter to entertaine an armie obedient so long time at sea and therefore were most reasonable to discharge them of this burthen That although his Maiestie be easily persuaded that the greatest part of those which require him to stay doe it with a good and sincere intention yet can they not denie but another sort of people desire and labour to hinder him by the accidents that may happen and to cause him to loose the opportunitie wherein he might imploy his galleys vpon the coast of Portugall knowing the season for vessels that goe with oares to bee quickly past That since his Maiestie came from Madrill he hath sought all possible delaies hauing as they know spent three monethes in his voyage to the end they should want no time to vnderstand agree and accommodate themselues but although the time had beene continued a whole yeere it is apparant the businesse had beene nothing aduaunced hauing spent so many daies in superfluous replyings during which they might haue assembled their estates and forgotten them And whereas on the one side they offer to holde them with breuitie on the other side being now the moneth of Iune his Maiestie vnderstandeth that neither the Prelates the Nobilitie much lesse the Deputies of townes are arriued and that the elections are not yet made in many cities hauing intelligence that they delay them by cunning and subornations whereby it is apparant that these estates would rather breede a confusion then any good effect And although the small fruit they may hope for hereby be euident yet doe they not beleeue his Maiestie will hinder them vntill his entrie into the realme but being entred hee will ordaine that which shall seeme fit for the seruice of God of himselfe and of the generall good of this crowne bee it by meanes of the estates or otherwise seeking alwaies the most profitable for the naturall subiects of the same realme That his Maiestie cannot although he should shut his eies rest fully assured of their propositions seeing his good subiects in these realmes oppressed and afflicted vnder colour of an vniust resistance which they cal defence and those onely persecuted and ill intreated which follow his partie and acknowledge the truth of his Title whereas contrariwise those which are passionate and slanderous perturbers of the peace good and publique quiet are fauoured That to conclude his Maiestie would haue their workes conformable to their wordes for otherwise they cannot blame him if he proceede cunningly And that they may vnderstand with how great reason he distrusteth their delaies he did signifie vnto them that he had certaine and late aduise from many prouinces that at the same time when as they intreated him with faire words to stay and attend they did with great instance demaund succours from other nations making secret practises most hurtfull to the good of the Church and the peace of all Christendome although God would not suffer them to trouble it That although with the helpe of God his Maiestie would soone enter into Portugall with mightie forces yet should they not beleeue that he came to make warre against them but would labour all he could that none should receiue hurt but such as did oppose themselues obstinately to his iust possession hoping they would not any waies hinder him but would willingly make easie all difficulties to the end that by their good succours his Maiestie might this sommer turne his force against infidels The gouernours viewing this graue and wise answere with the kings resolution by the which the whole realme was assured to haue warre both within and round about being odious vnto the people who blamed them for the slacke and euill execution of all matters and of the weake resistance they prepared they were doubtfull what to doe They would haue left Almerin for the plague beginning to raigne and the season hot the place being sandie woulde not suffer them to stay And hauing intelligence that Anthonie animated the people against them in his fauour they desired to retire into some place of strength as well to assure themselues against the rising of the people as for the warre for that Almeryn was without walles They iudged Settuuall whither they had called the estates although with small hope to holde them more fit then any other being a walled towne and a port of the sea and therefore desired to withdraw themselues thither They had deuised at the least three of them to assist the Catholique King for his entrie into the realme in despite of such as should prepare for the defence esteeming this strong place fit for that effect there to bring in the kings armie at sea and so to frustrate the fortification which Emanuel of Portugall had made in the mouth of the riuer of Tagus but they could not bring their purpose to passe for the deputies of the last estates remaining
discouering their intention said it was fit they should all stay at Saint Arem so as fearing to giue greater cause to suspect they coulde not depart They added moreouer that leauing the Prior there with the deputies in a time when as the Catholique king should begin to take armes they might in their absence vnder colour of defence erect a tyrannie So as ignorant what course to take or how to redresse things they did being friends by their irresolution more hurt to the Catholique king then they coulde haue done being enimies for the king hoping these woulde haue deliuered him the crowne proceeded slowly with his armie At that time it chanced that Iohn Gonzalez de Camera Earle of Caglietta died of the plague at Almeryn so as the Gouernors tooke this occasion to depart from thence and went to Settuual with the Duke of Bragance the Agents of the Catholique King and others of their faction for hauing created captaines placed a garrison they cōmanded the gates to be guarded The Catholique King hauing assembled his armie neere to Badagios receiued aduertisement that his nauie was at Saint Marie porte ready to set saile before they should enter into Portugall not yet well satisfied with the diligence he had vsed as it is saide with many Diuines desired to consult againe in the Vniuersitie of Alcala where the profession of Diuinitie flourisheth most in those realmes vpon his entrie in armes into the realme and the proposition made by the Portugall Embassadors And to that effect hauing assembled all the doctors being in number aboue thirtie hauing made their praiers and supplications vnto God in their sacrifices and the matter considered by euery one apart it was disputed of in three sessions For although the matter were not hard to decide yet was it graue and new All without any disagreement concurre in opinion with the first with whom the King had consulted without viewing of their reasons they sent a publike decree vnto the King There was propounded vnto them three articles I he first that the King being certaine to succeed by right after the death of King Henry to the realmes of Portugall whether he were in conscience bound to submit himselfe to any tribunall iudge or arbitrator who might adiudge him the realmes or put him in possession thereof The second was that the realme of Portugall refusing to acknowledge him for their Prince vnlesse he woulde first stande to iudgement with the pretendents Whether he may of his owne authoritie take possession thereof by force against such as shall make resistance presupposing that there is no doubt or scruple of conscience in his title whatsoeuer The thirde was that the Gouernours of Portugall alleaging that they and the whole realme haue sworne not to receiue any for King but him that shoulde be iudicially so declared and that they may not receiue the King otherwise the rather for that the pretendents complaine and offer to stande to iudgement He desired to know if the saide Gouernors and the whole realme may pretend this oath for an excuse not to receiue him for King To the first they answered that the King was not bound in conscience to submit himselfe to any Iustice or arbitrement seeing that he had of himseife priuate authoritie to adiudge vnto himselfe those realmes and to take possession They excluded especially from this authoritie of iudging all Princes and such as might pretend to take any knowledge thereof And first humblie saluting the Pope and the Apostolike sea they denied that this iurisdiction did appertaine vnto him the cause being meerelie temporall and nothing concurring where by his holines should vse that indirect authoritie which he hath in temporall causes so farre foorth as they concerne the spirituall good They shewed he was not bounde to the censure of the Emperour for that the Kings of Spaine were soueraignes not acknowledging the Emperour in any thing and much lesse to any other King They prooued he was not subiect to the common-wealth nor the realmes of Portugul saying That when as common wealthes doe choose their first King vpon condition to obey him and his successors they remaine subiect vnto him to whom they haue transferred their authoritie no iurisdiction remaining in them either to iudge the realme or the true successor seeing in the first election all the true successors were chosen Being therefore most apparant there is a true successour it followeth that the common wealth of Portugall hath no iurisdiction to iudge of him that doth truely succeede and that the King hath as great a warrant not to be subiect to the censure of this common wealth as he hath to be true successour And as touching the eleuen persons of the fower and twentie which King Henry had named they saide that Henry himselfe coulde not be iudge of him that did succeede after him for that after his death the office of administring iustice was expired and all his authoritie and iurisdiction past vnto his lawfull successor Against arbitrators they spake little onely that the bond of cōpremise had no place when as the equitie of the cause was not doubtfull as it was supposed They answered them which saide that the King had no interest to the realme of Portugall as King of Castill but as kinseman to King Henry by reason whereof he coulde not in this case challenge the preheminence he hath as King of Castill saying that this imaginarie diuision cannot bee made in the person of the King for it is so annexed to the dignitie royall that his person cannot be wronged but the dignitie woulde suffer And seeing the Prince may lawfully make war vpon an other Realme for iniuries done to his brothers and friends confederats with greater reason may he do it in taking possession of a Realme which appertaines lawfully vnto himselfe They made answer to such as said that obseruing the ciuill canon law a matter litigious should be iudged where it happeneth and therfore this shoulde bee decided in Portugall saying that these decisions speake of particular persons who haue their superiour Iudges and not of soueraigne Princes and their dependancies To the seconde article they answered with more reasons then vnto the first saying the King was not bound to any thing but to signifie vnto the Gouernours his Title and certaine interest to the Crowne and if notwithstanding this demonstration they should make resistance then the King by his owne authoritie might take possession of the Realme vsing if neede required force of armes for that in this action it can not bee termed force but a naturall defence of the Realme which is his owne and a iust punishment of Rebels To the third they said that this oath could not binde them that had vndertaken to obserue it seeing it is most certaine that neither in Portugall nor else where any iudge may determine this cause with the King Moreouer that this oath is to the preiudice of his prerogatiue royall and as this oath did not
yoong men induced by Philips partisans seeing into what danger the captaine had brought the safety of the citie resolued to kill him and going to the Cathedrall church where they were all assembled they attended at the doore to effect it when he shoulde come foorth but discoursing with the Bishop who perswaded him ignorant of the danger wherein he was a nephew of his named likewise Anthony de Melo vnderstanding in the castell in what danger his grandfather was came foorth with certaine Harguebusiers to his succour and came in time before he was yet issued out of the church Old Anthony seeing this yoong man enter armed was amazed not knowing the cause but vnderstanding it afterwards and withall the hazard whereunto he was brought by such as did watch for him he sent to Velasco that he shoulde compound with the magistrate that as for him he was content to yeeld obedience to king Philip by meanes whereof all was pacified for the Magistrate had alreadie yeelded At the taking of their oathes the Citizens ill aduised required Velasco that in the Kings name hee shoulde graunt vnto the citie many priuileges and exemptions of customes and impostes throughout the realme with many other things of importance And hee liberall of that which he could not giue graunted all that was demaunded but these promises were not obserued by the King saying as it was true indeed that Velasco had exceeded his commission These things ended they were aduertised that Gaspar de Britto whom the citie had sent to Diego de Meneses was returning with three hundred men horse and foote ill appointed to guard this place to whom they presently sent word that he should turne back and hauing discouered the Castillian horse of himselfe he fled with al his troupes The day following the vsuall ceremonies perfourmed in proclaiming a newe King Velasco returned hauing staied there but three daies The principall of Eluas went after to Badagios to kisse the Kings hande of whom they had better reception then he is accustomed to giue vnto such people sending Garcia de Cardenas nephewe to the Duke of Alua to the citie to thanke the Citizens for their good wils Eluas being reduced Peter Velasco for the same intent tooke his way towards Oliuenza whither he had before written labouring that Nugno Aluares sonne to the Earle of Tentuguell being captaine of the place shoulde depart the which he easily obtained for the Citizens who had their affections enclined to the Catholique King were resolued to yeelde vnto him hauing entreated the King that it woulde please him not to make this place the first whereof he shoulde take possession seeing that he had woone their harts desiring rather to deserue lesse by obtaining late then to be accused of inconstancie by hastening much For this cause they not onelie thrust foorth Nugno Aluarez but also Diego de Sosa a knight of the order of Saint Iohn who had succeeded in his place The newes of all this and of the successe of Eluas came presently to Saint Arem whereas Anthony remained labouring with the people to be proclaimed King He was alwaies impatient in his pretention notwithstanding the persecutions that king Henry inflicted vpon him labouring still by all meanes possible to aspire to the crowne intreating threatning and suborning He treated by his Agents with the Catholique King in diuers manners Sometimes he seemed iealous of the Duke of Bragance and would ioine with the King against him Sometimes he treated to resigne his interest to Philip if he would make him a good composition carrying himselfe as his hopes increased or diminished So as it hapned vnto such as mannaged his affaires with the king when they found themselues to haue concluded a matter they found their authoritie reuoked The King in the end caused Christopher de Mora to talke with him and to make offer of all he should demaund for the great loue he bare vnto him without naming either summe or any thing else whatsoeuer but for that he hated Mora he would not by his meanes treate of this matter of agreement Notwithstanding when as the Duke of Ossuna deliuered vnto the Gouernors a copie of the kings minde as is before set downe he deliuered vnto Anthony a letter from the King wherein he did write vnto him That forasmuch as he was not ignorant many yeeres since of the good will he had alwaies borne him the which he had laboured to make shewe of in all occasions he was assured he woulde not prooue ingrate but shew himselfe answerable vnto that whereunto reason did binde him the neerenes of bloud that was betwixt them He said moreouer that hauing vnderstoode the right and apparant title hee had to the realmes of Portugall he entreated him most hartely to shew himselfe one of the first to receiue and to sweare him for his King and naturall Lord as God had appointed that by his example the rest might do that whereunto they were bounde assuring him that for his owne particular he woulde holde that regard of him to recompence and grace him as was conuenient referring the rest to that which the Duke of Ossuna and Mora shoulde deliuer vnto him But this letter wrought no effect for he then saide vnto the Duke that he woulde neuer agree making answere vnto the King that he could not satisfie him for that being vnder the peoples protection he must gouerne himselfe according to their mindes and therefore vnderstanding that the Castillians began to enter within the realm he made haste to dispatch this busines with the people the Deputies and making his profite of the possession the King tooke seeing the necessitie they had of a commaunder to make resistance he induced them to choose him Protector or King And although this resolution was made by the most seditious and arrogant who by force seeke to execute what they please who woulde needes proclaime him King yet were there many that woulde not yeeld vnto it many helde it more fit to call him Protector The Prior himselfe was not well resolued of this point suffring himselfe to be ledde as in all other his actions by the greatest number and his most fauorites who to induce the people to performe this acte in despight of some that woulde not assent being then in question to builde a fortresse a little without Saint Arem where there standes a small chappell dedicated to the inuocation of the Apostles they spred foorth a rumour that Anthony shoulde go thither the 19. of Iune to lay the first stone and that all the people shoulde worke in that fortification labouring in such an assembly to effect their desires But there needed no great arte for the people desirous of innouation ranne all thither that morning The Bishop of Parma being innocent and he of Guarda ofset purpose came to the chappell where masse was celebrated in the midst whereof they exhorted the assemblie to defence and with darke speeches to make an election
moreouer that he was much amazed to heare him confesse with his owne mouth that they had daily practised with Anthony that they treated with a rebell who had committed so horrible a crime aduising him in signe of loue heereafter to abstaine from all such treaties so contrarie to that fidelitie whereunto they were bounde and so vnwoorthie of their authoritie and reputation shewing likewise that he marueiled they woulde suffer themselues to be informed from the Deputies who promised to cause Anthony to forsake the title of a king which he hath vsurped as if it were an offence capable of repentaunce whereas they shoulde well vnderstand that they be ordinary practises and discourses of rebels to deceiue them as they had formerly done And whereas the Deputies call it an accord or vnion for the defence let them take heede that it prooue not a league and a conspiracie framed to make him partaker with Anthony his offence from the which God had yet preserued him He concluded that he would alwaies giue a gentle audience to that which shoulde be propounded on his behalfe with intention to doe him all the grace and fauor possible in his demaunds This answere being receiued the Duke sent certaine gentlemen to treat an agreement with the king the which continued long making vnseasonable demaundes on the Dukes behalfe Notwithstanding the King desiring that before they proceeded further he shoulde acknowledge and sweare him for his Lorde The matter remained in suspence with small content to the Duke who found not onely the hope of his Iustice to fall out vaine but likewise not to be fully reconciled to the king who tooke possession of his countries hauing alreadie lost Villauizosa one of his chiefe places and of great importance where hee made his aboad although he had well fortified it The which hapned presently after the reduction of Eluas by the meanes of a Castillian whom he had left within the castell either trusting in him or neglecting of it This man hauing intelligence with captaine Cisneros who was in the Dukes campe treated to deliuer vnto him in the night one of the gates of the castell the which descends into the ditch thereby secretly to bring in the kings forces the which he did effect The night appointed for this enterprise being come the Duke commanded Sanches d'Auila to go with the soldiers he had about Eluas and take possession of the fortresse who hauing taken their Harquebusiers behinde them marched so that night that in the morning they came to Villauizosa and approching the gate that was promised them they founde that although it were open yet coulde they not enter for that being farre from the ground the ladder which they had brought was too shorte and coulde not reach vnto it so as in dispaire to put it in execution the day growing neere they were readie to returne fearing to be discouered But as many times thinges are fitted to the violent course of fortune the Castillians founde within the castell ditch an other ladder which the soldiers within the forte had by chance left there the which bounde to that they brought reached vnto the gate so as all the soldiers entred the castell without being discouered hauing neither guard nor centinell but were all laide to sleepe hauing a mightie armie of enimies within tenne miles of them so as in this manner the Duke of Bragance lost the best and strongest furnished place he had Many were then of opinion the King shoulde not go in person with the armie for although some helde it was necessarie he should goe alleaging the former reasons yet such as helde the contrarie opinion added vnto their reasons that throughout all the way vnto Lisbone and in the citie it selfe they died most violently of the plague although the aire did not seeme corrupted that it was not conuenient to hazard the life of a Prince who was a pillar of the Church and Lord of so many Realmes That they might answere vnto the reasons of conueniencie which was spoken against this opinion that it was like vnto all other humane things which haue two reasons for waighing the one it importes much and regarding the other they seeme light The importance of the enterprise is verie great considering the valour of the realme and his interest but if you consider that they oppose against the person of so mightie a king that of Anthony a rebell who doth scarse deserue the name of a tirant and that with the Duke of Alua and so many Noblemen Italians and Spaniards you compare the Count of Vimioso yoong without experience and all the rest of their traine and that against so valiant soldiers of all nations there come peasants gathered togither from the villages about Lisbone and the slaues of Ethiopia you may easily iudge the great indignitie the king shoulde suffer being present in this expedition They alleaged the like reason against the hope of good successe for although it seemed a matter easilie to be effected considering the qualitie of the enimies yet regarding the difficulties alleaged the matter was in suspence remembring the examples of King Iohn the first of Castill Alphonse the fifth of Portugall either of them entring at diuers times with an armie into other countries and both returned flying and broken As for the sweete content it seemed the Kings entrie should bring and contrariwise the sharpenes of the Duke of Alua they saide it was well considered yet the King remaining at Eluas or in any other place vpon the frontiers hee shoulde giue a generall content This opinion seeming the better and with most grounde not onely pleased the King but bred such an impression in the mindes of many that it passed the limits for that the cōsiderations of safety are limited with feare so as they began to apprehend too much saying the king was not sure at Badagios and that he shoulde retire himselfe to Ciuill vnder colour to dispatch away the armie seeing it had already entred the realme for the Duke marching from the frontier the King shoulde lie open to all attempts of the Portugals who might make their courses euen vnto the walles of the citie That Anthony seeking to make this diuersion he might easilie effect it with so great force as the king shoulde be constrained to retire himselfe with small authoritie and recall his armie although it were about the wals of Lisbone yet woulde not the king by any meanes heare speake thereof but perswaded such as were of that opinion that for a worlde no for his owne life he woulde not retire a foote backe but was resolued to staie in Portugall in some place of the frontiers which shoulde be thought most conuenient and for that effect reteined certaine troupes for his guard The Duke of Alua who had assembled his armie at Cantigliana passed the 27. day of Iune by the kings commandement the small of Caya which diuides the two realmes entring into Portugall with great quantitie of munition
Catholique king vpon the frontiers where being better aduised they returned into the realme putting themselues in Castromarin with great discontentment There they made a decree repeating the deedes of Anthony from the time of king Henry vnto that day confirming the sentences which the said Henry had pronounced against him calling him rebell and troubler of the publique quiet They declared giuing testimonie of the intention of King Henry that king Philip was the true succussor They commaunded all cities places Noblemen and ministers of iustice to obey him resigning all their authoritie vnto him And although it seemed that all Iustice was now reduced to armes and that the King had no neede of this decree yet was it of great importance both to iustifie his cause with the people as also for that it made many cities to yeeld But Anthony made no reckoning of this sentence preparing for defence vpon the right side of the riuer of Tagus hee had yet no other nation but Portugals and such as he coulde gather togither where with he could not frame a campe vpon any necessitie for that the peasants and the people which were not entertained for the warre coulde not abandon their trades to goe to fielde and therefore he desired to haue mercenarie soldiers and finding that Frauncis Baretto staied long to bring any from Fraunce he dispatched Peter Dora then Consul of the French in that realme into Fraunce giuing him money to leuie two thousand men he named Diego de Meneses his Lieutenant generall and gaue the charge of his armie at sea to George de Meneses He vnderstoode well the course of the Catholique armie but trusting as well in the people as to the passage of the riuer he seemed to be well able to defend himselfe Hee grewe doubtfull being ill aduertised that whilest the Duke marched by small iourneies towardes Settuuall seeming to go thither he should take the way to Saint Arem as some would suppose there to passe the riuer of Tagus with more ease being narrow and after to march by land against Lisbone without regard of smaller towns Hauing therefore grounded a great part of his hopes vpon the defence of the passage of the riuer being amazed with this newes he sent to furnish it with men and armes But vnderstanding afterwards that the Duke was in truth approched to Settuual that he had taken Alcazar which is neere vnto it he called back the men which he had sent to Saint Arem and with some others which hee had forceablie gathered togither he sent them to Settuual forcing the Gentlemen one after an other and all in generall to go thither sometimes with punishments sometimes with entreaties and sometimes with promises of exemptions and priuiledges But for all this no man went willingly and such as were forced complained greatly The Nobilitie was small in number and such as were there nothing resolute the people easie to change vpon euery light occasion were slothful hauing conceiued an opinion that it was not lawfull to fight against Christians so as some fled some hidde themselues and some complained The kings ministers being newe men ill affected and not fashioned to commaund as those which had the reines at libertie did tyrannize with absolute authoritie forcing al men with an vnaccustomed rigor to fight against their wils At that time they did tollerate within the citie infinite disorders and thefts to draw money from the marchants they imprisoned some which woulde not presently paie that which was demaunded of them If any tooke horse to goe out of the citie about their busines sodainly they saide they fledde into Castill and with this slander they seased vpon their persons and goods Hee was vnhappie that did commend the Catholique kings forces for he was either stoned imprisoned or condemned in a great summe of money they tooke from all men by force their horse and armes who so had little credite or no acquaintance with these new officers were ill assured Such as had reckonings to make with the Courte were in ill case for they were forced to paie what they did owe without compensation of what was due vnto them For this cause and for that they seemed friends to quietnes some of great meanes and verie honorable were imprisoned The barbarous decrees the commaundements that were made to surcease the paiments and rents to binde euerie man to retire into the citie and stande to the defence the opening and spoiling of houses that were shut vp were infinite there was nothing but rigour and rudenes and all was executed by men who with their ignorance bad inclination expresly to cause disorders made commaundements inobseruable the crosses of militarie orders especially those which carrie the title of knights of Christ sometime held in reputation were now giuen to many base and vnwoorthie persons by the intercession of one or other The new Christians who were neuer admitted to these orders nor to the degree of Nobilitie nor to any royall offices were sodainely by the fauour of this man mounted to what degree they pleased not for that he was beholding to anie that had succoured him in the time of his necessities but for that he was easily perswaded by whōsoeuer The black Negroes to whom for the great number there is of them in the citie of Lisbone armes were defended were sodainely all armed and as it were free commaundement being made that all such as woulde serue in this warre vnder captaines likewise Moores assigned for that purpose might do it against the will of their masters and without paying for which cause all the slaues being assembled and conceiuing the Kings commaundement to be more in their fauour then it was shaking off the yoke leauing their patrons they ranne vnto the citie where taking horse and armes by force where they found them they committed a thousand insolencies They coined money in the name of Anthony a quarter lesse then it was woont to be the reuenew of the crowne was wasted for besides that he extorted from the treasurers what he coulde he laide handes vpon the iewels of the crowne and vpon that most renowmed by the Portugals saddle and furniture for a horse inriched with stones brought from the Indies which was of great value The money which Henry had gathered togither for the raunsome of the Portugals which were slaues in Affricke was consumed and wholy spent And this liberty proceeded so farre that they sought into religious houses for the money which they thought had beene there laide in guard and hauing founde some although it appertained to friendes and faithfull persons to orphans and pupils yet was it seased on without number or weight togither with the siluer vessels of the same churches the which was violently carried away in some places and in other places with the consent of the religious men themselues Neither were the iewels and treasure which Marie the cousen of the said Anthonie left more assured being giuen to godly vses for the good
at the rising of the sunne hauing discouered the truth this feare vanquished yet did there a greater seaze vpon euery mans minde for vnderstanding in trutth the Duke to be strong they began to heare newes of the soldiers insolencies which disbanded and drewe daily neerer giuing no small astonishment to see certaine Negro slaues returne wounded who hauing rashly passed with their ensignes to the other banke were ill entreated by some horse and shot of the enimie They founde that Anthony made no preparation neither had he any forces to resist gouerning himselfe with small iudgement and therefore he neither knew how to fight nor which way to flie neither yet how to yeelde himselfe He was daily in counsell with his men but as he suffred himselfe to be gouerned by many whose authorities were equall and their opinions diuers so did he neuer resolue any good thing as it hapneth often in the like accidents They then propunded more plainly then before the treatie of an accorde and although some who before did seeme brauest shewed themselues nowe more milde yet for that the Counte of Vimioso being a yoong man perswaded to warre no man durst contradict him He affected the charge of generall but hee knewe not by what meanes to displace Diegode Meneses who enioied it so as contrarying one an other they prouided slowly for things necessarie whereunto was a great hinderance the credite that Anthony gaue to Edward de Castro a rich yoong man to whom he was bounde hauing furnished him with money who desirous to shew himselfe valiant obtained a commission to assemble what horse he coulde vnder his cornet imploying him in matters of greater authoritie then was fitte for his base qualitie His holines hauing intelligence of the refusall the Catholique king had made touching his entermedling in the cause doubted least the wars of Portugall shoulde alter the quiet of all Christendome In the beginning hee had shewed himselfe newter to both Kings seeming to bee doubtfull in himselfe to whether part hee should encline whether vnto Henry that woulde giue the crowne vnto the Dutchesse of Bragance or to Philip that sought it for himselfe for by reason of state he should not be wel pleased to see these two realmes vnited whereby the Catholique king shoulde become more mightie and superior in forces to all other princes yet did he not willingly seeme to oppose against him fearing to displease a Prince that had deserued well of him But vnderstanding that the two kings were agreed and that Henry had changed his minde and laboured to giue the realme to Philip he then made it manifest that he would fauour Anthony and the Portugals the which was more apparant after the death of King Henry when as hee laboured to haue the cause of succession ended by sentence But Philip in regard of the qualitie of the iudges detested this decision But his Embassadors hauing laboured in vaine in this respect Philip growing iealous and not greatly trusting the Popes good meaning woulde not put to compremise that which he seemed to holde certaine His holines determined to sende a Cardinall into Spaine expresly to treat vpon this busines Therefore before the Prior was proclaimed king he dispatched Cardinal Alexander Riario his Legat vnto Philip with commission to disswade the king from armes and from thence to passe into Portugall to fauour this busines with commission likewise to offer himselfe for iudge in the Popes behalfe vnto all the pretendents There were diuers discourses in Spaine vpon the comming of this Legat and although the Castillians feared not his sentence seeming hee shoulde not offer himselfe alone to determine so great a matter in Spaine if he had no meaning to pronounce it in fauour of Philip yet they helde it not conuenient to put the matter into his hands being of opinion that the Pope vnder colour to perfourme the office of a generall father came as it is saide to make himselfe absolute iudge of realmes that besides the extraordinarie authoritie he shoulde draw vnto the Aposto like sea hee shoulde binde the king vnto his house by giuing him a kingdome For this cause the King hauing intelligence of his departure from Rome desirous to take possession of the realme before his arriuall hee commaunded throughout all Spaine where he shoulde passe that he shoulde be entertained and receiued with all possible pompe whereof the Legat taking no heede he accepted of all their kindnes For this cause and for that the voiage was long he spent much time being arriued at Badagios he found that the affaires had taken an other forme then when he was at Rome For he vnderstood that Anthony was King and that Philips forces were entred Portugall being then at the wals of Settuuall Finding therefore the matter he had to treate of thus altred he sent to his Holines for new direction being in the meane time lodged without the citie in a cōuent of religious men which go barefoote he sent Traian Mario Apostolike Prothonotarie to visite the King who receiuing him with great fauor said vnto him that he was right sorie that by reason of his sicknes he could not go to meete the Legat as he was bounde but when God should giue him health he woulde then performe it supposing by this meanes to entertaine him the longer that the Cardinall desirous to enter with accustomed ceremouies would attend his recouerie and in the meane time the Duke of Alua should take possession of the realme But the Legat seeing his indisposition finding how much delay did import craued leaue to come to him by night priuately in coach the which with great difficultie was graunted comming vnto him one night accompanied with the Duke of Ossuna and the Earle of Chinchion But this audience was of small effect for the Legat by the alteration of the affaires being irresolute and the Catholique King most resolute to proceede in this enterterprise trusting more to armes then wordes there was no agreement the king saying that the matter was so farre aduaunced as it coulde admit no treating The Cardianll was lodged in the house of the Marquesse D'Oignion not being receiued at his entrie with the ceremonies accustomed for a Cardinall Legat Hee remained a while without doing any thing but to effect the Popes cōmission he would passe into Portugall The King who desired to stay him entertained him all he could supposing that the Legat being within Lisbone it woulde be scandalous to goe against him with an armie Moreouer he had no great confidence in the Legat but held him as suspect for that being before in Portugall with Cardinall Alexandryn he had entred a strict league of amitie with the Duke of Bragance one of the pretendents who had lodged and entertained him So as to delay his departure the King being now recouered of his sicknes sent vnto him that he woulde not haue him take his iourney before he had made his entrie with the ceremonies accustomed to a
a weake voice and small assemblie of people And as in the proclaiming of other kings there appeered nothing but feasts and ioy here was nothing to be seene but secret sighes and hidden sorrow with flatterie The Dukes armie was lodged vntill the tenth of September betwixt the citie and Alcantara at the same lodging where the Portugals had lodged without any resolution what to doe still expecting some newes of the Prior. At which time there grew as a companion to warre not onely in the campe but likewise in the citie a contagious infirmitie of Catarre so dangerous that it did no lesse harme then the pestilent contagion few were free from this disease and many of them died especially of the soldiers for that to a new disease ordinarie remedies helpe little Anthonie soone after arriued at Saint Arem where the magistrate of that place being the selfesame who a little before with so great ioy had proclaimed him king would not giue him entrie so are mens mindes turned with fortune yet hauing promised to depart presently they suffered him to enter vpon that condition and the day following he went towards Coimbra Soone after the citie of Saint Arem sent to yeelde their obedience and whilest they expected that Coimbra should doe the like they had newes that the Prior was there that he fortified himselfe in those partes that he repaired Mount Maior the olde and brake the bridge vpon the riuer of Doro And although there were no doubt that he could assemble men sufficient to terrifie the Duke yet hereby they vnderstood that the warre was not ended and that they could not dismisse any part of the armie which they had resolued to send backe with the galleies of Italie so as by a little stay they lost the season of sailing in that sea with their galleies but for that the countrey is not fruitfull and that victuals grew very deere within the citie they lodged the Germaines at Settuuall resoluing to send the Italians to Saint Arem But hauing the newes confirmed that the Prior assembled forces the Duke woulde not separate his troupes so farre from him but lodged the Italians and Spanyards in the suburbs of the citie which place had beene spoiled to defende them from the daily raine which began to fall At this time the Prior with his traine tormented the inhabitants of the prouince betwixt Doro and Mignio assembling men of warre by force and for that many doubting sinister euents feared that in sauing of him they should preiudice themselues he forced obedience vpon greeuous paines which he imposed vpon such as followed him not So as some for feare of their persons others of their goodes came vnto him yet were there others who of their naturall inclination would not leaue him vntill death In this sort he gathered together fower or fiue thousand men with the which he held the citie of Coimbra in awe so as it could not yeelde to the Catholique king Hee went with them to Auero where hauing found some resistance he vsed his greatest force For hauing with some small peeces of artillerie battered the wals he gaue a confused assault but profiting little his friends within did so weaken the defence by words and force that the Priors men entred The succours which Pantaleon de Sada brought from Porto comming too late There he imprisoned diuers persons he slew spoiled and ruined all he could By these actes which seemed vnto them most glorious his peasantlie soldiers were growne to that arrogancie that armed with hookes and staues they threatned to goe to Lisbone to free the realme from the hands of the Castillians And this foolish presumption was not a little furthered with the newes that Anthonie had of the kings sicknesse whome they gaue out to be dead being attired all in blacke the better to perswade them The Duke was well aduertised of all these things finding still more plainly of what importance the flight of Anthonie was There wanted not some that charged him to haue forborne too long in sending men after him yet hauing care to assure that which did more import he would not deuide his forces vntill he did see an end of the kings infirmitie who hauing long laboured in the extremities of death he began with an vniuersall ioy to recouer and encreasing daily the signes of health he grewe well wherewith feare which troubled the mindes of men being taken away they began to talke againe of the victorie and of the Dukes actions But this commendation which was attributed vnto him as it hapneth in all worldly actions continued little and rarely shall you finde so apparant an example of the inconstancie of the people and the force of enuie as this was for sodainly his praises were turned into murmurings and open slaunders searching so many reasons to deface the Dukes merits as two daies before they had alleaged to extoll his actions The Dukes reprehensions grew from the proper ministers of this warre or from such as followed the enterprise who offended with him for the diuersitie of their opinions or for their own priuate practises or else as some would haue it desirous to creepe into the kings fauour by like reports did write that the sacke had beene very great and freely suffred for three daies whereunto they woulde attribute the Portugals disobedience and their discontentment against the Castillians labouring to prooue that if the Duke had pleased by his authoritie hee might haue staied it but being partaker with his kinsemen who were more imploied to spoile then to fight of a good part of the bootie hee did tolerate it leauing outrages and thefts vnpunished although complaints were made vnto him That the termes of conquest taking of cities and route of armie were vaine and vnproper seeing that in no place they had founde any resistance and that this multitude of Portugals as simple people deceiued by their priests in confessions and preachings could not be termed an armie nor their route called a victorie And so blinde is enuie that two armies encountring with many peeces of great artillerie fighting on the one side for the passage of a bridge on the other side in their trenches the Portugals foote and horse broken the enimie put to flight the standard roiall taken with many other coulors and aboue a thousand men slaine and yet they woulde not haue this a battaile Some which did charge him with negligence saide that seeing hee had an intention to dislodge this armie after he had attempted the bridge the trenches he should haue stretched foorth his horsemen further on the left hande to cut off the enimies way and to take him prisoner if he woulde flie but to keepe himselfe so farre off as he coulde not ouertake him was an vnexcusable faulte in so great a captaine Others saide that it was not credible but he shoulde haue taken him if hee had pleased to place his horse in a conuenient place for that purpose which euerie
ignorant captaine woulde haue considered but that hee willingly suffered him to flie that by meanes of Anthonies libertie the warre shoulde not seeme to be ended a thing which captaines doe commonly wish preferring their owne authoritie and their priuate respect before the publike good Others did adde that if hee would haue taken him after his flight and the battaile woon hee might well haue done it for making no haste to flie he might so speedily haue followed him with his horse as the importance of his person did require Amongst so many accusations fewe durst speake for the Duke yet some of his friendes laboured to iustifie him saying that time place and desire to assure the victorie doth often hinder the execution of those things which the captaine wisheth That it was not then conuenient to follow the Prior For considering the ineuitable disorders of the soldiers in sending many hee had contrarie to the kings pleasure wasted the countrey and if hee had sent fewe they had not beene safe and therefore he desired to temper this heate of victorie in the soldiers mindes meaning after to sende a part of the armie in good order but when as hee ment to effect it the Kings sicknes hapned whereof he desired first to see the issue before he woulde bee vnfurnished of his forces That touching the inuironing of the enimies campe with his horse besides that they had no sufficient number to do it it had not beene the resolution of a wise captaine to make a fearefull enimie desperate and to force him either to fight or become a prisoner Touching the sacking of the suburbes they saide it was no small good happe to haue so many houses without the wals of the citie for otherwise they should hardly haue kept the soldiers from spoiling it and that it was in a manner necessarie for the sauing of the citie to haue something â—o quench this desire which they had brought with them And as there was some difficultie to saue the citie from the sacke so was it impossible to keepe the suburbes from spoile seeing the battaile was giuen within the limits thereof They laughed at such as saide the Duke was partaker of the spoile seeming vnto them a matter farre from his qualitie They shewed that although they woulde not haue it saide that the battaile were glorious but vnwoorthie against a small number of seditious monkes apostates and fugitiue slaues yet coulde it hardly be concealed for it coulde not be denied but that Anthony had a great number of men in a strong lodging amongst the which were many of the Nobility and that which most supplied their want of experience passionate against the Catholique king and most affectionate to the Prior that in armies where such things happen it is not credible they so easily yeeld or flie of themselues if they be not encountred with a captaine that is both valiant of iudgement who by force or cunning doth breake them put them to flight They did prooue by liuely reasons that it was not credible that the Duke with a resolution so hurtfull to his king should prolong the enterprise seeke to continue his commaund by meanes of the warre saying that although in auncient common wealthes noble citizens were desirous to be imploied in expeditions and gouernments of armies to free themselues from the subiection of the Senate yet was it not so in the gouernment of later princes whereas such as be neere the king haue more authoritie then such as bee retired They added vnto these reasons the consideration of the Dukes age fidelitie and experience with auncient and newe examples concluding it was likely that without any priuate subiect hee had laboured with his best endeuour wholie to serue the king But although he were vehemently defended yet could they not wholy roote it out of the mindes of men so is the chance of this worldly Tragedie tossed vpside downe that the captaine which the weeke before had beene triumphant and glorious lay now in his bed sicke with sorrow slaundered with his Prince and his armie halfe defeated languishing with hunger and want infected with the plague infamous for excesse and violence some part whereof was true and some false so as the soldiers were troubled melancholy and angry and although with the insolencie of conquerors yet seemed they like men vanquished They commaunders of the armie were likewise in dispaire to reape any recompeÌ„ce of their seruice so as the captaines which resolued to plant them selues in Portugall and receiue great recompence by confiscations were deceiued of their hopes For the King who had an other meaning resolued to forget all the wrongs the Portugals had done him and not onely to pardon their disobedience but also reward and cherish them as his children It was generally spoken that vpon the Priors defeate and yeelding of the citie of Lisbone the King shoulde presently go thither in person and by graunting rewardes and pardons labour to winne the Portugals loues and to qualifie that bitternes which the spoile and insolencie of the soldiers had bredde But although there had beene already speech of his going to Eluas and that he desired to make his entrie as king of Portugall yet did he not effect it for that as it is saide before the plague was dispersed into many parts of the realme He laboured to become master not onely of all places within the realme but also of all others that depended thereof when as the armie began first to enter the realme he had sent into Affrick to demaund obedience of those places but for as much as Anthony had preuented him by former letters vnto the captaines his busines being in better estate then they prooued afterwardes the inhabitants woulde not agree to acknowledge Philip by reason whereof the battaile being woone he sent againe vnto them for being of great importance for Spaine he feared that remaining vnder the Priors commaund he shoulde rashly dispose of them so as promising recompence to the captaines they did acknowledge him for their Lord but with greater facilitie in one place then in an other so as without any innouation hee confirmed the same captaines and the same garrisons The Ilands of Terceraes were not neglected by the Duke the assurance whereof seemed greatly to import and therefore vpon the brute of the victorie hee sent a messenger thither with letters from the king and the citie of Lisbone but the matter being first well debated at Badagios it was supposed by the Councell the Portugals alone to be more fitte to mannage that busines then if the Castillians shoulde entermeddle and therefore the King did write vnto Lisbone to Edward de Castelbianco that conferring with the Duke as a Portugall he should go thither But he resolued not for being newly created officer of the chamber he founde that Edward Borges whom the Duke had appointed to sende remained accountable to the crowne for certaine money so as hee thought not good to
there he shoulde shewe vs his forces that the generall opinion is that there hee may trouble his Maiestie in the iust possession of the realme so as chasing him wee shall deserue the greater recompence by performing an enterprise that seems vneasie the which in my iudgement wil prooue no more difficult then the rest of this realme hath beene if you be the same men you were few daies since Yet suppose not that I acknowledge these victories wholie from your valour for I thinke I may attribute it better to his Maiesties right the iniustice of Anthony Who is he but knoweth that the realme appertaineth by iust title vnto our king what iudgment seate is there in the world which hath not of themselues giuen sentence in his fauour And contrariwise who is ignorant that Anthony hath tyrannously vsurped the title of a king that he hath neither right nor title to the realme that hee is a bastard insufficient and vncapable of this degree which things are knowne to all men and therefore the iustice of God will make vs instruments to punish him that deserues it So as neither rampiers riuers nor fortresses can serue him that is in the wrong for that a guiltie conscience not onely weakens the hart but makes all forces vaine The equitie of the kings cause and your valour are not to bee encountred by so weake enimies but will surmount greater difficulties then this as you haue seene and shall see tomorrowe if it please God These words with the authoritie of the captaine most renowmed amongst these soldiers made all men iudge that his resolution was well considered and therefore Sanches d' Auila for the night and the day following did thus order the armie He caused them to plant vpon the banke directly against the towne such artillerie as he had in a place conuenient both to scoure the passage to endammage the other side leauing his lodging guarded with Germaines and Spaniards he tooke the thirde parte of his foote his boates and horsemen went by night vnto the passage where he had been there to imbarke passe to the other banke meaning to charge the enimie in flanke the other two thirds of the armie vnder the charge of Rodorick Sapatta shoulde imbarke at Pietra Salata in the rest of the barkes and draw after them so many horses as they coulde tied by the reines making shew to passe there to the end to keepe the enimie busied with this feare yet commaunding them not to passe vntill they shoulde see the enimie charged by the other thirde part which had beene transported at the other passage All these things were duly executed for the Portugals being vnexperienced in warre coulde not prouide for so ordinarie a stratagem so as Sanches d' Auila being come to the towne side he founde so weake resistance that although some companies of soldiers were runne thither yet he landed easily And whereas their boates were not able to transport all their soldiers togither the first which landed hauing entred skirmish with the Portugals before the comming of the rest hauing slaine tenne or eleuen of them they put them all to flight The Prior beleeued not the Castillians shoulde so soone haue passed but vnderstanding what they had done and the small resistance of his men being not yet generally published hauing assembled many and of the chiefe he spake thus vnto them Tyrants vse in their pretentions when they distrust their right to flie vnder other colours to force vsing this in steede of iustice to obtaine their desires but iust and louing Princes not onely submit themselues to iustice but do continually striue to be conformable to the will of their subiects As for me at such time as the succession of this realme failed I was resolute to obey him that by right shoulde bee declared king I remained quiet vntill that Philip dispairing of his iustice and taking armes it pleased you to name mee your king and protector I accepted this burthen more as God shall preserue our libertie not seeing any one that coulde gouerne you with true loue then for any desire to rule howe I haue behaued my selfe how euery thing hath passed you knowe who haue beene alwaies and in all things not my subiects but my companions want of time woulde not suffer vs to prouide many things necessarie for the warre for I was no sooner named king but the enimie prepared hauing before plotted many ambushes and resolute what to doe inuaded vs with his forces the which was cause that the munitions appointed the succors promised by Christian princes could not come in due time the which hath made our successe vnhappie we haue in a manner disarmed already tried the hazard of a battaile if you thinke good to aduenture it againe against an enimie that followeth vs do as you please but I am not of that opinion for hauing hitherto aduentured my person and made this breast a buckler I am not now resolued except you do otherwise aduise me to thrust both you and my selfe to the hazard of a doubtfull battaile by the victorie whereof although it shoulde remaine on our sides there could not succeed the intention we haue to expell the enimie out of this realme by loosing it I should be frustrate of the hope I haue conceiued to free you soone from the yoke which hangs ouer you God is my witnes that al which I haue done and shall do neither hath beene nor shall be to any other ende but for the loue of you and to make equall this ballance of iustice the which is now forced by the might of the greatest enimie that euer Portugall had I know well you will beleeue me but if any amongst you doth distrust my words let him consider that if I had not regarded your profite but mine owne priuate interest I had beene now quiet rich and reconciled with the Catholique king who hath often sought me by offers and large promises and you had beene tyrannized ouer and in a manner slaues as those be that haue no kings of their owne countrie But God forbid that euer I shoulde preferre mine owne profite before yours or mine owne benefite before the realmes whose people haue so much loued my progenitors I may well at this time yeeld vnto the vniust forces that doe oppresse me yet will I neuer renounce the realme nor my title but with newe armes and new force I hope againe to trie mine action so as this sorrow which I now see in your faces shall be soone turned to ioy those armes that munition those men which are not now arriued in time shall serue hereafter And if it be a humaine thing to take compassion of the afflicted I hope being so vniustly molested to moue pitie not only in the most pitifull but also in the cruellest nations of the world I knowe that this loue which you haue alwaies borne to me and my predecessors shall no waies be diminished by any sinister euent
better fauored and receiued brought newes that he was in their countrey raising a great Armie The people being in this humour easie to take any impression there suddenly steps vp a Smith of the basest sorte who followed by the multitude plaied the Southsayer saying that the tenth of March without all doubte King Sebastian shoulde come into that Iland The day being come with great expectation of the people there appeered a great shippe at sea the viewe whereof did so much alter this people that the Smith crying this was the shippe wherein the King was euery man ranne to the shoare to see him as as it were expecting Sebastians landing But although the shippe followed an other course not drawing any thing neere to the Iland yet the people left not their vaine hope but some of them affirmed that the shippe had put three men into their cockboate the which were entred into the couent of Saint Frauncis supposing it shoulde be King Sebastian Christopher de Tauora and the Cheriffe And although this lie might easily be deciphered yet their offences would not permitte it but running from one scruple to an other it seemed they were destinate to liue in suspence for these friers of Saint Frauncis against the truth of priesthoode vnderstanding the peoples opinion that the King was in their couent did confirme it giuing them to vnderstand it was true and the better to induce them to beleeue it seeming on the one side to keepe it very secret on the other side shewing they had guests of importance they demaunded secretly but so as it might be knowen to borrow beds of silke siluer vessels and other things fit for a kings seruice They caused also garments to be made and kept their gates more strictly then of custome saying in their sermons that they would giue them two naturall kings and some hearing them in their masses to praie for Sebastian and Anthony supposed he was in their monasterie and not Sebastian seeing that since his departure from Viana there was no certaine newes of him In this Iland Ciprian de Figueredo sometimes seruant to the Counte of Vimioso being sent thither for iudge was become ringleader of all the rest This man being contrary to the Castillians and agreeing with the monkes did countenaunce their practises remaining in their couent from morning vntill night He confirmed the people in their foolish beliefe that the King was there This nation was not well setled in matters of religion for growing insolent by their libertie some preachers attributing vnto themselues more authoritie then they had promised absolution and many things which they ought not making shewe they would builde a church after their owne fashion and for that the lesuites had opposed themselues or at the least were not of one consent they were walled vp within their monasterie And although these Ilands were not al obedient being a slow enterprise yet the warre seemed as then in a manner ended that Philip hauing great forces in Spaine knew not how to imploy them forasmuch as the soldiers returned from the warres in the lowe Countries were now vpon the way comming from Italy towards Portugall with some others newly leuied they saide the King adding some fewe forces thereunto might raise a great armie to bee imploied vpon that occasion for the which they vnderstoode the Pope as carefull of his charge had renewed the practizes to bende these forces against England the which woulde not obey the Romish sea and therefore hee propounded to king Philip that if hee woulde leuie an armie and sende it to this conquest he woulde assist him in this enterprise with the treasures of the church offring to graunt vnto him Croisades exemptions and subsidies and to acquite him of a million of golde which hee saide was due vnto the church for the reuenewes he had receiued of the Archbishopricke of Toledo by title of sequestration when as the Archbishop was suspended from his charge But the King hauing newly taken possession of the crowne seeing the Portugals not well quieted sought first to pacifie the realme before hee woulde vndertake any other enterprise Notwithstanding at the Popes motion who saide that arming in those parts hee shoulde not onely keepe Portugall in awe but all Spaine and Fraunce likewise It may be he woulde not haue refused to send a good part of his forces if not into England yet into Ireland if the Popes ministers had beene more resolute or had beene furnished with a more ample commission but the sufferance of the foldiers and the great charge admitting no delay Rome being so farre off they agreed not but the King dismissing the Italians caused the foldiers vpon the way to returne backe and deuided his armie into garrisons THE EIGHT BOOKE The Contents of the eight Booke The soldiers complaints The Catholique King visites the Duchesse of Bragance The Kings voyage to Tomar The generall pardon The estates wherein they sware fidelitie vnto the King and vnto the Prince Diego The demaunds of the estates The kings entrie into Lisbone The vnhappy successe of Peter de Baldes his men at the Ilands of Terceraes Anthonie his departure out of the realme and his arriuall in Fraunce The arriuall of Lopez de Fegueroa at the Ilands and his returne without effect The preparation of the Jlands The estate of the affaires of Fraunce and of the lowe Countries The recompences which the King gaue vnto suiters The opinions of the manner of giuing them The enterprise of the Ilands The preparation to warre by King Philip and the French and the departure of their armies at sea towards the Ilands both from Fraunce and Portugall IN these warres amidst the cares of the realmes disquiet and imminent perils Frauncis de Villafagna doctor of the lawes and Auditour of the Councel royall of Castil which is the soueraigne seate of that realme came to Lisbone sent by the King with letters vnto the Duke whereby he was commaunded to fauour him in the execution of his commission the which being presently published containing no other matter of importance but a simple commaundement with the rest of the ordinarie officers to examine the accounts of the armie and to signe the warrants for paiments it seemed a sleight charge for so great a personage the which ministred matter of suspect that vnder so simple a shewe there was hidden some mysterie of importance and the generall opinion was that he came to censure both the armie and the Duke himselfe And although the Duke should haue beene best informed yet he made no shewe to know it but fauoured the Doctor admitting him to the Councell of warre and to other graue matters which did not concerne him The rest of the Captaines Spanish soldiers which could lesse dissēble spake with more libertie and lesse patience then the Duke saying it was a new manner of Iustice neuer heard of seeing that of necessitie the controuersie must bee betwixt the captaine generall and his armie or
the entrie of the Parliament the ceremonie of swearing the King was perfourmed and soone after of the Prince in the monasterie of religious men of the order of Christ a religion which is not any where else where he was lodged in the same sorte as was saide of King Henry but with more pompe being in an assemblie of estates and with lesse noise being done with lesse loue yet was it woorth the sight both for the great number of the Nobilitie and the goodly representation of the King in his habite of cloth of gold which Henry had not being a Cardinall There he graunted the pardon expected with so great desire the which although it had the name of generall yet was it helde by the Portugals to be limited artificiall and conditionall It did pardon generally all such as had beene imploied for the Prior against him but particularly he did except many and namely two and fiftie the chiefe whereof was the Prior himselfe the Counte of Vimiosa and the Bishop of Guarda hee pardoned no religious man he made all such as had serued the Prior receiued honor from him profite charge or office whatsoeuer vncapable euer after to beare office or to exercise those they had enioied before so as they saide this pardon serued none but such as had made light faults or had nothing to loose This did much incense the mindes of the Portugals who found themselues deceiued of the hope they had conceiued by this pardon all to remaine freed the which although they much disliked yet could they not get it refourmed but soone after all such were cited by proclamation as were not pardoned to the end their processe might be made The Deputies of the realme being now assembled the Estates began the xix day of Aprill where Anthony Pignero Bishop of Leira made an oration before the king saying First that the Estates seeming to haue the assistance of the holie Ghost by the profite which shoulde redounde to the subiects that Philip following the custome of former Kings had assembled them to the end that with wisedome loue and fide litie they should represent vnto him what they thought conuenient for the generall good of these realmes He did greatly amplifie the graces done by his pardon terming it the fruits of his clemencie he did shew it was a ground of hope of greater good he concludes noting the greatnes of the Kings loue goodnes promising to encrease al their honors recompences fauours conformable to the loialtie and obedience they shoulde carrie to his seruice Whereunto was briefly answered by Damian d'Aguiar Doctor one of the Deputies of the citie of Lisbone saying That in the cities behalfe and of the whole realme he did thanke his Maiestie both for the grace of his pardon as for assembling the Estates offering him obedience All the Deputies both in generall and particular demaunded what they pleased to whom they graunted many things as titles of knighthoode rents for life offices and to some present money there were eight or tenne of the meanest gentlemen chosen of the order and enobled with such other like things the which was done rather according to the vse of Castill then after the manner of Portugall for in this realme it is not the custome to giue any thing to Deputies He gaue greater recompences to the whole realme in generall graunting in a manner al those former things mentioned which the Duke of Ossuna had promised the Gouernors in the Kings name if the realme shoulde yeelde peaceably except it were to the garrisons libertie to saile to America and the west Indies and to participate with the affaires of Castill as if they were borne there saying that it was conuenient before hee shoulde graunt them to impart them to the Estates being preiudiciall vnto them The Deputies deliuered vnto the King a liste of what they demaunded and aduised touching the gouernment whereof the principall were that the King shoulde take a Portugall borne to wife that he shoulde sende the yoong prince to bee brought vp within the realme that the States of Portugall shoulde be separate from them of Castill with their coine apart and many things touching the abatement of impostes the displacing of garrisons the ordering of iustice and such like whereof fewe were graunted at that time of any importance and to all the rest they made answere with doubtfull hopes The Nobilitie the greatest part whereof not hauing borne armes against the King supposed to haue deserued much appointed thirtie amongst them to make petition vnto the King for manie things in the name of the whole Nobilitie First that hee shoulde graunt them iurisdiction ouer their subiects That such Doctors as had beene imploied in matters of iustice shoulde not bee censured but by gentlemen That the King should make no man noble but for the good deserts of some notable seruice and that it should not passe vnto his heires but vpon speciall grace That the chiefe offices of the realme as the chiefe Captaine-ships the three Purueiors of the Arcinall the store-house of the Indies and of the custome house with such other like shoulde not bee giuen but vnto Noble men whereof nothing was graunted Many did not attribute this refusall of their demaunds vnto the kings owne nature nor vnto the iniustice of their requests but most complained of those Portugall fauorites which gouerned Many were of opinion the King shoulde suppresse the Vniuersitie of Coimbra and thought it necessarie by all reason of state saying that it was not safe in a realme newly incorporate to suffer an assemblie of three or fowre thousand yoong men in a manner exempte from the iurisdiction royall the which might wel be called a Seminarie of seditions and Anthony his disciplined soldiers readie to follow any other naturall rebell of the realme whatsoeuer That the auoiding of this euill shoulde cause a greate benefite that the Portugals shoulde go studie in the Vniuersities of Castill where passing the heate of their youth and growing familiar with the Castillians they shoulde returne into Portugall more roially affected and more sufficient to administer iustice then they were They alleaged moreouer that those lawyers had both by wordes and writings wilfully opposed themselues against the Kings right chiefly when as Henry was enclined to the Dutchesse of Bragance that some of them transported with this passion had in their publike letters wrested against Philip not onely the imperiall lawes but also the holie canons interpreting them contrarie to their true sence and contradicting themselues and therefore they were woorthie of punishment But although this opinion seemed grounded and confirmed by many Portugals yet the King either by his bountie or the assurance of his iustice or of his absolute authoritie or else withhelde by the naturall inclination hee seemed to beare to the Portugall nation not onely preserued this Vniuersitie but also tooke it into his protection confirming their liberties and priuileges hee not onely receiued
cloth of golde vnto the Cathedrall church the streetes being richly hanged were full of people who made shewe of great ioy for the Kings arriuall where hauing done his deuotion hee went in the same sortvnto the pallace accompanied with all the nobilitie on foote This realme within the space of two yeeres had as a man may say fiue kings a thing seldome or neuer happened in any other place and it seemed that God in so short a time had thus altered the state of things for the peoples punishment for all of them wasted their poore subiects Sebastian by his rashnes Henry by his irresolution the gouernours by feare and their priuate interest Anthonie by tyrannie and Philip by armes But when all was in a manner quiet he entred this citie the proper seate of their kings It was supposed the sorrowes and troubles passed shoulde now be conuerted into ioy and quietnes but for that it is an equall punishment to a people either to haue tyrants ruling by force or to make a bad election of gouernours The Portugals were scourged with this last rod desiring rather to be commanded by Anthonie being of so small might and with all other disgraces that proceeded from him then by the great power of Philip impatient to see him so slacke in deuiding amongst them the dignities commaunderies and reuenues of the crowne whereby they grew out of hope euer to draw such recompences from the Court of Castill as they had vsually drawen from that of Portugal And although he had giuen vnto Frauncis de Sada sometimes gouernour the title of Earle of Matosignos to Ferrant de Norogna that of Lignares which his father enioyed made as it is said Christopher de Mora one of his chamber and established Peter d'Alcasoua in his office of Chamberlaine contrarie to the decree of king Henry wherein although the king of himselfe were well inclined and resolued to dispatch euery one with greater liberalitie then the kings of Portugall had euer done yet this distribution according to the new decree appertaining to the Councell of state of Portugall wherein as it is said their opinions being diuerse and the respects of hatred and loue diuers nothing was resolued and the abundance of petitions caused these delaies for that euerie one either iustly or without cause demaunded recompence so as the whole realme did not seeme sufficient to content them the which being ill considered by many they said he would stay from giuing vntill he were assured of the Ilands and of Anthonies person But the king finding that these difficulties and the slacknes in proceeding grew by the excessiue number of Counsellors resolued according to the custome of former kings to referre the dispatch of such as demaunded recompence vnto two persons alone the which were Anthony Pignero Bishop of Leiria and to Christopher de Mora It may be seeming vnto him that these two amongst the other officers were most free from all priuate respects the Bishop for that he was neere his graue by reason of his age and infirmitie although of a sounde iudgement and without kinsemen and Mora being a creature of the kings bredde in Castill and helde for vertuous and fearing God The estate of the Terceraes grew daily woorse with whom all trafficke was interdict there was newes that this people being verie obstinate called in forraine succours resoluing in no sort to obey Philip They vnderstood that Peter Baldes was arriued and that the Kings letters with the rewarde he had carried for that nation were not receiued but contemned By reason whereof the King desirous to subdue them before the ende of this sommer and iudging the enterprise easie for that they had no trained soldiers armed certaine ships and furnished them with soldiers vnder the conduct of Lopo de Figueroa who staied not long before he departed with commission to attempt with Baldes to become master of the Ilands Baldes lay nowe about the Ilands expecting the Indian fleete his marriners had often both by day and night landed with their boates to steale grapes which were then ripe drawing sometimes neere the rockes vpon the which the Portugals had planted behinde a small rampire three or fower iron peeces they parlied often with them the one not fearing the other Peter de Baldes finding the Portugals carelesnes and being aduertised that some within the Ilands amongst a great multitude were well affected to the Catholique king had often resolued to sende some men on lande to the end that such as followed the kings partie who were saide to lie in the mountaines might ioine with them and altogither set vpon the citie of Angra or at the least so fortifie themselues at land as they shoulde not be repulsed But for as much as this resolution with so small a troupe was dangerous and against the Kings commission the which knowing well he did not execute yet hauing intelligence that Lopo de Figueroa was to be sent from Lisbone to vndertake this enterprise with a great number of men who being arriued hee shoulde be commaunded to obey he did confidently beleeue that at his comming either by loue or by force he woulde be master of this Iland and winne that honour whereunto he aspired So as such force hath the desire of honour hauing ill measured his forces against the Kings commaundement he made haste rashly to trie whether the resolution which hee had formerly conceiued woulde succeed well whereunto he was likewise perswaded by some of the Iland who as vnskilfull had their wils more ready then their power So as earely on Saint Iames his day in the morning hauing shipped in a manner all his soldiers in their boates hee sent them to lande whereas the marriners had beene accustomed to go betwixt Angra and Praia the which they call the house of Salga where hauing founde small or no resistance they landed easily and the Portugals who had the guarde of this artillerie fearefully fledde away The Castillians being now become masters thereof began to builde a small rampier of stone to the ende they might holde a more firme footing on lande and retire such as followed the Catholique kings partie but they had no time for the inhabitants of Angra hearing the Castillians were landed had giuen the allarum by bels and other great noise so as many of their stoutest issued foorth to skirmish and although they did no matter of importance many returning terrified or hurte yet did they keepe the enimie from fortifying who remaining in that place from the morning vntill afternoone there went not any one Portugall vnto them for although there were some disposed thereunto yet durst they not distrusting both the one and the other being chiefly terrified by the example of Iohn de Betancour one of the principals of that place who hauing conspired with aboue a hundreth citizens vpon a certaine day to runne armed through the citie and proclaine King Philip he supposed with his authoritie and the
in giuing but honourable in the expences of his house hee was a great dissembler of the disgraces of the Courte and cunning in their secret practises for so it behooued him to be to preuent such as were his competitors He was generally hated for that he treated proudlie with his inferiors and his equals hated his greatnes The ambition to purchase the Princes fauour a shelfe wherein proude mindes cast themselues was great in him for this respect it may be or for the preheminence and greatnes he pretended aboue all other officers the which made him odious hee was not much pleasing to Charles and lesse to Philip although from their birthes vntill their later daies he had serued them 60. yeeres But Princes loue them better whom they haue rewarded then such as haue serued them Hee was greatly enclined to warlike discipline wherein hee was so cunning as there was not any captaine of his nation in long time comparable vnto him and to conclude for his many yeeres and great experience there was not in a manner any one in the worlde but yeelded vnto him He was of great iudgement and dexteritie to encampe and make choice of a lodging so as alwaies with lesse forces then the enimies he kept them in awe he was so well experienced as he neuer refused battaile wheresoeuer he came Hee did willingly hazard his owne person but his soldiers with greater consideration trusting more to policie then fortune He was a rough inexorable executioner of the seuere lawes of war of whose pittifull crueltie depends the health of armies and the conseruation of States He was by nature enclined to vanquish without effusion of bloud and was imploied in warres conformable to his inclination for the greatest part of them being defensiue wherein a wise captaine should rather temporize and suffer the enimie to consume by the difficulties of warre in a strange countrey then to hazard an estate vpon so vnequall a game as is the winning of a battaile against him that hath but men to loose To this effect hee answered the councell of warre in the kingdome of Naples in the yeere 1558. when as the Frenchmen being expelled they woulde haue charged the enimie retiring hee saide hee woulde not hazarde the realme against a cassock of golde for such was then the habite of the Duke of Guise Lieutenant generall to Henry the seconde King of Fraunce yet some did blame him to be too warie in the execution of matters of importance in warre He serued his King in greater charges and with greater authority then euer any of their subiects and it may be there hath not beene in many ages a captaine which hath so long mannaged armes nor displaied his ensignes in so manie countries For he hath made warre in Italy Spaine and Fraunce in Hungarie Germanie Flaunders and Affrick although he were accustomed to say that he had done nothing seeng that he was neuer so happie as to see a Turkish armie But the last wars of Flaunders did somewhat obscure the glorie he had gotten for although as captaine he did warre valiantly yet he knew not as it hapned to him in other places howe to vse the victorie but arrogating too much vnto himselfe he caused a statue of brasse to be erected for him in the Cittadell of Antwerpe which the king caused afterwards to be beaten downe It appeeres that he coulde better carrie himselfe in aduersitie then prosperitie for in the one he had great force in the other too much conceite so as he reaped more commendations by afflictions then by victorie Hee shewed in dying the magnanimitie he had in his life and that which is of great moment hee shewed tokens of a religious Christian being happie that Frier Lewes of Granata that famous preacher whose diuine writings are pleasing to the worlde was present at his death They did substitute in his place Charles Borgia Duke of Gandia a man of greater vertue then experience The King had caused the bones of King Sebastian to be brought out of Affricke the which with King Henries that were at Almerin he woulde before his departure see solemnly interred in the church of Belem neere to the other Kings of Portugall and for that cause remained there three daies He caused also to be brought from diuers parts of the realme vnto the saide monasterie the bodies or at the least the ashes of his kinsfolkes the children and nephewes to King Emanuel who as a man may say dying resigned him the crowne that they might bee all kept togither There was made a most sumptuous obsequie with great shewes and all the religious persons in the name of Henry were present for the rest had beene performed before and in the funerall sermon Sebastians actes were likewise touched and Henry extremely commended the which was more pleasing being dead then the praises of Philip liuing and present wherein the Orator dilated much hauing first in particular set downe the branches of King Emanuel and brought the succession to the said Philip. I will not leaue heere to make mention as of a rare matter although it be somewhat from our purpose that in this yeere of our Lorde 1582. they did reckon ten daies lesse then in others for by the Popes decree all Christian princes obeying the Romish sea gaue commaundement to cut off ten daies in the moneth of October so as for the fift day they should generally write 15. the which was done to fitte the times to the meanes and principall aspects wherein the heauens were when as our Redeemer Iesus Christ suffered that they might celebrate Easter and the other feasts vpon their proper daies The which they had not formerly done for that the true course of the sunne which makes the yeere being certaine minuts of an hower lesse then the time which they vntill then had taken for a yeere it seemed that in the course of so manie yeeres so small a difference had mounted vnto ten daies so as by this equalitie it was made conformable to the time past The King beganne to vnburthen himselfe of the affaires of Portugall for to go into Castill and therefore the xxvj day of Ianuary in the yeere 1583. hauing assembled the estates of the realme they began in the pallace of Lisbone where after Alphonso de Castelbianco newly made Bishop of Algarues had briefly made the proposition shewing how much the King was grieued with the death of the Prince and the necessitie there was to sweare a newe Melchior d' Amaral one of the Deputies of the citie of Lisbone made answere in the behalfe of the whole realme shewing the desire and readines they had to performe this acte Whereupon the yoong Duke of Barcellos as Duke of Bragance beginning for his father with sword in hande did supplie the office of Constable kneeling downe before the King held foorth his hande to take the oath after the accustomed manner the which being likewise performed by all the rest this ceremonie
was ended He procured that the assemblie of Deputies for this effect shoulde not be called estates to the ende hee might take away all occasion of demaunding new things or to redemaund those which had beene required in the former estates and not graunted and therefore hee had contrarie to the custome sent into all places briefes of the procurations the Deputies should bring with them so drawne as they should not extend further then the swearing of the Prince and although it were so executed yet the estates did not forbeare especially he that was for the Deputies of the realme to reuiue the demaunds made at the estates helde at Tomar with some others and especially that it woulde please his Maiestie to shewe magnanimitie and clemencie in giuing a generall pardon to all such as were culpable of Anthonies offence saying it shoulde greatly profite and do little harme But whatsoeuer the cause was he neither satisfied them in this point nor in any other of importance He dispatched some Portugals which sought reward for although hee had giuen vnto many yet were they not content But notwithstanding all this care and diligence whether it were his faulte or his ministers or else the disposition of the suters or of all togither there remained many of them discontented part of them for that they were not recompenced and others for that they did not seeme to be recompenced according to their merits The Duke of Bragance at the assembly of the estates hoped to haue receiued recompence from the King which he supposed to haue deserued for although hee were rewarded yet was it not according to his expectation for aspiring to greater offices greater authoritie then he had it seemed the Kings wil was therein directly contrarie so as for that the recompences were small in regard of the greatnes of his hope they were not published but hee was suffered to replie that they might be after specified The Marques of Villa Real receiued likewise no contentment to his liking so as both remained ill satisfied and the Duke leauing the Court being long before sicke died soone after although the Portugals say that the griefe he conceiued of the weake recompence hee receiued from Philip hastened his daies The King at the time of his departure reformed the state of iustice publishing many newe lawes suffering the Portugals to attire themselues more freely with silke then other kings had done He made Cardinall Albert Archduke of Austria gouernour of the realme in his absence leauing him notwithstanding accompanied with three counsellors that is George d'Almada Archbishop of Lisbone Peter d'Ascasoua and Michael de Mora who was Secretorie of the realme newly created Notarie which they call of the puritie so great a charge as yet had neuer beene giuen but to the chiefest personages of the realme whereunto since the time of King Iohn the third that Michael de Silua Bishop of Viseu who was after Cardinall went to Rome in disgrace there was neuer any aduanced The King gaue procuration to the said Cardinall causing him to take an oath in the presence of the councell of State and of the magistrate of the Chamber of Lisbone to gouerne with iustice and to resigne him the realme at his returne The Empresse his sister who was to goe into Castill visiting first the Nunnes of the monasterie of Santos who may lawfully marrie she tooke foorth and carried with her Iulian d' Allan castro of the age of thirteene yeeres who by the decease of Maudlyn Girone her mother remained Dutchesse of Auero The Portugals were much grieued with this acte for although she said the King woulde prouide she should not marrie but with his liking yet notwithstanding she seemed to be rauished and manie feared that he woulde not marrie her in Castill When these things were ended the king departed the eleuenth of Februarie in the yeere 1583. the which greatly displeased the quiet and did glad the seditious for those feared least there shoulde grow some controuersie betwixt the people and the garrisons that the soldiers ill paied woulde mutine and that the Cardinals authoritie was not of such force as the kings presence to redresse it and contrariwise the rest hoped that the kings absence the small affection the people bare vnto them the oppression of the garrison and the great dearth woulde in the spring considering principally the army which was prepared in Fraunce minister matter of alteration although it now seemed that things succeeded in fauour of the kings intention hauing intelligence that in Flaunders the Duke of Alonçon seeking to assure himselfe of the citie of Anwerp wherein he was as Lord and Protector hauing his armie lodged thereabouts it had not succeeded for forcing of a gate and hauing drawne in three thousand French they were by the great valour of the Citizens repulsed and the one halfe slaine so as it seemed the Flemmings would no more trust the Duke but compound with the King Such Portugals as had receiued no answere to their demaunds doubted of all dispatch in the Kings absence but this feare was qualified by the opinion which they had conceiued that the Cardinall remaining gouernour they should be no lesse fauored by him then they had beene by the King himselfe albeit this hope soone vanished after the Kings departure for the Cardinall did not onely forbeare to vse the authoritie which hee seemed to haue left him but hee refused to signe the commaundements or other writings which concerned the affaires of the realme And although some beleeued that he had forborne to do it for that the king was yet vpon the way and not out of the realme vpon a respect of soueraigntie yet they were deceiued for the King being out of the realme he did not signe the which bred a great disdaine in the Portugals who pretended to holde the realme distinguished from that of Castill it seemed that this manner of gouernment which the king vsed from Madrill was a more strict vnion then they desired besides the troubles of their expeditions for the distance of the court And this disdaine was much augmented for that the king had placed in the councell of the reuenewes of the crowne which they terme d'Hazenda two counsellors Castillians of nation a doctor a merchant saying that it was vnseemely against their priuileges THE TENTH BOOKE The Contents of the tenth Booke In this last Booke is contained the death of Sanches d'Auila The sacke of the Ilands of Cape Vert The carriage of Emanuel de Silua Gouernour of the Terceres The preparatiō of king Philip to force the said Ilands The succours sent thither from Fraunce The fortification and the garrison The departure of the armie from Lisbone The description of the Iland of Terceres The arriuall there of the Spanish armie The assault skirmishes and taking of the Iland The yeelding of the French The taking of the Iland of Fayale and the obedience of all the rest How that Emanuel de Silua