Braga not content that he had done 9 Months private Penance accused himself openly in the Synod of committing Incontinency wherefore he was deposed from his Dignity with extraordinary Horrour of all the Prelates who heard the Accusation though from the Mouth of one so penitent So rare was it then to see a Prelate guilty of any Crime So rare now to see them endued with any Vertue CHAP. V. The Succession of the other Gothish Kings in the Monarchy of Spain till Roderick the last of them from the Year of Grace 672 till 711. 1. NOw was the Monarchy of Spain in a dangerous Condition Theodofredus the Son of Recesuindus if there were any such for it is dubious being left so Young that he was wholly incapable of managing the Government the Nobility consulting what was to be done asked advice of the Pope who by Divine Revelation answered It was the Will of God that Wamba should be preferred to the Crown Wamba his strange advancâ—ment to the Crown He being a Man not known many went out in search of him and at last found him near Idanha then a famous City in Portugal he was then busie at Plow with a pair of Oxen. They told him what they came about and he taking it for Jest or believing it impossible answered That when the Goad he held in his hand Blossomed Wamba would be a King The Goad accordingly shooting out Flowers he was immediately carried away and Crown'd at Toledo At the time of Anointing his Head a Vapour like a Cloud was seen to rise from it and in the midst thereof a Bee which ascending into the Air at last vanished This is in short what some Authors relate as to the Election of Wamba Others wholly rejecting all that is miraculous therein say He was a Great Man at Court and others That he was Son to the late King Recesuindus and proclaimed the 3d. day after his Death so that there could not be time to repair to the Pope and the working of the Miracles These latter are the most suitable Opinions to Reason and there is nothing certain in these Antiquities every Man may believe as he pleases 2. Wamba howsoever it was being placed on the Throne His Wars in France and Spain the People of Navarre and other their Neighbours took up Arms to shake off the Gothish Yoak but the New King taking the Field against them soon quelled that Rebellion In the mean while the Count Hilpericus revolted in the City of Nismes which is in Gallia Narbonensis then subject to the Dominion of Spain which made Wamba raise new Forces against that Rebell and gave the Command of them to Paul a Valiant Grecian He being Master of the Field instead of punishing the Count rebelled himself and with him Ranosindus Governour of Tarragona and Hildigisius the Civil Magistrate By these he was Proclaimed King of Spain and Crowned at Narbonne with a rich Crown offered by the Holy King Recaredus at the shrine of St. Felix Martyr of Gironne Hilpericus the first Rebel and all Gallia Norbonensis joned with the others the same did Catalonia and Navarre Paul strengthned with the accession of so many Provinces had the boldness to send a Challange in most insolent Terms to King Wamba He at that time was in War with the People of Navarre and Biscay and having caused the Challenge to be Read in an Assembly of his chief Commanders tho' most of them advised to the contrary he resolved to march with speed against the rebellious Enemy none hesitated to follow the resolute Prince They entred Navarre which they entirely subdued in seven days and being come into Catalonia the King divided his victorious Army into three parts one took the way of Perpignan another that of Ausetania and the third kept along the Sea Coast The King himself stayed behind with certain choice bands to be ready to repair to the place where most Danger was He took Barcelona by Force and was peaceably received into Gironne for the Tyrant believing that Wamba would not have the Courage to come to meet him and that he should soon be there himself had sent to order Amador the Bishop That he should acknowledge as his Prince the first that came to the Walls Wamba being the first the Prelate did as he was ordered and the King said to him Paul has prophesied my coming hither Immediately he advanced to the Pyrenean Hills and at the foot of them took Colibre and other strong places 3. Whilst Wamba reduced the Rebels The Rebells in France subdued by him Paul retired to Nismes leaving all he had provided for his Defence behind him at Narbonne All that was not sufficient to secure that City to Witimerus whom he had left there as his Lieutenantâ— for Wamba to avoid the Effusion of Blood having offered him some good Terms and he obstinately refusing an Assault was given which lasted three hours at the end whereof the City was taken and in it Witimerus with others of his Associates The same hapned at Magalona Agate and other strong holds all taken by force and with much Slaughter Nismes held out longer despair fighting for Paul but at last it submitted to Wamba The French in the Town thinking they were betrayed by the Spaniards in hope of Pardon fell upon them and so they slaughtered one another whilst the Besiegers breaking in put them all indifferently to the Sword 673. Paul quitting the Royal Robes retired to an Amphitheater a strong Roman Work where he stayed two days the Victors only keeping Guard least he should escape thence The King coming to the City Argebatus Archbishop of Narbonne one of the followers of Paul came out to meet him in his Pontifical Robes and casting himself at his Feet begged Pardon for himself and all the rest This action somewhat appeaseth Wamba who Pardoned him and promised to moderate his anger towards the rest He entred the City in Triumph where Paul was brought Prisoner and fell down prostrate before him as others did their lives were granted but they were committed to custody till it were resolved what punishment to inflict upon them all the French were set free and the City ordered to be repaired It was voted that Paul and his Associates should have their Eyes put out their lives being before granted them but Wamba was content they should only remain perpetual Prisoners When he entred Toledo in Triumph they were all carried before him upon Camels and Paul in the midst of them barefooted with a Crown of black Leather on his Head instead of that of Gold he had aspired to all their Beards long and their Heads shaved Penalties usually inflicted on Traitors at that time and thus Peace was restored 4. After this he assembled a National Council 675. wherein the bounds of all the Bishopricks of Spain were determined The Africans invading Spain destroyed which continued in the same form till the Moores conquered Spain The same Year another
hills It was no time now to think of avoiding a battle and therefore D. John drew up his Army and being possessed of a high hill thought good to remove and make himself master of two others that lay in the way to Estremoz At the same time the Portugueses not knowing any thing of the Enemies design had resolved to possess himself of the same place Hereupon the Count de Villaflor advancing with the Horse fell upon the rear of the Spaniards whose Horse were upon the Plain their Foot having already gained the hill D. James Cavallero facing about with his Horse received the charge and made good his ground so that the Portugueses having spent half the day and gained no advantage began now to faint under the toil and heat which D. John perceiving he speedily possessed himself of the two hills he aimed at drew up his Horse in four bodies upon the Plain placed his baggage in their Rear and planted his Canon upon the hills On the other side the Portugueses seizes the hill which D. John had quitted looking upon it as part of Victory The battle of Ebora to possess the ground the Enemy had designedly abandoned About three hours both Armies continued in these Posts refreshing their wearied men when D. John thinking he had given them the slip began to continue his march but the Count de Villaflor perceiving it resolved not to suffer him to go off without hazarding a battle The signal being given he advances and the Portugues Left wing of Horse first charged the Right of the Spanish who recieved them with such Resolution that the Fight continued a long time doubtful till Emanuel Freire one of the Portugues Generals of Horse wheeling about with some Squadrons he had reserved set upon the Enemies flank and broke through them whereupon the whole wing was soon put to flight as was the reserve coming to their relief and the Left wing which was ordered to relieve the Right by reason of the distance and badness of the way could never be brought to ingage Mean while Count Schomberg who commanded the Portugues Foot resolved to attack the Enemy upon the hill This being an Action rather rash than valiant the English auxiliaries undertook climbing the hill upon their hands and feet and tho' many of them fell yet the greater part gained the top which encouraged three Regiments of Portugues Foot to ascend a farther way about which was much easier This extravagant rashness of the English so terrifyed the Spanish Foot that they immediately without sense of shame betook themselves to flight In a moment their whole infantry was put to the rout notwithstanding D. John alighting from his Horse performed all that man could do to make them rally and face the Enemy But now the victorious Portugues Horse comming in to second their Foot there ensued a terrible slaughter for it was no longer a Fight The Duke of St. German who had been sent before to mark out a Camp hearing the noise of the Canon hasted back and finding the whole Army dispersed and routed with much difficulty perswaded D. John to save himself by flight So both the Generals hasted away to Aronches D. James Mazacan whose squadron had not been broke gathering as many of the Horse as he could made the last effort against the victors but being overpowered he was forced to give way to the stronger side D. John of Austria defeated Of the Spaniards were slain in this Fight about 4000 the wounded were more and above 3000 taken and among them the Marquess del Carpio Eldest Son to D. Lewis de Haro Of the Portugueses above 1000 were killed and many wounded All the Enemies Canon and baggage as also D. John's most splendid Equipage was taken 6. The Prisoners taken in Fight were all sent to Lisbon where the joy of the multitude was as extravagant as their rage had been for the loss of Evora The King therefore finding all was secure at home sent those Trooâ—â—he had kept at Lisbon to bridle the Rabble under the Command of the Count de Castanheda to join the Count de Villaflor The Count de Villaflor recovers Ebora with orders to lay Siege to Evora These two Generals put their orders in Execution and fâ—â—mally besieged that City yet knowing no Enemy could come to it's relief forbore any assaults to spare their Men. The Count de Sartirane who as has been said was made Governour of that City by the Spaniards defended it with much bravery the Space of Eleven days being ignorant what was become of the Spanish Army but being then informed of it's defeat by a Letter from D. John in which he ordered him to provide for the safety of his garrison he then Surrendred the place upon honourable conditions 7. D. John having gathered the remains of his broken Army D. John atttempts Elvas but is represed and received some recruits out of Gallicia sent D. James Cavallero with a good body of Horse and Foot to endeavour to Surprize Elvas but the garrison having taken the Alarm he was repulsed and forced to retire without effecting any thing To add to the misfortunes of the Spaniards their great Magazine of powder which they had layed up at Aronches was accidentally blown up which ruined many of the new works they had made about the Town since they took it and killed above 2000 of the garrison and inhabitants 8. Winter put not an end to Action The Duke of Ossuna builds a Fort not far from Almeida for the Duke of Ossuna who Commanded upon the Spanish Frontiers about Cuidad Rodrigo tho' he could gather but a small Force yet being ambitious of Fame he resolved to 〈◊〉 a Royal-Fort not far from Almeida the Portugues Frontier He marched to the place he had pitched upon with what strength he could make and began the work which was extreamly difficult by reason of the unseasonableness of the weather and the danger from the Enemy to oppose whom he incamped before the work with all his Force to cover the Labourers Peter Jaques de Magallaens who commanded upon those Frontiers was then sick and Alfonso Furtado de Mendoza was substituted in his place D John of Austria who was now returned to Bajadoz from Court where he had been to answer to what was objected against him upon account of his late defeat hearing of this undertaking of the Duke de Ossuna sent him large Supplies under the Command of the Count Bouette with which accession the Duke was now increased to about 7000 Foâ—â— and about 2000 Horse Not above a Canon shot from him lay the Portugues Army consisting of a like Force Mendoza perceiving the Duke was not to be drawn to a battle his only design being to cover his work and it being a rashness to attack him in his Camp thought the only way to draw him thence would be to enter the borders of Castile and put all things to Fire and Sword To this intent
Viriatus his several Victories over the Romans with his last Actions Death and place of Burial 1. THE Renowned Viriatus who as has been said escap'd from the Massacre committed by Galba in the three Vallies was a Lusitanian without the mixture of any other Nation Some Authors say he was a common Robber Viriatus his Original others will have him a Carrier others a Sheperd and lastly others say he went through all these mean Employments Whatsoever he was before at the time that Galba offered Peace to the Lusitanians and Murdered so many in Cold Blood he was one of them that were willing to hearken to his Proposals and made his escape from the Slaughter His mind burning with desire of Revenge as soon as he heard that Galba was departed he returned to the place of the Massacre where causing his Companions to thrust their Hands into the yet fresh wounds of some Maidens they swore by their Souls not to desist from seeking Revenge as long as they were able to bear Arms. This done Viriatus ranging throughout Lusitania stirred up the People raised a good Body of Men and breaking into Carpertania destroy'd all as he went and returned home with a rich Booty Then he caused his followers to reiterate the Oath they had taken Sacrificing one of their Prisoners and a Horse and so every Man passing by thrust his Hand into the Belly of each Sacrifice vowing to do the like to the Roman Army 2. It was now the beginning of the Year 148 before the coming of Christ 3114 from the Creation and 2281 from the Deluge when the Pretor Marcus Vetilius a Man of known Valour came to suppress the Tumults in Lusitania Viriatus with 10000 Fighting Men was entring Andaluzia rather as every Mans Companion than Commander as not daring to chastise them with his Example and good Words endeavoured to draw back those that scattered to Plunder but his Men not subject to Command could not be contained within Bounds which the Pretor perceiving he he fell upon them He is worsted by M. Vetilius and having killed a great number easily put the rest to flight Viriatus gathering the remains of his scattered Forces fled to a City near and there provided to oppose the Enemy It was not long before the Romans came and assaulted the City but finding they had sustained great loss the Pretor resolved to carry it by a long Siege So far had he prevailed that some principal Men among the Besieged began to treat of a Surrender without consulting Viriatus for as yet they owned him not for their Superiour Viriatus understanding there was such a design but not who were the Managers of it having in a raging Posture ran about and in that manner gathered the Multitude to him so efficaciously perswaded them to stand upon their Defence and to have no Faith in the Romans that they lifted him upon their Shoulders and carrying him about the Walls with loud crys Proclaimed him their General 3. The next day after he was proclaimed General Viriatus drew out 1000 Horse which was all he had and facing the Romans made show as if he designed to break through them which Vetilius the Pretor perceiving he kept his Men in a readiness to receive him But Viriatus's design being only to amuze the Enemy whilst his Foot escaped out of the City he continued in the same Posture the greatest part of the day At length understanding there was no Man left in the City all his Foot being got into the Mountains he stood the Enemies Charge and kept them in play till Night when through by-ways he hasted to the City Tribola whether he had sent his Foot This City stood upon the Coast between the Mouth of Guadiana and Gibraltar whence may be inferred that the other whence he came was not far off Vetilius in the Morning followed Viriatus who having by the way increased his Forces lay in wait on the Mountains that hung over a Valley into which there were two narrow Passes capable of only three Horsemen going in abreast Into this place the Romans entred without fear and turning their Horses to grass took themselves to their rest Viriatus giving the Sign to his Men to fall on the Romans on a sudden found themselves beset on all sides and being unarmed armed Vetilius Routed and Slain were put to the Sword without Mercy Among them dyed the Pretor his Questor with such as escaped the Slaughter and some Andaluzians thinking to Revenge this Disgrace engaging with Viriatus lost 10000 Men. The next Year Viriatus with Fire and Sword ranged all Carpentania as far as Toledo 147. without meeting any Opposition Thus was he employed when Caius Plaucius the Roman General who came to Command in Lusitania with 10000 Foot and 1300 Horse thought to have surprized him and his Men being now mostly dispersed about in burning the Country Viriatus tho weak kept the Romans in play still retiring till getting into the Mountains on a sudden they had lost him Plaucius sent 4000 Men to pursue and impede his March till he could come up with the rest of the Army but he turning upon them cut them all off before the Pretor could Relieve them and having gained the Ford of Tagus speedily passed over it and returned into Lusitania Viriatus having gathered Strength encamped in a strong place now called Pomares near Evora whither Plaucius followed him and was so received that his whole Army turned their Backs Viriatus defeats Plaucius The Pretor fought with much Bravery and with his Example brought back his Men but all in vain for they were again put to flight and Plaucius himself with difficulty escaped 4. Now was Viriatus master of the Field ranging about Spain 146. and the Romans shut up in their Garisons when Claudius Vnimanus a most expert Captain was sent by the Senate to command in Lusitania He Overthrows Cl. Unimanus Viriatus Marching with a strong Body of Lusitanians the Pretor with a mighty Army met him but soon found how little confidence was to be placed in a Heartless Multitude for in the Field of Ourique he was overthrown scarce any of his Army escaping Death or Bondage This done Viriatus returned Victorious into Lusitania In the mean while Vnimanus sent to Cajus Nigidius the Pretor of the other Province to give the Enemy a diversion He entred the Territory of Riba de Coa and marched along the River destroying all before him Viriatus with all speed made towards him and overtook him near to the City Viseo where Nigidius in a plain strongly intrenched himself There Viriatus kept him besieged till Hunger forcing him to break out Nigidius escapes from him with Loss he with Difficulty escaped having lost the best part of his Army and all his Ensigns About 1000 of those that fled gathering together began to plunder the Villages as they passed and meeting 300 Lusitanians laden with Booty fell upon them But they were so hotly
40000 Horse of them incamped on the Spanish Coast 200000 Foot and 40000 Horse of the Moors land in Spain The King's Army consisted of 120000 Foot and 10000 Horse a sufficient number had they been well Armed and Disciplined Men he Encamped betwixt Xeres and Medina Sidonia leaving the Sea open at the Enemies backs whereby they received Succours Upon Saturday the 1st of September in the fatal Year 714. the two Armies came in sight of one another The King's Army consisted of 120000 Foot and 10000 Horse That day was spent in taking up their Lodgments along the River Guadalete on Sunday with the day began the Battle which continued very Bloody till Night parted them all the Week the fight continued still renewed with the Day as it was broke off by the Night 714. King Roderick appeared in all parts in his Royal Robes A great and bloody Battle over his Armour he wore a rich Garment a Crown on his Head a Scepter in his Hand on his Feet Golden Buskins set with Pearl and precious Stones he was carried in a high Ivory Chariot as was the manner of the Gothish Kings in Battle and thence encouraged his Men who the 2d Sunday began to faint The King perceiving them give way left his Chariot and mounting upon a Horse he called Orelia rushed couragiously into the thickest of his Enemies making them give way to his Valour The Spaniards overthrown The Spaniards encouraged at this sight came on so vigorously that the Battle for some time continued doubtful but at Sun-setting the Vigour of our Men quite failing Victory appeared on the Enemies side and the Darkness gave the Christians an opportunity to fly 5. I cannot forbear remarking how fatal the number Eight has appeared upon this occasion A remark upon the number Eight Eight days the fight lasted Eight months the Barbarians spent in subduing all Spain and 800 Years it cost the Spaniards to recover it The King seeing he laboured in vain fled to a Mountain where he changed his Apparel with a Shepherd In this condition he came to the Monastery of Cauliniana two Leagues from Merida on the Banks of the River Guadiana Here overcome with Trouble and Sorrow for his Sins he fell into a Swoun and was brought to himself by one Romanus a Holy Monk With him he fled into Portugal where they took up their Habitation on a Rock upon the Sea Coast near the Town of Pederneira They took two different Cells about a Mile from one another where both of them ended their Days Here as is said was found an Image of our Blessed Lady in the Time of Alonso our first King and a Tomb with this Inscription HIC REQUIESCIT RUDERICUS ULTIMUS REX GOTHORUM that is Here reposes Roderick the last King of the Goths Thus far our Author Emanuel de Faria setting down this as an approved and undoubted Opinion But many others and those of good Note reject this as fabulous most Men agreeing that King Roderick was drowned in the River Gundalete where most of his Royal Apparel was found he being never after heard of Many more strange Stories have been spread abroad as it commonly happens in such Cases where the Bodies of Princes in such Universal Calamities are not found but they are rather Romantick than Historical and therefore not fit for any but least of all for the Brevity of this History After the Victory The Moors over-run all Spain the Moores spread themselves over all the Province committing inhumane Barbarities not without losing in several Rencounters during the eight Months of their Conquest 80000 Men besides 20000 before slain in the great Battel The chief Resistance was made at Merida The Defendants whereof many were Portugueses that being then the supream Tribunal of Lusitania were commanded by Sacaru a Noble Goth. Many brave Actions passed at the Siege but at length there being no Hopes of Relief and Provisions failing the Town was surrender'd upon Articles The Commander of the Lusitanians with such as would follow him traversing Portugal came to a Sea-port Town where gathering a good Number of Ships he put to Sea but to what part of the World they were carried does not appear There is an antient Fable of an Island called Antilia in the Western Ocean inhabited by Portugueses which could never yet be found and therefore we will leave it till such time as it is discovered but to this Place our Author supposes these Portugueses to have been driven Fortune having now wholly forsaken Spain the Moores easily over-ran all that remained as far as the River Minho under the Command of Abdalaziz Son to Muza Yet the Andaluzians and Lusitanians Muza being absent rose up in Arms and put to the Sword the Moorish Garrisons of Sevil Beja and Ilipula which done being assembled to a great Number they took Merida by Force killing all they found therein Muza who was then at Zaragosa hasted to quell this Commotion which was easily done Merida he spared Sevil suffered much at Ilipula there was not one Stone left upon another but what he did at Beja is not known though it may be supposed not to have escaped having been the Place of Rendesvouz for the People of Sevil. 7. The famous Actions of D. Pelayo Pelagius the first that opposed the Moors or Pelagius and the miserable Ends of Count Julian his Wife and Daughter the principal Actors in this Tragedy are treated of in the Chronicles of those Kingdoms to which they appertain Pelagius during the 19 Years he reigned had no Command in Portugal where the Moors were so predominant that there were as many Kings as Cities But because the Actions of Pelagius were so great in themselves and in the Consequence of them we will give some Hints of what others write at large Pelagius was in the great Battel with his Cousin-German King Roderick After which he fled with 1000 Christians to Asturias de Oviedo where he took Shelter in a vast Cave now called Covadonga among the Mountains of Auseva and was in that miserable Condition by his Men proclaimed King of Spain a mighty Title for so poor a Beginning and yet here began those Victories which in the Space of 800 Years recovered all Spain Pelagius had a Sister whose Name is not known but Muza Governor of Gijon in Asturias being taken with her Beauty enjoy'd her upon Promise of Marriage The Desire of Revenging this Wrong first moved Pelagius to appear in Arms Thus it fell out that as one Lady was the Cause of the Destruction of Spain so another was the Motive of its Restauration Pelagius was the Son of Favila Duke of Cantabria Third Son of King Chindasuindus and of his Wife D. Luz the Daughter of Theodofredus Duke of Cordova and Brother to Favila He was born at Toledo and bred at Alcantara by Grafes Brother to the Lady Luz his Mother This was the first King that we find had the Title of Don annexed
Portuguese Gentlemen raising the greatest Power they were able gave him Battle and put him to flight D. Fuas Roupinno commanded in the Castle of Puerto de Mos at such time as Gami King of Merida came to attack it D. Fuas hearing of his approach with a small body went out and lay close in Ambush The Moor giving an Assault to the Castle he fell upon him so unexpected and furiously that most of the Moors being slain Gami and many others were made Prisoners Gami and his Brother were sent for a present to old King Alonso who then reposed himself at Coimbra This same D. Fuas being Admiral at Sea destroyed the Gallies of Mauritania the first time near Cape Espichel 1182. and brought nine of them to Lisbon others he burnt in the Sea of Ceuta Engagements by Sea Returning thither afterwards with 21 Galleys he fought 54 of the Enemy but was totally destroyed and found a Grave where before he had raised Tropheys Joseph Aben Jacob Miramamolin of Morocco Andaluzia Murcia and Valencia with 13 Kings and the mightiest Army that till then had been seen to revenge the harms suffered from the Portuguese passed the River Tagus and having destroyed Torres Vedras 1184. and whatever else stood in his way laid Siege to Santarem where Prince Sancho then was During 6 or 7 days he incessantly Battered the Town and gave several assaults to it so that many of the Defendants were killed the Prince wounded and the Walls shaken At this time King Alonso being 91 years of Age came to relieve the Town but scarce had the occasion to draw his Sword the Infidels flying precipitously at the very sight of him Both the Father and Son pursued the flying Enemy with such Execution that the River was dyed with their Blood The Miramamolin ended his days in the very River being first wounded by the Prince 9. The most glorious King Alonso having Governed 17 Years without the Title of King and 46 with it and having lived 93 at length departed this life in the month of December 1185. and year of our Lord 1185. In his life time he is said to have overthrown 30 Kings The Death of King Alonso besides a number of lesser Princes and inferior Commanders It must be observed that most of these were Kings of particular Cities His Piety appears in the great number of Churches he Erected reported to amount to 150. He instituted two Military Orders that of the Wing before spoken of which for want of Revenues died with the first Knights And that of Avis as our Author will have it tho' I find no other to confirm this Antiquity which continues to this day To the Knights Templers and Hospitallers he assigned considerable Revenues As to his Person he was 11 Spans High a Gigantick Stature his Hair Red a large Mouth long Visage and large sparkling Eyes He lay in the Church of the Holy Cross at Coimbra in a wooden Tomb till King Emanuel erected one more Majestick for him His Sword and Buckler are there still to be seen His Arms the Arms he bore on his Sheild were Argent 19 Scutcheons Arzure 10 of them in the nature of an Orle the other nine in Cross and in Saltire all joined together with twists of Silk running from one to the other each Escutcheon charged with Thirteen Bezants 10. King Alonso was 53 Years of Age when he Married Mafalda His Wife and Issue the most Beautiful Lady of those times and second Daughter to Amadee 5th Earl of Marienne and first of Savoy This Queen followed the example of her Husband in erecting several Churches and Monasteries By her the King had Issue Henry who died young Sancho who inherited the Crown John Malfalda Wife to Alonso the second King of Aragon Vrraca Wife to King Ferdinand the second of Leon from whom she was divorced on account of Consanguinity after she had by him Alonso who inherited that Crown Teresa second Wife to Philip the first Earl of Flanders and Sancha his Bastard Children were Peter Alonso Teresa married to Sancho Nunnez from whom her Father took her and married her to Ferdinand Martinez the brave Lord of Braganza and the Lady Vrraca married to Peter Alonson Viegas the Grandson to Egas Moniz the King's Tutor CHAP. IV. The life and Reign of King Sancho I. from the Year 1154. till 1212 all his Actions in Peace and War his Arms and Issue 1. KIng Alonso had enjoyed the regal Title 15 Years when his Wife Queen Mafalda bore him his second Son and Successor Sancho 1154. He was Born at Coimbra the 11th of December Sancho succeeds his Father Alonso which being St. Martin's Day he had that Name given him together with the other From his very Infancy he was bred in the Field amidst the noise of Arms and surrounded with Dangers His Actions under his Father At the Age of 13 he engaged with the King of Leon in the Plains of Arganal and tho' not Victorious came off with Honour He was the first Christian Prince after the Conquest of Spain by the Moors that advanced to the Walls of Sevil. His Father King Alonso had ordered him to pass the River Tagus to defend that plentiful Country The Moors suffered him to pass undisturbed by Evora and Beja but having passed Sierra Morena he was met by the King of Sevil with a numerous Army in the plain of Axarafe here they came to a Battle which was obstinately fought on both sides till the valour of the Christians overcame the multitude of their Enemies whom they pursued to the Gates of Sevil making that River run Red with the blood of Infidels In his return to Portugal the Prince wasted all the Country carrying a vast Booty without meeting any opposition By the way he laid Siege to Niebla and had now reduced it to great extremity when advice was brought him that the City Beja was distressed by the Moors Thither he hasted and charging the Besiegers put them to the rout and relieved the City The King of Bajadoz had sent Ravadan a famous Commander with an Army to spoil that part of Portugal which he performed as was expected from him being on his return he was overtaken by the Prince and forced to quit the Country and his Booty with more hast than he came This Prince valiantly defended Santarem against the Miramamolin till his Father came to raise the Siege and they both entred the place in Triumph These were his principal Exploits till his Accession to the Crown which was in the Year 1185. 1185. 2. The third day after his Father's Death in the 30th Year of his Age and the 10th after he was married Prince Sancho was Proclaimed King in the same place where he was Born Since this is the first King that died in Portugal we will set down the manner of publick lamentation made for his Death which continues to this day The manner of lamenting the death
support it but the Marquess and others persisting in the Resolution of hazarding a Battle their Authority prevailed The Spanish Army consisted of 7000 Foot and 2600 Horse in 34 Troops under the command of the Baron de Molinguen who was now to command the whole Army because the Marquess was to stay at Badajoz These Forces met the Enemy sooner than they expected 2. On the 26 of May 1644 The Spanish Forces defeated Albuquerque the Portuguese General finding himself reduc'd to that necessity that he must either fight or fly chose rather to hazard a Battle than forfeit his Reputation He performed the Office of a Major General ordering his Battle himself The command of the Right Wing he gave to the Monteiro Mor and the Left to the Commissary General who had under him the Dutch Horse commanded by Captain Piper The two Armies ingaged and the Spaniards gave such a furious Charge on the Portuguese Left Wing where the Commissiary commanded that the Dutch Horse fled and running upon their own Foot so disorder'd that part of the Army that the Spaniards drove them from their Ground their General being in danger to be bruised to Death his Horse falling upon him but a French Captain saved him giving him another Horse that ran lose and sustaining the shot of the Enemy till he mounted Being delivered from that Danger he had recourse to the Body of reserve which advancing to the Place which the Spanish Horse had left to pursue the Dutch and others that fled made such Havock among the Foot before Victorious that they were forced to fly The Horse returning from the pursuit and seeing the Foot broke could never be brought to a Charge but betook themselves to their Heels quitting their Cannon and Baggage Of the Spaniards about 2000 Foot and 700 Horse were killed and taken with about 40 Colours and Standards Of the Portuguese 750 were slain and among them two Collonels The Portugueses continued a Day in the field of Battle least the Spaniards should return and vaunt they had kept it King John rejoycing at this Victory which secured his Crown created the General Earl of Alegrette giving him a Pension of 4000 Crowns and rewarded many other of the Principal Men in the Army The Marquess of Torrecusa laboured to gather all the Forces of Estremadura being grieved he was not present at the Battle as believing it lost for want of Conduct and it troubled him the more because he was the adviser of it 3. Whilst these things hapned in Estremadura several Incursions were made on all the Frontiers of the Kingdom but in them was nothing Memorable for the Portugueses were most upon the Defensive and the Spaniards only kept the War afoot till the affairs of Catalonia might be settled that then they might turn their whole Force to this side A sham Conspiracy About this same time D. George de Mascarenhas Count de Monte Albano who was of the Council of State and had other great Employments was impeached of Conspiring with others against the King for which he was committed to the Castle of Belem and the rest to other Prisons Upon Examination the Accusation was found malicious and groundless whereupon he and all the others on the second of November were honorably discharged and restored to their Estates and Honours At this time also dyed the Arch-bishop of Braga one of the managers of the first Conspiracy against the King Dying he made it his request to the King that he would pardon his Treachery and grant that his Body might be Buryed without some Parish Church without any inscription upon it to the end no Memory might survive of one that hath been Traytor to his King 4. The Portuguese Governors on the Coasts of America at length concluded a Truce with the Count de Nassan The Affairs of America who governed at Pernambuco for the Hollanders Yet so far were they from observing the Articles of it that they rais'd a new Fort at Segeripe took several of our Ships and committed many Barbarities against the Portugueses that according to composition remained under them at Pernambuco These things moved John Fernandez Veigra and Francis Berenguer to lay the design this Year of expelling them that Province the success of their Enterprize belongs to another place In Africk Tangier had till this time held for the Spaniards but now the Garrison secured their Governor sent him Prisoner to Lisbon The Dutch contrary to Faith given take several places in India and declared for King John The Moors thought to have surprized that City and gave a desperate Assault but were repulsed with great Loss The Dutch in India notwithstanding their repeated Orders from the States to cease from all Hostilities still found pretences to carry on the War and landing a great number of Men in Ceylon took the Fort of Negumbo having first overthrown the Portugueses that were to defend it they presuming though much inferiour in Number and contrary to their Orders to meet the Enemy in open Field who pursuing them after the defeat entred the Fort in that Heat putting above 300 of our men to the Sword The City Macao in China was near falling again into the Hands of the Spaniards many of the Inhabitants favouring their interest and raising a dangerous Tumult to promote the same but by the Courage of Sebastian Lobo the Governour who fired from the Castle upon the City together with the Interposition of the Jesuits it was again reduced to Obedience Gonzalo Sequeyra was sent Ambassador by the King to the Emperor of Japan but through the Instigation of the Hollanders was not received Anno 1645. 1. THis Year the King having regard to the good Service done by the Earl of Castello-Melhor Actions in the Province of Alentejo in the Province betwixt Duero and Minho appointed him General of Alentejo In April he took possession of that Command and at the same time received intelligence that the Marquess de Leganez was come to Badajoz to command the Spanish Army Soon after the Counts Arrival at Badajoz 500 Spanish Horse made an Incursion into the Territory of Campo Mayor whence they retired with great Booty In their retreat the two Captains Emanuel de Gama Lobo and D. Charles Jordano charged them with 300 Portuguese Horse recovered the Prey and took from them 80 Horses The Count de Castello Melhor presently after attempted to drive the Country about Badajoz and to that purpose marched with 800 Horse and 1500 Foot but returned without doing any thing more than driving the Enemies advanced Parties to the Walls of Badajoz In return the Spaniards with a Body of 700 Horse fell into the Country of Barbacena and Sancta Olaya which is two Leagues from Elvas and Campo Mayor the Horse of both which Places to the Number of 500 joyning charged them in their Retreat recovered all the Booty and took 60 of their Horses The Count de Castelmelhor having thoroughly examined the strength
Horses kill'd most of them and returned in safety The Enemy now making great Preparations to enter upon Action D. John da Costa who had neither a Force to oppose them in the Field nor Provisions in the Frontier Towns to hold out a Siege acquainted the King with his wants who sent large supplies of Mony whereby the Province was put into such a Posture of Defence that the Spaniards thought not fit to attempt any thing on that side But D. John da Costa being thus supplyed ceased not to molest them with continual Incursions Not to speak of other small Parties one of 30 Men commanded by the Cornet Stephen de Rocha came off with more Honour then Success Being advanced in the Enemies Country he found his retreat was cut off by 7 Squadrons whereupon he retired to an old ruined House he found in the Field The Spaniards surrounded it and offered him quarter which he refusing they attacked it and were repulsed After endeavouring in Vain to burn it they went away carrying with them the Horses of those in the House and the Cornet returned to Moura a Foot having lost two of his Men. About the beginning of November Prince Theodosius the King 's eldest Son having privately stole away from Court without his Fathers Knowledge appeared at Elvas and was there received with all the Respect due to his Person The King was not a little disturbed at this Accident being jealous of the Prince's Designs and therefore used all gentle Means to draw him back to Lisbon but that which at last prevailed with him was want of Money which forced him back to Court about the end of December He positively resolved to return to the Frontiers but was detained for some time by the King till Death put an end to his Designs as we shall see in its Place 2. The Province between Duero and Minho The Viscount de Villa Pouca burns two Towns in Galicia seemed to spare it self all this while that it might be the better able to sustain the heavy burthen of the War which fell upon it the ensuing Years The Viscount de Villa Pouca was still Governour there who perceiving that the Towns of Portela and Vieyra were the Rendesvouz for the Troops of Galicia when they joyned those of Monterey he caused both those places to be burnt down to the Ground The Garrisons of certain Forts the Spaniards had raised on the Frontiers of Galicia perswading the Country People to rebuild several Places that had been destroyed on the Borders during the War they began to assemble in order to restore those Towns Twice they attempted to rebuild them but they were as often totally demolished by order of the Viscount whereupon the Country desisted The Count de Atouguia who governed the Province Tras os Montes lived this Year free from Action both sides as if it had been by Agreement forbearing to infest one another Nor was there any considerable Action in that part of the Province of Beyra which was under the direction of D. Roderick de Castro most of the Year being spent in Incursions of no great Moment In November when the Prince as has been said appeared at Elvas D. Roderick that it might be said he had infused new Courage into the Army marched with 1500 Men and entring the Town of Bodon plundered and burnt it D. Sancho Manuel who governed the other part of the Province ceased not all the Summer to infest the Frontiers of the Enemy and to repulse such of them as made inroads into the Country subject to his Command By agreement this Summer the Prisoners on both sides were set at Liberty without Ransom 3. Francis de Sousa Coutinho Negotiations in Forreign Courts having left the Ambassy of Holland as has been said according to the Orders he had received from the King removed to Paris where he had Audience of Cardinal Mazarine but nothing was concluded betwixt them by reason of the civil Broils then prevailing in France At Rome the Portuguese Affairs continued in the same Posture notwithstanding the Sollicitation of the Cardinal d'Este Antony de Sousa de Macedo who had succeeded Francis de Sousa Coutinho in the Ambassy of Holland followed the Footsteps of his Predecessor entertaining the States with hopes of an Accommodation to gain time whilst the Dutch might be expelled Brazil Having in some measure settled those Affairs he laboured to enter upon a Treaty with the Parliament of England which was forwarded by D. Emanuel Perâ—yra sent over to that effect and afterwards commenced by the Envoy John de Guimaraens 4. Francis Barreto Francis Barreto prosecutes the War in Brazil with unparalleled Resolution and Constancy continued the War in Pernambuco About the beginning of March he layed 300 Men in Ambush betwixt the Forts of Sinco Pontas Affogados and Barreta hoping to cut off the Communication between those Places and Arrecife Twelve of these Men discovering a Boat of the Enemies swam to it and took it and the Dutch that came to succour their Boat discovering the Ambush retired in time so that the Portugueses had not the Opportunity of making any further Advantage on them The Hollanders of the Fort Affogados made a sally upon the quarter of Mendoza but were soon repulsed with the loss of 6 Men besides those that were wounded Francis Barreto understanding that the Dutch had great quantities of Sugar Canes at Rio Grande whereof they expected very soon to make their Advantage he sent thither Captain John Barboza Pinto with 300 Men who after destroying all the Country and taking 18 of the Enemy returned with a great number of Cattel Sigismund Van Scop the Dutch Commander desiring to perform some Action which might encourage the Besieged resolved to destroy the Thicket which covered the quarter of Aguiar from the Fort Affogados To put this in Execution he marched out with the greatest part of his Strength but Emanuel de Aguiar who commanded there being in a readiness received him so roughly that for six Months after he never offered to sally again Continual Success put Francis Barreto out of doubt of Success and therefore he ceased not perpetually to sollicit the King and Count Castello Melhor then Governor of Brazil for Succour that he might with speed put an end to that War before the Dutch now at Peace with all the World had the leasure to send supplies thither which might much retard if not wholly destroy the success of his Labours 5. The Baron de Alvito still governing Tangier Tangier and India it happened that certain Vessels laden with Corn from Lisbon and the Islands sailing for that City were cast away which caused so great a Famine in that place that the Inhabitants were forc'd to feed on Herbs and Roots they could gather in the Fields The Baron generously at his own Expence maintained the Sick and a multitude of Children which would otherwise inevitably have perished This Calamity reached the Horses who could not be
degrees having cut off all their Communication abroad and possessed themselves of all advantagious Posts the place was no longer in a posture to hold out long had it not been speedily relieved In order to it all the Garrisons were drained and the Portuguese Army rendesvouzed at Estremoz under the command of the Count de Castagneda Here the Count received Advice from the Governor of Elvas that his Garrison was extreamly weakened through Want Sickness and continual Labour for which Reason he should be obliged to surrender unless speedily succoured Upon this Advice the Count de Castagneda set forward with 12000 disciplined Foot and 3500 Horse besides a confused multitude of all sorts of Rabble that followed the Army as Voluntiers With this Force he came and drew up before the Hill of Santangracia whither also the Duke of St. German drew up the best part of the Troops to receive him In this posture both parties continued all that Night By break of day the Portugueses began to advance towards the Lines and made their first effort upon the quarter where Nicholas of Cordova commanded the fight was obstinate for a considerable space and the Portugueses were twice forced to give back Mean while the Besieged making a furious Sally The Battle of Elvas endeavoured to ruin their Enemies Works that they might open themselves a passage to their Army Thus the Spaniards who were the lesser Number being charged in Front and Rear made a desperate and bloody Fight till their right Wing of Horse being overpowered was put to flight The Duke of St. German seeing the Foot left naked on that side came himself to their Succour with a party of chosen Horse Hence rushing furiously upon his Enemy he received a shot in the Head which made him fast from his Horse This accident of the Generals who was esteemed dead so discouraged the Spaniards The Spaniards defeated that they presently gave way on all sides yet so that they carryed off their General In the mean while the Portugueses meeting no opposition cleared their passage to the Town Roderick Moxica who was Major General and next in command to the Duke of St. German lying at this time at his post near the River Cailla fortifyed himself and received all that fled from the Battle still skirmishing with the Enemy till Night when he drew off and saved the remainder of the Spanish Army For the Count de Castaneda satisfyed with having relieved the place thought not fit to hazard any more by pursuing the Enemy Of the Spaniards above 2000 were killed as many wounded but very few â—â—ken On the Portuguese side about 1000 fell De Luis de Haro who had been a spectator of the fight at a distance seeing all lost made his way to Badajoz Thus ended this present Year Anno 1659 and 1660. AFter the mighty efforts of the last Year both parties being exhausted and wearied No Warlike exploits for two Years as if it had been by mutual consent kept themselves so quiet that these two Years do not furnish us any Military Action worth the writing The Spaniards had bent all their Thoughts upon concluding a Peace with France that so they might wholly apply themselves to the War with Portugal To this effect a Treaty was set on Foot and the whole affair managed by the two prime Ministers Cardinal Mazarine for France Peace betwixt France and Spain and D. Luis de Haro for Spain After long debates which belong not to this History a Peace was Concluded betwixt the two Crowns the French renouncing their League with Portugal upon Condition that King should quit all claim to the Crown and be restored by the Spaniard to all his ancient Patrimony as Duke of Braganza The Portuguese Ambassador who attended the Cardinal during the whole time of the Treaty had not failed to use his utmost endeavours to obstruct the whole Negotiation taking effect or at least to prevent his Master's interest being abandoned But the particular interest of France outweighed all that could be urged in behalf of an Ally and the Cardinal assured the Ambassador that notwithstanding the Peace his master's Interest should not be forsaken for that the French would be in a better Condition to support him and could not want a pretence for so doing This Promise of the Cardinals proved not Vain as will appear by the Sequel Count Schomberg an experienced French Commander was already in the Portuguese Service and had under him some French Troops which were afterwards increased to a greater Number The Spaniard immediately after the Conclusion of the Peace with France began to apply himself to carry on the War against Portugal with all his Force and to that end several old Regiments were brought over out of Italy and Flanders D. John of Austria the King's Bastard Son who had commanded in the Low-Countries and in Catalonia was appointed General the Duke oâ— St. German his Lieutenant General Alonso Poderico Major General James Cavallero General of the Horse and Gaspar de Cueva General of the Artillery On the Portuguese side whether through want of Intelligence of the Storm that threatned or through want of Means is uncertain but the War-like Preparations were not Proportionable Since these Years afford nothing material let us pass on to the next wherein we shall meet with more Action Anno 1661. D. John of Austria D. John of Austria with the Spanish Army invades Portugal having received the Command of the Army and finding all things provided suitable to his Expectation in the Spring entred the Frontiers of Portugal with 13000 Foot and above 6000 Horse a Force not so considerable for its number as for that they were all old tryed Troops The Count de Castaneda General of the Portuguese Army could scarce gather 10000 Foot and 3000 Horse so that he was in no Condition to make head against the Enemy Hereupon D. John being master of the Field marched his Army in sight of Campomayor as if he intended to have set down before it but having put the place into a Consternation he suddenly wheeled off in his way took and destroyed the small Town and Castle of Origuela and then unexpectedly invested Aronches He takes Aronches This Town is seated upon the River Alegrete contains about 500 Houses its chief Trade is Cloath but at this time the Walls of it were ruinous though it had a Castle which was of no Strength No sooner was the Cannon planted and began to play but the place surrendred upon Articles all the Inhabitants out of hatred to the Spaniards retiring with what they could carry away Here D. John continued till he had strongly repaired the old Works and cast up new ones then having plundered all the Country about without any Opposition he marched back the Army to Badajoz This loss stirred up the Portugueses to a rash Action The Portuguese Horse under Count Schomberg routed near Badajoz for Count Schomberg with 16 Squadrons of
should Surrender upon discretion Borba delivered to him which was accordingly done The Souldiers were all made prisoners of War the Town plundered and Burnt the Castle Demolished and da Cuâ—ha the Governour with Two Captains were strangleâ— in the Market-place 3. Hence the Spanish Army directed its course to Jurumenha Jurumenha beseiged by D. John an antient and noted Town seated upon a hilâ— along the East side of it runs the River Guadiana on the West is a pleasant hilly Country for the most part covered with Trees Gardens and Vineyards On the top of the hill over the Town stands the Castle which is strong and has 17 Towers The Fortifications of the Town were all New and consisted of Five very large bastions severall half Moons a good ditch and Trench with other modern works Emanuel Lobato Pinto was at this time Governour of Jurumenha the garrison consisted of 3000 men and was plentifully stored with provisions and all Sort of warlike-ammunition when the Enemy sate down before it D. John posted his Army about the Town drew his lines whereof the extreams ended at the River which as has been said waters one side of the Town and then opened his Trenches and began to raise batteries The line of circumvallation was carryed on with the utmost diligence and fortifyed to perfection least the Portugues Army as was expected should find an opportunity of relieving the place On the other side the Governour omitted nothing that might conduce to the security of his garrison yet so as that he always spared to expose his men reserving them for the last extremity The Portugues Generall understanding how Jurumenha was beset sent thither Emanuel de Sequeira an able Commander to assist the Governour in defence of the place He got in by a boat in the Night unperceived by the Enemies Guards D. John raised two strong Forts one on each side of the River and betwixt them layd over a bridge of boats by which he received plentifully supplies from Olivenza and with his Cannon cut off from the besieged the use of the River All things being disposed for an attack he ordered the Spaniards and Italians upon a signal given in two severall places to attack the covered way The Spaniards going on too precipitary after a long fight were repulsed and drove back to their Trenches with the Loss of many men among which were several Officers but the Italians whose Conduct was better with small loss lodged themselves on the counterscarp and yet the next day it being thought a work of too much difficulty to force the Town on that side they were ordered to quit the Post they had taken Being moved thence they were ordered to joyn the Germans who lay before the great bastion which it was hoped might with more ease be ruined and four more pieces of Cannon were there planted to batter it which played with good success and began to fill the ditch In the mean while a French Ingenier sent from the Portugues Camp to view the Spanish Lines being taken discovered to D. John that the Count de Castaneda had resolved to attack him in his works having with him at that time 13000 Foot and 3000 Horse and only expecting the auxiliary English which according to the contract of marriage with his Majesty of Great Britain would soon be with him This intelligence caused D. John to fortify his Lines having by the advice of the Duke of St. German resolved to receive the Enemy within them tho' others advised to march out and meet them Having disposed all things for the reception of the Portugues General to forward the Seige he orders a general assault to be given to all the works of the besieged the Italians and Germans without much difficulty lodged themselves in the counterscarp and the Spaniards upon whom lay the hottest Service after four hours fight with great slaughter on both sides made themselves masters of two great bastions and all the space betwixt them so that now the Town had no other defence left it but it's bare wall This was the condition of the place when the Count de Castaneda with the Portugues Army came and encamped within a League of the Town but after severall movements to discover the weakest part of the Enemies works finding it a matter of too great difficulty to Force their Lines he marched away having before his departure sent a Letter to the Governour directing him to make the best conditions he could for his garrison for that it was impracticable to relieve him All hopes of releif being Lost and the Town now reduced to extremity the Governour upon a fresh Summons from D. John capitulated and delivered up the Town upon such Terms as he could obtain Thus after a months Seige D. John took possession of Jurumenha Jurumenha surrendred but void of inhabitants who all marched away out of their hatred to the Spaniards yet well stored with provisions and Ammunition tho' the Portugueses had spoiled most of their Corn before they quitted the place D. Ferdinand de Escovedo was left Governour there after the works had been sufficiently repaired 4. Having secured Jurumenha D. John lost no time but immediately marched away towards Vâ—â—â—â—viciosa where the Portugues Army then lay strongly intrenched 〈◊〉 used all his endeavours to draw theâ— to a battle burning and wasting all the Country about but perceiving the Count de Castaâ—â—da was unmoved he removed and planted himself betwixt Aveiro and Monforte both which places tho' well Fortifyed being terrifyed with the success of the Spanish Arms surrendred upon the First Summons Both place being secured with good garrisons he 〈◊〉 thence without delay to Crato a Town belonging to the Knights of Malta encompassed only with an old ruined wall and a small Trench but very Rich and at this time filled with great Stores of Provisions Tho' the place was not Tenable the Count de Castaneda fearing to lose all those stores put out the former governor and sent to succeed him an old rash Major This man never regarding the weakness of the place answered the summons sent him by D. John with scorn and contempt whereupon the Cannon began on all sides to ruin the old walls and from the higher grounds to beat down the houses and kill the People in the Streets The inhabitants and even the garrison Souldiers perceiving themselves exposed to inevitable ruin through the fooll hardiness of their new governour being also headed by the old one in a mutinous manner beset his house and obliged him to send to beg conditions which when offered he had slighted He 〈◊〉 Crato but it was now too late D. John sought Revenge for the insolence of the Foolish Governor and would not hearken to any Termes In this deplorable condition the inhabitants sent out again two Antient-Priests to move the Spanish General to Compassion but whilst they were pleading for the Town the Enemy without expecting any Command from their Officers broke in and
bloody Battel but the Lusitanians not able to bear the Force of the Romans were put to flight Mummius pursuing them with a mighty bloody Slaughter Caesaro played all the Part of a bold Soldier and a prudent General sometimes facing his Enemy and at other times calling upon his Men The Spaniards return and rout the Consul At length what with Intreaties and what with Threats having formed a Body he charged the Romans then dispersed and out of Order with such Gallantry that they were drove back to their Camp with the Loss of 5000 Men. The Lusitanians taking Heart and again gathering Strength assaulted their Trenches and beat them thence killing 5000 more of them but not without the Loss of 10000 of their own Men. Caesaro returned to Lusitania victorious and Mummius with 5000 Men retired to an Eminence strong by Nature Thence his Men came down and defeated some Parties of Lusitanians who dragged the Colours they had taken in their sight and several Colours and part of the Booty was recovered Caesaro returned and though he met with great Opposition obliged the Enemy to ascend the Mountain for Safety Then Mummius vowed if he were victorious to build a Temple in that Place to Proserpina and charging the Lusitanians discomfited them killing their General Caesaro In pursuance of his Vow he there built a Temple to Proserpina which is supposed to have stood near the new Church of St. James the Apostle by Villaviciosa if it be not the same 8. Whilst Mummius was busie in building his Temple 151. the Lusitanians nothing dismayed chose for their General a Citizen of Lisbon called Canchenus He immediately marched to the City Cunesturgi situate near the Place where the Town of Niebla now stands where was a Roman Garrison and in a few Days he made himself Master of it putting many to the Sword and exercising great Cruelty Proud with this Success Canchenus marched to the River Guadalquivir without meeting any Opposition and thence in like manner to Gibraltar plundering all the Country Here the Army was divided into two Parts one designed to make a Conquest in Mauritania the other to expel the Romans out of Andaluzia Whilst the Former were employed in building Vessels to carry them over the Streights the Latter marched into the Province And being come to the City Oraelis supposâ—â— to be Origuela among the Bastetani they found the Enemy encamped and well fortified before the Town The Army being sate down before them many of the Forces marched out to plunder the neighbouring Villages Mummius laying hold of this Opportunity â—ifteen Thousand Spaniards â—â—in by Mummius fell upon them laden with Booty and killed about 15000 of them the rest fled into Lusitania robbing the open Towns as they went The Lusitanians who inhabited that part of Estremadura where the Tagus runs into Portugal ravaged all the Lands of Câ—stite But Mummius with his usual Celerity coming upon them and finding them dispersed made a mighty Slaughter of them and so ended his Praetorship with Honour 150. Marcus Atilius came from Rome to command in Lusitania which he found in Arms and the neighbouring Provinces cruelly invaded Atilius again overthrows them Atilius gave them Battel and though they behaved themselves with much Bravery the Romans had the Victory Atilius then laid Siege to the City Ostraze and taking it by Assault left no Creature alive that was in it Nay the very Stones he so dispersed that nothing remains of that City but the Name This Desolation brought the Lusitanians to treat of Peace and upon tolerable Conditions they submitted themselves to the Romans Many others also followed their Example 9. This Peace was not lasting for the Vectones perceiving that Atilius was far from them they so managed the Affair that they prevailed with the Lusitanians who lived about Ostraze to violate the League so lately made Winter hinder'd Atilius from putting a Stop to their Proceedings and Sergius Galba his Successor was now come into Spain He jealous of the Power of the Lusitanians resolved upon a piece of Treachery which laid an Eternal Blot upon the Honour of Rome Actioâ—s of the Lusitanians in Africk But whilst the Winter passes let us see what was done by the other half of Canchenus's Army left at Gibraltar to pass over into Africk Their first Work was to pillage and ransack all the open Country then laying Siege to Tangier they soon became Masters of it but finding little to satisfie their Avarice they embarked again and returned over into Spain At that time the Consul Lucullus was with his Army among the Turdetani who inhabited along the Coast of the Ocean from Guadiana to Sâ—â—ill He immediately marched against them and killing some the rest retired to a strong Hill which the Consul finding to be inaccessible he laid Siege to them and they began to be pinched with Hunger Therefore in Despair they came down with such Fury that they broke through the Roman Army but left many Prisoners behind Lucullus after this pierced into Lusitania without meeting any Opposition it being then Winter when the Romans used not to wage War 10. Sergius Galba Galba governs the Province the Praetor having taken a rich Booty returned to Andaluzia No sooner did the Spring begin to appear but the Lusitanians desirous of Revenge broke into the Roman Province obliging the Praetor to take the Field sooner than he had designed He thought to have surprized them but they received him in good Order and a bloody Battel ensued in which the Lusitanians was put to the Rout Galba pursuing them with more Fury than Discretion They that fled observing his Army disordered taking the Advantage faced about with such Courage and Fortitude that the victorious Romans were cut down only the Praetor with a few Horse escaping Galba gathering 2000 Men and perceiving the Enemy followed their Husbandry in great Security he passed the River Guadiana near Ayamonte and brought his Army amongst the Turdetani of Algarve burning all before him The People being unprovided sued for Peace which Galba with a treacherous Design seemed to approve of promising to admit of them as Friends and to make an equal Distribution of Lands among them To which purpose they were all appointed three several Places where to meet him that each Man might receive his Proportion Accordingly they met in three Valleys not far distant from one another but covered by the Mountains that encompassed them Here Galba with fair Speeches perswaded them first to lay down their Arms which done as was directed and his Army divided into three parts also he caused each of them to fall upon one of those Parties of Lusitanians who being before disarmed were slaughter'd like Sheep to the Number of 9000. Amongst the few that escaped was Viriatus afterwards the Terrour of the Romans in killing whom Galba had done his Country more Service than in the Slaughter of all the rest CHAP. V. The Exploits of the Great
of the Hill daring the Romans to give Battel Metellus waiting an Opportunity took it so aptly that he killed and made Prisoners 20000 of Herculeius's Army driving the rest out of the Field and was so delighted with this great Success that he caused Images of Victory as he came into every Town to be let down artificially with Garlands of Flowers to crown himself as also his Praises to be publickly sung Sertorius immediately marched to seek the Victor who was on his Way to Catalonia He did not overtake him but cut off a Party of Horse that was carrying the News of the Victory and some of the Prisoners to Pompey Herculeius was so much ashamed of his Defeat that he absconded and would not be seen but Sertorius comforted him and with much Difficulty prevailed with him to appear again 2. Sertorius leading a mighty Army against Metellus who was in the Kingdom of Murcia by the Way destroyed all the Province of Andaluzia Metellus retiring to Valencia where Pompey then was who sent a Party of Light-Horse to discover the Strength of Sertorius and found his Army numerous and in good Order He passed the River Guadalaviar near whose Banks the two Roman Generals lay encamped on an advantageous high Ground Both Armies being resolved to give Battel and being drawn out in order to it they stopped to see the Event of a single Combat between two Soldiers who had challenged one another Pompey's Soldier having killed him of Sertorius taking off his Helmet to cut off his Head he found it was his own Brother whereupon he immediately killed himself This strange Accident put off the Battel for that Day but the next Day after they engaged with great Resolution Metellus and Pompey again overthrow Sertorius when in the Heat of the Action a Soldier telling Sertorius that the General of the Horse was killed he struck him through the Body that he might not terrifie others with that News Yet neither this nor all he could do was enough to prevent his being put to the Rout with the Loss of 6000 of his Men. It was no less Grief to Sertorius than the Loss of the Battel that the City Valencia submitted to the victorious Romans and much more when other Places followed the Example of it amongst which was Guadalaxara Hither he marched with Speed but the Inhabitants being fled to a Place almost inaccessible full of many great Caves they scoffed at him asking whether he had Wings to come at them He tried all Stratagems to reduce them but nothing succeeded At length he raised great Heaps of Sand and Dust opposite to the Mouths of the Caves and waiting till a strong North Wind blew directly in upon them caused his Men with Shovels to cast up the Sand which being so shaken was by the Wind carried into the Caves so violently that those within being almost stifled were glad to cry for Mercy Sertorius forgave them all and took nothing from them but some necessary Provisions for his Army 3. This last Action gained Sertorius great Reputation as well of Policy to overcome as of Clemency towards the vanquished but his Forces being very much broken some of the principal Romans that followed him proposed to come to an accommodation with Pompey Sertorius utterly rejected their Advice saying Since the Romans would not treat with him in his Prosperity he would never condescend to fue to them in his Adversity And that his Actions might sute with his Words tho' then weak and lately overthrown hearing that Pompey had distressed Palencia he hasted to the relief of the Besieged and without loosing time he Assaults the Romans and his Men being much disordered in the Confusion he was got so far among his Enemies that his Horse being killed he had inevitably perished had not a Body of Lusitanians offered to Sacrifice their own lives for the defence of his They desperately forced their way to the place where he was Fighting and taking him into the midst of them carried him off in safety He thus brought back to his Men so encouraged them with his presence He recovers and worsts the Romans that they obliged Pompey to quit his Camp and with it his Tents and Engines Had not the Night been so near few Romans had escaped but they under the shelter of it got away to places of safety In the mean while Metellus laid hard Siege to Calahorra but the victorious Sertorius drove him thence by main force with the Slaughter of 3000 of his Men and entring the Town Commended the Fidelity of the Inhabitants Here he was informed that Metellus and Pompey joyning their Forces lay before Osca or Huesca his University thither he hasted and Encamped at a small distance from them so carelesly that Metellus forced him to take shelter in the Besieged City in great Confusion leaving behind him many Armes and Horses and much Ammunition This frown of Fortune moved the Romans who had hitherto followed Sertorius to conspire against him Here by the way it is to be observed That doubtless there were two Osca's since we Read that before this time they Fought in Andaluzia near Osca and now again being in the Territories of Aragon Sertorius fled to Osca 4. Perpenna that Roman who had hitherto so faithfully served Sertorius now tempted by the promised rewards undertook to kill him Sertorius himself in some measure forwarded his Design by putting to death the Sons of many Spaniards who had revolted from him to the Romans which rendred him odious to the People and ministred an opportunity to Perpenna to compass his intended Treachery Sertorius understanding there was a Conspiracy against him Sertorius Murthered gave an account thereof to the Lusitanians who were his Guard and they immediately put to Death Ten of the Conspirators None seemed more to commend this Execution than Perpenna who as it were to divert Sertorius invited him to a Supper whither he suspecting nothing went and in the height of his Mirth was killed with 21 Wounds The first that struck him was a Roman called Antony There was no less mourning at his Death among the Lusitanians than had been for Viriatus and many killed themselves at his Funeral The Hind that had always followed Sertorius seeing him Dead smelling to him and heavily Groaning at length forbearing all Sustenance fell down Dead by his side The Lusitanians gathering his Ashes into an Urne returned to Evora where they were Honourably Entombed The Magistrates of Evora then the chief Government of Lusitania consulting how to secure the Common-wealth resolved not to alter any thing till they saw what was done by Perpenna with whom was the greatest part of Sertorius his Army tho' many had forsaken him seeing Pompey pressing upon them with a mighty Power 5. Perpenna failing of the promised Reward of his Treachery from Metellus 68. was not content to have Murdered his General unless he also usurped his Command Therefore calling together the Heads of the Army after inveighing
against the Cruelty and Perfidiousness of Sertorius he offered himself for their Leader Many of them before bribed by him easily consented and others seeing Pompey so near complied with necessity least they should want a Head in that time of Danger Pompey resolving the first thing he did to make an end of Perpenna Perpenna chosen General of the Lusitanians accordingly marched hastily towards him and he nothing Daunted advanced to meet him Both Armies being in sight of one another fell to Fortifying their Camps The Work ended they spent the time in Skirmishes before they would hazard a pitched Battle but Perpenna's Forces decreased much many by night Deserting which obliged him to offer the Enemy Battle before he was quite forsaken Tho' Pompey doubted not of the Victory yet to make it secure he laid an Ambush and retiring drew Perpenna into the Danger of it Thus when he thought himself Victorious he was fallen into the Snare and immediately put to the Rout he himself fled and was as much afraid of his own Men He is vaâ—quâ—shed by Pompey and put to Death as of the Enemy The Romans followed the Chace without giving any Quarter certain Horsemen carried on with this heat found Perpenna among the Shrubs and Bryars He falling down begged his Life assuring them He would make great Discoveries of principal Men in Rome who kept Correspondence with Sertorius which he could prove under their hands The Captain of those Horse acquainted Pompey therewith who ordered his Head to be immediately struck off and those Papers to be brought to him The being accordingly performed Men of Note whom their Conscience accused were in a great Consternation in Pompey's Army for that they had secretly favoured Sertorius But he fearing the ill consequence of such a Discovery publickly Burnt all those Papers and so quieted their Apprehensions 6. Afranius a most Valiant Captain by Pompey's Order entred Lusitania but finding the Camponeses were fled to the Mountains and left all the plain Country Desart he suspected rather Policy than Fear had carried them Pompey subduâ—s many places wherefore he returned to inform Pompey and both of them came before the City Caucia which offered to embrace the Friendship of the Romans but refused to admit a Garrison Pompey requested that whilst they could agree upon Articles his sick Men might be admitted into the City which being granted he sent in a Number of his best Soldiers privately Armed who being let in possessed themselves of the Walls and so the Town was obliged to receive a Garrison and pay a Sum of Money With such like Arts Pompey gained admittance into many Towns of Lusitania Both Pompey and Afranius laid Siege to Oxama now Osma where no fair means prevailing the place was furiously Battered then Undermined and a sufficient Breach being made it was pertinaciously defended as long as any of the Inhabitants were left alive They all died to the last Man and Pompey having none left to kill vented his passion upon the Buildings leaving the place in a confused heap of Rubbish then the Army marched to Calahorra but whilst they lay before it Metellus sent to Advise Pompey it concerned him more to return to Rome than linger the time there He leaving Afranius to continue the Siege in his way laid the Foundation of Pamplona in Navar and so went away to Rome where it was allowed him to Triumph as he had well deserved Afranius left at Calahorra tho' he suffered much by the Weather it being then Winter and also for want of Provisions yet he reduced the Besieged to that extremity that having eaten all the Leather and Hides in the City they killed and eat their Wives and Children Nevertheless Afranius broke in upon them and found many Inhabitants looking rather like Ghosts than Men and many quarters of Women and Children hanging up for Food 7. The Roman Senate thought the Victories of Pompey and Metellus 67. had sufficiently secured Spain therefore they sent thether Publius Piso Pretor a Man more addicted to Peace than War He found all things quiet but after a while understanding that Warlike preparations were making in several parts of Spain he sent his Questor Lucius Flaccus to visit and put all Garrisons into a posture of Defence in the mean while he gathered an Army of Romans and Andaluzians and taking the Field in several places Defeated the Spaniards but Authors do not mention the particulars â—000 Lusitanians slain by Pub. Piso Certain it is he vanquished a Body of Lusitanians that had been plundering the Country and killed 5000 of them His success was doubtless more considerable since it appears he triumphed at Rome 63. Cneus Piso succeeded Publius he by his ill Government lost the Affections not only of the Natives but of the Romans and marching into Lusitania had his Legate cut off by some Light Horse of the Country none of his Army stirring to rescue him The next Pretor was Quintus Calidius who defeated several Parties of Lusitanians 61. that Plundered the Country after him came Tubero who brought with him as his Questor Julius Caesar to whom his future Fortune was foretold at Cadiz For visiting the Temple of Hercules and falling asleep in it he Dreamed that he lay with his Mother This the South-sayers interpreted to Denote his becoming Sovereign of Rome his Mother-Country which he should deprive of its Antient Liberty There also seeing the Picture of Alexander the Great he wept considering that mighty King had subdued so considerable a part of the World at that Age which he then was of and had yet done nothing worthy of Fame 60. These considerations made him quit his Employment and return to Rome to aim at greater A great Earthquake About this time hapned on the Coast of Galicia and Portugal so terrible an Earthquake that many Buildings being overthrown the People fled to the Mountains for Safety The Sea also broke in and drowned several places At Cape St. Vincent a Mare brought forth a Monster with the Head Breast and Fore-feet of a Bull the Body of a Horse and the Hind-feet like a Man's This Monster was thought to foreshew the Calamities that afterwards befell Lusitania 8. Some Years passed that the Romans sent no Commander of Note into Spain which the Lusitanians observing they broke into Castile with a great Power putting all the Country to Fire and Sword The chief among these People were the Herminii inhabiting the deep Valley and high tops of the Mountain Herminius now called Serra de Estrella which crosseth the greatest part of the Kindom of Portugal Julius Caesar comes into Lusitania The next great Man that came was Julius Caesar he to spread a Terror spared none of the Lusitanians that ranged in Castile and Andaluzia but put all to the Sword which made those that escaped home give the Alarm to prepare the People for the Storm that threatned them Caesar over-running all the Province of
Alenteio with his Victorious Army used the utmost severity the Andaluzians that followed him revenging the wrongs before done to them by the Lusitanians only the inhabitants of the Mountain Herminius perplexed Caesar Tho' this Mountain as was said runs almost through the Kingdom the chief habitation of those People was about the place where now stands Haramenha which is near Portalegre and Marvan The place of it self was inaccessible and the People resolute therefore Caesar sent Ambassadors to perswade them to come down and inhabit the plain they kept these Ambassadors till they had shown them their Weapons the strength of the Place and number of the Defendants and then dismissed them with assurance that they would trust only to their Weapons and Courage Caesar disdaining to be Braved by those Mountaineers to appease the other Lusitanians much offended for that his Soldiers had plundered the Temple of the God Endovelicus caused all that had been taken thence to be restored 9. This done he marched against the Herminii who were in a readiness to receive him and found the place much more difficult than it had been represented to him He subdues the Herminii Understanding that the Herminii had placed their Wives Children and weak People in a remote place of safety he with great Gifts perswaded certain Lusitanians Enemies to the Herminii to lead a number of Men thro' a private path to that place Whilst they upon Hands and feet climbed the rough Rocks he drew out his Army and began to ascend so as to divert the Defendants from minding those that were sent about An advanced party was so hotly received by the Mountaineers that they were forced to quit the attempt and fly disorderly back to the Camp Caesar never offering to relieve them for fear of running more Men into the Danger The Mountaineers proud of this success braved the Romans but Caesar trusting to those he had sent about regarded them not The third Night after they set forward the Party that was sent to climb the Hill fell in upon the Old Men Women and Children putting many to the Sword But day appearing and discovering how few had done that harm the Women fell upon them and their Husbands taking the Alarm quitted the Pass they defended to protect their Wives and Children Caesar seeing the Pass clear mounted the Hill till he came to a plain on the side of it whilst the Herminii put all those Romans that had climbed the other side to the Sword When they thought to return to the place they had quitted they found Caesar possessed of it wherewith they were so terrified that tho' they were above him and might well have defended themselves they sued for Peace thereupon he commanded them to go down and inhabit the Plain keeping 200 of their Women as Hostages 10. The Fame of this unexpected Conquest made many of the Neighbouring People resolve to quit their Dwellings And routs a vast Multitude and passing the River Duero seek out new places to inhabit if not more fruitful than their own at least more remote from the Enemy This they did in such numbers that the Province was almost unpeopled they marched in great Order fearing the pursuit of the victorious Army which soon oâ—ertook them at such time as they had passed over the River most of their Old Men Women Children and Baggage on Planks Skins blown full of Wind Mares and Oxen. Caesar gave them not leasure to follow their Families but falling upon them was so hotly received that his Army began to give way till a Veteran Legion coming up the Battle a long time stood doubtful Caesar who could not be satisfied to part upon equal Terms broke himself into the midst of his Enemies with such Resolution that his Forces following the Example given soon made him Master of an absolute Victory CHAP. VIII The remaining Actions of Julius Caesar the Coming and Attempts of Cneus and Sextus the Sons of Pompey the Great and other Occurrences from the Year 57. before the Birth of Christ till the Year 27. 1. CAesar concluded his late Victory had wholly put an end to the Toiles of War in that Province 57. when he was given to understand that the Herminii or Mountaineers revolted again had put to the Sword the Romans that Quartered about them and stirring up their Neighbours to do the like were now assembled in an infinite Number The remaining Actions of Caesar in Spain He instantly marched towards them and escaped all their Ambushes being forewarned of them The Lusitanians divided themselves into two Bodies each numerous enough to maintain a long and dangerous War against a greater Power than that of the Enemy The lesser of those Armies was sent towards the Ocean with all the Women and Children as their Guard The Roman and Lusitanian Armies meeting stood a while looking upon one another till Caesar who never knew what fear was gave the Signal of Battle and both sides gave the Charge with extraordinary Fury Caesar tho' hard pressed a while remained Master of the Field but by reason of the approaching Night could not do so much Execution as might otherwise have been The Lusitanians knowing all the Passes of the Country made their way and soon joyned those that marched towards the Ocean Thus the 4th Day they discovered a Peninsula now called Peniche into which they all passed so that when Caesar came there was none behind on the shoar The distance between the Island and the shoar is at present above 500 Paces which at low Water can be forded Caesar waiting the Ebb sent an Officer with a choice party to gain a Post from those in the Island who bravely defended themselves The Tide returning the Romans fought up to the middle in Water and Caesar stood on the Shoar calling upon them When they would have returned the Water was so high that they were forced to land in the Island where they were all cut off to one Soldier who tho' Wounded swam over to the other side A Spanish Author calls him Sceva but Dio names him Publius Scevius It was hard to gain the Island without bringing Ships from Cadiz but hunger began to prick the Multitude who had made no Provision when they retired into that place This and the sight of the Ships made them deliver themselves to Caesar barely upon Discretion He not only forbid any Wrong to be done them in their Persons or Goods but supplied them with all they wanted and so dismissed them wholly devoted to him for this unexpected Clemency At this time was found that wonderful Horse which having his Feet like a Man would afterwards suffer no body but Caesar to mount him and when he died Caesar caused him to be Buried as if it had been a Man and his Statue in Brass to be set before the Temple of Venus 2. Caesar having thus with Courtesy as well as Force subdued Lusitania departed to Rome to make interest for the Consulship 56.
from being plunder'd and burnt as all others they came at were But a violent Pestilence raging among the Galicians so wasted them that they were obliged to return home carrying the Contagion with them so that the Harm they did at home was greater than the Profit of their Expedition 9. The Bracarenses delivered from the Fear of two terrible Enemies the Plague and the Galicians resolved to be revenged on the People of Porto War betwixt the People of Bâ—aga and Porto for having joined with those of Galicia only for their own Preservation War being declared the Aggressors had the better till in one Battel those of Porto took some Prisoners on whom they exercised their Cruelty Many of them they tied to Stakes upon their Walls and in the sight of their Enemies shot them for Sport Moved at this Sight the Bracarenses sent certain Troops to take Revenge on them but they being either killed or taken Prisoners served only to revive their Sorrow Among these were a Son and a Father-in-Law whose Death so troubled the Wife of the one and Daughter of the other that associating her self with some desperate Women and a good Number of Soldiers she in the Night laid an Ambush not far from the City and scaling the Walls silently stole thence the two Bodies But being discovered by the Sentinels she was pursued by the Towns-men whom she led to the Place of the Ambush where most of them were killed or made Prisoners The Prisoners she carried in Triumph to Braga and there on the Walls made them suffer the same Death which their Country-men had inflicted on her Friends This done she honourably buried her Father and Husband and then killed her self Now the Citizens of Porto finding themselves hard beset by the Bracarenses prayed Aid of Norbanus Calvius Legate to Augustus in Lusitania with whose Assistance they twice overthrew their Enemies Many Cities seeing that of Porto victorious sent to congratulate and curry Favour with them One of the Cities that followed this Counsel was Cinania lying nearer to Braga than Porto but they had afterwards Occasion enough to repent CHAP. IX The total Conquest of all Spain by Augustus Caesar With all other Occurrences from the Year 27 before the Birth of Christ till his Blessed Nativity 1. MOre were the Bracarenses grieved to see their Neighbours slighted them than at the Loss they had sustained and therefore gathering again their Forces they marched towards Porto An Hundred and fifteen Women and 200 Men made up a Party of Light-Horse which leaving the rest of their Army in Ambush went to draw the Enemy out Norbanus Calvius marched out with all his Force that Body of Horse before-mentioned sometimes flying and sometimes fighting till they drew the Romans to the Place of Ambush where a mighty Slaughter was made of the Romans and the People of Porte Norbanus was killed by a Woman who returâ—ed to Braga with his Head and Right Hand as did several others with those of several Men of Note The Bracarenses used their Victory with Insolency The People of Braga subdue Porto oppressing the City of Porto in the heavy Conditions of Peace they prescribed to them Being delivered of that Enemy they bent their Force against Cinania in Revenge for their having joined with those of Porto and laid Siege to the City The Besieged were not unprovided nor did they want Resolution so that many brave Attempts were made on both sides At length Hunger beginning to pinch the Besieged and the Besiegers being sensible thereof the Case grew desperate When the Cinanians had devoured all that was to be found in the City rather than submit themselves to the Cruelty oâ— their Enemies they set open their Gates and rushing out like hungry Lions failed but little of obtaining the Victory but at length oppressed with the Multitude they were all put to the Sword without Distinction oâ— Sex or Age. Nor was this all for the Victors executed their Rage upon the very Stones overthrowing the Walls and rasing all the Buildings to the Ground 2. Octavius Caesar having now brought all the Roman Empire under his Subjection found that only three Nations in Spain opposed his Authority and those were the Biscainers Galicians and Lusitanians who inhabited between the Rivers Duero and Minho Augustus Caesar comes into Spain To the subduing of these he came in Person with a mighty Power but being taken in Biscay with a violent Hypochondriack Distemper he left there two Legates to continue the War and went away to take the delightful Air of Andaluzia where he gave himself up to the Care of his Physician Anthony Musa who effecting a great Cure upon him was magnificently rewarded Whilst he was under Cure his Legates overthrew the Biscainers betrayed to them by the Tragicini Such as escaped fled to Lancia a City near Oviedo in Asturias where they made some Opposition but at last were forced to submit Thence the Victors advanced bearing down all before them quite through Galicia We have no particular Account how the People between the Rivers Ducro and Minho were subdued whether they submitted terrified with the Example of the others or else were included in the Conquest of Galicia 3. Augustus Emerita Augusta now Merida founded by Augustus thus become Lord of the World to reward his old Soldiers who had served him so many Years he assigned them Lands and founded a City which he called Emerita Augusta now Merida which he made the Metropolis of Lusitania and gave it mighty Privileges Some will not have Augustus to be the Founder but rather Repairer of Merida In Gratitude for this his Bounty they raised Temples to him and dedicated Priests to his Service All the Cities in Spain followed their Example That of Porto used all manner of Flattery to oblige him to their Assistance in order to cut off the heavy Yoke imposed upon them by their Enemies the Bracarenses Their Ambassadors were favourably heard and brought back an Answer such as they could have wished that Caius Antistius and Marcus Agrippa were upon their March to their Assistance This so encouraged the Inhabitants of Porto that before the Roman Forces could join them they not only ravaged the open Country but entred the City of Braga with great Slaughter those Citizens suspecting no such thing Yet laying hold of their Weapons they pursued them to the very Walls of Porto Scarce had they encamped about the City when they perceived the Romans upon them so numerous that they were forced to fly with all speed and take the Shelter of their own Walls providing for a dangerous Siege Before the Romans could take their Posts about the City the Bracarenses sallied out and much Harm was done on both sides Among the Prisoners taken by the Romans was a young Maid who had acted like a Virago She was taken by a Trooper and the Roman General by her Beauty who would have set her at liberty promising to pay her Ransom The Trooper
flight of his Daughter Ximena The third was Sancha Daughter to the King of Navarre by these two he had no Children 923. The last Action of his life darkn'd all the Glory of his former Triumphs He sent for four Counts who governed Castile upon safe Conduct to Carrion and there cut off their Heads Which so incensed the People of Castile that they only wanted an Opportunity to rebell and take Revenge But Death prevented their Designs 924. taking him away at Zamora His Body was buried in the great Church of Leon which City he had so entirely loved that he took its Name for the Title of his Kingdom leaving that of King of Oviedo and Galicia CHAP. VIII The Succession of the Kings of Castile and Leon from the Year 924 till 985 With the Revolt of Count Fernan Gonzalez And the Desolation made in Portugal by Alcoraxis and Almanzor the Moors 1. D. Fruela II. was Successor to his Brother Ordonno Fruela II. usurps the Crown usurping the Crown from his Children who were then very young He was nothing like to his Brother in Valour for he ceased the Prosecution of the War against the Infidels but was not unlike to him in the last Action of his Life for as Ordonno unjustly put to death the fore-mentioned Counts so Fruela wrongfully executed certain Gentlemen called Olmudes He became so odious to the Castilians that the Nobility Castile separates from Leon. and creates a Government under Judges joining together rebelled and separated themselves from the Crown of Leon. To this purpose they chose two Judges to rule them The two first were Nunno Rasura and Lain Calvo They were of the Middle Sort of People neither of the Greatest nor Meanest that so they might neither be too powerful nor become contemptible Yet from them are the Kings of Spain descended At the same time that this Government was instituted in Castile we find Counts governing in some Parts of Portugal as D. Gutierre Arias at Porto and Hufo Hufez at Viseo A Leprosie consumed King Fruela so fast 925. that he died at Leon having reigned scarce a Year and was buried in the Cathedral He had two Wives D. Munia and D. Vrraca By them he had Issue Ordonno Alonso and Ramiro King Ramiro II. put out all their Eyes and thrust them into the Monastery of St. Julian either upon Suspicion or Proof that they conspired against him He had also a fourth Son called Fruela 2. Alonso IV Alonso IV. resigns the Government to his Brother Ramiro Eldest Son of King Ordonno II after the Death of Fruela recovered his Right and Kingdom He was not wicked as his Predecessor but as unprofitable to his Kingdom as he His best Quality was That he was sensible of his own Insufficiency and therefore first sent his Brother Ramiro to govern Portugal and afterwards resigned the Kingdom to him and became himself a Monk Ramiro had chosen the City Viseo for his Residence in Portugal whence he made Inroads into the Frontiers of the Moors and by his gentle Government gained the Affections of the People Here he received Letters from the King his Brother calling him to Court in order to resign the Crown to him for that his Son Prince Ordonno was but an Infant D. Ramiro fearing his Brother's Inconstancy hasted to Zamora that he might not have Time to repent The King immediately put the Crown upon his Head and was the first that did him Homage as his Subject Which done he took the Habit of a Benedictine Monk in the Monastery of Sahagun and is therefore called Alonso the Monk He was married to Ximena the Daughter of King Sancho Abarca of Navarre and had by her Ordonno who came to be King and D. Alonso who died young He died in the Monastery of St. Julian and lies there buried But we shall see him repent and disturb his Brother's Reign 3. King Alonso being become a Monk 928. and repenting Alonso repents and raises a Civil War his Brother Ramiro now possessed of the Crown resolved not to part with it and thus began a Civil War which was the Cause of much Mischief The Moors making their Advantage thereof recovered the Cities of Lamâ—go Braganza and Porto with all the Country lying between the Rivers Tagus and Duero The Castilians also made use of this Opportunity their Judges Nunno and Lain being dead to raise up in their stead the Count Ferran Gonzalez King Ramiro politickly winking at this Affront 932. which he could not revenge upon the Authors invaded the Kingdom of Toledo destroying all before him with Fire and Sword King Alonso the Monk held out two Years in Leon against his Brother Ramiro But then despairing of Success he stirred up Alonso Ordonno and Ramiro the Sons of his Predecessor Fruela to raise a Rebellion in Asturias and Biscay believing that would draw away the King his Brother from attending upon him Nevertheless the King continued the Siege obliged him to surrender and afterwards put him into Prison This done he found Means to apprehend the three Brothers and to prevent future Designs put out theirs and his Brother the Monk's Eyes Two Years Alonso lived blind But the King repenting of this Cruelty used towards his Brother to testifie his Repentance built the Monastery of St. Julian 4. Two Months are said to have passed in the Year 934 934. in which Time the Light of the Sun was scarce seen Prodigies in the Sky at the End whereof a Breach or Yawning appeared in the Sky along which great Flames of Fire were seen to run and the Stars seemed to wander in the Region of the Air. Many Judgments were made upon these Prodigies but most agreed they portended the End of the World to be at hand At last the Sun shined out and whilst the Christians appeased God with Prayers the Moors consulted their Wizards Alfarani of Meca affirmed to King Abderramen that this Prodigy threaten'd the Downfall of Christian Princes if he would take in hand to pull them down Diviners fore-tell what they know is pleasing to Princes and Princes believe that which pleases them Abderramen declares War and makes mighty Preparations for it drawing great Succours out of Africk under the Command of Almanzor With an Army almost innumerable he broke into Portugal bearing down all before him and putting the Christians to most cruel Deaths King Ramiro having gathered the greatest Power he could set forward to meet the Enemy whose Multitude obliged him to retire to the Mountains of Clavijo Ramiro destroys a great Army of Infidels Here the Apostle St. James is said to have appeared to him promising he should obtain a wonderful Victory in that Place In the Fight the Apostle was seen on Horseback making great Slaughter among the 〈◊〉 This Victory some will have to be the Cause of his being taken for Patron of Spain though others say it was that in the Time of King Alonso I. as was
untouched Montemayor the Old Viseo Lamego Porto and Braga were rased down to the Ground The Barbarian entring Galicia Almanzor again makes great spoil made a Font in the Church of St. James the Apostle serve for a Manger and sent away the Gates and the Bells of the Church upon the shoulders of Christians to Cordova but presuming to prophane the Sepulcher of the Apostle he was drove back by flames which issued out of it Almanzor returning through Protugal heavy with Plunder was overtaken with vengeance from Heaven for profaning the Church of the Apostle A mortal Flux destroying great part of his Army the rest marched leasurely in several Bodies King Bermudo sent some light Troops who made such havock among them that not the 20th part of that great Army returned to Cordova all the Country the way they went being covered with dead Carcasses Count Fruela Vermuiz who as has been said overcame Count Gonzalo that Poisoned King Sancho fell upon Almanzor himself who led the choice of the Army and put him to flight with great Slaughter of his People King Bermudo at length awaking out of his dead Sleep joyned his Forces with the King of Navarre and Count Garci Fernandez They expected the coming of the Enemy near Aleantaroz 999. four Leagues from Osma here they fought from Morning till Night and then at length victory inclined to the Christians who slew of their Enemies 70000 Foot and 40000 Horse Almanzor flying towards Toledo died of Grief near Berlanga soon after his Son Abdel Melich to revenge him invaded the Christian Territories but being met by Count Garci Fernandez was defeated and fled back to Cordova King Bermudo had two Wives the first called Velasquita by whom he had no issue the second Elvira her Children were Alonso Successor to his Father Teresa married to Abdala King of Toledo and afterwards a Nun and Sancha a Nun also The King gave great Scandal by keeping two Sisters at the same time publickly as his Mistreses one of them was Mother to Elvira the other to Ordonno By Velasquita a Peasant the King had a Daughter called Christina he died in the Year 999. at Villabuena in Galicia very penitent for his sins There he lay Buried till his Son King Alonso translated him to Leon where he lies with his Wife in the Church of St. Isidorus 3. Let us look a little back to see the coming of the first Strangers The Gascons come into Portugal and assist the Christians that assisted the Natives of Portugal in expelling the Moores These were the Gascons who came in a mighty Fleet and were Commanded by D. Moninno Viegas There is a great dispute among Authors whether this D. Moninno was a Gascon or a Portuguese and whether he came with those People or only headed them after their coming he being by some supposed to be then a great Man in Portugal All that is said on either part being rather Suppositions than Proofs we will pass by this Dispute leaving it free to every one to believe as he shall be inclined This Fleet cast Anchor in the River Duero on the one side whereof was the Castle of Gaya Demolished by King Ramiro II. when he killed Alboazar and on the other the City Porto destroyed long before by the Moores Here they landed and their first care was to repair the City then only a heap of Rubbish in the highest part of it they built a Castle supposed to be the same that is now the Bishop's Pallace The compass of the Walls was but small and they weak for our times but then considerable some part of them is still to be seen in the midst of the City which being increased has hemmed them in Two of these Ancient Gates are still standing the one called St. Ann's Gate the other our Blessed Ladies over which is an Image of the Blessed Virgin with our Saviour in her Arms which Image between two Towers is the Arms of that City Having Repaired and Fortified this place the Natives and Strangers began joyntly to conquer the Neighbouring Country Men remarkable among them were Sisenandns Brother to D. Moninno and D. Nonego of Vendosme The first that felt their fury were the Moors who possessed the Territories of Resende and Bienviver and all up the River Duero this done thinking their Conquest secure they chose Sisenandus Bishop of the City and yet he ceased not to appear in Arms till he died at Bienviver and was Buried in the Monastery of Villaboa D. Nonego of Vendosme also a Bishop carried on his Conquests on the other side and four Leagues from Porto in the Mountain built a Castle which he called Vendosme and so streightned the Moores that they were forced to abandon all that Neighbourhood The Castle is ruined by time but the name of Vendosme still continues in the Mountain In this exercise he continued till his Death and was Buried in the Monastery of Aviaos The conquered Lands were equally divided as well among the Auxiliary strangers as among the native Portuguese 4. King Alonso V. succeeded his Father Bermudo 999. he is the first of the Alonsos that appears without some Sirname King Alonso V. for the First was called the Catholick the Second the Chast the Third the Great the Fourth the Monk Not that this deserved less Titles for he might have been called the Brave for his Valour the Legislator for giving good Laws to his People the Restorer for repairing Leon and in fine the Desired as being one who left the greatest desire of himself and was most lamented by his People He was Six Years of Age when he began his Reign Under Tuition under the Tuition of Count Mendo Gonzalez and his Wife the Lady Mayor who had great possessions in Galicia and some in Portugal and Governed so well that the King's minority was no prejudice to his Kingdom The Christians in Portugal began to be so powerful that under the conduct of some notable Commanders they repaired many places before ruined and conquered others possessed by the Moores 1000. D. Alboazar Ramirez Son to King Ramiro II. by Zara or Artida Many places recovered from the Moors whom he stole from the Lord of Gaya as was said before wiâ—h many Gentlemen and Forces maintained at his own Charge entred Portugal and drove the Moores out of all the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho He took St. Roman Gastro de Avioso and Castro de Gondomar Beyond the River Duero he forced them to retire as far as St. Martin de Moras and Lamego making room for the Christians to dilate themselves The lands of Arouca and that Neighbourhood were again Peopled the Year following he overthrew the Moores in many places 1001 took the City Braganza and other considerable Towns in those Mountains and so extended the Christian Dominions that he deserves to be accounted one of the principal Restorers of Portugal His two Sons D. Trastamiro and D. Hermigio or
any Age. The greatest Fury was King Sancho overthrows his Brother Garcia and takes him Prisoner when the Portuguese strove to gain the Standard of the Castilians King Sancho came thither in Person to defend it and being unhorsed by D. Egas Gomez de Sousa was taken Prisoner by D. Roderick Frojaz who delivered him up to King Garcia No sooner had he delivered his Prisoner but he fell down dead of the Wounds he had before received King Garcia put his Brother into the Custody of certain Gentlemen whilst he pursued the flying Enemy But King Sancho making his Escape from them made his Way to join Roderick Diaz de Bivar called Cid who was then coming up with fresh Troops that had not been engaged These charging the Portuguese before tired and now dispersed in the Pursuit changed the Fortune of the Day However the Fight thus renewed lasted till Night D. Peter and D. Vermui Brothers to D. Roderick Frojas were killed and King Garcia was taken by his Brother who not long before had been his Prisoner and who now knew better how to secure him than he had been kept himself Thus the Castilians recovered the Day and the Portuguese before victorious were put to the Rout. King Garcia continued in Prison 10 Years when he was released by Death There are Authors who write that King Sancho enlarged his Brother Garcia contenting himself that he should be Tributary to him and that D. Alonso Brother to both returned him to Prison in the Castle of Luna where he died with Irons on his Legs With those very Fetters at his own Request he was buried in the Church of St. Isidorus at Leon. 7. King Sancho having obtained the Victory over his Brother Garcia all the Kingdom of Portugal and Galicia submitted to him This Kingdom being subdued he turned his victorious Arms against King Alonso of Leon Sancho after subduing Portugal â—onquers Leon and becomes sole Monarch who well deserved it for consenting to the Destruction of his Brother The War continued bloody for some time with various Success till at length King Alonso overthrown was taken Prisoner To deliver himself from that Misery he retired to Sahagun pretending to become a Religious Man Soon after finding a fit Opportunity 1072. by the Advice of Count Peter Anzures King Alonso of Leon flies to the Protection of the Moors he fled to Toledo where the Moorish King Alimaimon entertained him with Royal Magnificence Nothing now remained to disturb King Sancho's ambitious Thoughts but his Sister Vrraca's possessing Zamora He laid Siege to that City and had now reduced it to Extremity but here in this last Act God permitted the Curses of his Father to reach him for in the Height of his Confidence a Traytor called Vellido Dolphes coming out of the City upon pretence of revealing some Secret to him took his Opportunity to strike him through the Body with a Spear whereof he fell down dead King Sancho reigned six Years and was murder'd in 1073. 1073. He was called The Brave and was married to the Lady Blanch Daughter to his Uncle Garcia Sanchez King of Navarre or according to others to Alberta of France His Body lies in the Church of our Blessed Saviour at Onna 8. King Alonso being generously protected by the Moor Alimaimon King of Toledo lived in hopes of better Fortune when Advice was brought him from Zamora by Order of his Sister Vrraca of the Death of his Brother Alonso after his Brother's Death returne and is received by the People aâ— their King King Sancho He immediately came to take Possession of his Kingdoms and was received with general Applause Only Roderick Diaz de Bivar called Cid would not take the Oath of Allegiance to him till he swore he had no Hand in the Death of King Sancho It is strange amidst the universal Satisfaction the King should have need of one Man But he resented this Affront so heinously that he afterwards banished him in which Exile Roderick gained much Honour King Alonso the 6th of that Name being settled in quiet Possession of his Kingdoms approved himself worthy of greater Dominions being one of the most victorious Princes of Spain and that farthest extended his Conquests He seemed rather to have fled to Toledo as a Spy than for Protection for he took that City from the Infidels and valued himself so much upon it that from thenceforwards he stiled himself Emperor 1085. and was the Honour of the Spanish Monarchy 9. King Alonso had six Wives Alonso's Wâ—ves and Issue The First was Agnes her Parentage unknown and she left no Issue The Second was Constance Daughter to Duke Robert II. of Burgundy She had a Daughter called Vrraca afterwards married to Count Raymund of Burgundy and her Portion was the Kinâ—â—â—om of Galicia Her Husband came to Spain with her Mother and they had Issue Sancha and Alonso the Emperor King Alonso's Third Wife was Berta Daughter to Philip I King of France By her he had the Ladies Sancha and Elvira the First married to Count Roderick Gonzalez Giron the Latter to Roger I King of Naples and Sicily The Fourth Wife was Elizabeth Daughter to the Emperor The Fifth Beatrix a French Lady Neither of them had any Children The Sixth was Zaida her Christian-Name Elizabeth Daughter of Almucamuz Aben Hamet King of Sevil She bore him a Son called Sancho killed at Twelve Years of Age in the Battel of Velez in the Year 1100. The King in his Youth had to do with the Lady Ximena Nunez de Gusman Daughter to King Garcia VI of Navarre By her he had three Daughters The First Elvira married to Count Raymund of Toulouse her Portion was a great Summ of Money with which he returned to France The Second Daughter was Teresa Wife to Count Henry the Progenitor of the Kings of Portugal Grandson to Robert I. Duke of Burgundy being the Fourth Son to Henry Eldest Son to the Duke Of the Third Daughter we have no Account unless it was one that was married to Ferdinand Mendez the Elder Son to Mâ—m Alao Lord of Braganza Some Authors would make the Lady Ximena to be lawful Wife to King Alonso but there are undeniable Proofs to the contrary in old Records specifying the Time when each Wife was married to the King wherein none is left for this Lady who doubtless was no other than a Mistress 10. Count Henry Count Henry marries the Bastard Daughter of King Alonso after he had married the Bastard-Daughter of King Alonso served the King in his Wars and was some Times sent Governor into Portugal as were several others from the Year 1072 till 1098. For tho' the Count was married in the Year 1072 the Kingdom of Portugal was not absolutely assigned over to him till after the Birth of his Son Alonso which was in the Year 1094 And we find that from the Year 1099 the Count continued settled in Portugal as absolute Lord and Proprietor thereof whereas
made by the Almoravides It is likely that Henry came with the Command of these Troops and having gained esteem had the Government of the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho committed to him other great Men governing the others at the same time After the death of King Ferdinand who divided his Kingdoms among his three Sons Sancho King of Castile having taken Portugal from his Brother Garcia and Leon from Alonso his other Brother obliged him to fly for safety to the Moors 1071. Henry accompanied him in all misfortunes till Sancho being killed Alonso was not only restored to his own but seated in the Thrones of Castile and Portugal 1073. King Alonso considering that he who follows a Prince Gains the Affection of King Alonso deposed in his misfortunes does something more than Man concluded that Henry was a prodigy among mortals and therefore from that time resolved to suit his reward to his Fidelity 4. Beatrix the second Wife of King Alonso dying 1076. a match was agreed for him with the Lady Constance Alonso marries his Aunt Aunt to Earl Henry and he was sent to France to conduct her into Spain With him went Raymund Earl of Toulouse and with them both came Raymund Earl of Burgundy which is the reason some Authors write they came all together whereas the other two had been long before in Spain Thus Henry became great at Court the King being his Friend and the Queen his Aunt which his power he used with such moderation that he was beloved by all Men. 1081. He accompanied King Alonso at the memorable Seige and taking of Toledo as also at the Battle of Sagulias near Badajoz 1087. where the King was overthrown 1090. To reward all these Services the King at last gave him to Wife his Bastard Daughter Teresa He takes to Wife Teresa Bastard Daughter to Alonso and has in Dower the City Porto and its Territory whom he had by the Lady Ximena Nunnez de Gusman Her Dower was the City Porto with its Territory then the best part of what was gained in Portugal giving him leave to retire thither and live with his Wife His Age was the cause that he died leaving Teresa young to marry a second Husband which much disturbed the publick Peace Soon after the Christian Princes joining in League to conquer the Holy Land Earl Henry was chosen General of the Forces sent by King Alonso in which employ he gained great Honour He returned from this Expedition to Toledo where the Court of Castile was then kept in the Year 1099. King Alonso at this time being of a great Age sent his Son Prince Sancho being but Twelve Years of Age under the direction of D. Garcia Count of Cabra with an Army to oppose Almanzor the Moor. With them went many Persons of Quality among which the chief was Earl Henry they came to a Battle in the Plains of Veles where the Prince was unhorsed and killed 1100. though Henry and Garcia exposed themselves to save him Overthrows the Infidels and takes Almanzor prisoner Earl Henry meditating Revenge met Almanzor again in the Field whom he dismounted and took Prisoner delivering him to James Ordonnez for to carry him to the King this done Henry broke through the Infidels putting them to flight with a mighty slaughter 5. As it is doubtful whether Henry went to Hierusalem with the other Christian Princes so is it also whether he was present at the taking of Lisbon Santarem Sintra and other strong places by King Alonso but that he was at these latter Expeditions as most properly appertaining to him is most likely For his good services he receives other Territories of King Alonso But his great Age requiring some rest the King at last gave him leave to retire to Portugal giving to him for himself and his Heirs all that was conquered there which was the Cities Coimbra and Viseo and the three Provinces that betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho Beira and Tras os Montes with that part of Galicia as far as the Castle Lobeira and leave to conquer as far as Algarve Earl Henry settled his residence at Guimaraens taking the Title of Earl of Portugal The Portuguese encouraged by the presence of a Prince of their own did much upon the borders of the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho till then not entirely subdued but we have no particular account of their Actions Hecha Martin King of Lamego being a tributary to Henry rebelled and drawing together a powerful Army did much hurt in the Christian Territories The Earl with Egas Moniz a Gentleman then famous and afterward Tutor to King Alonso marched to recover the Booty he had taken and overtook him in a Valley near the Monastery of Arouca The Moor for greater security in case of any misfortune placed his Wife Queen Axa Anzures and all the Prey on the top of a Mountain he thought unaccessible called Sierra Seca The Christian Army encamped along the River Alarda and Egas Moniz seeing the Enemy advantagiously posted undertook with a good party by Night to go about the Mountains and at break of Day to be ready to fall upon them on the top Another overthrow given by him to the to the Moors whilst the Christian Army charged the Enemy below This was accordingly put in Execution and after a bloody Fight the Queen was taken above and the King below they becoming Christians the Earl bestowed the City Lamego upon them they paying tribute for the same 6. The Moores rebelling against their King for changing his Religion 1103. he fled to Guimaraens to crave aid of Earl Henry A Moorish King restored by him who by force took the City Lamego and restored him He fearing in the Earl's absence his Subjects would again revolt desired of him to leave some Portuguese Gentlemen to secure those Lands which was accordingly done and the Country People with Inhabitants brought from the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho He performs other great Actions This year some Writers will have it that Earl Henry went to the Holy Land with Guy of Lusignan and other Princes all the likelihood there is thereof is That we have no account of him in Portugal from the Year 1103. till the Year 1109. King Ali Haben Joseph with a numerous Army laid Siege to Coimbra which he furiously battered during a Month. Earl Henry marched to their relief and coming to a Battle overthrew the Infidels with a great Slaughter Cintra and other places revolted and were overcome but rising again they could not easily be subdued Whilst our Earl was diverted in the Wars of Galicia and Leon where he took some Towns Cyrus King of the Arabs taking the opportunity laid Siege to Santarem whither our Forces hasting to relieve the place were by him overthrown and so the Town being distressed Surrendred The Earl took several places in Leon so that King
deliverance and breaks his Faith and having provoked the King of Castile by the late overthrow given him to revenge the Affront that King marched with a Powerful Army and besieged Prince Alonso in the Town of Guimaraens There being no hope of relief nor possibility of holding out Egas Muniz was sent out by the Prince to treat of some accommodation with the King which Business he managed so Dexterously that the King upon Promise and Articles that Prince Alonso should hold that Country of him and do him homage for the same in a certain time prefixed raised his Siege and departed Prince Alonso delivered of that danger thought of nothing less than performing the Articles agreed upon Porteguese Authors will have it that Egas Muniz who managed this Treaty because it was not performed presented himself to the King of Castile with a Halter about his Neck for him to punish that breach of Faith and was pardoned by the King But this is as Romantick as what our Authors writes that the whole treaty was concluded without the privity of Prince Alonso as if the King could be so infatuated to treat with a private Man stolen out of a Town where his Prince was closely Besieged without seeing his Commission or to conclude Articles and depart upon his bare word without the Ratification of the principal Points These Chimerical Notions are better passed by than to interrupt the course of History with them however I would not wholly omit this wild imagination of the Author 4. Albucazan King of Badajoz did great harm in the Province of Beira 1131. and took the Town of Trancoso before Prince Alonso could come to relieve it War with the Moors However our Prince soon retook it and repulsed the Moor who came to have hindred him from fortifying of it In his return from this place Alonso was worsted by the Moors but recovering himself near the Town of Guimaraens he overthrew a great multitude of them and so entred that Town victorious 1135. where he hunged up the Colours taken in the Church Thâ—n with Castile The War broke out again betwixt Castile and Portugal in the Reign of Alonso VII of Castile called the Emperor and much harm was done on both sides though with no great advantage to either 1136. At last our Prince broke into Galicia where King Alonso meeting him was in Battle overthrown and the Earl D. Roderick Vela made Prisoner After this our Alonso valiantly defended Coimbra besieged by the Moor Eujuni so powerful a Prince that he is said to have covered all the plains about the City with an Army of 300000 fighting Men But a violent Plague raging among his Troops forced him to break up and depart much weaker than he came Our Prince thus delivered entred the Territory of Leyria which place tho' strong he took by Escalade putting most of the Defendants to the Sword This being the first of his notable Conquests he offered it up to God delivering it to Theotonius Prior of the Monastery of Santa Cruz whether after the taking of Torres Novas he returned to repose himself in order to prosecute greater Designs 5. Ismar or Ismael 1139. a powerful Moor was Sovereign of all the Country beyond the River Tagus A Fabuâ—ous Relation called Alentejo Our Prince passed that River and made great Havock in the Territories of those Infidels Ismael assembled twenty petty Princes subject to five little Kings who were all under his Dominion Each of those Kings led 80000 Men wherewith they covered all the plains With our Authors leave it is wholly incredible That such inconsiderable Princes as they must be whose Dominions extended not to above half the limits of Portugal should raise so prodigious a Multitude for it amounts to no less than 480000. This may perhaps be added to gain the greater Reputation to those strange miracles he talks of in the Sequel The Christians were not above 13000 and those wholly dismayed as well they might at the sight of such an Army as they could not be capable to number However Prince Alonso reposing his confidence in God ceased not to encourage and animate his fainting Forces They encouraged with his undaunted Contenance and resolute Expressions took heart and offered their ready service It was then Night when the Prince retiring to rest read the History of Gideon and fell asleep in a Dream there appeared to him a venerable Old Man promising him Victory and being awakened was told there was such an one pressed to speak with him being admitted he found it was the same Man he saw in his Dream and that he came to give him the same assurances At break of day he went out of his Tent and looking towards the East saw a mighty Brightness in the midst of which appeared our Saviour on the Cross surrounded with Angels who promised him Victory over the Infidels and commanded him to accept the Title of King if offered to him by his Army Soon after the Portuguese flocked about him Alonso saluted King demanding the signal of Battle and unanimously saluted him King He at first seemed to refuse that Title but it being the consequence of the Vision he had seen soon admitted it Let every one give that credit to this strange relation he shall think fit I have briefly set it down that I might not wholly cut off so extraordinary a passage in my Author yet would I not extend it to that length as he has done because I believe most Men will give as little credit to it as I do 6. Alonso thus encouraged drew up his Army into four Bodies the Enemy making twelve The charge was seconded by a most hideous cry raised by both Armies The Battle of Ourique an incredible clattering of Weapons and such showers of Darts and Arrows as seemed to darken the light of the Sun No Christian sought to save himself all their study was to kill the King encouraged all Men by his example and every Man sought to out-do another Six hours the fight lasted in which time the plain of Ourique where they engaged was all covered with dead Bodies which almost floated in a Pool of Blood At length the Victory fell to the Christians and was one of the greatest ever obtained against Infidels Reflections vpon this Battle It is very hard to reconcile the account of this Battle to any thing of probability for whereas the Author says but a little before there were five lesser Kings and one Sovereign of them all with each 80000 Men which amounts to 480000 now he says they were above 600000. Doubtless there must be willful mistakes in these Numbers to magnifie the Action which would seem great if not rendred incredible Besides he reckons six Kings which are those of Silves Merida Sevil Badajoz Lisbon and Algezira whereas all other Authors agree they were but five and give that for the reason that the Portuguese Arms contain five small Scutcheons within the
used to make Excursions and Ravage all the Neighbouring Country The young Prince gave good proof of his Valour at this Siege and became Master of the place by plain force King Sancho perceiving his Son to be worthy to continue the race of Portuguese Kings gave him to Wife Vrraca Daughter to Alonso VIII of Castile The Bride and Bridegroom could not lawfully be Married without a Dispensation being Cousins in the fourth degree of Consanguinity yet without any they had a Son the following Year 1208. 1208. King Sancho lived but four Years after and our Prince succeeded him being then Twenty Six Years of Age. The first thing he did was to give the Town of Avis to the Military Order of that Name Ferdinand Yâ—nez being the Master of it who removed thence from Evora where he had resided till then 2. King Sancho perceiving that his Son Alonso did not well agree with his Brothers and Sisters as he left him the Crown so he provided for them giving the Brothers Money and Jewels and to their Sisters the Towns of Alenquer and Aveiras King Alonso attacks the Towns given by his Father to his Sisters King Alonso not satisfyed with the Crown pretended his Father could not alienate any Towns from it to give to his Sisters The Brothers fearing his Power fled Ferdinand to Castile and Peter to Leon and then to Morocco The Sisters Fortifying the Towns left them by their Father provoked their Brother who by force of Armes took the Town of Aveiras This done he sent Forces to Besiege Alenquer and sat down himself before Montemayor These Sieges lasted four Months the King of Leon who had Married Teresa Sister to our King forced him to quit that Enterprize He marched with Prince Peter through the Province between Duero and Minho wasting all that Country and besieged King Alonso as he lay before Montemayor He is routted by the King of Leon. Much Blood was shed and all the Country ruined but at last coming to a Battle our King was Worsted and the victorious Army in their return took the Towns of Valencia Melgazo Fulgoso and Freixa with other places of less Note which they Plundered and Burnt what they could not carry away The Portuguese in the absence of the King of Leon again provoked him to send his Forces Martin Sanchez Brother to our King but offended at him commanded the Army of Leon being that King's Lieutenant All things being in readiness to give Battle he refused to Fight against his natural Prince in Person who being informed thereof with-drew himself to the City Porto The Army left to Engage Martin Sanchez was commanded by Mendo Gonzalez de Soufa John Perez de Maya and Giles Vasquez de Soverosa The King being gone the Fight began in which singular acts of valour were performed D. John Perez de Maya with his Lance overthrew seven Horsemen Recovering defeats the Army of Leon. in short the Portuguese obtained the Victory in the Plain called Vareza betwixt Duero and Minho The second day they Engaged near Braga and the third hard by Guimaraens with the like success so that the Enemy retired into Galicia These and the like misfortunes moved the Sisters to sollicite Pope Innocent III. to interpose his Apostolical Authority to oblige the King to do them Justice Nevertheless the Power of the Sword prevailed beyond Equity or Spiritual Weapons 3. Ten Years were spent in these Domestick Broiles He is reconciled to his Brethren at the end of which the King was in some measure reconciled to his Brethren and had leasure to attend other Enterprizes from which Civil Discord had diverted him Though he could not go in Person to the famous Battle of Navas in Castile against the Infidels he sent some Forces under the Command of Gemez Ramires Our King being now disposed to advance his Conquests on the Infidels Heaven ordered it so that a Fleet of 100 Sail from the North under the Command of Walter de Avesnes was drove by stress of Weather into the River Tagus The King ordered the Bishop to relieve and cherish them and then both perswaded them to give their helping hand towards the gaining of Alcazar do Sal. The King being hindred by Sickness sent the Bishop General of 20000 Portuguese who marched by Land whilst the Strangers steered the same course at Sea At the first attacks many fell on both sides but the Besieged fearing so great Power sent advice of their distress to the Kings of Badajoz Jaen Sevil and Cordova who came to their relief with 15000 Horse and 40000 Foot besides 10 Gallies well provided Providence ordered it so that at the same time Thirty Sail of French and Flemings arrived at Setuval these immediately moved to aid the Christians who gave the Enemy Battle whilst another part attacked the Town All the first day the Christians had the worst but the next renewing their strength and courage they obtained an absolute Victory with the slaughter of 30000 Infidels and two of the Kings supposed to be those of Badajoz and Cordova because the other two soon after appeared before Elvas A bright Cross carried like the Standard of a Troop of Angels with White Garments crossed with Red is said to have been seen this day in the Air not only by the Christians but by the Infidels themselves several of them confessing it after the Battle The Victors prosecuted the Siege and carried on a Mine which being discovered by the Defendants much Blood was shed under Ground at length the Town was taken on St. Luke's Day and the Governour having seen the strange signs mentioned in the Sky became a Christian 4. The Kings of Sevil and Jaen The Moors vanquished at Elvas with a numerous Army Encamped before the City Elvas confiding they should carry it by their Multitude Our King disappointed their expectation giving them Battle and overthrowing them in open Field after which he entred Andaluzia victorious overruning that Province with Fire and Sword This done he returned home in Triumph and his Army laden with Plunder this Action so daunted the Infidels that they never after invaded that part of the Country Nevertheless Moura and Serpa were soon after Besieged by the Moors but they were forced from both places with great loss by the King in Person Out of the last Engagement he was drawn almost stifled being very corpulent and oppressed with the heat of the Weather and weight of his Armour Afterwards he overthrew the King of Badajoz near Alcozer killing 30000 of his Men. He â—et 〈◊〉 a Fleet to Sea for the War in the Holy Land To be short in all his undertakings he came off with Honour as became the Son and Grandson of such a Father and Grand-father Many other his Warlike Exploits are Buried in Oblivion 5. Of the excellency of his politick Government there are sufficient Testimonies Till his time this Kingdom was Governed according to the private Laws of every Town Laws are
of the Nobles contrived that D. John might escape yet the King was so watchful they were disappointed 6. The King of Portugal War betwixt Castile and Portugal impatient of longer Disappointments sent a Challenge to him of Castile grounded upon these Reasons That he treated ill the Queen his Wife that he gave out he would be divorced from her and Marry the Lady Ellenor de Guzman that he designed to declare Peter her Son his Heir and that he hindred the Princess Constance from going into Portugal While his Embassador executed his Commission he made all manner of Warlike Preparations both by Sea and Land He laid Siege to Badajoz and at the same time his Parties ravaged all the Country about Arauna Aroncha and Cortegana The Siege being tedious the King left sufficient Forces to continue it and he with the rest of the Army over-ran a great part of Andaluzia as far as Sevil which done he returned to the Siege His Brother Count Peter did the like in Galicia the Archbishop and other Commanders in vain endeavouring to oppose him Numerous Forces were raising in Castile to relieve Badajoz when the King considering the difficulty of the Enterprize and that Peter Alonso one of his Officers had been defeated raised the Siege and returned dissatisfied to Portugal But whilst he prepared to return thither stronger than before the Queen without his knowledge went away to Badajoz where the King of Castile her Son-in-law then was thinking her Prayers might prevail with him to desist from War and comply with her Husband The King received her with Respect but demanded such Conditions as he knew could not be granted Scarce was she gone from Badajoz when the Castilian followed as far as Elvas ravaging all the Country Two days he spent Plundering that Territory and then laid Siege to Aronchez but understanding that the Portuguese Parties infested the Neighbourhood of Xerez Badajoz Burguillos and Alconchel he removed to meet them Not meeting with them he besieged Olivenca and being taken with an Ague was forced to depart and return to Sevil leaving his Forces to do all the harm they could Some Troops under the Command of the Brothers Ferdinand and John Roiz de Castro pillaged all the Country betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho till being met by the Archbishop of Braga with 1400 Portugueses D. John de Castro was killed with 300 of his Men and a great Booty recovered At Sea 20 Galleys carrying 2000 Men put into Lepte in Andaluzia where they landed Plundering the Country and being met by D. Nunno Portocarrero there ensued a hot Fight between them in which 26 Portugueses and 80 Castilians were killed Camello the Portuguese General was taken and by the Portugueses two Castilian Commanders for whom he was exchanged The Castilians set out 40 Sail to Revenge this Affront but a Storm dispersed and wrecked both Fleets Another Portuguese Squadron commanded by Misser Emanuel Pissano a Genoese had spoiled the Coast of Galicia and was now again sent against the Spanish Fleet that did no less harm in the Kingdom of Algarve They met about Cape S. Vincent and fought with extraordinary Resolution till the Portuguese Admiral and many more were taken and the Castilian returned Victorious to Sevil. At the same time Ferdinand Arraez lying in Ambush took 70 Portugueses and killed 180. 7. Our King King Alonso enters Castile with an Army leaving an Army to Besiege Salvaterra pierced as far as Orense destroying all before him whilst Peter Fernandez de Castro who commanded on those Frontiers for the King of Castile refused to oppose him on pretence of the Favours he had received from him and his Father The Castilian always ready to take Revenge with 10000 Horse and a number of Foot broke into Algarve and having in vain besieged Castro Marin laid waste without Mercy all the Country along that Coast 1337. Pope Benedict XII sent Bernard Bishop of Rhodes his Nuncio to endeavour to bring these two Kings to some Accommodation Philip the Fourth King of France sent the Archbishop of Rheims upon the same Errand The Castilian turned them over to Portugal and the Portuguese to Castile Both were desirous of Peace but neither would ask it The Portuguese carried himself highest with the Nuncio At length a Truce was concluded for a Year A Truce for a Year After much Debate the Pope was chosen Arbitrator betwixt them but the Castilian fearing the Revolt of his Nobles and an Invasion from Africk required of the Portuguese to send his Embassadors to him and they would agree without going so far as Rome 1340. or Avignon Hereupon three Embassadors were sent from Portugal who meeting with the Commissioners of Castile concluded a Peace upon these Conditions That all Places taken since the War and Prisoners on both sides should be restored That neither without consent of the other should make Peace with the Moorish King Banarin That the Princess Constance should be permitted to go into Portugal That the Princess Blanch being unfit for Wedlock should return into Castile That all former Articles should continue in force That the King of Castile should restore all due State to his Queen and put away the Lady Ellenor Nunnez The Castilian performed all Points except putting away the Lady Ellenor yet he behaved himself better towards the Queen 8. Aliboacem Alonso in Person aids the Castilian against the Moors King of Morocco being about to pass into Spain as being sent for by the Moorish King of Granada the Castilian sent his Queen to ask Succours of her Father the King of Portugal who immediately marched thither in Person with a better disciplined than numerous Army The King of Castile having notice hereof visited him at Jurumenna in Portugal Our King was received at Sevil by the Clergy singing Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini Here a Council of War was held to consult whether it were fit to fight the Moors who besieged Tarifa and were an innumerable Multitude or no. While some were of Opinion to yield Tarifa to them our King's Opinion prevailed that the Place should be relieved All the Mountains and Plains about Tarifa were covered with multitudes of Infidels yet the King of Castile was overjoyed to understand they had resolved to give the Mahometan Battle Both the Christian Kings advanced and passed the River Guadalete Being there joyned by some Troops that were not before come up on Sunday the 27th of October they marched to Penna de Cuervo where they first discovered the Barbarians covering all the Land as far as they could see It was agreed the Castilian should attack the King of Morocco who lay along the Shoar and the Portuguese him of Granada that was at the Foot of the Mountain On Monday the 28th at break of Day the Army heard Mass many received the Sacrament and the Archbishop of Toledo exhorted them to expose their Lives in Defence of the Faith Being come before their Enemies
Herauld to Challenge him but he drew off by the way of Bragança Vinaes and Outeyro which Places he took Miranda was Surprized by certain Castillians who in Carriers Habit were admitted in Cedavin after a vigorous resistance was Betrayed by Vasco Estevez but his Treason tho' not discovered in time to prevent the Loss of the Place was so soon found that he was Hanged for it Henry having secured Bragança hasted to Castile for that the King of Granada was now acting with a great Power in Andaluzia 4. Ferdinand having missed of his Enemy Several Military Expeditions divided his Army under several Commanders Garrisoning all Places he was suspicious of He had recovered most of what was lost but the People not satisfied with his Proceedings complained he only knew the way betwixt Lisbon and Santarem because he often went from the one Place to the other whence it became a Proverb That the Fool goes and comes betwixt Lisbon and Santarem when they would express a Man often does the same thing to no purpose Giles Fernandez with 60 Horse and 400 Foot made an Incursion towards Medellin where he took so great a Booty that fearing to loose it if pursued he caused his Uncle Martin Yannez to feign himself to be Prince John and as such to discharge several Prisoners who reporting his being there with a greater Force than really was deterred the Enemy from following him Gonzalo Mendez being General took this Giles Fernandez with him to make an Inroad to Badajoz The Garrison issued out upon them and both sides fought with great Resolution In this Action a Butcher of Lisbon called Laurence killed several Castilians In the mean while Prince John forcing his way into the Suburbs of Badajoz Burnt them Gomez Lorenço de Avelar on the side of Cuidad Rodrigo took S. Felices Inojosa and Cerralvo Here John Roiz Portocarrero with only 23 Horse killed or took almost 80 of the Enemy from Ledesma This Year ended with a Fire at Lisbon which Burnt down all the then Smiths Street it is now the Confectioners 5. As the Last Year ended in Fire 1370. so this began with storms of Rain and Wind Great Storms which were so Violent that the Gate of the Cathedral tho' fastned with Iron Locks and Bolts was carried into the middle of the Church the Ships in the Harbour being drove from their Anchors were dashed into pieces but the Gallies escaped better by lying in the Mouth of the River Guadalquiâ—ir The great Rains and also the Moors who infested his Frontiers obliged King Henry to quit the Siege of Cuidad Rodrigo The Queen his Wife in Person had distressed Alonso Lopez de Tejada in Carmona so that he agreed to Surrender the Place it not releived by a Day prefixed and gave up his Two Sons as Hostages Misser Gregorio a Campomorâ—o with only 60 Men made his way through the Camp into the Town at the Day prefixed the Queen threatned to execute his Sons he bid her do so for he was able to get others and so he persisting Obstinate they were beheaded all Men calling that Barbarity which he thought would be accounted Magnanimity but it could not be such being a breach of Promise Thirty two Portuguese Galleys had been a Year upon the Coast under the Command of the Admiral Lancelot Pessano a Genoese The Castilians when this Fleet appeared before Barrameda scoffed at our Men for that having refused Aid to King Peter The Portuguese Fleet wastes the Island of Cadiz whilst living they now pretended to Defend him after he was Dead But they in Revenge destroyed the Island of Cadiz and the Shores of the Continent till the severity of the Winter and Diseases almost consumed them The Fleet of Castile coming out of Sevil took a Portuguese Ship that had Money and Provisions on Board and then shut up our Admiral Pessano in the River to oblige him to Fight in that narrow Place He fitted out Two Fireships which dispersed the Enemy and in that time he escaped having lost one Galley 6. Carmona still held out 1371. but fearing the Power of King Henry sent a Gentlemen to our King Ferdinand for Succour according to his promise This being refused the Town was obliged to Surrender There was in it a considerable Treasure of King Peter's and Two of his Bastard-Sons who were cast into Prison Pope Gregory the 11th sent Two Nuncio's to Mediate a Peace betwixt the Two Kings which was concluded at Alcoutin in Algarve upon these Conditions Peace concluded at the instance of the Pope That they should be obliged to assist one another That the Portuguese should be a Friend to Charles King of France that he should take to Wife Ellenor Henry's Daughter That he should have with her Cuidad Rodrigo Valencia de Alcantara Monte-Mayor Alhariz and a Summ of Money That a general Pardon should be granted on both sides Thus our King broke his Word with him of Aragon who in revenge kept all the Treasure that had been sent to his Daughter King Ferdinand finding his Treasures exhasted called in the Old Money and enhanced the Value of the New which did great Harm and much more when he endeavoured afterwards to rectifie that Error The Five Months allowed for the Princess Ellenor to come out of Castile were now expiring when the King falling in Love with the Lady Ellenor Tellez de Meneses forgot his Bride This Lady Ellenor Tellez was Wife to John Lorenço de Cunha Lord of Pombeyro He fell in Love with her at his Sister 's the Princess Beatrix where he was always so assiduous as gave occasion to suspect him guilty of a more than Brotherly Affection This Lady being about to return into the Country whence she came the King ordered her Sister who attended the Princess to stay her in Town for he would marry no other Woman The Sister objected that he was engaged to the Princess of Castile and her Sister Married The First he replyed might be easily put by and as for the latter he said she being Married to a Kinsman without Dispensation the Marriage was void All which gave the Lady Ellenor to understand the King's Affection was not at all Nice 7. Scarce had she consented when her Marriage being called in question The Lady Ellenor being divorced from her First Husband the King marries her and the Husband not opposing it Judgment was easily obtained for the K. Hereupon her Husband went away to Castile and there publickly wore a pair of Golden Horns In fine Ferdinand Married the Lady Ellenor The whole Kingdom was astonished at this Action but Lisbon shewed it self above all other Places Here a Taylor called Ferdinand Vasquez a bold well-spoken Fellow gathered 3000 of the People and with them went to the Pallace nothing being heard but Reproaches against the New Queen A great meeting at Lisbon on account of the Marriage To appease them the King protested he was not Married to her and
same time the Plague raged in the Castilian Army Overturâ—â— of Peace rejeâ—â—â—d Overtures of Peace were also made by the King to the Protector but he would hearken to none Nunho Alvarez Pereyra having ventured to pass the River in a Boat through the midst of the Fleet of Castile returned thence to Ebora and had the Town of Portel betrayed to him by 3 Citizens Twice he attempted Villaviciosa but was both times repulsed with Loss The Protector lay before Torres Vedras and Nunho Alvarez understanding that several Parties of the Enemy provided to fall upon him he hasted to his Succour which the Castilians understanding they gave over that Design however the Protector was forced to quit the Siege Nunho returning to his Châ—rge took Monzaraz defeated a Castilian Party near Badajâ—z another before Almada and made himself Master of Roca de Palmela and Couna 10. The Scarcity was now so great at Lisbon that they turned out the Poor and unserviceable People to the Enemy who sent them back well lashed No hopes now remained but that the Plague raged so violently among the Castilians The Siege of Lisbon raised when it had lasted five Months that Two hundred died in a Day and of them very many of Quality But the King no way moved hereat continued the Siege till the Infection touched the Queen and then he raised it having lain Five Months before the City Being come to Santarem he sent Troops to re-inforce the Garrisons of such Places as still held for him but passing by Torres Novas he was not admitted into the Town by Gonçalo Vasquez de Azevedo who before kept that Place for him His Wife went out to visit the Queen and there promised to reduce her Husband and not prevailing she returned to the Camp and the King sent to bid him Farewell for that his Wife was going to Castile He fearing to lose his Wife delivered himself and the Town but the King carried him and his Son away Prisoners leaving their Wives behind and a New Governour in the Place Whilst the King marched home the Protector granted large Immunities to the City of Lisbon in recompence of its Fidelity to him Next he contrived how to recover some places out of the Hands of the Castilians He marched by night to surprize Sintra but was disappointed by a violent Storm and Floods that swelled the Rivers above their Bridges Soon after Almada was surrendred to him notwithstanding that the King had carried away the Children of the principal Inhabitants as Hostages Alcnquer summitted to him also after having made some Defence But Torres Novas held out against all his Attemps and to add to his Grief he understood that Nunho Alvarez had been also repulsed at Vilâ—aviâ—iosa that the Master of the Order of Christ the Prior of Crato and Alvaro Gonzalez Camello were taken Prisoners at Torres Novas and that Two Galleys of Castile stealing into the Port of Lisbon by night had â—urnt Three Vessels there CHAP. II. John the Bastard-Son of King Peter of Protector is declared King he continues the War with Castile successfully from the Year 1384. till 1393. 1. ABout the beginning of the New Year was discovered a Conspiracy against the Protector 138â— Peter Earl of Trastamara A Conspiracy against the Protector discoverâ—â—â— was stirred up by the King of Castile to kill him as he lay at the Siege of Torres Vedras The Count communicated this Affair to D. Peter de Castro John Duque Governour of Torres Vedras John Alonso de Baeza Garcia Gonzales de Valdez and several others of whom only 3 Men were apprehended and one of them burnt In Revenge whereof John Duque sent out six Portuguese he had in Torres Vedras with their Hands and Noses cut off The Protector raised the Siege of Tâ—rres Vedras in order to go to Coimbra to meet the Cortes or Parliament he had caused to be thither Assembled and most of the Inhabitants about Torres Vedras went away with him In his way Leyria refused to admit him but he was well received at Monte-mayor and Coimbra In this City 〈◊〉 about proclaiming the Protector King some were for proclaiming the Protector King and others for the Princes John and Denis lawful Sons to King Peter but all agreed the present Protector should continue as long as Prince John should be Prisoner and in case neither he nor his Brother could come to Portugal then the Protector was to be received as King Dr. John de Regâ—as a famous Civilian made two Harangues on behalf of the Protector casting scandalous Reflections upon Queen Eâ—lenor to incapacitate her Daughter Queen Beatrix from succeeding in the Throne the same he did on the Lady Agnes de Castro Wife to king Peter with an intent to exclude her Sons the Princes John and Denis Some little Opposition was made at first by several of the Nobility but at length they all consented the Protector should be proclaimed King the so much celebrated Nunho Alvarez Pereyra having offered to Murder Martin Vasquez chief of the adverse Party only because he stood up for the lawful Heirs 2. The Protector with a counterfeit Modesty seemed to excuse himself from accepting of their Offers but it was only to heighten their Zeal and so on the 6th of April he complyed with them He immediately shewed great Favour towards the Cities of Lisbon and Porto for having so constantly adhered to him Thus it appears how little hopes of Salvation there can be left for Lawyers who by false Interpretations invert Justice as it appears in the case of this John de Reglas before-mentioned who standered the Queens Beatrix and Ellenor and the Princess Agnes de Castro and excluded the Lawful Heirs the Princes John and Denis only for his own private Interest in promoting the Bastard Protector who could have no Title to the Crown I think it were better to breed up Children Thieves than Lawyers for the former will at least Repent at the Gallows but the latter are never permitted by Worldly Interest to Repent All Parties thus agreed The 〈…〉 the Protector was solemnly Proclaimed King of Portugal and accordingly chose all his Officers of State and of the Houshold Marching into the Field he mustered 6000 Men a small number but resolute and unanimous and Nunho Alvarez Pereyra now made Constable of Portugal was ordered to Sea with a Squadron from Porto to engage the Castisian Fleet before Lisbon Missing of that Enemy he sailed back to the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho to recover part of that Country then holding for Castile Here he took Neyva and Ponte de Lima by force Villa Nova de Cerveyra and Monçon opened their Gates to him 3. The new-made King went from Coimbra to Porto where he was received with great Joy 〈…〉 the new King Here he consulted with Alonso Lorenzo de Carvallo a Man then Powerful at Guimaraens about betraying that Place to him which was accordingly performed The Castle held
out some time but there being no hopes of Relief at last it surrendred The City Braga mutinying drove their Governour into the Castle and sending to the new King offered to receive him He ordered Nunho Alvarez the Constable to take Possession of the City and force the Castle which was accordingly performed The same happened at Ponte de Lima. The King of Castile now at Cordova having twice sent his Fleet against Lisbon ordered a strong Party to enter Portugal by the way of Cuidad Rodrigo They plundered all the Territory of Trancoso and the City of Viseu but as they returned laden with a Rich Booty they were charged by a Portuguese Body much inferiour to them in Number yet with such Resolution that of all the Castilians only 200 escaped not one Portuguese being lost in the Action if Credit may be given to such a Relation after affirming the Fight was obstinately maintained In the mean while the Fleet of Castile consisting of Forty Ships Ten Galeons The Castilians enter Portugal some Galleys Twelve Barks and other small Vessels rode in the Harbour of Lisbon That King also marched from Cordova with a numerous Army and appeared before Elvas which was resolutely defended and now finding the general Aversion of the Portuguese to him it was debated whether Portugal ought to be invaded at all but at last it was resolved to enter it by the way of the Province of Beyra 4. The new Portuguese King understanding the approach of the Castilians marched out of Guimaraens to give them Battle having drawn together his Forces from Coimbra Porto and other Places On the 14th of August in the Morning he entred the Plain of Aljubarrota where he Knighted several Gentlemen The Castilians designed not to fight intending to march directly to Lisbon Tâ—â— Famâ—â—â— Bâ—â—â—â—â—â— Aâ—jubarâ—â—â— yet after some Consultation they resolved to Engage There was a great disproportion in Numbers for the Castilians are reported to have been 33000 strong and the Portuguese but 6500 besides which Disadvantage they had the Sun and Dust in their Eyes The Sun was going down when these two unequal Armies engaged The Castilians at the first Charge broke through our Vanguard but the new King then coming up not only with Words but with his Example so animated his Men that in less than an hour that multitude of Enemies was put to the rout The King of Castile who began the Fight on a Mule being then troubled with an Ague was forced to take a Horse to save himself Most of the Portuguese who sided with Castile and were in the Front of the Army were put to the Sword for no Quarter was given to them The Royal Standard of Castile was taken but many pretending to the Honour it could not be decided by whom The full Number of the slain is not known but it was very great on the part of Castile of whom about 3000 Horse are reckoned to have perished and very many Men of great Account This is the Famous Battle of Aljubarrota so called for that it was fought near the Village of that Name The Booty was vastly Rich. 5. The Victorious King continued three days in the Field of Battle erecting Trophies it being then the Custom so long to expect the return of the Enemy The King of Castile fled with speed from Aljubarrota to Santarem which is Twelve Leagues and having rested there a short time went down the River to his Fleet then Riding before Lisbon where he continued two days and on the 17th of August left that Port attended by Seventeen Galleys He arrived at Sevil and tired there with the Clamours of the People went away to Carmona Now we have heard what the Portuguese Authors write of this Battle The Account given of this Battle by the Spanish Historians which seems altogether incredible but let us give an hint of what those of Castile write which is much more probable They say the King of Castile advancing towards his Enemy found him posted in an Advantageous Ground betwixt two Morasses out of which Place he could not be drawn because much inferiour in Number That he was above 12000 strong and before the Engagement made Overtures of Peace That the Castilians would not be disswaded from giving Battle in that Place so disadvantageous to them because they exceeded their Enemies in Number and in fine that they lost the Day through their own Pride and Rashness in assailing an Enemy so well posted when they might have ranged all the Country at their own pleasure This I believe to all Impartial Men will appear nearer to the Truth for we must allow all Authors to magnifie the Exploits of their own Country and so let us return to our History The new King coming to Santarem had it delivered to him and finding there many Ladies whose Husbands were in the Service of Castile he gave them all Liberty to go to them which they gladly embraced 6. The Portuguese King 's next care was to Reward those who had signalized themselves in the Battle The Constable of Portugal upon the Frontiers of Castile the chief whereof was the Constable to whom he gave large Possessions and the Title of Count of Ourem He encouraged by this Honour resolved to invade Castile Having gathered 4000 Men he met and defeated the Master of Calatrava D. Martin Yanez de Barbuda who had entred Portugal with a strong Party and pursuing his Success took the strong Town of Villa Garcia Thence he marched to the Plain betwixt Magaçela and Villa Nueva de la Serena where he had a terrible and long as well as doubtful Battle with D. Peter Moniz Master of the Order of Santiago Three several times the Fight was renewed and lasted almost two days with incredible Obstinacy but in the Conclusion the Portuguese obtained a most Glorious Victory This done he went away to aid the King then lying at the Siege of Chaves which was surrendred to him Moving thence they laid Siege to Coria but after having battered it some days with great Fury were forced to rise and depart the Constable to the Province of Alentejo and the King on foot in Pilgrimage to Our Lady's Church at Guimaraens as he had promised before the Battle of Aljubarrota Most of them that held any Fortresses for Castile surrendred themselves now to the new King He laid Siege to the Town of Chaves whereof Martin Gonzalez de Atayde was Governour who held it out till he had no Water left 1386. and then articled to Surrender in Forty days if not relieved from Castile and by consent of that King he at length delivered up the Place 7. The Portuguese Embassadors in England stirred up the Duke of Lancaster to lay hold of this Opportunity to assert his Right to the Crown of Castile The Duke of Lancaster invited by the Portuguese Lands in Galicia with 2000 Horse and 3000 Archers to which he had a most Legal Title by his Wife the Lady
the Bridge of Zamora being corrupted by Ferdinand and Elizabeth some advised to build a Wall betwixt them and the Town and they would perish but the Archbishop of Toledo and other great Men perswaded the King to remove to Toro leaving behind in the Castle all his Equipage because he could not then Travel with so much Baggage Ferdinand immediately entred the City and attacked the Castle but without success King Alonso sent him a challenge and he refused any single Combat for which he was again severely reproved by his Wife Elizabeth she being fitter to have been Ferdinand than he was to be Elizabeth 1476. In January the Prince of Portugal came to Toro with some Troops and was there received with great joy except by the Duke of Arevalo and Marquis de Villena who began to incline to King Ferdinand King Alonso however resolved to put all to the issue of a Battle tho the Archbishop of Toledo of all the Castilian Nobility that invited him was the only Person that stood now by him Fifteen Days after the Princes arrival King Alonso marched towards Zamora to meet King Ferdinand leaving his Queen behind at Toro He attacked the Bridge but to no purpose Overtures of Peace were again made without any likelihood of success for it was decreed no Accommodation should be purchased without Blood King Alonso seeing he wasted his Army lying before a Town in the dead of Winter his Enemy lying close returned towards Toro his Forces braving the Castilians by the slowness of their March Ferdinand ashamed to have been so long dared at length sallied out to fall upon the Rear of the Portuguese Army Alonso suspecting no such thing was now marched down a Hill in great disorder as being at the Gates of his own City It was debated among the Castilians whither they ought to pursue their Enemy who they said fled or return to Zamora but the Cardinal Peter Gonzalez de Mendoza having from the top of the Hill taken a view of the Portuguese Army said it would be a shame to return without bidding Battle and thereupon their Army advanced 5. King Alonso perceiving the approach of the Enemy 〈…〉 drew up his Army In the Van he placed the Castilians and his own Houshold He himself â—ed the main Body Prince John the left Wing and the Archbishop of Toledo the Right D. John de Castro Earl of Monsanto brought up the Rear The Sun was now going down and a small Rain began to fall when the tâ—o Armies engaged Prince John gave a vigorous Charge on his side and was received with no less Bravery yet forced the Castilian Wing to retire to the main Body At the same time the King advanced before his Men and the Fight was maintained on both sides for the space of an hour before any gave Ground both Reserves coming up to second their Princes The Portuguese over-powered by the number of their Enemies began to forsake the Royal Standard which was taken after both the bearer's Hands were cut off King Alonso in despair would have cast himself into the midst of his Enemies if not disswaded by some of his Followers The Portuguese Army routeâ— In Conclusion the King and those Gentlemen that could bear him Company fled to Castro Nunho where they were honourably received by Peter de Avendano the Governour Prince John who had defeated the Enemy's Right Wing seeing the rout of the Army with what Forces he could gather stood firm on an Eminence where he continued all the day Most of the other routed Portuguese cast themselves into the River Duero where more perished by Water than had done by the Sword King Ferdinand who never loved Fighting did not lead his Men but stood with a strong Party on a rising Ground to secure his own Escape in case of need and seeing his Right Wing drove by Prince John and the main Body hard put to by King Alonso he with that Body of Guards hasted away towards Zamora without expecting to see the Event of the Battle Thus he came at Night to Zamora in a Consternation not knowing whether he was Victorious or defeated Such was his Cowardize and Precipitation 6. The Prince continued all the Night on that Eminence 〈…〉 we have already mentioned by sound of Trumpets and the light of Fires calling together the Remains of the scattered Army In the Morning when he expected to have been charged by the Castilâ—ans it appeared they were gone after the King to Zâ—mora whereupon he marched away in good Order with Colours flying to Toro Finding no News of his Father there all was in great Confusion â—ill Advice was brought him where 〈◊〉 was They met and together received a courteous Message from King Ferdinand who sent the King all his Equipage which he had taken in the Castle of Zamora The Archbishop of Toledo who only of all the Castilian Nobility adhered to the Portuguese asked leave now to depart to defend his own Lands which were wasted by King Ferdinand's Commanders The Bishop of Evora with his Troops was sent to Conduct him on his way who being come back returned with the Prince to Portugal to defend the Frontiers then much infested by the Enemy King Alonso had sent D. Alvaro de Atayde from Toro into France designing to follow in Person and crave Succour for carrying on the War in case this Embassador found a favourable Reception King Lewis entertained D. Alvaro with such feigned Friendship that he easily perswaded the King his Master to go over into France The King having resolved upon that Journey after settling the Government of those few Places he held in Castile about the beginning of June set forward for Portugal carrying with him his Bride that should have been Queen Joanna now spoiled of her Crown Being come to Miranda 〈◊〉 Alonso Saâ—â—s into â—â—ance she went away to the City Guarda and he to Porto where he intended to Embark for France Thither repaired the Prince Nobility and Clergy disswading him from that Voyage but he was not to be moved from that Resolution He set Sail with 21 Vessels of several sort and in them 500 Gentlemen and 2200 Men at Arms. By the way he touched at Ceuta next at Marseilles and landed at Colivre where he was received with Respect by the Governour At Perpignan in Honour to him the Prison-Gates were set open Thence he sent D. Francisco de Almeyda to King Lewis to appoint the Place where they should meet and great Honour was shewn him all the way he travelled through that Country 7. At Bourges King Lewis met him 〈…〉 and extraordinary Civilities passed between them They agreed that King Alonso should go to the Duke of Burgundy his Cousin to crave Aid of him or in case he could not grant it by reason of the War he was engaged in with â—orrain then to perswade him not to molest King Lewis whilst he assisted King Alonso That to make the King's Title undeniable
Fight being naturally Enemies but the Elephant being young was frighted and forcing his way through a Place that was barred ran about the City overturning all he met The Rhinoceros was afterwards sent as a Present to the Pope but the Ship was cast away however the dead Rhinoceros being cast a Shoar was taken up and the Skin stuffed and carried to Rome John Diaz Golez a Portuguese Pilot flying from Justice escaped into Castile where he perswaded certain Merchants to fit out Two Ships and Trade into Brasil King Emanuel complaining to the Young King Charles these Encroachers were punished John Wallop an English Gentleman of Worth afterwards Governour of Callis came into Portugal offering to serve in Africk upon his own Expence He served Two Years at Tangier honourably and then returned home having received the Order of Knighthood of Christ and other considerable Favours and continued always a great Favourer of the Affairs of Portugal 5. Soliman the great Emperor of the Turks having taken Grand Cairo and all the Dominions of the Egyptian Soldans King Emanuel pressed the Pope to excite all the Christian Princes to joyn their Forces against him but without success The Body of S. Auta one of the 11000 Virgins was now brought to Lisbon and placed in the Monastery of the Mother of God where it is held in great Veneration The King being extreamly afflicted for the Loss of his Queen had thoughts of retiring to Algarve contenting himself with that little Portion of his Kingdom and leaving the rest to the Prince his Son But the Prince led away by his Favourites being too forward and dropping some disrespectful words of his Father moved him to change that Resolution and not only to retain the Power in his own Hands but to marry the Wife he had designed for him 1518. To this purpose The King marries again D. Alvaro da Costa was sent Embassador into Castile and the Treaty so privately managed that the Bride was contracted to the King by Proxy before the Design of the Embassador was known in Portugal Her Portion was 200000 Crowns down and 5000 per Annum during her Life She was conducted to the Borders of the two Kingdoms by several Noblemen of Spain and there received by Jayme or James Duke of Bragança accompanied by a great Train of Persons of Quality on the Twenty third of November At Crato the next Day she was married by the Archbishop of Lisbon Thence they went to Almeyrin because the Plague was brief at Lisbon Here the King on St. Andrew's Day received the Order of the Golden Fleece sent him by his Brother-in-law King Charles 6. Ferdinand Magellanes a Gentleman of Worth who had served well in India and Africk being refused some small Addition to the Pension he enjoyed for his good Services some envious Persons disswading the King from showing him any Favour discontented at this hard Usage solemnly Unnaturalized himself as the Custome was then and went over to Castile at such time as the Molucco Islands were thought to appertain to the Conquests of that Crown He there offered to find out a New way to those Islands 1519. and being furnished with Five Ships sailed from Sevil about the beginning of August Magellan discovers the Streights of his Name and discovered those Streights which will Eternize his Name being of him called the Streights of Magellan The Particulars of this Voyage as more properly appertaining to that History are to be seen in the Portuguese Asia The King laid a Duty upon Corn to which imposition some Places consented John Mendez Cecâ—oso Mayor of Evora opposed it The King sent for and promised to reward him if he would comply but he persisting obstinately was confined to his House Soon after he commended him for his Resolution and remitted that Tax The Commonalty of Castile now rising in Rebellion against their King 1520. who was gone into Germany being chosen Emperor upon the Death of Maximilian sent the Dean of Avila to offer the Crowns of Castile and Leon to King Emanuel He believing no Confidence could be reposed in those that were Rebels to their Lawful Sovereign not only advised them to return to their Obedience but sent Supplies of Ammunition and Money to the Cardinal Adrian afterwards Pope the Constable and Admiral then Governours during the King's Absence 7. Ellenor the new Queen of Portugal was the last Year at Evora on the 18th of February delivered of a Prince called Charles who lived but Fifteen Months This Year on the 18th of June 1521. at Lisbon she brought forth the Princess Mary Many Matches were proposed for this Lady but none took Effect so that she died a Maid at the Age of 57 Years After long Debates and Three several Embassies sent by Charles Duke of Savoy to obtain Beatrix King Emanuel's second Daughter for his Wife Beatrix Daughter to King Emanuel married to the Duke of Savoy the Match was concluded She had 150000 Crowns Portion and was conducted to Savoy with extraordinary Expence Eighteen Sail were fitted out to transport the Princess and a most splendid Retinue accompanied her In fine she embarked on the 5th of August lay Five Days a Board on the River and then set Sail on the Day of the Feast of S. Laurence By this Princess the Duke of Savoy had his Son Emanuel Filibertus from whom the Dukes of that House are descended Bernardin Ribeyro a Man well born and an ingenious Poet was in love with the Princess and she favoured him for his Wit Seeing her depart he became a Hermit at Sintra thence he went a Pilgrim into Italy and returning through Savoy he received Charity of the Dutchess who knowing him ordered he should not stay in the City He returned Home and ended his Life with his Pilgrimage The Venetians who had for many Years enjoyed all the Trade of Spice being now depriv'd of it by the Portuguese having discovered India sent an Embassador to pray they might be allowed all that was above what the Kingdom consumed at a certain Rate This Embassador was honourably entertained but received not a satisfactory Answer 8. Such was now the flourishing Estate of Lisbon that it was thronged with Forreign Embassadors and Merchants from all Parts In the height of this Prosperity and Grandeur King Emanuel fell sick of a Lethargy then the epidemical Distemper reigning Perceiving his End draw nigh he performed all the Acts of a good Christian King Emanuel dies and died the 13th of December 1521. the Ninth day of his Sickness the 53d Year of his Age and 27th of his Reign His Body was Interred in his Church of Belem where his Son built him a stately Tomb. Before his Death happened a most cruel Famine and after that a terrible Plague The Pestilence continued the following Year and such prodigious Earthquakes shook the Island of S. Michael that Mountains fell upon some Villages and others were overturned into the Sea with great slaughter of the
de Sâ—a D. John Mascarenhas and the Secretary Michael de Moura 8. On the 14th of June The King and Nobility Embark King Sebastian attended by all the Nobility and Gentry rode to the Cathedral where his Standard was Blessed on which was the Figure of our Saviour Crucifyed He returned not to Court but to expedite what was yet wanting A Fleet of 1000 Sail. went directly aboard his Galley The River was covered with 1000 Sail all filled with such gaudy but ill disciplined Forces that they seemed rather to carry a rich Prey to the Enemy than Weapons to Fight On the 24th of June the Fleet sailed from Lisbon Landmen The Land Forces made up the number of 18000. 18000 At Cadiz the King staied Seven Days to gather all his Fleet and sailing thence anchored before Tangier on the 6th of July about Midnight The Moor Hamet sent his Son Muley Xeque that Night to visit the King and came himself in the Morning Hence the King removed to Arzila where the Moors that were of his Party joyned him Larache is Five Leagues distant from this Place Thither he was first designed to go by Sea and now the Resolution was taken to March by Land The Army lands at Arzila The Forces landed and numerous Troops of the Enemy approaching to discover the King threw himself into all Dangers envying others every opportunity of gaining Honour Here he staied longer than he ought to have done and Provisions began to grow scarce Having given all necessary Orders and taking five Days Provision the King advanced on the 25th of July towards Larache and continued his marches till the 4th of August when he encamped between the Rivers Haiuad Macharim and Lucus and where he was informed that the King of Morocco was himself at hand which was not then expected The Enemy immediately passed the River Lucus covering the Hills and Plain with 150000 Men most of them Horse 9. The Christians had marched Seven Days with only Five Days Provision The Christian and Moorish Armies engage and therefore it was thought necessary not to delay the Fight till next Day The Enemy perceiving it advanced in the Form of a Half Moon to enclose the Portuguese Army which was drawn up in the best manner time would permit Both Kings having with their Presence in all Parts encouraged their Men the signal of Battle was given on both sides Having well nigh encompassed the Christians the Infidels began to play their Cannon which disordered those that had charge of it in the Portuguese Army After a short pause the King gave the Charge others following his Example great slaughter was in a short time made among the Moors Yet the Multitude began to prevail when the Castilians Italians and Germans falling on routed a multitude of Barbarians so that the Christians in the heat of the Action began to cry Victory On a sudden a Voice was heard to cry Halt Halt which most Men obeyed till seeing the Enemy return upon them they renewed the Fight with almost as great Success as before the King in Person doing Wonders He of Morocco thinking all lost advanced a Horseback to Encourage his Men The King of Morrocco slain but soon fell down dead Hamet Taba a Renegado put him into a Litter and feigned he gave out Orders from him Halican a Renegado Portuguese Encouraged the Infidels and was by some taken for the King himself The Germans did Wonders but the Portuguese Foot being undisciplined was disordered by the Enemies Cannon The Rout of the Christians Now all began to be in Confusion which the King perceiving he performed Actions beyond belief rushing into the midst of his Enemies not as a General but as the bravest of Soldiers George de Albuquerque meeting him gave him his Horse to carry him off but he mounting Charged again into the thick of the Enemy D. Antony Bastard-Son to Prince Lewis was much wounded and the King offered him his Horse as did Christopher de Tavora King Sebastian meeting Lewis de Brito with the Royal Standard stripped and wrapped about him cried out Hold it fast and let us die upon it Christopher de Tavora advised the King to suffer himself to be taken but he being offended at the Advice fell in again among the Moors where being seized Brito rescued him and was himself made Prisoner and with him the Standard was taken which afterwards certain Portuguese bought at Fez for a small matter Brito taken saw the King at distance no Enemy pursuing him and afterwards D. Lewis de Lima met him making towards the River This is the last time he was seen by any of his People tho others say he was found dead after the Battle and others more â—ondly expect his return to this Day but where he died only God knows Hamet the Moor that sided with him was drowned in passing the River 10. To reckon what Men of Note were slain Of 18000 Men only 50 escape were tedious and needless since of 18000 Combatants that composed that Army only 50 escaped being killed or taken The Body of Hamet the Moor being carryed to the new King of Morocco he caused it to be flea'd and hung on the Walls of Fez his Son Muley was brought to Portugal and became a Christian Some will have it that the Body of King Sebastian was also found but others deny it A rumour of this Disaster was spread abroad at Lisbon before any body brought the News till at last D. James de Sousa the Admiral returned home after having waited two days at Larache to take up any that escaped and chiefly in hopes of the King who was not known to be dead Some would have it that he came in the Fleet but Landing had absconded for shame However there being no tidings of him till an Account was brought from Africk that his Body was found it was resolved that the Cardinal Prince Henry should succeed him in the Crown Come Counterfeits Personate King Sebastian Nevertheless upon the vain Rumour of King Sebastian's being still alive four or five base Fellows had afterwards the Impudence to Personate him causing thereby no small Troubles Many other Prodigies are reported to have happened besides what we before related but being very dubious it will be needless to repeat more of them 11. King Sebastian The Character of King Sebastian as to his Inclinations was Religious Merciful a Lover of Justice and no less Bountiful than any of his Predecessors As to Stature he was of the largest size and well proportioned fair of Complexion his Eyes blue his Countenance Majestick his Strength more than ordinary and his Heart undaunted He died in the 25th Year of his Age and 21st of his Reign but the 11th after he took the Government into his own Hands and lies buried in the Monastery of Belem In his Time the value of Copper Money was abated to prevent the Importation of it from Foreign Parts
where they gave their definitive Sentence in Favour of King Philip. Antony hasted to Setuval and having secured the City returned to Lisbon where the Forts of S. Julian and 〈…〉 The Duke of 〈◊〉 who had retired to his Town of Portel sent thence to King Philip offering to come to Composition but it was now too late for that Prince was too far advanced The Duke aâ— Alva had passed the River Caya in June which parts the two Kingdoms with 20000 Men 6000 Carts and 25 pieces of Cannon He marched peaceably as if it had been through a Country subject to his Master all Places submitting themselves as far as Estremoz This Town was soon perswaded by D. Christopher de Moura to surrender but D. John de Azevedo held out in the Castle till seeing the Cannon planted against him he endeavoured to escape and being taken was sent Prisoner to Villa Viciosa the Duke of Alva declaring he spared his Life in regard to his want of Experience Hence the Army moved and took in Evora and Monte-Mayor and so proceeded to Setuval without committing any wasâ— in all the Country 6. The grand Prior provided for his Defence but wanting Men and no Succours coming from France he sent the French Consul residing at Lisbon to hasten them and he went to spend the Money he carried The Spanish Forces 〈◊〉 Duke 〈◊〉 Alva 〈◊〉 near to Lisbon Now perceiving the Duke approached having taken Alcaçer do sal near Setuval and being wholly unprovided to oppose him he suffered his Officers to commit many Extortions to raise Money Slaves had their Freedom given them to take Arms Money was coined of less Weight than usual all the Jewels of the Crown were sold the Money designed for Redemption of Captives seized Convents were searched for Money deposited in them and the Plate of the Churches was seized The Fryars took Arms and went about the Streets exciting others to do the like Setuval was soon surrendred to the Duke of Alva and only a Tower held out that secures the Haven under which lay Three Galleons D. Alvaro Bazan Marquess of Santa Cruz coming up now with 60 Galleys and 25 Ships and some Cannon being planted on an Eminency at the first shot the Galeons surrendred and soon after the Tower The Grand Prior seeing the best Part of the Kingdom in the Power of King Philip and the Nobility daily resort to him began now to suspect his own Followers Duke de Alva passâ—â— the River Tagus The Duke of Alva after long consulting where to pass the River Tagus at length took the Advice of the Portuguese that adhered to him which was to go over in the Galleys to Cascais D. James de Mâ—â—â—es lying with some Men behind a Mountain did not hinder the landing and was therefore accused of Cowardize The Grand Prior marched out to Belem with some few ill armed Troops but soon retired The Duke took and plundered Cascais where D. James de Meneses being taken had his Head cut off This put Lisbon and the Grand Prior into a great Consternation and he gathered about 8000 undisciplined Men with which he marched towards Belem on the 5th of August On the 4th Day after he removed and posted himself on an Advantageous rising Ground over against the Bridge of Alcantara In the mean while the Duke advanced to batter the Fort of S. Julian 7. D. James de Cazamo a Spaniard who had served the Grand Prior came now to him and prevailed with him to submit himself to King Philip but the King remitted the whole Affair to the Duke of Alva who broke off that Negotiation The Fâ—â—ts upon the River taken by the Spaniards The Castle of S. Julian after being Two Days battered was delivered up to him The Wooden Fort at the Bar was abandoned by the Defendants and the Spaniards possessed themselves of it King Philip now published his general Pardon to all Persons whatsoever concerned in these Broiles except the Grand Prior and some other of the Heads conditionally that they submitted by a Day appointed Lisbon was willing enough to embrace this offer but feared as much to be plundered by its armed Rabble as by the Enemy Eight Days the Two Armies lay close by each other without doing any thing At length the Duke sent Sanchâ— de Avila with 15 Horse and some Foot to discover which way the Tower of Belâ—m might be attacked A greater number of Portuguese met them and a Skirmish 〈◊〉 tho not considerable the Spaniards retiring That 〈◊〉 they planted their Cannon and the next Day the Tower was delivered to them The Duke perceiving the Ground Prior kept his Ground which prevented the City 〈◊〉 from surrendring he went in Person to take a view 〈◊〉 his Camp and found it well seated but not fortifyed He resolved to attack it at Midnight and have strict Ordere that the City should not be plundred King Philip having given it him particularly in Charge At the tâ—mâ— appointed he marched the Spanish Shâ—ps and 〈◊〉 then riding in the River The Grand Prior encourageâ— his Mâ—n which were now but a small number and 〈…〉 disciplined The Spanish Army consisted of 20000 Men the Portuguese were not above 4000. The Cannon having played on both sides Antony's Army routted the Spaniards assaulted the Bridge where was a sharp dispute but that once gained the Portuguese soon fled to the City where Antony opened the Prisons and then with some few that would follow him shifted for himself 8. Notwithstanding the contrary Orders the Spaniards during Three Days plundered Lisbon Lisbon plundered by the Spaniards which so displeased King Philip that he threatned to punish all the Officers and so severely reproved the Duke that he is thought to have died of Grief Antony having staied at Sacavem near Lisbon removed to Santarem which Place tho the first that declared him King refused now to admit him Thence he fled to Coimbra where he fortifyed himself and having gathered 5000 Men sent Orders to the Province betwixt Duero and Minho to own him King and entered Aveyro by force The Towns in Africk immediately submitted Antony forced to fly 〈◊〉 abscond but the Tercera Islands stood by Antony Sancho de Avila set out from Lisbon with 400 Horse and 6000 Foot to pursue Antony Coimbra opened her Gates to him and Antony removed to Porto which Place refusing him admittance he began to batter and thereupon it was surrendred to him Sancho de Avila followed the Grand Prior close and coming to Porto battered it from the same Place the other had done and entring plundered it Antony escaping thence and being forsaken of all Men absoncded for a long time in the Mountains Being close pursued at the River Lima he had certainly been taken but that one Thomas Cacheyro who still followed him Swam over the River with him on his Back In this manner he fled from Place to Place narrowly escaping in several Disguises King Philip offered 80000
of Badajoz thought to have surprized that place and in order to it marched with 5500 Foot and 1200 Horse two Petards and eight pieces of Canon which last being useless for a surprize were the cause he failed of his design for the Carriages breaking by the way as was thought rather through the malice of those who had them in charge than neglect so much time was spent in fixing them again that it was day before he could reach the Fort of Telena which being a League from the City he was forced to return without attempting any thing to Elvas 2. The King having certain intelligence that the Spanish Army daily increased at Badajoz gave out all the necessary Orders for his Troops to Rendesvouz at Elvas and to be himself the more at hand went over to Aldea Gallega which was the cause that many of the Nobility and Gentry repaired to the Army The Spanish Army on the Portuguese Frontiers On the 25th day of October the Marquess de Leganez marched from Badajoz with 12000 Foot 3000 Horse 10 pieces of Cannon and a Train proportionable and halted in sight of the Bridge of Olivenza and Fort St. Antony In two days he took the said Fort and another at the foot of the Bridge both which he demolished and broke several Arches of the Bridge to cut off the Communication of Olivenza Whilst the Spaniards were busie at this work a Party of 600 of their Horse meeting 400 of our Foot under the Command of Major John da Fonseca Barreta within two Leagues of Estremoz cut most of them off the Major being the first that Fled whereas he might have easily drawn his Men within an Inclosure which was by and have thereby secured them against any Horse The King of the Maldivy Islands in India being now come to Portugal to crave Aid of the King against a Brother who had Usurped the Crown served in the Army this Campaign and was treated with all imaginable respect Count Castelmelhor having drawn together all the Force he could and being yet Inferiour to the Enemy kept himself still within the Olive-Gardens at Elvas but continually sent out Parties to Alarm the Enemy D. Roderick de Castro with 1000 Horse and 500 Musketiers sustaining one of those Parties the Enemy Charged it and pursuing too far he cut off 90 of their Horse Another of our Parties being beyond Badajoz took the Count de Izinguen who came to be Lieutenant-General of Horse in the Spanish Army and being sent to Lisbon continued a long time Prisoner in the Castle of Belem The Marquess de Leganez having done nothing more than break the Bridge and demolish the two Forts returned towards Badajoz and in 12 days erected a new Fort at Telena near that City destroying at the same time a Tower in which was an Ensign and 15 of our Men a League from Elvas This is all that was done of moment in the Province of Alentejo and both Armies went into Winter-Quarters 3. In the Province betwixt Duero and Minho The War in the Provinces betwixt Duero and Minho and Tralos Montes there was no memorable Action only small inroads made on both sides But the Province Tralos Montes enjoyed perfect Peace both Parties lying still each fearing to provoke the other D. Ferdinand Mascarenhas Count de Serem Governed Beira At his first coming thither the Spaniards drove a Prey from about Villa Tropim and Malpartida but Captain Ruy Tavarez de Brito overtaking them with 100 Horse recovered all though at the cost of his own Life Soon after the Enemy layed Siege to Salvaterra but without success for the Count having drawn together all the Force he could make to relieve it and being reinforced from Alentejo they broke up the Siege and departed They being gone the Count fortified the Frontier places and obliged the Countrey People to retire farther from the borders because he was inferiour to the Enemy in Forces 4. We left John Fernandez Vieyra Actions of John Fernandez Vieyra in Brazil against the Dutch the last Year in the Mountains of Pernambuco expecting succours from Bahia to make War upon the Hollanders They laid several designs to take him but he having timely notice still escaped their hands They promised 1000 Florins Reward for his Head and he on the other side offered 8000 Crusados for any of the Heads of those of their supream Council Henry Hus was sent with 1500 Dutch and 800 Indians into the Mountains to cut him off with all his Party but he having gathered 1200 men whereof only 200 had Fire-Arms posted himself so advantageously and received them with such resolution that after a dispute of several hours they were totally routed with much slaughter and had not the Night sheltered them none had returned to carry the News The Arms taken in this Action were the principal part of the Booty because of the great want of them there was among the Portugueses John Hus revenged himself upon the innocent Inhabitants of the Towns of St. Laurence and Apopucos who lived under the protection of the Dutch robbing and putting them to the rack Soon after Antony Philip Camarao and Henry Dias with the Blacks and Indians under their Command joyned John Fernandez Vieyra Andrew Vidall also sent with some Foot by Antony Tellez Governour of Bahia to apprehend John Fernandez for breaking the Truce with the Dutch took part with him against them Advice being brought them that the Hollanders plundered Varzea and carried away the Women that were there they marched with all speed and defeating them in the Field obliged those that retired into a House to surrender themselves Though the Hollanders complained that Andrew Vidal being sent to their assistance had joyned their Enemies yet they as soon as he was landed had burnt the Ships that brought him from Bahia 5. The Dutch going about to disarm the Portuguese Inhabitants of the Town of Sirinhaem Faithless proceedings of the Dutch in Brazil they were so incensed that gathering together under Hypolito de Vercoza they drove them not only out of the Town but out of the Fort whither they had fled for safety At Pontal de Nazareth our Men had also Besieged the Dutch in the Fort and Martin Sourez Moreno with his Regiment coming to the assistance of the Besiegers Theodosius Straet the Governour underhand contrived how to deliver it up to them and he with most of his Men entred into their Service Andrew Vidal who had been in this last Action having again joyned John Fernandez Vieyra they resolved to block up the place called Arrecife and the City Mauricea which was immediately put in execution all the Forces being posted in the most convenient places to cut off the Enemy from all relief by Land They Attacked and took the Fort St. Cruz seated betwixt the Arrecife and the Town of Olinda the Commander with 60 Men taking Service among the Portugueses The Fort of Porto Calvo was also taken by Christopher Lins the
Lamorle with some Troops to draw out the Spaniards of Albuquerque which he managed so dexterously that bringing them into an ambush they were totally routed and 120 Horses taken The Enemy made another Incursion towards Olivenza but as they retired 200 Portuguese Horse Charging them in the Rear recovered all the Booty At this time came to Elvas Martin Alfonso de Melo the new Governour The Baron de Molinguen General of Horse Commanded the Spanish Forces He gathered 1200 Horse and advanced towards Elvas 800 Horse and three Regiments of Foot marched out upon the alarm Martin Alfonso sent the Horse before ordering Andrew de Albuquerque to Attack the Enemy if he found them on this side the Rivers Guadiana or Caya Albuquerque Detached the Commissary-General D. John de Ataide with four Troops and the same Orders D. John finding only a part of the Enemy on this side would not Charge them which Antony Jaques de Payva perceiving he fell on with his Troop but being overpowered his Men fled those with D. John instead of seconding followed their example as did also those that were with Albuquerque The Spaniards pursued till they discovered our Foot and Andrew de Albuquerque rallying his Horse under their shelter when having no Foot they drew off carrying away 40 Prisoners John Paschasius Cosmander our principal Ingenier passing betwixt Estremoz and Elvas was unhappily taken by a Spanish Party The King offered the Count de Singuen in exchange for him but the Spaniards left no methods untried to bring him to their Service till at last they prevailed 2. The Count de Castello Melâ—or Actions betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho who Governed the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho Understanding that the Count de S. Estevan General of Galicia was to March with 1500 Foot and 400 Horse to visit the Frontiers sent out of Salvaterra Collonel Francis de Franca Barboza with 450 Foot to possess himself of an Advantageous Post called Maleytas near the River Minho and a Musquet Shot from Salvaterra The Adjutant Labarta was Ordered with 20 Horse to attack the Enemies Scouts and as if he were Overpowered to retire and draw the Enemy within the reach of the Foot Labarta Executed his Orders and was pursued by 5 Battalions of the Enemy With Francis de Franca were 100 Dutch who fled at the sight of the Enemy and many Potugueses followed their example however Francis de Franca with such as stood by him made good his ground till the Spaniards retired The Province Tralos Montes still pteserved its quiet both Parties being inclinable to admit of it Count Seren who Governed Beyra having Obtained Leave to quit that Post the King divided it into two Parts Appointing two Generals because the Province was Large D. Roderick de Castro had the Territory about Guarda Pinhel and Lamego D. Sancho Manuel that about Castelbranco Viseu and Coimbra D. Roderick being come into his Province immediately disposed all things for the Defence of it and repulsed a Party of the Enemy that broke in by the way of Alfayates His next design was to take the Fort of Galegos 4 Leagues from Almeyda and 2 from Cuidad Rodrigo To this purpose he gathered 60 Foot of the Standing-Forces and 2500 of the Militia with 160 Horse and 3 pieces of heavy Canon On the 23d of August he marched from Almeyda and the next day came before Gallegos Planted a battery and began to play upon the Place but perceiving it required more time to make a breach than he could well spare and Understanding the Garrisons of all the Neighbouring places were marched to Cuidad Rodrigo to Relieve Gallegos he thought a Fair Opportunity was offered him of taking St. Felices a Place of more consequence Wherefore they Instantly broke up and marched towards it with 120 Foot and 120 Horse and by the way Understood that all the Garrison of the place was marched except 300 Foot and 800 of the Country People Upon this advice he hasted forwards and giving the Assault at several places together Entred the Town Plundered and Burnt it D. Antony de Isasse the Governour having Lost 150 of his Men retired with the rest into the Castle and D. Roderick Returned with great Honour to Almeida Severall other small Skirmishes hapned in which the Portugueses still had the better which so Encouraged D. Roderick that gathering 800 Foot and 150 Horse he made an inroad into the Territory of Cuidad Rodrigo Burning all the Open Towns and utterly destroying the Country without meeting the least opposition D. Sancho Manuel Governour of the other part of the Province was not idle but cut off 100 Spaniards that had taken a prey in his district and Fortifyed Salvaterra upon advice that the Enemy were assembling a considerable body which he was not able to Oppose in the Feild 3. This Year the King created his Eldest Son Theodosius A Design to Murder King John Prince of Brasil and began to Assign the Revenues of the House of Braganza for the maintaining of his House As the King studied all means to secure his Crown so the Ministers of Spain omitted not by all ways tho' never so unjust to contrive his destruction and had now infallibly compassed it had not a special Providence preserved him One Dominick Leyte a Native of Lisbon who had been Clark in one of the Courts and was well descended fled to Madrid where having offered his Service to that King's Ministers he undertook upon several great promises and some rewards in possession to Assassinate King John In order to it he returned to Lisbon in May with one Emanuel Roque where by degrees he hired several Houses in the Turners-Street next the Church of St. Nicholas He opened Doors all along from one House to another made loop-holes through the walls to the Street and provided several Fire-locks loaded with Poisoned Bullets to Shoot the King as he passed that way in procession upon Corpus-Christi-day that if one piece should happen to fail another might certainly hit The day being come and he lying in wait tho' he twice attempted to fire his Heart failed him and the King being passed he shut the Doors and went away to the Monastery of Our Lady of Grace where Emanuel Roque expected him with two Horses and they both returned to Madrid There he framed excuses for missing of his Design and receiving fresh encouragement returned again to Lisbon By the way he discovered his Design to Emanuel Roque who getting to Town before him on pretence of taking a Lodging discovered the Treason Dominick Leyte being Apprehended Confessed the Crime had both his Hands cut off and was afterwards Hanged and Quartered 4. The Marquess de Niza Negotiations at several Courts who had been before Ambassador in France was sent back this Year to sollicite the Concluding a League betwixt the two Crowns He proposed to Cardinal Mazarine a Match betwixt Prince Theodosius and the Eldest Daughter of the Duke of
him but it took no effect On the 18th of April he took the Field with 7500 Foot 500 Seamen 300 Indians 5 pieces of Cannon and a great quantity of Ammunition and marching to the Fort Barreta the Captain who commanded there unadvisedly went out with 80 Men most of whom were kill'd the Captain taken and his Ensign surrendred the Fort. Francis Barreto who commanded the Portugueses having called a Council of War it was resolved to give the Enemy Battle though at such great odds rather than stay to be beaten out of all their Posts by degrees According to this Resolution they marched and posted themselves in a small Plain at the Foot of the Mountains Gararapes on the 16th of April They sent out Major Antony Diaz Cardoso with 20 Men to observe the Enemy who stirred not that Night but appeared next Morning being Low Sunday upon the Mountains Antony Dias with his 20 Men and 40 Indians that had joyned him skirmishing in their Van. The Enemy drawing near our Men attack'd them with Sword in Hand and at the first Charge disordered their Van which retiring to the other Troops endeavoured to rally Henry Dias with his Regiment pressing hard upon them was overpowred by the fresh Troops and forced to give way so that many of the Portugueses who were disordered in Confidence of the Victory began to fly Francis Barreto in good time rallyed them and charging the Enemy again recovered the Day Yet the Dutch were not soon broke for the Fight continued four Hours very obstinate At last the Dutch gave way and retired to a Hill whether Francis Barreto thought not good to pursue them because his Men were spent with Travel and fasting 24 Hours There were taken 33 Colours many Arms and a great Booty At Night the Enemy returned to the Shoar leaving behind 1000 Dead and carrying 523 wounded of the Portugueses 80 were killed and 400 wounded This done Francis Barreto marched back to possess his former Quarters hoping the Enemy was not in a Condition to destroy them and so it proved for they had only possessed themselves of the Fort Barreta and Town of Olinda which last he resolved to recover At Night he sent Henry Diaz with his Regiment and some other Companies who drove out the Enemy killing 160 of them and recovered 5 pieces of Canon Francis Barreto ordered the Works to be rased and his Men to retire to their Post Sigismund Vanscop sent a Drum demanding exchange of Prisoners which was refused and they all sent away to Bahia Some Ships of the Dutch Fleet that had been separated by Storm arriving now Sigismund several times attacked the Quarters of Henry Dias but was as often valiantly repulsed by the Blacks There was great want of Men and Provisions in our Quarters which was in some measure remedyed by the arrival of Collonel Francis de Figueyroa from Bahia with 300 Men and a quantity of Cattle The joy of this Succour was abated by the Death of D. Antony Philip Camarao Governor of the Indians a good Christian and resolute Soldier Sigismund Vanscop perceiving Fortune favour'd him not at Pernambuco put to Sea with some Ships and landing in several parts of Baâ—ia returned with a great Booty he had gather'd Francis Barreto growing better versed in the Affairs of that Country continued the War with good Conduct as we shall see in the following Years 4. It has been said above that Salvador Correa was sent from Lisbon with the Title of Governour of Rio de Janeyro The Dutch beaten out of Angola in Africk and General of the Kingdom of Angola In January he arrived at Rio de Janeyro and found there Emanuel Pacheco de Mello with the 5 Ships sent by the Count de Villa Pouca in pursuance of the King's Orders Salvador Correa was no sooner landed but he called a Council to deliberate about recovering the Kingdom of Angola It was unanimously resolved to go upon the Enterprize and for the carrying of it on the Inhabitants contributed 55000 Cruzadoes which is 7333l 06 s. 04 d. This encouraged him to hire 6 Ships and buy 4 small Vessels He listed 900 Land Men and 600 Sea-men and having made all necessary Provision for them sailed for Angola on the 12th of May with 15 Sail. The weather proved so bad his small Vessels could not keep up with him However he arrived at Quicombo where he was ordered to raise a Fort and landed to view the place Five days after arrived his Vice-Admiral and two of the small Vessels but the Night following the Vice-Admiral sunk in the Bay without the least Wind no Man knowing what should be the cause of it In her perished 360 Men for only two were saved Salvador Correa called a Council where he proposed that though the King's Orders were not to make War upon the Dutch as supposing they lived peaceably with the Portugueses yet finding on the Contrary that they ceased not to make War upon those who were retired up the Country he thought it was but reasonable to assist their Country Men and expell those Usurpers All that were present answered they would either recover Angola or dye With this unanimous Consent he set sail again and arrived at Loanda Having taken a Black he reported that 300 Dutch with 3000 Blacks so streightned the Portugueses who were fled to the City Masangano that it was impossible to have any Correspondence with them Having received this Confirmation of the unjust proceedings of the Dutch he sent to summon the Governor of Loanda to surrender This Message so surprized him that he sent to desire only 8 days to resolve what was to be done Salvador Correa perceiving this was only to gain Time to call in their Men that were Abroad replyed he would grant two Days after which they must expect to be treated with the utmost Rigour They accepted of the offer and in that time gather'd all the Force they could into the Fort of St. Michael which commands the City and that of our Lady on the Shoar both which can contain 5000 Men. At the expiration of the two days Salvador Correa sent to know whether they were ready to surrender but they answered they were resolved to hold out to the last Hereupon he instantly landed 900 Men and marched to the Town which he entred without Opposition possessing himself of the Fort S. Antony abandoned by the Enemy who had left in it 8 pieces of Canon whereof only two were nailed With the other 6 and 4 Demi-Canon brought from the Ships he formed two Batteries that Night which at break of Day began to play on the Fort of St. Michael but not with any considerable effect Salvador Correa displeased at this disappointment and more at the News that the Dutch had defeated the Portugueses at Masangano resolved to venture upon a desperate Action which was to assault both the Forts joyned by a Line of Communication and defended by 1200 Dutch French and Germans and as many Blacks
before they could intercept him With this Design he gathered 350 Foot and 200 Horse and marching to Segura sent before Captain Gaspar de Tavora with 140 Horse to drive the Cattle about Sacravim which done he had orders ro retire to Collonel John Fialho who should expect him with 60 Horse and the rest of the Foot at a place called Salto near the River Lagao Gaspar de Tavora executed his Orders with such expedition that by Noon he had joyned John Fiallo But the Spaniards having notice of D. Sancho's March no sooner entred Portugal then they turned back and marching towards their Town of Carza by which the Portugueses must of necessity pass appeared before John Fialho when least he expected it with 600 Horse and as many Foot He covering his Horse with the Foot retired in good order for above a League till coming to a Pass the Enemy drew up before him Necessity now obliging him to charge them he fell with such Bravery upon the 600 Foot that he absolutely broke them but in the mean while the 600 Spanish Horse charging his 200 now divided from their Foot after some short dispute overpowered and totally routed them The Enemy pursued their Advantage and John Fialho rallying his Foot recovered an advantagious Post to defend himself The Enemy ceased their pursuit in care for their Foot which had been overthrown and return'd to compleat their Victory by destroying John Fialho and his party He had as was said gained an advantagious post but having spent all his Ammunition was made Prisoner with all the Officers of Horse and Foot 140 Horse escaped the rest with all the Foot were either killed or taken After this Disaster D. Sancho Manuel retired to Idanha Nova and garrisoned the Frontiers with the Militia writing to the Prince for supplies which were soon sent him Being recruited and joyning his Forces with those of D. Roderick de Castro he resolved to revenge the late Affront by surpising the City Coria They marched with 1500 Foot and 700 Horse some Petards and other necessaries for such an Enterprize but the distance being great they could not come before the City till after day However having divided their Foot they attacked the Suburbs in two places which they entered plunder'd and burnt which done seeing no possibility of forcing the City they retired and each returned to his Province 3. The troubles of France increasing rendred all Foreign Negotiations so uncertain at that Court that Francis de Sousa Coutinho having obtained leave of the King came to Portugal leaving D. Felicianus Dourado Secretary of the Embassy to Reside there during his absence At this time there was held at Paris a Synod of Bishops Endeavours used for obtaining Bishops but in vain to whose Consideration King John recommended the finding of some expedient for prevailing with the Pope to precognize the Bishops of Portugal They used their utmost endeavours but the Spanish Interest still prevailing nothing could be done at this time Antony de Sousa de Macedo having obtained leave of the King to quit the Embassy of Holland D. Antony Rapozo Succeeded him in that employ He made it his business to heighten the misunderstanding betwixt the English and Dutch because the latter having sustained great losses by the War they were engaged in with the former were thereby disabled from sending succours to Pernambuco The King at the same time considering how advantageous the Friendship of England might prove to his Affairs resolved to send an Ambassador thither and pitched upon the Count de Penaguiao for that employ as we have said before 4. Francis Barreto Francis Barreto his further Actions in Brazil the General of Pernambuco continued the Siege of Arrecife with considerable resolution hoping at length to reduce the Besieged whose only hope consisted in the succours they expected from Holland The first part of the Year passed without any memorable Action In May Francis Barreto ordered Major Antony Diaz Cardozo with 400 Men to lie close in ambush and send out parties to endeavour to draw the Garrisons of the Forts Barreta and Affogados into the snare The Major posset himself of the post assigned him without being discovered and sending out certain small Parties drew out the Enemy as he had designed but the number of the Hollanders being greater than had been expected the Fight continued doubtful for above an hour at length the Dutch were routed and fled to their Forts leaving the Field covered with dead Bodies After this Barreto being informed that the Enemy had laid up great store of Brazil-Wood and other Commodities at Rio Grande in order to be transported into Holland he sent thither the Collonel Andrew Vidal with 300 Men who burnt their wood wasted all the Countrey and returned with a great booty and many Prisoners The Dutch had in those Seas 50 sail of Ships from 20 to 30 Guns but so ill Manned and Equipped for want of supplies from Holland that tho' they met the Portuguese Brazil-Fleet and fought it yet after a short dispute they were forced to retire without any Prize and the Fleet arrived safe at Lisbon on the 26th of October 5. We left the Baron de Alvito The Spaniards try the Governour of Tangier without success Governour of Tangier labouring under great scarcity of Provisions the last Year He had not as yet received any relief from Lisbon which being known at Ceuta D. John Soares who Commanded there for the Spaniards hoping their wants might reduce that Garrison to revolt from their King sent two Brigantines and a Bark thither ordering the Commander of the Bark to enter the Port and convey the Letters he had writ for that purpose to the Baron and other Men of note This being put in execution the Baron read the Letters which were to perswade him to submit himself to the King of Spain with promise of great Rewards or else to offer him safe passage to Lisbon The Baron whose Loyalty was not shaken having in vain endeavoured to draw those in the Bark a-shoar caused another to be fitted out in which went several resolute Gentlemen with Fire-Arms and Orders to Attack the Enemies Bark when they should approach to receive the Letter they expected The Barks coming together they fired killed three of the Spaniards and carried the rest Prisoners to the City This Action so exasperated the Spaniards that they sent three Ships to interrupt any relief that might be designed for Tangier but the Baron ordering the Vessels that came from Lisbon to be detained in Algarve till further advice from him the Enemy quitted their station and gave way to five Caravels with Provisions to relieve that City The Baron being informed that certain Captive Moors in the Town had by intelligence with those abroad agreed to let themselves down the Wall of the old Town near which the others were to lie hid in order to receive them he ordered three Soldiers habited like Moors to be let down and when
put into it Hence Francis Barreto marched to the Fort Altanar which after some short resistance was delivered upon the same conditions as the other Before the taking of this Fort the Dutch had abandoned 3 others and now quitted 3 more with the same precipitation Barreto designing next to attack the Fort of Sinco Pontas was informed that the Enemy had secured a Post he thought to have lodged his Men upon whereupon he sent Collonel Andrew Vidal with 1000 Men to dislodge them which he did and Fortifyed himself in the same Place Next Morning the Canon was conveyed thither and the Trenches were opened against the Fort Sinco Pontas The Dutch perceiving the danger to approach made overtures for a Surrender which were easily admitted and after some days Spent in adjusting all differences they finally agreed upon the following Articles That the Dutch should remain possest of all their moveables That they should have some of their own Ships with Iron Guns to Transport them to Holland That such as would might stay there and be Treated in point of Religion as they were in Portugal That all the Out-Forts be put into the hands of the Portugueses with their Artillery and Ammunition That a Garrison be immediately received into Arrecife and the City Mauricea where the Dutch might continue 3 Months but without any Sort of Armes That all Ships coming from Holland for Four months to come have the Liberty of all those Ports That the Dutch give hostages to secure the Surrender of all other places they possest belonging to Portugal on that Coast That the Indians Mulattos and Blacks who served be pardoned These were the principall Articles signed on both sides the 26th of January Next day the Portugueses took possession of all the Posts where they found 121 brass Guns 170 of Iron Ammunition and provision for a Year and great quantity of Stores The same Night that Arrecife was delivered a Dutch Lieutenant Collonel fled over to the Island Itamaraca and perswading the People there that the Portugueses spared neither Sex nor Age they Shipt themselves and goods on board two Frigats and Sailing to Paraiba spread the same Terror there obliging Collonel Autin who Commanded against his will to Embark on a Ship that arrived there from India and leaving the Fort in possession of 50 Portugueses who were prisoners there All other places in Brazil were recovered with the same ease to the great honour of Francis Barreto after the Dutch had Tyrannically possest themselves of them for the Space of 30 years reckoning from their first coming thither which was in the Year 1624. The recovery of Pernambuco hapned 8 days after D. Hirome de Ataide Count de Altouguia had taken possession of the Government of Brazil at Bahia being successor to the Count de Castello Melhor Collonel Andrew Vidal was sent to carry this good News to the King who rewarded him and all the cheif Officers according to their Merit 4. Our Affairs in India were not so successful as in America The War in India unsuccessfull to Portugal D. Bras de Castro continued in the Government no Vice-Roy being yet come to call him to account for his Usurpation Francis de Mello who commanded in Ceilon sent out Antony Mendez Aranha with 400 Portugueses and some Chingalas to endeavour to fight the Dutch but they avoided coming to blows as much as could be knowing that want of Provisions would in time ruine us He marched and in the way to Calature found an Entrenchment guarded by some Blacks whom he defeated Then advancing to Diagao a place where he must pass the River he found it Guarded by two Companies of Dutch and a Number of Chingalas upon whom he kept Firing for the Space of 10 days and having provided boats to waft his Men over the Dutch quitted the Post and he possessed himself of it He continued 30 days about Calature hoping to draw out the Dutch and then finding his Design succeeded not marched through the Country of Alicaao then subject to the Enemy destroying all that stood in his way Here he received orders to march up the Country in order to furnish Columbo with provisions whereof there was great scarcity and when he had Spent 20 days without finding any so that his Men were consumed with Labour and want 700 Dutch with a great Number of Chingalas lay in the way he was to pass at Tebuna to intercept him Antony Mendez drew up his Men under cover and keeping a continual fire upon the Enemy who were on a rising ground drove them thence After this Action he received advice from Columbo that Five Galeons were arrived there with relief from Goa yet they left the City in no better condition then they found it for having in an Engagement near Gale lost their two Commadores the other Captains fell at odds about the cheif command and putting to Sea met 11 Dutch men of War by whom they were all destroyed The Dutch now wanting men in other places abandoned Calature which Antony Mendez possessed himself of as also of the Port Alicao three Leagues from Gale His good Services being mis-represented by his Enemies he was call'd away and his Command given to Gaspar de Araujo Pereyra who being soon found incapable of it Antony Mendes was again restored The Dutch repenting they had quitted Araujo and Calature had battered the former the space of 15 days and passed the River to attack it the same day that Antony Mendez arrived there He seeing no possibility of maintaining it resolved to march off his Men to Columbo but the Enemy having wholly cut off his Retreat he was forced to engage them having chose an advantagious Post which his Men maintained with incredible Bravery till a chance Bullet flying into the Enemies Powder blew up all their Ammunition killing above 50 of them whereupon the rest fled leaving 200 of their Companions dead upon the spot this was the end of this Years Actions there Three Ships sailed from Lisbon for India one whereof was cast away upon the Bar of Goa Anno 1655. 1. THE War in all parts of Portugal Very small matter this Year of martial Exploits was this Year carryed on with so little Vigour that it is scarce worth the mentioning but that something must be said to carry on the Series of the History The Provinces of Alentejo and Entre Duero and Minho afford us no matter at all John Mendez de Vasconcellos who governed that of Tros os Montes and the foregoing Years had continued in perfect Peace had now received Orders from the King as had all the other Governors to infest the Enemies Frontiers with Incursions which he put in Execution The Spaniards in revenge drove all the Cattle about Miranda but Antony Jaques de Payva who commanded in that Town sent out a party which defeating the Enemy recovered all the Prey and brought away all the Cattle of the Spaniards that grazed about Samil This done Antony Jaques with
others who had any share in the Administration of the Government At length on the 6th of November being Munday having given all imaginable Tokens of true Repentance and Christian Piety he gave up the Ghost into the Hands of his Redeemer The King being dead the Lord Chamberlain dressed him in the Royal Robes and layed him upon a Bed the Bells throughout the City and the Tears of his Subjects equally signifying the loss sustained by the Kingdom After noon the Council met and opening his Will found he appointed the Queen Regent of the Kingdom and Protectress of his Children that the Royal Chappel should be finished according to the Model by him begun that the Monastery of S. Clare at Coimbra should be finished That several Pensions should be given to Persons there named That 2000 Cruzados should be immediately distributed to poor Monasteries and that his Body should be interred in the Church of S. Vincent All the while the Body lay in State in the Guard Chamber of the Pallace the People thronged to see it Thence it was removed attended by all the Officers of the Houshold and Clergy of the whole City to the Church of S. Vincent and there put into the Tomb appointed for it King John was of a middle Stature very handsome before he had the Small Pox his Hair fair his Body gross but strong He hated gayety in Cloaths and therefore was careless in his Dress always an Enemy to new Fashions His Discourse was Witty and Pleasant his Judgment sound but affecting to have all his Orders unblameable he was often too slow in his Resolutions He had but one Wife which was the Lady Luisa de Guzman Daughter to the Duke of Medina Sidonia By her he had Issue Theodosius who dyed at Lisbon His Wife and Issue in the 19th Year of his Age Emanuel and Anne who both dyed in their Infancy at Villa Viciosa before their Father ascended the Throne Alfonso who succeeded his Father and was afterwards deposed Peter now reigning Joanna who dyed at Lisbon in the 16th Year of her Age. And Catherine Queen of England One Bastard Daughter called Mary who lived and dyed in the Monastery of Carnide near Lisbon In this City the King dyed upon Monday the 26th of November in the Year 1656 at the age of 5â— Years and 7 Months whereof he was 26 Duke oâ— Barcelos 10 Duke of Braganza and 16 King of Portugal Anno 1657. AFter the death of the King the Queen Dowager whâ— was also regent during the minority of her Son being a Woman of a haughty and active Spirit presently bent her thoughts upon making some considerable attempt on the Enemies Frontiers least they should imagine that the loss of their King had discouraged the Portugueses or dissipatated their Councils To this effect and to gain her self a greater Reputation among her own People she ordered the Count de San Lorenzo who then Commanded upon the Frontiers with all secrecy and expedition to attempt the surprizing of the Fort of Barcarota in which she was informed there was but a small Garrison At this time Francis Tutta-villa Duke of St. German was Generall of the Spanish Frontiers by birth he was an Italian and as to his person and experience a Soldier of known courage and Conduct He having private intelligence of the design covertly put 500 chosen men into Barcarota with orders to Stand upon their guard that they might surprize those who came to surprize them The Portugueses aâ—temptinâ— Barcarota are repulsed with loss The Portuguese Forces who knew nothing of this reinforcement boldly making up to the Fort before break of day were on a sudden assaulted by the Spaniards sallying furiously upon them and they expecting no such reception were soon put to flight and a great number slain and taken prisoners This rash and fruitless attempt by which the Queen thought to have made herself terrible to her Enemies produced a quite contrary effect for it only provoked his Catholick Majesty to carry on the War against Portugal with greater vigour than had been done of late years In order thereto the Spanish Generall the Duke of St. German having been sent for to Madrid and there fully empowered to act as he should find most expedient returned to the Frontiers well furnished with mony Armes provisions 20 peices of Canon and an Army of 13000 Foot and 4000 Horse He was at first doubtfull whether he should bend his Force against Elvas or Olivenza but considering the dammage received from the frequent excursions of the garrison of the latter of these two places he resolved to attack it Olivenza is seated in a plain almost a League from the River Guadiana and beset on all sides with hills that command it being within Canon shot The Fortifications of the place were after the modern manner consisting of Nine bastions two half Moons and two Forts and was next to Elvas the strongest place in Portugal The Duke being come before the Town and perceiving the Seige would be a work of time The Duke of St. German the Spanish Generall besieges Olivenza enclosed the whole place within his lines possessing himself of the hills and strengthning his lines with 21 redoubts and four large places of Armes Four batteries were presently raised which played with good success upon the Town but whatever they cast down in the day the besieged repaired by Night After which another was planted on the Monastery of St. Francis which overtopping the Walls slew many in the streets till such time as a strong work was cast up by the garrison which covered that part of the Town The trenches were diligently carryed on and many sallies made by the besieged The Duke perceiving the conquest of this place to be a work of great difficulty thought fit to reduce it by Art as well as Main-force Having therefore suffered his men to lye still severall days as if he intended to starve the Town on a sudden in the dead of Night he assaulted the greater of the two Forts with his whole power The besieged being at first surprized and not knowing whither to run gave way 〈◊〉 the Enemy who thought themselves possest of the Fort till Emanuel de Saldanha the Governour of the Town comming with fresh supplies drove them out and the Duke fearful of exposing his men sounded a retreat Twenty days after the Town was invested the Count de St. Lorenzo came to the relief of it with an Army of 12000 Foot and 3500 Horse After being four days on the Banks of the River he moved nearer to the Enemy and planted a battery against their works but the Duke having raised also another did such Execution that he was glad to withdraw and return to his Camp near Jurumenha Three days he lay there and then again drew near to Olivenza to discover how the Town might best be relieved or at least to encourage the besieged by his presence to which purpose he sent severall Messages to
the Governour The Porguese generall endeavours to draw away the Spanish Army from Olivenza by giving a diversion with false promises of speedy relief At length the Count seing no possibility of Forcing the Enemy without hazarding his whole Army thought it better to endeavour to draw them from the Seige by a diversion In order to it he marched to Badajoz hoping to surprize that important place in the Night by sending 3000 men who by the likeness of their habit and Language might be admitted as if sent from the Spanish Army These being near the gate were discovered and the Garrison and Townsmen running to Arms were put to flight after leaving about 300 dead behind besides several Officers of Note This Enterprize proving so unsuccessful the Count de St. Lorenzo marched towards Albuquerque burning and destroying all the Country in hopes by that means to draw the Spanish Army from Olivenza and at last sits down before Valencia pressing that place day and Night but with great loss on his side for it was no less bravely defended by Sebastian Granero the Governour an old Souldier of known Valour In the mean while the Duke of St. German had plyed Olivenca so hotly that the works of the place were all ruined and the greater Fort almost demolished by the mines he had sprung Emanuel de Saldanha the Governour seeing the ruin of his works and that the Army which ought to have relieved him was marched away obtained a truce of the Duke conditioning to deliver up the place if not relieved by a day appointed The Count de St. Lorenzo having received this advice before Valencia immediately raised his Siege and marching first to Portalegre came thence and incamped at Jurumenha from which place he writ to the Governour of Olivenza in hard Terms commanding him at the peril of his Life to defend the place to the last extremity and promising to come to his relief as soon as he had received some recruits he expected Saldanha the Governour being sensible of his own weakness and the vainness of the Counts promises resolved to perform the Articles he had agreed upon with the Spanish Generall and accordingly on the day appointed delivered up the Town to him marching out himself with about 2500 Foot and near 600 Horse Not one Townsman remained behind him such was their hatred to the Spaniards It was generally agreed the Town could have held out some days longer and the Governour being accused of not having performed his duty but to have made a hasty and dishonourable surrender was first kept prisoner at Lisbon and afterwards banished the Kingdom for ever The breaches of the Town being repaired and a good Garrison put into the place the Duke marched towards his Enemy burning and wasting all the Country before him by this means intending to draw the Count to a battle but perceiving this nothing moved him he sits down with his Army before Moron This Town is seaâ—ed upon the River Guadiana secures the passage of that River and covers Olivenza About the Town there was only an old wall but the Castle was of greater strength The inhabitants terrifyed by the fate of Olivenza no sooner saw the Cannon begin to play upon their Walls but they abandoned the Town and retired into the Castle which was well fortifyed This success caused the Duke to alter his resolution of fighting and now he resolved to make himself Master of the Castle before he would come to a battle On the other side the Count de St. Lorenzo who before carefully shunned hazarding his Army seeing now the ill consequence of suffering the Enemy to encroach so far upon him was wholly bent upon engaging but the River being betwixt him and the Enemy who carefully guarded all the Fords and some Skirmishes being unsuccessfull to the Portugueses still the generall dreaded to expose his whole Army to the fury of the Enemy and of the River at once John Ferreira the Governour of the Castle being now sore pressed by the besiegers and no less by want of provisions and seeing no likelihood of releif on the Eleventh day after the Castle was invested Moron surrendred delivered it up all the inhabitants marching out with the garrison After this success the Victorious Duke marched back to Badajoz intending to return and besiege Jurumenha but the excessive heats made him defer that enterprize for a more favourable Season Nothing more of moment passed this year but that the Portugueses rased the Fort of Oliva which before they had taken from the Spaniards as not tenable after the loss of Olivenza Anno 1658. QUeen Luisa a Woman naturally ambitious and haughty The Queen prepares to invade Castile was extreamly perplexed to see her great designs against Spain miscarry and her Enemies triumphant in the taking of Olivenza and daring of her Army the last Summer She feared the unconstant multitude who always judge of things according to the success and when that fails immediately flye at the government To strike a Terror therefore into her Enemies and to still the murmuring of the People she resolved once more to carry the War into the Borders of Castile To this purpose she renewed the Alliance concluded by the late King with France and England and having sent to both for Supplies of Men caused 13000 Foot and near 4000 Horse to be speedily drawn together The command of these Forces she gave to John Mendez de Vasconcellos an old Soldier who had served under the Catholick King in the low Countries This done it was decreed in Council in complyance to her Will that Badajoz should be Besieged because that Place if taken would add much Reputation to her Government and would be as a Bridle upon the Spanish Garrison in Olivenza The Duke of St. German who was then at Badajoz having by his Spies received Intelligence of these great Preparations and the design of them immediately dispatch'd an Express to acquaint D. Luis de Haro the prime Minister of Spain therewith as also to inform him of the weakness of the Garrison of Badajoz and the ill posture of defence of the Place Whilst Relief was expected he lost no time but drew together all the Forces he could and gather'd such stores of Ammunition and Provisions as the time and his Exigencies would permit Few days were passed before the Portuguese Army appeared on the further side of the River Guadiana near which Badajoz is seated The River in Summer is fordable in many Places and is joyned to the Town by a good Stone-Bridge at the Foot whereof is the strong Fort of St. Christophers On the top of the Hill on whose side the Town lies stands the Castle but the Walls of the Town were at this time decayed and unfit for Defence The Duke not being as yet provided for a Siege sent out his Horse to give some stop to the Enemies sudden approach The Portuguese Army lays Siege to Fort St. Christopher near Badajoz But the
Portuguese General who ought to have immediately past the River and invested the Town then unprovided missed his Opportunity by setting down before the Fort of St. Christopher This Fort is seated on a Hill on the further Bank of the River from the Town and about a Musquet shot from the City being a regular Fortification after the modern manner D. Ventura de Tarragona General of the Artillery commanded in the Fort. The Portugueses immediately possessed themselves of two Hills on each of which there was a small redoubt on which they planted their Cannon and thence battered the Fort. Next day they opened their Trenches and carryed them on with great Application the Besieged on their side doing all that could be expected for their Defence in which they made many vigorous Sallies in one whereof after a hot Dispute they drove the Besiegers before them with much Slaughter and destroyed their Works However the Besieged soon repaired the Works and began to press the place which obliged the Duke of St. German to send in all haste for two Regiments that were in Andaluzia one of Spaniards commanded by the Marquess of Lancarote the other of Irish under the commnnd of Collonel Walter Dungan who was afterwards Earl of Limerick These two Regiments the Spanish General had decreed should relieve the Fort which began to be distressed but the Portuguese had appointed 6000 chosen Men to be always in readiness to oppose such Attempts and had broke the Line of Communication betwixt the Foot of the Bridge and the Fort by which supplies used to come from the Town so that this same was now an Obstacle against those that were to succour the Besieged Thus the Fort was reduced to the last Extremity This moved the Spanish General to order a Spanish Major with two Captains and 160 Men to attempt breaking through the Enemies Line which they most resolutely performed and got into the Fort. No sooner were they entred but D. Ventura the Governor commanded them to attack the Besiegers in the redoubt they had possessed themselves of but this answered not their former Success for being overpowered by the multitude of Enemies the Major was killed one of the Captains shot through the Arm and such of the Men as could escape fled in disorder to the Fort. Hereupon the Governor sent to acquaint the Duke that he could not hold out 24 Hours unless he was considerably reinforced so as to be able to remove the Besiegers from the Posts they had possessed themselves of Immediately the Duke ordered the Marquess of Lanzarote with 800 of the best Men and some Voluntiers to march to the Relief of the Fort and to recover the two redoubts It was a desperate piece of Service for such a handful of Men to attempt against such a multitude yet they charged with such Fury that having brokâ— through the Enemies Line and being supported by 〈◊〉 sally from the Fort they gained the redoubts and drove the Enemy from their Camp This Success cost the Marquess his Life however though the Portugueses twice attempted to recover their loss they were both times repulsed and at last forced to desist John Mendoz de Vasconcellos the Portuguese General The Siege raised from before the Castle and layed to Badajoz having spent a whole Month before this place without any Success but with great loss and despairing of carrying it resolved now at last to removed and lay Siege to the Town He had before sent over some Troops to invest 〈◊〉 place and work upon the Lines but now he marched over and bent his whole Force against it The first considerable Action in this Siege was the taking of two Hills which the Spaniards had fortifyed and strongly garrisoned John Mendez attacked them with all his Forces and after a sharp dispute in which he lost many Men made himself master of them the Defendants being all killed or taken Next â—e assaulted the Fort of St. Gabriel which being but weakly Manned was easily carryed But he found not the reducing of the Fort of St. Michael a work of so much ease for Collonel Dungan who commanded there defended it with extraordinary Bravery till it was no longer tenable and then surrendered it upon Articles when the Besiegers had lost 1800 Men before it and among them many Persons of note Having made himself master of this Fort John Mendez finished his Lines encompassing the whole Town with them which before the reduction of these Forts he could not do Then he began to batter the Place to cast in Bombs and to press the Besieged on all sides Within the Town much harm was done by the Enemies shot but scarcity of Provisions and Diseases proceeding from ill Food were more terrible then all other Dangers and now no hope remained but in the relief they expected from without The News of this Siege being brought to Madrid highly incensed the multitude and perplexed the Council in which at length it was decreed that D. Luis de Haro the King's Favourite and prime Minister of State should march in Person with all the Forces he could gather to the relief of the Town The Spanish Army advances to relieve Badajoz Accordingly he immediately set forward with a gallant train of Voluntiers and came to Merida where the Rendesvouz of the Army was appointed His Army consisted of 12000 Foot and 3500 Horse The Duke of St. German being informed of D. Luis's Arrival at Merida resolved to meet him at that place and having in order to it forced the Lines of the Besiegers he broke through with 1000 Horse and arrived safe 〈◊〉 Merida Thence the Spanish Army marched with aâ— possible Speed to the relief of the Besieged but thâ— Portuguese General not thinking it prudent to exposâ— his Army now much diminished and harrassed to the Enemy who came fresh into the Field drew off in the Night and retired hastily into Portugal D. Luis de Hâ—ro the next day entered the Town in triumphant manner Having given the necessary Orders for repairing the Damage done by the Enemy D. Luis marched with his Army now increased to 13000 Foot and near 6000 Horse into the Frontiers of Portugal burning and destroying all where he came as he did the Town and Castle of Villa Buim Thence though contrary to the advice of the Duke of St. German because Winter drew on he marched to Elvas and laid Siege to that place The Town is seated on a Hill of difficult Ascent and was then under the Government of Sancho Manuel 〈◊〉 resolute and fortunate Commander The first attemâ—â— of the Spaniards was upon the Monastery of St. Francis standing within Musquet shot of the Town which though well defended they made themselves masters of as also of the Church of Santangracia seated on a Hilâ— without the Town This done they fell to work upon their Lines and took their Posts about the Town Nothing was omitted by the Governour that might conduce to a vigorous Defence but the Besiegers by
Horse had the boldness to appear about the Bridge of Badajoz as it were provoking the whole Force of the Spanish Army which then lay in and about that place to revenge this excess D. John immediately sent out D. John Pacheco Lieutenant General of the Horse who attacked the Portugueses with a small handfull of men at first yet with such resolution that they gained no advantage till he was shot dead upon the place but then fresh Supplies still comming from the Town at last the Portugueses were overpowered many of them slain many taken and the rest Forced to save themselves by Flight This success was the less pleasing to the Spaniards because of the Loss of D. John Pacheco who was a person of tryed Valour and Conduct D. John being informed that much dammage was done on the Frontiers of Castile D. John of Austria takes Alconchel by the excursions of the garrison of Alconchel sent D. James Cavallero with the best part of the Army to invest it and himself followed soon after him Alconchel is near the River Guadiana has a Castle and had been lately fortifyed by the Portugueses The Seige was carryed on but coldly either to draw the Portugues Army to attempt the relief of the place or else because the inhabitants being divided in factions it was not doubted but they must speedily surrender Nor was D. John deceived in his expectation for the Governour perceiving the heats within to increase and the Enemy without to threaten the utmost extremity if he proved obstinate was forced to submit and accept of honourable conditions The Fortifications were speedily repaired and a Spanish Garrison put into the place This done D. John returned to Badajoz and put his Army into Winter-Quarters Anno 1662. 1. THe Last years losses and the present preparations of the Spaniards had sufficiently alarmed Portugal to oblige the Queen to use her utmost industry to be in a condition to oppose her Enemy In order to it the Treasury being exhausted heavy Taxes were imposed upon the People which they did not pay without much murmuring Catherine Infanta of Portugal married to King Ch. the II of England and reluctancy To strengthen her self by foreign allyances she had concluded a match for her daughter the Princess Catherine with his Majesty Charles the Second King of Great Britain The Queen had Entertained hopes of Marrying this Princess to the King of France but he having chosen the Infanta of Spain her next recourse was by that affinity to secure the Friendship of the King of England The new Queens portion was a considerable Sum of Money the City of Tangier upon the mouth of the Streights in Barbary and the Island of Bombain in the East-Indies On the other side the King of England was to assist the Portugueses with a body of Foot to serve as auxiliaries under the Command of Count Schomberg The Earl of Sandwich with the Royal-Navy conveyed the Queen into England Upon the News of this match and that Tangier was to be delivered up to the English the King of Spain once more attempted the fidelity of the governour of that City D. Lewis de Almeida endeavouring to perswade him rather to betray the place to him upon hopes of a considerable Reward than to put it into the hands of the English but the governour was not to be moved who rather fearing that the inhabitants and Garrison would never be brought to consent to their Kings orders of delivering up the place as soon as the English Fleet appeared in sight to take possession of it he sent out the greatest part of the garrison and many of the inhabitants upon pretence to repell the Moors who appeared then in bodies about the Town and whilst they were abroad ingaging and pursuing the Infidels gave possession of the City to the English 2. Notwithstanding all the Queens care and diligence the Spaniards were first in the field and much superiour the Portugueses in Strength D. John of Austria burns and plunders the Country D. John of Austria took the field at the beginning of May with 13000 Foot and 5000 Horse all old Troops His first design was to lay Siege to Estremoz but the Count de Castaneda the Portugues General prevented him by planting himself before the place with his whole Army which then consisted of 8000 Foot and 3000 Horse Hereupon D. John turned away as if he intended to march directly to Lisbon which put that City into a consternation and no less surprized the Count de Castaneda fearing least the Capitall of the kingdom should fall into the hands of the Enemy and had the Spanish Army held on their march as they began in all likelihood they must have made themselves masters of it without any opposition But D. John spent his time in plundering and burning the Country and having made a halt near a brook called Zapateros he sent then D. James Cavallero with Two Regiments of Foot and most of the Horse to attack the Town of Villabuim a place considerable both for it's Riches and Strength nevertheless the Governour who was a French man upon the first approach of the Spaniards resolved to Surrender having privately Articled with the Spanish General that for the saving of his Reputation he might be permitted to fire his Cannon for an hour without ball that so he might be thought to have made some defence Yet the Surrender was not without blood for some of the inhabitants encouraged by a Parish-Priest He takes and raises Villabuim endeavoured to make some opposition but were soon quelled by the Spaniards The Town and Castle were raised down to the Ground for a Terror to other places Hence the Army moved towards Villaviciosa and having taken an express that was going to Elvas and Jurumenha to encourage those governours to defend themselves couragiously upon promise of speedy relief D. John sent him back to the Count de Castaneda to let him know he would be with him the next day He performed his word but the Count who was much inferiour to him in numbers kept himself close in his Camp under the Walls of Estremoz D. John intending to attack him in his Camp was diswaded by the Duke of St. German and marched away to Borba a place of small Strength but that had a Castle and the governour Roderick da Cunha being a desperate man had perswaded the Townsmen to joyn with the Garrison to defend it Such was his Folly or rashness that he reproached and fired upon the Trumpet that came to bring him the Summons to Surrender whereupon the Town was assaulted on all sides and taken The governour with a few men retired into the Castle which having for a while stood the shock of the Canon and beginning now to give way to it's fury Acunha's heat being somewhat allayed he sent out to beg he might be admitted to conditions No intreating could prevail with D. John who being incensed would admit of nothing but that they
be master of so weak a place before the Portuguese General could gather a sufficient Force to attempt the relief of it However the Trenches were opened against the Town and Batteries raised but the first that gained a post were the Italians who with much bravery stormed and took the Monastery of the Carmelites whence planting their Cannon they made a great havock in the Town The Spaniards ashamed to be outdone by the Italians carryed on their Works with great diligence and having with much slaughter repulsed the Besieged who sallyed upon them made themselves master of the Church of St. Dominick which overlooking the Town they planted their Cannon upon it to the great Damage of the Besieged D. John seeing the miserable condition of the Place sent another Summons offering honourable Conditions if they surrendred in time which all the Officers of the Garrisons seeing no possibility of holding the Place or likelyhood of Relief thought it time to accept of but Lewis de Sousa Elect Bishop of Porto and Administrator of the Church of Ebora a Man fitter for the Army than the Church crossed their design raising Factions among the People and Garrison and by this means obstructed the surrender that and the following day The Clergy and Laiety Women and Children flocked to the Works and endeavoured to make up the Breaches but all in Vain for more was already ruined than could be retrieved and the continual Fire of the Enemies Cannon rendred all their efforts unsuccessful This Fury being spent and the People coming to themselves at length they capitulated and delivered up the City upon such Conditions as could be obtained which were not very Honourable On the 9th day after it waâ— invested Ebora delivered to D. John the City was surrendred There marched out 2000 Foot and 300 Horse of the Garrison who according to Articles were to be conducted into Castile and there to remain Prisoners of War during the Summer 4. The News of the Siege of Ebora being brought to Lisbon The Portuguese General Count de Villaflor ordered to relieve Ebora caused mighty commotions and tumults in that City whereupon the Young King by the advice of his Counsel sent orders to the Count de Villaflor to releive Evora at any rate and at the same time commanded the Count de Castaneda with what Troops he had and could raise to suppress all Seditions in Lisbon The Count de Villaflor received his orders the very day that Evora was Surrendred of which as yet he had no notice and therefore having called a Council of War the advice of the Count Sabugal was followed which was not to hazard a battle at any disadvantage but to cut off the Enemies Provisions In order hereto the Army being now 12000 Foot and 4000 Horse and having received intelligence of the Surrender of Evora marched and incamped at Laondil where they had plenty of Provisions and streightned the Enemy In the mean while the News of the Surrender of Evora being brought to bon A mutiny at Lisbon for the loss of Ebora the multitude ran headlong into all Sorts of Licentiousness and not only the vulgar rabble appeared in the sedition but great Numbers of the more substantial sort joyned with them The First effort of their fury fell upon the Arch-Bishops Pallace which they plundered burning and carrying away all that was in it the Arch-Bishop himself having before made his escape to Court Thence they turned their rage against the Count of Castaneda whose house they ransacked as they had done the Arch-Bishops he himself being also fled and after him they exercised the same barbarity towards the principal Magistrates and other great Men of the City Whilst this passed in the City the King consulted with the Arch-Bishop the Count de Castaneda and other great Men about the means of quelling this Sedition The Count advised to fall upon the raging Multitude with such Forces as were in the Town whereof the greatest part were Forreigners and therefore would be faithful in the performance of their duty But the Arch-Bishop's opinion prevailed which was to let the fury of the multitude pass over and then of themselves they would Return to their Duty The Rabble having raged all about the Towâ— came at last to the Kings Pallace where many being weary and coming to themselves began to slink away and at last the King Looking out of the Window and telling them that his Army now besieged those who had before layed Siege to Evora they all retired with confusion to their houses blaming one another for what they had all done No Notice was for the present taken of what had hapned but some time after several of the Ring-leaders were punished under other pretences 5. During these Transactions D. John marches out of Ebora to give the Portugueses battle D. John of Austria repaired the Fortifications of Evora and finding Provisions began to grow short having left a small garrison in the City marched out to give the Portugueses battle tho' contrary to the advise of the Duke of St. German who was utterly against hazarding a battle till the Forces they dayly expected from Castile were arrived and for the subsistance of the Army advised the turning out of the inhabitants upon whose stores the Souldiers might live many days The Portugues Army lay within half a League of Evora having a small River before it Thither D. John marched thinking either the Portugueseâ— would give him battle upon equal Terms or else that he should remove them from their advantagious Posts by 17 pieces of Canon which he planted upon an Eminence But the Count de Villaflor resolving not to quit his Advantage and the Canon which was ill planted doing as much Execution among his own as among the Enemies men D. John drew back and encamped without Canon Shot of the River Thus both Armies continued all Night ready for Action At break of Day D. John moved in order of battle to force the passage of the River where a bloudy dispute ensued till after a considerable Loss on both sides the Portugueses standing their ground the Spaniards who fought at great disadvantage were forced to give way and retire into the plain of Ebora D. John discouraged at this repulse put 3000 Foot and 600 Horse under the Command of Francis Gattinara Count of Sartirane into Ebora resolving to march back into Castile without coming to a battle if possible to avoid it by marching over the Mountains His first days march met with no obstruction because the Count de Villaflor was marched before in order to choose an advantageous Post to give battle in where the Horse might be of small use in which the Spaniards were much Superior to him Some there were who advised to march on all Night but D. John thinking that would look too like flying refused that wholesom advice In the Morning he was informed that the Portugues Army was at hand being covered from him by the tops of the
further design against the Place he marched off that he might the better surprize the Garrison for in the dead of a dark Night he returned again attempted to scale the Walls where the Watch was negligently kept yet being discovered and the Town taking the Alarm he was beaten off and no hope left of prevailing either by an Assault or Surprize Both these Designs failing he resolved upon a formal Siege and accordingly raised his Batteries whence he shook and ruined the Walls with his heavy Cannon Peter Jaques de Magallaens who commanded the Portuguese Forces in those Parts and to whom the defence of that Garrison belonged having gathered all the Forces of that Province marched with speed to its relief and posted himself on a Hill opposite to the Town so disposing his Troops that the Enemy could not judge of their number hoping thereby to move them to raise the Siege which fell out as he expected for the Duke not being able to judge of his Strength thought not good to expose himself to uncertainties and therefore drew off from the Place Peter Jaques having gained this Point resolved to pursue the Enemy and force him to a Battle before he received the Reinforcement he expected from D. John It was no hard matter to draw the Duke to a Battle he being a Man that relyed more upon Chance and Fortune then Prudence and Conduct therefore as soon as he perceived the Portugueses were not superiour to him in number he chose his Ground and drew up his Men. Both parties being disposed for the Fight the Spaniards made the first onsâ—â— advancing hastily and Firing but their Precipitation◠〈◊〉 them into Disorder which the Portugueses taking the advantage of they fell in with their Horse and Foot and in a moment put them to the rout The Duke overthrown by Peter Jaques de Magallaens The Duke who had rather play the part of a Soldier then a General having in person several times charged the Enemy seeing himself almost abandoned by his own People and beset by his Adversaries at last saved himself by Flight Of the Spaniards about 2000 were killed and near 500 taken of the Portugueses 800 were lost All the Spaniards Baggage and Cannon with the Duke's Equippage were taken This Action was performed about the beginning of the Summer afterwards the Heats increasing and both Parties being sufficiently worn and tired they retired into quarters of Refreshment and nothing more happened worth the relating let us therefore pass on to the ensuing Year Anno 1665. 1. WE are now drawing to the end of this tedious War and though betwixt the death of King John and the Conclusion of the Peace there happened several things remarkable enough in the Civil Government yet I have thought fit not to interrupt the Series of Marshal Affairs now drawing to a Period but rather to put an end to the course of these extern contentions and when I come to relate the intestine Troubles and Confusions then at once to sum up those Accidents that preceded in order to them that then the Reader may with the more ease to his Memory take first a view of the whole War and next of the strange Catastrophe that ensued with all the previous Accidents tending to it 2. Before the main Armies could take the Field both parties ceased not to infest their Enemies Frontiers with frequent Incursions But for the most part these Actions were inconsiderable A Body of Spanish Horse routed being rather like Robberies then publick Hostilities The first Action of moment we find this Year was an incursion made by 1000 Portuguese Horse towards Badajoz plundering and burning all the Country before them Count Marsini at this time commanded on the Spanish Frontiers who upon the news of the Spoil made by the Portugueses commanded D. James Correa General of the Horse with 500 Men to oppose the Enemy Correa after representing the weakness of that number having received a check for his seasonable Advice marched out The Portugueses were then dispersed but hearing of the Approach of the Enemy assembled their Troops and having lay'd part of them in Ambush with the remainder charged the Spaniards who meeting less opposition then they had expected thought themselves secure of the Victory till being encompassed by those that rose out of the Ambush most of them were either killed or taken D. James Correa with those few that could escape fled to Badajoz not much troubled at his loss because he had been contrary to his Judgment and Advice sent upon the Action with so small a Force 3. Whether it was that the Portugueses were resolved to stand upon the Defensive and therefore spared their Forces The Marquess of Caracena General of the Spaniards or that the Difficulties their new rising Kingdom labour'd under would not permit them to be so forward as the Enemy is hard to determine but certain it is the Spaniards were generally the first that took the Field So this Year the Marquess of Caracena who with a general Applause for his good Service in Italy and the Low-Countries had been appointed General for this War having taken a review of his Army which he found to consist of 12000 Foot and about 6500 Horse marched into Portugal with a full Resolution to besiege Villaviciosa This Town is the antient Seat and Patrimony of the Dukes of Braganza and is properly called Villaviciosa because of the pleasantness of the Air the fruitfulness of the Soil the beauty of its Forrests and other Delights wherewith that Territory abounds The Town it self is seated on a high Hill and is divided into three parts The first which is in the nature of a Suburb contains several Monasteries many Inhabitants and the stately House of the Duke of Braganza To this joyns the Town encompassed with an old Wall but little inhabited Above all stands the Castle well enough fortifyed for that time having a Ditch a covered Way a Half-Moon and other Works Christopher Brito was at this time Governor of the place and had under him several expert Commanders and 1000 Garrison Soldiers besides the Towns-men that were fit to bear Arms. As soon as Brito understood the Enemy advanced towards him he secured and strengthened three strong Posts without the Walls viz. the Duke of Braganza's House which was built like a Castle The Marquess of Caracena besieges Villaviciosa the Fort of St. Benedict and the Gate called No. Eighteen Companies of Spanish Musquetiers immediately assaulted these three Posts at the same time with much Bravery but they were all three with no less Valour made good by the Defendants However Brito considering those places were too far remote from the Town to be kept without great hazard of weakning his main Strength drew off his Men the Night following and abandoned them As soon as Day appeared the Spaniards commanded by Roderick Moxica entred the Houses next to the Town without any Opposition all that were able to bear Arms being
withdrawn into the Town Here the Soldiers committed all the Outrages that could be expected from the cruellest Enemy sparing neither Sex nor Age ravishing Women and prophaning even the Churches till some religious Men who had made their Escape giving an account of these barbarous Proceedings to the Marquess of Carazena he took Order to cure this Licentiousness of the Soldiers Being thus possessed of the Suburb the Marquess planted his Cannon against the Town but being impatient of delay he assaulted the Wall with Scaling Ladders and at the same time applyed a Petard to one of the Gates yet all in Vain for he met with such vigorous Resistance that he was compelled to draw off his Men. Next he applyed himself to undermining but the Earth being unfit this Work proved more prejudicial to him than to the Besieged At last having made some Breaches in the Walls the Italian Foot were ordered to mount them which they performed with as much Gallantry as could be imagined but those who to divert the Besieged were to Scale the Walls being easily repulsed with great Loss by reason their Ladders were too short and all the Strength of the besieged making good the breaches all that the Italians could do was to lodge themselves under the Walls In the Mean while the Spaniards who besieged the Castle were not Idle but having battered it gave a most furious assault tho' with no better success than the Italians had done yet with greater slaughter on both sides In this Action Brito the Governour received three wounds and lost several Officers and Soldiers of good Note After these repulses the Marquess proceeded cautiously yet never ceasing to batter the works with his Cannon At length receiving intelligence that the Portugues Army was upon it's march from Estremoz to relieve the place least he should find his Forces divided betwixt the Town and the Castle he resolved to bend his whole strength against the Town and to leave the Castle for another time However least the besieged should have the opportunity of relieving the Town from the Castle he commanded the Spanish Foot to attack the palisade of the Castle whilst the Italians gave the General assault to the Town This Action was very hot both parties being obstinately set down not to give way but at last Valour must give place to number and the Italians having gained the tops of the Walls and breaches such of the defendants as escaped were forced to retire into the Castle Nothing being now left the besieged but the Castle the Marquess sent to Summons the Governour to Surrender threatning the danger of delay who nevertheless sent the messenger back with a very slight answer The Marquess being now wholly intent upon taking the Castle raifed a battery against it upon the top of the Church dedicated to the Conception of our Blessed-Lady 4. Whilst the Castle was thus prest by the Spaniards the Count Castanheda General of the Portugues Army The Count de Castanheda the Portugueses General advances to relieve Villaviciosa advancing to its relief sent Francis Carneiro a Captain of Foot with only two Soldiers who with an unparallelled boldness rode through the besiegers to give the governour an account of the approaching relief and the two Souldiers with the same bravery and success returned to their General with the News of what they had done In the next place the Count called a Council of War to consult whether it were fit to hazard a battle where it was unanimously decreed to Fight the Enemy The Count being joyful at this universal agreement sent presently a Trâ—mpeter to advertise the Marquess of Carazena of his approach and to let him know now pleasing it was to him to give battle to so great a General The Marquess looked upon this message only as a bravado and sent back an answer accordingly then calling a Councel of War after sundry opinions had been heard the Marquess his opinion prevailed which was to give the Enemy battle This done he made choice of a Plain below the Castle whether he marched with his Army leaving 1500 Foot which he judged a sufficient strength to keep in the besieged 5. Near to Villaviciosa is a Plain commonly called the Plain of Montesclaros The Battle of Montesclaros encompassed about with Hills and Rocky cliffs but pleasant and diversifyed with Trees and Vineyards and full of ditches and other impediments to Armies Into this Plain the Portugueses came first leading 16000 Foot and 6000 Horse The Spaniard was much weaker having lost many men in the siege besides those he had left at the Castle The Marquess of Carazena knowing the nearer the Enemy drew to him the more advantagious the ground was for him because there was not Room to spread abroad he caused his men to possess themselves of that ground his Foot stretched out keeping the side of the Mountain and his Horse marching in the Plain on the Left This his celerity did not a little startle the Count of Castanhena for that his Foot and Artillery were not as yet come up and he feared to be Forced to engage before they could reach him but Count Schomberg upon advice from him hastning their march delivered him from this perplexity The Marquess drew up his Foot in two Lines the Horse because the ground would allow no more Front were drawn up in five the Spanish Horse had the Right wing the Forreigners the Left In the Portugues Army almost all the Horse were on the Right and the Foot on the Left the nature of the place not allowing the Horse to be imbattled on both wings yet among the Horse were disposed some Companies of chosen Foot That wing which consisted only of Foot was in two Lines yet all was so contrived that the Horse could speedily relieve the Foot or the Foot the Horse as occasion required Things being in this posture after the Canon had played The Marquess Commands Alexander Prince of Parma General of the Forreign Horse to charge the Portugues Right wing which he performed with such Valour and fury that he drove the first Line of the Portugueses in great disorder upon their Rear The Spaniards having in the pursuit broke their Ranks fell in upon the pikes of the Foot that had been mixed with the Horse which sorely galling them quite changed the Face of Affairs for whilst they Laboured to extricate themselves from that peril the Horse who before had fled rallying charged them afresh They that before thought themselves victorious being thus pressed on all sides began to give way and fall into disorder Then Count Rabata who Commanded the German Horse seeing them just ready to fly rode up a in Rage and upbraiding the cowardize of his men brought them on to the Charge afresh The Prince of Parma also rallying those that were dispersed the battle was again renewed and the Portugueses charged more fiercely than at the first onset insomuch that the Spaniards prevailed driving their Enemies and the
Souza de Macedo one of the Counts creatures who for some words spoken to the Queen had been ordered into banishment but unknown to her lay concealed at Court In order to raise him to the Honour of prime Minister the King begged of the Queen that she would forgive his offence and consent that his banishment should be remitted but notwithstanding his repeated instances and submissive intreaties she remained implacable Alphonso thinking to Conquer her obstinacy by extenuating the crime put into her hands the order of Council for his banishment wherein it was expresly set down that rather for to satissfy her resentment than for that his fault deserved such punishment they had for some days thought fit to send him into exile This which should have been a motive to appease so enraged her that she flew out into many extravagant speeches unbeseeming a private woman and much more a Queen The Queen 's undecent behaviour towards the King and after venting her fury in this undecent manner without any regard to the King's presence she flung into another Room whence she sent a billet to him demanding to have Antony de Souza severely punished The King hoping her passion would fall by degrees and that she might be brought to reason shewed not her billet according to custom to the Council of State but she on the contrary becomming dayly more intractable and he not able long to hide his resentment their animosities swelled to such a pitch that the Court was almost empty all men shunning him as declining and she admitting none to her presence being wholly Transported with the desire of Revenge Mean while Antony de Souza appeared more openly in the pallace than he had done before being always well attended to prevent danger But there wanted not those who soon spread it among the People that he threatned the City in case he were expelled the Court that he would repair to the Army with the which he would return to punish their Rebellion with fire and Sword Many such like discourses were framed and given out on purpose to incense the People against the King and fix their affections upon his brother as their deliverer from Tyranny and oppression Things being thus disposed the Infante to requite the Queens Favours and raise himself one step nearer to the Crown resolved by open Force if other means failed to expel Antony de Sousa from the Court. In order hereto on the 5th of October 1667 he went from his House to the Pallace accompanyed by a great Number of the Nobility The Infante heads the Rabble and all the Rabble of the City following in a most Tumultuous manner Being come to the Pallace he stayed till all the Councellors of State summoned by him the day before were come that the foulness of the Action might be somewhat disguized by their presence They being all come he enters with them the King's Bed-Chamber before he was awake who was not a little surprized to see such a croud Rush in upon him at so unseasonable an hour Then the Infante told him that his Crown and Person were in extream danger the multitude being in Arms about the Pallace demanding Antony de Souza should be delivered to them to receive condign punnishment for the affront he had done to the Queen To these words he added more threats in the name of the People but as he would have run on the King in a rage interrupted him calling aloud for his Sword The Infante according to his usual dissimulation calmly offered him his which he would not accept The Noise of the Multitude filling the Pallace brought the Queen to the King's apartment where she found him in a violent passion and enquiring as if she had not known what the matter was he told her that Antony de Souza in malice and despight to his Authority had been murdered and that now they came in Tumultuous manner to force him to pardon the murderers But she who knew better replyed that Souza was living which the King would not believe till the Duke of Cadaval having dragged him from his lurking place brought him into his presence At his sight he was somewhat appeased and then the Queen Infante and the rest of their followers left him abruptly When they were gone the King said he forgave them who had so undecently urged the expulsion of Antony de Souza to which the Count de Sabugal then present insolently answered they stood not in need of pardon but deserved praise and this he repeated till the King told him he would bestow pardon and praise where each was requisite So much is regal Authority depressed when faction prevails Antony de Souza this Tumult being over continued still in the Pallace which the Infante observing consulted with his Friends what was next to be done One among them hotter than the rest said the next thing was to assume the Crown whilst the Peoples affection stood for him but he took him up very short being unwilling as yet to have the secrets of his heart pryed into as fearing an Action done in that Tumultuous manner could not be durable Antony de Sousa and Emanuel Antunes the remaining Friends of the King forced to fly It was resolved that Antony de Souza and Emanuel Antunes should be threatned with death unless they departed the Pallace They perceiving no power was left in the King or their friends to protect them stole away privately without the King's knowledge by Night Next Morning the King missing them ordered search to be made for them The King abandoned by all Men. but in vain for his orders were wholly neglected In this Condition finding himself forsaken by his Friends and oppressed by his Enemies he knew not which way to turn himself or of whom to ask Advice His Council sided with the Infante his Queen favoured him the People followed and the Nobility adhered to him Thus all things being in extream Confusion even the moderate party began to think no way was left to settle Peace and restore Tranquility but the assembling of the Cortes or Parliament The Magistrates of Lisbon and the Common Council were the first that petitioned the King to summon the three Estates but he being sensible the only design was to dethrone him put them off from day to day without any positive Answer Whereupon they took the boldness to write to all the principal Towns of the Kingdom exhorting them by importunate petitioning to extort the King's Consent A few days after the Council of State at which were present the King Queen and Infante unanimously made their Application to him to the same effect but he being the more convinced it was a design lay'd against his Person became the more obstinate in refusing so that nothing was done for that day But the next day the Council meeting again and sending him a most audacious remonstrance full of invectives against his Conduct and urging the necessity of assembling the three Estates and
heard them is the cause that we cannot be so positive in this particular therefore I do not avouch it for a certain known truth but as a rumour whispered about where People durst speake It is said of him that when he was in the last agony and as it were breathing his last he should say I am now going but it will not be long before the Queen shall follow me to give an account before the dreadful tribunal of the wrong she has done me As I do not averr this for a certainty so it is very observable the said Queen outlived him but a very short time The Queens death that is only three months and a few days Her death was on the 27th of December of the same year 1683 and since there is little to be said in her commendation it will be better to be altogether silent than to make reflections upon the dead King Peter II. now seated on the Throne of Portugal King Peter upon the death of his brother succeeds in his Throne by the Death of his Brother received the Compliments of all Forreign Princes upon his accession to the Crown In the Year 1684. and the first of the new King's Reign D. Francis de Tavora being Vice-Roy of India the City Goa the Capital of all the Portuguese Conquests in those parts was besieged with a mighty Army by the Raja Savagi an Indian Prince 1684. who took part with the eldest Son of the Great Mogul Goa besieged by the Indians Aurenge Zeb then in Rebellion against his Father The Inhabitants defended themselves with Resolution and sent to acquaint Aurenge Zeb with the danger they were in upon his Account praying Relief He presently commanded his second Son to march with an Army of 100000 Foot and 80000 Horse and a great Train of Artillery to their Succour Upon the approach of this mighty Army The siege raised the Raja raised his Siege and departed in his way destroying all the Country about Goa The Siege being raised the young Prince sent to assure the Portugueses that his Father would be always ready to assist them against their Enemies They in return sent a solemn Ambassy to the Mogul by whom a setled Friendship was established with that great Monarch The King having long continued a Widdower and having no Issue but only one Daughter was earnestly pressed by his Subjects to Marry to secure the Succession Hereupon by the advice of his Council he resolved to demand in Marriage one of the Daughters of the Elector Palatine and accordingly in the Month of October 1686 he named the Count de Villar Mayor his Ambassador Extraordinary to that Elector upon this occasion who set forward in December following for Heydelberg where he arrived in the beginning of the Year 1687 with a very splendid Retinue In June he made his publick Entry which was extraordinary magnificent and the next day after he had Audience in which he demanded of the Elector his Daughter the Princess Mary Sophia in Marriage for the King his Master At the same time in complyance to the Request of the King of Portugal a Squadron of Men of War was fitted out in England and sailed under the command of the Duke of Grafton to Rotterdam there to take aboard the new Queen and conduct her to Lisbon On the 8th of July the Ceremony of the Marriage was performed at Heydelberg on the 10th the Queen set out on her Journey towards Rotterdam on the 27th she went aboard the English Squadron 1687. at the Briel and on the 11th of August King Peter Marries the Princess of Newburg arrived in the River of Lisbon That same day the King went aboard to receive the Queen and conducted her ashore where the Marriage was consummated the same Night The exact Neutrality which Portugal has observed during the late Wars which have harrassed and exhausted the greatest part of Europe is the cause there is nothing worthy our Observation to add relating to that Kingdom Only this may be observed that as the War has improverished other States so they by continuing in Peace have vastly enriched themselves and so improved their Maritime Strength that they have at this Present near 100 Sea-Men for one they had 20 Years ago for now they Trade in their own Vessels to all parts of Europe whereas at that time all their Commodities were transported upon Forreign Bottoms And moreover their own particular Trade to their Plantations in America and to India is vastly augmented Such are the Fruits of Peace especially when other Nations sink under the Calamities of War To conclude there remains nothing more but to set down the Royal Issue of Portugal The Present King Peter II. on the 11th of August 1687. as was said before marryed Mary Sophia Princess of Newburg He had issue by her first John born in 1689 and dyed the same Year Secondly another John born in 1690. Thirdly Francis born 1691. Fourthly Louisa born in 1694. And lastly Emanuel born in 1697. FINIS An Alphabetical Table containing the Principal Matters in this History A. ABidis exposed brought to Court teaches the People to yoke Oxen Plow and Sow page 13 He Reigns p. 14 Actions of the Lusitanians in Africk p. 31 Actions in the Province of Alentejo p. 426 Actions of John Fernandez Vieyra in Brazil against the Dutch p. 428 Actions in the Province of Beira p. 433 and 468 Actions betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho p. 439 Actions in Africk p. 305 An account of the Portuguese Conquests in India p. 319 Adrian the Emperour p. 78 Affairs of America p. 425 Of Castile p. 290 Of Africk and India p. 438 Of India p. 472 Africans invading Spain destroyed p. 104 Africk and India p. 452 L. Agnes de Castro cruelly murdered p. 228 Alans and Suevians in Lusitania p. 83 Albertus the Cardinal Governour of Portugal p. 367 Alcazer and Tangier on the Coast of Africk taken p. 287 Alliances in Africk and Asia p. 413 Almanzor again makes great Spoil p. 135 K. Alonso the I. of Leon successful against the Infidels p. 114 K. Alonso the II. of Leon called the Chaste His Conquests p. 117 K. Alonso the III. of Leon called the Great p. 122 King Alonso the IV. of Leon resigns the Government to his Brother Ramiro He repents and raises War p. 127 K. Alonso the V. of Leon under tuition p. 137 Is slain p. 139 K. Alonso the VI. of Leon flies to the protection of the Moors After his Brothers Death returns and is received by the People as their King p. 148 His Wives and Issue p. 149 K. Alonso the I. of Portugal his Birth p. 158 He Knights himself Besieges his Mother takes and puts her into Irons p. 159 Being himself besieged by King Alonso of Castile he articles for his Deliverance and breaks his Faith Wars with the Moors Then with Castile p. 160 Is saluted King p. 162 Defeaâ—s the King of Castile p. 163 Takes Lisbon Particulars
received that having lost 300 of their Men and killed but 70 of the Enemy they were glad to suffer the rest to march off with their Plunder Another Body of the Romans having taken a rich Booty led 500 Captives away the one half whereof were Women who observing that no great Regard was had of them only their Hands bound behind in the dead time of the Night they unbound one another and afterwards the Men then seizing the Arms of the Romans buried in Sleep put most of them to the Sword before they waked only a few escaped by the Favour of the Night Next Morning the Victors put the Armour of the Romans upon their Women Ormia a modest Lusitanian Woman being taken by another Party and long courted by her Keeper to consent to his Lust she at length seemingly complied wherewith being delighted he put himself into her Power so that she waiting her Opportunity when he slept with his own Sword cut off his Head and carried away both to her Husband as a Token that she had preserved her Chastity Which done not so content she killed her self before his Face 5. Caius Lelius 145. a Man of great Valour came Praetor into Spain but Authors do not mention any Success he had against Viriatus Perhaps it was thought enough that he lost nothing 143. Two Years after Fabius Emilianus was sent with a Consular Army of 18000 Men to put an End to the War Viriatus hearing of his coming into Andaluzia broke into the Roman Province doing greater Harm than before and took two Cities into which he put Garrisons Fabius that the Gods might be favourable to his Undertakings went to offer Sacrifice in the Temple of Hercules at Cadiz strictly charging his Officers upon no Account to stir out of the Camp before his Return The next Day Viriatus appeared before the Roman Army at such time as certain Foragers were returning with a Guard of whom he cut off the greatest part A good Body of Horse issuing out of the Camp to relieve their Companions drove back the Lusitanians to their Main Body but they were there so fiercely charged that few of them returned back Fabius coming from his Sacrifice stormed that his Orders had been disobeyed Fabius Emilianus obliges Viriatus to retire Some Days after about Midnight he marched in great Silence two Miles forwards and surprizing the Lusitanian Camp obliged Viriatus confusedly to retire to Vecor a strong Place where not thinking it safe to attack him he marched away to recover the two Cities lately garrison'd by the Lusitanians The Inhabitants of the Province between Duero and Minho took up Arms against those of Galicia Hostilius Mancinus overthrows 30000 Spaniards Lucius Hostilius Mancinus the Consul Emilianus's Colleague fearing lest they should invade the Vaccei and Celtiberi came so suddenly upon them that he without any Difficulty overthrew 30000 of them killing many and putting the rest to flight Popilius succeeded Emilianus in the Government of Lusitania when Viriatus finding himself weak made some Overtures of Peace deceitfully for at the same time he stirred up the People about Numantia to make War and he in the Territories of Riba de Coa committed all manner of Cruelties upon the Romans even upon those that submitted themselves to him Popilius routed Popilius hasting to their Relief was in a pitch'd Battel shamefully put to flight with the Loss of the best of his Army 6. Viriatus was far enter'd into Castile but understanding that the new Praetor 141. Quintus Pompeius was marching towards Lusitania he turned back to defend his own Country Viriatus put to 〈◊〉 by Pompey The two Armies met near Evora where a bloody Battel was fought Pompey obtained the Victory and Viriatus fled to the Mountain of Venus Here he gathered new Strength and encouraging the Ticii Vaccei and Beli who followed him he marched again to meet the Romans whom he forced to take Shelter in their Trenches leaving behind them 27 Ensigns and 4000 Men slain whereof 500 were Horse The Praetor thus shut up within his Works Viriatus enter'd Andaluzia and summoned Vtica which was kept by a strong Roman Garrison who answered him with Scorn calling him Robber He the better to compass his Revenge marched away in great haste as if he had fled certain Troops of Horse sent from the City pursuing him in the Rear whom he without halting repulsed and so they returned to their Garrison But in the Dead of the Night he marched back and croâ—â—ing several Valleys distant from the City he left his Foot in an Ambuscade himself with the Horse appearing before the City so that many Morasses lay betwixt him and the Walls which were impassable to any that knew them not as well as he At Break of Day his Party being decried from the Walls they were supposed to be some Straglers of the Lusitanian Army and therefore the Garrison sallied out upon them Viriatus at first withdrawing as if he had fled drew them into the Marshes where when they were fast stuck he faced about and put them all to the Sword Those of Vtica after this Action expelled the Roman Garrison and received one of the Lusitanians Viriatus moving thence towards the Streights of Gibraltar wasted the Territories of the Bastetani Pompey not offering to oppose him 7. The Consul 140. Quintus Fabius Maximus Servilianus was sent from Rome with an Army of 20000 Men to prosecute this War and Micipsa the African King came to his Aid with 10 Elephants and 300 Numidian Horse With this Force he marched to Vtica where Viriatus lay who after some Skirmishes his Provisionâ— failing retired into Lusitania to secure the Harvest In the mean while a good Body of his Men commanded by two noted Captains called Curius and Apuleyus broke into Andaluzia The Consul with his whole Army marched towards them and for the more Expedition left his Baggage behind him with a small Guard Fabius Maximus defeats the Spanish Aâ—mâ— and kills Curius their General The Lusitanians informed thereof took another Way and with a Compass deceiving the Consul plunder'd his Baggage He turning suddenly upon them whilst they were busie in robbing a Convoy of Provisions put them to flight killing Curius their Captain and recovering the Booty Thence the Consul moving he took five Towns Garrison'd by the Lusitanians upon Articles which he performed not turning them over to the Fury of his Soldiers Viriatus hasted to revenge this Breach of Faith and being come in sight of the Consul he drew up his Foot in a Square Battel with his Horse on both Wings but far advanced before the Foot whom he ordered not to stir till they saw how the Horse behaved themselves against the Elephants They charged the Roman Horse forcing them to retire to their Elephants 139. at the sight of which Another Defeat of the Romans the Spanish Horse disorderly fled the Enemy fiercely pursuing The Foot drew back in good Order
Germans having made their way through the Right were falling in upon the Left wing The Portugues General perceiving the danger sent Count Schomberg the Count de St. Lorenco and other chief Officers to give a check to the Enemy These having gathered the dispersed Troops and drawn fresh succours from all sides restored the Fight yet so that both wings were joyned together and so pressed the harder upon the Spanish Troops almost tired with the fatigue of the long Service Hereupon the Marquess of Carazena who from a Hill viewed the Action and gave orders seeing his Left wing born down sent orders to James Correa who Commanded on the Right either to come immediately to the relief of the Left or else by charging upon the Left of the Portugueses to draw them away to him Correa obeyed not his orders whether through cowardice or Treachery or that the ground would not permit is uncertain Thus the Italians and Germans being forsaken by their Friends and beset on all sides by their Enemies were almost all cut off yet dyed not unrevenged having made a great slaughter and amidst the multitude slain many Officers of note Count Schomberg narrowly escaping when his Horse was killed under him Now at length the Spanish Right wing came on after their Left was utterly lost but it was a matter of much difficulty to charge over the heaps of dead Bodies and scatter'd Arms. Besides the Horse were gauled by the scattering Companies of Foot who with their Pikes discomposed and broke their Ranks so that they were forced to wheel often and rather defend themselves then offend their Enemies At length being seconded by their Foot they gave such a violent Charge that the Portugueses who had stood long to it before with various Fortune fainting began again to decline till their General the Count of Castanheda seeing that was the last effort coming in with his Guards and what Troops he could gather and acting the part of a Soldier as well as of a General inspir'd new Courage into them and restored the Fight In this Heat when the Success stood doubtful two things concurred to bestow the Victory on the Portuguese One was the taking of James Correa General of the Spanish Horse the other that the Swissers serving in the Spanish Army being discontented for want of their pay went over to them The Spanish Horse dismayed at these two unexpected Accidents immediately fell off the Portugueses pressing upon them yet so as not being suffer'd to pursue the others rather retired then fled Nothing remained now but the Foot who being beset for that Count Schomberg had seized all the advantagious Posts The Spanish Army totally routed sought desperately having scarce any hopes left to escape The Fight had lasted seven Hours and both sides being tired both the Spanish Horse and Foot because the Portuguese did not pursue marched off with Speed and began to gather up such as had fled farther so that they made a considerable Body Count Castanheda unwilling to suffer so great a Party to escape sent Vasconcellos and John de Silva with some Troops of Horse who wheeling about a Monastery fell in with them and stayed their March till the Count came up with the rest of the Army The Spaniards being thus enclosed without hope of safety either by fighting or flying were finally overthrown and cut to pieces About 4000 Foot of several Nations who before the Spaniards were enclosed had retired to a place of Strength seeing the whole Army lost surrendered upon Discretion Near 1000 more who had fled to the Woods were either taken or perished there In all about 5000 of the Spaniards are reported to have been killed and not fewer taken and of both sorts were many Officers of Note Nor was the Victory cheaply bought above 2000 of the Victors being slain among which were several remarkable Persons This was the decisive Battle of Montesclaros which finally settled the Crown upon the Head of the new King of Portugal The Marquess of Carazena seeing all lost made his way to Villaviciosa where he ordered the Forces he had left there to continue the Siege to rise from before the Place least they should be overwhelmed by the Victorious Army They with all speed drew off their Artillery and marching in good Order though often attacked by the Portugueses made gooâ— their Retreat first to Jurumenha and thence to Badajoz whither the small remainder of the Army was fled Thus the Marquess in his old Age tarnished that Reputation he had gained in his Youth 6. This great Battle was the last Action of Note King Philip of Spain's Death that concluded the War betwixt Spain and Portugal for this Year on the 17th of October dyed Philip the IV. King of Spain leaving that Crown to his Son Charles II. then but four Years of Age and the Government being in the Queen his Mother she soon after concluded a Peace with Portugal Having now put an end to the War we shall in the few remaining Years have occasion only to treat of the Deposition of King Alphonso which insued and the tendencies to it 7. However to the end that Narration may be no ways interrupted though this be not exactly the proper place we will proceed without interruption to what remains Great debates had been at the Court of Madrid after the death of King Philip upon the subject of Peace or War Not only the multitude but even the most considerable of the Nobility considering the great Expence the many Losses and the little Progress made in the War were inclinable to Peace The Queen her self was for it but politick seemed averse the better to discover the dispositions of the People Nor would she seem to comply with their desires alone till the English Ambassador then Resident at Madrid had signified to her that unless she would hearken to some Proposals of Peace the King his Master should be obliged to protect and defend his Brother the King of Portugal with all his Forces both by Sea and land These Threats joyn'd to the general consent of her own Subjects at length drew the Queen to assent to a Treaty By her the King of England was chosen Mediator and Guarantee for the Treaty and Peace that was to ensue Commission was given to the Marquess del Carpio then a Prisoner at Lisbon to make the Overtures and Treat with full Power Not to enter into the tedious Transactions of the Treaty or to â—â—ll up too much space with the Articles at large the substance of them whereupon the Peace was finally concluded was this That both Kings should restore all Places taken during the War which either of them possest appertaining to the jurisdiction of the other except Ceuta on the Coast of Africk which the Marquess del Carpioâ— â—â—served to his King That all Confiscations made during the War should be restored by the Peace That all Trade and Commerce should be free betwixt the two Crowns and the Portugueses