fauour him it seemed the Portugals woulde be pleased to haue a yoong king whom they might breede vp after their owne manner But Anthony Prior of Crato sonne of Lewes who was brother to the saide Henrie sought the Crowne but with more vehemencie saying he was legitimate and no bastard as it was supposed And although he were without lands and disgraced by Henry yet being fauoured by the people he supposed that Henry dying he shoulde in despight of all the rest be crowned Emanuel Philibert Duke of Sauoy although sonne to Beatrice yoongest sister to the Catholique Kings Mother and yoonger then the saide King did not yet leaue off his pretentions but with greater modestie And for that amongst the pretendants straungers the Portugals were more inclined to him then to anie other it was supposed he woulde not let slippe the occasion And this inclination proceeded from the opinion they had that in regarde of the qualitie of his person he shoulde be fitter then anie other to defende them from their enimies and if neede were hee might vigorously resist King Philip if he shoulde stirre both by reason of his valour and for the meanes he had to molest him in his Duchie of Millaine ioyning vnto Piedmont vsing chiefly the alliance and neighbourhoode he had with Fraunce The peoples pretention was not vnconsidered for that the issue male of their Kings failing they pretended the election to belong to them they grounded it that women did neuer succeed but in an interreigne a woman was excluded and Iohn the first the tenth king of this Realme chosen by the people It seemed that this pretention shoulde not onely be contrarie to all pretendant strangers but also might breed a diuision within the Realme Katherine of Medecy widdowe to Henry the second King of Fraunce did likewise pretende saying that she was before all others by an action fetched a farre off but fortified with liuely reasons by her Embassadors The ground was That when as Sanches the second raigned in Portugall whom they called Cappello of the habite which he did vse Alphons his brother married with Matilda then Countesse of Bulloigne in Picardie And that after by the weakenes of Sanches the people with the consent of Pope Honorius the thirde then raigning called in Alphonse to be as tutor and gouernour of the Realme a testimony of the auncient Religion of this nation who euen in temporall matters did flie vnto the Pope And although at his cōming he did but vsurpe yet soone after the King dying without heires the Earle did lawfully inherite the Crowne hauing had before by his French wife some children who vnderstanding her husband to be King and not to returne any more to Bulloigne hauing prepared certaine ships she went to him into Portugall But for that Alphonse being now King did treat a marriage in Castill to haue the Kingdome of Algarues in dower as he after had without the consent of the Pope she was neither seene nor receiued by him So as all the other Portugall Kings which haue succeeded haue drawen their originall from this Alphonse and the children of his Castillian wife The Queenes Embassadours said That all the Kings which had succeeded him and his children had as Bastards vniustly inherited and that the kingdome ought to returne by direct line to the heires of the lawfull children of the said Alphonse and the Countesse of Bulloigne whom they said to be Queene Katherine of Medicy mother to King Henry the third daughter to Laurence of Medicy and of Magdalen of Bulloigne the onely remainder in direct line of that house and heire to that County the which although shee did not then possesse being incorporate by the Kings of Fraunce as a matter of importance seated vpon the limits of Flaunders and England yet they gaue vnto the Queene in recompence the Earledom of Lorangueil which shee now inioyeth They did likewise affirme but with small reason that the Pope did pretend alleadging that the Realme was not onely the spoile of the Cardinall but when as Alphonse who was the second Earle of Portugall obtained of the church the Title of a King hee bound himselfe to pay certaine markes of gold for a Tribute But heere of they made small reckoning These pretentions did much afflict the mindes of Princes and made the people feare some broyles vnderstanding that both the Queene of England was displeased against the Catholike King for the affaires of Ireland and that the King of Fraunce and the Turke were not contented to see King Philip become so mightie conquering a kingdome of so great importance On the other side Philip would not indure that any other but himselfe should become Lord for the neighbourhood of their countries supposing the least inconuenience that could happen was the ciuill warre betwixt the Duke of Bragrance and the Prior. But returning to the Cardinall Henrie being seated in the royall throne although he were of 67. yeeres of age and not healthful yet he looked about him and as it were determined from aboue that Portugall should fall by degrees to his declining hee did not prouide for the state according to the opinion that was conceiued of him but the Realme by reason of their miseries passed remayning as a bodie emptie and afflicted which needed a wise Phisition to restore it But as one mischiefe comes not alone the new King did more torment it for although many supposed that hee being olde a priest and of an exemplarie life hee should lay all passions aside and be more carefull to settle the state of the common wealth then he had found it yet notwithstanding he could not temper himselfe with such disposition as was fit for his yeeres and degree But as it often happens to such as haue beene oppressed who comming to rule seeke reuenge of their enimies euen so did he not imitating the example of Lewis the 12. King of Fraunce who disdained to requite the wrongs done him being Duke of Orleance hee resolued to reuenge the iniuries done him being Cardinal if they may be wel termed iniuries when as Princes be not respected of their inferiors as they ought For being not greatly fauoured by the King his predecessor the ministers and fauorites of his nephewe did not respect him as was fit not conceiuing being so old and Sebastian so yoong that euer he should haue attained to the Crowne By reason whereof he depriued almost all the officers of the court and some of them that did mannage the Kings Treasure of their offices and aduanced his owne seruants The first on whom he discharged the heat of his choler was Peter d' Alcasoua for that he did detest him from the time he was Secretorie and he Gouernor of the Realme during the nonage of Sebastian as also for that he thought to haue reason to punish him hauing beene an actor in these warres and seconded the Kings will and as one of his Chamberlaines had had the greatest charge
about a yeere and a halfe and died in the beginning of the yeere 1580. he was the last of the house of Portugall to whom succeeded 18. Philip sonne to Charles the fift Emperour and of Isabell King of Spaine c. borne the 7. of May 1527. c. THE VNITING OF THE REALME OF PORTVGALL TO THE CROWNE OF CASTILL The Contents of the first Booke The originall of the Realme of Portugall the description thereof with their newe conquests The life of King Sebastian his first voyage into Affrick his enteruiew with the Catholique King at Guadalupa the preparatiues of warre made at Lisbone for the enterprize of Affrick the kings departure from Portugall with his armie I Vndertake the Historie of the Realme of PORTVGALL from the time that king Sebastian the first passed into Affrick with a mightie armie to make warre against the Moores which inhabite Mauritania Tingitana till that after many afflictions this Realme was vnited to those of Spaine vnder Phillip the second king of Castill A subiect of importance for the generall state by the increase of power to so mightie a king yea considerable for the diuers accidents hapned in so short a time contrarie to common hope and profitable by the examples of the instabilitie of this worlde and the dangers that Princes and people runne into by their ill grounded resolutions I hope to relate these euents sincerely with truth hauing beene present at the greatest part and receiued the rest from a faithfull Reporter I am voide of passion an enimie to the vncorrupt writing of Historiographers being neither borne in any of those countries nor subiect or vassall to any king or prince But before I enter into the welspring of those warres I haue thought it conuenient to make a briefe relation of the state of the Realme of the scituation beginnings enterprises and such like to the end that being to report the fall we may withall see the rising thereof by what meanes it encreased and was supported how and when it declined and finally altered his forme The description of the Realme of Portugall POrtugall is a part of Spaine lying vpon the furthest borders of the Ocean It bordereth vpon the East with the kingdome of Castill vpon the West with the great Ocean vpon the North with Gallicia and towards the South with the Atlantike sea and Andelouzia The late writers haue deuided it into sixe countries which they call Comarques that is beyond the riuer of Tagus Estremadura betwixt Duero and Minies and this with the countrie which stretcheth to Coimbra is the ancient Portugall behinde the mountaines Beira and Algarues which last hath also the Title of a kingdome It containes in circuit 850. miles whereof 400. run along the Sea shore the rest is maine land which maketh it in forme long and narrow It hath in it eighteene cities with many great villages and castles in number aboue 470. Three of these cities haue Archbishopricks Braga Lisbone and Euora whereof the first is Lord both spirituall and temporall Nine haue their Bishopricks Coimbra Lamego Visco Porto Miranda Portalegro Guarda Leiria and Eluas the other fiue remaine without dignitie and those are Bragança Tauira Lagos Faro and Silues These last fower be in the kingdome of Algarues whereof one Bishop hath the Title It is watered with many riuers whereof two are most famous Tagus and Duero the first runneth by the walles of Lisbone and sixe or seuen miles off dischargeth it selfe into the Sea the other doth the like by the citie of Porto and two miles from thence falleth into the Ocean from their mouthes vnto the citie they are no riuers but as it were armes and bosomes of the Sea and most assured and capable portes for many great ships which may saile farre vp against the streame but further in that of Lisbone then of the other whereas many great vessels passe fifteene or twentie miles vp beyonde the towne besides these two portes twentie miles from Lisbone towards the South is Settuual which hath a small Tower at the entrie thereof with a port capable of many ships And in Algarues is Tauira Lagos and Villeneuue these three are of reasonable capacitie the rest are lesse with many pleasant plashes The seate of the countrie is commodious for all partes of the world being in the middest of many great kingdomes fit for the ancient and later nauigations For turning towards the West they discouer directly Gallicya Biscay Fraunce England Germanie the other Northerne Regions Before them lieth the Islands of Azores otherwise called Terceres the fortunate Islands with the countries called the West Indies On the left hād lieth Andelouzia the Streits of Gibraltar by the which they enter into the Mediterranean Sea for the Nauigation of Italie and Greece And leauing the Streits coasting Affrick on the left hand they discouer many nations and new people vnknowne to the auncient who beleeued that the burning Zone was inhabitable from which places many ships arriue at Lisbone with great riches chieflie from the East Indies the which the Portugalles themselues as we shall declare hereafter conquered besides their traffiqne with the kingdome of Castile which lieth behinde them Lisbone is the best and chiefest of all their Cities on the which the whole Realme dependes It is verie populous yea many beleeue that of all the cities of Christendome except Paris it containes the greatest number of people The aire is verie wholesome and temperate distant from the Equinoctiall nine and thirtie degrees and with the ebbing and flowing of the salt water which is great vpon that coast there bloweth alwaies a temperate winde which doth refresh it It is neither wholie plaine nor all mountaines but deuided into fiue small hilles betwixt th' one and the other of these the plaine extends vnto the Riuer It hath beene walled whereof some part continues to this day but for that it hath beene since much augmented that part without the walles exceedes the other in greatnes There stands vpon an high hill a very ancient castell which hath no other strength in it but his height nor any guard but is reserued as a prison for noble men At the mouth of Tagus on the citie side stands a Fortresse built after the newest manner which they cal the rocke of Saint Iulian made to defend the entrie of the Riuer The fruite it bringeth foorth surpasseth all their neighbours in bountie and although it yeeldeth not corne sufficient to feede them yet haue they prouision daily out of Fraunce and Germanie The whole Realme is at this present greatly inhabited being replenished with manie Noblemen and Gentlemen and much building of ships and vessels for sundrie Nauigations Besides the order of the knights of Saint Iaques and Alcantara or of Saint Bennet which they call d'Auis of a place so named these carrie a red crosse and these a greene like vnto the Knights of Castill when as the Templers were suppressed they did institute another order with the
credible that Philip according to his custome woulde with lawes and his power keepe them vnder and contrariwise that the people shoulde embrace him whom he doth equally fauour yeelding them equall iustice And yet notwithstanding the greater part followed the contrarie for the Nobilitie did embrace Philip and the people fled him For satisfaction whereof and to reclaime them from the opinion they held the Agents of the Catholique King were desirous besides the diligence they had vsed to publish throughout the Realme the Kings title and the mildenes of his yoke seeming not sufficient for the content of the common people to haue priuately imparted it to many Their aduersaries amongst the which was the magistrate of the Chamber of Lisbone woulde willingly haue taken occasion to publish vnto the worlde their contrarie reasons whereon they grounded but it was not tolerated neither for the one nor the other to speake publikely in the assemblies of the people for besides that it was prohibited euery one durst not freely discouer his intention For this occasion diuers fell to write the grounds of their partie by discourse and letters And although writings breede not so firme an impression in the minde as the voice yet their discourse published did perswade with greater efficacie then they had done by speaking for that writings came to the hands of more men then wordes could haue done where reading and examining them they wrought great effects There were many of these letters seene without authors and although some were friuolous and without sense yet the better sorte which followed the Catholique kings partie tended to satisfie the people and to terrifie the motiues thereof by the greatnes of the action and the perill of warre They did particularly touch one after another the reasons of the pretendents and refuting them all shewed that the Catholique King did precead They made no small adoo about the processe of Anthony saying that he was a bastard although he had beene declared legitimate and to precead Philip yet shoulde they neuer satisfie the worlde but they woulde surmise some cosinage deuised to take the Crowne from him who ought to enioy it They disprooued the reasons of such as maintained the election of the King to be in the people hauing a lawfull successor bringing in examples of the Popes authoritie in the nomination of Kings as well of Alphonso the first as of the Earle of Bulloigne And if Iohn the first were chosen king it was after a battaile woone the Portugals affirming there were no lawfull successors but bastards illegitimate but by their owne reason they said it was apparant there was now no question of the election seeing there remained a lawful kinseman They laboured to make knowne that God hauing called vnto him two and twentie successors which did all precead the Catholique king that his pleasure was by vniting of Portugall to the Realmes of Castill to fortifie an arme of the Church to resist all the outragious attempts of infidels and heretikes But leauing the iustice and will of God aside they discoursed examining the honors and blames the losses and profits which by the one or other meanes might happen as for honor they shoulde not take for any disgrace and obedience which fell by lawfull succession alleaging that the States of Castill when as king Emanuell did inherite being strong enough to defende themselues if they woulde receiued him curteously And when as the Archduke of Austria although a Germaine did succeed him they did the like They mocked at such as said that Castill should be vnited to Portugall but not Portugal to Castill proouing that no Portugall euer came neere this Court but he was embraced greatlie honoured many of the principall houses of Castill being issued from Portugall They did contradict with liuely reasons such as feared to be oppressed like to the estates of Flaunders Naples and Millaine saying that in Flaunders they had alwaies vsed the people with great kindnes that they had beene gouerned by their owne nation that the Spaniards had no charge there That many of the principall had rebelled against the church of Rome against their king the which he woulde not suffer that in this enterprise more for that which concerned the good of the Church then for any other respect the King had spent 50. millions of gold and that hauing for enimies both Germany Flaunders England they could not take these countries from the Kings possession but hauing meanes graunting free libertie of Religion to be absolute Lord and to reape thereby great profit he would not accept thereof onely for the remorse of his conscience preferring the seruice of God before all other respects They saide that the Neapolitanes and Millanoyes had beene conquered by force weake of themselues and enuironed with enimies that they were not burdened neither coulde he do lesse then maintaine garrisons inferring thereby that if they were peaceably inherited they shoulde haue libertie like good and faithfull subiects and maintaine with more force that which their fathers had gotten without feare of any thing whatsoeuer but if they suffered themselues to be conquered by armes they should be Neapolitanes Millanoyes and possiblie woorse They commended the Portugals as faithfull obedient and indued with commendable parts blaming the basenes of such as were not ashamed to thinke they coulde be ill intreated of any prince whatsoeuer They said that since Philip was resolute and that hee had written to the cities of the Realme the assurance of his action seeing that in fourteene yeeres hee had neuer abandoned the enterprise in Flaunders being farre off hauing so many kings opposite and the Flemmings suing to be subiect vnder iust conditions that it is not credible he woulde desist from Portugall being so neare so weake without succours and hauing so great an interest they reported with ioy the deeds of the Spaniards saying that when as Spaine takes armes he doth imprison the king of Fraunce and the greatest of Germanie makes the Turke to turne his backe takes from him Malta dissolues his armies maintaines continually in Flaunders an armie sounde and lustie breaking and dispersing his enimies and yet the Noblemen of Spaine remaine quietly in their houses From their valour they came to the consideration how Portugall woulde resist so great a Monarch entreating them with affectionate words to haue regard thereunto They saide that the comfort of men of iudgement was to see the small force of the Portugals for if it were greater they might for a time make some resistance considering their obstinacie iudging that in the beginning of this warre the kings of the Indies woulde presently become Lords of the sea coast the Moores woulde assaile the places of Affricke the French and English woulde attempt the Islands some woulde vsurpe on one side some of another not onely to the losse of the Realme but of all Christendome They brought in the example of King Sebastian shewing that he was lost for not measuring
his forces And although the consideration had beene easie many protesting against it and many foretelling the future euent yet God tooke from them their vnderstanding as he doth from those whom he meaneth to punish and in this manner he hath depriued them of iudgement who aduise to take from the Catholique King the succession of the Realme They compared the amitie of Castill with that of Fraunce reporting the wrongs and pyracies which the French being at sea had daily done to Portugall and the small reckoning was helde of them that had complained and contrariwise the concord and rest which since the last peace made with the Castillians vntill that day they had enioyed without the breach of any one article blaming the manner of the French saying that they sought nothing else but to be admitted and after to become masters the which not succeeding they striued to be admitted to plead the equitie of their Kings cause seeking alwaies occasion to complaine They added that if the election were in the people and that the Catholique king had no enterest onely to be free from the French they shoulde vnite themselues with Castill that they might liue in peace and bridle this French furie which hath often throwne the Portugals aliue into the sea and slaine their gouernors and the Kings captaines by their Kings commission for by this vnion besides the seruice of God the French would feare and not spoile so boldly at sea They commended king Henry as iust and holie saying that the best resolution they coulde take was to fall at his feete beseeching him that seeing the Catholique king was the most honorable the most neerest and the eldest kinsman that he had that in the name of God he shoulde sweare him Prince according with him of the most necessarie points for the libertie of the Realme and shewing themselues conformeable to the bequest sometimes made by king Emanuell That they should not loose this occasion during his life but laying aside their obstinate intercessions labour iointly to flie the warre and not be forced to yeelde to Castill at such time when as it shoulde not be acceptable perfourming the which they shoulde not onely preserue their owne goods but inherite others seeing the greatnes of Castill doth indifferently admit all subiects Spaniards to the greatest dignities bringing for examples that the Archbishop of Toledo and the office of the President of the Councell roiall which be the highest dignities spirituall and temporall were not then enioied by Castillians They protested that if they stopped their eares to the truth and did open them to apparant lies they shoulde feele within their owne home warre with the murthers spoiles theftes and burnings it bringes with it On the other side the Portugals made answere to their letters saying they desired no warre but woulde defende themselues against any that shoulde attempt it They alleaged many reasons of their iustice and force with auncient examples of the holie Scriptures whereas small numbers in a iust cause haue vanquished a great armie They refuted that opinion that God by the vnion of these Realmes would fortifie in Castill an arme of the church shewing many grounds wherby they should iudge the contrarie blaming the sacke of Rome and some other vnwoorthy actions of the Castillians They laboured much to prooue that the Prior of Crato was legitimate that King Henrie had bin a most passionate iudge in that cause They spared not to touch the reasons of the Dutchesse of Bragance shewing that she ought to precead the Catholique King in the succession They condemned the said King saying that distrusting his Title he had prepared to armes They shewed by a long discourse that the vnion of Portugall would neither breed them profit nor honour but losse and dishonour were the conditions neuer so ample and good drawing examples from Flaunders and Aragon shewing that the behauiour of the Spaniardes in the Low-countries had beene the cause that those people had rebelled against God and against their temporall Lord They did obiect that all nations subiect to the Catholique King were reputed his subiects in matters of charge and burthens of the warre but in honours recompences and exemptions they were vnknowen They valued not the Kings forces saying that if it were fearfull to other Prouinces yet was it not so in Spaine beeing apparent that by reason of the barrennes of that countrey he could entertaine no great Armies neither durst he for the weaknes of the places draw in mercenarie souldiers bringing for example the war of Granado where incountring but with fower disarmed Moores there was so great daunger with the losse of so many men They added moreouer that the King had not at this day one Captaine of account naming a number which were of the Seminarie of Charles the fifth who were all dead and not any other which had succeeded them imitating the Kings humour who loues rest more then armes by meanes whereof he had not augmented his Realme but lost Goletta with the States of Flaunders and had yet made greater losses had there beene other Kings liuing in this age but that in Fraunce England and Portugall the Scepters were in the hands of women and children They concluded that it was not credible that the Catholique King notwithstanding his threatnings and his prepared forces woulde take armes in Spaine for that his forces being vnited he was in daunger vpon the least contrarie euent that some of his Prouinces would rebell against him and that the French being a stirring nation would imbrace this occasion besides that being now old and the howres of his death vncertaine hee should consider that not inioying the Realme of Portugall in peace and dying with an Armie in Spaine hauing no heires but pupilles hee should leaue them in danger not onely to be depriued of the possession of Portugall but also to be much troubled in Castill and his other Kingdomes of Spaine labouring to prooue that the Kings were not there beloued as in Portugall Then began the yeere 1580. a yeere full of miseries and afflictions for the Portugals not onely by reason of the warre which followed but also for the dearth and plague for that the season hauing beene verie drie the fruit of the earth was in a manner all lost neither had the husbandmen in many places reaped what was sowne besides there came not from Fraunce and Germanie such quantitie of corne as was vsuall But this miserie was supportable in regard of the rest for neuer was the scarsitie so great but things necessarie would be found for money That of the contagion was most cruell for hauing runne through Italy Germanie England and a part of Fraunce it came finally into this Realme from whence it spread throughout all Spaine but most of all in the citie of Lisbone hauing begonne lightly the yeere before it increased at the entring of this spring and so augmented all sommer but declined in the fall This contagious mortalitie
yoong licentious man who had mutined the people and the guard it selfe against them Such of the Nobilitie as abandoning their houses in those partes retired themselues were Fernand de Norogna Peeter de Meneses Edward de Castelbianco Diego Lopez de Sequeira Anthony de Castelbianco Lewes Caesar and some others Anthony hauing aduertisement of their departure passed the riuer and went thither Where he was receiued vnder a cannapie with signes of great ioy hauing giuen order to the fortification guard of that place as it seemed necessarie he returned to Lisbone against the aduise of som who persuaded him to assemble his forces to resist the enimie not to repasse Tagus But he did it not saying he woulde returne presently fearefull as many supposed and not holding himselfe assured on that side the riuer Cascaies and the fortresse of Saint Iulian did not yet obey him yet vnderstanding that Anthony was possessed of Settuual the wife of Anthony de Castro went from Cascaies after whose departure the citie yeelded and the captaine of the fortresse of Saint Iulian being written vnto by Anthony that he woulde giue him fower thousand duckats a yeere rent made answere that seeing the Gouernors had abandoned the realme and that he was proclaimed king he would hold it at his deuotion By reason whereof Bastien de Britto who serued as sergeant maior of the citie of Lisbone in the place of Peter de Cugna turned head who with certaine men gathered togither went by the commaundement of Anthony to encampe about this fortresse so as all places of importance about Lisbone remained at his obedience So did all others in those parts except the citie of Porto which obeied not yet The Duke of Bragance hauing foreseene the sedition which was practised at Settuual being departed as it is saide a little before the Gouernors flight and gone to Portel a place belonging vnto himselfe neere the frontiers of the realme towards Castill seeing iustice reduced to armes and himselfe disarmed he thought it nowe high time to treate with the Catholique King He sent therefore a Gentleman to represent vnto him howe peaceablie he had alwaies caried himselfe in the persuite of Iustice for Katherine his wife that he had neuer troubled the publike quiet nor in any thing surpassed the ordinarie tearmes of Iustice and reason and if he had not compounded with him the cause was for that he vnderstood his reasons were great neither had he meanes to do it by reason of the people who woulde haue withstoode him Notwithstanding he was nowe resolute if his Maiestie woulde make him a good composition to yeelde vnto him all the rights of the saide Katherine and that being agreed he woulde publikely sende one to treate with him He alleaged that his subiects being the thirde part of the realme he coulde make easie or greatly hinder the enterprise He saide that the Deputies of the realme had made offer vnto him that they would procure Anthony to leaue the title of King and vnite himselfe with him for the defence of the crowne and that in the end they should agree And that the said Anthony had sent to make great offers vnto him the which he woulde not accept not seeming reasonable vnto him He requested his Maiestie to commaund the armie not to endomage his countrey Heerein he spake truth for although he were a quiet and religious man yet the Philipins saide that although he had beene otherwise the King had no cause to feare his forces for albeit he had many subiects yet were they not all obedient vnto him That the Nobilitie abhorred his rule more then any other and that some of his kinsemen did him more hurt then good by reason of the emulation amongst the Nobilitie He relied much on the equitie of his cause yet feared he to bee forced by the kings power which he saw prepared supposing he would not receiue iudgement in the cause from any man This feare had induced him to write to all the great Potentates in Christendome shewing his reasons and demaunding succours The like office had he done with some Cardinals at Rome He had sent into Fraunce diuers copies of his allegations to the end they might be dispersed into England and other places making great instance to the two Queenes to succour him with mony munition captaines But his weakenes being knowne to both although hee gaue them to vnderstande he went to ioine with the Gouernors in defence they returned him nothing but curteous words And some say that not content to vse this diligence to such as were enuious of the kings good he did likewise write to his enimies and rebels desiring to treat with the Prince of Orange and the Duke of Alançon These things caused him more losse then profite as it happens commonly to those that will contend with mightie Princes and builde their foundations vpon the succours of their enimies ill willers who wil not commonly declare themselues except their companion be strong Heereupon it grewe that the King returned to the saide propositions so ample and artificiall an answere for as it was reported some of his letters had beene surprised by the Agents of the Catholique king and some other especially those he had written to Rome were sent to the King by them to whom he had written them He answered that he reioiced that in time he had auoided the sedition at Settuual being troubled with the danger and indignitie he might haue suffred That he knewe it to be true that in the persuite of the right of Katherine he had carried himselfe with due modestie but by refusing to agree with him were growne the inconueniences wherein now they were the which he would gladly they should rather haue foreseen then haue made triall of with so great disquietnes and dishonor vnto themselues for the which he was sory in regarde of the neerenes of bloud and affection he bare vnto the said Katherine That his offer to yeelde him his right was acceptable vnto him but he woulde haue them to vnderstand that there was no necessity to adde new actions to those which God had giuen him apparant to all the worlde That he had then wished for two reasons they coulde haue accepted of his liberalitie in recompence of their pretention The first was that he hoped by this meanes he shoulde not haue beene forced to enter armed into the realme and to make warre vpon his owne subiects which is one of the things that doth most trouble him But that good which might haue beene reaped by composition was nowe extinct by their slacknes seeing that his armie was alreadie entred the realme The second reason was the desire to encrease and prosper his house to do good to his children to auoide the ruine of the estate and the hazard to ouerthrow it whereof there was yet some remedie for being so desirous of his good that onely was sufficient to mooue him to doe them good He said
coulde drawe nothing from them but was confused For one saide that the Catholique king was master of the realme an other but onely of a great parte of it and that Anthony with a great armie made warre to expel him whereby there grew some controuersie in the fleete For some especially such as had little to loose woulde lande in the Iland others woulde haue them hold togither vntill they had certaine intelligence of the state of the realme others without expecting any further information woulde haue them go to Lisbone and yeeld themselues to him that were king The Captaine generall being retired into his chamber to parley with certaine Portugals and French men entertained them with these practizes but the marriners doubtful of some euill the rumor being appeased directed their course towards Lisbone where remained their wiues and children although some opposed themselues It seemed that these ships being of such importance to the Prior and his disseines he should haue vsed more care to intercept them then it seemed hee did but in truth he omitted no diligence for he wrote vnto the Captaine generall of the armie that at his arriuall at the Ilands they should be deliuered vnto him whereby he entreated him with large promises to remaine there and to consigne him his armie and not to the Catholique King But the too great diligence of the Gouernour as it often hapneth did him harme for hauing sent foorth a Barke with these letters to attende the ships they did not encounter them so as sayling towards Portugall vpon the mid way they met with the armie of Lopo de Figueroa who woondring at the negligence of Baldes whom they denied to haue seene he furnished them with water and other refreshings They arriued after at Lisbone to the great contentment of the king and yet they staied so long vpon the way that it was constantly beleeued they were gone into England and nowe the merchants began to assure their goods with the losse of the fifth and the Captaine was extraordinarilie fauoured by the King In this while Lopo de Figueroa arriued at the Terceres where he vnderstands of Baldes his misfortune hauing viewed the Iland fortified on all parts where he might descend and by nature vnaccessible finding himselfe to haue fewe men the enimie victorious and the season of the yeere farre aduanced the seas swelling betimes in those parts he resolued and with iudgement to returne to Portugall without attempting any thing by force Hee first sent one to aduise the citie of Angra to yeelde obedience vnto his Maiestie promising them pardons recompences and many fauours but they measuring the assurance of his promises not by the Kings clemencie but by their owne merits arrogantly made him answere that he should say in what part hee woulde descend and they would open him the passage by reason whereof Figueroa returned into Portugall with Baldes whom the King presently committed to prison yet he was after deliuered shewing the instructions that had beene giuen him to be doubtfull and not to prohibite him to fight This returne of the armie encouraged the Ilanders perswading themselues that Figueroa had greater forces then indeed hee had and seeing him fearefull to descend they supposed he made great reckoning of theirs They wrote the newes of all these things vnto the Prior being in Fraunce who thanked them with curteous letters and sent them artillerie harquebusies powder and other munition promising to furnish them with men Hee commaunded them to seaze vpon the goods of all such as arriued there being subiect to the Catholique king and send them into Fraunce so as they sent him all the merchandise which they had taken in fower or fiue ships come from the west Indies And for as much as it seemed to many that this could not continue that the King should send from Portugall a great armie against them so as they shoulde not bee able to make resistance they dispatched into Fraunce one Anthony Aluarez and an other base officer to vnderstande what the Prior did what forces he had and what they might expect from thence who being returned with the orders the one of Saint Iaques the other of d'Auis which the Prior had giuen them they reported at his entreatie that he had a great armie readie to descend into Portugall the which in truth was not so bringing letters to the Gouernor whereby the Prior gaue vnto them likewise a coller of the order with a thousand duckats of reuenew the which mooued some others to go into Fraunce from whence as also from England there came some fewe soldiers to the Iland in ships which sailed into those parts yet they were neuer three hundreth in number being often of opinion to sende them backe for that the winter was at hand and to cal them backe in sommer the which the people would not yeeld vnto saying that since the King had sent them they woulde entertaine them The Iesuits being walled vp within their monasterie to whom they gaue meate but twise a weeke greeuing to be thus wrongully imprisoned vpon a certaine day they opened the doores of the Church and hauing placed the sacrament in the midst they would trie by this meanes if they might remaine free The ministers of iustice went vnto the couent to demaund the reason of this innouation to whom it was propounded by the fathers that if their offences so required they should punish them but holding them as suspect they shoulde suffer them to depart into Portugall The resolution was after some speeches vsed beyond the termes of modesty that the fathers shoulde be walled vp againe and a certaine person who said that in iustice they should burne these priests with their monasterie the which they had deserued for the affection they bare vnto the Castillians he staied not long to acknowledge his error for departing from thence he fell sicke vnto the death and God woulde haue him confesse as he saide that this griefe hapned vnto him for that occasion All the other religious men did what they coulde to wrong these fathers who being of a contrarie opinion and practising profession of war could not endure that these should be Castillians in their harts refusing to enioy that libertie They imprisoned the Vicar who gouerneth the spiritualtie in the Bishops name which remaineth in the Iland of Saint Michael and chose an other after their owne humour These things did much displease the Catholique king whereupon he resolued to vndertake this enterprise the sommer following although hee doubted it for many causes which behooued him to prouide for togither with the new iealousies which grew hauing intelligence that the Turke prepared an armie at sea to send to endomage Christendome That Lucciali a famous pirat and Captaine generall of the Turkes armie was come from Constantinople to Alger with threescore and tenne galleies and although it were to no other end then to visite the state of Affricke and to prouide for
it fearing that the king of Spaine by reason of the newe Acquisition of Portugall and the warres wherein the Turks were busied against the King of Persia might trouble this prouince yet he ministred matter of suspect for the Catholique King hauing treated with the Cherriffe to yeeld vnto him Alarache in exchange of Mazagon and not agreeing for that the Moores are great deceiuers in their promises It was suspected the Turke vnderstanding this practise had sent Lucciali to diuert this exchange to fortifie Alarache and furnish it with Turkes so as being so neere neighbour vnto Spaine and a conuenient port for galleies it might greatly annoy him But hee returned after to Constantinople being called backe at the pursuite of his competitours The State of Flaunders ministred matter of consideration for although the Prince of Orenge had long enioyed the greatest part of those prouinces yet the king had great hope especially now vpon on the conquest of Portugall that this people woulde be aduised and that one day he shoulde reclaime them but this hope soone failed for that Frauncis de Valois Duke of Alançon brother to the most christian King Henry the thirde being entred with armes into Flaunders and hauing succoured them that were in Cambrey he forced the Prince of Parma Captaine generall for the king being at the siege thereof to retire And although being master of the citie he presently returned yet the state of Fraunce seemed troublesome and readie to attempt some newe and important alteration the rather for that the French were animated by Anthony Prior of Crato who was come thither out of England being embraced by the Queene mother of Fraunce and visited by the whole Courte They had intelligence likewise of a practise which displeased them that the saide Duke of Alançon shoulde marrie with Elizabeth Queene of England and for that he had passed and repassed aboue once into that Iland it was giuen out the marriage was secretly cōcluded but whether it were so or otherwise the death of the said Duke of Alançon ended that combination but men of the greatest iudgement beleeued that her Maiestie of England was not married to the saide Duke bicause she had refused so many great Kings and Princes in former times and had liued with the reputation of a most chaste vertuous Princesse The Catholique king complained to the most Christian king that he had receiued the Prior his rebell into Fraunce of the succours giuen to Cambrey and blamed the marriage with England labouring to diuert it all he coulde saying that he ought by no meanes to yeelde vnto it for the difference of religion The King of Fraunce as they said made answere to these propositions by his Embassador That as for the marriage he left it to the Duke who was thereunto enclined with all the Nobilitie in Fraunce and that hee was not master of their wils That the Prior had beene receiued by the Queene mother who being Queene as she beleeued of that realme had receiued this her vassall That he had opposed himselfe to his brother touching the succours of Cambrey but his admonitions were of no credite This answere confirmed the Catholique king in the opinion hee had conceiued that these expeditions which had beene made in the name of Alançon were all lets proceeding from the King and couered with this maske seeming impossible that the Duke contrary to the Kings will and pleasure shoulde raise so great forces in Fraunce The which although it seemed incredible yet Fraunce had continued long in such an estate that it was no maruaile for that King Henry and his predecessor Charles the ninth hauing beene molested by their subiects vpon the points of religion all was in disorder and although the state seemed somewhat better pacified yet their mindes by the meanes of these former troubles remained still enclined vnto warre And for as much as Fraunce Englande and Flaunders did somewhat assist in these matters of Portugall for the better vnderstanding of things that follow it may be lawfull for me to digresse a little to speake something of these countries In Fraunce liued Katherine de Medicy mother to the king whose age and valour all Fraunce obeied she seemed to be discontented with the Catholique king for diuers respects but that she made most shewe of was that he had taken the realme of Portugall by force refusing to submit himselfe to iustice saying that she had more interest then hee whereupon it was supposed that mooued with this disdaine she shoulde labour to make warre against Portugall with whom agreed the said Duke of Alāçon her son no lesse enimy to the Catholique King then the mother mooued thereunto for that hauing demaunded one of the daughters of the saide King in marriage he was refused for that he required with his wife a portion fitte for her qualitie He was followed by the whole Nobilitie of Fraunce whom he might easily lead where he pleased although it were against the Kings liking the which grewe for that remaining the third sonne to Henry the second with small hope euer to aspire vnto the crowne hauing two brothers Charles and Henry his elders hauing a great minde and stirring he gaue eare to al such as discontented with the king or desirous of innouation whereof there are numbers in Fraunce laboured to alter the quiet of Christendome with whom he had often resolued to conquer himselfe some newe estate out of Fraunce Perswaded to this resolution by such as were about him he supposed for a time that his brothers were opposite vnto him and that by no meanes they woulde like of his greatnes so as that which was giuen him by the wisest for good counsell he did interprete to the ill affection they bare him and that they sought to obscure the glorie whereunto he aspired And this iealousie encreased when as his brother Henry was called to the crowne of Poland by not giuing him presently such places as hee enioied in Fraunce By this and such like those which followed him tooke an occasion to settle in his conceite a hatred against his brethren giuing him to vnderstande that they detested his greatnes the which they could so wel effect that although the said Henry did afterwards come by the death of Charles the ninth from the crown of Poland to that of Fraunce yet the Duke continued still his first desires and that with greater traine then before For some considered that Henry being sickly and without children he shoulde one day be king It was therefore no woonder if without the kings consent yea contrary to his liking he attempted many things although there were some shewe that the king his brother had intelligence with him And although his forces ioyned with the Queene Mothers were of importance might well cause the Catholique king to feare yet it seemed that those of England woulde likewise ioyne with him For it was giuen out that Elizabeth doubting the Kings force and knowing the Popes intention
against her hauing seene the proofe thereof in the affaires of Ireland sought to secure hirselfe that they might not wrong her and to that end she entred into an agreement as it was said with the Queene and her yoongest sonne to the preiudice of Philip whereof the effect was soone seen The saide Alançon being returned againe into England being alreadie agreed with the Prince of Orenge who was the instrument of all these practizes he passed from thence to Antwerpe where the peoples humours being before disposed by the saide Prince he was receiued in all these places with great ioy and the xix day of Februarie in the yeere of our Lord 1582. they did sweare him Duke of Brabant the which caused a generall admiration for many reasons It seemed strange that the Prince of Orenge in a manner absolute Lord in those countries the which he had so long defended woulde vpon the end of the worke spoile himself of the state giue it vnto a stranger without constraint without profit to the preiudice of his honor And although it seemed he had done the like to Mathias Arch Duke of Austria afterwards sent him back into Germany it was not credible that he hoped euer to do so vnto the Duke for besides that he was entred in a manner by maine force his power the neernes of Fraunce the fauor of England might wel induce men to beleeue that he woulde so establish himselfe as he need not feare to be expelled There wanted not such as woulde excuse the Prince saying that the people were nowe wearie and vnfurnished of money by reason of so great warres that they coulde not relieue him as hee had neede and thefore it behooued him to seeke some one that should aide him against the Catholique king who hauing now recouered the realme of Portugall shoulde bee able with greater ease to molest those countries seeing that he was forced to seeke for succours there was no greater person then this making in a manner an muincible vnion of these estates with Fraunce and England besides the Prince shoulde attaine to the wished ende which was to depriue the Catholique king of the whole possession and many did so much relie vpon the Princes foresight and iudgement that they supposed hee woulde like wise expell Alançon when hee pleased Many blamed the manner of the Dukes proceeding who sought to vsurpe an others patrimonie without any title others excused him forging lawes of state after their owne humours saying that the priuileges of the countrey did allow that if the Catholique King did not obserue them they might choose a Prince of themselues the which the King hauing broken they had sought out an other Lorde The effect of the league was not yet ended in those parts but to diuert the Catholique King from making warre in those countries at the mediation of Anthony to trouble the state of Portugal they prepared a great armie in Fraunce Some said it was to be imploied against the same realme hoping the people woulde rise against the Castillians some supposed it shoulde be sent to succour the Terceraes the winning whereof Philip threatned to attempt and some beleeued that they went for no other intent but to surprise certaine ships that came from the newe nauigations charged with golde and spice There hapned at that time in Flaunders a matter of admiration and seldome seene For the Prince of Orenge being in Antwerpe quiet and in the greatest fortune that he was euer was shot in his house rising from his table in the midst of all his seruants with a pistoll by Iohn Scaurigni a yoong man a Biscaine mooued thereunto by zeale of religion as he pretended the bullet hitting him vnder his right iawe passed forth through the window and although he was supposed to be dead yet was he cured and liued and the offender was presently slaine by his guard and all such as were founde accessarie were executed Whilest these things were determined in Fraunce and the low Countries the king who remained still in Portugall sought to giue contentment to the Portugals who hauing long and with importunitie sought for recompence were in the ende all in a manner dispatched giuing vnto many of them orders of knighthoode much of the reuenewes and all the offices that might bee giuen to the great griefe of the Castillians who saide that this realme with more right appertained vnto Philip seeing he had inherited it bought it and conquered it This distribution was made by the two Deputies with great bountie yet wrought it no good effect in the Kings fauour neither was it acceptable for finding two kinde of Portugals which sought for reward that is those to whom Philip in the time of Henry and the Gouernours had promised money and honors to follow his partie and such as faithfully without promises yea refusing them had loially serued him It was in a manner impossible to equall their recompences so as one of the parties should not be discontented but they proceeded so as some were grieued and others proude For besides the errors that were committed by reason of the ignorance of the officers being more easie to promise then to performe the kings Agents had made large offers not onelie to such as coulde helpe but also to many of small meanes and lesse countenance The King desired in any case to satisfie these bonds and although he woulde haue rewarded the most faithfull aboue all others yet could he not performe it for that by reason of their excessiue promises all the reuenewes of the crowne had not beene sufficient so as it often hapneth in Courts they gaue not vnto them that deserued with the like proportion as to such as were vnworthie So as the loue of the subiects was nothing encreased by this meanes for the most trusty were discontented seeming against reason to bee woorse entreated then those which had beene lesse faithfull but with rewarde in hande alleaging also that many of them had not performed that for which they were paide seeming sufficient vnto many to remaine newters and to some that had serued Anthony to say that they were forced and such as were least faithfull for that their harts were not so firmely setled to the Kings seruice they supposed to haue carried themselues wisely They esteemed euery small matter to be of great importance and supposing the king to vnderstand wel what neede he had of them in contempt of the rest they grew insolent These were the generall causes for the which the greatest distribution that euer was within the realme was not pleasing but the nature of the Portugals is vneasie to content in this respect for being enuious they doe feele with greater griefe an other mans profite then their owne losse Those of the baser sort although they expected no answere hauing enriched themselues in their trades by the great multitude of Courtiers yet coulde they not suffer the Castillians to be superiors and as
his disfauour retaining still the right of armes by reason whereof in this suspence he forbare still to giue the Nuncio his answere vntill that being better assured of the disposition of Henry he made answere that his interest being so apparant and the King so well enclined there needed not any mediation the which if it were requisite he woulde accept of this office of the good zeale of his holines The indisposition of Henry and the disquietnes of his minde did much afflict him so as he resembled a lampe neere extinct the which sometimes yeelds a great light sometimes seemes quite out They feared he shoulde die of an accident which hapned and therefore his Counsell thought good not to attende his death for the declaration of the Gouernours but to put them as it were in possession the which was partly executed For the King being halfe dead they brought vnto him the coffer wherein the Rowle was kept with the names of the Gouernours in the great Church of Lisbone and hauing opened it they founde them to be George Dalmeda archbishop of Lisbone Frauncis de Sada first groome of the Kings chamber Iean Tello Iean Mascaregnas and Diego Lopez de Sosa President of the Counsell of Iustice of the citie who tooke their oathes to gouerne according to the lawes of the Realme and to the limited commission which Henry had particularly set downe This diligence bredde aswell in the peoples mindes as in the Catholique Kings a iealousie of the kings death and the rather for that two daies before they woulde not suffer any to see him supposing they woulde keepe it secret vntill they had taken counsell put the Gouernours in possession and prepared for defence And although it were presently knowne that the King was yet liuing and so amended that he had almost recouered his former health yet the generall opinion being that he coulde not liue long all mens mindes were in suspence in this Realme THE FOVRTH BOOKE The Contents of the fourth Booke The Castillians and Portugals discourse vpon the state of Portugall the vehemencie of the plague the estate of Almerin the death of King Henry the Regency of the Gouernours the practise of Anthonie to be chosen King the Testament of Henry the diligence of the Catholique King to vnderstande if he might with a safe conscience make warre the election of the Duke of Alua as generall of the enterprise and the priuileges the Catholique King offered if they woulde deliuer him the Realme THe Catholique King in the meane time kept his armie togither in Spaine with greater paines and more charge then he had done else where for the countrey being not greatly fertile he was enforced to fetch victuals from other parts being then about the ende of Nouember 1579. there was then no assuraunce of things whereby they might either dismisse their armie or imploy it For although king Henry was yet liuing and well affected yet the Portugals being most obstinate against the Castillians he desired not to liue any longer doubtfull of the succession as well for the charge as for the euent and therefore he ceased not continually to importune Henry to declare him Successor obiecting many reasons why he was bound to do it and propounding many inconueniences which woulde follow not doing it the which was spoken in doubtfull tearmes whereby it seemed he woulde make the equitie of his cause apparant by force And although this entreatie seemed somewhat to threaten yet did it nothing displease Henry suffering it expresly to bee published that the people might beleeue he was forced to this declaration The whole Realme was discontented to see Henry dying the Catholique King armed and the small remainder of time spent in matters of light importance whereof their discourses and opinions were as diuers as they were different in passions The Priors partisans being in a manner all of base qualitie hauing their reason darkned and not setled in opinion saide that he was legitimate and that the Crowne appertained vnto him but that the king of his absolute authoritie hating him woulde depriue him and that all his fauorites did concurre in this resolution For the King hauing alwaies persecuted Anthony by their aduise they feared that he comming to raigne woulde take such reuenge as they deserued and therefore preferring their owne securitie before the libertie of their countrey they woulde take the Realme from him and giue it to a stranger Many others alleaged that although hee were a bastard yet they ought to giue him the Realme being the neerest allied of the bloud royall Others in whom hatred to their neighbours preuailed more then any other inclination saide that whosoeuer had interest to the Realme yet shoulde they by no meanes giue it to the Catholique King but rather come to armes vaunting themselues to be valiant They added moreouer that they woulde demaund aide from Fraunce and England whereof they were assured and hauing them they doubted not to seate a King at their pleasures There were some yet fewe but of iudgement who comparing the forces of Portugall with Castill founde they coulde not flie the yoke of the Catholique King and although with great griefe yet they hoped it might prooue a gentle amitie and that these Realmes vnited togither Portugall might reape great profit by the commerce traffique Many spake after their owne humors saying that Anthony leauing the habite of Saint Iean shoulde marrie with the daughter of the Duke of Bragance and being vnited togither they needed not to feare Others gaue out that the Catholique King woulde be contented to giue his seconde sonne to the Portugals for their king to be brought vp amongst them the which they shoulde accept for were it whosoeuer it were sufficient to haue a King alone And some say that Henry laboured to effect this but Philip soone resolued him saying that he coulde not do it but to preiudice the Prince his eldest sonne fearing by this meanes to leaue a seminarie of diuision in Spaine betwixt his descendents The perswasion of the Catholique Kings Agents with the Nobility were of great effect by reason whereof there were few Gentlemen amidst this diuersitie of opinion but either did willingly encline to the said King or corrupted held their peace and retired themselues from Court auoiding all occasion to declare themselues Of the fiue Gouernours chosen three were drawne to the Catholique Kings deuotion and although we should not be amazed to see the common people who by custome inconstant and without iudgement holde the woorser part yet did it breed a woonder in many that the Portugals in generall euery one according to his qualitie framed in their mindes a resolution contrarie to that which by reason they ought to haue done in a matter of so great importance in the which they should haue taken greater consideration For that some discoursed without passion that the Nobilitie accustomed to be respected of the King shoulde flie the obedience of the Catholique King being
deliuered into his enimies hands by such as he fauoured most to warrant their persons from the great danger wherein they were And this iealousie did so encrease that he imprisoned George de Meneses captaine generall at sea hauing wrongfully beleeued that he had treated to yeelde the armie to the enimies and to conduct them within the Porte of Lisbone Heereunto they added that halfe the realme was lost for all that part of Tagus towards Andelouzia was possessed by the Castillians and if there were any corner thereof where they had not beene as at Begia and some other places of the realme of Algarues either they made no reckoning thereof or they had compounded and the other moitie of the realme where the enimies had not beene was almost all in suspence for the citie of Porto which is the principall and almost all the rest which lie betwixt the riuers of Doro and Migno did not yet fully obey desiring since they were come to armes to see who shoulde haue the better onely Coimbra was more at his deuotion then all the rest and shewed it selfe more of Anthonies faction then the whole realme for in the beginning of Iuly it began to rise at the perswasion of Iohn Rodrigues de Vasconcellos a gentleman and a priest whom Anthony had sent thither expelling Peter Guedez gouernour thereof who fledde with the Corygidor in great hazard of his life and if the plague had not then afflicted the citie the disorders had beene greater yet this was but one citie onely whereas contrariwise Saint Arem the first place where he was proclaimed king beganne to rise against him for the pacifying whereof he sent Emanuel de Sylua one of the first moters of this popular humour which made him King so as he had scarce any citie remaining but Lisbone whereof he had no great confidence although the common people by their accustomed braggings shewed him great affection in this so apparant danger hee founde not any of so many Potentates enclined to succour him who in reason should not willingly haue seene his enimie aspire to such greatnes So as afflicted with these thoughts he had easily followed the counsell of an accorde although the fidelitie of the Portugals and the name of King woulde not suffer him yet hee had no man about him that coulde perswade him but was cured by contrarie remedies For taking counsell with Diego Boteglio the elder his familiar who had followed him in all his disgraces and with those of the house of Portugall although his flight if he would haue attempted it were stopped and small hope of victory in battaile yet coulde he not agree and yeeld to fortune but resolued to defend himselfe In which resolution he was confirmed by the Bishop of Guarda who as a bolde man woulde haue his opinion passe in all things For he saide the Catholique king was not so mightie as was supposed that his Spanish soldiers were new and vntrained that he woulde not drawe foorth of Italy his trained men fearing that being busied in Spaine the realme of Naples or the state of Millaine shoulde reuolt That the Italians and Germaines were few in number for besides there were many dead it was not safe to bring any great numbers into Spaine a prouince that is weake and hatefull to all other nations That at this present when as the brute should be of his taking armes the States of Italy of Nauarre and of Arragon woulde rebell That the Turke woulde descend vpon his realme of Naples That Castill it selfe being greeued and ouercharged with impostes woulde reuolt That Fraunce England and a part of Germany would come presently with many men to his succours or at the least in assailing the other prouinces of the Catholique king diuert the warre saying it had not yet succeeded the time being too short to giue them notice of his election or receiue an answere That the realme was mightie enough of it selfe to defend it selfe on this side the riuer vntill his friends had meanes to succour him These things being deliuered vnto him by his friends with so great efficacie and faining to haue receiued aduise they did somewhat encourage Anthony besides that the desire to raigne makes the vnbeleeuing credulous These men besides their aforesaide priuate passions although they did well vnderstand the weaknes of the realme and the lightnes of their reasons were blinded with two things whereby they perswaded Anthony from composition The one was that knowing the offence to the Catholique king to be so great that although they shoulde obtaine their pardon yet should they neuer receiue grace nor fauour but remaine still in feare of their liues The other was to enioy in the meane time the gouernment of the realme the which in a manner was all in their hands attributing vnto themselues the principall offices so as for the affection they shewed vnto the crowne it seemed that Anthony bare them respect and in a manner subiection so as the feare of life and the sweetenes of rule made them obstinate Amidst these doubts the Prior was not without hope of some succours from Fraunce for that Frauncis Baretto being first of all sent by the Gouernors and then the Consull of the French by himselfe with some little money he expected at the least one of them shoulde appeare with men although the Gouernors had sent Baretto more to please the peoples desire with this shewe then for any will they had hee shoulde worke it in effect being dispatched with ample commissions they daily by their messengers restrained and in a manner reuoked them so as he effected nothing of importance And although that Anthony had written vnto him yet was it late and the Consull of the French hauing receiued money staied still in Fraunce to take his pleasure so as they expected succours from those parts in vaine chiefly by reason that the Agents of the Catholique king laboured greatly that court to keepe the Portugals from their desire True it is that when Anthony founde them so slowe in comming and that the Catholique Kings galleies were masters of the sea he began to be out of hope Then grew a confusion and disorder in all thinges and forasmuch as their mindes were greatly troubled all without rest and all terrified it chaunced that the night following the daie when as they had receiued newes of the losse of Settuuall by reason of the flight of some Castillian marchants who held not themselues secure within the city they tooke an allarum with great amasement crying that the enimie entred by many places and as there was no ordered discipline nor any man that knew what they should vndertake the feare was so great the confusion such and so vnreasonable the running of people vp and downe to demaund what it was and to seeke for flight adding thereunto the terror of the night in so great and well peopled a citie that there coulde not be seene a greater confusion And although
that Anthony had made so great a stay betwixte Sacabem and Saint Arem so as he might easily haue suppressed him and this was the issue of the battaile of Alcantara In the meane while the ships which came from the Indies were disanchored from the Ilands of Terceraes sailed towards Portugall ill aduertised of what had passed And for as much as they had former intelligence of their arriuall at the Ilands it was thought good they shoulde staie there being valued at three millions many doubted they should be lost For on the one side the Duke had sent some ships armed to seeke them on the other side the Prior had sent certaine carauels with aduise to go to Penichie a place vpon the coast twentie miles from Lisbone towardes the north and therefore it was feared they coulde not escape the one or the other either to be taken by the kings ships or to follow the direction of Anthony and in what sort soeuer they shoulde bee lost For falling into the hands of the Castillians they shoulde bee spoiled and going to Penichie the Prior woulde become master of priuate mens goods and imploy them for the necessitie of the warres And some ignorant of Anthonies commission supposed they should either go to Fraunce or England and that the Prior finding the weakenes of his force by the euent of this battaile shoulde followe them notwithstanding fortune did so second the beginning that two daies after the battaile they appeered in safetie without any intelligence of these troubles within the realme or any encounter vpon the way such was the Catholique kings good fortune that they arriued safe at Lisbone where he receiued what appertained to the crowne and deliuered to euery priuate man his owne All this while they were in suspence at Badagios expecting whether this enterprise shoulde be ended by armes or agreement and so doubtfull euery man was for that there appeared on either side great difficultie the rather for that the Duke could not stay long from entertaining one of these parties so different But the xxvj day of August in the morning there arriued a Spanish merchant without any letters from the Duke who brought newes of the successe This man following the Spanish campe when he saw the Priors armie in route presently passed the riuer in a small barke and tooke poste before him that brought aduertisement from the Duke who presenting himselfe vnto the King deliuered what hee had seene whereof he receiued such contentment as may bee supposed This newes was presently spred throughout all the court with the incredible ioy of all men and to the great honour of the Duke and with such kinde of commendations as the force of truth doth vsually draw vpon the sodaine euen from the mouth of enimies But the confirmation of these newes staying longer then was conuenient for the neerenes of the place and the importance of the action they began to doubt with so great perturbation that there was no lesse shewe of their generall desire then of their receiued content The which was after confirmed by the Arriuall of Ferrant de Toledo the Dukes nephew whom he had dispatched with a priuate relation not onely of the successe but also of the reasons which had induced them to fight and his direction giuen vnto the captaine the which was generally approoued of all with no small honour to the Duke saying that he had now satisfied mens mindes who held him alwaies to be too cunning and watchfull to assure his enterprise by aduantages of lodging and stratagems auoiding the battaile by all meanes possible without great aduantage following amongst the auncient Captaines Fabius Maximus and amongst the later Prosper Colonna the elder whom he sought to imitate And this cōmendation of the Dukes proceeded from his two resolutions The one to passe from Settuual to Cascaies and the other to fight at Alcantara seeing in the first he alone did contradict his counsell and contested both against sea and enimie And in the second he resolued to fight dangerously with the Portugals within their owne trenches hauing a well peopled citie behinde them and against the aduise of some of the principall of the armie They did highly commend him to haue kept Lisbone from spoile and at one instant to play the conqueror and protector attributing vnto him for this respect more honour then to haue retired his armie from the wals of Rome in the yeere 1557. hauing not fought there vnto the gates of the citie as he did at Lisbone But these reasons with other were dashed by a sodaine cruell accident which so troubled the mindes of all men as there was no time to thinke nor speake of any thing the which was that vpon the newes of this happie successe the king fell most dangerously sicke the which so encreased being brought to that point that there was small hope of his life and euen his Phisitions themselues almost gaue him ouer vpon this subiect was all their discourses for the king dying it was supposed that the protector of Christendome shoulde faile and if there were any doubt that his death in time might cause any alteration it was then most of all to be feared for besides that the affaires of Flaunders were troublesome the humors of the French ill disposed Portugall yet in ballance to incline to a contrarie partie and the rest of Spaine was not well assured The opinions were diuers what course to take but all was confused and all full of feare The Duke of Alua whose opinion many of the better sort did follow thought it fit that the king dying the Queene with the prince should presently enter into Portugall and goe to Lisbone thinking by this meanes with the forces he had there readie not onely to keepe the realme in peace but also to assure the other estates of Spaine He now laboured to stablish the affaires for depriuing from the office of the magistrate of the chamber of Lisbone such as had been installed by the Prior he restored such as had bin before calling them vnto him he said it was now time that in the cities behalfe they should sweare obedience vnto the king and proclaime his name in the publique streetes with accustomed ceremonie whereunto they willingly offered themselues demaunding leaue for this cause to make publique feastes and that withall the priuileges of the citie might be confirmed Whereunto he answered that there was then no neede but they should reserue it vntill the prince were there present to be sworne whome his Maiestie had resolued to send vnto the citie to be bred vp amongst them and as for their priuileges they were very small that he woulde graunt them more amplie So as the eleuenth day of September in the Dukes lodging they tooke their oath in forme and the next day after dinner the magistrate going thorough the citie with the standard and their Attaballes they proclaimed the name of King Phil p after the accustomed manner yet with
set a tax of 80000. duckats vpon the Priors person as a rebell and disturber of the quiet of the realme He proclaimed a parliament at Tomar the fifteenth day of Aprill where he would assist in person with the generall opinion and great hope of all men that all Portugals that had offended should there receiue their pardon and the obedient haue reward and that to all in generall he would giue great recompences graunting to the cities of the realme whatsoeuer they demaunded There remained neither citie nor place within the maine land of Portugall that had not yeelded their obedience to the king of Spaine For after the Priors flight from Viana all was in the Castillians power the places of Affricke were obedient and so was the Iland of Madera as for the places further off time would not yet suffer them to haue any certaine newes There remained the seuen Ilands of Terceres which had not yet made their submission hauing aduertisement that only S. Michaels excepted all the rest refused to obey and for as much as they were of no account this disobedience made them famous Although they be seuen in number yet are they for the most part small and ill peopled That of Saint Michael a hundreth miles neerer Spaine then the rest is the best There the Bishop of all these Ilands hath his residence They call their principall towne Punta Delgada the next vnto it is called Tercere whereof all the rest take their name This is fertill and by nature more strong then the rest Angra is their greatest dwelling whereof the saide Bishop taketh his name The rest as Saint Marie Fayale Pico Coruo and Flowers be lesser and some of them wholy vnpeopled The inhabitants of all in generall be superstitious and vaine grounding their discourses vpon fancie for since the battaile of Affricke they would neuer beleeue that king Sebastian was dead And although this opinion was helde long through out the Realme yet hath it beene more confidently beleeued there then in any other places for notwithstanding they had seene the innouations which happened in the time of King Henrie and of the Gouernours yet did they still hope he should appeare But when the Prior was proclaymed King it seemed they were somewhat satisfied for hauing presently sent vnto these Ilands to take possession with letters vnto all the Magistrates hee was there sworne and willingly obeyed and to performe this Acte of obedience they sent as Ambassadors vnto him Stephen Siluera and Fryer Melchior of the order of Saint Frauncis who arriuing at Lisbone could not execute their charge for being defeated at Alcantara hee was fled towards Porto yet making no account of the enimies victorie they followed the Prior there in the name of all the inhabitants of these Ilands yeelded him obedience After in the month of Nouember in the yeare 1580. they returned to Tercomes giuing an account of their charge adding that notwithstanding Anthonie had beene broken at Alcantara yet he began in the Prouince betwixt Doro and Mynio with 30000. men to be reuenged vpon the Castillians And although they had after intelligence of Philips absolute victorie and of the flight of Anthonie yet they continued firme in their opinions wherein they were daily confirmed for that as it is said before the Kings ministers had neglected to send vnto them whereas contrariwise Anthonie and the Earle of Vimiosa did still solicite them by curriers and letters to continue firme the said Earle hauing sent Anthonie Scalyn a Frenchman vnto them with letters whereby in the Priors name hee did commende their good affection they so far passed the bounds of ioy as they receiued him into Angra in procession and vnder a cannapie conducting him to the Church of pitie where the saide Fryer Melchior preached applying their intentions to the will of God and Fryer Blaise Camello did sing Masse who in his prayer with a lould voice praied for two Kings that is Sebastian and Anthonie saying vnto the people which demaunded newes of Sebastian that the fourth of August he would satisfie them The inhabitants of the Iland of Saint Michaell which had no such seditious firebrands as that of Tercera beeing by nature more peaceable furthered by the Bishop who followed the Kings party did not runne into so great disorders but shewed themselues daily more obedient vnto Philip who hauing intelligence of all these things desired to trie if hee could by gentle meanes draw this rebellious nation to his obedience and at the last remedie the error of his ministers for to conquer them by force was supposed difficult the Terceraes being naturally strong and inuironed with high rockes besides the sea going so high in those parts as no ships can liue aboue three or fower moneths in the yeare This enterprise was then supposed to be of more importance then it had beene not so much for the qualitie of the place as for the situation beeing an vnauoydable passage for the ships that come from the Indies and the new found lands as well from the East as from the West where the Frenchmen harbouring they might greatly endomage Spaine for this consideration the King sent Ambrose d' Aguiar with a letter and ample pardon in a manner to all offendors if leauing the part of Anthonie they would follow his But arriuing neere vnto Angra and sending his letters to land the Islanders tooke counsell what to doe but the people being then mad and without gouernment did not approoue the opinion of this counsell The richer sort regarding their priuat profit would obey for hauing all their rents in corne the which they commonly send vnto the realme they could not make sale in any other place but being few and not daring to speake their mindes they deliuered it doubtfully The poore who finding the lesse corne were transported from the Ilands the better cheape they shoulde buie it not caring to haue any trafficke with Portugall would by any meanes follow the voice of Anthonie Many kindled with rage aduised they shoulde suffer Ambrose d' Aguiar to enter the citie and after cast him in prison and punish him as Ambassador to a Tyrant Some held they should send him away without answere Some of the chiefe who feared they were not comprehended within the pardon did what they could to preiudice the Kings part for dispairing to obtaine it they laboured that no man should follow his voice but so to wrong Philip as they should lose all hope euer to bee reconciled wherein they preuailed so much as that Ambrose d' Aguiar who was appointed to be Gouernor of the Iland of Saint Michaell was sent backe They caused a Masse to be saide where all the people did sweare to die for Anthonie In which humor they were still confirmed by false reports that were blowen abroad For although the Prior were yet hidden in Portugall yet the shippes which came from Fraunce and England to trafficke at the Ilands to the end they might be the
better fauored and receiued brought newes that he was in their countrey raising a great Armie The people being in this humour easie to take any impression there suddenly steps vp a Smith of the basest sorte who followed by the multitude plaied the Southsayer saying that the tenth of March without all doubte King Sebastian shoulde come into that Iland The day being come with great expectation of the people there appeered a great shippe at sea the viewe whereof did so much alter this people that the Smith crying this was the shippe wherein the King was euery man ranne to the shoare to see him as as it were expecting Sebastians landing But although the shippe followed an other course not drawing any thing neere to the Iland yet the people left not their vaine hope but some of them affirmed that the shippe had put three men into their cockboate the which were entred into the couent of Saint Frauncis supposing it shoulde be King Sebastian Christopher de Tauora and the Cheriffe And although this lie might easily be deciphered yet their offences would not permitte it but running from one scruple to an other it seemed they were destinate to liue in suspence for these friers of Saint Frauncis against the truth of priesthoode vnderstanding the peoples opinion that the King was in their couent did confirme it giuing them to vnderstand it was true and the better to induce them to beleeue it seeming on the one side to keepe it very secret on the other side shewing they had guests of importance they demaunded secretly but so as it might be knowen to borrow beds of silke siluer vessels and other things fit for a kings seruice They caused also garments to be made and kept their gates more strictly then of custome saying in their sermons that they would giue them two naturall kings and some hearing them in their masses to praie for Sebastian and Anthony supposed he was in their monasterie and not Sebastian seeing that since his departure from Viana there was no certaine newes of him In this Iland Ciprian de Figueredo sometimes seruant to the Counte of Vimioso being sent thither for iudge was become ringleader of all the rest This man being contrary to the Castillians and agreeing with the monkes did countenaunce their practises remaining in their couent from morning vntill night He confirmed the people in their foolish beliefe that the King was there This nation was not well setled in matters of religion for growing insolent by their libertie some preachers attributing vnto themselues more authoritie then they had promised absolution and many things which they ought not making shewe they would builde a church after their owne fashion and for that the lesuites had opposed themselues or at the least were not of one consent they were walled vp within their monasterie And although these Ilands were not al obedient being a slow enterprise yet the warre seemed as then in a manner ended that Philip hauing great forces in Spaine knew not how to imploy them forasmuch as the soldiers returned from the warres in the lowe Countries were now vpon the way comming from Italy towards Portugall with some others newly leuied they saide the King adding some fewe forces thereunto might raise a great armie to bee imploied vpon that occasion for the which they vnderstoode the Pope as carefull of his charge had renewed the practizes to bende these forces against England the which woulde not obey the Romish sea and therefore hee propounded to king Philip that if hee woulde leuie an armie and sende it to this conquest he woulde assist him in this enterprise with the treasures of the church offring to graunt vnto him Croisades exemptions and subsidies and to acquite him of a million of golde which hee saide was due vnto the church for the reuenewes he had receiued of the Archbishopricke of Toledo by title of sequestration when as the Archbishop was suspended from his charge But the King hauing newly taken possession of the crowne seeing the Portugals not well quieted sought first to pacifie the realme before hee woulde vndertake any other enterprise Notwithstanding at the Popes motion who saide that arming in those parts hee shoulde not onely keepe Portugall in awe but all Spaine and Fraunce likewise It may be he woulde not haue refused to send a good part of his forces if not into England yet into Ireland if the Popes ministers had beene more resolute or had beene furnished with a more ample commission but the sufferance of the foldiers and the great charge admitting no delay Rome being so farre off they agreed not but the King dismissing the Italians caused the foldiers vpon the way to returne backe and deuided his armie into garrisons THE EIGHT BOOKE The Contents of the eight Booke The soldiers complaints The Catholique King visites the Duchesse of Bragance The Kings voyage to Tomar The generall pardon The estates wherein they sware fidelitie vnto the King and vnto the Prince Diego The demaunds of the estates The kings entrie into Lisbone The vnhappy successe of Peter de Baldes his men at the Ilands of Terceraes Anthonie his departure out of the realme and his arriuall in Fraunce The arriuall of Lopez de Fegueroa at the Ilands and his returne without effect The preparation of the Jlands The estate of the affaires of Fraunce and of the lowe Countries The recompences which the King gaue vnto suiters The opinions of the manner of giuing them The enterprise of the Ilands The preparation to warre by King Philip and the French and the departure of their armies at sea towards the Ilands both from Fraunce and Portugall IN these warres amidst the cares of the realmes disquiet and imminent perils Frauncis de Villafagna doctor of the lawes and Auditour of the Councel royall of Castil which is the soueraigne seate of that realme came to Lisbone sent by the King with letters vnto the Duke whereby he was commaunded to fauour him in the execution of his commission the which being presently published containing no other matter of importance but a simple commaundement with the rest of the ordinarie officers to examine the accounts of the armie and to signe the warrants for paiments it seemed a sleight charge for so great a personage the which ministred matter of suspect that vnder so simple a shewe there was hidden some mysterie of importance and the generall opinion was that he came to censure both the armie and the Duke himselfe And although the Duke should haue beene best informed yet he made no shewe to know it but fauoured the Doctor admitting him to the Councell of warre and to other graue matters which did not concerne him The rest of the Captaines Spanish soldiers which could lesse dissēble spake with more libertie and lesse patience then the Duke saying it was a new manner of Iustice neuer heard of seeing that of necessitie the controuersie must bee betwixt the captaine generall and his armie or
the Doctors which had read and writ against him with great mildenes but also with a noble resolution confirmed them in their lectures and preferred others to them that were voide In the meane time the Pope discouering the Priors weakenesse to maintaine Portugall and that there was no meanes of agreement hauing called home his Legate he seemed well content with Philips successe saying that his onely intention was to auoid wars so as hauing obtained great rewardes for his sonne or at the least assured hopes he graunted vnto the king that George de Taida bishop of Viseu who was his first chaplaine shoulde be iugde without appeale of all causes concerning the Ecclesiasticall rebels and of the proces of their confiscations so as the Prior in a manner doomed to sentence of death with the Bishop of Guarda and others were againe cited by edicts to be depriued by iustice of all spirituall liuings they held within the realme There was yet no newes of him notwithstanding the reward promised and the great care the Castilians vsed through the realme to finde him yet were they daily lesse certaine for that disguised in a base habite hee went vnknowne oftentimes amongst those that sought for him He had intelligence that the Counte of Vimioso was come by land into Fraunce labouring to mooue the French to warre against the Catholique King promising great succours by the people in the matters of Portugal By reason whereof and for the Priors concealement the King kept in a manner his whole armie dispersed in the fortresses and cities of the realme and although hee had dismissed the Italians and sent the greatest part of his galleies into Italy yet they gaue out that he after repented the realme seeming daily lesse peaceable and that the French in those parts might arme a good number of ships of warre and more conueniently in that sea then the galleies whereof fowre being in Algarues had taken a French pirate with great slaughter who being a knight of Malta had fought valiantly By reason of these garrisons of the rigor of officers of the smal recompence that was giuen them and of the conceite that the Prior was yet within the realme the Portugals harts beganne to turne some of them assembled at times lamented the miserie wherein they seemed to be by their not agreeing to defend themselues or not yeelding in time yet the greatest part held opinion that vnited togither they might haue made resistance They could not endure that the Castillian officers shoulde intermeddle in matters of iustice as they pretēded to do neither was the Portugals disdaine appeased in saying that the King hauing commaunded Iohn Andrew Doria Prince of Melfy to conduct the Empresse his sister into Spaine whom he had caused to come out of Germany was for no other cause but to leaue her Gouernesse in Portugall and so returne into Castill and that as a woman she shoulde raigne with greater mildenes then the kings of Portugall had done for although this was the common discourse yet many helde opinion that the king should not depart being constrained to keepe garrisons the which he would not dismisse vntill he were better assured of the Prior of whom they spake diuersly for some helde that he was dead and spoiled by the Castilians who for that they woulde yeelde no account of the iewels he had about him kept it secret Others saide that he had sent into Fraunce and England from whence hee expected great armies at whose arriuall he would discouer himselfe Many supposed that he shoulde keepe himselfe secret within the realme vntill the death of Philip who according to their discourse coulde not liue long and yet was there small difference betwixt their ages at what time shewing himselfe as hee did vpon the death of king Henry hee shoulde againe take possession of the realme the kingdomes of Castill remaining in the handes of pupilles And although some beleeued that he was departed the realme yet the greatest part helde that he was there yet labouring to escape as couertly as he coulde fearing to be taken prisoner the which was true indeede as it appeared by some of his friends that were taken in the porte of Lisbone who sought to imbarke with some prouision of victuals they had made who confessed vpon the racke that he was in the realme amongst which was Peter d'Alpoe Doctor of the lawes who since for that cause and others of high treason lost his head at Lisbone The Estates were now ended and the king desirous to goe to Lisbone but for that the preparations and triumphs which the citie pretended were not yet ready he went to Almada which is directly against the citie vpon the other banke of Tagus to giue them time to finish their preparations At what time the King hauing intelligence that those of the Ilands of Terceraes notwithstanding the letters which Ambrose d'Aguiar had carried stoode firme in their first resolution of defence hee sent Peter Baldes with fower ships sixe hundreth Spanish foote and some cannon with commandement to assure himselfe fully of the Iland of Saint Michaell which was obediēt to spoile the ships which should come from the Indies not to attēpt any thing by land vntill he had sent a greater supply of men The Court was ill appointed at Almada and the needfull ministers for dispatches could not all bee lodged there The King desirous to enter the citie would not attende after Saint Peters day when passing the water with his galleies he lāded in the city vpon a bridge of wood framed for that purpose without giuing them time to finish their arches statues prepared for his entry But the sloth and ignorance of the workemen was in parte cause yet did they make a sumptuous preparation Vpon the bridge he was met by the Magistrate of the chamber where Doctor Hector de Pyna one of them spake thus in the behalfe of the citie shewing the ioy they had conceiued of his entrie That as this citie was the greatest in the worlde so God had deseruedly giuen them conformeable to their owne desires a great monarch to bee their Lorde Hee excused the people saying That if they had no sooner obeied it was done rather by errour then their owne free will and that remaining in their owne power to choose a king they woulde haue made election of no other then himselfe And touching the death of Ferrant de Pyna hee saide that this citie had first of all shedde bloude for his seruice seeing that the saide Ferrant when as Anthony caused him to bee wounded was a member of this Magistrate He excused likewise the sleightnes of their ioyes by the afflictions of the warre the spoile of the citie and the plague remembring their losses of Affricke concluding that they hoped by his Maiesties fauours this realme shoulde not bee saide vnited vnto Castill but that all the other realmes were ioyned vnto Portugall Hee then went on horsebacke vnder a canopie of
the which is the more woorthie of admiration for that the diligence the King vsed to finde him out was admirable for all Iudges all Captaines and all soldiers were carefully imploied And although they had sometimes aduertisement of the place of his aboad and did follow him in a manner by his foote yet could they neuer finde him Ierom Mendosa with the help of Emanuel of Portugal in whom it was likelie that Anthony should trust treating an agreement laboured much to speake with him But although some of his familiar friends came vnto him somtimes at Alanquer somtimes at Vidigueira with hope they should meete yet did hee neuer discouer himselfe vnto them but the sleight execution of the punishment inflicted vpon such as did cōceale him did greatly preiudice their search for many therby did boldly receiue him The Duke of Alua his officers in the end of Lent had like to haue surprised him in Lisbon where the Duke had so many spies corrupted so many of his friends that it seemed vndoubtedly he shoulde fall into his hands but when as with greatest heate he shoulde haue pursued it he grew cold For vnderstanding that the king helde some regard of Mendoza his practise who with doubtfull hopes gaue him to vnderstande that the weeke before Easter the Prior woulde cast himselfe at the Kings feete hee feared to amaze him but the said Mendoza laboured in vaine For as it happens to him that feares Anthony distrusting all men performed nothing of what he promised neither went hee to any person where hee had appointed so as there neither followed the effect that was expected but they lost all hope to do any good Yet was it apparant that the affection which this nation bare vnto him was of great force for although that fortune preuailed in many more then faith yet in his afflictions and hauing so great an imposition laide vpon his person there was neuer any one amongst so many in whom he must of necessitie trust that euer sought to betraie him for hope of recompence although some laboured to saue themselues amongst which was Edward de Castro And therefore hee went safely throughout all the portes of the sea he was at Lisbone as it is saide where the king himselfe remained not finding meanes to imbarke some of his men being surprised hee went to Settuual where by the helpe of a woman hee hired a Flemmish ship for sixe hundreth crownes with the helpe of a religious man of the order of Saint Frauncis and with tenne of his faithfullest seruants he imbarked by night and so went to Caleis where wee may truely saie that God had not yet withdrawne his hand frō punishing of this nation and that this was as a scourge for by reason of the affection this people bare vnto him it was necessarie to keepe this people in awe with garrisons to the great hurt and ruine of the subiects Now was come the yeare 1581. at what time they expected the ships from the Indies Brasil Saint Thomas Cape Vert all other new found landes the which staied somewhat long and put them in some feare being looked for with greater desire then euer anie were Some feared they woulde not come others wished they shoulde come many helde opinion they shoulde willingly staie at the Terceres and from thence go into England the which if they should not willingly yeeld vnto touching vnaduisedly at the Ilands they shoulde bee forced thereunto by the Ilanders They were wished for both for the riches they carried as to vnderstande by them howe the people of those parts were addicted to the obedience of the Catholique king whereof many doubted Such as helde opinion they shoulde safely arriue at Lisbone saide that the Indies and other prouinces coulde not maintaine themselues without Spaine and shoulde bee forced to yeelde obedience to whomsoeuer that shoulde be Lorde of Portugall that they needed not feare the Terceres although they had spoiled some ships which they had taken or that had anchored there of their owne free will yet now the Castillian armie being master at sea vpon their discouerie they woulde conduct them to Lisbone not suffring them to approch the lande Such as supposed they woulde not come saide that the saide ships were departed from Lisbone in the yeere 1580. after King Henries death during the Gouernours raigne and that Lewes de Taide Earle of Toghia Viceroy of the Indies knowing there was a space-gouernement with likelihood of warre woulde attende the euent without yeelding obedience to any for that he woulde then shew it when he had intelligence who were king to be the more acceptable vnto him or hoping that amidst these tumults there woulde something remaine to his share But if notwithstanding he were resolued to sende them hee woulde appoint a captaine of his owne making and conformeable to his owne will with commission to obey him to whom he were most affected and that it were hard to iudge whom he wished most to be King besides that Emanuel de Melo being captaine Generall of the same armie when it departed from Portugall being a deuoted seruant to the Prior and had made shew to be of his faction it was likely that if he returned had any intelligēce of the Priors being in England the which he might easily vnderstande at the Ilands that he woulde saile thither the which if he coulde not performe in the same ships hee woulde then lande in the Ilands and after saile in other boats whether hee pleased with hope of gaine and bootie And although it were true that the Indians coulde not maintaine themselues yet Fraunce and England might more aboundanly furnish them and with greater profite then Portugall But for as much as in discoursing of matters which depends vpon an others will we cannot cōsider al causes of their errors a matter priuate to the diuine knowledge it fell out in an other manner then had beene discoursed For the Earle Viceroy of the Indies hauing by the same ships receiued letters from the Catholique King who enformed him of the equitie of his cause and of his intent with large promises whereunto and by the meanes of others which he receiued from the gouernors he gaue credite preferring them before such as he had receiued from Anthonie resolued to obey the King so as the ships departed and being arriued neere to the Terceres they came sailing without euer discouering of the kings armie for that Baldes discouraged with his ill successe at the Ilands could find no fit place to encounter thē True it is that after they had remained a whole day amongst those Ilands they were encountred by a French Barke sent from the Terceres who entreated the Captaines to go to Angra The Portugals demaunded the state of the realme that they might thereby know howe to gouerne themselues but for that there were none but marriners they coulde neither perswade dissemble nor speake the truth but contradicting themselues those of the fleete
vneasie landing beeing of all parts rough and inaccessible but in some fewe places which it was likely they woulde fortifie and guard They saide that the garrisons of strangers which they vnderstoode were there were they neuer so fewe with the inhabitants of the Iland were sufficient to hinder their landing They made great reckoning of the roughnes of the sea the which commonly suffreth not any ships to ride there aboue two moneths in the yeere concluding it was better deferre it then attempt it in vaine as they had twise done with small honor They said that the assurance of the enterprise consisted in delay for that the Iland shoulde bee neither stronger nor better furnished then it was at that instant seeing their strength is by nature that a great garrison cannot long liue there that by delaying the inhabitants themselues will be aduised for besides the insolencie of the French wanting their traffique with Spaine they shoulde growe so poore as they will soone acknowledge their errours That the ships from the Indies made so small stay at the Ilands as they had no neede of them but onely to take in fresh water wherewith they may furnish themselues at Saint Michaels These reasons helde the Catholique king in suspence and for that he was a friend to peace he enclined to delay but as the newes from Fraunce Flaunders and England did varie so did they hasten or slacke the preparation for the enterprise In this sorte and with no small trouble of minde the three first moneths in the yeere 1582. passed away but hauing intelligence at the spring that they did arme many ships both in Fraunce Flaunders and England and that they were meant for Portugall that the Turke notwithstanding his warre against the Sophy threatned to send forth his galleies that certaine troupes of foote were come out of Fraunce vnto the Marquisat of Salusses the King thought it expedient to arme both to performe this enterprise of the Ilands as for the guarde of many places where he might be endomaged He thought it a hard thing and vnwoorthie to suffer the states of the Low-Countries to be wrested from him by the Duke of Alançon without reuenge He did foresee that the charge would bee verie great and that he was furnished with little money and lesse credite for by meanes of the decree he had made against the merchants he was cause of more hurt to himselfe then to his creditors The prouisions it behooued him to make were all forced for hee could not doe lesse then prouide for Italy as well in regarde of the French as of the Turke Hee must of force entertaine an armie in Portugall for although the Realme were in shew quiet yet the Portugals being of a stirring humor he could not auoide to arme a nauie sufficient to encounter the Fleete He thought it necessarie to prouide for Flanders if not wholy to recouer those estates yet for feare he should loose more But that which troubled the King more then all the rest was the shippes which hee expected this yeere from the Indies and New-found lands fearing that the French hauing the aduantage of the Ilands might spoile them finding that some Pirat had not onely passed into that sea but also threatned to assaile the Iland of Saint Michael and that of the Maderes And therefore the King began to preuent all these dangers in this manner He mustred all the foote he could in Spaine and caused them to march towardes Portugall especially to the Prouince betwixt Doro and Minio to the gouernment whereof he sent Ferrant de Toledo Prior of Saint Iean He sent the Marquesse of Saint Croixe to Seuille to arme all the great ships hee could and to prepare some galleies In Biscay he commaunded eighteene Biscaine ships to be furnished to make their randeuous in Andelouzie where they prepared their galleies and built a good number of great boats to land their souldiers He wrote into Italy to the Viceroy of Naples and to the Gouernor of Millaine that either of them should leuie 6000. Italian foote He gaue order in Germany to bring downe 10000. Germanes vnder colour to sende these two nations into Flaunders And for to be assured of the Iland of Saint Michael although that Ambrose d'Aguiar were there with one Galeon hee sent thither Peter Peixotto with fiue other shippes who arriued there in good time for certaine French Pirats were assembled to assaile it the which they did not forbeare to attempt for Peixotto with his ships lying at anchor before the city of punta Delgada three French ships leauing other sixe behinde shewed themselues supposing that with his fiue ships he would not faile to fight with them three and as hee should retire the other sixe comming to succour them they might conquer them and after this victorie assaile the Iland being weake and vnarmed But this deuise succeeded not for Peixotto who desired not to fight but to preserue the Ilande all hee could would not come foorth against those three French ships the which hee forbare the rather for that the other sixe shippes which remained behinde discouered themselues so as the Frenchmen finding they coulde not deceiue the Portugals and their ambush as one may say being discouered being loath to retire without some booty they resolued to charge Peixotto as he laie at anchor But the winde grew scant to approch to land and the artillerie from a certaine weake forte would not suffer them to ioine But the Captaines shippe being of better saile then the rest drewe so neere that hee grappled with a Portugall where they fought aboue three howers with great slaughter on both sides but the French had beene victors if Ambrose d'Aguiar who was at lande foreseeing that the losse of the ships woulde be the ouerthrowe of the Iland had not succoured Peixotto by boats sending him aboue an hundred fiftie men with the which he defended himselfe and the French shippe vnloosing itselfe retired to the rest woorse handeled then the Portugall but it was supposed that if the winde had beene any thing stronger so as the other French ships mought haue come vp to the Portugals they had beene taken in the viewe of all the Iland And for that soone after there arriued eighteene Biscaine ships at Lisbone which the king had commaunded should be armed in that Prouince he sent fower of them with sixe hundreth men for the assurance of that Iland the which arriued soone after the departure of the French Sommer was nowe come and there was still newes from Fraunce that they made greater preparation for war arming many ships in all their ports at the instance of Anthony The Catholique kings affaires went slowlier forwardes then the importance of the cause required for that it seemed the Spaniards were not yet well assured whether the French woulde turne against Portugall and not goe to the Ilands yea some beleeued that making shew to do so they woulde take their course for