though 't is to be supposed at that time he thought not to have arrived at so great height as to be King of Portugal When he was grown to the age of about three and twenty years he was by his brother made a chief Commander of his Armies in which Military imployment he behaved himself with so much courage and magnanimity as was admirable his valor soon gained the love of the soldiers and his courtesie and affability the affection of the people the very Moors his enemies would applaud him as both a perfect soldier and a Courtier His brother being dead and his Nephew Beatrice uncapable of succession by reason of her having married a forreign Prince he claimed the Crown as next of the blood but his claim was at first made void by reason of his being illegitimate when afterwards the Councel of Estates finding that if they should refuse him they might perchance choose one less deserving conferred the Crown upon him yet so as he should receive it not as his indubitable right by birth but as given him by election Yet some Writers there be that affirm that there were several legitimate sons of his father King Pedro then alive who all laid their several claims to the Crown as of right belonging to them before him but that he being at the time of his brothers death General of the Armies in Algarve and having gained so much upon the soldiers and people presuming upon their affection and his desert laid claim to the Crown which they being no way able to resist were forced to rest content and permit him to enjoy what was likewise willingly conferred upon the people so that he came to the Crown partly by force and partly by election But howsoever he came by it enjoy it he did and entred into his government about the two and thirtieth year of his age and in the beginning of the year 1388. received with great applauses by the whole kingdom as a Prince from whom they expected great and good things having already had so large experience of him Soon after his Coronation he married Philippa daughter to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster which match he the rather inclined to because Henry the bastard King of Castile in right of his wife Beatrice pretended a title to the Crown of Portugal which he hoped he might the better oppose by matching into that â—amily which had equal if not more indubitable â—ight to the kingdom of Castile For Iohn Duke of Lancaster having married Constance the eldest daughter to Peter the deposed and murthered King of Castile and Leon claimed a right to and was a great stickler for those kingdoms yet never enjoyed any other but the bare title King Iohn having setled his kingdom applied himself to the prosecuting the War against the Moors who being quite driven out of his conâ—ines he resolves to follow into their own country and be the first King of his Nation that ever past the sea to this purpose he mans out a potent fleet and having fraighted it with a sufficient Army puts to sea and lands in Mauritania where in several battels he discomfits the Barbarians wastes their Countrey burns their Villages and possesses himself of a Sea-port Town called Seplene or Ceâ—ta whereby he gained both a retiring place and an in-let into the Country when he pleased By his Queen Phillippa King Iohn had a noble and numerous Issue first Edward so named from King Edward the third of England his God-father who succeeded in the kingdom secondly Ferdinand a man of so great abstinence and so devoutly religious that the Portuguese added him to the Calender of their Saints he was in the Wars against the Moors taken prisoner and during his captivity behaved himself with such an admirable patience as worthily deserves our wonder never murmuring to be linckt together with one of his meanest servants and with him forced for his living to grinde in a Mill though such was the piety of the servant that if he could he would willingly have performed the task himself and excused his Lord from the toil if it had been possible at length he was ransomed and returning ended his days in a recluse the third son of King Iohn was named after his own name the fourth Pedro but the fifth who most worthily deserves to be recorded was the Infante Henry This Prince whether emulating the great actions of his father or out of a natural inclination in himself was the first that encouraged the Portugueses to affect forreign Voyages he first set out with a great fleet in or about the year 1425. and made discovery of the Islands in the Atlantique sea which at first were called from their being newly found out Insulae Novae or the New Islands afterwards and now vulgarly called the Azores he likewise in many other Voyages made discovery of the Islands of Maderae Holy Port and Capo Verde and sailing farther along the Coast of Africa was the first that found out the way by Sea to Guiana at length wearied with travel and overpressed with age he retired and lived upon Cape St. Vincent which place he choose because of the constant sereness of the Air being a great lover of Astrologie and the Mathematiques he died about the year 1465. and was buried in the Chappel of that Monastery built by Ferdinand the first King Iohn reigned in all forty seven years having from the King of England received the honor of being Knight of the Garter as likewise did his two sons Prince Edward and the Infante Henry He died in the year 1436. leaving the World full of his glory He was a Prince in whom all Vertues seemed naturally to flow endowed with all imaginable Ornaments both of body and minde of a tender and affable Nature yet in the field as Valiant as the fiercest though 't is by some observed that he was never perceived upon any charge given upon the enemy many of which he made in his own person to change countenance or shew any sign of discomposure from his constant temper EDWARD the I. Eleventh KING of PORTVGAL EDward the first of that Name King of Portugal was born at the City of Braga in or about the year of our Lord one thousand three hundred ninety and two he was educated during his youth in all those exercises befitting a a Prince under the tutorage of the Arch-Bishop of Lisbon in which he profited so that in his most tender years his great judgement was deservedly wondered at after he had past his minority in studies he several times accompanied his father in the Wars of Africa where he showed great proofs of his magnanimity and courage He came to the Crown at the age of forty four years or thereabouts some report that being to have the Ceremonies of his Coronation performed the same morning that the Crown was to be put upon his head a Jew one of his Physicians and a great Student inâ— Astrologie came to him and falling down
zeal and devotion towards God yet he must needs advise him that God had placed him as King and Governor over his people that the Divine Majesty would be better pleased if he would with his prayers to the Almighty for their welfare add his care for their protection that it was a duty incumbent upon him to provide for his subjects felicity as of parents for their children whilest according to the Apostle He that does not take care for his family was worse then an infidel that for want of his superintendency the kingdom was posting into the road of destruction by reason of the ill administration of his Ministers that according to his duty he could not but advise him to free them from oppression c. These Speeches of the Arch Bishop extreamly stirred up the Kings affections to his people both because he was sensible of the great love the Arch Bishop bore him and because he knew what he had spoken was truth he therefore takes the Helm of State into his own hands calls those unjust Steward to account frees the people from their oppresses where he finds cause punishes them severely and finally makes several Laws for the good and benefit of the people whose affections he in short time so far gained that they surnamed him the Good And having thus setled his kingdom to the content of his subjects at home he next applies his minde to the aggrandising of it to which purpose in the year 1500. he fitted out a great number of ships which he divided into three Fleets sending one towards the East the second towards the West and the third towards the South to make discoveries That which steered their couse towards the East were the first Christian Fleet that ever passed the Cape of Good-Hope and found out the passage by Sea into the East-Indies that towards the West made discovery and took possession of Brazile in America that towards the South reinforced and added to their former Conquests in the kingdoms of Conga and Angola These happy discoveries thus made at the return of the fleet from the East-Indies a more potent was sent out with a convenient Land Army to take possession of some places in the Country these discomfited the great Armies of the Turks and Sultan of Egypt possessed themselves of the Island of Ormus in the Persian Gulf an Island so rich and well situated that the Arabians used to say that if the whole world were a ring that would be like the Diamond in it many other Forts and Places upon the Sea-coast they likewise subjected and fortified and returned home richly laden Thus were the riches of India which before had been brought over the vast Arabian deserts upon the backs of Camels to Grand Cairo in Egypt and from thence by Sea transported to Venice and so dispersed over these parts of the World were now brought home by Sea a longer but less chargeable and far quicker way Emanuel while his Fleets were performing these glorious services abroad governed his kingdoms in peace and prosperity at home blessed with a noble and numerous Issue to wit six sons and two daughters the sons were first Prince Iohn who succeeded him in the kingdom secondly the Infante D. Lewis thirdly the Infante D. Alfonso who was after a Cardinal Arch-Bishop of Lisbon and Abbot of Alcobaza fourthly the Infante D. Henry Cardinal and Arch-Bishop of Braga fifthly Infante D. Fernando sixthly the Infante D. Edward The daughters were first the Infante Isabella who was married to Charles the fifth that famous Emperor and King of Spain and secondly the Infante Beatrice married to Emanuel Duke of Savoy Emanuel having long governed this Nation to his great glory and renown at last in the seventy third year of his life and forty first of his Empire yielded to fate at Lisbon in or about the year 1435. and was buried in the Cathedral of that City amongst many of his Ancestors He was a Prince in whom the Divinity seem'd to have been at a strife whether his body or minde should be made more amiable for the features of his face were worthily to be admired yet his outward part could not boast more beauty then his soul could that imbellisher of man vertue I can not well say whether he was more severe or merciful but where he met with offences that he could not pardon he was always pitiful in sum he so lived and so ruled that he deservedly merited that Glorious Name of Emanuel the Good JOHN the III. Fifteenth KING of PORTVGAL JOhn the third of that Name who succeeded his father in the kingdom was born in the year 1504. and educated in the University of Conimbria in all those Sciences befitting a Prince he arrived at the Crown at the age of one and thirty years Heir as well to his fathers vertues as kingdoms He prosecuted those discoveries made by the Fleets of his father in the East and West Indies in the first of which he took and possessed many Islands and Towns his Armies encountred and overthrew the potent and formidable kings of Bengala Pegu and Siam and likewise obtained many signal Victories over the Moors of Malacca Sumatra and Molucco who were as well provided of Artillery as any Princes of Europe His Armies in West Indies had no worse success taking and fortifying divers places noâ— was fortune less favorable to him in Guiny During his fathers life-time being about the age of three and twenty years he was married to Catherine sister to Charles the fifth Emperor and King of Spain by whom he had Issue Prince Iohn who died during his reign but left behind him a son named Sebastian who succeeded this Iohn his Grand-father in the kingdom Iohn the third reigned in all eight and thirty years making many Laws for the increasing and encouragement of Traffique to the great enriching of his subjects he died in the sixty ninth year of his age and in the year of our Lord 1573. being buried in the Cathedral at Lisbon SEBASTIAN the I. Sixteenth KING of PORTVGAL SEbastian Grand-child of King Iohn the third was his successor in the kingdom which he entred into at about three and twenty years of age Scarce was he well seated in his Throne or had sat in it much above a year and a half when he was by Ambassadors from Muly Mahamet then turned out of his kingdoms of Fesse and Morocco by his Unkle Abdemelech implored to aid him in the recovery of his kingdom with promise that if by his means he could drive out Abdemelech he would freely resign to Sebastian the kingdom of Morocco and content himself with that of Fesse Ambition of glory and hopes to propagate the Christian Religion makes Sebastian readily undertake the enterprize and to that purpose makes all possible speed to levy Men and Arms he sends to Phillip the second King of Spain who promises him the assistance of ten thousand men but fails yet Sebastian not discouraged resolves with his own forces
to proceed to which by an accident he got some addition for as he was almost ready to go Stukeley an Englishman created by the Pope Marquis of Ireland as he was going with a small fleet of ships and about six thousand Italian soldiers to assist the Irish Rebels against the Queen of England was by tempest driven into Lisbon him with much entreaty he perswades to desist from his intended design and accompany him into Barbary Thus set forth he arrives at Tanger with an Army of about thirty thousand men here he meets Muly Mahamet with a very small addition of forces and much less then he expected yet he marches forwards towards Abdemelech who by letters would have advised him to have returned in peace but in vain so the two Armies meet in the plains of Alcazar where Sebastian is utterly discomfited himself Muly Mahamet Stukeley and several persons of quality slain three Kings fell in this field for Abdemelech was killed in the hottest of the battel this was fought in August 1578. Yet some there be that have affirmed that Sebastian was not slain in this battel but that for shame and sorrow he returned not home but wandring from one place to another was at last found out and known at Venice and from thence carried to Naples where he was kept three days in a dark and dismal dungeon without any sustenance but a knife and a halter that he was after by the command of the King of Spain sent thither where he died miserably That whether this were the true Sebastian or no was not certainly known but that he was so like him that the Spaniards used to say if it were not he it was the devil in his likeness but however he being thus lost to the Portugals they Crowned in his stead Henry the Cardinal HENRY the I. Seventeenth KING of PORTVGAL HEnry the Cardinal third son to Emanuel the first who succeeded Sebastian in the kingdom being both by reason of his age to wit 67. years old and his function being a Church-man deprived of all means to give the people any hopes of Issue it was during his short reign of his years the whole discourse and debate not onely of Portugal but of all Christendom who of right ought and who probably might succeed King Henry in that Crown and Kingdom several pretenders there were whose several Titles the ensuing Table will make clear Emanuel the first had eight children 1 Iohn King of Portugal who had Issue Iohn Prince of Portugal who had Issue Sebastian King of Portugal 2 Lewis Infante who had Issue Don Alfonso the Bastard Christopher and others 3 Infante D. Alfonso died without Issue 4 Henry the Cardinal King of Portugal died wirhout Issue 5 Fernando Infante died without Issue 6 Edward Infante who had Issue 1 Mary wedded to Alexander Farnese Prince of Parma a forreigner Reinuce Prince of Parma 2 Katherine married to Iohn Duke of Bragance 7 Mary married to Charles the fifth King of Castile and Emperor who had Issue Phillip the second King of Spain 8 Beatrix married to Charles Duke of Savoy had Issue Philbert Duke of Savoy The several claims to the Crown were in 〈◊〉 eight and all the pretenders endeavored by 〈◊〉 the most weighty arguments they could to jâ—â—stifie their several Titles first the people claâ—â—med Iure Regni a Priviledge to Elect theâ—â— own Kings but it was soon answered thâ—â— until the Royal Line of a kingdom were quiâ—â— extinct they could claim no right in the Elâ—â—ction for if they could they might by the samâ— reason at any time depose the lawful Heir 〈◊〉 Popes challenge to be Iure Divino Arbitraâ—â—â— if not Donour in all controversies of Crownâ— but especially in this because Alphonso the 〈◊〉 King to obtain that Title became tributary 〈◊〉 the Sea of Rome was slighted and dis-regardeâ—â— The third claim was that of Antonio the bâ—â—stard son of Lewis Infante who alledged thâ—â— his mother was lawfully wedded to his fatheâ—â— and endeavoured by all means to clear 〈◊〉 aspersion of his being illegitimate some strugâ—lings he made for the Crown as hereafter shaâ— be spoken more at large Catherina de Mediceâ— the widow of Henry the second King of Francâ— was the fourth that pretended a Right and 〈◊〉 to the Crown as being descended legitimatelâ— from Alfonso the third King of Portugal chaâ—â—ging all thâ—â— had raigned since to be usurpersâ— To this it was readily answered that all Lawyerâ— had ever allowed one hundred years sufficienâ— to clear and make firm the Title of any kingâ—dom and that there being the prescription 〈◊〉 three hundred years against her her claim 〈◊〉 utterly void The fifth that pretended to 〈◊〉 Crown was Philibert Duke of Savoy as son to â—eatrice the younger daughter of Emanuel â—hough it is to be supposed that he laid not his â—laim out of any hopes to prevail whilest he was descended but of the youngest daughter and Phillip the second of Spain of the eldest but 〈◊〉 is rather to be thought that he was incited to â—ut in his claim by the rest of the pretenders who knew that of the claimers who were not Natives he was the fittest person of all others â—o resist and annoy King Phillip not onely by â—eason of his personal valor but also because of his Countries bordering upon the Dutchy of Millan which with the assistance of the French â—is neighbors on the other side and pretenders â—o that Dukedom he might with ease at all â—imes invade The sixth who-presumed a right to this kingdom was Reinuce the young Prince of Parma who demanded it in right of his mother the eldest daughter to the Infante Edward alledging that Iure Primogeniturae the male Line was to be â—erved before the female so that until the Line of his Grand-father Prince Edward were wholly extinct neither Phillip the second nor â—he Duke of Savoy could have any pretence to that kingdom Catherine Dutchess of Braganza and youngest daughter to the Infante Don Edward was the seventh that laid claim to this Crown who alledged that in all successions whatsoever these four qualities were to be considered viz. the Line the Degree the Sex and the Age that the better Line ought in justice first to take place although others should have advantage in the other three qualities that in all successions of Crowns the last possessor was to be succeeded â—ure hereditatis which allowed the benefit of representation that she representing the Infante Don Edward the better Line did by representation preceed Reinuce the Law never allowing a Grand-child that benefit and that by her better Line she did exclude King Philip who descended of a daughter but especially by the prime and fundamental Laws of the kingdom put in execution against Bâ—atrice daughter of Ferdinand the ninth King of Portugal who having married out of the kingdom to the King of Castile her right of succeeding was utterly lost and King Iohn chosen in her stead she was to be preferred before all
de Franca were drawn at a horse tayl to an extraordinary high gallows and there hanged whilest Diego de Brito Nabo and Antonio Valente were executed upon a lower the quarters of these four were set up at the gates of the City and their heads placed upon several Frontier Towns In the month of September following for the same offence Antonia Cogamigne and Antonio Correa were likewise executed the first of which during the whole time of his imprisonment was an example of penitence feeding onely upon bread and water and whipping himself very often with continual prayers to God for Pardon of that and all his other sins As for the Arch-Bishop of Braga and the Bishops of Martiria and Malacca and Fryer Emanuel de Macedo though they were the persons that had the greatest hand in the conspiracy yet in regard they were Ecclesiastical persons they suffered noâ— death according to their deserts but were kept in prison till the Popes pleasure were known concerning them Here must not be forgot a great example of humility and repentance in the Arch-Bishop of Braga not onely in his life time when he often writ to the King that he might suffer and others be spared who were rather drawn in in complyance and obedience to him then out of any ill will to the King and kingdom but also at his death which happened about three years after his imprisonment when he gave order that as soon as he was dead his last Will and Testament should be carried to the King wherein he humbly intreated his Majesty to Pardon the Treason committed against him and his Native Country and that he would permit his body to be buried without the Church of any Parish of Lisbon and that without any Inscription or Tomb-stone that there might remain no memory of a man who had been a Traytor to his King and Country This exemplary punishment and rigorous execution of Justice upon the forementioned trayterous Delinquents established the King in his kingdom struck a terror into his enemies and increased his Subjects love and care of him more diligently to watch his Royal Families and the kingdoms safety But in the mean time daily incursions were made upon the Frontiers between the Castilians and Portugueses with the same violence cruelty and animosity as formerly But now come we to relate the most shameful piece of treachery ever yet heard of acted upon that most Noble and Gallant Prince the Infante Don Duarte or Edward brother to the King of Portugal who had served the Emperor in his Wars with much gallantry and no less success long before his brother Don Iohn had any thoughts of a Crown nor did he shew any endeavors to desert the Emperors service after the news arrived of the Revolt of Portugal but seemed resolved to continue there till he was betrayed by Francisco de Mello a Portugal at that time Ambassador to the Catholique King in the Emperial Court This Mello notwithstanding he was bound by many strong Obligations to the House of Braganza yet like an ungrateful villain having opportunity offered now resolves to build his fortunes upon their ruine or at least displeasure he therefore earnestly sollicites the Emperor to seize upon the person of Don Duarte and deliver him up to the King of Spain alledging of what great concernment the securing of his person would be to the Catholique King that it much behoved his Imperial Majesty to shew his affection to his brother the Catholique King in this particular which would not onely prove of Interest to Spain but the whole house of Austria That this Prince was the onely Prop of the House of Braganza that this was the onely means which God had left in the hands of the House of Austria to recover the kingdom of Portugal that it would be a great error both in prudence and policy to let ship so fair an occasion for that if he should scape out of their hands and get to the assistance of his brother both his personal valor and experience in Warlike affairs would very much infest the Catholick King The Emperor was not onely not perswaded by this Discourse of Mello's but extreamly offended at it returning him in answer that he did abhor and detest so great a breach of publique faith and violation of all Laws of hospitality that it would be both against the liberty of the Empire and against his own honor to imprison a Prince who had committed no fault to the Empire but rather had laid innumerable Obligations both upon it and himself Nor was the detestation of the Arch Duke Leopold to an act so foul and shameful less then that of his brothers the Emperor notwithstanding all which Mello was not at all discouraged but still prosecutes his villanous design by corrupting with great sums of money the Count of Tratsmandorf and several other Pensioners of the Crown of Spain but they were soon weary of so base and shameful and employment which made Mello think of a more cunning Artifice which was to perswade the Emperor to hearken to the allurements of one Diego di Quiroga who of a soldier was turned Monk and was now Confessor to the Empress This Father who had often been called to give his judgement in Affairs of State endeavored by all means possible to perswade the Emperor that he might not onely with a good conscience secure the Infante but that according to the best rules of Interest of State he ought to do it His Imperial Maâ—esty notwithstanding all these perswasions was very much unsatisfied in the action and once fully resolved not to do it but at length overcome by Mello's importunities and the Ghostly perswasions of Quiroga he was as it were constrained to alter his resolution and to give order to Don Lewis Gonzaga to go to the Princes quarters at Leipen and summon him to Ratisbone In the mean time to endeavorto prevent all â—ll impressions which an action so hainously wicked might strike into all bosoms that had either honor or honesty it was given out abroad that the Infante Don Duarte was secretly fled for some misdemeanor from Leipen when he confident of his own innocency was in his journey to Ratisbone according to the summons and thereupon proposal made of sixteen thousand Crowns as a reward to any man could bring him either dead or alive so that the Prince being ignorant of any such thing very hardly escaped their hands who out of hopes of the money had gone in search of him but missing them he came to Ratisbone where he was no sooner arrived but without any reason given he was cast into a common goal and all his servants imprisoned Don Francisco de Mello having thus far brought his desires to effect stops not here but afresh sollicites the Emperor that the Prince might be delivered into the Spaniards hands and sent prisoner to Millain but instead of assenting to this he sends a messenger to the Infante assuring him upon his word that
publique thanks to be given and Te Deum to be sung in all Churches Hopes to revenge the late defeat given by the Lord Therimicourt and desire to do some valiant act before he departed from his Government made the Marquess of Leganez governour of the Spanish forces at Estramadura give an Alarum to the Portuguese Frontiers and enter into the Country with two thousand horse and 6000 foot but the valiant Count of St. Laurence assaulting him forced him to retire with shame and excuse himself that he marched out onely to meet the Marquess of Mortare who was appointed to succeed him in the Government Yet this small and worthless Alarum made the King of Portugal who knew that too much care could not be had of the safety of his Kingdom to send Orders to the Governors to look more exactly to the countries committed to their charges then formerly and strictly to give charge to Don Iuan de Menezez Governour of Porto The Viscount Ponte de Lima Governour of the countries between Douro and Mimbo to the Count of Arogna Governor of Trasmontes and Don Roderigo de Castro Governour of Beira to repair with all expedition to their several Commands Nor was his Majesty less careful of his dominions abroad then of those neer home which made him dispatch the Baron of Alviro to be Governour of Tanger and D. Franciso De Norogna to Mazagan both strong Forts in Africa the last of which had been neer surprized by the Moors of Barbary but the Commander of that party which assaulted it being slain by a valorous French-man they were beaten off with loss for which service the King bestowed upon the French-man a pension of six hundred Crowns per annum And whilst His Majesty was distributing his bounties he could not forget the Lady Dona Maria Manuel widdow to the some-time before deceased D. Antonio Coello D. Caravallio who had ever since His Majesties coming to the Crown been one of His Privy-Councellors and was one of the chief persons that went Ambassadors into France to renew the Alliance and conclude a firm League between the King of Portugal and Lewis the thirteenth King of France His Majesty therefore in consideration of his services bestowed a valuable pension on his aforesaid widdow There was almost dayly inroads made upon the Frontiers in some places or other amongst the rest the Baron of Themericourt entred with a strong party into the Spanish Territories surprized the Suburbs of the City of Albuquerque and brought away a very rich booty without the loss of so much as one souldier upon the place and not above twenty wounded The succor of the distressed Subjects of the more distressed King of England about the year 1650. gave occasion to the King of Portugal to manifest his affection to the English Nation which he did by giving assistance to the gallant Prince Rupert who being by His Majesty of England made Admiral of those few ships which in the year 1648. returned to their Allegiance had ever since been pursued by the more poâ—ent Fleets of the English Rebels and was now by them driven to seek the protection of his Portugal Majesty who notwithstanding that the Fleet of the Rebels with threatning Bravado's demanded the said Kings leave either to assault them in his port or to force them to come out bravely protected them under his Castles In revenge of which the Rebels of England who stiled themselves a Parliment proclaimed an open War with the Portugal Nation which His Majesty notwithstanding his great engagement at that present both against the Spaniards at home and the Hollanders on the other side the Line resolved to endure rather then deliver up the faithful Subjects of England into the hands of Murther Tyranny and Treason and therefore in part to cry quittance with the English who had taken Prize several Ships belonging to this Nation he made seizure of all the English Ships and goods within his whole dominions but onely those he had before protected But at length Prince Rupert finding a clear passage from out his ports where he had for many months been blocked up the King by reason of his other large expences in defence of his Kingdom finding himself unable to maintain a War against the English and nature dictating us to the preservation of our selves resolved more moved out of necessity then inclination to send an Agent into England to conclude a peace The person deputed to go on this unpleasant imployment viz to court Rebels was D. Suarez de Gimeraines who had for his assistance and interpreter Mr. Myles and English Merchant these two embarqued upon a Hamburger hired for that purpose by the King of Portugal arrived in England in Ianuary 1650. About the beginning of Feburary D. Suarez had audience before a Committee of the pretended Parliament to whom he made a Speech in Latine to this effect THe Serenissimo King of Portugal my Master sends me hither to the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England that on his behalf and in his name having first most friendly saluted you as I now do with the greatest affection of my heart that I am able I may joyntly tender and make known to you the Royal desire which my Master feels within himself to conserve and more and more to knit the knot of that Amity which uninterrupted hath ever been between the Serenissimo Kings of Portugals their Ancestors and this renowned English Nation It being my part to endeavor what lies in me to remove all obstacles that may hinder the most vigorous effect of this hearty union and conjunction of minds so to preserve inviolably the ancient peace between us This I come to continue hoping and wishing all happy success therein this I come to intimate and offer unto the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England with that sincere and pristine affection which hitherto the experience of many ages hath made manifest Nor shall you need to scruple the sincerity of my intention and purpose by reason of the divers past attempts not to say fights between your power and ours since they have not been such as have broken or dissolved our amity nor have had their rise or approbation from the King my Master nor as we believe from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England but more probably carried on either by the impulse of their own private affections or by the defect of that circumspection which in such cases is ever necessary But as I hope particularly and fully to prove indeed to demonstrate this truth unto the Parliament of the Republique of England so I am assured they will not onely rest satisfied therein but shall also have accruing to them a newer force and sence of mutual friendship between us since the jarrs that happen amongst friends are oftentimes justly accounted as certain redintigrations of love And I do admire our enemies have not made this reflection whilst fed with vain hope they have thought it in their power to sow and
A COMPENDIOUS CHRONICLE OF THE KINGDOM OF PORTUGAL FROM Alfonso the first King to Alfonso the Sixth now reigning Together with A Cosmographical Description Of the Dominions of PORTVGAL By JOHN DAUNCEY LONDON Printed by Tho. Iohnson for Francis Kirkman Henry Brome and Henry Marsh and are to be sold at their Shops 1661. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE Sr EDWARD HIDE Earl of Clarendon c. Lord High Chancellor of ENGLAND Right Honorable THe Glories of your Name make me ambitious to give you a testimony of my duty observance There be some whose vain-glory prompts them to think they by Dedications honor their Patrons but the whole world will judge me free from such vanity when they shall perceive I have made my addresses to a Person who besides his height of Nobility is arrived at such a sublimity of Worth Vertue and Learning that not onely the greatest Wits of the Age are bound to honor him but must confess they receive their splendor and lustre from him Yet thus my Lord I make my self guilty of an almost inexcusable presumption the wisest of men may as well present somewhat worthy a Deity as I any thing which may deserve your LORDSHIPS thoughts It is not fit a Pigmy should call down a IOVE to protect him but where there is so much worth there must needs be an insuperable goodness nor can he be justly blamed who onely aspires at the influence of a benevolent Star I want the confidence to beseech your Lordship to approve this VVork the honor will be sufficient if you accept it as a pledge of that observance which all men are bound to pay you I know your Lordship not only to be vers't in all History but to your glory be it spoken to have always studied the most worthy Authors And History is indeed a Treasure not onely enriching mens mindes with noble thoughts but enanimating them to great and Heroick Actions Your Lordships endeavors to make an Alliance between the two Renowned Crowns of England and Portugal may justly claim all that can be said of that Kingdom as a due Offering This though but a Breviate of the Story of it may perchance contain somewhat though not at all worthy your Lordship yet not wholly unworthy observation which I hope may perswade your Generosity and goodness to grantit protection England my Lord and every member of it are beholding to your Lordships great wisdom but should I undertake to praise all those noble Vertues for which you deserve their loves that Justice which ballances all your actions that Prudence which a whole Nation hath admired that Magnanimity which hath rendred you unalterable in all the frowns and smiles of Fortune that Liberality which hath made you King-like and that Temperance which shown in the height of Heavens and Heavens-Vice-gerents favours hath made you God-like I should be enforced to unite the largest Encomiums and lay them down as a due tribute at the feet of your thrice-renowned Fame But my Lord I dare onely reverence your Vertues they must rather be the subject of my admiration than description Let it suffice then that whilst all strive to offer up their labors to this Shrine it will be sufficient excuse of my ambition to present this Mite and amongst the numbers that thus sacrifice to your Worth to be thought worthy of that honorable Stile of being esteemed the meanest of Your Lordships most humble Servants JOHN DAUNCEY TO THE READER CUstom rather than my own Genius or Fancy inclines me to make this address Good things are but made worse by excuses bad things never a whit the better 't is base and dis-ingenious to court a Reader to a good opinion of ones Work and indeed a kinde of an endeavor to anticipate his judgement which to the wise proves a fruitless labor and to the fools was altogether needless I despair not but wise men may read this Book the truth is I desire all fools would let it alone if it be unworthy the subject 't is writ of the disgrace will be less to be censured by an understanding person and the faults I presume fewer for those of less judgement will be subject to attribute even the litteral errors of the ress to the Authors ignorance Though I dare say thus much in Vindication of this COMPENDIOUS CHRONICLE That it is extracted out of those Authors who have been â—udged by many to have writ best concerâ—ing the Kingdom of Portugal yet I will not presume to clear it of all errors Neâ—o nostrum non peccat homines sumus â—on Dei T is impossible to be mortal and not erre yet all lapses cannot be accounted faults Though I doubt not but to meet with those spirits which will make â—hem Crimes for such is the depravity of the present age that many men led on by atheistical Tenents and blinded with self-conceit dare adventure to censure even the Actions of the Deity But I shall run into that error I promised to eschew and though I beg not the Readers good opinion endeavor to restrain or affright his clearer judgement â—et every man say or think his pleasure of the Work for therefore was it made pubâ—ique and if it be my fortune to fall under any rigid censures where they are made with reason I shall entertain them with â—espect where without cause laugh at â—hem with scorn The present Affairs were sufficient motives for me to publish it both to clear the right King Iohn the fourth had to the Crown and Dominions of Portugal and justify that Title which some mens ignorance or self-will would make deficient terming a noble Redemption of a Nations Liberty black and ignominious Rebellion and methinks the joy at the Restoration of King â—ohn to the Crown of Portugal doth so aptly quadrate with our's aâ— the blessed return of our Gracious Soveraign Lord King Charls the Second that I think it not impertinent to conclude with a wish That as our joy then corresponded with theirs so all the Subjects of England would show the same examples of Loyalty to His Majesty which Ferdinando Paceica did even to the memory of his King and Master Sancho the Second J. D. The general Heads of the ensuing HISTORY I. HEnry Duke of Lorain Earl of Portugal page 3 II. Alfonso the First first King of Portugal ibid. III. Sancho the First second King of Portugal 10 IV. Alfonso the Second third King of Portugal 15 V. Sancho the Second fourth King of Portugal 19 VI. Alfonso the Third fifth King of Portugal and Algarve 25 VII Dionisio the sixth King of Portugal c. 29 VIII Alfonso the Fourth seventh King of Portugal 29 IX Pedro eighth King of Portugal 40 X. Ferdinand ninth King of Portugal 43 XI John the first tenth King of Portugal 45 XII Edward the eleventh King of Portugal 50 XIII Alfonso the Fifth twelfth King of Portugal 52 XIV John the Second thirteenth King of Portugal 54 XV. Emanuel the First fourteenth King of Porgal 56 XVI
John the Third fifteenth King of Portugal 60 XVII Sebastian sixteenth King of Portugal 61 XVIII Henry seventeenth King of Portugal 64 XIX Philip the second third and fourth of that name Kings of Spain and 18 19 20 Kings of Portugal page 69 XX. John the Fourth One and twentieth King of Portugal 88 XXI Alfonso the Sixth Two and twentieth King of Portugal 182 XXII A Cosmographical Description of Portugal 193 XXIII Of Algarve 198 XXIV Of the Azores of Tercera Islands 199 XXV Of the Portugals Possessions in Asia 204 XXVI Of the Portugals Possessions in Africa 207 XXVII Of Brazile 208 IF any person please to repair to my shop at the Sign of Iohn Fletchers head on the back side of St. Clements without Temple-bar they may be furnished with al Plays that were ever yet Printed as also with several sorts of Romances and Histories more especially with the books hereafter mentioned of which though not printed for me I have sufficient numbers viz. The History of Independency compleat being the 1. 2. 3. 4. and last part which may be had single by such as have bought the others Blood for blood or Murthers Revenged lively set forth in 35 Tragical Histories some whereof have been the product of our late Times published by T. N. Esq. Venus undrest or the Practical part of Love extracted out of the Extravagant and Lascivious Life of a fair but subtile Female That useful Book for Gentlemen and Travellers being an exact Description of the several Counties and Shires in England by Ed. Leigh Esq. The Fanatick in his Colours or the rise height and fall of Faction and Rebellion from 1648. unto 1661. with an Apendix concerning Allegiance Government and Order by T. F. Summum Bonum or A Plain Path-way to Happiness conducting the Soul to its Haven of Rest through the Stormy passages of worldly troubles to which is added a short Dialogue of that excellent vertue of the Submission of Mans will to the will of God The Rudiments of Grammar the rules composed in English verse for the greater Benefit and Delight of young beginners by Iames Sherley Gent. A short view of the Life of the Illustrious Prince Hen. D. of Glocester and Maâ—y Princess of Orange Brother and Sister to His Majesty of great Britain lately Deceased by T. M. Esq. Scutum Regale the Royal Buckler or Vox Legis a Lecture to Traytors c. Playes The Beggars Bush a Comedy written by Fran. Beamont and Iohn Fletcher both in folio and in quarto The Humerous Lieutenant a Comedy in folio The Scornful Lady a Comedy The Elder Brother a Comedy Philaster or Love lies Bleeding a Tragi-Comedy c. A King and no King A Comedy The Maids Tragedy The Night-walker or little Theif a Comedy all written by the same Authors in quarto The Quâ—â—n of Arragâ—n A. Tragi-Comedy written by William Habington Esq in folio The Maids Revenge A Tragedy written by Iames Shirley in quarto Loves Mastriss A Masque written by Tho. Heywood in quarto The City Night-cap A Tragi-Comedy by T. B. in 4. The Obstinate Lady A Comedy by Sir Aston Cockain Knight in 4. The Obstinate Lady and Trapolin supposed a Prince both Comedies and several other Poems all written by Sir Aston Cockain Knight in octavo Plutus A Comedy in 4. Troades a Tragedy Translated out of Seneca by Sam. Pordage Gent. in 8. A Short and Compendious HISTORY Of the KINGDOM Of PORTUGAL THe Spaniards have a Proverb very vulgar amongst them terming the Portugueses Pocos y Locos few and fools spoken I suppose rather out of derision and disdain of that Nation then that its people and inhabitants really are so for whosoever shall read their actions will judge them to be managed with as much prudence as the Spaniards can boast of nor will any one believe that they could bring to perfection so great Atchievements as they have done with onely a simple valor 'T is true I believe them to be less numerous then the Castilians and yet I am not of the opinion that they are so few or their Kingdom so inconsiderable as the Spanish Proverb seems to make them which one may easily imagine when one considers that the Romans accounted Lusitania that is Portugal by it self when its bounds did not extend so far as now they do and without the addition of Algarve or Regnum Algarbiorum to be one third part of Spain much less can we think it so now when not onely its proper bounds are enlarged but likewise the Kingdom of Algarve added besides the Island in the Atlantick sea and their great conquests in Asia Africa and America But to return to the Kingdom it self and its original various fortunes after the decay and declension of the Roman Empire was it subject unto before it was setled under a Prince of its own The Alani were the first that preyed upon it and endeavored to plant in it but had scarce begun to do so but themselves were driven out by the Swemans and constrained to go seek another habitation these for some time enjoyed it peaceably making Braga their Imperial City till in the general Inundation of the overflowing Gothes and Vandals they with the rest of that part of the continent which is circumscribed by the sea and the Pyrenean Mountains became vassals to these irresistable Conquerors who living a long time in quiet enjoyed their conquest and were the first that in these parts entertained the Christian Religion till the Moors like a more violent flood fell in upon them and with the greatest part of Spain possessed themselves likewise of that Kingdom But some parts of Spain after many years slavery strugling for their liberty this Kingdom was in part recovered by the King of Castile and by them enjoyed till at length it gained a King of its own the maner thus Henry the second Duke of Lorrain whom some affirm to be Nephew to Godfrey of Bolloigne though others differ both in the person and his alliance to him flying from the fury of Henry the fifth Emperor came into Spain where moved with a generous emulation of his Uncle who was gone to the conquest of Ierusalem offered his service the subjection of the Moors and in short time arrived by his valorous atchievements against those enemies of the Christian Religion grew into so much repute with Alfonso the 6. King of Castile that he gave him his base daughter Teresia in marriage with his whole acquists in Portugal for her dower though with no other title then that of Counte or Earl some further addition he made to his Dominions and in the year 1094. had a son who after his grandfather was named Alphonso at last overborn with the burden of seventy seven years he died in the year 1112. ALFONSO the I. First King of Portugal ALfonso his son who from his very childhood had been bred up under his father in Military excercise after his death valorously prosecuted his victories against the Moors and against the
Kings of Leon which Wars he managed with so much courage as was admirable in a Prince so young The Count of Trastamarense despising his youth took to wife his mother Teresia and from that marriage drew occasion to wage War with him Alfonso to vindicate his sleightings cheerfully encountred him and after the diverse accidents of several battels took him prisoner and forced him to regain his liberty to give him to wife his sister Uracca with that part of the land for her Dower which had been the occasion of the War Yet some there be that differ both in the occasion of the marriage and the contest Alfonso likewise fought several battels with his Grand-father Alfonso the 6. King of Castile and in one battel took him prisoner near one of his Castles called Arcos del val de vez upon whose release he had conferred upon him the title of Duke of Portugal he afterwards imployed his forces against the Saracens from whom he took Leirida Torre Naova and several other places Whereupon the King Ismaurus who was the most powerful amongst all the Mauritamans calling to his assistance four other Kings with an Army of four hundred thousand men invaded Portugal but his fortune corresponded not with his numbers for Alfonso encountring this great power with a small Army overthrew them and slew or took prisoners all the five Kings in memory or which â—ignal Victory Alphonso bore five Escutchions in his Arms though others are pleased to affirm it was in memory of the five wounds of our Savior seen by him in a Vision just before the fight The soldiers made proud with this exâ—raordinary success thinking the title of Duke too low for their Commander saluted Alphonso with the tile of King which Alphonso accepted and returning home enriched with spoils addicted himself to the exercise of his Regal power by calling a general Council of the three Estates to wit the Clergy Nobility and Commons for the better establishing by the consent of the whole people that Crown upon his head which the Soldiers love had conferred upon his merit This general Assembly being met in the City of Lamego and in the Church of St. Almacave the King came thither and seating himself upon the Royal Throne but as yet unadorned with his Ensigns of Majesty according to appointment the King Deputy Don Lorenzo Venegas spake to the Estates as followeth You are here assembled by the Authority of King Alphonso to see the Popes Letters and Resolve to confirm him for your King Whereat the whole Estates with one voice cried We will that he shall be our King Upon which the Deputy demanded shall he only be your King and not his sons after him They all answered he so long as he lives shall be our King and after his death his sons shall succeed Give him then the Royal Ensigns said the Deputy They answered we give them in the name of God and therewithall the Arch-Bishop of Braga placed the Crown upon the Kings head and gave him the Scepter in his hand with all accustomed Ceremonies which done his Majesty rose up and drawing his sword spake to this effect Blessed be God that hath been my helper with this sword I have delivered you and overcome our enemies and now that you have made me your King let us make Laws for the government of the Kingdom They answered so we will dread Soveraign we will make such Laws as shall seem good and convenient to you and we and all our children and posterity will be wholly at your command And accordingly several Laws were then and there immediately made the sum of which were 1. That King Alfonso should be Master of the Kingdom and that after him there might be no troubles in the choosing of a King his Son should reign after him his Grand-childe and so from Father to Son in secula seculorum 2. That if the eldest Son should dye during the life of the Father the next brother should be King and so forward 3. That if the King should dye without issue having a brother he should succeed but not his sons without consent of the Estates 4. That if the King should have onely daughters the eldest should be Queen after her father upon condition that she be married to a native of the Kingdom and that he be a Nobleman who should not have the power to take upon him the name of King until he had a son born nor should he till then wear a Crown on his head or take the right hand of his wife 5. That it should be for ever held for a Law among the Portugals that the Kings eldest daughter should marry a Native of the Country that so the Crown might never descend to Forreigners and that in case she should marry a Forreign Prince she should be excluded from her right of succession for they would not have that Kingdom which themselves by their own valor and by the effusion of their own blood without the aid or assistance of any strangers had made so go out of the race of the Portugals The Crown by these Laws and Statutes confirmed Alfonso as he was advanced in Title so he addicted himself to higher and greater enterprizes in five moneths siege he added the great and populous City of Lisbone to his Crown not without the loss of thousands of valiant soldiers and as many hazards of his own life some affirm that in this War the number of the slain amounted to no less then two hundred thousand men This magnanimous King likewise made innumerable acquists both of one side and the other of the Tagus he slew both the Kings of Leon and Castile but at length wounded in a battel he was no longer able to follow the Wars in person for what with his wound and what with age being now sixty six years old he had not strength enough to mount on horseback he therefore bequeathed his command over his Armies to his eldest son Sanctius or Sancho but still reserving to himself the superintendency of all Having thus relinquished the Wars he addicted himself wholly to works of piety and to endeavor the flourishing of the Christian Religion he built within his Kingdom one hundred and fifty Churches and Monasteries all which he enriched with great revenues Amongst the rest he built that at Conimbria from whence that famous University called Academia Conimbricense had its Original In this Monastery called that of the Holy Cross he died at ninety one years of age on the 9. of December Anno 1185. and here he remained buried in a little Tomb scituated in an Angle of that Church till such time as King Emanuel affected with the Fame of his Sanctity erected for him a most stately Monument which is at this day to be seen By Uracca his first wife daughter to the Count Trastamarense he had no children whereupon at fifty two years of age and in the seventh year of his reign he took to wife Mafalda sister to Amadeo
Earl of Morenna by whom he had many children Henry the first died in his childhood Sancho who succeeded him in the Kingdom Uracca who was married to Ferdinando King of Leon though this match was again made void the Pope not approving of it Therasia whom some Historians have likewise called Matilda married to Phillip the first Earl of Flanders He had likewise diverse natural children amongst whom one named Alphonsus who was great Master of the Knights of Rhodes King Alphonso was certainly a great soldier a valiant Captain and a magnanimous King in all his words and actions there appeared a kinde of Majesty and sublimity of minde his liberality and justice made him feared by his enemies and adored by his subjects strength of body and greatness of minde concurred in him to make him the most worthy and admired of the age he lived in he never undertook any War but either to right his injured subjects or to propagate the Christian Religion amongst his greatest facts of Arms he never forgot acts of piety but always before any battel used with vows and prayers to beg the protection of heaven He died having arrived at the highest pitch of glory wept for by his people and lamented by the very Moors themselves who hated him thus topt with all triumph happy in a numerous and as generous an issue weary of worldly vanities he departed this life in hopes to receive in heaven the reward of his piety and vertue SANCHO the I. Second King of Portugal SAncho his eldest son indeed the onely legitimate son he had living succeeded to Alphonso he was born at Conimbria the 11. of November Anno 1154. where he was likewise educated until the fourteenth year of his age in all those studies and exercises which are proper for a Prince born to command he afterwards profited under his fathers tutorage in the Art Military in which emulating his fathers valor and greatness he did things worthy of himself gaining love from the soldiery and respect from the people he accompanied his father in three Victories in which he nobly adventured his life His father being dead he took upon him the government of the Kingdom and was Crowned the 12. of December 1185. three days after his fathers death being aged two and thirty years and finding the Kingdom at the beginning of his reign freed from the incursions of the Moors he applied himself wholly to make the peace enjoyed by his Kingdom profitable to his subjects he caused a multitude of fields to be tilled most of which were before a receptacle for wilde beasts and part of them laid waste by the late Wars with so much diligence did he addict himself to these things that by the vulgar he was called the King of Husbandmen He applied himself afterwards with the same industry to restore publique edifices and structures he rebuilt all Castles which had either been destroyed by the Moors or spoiled by other accidents of the War he restored the Cities Towns and Fortresses to their pristine splendor enriching them with new edifices and supplying them with new inhabitants he gave likewise great Revenues to all the orders of Knight-hood but principally to that of Saint Giacomo Whilest thus he took care of his subjects good and the increasing the Revenue of his Crown there were driven by contrary winds and raging seas into the Port of Lisbone a fleet of thirteen sail of ships belonging to several Christian Princes going to the Holy War with the assistance of these King Sancho invaded the Kingdom of Algarve then possessed by the Moors making this compact with the Christian Princes that commanded the Navy that they should enjoy the whole spoil of the enemy whilest he reserved for himself onely the Cities and the glory The Impress proved not very difficult although the City of Sylva the Metropolis of the Kingdom made a long and obstinate resistance for at length it yielded but he enjoyed not quietly the possession of this Kingdom for the Moors uniting themselves to revenge the injuries done to their Nation he was constrain'd to flie to a defence of himself so much the more dangerous by how much the more unequal and 〈…〉 had with the kingdom of Algarve lost likewise his native kingdom of Portugal if God of his mercy had not bridled and curbed the fury of the Moors by a merciless devouring Pestilence which made them with the loss of two hundred thousand soldiers return flying home But King Sancho was no sooner freed from these dangers but another almost over-whelmed his kingdom by continual rains most part of the land was overflown by reason of which it not being possible to till the ground a famine ensued and that at length brought forth the plague so that the whole kingdom was almost destroyed the Cities and Towns were depopulated the Country remained unmanured nor was there to be seen over the whole kingdom other but spectacles of ruine and misery This sad condition of the Christians made the Moors once more adventure in the field and without any resistance possess themselves of the greatest part of the Kingdom of Algarve the City of Sylva was rendred at discretion whilest the necessities of the King forced him to buy five years of truce or cessation upon low conditions In the mean time he would have sent assistance of ships and men to the Christian Princes who fought against the Saracens in Palestina but the miseries of his kingdom would not permit him yet he assigned to the Knights Templars and Hospitallers who were sometime before come into Portugal great Revenues giving unto them many Castles and Lands The truce was not yet expired when the King either finding or taking occasion to break it in the midst of winter assaulted the Cities of the Moors with so much fury that the Barbarians not expecting so sudden an assault were easily driven not onely out of the Confines of Portugal but out of the best part of the kingdom of Algarve King Sancho had for wife the daughter of Ramond Berengario Count of Barchinona called Aldonsa by her he had nine children of whom eight outlived their father to wit three sons and five daughters the sons were Alfonso who succeeded in the kingdom Ferdinando who for his singular vertues was called into Flanders to marry the Countess Ioanna and Pietro who was Count Iregelense and Lord of the Bateares The five daughters were Therasia Mefalda Sancha Bianca and Beringhella Therasia was married with Alfonso King of Leon her Cousin-german but this marriage not being assented to by the Pope was esteemed void so that after having born three children she was forced to return into Portugal where being shut up in a Monastery she spent the rest of her life in pious meditations it is reported by some that her Sepulchre being opened in the year 1617. her body was found whole and as it were incorrupted and that many who were sick or otherwise had incurable diseases by vowing to her and touching her
corps were healed Mafalda was espoused to Henry the first King of Castile although allied to him in a forbidden degree wherefore this marriage was likewise declared void and she emulating her sister built a Monastery of the Cistercian Order and is reported likewise to have done many Miracles particularly in the year 1627. when her Tomb was opened Sancha the third daughter became a Nun of the Order of St. Francis who lived about this time Bianca and Beringella died young and were buried in Conimbria right against their fathers Tombe though some write otherwise After the death of the Queen Aldonsa which happened in the year 1138. King Sancho gave himself over to the love of diverse Ladies amongst whom he had many children who proved most of them his greatest vexation and disquiet for the pleasures of the senses do not terminate but in the sence of grief At last arrived at the age of 57. years in the 26. year of his reign oppressed in Conimbria by an incurable disease he took leave of this world He was buried in the Church of the Holy Cross on the left side of the Altar in the great Chappel where King Emanuel built him a Sepulchre like to that of his father he left infinite riches which by his Will he divided amongst all his children making no difference between the legitimate and the illegitimate he by his Will supplicated Pope Innocentius the fourth to be his Executor for which he left in Legacy a hundred weight of Gold a gift without doubt worth his pains King Sancho was for vertue and for goodness singular in his age a worthy son of so renowned a father he proved fortunate in the utmost events of War and then did his triumphs flow in upon him when he dispaired of Victory he left it yet in doubt whether he were more wise or more valiant he always snowed himself so great an enemy to sloth and idleness that to avoid it he would not disdain sometimes to throw down the Scepter and hold the plow Fortune who was his friend in War was his foe in Peace for then besides the vexation that he could not vex his enemies he was likewise enforced to bear the injuries of the Land Sea and Skies in sum he was a King worthy the greatest Incomiums if he had not too much drowned all his other vertues in illicite Loves ALFONSO the II. Third King of Portugal ALfonsâ— the second succeeded to Sancho the first he was born in Conimbria on St. Georges day anno 1185. At 27. years old he was Crowned King with the envy of his brothers who little younger then he could hardly confine themselves within the bounds of Allegiance and to their discontents did the Legacies left by Sancho give new motives for Alphonso either out of avaritious desire of riches or out of obstinacy detained from them a great part of what was left them by their father These sinister thoughts of the then Prince Alphonso were discerned by his father before his death which made him leave to the brothers beside some Cities and Castles five hundred thousand Crowns in gold But scarce was his father dead but he began to contend with his brothers and sisters about their inheritance and because his brothers were retired into Elginera and Alenquar Fortresses given them by their father he under pretence that they could not be allienated from the Crown gathered together an Army to possess himself of them which he easily performed his brothers wanting money to hire soldiers and so not being able to make the least resistance His brothers thus driven out of the kingdom fled to the Pope for redress then in great veneration because he then pursued no other interest but justice who commanded Alfonso to remit the difference to indifferent Judges who necessitated to obey chose rather to accommodate the business with indifferent Judges then to run the hazard of a sentence He employed himself afterwards by the advice of Matthew Bishop of Lisbone to fight against the Moors and though these came assisted with ninety five thousand men yet were they forced to yield the Victory to him with the loss of thirty thousand soldiers and four Kings who were slain in the battel Alfonso for some years prosecuted this War but in time he grew so extream fat that he was unable to perform not only those great exercises incumbent on a soldier but every simple motion of the body yet for all that he ceased not to apply himself with extream diligence to prosecute the greatest affairs of State and where he could not in person he present to send such commands as shewed him to be both of great experience and wisdom He married with Uracca daughter to Alfonso the eighth or as others say the ninth King of Castile and Leonora or Elinor daughter to Henry the second King of England by her he had divers children the first was Sancho who succeeded his father in the kingdom Alfonso the second son whom by right of his wife was chosen Duke of Bologna and afterwards came to be King of Portugal The third son was called Ferdinand who obtained the principality of Serpa and married Sancia Fernandez daughter of Ferdinand Count of Castile The fourth died a childe called Vincenzo The last was a daughter called Leonora and was married to the King of Dacia Alfonso arrived to the eight and fortieth year of his age and one and twentieth of his kingdom when in the year 1233. he was constrained to pay the last debt to nature He was buried in Alobaccia in a little Church built by himself more for devotion then magnificence But after many years the Abbot Giorgio di Melo causing that little Church to be demolished carried his bones to that of St. Vincenzo where they now repose in a most sumptuous sepulcher Under this King as many affirm lived for certain time St. Antonio Protector of the City of Padona a Saint held in great veneration among the Roman Catholiques he was a native of Lisbon not so much esteemed for the Nobility of his birth as for his holy life Alfonso taking away his extream fatness was a man of a very comely presence and of singular eloquence his nature did make him pleasant with all but onely those of his own blood which fault in him did much diminish his subjects love and that general respect was due to him though he was a man noted for covetousness yet he oftentimes gave great gifts to his friends and always consumed the greatest part of the revenue of the kingdom The Portugueses while his father was alive did extreamly desire him for their King but did not at all now lament his death either because new things always please the people or else because he after his fathers death shewed himself indifferent from himself or from what they thought him whereupon not being wholly like his Progenitors he renewed in his subjects their grief for their loss SANCHO the II. Fourth KING of PORTVGAL SAncho the second who
succeeded his father Alfanso was born in Conimbria the eighth day of September 1207. bringing from the womb such mortal infirmities as made most believe he would sooner arrive at the grave then the Crown his mother having tried all humane remedies applied her self to divine making a vow to God that if he lived past his adolescency she would make him pass the hood of the Religion which vow she afterwards inviolably performed whence he was by the vulgar as ridiculous in words as judgement called Sancho Cucullato or the hooded Sancho He took upon him the administration of the Scepter at twenty six years of age not following the footsteps of his Predecessors in studying ways to govern the kingdom but spending all his time either in Hot-house or in a Bath or inventing other ways to recover his health Thus his infirmity having rendred him unapt to command and the weakness of his body having likewise weakned his wit and judgement he left both the rule of the kingdom and of himself to Ministers who governing according to their proper affections let him enjoy no more then the bare name of King He joyned himself in marriage with Messa Lopez who although she were of blood Royal yet was by much too inferior a match for King Sancho so much the rather in that she was widow to Alvaro de Castro a Cavalier of an ancient and Royal family but not to compare with the Kings of Portugal And he himself assented to this match more to satisfie his favorites then to any affection that he had to it which made the new Queen either to show her self grateful to those had wish'd her so well or rather because she nurst in her bosom some dishonest desire applied her self extreamly to favor the favorites of the King And these made proud by the love both of the King and Queen omitted no way to oppress the subjects to the prejudice of justice to the destruction of the State many of the prime Nobility made their complaints to the King representing to him the calamities of the people the oppression of the Nobles and the ruine of the kingdom if he did not with a resolute hand put a stop to the rashness of those wicked men who were bringing a deluge of miseries upon his Dominions The King at these complaints was extreamly moved and overcome by the goodness of his own nature had resolved to chastise to publick a crime with a publique punishment but the Queen with her Artifices easily changed the opinion of her husband and made him believe that those accusations proceeded from envy not from truth whereupon laying the complaints of the other aside these State-mothes onely triumph in his love and in his faith This made several Prelates incontaminated with their own interest but moved out of a real affection to their Country acquaint the Pope with the weakness of the King and the plots of the Queen adjoyning that the marriage was celebrated in a prohibited degree there being between them too near consanguinity and that nevertheless they had not sought to the Apostolick seat for a dispensation Hereupon Gregory the ninth with exhortations and admonitions prefixed a time to king Sancho to free himself from his wife and withall to this purpose sends as his Legat Apostolique the Bishop of Sabina At the appearance of the Bishop the King made show of an humble and ready obedience but he being returned he again receives his Queen into his embraces from whence the simple believed that he was either bewitched or had had some amorous potion administred to him The Queens favorites now again restored gave themselves over to exercise the greatest insolencies imaginable they despoiled the people disposed Offices at pleasure made Justice it self follow their humors nor did there remain any thing either humane or divine which was not contaminated either by their cruelty or avarice Hereupon a great part of the Commonalty no longer able to comport their insolencies led on by Rannondo Viego took Arms and coming in a tumultuous maner to the Palace forced away the Queen carrying her prisoner to a Castle upon the confines of the kingdom where they did not fear neither the authority nor force of the King And because not onely the licentiousness of the Queen but the weakness of the King did concur to the destruction of the kingdom some Prelates had again recourse to the Pope who in a Synod then sitting with the consent of all decreed That Alfonso brother of the King should be called from Bologna to govern the kingdom and to remedy those disorders which had near brought it to utter destruction Alfonso comes and with Arms in his hand possesses himself of the greatest part of the kingdom whilest Sancho seeing himself abandoned of all and hopeless of any help from the Castilian Army cast down in minde he gives leave to those few soldiers which were with him to depart and retires to Toledo where addicting himself wholly to devotion with an admirable patience seems to rejoyce at his private life Being setled in Toledo he dispences with a large hand to the poor those riches he had brought from Portugal he builds a little Temple wherein day and night with uninterrupted supplications he recommends himself to God and implores his mercy there never issuing out of his mouth a word of resentment or grief for his change of condition and although provoked by the insolencies of some who despised Royal Majesty without a kingdom he never expressed himself but in words of mildness and goodness Whilest he in Toledo exercised these actions of true patience many of his Subjects did demonstrate signs of as great fidelity The Governors left by him would never abandon his service nor yield up those places they had received in charge from him neither could the prayers of their fellow-subjects nor the spiritual thundrings of his Holiness the Pope nor the vigorous Arms of Don Alfonso remove them from their resolution with a generous faith they sustained all the Dangers and Disasters of long and tedious Sieges till they received Advice of Sancho's Death The one of these was Ferdinando Paceico who resolved to die before he would render up the Fortress to him consigned The other named Martino Freira who after a years being besieged in Conimbria being advised by Alfonso of his brothers death he desiring a Truce posted to Toledo and causing the Sepulchre of King Sancho to be opened put the key of the Castle into his hand and afterwards returning gives it to Alfonso excusing himself that he could not before show the desires of his heart to serve him he being obliged to what he did by his oath and by his faith Alfonso perceiving this noble generosity in him confirmed him in the Command without seeking any further of him than an inviolable Sacrament Martino returned thanks to the king for his so great love but refused the Government King Sancho the Second died in the year 1245. at 39 years of age
having reigned thirteen He was a man of a most noble aspect carrying in his face and in his eyes no ordinary Majesty his nose was somewhat of the biggest yet did not at all disfigure him he was very curious in trimming his beard which somewhat inclined to red his countenance was somewhat earthy his continual indispositions having made a paleness inherent to him His piety was his principal ornament nor was there any crime which did more incense his goodness than that which was dyed in blood There wanted nothing in him to render him worthy the greatest Encomiums but health and the counsel of prudent men by whom he might have been served without design and without self-interest Want of these two things were the occasion that a most just man wholly composed of goodness fell into those miscarriages which made him in the conceit of men impious and unjust He was buried in that Regal Chappel built by himself at Toledo True it is that most Writers disagree whereabouts his Tomb was placed because the Chappel being rebuilt and made greater the Sepulchres were over-turned and placed on the side of the wall without Elegies or Epitaphs so that you can have no other then mens opinions for that without any certain foundation ALFONSO the III. The Fifth KING of Portugal and Algarve ALfonso the Third who succeeded Sancho the Second was born in Conimbria the 5. of May An 1210. he was by his father by reason of his brothers uncertain health educated with great diligence in those studies which might adapt him to Command but Sancho's life deceiving the vulgar opinion he was called by the Queen of France thither who obliged him to marry Matilda Countess of Bologna then Widow of Fillippio Crispo and Daughter of Fillippio Augustino Alfonso was at the time of his marriage twenty seven years and being of stature great strong of body and of an invincible courage of minde he was by the Pope elected Captain of those Knights of the Cruciada who from France and other Provinces were thought worthy to carry their valor to the Holy War but he was diverted this Honor by the necessity of his return into Portugal to put an end to those Troubles which were moved by the ambition of some who presuming upon Sancho's pliable nature were to act a fell Tragedy upon the Stage of the kingdom At his first arrival he appeased those Tumults of the people raised against the wickedness of the evil Ministers who by reason of his brothers weakness did what they list and having after his death reduced all the Forâ—resses of the kingdom to his obedience he addicted himself by severity to purge away those vices which before ruled even in the most potent Personages This made him envied and maligned of many but the glory of his fame did divert all opponent Factions and made him triumph over the imprudence or obstinacy of the most disobedient Home-bred stiâ—s being quite pacified he gave his minde to the increasing and adorning of his kingdom many places destroyed by continual Wars with the Moors he peopled with noble Colonies re-edifying many decayed Towers and building many new Edifices He likewise with an extraordinary liberality erected most stately Temples and Monasteries He instituted for the increasing of Commerce with his Neighbor kingdoms several solemn Fairs delighting much in Traffick and for the encouragement of it remitting his Customs But these singular vertues of Alfonso were darkned by a thick shadow of lust not abstaining for to satisfie his sense from seducing the most noble to his pleasures Interest of State making him afraid to repudiate his wife he contracted a most nefarious Marriage with Beatrice the illegitimate daughter of Alphonso the Ninth king of Castile and his Concubine Maria Villenia This Beatrice was brought up with greater love charge and attendance than any of Alfonso's children Alexander the fourth then Pope moved with the tears of the Countess of Bologna the complaints of her friends and the indignity of the action it self admonished him first by Letters to remember both his wife and his duty as a Christian but those saving documents prevailed nothing with the shut ears of deaf Alfonso whereupon the Pope fulminated forth an excommunication against him and his kingdom prohibiting divine service throughout all his Dominions hoping that these celestial arms might soften Alfonso's obdurate brest but it prevailed nothing till at length the death of the Dutchess procured his pardon which Urban the sixth granted rather to satisfie the clamors of the people then out of his own genius or that Alfonso desired it Beatrice now Crowned Queen and the succession confirmed by the birth of two children Alfonso had a desire to prosecute a War against the Moors but Lusitania having no confines upon Mauritania he procured to be invested King of the confining Countries still possessed by the Moors and that done he drave them from the Confines increasing his kingdoms glory and his own reputation Alfonso had by Beatrice three sons Dyonisio or Denys who succeeded in the kingdom Alfonso who married with Violanse daughter of Prince Emanuel son to Ferdinand the third King of Castile the third son called Ferdinand died in his infancy he increased the number of his children by his amorous conjunctions those thus begot were Egidius and Ferdinand made Knights Templars Alfonso Dionysio or Denys married to Maria Rivera and lastly Leonora wife to Count D. Gazzia de Souza a man no less potent by his great riches then friends Alfonso was blest with a most comely countenance sparkling eyes a most comely proportion of body but so large that it struck no small admiration into the King Sebastian when he made him be taken out of his Sepulchre yet was not his body more large then his soul was sublime he was extream profuse in gifts which made him beloved by those who found themselves benifited by them his prudence was by all admired and amongst his vertues there was nothing wanting but a more serious veneration of Religion greater gratitude towards his first wife Matilda and less dishonesty in his loves in his latter days he was extreamly troubled with the gout which so tormented him that impatient of his pain he permitted himself to be transported by excess of passion He died in Lisbon in the year 1279. at sixty nine years of age and in the two and thirtieth year of his reign not accounting till the death of his brother Sancho he was buried in the Church of St. Dominica from whence his body was removed to that of St. Vincenzo and laid in a great but no curious Tomb on the other part of the Church is to this day to be seen the Sepulchre of his Queen Beatrice whose body preserved by Balsoms is to be shown in the Chappel looking so firm as if it had but lately yielded to death DIONISIO The sixth KING of PORTVGAL DIonysio or Denys his son succeeded to Alphonso who was born in the year 1260. and called Dionysio because born on
the day consecrated to that great Areopagite when he arrived to age fitting he was instructed in those Sciences which are necessary to adorn a Royal minde he could perfectly speak many forreign Languages but applied himself chiefly to Latine Poesie and may be said to be the best Poet of any King he endeavored to reduce the Portugal Muse before rude and inharmonious to a smooth and sweet verse he published many Elegies and Epigrams which as they attest to posterity his Kingly learning so they stirred up in others a glorious emulation He was about twenty years of age when his father died and was immediately admitted to the government to the great displeasure of his mother who was in hopes to have been made Queen Regent and was either because she thought that she who by her pains and diligence had united several Cities to the Crown of Portugal was slighted or because she feared lest her son being unexperienced should either perswaded out of a youthful folly or drawn by the flattery of Courtiers consume with an unbeseeming liberality the riches of the kingdom Yet her anger could not move him to admit her a share in the government for he was often used to say That man was blame-worthy who being past eleven years of age could not moderate himself without the help of others but that of all things it was most base to desire the assistance of a woman The forces of Alphonso King of Castile father of Beatrice could not prevail to make him change his opinion but between mother and son these discords were easily accorded and she at length being brought to the utmost period of her life he piously went into Castile to visit her and comfort her at her last gasp But though he accorded with his mother he did not so easily adjust things with his brother Alfonso and with Sancio King of Castile with whom he fought many battels the War outlasting Sancho's life but from those cruel contests at length a happy peace was produced which to render perpetual Ferdinand King of Castile took for wife Constanza daughter to Dionisio and on the other side Alfonso espoused Beatriceâ—â—ster â—â—ster to Ferdinand The discords between the Kings of Arragon and Castile were remitted to this Kings prudence in composing of which and making those kingdoms happy in peace he showed admirable effects of his wisdom His liberality gained him the love of all men and made him equally respected both of subjects and strangers he commanded that the waste fields should be distributed amongst the poorest Country people assenting that it should be freed from all taxes there were none poor but such who were not able to gain their living either weakned by age or some other infirmity and these were maintained at the Kings charges He never oppressed the subjects either with tribute or taxes yet left to his heirs a full Exchecquer he made many Laws which to this day are in force his Successors after him forming them into Statutes amongst other things he made a Law for the preventing tediousness in Law suites assigning certain prefixed days to end all differences both taking thereby away a great unnecessary expence of time and money for which very act this King is to this day reverenced among the vulgar In his time the Order of the Knights Templars was extinct whereupon in stead of them he instituted another under the name of the Order OF CHRIST to whom he gave many Castles and Lands for their maintenance their Roab was a black Cassack under a white Surcoat over which a red Cross stroaked in the middle with a white line their duty was to expel the Moors out of Batica the next adjacent Country they have since been famous for many memorable acts He first instituted the University at Conimbria called Academia Conimbricense which he enriched with the most learned men of that age He took to wife Elizabeth daughter to Peter King of Aragon who among all the Queens of Portugal was most memorable for her Sanctity of this marriage was born Alphonso who succeeded his father in the kingdom and Constance who was married to Ferdinand King of Castile he had likewise another son but illegitimate whom he named Alphonso Sancio This bastard son was affected by his father with such a tenderness of Love that he preferred him before all his other children which the Prince Alphonso ill comporting there grew at first a hatred between the brothers in which the fathers indulgence taking part with the base son so exasperated Alphonso that it raised a civil War between him and his father Dionisio had many other sons by diverse Moorish women they with feminine glory boasting themselves great with childe by the King one amongst the rest was Peter Count of Barcello who writ a book of the chief Portugal families others there were who grew up to the disturbance of the kingdom the oppression of the subjects and discontent of their father in his old age reduced to a low estate and afflicted with the civil Wars he was forced by the Prince his son to flie as it were an exile into Castile with his departure the dissentions seemed to cease but Alphonso's heart was not at all mollified towards his brother not being able to comport the generosity and courage of Sancho's spirit The King Dionisio was tall of body of chesnut coloured hair his eyes black but he withall pale and livid and more conspicious for the Majesty of his countenance then the beauty he was pleasant humane and without pride after he had reigned 46. years he died at 84. years of age in the beginning of the year 1325. At the end of his life he left by will one hundred and forty thousand Ducats to be distributed amongst Religious men Pilgrims and unportioned children he left likewise maintenance for five hundred Cavaliers who were enjoyned in his name to fight against the Turks in the Holy Land he was buried in Lisbone in the Cistercian Monastery dedicated to St. Dionisius the Areopagite His Queen Elizabeth lived near eleven years after his death retired into the Monastery of St. Clara in Conimbria begun to be builded by her husband and perfected by her here laying aside her State she â—ed a holy life and is reported to have done many Miracles ALFONSO the IV. Seventh KING of PORTVGAL ALfonso the fourth seventh King of Portugal who succeeded his father Dionisio was born in Conimbria in the year one thousand two hundred and ninety before he came to the government of the kingdom he was married to Beatrice daughter to Sancha the fourth King of Castile and in the seventh lustre took into his hands the reins of the Government In the beginning of his government he ruled his subjects with great negligence addicting himself wholly to the sport of hunting and thereby giving his Ministers liberty to Tyrannize at pleasure some who loved him and hated flattery did publiquely advertise him not to abandon the government of men for the delights of killing
wilde beasts that he was destined to hear govern and judge his people and â—hat whilest he did so they would not fear to suffer for him any danger nay they would encounter death it self for his sake that it would redound little to his glory to have killed thousands of Wild-Boars or to have taken ten thousand Stags but much to have administred Justice sustained his Scepter with reputation These advertisements more free then secure stirred up the fierce nature of Alphonso and ready he was to have ' chastised their freedom who would be governed by a King and not by a Huntsman but at length considering with himself the truths they had spoken he pardoned the liberty of their Speech and took them into the number of his dearest friends And that he did esteem them so appeared by his taking their counsel wholly leaving off his hunting and addressing all his endeavors to the government of the kingdom the first of his impresses were against those who had furiously armed themselves against his father Dionisio and because those affections good or bad which have once had growth in the minde are very hardly rooted out the hatred that he bore to his brother Sancho whilest he was Prince now renewed whilest he was King For whilest his brother was absent he caused several wicked men who flattered the fortune of the King to testifie against his brother and charged him with all the imagined thoughts of soul as crimes committed during his fathers life upon which Sancho was by the Judges in complyance to the Royal will deprived of all his honors in Portugal banished the Country and all his goods confiscate Sancho was at Castile when hearing of this sentence he by Letters intreats his brother to restore him to his grace promising that he would serve him not onely as his brother but as his King But his prayers not at all softning his obstinate brother he getting assistance from the King of Castile takes Arms resolving to force that reason and justice with his sword which his supplications could not obtain In fine after a long continuance of War in which the subjects were made subject to infinite oppression he made with his brother a peace more necessary then secure About this time D. Iuan Emanuel son to the Prince Emanuel the Nephew of Ferdinando surnamed the Holy was famous among the Spanjards both for his great Nobility of birth and riches this Iuan Emanuel had a daughter called Constance who not yet marriagable was promised to King Alphonso the eleventh of Castile but this King offended by certain secret occasions broke his vow to her and espoused Mary daughter to Alphonso King of Portugal after a little time passed the King of Portugal thinking Constance to be a fit match for his son the Prince Pedro first writ to his son in Law Alphonso and soon after began to treat with Iuan Emanuel both the one and the other returned answer to his messages the King of Castile with dissimulation and Emanuel with sincerity offering his daughter The King of Castile either out of vexation that she whom he had repudiated should still be a Queen or envying to the Prince Pedro the possession of so worthy a woman after many artifices to hinder the marriage put himself in Arms to hinder the passage of Constance into Portugal From this War happened infinite destructions and murders which after the effusion of a sea of blood were ended by the Authority of Pope Benedict the XII and Constance was married to Prince Pedro. About the year 1340. Albâ—acen that potent Miramamolin of Morocco and Granata with a mighty Army of four hundred and seventy thousand men came against Alphonso King of Castile threatning indeed the ruine of all Spain when Alphonso by the advice of his Councel sent to desire assistance of his father in Law the King of Portugal and that he might the better speed he made his wife the daughter of Alphonso the messenger who willingly heard and listned to the Ambassie and not onely promised assistance of men to further this expedition but to go himself in person Being arrived according to his promise it was determined that they should on both sides assault the Moors which accordingly they did and that with so prosperous success to the Christians that after an innumerable slaughter of the Saracens they gained one of the most rich and most glorious Victories that has been in the memories of man so great quantities of silver and gold found they in the Moorish Tents that one would have imagined all the riches of Africa had been transported into Spain The reason of the Barbarians transporting over so great Treasure was supposed to be out of the assurance of Victory which they flattered themselves withall they had designed Spain for their Country and thereupon all those who had thoughts of planting there brought over all that could either better or conserve their fortune This Victory was gained nigh to the River of Saledo the two Kings gave part of their spoils to Pope Benedict who then resided in Avignion giving him likewise four and twenty Colours taken from the enemy among which was the proper Standard of Alboacen King of Marocco with many horses and many Moorish Princes taken prisoners in the battel For his own portion of the prey Alphonso King of Portugal brought home the son of King Iulinenza made prisoner with his proper hand he likewise with his own hand placed five Colours taken from the enemy in the Church of St. Vincenso that posterity might behold them as a memorial of his valor and glory Scarce was he returned into Portugal but he permitted himself to be overcome by certain evil Councellors and be perswaded unjustly to take away the life of Agnesa di Castro by whom his son Pedro had had divers children After the death of Coâ—stance the Prince kept her like his wife and it was publiquely believed that he would one day make her his Queen This accident was the occasion of cruel Tragedies in the kingdom for it stirred up a civil War betwixt the father and son but all ascribed it to a just judgement of God upon Alphonso who suffered the same injuries from his son which he had done to his father The Queen Beatrice bore Alphonso the fourth six children three sons died in their infancy and Pedro who was the fourth succeeded the other two were daughters to wit Maria who married Alphonso King of Castile and Eleanora who was espoused to Piedro the fourth King of Arragon King Alphonso the fourth of Portugal over-loaden with the burthen of seventy seven years in the month of May in the year 1356. departed this life after he had exercised the Kingly Office thirty years and a half he was buried at the going into the Cathedral at Lisbon together with his wife Beatrice having left to the Priests of that Church rich Revenues not onely for the expences of his sepulchre but for the celebrating continual Anniversary Masses for
their souls He was equally strong and valiant nor was it ever known that the greatest danger 〈◊〉 strike terror into his undaunted minde he observed with a strict punctuality the rules of hoâ—nesty and justice and towards God he with 〈◊〉 ordinary piety was both zealous and reverâ—â—â— he made several Laws for the benefit 〈…〉 kingdom which are still continued among the Statutes of that Realm If he had not taken Arms against his father or if he had moderated his hatred to his 〈◊〉 or if he had not imbrued his hands in the 〈◊〉 blood of Agnesa envy it self coul◠〈◊〉 have found out any subject of blame in the 〈◊〉 course of his life he resembled his 〈…〉 many vertues but was much inferior to him in liberality his death happened to him in that condition when he had little reason to desire longer life for it was when he saw his actions of glory forgotten though he was yet alive for his subjects began onely to remember his faults which being fresh in memory made his loss the less lamented PEDRO The Eighth KING of PORTVGAL PEdro the first of that Name who succeeded his father Alfonso in the kingdom of Portugal was born at Lisbon in the year 1325. two years before his father came to sit at the heâ—m of government at the time of his being Crowned he was about the age of three and thirty years He was the onely male-childe that lived of four and some danger there was of him in his youth he being very sickly till he arrived to about eighteen years of age which made his father to be assured of a Successor for his Crown to defer the marriage of Leonora his youngest daughter to Pedro King of Arragon till he perceived him in a perfect measure of health He was about the age of one and twenty years married to Constance daughter to D. Iuan Emanuel by whom he had onely one son named Ferdinand who succeeded him in the kingdom and she as if she had onely come into the world to bear him and having performed that task died After the death of the Infante D. Pedro fell in love with Agnesa de Castro a most beautiful woman and descended of the blood Royal by her he had many children amongst whom one was Iohn who afterward was the first of that name King of Portugal this Lady being accused to King Alphonso at his return from his great Victory over the Moors nigh the River Saledo was by him for what crimes is unknown put to death which so incensed Pedro that he took up those Arms against his father which he laid not down till his death As soon as he was come to the Crown he brought to condigne punishment those who had wrongfully accused and counselled the Lady Agnesas death he afterwards renewed the old War betwixt his father and the King of Castile about the stopping of his espoused wife Constance But because the Pope had before made up this breach he by his Letters commands Piedro to desist from further prosecuting the War which he for the present obeys but soon after upon a slight pretence again enters into Castile with his Army whereupon an excommunication was thundred out against him which forced him to retire and to gain his Pardon turn his Army upon the Moors from whom he took the strong Port Town of Pharo in the kingdom of Algarve At his return home he fell sick and in the tenth year of his kingdom and about the three and fortieth of his age in September 1367. he died he was buried in the Cathedral of Lisbon not far distant from his father having caused before his death three Tombs to be erected on each side he caused the bodies of his wife Constance and the Lady Agnesa to be laid reserving the middle one for himself where he was accordingly buried He was a man of as comely a personage as any whatsoever of the Kings of Portugal of a sweet and affable disposition nor did he want any of his fathers vertues but one vice they both had which overshadowed all their vertues warring against their fathers FERDINAND The ninth KING of PORTVGAL FErdinand the first of that Name succeeded his father Pedro in the kingdoms of Portugal and Algarve he was born at Lisbon in the year one thousand three hundred forty seven and was the onely childe of Constance daughter of D. Iuan Emanuel He arrived at the Crown at the age of about two and twenty years in the year 1369. as soon as he had fininished the Ceremonies of his Coronation he prosecuted the War his father had begun against the Moors and in several battels drove them quite out of Algarve he built a Monastery upon a Promontory of Land called Cape St. Vincent now by us the Southern Cape which stretcheth it self out into the Atlantique sea He addicted himself to the planting and peopling of that kingdom distributing the waste Lands among the Inhabitants he repaired many Cities Towns and Castles which had been destroyed by the fury of the War he built several Churches and Monasteries in that kingdom all which he enriched with great Revenues but particularly a Monastery for Franciscan Friers erected in Silva the chief City of that Territory About this time it was that Pedro son of Alphonso the eleventh king of Castile having committed several tyrannical outrages intollerable to his subjects oppressing and destroying his subjects putting away and after murdering his wife daughter to Peter Duke of Burbon was by his bastard brother Henry chased out of his kingdom and forced to live an exile He at first seeks for aid to Ferdinand King of Portugal but in vain he next addresses himself to Edward the black Prince of Wales who was then at Burdeaux with an Army of thirty thousand men he consents to assist him and encountring Henry on the borders of Castile with near one hundred thousand men utterly discomfits him and establisht Pedro in the Throne who shortly after falling again to his former tyrannical courses is deserted by his subjects taken by his brother Henry and put to death Ferdinand had but one only daughter that survived named Beatrice who was married to Henry King of Castile and thereby excluded from the right of succession according to the Law made in the first Assembly Estates held at Lamâ—go in the reign of Alfonso the first King so that in this King ended the legitimate Line of Henry Duke of Lorrein This King had now reigned 18. years and lived forty when seized by a violent sickness he gave up the ghost in the year of our Lord God 1387. and was buried by his Ancestors in the Cathedral Church of Lisbon JOHN the 1. Tenth KING OF PORTVGAL JOhn the first bastard son to Pedro the first by Agnesa de Castro who succeeded Ferdinand in the kingdom was born in Lisbon in the year 1356. he was in his minority educated in the famous Conimbricense University where he addicted himself to all those studies which became a Prince
on his knees very earnestly begged a boon of him the King demanded what it was He answered that his Majesty would be pleased for some days to defer his Coronation The King wondring at â—o strange a request demanded what it did conâ—ern him To which he answered that it did â—ot onely concern him but all his Majesties â—aithful subjects and the whole kingdom of Portugal for that by his skill in Astrology he â—ad found that if he then proceeded to the Ceremony his reign would be both short and â—nfortunate At this the King was somewhat â—â—artled at first and seemed as if he would conâ—â—der of it but after very little deliberation â—ither out of magnanimity or mis-belief of that Art he commanded the Ceremony to proceed Whether this were true or no that he was â—hus forewarned cannot be confidently affirmed but most certain it is that in that short time of five years reign he was very unfortunate loosing several battels to the Moors in Africa and was in very great probability to â—ave utterly lost what ever his father had gained â—pon that Coast. He was married long before he came to the Crown and had four children to wit two males Ferdinand who died an Infant Alfonso who succeeded him in the kingdom and two â—emales Ioane married to the King of Castile â—nd Leon and Leonâ—ra married to the Empeâ—or Ferdinand and mother to the Emperor Maximilian He died after he had reigned five years and those with such bad success that it was thought â—y many to have accellerated his end He was â—ndifferent tale of stature of a reserved countenance and as reserved in his minde very wâ—lful in his resolves and refusing any counsel but most extreamly outragious when he was thwarted in any thing he had designed though with never so apparent symptomes of reason which many have attributed to be the cause of all his disasters ALFONSO the V. The Twelfth KING of PORTVGAL ALfonso the fifth his son and the twelfth King of Portugal who succeeded was born at Lisbon in or about the year of our Lord 1420. a Prince in whom appeared evident tokens of courage greatness and magnanimity even in his youngest years he came to the Crown about the age of one and twenty years in the year of our Lord 1441. and was no sooner setled in his kingdom but rigging out a Potent Fleet with an Army of about Thirty thousand men he passed into Barbary to prove if by his better fortune he could regain that hoâ—nor which his father most unfortunately had lost Nor was his success less then his desires oâ— then what his valor merited for having in several battels overthrown the Moors he aâ— â—ength per force took from them the strong Towns of Tanger Alcazar and Arzilla which he strongly fortified and engarisoned with Porâ—uguese Forces During his reign several Voyages were made to the new Islands or Azores where the Porâ—ugals now began to fortifie and inhabit as they did likewise in the Islands of the Madera Holy Port and Capo Verdâ— thus began this Nation by degrees to grow famous at sea by reason of their new discoveries and of the great Traffique they began to have King Alfonso left behind him several children two of which came to be Kings after him to wit Iohn his eldest son who succeeded him and Emanuel his second who reigned after his brother He was a Prince of a very affable and courteous disposition milde to all men and if he were not too merciful a man scarce guilty of any fault yet in the Wars he was as magnanimous as a Lion and fierce as a Tyger being often observed to hazard his own person somewhat too desperately He died at Lisbon in the forty third year of his reign and sixty fourth of his life in the year of our Lord 1484. JOHN the II. The Thirteenth KING of PORTVGAL JOhn the second succeeding to his father Alfonso the fifth was born about the year 1456. and entred into the Government of his kingdom at the age of about twenty eight years a Prince who being educated under his fathers arms could not but be partaker of some of his vertues an honorable emulation of which he showed in his first coming to the Crown by a prosperous expedition against the Moors At his return from Barbary Crowned with Victory he set out two Armata's to sea the gallantest and best accounted that ever Portugal had before that day seen the one directed his course to the Azores which Islands were now indifferently well peopled and began to afford a Traffique to the Portugal Nation from thence this fleet was to go and touch at the other Islands discovered by the Infante D. Henry in the Atlantique sea and supply them with necessaries The other fleet more Warlickly fitted and supplied with all sorts of necessaries both for War and Peace as designed both for a Conquest and Plantation steered its course along the Coast of Africa to Guiny where landing its Soldiers and Planters they soon drove away the heathenish Inhabitants fortified themselves and made an absolute Conquest of the Realms of Congo The fleet afterwards made discovery of that Coast as far as the Cape of Good-hope planting and fortifying as they went King Iohn having now reigned fourteen years with happy success in all the enterprises he undertook by an unfortunate accident came by his end for very much delighting in hunting which sport he was very eager at pursuing a Stag his horse leaping over a ditch gave him a violent fall of which in three days he died in the forty second year of his age and fourteenth of his reign leaving his kingdom by reason of his dying without any legitimate Issue to Emanuel his brother He was of a very swarthy complexion but withall of a pleasant countenance affable and courteous a great lover of Justice and more inclinâ—ble to severity then mercy he was especially careful in seeing the Laws against murder rigorously put in execution being often used to say that he who pardoned a murther did commit 〈◊〉 his great love to hunting made him not altogether so diligent in State-affairs as he ought to have been EMANUEL the I. Fourteenth KING of PORTVGAL EManuel who succeeded him was born in or about the year 1462. he took possession of the Crown of Portugal at the age of about thirty and two years a Prince who had been bred up in all sorts of learning that might make him either a Divine or a States-man At his first entrance in the Government he addicted himself so wholly to Religion that he took little care of the management of the kingdom affairs so that whilest he was never from Churches-duties both Church and State was likely to go to ruine by the evil administration of those Ministers whom he had entrusted The Arch Bishop of Lisbon who foresaw the ruine which approached to the kingdom by the Tyranny of the Officers of State presumed freely to tell the King that though 〈◊〉 could not blame his
other claimers whatsoever in regard of her both being born and married within the kingdom But Phillip the second King of Spain who was the eight pretender having employed all the best wits in Christendom to confute and disprove all other claimes and prove and maintain his wanted not some objections against this alledging That the successions of Crowns were to be decided by the Law of Nations not of the Empire upon which onely her jus representandi Patrem was grounded that the nearest male in degree to the late possessor ought to succeed that the Infante Don Edward being deceased before his brother Henry was King could have no right in himself and therefore could derive none to his posterity for nemâ— dat quod in se non habet that it was very unreasonable that Catharine should be less prejudiced in her self for her sex then King Phillip should be for his mother PHILLIP the II. II. III. IV. of that Name KINGS OF SPAIN And 18. 19. 20. KINGS of PORTVGAL BUt it was no Arguments could confute or annul the certain and indubitable right of the Dutchess of Braganza which was clear to the World both by her descent and by the fundamental Laws of the Nation and this King Phillip knew well and therefore though he carried on his affairs very candidly to the eyes of men and seemed unbyassed with proper Interest by offering to submit his Title to a disputation â—â—ofessing that the Laws of Portugal were more favorable to him then the Law of Castile and openly acknowledging that if he should chance to die before King Henry his eldest Son being a degree farther off would come behinde some of the pretenders of whom himself had the precedence Though I say he carried himself thus fair to the world yet he clandestinely wrought with Father Leon Henriques a Jesuite and Confessor to king Henry and Ferdinando Castillo a Dominican and of the Kings bosom Councel to endeavor by all means possible to divert all Designs in prejudice of his Claims and especially that Catherine Dutchess of Braganza might not by Henry be declared to be the next Heir apparent which he conscious of the justice of the Title was very willing to have done And whilest these two Fathers prosecuted his interest there with the old and almost doting King Henry the vigilant Phillip provided an Army in readiness with which he resolved to enter into Portugal and with his sword make good his disputable Title as soon as that old Kings death should give him the Warning piece to fall on Yet when that was given and Phillip ready to march with an Army of twenty thousand men into Portugal he had like to have been prevented for Pope Gregory the Thirteenth pretending still his right to Dispose or at least to Arbitrate all Difference concerning that Crown had sent Cardinal Riario Legat Apostolique with Order to disswade the Catholick King from raising Arms and that done to pass intâ— â—ortugal and in his Holiness name and behalf to Arbitrate the Right between all Pretenders which designs of the Popes this crafty Spanish Fox circumvented for having pre-advice of it and resolving to pursue his own intentions of assuring to himself the kingdom of Portugal and yet approve himself an obedient Son of the Church he gave order in all places where the Legat was to pass he should be most magnificently entertained so that by such sumptuous Treatments the time might be dexterously protracted and he possessed of that kingdom before the Legat arrived at Court which was accordingly done and the Legat returned thanks for his magnificent Entertainments though he was displeased at the ill success of his Negotiation But to proceed to the maner of his possessing himself of this kingdom No sooner did the News arrive at the Spanish Court of the death of King Henry but Ferdinand de Teledo Duke D' Alva was commanded with an Army of twenty thousand men to march toward Lisbon and in the Name and Right of his Catholick Majesty to make Conquest of the kingdom if he found opposition But all the appearance of opposition which he found was made by Don Antonio the Bastard Son of Lewis the Infante who having got into Lisbon in the Head of a tumultuary Rabble rather than a well-formed Army endeavored at first to make some resistance but was soon discomfited and the suburbs of Lisbon being sacked to satisfie the soldiers the City was surrendred to him whither soon after the King came and so by a mixt Title of Descent and Arms took possession of the kingdom Anno 1510. Katherine Dutchess of Braganza being enforced to surrender to him all her interest and pretensions The Nobility and People of Portugal were without doubt extreamly amazed to see themselves so suddenly surprized and made subject to a Forein Prince and especially to a Prince of that Nation against whom they had a natural Antipathy but finding themselves in a condition not able to make any resistance they thought they should gain more by submitting freely to that King than by being forced to it and therefore they made their humble submission which Phillip met as it were half way and condescended in the General Assembly of Estates to be sworn to these Articles or Capitulations following I. That the said Phillip King of Spain c. should observe all the Laws Liberties Priviledges and Customs granted to the People by the former Kings of Portugal II. That the Vice-king or Governor should be always the Son Brother Uncle or Nephew of the King or else a Native of Portugal III. That all chief Offices of the Church or State should be bestowed upon the Natives of Portugal and not upon strangers likewise the Governments of all Towns and Places IV. That all Countries now belonging to the Portugal should so continue to the comodity and benefit of the Nation V. That the Portugal Nation should be admitted to all Offices in the Kings House as well as the Castilians VI. That because the King could not conveniently be always in Portugal he should send the Prince to be bred up amongst them These Articles were shut up or concluded with a blessing upon such kings as should observe and keep them and a curse on those who should break or violate them And some Authors likewise affirm that there was another Clause added to them signifying That in case which God forbid that the King which then was or his Successors should not observe this Agreement or should procure a Dispensation for this Oath the three States of the kingdom might freely deny subjection and obedience to the King without being guilty either of Perjury or Treason Though these Articles were thus sworn to and the Cardinal Albertus Archduke of Austria son to the Emperor and Nephew to the King of Spain appointed Vice-king of Portugal Phillip the second durst not inperson yet leave the kingdom for he perceived by their murmurs and visible discontents that their submission to him proceeded more out of fear then love
Don Antonio D'Oquendo that when they had relieved Flanders with men and mony they should with the whole Fleet put into Portugal and then as soon as the Duke should according to the duty of his new place and office come aboard they should immediately set Sail and bring him away to Callis but this plot was by a strange divine providence prevented for that Fleet was totally routed by the Hollanders upon the Coast of England JOHN the IV. The One and twentieth KING of PORTVGAL NOw was the time come wherein according to St. Bernards prophecy the kingdom of Portugal was to be released from the tyranny of strangers and restored again to the Government of a Native King to which all things seemed so well to quadrate that we cannot imagine there was less then a divine hand in it for though all Plots failing against the Duke of Braganza the Spaniards beginning to fear somewhat drew out as many of the Native soldiers out of the kingdom as conveniently they could thinking thereby to lessen the ill humors which begâ—n now to appear yet they did thereby onely the more stir up and enflame those discontents which were taken at Vasconsellos managing all Affairs of State For although the most Illustrious Infanta Margarita of Mantoua was a Princess of great judgement and knowledge in State-affairs yet she permitted her self to be so much over-ruled by Vasconsellos Secretary of State or at least was so much over-ruled by him whether she would or no that he either by some secret consent of his Catholick Majesty or led on by his own ambitious spirit confiding in the great favour he had at Court never permitted the Infanta to enjoy other then the title of Vice-Queen And insufferable was the Government of Vasconsellos to the Portuguesses who as much hated his obscure birth as they did his evil Customs he was a man wholly composed of pride cruelty and avarice that knew no moderation but in excesses small lapses were by him made capital crimes chastising with all severity those whom he did but suppose dissatisfied with his Government And exercising with all rigor the Spanish Inquisition punished not onely the actions but the very thoughts of men The infringing of the greatest priviledges of the Portugal Nation seemed to him but a trifle which continued oppressions in the end so exasperated the whole people that animated by the knowledge of their own strength by the many diversions of the Spanish Nation by the late example of the Catalonians and incited by the absolute ruine which they saw hung over their heads whilst six thousand of them were yearly listed and forced to serve the Spaniard in his forreign wars they resolved to loose his yoke from off their Necks and to disclaim his obedience by the election of a King of their own Some have been of opinion that this conspiracy was at least of ten years standing agreed and assented to by most of the Grandees of Portugal I dare not affirm it nor deny it for such great actions of State do resemble lightning which once past leave but the greater darkness the Air of State-mysteries is not to be flown in by less then Eagles I shall therefore omit to search into so great a Privacy and onely recount the publique action On Saturday the first of February Anno 1640. and Saturday's have been often observed to be propitious to the Portugal Nation all the Nobility of the Kingdom led on by the Marquesses of Ferrera the Count of Vimioso took Arms and accompanied with a great multitude of the inhabitants of Lisbon and some Portuguese soldiers came to the Castle which scituate in the middest of Lisbon serves both for a Palace and a Castle this was the residence of the Vice-Queen and hither assembled all the Magistrates for Governing of the Kingdom the guards which were two Companies of Spaniards and two of high Dutch either before gained by secret intelligence or frighted with the great numbers of the Portugals or desire of Novelty or else perhaps unwilling to make resistance against those to whom they were most of them joyned by friendship or marriage without the least opposition abandoning their post gave them free admittance Whilest these things had happened the Secretary Vasconsellos was in the Chambers of his Office upon some reasons he had by the Discontents of the people to suspect an Insurrection at that instant writing into Spain of the Alienation of the mindes of the Nobility from the Spanish Government and earnestly pressing that some rigorous Resolution might be taken to prevent it which Letters afterwards taken did sufficiently demonstrate his ill will to the Portuguese Nation Whilst he was thus busied the confused noise of the Soldiers pierced his ears at which wondring not so much at the tumult as at what should be the cause of it being accompanied onely with a Dutch man and another of the Guard he would have gone down but was hindred by the Portugals who came running up crying Kill the Traytor Kill the enemy of our Blood whereupon not knowing where to save himself he fled with those two accompanying him into an inner chamber and there with his sword in his hand accompanied and assisted by those two that were with him disposed himself to sell his Life at the dearest rare he could but his valor stood him in no stead for those two who endeavored to defend him being slain with two Musquet-shot he seeing it vain to defend himself there longer leapt desperately out of the window rather to seek his death than out of any hopes to save his life for no sooner was he down but numberless swords were embrued in his blood the very women and children running to tear in pieces his dead body with the same alacrity as he used to torment them when alive In the mean time the Marquess of Ferrera was gone to secure the Vice-Queen whom having committed to the Guard of two hundred Musquetteers he calls a Council and in a short Discourse sets forth the miseries the kingdom had endured whilest it lay subject to the Spanish Government who had sought no other end but their destruction Then putting them in minde of the Valor and Merits of their Nation he exhorts them to condescend to the Election of a New King nominating to them the Duke of Braganza as the most worthy of the Crown not so much for his Power Riches or the greatness of his House as because the kingdom was his indubitable Right he being the onely Person left of that Stock which for so many years had gloriously governed Portugal A long Discourse was superfluous to those who were before perswaded A publick shout interrupted the Marquesses Speech all of them crying with a loud voice That they would have John Duke of Braganza for their King In the whole multitude there was not a face much less a voice that did gainsay this general Vote either because they did all really rejoyce to see that they should again have
great importance and they endeavored to explain to his Eminence what was before his sentiment that it very much imported the two Crowns of France and Portugal to be united by an indissoluble League considering that it was the chief and principal end and aim of the House of Austria whose branches were spread over almost all Europe not onely to be the greatest but to be the sole and onely Monarch of Christendom That to effect those ambitious desires he had never made scruple to usurp and seize upon Kingdoms and States upon the least pretences imaginable as had appeared in the kingdoms of Naples Sicily Navarre the Dutchy of Millan and lately several States in Germany seizing upon the Valtoline whereby they had a passage open to lead an Army of Germans into Italy at pleasure That considering the vast power and interest that this Family had not onely in Europe but also in America it could not but be confessed that they had a large foundation of their imaginary universal Monarchy but that nothing gave them so great hopes as the possession of Portugal For by the addition of that Kingdom to the Crown of Castile they became absolute Masters not onely of all Spain but of all the East-Indies of all the Eastern Trade of Ethiopia Persia Arabia China Iapan and all that incredible wealth that was raised out of the Portugal Traffick whereby the Austrian Greatness if not their Monarchy was principally sustained that therefore it concerned all States whatsoever not onely to put a stop to the raving Tyranny of this devouring Monster but to suppress and lessen his Power by all means possible That to do this none was more concerned or more able than the Kingdom of France united with that of Portugal That this having bin called the Right Arm as Catalonia the Left of that great Austrian Colossus now both being separated from it and united to France will be able to do greater service against it than they were ever forced to do for it not onely by assaulting the Spaniard within his own doors but by intercepting the Plate-Fleet which in its return from the West-Indies it being necessarily forced to pass by the Tercera Islands must run in danger of the Portuguez Fleet or be forced to be at the charge of an extraordinary Convoy These were the sum of the Ambassadors discourses to the Cardinal In answer to which his Eminence made offer not onely of all the Assistance of the most Christian King his Master but that he would disburse himself for the service of the King of Portugal promising that he would presently send thither a Fleet of twenty Sayl with his Nephew Admiral and Ambassador Extraordinary This Treatment thus ended the Ambassadors took their leaves his Eminence waiting upon them as far as the Stairs which when they endeavored to hinder he replyed That the Ambassadors of the King of Portugal were to be treated with as much respect as those of the Emperor or Pope Few days after a Iuncto of the King of France his Council were appointed to treat with the Ambassadors in the House of the Lord High Chancellor of the kingdom where a Peace was fully concluded between the two Kingdoms of France and Portugal Other Ambassadors were about the same time that the afore-mentioned were sent into France dispatched into England for it very much concerned the Kingdom of Portugal to maintain a good Correspondence with the Crown of England both in regard of the Navigation and Commerce of both States and also the better to break that Amity and good Understanding which was now held between the Crown of Spain and that State Hither therefore were sent Don Antonio D' Almado and Don Francisco D' Averado Leilon both persons of exquisite parts who notwithstanding that the Dunkirkers chased them arrived safe in England And for all the sturdy endeavors of the Spanish Ambassadors they were received on shore with abundance of respect yet His Majesty of England would not give them Audience or accept of the Ambassage from the King of Portugal so tender was He of His Honor and Conscience till Don Antonio de Sosa their Secretary had drawn up a Paper to satisfie him of the Right and Title of the Duke of Braganza to the Crown of Portugal The sum of which was Vpon the Death of King Henry the Cardinal without Issue many pretended together with the Infanta Donna Catherina Dutchess of Braganza and Grandmother to this present King to the Crown of Portugal but all their pretences wanting foundation soon fell except that of Philip the second King of Spain who propt up his with force King Henry was Vncle equally near to both but with this difference Catherine was the Daughter of a Son named Edward and Philip was the son of a daughter named Isabella brother and sister to King Henry King Philip pleaded That he being in equal degree with Catherine was to be preferred for his Sex Catherine replyed That the constitution of that Kingdom allowing Females to succeed and withal the benefit of Representation in all Inheritances she representing Edward must exclude Philip by the very same right that her father if he were living would exclude Philips mother This Conclusion is infallible in Jure whereto Philip answered That successiou of Kingdoms descending Jure sanguinis there was allowed no Representation Catherine destroyed that foundation alledging That the Succession by the death of the last King was derived Jure haereditatis non sanguinis because the Succession of Kingdoms was to be regulated by that ancient way whereby all things descended by Inheritance the other way of Succession being not known until later Ages nor ever practised either in Spain or Portugal in such cases Briefly in behalf of Catherine it was urged which by the Castilians can never be denied or answered That she was no stranger but a Native of the Kingdom to whom alone according to the Laws of Lamego the Crown of Portugal can appertain The King having perused and deliberated upon this Paper gave immediately order they should be presently conducted to London which was done withal convenient Solemnity and they logded in a Palace ready prepared for them soon after with great ceremony they received audience of His Majesty in a fair and stately Hall prepared for that purpose where his Majesty sat upon a Throne raised two steps and at the entrance of the Ambassador pulled off his Hat nor would be covered till they were so too To the Propositions made in the speech of D. Antonia D' Almoda concerning a Peace between Portugal and England His Majesty replied That he should be very glad if an expedient might be found out to renew the antient Leagues of friendship between the two Crowns without the breaking with Spain Some few days after the Ambassadors were conducted to give a Visit to Mary Queen of England who sat in a Chair of Estate ready to entertain them when they came into the Presence She rose out of the Chair and
came as far as the Carpetting making low reverence as the Ambassadors bowed when they came near Her Majesty made them be covered but afterwards they spoke with their Hats off In conclusion the Queen told them that she much desired to hold Correspondence with Her Majesty of Portugal In fine on the 13th of Iune 1641. a Peace was absolutely concluded with the Portugal notwithstanding the earnest endeavors of Don Alonzo Cardenas Leiger Ambassador for Spain who by gifts and promises even as far as the restitution of the Palatinate endeavored to hinder it The Embassadors that were sent to the King of Denmark notwithstanding the great Traffick and Commerce that had formerly bin held between that Kingdom and Portugal were not by reason of the great interest the House of Austria had with those Kings received yet the King gave all possible respect otherwise to them From thence they passed into Sweden and were magnificently entertained at the yong Queens Court at Stockholm where a League was soon concluded and the Ambassadors dismissed according to the custom of that Nation with Gold Chains and the Queens Portraicture in a Meddal of Gold The Ambassador D. Tristano De Mendoza Hurtada that was sent to the States of the Vnited Provinces was received with the like magnificence and seeming affection and a Truce concluded with the Kingdom of Portugal for ten years for a Peace the States would not assent to because they having conquered many places in Brasile Angola c. which belonged to the Crown and Kingdom of Portugal could not make restitution of them by reason they now belonged to the West-India Company nor could the King of Portugal allow the Conquest as things of right belonging to his Crown and depending on it But now we come to treat of a more solemn Embassie to wit that to the Pope Long was it debated in the Assembly of Estates whether an Ambassador should be sent to Rome immediately or a more opportune conjuncture of time be expected Some were of the opinion that the sending an Ambassador without further delay would be a testification of their duty and incline the Popes Holiness to acknowledge Don Iohn the lawful Heir and rightful King of Portugal which would extreamly further and advance the Affairs of the kingdom But others there were who conceived those things rather desirable than feasable and were of the opinion they should rather stay till a fitter opportunity alledging that the King of Spain's present power at Rome might probably oppose the Reception of their Ambassador that although the Pope never was in his heart a Spaniard yet he would never yield to show himself an enemy to the Catholick King That the Spaniards cunningly fomenting the opinion which all the world had entertained that his Holiness did in all things favor the French interest would from such a Reception draw as much as ever they could ask or desire That for this cause the Pope that he might not seem their enemy had always granted them whatever they desired That therefore they thought it convenient first to sound his Holiness before they run the hazard of the disgrace and affront which might fall upon His Majesty and the whole kingdom That in case the Pope should decline the reception of the Ambassador to whom could they repair or appeal to vindicate the injury done to the Crown That many Popes had been sâ— fascinated to the interest of their own family that the world had very great occasion to believe that their designs tended rather to what was best for themselves then to what was best indeed That the Portugal Nation had as much reason to distrust the Sea of Rome as any whilst they had to their cost had examples how they onely pursued their own ends As particularly Gregory the thirteenth who at first seemed so affectionate to the kingdom of Portugal that he imployed the utmost of his power for the interest of his own family approved of all that King had done That there was none who had more to give or at least who had more to promise then the Catholique King so that in any business of competition he must necessarily gain the better But notwithstanding all these Arguments to the contrary upon the promises of the King of France to be a Mediator at the Sea of Rome for the reception of their Ambassadors by the suffrage of some few voices to make the major part it was concluded That Ambassadors should immediately be sent to Rome And in pursuance of this Vote the King immediately made choice of two reverend and able persons to wit Michael De Portogallo Son to the Count Vimioso of the blood Royal Bishop of Lamego and D. Patableone Rodriguiz Bishop of Elvas No sooner was the news arrived at Rome of their being landed in Italy but the Spaniards in Rome mustred themselves together with resolution either to oppose their entrance or at least hinder their reception whilst on the other side the French Portugal and Catalonians assembled themselves together resolving to hazard their dearest blood in their cause His Holiness seeing these preparations on both sides feared lest his country should be made the seat of a petty war and considering that in any case the dishonor would accrue to him if whilst under his command and protection the person of an Ambassador should be violated strictly commanded all his Guards to take special care to prevent the violencies in tended The Spaniards by this order hindred from what they purposed their Ambassadors openly protested that if his Holiness did receive the Portugal Ambassador they would immediately leave Rome But notwithstanding these protestations and all other opposition they could possibly make in November 1641. the two Portugal Ambassadors being met by divers Cardinals Princes and Cavaliers well armed entred into Rome and were conducted to the Palace of the French ambassador who received them with al respect possible still giving them the precedence Hereupon several Manifesto's are scattered abroad by the two Spanish Ambassadors the Marquess De los Veles and D. Iohn Chiumarrero labouring to prove that his Holiness ought not to receive the Ambassadors of the Duke of Braganza as they stiled him First because he was a tyrant and usurper of that Kingdom which had been in the quiet possession of the Catholick King these sixty years Secondly because he was a Rebel and a perjured person having sworn Allegiance to the Catholique King Thirdly that the reception of these Ambassadors would animate other Subjects of the Catholique King to Rebellion But whilst the Spanish Ambassadors are violently shooting such Paper-Bullets the Portugueses used all their endeavors both by them selves and the French Ambassadors who had express order from the most Christian King his Master to that purpose to prevail with the Pope to give them audience and admit their Embassy but his Holiness was so fearful to displease the Spaniard lest he should afterwards take occasion to revenge himself upon his Nephew 's that he utterly declined
their reception yet not out of any of the Spaniards Allegations but upon pretence that certain of the Church Rites had been violated in Portugal the Arch-bishop of Braga and other Ecclesiastical persons being kept in durance though it was for very good reasons as hereafter shall appear Yet the Spaniards were not content with this resolution of his Holiness but whilst the Portugals were endeavoring to prove their cause by both Political and Legal Declarations Allegations and Arguments fearing lest the Pope might chance to alter his mind resolved to to make a quick dispatch of the business and to that purpose two hundred Banditi were hired to seize upon the Bishop of Lamego and carry him to Naples as the Prince of Sans had been before served by them and there put to death But this design themselves at length could not agree upon for the Marquess De Los Velos thought it would be better and less dangerous to give the Portugals a publique affront in the City which was concluded to be put in effect and to that purpose it was communicated to the rest of the Nation whereof upon several occasions there are always many in Rome who assembled together well armed at the Ambassadors Palace and so great is the power of Revenge that to the end they might the better effect their design and yet not appear as souldiers though there were many Gentlemen of quality amongst them they condescended to go under the name of Foot-men to the Marquess The Popes Holiness hearing of the great preparations of the Spaniard sent to them to let them know that he could not but be very much distasted to see such disorders attempted in a peaceable City and therefore desiring them for his honors sake to desist and withal sent a Messenger to the Bishop of Lamego to assure him that he need not fear any thing for upon the word of his Holiness he should walk the streets undisturbed But do the Pope what he could either by threats desires or perswasions the Spaniards were resolved to prosecute their deâ—ign which they put in execution to their own cost on the twenty of August 1642. On which day the Bishop of Lamego going to visit the French Ambassadoâ— one of his retinue observed that he was dog'd by a Spanish spie whereupon a Counter-spy was sent to the Marquesses to bring intelligence what they were doing there who brought word to the French Ambassadors that there was great preparations of Coaches and Men whereupon the French Portugals and Catalonians assembled and armed themselves with Pistols and Fire-locks to convoy home the Bishop By the way they were met by the Spanish Ambassador accompanied with about eight Coaches full of Captains and Officers come from Naples and guarded with about sixty Foot-men besides divers others of that Nation No sooner came they in sight of the Bishops Coach but they cryed aloud Che si fermassero all' Ambasciatore di Spagna that they should stop for the Ambassador of Spain but the Portugals driving on answered Che si fermassero Loro that they should stop Hereupon both sides with their Swords drawn leapt out of the Coaches and making a stand one Gun was first fired by the Spaniards side and immediately seconded with a brave volley on both sides when they fell into Swords point the Bishops side soon getting the better of it yet there was slain a Knight of Malta an Italian and a French and Portugal page but on the Spanish Marquesses side there were eight killed upon the place and above twenty wounded the Marquess leaving his Coach-horses dead escaped out of the back of the Coach which stood upon the place till next day and got into the next shop without his hat and trembling for fear from whence he was carried to the Spanish Cardinal Albornoz palace The Portuguese Ambassador returned first to the French Palace and from thence went safely home His Holiness the Pope was extreamly perplexed at these disturbances and therefore to prevent the like for the future Commanded a guard of Souldiers to be put upon the houses both of the Bishop and the Marquess But shortly after when the Bishop of Lamego had again pressed the Pope by a large memorial of the reasons why he should be received and was absolutely refused he was by his Master the King of Portugal called home Whilst these things were acting abroad the Castilians begun to make continual in-roads into the borders of Portugal which made King Iohn look more narrowly into the defence of his kingdom fortifie all the Frontiers and train up his Subjects to military excerises The Spaniards in one in-road which they made into Portugal laid waste all before them sparing neither sex nor age wheresoever they came which made the Portugals in revenge commit the like out rages in an inroad they made into Gallicia But these were publick enmities and therefore more easice to be opposed but there was a private serpent that lay lurking at home which was so much the likelyer to do mischief by how much it was more secretly hidden Some few there were who thought themselves so highly obliged to the Catholick King as to endeavour the reuniting of the Crown of Portugal to his vast dommions and again inslave their country to forreigners The principal of these was the Archbishop of Braga always a great creature and favourite of the Count Olivares who had at the beginning of the revolt show'd himself so opposite to the freedom of his country that many Gentlemen were once resolved to make him suffer the same fate with Vasconsello's the Secretary Nor had he ceased ever since to show visible signs of his discontentment at the Government In this Archbishops head was the whole conspiracy first hatch't and by him communicated to D. Lewis de Meneses Marquess of Villa Reale and the Duke of Comigna his son two persons sufficiently ambitious and both discontented as not thinking themselves sufficiently rewarded according to their merit These the Archbishop tampered with perswading them That it was a low and unworthy thing much beneath their birth and greatness to suffer themselves to be subject to a fellow Subject That it would be much more Noble and Generous in them to return their Allegiance to the King of Spain their ancient Soveraign who was able to bestow more upon a person deserving in one day then the Duke of Braganza could in a hundred years These few other arguments were sufficient to draw those who before out of their envy to the house of Braganza were inclinable to a change These made sure the Arch-Bishop next draws into this Plot a Gentleman of a Noble blood named D. Augustine Emanuel a man of excellent parts but somewhat necessitated nor had ever been looked upon or put into any employment which without any other incentives were motives sufficient to move a man to any desperate design Next him was added to this conspiracy Pietro Baeza a lately converted Jew whom the Portugueses call Upstart Christians
he would not deliver him into the hands of the Spaniards but would speedily procure his liberty and infranchisement Yet notwithstanding these fair promises of the Emperors Duarte's ill usage in prison daily and hourly increased not could he by any means possible get audience of the Emperor not without any reason for no face is more terrible to the offender then the face offended which made the Prince make his protestation calling God and man to witness of the injury done him by the Emperor to whom he was neither subject by Obligation nor Birth that when his brother was made King of Portugal he was in the Emperors service and wholly ignorant of any design of his brothers that if the King of Spain were offended he should revenge himself upon the person offending that that business no way concerned the Emperor c. All these Allegations the Emperor confessed to be true by a messenger sent to the Infante in prison again assuring him that he would not deliver him up to his enemies but that he could not release him for some reason of State which made Don Francisco de Sosa Contigno Ambassador extraordinary from Portugal to the King of Sweden in the name of the King his Master represent at large to the Diet at Ratisbone the whole proceedings requiring Justice and liberty for the Infante But it is in vain to plead against Interest all the Manifesto's Protestations Petitions and Intercessions made produced no other effect then the removal of the Infante from place to place that still as he was the farther off he might have the harder usage But hitherto the Emperor seemed immoveable able in his resolution of not delivering up the Infante into the hands of the Spaniards till tempted with what made Iudas betray his master and our blessed Savior to death Money he consented to the breach of his resolve for upon the promise of forty thousand Crowns contrary to the immunities of the Empire to the Priviledges of free Princes to the Law of Nations and to his word and promise so often reirerated he consented that that Noble and innocent Prince should be sent whither the Catholique King should think fit so away he was hurried towards the Castle of Millain there to remain a prisoner By the way as he entred into the Spanish Territories he was received by the Count de Sirnela Governor of that Dukedome where the Emperors Commissary took leave to return to whom D. Duarte openly said Tell thy Master that I am more sorry I have served so unworthy a Prince then to see my self sold a Prisoner into the hands of my enemies but the just judge of the world will one day suffer the like dealing towards his children who are no more priviledged for being of the house of Austria then my self that am of the blood Royal of Portugal and posterity will â—udge of him and me The Emperor had given instruction to those that convoyed the Infanta that in case their prisoner made an attempt to escape they should kill him upon the place being arrived in Millain he was clapt in the Common gate with all the Rogues and Banditty having a guard lodged with him in his Chamber so rude that they would scarce admit him to take his rest Thus was this generous but unfortunate Prince rewarded for having left his Country kindred friends interest for having at his own proper cost and charges served the Empire eight years for having always and upon all occasions ventured his life with the most daring and yet expecting no other pay but thanks nor other recompence but honor King Iohn was extreamly perplexed at this inhumane barbarism used to his Brother which he vowed fully to revenge with Arms but he could for the present do it no otherwise then defensively by reason of the continual inroades the Castilians made into Portugal About the beginning of the year 1642. notwithstanding the Truce that had been concluded between Portugal and Holland and that a great Fleet of Hollanders had been sent to assist the Portugal against the Spaniard there passed very high Acts of Hostility between the two Nations in Africa and America beyond the Line for the Hollanders seeing the disunion of Portugal from Castile made all speed possible to perfect the Conquest of those parts before a perfect Peace should be concluded with Portugal that so in the Treaty they might pretend reason that all things should continue in the state they were then found To this purpose that is the expediting their Conquest the Hollanders treacherously whilest there was all quiet and peaceable Commerce held between the two Nations in the kingdom of Angola surprized the Portugals that were Governors of the place killed divers and robbed all of the great wealth they there found of which perfidiousness as also of the barbarous usage of the prisoners there taken complaints were made to the States General at the Hague but no redress granted nor was the King of Portugal of ability to force it In the mean time the affairs in Portugal were a little discomposed by the general discontent and distast taken at the Secretary of State Don Francisco de Lucena This man had lived a long time in the Court of Spain till he was by Olivarez made under-Secretary to Vasconsellos his readiness to Proclaim King Iohn and his abilities in the place made the King continue him in it reposing in him so great a confidence that though some had advertized his Majesty that he kept correspondence with the Court at Madrid yet the King would not suspect him nor permit him to be brought to a Trial. But about the middle of the year 1643. the urgent affairs of the kingdom requiring a Convention of the three Estates they openly refused all Acts that should pass the hands of Secretary Lucena positively telling his Majesty that until he were brought to Tryal no Acts should pass in the Assembly of Estates nor any farther proceedings be made His Majesty was very much grieved hereat yet prudently resolved to give his Subjects satisfaction by delivering up his Secretary to Justice yet resolving he should have a fair Tryal and â—o that purpose sitting himself to hear the Witnesses examined Whilest Process was framed against the Secretary some secret advice came to his Majesty which caused the imprisonment of the brother and three servants of the Secretary together with an English Monck and a Cavalier of the habit not long after the Secretary was arraigned and condemned for betraying his truth in holding correspondence with the enemy and in neglecting timely to advertise the Infanta Edward to retire out of Germany c. and according to his sentence executed in a publique place in Lisbon where at his death he protested his innocency touching any treachery towards His Majesty The death of the Secretray both pleased the people and satisfied the Assembly of Estates who now according to His Majesties command met on September 18. 1643 and being all sate and His Majesty seaâ—ed
in his Throne D. Emanuel D' Acugna Dean of His Majesties Chappel rose up and after reverence made to the King spake to the effect following THat in the space of sixty years that that Kingdom was under the power of the Kings of Castile there had bin but two Assemblies of States the first to inslave the next to abuse them But that since they were under the present King within the space of two years they had two Assemblies the former to settle their liberties the present to beget a right understanding between the King and his people wherein they had all freedom to demand whatever was necessary that the world might see they are now no longer slaves but children no longer strangers but natives and that they are under rather a loving father then a severe Soveraign In the former Assembly said he his Majesty took all the Customs and left the defence of the Kingdom to your hands you ordered what seemed good unto your selves you made choice of a General Assistance by way of contribution but in the leaving thereof the first payment was found ineffectual the second unequal the third insufficient whence arose some complaints some imagining that the fault proceeded from the unequal division of the contribution others from the change of value in mony and comodities and others from the disorderly gathering and disbursing the whole I may easily say that if there were any errour committed yet it might be excusable for that Never had any weighty affair it's conception and perfection at once Then shall errours cease to be in Government when men shall cease to be in the world These things are to be indured with the same patience that droughts dearths inundations and such other disorders in nature for the wit of man cannot hold forth a remedy for all diseases But certainly they will be no ground of reprehension though much of admiration to him that shall consider how His Majesty entred upon a Kingdom exhausted by the Castilians of mony and other necessaries for offence or defence and yet how in less then a year and a half we should want neither Shipping nor Artillery nor Horse nor Arms nor Fortification nor Armies upon the Frontiers three powerful Fleets put to Sea divers honorable and extraordinary Ambassages besides many secret yet necessary expences all which will astonish any understanding man Now to the end that the people may have full satisfaction His Majesty hath commanded that before further proceeding it be made appear particularly how all the mony received hath been laid out and then it is expected and the present state of affairs requireth that we all contribute liberally considering that these charges are but for a time but our liberties are for ever That we shall never have a better opportunity to destroy our enemy That nature teacheth to hazard an arm to save the whole body The Merchants at Sea cast away some part of their goods sometimes to save the rest we are now on shipboard in a storm our Goods our Lives our Liberties our Honor our Country are all in danger Moreover the barbarous usage of the King of Castile towards the Infanta Don Duarte calls upon this Assembly for revenge that we spend not onely our mony but our blood in affection to him and that we make our enemies spend theirs in satisfaction for him c. This speech of the Deans was spoken with so much affection that it stirred up and encouraged the States readily to give all assistance imaginable both for redressing of greivances and for the levying Arms so that within a small time after the King was in the head of twenty thousand Foot and three thousand Horse marching towards the Frontiers of Castile Whilst these great preparations for Hostility were made the Queen brought forth into the world a second Son to His Majesty but first childe after he came to the Crown which added to the magnificence of his christning he was named Alfonso and his brother Theodosio dying before his Father succeeded in the Kingdom and is at present King of Portugal Many Skirmishes had passed between the Castilians and Portugueses many town had been surprized many lands wasted but never happened a set-battel between them till in the year 1644. when both Armies met upon the border of Portugal in a field called Campo Major The Spanish Army which for the most part consisted of strangers was under the Command of the Marquess of Forrecusa and the Portugal Army consisting of natives and some few Hollanders were commanded by Macchias de Albuquerque This fight was maintained with all possible courage and resolution on both sides but the Spaniards being more numerous especially in horse at length put the whole Portuguese Army in disorder seized on their whole Artillery and baggage and slew Albuquerques horse under him took many prisoners and assured themselves of an absolute victory But fortune which had thus favourably smiled upon them in the beginning of the day frowned as harshly upon them in the conclusion for Albuquerque being remounted rallied again his scattered forces recharged the pursuing Spaniards put them to a total rout and pursued the chase for above 3 miles In this battel the Castilians lost 1600 men upon the place amongst which were the Lieutenant General the General of the horse the General of the Artillery the Count de Montixo five Camp-masters two Adjutants of horse three Serjeant Majors three and twenty Cornets together with many Knights of the order of St. Iames Calatrava Alcantara there were taken about four thousand Arms and a thousand horse On the Portuguese side there were not above three hundred slain among which were two Camp-masters one Serjeant Major a Captain of horse and eight of foot but many Noblemen Commanders and Officers taken prisoners in the first encounter were carried away by the Spaniards in their flight It was not long after this Battel that the Marquess De Montalban D. George Mascaneras Lord Treasurer President of the Council of the Indies and Councellor of Estate with some others were imprisoned upon suspition of a Conspiracy against the King of Portugal but it being upon Examination found that the suspition was by the Spaniards cunningly raised to deprive King Iohn of his most able Ministers and to make the world believe the Portuguese Nobility were discontented with their King they were set at liberty and their Honors fully repaired by a Proclamation of the Kings For the Spaniards ceased not by all means and devices which the will and policy of the most wicked States-men could invent not onely to weaken the Portuguese Nation within it self by breeding discontents if possible between the King and the three Estates but likewise to undervalue them and make their credit be slighted and disregarded by other Kingdomes and States their Confederates and Allies Yet besides these subtile Ambages the King of Castile did not desist the endeavoring to oppress this kingdom by force of Arms but not onely the resolved and
immutable unity of the Portuguese Nation was a strong Tower and invincible Fortress against the Spanish Power but so extreamly was the House of Austria involved in wars disasters on every side thaâ— that vast Body was rather in a condition to crave help and assistance from others then indeed to oppress them For besides the Wars in Catalonia which had put it self under the protection of the most potenâ— King of France in the Low-countreys which had proved so tedious and so chargeable a war to Spain in Italy in this Kingdom and in Germany there happened several Commotions and popular Tumults in some of the King of Spains Dominions which not onely robbed that King of a present supply of Treasure but were otherwise retardments to the prosecution of his Wars in other places The first of these Commotions began in the Island of Sicily where the people gathering together in a tumultuous maner forced the Viceroy to take off all new Imposts and Taxes which the Kings present necessities had enforced him to lay upon them This encouraged their neighbors on the adjacent Continent the Inhabitants of the famous City of Naples in hopes to rid themselves of their oppressions to rise in like maner in Arms which they did encouraged and commanded by one Thomas Aniello or vulgarly Masaniello who though of so mean and obscure a birth as a poor Fisher-boy yet to the wonder of the world for ten dayes commanded this mighty City and freed it from all Gabels so that ever since these two kingdoms of Naples and Sicily have rather been a great charge than any benefit to the Spanish Monarchy These Troubles and the Austrian Families being every where encompassed and embroiled in Wars together with the earnest desire of the King of Castile to prosecute a vigorous War against Catalonia and Portugal were I suppose the motives which perswaded the Catholique King to end those Wars which had lasted in the low Countries for above ninety years by owning now at last what he had so long refused the united Provinces free States so an absolute peace was concluded on and proclaimed at all the chief towns in the Netherlands on the 5. of Iune 1648. a Peace no less advantagious to the Spaniards then disadvantagious to the Portugals by reason of the pretences the Dutch had to Brazile and other places in the West-Indies King Iohn of Portugal about the beginning of the year 1649. thought his Son the Prince Theodosio arrived at an age fitting to keep a Court of himself Lodgings were therefore appointed for him divided from the Royal Palace and Officers of his houshold nominated and appointed by the King amongst whom the Earls of Villa nova of Miranda of Valdereis Fernando Tellez de Menezez who had formerly been governour of the City of Port were entrusted as the principal Gentlemen of his Chamber The King likewise thought fit to adde a third to the two former Superintendents of his Revenue whom he nominated to be D. Rey de Moure Tellez whose former Office of Steward to the Queen was at the same time conferred on D. Antonio de Silva Lord of Billas Notwithstanding the Truce the Hollanders still continued their outrages on the other side the Line but principally in Brazile where they seized upon many of the Portugal forts impeded the Traffick abused and murthered the Subjects which made His Majesty resolve to call the Earl of Castle Melhor from his charge of being General of the Portugal Forces upon the Frontiers of Gallicia and committing that to the young Viscount de Villanova de Servera that the Earl might be imployed as Viceroy to Brazile to curb the Flemings insolencies and to secure the Portuguese Merchants Ships from their pyracies the King appointed a Fleet of forty Ships of War and six thousand Men to attend that service as Convoys His Holiness the Popes anger as yet continued towards the Kingdom of Portugal for he had not onely hitherto refused to receive Ambassadors from thence but to supply those Archbishopricks Bishopricks and other Ecclesiastical Offices of the Kingdom which by the death of the former possessors were vacant this the King found a great inconveniency in and therefore thought fit once more to attempt his Holiness and to present him the names of such of his own Subjects whose piety learning or other sufficiencies he thought might make them capaof such dignities as first for the Archbishoprick of Braga formerly acknowledged to be the primacy of all Spain notwithstanding the pretensions of Toledo he nominated Don Pedro de Lancastro president of the Justice of the Palace of the house of Ameiro and descended from Iohn the second King of Portugal For the Archbishoprick of Evora His Majesty nominated D. Francisco Barrez Bishop of the Algarez Bishoprick he bestowed upon the Father Denis Des Anges an Augustine Monk and Confessor to His Maâ—esty for the Bishoprick of Guarda was appointed D Antonio Pobo great Prior of the military order of St. Iames for the Bishoprick of Lamego D. Antonio de Mendosa Commissary of the Bula de la Croisaida for the Bishoprick of Lerida D. Deigo de Souza Inquifitor of the holy Office for that of Conimbria Don Sebastian Casar de Menerez who was before nominated for the Bishoprick of Porto but that was given by his Majesty to D. Pedro de Menerez once named Bishop of Miranda of which last place D. Pedro de Porros tutor of the Prince D. Theodosio was now named Bishop These choices of his Majesty the Pope after sometime confirmed D. Francisco de Souza who was sent as extraordinary Ambassador notwithstanding the opposition of the Spaniards received not unlikely out of a fear that they would officiate without his confirmation and so in a manner renounce the power of the Sea of Rome But in the middest of this setling of Ecclesiastical affairs Arms were not silent for upon the borders there happened askirmish between the Castilians and Portuguese about the latter end of April 1649. Lord of Themer Court Lieutenant General of the Portuguese horse and Monsieur Du Quesne the Commissary General gained a victory over a small Army of the Spaniards defeating seven hundred of the Spaniards and taking divers prisoners amongst whom was the Nephew of the Marquess of Melinguen Lieutenant General of the Castilian Army at Badajox who was after exchanged for the Count Fiesque Lauagna who for some years past had been prisoner in Castile in this conflict the Portuguese lost but twenty five men the chief of which was Sieur de la Touche a French Captain who had behaved himself most valorously The commotions of the Parisians against the King of France had given the Spaniard great hopes of better success then they had many years had but the middle of the year 1649. happily concluding them the news of their pacification and that of a great victory gained by the Portugueses against the Hollanders in Brazile caused a general joy over all Portugal for the King appointed
English Merchants Ships and Goods concluding that they must have reparation made for the publique damage of the Commonwealth which they would be willing to accept of in any honorable manner and were willing to that purpose if the Ambassador had sufficient power to treat with him to that effect In summe after sometime the Count Del Sa Lord Chamberlain of the Kingdom of Portugal arrived in England in the quality of an Ambassador extraordinary who after many Conferences Addresses and large Offers made obtained a Peace upon condition to repay great Sums of monyes towards the satisfaction of the losses of the English Merchants During the stay of this Ambassador his brother D. Pantaleon Sa Knight of Malta led by I know not what frantick madness made a great uproar upon the New Exchange in London where some English were by him and his followers murdered for which several of his retinve were hanged and himself notwithstanding the earnest solicitations of his brother afterwards beheaded upon Tower-hill when the government of England was changed from a strange kinde of Commonwealth to a stranger kinde of Monarchy under a Protector But to return back again to the affairs of the Kingdom of Portugal The Earl of Castle Melhor who had been sent Vice-Roy into Brazile had so good success that with the assistance of those Portugueses before in the Kingdom he expulsed the Hollanders out of all their Garrisons there except the strong Fortress of Recif which was built upon a Rock wholly invironed by the Sea This animated the United States of the Netherlands to endeavour a revenge and recovery of that country and to that end and purpose a Potent Fleet was set out and notwithstanding the very earnest endeavours and large offers of the Portuguese Ambassador at the Hagne set sail to reconquer that Kingdom but not with that success which was expected for the expedition proved wholly fruitless and after so great an expence the States were so highly discontented that the Admiral Wittison was arrested at the Hague to answer such things as should be objected against him concerning that voyage It much concerns that King who hath to deal with enemies too potent for him to strengthen himself with such Alliance as may most advantage him and endammage his foe This consideration made King Iohn of Portugal about the year 1652. send an Ambassador to the young Duke of Savoy who by reason of the scituation of his Country had good and frequent opportunites to annoy the Catholique King and divert him from turning his whole Force upon this Kingdom offering reciprocal Marriage between that Duke and his Daughter and the young Prince Theodosio and Savoy's Sister But this his intention was I suppose diverted if not wholly hindred by the great power of Cardinal Mazarine in France who designed one of his Nieces as a fit match for Eugenius young Duke of Savoy 'T is not at all safe nor fit for a Subject to grow too rich at least not to exceed his Soveraign in Treasure for he thereby layes himself open to the envy and suspicion of his Prince nor is it possible that any who hath managed a publique employment can be so without faults as that somewhat cannot be laid to his charge to render him at a Kings mercy Sufficient example of this we have in D. Phillip de Mascarendas Vice-Roy of Goa in the East-Indies who having for many years officiated in that high imployment had gathered up an infinite Mass of Riches and now being called home thought in peace and quiet to enjoy what with a penurious and industrious hand he had been many years storing up but the King being informed that he had indeed such a vaste treasure in Gold Diamonds Pearls and other Jewels as he could not with his own honor or safety permit a Subject to enjoy easily found out them who were ready to form complaints against him which were as readily listned to by the Kings Councel who presently drawing up a charge against him for having used an arbitrary power oppressed and abused the Subjects and Merchants trading thither c. caused the Ship wherein he came with all the riches laden on it to be seized on for the Kings use and himself for sometime imprisoned nor had it been a wonder if he had made a forfeiture of his life as well as of the greatest part of his Estate The strength of the Hollanders at Sea had been the greatest obstacle to the Portuguese not wholly regaining there ancient possession in Brazile but the Wars wherein the Hollanders had involved themselves with England proving so powerful a diversion the Portuguese took the advantage to reduce Recif which with several Forts that encompassed it and some few other were the onely places that held out against them Against this therefore with a sufficient Land-force came Don Francisco Barreto governor of Pernambuco whilst the Portuguese Navy consisting of 65 Sayl blocked it up by Sea and first by storm took the Fort of Salines and thence coming before that of Burracco found it already abandoned and blown up be the defendants he next proceeded to the new Fortress the next and strongest Fort to that of Recif and well manned and munitioned Thus having made a sturdy resistance was at length forced by the Portugal which so amazed the Hollanders that though they had fifteen hundred men and six months provisions in Recif yet they agreed to yield it upon honorable tearms on the 26 of Ianuary 1654. being twenty four years after they had taken it from the Portugals THe conditions upon which this stronge fortess was surrendred up were to this effect 1. That D. Francisco Bareto should forget all Acts of Hostility made by the Hollanders against the Portugals by Sea and Land 2. That all persons whatsoever even the Jews in Recif and Maurice town though Rebells against the King of Portugals should be pardoned 3. That all Hollanders should be free to carry away those goods they actually possessed 4. That they should have sufficient numbers of Ships able to pass the Equinectial Line with Iron-guns for their transportation 5. That the Hollanders married with Portugal Woman or Natives there should be dealt so withal as if they had married Dutch Women and should with the consent of the women have power to carry them away with them 6. That those who would stay there under the obedience of the Portugals should be used as well as if they were native Portugals and as to their Religion should live as other strangers do in Portugal 7. That all forts about Recif and Maurice-town viz. the port of St. Bastions Boa Vista St. Austines Convent the Castle of Maurice-town that of the three Bastions the Brum with it's Redoubt the Castle of St. George and all others should be surrended to the aforesaid D. Francisco Barreto governor of Pernambucco with all the Ordnance and Ammunition presently after the signing of these Articles 8. That the Hollanders should be free to remain in Recif and
three Millions of Gold for Her Portion and that the King of Portugal would for seven Years maintain eighteen Men of War at Sea for the defence and service of the French Crown Long was this business in negotiation and by many thought would have taken effect the Agent being very highly carressed both by the King and Queen mother of France but whether by reason of Cardinal Mazarine's dislike of it or other reasons of State it was prolonged by continual demurs till after the King of Portugals death and then wholly broken off For King Iohn being now arrived to about fifty years of Age in the sixteenth year of his Reign and in the year of our Lord 1656. on the 6. of November S. N. paid his last debt to nature having a long time been troubled with an obstruction in the kidneys occasioned by the stone and gravel which was so sharp all the time of his sickness that he seldom urined and when he did it was in so little quantity that it did scarce at all ease him this violent pain put him into a Burning-feaver which in ten days overpressed his vitals Before his death he appointed Donna Lucia his Queen to be Regent of the Kingdom during the minority of D. Alphonso her son recomâ—eâ—ding to her for-Assistants in the management of so great burden as a Crown the reverend D Emanuel Archbishop of Lisbon Don Runlio Marquess of Nisa the Earl of Canvandake and some others whose abilities love and fidelity he had experience of He had by his Queen Donna Lucia Daughter to the Duke of Medina Sidonia four Children onely two of which survived him to wit Alfonso who succeeded him in the Kingdom and is at present King of Portugal and the Infanta Catharina who was born the year before her Father came to the Crown a Princess in whom all vertues seem to flow that can make her the worthy Daughter of such renowned Parents her beauteous body being amply repleate with her generous Mothers spirit whose magnanimity and prudence all the world have admired his other two children were the Prince Theodosio who was so unfortunate as to die some time before his Father and a Daughter who died young He was a person of a very comely presence his countenance pleasant but inclinning to swarthiness his body about a middle stature yet comely and well proportioned nor were the lineaments of his mind less becoming then those of his body though if ye believe common fame he was none of the wisest Kings that ever Portugal could boast of the reason that he left so much of the reins of the Government to his wife a woman of a masculine and politick spirit from whence perhaps that jesting Spaniard might take occasion to say That it was not the Portugal force but the Spanish policy that kept that kingdom from the Catholique King alluding to the Queens being a Spaniard He was buried in the great Church of St. Vincenza del Foro with all accustomed and becomming ceremonies lamented by those Kings who had been his Allies especially be the King of France who honored his memory with a most magnificent Funeral solemnity himself attended by most of the Nobles and Parliament of France gracing it with his presence at the Church of Nostre Dame where after the singing of Mass the Bishop of Vance pronounced a Funeral Oration suitable to so Royal a subject and occasion ALFONSO the VI. The Two and twentieth KING of PORTVGAL KIng Iohn the fourth being thus deceased his onely surviving Son Alphonso the 6th of that name succeeded being about the Age of fourteen years his Mother during his minority administring the affairs of the Kingdom and causing him to be Crowned on the 14 of November eight days after the death of his Father The whole Kingdom of Portugal was in a kind of amaze at the so sudden death of King Iohn especially considering the youth of their present King fearing lest their common enemies should now take advantage of them but the prudent management of the most important business of State by the Queen Regenâ— soon banished all those fancied fears The Queen being sensible that upon this occasion of the Kings death she should have most occasion to use the Souldiery by the advice of her Council ordered all the Infantry of the Kingdom should have half a years pay the better to incourage them who were of themselves ready enough to fight against their common and inveterate enemy the Castilians And because she knew that the King of Spain would loose no opportunity to oppress the Kingdom of Portugal she thought it imprudence to let any slip where any advantage might be gained upon him and therefore all the Spanish Forces being drawn out of Andaluzia to oppose the English in case they should attempt to land at Cadiz for they then blocked up that Port with a Potent Fleet she commanded four thousand Horse to make an inroad into that country who plundered and layed waste all before them bringing away between forty and fifty thousand head of Cattel and leaving the whole soil in a manner desolate This so exasperated the Spaniards that draining most of the Garisons of his Kingdom he raised a potent Army and with ten thousand Foot and five thousand Horse entred Portugal and laid Siege to the strong City of Olivenza which at length they reduced to that necessity that the defendants were willing to capitulate sounded a parly but when they came to treat the Spaniards would not admit the King of Portugal any other title then that of Dâ—ke of Braganza which made the Portugals renounce any farther treating But at length the Spaniards condescending to treat the Town was delivered upon Articles but so much did the Queen Regent and Councel of Portugal resent it that they immediately gave order to arrest the person of Don Mandiol de Saldagna the Governour who with several of his chief Officers was by the Count de St. Lorenze General of the Portuguese Forces in those parts sent prisoner to Lisbon there to answer their ill defending of that town it appearing that at the surrendring of it there marched our two thousand two hundred well Armed Foot and one hundred Horse nor were they reduced to that necessity that was pretended there remaining in the stores of Ammunition and provision sufficient to have defended the town a great while longer The loss of this place was a great blow to the Portugueses it being a strong Frontier town and giving the Spaniard absolute command a great way into the Country but this the King of Spain resolved should be but a beginning of his conquest if possible of this Kingdom for he still made all preparations he could to assault it with a greater force and not onely endeavoured this with might and main to oppress it himself but by his Ambassadors solicited the States General of the United Provinces to send their Vice-Admiral Opdam with the Fleet he then had before Dantzick into Portugal to demand
the good of the State That they were to render thanks to the Almighty who had given them a king that would govern them by known Laws That his Majesty did not esteem those Tributes lawfull that were paid with tears and therefore did from that present take off from His Subjects all Tributes that had been imposed by the Kings of Castile because His Majesty would not Reign over their goods nor over their heads nor over their priviledges but over their hearts hoping that they would find out a sweet expedient to defend their country against their potent enemy who threatned to make them all slaves and to destroy and to annihilate their Nation That they would therefore considering His Majesties goodness and their own honor manifest at once unto the world That as never Subjects had such a gracious King so never King had such loyal Subjects The Bishop having ended his Speech the most ancient Officer of the Chamber of Lisbon stood up in the name of all the three Estates who stood up likewise returned humble thankes to His Majesty for this gracious bounty heartily professing that they did not onely offer up their goods but their lives to His Majesties service earnestly intreating His Majesty to dispose both of the one and the other as he pleased And to manifest that their hearts and their mouths concorded in this free offer of themselves to His Majesty they presently voted that two Millions should be immediately raised by the Kingdom but His Majesty wisely and polipolitickly declined the imposing of a Tax upon his subjects chusing rather to accept of their benevolence which made every one strive who should offer most so in stead of the two Millions there was in short time brought into the Treasury four Millions of Gold Nor was this money intended by them nor employed to any other use then to maintain the Grandezza and Splendor of the King and kingdom there being no need of money for the payment of Soldiers every one offering to serve freely and at their own charge against their vow'd enemies the Castilians But let us for some time leave the Assembly sitting and give an account how this action was resented into the Spanish Court Most mens minds were struck with consternation but Olivares came smiling to the King saying Sir I pray give me las Albricias to hansel the good news for now you are more absolute King of Portugal then ever for the people have forfeited all their Priviledges by this Rebellion besides the Estate of the Duke of Braganza with all his Complices are yours by right of confiscation so that you have enough to distribute among your loyal subjects by way of reward But however Olivares seemed thus to dissemble his passion it was believed that this news struck deeper into him then any The King of Spain upon the first news of the Proclamation of King Iohn sent a Letter to him to this purpose COusin and Duke Some odd news are brought me lately which I esteem but folly considering the proof I have had of the fidelity of your House give me advertisement accordingly because I ought to expect it from you and hazard not the esteem I make of your self to the fury of a mutinous Rabble but let your wisdom comport you so that your person may escape the danger my Council will advise you farther so God guard you Your Cousin and King To this Letter his Majesty of Portugal returned answer MY Cousin My kingdom desiring its Natural King and my Subjects being oppressed with Taxes and new Impositions have executed without opposition that which they had often designed by giving me possession of a kingdom which appertains to me wherefore if any will go about to take it from me I will seek Iustice in my Arms God preserve your Majesty DON JOHN the IV. King of Portugal Thus was this kingdom utterly lost to the Spanish Monarchy and not onely it but with it all that they enjoyed by that kingdom in the East Indies the Tercera Islands and other Islands in the Atlantick Sea the kingdom of Algarve Brazile together with all they had in Africa except the Town of Cexta which was the whole remained to the Spanish Nation of all those great Dominions But that all men might know the greatness of their loss and what the Crown of Portugal enjoyes abroad take here a brief narration First those Islands of the Tercera Madera and St. Michael so long time possessed by the Portugal Nation which though inconsiderable to their other Dominions yet deserve to be mentioned next those many strong places of which they have made themselves masters in Africa as in Guiana in the kingdoms of Congo and Angola the great Island of St. Laurence of Soffola and Mozambique on the continent thence passing the mouth of the Red Sea they have setled a Trade with Socatra and Calaite thence passing the Bay of Persia to the mouth of the River Indus they subdued Calecut Coetium c. the Island of Goa Ciaul Daman c. thence toward the River Ganges they possessed Ceilam Malacca Sumatra Solon Larantuca c. Thence farther they were entred into the kingdom of Pegu into Iava-maâ—or and Minor into the kingdom of China where they fortified Macoa In sum the Kingdoms Provinces Islands and Cities that the Portugal Nation had conquered and were possessed of abroad may in some measure be compared to the Antient Roman Empire nor was their valor much inferior to the Romans if we consider the War they made with the King of Cambaia who for puissance and Military courage or numbers of men of War did exceed Xerxes Darius or Pyrrhus the battels they had with Ismalucco and Idaliam in the kingdom of Decam both equal to mighty Kings and their Armies consisting of the best Warriors of the East the War they have waged with the Moors of Malacca Sumatra and Molucco as also with the Kings of Bengala Peug and Siam c. with many other formidable powers Many of those places most certain it is were lost while the Catholique King had possession of Portugal but with it he likewise lost and King Iohn the IV. had possession of above fifty Towns and Forts accounted impregnable such were Mozambique Cuama Monomotasca Mombaza Masiala Dui Damam Bazaine Chiaul Onor Barcelor Mangalor Cananor Cranganor Cochim Conlan Negapatan Meliapor the Isle of Ceilam the kingdom of Iafanapalan the Cities of Manac and Nombrede Iesu then more Northward Azarim Danue Agazim Maim Trapor and many other places in all which were maintained Governors and Soldiers and a Vice-Roy residing at Goa with Courts of Justice c. hither many Kings of the East used to send Ambassadors to maintain amity with the King of Portugal and to bring Tribute to him thus the Portugal Trade in the East extendeth it self no less then four thousand Leagues by which Trade all the Garrisons are maintained and all the Ships whereof they are oftentimes two or three Fleets and much wealth sent home
every year besides those aforementioned the Crown of Portugal has several Towns on the Coast of Africa so strongly fortified that the Moors of the Country could never yet recover them such as Tangeer c. In America they possess the famous Country of Brazile which stretcheth it self one thousand four hundred leagues upon the Sea coast containing fourteen Governments and many principal Cities St. Salvador Pernambuco c. Thus great a loss did the Spanish Monarchy suffer by the revolt of Portugal which the Catholique King Phillip the fourth was very solicitous to recover and to that end and purpose did not onely consult with the greatest Statesmen at home but likewise with those abroad from one of whom he to that effect received the ensuing Letter BY the Letter which your Majesty was pleased to write to me on the 6. of March past I am commanded to deliver my advice touching the best expedient for the recovery of Portugal Sir the clemency used by King Phillip the second your Majesties Grand-father towards the kingdom of Portugal was a fatal presage of the present calamities and future destruction not onely of Spain but the whole Spanish Monarchy because that kingdom was onely in name but never really conquered remaining rich and abundant with the same if not greater priviledges then before the Grandees and Nobles at home the people not at all crushed and which is more then all the Government in the hands of Natives and all his Majesties other Subjects excluded from all places of Power Honor or Profit Sir the Holy Scripture which is the mirror and rule of our actions teacheth that when Salmanazar conquered the kingdom of Israel he did carry away not onely the Royal Family but transported all the Nobility and people into divers Provinces of his kingdoms and into the new Conquests sent new Inhabitants yet the Israelites were never such inveterate enemies to the Assyrians as the Portugals with devilish madness have shewed themselves against the Interest and conveniencies of this Monarchy Moreover in the same Scripture it is read that Nebuchadonosor having conquered Ierusalem transplanted all that he found in that kingdom leaving onely a few miserable inconsideraâ—le people to remain there So Athalia Queen of Iudah saw no other way to preserve a kingdom newly conquered but by extinguishing all the Generation upon whom the Jews could cast their eyes in hopes of revolt And Iehu King elected by God extinguished all the Family of Ahab together with all his dependants friends and acquaintance not sparing so much as the Priests These Sir are the Rules that the Holy Scripture teacheth to be practised upon the families and people that abhor the Dominion of their own Soveraigns It was Sir very fatal to stand expecting and hoping for better times and opportunities for the securing of Portugal In the year 1639. observing the ill affection of that Nation my advice was that without any delay that kingdom was to be secured by force of Arms others were of the same judgements but fate would have it that for fear of new troubles by delays way should be made for Rebellion then which there could not have been a greater although that form of Government which was expedient for the Spanish Monarchy and was always held necessary for the preserving that Crown had been put in execution with the greatest violence imaginable But when a Jewel is gone the main inquery should be by what means it may be found again not how it came to be lost The first means of recovering that Crown may be what your Majesties Grand-father made use of to buy your rights of your own subjects by gifts and promises wherein your Majesty is to be as Prodigal as the Portugals are insolent in expecting or demanding and indeed experience teacheth that that Nation is so addicted to their own Interest that more may be effected this way then by a powerful Army to him will they be subject who will give most or from whom most can be expected herein prodigality will be good husbandry for when Portugal shall be returned to the obedience of your Majesty all that wealth which hath been bestowed amongst them will return likewise The second means is by course of Arms but this will be difficult at present by reason of the several engagements of this Monarchy elsewhere I suppose Sir that in case Portugal should be conquered by force all their Conquests in the East Indies c. will remain in their hands for thither will they all flye and from thence will they be always ready to assist our enemies wherefore it would be very expedient for your Majesties service that a Truce were first made with the Hollanders upon condition that they make War upon the Portugal in the Indies and have what ever they can conquer whence will arise this commodity that they will want the wealth of their Conquests your Majesty being disengaged with the Hollander will sooner conquer them at home and the Hollander will onely come to receive to day at the hand of your Majesty what to morrow the Portugal must deliver up to them At the same time the Hollanders and Flemings may scour the Coast of Portugal and the English may be invited to a more frequent Navigation in the East Indies and China whereby the Portugal Trade may easily be ruined The third way is that the Pope be perswaded to thunder his Excommunications against the house of Braganza and against the whole kingdom as perjured and perturbators of the publique Peace animating all Christian Princes to assist in the regaining that kingdom upon pretence of advancing the Catholique Faith Moreover diffidencies and jealousies between the Duke of Braganza and other people may easily be fomented by means of Merchants Strangers and by Flemings and Burgundians under the name of French And to effect these diffidencies the better a Treaty may really be begun with the Duke which being discovered by the people though it be before the Duke could know thereof they will destroy him and all his Family and in such case the civil dissentions will open a way for your Majesty to recover your rights desperate evils must have desperate remedies the kingdom of Portugal is the Canter of the Spanish Monarchy therefore Eâ—se recidendum ne pars symera trahatur Let not your Majesty defer the right remedy the greatest rigor is here the greatest Charity and to have no Charity is to have much prudence to bury this Hydra in its own ashes will be triumph enough to live without this arm will be better then to have it employed against ones own head Let your Majesty never believe or hope better of that Nation then you have seen these 60. years past never think to keep that Country if not planted with other people the detestation against your Majesties Government is hereditary The Interest of the King Sir is very ample and hath no bounds against Rebels every action is just and honourable that tends to the recovery of
Maurice-town for three months they surrendring their Arms which should be restored to them when they took shipping and in the mean while they should have power to buy them necessary provisions of the Portugals for the voyage 9. All Negotiations and Alienations should be made during the said three months according to the present Articles 10. That the Governor should quarter his Forces where he pleased and that the Hollanders should be protected during those three months and having liberty to end their private differences before their own Iudges 11. That they should carry away all their Papers whatsoever 12. That if they could not sell their goods in the said three months time they should leave them with whom they pleased under the obedience of the Portugals to be disposed of according to their own order 13. That they should have all the victuals in the store houses of Recif and the other Forts for their voyage 14. That as to their pretensions against the Portugals they might sue them at the King of Portugals Court. 15. That all their Vessels should be restored unto them which they might fit for their voyage 16. That they might have liberty to advise all their Ships upon the Coast to come and laid their goods at Recif And in the last article it was expressed that upon the demand of the Hollanders that this might not prejudice any former treaty between the King of Portugal and the States General D. Francisco Barreto would not assent thereunto There were other articles likewise granted to the military Forces the sum of which were that all offences and hostages might be forgotten that all souldiers should go out of Recif with their Arms Match lighted Bullet in mouth Flying-colours but coming near the Portugal Army should put out the Match and lay their Arms in those Magazines appointed by the governour of Pernambucco to be restored to them at their departure provided they went to Nants Rochel or to some place in in the United Provinces and not to any belonging to the King of Portugal for security whereof they should give three hostages and all Officers and Souldiers should be shipt together with General Sigismond Schop after the delivery of the Forts of Riogrando Paraiba and Tamarica That the General should have twenty pieces of brass ordinance from four Pound-Ballet to eighteen withal their furnitures besides all necessary Iron-guns for the defence of the Ships that should be afforded them for their transportation with convenient supplyes of ammunition and provision according to the thirteenth Article before recited That General Sigismond and all his Officers of War should have liberty to carry away or sell all his or their goods or slaves That sick or wounded persons should have liberty to stay till they recovered but the Governour would not condescend to release those Hollanders which were prisoners before this surrendry A general pardon was granted to all rebells chiefly to Amboyna Mendaz and all other Indians and Negroes but they were not to have the honor to march out with their Arms. In sum the supream Councel at Recif did oblige themselves for the surrendring of these places upon the signing of these Articles and for the delivering up the Island of Farnam Viaca Noroga Riogrand Paraiba and Tamarica upon the same conditions for the inhabitants as had been granted to those of Recif These Articles were signed and delivered on both sides at the Camp at Taborda on the 18 of Ianuary 1653. and Conditions on both sides punctually observed Thus did the Hollanders loose all their Acquists in Brazile which so exasperated those high and mighty States that at the coming into Holland of myn Heer Sigismondo Schop who had there been General of their Militia they caused him to be imprisoned and tried for his life by a Councel of War but notwithstanding endeavors of his enemies he was acquitted Nor were the Portugals at home less fortunate against their neighbor enemy the Spaniards for to omit many petty skirmishes inroades made by them withal success desirable in the summer 1654. D. Antonio D' Albuquerque General of the Portuguese horse taking an advantage upon a party of Castilians which lay upon the Borders neer Aronches under the command of Count D' Amaranthe set upon them slew their General Amaranthe and took six hundred horse and farther animated with this success and the knowledge he had that a vigorous prosecution is the onely mother of a true victory pursued them with a Army of 3000 Foot and 1500 Horse eight leagues into their own Country as far as the old and strong Castle of D' Oluce while encouraging his Souldiers made valorous by their former good fortune he resolved to attacque and with continued batteries and storms so wearied out the enemy that after four days siege they yeilded upon composition and Albuquerque looking upon it as a place considerable both for the countenancing of incursions into the enemies country and keeping in awe the town of Xeres which is hard by having repaired it and placed in it a strong Garison returned About the beginning of the year 1655. D. Franciso De Ferrara Rabella arrived in England with Commission from the king of Portugal as Agent to Oliver Cromwel who then swayed here under the title of Protector to make a moâ—e firm confirmation of the Peace with England and to advise I suppose about carrying on the War with Spain which when Cromwel had given some reasons to make the world believe he would commence against that Catholick Monarch and how much such a War was for the interest of Portugal none will doubt who have read the foregoing story which made King Iohn court that English Usurper with more submisness and complacency by both harbouring his Fleets and sending presents to his Generals then otherwise his Genius would have permitted him to have done any way in prejudice of Englands lawful KING In the mean time the death of Pope Innocentius the Tenth made D. Francisco de Souza Ambassador at Rome for the King of Portugal make new addresses to Alexander the seventh his Successor for confirmation of the Church Officers in that Kingdom for he had never had any full grant from Innocent but now the Spanish Ambassadors opposed themselves more then ever and by meanes of the Queen of Sweden who wholly imployed her inâ—erest for the benefit of that Nations endeavoured to frustrate even the Portugueses hopes nay so desperate was the Spaniards malice that they laid several designs to murther the Portugal Ambassador but all proved ineffectual In sum after D. Francisco de Souza had spent some years in the Court of Rome to very little purpose he was upon the death of King Iohn the fourth called home to be Governor of the yong King Alfonso The proffered interchangeable Match with Savoy not taking effect father Du Rozaire a Domincan and Archbishop of Goa was sent Agent to France to treat about a Marriage between that King and the Infanta Donna Catharina with Proposals of