before being only Governor at certain Times he used to follow and serve King Alonso in his Wars This King Alonso was born in Galicia in the Year 1035 was married the first time in 1076 died at Toledo in 1108 having reigned 35 Years and lived 73. His Body lies in the Monastery of Sahagun with that of his Son Prince Sancho There also lie four of his Wives Agnes Constance Beatrix and Zayda the other two Elizabeth and Berta in the Church of St. Isidorus at Leon. Now we shall be almost 500 Years without returning to Castile for now begins to bud the Tree of the most August Kings of Portugal a Tree which has shaded much of the World The End of the Second BOOK THE HISTORY OF PORTUGAL The Third BOOK CHAP. I. The Country Extraction Life and Death of Henry first Earl of Portugal and progenitor of all the Kings thereof Opinions concerning Henry the Progenitor of the Portuguese Kings from the Year 1067 till 1112. 1. HEnry the first Founder of the Portuguese Monarchy is by all Men allowed to have been of noble Extraction but others very much differ both as to his Country and Family As to his Family the Bishops D. Roderick Sanchez and D. Alonso de Cartagena say he was of the House of Lorrain but do not name his Parents Duarte Galvan our Antient Chronologer affirms He was second Son to a King of Hungary which Opinion the famous Poet Camoens in his Lusiads follows Damianus de Goes in the life of King Emanuel says he was Son to William Baron of Joinville and Duke of Lorrain and Abida of Champagne James de Valera and Antony Beuter bring him from Constantinople grounding their Opinion upon the History of Spain writ by King Alonso mistaking a Quotation of the Archbishop D. Roderick who Writes that he was of the Bisontine Province meaning Besancon the Capital of the Dukedom of Burgundy which they take for Bisantium or Constantinople Wolfangus Lazius writes he was of Limburg Duarte Nunnez de Leon endeavours to prove he was Grandson to Reginald Earl of Burgundy by his Son Guido Earl of Verneuille in Normandy Lewis Gollut in his History of that Earldom says he was Brother to Raimund both Sons to Earl William All these doubts are cleared by the Antient Manuscript of Fleury which being a fragment of French History was writ in the time of our Count Henry for the Author of it brings himself as an Eye Witness of the three Suns that were seen at the Town of Scyrs on the Banks of the River Garonne in the Year 1108. It was writ by a famous Benedictin Monk of that Convent and reaches from the Year 897 till the Year 1110. Petrus Piteus a learned Man published it with other like Manuscripts and it was Printed at Francfort in the Year 1596. By this Antient Manuscript it appears that Robert the first Duke of Burgundy younger Brother to King Henry I. of France had by his Wife Hermengarda one onely Son called Henry who died before his Father leaving five Sons by his Wife Sibila Daughter to Reginald Earl of Burgundy These were Hugo who was heir to his Grandfather but being left a Widdower without Children became a Monk of Cluni and so died in the Year 1092. Eudo or Odoa who succeeded his Elder Brother Robert Bishop of Langres Henry our Earl and Reginald an Abbot many other Authors too long to insert have hinted that he was of the House of Burgungy tho' perhaps none specified it so particularly His Family once allowed to be that of Burgundy it will need no further proofs to shew his Country besides that it is more likely he should come out of France which joyns with Spain than from Hungary or Constantinople so remote It is also a sufficient proof of his Country that all his followers were French which could not have been were he a stranger to them 2. The Portuguese strive to clear two points for their Honour A remark upon some Conceits of the Portuguese Authors in which there is great difficulty or rather an imposibility for that all arguments are against them the one is to make out that the Sovereignty of Portugal was granted to Count Henry without any acknowledgment to Castile the other that Teresa was lawful Daughter to King Alonso The Arguments for the first are That no Records are to be found in Castile or Leon to prove the Title to such acknowledgment and that their King Alonso the first was anointed King by Christ himself and therefore owed his Crown to him These proofs are meerly Suppositious for as to the first whether such Record remains or not it is not credible that a King would alienate a Kingdom to a Bastard Daughter so as to reserve no Sovereignty to himself nor if he had is it in the power of a Prince to give away the right of a Legitimate Successor to one Illegitimate The second instance about Christ giving a right to the Crown seems so extravagant a Notion that as it carries no proof it needs no Confutation The other point insisted upon is the Legitimacy of Teresa the Counts Wife but that has been spoke of already no Author of Note has named her otherwise than an unlawfully begotten and the computation of the time her Father was married to and lived with his six Wives makes it impossible to allow of a Seventh There is another doubt about Earl Henry's going to the Holy Land which some Pertuguese Authors insist upon without any sufficient Grounds or rather without any probability but whether he did or not is not easy to decide nor worth the discussing let us go on to his Life or rather to the small fragments that remain of it as of all other things before his time but we begin now by degrees to come into days of more light 3. By what has been said Count Henry of Burgundy it appears that Earl Henry was a Burgundian the Son of Henry Son to Robert the first Duke of that Country and Hermengarda Daughter to Count Reinald of Burgundy There he was Born in the Year 1035. being descended by the Fathers side of the Royal Family of Hugh Capet and by his Mother from the Earls of Burgundy The cause that moved Henry to pass over into Spain was the desire of Glory to be purchased in the continual Wars betwixt the Christians and the Moors Authors do not agree about the time of his coming but it appears by Ancient Records that he Governed Portugal in the Year 1073 His coming into Portugal so that he must have been in Castile when King Ferdinand died and when the fame of Roderick de Bivar's exploits 1067. incited strangers to come from Foreign Parts to imitate his Actions Roderick was then near Fifty Years of Age and Henry about Forty The Author of the Manuscript above mentioned says That succours were sent out of France to King Alonso at his request to King Philip I. being then pressed with the War
all these Calamities had not been sufficient to humble so small a number of People and so narrow a Country the Miramamolin Abenjoseph Brother to him that besieged Santarem assisted by the Kings of Cordova and Sevil entred Portugal with 400000 Men. The Moors ravage the Country All the open Country was by him miserably wasted and the Towns of Alcazar Almada and Palmela taken with all that the Christians had before gained in Algarve Our King not able oppose so puissant an Enemy concluded a Truce with him for five Years which ended in a wonderful Eclipse of the Sun This was followed by Earthquakes Earthquakes inundations and Storms for 8 Years Floods Storms at Sea and many other Calamities for the space of 8 Years Men laboured under a horrid Distemper for their Entrails consuming they died raving A considerable body of Portuguese was at the famous Battle of Alarcos in Castile against the Moors 1195. commanded by D. Ganzalo Viegas Master of Avis who died honourably in that glorious Action A multitude of Arabs after the Expiration of the Truce overran a great part of Portugal 1196. consuming all that was not before spoiled and putting to the Sword all the Monks of the Monastery of Alcobaza 1197. King Sancho at last provoked by these losses marched out with his Forces took Roca de Palmela and recovered Elvas not long before taken from him Next he made War on the King of Leon his Son-in-law having obtained of Pope Celestin III. 1200. the Croisade for all that fought against him as a favourer of Infidels against Christians He took from him the City Tuy and Towns of Pontevedrâ— and St. Payo de Lombeo and recovered Contrasta now called Valencia before taken by the King of Leon. At length these two Kings were reconciled through the mediation of the King of Aragon who to that effect came to Coimbra 1208. then the Court of Portugal Some time after there ensued Civil Wars in Portugal betwixt certain great Men the most considerable betwixt Peter Rodriguez de Pereyre and his Cousin Peter Mendez de Poyares who coming to a Battle near Valongo two Leagues from Porto the latter was there slain with many other Men of Note 7. The Holy City of Hierusalem being taken by Saladin the Christian Princes made preparations for recovery of it and our King Sancho designed to have gone thither himself but being disswaded sent supplies and encouraged the knights Templers and Hospitallers to proceed vigorously in that religious Enterprize In this King's time was used in Portugal the weight called a Talent A Talent used in Portugal but less than the Roman Greek or Hebrew being worth but four Ducats I have seen silver Coin of this King 's with his Image a Horseback on the one side his Sword held up a cross on his Reines and about it these Words In nomine Patris filij spiritus Sancti On the reverse the Arms of the Kingdom and this Inscription Sanctius Dei Gratia Rex Portugaliae King Sancho fixed not his abode in any one place but often removed that so all might equally enjoy his presence He was a great Patron to the religious and Military Orders careful of rewarding Merit a Friend to the Poor an Enemy to Idleness and true Father of his Country The misfortunes during his Reign and his own bounty might well have exhausted the Treasure yet so well did he manage it that at his death he distributed 7â—8000 Crowns and 1400 Marks of Plate and 100 of Gold His Legacies extended to Rome and Hierusalem The death of King Sancho he was of a middle Stature and strongly set he Reigned 26 Years and lived 57 died in March and lies Buried in the Church of the Holy Cross at Coimbra opposite to his Father whose Tomb is on the right side of the Altar His Tomb being opened by King Emanuel to put him into a new one 400 Years after his Decease the body was found uncorrupted 8. Some Years before the death of his Father His Issue he married Dulcis or Aldonza Daughter to Raymund Berengarius Earl of Barcelona by whom he had issue Alonso his Successor Ferdinand married to Joanna Countess of Flanders Daughter and Heiress to Baldwin Emperor of Constantinople Peter who married the Daughter and Heiress of Earl Armengaud in whose right he had the Earldoms of Vrgel and Segorbe and Island of Majorca Henry that died young and Raymund that lived a short time His Daughters were Teresa married to the King of Leon and parted from him on account of Consanguinity when she had three Children by him she is esteemed a Saint Mafalda married to Henry I. King of Castile and divorced as well as her Sister on the same account of Consanguinity she lies buried in the Monastery of Arouca and is Worshiped as a Saint Sancha who converted her own Pallace at Alenquer into a Franciscan Monastery which was the first in Portugal that holy Man being then alive She also built the Monastery of Celas near Coimbra and lies Buried at Lorvan with the same esteem as her Sisters Blanch Lady of Gaudalajara in Castile where she died but was translated to the Church of the Holy Cross at Coimbra among her Parents Berengaria died young at Lorâ—an and lies there His illegitimate Children were Martin Sanchez Earl of Trastamara Vrraca Sanchez Wife to Laurence Suarez Teresa Sanchez second Wife to Alonso Tello the Elder Giles Sanchez who became a Priest Constance Sanchez finished the Monastery of St. Francis at Coimbra Ruy Sanchez killed in Battle as will appear in the year 1245. Nunno Sanchez and Mayor Sanchez All these the King had before he was Married by a Lady of Quality called Mary Paez 9. King Sancho left out all the small Scutcheons used by his Father in his Arms His Armes only retaining the five principal in form of a Cross with the strings that bind them together In his time the Orders of St. Dominick and St. Francis first founded in Portugal and those of the Holy Trinity and Carmelites were then also admitted CHAP. V. The Life and Reign of King Alonso II. of the Name and third King of Portugal his actions and death from the Year 1183. till 1223. 1. ALonso Eldest Son to King Sancho 1185. and his Wife Queen Dulcis The Birth of King Alonso II. who was the third King of Portugal and second of the Name was Born the 25th of April in the famous City Coimbra He falling desperately sick and being given over by the Physitians his Father had recourse to Heaven for his Health which was obtained through the Prayers of the Holy Nun Sennorina then living in the Mountains of Basto of the Province betwixt Duero and Minho as an acknowledgment for which benefit received the King bestowed Lands and Possessions on that Church as did some of his Successors Soon after his miraculous recovery his Father sent him General against Torres Novas whence the Infidels
enacted by him He was the first that instituted general Laws in the first Year of his Reign holding a Parliament for that purpose at Coimbra In these Laws great regard was had to the Church-Men the prices of all things necessary for the support of life were settled so that the meanest might buy as cheap as the greatest the Extortions of publick Ministers were retrenched Plaintiffs if cast were ordered to pay a Fine Sentence of Death passed by him was appointed not to be Executed till 20 days after to prevent the Effects of Passion This King used extraordinary severity towards the Church-men 1221. for which being reproved by Stephen Suarez de Silva Archbishop of Braga instead of amending he set Officers to destroy all the Possessions of that See He persisted so obstinately in this fury that Honorius the third wrote a Letter to him full of most severe Expressions calling him Tyrant In fine the King died before he was reconciled to the Clergy His Death or his own Sisters the Kingdom at that time lying under an interdict He lived 48 Years and Reigned 21 His Body lies Buried with the Queen his Wife in the Royal Monastery of Alcobaca in a plain Tomb without any Epitaph or Inscription as were all the first Kings of this Nation Of Body he was extraordinary gross and therefore called the Fat yet his Gigantick Stature carried it off his Countenance was Comly his Forehead High 1223. his Eyes Chearful and his Hair Yellow which he always wore long 5. King Alonso Married Vrraca His Wife and Issue the Daughter of Alonso VIII of Castile called the Noble and Good a most vertuous and beautiful Princess His Issue by her was Sancho who succeeded in the Throne Alonso Earl of Bolen in right of his Wife Maud whence he was called to Govern the Kingdom by reason of the insufficiency of his Brother whom he succeeded Ferdinand called de Serpa married to Sancha Fernandez Daughter to Ferdinand Earl of Lara Lastly Elenor who was Queen of Dacia The King had one Bastard Son called John Alonso of whom there is no other memory but that he lies Buried in the Church of Alcobaca Tho' it be said before at the end of the last King's Reign that then the orders of St. Dominick St. Francis the Blessed Trinity and the Carmelites came into Portugal our Author repeats it again in the Reign of this King which is the most likely CHAP. VI. The Life and Reign of King Sancho II. he is deposed by his Brother flies to Toledo and there ends his days all betwixt the Years 1207 and 1246. 1. SAncho II. of the Name 1203. and Fourth King of Portugal Sancho II. ascends the Throne Eldest Son to King Alonso was Born on the Eighth of September at Coimbra He was called Capelo because being sickly in his Child-hood his Mother confiding to obtain his Health through the intercession of the Holy Father St. Augustin caused him to wear that Habit. His Weakness rather than want of Years must be the cause that he appeared not in any Military Action with his Father for we have no account of him till he ascended the Throne which was about the 20th 1223. or 21st Year of his Age. His first Action was a Reconciliation with the Clergy who had suffered much under his Father but he soon followed his Example After this agreement with the Church the Ecclesiastical Censures were taken off and those who died during the interdict were now Buried in hallowed Ground The controversies also between the late King and his Sisters ceased they now swearing fealty to the King for the places they possessed His next care was to visit his Kingdom which he did taking a Progress through it leasurely doing justice to all Men and giving prudent Orders in all places Then laying aside for a while the Civil Affairs he applied him to the Military making several incursions upon the Moors whence he returned with Honour Our King and Ferdinand of Castile met at Sabugal to adjust certain Differences which they amicably put an end to King Ferdinand delivering up the Town of Chaves which had been engaged to him 2. Still the Arabs ranged about the territory of Elvas He entirely defeats the Moors at Elvas wasting the Country and destroying the Villages King Sancho assembling his Forces soon drove them thence but no sooner was his back turned then they came again laid Siege to Elvas and carried it by Assault Our King returning with speed utterly discomfitted those Barbarians so that they never again attempted any thing there Nor did he desist till he had Juremenha 1226. Serpa and other Castles which had often been gained and again fallen into the Enemies hands For four Years there was nothing of Action but in the Year 1230 1230. he made War on the Moors in the Province of Alentejo The following year he advanced into Algarve to recover what his Grand-father had conquered there and was now again fallen into the hands of the Infidels 1232. Some places he re-took consecrated the Churches and placed therein Evangelical Pastors 1235. After this by his Commanders the chief whereof was Payo Perez Correa he took Aljustrel which he gave to the Military Order of Santiago 1239. then the Towns of Mergola and Alfajar de Penna which also he bestowed on the same Order Of late Years the insolencies of Favourites were grown insupportable they abusing the King and their Kindred and friends them Common complaints when subjects will rebell The Subjects were treated worse than conquered Moors their Persons Imprisoned their Estates Wasted their Children Murdered unless redeemed for Money and their Wives and Daughters openly Ravished Nor was the Sanctuary of the Church any refuge for even in those Holy Places all Villanies were committed The King knew nothing but what his Favourites told him and it was their study to keep him in ignorance and hence proceeded the ruin of this unhappy Prince 3. In the Year 1240. Cacela and Ayamonte were taken by Assault 1240. in which Actions D. Payo Perez Correa particularly signalized himself Complaints made to the Pope and all things adjusted wherefore the King gave those places to the Military Order of Santiago whereof he was Commendary During this current of Affairs the King was highly commended and received Spiritual Favours from Pope Gregory IX The Spiritual Graces were for such as died in the War and for the King himself who lay under Ecclesiastical Censures for having proceeded unjustly against Peter Bishop of Porto who carried his complaints to Rome Besides he seized the Ecclesiastical revenues on pretence of urgent necessities and of punishing Clergy Men who kept Women in their Houses Silvester Archbishop of Braga had hereupon made application to the Pope who therefore wrote to the King and recommended the charge of reducing him to certain Bishops But he prevented them by submitting himself and so all differences were adjusted The King
brought of the Death of King Sancho at Toledo The great Freitas demanded a Truce whilst he went to Toledo to be assured of the Truth There he caused the King's Grave to be opened and seeing him Dead delivered to him the Keys of the City he had entrusted him with and asking leave to deliver them to his Brother 1248. took them again Being come to Coimbra he opened the Gates to King Alonso who admiring so unparallelled a Gallantry restored to him the Command without demanding Homage of him for it which favour he extended to his Heirs but he knowing how hard it was to make a return suitable to such a favour refused to accept of it and layed his Curse even to the fourth Generation upon such as should admit of it 4. Alonso now become absolute King by the Death of his Brother resolved to imitate his Predecessors or if it might be to out-doe them by adding to his Dominions the Kingdom of Algarve and not suffering it to be lost again as had happened to them D. Payo Correa with the Forces under his Command had already taken several places in that Kingdom the King joyned him and both together layed Siege to the Town of Faro 1249. The King observing the place might be relieved by Sea King Alonso conquers Algarve placed some Vessels at the Mouth of the River to guard the Passage and then began to batter the place on all sides The Besieged perceiving no hope to hold out began privately to treat of a Surrender with the King he taking only Ten Gentlemen that were privy to the Treaty ventured into the Town so secretly that none of his Army knew it D. Payo Correa missing the King and hearing no account of him furiously assaulted the place the Portuguese fighting like Lions instead of being discouraged at the absence of their Sovereign Many were killed and more had perished but that the King appeared on the Walls holding out the Keys of the Town Thus this place was reduced submitting to pay the same tribute it had before payed to the Miramamolin The Government of it was given to Stephen Perez de Tavares D. Payo Correa was sent before to invest the Town of Albufiera and had signalized his Valour when the King came to second him Both together finished the Conquest of the place which was given to D. Payo for his good Service I guess the motive of the King 's staying behind was the Beauty of the Governour of Faro's Daughter with whom he fell in Love when he received the Keys of the Town for by his Lady he had D. Martin Alonso Chichorro from whom is Descended the Family of Sousa of that Name Fortune now bent upon favouring our King caused other places to submit to him before he could appear before them 1250. Loule surrendred but not without some Bloodshed Algezar Perches and other places were all reduced The King before his departure placed trusty Governours in all the Towns with sufficient Garrisons so as to secure that new conquered Kingdom which never after offered to revolt from him King Alonso having nothing now to employ his Arms within his own limits entred Andaluzia and took the Towns of Arouche and Araâ—na 1251. This Action moved King Alonso the Wife of Castile and Leon to invade the Kingdom of Algarve which he conquered 1252. After much contention betwixt the Crowns of Castile and Portugal Differences betwixt Castile and Portugal 〈◊〉 to Pope Pope Innocent the Fourth composed all Differences so that the King of Castile was to hold Algarve during his Life and he of Portugal to marry his Bastard Daughter Both Kings were so willing to embrace this accommodation that they never considered the Bride was not Twelve Years of Age and the Bridegroom above Forty nor that the Countess of Bolen was still alive It is true Pope Innocent approved of this Match and yet afterwards Pope Alexander would not allow of it All Military Employment now ceasing the King applied himself to the Civil Affairs and held a Parliament at Leiria Next he took a Progress through the Kingdom 1255. repairing the Forts Towns and Churches that had been ruined during the War He spared neither cost nor labour in those publick Works he built from the Ground the Monastery of Santarem the Towns of Estremoz 1258. Odemira Monforte Valencia del Minho then called Contrasta 1259. and Viana de Lima. His whole study was bent upon the good of the Government and knowing how necessary Trade is to support it ordered many Fairs and cleared the Roads of Robbers to secure Commerce 6. In the midst of these Employments came to him two Gentlemen to Freilas The King's cruelty towards his lawful Wife where he then was sent by Maud the Countess his first and lawfull Wife to advertise him that she perceiving he did not send for her to his Kingdom and hearing he was Married again was come of her self to find him out and lay then at Cascais The King who had for the sake of his new Wife regarded neither Divine nor Human Laws sent her such an Answer that she was forced to return to Bolen leaving a Letter for him wherein she taxed himwith Ingratitude and False-hood threatning him with the censures of the Church the Power of Christian Princes and the revenging hand of God Authors add that she brought with her two Children she had by him whom in revenge she left exposed upon the Rocks which are ever since called Cachopos that word in Portuguese signifying Boys That the Countess had Children by him is proved by the authority of Antient Authors and there is no proof but bare surmises to the contrary besides that a Tomb has been seen with an Inscription denoting it contained a Son of theirs that followed him into Portugal and was entirely beloved by him King Alonso of Castile 1260. Father-in-law to our King having composed the difference about Algarve marched into Andaluzia his Son-in-law assisting him both by Sea and Land In return for this kindness the Castillian resigned up to him all his Title to Algarve and delivered the Towns to D. John de Aboin and his Son D. Peter Anes de Portel upon condition the Portuguese should during his life be obliged to assist him with Fifty Lances whensoever he should demand them This obligation was also taken off when his Grandson Prince Denis being Seven Years of Age visited him at Sevil and desired to be knighted by him 1263. Before this time to prevent Broils and Animosites the bounds of the Kingdoms of Leon and Portugal were marked out 7. About this time hapned an unparallelled wonder A strange action of a jealous Woman a Woman perceiving she was not beloved by her Husband acquainted a Jewish Woman therewith desiring her assistance The Jew perswaded her that when she received the Blessed Sacrament she should keep the Host and bring it to her wherewith she would work her relief She tied
Coimbra His Liberality was such that it became a Proverb As liberal as Denis The Presents he made to Kings Queens and Nobility when he went to compose Affairs betwixt the King of Castile and Duke Alonso de la Cerda were inestimable and cannot be reckoned After that a Gentleman of Castile telling him that none but himself had fallen short of his Bounty he gave him the Silver Table whereon he dined To reckon up the particular acts of his Generosity were too tedious it may suffice to say this above the rest was his peculiar Vertue in which he exceeded most Princes He knew all the Product of his Kingdom and valued it so much that he never desired to be supplied from abroad with any thing that he could have at home Of the Gold gathered in Tagus he made a rich Crown and Scepter But notwithstanding his prodigious Liberality he never oppressed his Subjects with heavy Taxes He was of a middle Stature his Hair black full Faced not so Beautiful as Majestick He died at Santarem the 7th of January 1325. at the Age of 64 Years 1325. having Reigned 46. It became a Proverb That Denis could do all he would His stately Tomb built by himself is in the Monastery of Odivelas of Benedictine Nuns near Lisbon of the Invocation of St. Denis 12. Elizabeth His Wife and Issue Daughter to King Peter III. of Aragon and his Queen Constance the Daughter of Manfredus King of Naples and Sicily was the only Wife of King Denis He being extreamly addicted to Women she bred up all the Children he had by them as if they had been her own by which her patience she made him afterwards forbear that Vice and punish it severely in others To be short she was a most holy Woman and an excellent Queen and was Canonized in the Reign of Phillip IV. of Spain By her the King had Alonso his Successor and Constance Wife to King Ferdinand IV. of Castile His illegitimate Issue were by Aldonza Rodriguez Alonso Sanchez created Earl of Albuquerque By the Lady Grace Peter Earl of Barcelos the first Title of that kind given by the Kings of Portugal another Peter called also Earl By other Women John Alonso Ferdinand Sanchez the Lady Mary Married to Duke John de la Cerda another Mary a Nun at Odivelas CHAP. IX Yhe Life and Reign of Alonso the Fourth of the Name and the Seventh King of Portugal his Actions and Death from the Year 1290. till 1357. 1. THE Favour that King Denis shewed to Learning made him reside where he had caused it to flourish King Alonso the 4th wholly addicted to his Pleasure Having therefore resettled the Court at Coimbra on the Eighth of February 1290. was Born to him in that City of his Wife the holy Queen Elizabeth his Son Alonso 4th of the Name and the Seventh King of Portugal 1290. who for his forward and fiery spirit was called the Fierce He who as we have seen was so eager to Rule whilst his Father lived after his Death cast off all the care of Government giving himself wholly up to his Pleasure and particularly to Hunting Upon his Accession to the Crown instead of settling the Affairs of the Kingdom he went away to the Forrest of Sintra 1325. where he spent a whole Month among the wild Beasts Returning to Court and appearing at the Council-Board instead of the Business of that Place he gave them an Account of his Sport Hereupon one of the Counsellors took the Boldness to reprove him with threatning Expressions which the King being offended at all the Council stood up and said they would choose another King if he did not alter his Course of Life The King tho he then went out in a Passion being grown cool thought good to curb his Inclination Our Author here extols the Bravery of those Counsellors I find nothing to admire in the matter but the Insolency of wicked and haughty Subjects and the want of Resolution in him he stiles a Magnanimous Prince The King not satisfied with having during his Father's Life unjustly Persecuted his Bastard-Brother and Expelled him the Kingdom At Variance with his Bastard-Brother still persisting in his ill grounded Malice towards him laid many things to his Charge and by formal tho' unjust Process Condemned him to forfeit all his Possessions in Portugal at once endeavouring to deprive him of his Fortune and Honour D. Alonso Sanchez modestly sued for Redress but none was to be had from a byassed Judge He was now powerful and beloved in Castile and Leon and therefore raising a good Force entred the Territory of Bragança with Fire and Sword whilst others of his Troops did the like from Medellin and Albuquerque in the Country about Guadiana 1326. This done he returned to his Town of Albuquerque where he Fortified himself and made preparations for open War D. Gonzalo Vaz Master of the Knights of Avis being sent against him by the King was put to the rout and Duke Alonso falling Sick returned to Medellin In the mean time the King Besieged the Castle of Codesseyra near Albuquerque which being basely delivered to him by the Governour was rased to the Ground 2. The King proposed a Match betwixt his Son Prince Peter 1327. and Constance the Daughter of D. John Emanuel who was of the Blood Royal of Castile and his Wife of that of Aragon King Alonso IX of Castile broke off this Match contracting himself to her for she was under age and yet afterwards he contemned her and was Married to Mary Marries his Daughter to the King of Castile Daughter to King Alonso of Portugal To that effect he came into Portugal and received the Princess at the Town of Alfayates whither her Father had Conducted her At this Place a Match was concluded betwixt Henry 1328. Prince of Portugal and the Princess Blanch Henry Prince of Portugal marries Blanch Aunt to the King of Castile Aunt to the King of Castile The following Year the Portuguese received her at Fuentegrinaldo where he again met with her Father Prince Peter about some alterations to be made in the Hostages given for exchange of the Ratifications Two Years after the King of Castile was Married to our Princess he became so intangled in the Love of the Lady Ellenor Nunnez de Guzman 1330. that he treated her as Queen and the Queen as if she had been but a Concubine Our holy Queen Elizabeth met him at Xerez de Badajoz to endeavour to reclaim him but could obtain nothing but promises for he continued obstinate in his Amours 1332. D. John Emanuel desiring to be revenged of the King of Portugal for that giving his Daughter to the King of Castile in Marriage he had caused his Daughter Constance to be put by made his interest with the Lady Ellenor the King of Castile's Mistress perswading her to prevail with the King to marry her for his Marriage with the
had renewed the War and the Country was now again in Hostile manner wasted on both sides wherein many notable Skirmishes happened CHAP. III. The remaining Part of the Life and Reign of King John the First of the Name and Tenth King of Portugal from the Year 1393. till 1433. 1. MAny great Men disgusted for that the King as was before said Had since his establishment recalled part of the Grants made to them during his Necessity went over to Castile where settling themselves they became the Heads of Noble Families The King having taken Salvatierra layed Siege to Tuy which after a vigorous Defence was surrendred to him In the mean while Denis Son to King Peter enters Portugal with an Army Prince Denis Son to King Peter by Lady Agnes de Castro was by the King of Castile sent into Portugal with an Army and the Title of King At the same time the Castilian Admiral James Hurtado de Mendoza entred the River Tagus with a Fleet of Forty Ships and Fifteen Galleys Nunho Alvarez Pereyra with all the Forces he could make marched to oppose Prince Denis who upon the News of his approach returned to Castile The King had given to the Constable the sole Government of the Province of Alentejo and Algarve which he for some time held but soon after resigned and went away to the King to assist him at the Siege of Tuy but it was taken before he arrived there 1398. Misser Ambrosio Marines a Genoese was sent Embassador from Castile to settle a Peace in order to which a Cessation was agreed upon for Nine Months 1401. This Term expired and nothing was concluded Hereupon the King about the middle of May layed Siege to Alcantara but was forced after some Days to desist from that Enterprize 2. A Treaty of Peace was again set on Foot at Segovia Peace concluded betwixt the Two Crowns where after long Debates it was concluded upon the following Conditions That no Money should be demanded of Castile on account of former Breach of Articles That Towns and Prisoners should be exchanged on both sides That the Castilian Hostages should be restored That the Portugueses who fled to Castile should return to their Estates On these Terms a Truce was concluded for Ten Years Nâ—t observed and Hostages were given on both sides for Performance But this Cessation produced no more quiet than the former continual Hostilities were exercised tho' the Actions seem not very considerable for there is no particular Account of them but the 4th Year after the conclusion of the last Truce a perpetual Peace began to be discoursed of King Henry of Castile was then dead and Queen Katherine Sister to the Queen of Portugal had the tuition of King John the Second not yet a Year Old In her Husband's Life time she had always advised Peace and she now moved That Embassadors from both sides might meet on the Frontiers of the Two Kingdoms who did so accordingly but came to no conclusion because the Castilians Demands ran high After many Messages had passed on both sides and much time spent the Treaty was again set a Foot and now Embassadors employed to manage it who at length agreed upon Articles whereof the chiefest was 1411. That the Subjects of both Crowns who had served against their Princes should be restored to their Countries and Estates Peace now established and the Crown secured Peace at length established application was made to the Pope for Absolution of the Censures laid on the Kingdom upon Account of promoting King John to the Throne he being a Bastard and having professed in the Order of Avis Pope Boniface the 9th granted his Request and Absolved the Kingdom The King had a Bastard-Son called Alonso whom he loved no less than his lawful Issue and therefore gave him to Wife Beatrix the only Daughter of the Constable Nunho Alvarez Pereyra They had a Daughter called Elizabeth who was Wife to Prince John Son to King John the First and two Sons which were Alonso afterwards Earl of Ourem and Ferdinand Earl of Arroyolos and First Duke of the House of Bragança 3. The King now fixed in his Throne The King bent upon publick rejoycings for the Peace had bent his thoughts upon solemn entertainments and publick rejoycings designing to Knight his Five Sons with all imaginable Solemnity But they advised him to expend that Money on some Forreign enterprize since all was quiet at home and it would be more honourable for them to be Knighted in the Field 1412. than in the Court The Design they fixed upon was the taking of Ceuta on the Coast of Africk which they acquainted the King withal and he approving thereof enjoyned them to keep it secret To this end Two Gallyes were sent to view the Place and sound the Port and to conceal what they went about they continued their Voyage to Sicily as had been at First given out Great industry was used in fitting out Vessels at Lisbon and many more of Galicia Biscay England and the Low-Countries were hired The Young Princes at the same time raised Forces in all Parts of the Kingdom Various judgments were made of the Intent of these Preparations Castile began to grow jealous the Aragonian was not well satisfyed and the Moorish King of Granada feared all the Storm would fall upon him The Rumour of these preparations drew many Martial Men from Forreign Parts to gain Honour in this Enterprize The Plague in Lisbon the Queen dies of it At this time the Plagâ—e had spread it self throughout Lisbon and having entred the Pallace Queen Philippa died of it Her Body was found Fifteen Months after not only uncorrupted but yielding a most Fragant smell Her Life was a Pattern of Piety and Vertue her happy Death was on the 18th of July 1415 1415. in the 64th Year of her Age. Many looked upon her Death as an ill Omen to the Enterprize in Hand and therefore advised to desist from it but the King and Princes could not be moved 4. On the last Day of July 1415. the Fleet sailed from Lisbon A great Fleet sails from Lisbon for the Conquest of Ceuta the 7th of August it came to Faro and the 14th the City Ceuta was taken to the Wonder of all Europe and Terror of the Enemies of Portugal The particulars of this Action which are not many the Place being taken in Four Hours are to be found in the Portuguese Affrick The King returning home created his Second Son Peter Duke of Coimbra and his Third Henry Duke of Viseo This done he went to Ebora and was there received in Triumph by the Princes John and Ferdinand and the Princess Elizabeth The Ratification of the perpetual Peace with Castile had been delayed till that King came to the Age of Fourteen and took the Government upon himself 1419. He being at that Age this Year 1419 Embassadors passed to and fro and after much Debate
Library in the Palace It was said of him That he was a better Man than a King and on the contrary of his Son That he was a better King than a Man He was Bountiful to Prodigality temperate in Eating and Sleeping and of such Continence that becoming a Widower at 〈◊〉 Years of Age he is said never after to have known Woman His Issue His Lawful Issue and he had no other was first John who died in his Infancy Secondly Joanna who being contracted to several Princes they all died before she could be marryed and she became a Dominican Nun at Aveyro Thirdly John who succeeded his Father 11. The Discoveries in this King's Reign were as follows Discoveries during his Reign Nunho Tristan and Antony Gonzalez sailed as far as Cape Blanco in 20 Degrees of North Latitude whence they brought some Moors and also Blacks then a Rarity in Spain Nunho returned and proceeded as far as the Islands of Arguin Lanzarote and Yanez found the Island of Garças whence they brought 200 Slaves Antony Gonzalez returning pierced as far as the Island Tider Alvaro Fernandez discovered Cape Matos and going 100 Leagues farther slew the Lord of that Country Gonzalo de Sintra at Angra lost six Men which was the first Loss sustained in these Discoveries Denis Fernandez reached as far as the River Sanaga in 16 Degrees of North Latitude and discovered the Islands of Cabo Verde Buenavista Santiago and S. Philip. Vincent de Lagos and Lewis Cadamusto a Genâ—ese found the Islands Terceras being Eleven in number The Islands of S. Thomas and Principe the Kingdom of Beni as far as Cape Catherine and Sierra Leona were also discovered John de Santarem and John de Escobar found the Couâ—try called Mina Ferdinand Po that which bears his Name The Islands Azores were now first known so called from the many Hawks seen there and are Nine in number lying due West of the Rock of Sintra In one of these on the top of a Mountain called Del Cuervo or of the Crow was found a Statue of a Man on Horseback his Head bare his Left Hand on the Horse's Main the Right pointing to the West It stood upon a stone Pedestal which together with the whole Statue was all of one piece and under it were certain Characters cut in the Rock but could never be understood CHAP. VII The First Part of the Life and Reign of John the Second of the Name and Thirteenth King of Portugal from the Year of our Lord 1455. till 1491. 1. IN the renowned City Lisbon Birth of King John the Second on the Third of May 1455. was born the most excellent Prince John the Second King of Portugal sirnamed the Perfect and the Great 1455. He was baptized in the Cathedral with the greatest pomp and solemnity that had till then been seen This Prince was educated and instructed in all Arts that can accomplish a Person of that Character This and his personal Worth moved King Henry the 4th of Castile to propose a Match between him and his only Daughter the Lady Joanna However the King his Father gave him to Wife the Lady Ellenor of Lancaster eldest Daughter to his Brother Ferdinand having obtained the Pope's Dispensation for it and they were accordingly married on the 22th of January 1470. 1470. Soon after his Marriage the King preparing for his Voyage into Africk the Prince asked and obtained leave of him to bear him company where he behaved himself with such bravery that his Father Knighted him in the Mâ—sque of Arzila then converted into a Christian Church on the 24th of August 1471. 147â— Alonso the Prince's only Son being born on the 18th of May at such time as King Alonso was marching into Castile to marry the Lady Joanna 1475. rightful Heiress of that Crown he ordained that in case he had Issue by her and his Son should die before him then his Grand-Son should be sworn his Heir which was done and Prince John was left to govern the Kingdom 1476. How he marched with Forces to the assistance of his Father then at Toro in Castile and how he behaved himself in the Battle between that Place and Zamora has been said in the Life of that King 1477. Upon his return into Portugal he recovered Alegretâ— taken by the Castilians Having been as was said in the last Chapter proclaimed King in his Father's life time and by his order upon his return out of France he restored to him the Regal Authority by the advice of the Duke of Bragança and yet he thought to have put that great Man to Death afterwards upon that same Account 2. King Alonso having revived the War with Castile 1478. Lope Vaz de Castel-Branco seized the Town of Moura and called himself Earl thereof The Prince resenting this Insolence sent Six Men who being admitted into his company slew him as he was Hunting which done the Prince secured the Town and gave it to the Princess Beatrix his Mother-in-Law to whom it property appertained The King lying on his Death Bed at Sintra the Prince hasted thither to see him and his Father dying on the Three and twentieth of August 1481. he was the second time proclaimed King the last Day of that Month. King John proclaimed Nunho Pereyra immediately upon the New King's Acession to the Crown presented him with a Note he had given him under his Hand in his Minority promising to make him an Earl whensoever he ascended the Throne The King considering he had obtained that Note in his Infancy when he had not judgment to know on whom he ought to bestow Honours tore it telling him it was a sufficient Favour he did not punish him for having used sinister means to obtain it He had resolved to build a Town and Fort on the Coast of Africk called Mina to this purpose he fitted out a Fleet commanded by James de Azambuja who had with him 500 fighting Men and 100 Masons with all materials for the Work so fitted that at their landing there was nothing to do but to put them together Azambuja landing caused Mass to be said on the Shoar under a Tree Fort of St. George on the Coast of Africâ—◠〈◊〉 whither the King called Caramansa came to him with a great Retinue and was converted The Fort was built and called S. George which done Azambuja sent home his Caraveâ—s with a great quantity of Gold 3. Before this Fleet sailed the Cortes or Parliament had met at Ebora where the Form of Obligation that Lords and Governours of Places were to enter into with the King was settled because till then the Nobility and Commanders exercised a despotick Power in their Juridiâ—cions independent of the Kings and by their tyrannied Proceedings were grown burdensome to the People and dangerous to the Sovereign who had little more left him but the Name King John being now at Peace abroad ordered that no Lord should exercise a judicial
Fight being naturally Enemies but the Elephant being young was frighted and forcing his way through a Place that was barred ran about the City overturning all he met The Rhinoceros was afterwards sent as a Present to the Pope but the Ship was cast away however the dead Rhinoceros being cast a Shoar was taken up and the Skin stuffed and carried to Rome John Diaz Golez a Portuguese Pilot flying from Justice escaped into Castile where he perswaded certain Merchants to fit out Two Ships and Trade into Brasil King Emanuel complaining to the Young King Charles these Encroachers were punished John Wallop an English Gentleman of Worth afterwards Governour of Callis came into Portugal offering to serve in Africk upon his own Expence He served Two Years at Tangier honourably and then returned home having received the Order of Knighthood of Christ and other considerable Favours and continued always a great Favourer of the Affairs of Portugal 5. Soliman the great Emperor of the Turks having taken Grand Cairo and all the Dominions of the Egyptian Soldans King Emanuel pressed the Pope to excite all the Christian Princes to joyn their Forces against him but without success The Body of S. Auta one of the 11000 Virgins was now brought to Lisbon and placed in the Monastery of the Mother of God where it is held in great Veneration The King being extreamly afflicted for the Loss of his Queen had thoughts of retiring to Algarve contenting himself with that little Portion of his Kingdom and leaving the rest to the Prince his Son But the Prince led away by his Favourites being too forward and dropping some disrespectful words of his Father moved him to change that Resolution and not only to retain the Power in his own Hands but to marry the Wife he had designed for him 1518. To this purpose The King marries again D. Alvaro da Costa was sent Embassador into Castile and the Treaty so privately managed that the Bride was contracted to the King by Proxy before the Design of the Embassador was known in Portugal Her Portion was 200000 Crowns down and 5000 per Annum during her Life She was conducted to the Borders of the two Kingdoms by several Noblemen of Spain and there received by Jayme or James Duke of Bragança accompanied by a great Train of Persons of Quality on the Twenty third of November At Crato the next Day she was married by the Archbishop of Lisbon Thence they went to Almeyrin because the Plague was brief at Lisbon Here the King on St. Andrew's Day received the Order of the Golden Fleece sent him by his Brother-in-law King Charles 6. Ferdinand Magellanes a Gentleman of Worth who had served well in India and Africk being refused some small Addition to the Pension he enjoyed for his good Services some envious Persons disswading the King from showing him any Favour discontented at this hard Usage solemnly Unnaturalized himself as the Custome was then and went over to Castile at such time as the Molucco Islands were thought to appertain to the Conquests of that Crown He there offered to find out a New way to those Islands 1519. and being furnished with Five Ships sailed from Sevil about the beginning of August Magellan discovers the Streights of his Name and discovered those Streights which will Eternize his Name being of him called the Streights of Magellan The Particulars of this Voyage as more properly appertaining to that History are to be seen in the Portuguese Asia The King laid a Duty upon Corn to which imposition some Places consented John Mendez Cecâ—oso Mayor of Evora opposed it The King sent for and promised to reward him if he would comply but he persisting obstinately was confined to his House Soon after he commended him for his Resolution and remitted that Tax The Commonalty of Castile now rising in Rebellion against their King 1520. who was gone into Germany being chosen Emperor upon the Death of Maximilian sent the Dean of Avila to offer the Crowns of Castile and Leon to King Emanuel He believing no Confidence could be reposed in those that were Rebels to their Lawful Sovereign not only advised them to return to their Obedience but sent Supplies of Ammunition and Money to the Cardinal Adrian afterwards Pope the Constable and Admiral then Governours during the King's Absence 7. Ellenor the new Queen of Portugal was the last Year at Evora on the 18th of February delivered of a Prince called Charles who lived but Fifteen Months This Year on the 18th of June 1521. at Lisbon she brought forth the Princess Mary Many Matches were proposed for this Lady but none took Effect so that she died a Maid at the Age of 57 Years After long Debates and Three several Embassies sent by Charles Duke of Savoy to obtain Beatrix King Emanuel's second Daughter for his Wife Beatrix Daughter to King Emanuel married to the Duke of Savoy the Match was concluded She had 150000 Crowns Portion and was conducted to Savoy with extraordinary Expence Eighteen Sail were fitted out to transport the Princess and a most splendid Retinue accompanied her In fine she embarked on the 5th of August lay Five Days a Board on the River and then set Sail on the Day of the Feast of S. Laurence By this Princess the Duke of Savoy had his Son Emanuel Filibertus from whom the Dukes of that House are descended Bernardin Ribeyro a Man well born and an ingenious Poet was in love with the Princess and she favoured him for his Wit Seeing her depart he became a Hermit at Sintra thence he went a Pilgrim into Italy and returning through Savoy he received Charity of the Dutchess who knowing him ordered he should not stay in the City He returned Home and ended his Life with his Pilgrimage The Venetians who had for many Years enjoyed all the Trade of Spice being now depriv'd of it by the Portuguese having discovered India sent an Embassador to pray they might be allowed all that was above what the Kingdom consumed at a certain Rate This Embassador was honourably entertained but received not a satisfactory Answer 8. Such was now the flourishing Estate of Lisbon that it was thronged with Forreign Embassadors and Merchants from all Parts In the height of this Prosperity and Grandeur King Emanuel fell sick of a Lethargy then the epidemical Distemper reigning Perceiving his End draw nigh he performed all the Acts of a good Christian King Emanuel dies and died the 13th of December 1521. the Ninth day of his Sickness the 53d Year of his Age and 27th of his Reign His Body was Interred in his Church of Belem where his Son built him a stately Tomb. Before his Death happened a most cruel Famine and after that a terrible Plague The Pestilence continued the following Year and such prodigious Earthquakes shook the Island of S. Michael that Mountains fell upon some Villages and others were overturned into the Sea with great slaughter of the
Inhabitants King Emanuel as to Stature was tall somewhat lean his Hair dark-brown his Forehead high his Eyes green and pleasant his Arms so long that when hanging down his Fingers reached below his knees He was much addicted to all Sports as Riding Dancing Musick and Feasting very Devout and therefore on Holy-days went to several Churches extraordinary Charitable a lover of Astrologers and Jesters He reformed several Religious Houses that lived not regularly 9. His Structures were so many His Structures and other Work and so great it would swell to a Volume to particularize them in short they were Thirteen Monasteries in Portugal besides all those in Asia Africk and America and besides Repairs in other Places Eight great Churches the great Hospital of Lisbon Five Palaces Custom-houses Store-houses many Magazines plentifully stored and above Twenty Forts of considerable Magnitude besides many of less note Also several Bridges Moles Fountains and other Works were begun and finished by him To encourage Gentlemen to serve in Africk he instituted new Commendaries to Reward those that deserved well and allowed Wages to an Hundred Knights for their Entertainment there He first gave the hundredth Penny of his Revenue to Pious Uses By him the Laws of the Kingdom were digested into Method and Registers made of all Estates and Foundations as also a Book of the Arms of the Nobility Kings at Arms and Rules of Blazon were of his introducing into Portugal Antony Rodriguez the first Master of that Science here being sent to most Courts of Christendom to inform himself perfectly therein The Chronicles down to his own days he caused to be corrected Rewarding Edward Galvam and Ruy de Pina who laboured in that Affair He had three Wives the first Elizabeth Widow of Prince Alonso in her Right he was at Toledo sworn Heir to the Crowns of Castile and Leon. The second was Mary Sister to the former both Daughters to King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth of Castile and Aragon The third was Ellenor Daughter to King Philip the First of Spain Sister to the Emperor Charles the Fifth and Niece to both his former Wives 10. By his First Wife he had Issue His Wives and Issue Prince Michael who died at Zaragoça not quite Two Years of Age having been Sworn Heir to all the Kingdoms of Spain By the Second Wife he had First John his Successor Secondly Elizabeth Wife to Charles the Fifth and Mother to King Philip the Second Thirdly Beatrix Wife to Charles the Third Duke of Savoy Fourthly Lewis Duke of Beja and Constable of Portugal Father to Antony Prior of Crato who tho a Bastard aspired to the Crown Fifthly Ferdinand Duke of Guarda who left no Issue Sixthly Alonso the Cardinal and Archbishop of Lisbon Seventhly Henry the Cardinal and Archbishop of Braga Lisbon and Evora who afterwards was King Eighthly Edward Duke of Guimaraens who married Elizabeth Daughter and Heiress of James Duke of Bragança by whom he had two Daughters Mary the eldest married to Alexander Farnesius Duke of Parma and Katherine Dutchess of Bragança from whom tho the younger are Descended the late Kings of Portugal Ninthly Mary Tenthly Antony who both died in their Infancy By the Third Wife First Charles who died in Infant Secondly Mary who died a Maid at the Age of 57 Years having been disappointed of several Matches that were proposed for her CHAP. XI The First Part of the Life and Reign of John the Third of the Name and Fifteenth King of Portugal from the Year of our Lord 1502. till 1543. 1. KIng John the Third King John the Third his Birth was Second Son to King Emanuel and the First by his Second Wife born at Lisbon on the 6th of June 1502 about Two in the Morning It was observable that this being the midst of Summer when the Weather is usually settled fair just at that time there arose such a terrible Storm of Wind Rain Thunder and Lightning that none living had ever seen the like Whilst this Prince was Baptizing there broke out such a Fire in the Palace as alarmed the whole Court and gave occasion to various Conjectures on what it might Prognosticate 150â— The Prince was just a Year old when his Father Assembling the Cortes or Parliament at Lisbon caused him to be sworn Heir to the Crown At three Years of Age he was weaned Being come out of his Infancy he was given in charge to Gonzalo Figueyra a Noble Citizen of Lisbon the Queen his Mother still overseeing his Education The Bishop of Tangier taught him his Grammar and Lewis Teyxeyra instructed him in the Laws yet he profited little in either never thoroughly understanding any Book that belonged to them Nor was he more successful in Astrology taught him by Thomas de Torres then Famous in that Science and Physick In short at the end of his Studies the Prince was found very ignorant for tho' he had an excellent Memory he never applyed himself to Learning and his Masters feared disobliging him In the Year 1512. the Prince fell down from a Gallery in the Palace 1512. so that for 24 hours the Doctors despaired of his Life After that he came to himself and recovered a small scar of a hurt received in the fall remaining on his forehead Next he had a violent Fit of Sickness which once passed he continued healthy all the remaining part of his Life At this Age the King began to make himself acquainted with Business to which he applyed himself better than to his Book 2. The King 1515. later than had been expected settled the Prince's Family and appointed all the Officers of his Houshold among which his principal Favourites were D. Lewis de Silveyra and D. Antony de Ataide D. Lewis de Silveyra was suspected to incense the King against his Father after his marrying Queen Ellenor Sister to Charles the Fifth once designed for the Prince as was said in the forgoing Chapter 1519. Hereupon D. Lewis was banished the Court but as soon as ever King John came to the Crown he was recalled It being the Custom to Proclaim the new King the third day after the Death of his Predecessor 1521. this Solemnity was for several urgent Reasons King John proclaim'd deferred till the sixth day when it was performed with the usual Ceremonies The new King understanding that a Fleet was fitting in France in order to make new Discoveries in India and Brasil and that several French Pirates infested the Portuguese Seas sent D. John de Silveyra to put that King in mind of the Ancient Friendship betwixt those two Crowns and require redress of those Wrongs This Embassador had an Honourable Reception but no Success in his Business Ayres â—e Sousa went Embassador to the new Pope Adrian 1522. then at Zaragoça in his way to Rome to Complement him upon his Promotion to S. Peter's Chair 1523. D. Lewis de Silveyra King John's Favourite was sent to the Emperor Charles
Reigns which were that of Sebastian of Henry of the Five Governours of Antony and now of Philip. For the easier dispatch of Business the King ordered there should be but Two prime Minister viz. Antony Pineyro Bishop of Leyria and D. Christopher de Moura the former because he had no Kindred and the latter because he made no Account of them for Moura was never known to prefer any of his tho' he had many Nunho Alvarez Pereyra was made Secretary and was equal in Power to them tho' not in Title The King had appointed to return to Castile in November but Prince James dying 〈◊〉 he was forced to call a Parliament to cause his Second So◠〈…〉 sworn Heir to the Crown 1583. The Parliament met the beginning of the New Year Another Parliament held and swore the Prince and among other things the King granted leave for wearing of Silks Mary the Empress Sister to King Philip and her Daughter Margaret came to meet the King at Lisbon The Portuguese expected the former would have been left to govern them Philip returns to Castile but the King made choise of her Son the Cardinal Albertus Archduke of Austria On the 11th of February the King set forward for Castile carrying with him the Lady Juliana de Lancastro Heiress of the Noble House of Aveiro 4. All Men began to observe how the Cardinal Albertus was qualified Cardinal Albertus Governour of Portugal and they found his Inclinations were good Only two things remarkable happened during the time of his Government One was the English Invasion under Antony the Grand Prior before spoken of The other the counterfeit Sanctity of a Nun. The Hipocrisie of a Nun. She pretended to live without eating and indeed had no other Sustenance but what she got out of artificial Candles she pretended to burn in her Oratory She also imprinted on her Body the Five Wounds of our Saviour so artificially that the cheat was scarce to be discerned even after she was discovered During the short time this Hypocritical Scene was acted she wrought some Miracles Being at last examined she was punished and from thenceforth led so Godly a Life as almost purchased her the Opinion of Sanctity she before endeavoured to gain by Hypocrisie The King tho' he left the Cardinal in Portugal governed the Kingdom himself with the assistance of his Portuguese Council composed of very worthy Persons in the choice of which he never erred The conceit some People entertained that King Sebastian was yet living 15â—â— gave Occasion to some Persons to take upon them his Name and Character 〈◊〉 Sebastian The Son of a Tiler born at Alcobaza who had been Apprentice to a small Turner of Heads in Lisbon and expelled the Order of Carmelites in his Noviceship went away and lived like a Hermit on the Borders of the Kingdom near Aâ—â—â—querque After some time the People censuring his course of Life he left it and putting on good Apparel he travelled about that Country well mounted Some presently gave out he was King Sebastian which he at first denied but finding them positive at last complied with their Humour and suffered two of his Followers to call themselves the one Christopher 〈…〉 and the other the Bishop of Guarda both which had been slain with the King in Africk Some few days they lived well among their Adherents and gathered Money but being apprehended by Order of the Arch-Duke Albertus the Counterfeit Sebastian after having been shewed at Lisbon was sent to the Galleys and his Companion the pretended Bishop hanged 5. Scarce was the last Impostor punished when another started up in his place This was one Gonzalo Alvarez the Son of a Mason who like the other became an Eremite and did much seeming Penance lashing himself and then crying out where he might be heard O unhappy Sebastian all thy Penance is but little in respect of thy Crimes A Rich Farmer called Peter Alfonso joyned with him and concealed him giving out Orders in his Name At length he gathered 800 Men calling himself Earl of Torresnovas Lord of Cascais and Governour of Lisbon None saw the pretended King but the Daughter of the false Earl she being designed Queen and also the Wife of Antony Simoens a Rich Man Whensoever this Pageant King was forced to appear abroad he wore a great pair of Spectacles which covered most part of his Face He sent a Son of Simoens to the Governour Albertus to Order him to quit the Palace for that he was coming to undeceive the People This Messenger being taken and then let go increased the Opinion of the People that it was King Sebastian because Antony Simoens having known him would not otherwise have suffered his Son to go on that Message The Judge of Torresvedras was ordered to Apprehend them but he attempting it was together with his Clerk cast headlong from a High Place and killed Gasper Pereira for reproving them was also murdered with his Son and Nephew and his House plundered Antony Fonseca an Alcalde de Corte went next with 400 Spaniards The false Sebastian executed commanded by Captain Calderon who after killing a few of the Mutiniers took the Upstart King At Lisbon he was hanged and quartered as was the false Earl Peter Alfonso with others Some were sent to the Galleys and the Towns of Ericeyra Carbonero and Mafra were left almost desolate the Inhabitants flying for fear of Punishment Yet after all this many thought King Sebastian must come out from the Desart and there was scarce any that lived an Eremitical Life in Portugal who was not imagined to be that King 6. Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth's Provocations and King Philip's Design against her Queen of England not regarding that she owed her Life to King Philip joyned with the Rebels of Holland against him She sent over to then Assistance Robert Earl of Leicester with 3000 Men. Sir Francis Drake also sailed from Plymouth in August and Landing at Bayona was beaten off thence Next he fell upon the Islands of Caboverde where he took a considerable Booty and all the Cannon of the Fortifications along the Sea-coast Thence he sailed to Sancto Domingo in the West-Indies 1586. which City he â—â—ok and plundered The same he did at Cartagena and then passed over to Florida About the beginning of this Year King Philip set out the Proclamation for regulating the Stile to be used in Letters which till then caused much Confusion every one aspiring to greater Titles than belonged to them King Philip provoked by the many Wrongs done him by Queen Elizabeth resolved upon the Conquest of England and to that purpose gathered a Mighty Fleet in the vast Port of Lisbon It contained 130 Sail most of them very large under the Command of D. Alonso Perez de Guzman Duke of Medina Sidonia and Generalissimo The Land Forces amounted to 20000 1588. the Mariners above 11000. They sailed from Lisbon the 27th of May and
At length when least expected he suddenly set out in April 1619. bringing with him Prince Philip Philip the Third comes into Portugal and the Princesses Elizabeth and Mary and as his Father had done he made his Publick Entry into Lisbon on S. Peter's Day His Reception was the greatest that ever till then had been heard of for the Portuguese ravished with Affection and Joy to see their Prince among them erected such Fabricks on the Land and made such mighty Works on the River as seemed to fill up both those Elements of Land and Water and scarce left room for the admiring Multitude to behold him that all those Expences were made for His Reception It is impossible to describe the particulars of this most Glorious Entry The River Tagus was covered with an innumerable multitude of Vessels built in the shape of several Fishes and Sea-Monsters The King was brought in a Galley attended by many others built with such admirable Workmanship that the like was never before seen and it obliterated the Memory of the Famous one made by Ptolomy King of Egypt which at that time was the Wonder of the World Whilst this multitude of Vessels rowed down the River the thundring of the Cannon from the Vessels themselves and from the Castle shook the Earth and rent the Air. Being come on shoar the King proceeded to the Cathedral and thence to the Palace entertaining his Lyes with such prodigious Sights of Gold and Silver that the time falling short to view all he returned the next day to behold the lofty Fabricks which expressed the greatness of their Affection who received him Such was the Magnificence of the Piles erected such the Cost bestowed on them and such the solid Strength of them that they seemed as if designed for many Ages not for the use of one only day which was too short a space even to demolish them 3. The Majesty of these Works was so amazing that the King tho' used to Regal Entertainments said He never till that day thought himself a great King Hereby seeming to call Lisbon Felicitas Philippica as once Julius Caesar gave it the Name of Felicitas Julia. In the Palace he performed the two Solemn Acts of Swearing the Prince and holding the Cortes or Parliament He holds Parliament which met with extraordinary Joy and Satisfaction of all Men but 〈◊〉 the end disappointed them of their hopes First for that the King was scarce seen by his Subjects and next for the unsatisfactory Answer he gave to their Demands The Reason of it was that his coming to the Kingdom and calling the Parliament were Actions proceeding from his own Inclination but the disobliging of them was wholly the product of the ill Advice of his Ministers His Favourites fearing he should take an Affection to the Portuguese and perhaps continue among them were uneasie at the Splendor of his Entertainment and so much Influence had they over him that he gave more Credit to their Words than to those marks of Respect and Loyalty he saw with his Eyes This is the greatest Misfortune can befal a Prince to be so led away and infatuated by the Flatteries of Favourites who only attend their private Interest as to forfeit the Affections of their People This is the height of Tyranny in Ministers to covet all for themselves and allow nothing to others 4. Seven Months the King spent in his Journey to Portugal His stay and return to Madrid staying there and returning home Being come to Madrid he departed this Life the last day of March in the Year of Grace 1621. the 43d 1621. Year of his Age and 23d of his Reign His Death His Body lies buried with his Predecessors in the Royal Monastery of St. Lawrence commonly called the Escurial His Picture drawn as he appeared at the Cortes or Parliament held at Lisbon in his Robes with the Collar of the Golden Fleece and the Steptre in his Hand represents him of a pleasing Aspect yet full of Majesty Of Stature he was rather little but proportionable his Forehead high his Eyes blue his Lips thick his Complexion fair with a fresh Colour his Hair yellow his whole Countenance beautiful and representing much Grandeur He was a most Holy Prince and at his Death seemed to have only one thing to lament which was that he fulfilled what his Father had Prophetically foretold viz. That he suffered his Favourites to have so much the Ascendant over him Had he given less Ear to his Ministers who always mind their own Advantage tho' with the loss of their Master's and been more absolute in taking his own measure he had proved one of the greatest and most successful Princes in the World For he was so Fortunate that notwithstanding all the Miscarriages of those that governed him he still came off with Honour and Reputation adding new Conquests to his Dominions both in India and Africk 5. His only Wife was Margaret of Austria His Wife and Issue Daughter to the Arch-Duke Charles and his Dutchess Mary She was one of the most Renowned Queens this Kingdom ever had and it enjoyed many that deserve Immortal Fame After her Death the King in Continency imitated his Predecessor Alonso the Fifth for he never would Marry again and it is generally believed he never had to do with any Woman but his Queen His Issue was First Ann Mary Mauricia Wife to King Lewis XIII of France her Dowry 500000 Crowns in Gold Secondly Philip who succeeded him Thirdly Mary born at Valladolid the 18th of August 1606. afterwards Queen of Hungary Fourthly Charles born at Madrid the 14th of September 1607. Fifthly Ferdinand born at the Escurial May the 17th 1609. he was a Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo Prior of Crato and Abbot of Alcobaça Sixthly Margaret born at Lerma in May 1610. and died the 11th of March 1617. Seventhly Alonso born at the Escurial September the 22d 1611. and died the following Year His Mother also died in Childbed of him leaving her Subjects in unspeakable sorrow and want of her 6. In this King's Time the Plague raging in the City of Lisbon Prodigies was observed to cease immediately after the Image of the glorious Martyr S. Sebastian had been seen to sweat plentifully A Year before the King's Journey to Lisbon two Comets of a wonderful Magnitude appeared in the Signs of Virgo and Libra one of them so prodigiously great it renewed the Memory of that which appeared at the Birth of Mithridates that extended over one quarter of the Heaven After them ensued the Death of Popes and Kings the overturning of States and the fall of Great Ministers whose Ruin is by nothing more evidently foretold than by the unlawful means they use to rise and yet none takes warning by him that went before to avoid the Precipice At the City Baçaim in India there happened such a violent Storm as carryed away Churches Houses Trees and Mountains Several Apparitions were seen in
overcome without much strugling The Great Master of the Game his Brother and D. Stephen da Cunha charged the Spanish Company before the Palace at the Place called The Fort. Most of the Townsmen who knew of the Design were in this Action and boldly fell in with Sword in Hand upon the Court of Guard None signalized himself more than a Priest who carrying a Crucifix in one hand and a Sword in the other amidst his loud Exhortations ceased not to Act beyond the most desperate of the Conspirators None could stand before him so that after some small Resistance the Spanish Officer and his Soldiers were forced to Surrender themselves and for safety of their Lives to cry out with the rest God save the Duke of Bragança King of Portugal Pinto having made his way into the Palace headed those that were to Attack Vasconcellos his Apartment At the foot of the Stairs they met Francis Soarez de Albergaria Judge of the Civil Causes who seeing this Tumult would have interposed his Authority to appease them but hearing all cry God save the Duke of Bragança he thinking in the Duty of his Office cry'd God save the King of Spain and Portugal This cost him his Life for one of the Conspirators shot him with a Pistol thinking it meritorious to punish that Fidelity which now became Criminal Antony Correa first Clerk to the Secretary ran out upon the noise and was stabb'd by D. Antony de Meneses yet ye turned up his Eyes full of Revenge and said What I dare you strike me All the Answer Meneses returned was to stab him three or four times again till he fell yet he survived all these Wounds to die some time after by the hand of the Hangmanâ— Being quit of this Obstacle the Conspirators pressed forward towards the Secretary's Chamber James 〈…〉 a Captain of Foot was then with him who seeing so many armed Men and supposing they sought the Life of Vasconcellos tho' he owed no Obligation to that Minister yet out of meer Generosity he endeavoured to keep the Door with his Sword till the Secretary could make his escape but being wounded in his Right Arm so that he could not hold his Sword and over-powered by the Multitude he leaped out at a Window and had the good Fortune to escape Immediately the Conspirators broke into the Chamber and not finding the Secretary tho' they searched all corners they threatned an Old Woman-Servant with present Death if she did not discover him and she to save her Life pointed to the Place where he was being a close Cupboard or Closet taken out of the thickness of the Wall where they found him covered with Papers Fear prevented his uttering one word and D. Roderick de Saa gave him the first Wound firing a Pistol at him after which several of the Conspirators having struck him they cast the Body out at the Window crying The Tyrant is dead let Liberty live and D. John King of Portugal 15. The Multitude who had flocked to the Palace gave great shouts of Joy seeing the Body cast down and falling upon it every one endeavoured to have a stroke at it Such was the end of Vasconcellos a Man of great Parts and indefatigable who had gathered vast Riches part whereof was plundered in this hurly-burly The Vice-Queen and others seized Pinto losing no time hasted to joyn the Party that was to seize the Vice-Queen and found they and all the rest were already successful Those who were to enter that Princess's Apartment being come to the Door and the enraged Multitude crying out they would set fire to it if not opened quickly the Vice-Queen with her Ladies and the Archbishop of Braga appeared in her Chamber believing her Presence would appease the Nobility and cause the Commonalty to retire Whereupon advancing some steps towards the chief of the Conspirators she said I confess Gentlemen that the Secretary has justly incurred the hatred of the People and your Indignation by his Austerity and insolent manner of proceeding His Death is a sufficient Revenge Believe that what has hitherto passed may be attributed to the hatred conceived against the Secretary but if you proceed in this Uproar you cannot avoid being reputed Rebels and you will deprive me of means of excusing you to the King D. Antony de Meneses answered That so many Persons of Worth were not met only to punish a Wretch who ought to have died by the Hands of the Hangman that they came to do Right to the Duke of Braganza to whom the Crown of Right appertained She would have replyed but Almeida fearing the Conspirators might cool said Portugal had no King but the Duke of Braganza and then all the Conspirators cryed out God save D. John King of Portâ—â—â— The Vice-Queen seeing them past reclaiming thought to find more Respect in the City but as she offered to go down D. Charles de Noronha prayed her to retire to her Chamber and not expose her self to the fury of the incensed People In a Rage finding her self forcibly detained she cryed out Why what can the People do to me To which Noronha rudely answered Nothing Madam but throw your Highness out at the Window The Archbishop of Braga enraged at what Noronha said snatched a Sword from a Soldier and offered to run upon the Conspirators in Vindication of the Vice-Queen but D. Michael de Almeida laid hold of and told him the danger of provoking those who but for him had decreed his Death This made him curb his Passion in hopes of a more favourable Opportunity of Revenging himself upon Noronha The rest of the Conspirators seized the Spaniards that were in the Palace or City The Marquess de la Puebla Steward to the Vice Queen D. James Cardenas Major-General D. Ferdinand de Castro Intendant of the Sea the Marquess de Bainetto an Italian Master of the Horse to the Vice-Queen and several Sea-Officers were made Prisoners which was done with as great ease as if they had been apprehended by Order of the King of Spain No Man stirred to defend them and they were in no condition to do it being most of them taken in Bed 16. This done Antony de Saldanha led the People to the Courts of Judicature where he made an Harangue to them upon the present Happiness of Portugal in being delivered from Tyranny All Proceedings ordered to run in the Name of D. John King of Portugal and restored to their Natural Prince His words were received with general Applause and all Proceedings for the future ordered to run in the Name of D. John King of Portugal In the mean while D. Gaston Coutinho released all those out of Prison who had been committed through the Severity of the Spanish Ministers and they thus unexpectedly delivered formed themselves into a Body no less Formidable than that of the first Conspirators Amidst this general Joy Pinto and the other Principal Men were not free from Care The Spaniards were still possessed of the
tho' much inferior in number stood their Ground and obstinately defended themselves for the space of seven Hours but were at last forced to retire having lost many Men besides many more wounded The Spaniards say the Fort of Telena was not Demolished but left in the same Condition the Portugueses found it they wanting time to ruin the Works or remove any thing out of it being forced to retreat with Precipitation 3. Nothing better was the success of the Marquess de Aytona Actions in the Province of Beira the Catholick King 's General betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho in his design of surprizing Salvaterra He marched with 600 Foot and 500 Horse but the Count de Castelmelhor who commanded the Portugueses in that Province understanding his Design posted himself under the Walls of that Place and the Marquess perceiving his Intentions had taken Air posted himself not far off and being master of the Field erected a Fort upon an Eminence that might serve as a Bridle upon the Garrison of Salvaterra and where he might be at Hand upon any Opportunity to throw himself into that place which was very considerable as being upon the Frontiers of Beira Some considerable Action might reasonably be expected here the Spaniards keeping to their Strength and the Portuguese to theirs and the Forces on both sides daily encreasing The Spanish Army grew up to the Number of 10000 Foot and 3000 Horse which on the 20 of November undertook the Siege of Salvaterra and pressed it so vigorously that they soon lodged themselves upon the Ditch and had begun to mine hoping in few days to carry the place This was the posture of their Affairs when understanding that all the Forces of the Province of Beira commanded by Count Seren reinforced by others of Alentejo under the Conduct of D. Sancho Manuel were marching with all possible speed to the Relief of the Town they raised the Siege with such Precipitation that they left behind them much Provision Ammunition their Baracks and about 300 sick and lame Souldiers The Portugueses coming later then they had hoped as those who were stayed by the violent Rains were much troubled to be disappointed of meeting the Spanish Army the routing of which they had promised to themselves and greater Security to their Frontiers for the future Having burnt the Baracks and the Country round about they returned to their Winter-quarters as the Spaniards had done on their side 4. Thus stood all the Affairs on both sides Both sides cease from Hostilities when as well the one as the other perceived that this sort of Action served only to harrass themselves The Catholick King seemed to maintain an Army to no purpose since in 5 or 6 Years time he had done nothing but waste Mony and loose Men and Ground All the Portugueses did was to destroy Towns frighten the Country People and kill some few Soldiers These Considerations moved both Parties to put their standing Forces into Garrisons and forbear farther Hostilites Whilst the Catholick King attended the Affairs of Catalonia and made his Interest at Rome to obstruct the new King 's being treated as such by the Pope and the vacant Benefices in Portugal to be filled by Men of that Princes presenting he laboured to heap up Treasure of the Riches brought him from India that whenever the Catholick King should renew the War he might not want Money which is the Life and Sinews of all Armies He also took care to strengthen himself with Friends and Confederates and having secured the King of France his Ministers endeavoured to joyn in Amity with the new Common-wealth of England Portugues Affairs at Rome It remained to sollicite the Friendship of the See of Rome not only by performing the publick Act of Obedience and filling the vacant Churches but by satisfying that Court as to two Points which it seemed to resent One was that King John persisted in retaining some Revenues taken from the Church The other that he kept the Arch-bishop of Braga Prisoner for which he was excommunicated and therefore the Pope demanded that the Revenues should be restored and the Arch-bishop put into his Hands as being his proper Judge To those things the Portuguese Ministers answer'd that had the Pope sent his Nuncio the Dispute about those Revenues might have been easily accommodated it being made appear that the Crown was in possession of them for about 600 Years And as to the Arch-bishop that he being guilty of High-Treason what the King had done was justifiable according to the Canons and therefore he could incur no Censure of the Church Nevertheless the King was ready to commit the Tryal of that Cause to such Judges as his Holiness should appoint but not to deliver his Person because of the danger there was that he should be set at Liberty by the way if he touched at any port of Spain as also because King John not being yet owned as such at Rome they would not adjudge the Arch-bishop guilty of High-Treason The Court of Rome seemed satisfyed as to this Point but not as to the other 5. In this place it will not be amiss to relate the end of the Misfortunes befallen to Edward Of Edward Brother to King John Brother to King John It was said above how he was taken in Germany where he served the Emperor and delivered up to the Ministers of Spain as guilty of being privy to the revolt of Portugal It was layed to his Charge that being a Subject of the King of Spain he had not discovered to him the designed revolt of that Kingdom On this account he was put into the Castle of Milan where fresh Evidence was found against him He was kept with Guards upon him in the very Room all his own Servants being removed from him upon Suspicion that they contrived his Escape The Governor of the Castle imagining that his Confessor who was a Jesuit might have a hand in that Contrivance sent him word to chose another so it were a Subject of the King of Spain and no Jesuit letting him also know that every now and then he must change his Confessor This Message being delivered by the Lieutenant of the Castle D. Edward broke out into a Passion which he had never done before and among many other rash Expressions said His Comfort was that he suffered for the King his Brother for his Family and Country for which he was willing to lay down his Life This the Lieutenant deposed against him and several Soldiers also restifyed that being upon his Guard they had heard him drink a Health to the King his Brother The Governor having taken those depositions there came a Commission from Spain appointing three Judges to try him and they again examined all the Witnesses then they proceeded to examine the Prisoner himself who being asked what he knew of the design of revolting in Portugal utterly denyed he had any knowledge of it but unadvisedly in his Discourse added that being at
persecutes the Catholicks but dies one himself p. 97 P. Lewis dyes p. 338 Lisbon besieged by Sea and Land p. 258 The Siege raised p. 260 Mutinies at the instigation of the Nobility p. 554 Plundered by the Spaniards p. 360 Most of it burnt p. 243 Lisias made King p. 12 Lominij three Sons of Gerion p. 8 Lusitania governed by Lieutenants p. 99 Lusitanians revolt and are reduced p. 44 Lusus ascends the Throne p. 10 M. MAgellan discovers the streights of his Name p. 325 Manner of lamenting the death of a King p. 174 Many places in Portug taken and destroyed by the Moors p. 133 Recovered p. 137 Marcus Aurelius Emperour p. 79 Margaret of Savoy Dutchess of Mantua governs Portugal p. 382 Mary Francis Elizabeth Wife to King Alonso the VI. assists the Infante p. 554 Motives of her aversion to the King p. 549 Her undecent Behaviour towards the King p. 557 Knowing the King would be deposed she flies to a Monastery p. 560 She presses to have Peter declared King p. 563 Her Marriage with the King declared null p. 564 Her Death p. 571 A match concluded betwixt the Infante and D. of Savoy p. 568 It is broke off p. 569 Mauregatus the Bastard usurps the Crown p. 116 Mauritanians ravage Spain p. 79 Maximin Emperour p. 79 Means proposed to reconcile different pretensions p. 351 Meeting at Lisbon about K. Ferdinands Marriage p. 241 Men famous for Learning p. 93 Mezerbal subdues Portugal p. 17 Michael Prince sworn Heir of Castile Aragon Portugal p. 315 He dyes p. 316 Military Action in the Province of Tralosmontes p. 413 Monks of Claraval come into Portugal p. 159 Monte Mayor taken and demolished p. 145 Moors to the Number of 200000 Foot and 40000 Horse landed in Spain p. 111 They over-run all Spain p. 112 Ravage the Country p. 177 Vanquished at Elvas p. 183 Moriscoes banished Spain p. 372 Morocco King slain p. 347 Moron surrendred p. 494 Mountainous People descend into the Plain p. 1â— Murderers fly to Castile p. 229 They are racked p. 231 Mutiny at Lisbon for the loss of Evora p. 512 On account of a supposed Miracle p. 320 N. Nabuchodonosar in Spain p. 15 Negotiation abroad p. 488 At several Courts p. 441 In Forreign Courts p. 464 In France and Rome p. 446 Nerva Emperor p. 77 New Coin p. 336 New Governors placed in the Frontiers p. 401 New Queen gains Friends by her Generosity p. 242 Noah's Flood p. 1 His Off-spring why dispersed p. 2. Normans invade Galicia and are cut in pieces p 132 Notable Example of Loyalty p. 193 Number of Infidels and greatness of Booty p. 227 O. OBservations on the Rise and Fall of Portugal p. 354 Odemira Count Governour to the young K. Alonso the VI. His manner of proceeding p. 530 Of 18000 Men only 50 escaped p. 348 Oliva taken by the Portuguese p. 478 Only the Duke of Braganza could give the Spaniards jealousie p. 382 Ordono the 1st King of Castile rebuilds many Towns He is overthrown by the Moors p. 121 Ordono the II. K. of Castile succeeds Garcia He twice overthrows the Moors p. 124 Being vanquished by the Infidels recovers and spoils the Country p. 125 Ordono the III. King of Castile disturbed by Rebels subdues them p. 130 He takes Lisbon p. 130 Ordono sirnamed the Wicked advanced to the Crown p. 131 Orus Libicus or Hercules comes into Spain kills the Lominij and makes his Son Hispalus King p. 8 Osiris comes into Spain kills Gerion and gives the Crown to his three Sons p. 6 He returns into Egypt p 7 Ossuna Duke builds a Fort not far from Almeida p. 515 Attacks Castel-Rodrigo and is repulsed p. 519 Is overthrown by Peter Jaques de Magalhaens p. 520 Other Conspirators punished p. 302 Other military Actions p. 412 Other War like exploits p. 407 Otho Emperour p. 76 Overtures of Peace rejected p. 259 Out-laws surprize Evora p. 167 P. PArticular Affairs of Portugal p. 115 Peace after the Birth of Christ p. 73 Concluded betwixt the Kings of Castile and Portugal p. 212 230 243. Confirmed with mutual Alliances p. 213 Concluded at the instance of the Pope p. 240. Concluded betwixt the two Crowns p. 297. Betwixt France and Spain p. 500. With Spain 564 Concluded without the knowledge of the English p. 249 Concluded p. 266 Not observed p. 269 At length established p. 270 Ratified p. 271 Pelayo or Pelagius the first that opposed the Moors p 113 People of Braga subdue Porto p. 68 Averse to the Queen p. 281 Of Evora mutiny p. 283 Perpenna chosen General of the Lusitanians p. 54 Vanquished by Pompey and put to Death p. 55 Persecution under Galienus p. 79 Peter the Ist King of Portugal his Birth p. 230 Begins his revenge whilst Prince p. 229 He punishes the Murderers of the Lady Agnes de Castro p. 230. His Death Justice and Magnanimity p. 234. Laws Established by him His Person and Interment p. 235. His Issue p. 236 Peter King of Castile flying from his Rebellious Subjects refused protection in Portugal p. 233 Peter the II. now King of Portugal whilst Infante and Brother to K Alonso counterfeits a Religions Life to gain followers 545 Grows discontented and the King his Brother jealous Is enraged against Count Castelmelhor p. 547. Strange shew of Affection betwixt him and the Q. 548 His and the Q. party increases He openly espouses her quarrel p. 550 Resolves to proceed p. 556 Heads the Rabble p. 557 Heads the Multitude again Sets upon the K. and extorts from him an instrument of Resignation 562 Is received as Regent p. 563 Marries the Queen p. 565 Upon the Death of his Brother succeeds in the Throne d. 571 Marries the Princess of Newburg p. 572 Peter Bastard Brother to K. Alonso the first of Portug p. 170 Peter the Infante made Regent by a Cooper and a Taylor heads the Rabble p. 282 Takes up Arms and is declared Rebel 284 Comes to a Battle with the King And is killed p. 285 Philip Prince of Spain marries Mary Princess of Portugal p. 334 Philip the II. of Spain and first of Portugal armes to secure the Crown of Portugal whilst they prepare to oppose him p. 35â— His Birth 364 He enters Portugal Grants an Amnesty Holds a Parliament 365 Grants Priviledges to Portagal His publick entry into Lisbon p. 366 Holds another Parliament Returns to Castile p. 367 He dyes p 370 His Description Wife and Issue p. 371 Philip the III. of Spain and II. of Portugal his â—irth He comes into Portugal His Reception p. 372 He holds a Parliament His stay and return to Madrid p. 374 His death Wife and Issue p. 374 Philip the IV. of Spain and III. of Portugal his Birth p. 375 His accession to the Crown p. 376 Rewards the Portuguese p. 380 His Death p. 527 Pinto the D. Agent conspires with some of the Nobility p. 380 Piso kills 5000 Lusitanians p. 56 Plague p 228 At Lisbon p 277 301. 353 In Portugal
the Malice and Virulency of our Times bear with the Mention of solid and real Praises What you are and what you merit neither is nor will be unknown it may prove the Subject of an abler Pen when those who know shall see a fit Time to recommend your Memory to Posterity All that remains Sir is to beg a favourable Acceptance of the Tender I make It is the entire History of a Kingdom from its first Plantation to this present Time The Original was dedicated to a King The Translation has not I hope so much degenerated but it may be worthy of you If you think it so I have gained my Point and shall reap a singular Satisfaction if it gives you any I am SIR Your most Obedient Humble Servant JOHN STEVENS THE PREFACE POrtugal though a Kingdom of but a small Extent and which for these latter Years has not furnished us with any great subject of History yet in past Ages it did so largely extend its Dominions and raised such admiration throughout Europe by its wonderful Discoveries and stupendious Conquests that it is much to be admired all its past Glories should be Buried under its present obscurity Nor is it less to be wondred at that England which so lately received from thence a Queen yet living should know so little either of her Country or Progenitors This I say in regard that till now there has not appeared abroad in the English Tongue any History of that once so famous Kingdom unless we will reckon as such some small fragments which at several times have crept into the World and which seem rather to stir up our curiosity to know who those People were than any ways to satisfy our desire of Knowledge This fault I conceive must be chiefly imputed to the Portuguese themselves whose care it ought to have been to deliver to Posterity and Foreigners their own honourable Actions so methodized that they might delight in seeing them together reduced into the form of a compleat History But they though furnishing so much matter for Authors to employ their Pens were yet supinely negligent in duly recording and publishing of it It is true they had many Writers who snatched their Actions from utter oblivion by leaving that piece-meal which ought to have been reduced into one Work but this was a labour most Men were averse to as believing it above their strength because those Writings were partly so voluminous that it required almost a Man's Age to reduce them to a less compass and partly so scattered abroad in sundry parts of the Kingdom that they despaired of ever being able to bring them together Emanuel de Faria y Sousa our Author was the first that I can find ever undertook to digest and publish to the World the compleat History of his Country and give a perfect account of the Actions of his Countrymen in all parts of the World He not only undertook but performed it with general applause not only of the Portuguese who are the subject of his great Enterprize but even of the Spaniards in whose Language he Wrote This his labour was not finished till the Year 1640. and appeared not in publick till many Years after He has observed a strict method of History without running out into endless Digressions which only serve to swell Volumes and are no way material to the subject in hand Being a Portuguese I cannot affirm him to be altogether impartial for there is no Man whom the love of his Native Country does not a little sway yet this can be no exception against him because if such all History would be lyable to the same censure and besides he was a Man that proposed to himself no interest in flattering the great ones living always a private retired life which will plainly appear in that he spares not often to expose the Vices and Enormities of notable Persons for the sake of their Posterity and no where extols any though never so mighty for the hope of pleasing their descendants But to be short let the History speak for it self for my commendation as being a party too much concerned in it cannot add much to its Reputation and yet this I must say that I cannot at all doubt of its meeting applause because having run through the Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal with a general esteem in its original Language I cannot be perswaded that the Translation can have so much detracted from its first value as to render it unacceptable to the judicious lovers of this sort of Learning Thus much may suffice as to the History in General but to descend to particulars The first Book contains all that hapned in Portugal from the time it was first peopled by Tubal the Grandson of Noah till the time of the famous Viriatus The second begins with Viriatus and ends at the Birth of Saviour The third reaches from the Birth of our Saviour till the Conquest of Spain by the Moors The fourth from the Moorish Conquest till the erecting of Portugal into a particular Kingdom under its first King Alonso the First or rather his Father Count Henry The fifth from the said Count Henry till King Sancho the second The sixth from him till King Ferdinand inclusive The seventh from King John the First to King John the Second The eighth from King Emanuel till Henry the King and Cardinal and the Governours left by him at his Death The ninth Book has the lives of the three Philips Kings of Spain and Portugal till the Year 1640. where the Author concludes and the Supplement begins Having given this short account of the main History and named the Supplement I must not omit to say somewhat in relation to it Emanual de Faria having concluded as has been said just at the Year 1640. there ensued that very Year the great Revolution in which the Portuguese cast off the Dominion of the Spaniards and set up a King of their own This mighty work was in a manner done in a day all places submitting to the new King and expelling the Spaniards with such success as is scarce credible but that the thing is still fresh in the memory of many persons living However though the Portuguese in so short a time had asserted their Liberty and cast off the Foreign Yoak yet the consequences of so great an Enterprise were a continual War for the space of almost Twenty Eight Years Now this War is the principal subject of the Supplement and indeed a matter well worthy to be known as a most material Transaction of this Age. Being a thing so remarkable and near our times I have been very particular in it and therefore given an exact account of the Transactions of every Year apart I have not been sparing of any labour in perusing such Authors as have writ of it and extracting from them as much as my intended Brevity would permit and tho' I designed to have been much shorter the variety of accidents is such that it has obliged
with such Brotherly Love The Lominii three Sons of Gerion reign and such perfect Union that they gave occasion to the Fable That Spain was ruled by a King with three Heads Such was the Entrance of their Sway that it seemed they were resolved to preserve with Justice what their Father had gained with Violence But it was not long before it appeared they had rather be thought Sons of such a Father than Fathers of their Subjects They were good no longer than till they had the Power to be wicked which was till Osiris was removed Then remembring the People of Andaluzia Aragon and Valencia had been the Cause of their Father's Death by calling in Osiris they removed towards those parts on pretence of Affection but in reality to wreak their Revenge 2. Osiris being basely Murdered by his Brother Typhon his Son Orus Lybicus succeeded him having slain the Murderer The People of Andaluzia now again oppressed by the Tyranny of the Lominii who upon the departure of Osiris were exercising their revenge on those their Subjects Orus Lybicus or Hercules comes into Spain 〈◊〉 the Lominii 〈◊〉 makes his Son Hispalus King sent for and to Orus Lybicus called also Hercules who speedily came to their relief as his Father had done out of Africk where he had killed the Giant Anteus and marched after the Enemy who were retired to the Fastnesses of Lusitania and there resolutely waited his approach The Lominii had posted themselves in a secure place called formerly Saltus Tercenorum Hercules seeing them in place almost inaccessible resolved to save his Men and avoid the hazard of a Battle by challenging the three Brothers to fight him hand to hand which he did and they accepting of it were all three slain successively 1718. The Portuguese seeing their Princes slain began to move to revenge their Death but Orus making use of perswasions rather than force appeased them and calling the Nobles to him he made a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving This done he advanced as far as the Promontorium Sacrum where he built a magnificent Temple wherein the Aegyptian Ceremonies taught by the Founder were for many Ages after Religiously observed The People in acknowledgment for the Benefits received by Hercules or rather swayed by fear joyfully received his Son Hispalus for their King who continued in Lusitania with many of his Aegyptians 3. Hispalus was installed 42 Years after the Gerions had begun to Reign and being peaceably seated on the Throne his Father Orus Lybicus marched away for Italy The gentle Government of Hispalus was the reviving of the hearts of that People after so many Calamities but Prosperities are not durable for he died the 17th Year of his Reign Among the memorable Customs introduced by him were those of Burying the Dead and wearing Mourning for them what sort of Mourning it was appears not but that which many Ages after was used till the time of King Emanuel of Portugal and Ferdinand of Castile was on the lightest occasions rough Canvass and the deep used for Kings and such like occasions of the coursest Sack-cloth and that always White as is still used in China 4. Hispanus succeeded his Father Hispalus and was Proclaimed in the Temple of Hercules with great Ceremony The Spaniards in those days held it a crime to look upon the setting Sun therefore those that lived upon the Coast used to turn their backs towards it those who lived near the Promontorium Sacrum retreated at Night far off from it believing the Gods spent the Night there in Sport and Pastimes not to be seen by Mortal Eyes Only the Priests and the King on the Night of his inauguration were permitted to stay on that point of Land and look towards the West but as soon as the Sun quite disappeared they prostrated themselves on the Ground and then retired to the Temple where they continued till break of day when the King returned to the same place and continued there till the Sun again spread its Beams over all that part of the Country Then he returned joyfully to the People offered Sacrifice and was thence forward esteemed wiser than all others as being one that had seen Divine Secrets and Hidden Mysteries It is a common Opinion among the vulgar that Hispalis now Sevil was built by Hispalus and that the Name Hispania came from Hispanus 1169. who died when he had Reigned 32 Years leaving no Issue 5. Hercules Hercules Governs Spain and leaves the Crown to Hesperus after the Death of his Grandson Hispanus returned to Spain which he Governed Nineteen Years in Peace with singular Wisdom and Goodness and finding his end draw on he appointed Hesperus one of his Officers his Successor The Funeral Obsequies being performed 1650. Hesperus took upon him the Sovereignty but the giddy People being dissatisfied with his Government revolted from him to his Brother Atlas Italus who came out of Italy pretending a right as being the Elder Brother though neither had any other Title but the choice of Hercules which was of the Younger Hesperus deposed and Atlas set up in his place By this desertion of the Subjects Hesperus was easily deprived of the Crown and flying into Italy outlived not long his Misfortune Italus having Reigned in Portugal the space of Ten Years returned into Italy 1618. leaving the Dominion of Spain to his Son Sic-Orus He leaves the Crown to his Son Sicorus during whose Reign the Noise of Arms was not heard he left his Name to that River of Catalonia that washes the Walls of Lerida and is now called Segre but formerly Sicoris and a great part of that Country was of him long after called Sicoria he Reigned 55 Years 6. Sicanus the Son of Sicorus succeeded his Father Sicanus Succeeds them and Sicceleus him he is reported to have waged War in Italy and thence to have passed over and conquered Sicily which of him our Author will have to take the Name of Sicania and he to have Reigned 31 Years His Son Sicceleus immediately entred upon the Government and of him also is continued that Romantick Story of going into Italy with an Army where also he is said to have died in the 44th Year of his Reign 2453 from the Creation 797 from the Flood and 1509 before the Birth of Christ 1509. 7. After the Death of Sic-Celeus his Son Lusus was proclaimed King Lusus ascends the Throne and for the singular Affection he shewed to the Western part of Spain where he spent the most of his life that Country took his Name being afterwards called Lusitania Under this Name was comprehended all the Country between the Rivers Guadiana and Duero the main Ocean bounded it on the West and its limits on the East were formed by an imaginary line drawn almost straight from the turning of the River Duero near Castrominho down to Guadiana which River divided it from the Province Betica Nothing else is recorded of Lusus but that he
Tideus he called Tide and in process of Time by Corruption is now called Tuy 12. The wonderful Abidis succeeded his fortunate Father Gargoris Abidis reigns in the Kingdom of Spain and in Gratitude to the Mountains where he was bred built the City Santarem and reigned 35 Years much beloved of his Subjects 1038. About this time happen'd that wonderful Dearth in Spain A wonderful Dearth which lasted 26 Months during which time it never rained Some there are who extend this to 40 Years others to 30. Such it was that all the Country became Desart the Inhabitants either perishing for Want or fleeing to other Places Long after this 952. a Multitude of the Celtae the ancient Inhabitants of France came into the Southern Parts of Portugal where they built several Towns and re-edified others before ruined They being mixed and well united with the Natives stood them in good stead when the Phoenicians possessed themselves of the Island of Cadiz Sidonians in Spain Not content with settling themselves there they began to incroach upon the People of Andaluzia and fortified themselves at Sidon now Medina Sidonia whence they were expelled by the united Forces of the ancient Natives 752. and intruding Celtae Which done the Lusitanians chose Argantonius for their King who governed them many Years with general Applause some Authors stretching his Life to 140 Years others only to 120. 13. The Celtae inhabiting Lusitania The Celtae settle in Portugal being vastly increased so that the Country they possessed could not contain them passed over the River Tagus with their Flocks and Families with a Design to settle along the Sea-Coast beyond the Promontory of the Moon now called the Rock of Sintra Those People fearing their intruding Guests marched out to oppose them but being overthrown were forced to submit to those that came with Intention only to be their Companions The Turduli for so those People were called joining with the Inhabitants of Lisbon formed another Army and joining Battel with the Celtae gained the Field but with such Loss that they had no reason to boast of their Victory Both Parties considering the Loss sustained came to an Agreement and divided the Province betwixt them 14. The Turduli thought themselves secure after this War with the Celtae when a more dangerous Enemy assaulted them The Mountainous People descend into the Plain These were a savage Mountainous People who having till then lived upon the Milk of their Goats and Wild Fruit came down to seek a better Country to inhabit but being defeated they passed the River Tagus There the Celtae cut off a good Number of them which obliged the rest to march along the River Tagus to the Sea-side where finding no Body to oppose them they settled themselves And from them that Cape near Setuval was called Promontorium Barbaricum now Caboâ—de Espichel 15. Nabuchadonosor having taken Hierusalem Nabuchodonozor in Spain and subdued a great part of the then known World came at last into Spain with his mighty Army composed of all Nations Having besieged the Island of Cadiz where the Phoenicians inhabited by Sea and Land he was driven thence by the united Forces of Spain and so with his whole Army put to Sea again He had before over-run the greatest part of Spain and now departing left behind him the greatest Plague that ever infested it Thus was a great Number of Jews dispersed in several Parts of it who fixing then could never since be rooted out The Phoenicians delivered of the Danger of Nabuchodonosor refused to pay the Lusitanians whom they had called to their Aid who offended thereat demanded more than was their Due The Controversie came to be decided by Blows wherein the Lusitanians were worsted yet not so discouraged but that gathering fresh Forces they came on again so furiously that having vanquished their Enemies they put them all to the Sword without Mercy By this Victory they became Masters of the greatest part of Andaluzia so that great Numbers of them went over to inhabit there calling it Turdetania where they built many Cities 16. In the mean while The Carthaginians come to relieve the Phoenicians the Phoenicians shut up in the Island of Cadiz craved Aid of the Carthaginians their ancient Allies against the Lusitanians who Lorded it over all Andaluzia The Carthaginians were not backward to undertake this Expedition but Rigging a mighty Fleet sent it to their Relief under the Command of Mezerbal a valiant and wise Captain At their first Landing in some Skirmishes our Men found their Valour would not avail against the Africans without some Martial Discipline Therefore they made Choice of one Baucius Capetus or as others call him Bachius Carupus a Man of a Gigantick Stature and great Conduct for their General He observing the manner of the Carthaginian Warfare instructed his Men accordingly About Break of Day the two Armies joined Battel with terrible Out-cries and no less Effusion of Blood Mezerbal observing his Troops disordered and giving way with some chosen Bands renewed the Fight and made the Victory more bloody than it would have been had not so great a General commanded Yet at last The Carthaginians defeated he was forced to give way and save his Life by Flight Baucius having pursued the Enemy and taken the Spoil of the Field returned Victorious and erected lasting Trophies in the Temples of his Idols The future Actions of Mezerbal being the Beginning of the Carthaginian Dominion in Spain require a new Chapter These Things were done about the Year of the World 3403 after the Deluge 1747 which is 559 Years before the Birth of Christ CHAP. III. The Actions of the Carthaginian Governors Mezerbal Sappho Hanno the First Himilco Gisgo Hannibal the First Hanno the Second Boodes Maherbal Hamilcar Barcinus Asdrubal and Hannibal the Second The Planting of many Colonies and Beginning of the Roman War 1. MEzerbal and Carthaginian though overthrown quitted not his Pretensions but contrived by Policy to compass what he had failed of by open Force He began to treat amicably with the Lusitanian Turduli 559. and sped so well that they intrusted him with several Places of Consequence Mezerbal subdues Portugal whereof being once possessed he began to Lord it over them This was the Beginning of the African Dominion in Spain Mean while that barbarous People who inhabited along the Coast of Setuval invented a new and bloody Sacrifice which continued for many Years 550. The Sea cast up a Whale of a wonderful Bigness whereat that ignorant People being terrified and thinking it had been some Sea-God A barbarous Sacrifice they killed a Young Man and a Maid and left them by the Whale The Tide rising it carried away the dead Bodies which they looked upon as an Acceptance of their Sacrifice and therefore they every Year after repeated it even after the Coming of Christ 2. About the same time 15000 of the Turduli seeking new Lands to
pressed he might either have the Money or Liberty to make use of his Captive She snatching a Ponyard out of his Hand ran to kill him but missing her Stroke stab'd her self The Bracarenses retiring the Romans took their Posts and many Skirmishes passing between them it happen'd that Antistius one of the Roman Generals was taken and fell into the Hands of the Father of that Maid above-mentioned who for that he had honourably buried his Daughter sent him away free and honourably presented Agrippa to requite the Kindness shewn to his Colleague raised the Siege and obtained many Favours of Augustus for the City perswading him that those of Porto were in the wrong Thenceforth it was called Augusta Bracara and had the Privilege of a Roman Colony 4. The Emperor Augustus being at Tarragona Augustus acknowledged Empâ—ror of the World and Temples erected to him received there Ambassadors from all Parts of the then known World congratulating his happy Accession to so great an Empire Then it was he concluded himself an absolute Monarch being complemented flattered and fawned upon by all Nations in so much that they begged Leave to erect Temples to him and give him Divine Honours He granted their Request and among that Multitude to the Ambassadors of Lusitania At Santarem a Temple was built in the manner of a Fort which was afterwards thought to denote a greater Inclination to War than to Devotion On this Account Accidius Cestius Augustus's Legate obstructed the building of another at Lisbon The People to remove his Suspicion erected it on the Rock of Sintra upon the Ocean No less than for these stately Structures Augustus was renowned for the Computation of Time begun from him and commonly called Aeraâ— The Reason of this Name is not our Affair to decide Certain it is it continued in Arragon till the Year of Christ 1358 when K. Peter IV. ordered the Computation of Time for the future to be from the Birth of our Saviour K. John I of Castile followed his Example in the Year of Grace 1383. And King John I of Portugal imitated them both in 1415. 5. It was two Years before the Birth of Christ when all Portugal Portugal how divided by Augustus entirely subdued enjoyed perfect Peace Augustus had divided the Kingdom into four Provinces subject to as many Courts of Judicature These were Merida Santarem Braga and Beja In each of these was a Praetor and other Officers of Justice Augustus was still at Tarragona when he published that memorable Decree for numbering of all the People in his Empire and imposing on every Head a Tribute or Poll-Tax which as some compute it was to the value of about 4d according to others 4d half Penny or as others say 9d The first Court in Lusitania where the Edict was published was Santarem By the Lists it appeared that in Lusitania there were 5068000 Heads of Families a wonderful Number if true but much to be doubted 6. About this time Corocota a famâ—ous Robber in the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho there started up a Lusitanian called Corocota who gathering a parcel of Outlaws together after committing several Outrages durst venture to give the Romans Battel in open Field But being defeated they fled to Biscay where they in Warlike manner followed the Trade of Robbing Octavius the Emperor promised 3000 Crowns and a Pardon for all Crimes whatsoever to any that should apprehend him He fearing there could not be wanting Criminals desirous of Pardon nor covetous Persons who would attempt any thing for Interest resolved to gain the Reward and Pardon by a magnanimous though dangerous Action He presented himself to the Emperor demanding both the Reward and promised Pardon since he delivered into his Hands Corocota whom perhaps no Man else could have put into his Power With which that generous Prince was so taken that he proved much better than his Word for he not only pardoned him and gave him the Money The Birth of oâ—r Saviour but admitted him into his Guards 7. It was now the Year of the World 3952 according to Bede and the Hebrews according to Eusebius 5199 according to Orosius 5200 according to Isidorus 5219 according to the Astronomers 5328 according to King Alphonso 6980 according to John Lucidus 3960 such is the Variety of Computations and according to others 3962. This last being in my Opinion the best Account and followed in this History it must then be 2432 Years after the Flood when on the 25th of December about Midnight the REDEEMER of Mankind was born in the Stable at Bethlehem wonderful Signs preceding his Birth The Angels descended singing Glory to GOD on high and on Earth Peace unto Men of Good Will They spread abroad the News of that wonderful Birth and awaked the Shepherds to behold the LAMB of GOD. In the mean while the Three Kings of the East travelled conducted by a miraculous STAR to pay their Adoration to the KING of Kings Signs of our Saviour's Birth in Spain 8. Spain wanted not its particular Signs of the Blessing communicated to Mankind that happy Night That very Night was enlighten'd with a glorious bright-shining Cloud which not only diffused a Light equal to the Noon-day-Sun but also an Heat nothing inferiour to it This Cloud drove away to the West and set in the Ocean at such time as the Morning-Beams appearing no Distinction could be made between Day and Night And that Portugal might not want some singular Tokens of the Coming of the GOD of Peace the Idol of the false God Endovelicus whose Temple was near Villaviciosa fell from the Altar to the Ground and though of Massy Silver it was broke into several Pieces which for the Rarity were sent to Rome where many other Idols had been destroyed at the same Hour Besides this an extraordinary Light appeared like that which was seen all over Spain upon the Promontory called Barbaricus now Serra da Arabida The End of the First BOOK ☞ Note That hitherto we have diminished the Years from the Flood till the Coming of CHRIST henceforward we shall increase them from his Birth to the End of the History THE HISTORY OF PORTUGAL The Second BOOK CHAP. I. All that hapned remarkable in Lusitania under the Roman Emperors from the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ till the Year of Grace 260. 1. THE whole Universe being restored to Peace by the Birth of the King of Peace Peace after the Birth of Christ Augustus Caesar caused the Gates of the Temple of Janus to be shut This was the third and last time those Gates were closed and Augustus the remaining part of his Life enjoyed a wonderful Felicity Our Lusitania had its share in this Tranquility having entirely submitted it self to the Roman Yoak and now reaping the Fruits of Peace under its Government Quadratus and Titus Flavius Caudianus were Legates or Pretors at this time as appears by several Ancient Inscriptions found upon Stones Not far
Valour At last Ricciarius was utterly overthrown with the Slaughter of all the flower of the Suevians 2. Ricciarius after this rout fled to the Sea-side Ricciarius his end and Embarking thought to have got over into Africk to call the Vandals and Alans to his assistance but by a violent Storm was drove to the River of Porto Those People to gain the Favour of the Conqueror who was now subduing the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho secured and delivered him up to Theodoricus He Governed by Passion cut off his Head and in him perished the Glory of the Suevian Kingdom so that it never after rose to any Grandeur His Death was the more lamented for that he was a Prince zealous of the true Religion Accordingly in his life-time he assembled a National Synod at Aquae Celenae a Town in Galicia now called St. George of Codesâ—da here several Heresies were Condemned and particularly that of Priscilian The Victorious Theodoricus laid Siege to Braga which was soon Surrendred to him Here he left one Aliulfus Governour whilst he crossing the River Duero went on to conquer all that had been subject to the Suevian King all yielded to him without any opposition except the City Merida the Garrison and Inhabitants of which place were so hardy as to meet the Goths in the Feild which Theodoricus so highly resented that he promised to rase the City but the Virgin St. Eulalia is said to have appeared to him in a Dream and deterred him from putting his design in Execution 3. Theodoricus was upon his return to France Theodoricus having conquered Spain puts it under Governours when he had intelligence that Aliulfus whom he had made Governour of Braga had assumed the Title of King and raised a considerable Army to maintain it But giving Battle to Nepocianus Theodoricus his General lost his life From that time the Suevians remained subject to the Goths All things being thus quieted Theodoricus went away to France leaving Governours over all his Conquests The People considering the oppression they lay under by the ill Administration of these Governours and wanting the power to Revolt had recourse to the Bishops and Clergy praying them to intercede with Theodoricus that he would appoint a King over them whom they might obey and who yet might be subordinate to him The Bishops undertook the Business and Idacius Prelate of Lamego having proposed the matter of the Embassy to Theodoricus in France he tho' an Arrian respecting the Character of the Embassadors not only granted their request but allowed the People to choose a King among themselves to Govern them according to their Ancient Laws only paying some small acknowledgment to the Kings of the Goths Two Kings set up in Lusitania As soon as the Bishops returned to Braga joyning with the Laity they chose for their King one Masdra the Son of Masila This which was intended for the peace of the Country proved its greatest Confusion for some of the Nobility who were not present at the Election set up for their King one Franta who presently possessed himself of all the Lands along the Coast of Galicia with the Cities of Astorga Orense and Iria Flavia. Masdra held all Lusitania and was accounted King of the Suevians he thought by his submission and paying the Tribute to gain the favour of Theodoricus and obtain Aid against his Competitor But the Goth politickly thinking it better the Kingdom should be divided as being thereby the less capable of Rebelling against him accepted of the submission of them both for Franta had sent to pay his obedience with no less speed than the other 4. The Kingdom of the Suevians thus divided 457. fell into those Calamities which commonly attend States that depend between Competitors Two Years the Wars continued very furious during which time so many Towns about the Frontiers were subverted as might well have contented either party but at last both of them grown weary 460. gave over the strife Masdra who had the better Title died and left a Son called Remismundus his Successor he considering how little had been gained on either side by the War not only made Peace but entred into League with his Competitor Thus with their united Forces they conquered several parts of Lusitania which owned neither of them but either followed their own Captains or had again put themselves under the Roman Empire Thus done they both returned home satisfied having enlarged their Dominions which they would have wasted by waging War upon one another A prodigious Birth Two Years Franta enjoyed Peace at the end whereof he died leaving the Crown to his Brother Frumarius At this time hapned a Prodigy in the Territory of Braga which was the Birth of two Children each of them having two heads like one another and of two several Sexes Remismundus and Frumarius falling at variance about Precedency took up Arms by force whereof the latterâ—gained of the other the City Flavia now Chaves in which and all its Territory he spared not even the Stones all the Country was consumed with Fire and Sword Remismundus was satisfied with doing as much harm in his Enemies Country as he received in his own he took by open force the Cities of Orense and Lugo in which he exercised the utmost Efforts of his Fury 5. This Desolation continued for the space of two Years 464. when Death put a stop to it by taking away Frumarius The Suevian Kingdom again united under Remismundus and his subjects having left him for whom before they had forfeited their quiet submitted themselves to Remismundus who thus became absolute and sole King of the Suevians He presently thought of recovering all that remained of Lusitania and passing over the River Duero with his Army marched to the Ancient Coimbra now Condeixa which the Romans had Rebuilt and Fortified It was then a place impregnable and accordingly put a stop for a while to Remismundus but he persisting before it had it at last surrendred upon Honourable Conditions though contrary to his Faith given he broke the Conditions robbing the Garrison and rasing the City Lisbon made such a vigorous Defence that he began to despair of carrying it but a Citizen called Lusidius privately gave him Entrance into it so that he was within before the Townsmen could put themselves in order to oppose him Remismundus thus possessed of all those Dominions before divided fearing least Theodoricus the Goth might grow jealous of his great power sent him an account of his Victories with the best of the spoiles He Marries the Daughter of Theodoricus assuring him of the continuance of his Fidelity to the Gothish Kings Theodoricus overcome with this Generosity sent him his Daughter for Wife with a great Mass of Treasure under the charge of his Ambassador Salanus 6. This was an unhappy Match for Lusitania The Arian Heresie first spread in Lusitania for the Suevians being before true Sons of the
Back ELBORA JUSTUS Recaredus had two Wives The first before he came to the Crown was Balda Daughter to the famous King Arthur or to Fonto a Gothish Lord. The Second was Clodosinda Sister to Ingunda the Wife of his Brother Prince Hermenegildus Her chiefest Portion was the Peace established between Spain and France then at War By his first Wife though some will have him to be Illegitimate he had Liuva who succeeded him in the Throne and was of such excellent Beauty of Person and such amiable Behaviour that all his Subjects rather adored than obeyed him except Witericus whom the late King had pardoned for discovering the Conspiracy at Merida This Man before enured to Treachery now compassed his wicked Designs apprehending his natural Lord cutting off his Right Hand and depriving him of his Crown and Life in the Second Year of his Reign 7. Witericus thus Tyrannically possessed of the Government and Regal Throne of all Spain 603. held it seven Years Wetericus usurps which ended in an ignominious Death yet such as he deserved He died miserably dragged about the Streets of Toledo 610. by the People Flavius Gundemarus of the Blood of Recaredus Flavius Gundemarus reigns in that Right ascended the Throne and proved no way inferiour to him for Valour Moderation and Piety He desiring to honour the Church of Toledo 611. made it the Metropolitan of all the Province of Cartagena To which purpose a Synod was held at Toledo in which it was ordained that Criminals should have the Benefit of Sanctuary In this City Death cut him off so early that it is doubted whether he reigned full two Years 612. Our Lusitania then subject to the Gothish Kings Lusitania governed by Lieutenants was governed by their Lieutenants whereof there was one in every Province and some Comites or Counts for then this Title began to be honoured for being rare as now it is little regarded for being so common It is to be observed that at this time the Name of Comites was not Titular as now but denoted a Power and Jurisdiction over Lands of the Crown In Spain there is no Title given by the Kings that is of 400 Years standing Gundemarus Sisebutus chosen King though married to Hilduara leaving no Heirs Sisebutus was chosen his Successor by the Prelates and Nobility 616. He immediately upon his Accession to the Crown commanded all the Jews to embrace the Christian Religion Almost 100000 were baptized and as many chose rather to be banished Spain Sisebutus though absent from Portugal adorned it with many Structures Two Towers with his Name on them remain still at Evora of the Walls then by him built Some of his Coin is also extant on the Reverse whereof is a Cross and about it CIVITAS EBORA DEUS ADJUTOR MEUS He ordered Ships to be built upon the Coast of Lusitania and having obtained some Victories which appertain not to our History 621. died when he had reigned 8 Years and an half much lamented as extraordinarily beloved of his Subjects 8. Sisebutus left a young Son called Recaredus who dying soon after his Accession to the Crown 622. left it to Flavius Suintila Flavius Suintila 's Reign Son to the Holy King Recaredus so worthy a Man that Silebutus always committed to him the Command of his Armies No sooner had he grasped the Sceptre He utterly expels the Romans but he changed it for the Sword and soon drove out of Portugal the small Remains of the Roman Empire which still in much Variety of Fortune had retained some small Hold there During the first five Years of his Reign he behaved himself with that Justice and Piety that among other honourable Titles he obtained that of Father of the Poor Some of his Coin in Gold I have seen whereof one Piece had this Inscription SUINTILA REX EBORA VICTOR Another SUINTILA REX EMERITA PIUS This King stained the Honour of the first five Years of his Reign by the Lewdness of the ensuing five which so incensed his Subjects that he was forced to fly and end his Days in Misery in Lusitania as some will have it or in Toledo according to others Yet other Authors say he and his Son Richimirus were killed by Sisenandus their Successor Some Writers affirm that Sisenandus was Brother to Suintila Certain it is 631. he obtained the Crown by Election with the Assistance of Dagobert King of France Sisenandus succeeds in the Throne whose Favour he had purchased with a great Summ of Money At the Beginning of his Reign he made himself loved and feared He assembled a National Synod at Toledo at which 72 Prelates met Here in regard of what Sisebutus had done with the Jews it was ordained That none should be forcibly constrained to embrace the Catholick Faith 635. Sisenandus died at Toledo having reigned four Years 9. It is doubtful whether Sisenandus was Father or Brother to Chintila King Chintila holds two Synods his Heir Two Synods were held in his Days He reigned three Years and an half and died at Toledo much lamented of all Men. His Son Tulga succeeded him 638. who holding the Crown but two Years His Son Tulga succeeds could not do so much as was expected from his Justice Prudence and Valour He departed this Life at Toledo leaving no Issue Chindasuindus by Force of Arms 640. possessed himself of the Kingdom At Toledo he gathered a Synod of 40 Prelates Chindasuindus possesses himself of the Kingdom by Force Rensiberga Daughter to Evancius the Brother of St. Eugenius Archbishop of Toledo was Wife to this King By her he had three Sons viz. Recesuindus 650. Theodofredus and Favila Having reigned 10 Years he died at Toledo and was buried in the Monastery of St. Romanus founded by himself between Toro and Tordesilas 655. Two Synods were assembled at Toledo during the Reign of Recesuindus Two Synods held by Recesuindus the eldest Son of the late King In the First were 52 Bishops from all Parts of Spain In the Second Council were first heard Debates and Disputes concerning the Primacy of all Spain Braga pretended a Right to that Honour It was decreed that the Archbishop of Braga should be Metropolitan of all Galicia only Another Council was assembled at Merida to the same effect but the Church of Braga still went down About this same time the Gascoigns invaded Spain but were overthrown and expelled though no Particulars of the Action are to be found in History nor of any thing that happen'd in the Space of almost 20 Years which end with the Life of Recesuindus 672. He was buried in the Church of St. Leocadia at Toledo Some of his Coin is still to be seen His only Son Theodofredus was left so young that he was thought incapable of inheriting so great a Monarchy as will appear in the Sequel It is here very remarkable that Pontamius Archbishop of
flight of his Daughter Ximena The third was Sancha Daughter to the King of Navarre by these two he had no Children 923. The last Action of his life darkn'd all the Glory of his former Triumphs He sent for four Counts who governed Castile upon safe Conduct to Carrion and there cut off their Heads Which so incensed the People of Castile that they only wanted an Opportunity to rebell and take Revenge But Death prevented their Designs 924. taking him away at Zamora His Body was buried in the great Church of Leon which City he had so entirely loved that he took its Name for the Title of his Kingdom leaving that of King of Oviedo and Galicia CHAP. VIII The Succession of the Kings of Castile and Leon from the Year 924 till 985 With the Revolt of Count Fernan Gonzalez And the Desolation made in Portugal by Alcoraxis and Almanzor the Moors 1. D. Fruela II. was Successor to his Brother Ordonno Fruela II. usurps the Crown usurping the Crown from his Children who were then very young He was nothing like to his Brother in Valour for he ceased the Prosecution of the War against the Infidels but was not unlike to him in the last Action of his Life for as Ordonno unjustly put to death the fore-mentioned Counts so Fruela wrongfully executed certain Gentlemen called Olmudes He became so odious to the Castilians that the Nobility Castile separates from Leon. and creates a Government under Judges joining together rebelled and separated themselves from the Crown of Leon. To this purpose they chose two Judges to rule them The two first were Nunno Rasura and Lain Calvo They were of the Middle Sort of People neither of the Greatest nor Meanest that so they might neither be too powerful nor become contemptible Yet from them are the Kings of Spain descended At the same time that this Government was instituted in Castile we find Counts governing in some Parts of Portugal as D. Gutierre Arias at Porto and Hufo Hufez at Viseo A Leprosie consumed King Fruela so fast 925. that he died at Leon having reigned scarce a Year and was buried in the Cathedral He had two Wives D. Munia and D. Vrraca By them he had Issue Ordonno Alonso and Ramiro King Ramiro II. put out all their Eyes and thrust them into the Monastery of St. Julian either upon Suspicion or Proof that they conspired against him He had also a fourth Son called Fruela 2. Alonso IV Alonso IV. resigns the Government to his Brother Ramiro Eldest Son of King Ordonno II after the Death of Fruela recovered his Right and Kingdom He was not wicked as his Predecessor but as unprofitable to his Kingdom as he His best Quality was That he was sensible of his own Insufficiency and therefore first sent his Brother Ramiro to govern Portugal and afterwards resigned the Kingdom to him and became himself a Monk Ramiro had chosen the City Viseo for his Residence in Portugal whence he made Inroads into the Frontiers of the Moors and by his gentle Government gained the Affections of the People Here he received Letters from the King his Brother calling him to Court in order to resign the Crown to him for that his Son Prince Ordonno was but an Infant D. Ramiro fearing his Brother's Inconstancy hasted to Zamora that he might not have Time to repent The King immediately put the Crown upon his Head and was the first that did him Homage as his Subject Which done he took the Habit of a Benedictine Monk in the Monastery of Sahagun and is therefore called Alonso the Monk He was married to Ximena the Daughter of King Sancho Abarca of Navarre and had by her Ordonno who came to be King and D. Alonso who died young He died in the Monastery of St. Julian and lies there buried But we shall see him repent and disturb his Brother's Reign 3. King Alonso being become a Monk 928. and repenting Alonso repents and raises a Civil War his Brother Ramiro now possessed of the Crown resolved not to part with it and thus began a Civil War which was the Cause of much Mischief The Moors making their Advantage thereof recovered the Cities of Lamâ—go Braganza and Porto with all the Country lying between the Rivers Tagus and Duero The Castilians also made use of this Opportunity their Judges Nunno and Lain being dead to raise up in their stead the Count Ferran Gonzalez King Ramiro politickly winking at this Affront 932. which he could not revenge upon the Authors invaded the Kingdom of Toledo destroying all before him with Fire and Sword King Alonso the Monk held out two Years in Leon against his Brother Ramiro But then despairing of Success he stirred up Alonso Ordonno and Ramiro the Sons of his Predecessor Fruela to raise a Rebellion in Asturias and Biscay believing that would draw away the King his Brother from attending upon him Nevertheless the King continued the Siege obliged him to surrender and afterwards put him into Prison This done he found Means to apprehend the three Brothers and to prevent future Designs put out theirs and his Brother the Monk's Eyes Two Years Alonso lived blind But the King repenting of this Cruelty used towards his Brother to testifie his Repentance built the Monastery of St. Julian 4. Two Months are said to have passed in the Year 934 934. in which Time the Light of the Sun was scarce seen Prodigies in the Sky at the End whereof a Breach or Yawning appeared in the Sky along which great Flames of Fire were seen to run and the Stars seemed to wander in the Region of the Air. Many Judgments were made upon these Prodigies but most agreed they portended the End of the World to be at hand At last the Sun shined out and whilst the Christians appeased God with Prayers the Moors consulted their Wizards Alfarani of Meca affirmed to King Abderramen that this Prodigy threaten'd the Downfall of Christian Princes if he would take in hand to pull them down Diviners fore-tell what they know is pleasing to Princes and Princes believe that which pleases them Abderramen declares War and makes mighty Preparations for it drawing great Succours out of Africk under the Command of Almanzor With an Army almost innumerable he broke into Portugal bearing down all before him and putting the Christians to most cruel Deaths King Ramiro having gathered the greatest Power he could set forward to meet the Enemy whose Multitude obliged him to retire to the Mountains of Clavijo Ramiro destroys a great Army of Infidels Here the Apostle St. James is said to have appeared to him promising he should obtain a wonderful Victory in that Place In the Fight the Apostle was seen on Horseback making great Slaughter among the 〈◊〉 This Victory some will have to be the Cause of his being taken for Patron of Spain though others say it was that in the Time of King Alonso I. as was
St. Michael the Archangel is said to have been seen by his side hewing down the Infidels Hence he went to the Monastery of Alcobaca to return thinks to God for this success and staying there a Month is said to have instituted a new order of Knighthood called that of the Wing for that in the Battle he saw a winged Arm near him fighting against the Moors which the King supposing to be St. Michael or his Guardian Angel he dedicated the order to them both The chief Rules were that the Knights should wear a red Wing embroidered with Gold that none but Gentlemen of Note should be admitted to the Order that in fight they should carry the Royal Standard that they should take the Oath of Allegiance administred by the Prior of Alcobaca who was to be superior of the Order that they should every day say the same Prayers as did the Converts of that Monastery that their Feast should be observed on Michaelmass Day The King and principal Men were enrolled in this Order but it was not lasting 5. At this time there was in the Portuguese Court Gonzalo Hermiguez his actions a Gentleman called Gonzalo Hermiguez much esteemed of the Ladies for his Eloquence and Art in Poetry and no less envied of the Men as well for those Qualities as for that his extraordinary Actions had purchased him the Title of Moor Swallower This Gentleman with a party that used to follow him passed over the River Tagus before it was light on Midsummer Day from Lisbon to Almada and there lay in Ambush The Moors according to their Custom coming out that Morning with their Women to be merry upon the Banks of the River he suddenly rushed out upon them expecting no such Entertainment and made a great slaughter of them The Infidels strove to defend themselves but in vain for he carried off a rich Booty to his Boats Being ready to put off he espied a Moor carrying away a beautiful Woman and leaping again ashore he forced her from him and so made over to Santarem with his Prey Of all the booty he took nothing to himself but the fair Captive whom Baptized he made his Wife She soon after dying he was so afflicted that leaving the World he took upon him the habit of St. Bernard in the Monastery of Alcobaca and out of his own Patrimony having no Children founded the Monastery of St. Mary de Tumarayâ— near Ourem Much about this time it is recorded that the King being near the mouth of the River Mondego found a small Chappel with the Image of our B. Lady which restored to life one of his Servants killed with a fall from his Horse An old Hermit told him it was the same that had preserved all the Women and Children killed by John the Abbot as was said in its place when he sallied out of Montemayor and unexpectedly overthrew a multitude of Infidels This moved the King to erect a Monastery there called at present St. Mary de Seica and the Image being several times removed from the poor Chappel to the magnificent Church of this Monastery is said always of it self to have returned to its own place Peter the King's Bastard Brother ranging abroad met a party of Moors conducting a Beautiful Lady with much Treasure all which having routed them he took Cide Achim a Moor of Silves who courted this Lady begged her of the King or else desired him to keep him also for his slave The King referred him to his Brother Peter who not only restored to him the Lady but all the Treasure taken with her upon condition he should send no succours to Lisbon which it seems was not then taken 6. Peter of Peter Bastard Brother to Alonso Bastard Brother to King Alonso was sent into France to prevail with St. Bernard to use his interest with the Pope for to obtain his investiture and confirmation of the new Kingdom of Portugal To omit what is too Romantick concerning this Peter he is said for his extraordinary valour to have been admitted into the number of the 12 Peers of France and that preparing to accompany that King to Hierusalem he was diswaded by St. Bernard who advised him rather to act against the Moors in Spain He followed his advice and was at the taking of Santarem Lisbon Trancoso Badajoz and other great Actions After this he was chosen Master of the new instituted order of Knight-hood called that of Avis which Honour he obtained of the King that he might not be obliged by him to Marry Returning one day with a party from an Engagement with the Moors he laid down in a Field and fell a Sleep at which time St. Bernard appeared to him in a Dream perswading him to take upon him the Habit of his Order which he accordingly performed and lived 13 Years in the Monastery of Alcobaca with an extraordinary opinion of Sanctity 7. The Dominions of Portugal being now enlarged from a small Dower given by the King of Leon with his Bastard Daughter to the proportion of a considerable Kingdom King Alonso sued to Pope Alexander III. for his invessiture in the same offering to pay to the See of Rome for ever two pound of Gold yearly as an acknowledgment of his holding that Crown of the Pope His Holiness granted his request and accordingly expedited his Bulls to that effect in the Year 1172. 1172. Hereupon the Cortes or Parliament was assembled at Lamego Pope Alexander grants the Investiture of the Kingdom of Portugal to Alonso under a Tribute in which pursuant to these Bulls the King was crowned with a Crown of Gold by the Archbishop of Braga and all the States there assembled unanimously voted their Kingdom independent of the Crown of Leon For the better regulating of the succession it was enacted That the King's Sons should inherit and for want of them his Brothers whose Sons should not succeed them without consent of the People That Daughters might Inherit provided they Married not out of the Kingdom that their Husband should not be called King till the Queen had a Son that he should not wear the Crown on his Head in Parliament that if she Married a Forreign Prince she should not inherit least the Crown should be transferred to Strangers 8. About this time the King made an incursion into Algarve The body of St. Vincent translated to Lisbon as far as the Promontorium Sacrum or Cape St. Vincent desiring to translate the Body of that Saint which he understood to be there but he could not perform it and retired Afterwards the Council of Lisbon sent People to discover it who brought it away to that City where it is kept with great Veneration a number of Crows following the Body from the Mountain to the great Church where it lies and there they also continue to this Day Abenjacob Son to the Miramamolin or Emperor of Morocco with a mighty Army besieged and much streightned the Town of Abrantes but certain
Portuguese Gentlemen raising the greatest Power they were able gave him Battle and put him to flight D. Fuas Roupinno commanded in the Castle of Puerto de Mos at such time as Gami King of Merida came to attack it D. Fuas hearing of his approach with a small body went out and lay close in Ambush The Moor giving an Assault to the Castle he fell upon him so unexpected and furiously that most of the Moors being slain Gami and many others were made Prisoners Gami and his Brother were sent for a present to old King Alonso who then reposed himself at Coimbra This same D. Fuas being Admiral at Sea destroyed the Gallies of Mauritania the first time near Cape Espichel 1182. and brought nine of them to Lisbon others he burnt in the Sea of Ceuta Engagements by Sea Returning thither afterwards with 21 Galleys he fought 54 of the Enemy but was totally destroyed and found a Grave where before he had raised Tropheys Joseph Aben Jacob Miramamolin of Morocco Andaluzia Murcia and Valencia with 13 Kings and the mightiest Army that till then had been seen to revenge the harms suffered from the Portuguese passed the River Tagus and having destroyed Torres Vedras 1184. and whatever else stood in his way laid Siege to Santarem where Prince Sancho then was During 6 or 7 days he incessantly Battered the Town and gave several assaults to it so that many of the Defendants were killed the Prince wounded and the Walls shaken At this time King Alonso being 91 years of Age came to relieve the Town but scarce had the occasion to draw his Sword the Infidels flying precipitously at the very sight of him Both the Father and Son pursued the flying Enemy with such Execution that the River was dyed with their Blood The Miramamolin ended his days in the very River being first wounded by the Prince 9. The most glorious King Alonso having Governed 17 Years without the Title of King and 46 with it and having lived 93 at length departed this life in the month of December 1185. and year of our Lord 1185. In his life time he is said to have overthrown 30 Kings The Death of King Alonso besides a number of lesser Princes and inferior Commanders It must be observed that most of these were Kings of particular Cities His Piety appears in the great number of Churches he Erected reported to amount to 150. He instituted two Military Orders that of the Wing before spoken of which for want of Revenues died with the first Knights And that of Avis as our Author will have it tho' I find no other to confirm this Antiquity which continues to this day To the Knights Templers and Hospitallers he assigned considerable Revenues As to his Person he was 11 Spans High a Gigantick Stature his Hair Red a large Mouth long Visage and large sparkling Eyes He lay in the Church of the Holy Cross at Coimbra in a wooden Tomb till King Emanuel erected one more Majestick for him His Sword and Buckler are there still to be seen His Arms the Arms he bore on his Sheild were Argent 19 Scutcheons Arzure 10 of them in the nature of an Orle the other nine in Cross and in Saltire all joined together with twists of Silk running from one to the other each Escutcheon charged with Thirteen Bezants 10. King Alonso was 53 Years of Age when he Married Mafalda His Wife and Issue the most Beautiful Lady of those times and second Daughter to Amadee 5th Earl of Marienne and first of Savoy This Queen followed the example of her Husband in erecting several Churches and Monasteries By her the King had Issue Henry who died young Sancho who inherited the Crown John Malfalda Wife to Alonso the second King of Aragon Vrraca Wife to King Ferdinand the second of Leon from whom she was divorced on account of Consanguinity after she had by him Alonso who inherited that Crown Teresa second Wife to Philip the first Earl of Flanders and Sancha his Bastard Children were Peter Alonso Teresa married to Sancho Nunnez from whom her Father took her and married her to Ferdinand Martinez the brave Lord of Braganza and the Lady Vrraca married to Peter Alonson Viegas the Grandson to Egas Moniz the King's Tutor CHAP. IV. The life and Reign of King Sancho I. from the Year 1154. till 1212 all his Actions in Peace and War his Arms and Issue 1. KIng Alonso had enjoyed the regal Title 15 Years when his Wife Queen Mafalda bore him his second Son and Successor Sancho 1154. He was Born at Coimbra the 11th of December Sancho succeeds his Father Alonso which being St. Martin's Day he had that Name given him together with the other From his very Infancy he was bred in the Field amidst the noise of Arms and surrounded with Dangers His Actions under his Father At the Age of 13 he engaged with the King of Leon in the Plains of Arganal and tho' not Victorious came off with Honour He was the first Christian Prince after the Conquest of Spain by the Moors that advanced to the Walls of Sevil. His Father King Alonso had ordered him to pass the River Tagus to defend that plentiful Country The Moors suffered him to pass undisturbed by Evora and Beja but having passed Sierra Morena he was met by the King of Sevil with a numerous Army in the plain of Axarafe here they came to a Battle which was obstinately fought on both sides till the valour of the Christians overcame the multitude of their Enemies whom they pursued to the Gates of Sevil making that River run Red with the blood of Infidels In his return to Portugal the Prince wasted all the Country carrying a vast Booty without meeting any opposition By the way he laid Siege to Niebla and had now reduced it to great extremity when advice was brought him that the City Beja was distressed by the Moors Thither he hasted and charging the Besiegers put them to the rout and relieved the City The King of Bajadoz had sent Ravadan a famous Commander with an Army to spoil that part of Portugal which he performed as was expected from him being on his return he was overtaken by the Prince and forced to quit the Country and his Booty with more hast than he came This Prince valiantly defended Santarem against the Miramamolin till his Father came to raise the Siege and they both entred the place in Triumph These were his principal Exploits till his Accession to the Crown which was in the Year 1185. 1185. 2. The third day after his Father's Death in the 30th Year of his Age and the 10th after he was married Prince Sancho was Proclaimed King in the same place where he was Born Since this is the first King that died in Portugal we will set down the manner of publick lamentation made for his Death which continues to this day The manner of lamenting the death
considering the great merit of D. Payo Correa before spoken of made him General for the conquest of Algarve He acted therein with the success that was hoped of his conduct taking several strong holds among which were Estombar and Alvor Garcia Rodrigues who had travelled that Country as a Merchant was his principal Guide having forsaken the pursuit after Riches to purchase Honour with his Sword Paderne was also taken but cost dear the success remaining a long time dubious The Enemy having proposed a Cessation of Arms it was granted because our forces fatigued with so many expeditions required some time of refreshment During this Truce the Commendary Peter Perez with five Gentlemen went out to hunt in the Mountains of the Village of Antas In their passage by Tavira a City belonging to the Moors they were set upon by a greater number of Infidels Garcia Rodriguez the Merchant above mentioned passing that way hasted to their succour and after a brave resistance they were all killed upon the place D. Payo Correa could not come time enough to save their lives though upon the first advice of the accident he hasted thither Seeing his Friends could not be saved he fell upon the Enemy for revenge and they flying to the City he entred it together with them and though he met with a vigorous resistance made himself Master of it King Sancho hearing of the taking of Tavira gave it to the Knights of Santiago 4. The conquest of Silves only was wanting to compleat our General 's Glory Silves again recovered His Policy and Celerity brought it about the Enemy offering him a favourable opportunity The Inhabitants of that place went out to assist King Aben Afan at the Siege of Estombar D. Payo instead of relieving the Besieged attacked Silves then forsaken of its Defendants and easily made himself Master of it The Moorish King hasting to succour the City came late for his design but in time for D. Payo who rushing out of the City put him to flight so precipitately that he was drowned on the Coast which in memory of him is to this day called the Sea of Abenafan Thus all Algarve was brought under the power of King Sancho The Pope about this time having invited all Christian Princes to joyn their Forces against the Tartars 1244. King Sancho provided a Gallant Army for that Expedition but all his Preparations were disappointed for he went not as he had designed Roderick Sanchez Son to King Sancho I. having been long at variance with Giles de Soverosa a powerful Man in those days they met with armed Troops near the City Porto and after a sharp Engagement the dispute ended with the life of Roderick Sanchez who was there slain In this Encounter Roderick Fafes a Man of Note having lost his Horse asked Gonzalo Rodriguez de Abreu to give him his he gave it upon condition the other should give him his Daughter Mencia in Marriage which according to promise Fafes afterwards performed 5. The King continued to bestow liberally most rich Possessions on the Church The subjects ripe for rebellion tho' the King was blameless His goodly Actions deserved no less love of his Subjects than any of his Predecessors but it is not always Merit that gains esteem among Men. Envy towards his Favourites produced Malice against him nor was the fault in his Government or in choosing such Ministers but that all who aspired to it could not be Favourites There never is wanting a pretence to subjects disposed to rebell The King easing himself on his Favourites the Portuguese gave out he was uncapable to Govern and therefore proposed to erect a Lieutenant to manage affairs for him and made application to the Pope hereupon having fixed upon the King's Brother Alonso to fill that place and succeed him It was want of Loyalty in them and not of capacity in him that produced this Resolution One objection raised against King Sancho by his Enemies They cavil at all his Actions was That he had married a Wife below his Quality and was too fond of her Weak motives to a Rebellion especially considering his Queen was the Daughter of D. Lope Diaz de Haro Lord of Biscay and of Vrraca bastard Daughter to Alonso IX King of Leon so that she was equal to him either as being both the Off-spring of the same King's Bastards or as to grandeur her Father wanting nothing but the usurped Title of King to make him as great as he of Portugal It is true the Queen favouring those who had been instrumental in advancing her to the Crown hid some miscarriages from the King which gave occasion to the multitude to commit several insolencies and the King not punishing them whilst he could had not afterwards the power to do it when he would Some would have it that the Queen had given her Husband a Potion the more to secure his love to her and to divert him wholly from the care of the Government 6. The tumultuous Cryes of the People not prevailing The Clergy joins in the Rebellion with the Laity the Clergy took upon them to espouse their Quarel and had recourse to Pope Gregory IX who thundered out Ecclesiastical Censures against the King on account of his being Married to Queen Mencia who was his Kinswoman within the prohibited degree The King making no account of the Spiritual Weapons the People mutinied being headed by Raymund Viegas Portocarreo a Man of quality The Rebels seize the Queen and breaking into the Palace at Coimbra took away the Queen and put her into the Castle of Ourem This exasperated the King to that height that gathering what force he could he endeavoured to recover her but all in vain for the Rebels conveyed her into Castile The King betrayed by all his Ministers Now it plainly appeared that King Sancho was rather Unfortunate than unfit to Govern for even the Ambassadors he employed abroad betrayed him He sent John Egas Archbishop of Braga and Peter and Tiburicus Bishops of Porto and Coimbra to Rome and they forgetting they were sent by their Prince became Sollicitors for the Rebels who held correspondence there Hereupon a Council was held at Lions in France assembled by Pope Innocent IV. and King Sancho having sent thither his Ambassadors Ruy Gomez de Briteiros Gomez Viegas Peter Alonso a Franciscan and Dominick de Braga a Dominican they joyned with the mutinous Prelates Alonso Brother to King Sancho made Vicar of the Kingdom by the Rebels and thereupon Count Alonso Brother to King Sancho then Married in France to Maud Countess of Bolen was at Paris Sworn Vicar of the Kingdom and as such confirmed by the Pope yet so that King Sancho should still retain the Title and Preheminence of King and his Sons if he had any should inherit This new Substitute brought more harm than good to the Kingdom for his followers treated him as a King and he assumed that respect which did not belong to him
whilst others acknowledged the true King so that this difference came to be decided by the Sword 7. The Dominicans and Franciscans were appointed to put in Execution this unjust decree and one Giles a Dominican durst notify it to the King King Sancho flies into Castile He seeing himself deprived of his Wife and Government and the People in Rebellion fled to Toledo then the Court of Ferdinand the Holy King of Castile By the way King Sancho reposing himself at Moreira certain Gentlemen came to him offering to stand by him and support his cause provided he would put away his Favourite The King disapproving of this conditional Loyalty no better then open Rebellion continued his Journey At Toledo he spent the remainder of his life in works of Grandeur and Piety He expended a great Treasure in Alms and Building the Royal Chappel in the Cathedral having done extraordinary Pennance for his Sins and given singular marks of great Piety His Death he departed this life the Thirty Ninth Year of his Age and the Thirteenth of his Reign reckoning in those that his Brother Governed for him He is said to have had a special Devotion to S. Lazarus and also that he appeared twice to him in his life-time and was present at his Death In the beginning of his Reign he peopled the City Idanha which had been destroyed by his Grand-father King Sancho when he took it from the Moors He maintained the City Aleazer against the Infidels who Besieged it who after much loss sustained begged a Truce He not only preserved his Kingdom but recovered many places that had been lost and may be accounted amongst the best of our Princes 8. In this King ended the direct line of the Kings of Portugal His Person described he being the Fourth King and Second of the Name His Countenance was Beautiful his Hair fair and long his Forehead high his Eyes green and cheerful his Nose large and his Complexion inclined to pale In his Antient Pictures he is represented in Scarlet Robes a Crown on his Head a Book in one Hand and in the other a Scepter with a Pigeon on the top of it as the commonalty would have it or else it might be a Stork as many Antient Kings used denoting by the care that Bird has of its young ones the love of a Prince towards his Subjects He built from the ground the Monasteries of St. Dominick in the Cities of Lisbon and Porto Some say his Queen accompanied him at Toledo and others affirm she was never heard of more after being taken from him He had no Issue and consequently his Brother suceeded him CHAP. VII The Life and Reign of Alonso the third of the Name and Fifth King of Portugal his Actions and Death from the Year 1210. till 1279. 1. D. Alonso the Third of the Name Alonso III. his Birth and Actions till his assumption to the Crown and Fifth King was Brother to King Sancho whose lot it was to have a Crown without the power of the Government and a Wife without Issue He was Born in the City of Coimbra on the 5th of May was the second Son of King Alonso II. and Married Maud Countess of Bolen in France 1210. then Widdow of Phillip the curled Son of Philip Augustus King of France and Grand-son to the Duke of Maravia whose Daughter Queen Mary was 1245. His thoughts were employed upon the Holy War when he was called to the Crown of Portugal The Kingdom being in confusion the Nobles made suite to Pope Innocent the III. that Alonso might ascend the Throne instead of his Brother Sancho The Pope not to deprive the King of his right and being informed he was not of Ability to Govern consented that Alonso should have the Authority of Regent but Sancho should still have the regal stile and preheminence and his Children if he had any should inherit At Paris Alonso took Solemn Oath as Regent which was to this Effect That he would preserve the Priviledges of the Clergy Nobility and Commonalty That he would constitute upright Judges without Favour or Affection That such as had committed Crimes against Priests should be punished That their Estates should be restored That all Buildings erected to the prejudice of Prelates should be Demolished and nothing for the future should be taken from them This was the promise made and consequently such were the miscarriages then in the Government so that the King suffered for some miscarriages in his Ministers 2. Alonso having taken upon him the Title of Regent Alonso received as Regent set out from Paris and returned to his Country where he was received by most places yet several having more regard to their Loyalty than the present Danger held out long after and some till King Sancho died at Toledo Alonso possessed of the Kingdom He puts away his Wife and Marries another like an ungrateful Man put away his Wife Maud the Countess who Married him when he had nothing and took in her place Beatrix Bastard Daughter to King Alonso the Tenth of Castile Some Authors say the Countess was contrary to all Human and Divine Laws put away on account of Barrenness but that is a mistake for it will appear she had Children Pope Alexander the Fourth thundered out Censures against this second Marriage as unlawful but all to no purpose the King continuing obstinate till the Death of Maud put an end to the dispute Alonso with the ambition of rule pressed all Governours to deliver up their Forts into his hands and yet they that did so were accounted no better than Traitors and such as held out against him were afterwards most esteemed even by him Obidos was the first Town Besieged by Alonso but what the event was 1247. is not known Ferdinand Rodriguez Pacheco valiantly defended Cerolico de los Bebados or Bebado and being reduced to great want one Morning a Bird of Pray dropped a large Trout before him taken out of the River Mondego The Governour sent it as a present to Alonso who judging thereby there was plenty in the Town raised the Siege and departed Thus the Besieged were left at liberty to look abroad for Sustenance so that the Trout may be said to have fed them all 3. The Regent removed to Coimbra A notable example of Loyalty where he met with no better success being opposed by the invincible Loyalty of D. Martin de Freitas Both Parties resolved not to give way to one another The Siege lasted long and the Defendants wavering their noble Governour performed more than Man to retain them in their Duty insomuch that one day he brought out to the Parade his Daughter telling the Soldiers That if want of Women obliged them to think of a Surrender they might make use of that one This act wholly confirmed the minds of the Garrison to him insomuch that they resolved to live and die with him Such was the posture of affairs when News was
of the Nobles contrived that D. John might escape yet the King was so watchful they were disappointed 6. The King of Portugal War betwixt Castile and Portugal impatient of longer Disappointments sent a Challenge to him of Castile grounded upon these Reasons That he treated ill the Queen his Wife that he gave out he would be divorced from her and Marry the Lady Ellenor de Guzman that he designed to declare Peter her Son his Heir and that he hindred the Princess Constance from going into Portugal While his Embassador executed his Commission he made all manner of Warlike Preparations both by Sea and Land He laid Siege to Badajoz and at the same time his Parties ravaged all the Country about Arauna Aroncha and Cortegana The Siege being tedious the King left sufficient Forces to continue it and he with the rest of the Army over-ran a great part of Andaluzia as far as Sevil which done he returned to the Siege His Brother Count Peter did the like in Galicia the Archbishop and other Commanders in vain endeavouring to oppose him Numerous Forces were raising in Castile to relieve Badajoz when the King considering the difficulty of the Enterprize and that Peter Alonso one of his Officers had been defeated raised the Siege and returned dissatisfied to Portugal But whilst he prepared to return thither stronger than before the Queen without his knowledge went away to Badajoz where the King of Castile her Son-in-law then was thinking her Prayers might prevail with him to desist from War and comply with her Husband The King received her with Respect but demanded such Conditions as he knew could not be granted Scarce was she gone from Badajoz when the Castilian followed as far as Elvas ravaging all the Country Two days he spent Plundering that Territory and then laid Siege to Aronchez but understanding that the Portuguese Parties infested the Neighbourhood of Xerez Badajoz Burguillos and Alconchel he removed to meet them Not meeting with them he besieged Olivenca and being taken with an Ague was forced to depart and return to Sevil leaving his Forces to do all the harm they could Some Troops under the Command of the Brothers Ferdinand and John Roiz de Castro pillaged all the Country betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho till being met by the Archbishop of Braga with 1400 Portugueses D. John de Castro was killed with 300 of his Men and a great Booty recovered At Sea 20 Galleys carrying 2000 Men put into Lepte in Andaluzia where they landed Plundering the Country and being met by D. Nunno Portocarrero there ensued a hot Fight between them in which 26 Portugueses and 80 Castilians were killed Camello the Portuguese General was taken and by the Portugueses two Castilian Commanders for whom he was exchanged The Castilians set out 40 Sail to Revenge this Affront but a Storm dispersed and wrecked both Fleets Another Portuguese Squadron commanded by Misser Emanuel Pissano a Genoese had spoiled the Coast of Galicia and was now again sent against the Spanish Fleet that did no less harm in the Kingdom of Algarve They met about Cape S. Vincent and fought with extraordinary Resolution till the Portuguese Admiral and many more were taken and the Castilian returned Victorious to Sevil. At the same time Ferdinand Arraez lying in Ambush took 70 Portugueses and killed 180. 7. Our King King Alonso enters Castile with an Army leaving an Army to Besiege Salvaterra pierced as far as Orense destroying all before him whilst Peter Fernandez de Castro who commanded on those Frontiers for the King of Castile refused to oppose him on pretence of the Favours he had received from him and his Father The Castilian always ready to take Revenge with 10000 Horse and a number of Foot broke into Algarve and having in vain besieged Castro Marin laid waste without Mercy all the Country along that Coast 1337. Pope Benedict XII sent Bernard Bishop of Rhodes his Nuncio to endeavour to bring these two Kings to some Accommodation Philip the Fourth King of France sent the Archbishop of Rheims upon the same Errand The Castilian turned them over to Portugal and the Portuguese to Castile Both were desirous of Peace but neither would ask it The Portuguese carried himself highest with the Nuncio At length a Truce was concluded for a Year A Truce for a Year After much Debate the Pope was chosen Arbitrator betwixt them but the Castilian fearing the Revolt of his Nobles and an Invasion from Africk required of the Portuguese to send his Embassadors to him and they would agree without going so far as Rome 1340. or Avignon Hereupon three Embassadors were sent from Portugal who meeting with the Commissioners of Castile concluded a Peace upon these Conditions That all Places taken since the War and Prisoners on both sides should be restored That neither without consent of the other should make Peace with the Moorish King Banarin That the Princess Constance should be permitted to go into Portugal That the Princess Blanch being unfit for Wedlock should return into Castile That all former Articles should continue in force That the King of Castile should restore all due State to his Queen and put away the Lady Ellenor Nunnez The Castilian performed all Points except putting away the Lady Ellenor yet he behaved himself better towards the Queen 8. Aliboacem Alonso in Person aids the Castilian against the Moors King of Morocco being about to pass into Spain as being sent for by the Moorish King of Granada the Castilian sent his Queen to ask Succours of her Father the King of Portugal who immediately marched thither in Person with a better disciplined than numerous Army The King of Castile having notice hereof visited him at Jurumenna in Portugal Our King was received at Sevil by the Clergy singing Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini Here a Council of War was held to consult whether it were fit to fight the Moors who besieged Tarifa and were an innumerable Multitude or no. While some were of Opinion to yield Tarifa to them our King's Opinion prevailed that the Place should be relieved All the Mountains and Plains about Tarifa were covered with multitudes of Infidels yet the King of Castile was overjoyed to understand they had resolved to give the Mahometan Battle Both the Christian Kings advanced and passed the River Guadalete Being there joyned by some Troops that were not before come up on Sunday the 27th of October they marched to Penna de Cuervo where they first discovered the Barbarians covering all the Land as far as they could see It was agreed the Castilian should attack the King of Morocco who lay along the Shoar and the Portuguese him of Granada that was at the Foot of the Mountain On Monday the 28th at break of Day the Army heard Mass many received the Sacrament and the Archbishop of Toledo exhorted them to expose their Lives in Defence of the Faith Being come before their Enemies
Hair reddish and curled his Beard forked and long his Limbs gross and his Presence Majestick He died at Lisbon in May 1357. being 67 Years of Age 1357. and having Reigned 31 Years and a half His and his Queen's Tombs are to be seen in the Quire of the Cathedral of Lisbon 12. Queen Beatrix 〈…〉 Wife to King Alonso was Daughter to King Sancho the Fierce of Castile and of Queen Mary the Daughter of Prince Alonso de Molina By her the King had Issue 1. Alonso who died Young 2. Denis died much at the same Age. 3. John died in his Infancy 4. Mary who was Queen of Castile Wife to King Alonso XI and Mother to King Peter 5. Peter who Succeeded his Father 6. Elenor Queen of Aragon Second Wife to King Peter IV. This King reduced the number of Castles in the Orle being the Arms of Algarve His Arms. to 8. and the Bezants in each Escutcheon to 10. CHAP. X. The Life and Reign of Peter the First of the Name and the Eighth King of Portugal with his Actions and Death from the Year 1320 till 1367. 1. KING Alonso King Peter the first his Earth and his Queen Beatrix were Unfortunate in their Children who all died Young But Peter the 5th who was Born at Coimbra on the 19th of April 1320. He was by some called the Cruel by others 1320. Executor of Justice and this last Title most properly appertained to him His Accession to the Crown was in the 37th 1358. Year of his Age being twice a Widdower by the Death of his two Wives Constance and Agnes His First care was to secure Peace with his Neighbour 1357. the King of Castile which was accordingly Ratified The following Year it was farther Confirmed Peace concluded with Castile and it was agreed that Ferdinand Prince of Portugal should marry Beatrix Eldest Daughter to King Peter of Castile and the Princesses Constance and Elizabeth should marry John and Denis Sons to the Lady Agnes de Castro That both Kings should Aid each other by Sea and Land That the Portuguese should not joyn with the Aragonian or any other Prince without acquainting the Castilian That he should assist him against the Aragonian with whom he was then at War King Peter having now the Power in his Hands He punisheth the Murderers of his Wife the Lady Agnes de Castro and being at leasure to meditate his Revenge for the Death of his beloved Agnes was grieved at nothing more than that he thought the Lives of the Three Murderers too small an Expiation for the Death of her in whom he had lived Yet for some farther Satisfaction he resolved to make up in Torments what was wanting of Life in them We saw in his Fathers Life time how far he proceeded in his Revenge so as to raise a Civil War But scarce was he now seated on the Throne when the Three Murderers Peter Coello James Lopez and Alvaro Gonzalez were Attainted of Treason and their Estates Confiscated Next he contrived how to get them out of Castile and soon found the means to effect it for Peter Nunnez de Guzman Lieutenant of Leon Mem Roiz Tenorio Ferdinand Gudiel de Toledo and Fortun Sanchez Calderon being fâ—ed from Castile were then in Portugal He knew that King was no less desirous to reach them than he was to have the other Three Therefore he agreed with the Castilian that both should at the same time secure the Fugitives of the other which was accordingly put in Execution 2. James Lopez Pacheco had the good Fortune to be abroad a Hunting the Day the others were taken He being missed Guards were set upon the Gates that none might give him Notice but a Beggar got through unregarded and not only informed him of what had happened The Murderers Racked but changing Cloaths with him he got away with a Carrier to Aragon and thence into France Alvaro Gonzalez and Peter Coello were carried to Portugal as were the Four Castilians taken there conveyed to Sevil. King Peter was at Santarem when the two Prisoners were brought to him He instantly put them to the Rack to force them to discover their Accomplices But they continued silent or else answered far from the purpose which caused the King to lash Coello on the Face to which he returned nothing but reproachful Language The King smiling hereat said to the standers by Bring me Vinegar and Onion for this Rabbet for Coello in Portuguese signifies a Rabbet and that was the Sauce then used giving them thereby to understand he should be Burnt Whilst they were yet Living their Hearts were cut out one at his Breast and the other at his Back Lastly he caused them to be Burnt and the Table he dined at to be set in sight of the Fire Nor did King Peter's Amorous Flame expire here But before we shew what farther Effects it had we must observe in this Place that the Kings of Castile and Aragon being ready to break into War our King sent his Embassadors to the latter 1360. to Mediate a Peace That Prince complained to them that their Master should take part with Castile against him yet offered in regard of the Ancient Friendships betwixt the two Crowns and in respect to the Pope to give ear to Conditions of Peace 3. This was the posture of Affairs when our King discovered the Love he still entertained for the Lady Agnes The Funeral Pomp for the Lady Agnes de Castro by performing her Funeral Obsequies Being in the Town of Cantannede in the Presence of several Persons of Note he solemnly Swore That he had taken to Wife the Lady Agnes de Castro at Bragança Six Years before that time Then he caused the Witnesses of the Marriage which were Giles Bishop of Guarda and Stephen Lobato Master of the Robes to be Examined This done the Bishops of Lisbon Porto and Visco the Prior of Sancta Cruz and other Persons of Note meeting together published the said Marriage and the Causes why it was concealed as also the Dispensation granted by Pope John the 22th in regard that they were within the forbidden Degrees of Consanguinity An authentick Instrument to this purpose being formed several Copies were dispersed and the Original is still preserved among the Records at Lisbon Not content herewith he caused two Tombs of the whitest Marble and most exquisite Workmanship to be erected One of them for himself and the other for the Lady Agnes whose Image stood on the Top with a Crown on her Head that she might appear like a Queen after her Death These Tombs were placed in the famous Church of Alcobaça Then entring the Church of S. Clare at Coimbra he caused the Body to be taken up and being Crowned and Cloathed in Royal Robes placed it on a Chair where his Subjects kissed those Bones that were once beautiful Hands as being the remains of their lawful Queen After this Ceremony being put into a
Herse the Corps was conducted to Alcobaça to be placed in that rich Urn with the noblest Attendance and greatest Grandeur that has been seen vast numbers of Noblemen and Gentlemen in long Mourning Cloaks and Ladies in White Mourning Vailes attended the Funeral From Coimbra to Alcobaça it is 17 Leagues and yet all that Distance was filled with many Thousands of Men in two Rows making a continued Lane with lighted Flambeaus in their Hands 4. The Unfortunate King Peter of Castile being drove out of his Kingdom by his Bastard-Brother Henry assisted by the French King Peter of Castile flying from his Rebellious Subjects is refused Protection in Portugal and flying from Sevil after loosing all the Treasure he had amassed arrived at the Town of Coruche in Portugal with his two Daughters Constance and Elizabeth and thence sent to Advertise our King then at Coimbra of his Arrival That King's Daughter Beatrix was Travelling another way to be Married to the Portuguese Prince her Father not having any fore-thought of what hapned to him This Accident much surprized the Portuguese some were for protecting a rightful King their Neighbour and Confederate others were for more safe than honourable Courses not to embroil themselves in the Quarrels of others This Advice was followed and our King made the best Excuse he could for not entertaining that Unhappy Prince He failing of this Refuge withdrew to Albuquerque but neither was he to be admitted there He sent to ask a Pass of our King to Travel through his Dominions into Galicia and the Earl of Barcelos and Alvaro Perez de Castro were sent to Conduct him But they not only forsook him by the way but stole from him Elenor the Daughter of his Bastard-Brother Henry whom he carried with him From Galicia he passed over into England where he so grievously Complained to the Prince of Wales against the King of Portugal that he was forced to send Embassadors to Vindicate himself In the mean while the New King or rather Usurper Henry Solicited the Friendship of Portugal and Embassadors meetting to that Effect betwixt Badajoz and Elvas a Treaty was Concluded And it was Stipulated That the Castilian should solicite an Accommodation betwixt Aragon and Portugal and also That the Aragonian should suffer the Portuguese Princess Mary Widow of Prince Ferdinand to return to her Country if she thought good 5. About the end of October Prodigiâ—â—â— seen in the Sky almost Three Months before the Death of our King was seen a prodigious Alteration or rather Confusion in the heavenly Luminaries On the 27th Day at Midnight all the Stars in a Body began to run from East to West then suddenly dispersing they wandred through several parts of the Sphere next falling nearer to the Region of the Air the nearness made them appear like vast Globes of Fire so that the whole Heaven seemed to be in a Flame and the Earth threatned to be reduced to Ashes The Sky in many places seemed to gape the Stars being removed This Spectacle lasting a considerable time Men stood amazed expecting the Dissolution of the Universe Three Months after this Prodigy King Peter's Death our King died It will not be amiss to give some Instances of his Justice and Magnificence His Justice and Magnificence He was not as some have called him Cruel but a zealous lover of Justice punishing Crimes with the utmost Severity and rewarding Vertue with Liberality The Punishments he inflicted tho' in appearance terrible were necessary and well applyed A Young Man having struck his supposed Father and the King hearing thereof called the Mother and pressed her to tell him who was the Youth's Father for it was impossible it should be her Husband She confessed in some time a Fryar had got him Thereupon the King went in Person to the Monastery and putting the Fryar into a Case of Cork sawed him in two One of his Favourites lived in Adultery with a Judge's Wife for which the King caused his Privities to be cut off A Priest being suspended for killing a Man he caused him to be put to Death by a Mason saying That the Ecclesiastical Judges condemned a Priest for killing a Man to be suspended from his Office but he in his Tribunal would suspend the Mason from Working for killing the Priest The Bishop of Porto he scourged for having to do with a Citizen's Wife He caused a Gentleman to be beheaded for staving a Country-man's Cask that was full A Clerk of the Treasury was hanged for receiving a small Bribe Hearing a Woman upbraid another with being forced he asked the cause and being told her Husband ravished her before they were marryed he caused him to be hanged Knowing that a Merchant's Wife cuckolded him one day when the Merchant was at some Publick Feast he surprized his Wife with her Gallant and burnt them and then congratulated the Merchant that he was revenged A Bawd having procured a Young Woman for the Admiral Lancelote Pessana the Bawd was burnt and the Admiral hardly obtained Pardon after several Years absence A Country-man complaining that a Gentleman to whom he had lent certain Silver Cups would not restore them the King kept him in hand a Year and then caused the Gentleman to pay him Nine times the value which was then the Penalty of Thieves and farther told him he should be always answerable for the Country-man's Life A Pursivant complaining that in the Execution of his Office a Gentleman had struck him and torn his Beard the Gentleman was immediately beheaded 6. The Laws he instituted Laws established by him were religiously observed One of them condemned Judges who received Bribes to Death To avoid delays in Suits he established there should be no Counsellors Sollicitors nor Attorneys He went about the Kingdom in Person to administer Justice impartially to all Men. Tho' so much subdued himself by the Love of the Lady Agnes de Castro he suffered no Crime of Incontinency to pass unpunished Several new Pieces were coined by him on the one side whereof was his Effigies sitting in a Chair holding a naked Sword on the reverse the Royal Arms with these Inscriptions Peter King of Portugal and Algarve God assist me and make me Victorious over my Enemies He was so Bountiful that like the Emperor Titus he thought himself not a King the day he gave nothing To this purpose he kept always much Plate He was much addicted to Musick and used to go abroad at Nights and dance to the sound of Trumpets Notwithstanding his great Liberality he left a considerable Treasure to his Successor which he gathered without the least dissatisfaction to his Subjects In fine such was his Life that his Death was generally lamented and it was in all mens Mouths That such Ten Years Government never were nor would again be seen in this Kingdom Others said That either he should never have been born or never have died 7. This King was of great Stature His Person and
Interment a Majestick Presence his Forehead large his Eyes black and beautiful his Hair reddish which he wore long his Mouth small his Visage long He somewhat stammered in his Speech was addicted to Poetry and some Verses of his are still extant He Reigned Ten Years wanting Two Months and died in January 1367. 1367. He is buryed by the Lady Agnes de Castro and his Picture to the Life on the Tomb. The Lady Constance his first Wife lies in the Church of S. Francis at Santarem By her he had Issue 1. Lewis who died an Infant 2. Ferdinand who succeeded in the Throne 3. Mary marryed to Ferdinand Prince of Aragon Son to King Alonso the Fourth His Children by the Lady Agnes de Castro were 1. Alonso His Issue who died a Child 2. Denis who refusing to kiss the Hand of Queen Ellenor Wife to King Ferdinand went away to Castile where he marryed Joanna Bastard-Daughter to King Henry 3. John who by the Advice of Queen Ellenor killed the Lady Mary Tellez de Meneses his own Wife and the Queen's Sister He should have succeeded King Ferdinand but that King John of Castile kept him Prisoner and in the mean while his Bastard Brother called also John usurped the Crown In Castile he marryed Constance Bastard Daughter to King Henry 4. Beatrix Wife to D. Sancho Earl of Albuquerque Bastard Son to King Alonso XI of Castile King Peter had one Bastard Son called John Master of the Military Order of Avis who after the Death of King Ferdinand usurped the Crown CHAP. XI The First Part of the Life and Reign of Ferdinand the first of the Name and ninth King of Portugal from the Year 1340. till 1373. 1. FErdinand was the Second Son of King Peter King Ferdinand his Birth and his Wife Constance He was Born in the City Coimbra and succeeded his Father at 27 Years of Age. The Peace and Treasures King Ferdinand inherited 1340. were not at all lasting 1367. for he engaged himself in a War against Castile He engages in a War against Castile pretending a Right to that Crown after the Death of King Peter as Great Grandson to King Sancho Henry the present Possessor being a Bastard and Regicide Many Persons of Note who fled out of Castile encouraged him in this Enterprize and many Towns not admitting Henry offered themselves to Ferdinand He bestowed vast Possessions on several of the Castilians that came over to him as particularly to Ferdinand Earl of Castro Xeres and Brother-in-law to King Henry he gave Fifteen Towns to D. Alvaro Perez de Castro his Brother Eight Towns the Earldom of Arroyolos and the Office of Constable to Ferdinand Alonso de Zamora Nineteen Towns and so to many others too long to recount besides Gifts in Money and Jewels which exhausted the Treasures left by his three Predecessors Many Cities and Towns also of Castile declared for our King where he immediately coined Money bearing the Arms and Titles of both Kingdoms Our King in outward appearance pretended more Zeal to Revenge the Murder of King Peter than Ambition to joyn that Kingdom to his own To inculcate this Opinion he sent Embassadors to the Pope the King of England and other Princes laying before them the heinousness of the Crime as committed by a Brother against his Brother and by a Subject against his Soveraign 2. Whilst the Embassadors were on their way Enters into League with the Moorish King of Granada the King concluded a League with the Moorish King of Granada for Fifty Years during which time they were to assist one another and neither was to pretend any Right to whatsoever Places of Castile were taken by the other nor was either of them if assisted with any Troops by his Confederate to allow them any Pay For farther Security King Ferdinand asked of King Peter the Aragonian his Daughter Ellenor in Marriage and Embassadors were sent on both sides to agree the Articles tho' that Lady was before betrothed to John the Eldest Son of King Henry The Princess was marryed by Proxy to our King at Lisbon the Aragonian Embassador representing her Person The Articles of Marriage were That she should bring 100000 Florins Portion That her Father should make War on Castile two Years That the Husband should give three Months Pay to 3000 Horse in his Father-in-law's Service Some Places in Castile were also allotted to the Aragonian for every Man gives freely of what he has not Soon after the Bridegroom that was to have been but never was sent a Rich Present to Barcelona for the Bride without expecting the Payment of the 100000 Florins He also sent Eighteen hundred weight of Gold to be coined to defray Charges there To Convoy the Bride seven beautiful Galleys were fitted out whereof that which was to carry her had her Sails of Silk wrought with Gold and all that was above Water was gilt The Rowers were cloathed in the King's Livery and many gallant Gentlemen went as Volunteers Among other things of value there was carried a Crown of inestimable price for the Bride D. John Alonso Tello Earl of Barcelos attended by the Bishops of Evora and Silves and the Abbot of Alcobaça went Embassadors and performed the Ceremony of marrying the Princess in his Masters Name But her Father put off the delivering of her till the Pope's Dispensation was obtained and times altering all came to nothing 3. King Ferdinand began the Wars in Galicia with a small Power Coruna and other Places voluntarily submitted to him Monterrey was taken by Force after it had made a vigorous Defence But understanding that King Henry drew near with numerous Forces Ferdinand went away by Sea to Porto leaving D. Nunno Freyre Master of the Military Order of Christ with 400 Horse in Coruna Alonso Gomez de Lira at Tuy and others in other Places 1369. Henry to bring our King to Peace Henry of Castile invades Portugal left them and entered Portugal burning all the Country as far as Braga where Lope Gomez de Lira made a vigorous Defence but was forced to abandon the Place after loosing 48 Men because he was not releived and the Town was not Walled nor Garisoned having Articled to Surrender if not releived by a certain time Henry finding the Place was not Tenable Burnt it and removed to Guemaraens which being better Fortified held out against him Seing he prevailed little by Force he thought to take it by Stratagem and to that purpose James Gonzalez de Castro got into the Place disguished like a Country-Man but being discovered was put to Death and his Body exposed to the Dogs Now it was that Count Ferdinand de Castro Brother-in-Law to King Henry carried about by him as a Prisoner made his Escape into the Town with his Keeper Ramiro Nunez and both went into the Portuguese's Service King Ferdinand who was then at Coimbra with a numerous Army with all speed made towards the Castilian sending before a
promised the next Day to hear them when they were Calmer at the Church of S. Dominick By Day the Multitude was in the broad Place before that Church but the King fearing the popular Fury was already gone away to Santarem When the People understood it they vented their Malice in Reproaches and this made the Queen stir up the King to Revenge The Taylor was apprehended and many of his Followers some whereof had their Hands others their Feet cut off many more fled now too late understanding that Subjects ought to have no other Redress against the Miscarrages of their Sovereigns than by their Prayers to God In the mean while the King traversed the Kingdom with his beloved Consort till being come to the pleasant Monastery of Leça Two Leagues from Porto he then declared what he denied at Lisbon to wit That he was Married to the Lady Ellenor and assigned her a greater Joynture than any Queen before her ever had 8. All the Nobility kissing the Queen's Hand only Prince Denis Son to the late King by the Lady Agnes de Castro refused it for which the King offered to Stab him but was prevented and the Prince fled to Coimbra Tho many of the Multitude were punished the clamours of the People against the King's Marriage ceased not nor were they continued without reason for that Marriage was in reality unlawful she being the true Wife of John Lorenço Ferdinand at last remembring he was contracted to the Princess of Castile sent to inform her Father That tho he could not perform that Article he would fulfil all the rest That Prince did not seem at all to be concerned but Embassadors were sent on both sides to Ratifie the Peace The New Queen gains Friends by her Generosity The New Queen having gained a Crown by her Beauty sought now to gain the Affections of the Nobility by her Bounty and she attained her end in a great Measure for many who before railed having tasted of her Favours began to extol her Generosity Besides the more to bend them to her she married all her Relations among the Nobility 9. King Ferdinand still pursuing his inconstant Humour King Ferdinand joyns in League with John of Ghent against Castile began again to break with Castile taking some Ships of that Crown in the River of Lisbon and entering into a Confederacy with John Duke of Lancaster Third Son to Edward the Third King of England and married to Constance the Eldest Daughter of King Peter of Castile in whose right he stiled himself King It was agreed they should joyntly make War upon the Kings of Castile and Aragon That they should bear an equal part in the expence of the War and that King Ferdinand should have all he could take in Castile excepting Towns and Castles That each should have what he could gain in Aragon King Henry sent an Embassador to Protugal to protest against these proceedings but to no effect Hereupon Henry marched with his Army towards Lisbon his Admiral Misser Ambrosio Bocanegra at the same time entring the River Tagus with 12 Galleys About the middle of September he set forward from Zamora Henry of Castile invades Portugal and by the way took Almeyda Pinnel Linnares Cerolico and Viseo where Prince Denis offended at King Ferdinand offered his Service to him They marched to Coimbra from whence Ferdinand was newly gone to Santarem and here Henry quartered in the Suburbs Our King being less forward to Fight than he had been to give the Occasion 1373. Henry marched without observing much order He Quarters in the Suburbs of Lisbon towards Lisbon about the end of February The King and those that were with him could from the Walls of Santarem discover the Enemy marching towards Lisbon yet had not the Courage to attack them Lisbon being surprized Henry entred at S. Antony's Gate and took up his Quarters in the Monastery of S. Francis the People retired to the stronger parts of the Town Our Fleet had been sent to hinder the Castilian Squadron from entring the Port but our Ships were taken by them and only 4 of our Galleys escaped saving themselves in the Creeks The People of Lisbon understanding there was a design to betray the City dragged one of the Conspirators about the Streets and then cut him in pieces another was exposed to the sails of a Mill which cast him into the River The Franciscan Friars where the King quartered thought to have expelled him thence but their design being discovered he put them into Boats without Sails or Oars and exposed them to the mercy of the Sea yet they got a Shoar The Castilians possessed the Skirts of the Town and many Skirmished dayly hapned In the mean while the Earl of Gijon King Henry's Son took Cascaes at the Mouth of Tagus whilst several Parties wasted the Country Most of the City Burnt The Lisbonians not able to expel the Enemy out of the Suburbs fired the Houses and they in requital set Fire to the Rua-nova or New Street and so the greatest part of the City was Burnt The Country betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho was no less infested by the Forces of Galicia which routed a Portuguese Body that came to oppose them 10. Such was the posture of Affairs Peace concluded when in the Month of March Guido of Bononia a Cardinal was sent by the Pope to compose these Differences and towards the latter end of that Month the Peace was concluded upon these Conditions That both the Kings should joyn with him of France against the King of England and Duke of Lancaster That the Portuguese should furnish a Fleet for Three Years to be maintained by the Castilians That the English should not be supplied with Ammunition from Portugal That the Portuguese should expel the Castilians that followed him That a general Pardon should be granted on both sides That the Princess Beatrix Sister to King Ferdinand should be married to Sancho Lord of Albuquerque Brother to King Henry The Two Kings meet in friendly manner The two Kings met upon the Banks of the River Tagus and parted in Friendly manner In pursuance of the Treaty of Peace Count Sancho married the Lady Beatrix and the Wedding was kept with great Solemnity A Match was also agreed betwixt Elizabeth Bastard-Daughter to our King and Alonso Earl of Gijon Bastard-Son to King Henry Thus ended the War to the Satisfaction of both Kings but with the Desolation of their Kingdoms CHAP. XII The remaining Part of the Life and Reign of Ferdinand the First of the Name and Ninth King of Portugal from the Year 1373. till 1383. 1. KIng Ferdinand had not yet forgot the Treasure detained from him by the King of Aragon 1374. in return of his Mutability Ferdinand enters into a League with the King of Castile against the King of Aragon He thereupon meditated Revenge but it was hard to compass It happened the King of Castile fell at Variance
the King how he left his Brother in Servitude and tho he was the chief Cause of his falling into that Misfortune yet advised not to Ransom him at so dear a rate as by restoring Ceuta to the Infidels Those many Portuguese who escaped out of Africk most Wounded Naked and Starved Landing on the Coast of Spain in the dead of Winter found such extraordinary Charity in the Towns of Castile The Charity of the Spaniâ—â—ds 〈…〉 through which they travelled that I dare avouch they had not met the like in their own Country They were all bountifully Cloathed their Wounds dressed and Money liberallâ— bestowed upon them In every House they had the 〈◊〉 Beds given them and being well recovered were supplied with all they could desire to carry them home The King informed by these People of the charitable Entertainment they had found ceased not to extol the goodness of those who had shown such Favour to his Subjects and to express his Gratitude he sent Letters to Sevil and other Places of Andaluzia where his Subjects had been received full of Acknowledgments and Commendations and offering himself and his Kingdom ready to require them 5. The King before the News came of this Disaster was removed from Lisbon to Santarem flying from the Plague that then raged in that City The Plague at Lisbon Having Advice there of the danger his Forces were in at Tangier he made all possible Preparations to relieve them but too late for before any could set out part of the vanquished Fleet returned 14â—8 The following Year the King summoned the Cortes or Parliament to meet at Leyria He gave them in Charge to consider what was to be done concerning Prince Ferdinand left an Hostage to the Moors for the delivery of Ceuta Differences in the Cortes about the ransoming of Prince Ferdinand He produced a Paper written by that Prince signifying that Ceuta could not be maintained and therefore it was better to give it up then suffer it to be taken The Princes Peter and John with all the Commons voted that the Place should be delivered but the Archbishop of Braga said That a Christian Town could not be given away to the Infidels for one Man without the consent of the Pope Others were for deferring the Exchange for some time and in the mean while to offer a Summ of Money and all the Moors in Portugal which were many for the Prince and in Case this were not received that the Pope and Christian Princes should unite their Forces against Africk which if it could not be effected then Ceuta should be delivered 6. The King stood dubious amidst such variety of Opinions At length he resolved to have recourse to the Pope and all the Christian Princes believing they would all together assist him to ransom his Brother From them he received nothing but words of Comfort and Advice not to surrender Ceuta The Plague was now so diffused throughout the Kingdom that the King wandred from Town to Town Being on the way to Tomar a Letter was given him which he no sooner opened but the infection it brought seized him 14â—â— In that Town he diâ—â— on the 9th of September King Edward 〈◊〉 of the Plague in the 47th Year of his Age having reigned Five Years and near a Month. In his Will he ordained his Brother should be ransomed with Money but in Case that were refused then Ceuta should be given for him That his Wife Queen Ellenor should Govern the Kingdom and the Prince his Son He was well Shaped Strong his Visage round his Beard thin his Hair black his Eyes heavy but taken altogether his Countenance was graceful He loved gay Apparel and always appeard in Publick with Splendour As to his Inclinations he was Merciful and a lover of Truth and Justice For outward Accomplishments he was an excellent Horseman loved Wrestling and was much addicted to Hunting He writ some Treatises in Latin favoured learned Men and was very Religious Several New sorts of Money were coined by him and considering how prodigal his Predecessors had been in giving away the Revenues of the Crown he confirmed a Law invented by his Father That no Female should inherit any Gift of the Crown 7. His lawful Issue as he had no other was as follows His Issue 1st D. Alonso his Successor 2dly Ferdinand Duke of Viseo Master of the Military Orders of Christ and Santiago and Constable of Portugal and also Father to Emanuel who was afterwards King 3dly Philippa who died of the Plague at 12 Years of Age. 4thly Ellenor married to the Emperor Maximilian who was Grand-Father to the ever-renowned Charles the 5th D. John de Silva and Meneses fell passionately in Love with this Princess and followed her till he saw her married after which he became a Franciscan Fryar and led a very exemplary Life at Montorio near Rome 5thly Katherine contracted in England and Navarre yet never married 6thly Joanna Born after the Death of her Father and married afterwards to King Henry the 4th of Castile CHAP. V. The First Part of the Life 〈◊〉 Reign of King Alonso the Fifth of the Name and Twelfth King of Portugal from the Year 1432. till 1469. 1. KIng Alonso the 5th The Birth of King Alonso Succeeded his Father being but Six Years of Age. He was born at the Palace of Sintra in the Year 1432. His Father in his Will ordained 1432. That the Queen should have the Government of the Young King and Kingdom His Accession to the Crown and Differâ—â—â— between the Qâ—â—â—n and Nobility but every Nobleman striving to draw the Power into his own Hands caused all to run into Confusion whence ensued greater Destruction than had been produced by the preceding Plague They blamed the King for committing the care of the Realm to a Woman she a Forreigner and what they most resented a Castilian as they termed her tho' she was Daughter to the King of Aragon The Princes Brothers to the late King were the Heads of these Factions and particularly Prince Peter who was always an Enemy to the Queen Prince Alonso being proclaimed King in the Sixth Year of his Age on the Tenth of September in the Town of Tomar the Second Day after his Father's Death Queen Ellenor took upon her the Government as had been ordained by her Husband's Will and so far laid aside all former Animosity with Prince Peter that they did nothing without his Advice and desired him joyntly with her to Sign the Writs of Summons for the Cortes or Parliament Before the Cortes could meet Prince Peter upon pretence of Zeal to secure the Succession in Case the Young King should die before he was Marriageable caused his younger Brother Ferdinand to be Sworn Heir to the Crown conditionally if the other died without Issue The Queen pleased with these outward shows of Loyalty in Prince Peter discovered to him That the King her Husband had declared to his Confessor
the Pope's Dispensation should be immediately obtained for him to Marry Queen Joanna true Heiress of Castile That each of them should appoint four Persons to adjust what Army and Treasure was requisite for carrying on their Design King Lewis readily offered a good Sum of Money to Bribe all such Governours of Towns as could by that means be drawn to their Party Embassadors were immediately dispatch'd to Rome to obtain the Dispensation and King Alonso set out to meet the Duke of Burgundy who then lay at the Siege of Nancy in Lorrain They met upon the River then frozen over and the King being conducted to the Army with all possible marks of Honour and Respect the Duke there shewed him how little Confidence was to be reposed in the Promises of the King of France who the next day appeared with an Army in favour of the Lorrainer The day after the Burgundian was killed and King Lewis being bent upon the Conquest of Burgundy sent King Alonso to Paris where he was received with the greatest Magnificence imaginable All the Embassadors could obtain of the Pope was that if the King of France would furnish King Alonso with a sufficient Force to reduce Castile he would then grant the Dispensation Hereupon the two Kings met at Arras where Alonso plainly discovered he could repose no Trust in Lewis He went away to Roan and there spent a great part of the Summer waiting till his Fleet was fitted out to return home He went down the River to his Fleet then at Harfleur but fearing to be stayed by the King of France and ashamed to return home after that unfortunate Journey K. Alonâ—â— resolves 〈…〉 his 〈◊〉 at Hierusalem he resolved to go spend the rest of his Days in Hierusalem On the 24th of September before Day he went out to a Chappel near the City with only four Servants having ordered his Chaplain Stephen Martinez to expect him half a League further There he dismissed one of the four giving him the Key of a Cabinet in which were found four Letters one for the King of France giving him an Account of his Design and desiring him to favour those Servants he left in his Kingdom Another for Prince John his Son charging him upon his Blessing immediately to cause himself to be Proclaimed King Another to the Kingdom in general Commanding the People to receive him as such The last was to those left at Harfleur directing them to be Obedient to the Earl of Faâ—â— till their return to Portugal 8. Monsieur de Labret by the King of France his Order attended upon King Alonso who sent out every way to find him and having met with him the second day stopped him but with all imaginable Respect There he received a Letter from King Lewis by which he was perswaded to alter his Resolution and to return to Portugal where on the Tenth of November his Son was Proclaimed King in the Town of Santarem 〈…〉 pursuant to the Letters he had sent to that effect Only four days had he worn the Crown when his Father arrived and he in Confusion asking how he should receive him The Duke of Braganza answered As your Father and as your King The Prince accordingly met him at Oeyras where kneeling he kissed his â—ands and resigned the Government up 〈…〉 Alonso would have contented himself with the 〈◊〉 of King Algarve but the Prince persisted he would accept of nothing during his Life Whilst the King was abroad Queen Elizabeth laid Siege to Toro which was bravely defended till one Bartholomew a Shepherd discovered to the Castilian Generals a Place which being thought unaccessible was left unguarded Wherefore Six Hundred Men in the Night conducted by the Shepherd surmounâ—ed all those difficult Passes and got into the Town The Count de Marialva who was Governour quitting the Castle fled to Castro Nunho yet the Lady Mary Sarmiento Widow of John de Vlloa who had been Constable of that Fort defended that Place till seeing no hopes of Relief she was obliged to surrender it upon most Honourable Articles Presently after Queen Elizabeth caused the other Places that held for Portugal to be besieged and had them surrendred to her In the mean while the Portuguese Forces wasted the Country about Badâ—â—oz and Cuidad Rodrigo and Alonso de Carâ—â—â—as Master of Santiago did the same on the Portuguese Borders both Parties executing the utmost Cruelâ—â—es usual in War 9. Upon the return of King Alonso out of France 14â—3 the War was revived 〈…〉 and he thought of Marrying the Lady Joanna having obtained a Dispensation but Prince John his Son used his utmost Endeavours to obstruct it The Bishop of Evora going into Castile with 700 Horse and 〈◊〉 Number of Foot to assist the Countess of Mâ—â—ellin 〈…〉 followed the Portuguâ—se Interest was met by the Master of Santiago routed and taken Prisoner yet bribing his Keeper he escaped to Merida and ever after did the Castilians much harm till the Peace was concluded Both Parties being sufficiently exhausted easily condescended to Treat of a Peace which was concluded at Alcaçovas on the Fourth of September 1479. excluding the unfortunate Princess Joanna Peace concluded betwixt the two Crowns who against her will was forced to become a Nun. Yet she lived to see God's Judgments fall upon them that drove her to that Necessity for Prince John who hoped to Marry his Son to the Princess Elizabeth of Castile and by that means to make him Heir to that Crown saw that same Son dragged to Death by a Horse and none of his Race ascended the Throne of Portugal King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth outlived their only Son John and had only a Daughter left who conveyed that Crown to the House of Austria 1480. Nor was the Plague that began the following Year at Lisbon and lasted Fourteen Years less to be accounted of than Heavenly Vengeance The Castilians contrary to the last Articles of Peace sent a Fleet to Trade on the Coast of Guinea Our King sent a Squadron under the Command of George Correa to obstruct them 1481. He met with 30 Ships of Castile upon the Coast called Mina and after a sharp Engagement obtained a compleat Victory bringing several of them to Lisbon 10. King Alonso ever since the Lady Joanna of Castile was constrained to take upon her a Religious Habit fell into an extraordinary Melancholy and had resolved himself to turn a Monk but returning from acquainting his Son with his Design to Cintra he there fell sick of a violent Fever which in a few days carryed him off His Death was upon the Eighth of August The Death of King Alonso in the 49th Year of his Age and 43d of his Reign He was oâ— a Graceful Presence somewhat bulky had a thick Beard his Hair dark-brown and of Condition extreamly courteous In War he was active in Peace negligent a Lover of Learning learned himself and was the first King that collected a
Power in Cases Criminal This pleased the People but made him odious to the Nobility Soon after he made a Law That his Judges and other Officers of Justice should execute their employments throughout all the Territories of great Men that pretended exemption from them All the Grandees opposed these New Ordinances but the King was not so jealous of any as of Ferdinand Duke of Bragança a Servant of whom presented to the King certain Letters from the King of Castile to the said Duke which much increased the King's suspition 1482. and caused him to decree his Death In the mean while The Plague at Lisbon the Plague beginning to diffuse it self at Lisbon King John removed his Court to Monte-Mayor a more healthy Place An Embassador was sent into England to confirm the established Friendship with that King Another was also dispatch'd to Castile about concluding the Match designed betwixt Prince Alonso of Portugal and the Princess Elizabeth of Castile which was not effected till afterwards Embassadors came thence to Portugal on that Account By his Embassadors that had been in Castile the King had farther information concerning the Duke of Bragança his holding Correspondence with that King The Duke was warned by the King to forbear any farther proceeding in that Correspondence yet he desisted not but on the contrary proposed to unnaturalize himself in order to be at liberty to withstand his Sovereign The King understanding that the Duke accompanied his Son Prince Alonso in his Journey from Moura to Evora he resolved to apprehend him After the Solemnity of the Princes Reception was over the Duke coming to take his leave of the King was by his order secured 4. The Duke being now in Custody the King called his Council and laid before them the Copies of his Letters of Correspondence with Castile Judges were appointed for his Trial before whom he appeared twice but refused to come the third time The Duke of Braganca beheaded for High-Treason They thereupon past Sentence of Death upon him which was publickly executed upon a Scaffold by severing his Head from his Body D. Alvaro de Portugal one of the Duke's Brothers was banished and found such Favour in Castile that he was made President of the Council The Marquis of Monte-Mayor his other Brother having made his escape was executed in Effigy This done the King and Queen took a Progress through the Provinces betwixt Duero and Minho and behind the Mountains In February they returned to Santarem 1484. where they found the Death of the Duke of Bragança instead of security to them The Duke of Viseo Conspires against the King's Life was like to produce greater danger The Duke of Viseo Brother to the Queen had conspired to Murder the King in hopes to Succeed him as he would have done had he not endeavoured to anticipate the time His Associates were the Bishop of Evora and several other Persons of Note This Treason was discovered to the King by Antony de Faria who had it from James Tinoco Brother to a Servant-Maid of the Bishop that gave him the first information James Tinoco gave the King a particular Account of the Design but found not entire Credit till D. Vasco Coutino confirmed all he had said Three times the King escaped the Danger being provided against it since the information given him and yet none of the Conspirators perceived he knew any thing of it On the 22d of August being at Setuval he sent for the Duke and having taken him aside asked of him what he would do to the Man that designed to kill him The Duke answered The Duke stabbed by the King I would kill him first if I could Then replied the King You have given judgment against your self At the same Instant he stabbed him so that he fell down dead at his Feet 5. Late at Night Proclamation was made for apprehending the rest of the Conspirators The other Conspirators punished and the next Morning the Duke's Carcass was exposed to publick view upon the Scaffold Most of the Traitors were apprehended The Bishop of Evora being put into a Cestern was there eaten alive by Worms His Brother Ferdinand was beheaded the same end had Peter de Albuquerque D. Gutiere Coutino died in Prison and D. Alvaro de Atayde fled to Castile and was afterwards pardoned by King Emanuel The Count de Pena-Macor died at Sevil and Ferdinand de Sylveyra was killed in France D. Vasco Coutinho one of the discoverers for his loyalty was created an Earl and Tinoco the other being of less Quality had 5000 Crowns down given him and a Church Revenue worth 1500 a Year This done the King bestowed all that had belonged to the Duke of Viseo upon his Brother Emanuel and with it the hopes of Succeeding to the Crown as also of the Empire of Asia for at this time Burtholomew Diaz by the King's order discovered the Cape of Good Hope which he then called Tormentoso or Stormy because of the ill Weather he met with there 6. Whilst these things passed in Portugal the City S. George in Guinea increased and the Christian Religion diffused it self whereupon the King this Year first stiled himself Lord of Guinea 1485. Several sorts of new Coin King John stiles himself Lord of Guinea as well of Gold and Silver as of Copper were now also spread abroad in Portugal The King had sent D. Peter de Noronha his Embassador to Rome to pay his Obedience to the Pope and obtain of him the Croisade in order to prosecute his Conquests in Africk for which he made Preparations throughout the Kingdom 1486. Four Venetian Galleys being taken by the French and the Men put ashoar almost naked at Cascaes the King not only relieved them with Cloaths and other Necessaries but gave them such a Sum of Money as redeemed their Galleys wherewith they returned home Whereupon that Republick sent a Solemn Embassy with Presents to return him Thanks for that extraordinary Act of Hospitality Azamor in Africk submits to the King The Town of Azamor in Africk sent this Year to submit it self to our King and was taken into Protection The way to India by Sea beginning to be laid open after the Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope the King sent Alonso de Payva and John de Cubillan to take a Journey into India by Land Others followed them but the particulars of those Actions belong to the Portuguese Asia where they may be found The Catholick King and Queen falling short of Ammunition at the Siege of Granada sent to desire a Supply of King John which was speedily and plentifully conveyed to them John Alonso de Aveyro discovered the Coast of Beni and brought thence the first Pepper that was ever brought from those Parts as also an Embassador from that King who was honourably entertained and sent back loaded with Presents James de Almeyda a Knight of Malta Sailing for Africk with 30 Sail in which
Covillan to Cananor Calicut Goa Sofala Mozambique Quiloa Mombara and Melinde then returned to Adem and Grand Caire where his Companion and he had appointed to meet but the other being dead he returned again to Adem thence to Ormus and then traversed Abissinia being the first Man that ever performed those Travels Christopher Columbus offer'd his Service to King John but not being encouraged by him he discovered the West Indies for King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth of Castile and Aragon CHAP. IX The first Part of the Life and Reign of Emanuel the First of the Name and Fourteenth King of Portugal from the Year of our Lord 1469 till 1509. 1. THough the late King John laboured all that in him was to have left the Crown to his Bastard-Son George yet neither the Queen nor the Subjects would consent because Duke Emanuel had a most undoubted Title to it King Emanuel his Birth and Descent This Emanuel was Son to Prince Ferdinand Grandson to King Edward and Great Grandson to King Alonso V. and Cousen German to his Predecessor King John whose undoubted Heir he was that King leaving no lawful Issue He was born in the Town of Alconchete 1469. in the Province of Riba Tejo upon Thursday the last Day of May being the Feast of Corpus Christi His Mother being in Labour was delivered of him just at the time that the Blessed Sacrament passed by her Door and therefore she called him Emanuel the proper Name of Christ which signifies God is with us During his Infancy Emanuel was one of the Hostages between the King of Castile and King John the Second The very Day King John killed James Brother to this Emanuel 1â—â—4 he gave him all the other's Estate only changing the Title from Duke of Viseo to that of Beja He also constituted him Master of the Order of Christ Constable of the Kingdom and General of the Frontiers betwixt the Rivers Tagus and Guadiana so that his Revenue amounted to above 70000 Crowns per Annum which was very great in that Age and that Kingdom 〈◊〉 His Family was encreased when he went the second time into Castile to conduct the Princess Elizabeth Wife to Prince Alonso into Portugal King John as is said King Emanuel 〈…〉 dying without any lawful Issue and not able to prevail for his Bastard-Son George Emanuel was proclaimed King with the usual Solemnity upon 〈◊〉 the 27th of October 1495 and in the 26th Year of his Age. 2. The New King went away to 〈…〉 â—uevo where James 〈…〉 Prior of Crato presented to him George King John's Bastard-Son whom he received favourably and treated as if he had been his own Here the Cortes or Parliament met but did little Business as well by reason of the Plague as for that King John had left all Things in good Order After sending Embassadors to Rome and Castile the King gave the Tenth of all his Revenues in Africk to the Churches there and reinforced those Garrisons At Setuval came to him the Sons of the late Duke of Bragança 1496. executed by King John their Unkle D. Alvaro and D. Sancho Son to Alonso another of that Duke's Brothers who were all restored to their Estates He now sent another Embassador to Rome to obtain the Pope's Dispensation for Knights of the Military Orders to marry which was granted At Torres Vedras whither he fled from the Plague he received Embassadors from the State of Venice Jewâ— banished the Kingdom The Jews whom King John had made Slaves in great Numbers had now Liberty to depart the Kingdom and though they offer'd the King a Present of a considerable Summ of Money he would not accept it A time was set for them all to depart and it was order'd that they should leave behind them all their Children that were under Fourteen Years of Age. Many of them rather than deliver their Children to be bred up Christians 14â—7 murdered them and some there were that killed themselves as well as their Children The time of their Departure being put off they offer'd if their Children were restor'd them and Twenty Years allowed them in which they could not be punished for Offences against Religion that they would become Christians This granted the greatest part of them was Baptized the rest were sent over into Africk together with the Moors then also expelled but these were allowed to carry their Children with them Those that remained in Portugal committed many Enormities in contempt of the Christian Religion and becoming Rich had the Opportunity of corrupting all the Nobility of the Kingdom by mixing their Families 3. At 〈◊〉 the King had it debated in Council 〈…〉 whether the Discovery of India ought to be prosecuted or not and after much contesting it was resolv'd in the Affirmative Vasco de Gama was thereupon piâ—ched upon to command Four Ships designed for that Voyage The Particulars of his Success may be seen in the first Vol. of the Portuguese Asia The King by his Embassadors having concluded a Match for himself with Elizabeth Emanuel marries Elizabeth Widow of the late Prince Alonso Princess of Castile Widdow of the Late Prince Alonso of Portugal in the Month of October she was brought to Valencia de Alcantara where King Emanuel waited for her Presently after the King and Queen were married came the News of the Death of John Prince of Castile Brother to the new Queen and Heir of that Kingdom New Charters were now given to all the Cities and Towns of Portugal which were all contained in Five Books One of each Province About the end of the Year the Queen being with Child Embassadors came from Castile to induce the King and her to go into Castile to be sworn Heirs to that Crown The King took the Advice of the Cortes or Parliament therein 1498. and it was resolved he should go On the 29th of March they set forwards with a small Retinue not exceeding 300 Horse All this Company was in Mourning for the Prince of Castile The Duke of Medina Sidonia met them at Badajoz with a Retinue somewhat less Soon after the Duke of Alva and Count de Feria with a like Number King Ferdinand came out of Toledo to receive them and they were entertained with extraordinary Magnificence On the 28th of April King Emanuel and his Queen were sworn Heirs of Castile in the Cathedral Church This Ceremony being over they travelled towards Zaragosa to be there sworn to the Succession of Aragon They entred that City on the first of June where many Disputes arose concerning the Privileges of that Kingdom On the 24th of August the Queen of Portugal was delivered of a Son and died before she could be laid in her Bed She was buried in the Church of St. Hierome without any Pomp because she had so ordered it in her Will 4. King Emanuel returned to Portugal 〈…〉 Aragonâ— and Portugal and was received at Lisbon with great Joy in
〈◊〉 Hâ— now understanding that his Son Michael born of 〈…〉 Queen had been sworn Heir of the Crowns of 〈◊〉 and Aragon resolvâ—d to have him sworn in like manner in Portugal To this purpose he assembled the 〈◊〉 or Parliament at Lisbon on the 7th of March where all the Representatives took an Oath to him as lawful Successor 〈◊〉 the King confirming his former Grant that no Castilians should at any time be admitted to Places of Honour and Trust in Portugal About the end of this Year which was the 4th of his Reign the King resolved to translate the Body of King John his Predecessor from Silves where he was buried to the stately Church of Batalla the burial Place of the Portuguese Princes He went in Person to Silves and found the Body whole as it was seen Fifteen Years after by the Cardinal Henry and others which confirmed the Opinion of Sanctity that was conceiv'd of him The Body was honourably conducted to the Church of Batalla and there laid in a Marble Tomb. This Year also the King dispersed several sorts of new Coins of Silver and Gold as he did again in the Years 1504 and 1517. He had before given large Revenues to George the late King's Bastard-Son and this Year 1500 gave him the City Coimbra with the Title of Duke made him Lord of Montemayor â—l Viejo and bestowed on him the Mastership of the Military Orders of Santiago and Avis Next he married him to the Lady Beatrix de Villena Daughter to D. Alvaro the Brother of Ferdinand Duke of Bragança Beheaded by King John 5. Now came the News that Prince Michael 〈…〉 King Emanuel's Son and sworn Heir of all the Kingdoms of Spain had departed this Life at Granada being not yet Two Years of Age. It was requisite the King should marry again 〈…〉 and a Match was accordingly concluded with Mary Daughter to King Ferdinand and Sister to King Emanuel's late Queen Her Portion was 200000 Crowns down and 10000 a Year settled upon the Revenue of Sevil. The Archbishop D. James Hurtado de Mâ—raâ—za conducted her to the Borders where the Duke of Bragança attended by several of the Nobility 〈◊〉 her The Marriage was solemnized at Alcacer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on the 30th of October No sooner was the King married but he resolved to make an Expedition into 〈◊〉 in Person 〈…〉 and to that effect had assembled an Army of 26000 Men. The Venetians at this time hard 〈◊〉 by the Turks made use of the Pope's Mediation to obtain of our King to desist from the Enterpize he had in Hand and to employ his Forces in their Assistance The King consented and sent them Thirty Saâ—l under the Command of D. John de Meneses Son to the Earl 〈…〉 and for his Encouragement before his Departure he was created Earl of â—â—rouça In this Squadron were 3500 fighting Men. Another Squadron followed being designed for the Coast of Oran in order to attempt taking the Fort of Mazalquivir They sailed from Lisbon about the middle of June and having assaulted that Place in July with the loss of 20 Men and no prospect of Success the Squadron provided for that Expedition returned to Lisbon D. John de Meneses with his 30 Sail off of Tunez took 3 Genoese Ships full of Turks Moors and Jews the Genoese he set at liberty Near Corfu he was met by Twenty five Venetian Galleys and five Galleons where both Fleets saluted each other with great Joy The Turks understanding the Fleets were joyned retired to their Ports and the Portuguese Squadron returned home 6. The King had yet reaped no Advantage from India 〈…〉 but the bare Discovery of it by Vasco de Gama and yet as if the Treasures of that Empire had been brought him he in Thanksgiving laid the Foundation of that wonderful Structure of the Church and Monastery called Bâ—â—eâ— or Betâ—lem on the Banks of Tagus about a League from Lisbon This Fabrick is Magnificent for its Greatness and Workmanship but above all for the largeness of the Arch above the Chancel where after the manner of all Cathedrals it opens into a Cross which Arch tho vastly spacious has no Pillar to support it This Monastery was given to the Fryars of the Order of S. Hierome and is plentifully endowed Opposite to the Monastery in the very River the King erected a Fort which tho not large is Beautiful and Commands the River serving at the same time for a Rampart to the Church it is called the Fort of S. Vincent D. Jayme or James Duke of Bragança who was restored to that Honour by King Emanuel laboured under such a deep melancholy that he sometimes forbore taking his natural Sustenance Nevertheless through the King's Perswasions he married the Lady 〈◊〉 Daughter to D. John de Guzman third Duke of Mâ—diâ—â— Sidonia But no sooner was he married than he absented himself with only one Servant leaving a Letter for the King in which he begged of him to bestow all his Possessions upon his Brother Denis because he was resolved to spend his days at the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem Messengers were sent several ways with orders to bring him back Some of them found him at Calatayud in the Kingdom of Aragon and prevailed upon him to return Being brought back he had by his Wife a Son called Theodosius who succeeded him and a Daughter named Elizabeth married to Prince Edward Son to King Emanuel His first Wife dying he fell in Love with the Lady Joanna de Mendoza Daughter to the Governour of Mouram and having obtained leave of the King married her and by her had Four Sons and as many Daughters 7. Queen Mary 1502. second Wife to King Emanuel was delivered of her first Son on the 6th of June 1502. The Queen delivered of a Son At the time of his Birth happened a violent Storm of Rain and when he was Baptized a Fire broke out in the Palace we shall see in his Life what these Prodigies portended A Fleet sailed from Lisbon under the Command of George de Melo and Gaspar de Aguilar designing to take the City Targa on the Coast of Africk but returned having sustained Loss and effected nothing The King for the Success of his Fleet undertook a Pilgrimage to Santiago in Galicia presented that Church with a rich Silver Lamp made in the Form of a Castle and gave Bountiful Alms. In his return at Coimbra he resolved to erect a stately Tomb for Alonso the first King of Portugal whose Body lay there in a very mean Sepulchre At Porto he finished the Silver Shrine of S. Pantaleo 1503. Patron of that City The King had now a second time resolved to pass over into Africk A Famine in Portugal and had all things in readiness for the Expedition when he was again prevented being obliged to attend to the Relief of his own Kingdom labouring under a Famine He remedied this Evil by bringing in Plenty of Corn from all the
against him under the Command of the Renowned Edward Pacheco who after a sharp dispute near Cape Finisterre sunk one of the Pirate's Galleons and took the other three Mondragon was presented to the King who freely forgave him CHAP. X. The remaining Part of the Life and Reign of Emanuel the First of the Name and Fourteenth King of Portugal from the Year of our Lord 1510 till 1521. 1. NOthing remarkable happened the Year 1510 1510. but that many Moors and Hords of Arabs along the Coast of Africk submitted themselves to King Emanuel 1511. and became his Tributaries The following Year threatned a Breach between Castile and Portugal because King Ferdinand fitted out a Fleet at Malaga with Design to invade the Portuguese Conquests The Pope calling upon him for Succour against the French obliged him to desist from that Enterprize Nevertheless that Faithless King as if his Designs had not been known solicited King Emanuel to joyn with him against France and highly resented that he Courteously entertained a French Squadron in his Ports Henry the 8th King of England who had married Katherine Sister to the Queen of Portugal King Emanuel receives the Order of the Garter from King Henry the Eighth of England now sent King Emanuel the Garter having received him into that most Noble Order On the last Day of January was born at Lisbon Prince Henry the King 's Seventh Son a mighty Snow falling just before his Birth which is a thing rarely seen in Lisbon We shall have more occasion to speak of him hereafter when he ascends the Throne Alonso King and Apostle of Congo this Year sent his Son Henry and his Brother Emanuel 1512. with many Young Noblemen into Portugal to be instructed in the Christian Faith Henry Son to the King of Congo comes into Portugal With them came Peter that King's Cousin whom he sent as his Embassador to Rome to submit him and his Kingdom to the Pope King Emanuel sent the Black Prince Henry with the Embassador they arrived at Rome the following Year where they were courteously received and dismissed by Leo the Tenth 1513. then sitting in 8. Peter's Chair 2. D. Alvaro de Castro The King punishes his Lord Steward for his cruelty to a Servant was Lord Steward of the Houshold and in great Favour He finding a Servant of his own whom he had turned away talking with a Slave in his House caused him to be so cruelly lashed that all his Body was but one continued Sore The Servant putting nothing on but his Cloak came into the King's Presence where letting it fall he said Ecce Homo Your Lord Steward has done this to me only for talking to one of his Slaves The King astonished at this Barbarity immediately sent Andrew Perez Landin his Clerk of the Closet to acquaint D. Alvaro that he deprived him of his Charge ordered he should remain a Prisoner in his House till farther order and pay 500 Crowns to that Man D. Alvaro's Kindred came to the King to intercede for him but finding the King implacable they went away Discontented and returned not to Court whereupon the King ordered the Two Sons of D. Alvaro to be struck out of his Books At last upon the humble Application of D. Alvaro's Wife he was sent for to Court severely reprimanded and then pardoned Last Year began the Preparations and now was fitted out a Fleet of above 400 Sail 1514. carrying 18000 Foot and 2600 Horse all under the Command of Jayme or James Duke of Bracança He sailed from Lisbon about the middle of August and landing on the 28th of the same Month in Africk Azamor on the Coast of Africk taken took the City Azamor Those of Tite and Almedina being abandoned by the Inhabitants he also possessed himself of with ease Then having ravaged the Country without any opposition he returned to Lisbon The Particulars of this Expedition properly belong to the Portuguese Africk 3. King Emanuel resolving to Dedicate to God Presents of the First Fruits of India sent to the Pope the First Fruits of India thought the shortest way was to present them to the Pope his Vicegerent With this Present he sent Three Embassadors the chief whereof was Tristan da Cunha with a most magnificent Retinue The Present consisted of an Elephant covered with Cloth of Gold and governed by an Indian a Persian Horse with rich Furniture a Panther that would Hunt and was at Command like a Dog and a whole Suit of Vestments for all occasions all of Cloth of Gold so thick Embroidered with Pearls and precious Stones that the Ground of it could not be discerned The whole was valued at 500000 Crowns Bernardin Freyre and Francis Pereyra Pestana arriving now from India the King caused them to be cast into Prison being informed how unworthily they had treated Mathew Embassador from Ellen Grand-Mother of David Emperor of Ethiopia and Regent of that Empire during her Grand-Son's Minority There they remained till the said Embassador interceded for them He was an Armenian Christian Judicious Learned and Bold The King received him with Respect and by him a Letter from the Empress Five Medals of Gold and a great Cross made of the Wood of that our Saviour suffered upon and kept in a Gold Case In her Letter the Empress offered her assistance towards forwarding the King's undertakings in Asia and desired since they were both Christians that their Families might be allyed by mutual Marriages that so they might be the better enabled to destroy the Turks 1515. and Moors The King 's Eighth Son born in those Parts On the 7th of September 1515 was born at Lisbon Edward the King 's 8th Son of whom more at the end of this Chapter Embassadors were sent to Castile 1516 to condole with Queen Germana upon the Death of her Husband King Ferdinand and to Flanders to Charles afterwards the 5th of that Name Emperor to offer him Elizabeth Daughter to King Emanuel in Marriage and ask his Sister Ellenor for Prince John This Year ended with the Birth and Death of Mary Emanuel's Ninth Child 4. Prince Antony 1517. the King 's Tenth Child was born at Lisbon Birth of the King 's tenth Child on the 9th Day of September He lived but a few Days and left his Mother so Weak that she died the 7th of March following of an Impostume in her Bowels The Queen dies being but 35 Years of Age. She was generally lamented being extreamly beloved for her Fruitfulness her great Love to the King her liberality to the Poor her Devotion Affability Modesty Piety Industriousness in the good spending her Time and special care of Instructing her Children As to Features she was neither beautiful nor deformed She founded the Monastery of S. Hierome in the Berlings and lies buried in the Church of Belem Before the Queen's Death the King put an Elephant and a Rhinoceros together to see the manner of their
the Fifth to offer him Elizabeth the King 's Eldest Sister in Marriage Yet of a sudden his Instructions were altered and he ordered only to Complement that Prince upon his happy Arrival in Spain The cause of this sudden change was this The Ship called the Victory the first that sailed round the World and the only one that escaped of those that discovered the Streights of Magellan arriving at the Islands of Cabo Verdâ— the Inhabitants understanding she came from the Molucco Islands designed to secure her but they on board having some Jealousie of it immediately set Sail leaving behind their long Boat with thirteen Men who were sent away Prisoners to Lisbon whilst the Ship made her Voyage and arrived safe at Sevil. The Emperor complained hereof to the King and he again that the Emperor's Ships invaded his Conquests demanding the Lading of the Ship Victory D. Lewis de Silveyra spent Eight Months in his Embassy at the Emperor's Court without dispatching any Business and then returning to Portugal found the King at Almeirin where at his first access forgetting or neglecting to kiss his Hand he found himself quite out of favour for D. Antony de Atayde making his Advantage of the others absence had quite worked him out of his Master's Affections Nevertheless D. Lewis continued at Court without ever expressing the least Resentment for his Fall 3. D. Antony de Atayde The Character of D. Antony de Atayde the King's Favourite now the only Favourite was a Person well deserving that high Honour for his singular Prudence and Moderation There are sufficient Testimonies of the former and I will bring one that may fully evince the latter The Lord of Azambuja Head of one of the ancientest Families in Portugal designed to sell that Town to supply his present wants The King told D. Antony it would be proper for him to buy it because it joyned to his Estate He answered It was more for his Highness's Reputation to supply the wants of so Ancient and Honourable a Family than to suffer it to fall to nothing by selling an Estate of that Antiquity The King took his Advice and so generously relieved that Gentleman that he was enabled to preserve his Patrimony This is a good Remark for those who to advance their own Fortunes are so far from regarding any Private Person that they stick not to ruin Kings and overturn Kingdoms It was now thought time that the King should Marry and James Duke of Bragança proposed to him Queen Ellenor his Mother-in-law as Wife to the late King who was vastly Rich. This Proposal being noised abroad was so well liked that the Council of Lisbon addressed him in behalf of themselves and the whole Kingdom praying he would condescend to it The King could not approve of Marrying his Father's Wife and was freed from their Importunities by the Emperor's desiring he would suffer his Sister to return to Castile which was accordingly performed 4. A March being proposed for the King with Katherine 15â—â— Sister to the Emperor Charles the Fifth King John Marries Katherine Sister to the Emperor Charles the Fifth Embassadors were sent to Burgos where that Prince then kept his Court to treat about it The Articles agreed upon were That the Bridegroom should pay the Charge of the Dispensation the Emperor should be at the Expence of her Journey That she should have 200000 Ducats down and 5000 a Year for her Portion besides Jewels and other Necessaries That the third part should be given to her at her Marriage and that her Joynture should be 10000 Ducats a Year with all the Lands and Towns the Queens used to possess The former Peace was confirmed and Supplies promised reciprocally in case of need About the end of the Year she was conducted to the Borders by the Bishop of Siguença and Duke of Vejar and there delivered to the Princes Lewis and Ferdinand sent to attend her The King received her at Crato and she proved one of the best Queens in the World She was happy in bringing forth many Children but unfortunate in the shortness of their Lives which gave occasion to the Multitude to say It was a Judgment of God on the King for the Familiarity he was suspected to have with the Queen his Mother-in-law 1525. At the beginning of the Year a motion was made of a Match betwixt the Emperor and our King's Sister The Emperor Charles the Fifth Marries Elizabeth Sister to King John the Princess Elizabeth Embassadors of the Emperor and the King's Commissioners meeting upon this Subject agreed That the Emperor should be at the Expence of the Dispensation and the King defray the Charge of her Journey as had been done in the Marriage of the Emperor's Sister but the Portion now given with this Princess far exceeded that for it amounted almost to a Million of Crowns In November the Emperor's Embassador was contracted for the Emperor to the Princess and the day after they set forward with the King and Princes 5. The Empress's Journey into Spain was delayed till the Dispensation came from Rome 1526. and then being attended to the Frontiers by many of the Nobility she was there delivered to the Spanish Noblemen sent to receive her She was conducted to Sevil and there received with Pomp suitable to so great a Princess Soon after came the Emperor and in March the Marriage was solemnized We must now pass over seven Years without mentioning any thing of the Affairs of this Kingdom because we find nothing Remarkable except that in the Year 1531. there happened a most terrible Earthquake 1531. which overthrew many Buildings A great Earthquake but chiefly at Lisbon and round about it where whole Towns were overwhelmed About this time also the Tribunal of the Inquisition was erected for suppressing of the Jews Muley Hazen 1534. expelled the Kingdom of Tunis by the Famous Pirate Hariaden Barbarossa fled to the Emperor Charles the Fifth for Succour The Emperor undertook his Protection and in order to it desired Assistance of King John particularly praying him to send an extraordinary Galeon then Famous for its greatness called the S. John 1535. The King sent him that and two others of great Bulk King John sends Succours to the Emperor besides 20 smaller ones loaded with store of Ammunition and bravely manned The Command of this Squadron was given to Antony de Saldana who had served well in India At Barcelona he joyned the Emperor and was by him Honourably received Prince Lewis stole away from Court to serve under the Emperor Charles the Fifth but of this we spoke at the time of his Birth in the Reign of King Emanuel The King sent him 100000 Crowns and the Emperor received him at Barcelona with all possible marks of Honour They set out with 400 Sail and made themselves Masters of Guletta and Tunis 6. From the Year 1535. we find nothing worthy of Memory till 1539. a Year
Fifth and Elizabeth Prince John Marries Joanna Daughter to Charles the Fifth the Prince's Aunt and her Portion settled at 360000 Ducats the Duke of Aveyro and the Bishop of Coimbra went with a numerous and splendid Retinue to receive her upon the Frontiers She came to Elvas about the end of November At Barreyro the King met and conducted her thence to Lisbon where a few days after she was marryed to the Prince to the general Joy of all the Kingdom hoping a numerous Issue from them But all Humane hopes are vain for the Prince died the Second of January following 1554. His Distemper was an inward consuming Fever Prince John dies which being supposed to proceed from too much use of his Wife she was removed from him to the Queen's Apartment There the Prince's Death was kept from her knowledge the King visiting her without Mourning The Princess was left with Child and on the 19th of January brought forth a Son The Princess delivered of a Son who was called Sebastian The Princess being out of danger was acquainted with the Death of the Prince and went into strict Mourning She would have cut off her Hair in token of Sorrow but the King would not permit it Being one Night in Bed with her Husband there appeared to her a Woman in Mourning who giving one blast vanished as if she had foretold all her Delights would vanish into Air. Other Nights she perceived the Lights in her Chamber put out without seeing any Body to do it Twice being at a Window with her Ladies she saw many Men cloathed after the Moorish Fashion with Torches in their Hands cast themselves into the River All these were looked upon as unhappy Omens of the Prince's Death and other Calamities that ensued 4. Prince Philip of Spain Brother to the Widow Princess being upon his Departure for England to marry Mary the Heiress of that Crown by his Embassadors desired of King John that he would suffer the Princess to return to Spain to Govern that Kingdom In May the Princess set forward from Lisbon The Princess Governs Spain attended by Prince Lewis as far as Arroyolos where he delivered her to the Duke of Bragança who conducted her to the Borders of the Kingdom and there gave her up to the Bishops of Osma and Badajoz and to D. Garcia de Toledo who was Lord Steward She Governed Spain with Discretion and Founded a Monastery and Hospital in Madrid This Summer sailed from Lisbon D. Peter da Cunha with Five Ships and Four Galleys to Guard the â—â—ast of Algarve Being in the Bay of Tavira An Engagement he discovered the famous Turkish Pirate Xaramet Arraez with Eight Galleys D. Peter gave orders to engage them but the Ships not being able to come up for want of Wind he engaged with only his Four Galleys The Admiral Galleys attacked one another and at first the Portuguese had the worst whereupon the Turks boarder her but were beaten out and Fortune changing D. Peter took the Turk The other Three Christian Galleys boarded as many of the Infidels whereof they took two and sunk the Third The remaining Turkish Galleys seeing these lost fled Of the the Turks 150 were killed and 100 taken 230 Christian Slaves were released and 40 Portuguese perished Two Portuguese left ashoar when the Galleys went out to meet the Enemy swam aboard with their Swords in their Mouths D. Peter returned Victorious to Lisbon where he maintained the Turk his Prisoner till he was exchanged for a Turk who turning Christian was called Peter Paul and had behaved himself so well that the Command of the Galley was given him but he being taken by the Infidels and carried to Mazagam had certainly been put to Death but was spared only upon Account of Xaramet for whom he was exchanged 5. On the the 27th of November 1555 1555. died Prince Lewis the Delight of Portugal Prince Lewis dies and a Person of singular Learning Judgment Courage Generosity and Piety He went twice into Castile once to agree with the Emperor about reducing the King of France to forbear trading in the Portuguese Conquests which he effected The Second time to Conclude a Peace betwixt the Emperor and King of France He built a stately Palace at Salvaterra but lived not to finish it The following Year the King settled the Rules of Precedency 1556. about which there had been great Contests ordering that all Titles should take place according to Seniority Now the Misfortunes of this Crown seem to be Compleat 1557. for the King died aged 55 Years The King dies when he was ripest for Government and left the Crown to Prince Sebastian then unfit for Rule as being but Three Years old He was suddenly snatched away yet not so but he had time to end his Life like a Christian He was of a mean Stature rather inclined to Fat than Leanness his Complexion ruddy his Eyes dark Blew but lively In matters of Justice he always inclined most to Mercy was a great lover of Peace made an excellent choice of Ministers and loved not to heap many Employments upon one Man In the Year 1553 he founded the University at Coimbra and afterwards with great charge brought Professors to it from Paris The Ancient Aqueduct built by Sertorius at Evora was by him repaired much was added by him to the Building of the Monastery of Belem by him also the Custome-House and Arsenals were erected as also the Churches of our Lady of Grace S. Francis and S. Rocque besides many other publick Works All the religious Orders were by him reduced to live up to the rigor of their Rules and Houses founded for all sorts of Women to retire to He instituted the Council of Conscience and that of the Military Orders No want ever prevailed with him to lay heavy Taxes on his Subjects Tho' he heard the Advice of many he always followed his own Opinion which was the Cause he often erred 6. To conclude King John proved an excellent Prince and singular Champion of the Catholick Religion His Children were as follows First Alonso who died a Child Secondly Mary First Wife to Philip the Second of Spain Thirdly Elizabeth Fourthly Beatrix Fifthly Emanuel Sixthly Philip. Seventhly Denis all which died young Eighthly John who married the Princess Joanna Daughter to the Emperor Charles the Fifth and died soon after Ninthly Antony who lived not out a Year His Bastard Issue was First Emanuel who died a Child Secondly Edward Archbishop of Braga a Prelate of Piety and Learning 7. In India Nunho da Cunha overthrew the King of Monbaça Actions abroad duing his Reign and slew him of Cambaya D. John de Castro with such wonderful Courage as rather seemed Rashness Engaging a vast Multitude at the Second Siege of Diu obtained one of the most wonderful Victories that raised the Renown of the Portuguese Valour Hector de Silveyra besides many other remarkable Actions subdued the King of
On the contrary the Silver was raised which drew much out of Spain King Sebastian coined some Pieces of Gold worth 1000 others of the value of 750 Royals for himself to give away with his own Hand CHAP. II. The Life and Reign of Henry the First of the Name and Seventeenth King of Portugal from the Year 1512 till 1580. 1. CArdinal Henry Birth of K. Henry Eighth Son to King Emanuel and Seventh by his Second Wife Queen Mary was Born at Almeyrin on the last day of January 1512. Pope Paul the Third sent him the Cardinal's Cap and he was at once Archbishop of Braga Lisbon and Coimbra Abbot of the Famous Monastery of Alcobaça and twice Governour of the Kingdom tho' unfit for the Crown so fit for the Mitre that upon the Death of Pope Paul he had many Votes in the Conclave to succeed him Whilst Governour he never forbore to Act as a Prelate and tho' a Prince of the Church he performed all the Duties of a private Priest He was at Alcobaça when the News was brought of the loss of the King his Nephew 1578. and his Army The Governours sent him this Advice by D. John Serran Provincial of the Jesuiâ—â— He immediately set out for Lisbon where upon his arrival the publick sorrow was renewed upon the Consideration that the Inheritance of the Crown should fall to him then 67 Years of Age and the last of the Male Line Henry being come to Lisbon called to him the Duke of Bragança and other Persons of Knowledge and Experience and seeing there was yet no certain Account of his Nephew 's being dead or alive the Council and a number of able Lawyers were ordered to Consult what was to be done in that Case They agreed the Cardinal tho' a Priest was capable of Inheriting the Crown Cardinal Henry first declared Protector but it being yet doubtful what was become of the King he should therefore take upon him the Government with the Title of Protector which he accordingly did in the Palace of the Duke of Bragança on the 22d of August 2. Soon after his entring upon the Government He is crowned King the News of the King's Death was brought and his Funeral Obsequies were performed with general Lamentation On the 28th of August after having said Mass the new King and Bishop Henry proceeded to the Church of All-Saints Hospital where he had before received the Mitre now to put on a Crown He was the second Melchisedeck for since the first till him none ever was at once both Priest and King The Ceremony of his Inauguration was performed with no less Lamentation than Pomp and he returned from the Church to the Palace a Temporal as well as Spiritual Prince A few days after his Exaltation came the News that Antony Bastard-Son to Prince Lewis having escaped out of Slavery was at Arzila and tho' much offended at him before he extreamly rejoyced to hear of his Safety Antony by his Affability had gained the Affections of all Men and the People looked upon him to have as good a Title to the Crown as King John the First had almost two Ages before and in Truth the Right was the same for they were both Bastards Antony had fallen into the Hands of a poor Moor who ransomed him for a small matter being told he was a Priest and if not presently redeemed would lose his Benefice and thereby become incapable of paying his Ransom About 16000 Persons remained in Captivity to Redeem whom 20 Trinitarians were sent to Fez and Morocco F. Francis da Costa settled the Ransom of 80 Gentlemen at 400000 Ducats and paid down 300000 remaining himself an Hostage for the rest Ingratitude of certain Gentlemen yet those Gentlemen getting home never thought of releasing him till he was bought offâ—by the Kingdom the Moor refusing to take any thing for him but Pearls F. Amador Rebelo a Jesuit was sent to Argiers to Ransom those that had been sold thither King Philip of Spain obtained of the Moors the Body of King Sebastian which he afterwards brought into Portugal He also redeemed the Duke of Barcelos Son to John Duke of Bragança and afterwards entertained him with all possible expressions of Affection in Castile 3. No sooner was the new King enthroned Several Pretenders to the Succession of the Crown but all those who pretended a Right began to put in their Claims to the Inheritance of the Crown Philip the Second of Spain afterwards the First of Portugal sent D. Christopher de Moura to condole with King Henry for the late Loss and to Congratulate his Accession to the Crown without mentioning his Title to the Succession but with private Instructions to advance his Interest The Candidates were First King Philip of Spain as Son to the Empress Elizabeth Daughter to King Emanuel Secondly the Lady Katherine of Bragança Daughter to Prince Edward who was Brother to the Empress The difference betwixt these two Pretenders was that the Lady tho' a Female claimed the Crown as descended of the Male and the King as being himself the Male tho' descended of a Female Of these the former was the better Title without dispute but neither so good as that of Alexander Prince of Parma in the Right of his Mother who was elder Sister to the Lady Katherine The Duke of Savoy had a Title but not so good by his Wife the Princess Beatrix Daughter to King Emanuel Antony Prior of Crato pretended to be Lawful Son to Prince Lewis Brother to Prince Edward the Empress and Dutchess of Savoy but having never been owned as such by his Father or any other Person that was meer Pretence The People pleaded the Right of Election was in them and shewed Prescription as in the case of their first King of King Alonso the Third and King John the First all which in reality were but Fortunate Usurpers The Pope also would Inherit this Crown as being now devolved to the Church being in the Hands of a Cardinal and urged that it had been Tributary to the See of Rome which was true but a poor Title for Inheritance Katherine of Medicis Queen of France alledged she was descended of King Alonso the Third by his first Wife Maud Countess of Bologne on whom he had a Son but her Title was rejected as over antiquated being above 330 Years standing Savoy and Parma were soon thrown out because too weak to carry on their Pretences not because they wanted a Title The People attempted to carry it by Election but miscarried The Dispute rested betwixt Philip of Spain Katherine of Bragança and Antony Prior of Crato we shall soon see where the Controversie ended 4. Several Methods were proposed to determine these Differences Means proposed to reconcile thaâ— different Pretensions Some would have one of King Philip's Sons Marry the Daughter of the Duke of Bragança Others more inclined to Antony would have that Daughter given to him Others there were who advised the
Cardinal tho' old and a Priest should Marry Many Pamphlets were spread abroad some of them against King Philip and others for him which last were so well penned that they seem to have inclined King Henry to his Interest as they did many others throughout the Kingdom But the City of Lisbon openly declared its aversion to him offering to raise 20000 Men and threatning to burn the Houses of those that favoured him Antony Grand Prior of Crato that is of the Knights of Malta in Portugal laboured in vain to prove himself Legitimate and King Henry seeing him persist obstinately in that Design banished him the Court. The City of Lisbon now again pressed King Henry to obtain a Dispensation of the Pope to Marry he excused himself on account of his Ecclesiastical Dignity rather than his Age or Infirmities No Excuses availing D. Duarte de Castello-Branco and Dr. Ruy de Castanheda were appointed to go Embassadors to Rome but they went not for the King still urging his Inability and his Infirmities being apparent his Excuses were at last received 5. Since there were no hopes of Issue in King Henry Five Persons appointed to Govern after the King's Death he was pressed to declare who ought to Succeed him which he refused leaving it to Governours and Judges to determine after his Death For appointing of them he presently summoned the Cortes or Parliament who named Fifteen Persons for Governours of whom the King chose five which were D. George de Almeyda Archbishop of Lisbon D. John Mascarenhas Francis de Sa James Lopez de Sousa and D. John Tello de Meneses Also 24 Lawyers were nominated and of them 11 elected to be Judges and the Names of them all to be kept close till the Death of the King All swore to stand by these Decrees The substance of the Oath was The same appointed to decide the Controversie concerning the Succession That the King dying they would obey the Governours appointed and would acknowledge him for their Lawful Sovereign that should be declared such by them The Duke of Bragança as one of the Candidates swore to stand to their Determination the same did Antony the Grand Prior yet afterwards he recanted before the Pope's Nuncio alledging he had sworn for fear of his Unkle King Philip's Embassadors refused to take the Oath for their Master pleading he was Lawful Heir of the Crown and therefore not obliged to allow of that Decision The Cortes being broke up each of the Candidates which were now but three viz. King Philip the Duke of Bragança and the Grand Prior began to speak their Thoughts more boldly The two latter were soon banished the Court by King Henry who perceiving that Antony grew haughty having obtained a surreptitious Judgment of his Legitimacy got leave of Pope Gregory XIII to inspect into and determine that Affair After some time spent in enquiring into it he at length positively declared him Illegitimate The Grand Prior dismayed at this Sentence and the great Power of his Adversary proposed to King Philip's Embassadors that he would be content with the Kingdom of Algarve and Title of King or else that he might have the Government of the Kingdom for Life with a Revenue of 300000 Ducats half of them to remain to his Heirs King Philip answered That Kingdom was too small for so many Kings 6. King Henry ceased not to prosecute the Grand Prior and sent Orders to Apprehend him at Coimbra where he then was but he made his Escape and lurked about in the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho Next he issued out his Proclamation Summoning him to Surrender himself but he obeyed not The King was now at Almeyrin The Plague at Lisbon whither he fled from the Plague that raged at Lisbon and spread it self throughout the Kingdom There he summoned before him the Principal Members of the Cortes or Parliament and the Embassadors before whom he declared himself for King Philip ordering them to Capitulate with him The Lords Spiritual and Temporal were easily brought to approve of the King's Proposition but the Commons opposed it Soon after the King Assembles the Cortes intending to put an end to this Controversie but all he or the Nobility could do availed not so that the Division ran as high as ever it had been The King's Death now drawing on apace Katherine Dutchess of Bragança came from Villa Viciosa 1580 to try if she could prevail with him to declare her his Heiress K. Henry dies He heard her and soon after without returning any Answer gave up the Ghost 7. King Henry was of a middle Stature His 〈◊〉 in shape like his Father of a lively Spirit patient of Labour and in his Youth trained in all the Exercises that belong to a Prince Damianus de Goes says he understood Latin Greek and Hebrew and was well read in Mathematicks Philosophy and Divinity He says further of him That he had an absolute Command over his Passions was temperate in Speech a great lover of Truth a notable keeper of Secrets an Enemy to Detraction an admirer of Justice free in giving Advice averse to Favourites and inclinable to all Vertue Notwithstanding all these Qualities he was a better Priest than King His first Spiritual Promotion was to the Priorship of Sancta Cruz which Monastery he reformed and increased its Revenue Next he had the Archbishoprick of Braga where he spent his Revenue relieving the Poor in time of Famine The same he did at Evora He maintained many Foundlings gave Portions to Young Maids redeemed Captives and performed himself all the Duties of a private Priest At Braga he assembled a Synod endowed Schools in that City repaired the Monastery of S. Fructuosus punished severely all Crimes in the Clergy especially Incontinency The See of Evora being added to his other of Braga he did the same good Offices there and founded the University under the Jurisdiction of the Jesuits Many other notable Works he performed and being created Cardinal and Legate to the Pope still increased in Works of Piety 8. In this Henry expired the Kingdom Observations on the Rise and Fail of Portugal erected by another of the same Name the first died in the Year 1112. and the latter was born in 1512. So that the Name of Henry and Number 12 were the beginning and end of this Monarchy Thus the Seventeenth was the last Native King of Portugal The Moon laboured under a great Eclipse when he died 15â—â— in the 68th Year of his Age and second of his Reign His Body was deposited at Almeyrin where he died till King Philip translated it to the Monastery of Belem CHAP. III. The short Administration of the Five Governours Antony Grand Prior of Crato or the Order of Malta proclaimed King by the Multitude the short time of his Vsurpation 1. NO sooner was King Henry dead at Almeyrâ—â— but the Five Governours began to exercise 〈…〉 Power 〈…〉 The Commons held their
Accordingly at break of Day the assault was given and though bravely carryed on he was forc'd to retire leaving 163 Men killed and carrying off 160 wounded However he resolved upon a second attack but the Enemy prevented him by hanging out a white Flag and surrendring the Forts Five days after the Surrender the Dutch that were abroad in the Country being 250 with 2000 Blacks upon Advice that the Forts were besieged came to relieve them but finding them lost agreed to be sent away with the rest notwithstanding the Queen Ginga and the King of Congos Officers encouraged them to continue the War The Fort of Benguela hearing what had happened at Loanda was immediately surrendred by the Dutch that held it Salvador Correa having gathered all the Portugueses that were dispersed about the Mountains repeopl'd the City Loanda and sent some Vessels to recover the Island St. Thomas But those Dutch that he sent away passing by that Island and giving an account of their ill success their Country Men there went away with them leaving behind their Artillery and most of their Ammunition which the Portuguese Inhabitants soon made themselves Masters of Not content with this Salvador Correa sent all along that Coast to all places where the Dutch had factories and in two Months wholly cleared the Country of them Being now rid of the Dutch Salvador Correa resolved to take Revenge of Queen Ginga the King of Congo and their Confederates who had assisted them He gave the Charge of this Expedition to Bartholomew de Vasconcellos with whom joyned the King of Dongo and the Jaga of Ambaca who had always been faithful to the Portugueses Vasconcellos soon reduced the King of Congo and other lesser Princes the Island of Loando being taken from the former and new Tributes imposed on him as a Punishment of his Infidelity Queen Ginga fled 300 Leagues up the Country This Queen was Daughter to a King of Angola who was beheaded by the Portugueses in revenge whereof she gathered all the Youth she could killing the old People and Children wherever she came and continued a savage Life in the Mountains with these Robbers always watching all Opportunities of doing harm to the Portugueses Now at length being driven up the Country she sent an Ambassador and concluded Peace with Salvador Correa who so well settled that Kingdom that it continues ever since under the Dominion of Portugal 5. D. Gaston Coutinho continued in the Government of Tangier Africk and India making many inroads into the Country in which he gained much Honour but the Forces in that City being but small he could not make so great advantages as might otherwise be expected of his Valor and Conduct De Philip Mascarenhas the Vice-Roy of India sent D. Alvaro de Ataide with a Squadron to the Coast of Coromandel to fortifie the Town of Negapatam which the Portugueses had lately built The Nayque of Tanjaor in whose Territory it stood sent an Army to hinder the Work D. Alvaro landed 500 Men and after a sharp Dispute put the Indians to flight with much slaughter This done he saw the Fortifications finished and returned to Goa nothing more of Note happened in India during the Government of D. Philip Mascarenhas which lasted till the Year 1651. The War in Portugal being prosecuted with small Force on both sides and the Campaign being often spent in small Incursions do not afford much matter worthy an History which is the Reason the Relations of Affairs at home are so short and the Actions abroad being very considerable though I endeavour to reduce them to as small Compass as may be yet because I would omit nothing that is remarkable they often swell to a greater Bulk than the Domestick and force me to insist longer upon them then I had designed Anno 1649. 1. WE left the Count de S. Lorenzo Count St. Lorenzo his Actions in Alentejo governing the Province of Alentejo with good success This Year knowing that some Troops of Forreign Horse were come to Badajoz he promised Rewards to all Soldiers or Officers that should come over to him performing his Promise to the full with the first that deserted so that in a short time the greatest part of them quitted the Spanish Service At this time all Prisoners on both sides as well Soldiers as Officers not above the Degree of a Captain were set at liberty on both sides In April 600 Spanish Horse driving the Cattle betwixt Fronteyra and Cabeza de Vide were resolutely Charged by the Commissary Generall Tamericourt with 16 Troops and utterly defeated 120 of them killed and double the Number taken The Baron de Molinguen the Spanish Camp-Master Generall after this defeat quitted his Post and D. Francis de Tutavilla Duke of S. German succeeded him At the Request of the Count de S. Lorenzo the Commissary Generall Tamericourt was made Lieutenant Generall of Horse and a Commendary given to the other Commissary Du Quesne There being also great want of Horse King John sold Crown-Lands to the value of 4000 Cruzodoes per Ann to buy Horses to Mount the Cavalry rather than impose new Taxes upon the People The Horse being recruited their Generall Andrew de Albuquerque Marched with the whole Body and the Foot of Elvas Olivenza and Campo Mayor thinking to reduce Albuquerque He plundered and burnt the suburbs but was repulsed by the Town and Castle and returned with loss Neither had John Homem Cardoso sent out by him with 100 Horse to surprize a Spanish Troop better success for Meeting 15 Spanish Horse he charged them and they kept him in play till 7 Troops came up and took John Homem and 60 of of his party Tamericourt now Lieutenant General Marched with 900 Horse to Revenge this loss and having drawn out the Enemy from Badajoz and Talavera tho' they were more Numerous than he put them to flight killing 250 with the loss of 40 of his own These are the most Remarkable actions of this Year in the Province of Altentejo 2. Count Castello Melhor who till now Governed the Province betwixt Duero and Minho was called away to go Governour of Brasil and the Viscount D. James de Lima succeeded him in his former Post D. James de Lima Governour of the Province betwixt Duero and Minho That Province scarce felt any effects of War except Two or 3 inconsiderable incursions after which both Parties again rested as if it were in Time of Peace D. Hierome de Ataide Count de Atouguâ—a was now sent to Command in the Province Tralos Montes where finding the Standing-Forces very weak he Endeavoured to secure the Country the best he could with the Militia Whilst he went to provide for the Safety of Braganza the Commissary General of Horse La Morle Commanded at Chaves but had positive Orders only to stand upon the Defensive Nevertheless he marched with 220 Foot and 90 Horse to plunder the Town of Vmbra which having performed and returned with the booty he
Kings Eldest Son dyes whom for his excellent qualities he entirely loved The Prince as has been before hinted had Laboured under a tedious sickness and tho' the Force of it was abated he never after enjoyed perfect health for there continued a defluxion upon his stomach which no medicines could ever remove but on the contrary some that were used seemed to hasten his End On the 3d of May he took to his bed and for 6 Days the Phisitians Employed all their Art for recovering of him the whole Clergy and layety offering up their Prayers to God for him All proved in vain for the Number of his days was compleat therefore on the Night he received the Viaticum and on the 15th gave up his Ghost The Encomiums bestowed on this Prince are so great they will appear incredible and therefore I think fitter to omit than trouble the Reader with them He dyed Aged 19 Years 3 months and 7 days His body was buryed in the Royal Monastery of Belem being Attended thither by an incredible multitude of the People Lamenting the Loss of so hopefull a Prince Immediately after his death the King assembled the Parliament in which his Second Son Prince Alfonso was Sworn Heir to the Crown The 3 Estates agreed to Support the charge of the War with the Tenth of all Temporal and Spiritual Estates and in case the Spaniards should besiege any considerable place then to add one Fourth part more of the said Tax but if it should happen the Enemy Invaded the Kingdom with such powerfull Forces as might bring it into danger then they offered all they had for the Support of the Crown Before the Parliament broke up the King sustained another Loss in the Death of his Eldest Daughter Joanna who departed this Life on the 17th of September She Lyes buried in the Monastery of Belem 3. The Affairs of Portugal continued much in the same posture we left them at the Courts of Rome The Portuguese Embassadors brother beheaded for murder in England France and Holland In England the Count de Penaguiao sollicited the settling of a Peace with the Usurper Oliver who was much offended at the protection given in Lisbon to the Princes Rupert and Maurice But this Embassador before the End of his Negotiation met there with a Disaster which cost the Life of his Brother The manner of it in short was thus D. Pantaleon de Sa the Embassadors Brother walking one Evening in the New Exchange and resenting an affront which he thought he had received from one Gerard the Night following repairs to the same place attended by the Embassadors retinue and with Sword and Pistoll falls upon all he meets A great Hubub rising the Portugueses were beat off chiefly by one Collonel May an Irish man One Greenway was killed in the scuffle For this Murder D. Pantaleon de Sa as the Author of the Tumult was Tryed and condemned Having in vain pleaded his priviledge and made his escape out of Prison by the help of the Lady Mohun being again taken he was beheaded upon a Scaffold on Tower-Hill 4. Francis Barreto who Commanded in Pernambuco Francis Barreto holds the Dutch closely besieged in Brazil tho' his Forces were much lessened and no supplies came was not at all discouraged but carryed on the Seige of Arrecife with a full Resolution either to Conquer or die The besieged were now reduced to despair and therefore determined to attempt gaining the Fort Arrayal which Sigismund their Generall knowing to be a difficult Enterprize endeavoured to divert them from but perceiving he Laboured in vain told them the only means to attack that Fort was by Gaining first the quarter of Aguiar On the 11th of March he marched out of the Fort Affogados with the greatest part of that and the Neighbouring Garrisons Captain Alfonso de Albuquerque Commanded at the quarter of Aguiar He not thinking it for his honour to receive them in his works marched out and soon drove them back to their Forts Twice after this they attempted the same Post and were both time repulsed with considerable Loss which caused them to forbear any farther attempts on the besiegers and employ their Men in bringing provisions from the River of S. Francis These Men were met there by 100 Portugueses and some Blacks Commanded by Captain Francis Barregos who the first firing was shot through the body Yet his Men continued the Charge with such bravery that they drove the Dutch to their Fort and thence to their Ships without the provisions they came for Here upon the Council sent one of their body into Holland to press for speedy releif but the Dutch having been defeated at Sea by the English were not then in a condition to send any Francis Barreto having notice hereof resolved when the Portuguese Fleet arrived to make his utmost Efforts for expelling the Enemy that Country Accordingly he met the Admirall and Vice-Admirall to concert the measures they were to take but the result of this Consultation and the Effect that followed belong to the next Year 5. D. Roderick de Alencastre at the Beginning of this Year D. Roderick de Alencastre defeats a party of Moores at Tanier succeeded the Baron de Alvito in the Government of Tangier which he managed with greater dexterity than many had expected by reason of his Youth Being informed that about a place called Gibalcaro there were certain Hords of Arabs come thither for conveniency of pasture he sent the Commander in cheife of the Horse with 92 Troopers to attack them by Night Being come near them some advised him not to fall on them till morning when he could do better Execution however he obeyed his orders slew a great Number of Infidels took 17 prisoners and returned with a great booty in which were six Camels which D. Roderick sent to the King D. Roderick performed severall other actions of less note for a Famine raging among the Moors at that time they brought him intelligence for bread and others brought Horses and Cattle to sell in the City 6. The danger increased in India War in India with the Dutch where D. Bras de Castro had usurped the Government for the Dutch threatened Ceylon and other places were not free from Apprehensions The three Governors who we said last Year commanded in Ceylon sent Gaspar de Figueyra de Serpa with 900 Foot to reduce the Towns that had revolted and bring in Provisions The King of Candia's Forces forsook the lower Country and entrenching themselves strongly endeavoured to exclude him the Upper He attacked them vigorously and their number being great was repulsed but they adventuring to pursue him he rallyed drove them back and entred their Works with them making a mighty Slaughter This Success made many Towns submit which payed their Arrears of Contributions and a great quantity of Cinnamon Provisions Arms and other Plunder was conveyed to Columbo Soon after 10 Companies were sent to attack a Town on the Frontiers
Portuguese General who ought to have immediately past the River and invested the Town then unprovided missed his Opportunity by setting down before the Fort of St. Christopher This Fort is seated on a Hill on the further Bank of the River from the Town and about a Musquet shot from the City being a regular Fortification after the modern manner D. Ventura de Tarragona General of the Artillery commanded in the Fort. The Portugueses immediately possessed themselves of two Hills on each of which there was a small redoubt on which they planted their Cannon and thence battered the Fort. Next day they opened their Trenches and carryed them on with great Application the Besieged on their side doing all that could be expected for their Defence in which they made many vigorous Sallies in one whereof after a hot Dispute they drove the Besiegers before them with much Slaughter and destroyed their Works However the Besieged soon repaired the Works and began to press the place which obliged the Duke of St. German to send in all haste for two Regiments that were in Andaluzia one of Spaniards commanded by the Marquess of Lancarote the other of Irish under the commnnd of Collonel Walter Dungan who was afterwards Earl of Limerick These two Regiments the Spanish General had decreed should relieve the Fort which began to be distressed but the Portuguese had appointed 6000 chosen Men to be always in readiness to oppose such Attempts and had broke the Line of Communication betwixt the Foot of the Bridge and the Fort by which supplies used to come from the Town so that this same was now an Obstacle against those that were to succour the Besieged Thus the Fort was reduced to the last Extremity This moved the Spanish General to order a Spanish Major with two Captains and 160 Men to attempt breaking through the Enemies Line which they most resolutely performed and got into the Fort. No sooner were they entred but D. Ventura the Governor commanded them to attack the Besiegers in the redoubt they had possessed themselves of but this answered not their former Success for being overpowered by the multitude of Enemies the Major was killed one of the Captains shot through the Arm and such of the Men as could escape fled in disorder to the Fort. Hereupon the Governor sent to acquaint the Duke that he could not hold out 24 Hours unless he was considerably reinforced so as to be able to remove the Besiegers from the Posts they had possessed themselves of Immediately the Duke ordered the Marquess of Lanzarote with 800 of the best Men and some Voluntiers to march to the Relief of the Fort and to recover the two redoubts It was a desperate piece of Service for such a handful of Men to attempt against such a multitude yet they charged with such Fury that having brokâ— through the Enemies Line and being supported by 〈◊〉 sally from the Fort they gained the redoubts and drove the Enemy from their Camp This Success cost the Marquess his Life however though the Portugueses twice attempted to recover their loss they were both times repulsed and at last forced to desist John Mendoz de Vasconcellos the Portuguese General The Siege raised from before the Castle and layed to Badajoz having spent a whole Month before this place without any Success but with great loss and despairing of carrying it resolved now at last to removed and lay Siege to the Town He had before sent over some Troops to invest 〈◊〉 place and work upon the Lines but now he marched over and bent his whole Force against it The first considerable Action in this Siege was the taking of two Hills which the Spaniards had fortifyed and strongly garrisoned John Mendez attacked them with all his Forces and after a sharp dispute in which he lost many Men made himself master of them the Defendants being all killed or taken Next â—e assaulted the Fort of St. Gabriel which being but weakly Manned was easily carryed But he found not the reducing of the Fort of St. Michael a work of so much ease for Collonel Dungan who commanded there defended it with extraordinary Bravery till it was no longer tenable and then surrendered it upon Articles when the Besiegers had lost 1800 Men before it and among them many Persons of note Having made himself master of this Fort John Mendez finished his Lines encompassing the whole Town with them which before the reduction of these Forts he could not do Then he began to batter the Place to cast in Bombs and to press the Besieged on all sides Within the Town much harm was done by the Enemies shot but scarcity of Provisions and Diseases proceeding from ill Food were more terrible then all other Dangers and now no hope remained but in the relief they expected from without The News of this Siege being brought to Madrid highly incensed the multitude and perplexed the Council in which at length it was decreed that D. Luis de Haro the King's Favourite and prime Minister of State should march in Person with all the Forces he could gather to the relief of the Town The Spanish Army advances to relieve Badajoz Accordingly he immediately set forward with a gallant train of Voluntiers and came to Merida where the Rendesvouz of the Army was appointed His Army consisted of 12000 Foot and 3500 Horse The Duke of St. German being informed of D. Luis's Arrival at Merida resolved to meet him at that place and having in order to it forced the Lines of the Besiegers he broke through with 1000 Horse and arrived safe 〈◊〉 Merida Thence the Spanish Army marched with aâ— possible Speed to the relief of the Besieged but thâ— Portuguese General not thinking it prudent to exposâ— his Army now much diminished and harrassed to the Enemy who came fresh into the Field drew off in the Night and retired hastily into Portugal D. Luis de Hâ—ro the next day entered the Town in triumphant manner Having given the necessary Orders for repairing the Damage done by the Enemy D. Luis marched with his Army now increased to 13000 Foot and near 6000 Horse into the Frontiers of Portugal burning and destroying all where he came as he did the Town and Castle of Villa Buim Thence though contrary to the advice of the Duke of St. German because Winter drew on he marched to Elvas and laid Siege to that place The Town is seated on a Hill of difficult Ascent and was then under the Government of Sancho Manuel 〈◊〉 resolute and fortunate Commander The first attemâ—â— of the Spaniards was upon the Monastery of St. Francis standing within Musquet shot of the Town which though well defended they made themselves masters of as also of the Church of Santangracia seated on a Hilâ— without the Town This done they fell to work upon their Lines and took their Posts about the Town Nothing was omitted by the Governour that might conduce to a vigorous Defence but the Besiegers by
the King 's farther entertaining of young Conti. He obeyed for a while or at least saw him but by stealth till at length impatient to be curbed he slighted their injunctions and fell again to his former familiarities with him The Queen and Count who had no power to constrain seeing their advice rejected were force to connive at this return of their Familiarity hoping that Time or some Accident would change the King's Inclination The King being of Age to be able to mount a Horse his Governour instructed him carefully in that manly Exercise as believing this might conduce to draw him from other less honourable Pastimes but it proved not as he expected For Alphonso took the advantage of the riding place to admit not only Conti but also many others of the meanest sort whom he delighted to see wrestle pitch the Bar and Fight not sparing at times to mix himself among them The Count not knowing what other course to take to break the King of that Company adventured one day to cast them all out of the Place in the King's sight reproaching and threatening them all but particularly Conti to whom he denounced Death if he were seen again with the King who though at that time he said nothing yet he highly resented it and afterwards was mindful of this Boldness of his Governor The absence of Conti lasted not long for the King's Mind being wholly bent upon him and some who thought to make their Fortunes by flattery representing this Separation as a Diminution of the Royal Authority he was soon recall'd Being to return to Court the more to terrifie his Enemies he endeavoured and that successfully to incline the King to mischievous Sports such as fighting of Mastives Bulls and Horses and to flinging of Stones with Slings which often flying at Rovers did harm to People at a distance These accidents were the cause that no Murther or other Mischief was committed in the City but what was improved by his Enemies as if Countenanced by Alphonso But now the Count de Odemira to draw him from these unseemly Exercises put him upon Fencing in which he made no great Improvement because he would not observe Rule but wholly put himself upon cutting and thrusting with all his Force in such sort as he often eluded Art it self Within the same Pallace with the King lived his Brother Peter The Queens Ambition and Differences betwixt the two Brothers and their Mother the Queen Regent a Woman not so zealous for her Children as careful to preserve the power she had got being used to rule and disdaining to part with it The Infante so all the Children of Kings are called except the Heir to the Crown who alone has the Title of Prince and his Brother were ever at Variance nor was it possible to reconcile them because the Elder looked upon it as a Presumption in the younger who blamed and condemned all his Actions and the younger being supported by his Mother and the great ones of his Party never ceased to give him fresh provocations Antony Conti perceiving the King was now at those Years that the Charms of Beauty began to work upon him lost not this opportunity of securing himself in his Favour but by all possible means endeavoured to heighten his Desire and promote his Pleasure The Queen Mother observing that her Son though he carried it with great Dissimulation in respect to her could not forbear casting many amorous glances upon her â—adies and fearing least the splendor of the Crown might induce some of them to submit to his Will sound no expedient to secure their Honour but by taking away all Opportunity To this purpose she appointed him a separate Retinue and a particular apartment in the Pallace which tho' he was of Age she had forbore doing before least he should wrest the Government she was so unwilling to part with out of her hands This sudden change for some time withheld Alphonso always beset with the great men of the Kingdom from the mean company he before took delight in But Conti fearing least if he took to a solid deportment his favour would soon decline never ceased till he drew him back from those grave formalities to the practice of his former violent and extravagant Exercises It is worth the observing that tho' in Portugal it be one of the things the Nobility and Gentry most value themselves upon to ride at a Bull with a spear and strike him therewith yet one of the great crimes objected against Alphonso is that as he was riding in the Plain beyond Tagus he ran with his spear at a Bull but so unfortunately that his Horse being gored he was cast to the ground and taken up for dead His delighting in unruly Horses his liking to fierce Dogs and many other such youthful excesses are urged against him and painted out as the blackest infamies Yet nothing has since been more improved to his disadvantage or then made a greater noise Slanders cast upon the King than his attacking alone three men in a dark Night whom for a considerable space he set very hard till Number prevailing he at length fell having received at their hands two wounds and was saved from farther perill by his servants comming in These very Actions alledged against him prove that he was not so Lamed with the Palsy as was pretended by his adversaries And as for the extravagancy of quarrelling in the street it is a fault so habitual to Youth in all parts that to object it to him as a crime unpardonable looks as if indeed there were none real to accuse him of But it is most certain that what in the unfortunate is accounted Vice in the fortunate passes for Virtue However after he was recovered of his wounds the Councel of State in the Name of the Kingdom made a remonstrance to him upbraiding him with things past and desiring him for the future to have more regard to the safety of his Person Indeed as it proved a course piece of Court-ship to pray their King to spare his Life that he might afterwards End it miserably in imprisonment This remonstrance had such effect upon the King that tho' he did not abandon Vice yet he changed those his fierce inclinations for others more soft and secure such as are the intriegnes of Love so that now his whole delight was in Feasting and Women He walked the streets of Lisbon at Night with a Train of bravoes ranging to lewd houses and sometimes those that accompanied him committed outrages upon such as they met Neither was this all for at length even by day he would slip out or suffer women to be brought to him to the Court. To divert him from these scandalous courses his Mother with some of the Nobility contrived to fill his mind with business giving him some part in the administration of publick Affairs yet so as that the supream Authority might still remain in her hands Thus Alphonso was brought to give
diverted him from that Action offered to break open the door whereupon Conti seeing no hopes of escaping and the Count not able to relieve him or acquaint the King delivered himself up to the Duke upon promise of Life At the same time some some others of Conti's partizans were secured partly in the pallace and partly in the Town all which were immediately put aboard a Ship that lay ready to Sail in the River and sent away to Brazil The Queen being informed that all she had commanded was put in Execution led the King forth into the great Hall whither she had assembled all the Nobility Ministers of State and Magistrates of the City the better to appease and terrify the King Here a Remonstrance was made to him in the Name of the Kingdom full of grievous complaints against his Conduct and against his Favourites whom to prevent any farther ill consequences they declared they had been obliged to send into banishment This done having kissed his hand they departed It was no small surprize to the King to be brought so unexpectedly into that assembly and therefore not rightly conceiving the drift of what had been said he began to ask the meaning of it Garcia de Melo told him that to satisfy the complaints of his People they had sent Conti and his adherents into banishment He scarce believing they durst offer him such an indignity began loudly and in a rage to call upon Conti and running to seek for him threatned to follow him wheresoever they had sent him Melo told him his search would be in vain for that he was now under Sail for Brazil that as the case stood he must have either parted with Conti or his Crown At this answer he seemed somewhat to compose himself Then calling for Emanuel Antunes who only had escaped of all his former Favourites he shut himself up with him and the Count of Castellomelhor These two gave him a full Relation of what had passed and here were layed the first Foundations of the Counts ensuing greatness After this meeting the King appeared unconcerned at what had hapned and rid according to custom that Afternoon but he had learned to Counterfeit and had other thoughts within his breast than what appeared by his countneance This mighty act of policy which the Queen had contrived to perpetuate her Regency Count Castelmelhor succeeds in the King's Favour was the very cause of her speedy falling from it Count Castelmelhor a Man above exception for his Birth and Parts had now succeeded in the Kings Favour in the place of Conti and omitted not to encourage him in the resolution of taking upon him the Government Besides a young Lady belonging to the Queen for whom the King had a more then ordinary Affection made him the more earnest discovering to him all his Mothers private Discourses For the better carrying on his Design the King ordered the Count whose waiting Week was expired to wait on another least one might succeed him whom he could not so well confide in This done he retired according to custom to Alcantara a House near Lisbon carrying with him his Brother and a great Train That same day he returned to Lisbon and visited his Mother discoursing so lovingly with her that all resentment seemed to be passed but on a sudden without acquainting her he went back to Alcantara accompanyed only by the Count de Castelmelhor and the Count de Antouguia From thence he dispersed Letters into all parts of the Kingdom to the Officers of the Army and Governors of Towns acquainting them that being now at Age he had taken upon him the Government The King resolves to take the Government upon him Then he ordered all the Nobility and Ministers of State that were at Lisbon to repair to him to Alcantara The Queen astonished at this News and fearing to be cast down from her Regency assembles the Council of State where it was resolved that Emanuel Pacheco should be placed upon the Road to stop all those that should offer to repair to the King that the Queen should write a Letter to him in soft Terms desiring him either to delay some time his taking the Government upon him or at least to admit her to bear a great part with him and that in case perswasions failed she should then use Force to constrain him Accordingly Pacheco turned back those that were going to Alcantara the Guards and all the Queens Adherents were ordered to be ready in Arms to support her and a Letter was sent to the King from her full of alluring and soft but all deceitful Expressions But before the sending of the Letter the People of Lisbon perceiving that the Court armed against the King began to run into tumult for his Defence fearing least any violence might be offered him This zeal of the Multitude was what humbled the Queen and therefore seeing no hope left of prevailing by open force she had recourse to Artifice and Entreaty and therefore as has been said sent a submissive Letter by the Bishop of Targa In this Letter among other things the Queen urged to have the Cortes or Parliament call'd that she might there resign the Government but the King and the Count perceiving this was only a contrivance to gain time an answer was sent her by the same Bishop The purport of this Answer was that the King considering the great Burthen of care that attended the Government was willing to ease his Mother who had long laboured under it of that Toil and to take it upon himself She now plainly perceiving that there was no longer hope either by Force or Art of retaining the Government resolved at length to quit it least it should be violently taken from her However she wished it might be done in the Pallace that the World might believe it had been freely resigned and not to be forcibly extorted from her Those who were acquainted with her Subtilties advised the King not to trust himself to her Power which made him delay some time at Alcantara However at length finding himself secured on all sides and the Queens Interest declining since the People of Lisbon had declared for him he repaired to the Pallace where in the presence of the Nobility Ministers of State and Magistrates of the City She is at length forced to resign the Queen delivered up the Seals into his Hands which is the usual Ceremony in Portugal when a King takes upon him the Government This Ceremony was perform'd on the 23d of June 1662 the King then wanting but one Month of 19 Years of Age whereas according to the antient custom of Portugal their Kings were always reputed of Age at 14 and accordingly at those Years the Regency ought to cease The Queen Mother thus discharged of the care of Government She pretends to retire but stays at Court in hopes to wrest the Power from her Son began again to talk of retiring but that after such a manner that no Body
believ'd she truly meant it For first she talked of building a new Monastery but could never find out a convenient Place then of erecting an Apartment for her self near some of the old ones but none would admit her And this it was believed was her desire only to protract time and to continue in the Pallace till some new emergency might again call her to the Government But now all the Court was made to the King all the Nobility attended him and there wanted not crouds of Flatteers and Sycophants to fawn on him His principal Ministers and Favourites were the Counts of Castelmelhor and Atouguia and Sebastian Caesar de Meneses These managed all principal matters of State and on their Counsel he chiefly relyed His Enemies however never ceased to slander him spreading it abroad that being wholly void of Sense he only spoke such Words as they put into his Mouth Count Castelmelhor endeavouring to establish himself absolutely in the King's Favour eased him asmuch as was possible of the publick cares indulging his Inclination to Horses Arms and even to Women but without any publick Scandal At this time the Count delivered out of Prison Henry Enriquez de Miranda who had been confined by the Queen and he being now brought to Court became one of the King 's greatest Favourites and yet though he was raised to this Degree there never happened the least Disorder betwixt the Count of Castelmelhor and him Much otherwise was it with the Count of Atouguia Caesar de Meneses and Count Castelmelhor but the latter not thinking himself yet thoroughly established would not attempt so soon to cast them down Count Castelmelhor rises At length having wholly gained the ascendant over the King and having all things as prime Minister at his disposal he lodged himself in the Apartment that had belonged to Prince Theodosius the King's eldest Brother He only wanted now some charge that might always keep him about the King's Person and there being none at that time vacant he thought of one that of late had been suppressed or incorporated into that of the Secretary of State in Portuguese it is called Escrivao da Puridade that is the private Secretary This employment he begged of the King who readily granted it and though the Secretary of State insolently enough disputed it caused him immediately to settle him in the possession thereof By this charge he also obtained the right to a Seat in the Counsel of State Being thus raised to the highest pitch of Favour he began to bestow preferments without measure upon all his Friends and Adherents and at the same time omitted not to crush and terrifie his Enemies that the power of the one party and the dread of the other might be a sure stay to his greatness Those that affronted the King in the Person of Conti banished In the next place he advised the King to shew some resentment for the Affronts done to his Person during the Queen's Regency as particularly in the forcing away of Conti out of his Apartment and other the like Insolencies which if not punished might draw him into contempt In pursuance of this Advice the Duke of Cadaval Garcia and Emanuel de Melo the Counts of Soure Pombeiro Peter Vieira Secretary of State who had often audaciously reprov'd the King and some others all guilty enough were sent into Banishment This proceeding against so many persons of Note though but an act of Justice The Queen Infante and their party hold Consultations against the King ministred occasion to their partizans to revile anew the King and his Government And now the Queen seeing her self excluded from all publick Affairs began again to cherish the Infante and to hold frequent and private Consultations with him wherein it was always inculcated that the King was stupid and unfit for Rule Count Castelmelhor who was not ignorant of all their Machinations contrived all ways he could to separate them but all in vain For the Infante building upon the notion of his Brothers Incapacity had more mind to be himself a King then to be next to a King Therefore he carryed himself with profound Dissimulation studying all ways to elude the Arts of the Favourite But the Count seeing he could not otherwise prevail upon him to desist from his Cabals perswaded the King to change all his Servants putting in their places such as he could confide in that so he should have the less opportunity of carrying on his Designs The next thing was to perswade the Queen at length to retire from Court as she had so often pretended to desire though by her proceedings it plainly appeared nothing was more distastful to her than the thoughts of a private Life Yet seeing the King so inclinable to have her retire she again has recourse to her Dissimulation and sends to ask leave to withdraw to some private House because the Apartment she had begun to build was not yet finished The King's Answer was that it became not her Granedur to quit the Palace for a private House but that if she were so desirous of a retreat she might cause more Diligence to be used in finishing her Structure which till then had gone on very slowly Soon after Alfonso being informed that his Mother never ceased to use all Arts to advance his Brother Peter to the Throne being terrifyed with the danger of his Crown which yet at last by these same Practices was ravished from him he sent an absolute Order for her to depart from the Palace This positive command pressing and fearing to be forced away she at length resolved to depart and accordingly on the 17th of March 1663 withdrew to the new Apartment she had built at a small distance from Lisbon being attended thither by the King The Queen at last forced to retire the Infante and all the Nobility The Queen Mother being thus removed the Infante seemed now wholly devoted to please the King except in one only thing which he knew to be offensive to him and that was in frequently visiting his Mother and entertaining private Discourses with her Nor was she wanting often in publick to warn him of the danger of this his assiduousness towards her whether she really meant it as dangerous to him or rather did it artificially to make the King the more odious and procure themselves the greater Commiseration Thus with great difficulty Queen Luisa was at the last not only put out of the Regency but even out of the Palace Alphonso to whom the nearness of his Mother had been a curb The King grows more loose in his Life being now delivered from that restraint ran more licentiously into all the Vices of Youth Count Castelmelhor fearing a disorderly Life might hasten his fall in whose Ruine he must himself be involved studyed several means to reclaim him or at least to conceal his Extravagancies but it is a work of great difficulty to correct the vicious Inclinations of Youth especially when
time in other Studies Being thus taken up he seldom visited the King as if he had been wholly bent upon Heavenly Affairs Some thought his change of Life to proceed from a Disaster which hapned and was that Augustin de Ceuta fell suddenly dead at his and the King's Feet but those who pretended to see farther thought it only a politick device to gain applause and get the Crown from his Brother Whilst these things were in agitation A match concluded for the King on the 1â—th of March 1665 arrived at Lisbon the Marquess de Sande from France where he had concluded a Match for the King with the Princess of Nemours and by the Infante's order had made overtures on his behalf to the Duke of Bouillons daughter which also had taken effect so far as they were agreed in words tho' the Articles were not signed This Marrige was proposed in order to secure the succession of the Crown in case the King as had been given out should be incapable of getting Children But now the Infante having changed his mind upon what account is uncertain could by no perswasions be prevailed upon to consent to this marriage although the King himself pressed it very home This match being thus broke off the Marquess de Sande having in order to conclude for the King first enquired whether the report that went of the King's impotency were true was assured by the Count Castelmelhor that the King had already several illegitimate Children which was a sufficient evidence against that imputation All things being then disposed for the comming of the Royal-Bride the Marquess returned to France to Conduct her to Lisbon On the 25th of February 1666 The Queen motherdyes the Queen Mother falling sick and perceiving her End to approach sent to both her Sons who according to custom were then at their diversion of Hunting at Salvaterra to come and take their last Farewel of her They came not till the 3d day after when having kissed her hand and received her blessing they departed and within an Hour after she expired making a very Pious and Religious End She was a woman of a wonderful resolution a great Soul and singular wisdom which appear'd in the administration of the government both in Peace and War It was she that pushed her husband to take the Crown she helped to keep it on his head and she by her industry and care secured it to his posterity Her skill in matters of government was above the capacity of a woman and she was so sensible of the danger of discord betwixt brothers that she obstructed Edward brother to her husband King John from making his escape when he was confined by the Emperor least returning home he should not brook the greatness of the King his Brother But what appeared most rare in her was that being a Spaniard a name odious to the Portugueses yet she knew so to carry herself that she gained the Love and esteem of the whole Country Yet all these good Qualities were somewhat sullied by her unbounded ambition and insatiable desire of rule which were the cause she would never quit the government or Court till forced from them both and that she increased the hatred betwixt her two Sons by setting up the younger in opposition to the Elder In fine to give her her due her Verrues far surpassed her vices and it may justly be said of her that she was the glory of her Family the deliverer of Portugal and the honour of Spain The Queen Mother being dead the King believed himself more safe and on the contrary the Infante deprived of her support thought himself more exposed Count Castelmelhor who till then had stood in some awe of him because of her power acted now with more freedom Thus the Infante growing more discontented The Infante grows discontented and the King jealous the King at the same time grew the more jealous of his reservedness and consequently averse to all those he saw him favour or cherish Upon these discontents some of his Servants fearing to offend quitted him and others were removed from him so that his retinue was much below the dignity of the Brother of a King Some days he bore with this hardship till the News of the New Queens being set forward obliged him to press the King that he might appear like himself at her reception The King ordered him to give the Names of such as he desired should attend him but not approving of those he made choice off nothing was concluded upon tho' many debates passed betwixt them on that account At length on the 2d of August 1666 the Fleet which brought the Queen entred the River of Lisbon the News whereof being brought to the King he is reported to have received without the least demonstration of joy or satisfaction which was then looked upon as an ill omen of the future success of that Marriage The Marquess de Ruvigny who Commanded the French Fleet having sent to the Infante to beg leave to pay his respects to him he layed hold of this opportunity to put the King in mind how dishonourable it was to them both that the Admiral should find him so ill attended What could be done in so sudden an Emergency was that the King sent his own Servants to attend his Brother during that Ceremony This was no way pleasing to the Infante who being highly incensed against Count Castelmelhor The Infante enraged against Count Castelmelhor as the only man that had obstructed his having those Servants he desired forbore not openly to revile and threaten him with the severest punishment when occasion should offer which Vasconcellos the Counts Brother who was present resenting went away and quitted his Service So now there remained with him but two Servants of any Note or Quality whereupon he sent a message to the King to desire he would give him leave to retire from Court since he would not allow him to live in that Splendor that was due to him Nothing could have more incensed the mind of the King than this message did insomuch that thoâ— Count Castelmelhor fearing least the discord betwixt the two brothers should run too high used all his interest to obtain of the King for the Infante those Servants he desired he could never prevail Therefore the Infante perceiving the King's obstinacy was not to be overcome since it had not yielded to the intreaties and power of the Count when he had amidst the rest of the crowd hid his want of attendance at the Queens solemn entry into Lisbon he withdrew himself to Quelas a League and a half from the City accompanied only by Roderick de Meneses Fame having immediately spread abroad not only through the City but through the whole Kingdom the News of his retreat the universal report was that all things were preparing for a Civil War At Lisbon Peter's party was already more numerous than Alphonso's the vertues of the former were every where extolled and
India or some other remote parts of the World yet so that if he should make resistance or attempt to escape then he should be killed Many days passed not before the Count had intire Information of the whole Conspiracy against him and having layed it before the King he was by him impowered to use such means for their common Security as he should think most effectual He presently doubles the Guards at the Palace arms all his own Creatures set his Spies and stirs not out of the Palace without a sufficient Train and Guard for his Security This sudden change at Court alarm'd the City so that the People ran in heaps to the Palace for Information but finding that there was no interruption of publick Affairs nor any thing but the increase of the Guards they soon dispersed and returned to their Houses The Infante finding his project defeated to avoid all Suspition retired to his Country-House at Quelas Whilst he was there almost in despair for the great disappointment he had received a Discovery was made or pretended to be made for the certainty of it could never appear that the Count had hired People to poison him Hereupon his Partizans advise him to be very circumspect in securing himself and they on their part were not wanting in spreading abroad the danger they pretended him to be in Having thus prepared the Multitude and being sensible that the Count could not but study to secure himself by his downfal the Infante made instant application to the King to punish him according to the hainousness of the Offence he alledged To this effect he wrote to the King acquainting him that he was convinced the Count practised against his Life that therefore he demanded he should be banished from the Court or else that he himself should be forced to fly into Foreign parts for Safety Both the King and Count having read this Letter referred the whole matter to the Council of State There it was fully discussed one party affirming that it was a Presumption at one time to accuse the King's Favourite and assign his Punishment in such a manner as seemed to threaten the King himself that if the Count were justly accused he ought to be tryed according to the known Laws of the Kingdom and if convicted to be punished but that if it should appear he was wronged care ought to be taken least the Prince's aspiring practices should not be prejudicial to the King The other side on the contrary being devoted to the Infante's Interest urged all the plausible Reasons they could gather to shew that he ought to be complyed with Right or Wrong either in regard he was the King's Brother or for fear he might effect that by force which he could not obtain by Entreaty After conferring both Opinions they came to this Resolution That it should be put to the Tryal The King offers the Infante Satisfaction whether the Infante could be appeased by Submission and all manner of humble Application To this effect the Marquess of Marialva was sent by the King to acquaint the Infante that the Count was â—â—ady to come and beg his Pardon upon his Knees But he considering that to accept of this Submission would no way forward his End for that the Count would still remain at Court after two days delay sent back the Marquess with his Answer signifying that nothing but the Banishment of the Earl could satisfie him Alphonso hoping his Brother's Fury might abate in time delayed sending to him again for the present whereat he being the more enraged caused a Letter to be deliver'd to the King among other things threatning not to appear at Court as long as Coâ—nt Castelmelhor continued in it A Cabinet Council being called upon this second Billet some were for apprehending the Infante himself as now grown too dangerous others more moderate were only for securing his Family and Adherents and so leaving him naked This latter Advice was approved off but the Execution being delayed and Peter having received Intelligence thereof he stood upon his Guard arming all his Followers and promising to live and dye by them Next he summons the Counsellors of State The Council and Magistrates of Lisbon combine with the Infante and Magistrates of Lisbon who being met at his House he inveighed before them against the King his Brother and Count Castelmelhor impeaching him of Practices against his Life and desiring their assistance to be revenged of him since the King would not consent to his Banishment After having spoken to this effect he gave them the same in Writing to which they unanimously answer'd they would stand by him and support his Dignity to their utmost It is easie to conceive how much King and Count were concerned at this audacious proceeding The King fearing the faction offers to compound with the Infante which was an absolute usurpation upon the regal Authority for it was no less in the Infante to summon the Tribunals and in them it was not much less than Treason to obey the Summons but above all to ingage to stand by him Finding by this Tryal how great the strength of his Party was they resolved if possible to mollifie him and therefore the King sent to him to discover who were the Count's Accusers that so he might be proceeded against in due form of Law The Infante positively refused to discover the Evidence unless the Count were first removed from Court Alphonso put it to the Council and ablest Lawyers whether it were legal and beseeming the King's Dignity that the Count should be removed before the Witnesses were known and it was carryed by the Majority that the demand was unjust and unreasonable This their result under their Hands the King sent to his Brother at the same time sending away Expresses to the Commanders on the Frontiers and Sea-ports to suffer no Man to depart the Kingdom By these means the expectation of a Civil War which till then had gone no farther then Lisbon was spread abroad throughout the whole Kingdom The Infante advising with his Friends upon the result of the Council sent him by the King they came to this Resolution that in case his Majesty persisted in protecting the Count then Peter without his consent should speed into the Province beyond the Mountains where the Count of St. John had the command of the Forces which he should march to Lisbon and joyning with the multitude by open Force should constrain the King to comply with all his demands Having fixed this Resolution he sent the King a long Letter full of invectives against the Count and complaints that he could not obtain Justice concluding that his Majesty made more account of the Earl then of him and seeing both could not live together he had resolved to quit the Court. Upon what Account he intended to withdraw we have seen but just before not to submit to the King's Will but to force him to comply with his And though he pretended privately
besides not only the Magistrates and multitude of Lisbon but generally of the whole Country pressing upon him with Threats and open Violence he was at last constrained contrary to his Inclination to comply with their demands For it was now come to that pass that the Council did not advise but command him wheresoever he went the clamours of a Parliament followed him and from all parts Letters were brought urging the same thing It was now equally dangerous to him to refuse or to call the Cortes for the intent was not to do justice by calling them The King forced by his Enemies to call the Assembly of the States but to palliate disloyal practices under that Name Not content to have extorted a complyance to the meeting of the States though the King desired it might be delayed till his return from Salvaterra which would be about the middle of February they obliged him to send out the Writs of Summons for the first of January 1668 so impatient is the desire of Rule After this Violence committed upon him the King finding himself beset on all â—ides by his Enemies and no hope left of safety among them his Crown Liberty and Life being all in eminent danger he resolved to fly to some other place To this purpose he caused Horses to be provided and Boats upon the River He designs to fly to the Armâ— but is prevented by his Brother thinking to try his Fortune in the Province of Alentejo but his Brother who wanted not Intelligence having all the Power prevented his Design The time appointed for the meeting of the Cortes or Parliament being come the Queen who well knew the King would be deposed by them The Queen knowing the King would be deposed flies to a Monastery disdaining to appear her self in a less Sphere than that she had been raised to resolved before Hand to separate her self from him Accordingly on the 21st of November 1667. she retired to the Monastery of Franciscan Nuns called Esperanca into which when she was entred she gave out she was a Maid as being untouched by the King and that she came thither for refuge amidst those Confusions that embroiled the Kingdom Presently after she sent the King a Billet writ with her own Hand to this effect That she had left her Country and Friends to become his Wife but finding she was not acceptable to him and fearing the dangers that threatned on all sides she had resolved to return into France That she desired his leave and the restitution of her Dower since the Marriage was void for want of Consummation Having read this Billet the King was so enraged that he immediately took Coach with a resolution to force her from the Monastery but the Infante who was privy to the whole matter was there before him with a vast Company and withstood him so that he was forced to return without doing any thing Amidst all his Misfortunes and the Affronts put upon him nothing so nearly touched Alphonso as this last offered him by the Queen As soon as setled she sent for the Infante and conferred with him in private as was then given out about her return into France but the more received Opinion and approved by the Event was that there they agreed to be Marryed as soon as her Marriage with the King could be made void Her next Care was to send to the Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Lisbon to desire their Judgment for the dissolution of the Marriage then she sent for all the Nobility who being come into her Presence she demanded their Assistance and Protection and lastly she sent an Express into France to acquaint the King and her Kindred with what she had done Mean while King Alphonso overwhelmed with such a continual stream of disasters following one upon the Neck of another being insulted by the Commonalty contemned by the Nobility deluded by his Brother and forsaken by his Wife stood as one amazed and almost stupified not knowing what course to take Nor was there any left to extricate himself out of this Labyrinth of Confusions and Miseries But now approached the last act of this Tragedy and all that had been before acted under a mask must appear bare-fac'd to the World Therefore the Council of State being assembled together with the Magistrates of the City it was resolved the King should be layed aside and the Government put into the hands of his Brother Yet that the Action might appear the more justifiable they agreed to endeavour to perswade the King to resign up the Government to his Brother but in case he refus'd then it was concluded he should not only be deposed but imprisoned However that it should be left to the determination of the Parliament whether the Infante should be enthroned as King or the King restored to his Liberty This Decree being passed in the morning by break of day the whole Council went without the Infante to acquaint the King with their Resolution Amongst them the Marquess of Cascaes more insolent then the rest being told by the King's Servants that he was still asleep bid them awake him at the same time fell himself a knocking rudely at his Door Insolent words of the Marquess de Cascae◠〈…〉 The King being thus disturbed ordered the Council to be admitted Then the Marquess of Cascaes with a loud Voice accosted the King in these very Words without the least respect or common Civility Thou lyest wallowing in Sloath and Pleasures when the ruin of the Kingdom threatens thee and us through thy Fault Therefore since thou art unfit to Rule or get Children pass from thy Self willingly that Burthen which thou art not able to bear to thy Brother Peter least the Kingdom be deprived of a King and the Royal Family of an Heir and least thou be forced to that against thy Will which thou wilt not freely consent to The rest of the Council spoke to the same effect though not altogether in such audacious Language The King tho' surprized at so trayterous a Proposition answered That he was a lawful King and brought to that pass by the Malice and Perfidiousness of his Enemies Alphonso resolutely denies to resign the Crown but that however no Fear or Danger should force him to resign the Crown as long as he had Breath to draw yet if they would use Violence to him that then he would appeal for Justice to the supream Tribunal which is above all Kings against those that violated his Authority and wrongfully snatched his Crown Being thus disappointed of their first attempt the Council repaired to the Infante where they protracted their Debates till late at Night for being resolved to use force they feared least the People who before took their part against the Favourites should be of another Mind when the matter came to touch the King's Person However after much time spent in fruitless projects they came to this Resolution That the King should be forcibly deposed and
The Infanta only Daughter to the Prince being now almost marriagable and her Father despairing of having any more Issue by his Wife he thought of disposing of her and having cast about to all parts for a fit match at last pitched upon the present Duke of Savoy then a youth under the tuition of his Mother Embassadors were sent on both sides to Treat in the Year 1680 1680. who so managed the affair A match concluded betwixt the Infanta and the Duke of Savoy that all things were concluded and agreed upon And to remove the only obstacle which was the Law of Lamego whereby it is enacted that the heiress of the Crown Marrying a Forreigner she shall forfeit her Title to provide I say against the obstacle of this Law the Cortes were summoned and met at Lisbon the same Year There they passed an Act for dispensing with the said Law for that time provided it should not be a president for any other This impediment being taken away there seemed to remain nothing to obstruct the happy conclusion of the Nuptials but the distance of the Parties the Duke of Savoy who according to contract was to come into Portugal sent before over Land a considerable Number of Coach and saddle Horses On the other side the Prince Regent fitted out a squadron of 12 men of War to Conduct the Duke to Lisbon All the Ships were gilt and painted but above all the Admiral was gilt from stem to stern the poop and prow down to the surface of the Water and the sides down to the gunwale The great Cabin was painted by the best Masters in Lisbon and the floor layed in squares of Ebony and Ivory The Bed was most Rich and the Royal-Standard all of Cloath of tissue with the arms of Portugal in the highest raised Embroidery Portuguese Seamen being at that time scarce especially able ones great encouragement was given to all strangers that would enter into the Service When all things were prepared this sightly Squadron set Sail in the Year 1681 and arrived safe at the Port of Villafranca in Savoy expecting there to take the Duke of Savoy on board The Match broke off In the mean time all things were preparing at Lisbon with the greatest splendor imaginable for his reception Triumphal Arches were built extraordinary bull Feasts contrived and all the Gentry strove to outvie one another even to the ruin of their Estates and empoverishing their Families in Gallantry Yet all these mighty preparations were cast away for when it was thought the Duke would have gone aboard the Fleet he at first began to delay and protract time and after deluding them in this sort as long as he could he at last positively brokeâ— off the Match His subjects had always been averse to it and that with good cause as being unwilling to part with their Soveraign without hope of ever seeing him again as going to leave them for a Crown and then if he should return it must be with dishonour as being disappointed of the End for which he left them These considerations had at last prevailed upon his Mother his Council and himself to alter their resolutions so that tho' the Articles of the marriage had been ratified on both sides and so great an expence made towards the comsummating of it all that had been done was dissolved and came to nothing The Fleet returned to Lisbon with small satisfaction and found as little there either at the Court for the affront put upon it or in the City for the extravagant and useless expence it had been put to This was the End of the designed marriage of the Infanta with the Duke of Savoy The year 1683 put an End to the long sufferings of the most unfortunate Alphonso the 6th King of Portugal Death of King Alphonso He dyed on the 12th of December at the Castle of Cintra in the Fortieth year of his Age and 16th of his imprisonment It is impossible to give a just character of him fear of offending the prevailing party having stopt the mouths of his Loyal Servants and Friends who best knew and would speak honourably of him and there being no credit to be given to the slanders of his adversaries whose chief care it ever was to reproach his person and blacken his Actions And this perhaps is the greatest of calamities Kings are subject to that their misfortunes do not terminate with their Lives for never Prince was yet dethroned tho' never so barbarously but his memory was also rendred odious to prosperity by all the Arts that malice could invent because prevailing wrong could not subsist but under the colour of Right and to defame justice oppressed is to flatter and support iniquity Reigning To say King Alphonso had no vices were to say he was not man yet to make them so enormous as some would have them believed were only to vouch for malice and countenance disloyalty Through the course of his Reign that is whilst he was in power there appears none of his actions that have been urged against him tho' aggravated with the most malicious circumstances which have not been seen in thousands of Subjects and yet passed unpunished either as without the reach of the Law or excused as the effects of extravagant Youth For his judgment as it could not be expected to be so solid at his Years as in a riper Age so neither can it be found by his words or deportment that he was any way defective therein And lastly as to his impotency in regard to procreation that if true could have been no lessening of his personal right to government but it is so far from being certain that I have heard several persons affirm they knew his illegitimate issue whose mothers if they durst would upon Oath confirm the assertion But there is nothing so certain as that Portugal never was more successful both by Sea and Land than under this government for under him were obtained four of the greatest victories against the Spaniards which produced the Peace the glory whereof was ascribed to his brother who had done nothing to purchase it And if any object that those Triumphs were due to the Generals we must deprive all King 's of the glory of warlike Exploits who do not actually Command their Armies in person besides that it is no small honour to him that he chose such Counsellors as could direct and such generals as knew how to act so much for his advantage And as for the maritine affairs greater Fleets came home yearly from India and Brazil and far lesser losses were sustained by Ship-wrack during his Reign than in many years after This may suffice in some measure to do right to the memory of this unhappy Prince Yet it may not be ungrateful to add one word more touching certain words reported to have been spoken of him just before his death The closeness of his confinement and the danger of reporting his words abroad by those who
29 They try the Governor of Tangier without success p. 417 They carry off a great Booty p. 479 They besiegâ—â— Olivenza without success p. 445 Overthrown p. 11â— Spanish Army advances to relieve Badajoz p. 497 Spanish and Portuguese Fleets arrive at Brazil p. 379 Spanish Forces defeated p. 424 Spanish Army on the Frontiers of Portugal p. 427 Storms p. 239 Strange Action of a jealous Woman p. 197 Strange tryal of â—n innocent Bishop p. 135 Stratagem of the Christians against the Moors p. 141 Success of the Portuguese against the Dutch in Brazil p. 447 Suevians Vandals Alans Burgundians and Selingi p. 82 Suevians incorporate with the ancient Lusitanians p. 86 Suevians Alans and Selingi joyn in League against the Romans p. 87 Suppression of the Knights Templers p. 214 Synod at Toledo p. 98 T. TAgus V. King of Spain p. 5 Taking of Santarem p. 164 Talent used in Portugal p. 178 Tangier and India p. 456 461 465 Tantalus commands the Lusitanians p. 41 Tercera Islands for Antony the Bastard p. 361 They are reduced p. 362 Theodoricus having Conquered Spain puts it under Governors p. 90 Theodosius Prince of Portugal made Captain-General of all the Forces in the Kingdom p. 466 He dies p. 475 Three Brothers fall at variance p. â—45 Three Spanish Galeons secured in the River of Lisbon p. 39â— Tiberius succeeds Augustus in the Empire p. 74 Titus and Domitian p. 76 Total Eclipse p. 177 Trajan Emperor p. 77 He reduces the Lusitanians revolting p. 78 Truce for a year p. 225 Truce not duly observed p. 267 Tryal of Ordeal in use p. 119 Tubal Lands in Portugal p. 3â— He is first King of Spaâ—â— p. 〈◊〉 Tâ—lga succeeds p. 〈◊〉 Tumults against the Queen p. 〈◊〉 Two great losses to Portugal p. 380 Two Kings set up in Lusitania p. 90 Two Kings meet in friendly manner p. 244 Two Synods held by Recesuindus p. 101 V. VAlencia de Alcantara taken by the Portuguese Gener. p. 518 Vasco de Gama sent to discover India p. 314 Very small matter of martial exploits in the year 1655. p. 483 Vespasian Emperor p. 76 Vice Queen and others seized p. 396 Villaflor Count and Portuguese General marches to relieve Evora p. 511 Recovers Evora p. 155 Viriatus his Original p. 33 He is worsted by Metellus p. 34 Routs Vetilius defeats Plancius and overthrows Cl. Vnimaâ—us p. 35 Worsts Nigidius p. 36 Is obliged to retire by Fabius Emilianus p. 37 Rotus â—opilius and is himself put to flight by Pompey p. 38 He again defeats the Romans makes Peace with them The Peace broken p. 39 He is killed by Treachery His Funeral Pomp. p. 40 Viscount de Villa Pouca burns two Towns in Galicia p. 463 Visâ—o Duke conspires against the King's Life Is stabbed by the King himself p. 302 Vitellius Emperor p. 67 Vlysses in Portugal p. 13. W. WAmba his strange advancement to the Crown His Wars in France and Spain p. 102 Rebels in France subdued by him p. 103 War betwixt the people of Braga and Porto p. 76 Betwixt Castile and Portugal p. 210 224 In the Provinces betwixt Duero and Minho and Tarlos Montes p. 428 In Brazil p. 436. Betwixt the Romans and Suevians p. 87 Prosecuted in Brasil p. 461 Betwixt the Christian Kings of Spain p. 140 In India with the Dutch p. 477 In India unsuccessful to Portugal p. 482 Proceeds coldly on both sides p. 474 Renewed with Castile p. 296 Wetericus Usurps p. 99 Witisa Son to Egica Reigns in Portugal After his Fathers Death he is Monarch of all Spain His cruelties p. 107 Wonderful Dearth p. 14 Y. YOrk Duke arrives at Lisbon with 3000 Men. His Son contracted to the Princess Beatrix p. 247 The End of the Table