office and authoritie doth breed being impossible in so short a space to make parties or to procure followers And although this course be not alwayes free from those dangers and discommodities which are incident to gouernors who either want experience or acquaintance with state yet a moderate exchange ought in my conceit to be preferred before a perpetuitie for the people be the gouernors neuer so religious and just feele a kind of safetie at the least and as well in this point as in others delight in change vsing the same as a counterpoise to that irkesome loathsomenesse which groweth out of the continuall vse of any one thing without alteration Let your maner in giuing audience to suitors be easie liberal and ordinarie wherby not only the subiect is pleased with the same reputing this accesse as a restoritiue for that it giueth them opportunitie to ease their grieuances by their superiors fauor but on the other side it maketh the prince more wise when euery day by this means he cōmeth to the knowledge of new accidents new impressions new opinions The prince also commeth to vnderstand all the affairs humors passions and plots of his own subiects and their interest which is as I said before one kind of wisedome To this end therefore and for a thousand other good effects a prince ought to visit all his estates often but in such sort as many progresses and extraordinarie charges which belongs vnto them may not be burthensome to his subiects and a blemish to his owne authoritie for things that are accounted excellent if they be made common they loose a great part of their estimation in the eyes of the world If their progresses be seldom in like maner they giue some suspition of neglect and carelesse regard of the peoples good they giue incouragement to deputies and magistrats to follow their own humors and moreouer they make their subiects despaire of all hope of refuge to the princes presence and of recourse to the same in time of necessitie for as I said before this is a meane to ease the subiect and to curbe the magistrat In giuing audience let your care be to send euerie man away with some satisfaction or at the least with good liking of your affabilitie Heare such as offer you petitions with patience and answer them with compassion Prouide alwaies that the power of those that are most mightie ouersway not the right of them that are miserable haue no respect of persons but looke only to the justice of the cause If any man appeare before you in a rightfull matter who is otherwise ill spoken of regard not at that time his conuersation but his complaint not what he is in life but what he speaketh Now to the end the parties which haue recourse vnto you appealing from your officers or charging them with corruption may be more throughly conuinced by due proofe and more easily induced of themselues to confesse their faults stretch out your hand as farre as in honor you may in granting them new Iudges or Commissioners who together with other ordinarie officers will be more carefull to carrie themselues vprightly in such offices as are assigned to their cares The way to plant a firme resolution in your officers to deserue well is to reward them bountifully that haue shewed their worth for by this meanes by the discharge of his duetie in a meane place he will endeuour to be held worthie of an office of more esteeme notwithstanding there is great reason why the prince vpon these occasions should haue due respect to the credit and honour of his officers and to vse such moderation in this kind as without wrong to the plaintifes their reputations may be tendred Examine weightie causes with deliberation but be carefull to giue quicke dispatch to matters of small moment especially if they concerne persons that are in miserie Vse the like expedition in matters concerning poore men orphans dowers churches education maintenance charges left tutorship debts and such like charitable causes of which you are in conscience bound to haue an especiall care and to protect them in necessitie That state can neuer prosper where such causes are neglected for that God which makes no difference of persons but assureth vs That he will alwaies haue one eare open to the sortowful complaints of simple soules which suffer wrong will punish kings and magistrats for their contempt euen of their Christian subiects I would exemplifie this danger by some speciall example of Gods justice in my time but the verie ground of charitie set downe in a word or two may serue and for the rest I leaue you to the tendernesse of your owne conscience and the counsel of your Confessor The like course must be taken with tradesmen artisans marchants and husbandmen for these kind of people can neuer follow the court nor without ruine to their estates spend their goods labour and time about suits for it were better to be speedily dispatcht with some losse than to be tired with a world of Proctors Aduocates and Notaries in hope of getting all considering how much the losse of time in regard of their trade importeth them Whatsoeuer may be ended at one hearing by your selfe dispatch what you are not able of your selfe to rid recommend it by way of tables and memorials in other affaires It shall not be amisse for quicke dispatch of causes to assigne to euerie officer his particular taske for otherwise it were not possible for one man to run through all In case of necessitie the prince may commit his office for his owne ease to his faithfull ministers in imitation of the knife which in old time was vsed in the sacrifice at Delphos for there was such a fashion deuised for the reliefe of poore men which could not long attend without great losse as one man alone was able by the helpe of its many parts to serue all the priests In criminiall causes where there is question of life and death and other capitall punishment proceed benignely with seueritie and seuerely with benignitie according to the state and qualitie of the cause Applie you sences to the circumstances of the person time and place the maner and such like considerations Be content to imitate the rule of Lesbos in this case which was apt to bend according to the obliquitie of the subiect vnto which it was applied by art So must princes follow occasions if they will rule with commendation This is not to make difference of persons touching the right it selfe but to judge of right with wisedome and diseretion according to the sundrie indifferences that are aptly offered proceeding notwithstanding where we find the like respects in all degrees concurre with like consideration for the people are not grieued with setting downe any resolution how grieuous soeuer it may seeme but diuersitie of punishments for one and the selfesame fault where no certaine reason can be found of the diuersitie If any conceiues this counsel to be
had finished Hee left it to bee Abbot of Montarragon King D. Alphonso had three daughters also by the Queene D. Sancha that is D. Constance who was married first to the King of Hongarie and afterwards to the Emperour Frederic the second D. Elcnor and D. Sancha both Countesses of Tolousa the one married to Cont Raymond the father and the other to Cont Raymond the sonne This Queene D. Sancha was verie deuout after the manner of that age wherefore as soone as she was married she built the Monastery of Sixena of the Nuns of Saint Iean 9 This age was as the rest full of deuotions Castilleâ— and inuentions of new seruices for Cardinall Hyacinthe beeing Legate a Latere for the Pope in Spaine the order of knights or men at armes Order of Saint Iames. of Saint Iames had his beginning in the realme of Galicia by an emulation betwixt some knights Monkes of Saint Eloy a Monastery in the same Kingdome These good religious fathers seeing the great concourse of people which came from all parts of Christendome to the sepulcher of Saint Iames they beganne to build Hospitals out of their reuenues which were very great vpon the passage which in Spaine they doe commonly call the French way to lodge and feed Pilgrimes and to supplie all their necessities in sicknesse or in health wherein they imployed themselues honestly and the first Hospitall of their foundation was that of Saint Marke the Euangilists without the walles of the city of Leon afterwards they built another vpon the passage of Castille called de las Tiendas In imitation of these Monkes vsing such courtesie to strangers which went to Saint Iames there were thirteene Knights very deuout to this Apostle taking him for their particular Patron and aduocate according to their instruction vowed themselues to gard and assure the way for pilgrimes against the incursions of the Moores and other theeues which troubled Spaine and hauing imparted their deseigne to the Monkes of Saint Eloy they agreed to make one body amongst them and to make the patrimonie of the Monastery of Saint Eloy common with that of these Knights and others which should ioyne with them at that time they did enioy about twenty castles which made the Monkes more willing to allow of this communion al these holy souldiars were married from their first institution wherefore they did onelie vow coniugal chastetie and as for pouerty it was not very great they onelie renounced the propertie of their goods for the seruice of the order enioying the fruites whereof they payed tithe vnto the Monkes for the diuine seruice wherein they were imployed they did vowe obedience to their Prior and Maister by such an order as the Monkes should bee subiect to their Priors both for spirituall and temporall and the Knights to the same Prior touching the spiritualty but in regard of the temporall they should obay the maister of the order Whereof the first was named D. First conuent of Knights of Saint Iames. Pedro Fernandes de Puente Encalada The first conuent which was built for these Knights was neere vnto Saint Markes Hospitall without the walles of Leon on a peece of ground belonging to the Monkes of Saint Eloy which they gaue into the which they all retired taking vpon them a modest kinde of habit fit for the warre carrying upon a white cloake a red-crosse in forme of a sword for a marke of their order and for an argument of humilitie they had haire powled which was no smal abasement in those times Their Order was vnder Saint Augustin according to that of the Monkes of Saint Eloy and all these things were ordred in the presence of Cardinal Hyacinthe the Legat and allowed by him hauing especiall authority for it A while after D. Pedro the Master of the Order accompanied with certaine Knights this order beeing wonderfully increased went to Rome to present himselfe to Pope Alexander who confirmed the order in the yeare of our Lord 1175. according to the disposition of Cardinal Hyacinthe his Legat who was afterwards Pope Many have beleeued and some haue written that this order of Knights of Saint Iames is more ancient grounding it vpon a certaine priuiledge which is found at Salamanca in the Monasterie of the Holie Ghost where at this present the relligious women of that order are for besides the moderne Castillan Language in the which this priuiledge is written with the date and yeere thereof counted from the natiuity of our Lord Iesus Christ discouers the falshood for that in those daies all Instruments titles and letters were in written in Latin and that they did account the yeeres from the Aera of Caesar there is not any mention found in Authors of the Institution of this Order nor of any exploit of the Knights thereof before this time besides other makes of falshood which may bee discouered in this priuiledge as to intitle the King D. Fernand the Great Lord of Biscay and King of Leon which hee was not and by consequence had no cause to grant priuiledges to that Monastery of the citie of Salamanca which hath been alwaies of the iurisdiction of Leon Whereas in the yeere 1034. which is the date thereof there raigned D. Bernard the third of that name so as it is not without cause if they doubt of the truth of the priuiledges granted to churches and conuents These Knights newly instituted being fallne into some dislike with D. Fernand King of Leon raigning at that time they left their Conuent of Saint Marke at Leon and retired into Castille where they were courteously receiued by the King D. Alphonso who gaue them the towne and Castle of Vcles called in old time Vrcesia where they built that renowned conuent which is the chiefe seate of their religion and order yet they sent some of their brethren to dwell in their first conuent of Saint Marke at Leon after the decease of the King D. Fernand vpon condition that the superioritie should belong to that of Vcles but it is not obserued for the conuent of S. Marke doth not acknowledge that of Vcles in any thing but doth keep their first reuenues the which were since augmented in Estremadura after the conquest thereof by them of Leon. In time this order did extend farre into Portugal where it got great reuenues vnder the obedience of the conuent of Vcles vnto the King D. Denis who put the Knights out of his country This order of the Knights of Saint Iames did so grow in wealth and number by the bountie of Kings A thousand launces of the Order of Saint Iames. and indulgences of Popes as they were able to arme a thousand launces compleat in both conuents of Vcles and Saint Marke and before that by the authority of Pope Adrian the sixth the masters place was incorporate to the crowne of Castille the Maisters of the Order were chosen and displaced if there were cause by the suffrages of thirteene brethren who had that
the same day that our Sauiour Iesus Christ had suffered This answer deliuered to the Queene shee sayd If it be so that the Prince takes his death so patiently by reason of that day for my part I am resolued to shew him mercie for his sake who the same day suffered death and passion for vs all Whereuppon shee commanded he should be preserued without any harme letting the people vnderstand who did presse her to put him to death that shee ought not in a matter of so great importance and which might be the cause of great inconueniences resolue nor excecute any thing without the priuity of the king her husband and therefore she commaunded that Prince Charles should be carried into Cattelogne to the king Don Pedro to dispose of him as he should thinke fit by good aduice This generous and Christian like act is worthie of eternall prayse as the excesse which king Charles through bad councell and an il-gouerned passion had committed against Conradin and other Noblemen his prisoners is to be blamed and detested This Charles Prince of Salerne was afterwards king of Naples the second of that name 28 After the king D. Pedros returne out of France expecting daily by reason of the Poues censures and his enterprises against Nauarre to be set vpon by Philip k. of France and Charles of Valois his son and the Noblemen and Knights of Arragon Cattelogne being tyred by him in the former wars ill intreated as they thought in their freedoms whereof the townes and commonalties of his Countries did also complaine they did also stirrre vp troubles and seditions and made an vnion together The heads of the Nobility were Symon of Vrrea the elder D. Pedro Fernandes Lord of Ixar and D. Pedro of Ayerbio Vnion in Arragon against the king for their liberties both base brothers vnto the King Pedro Cornel Artal Alagon Lope Ferneçe de Luna Athon des Posses Sancho of Antillas Gombald of Beneuent and Symon of Vrrea the younger all of Noble families and moreouer Lope William of Oteicia Pedro Iourdain Pegna Gombald Tramasset Giles of Bidaure Pero Garces Nuez who were Knights whose predecessors had beene aduanced by Kings These hauing made a league with the people did promise and sweare to let the king and his sonne D. Alphonso who was his Lieutenant generall vnderstand that if they did not containe themselues within the limittes of the lawes of the country they would withdraw themselues from their obedience and declare themselues enemies and poursue them by armes that should seeke to breake them The king had called the Estates to Tarassone and afterwards to Saragossa There he intreated promised and did all he could to breake this vnion but he was forced to yeeld and therefore he granted vnto the Arragonois the priuiledge which they call general wherby the liberty which had beene somewhat restrayned was againe restored the ancient maners of the Country and customs of their Ancestors fit for the country put again in practise And moreouer there were lawes made for their Kings which they should be bound to obey And for that they were in a mutine in some places by reason of certaine Impositions layed vpon salt the trafficke thereof was made free by the Estates Notwithstanding all these things the king refused the iudgement of the Iustice Maior of Arragon the which was then exercised by Pedro Martines Artassone whom he deposed from his office but soone after this dignity was fortified with stronger lawes The like assembly was made at Barcelona and to the same end where they obtained confirmation of their old statutes and customes which they call Vsatiques They of Valencia beeing called to the Estates of Arragon would not appeare pretending liberty to assemble apart In this Realme of Valencia there was a Magistrate established who was President of the Iustice who shold be an Arragonois and should do right vnto the townes and Noblemen of that Realme who enioy the priuiledges of Arragon the first in this dignitie was Alphonso Martines In Ribagorça there was also a peculiar Iudge created at Grados from whence the first appeales should go to Barbastro or to the Iustice of Arragon and the second to the king or to Iudges deputed by him but these last ordonances were made and executed in the yeare 1285. at the Estates held at Huesca where as the king did preside They being transferred to Zufaria the king being absent Iohn Giles Tarin Iustice Maior of Arragon was President where it was sayd that he was a lawfull Iudge yea in causes commenced against the King who beeing cited and not appearing there were decrees made against him in many instances In the end the king confirmed the decrees of the Iustice Maior and whatsoeuer should be concluded by the Estates the Deputies and Councellors hauing giuen their suffrages At that time the king Don Pedro spoyled his brother D. Iames king of Majorca King of Majorca dispoyled by his brother of the County of Rossillon for that he had retired himselfe into France and had made a League against him with king Philip who had promised him the Realme of Valencia after the conquest which he did hope to make thereof and of the rest of D. Pedros country In these combustions was the estate of Arragon about the returne of the king D. Pedro from the warre of Nauarre attempted with the Castillans 29 As for D. Sancho Infant of Castile Castile he with all his followers had bene also excommunicately by Pope Martin the 4. The Arch-bishop of Seuile the Deane of Tudele in Nauarre and the Arch-deacon of S. Iames in Gallicia were the denouncers thereof wherfore it was concluded in D. Sanchos Councel to kill all those that shold intimate or bring these censures yet the Commissioners deputed by the Pope went on in their Commission and did interdict all parts of Spaine holding the Infants party On the other side the fury of armes ruining the country Queene Beatrix the widow of Portugal D. Mary wife to the Infant laboured to procure a peace and to remedie those great miseries at which time there was some hope that the king and his sonne should haue an interview for the king was come to Constatine the Infant to Guadascanall but the Infants minions and bad Councellers did hinder it The Ladies pursuing this holy enterprise Don Sancho fell sicke at Salamanca and in such extremity as the Phisitions had abandoned him the king in like manner fell sicke vnto death whereby it seemes that God was highly offended against these miserable Princes whose reconciliation was thus preuented The king seing his end drawing nigh Alphonso king of Castile giues portions to his sonnes he gaue by his will Seuile and Badajos with the title of a Realm to his sonne Iohn with charge that he should hold them of the Crown of Castile and Leon. To D. Iames his other sonne he gaue the Realme of Murcia with the same condition Hee pardoned all such as
Segobia in the beginning of the yeare 1355. and from thence to Burgos 1355. where hee called a generall assembly of the Estates in the which hee complayned greatly of the Queene his mother and of the Princes and Noblemen confederates saying that they had detayned him prisoner in the city of Toro and had forced him to do many things against his will and dignitie demanding mony from his subiects that hee might make war against them and punish them according to their merits the which he obtained After the end of the Estates he came to Medina del campo where he caused to bee slaine in his owne lodging one day in the holy weeke Murthers commited by Don 〈◊〉 king of Castile Peter Ruis of Villega Gouernor generall of he frontier of Castile and Sancho Ruis of Rojas and caused many to be put in prison Returning to Toro he had an incounter with Don Henries men who went to ioyne with Don Frederic his brother at Talauera from whence they after marched to Toledo and had meanes to enter although their comming was not pleasing to all the Cittizens beeing the meanes to draw a warre uppon them as it happened for that the king followed them soone after and entred as it were by force constrayning them to depart This was a meanes for him to haue the Queene his wife in his power who was poorely defended by the diuided Toledains so as shee was sent to the castle of Siguença The king caused about foure and twenty Burgesses to be executed in the cittie by Iustice who had taken the Queenes part too openly among the which a Gold-smith about 80. years old beeing condemned and ready to be executed Cruel executions the city of Toledo his soone a young man of eighteen yeares of age presented himselfe who mooued with pietie and a filiall loue besought the king to do him the grace not to suffer his father to end the dayes of his old age after that manner offering to suffer death for him The king who had no royall part in him accepted the condition and caused this young innocent man to be executed who in regard of his pietie did merit to saue his fathers life and to liue himselfe with honour and reward due to so great vertue the name of this yong man through the negligence of Writers is supprest Piety of a son ill rewarded by D. Pedro. After these dishonorable exploites the king went to Cuenca which held for Queene Blanche but he could not take it whereupon he marched against Toro and brought all the warre into the territories of Leon and Biscay where his men were twise defeated by D. Tello and Iohn of Abendagno with the death and imprisonment of many The K being before Toro he had newes of the death of Don Iohn Garcia of Padilla brother to Donna Maria his mistris being chosen master of S. Iames against his brother Don Frederic whereat he was much grieued During this heauines there came vnto the campe William Bishop of Bolonia Cardinall of Saint Marie in Cosmedin Legate to Pope Innocent the sixth beeing sent to pacifie the troubles of Castile and to reconcile the King and Queene but he lost his labor and obtayed nothing of him but that hee procured the deliuerance of Peter Barroso a Doctor of the Lawes and bishop of Siguença who was prisoner for that he had held the Queenes party The king wrought so partly by force and partly by parlees and promises he as hee was suffered to enter into Toro vppon condition that hee should not kill any man the which he promised and kept according to his faith for he was no sooner entred but he caused to be slaine within the castell in the presence of the Queene his mother Peter Stephen Carpinter Master of Calatraua Ruis Gonçales of Castagneda Martin Alphonso Tello and Alphonso Telles the which Queene Mary did so abhorre as shee swounded and was in danger of death and soone after not able to endure the sight of her sons cruelties Queen mother vnchast she demanded leaue to retire into Portugall to her father king D. Alphonso who caused her to be slayne soone after for that shee liued vnchast with Don Martin Telles The King Don Pedro did also cause to be slaine in Toro Gomes Manriques of Orihuela Diego Perez of Godoy Alphonso Gomes great Commander of Calatraua and many others The knights which defended the towne of Cuenca hearing of these bloudie executions left Castile and retired into Arragon others which held other places distrusting their strength abandoned them and past into France wherefore the king thinking himselfe now in a manner a conqueror transported with a tyrannous hatred against the Nobility of his Realme yea against his owne bloud he resolued to roote them out one after another not trusting in any one of them Hauing beseeged Palençcuela he watched an oportunity to kill the two Infants of Arragon his cousins Don Frederic his brother who was partly reconciled and Don Iohn de la Cerde but by reason of the absence of Doth Tello his brother whom he would catch in the same net he deferred it and the better to surprize him he made shew to pardon him and Don Iohn of Abendagno also and to remit all that was past This Don Iohn of Abendagno was one of the chiefe Knights of Biscay and without whose aduise Don Tello Lord of Biscay did not any thing Notwithstanding as the fauours of great men are vncertaine and wauering Don Tello enuying him for that he was rich D. Tello Lord of Biscay causeth D. Iohn of Abendagno to be murthered and welbeloued in the countrie caused him to bee slaine awhile after in the towne of Bilbora Palençuela being taken by composition the king Don Pedro made a tourney at Tordesillas whree he had resolued to murther Don Frederic his brother and others notwithstanding hauing by the same treason caused two other Knights to bee slaine the one of Toledo the other of Vailledolit he thought it sufficient for this time and deferred this execution vntill another oportunitie Don Henry who was in the Asturia's seeing that all were brought vnder and reconciled vnto the king he demanded leaue afarre off and obtained it for hee would not trust the king but vpon good termes and went to serue the French king Passing by the mountains of Asturia he escaped many ambushes which the king had layd for him notwithstanding his assurance giuen but he was ordayned to better fortune wherefore beeing come into Biscay and hauing there conferred with Don Tello his brother hee imbarked and landed at Rochel from whence he went to Paris to King Iohn then raigning who receiued him and honoured him much The king of Arragon was aduertised of all these troubles and alterations beeing then resident at Perpignan for the which he was not sorie At that time there raigned three bad kings in Spaine this Don Pedro king of Castile Don Pedro of Arragon and Don Charles of Nauarre violent Princes
and this was done to quench the bloudy thirst of the prelats and monkes counsellors and solicitors of that ill vnderstood conuersion Yet for all that after the fury was past the King caused the children of either sex amongst those miserable people vnder eleuen yeeres of age to bee separated and baptized giuing them their liberty as innocent of their fathers obstinacy This rigour was so farre off from fearing or abating the courage of the rest as they thereby became more stubborne their being no spurre in the world more sharpe then religion to make men giue ouer and contemne life and all other things to be beloued in this world when they are constrained to take armes for that respect for diuers Moores dwelling vpon the coast of Ronda La Sierra Vermeille and Villa longa being brought to the last hope of beeing able to liue in the freedome of their consciences and to keepe their old religion did arme themselues to the number of twelue thousand persons which caused the Kings to thinke that they were entred againe into a very difficult warre and that the conquest of the kingdome of Granado was not yet ended And because it behoued them to giue a present remedy to this fire which kindled VVar renued by the persecuted Moores they dispatched away Don Alphonso d' Aguilar and the Earle of Vregna with as great forces as the present necessity could furnish but Don Alphonso who was old and a well experienced captaine protested that with so small a number he could doe the King no seruice but should receiue losse and dishonour for the Moores were foure to one of his people neuerthelesse being vrged to it he marched against the enemies who keeping themselues closse togither and in strong places would not giue the least aduantage to the Christians for whom they laide waite in the valleies and streight places of the country well knowne to themselues to the end to surprize and defeat them the which came to passe for the Christians being lodged one night at the foote of Sierra Vermeille in such a place as Don Alphonso's troupes were separated from those of the Earle of Vregna by a great botome which was betwixt them the Moores at the shutting in of day-light fell vpon Don Alphonso and his people with such fury as they cut them all in peeces Don Alphonso himselfe lay dead vpon the place his sonne Don Pedro hauing his teeth beaten out with the blow of a stone and hurt with an arrow with great difficulty escaped at the beginning of the fight the Earle of Vregna beholding the slaughter of his friends not being able to succour them by reason of the botome that lay betwixt them Particular 〈◊〉 among captains of one setfe side doe oâ—tentimes cause the publike cause to be forgotten or else because hee would not as diuers did thinke for euer among great Lords and chiefe commanders vnder one Prince are enuy iealozie and emulation found which cause such effects to the losse of their Prince and commonwealth King Fernand did greatly apprehend this losse as also Don Alphonsos death the which could not bee imputed to rashnesse for he had protested that such resolute men as those Moores were who were in their forts ought not to haue beene assailed with such weake forces and that they knew very well the common prouerbe which saith that for to fetch a dead man out of his owne house there must alway bee foure how much more then did it behooue them to goe strongly accompanied against those with whom he had to do who weare liuing men souldiers and well armed It is reported that as he was assailed diuers Knights were of opinion to turne their backes and to flee but he would needs make head saying that neuer any of his race did turne their backes to a Moore Vnseasonable magnanimity of D. Alphonso de Aguilar Wherefore being kept backe by shame and dishonour hee susteined that conflict whereas hee might haue made an excusable retreat Now the King being in a merueilous chollor departed from Granado against these Moores with an intent to punish them rigorously but perceiuing that it is euermore harder to execute then to counsell hee was content to permit them to passe ouer into Afrike and to leaue the country by this meanes after sundry defeats and slaughters on either side he obtained his desire and returned to Granado where the marriage of D. Catherine his fourth daughter with Arthur Prince of Wales heire to the crowne of England was treated of This Princesse tooke her iourney towards her husband the yere 1501. accompanied by Don Alphonso de Fonseca Archbishop of Saint Iames Don Antonio de Rojas Bishop of Majorque who was afterward Archbishop of Granado and President of the royall counsel and D. Diego Fernandes de Cordoua Earle of Cabra and at the same time Queene Ioane the widdow of Naples sister of King Fernand tooke her leaue of him and withdrew herselfe to Valencia The Archdâ—ke Philip of Austria making preparation for his voyage into Spaine was father of his third child Donna Ioane his wife beeing brought in bed of a daughter named Donna Isabella This Princesse was wife to Christierne King of Denmarke hee who was deposed by his vncle Christierne King of Swethland taken by him and kept in perpetuall prison by which Christierne shee had two daughters that is to say Dorothy future wife to Frederike Earle Palatin and Elector of the Empire and Christine who was married to Francisco Maria Sforza Duke of Milan the yeere 1534. who died the yeere after shee was secondly married to Francis Duke of Lorraine father to Duke Charles who liues in our time After that King Christerne was deposed from his owne Kingdome for inuading that of Sweuia this Princesse D. Isabella went into England where her Aunt Donna Catherine was married and then she died being six and twenty yeeres of age Whilest these things passed on in Spaine the French King Lewis the twelfth did luckily end his enterprise of Milan Sforza taken by the French and did shut vp into close and perpetuall prison Duke Lewis Sforza surnamed the Moore the Author of all the warres and ruines of Italy in his time the which King Frederick of Naples considering hee was mooued partly by feare least he should againe haue to doe with the victorious French armies partly not to oblige himselfe ouer much to the Kings of Spaine and not to giue occasion to the Spanish insolency to grow ouer saucie in his Kingdome and namely because King Iohn of Arragon and Don Fernand his sonne had at one time called in question the late King Alphonso his testamentary decree whereby hee had left that Kingdome to his bastard sonne incapable thereby as they said of so great an inheritance wherefore hee beganne to haue secret intelligence with the French King whereof King Fernand was soone aduertized who thought that hee was very ingratefully delt withall and ill requited for all his cost bestowed in the
with the pleasures which make men effeminate Princes that seeke to increase their old rents by raising of their woonted impositions must be careful that they doe it rather with a limitation of the customers commoditie and gaine that leuies it than with the peoples losse that aunswers it for a grieuance in this kind were in effect as ill as any other imposition There must be a care also taken that a conuenient respite may be allowed the subiect for the payment of his taske As for example if the prince haue need of money in Summer then to sesse the subiects the Winter before for they are apt to take the time of this delay for a kind fauour This leuie of money must be put into the hands of ordinarie officers and not to appoint any new to disquiet them or to rifle their wealth vnder colour of seruice to the State for such parts are most hatefull vnto them But as I sayed before a prince ought first to consider whether it be possible by selling or ingaging some part of his reuenues to supplie the vrgent occasions of his estate before hee seeke to helpe himselfe by the purse and sweat of his subjects for otherwise as the wiser sort perceiue that whatsoeuer they doe or say they shall bee still forced to contribute to their superiour that on the one side their old burthens are increased and on the other all meanes cut off by which they might haue vent for their commodities all traffique either ouerthrowen or much decayed by the which they were woont to releeue their wants with foraine commodities it is not possible but they will eagrely desire an alteration and attempt it by all meanes possible Touching this point of molesting the subiects with impositions as little as may be it importeth much that they be agreeable to the nature of the countrey where they liue that the people may beare the burthen more easily for from those places which yeeld nothing but men princes may not demaund money England yeeldeth an example of this kind for on that side which lyeth next to Scotland they sesse not their borderers You your selfe may draw some money out of Spaine Germanie and Flanders when occasion doth serue but out of Italie both men and treasure Moreouer when you impose any burthen it is not amisse to set the rate in the beginning high that the people may hold it as a fauour when as at their request it is brought to some reasonable tearmes They may bee eaâ—ed also by admitting their excuses which they make in respect of time and giuing eare with patience to that which they are able to alledge for some tolleration you must alwayes haue a care to leaue them satisfied in some sort at the least to comfort them with kind words and make them capable of the just cause that moued you You must lay before them the times the reasons and the occasions which inforce this course prouiding alwayes that all gracious dealing may be thought to proceed from your selfe and whatsoeuer is offensiue sharpe or odious referre it to your officers You must moreouer haue an especiall care that all profits so deerely purchased with the peoples grones be brought to your owne hands and not imployed or distributed to the priuat vse of persons that are put in trust to gather it vnder you It importeth also your estate very much deere sonne to keepe credit with the marchant which will alwayes succeed happily so long as you assigne vnto them conuenient commodities in consideration of their bonds and maintaine them euer in securitie especially with the state of Germanie you must take this course for the holding them thus ingaged in your estates and realmes by reason of their interest and bonds without erecting of any forts which they detest much You may no lesse assure your selfe of that Estate which is of great importance in Italie than the French king held the Florentines tied vnto him by the trade of Lions as wee haue found by plaine experience Now seeing it is not possible that a prince of many estates and countries should alone be able to gouerne them all nor any one of them all things considered it is requisite that this defect be supplied by the meanes of ministers and deputies that may helpe to support so great a burthen Whereupon it followes of necessitie that to chuse such as be worthie and sufficient in all respects is a matter which doth much import the State wherefore I will speake vnto at large of this matter to the end you should not want a rule to know them and imploy them in the seruice of the State I would haue you consider that the properties belonging to worthie ministers are these First and principally wisedome and vnderstanding how to manage their affaires that are committed to their charge secondly loue to their superiour and lastly vertue in themselues to the end that by wisedome they may haue knowledge and by vertue disposition to execute the trust for otherwise either through ignorance they shall not know or by frowardnesse refuse or through malice grudge to discharge their dueties These are the qualities without the which the prince cannot relye vpon their worth nor the people be pleased with their actions But as there is great difficultie both in finding out and obseruing such so experience doth teach that all princes which haue been serued by men of such sufficiencie in these degrees haue ruled happily with great contentment to their subiects and eternall glory to themselues notwithstanding that they haue themselues bin somewhat dissolute for what made the name of the Emperor Iustinian immortal besides his profound knowledge but the great worth of his counselors ministers both in peace and war for by their helpe in both seasons he effected great matters Doubtlesse it is an argument of great wisedome in a prince when as nature hath not enabled him in the first kind of perfection which is out of his owne sufficiencie to rule the State yet at the least to marshall himselfe in the second ranke which is of such as imploy men in their seruice that are capable for thus they draw the quintessence of many pregnant wits to their own vse and grow to vnderstand more than a number that know by themselues as foure eyes must needs see more than two by the course of nature But wee may hold that prince vnfortunat which resteth in a third proportion being neither able of himselfe nor willing to giue eare to others that are more sufficient A prince can neuer want meanes to replenish his owne Court with men fit for his seruice if he will be carefull to seeke them out where they are esteeme them and acknowledge their deserts by good effects Let him rather make the first motion and not depriue himselfe by daintinesse of a worthie seruant for that prince is rather proud than politicke who persuadeth himselfe for that his treasures are greater than other mens therefore euerie man should creepe before
in a trustie hand rather than to carrie it about with them If any chance to die without heires in bloud or limitation in warre who should succeed him the goods may iustly be assigned to the Princes chamber as wee see by the ciuil Law the prince inheriteth their estates that die without any certaine heires It may be jealousie which the baser sort is euer apt to conceiue of the princes policie to inrich himselfe may discourage some supposing vnder euerie bait to find a secret hooke vntill that experience hath cleered the clouds of this false imagination wherefore the way to breake this ice is to appoint a certaine number of the chiefest of the campe whome we may most boldly trust to beginne this order and to bring in their shares for who is either so suspitious or foolish be he either priuat soldier captaine or Colonell that had rather carrie all his goods about him in continual hazard both of enemies and boores vpon euerie sinister accident than leaue it in safety and with some aduantage to themselues or to their heires who may recouer it It may be said that prouision for the carriage of these things will be chargeable but that may be holpen by another meanes if the souldier out of the gaine and interest of his goods laied downe in trust be bound to answere it for that the goods doe still remaine his owne and the charge is satisfied with ouer-plus Touching these carriages you shall find a modell and memoriall among my notes for the priuate souldier is greatly eased by this new inuention hauing nothing to care for but his armes and himselfe so as the whole campe in generall should be more light besides the greatest part of the treasure and goods of value belonging to the campe should rest euer in the princes hand so as hee might vse them for the furtherance of his attempts in warre as wee see the proofe of things left by like trust in the hands of merchants Thus by the money which shal remain in the princes hands by their decease without heires either by descent or disposition of will of such as were the right owners of the same and by the gaine which doth accrue vnto the prince by selling victuals and other implements at the second hand but yet to the souldiers ease in respect of that which he should pay vnto the merchant or victualler for the like the prince may make himselfe more able to maintein a mightie armie long as you shal discouer more particularly by my notes But as I haue said before it is expedient that with this the prouision of valiant souldiers able leaders and good orders doe concurre although the vulgar sort doe accompt money to bee the sinewes of all warre I haue oftentimes had cause to iudge of this comparison and therefore may be the better beleeued in setting downe a difference It is a strength where other parts more needful are cōpleat but a sillie sinew where the chiefest members are disordred Allow me those abilities and politike prouisions in a princes armie with perfection whereof I spake before and no doubt but the warre will maintain it selfe for we cannot find that a worthie Generall and leader of a good and well directed armie euer wanted courage to beginne or meanes to maintaine the warre as well with pay by meanes of pillage and such other gaine as with victuals euen out of the enemies countrie Besides a prince may alwaies keepe his troupes in heart by putting them in hope of honour profit and all kinds of reward when time doth serue although prouision for the present bee scant so as they know the princes abilitie and fortune to bee sufficient to performe his promises Then may the Prince imitating the Romans repose greater trust in souldiers that are both valiant and well affected to his gouernment then either in deepe trenches or places strongly fortified I meane such a Prince as either hath a will or is inforced against his will to hold his sword alwaies in his hand and to looke for hard measure If all the charges of warre should bee drawne out of a princes cofers it were not possible it should continue long To preuent this inconuenience it seemeth good to some to haue the warre made to a profitable end but it is not verie easie as I thinke to giue an instance of this aduice considering experience doth teach that by offensiue warre the countrie is ruined the people spoiled and the prince impouerished and in a defensiue warre of what qualitie soeuer the gaine be men may not expect that it should answere the charge that doth grow thereby Imagine that this inconuenience may bee eased by good counsell and applying batterie to the chiefe places onely which either by their wealth or the releefe which others bring in by their meanes may yeeld satisfaction and recompence for any charge without being forced otherwise to fight in vaine or for the opening of a passage which is alreadie giuen you into the enemies state yet it cannot bee denied but for many other respects and in sundrie other cases the warre which without such a kind of releefe is no way tollerable by meanes thereof is made secure and free from all dangers and disorder of any moment Now for that supplies are necessarie for the maintenance of a continuall armie in one and the selfe same estate I thinke it verie requisite for the seruice of your campe that throughout all your realmes and estates the which in your choise are fittest to set out men a particular muster bee taken and a Register precisely kept of all the youth that are able to beare armes so as it may bee done without offence to the people or incensing the hautie hearts with rage and malice against their Soueraigne As I said before your tried Souldiers must bee kept in practise least their spirits grow dull and their bodies vnable by sloth and discontinuance so would I wish those young souldiers were trained by sufficient leaders that they may be the better able to serue when they are called for In this generall muster especiall choise ought to bee made of such men as by nature are giuen to the warres and apt of their disposition that are in good estate to liue and especially that haue families for of such a man may looke for better proofe and relie more on for that they haue somewhat to lose at home they esteeme their reputation and feare shame and punishment more the which they that haue lands and goods to answere for their good behauiour cannot so easily auoid as they that haue nothing Besides they are incouraged by a respect of bloud to a care of their owne houses These persons may in no wise be drawne out of families that haue but one man in them or so few as the pressing of one man may indanger the whole familie for want of food but you must presse them where they may be spared without danger and incourage them besides with
the hope of credit and commoditie to bee gotten by their merits in the campe for otherwise wee see that being brought with discontentment to the field their deserts proue according Thanks be giuen to God you are soueraigne ouer many great realmes and great estates in which you may raise such martiall troupes without offence as they may not onely bee sufficient to defend but to offend others if you liue in vnion of good correspondencie with your friends and kinsmen of the house of Austria by this agreement you shall settle your owne power and become a comfort and support to those that loue you and a tertor to such as enuie you On the other side assure your selfe that discord among neere allies will blemish your authoritie put heart into your enemies to make designes against your greatnesse and so distemper your friends as they shall not be able to resolue which way to bend their affections Standing thus vnited you shall haue great oportunitie besides the Italian Spanish forces to dispose of the Germanes as your need shall require the which is a martiall and a verie honorable nation I know that this mixture doth oftentimes cause disorders in a campe but yet by one that knoweth how to temper this light discord with a moderate emulation they may be imployed to most excellent and rare effects in respect of the great difficultie and almost impossibilitie that euer they should ioine or agree together in offensiue mutinies distractions and disobedience of any kind I cannot forbeare to report vpon this iust occasion what I haue often aduised you of before that you respect with all due regard your cousin the king of Bohemia to the greatnesse and inestimable value of whose mind the greatest empires are too narrow bounds and doubtlesse vpon euerie fit occasion you shall see effects answerable to this conceit which the world hath of his worthinesse Beleeue this confidently that there is more good to bee expected from the loue which springeth from consanguinitie although that sometimes causes of vnkindnesse may arise than from the fairest shewes and greatest professions of good will that can bee made by any stranger Now for that all offences and vnkindnesses are most bitter growing among persons that are neere in bloud if they be not quenched in due time to preuent a greater inconuenience cut off all iust occasions on your side setting downe this lesson for a rule that it is an art more worthie commendation to yeeld in some sort to those that are allyed to continue their affection than to end quarrels vnkindnesses with other persons by inforcing them to yeeld to our authority But to conclude my councell touching the care which must bee taken of this trained youth is that it may alwaies serue as a Spring to supply the armie for the better pleasing of their humors and winning of their loues it shall be fit to priuiledge them with a libertie to weare weapons especially on those daies that are appointed for their exercises and to make the best shew they are able of their forwardnesse I would also haue them graced with some speciall fauour as occasion serues and exempted from all seruile burthens in Countries Then would I wish you wholy to direct your care to a due consideration of your estate in general and of the countries in particular vnder you Look vpon their condition situation and qualitie consider both of their aboundance and wants and of sufficient meanes to liue as water wood and graine that supplie being made from other places that haue greater store all loue and kindnesse may be entertained among people that are subiect to one Soueraign power Though policie did not prescribe this care yet christianity wold challēge it Cause plots to be drawn of al their greatest riuers moūtains streits passages that by repairing vnto your map vpon any accident that shall happen you may dispose of things with greater certainty Be careful not only to know the dispositions humors of thē which is very necessary for great princes but also their alliances and factions whereby you shall be alwaies able both to bridle their vndutifull affections and to preuent their practises if they breake out into extremities The balance of authority is in your hands all credit comes from your selfe therefore gouern the scales with some moderation so as that side may be heauiest which is best affected to your party Prouide against al dangers serue your tum by all such oportunities as may further your intention If any countrie doth liue in danger of an enemie that doth fronter vpon them secure them in such sort by captains officers garrisons as they may be freed from feare of al wrong To be short I would haue you cast vp an euen reckoning make a iust accōpt of their inclinations their power their wants their store their agreement their diuisions their alliances their habits their customs their affections their dependances their affinity their cōmodities their discōmodities that by easing one charging another you may turn al things to your best content Then wil it be time to turn your eye to the like consideration of their accompt In this point you must resolue with ripe iudgement and great care making fit proportions by comparing sundry circumstances of persons places times natures customes neighbours officers adherents and other accidents as are incident to so strong a knot of ciuill policie These things being vnderstood and wisely pondred by him that hath the helme in hand there is no doubt but he may euer march vpon a firme ground in amy enterprise he takes in hād for in knowing our own our enemies strength in weighing circumstances with an equall hand being able to apply the best aduantages that wisdom experience can find to profitable vses consisteth both the hope hap of victorie I know that diuers courses must be taken according to the diuers qualities of the nation the situation of the countrie Touching the first whether it be peopled or scant of men armed or naked valiant or cowardlie pleased or discontented Touching the second whether it be full of mountaines valleyes plaines woods or riuers whether it abound with victuals and al other commodities that are fit for war or is barren or beggerly Aboue all things be sure you neuer be drawn into quarrels with any mighty potentate for the reliefe of such as rather burthen than ease indanger than helpe your estate which else may turn to your great disaduātage Besides these rules I wold prescribe a nūber more of like effect the which long experince the mother of true wisdom hath imprinted in my heart which other men perhaps which go more by aime than by art make small accompt of War ought alwaies to be vndertaken vpon a iust quarrel and directed to no other end than to a safe honorable peace which cānot be purchased without wars In war he that spendeth most in accompt spendeth least in want doubt
end that if they did not receyue him willingly his title beeing so well grounded he would vse force and therefore they should aduise not to draw themselues their families and the whole Realme into a warre and the miseries which follow it These letters were deliuered to many with good words and presents Lisbon refuseth the King of Spains letters but the cittie of Lisbone would not receiue them and as Christopher de Mora had left them with the Officers of the Cittie they sent them sealed vp vnto their King who was much trobled with this weightie busines and could not resolue any thing that was pleasing to king Philip who threatened him and began to let the Portugals know that he prepared to armes for not meaning to be taken vnprouided at Henries death which could not be long and that this delay should not any way preiudice him in that he pretended to be King of Portugal in despight of all those that would contradict he had drawne into Spaine of Germans Italians and Spaniards of his old regiments of Italy to the number of 18000. foot whom he entertayned many moneths with great charge and hinderance to his subiects in Andalusia and other places nere to Portugall which they could not coniecture to be to any other end but to inuade that realme where they sayd openly that armes and force were his best title for he had no right vnto it He among all the pretendants which did most trouble him and the King Don Henry also was Don Antonio Prior of Crato who was very well beloued of the people and of many of the Nobilitie The King was so incensed against him as he gaue commandement he should not be heard and taking vppon him to re-examine his cause of Legitimation he sought to dissolue the sentence which was giuen by Emanuell d' Almada Bishop of Angra appoynted Iudge by the Pope whereof Pope Gregorie the 13. beeing aduertised he retayned the knowledge of the cause to himselfe yet Don Henry either mooued by his owne passion or prest by the Castillans declared this sentence to be voyd by his owne authoritie without forme of law or solemnitie of iustice but Conestagio in the Historie of Portugall writes that King Henry had obtayned a Breefe secretly from the Pope Sentence of D. Antonio's legitimation disanulled by the which he gaue him authoritie to iudge the cause of legitimation absolutely without any forme of Processe and that of foure witnesses two confessed that they had beene suborned by Don Antonio and that the other two were suspected as his neere allies and disagreeing betwixt themselues and that Lewis his father tearmed him Bastard in his last will whereuppon hee declared Don Antonio illegitimate imposing him perpetual silence touching the pretended marriage and legitimation sending a Sergeant to Crato to seaze vpon the Prior but hee found him not This he writes But were it true or false the King leauing the qualitie of a Iudge commanded Don Antonio of his royall authoritie not to come within thirtie leagues of the Court. Then his indignation increasing he banished him the Realme depriued him of all pensions priuiledges and fauours which he had receyued of precedent kings seeking by all meanes to haue him apprehended and to put him into some streight prison yet Don Antonio went not out of the Realme but retired to some of his friends or to some Monasteries vppon the fronter neither did he forbeare to come and sollicite the Iudges with the which the king was dayly incensed Being prest by the importunities of king Philips Ambassadors terrified by his preparation to armes and perswaded by his Confessor father Lyon Henrique he did adhere wholy vnto him and there was then no difficultie but to find meanes to name him and to get the consent of the Estates and therefore he propounded a kind of accord betwixt the Realme and king Philip the which shold be treated by his means in an assembly of the Estates the which he called to that end But the king of Castile would not put his right to Compromise and detested this Assembly of the Estates K Henry falles sicke aduertising king Henry that he should not treate of this businesse with them vnited in one bodie but particularly with the chiefe of the Clergie the Nobilitie and the townes In the meane time the king D. Henry found himselfe ill so as being taken with great faintings which held him long the Councel which was about him and the Deputies assembled in the towne of Almerin whither they were retired by reason of the plague which was very violent in Lisbon and in a manner in all the other townes of the Realme thinking that he would neuer recouer it they presumed to open the boxe wherein was the lyst of such as he had chosen to be Gouernors of the Realme and to proceede to the nomination of a Successor in case he had not done it where they found Gouernors of Portugal that of the fifteene that were contayned in the rowle he had chosen George d' Almada Arch-bishop of Lisbon Francis de Sada Lord Chamberlain Iohn Tello Iohn Mascaregnas and Diego Lope de Sosa President in the Councell of Iustice at Lisbon The king was somewhat recouered but knowing that he drew neere his end employing the remainder of his daies in the care of his soule and leauing this businesse with others imperfect An. 1580. he dyed the last of Ianuary 1580. hauing held the royall seate as the Castillans sayd seuenteene moneths and some dayes Death of King Henry beeing 68. years old for he dyed in the same moneth and on the same day that he was borne This was the last king of Portugall in whom ended the direct masculine line And as the first Lord of Portugall though with the title of an Earle was called Henry euen so was the last Life of King Henry He was of a thinne bodie low of stature and leane of his visage hee had an indifferent good wit and was endowed besides the Latine toung with some knowledge He was alwaies held to be chast and did neuer blemish that angelicall vertue but with the desire of marriage in his latter dayes He was accompted sparing giuing rather then denying for he refused seldome but he gaue sparingly he was ambitious of all Iurisdiction as well ecclesiasticall as ciuill zealous in religion but more seuere then was fit in the reformation of Clergi-men He was Bishop Gouernor of the Realme Inquisitour Maior Cardinall Apostolicke Legate and King But the greater he grew in dignitie the more he discouered his incapacitie and weaknesse suffering himselfe in greatest affaires to be ouer-ruled by his ministers not able to determine the cause of the succession Hee was very obstinate in his opinions neuer forgetting any wrongs so as iustice was in him but an vniust execution of his passions and therefore a religious man whome hee had prest to take vppon him a most strict course of life sayd vnto him that hee
him with his companie of two hundred men and to bring him with honour and respect for if haply hee were the same whom he vaunted himselfe to be hee would deliuer vp into his hands the scepter and crowne of the kings of Portugall with his realmes Gill de Mesa went into the prouince of Beira and came to the towne of Pena macor where he tooke him easily and carried him to Lisbone who being knowne for an impostor he was publiquely whipt and sent to the gallies which Impostor liued of late yeeres and was called Sebastian in derision who was not hanged notwithstanding for that in his processe hee was not found charged with any other crimes than with that of his intention But one who termed himselfe Bishop of La gard was hanged for that hee had persuaded this man And as for the cardinall Albert he would not retire but when-as the King D. Antonio came into Portugall with his sea armie That there haue not onely beene such Impostors who termed themselues to be the king D. Sebastian but that lately in Castille there was a pie baker at Madrigal who gaue it out secretly that he was D. Charles prince of Spain whom king Philip his father had put to death twenty yeeres before who beeing knowne for an abuser was hanged Others say that this pie baker termed himselfe king Sebastian being incited thereunto by Michel de los Sanctos an Augustine Frier Preacher to Queene Katherine who was hanged in his religious habite That in like maner other ages had furnished the like Impostors which had taken vpon them the name of Kings and Princes The Portugalls on the other side maintaine that this is their true king by many and sundry great markes which he carries like vnto those of the true Sebastian wherein they are the better confirmed Portugalls opinion touching D. Sebastian for that the Spaniards say they ground onely vpon simple common and light presumptions the which doe in no sort ballance so many marks and reasons which justifie this to be the true king And moreouer that the Spaniards who say that he is a Calabrois a Monke or Mâ—rs Tulle Catizon of Apulia haue not yet produced any apparent proofes of his life and means whom they call an Impostor The which they may so easily doe by the authoritie and absolute power which they haue in those Prouinces as the Portugalls doe not receiue their negatiue but for a meâ—re slander but on the other side they repeat the life of D. Sebastian from his birth vnto his comming to Saint Lucar of Barameda with many prophecies signes and predictions the which we haue added that it may serue as an example to posteritie D. Sebastian as you haue heard was the onely sonne and after birth of the Prince D. Iohn sonne to the king D. Iohn the third Birth of D. Sebastian king of Portugall who died yong leauing D. Ioane of Austria princesse of Castille and daughter to the Emperour Charles the fift with child who was deliuered of D. Sebastian on Saint Sebastians day eighteene dayes after the fathers death who as it seemes was in a maner wrested out of the hands of God by the great prayers which were made generally throughout the realme of Portugall to the end the crowne should not be left without lawful heires males in the succession of great Alphonso the first king of Portugall They were induced here unto by the predictions and reuelations which had beene giuen to the said Alphonso the first founder of the said realme by the which it was promised them of God To warrant his posteritie in such sort as it should not faile vpon the earth yet at the sixteenth descent from him it should haue great tribulations and afflictions By this Oracle it appeareth it was spoken of his birth for the which also the Portugals made such praiers and shewed such deuotion for that they feared to fall vnder the Spaniards yoake who are their naturall enemies either for that the Portugalles had in olde time their beginning from the French as the name doth shew for that the French comming into those parts did inhabite that countrey and gaue it their name or else for that the Spaniards beeing enuious of their prosperities seeking alwayes to raigne ouer them are become their enemies without cause The king D. Sebastian being ouerthrowne at the battell of Alcaserquibir in Afrike the Spaniards say that some noblemen of Portugall which followed him seeing all lost aduised him to retire but he answered that he had rather die and so thrust into the middest of his enemies where some noblemen entred with him where they beleeue he died whose bodie they say was buried at Belem But the Portugalls say that they did neuer beleeue that it was D. Sebastians bodie or that he was dead but that he imbarqued as you shall heare and that he went into Algarue and put himselfe into a monasterie of Ieronomits or according vnto some of S. Francis whom they called los Descalgos or the bare footed and there hee caused his wounds to bee cured the which they say had beene verified by a seruant to Cardinall Henrie the Kings vncle who was a Churchâ—man and trusty to his master and brought an Act signed by the Gardian and monks of the said monastery of Ieronomits this seruants name was Manuel Antonez But cardinall Henrie who was acknowledged king did not then speake neither did the said Manuell Antonez the which as they say was afterwards the cause of great miseries in Portugall for the cardinall dying notwithstanding that the Portugalls did after him choose D. Antonio a prince of Portugall for their lawful king yet the king of Castille seazed vpon the Realme and held it by force Afterwards the said Manuel Antonez reuealed this Act seeing that in the yeere 1598 it was said that D. Sebastian was recouered who beeing sent for by king Philip hee went vnto him but no man knew what was become of him some said he was dead The Portugalls beleeue How the Portugalls beleeue that D. Sebastian saued himselfe from the battell that the king D. Sebastian seeing the battel lost that hee was in daunger to bâ— taken but that defending himselfe valiantly hee slew some which sought to take him and hid himselfe amongst the dead carkasses vntill night at which time hee went towards the sea where the rest of his armie lay in the roade There hee met with the Duke of Auero Christopher de Tauora his great fauourite the Earle of Redonde and other noblemen with whom he imbarqued and went into Algarue as you haue heard sending his shippes away where hee resolued with the said noblemen to wander ouer all Europe Afrike and Asia into Ethiopia to Prete Ian and into Persia where he was in battells against the Turke and receiued many wounds Beeing wearie of running and tired with the vanitie of the world hee came vnto an Hermitage where hee continued vntill hee had visions and reuelations both to