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
to withdraw himself yet the preparations for his Journey were so publick that there was none so blind who could not discover it Nor was this done without cause for the report of his removal being spread abroad and that it was in the nature of a Flight from the Favourite the whole City began in a moment to rise in mutiny several of the Nobility openly fomenting it and declaring that was the day on which according to an antient Propheâ—ie Lisbon mutinies at the instigation of the Nobility the Streets of Lisbon were to run with human Blood Seven Thousand Men are reckoned to have appeared that day in Arms to stop the Infante's Journey and to decide the Controversie betwixt the Count and him This popular Fury being made known to the King and Count they both perceiving themselves too weak to withstand the violence of that Storm resolved instead of that lofty Course they had followed before to stoop to Necessity and try what good Words could work upon the Infante To this purpose the King sent him a Letter full of most loving Expressions desiring him to suppress that Tumult which had been raised on his Account and to come to Court where all things should be disposed to his Satisfaction The Answer to this Letter was in no less obliging Terms only in the Conclusion the Infante again intimated that the King must resolve either to part with the Count or him and must take his choice before things came to Extremity Count Castelmelhor perceiving that neither Threats nor Intreaties prevailed upon the Infante and that the mutiny in the City was grown to such a head it would endanger both the King and himself resolved at last to consent to leave the Court the King promising him that as soon as that Storm were blown over he would take a progress on pretence of visiting the Frontiers and in his return would restore him to the Court The Queen assists the Infante and to his Favour But least his Banishment should seem wholly extorted by the Infante he perswaded the Queen to interest her self in that affair and beg it of the King that he so might rather seem to have condescended to her intreaty than to the necessity imposed upon him by his brother She fearing to disoblige the Infante or thwart his designs would not intermeddle in it till by a messenger sent to him she had his direction how to proceed Nor was she satisfyed with one message but sent again for more particular instructions so great was her concern for him and so little for her husband Being now fully informed of his will she concludes the business with the King and Count who submitted to withdraw himself upon faith given for the safety of his person But before he departed he would have articled that the Infante upon his removal should clear him from the imputation of the design of poisoning him Whether his conscience accused him of any such practice or whether he feared being once cast down his innocence could not protect him against the malice of his Enemies is uncertain Thus the Count being assaulted on all fides by the Infante by the Queen by the Nobility and by the multitude and not able to stand the shock of so many Enemies at length withdrew from the Court The Count withdraws and lodged himself in a Monastery about Seven Leagues from the City But as his expulsion was not the End but rather the means to compass the designs then carryed on so the divisions and distractions at Court instead of ceasing increased for as long as the ambition of the Infante and the King's neglect of the Government lasted only the pretence but not the cause of these troubles was removed Nothing could be more grievous to the King The King in great perplexity than to consider that upon all occasions his brother being backed by the multitude extorted from him whatever he desired which made it plain to him that at last he would not forbear to aim at or fail of wresting from him the Crown His violent nature made him more open when he should have been most circumspect and therefore his thoughts being filled with the hatred his Brother bore him the jealousy he had of his Wife the perfidiousness of the People and the disloyalty of the Nobility he could not forbear inveighing against his Brother in publick and even before the Queen who he knew gave the Infante a particular account of all his words and Actions In this perplexity he caused the extraordinary companies that had been raised by Count Castelmelhor to be filled up for the security of the pallace The Infante resolves to proceed On the other side the Infante flushed with success resolved wholly to root out all that was left of the Favourites party about the King for tho' the Count himself was removed yet his creatures remained at Court and nothing of moment was Transacted without his advice had by messengers betwixt them Before the Infante could put his designs in practice he was advertized by the Queen of all the words the King daily let fall against him The King betrayed by the Queen and perhaps of more than ever had been spoken This intelligence caused him to hasten the Execution of his projects The principal men at that time remaining near the King of Count Castelmelhor's faction were Henry Enriquez de Miranda Emanuel Antunez and Antony de Sousa de Macedo the Secretary of State Of these the chiefest was Miranda whom therefore the Infante resolved first to destroy and to that end sent some privately to warn him to depart the Court before he run himself into greater danger Despair so seized the unfortunate man considering the expulsion of the Count that he attempted to kill himself but being prevented he fled fearing to be torn in pieces by the Rabble Count Castelmelhor having received information hereof instantly advised the King to be circumspect in all his words and Actions for that it was easier by fair means to supplant his Brother than by open Force His advice being approved by the King upon the next occasion that offered he summoned his Brother to appear in Council where some important matter was to be debated but no kind messages or Letters were of any Force to move him to come till the Queen sent for him when he appeared with a great Train of followers and full of dissimulation The King received him not so coldly as before but being no Master of the Art of Counterfeiting could not so well hide his just displeasure as the other However this feigned reconciliation might have produced some good Effects The King makes choice of Antony de Sousa de Macedo in the place of the Count. had it not been decreed by fate that the unhappy King must perish To hasten his ruin it fell out that Alphonso who was not used to that continual burden of business seeking on whom he might lay that weight pitched upon Antony de
made by the Almoravides It is likely that Henry came with the Command of these Troops and having gained esteem had the Government of the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho committed to him other great Men governing the others at the same time After the death of King Ferdinand who divided his Kingdoms among his three Sons Sancho King of Castile having taken Portugal from his Brother Garcia and Leon from Alonso his other Brother obliged him to fly for safety to the Moors 1071. Henry accompanied him in all misfortunes till Sancho being killed Alonso was not only restored to his own but seated in the Thrones of Castile and Portugal 1073. King Alonso considering that he who follows a Prince Gains the Affection of King Alonso deposed in his misfortunes does something more than Man concluded that Henry was a prodigy among mortals and therefore from that time resolved to suit his reward to his Fidelity 4. Beatrix the second Wife of King Alonso dying 1076. a match was agreed for him with the Lady Constance Alonso marries his Aunt Aunt to Earl Henry and he was sent to France to conduct her into Spain With him went Raymund Earl of Toulouse and with them both came Raymund Earl of Burgundy which is the reason some Authors write they came all together whereas the other two had been long before in Spain Thus Henry became great at Court the King being his Friend and the Queen his Aunt which his power he used with such moderation that he was beloved by all Men. 1081. He accompanied King Alonso at the memorable Seige and taking of Toledo as also at the Battle of Sagulias near Badajoz 1087. where the King was overthrown 1090. To reward all these Services the King at last gave him to Wife his Bastard Daughter Teresa He takes to Wife Teresa Bastard Daughter to Alonso and has in Dower the City Porto and its Territory whom he had by the Lady Ximena Nunnez de Gusman Her Dower was the City Porto with its Territory then the best part of what was gained in Portugal giving him leave to retire thither and live with his Wife His Age was the cause that he died leaving Teresa young to marry a second Husband which much disturbed the publick Peace Soon after the Christian Princes joining in League to conquer the Holy Land Earl Henry was chosen General of the Forces sent by King Alonso in which employ he gained great Honour He returned from this Expedition to Toledo where the Court of Castile was then kept in the Year 1099. King Alonso at this time being of a great Age sent his Son Prince Sancho being but Twelve Years of Age under the direction of D. Garcia Count of Cabra with an Army to oppose Almanzor the Moor. With them went many Persons of Quality among which the chief was Earl Henry they came to a Battle in the Plains of Veles where the Prince was unhorsed and killed 1100. though Henry and Garcia exposed themselves to save him Overthrows the Infidels and takes Almanzor prisoner Earl Henry meditating Revenge met Almanzor again in the Field whom he dismounted and took Prisoner delivering him to James Ordonnez for to carry him to the King this done Henry broke through the Infidels putting them to flight with a mighty slaughter 5. As it is doubtful whether Henry went to Hierusalem with the other Christian Princes so is it also whether he was present at the taking of Lisbon Santarem Sintra and other strong places by King Alonso but that he was at these latter Expeditions as most properly appertaining to him is most likely For his good services he receives other Territories of King Alonso But his great Age requiring some rest the King at last gave him leave to retire to Portugal giving to him for himself and his Heirs all that was conquered there which was the Cities Coimbra and Viseo and the three Provinces that betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho Beira and Tras os Montes with that part of Galicia as far as the Castle Lobeira and leave to conquer as far as Algarve Earl Henry settled his residence at Guimaraens taking the Title of Earl of Portugal The Portuguese encouraged by the presence of a Prince of their own did much upon the borders of the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho till then not entirely subdued but we have no particular account of their Actions Hecha Martin King of Lamego being a tributary to Henry rebelled and drawing together a powerful Army did much hurt in the Christian Territories The Earl with Egas Moniz a Gentleman then famous and afterward Tutor to King Alonso marched to recover the Booty he had taken and overtook him in a Valley near the Monastery of Arouca The Moor for greater security in case of any misfortune placed his Wife Queen Axa Anzures and all the Prey on the top of a Mountain he thought unaccessible called Sierra Seca The Christian Army encamped along the River Alarda and Egas Moniz seeing the Enemy advantagiously posted undertook with a good party by Night to go about the Mountains and at break of Day to be ready to fall upon them on the top Another overthrow given by him to the to the Moors whilst the Christian Army charged the Enemy below This was accordingly put in Execution and after a bloody Fight the Queen was taken above and the King below they becoming Christians the Earl bestowed the City Lamego upon them they paying tribute for the same 6. The Moores rebelling against their King for changing his Religion 1103. he fled to Guimaraens to crave aid of Earl Henry A Moorish King restored by him who by force took the City Lamego and restored him He fearing in the Earl's absence his Subjects would again revolt desired of him to leave some Portuguese Gentlemen to secure those Lands which was accordingly done and the Country People with Inhabitants brought from the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho He performs other great Actions This year some Writers will have it that Earl Henry went to the Holy Land with Guy of Lusignan and other Princes all the likelihood there is thereof is That we have no account of him in Portugal from the Year 1103. till the Year 1109. King Ali Haben Joseph with a numerous Army laid Siege to Coimbra which he furiously battered during a Month. Earl Henry marched to their relief and coming to a Battle overthrew the Infidels with a great Slaughter Cintra and other places revolted and were overcome but rising again they could not easily be subdued Whilst our Earl was diverted in the Wars of Galicia and Leon where he took some Towns Cyrus King of the Arabs taking the opportunity laid Siege to Santarem whither our Forces hasting to relieve the place were by him overthrown and so the Town being distressed Surrendred The Earl took several places in Leon so that King
〈◊〉 a King leaving the Formalities of the inauguration of the new King for another place The Judges and their Officers walk a foot from the Town-house with long mourning Cloaks with Hoods to them on their head After them the Town Standard Bearer on a Horse with mourning trappings with black colours on his Shoulder the end whereof trails upon the Ground Then follows the Sheriff with two others in Mourning like the others each of them carrying a Bucler over his head Next to them come the Aldermen followed by a multitude of People in this manner they proceed to the great Church where the Sheriff having made a short Speech declaring the King's death and their great loss he lets fall the Buckler from his head upon the Stones and breaks it to pieces at which the People raise a hideous lamentation Then they go to the Mint and so to the great Hospital at both which places they perform the same Ceremony which done they return to the great Church and hear Mass The third day after is performed the Ceremony of inauguration which shall be spoke of in another place This Ceremony was now performed at Coimbra where Martin then Bishop crowned King Sancho and his Queen Dulcis according to the custom of those times 3. The first action of the new King was paying his Obedience to Pope Vrban III. 1186. after which he so much addicted himself to repairing of Towns and Castles and building others anew He repairs and builds many Towns as also to encouraging of Tilling that he was called the Peopler and the Farmer or Tiller To the Military order of Santiago he gave the Towns of Alcazar Palmela Almada and Arruda to that of Avis Alpedriz and Alcanede to the Templars Idanha He repaired the great Town of Covillam to whose jurisdiction 300 Villages are subject and gave a Charter to it as he did to Gouvea Viseo and Braganza Ferdinand King of Leon entred into Portugal 1187. with greater force than success for after several repulses he was defeated in the Country of Cerolico Bebado now called la Vera The Governour of Villota a Town on a Hill near the City Guardia observing the King of Leon's Army dispersed about the Villages for Plunder gatherered all the Forces near him and marching from Trancoso recovered all the Booty killing many and putting the rest to flight A Fleet of English Flemings and Danes consisting of 53 sail 1188. Commanded by Jaques Lord of Avesnes entred the Mouth of the River Tagus being designed for the Holy Land The King supplied them with all they wanted and designing the Conquest of the City Silves the Metropolis of Algarve Silves in Algarve taken with the help of a Foreign Fleet. and refuge of all the Moorish Pyrates he proposed advantagious terms to these Strangers if they would assist him in that Expedition They consented Articling for the Plunder of the City if taken Forty Portuguese Gallies were joined to the Foreign Fleet besides Tenders carrying Provision and warlike Munitions The King marched with his Army by Land whilst the Fleet made the best of its way at Sea Both being come before the City they furiously Battered and gave several Assaults to it for the space of two Months meeting a vigorous resistance in the Defendants At the end of that time the Moors pressed with Hunger and the continual attacks of the Christians delivered up the City capitulating only for their lives 4. This City of Silves taken 1189. as has been said was again lost the ensuing Year Algarve subdued King Sancho adds that Title to Portugal King Sancho soon returned into Algarve and not only recovered it but took also the Town of Albor and Castle of Abenabacci besides other places This Country thus conquered King Sancho stiled himself King of Algarve and to the Royal Arms of Portugal added an Orle of Castles Some of his Coin has been seen which in the Orle has 7 Castles which number is still used in the Armes of Algarve when separated from those of Portugal King Alonso III. added more making the Number uncertain but King John II. long after fixed the Number again at seven Betwixt this Year and that of 1200 were repeopled the Towns of Penamacor Pinel Torres Novas Azambuja Penucova Gondomar Ermelo Covellinas Soto de Panoyas and Povos Mâ—ntemayor the New was now first Built as also the City Guarda on the side of the Mountain formerly called Herminius now Serra da Estrella 1190. King Sancho entred Andaluzia a second time laid Siege to the Town of Serpa overthrew the Moors that came to relieve it and yet was forced to rise without taking it Soon after it was taken by the Knights of the Order of Avis Peter Fernandez de Castro that famous Castilian who taking offence at his King often led the Moors against him being now General for the King of Morocco did great harm in Portugal All the territory of Tomar was wasted and Abrantes plundered As he was retiring loaded with rich Plunder Martin Lopez a famous Commander encountred him and after a most sharp dispute recovered all the Prey and took him Prisoner 5. The Miramamolin again overwhelmed this Kingdom with an Army of 400000 Horse and 500000 Foot I could wish a Cipher were cut off from each Number and it would appear more credible He took Torres Novas without opposition but Tomar was bravely defended by Galdin Paez Master of the Templers who had done notable service in the Holy Land The Moor offered to exchange the places he had taken for the City Silves but this proposition being rejected by King Sancho he in a fury laid Siege to Santarem where the Plague raging in his Army Robert Labril and Richard Cambil Englishmen with a fleet of 63 Ships arrive at Lisbon and assist the Portuguese against the Moors he was forced to break it up and depart 63 Men of War from the Northern parts arrived at Lisbon commanded by two English Men of Note called Robert Labril and Richard Cambil The first ten that came in aided the King at Santarem against the Miramamolin the others being joined to them there arose such contention betwixt them and the Portuguese as might have been the cause of much Bloodshed had not the King prudently prevented it and sent the Strangers away well contented A most terrible Plague and devouring Famine followed all these great successes and not only destroyed Men in their Houses but even the wild Beasts in the Woods or else they ran to the Towns for Prey whilst Men fled to the Mountains for Shelter 1191. The Monks of Alcobaca perceiving they must of necessity Perish Great Famine hid an Image of our Lady in the Mountain which being afterwards found A total Eclipse of the Sun a Church was built there and called Our Lady of Help To be brief a great part of the Kingdom was altogether unpeopled all this was foreshown by a total Solar Eclipse 6. As if
Galley and five Ships to follow him All that followed him seeing themselves shipped just in their Hunting Apparel stood amazed From Cape S. Vincent the King sent Messengers with Letters to all Cities Towns and the Gentry informing them with his Designs that they might follow him Many from all Parts resorted to him both by Sea and Land The Cardinal Prince Henry was left Governour of the Kingdom The King was received in Africk with great Joy by his Subjects but not with much Terror of his Enemies for they perceived his Preparations were not suitable to the Undertaking He hunted there as if he had been at home and made several Inroads into the Country which provoked the Moors in great numbers under the Command of the Alcayde Cid Admubenania Viceroy of Mequines to draw together to oppose him The Multitude was great and advanced Confidently seeing the small number of Christians Our Cannon plaied upon them and the Infidels gave the first Onset in which many of them that were foremost fled The King was always in the Front and with his Example so encouraged his Men He defeats the Moors and returns to Lisbon that they cleared the Field of the Enemy Next Day the King expected the Enemy in the same Place but they thought not good to attack him nor did he prosecute his Victory saying He came not to make War but to visit his Garrisons He returned to Lisbon in November at such time as it was feared he was lost for News was brought of his embarking at Tangier and a violent Storm had long â—osted him at Sea 5. Before this time a Match had been proposed for King Sebastian with Margaret second Daughter to Henry the second King of France And Embassador was sent to King Philip the second of Spain by King Sebastian at his return out of Africk to incline him to give him his Daughter Clara Eugenia to wife she was afterwards married to the Archduke Albertus and the result of the Embassy was 1576. That the two Kings should meet at Guadalupe He has an interview with the King of Spain To save expence King Sebastian travelled by the Post with several Persons of Quality and assoon as he came into the Borders of Castile was Magnificently Entertained at the Cost of King Philip who had also ordered all the Keys of the Towns he passed through to be delivered to him Nine Days after the King's Departure the great Warehouses of Merchant Goods next to the King's Palace were accidentally Blown up with such force that the Noise was heard at Santarem which is fourteen Leagues distant and great Stones and pieces of Timber were cast far from the Place and many remote Buildings were shaken King Philip met our Sebastian the Day before Christmas-Eve half a League from Guadalupe They embraced friendly and then Philip saluted the Portuguese Noblemen Sebastian as the Stranger went first into the Coach Fifteen Days they staied at Guadalupe Philip endeavoured to disswade the Portuguese from his designs upon Africk but not prevailing promised to assist him with 50 Galleys and 5000 Men and contracted at his return from that Expedition to deliver to him his Daughter 1577. After this they parted with the same expressions of Love and Affections as they had met and King Sebastian in his return home presented the Spanish Gentry and Officers that attended him 6. Being come to Lisbon Preparations for a second Voyage into Africk he hasted his Preparations for a second Voyage into Africk to which he was the more encouraged by Muley Hamet who was at War with his Unkle Muley Maluco for the sovereignty of Morocco and being worsted offered to remain Tributary to Portugal if enthroned by the King Cid Adelcherim Lord of Arzila having sided with Hamet delivered up Arzila to Edward de Meneses Governour of Tangier who sending for Succours to the King there was scarce enough found in the Magazines to furnish him whereby King Sebastian perceived how impossible it was for him to fit out a Royal Fleet that Year Nevertheless he ceased not to use all possible means for forwarding his Design To this effect he had a free Gift of 15000 Duccats from the Clergy The Croisade was set on foot to 〈◊〉 Money a Tax laid upon Salt Donatives required of the People Money borrowed of rich Men the Revenues of the Crown anticipated and a great Summ raised of the Convert Jews on Account of a general Pardon granted them Besides this they listed none but the basest sort of People that had no Money to buy themselves off Several Prodigies and were carried away by force King John the Third's Ghost is said to have appeared to F. Lewis de Moura foretelling the ill success of this Enterprize About the same time a vast number of Fishes called Espada's or Sword-fish were cast a Shoar one whereof of an extraordinary Bigness had upon it a Cross from the Arms of which hung two Scourges and the number of that Year 1578. which was 1578. Armies were seen fighting in the Air in the Province bewixt Duero and Minho Colonel Vasco de Silveira always heard a doleful Voice following of him and one Night in the Field of Almeyria saw a great Fantome it proceeded from which being by him asked the cause of its Groans answered I bewail my self and you seeing you and those I always loved engaged in so great a Disaster This same Hobgoblin was seen by him near the King's Tent in the Field of Alcacer the Night before the Battle 7. Notwithstanding all these Preparations The King not to be moved from his Resolution there wanted not some who urged the King ought not to expose his Person but he to divert them caused Edward de Meneses Governour of Tangier to signifie by Letters to him that the Moors were wholly unprovided These he shewed in Council and because D. John Mascarenhas persisted to contradict him he caused a Consult of Physitians to declare That tho a Man had been brave in his Youth he might become a Coward in his old Age. D. Lewis de Ataide known for his brave Exploits in India he sent thither again after having chosen him General of his Army and this because he advised him to be very circumspect in this Affair The Citizens of 〈◊〉 protested to the King that if he persisted in his Resolution they would detain him by force The King of Morocco tho he were well provided against this Invasion failed not to exhort King Sebastian to Peace but neither these Motives nor King Philip of Spain his failing to send the promised Supplies of 50 Galleys and 5000 Men could stop this unfortunate Prince from runing headlong to his Ruin All things being in readiness for his Departure the King would have appointed Henry the Prince Cardinal to Govern the Kingdom in his Absence but he refusing Five Governours were appointed viz. D. George de Almeyda Archbishop of Lisbon Peter de Alcaçova Surveyor of the Revenue Francis
the Air representing Men Fires and Battles The Holy Man F. Bartholomew of the Martyrs Archbishop of Braga was beatified his Body is in the Town of Viana Margaret de Chaves now flourished in Sanctity and made a miraculous end CHAP. VI. The Reign of Philip the Fourth of Spain and Third of Portugal and the Twentieth King from the Year of our Lord 1605 till 1628. 1. KIng Philip the Third of Spain Birth of Philip the Fourth of Spain and Third of Portugal and Second of Portugal being at Valladolid with his Wife Queen Margaret their Son Philip the Fourth of Spain and Third of Portugal was born upon Good-Friday which fell then upon the 8th day of April in the Year 1605. His Birth was celebrated with the greatest Demonstrations of Joy and most of Expence 1625. that had ever till then been seen His Father dying he retired to the Royal Monastery of S. Hierome 1621. whence a few days after he returned to take Possession of his Crowns left him by his Ancestors his Magnificent Entry dispelling the Clouds of Sorrow that hung over the Heads of the Subjects and filling their Hearts with Joy He entred upon the Government giving ample Testimonies of a more pregnant Judgment than could have been expected at those tender Years His Accession to the Crown for he reformed the Councils established wholsom Laws punished evil Ministers and ordered that all those who were in Office should give in true Estimates of what they were worth that it might afterwards appear how their Estates were advanced in his Service K. Charles the First of England then Prince of Wales in Spain On the 16th of May Charles Prince of Wales afterwards King of England came incognito by the Post to Madrid and went to Lodge at the English Embassador's House and by him made known the design of his coming The Catholick King made a Publick Entry with him from the Escurial with that Solemnity that is only used at the Reception of the Spanish Kings giving him the Right Hand under the Canopy and attended by all his Court every Man thâ—â— day vying to out do the rest in Splendor and in testifying his Joy Afterwards several Sports were made to Entertain the Prince the King himself at the Riding used with Canes instead of Spears signalized his Dexterity The Match betwixt the Prince and Princess Mary being proposed learned Men were consulted and agreed upon the Conclusion but not the Formalities It was hoped it would have succeeded but Providence had ordered otherwise 2. The Arms of Spain were at this time employed in several Parts The Dutch in Brasil in all which many Portuguese served with singular Reputation The Rebel Hollanders having Intelligence of the evil Posture of Affairs in Brasil resolved to attempt the Conquest of that Country and to that effect moved several of the Northern Princes grown envious of the Power of Spain to assist them in the Enterprize They fitted out a Fleet in Holland and Zealand it consisting of 35 Sail under the Command of Admiral John Vandort and carryed 3000 chosen Men a good Train of Artillery with all other Necessaries The Design was kept very private In December the Fleet set Sail and having passed the Line in 6 Degrees of South Latitude according to the Orders given the Admiral opened his Instructions and found he was commanded to invade Baya de Todos Santos or the Bay of All-Saints This Bay is thought to be the greatest in the World and is the sort to the City S. Salvador seated on a rising Ground along that Mountainous Shoar extending out in length from North to South It has a Cathedral Church and had once a Court of Chancery which has been taken away with good cause for the greatest Injustice that can be in a State is to be pestered with too many Officers of Justice This City is the Metropolis of all that vast Province of Brasil in America and on the East side of that Continent stretching forth 1200 Leagues along the Coast being a Delightful Rich and Pleasant Soil 3. The Fleet entred this Bay and began to batter the Suburb next the Sea The Dutch Land and take the Capital City of all Brasil called Baia. where was begun a Fort in the Water in which Antony de Mendoza Son to the Governour James de Mendoza commanded but was forced to abandon it because in no condition then to withstand the fury of the Enemy's Cannon In the mean while 1000 Musqueteers landed and advanced towards the City without any Opposition They halted in the Suburb of S. Benedict Night came on and all the Inhabitants fled out of the City which the Enemy took Possession of in the Morning The Governour staid 〈◊〉 his House and was thence carried away aboard the Admiral All the People had forsaken their Houses leaving an inestimable Booty to the Rebels who polluted the Churches and committed all manner of Sacrilegious Outrages D. Mark Teyxeira the Bishop with his Clergy had offered to withstand the Enemy but none adhering to him he retired to a Village Mathias de Albuquerque who was next in Command to the Governour then a Prisoner was 100 Leagues off at Pernambuco He sent an Account of what had happened into Portugal where the Advice arrived in July The King writ to the Governours of Portugal a Letter with his own Hand in which he expressed how much he valued the Portuguese Loyalty and what returns he expected from them upon such an Exigency A Fleet sent against the Dutch The Portuguese to answer their King's Expectation speedily resorted from all Parts of the Kingdom to Lisbon and in the space of three Months fitted out a Fleet of 26 Sail in which was most of the Gentry of the Kingdom all at their own Cost without putting the King to any charge D. Emanuel de Moura Corte Real Marquess of Castel Rodrigo gave the Example to others raising a sightly Company of Musquetiers which he sent upon this Expedition at his own Expence This stirred up others to do the like for among the Portuguese Emulation is more prevalent than Vertue D. Alonso de Noronha tho' old that had been Governour of India listed himself and many Gentlemen of Quality followed his Example I shall not name them because among the Portuguese every one had rather his Name should be omitted than that his Neighbours should be inserted with him 4. The Portuguese not being a sufficient Power to recover Brasil a Spanish Fleet was at the same time fitting out but not so soon ready for the former stay'd a Month for the other in the Port of Lisbon and sailing thence in November expected it at the Island of Santiago the chief of those of Cabo Verde till February which delay proved not a little advantageous to the Enemy The Portuguese Squadron consisted of 26 Ships 1625. and in them 4000 Men in the Spanish were more Ships and 8000 Men the former commanded by D. Emanuel
and they as soon retired till they drew him into the ambush He was at first surprized seeing himself Attacked by that fresh body but recovering himself divided his men and sent one part to charge those that had drawn him on whilst the other engaged those that lay in ambush In this manner the Fight continued a considerable time after which fresh Troops appeared coming from Badajoz to the assistance of the Spaniards and others from Elvas to sustain the Portuguese These last were 1600 Foot and four Squadrons of Horse under the Conduct of the Count de Obidos Now the face of Affairs was changed for the Portuguese obtained a Compleat Victory The first of the Spanish Troops were cut in pieces and the last retired with the loss of 176 Horse Of the Portuguese 37 were killed in the ambush and 16 in the Engagement after it 8. The Assembly of the States The Cortes or Parliament held or Parliament of Portugal being the only Authority that could establish the Crown and raise such supplies as were necessary for the support of it the King fixt their Meeting for the 18th of September and that day the Session was commenced with all the Ceremonies usual upon such occasions The Bishop of Elvas performed the Office of Chancellor acquainting that Assembly in the King's Name with the causes of their being convened He represented the great Blessing of Liberty the King 's extraordinary Care to repair the Harms done by the Spaniards the mighty Power he had as well by Sea as Land the Alliances he had made Abroad and put them in mind how he had never lay'd any Impositions upon his People but maintained the expence of his House upon the private Patrimony of his Family and that being now much exhausted he recommended it to them to find out means to support so great a Charge assuring them of his Royal Protection and that their Liberties and Privileges should be religiously preserved Great was the expectation the King had conceived of this Assembly nor was he disappointed for they gave such Testimonies of their Duty as exceeded even his Hopes They returned Thanks for his Care in asserting their Liberties for delivering them from the Yoke of Spain for the Alliances he had made Abroad and for all his good Intentions offering him their Lives and Fortunes and sending him a Blank Paper that he might dispose of their Estates as he thought fit for the support of the State and purchasing his Brother's Liberty who was kept Prisoner by the Spaniards ever since the beginning of the War having been put into their hands by the King of Hungary in whose service he had been nine Years The King returned the blank as it was sent to him and had more plentiful supplies granted him than he himself would have demanded The Parliament settled two Funds the one for Land the other for Sea-Service All other expences were to be supplied out of the Patrimony of the House of Braganza 9. D. John Rodriguez de Souza y Vasconcellos Count of Castelmelhor A Conspiracy to seize Carthagena discovered and the Portugueses secured went over to Brazil in the Spanish Fleet in the Year 1639. In 1641. he was sent by his General to the Spanish Plantations in the West-Indies The News of the Revolution of Portugal being then brought to the Fleet the Spaniards cryed down the New King's Title and exclaimed against the Portugueses as Rebels This sensibly touched the Count de Castelmelhor yet he was forced to bear with it being in no condition to make his resentment appear without his certain destruction There were seven Portuguese Gallions in the Fleet and in them 3000 Men. With the Officers of these Ships he conspired to seize the Fleet as also the Town and Cittadel of Cartagena in new Spain before which they were then at Anchor Most of the Officers were already engaged in this Design and all disposed for putting of it in execution but the Count having communicated it to Antony Tenezedo a Portuguese in whom he confided as having done him many signal favours he discovered the whole matter to the Governour of the Cittadel who immediately apprehended the Count and had him Condemned to Death This Sentence had been executed within two days had not the Count appealed to the Court of Madrid and the Admiral of the Fleet having had the Sentence confirmed by the Council there no hopes remained for his deliverance but in God Whilst the Admiral sent into Spain to have the Sentence confirmed the King of Portugal got intelligence of what had hapned He immediately sent away a Caravel Commanded by a Captain in whose Conduct he had great confidence ordering him to sail for Cartagena and use all possible means to deliver the Prisoner The Weather proved favourable to the Design the Captain Arrived safe and found means to let the Count know he was come to rescue him To this purpose he agreed with a Dutch Captain who Commanded a Frigat in that Port for the Caravel being so leaky that it could not be put to Sea again he burnt it In the mean while the Count with ready Money and large promises corrupted a Corporal and two Spanish Soldiers that had the keeping of him and they altogether got aboard the Dutch Frigat which carried them safe to the Island of Tortuga where they were favourably received by the French Governour Thence they went over to the Island Tercera and lastly arrived at Lisbon where they were bountifully rewarded by the King Anno 1643. 1. THE hatred the Spaniards and Portugueses bore to one another was too great to suffer them to lie still Though the Season was not yet fit for Action the Frontiers were never free from incursions D. Sancho Manuel a Portuguese Major-General thinking no difficulties too great to be surmounted marched out with 150 Horse judging that a sufficient number to plunder the Town of Fituro in Castile four Leagues from the Frontiers of Portugal His Design being divulged and the Spaniards believing his Forces greater than they were they abandoned the Town leaving it to be ransacked by the Soldiers without the least opposition But the retreat proved not without danger for the Spaniards of the neighbouring places assembling to the number of 200 Horse Charged them before they could recover their own Frontiers and that with such resolution that the Portugueses were at first forced to give ground But having quitted all the Booty which encombred them they rallied and giving a fresh Charge worsted those by whom before they had been drove Night coming on put an end to the Battle The number of the Dead was equal and the Victory had been dubious but that the Spaniards got away in the dark leaving the Booty and the Field to the Portugueses This small Action was the cause of a greater for the Marquess de Elecha General of the Spanish Horse resolving to revenge that loss entred Portugal with 500 Horse and 300 Musketiers surprized the Town of Sabugal fired 13
Synod was held at Braga to reform Abuses much about this time the Africans with a great Fleet scouring along the Coast of Spain did much harm The King sent his Forces against them by whom they were overthrown their Fleet burnt and all their power both by Sea and Land consumed It is thought that one Count Ervigius a Grecian banished by the Emperor of Constantinople was the cause of their coming he aspiring to the Crown thought that the Goths thus invaded would easily have submitted themselves to him because he had married a Niece of King Recesinudus and that Wamba was then very Aged Failing of his design he gave Wamba a sort of Poison that disturbed his Brain and at the same time prevailed with him to appoint him his Successor Besides these his Contrivances Wamba desirous of himself to lay down the burden of a Crown to him grown unsupportable voluntarily quitted the regal Authority and took the habit of a Monk in the Monastery of Pampliega betwixt Burgos and Valladolid on the Banks of the River Pisuerga where he approved himself as good a Religious Man as he had been a King Eight or more Years he Reigned and lived Seven in the Monastery it is not known that he had any Children nor so much as a Wife he was Buried at Pampliega King Ferdinand the Saint designed to Translate him to Toledo and his Son D. Alonso the Wife put it in Execution There are two Tombs now in the Chappel of St. Leocadia in the Cathedral of that City one supposed to be Wamba 's and the other of King Recesiundus King Philip the II. causing them to be opened in the Year 1575 one of the Bodies was found cloathed in the habit of St. Benedict which was therefore concluded to be that of Wamba because he wearing that Habit whilst living was doubtless Buried in it Some Authors will have him to be Buried at Cinanium or Citania a City in the Mid-way betwixt Braga and Guimaraens 5. Ervigius Successor to Wamba 681. was Son to Ardebastus Ervigius 〈◊〉 Wamba whom Ancient Records call Count who was married to the Daughter of King Chindasuindus Tho' he deserved not the Crown as being an unjust Usurper he afterwards seemed worthy of it for his good Government his ensuing Virtues attoned for his former Crimes One of his first Actions was the assembling of a national Counsel 682. the chief intent whereof was to secure the Crown he had wrongfully got 684. Two Years after he called together another Council which confirmed all the Acts of the former A third also met the following Year to receive the Decrees of the sixth General Council of Constantinople against the Heresy of Apollinarus His Actions Ervigius though well settled in the Throne the better to secure himself married his Daughter Cixilona to Egica Wamba's Nephew being the Son of his Sister Ariberga A great part of Portugal was at this time Governed by Sala a Noble and Valiant Commander He repaired the Walls and Bridge of Merida and other publick Structures King Ervigius himself Built almost from the Ground the Walls of Idaria Ervigius Reigned Seven Years and died at Toledo the same Year as did King Wamba at Pampliega 6. Egica the Nephew of King Wamba 687. the more to express his Aversion to Ervigius King Egica whom he succeeded in the Throne put away his Daughter whom as was said he had Married whereupon her Children were as ill treated as were those of her Father All the Brethren felt the want of right in their Father being cast out and not respected so much as Noble Men. However Egica gave them some ease till such time as a Council could be assembled to order what ought to be done with them 689. This Counsel at length meeting Decreed the King might lawfully prosecute all that were guilty of the Treason whereby Ervigius ascended the Throne Several were punished in different manners Hereupon ensued a Conspiracy against the King in which Segibertus Archbishop of Toledo was the principal Actor This design being discovered Egica called together another Counsel to be the better able to proceed against the Archbishop Sixty Bishops met among whom were Ten Portuguese who gave Sentence against the Archbishop Excommunicating Banishing and Deposing him from his Dignity 693. Some dangerous Commotions happened in Gallia Narbonensis then subject to the Spanish Monarchs fortune therein favouring the Rebels These troubles were followed by Plague and Famine The Jews conspire against the King and are punished The Jews who were then numerous in Spain took occasion herefrom to conspire against the King and for the carrying on their Designs held correspondence with others that lived in Africk and other Foreign parts The King informed thereof called another Counsel at Toledo 694. to punish the Guilty excepting those of Narbonne because of the Plague and Famine that consumed them The Plot being proved the Criminals were Condemned to serve as Slaves throughout all Spain and to have their Children taken from them at Seven Years of Age to be instructed in the Christian Faith 7. About this time Witisa Son to Egica Reigns in Portugal one Count Vitulus rebelled in that part of Galicia that joyns to Portugal His design was to usurp the Monarchy of the Goths but his Power being too small he soon suffered the penalty of his Rashness To prevent the like Practices for the future the King gave the Kingdoms of Portugal and Galicia to his Son Witisa the Grandson of Ervigius being then of Age to Govern To himself he kept the rest of Spain and Gallia Narbonensis Witisa went into Portugal and kept his Court in the City Braga where by his unjust Actions he raised many Troubles and much Blood was spilt his Father having sent him thither to prevent Discord which he seemed rather to sow This Country was eased by his absence for he removed to Tuy in Galicia where he lived till the Death of his Father It is no new thing for a vertuous Father to have wicked Children King Egica besides Witisa had Opas Archbishop of Toledo famous for assisting to the Destruction of Spain he was also Father of Fandina Wife to the unfamous Count Julian and Mother to Florinda the only cause of that lamentable Tragedy 8. Witisa being possessed of the Government of all Spain 701. became so insolent After 〈…〉 Death he is Monarch of all Spain that giving way to all manner of Vice discouraging Vertue and laying open all places of strength in the Kingdom he may well be stiled the Spanish Nero. I will not go about to relate all his Cruelties and leud Practices but must not omit to say he cast off all Obedience to the Pope and gave great Priviledges to the Jews so that they returned to Spain and erected Synagogues The Inhabitants of Braga sent Felix their Archbishop to Toledo to Petition the King that the Walls of their City might not be Demolished as he
had ordered He was not admitted to speak with the King but only with Count Julian then the great Favourite of whom he obtained what he went about This lascivious King killed Favila the Father of Pelayus and Duke of Cantabria thinking by that means the better to enjoy his Wife D. Luz His Cruelties he put out the Eyes of Theodofredus Father to King Roderick and D. Luz thereby to make him incapable of inheriting the Crown but Roderick did the same by him 711. so that he died Blind having Reigned Ten Years There is no Account who was his Wife but it appears he had two Sons which were Evan and Sisebutus who being Banished by King Roderick into Africk fled to the Protection of Requila Commander of Tangier their Father's Friend and thence came over a Commander among the Moores that destroyed Spain and so died Those Calamities require another Chapter CHAP. VI. The Reign of King Roderick from the Year 711 till the coming of the Moores in 714 all Spain subdued by them in Eight Months the Restauration began by Pelagius and his Successors till the Year 783. 1. SOme Writers who have obtained no small Credit 711. name Acosta or Aconsta as Successor to Witisa yet others there are who absolutely exclude him as fabulous If any such was he was Eldest Son to Theodofredus and Brother to King Roderick however it is we have no account of his Actions and if any were being so dubious Roderick last King of the Goths they are scarce worth relating Roderick then may be allowed immediate Successor to Witisa he was Granson to King Chindasuindus and Son to Theodofredus Duke of Cordova by his Wife Recilona Favila Duke of Cantabria was Brother to Theodofredus and had Pelagus or Pelagius by his Wife and Niece to the Lady Luz Thus the Subversion and Restauration of Spain had their Authors proceeding from the same stock for as Roderick was cause of the Destruction so Pelagus was the first that laid his Hand to the Reparation of it Roderick ascended the Throne with no small hopes conceived by his Subjects of a better Government than had been before Count Julian Favorite to Roderick but the event made him more odious than his Predecessor had been Count Julian the great Favorite and prime Master to Witisa continued in the same Post under King Roderick Julian was Father to her whom the vulgar calls Cava and our Historians Florinda of her Roderick became enamoured that so the greatest Desolution might not happen without the help of a Woman Having chosen her for his Wife it fortuned that Egilona or Eilata an African Princess or according to others a Goth was droven by Tempest into a Port of Spain she being brought to the King her Beauty so captivated him that forgetting Florinda he took her to Wife Thus she who thought to have been Queen continued at Court as one of the Queen's Ladies Julian her Father enraged beyond measure immediately contrived how to be Revenged and in order to it perswaded the King to Dismantle all the strong places left standing by Witisa and disarm his Subjects which was accordingly done 2. Soon after the King sent Julian Ambassador to Muza in Africk Julian sent Ambassador into Africk to request of him not to protect Evan and Sisebutus the Sons of Witisa The more to move Muza he thought it proper to send him some considerable Present and being informed that in a Tower near Toledo great Treasures were of Antient time reported to be hid the Doors having many locks upon them because it was a received Opinion that when they were opened great Calamities would ensue the King resolved to enter this place In it was found nothing but a Chest containing only a Picture representing Men a Horse-back in Moorish Apparel with several sorts of Weapons and an Inscription denoting that when those Gates were opened Spain would be Invaded and Conquered by that sort of Men. The King thought the Prediction would be Averted by locking up the place again with what it contained but it proved otherwise Julian being gone upon his Embassage King Roderick relapsed into the love of Florinda and courted her but without receiving any Favour Frandina her Mother perceiving it and desiring to be her self the Mistress of a King caused one Bigamota an attendant of hers to deliver some Messages to the King as from Florinda Roderick ravishes Florinda Daughter to Julian tending to meet him in some convenient place where shrowded with Darkness she might supply the place of her Daughter the King encouraged by those false invitations watched his opportunity and finding Florinda alone ravished her 3. Florinda now doubly wronged first of the Throne and then of her Honour was touched with the highest Resentment her Mother soon discovered the effect being sensible of the cause and changing her love to the King into hatred perswades Florinda to acquaint her Father by Writing with the loss of her Honour 712. Julian hereupon hasts back into Spain Julian meditates Revenge dissembling his Rage and appearing joyful before the King having succeeded in his Embassy obtained fresh Favours He begged the Government of the Towns held in Africk and thither he went with his Wife leaving his Daughter at Court to prevent all suspicion Julian treated with Muza about betraying the Kingdom of the Goths unto the Caliphs and he having received instructions from his Prince agreed upon the Conditions without much difficulty the Traitor not only encouraging the Barbarian to pass over into Spain but drawing over many great Men in his Government to take part with them Having settled these Affairs at Malaga he came to Court and obtained leave to carry away his Daughter with him He brings the Moors into Spain the King nothing mistrusting any Treason Muza in pursuance of what was agreed upon sent over 6000 Arabs under the Command of Tarif Abenzarca to make the first incursion into Spain 713. these being joyned by the like number of the Rebels broke through Andaluzia into Lusitania where nothing being less thought of than War Men Women and Children were seen in droves flying to the Mountains King Roderick alarmed with this invasion sent his Nephew D. Inhigo Sanchez with some number of Men armed only with Staves and Stones yet such as they were they had several rencounters with the Enemy but at last their Commander being slain and they overpowered were put to flight The Victorious Arabs returned into Africk with Booty and many Captives this was the first Scene of the wicked Count's Revenge and of the overthrow of the Spanish Monarchy 4. Whilst Count Julian and the Caliph prepared for a more powerful Expedition King Roderick now awake raised the greatest number of Men he could and with all possible speed provided Arms and Fortified his Towns He thought the Barbarians would have given him more time but they immediately passed over the streights of Gibraltar with a wonderful Fleet 200000 Foot and
40000 Horse of them incamped on the Spanish Coast 200000 Foot and 40000 Horse of the Moors land in Spain The King's Army consisted of 120000 Foot and 10000 Horse a sufficient number had they been well Armed and Disciplined Men he Encamped betwixt Xeres and Medina Sidonia leaving the Sea open at the Enemies backs whereby they received Succours Upon Saturday the 1st of September in the fatal Year 714. the two Armies came in sight of one another The King's Army consisted of 120000 Foot and 10000 Horse That day was spent in taking up their Lodgments along the River Guadalete on Sunday with the day began the Battle which continued very Bloody till Night parted them all the Week the fight continued still renewed with the Day as it was broke off by the Night 714. King Roderick appeared in all parts in his Royal Robes A great and bloody Battle over his Armour he wore a rich Garment a Crown on his Head a Scepter in his Hand on his Feet Golden Buskins set with Pearl and precious Stones he was carried in a high Ivory Chariot as was the manner of the Gothish Kings in Battle and thence encouraged his Men who the 2d Sunday began to faint The King perceiving them give way left his Chariot and mounting upon a Horse he called Orelia rushed couragiously into the thickest of his Enemies making them give way to his Valour The Spaniards overthrown The Spaniards encouraged at this sight came on so vigorously that the Battle for some time continued doubtful but at Sun-setting the Vigour of our Men quite failing Victory appeared on the Enemies side and the Darkness gave the Christians an opportunity to fly 5. I cannot forbear remarking how fatal the number Eight has appeared upon this occasion A remark upon the number Eight Eight days the fight lasted Eight months the Barbarians spent in subduing all Spain and 800 Years it cost the Spaniards to recover it The King seeing he laboured in vain fled to a Mountain where he changed his Apparel with a Shepherd In this condition he came to the Monastery of Cauliniana two Leagues from Merida on the Banks of the River Guadiana Here overcome with Trouble and Sorrow for his Sins he fell into a Swoun and was brought to himself by one Romanus a Holy Monk With him he fled into Portugal where they took up their Habitation on a Rock upon the Sea Coast near the Town of Pederneira They took two different Cells about a Mile from one another where both of them ended their Days Here as is said was found an Image of our Blessed Lady in the Time of Alonso our first King and a Tomb with this Inscription HIC REQUIESCIT RUDERICUS ULTIMUS REX GOTHORUM that is Here reposes Roderick the last King of the Goths Thus far our Author Emanuel de Faria setting down this as an approved and undoubted Opinion But many others and those of good Note reject this as fabulous most Men agreeing that King Roderick was drowned in the River Gundalete where most of his Royal Apparel was found he being never after heard of Many more strange Stories have been spread abroad as it commonly happens in such Cases where the Bodies of Princes in such Universal Calamities are not found but they are rather Romantick than Historical and therefore not fit for any but least of all for the Brevity of this History After the Victory The Moors over-run all Spain the Moores spread themselves over all the Province committing inhumane Barbarities not without losing in several Rencounters during the eight Months of their Conquest 80000 Men besides 20000 before slain in the great Battel The chief Resistance was made at Merida The Defendants whereof many were Portugueses that being then the supream Tribunal of Lusitania were commanded by Sacaru a Noble Goth. Many brave Actions passed at the Siege but at length there being no Hopes of Relief and Provisions failing the Town was surrender'd upon Articles The Commander of the Lusitanians with such as would follow him traversing Portugal came to a Sea-port Town where gathering a good Number of Ships he put to Sea but to what part of the World they were carried does not appear There is an antient Fable of an Island called Antilia in the Western Ocean inhabited by Portugueses which could never yet be found and therefore we will leave it till such time as it is discovered but to this Place our Author supposes these Portugueses to have been driven Fortune having now wholly forsaken Spain the Moores easily over-ran all that remained as far as the River Minho under the Command of Abdalaziz Son to Muza Yet the Andaluzians and Lusitanians Muza being absent rose up in Arms and put to the Sword the Moorish Garrisons of Sevil Beja and Ilipula which done being assembled to a great Number they took Merida by Force killing all they found therein Muza who was then at Zaragosa hasted to quell this Commotion which was easily done Merida he spared Sevil suffered much at Ilipula there was not one Stone left upon another but what he did at Beja is not known though it may be supposed not to have escaped having been the Place of Rendesvouz for the People of Sevil. 7. The famous Actions of D. Pelayo Pelagius the first that opposed the Moors or Pelagius and the miserable Ends of Count Julian his Wife and Daughter the principal Actors in this Tragedy are treated of in the Chronicles of those Kingdoms to which they appertain Pelagius during the 19 Years he reigned had no Command in Portugal where the Moors were so predominant that there were as many Kings as Cities But because the Actions of Pelagius were so great in themselves and in the Consequence of them we will give some Hints of what others write at large Pelagius was in the great Battel with his Cousin-German King Roderick After which he fled with 1000 Christians to Asturias de Oviedo where he took Shelter in a vast Cave now called Covadonga among the Mountains of Auseva and was in that miserable Condition by his Men proclaimed King of Spain a mighty Title for so poor a Beginning and yet here began those Victories which in the Space of 800 Years recovered all Spain Pelagius had a Sister whose Name is not known but Muza Governor of Gijon in Asturias being taken with her Beauty enjoy'd her upon Promise of Marriage The Desire of Revenging this Wrong first moved Pelagius to appear in Arms Thus it fell out that as one Lady was the Cause of the Destruction of Spain so another was the Motive of its Restauration Pelagius was the Son of Favila Duke of Cantabria Third Son of King Chindasuindus and of his Wife D. Luz the Daughter of Theodofredus Duke of Cordova and Brother to Favila He was born at Toledo and bred at Alcantara by Grafes Brother to the Lady Luz his Mother This was the first King that we find had the Title of Don annexed
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
before observed 5. There is a very strange Story about this King A Romantick Story of King Ramiro which because it looks rather Romantick than Historical I will lightly pass over It is as follows King Ramiro was married to the Lady Vrraca but understanding that Alboazar a powerful Moor had a most beautiful Sister called Zara he fell in Love with her by Hear-say He demanded her of Alboazar but being denied had her betrayed to him for Money then putting away his Queen he married her Alboazar to revenge this Wrong surprized and carried away Queen Vrraca who was left at Millor on the other side the River Duero Ramiro hearing hereof filled his Galleys with the choicest of his Men and running up a River near which she was kept he planted the Galleys all covered with Green close under certain Trees that over-shaded the River Then having laid an Ambush and ordered them to lie close till he sounded a Cornet he carried with him he in Disguize approached the Castle where the Queen was kept There he met a Maid belonging to the Queen carrying a Pitcher of Water for her whereof with the Maid's Consent he drank and dropped a Jewel into it well known to the Queen She seeing the Jewel caused him to be brought up to her and having yielded her self up before to the Lust of Alboazar she now betrayed the King into his Hands Ramiro seeing himself taken begged Leave only to sound his Cornet which being granted his Men that lay in Ambush broke into the Castle killed Alboazar and carried away the Queen whom the King caused to be cast into the Sea with a Stone about her Neck because asking of her why she looked so melancholy she answered It was for the Death of the Moor who was a better Man than he To this Relation let every Man give the Credit he thinks it may deserve This King Ramiro had two Wives besides the Moor we have now spoke of The First was the Lady Vrraca and by her he had Ordonno his Successor Sancho and Bermudo The Second was Teresa Daughter to Sancho Abarca King of Navarre Her Issue were Sancho Audonio and Elvira By Artida the Moor he had Alboazar Ramirez and Artiga Ramirez King Ramiro reigned 19 Years 950. he died at Leon and lies in the Monastery of Our Holy Saviour founded by himself and his two Wives Vrraca and Teresa 6. King Ordonno III. was Successor to Ramiro II. King Ordonno III. disturbed by Rebels subdues them The Beginning of his Reign was blessed with Peace which lasted not long for he was soon disturbed by his Brother Sancho who aimed to usurp the Crown assisted by the Count Fernan Gonzalez who took part with him through Malice and contrary to Right and the Tyes of Affinity for Ordonno had married his Daughter Vrraca The Count was guilty of many Enormities besides this notwithstanding the vulgar Opinion of his extraordinary Vertues and Merit D. Garcia Sanchez King of Navarre and Uncle to Sancho as well as Brother to his Mother favoured his Designs With these Aids Sancho presumed to assume the Regal Stile and enter'd the Kingdom of Leon wasting that very Country where he intended to reign King Ordonno soon repulsed the Invaders and the better to be revenged of the Count he was divorced from his Daughter and sent her back to him Some Towns in Galicia had also rebelled but the King reduced them with a great Slaughter of the Rebels No sooner had he quelled the Rebels but he marched through Portugal as far as Lisbon whither no Christian King had reached since D. Alonso the Chaste He takes Lisbon After a fierce Assault he took the City by Storm and gave the Plunder thereof to his Army Which done he returned to his Court laden with Spoils and bestowed them in rewarding those that had deserved best and in Religious Works Conveniency made the King and Count Fernan Gonzalez who had been long at Variance agree and unite their Forces against the King of Cordova They came to a Battel near Gormaz where the Christians obtained a glorious Victory which brought Peace to their Frontiers before subject to continual Incursions This was the Posture of Affairs 955. when Ordonno died at Zamora He lies buried in the Church of Our Blessed Saviour at Leon by his Father with his two Wives Vrraca from whom he was divorced and Elvira whose Parentage is unknown By her he had D. Bermudo and Teresa a Nun in the Monastery of St. Julian in Leon. 7. Sancho Sancho 〈◊〉 Usurper called The Fat. the Brother of King Ordonno usurped the Crown from Bermudo the late King's Son then a Child This Sancho was excessively swelled with the Dropsie and thence though improperly called The Fat He had not long enjoyed the Crown when those very Rebels who had unjustly set it upon his Head 957. took it thence Ordonno Surnamed the Wicked advanced to the Crown to bestow it upon D. Ordonno Surnamed The Wicked Son to King Alonso the Monk The Rebel Count Fernan Gonzalez was the chief Actor in promoting him to the Throne and therefore gave him to Wife his Daughter Vrraca before put away by the other King Ordonno King Sancho fled to Navarre and thence to Cordova Sancho returns and expels him where there were famous Physicians who cured him of his Dropsie Being recovered of his Indisposition he gathered an Army and was so fortunate as to take the Count Fernan Gonzalez and his Son-in-Law Ordonno Though he had them Prisoners he would not presently put them to Death but kept the Count in Custody D. Sancha his Wife coming to see him in Prison changed Clothes with him and by that Means he escaped leaving her in his stead A great Rebellion was raised by the Counts that governed Portugal but the Presence of the King soon reduced them Only Count Gonzalo who governed beyond Duero durst march with an Army to meet his Sovereign yet finding him too strong he made a feigned Submission and was pardoned It was not long before he compassed by Poyson what he had failed of by the Sword The Portuguese Counts being accused of this Treason to clear themselves challenged D. Gonzalo and Count Fruela Vermuiz their Champion overcame him at the Town of Salas near the City of Perto King Sancho perceiving his Death draw near ordered himself to be carried to Leon 96◠but died by the Way at the Monastery of Castrillo where he was buried but was afterwards translated to Leon where his Queen was also interred Queen Teresa was Daughter to Assur Fernandez Count of Monzon By her the King had Issue D. Ramiro III his Successor Vrraca married to Count Nepociano Diaz and Ermesenda by whom the King her Brother is said to have had D. Sancho the Hairy About this time Castile revolted from the Crown of Leon. Authors write that the Cause was because the King could not pay Count Fernan Gonzalez for an Horse and an Hawk he had
with the Aragonian and our King joyned in League with the former against the other But the Castilian knowing the inconstancy of Ferdinand soon came to agreement with the Aragonian The more to bind the Portuguese to him he proposed a Match betwixt our Princess Beatrix and his own Bastard-Son Frederick 1375. This Match being approved of by the Cortes at Leyria they were married by Proxy and the King of Castile Swore to perform the Articles of the Treaty 1376. on the 19th of January 1377. Our King being forsaken by the Castilian Prince John privately marries Mary Sister to Queen Ellenor concluded a League against Aragon with Lewis Duke of Anjou Son to the King of France Prince John of Portugal falling in Love with the Lady Mary Sister to the then Queen Ellenor raised also by her Beauty to the Throne he was privately married to her But Queen Ellenor instead of rejoycing at the Advancement of her Sister fearing that the King dying without Issue she might come to be Queen contrived her Death and to compass her ends she perswaded the Prince she would Marry him to the Princess Beatrix the King 's only Daughter and by that means secure him the Succession of the Crown At the same time she accused her Sister of defiling his Bed He Murders her The Prince moved with Hope and Revenge hasted to Coimbra and breaking in upon the Innocent Lady murdered her as she leaped naked out of Bed and taking Horse fled to secure himself and his followers As soon as the News of this Action came to Court 1378. the Queen went into deep Mourning The Prince easily obtained his Pardon and coming to Court began to sollicit the Conclusion of the Match before proposed to him by the Queen with the Lady Beatrix but finding nothing in her but Deceit he retired to the Province that lies betwixt Duero and Minho and thence fled to Castile where he was kept from the Crown of Portugal which would have fallen to him as we shall see in the next Reign had he not fled for killing his Wife 2. A mighty Solar Eclipse preceded the Death of Henry A great Eclipsâ— of the Sun King of Castile which happened on the 30th of May. Embassadors went immediately from Portugal to propose to John the new King a Match betwixt his Eldest Son Ferdinand then a Year old and Beatrix Princess of Portugal tho' she was before contracted to Frederick 1380. King Henry's Bastard Son The Castilian approving of this Proposal sent his Embassadors to Portugal who concluded upon the Articles of Marriage But notwithstanding this so late Capitulation King Ferdinand underhand treats with the Dukes of Lancaster and York about subduâ—ng of Castile King Ferdinand hoping to gain some Advantage over the Young King resolved upon War John Fernandez Andeyro one of them expelled Portugal upon the Pacification with King Henry was at this time in England to whom private Instructions were sent to treat with the Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Duke of York for Succours They espoused the Cause and Andeyro came away with the News to Portugal where the King being at Estremoz kept him up in a Tower that the Design might not take Air nor he seem to Entertain any of the Fugitives It fell out the Queen spoke sometimes with Andeyro in this Retirement and as Queens are but Women their Familiarity became scandalous for she who had forsaken her Lawful Husband for a King now abandoned that King for a Private Man whom she raised to the honour of an Earl After some time the King ordered him to appear publickly at Leyria as if newly come from England and there as had been agreed he was apprehended for coming into Portugal without leave Within a few days he was again set at Liberty and it was given out he should lose his Head if he stay'd in the Kingdom Under this Pretence he returned to England to sollicite the execution of the Treaty concluded 3. King John understanding that Edmund Duke of York raised Forces in England to Conquer Castile for his Brother the Duke of Lancaster who had a Right to it by his Wife the Daughter of King Peter and that he intended to assist the King of Portugal marched now as far as Zamora fitted out his Fleet at Sevil and sent Ferdinand Osores Master of the Knights of Santiago to secure Badajoz The King of Portugal had already fitted out 22 Galleys at Lisbon and sent Commanders to all the Frontiers The first Action of King Ferdinand was the demolishing the Walls of his own City of Evora which were so strong that three Years were spent in that Work The Portuguese Fleet commanded by the Earl John Alonso Tello the Queen's Brother set out from Lisbon and in the Sea of Algarve met with the Fleet of Castile consisting of 17 Galleys under the Command of Ferdinand Sanchez de Toar He being inferiour in number endeavoured to shun coming to an Engagement But our Admiral pursues and comes up with him off of Saltes All the Portuguese Fleet except one Galley taken by the Castilians having left behind 8 Galleys that went to take in some Fisher-Boats Toar seeing our Galleys dispersed bravely boards and takes 12 of the first that came up and afterwards Seven of the Eight that were behind Only one of our Galleys escaped to bring the News to Lisbon the rest were carryed in Triumph to Sevil. Few were killed in this Engagement but the Prisoners amounted to 6000. In the mean time the Master Ferdinand Osores infested the Frontiers with frequent Excursions from Badajoz Peter Alvarez Pereyra Prior of Crato marched with 1000 Lances and 4000 Cross-bow-Men in quest of him but came too late for he was retired to Badajoz King John streightly besieged the Town of Almeyda thither came to him Prince John who was fled from Portugal on account of killing his Wife and offered with the assistance of some banished Portugueses to cause Lisbon to be delivered up to the King Upon this he appeared before Lisbon with six Galleys but being disappointed of his Design returned back to Sevil. 4. King Ferdinand sent his Chancellor Laurence Yannez Fogaça into England to hasten the promised Succours The Duke of York set Sail from Plymouth with 3000 Men 1381. and entred the River of Lisbon on the 19th of July The Duke of York arrives at Lisbon with 3000 Men With him came the Princess his Wife and many Ladies as also his Son Edward and some of the banished Portugueses among whom was Andeyro who came not so much to serve the King in his Wars as the Queen in her Amours the King's Sickness administring a favourable Opportunity The King went aboard to receive the new Guests who were lodged in the Monastery of S. Dominick where Rich Presents were bestowed upon them and they were sumptuously entertained The King was by the Treaty obliged to furnish the English with Horses and he gave them
more Mules than Horses for there were scarce any in the Kingdom and he gave such as could be had The Duke of York advised our King to adhere to Pope Vrban and disown the Anti-Pope Glement which the King willingly complyed with A Schism in the Church The Duke of York's Son contracted to the Princess Beatrix for there being then a Schism in the Church the English would not hear the Masses said by Portuguese Priests because they acknowledged the Anti-Pope Edward the Duke's Son was solemnly contracted to the Princess Beatrix they being both about six Years of Age. Elvas was at that time besieged by the Castilians who hearing of the Arrival of the English raised the Siege and departed The English committed many Outrages in Lisbon and being ordered to March against Castile did no less harm in the Country as they went which was the cause that many of them were cut off by the Pertugueses D. John Alonso Earl of Ourem and the Queen's Brother dying the Queen gave his Title and Honours to her Gallant John Fernandez Andeyro He was a marryed Man and his Wife in Galicia The King to take him from the Queen caused his Wife to come to Court and the Queen endeavoured to gain her with Gifts which she received yet at the same time openly spoke of the Queen whatsoever her Jealousie dictated 5. This Year another Powerful Fleet of Castile from Biscay entred the River Tagus 1382. and meeting no Opposition destroyed some Vessels The Fleet of Castile again ravages the Coast then Landing they burnt three Royal Palaces and ravaged all that Coast At lengh Peter Alvarez Pereyra Prior of Crato with 200 Horse cut off almost all the Party of the Enemy and recovered the Booty they carryed away which was some check to them for the future Nunno Alvarez Pereyra lay in Ambush with 24 Horse and 30 Foot near the Bridge of Alcantara there he put to flight 20 of the Enemy who fled to the Shoar The Enemy increasing to about 250 his Men refused to Engage at such odds and he to draw them on run upon them alone where his Horse fell upon him but his Men coming to his Rescue brought him off the Castilians at the same time retiring to their Vessels The Queen having in Publick rent a Veil in two and given one half to her Gallant John Fernandez Andeyro and the other to Count Gonçalo for that they were sweaty and had no Handkerchiefs to wipe their Faces for it seems they were not then used in Portugal Gonzalo Vasquez de Azevedo her Cousin reproached her with it and she in Revenge accused him and John Bastard Son to the late King of holding Intelligence with the Spaniards Hereupon they were both committed to Prison She contrived to put them to Death but failing in her Projects set them at Liberty and shewed extraordinary Kindness to them both the better to disguise her Practices against them as also since she had failed to destroy them to bind them to her Interest 6. The Master of the Knights of Avis being now at Liberty The English and Portuguese take Towns in Castile joyned with some English and making together 200 Horse and 4000 Foot they marched to Castile and laid Siege to Loboâ— which they took the English being the first that entred Cortijo fell into their hands and was more hardly used for tho the Priests appeared on the Walls with the Blessed Sacrament the English put all to the Sword in Revenge of one of theirs that was killed The Kings of Castile and Portugal were now at the Head of their Armies the former at Badajoz the latter at Elvas ready to decide their Quarrel by Battle King Ferdinand Knighted 24 of his own People and the English but being told he could not tho' a King confer that Honour because he had not received it himself he caused the Duke of York to Knight him and then repeated the Ceremony to those 24 Knights The whole Day was spent by both Armies looking upon each other and at last the one drew back to Badajoz and the other to Elvas What the cause of parting so should be cannot certainly be assigned but some said The Castilian feared the English who had been before victorious in Castile to which the Duke of Lancaster had a good Title and had been once proclaimed by part of the Army Whatever it was a Treaty of Peace was immediately set a foot none knowing who had first moved for it Embassadors being sent on both Sides the Articles were at length agreed upon without the Knowledge of the English Peace concluded without the Knowledge of the English and were first That the Princess Beatrix lately contracted to Edward Son to the Duke of York should marry Prince Ferdinand King John's second Son having before been promised to the eldest But this Match was better liked to prevent the Union of the Two Crowns Secondly That the Twenty two Galleys taken by the Castilians should be restored Thirdly That a general Pardon should be granted on both sides Fourthly That the King of Castile should furnish Ships to carry the English Home as if he had sent for them When these Articles were to have been ratified the Castilian demurred as to restoring the Gallies and sending Home the English The Embassadors hereupon challenged him in their Master's Name and he scornfully answered I did not think he had so much Courage Nevertheless through the Perswasion of the Master of the Knights of Santiago he ratify'd the Peace 7. The Peace was proclaimed at Elvas which made the English rail After the Peace King Ferdinand again submits to the Antipope for that it was concluded without their Knowledge and the King put them off the best he could At this time came to the Court Cardinal Peter de Luna an Aragonian sent by the Anti-Pope Clement requiring King Ferdinand to acknowledge him again for he had cast him off at the Request of the English The King assembled some learned Men and the worst Advice was followed for he again submitted himself to the Schismatical Pope 1383. In the mean while died Ellenor Queen of Castile The King of Castile marries the Daughter of King Ferdinand and King Ferdinand forgetting he refus'd his Daughter to the eldest Son of Castile to prevent Disputes about the Succession now offered her to the Father His Offer was accepted and this Princess at last found a Husband the fifth time she had been contracted For she was first promised to Dâ—ke Frederick secondly to Henry Prince of Castile thirdly to Ferdinand his Brother fourthly to the Duke of York and now lastly to King John She proved a Pattern of Chastity for her Husband dying whilst she was yet very young and being courted by several Princes she answered That Women of Honour did not marry twice The Archbishop of Santiago came to Portugal to receive the Bride the King being then at Salvatierra upon the River Tagus It was agreed
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
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
that they assured the Conspirators that having but one day's Warning they could raise the greatest part of the People at an hour appointed Having made sure of the Tradesmen Pinto admonished the other Conspirators to be ready upon the first Notice given them and to secure as many Friends as they could as it were upon some Private Design without entrusting them with the Secret All things being disposed as they could desire Almeida Mendoza Almada Melo and Pinto met and fixed Saturday the first of December for putting their Enterprize in execution Advice was immediately sent to the Duke that he might the same day cause himself to be proclaimed King throughout the Province of Alentejo which for the most part held of him and it was agreed they should have one Meeting more to fix their ultimate Resolutions On the 25th of November they met at Night as had been agreed in the Palace of Bragança They found they could make up near 150 Gentlemen most of them Chiefs of Families with all their Servants and about 200 Citizens and Tradesmen who by their Reputation could easily draw the greatest part of the People after them It was resolved Vasconçellos should fall a Victim to the Resentments of Portugal Some there were who proposed that the Archbishop of Braga should undergo the same Fate as being a great Friend to the Spaniards and Formidable for his great Parts But D. Michael de Almeida opposed it representing how odious the Murder of a Person of such Dignity would render them to the whole World and that it would draw the Indignation of all the Clergy upon the Duke of Bragança Nothing remained now but to order the manner of their Rendevouz and giving the Attack It was agreed that they should divide themselves into four Bodies which at one and the same time should rush into the Palace that having possessed all the Avenues the Spaniards might be kept asunder and so disabled from relieving one another That D. Michael de Almeida should Attack the German Guard at the Palace Gate Melo the Great Master of the Game his Brother and D. Stephen da Cunha at the Head of the Citizens were to Attack a Company of Spaniards that mounted daily at a Place called The Fort. Tello de Meneses Emanuel de Saa the Great Chamberlain and Pinto were to secure the Apartment of Vasconcellos and to make him away immediately D. Antony de Almada Mendoza D. Charles de Noronha and Antony de Saldanha had it in Charge to seize the Vice-Queen and all the Spaniards that were in the Palace to be kept as Hostages in case of need That whilst they were busie in making themselves Masters of their several Posts some Horsemen should be detached to Proclaim John Duke of Bragança King of Portugal about the City That having gathered the Multitude into the Streets they might make use of them as there should be occasion The Assembly broke up having agreed to meet on Saturday the first of December some at Almeida's House and others at those of Almada and Mendoza where the Conspirators were to Arm themselves 13. Whilst the Duke of Bragança and his Friends thus pursued their Ends the Prime Minister alarmed at his Delays sent away an Express to him with positive Orders for him to come away instantly and that he might have no Excuse sent him a Bill upon the Treasury for 10000 Ducats This Command admitted of no Demurs and therefore in the presence of the Gentleman that brought the Express he gave Orders for his Family to set forwards towards Madrid and dispatched a Gentleman to the Vice-Queen to acquaint her with his Departure He writ to the Prime Minister assuring him he would be at Court within Eight Days The Duke presses the Execution of the Conspiracy and at the same time acquainted the Conspirators with what had happened shewing them the absolute necessity there was of executing their Designs on the day appointed Nor were the Conspirators backward but some odd Accidents had like to have put off the Execution if not broke all their Measures Almada revealed the whole Design to a Man of Quality that used always to rail violently against the Spaniards but finding him timorous with his drawn Sword made him swear Fidelity Nevertheless suspecting the Man he kept his Eye upon him and acquainting his Associates with his Jealousie they resolved to delay their Enterprize yet the next day perceiving all was quiet they were ashamed to have been so easily terrified and persisted in their first Resolution Another thing fell out which cast a great Damp on them for on the Eve of the Day appointed to rise Vasconcellos the Secretary was seen to cross the River which they imagined he did upon some Intimation of the Design and that he went to bring over some Forces from the other side but he returning at Night having only been at an Entertainment all was calm again It was late before the Conspirators parted George de Melo who lodged at a Kinsman's House out of the Town thought he would take it ill that he had not been acquainted with the Design and therefore at his return home gave him a full Account of the whole Matter The other tho' surprized seemed to rejoyce at it and thanked Melo for reposing such Confidence in him They parted and Melo being in his Chamber began to blame himself for his rashness in trusting a Man he was not well assured of Walking in his Room full of these troubled Thoughts he heard some noise and looking cut of his Window could perceive his Kinsman ready to take Horse He ran down in a rage with his Sword in his hand and by force made him return to his Chamber then taking the Keys of the House secured him till the next day at which time the other complyed and resolved to joyn with the rest of the Conspirators 14. At length the Day came which was to decide whether the Duke of Bragança should deserve the Title of King The Conspirators meet and execute their Design and Deliverer of his Country or be called Rebel and Enemy to the State The Conspirators met early at the Houses of Almeida and the other great Men where they were to Arm themselves In all their Countenances appeared such Confidence as gave assured hope of Victory but what is most Remarkable is that among so many Persons as were concerned and some of them Women none should fail of their Word or betray their Trust All being armed they repaired to the Palace by several ways and most of them in Litters the better to conceal their Number and Arms. They were divided into four Bodies as had been agreed and expected the Clock should strike Eight which was the moment appointed to fall on As soon as the Clock struck Pinto gave the Signal agreed upon by firing a Pistol and then all Parties fell to their Work D. Michael de Almeida fell upon the German Guard which being surprized for the most part unarmed was
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
the Marquess on the Scaffold had spoke to the people they cried out furiously let him die let him die To which the Marquess answered So the Jews cried out against Christ 4. These Executions having secured the Prince Several Military expeditions he bent all his Thoughts upon War and having to that purpose obtained of the King of France five Colonels of Horse three of Foot and two of Dragoons he ordered them to be ready to march to the Frontiers and raised new Troops to reinforce his Army that lay then before Badajoz However they were otherwise employed for the Council not thinking it expâ—â—â—ent to wast an Army before a Town that did them no 〈◊〉 those Troops that besieged it were recalled to serve elsewhere The first Act of Hostility I meet with betwixt the Spaniards and Portuguese was in the Province of Alentejo near Elvas A Party of Spaniards having broke into that Province exercised all manner of Cruelties to terrifie the People sparing neither Age nor Sex nor even the Churches D. John de Acosta who Commanded at Elvas having notice hereof sent out five Companies of Foot under the Command of Gaspar de Sequeira Manuel These were followed by 400 Men under the Conduct of Luis Mendez de Vasconcellos These being joyned by certain Troops three Leagues from Campo Major marched towards the Spaniards who still continued their Ravages and Charging them killed 200 upon the spot pursuing the rest to the Gates of Badajoz where they took shelter This fortunate beginning was followed by like consequences 600 Spaniards advancing into the Province of Alentejo to surprize the Town of Montalvao Mascarenhas Collonel of a Portuguese Regiment with only four Companies Attacked them before they came to the Town and with such good success that having killed 18 or 20 the rest retired to the Pass on a small River and he fearing some ambush because Night drew on pursued no further In the morning perceiving they were quite gone he followed them as far as the Town of Ferreira in Castile which he Plundered and Burnt without any opposition though it might easily have been defended against a greater power Beyond the Mountains the Spaniards had sacked and Burnt four open Towns to revenge which Lewis Gomez de Figueiredo passed over into Galicia took the Town of Monterey and having pillaged reduced it to Ashes To requite this another party of Spaniards fell into the Countrey about Braganza but the Inhabitants and Soldiers who Quartered thereabouts assembling cut most of them in pieces and then piercing into Castile burnt seven Villages and the Town of Geronda of which they left nothing standing but the Walls At the same time Luis Gomez de Figueiredo with 1500 Foot and 300 Horse fell upon the Marquess of Tarrasona who marched towards Valverde with 2000 of the former and 200 of the latter and after a Fight which lasted about four hours obtained the Victory which had been greater but that Night coming on hindred the pursuit 5. Daily Action more and more incensed the two Nations Other War like exploits and an implacable hatred had taken possession of their hearts so that the Frontiers were never free from slaughter and Rapine D. Gaston Coutinho the Portuguese General being informed that 6000 Spanish Foot and 800 Horse had fortified themselves in two Villages one whereof was in Galicia the other in Portugal he marched with 30 Horse to view them and finding their Works weak enough to be overthrown if Attacked with vigour ordered his Foot to advance A Party of the Enemies Horse that advanced was easily Repulsed which causing some Consternation in the main Body gave time to plant two pieces of Canon against them These two pieces having played some time D. Gaston who had made four Batallions of his Foot courageously assaulted the Works in as many places The Soldiers being as forward in the pursuit of Honour as their Officers nothing could withstand them They forced the Entrenchments took four redoubts entred the place and took all the Baggage but not contenting themselves with this Victory and the gaining of 11 Colours they burnt all the Villages for two Leagues about Above 400 Spaniards were killed upon the place 14 Officers and 70 Soldiers were taken Nor was this all the Portuguese General making his advantage of the Enemies Consternation the next day marched into Galicia and pursuing those that having escaped had fortified themselves in another Village forced them again to retire burnt nine Houses and then returned home with Honour and his Soldiers enriched with Plunder In the mean while Vasco de Azevedo Coutinho and Emanuel de Sousa de Abreu being continually infested by the Excursions of the Spaniards gathered all the Forces they could and marched to Lobos in the Castle of which place the Spaniards always had a safe retreat after committing their ordinary Ravages This Castle they assaulted and carried with the loss only of 22 Men which done they burnt 700 Houses as well in the Town of Lobos as in the neighbouring Villages This was not yet the last stroak of ill fortune the Spaniards felt Martin Alfonso de Mello understanding a great body of them was marched from Badajoz to Attack Olivenza a Town seated on the River Guadiana which parts Spain and Portugal assembled all the Forces he could to relieve that place Being on his March an Express came to him from the Governour giving an account that they had assaulted the Town in two places but met with such a vigorous opposition that they were forced to retire with the loss of 200 Men nevertheless he desired some succour least they should return They accordingly returned hoping to surprize the place feigning themselves a Portuguese Convoy with Provisions yet met they with no better success being again repulsed with the loss of 140 Men. Martin Alphonso still hoped to be able to overtake them in their return but they taking another way than was given out he missed of them and therefore dismissed his Troops to their several Garrisons It was a generally received Opinion throughout all Spain though the Author of it was not known that the Duke of Medina Sidonia The Duke of Medina Sidonia being suspected in Spain Challenges King John held secret Correspondence with the King of Portugal and favoured his Cause The ground of this Suspicion was that King John had to his Queen the Sister of that Duke and upon this Jealousie it is thought the King of Spain talking one Day with the Count Duke de Olivarez complained to him That he had three or four times observed the Family of Guzman was fatal to his Grandeur The Count Duke who was himself of that Family immediately dispatched an Express to the Duke of Medina Sidonia summoning him to appear at Court with all possible Speed He obeyed and being come to Madrid he was perswaded that to clear himself of the imputation of Disloyalty cast upon him he should publish a Manifesto containing a Challenge to the new King of
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
Lisbon F. Bartholomew Gerreiro a Jesuit had told him that many Sebastianists so they called those affected to the line of Braganzza desired him not to depart Portugal because they thought his Presence necessary for carrying on their Designs that nevertheless he would not see any of them but went away for Germany Next they asked him whether he had given the King meaning the Catholick King an account of those Words he said he had not as making no account of them but had immediately departed the Kingdom They also put Questions to him about the Healths he had drunk and the words he spoke upon the changing his Confessor but they laid the chief stress on the words spoke by F. Guerreiro and his not discovering them to the King for which they pretended he was guilty of High-Treason and consequently deserved Death D. Edward pleaded that he being a Knight of the Military Order of Christ the judgment of secular Judges against him was void To this they answered that in cases of High-Treason those Priviledges cease besides that two of the Judges were also Knights of Military Orders Death put an end to this Controversie for the Prisoner falling Sick either through his long Suffering or some other Cause put the same period to his Life and Imprisonment 6. For the better settlement of the Affairs of the Nation The Cortes or Parliament meet then in some disorder through the long continuance of the War the King had summoned the Cortes or Parliament to meet in December of the foregoing Year They being accordingly assembled redressed many Grievances occasioned by the Army ordered that for defence of the Frontiers there should be kept in Pay 16000 Foot and 4000 Horse and as well for the payment of them as other Expences of the War assigned 2150000 Cruzados which in English Money is 286666 l. 13 s 4 d. allowing 3000 Reis to the pound according to the common Computation 7. We left the Portugueses at Pernambuco last Year successful on both sides The War in Brazil and besieging the Hollanders in their Towns all along the Coast These last erected a new Fort to secure the Communication between Sinco Pontas and Afâ—â—gados but their Garrisons attempting to cast down the Woods that were in the way were obliged to quit that Work with the loss of many Men. At the same time D. Antony Philip Camarhao who was gone to reduce the Indians of Rio Grande gave a great overthrow to the Dutch who came to attack him with 500 Men of their own and 1000 Indians The News of this success being brought to John Ferdinandez Viegra he sent for Andrew Vidal with six Companies to reinforce the Victors To the end the Enemy might not perceive his Forces were lessened he kept them in continual Alarm and Henry Diaz who commanded the Blacks with only his own Men took the new Fort the Dutch had erected putting all within it to the Sword Andrew Vidal at Paraiba having laid himself in Ambush sent out 40 Portugueses who drew 220 Dutch and Indianâ— into the Snare where they all perished Both the Besieged and the Besiegers at Pernambuco suffered great Want but several methods were found to relieve the latter The former had no hopes but in a Fleet they expected from Holland They had three Ships which lay to secure their passage to the Island Itamaraca and other parts of the Continent which John Fernandez Vieyra perceiving he attack'd them with 500 Men in Boats who took one and burnt the other two then passing over to the Shore he drove the Defendants from several small redoubts and erected a Fort at the Port St. Mark in which he left 200 Men with 18 pieces of Cannon which he had taken from the Enemy 8. The Dutch were now reduced to the last Extremity The Dutch in Brasil receive Succors when 3 Ships arrived from Holland bringing Provisions Ammunition and Men as also an Account that two Fleets were fitting out the one to secure Pernambuco the other to conquer Bahia Near the same time a small Ship and two Caravels brought some relief to the Besiegers from Portugal John Farnandez Vieyra was several times warned that a Conspiracy was carryed on against his Life yet he still slighted the Advice till being one day advanced from his Company he saw three Fire-locks levelled at him whereof only one gave Fire and shot him through the Shoulder Nevertheless he pardoned the Conspirators contenting himself with only a verbal Check given them Face to Face Now at length arrived a great Fleet from Holland under the Command of Sigismund Van Scop with 4000 Men and all other Necessaries To oppose this great Power the Portuguese Commanders gather'd all the Souldiers and Inhabitants that were before dispersed in places of less Consequence and so considerably encreased their Force that they stood no longer in fear of their Enemies On the 5th of August Sigismund Van Scop marched with 1200 Men to attack the Town of Olinda but a pass that led to it being well fortifyed he twice assaulted it and was as often repulsed with great loss and himself wounded The following Night 1000 Men sallyed upon one of the Portuguese Quarters but with with no better Success After this Sigismund raised some small Forts in convenient places as well to secure that Coast as to amuze his Enemies his design being as soon as his Fleet could be made ready to sail for Bahia and make himself Master of that Place but that belongs to another Year 9. Africk this Year affords us nothing remarkarble Affairs in Africk and India only some Incursions of D. Gaston Coutinho Governor of Tangier and the Martyrdome of Sebastian Gomez who suffered Death with exquisite Torments for his constancy in the Faith D. Phillip Mascarenhas continued in the Government of India where likewise there happened little of moment by reason of the Truce with the Dutch only about the latter end of April 46 Sail lying at Anchor without the Bar of Goa ready to sail the next day such a sudden violent Storm arose that not a Vessel or so much as one Man was saved but all together perished in the Sea Anno 1647. 1. JOhn Mendez de Vasconcellâ—s Several Enterprises on the Frontiers of Alentejo who still commanded in Alentejo finding his Forces too weak to withstand the many Incursions of the Enemy applyed himself with great diligence to fortifie the Frontiers and particularly Ouguela and Campo Mayor but upon Advice that the King had appointed Martin Alfonso de Melo Governor of that Province he retired to Lisbon being unwilling to serve under him Andrew de Albuquerque General of the Artillery commanded during the Absence of the Governour No sooner was he vested with this Power but the Spaniards made an Incursion with all their Horse into the Country betwixt Geromenha and Elvas and carryed away a great Prey Albuquerque though he drew out of Elvas being too weak to oppose them To revenge this he sent Henry de
him but it took no effect On the 18th of April he took the Field with 7500 Foot 500 Seamen 300 Indians 5 pieces of Cannon and a great quantity of Ammunition and marching to the Fort Barreta the Captain who commanded there unadvisedly went out with 80 Men most of whom were kill'd the Captain taken and his Ensign surrendred the Fort. Francis Barreto who commanded the Portugueses having called a Council of War it was resolved to give the Enemy Battle though at such great odds rather than stay to be beaten out of all their Posts by degrees According to this Resolution they marched and posted themselves in a small Plain at the Foot of the Mountains Gararapes on the 16th of April They sent out Major Antony Diaz Cardoso with 20 Men to observe the Enemy who stirred not that Night but appeared next Morning being Low Sunday upon the Mountains Antony Dias with his 20 Men and 40 Indians that had joyned him skirmishing in their Van. The Enemy drawing near our Men attack'd them with Sword in Hand and at the first Charge disordered their Van which retiring to the other Troops endeavoured to rally Henry Dias with his Regiment pressing hard upon them was overpowred by the fresh Troops and forced to give way so that many of the Portugueses who were disordered in Confidence of the Victory began to fly Francis Barreto in good time rallyed them and charging the Enemy again recovered the Day Yet the Dutch were not soon broke for the Fight continued four Hours very obstinate At last the Dutch gave way and retired to a Hill whether Francis Barreto thought not good to pursue them because his Men were spent with Travel and fasting 24 Hours There were taken 33 Colours many Arms and a great Booty At Night the Enemy returned to the Shoar leaving behind 1000 Dead and carrying 523 wounded of the Portugueses 80 were killed and 400 wounded This done Francis Barreto marched back to possess his former Quarters hoping the Enemy was not in a Condition to destroy them and so it proved for they had only possessed themselves of the Fort Barreta and Town of Olinda which last he resolved to recover At Night he sent Henry Diaz with his Regiment and some other Companies who drove out the Enemy killing 160 of them and recovered 5 pieces of Canon Francis Barreto ordered the Works to be rased and his Men to retire to their Post Sigismund Vanscop sent a Drum demanding exchange of Prisoners which was refused and they all sent away to Bahia Some Ships of the Dutch Fleet that had been separated by Storm arriving now Sigismund several times attacked the Quarters of Henry Dias but was as often valiantly repulsed by the Blacks There was great want of Men and Provisions in our Quarters which was in some measure remedyed by the arrival of Collonel Francis de Figueyroa from Bahia with 300 Men and a quantity of Cattle The joy of this Succour was abated by the Death of D. Antony Philip Camarao Governor of the Indians a good Christian and resolute Soldier Sigismund Vanscop perceiving Fortune favour'd him not at Pernambuco put to Sea with some Ships and landing in several parts of Baâ—ia returned with a great Booty he had gather'd Francis Barreto growing better versed in the Affairs of that Country continued the War with good Conduct as we shall see in the following Years 4. It has been said above that Salvador Correa was sent from Lisbon with the Title of Governour of Rio de Janeyro The Dutch beaten out of Angola in Africk and General of the Kingdom of Angola In January he arrived at Rio de Janeyro and found there Emanuel Pacheco de Mello with the 5 Ships sent by the Count de Villa Pouca in pursuance of the King's Orders Salvador Correa was no sooner landed but he called a Council to deliberate about recovering the Kingdom of Angola It was unanimously resolved to go upon the Enterprize and for the carrying of it on the Inhabitants contributed 55000 Cruzadoes which is 7333l 06 s. 04 d. This encouraged him to hire 6 Ships and buy 4 small Vessels He listed 900 Land Men and 600 Sea-men and having made all necessary Provision for them sailed for Angola on the 12th of May with 15 Sail. The weather proved so bad his small Vessels could not keep up with him However he arrived at Quicombo where he was ordered to raise a Fort and landed to view the place Five days after arrived his Vice-Admiral and two of the small Vessels but the Night following the Vice-Admiral sunk in the Bay without the least Wind no Man knowing what should be the cause of it In her perished 360 Men for only two were saved Salvador Correa called a Council where he proposed that though the King's Orders were not to make War upon the Dutch as supposing they lived peaceably with the Portugueses yet finding on the Contrary that they ceased not to make War upon those who were retired up the Country he thought it was but reasonable to assist their Country Men and expell those Usurpers All that were present answered they would either recover Angola or dye With this unanimous Consent he set sail again and arrived at Loanda Having taken a Black he reported that 300 Dutch with 3000 Blacks so streightned the Portugueses who were fled to the City Masangano that it was impossible to have any Correspondence with them Having received this Confirmation of the unjust proceedings of the Dutch he sent to summon the Governor of Loanda to surrender This Message so surprized him that he sent to desire only 8 days to resolve what was to be done Salvador Correa perceiving this was only to gain Time to call in their Men that were Abroad replyed he would grant two Days after which they must expect to be treated with the utmost Rigour They accepted of the offer and in that time gather'd all the Force they could into the Fort of St. Michael which commands the City and that of our Lady on the Shoar both which can contain 5000 Men. At the expiration of the two days Salvador Correa sent to know whether they were ready to surrender but they answered they were resolved to hold out to the last Hereupon he instantly landed 900 Men and marched to the Town which he entred without Opposition possessing himself of the Fort S. Antony abandoned by the Enemy who had left in it 8 pieces of Canon whereof only two were nailed With the other 6 and 4 Demi-Canon brought from the Ships he formed two Batteries that Night which at break of Day began to play on the Fort of St. Michael but not with any considerable effect Salvador Correa displeased at this disappointment and more at the News that the Dutch had defeated the Portugueses at Masangano resolved to venture upon a desperate Action which was to assault both the Forts joyned by a Line of Communication and defended by 1200 Dutch French and Germans and as many Blacks
250 Horse and 200 Foot marched to Caravajales and passing by that place without Opposition burnt the Town of Tavora and 19 Villages returning with a great Booty Soon after 500 Spanish Foot and 150 Horse having gathered all the Cattle about Ifanes Antony Jaques set upon them with a lesser number yet with such Valour that few of the 500 Foot escaped being kill'd or taken The People of Gallicia offered John Mendez a Cessation of Arms which he accepted of but the King not approving of it it was of no Continuance 2. John de Mello Feyo Small incursions in Beâ—â—â—a governing that part of Beira which was before subject to D. Roderick de Castro resolved not to be idle Having borrowed 150 Horse of Nuno da Cunha who Commanded in the other part of the Province and joyned them to Six Troops of his own and a Regiment of Foot he marched to Villa Vieja Nine Leagues from the Frontiers towards Cuidad Rodrigo After plundering Villa Vieja he charged a body of 300 Spanish Horse and as many Foot that was gathered to oppose him and after a Vigorous resistance made by them in so much that at the first his party seemed to decline he put them to flight pursuing them as far as S. Felices Antony Soares da Costa Governour of the Castle of Salvaterra held a friendly correspondence which is allowed of in time of War between Gentlemen A doâ—ble piâ—ce of Treachery tho' serving in opposite parties with D. Alfonso de Sande a Spanish Officer This familiarity increasing D. Alfonso took occasion to make proposals to Antony Soares for delivering up that Castle to the King of Spain promising him large rewards for that Service Antony Soares pretending an Inclination to comply carryed on the Negotiation till he obtained a Letter from D. Lewis de Haro prime Minister of Spain with a scedule under that Kings hand containing Large promises if he delivered the place Having received these assurances he resolved to Revenge the wrong done to his Reputation in attempting his Fidelity He agreed with D. Alfonso to receive him with 30 more into the Castle of Salvaterra in disguize as if they came thither to Trade leaving the rest of the Troops belonging to Alcantara ready in a Wood hard by The day being appointed D. Alfonso came according to agreement and a small wicket of the Castle was opened at which the 30 entred one at a time the entrance not being capable of admitting more at once As every one was let in Antony Soarez caused his brains to be dashed out with a Club and in this manner cruelly butchered all the 30 reserving only D. Alfonso de Sande whom after sending an account to the King of his barbarity he inhumanly tyed to the mouth of a Canon and giving fire to it shattered his body into atoms Antony Soarez might have been faithfull to his King without committing an act so full of horror which he himself could not but have abominated if committed by the most barbarous Infidels and which cannot but appear execrable in the sight of all that profess the name of Christians 3. The Portuguese Affairs in other parts of Europe continued much in the same posture we left them For the several proposalls made in France for concluding a League offensive and defensive all came to nothing Nothing of moment done in forreign courts or at Tangier Nor could there any thing be done at Rome the Pope being fully bent against passing the Bulls for the Portuguese Bishops The Dutch had resolved to revenge the Loss of Pernambuco upon the Trade of Portugal but the plague which raged amongst them disappointed their designs In England the Peace was concluded and ratifyed with the Usurper America yield us no subject for History since the Expulsion of the Hollanders out of Brazil where the Count de Atouguia was supream governour Neither is there much to be said of Africk where D. Roderick de Alencastre still Governed Tangier which was this year Three days beset by 10000 Moors under the Command of Gaylan who did no other harm save the spoiling of some gardens D. Francis de Noronha Governour of Mazagao having obtained leave to return home left that Command to Nuno da Cunha who had held it before and he dying the King sent Alexander de Sousa Freyre to succeed him 4. The Count de Sarzedas was sent this Year Vice-Roy into India Considerable losses of the Portugueses in India who arriving at Goa secured D. Bras de Castro and all those that had any hand in the imprisonment of the Count de Obides sending them to Portugal there to receive the punishment due to their crimes He next applyed himself with great care to regulating all disorders in that government and to releive Ceilon then in distress but death cut him off in the midst of his progress which we may conclude to be the principall cause of the loss of that Island the manner whereof we are now to declare tho' the surrender was not tilâ— the following year 1656. At the beginning of this Year Gaspar Figuegra de Serpa had waged War so successfully upon the King of Candia that he had reduced him to Peace The Dutch layed siege to Calature and continued before it 10 days at the End whereof finding themselves too weak to carry it they departed Before D. Bras de Castro was deposed from the government of India he sent Antony de Sousa to succeed Francis de Mello in the Government of Ceilon with Six Galliots and Two pinks laden with provisions and other necessaries Meeting Two Dutch Men of War these small Vessels were dispersed Two of them ran ashore two made their way to Columbo and Antony de Sousa with Two more got into Jafanapatan Thence he went by Sea to the Port Putelao 15 Leagues from Columbo where Antony Mendez Aranha met and conducted him safe by Land to that City into which he was received with great joy and Francis de Mello put him in possession of the government Twelve Dutch Men of War arrived at Ceilon from Batavia Six of them lay before the Barr of Columbo the other Six made their way to Calature where Landing their men they layed Seige to it and the place being very ill provided after the Garrison had endured the utmost Extremities it was at last surrendred upon honourable Termes Gaspar Figueyra de Serpa not knowing that Calature was lost advanced with 500 Portugueses to endeavour to put some succour into it but being attacked by 1600 Dutch was totally routed and many of his men killed The Hollanders pursuing their Victory came and sate down before Columbo raised Four batteries and playing continually with 12 peices of heavy Canon ruined not only the houses but the works of the Town and gave a furious assault to the Fort Sancta Cruz yet without success for they were repulsed with considerable Loss At the same time severall other attacks were carryed on with great obstinacy insomuch that at last
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
supported by the lustre of a Crown In short his Vices were too visible to be excused but to lay to his Charge all the Villanies his Adversaries have aspersed him withal were too much to wrong his Memory for it is certain that no insolence was committed during his Reign which the malice of his Enemies has not reproached him withal However so certainly it was that the King indulging his Appetites and Vicious desires the whole burthen of the Government was in a manner devolved upon the three Favourites that is the Counts of Castelmelhor and Antouguia and Sebastian Caesar de Meneses Castelmelhor had long meditated to overthrow the other two but as long as the Queen continued at Court durst not attempt it least they having lost the King should become an accession to and strengthen her party Now she being removed there remained no other obstacle to the fulfilling his desire and therefore by often buzzingâ— false informations into the King's Ears he first caused the Count de Atouguia to be expelled the Court and soon after to be banished the City None remained now to cope with him but Meneses Conti recalled from Brazil who to support himself perswaded the King to recall Antony Conti from Brazil hoping that he being returned and restored to his former Favour would not in gratitude omit to stand by the man that had been the cause of bringing him back from banishment The Count could not be long ignorant of this practice and therefore immediately so worked the King that Meneses was banished before Antony Conti could arrive to support him Soon after Conti arrives from Brazil the Ship that brought him being received into the port of Lisbon with sound of Trumpets firing of Cannon and all other demonstrations of joy as if it had been the reception of some Soveraign Prince Yet all this was but a glimmering of happiness to Conti for Count Castelmelhor having perswaded the King that as it was a Vindication of his Royal Authority to recal him from banishment whither he had been sent in contempt of Majesty so to entertain him at Court would only serve to provoke the Nobility But banished the Court. to whom the very name of Conti was odious for these reasons without suffering him to Land at Lisbon he was sent away into the Country with express Command not to presume to come near the Court. Nevertheless to the End it might be thought this exile was not the effect of his jealousie but rather of his care both for the safety of the King and Conti he omitted not to caress him at that distance sending him frequent presents and a considerable employment at Court falling he caused it to be conferred upon him tho' absent and bestowed a Rich Benefice upon John Conti Brother to Antony who was in orders Conti was not so dull but he could Easily see through these Artifices Therefore he used all his endeavours to obtain an interview with the King Conti privately meets the King not doubting but if he once saw him he should be restored to his former favour Such industry was used to compass his design that at length he had a private meeting with Alphonso at Alcantara the Count being then absent At this conference the King 's former affection was so revived that he offered to carry him immediately to Court But Conti fearing his sudden and unexpected return might prove dangerous desired it might be put off for the present only praying the King that he would recal from banishment those Noblemen who had been exiled for adhering to his Mother This interview and the proposal made by Conti being made known to the Count by one that had overheard their discourse he soon discovered the design was to make a party to ruin him To the End then to prevent his Enemy and turn that destruction upon himself he employed several Spies to observe all his words and Actions not sparing any expence for intelligence By these means at length he discovered that Conti had conspired with the Noblemen to restore the Queen to the regency A conspiracy against the King discovered and mercifully puninished leaving the King nothing but the empty name and Title without any power or Authority Having got knowledge of this Treasonable practice and found witnesses to prove it he instantly acquaints the King who appointed judges to examine the matter Upon a full hearing and sufficient proof several of the conspirators were convicted and yet tho' by his Enemies the King had always been accused of excessive cruelty not one of the Criminals suffered death only D. Theodosius de Melo Brother to the Duke de Cadaval was banished Five Leagues from Lisbon Sebastian Cesar de Meneses into Algarve and Antony de Conti to O Potro The General depositions involved the Queen Mother in the common guilt whereupon a Secretary was sent to examine her but she refusing to answer the King let that fall Count Castelmelhor puffed up with this success removed from the apartment he was in before to another nearer the King where it being observed by such as envied him that more Court was made to him than to the King himself his name was thereby rendred the more odious and he being now arrived to the highest pitch of his greatness and capable of no increase began soon after to decline Simon Vasconcellos Brother to Count Castelmelhor The Counts brother favourite to thâ— Infante after serving in the Army several Years with great Reputatation coming now to Court so gained the ascendant over the Infante that it was observed as very remarkable to see the two Royal Brothers so vastly differing otherwise in inclinations yet so addicted to these two Brothers that they seemed not to move without them Soon after the Infante falling sick Vasconcellos attended him with such dilligence that he not only confirmed himself in his favour but incurred the ill will of all his other principal Servants who upon this disgust quitted the Infante's Service but very few days past before they were all recalled by the King except only the Count de Ericeira All things being thus restored the King preferred Vasconcellos not only to be Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to his Brother but also constituted him Superintendant of his House This his preferment again displeasing the Family they all quitted their Employments and it being too great a condescention to recal them again others were put into their places for the most part creatures of Count Castelmelhor and therefore not acceptable to the Infante He thereupon thinking himself beset with so many Spies resolved to alter his course of Life so as he might become less suspitious to his Brother and at the same time more popular The Infante counterfeits a Religious Life to gain followers Nothing could be more fit for these designs than Religion to that therefore he seemed wholly addicted being sedulous at Prayers visiting Churches reading pious Books conversing with Religious Persons and employing the rest of his
the vices of the latter no less exaggerated but above all the affection of the one and the aversion of the other to Count Castelmelhor weighed more than all other things with the People who bore him an implacable hatred Many of the Nobility interposed to pacify the brothers but all their endeavours proved in vain for neither of them would abate any thing of his demands When all other means failed the Queen who then was indisposed sent for the Infante Strange show of affection betwixt the Infante and the Queen who being come to her they received one another with such affection as seemed to be a sufficient earnest of the Love that was growing betwixt them Here the Queen prevailed that he should not depart the Court and should wholly leave that affair to her management which he could not refuse her being as was believed already somewhat fired with that Sight of her At length the difference betwixt the Brothers was reconciled the Prince chose other Servants and the King allowed of them Yet tho' they seemed to have layd aside all animosities the grudges betwixt them were of a higher nature than to be so easily forgot But Peter was supported with a deep dissimulation Alphonso had little of that Art and for the most part threatned much more than he would perform which was the cause that he was often heard to let slip very harsh expressions against his Brother He having long meditated how to rid himself of these displeasures at last â—ixed upon a Method which was to beg of the King the Post of Constable of Portugal which is the same as Generalissimo The more he insisted in demanding the more positive the King was in refusing as being not ignorant of the danger of such a Grant Count Castelmelhor was astonished at this Request and spared not to tell the King that it was not the General 's Staff but the Crown that he aspired to and that it were well to crush his aspiring Spirit Nor so satisfyed he used all his Endeavours to find out who had advised him to demand that Post At length it appeared to him that Counsel could proceed from none but the Counts of Torres and St. John who had been excellent Commanders in the Portuguese Army Them therefore he instantly removed from him sending them away to their Charges on the Frontiers Nevertheless though the abetters were removed the causes of dissention still remaining the differences betwixt the two Brothers grew daily higher and higher and at last the Queen who ought to have laboured to compose them became her self a Party leaving the Interest of her Husband to adhere to that of his Brother Besides her proper Inclination to the Infante two things perhaps might conduce to move the Queen to this unjust proceeding Motives of the Queens Aversion to the King the one that the King was already grown weary of her and the other from which perhaps his Aversion proceeded that he was jealous of her too great Propension to his Brother Count Castelmelhor contriving how to dissolve this knot of Affection that was betwixt the Queen and the Infante thought nothing so effectual as marrying of him which without delaying he proposed to the King who approving of the Advice commanded his Brother to make choice of a Wife He having desired some time to consider of a matter of that Importance returned his Answer in Writing signifying in substance that he was ready to comply with the King only praying that a Servant of his might be employed to go to the Courts of Europe to find out a Lady fit for him to match with Neither the King nor the Count saw into the design of this deceitful Answer which was contrived only to protract time and therefore they approved of it and admitted of John de Roxas whom he had named to go upon that Embassy About the beginning of the Year 1667 1667. the King went to Salvaterra The Queen and Infante's Party increases according to custom with all the Court There the Cabals were continued betwixt the Queen and the Infante and now the party they had gained was more numerous then that which adhered to the King But some time after an Accident that happened was improved to heighten their Animosities A French Man belonging to the Queen was murthered upon the Road in Alenâ—ejo by a Carryer who fled and took Sanctuary but being forced from thence was carryed Prisoner to Coimbra and thence conducted to Lisbon There he was tryed before all the Tribunals till he came to the Council of State none daring to pronounce Judgment against him because he implored the protection of the Church as having been taken out of Sanctuary a thing never permitted in Portugal The Queen who thought nothing was done to thwart her but through the Malice of Count Castelmelhor to her being inraged that Justice was not done upon the Murtherer of her Servant and Country-man railed bitterly at him laying all her discontents to his Charge Nor yet so satisfyed she refused to be present at the Bull Feast usually kept at Lisbon upon St. Anthony's Day alledging she could not shew her self to the People till Justice were done her Among the rest that took upon them to vindicate the Queens cause The Infante openly espouses the Queens quarrel the Infante was the hottest as looking upon the Injuries done to her to be levelled at himself who had wholly espoused her Interest Therefore he ordered Count Castelmelhor to bring the Secretary of State who had carryed himself very disrespectfully towards the Queen in the Affair of the Murtherer before the Council to answer for his Insolency There contrary to his Custom Peter inveighed largely against him and with such vehemency that the Council signed an Order for his Banishment which notwithstanding all the Count's opposition was obeyed and he sent into Exile This Success against the Favourite encouraged the Infante to aim at greater things his party daily encreasing for besides the Queen there adhered to him the Duke of Cadaval who had been Banished by the Counts Procurement D. Sancho Manuel who after defeating the Spanish Army at Estremoz had been remov'd from his command by thesame Interest and many more of the Nobility on sundry other Accounts besides the thoughtless multitude stirred up by the desire of Novelty and animated with the name of so many Heads of Note Notwithstanding the Strength of this Faction it was yet thought too soon to attempt any thing against the King directly and judged more proper to let the Storm fall upon his Favourite The Faction level against the Favourite who being once cast down the King would be left exposed to all their Practises To consult of the means of removing the Count there was a great Meeting held of all the Infante's Confederacy he also being present There most Men being averse to Murther if the thing might be otherwise performed it was resolved to seize upon and send him away either into
the marriage fresh instances were made that the Prince might be declared King by the Cortes but this attempt also proving ineffectual he notifyed to them that on the 9th of June following he would take his Oath to maintain the Laws of the Realm and receive from them theirs of fidelity which was accordingly performed The three Estates continued their Session after this till the first day of August 1668 when they broke up Several months being passed after the consummation of this marriage when the thing done was not to be retrieved without horrid scandal and embroiling the whole State of the Church then at last the Prince bethought himself of sending to the Pope to confirm the Cardinal's dispensation Pope Clement the 9th who sate in St. Peter's chair seeing no possibility of recalling what was past and relying upon the information of the Chapter of Lisbon did expedite a Brief directed to James de Sousa Chief Inquisitor Antony de Mendâ—za commissary for the Bull of the Croisade Martin Alphonso de Melo Dean of Evora Lewis de Sousa Dean of Porto and Emanuel de Meneses Arch-Deacon of Evora impowering them to dispense in his name with the said marriage This Brief was dated December the 10th 1668. These persons so authorised accordingly in the Popes name delared the marriage of King Alphonso null that of his Queen with the Prince to be good and valid and all the Children that were or should be gotten between them to be Legitimate which sentence they pronounced upon the 18th of February 1669. When the unfortunate King had been detained a considerable time Prisoner in the Pallace of Lisbon 1669. it was thought necessary to remove him King Alphonso sent prisoner to the Island Tercera least the People comming to themselves and commiserating the sufferings of their Sovereign should make some commotion that might endanger the present government It was therefore resolved to send him into the Island Terecera whether he was conveyed by the Count de Prado then Commanding the Portuguese Fleet and there continued several years under a strict Guard At length not only the People of Lisbon but throughout all Portugal understanding by those who came from that Island that he led a most miserable Life in that remote Island and was almost reduced to the last extremity through sufferings and anguish of mind there was cause to apprehend they would in time be moved to resent his calamities and perhaps be stirred up to revenge them upon those who were the cause thereof Besides it fell out that the King of Spain at the same time fitted out a Navy at Cadiz without declaring for what intent which being known at Lisbon those who dreaded the Return of the King as having been the promoters of his Ruin presently imagined it was to take him from his banishment For these reasons he was sent for with all possible speed and brought back into Portugal He is brought back and confined to the Castle of Cintra where he was lodged in the Castle of Cintra upon the Sea Coast not far from Lisbon In this place he was not only observed and Guarded but as closely confined as if he had been a common Malefactor the very Windows of his lodgings being made up so that he could not look out but that what Light he had came from above his height This account of his usage in that place I received from Dr. Reis a Phisitian at Lisbon whose Son was Phisitian to the King and who had several times the opportunity of seing him being sent for by his said Son to assist his Majesty when indisposed for scarce any body else was admitted to see him In this deplorable condition the wretched King continued till his death But before we give an account of his End it will be fit to set down those few matters of moment that preceded it And indeed there are but few things that can furnish matter for History Portugal ever since the conclusion of the Peace with Spain having been ingaged in no War nor furnished any other important subject to treat of Warlike Kings and turbulent governments are the properest for swelling of Histories the great accidents and Councels then occurring giving great variety to dilate upon but in a peaceable and quiet State there is little to be found more then the settled and regular proceedings which being always in a manner the same are not worth the writing because they neither delight nor instruct in the reading Some few things remain which being of no mighty consequence shall briefly be set down that we may at length put an End to this History The new Prince regent as has been said Birth of the Infante Mary Frances was Marryed to his brothers Wife Mary Frances Elizabeth of Savoy on the 2d of April By her he had before the End of the same year a daughter named Mary Frances the only fruit of that surprizing marriage And tho' at first it was looked upon as a great token that God approved of their proceedings by giving them issue so suddenly yet afterwards those very persons who cryed up this providence could not but be undeceived when they perceived that these Princes living together about 16 years never had any other Child and even she dyed without being marryed All things having succeeded prosperously to that Prince as he that had established himself in the government secured his Brother gained his Wife and now got a Daughter his only care was how to continue in amity with all the World that so he might firmly Establish his new attained power He preserved Peace both at home and abroad in such Tranquility that for several years there will remain nothing else memorable of him to posterity In the Year 1677 1677. the Portugueses of the continent of Brazil in America seeeking to extend their borders A Portuguese Colony at Rio de la Plata in America destroyed by the Spaniards which reached to the great River called de la Plata passed over the said River and Planted a Colony at Buenos Aires which the Spaniards looking upon as an incroachment upon them they gathered to a body in those parts and falling upon the Portuguese Planters put them all to the Sword Advice hereof being brought into Portugal the Prince Regent expressed his resentment by his Embassadour at the Court of Madrid demanding Reparation of dammages The thing was long in debate both parties arguing for their Right to the place and protracting time At length the Portuguese weary of delay began to let fall some threats of a War but with so little preparation to it that the Effects were not to be feared However the Spaniards being more inclinable to compose the difference amicably than to enter upon a War on so slight an occasion The difference adjusted sent into Portugal the Duke of Giovenazzo their Embassadour extraordinary who after several conferences with the Portuguese Ministers concluded the matteâ— to the satisfaction of both Parties