Interment a Majestick Presence his Forehead large his Eyes black and beautiful his Hair reddish which he wore long his Mouth small his Visage long He somewhat stammered in his Speech was addicted to Poetry and some Verses of his are still extant He Reigned Ten Years wanting Two Months and died in January 1367. 1367. He is buryed by the Lady Agnes de Castro and his Picture to the Life on the Tomb. The Lady Constance his first Wife lies in the Church of S. Francis at Santarem By her he had Issue 1. Lewis who died an Infant 2. Ferdinand who succeeded in the Throne 3. Mary marryed to Ferdinand Prince of Aragon Son to King Alonso the Fourth His Children by the Lady Agnes de Castro were 1. Alonso His Issue who died a Child 2. Denis who refusing to kiss the Hand of Queen Ellenor Wife to King Ferdinand went away to Castile where he marryed Joanna Bastard-Daughter to King Henry 3. John who by the Advice of Queen Ellenor killed the Lady Mary Tellez de Meneses his own Wife and the Queen's Sister He should have succeeded King Ferdinand but that King John of Castile kept him Prisoner and in the mean while his Bastard Brother called also John usurped the Crown In Castile he marryed Constance Bastard Daughter to King Henry 4. Beatrix Wife to D. Sancho Earl of Albuquerque Bastard Son to King Alonso XI of Castile King Peter had one Bastard Son called John Master of the Military Order of Avis who after the Death of King Ferdinand usurped the Crown CHAP. XI The First Part of the Life and Reign of Ferdinand the first of the Name and ninth King of Portugal from the Year 1340. till 1373. 1. FErdinand was the Second Son of King Peter King Ferdinand his Birth and his Wife Constance He was Born in the City Coimbra and succeeded his Father at 27 Years of Age. The Peace and Treasures King Ferdinand inherited 1340. were not at all lasting 1367. for he engaged himself in a War against Castile He engages in a War against Castile pretending a Right to that Crown after the Death of King Peter as Great Grandson to King Sancho Henry the present Possessor being a Bastard and Regicide Many Persons of Note who fled out of Castile encouraged him in this Enterprize and many Towns not admitting Henry offered themselves to Ferdinand He bestowed vast Possessions on several of the Castilians that came over to him as particularly to Ferdinand Earl of Castro Xeres and Brother-in-law to King Henry he gave Fifteen Towns to D. Alvaro Perez de Castro his Brother Eight Towns the Earldom of Arroyolos and the Office of Constable to Ferdinand Alonso de Zamora Nineteen Towns and so to many others too long to recount besides Gifts in Money and Jewels which exhausted the Treasures left by his three Predecessors Many Cities and Towns also of Castile declared for our King where he immediately coined Money bearing the Arms and Titles of both Kingdoms Our King in outward appearance pretended more Zeal to Revenge the Murder of King Peter than Ambition to joyn that Kingdom to his own To inculcate this Opinion he sent Embassadors to the Pope the King of England and other Princes laying before them the heinousness of the Crime as committed by a Brother against his Brother and by a Subject against his Soveraign 2. Whilst the Embassadors were on their way Enters into League with the Moorish King of Granada the King concluded a League with the Moorish King of Granada for Fifty Years during which time they were to assist one another and neither was to pretend any Right to whatsoever Places of Castile were taken by the other nor was either of them if assisted with any Troops by his Confederate to allow them any Pay For farther Security King Ferdinand asked of King Peter the Aragonian his Daughter Ellenor in Marriage and Embassadors were sent on both sides to agree the Articles tho' that Lady was before betrothed to John the Eldest Son of King Henry The Princess was marryed by Proxy to our King at Lisbon the Aragonian Embassador representing her Person The Articles of Marriage were That she should bring 100000 Florins Portion That her Father should make War on Castile two Years That the Husband should give three Months Pay to 3000 Horse in his Father-in-law's Service Some Places in Castile were also allotted to the Aragonian for every Man gives freely of what he has not Soon after the Bridegroom that was to have been but never was sent a Rich Present to Barcelona for the Bride without expecting the Payment of the 100000 Florins He also sent Eighteen hundred weight of Gold to be coined to defray Charges there To Convoy the Bride seven beautiful Galleys were fitted out whereof that which was to carry her had her Sails of Silk wrought with Gold and all that was above Water was gilt The Rowers were cloathed in the King's Livery and many gallant Gentlemen went as Volunteers Among other things of value there was carried a Crown of inestimable price for the Bride D. John Alonso Tello Earl of Barcelos attended by the Bishops of Evora and Silves and the Abbot of Alcobaça went Embassadors and performed the Ceremony of marrying the Princess in his Masters Name But her Father put off the delivering of her till the Pope's Dispensation was obtained and times altering all came to nothing 3. King Ferdinand began the Wars in Galicia with a small Power Coruna and other Places voluntarily submitted to him Monterrey was taken by Force after it had made a vigorous Defence But understanding that King Henry drew near with numerous Forces Ferdinand went away by Sea to Porto leaving D. Nunno Freyre Master of the Military Order of Christ with 400 Horse in Coruna Alonso Gomez de Lira at Tuy and others in other Places 1369. Henry to bring our King to Peace Henry of Castile invades Portugal left them and entered Portugal burning all the Country as far as Braga where Lope Gomez de Lira made a vigorous Defence but was forced to abandon the Place after loosing 48 Men because he was not releived and the Town was not Walled nor Garisoned having Articled to Surrender if not releived by a certain time Henry finding the Place was not Tenable Burnt it and removed to Guemaraens which being better Fortified held out against him Seing he prevailed little by Force he thought to take it by Stratagem and to that purpose James Gonzalez de Castro got into the Place disguished like a Country-Man but being discovered was put to Death and his Body exposed to the Dogs Now it was that Count Ferdinand de Castro Brother-in-Law to King Henry carried about by him as a Prisoner made his Escape into the Town with his Keeper Ramiro Nunez and both went into the Portuguese's Service King Ferdinand who was then at Coimbra with a numerous Army with all speed made towards the Castilian sending before a
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
Navarre kills King Bermudo and becomes sole Monarch of Castile Leon Portugal Galicia and Navarre and his Son Ferdinand succeeding him King Bermudo was in hopes to recover what Ferdinand's Father had taken from him They came to a Battel in the Valley of Tamara near Fromista where after a bloody Fight King Bermudo was killed and his Army overthrown Ferdinand now victorious immediately laid Siege to Leon and having made himself Master thereof he was there Crowned King of Leon Galicia and Portugal in the Right of his Wife Sancha the lawful Heiress of those Kingdoms Thus for want of Issue Male to the Kings of Leon and Earls of Castile those two Dominions fell to the House of Navarre 1037. by the Female Line 9. What I am about to relate happen'd in the Reign of King Bermudo but in what Year is not certain Two Grandsons of Prince Alboazar Ramirez Son to King Ramiro III called Tedon and Rosendo with a Body of resolute Men broke into that part of the Country that lies betwixt the Rivers Tavora and Duero Having drove the Moors thence A Stratagem of the Christians against the Moors they began to Till the Land and knowing well that the Infidels would not suffer them quietly to rest there they fortified themselves on a Rock over the River Tavora which running round great part of it makes it a sort of Peninsula which with the Steepness of the Rock it self renders it inaccessible any Way but one Here they built their Habitation and hence infested the Country of the Moors At length on Midsummer-Day which is much reverenced even by those Infidels in Honour of St. John the Baptist the Moors of the Town of Paredes resorted in great Numbers to sport and divert themselves on the Banks of the River and to bathe themselves in it D. Rosendo cloathing his Men in Moorish Apparel passed the River out of sight and lay close in Ambush till he saw all the Banks covered with the Barbarians Then by degrees coming out as if he had been some of their own Company he suffered his Men to mix with the Enemy who took them for Friends Being all mixed the Christians fell upon them and turned their Pleasure into Sorrow However many stood and made a good Defence and others coming to their Aid the Success was doubtful till D. Tedon fording the River with his Men ended the Dispute with the Slaughter of most of the Moors This and other Victories put the two Brothers in Possession of many Lands in that Country And in Memory of the Action they took to themselves the Name of the River which still continues in the Family of the Tavora's 10. The Fame of the Exploits of D. Tedon particularly that upon the River together with that of the Comliness of his Person reaching the Ears of Ardinga the beautiful Daughter of Aliboazen King of Lamego she fell in Love with him by Hear-say The Effects of Love Love perswaded her to quit her Father's Palace and disguised in the Habit of a Man through bye Ways she found out the Abbot Gelasius a solitary Hermit She told him who she was and the Cause of her Coming and he baptized her promising to perswade D. Tedon to take her to Wife This took not effect for her Father closely pursuing her overtook and put her to death Tedon hearing of her Love had promised to marry her and she being dead would take no other Wife but was afterwards killed by the Moors near a small Brook which of him was called Tedo So he took his Surname from one River and gave his Name to another There being nothing else remarkable recorded in Portugal during the Reign of King Bermudo and he being the last King thereof of that Name I must not omit to remark that Bermudo is the same Name with Veremundus which the Spaniards call Veremundo so that to make it Bermudo there is corruptly an e and an n omitted and to use B for V is common in Spanish Thus Bermudo and Veremundus appear to be the same Name CHAP. X. The remaining Kings from the Year 1037 till the Year 1108 and till the Establishment of Count Henry of Burgundy in the Sovereignty of Portugal where begins the Line of the Portuguese Kings and ends the Second Book 1. FErdinand Prince of Navarre inherited the Crown of Leon King Ferdinand called The Great in the Right of his Wife the Lady Sancha Daughter to King Alonso V and Sister to King Bermudo III who died without Issue The Earldom of Castile fell to him by his Mother the Lady Nunna and the Crown of Navarre he inherited from his Father Three Crowns were united in him and he was well worthy thereof purchasing by his Piety Valour and Bounty the Title of The Great The Moors believing King Ferdinand was wholly employed in reconciling his new Subjects in Castile Leon Galicia and Portugal broke into Lustainia but hearing he was provided to receive them they retired hastily He once provoked would not put up his Sword without doing Execution His Conquests over the Infidels He took the Town of Sea and the Cities Merida Badajoz Beja and Evora without any Resistance Viseo guilty of the Death of King Alonso and fearing a Revenge was strongly fortified and governed by Cid Alafun a notable Commander The King sate down before it resolving not to stir thence till he were Master of it Eighteen Days the City was battered and bravely defended at the End whereof being the Eve of the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul it was enter'd by Force and never after returned under the Yoak of the Infidels The Man that shot King Alonso being taken in the City had his Eyes put out and both his Hands and one Foot cut off which done he was shot to Death The Governor Alafun had in Consideration of his Valour Lands given him to live upon paying a certain Tribute His Name is still preserved in those Parts in the Mountain called Alafun the Council of Alafâ—â—â— and other Places 2. The City Lamego held out no less obstinately during Twenty Five Days at the end whereof it was surrendred upon Articles the 22th Day of July It was not then used to expel the Moors but to bring them to pay a moderate tribute After these Conquests the King crossed the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho into Galicia to visit the Sepulcher of the Apostle St. James 1039. and make his Offerings there The following Year he conquered many places in the Province of Tras os Montes and pierced down even to the River Tagus King Ferdinand made glorious Conquests the ensuing Years but they being out of Portugal do not appertain to us Coimbra taken by the Advice and Assistance of the Monks of Lorvan Two Monks of the Monastery of Lorvan advertised the King that the City Coimbra was ill provided and worse fortified and therefore it would be easie to gain it King Ferdinand marched in December 1063
and laid Siege to it where he continued till July following so that 7 Months were spent in the Siege 1064. And it may be supposed the Moors before unprovided upon Notice of his Coming had prepared to receive him Provisions grew so scarce in the Army towards the latter end of the Siege that the King was about raising it and departing But the Monks of the aforesaid Monastery of Lorvan supplied him plentifully and the City was taken the 8th Day after The King offered the Monks to take what they pleased in requital for their Intelligence and Supplies but they modestly begged only a Church in the City However he gave them many rich Gifts and confirmed all the former Grants made by his Ancestors In token of Gratitude the Monks presented the King with a Golden Crown which Count Gonzalo Moniz Governor of the Province between Duero and Minho had offered to their Church The King restored it with 10 Marks of Silver to make a Cross Roderick de Bivar Surnamed Cid that famous Captain was at this Siege and Knighted by the King in this City Here was also the renowned Portuguese Roderick Frojas Contemporary and not much inferiour to the other for Warlike Exploits 3. The King returning to Leon left Sisnandus a noble and valiant Man Governor of Coimbra He made War upon Abudad a resolute and powerful Moor who had much disturbed the King at the Siege but being subdued became a most loyal Subject Soon after the Moors 1065. under the Command of Benalfagi a great Lord in Estremadura repaired the Fortifications of Montemayor the Old that it might be a Check upon Coimbra This Place was so obnoxious to it that King Ferdinand was forced to come with a powerful Army wherewith he laid Siege to it for many Days 1066. Here Roderick de Bivar took great Pains to supply the Camp with Forage all the Country about being kept by great Multitudes of Moors Montemayor taken and demolished At length the Besieged surrender'd upon Promise of their Lives and the King offended at the Resistance he had found there demolished the Walls The Governor Sisnandus repaired them again in the Reign of King Alonso VI. King Ferdinand was born in the Year 1007 and in 1030 married the Lady Sancha by whom he had the following Children in Order as named Vrraca Elâ—â—â—a Sancho Alonso and Garcia By a Daughter of Raymund Lord of Savoy he had Ferdinand who was a Cardinal and D. Mininno Fernandez of Toro Ferdinand dying divides his Dominions The King finding his End draw near divided his Kingdoms among his Sons To Sancho he gave Castile to Alonso Leon and to Garcia Galicia and Portugal To the Lady Vrraca he left the City Zamora with half the Principality of Leon to the Lady Elvira Garcia is King of Galicia and Portugal the other half â—â—d the City Toro Having thus settled his Affairs King Ferdinand died in the 60th Year of his Age and the 30th of his Reign and was buried in the Church of St. Isidorus 1067. where a Year after his Wife Sancha was also laid 4. King Ferdinand foreseeing that the Division of his Kingdoms could not but produce Discord among his Sons bound them by Oath to stand to this Distribution leaving his Curse upon him that should attempt to alter it But of what Force are Oaths against Ambition The three Brothers fall at Variance None of them was satisfied Sancho the Eldest thought himself wronged as having a Right to all Garcia was grieved that the Cities of Toro and Zamora were given to his Sisters Alonso was offended that Sancho should think he had Right to his Dominions Garcia was the youngest and therefore the last in the Distribution But he proved the first that took up Arms against his Sisters and invaded the Lands of Toro and others along the River Duero which he would have to belong to Portugal D. Sancho soon followed his Example in taking the Field not to defend his Sisters but to strip them all King Sancho before he undertook this Enterprize asked the Advice of all his Noblemen who unanimously disswaded him from the Undertaking for fear of incurring his Father's Curses However finding him not to be moved they counselled him to continue in Amity with King Alonso and ask Leave of him to pass through the Kingdom of Leon into Portugal To this purpose he met his Brother Alonso at the Monastery of Sahagun but could not prevail to have Passage granted him Nevertheless upon second Thoughts they both agreed to conquer Portugal 1069. Our King Garcia taken up with his own ambitious Designs had no Leisure to look into the Practices of his Brothers What was yet worse his Subjects were discontented for that he made Account of none but his Favourite Verna by whose Advice he began the War of Toro unsuccessfully 5. The Portuguese Nobility and Gentry consulted together The Portuguese Nobility insult their King on account of his Favourite how they might remove this mighty Favourite and it was resolved that D. Roderick Frojas a mighty Man in those Days should discourse the King upon that Matter When he had made a long Harangue upon the Subject all the Answer the King made was to turn his Back upon him and go away D. Roderick seeing how little his Words had prevailed soon after killed Verna in the Palace The Death of Verna troubled not the King so much as the News that King Sancho was marching against him and the small Confidence he had in his Subjects especially for the Brothers of that D. Roderick conspired together to oppose his punishing the said D. Roderick Necessity obliged the King to wink at Offences and send for D. Roderick who was fled into Navarre designing for France He immediately returned and came to Coimbra then the Court of Portugal at such time as King Sancho's Forces began to range in Galicia and in the Province of Beira without meeting with any Opposition 1071. The two Earls D. Nunho de Lara and D. Garcia de Cabra advanced to the Walls of Coimbra with some Troops of Horse The King would have gone out to fight them The Forces of Castile overthrown by those of Portugal but D. Roderick Frojas said It was not fit for him to hazard himself where there was no King against him D. Roderick went out with his two Brothers Peter and Vermui to meet the Enemy and in the Field called Agua de Mayas overthrew them killing 600 among whom were many of Note 200 Portuguese were slain and Frojas himself received many Wounds 6. King Garcia was gone to Santarem when King Sancho to revenge the former Loss pierced through Portugal with a numerous Army Some advised to protract the War and not hazard a Battel but D. Roderick Frojaz now recovered of his Wounds was positive for Fighting A Plain not far from Santarem was chose for that Purpose where was fought as bloody a Battel as has been seen in
this exploit among them was one Henry of Bonneville near 〈◊〉 at whose Tomb in the Church of St. Vincent many Miracles are reported to have been wrought many others were buried where now is the Church called that of the Martyrs from those that were buried there The King according 〈◊〉 what had been before agreed offered to the Strangers half the City but they satisfied with the Booty and some other rewards departed to prosecute their holy designs â—or to their own Countries Such as would stay had Lands assigned them many other strong places were taken soon after in this current of the King 's good Fortune 1148. the chief of them were Mafra Almada Palmela Cintra Obidos Trancoso Alenquer Serpa Beja Elvas Coruche and Cezimbra Thus the Pride of the Mahometans began to be humbled and this Christian Kingdom to lift up its head CHAP. III. Continues the mighty Actions of the victorious King Alfonso the Kingdom confirmed to him by the Pope his Death issue and description all from the Year 1148. till 1185. 1. SInce we cannot give the particulars of all the Heroical Actions of this King Alonso overthrows the Moors with a handfull of Men. let us at least in two of them represent somewhat of the grandeur of the rest He sat down before Aleazar do Sal with a small handful of Men 500 Moorish Horse and 10000 Foot came to raise the Siege whom he went out to meet with only 60 Horse and a proportionable number of Foot With this small Body he put his Enemies to flight but was himself wounded in the Leg most misfortunes always lighting upon his Legs ever since his Mother laid that Curse on him as was said before After this Victory returning to the Siege he took it at the end of two Monâ—hs this done he went with 60 Lances and a few Cross-bow-men to take a view of the Fortress on the Rock of Palmela Being before the place he discovered the King of Badajoz coming down a Hill with 400 Horse and 60000 Foot Another like exploit but without any order Our King lay a while betwixt certain Rocks out of sight considering their disorderly march whilst his Company meditated on their Numbers At length breaking out suddenly with that handful he soon covered the Hill with dead Bodies and the Infidels believing a greater Army had followed fled in confusion leaving all their Baggage to a few above 60 Conquerors Palmela upon the News of this defeat immediatly surrendred upon only promise of Life 1160. The City Tuy left him by his Father and now revolted he reduced to his Obedience and at the same time concluded a match for his Daughter Mafalda then 12 Years of Age with Raymund Prince of Catalonia 2. Some time before he had subdued the City Beja after a tedious Siege but the Moors who are faithful no longer than compelled by necessity finding now a fit opportunity 1162. rebelled Certain valiant Commanders imitating the example of their King assaulted this place by Night with such resolution and so unexpectedly that they carried it making great slaughter among the Inhabitants A Gentleman of Quality called Giraldus living like an outlaw on account of certain crimes he had committed A number of Christian Out-laws 〈◊〉 Evora entred into hopes of regaining the King's Favour by some extraordinary action Considering therefore that the City Evora was not guarded by the Infidels with that circumspection that was requisite at such a time he resolved to surprize it There was a Watch-tower where the Centinel was kept by a Moor and his Daughter by turns Giraldus knowing this Scales the Tower alone and killing both Father and Daughter who were asleep returns with their heads to his Men being 500 Horse and a good number of Foot They encouraged by this success scaled the Walls then unguarded and breaking open one of the Gates let in their Companions Thus with a mighty slaughter made of the Inhabitants the City was gained The King not only Pardoned but Rewarded all those Out-laws and made their Captain Governour of the City 3 King Alonso thus become terrible to the Moors fell at variance with his Son-in-law Ferdinand the Second King of Leon 1168. and thereupon entred Galiciâ— in the 75th year of his Age. War with Leon. Here he took the Towns of Lima and Turon and putting Portuguese Garrisons into them turned his Forces against Badajoz then a tributary City to the King of Leon. This City he assaulted and entred but not the Castle Mean while King Ferdinand came to defend that place which fell within the limits of his Conquest The Portuguese Army encountring him in the Field King Alonso put to flight breaks his Leg fulfilling his Mothers curse when he put Fetters upon her was overthrown and King Alonso forced to fly into the City whence thinking to make his escape he struck his Leg against a bolt of the Gate so violently that he broke it and here his Mothers Curse reached him fully Nor was that all for in that condition he was taken by the King of Leon who treated him with extraordinary courtesy and was content that he should restore to him only such places as he had wrongfully taken in Galicia and Leon tho' he offered others in Portugal Our Author will not allow that King Alonso promised any acknowledgment to the Crown of Leon for his Dominions but all Spanish Authors are positive he did Certain it is that from henceforward he remained lame so that he never after could ride a Horseback but was carried in a Chariot 4. The King had some time since taken the City Beja but it was soon after lost Gonzalo Mendez de Maya called the Combatant 1170. about this time made a Road into the territory of Beja where was a great body of Moors under the Command of Almoâ—â—â—mar a Soldier of Reputation These two Bodies encountred and Maya remained Master of the Field scarce had he vanquished this Enemy when he was met by Alboazem King of Tangier who was coming to the assistance of the vanquished The fight was renewed on the same spot of Ground and a second Victory added to the former Maya was 95 Years of Age when he obtained these two Victories but died immediately of the Wounds he had received which made his Army return home in mornful manner Albaraque King of Sevil made bold by the King's lameness 〈…〉 Santarem by the Moors 〈…〉 drawing a vast multitude out of Andaluzia presumed not only to wast the Country beyond Tagus but to set down before Santarem where the King then in the 88th Year of his Age reposed himself he caused himself to be carried out in his Chariot to give the Besiegers Battle The fight was so obstinate he was forced to quit his Chariot and appear at the head of his Men with his Sword in Hand Hereat his Soldiers took so much Courage that they soon put their Enemies to the rout with a great slaughter
〈◊〉 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
chief whereof was D. Payo Perez Correa Master of the Military Order of Santiago CHAP. VIII The Life and Reign of Denis the first of that Name and sixth King of Portugal his Actions and Death from the Year 1261. till 1325. 1. KIng Denis King Denis his Birth and Succession to the Crown Eldest Son to Alonso III. and Queen Beatrix was born at Lisbon on the 9th of October 1261. and was so called from the Saint whose Day that was From his Infancy he was educated in all those Vertues and Accomplishments that make an Excellent Prince In Truth Justice and Liberality he exceeded most of them that had been before him His Father dying when he was but Eighteen Years of Age though he honoured his Mother in all other Respects he would allow her no share in the Government She resenting this as an Affront went away into Castile pretending her Journey was only to pay a Visit to her Father That King desiring to please her took a Journey to Badajoz and sent to desire King Denis to come as far as Elvas Thither the Princes Peter Sancho Jayne and his Brother Emanuel repaired to him by whom the King of Castile desired they might meet at Badajoz King Denis having entertained them magnificently for the space of three Days sent them back saying He would soon be after them but suddenly returned to Lisbon thinking it a better Expedient not to meet his Grand-father than to deny his Request The Queen thus disappointed went away with her Father to Sevil where she continued being convinced her Son would admit no Partner in the Throne 2. The King being Twenty Years of Age He Marries Elizabeth the Daughter of King Peter of Aragon sent his Embassadors to Peter III. King of Aragon to ask his Daughter Elizabeth then but Eleven Years old in Marriage His Request was easily granted and the Bride conducted to Braganza where she was received by Alonso the King's Brother who conveyed her to Trancoso where the best King of Portugal and one of the best Queens in the World were marryed His next Care was â—o compleat what his Father had begun which was to dear the Kingdom of Robbers and Out-laws and to Protect the meaner sort against the Insolencies of Great Men and particularly the Country People whom he called the Sinews of the Commonwealth For this Reason and because he built many Castles he was called the Husbandman and Father of his Country Having at his Entrance into the Government passed many extravagant Grants when he came to the Age of 22 he recalled them all 1283. He had some Difference with his Brother Alonso who refused to make any Acknowledgment for the Towns left him by his Father Has Differences with his Brother Alonso and had some Pretensions to the Crown pleading that Denis was Born before the Death of the Countess of Bologne and consequently must be Illegitimate whereas he was Born after her Death when the Pope had ratified the Match They both took Arms and Alonso was besieged by his Brother in Portalegre yet at last they agreed The chief Articles were That Alonso should be allowed 30000 Crowns a Year out of the King's Revenue and instead of the Towns he possessed should have Sintra and Ourem for that the others were more dangerous to the King as lying on the Borders of Castile Thus ended those Civil Broils 3. A War broke out with King Sancho the Third of Castile War betwixt Castile and Portugal called the Fierce for that he performed not the Covenants about the Marriages of the Princes for Security whereof he had put into Portuguese Hands the Cities of Badajoz and Truxillo as also the Towns of Moura Serpa Caceres Allariz and Aguiar de Neiva All these Places he again suddenly surprized and made several inroads into Algarve and into Portugal by the way of Leon destroying all the Country before him King Denis being then wholly unprovided for War sent Embassadors to adjust Affairs but to no effect King Denis now moved to Wrath challenged King Sancho and at the same time caused his Forces to do much harm in the Enemy's Country Sancho designed to answer the Challenge but was prevented by Death at which time he ordered all that had been before stipulated should be performed Ferdinand the Fourth his Successor not answering what was expected from him King Denis sent his Embassadors to demand the Restitution of the Towns taken by his Predecessor and in case of Refusal to fix the Challenge upon him Restitution being denied the Challenge was accordingly given and the Embassadors withdrew This done King Denis with a Puissant Army marched from the City Guarda and entred Castile committing all manner of Hostilities Prince Henry who was Governour to the young King Ferdinand put a stop to our King 's further Progress making him advantageous Proposals and referring the Conclusion to Cuidad Rodrigo where the two Kings met with the Queen-Mother of Castile and concluded all Articles the Towns demanded by the Portuguese being put into the Hands of Ferdinand Longominhâ— as a Pledge for performing all other parts But this Compliance on the part of Castile being the Product of Fear and not of any Friendly Intention nothing of what had been promised was performed 4. King Denis draws together his Forces again Denis enters Castile the second time and furiously enters Castile and with him Prince John who stiled himself King of Leon as Son to King Alonso the Tenth and John Nunnez de Lara who was in Rebellion against his Prince Our Army being in the Province of Beira near the Frontiers of Castile there came to the King Margaret Daughter to the Earl of Narbonne Wife to Prince Peter the Son of King Alonso and with her her Son Sancho de Ledesma who offered to serve our King being disgusted with his own Yet tho he was much honoured and received great Bounties from King Denis he soon returned to his own Master and served against him of whom he had received such Favours King Ferdinand understanding that King Denis had invaded his Dominions sent his Fleet from Sevil under the Command of that Sancho we last spoke of to Lisbon where he surprized some Portuguese Vessels Our Admiral having gathered what Force he could pursued and overtook the Fleet of Castile without the Bar. The Fleet of Castile worsted by the Portugueses There was fought a most obstinate Battle till the Castillians were worsted and their Commander D. Sancho brought back Prisoner In the mean while K. Denis without Opposition ranged about the Territories of Cuidad Rodrigo and Ledesma where he took the Castle of Torres putting all the Defendants to the Sword He passed by Simancas where King Ferdinand was and laid Siege to Possaldes where neither Sex nor Age was spared nor was any Reverence paid to the Churches where the Altars were stained with Blood nor did their Sacrilegious Hands abstain from Plundering those Holy Places The Castilians were not
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
That in case King Ferdinand died without Heirs his Daughter should inherit and after her her Issue but if she had none then King John should succeed and that if King John his new Queen and the Princess Ellenor Wife to the Prince of Navar died without Heirs before King Ferdinand then he should inherit the Crown of Castile That till the new Queen of Castile had a Son Fourteen Years of Age Queen Ellenor her Mother should govern Portugal Thus it appears the future Pretensions of the King of Castile to the Crown of Portugal were just as were Queen Ellenor's to the Government and that the succeeding King John was an Usurper having no lawful Title to the Crown 8. King Ferdinand being Sick King Ferdinand falls sick his Queen Ellenor conducted the Princess then not full Thirteen Years of Age to Elvas When both Parties had sworn the Performance of Articles the King and his Bride met in Tents near that City Such was Queen Ellenor's Beauty that the Castilians seeing her said King Ferdinand were much to blame had he not loved her having seen her or if having loved her he had not made her a Queen Here the Cardinal of Luna produced a Dispensation for them to marry they being within the prohibited Degrees of Consanguinity after which there was a most splendid Entertainment Then they returned to Elvas where the nuptial Rites were solemnly performed with extraordinary Pomp and after all publick Testimonies of Joy and Demonstrations of Grandeur were over the King of Castile gave rich Presents to all the Portuguese Gentry Queen Ellenor returning to Almada where King Ferdinand lay sick and intimating That she liked not the King of Castile The Master of the Order of Avis commended his Sense and Modesty to which she answered That is true but I would have a Man be more a Man At last King Ferdinand being convinc'd of the extravagant Familiarity that was betwixt the Queen and Count John Fernandez Andeyro and being unwilling by punishing to expose her Weakness or to lose her he so passionately loved he ordered the Master of the Knights of Avis to make him away privately But though he performed not at this time what was enjoyned him yet afterwards he murdered him in the Revolution that happened when the Order was void 9. The King now spent with Sickness removed from Almada to Lisbon 1383. where he died very Penitent on the 24th of October 1383. Ferdinand dies He was almost Forty four Years of Age reigned Seventeen and was buried with Pomp in the Quire of the Monastery of S. Francis at Santarem His Presence was so Graceful and Majestick that through any Disguise he appeared to be a King his Visage was long his Complexion fair as was his Hair and his Eyes sparkling His Character The great Expence of his Wars obliged him to enhance the price of the Money whereof he coined several Sorts but after his Wars ceased all the Coin was restor'd to its intrinsick Value He removed the University erected by King Denis at Coimbra to Lisbon but it afterwards returned to the same Place from whence he brought it He was rather Prodigal than Liberal which may appear by the many Towns we have mentioned he gave to the Castilians that came over to him As to his other Gifts one Instance will serve to demonstrate the rest To John Alonso de Moxica one of the Castilian Gentlemen that came over to Portugal besides Towns and Lands he gave in one Day 50 Horses 30 Mules 3 Suits of Armour 30000 Marks of Plate and 4 Sumptures loaded with rich Tapistry He pulled down the Roman Walls of Ebora to build New And thus though unfortunate in all his Undertakings he secured to himself the Love of all Men. 10. His lawful Issue was His Issue first Beatrix married to King John the first of Castile they wronged her who said she was Daughter to Count Fernandez Andeyro for she was Eight Years of Age when he begun to be familiar with the Queen Secondly A Son who died in his Infancy Thirdly Another in the same nature One Bastard Daughter he had married to Alonso Earl of Gijon Bastard Son to King Henry the second of Castile from whom sprung the Family of the Noronhas The END of THE THIRD BOOK THE HISTORY OF PORTUGAL The Fourth BOOK CHAP. I. The Birth Education and Actions of John Bastard Son to King Peter of Portugal His Promotion to be Protector of the Kingdom and Wars with Castile from the Year 1357. till the end of 1384. 1. JOHN Bastard Son to King Peter by Teresa Alonso of Galicia was born at Lisbon on the 22d of April 1357. 1357. In his Infancy he was kept by Laurence de Lyria John Bastard Son to King Peter aspires to the Crown a noted Citizen then delivered to Nunho Freyre de Andrade Master of the Order of Christ who presented him to the King at the Age of Seven Years asking for him the Mastership of the Order of Avis then vacant by the Death of D. Martin de Avelar This was the first time his Father saw him and having Knighted him gave him that Honour He was sent to receive it at Avis a Convent of that Order and was there educated till of Age to bear Arms. His Actions till the Death of King Ferdinand have been related it now remains to recount what he did afterwards The late King in his Will left the Administration of the Government to his Wife Queen Ellenor in pursuance of what had been Stipulated with King John of Castile upon his marrying the Lady Beatrix lawful Daughter to King Ferdinand tho the unbridled Malice of the Multitude Defamed her with the Name of Count John Fernandez Andeyro his Daughter Queen Ellenor entred upon the Government with Extraordinary tokens of Grief for the Death of the King her Husband The Council of the City of Lisbon advised her not to be so negligent in the Government as her Husband had been and she answered them so graciously that they went away well satisfied The King of Castile immediately sent Embassadors to condole her Loss and at the same time to require himself to be proclaimed King in the Right of his Wife and in pursuance of the late Capitulations Scarce was this mentioned throughout the Kingdom when a general reluctancy appeared in the Countenances of all Men. D. Henry Manuel de Villena Earl of Sea and Unkle to the King Castile was ordered to Proclaim him in Lisbon but was opposed by D. Alvare Perez de Castro in behalf of King Peter's lawful Issue by the Lady Agnes de Castro The same happened at Santarem Elvas and in most Places of the Kingdom King John proposed his Title by his Embassador to the City of Lisbon but it was not favourably received 2. The First contrivance of the Master of Avis Before his Assuming the Crown he Murders Count John Fernandez Andeyro with some others was to Murder the Count John Fernandez
the Bridge of Zamora being corrupted by Ferdinand and Elizabeth some advised to build a Wall betwixt them and the Town and they would perish but the Archbishop of Toledo and other great Men perswaded the King to remove to Toro leaving behind in the Castle all his Equipage because he could not then Travel with so much Baggage Ferdinand immediately entred the City and attacked the Castle but without success King Alonso sent him a challenge and he refused any single Combat for which he was again severely reproved by his Wife Elizabeth she being fitter to have been Ferdinand than he was to be Elizabeth 1476. In January the Prince of Portugal came to Toro with some Troops and was there received with great joy except by the Duke of Arevalo and Marquis de Villena who began to incline to King Ferdinand King Alonso however resolved to put all to the issue of a Battle tho the Archbishop of Toledo of all the Castilian Nobility that invited him was the only Person that stood now by him Fifteen Days after the Princes arrival King Alonso marched towards Zamora to meet King Ferdinand leaving his Queen behind at Toro He attacked the Bridge but to no purpose Overtures of Peace were again made without any likelihood of success for it was decreed no Accommodation should be purchased without Blood King Alonso seeing he wasted his Army lying before a Town in the dead of Winter his Enemy lying close returned towards Toro his Forces braving the Castilians by the slowness of their March Ferdinand ashamed to have been so long dared at length sallied out to fall upon the Rear of the Portuguese Army Alonso suspecting no such thing was now marched down a Hill in great disorder as being at the Gates of his own City It was debated among the Castilians whither they ought to pursue their Enemy who they said fled or return to Zamora but the Cardinal Peter Gonzalez de Mendoza having from the top of the Hill taken a view of the Portuguese Army said it would be a shame to return without bidding Battle and thereupon their Army advanced 5. King Alonso perceiving the approach of the Enemy 〈…〉 drew up his Army In the Van he placed the Castilians and his own Houshold He himself â—ed the main Body Prince John the left Wing and the Archbishop of Toledo the Right D. John de Castro Earl of Monsanto brought up the Rear The Sun was now going down and a small Rain began to fall when the tâ—o Armies engaged Prince John gave a vigorous Charge on his side and was received with no less Bravery yet forced the Castilian Wing to retire to the main Body At the same time the King advanced before his Men and the Fight was maintained on both sides for the space of an hour before any gave Ground both Reserves coming up to second their Princes The Portuguese over-powered by the number of their Enemies began to forsake the Royal Standard which was taken after both the bearer's Hands were cut off King Alonso in despair would have cast himself into the midst of his Enemies if not disswaded by some of his Followers The Portuguese Army routeâ— In Conclusion the King and those Gentlemen that could bear him Company fled to Castro Nunho where they were honourably received by Peter de Avendano the Governour Prince John who had defeated the Enemy's Right Wing seeing the rout of the Army with what Forces he could gather stood firm on an Eminence where he continued all the day Most of the other routed Portuguese cast themselves into the River Duero where more perished by Water than had done by the Sword King Ferdinand who never loved Fighting did not lead his Men but stood with a strong Party on a rising Ground to secure his own Escape in case of need and seeing his Right Wing drove by Prince John and the main Body hard put to by King Alonso he with that Body of Guards hasted away towards Zamora without expecting to see the Event of the Battle Thus he came at Night to Zamora in a Consternation not knowing whether he was Victorious or defeated Such was his Cowardize and Precipitation 6. The Prince continued all the Night on that Eminence 〈…〉 we have already mentioned by sound of Trumpets and the light of Fires calling together the Remains of the scattered Army In the Morning when he expected to have been charged by the Castilâ—ans it appeared they were gone after the King to Zâ—mora whereupon he marched away in good Order with Colours flying to Toro Finding no News of his Father there all was in great Confusion â—ill Advice was brought him where 〈◊〉 was They met and together received a courteous Message from King Ferdinand who sent the King all his Equipage which he had taken in the Castle of Zamora The Archbishop of Toledo who only of all the Castilian Nobility adhered to the Portuguese asked leave now to depart to defend his own Lands which were wasted by King Ferdinand's Commanders The Bishop of Evora with his Troops was sent to Conduct him on his way who being come back returned with the Prince to Portugal to defend the Frontiers then much infested by the Enemy King Alonso had sent D. Alvaro de Atayde from Toro into France designing to follow in Person and crave Succour for carrying on the War in case this Embassador found a favourable Reception King Lewis entertained D. Alvaro with such feigned Friendship that he easily perswaded the King his Master to go over into France The King having resolved upon that Journey after settling the Government of those few Places he held in Castile about the beginning of June set forward for Portugal carrying with him his Bride that should have been Queen Joanna now spoiled of her Crown Being come to Miranda 〈◊〉 Alonso Saâ—â—s into â—â—ance she went away to the City Guarda and he to Porto where he intended to Embark for France Thither repaired the Prince Nobility and Clergy disswading him from that Voyage but he was not to be moved from that Resolution He set Sail with 21 Vessels of several sort and in them 500 Gentlemen and 2200 Men at Arms. By the way he touched at Ceuta next at Marseilles and landed at Colivre where he was received with Respect by the Governour At Perpignan in Honour to him the Prison-Gates were set open Thence he sent D. Francisco de Almeyda to King Lewis to appoint the Place where they should meet and great Honour was shewn him all the way he travelled through that Country 7. At Bourges King Lewis met him 〈…〉 and extraordinary Civilities passed between them They agreed that King Alonso should go to the Duke of Burgundy his Cousin to crave Aid of him or in case he could not grant it by reason of the War he was engaged in with â—orrain then to perswade him not to molest King Lewis whilst he assisted King Alonso That to make the King's Title undeniable
were 1500 Horse and 1000 Foot and being put by his Port landed near the City Anafe where encountring a multitude of Moors he killed 900 and carryed away 400 Prisoners The King improved this Accident by giving out he had chastised those Moors for their Disobedience to their Prince Mâ—ley Belâ—abe which that Prince believed and ever accounted himself much obliged to King John 7. Barraxe a Valiant Moor with a Party of 400 Horse and as many Foot took a great Booty about Tangier but the Governour of that Place D. John de Meneses instantly pursued him took him Prisoner and recovered all the Prey The Jews who in great Numbers lived in Castile seeing themselves condemned to the Flames by the erecting the Inquisition in that Country The Jews fly out of Castile into Portugal swarmed into Portugal King John at first entertained them but afterwards being sensible of their wicked Practices for that pretending to be Christians they ceased not to Judaize he sent out his Officers who burnt some chastised others and filled all the Prisons with them This made many of them fly over into Africk where they professed themselves openly Jews whereupon the King forbid any more passing over thither upon pain of Death giving them Liberty at the same time to remove to any Christian Country But tho' it happened some Years latter let us here relate what was done in this case In the Year 1492. vast multitudes of Jews came out of Castile into Portugal engaging to pay the King a certain number of Ducats for each Head and only desiring to be permitted to pass through the Kingdom Eight Months were allotted them to stay and certain Ports assigned them to Embark The Term expiring many went over to the Coast of Fez where they were plundered and abused by the Moors having been little better treated by the Portuguese Many returned to Castile pretending they were converted and many stay'd in Portugal under the same colour The King the following Year finding them obstinate in their wicked Practices made all that could be found Slaves and taking their Children away sent them to the Island of S. Thomas to be there brought up Christians Thus the Jews came first to mix their Race with that of the Ancient Portuguese 8. The King notwithstanding it was a time of Peace ceased not to lay up Magazines in all his Garrisons 1488. and fortified the Town of Olivença which alarmed the King and Queen of Castile but he satisfied them and went on with what he had begun In Africk D. Vasco Coutinho Earl of Borba with only 70 Horse defeated 450 Moors and took their Commander who lay in wait to have surprized him Upon the receipt of this News the King sent over 150 Horse and some Foot to encourage his Forces there They passed the Bridge of Alcacerquibir that had never before been passed by the Portuguese and returned with Slaves and Cattle In the Month of October arrived at Lisbon Bemoy an African King 〈◊〉 into Portugal Bemoy King of Jalof in Africk who being expelled his Kingdom came to ask Succours for recovering of it He had Audience of the King at Setuval and having proposed the Motive of his coming was answered That nothing could obstruct the assisting him but his being an Infidel for that it was not allowed Christian Princes to give Aid to Pagans He replyed he was ready to receive the Faith and only sorry that it might be thought he was moved to it by any Temporal Interest On the Third of November he and six of his principal Followers were baptized the King Prince and Duke Emanuel being Godfathers On the seventh the King Knighted him and gave him for his Arms Gules a Cross Or within an Orle of Portugal Next he did Homage to the King and promised Obedience to the Pope This done the King sent him home with 20 Caravels well manned and provided under the Command of Peter Vaz da Cunha with Orders to erect a Fort at the Mouth of the River Zanaga He is 〈…〉 Peter 〈…〉 This Expedition succeeded not for Cunha fearing to venture himself in that unhealthy Country murdered the unfortunate Bemoy and so returned home with the Fleet and the King unjustly connived at this Villany 9. At the beginning of the Year the King went into Algarve 〈…〉 and thence sent over some Forces with Masons and Materials to build a Fort at the Mouth of the River Larache ordering it to be called Graciosa Muley King of Fez in whose Territory it was understanding how the Work advanced set down before it with 40000 Horse and a vast multitude of Foot King John sent Succours to the besieged but all too weak to withstand so great a Force He thought of going over in Person but the Moors offering to suffer the Christians to depart the offer was accepted and the Place abandoned Barraxe that Moor who had been taken Prisoner by D. Vasco Coutinho being ransomed now held Correspondence with a Gentleman called Lope Sanchez about betraying the City Ceuta to him Sanchez held him in hand and gave Advice to the King who sent to secure that Place 50 Sail from Algarve well manned and stored under the Command of D. Ferdinand de Meneses He and his Brother Antony that was before at Ceuta marched out with 150 Horse and 1000 Foot and falling upon the Town of Targa easily took it as being abandoned The Town they utterly destroyed took some Ships Cannon and Ammunition and released some Christian Captives This Action cost not one drop of Blood D. Ferdinand marched away to Alcaçar and joyning with the Governours of that Place and Tangier he again set out with 400 Horse and 1200 Foot towards Camice which the Moors call the Inchanted because it was thought inaccessible standing upon a craggy Hill Now the Inchantment ceased for the Place was taken by Assault and razed down to the Ground 400 of the Defendants who hid themselves in the Mountain being put to the Sword But this Victory was not so cheaply purchased as the other for it cost the Lives of 70 Men. 10. Prince Alonso was now going into his Fifteenth Year 1490. an Age fit to Marry and he was already contracted to the Princess Elizabeth Eldest Daughter to King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth of Castile The News of her being affianced to him by Proxy at Sevil being brought to Evora where the King then was that City was filled with all publick Demonstrations of Joy From thence soon after it was diffused throughout the whole Kingdom The Plague in Portugal The Plague then raging a Lisbon and spreading as far as Evora as also the News brought of the Death of the Princess Joanna the King's Sister in the Monastery at Aveyro might have been looked upon as ill Omens forboding the evil Success of this Marriage The publick Joy was turned for some time into Mourning but soon after resumed again Nor did the Preparations for the Wedding cease all that time and
Assemblâ—◠〈…〉 and appeared inflexible Martin 〈…〉 Camara was sent to appease them and promise they should have all the Records relating to the Succession It was proposed the Governours should remove to Santarem and disband the Forces they entertained The Prior of Crato drew near to Lisbon thinking the City would receive him they ordered him to remove farther yet he approached nearer and at last was admitted The Governours and Commons were at variance and could agree upon no one Point King Philip wrote to the Governours Parliament and chief Cities admonishing them to Proclaim him King Philip of Spain Arms to secure the Crown 〈◊〉 Portugal and at the same time suspecting them gathered his Forces He chose Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo Duke of Alva then a Prisoner at Vzeda for Miscarriages in Flanders to be General of this Expedition Philip removed to Guadalupe on Pretence of Devotion thither came to him the Portuguese Embassadors desiring him to forbear Force and stand to the Determination of the Judges But he told them he could not lay down Arms till he was proclaimed King The Governours weary of the Commons sent them word they were dissolved and might depart They doubted at first but soon after obeyed This done the Governours to rid themselves of such as opposed King Philip sent them away to the Frontiers and other Parts on pretence of securing the Kingdom 2. King Philip now at Merida spread his Forces along the Borders of the Kingdom ordering the Commanders to treat such Portuguese as resorted to them courteously Preparations in Portugal to oppose Philip The Portuguese tho' they knew of these Preparations yet because the King courted them they thought he was weak Such of the Governours as favoured him were afraid to discover it and therefore Francis Barreto was sent into France to obtain 6000 Foot of that King which done he was to go to Rome to move the Pope to Mediate that King Philip might stand to Judgment D. Elisio de Portugal was sent to the Emperor The Fleet was also ordered to be fitted out D. Emanuel de Portugal erected a Wooden Fort on a Bank of Sand at the Mouth of the River to secure the Harbour There being great want of Men the Fryars from the Pulpits encouraged them to take up Arms and became more insolent when they incensed the Rabble to Rescue Antony Suarez who was hanged for murdering Ferdinand de Pâ—ca an Ancient Grave Man and Alderman of the City for that he opposed Antony the Grand Prior by whose order he was assassinated and he now pressed the Governours to declare him Legitimate D. John Tello one of the Governours was sent to Belem with absolute Power and there joyned with D. Emanuel de Portugal both of them being Mortal Enemies to Castile These Two wanting Money designed to sell the Crown Jewels but Christopher de Moura deterred any from buying affirming They would lose their Money for that the King would take them from them and their Persons would be in Danger 3. The Portuguese Embassadors followed the King to Badajoz where he dismissed them with the same Answer as before The Governours still remained irresolute but resolved to secure themselves and therefore removed to Setuval that being a stronger Place The Duke of Bragança and Spanish Embassador followed them and they began to talk of summoning the Cortes or Parliament as if the Duke of Alva were not now upon his March Elvas and other places delivered to King Philip. In the mean while the City Elvas was delivered up to King Philip there being Two Parties in the Place and Sixty Horse appearing before it and cutting off its Water The same happened at Olivenza Serpa Mâ—ura Campo-Mayor Aronches and Portalegre did the same Antony the Grand Prior at Santarem was by the Rabble proclaimed Protector of the Kingdom Antony the Bastard declared Protector by the Rabble and he going to lay the Foundation of a Fort a Base Fellow called Antony Baracho flourishing a Clout on the point of his Sword cried out Antony Antony King of Portugal All the Multitude took the word and pursued it so that none durst contradict them Only he made some seeming Opposition which was but to heighten their Desires Mounting on Horseback he was conducted to the Church and thence to the Town-Hall where all present swore Allegiance to him This done he resolved to set forward for Lisbon believing himself secure if received there This News was soon carried to the Governours at Setuval But before we proceed let us give some further Account of this Mob King 4. Antony Prior of Crato that is of the Order of Malta was born at Lisbon in the Year 1531 being Bastard-Son to Prince Lewis the Son of King Emanuel by Vâ—â—lante Gomez yet he made efforts to prove himself Legitimate but all unsuccessfully He was bred to Learning but made but little progress 1531. only understood Latin and had some rudiments of other Sciences The Birth and Education of Antony Prior of Crato His Particular Talent was a smooth Tongue which was very Attractive Incontinency was so predominant in him that in the depth of his Misfortunes he could not refrain from it Upon some Distast given him at Court he went into Castile and was kindly Entertained by King Philip. 1560. At Tangieâ— he served against the Moors and gained Reputation 1568. and Accompanied King Sebastian in both his Voyages to Africk where as we have seen he remained in Captivity Being ransomed he returned to Portugal and soon began to aspire to the Throne Finding King Philip so powerful an Enemy he offered to Compound but his Proposals were rejected What followed till his being proclaimed King at Santarem we have seen above The Governours hearing thereof and fearing he would soon be upon them Fortifyed themselves At Lisbon all things were in the greatest Confusion imaginable King Philip was at Badajâ—z and the power of his Army much extolled which spurred all Antony's Followers to press the Kingdom to Declare for him that so united they might the better oppose the Spaniards The Council of Lisbon refused to admit Antony as King but would receive him as Protector which he refusing they prepared to oppose him 5. Antony advanced to Lisbon Antony enters Lisbon 〈…〉 and tho but slenderly attended entered the City all that saw him saluting him as King He went to the Town-House and being there proclaimed all that were present swore Allegiance to him which done he immediately sent to acquaint the Duke of Bragança the Governours and other Noblemen of his Exaltation His next care was to raise Men and dispatch Expresses to England and France to crave Succours Having gathered 1500 Men he set forward for Setuval where the Governours were sending before the young Count de 〈◊〉 his great Favourite with a Letter admonishing them to submit They thought to have defended themselves but the Gount being possessed of the Gates they fled away privately and met again at 〈◊〉